Archive for May, 2011

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May 31, 2011

Give me two pair … I need two pair … Eco-Friendly Shoes

In college, I was a little bit of a sneakerhead. I rocked Nike Dunks, searched high, low, and ebay for velcro adidas (I still have ‘em), and lusted after shelltoes (Nelly’s Air Force Ones? My anthem). When I moved on to the professional world, much of my sneaker collection went too—after all, you can’t wear sneakers with a suit.

Fast forward five years and I’m working from home and coaching CrossFit … sneakers have a place again! While I will admit that I haven’t bought either of these badass eco-friendly shoes (and for a cause at that!), I have to share them with you:

Oat Shoes

Oat Shoes, 149 euros. Made of hemp, bio-cotton, cork, and biodegradable plastics. When you’re done, plant them in potting soil and they grow red wildflowers (the seeds are in the tongue) while biodegrading within six months. No joke. Awesome. Check ‘em out here: Oat Shoes.

Cause Shoes from FedEx

Cause Shoes. $54, 100% of profits from this shoe donated to lower 9th ward New Orleans group Common Ground Relief.

Civic Duty footwear is made of Tyvek®, a comfortable, breathable material made by DuPont™ that is also water resistant and highly durable. Most commonly used as a wrap to protect housing from the elements, you may also know it as the same material that is used on FedEx envelopes.

Cause shoes are made with glues and dyes that are environmentally friendly. Packaging is made of recycled materials.

Go forth into the world, eco-friendly sneakerheads!

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May 26, 2011

Sleep Better with WakeMate (or at least know how badly you’re sleeping!)

When I first heard about WakeMate, the wristband that measures your sleep and then wakes you up at the best part of your sleep cycle (within a window set by you), I had to have it. I was lucky enough to be gifted a WakeMate to try, and let me tell you: I love that thing!

Since sleep is such a huge priority for me right now, this WakeMate contraption couldn’t have come at a better time. First, it tracks my sleep stats—how long it took me to fall asleep, the quality of my sleep, when I woke up, etc—on the Wakelytics website. Here’s my recent activity:

WakeMate Screenshot

I need to get better sleep, right?? It’s so interesting to know your Wakealytics, and it definitely makes me more conscious of my bedtime and sleeping conditions. You can also set tags (you define things like “cranky”, “partner”, or “travel”) and track how those factors affect your sleep.

The second awesome feature of the WakeMate is the alarm. You pick when you need to wake up (say, 8:30am), and it tracks your sleep cycle to wake you up at the best point so you’re energized and not groggy within a 20-minute window (so you’ll wake between 8:10 and 8:30). The alarm is gentle, gaining in volume gradually. You’re supposed to wake up refreshed instead of groggy (this only works sometimes for me …)

As for the band, it’s super comfy, you definitely forget that it’s on while you’re sleeping:

wakemate wristband

I LOVE this gadget.

It’s $59.95, but the sleep info is priceless. Works on iphone, ipad, itouch, android, and blackberry. I rave about a lot of things, but if there’s one product that’s most affected my life since I’ve had it (about three weeks), it’s the WakeMate. Snap one up here.

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May 24, 2011

Austin & Aspen: Top Ten Party Towns

USA Today names 10 destinations for bar-hopping all over the world. I’m not saying I agree or not (Ohio instead of Monaco??), but it is important to note that, naturally, my two homes are in the top ten:

Aspen, Colorado 

“As far as mountain towns go, Aspen is one of the few that holds up in summer and winter,” Cockrell says. “Of course it has the usual ski-bum haunts, but it also has places like 39 Degrees Lounge, an urban-style oasis with a pool frequented by a chic crowd. In Aspen, you can have any type of night out you want within its few main streets.”

True, Aspen is hoppin’ summer and winter, and there are bars for all types.

Austin, Texas

“So many great bars here, just choose a street — South Congress, East Sixth Street, South Lamar — to get your fix, then end your night at one of the nation’s greatest food carts (download the AustinFoodCarts app to find out where they are),” Cockrell says. New bars on the east side include Yellow Jacket Social Club and Eastside Showroom. “South Lamar is a little more authentic Austin,” Cockrell says. “Don’t miss the laid-back Barton Springs Saloon, a repurposed gas station with a pool table and pinball machines, or the super divey Horseshoe Lounge.”

