February 2015

Austin Thyroid & Endocrinology Center Control your hormones. Control your life.

ENDOCRINOLOGY

is the science of hormones, substances released by glands that regulate every cell in your body, for both men and women.

Examples of endocrine diseases: thyroid, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome and obesity, hirsutism, menopause, pituitary and adrenal pathology, low testosterone in males, andropause and impotence, polycystic ovaries, recurrent kidney stones, irregular or lack of menstrual periods, high and low calcium, diabetes etc.

We provide a comprehensive assessment of your hormone balance, in-house hormone testing, thyroid ultrasound, and bone density.

THYROID DISEASE

affects thirty million Americans, half of which do not know they have the disease. Examples: hypo and hyperthyroidism, Graves and Hashimoto disease, goiter, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. Each person has a different genetic set point for TSH. Thyroid problems require lifelong attention.

We are the premiere thyroid clinic in Austin, and offer the latest treatment for thyroid disease, aggressive management of thyroid cancer with radioactive iodine, and second opinion consults for thyroid surgery.

2 DO YOU KNOW YOUR TSH?

2 HAVE YOU SEEN AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST?

is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. Osteoporosis affects one in two women and one in four men over fifty and is generally missed.

Bone fracture is the “heart attack� of the bone. New treatments reduce the risk of fracture and build new bone. A bone density test is the only way to test for osteoporosis.

We have the latest bone density testing equipment in Texas, and provide instant bone metabolism, medical consultation, and treatment option.

2 DO YOU KNOW YOUR BONE DENSITY?

deal with your health before disease prevention or treatment.

Optimal health is the ideal yet achievable health of your body as you reach middle age and beyond. Your biological age is a measure of how well your body functions compared to your actual calendar age.

Our specialized equipment allows us to measure and evaluate your biological age, a composite of your brain age, bone age, heart age, and vessel age. We help you achieve your optimal health, a major factor in the quality of your life.

2 TEST YOUR BIOLOGICAL AGE TO ACHIEVE OPTIMAL HEALTH

DR. SIMONE SCUMPIA FACE FRCP BOARD CERTIFIED IN ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM Fellow American College of Endocrinology, Fellow Royal College of Physicians Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine In-house thyroid ultrasound, bone densitometry, total body fat analysis, hormone testing, and radioactive iodine treatment.

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

(512) 467-2727 PARMER LN CEDAR BEND DR

N. MOPAC

OSTEOPOROSIS

OPTIMAL HEALTH BIOLOGICAL AGE

North Austin Medical Center PARK BEND DR

x

M-F 7am - Noon 1pm - 4pm Post Oak Centre North 2200 Park Bend Dr Bldg. 3 Suite 300 Austin, TX 78758

austinthyroid.com

Dr. Benjamin L. Nemec • Dr. Christina Hobson • Dr. E. Anne Hagan

5 12. 347. 0044 • w w w .t hehi l l sd ent a l spa .c om

Christopher Brennig, MD

Austin Vein Institute State-of-the-art Varicose Vein Treatment

C h r i s t op h er W. Brennig, M.D. CERTIFIED: The American Board of General Surgery SUB-SPECIALTY CERTIFIED: The American Board of Vascular Surgery

Va r i c o se V e i n s Spider Veins L a se r t h e r a p y Sclerotherapy

512.346.2727

7000 N. Mopac Ste. 320 Austin, TX 78731

Dr. Brennig is Board Certified in Vascular Surgery and in General Surgery. He is recognized for his expertise in the minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins, spider veins, recurrent varicose veins, and complex venous disorders including DVT. Please call the Austin Vein Institute to schedule a comprehensive consultation.

V e i n A u s t i n . c o m

ELIZABETH CHRISTIAN

Elizabeth Christian Public Relations

KRISTIN MARCUM

Elizabeth Christian Public Relations

DIANA DIPIETRO

skin by Diana @ Damron & Fletcher Salon

MORGAN DAILY JACKSON

DENISE BRADLEY

LAUREN JACKSON

The Inn at Wild Rose Hall

St. David’s HealthCare

Phantom with a Camera

ROBYN ECKERMANN St. David’s HealthCare

MEGHAN MAVITY

DR. ALEXIS TESSLER Kyle Orthodontics

DR. CAROLINE JONES MEGAN CUNNINGHAM Superior Physical Medicine

DR. SARA BONHAM

Great American Smiles

Face and Body Revive

MICA MOSBACHER Honorary Consul General of Iceland

IRMA HAMPTON

AMY VILLARREAL

Pioneer Wealth Solutions

VP & GM, KEYE CBS|Telemundo

MEREDITH JOHNSON Twin Lakes Family YMCA

ABBY LENTZ HeartFelt Yoga

ANDREA ABRON

MICHELLE KLINGEMANN

First Kiss Weddings

MARTHA HALLMAN Marketing Strategist

NADRA GHADDAR Holistic Health Coach

MARY HEY

DENICE BETTENCOURT with grandson, Anthony

It Works!® Independent Distributor

9th Annual

Go Red For Women® Photo Campaign

by Korey Howell Photography to benefit the American Heart Association KHP Team: (L-R) Lyndsey Kincer, Olympia Sobande, Korey Howell and Tory VanOsselaer

My heart-felt appreciation to the many women who participated in this photo campaign to raise money and awareness for the American Heart Association. Losing my father to heart disease inspired me to create this photo campaign. Since heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, and because heredity is an important risk factor, Go Red for Women is a movement that is especially dear to my heart.

To learn more about your risk factors and how to prevent heart disease, please visit www.goredforwomen.org.

ROXANNE WILSON

SHAUNE HAAS

Host, Liquidation Channel

Bang Salon & Day Spa

ASHLEY DORAN

Broadthinking Consulting

DR. TENESHA WARDS

MELINDA GARVEY

(with baby London) Infinity Wellness Center

CINDY NIELS

Realtor®, HIllhouse Realty

Co-Founder, AW MEDIA INC.

ANITA BRAUN

PATTI DENUCCI

Author, Speaker, Chief Connector

In memory, Marty and Caroline Shapiro

PAULA BACON Reliant Title

JENNIFER FAILLA

Strada Wealth Management

REBECCA POWERS Philanthropist

ROBIN BOND

MARJORIE RICHESIN

Robin Bond Interiors

LAURETTE SMITH, M.D. Cedar Park Ideal Weight Loss

DIANA MALDONADO

Health Enthusiast

Special thank you to: David’s Bridal, Rae Cosmetics and Kendra Scott Jewelry.

Makeup, hair and styling by Korey Howell Photography makeup artist, Lyndsey Kincer.

GOT CATARACTS? COME EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES OF LASER CATARACT SURGERY. Bladeless Customized Precise Reproducible

Westlake Eye Specialists

WestlakeEyeSpecialists The Art of Eye Surgery

Zarmeena Vendal, M.D. 5656 Bee Cave Rd Suite F200 Austin, TX 78746

Ximena de Sabra, M.D. 512.472.4011

www.WestlakeEyes.com

Crank up the giving.

You look like a someone who likes to give back--maybe it’s the smile? We’re making donating easy for folks like you on March 5-6, 2015. Just go to AmplifyATX.org - choose from hundreds of local nonprofits and make that gift! With your help (and that smile) we’re going to raise $7 million for your favorite causes! Let’s crank up the giving!

#AmplifyATX

The next-generation BMW X5

bmwofaustin.com 512-343-3500

SUPERIORITY COMPLEX. With its faster 0–60 mile-per-hour time, lighter frame and 15% more fuel-efficient engine, you might find the next-generation X5 has developed a bit of a complex. Can you blame it?

THE NEXT-GENERATION BMW X5.

NO-COST MAINTENANCE

UP TO 4 YRS / 50K MILES1

BMW of Austin 1

7011 McNeil Drive

Austin, TX 78729

512-343-3500

bmwofaustin.com

For model year 2015 or later vehicles sold or leased by an authorized BMW center on or after July 1, 2014, BMW Maintenance Program coverage is not transferable to subsequent purchasers, owners or lessees. Please see bmwusa.com/UltimateService or ask your authorized BMW center for details. ©2015 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name, model names and logo are registered trademarks.

68

On the cover

NATALIE Madeira Cofield

By Shelley Seale

74

special feature

Photo by Annie Ray.

A magazine born to connect

Contents F ebruary

on the scene

Photo by Bryan Gonzales.

56 wellness

22 KRISTY’S TOP 10 February’s To-Do List 24 horoscopes Happy Birthday, Aquarius!

26 OUT AND ABOUT Party Pics

64 health 66 Fitness

must list

80 memo from JB

29 travel Ultimate Ski Destinations 32 romance AW’s Guide to Romance 34 get connected New Places, Friendly Faces

style 38 BEAUTY Winter Green 40 Ethical Fashion Thought Collective 48 Ask Ashley From Day to Night

home 50 ASK A DESIGNER When DIY Goes Awry 54 deSIGN Fearless Decorating

gourmet 56 dinin

g

Valentine’s Day Food Tours

12 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

Meditation Connect With Nature

opposite sex The Empty-Nest Phase

savvy women

82 MOther of the Bride The Engagement 84 Austin Connector Patti Rogers 86 Co ver Woman Update Ingrid Vanderveldt 88 L AST WORD Making Connections in 2015

on the cover

Photo by Annie Ray, annieray.net Styled by Ashley Hargrove, dtkaustinstyling.com Makeup by Lauren Lumsden, facebook.com/laurenlumsden.hair.makeup Hair by Gena Whalon, salonenveeaustin.com Previous page: BCBG Ginata gardenia cardigan, $298; Michael Stars navy blue T-shirt, $58; DL1961 slim denim skinny jeans, $178; labradorite drop earrings, $335, available at Julian Gold, 1214 W. Sixth St., 512.473.2493, juliangold.com; Oscar de la Renta gold statement necklace, $695, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com.

Shot on location at Blue Dahlia Bistro, 1115 E. 11th St., 512.542.9542, bluedahliabistro.com.

Volume 13, issue 6

Co-Founder and Publisher Melinda Maine Garvey vice president and Co-Publisher Christopher Garvey associate publisher Cynthia Guajardo Co-Founder Samantha Stevens

EDITORIAL Editor-in-chief Deborah Hamilton-Lynne associate editor Molly McManus copy editor Chantal Rice contributing writers

Cheryl Bemis, Jill Case, Silvana Di Ravenna, Andy East, Meredith Ellis, Carrie Gavit, JB Hager, Ashley Hargrove, Joleen Jernigan, Kathryn Krastin, Deborah Mastelotto, Rachel Merriman, Kristy Owen, Ketan Patel, Megan Russell, Susanna Salk, Shelley Seale, Alison Stoos

ART CREATIVE Director Niki Jones art director Jennifer Day ART ASSISTANT Nora Iglesias CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Rudy Arocha, Farid Zareena Badi, Erica Denny, Brian Fitzsimmons, Leann Funk, Nicole Gell, Bryan Gonzales, Ashley Hargrove, Audrey Hickey, Jody Horton, Korey Howell, Matt Lankes, Reagan Lognion, Lauren Lumsden, Dustin Meyer, Nicole Mlakar, Steve Moakley, Anna Munoz, Dale Murphy, Oly, Natalie Paramore, Eric Piasecki, Richard Powers, Sarah Quatrano, Tania Quintanilla, Annie Ray, Joel Salcido, Nick Simonite, Stephen Spillman, Brian Stewart, Michael Strycharske, Cylla von Tiedemann, Jessica Wetterer, Gena Whalon, Tricia Zeigler

ADVERTISING SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Kelly Keelen

ADMINISTRATION Operations and Marketing manager Maggie Rester project manager Sharrin Bacon

Interns

Carrie Gavit, Audrey Sandberg, Alison Stoos, Natalie Wetjen

Austin Woman is a free monthly publication of AW Media, Inc., and is available at more than 1,150 locations throughout Austin and in Lakeway, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Pflugerville. All rights reserved.

For submission requirements, visit awmediainc.com/contribute.

No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission.

Visit us online at austinwomanmagazine.com.

Email us at info@awmediainc.com.

512.328.2421 • 3921 Steck Ave., Suite A111, Austin, TX 78759

From the Editor issue, proving that you never know where a chance encounter or connection will lead.

With all of our ties to the Internet, Austin surprisingly does not rank in the Top 25 Most Connected Cities in the U.S. I like to think that is because we spend so much of our time connecting live and in person.

We are out and about listening to music, running the trails, enjoying the sun, going to plays and lectures, expanding our horizons and our networks. Keeping the way our readers make connections in mind, we’ve included groups and places for Austinites, old and new, to connect; an ethical collaboration among 13 Austin retail merchants dedicated to helping women globally; an article on why you should connect with a decorator to solve your design dilemmas; ways to connect with yourself through meditation; places to connect with our beautiful natural surroundings; food tours for Valentine’s Day and cover women updates of two of our most connected subjects: Patti Rogers of Rallyhood and Ingrid Vanderveldt of EBW2020. AW contributor Cheryl Bemis explores the tenuous mother-daughter connection as she embarks on a serialized tale of being the mother of the bride. And finally, we look back at the connections made through the people, pages and events associated with Austin Woman magazine, a part of our mission of which we are very proud.

Introvert or extrovert, we urge you to go forth, find your tribe and connect. Connect with us. We love to hear from you and love to see Austin women join forces to create and make our city and the world a better place. In the words of one of my favorite authors, Isabel Allende, “I can promise you that women working together—linked, informed and educated—can bring peace and prosperity to this forsaken planet.”

deborah hamilton-lynne Editor-in-Chief

Deb’s Top Five Places to Connect 1. Book group. There are hundreds of book clubs throughout town. Check out those offered at the Austin Public Library. library.austintexas.gov/ services/book-clubs

2. The Roaring Fork bar at the Stephen F. Austin.

It’s perfect for meeting friends and greeting out-of-town festivalgoers before an evening at The Paramount. Check out the exceptional happyhour drinks and fare. roaringfork.com

16 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

3. Friends of the LBJ Library events. A mere $80 gets you in to eight or more events in the Evening With series, which has included presidents of the United States, Pulitzer Prizewinning authors and politicos of all stripes. lbjlibrary.org/page/ friends/benefitsmembership-levels

4. Blanton Museum B Scene. Join the cultured crowd for nights of art, music, nosh and drinks.

It’s free for members. blantonmuseum.org/ experience_the_ blanton/b_scene

5. Texas Tribune’s Conversations With events. The Legislature is back in town. Let the games begin! These morning conversations with Evan Smith are most entertaining and enlightening. texastribune.org/events

Cofield and Rogers photos by Annie Ray. Ethical Fashion photo by Leeann Funk.

With the advent of the Internet, Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Skype and the myriad other high-tech avenues for communication available to us, one would think that we are more connected than ever and, in many ways, we are. However—call me Old School if you will—I like to think connection means more than hitting “enter” and looking at an illuminated screen. I like the Old School definitions of connect: “to join, link, unite or bind; to cause to be associated in a relationship; to relate or be in harmony with another person; to associate mentally or emotionally.” (dictionaryreference.com) Part of my nature and an important part of my vocation is to establish connections on a meaningful, interpersonal level. The fine art of interviewing involves establishing a connection based on trust. I value, honor and nurture connections, and have wonderful friends throughout the world. So it comes as no surprise that I would find my way to employment at a magazine built on and committed to connections, and specifically, to creating meaningful connections for women.

This is the part of my job that I love the most.

A couple of years ago, while attending the Texas Conference for Women, I met a young woman who had just moved to Austin and was full of energy, plans and hope, as only the young can be.

She was vivacious and ambitious, and we connected immediately. After the conference, we went to a happy hour and continued getting to know each other.

She remarked, “I really like your magazine. One day, I would like to be on the cover.” Because I hear this all the time, I just smiled and said, “Thank you, and maybe you will be.” Fast forward two years, and Natalie Madeira Cofield is leading the largest black chamber in Texas, and doing so as the youngest president and CEO for any chamber in the black chamber network for Top 15 cities in the U.S. For her amazing success and her ability to connect and make those connections productive, she graces the cover of our first Get Connected

40% more LOVE

to go around!

40% longer

2015 FIAT

We Deliver a Lifetime of HAPPINESS #WeDeliverHappiness

A Nyle Maxwell Family Dealership 13049 RESEARCH BLVD. | AUSTIN, TEXAS 78750 | 512-228-3428 | 800-NEW FIAT | FIATOFAUSTIN.COM 速2015 Chrysler Group LLC. FIAT is a registered trademark of Fiat Group Marketing & Corporate Communications SpA., used under license by Chrysler Group LLC. See FIAT of Austin for details. Photos for illustration purposes only. Not responsible for typographical errors. See dealer for details.

The

AusTin symphony

contributors

This month, we asked our contributors: What is your favorite way or place to make connections in Austin?

ANNIE RAY

Cover photographer, “natalie madeira cofield” Page 68

Since 2005, Annie Ray has focused on bringing out the “real stuff” in everything she shoots.

