October 2016

Austin Woman MAGAZINE | october 2016

“Man may have discovered fire, but women discovered how to play with it.” —Candace Bushnell

MAZDA NAMED

2016 Best Car Brand www.usnews.com - Nov. 12, 2015. 2016 Best Vehicle Brand Awards. The awards recognize the brands whose vehicles perform the best on an overall basis within four major categories of the U.S. News vehicle rankings: Cars, SUVs, Trucks and Luxury.

Mazda CX-3 35 MPG

Outstanding performance, style and sophistication that outstrips the competition. The Mazda CX-3 is setting a high standard for its category.

A 2016 Editors' Choice Subcompact Crossover

Mazda CX-5 35

The Mazda CX-5, engineered with SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY, is unique among crossovers for its impressive efficiency, responsive handling and bold style.

MPG

A 2016 Editors' Choice Compact Crossover

Mazda CX-9 7-Passenger Luxury

Beyond its stylish good looks and versatile capability, you realize it’s one impressive SUV because it drives nothing like one. All for thousands less than comparable 7-passenger SUVS.

“Like its SUV of the Year-winning predecessor, this new family machine might reset the bar for fun-to-drive, efficient family transportation.”

MPG estimated highway, results vary. 2016 Top Safety Pick Plus by the IIHS when equipped with available Smart City Brake Support. All pictures for illustration only.

16

ACTIVITIES AND RECREATION ARE ABUNDANT IN THE AUSTIN AREA. SO IT’S NO SURPRISE CROSSOVERS AND SUVS HAVE BECOME ALMOST A NECESSITY FOR MANY ADULTS AND FAMILIES. SINCE ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL, MAZDA CREATED 3 VERY CAPABLE, AWARD-WINNING CROSSOVER/SUVS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO MAKE DRIVING BETTER. FROM STYLE TO FEATURES, THERE’S NOTHING ORDINARY ABOUT DRIVING A MAZDA. EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE TODAY AT ANY ROGER BEASLEY MAZDA LOCATION.

PROUD SPONSOR CENTRAL • SOUTH • GEORGETOWN • KILLEEN

RogerBeasleyMazda.com | 866-779-8409

direct connect to

Italy through

copenhagen

departures daily Come experience Italy at Copenhagen. We have assembled a wonderful collection of some of the best designs from Italy’s finest manufacturers. All these products display a sense of purpose and pride through intelligent design and caring craftsmanship. Selective use of practical materials and thoughtful engineering result in products that meet high quality standards while maintaining exceptional value. Come see why Italy has long been regarded as the center of today’s modern design world. Visit Copenhagen for an Italian design experience you won’t soon forget. You will be inspired.

inspired design from Italy

Featured item: The Hystrix dining table designed by Giorgio Cattelan for Cattelan Italia. Table base of intricately interlaced rebar fished in a clear lacquer supporting an extra clear glass top with unique reverse bevel detail. Simply stunning. Various sizes.

Austin 2236 West Braker 512.451.1233

(just east of The Domain and Burnet Road next to Culver’s)

San Antonio 18603 Blanco Road 210.545.4366

(just north of 1604 in The Vineyard next to Whole Foods Market)

www.CopenhagenLiving.com

contemporary furniture & accessories

R E A L PAT I E N T S . R E A L S TO R I E S .

‘‘

Everything I needed to beat breast cancer, all in one place.

’’

Bonnie Latham’s checkup took a surprising turn when the doctor found a suspicious lump on the 30-year-old mother’s breast. “The biopsy confirmed it was cancer.” Suddenly, the Baylor Scott & White Health facility she knew and loved as her baby’s birthplace became the venue for another kind of journey. “From diagnosis through mastectomy, chemo and reconstruction, they were there every step of the way.” Bonnie continued to turn to the comprehensive breast cancer team even after treatment was done. “They helped me overcome post-treatment fears about reoccurrence.” Today, Bonnie credits the team with saving her life.

“I just want to spread the word that if you’re dealt this hand, it’s an incredible place.”

For more information on cancer services visit us at cancer.sw.org.

Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers or Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2016 Baylor Scott & White BSWH_613_2016_BH

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

Ready to Eat

Fully cooked and ready when you are.

Just take off the lid and dig in!

Ready to Heat

For a delicious meal in minutes, simply microwave and serve.

Ready to Cook

Just pop the tray in the oven for a home cooked meal without the work!

Š2016 HEB, 16-6039

S TART T HE N EW Y EAR W ITH C LEAR V ISION

T HE FUTU RE IS BRIG H TER With 3 locations in 2016 Round Rock, Austin, and Kyle

Laser Cataract Surgery | Glaucoma | Cornea | LASIK Neuro-opthalmology | Orbital and Eyelid Disease

CALL US FOR A CONSULTATION

5 12-47 2-401 1 | w e stla ke ey e s. com

Schedule your 3D mammogram* at ARA Get yearly exams starting at 40 Choose ARA for expertise and convenience

Locations and information at ausrad.com Request an appointment at ausrad.com or call 512.453.6100 *Also known as breast tomosynthesis.

AUSTIN GASTRO IS MAKING THE FIGHT

AGAINST COLON CANCER

EASIER We provide treatments focused on your health, comfort and convenience

HyGIeaCare® Same Day Prep™ A SIMPLER AND EASIER BOWEL PREP FOR COLONOSCOPY EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT AUSTIN GASTROENTEROLOGY AND ENDOSCOPY CENTERS

SAFE • EASY • CONVENIENT • HYGENIC Appointment Line: North Office (512) 244-2273

Central Office (512) 454-4588

South Office (512) 448-4588

austingastro.com • hygieacare.com

I AM A TEXAS MBA “The McCombs community continues to shape and humble me. From the outstanding faculty and program administration to my classmates and the alumni base. My MBA shapes the way I approach opportunities, measure impact, and continue learning in my professional career in the fast-moving tech space as well as with volunteer nonprofit advisory work.”

