November 11, 2009

Promise Pizza

Promise Pizza

There are two AMAZING things about Promise Pizza:

1) Gluten-Free Pizza Crust:

- Smart Flour (amaranth flour, tapioca flour, teff flour), water, sweet white sorghum flour, modified tapioca starch, potato starch, eggs, olive oil, honey, yeast, sugar, xanthan gum, guar gum, salt, baking powder, baking soda

MUCH better for you than regular crust!

2) Vegan cheese WITHOUT casein, soy, lactose, gluten, egg, wheat, barley, corn, whey, rice, or nuts

What IS in it then? Plant-based ingredients. The full list of ingredients:

Purified water, tapioca and/or arrowroot flours, non-GMO expeller pressed canola and/or non-GMO expeller pressed safflower oil, coconut oil pea protein, salt, inactive yeast, vegetable glycerin, natural flavors (derived from plants), xanthan gum, sunflower lecithin, vegan enzymes (no animal rennet or animal enzymes), vegan bacterial cultures, citric acid (for flavor), annatto.

For more info: http://www.daiyafoods.com/products.html

So Promise Pizza is active on twitter (@promisepizza), and excited, energetic co-founder (of 4) Suzanne tweeted me suggesting I come give it a shot. I invented an excuse to head up to Round Rock (ok, I really had to be there, but NOW I’ll start inventing excuses) and was floored by Suzanne. It’s a labor of love for her, and the three other founders, and they really just wanted to make good pizza. Maybe that’s the third AMAZING thing about Promise Pizza. The brains behind it have no background in restaurant, retail, nothing. Two of the investors own a wind energy firm in town. They just wanted to make happy pizza as eco-friendly as possible. They deliver in Smart Cars. Recycle everything. Have cane-juice-sweetened drinks (erm … I mean, if you’re gonna have sugar, it’s better than HFCS). Gotta love all that.

But on to the pizza. Pictured above is a Nature’s Choice, with Daiya, Tomato, Portobello Mushroom, Black Olives, Red Onion, Green Pepper, Basil on gluten-free crust. And it is delicious. It was also a little too sweet for me. At first I thought it might be the cheese, but turns out the cheese is just fantastic. Then maybe the crust. Turns out the crust is crispy-crunchy and just salty enough. It definitely wasn’t the delicious, perfectly-prepped veggies who retained the slightest firmness while melding into the pizza. So I deduced with my pizza powers that the sauce was too sweet for me, and upon looking on the web at the ingredients, I discover why:

Tomato Sauce: Ground Tomato, Herbs, Garlic, Sugar

I kid you not, this pizza would have been absolutely perfect for me were it not for the too-sweet sauce. Even the black olive bombs (in honor of my missing Vermocoloradoan) in all their salty glory couldn’t counteract the sweet. BUT don’t be fooled, I still ate the entire damn thing (except one piece my mom later enjoyed) in one sittingdriving back to Austin.

For those of you lucky enough to live in RR (did I just say that?), they offer a KILLER lunch special–personal pizza (8″) + drink for only $5.95!!

They plan to open a downtown spot within six months. Can’t wait! In the meantime, it looks like I have a lot of, uh, work to do … in Round Rock … near Grimes Blvd …

Promise Pizza
1500 A. W. Grimes Blvd.
Suite #410
Round Rock, TX, 78664
(512) ORGANIC

Promise Pizza box

November 10, 2009

The dog days of Austin

Army Wives is my secret must-watch-TV.

One of the story lines involved a dog called Lucky that saved some of the soldiers lives by barking out a bomb. So the soldiers try to get him home, and he ends up making back to the base in the United States. Google as I might, I could not find a picture. But it’s an awesome dog.

So when the Statesman published an article today on Delilah, a puppy some soldiers found while in Afghanistan, I was really excited. A woman here in Austin raised enough money over the summer to get the dog sent to the United States, where she’ll stay with her until her brother-in-law comes home from Afghanistan.

Image from statesman.com

In the comments, cynics complained about the cost and the number of adoptable animals here. Of course there are better uses for the $3500 it cost, and there are homeless dogs all over the place in Austin. But the puppy’s affect on the soldiers in Afghanistan is priceless, and the fact that they have her to come home to is equally important and motivating.

I’m going to go hug my pup now.

If you’re interested in rescuing or fostering, don’t forget about Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s 10% discount for donation and adoption days. More info here.

