Christmas in November? Join shoppers and merchants from all over the country for this year’s reinvention of an Austin Christmas Tradition. In past years, The Junior League of Austin’s
“A Christmas affair” has hosted over 200 merchants and 25,000 patrons during a 6-day shopping experience. This year’s shoppers will be enjoying the annual event in a new way. Keeping safety top of mind, the JLA has created a completely virtual experience as a way for shoppers to get into Christmas spirit without risking their health.
Shop the virtual marketplace to find items including Christmas décor, clothing and jewelry, beauty products, stationary, food and more! Purchase raffle and auction tickets for a chance to win items including a Louis Vuitton tote, fine jewelry,...
The ABoR Central Texas Housing Market reports continued strength across the five-county area in the month of September. Sales dollar volume jumped 51.7% (now up to $1,779,067,529) and the median price rose 12.1% to $355,000. The number of new listings has increased 5%, pending sales increased over 28%, while inventory for active listings decreased almost 50% compared to last year.
Homes are currently seeing an average of 37 days on market, (2 weeks fewer compared to 2019). Historically this time of year shows a slow down in real estate activity, but with the covid-19 impact pushing back the spring market, summer selling season extended into September and beyond.
“The housing market is pumping billions of dollars into our region’s economy at a time it’s greatly needed, but we also need to be cognizant of the...
Moving into cooler months makes for a perfect time to bring out the good ole’ slow cooker! If you grew up in the south, you’ll likely know the comforting smell of coming home to fully cooked, simmering crock pot dinner. These meals are easy, timesaving and delicious! Many people think of comfort food dishes when they think of crock pot meals, but you don’t have to limit your options there! From breakfast to desserts, you and your family can create delicious dishes again and again without the hassle extra prep work. Just dump the ingredients, set your time and temperature, and BOOM – a perfectly cooked meal waiting for your return!
Here are some of our favorite slow cooker recipes that’ll save you time and...
Throughout the pandemic, food service companies across the globe have modified their business to serve the rapidly growing number of to-go orders. Grocery stores are now offering more pick-up & delivery options than ever before. Food delivery companies like Door Dash & Uber Eats are overflowing with orders day and night. We are now over 7 months into our new “socially distanced” culture and with holidays around the corner, it has us wondering what those meals will look like this year.
Multiple Austin restaurants and grocery stores offer pre-ordered Thanksgiving dinners which may be a safer and simpler alternative to enjoy this year’s annual feast. Check out this list of some of our favorite local food services who are open for to-go business. From traditional Thanksgiving staples to untraditional cuisine, you’ll be serving up delicious...
Austin is now home to Hotel Magdalena, a new hotel project from Austin’s acclaimed Bunkhouse, in the iconic district of South Congress. The 89-room hotel features a “tree-house” like design and offers different style suites to impress a variety of guests. Hotel Magdalena is situated on 14 prime acres that boast views of downtown Austin and the Texas Capitol. This area was previously owned legendary musician Willie Nelson during the 1970’s.
Amenities at Hotel Magdalena include a 900 square foot sunken pool with bar, retail boutique featuring goods from Texas makers and Bunkhouse signature custom products, bicycle rentals, access to neighborhood trails and more!
The hotel is also home to Summer House on Music Lane, a full-service restaurant that is said...
Austin remains one of the nation’s fastest growing cities with an average of 169 people moving to metroplex daily. Growing by more than 60,000 new residents per year, the Austin real estate market remains extremely low on inventory, making it a great time to take advantage of the seller’s market! As we move into Fall, we see no signs of our market slowing down. If you are thinking of selling, NOW IS THE TIME!
This summer alone (June 1-Sept. 21), waterfront property sales on Lake Austin, Lake LBJ, and Lake Travis have increased over 66%, even with the covid-19 impact. All 3 lakes saw an increase of waterfront sales price & saw equal or fewer average days on market.
Lake Austin saw sales prices increase over 69% compared...
2020 Has Been Hard - Let’s Wine About It! 
Check out 3 of Austin’s top wine bars!
Whether you’re longing for a quiet evening alone, a date night for two or a socially distanced happy hour with friends, Austin’s got the spot to wine!
Wanderlust Wine Co.
Where? 610 N Interstate Hwy 35, Austin, TX 78701
What? Wanderlust Wine Co. featuring 56 premium wines, all on tap!
When? Open Wednesday-Sunday 5 pm – 11 pm
About: “From Tank or Barrell, To Glass”, The Wanderlust Wine Co. keeps our planet top-of-mind while serving up some of the world’s best tasting wines. The company has eliminated corks and bottle handlings from their services, reducing thousands of pounds per year from landfills while simultaneously reducing their carbon-footprint!...
Organize Your Pantry
Every season brings a fresh new start so why not freshen up your home this Fall!?
Let’s start with the pantry. Keeping efficiency & visual appeal in mind, staying organized in your kitchen can help you with grocery shopping, meal prepping and may even inspire you to try some new recipes!
1) Start with removing all items from shelving.
2) Wipe down shelves and measure space for bins, jars, and canisters. (Pro-Tip – clear organizing containers look neat and easily display what’s in them or missing.)
3) Sort the remaining items by category.
4) Begin with the items that are a priority to you and your family and organize those items into different bins and jars. Start by placing them in the most convenient places of your pantry space.
