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13 Signs That Austin Has Ruined You

September 9, 2016 by Kristin Leigh 13 Comments

Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue in Austin

Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial (Credit: Knowsphotos via Flickr CC)

Step off the plane into Austin-Bergstrom Airport, and the wafting scent of Salt Lick BBQ is one of the first indicators this town is going to woo you. Try not to swoon over the unmistakable guitar riffs of Stevie Ray Vaughan ubiquitous in bars around town. And if your heart doesn’t do a back flip when gazing at the skyline from a grassy corner of Barton Springs, then you’re beyond help.

I had to leave Austin for it to sink in: living in this overgrown college town is something that ruins a person for living elsewhere. While it’s impossible to completely describe what makes this town so lovely to call home, here are some of the reasons I can never hang my hat anywhere else. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Activities, Austinot Loves, Discoveries

5 Reasons Austin Is a Perfect Home for Dedicated Runners

August 29, 2016 by Kristin Leigh 2 Comments

Austin Marathon Runners on Congress Avenue

Austin Marathon runners on Congress Avenue (Credit: Roger Mommaerts via Flickr CC)

If you share anything in common with the 110 people who arrive at Austin’s doorstep every day, luggage in tow, you’re probably clued into the fact that our Central Texas city is obsessed with being active. From yoga studios on every corner to the dog parks that can’t keep up with demand, from the packs of cycling enthusiasts exploring the Veloway to the droves of rock climbers seeking their next adventure, there’s something in Austin for everyone who likes to lace up those sneakers and get sweaty. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Activities, Discoveries Tagged With: fitness, running

How to Keep Active While Staying Cool in Austin This Summer

August 10, 2016 by Kristin Leigh Leave a Comment

Staying Cool in Austin at Deep Eddy Pool

Austin’s Deep Eddy Pool (Credit: City of Austin PARD, Aquatics Office)

The month of survival is upon us in Austin and its name around these parts is uttered like a four-letter word: August. Our survival gear to get through the worst days of summer heat (19 days over 100 degrees and counting) includes water-wicking tank tops, Chacos, shades, copious amounts of sunscreen and ice cold AC. This is not the time to save the planet. It’s every man for himself when temperatures rise into the triple digits. Many of us have flocked to this Central Texas city because we love how active we’re encouraged to be here, but how do we keep active while staying cool in Austin through these scorching days?

As far as I’m concerned, there are three paths to coping: stay near water, hide in the shade or hunker down inside. The key is to avoid the latter and not give up. You can save your Netflix queue for the post-holiday sprawl and keep active while the sun still shines with these sanity-saving tips and ideas. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Activities, Discoveries

How to Eat Your Way Down the Colorado River

July 13, 2016 by Kristin Leigh Leave a Comment

Main Street Smithville TX

Main Street Smithville, TX along the Colorado River (Credit: andy via Flickr CC)

What’s more quintessentially Texas than rolling hills, grazing Longhorns and small town charm, set against an idyllic, pastoral backdrop?

While the small towns southeast of Austin nestled along the Colorado River–notably Smithville, La Grange and Round Top–are not considered part of Texas Hill Country, you only have to spend one afternoon basking in the river views and unrivaled hospitality to realize this region is nothing short of magical.

The kicker is that, even in the middle of the country where the air is clean and phone service spotty, you can find amazing restaurants that rival what you’re used to in our capital city. Just be sure to call ahead and confirm open times before you head out. Counter-intuitive closure dates and funky schedules are standard in rural areas. Before you hop in the car, double-check that your destination is indeed ready to receive you! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Day Trips, Discoveries, Food, Food & Drink

How to Day Trip Like a Texan: Tips and Packing List

June 23, 2016 by Kristin Leigh Leave a Comment

Hill Country Lavender in Blanco, TX

Lavender fields in Blanco, TX (Credit: Tasha Brieger)