November 9, 2009

It’s in the Details

Got an email from RueLaLa.com offering anyone who signs up using my code (http://www.ruelala.com/invite/lifeinaustin) a $10 credit on their first purchase! It ain’t much, but every little bit counts. RueLaLa has quickly become my favorite of the members-only discount sale sites, surpassing HauteLook, who I still hang on to as my first sample-sale-love. But RueLaLa has great customer service, beautiful packaging, and one of those neat envelopes with all your packing slips inside–it’s the little luxurious details that make you feel like you’re ordering designer duds (you are) instead of just knockoffs.

Speaking of details, I want to talk details for a moment. After Saturday night’s fashion show, I was thinking about what makes some things so great (the dress I was wearing) and others so wrong (the dress many other people were wearing). It’s the details. Take, for instance, this pair of boots that I ALMOST bought:

Jessica Simpson red boot

Beautiful, right?

Smoking hot if not beautiful. Anyway, I love the bright red color (I already own vintage ’80s slouchy/studded red ankle boots), the almond toe, and the height. They’re $149, marked down from $295 (though also available on endless.com for $195), which isn’t cheap, but is a good deal for 100% leather knee-high boots.

But I couldn’t pull the trigger. I put them in my invisible shopping cart but refused to check out. I tweeted. I took a picture of my computer screen and texted it to my mom. Clearly something was not right, but I couldn’t give up on the idea of knee-high cherry red platform smokin’ hot boots.

Thankfully, as I was talking to my mom about the boots it hit me: I hated the fold-down flap. I have it on a pair of knee-high boots I own now (and have for two seasons, thankyouverymuch) and it is the only thing that keeps me from wearing those boots every single minute of every single day. It’s too Peter Pan. Too casual in my sexy boot. Totally out of place. Plus the boot has fake ruching, which I hate. I will wear the boot enough for it to ruche on its own.

So I didn’t buy the boots. And I was reminded that fashion is in the details. Fail to consider them, and you’ll be the one wearing something that almost works but isn’t quite right.

Oh… and are you curious about my dress? There is only a dark iPhone photo to show for it … and I cut myself out, because, you know, I’m anonymous and stuff. But it’s navy blue silk, vintage, and very, very sassy. Love it. Wore it with a vintage gold necklace and gold Calvin Klein platform heels.

dress

November 6, 2009

Weekend Fashion & Shopping

Friday, Saturday, Sunday … it’s a shopaholics’ (or casual fashionista’s) fantasty!

Saturday: Runway to Heaven fashion show

Runway to Heaven Austin

I’ll be live-blogging/tweeting my reactions to the show up onto the wall behind the models as they walk down the runway, so this is going to be super cool. But what will I wear?!

Friday: 2ND Street District Holiday Give & Get Kick-off

Every Friday afternoon in November, 2ND Street District businesses are rolling out the holiday cheer with a Holiday Give & Get.

For $25, you get special VIP savings, free gifts, a chance to win holiday spending money and the opportunity to support one of four much-loved Austin non-profits: Art Alliance Austin, Austin Dog Rescue, Bikes for Kids or Capital Area Food Bank. $20 goes directly to the charity of your choice and $5 will go toward a raffle including holiday spending money and hundreds of dollars in gift certificates to 2ND Street District businesses. The drawing will take place on December 3 at the 2ND Street District holiday parties.

Today’s featured non-profit is Art Alliance Austin. They’ll be at 2nd Street’s gallery d selling tickets to Art Night Austin: E.A.S.T. (the official preview party of the East Austin Studio Tour, taking place Nov. 12) and personalizing holiday greeting cards by E.A.S.T. featured artist GladeMade. We’ll also have an Annie Ray photo booth on site, so bring your kids or pets and snap some holiday photos to share with friends and family.

Sunday: Shop 787 event

Yeah, I’ve been hyping it all week, but it’s here!

Shop787

All Weekend: Settlement Home Garage Sale

This year’s Settlement Home Garage Sale is Nov 6-8 at Palmer Events Center. A family tradition (wrote about it here), I highly recommend you check it out … there are awesome find waiting to be discovered!

