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Tag Archives: Austin

Day-Date Idea: iFLY Austin

04 Tuesday Apr 2017

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Austin, Texas, date night ideas, Everyday Joie, Fitness, Married Life

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active lifestyles, adrenaline rush, Austin, date night ideas, day-dates, iFLY, indoor skydiving, just for fun, things to do, weekend activities

In my last post, I shared how I’ve been learning to set a regular date-night for my marriage and to keep it a priority. However, instead of the usual dinner & movie, I’m really digging the idea of 1.) day-dates vs. date-night and 2.) planning active & fun excursions to keep things fresh. I plan to begin cultivating ideas & places to check out and will post ’em here! Our first foray in achieving this type of couple’s activity was at iFLY Austin. iFLY 2Home to our city’s only indoor skydiving tunnel, this place is legit. So legit, in fact, that when we arrived for our mid-morning “flight,” the freaking ARMY was training there. Legit soldiers were in full gear practicing for when they’ll have to jump out of planes to keep America safe. Understandably, they wouldn’t allow me to take pics. Seeing a few minutes of their training was an honor.

Once they moved out, it was time for the recreational side of indoor skydiving to begin. My group was instructed to suit-up, remove all jewelry, and find a locker for your wallets & phone. Then, we attended a short & casual training class to prepare us for the experience. Our flight instructor informed us that we’d be communicating with him via hand signals and the most important rule is to RELAX. –I can certainly try & do more of that, right?!iFLY 1Then, we were ready to fly! Neither of us have gone skydiving before so it was our first experience with anything like this. –SO hilarious to see each other’s reactions! With the basic level ticket price, you get two flights. For the second round, we chose to upgrade a bit…the instructor takes you on spins and way up high to the top of the tunnel. This way, even though you’re a beginner, you still get to experiment with trying some tricks! iFLY Lindsey 1

iFLY Ryan 1It was an unexpected adrenaline rush that left us energized for the week. So, if you’re like me and feel like you & partner’s typical date-nights are in a bit of a rut, definitely give indoor skydiving a try. It’s the “something different” you’ve been looking for, trust me! They’re open until 9 or 10 p.m. most nights, so it can really fit into any schedule. Safe to say, we definitely bought ourselves return flights before we left. Thanks to iFLY for a truly unique day-date experience — we’ll be back!

Life[style]: Feb. ’17 — Surviving the Season of Cedar Fever

03 Friday Feb 2017

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Au Naturale, Austin, Texas, Fitness, Life[style], Product Reviews

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allergies, Austin, Cedar Fever, Easy Breather, Gold Toe, Herbalogic, hiking, Molly's Suds, natural laundry detergent, natural remedies, PowerSox

2017 is predicted to be one of the worst years ever for cedar. Only a week into the season, cedar pollen counts reached the second highest level in record history:  21,952 grains/cubic meter. Since then, cedar counts have been medium-to-high almost daily, leaving thousands of Austinites living in state of constant misery.

Thing is, we haven’t seen the worst of it yet:  I recently heard mid-February referred to as the Cedar-pocalypse. This is when cedar pollen –an aggressive allergen that many of us have been battling since December– will hit their absolute highest counts. When the male Mountain Cedar trees (technically Ashe Junipers) look like they’re on fire from the ‘smoky’ clouds of pollen billowing from their branches.

This is one of the prices we pay to live in wonderful Austin, Texas, right? I consulted local acupuncturist David Jones, for some easy things we can do right now to provide some relief. January through March in Austin has some of the best weather in the country. Try these three tactics so you can get out there and enjoy it. 

Experiment with Natural Remedies:  If you’ve had enough of the allergy shots & pills, this herbal product is one solution to try in battling cedar season. Fight the effects of cedar fever (sneezing, swollen sinuses, watery eyes) naturally by starting to use Herbalogic’s Easy Breather every day. Take one to two 500 mg capsules of Easy Breather a couple of times a day and supplement with herb drops as needed. You should feel instant relief. It combines ingredients long used in Chinese herbal traditions to promote clear sinuses and soothe occasional upper respiratory and eye irritation. Unlike formulas that cause nasal dryness or thirst, Easy Breather includes herbs to moisturize sinus passages and upper respiratory membranes.easy-breatherThe company is based in Austin and has grown 40% year-over-year. Their products are sold online and can be found in more than 500 retail outlets, including Wheatsville Co-op, People’s Pharmacy, Whole Foods Market and HEB. 

