May this autumn bring you a harvest of fun times and laughter with family and friends!
Savor a Taste of Italy at Gelateria Gemelli
September 27, 2016 by
A bite of authentic Italian gelato from Gelateria Gemelli might be the shortest distance between Austin and Rome. The owners established Gelateria Gemelli after taking a tour around Italy to learn the time-honored craft of making gelato, which many refer to as the Italian equivalent to American ice cream.
At Gelateria Gemelli, gelato is made in small batches using organic milk and locally sourced ingredients. Staple flavors remain on the menu year-round, but most changing out seasonally. Try a decadent Valrhona chocolate or a refreshing pineapple-mint sorbetto if you’re looking for something dairy-free. After your gelato, try a signature Italian negroni or a sip of Amaro, an herbal infused Italian liqueur used to cleanse the palate. They offer a full list of cocktails, beer, wine, and prosecco if you want to sit and linger.
Gelateria Gemelli is open noon to 11 p.m. daily. If you find a flavor you can’t live without, you can take a pint of it home with you!
Gelateria Gemelli
1009 E. Sixth St
Austin, Texas 78702
(512) 535-2170
www.gelateriagemelli.com
Three Awesome Ways to Decorate With Maps
September 23, 2016 by
These days, mobile maps can definitely be more useful for traveling than a paper map. However, paper maps are beautiful to look at! So why not use them in your home decor? Here are three creative ways you can decorate with a map.
- Use a map to revamp your lampshade and give it a warm, vintage feel. All you need to do is find an atlas with pictures of beautiful maps inside, a lamp with a shade, and a few craft items. Make a template for your shade and test it out to make sure it fits perfectly. Then, just lay out your template on top of your map pages and make the pages match the size of the template. Finally, use some rubber cement to glue your map on and you're finished!
- Cover the drawers of your plain-looking dresser with a map. You're pretty much going to use the same process you did for the lamp. Make sure to measure everything out perfectly and remember to cut out tiny circles for the knobs.
- Give your living room a unique, vintage feel by covering the top of your glass coffee table with a map. If you have a large enough coffee table, you may even be able to see the whole map.
Vintage Map Lampshade [Pretty Handy Girl]
10 Ways to Decorate Your Home with Maps [Babble]
7 Ways to Decorate with Maps and Globes [Conde Nast]
Football Season Is Back! How to Host an Unforgettable Game-Day Soiree
September 20, 2016 by
One of the best things about fall is inviting all of your friends and family over to watch the big game, but it can be quite difficult to organize the food, drinks, and seating arrangements for that many people. Whether you’re playing host to 5 or 50 people, these fun DIY ideas will show you how to make sure your game-day bash scores a touchdown.
- Decorating cheap mason jars makes it easy (and festive) to dole out drinks to all of your guests. Simply use white electrical tape to create those familiar stitches normally found on the side of a football, and once your party is over, you can easily remove them and repurpose the jars for something else.
- To get your guests excited for the game, purchase some silly hats, masks, and noisemakers from your favorite local party store. Set them out on a table and let your guests choose their own fun costumes.
- To avoid awkward scrambling for seats after the guests arrive, create a comfortable seating area beforehand. Toss some pillows on the floor in front of the sofas, or pull kitchen chairs and arrange them in places where everyone can easily see the screen.
- Set the food out buffet-style so that guests can easily grab snacks between quarters. If you’re planning a more sit-down meal, schedule it at halftime so that everyone has time to eat.
Big Game Party Ideas [Flamingo Toes]
Top 10 Football Party Ideas for Game Day at Home [Party City]
Great Football Party Ideas: How to Host a Football Theme Party [Party 411]
Affordable Ways to Update Your Apartment (In a Big Way!)
September 16, 2016 by
You may think you need to spend big bucks to revamp your apartment's decor, but that's not always the case. Lucky for budget-conscious renters, there are a number of ways to make a big impact on your apartment's decor without overspending. Here are just a few affordable updates that will breathe new life into your living space.
- Add a new rug. To change the whole feel of your living room or bedroom, switch out your rug with something completely different. Simply choose something in a different color or more elaborate pattern — just make sure that it still coordinates with the rest of your furniture.
- Brighten things up. Let in natural light by switching out all of the window treatments in your home. Instead of using blackout curtains or heavy drapes, add light, sheer curtains that maximize the sunlight.
- Throw around some pops of color. If your bedroom or living room is looking a bit drab, try adding mix-and-matched throw pillows to make things feel more exciting. You can also toss a bright throw blanket over the arm of a chair or the back of a sofa to tie it all together.
- Hang some low-priced artwork. Search local thrift stores for new-to-you pieces or create your own DIY artwork to transform your rental into a home. Whether you arrange them into a gallery wall or hang simple statement pieces, wall art makes a big impact.
