How to Style a Coffee Table Like the Pros

The coffee table may seem like a fairly standard piece of furniture found in any home, but by using a few designer-inspired home decor tips, you can transform yours into a statement piece that ties the whole room together. Try out these DIY decorating ideas made especially for your coffee table.

  1. Add a stack of books. Coffee table books got their name because they were designed for, well, the coffee table, so it only makes sense to use them as such! Place a stack of beautiful books right in the center of your table to provide visual interest and spur conversation.
  2. Place an accent piece on top. Once you stack your books, add something pretty on top, like a great smelling candle or a small figurine. This is also a great place for a lush, green plant.
  3. Add a tray. Next to the stack of books, place an attractive tray to corral small items. Something in clear plastic, natural wood, or chic metallic are all great options.
  4. Place knick-knacks inside. Fill the tray with smaller accent pieces, such as attractive ceramics, a flower vase, or even more candles. This tray can also serve a functional purpose if you use it to store remote controls or hold your keys once you enter the door.
  5. Choose a color scheme. Choose a color scheme such as natural wood and white, or forgo the color scheme for an intentionally mismatched effect.

How to Style a Coffee Table [The Everygirl]
How to Style Your Coffee Table [Style Me Pretty: Living]
8 Stylish Tricks to Dress Up Your Coffee Table [Good Housekeeping]

Before Popping the Question, Consult the Experts at Abercrombie Gems & Precious Metals

Those who have made a major jewelry purchase might agree that it's not something to be done on a whim, and Yelp reviewers indicate that the customer service and staff expertise at Abercrombie Gems and Precious Metals makes jewelry shopping a stress-free experience. In fact, since this family-owned Rollingwood jewelry store first opened in 1989, it has made a name for itself through its antique, estate, Art Deco, and custom designed jewelry, and it is widely recognized as the place to go whether you’re looking to purchase a one-of-a-kind piece for that special someone.

This shop may not have the massive space or huge inventory of the big-box jewelers, but it makes up for that with personalized service and the high quality of the jewelry. Abercrombie also offers appraisals, purchasing, repairs, and trade-ins.

Abercrombie Gems and Precious Metals
3008 Bee Caves Road
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 328-7530
www.abercrombiegems.com
www.yelp.com/biz/abercrombie-gems-and-precious-metals-austin-2

Zilker Metropolitan Park: Explore Austin By Bike, Canoe or Miniature Train

While Austin is filled with beautiful parks and outdoor spaces, few are quite as popular as Zilker Metropolitan Park. This 351-acre park borders the picturesque Lady Bird Lake on one side, while the smaller, natural spring-fed Barton Springs Pool on its other end offers visitors a place to rent canoes all year round. Zilker Metropolitan Park’s most unique feature is arguably the Zilker Zephyr miniature train, which chugs around the park’s perimeter. Sand volleyball courts, disc golf courses, and multi-use fields are open to the public for recreational use, while the hiking and biking trails provide hours of fun to outdoorsy visitors.

Throughout the summer, the Zilker Hillside Theater hosts concerts spanning a wide variety of genres, including the popular "Shakespeare in the Park" performances, which are best enjoyed from a blanket on the hillside!

Zilker Metropolitan Park
2100 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
www.austintexas.gov/department/zilker-metropolitan-park

You Can’t Go Wrong With Jersey Giant Pizza

Austin locals know that the menu at Jersey Giant Pizza is simple: pizza with about a dozen different toppings to mix and match as you like. Try a classic pepperoni pie, or build something more unique, like pineapple, fresh basil, and chopped Roma tomatoes, or pile on the sausage, ham, bacon, and meatballs to make a meat-lover's delight. Whatever you order, it'll take just a few minutes to bake in the kitchen's custom-designed, super-heated brick oven.

There's no question that pizza is the main focus at Jersey Giant Pizza, but it's true that the kitchen serves up a few other Jersey-inspired specialties, too. Try a bowl of Grandma's meatballs covered in sauce, or order a trio of fresh baked pizza rolls. If you want something cold that's easy to eat on the go, try a sub sandwich heaped high with meats and cheese.

Jersey Giant Pizza
13908 Highway 71 West
Austin, TX 78738
(512) 263-3535
www.jerseygiantpizza.com
www.yelp.com/biz/jersey-giant-pizza-austin

Happy Memorial Day!

Wishing everyone a happy Memorial Day as we remember the many heroes who have served our country.

