Your Austin Lifestyle

Winter in the Garden

Irene — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:20:20 +0000

Put on your garden clogs and gloves and work on a winter garden! Most people think you have to start vegetable gardens in the spring, but consider some tasty winter crops, such as swiss chard, spinach, onions, parsley and garlic cloves, that you can plant this time of year.

And, go organic! Organic vegetable gardens produce healthier and tastier crops! All you need is a good organic soil base, add sunlight and moisture, a little hard work and a lot of love.

Here are some basic tips to successful gardening:

Planning / Preparation

Do some preliminary research on what you want to plant. Don’t plant anything you don’t want to harvest!
Remember that a great source of information comes from your local independent nurseries. They will gladly share their experiences with you. Mention you want to go organic so they can advise you on what plants will be hardier.
You can start your seeds indoors until they are substantial enough to move outdoors. You’ll really be able to germinate your seeds faster if you use an organic rooting hormone. Or consider buying starter plants from your local nursery.
Figure out the amount of sunlight required for each type of plant so you choose where to put it in your garden.
Don’t overcrowd. Plant far enough apart to give your plants adequate room to grow. You can always add to your garden next year!

Installation

Start with a good, healthy organic-based soil; 6 to 8 inches in depth. If you have nothing but rock, install a raised bed.
If you use existing soil, try tilling in an organic fertilizer, such as compost, to prepare your planting beds. Consider incorporating anywhere from 30 to 50%.
When adding new soil, till in at least one inch to the existing soil to create a “transition” layer. This will help to create a more complete ecosystem.

Maintenance

Maintain a controlled regimen of watering. You can become “waterwise” by checking the dampness of your soil before watering. Use a pencil or your finger to reach down deep to test the moisture level. Don’t water if only the top layer is dry. Watering excessively can prevent your plants from breathing which can result in root rot. Start out watering a little every day and scale back depending on the type of plant and outside conditions.
Pull out any weeds by hand so they don’t become uncontrollable and smother your plants.
Watch your garden grow and be observant of any changes in appearance or discoloration and address them immediately.

Challenges

If a plant becomes infected, start by removing any infected parts of the plant before resorting to other treatments. There are plenty of organic remedies available.
Be wary of temperature extremes. Have material on hand to cover your garden in case of a hard freeze and make sure there’s adequate drainage so water doesn’t pool up in your garden. You may also want to surround your garden with native mulch for added protection.
Stay organic! Once you start using chemicals, you’ll see the plants needing more and more supplements. Harmful chemicals can leach into our precious aquifer and contaminate our natural resources.

After harvesting, replenish your garden by re-tilling and adding some organic fertilizer, such as compost. Keep notes on your research and take pictures of your garden as it grows. It’s a great project for the whole family. As you become more familiar with your garden, you’ll want to expand and add more herbs and vegetables to help defer some of your grocery bills and to gift to your friends and neighbors!

Hosting a Stress-Free Holiday Party

Irene — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:02:41 +0000

Whether we like it or not, the holiday season is upon us. Holidays are meant to provide us with an opportunity to celebrate or remind us of important values, but for many, it is a time when professional needs, family expectations and social obligations collide. Our days will be filled with planning parties, attending charitable events, organizing formal dinners with family, filling shopping bags, overeating and stressing out. Gloria Bessey is finding herself struggling to balance work, family and planning for the holidays. “I feel this huge pressure to do everything and am just so overwhelmed,” she says. “I love having events and parties, but I make everyone crazy with stress.”

With the added pressure of the recession, we are all left with reduced personal and professional budgets. Gloria is thinking about cancelling her annual holiday party, but she knows it will lower moral and make employees concerned about their next paycheck. This year, she is asking if she has to do everything herself. “Is it possible to host extraordinary parties with minimal effort on my part?” she asks. Believe it or not, it is possible. An entire industry exists to help people plan memorable parties and they work behind the scenes so you get all the credit. Austin has an abundance of professionals to make sure your food, drinks and atmosphere are a smashing success.

Candice Briggs, owner of Plush Events, emphasizes that people should get creative this year. “If you have a reduced budget, dream up ways to leverage your family or employees. If you are having a party onsite, for example, have an employee holiday decorating contest and give a prize to the team that creates the best holiday décor.” Most party planners conceive, organize and execute memorable affairs for corporate events, weddings, birthday parties and more. The event planning profession has boomed in the past two decades because it blends creativity with analytical skills so nicely. You could use an established firm or find someone who wants to break into the industry and is willing to negotiate because they need references.