Her relationship with every subject will make 1,000 words say so much more.

“I always love meeting people at local meetups and book clubs.”

SHELLEY SEALE

Cover writer, “natalie madeira cofield” Page 68

Shelley Seale is a writer, author, world vagabond, art fanatic, dog lover, yoga addict and amateur cocktail connoisseur.

“My favorite way to make connections is through Janes in Austin, an informal social group of women who write.”

LAUREN LUMSDEN

makeup, “natalie madeira cofield” Page 68

Lauren Lumsden is an Austin-based freelance makeup artist experienced in television, film, print and runway.

See more of Lauren’s work at facebook.com/ laurenlumsden.hair. makeup.

Perfect date nights start here.

“My favorite way to make connections in Austin is through social media. Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn have been the best places for me to get connected to other professionals in my industry up to this point.”

CHERYL BEMIS

WRITER, “mother of the bride” Page 82 karen GoMyo

fanTasy in february

Upcoming events: karen Gomyo, violin february 6 & 7 fantasy in february Music from fantasy films february 27

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

season sponsor This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

All artists, programs, and dates subject to change.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

media sponsors

TickeTs/info

(512) 476-6064 or austinsymphony.org

Cheryl Bemis, founder of Fashionably Austin, is a photographer/videographer, writer and reporter. She covers Austin fashion and is also a credentialed press corps photographer for New York Fashion Week.

“My favorite thing to do is to meet for a cup of tea and have a one-onone conversation. Getting to know someone and find out who they are, who they know and what makes them tick is so much fun!”

Philanthropy

Austin Woman’s Sponsored Events Women’s Fund of Central Texas: Power of the Purse Luncheon Feb. 4, 1 p.m., Four Seasons Hotel Austin, 98 San Jacinto Blvd. austincommunityfoundation.org

As more festivals emerge and hoards of recent college graduates relocate to the state capital, it’s easy to forget about those who have called Austin home from the beginning. For the Women’s Fund of Central Texas, that means the often-neglected sector of nonprofits: those that benefit women and children.

The Women’s Fund has more than a decade under its belt and has helped raise irreplaceable funds for Austin organizations. As a women’s giving circle with members of all ages, the group now grants more than $130,000 to nonprofits each year. Last year, the organization celebrated exceeding the $1 million mark.

The Women’s Fund’s signature luncheon, Power of the Purse, is open to the community and a great way for women (and men) of Central Texas to learn more about these nonprofits as the Women’s Fund reveals its grant application picks. This year, a committee will focus on “the other Austin,” shedding light on issues in the community that they’ve come across with a recent report.

The luncheon will also feature a raffle with prizes that include custom 18-karat gold earrings with 1.7-carat colored diamonds, a gorgeous Prada bag and Sunday brunch for four at TRIO. With the focus on women and children, Women’s Fund strives to make a lasting impact on our city. —Alison Stoos

Shalom Austin: Momentum Men’s Night Out Feb. 4, 6 p.m., Renaissance Austin, 9721 Arboretum Blvd. shalomaustin.org/momentum

Association of Fundraising Professionals: Philanthropy Day Awards Feb. 5, 11:30 a.m., Hyatt Regency, 208 Barton Springs Road afpaustin.org

Con Mi Madre: Corazon Awards

Ring In the New Year with your New Smile!

Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m., Brazos Hall, 204 E. Fourth St. conmimadre.org

Memberships start at $49/mo and are customized to your budget and dental needs.

American Heart Association: National Wear Red Day Feb. 6 goredforwomen.org/wearredday

TWIB Luncheon Feb. 20, 11 a.m., Shoal Crossing, 8611 N. Mopac Expressway texaswomeninbusiness.org

American Heart Association: Go Red for Women Summit Feb. 26, 9 a.m., Hyatt Regency, 208 Barton Springs Road austingored.ahaevents.org

wonders and worries masquerade ball Feb. 27, 7 p.m., JW Marriott Hotel Austin, 111 Congress Ave. wondersandworries.org

MEMBERSHIPS INCLUDE: Regular Cleanings* XRays* Exam & Screenings*

Fillings for cavities Crowns Root Canals

*included in all membership levels…other services included based on membership level chosen.

Open by appointment until 8pm. Call 512-345-9995 www.greatamericansmiles.com

G

RE

AT A

ES

Capital Area Dental Foundation: Hollywood Gala and Casino Night Feb. 28, 6 p.m., Four Seasons Hotel Austin, 98 San Jacinto Blvd. capitalareadentalfoundation.org/gala

Cosmetic services Veneers

M E RI CA N S M

IL

11615 Angus Road, Suite 116, Austin, TX 78759 M. Caroline Jones, DMD

Connect with us! find us online at austinwomanmagazine.com

FEATURED EVENT

EDITOR’S PICK

Austin Shakespeare Presents Tom Stoppard’s The Invention of Love

The Official Drink of Austin Feb. 26

Tom Stoppard’s The Invention of Love explores the secret, unrequited, life-long love of the great poet A. E. Houseman.

The Invention of Love also features the young, rambunctious aesthete Oscar Wilde bursting on to the scene.

Tickets are available at thelongcenter.org/event/invention-love.

The Austin Food & Wine Alliance joins with the Tipsy Texan for an evening celebrating Texas spirits and spotlighting six talented bar teams in competition, all to raise funds for culinary grants. We’ve got the details at austinwomanmagazine.com.

Tickets are available at austinfoodwinealliance.ticketbud.com/official-drink-of-austin.

Win This!

Blue Man Group Tickets Feb. 19 – 22, The Long Center

Get ready for this thrilling, high-octane theatrical experience! Escape the ordinary and surround yourself in an explosion of comedy, music and technology. If you’ve never seen Blue Man Group, it’s a must-see. If you’re already a fan, don’t miss it. To win, visit our Instagram, @austinwoman, and post a photo of anything blue in Austin with the hashtag #iwantbluemangrouptickets.

The most creative photo wins!

Can’t get enough of this issue?

Check out austinwomanmagazine.com Food: Love food? On Feb. 14, the Food Lab at UT will host its inaugural ➥ More Food Prize Challenge and we will be there. The Food Lab at UT, a catalyst for experimentation and innovation in the food system, initiated an early stage business startup competition encouraging innovation within four categories of the global food system: healthy eating; inputs and production; processing, packaging and safety; and storage and distribution. On Showcase Day, a winner in each category will receive $5,000 and a grand-prize winner will be awarded $10,000.

Valentine’s Day Options: The latest on events and restaurant offerings ➥ More to make your heart sing.

Events: From Boombox Food, fusing hip-hop with sculpture and food ➥ More

by Chef Fiore Tedesco, to legendary crooner and original Jersey boy, Frankie Valli, to the Kodo Drummers and theoretical physicist Dr. Michio Kaku, we’ve got a sneak peek of what to see and reviews to follow.

Connections: If you thought the end-of-year holidays were a tough time ➥ More for introverts, then you know Valentine’s Day is even worse. Luckily, Texas author Sophia Dembling’s new book, Introverts In Love: The Quiet Way to Happily Ever After, offers low-key romantic guidance for introverts struggling with the dating scene, in a relationship or extroverts dating introverts. Read our review or meet Dembling in person at BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd., on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.

Trends: To celebrate the 150th anniversary of J. Walter Thompson, the ➥ More world’s best-known marketing communications brand, the company has released its 10th annual trends report, The Future 100, which highlights the big and small trends to watch this coming year. It covers things to watch in almost every industry, including technology, business, culture, beauty, health and wellness, food and drink, lifestyle, retail, travel and sustainability. We’ve got the ones of particular interest to our AW readers.

Follow us

@austinwoman

20 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

like us

Best of the Blogs

Preemie Babies 101

Not only is Hand to Hold’s blog, Preemie Babies 101, a great resource for any parent with a preemie, it also helps to support families with babies who have spent time in the NICU, children with special needs and families who have experienced loss. It’s a community that assists with health-care concerns and ultimately connects parents who share similar experiences. With a variety of different contributors featured on the blog, Preemie Babies 101 covers topics ranging from birth stories, finances, medical resources, and grief and bereavement. Read more about Hand to Hold on Page 75.

facebook.com/austinwoman

FOLLOW us

@ austinwoman

The Invention of Love and Blue Man Group photos courtesy of The Long Center. The Official Drink of Austin photo courtesy of Max Photography.

Feb. 18 – March 8, The Long Center

LESS WAITING FOR EMERGENCY CARE

(AND A LOT MORE CARE, IF YOU NEED IT.)

In a medical emergency, every minute matters. So, at Cedar Park Regional Medical Center, you’ll find faster care in the emergency room. We work diligently to have you initially seen by a medical professional in 30 minutes – or less. And, with a team of dedicated medical specialists, we can provide a lot more care, if you need it.

The 30-Minutes-Or-Less E.R. Service Pledge – only at Cedar Park Regional Medical Center.

CedarParkRegional.com Medical professionals may include physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

O

n the scene

top 10

Kristy’s Top 10

2

1

By Kristy Owen

Love and Happiness: The Nightowls Present Al Green

Cheer on the 2015 Austin Marathon Runners

Feb. 15 youraustinmarathon.com

I’m sure most of us know someone running in the marathon, and even if you don’t, these runners need lots of support! Having run a marathon and cheered on my friends, I can say seeing everyone cheering for you is very motivating and much needed, especially when you get to the last few miles. So go support your favorite runner, and if you don’t have any favorites, go support everybody. If you’re looking to take this outing to the next level, make a sign for the runners. Here are a few of my favorites: “(Person’s name) is kicking asphalt,” and “Dear stranger, you are my hero.” Presented by Freescale, the race website has an entire spectator section so you can check out some of the best spots to watch the event.

Feb. 14, 10 p.m., The Highball, 1120 S. Lamar Blvd. thehighball.com

If you have not seen The Nightowls perform, you are missing out on one of the best local acts in Austin.

To get everyone feeling lovely this Valentine’s Day, they have a special lineup of all Al Green love songs. It will be a night of Motown and endless dancing. Come out with your special someone or with a group of girlfriends. Ether way, you’re bound to have a blast! Tickets: $10

Elvis Lives: The Ultimate Elvis Tribute

3

Feb. 8, 7 p.m., The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive thelongcenter.org/event/elvis-lives Calling all Elvis fans! The Ultimate Elvis Tribute has your name written all over it.

Hear music from every stage in The King’s career, from the young rock-’n’-roller to Elvis in Las Vegas. It’s a one-of-a-kind tribute that will captivate audiences of all ages.

Modern Home Tour of Austin

Feb. 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. modernhometouraustin.com The Modern Home Tour of Austin is your chance to get a peak inside some of Austin’s coolest and most unique homes. Some of the properties offer snacks and beverages, making the tour feel like a really cool party. It’s a fun opportunity to see some exclusive Austin homes. Tickets: $30

5

Valentine’s Day at the Drive-In

1901 E. 51st St. bluestarlitedrivein.com

Valentine’s Day or not, you need to make time to check out this local drive-in movie theater. This is the perfect time to drive on over, as it’s not too hot to sit outside and enjoy a film. The great thing about the Blue Starlite Drive-In is that they don’t just celebrate on Valentine’s Day. Starting Feb. 5, they’ll offer an array of shows leading up to the big day. If you choose to go on Valentine’s Day, you can check out a showing of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Something about hanging out and making out at the drive-in is just so 1950s, and the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

22 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

4

1. Photo courtesy of Austin Marathon. 2. Photo by Nicole Gell. 3. Photo courtesy of The Long Center. 4. Photo courtesy of Modern Home Tour of Austin. 5. Photo courtesy of Blue Starlite Drive-In.

February’s to-do list from 365 Things To Do In Austin, Texas.

6

Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles at Bass Concert Hall

Feb. 6 and 7, Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Drive texasperformingarts.org/season/ rain-broadway-austin-2014 This month is really jam-packed with tribute concerts. Of course, I couldn’t pick just one because everyone seems to have a favorite.

This tribute show will cover a range of Beatles hits, so there will be a tune anyone can rock out to.

6. Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann. 8. Photo by Jody Horton. 9. Photo by Brian Fitzsimmons. 10. Photo courtesy of QuiltCon.

8

9

Dai Due

2406 Manor Road daidue.com If you’re looking for a fantastic meal and aren’t one of the eager eaters who likes to try a restaurant right after it opens, it’s time to head over to Dai Due. Perfect for a date or girls’ night out, Dai Due’s low-key yet unique atmosphere makes any occasion enjoyable.

The menu is seasonal and items change based on what’s fresh, but the cold meat board is a must-try for meat lovers. Even better, Dai Due is now open for breakfast and lunch. Pro tip: Tuesday evening is Ladies Steak Night, when the butcher, Julia, selects the best cuts, and Dolly Parton is playing in the background.

Five x Seven Art Preview and After Party

Feb. 26, Brazos Hall, 204 E. Fourth St. thecontemporaryaustin.org/event/five-x-seven

If you are new to the Austin art scene, you’ll want to check out this fantastic event. Five x Seven is an annual fundraiser for the Contemporary Austin. More than 300 artists have donated original pieces of work measuring 5 by 7 inches that anonymously hang at the event. During the cocktail hour and art preview, guests have the chance to peruse the artwork on view and identify their favorites, all while enjoying wine, cocktails by Tito’s Vodka, selections by Independence Brewing Company and delicious bites from Trace and The Preserve Kitchen + Bar. The artwork will go on sale at 8 p.m., when the signal sounds. To claim a piece of artwork, guests must be the first to pull the tag placed under the work. Once the tag is claimed, the art is available to purchase for $150, or $100 for museum members. The after party starts at 8:30 p.m., and includes live music and bites from El Naranjo, Ranch 616, Frank and Hey Cupcake.

7 10

Horseshoe Lounge Original Location Last Day Feb. 15, Horseshoe Lounge, 2034 S. Lamar Blvd.

After 50 years of fun, this Austin icon is moving from its famous location on South Lamar to an undisclosed location on the Eastside. They will shut up shop for good at the current location on Feb. 15. So come down while you can and play one more round of shuffleboard while listening to their jukebox.

QuiltCon

Feb. 19 – 22, Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez St. quiltcon.com In Austin, there really is something for everyone. No matter what your passion or interest, there seems to be a group that celebrates that interest. QuiltCon is the only international modern quilt show of its kind, and it’s happening right here in Austin. There will be lectures, exhibits, demonstrations and vendors at this one-of-a-kind quilt show.

austinwomanmagazine.com | 23

O

n the scene

horoscopes

Happy Birthday, Aquarius!

Jan. 21–Feb. 19

Your month: Commitment and challenge: You need them both in a relationship to stay interested. But how do you reconcile those two desires without making everyone around you crazy? Despite the hype around Valentine’s Day, you deserve real love and this is the month for you to accomplish it. You might decide to move in with someone you’ve been on the fence with romantically, get engaged or even married. If you’re already committed, you may renew your vows, metaphorically or actually. The simple act of remembering why you liked each other in the first place and acting on it may just be the challenge you need. ➺ Our challenge this month is to find a balance between stability and adventure. Is it possible to feel secure and challenged at the same time? If we can pull this off, then we can reach our goals.

Pisces (Feb. 20–March 20): Yea! Look to February as your breakthrough period for both career and working relationships. You’ll probably get a new position (or promotion), and it’ll be a lot more profitable. If you own your business, then this month, you can take it to a whole new level. This doesn’t mean you’ll have an easy time of it; you’ll have a lot more work on your plate. But if you stay organized, you’ll stay on top of the game. And don’t worry about whether you have enough expertise to take all this on. February is a great time to test yourself and prove your worth.

Aries (March 21–April 20): Yes, we did promise you a great 2015, but February isn’t going to be a great month. You have big hopes and plans, but something mysterious and unforeseen happens this month each time you try to move forward. We’re not talking about anything serious, just a lot of small hindrances that slow you down and affect your overall mood. The printer glitches and chews up an important paper, or your WiFi acts up or you drop your phone in the bathtub. Don’t worry; just keep calm, take a deep breath and concentrate on what needs to be done right now.

Taurus (April 21–May 21): You win! You get to have the best month! While all other zodiac signs struggle with glitches and hidden opponents, you glide along basically glitch-free. February may surprise you with a sudden

turn of events, and that could mean changes. Don’t be afraid of possible life-defining choices because, the thing is, there is no bad choice for you this month. Just listen to your heart, your soul and your feelings, and you’ll know intuitively the right choice that keeps you in tune with your universal purpose. Even if you don’t know what it looks like, you’ll feel it.

Gemini (May 22–June 20): We recommend you play a different kind of part than you’re used to: Sit on the sidelines and be an observer.

Usually, you like to stand out, be original and collect unusual, inventive and eccentric friends.

But this month, your personal and professional desires seem to be thwarted, especially those involving those same unusual, inventive and eccentric friends. And you can’t even blame them because you probably talked them into it.

