Posts tagged ‘best’

January 18, 2012

Houston: Houston Uchi Opens Feb 2

… but they start taking reservations today! I used to cover the Houston restaurant scene for a luxury magazine, and let me tell you, competition is fierce in one of the fattest cities in the nation. I say that lovingly, as I think Houston is one of the best cities in the nation if you know where to go and what to do. Nonetheless, I think there’s little doubt the Houston outpost of Austin’s most famous restaurant (too bold a claim?) will be a success. Reservations at www.uchirestaurants.com or 713.522.4808.

The second location of Chef Tyson Cole’s critically-acclaimed restaurant, Uchi, will open to the public on February 2nd.  In the iconic former Felix space on Westheimer near the corner of Montrose. Offerings from the kitchen and sushi bar showcase his signature style of combining unexpected textures and flavors, pushing the boundaries of Japanese cuisine, drawing flavor inspiration from numerous points around the globe and mixing traditional master knife work with cutting-edge techniques.

Acclaimed pastry chef Philip Speer ends things on a sweet note with his ground-breaking desserts that showcase familiar flavors in completely original forms and combinations. Chef Cole is pleased to name Kaz Edwards of the original Uchi as chef de cuisine in Houston.  Monica Glenn, longtime protégé of Philip Speer, will be pastry chef.

The transformation of the building from the Felix space was helmed by (obviously) Michael Hsu, who also designed almost every impressive restaurant space in Austin including Uchi, Uchiko, Malverde, and so on.

“We have been looking forward to becoming a part of the Houston community for many months,” says Chef Tyson Cole, recent winner of James Beard Foundation Best Chef Southwest. “It’s a thrill to open our doors.”

904 Westheimer / Houston, Texas 77006

October 20, 2011

A Fresh JewelMint Code + BeautyMint $1 Donation

I get unbelievable amounts of compliments on my JewelMint earrings. I literally have NEVER worn these and NOT been complimented on them.

These new babies just arrived in the mail and I’m certain they will receive much love too:

And so you can get in on the goodness, I have a new discount code for thisislifeinaustin&aspen readers—especially commenter Amanda! I have two things for you to do before Halloween (October 31, um duh?), the first for you, the second for breast cancer.

  1. If you haven’t joined already, you can get 50% off your first JewelMint purchase with code BOCT50 (expires October 31).
  2. I’m pretty psyched about BeautyMint, Jessica Simpson + Nerida Joy’s new personalized skin care line, which is launching on Monday, October 31, 2011.  In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BeautyMint will donate $1 for every BeautyMint registration to the National Breast Cancer Foundation starting today through the October 31 launch.  The more signups, the more money donated!

BeautyMint members will take Nerida’s online Skin Care Consultation to identify their skin type and concerns so BeautyMint can personalize the right system to  each member’s needs. The line will feature products ranging from an Ultra Replenishing Serum to an Ultimate Eye Treatment.

… and you’ve heard a ShoeMint is in the works with Rachel Bilson? Stay tuned for the inside scoop on the exploding ______Mint family!

August 17, 2011

Cameron Hughes Obsession + $25 coupon!

As someone who once wrote email marketing newsletters for a living, I like to think I am immune to sales pitches. I clearly am not.

When Cameron Hughes told me that his new Lot 228 Muscato d’Asti was the ultimate summer wine, something resonated with me. I promptly ordered 3 bottles.

Cameron Hughes Lot 228Cameron Hughes Lot 228Cameron Hughes Lot 228

And then drank two of them in three days.

I can’t believe I just admitted that. However, it only has 7% alcohol (most wine is between 13-14%), so at least be comforted by the fact that I wasn’t wine-drunk for three days straight.

My mom has long been a Cameron Hughes fan. She’ll tell everyone and anyone—including strangers at Costco—how much she loves Cameron Hughes. He basically buys overstock of really great grapes, bottles them, and then won’t tell you where they’re from so the Mondavis of the wine world can’t get mad at you. He’ll tell you everything else though, and his wines are cheap. My 3-bottle sampler was $39 with free shipping!

Click here to get $25 off any order of 3+ bottles!

August 2, 2011

Aspen: Why Ellina is Buzzing

When an occasion came along recently for us to celebrate, my number one choice was Ellina. The Vermonster and I had heard plenty of great things about Ellina, but hadn’t gotten a chance to check it out. It’s three seasons old (that’s a summer, winter, and now a summer) but still growing its buzz with the locals. We said we’d stop in for a drink, but got completely sucked in by the bar menu. We ordered one of everything. Literally.