Parties have a way of motivating us to get off the couch, especially if we know mouth-watering food will fill our bellies. Sherry Gordian, owner of Chipped Ham and Champagne, believes that catering involves much more than delivering and serving food. She said you need to “know how to plan menus, pair appropriate foods and arrange food in an eye-pleasing way. Artistry and efficiency are key in the catering business and knowledge of specialty foods or decor can make the difference between a good event or a spectacular one.” Gloria said this year she wants to call one of the culinary schools to give an inspiring chef an opportunity to create some great party dishes.

Gloria likes to impress friends with her wine selection, but she doesn’t have a lot of wine knowledge. “I spend so many hours wandering the wine aisles, trying to make heads or tails out of an overwhelming number of wine selections. There has to be a better way.” Gloria is thinking about hiring a wine connoisseur for her parties so she has the opportunity to discover new wines and flavors, not to mention the satisfaction that comes when they turn out to be popular with her family and friends. Wine connoisseurs often source new wines from all over the world and recommend the ones to add to the wine list. Sometimes they get involved in creating new wines, commenting on the label design, and entertaining guests with historical information.

As a fellow working mother and holiday entertainer, I understand Gloria’s challenges. Seeking help during the holiday season might be just what I need to reduce stress this season. Whether you need a party planner, caterer or wine connoisseur, remember that every professional has their own signature style and price structures. “I was surprised to learn how affordable it can be to have a nice affair,” said Gloria. “I will have help this year in making my parties a great place to have fun and decompress.”

Hyde Park : A Village Within A City

Irene — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:57:59 +0000

Nestled under a canopy of mature cedars and live oaks, just past the downtown skyscrapers, on the flat network of pleasant sidewalks and inviting front porches is a favorite Austin neighborhood, Hyde Park. The first self-sufficient Austin suburb, Hyde Park is a place where neighbors unite to celebrate their heritage and to protect the structures and landscape that have played part in the evolution and cultivation of, not only the neighborhood, but also the city of Austin. The community, propelled by ‘movers and shakers,’ is an active group of individuals that are as colorful and unique as the homes they live in. The history of Hyde Park is one that they are proud to share.

Colonel Monroe M. Shipe established Hyde Park as one of Austin’s first suburbs in 1891. Lorre Weildlich, the Local Historic District Chair of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association, explained, “Colonel Shipe’s vision for his suburb made Hyde Park what it is today.” The general layout of the homes gives a pedestrian feel that promotes a sense of community. Early on residents could walk to small stores scattered throughout the area such as Avenue B Grocery, Austin’s oldest grocery store, or to the main business district on Guadalupe, which had barbershops, cafes, a drug store, and other shops. Shipe built gravel streets, and a streetcar system that looped around the neighborhood and provided access to downtown Austin (about two miles south). He also donated land for the first church, built a school, and personally paid the teacher’s first years salary to ensure its success. Located on the west boundary of the neighborhood, The State Insane Asylum grounds were often enjoyed by the early dwellers as a place to take long walks, rides in the buggy, or boats on the pond. (It’s a running punch line in the community that its proximity to the neighborhood is no coincidence, usually not discounting their own contribution to the axiom.) By 1910, Hyde Park had become a town of its own, with a distinctive section in the newspaper.

In conjunction with the time of the Hyde Park’s early development, German sculptor, Elisabet Ney, introduced to the area by a powerful friend, former Governor Oran M. Roberts, built her studio, Formosa, on seven acres of land south of Waller Creek in 1892. Today, “The Elisabet Ney Museum is the jewel in the crown of Hyde Park. It is a unique structure that grew out of the unique personality of Elisabet Ney, an artist of international stature. It combines the romantic and the classical, the conventional and the iconoclastic and is recognized on the national, state, and local levels,” Weildlich explained. In 1895, Shipe played part in ensuring another historic fixture of the neighborhood’s success. The Moonlight Tower is one of only 17 left from an original group of 31. Weildlich said, “The towers are intimately connected to the history of Austin: they used electricity from Austin’s first power plant on the Colorado River. The tower in Hyde Park was the first one installed. When the Hyde Park Addition opened in 1891, the electrical generators at the dam were not complete. Hyde Park founder Colonel Monroe Shipe powered the Hyde Park Moonlight Tower with electricity from his own generator. Austin is the only city in the world in which a moonlight tower system still operates.”