Get past this complicated time with minimal losses by using your charisma and diplomatic abilities to be as attentive as possible. Communication is essential, especially listening.

Cancer (June 21–July 22): A wave of negative work energy hits you in the face like the Pacific Ocean on a cold winter’s day. And getting ahead? No way. In fact, you’ll probably have to tread harder just to keep your head above water. If you’re a manager or you’ve got your own business, now’s not the time to innovate; now’s the time to wait and gather your strength and resources. But in

24 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

personal relationships, practically all your wishes can come true, as long as they’re winwin. Pay close attention to the people around you, especially friends and family. That’s where the best of this month is.

Leo (July 23–Aug. 23): Yearning for adventure and romance is the subject of so many fairy tales, and the need for it in your personal relationships is almost overwhelming this month. That perfect ideal of a partner only exists in fairy tales too, but you want the fairy tale. You hold out for fantasy, at least in your mind.

So you demand impossible things from your personal and business partners, and against all odds, you’ll get them this month. Just remember to keep everyone’s best interests at heart. If you do, you’ll have a great month. You may even inherit a little something.

Virgo (Aug. 24–Sept. 22): Heads up, Virgo. You get more business opportunities this month than any other sign.

During the first of the month, you’ll have an a-ha moment, and you’ll suddenly see what kept you from going forward before. You’ll analyze your past mistakes, and toward the 10th, you’ll start to make your plans happen, even the most adventurous ones. You’ll meet barriers, but they won’t be impossible to surmount. You will have to put out some effort to get what you want, but you’ll feel an amazing flow of strength, and your ability to handle extraordinary work multiplies. So go be a diplomat.

Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): This month, you’ll get caught out in a few storms in business and finance, and you’ll have to put some effort into staying afloat. But please keep in mind that if some significant event at your job puts you out of a job, you’ll be led to something amazing in the personal-life department. Maybe you’ll find a new best friend or a new love or reaffirm an old one.

Whatever happens, it’ll be life defining and large in scale. And if you’ve had doubts about anything, you’ll get the answer

this month—and the answer will be positive.

Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): It seems we are always warning you to be careful with that tongue of yours. You may offend someone inadvertently or even willingly, but no good can come of it either way. In fact, your sharp words could escalate a minor situation at work and make it serious. A good Scorpio friend once said, “Anytime I lose my temper, I regret it.” Listen to your own heart, but think before you get upset at anyone. Hold your words and seriously consider before you say something driven by emotion. You don’t want to regret the whole month, do you?

Think about that.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21): There’s always a battle raging inside of you guys, and the fight is between the forces of stability, which want you to become a mature and contributing member of society, and the desires of the flesh, which want you to come out and play all the time. You’re entering a powerful three-year cycle, so right now is the perfect time to adjust anything and everything.

Think differently than you were taught. Embrace new offers, even if they don’t look like your style. And pay attention to distant relatives. Some event that may change your future will be connected with them.

Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 20): It’s not important for you to try to advance your career right now; it’s important that you maintain what you have, and, truthfully, that’s going to be a little difficult. The real danger for you is in being idle. Be attentive. Try not to miss anything.

Take care of the details of your life and work, and don’t slack.

Whatever the situation this month, you’ll be in the perfect position to overcome it instead of letting it overcome you.

What’s the good news? Your love life. It’ll be the one secure thing this month, and that will help you stay calm and focus.

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the ARC of the Capital Area Building Bridges Art Gala 3

1. Josh L. and Gabi M. with Lucy Barber 2. Arc artist Stephen R. Stories 3. The Texas Cowboys celebrate 60 years with The Arc this year

Photos by Georges Schemagin.

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American Heart Association Hearts of Gold 2

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1. Jennie Covert Stewart, Malcolm Belisle, Kerry Hall, Jeff Thomas, Ashton Cumberbatch and John Murphy 2. Robyn and Kyle Eckermann 3. Bob and Dionne Green

Photos by Stephen Spillman.

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Dancing with the Stars Austin benefiting Center for Child Protection 2

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1. Katie Jaffe, Sabrina Barker-Truscott, Venus Strawn 2. Curtis and Jessica Howard, Weston and Charlotte Lipscomb 3. Winner Katrine Formby and Susie Ellis 4. Reneta Marsilli, Venus Strawn, Tama Williamson

26 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

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Must List

Photo courtesy of Telluride Ski Resort.

Love to Ski?

Check out three unique experiences on three continents.

by Shelley Seale

Telluride, Colo.

This laid-back, hippie-chick mountain town is a must-visit for people who like the feel of a place like Aspen, Vail or Sundance, without all the crowds. Telluride is comprised of the National Historic Landmark District downtown, and the modern resort village of Mountain Village above. A public

gondola system connects the two, and a shuttle service called the Galloping Goose loops through town all day, and both are free. The picture-postcard mountain setting provides a dramatic backdrop for historic main streets filled with boutiques and coffee shops, and a top-notch foodie scene.

The ski resort offers an impressive array of terrain for all levels. With 18 lifts and 127 runs, there is plenty of terrain for all ability levels. Telluride averages more than 300 inches of snowfall each ski season, and the resort beautifully maintains groomed runs and wide trails at even the highest elevations. There is also a large amount of backcountry and hike-to-ski access, as well as heliskiing for the more adventurous. Snowmobiling, ice climbing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating and sledding are also popular activities.

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And Telluride isn’t just for snow fans, either; the town plays host to everything from wine and food events, to major music acts, film festivals and other outdoor adventures, such as hiking, mountain biking and fishing, making it a place that has something for just about everyone. The San Juan Mountains are the ultimate playground, with plenty of protected green spaces and well-marked trails leading to big payoffs, such as spectacular waterfalls.

It’s no wonder why the place draws celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Oprah Winfrey and Daryl Hannah. Yet it’s still a very chill place, one where such celebrities can mingle and hang out in town without paparazzi or much notice from locals. Its relative inaccessibility perhaps keeps huge crowds away; most of the time, visitors must fly from Denver to Montrose and then take a 90-minute drive to Telluride. There is also a small airport in Telluride, which has the highest altitude of any commercial airport in the country. However, it only operates during peak times of the year, and weather conditions can keep even scheduled flights grounded, so it’s somewhat luck of the draw.

Where to stay: Madeline Hotel is a luxurious yet comfortable hotel that is completely at one with its setting in Mountain Village. Part of the Leading Hotels of the World, Madeline is majestically situated on the peaks above the town of Telluride, the hotel is easily accessible via the free public gondola system and you get amazing views, to boot.

Don’t miss a highlight of the hotel: the food experience at Restaurant REV and SMAK Bar, with ingredients often sourced straight from the downtown farmers market by Chef de Cuisine Bud Thomas.

The town of Telluride

For more planning information, visit telluride.com.

Telluride town photo courtesy of Telluride Ski Resort.

Swiss Alps

The small landlocked country of Switzerland enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a destination of pristine natural beauty, as well as providing a top European ski experience. Bordered by five countries, Switzerland offers an astounding amount of diversity for its size. Geographically, you can go from snow-covered mountains to palm-lined lakes in a matter of hours. Culturally, various regions have German, French, Italian and even Romansch languages, and the feel associated with those cultures. A top-notch public transportation system allows for an easy, efficient and astoundingly scenic way to get from one spot to another.

St. Moritz is one of the most glamorous, well-known ski destinations in Europe.

It first gained its jet-setting reputation when British royalty began flocking there in the 1800s, and has been an elite ski destination ever since, celebrating 150 years of winter tourism. The setting on the lake with the Alps rising in the background is quite magical, and there are plenty of things to do and see in the area that won’t break the bank. Two hundred seventeen miles of ski pistes, fantastic weather with an abundance of sunny days and guaranteed snow are just some of the reasons to ski St. Moritz.

A completely different Swiss experience can be found in Zermatt, an idyllic little village at the base of the famous Matterhorn, the most photographed mountain in the world.

Zermatt is unique, not only for its gorgeous setting for mountain recreation seekers, but also because it is a completely car-free town.

Residents and visitors alike get around on foot or bicycle, or via the electric taxis and mini-buses that ply the streets. A visit to Zermatt isn’t complete without riding the tram up to the Matterhorn, where a viewing platform and restaurant can be found atop the forbidding peak.

Chile in Summer

For North Americans, one of the great things about skiing South America is the seasonal difference in the Southern Hemisphere. Head south of the equator and you can ski in summertime, which is their winter. There is no better place to do so than Chile, which is full of diversity, from cosmopolitan cities and wine valleys, to volcanoes and glaciers.

Ski Pucón, in Central Chile, has a resort-town feel while offering travelers the chance to ski a smoking, perfectly conical volcano. Six lifts allow skiers and snowboarders access to the volcanic mountain. The area itself is home to the largest population of indigenous Mapuche in the country, giving it a rich cultural heritage. Visitors can also take part in other snowy activities, like snowshoeing through monkey puzzle forests, cross-country and backcountry skiing, and ending the day in a hot spring.

Valle Nevado is the continent’s largest ski resort, with access to 7,000 acres of terrain, the most modern lift system in the country, three hotels and five condo buildings, a spa and six restaurants. According to local ski buffs, it offers the best heli-skiing on the continent, as well. Ski Arpa offers the only snowcat skiing operation in South America, with resplendent views of Mount Aconcagua and often of a guanaco or two. This is an adventure destination, with backcountry powder skiing, and two snowcats that take you to the top of the mountain.

“The major advantage of skiing in Chile is being able to ski in the summer,” says Kristina Schreck, principal of AzurePR and a major ski aficionado. “But what makes the experience worthwhile is no lift lines, a lot of powder skiing, a laid-back Latin ambiance, pisco sours and great Chilean wine!”

Where to stay: Just outside St. Moritz is the Romantik Hotel, the first hotel in the Alps to be completely self-sufficient in terms of energy power. The hotel is accessible by funicular railway. Even if you don’t stay there, don’t miss dining mountaintop at the Panorama Restaurant, which has spectacular views of the Engadin valley below. Zermatt’s accommodations are legendary, from chic hotels, chalets and holiday flats, to mountain huts, camping grounds and even bike hotels.

Where to stay: In Pucón, check out Hotel Vira Vira, the first luxury all-inclusive hotel in the region, or Hotel Antumalal, an architectural marvel set amidst great natural beauty. Ski Arpa is run by Santiago Adventures.

Arrange lodging through them in a high-end hotel, hot springs hotel or an old hacienda. At Valle Nevado, the stay includes lodging, lift tickets, breakfast and dinner, and access to all facilities.

For more planning information, visit myswitzerland.com.

For more planning information, visit chile.travel. austinwomanmagazine.com | 31

M

ust List

romance

AW’s Guide to Romance

Eight ways to deepen the connection in your relationship.

By silvana di ravenna Who said love was easy? In an era when finding the right partner has become a daunting race, it’s easy to forget that once you have found The One, the romantic journey has just begun.

Hardship in a relationship often begins when the flames start to fade and routine, monotony and real life set in, leaving us in a comfort zone that could threaten our romantic life for good if we are not careful.

Whether you have just started a relationship or you’re approaching your 20th wedding anniversary, this guide will help you reconnect with your significant other in fun, original ways.

Maintaining a healthy love life with the love of your life can be difficult in our fast-paced and frantic lives. But it’s not as hard as you might think. In fact, it can be as enjoyable and as exciting as courting your darling for the first time.

1. Define your romantic style.

Before you jump into action, it’s crucial that you acknowledge what your idea of romance is. What constitutes romantic gestures for some people can easily be considered a gag-inducing farce for others. So have a talk with your partner about what romance means to both of you. Perhaps you can each write down your top 10 acts of love. They can be anything from hugs, kisses and backrubs, to roses, jewelry or matching tattoos.

2. Consider the pace of your relationship.

Skydiving and African safaris might sound thrilling and exciting, but if they don’t realistically fit your desires, schedule or budget, they are simply not going to work. While you can still include them in your bucket list (Yes, staying at the Ice Hotel in Sweden also falls into this category.), it’s important to discover those little details that will keep you enamored in the meantime.

Since you have already determined what your romantic gestures are (See point No. 1.), it’s just a matter of incorporating them into your routine. Make the goal to include at least one of your partner’s ideas every time you are feeling romantic. The results might surprise you.

El Cosmico, Marfa

3. Change the view.

Photo by Nick Simonite.

A romantic getaway does not need to involve an airplane ticket and endless planning. Have you explored your city lately? What about its amazing possibilities? When there’s a will, there’s a way, and if you put a little thought into it, even discovering a new coffee shop or bistro every weekend can seem like an adventure.

If you have kids, remember that you don’t necessarily need to leave the house and have a typical date in order to fulfill your romantic quota. Simply put the kids to bed and enjoy the great outdoors in your own backyard. All you need are some pillows or a blanket, a glass of wine and willingness. Living in an apartment?

No problem. Recreate a romantic picnic in your living room.

32 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

Books to Keep You Connected 4. See things from your partner’s point of view.

While you might hate your significant other’s hunting or football proclivities, it’s a good idea to understand why your partner loves those hobbies to begin with. And though you’re not expected to feign interest in something that does not appeal to you, the sole act of trying to see life from your partner’s perspective will automatically widen the shores of your love life. And trust us, he will most definitely appreciate it. And who knows? You might end up genuinely liking his passions. Or better yet, he might begin appreciating your Taylor Swift obsession and sing Blank Space the next time you do karaoke together.

iFly photo courtesy of iFly. Whole Foods photo courtesy of Whole Foods. Red Hot Boudoir photo by Anna Munoz.

5. Spice up your sex life.

Red Hot Boudoir

Let’s be honest. When it comes to relationship hiccups, sex always makes it to the top of the list. Stress, overcommitment, children, a relative’s sickness, job loss— the reasons are endless. If your relationship is currently going through one of these rough patches, a pair of handcuffs and a whip simply won’t cut it. While we can all agree that sex is an essential part of love life, forcing it can produce the opposite effect. And who wants to feel like sex is a chore? Not us. Instead, we suggest subtler alternatives such as couples yoga, a whole-body spa session or a simple yet sensual pottery class. When you are truly relaxed and in physical contact with your partner, sex will come naturally and organically.

6. Focus on the positive aspects of your relationship and partner.

It’s easy to start seeing the flaws in your partner and relationship once the euphoric love phase has passed. The problem is that when you jump on the criticizing wagon, it’s quite difficult to ever get out of it. Criticizing your partner for simply being human is neither sustainable nor healthy. Resentment builds up and suddenly, the person you fell in love with doesn’t measure up to your expectations. Remember, there is a reason you fell in love in the first place. And while we all change, and changes are an inevitable part of life, it’s important to understand that the strong foundation of your relationship is still there, even if it takes a bit of digging to rediscover.

7. Start a hobby together.

Date Night Cooking Classes at Whole Foods Market

Nothing screams new beginnings like, well, new beginnings. That’s right, when a tedious love routine sets in, there’s only one way to change the course: romance your relationship.

Established couples often complain that, with time, there’s nothing to talk about anymore. So what better way to feel those forgotten stomach butterflies than starting a hobby that will keep you both entertained and completely engaged?

You can simply join a local book club or start reading a new author on your own. Or if you’re both into fitness, you can jog, run or do any type of physical exercise together. In the end, it doesn’t matter what hobby you pick, as long as it keeps you both interested and motivated.

8. So far yet so close.

There’s plenty out there to keep the love flame aglow. These are our top three favorite resources to deepen your connection.

Communication Miracles for Couples by Jonathan Robinson (amazon.com, $12.70) 8 Habits of Love: Overcome Fear and Transform Your Life by Ed Bacon (8habitsoflove.com, Barnes & Noble, $9.99) Emotional Fitness for Couples: 10 Minutes a Day to a Better Relationship by Barton Goldsmith (amazon.com, $12.41)

Date and Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas to Connect If you are tired of the triedand-true Valentine’s Day gifts (roses and chocolate, anyone?) and you really want to surprise your loved one this Feb. 14, we suggest including one of these unusual Valentine’s Day ideas.

You can thank us later.

For the Weekend Adventurers Visit: Marfa, Texas Stay: El Cosmico elcosmico.com For the Zen Seekers Luxury Float Spa at Zero Gravity Institute zerogravityinstitute.com For the Ghost Fans Pottery Classes at ClayWays clayways.com For the Risqué Couples Boudoir Photo Session at Red Hot Boudoir redhotboudoir.com/couples For the Foodies Date Night Cooking Classes at Whole Foods Market wholecateringaustin.com For the Adventurous Indoor Skydiving at iFLY Austin austin.iflyworld.com iFLY Austin

Sometimes, for reasons beyond our power, the love of our life lives miles or hours away. If that’s your current situation, don’t despair. Keeping the flame bright can be achieved if you use your imagination and get creative. There are countless possibilities.

You can watch a movie or new TV shows simultaneously (Let’s thank Netflix and its ever-expanding options.) or perhaps play an online game together. Or if you’re the bookworm type, you can start an exclusive two-membership book club.