Raise a Glass to These Fun Facts About Water

Water is all around us and is necessary for us to live. But did you know that there are 332,500,000 cubic miles of water on Earth? And that only about one percent of that water is fresh and available for us to use? Read on to find more fun facts about Earth's most precious resource.

1) The Earth's surface is covered by 70.9 percent water, 97 percent of which is salt water. Some scientists believe that there might be more water beneath the floor of the ocean than is actually in the ocean.

2) At birth, the human body is about 80 percent water, while as an adult, a person is about 70 percent water.

3) Water can act like a magnifying glass when on the leaves of plants. The sun can reflect off small water droplets causing plants to burn! This can happen to people, too, as body hair can hold water and cause sunburn!

4) On a daily basis, Americans consume a collective 400 billion gallons of water. (Flushing the toilet consumes the most water.) Europeans use about half that amount.

5) If you're sipping water from a water bottle, note that 25 percent of bottled water manufacturers source their water from municipal water supplies! And it wasn't until 2009 that the FDA required bottle water manufacturers to screen their water supplies for E. coli bacteria!

20 Things You Didn't Know About… Water [Discover]
20 Interesting and Useful Water Facts [AllAboutWater.org]
Water Trivia Facts [EPA]

What’s Your Favorite Animal at the Austin Zoo?

Although the Austin Zoo is on the smaller side, its interesting selection of wild animals and fun, friendly environment proves it to be an enjoyable way to spend a weekend afternoon. The Austin Zoo doubles as an animal sanctuary, which means that the majority of its animals were rescued, adopted, or even born at the zoo.

From the majestic Bengal tigers to the curious lemurs and the colorful peacocks that roam freely around the zoo’s grounds, all of the Austin Zoo’s animals have plenty of indoor and outdoor space to enjoy. The reptile area offers visitors an up-close-and-personal look at numerous snakes, tortoises, and large lizards, and there is even an exotic bird facility filled with beautiful birds from around the world. With its low ticket prices, the Austin Zoo makes a fun and affordable activity for the whole family.

If your little one loves the zoo, you can even host a birthday party surrounded by animals at one of the pavilions!

Austin Zoo
10808 Rawhide Trail
Austin, TX 78736
(512) 288-1490
www.austinzoo.org
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-zoo-and-animal-sanctuary-austin-2

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother's Day! How are you planning to celebrate mom today?

Cool Off With Fruity Shaved Ice at The Purple Tongue

“Keep Austin Weird” is a mantra among locals in this Texas oasis, and the Purple Tongue is a great example of what they mean. This roving food truck offers a unique menu of hot dogs and shaved ice, and it’s won a dedicated following. If all you know about shaved ice is carnival stands pouring artificially-flavored sugary syrup, you’re in for a real surprise here. They make all of their syrups with fresh fruits and other ingredients.

Some favorite offerings include the strawberry banana, which might be the most popular, but also praised is the grapefruit mojito. The flavor menu is extensive, featuring classics like cherry and grape and more advanced flavors like dark chocolate and chai tea. You can get your ice topped with whipped cream, caramel, sweetened condensed milk, you name it. If you’re hungry, their dogs are well-regarded – locally-made bratwurst on a fresh roll slathered with mustard and onions will hit the spot.

The Purple Tongue
1012 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 413-7329
www.facebook.com/ThePurpleTongue.ATX
www.yelp.com/biz/the-purple-tongue-austin-2

Ng BMT: Banh Mi and More in Austin

Although its name sounds like a secret code that only Austin locals understand, Ng BMT is actually a Vietnamese sandwich spot located within the Hong Kong Supermarket. This unique sandwich cafe-meets-bakery serves traditional Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches on fresh-baked baguettes.

Each banh mi is available with your choice of peppered shrimp, tofu, pork, or other meats to accommodate both meat eaters and vegetarian guests. Diners new to the banh mi might enjoy the pork banh mi, which sandwiches slices of marinated pork within a warm baguette with creamy mayo, pickled carrots, cilantro, and, for a little spicy kick, jalapeno peppers! Counter the heat with the chilled sweet tofu dessert.

Ng BMT is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Regulars note that the prices at Ng BMT are easy on the wallet, so you can grab a cheap lunch that’s bit out of the ordinary.

Ng BMT
8557 Research Boulevard
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 931-1088
www.ngbmt.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ng-bmt-austin

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