ELlina patioWe sat on the middle patio, a level down from the Hyman Avenue mall but above the dining room. You can order from the bar menu, lounge on couches, and still be outside. It’s pretty awesome.
Ellina aspen drinksSo is the Vermonster’s face … he’s pretty excited about the drinks. The creative concoctions feature fresh juice.

Ellina aspen artichoke and calamariEllina cevicheEllina saladEllina crabcakeWe really did order one of every app on the bar menu. Calamari (legit), roasted artichoke, ceviche (so fresh), spinach salad, and crab cakes, which were sweet enough to be considered dessert. For three drinks and five apps plus tip, we got away for under $100. That’s a total win in Aspen!

The service was impeccable, the atmosphere just right, and the food outstanding. No wonder there’s such a buzz on Ellina. We’ll be back for more of you.

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 Birdsaccessorizewithtinybirds.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 Tathttp://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 CamilleStylescamillestyles.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.

May 3, 2011

Stronger Faster Healthier + Discount!!

No, literally:  You can get Stronger, Faster, and Healthier with the goodies from this company.

They’re perhaps most famous for their fish oil (@SFHfishoil is, after all, their company twitter handle), but that’s not why I quite literally became obsessed with Stronger Faster Healthier. No, it’s their grass-fed whey protein that first attracted me, and the badass people behind the company that eventually sold me entirely.

I am proud to be able to also bring you a discount on Stronger Faster Healthier:

Get 10% off when you order through http://strongerfasterhealthier.com/ref/lifein

While I talk about plenty of products and things I love, and I DO, rarely do I become so passionate about a product that I hunt down their marketing people and beg them for a discount code for you guys. I’m just too busy for that! But that’s not the case with SFH, I just HAD to find a way to be able to share it with you. Doesn’t matter if you’re not a CrossFitter or athlete or you don’t even work out ever. You probably need more protein, and you definitely need fish oil, and you can get that from an awesome source in Stronger Faster Healthier.

Stronger Faster Healthier is a family-run company staffed by some serious badasses. Papa made his fortune doing other things, then wanted to encourage everyone to use preventive medicine to change healthcare to wellcare (LOVE that). That means exercise, eating right, and clean supplements. They do what they can to keep product costs down so the products are as affordable as possible (no one’s saying they’re cheap, but prevention now is a helluva lot cheaper than the alternatives down the line). His daughter initially thought, “fish oil?!” but believes in the company as much as anyone—and as an extreme sports athlete and former marketing rep, she’s seen it all.

I thought I’d seen all the proteins out there and had all but given up when my mom (who as you may know LOVES Dr. Mercola) found Dr. Mercola’s, which has a clean, natural taste. But cheaper and equally delicious if not better—hello, chocolate!—is Stronger Faster Healthier’s Pure Whey.

pure wheyfish oil

Another reason I’m so in love with SFH? A simple, easy to understand but still science-based explanation of what, exactly, whey IS (from their blog): Whey is a great source of easily digestible protein.  Whey protein is a by-product of cheese making.  Cow’s milk is 20% whey and 80% non whey casein protein.  In the production of high quality whey the casein fraction is separated from the whey.

At a more molecular level, whey is a mixture of beta–lactoglobulin, alpha lacto-albumin and serum albumin, and various immunoglobulins. Whey is rich in branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs) which are directly related to muscle building. For example, leucine (another BCAA) indirectly helps stimulate muscle mass by fueling protein synthesis.

Besides being smart and not snotty, the protein powder is so delicious that I drank a protein shake nearly every day for the past month. When I ordered the Pure Whey at 30 servings, I was sure it would last me longer than a month, because I don’t drink shakes that often. WRONG-O! I had my first on March 30 (according to my own tweets, below) and had my last on May 2nd. The protein is so good you CRAVE it! That’s stellar. (It also got me hooked on fauxoats …)

Screen shot of twitter

And what of fish oil? Why do you need fish oil? It’s all the rage with the CrossFit/Paleo/Primal community, but here’s the advice from someone else: Zen to Fitness’ 5 Reasons You Need Fish Oil. In short, fish oil CAN make you feel better, look better (bonus: shiny hair and nails), lose weight, manage stress, and sleep better. And SFH fish oil doesn’t taste like fish, doesn’t make you burp fish, and isn’t slimy going down. There aren’t many other fish oils that can say that (everyone agrees liquid fish oil is better than capsules, so don’t even get into those, plus you have to swallow a billion to get enough to matter).