Picture this (and hopefully it doesn’t sound familiar): you’re standing outside a state park, blistering and squinting under a blaring Texas sun. As you sit on the bumper of a dusty Prius, mosquitoes itching, 20 miles away from the nearest diner, you wonder whether the park rangers will accept four dollars in quarters as payment for a day pass. Murphy’s Law. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Day Trips, Discoveries

Creative Ways to Explore the Texas State Capitol in Austin

June 9, 2016 by Kristin Leigh Leave a Comment

Texas State Capitol Building Sunset

Texas State Capitol Building at sunset (Credit: saneimpala)

Anyone who has been in central Austin has gazed at the architectural jewel in the heart of our city, the Texas State Capitol Building. Poised atop 22 acres of tree-filled land and elegantly framed by downtown buildings, this historic structure has been expertly maintained and curated by Texans since 1888 and is a lovely place to enjoy a day of learning, strolling and feeling the Lone Star love. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Activities, Discoveries Tagged With: downtown

Interview: Teo Prepares to Represent Austin at Gelato World Tour

May 27, 2016 by Kristin Leigh Leave a Comment

Teo Gelato Storefront in Austin, TX

Teo Gelato (Credit: Shyla Ray)

Having built a tidy gelato empire in central Austin, fourteen years ago and counting, it would be reasonable to assume Teo Gelato owner Matthew Lee would want a few years to sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

But Lee is among the restless culinary artisans who are never satisfied to sit back. Even after his 2014 success at the Gelato World Tour Finals in Rimini, Italy, as the top American-born gelato maestro in North America and, more recently, being the recipient of H-E-B’s Best In Texas award, Lee is throwing his hat in the ring for another Gelato World Tour Competition. This time the event is in Chicago on May 27-29, 2016.

He will be flavorfully armed with a caramel-laced, bourbon-infused [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food, Food & Drink Tagged With: teo

What Not to Wear: Navigating Austin’s Casual Cool Dress Code

April 27, 2016 by Kristin Leigh Leave a Comment

Dress Code Austin Texas

Fashionably Austin, like a boss
(Credit: Susannah Haddad)

Austin’s casual dress code can be puzzling for those getting assimilated into the city. We’re nestled deep in the heart of a state that skews southern conservative, but we possess a distinct culture, mixed with a climate that dictates donning as few layers as possible. This makes it plausible to go out to a steak dinner wearing flip flops. We’re famously the “blueberry in the middle of the tomato soup” and our fashion sense is just as unexpected.

As a native Austinite who has lived and dined in a slew of outfits for thirty years, ranging from shorts and flip flops to sarongs and flash tattoos, I’ve often grappled with what to wear and when, and I know I’m not alone. The rules that apply to going out in Dallas, Portland and Denver don’t count in this funky college town. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Activities, Discoveries

Funky Chicken Coop Tour Inspires Urban Homesteading in Austin

March 31, 2016 by Kristin Leigh Leave a Comment

Funky Chicken Coop Tour Austin

Two chicken enthusiasts in Austin (Credit: Funky Chicken Coop Tour)

I pull my beat-up pickup truck in front of an adorably hip family home and glance at my map nervously. I don’t want to walk into the wrong stranger’s backyard this morning, but I’m afraid this is a real possibility.

That’s when I notice two women walking out across the front yard, clutching tour maps and wearing farm-tough rubber boots. I relax. On this breezy Saturday, I’ve come to the right spot to find exactly what I’m looking for: a hen house. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Activities, Discoveries

Birds Barbershop Opens Eighth Location at North Austin’s Domain

March 15, 2016 by Kristin Leigh 17 Comments

Birds Barbershop Domain Austin

Birds Barbershop at The Domain (Birds Barbershop)

The lead singer grins at me as she belts out an indie rock-infused cover of Coldplay’s latest radio hit. I return the smile and sip my icy cold Shiner beer, sitting back on the plush, mid-century modern couch, taking in the moment.

No, I am not at some private SXSW showing. I’m just waiting to get my haircut at the newest location of Birds Barbershop at The Domain. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Local Business Tagged With: north austin, rock rose, the domain

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