How to Plant and Grow a Terrarium at Avana Stone Canyon

You’ve likely seen stylish terrariums filling the pages of all of your favorite interior design catalogs, but did you know that these unique gardens are also very easy to make at home? Here are just a few simple ways to create your own terrarium and add a bit of greenery to your rental at Avana Stone Canyon!

  1. Whether you choose a small, round terrarium that you can hang from the ceiling or a larger, tank-style option for very large creations, you’ll want to choose something in a durable class that will enable you to see the plants through the sides.
  2. Add a layer of small stones or pebbles to the bottom of the terrarium for proper water drainage. This should measure about one-inch thick.
  3. Add another one-inch layer of activated charcoal on top of that for a finer drainage system.
  4. Top it off with a 1.5-inch layer of sphagnum moss to hold the soil in place and prevent it from sliding into the pebbles.
  5. Take a soil designed especially for terrariums and pre-moisten it using a spray bottle of water. Add a thick layer of three to four inches on top of everything.
  6. Remove pot-bound roots from your plants and add them to the soil. You may need to divide the plant into sections if it’s too big to fit the scale of the terrarium.
  7. Decorate with rocks and other accessories.

Terrariums: A Guide to Plants and Care [Better Homes & Gardens]
How To Make Terrariums [About Home]
Make Your Own Terrarium [HGTV]

Start Your Day With a Latte and a Croissant From Commonwealth Coffeehouse & Bakery

The next time you’re craving something more elaborate than your usual morning coffee, pay a visit to Commonwealth Coffeehouse & Bakery. This favorite local coffee shop is located in a building that looks like a renovated house, and once you venture inside you’ll find that it’s just as cozy as one too. White subway tiles and antique light sconces line the walls, country-style furnishings fill the dining area, and outside, French bistro tables create charming seating areas on the spacious wooden deck.

The skilled baristas at Commonwealth Coffeehouse & Bakery happily prepare frothy cappuccinos topped with elaborate foam art, while the seasonal lattes feature unique combinations of flavors and the classic drip coffee impresses even the most knowledgeable coffee experts. There is also a delicious food menu that boasts breakfast burritos, chocolate croissants, and Ahi tuna sandwiches for lunch.

No matter the time of day, Commonwealth Coffeehouse & Bakery is just the place to visit when you need a pick-me-up.

Commonwealth Coffeehouse & Bakery
118 Davis Court
San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 560-2955
www.commonwealthcoffeehouse.com

Follow These Tutorials to a Cool and Kitschy Macrame Plant Hanger

Macramé may have originally gained popularity back in the 1970s, but the kitschy weaving craft is coming back in a big way. If you love plants and you’re always looking for fun new ways to display them, you may even want to try making a macramé plant hanger of your own. Here are a few tutorials to help you get started!

Colorful Polyester Rope Hanger [hgtv.com]
With this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a macramé hanger using only a few colors of polyester rope, a carabiner, and a screw hook. The actual plant hanger itself is fairly simple, but wrapping the multicolored string around the top adds a fun pop of color.

Sturdy Macramé Plant Hanger [lowes.com]
If you’re looking for something that’s a bit sturdier to hang a particularly heavy plant, this is a great tutorial. It uses clothesline instead of the usual yarn or polyester rope, as well as 18-gauge steel wire and a chain ring for added reinforcement.

Mini String Planters [blog.freepeople.com]
For something quicker and easier, this cute tutorial from the Free People blog uses standard yarn that you might already have stashed away at home. This is a fun tutorial to do while you relax in front of the TV, and the finished product is a great way to hang small air plants or succulents in miniature pots.

Get Up Close and Personal With Matisse and Picasso at McNay Art Museum

The first modern art museum in the state of Texas, the McNay has become an important element in the vibrant cultural scene of San Diego. Its doors opened in 1954 after the death of American painter and oil heiress Marion Koogler McNay, who left her art collection and her 24-room Spanish mansion to the cause.

The museum's collections now comprise 19th and 20th century American and European art, including works by Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse, Diego Rivera, Pablo Picasso, and dozens of other important painters. It also hosts the Tobin Collection of Theater Arts, a pre-eminent resource for plays and other dramatic materials.

The grounds around the museum building are a work of art in themselves, carefully manicured and hosting a diverse selection of fascinating sculptures. This is certainly a museum worth visiting.

McNay Art Museum
6000 N. New Braunfels Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 824-5368
www.mcnayart.org
www.yelp.com/biz/mcnay-art-museum-san-antonio

Press Coffee: Get Jazzed About Your Morning Java

If you’re looking for a way to make mornings more exciting, pay a visit to the city’s popular Press Coffee. True to its name, Press Coffee offers French presses filled with premium beans that make enough coffee for a few cups. If you prefer something more elaborate, you’ll also find a small menu of handcrafted lattes, loose leaf teas, and beverages made with milk alternatives for vegan or dairy-free guests. There is a well-curated selection of foods for breakfast and lunch, including avocado toast and fresh baked muffins, but for the most part coffee is the name of the game here.

