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

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/fischerfotos

If you’re looking to start your day with a great cup of coffee, head to the Monkey Nest. This popular locally-owned cafe takes a socially responsible approach to its menu, serving only organic coffee and eclectic, internationally-influenced food.

The drinks here range from traditional espresso and drip coffees to some more unique concoctions. Try the Spicy Monkey Mocha, made with chocolate, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Monkey Nest also boasts a solid selection of teas if you’re not a coffee drinker. For food, the breakfast tacos can’t be beat; it's made fresh to order. The tuna and feta sandwich also wins raves.

Live music on the weekends draws a significant crowd, and the booking here is eclectic, too. From day to day you can see jazz, bluegrass, and even much more. Check out Monkey Nest's website to see a calendar of upcoming events.

Monkey Nest
5353 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 505-8033
www.monkeynestcoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/monkey-nest-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/olfiika

No matter the shape or size of your closet, there are ways to make it work for you (and your wardrobe). Here are a few smart tips for creating a space for every sweater, shoe, and t-shirt in your closet.

1. Add shelves. If your current closet only contains a few clothing rods, you’re not getting the most out of the space. Hang some sturdy shelves along the sides or in any unused space underneath your clothing in order to store shoes and other small, folded items.
2. Pack away out-of-season items. If your closet is overrun by winter coats that go unworn in the summertime, considering storing them in vacuum-sealed bags under the bed or on a shelf.
3. Use tie and scarf hangers. If your ties and scarves are creating a tangled mess in your closet, invest in some hangers designed specifically for separating these items.
4. Purchase storage boxes. Affordable storage boxes are available at just about every home goods store, and they can be stacked neatly on a shelf to minimize clutter. Use these to store things like scarves, hats, socks, and other small items.
5. Give it a good cleaning. Finally, one of the best ways to clean your closet for good is by sorting through your clothes and donating all of the unworn items. As a general rule, donate anything that you haven’t worn in six months.

How to Gain More Closet Space Without Renovating [This Old House]
Maximizing Your Closet Space [Martha Stewart]
Maximize Small Spaces: 8 Revamps for Your Closet [HGTV]
10 Tips for Maximizing Closet Space [Apartment Therapy]

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/kthread