If you stroll the walkways along the system of numbered streets and lettered avenues, you will observe the variations in architectural styles and sizes of homes. Weildlich noted, “Because Hyde Park was originally developed for upper-income buyers, it has a number of outstanding Victorians like the Sears-King house and the Badger houses. Because it was later marketed to middle-income buyers, it has blocks of bungalows that evoke the look and feel of the 1920s and ‘30s.” The Colonel Monroe M. Shipe House completed in 1892 is a two-story home that uses a Stick style form, Queen Anne decorations, and a flat concrete roof that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located in the subdivision he named ‘Shadowlawn.’

With a united front, the community today is dedicated to maintaining the neighborhood Shipe developed. For the past 35 years, the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association has fought for zoning laws, historical landmarks, and restoration and preservation projects. Behind it is a long list of dedicated citizen activists that have ensured its success. One of the more notable acts was in 1969 when Dorothy Ritchers, the unofficial Mayor for Life of Hyde Park, saved the fire station from closure, and a revived spirit in the neighborhood induced a need for the HPNA to organize community efforts. A neighborhood newspaper, The Pecan Press, and monthly association meetings where established. Now the HPNA has over 15 committees dedicated to the various concerns including a Steering Committee and a Development Review Committee. (There is a saying in Hyde Park that whenever you see three or more neighbors standing outside talking—usually in the street or maybe in their cars while passing each other—it constitutes an official neighborhood meeting.)

While the HPNA has had a dominant role in the success of the historic preservation, the acts of the members of the neighborhoods speak for themselves. One by one the houses in the neighborhood are being restored. Despite pressure from developers, the community took out all stops in their quest to preserve a particular house – 311 West 41st Street. According to Wanda Penn, current owner and someone who previously spent 30 years renovating her derelict 1893 Victorian home in the Shadowlawn subdivision, “Due to Austin’s somewhat convoluted zoning and building code structure, the demo permit for the home took on a life of its own. Neighbors soon realized that if the house was to be saved, we would have to put our money where our mouth was. Restore Hyde Park was formed, and a dozen neighbors put up money to purchase and restore the house. I was in charge of the actual day-to-day work and much of the decision-making. It was a blast.” With the project complete, one of the house’s most notable elements is the 100 year old, original, metal shingle roof, and the only one known to remain in Hyde Park.

An overall appreciation for the neighborhood’s historical significance and a sincere desire to get to know, support and respect each other has united this community and motivated their success. Many have influenced and played part in the fabric of the neighborhood, and like their predecessors, they are not only dedicated to preserving their beloved neighborhood, but also to making it a better place. Filled with civic pride, the neighbors of Hyde Park have much to celebrate. The community and friends join together each year for the Fire Station Festival, a Historical Home Tour, Frontera Fest, and varied holiday celebrations to raise funds for and celebrate their efforts. (Don’t forget to check out the 37th Street lights this December!) We feature some of the Hyde Park ‘movers and shakers’ – highlighted above – as well as some of the businesses they frequent – on the following page.

Home for The Holidays Tour

Irene — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:23:31 +0000

Your Austin Address & Lifestyle and the Home Builders Association of Greater Asutin in partnership with the Mueller Custom Builders are proud to present the Home for the Holidays Home Tour benefiting The
Children’s Medical Foundation of Central Texas. The tour features five energy efficient, green-built
homes located in the Mueller Development on Camacho Street with their living rooms and dining rooms decked out for the
holidays. From designer tablescapes to inviting fireplace mantles, tune in to the latest in home décor and holiday decorating.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Home Tour
The tour runs this weekend from 12-7, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Camacho Street, Mueller Development, Austin, Texas 78723
November 6 -15, 2009

*Preview Party November 6th from 7-9pm
4229 Camacho Street, Austin, Texas 78723 ~ cost $25 per person

View Larger Map

Participants in the 2009 Your Austin Address & Lifestyle Home for the Holidays Tour :

