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Put a Spring in Your Step With These Springtime Decorating Tips

April 16, 2015 by

After spending an entire weekend checking off items on your spring cleaning checklist, you’re likely ready to add a few fun, spring-themed touches to your freshly cleaned home. It doesn’t take a big budget to decorate your home for the changing season, however; all it takes is some creativity and these adorable decorating tips.

  • Use natural items wherever possible. Go outside and gather blooming branches, pebbles, and other organic objects to use in your DIY decor. Arrange them in a clear bowl on the center of the table, or corral them in a wicker basket for a chic, natural look.
  • Switch out your throw pillows. Add a burst of citrus-inspired color to your living area just in time for spring by replacing your usual throw pillows with bright, cheerful alternatives.
  • Add a bit of green. Nothing says springtime like live plants in the home, so make a stop at your local nursery to pick up a few for your home. Ferns are an especially good idea because they make a big impact and are easy to care for.
  • Change your doormat. If your current doormat looks a bit worse for the wear from all of those heavy winter boots, switch it out for something fun and colorful or even a mat with a cheeky greeting.

Easy Spring Decorating Ideas [Midwest Living]
Inspired Spring Décor [Better Homes & Gardens]
10 Decorating Ideas for Spring [Style at Home]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Mandola’s Italian Market: Shop and Dine in Bee Cave

April 9, 2015 by

Mandola's Italian Market is a popular place to shop and dine in Bee Cave, Texas. Every nook and cranny in the marketplace area is packed with imported treasures, ranging from dried pasta and ladyfingers to oil-packed capers.

But there's no need to wait until you get home to chow down: Mandola's operates an attached trattoria that offers a range of delectable goodies, and the restaurant's aroma wafts around the marketplace, tempting you to sit down for a quick bite after you finish your shopping. Yelp reviewers rave over the bruschetta topped with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil, and they say you shouldn't miss the traditional antipasto selection of cured meats, cheeses, and assorted relishes and marinated vegetables. Hot meals like deep dish lasagna and chicken parmesan are also available, and you can even order take-out family-style meals for up to six people.

Visit Mandola's website to learn more about this Bee Cave market!

Mandola’s Italian Market
12815 Shops Parkway
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 600-8500
www.mandolasmarket.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mandolas-italian-market-bee-cave

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Tea

April 2, 2015 by

If you’ve ever made a cup of tea that was too weak or too strong, you know how difficult it can be to create the perfect cuppa. Follow these five expert steps to properly brew tea at home, whether you prefer relaxing oolong or stimulating black tea.

  1. Using a teapot, bring very cold tap water to a boil. It’s important to bring your water to a boil before adding a tea bag to ensure that it brews fully. Add one tea bag per one cup of water.
  2. If you’re brewing black tea, pour boiling water directly on top of the tea bag and let it steep for three to five minutes.
  3. For green teas, remove the pot from the stove and let it cool for 10 minutes. Next, pour the water over the tea bag and let it steep for just one minute.
  4. For delicate oolong teas or white teas, heat your water only to 190 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour it over the tea, letting oolong steep for five to seven minutes and white teas for only three to four minutes.
  5. If you want to make iced tea, simply brew your tea as instructed and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, just pour over ice and enjoy.

Make a Perfect Brew [UK Tea & Infusions Association]
The Tea Experience: Home Brewing for the Best [The Tea Association of the U.S.A.]
Brew a Perfect Cup in 3 Easy Steps [Teavana]
How to Brew Hot Tea [The Republic of Tea]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Happy Spring!

April 2, 2015 by

Everything is starting to bud and bloom! What are you doing to enjoy this lovely change in weather?

Filed Under: Life at Sendera Barton Creek Apartments Tagged With:

Santa Catarina Restaurant: A Fresh Approach to Mexican Fare

March 26, 2015 by

Santa Catarina Restaurant takes an entirely different approach to Mexican cuisine and coastal classics. The restaurant uses only the freshest produce and highest quality meats, and each dish is prepared with olive or canola oil to keep it light and healthy.

Appetizers like ceviche and Mexican totopo nachos make a great pre-meal snack, while entrees include fresh soups, Yucatan-style fajitas, and grilled cactus salads. Tres leches cake and traditional flan are served for dessert, and Santa Catarina’s margaritas are made from scratch and handcrafted with care. With its eclectic Mexican decor, dim lighting, and patio lined with heavy curtains, this is a unique option for lunch, dinner, and even Sunday brunch.