Focus on Your Feet:  We LOVE hiking Austin’s miles of greenbelt trails this time of year, and we refuse to let pesky cedar pollen stop us! Before you walk back into your home, be sure to wipe down shoes, jackets and even your hair – just because you can’t see the pollen doesn’t mean it’s not there. Upon entering, leave the shoes outside if you can and switch into fresh socks. Gold Toe socks are the perfect accessory to any adventure — big or small. “PowerSox“is Gold Toe’s new athletic line and the socks are perfect for all our outdoor fitness activities! powersoxThe boot socks, woven with merino wool & contour cushioning, are essential for anyone that loves a good hike as much as we do. For that trail run, bike ride, or rock climbing session, the no-show athletic socks have mesh panels to ensure breathability, while “AquaFX technology” works to keep feet dry.

Become a Clean Freak: Take extra showers and make it a habit to wash-up immediately after spending time outdoors. A hot shower can provide some sinus relief while getting rid of pollen on your body or hair. Clean your house (or have it professionally cleaned) at least once a week. Helpful tip: if you’ve been hit with cedar fever, get someone else to do the vacuuming. The dust-up can irritate your nose, which can be a nightmare if you’re already suffering. Most importantly:  WASH YOUR PILLOWCASES! If you normally wash sheets once a week, up it to 2 or 3 times a week, even if it’s just the pillowcases. You hair is like a magnet for cedar pollen and once your head hits the pillow each night, our poor noses are left to roll around in allergens all night. mollys-sudsY’all know I’m always looking out for a natural alternative if I’m using a product that often…Molly’s Suds is a great option to try over conventional laundry detergent. It’s perfect for those with allergies and sensitive skin. You can count the number of ingredients on both hands; it does not contain the long list of harsh chemicals found in conventional brands. Molly’s Suds can be found at retailers like Amazon, Target, and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

National Taco Day: free fajita tacos & fundraiser for Austin Children’s Shelter

04 Tuesday Oct 2016

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Charity Events, Dining, Holidays

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Austin, charity, for a good cause, free stuff, fundraisers, National Taco Day, tacos, Tex-Mex

Calling all my Tex-Mex lovers:  Today is National Taco Day!  Whew, I’ve never lived in a city with so many taco places:  from the fancy modern (La Condesa), to the trailer park (Torchy’s) to the drive-thru (Taco Cabana) — it’s head-spinning!  When I first moved to Austin, I would baffle at how there was a various taco option for every meal of the day.  Well, to celebrate today’s occasion, Austin Taco Cabanas will offer guests one FREE Chicken Fajita Taco from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4. ntd-image-1This event will also celebrate the launch of Taco Cabana’s month-long fundraiser, Taco Treat, to benefit the Austin Children’s Shelter.  Throughout October, local Taco Cabana guests can help raise money for the charity by purchasing $1 coupon books.  Coupon booklets include five free bean and cheese tacos and a buy-one-get-one Dr Pepper fountain drink – a $7 value, with 100% of the proceeds going to the organization.  So go ahead & grab some tacos for lunch AND dinner today — c’mon, it’s for the kids! 😉ntd-image-2

Guest Post: Soft Surroundings Opening Event by Cassie LaMere

28 Wednesday Sep 2016

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Fashion, Holidays, Shopping

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Austin, books, boutique shopping, Cassie LaMere, Clutch purse, coziness, Grand Opening, guest blogger, Guest Post, Packable Travel Hat, Soft Surroundings, Tartan plaid, The Arboretum

Although temps outside may not scream hot cocoa, inevitably the months will sneak up on us and before you know it, you’ll be decorating your tree and wrapping the presents to go underneath. With the official start of fall now behind us, it’s time to begin thinking about holiday shopping lists to get those perfect gifts ready ahead of the eventful season! Now more than ever, busy schedules are the norm; we are all doing our best to find balance, which includes seeking ways to make more efficient use of what little time we have day-to-day. That’s why I love when I can find a thoughtfully curated shop that allows me to pick up a variety of items- only one parking spot and checkout transaction required.

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Editor’s Note:  Follow our guest blogger Cassie LaMere on Instagram @BonjourAmi for all kinds of inspirational Fashion & Event Planning goodness.

Imagine my delight to discover that dream destination exists in the new Arboretum boutique, Soft Surroundings! They’re new location, the first in Austin, truly is an ideal store for the multi-tasker in all of us. While browsing their items, I was excited to find pieces that would easily appeal to several of the very important people in my life. Soft Surroundings was created to be a multi-generational shopping experience where you and your mom, sister or daughter could each find something special that speak to your tastes and interests.