Trust us, in the era of connectivity, it’s impossible not to stay connected if you put in the effort and time. austinwomanmagazine.com | 33

M

ust list

Get Connected

New PlaceS, Friendly Faces

With these fun and funky activity picks, finding friends as a newly minted Austinite is as easy as finding chips, salsa and margaritas in our fair city.

By Alison Stoos According to Austin demographer Ryan Robinson and the Austin Business Journal, 110 people move to our city every day. As our not-so-small Texas town draws in more than 3,000 newly minted Austinites every month, the odds of someone you know moving to the Texas capital are in your favor. And although we pride ourselves on giving a mostly

warm (and weird) welcome, despite the worsening traffic and never-ending festival market, feeling at home in a new city can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve created a list of fun and unique ways to find your tribe when you are starting out. Some are fitness-based, others involve giving back, but each one is truly Austin, and therefore, a little weird.

The Austin Beer Run Club For those wanting to dip their toes in two of Austin’s most vibrant scenes, drinking and exercise, there’s the Austin Beer Run Club. Every Wednesday at 6:35 p.m., the club meets at Uncle Billy’s on Barton Springs Road.

An organizer discusses the course beforehand, which surmounts to the distance of a 5K. After the run, enjoy discounted brew and ’que from Billy’s as you revel in your truly Austin hobby. There’s no charge for the run and it’s open to runners of all levels.

34 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

Photo by Steve Moakley.

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Get Connected

Free Tango Nights at Russian House Austin

Volunteer at Feed My People

Tuesdays, 8:30 p.m. to midnight, Russian House Austin

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 a.m., First United Methodist Church

Those looking for a little more flair for their mingling can enjoy free tango lessons every Tuesday night, courtesy of Russian House Austin. Enjoy some delicious food, festive drinks and a vibrant atmosphere while you dance the night away. Classes are set to both DJs and live music.

BookPeople Book Club

If you’re wanting to connect while giving back to the city, consider serving breakfast to the homeless and working poor in downtown Austin. Volunteers are comprised of more than 15 religious congregations, along with others from the community, and provide emotional support and a listening ear.

Monthly, BookPeople Austin Connect with other bookworms through one of Austin’s favorite independent bookstores, BookPeople.

Regardless of your literary tastes, BookPeople has a circle for you. The numerous groups include the Required Reading Revisited club, which covers books assigned to students in high school, and The Nightmare Factory club, which tackles horror books. Check out the website to see all of the options. Book Club is free and open to all.

Volunteering for Animal Lovers Austin is consistently ranked as one of the most dogfriendly cities in the U.S., and it’s with good reason.

If you’re a recent transplant to our city, expect to get friendly with many four-legged buddies. Another local favorite, Austin Pets Alive! is a nonprofit no-kill animal shelter from which many Austinites rescue their furry best friends. Volunteer opportunities range from office work to dog behavioral training. Only a simple volunteer orientation and registration fee is required to find your loving animal tribe. And for the athletic dog lovers, you can join Rufftail Runners to walk or run the dogs out on iconic Lady Bird Lake.

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Clockwise from top: 1. Jo Malone London white jasmine and mint cologne, $120; 2. Molton Brown London water mint body wash, $30; 3. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Les Bulles d’Agathe cold mint bubbles, $20; 4. OGX hydrating teatree mint shampoo, $7.99; 5. Nest Fragrances moss and mint hand lotion, $24; 6. Dr. Teal’s Foaming Bath Relax & Relief with eucalyptus spearmint, $6.29; 7. Renpure Solutions rosemary mint cleansing conditioner, $9.49.

1., 2., 3., 5. available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com. 4., 6., 7. available at local Walgreens stores, walgreens.com.

38 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

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Left to right: Christine Knueven | ATX Ethical Fashion Coordinator and Thought Collective CMO Liz Tabish | Model Audrey Hickey | Thought Collective CEO AND ATX Ethical Fashion Stylist Leah Carter | Model

40 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

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When Tanzania resident and Thought Collective CEO Audrey Hickey started her ethical fashion company, she unknowingly planted the seed that would later take form as the ultimate ethical fashion collaboration between local clothing companies in Austin, Texas.

The Tanzania-based Thought Collective trains female Tanzanian artisans to create ethically made fashion items and is known for fostering a creative environment in which everyone’s ideas are part of the final product.

It was precisely this “collective ethical thought” that inspired Christine Knueven, Thought Collective’s marketing director, to search for Austin-based companies that shared those same ethical values, in order to complete a special photo-shoot collaboration.

First, she contacted Mitscoots, a sock company that gives away a pair of socks for every purchase made.

Left to right: Raven + Lily Neary ethnic stripe T-shirt with curry print, $21, available at Raven + Lily, 2406 Manor Road, ravenandlily.com; Thought Collective Rachel kitenge circle skirt, $49, thoughtcollectivedesign.com; Teysha Atlas riding boot, $400, available at Teysha, 1801 S. First St., teysha.is; Catherine Nicole amber wire cuff, $35, catherinenicole.com; Esperos olive classic backpack, $75, esperos.com.

Thought Collective Taylor kitenge short-sleeve button-up shirt, $49, thoughtcollectivedesign.com; Teysha men’s El Botine dark brown boots, $220, available at Teysha, 1801 S. First St., teysha.is; Mitscoots Courtney socks, $14.99, mitscoots.com; jeans, model’s own.

Thought Collective Paula kitenge zipper top, $49, thoughtcollectivedesign.com; Raven + Lily Keo upcycled long gray skirt, $44, available at Raven + Lily, 2406 Manor Road, ravenandlily.com.

austinwomanmagazine.com | 43

Thought Collective Paula kitenge zipper top, $49, thoughtcollectivedesign.com; Raven + Lily Adera short bird charm necklace, $44; Raven + Lily Adera long bird charm necklace, $82, available at Raven + Lily, 2406 Manor Road, ravenandlily.com; Catherine Nicole wire dot earrings, $35; Catherine Nicole Boho textile cuff, $40, catherinenicole.com.

Soon after, she reached out to Raven + Lily and other local companies rooted in the principles of sustainable change. The businesses jumped at the opportunity to participate in the project, and the ATX Ethical Fashion photo shoot was born.

The collaboration, which includes jewelry, bags, shoes and clothing items from local businesses Esperos Bags, Catherine Nicole, 44 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

Teysha, Fortress of Inca, Purse & Clutch, Raven + Lily and Mitscoots, promotes ethically made products spanning from head to toe.

The photo shoot, which took place at iconic Austin locations, including on East Cesar Chavez Street, Lady Bird Lake and the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, features two different looks: a casual daytime look and an elegant night-on-the-town look. The goal was to

demonstrate that it is possible to shop while making ethical fashion decisions that come from the heart.

“Every clothing item we will ever wear has a story behind it and this collaboration is and forever will be a great representation of what social businesses are capable of,” Knueven explains. “Shopping from the heart never looked and felt so good.”

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Left to right: Raven + Lily Beena eco-dyed silk dress, $340; Raven + Lily Almaz gold leaf cascade necklace, $110, available at Raven + Lily, 2406 Manor Road, ravenandlily.com; Thought Collective black Christine kimono, $59, thoughtcollectivedesign.com; Fortress of Inca Adriana Coco bootie, $230, fortressofinca.com; Catherine Nicole fair-trade cutout earrings in brass, $28, catherinenicole.com.

Thought Collective Catherine jumpsuit, $65, thoughtcollectivedesign.com; Purse & Clutch jade crossbody bag, $91, purseandclutch.com; Raven + Lily Bezu silver waning crescent tribal necklace, $54, available at Raven + Lily, 2406 Manor Road, ravenandlily.com; Fortress of Inca Reyna Agata stud wedge, $185, fortressofinca.com; Catherine Nicole fair-trade cutout earrings in silver, $28; Catherine Nicole fair-trade silver hammered cuff, $32, catherinenicole.com.

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ask ashley

From Day to Night

Quick fixes to make a smooth transition from work mode to date night.

Written, styled and modeled by Ashley Hargrove photos by rudy arocha How do you make the seamless transition from work attire to date night when there’s no extra time in the day to head home to change?

This is one of my most popular questions from clients, and as a working woman, this comes into play quite often.

Who wants to wear their drab work clothes out on a date or even to happy hour with friends? I’ve taken this question to heart and have made a very simple outline of how to achieve an easy evening look without spending more than 15 minutes refining your updated style.

First, choose clothing that can easily be layered with accessories. If you know you have something going on that evening, find a look that you can simply throw on a leather jacket or piece of statement jewelry to spice up. As you can see here, I replaced my necklace, jacket, shoes and handbag for a quick change that transitions my work look into appropriate date-night attire. These items are small enough that you can quickly grab them in the morning, throw them all in a tote and store them under your desk at work until you are ready to change.

Dresses are your best friend when it comes to versatility. Pair a dress with flats and a blazer or cardigan, and swap them out with pumps.

Now your look has gone from day to night! If your office is a little more casual, throw on a pair of dark skinny jeans with a sweater and flats. Once you’re ready to head out for the day, throw on a cute blouse or top and a pair of heels, and you’re all set.

Next, changing or adding makeup is another great way

to achieve an evening look.

Most ladies wear neutrals during the day, which are muted and not really suitable for date night. Grab a nice red lipstick and some darker shadow to apply prior to going out. If you’re not a dark eye shadow person, stick to a darker lip and that should do the trick. Adding a little blush or color on the lips is one of the easiest steps you can take to glam yourself up.

Lastly, give you hair a quick up-do. If you wore your hair down for work, throw it up into a messy ponytail or bun.

Another easy option is to braid your hair from the crown of your head down to the side. This will obviously take a little longer than just putting your hair into a messy pony, but it definitely looks fun and flirty for a night on the town!

With these types of up-dos, you don’t need to worry about bringing tools to style your hair. Just grab a ponytail holder and a few bobby pins, and you are all set.

Panacea black and gold claw necklace, $90 Alexander McQueen black and white peplum top, $1,565 Helmut Lang leather combo blazer, $645 Milly Cady stretch Hayden trousers, $345 Prada Saffiano lux black leather tote, $1,930 Valentino black patent pumps, $695 All available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com

48 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

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Ask A Designer

When DIY Goes Awry

Why you need a decorator.

By Meredith Ellis

“There never was a house so bad that it couldn’t be made into something worthwhile.”

– Elsie de Wolfe, The House in Good Taste, 1913

In the eyes of a decorator, never were truer words spoken. A decorator sees potential in the most unsettling of environments. Decorators love the challenge of a space deemed unremarkable or boring, but having the ability to see through the mess that we are sometimes handed isn’t just about a gifted eye; it’s so much more.

BREAKFAST ROOM: Before (right): This breakfast room worked functionally but lacked personality, and the light fixture was too big for the table.

After (above): This Jute light fixture is much more proportional. I also added sconces on a dimmer for mood lighting. Mixing materials like metal, wood and Jute give the room more of a unique feel, and the custom banquette makes it more inviting.

50 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

Photos courtesy of Meredith Ellis.

These days, it’s easier to play decorator since there are so many unbelievable online resources filled with limitless ideas, like Pinterest and Houzz. There are major stores like Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware that offer countless options, as well as design services.

But sometimes you get stuck. You may want your home to be more unique than what’s offered in the big chain stores. When looking at all the beautiful homes on Pinterest, you may have a hard time separating what’s realistic and what’s fantasy. Your project may also be bigger and more complicated, making you fearful to navigate the process alone.

Let me give it to you straight. Decorating isn’t just about having a great eye, or the ability to be a savvy shopper. The real value of an interior designer comes from years of experience, learning, studying and building important relationships. Realize this may be the first time you’ve attempted this. We do it time and time again. We’ve learned how to minimize the mistakes and maximize the return.

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Top Five Reasons You Need a Professional Decorator: 1. They will save you money. Decorators are not necessarily a discount. They are there to spend your money wisely. They can prevent you from making costly mistakes, which is invaluable.

2. They will save you time. They speak the language and can be a liaison between you and a contractor, architect or vendor, and make educated decisions more quickly.

3. They will create a personalized game plan for you.

A good decorator will create a floor plan that works with your budget. This will help you make calculated decisions and guide you in prioritizing purchases.

4. They have multiple resources and contacts. They have a tried-and-true list of tradespeople, contractors, painters and electricians, not to mention, they know the best places to shop!

5. They will help you curate a look for your home that is uniquely personal. They are trained to visualize the big picture from the very beginning. This means they will help you choose the appropriate scale and size of furniture and rugs. They will help you select the right paint colors and finishes, which is trickier than you might imagine. And they can help you mix styles and periods so you have a home that’s truly one of a kind and personal.

OFFICE: We took a spare bedroom and made it into an office for the husband since he works from home. It’s now not only functional, but also incorporates a lot of his favorite things and interests.

Designers’ Best-Kept Secrets: Tipler’s Lamp Shop: 1204 W. Fifth St., tiplerslampshop.com Mr. Tipler can bring an old lantern back to life or help you size a proper custom lampshade. My favorite is a hard paper cream shade, #126.

Renner Project: 3018 N. Lamar Blvd., therennerproject.com There’s nothing else like it in town. You’ll find great vintage pieces, 20th-century modern furniture and unique art.

Alexander Marchant: 1114 W. Fifth St., Suite A, alexandermarchant.com They have the best collection of door hardware. I also love the cement decorative tiles from La Granada.

Austin Antique Mall: 8822 McCann Drive, austinantiquemall.com If you’re up for the hunt, this huge antique mall carries lots of great finds. I’m always searching for pretty blue and white china.

The Antique Swan: 1009 W. Sixth St. (in Whit Hanks), antiqueswan.com

LIVING ROOM: The clients wanted their home to be comfortable and functional, but at the same time, they wanted it to be a combination of contemporary and traditional. We used the clean, modern lines of the home, and softened them with the L-shape custom sofa and pillows and a more traditional-style cabinet. A large sisal rug covering the majority of the stone floor adds warmth and pulls it all together.

He has an amazing collection of English antiques. It’s bamboo-furniture heaven, and you can always find beautiful silver accessories and antique wood boxes.

austinwomanmagazine.com | 53

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ome

Design

Fearless Decorating

Mirror, Mirror When is a mirror more than a mirror?

When it’s hung in multiples and celebrated not just for its ability to reflect, but also for its very frame. This proves the point that you don’t need money to start a collection, just intent and confidence.

– Susanna Salk Design by Fornasetti.

54 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

Reprinted with permission from Rizzoli New York. Photo by Richard Powers.

Three unique spaces with bold designs that intrigue, inspire and ignite the imagination.

One of the greatest challenges in designing your home is making it feel uniquely yours. You want it to be stylish, warm and inviting, but who wants their space to look like everyone else’s? With rave reviews from The New York Times, Luxe Interiors + Design and Lonny, Susanna Salk takes readers on an interior design adventure in her new book, Decorate Fearlessly! Using Whimsy, Confidence, and a Dash of Surprise to Create Deeply Personal Spaces.

Decorate Fearlessly!

By Susanna Salk Rizzoli New York, 2014 With inspirational how-to decorating ideas from top designers, photography by top interiors photographers and Susanna Salk’s encouraging and approachable design tips, Decorate Fearlessly! showcases rule-breaking designs, from modern to traditional and bohemian to formal.

More than 150 stunning photographs captivate and inspire, allowing the reader to reimagine their home with quirky personal touches instead of an expected, safe look.

Although some of the designs require more time and money, there are also designs that can be done on a budget to fit any reader’s income.

Salk shows readers how to utilize color and pattern effectively, and how to mix, match and accessorize exquisitely, all while keeping personal expression in mind. Organized by every room, Decorate Fearlessly! is the interior design book of 2014.

Entryway Expressions

A Tropical Retreat The bed doesn’t have to have all the fun [in the bedroom]. Why not turn the walls into an exotic cocoon by covering them with an [oversized] colorful pattern that delights rather than overwhelms?

The space is grounded by distinct pops of coral paired with a textured gold poster bed that harmonizes with the tropical theme.

– Susanna Salk Design by Kate McIntyre and Brad Huntzinger

Reprinted with permission from Rizzoli New York. Entryway photo by Eric Piasecki. Bedroom photo by Oly.

An entry hall isn’t just a place to toss your muck boots and bag. If big enough, it can also showcase art and treasures and relay, at threshold’s crossing, the owner’s personality. The careful placement of each piece gives this lofty space a formality that still feels welcoming.

– Susanna Salk Design by John Cummins

austinwomanmagazine.com | 55

G

OURMET

DINING

Valentine’s Day Food Tours

Three romantic tours for you and your loved one.

By Joleen Jernigan and Ketan Patel

Fabi + Rosi - Wagyu Steak

56 | Austin Woman | february 2015

Photo by Joel Salcido.

As a vibrant city hopping with life, plenty of green spaces and an exciting food scene, Austin offers many options for romantic evenings out. For Valentine’s Day 2015, we at Taste ATX have put together three suggested feasts for adventurous couples out and about in Austin. Each option offers a unique flavor and feel.

