Parts & Labour: Unique Gifts on South Congress

Looking for a great spot to pick up a unique gift hand crafted by a talented artisan? Head to Parts & Labor on South Congress, where you’ll find just that in a fun, friendly setting. Their unique selection includes items that would be perfect for a birthday, wedding, housewarming, or baby shower gift.

On the other hand, it’s also a spot to treat your own sweet self to something special, like a Lego bracelet, soy candle, Scrabble tile pendant, or hand silkscreened t-shirt illustrated with something cute and quirky. Clothing, jewelry, baby items, wall art, cards, stationary, candles, hats, scarves, socks, toys and more, are all arrayed vibrantly for your perusal. The staff is super friendly and helpful, too!

Parts and Labour
1117 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 326-1648
http://partsandlabour.blogspot.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/parts-and-labour-austin

Recycled Reads: Support Austin’s Library System

Support Austin's public library and get fantastic used books at a bargain price at Recycled Reads. It’s the perfect place to stock up on reading material for a fraction of what you’d pay if you bought it new. CDs, DVDs and vinyl record albums are also on sale here.

Whether your favorite reading material is mystery, literary fiction, science fiction, poetry, travel, how-to, self-help, art, biography or history, you’re sure to find something to float your literary boat while you spend hours lost in the world of words. Kid’s books are also on their shelves, as is a small selection of new books.

Got books at home gathering dust on your shelves at home at Elan East? Bring them in and donate to help fund the Austin library system!

Recycled Reads is open Thursday through Sunday.

Recycled Reads
5335 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 323-5123
http://www.recycledreads.org/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/recycled-reads-austin

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TRIO: Taste the Eponymous Trio of Steak, Seafood, and Wine

Steps from Austin’s bustling downtown and overlooking scenic Lady Bird Lake, TRIO gives diners the best of both worlds. Trio’s carefully-curated menu offers both steak (range) and seafood (Gulf) options. Gulf offerings include Texas shrimp served with red mole sauce, shishito peppers, and corncakes and grouper prepared with grapefruit, roasted cipollini, and brown butter hollandaise. In addition to succulent steaks, TRIO’s range options include chicken, lamb, and antelope for more adventurous eaters. Locals love the made-to-order omelette station at Sunday brunch—as well as the unlimited mimosas, coffee, and tea. TRIO welcomes diners seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Guests praise the attentive and accommodating service as much as the cuisine. One frequent diner had TRIO’s staff custom-create her wedding cake, while another asked (in advance) for the pastry chef to bake a birthday dessert that was not on the menu. Both were pleased with the results!

TRIO
98 San Jacinto Boulevard
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 685-8300
http://www.triorestaurantaustin.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/trio-austin-2

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5 Omelet Recipes That Will Make Your Breakfast Better

To get the perfect combination of eggs, veggies, and cheeses, there’s nothing better than a savory omelet. These five unique omelet recipes will give you a few new ideas for your morning meal.

Aussie Omelet
You may have heard of a Greek omelet or a Spanish omelet, but you’ve probably never tried an Aussie omelet. Full of shrimp, peppers, curry, and other down-under ingredients, this is a spicy seafood omelet that will jump-start your day.

Herbed Cream Cheese Omelet
The addition of rich, creamy cream cheese makes this omelet a savory treat. When the herbs, eggs, and cream cheese all blend together, it creates a rich taste that everyone will love.

Quick Garden Omelet
When you want to create a beautiful breakfast but you don’t have much time to spare, this veggie-packed garden omelet is the perfect choice.

Southwestern Omelet
Black beans, salsa, and melted cheddar give this omelet a spicy flavor that’s distinctly Southwestern. This recipe can feed two people.

Onion and Fresh Herb Omelet with Mixed Greens
This light onion omelet is topped with a mix of field greens for added vitamins and nutrients. Pair it with fresh fruit, hot coffee, and whole-wheat toast for a healthy and hearty breakfast meal.

