Just about every store in the Austin area is a bit quirkier than most, and Toy Time is one of those truly unique establishments. This independent toy store carries a wide selection of toys that you won’t find at most big box toy stores, and it even offers pop culture memorabilia that adults will love, as well.

The colorful, jam-packed shop is small, but it’s filled to the brim with children’s dolls and toys. The candy selection includes hard-to-find items like chocolate rocks, and the walls are lined with electronic games, costumes, model kits, and much more. Toy Time also includes a party room where guests can book fun-filled birthday parties. This room is set up like a treehouse, and the affordable package includes your choice of entertainers ranging from magicians to princesses and even full-scale petting zoos.

Toy Time is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, and the store is closed on Sundays.

Toy Time
101-B Pecan Street West
Pflugerville, TX 78660
(512) 990-8697
www.toy-time.com
www.yelp.com/biz/toy-time-pflugerville

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/stevendepolo

If you’re looking for a place to make your lunchtime meals a bit healthier, Salata is a great option in the North Austin area. This grab-and-go salad bar offers customizable salads, wraps, and made-in-house dressings and sauces that give everything major flavor. All of the veggies and proteins are prepped fresh daily, and everything on the menu is gluten free.

Salata runs like a well-oiled machine, with friendly employees tossing large salad bowls from behind a long, colorful salad bar filled with greens, vegetables, and an assortment of toppings. There are a number of different soups that change from day to day, and the selection of fresh juices complements the eatery's health-conscious menu.

Inside, Salata’s bright green dining room features light wood booths and tables where guests can enjoy both the lunch and the free Wi-Fi. Customers can even order their meals online and pick them up in person for added convenience on a busy work day!

Salata
10515 N. Mopac Expressway
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 487-5497
www.salata.com
www.yelp.com/biz/salata-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Jessica Spengler

One of the fastest, most fail-proof ways to breathe new life into your home's decor is by swapping out your window treatments. Here are a few smart ways to help you choose the perfect curtains for your apartment and install them to best suit your specific space.

• Choose the right size. When choosing curtains or drapes, go for something that is approximately 2 to 2.5 times the width of your windows. As for the length, make sure that they touch the floor when you hang them at the top of the window (or slightly above).
• Keep it sheer. Unless you want to use your curtains for privacy, it’s best to go for something sheer so that you don’t block natural light.
• Choose high quality hardware. If you have the extra funds, choosing a pricier type of curtain rod can make all the difference. This creates a more luxurious look, and you may find that the rod stands up to daily use a bit better than cheaper options.
• Hang them high. Most interior designers recommend hanging your curtains all the way at the ceiling instead of just above the window. This creates a dramatic, catalog-worthy look and adds the illusion of height.
• Add Roman shades. If heavy curtains aren’t your style, add Roman shades in a color that matches the rest of your room instead.

8 Window Treatment Ideas [Apartments.com]
Decor PSA: Hang Curtains High & Wide [Apartment Therapy]
Ask a Designer: How Do I Choose Window Treatments? [House Beautiful]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/liz west