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The perfect game-day clutch that can easily go from the cheering section to cocktails.  $98.95

The diverse offerings of this boutique made it easy for me to select unique, personal gift options that I know will be well-received during gift exchanges this holiday season. But let’s be honest: if you’re like me, you can’t help but find something for yourself when out gift shopping for others. True to form, I found a new must-have accessory to add to my collection in between checking names off of my list. Although easy to sometimes forget, Soft Surroundings’ ethos about the importance of treating yourself is a welcomed reminder to pick up a new lipstick or travel-friendly hat in addition to tackling your task list.

soft-surroundings-3

“Claire” packable felt & wool hat:  my personal new favorite item that makes accessorizing while traveling effortless!  $49.95

What’s even better is with the head start, I’ve avoided the stress of making last minute purchases, which always seem to be a compromise, and instead I’ll have plenty of time to enjoy glasses of festive bubbly and time with loves ones! Below are some of my picks that will be sure to bring tidings of comfort and joy:

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A selection of clever & insightful books for 9-to-5 and after 5 o’clock somewhere.  $14.95 — $20.

 

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Fabulous tartan plaid shirtdress perfect for holiday gatherings.  $129.95

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The absolute coziest jacket that you will literally want to live in.  $64.95

 

Natural Solutions for Fighting Allergy Symptoms

09 Friday Oct 2015

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Au Naturale, Everyday Joie, Life[style]

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allergies, arbonne, Austin, Cold-EEZE, energy, essential oils, homeopathic, mold allergy, natural remedies, probiotics, sinus rinse

Austin, Texas is no doubt an AMAZING city to live in…but we do have to deal with some killer outdoor seasonal allergies.  After living in Houston, Chicago, and Kansas City, I deal with allergens here that I’ve never even heard of.  People here get “Cedar Fever” in January from the abnormally high & aggressive cedar pollen, as well as seeing endless days of categorically high mold spores.  Today’s allergy report, for example:  Typical Austin Allergy Report

I’ve learned that it’s the mold that gets to me and although I by no means have severe allergies, a long outdoor hike in all that mold can leave my energy depleted & my head all congested.  Most days aren’t bad enough to pop a Zyrtec D (I try not to take meds if at all possible anyway) so I’ve been on the hunt to find more natural ways to combat any reaction to allergy symptoms.

So, I guess this is where I should put a legal medical disclaimer…see bottom of this post for that legalese, ok?  Because duh — I’m a housewife, not a doctor.  Here are 5 things I’m using right now to fight off these symptoms and get through the day with the energy my life as a new mom demands:

1.  Cold-EEZE Cold Remedy oral spray:  At the very first sign of any cold-like symptoms, I reach for this quick & easy mouth spritz.  Rather than using traditional over-the-counter drugs for help with the common cold, I’ve been exploring the idea of more homeopathic solutions — all the products I’ve tried from Cold-EEZE haven’t failed me yet.  This stuff is formulated with zinc gluconate and proven to help shorten the duration of the cold by nearly half.  Just two sprays under the tongue and I’m out the door, ready to get on with my day!  Cold-Eeze Cold Remedy Spray

2.  NeilMed SINUS RINSE Complete Kit:  Neti Pots never work for me but this little squeeze bottle system does the trick.  Ugh, you’d be surprised to see what you can rinse out of your sinuses during a cold!  I use it at night to flush out the allergens accumulated from being outside, and then again in the morning to relieve pressure from nighttime stuffiness.  For the warm rinse, I recommend their brand of premixed packets…I’ve purchased drug-store brand generic ones and the solution is never as soothing as the one from NeilMed.

