Life + Culture

5 Favorite Things

Article by Jennifer Birn AirTasker Have a task you’ve been dreading, or simple can’t do? There’s an app to outsource that. AirTasker launched in Austin earlier this years and can help with an array of things from furniture assembly to event staffing, gutter cleaning – or any type of cleaning, at-home dog grooming, handyman repairs, picking up the dry cleaning and more. Users input their task in the app, add a budget, field bids and then choose an AirTasker for the jobs. All payments are...

Entertainment

Event Round-Up

Inside Zadok Jewelers' opening soirees and fundraisers for Texas Children's Hospital, Imagine a Way & GiveJoy Article and Photography by The Season’s Sparkliest Soiree   Zadok Jewelers had a two-day celebration to mark the opening of their location in the Domain, their first outside of Houston. Night one a curated group women embarked on a jet set-inspired journey through Zadok’sjewelry collections for an exclusive preview of the brand’s new showroom. Each guest arrived in a chauffeured...

Life + Culture

Brief Round Top Film Festival Guide

A few tips while navigating the festival Novemeber 6-9 Article and Photography by FOUNDERS: The festival was founded by the mother-daughter duo of Shanna and Skylar Schanen. Shanna says it melds her love for film with her dedication to fostering artistic expression and community enrichment. Skylar, a writer/director, aims to provide an inclusive platform for emerging filmmakers and artists to exhibit their work. SEE: Melody Maids, also the name of a singing group out of Beaumont, TX...

Life + Culture

Design for a Cause

Last year’s stylish soire funded therapy for 12 families and they aim to extend the life-changing impact this year Photography by Madeline Harper After a successful debut last year, Living Oak is hosting the second annual Design for a Cause. The benefit raises scholarship funds for The Children’s Therapy Spot, a clinic that provides essential speech, occupational and physical therapy which help children with a wide range of diagnoses reach their fullest potential at home and in school...

Life + Culture

Heroes Among Us

A chat with Scott Ruskan, the swimmer who saved dozens of children at Camp Mystic Article by Dominique Bejarano | Photography by Perry Shirzad My interview with Scott Ruskan was originally set for a Friday at 4 p.m. Thirty minutes before, a text popped up: “Hey, so sorry to cancel last minute. Currently flying a search and rescue case and will not be available for a call.” For most 26-year-olds, Friday night means wrapping up work and heading into the weekend. For Ruskan, it meant a six-hour...

Life + Culture

We Love Libraries

H-E-B & the Kendra Scott Foundation are making the wonderful world of books more accessible Article by Jennifer Birn | Photography by Keelyn Costello Two iconic Texas brands – H-E-B and the Kendra Scott Foundation, joined forces to open six Yellow Libraries in Title I elementary schools across the state. Each Yellow Library provides access to hundreds of new bilingual and multicultural books, a custom yellow bookshelf and literacy resources to support teachers and families. This partnership...

Health + Wellness

That Miraval Magic

Article by Jennifer Birn | Photography by James Baigrie As the holiday season approaches—with its whirlwind of parties, deadlines, and endless to-dos—it can feel like we’re running on fumes. A day pass or staycation at Miraval Austin offers the rarest of gifts: stillness, reflection, and the chance to reconnect with yourself. Whether it’s the thrill of spotting a protected bird in the nature preserve or an unexpected realization uncovered within, Miraval promises moments of magic woven into...

Food + Beverage

Green Tomato Pie

Foreign & Domestic’s unique dessert is back for its annual appearance Article and Photography by Foreign & Domestic co-owner and Chef Sarah Heard says, “The story is that farmers would have to pick all of their tomatoes, ripe or not, right before the first frost. They would end up with a ton of green tomatoes and had to figure out what to do with them. This recipe is one that I modified from my apple pie recipe. It looks and eats like apple pie with a little extra tartness.”  INGREDIENTS ...

Food + Beverage

On Foraging with Foreign & Domestic’s Sarah Heard

The chef and owner picks much of what’s served at her restaurant herself Article by Jennifer Birn Foreign & Domestic celebrated its 15th anniversary this year. Chefs Sarah Heard and Nathan Lemley have owned it for the better part of a decade. Throughout, it’s been known for sourcing fresh ingredients locally whenever possible and switching up their menu regularly to fit what’s in season. Sarah’s also a committed forager. She forages near her home in Lockhart and heads to the Pacific...

Food + Beverage

Made from Scratch

Chefs Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee’s intertwining and intriguing personal & professional journey Article by Jennifer Birn | Photography by Jasmin Porter and Sarah Block On a December night in 2020, as Austin adjusted to life in a pandemic winter, ten diners enjoyed a multi-course meal in a pop-up serving sushi out of a borrowed space. Word had already started to spread, they were sold out for three weeks, but no one could have predicted what happened next. At 12:30 a.m., one...