ABC Home And Commercial Services
www.ABChomeandcommercial.com

Austin Flower Company
512.451.6447

Breed and Company
www.breedandco.com

Catellus Development Group/ Mueller Austin
www.muelleraustin.com

Children’s Medical Center Foundation of Central Texas
www.childrensaustin.org

Green Rooster Gardens
www.greenroostergardens.com

Judy Maggio and KEYE Television
www.weareaustin.com

Macy’s@The Domain
www.macys.com

Roxanne Wilson and The River 102.3 FM
www.theriver1023.com

TateAustinHahn
www.tateaustinhahn.com

Texas Gas Services
www.TexasGasServices.com

The Home Builders’ Association of Greater Austin
www.AustinHomeBuilders.com

4229 Camacho Street

Durrett Interests, LLC.
www.durrettinterests.com

Design It With Consignment
www.designitconsignment

4225 Camacho Street

The Muskin Company
www.themuskincompany.com

Motif Modern Living
www.motiffurniture.com

4221 Camacho Street

Bill Taute Homes
www.billtautehomes.com

Copenhagen Contemporary Furniture
www.copenhagenliving.com

Next Level Austin

www.nextlevelaustin.com

Susanne Lee Interiors
Susanneleeinteriors.com

4217 Camacho Street

Streetman Homes

www.streetmanhomes.com

Town and Country Leather
www.townandcountryleather.com

Wonderland Designs, LLC
512.926.9630

Zingers Hardware
www.zingerhardware.com

4213 Camacho Street

Cool River Custom Homes
www.coolrivercustomhomes.com

Abbey’s Home Furnishings
www.abbeyshomefurnishings.com

Andrea Doyle, Three Chairs Design
threechairs@hotmail.com

Brand New Issue Online

admin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:28:24 +0000

Check it out! The newest issue has just hit the streets, but you can see the full thing from the comfort of your computer. Click to view the magazine in full screen :

Advertiser Spotlight : Sterling Images

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:42:35 +0000

Sterling Images provides many of the great shots that you see in our magazine in every issue. Check out some more work in these two videos.

If you have a faster internet connection, I suggest you use the ‘HQ’ button in the lower right of this first video for a high definition look at the photographer in action.

Going Green in One of the Hottest Urban Neighborhoods in Austin

admin — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 02:47:57 +0000

If you haven’t been out to Mueller, the 700-acre city within a city located on the site of Austin’s former airport, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Mueller is taking shape and springing to life with all of the elements that were promised.

A diverse mixed-use community with housing prices ranging from $120,000 to one million plus, upon completion, Mueller will feature 4,600 single-family and multi-family homes. The master plan also includes 140 acres of parks and green space, a hike and bike trail, an elementary school, commuter rail station, and a retail center with a theater. The Dell Children’s Medical Center and the Austin Film Studios anchor the development. Mueller will also soon welcome the Austin Children’s Shelter campus and the Austin Children’s Museum. Forward looking and ultra-green, Mueller seemed the logical spot for the 2009 Parade of Homes.

In case you missed the 2009 Parade, held May 23 to June 7, we thought we would give you, our readers, an insider’s tour of these ultra-green, ultra-urban homes custom built and designed by a group of Austin’s most exclusive home builders, architects, and interior designers. With prices starting at $1 million, the homes ranged from 3,000 to 4,500 square feet and were the first in Central Texas to earn three energy efficiency ratings. Our tour includes the award winners and some editor’s picks. We highlight the features that make each house unique and impressive. We show you the latest trends in architecture, interior design and products that made the 2009 Parade of Homes innovative and inspiring, including: retractable walls and outdoor living rooms; an acoustically perfect media room; spa-like master baths; the most modern kitchens; a rare Concetto countertop created from semi-precious geodes; an in-home refueling station to fill the tank of your energy-efficient natural gas automobile; and waterfalls, meditation spots and open-air sunset balconies with killer downtown views.

Finally we went to the ultimate experts, the builders themselves, with the question: What was the vision for your home featured in the HBA Parade of Homes, and how did you achieve your intentions? Their answers will both surprise and enlighten you taking you inside the home building and design process for conception to completion.

4229 Camacho Street
Marshall Durrett, President
Durrett Interests, LLC

We set out to create a parade home that was both noticeably livable and extremely sustainable, not just a “flash in the pan” for the parade event. Quality of execution and durability of construction were very important in our project programming, providing our homeowner with a functioning building system for years to come. From the very beginning, with site selection, we insisted on a north-facing home site that would allow for the best quality day lighting from the large front windows of the home. Our home site also allowed for the inclusion of a three-kilowatt array of solar panels on the southeast roof plane, which has already offset our electricity usage by 25%. Not only did we achieve the same 5-star rating from Austin Energy Green Building as the other parade homes, but also ours was the only home to be rated for LEED Platinum. From an interior design perspective, the most rewarding feedback we received on our home from parade-goers was constantly and consistently that it “felt like home” or “was very comfortable” right when they walked across our front door threshold. We hope our home proved that contemporary design could still be very inviting, not just minimalist.

