We hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day celebrating with the ones you love!
Sunstone Yoga: Practice Yoga at This Welcoming Studio
Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a beginner looking to get into the practice, Sunstone Yoga has a class for everyone. This open, airy studio is located in the Great Hills area of Austin, and it’s in a plaza convenient to other businesses.
Inside, there’s a colorful, welcoming entry area where guests can sign into class, borrow a mat, or check out the selection of yoga apparel for sale. The instructors and owners are all friendly and welcoming no matter your situation, and they’re especially accommodating to beginning guests or people with injuries and medical conditions. Try one of the Water, Wood, or Fire classes depending on your personal yoga preference, and the studio will even provide you with free towels and mats if you don’t have your own.
For a full schedule of all of Sunstone Yoga’s classes, visit Sunstone's convenient website.
Sunstone Yoga
10710 Research Boulevard
Austin, TX 78759
(214) 764-2119
www.sunstoneyoga.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sunstone-yoga-austin
Maverick’s Country Rock: Pull on Your Boots to Boogie the Night Away
Austin is known for its live music venues, but Maverick’s Country Rock shows off the city’s dance moves, as well. If you love to kick up your heels to upbeat country music, Maverick’s spacious dance floor and some of the area’s best DJs will ensure that you have a rocking good time.
The dance floor isn’t just your usual open space, however: Here, a 5,000-square-foot dance floor features state-of-the-art lights and sound and a number of multimedia projectors that work in time with the music. Outside, Maverick’s 3,000-square-foot deck area features lots of outdoor seating and another full bar to service those who wish to enjoy the Texas evening. The bar also makes a fun place to dance the night away.
Maverick’s is open 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Maverick’s Country Rock
1700 Grand Ave Parkway
Pflugerville, TX 78660
(512) 514-5650
www.maverickscountryrock.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mavericks-country-rock-pflugerville
Follow Up Your Sandwich With Shaved Ice at the Sweet-n-Cheezy Food Truck
When that lunchtime hunger strikes during the workday in Round Rock, head over to the Sweet-n-Cheezy food truck for the perfect blend of savory and sweet flavors. The recognizable orange truck serves patty melt-style sandwiches with names like The Hungry Hippo and the Razorback, and they’re all piled high with premium meats and deliciously melted cheeses between two slices of thick, grilled Texas toast.
The signature sandwich is the namesake Sweet-n-Cheezy, a unique combination of fresh strawberries with melted brie cheese and raspberry jam on pistachio cranberry bread. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more traditional, you’ll also find perfectly grilled burgers that taste even better when paired with the truck’s soft, fluffy shaved ice.
The Sweet-n-Cheezy truck is closed from Monday to Wednesday.
Sweet-n-Cheezy
5430 US Highway 79
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 887-4540
www.sweet-n-cheezy.com
How to Host a Successful Toy Swap With Your Friends, Family and Neighbors
If your children are too old for their current toys but you can’t bear to simply toss them out, you may be interested in hosting a toy swap with fellow parents. A toy swap enables you to swap your child’s old or unused toys with those of other children, bringing home a whole new haul of toys without spending a penny. Here are a few tips to help you pull off a successful toy swap.
- Create a list of guests. Try to pick guests who you feel comfortable with, who have children in varying ages, and who live fairly close to one another.
- Choose the perfect location. Because of the group of people and the large amount of toys, you’ll need to hold the swap in a large, fairly spacious room. If you don’t have this type of space in your own home, see if someone else would be willing to lend their living room.
- Send out invitations and guidelines. Emailing invitations seems to be the most convenient way to get the word out, so include a list of guidelines for the swap at that time. Describe what types of toys to bring, if they should be cleaned beforehand, how many toys to bring, and if there are any items that you won’t accept.
- Make it fun. Set out snacks, make sure everyone understands the rules, and keep things light-hearted!
How To Organize a Toy Swap or Toy Exchange [About Parenting]
How to Host a Toy Swap [30 Handmade Days]
How to Throw a Toy Exchange [Shareable]
Consignment Stars: Stylish Furnishings for the Thrifty Shopper
Consignment Stars is a consignment furniture store located in the Pflugerville area of Austin. Though the city is filled with a seemingly endless number of thrift and consignment stores, this shop is unique because of its large selection of both new and used furniture.
