May 10, 2012

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Although you should honor thy mother every day, Mom’s extra-special day is coming up this weekend.  Here are some ways you and your Momma can share the day together in Austin:

1. Mother’s Café and Garden is an adorable spot in Hyde Park to take your mom out for Mother’s Day brunch.  Their vegetarian and vegan menu is inventive and has a taste for everyone.  We recommend the Enchiladas Mole—with special ingredient unsweetened chocolate—or the Banana Walnut Pancakes.  Both are oh-so tasty!

2. Lake Austin Spa offers a Mother-Daughter Delight package in their Day Spa. The treatment includes an 80-minute massage for two, followed by a pedicure and manicure in the salon. The package also includes lunch and a gift for each of you. This option is a little on the pricey side, but we think Mom’s worth it.

3. If you won’t get to see your Mom this Mother’s Day, but want to send a card home to show her that you’re thinking of her,  head to the Paper Source on Lamar.  This is the ultimate spot for unique cards—the paper and color options are virtually endless.  They also carry a selection of gifts, making it incredibly easy to build a chic care package for mom.

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Although you should honor thy mother every day, Mom’s extra-special day is coming up this weekend.  Here are some ways you and your Momma can share the day together in Austin:

1. Mother’s Café and Garden is an adorable spot in Hyde Park to take your mom out for Mother’s Day brunch.  Their vegetarian and vegan menu is inventive and has a taste for everyone.  We recommend the Enchiladas Mole—with special ingredient unsweetened chocolate—or the Banana Walnut Pancakes.  Both are oh-so tasty!

2. Lake Austin Spa offers a Mother-Daughter Delight package in their Day Spa. The treatment includes an 80-minute massage for two, followed by a pedicure and manicure in the salon. The package also includes lunch and a gift for each of you. This option is a little on the pricey side, but we think Mom’s worth it.

3. If you won’t get to see your Mom this Mother’s Day, but want to send a card home to show her that you’re thinking of her,  head to the Paper Source on Lamar.  This is the ultimate spot for unique cards—the paper and color options are virtually endless.  They also carry a selection of gifts, making it incredibly easy to build a chic care package for mom.

May 4, 2012

am,

A fabulous girl like yourself can only take so many college parties where the cocktail of the evening is “PBR.” If you’re looking to put some class into your evening plans, head to Uncorked in downtown Bryan at Main and W. 26^th.  Doubling as a wine bar and restaurant, you and your guests can enjoy tasty pizza, dessert and—of course—a delicious glass of wine.  The live music goes well with good company and the couches and outside seating make for a warm and friendly atmosphere.  Make sure to stop by on Tuesday nights for Uncorked’s Pizza Special where you can snag an entire pizza and a glass of wine for only $10.

April 30, 2012

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If you’re like us, your dance skills are a far cry from Beyonce’s and more akin to Willard’s in Footloose—pre-Kevin Bacon dance lessons.  That’s why we’re loving the Videodance: “Beyonce” classes offered every Monday and Wednesday night at Ballet Austin.  Each class, dance instructor Kody Jauron focuses on one of Beyonce’s beloved dance routines from one of her music videos.  Julianne Hough skills are not expected, and you can learn the entire dance in one class!  The first class is only $5, which makes it our new favorite to blow off steam with a few of the girls.  So the next time Single Ladies blasts over the speakers at the bar—or your dorm room—you can shake it with the best of them.  For more information on Ballet Austin’s Videodance classes, click here.

April 27, 2012

baylor,

We may be a little biased, but we think Texas gals (and guys!) are some of the most fashionable people we know.  Come see where it all starts at “The Golden Times” Baylor Fashion Show produced by Baylor fashion design students.  These fresh talents will be showcasing a variety of pieces on the catwalk in the Barfield Drawing Room this Saturday at 2pm and 7pm shows.  Expect everything from swimwear and evening gowns to the much-anticipated senior collections.  You don’t want to miss this ladies—after all, you could be wearing some of these designs in the near future! Click here for info on tickets to this chic event.

April 22, 2012

baylor,

Tucked away in the heart of Waco’s Uptown, Sironia houses over 40 stores under one roof.  Read: convenient one-stop-shopping. Discover trendy clothing, fine jewelry, home furnishings, and other unique finds in this historic building. You don’t even have to leave to grab a bite to eat, because Sironia Café has tasty fare for lunch made from fresh ingredients and desserts made from scratch.  Tip: the chicken salad is to die for!