SOFIE LEON POMPA Integrations Product Manager, Spredfast Inc. Husband is also a Texas MBA Alumnus, Class of 2011 First generation American with Mexican dual citizenship Member of Development Committee for St. Louise House MBA 2013

TexasMBA.info

EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

Photo by Korey Howell.

Evening & Executive Programs

20% OFF

*

6 or More 750ml Bottles of

FRENCH WINE Mix & Match

SALE RUNS through October

French Wine 101 Classes Bordeaux 201 • Burgundy 201 • Languedoc 201 Wednesdays at various Marketplace locations

Authentically Austin

TM

TWINLIQUORS.COM

*French wine sale runs 10/1/16–10/31/16. Discount is off regular retail price.

No further discount on Twin Deals, Bargain Barrels, Ends in “2” pricing and sale items.

Please drink responsibly. Must be 21+ to participate.

Your Premier SURGICAL, MEDICAL AND COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY EXPERTS

8 Convenient locations

Skin Cancer and Mohs Surgery Specialists.

Visit our website to learn about our anti-aging specials and skin care products.

Look good, feel good, do good. A portion of every service, patient visit and product purchase at Tru-Skin Dermatology is donated to The Shade Project to help skin cancer prevention efforts.

Where healthy skin is always in.

tru-skin.com

| 888.451.0139

68

On the cover

with her own two hands By april cumming

76

feature

dirty jobs

Photo by Philip Edsel.

By Sarah E. Ashlock

Contents

Photo by Adam King.

OCTOBER

53 on the scene

GOURMET

27 KRISTY’S TOP 10

83 A W Test Kitchen

October’s To-do List

savvy women

86 FOOD NEWS

30 count us in Women in Numbers 42 GIVE BACK Rifle + Radford 44 l et’s taco ’bout it René Banglesdorf and Lisa Copeland

48 Profile Call of Duty 50 J ust passing through

Two Treats and

a Trick

Andrea Jung

MUST LIST 53 Discover Not Really Roughing It 58 Guilty Pleasure Girl Meets Boot 60 roundup Play It Again

style + HOME 62 THE LOOK Unseasonably Warm 64 beauty The Great Pumpkin 66 MAKE ROOM Rustic Retreat

16 | Austin Woman | october 2016

Jazzy June’s

wellness 88 f itness Toil, Toil, Soil and Rubble 92 Q &A Dr. Elisabeth Potter

POINT OF VIEW 94 memo

from JB Low-hanging Fruit 96 i am austin woman More Than Pink

on the cover

Photo by Philip Edsel, edselphoto.com Styled by Ashley Hargrove, dtkaustin.com Hair and makeup by Laura Martinez, bylauramartinez.com Haute Hippie black suede cape, $995; 7 For All Mankind suede skinny jeans in cognac, $199, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com; Frye Melissa button boots, $368, available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500, nordstrom.com.

Shot on location at Cabin 71, Spicewood, Texas, airbnb.com/rooms/8505420

ESCAPE

T H E ORDINARY

FLORAL CLASSES | SPECIAL DELIVERIES | WEDDINGS

margotblairfloral.com

Now a full service planning firm!

Our expertise goes far beyond the world of flowers, and we now offer our clients the “full package” for their big day.

Photo by Loft Photography

ESTABLISHED IN 1998

WWW.TOCMEDICALSPA.COM (512) 533-7317 • 3705 Medical Parkway, Suite 130, Austin, Texas 78705

Volume 15, issue 2 Co-Founder and Publisher Melinda Maine Garvey vice president and Co-Publisher Christopher Garvey associate publisher Cynthia Guajardo Shafer

EDITORIAL Editor Emily C. Laskowski associate Editor April Cumming copy editor Chantal Rice contributing writers

Jessi Afshin, Sarah E. Ashlock, Steve Habel, JB Hager, Trinity King, Natalie Paramore, Gretchen M. Sanders, Shelley Seale, Hannah Shih, Suzanne Stone, Victoria Stowe, Christine Williams

ART CREATIVE Director Niki Jones ART DIRECTOR Lucy Froemmling ART assistant Megan Bedford CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Al Argueta, Rudy Arocha, Natalie Cass, Drew DeGennaro, Philip Edsel, Becky Fluke, Kevin Garner, Ashley Hargrove, Korey Howell, Russell Hughes, Adam King, Jane Ko, Robert Jacob Lerma, Kate LeSueur, Tyler Malone, Dustin Meyer, Lucy Paije, Natalie Paramore, Amy Price, Renata Raksha, Myriam Santos, Leslie Sherbet, Mars Vilaubi, Craig Washburn, Jessica Wetterer, Molly Winters, Kate Zimmerman

ADVERTISING Director of Business Development

Jill Futch ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Katie Paschall

operations and marketing Director of marketing and engagement

Lisa Munoz Operations and Marketing manager

Maggie Rester Operations ASSISTANT

Victoria Castle

Interns Sydney Denton, Trinity King, Jules Maxwell, Danielle Ransom, Victoria Stowe

Emeritae Co-Founder Samantha Stevens Editors

Deborah Hamilton-Lynne, Mary Anne Connolly, Elizabeth Eckstein Austin Woman is a free monthly publication of AW Media Inc., and is available at more than 1,250 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

Reminiscing about my childhood Halloween costumes got me thinking about how this holiday encourages kids to dress up as whoever or whatever they want to be.

At some point, I also dressed up as a cat/witch.

I’m not really sure which one, as the title was really just semantics to accommodate me wearing a silky-smooth, black and metallic reversible polyester cape that I donned each day that year, regardless of whether it was Oct. 31.

On Halloween, you can be whatever you want without judgment (save for a few nefarious options). It doesn’t matter if you’re a princess or a cowboy or part of a pair of dice or a cat/witch.

Even the crankiest of neighbors will contribute to

Join the conversation @eclaskowski @austinwoman #IAmAustinWoman

20 | Austin Woman | october 2016

your candy collection if you merely show up at their door as your character of choice.

In this issue, we talked to women working every day to be exactly who they want to be in real life.

They are women in the automotive and construction industries, females who forage for their own food and fight for our country, and many more who are realizing their dreams and reaching for success unbound by stereotypes.