Santa Catarina Restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, remaining open until 10 p.m. on weekends. Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Santa Catarina Restaurant
1310 Ranch Road 620 South
Lakeway, TX 78734
(512) 300-0946
www.santacatarinarestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/santa-catarina-restaurant-lakeway

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Three Cooking Substitutes for When You’re in a Pinch

March 19, 2015 by

Any seasoned cook knows that sometimes you have to get creative when sticking to a recipe, especially if you're short on some of the ingredients. The good news is that with a few easy swaps, you can make any recipe, even if you don't have the traditional ingredients on-hand. Here are three cooking substitutes for when you’re in a pinch:

  1. If you're missing brown sugar: Your craving for homemade cookies won't wait until you can get to the store for all the ingredients. If you’re short on one cup of brown sugar, you can substitute it one cup of white sugar combined with 1/4 cup of molasses.
  2. If you're missing butter: While no kitchen should ever be without this important ingredient, it tends to happen if you cook a lot. You can replace one cup of butter with one cup of margarine or vegetable shortening. If the recipe calls for melted butter, you can use the same amount of oil.
  3. If you're missing half and half: If your carton is empty, you can easily recreate this essential ingredient with 1/2 a cup of partly skimmed milk and 1/2 a cup of heavy whipping cream.

Top 3 Ingredient Substitutions [All Recipes]
Ingredient Substitutions [University of Nebraska]
Baking Ingredient Substitution Table [Joys of Baking]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

March 17, 2015 by

May the luck of the Irish be with you! How will you be celebrating today?

Filed Under: Life at Sendera Barton Creek Apartments Tagged With:

See Why Sammy P. Salon and Spa Is a Cut Above the Rest

March 12, 2015 by

Cuts, colors, and nail treatments are a dime a dozen — and so are talented stylists. But clients at Sammy P. Salon and Spa say that personality sets this Bee Cave salon apart from the rest. Stylists here are more than sweet or chatty; they’re attentive. Yes, they take time to learn what you want and why you want it. What's more, stylists here are realistic about what’s achievable given the state of your hair, and they teach you how to maintain the look at home.

Sammy P.’s services include styling, extensions, spray tanning, makeup design, lash extensions, waxing, and skin care. There are many great wedding packages, and product lines include Redken, Mirabella, Moroccan Oil, Pureology, and Keratin Complex.

Check the salon's site for a full list of services, pricing, and hours.

Sammy P. Salon and Spa
14360 Falcon Head Boulevard, Suite 110
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-1726
http://www.sammypsalon.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sammy-p-salon-bee-cave

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

“Hair of the 3-Legged Dog”: An Austin Day Party on March 19

March 11, 2015 by

With so many great events coming up next week in Austin, it can be hard to figure out what to attend. So, here's a suggestion: "Hair of the 3-Legged Dog." This event's presented by The Austin Chronicle (and sponsored by Greystar), and it's named after the Chronicle's mascot Hank.

It takes place on Thursday, March 19 from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. and brings food, drinks, and fun to The Liberty Bar on East Sixth Street in Austin. Four local artists will play music at the event: Sweet Spirit, Anya, Bop English, and Flesh Lights. There'll also be snacks from Tacodeli, Rhythm Superfoods, Baked By Amy's and more to fuel Austinites for another day of SXSW.

Want to learn more about "Hair of the 3-Legged Dog"? Click here to visit The Austin Chronicle's page about the event.

"Hair of the 3-Legged Dog"
Thursday, March 19 from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m.
The Liberty Bar
1618 1/2 East Sixth Street
Austin, TX
www.austinchronicle.com/dayparty

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

Where to Shop Quirky Gifts and Novelties in Austin, Texas

March 5, 2015 by

Austin is one of the quirkiest cities in the country, so it only makes sense that it would be filled with lots of shops selling strange curiosities. Whether you want to decorate your home or find something unique to wear, you’ll find it all from Austin’s weird and wonderful purveyors. Here are two of the city’s must-see shopping destinations.

Parts & Labour
If you prefer your quirky trinkets with a cute flair, you’ll want just about everything in Parts & Labour. This local boutique sells things that you wouldn’t imagine in even your most adorable daydreams, from stuffed animal taxidermy and colorful t-shirts to geeky greeting cards. The shop is open and airy and perfect for browsing, which you’ll likely want to do for the better part of an afternoon.
1117 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704; (512) 326-1648

Uncommon Objects
Just like its name suggests, Uncommon Objects is Austin’s go-to spot for everything creepy, eclectic, and just plain strange. The shop itself is an organized mess of antiques and oddities, including wall mounted armadillos, authentic Texan belt buckles, and more costume jewelry than you’ll have time to root through. Ideal for the antique lover who loves a good hunt, you truly never know what you’ll find at this artistic shop.
1512 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704; (512) 442-4000

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,
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