Sale Days

Friday 10 am – 7 pm – Admission is $5 at the door
Saturday 10 am – 5 pm – Free Admission
Sunday 10 am – 2 pm – Free Admission
Closed from 2 pm – 3 pm
Sunday Bag & Box Sale 3 pm – 5 pm – Free Admission

http://www.settlementhome.org/GarageSale.asp

November 5, 2009

Winner Winter Winner

When I asked for your fave winter clothes in exchange for the chance to win tickets to Sunday’s Shop787 event, I got tons of responses (and keep in mind that we’re Texans here), but here’s a sampling of my personal faves:

  • My favorite (new) winter clothing item would have to be my plum coat from Gap. It is so fun and has great pockets. Great pockets are lacking nowadays in women’s outerwear.

    Plus… it’s plum, one of my favorite fall/winter colors.

  • my favorite winter item is a hat that I got at Camden Market in London 8 years ago. It converts from a regular hat into a warm open headband, so its really two pieces in one.

  • Georgia

    I love my new (faux) leather motocross jacket! I wore it recently with a blueish grey silk dress (or sub out chiffon) with black tights and black slouchy booties. It was a great juxtaposition of tough and sweet. Result: felt like I stepped out of Lucky!

  • Ashley

    My favorite winter item is definitley my red pea coat. It looks great with jeans and heels and is light enough that I can wear it pretty regularly here in Texas. The red really helps a girl stand out in the usual dark colored winter coats.

Vic, I love winter plum too. Ally found an amazingly handy convertible winter piece, while Georgia won me over with her closer “Result: felt like I stepped out of Lucky!” but ultimately the WINNER is and the two free tickets to Shop 787 this SUNDAY go to …

Ashley!!

You can’t argue with a girl who likes to stand out.

November 4, 2009

Help out the dogs, get 10% off Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, all for $1+!

Coffee Bean & Blue Dog

Pumpkin Blended … coffee + pumpkin + NSA vanilla powder = HEAVEN!

Soy Pumpkin Latte … espresso + soy milk + pumpkin + NSA vanilla powder = HOT HEAVEN!

Fall Flavors are in, and the pumpkin is outta this world–super pumpkin-y, just sweet enough, warm (even if it’s cold) and delicious. Also apple spice tea latte (haven’t tried yet … have wanted to … but can’t.stay.away.from.the.pumpkin) is a fab fall flavor.

CBTL discount braceletCalling this guy a bracelet might be a misnomer, but it’s a welcome one: tie this ribbon easily on your purse, tuck it into the coin section of your wallet, affix it to your rearview mirror, whatever. It’s easy to remember and easy to carry, so you’ll snag your 10% off all the way through December 4th.

My cashier this morning (don’t judge) started to tell me about the program before I whipped out my ribbon and when I did she exclaimed, “I love you! The dogs love you!”

I love you, Coffee Bean.

November 3, 2009

Free Mid-Week CrossFit Workout!

I know, I know, I’m always posting about free CrossFit workouts (hello, they happen at least once a month), but this one is special because it’s on a Wednesday at 9:30am. Totally random–or targeting those of us who refuse to get out of bed for 8:30am Saturday workouts–but totally awesome. Get to work early and cut out for a quick “doctor’s appointment” (more like “avoid the doctor appointment” because you’re taking care of your health and wellness by working on your fitness) under the Mopac bridge at Town Lake.


If nothing else, let me assure you that the Relentless coaches are all relentlessly hot, so there’ll be motivation…

9:30AM @ Town Lake Under the Bridge on the Hike & Bike Trail (Map)
www.crossfitcentralrelentless.com

PS – whether you worked out or not, stop by any Amy’s Ice Cream today from 2-6pm for a free scoop! Happy 25th birthday, Amy’s!

November 3, 2009

BLEET-UP!!

Mark your calendars for this Thursday, November 5:
BleetUp at MohawkDo your RSVPin’ (they WILL close the list when they reach Mohawk’s capacity) right here, or head to the facebook invite to scope out the other attendees and click yourself attending.

As you can see on the flier, my lovely Austin Post is an event sponsor, so be sure to check it out for coverage–perhaps even in real time (the newest feature introduced over there)–from the event.

The dirty details:

$7 to get in w/ RSVP, Doors are 8:30pm at the 10th St. entrance! The party begins upstairs on the balcony.