4225 Comacho
Alan Muskin, President
The Muskin Company

Our vision was to build a sustainable mid-century modern home that took advantage of our site overlooking 30 acre Lake Park. We accomplished this by using many natural and durable materials, such as polished concrete floors, limestone counters and Douglas-fir ceilings.

Our seamless corner windows frame a beautiful view of Lake Park. A 14′ retractable door opens the family room to our steel trellised yard, bringing the outdoors in. Features of our Northeast facing yard include native landscaping and an herb garden. Our efforts were recognized by the City of Austin’s Green Building Program 5-star rating and Gold Level LEED rating.

4221 Camacho Street
Taute Homes
Bill Taute, President

Our inspiration for the home in the Parade was to create a warm, inviting, fun atmosphere, that had a modern feel and included the latest technology. Along with Audio Video Designs, we decided to use the automated projection screen with the hidden HD Front Projection System to incorporate that technology into a space that could serve not only as a media room, but also as a multi-purpose space. By containing all of the components for the Media Room, the whole house audio system, and the televisions around the home in the component closet of the Media Room, we were able to eliminate unsightly boxes, cables, and wires typically associated with home theater and television systems. We also installed California Audio Technology in wall speakers in the Media Room, and covered the entire wall with acoustical fabric to complete the totally hidden appearance. By installing the Crestron Control Panels and utilizing the Crestron remote controls, the end user will have access to whatever sources they deem appropriate for their viewing and listening needs throughout the house, as well as the covered patio and the Garden Roof. The Crestron Control panels have the ability to control lighting, window treatments, and HVAC in the Media Room and throughout the home. The garden roof is the most unusual feature included in this home, and I think in the entire Parade of Homes. The inspiration was to utilize rooftop space to create a living, growing garden that would serve as get-away from everyday issues. It not only creates a place for the homeowner to garden in a subdivision that offers little space in the yards below, but also serves as a space to read a book, drink a glass of wine, or gaze at the stars. The rooftop garden eliminates heat transfer from the roof, and acts as an insulator for the garage located below.

4217 Camacho Street
Streetman Homes
Ryan Jackson,
Director of Sales and Marketing

We wanted to build a home that took advantage of the beautiful views available from this home site. That, coupled with the overall “Mueller Concept” of a walkable traditional neighborhood helped our decision to capture those views from outdoor living spaces. There are three outdoor living spaces on the front of the home, one large sitting porch on the first level, one large porch off the owners suite and flex room on the second floor, and a covered open air “Sunset” breezeway on the third floor. The Sunset room features 300-degree views of Mueller Lake Park, the Robert Mueller Airport former control tower and the downtown Austin skyline. In addition to the incredible outdoor living spaces already mentioned, we were able to include a living vegetable garden with a lime tree, tomato plant, and spices. In this space we were also able to include a full cooking island with GE Monogram Grill, sink and mini-fridge. If the views and outdoor cooking weren’t enough, how about bringing the outside in? Our family room combines with a courtyard via 16’ sliding doors. This courtyard features a waterfall cascading from one of two-second floor balconies. The home far exceeded our expectations in terms of design. The Parade of Homes Judges agreed awarding our home with Best Outdoor Living Space and Front Elevation.

4213 Comacho Street
Cool River Custom Homes
Glenn Reynolds, President

Our vision was to create an energy efficient Home that would accomplish 3 additional goals. The first goal was to make the home feel as inviting and warm as possible while providing a layout that was functional for everyday use. We then wanted to create a work at home space separate from the main house which will allow the homeowner to separate their work life from home life without having to commute. Last, but not least, we wanted to create a variety of indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces. The front porch has space to accommodate neighborhood street parties and features an outdoor fireplace and tv. An outdoor kitchen and alfresco dining area overlooking a courtyard and fountain off the back of the home. We added additional cedar roll up doors off the courtyard area leading into the garage to accommodate the need for extra covered space when entertaining. This area is good for setting up a pool table, table tennis or foosball. As a bonus we added a guest cottage above the garage which includes a kitchen, bathroom, closet, living area and stackable washer and dryer. With just under 3600 square feet of indoor living space, 1200 square feet of outdoor living space, a detached office, guest cottage, 2 indoor kitchens, an outdoor kitchen and incredible views of downtown from the Master bedroom and balcony, I think we achieved everything we set out to accomplish.

