You’ll Be in Stitches at The Cloth Pocket

Austin is widely known as a very crafty town. The city’s sewing scene is particularly powerful, and one of the key places artisans shop supplies is The Cloth Pocket. This fun, funky fabric store was established by a mother-daughter team who knew that the town had a need for a carefully-curated stock of textiles designed for crafting, quilting, and other fabric arts.

The square footage of the space is not huge, but it’s so expertly organized that you’ll have no problem finding the perfect bolt of fabric for whatever you plan to do. The staff here is super nice, too, offering you tea or water when you step in the door and helping you work out your project needs without spending too much money.

The Cloth Pocket is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. If you’re into the fabric arts, this is going to be your new favorite store.

The Cloth Pocket
5448 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 524-5684
www.theclothpocket.com/index2.php#!/home
www.yelp.com/biz/the-cloth-pocket-austin

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Embark on a Journey to Fitness at Greenhouse Yoga Austin

No matter what your yoga experience, you’ll enjoy a visit to Greenhouse Yoga Austin. This mindful, intelligent practice offers beginners an excellent way to embark upon a journey of body shaping and self-discovery while also allowing more expert practitioners a place to grow and refine their movements. Regulars rave about the spacious studios, which give you plenty of room in all directions to stretch out, as well as the kind, patient manner of the instructors. Learning a new position in yoga can be challenging and frustrating, so the fact that they take their time and make sure you have it right is a huge plus in their favor.

One of the most popular programs here is the Athlete Enhance training, which aims to use yoga as a complement to other sports and physical activities. Prices are very fair, and customer service is attentive and friendly.

Greenhouse Yoga Austin
1500 Justin Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 539-7520
greenhouse-yoga.com
www.yelp.com/biz/greenhouse-yoga-austin-austin-2

Sugar Addict Bakery: Sweet and Savory Beignets

Get your sweet fix at Sugar Addict Bakery, where delectable pastries and coffee are what’s on the menu. Take a trip to New Orleans’ French Quarter with a plate of hot beignets, those delicious pastries doused liberally with powdered sugar. Other varieties include a Nutella and strawberry beignet and a Nutella and banana beignet.

Despite the name, not everything at this bakery is sweet. The two-egg breakfast beignet is a savory and satisfying choice for your morning meal. Other options include stuffed beignet balls with cheese and your choice of chicken or pastrami, the rotisserie chicken Beignet with creamy havarti cheese, and a smoked pastrami beignet with organic spring leaves.

Take home a dozen or two of the delectable cupcakes swirled with vanilla or chocolate icing.

Sugar Addict Bakery is open Wednesday through Sunday.

Sugar Addict Bakery
4001 Medical Parkway
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 568-7330
sugaraddictbakery.com

Read the reviews on Yelp.

Wheatsville Food Co-op: Fresh Food in Austin, Texas

You don’t have to be a member to shop at the Wheatsville Food Co-op, but if you do pay your $70 sign up fee, you can become a partial owner of the store. Visit this Austin spot to shop for all of your favorite items in a friendly, pleasant setting. You can buy in bulk to save money and reduce packaging: items available in the bulk department include wheat flour, dried fruits, brown & white rice, granola, coffee, oats, corn meal, nuts, beans and pastas.

Meat, poultry and seafood are also represented in the store, all sustainably raised according to environmentally friendly practices. Frozen foods? They’ve got those, too, with all of your favorite brands stocked in the store. About 80% of the fruits and vegetables here are organic and the deli has some yummy prepared foods to eat there or take home to Nalle Woods.

Located near the University of Texas in Austin, the Wheatsville Food Co-op is open every day.

Wheatsville Food Co-op
3101 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 478-2667
http://wheatsville.coop/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/wheatsville-food-coop-austin

Public Domain/Public Domain

Terra Toys: An Independent Toy Store for Kids and Adults Alike

While there are a number of big box toy stores in every city, there’s something charming and nostalgic about visiting an independently owned toy store. Terra Toys is just that type of store, with a sweet storefront tucked into a plaza near popular restaurants and other shops.

It’s very easy to spend an entire afternoon browsing the endless selection of unique toys here, so be sure to visit when you have some time to spare. The inventory is stacked from floor to ceiling, with a number of cozy nooks and play areas scattered throughout. The book section has a few small tables where kids can read, and there’s a large train table to check out the model trains.

Terra Toys carries all types of toys, from dolls and action figures to games and science toys, and it can seem overwhelming to attempt to locate a particular item. Regulars recommend sending the knowledgeable employees on a mission to track down the toy you need, and don't forget to grab some novelty candies before you go.