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DINING

A Glamorous Affair

Swift’s Attic photo by Natalie Paramore. Boca photo courtesy of Boca Spanish Fare.

Appetizer: Wink, 1014 N. Lamar Blvd. winkrestaurant.com Entree: Fabi + Rosi, 509 Hearn St. fabiandrosi.com Dessert: Swift’s Attic, 315 Congress Ave. swiftsattic.com If you want an upscale, sophisticated night with that touch of decadence your special someone deserves, and long to avoid the shackles of a prix fixe menu, this downtown/Central Austin tour will be sure to create a memorable experience.

The first stop is at a Clarksville favorite, Wink. Since it opened in 2001, Wink has been well regarded for its fine dining, new American cuisine and beautiful ambience—perfect for a romantic dinner for two.

The Wink philosophy focuses on being a “cook’s kitchen,” centered on the slow-food movement. Chef and co-owner Mark Paul recommends stopping at the wine bar across the breezeway for a quick drink and a bite to get your Valentine’s Day date started. This is sage advice, as reservations for the main dining room will be at their peak that night.

While the menu changes daily, we would pair something light and refreshing from the appetizer menu (An example from a prior menu would be the vermouth-steamed PEI mussels.) with a sparkling rosé or brut from the well-crafted wine list. You’ll be able to wake up your palate while enjoying the dimly lit, cozy room.

Next, take a short drive toward Lake Austin Boulevard and grab a table at Fabi + Rosi. The husband-and-wife duo that created this hidden Tarrytown gem is a true partnership. Wolfgang Murber called upon his German culinary foundation to help craft the classy European kitchen menu. Cassie Williamson, a native Austinite, focused on creating an inviting dining room with a crisp and modern style, complete with splashes of sparkle to deliver a space that is as distinctive as the couple.

The Beeman Ranch wagyu steak is a great entree to satisfy a larger appetite, and the Coquilles St. Jaques (scallops baked on the half shell) is a perfect dish for slightly lighter fare. The Schwarzer Adler pinot noir goes great with the steak, and the Franz Keller pinot gris pairs well with the scallops. However, if you and your partner are true Champagne aficionados, the Veuve Cliquot Reserve is $85 a bottle here, a value considering the quality and prestige of the Champagne.

After indulging in your second course, head downtown to Swift’s Attic, located upstairs from Austin jazz landmark the Elephant Room. The creators of Swift’s Attic do not hold themselves to any particular style or cuisine, rather focusing on what they call being “creative, whimsical and delicious.” This is an ideal spot to end your tour with a dessert and cocktail at the bar. Each of the $8 desserts offers a flair of elegance and refinement, something you will not soon forget. The Commander Crunch dessert is one of our all-time favorites: dark chocolate mousse, chocolate soil, chocolate tuile, commander crunch ice cream and blueberry bubbles.

It is as decadent as it is unexpected, and a great way to end the feast. Be sure to order a cocktail with dessert. They serve unique twists on classic craft cocktails that will satisfy a wide range of tastes.

After this jam-packed evening of wining and dining with your loved one, (if you still have some energy left) check out the Elephant Room downstairs and catch a jazz number before heading home.

Swift’s Attic - Commander Crunch

Boca Spanish Fare - Patatas Bravas

A Barton Springs International Excursion Appetizer: House Wine, 408 Josephine St. housewineaustin.com Entree: Boca Spanish Fare, 415 Jessie St. bocaspanishfare.com Dessert: El Alma, 1025 Barton Springs Road elalmacafe.com For a tour down the path less traveled, we have a Barton Springs area tour that would be perfect for the global jet-setters in you. This tour could even be walked if the weather allows.

For your first stop, pop into House Wine. This quaint establishment offers an array of wine, some small pastries and delightful cheeseboards.

Do not be surprised to find live music playing on the front porch.

Our recommended first course is the Mediterranean-inspired roasted mozzarella, served with an olive tapenade, sundried tomatoes and toasted baguette. The plate comes with its own mini Sterno fire, so the two of you can roast mozzarella balls over the open flame together. This is a fun activity best shared, and the ooey, gooey cheese mixed with the garnishes atop the baguette makes a beautiful meld of flavors. Pair this with any of the wines you are in the mood for to create a first course that you’ll remember for many Valentine’s Days to come. (Note: House Wine offers half off all open bottles of wine by the glass on Sunday evenings. This is a great deal, but get there early to get your pick. They run out fast.)

For your second course, head a block west to Jessie Street, and find yourself at a hidden food truck park where Boca Spanish Fare awaits you. Started by a husband-and-wife duo just last year, Boca brings you a great sampling of Spanish flavors in a casual environment. Do not be dissuaded if the weather is cold, as they will have a large fire pit roaring on Valentine’s Day evening, along with outdoor heaters. Boca also serves free sangria every Saturday night. The food truck park is BYOB, so you can always bring your favorite bottle if you’d rather, or stop by Thom’s Market on your way. We suggest trying the Patatas Bravas and any of the toasted sandwiches. The potatoes in the Patatas Bravas are perfectly crisp, and the habanero tomato sauce provides the right amount of heat.

Two of our favorite sandwiches are the Panini de Jamón (ham) and the El Pollito (chicken). The ham sandwich comes with decadent melted Brie cheese with a red wine and pear compote. The chicken sandwich is seasoned with rosemary, garlic and maple bacon spread with a lush garlic aioli. These people know their Spanish cuisine and have set up quite the formidable food truck. We would not be surprised to see a brick-andmortar endeavor in the coming year or so.

For dessert, saunter or drive a few blocks east to El Alma. This is where bold and fresh flavors come to play. The entire menu at El Alma is impressive, but we are particularly fond of the desserts. We suggest

austinwomanmagazine.com | 59

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DINING

the XO Coffee tres leches or the ancho chocolate pecan cake with ice cream. While tres leches remains a perennial standard, the coffee adds a bonus element of flavor to what may otherwise be a one-note—albeit a lovely note—dish. The chocolate pecan cake is stellar too, if you like a little heat with your sweet. The ancho chili and chocolate complement each other nicely for a treat that is indulgent and exotic, making it a solid way to end your Barton Springs global adventure.

An Eastside Farm-to-Table Outing Appetizer: Hillside Farmacy, 1209 E. 11th St. hillsidefarmacy.com Entree: Eastside Café, 2113 Manor Road eastsidecafe.com Dessert: Salty Sow, 1917 Manor Road saltysow.com/austin For a more farm-to-table-focused Eastside tour, this outing showcases some of the best of the Eastside, from old favorites to newcomers on the Austin food scene.

Start off at the lively Hillside Farmacy to begin your evening with a couple of glasses of bubbly and a dozen fresh oysters, regularly flown in from the upper East Coast. Hillside Farmacy has been a bustling Eastside fixture since they restored the old Hillside Drugstore building.

It offers three different types of oysters on any given night. For a more locally sourced start to your evening, try the Texas beef carpaccio paired with Hillside’s Rosewood lemon and rosemary fountain soda (with or without booze). Soak in the lively setting to get the night started right.

For your main course, head up to Eastside Café, an Austin classic.

Eastside Café has been charming locals and visitors since opening in 1988. It influenced the locavore movement in Austin, having used herbs and vegetables from the onsite garden from the early days.

Eastside Café photos by Nicole Mlakar. Salty Sow photo by Matt Lankes.

Salty Sow - Budino

Eastside Café - Pork Tenderloin

The ambience of the remodeled old home feels custom-made for an intimate date night, with each room in the house seating only a few tables. The inviting interior warms patrons from the inside, with the laid-back, friendly service rounding out the cozy experience. From the current regular menu, the rosemary-skewered pork tenderloin and the artichoke manicotti are excellent choices, and both can be paired nicely with selections from the wine collection. However, be sure to check out the nightly specials, as they are often well worth perusing. Of course, in true Austin fashion, Eastside Café also provides vegetarian and glutenfree options. Reservations are strongly recommended here.

For dessert, head a mere two blocks west to Salty Sow to finish up the night. A self-proclaimed gastro-pub heavy on locally sourced ingredients with a love for swine, Salty Sow is well worth the visit. You may want to make a reservation here too, especially for Valentine’s Day. To finish out your tour here with a luscious dessert, we would opt for the butterscotch budino. The budino is light in texture, packed with salted caramel flavor and topped with creme fraiche. If we are lucky enough to enjoy an early spring night on Valentine’s Day, sit on the outdoor patio to gaze at the stars with your special someone. (Note: The happy hour runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. every day, including weekends.

They offer $5 small plates and drinks from $4 to $10.)

Tips:

Make sure to plan ahead and make reservations where allowed, especially for the main courses. Remember that this can be one of the busiest nights for dates, so give yourself enough time between places and savor the food, the drinks and each other’s company. Keep in mind that if bar seating is available, especially for the appetizer and dessert courses, this may be your best bet.

Eastside Café - Artichoke Manicotti

To book a guided tour, go to tasteatx.com. austinwomanmagazine.com | 61

62 | Austin Woman | february 2015

Photo by Tricia Zeigler.

WELLNESS

TAKE A HIKE: Mayfield Park and Preserve Page 66 austinwomanmagazine.com |  63

W

ellness

HEALTH

Meditation: The Art of Connecting to Your Inner Spirit

Creating wellness from the inside out.

By jill case We make New Year’s resolutions every January, and when January has come and gone, so have most of our resolutions. Why is it so hard to keep up with these goals?

“It’s because most of us lack the mental discipline to successfully complete our New Year’s resolutions,” says Joey Klein, creator of Conscious Transformation. The answer to breaking out of that pattern and creating the change we want in 2015 lies in mindful meditation and its ability to rewire our brains.

More than 120 studies on meditation funded by the National Institutes of Health support the value of meditation.

“The research uniformly supports meditation as a powerful tool for brain health and overall wellbeing on the mental, emotional and physical levels,” Klein says. “It is hard to think of another area of science where the outcomes of such a large and diverse number of studies have been so positive and compelling.”

Recently, Harvard conducted a study that proved that meditation makes changes in the brain. Subjects had MRIs at the beginning of the study and after eight weeks of practicing meditation. After eight weeks, during which participants practiced mindful meditation for 27 minutes a day, neuroscientists found there was an increase in gray matter density in the brain in the hippocampus. This is the area of the brain that is important for knowledge and learning, as well as being associated with compassion, self-awareness and introspection.

“It is fascinating to see the brain’s plasticity and that, by practicing meditation, we can play an active role in changing the brain and can increase our well-being and quality of life,” says Britta Hölzel, author and research fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Gleissen in Germany.

How to Begin a Meditation Practice Austin Woman spoke to Joey Klein, author of The Inner Matrix: A Guide to Transforming Your Life and Awakening Your Spirit, about how and why you should begin a meditation practice. Below are his recommendations.

When people decide to start meditating, a lot of people get nervous and worry about whether they will do it right. People want to know that they’re going to be great at something before they do it, which is kind of counterintuitive because the way to get good at something is by doing it. Meditation is kind of a unique thing because you absolutely can’t do it wrong.

First, be clear about your intentions for meditating. Be mindful of setting an intention and make sure that the reason you have been meditating and the benefit you have been looking for can be accomplished.

If you’re doing the right type of meditation, it stills the mind and helps us to better manage our emotions so that when life occurs, we are much better equipped to respond in an effective way, in a way that really creates the inner experience that we would all like to have, the experience of joy and love and peace.

These three things are the areas where people will see very quick benefits, and it will be measureable for them.

When you first begin meditating, it’s best to create as still and quiet an environment as possible because initially what meditation is about is getting to know yourself and creating positive changes inside—

mentally, emotionally and physically. The fewer distractions we have around us, the easier it will be to get in touch with what’s happening within ourselves, how we think, how we feel, etc.

If you can access a teacher, a mentor or a coach in meditation, that’s absolutely best.

The analogy I give all the time is I was a martial artist for many years and competed all over the world, and if I were to watch videotapes or if I were to just watch a class to train in martial arts, I could probably do OK, but when I had that coach and I had that trainer, I accelerated my growth exponentially, and I attained levels of execution that would not have been possible if I were training by myself. If I trained by myself, I probably would have ended up hurting myself and quit, but because I had that coach, not only did I learn to do it properly, but it also accelerated my growth. Meditation is very much the same.

Our inner world is like a maze. It’s like the largest maze you’re ever going to find your way through once you start to see how the mind thinks and how the emotions feel and how we show up differently in life based on the way we’re doing meditation practice. A good meditation teacher, coach or mentor can show you how to put those things in place to accelerate your growth and also make sure that you get the results you’re looking for.

The key to meditating is to just do something, even if you just sit for five minutes a day, and to do it consistently.

It’s all about starting to build a relationship with yourself.

Joey Klein Explains the benefits of Meditation 1. Stress reduction. Meditation is great for helping to eliminate stress from one’s life. Stress is not induced by external circumstances like most people believe. Stressful events remind us of what is happening inside, and that’s what helps us to see what is going on in our mind, our own emotions.

2. Emotional management. When life happens, we experience emotions, and many people don’t know how to train their emotions. Meditation can support us to design the emotional range that we would like to be living in. It can really help us to design the emotions we would like to be experiencing in life and show up the way we would like to, regardless of what the outside circumstances look like.

64 | Austin Woman | february 2015

3. Improved health. Top-level schools are putting millions of dollars into research into meditation. What they are seeing is that it has a direct positive effect on our health and well-being in a couple of ways. It’s actually shown that six weeks of meditating 20 minutes a day in a consistent practice actually shifts our body at the level of our genes. What they’re finding is that meditation can actually turn on our genes that are responsible for disease prevention and turn off the genes that are responsible for disease causes.

Joey Klein’s Meditation Events in Austin: Joey Klein is offering the following meditation events in Austin at the Renaissance Hotel: Spiritual Mastery: March 6 Physical Mastery: June 26 - June 28 and Nov. 20 - Nov. 22 Emotional Mastery: Aug. 28 - Aug. 30 Visit joeyklein.com/conscioustransformation/programs/upcomingprograms/index.cfm for more information.

Klein is also offering a free nine-week online Inner Matrix course.

Visit joeyklein.com/conscioustransformation/programs/onlineprograms/index.cfm for more information.

Where to Meditate in Austin The Austin Yoga Meditation Group: meditationinaustin.com Austin Zen Center: austinzencenter.org

Individual, Family and Group Therapy

Our goal is to create a safe environment for girls and young women to develop self-acceptance and learn new coping skills for some of life’s most challenging years.

Chittamani Kadampa Buddhist Center: meditationinaustin.org Deborah King: austinzencenter.org Shambhala: austin.shambhala.org

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helpful tips from Joey Klein: 1. Begin with a modest time commitment. Research shows that just 15 to 20 minutes of meditating each day on a consistent basis actually alters the size of portions of the brain, the blood flow in the brain and what parts of the brain are active in any given situation.

Photo courtesy of Joey Klein.

2. Don’t worry if you have stressful thought while meditating. When you have a bad thought, acknowledge it. Don’t judge or become attached to what shows up in the mind; just be an observer of the mind’s internal function.

3. Pick a set time each day if possible. As you engage in certain activities in your daily life, your brain connects these circumstances with certain ways of being in the world. Knowing this, you can structure your mindfulness practice so the brain’s love of pattern is at work for you. Routinely practicing in the same place and at the same time of day is just one small way that we can use the fact that the brain likes pattern to support our transformative work.

Joey Klein is an internationally known personal-development expert, martial arts champion and author who travels the world teaching his technique of Conscious Transformation to support people in living happy, healthy, fulfilling lives.

For more information about Joey Klein and Conscious Transformation, visitjoeyklein.com. For tips on how to begin a meditation practice, visit austinwomanmagazine.com.

AustinTherapyForGirls.com

W

ellness

fitness

Connect With Nature

Take a walk in the great outdoors.

By Carrie Gavit

Are you looking for your next workout plan that ensures immediate results? Are you concerned with reaching your physical fitness goals? Would you like to reduce stress by connecting with the great outdoors? If you answered yes, then stop searching. Shut your computer and walk outside your front door. It’s time for a change.

Austinites are guaranteed 193 miles of paths along natural greenbelts to explore, physically and mentally. According to the National Wildlife Federation, spending time in nature not only results in better physical health, but also contributes to improving mental health. From a decrease in stress levels, anxiety and depression, to an increase in social interactions, stepping into nature for a walk, hike or bike ride is a workout plan that promises positive results.

Take a Hike

Q Enchanted Rock 16710 Ranch Road, Fredericksburg, Texas tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/enchanted-rock Looking to take away something magical from your experience with nature?

Enchanted Rock offers just that through its many myths and legends related to the Tonkawa Indians. While geologists and scientists can explain away the mystery of the creaking, groaning and flickering on top of the dome, and the glittering of the rock on clear nights, the myths and legends remain part of the fascination of Enchanted Rock.