April 21, 2012

tcu,

We doubt daydreams in Sid Rich stray far from happy hour when the afternoon rolls around.  Lucky for us Horned Frogs, Rahr and Sons Brewery is only minutes away from campus.  You’ll be able to taste every beer the brewery offers or take in a tour any Wednesday or Saturday for only $10! Started in 2004 by TCU grad’s Fritz and Erin Rahr, the brewery has won 15 national awards, including a bronze medal at the 2008 World Beer Cup for Bucking Bock and a 2009 National Grand Champion nod from the United States Beer Tasting Championships for Iron Thistle—these guys know what they are doing! They even allow you to rent out the entire facility, perfect for a birthday gathering or a sorority/fraternity event.

April 18, 2012

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Explore the fresh talent out of one of the most interesting cities in America at the University of Texas at Austin’s Fashion Show “Contour” presented by University Fashion Group. The show kicks off this Thursday at 8pm at the Frank Erwin Center and will feature original designs from UT’s apparel design students, exploring the concept of contour using the latest techniques and different types of fabrics.  A wide range of fashions from menswear and bridal gowns to active wear and digital printing will be judged by a panel of local industry professionals including designer Megan Summerville and TV host Carla McDonald.

If you can’t make it to the show—though you’d be sorely missing out—you can view a live webcast of the event here.

April 11, 2012

smu,

Spring is all about being outside and soaking up the Vitamin D whether you’re studying on the patio at Starbucks or at the park playing with your precious pooch. To soak up some more of the spring rays, take your workout outside! Here are some places that SMU students flock to for burning calories under the sun:

1. Katy Tail

Katy Trail is a great location for SMU students and is the place to go for running, bicycling or rollerblading. Measuring about 3.5 miles long, the trail runs from the American Airlines Center past Knox (and right past campus).  On those triple-digit days, we really appreciate the water fountains and water coolers strategically positioned throughout the trail.

2. White Rock Lake

If you’re more of a long distance runner, centrally located White Rock Lake has 9.33 miles of hike and bike trails—you can even rent kayaks to take out on the lake!  The zen-like setting leaves you with a happy mind and body at the end of your workout.  We try to plan a workout on the second and fourth Saturday of the month so we can stop by the Farmers Market for some fresh fruit afterwards.

3. The Falls:

Time for the fun part: after breaking a sweat at Dedman Sports Center, reward yourself with a dip in The Falls. SMU’s tanning pool is an awesome place to meet up with friends, soak up the sun and relax after a hard work out! Open Monday through Friday from 6am-9pm, Saturday from 8am-8pm and Sunday from 1-6pm, you’re bound to find some time in your busy schedule to soak up some rays.

April 5, 2012

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Austinites of all ages know that when it comes to dining, Perla’s, Lamberts, and Bridges Ranch are some of Austin’s finest. But, what you may not know is that the owners of these three fabulous dives have opened up a new café that everyone’s talking about! Elizabeth St. Café is a French Vietnamese café located downtown on South 1^st Street. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, this chic café is the perfect spot for a delicious croissant, chic dinner with girlfriends or a to-go stop for picnic munchies by the lake.  What is “French Vietnamese” cuisine, you ask? Well, featured items span from croissants, bún, phỏ and báhn to mî, tea and Vietnamese coffee.  If the only words you could pronounce were “croissants,” “tea” and “coffee,” we’re in the same boat.  But take our word for it, this stuff is delicious.

March 7, 2012

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The hand-painted VIETRI serving platter you spotted in O Magazine last week would look killer adorning your countertop, but let’s face it: you’re in college and college kids don’t have $200 to spare on a serving platter.  With DIY blogs popping up left and right, do you really think you can’t make your own version for 1/3 of the cost?  Okay, so maybe you lack the special ceramic paint…and the serving platter…and the kiln, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have something hand-painted to call your own!

Check out our new design fave U Paint It, a paint studio where you can create your very own ceramic masterpiece.  All you have to do is pay an $8 studio fee and the cost of your pottery piece; U Paint It takes care of the firing, and six days later your creation is ready to take home.  If you lack the artistic chops, we bet your art major neighbor wouldn’t mind copying the original for a few extra bucks.