It takes an enormous amount of will, conviction and perseverance for anyone to pursue a passion.

Dump social pressures and societal norms on a person’s back, and moving on up becomes a slow process that weighs him or her down. Many of the women in this issue carried that heavy load at one point or another.

Let’s not add another burden to bear by being unsupportive of those whose paths we cross. Instead, let’s treat everyone’s journey to become who they want to be as if we’re neighbors on their trick-or-treating route: at home, lights on and door open, ready to dole out a handful of support.

A few Kit Kats or Krackel bars never hurt either.

Sincerely,

EMILY C. LASKOWSKI Editor

Photo by Dustin Meyer.

M

y favorite Halloween costume as a child was a pair of dice. Of course, I was just one half of the costume.

It required the participation of my older sister to complete the pair, not to mention the idea itself, generated from the imaginative, laser-sharp inventor’s brain that runs on all cylinders within my dad’s head. It was an out-of-the-box costume and yet, also one that necessitated operating, quite literally, inside the box, albeit a cardboard one bleached white, peppered numerically in black dots and outfitted comfortably with apertures for my appendages.

UPCOMING CLASSES 10/7 & 21 - ART OF THE VIDEO INTERVIEW 10/8 - FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY 10/11 - LEARN TO SEE CREATIVELY

PHOTO LAB

RENTALS

REPAIRS

CANVAS, METAL, POSTERS

CAMERAS, LENSES, FLASHES

LCD REPLACEMENT

10/28 - STAR TRAIL PHOTOGRAPHY

CUSTOM PHOTO BOOKS

STUDIO LIGHTING & GRIP

SENSOR CLEANINGS

VIDEO TRANSFERS

STUDIO/EVENT SPACE

FILM CAMERAS & LENSES

TO LEARN MORE VISIT: PRECISION-CAMERA.COM/CLASSES

10/20 - SHOOTING LANDSCAPE

40 YEARS IN AUSTIN | COMPETITIVE PRICES | TEX AS SIZED INVENTORY | VAST KNOWLEDGE & FRIENDLY STAFF

In West Anderson Plaza 2438 W. Anderson Ln & Burnet Rd

Austin, Tx 78757 | 512.467.7676 | 800.677.1023 M-F: 10-7 | Sat: 10-6 | Sun: 1-5

contributors

a UstiN symph o N y o rc h e s t r a

This month, we asked our contributors: When was the last time you were truly scared?

Philip Edsel

Cover Photographer, “with her own two hands,” Page 68

Philip Edsel’s cinematic portraiture and his ability to capture mood, moment and emotion have taken him throughout the country photographing for some of the top editorial publications and fashion brands in the U.S. And even though this writer turned musician turned photographer loves to travel, he’ll always call Austin home.

“I had a photo shoot in an old barn a couple months ago, and I almost backed up into a spider the size of a football.

I’m still terrified thinking about it.”

Sarah E. Ashlock

Writer, “Dirty Jobs,” Page 76

Sarah E. Ashlock is a freelance writer and editor who is dedicated to telling women’s stories. She has a master’s degree in English and a scholarly publishing certificate from Arizona State University. Sarah likes to explore Austin one happy hour at a time and share her discoveries on social media. Follow her on Twitter @Sarah_Ashlock.

your perfect

“I shook in my boots when I started writing for On The Dot, AW Media’s new daily audible newsletter. ‘What if I fail?’ I thought. But then I took my girl Eleanor Roosevelt’s advice and looked fear in the face. Now, with every word I type, I grow a little bit more plucky.”

Date Night

Shelley Seale

Writer, “Call of Duty,” Page 48

Shelley Seale is a freelance journalist and author living in Austin. She has written for National Geographic, USA Today, The Guardian and Texas Monthly, among other publications.

She loves yoga, indie movies, wine and books, though not necessarily in that order. Shelley has performed a catch on the flying trapeze, boarded down a live volcano and was once robbed by a monkey in Nepal. But she doesn’t know how to whistle.

starts here

UpcomiNg eveNts:

“[It was] when my last mammogram came back with an unknown spot earlier this year. My mother and sister are both breast-cancer survivors, and so, this was really scary for me. Fortunately, with a follow-up 3-D mammogram, it was determined that it was nothing to worry about.”

OctOber 21 & 22, 8:00 p.m. butler trio Masterworks Series at Long Center’s Dell Hall Music of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Adams OctOber 23, 3:00 p.m.

Halloween children’s concert at Long Center’s Dell Hall Creepy fun for all ages!

Jessica Wetterer

illustrator, “women in numbers,” Page 30 BuTLer Trio

OctOber 28, 8:00 p.m.

Disney in concert: tim burton’s “the Nightmare before christmas” at Long Center’s Dell Hall

æ

tickets/info S eASon Sp o nS o r S

HALLoween

Download the app:

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oCToBer popS

(512) 476-6064 or austinsymphony.org

M e D i A S p o n So r S

All artists, programs, and dates subject to change.

Jessica Wetterer is a New York-based illustrator and graphic designer.

Having grown up in the bluegrass of Louisville, Ky., the South remains near and dear to her heart. She specializes in drawing badass women, fashion and animals. See more illustrations on her Instagram @jmwett.

“The night after I moved into my first-floor New York apartment, I noticed that my fire-escape ladder seemed a little too close to ground level, possibly close enough for a stranger to pull down and use. After all the moving, however, I passed out early only to be startled at 2 a.m. by the noise of metal being jerked down: Shung!

Shung! Shung! My heart leaped into my throat as I went to check the fire-escape ladder. It turns out, I just had a late-night Chinese takeout place below me that closed shop with a pull-down metal gate over the door.”

CELEBRATING

GOOD IS getting

there together.

What is good? Good is knowing you’ll always have a trusted advisor at your side. It’s having someone help clear the path to any account, any loan and any financial solution you require. At Broadway Bank, good is reaching your financial goals together.

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS | PORTFOLIO MORTGAGES TRUST & ESTATES | INVESTMENTS

Austin Regional Headquarters | 911 W. 38th Street, Suite 100 512.465.6550 | 800.531.7650 broadwaybank.com | Member FDIC | fghfgmn

CALEESI DESIGNS

JEWELERS Like Austin, our jewelry is one of a kind

BUYING?

