We hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day celebrating with the ones you love!
Sanctuary: A World of Inspiring Gifts
February 11, 2016 by
If you’re looking for a unique gift for a relative, friend, or even for yourself, Sanctuary could be just the place to find it. Austin-area newspapers, magazine columnists, and style bloggers all heap praise on this Westlake boutique, which owner Hanna Curran opened in July 2008 to feature the best of locally-made jewelry, current fashion, sustainable home furnishings, and inviting garden and botanical accessories. You'll also find a growing selection of products for children and babies ranging from adorable bodysuits to traditional wooden toys.
While Westlake has a reputation for being ritzy, reviewers on Yelp praise Sanctuary for being tasteful without being snooty and affordable without skimping on quality or style. The inventory circulates often, so you can stop by regularly to see what’s new, or follow this shop on social media to get a sneak peek at what is currently in store.
Sanctuary
3363 Bee Cave Road
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 329-0507
www.shopatsanctuary.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sanctuary-austin
Austin Nature & Science Center: Get Connected With the World Around You
February 4, 2016 by
At the Austin Nature & Science Center, children and adults alike can learn about plant life, animals, and the science behind both in a fun-filled atmosphere. The center contains a number of hands-on exhibits that aim to make learning more exciting, including wildlife exhibits that contain live fish, reptiles, mammals, and other creatures that cannot survive in the wild because of injury or illness.
In the Naturalist Workshop, visitors can view small specimens through magnifying glasses and microscopes, while the Dino Pit offers visitors the chance to uncover fossils in an imitation archeological site. If you have very young children, the Austin Nature & Science Center even offers Nature’s Way Preschool, a unique type of schooling that lets children learn while walking through creeks and taking nature walks through the nearby woodlands.
For more information about upcoming programs at the Austin Nature & Science Center, visit the center’s website.
Austin Nature & Science Center
301 Nature Center Drive
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 974-3888
www.austintexas.gov/department/austin-nature-and-science-center
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-nature-and-science-center-austin-2
Bee Cave Coffee Co: Feed Your Caffeine Craving
January 28, 2016 by
Bee Cave Coffee Co. has just about everything you could want in a coffee shop. It's locally owned, has plenty of seating, lots of electrical outlets for laptops and tablets, and offers free Wi-Fi. Best of all, though, this place serves up some of the tastiest coffee in the Austin area, according to regulars. Try a rich, foamy cappuccino, or sip on a sweet vanilla latte. Get serious with a straight shot of espresso, or relax with a plain old cup of joe.
Bee Cave Coffee Co. serves more than your morning caffeine jolt, though. You can fuel up with breakfast tacos and burritos stuffed with cage-free eggs, spiced potatoes, sausage, and shredded cheddar. At lunch try turning your attention to chicken salad served on a croissant, or bite into toasted flatbread piled high with caramelized onions, mild red and yellow peppers, peppery arugula, and fresh, tangy goat cheese.
Whatever you order, you can expect the service to be quick, friendly, and efficient.
Bee Cave Coffee Co.
13420 Galleria Circle
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-9900
www.beecavecoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bee-cave-coffee-co-bee-cave
Enjoy These Sweet Lava Cake Recipes
January 21, 2016 by
With warm, gooey chocolate inside of a moist cake exterior, molten lava cake is a chocolate lover’s dream. This decadent dessert may look like a gourmet treat, but it’s actually surprisingly easy to make. Here are two sweet and simple molten lava cake recipes!
Paula Deen’s Molten Lava Cakes [Food Network]
Everything that Food Network host Paula Deen makes is delightfully sinful, and these Molten Lava Cakes are no exception. They take just 30 minutes to prepare, and the mix of bittersweet and semisweet chocolate with orange liqueur adds a unique taste that your guests and family will love.
Healthier Molten Lava Cakes for Two [Texanerin Baking]
If you want to cut calories while still maintaining the indulgent taste and texture, this Healthier Molten Lava Cake recipe from Texanerin Baking is the perfect choice. It makes just enough for two people so that you can share with a friend, but you won’t be tempted with leftovers. Plus, the dark chocolate and espresso powder add major chocolate flavor without the added sugar of milk chocolate.