Make sure to check out our issue for a much more extensive photo collection of these awesome homes.

Kendra Scott : Austin’s White-Hot Style Maker

admin — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 02:34:05 +0000

Kendra Scott is hot. Her jewelry has been featured in many tony fashion magazines such as In Style and Town and Country. On the day we met for this interview, her office was buzzing with the news that a piece of her jewelry, the Ulyssia ring, was going to be featured in the July issue of the Oprah Magazine. Fearless and confident, she opened her sophisticated New York City showroom early this year despite the economic downturn. It has been a tremendous success, expanding her distribution and clients nationwide. What is now a rapidly growing multi-million dollar business has evolved from $500 of stones with each piece hand-crafted by Kendra on her kitchen table. Beginning her business single-handedly, she carried her designs in a tea box going from store to store taking orders with a three-month-old infant in tow. As the business has grown exponentially, Scott continues to design and market her work. In 2007, Scott received the Rising Star Award for the Texas Women’s Chamber of Commerce. In May of this year, she received her Masters’ degree in Entrepreneurship from M.I.T.

While her star is definitely on the rise, Scott’s basic philosophy has not changed. She remains committed to the three philosophies that shape the company and continue to direct its course: family, fashion and philanthropy.

After the birth of her first child, Scott did not want to return to her job as an advertising executive for a travel magazine often traveling for as much as five weeks at a time. Looking for a career that would allow her to “be a mom first” she decided to try her hand at something she was passionate about and could do at home—thus began Kendra Scott Designs. With two young sons at home, Scott continues to maintain a flexible schedule allowing her to put family first. Her husband Albert is very supportive of her dreams and plans for the business. “He is my rock, my confidante and my best friend.”

Scott also believes in treating her employees like family, extending that understanding and philosophy to her entire team. Recognized by Austin Business Journal, Kendra Scott Design, Inc. was voted one of the Top Ten Places to Work in Central Texas in 2007. “My name may be on the door, but I have made these incredible leaps because of my team. Everyone in the company is creative. Everyone collaborates in every aspect of the business..”

One look at Scott reveals a passion for an innate sense of style, grace and fashion. Her remarkable jewelry makes a statement with unique combinations of semi-precious stones, flowing metals, natural elements such as bamboo and wood as well as snakeskin. Scott has stayed true to her customer: “a dynamic woman on the go with a lot going on who wants to look good without breaking the bank.” Her very reasonable price point for quality designer jewelry has garnered a lot of attention from the national press. “Now more than ever people understand and are looking for value and quality. I source my stones direct and am very creative with my designs so that I can pass along the value to my customers. My jewelry has the same look and quality as other pieces two to three times the price, but I try to make it attainable.”

Scott’s jewelry is prized and collected as works of art. “If you don’t want attention then don’t buy my jewelry. Our designs have a personality. They are trend based with an eye on keeping them timeless.” Although Scott’s inspiration comes from many sources, she believes her designs are a reflection of the place she calls home. “I consistently hear that our line feels different, and I think that is because we are here in this city. I use a lot of organic elements and it has an Austin vibe—a flow and a feel. One of my collections was inspired by a walk in the Zilker Botanical Gardens…the colors of the flowers, the leaves, the feathers of the birds, the bamboo. In design I interpret trends as they relate to the personality of our jewelry, which is the personality of Austin.”

Scott is a visible and vibrant part of the city she loves. “I have always wanted to give back. I knew from the first business I started that the true measure of success for me was going to be the ability to help other people.” Although Scott never turns down a request for a donation, her philanthropic focus is on women and children. A percentage of sales from each bi-annual Kendra Scott Design Sample Sale benefits charities like LifeWorks and the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas. From 2005-2007, Kendra annually donated over $15,000 in gifts to Go Red for Women, a national movement founded by the American Heart Association to help women to fight back against heart disease, the number one killer of women in America.

