Fashion Sticky Notes … actual hideous things I see in Austin, and how to remedy the problems they present
+Those colorful dresses with the white vertical stripe/pyramid thingies where they look like the fabric was folded together, then dyed, then unfolded--oh, that sounds like a mistake and not fashion to you? YEAH, ME TOO.
+You know, maxi dresses in general should probably be avoided. They are very, very confusing to the eye. Is the person skinny under there? Fat? Pregnant? No one can tell. I realize that this is part of their allure. But really, put on a t-shirt and shorts then and stop pretending like you're actually getting dressed, because you're not.
Things I like … and you should too, because I knew about jellies shoes way before they were cool
*summer scarves-they're back!
*turquoise or mint nails
*white watches
*bang braids
*stackable rings
*dark orange. anything.
*boyfriend tees
*chucks
Yeah, a free public lecture from the Aspen Physics Institute on finding true love entitled Birds do it, Bees do it: Physics and the art of attracting a mate.
Lecturer Eric Dufresne wants to know how things work. His laboratory investigates the physics underlying materials and biology. On a given day, you could find him studying the motion of a tiny plastic ball suspended in water, filming a grasshopper jump with a high-speed camera, watching paint dry (it’s actually really interesting!), or studying how immune cells fight off infectious disease. Eric is excited to be sharing his current research on how birds and other animals use physics to attract mates. hosted by Aspen Center for Physics at 6:30p, WednesdayAugust 25 in Paepcke Auditorium behind the Music Tent.
Oh, there’s no photo. Because I ate too many pickled things (Dilled brussel sprouts? Texas pickled okra? Pickled garlic? Spicy pickled pickles?) and drank just one Bloody Mary and got tipsy.
The Vermonster has been telling me I shouldn’t go to Bentley’s since I moved here. Now I think I know why. It’s an Aspen locals joint, so that means mostly boys, and they like their drinks strong. I mean, who doesn’t? But it’s no wonder my boyfriend doesn’t want me in a den of men drinking heavy pours.
Also. How does Bentley’s, an English pub in the historic and beautiful Wheeler Opera House building, four steps up from the sidewalk, manage to feel like a dingy basement when it has windows OPENED TO THE STREET? It makes no sense to me. And even though I’d pay $8 for the Bloody Mary Bar just to fill my glass with pickled things and serrano tomato juice, it was the oddest-looking Bloody Mary Bar I’ve ever seen. Wooden shelves of condiments?
Nonetheless, an Aspen recommendation. Only in Aspen.
So it’s late notice, but WOLFMOTHER is playing at Belly Up tonight. Doors at 9p, show at 10. Tix are $50. Word on the street is that Wolfmother puts on one of the best live shows around, so the expense is probably worth it. Belly Up is a crazy-intimate venue, so seeing a show that’s notoriously good live so close is gonna be pretty freakin’ sweet.
I can’t stop saying WOLFMOTHER like they did on 101x awhile ago when Wolfmother came to Austin … it was like a deep baritone, overly dramatic WOLF…MOTHER. Hahaha.
Austin Monthly & Grey Goose are serving up the booze AGAIN (see #1 on my top ten things newbies should know list) for FREE this week, from 7-11p if you play your cards right Thursday and from 9-11 on Friday. Those are prime drinking times, kids!
Thursday, August 12: MOLOTOV | 7-9PM | UNION PARK | 9-11PM
I’m seeing it tonight. After happy hour where I plan on trying some new Thirsty Planet beer.
Yep, Austin has a new brewery–Thirsty Planet–that has three beers: a super-hoppy Buckethead IPA (I won’t be trying that), a 50/50 barley/red wheat Yellow Armadillo, and a malty Thirsty Goat Amber. Part of the proceeds from each beer go to different charities.
Then, tomorrow we’ll head to Salutation Nation free yoga at 9am for a nice streeeeetch before celebrating the Grand Opening of SicFit Austin, CrossFit Central’s underground training facility (“the next level”). BBQ, beer, and good cheer starts at 2pm.
It’s been awhile since I’ve ventured away from Moonshine or The Carillon for Sunday Brunch, something I take seriously. Those two perennial all-stars are just too good! But I got word today that there’s a new contender: J. Black’s.
Before you write it off as the place you don’t want to revisit from the night before, let’s talk about their Mix-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar. I’ve long held an I-don’t-really-like-Bloody-Marys stance, but after several poolside visits to Aspen’s St. Regis for a $5 Bloody Mary that is absolutely phenomenal, I’m changing my tune. I don’t really like MOST Bloodys, that is, the ones that are all tomato and no flare. We’ve had this revelation before (hi, Frank’s), but it always feels like the first time.
J. Black’s Bloody Mary bar isn’t the first in town, but it’s versatile: start with Austin’s own Tito’s vodka, then add your standard favorites, including things that aren’t so standard like fiery horseradish (must!), cherry peppers, cocktail onions, and pickled okra (only in the South).
Of course Union Park is doing a brunch too, and has been for over a year. Why another? Owner Sean Fric says, “West Sixth Street has become so much more than a center for Austin nightlife. The growth in our corner of downtown, especially with all of the new residents, has increased daytime foot traffic and we felt there was a demand for more dining options. At J. Black’s we’ve always tried to be a place for all occasions, so brunch just made sense to us.”
The brunch food (not a buffet, sadly) features an Open Faced Egg Sandwich, Breakfast Pizza, and their signature “Title Tacos,” one commemorating each year of the University of Texas’ National Championships. These breakfast tacos are made with farm fresh eggs(!!) and pulled pork, onions, and smoked gouda (1969) or portobello mushrooms, arugula, sundried tomatoes, shallots, and goat cheese (2005).
Brunch menu is available Sunday from 11am-4pm. jblacks.com
Saturday you can start the day out with the first annual Great Austin Beer Fest (4-8pm), then head to the 5K Keep Austin Weird Run at 7pm, or just to the party afterward.
Great Austin Beer Fest
… sounds awesome! Local faves (512), Independence, Shiner, St. Arnold, plus some nationwide microbrews (VT’s Magic Hat, Portland’s Deschutes, both breweries I’ve been to and beers I enjoy), full brewery list available here. Tix for the thang are almost sold out, cost $40, and according to the facebook page comments include samples of as many of the 41 breweries as you want … erm … Great Austin Beer Festival
Keep Austin Weird Fest
Always an Austin special time. The Fest starts at 2pm and goes on through the race time (7pm) with headliners Bright Light Social Hour playing at 8:30pm. Costumes are the big deal during this day/race, the latter which includes such unorthodox water stops as ones with Amy’s Ice Cream. There’s tons of food and a big party before AND after the race too.
Other music includes White Ghost Shivers (6:30pm), Bruce James Soultet (5pm), and Dustin Welch (3:30pm).
Beer and running all in one Saturday? Always a win.
In one of the best marketing ideas I’ve heard in a long time, join Austin-based watch-maker TIKKR for a West Sixth bar crawl where the drinks are free IF you’re sporting the right wristband–a TIKKR watch, natch. Genius? Genius.
Thursday night, the party starts at 8pm at Dirty Bill’s (511 Rio Grande), then proceeds to Annie’s West, Kung Fu Saloon, and other preppy but fun spots. The uber mod watches are square and rubber, $65 a pop, and customizable. To snag one before Thursday, stop into Beyond Tradition on 2nd Street, or email and beg them to sell you one on the spot.
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