Enchanted Rock provides a variety of opportunities for visitors to explore nature. If you prefer to view and be a part of nature without too much of the physical fitness, pack a picnic to enjoy, bring binoculars to watch birds or sign up for a star party to stargaze. Enchanted Rock offers physically challenging ways to be one with nature, from hiking and rock climbing to backpacking and camping. If you’re looking for a mental challenge, check out geocaching as well.

Whether you plan your visit to see historic sites, be one with nature or to challenge yourself physically and mentally, don’t leave before you can experience one of the magical mysteries of Enchanted Rock.

hillcountryconservancy.org The Violet Crown Hike and Bike Trail is designed to stretch 30 miles, upon completion of the three different phases.

Construction began in 2014 on the first portion of the Violet Crown Trail connecting Barton Springs Pool and Zilker Park to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the Veloway. By spring 2015, the first 5 miles stretching from Zilker Park to Brodie Lane at Highway 290 will be open to the public. In 2016, construction begins on the portion of the trail between Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the Onion Creek Management Unit. Construction is expected to take 10 years in total.

As the Violet Crown Trail combines some of Austin’s parks and preserves, it remains a priority for the Hill Country Conservancy to work toward protecting existing parkland, causing minimal impact and maintaining water quality.

Upon completion, the network of public trails will create spaces for Austinites to access nature and hiking and biking paths in their own backyards. Use the Violet Crown Trail for your daily commute to work, as an active way to catch up with a friend, for your speed-walking, running and biking workouts or as a peaceful opportunity to stay in touch with Austin and its nature.

66 | Austin Woman | february 2015

Mayfield Park and Preserve 3505 W. 35th St. mayfieldpreserve.org Mayfield Park and Preserve is a public park that combines the beauty of nature with hiking trails in its 23 acres. The park has been open to Austinites since 1971, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. When wandering through the park, visit the historic cottage, roam the 2 acres of cottage gardens and be sure to find a peacock or two. Surrounding the park, the preserve offers wildlife habitat and hiking trails occupying 21 acres. Choose one of the three trailheads: the Front Main Kiosk, the Chimney Swift Tower or the Bell Trail Arch to begin your hike. Come prepared to cross water on stepping stones, view Lake Austin and enjoy the overlook deck. Bring a picnic along to make your hike complete.

If you’re interested in helping maintain and preserve the park after your visit, join Mayfield Preserve’s family-friendly workdays the second Saturday of every month, or contact the Friends of Mayfield Preserve for more opportunities.

Mayfield photo by Tricia Zeigler. Enchanted Rock photo by Brian Stewart.

Violet Crown TraiL

Photos by Michael Strycharske courtesy of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department.

Get Outside

W Lady Bird Lake In downtown Austin, Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail covers 10 miles bordering Lady Bird Lake. Walk, run, bike or jog along this trail for your daily workout with a friend. Its convenient location allows you to spend time in nature without leaving the heart of Austin. Stop by Barton Springs Pool or Zilker Park before or after your time on the trail.

Red Bud Isle 3401 Redbud Trail Head out to Red Bud Isle to experience a unique trail located on an island on the Colorado River. The trail circles the island, with many angles of the views of Austin.

This trail is dog- and bike-friendly. Fishing and kayaking are other popular activities you can enjoy at Red Bud Isle.

Pease district Park 1100 Kingsbury St. Located within the Shoal Creek Greenbelt in downtown Austin, Pease Park covers 42 acres. Pease Park not only offers trails to hike, but also provides other ways to interactively exercise. From barbeque pits to volleyball courts, picnic tables and basketball courts, Pease Park is an ideal location for a day spent with family and friends.

austinwomanmagazine.com |  67

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By Shelley Seale Photos by Annie Ray

Natalie

Madeira Cofield The president and CEO of the Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce talks about taking calculated risks and thinking outside the box to lead and grow the organization.

I

n life, you have to take risks to achieve rewards, says Natalie Madeira Cofield. It’s a mantra that she has lived by, and the rewards she has attained are proof.

Originally from Rochester, N.Y., Cofield was ambitious from a young age, graduating from high school and entering college at just 16 years old. After obtaining an honors degree in information systems from Howard University and graduating from the Baruch School of Public Affairs in New York, Cofield found inspiration at the nexus of business, community and politics.

“I became inspired by the role of minority businesses in under-served communities as a teen while working as a mail clerk, admin-

istrative assistant and printing aid for an industrial company listed as a Black Enterprise 100,” she says.

Cofield carved a niche for herself as an entrepreneur, advocate, economic development director and speaker on all things startup and diversity, working in tech, nonprofit and international development.

She has been a keynote speaker for such high-profile global companies as IBM, Dell, Applied Materials, Google and Facebook.

In 2010, she testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship and authored The Pursuit of Entrepreneurship: A Guide for African American Entrepreneurs.

It’s all pretty impressive for a woman who was not yet 30.

Styled by Ashley Hargrove | Makeup by Lauren Lumsden | Hair by Gena Whalon

austinwomanmagazine.com | 69

Her Journey To Austin In 2011, Cofield was living in Washington, D.C., and running her own consulting firm when Austin came calling. The Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce was looking for a new president, and a member of the board of directors thought Cofield would be a perfect fit.

“At the time, I was adamant about not moving from Washington, D.C.,” admits Cofield, now 33. “It was a move to be a community leader in a community I knew nothing about. I knew no one here. I had no friends or family nearby.”

She visited the city for one day during her interview process and began doing some research. The Silicon Hills tech environment was appealing, and Cofield says Austin seemed like a fun city in which to live.

“I knew it wouldn’t be D.C., LA or New York; it would be like nothing I’d ever experienced before. I had made a name for myself in D.C., and I saw the opportunity to do the same thing here and to demonstrate my capacity to be a turnaround CEO,” she says. “The opportunity seemed like such a great chance for me as a young woman of color to give back to a fast-growing city.”

Still, Cofield admits the move was a very trying experience.

“I was extremely lonely at times, and often cried myself to sleep at night,” she says, adding that she also had to adjust her professional expectations. “I came here thinking that what I did in D.C., I would do in Austin. But I realized I had to develop relationships and connections first. I had to understand the culture here. I was really brought to my knees.”

#IAmBlackAustin Campaign

#IAmBlackAustin is an interactive diversity campaign highlighting the multi-dimensional expression of black life in Austin. The individuals represented in these images have contributed to establishing a community for African-Americans in a city that is rapidly gentrifying the Eastside, where the majority of them have lived and worked.

The collection of photos will serve as a visual historic reference that reclaims a space that would otherwise be forgotten.

The campaign is designed to connect with 25- to 45-yearolds who are moving to and leaving Austin by giving them a sense of relevancy and connection to the broad Austin eclectic community. It is an ongoing annual campaign that will highlight individuals throughout the course of the year, with the digital exhibit changing on a quarterly basis to feature new portraits.

To nominate someone, go to austinbcc.org/iamblackaustin.

70 | Austin Woman | february 2015

Turning The Black Chamber Around Despite the challenges, she quickly made it work, rehabilitating the entire chamber organization.

When Cofield joined the GABC, she was the youngest president of a black chamber in the country for a Top 15 city.

In less than five years, she led the GABC from a struggling organization to the largest black chamber in the state, and she is now the most tenured president among the state of Texas’ large cities. Today, the GABC has more than 400 members and has been covered by The New York Times, Fast Company and the Austin Business Journal, among others.

“I have really been able to blend all my previous experiences in my current role as president and CEO for the Greater Austin Black

Chamber of Commerce,” Cofield says. “My job is to be an advocate for small-business development and creation in Austin. We work with local companies to help them grow and expand nationally and internationally to assist the city of Austin with relocation of businesses to the region. The chamber helps to give a voice to the black business community, whether they may or may not be present.”

One way the chamber is doing that is with a new diversity initiative, #IAmBlackAustin, which launched in January. This is a digital and social-media campaign designed to highlight the multidimensional aspect of black life in Austin.

“We are only 8 percent of the population here,” Cofield says. “#IAmBlackAustin is meant to change the paradigm of thought.

It says, ‘I see you, black paddle-boarder on Lake Austin. I see you, black BMX rider.’ As Austin grows, there’s a need for a new narrative, one that still can include the old narrative.”

Cofield says the biggest threat to entrepreneurial activity in any community is a declining population.

“This is the situation we have with Austin’s declining black community. We, as a community, must work to reverse this trend. I do believe that there are great opportunities for businesses in Austin.

Research shows that African-American businesses in Austin are faring better in revenues than their counterparts in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.”

Technology and Austin’s Connection to the Global Community In recognition of the fact that Austin has become one of the fastestgrowing technology markets in the country, Cofield has worked to establish Austin as a mecca for minorities in technology through aggressive national outreach campaigns and the cultivation of strong relationships within the Austin technology ecosystem. She led the GABC in founding the Austin Black Technology Council, and won the Google Diversity Evangelist of the Year Award in 2013.

The BTC’s mission is to accelerate engagement and entrepreneurship, identify and share best practices throughout the industry and encourage inclusivity and representation among black technology professionals in the greater Austin region. Technology members were featured on the cover of Black Enterprise magazine in a special issue that highlighted the city of Austin.

Given the chamber’s focus on the African-American and African diaspora communities, it also has a mission of connecting Austin to global markets, including South Africa, Kenya and Brazil. In 2012, the chamber signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding with Sao Paulo-based Zumbi Dos Palmares, the first university focused on African descendants in South America. In 2013, it created the South By Southwest African Diaspora Fellowship, designed to create a bridge between the two growing technology economies of Austin and Nairobi, Kenya, bringing Nivi Mukherjee and Simeon Oriko from Kenya to attend the South By Southwest Interactive Festival.

Women Entrepreneurs of Color “My mom has always been a great source of inspiration and motivation for me,” Cofield says. “When I was a little girl, I would read her business plans, and she has always entrepreneurially inspired me.”

Other role models include Alexis Herman, U.S. secretary of labor under President Clinton, and Madame C.J. Walker, the first self-made female CEO and millionaire in the history of the United States.

“I would often read Madame Walker’s biography because, for the time in which she lived, she did really amazing things that inspired generations of women to come,” she says.

Natalie Madeira Cofield’s Favorite Things to Do in Austin: R Running around Lady Bird Lake R Boating at Lake Austin R Hosting people at her place R Brunching R Going to all the concerts and festivals Austin has to offer R Having a drink at the W Hotel

R Alexander McQueen ultramarine blazer, $2,085; Alexander McQueen black and white dress, $2,345, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com.

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In the footsteps of these inspiring women, Cofield founded Walker’s Legacy in 2009. The organization acts as an ecosystem for Women Entrepreneurs of Color, a professional collective that works to promote the career advancement, skill sets and networks of women in business and women entrepreneurs.

Women who engage with Walker’s Legacy, affectionately known as Walkers, are women who aspire to start their own businesses or are looking to enhance their knowledge of achieving success in corporate America and their network of like-minded progressive women. Walker’s Legacy provides these women with a support group, and empowering and educational programming that has featured former female mayors, award-winning journalists and authors, Forbes-ranked businesswomen and entrepreneurs from throughout the country. It currently operates in five U.S. cities and has been featured in national outlets, including Fast Company and Black Enterprise.

Being a Role Model Cofield’s resume speaks for itself in terms of role-model material.

Cofield serves on the board of the CleanTX Foundation; Biodrill, a renewable energy technology firm; and is a member of the President’s Council for the U.S. Black Chamber Inc. In 2013, she was named the Technology Diversity Evangelist of the Year by Google

About the Austin Black Chamber The Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce (GABC) promotes the development of African-American businesses and the expansion of the greater Austin business community by providing resources, technical assistance and leadership on policy issues that enhance economic growth and by promoting convention and tourism.

GABC signature programs: Annual Small Business Award Gala.

The event recognizes the accomplishments of and provides visibility for outstanding business owners and professionals.

Procurement Series. These workshops feature talks on a wide variety of topics that are helpful for anyone involved with a business, from owners and managers to entry-level employees.

Economic Development Missions.

Each year, the Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce conducts two economic-development missions, with the goal of increasing international business opportunities for minority businesses and marketing the Austin community abroad. Economic-development missions may be closed or open to members of the chamber, and notification is provided in advance.

Evening Networking/Breakfasts.

These events provide an opportunity for members and sponsors to network with each other. On occasion,

GABC Upcoming Events Google Supplier Diversity Roadshow Feb. 4, 1 to 3 p.m. Free Google office, 9606 N. Mopac Expressway For more information, visit austinbcc.org/events/ supplier-diversity-roadshop.

SXSW Black Technology Council Community Meetup Feb. 5, 6 to 8 p.m.

George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St. For more information, visit facebook.com/austinbtc.

Black History Month Concert Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m. Free

72 | Austin Woman | february 2015

and one of the Top 10 Natalie Madeira Cofield’s Black Innovators by Recommended Books: MVMT50, an initiative of South By Southwest.

The 4 Hour Workweek In 2012, she was named On Her Own Ground: The Life a 20-30 Something to and Times of Madame Watch in Austin, C.J. Walker Texas, by Austin Lean In: “This was a Monthly. great book on women Cofield is exand leadership, but tremely cognizant of the truth is my mother being a young, profeshas been my greatest sional woman of color. book ever.”

While she looks up to her own role models, she definitely feels the responsibility of being a role model herself to others who come down the path behind her.

“I wanted to be able to show young people around the country that you can achieve great things by taking on challenges,” she says. “I knew I could make my career into whatever I wanted it to be; it all depended on what I invested in it. This gives me the opportunity to inspire other people. I’m hoping that millennials will look at me and say, ‘I can have an amazing career and do good in the community at the same time.’ ”

other groups are invited to attend to expand these opportunities.

South By Southwest. The interactive programming spotlights blacks in technology during the annual Austin interactive festival in March.

State of Black Business. This program features business experts and leaders as they discuss the state of African-American businesses within the Central Texas region, including statistics and facts.

State of Black Education in Austin.

An in-depth analysis of AfricanAmerican students’ education in Austin is explored and reported.

A commitment to improving the landscape and providing a rich talent pool is the focus.

Butler School of Music at the University of Texas, Bates Recital Hall For more information, visit music.utexas.edu, or call 512.471.5401.

Folktales’ Black Women’s Literary Society Feb. 20, 6 p.m.

George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St. For more information, email folktaleslitsociety@hotmail.com.

Black Elected Officials Reception Feb. 23, 6 to 8 p.m.

Google Fiber Space, 201 Colorado St. For more information, visit austinbcc.org/events/ black-elected-officials-reception.

Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce 912 E. 11th St. 512.459.1181 austinbcc.org

The African American Cultural and Heritage Facility The African American Cultural and Heritage Facility is an active reminder of the City of Austin’s long-term commitment to protecting and enhancing the quality of life for African-Americans. The cultural and heritage facility fosters development of cultural activities, business opportunities and the essence of what it means to be a community.

The center houses the city’s Office of Arts & Cultural Resources, the Greater Austin Black Chamber and the DedrickHamilton House Visitors Center. The little yellow house in front is quite special. Built about 1880, the house was owned by Thomas Dedrick, one of the first freed slaves in Travis County. It was honored with a Preservation Award in 2013, recognizing the work to restore the historic house and contribute to revitalizing 11th Street in East Austin.

“Our city’s quality of life is enhanced by a dedication to preserving its history,” Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole says. “The Dedrick-Hamilton House recognizes the rich and unique African-American experience in Austin and is deserving of this great recognition.”

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austinwomanmagazine.com | 73

engage > celebrate > support > connect

Looking back at a magazine

born to Connect with the women of Austin

hy do we do what we do? That is a question I get asked a lot, and admittedly, one I have asked myself more than a few exhausted evenings. The answer that always comes is simple: Since the inception of Austin Woman in 2002, it has been our mission to engage, celebrate, support and connect the women of Austin.

There is always the temptation to swerve out of our lane to broaden our reach, attract more advertisers and more out-of-towners, but in the end, we know that beyond all the hype of being all things to all people, there are these amazing women creating companies, generating life-changing ideas and products, giving of themselves for the greater good of the community and traveling the world to bring that special connectivity that Austin has— and Austin women create—to women throughout the world. Now, that’s something to celebrate.

Our readers and the women we feature on the pages of the magazine are the most engaged change-makers in the city. I know, for my money, that’s who I want to do business with, that’s who I want talking about me and my business and that’s who I want to serve. Austin women show up. It’s as simple as that at its core. And when they show up, Austin Woman magazine is there to facilitate connections on a deeper level and record this amazing history of powerful and passionate women transforming lives and the city we all love so much.

So that’s why we do what we do. And to showcase that, we’ve brought together women whose stories of connectivity and the relationships they have fostered through our network embody our core mission.

— Melinda Garvey, Austin Woman founder and publisher

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Illustration by Sarah Quatrano.

W

engage > celebrate > support > connect

Six Degrees of Austin Woman

Hand to Hold A preterm birth is defined as a birth before 37 weeks of gestation.