...
Host family & friends for a unique dining experience right in your backyard!
Brendan Yancy of Austin, TX and his girlfriend ordered a case of high-quality oysters last year to celebrate Yancy’s birthday. After working hard to shuck the delicious oysters, the couple sparked an idea to give Austin a similar dining experience without the effort. Yancy and his now business partners, Dave Kleifgen & Will Meredith, put together “their obsession of quality oysters and hanging out with friends,” and the Austin Oyster Company was born!
With partnerships from Maine to Massachusetts, this new company continues to bring
high-quality New England oysters neighborhoods all over the city.
How it Works:
1. You order oysters
2. We deliver, shuck, and serve
3. You enjoy and we clean up
It’s that simple!
...
Pierce Haney | REALTOR
512-608-2294
Josephine Olinger | REALTOR
281-935-6399
Bailey Coleman | REALTOR
512-228-1834
...
The Greater Austin area’s housing market is continuing to bounce back, according to the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR) latest Central Texas Housing Market Report. Compared to July 2019, residential sales in the five-county area increased 21.5% while sales dollar volume increased 36.7%. At the same time, the median sales price increased 10.7% to $353,000 and homes spent three fewer days on the market—an average of 44 days. “The jobs pipeline into Austin continues to create new economic opportunities and a double-digit percentage gain in new listings in July, coupled with buyers continuing to take advantage of historically low interest rates, allows us to be cautiously optimistic about the remainder of 2020,” said Romeo Manzanilla, 2020 ABoR President.
...
Three Local Craft Beers to Try This Labor Day Weekend
1) Electric Jellyfish – Pinthouse Pizza Craft Brewpub
2) Texas Honey Cider - Austin EastCiders
3) Stash IPA - Independence Brewing Co.
...
There’s something about the smell of a cool Fall day that makes life a little sweeter – and it wouldn’t be Fall without the pumpkin patch! Don’t miss your chance to visit some of Austin’s favorite Pumpkin Patches & Fall Festivals to ensure good, clean fun for the whole family!
What: Sweet Eats Fall Festival
When: September 19th-November 8th
Where: 4400 E. State Highway 29 Georgetown, TX
Featuring: 80+ acres with picturesque views, corn maze, live music, pony rides, face painting & more!
What: Sweet Berry Farm - “The Harvest of Fall Fun”
When: September 19th-November 8th
Where: 1801 FM 1980 Marble Falls, Texas
Featuring: Hayrides, Texas-shaped corn maze, pumpkin painting, stuff-your-own scarecrow & more!
...
Impress friends and family by decorating your front porch for an inviting feel before anyone sets foot through your door!
There are limitless ways to create your space this Fall. Whether you gravitate toward a classic look or an unconventional display, there’s nothing like creating an unforgettable look for your entry.
Neutral & Classic
Pumpkins Galore
Spooky Sights
...
Stuck at home but still want to support our Austin community? Use your dollars to support local businesses in a variety of ways - whether ordering takeout & delivery, tuning in and tipping live streaming bands and musicians, purchasing gift cards from temporarily shuttered eateries and bars or merch from cancelled events, or even stocking up on locally made staples like Austin-roasted coffee beans and Hill Country wines.
We have a long (& ever-growing) list of great ways to keep funding the businesses and workers who made Austin so unique! read full article
...
How to Prepare a Contactless Meal for an Outdoor Party
'Tis the season for outdoor entertaining, and if you aren't already thinking about single-serving menus, now's the time to do so. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, safely hosting guests is of the utmost importance. "Whether it's in the form of personal picnic baskets or designated containers with single portions of food, a contactless (or single-serving) menu means that guests will have their own individual setup in terms food, drink, dishes, and utensils," explains professional caterer ...
Barr Mansion introduces picnic nights, complete with pizza, cocktails
Starting July 29, cocktail and pizza lovers can relax on the grounds of Barr Mansion, the historic house-turned-wedding venue at 10463 Sprinkle Road in Northeast Austin.
The popular wedding venue is launching this weekly series called Barr’s Pizza & Pints, and it will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. each Wednesday for the next few months.
On the menu are salads, snacks, desserts and pizzas cooked in Barr Mansion’s wood-fired oven. Hopsquad Brewery will have beer for sale, as well as cocktails curated by the team...
The Greater Austin area continued to feel the stark effects of COVID19, as housing inventory dropped to critically low levels, according to the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR) latest Central Texas Housing Market Report.
Compared to May 2019, residential sales in the five-county area decreased 29.2% while sales dollar volume dropped 30.8%. At the same time, the median sales price increased 0.7% to $329,893 and homes spent three fewer days on the market—an average of 47 days.
“We’re seeing home sales drop because we simply don’t have enough inventory on the market,” Romeo Manzanilla, 2020 ABoR president, said. “There’s a lot of opportunity for sellers who are ready—new listings have increased visibility and homes are spending less time on the market.”
If you compare Austin’s...
Your backyard is brimming with design opportunity—it just takes a little imagination (and inspiration) to make the most of it. "An outdoor space should feel inviting and draw people outside," says landscape architect Keith Williams of Nievera Williams. "No matter what the space is used for, it should feel comfortable and create a sense of destination."
So, how does one go about creating an enticing outdoor area, one that's as...