Selling?

INVESTING?

Laurie McGary is a native Austinite and is committed to helping people meet their real estate goals whether buying, selling or investing in the Austin area. Laurie brings to the table 16+ years experience as a REALTOR® and believes in first class service with professionalism, expertise, efficiency, trustworthiness and loyalty ensuring her client’s goals are met in every need.

• FINE JEWELRY • CUSTOM DESIGNS • JEWELRY & WATCH REPAIR • GOLD BUYERS

Laurie McGary 2620A S. LAMAR Directly across the street from Matt’s El Rancho 512.916.9253 • CALEESIDESIGNS.COM

REALTOR®, GRI, ABR, CLHMS (512) 695-7461 LaurieMcGary@realtyaustin.com

Connect with us!

Can’t get enough of this issue?

Check us out at austinwomanmagazine.com. game-day style. To celebrate Adelante’s recently renovated and super chic ➥ More storefront—as well as its 24th anniversary—Owner Tricia Roberts pulled together three Boho game-day outfits (one for the student, one for the graduate and one for longtime alumni) to incorporate into your University of Texas football wardrobe.

➥ More crafting. We chatted with Austin-based author Taylor Hart on the heels

of her book-release party for Crochet Taxidermy, a how-to book that features 30 cute-as-can-be crochet projects.

➥ More entrepreneurial spirit. As a UT alumna and NASA scientist, Dr. Kim Warren-

➥ More political etiquette. With the presidential election taking place next month,

political debates are, not shockingly, at an all-time high. We sat down with Sharon Schweitzer, CEO of Austin-based company Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide, to talk about manners and how to properly engage in (and disengage from) heavy and at times controversial conversation topics.

Don’t miss

Win This!

Studio Bella Giveaway

Because we like getting pampered as much as the next person, we’ve partnered with Austin-based Studio Bella Permanent Makeup & Spa for this month’s giveaway.

We took a sneak peek inside the studio and found a gift basket filled to the brim with spoils: a DaVinci teeth-whitening session, a permanenteyeliner treatment, a classic manicure and pedicure, and a 60-minute massage of choice. Full disclosure to whoever wins: Our AW team is a tad envious of you.

To enter, keep an eye on our Instagram account, @AustinWoman, for the giveaway announcement in October. Word to the wise: We like to be spontaneous. A winner will be chosen and notified at the end of the month.

Follow us

@austinwoman

24 | Austin Woman | october 2016

like us

Light Up the Night Oct. 3, 6 to 9 p.m.

The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive survive2thrivefoundation.com/events/ light-up-the-night-at-the-long-center

Texas Women in Business Luncheon Oct. 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Austin Country Club, 4408 Long Champ Drive texaswomeninbusiness.org

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition 5K Run/Walk Oct. 9, 7 to 11 a.m.

Camp Mabry, 2200 W. 35th St. runwalk.ovarian.org/austin

Women’s Fund of Central Texas Keyholder Oct. 25, 4 to 7 p.m.

Topfer Theatre at Zach Theatre, 1510 Toomey Road keyholderaustin.org

Polished Austin Pop-up Party Oct. 15, 1 to 5 p.m.

The Paper + Craft Pantry, 2511 E. Sixth St. facebook.com/events/1762485720632528

Women In Tech Networking Event Oct. 25, 7 to 10 p.m.

Alamo Drafthouse, 1120 S. Lamar Blvd. awtaustin.org/events

Austin Classical Guitar: Pepe Romero Oct. 15, 8 p.m.

AISD Performing Arts Center, 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd. austinclassicalguitar.org/events

Game Changers Annual Luncheon Oct. 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

JW Marriott Austin, 110 E. Second St. girlstart.org/game-changers

Austin Woman Shopping with a Purpose!

Oct. 18, 6 to 8 p.m.

Teddies for Bettys, 221 W. Second St. facebook.com/austinwoman

Muse Masquerade Oct. 29, 6 p.m. to midnight Hilton Austin Hotel, 500 E. Fourth St. museaustin.org

facebook.com/austinwoman

FOLLOW us

@ austinwoman

Adelante photo by Molly Winters. Taylor Hart photo by Mars Vilaubi. Farm to Girl photo courtesy of Farm to Girl. Studio Bella photo courtesy of Studio Bella.

Rhodes’ resume was already dressed to impress. Then she decided to start her own eco-friendly skin-care line, Farm to Girl, which debuted exclusively at People’s Rx in September.

Studio Bella is a full service spa & boutique Permanent Eyeliner, Eyebrow, Lips and much more.

Areola and Scar Camouflage Cupping Therapy

Look fabulous after swimming, exercising, waking up and ALWAYS!

Natural Spray Tan Medi System Ear Piercing Deep Tissue Swedish Hot Stone Massage by Whisper (512) 944-0754 Massages and Facials by Rebecca Swaine, LMT (971) 404-4448

PERMANENT EYESHADOW SPECIAL:

Nails by Lisa Graham (512) 694-2501 lisag4nails@gmail.com

50% OFF!

Cupping Therapy is part of Oriental medicine. It can relieve back and neck pain, stiff muscles, anxiety, fatigue, migraines and rheumatism.

Call for more information!

Photography by MonikaKelley.com 512-560-2020

www.StudioBellaSpa.com

DaVinci Teeth Whitening

6507 Jester Blvd Suite 108 Austin TX 78750

Abba Wig’s

PERMANENT MAKEUP & SKIN REJUVENATION

“YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR SUCCESS.”

CHECK US OUT FOR YOUR GIFT SHOPPING NEEDS.

SCHEDULE A SERVEICE TODAY!

512.502.0002

HELPING YOU MAKE

HEALTHY CHOICES FOR

YOUR WELL-BEING Dr. Mary Beth Harrison brings a higher level of care to each woman she sees, specializing in reproductive age and adolescent gynecology, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and obstetrical care.

Dr. Harrison speaks Spanish and is currently accepting new patients.