THE GREEN ROOM:

8:30: Learning Secrets DJ’s (www.learningsecretsmusic.com)

LINEUP (OUTSIDE):

9:45: The Lennings (www.myspace.com/heynicevest)
10:30: Built By Snow (www.myspace.com/builtbysnow)
11:15: Corto Maltese (www.myspace.com/thecortomaltese)

LINEUP (INSIDE):

9:45: Politics (www.myspace.com/ilovepolitics)
10:45: Sad Accordions (www.myspace.com/thesadaccordions)
11:45: The Great Nostalgic (www.myspace.com/thegreatnostalgic)
ON THE BALCONY:

-Free eats by Mama Fu’s (www.mamafus.com)
-Free cocktails by Sweet Leaf Tea and Tito’s Handmade Vodka (www.sweetleaftea.com & www.titos-vodka.com)
-Pop-up shops by Prototype Vintage and Rene Geneva Designs (www.prototypevintagedesign.com & www.mycorset.com)
-A silent guitar auction benefiting Girls Rock Camp, for a guitar signed by Debbie Harry!! (www.girlsrockcampaustin.org)

Get there early and enjoy free Lonestar beers, generously provided by Birds Barbershop. (www.birdsbarbershop.com)

And commemorate your fabulousness in the Cory Ryan photo booth!! (www.coryryan.com)

First 50 arrivals will receive swag bags, filled with music and goodies ($50 Four Seasons Spa Gift Certificate, anyone?)

November 2, 2009

1/2 price drinks for Yelp Drinks Week Nov. 1-5

We are now in the midst of Yelp Drinks Week.

YELP DRINKS is, like all the restaurant weeks and FLAVORS and all, a chance to try new stuff, only this time it’s frosty bevvies. Participating locations will feature up to 3 adult beverages for 50% off throughout the promotion.

1) Yelp Drinks prices are good all day Sunday through all day Thursday while supplies last. Though we’re calling this a happy hour, it’s better — this one lasts for five days.
2) Please tip on regular price.
3) Please consume responsibly.

A list of the places:

LA CONDESA
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Enlightened Austin Martini (reg $12) During Yelp Drinks Week $6
El Cubico (reg $12) During Yelp Drinks Week $6 <—- my fave!!
Las Ascendentes (reg $12) During Yelp Drinks Week $6

CEDAR DOOR
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Austin Ultimate Mexican Martini (reg $11) During YDW $5.50
Treaty Oak Lemonade Martini  (reg $11) During YDW $5.50
Pinky Friedman (reg $11) During YDW $5.50

MAX’S WINE DIVE
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Sangria Max (blend of red + white wines w/ select fruit juices)(reg $6) During YDW $3
Luxury White (Cape Mentelle Chard) (reg $13/glass) During YDW $6.50
Luxury Red (Beringer Knights Valley Cab) (reg $13/glass) During YDW $6.50

CISSI’S WINE BAR
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Sake Mojito (reg $5.75) During YDW $2.88
Sangria (reg $5) During YDW $2.50
Spiced Apple Cider (reg $5.75) During YDW $2.88

ROARING FORK (Downtown)
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Huckleberry Rita (reg $7) During YDW $3.50
Blackberry Madras (reg $8) During YDW  $4
Category 6 Lemonade (reg $9) During YDW $4.50

MARKER 10
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Dr. Tito’s (reg $10) During Yelp Drinks $5
Candy Corn (reg $10) During Yelp Drinks  $5
Pumpkin Espresso Martini (reg $12) During Yelp Drinks $6

HOUSE WINE
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
2006 Zinfandel, Cycles Falcon, California
Reg. $9 glass / During YDW: $4.50

2006 Tempranillo, Tinto, Paso A Paso, Spain
Reg. $8 glass / During YDW: $4

2008 Reisling, The Stump Jump, Australia
Reg. $8 glass / During YDW: $4

NOMAD
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Pisco Sour (reg $7) During Yelp Drinks Week $3.50
Caphirinha (reg. $7) During Yelp Drinks Week $3.50
Fernet and Coke (reg $7) During Yelp Drinks Week $3.50

PAGGI HOUSE
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Raspberry Lemonade (reg $8) During YDW $4
Elderflower Royale (reg $10) During YDW $5
Blood Orange Margarita (reg $8) During YDW $4

IMPERIA
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Kung Fu Cosmopolitan (reg $9) During YDW $4.50
The Imperia Pearl (reg $9) During YDW $4.50
The Jade Martini (reg $9) During YDW $4.50

THE BELMONT
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Belmontini (reg $10) During YDW $5
Classic Mojito (reg $8.50) During YDW $4.25
French 77 (reg $12) During YDW $6

