4 Interesting Facts About Pop Star Jennifer Lopez

She may have come from humble beginnings in the Bronx area of New York City, but today, pop superstar Jennifer Lopez has sold over 50 million records worldwide and acted in a number of chart-topping blockbuster movies. Though her private life is often in the tabloids, here are a few facts that you might not know about the Latin beauty:

  1. Jennifer Lopez got her start as a backup dancer right out of high school. She danced in a number of hip hop videos, acted as a backup dancer for New Kids on the Block and Janet Jackson, and was even a member of the Fly Girls, the dance troupe on Fox’s hit show In Living Color.
  2. Her first big success came when she portrayed the late Latin-pop singer Selena in the biopic about the late pop star's life. She was nominated for a Golden Globe award for the performance. The movie also made her the highest-paid actress in history at the time, earning her $1 million.
  3. J. Lo’s acting career often intersected with her music career, leaving her with chart-topping success in both worlds. In 2001, her album J.Lo debuted at number one on the Billboard charts, while her movie The Wedding Planner was also number one at the box office.
  4. Though she always made her Latin heritage a big part of her image, Lopez didn’t release her first Spanish-language album until 2007. The album, Como Ama una Mujer, was a success on both the Latin and the pop charts.

Jennifer Lopez Biography [Rolling Stone]
Jennifer Lopez [Biography]
Jennifer Lopez Fast Facts [CNN]

Japanese Fare Comes With a Quirky Twist at Lucky Robot

If you're craving some street-style Japanese food or a bite of sushi, stop by Austin's own Lucky Robot. This establishment is modeled after Tokyo's Harajuku street fashion and can best be described as cute and a little quirky. If you're up for it, ask to sit in one of the eatery's porch swings while you order your food and drinks from an iPad.

Split some hot or cold appetizers with your table, like the sea bass with black walnut oil and apple or the street style corn with cheese and mayonnaise. The Japanese inspired tacos are also well worth a try; the ahi with wasabi aioli and avocado will leave any taco connoisseur smiling.

Regulars stop by for the expertly crafted rolls and linger for the hospitable chefs who are quick to crack a joke or exchange pleasantries. Be sure to stop in during happy hour, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Lucky Robot
1303 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-8081
http://www.luckyrobotrestaurant.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lucky-robot-austin

5 Facts About Legendary Golfer Arnold Palmer

From his days as a world famous professional golfer to his time as an incredibly successful businessman, Arnold Palmer has been a fixture in the golf world since the 1960s. Here are a few things you may not know about the legendary golfer.

1. Arnold Palmer’s career was kick-started by his win at the U.S. Open in Augusta in 1958. This win made him the youngest person to ever win the tournament.

2. Over his entire career, Palmer won 92 titles, including seven major championships. This earned him the nickname "The King."

3. Palmer was the first person to ever win the Masters four times. He won in 1958, 1960, 1962, and 1964. The 1964 tournament was his last major golf win.

4. In 1968, Palmer became the first golfer to ever earn $1 million in total winnings. He held that record for several years.

5. Today, Palmer is a savvy businessman and owns over 300 golf courses around the world, and he spearheads a number of other endeavors.

Arnold Palmer [Biography]
A Biography [Arnold Palmer]
Arnold Palmer: A Biography [Sand Hills Online]

Find Comfort Food at Austin’s Bacon

Austin is filled with quirky restaurants, and Bacon is no exception. Here, just about everything on the menu is either topped or stuffed with — you guessed it — bacon. Regulars make the trek downtown for the Chicken and Waffles, a tasty meal of crispy chicken on a bed of bacon-stuffed waffles, perfectly sized for large appetites. Breakfast tacos with house-made chorizo, bacon, and pulled pork are another popular item.

Although breakfast is the busiest time, Bacon offers lunch and dinner options as well, including a flavorful Pulled Pork Sandwich topped with bacon. (If your arteries can handle it, get a side of Bacon Fries topped with cheddar cheese, sour cream, chives and of course, bacon.) The small space has indoor seating for 50, as well as communal picnic tables outside. Counter-ordering and an efficient kitchen staff minimize the wait.