Consignment Stars’ knowledgeable staff is always on hand to answer any questions about the consigning process or a specific piece of furniture, and the shop carries items for every room in the home. The 10,000-square-foot store hosts beds, couch and loveseat sets, televisions, and even outdoor furniture for exceptionally low prices. If you have your own used furniture that you’d like to sell, Consignment Stars also offers a convenient selling process in which you pocket half of the money once your item is sold.
Consignment Stars is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The shop is closed on Sundays.
Consignment Stars
2405 W. Pecan Street
Pflugerville, TX 78660
(512) 202-3800
www.consignmentstars.com
www.yelp.com/biz/consignment-stars-pflugerville
Taste Tom Kha Soup at Austin’s Thai Spoon
A chic, modern ambiance, a fresh, flavorful menu of regional dishes, and friendly, attentive service are the code words at Thai Spoon. Start you meal with a Thai iced tea, beer,or a glass of wine and a yummy appetizer like spring rolls with plum sauce, fried tofu with spicy peanut sauce, or chicken pot stickers with sweet dipping sauce.
Soothing soups are a hallmark of Thai fare, so be sure to order the Tom Kha with coconut milk, chicken, mushrooms, and scallion. Pair your soup with the papaya salad with shredded green papaya, carrots, peanuts, and sweet and tangy sauce. Entrees include Seafood Delight with shrimp, squid, mussels, and scallops; Roasted Duck in spicy basil sauce; and Massamun Curry with sauteed meat, peanuts, onions, potatoes, and carrots in a mild brown curry sauce.
Thai Spoon is open daily.
Thai Spoon
3720 Gattis School Road
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 733-2233
www.thaispoonrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/thai-spoon-round-rock
NeWorlDeli: Taste the Art of the Deli Sandwich
Everyone loves a good sandwich, and the folks behind Austin’s NeWorlDeli believe that a truly great sandwich doesn’t need to rely on trendy presentation or fancy fixings. This casual deli serves traditional sandwiches piled high with simple ingredients such as roasted meats, fresh cheeses, and freshly baked breads. Regulars love NeWorlDeli’s French Dip, Reuben, and the Avocado Veggie sandwiches, the latter being entirely meatless for vegetarian customers. The menu also comprises a variety of burgers and fresh salads, and the New York cheesecake provides a sweet finish to any meal.
The restaurant’s interior is beautifully decorated with warm shades of gold, blue, and red, and artwork lines every wall. Comfortable tables are comfortable for lunch with a friend, and the spacious counter makes it easy to order. With a cooler full of beers and wines and live music every Monday night, NeWorlDeli is a sandwich shop with with a whole lot more to offer.
NeWorlDeli
4101 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 451-7170
www.neworldeli.com
www.yelp.com/biz/neworldeli-austin
How to Make Holiday Travel Less Stressful
So you plan on travelling to a loved one’s house for the holidays, but unfortunately so did everyone else in the country. Holiday travel is undeniably stressful, but there are a few simple ways to make it a bit more bearable. Here are some tips to help navigate your airplane ride or road trip in a smart and savvy way.
- Book ahead of time. Instead of scrambling to book your trip at the last minute (and paying the inevitable high fees), book as far ahead of time as possible. This ensures that you’ll be able to get the flight or bus that you want, and it will likely save you a great deal of money along the way.
- Leave extra travel time. Whether you’re navigating crowds at the airport or fighting traffic on the highway, leaving good deal of extra time to allow for delays is always a good idea.
- Pack light. Since you likely have to bring presents with you on your journey, try to pack your suitcase as light as possible.
- Bring some entertainment along for the ride. If you’re driving home for the holidays, an audio book or a list of car games are some great options for passing the time. If you’ll be flying or taking a bus, try downloading a movie onto your phone or tablet.
Holiday Travel: Tips to Make It Less Stressful [Medicine Net]
Holiday Travel Slideshow: 10 Tips to Cut Stress [WebMD]
15 Tips for Healthy, Stress Reduced Holiday Travel [CNCA Health]
Happy Winter!
As sweater weather approaches we hope you all stay warm and cozy this season! What are some of your favorite winter activities?