In the United States, one in eight babies is born preterm. Premature birth is the leading cause of death among newborns and can lead to lifelong disabilities. And prematurity doesn’t just cause stress for the baby, but for the parents as well. They can suffer from depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

For Austin’s Kelli Kelley, not only did she have to suffer this heartbreaking experience, but she had to go through it twice, once with each of her children. On her website, handtohold.org, Kelley writes, “Although my husband and I were surrounded by friends and family that showered us with cards, prayers, gifts and meals after the birth of our children, I truly never felt so alone. I searched for support groups and participated in online discussions, but still there was a void. I struggled to identify doctors and therapists. I searched for information about preemie health and development. I longed for someone to hold my hand and light my way. Thus came the inspiration for Hand to Hold, a peer-to-peer support network for seasoned parents of preemies (Helping Hands) and parents in need of support.”

Kelley was introduced to Melinda Garvey, Austin Woman founder and publisher, at an AW luncheon.

“I knew Melinda had a great reputation for helping nonprofits in Austin grow strategically, and wanted to seek her input and advice on the growth plan for Hand to Hold,” Kelley says. “She graciously agreed to meet me for coffee and then agreed to co-chair a For the Love of Babies campaign for Hand to Hold with Meredith Bagan. Together, we raised more than $100,000 in support of the mission of Hand to Hold.”

Meredith Bagan

Carla McDonald

For the Love of Babies Event Co-Chair

Kristin Armstrong

Former AW Cover Woman Honorary co-Chair, Hand to Hold Baby Shower

Former AW Cover Woman Keynote Speaker, Hand to Hold Baby Shower

“Kelli Kelley and I met about seven to eight years ago through our work with the March of Dimes via both of our children being born premature. Melinda reached out to me after meeting Kelli, wanting to help her create additional revenue avenues for Hand to Hold. My husband and I became involved on a smaller scale with Hand to Hold in its conception, but Melinda and I joined together to start an actual fundraising starting place for Kelli, hosting a Snow Ball party to get the ball rolling, and hosting the first annual dinner at Mercury Hall last year. I have tried mainly to be a supportive friend, sponsor and ear through Kelli’s perseverance and dedication to Hand to Hold.”

“Kelli reached out to me several years ago after reading about me in Austin Woman. We met for coffee and have been friends ever since, meeting regularly to talk about ways to raise awareness and funds for her wonderful organization, Hand to Hold. I was delighted when she took the leap last year and held her first major fundraiser, and honored to serve as its honorary chair. Kelli is an amazing woman who is changing the lives of countless families in the Austin area. I’m so grateful to Austin Woman for bringing us together.”

“Thirteen years ago, when I was pregnant with twins, everyone braced me for the fact that my babies would probably spend time in the NICU. Although my girls ended up being born full term for twins and had no NICU stay, my best friend, Paige, had a baby girl born early and weighing only 3 pounds. Precious Layne spent time in the NICU. In fact, that is where I first met her. I reached into the plastic crib and she gripped my finger with her teeny, tiny hand. I will never forget that or the way the kindness and wisdom of the people there blessed my friend and her family. So when I had an opportunity to help Hand to Hold, my heart was already there—all in.”

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Kelli Kelley + Hand to Hold

Kelley photo courtesy of Hand to Hold. McDonald photo by Tania Quintanilla. Armstrong photo by Kristi Dunlap.

By Megan Russell

Austin Woman Gives Back Three local organizations share how the connection with Austin Woman supports their mission and benefits the community.

By Rachel Merriman

Executive Director, GENaustin genaustin.org On GENaustin’s mission: “Our mission is to help girls navigate the unique pressures of girlhood. A lot of our efforts focus on girl-specific programs where girls can get in a circle and tell each other practical ways to address issues they face every day, and giving them permission to talk about those issues in a safe space.”

On the visibility AW provides: “I can’t tell you how many women say that they wish they had GENaustin when they were growing up when they hear about us. I think the audience that Austin Woman reaches is the same audience that really identifies with our mission and the challenges the girls we’re serving are dealing with.

It’s been a great avenue to reach that group of women and get our message across to them.”

On her experience as an AW cover woman: “It was really rewarding to go through the interview process and answer questions about how I live my life and how it relates back to GENaustin’s mission. I got tons of mail, emails and phone calls from people who read the article and wanted to let me know they were excited about GENaustin and thought that it was a really great contribution to the community and wanted to support us. It was great visibility for the organization.”

On AW’s philanthropic focus: “The partnership between Austin Woman and the nonprofits in our community resulted in awareness that Austin Woman is a philanthropic entity. When those nonprofits get highlighted in the magazine, it means that those organizations have somehow touched the hearts of those behind the scenes at Austin Woman, and that’s meaningful for readers.”

On the connection between AW and GENaustin: “One year, a writer from Austin Woman came out and interviewed a girl we were featuring in our spread for the We Are Girls Conference.

The girl talked about some bullying she’d experienced and also some challenges she’d faced with her family. I watched that connection between the writer and the girl, and it was a precious moment for me because I learned something about the girl we were serving because of that interview. Years later, the girl was adopted, and when I went to the adoption at the courthouse, I saw the writer there. That day the writer came to interview her really mattered. Austin Woman writers have told GENaustin’s story and the powerful stories of the girls we serve through the magazine. There’s a lot of gratitude on our end for that.”

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Lisa Alfaro

Communications Director, American Heart Association Capital Area Division heart.org/austin, goredforwomen.org On the mission of Go Red for Women: “Go Red for Women is a national movement that empowers women to take their health into their own hands. The first Friday in February is National Wear Red Day. We encourage women to wear red to spread awareness, and share with their loved ones and friends the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke.”

On Austin Woman’s partnership with the American Heart Association: “Austin Woman has been such a great advocate in helping us spread our message and spread awareness. We have reached so many women though the magazine and we wouldn’t be where we are right now without that partnership.”

On AW as a platform for survivors: “I used a photo of one of our survivors in an advertisement in Austin Woman last year. When I met with her earlier this year, she told me it was the proudest moment of her life knowing that she got to come out as a survivor in Austin Woman.”

On AW’s support for Circle of Red: “Circle of Red is a subcommittee of Go Red for Women that leads fundraising efforts for us.

Every year, Korey Howell Photography does a photo spread in Austin Woman that showcases all of the Circle of Red members.”

On Publisher Melinda Garvey’s support: “Her support just goes above and beyond what anybody does for us, and I know it’s because of her passion for the organization. When I talk to her, I can see her genuine interest for the cause. She says, ‘Tell me what you want to do this year, and let’s talk about what we can do together to make it happen,’ because she cares.”

Cuba photo by Annie Ray.

Julia Cuba Lewis

engage > celebrate > support > connect

Lolis Garcia-Baab

Director of Marketing and Communications, Girl Scouts of Central Texas gsctx.org On the mission of Girl Scouts of Central Texas: “The mission of GSTX is to build girls of courage, confidence and character and to make the world a better place.”

On AW’s support for GSCTX: “We are primarily a volunteer-run organization, so we look to the community for support in order to further our mission. Austin Woman has been a tremendous supporter of the Girl Scouts. They help us publicize our fundraising events and do a campaign for us covering the women we recognize as Women of Distinction every year. The magazine supported our STEM panel we held last May, and [Publisher] Melinda [Garvey] is one of the founders of Juliet’s Circle, a sustainable giving circle for our council. Austin Woman has never said no to us. We’re so grateful for their amazing support.”

On the importance of highlighting women leaders in the community: “Austin Woman and the Girl Scouts recognize and value the same women: women who are visionaries, women who are outspoken and stand for something, women who are trailblazers, women who are courageous in the face of insurmountable odds. We want our girls to grow up to be strong, powerful women, so we want to show them what a strong, powerful woman looks like. That mission is very symbiotic between our two organizations.”

On the importance of local magazines: “It’s important to have an outlet like Austin Woman supporting the community because the community needs a voice. Media sources tend to reflect their leadership, and AW certainly reflects its leadership. Melinda and [Editor-in-Chief] Deborah [Hamilton-Lynne] are advocates for women, our community and for causes that are affecting positive change. And because they are, so is their magazine.”

volunteer hours contributed

by Austin Woman staff in 2014

7

$10,000

value of small-business grant package awarded each year

Garcia-Babb photo by Korey Howell.

small-business grants given since 2007

12

$70,000+

raised for local nonprofits through AW launch parties during the past 12 years

$55,000

$15,000

raised by the ATX Man Golf Classic in 2014

average cash and in-kind donations given to charitable causes each month

launch parties thrown in 2014, with proceeds benefiting local nonprofits

125

nonprofit events sponsored in 2014

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GENAUSTIN | go red for women | GIRL SCOUTS

AW Gives Back: By the Numbers 900+

The Business Connection Business owners share how the connection with Austin Woman benefits them personally and professionally.

By Rachel Merriman

Courtney Santana Sanchez Cherie Mathews

Founder and CEO of Healincomfort

HEALINCOMFORT | SOBER MONKEYS | SURVIVE2THRIVE | RAE COSMETICS

“There are no words to describe how incredibly unique and powerful Austin Woman is. It is so much more than a magazine; it’s a community of entrepreneurs and businesswomen gathering to cheer each other on.

“Austin Woman was absolutely my launch pad of confidence. When you’re a new entrepreneur, you run on excitement and a little bit of fear. I was awarded the smallbusiness grant [at the AW anniversary event] in 2010. When I went up onstage with my vision to make a change for all women, 500 attendees leapt to their feet and applauded.

Shortly afterwards, I started getting requests for interviews. I haven’t slowed down since I stood on that stage.

“It takes a village to raise an entrepreneur; you just can’t do it alone. You have to have your sisterhood, and that’s what Austin Woman provides for me. I have some of the most unbelievable, world-changing mentors because of Austin Woman and I can turn to my core posse—Melinda Garvey, Lisa Copeland, Korey Howell and Lisa Beth Thomas—at any time of the night to get help.”

Connect with Cherie: healincomfort.com facebook.com/healincomfort | @healincomfort Read more about Cherie at austinwomanmagazine.com/articles/cherie-mathews.

Executive Director of Survive2Thrive Foundation and Successful Vocalist “After I appeared on the cover, people often made that connection and recognized me. It’s opened several doors for me. I get a lot of support I didn’t even know I had. I get emails all the time saying, ‘I read your article in Austin Woman,’ or ‘I saw you on the cover.’ The magazine is one of the best connection points I’ve had in a very long time.

“Austin Woman has provided me several opportunities to be a mentor and also to be mentored. I’ve met women who are so inspiring and show me different ways to look at business. I’ve ended up becoming somewhat of a mentor to other women, which is mind-blowing because I feel like I don’t have enough experience under my belt to be anybody’s mentor, but I’ve developed some relationships where my knowledge has benefited other people.

“Austin Woman is probably the most powerful network of women in Austin. Everybody that comes to the table [at AW events] is some sort of entrepreneur or in a high position in a corporation; they’re very connected women who know the need for a women-centered community where everyone supports each other.”

Connect with Courtney: courtneysanchez.net | facebook.com/courtneysanchezmusic facebook.com/survive2thrivefoundation Read more about Courtney at austinwomanmagazine.com/articles/courtney-santana.

Rochelle Rae

Founder of Rae Cosmetics

Angie Brinkley

“The month the cover story about me was published was the busiest month at Rae Cosmetics we’ve had so far. I think it’s time to do it again!

“When Sober Monkeys was featured in the magazine after I won the small-business grant, a ton of people learned about us.

It added legitimacy to the business and people took us a lot more seriously. And we didn’t have a lot of money to advertise, so it was the one thing that really pushed us over into getting new clientele.

“The Austin Woman anniversary event and the luncheons are great. I always leave inspired to be a better person. They really have some great panels of amazingly talented, successful and knowledgeable women who can inspire us all, whether you have a small business of your own or not.

Founder and CEO of Sober Monkeys

“I’ve met a lot of people who have helped me grow my business through Austin Woman, but [publishers] Melinda and Christopher were probably the strongest people I connected with. They’re very giving and they do a lot for you if they believe in what you do. They were very supportive after I won the award. They helped me a lot by being so encouraging, giving me ideas or suggesting different ways of doing things.”

Connect with Angie: sobermonkeys.com facebook.com/sobermonkeys | @sobermonkeys Read more about Angie at austinwomanmagazine.com/articles/angie-brinkley.

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“Women like [entrepreneur and founder of EBW2020] Ingrid Vanderveldt and [general manager of FIAT of Austin] Lisa Copeland, what they say and do pushes me to try and learn something new or take a different direction I may not have thought of before.

“I feel that in the Austin Woman community, we’re all mentors to each other. We all come from different backgrounds, made different mistakes and had different successes. We can all learn from each other.

“Austin Woman has been so helpful in featuring our new products.

They really try to keep us in the public eye by involving us in the magazine as much as possible in little ways, in addition to our advertisements.”

Connect with Rochelle: raecosmetics.com | facebook.com/raecosmetics @raecosmetics | @rochellerae Read more about Rochelle at austinwomanmagazine.com/articles/rochelle-rae.

Four women form a lasting friendship at an Austin Woman anniversary event.

Shot on location at Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, 401 W. Second St., 512.494.1500, lambertsaustin.com.

By Rachel Merriman, photo by Dustin Meyer When Marcia Smith, Stephanie Samuels, Sonia Molad-Einstein and Jan Kosmal arrived at the 2013 Austin Woman anniversary event, none of them knew exactly what the day would bring. Smith, MoladEinstein and Kosmal had all recently moved to Austin and hoped the anniversary event would be a good way to meet new friends.

“I was new here, so I wanted to go just to meet other women,” Smith says.

“I saw [an advertisement for the event] in the magazine while sitting at my car dealership and thought it would be a fun thing to do. I really didn’t know anybody to go with, but that’s how you meet people,” says Molad-Einstein, who is originally from Bulgaria and previously lived in Houston before moving to Austin. “I never really looked for that ethnic connection.

I was trying to reach out to American friends so I could learn and understand the culture.”

Samuels, who works for Lowe’s Home Improvement, was drawn to the anniversary event for business-networking purposes.

“I saw it as an opportunity for me to go and make connections for business, but it turned out to be something different,” Samuels remarks.

Seated next to each other at the same table, Kosmal and Smith quickly discovered they were both from St. Louis, Mo., but had never crossed paths. The two soon became fast friends with Samuels, who

was sitting nearby. Later in the day, Molad-Einstein approached the three of them at a makeup counter, thinking the women were a close-knit group, even though the three had just met hours before.

“I complimented them on their style and told them they looked like best friends forever,” Molad-Einstein remembers.

Before the event came to an end, the four women exchanged contact information and met for lunch just a week later.

“To meet three new friends at the same time, I never have that happen,” Kosmal remarks. “It was important for me to immediately connect and share contact information because, otherwise, you can easily lose that connection.”

“It was just meant to be for us to meet,” Smith adds. “We’ve gotten to be such good friends.”

During the past year, the group has organically evolved into an active social group of women called the Austin Woman Angels. The group has a wide span of lifestyles and ages; the youngest group member is 26.

“We had some women come up at events and say, ‘Can I join your group? You look like a lot of fun!’ ” Kosmal says.

Though they first formed their group in the spirit of friendship, each of the four original Austin Woman Angels is involved with a variety of local charities and nonprofits, and the group has become a way to share the causes that are important to each of them with the larger group.

The group uses the Rallyhood platform

developed by former Austin Woman cover woman Patti Rogers (featured on Page 84) to communicate with members and organize meetups, events and small groups to attend charity events together.

“Any time you go to a charity event, you don’t want to go by yourself,” Samuels says. “And even though we’re all very different, they came out and supported the things I was involved in.”

In addition to banding together to give to charitable causes, the group also enjoys going out together to have fun and enjoy Austin’s unique culture and nightlife.

Most recently, the four gathered with significant others and close friends to celebrate New Year’s Eve together.

“I have a tendency to work too much, so with them around, it kind of made it a priority for me to show up to events. Believe it or not, I wasn’t always this social!”

Samuels says with a laugh.

“It’s so refreshing to be with a wonderful group of women. We always have a great time. We’re all very busy, so it’s nice to have that balance and be able to go out to socialize and de-stress,” Kosmal says.

“It’s all about being able to call somebody up and meet somewhere. That kind of connection is good for us mentally and emotionally; it’s comforting and it feels good. We all need that,” Smith says.

Molad-Einstein, however, gets the final word on the power of female friendship.

“I recently read somewhere,” she says, “that to be successful, a man needs a woman, and a woman needs a girlfriend.”

From left to right: Jan Kosmal, Stephanie Samuels, Marcia Smith and Sonia Molad-Einstein

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engage > celebrate > support > connect

The Austin Woman Angels

O

pposite sex

memo from jb

Making It to the Empty-Nest Phase

Connecting through a common goal.