Terra Toys
2438 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 445-4489
www.terratoys.com
www.yelp.com/biz/terra-toys-austin

Have You Tried the Wood-Fired Coffee at Brian’s Brew?

Drip, pour-over, fair-trade … you probably think you've heard of and tried every coffee trend, but think again! Brian's Brew is a small coffee shop that features beverages made from mesquite wood-fired, hand-roasted coffee beans. This technique brings out a rich, smoky flavor that will make you swear off chain coffee for good.

Stop in for your daily caffeine fix and Brian himself will fix you a Summermoon or Wintermoon latte, both of which are signature beverages made with a secret recipe that results in a unique, mocha-like drink. The location inside the Bank of America building makes this a hidden gem of downtown Austin.

Brian's Brew
515 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 738-7713
http://www.briansbrew.com
www.yelp.com/biz/brians-brew-austin

Uptown Modern: Classic Furniture in Austin, Texas

Love the clean, space age look and feel of mid-century modern furniture? If so, you’re not alone: it’s a trend that has become very popular and Uptown Modern is a great place see it in Austin. This furniture shop specializes in furniture from the 1940s through the 1970s, especially Danish Modern, European Modern and American-made items.

Whether you’re looking for a perfectly restored dining set made by Borge Morgensen, or a Hans Wegner sofa, chances are, you’ll find something to fall in love with here. How about a 1960s Plycraft lounge chair that looks like it belongs in Don Draper’s office on Mad Men? They might just have that, too. They’ve also got wall art, clocks, decorative bottles, bedroom furniture, and a small selection of jewelry. Stop in and browse — you really never know what treasures you might discover here!

Uptown Modern is open daily in Austin.

Uptown Modern
5111 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 452-1200
http://www.uptownmodernaustin.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/uptown-modern-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Wickerfurniture

Paramount Theatre for the Performing Arts: On Stage in Austin

Expand and elevate your entertainment options with a trip to Paramount Theatre for the Performing Arts. The theatre began its incarnation as the Majestic in 1915, offering the era’s favorite form of entertainment, vaudeville. Its stage graced the likes of famed magician Harry Houdini. In 1930, it was refurbished as a classic movie palace and rechristened the Paramount. After falling into disrepair in the 1970s and 80s, the Grand Old Dame underwent an extensive facelift to restore her to her former magnificence.

Today, the theatre offers an exciting roster of entertainment, featuring performers and shows like STOMP, Penn & Teller, Steve Earle, Lily Tomlin, Ramsey Lewis & John Pizzarelli, the Second City, Joan Rivers, and Craig Ferguson. See their website for upcoming shows and ticket information.

Paramount Theatre for the Performing Arts
713 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 472-2901
http://www.austintheatre.org/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/paramount-theatre-for-the-performing-arts-austin

Public Domain/Public Domain

Dart Bowl: Bowling and Fun in Austin

Dart Bowl is a great place for a fun few hours spent knocking down pins with friends and family. It’s also a popular spot to hold a birthday party, whether for kids or adults. A bachelorette party, an office function, or a date night? Those are great times to head to this Austin bowling alley, too.

Dart Bowl's bumper bowling lanes for kids ensure they have fun by keeping bowling balls out of gutters and in the lanes. Its thirty-two lanes are equipped with electronic scoring and automatic bumpers. Its great sound system plays all your favorite hits, and its Dart Bowl Café is there when you need a bite to eat or something to drink; burgers, enchiladas, tacos, sandwiches, and chicken fried steak accompany beer, margaritas and soft drinks on the menu.

Just a short drive from Nalle Woods in Austin, Dart Bowl is open every day.

Dart Bowl
5700 Grover Avenue
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 452-2518
http://www.dartbowl.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dart-bowl-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/daniilr

Pick Up Flowers, Cookies, and a Sandwich at Walton’s Fancy and Staple

What do macaroons, a deli, flowers, and Sandra Bullock have in common? They can all be found at Walton's Fancy and Staple in Austin. This charming cafe serves made-to-order deli sandwiches and is filled with fresh made pastries, cakes, and cookies. Stop by during lunch and try the customer favorite "Turkey Sweet," a turkey sandwich with applewood smoked bacon, caramelized onions, apples, and white cheddar on a croissant.

Walton's also offers a small breakfast menu. Don't miss the challah French toast, made with a creme brulee batter and topped with fresh berries and real maple syrup! Grab several sweets to take home and a bunch of fresh flowers to cheer up your space. Although it's a casual spot with counter service, the space is full of charm with antique warehouse decor crossed with Parisian cafe elements.

Walton's Fancy and Staple
609 W Sixth Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 542-3380
www.waltonsfancyandstaple.com
www.yelp.com/biz/waltons-fancy-and-staple-austin

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