Helpful Study Tips for Students of All Ages

Students from sixth grade all the way up to graduate school struggle can find studying to be a daunting task, despite how different their curriculum may be. Use these helpful study tips to improve your own studying or to help your struggling child.

  1. Review before bed. While it’s not the best idea to study when you’re overly tired, there’s some benefit to studying right before bed. Your brain strengthens new memories while sleeping, so you’re more likely to remember what you learned if you look at the information right before falling asleep.
  2. Create mnemonic devices. Whether you’re trying to remember complex chemistry concepts or the states and their capitals, it often helps to create a little story or other mnemonic device using people or objects that you’re already familiar with. For example, make a poem out of the first letters of each of the planets for a child who is struggling with an elementary science class.
  3. Create practice tests. One of the only ways to really test your knowledge is by putting yourself to the test. Download pre-made practice tests online or enlist a study partner to quiz you on the topic.
  4. Write instead of typing. Many studies show that the human brain is more likely to remember something that you write by hand than something that you type, so leave your laptop at home the next time you take notes.

22 Science-Backed Study Tips to Ace a Test [Greatist]
10 Tips to Study Smart and Save Time [Lifehack]
Adults in College: 10 Secrets to Success if You Haven’t Seen a Classroom in Years [Back to College Blog]
Top 10 Study Tips for Busy Adult Learners [Back to College]

Arlo’s: Vegan Cheeseburgers You Just Have to Try

Vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters alike flock to Arlo's food truck on a daily basis. This Austin eatery serves seriously mouth-watering food made fresh daily, and it's all vegan friendly. The vegan bacon cheeseburgers are something of a local legend, and when paired with a side order of crispy, golden tater tots, the burger makes a hearty and drool-worthy meal. You'll also find spicy chili, cornbread wedges, tomato-basil hot dogs, and even vegan chicken tacos on the menu, but the cheeseburgers are really the main draw. It’s the cheeseburgers that cause lines to wrap around the side of the truck during peak times.

The only downside to eating at Arlo’s is that as a food truck, Arlo's doesn't have any seating to offer. This generally isn't a problem, however, as nearby bars usually allow you to bring your Arlo's meal inside, so it's easy to pair your meal with a cold beer and a seat.

Arlo's
900 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 628-0608
www.arlostruck.com
www.yelp.com/biz/arlos-austin

How to Display Your Houseplants for Maximum Impact

Adding houseplants to your home is one of the best ways to brighten a room and clean the air, so why not take the time to incorporate a few plants into your home's decor? Check out these tips for getting the most visual impact out of your houseplants.

  1. Place them in display boxes. Hanging antique crates or boxes from the wall is an affordable way add some vintage style to a room, and this is also a good way to show off your green thumb. Secure attractive crates to the wall facing outward, then pop a plant inside to create a sort of framed effect.
  2. Add tiered plant stands. While using plant stand is a great way to show off a smaller plant, adding three plant stands makes an even bigger impact in a room. You can even DIY your own by adhering attractive copper pipes in three different lengths to wooden or concrete tops.
  3. Hang them from the ceiling. Macramé is back in style in a big way, and there’s no better reason to break out your yarn and beads than to show off a beautiful plant. Creating a macramé plant hanger is simple and affordable, so you can create a whole slew of plant hangers with little money and little time.

Plants In The Bedroom [Smile and Wave]
20 Unforgettable Indoor Plant Displays [Decoist]
Buy or DIY: 5 Ideas for Displaying Tillandsia [Apartment Therapy]

Blues on the Green

Another Austin tradition is underway! Hopefully the rain doesn't affect the concerts!

Pease Park: Please Visit this Lively Community Park

Austin offers many outdoor parties and festivals at locations throughout the city, and Pease Park is one of those popular locales. This 42-acre park is part of the Shoal Creek Greenbelt, and it is home to Austin’s famous Eeyore’s Birthday party, a yearly festival featuring live music, food, and family activities.

The park features a very large area of playground equipment for young kids, and there’s also a splash park "sprayground" consisting of a few water features that gently spritz, dump, or spray water at gleeful children on hot Texas days. Pease Park’s many picnic tables and two large barbecue pits provide a picturesque setting for an outdoor barbecue, while the disc golf course, basketball courts and volleyball courts offer hours of outdoor sports fun.

Visit the Pease Park website for more information or to reserve facilities.

