Tour the Oval Office at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum

There’s plenty to learn and even more to enjoy at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum. The museum features numerous exhibits and mementos of the presidential career of Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ), including his presidential limo and a replica of the Oval Office. The library and research rooms also offer personal appointments with an archivist to source materials of interest during LBJ’s presidency. A single visit to the 10 level facility just isn’t enough.

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Though regular admission is only $8 for adults, the museum admits children under 12 for free and offers several Free Admission Days, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, August 27 (LBJ’s Birthday), President’s Day, and the Fourth of July.

Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum
2313 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 721-0200
www.lbjlibrary.org

How to Bring a Touch of Home to Your Apartment, Even If You’re Miles Away

If you recently (or not-so-recently) moved cities, you may want to incorporate decorative items that showcase your hometown pride into your apartment. Whether you're from the next town over or miles away, these online stores offer state- and city-centric items that will show your guests where you come from.

Jelligun
This shop creates pairs of state prints that not only feature your home state, but also your current state. A heart logo marks the city where you're from and the city where you currently live, so you'll always feel like both places are represented in your home.

Covered Bridges
If your style is more rustic, hang a piece of reclaimed wood wall art in the shape of your home state. Each one is customized with your chosen state and the size that you prefer, so you can fill any empty wall with a little piece of home.

TravelSigns
Whether your favorite hometown landmark is your city's baseball field or your alma mater, this Etsy shop creates replica highway signs with the exact number of miles between here and there. You'll also find signs for the highway that leads back to your hometown.

Bite Into Fresh Seafood at Turf N Surf Po’ Boy in Austin

You’ll discover a whole lot more than just po’ boy sandwiches at Turf N Surf Po’ Boy, a casual seafood favorite in the Austin area. This nondescript local spot may not look like much from the outside, but experienced locals know that it’s one of the best places in town for fresh and tasty fried fish.

You’ll find jalapeno hush puppies served alongside fried catfish po’ boys, and if you’re in the mood for something a bit lighter, you can also order your po’ boy topped with blackened mahi mahi or other grilled fish. All of the shrimp, lobster, and fish selections are priced at market values that change from day to day, but no matter which style you order, everything at Turf N Surf Po’ Boy tastes better when paired with the cilantro French fries.

Enjoy it all inside the colorful, bar-style eatery, or even order through the window if you’re looking to pick up food to go!

Turf N Surf Po’ Boy
407 Lavaca St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 276-2763
www.yelp.com/biz/turf-n-surf-po-boy-austin

Go For the Old! Here’s What to Look For at The Local Thrift Store

Whether you're looking to add a touch of character to your home or simply trying to save some money on must-have furniture items, shopping at thrift and antique stores is a great choice. Before you set out on your thrifting journey, learn about the best items to look for on your hunt.

  • Solid wood pieces. Anything built of solid wood likely means it's built to last. Inspect tables, desks and bed frames to see if they're made of real wood instead of particle board or laminate materials.
  • Mid-century modern items. The mid-century modern movement is having a big comeback, so you can feel confident that these items will stay in style for years to come. Seek out chairs and sofas with tapered wooden legs, sleek desks and tables with metal hairpin legs, and items made of sturdy teak wood, which was popular during this era.
  • Woven or imported rugs. While purchasing a new rug can cost you a pretty penny, you'll often find trendy vintage styles for much less at the thrift store. Search for woven styles, Southwestern patterns or imported designs, like Persian or Moroccan rugs.
  • Vintage picture frames. Picture frames are also pricey when purchased new, so you should always take a look around for metal or wooden frames at the thrift store. Even if it already has a photo inside, you can take it out and start fresh with your own print.
  • Kitschy electronics. While purchasing an old TV can be a bit dangerous (many thrift chains don't even sell them anymore), you should keep your eyes peeled for antique radios, clocks, and other analog items that are now collectibles.

Baguette et Chocolat: A Colorful Parisian Culinary Experience

Baguette et Chocolat creates French pastries that are almost too pretty to eat, but they’re so decadent that you won’t be able to resist. The authentic French bakery and fine pastry shop is located in Bee Cave, Texas, and it features a quaint, modern interior with decorative light fixtures and a few cafe tables scattered throughout.

Baguette et Chocolat gets very crowded around breakfast and lunch times, but the spacious counter area makes ordering fairly efficient. The glass display case shows off the wide selection of intricate French delicacies, from almond croissants to colorful macarons in a variety of flavors. Regulars rave about the freshly brewed coffee and specialty espresso drinks, and croissant sandwiches and crepes make a unique meal.