Also true. Pick a mood, pick a corresponding street, and then go.

The other 8? Listed below.
Leblon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Dublin, Ireland
Williamsburg neighborhood, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Ohio City neighborhood, Cleveland
Seville, Spain
Portland, Oregon
New Orleans, Louisiana

Yeah, I only see nine too… good work USA Today.

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May 20, 2011

Aspen: Skiing Memorial Day Weekend!

25 runs
136 acres of mostly intermediate terrain
71 inches base
80 inches of snow since the mountain closed
16 inches of snow in the past two days
Gondy 10a-4p
Ajax Express 10a-2p
Adult tix $32 per day
Ski/snowboard rentals at Four Mountain $25 per day

That’s right, the top of Aspen Mountain is open for skiing and riding on Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-30.

“We haven’t had summer conditions this good since 2008,” quipped Rich Burkley, vice president mountain operations. “We figure that if we open for skiing maybe it will quit snowing. We encourage everyone to go up and make a few turns then jump on your bike, hit the trails or swing the golf club. It’s certainly a unique opportunity to enjoy everything the valley has to offer.”

Premier, Premier Silver and 6-and-under passholders are free with their 2010-11 winter passes.

My parents are going to be in town and hittin’ the slopes for the first time in 20 years! Keep your fingers crossed for them …

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May 20, 2011

Eversave’s Ice Cream Social Giveaway

One lucky reader can win $5 in Save Rewards (site credits) plus one of the ice cream saves from Justin’s on the River Walk!

Eversave Ice Cream Social

I must have San Antonio on the brain, since this is the second San Antonio post in one week! The folks over at Eversave, which you know is one of my fave coupon sites because they do a lot of online deals, are throwing an Ice Cream Social!

In celebration of the Ice Cream Social, the team at Eversave surveyed more than 900 people to find out their “ice cream personalities.” 34% consider themselves ‘chunky monkeys’ and prefer ice cream mixed with treats like chocolate chips, cookie dough, and fruit. 26% are ‘top-a-holics’ wanting all the syrup, sprinkles and whipped cream they can get. On the other hand, 32% said they were ‘naked eaters’ – eating their ice cream without any toppings.

Ice Cream Topping

Join in the fun of Eversave’s Ice Cream Social by entering my giveaway! One lucky winner will win a Save good for $10 worth of delicious homemade ice cream for just $5 from Justin’s on the River Walk! Choose from a scrumptious selection of carefully crafted ice cream, yogurt, sorbet and gelato with flavors both traditional and unique, plus $5 in Save Rewards to use on an Eversave daily deal of your choice.

Justin's on the River Walk

To enter the giveway:

1) If you haven’t already, sign up for Eversave here.

2) Then, add a comment below and let me know what you love most about ice cream. The winners will be announced Monday, May 23!

3) For an extra entry, you can tweet: “I want to win a free ice cream Save from @EversaveSAT and @lifeinaustin!”

Eversave will be running fun contests on Facebook and Twitter today TOO so for more scooper-duper fun: Like Eversave San Antonio on Facebook and follow Eversave San Antonio on Twitter.

Ah, sweet summer!

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May 19, 2011

Five Fabulous Women Bloggers

Thanks to Trop50 for sponsoring my writing about fabulous bloggers. This year Trop50 is granting 50 Fabulous Wishes. Click here to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to celebrate a friend with a refreshing attitude about looking and feeling fabulous!

As many of you do, I read A LOT of blogs. Across a lot of spectrums … here’s a peek at the categories I’ve created in my google reader:

google reader

How many blogs do I follow within there? I have NO idea, but I’d guess around 600. I skim a lot! However, today let’s talk about my current five fave fabulous bloggers … out of all the blogs I read, these strong, silly, smart women stand out because I can’t wait to read their next post. I get sad when they don’t post. These are women who are crazy unique, gifted communicators, and lots of fun to read. Every day, I can’t miss:

1) Anna at Cookie Madness - cookiemadness.net

Skillet cookie madness

Daily food porn! I have no idea how she manages to stay so healthy when she bakes like this, but I love Anna’s takes on cookie recipes. And I love cookies, so there’s that. But she covers a huge variety of recipes, so you never get tired of her baking (like I sometimes do with other food blogs). Fabulous for: a sugar high!