• Abba Wigs is an upscale wig salon with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

• We are licensed Cosmetologists with over 20 yrs of experience, specially trained in wigs and hair pieces.

• We specialize in chemotherapy, alopecia, trichotillomania, and clients with medically induced hair loss.

• Highly recommended by Oncologists, nurses, & social workers.

•Private, individual rooms.

1105 KRAMER LANE, AUSTIN TX 78758 • ABBAWIGS.COM • 512-371-3701

511 Oakwood Blvd., Suite 301, Round Rock, Texas 78681 www.oakwoodwomens.com • 512.244.3698

Proven weight loss program now available at new Austin location Let Medi-Weightloss® Austin Help You Lose Weight Medi-Weightloss® offers a physician-supervised, individually

Once an individualized program has been established, the

tailored weight loss system known as “The One That

Medi-Weightloss® system includes weekly one-on-one

Works! ”. It is known for its comprehensive approach to

consultations focusing on nutrition, lifestyle and exercise.

®

weight management and established record of success –

Once their weight loss goals have been achieved, patients

Medi-Weightloss® patients have lost over 3 million pounds

learn how to keep it off for life through a specialized

nationwide! Medi-Weightloss patients experience one-

Wellness Phase.

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on-one education and coaching on nutrition, behavior modifications, and exercise to help patients lose weight

Medi-Weightloss® Austin won the Health & Wellness Award

and keep it off for a lifetime.

at the 2016 Greater Austin Business Awards presented

Patients at the new Austin location will receive care

information or to make an appointment at the Austin

by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. For more under the supervision of a caring team of experts. “In

location, call 512.243.5050 or visit the company’s website,

my experience, I’ve seen more overweight and obese

MediWeightloss.com.

people every day, and I know the impact that has on their health. That’s why I wanted to become part of the MediWeightloss® team,” Christine Pereira, Nurse Practitioner said. “I feel the Medi-Weightloss® program really provides the right tools to help people lose weight safely and keep it off. It works because it incorporates a medically guided weight loss program with nutrition, exercise and

Erin, actual patient, LOST 62 POUNDS!†

accountability.” Preira, explains how the system works for new patients.

“Because everyone’s needs are different, we start with a complete evaluation by medical staff to determine the program that’s best tailored for each person specifically.

We like to focus primarily on helping patients achieve a healthy lifestyle through education, nutritional counseling and behavior modification–research shows that is the best way to achieve lasting weight loss success,” she said.

“Patients lose up to 10 pounds the first week, and up to 20 pounds the first month†. They can achieve a total weight loss of 20 to 300 pounds depending on their goals. Whether you want to lose 10 pounds for a high school reunion or 150 pounds for critical health reasons, we can definitely help you get there.”

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512.243.5050

† On average, patients compliant with the Medi-Weightloss® Program lose 6.4 pounds the first week and 14 pounds the first month. Rapid weight loss may be associated with certain medical conditions and should only be considered by those who are medically appropriate. © 2016 Medi IP, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

ON THE SCENE kristy’s top 10

October’s to-do list from

365 Things To Do In Austin, Texas.

By kristy owen

1

Aida Cuevas and Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles: Mexico y su Mujer

Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.

The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive

Photo courtesy of cami.com.

thelongcenter.org Take a break from the long week and unwind to the invigorating sounds and entrancing performances of authentic mariachi music. Listen as two powerhouse groups, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, America’s first all-female mariachi ensemble, and Aida Cuevas, the queen of Mexican music, unite for Mexico y su Mujer, a concert extravaganza celebrating women in mariachi. We’ll completely understand if you walk away with a burning desire to get your hands on a guitarrón, the deep-bodied, six-string bass that’s just one of the many instruments used in mariachi.

Tickets start at $26.

austinwomanmagazine.com | 27

2

n the scene

KRISTY’S top 10

Bat Tuesday

Oct. 18, boarding starts at 7 p.m., cruise from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Capital Cruises, 208 Barton Springs Road

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austintourcompany.rezdy.com/65514/bat-tuesday

Every night at dusk from early March to November, more than 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats fly out from under the Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. It’s an amazing sunset spectacle, one that regularly attracts hordes of locals and tourists.

To get a unique perspective on the evening show, join Austin Tour Company and Capital Cruises as the companies join forces to take you away from the crowded bridges and onto to the water below.

Set out on a party cruise on Lady Bird Lake to snag a few Instagram-worthy photos, then spend the evening listening to music (and a possible history lesson or two) as you regale in beer and sausages from Easy Tiger.

Tickets are $28.

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Dia de los Muertos Music Festival Oct. 15, 3 to 10 p.m.

Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St.

House of Torment

Through October, hours vary 2632 Ridgepoint Drive houseoftorment.com If you’ve ever been to this one-of-akind creep fest, you know the House of Torment has earned its name.

This is far from the haunted houses you visited when you were a kid.

For the past 13 years, the House of Torment has elicited screams from even the most veteran of hauntedhouse visitors. Channeling the power of darkness, creepy music, lots of fog and scary lighting, this haunted house is an elaborate production matched with phenomenal acting.

The closer it gets to Halloween, the crowds get bigger and the lines get longer, so, plan accordingly.

Tickets start at $19.99.

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austindiadelosmuertos.com

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a festive tradition in Hispanic culture celebrating the life of the deceased. Now in its fourth year, the Dia de los Muertos Music Festival returns to Fiesta Gardens. Spend the day celebrating life with fun entertainment, live music, art displays, a kids’ zone and food-and-drink vendors. This year brings an exciting mix of musical performers, including Ozomatli, Metalachi (the world’s first and only heavy-metal mariachi band) and Tiarra Girls. Proceeds from the daylong festivities benefit Easter Seals Central Texas, a nonprofit that assists children and adults with disabilities.

Tickets start at $30. Children ages 6 and younger get in free.