I just placed an order for Recovery Protein too, so I’ll let you know how that goes. I encourage you to take control of your wellness and give Stronger Faster Healthier a shot! Let me know how much you love it ;-)

[You'll also notice that there is now a Stronger Faster Healthier button ------> in the upper righthand corner. You can use this banner to order any time and get the 10% discount!]

April 14, 2011

Aspen: Spring Celebrations Announcing BlissFits Aspen Boot Camp!

shutterfly-announcement-celebration

As spring rolls around, there are lots of announcements: babies, graduation announcementssave-the-date cards, and so on. Since I have no news of that sort, I’m excited to celebrate a more Lyssa-like announcement: BlissFits Aspen Boot Camp!

You guys know how much I love CrossFit, and sharing the word about fitness and how awesome it is. I’ve had my CrossFit Level 1 certification for over a year, and all last summer I was having a blast experimenting with Nature’s Garage Gym workouts. While I am confident the boot camp will be a success and that I’m a great coach, it’s nonetheless terrifying to be shouting to the world: “I’m making moves! I CAN HELP YOU GET FIT!”

It’s empowering, ya’ll. Because when you throw out the fear of failure, I KNOW I can help people. BlissFits Aspen is a chance to share my love of fitness and food firsthand, to affect change in people I know and don’t know. It’s a chance to bring my world in Austin, my wolfpack, my people (that’s you, CrossFitters), to Aspen in a format that resonates with Aspen. Outdoors. We moved here for the 70-degree summers with bluebird skies every. single. day. So why not move our fitness there too?

Aspen Boot Camp!

If you’re in Aspen, I’d love for you to come check out the FIRST boot camp, next Monday, April 18, ay 6pm at Rio Grande Park (across from Clark’s). BlissFits Aspen Boot Camp will run Monday through Thursday the last two weeks of April, and then I’ll update everyone on the times etc. once we see how this works! (www.blissfitsaspen.com for more info)

Now for the rest of you (and Aspenites), I’d love to offer you the chance to shout about something exciting going on in your lives! Maybe you’re preggers or graduating, or you want to mark some occasion with a photo book. I’ve got TWO Shutterfly giveaways! TWO thisislifeinaustin & aspen readers will get to choose between 50 announcement cards or an 8×8 photobook to commemorate whatever is going on in your life right now (or later, or earlier, or whatever, I don’t care!)

*Giveaway Alert!*

Post by 5PM CST on FRIDAY April 15 in the comments below what you’re celebrating (can be silly, serious, or inbetween) this spring and I’ll randomly choose TWO winners (promise I won’t judge your comments for funniness, as I sometimes do, because this is SERIOUS. I want you to CELEBRATE!)!

Are you a blogger, too? Click here to register for a chance at 50 free announcements!

This post is part of a series sponsored by Shutterfly. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity.com, as I do.

March 7, 2011

Austin: Top Texas Wines

I love wine, and I love wine from Texas.With more than 215 wineries, Texas is the fifth-largest wine producing state and seventh-largest grape producer. In the first-ever Texas Sommelier Tasting, nearly a dozen sommeliers and wine experts blind tasted more than 100 Texas wines to select their favorites. The cool thing about Texas wines is that the winemakers are not afraid to experiment and play around with atypical varieties.

“While Texas makes some outstanding Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots and Chardonnays, winemakers across the Lone Star State are not afraid to introduce wine consumers to new wines well-suited for our climate and our Southwestern foods,” said Robert Champion, state coordinator of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Wine Marketing Program.

Here are the favorites … looks like I need to get myself on a wine tour stat, I’ve only tried wine from a few of these winners! I’m particularly loving the sound of the Brennan Vineyards wines!