Pease Park
1100 Kingsburry Street
Austin, TX 78799
www.austinparks.org/our-parks.html?parkid=307
www.yelp.com/biz/pease-park-austin

Greet a Lazy Sunday With Brunch at These Two Austin Restaurants

There’s no better way to end a fun-filled weekend than with a relaxing brunch and something sweet to sip. Austin is filled with stylish eateries that offer unique combinations of brunch foods and strong libations, and these are just two of the city’s favorites:

South Congress Café
Arguably one of the most buzzed about brunch spots in town, South Congress Café is a distinctly Austin eatery with a hip, relaxed atmosphere and a creative menu to boot. Shrimp and grits, carrot cake French toast, and crawfish omelets are just a few of the most popular items, best paired with a frozen peach Bellini or a signature bloody Mary. Although the line for a table can be quite long, you can wander eclectic South Congress Street while you wait.
1600 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704; (512) 447-3905

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill
Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill is a popular brunch eatery with a menu of incredibly filling, interesting Southern fare. The expansive buffet is filled with buttermilk biscuits, various meat-filled casseroles, cornflake-encrusted fried chicken, and other delicious (though not exactly health-conscious) dishes. There’s also an expansive list of whiskey and bourbons, which offers a taste of Austin’s most popular drink of choice. Come hungry and be prepared for a long nap afterward, because Moonshine Patio is certainly delicious indulgence.
303 Red River St., Austin, TX 78701; (512) 236-9599

Chez Nous: French Cuisine in the Heart of Austin

Thirty years after three Parisians decided that Austin needed an authentic French eatery, Chez Nous is still serving delectable fare. This casual French bistro features a flavorful array of dishes, with expert service and a cozy, romantic ambiance.

Start your meal with a flavorful appetizer like Escargot de Bourgogne – sauteed snails with button mushrooms, Chevre Chaud Sur Canape– baked goat cheese on baguette, or Assiette de fromages – assorted cheeses with fresh fruit. The Salade Lyonnaise is a delectable choice, with lettuce, grape tomatoes, poached local farm egg and Dijon vinaigrette. Entree options include Entrecote bearnaise – grilled Ribeye with bearnaise sauce, Bar Cari – grilled striped bass with curry coconut milk sauce, and Cotes d’agneau Manon – grilled New Zealand Lamb Chops.

Chez Nous is open Tuesday through Sunday.

Chez Nous
510 Neches Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 473-2413
www.cheznousaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/chez-nous-austin

These Luxury Websites Celebrate the Finer Things in Life

You prefer to live life beautifully and have a well-developed sense of style to show for it. We’ve found a few websites to help you acquire the finer things in life, whether it’s in your home, kitchen, closet, or office. Find out about style icons you admire, view galleries of beautiful places to travel, and discover ways to make your lifestyle a little more chic.

Pursuitist
Pursuitist is dedicated to bringing you only the best of the best when it comes to life and style. Browse articles and galleries pertaining to luxury fashion, auto, culinary, and travel.

Robb Report
Stay informed on the latest news of your favorite luxury brands at Robb Report. Bringing you the most current information about fashion, properties, and travel, you’ll never miss an opportunity to get the goods as soon as they're available.

Just Luxe
Just Luxe is a fabulous guide to living life with impeccable style. Find out where the best spots for luxury are in each city you visit with the City Guides feature, then read reviews of the hottest trends in autos, fashion, and home.

Luxury Design
Enjoy first class access to the luxury lifestyle at Luxury Design. Read suggestions on which private jet to fly, which high-end perfume to purchase, and what designer watches will make the passing of time a beautiful event.

Langford Market: Take a Peek at This Affordable Women’s Boutique

It can be difficult for women to find stylish, unique clothing that doesn’t cost a fortune, but Austin’s Langford Market makes that wish a reality. This cute boutique is located in the hip Warehouse District downtown, and it's conveniently situated in between a number of other shops and restaurants.

Langford Market’s interior features a rustic look with hardwood floors, heavy furniture, and glamorous chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and every clothing rack is positively filled with colorful pieces of clothing. You never know what you’ll find at this eclectic store, from its ever-changing selection of new clothing arrivals to the refurbished furniture occasionally available for sale. In addition to fashionable dresses and tops, Langford Market sells accessories like handbags, boho-inspired jewelry, and even artwork from local artists.

If you want to find a unique gift or to simply revamp your own closet, Langford Market is worth a visit.

Langford Market
249 W. Second Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 482-8500
www.langfordmarket.com
www.yelp.com/biz/langford-market-austin

TRIO: Taste the Eponymous Trio of Steak, Seafood, and Wine

Steps from Austin’s bustling downtown and overlooking scenic Lady Bird Lake, TRIO gives diners the best of both worlds. Trio’s carefully-curated menu offers both steak (range) and seafood (Gulf) options. Gulf offerings include Texas shrimp served with red mole sauce, shishito peppers, and corncakes and grouper prepared with grapefruit, roasted cipollini, and brown butter hollandaise. In addition to succulent steaks, TRIO’s range options include chicken, lamb, and antelope for more adventurous eaters. Locals love the made-to-order omelette station at Sunday brunch—as well as the unlimited mimosas, coffee, and tea. TRIO welcomes diners seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Guests praise the attentive and accommodating service as much as the cuisine. One frequent diner had TRIO’s staff custom-create her wedding cake, while another asked (in advance) for the pastry chef to bake a birthday dessert that was not on the menu. Both were pleased with the results!

TRIO
98 San Jacinto Boulevard
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 685-8300
www.triorestaurantaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/trio-austin-2

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