2) Jamie at How to Accessorize with Tiny Birds - accessorizewithtinybirds.blogspot.com

Accessorize with tiny birds

These vignette photos + captions are absolutely genius. Simultaneously hilarious, intelligent, and true, this is my new favorite blog! Fabulous for: a quick inspiration.

3) Stephanie & Avery at Tit for Tat - http://www.txt4t.com/

hat situation room

TOO funny. These gals and their team of scouts manage to find the funniest things on the internet and make them better with hilarious commentary, particularly for people in their mid-2os who have the same reference points (NKOTB is just older than us but we know who they are; pogs defined our elementary experience). Fabulous for: giggles!

4) Camille at CamilleStyles - camillestyles.com

Camille Styles Minted Moving Announcement

She’s a friend of mine, my age, and yet she seems to have it all so together—plus, Camille is the event planner in Austin right now. She’d be easy to hate if she wasn’t one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. Her pretty posts are inspirational, personal, and always absolutely gorgeous. Fabulous for: inspiration.

5) Allie at Hyperbole and a Half - hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com

Hyperbole Half dog story

By now I think everyone knows Allie’s paint-scrawled drawings and ridiculous sense of humor, but if you haven’t checked out her rip-roaringly funny (and too true, especially when she talks about her simple dog) picto-stories, click immediately. Fabulous for: a real, gut-wrenching guffaw.

All of these women are Austin-based, except Allie! There is some serious talent in our fair city.

… got a great blog you love? Leave it in the comments with a note on what it’s fabulous for, I’d love to check it out!

Don’t forget to enter the 50 Fabulous Wishes contest for a chance to win $1,000 to celebrate a friend with a refreshing attitude about looking and feeling fabulous. I was selected for this Tropicana Trop50 sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do. I received compensation to use and facilitate my post.

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May 18, 2011

Austin: Ultimate Scavenger Hunt

The summer-staple scavenger hunt is all grown up with the Four Seasons Austin’s summer-long scavenger hunt, with the chance to win one of more than 100 prizes! From Memorial Day (May 30, 2011) through Labor Day (September 5, 2011), the Four Seasons Austin Hotel’s Ultimate Austin Scavenger Hunt contest encourages everyone from locals to tourists to see the sights of Austin.

Austin skyline Four Seasons Hotel

“Our goal was to merge the fun of a scavenger hunt with modern technology and social media to encourage visitors to experience and share with others what makes Austin so unique,” says Rob Hagelberg, general manager.

To receive a prize, participants must complete at least 25 of 50 suggested photo tasks – ranging from two-steppin’ at the legendary Broken Spoke to viewing the Congress Avenue Bridge bats and tasting gelato at Whole Foods’ flagship store. You can’t upload until Memorial Day, but you can start snapping pics now! To view the 50 photo tasks, click on Ultimate Austin Scavenger Hunt contest website.

How to play? Photos must be uploaded to the “Contest” tab on the Hotel’s Facebook page, which will be visible starting May 30, 2011. The first 100 people to successfully complete 25 of the photo tasks will receive their choice of one of the following prizes:

  • One-night stay at Four Seasons Hotel Austin
  • Three-course dinner for two in TRIO, the Hotel’s award-winning restaurant
  • 50-minute spa treatment in The Spa at Four Seasons

In addition, one grand prize winner – the finalist whose photo album is voted the most creative by Facebook fans – will walk away with a luxurious vacation package that includes a three-night stay at anyFour Seasons hotel or resort in the continental US, round-trip airfare for two people and $500 in spending cash. The three finalists selected by Four Seasons staff will be announced September 7, with Facebook voting for the grand prize winner taking place September 7 through 14, 2011. The grand prize winner will be announced September 15, 2011.

What are you waitin’ for?