3.  USANA Probiotic stick packs:  I keep reading more & more about the wide array of benefits from taking probiotics.  Not just a digestive aid, they apparently help with all kinds of things, from mood to immunity.  You no longer have to eat a bunch of yogurt, either — I’m seeing them in pill form, liquid shots, etc.  Right now, I’m taking probiotics in powder stick form from USANA that conveniently pour & blend into my favorite drink.  I learned there’s also all different strains of specific probiotic bacteria and I need to do more research into what proprietary types are best for how I intend to use them.  However, the two types contained in this USANA blend claim to modulate the body’s natural immune response.  Plus, they are clinically proven to survive the harsh acidic environment of the stomach and remain effective for at least 18 months when stored at room temp.  –Which is great, because I worry the “live & active cultures” in the probiotics I buy refrigerated from the health food store are dead from the heat of my hot car by the time I get home!USANA Probiotic stick packs

4.  Diffuse essential oils:  Yes, I got on the Young Living bandwagon but I’m having fun!  It’s interesting to me to experiment in the world of essential oils.  I mostly just diffuse everything but that can be quite effective for me, anyway.  I hear the essential oil  ‘allergy trio’ is lemon, lavender, and peppermint.  I’ve got lemon diffusing right now, in fact — smells very fresh & energizing.  Also, Thieves is great for mold & RC can help with congestion, so there are more ways I can switch it up in the days ahead.Young Living Dew Drop Diffuser in action

5.  Arbonne Essentials Energy Fizz Sticks:  An on-the-go blend of green tea, guarana and ginseng, combined with B vitamins and chromium that mixes with water to boost energy, help promote alertness, enhance cognitive performance, promote endurance and enhance motor performance.  Adding these little stick packs can be a great kickstarter when feeling sluggish, which is exactly how I feel when these allergy symptoms get me down!  Somehow done without artificial colors or flavors, the Citrus version is a sweet tangerine flavor (not too sour/acidic) and tastes amaze.Arbonne Essentials energy fizz sticks

***Disclaimer:  The information contained on this website is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information represents what I, a lifestyle blogger, have chosen to do to take charge of my own personal health and that of my family. Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using these products.

Information found on this site is meant for educational and informational purposes only, and to motivate you to make your own health care and dietary decisions based upon your own research and in partnership with your health care provider. It should not be relied upon to determine dietary changes, a medical diagnosis or courses of treatment. Individual articles and information on other websites are based upon the opinions of the respective authors, who retain copyright as marked.

Austin Fall Activity Schedule (Babies age 6 – 12 months)

26 Wednesday Aug 2015

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Baby Girl A, Everyday Joie, Motherhood

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Austin, Bathtime Babies, Cups & Cones, Emler Swim School, Fall '15, MOPS, Mr. Rudy, Mr. Will, Preschool, Waterbabies

Not sure about all you other new mamas out there, but taking baby out for little activities is our day-to-day bread & butter.  These little trips outside the home seem to be so good for my little one and let’s be honest:  they keep me SANE! 😉 Even when she was first born, I’d joke that I’d have something booked on her schedule every day of the week if I could.  Little strolls around the neighborhood & reading books in our soft recliner are nice but my observant little one loves to get out & about, see new things, and interact with other kiddos.  Now that she’s past the newborn stage, there are so many options on the table and we want to get out there and take advantage of them!  This summer, the thought crossed my mind to post our daily schedule and I never got around to it…I wish I had because our weekly routine will be so different for this upcoming season!  The thing is, I work really hard to research field trips, classes, storytimes, and more that are age-appropriate, fit within her nap schedule, are truly enriching, etc.  Now that Fall is upon us, I wanted to share with friends & family what we’ll be up to for the rest of the year.  Additionally, maybe this will help other new moms with some ideas for getting out of the house with baby in tow — it can be daunting & frustrating at times but it’s been so very worth it for us.

MONDAYS:  Preschool!  Well, it’s really more of a Mother’s Day Out, but they’re calling it “Preschool.”  Most programs don’t take the littles until they are 12-18 months, but I found a church in my area that will admit them at 6 months.  I’ve taken a Mom-to-Mom Bible study class and attended Sunday worship services there, so I’m familiar with the leaders & feel that the facilities are top-notch.  I’m confident this time apart from me will be beneficial for baby’s socialization & enrichment, too.  Gotta admit:  I’m looking forward to having a half-day to myself to take care of personal stuff, ya know?  Babies aren’t exactly welcome at the dentist’s office.  Mostly, I’m pumped to start taking group fitness classes again!  It’s funny:  once you’re a mom, even a run to Target alone can feel so oddly exhilarating!

Indoor playground playdate held at the church where her preschool will be!

Indoor playground playdate held at the church where her preschool will be!