Barton Creek Square: Shop for the Latest Styles and Local Produce
January 14, 2016 by
Barton Creek Square is one of the most comfortable and modern malls in the west side of Austin, hosting a wide variety of stores, plus spacious, air conditioned corridors and even cell phone charging stations that give your electronics a boost while you shop. Major department stores like Macy’s, Dillards, and Nordstrom act as the mall's anchors, while a spacious AMC movie theater is situated on its lower level.
Popular national clothing retailers like LOFT, Banana Republic, and Abercrombie & Fitch offer clothing for shoppers of all ages, and there are even larger sporting goods stores like Finish Line for all of your athletic apparel needs. At its food court on the second level, the two-story mall contains a variety of different eateries offering everything from Asian cuisine to grab-and-go pizza slices and ample seating for guests who want to sit and enjoy a meal. There is also a large parking lot with a full farmers' market every Saturday afternoon!
Barton Creek Square
2901 S. Capital of Texas Highway
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 327-7040
www.bartoncreeksquare.com
www.yelp.com/biz/barton-creek-square-mall-austin
Unplug and Unwind at Bee Cave Central Park
January 7, 2016 by
One of Bee Cave's top attractions doesn’t cost a dime. If you’re on a budget or simply looking to reconnect with nature, Bee Cave Central Park is a scenic public park that offers a number of activities for people of all ages. This 50-acre park contains a hiking and biking trail that connects to other trails throughout Bee Cave, making it easy to access from anywhere in the city.
There are two pavilions available for picnics or outdoor birthday parties, and the well-maintained playground creates a safe area for children to climb, swing and run around the park. The park even contains a unique interpretive area with tube drums and vibration pipes. You’ll often see people playing pickup sports at the park’s multipurpose basketball court and soccer meadow, and there is even a more laid-back hillside for those who simply want to lounge in the grass on a warm afternoon.
Bee Cave Central Park
13676 Bee Cave Parkway
Bee Cave, TX 78738
www.beecavetexas.com/visitors/parks-recreation-353#central
www.yelp.com/biz/bee-cave-central-park-bee-cave
Don’t Miss the Ainsworth at Fricano’s Deli
December 23, 2015 by
The Ainsworth doesn't refer to a single sandwich at Fricano's Deli, but rather a concept. It's new each day. That's thanks to the creative sandwich makers at Fricano's who improvise the Ainsworth on a daily basis. Using whatever fresh ingredients they have on-hand that day, they pile a brand new sandwich into existence—maybe one that's never been on the menu before.
So it should come as no surprise that the Ainsworth is a popular item to order when you visit Fricano's Deli, but it's far from your only option. Another customer favorite is the spicy Reuben, a twist on the classic with the addition of pepperoncini peppers, pepperjack cheese, red onion, and "Rocket sauce." No matter which sandwich you choose, you can't go wrong with any of the spreads slathered inside. They range from a garlicky pesto to an Italian olive tapenade to roasted red pepper hummus.
Fricano's Deli
2405 Nueces Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 482-3322
www.fricanosdeli.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fricanos-deli-austin-15
3 Healthy Weight Loss Tips for Women
December 17, 2015 by
It can be difficult to lose weight on your own, but with some dedication and a few smart tips from the professionals, your weight loss goals are completely attainable. Here are three healthy ways for women to lose weight. (Be sure to ask for doctor for advice, too!)
- Never skip a meal. Many people skip meals while dieting in order to cut calories (or because they went overboard with a previous meal), but this is one of the worst things you can do in the long run. Not only does skipping meals make you feel hungry and even faint or dizzy, it also slows your metabolism and can even cause you to overeat at your next meal. Shoot for five small, balanced meals per day.
- Be realistic about your weekly weight loss. While it is possible to drop a lot of weight all at once, you’re much more likely to gain the weight back if you follow this plan. Instead, aim to lose 2 to 2.5 pounds per week, which is the amount that most doctors consider healthiest for the average woman.
- Plan short, intense blocks of exercise each day. It’s not always easy to work out every day, but studies show that shorter, more intense bursts of regular exercise are more conducive to weight loss than working out for longer periods only a few times per week.
Our 75 Best Tips for Losing Weight [Woman’s Day]
Women's Health [WebMD]
6 Weight Loss Tips to Steal From French Women [Shape]
Happy Winter!
December 15, 2015 by
As sweater weather approaches we hope you all stay warm and cozy this season! What are some of your favorite winter activities?
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