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May 17, 2011

Austin Food & Wine Festival

… just another way Austin and Aspen are uniquely synchronized:

The Austin Food & Wine Festival

C3 Presents with Chef Tyson Cole, Chef Tim Love & Jesse Herman are creating the Austin Food & Wine Festival March 30-April 1, 2012 in locations throughout Austin. It is presenting sponsor Food & Wine (yep, the same as Aspen)’s first festival involvement in Texas.

Austin Food and Wine

“Our passion for food is integrated into each of our festivals—with the influence of culinary ambassadors Graham Elliot at Lollapalooza and chef Tim Love at Austin City Limits helping keep the local flavor of each event on par with the entire festival experience,” said Charlie Jones, founding partner of C3 Presents. “It seemed only natural that we expand this passion to host a culinary destination festival in Austin, Texas dedicated solely to food and wine, where the food scene continues to surprise and delight us.”

The popular Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival will turn into a 501 C (3) nonprofit organization called the Austin Food & Wine Foundation and be the designated beneficiary of the Austin Food & Wine Festival.

www.austinfoodandwinefestival.com / facebook.com/austinfoodwine / twitter.com/austinfoodwine

*Aspen just released its one-day Food & Wine tickets for $395.

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May 16, 2011

Austin’s Neighbor’s CINCO Vodka

Austin has become a hotbed for craft booze. How many breweries have opened this year alone? Perhaps it started with Tito’s Vodka and Live Oak Brewery, but the local libations scene has expanded to include Treaty Oak Rum, Graham’s Texas Tea, Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka, Balcones Baby Blue Whiskey, Dripping Springs Vodka, to name a few, and not to mention the breweries like the new Twisted X, (512) Brewing, Black Star, or Jester King …

Point is, we love our booze, we love local, and we LOVE local booze. Even if it’s from an hour down the road in San Antonio.

Cue Cinco Vodka.

Cinco vodka austin ad

Here it is on my shelf:

CINCO vodka Austin

This vodka is ridiculously smooth. Perhaps that’s why they bill it as “the martini lover’s vodka”??

Besides the fact that I simply love stars and you can pretty much get me to love any product featuring stars on its packaging, Cinco Vodka is made from amber wheat from Idaho and Edwards Aquifer water naturally filtered through the Cordova Creme limestone underneath San Antonio. A super-premium, totally stateside vodka? Europeans everywhere are turning up their noses, but they shouldn’t. This vodka is worthy of its five-star theme.

Produced at the Cinco Ranch, where they recycle all their wastewater, Cinco Vodka is available at Twin Liquors and costs $26.99 for 750 milliliters, $32.99 for 1 liter, and $44.99 for 1.75 liter.

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May 12, 2011

Wear Your Dang Sunscreen!

So I’m on this buying things for a cause kick … Did you know that May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month? Austinites have already been soaking up the rays for months, while poor Aspenites are still wearing our down coats because it’s STILL snowing, but everyone needs a small reminder to protect ourselves from the sun’s rays. Whether you’re wearing sunscreen or pulling a Gisele and avoiding the stuff but also the sun, you need to protect yourself somehow.

I wear sunscreen on my face every single day. I wear physical sunscreen (my faves are Paula’s Choice, SkinCeuticals, John Masters, and La Roche-Posay) as opposed to chemical (don’t want that in my body), and I’m not opposed to some unprotected exposure on my legs and arms for short periods—natural vitamin D and all those benefits. BUT I also take caution to make sure I’m only exposed for short periods or I wear full sunscreen and that I wear hats.

Need a daily reminder? Try this beautiful pendant by up-and-coming jewelry designer PenelopeG, who created a necklace especially for The Skin Cancer Foundation.
Skin Cancer Awareness Necklace

$40 at penelopeg.com; 50% of the profits go directly to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

The circle represents the “sun” and the tree represents “shade.” The blue crystal represents the Skin Cancer Foundation, an organization that educates and informs the public of the dangers of skin cancer and ways to detect it and protect you from the disease.

Plus, I think it’s designed to leave an awkward tan line … so you have to cover up!

“As a new mom, I have become so much more aware of the dangers of the sun and tanning,” says Penelope. “The design of this necklace with the tree shading the sun should serve as a reminder that we should always protect ourselves from the dangers of the suns rays.”

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