30 Ways To Upgrade Your Rental Apartment [Style Caster]
Mecca Gym and Spa: A Luxurious Treat for Mind, Body and Soul
September 13, 2016 by
If you believe that working out should be a relaxing, enjoyable experience, Mecca Gym and Spa is the facility for you. This upscale, modern gym is located conveniently in downtown Austin, and it offers a feeling of classic luxury and a personalized fitness experience. Wall-to-wall windows fill the fitness area with natural light, and top-of-the-line cardio and weight machines are scattered throughout the spacious room.
The gym portion hosts a knowledgeable staff of personal trainers who help guests meet their fitness goals, whether those are to train for a triathlon or simply to shed a few extra pounds. The spa is elegantly decorated and soothing, with ornate architectural details, sparkling light fixtures, and comfortable furnishings in every service area. Talented technicians offer massages, facials, and waxing services in private rooms, while guests sip wine or champagne in the open, airy manicure area.
If you want to tone your body and then treat your self to a day of pampering afterward, Mecca Gym and Spa is the place to do it all!
Mecca Gym and Spa
524 N. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 381-2680
www.meccagymandspa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mecca-gym-and-spa-austin
How to Prolong the Lifespan of Fresh-Cut Flowers
September 9, 2016 by
Everyone knows that nothing gold can stay, and that's especially true when it comes to fresh-cut flowers. You may try to put them in water immediately after receiving that colorful bouquet, but it always seems like the flowers die before you even get a chance to enjoy them. What gives?
If you want to elongate the lifespan of your fresh flowers, these smart tips might help you out.
- Cut the stems. As soon as you get the flowers, cut approximately 3/4-inch from the stem. You'll want to cut at an angle to allow the water to flow up the stem.
- Fill the vase. Fill the vase with fresh, cool water and a packet of flower food, which is often included in the bouquet (for wildflowers, you can pick some up at your local nursery or garden supply store).
- Remove debris. If some stray leaves or pieces fall off of your flowers during cutting, make sure to remove them from the water, as this can cause bacteria to grow.
- Give them enough room. Placing too many flowers in one vase can prevent them from properly absorbing water, so make sure that they can sit comfortably inside the vase.
- Don't place in direct sunlight. Make sure to display flowers in a cool, dry place.
- Change the water. One of the most common reasons why flowers die so quickly is because people forget to change their water. You'll want to add fresh water and more flower food every other day or so.
How to Care for Fresh Cut Flowers [Teleflora]
Breathe New Life Into a Tired Sofa With These Styling Tips
September 6, 2016 by
A well-styled sofa can really make a difference in the over all look of your living room. Even a perfectly good, beautiful sofa can seem dull without the right styling elements. Follow these simple tips to help spruce up your sofa.
- Update your rug to one with a bold pattern. This can define a neutral area and help complement your sofa.
- Replace your lamp with a floor lamp that’s taller and sleek to polish the whole look around the sofa.
- To balance the space around the sofa, add a plant to the opposite side of the sofa.
- Add a large framed piece of art above the sofa. You want to keep it simple so one piece of art is plenty.
- For a quick update to your sofa, add a blanket or throw. Draping the throw over your sofa can soften up the design.
- Use four to five pillows to add comfort. You’ll want to use different shapes and sizes to fill the sofa out. Try mixing a few different patterns or shades. This can add comfort and really transform your seating space.
BEFORE & AFTER: How To Style Your Sofa [Elle Décor]
Throw Pillows: 4 Tips to Style Your Sofa [Huffington Post]
Guest Post: How to Style Your Sofa [Pottery Barn]
Where to Shop Unique Art and Wall Decor for Kids’ Rooms
September 2, 2016 by
Your kids' bedrooms should be the most fun rooms in the house when it comes to decorating, and that means that you likely want to keep them as colorful and creative as possible. If you’re looking for wall art designed especially for the little one that will add some flair to their bare walls, these are three great places to shop.
Minted
This hip wall art retailer has an entire section of its site devoted solely to art for kids. Expect to find minimal prints of cute quotes, personalized designs with your child’s name. and watercolor paintings of animals, crayons and other sweet scenes.
The Land of Nod
The Land of Nod is a favorite amongst stylish parents with a flair for all things mid-century modern, and its selection of kid-friendly art is just as adorable. It includes handmade weavings and tapestries in bright colors and soft neutrals, as well as framed prints, fun maps, Periodic Tables, and other educational prints.
Etsy
If you’re looking for something truly unique, Etsy has a number of sellers who create their own handmade art just for the little ones. Simply search for children’s art to discover the best the site has to offer.
Equal Housing Opportunity