Get in touch with your inner child — or at least shop for one you know — at Toy Joy. Located in downtown Austin, this child-friendly wonderland stocks a huge selection of toys, from educational and inspiring to goofy and weird. It's a fun place to browse for environmentally friendly toys, figurines, trinkets, science kits, and dress-up pieces, all of which will spur your child's imagination and creativity.

Customers love the large selection of Hello Kitty items, as well as the Rody line of whimsically designed, inflatable horses —the largest size can hold up to 400 lbs! Although downtown parking can be a challenge, Toy Joy will validate your parking. Toy Joy is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Toy Joy
403 W. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 320-0090
http://www.toyjoy.com
www.yelp.com/biz/toy-joy-austin

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It’s the first thing you think of in the morning, what gets you through your mid-day slump, and sometimes even the way you unwind after a long day at work. Coffee is a relaxing, delicious pick-me-up for many people, and these great websites understand your love for that daily cup of joe.

Coffee Geek
Full of consumer reviews, how-tos, informative guides and discussions with other enthusiasts, Coffee Geek is your online source for all things coffee. The site tests out everything from elaborate, at home espresso machines to basic, efficient coffee makers and provides helpful tips to its caffeine-fueled members. It also features articles and columns by coffee experts, baristas and farmers on the state of coffee today. If you’re a coffee lover who always wants to have the latest brewing and serving products, Coffee Geek is the site for you.

Coffee Research
Unlike sites that discuss mainly taste and preparation, Coffee Research is dedicated to coffee education and the agriculture, science, and economics behind the coffee industry. Here you’ll find the history of coffee consumption, information about harvesting, grinding, and roasting, and social issues like fair trade and organic beans. By educating its visitors, the Coffee Research team hopes to improve the quality of coffee on the market today.

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If you work in downtown Austin, grab a healthy lunch from Leaf, a custom salad cafe. The salad bar is stocked with a wide variety of sustainable ingredients and dressings are made from scratch. You can choose from one of the "Big 12" signature salads, or create your own. Although service can be spotty, the staff builds your salad to order, and the results are always delicious. If the list of salad add-ins overwhelms you, try the Strawberry Fields signature salad with baby spinach, strawberries, goat cheese, bacon, red onion, sunflower seeds, and candied pecans tossed with a Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Prices are very reasonable at $10 for a portion that customers regularly describe as enormous. Become a "Loyal Leafer" and get a free salad after you buy five. Dine in the casual cafe or get your meal to-go.

Leaf
419 W. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-5323
http://www.leafsalad.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/leaf-austin-2