Merlot:
Grape Creek Vineyards, 2008 Merlot
Pedernales Cellars, 2008 Merlot

Syrah:
Brennan Vineyards, 2007 Syrah

Petite Syrah:
Torre di Pietra Vineyards, 2008 Petite Syrah

Tempranillo/Tempranillo Blends:
Inwood Estates Vineyards, 2008 Cornelius
Inwood Estates Vineyards, 2007 Tempranillo-Cabernet
Pedernales Cellars, 2008 Tempranillo
Red Caboose Winery and Vineyard, 2007 Tempranillo
La Buena Vida Vineyards-Springtown, 2005 Smith Estate Tempranillo

Cabernet Sauvignon:
Crump Valley Vineyards, 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Brennan Vineyards, 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Kiepersol Estates Winery, 2007 Texas Cabernet Sauvignon

Rhone and Bordeaux Blends:
Becker Vineyards, 2009 Prairie Rotie
Inwood Estates Vineyards, 2006 Magellan
Messina Hof Wine Cellars, 2006 Paulo Bordeaux Blend

Red Blends:
Brushy Creek Vineyards, NV Trois Amis
Pedernales Cellars, 2008 Kuhlken Vineyards Reserve
Red Caboose Winery and Vineyard, 2008 Lenoir/Tempranillo
Sandstone Cellars, 2009 X
Llano Estacado, 2007 Viviano
Fall Creek Vineyards, 2006 Meritus

Other Reds:
Duchman Family Winery, 2009 Dolcetto
Duchman Family Winery, 2009 Montepulciano
Messina Hof Wine Cellars, 2009 Private Reserve Cabernet Franc
Sandstone Cellars, 2009 VII

Rosé:
Driftwood Estate Winery, 2010 Dry Rosé
McPherson Cellars, 2009 Rosé of Syrah
Messina Hof Wine Cellars, 2010 Sophia Marie Rosé

Chardonnay:
Llano Estacado, 2009 (this is a great, cheap bottle)

Unoaked Chardonnay:
Fall Creek Vineyards, 2009 Chardonnay

Viognier:
Lone Oak Winery, 2010 Viognier
Brennan Vineyards, 2009 Viognier

Blanc du Bois:
Haak Vineyards and Winery, 2010 Dry Blanc du Bois
Lone Oak Winery, 2010 Blanc du Bois
Enoch’s Stomp, 2009 Off-Dry Blanc du Bois
Haak Vineyards and Winery, 2010 Semi-Sweet Blanc du Bois

Pinot Grigio:
Texas Hills Vineyard, 2008 Pinot Grigio

Riesling:
Bell Mountain Vineyards, 2007 Late Harvest Riesling

Other Whites:
Duchman Family Winery, 2009 Vermentino
Llano Estacado, 2009 Viviana
Landon Winery, 2010 Gewurztraminer

Dessert/Port:
Enoch’s Stomp, 2009 Sweet Lenoir
Grape Creek Vineyards, NV Port
Pleasant Hill Winery, NV Tawny Rosso Forte
Texas Hills Vineyard, 2008 Moscato
Stone House Vineyard, NV Scheming Beagle Port
McPherson Cellars, NV Chansa Solera Reserva Sherry
Enoch’s Stomp, 2009 Ellen’s Sweet Song

***If your fave Texas wine wasn’t mentioned, leave it in the comments!***

March 2, 2011

Austin: New Happy Hour Alert … SIP at Trace at the W

TRACE at the W is now offering a happy hour, but like any hipster joint worth its weight in cocktail napkins, it has to call it a Social Interactive Playtime- S.I.P. Kudos on the geeky name, hip W! Anyway, it means drink and food specials daily from 4-6:30pm.

For just $5, enjoy a Tito’s Bloody Mary, Z Tequila Rita Rocks, cocktail of the day, or glass of wine and munch on stuffed fried olives, fries, crispy pork rillete, chickpea fries (?! want!), pate, or drunken doughnuts.

I haven’t visited yet, but my lovely friend Tolly has, click here for her review. Love!

March 2, 2011

7 Unconventional Reasons to Love Aspen

1. Aspen Boarding Kennel & Animal Shelter: summer camp for dogs year round. The best place to board a dog, ever. Sweet staff, easiest drop off ever (literally, you don’t even have to call ahead!). PLUS, doggie webcam while you’re gone!!

2. Hitchhikers: ok, not really hitchhikers, but random people will still stop to give you a ride. Particularly if you are pulling a suitcase across a snowy road. Ax murderers? Not in Aspen.

3. Bar menus. I’ve never been anywhere else that offers so many bar menus. Cheaper, with smaller portions FTW!

4. Public Hot Tubs. Make new friends while relaxing muscles.

5. Friendly airport staff. They freaking live in Aspen, why wouldn’t they be?

6. Walking. Everywhere. Even in snow.

7. Poop bags everywhere. You’ll never have to do one of those awkward “what do I have in my pockets??” digs around for something to pick up pup poop. There are bags everywhere, on every sidewalk, bordering every corner of every park. Awesome!

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