ANNIE’S
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
The Old Austin (reg $9) / During YDW $4.50
The Diablo (reg $9) / During YDW $4.50

DRUNGO ICE HOUSE
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
512 Wit  (reg $3.75) / During YDW: $1.88
Austin Amber $3.75 (reg $3.75) / During YDW: $1.88
Drungo Michelada (reg $3.75) / During YDW: $1.88

BUFFALO BILLIARDS
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Raspberry Lemonade (regular price is $5.50) / YDW $4.25
Peach Tea (regular price is $5.50) / During YDW $4.25
Pyramid Hefeweizen (regular price is $4) / During YDW $2

EDDIE V’S (Arboretum)
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
The Red Dragon Mojito – (reg. $8)  / During YDW $4
Mayfair Martini – (reg. $10) / During YDW $5
Purpletini – (reg. $9)  / During YDW $4.50

CLUB DE VILLE
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Margarita (reg price $6) / During YDW $3
Lone Star (reg price $3)  / During YDW $1.50
Jager (reg price $6)  / During YDW $3

THE GINGER MAN
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (reg $5) / During YDW $2.50
Deschutes Black Butte Porter (reg $5) / During YDW $2.50
Sunner Original German Kolsh (reg $5) / During YDW $2.50

THE GHOST ROOM
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
XX (draught) (reg $4) / during YDW: $2
Shiner (draught) (reg $4) / during YDW: $2
(well) vodka & soda (reg $4) / during YDW: $2

CHUPACABRA
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Frozen Margarita (reg $5.50) / during YDW: $2.75
Spicy Mango Margarita (reg $5.50) / during YDW: $2.75
Frozen Sweet Tea Vodka (reg $5.50) / during YDW: $2.75

MIZU
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Lychee Mint Martini (reg $9) / during YDW: $4.50
Chile Patron: (reg $12) / during YDW: $6
Mizu Margarita (frozen): (reg $8) / during YDW: $4

November 1, 2009

Shop787 / WIN free tix!

shop787

Win tix to this!

That crazy event company Launch787 (Austin Fashion Week and FLAVORS) is throwing a holiday shopping party with over 50 local boutiques, designers, artists and more in one location. That Matt Swinney sure knows how to wrangle the city’s creatives into one fun, happy place. The event is also a fundraiser/book drive for the Dell Children’s Medical Center.

Swinney says: “After Austin Fashion Week, the biggest piece of advice we got from consumers was ‘bring us an event that puts everyone in one room together’ – that’s sort of what Shop787 does.”

Advance tickets are $5 through Shop787.com, tickets $10 at the door or $5 with the donation of a book. Tickets include all beverages (read: open bar) including Tito’s Vodka, Brown Distributing, and Sweet Leaf Tea.

How to win tix? Post a comment telling me what your FAVORITE winter item of clothing is. For instance, mine is my purple and pink furry sneaker boots. Post by Wednesday 11/4 at midnight to enter!

More Shop787 Deets:

Shopping vendors include: 302 Designs, Adelante, Aldea, *annemarie*, Anne Bradley Art, Photobooth by Annie Ray, Bella Maui Boutique, Beyond Tradition, Bloomingnails, Bolsa Bonita, Bon Bon by Micah Yancey, Catherine Keeney, Cornucopia, Couture Cottons, Creative Chick Designs, Deborah Main Designs, Dress Shop, Eliza Page, Finch, FOXY Fusions, Garbo. A Salon, Get A Bead, GvE Designs in Metal, Happy Max Designs, Hem Jeans, Inviting Affairs, Izzy & Ash, Jalpar & CATTIVA, Jenny N. Design, Jeremiah the Innocent, Katinka Pinka, Kinda Krazy Kids & Kompany, Limbo Jewelry, Maneki, Meline Collection, Modo Designs, Moon Island Designs, Paige King Jewelry, Queen of Sheba Fashion, Rene Geneva Design, Roxann’s Specialty Boutique, Sanctuary, Shop It Up Chic, Sikara, Skye Salon, Soigne, Spectacle Sunglasses, Tom-Kat Paper Dolls, Tree House Gift Shop, Two Winey Women, Underwear, Verbena Floral Design, Victrola Design, Wee, Wings of Addiction.

Food Court: Malaga, Judges’ Hill Restaurant, Sushi A Go Go, Pie Fixes Everything, Blue Note Bakery, The Cupcake Bar.