Bacon
900 W.10th Street
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 322-9777
http://www.baconaustin.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bacon-austin

Track Your Exercise With These Running Logs

If you love running and constantly try to beat your own best time, online running logs are incredibly helpful tools. Even if you’re a beginner runner, these handy logbooks can help you to keep track of your runs and praise yourself for a week with no days off. Here are two online running logs to help you find the motivation to keep on running.

LogYourRun
If you’re simply looking for a straightforward, no-nonsense running log, this one is for you. LogYourRun offers an exercise log where you can enter your runs, track your weekly times, distance, and pace, and even keep track of your weight. It offers maps of the best running routes in your area, and the impressive import feature allows you to import data from your mobile device or other websites.

MapMyRun
Specifically tailored toward your area, MapMyRun is a mobile app and online website that helps you train for an upcoming race or simply compare your personal runs. It allows you to create a challenge and alerts you once you’ve met your goal, and it also includes pre-made training plans that act just like a running coach. With a simple interface and a handy mobile platform, MapMyRun is a great tool for any tech-savvy runner.

You’ll Feel Like a Kid in a Candy Store at Big Top Candy Shop

Not one to back down from the "Everything Is Bigger in Texas" tradition is Austin's Big Top Candy Shop, a massive candy store located right on South Congress. Inside you'll find over 2,000 types of candies, including over 300 varieties that are sold in bulk. Browse rows and rows filled with obscure candies, some you might not have thought of since childhood!

Regulars appreciate the old-school candy shop atmosphere while creating a personalized drink at the old-fashioned soda bar. With flavors like blueberry, hazelnut, coconut, and kiwi, you'll be sure to concoct something unique and delicious. Regulars also recommend the cucumber soda and fizzy lemonade. Big Top also serves up Blue Bell ice cream, shaved ice, Italian cream soda, and they make a doozy of a shake.

This is a nice place to stop by for a treat after a long day exploring the South Congress shopping district.

Big Top Candy Shop
1706 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 462-2220
http://bigtopcandyshop.tumblr.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/big-top-candy-shop-austin

Public Domain/Public Domain

Organize Your Bookshelves With These 5 Easy Tips

If you’re a bibliophile with an ever-expanding book collection, it can be difficult to store all of your books in your home. A simple bookshelf works well, but it doesn’t always look pretty. Here are some helpful tips for organizing your bookshelves with ease.

  1. Consolidate your collection. Have you owned it without reading it in the last few years? Get rid of it (and we don’t mean throw it away – there area number of charities that take used books, and you can always give it to a fellow bookworm friend).
  2. Organize by color. If you have a large book collection, you can make things look less cluttered by organizing books by color. When you look at the bookshelf from across the room, you’ll see a rainbow of your favorite literary classics instead of a jumbled mess.
  3. Incorporate decor. Add a few funky bookends to divide up the space, or place some personalized picture frames in between your book collection to make things look a bit more stylish.
  4. Alternate stacking methods. Line some books across the shelves horizontally, and then alternate by stacking some vertically. The changing direction looks purposeful and more appealing to the eye.
  5. Create mini book displays. Rather than attempting to stuff large, coffee table books onto your standard bookshelves, pull them out and place them strategically around the home. Stack a couple large books on a dresser and place a plant on top, or place a few in your living room to give your guests something to flip through while visiting.

    Tips for Arranging & Organizing Bookshelves [BHG]
    How to Tame Your Overstuffed Bookshelves in 48 Hours [Oprah]

Taste Rare Indian Curries at New India Cuisine

New India Cuisine on South Congress offers up homemade Indian food with an American twist. New India takes pride in using natural ingredients that are free from artificial colorings and MSG. Another bragging point: New India is the only restaurant in America that serves Malvani and Gomantak curries. There are also plenty of vegan and gluten free options, as well as delicious yeast-free naan.

Inside this cozy restaurant, you can select from traditional dishes like the gingery tikka masala or go for a quesadilla made with Indian seasonings. For drinks, New India is now serving craft beers and organic wines. There are also some yogurt based drinks that come in flavors like mango and cumin.

There's plenty of parking, but if you take your bicycle or walk in management will give you a dollar off your meal. It's the staff's way of encouraging people to go green.

New India Cuisine
2304 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 445-9727
http://www.newindia.us/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/new-india-cuisine-austin

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

May the luck of the Irish be with you today.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

Hope everyone has a fabulous St. Paddy's Day!!

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