Boo at the Zoo Fridays and Saturdays in October, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Austin Zoo, 10808 Rawhide Trail austinzoo.org Those lavish Halloween costumes shouldn’t only be used once. Throughout the month of October, take the kids on an expedition to the Austin Zoo. Every Friday and Saturday night, watch as the grounds transform with eerie lighting and spooky coffins. Flashlight in hand, prowl around after dark, ride the haunted train, sneak through the haunted house and bring a picnic (candy optional) to enjoy in the Picnic Grove.

Tickets are $15.

28 | Austin Woman | october 2016

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Fifth Annual Waller Creek Conservancy Benefit Concert Oct. 5, 7 p.m.

Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, 801 Red River St. wallercreek.org/event/5th-annualbenefit-concert This is a great event to attend this fall if you’re looking to jam out while supporting a great local cause. Take the night off to catch Haim, the softrock band that includes three sisters from Los Angeles, at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater. All proceeds from the evening benefit the Waller Creek Conservancy.

General-admission tickets start at $32.

2. Photo by Russell Hughes. 3. Photo courtesy of House of Torment. 4. Photo courtesy of Studio Shira Photography. 6. P hoto by Amy Price.

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Banger’s Oktoberfest Oct. 13 through 15

Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden, 79 Rainey St. bangersaustin.com

7. Photo courtesy of Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden and Tyler Malone. 9. Photo courtesy of Circuit of the Americas. 10. Photo by Robert Jacob Lerma.

Complete with German-themed food, beer and live music, this days-long festival is guaranteed to be a hit. Since Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden is home to the city’s widest selection of handmade sausages and craft beer, you know you’re in for a lavish treat. Traditional stein hoists, a smokeout, gun salutes and chicken-s--t bingo round out the lively occasion.

Admission is free.

30th Annual Gruene Music & Wine Festival

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Oct. 6 through 9, times vary 1601 Hunter Road, New Braunfels, Texas gruenemusicandwinefest.org

One thing most Austinites can get behind is pairing great country music with even better wine. The four-day celebration that is the Gruene Music & Wine Festival is set to feature tastings of tons of wines, many of them from Texas, and live performances from Margo Price, the Marshall Tucker Band and Jack Ingram, Charlie Robison and Bruce Robison. A silent auction, raffle and catered dinner round out the weekend. And just in case four days aren’t enough, all wine is available for purchase by the glass, bottle and case.

Ticket prices vary per daily event.

Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, featuring Taylor Swift and The Weeknd

Oct. 21 through 23, Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd. circuitoftheamericas.com/2016-f1

Kristy Owen is the event mastermind and blogger behind 365 Things To Do In Austin, Texas.

To stay up to date on the best Austin has to offer, visit her blog, 365thingsaustin.com.

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The third weekend in October means one thing in Austin: the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix is in town. Bask in the blood-pumping adrenaline as you watch the qualifying rounds Friday and Saturday. Stay late Saturday night to watch the much-anticipated Taylor Swift concert. (Cue the sound of young people screaming everywhere!) Or, if you can’t feel your face after the finale race Sunday, make yourself right at home and watch The Weeknd perform that night.

Tickets start at $75.

Texas Monthly BBQ Fest Oct. 30, 1 to 4 p.m.

The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive tmbbq.com/events/ tmbbq-fest-2016 Life lesson number 24: Balance out your sweets with something savory. OK, we may or may not have entirely made that up. But life lessons and health reasons aside, attending the mouthwatering Texas Monthly BBQ Fest is strongly advised for those with a penchant for smoke. Now in its seventh year, the barbecueoriented mecca procures pitmasters from throughout the U.S.—many pulled from the magazine’s exalted list of The 50 Best BBQ Joints in the World— to spend the day proving their mettle with meat. For barbecue connoisseurs, this is the day you’ve dreamed about. Word to the wise: Come hungry.

General-admission tickets are $80. VIP tickets are $165. Tickets for children 5 and younger are $10.

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austinwomanmagazine.com | 29

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avvy Women

count us in

women in numbers

Facts and figures on females from throughout the world.

By Trinity King, illustrations by jessica wetterer

26.2 Miles This month marks an important anniversary in mileage. In October 2015, a petite, 25-year-old Afghani woman named Zainab* crossed a line in the desert to complete her first marathon, the Marathon of Afghanistan, the first international marathon to be held in that country. Crossing the line after running the equivalent of 26.2 miles not only marked the culmination of hours of Zainab’s private training and preparation; it also marked the first time an Afghan woman ever completed a marathon in her own country.

Gearing up for her race debut, Zainab faced threats of violence and an onslaught of opposition from those still attached to the notion that women are incapable of enduring tough athletic feats.

Luckily, Zainab found support from Free to Run, an organization dedicated to combating the violence, corruption and discrimination threatening the existence of women’s athletics.

285,798 Campsites When Alyssa Ravasio launched the campsite-booking website hipcamp.com in June 2013, it was her ingenious way of preventing more than 30 percent of the California State Park system from shuttering. Now, three years later, the San Francisco-based company has amassed a tally of 285,798 tent-pitching sites and counting. The web portal is a place for both outdoor enthusiasts and travel amateurs to scope out and book more hush-hush, off-the-radar campsites, like those operated by private landowners who are opening their ranch gates. With usergenerated photos and reviews, hipcamp.com allows users to do just as Ravasio suggests: get outside, explore and support the land.

11 Percent 1,200 Visitors Statistics show that women make up 39 percent of the U.S. Forest Service’s workforce, but only 11 percent hold permanent wildfire jobs. In other agencies that fight fire—the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service, for instance—the figure is as low as 6 percent. One guess as to why female representation in this industry is so low is that a job spent fighting wildfires demands dispatching for weeks at a time throughout the U.S., which can be a tall order for a woman who’s also busy raising a family. Additionally, on top of fighting actual fires, women must continuously fight unfair discrimination from some of their superiors and fellow male firefighters. For those with a true passion for the job, though, the message is clear: These steadfast women can handle the heat.

*For security purposes, Zainab’s last name has been withheld.

22 Years Old That’s the age Amanda Hopkins was when the Seattle Mariners hired her as a baseball scout in December 2015. Hopkins, who spent three summers interning with the Mariners, claims the title of the first full-time female scout to be hired since the 1950s. With the bases clear and the white-chalk dust settled, Hopkins will take charge of scouting the Four Corners region for the Mariners, covering high school and college players in Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.