TUESDAYS:  Have you heard of MOPS before?  It stands for Mothers of Preschoolers and is a ministry out to serve that exact demographic.  After serving with MOPS in childcare at my old church in Kansas City, I’m thankful to finally get to participate in this program as a mom myself.  They serve brunch, talk motherhood, marriage, & more — all with a Christian focus.  Childcare is provided so baby girl will get to play in another ‘Sunday school’ for a couple hours.  I’ll be doing the program at a different church than her preschool, but this one’s close to our home as well.  It runs every other Tuesday, so I’ll be on the lookout for something fun for those alternate weeks.  If nothing regular pops up, a morning at The Thinkery or Little Land Play Gym are both excellent go-tos for high-quality engagement.

Baby in the ball pit! We love to play at Little Land Pay Gym -- all of their equipment is strong enough to hold babies and mamas (so I can swing too!)

Baby in the ball pit! We love to romp around at Little Land Play Gym — all of their equipment is strong enough to hold babies AND parents (so I can swing too!)

WEDNESDAYS:  Preschool, day 2.

THURSDAYS:  Waterbabies swim class at Emler Swim School.  Yeah, they hook you in with a super-cute Bathtime Babies class that’s free for ages 2 – 6 months.  That was one of our first classes to take together and it was a great bonding experience so the hubs & I ponied up for the next round of courses this summer.  But let me tell ya:  it’s so worth it!  My 7.5 month-old can have water splashed in her eyes & down her face without tears, is calm as can be ‘floating’ on her back with ears submerged, and can even ‘swim’ underwater with 6-second breath control.  You’ll notice my use of half-quotes because these activities are kind-of assisted, obviously, but still she amazes me in each class with her independence & improvement.  Plus, our community is sandwiched between Lakes Austin & Travis (not to mention, lots of neighbors have backyard pools) so it’s a high priority for our daughter to know how to be safe and feel comfortable in the water.

Bathtime Babies is the coolest class in all of Austin for babies under 6 months. Moments like this planted the seed for our love of swim school!

Bathtime Babies is the coolest class in all of Austin for babies under 6 months. Moments like this planted the seed for our love of swim school.

FRIDAYS:  Two options:  Storytime with Mr. Rudy at Cups & Cones or Mr. Will in concert at Brilliant Sky Toys & Books.  Storytime with Mr. Rudy is an easy casual choice because it’s right down the street and I’ll get to pow-wow with other neighborhood moms.  Plus, Cups & Cones is a darling family owned small business…always good to support people like that!  As for our other option, Mr. Will is our favorite local children’s music artist and now that our schedule won’t allow us to see him play Mondays at Whole Foods Market – Hill Country Galleria, we’re happy to drive over to a Westlake toy store for his upcoming Friday gigs.

Rockin' out to Mondays with Mr. Will at Whole Foods Market -- his Texas Country spin on children's music is the best.

Rockin’ out to Mondays with Mr. Will at Whole Foods Market — his Texas Country spin on children’s music is the best!

 

How to: festival style with a sophisticated spin

02 Thursday Jul 2015

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Fashion, Shopping

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ACL Fest, Austin, CUSP by Neiman Marcus, festival style, live music, music festivals, outdoor concert dressing, R29 Style Festival, Simon Malls, SXSW

Living in Austin, a.k.a. the Live Music Capital of the World, concerts are a regular part of life.  Besides hosting widely acclaimed mega-festivals such as ACL Fest and SXSW, there are more live music venues per capita here than any other place on Earth.  You can even stumble upon free shows (GOOD ones, too!) at the local grocery store.  Safe to say, us Austin gals know our festival style.

Let me preface:  I’m not hipster or boho or rocker-chic or whatever-enough to pull of those badass outdoor festival looks a la Coachella.  I never go costume-y; I just dress like a more eclectic artsy version of myself.  Also, now that I’m in my 30s and have a tiny breastfeeding babe at home, gone are the days of raging for a 2-day outdoor live music scene. –That ish requires a more utilitarian/camper-girl uniform aimed at enduring the heat & other smelly sweaty conditions in order to survive until the headliner each night.  Nowadays, I beeline for a tent to stand under, map out exact stage times for my fave bands, and only stay for a set or two.

At the last couple of fashionable festival events I attended, I had the honor of my ‘street-style’ being captured by photographers from some of fashion’s most fabulous retailers.  First, let’s talk the biggest media/music gathering around and one of the first big festivals of the year, SX:  CUSP by Neiman Marcus was on the scene for #NMMakeSomeNoise and their stylists shared their top ensembles to forecast looks for the rest of festival season 2015.  –I was thrilled to find I was included in their list!