With its mission of serving at-risk youth and their families, LifeWorks has become a mainstay in Scott’s philanthropic outreach and focus. “I serve on only one board because I want to give heart and soul to the organization.” Scott also serves as co-founder and co-chair of LEAP, a fundraising and networking organization for entrepeneurs and professionals interested in making a positive impact on the lives of those in need. “We attract a dynamic group of people with a similar mindset. We like to have fun and it is important to give back to this community that has given so much to us.” The White Party is the highlight of LEAP’s fundraising efforts. Influenced by the White Parties of the Hamptons, Scott and her Co-Chair Joe Ross set out to create a wonderland on the grounds of the historic Green Pastures restaurant. Now in its third year, the very chic party was an instant success and is the hottest event of the summer season. “The White party is all about fun, fashion and creativity. We have an unbelievable team that gives so generously to transform a beautiful historic setting into a wonderland…a white hot party. The goal is to raise as much as we can for LifeWorks while connecting with each other and having fun.”

As she speaks of plans for this year’s event, Kendra Scott bubbles over with the things that have made her a success: passion for her community and her work, attention to detail, confident creativity, connection and reaching out to others, and a zest for life that cannot be contained. While she may be a white hot style maker, it is the genuine warmth and caring that gives Kendra Scott an unforgettable glow and makes her heartfelt invitaion to the White party impossible to resist.

Editor’s Pick : Impermanence

admin — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:10:34 +0000

Deb Hamilton , Editor, Your Austin LifestylePlease Join me on Thursday evening for the premiere of Sally Jacques’ latest unique performance of aerial dance, Impermanence.

(click here for the flyer) PDF

Austin Wine Festival

admin — Sat, 30 May 2009 23:57:53 +0000

The Chair: Sabrina Houser
An eloquent and complex emulsion of firm fineness, topped with an infectious spirit, Sabrina Houser Chairs the 2009 Austin Wine Festival. She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Physiology from Texas Women’s University and went on to a successful corporate career before returning as an owner to Dry Comal Creek Vineyards and Winery in New Braunfels. Sabrina is a philanthropic force behind her passion for community mental health and women’s issues and still finds time to serve as the current Vice President of Texas Hill Country Wineries. When asked why she took on the Austin Wine Festival in its third year she simply stated, “I believe in it.”

The Event: 2009 Austin Wine Festival
May 23rd through 25th, Saturday through Monday, Memorial Day Weekend
Uniquely Austin, the three-day Texas wine celebration takes place RAIN OR SHINE! Wineries from Lampasas to New Braunfels and from Fredericksburg to Dripping Springs have flourished from a pioneering few into an internationally awarded and recognized wine region. Designated as the #2 Fastest Growing Wine Destination in the Nation, second only to Napa, according to the Orbitz Insider Index, and the #1 of the best “Places to Go This Summer” by The New York Times, the Austin Wine Festival is the place to be and be seen. This winery-owned festival is unprecedented in its ability to provide direct to consumer wine sales on site. For the first time in Texas wine enthusiasts can purchase wine by the glass, bottle and case on the spot!
While you taste the splendor of the fruits of our wineries’ labors, your kids will enjoy our expanded children’s area that will include outdoor laser tag and mobile video game theater.
Created with the intent to saturate The Live Music Capital of the World one glass at a time, the Austin Wine Festival is designed to be extraordinary, unforgettable and different. Attendees will not find themselves crammed into one large circus big top, but will discover a well-organized trail of individual and spacious winery tents with plenty of room to converse and sample. Wine enthusiasts attendees not only enjoy tasting Texas Hill Country wines, in many cases will have the opportunity to meet the actual wine makers and learn about the process, grape and location of its particular birth. Wine is about the experience and this festival presents enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to purchase wine by the glass, bottle or case directly from the winery itself, practically in their own backyard.

Bang For the Buck: The Organization and it’s Mission
Creating local wine awareness, as well as improving wine esteem, is one of the main goals of the Austin Wine Festival. Wine lovers will delight in the unbelievably diverse and seemingly countless wines that are only improving with quality over time. Many wine lovers are unaware that the Texas Hill Country, which is lovingly shaped by many rivers and rolling knolls, sits just on the western edge of a gorgeous humid subtropical climate that provides gentle winters and long, warm summers making it a mecca for wineries. As for awareness, reaching out to the connoisseurs is just as important as reaching out to different, less predictable crowds. Texas Hill Country Wineries want to create a relationship between all people and Texas wine, which is no longer just your run-of-the-mill elegant dinner decoration but should be a heart-healthy part of your daily life.
Interested in local and healthy business, The Austin Wine Festival has once again chosen the Austin Farmer Market and Sustainable Food Center as the 2009 beneficiary. This natural partnership gives a nod to the mutual passion between these two organizations about drinking local wines, eating local foods and keeping Texas investment dollars within the local economy.

For more information visit: www.AustinWineFestival.com