Coffee fanatics love this cozy cafe for its tall, stark white walls, floor-to-ceiling windows. and minimal decor that is right on trend. There are a few wooden cafe tables throughout the dining area, and the skilled baristas are often found concentrating hard on creating the perfect cappuccinos behind the professional espresso bar.

Press Coffee
606 W French Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 602-6590
www.yelp.com/biz/press-coffee-san-antonio

Meson European Restaurant: Plan Your Next Date Night at This Romantic Eatery

If you want to experience artful, European fare, you don’t have to invest in a pricey international plane ticket. Meson European Restaurant offers this type of global cuisine in an upscale atmosphere right here in San Antonio, and it has the feeling of a locals-only hidden gem that makes it even more special.

Meson’s menu consists of healthy, whole foods with a European flair, including premium cuts of New York strip steaks, fresh seafood, and handcrafted pasta dishes that change from season to season. Regular diners say that the prices are fair for the large portion sizes and high quality of the meals, and there is also a full bar and an impressive wine list for of-age guests.

Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the restaurant’s dining room with natural light, while multiple four-person tables covered in white tablecloths make any meal luxurious. On the weekends, Meson also features the occasional live jazz band that adds even more ambiance to your relaxed, upscale dining experience.

Meson European Restaurant
923 N. Loop 1604 East
San Antonio, TX 78232
(210) 690-5811
www.mesoneuropeandining.com
www.yelp.com/biz/meson-european-dining-san-antonio

What to Keep in Mind When Counting Calories

You know that counting calories is essential when it comes to losing weight, but do you really understand exactly what calories are? Here are a few things that you should understand about your caloric intake.

  1. Know the definition. A calorie is a term used to describe how much energy there is in a food. Your body needs a certain amount of calories to function, but excess calories turn into fat.
  2. Know your limit. Everyone has a different daily calorie limit, and it all depends on your sex, age, height, and weight. You’ll need to visit a doctor or find a chart online to determine your personal recommended daily intake.
  3. Create a calorie log. Keep track of how many calories you consume by recording your meals in a daily diary.
  4. Evenly distribute calories. Plan ahead of time so that you can split up your calories between each meal of the day. Be careful not to consume the majority of your calories in the morning, because you won’t have many remaining to "spend" on dinner.
  5. Beware of beverages. Many people don’t realize it, but the calories in drinks can really take a toll on your daily calorie limit. Be careful to record all of the beverages that you consume in addition to your meals.

Eat the Right Amount of Calories For You [Choose My Plate]
Estimated Calorie Requirements [WebMD]
American Cancer Society Calorie Counter [American Cancer Society]

Bring a Craving for Artisanal Truffles to Schakolad Chocolate Factory

Chocolate lovers in the San Antonio area love to pay a visit to Schakolad Chocolate Factory (pronounced “shaq-oh-LAD”) for sweet treats after dinner in the area. This European-style gourmet chocolate shop sells chocolates made entirely from scratch, on site. By using traditional European recipes passed down for three generations, Schakolad creates decadent chocolate truffles, rich fudges, chocolate-covered fruits, and much more. In addition to its chocolates, you can enjoy housemade ice creams on crispy waffle cones.

Inside, the shop is well decorated and inviting, containing glass display cases filled to the brim with beautiful chocolates that you can admire before making a purchase. With a convenient location right at The Vineyards in San Antonio, Schakolad makes the perfect dessert spot or even a great place to pick up a special gift!

Schakolad Chocolate Factory
1203 N Loop 1604 W
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 490-5333
www.schakolad.com/store29

New Facebook Sweepstakes! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

To enter the Sweepstakes, visit our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends December 31st, 2015. We suggest you like our page to keep informed about future sweepstakes and community happenings.

For mobile users, click here to enter.

River City Crossfit: Pump Iron Among Friends

Regulars at River City Crossfit in downtown San Antonio say they love this gym for its atmosphere and sense of community. Even Yelp reviewers who’ve stopped here while on vacation or passing through town say they’ve been bowled over by the friendliness and attentiveness of trainers Eric and Erica. Whether you’re a Crossfit veteran or just getting started, members recommend River City Crossfit. Fans say the facility is spacious and the atmosphere is supportive and reassuring.

River City Crossfit is open daily. Classes are held every hour, but sessions vary, so check the gym's website for the class calendar.

River City Crossfit
10813 Nacogdoches Road
San Antonio, TX 78217
(210) 413-1137
www.rivercitycrossfit.com
www.yelp.com/biz/river-city-crossfit-san-antonio

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