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Next, came the R29 Style Festival hosted this past weekend weekend at The Domain.  It was super innovative and quite interactive:  they had a DIY band tee styling station, braid bar, flash tats, and pop-up shops from indie designers.  All the fun was capped off by an intimate show by the band MAGIC!  If you live in any of the cities remaining on the tour –Miami, Philly, Boston-area, or D.C.– I highly recommend you make it out to this free event.  It was pretty cool to see that Simon Malls reposted my Insta from this fest on their web site:

Simon Mall

simon mobile

Photo credit: Lauren Cevallos, Director of Photography, Luxe Apothetique

So, if you’re wanting to create a more sophisticated festival style look, I would steer clear of the overdone booty jorts, cut-off tees & combat boots.  I tend to gravitate to trousers in a lightweight fabric with a tank & vintage hat or a breezy printed dress topped off by milkmaid braids & sunnies.  Other stylish yet fest-functional pieces I love are:

  • Kimonos:  packs a beautiful sartorial punch & keeps those shoulders from burning
  • Booties: keeps those toes grass & mud-free; bonus if they’re faux (because shoes get stained & stepped on at these things)
  • Cross-body handbags:  Holds essentials so you can throw those hands up in the air
    • Recommended packing list:  driver’s license, medical insurance card, cash, lip balm, sunblock stick, and Ban Total Refresh Cooling Body Cloths (because you have no idea how handy wipes can be out there!  These are awesome & come lightly scented with a powder finish.)

Also, current trends that I think translate well onto the music festival scene are fringe (on boots, bags & more) and tassels (on long necklaces & at the ends of boho sleeves). Whatever festival look you’re going for, don’t leave home without a hat, sunscreen, and closed-toe shoes.  Drink lots of water and rock on, ladies!

Life[style]: February

23 Sunday Feb 2014

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Everyday Joie, Fashion, Life[style]

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Austin, Austin Beauty Guide, Central Market, dark chocolate, guest blogger, Mettle, root beer, Spring Fashion, Springtime, stevia soda

We’re all settled back home after six days vacationing up in NorCal and gotta say:  I’m happy to be back in Texas!  Looks like that Polar Vortex finally loosened its grip –it’s back to normal for these parts…perfectly sunny & in the 70s.  It’s been a crazy, unseasonably cold late Jan./early Feb. for Austin:  a couple snow days, icy roads, school closings, and all kinds of car wrecks.  This below-freezing/frozen sleet stuff just doesn’t really happen down here!  Anyway, we’re all happy to be back in our flip-flops and collective focus has shifted to S-P-R-I-N-G!

1.  Spring Fashion:  Who else is positively itching for the arrival of full-blown springtime?  I’ve kept warm inside during these past few late-winter weeks by daydreaming of spring…especially spring fashion!  I’ve recently partnered with my friend Meredith of Austin Beauty Guide, your guide to the best beauty in Austin for fashion-related contributions to her site.  First assignment: a sunny & sweet ‘spring trends’ post…specifically, my top 5 fashion picks for Spring ’14!   Check out my guest blog post here and catch some of my contagious excitement for donning all-things white, big sun hats, and polka dot prints!

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2. Spring Flowers:  I love how flowers bring so much energy into a room –their scent, their color, their shape– the emotional & aesthetic impact is truly something special.  Early into our marriage I actually asked my husband to allocate room in our monthly household budget for regular floral delivery…lol  –Yeah, I can get carried away at times.  Until something like that is a reality, I’ve relied on sniffing out good grocery store finds.  Well, I recently discovered the floral department at H.E.B. Central Market and am excited to have such an exceptional resource so easily accessible.  I breezed through the Westgate store earlier this month and was quite impressed by their selection and service.  I was literally asked if I needed help by three different florists.  –Maybe they could sense I was hardcore debating what to choose as part of their 3 for $10 deal?  Taking advantage of their ‘pick 3 clusters of any variety for just ten bucks’ is such a stellar value!  I guess the deal bundle is supposed to be a personalized way to design your own master bouquet but I kept ’em separate in order to spread the love throughout the house.  I ended up with 4-stem bundles of sunflower, white gerbera daisy, and magenta stock…enough to accent the dining room, master bedroom, & living room with brightly hued, fresh-cut flowers!  They were great quality as well, each cluster stayed bright & perky for about two weeks.