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

May the luck of the Irish be with you today.

Have You Tried the Wood-Fired Coffee at Brian’s Brew?

Drip, pour-over, fair-trade … you probably think you've heard of and tried every coffee trend, but think again! Brian's Brew is a small coffee shop that features beverages made from mesquite wood-fired, hand-roasted coffee beans. This technique brings out a rich, smoky flavor that will make you swear off chain coffee for good.

Stop in for your daily caffeine fix and Brian himself will fix you a Summermoon or Wintermoon latte, both of which are signature beverages made with a secret recipe that results in a unique, mocha-like drink. The location inside the Bank of America building makes this a hidden gem of downtown Austin.

Brian's Brew
515 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 738-7713
http://www.briansbrew.com
www.yelp.com/biz/brians-brew-austin

New Facebook Sweepstakes! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

To enter the Sweepstakes, Like our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends April 30th, 2014.

For mobile users ONLY, like our Facebook Page, and then click here to enter!

The Clay Pit: An Austin Indian Restaurant

A warm, inviting ambiance with cinnamon-hued walls greets you when you enter The Clay Pit. The menu features a flavorful selection of Indian fare served attentively in an upscale setting. Order a beer or glass of wine from their extensive selection and a delightful appetizer like Veggie Samosas, Clay Pit Pakoras, Curried Crab Cakes or Coriander Calamari.

The Clay Pit's signature curry dishes include Jeera Saag – pureed spinach with spices, Vindaloo with bell pepper, onion & potatoes, and Mirch Masala with jalapenos, garlic, ginger & onions. Other dishes include Kabuli Chicken with korma sauce, Goat Saag with pureed spinach, Rack of Lamb in yogurt masala, and Lamb Roganjosh with creamy onion sauce. Stop by at lunchtime to feast on the flavorful array of dishes on the buffet table.

This Austin Indian restaurant is open every day.

The Clay Pit
1601 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 322-5131
http://claypit.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-clay-pit-austin

Arro: A Trendy Destination for Austin Foodies

Austin foodies with a love of French cuisine are flocking to Arro, the trendy sister restaurant to Easy Tiger Bake Shop. The seasonal menu features a mix of traditional French cuisine (Duck Confit) and more unusual items (Grilled Antelope). If you're new to French cuisine, the three-course menu for $25 is a great way to experience Arro. Diners can choose from several options, and favorites include the Lobster Bisque to start, Mussels and Fries as a main course, and the Lemon Goat Cheese Tart for dessert.

A full bar offers sophisticated cocktails and French wine. Renovations to the restaurant's warehouse setting have preserved the building's open, industrial feel, and large windows offer great urban views of 6th street. Arro's ambiance is ideal for a classy, yet casual, date.

Arro
601 W. 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 992-2776
http://www.arroaustin.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/arro-austin

Simple Kitchen Organization Tips

Kitchens are often cluttered with pots and pans, spices, snacks and leftovers. But these brilliant tips from handy home websites will help you organize your kitchen at Elan East!

Try a Lazy Susan
These revolving trays are helpful anywhere that clutter normally takes over, including spice shelves, snack cabinets and even the refrigerator.

Store items by frequency of use
In cabinets and drawers, pull things that you use every day to the front or put them on the lowest shelves, and leave the rest for the hard-to-reach places.

File plastic containers
Rather than stacking the lids of plastic leftover containers in a messy pile, file them in a drawer like you would papers.

Get a chalkboard
It can serve as a fun grocery list, silly message board or even a calendar for the whole family.

Place a wire shelf in the fridge
Add more storage in cramped refrigerators with elevated wire shelving.

24 Smart Organizing Ideas for Your Kitchen [Real Simple]
Kitchen Organizing Tips [Martha Stewart]
8 Smart Organizing Tips for the Kitchen [Tidy Mom]
22 Kitchen Organization and Storage Tips [Better Homes and Gardens]

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