However, Baguette et Chocolat is best known for its made-from-scratch baguettes baked fresh daily. Head over from Marquis at Barton Trails to try one for yourself.

Baguette et Chocolat
12101 Bee Cave Road
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-8388
www.baguetteetchocolat.com
www.yelp.com/biz/baguette-et-chocolat-bee-cave

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 June 30, 2016. We suggest you like our page to keep informed about future sweepstakes and community happenings.

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Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate Mom! Are you doing anything special for your mother today?

How to Shake (or Stir!) the Perfect Cocktail

If you think you need to venture to the bar to find a unique, tasty cocktail, think again. You can easily mix up your own creative cocktails and mocktails in the comfort of your own home. The most important part of a great drink is how long the flavor lingers in your mouth. You want to intrigue your taste buds and mind after the sip goes down. These tips are sure to leave a unique, lasting flavor on your tongue.

  • Choose a good quality base liquor or flavor of your cocktail.
  • Use a generous amount of the base spirit.
  • Mix in a tart or sweet ingredient such as lime juice, simple syrup, or liqueur. Remember to keep it simple and balanced, as this will make the flavors last in your mouth.
  • Add a few drops of bitters or a hydrosol, such as rosewater, to add aromatics to your drink.
  • A cocktail that contains delicate flavors or ingredients should be stirred. Be sure to shake any cocktail containing juice or egg whites.
  • To avoid diluting your drink, use larger ice cubes that will melt at a slower pace. In your glass, the ice should be visible about the alcohol line.
  • Take some time to make your cocktail look presentable. A simple lemon twist can add a touch of elegance to your drink.

From A Genius Mixologist: The Only Ratio You Need For Perfect Cocktails [Fast Company]
How to make cocktails: follow these 10 golden rules [The Guardian]
How to Make Perfect Cocktails [Williams-Sonoma Taste]

Where to Shop Host and Hostess Gifts Online

Going to a party in the near future? It’s polite to bring a gift for the host or hostess, but it may be difficult to decide what to give. Luckily, there are a number of fun and affordable websites are packed full of great ideas that anyone will love. Here are three of the best places to shop for host and hostess gifts online.

Uncommon Goods
This foodie-friendly website is filled with gift ideas perfect for any avid entertainer. From self-chilling wine glasses to sets of unique salts and pizza cutters in silly shapes, these unique items make great host or hostess gifts.

Mark & Graham
If you’re looking for a gift that’s a bit more personal, Mark & Graham offers many items that can be customized with the recipient’s initials. Add etched initials to the side of a set of goblets, a copper ice bucket, or even trendy Moscow mule mugs, or create your own complete set of stylish barware.

Terrain
For the host with more romantic tastes, Terrain’s selection of pressed flower sachets, bottleneck vases, and enamel candlesticks are truly a delight. You’ll also find decorative candies and bottled cordials that are a bit more affordable for those on a budget.

Clever Ways to Organize Shoes and Boots

If it seems like you never quite have enough room for all of your shoes, regardless of how hard you try to keep them in line, maybe it's not a matter of volume. It could just be that you need to organize your shoe collection more effectively. Here are four clever and practical ways to do just that (without spending too much).

  1. Mount colorful crates. If you want to show off your shoes instead of tucking them away beneath your bed, take this opportunity to exhibit them as works of art. Ask around at local grocery stores to see if they have any wooden crates they intend to recycle, snag a few, and paint them cute colors that match with your existing decor. Then simply mount them to the wall in your bedroom and fill them with shoes, making your own kind of gallery wall.
  2. Enlist a glass cabinet. Another great way to display your shoes (and keep them in order) is to stack them on shelves inside of a glass cabinet. Arrange them by color or other defining characteristics to create a piece that not only organizes but also adds to your room's aesthetic.
  3. Invest in a shoe bag. If you're more concerned about keeping everything orderly, and not so much making your bedroom look extra cute, then buy a simple hanging shoe bag from Amazon or Target. Make sure its cloth shelves are large enough to set your shoes side by side. You can also get an over-the-door organizer to hang on your closet door.
  4. Hang your boots. Maybe it's just your space-consuming boots that always seem to get disorganized. In that case, try hanging them using the clips attached to pant hangers. They'll be much easier to sort through hanging than strewn in a pile at the bottom of your closet.

13 Creative Ways to Organize Your Shoes, Inspired by Pinterest [whowhatwear]
40 Awesomely Clever Ways To Organize Shoes [livingino]
The Best Shoe Storage Options [Apartment Therapy]

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