3.  Chocolate Fest:  My REAL motivation for stopping by Central Market earlier this month was to check out Chocolate Fest: The Great Indulgence.  Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the event boasted chocolates from around the world, samplings, chocolate cooking classes, etc.  Here’s my haul:Chocolates from Chocolate Fest at Central Market–Glorious, isn’t it?  Btw, who knew they made chocolate with freakin’ QUINOA in it?  Kinda funny, but it’s an interesting combo and it’s always fun to try new things…especially new chocolate concoctions!  I mean, you pretty much can’t mess up dark chocolate!  I’m going to open up the bar from Vosges tonight…intrigued about the pairing of super dark chocolate with coconut ash & banana.

4.  Stevia Soda:  Moving on from dark chocolate to other indulgences…we’re gaga over root beer in my house right now.  Not just any root beer, mind you:  root beer sweetened with stevia.  I’m always on the lookout for zero-calorie, natural drinks with some carbonation & flavor as a substitute for traditional soda pop.  I’ve written before about my love & loyalty to La Croix, for example.  Sometimes the hubs gets a mean craving for frothy root beer in a chilled mug, so I’ve been hunting for the best ‘healthy’ root beer of the bunch.  We’ve tried several brands, from Virgil’s Zero Root Beer to Zevia Zero Calorie Soda Ginger Root Beer, but our favorite is the Blue Sky Zero Creamy Root Beer.  It’s zero calorie while still tasting like the original — this one wins in our book.Blue Sky zero calorie creamy root beer sweetened with stevia

5.  Mettle:  We finally made it over to the East Side to try out local restaurant Mettle and well, it was amazing.  I was nervous because we actually took a risk by taking my well-traveled in-laws there before trying it out ourselves.  But, no need to worry because Ryan loved every bite of his beef tongue tacos & short rib stroganoff, I savored my fried cotija cheese & seared red fish…everyone enjoyed everything, basically.  From starter to main dish, I surprised myself by cleaning my plate at each course.  We were so full, but still sprung for desserts just to keep tasting what delights would continue to come out of the kitchen.  Great warm atmosphere, too, with original works by local artisan blacksmiths & lighting designers.  There are so many quality establishments on the Austin dining scene, but if you haven’t experienced Mettle it is definitely a must-do.Mettle restaurant on Austin's East Side

Where the Heart Is…

03 Tuesday Sep 2013

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Everyday Joie

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78704, Austin, Contributing Writer, Distinguished Writer, Gables Park Plaza, home, homeowner, InFluential Magazine, Lululemon, Michael Harrell, new construction, SoLa, South Lamar, townhome, yoga

HOME.  Image

Yes, home is where the heart is and as of this summer, we are proud homeowners in Austin, Texas!  The shot above is us at the final walk-through with our realtor and friend, Michael Harrell.  We sold ourselves on a new construction three-level townhome in the heart of South Austin’s 78704.  Our area is called SoLa (short for South Lamar) and the street is blowing up with new development.  Although we had to weather construction and closing delays, we couldn’t be happier with this property…it’s perfect for us!

For the last year & a half we’ve lived about 2 miles north at the Gables Park Plaza.  I will miss the convenience of downtown living and am so happy we chose to rent at first.  I have crazy fun memories of living there…the friends I made, the resident events, the rooftop pool & gym, etc.  I came across this photo on my phone — the building’s courtyard provided a tranquil setting for answering emails in the afternoon and reading with a cup of coffee in the mornings.  Image

Although we are no longer around the corner from the Whole Foods flagship store & across the street from Lady Bird Lake, we certainly have no shortage of cool restaurants, bars & boutiques within walking distance from our new location.  We are wholeheartedly happy with our new home, neighborhood & with living in Austin, in general.  I will have to share some more pics soon but for now, here’s a snapshot recently taken on the first level:

~I was proud of the pretty gladiolus

I was proud of the pretty gladiolus I procured

Late May/June was quite busy, with our anniversary trip to Paris, my 31st birthday, and then the move…we are only just now settling down.  I am still working for fun part-time at Anthropologie (been there since April 2012) but I also have to share my latest news involving a publication called InFluential Magazine…  So, I met the publisher at a fashion show, gave him my Blog Joie De Vivre biz card (printed them up b/c no one can spell it) and viola! –an opportunity came about to write an article in their July/August issue.  Here’s a link to my article — it’s about clutch purses but even dudes have said it’s interesting, so just go ahead and check it out!