By JB Hager, photo by Mark Payne

The toddler years are so wonderful. There are so many moments, so many milestones: crawling, first steps, first birthday, pictures in the bluebonnets, playdates, pre-school pictures and plays. I could go on and on.

Alas, they start going to school all day. I call this the “oh, $#!t” moment. Everyone has settled in. There is work, school and homework. Rinse, lather, repeat.

You and your spouse have been so focused on every one of these family-building steps, and you look up at each other and ask, “Who are you?”

Now, there is a massive gap to fill where you are all, as Matthew McConaughey would say, just livin’. This is the gap where, from The early years are easy. The endorphins my observation, couples fall apart. They’ve are rushing and you’re full of the emotions run out of tangible goals to keep them of falling in love. You don’t yet know each interested and often figure out they have other’s flaws, like he snores or she is a wanted nothing in common, other criminal in seven other states. It’s pure bliss. than wanting an engagement, Then come the engagement, the jewelry, marriage, house, furniture, the setting of the wedding date and telling replacement furniture, a all your friends your wedding is going to be baby and some pictures in different. It’s going to be fun. It rarely is, but the bluebonnets. Statistics that’s another story for another day. show that couples are The focus then moves to the first home actually happiest as empty purchase. nesters. The My wife trick is to fill We’re pregnant! A whole new level and I spent of bliss, scheduling and things to do! that 12-year gap countless from toddler to days going college with— out for Saturday coffee and driving around wait for it—a common goal. for hours looking at homes and picturing our I see this happen again dream life together. It’s probably the most and again with people time we’ve ever spent together, just the two around me. The boredom of us. sets in or they think to The next step is that you will need to themselves, “Is this it?” furnish your house. You’ll be so anxious to If you are in that 12-year do it, you’ll rush into purchasing mediocre gap right now between the furniture to meet your deadline of your kids being in school all day housewarming. A year later, you’ll wonder and leaving for college, here why you purchased all this crap, laugh is my challenge to you: find about it and spend the next two years slowly a common interest and an replacing everything. agreed-upon goal.

We’re pregnant! A whole new level of bliss, My wife and I are in the scheduling and things to do! Announcements, middle of this gap. There showers and painting the baby’s room are have been some easier years, just a fraction of the things on your to-do list. like when we had the mutual Your toughest moment is trying to decide goal of running a marathon whether to decorate the baby’s room with a or the year we planned a Lion King or choo-choo train theme. family trip to Europe. Then

I am in no way a person to dole out advice with any sort of merit or credibility. However, I tend to observe people most of the time. Often, my wife will jab me in the ribs and tell me to quit staring. I do it because I find people fascinating. Through 17 years of marriage and by observing many others, some of them closely, some not so closely, I think I have a better understanding of when and why people have a close connection and why some marriages fall apart. Sometimes it’s just a lack of connection during those “gap years,” which I’ll explain.

80 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

there were the not-so-successful years, like the year she learned Pilates and I learned just how long it takes cheese and beer to become a permanent addition to my waistline.

This reminds me of one couple I observed last year. Her goal was to save enough for a swimming pool for the kids, to create memories. His goal was to make his Camaro do a quarter mile in less than 10 seconds. This just doesn’t work.

My point is: Once the early blissful years pass, you have to find common ground. It doesn’t matter how bizarre or how taboo it is, as long as you both agree on it. It could be as simple as cooking or watching a favorite TV series together. Perhaps you both decide to become nudists, learn taxidermy or start a religion. It doesn’t matter, as long as you have that common goal.

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mother of the bride

the engagement

Starting my journey as the mother of the bride.

After having my first child, a boy, I felt God truly answered my prayers when I welcomed my daughter, Britten Nicole. As she got older, I really didn’t give it much thought as to her wedding day or when it would happen because she wasn’t the kind of kid who talked about being a princess on her wedding day or that kind of thing. I did, however, know she would graduate college, work a few years and then maybe if Mr. Right came along, she would get married.

I thought wrong.

In early November, Britten’s boyfriend, Dylan, her high-school sweetheart, called me to see if he could stop by the house. He was acting a bit nervous and as we sat at my dining room table, he said he had talked to Britten’s dad and he now wanted to have my approval to marry my daughter.

As my eyes filled up with happy tears, I, of course, said I approved and welcomed Dylan to the family. I also did drop in the motherly comment that he had better take care of my little girl, which he had done beautifully during the previous seven years of dating

82 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

my baby girl.

And then, at that moment, my daughter’s life flashed before my eyes and memories of taking her to school, volleyball practice, fixing skinned knees, hearing endless laughs from her room during slumber parties ran through my mind, and the one thing I realized was where did the time go? I just brought this child home from the hospital! My daughter will become a wife and then, the next thought, I would be the mother of the bride!

Dylan was grinning from ear to ear as he showed me the ring, talking about the story of Britten’s engagement ring. The stone was his grandmother’s and he wanted to share it with Britten. The following this be because Britten and I have a great week, Britten accepted relationship? We like the same things, Dylan’s sweet proposal in a quiet Ft. Worth we have very similar tastes and planning garden on a beautiful sunny November her wedding will be fun! What could go afternoon. It is official. My daughter is wrong? I thought wrong, again. Our small engaged. budget and her wish list didn’t match, and I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that I squashed many of her early ideas because Britten wouldn’t waste any time getting I placed a dollar figure on things rolling with every idea she threw out, the wedding. All the Is there a book on being which created resentment bridesmaids were a mother of the bride? and was pulling us apart. selected in the first With lots of tears, hurt week, colors chosen feelings and stress, we made a commitment and interest accounts created. First up, to consider all ideas, good or bad. setting a date. A spring 2016 time frame was In the next six months I will write my bounced around, and then it was fall 2015. mother-of-the-bride job description and Really? I could handle taking a year to plan share with you my first-time experience. the wedding, but the planning time frame As we have moved into the second month was now cut in half, and it was a full-court of planning, my role right now is to smile press to make the arrangements, along with and say, “That’s a nice idea,” enjoy her some added stress. The date was nailed excitement, remember it’s not my wedding down to July 4, 2015. Oh, lord! and store the memories we are making in Is there a book on being a mother of the the new chapter in both of our lives. bride? I’m not sure, but how hard could

Photos courtesy of Cheryl Bemis.

By cheryl bemis

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austin Connector

PATTI rogers

The founder and CEO of Rallyhood on expansion, social good and connectivity through her unique online platform.

By molly mcmanus, photo by annie ray AW cover woman Patti Rogers is busier than ever since we last spoke. Her company, Rallyhood, has added seven new leadership employee positions in the past six months, with more than 15,000 communities throughout the world on the web and mobile platform.

Rallyhood is constantly innovating to keep pace with fast-changing technology while expanding its services for industry-leading partners.

Rogers, founder and CEO, launched Rallyhood in 2012 after witnessing the power of community when her friends and family helped her through a two-year journey through cancer. Recognizing that purpose-driven groups struggle when using inadequate, fragmented tools that create unnecessary stress, Rogers created a unique collaborative resource.

Rallyhood is a social one-stop web tool, ideally structured for action-oriented community groups and businesses looking to streamline information. Instead of having to visit multiple sites (think Evite, Facebook, Google Calendar, Dropbox and PayPal), Rallyhood simplifies life by including these features in one place.

Austin Woman talked with Rogers about Rallyhood’s vision to help a billion people and build a platform for social good.

On who should use Rallyhood Most purpose-driven groups need a variety of tools to be productive: group messaging, sharing files, calendars, photos, ability to collect money, get and give directions and send and receive RSVPs. Instead of having to use eight or nine different tools, Rallyhood puts all those tools in one place so it’s easier for everyone to stay engaged and be able to help, whatever the cause is.

We’re serving two audiences, the consumer audience, which is anyone trying to organize their sports team, choir, robotics club, Girl Scout troop, extended family, neighborhood potluck.

We’re also serving a business audience, who need to enable lots of groups (not necessarily employees) to effectively advance their mission. So, for example, hospitals want to enable patient-support communities while nonprofit organizations want to enable the day-to-day activities of members, volunteers and supporters. Rallyhood’s mobile app drives engagement, peer-to-peer connection and builds a stronger, more productive community.

84 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

On Rallyhood’s expansion Since our August 2013 cover, our mission has remained the same: to inspire people to do good, take action, stay engaged and show up for those groups, causes and people they care most about in their life.

We believe that every day is a gift.

Each of us is capable of making a meaningful difference in the world, and that’s not always in the big ways; that’s in the small ways too. We want to make that easy for everyone to do just that.

We’ve also launched an enterprise solution to augment our consumer strategy. Hospitals are really interested in offering more patientcentered services to improve recovery outcomes as the pay model is shifting from volume to value.

Most recovery happens outside of hospital walls and research shows that we’re more likely to adhere to our protocol and have a better outcome if we have strong social support. This is where Rallyhood fits in. We provide a branded solution so that [hospitals] can enable social, practical and financial support, and families get the help they need, patients’ recovery improves and communities get to support their loved ones.

Then hospitals get the value of expanding their reach and affinity into their patients’ community.

We’ve partnered with Ascension Health, which is the third-largest health-care system in the U.S. They are bringing Rallyhood into their hospital network. We’re starting with the Seton Medical Center Austin and expanding our services into the East and West Coast.

In the meantime, our member organizations, nonprofits and schools continue to thrive. For example, when we talked in August of 2013, we were really proud of our growing relationship with Girl Scouts, and, at the time, we were serving one council in Central Texas, but now we have formal relationships with seven councils, including Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital and Atlanta, and we have Girl Scout troops all over the country using Rallyhood.

On the importance of creating connection through Rallyhood These focus-driven groups and experiences are really the fabric of our everyday lives.

There are childhood, parenthood, sisterhood, brotherhood, neighborhood—and they’re all purposeful and meaningful at their core.

I believe we can have an exponential impact, even if we help just one group, and make a positive impact on people’s lives.

On feedback from Rallyhood users There are so many amazing stories every day.

Teams organizing their season, families and neighbors staying connected, people helping friends through cancer or the loss of a spouse, a child going through surgery. You can feel the sense of what love and support and connecting people does for not just the family going through it, but the extended community.

On the future and vision of Rallyhood Our mantra, “Do Good Today,” is all about making the most of every day. To do that, we deliver beautiful, simple experiences and we know that a critical aspect of that [service] is to listen. We really want to delight and inspire our users. To do that, we listen and learn from them to know what we can do better.

Short-term goals are to execute emerging partnerships with industry-leading organizations, [and] continue to build a sustainable company to make the world a better place, one community at a time.

Rallyhood is a social platform for social good, and we can enable purposeful connection throughout our lives. And that’s our big vision: to be inside of every single household and helping a billion people around the world.

Rallyhood is available for iPhone and Android users. For more information, visit rallyhood.com.

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Cover Woman Update

Empowering a Billion Women by 2020

Ingrid Vanderveldt, former entrepreneurin-residence at Dell and March 2014 cover woman, is connecting women as they become savvy entrepreneurs.

mARCH 2014 0412Cover.indd 1

2/20/14 12:34 PM

going to do it is through a new set of eyes, and that is through the eyes of women. The more we can inspire women around the world to do this, the quicker we’re going to get our world on track in a very positive way.”

Visit ebw2020.com for more information and to get involved.

AN ENTREPRENEUR’S GUIDE TO NETWORKING AND MAKING CONNECTIONS Austin-area entrepreneur Ingrid Vanderveldt sheds light on how you can make the connections you need to further your career.

1. Find a mentor that can guide you.

“A real, true mentor is going to open up their Rolodex and help you make the connections that can really help you move things forward.”

them on a level that connects with something they care very much about. That is the fastest way to make an authentic connection with someone.”

2. How do you get a mentor?

3. Think about how you can be of service to your connections.

“When you really want to connect with somebody, think about what’s important to them. Instead of thinking about ‘Here is what I’m all about and here is what I’m trying to do,’ go to a place where you really think about how [you] can be a good listener. If you are meeting someone for the first time, [think about] how you can really listen to what is important to them, and then how [you] can connect with

“You have now listened to them and you know what is important to them, so what is it that you’re about as a person or what is it you are doing as a business that can really help the person you are connecting with be successful and be of service to them? When you do these three things and think about things from this perspective, you would be so amazed at how fast opportunities start opening up.”

86 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

Top photo courtesy of Ingrid Vanderveldt. AW cover photo by Annie Ray.

“I grew up thinking I’d be a missionary, and I knew as a kid, I would one day be a global citizen. I just didn’t know exactly what that would be,” Vanderveldt says.

“As I got older and realized I was a pretty effective capitalist, I became an entrepreneur.

Everything that I’ve done in my career has always been about how can I generate wealth to be able to make a difference for my family, my community and ultimately, the world and support other women and pay it forward?”

Although reaching one billion women may sound like a tall task, Vanderveldt says the initiative reached 600 million people last year through media coverage and her speaking engagements. Currently, Vanderveldt and her team are gearing up for the initiative’s public launch later this year.

“I want to help build the confidence and the tool sets [women] need to really embrace the opportunity that they can create a life and a living doing something that they love,” Vanderveldt says. “If we’re going to create a global, sustainable future, the way we’re

“Trust your instincts.” —Estée Lauder

The initiative aims to equip at least one billion women with a mobile device, such as a cell phone or tablet, within the next five years. The devices will provide women access to a mobile technology platform through which Vanderveldt and her team will help them develop the financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills to build thriving businesses.

“I know from my own experience that starting a business is challenging for anyone, whether you are a man or woman,” says Vanderveldt, who has spearheaded several successful business ventures. “But certainly for women, there’s a unique set of challenges because oftentimes, women are starting businesses for the first time in their families and communities.”

Vanderveldt says the inspiration for the initiative comes from her childhood dream of becoming a missionary and global citizen.

Although she ended up in the business world, she says her global vision to help others continues to be a driving force in her life.

Austin WomAn mAgAzine

By Andy East

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last word

Making Connections in 2015

From in-person meetings to large gatherings to social media, the name of the game is making genuine connections that come from the heart.

By Kathryn Krastin, illustration by jessica wetterer It started out as a world without cell phones, computers and other fancy high-tech gadgets. Connections involved meeting each other in person, going to gatherings involving networking and friendships, calling each other, writing letters, etc. If you wanted to get something in a hurry, you had to utilize UPS, Federal Express or other companies that were beginning to emerge.

After college, my world soon flipped. Enter what we only read about in stories like those by George Orwell.

I got my first computer before I started working for Michael Dell of PC’s Limited in 1984. Now, I have so many technical products in my home, including a Surface, PC, laptop and smartphone. Who can now imagine a world without emails, calling and texting on a cell phone and all the apps and operating systems we work and play with on our technical gadgets?

As an advocate, my world of making connections has been even more involved. Sure, I had networking opportunities at brunches, lunches, conferences, workshops and more. However, what has helped me to catapult my connectivity with others has been networking through the Internet, whether it be through Facebook, Google+, Blogtalk and other social networks and blog sites.

But one of the things that probably exploded my connections base even more so was having a simple interview in November 2009 on BlogTalkRadio with Laurie Zeiber on She Speaks to Inspire. Zeiber was intrigued by my survivor-to-advocate story, and through her, I learned that what I would really like to do was connect with others on the radio. After all, I can talk, and I had three prior years of Internet DJ experience, which seemed part of the magic skills needed to get started. She assisted with getting me on her new radio network, Real Life Radio Network, and I later

broke away from her network, taking my show, Beyond Words Live!, out on my own. Through it, I created a platform for survivors to tell their own stories in their own words. Without the connection with Zeiber, I might not have had renewed confidence in myself to go beyond.

Breaking away, I created pages immediately on Facebook (and later in Google Communities) to formulate a basis of some level of publicity and continued advocacy, called Beyond Words Live!, and another called Domestic Violence Voices. Later, I would create one called Lymphedema In The News, through which I am continually searching out cures and solutions for lymphedema, the condition that I have had for the past 10 years.

Creating these pages wasn’t enough because the social-media game is constantly changing. I had to continue making connections by establishing and mixing with groups and other social-media sites, tying things in with Twitter, attending webinars, seminars, workshops and conferences, both online and in person.

As much as I love my advocacies, my greatest pride can be found through direct connections with Girl Scout troops, vendors at fairs, advocating for others, among other survivors and being with family and friends, including those new connections I make each day throughout the year.

Although technology has taken us to places I could have scarcely imagined and opened up a whole new world of connectivity, the best connections are still those that are made from the heart, whether established the oldfashioned way (in person) or at lightning speed on the Internet.

The winner of the YWCA’s 2013 Women of the Year Award in economic empowerment, Kathryn Krastin is the author of Domestic Violence Voices, the host of Beyond Words Live! and the founder of Domestic Violence Voices and Lymphedema in the News.

April’s Last Word topic will be “Minimalism: Fad or Way of Life?”

To be considered, email a 500-word submission by March 1 to submissions@awmediainc.com.

88 | Austin Woman | FEBRUARY 2015

Austin Woman MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2015

THE ALL-NEW

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