30 | Austin Woman | october 2016

As part of a marketingoutreach strategy from organic farm cooperative Organic Valley, Jana McClelland, a thirdgeneration dairy farmer in Petaluma, Calif., is on a mission to bring awareness about the benefits of growing organic food and living a farm-to-table lifestyle. According to the Organic Trade Association, organic food sales rose 10.8 percent in 2015, the industry’s largest gain ever.

This month, McClelland expects to welcome as many as 1,200 visitors to her 1,500acre farm, taking them on tours of the nursery, pastures and milking parlor.

From a poster for the film S.A. Mann Brand, 1933. Kunstbibliothek Berlin/BPK, Berlin/Art Resource, New York.

PRODUCED BY

An exploration of Nazi propaganda and its impact at home and abroad.

Exhibition On View Now

This exhibition was underwritten in part by grants from Katharine M. and Leo S. Ullman and The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, with additional support from the Lester Robbins and Sheila Johnson Robbins Traveling and Special Exhibitions Fund established in 1990 and Dr. and Mrs. Sol Center.

Education programs sponsored by Lisa and Sandy Gottesman. Sponsored by the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Hall Fund and Jeanne and Michael L. Klein.

Additional support by the Stanford and Joan Alexander Foundation, the Pearlman Family Foundation, the Friedel Family Foundation, and the Texas State History Museum Foundation.

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E H S GS N O L E B RE E H Saturday, November 5, 2016

Austin High School Girlsempowermentnetwork.org #wearegirlstx • (512) 808-4044

WHAT’S INSIDE »

The dish on We Are Girls, meet our featured conference speakers, and celebrate our 20th birthday with us!

about Girls Empowerment Network

Girls empowerment network's MISSION Girls Empowerment Network’s mission is to support and guide girls to make wise choices as they navigate the unique pressures of girlhood.

GEN has been helping girls find their power for over 20 years.

WE ARE GIRLS CONFERENCE overview

girlS empowerement network's PROGRAMS

Register at WeAreGirls.org

We Are Girls Conference

Pathfinder

WHEN: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2016 8am (doors open), 9am-3:00pm

The We Are Girls Conference, produced by Girls Empowerment Network, is a statewide, multi-city event designed especially for girls in grades 3-8 and the adults who care about them. Founded in 2008 the 2016-2017 theme is “Find Your Power.”

Featuring skill-building workshops and dynamic presentations, the We Are Girls Conference connects girls to relatable role models and encourages healthy relationships, educational discovery, and creative selfexpression.

Pathfinder is a personal and professional development program aimed at giving high school girls a head start on their road to college, career, and independence. This summer program helps girls uncover their strengths, develop skills like interviewing and public speaking, explore different industries and professions, and gain access to women leaders — all with the support of like-minded peers.

WHERE: AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL 1715 W. Cesar Chavez Austin, TX 78703 WHO: FOR GIRLS IN 3RD – 8TH GRADE & moms, dads, educators, social workers and girl advocates of all kinds THEME: FIND YOUR POWER COST: TICKETS ARE $30 PER PERSON You can apply for a scholarship by visiting wearegirls.org.

FEATURED CONFERENCE SPEAKERS: r COACH KEISHA: Internationally Recognized

Speaker, Author, Mentor and Certified Life Coach. r EMILY ROBERTS MA LPC: The Guidance Girl, Author, Psychotherapist and Teen Expert

CONNECT: WEBSITE: WeAreGirls.org/ GirlsEmpowermentNetwork.org

FACEBOOK: Facebook.com/

clubGEN clubGEN is an after-school program for girls grades 3-8 where girls are surrounded with positive role models they can relate to for connection, inspiration, and guidance. Weekly interactive, fun sessions incorporate a research-based curriculum. clubGEN includes a special initiative called GirlConnect, a Dell Youth Learning partner. These activities expose girls to 21st century skills and technology.

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We Are Girls Austin Conference

GirlsEmpowermentNetwork

TWITTER: @Girls_EN INSTAGRAM: @GirlsEmpowermentNetwork PHONE: 512-808-4044 EMAIL: wearegirls@GirlsEmpowermentNetwork.org #WEAREGIRLSATX We Are Girls Houston Conference will be taking place on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Hogg Middle School. Visit www.WeAreGirls.org for more information.

180 Program A prevention and intervention program for girls grades 6-12 working with girls who are involved or at high-risk of becoming involved with the juvenile justice system. The 180 program offers education groups which provide girls support, helpful information and new skills to cope with tough situations they are facing.

campGEN campGEN is a summer day camp program which serves girls in grades 4-8. Participants in campGEN experience fun, interactive workshops during themed weeklong sessions that are designed to help girls feel more confident as they navigate girlhood. Girls will gain new skills, new friendships, and a new sense of self!

Workshops GEN’s workshops explore the issues of being a girl with topics such as dating, body image, communication, friendships, and parent-daughter relationships. Our workshops are offered to schools and community groups for girls in grades 3-12 yearround..

We Are Girls Featured Conference Speakers

WE Are Girls Austin FEATURED CONFERENCE SPEAKERS Coach Keisha- Internationally Recognized Speaker, Author, Mentor & Certified Life Coach, and Founder of PEARL Girls CoachKeisha.com Facebook.com/CoachKeisha Instagram: @CoachKeisha Keisha Howard is a passionate communicator and girls’ self-esteem enthusiast who is making a positive impact in the lives of girls, young women, and the people who care about them. She specializes in healthy teen girl development and her programs inspire tween/teen girls and young women to build confidence, make positive decisions, and genuinely love themselves; while empowering their parents to maintain connected and have healthy communication throughout adolescence.