I love that if you create and do it with passion and it’s genuine expression that the universe opens up pathways for you to flourish.  It has been such a delight to continue to write not only through my personal blog, but to get to do it for such a legit, posh, and fashionable publication!  Apparently that issue was their most successful ever and I’ve since been promoted from Contributing Writer to Distinguished Writer (fancy, no?) and will get to continue composing pieces for them.  Oh, it’s magical to be published –well, I’ve already been published (The Daily Cougar COUNTS, yo!)– but this is different in a fabulous adult-like way.  It’s been such a delight working with them and I’m thankful that the opportunity came out of nowhere to find me.  …Austin is a place where things like that happen.  Things like this happen, too:

ImageCaptured this enchanting evening at Lululemon’s outdoor yoga class at Barton Springs Pool, catered by My Fit Foods & KIND bar.  Free and weekly and awesome…yep!

New year, new digs

01 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Uncategorized

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6th St, Austin, buy vs. rent, downtown, Gables Park Plaza, Lady Bird Lake, moving, New Year's Eve, texas sunsets, whole foods market

Happy New Year’s Eve, people!  What. a. year.  We moved to –and fell in love with– Austin, my husband graduated with his MBA from UNC, we traveled to India (and Ryan to Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, & Guam), my Grandmother Bowers passed away, my Dad was diagnosed with cancer, and we learned we are becoming Aunt & Uncle to a little niece in March.  A year full of ups and downs making up the colorful canvas of life.  But, this post is about home, and moving, and change, and simply loving where you live.  Moving to Austin has been such a welcome change for us.  One of the things that’s made our move to Texas so splendid is where we live.  Upon moving from Missouri to Texas, we learned from previous real estate investment missteps to rent awhile before buying.  We decided to spend a year figuring out which neighborhoods fit our lifestyle, where we most like to hang out, and where we won’t have to spend our lives sitting in Austin traffic.  We were about to throw our hands up in disgust at the rental market when we talked our way into the leasing agent staying late and showing us the property at Gables Park Plaza.  This place has been perfect for our transition:  fun social events for residents, a sweet & oh-so-pretty concierge, and perfectly located on the southern edge of downtown –walking distance to West 6th St. bars, Whole Foods Market, and steps from the Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail.  The building amenities are fab, too:  a gym with a spectacular view of the lake, rooftop pool & grilling area, and a nice lounge with free coffee (you can bet my sleepybutt takes advantage of that one in the mornings!)  Most of all, we had the best little unit we could ask for:

Image

5th floor, 1200+ sq. ft., plus an outdoor living area with a lovely view of the water.  Lots of coffee was consumed watching the morning runners, rowers, & SUP’ers glide by, not to mention glasses of wine enjoyed in the evening, soaking in colorful Texas sunsets.  Here’s a quick snapshot I took of while sitting outside enjoying one such sunset:

Image

Well, as the year passed and mortgage rates continued to stay jaw-droppingly low, we casually began to revisit the options for home ownership again.  After about three months combing through what felt like every corner of South Austin, we finally found it:  a new construction townhome, good value at price per sq. ft., quality upgrades included at no additional cost, fun location in 78704’s SoLa, etc.  Well, just in time for the holidays, we received an email from our builder informing us that, due to lack of labor supply, closing would be pushed back from Feb. 15th to June 19th.  Delayed by FOUR months?!?  OMG.  We acted fast, scrambling to renew the contract on our current place –which we had previously opted-out of– only to find out that it had already been pre-leased.  Not surprised…it IS a great unit and we were sad to say goodbye to those sunset views over the lake.  Kinda bummed no longer have the flex space in my living room for a “reading nook,” too:

Image

The dread and frustration of knowing we would have to move out but not in to our new home was slightly alleviated by finding another unit in our building (well, nabbing the only thing available).  The move was relatively seamless & simple, stress-free as moving can get…it is still moving, after all.  But our new place is down on the ground level, with a back door leading out to the central courtyard, which is spotted by trees, little tables & chairs, and doggies saying hello.  …and little poops.  I swear, we are a dog-friendly building and I take pride in that but I’ll quickly become the poop police if I catch owner’s not picking up after their pooches.  We went down by 500 sq. ft. so it’s tight, but I suppose we can handle it for six months.  We love living here in this building so it’s all good.  The husband’s happy, too — the downsize means he’s spending less in rent for a few months.  And, change is good, especially at the new year.  That’s not to say it’s been an easy holiday season…moving three days before Christmas, hosting one family and flying to see another.  It’s left me sleepy, a little glad to have gotten past the holidays, and SO ready for the new year & all 2013 will bring.  Cheers!!!

Image

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