Known as “The Queen of Empowering Teens,” Keisha has a special way of connecting with girls that empowers them to want to excel in school and life – with confidence; many call her “The Girl Whisperer.” After 10 years of experience as a school teacher and school guidance Counselor, Keisha developed a knack for motivating girls at a soul level, and then made it her life’s mission to both empower girls and educate parents on the latest topics and trends that relate to developing today’s generation of healthy girls. She wants girls to fall in love with themselves and have unshakeable confidence that allows them to avoid peer pressure & accomplish their dreams, while also making sure girls feel comfortable talking to their moms, and moms feel comfortable connecting and communicating with their daughters.

She is the Founder of PEARL Girls, a self-esteem and etiquette organization for girls that was recognized in 2014 with the #Beygood endorsement by Beyonce. Keisha’s first book, The Inner-Beauty Secret, is a 2015 Gold Award recipient from the Mom's Choice Awards. A lifetime learner, Keisha received both her Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Leisure Studies and her Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of North Texas. She possesses a State Board of Educator Certification in both Teaching and Professional School Counseling, and is also a Certified Life Coach Practitioner and Certified Etiquette Consultant.

Emily Roberts MA, LPC- Creator of The Guidance Girl, Author, Psychotherapist and Teen Expert TheGuidanceGirl.com Facebook.com/ GuidanceGirlEm Instagram: @GuidanceGirlEm Twitter: @GuidanceGirlEm Emily has spent over a decade speaking to girls, parents and young adults, serving as an inspirational liaison between adolescents and adults. She is dedicated to helping young girls develop confidence, while educating parents on the realities of today’s digital world. Emily gives young women the tools to feel confident and develop unbreakable self-esteem. In her book, Express Yourself: A Teen Girl’s Guide to Speaking Up and Being Who You Are, Roberts outlines real world strategies and delivers guidance that helps readers become more confident communicators. From digital drama to improving relationship with family and friends, readers of all ages learn to speak up and manage their emotions.

Emily has been featured on The Dr. Oz Show, HLN’s Dr. Drew On Call, and has made radio appearances on stations including the nationally syndicated radio broadcast Loveline. She has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Austin Monthly and Chicago Tribune. She is a regular contributor for HealthyPlace.com: America’s Health Channel, where her weekly blog “Building Self-Esteem” won a Web Health Award for Outstanding Content.

She holds a Master’s Degree in counseling psychology from St. Edward’s University, and splits her time between Austin, TX and New York City.

According to a CDC 2013 study, only 4% of high school aged girls were not actively trying to lose weight.

In a 2011 study by AAUW, 56% of girls in grades 7-12 had experienced sexual harassment.

The Dove Report on Self Esteem found that 71% of teen girls in Austin report feeling that they don’t measure up.

Of girls who attended the 2015 We Are Girls Conference…

91% of participants said they were likely to attend next year’s We Are Girls Conference 97% of attendees gave an overall grade of Excellent/Good 91% said they would recommend We Are Girls to a friend 93% reported their experience at We Are Girls would improve their grades at school.

See GirlsEmpowerment Network.org for more information on these statistics and to find new resources.

GirlsEmpowermentNetwork.org

Emily has an authentic voice and is dedicated to helping today’s girls face and overcome their adolescent challenges. She has made it her mission to help this generation feel confident in the skin they’re in and become their best selves. Frustrated with the lack of honest approaches available to help girls, young women, and parents, Emily created The Guidance Girl, an online destination filled with inspiration and tools that help girls, teens and parents navigate the world we live in today with confidence.

WHY A CONFERENCE FOR GIRLS?

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about Girls Empowerment Network

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF EMPOWERING GIRLS

GEN’s founders reflect on the growth of the organization and how the program continues to remain true to its mission.

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We Are Girls Austin Conference

By Danielle Ransom

Originally called The Ophelia Project, Girls Empowerment Network, or GEN, was created in 1996, when Teresa Kelly and Kim Soechting, two of GEN’s founders, and 10 other mothers noticed a change in their daughters when they reached puberty.

The Ophelia Project derived its name from a book, Reviving Ophelia, which analyzed an increasing trend: the systematic decline of self-esteem among girls. The book theorized that, bombarded with images from the Internet and media, girls’ self-esteem erodes over time when they see women portrayed in unrealistic ways, resulting in unhealthy behavior, like depression, low academic achievement, teen pregnancy and drug abuse.

“When I read the book, I thought, ‘Not my daughter, not anyone’s daughter,’ ” Kelly says.

Joining forces with Soechting, Kelly envisioned an organization that would provide girls with the tools and support to unlock their full potential, all while building up their self-confidence.

Twenty years later, what started out as regular meetings among concerned mothers has now grown into the Girls Empowerment Network, one of Austin’s biggest social

organizations geared toward the positive development of young girls. In a society in which women are placed under a lot pressure of to be perfect, GEN meets girls in their natural environment to discuss any issues or problems they may be facing.

Julia Cuba Lewis, executive director of GEN, says it’s imperative to work with girls during puberty. “[Puberty] is a really complicated [time] for young girls.

A lot of change is happening in their bodies and the media is pushing images…of girls that are unhealthy,” Cuba Lewis says.

Each year, the organization has seen its own strides toward growth. The We Are Girls Conference, an annual statewide event hosted by GEN, grew from 400 participants in 2008 to a sold-out event in 2015, with 2,000 registrants. The plan is to sell out again this year. The conference is so popular that it expanded to Houston in 2015 and saw 800 people show up in its first year.

As of 2016, GEN has established more than 10 outreach programs: six for girls going through elementary, middle and high school, and four for adults. All programs offer participants myriad support outlets and workshop opportunities.

In addition to a mix of major funding from corporations, foundations and the government, more than 10,000 donors have contributed significantly to GEN’s growth throughout the years, expanding GEN’s annual budget to $1.2 million in its 20th year.

Diane T. Land, Honorary Chair, MariBen Ramsey, Chair Rossana A. Barrios, Janet Bates, Heather Bendes, Linda Benge, Drew & Melissa Bixby, Betsy Blair, Sabrina Brown, Sandra Bucklin, Laura & Shawn Catoe, Perla Cavazos, Eric Harslem & Lorraine Clasquin, Laurie Coffin, Alicia Davis, Suzanne Deal Booth, Loretta & Jim Fellers, Lulu Flores, Jolynn Free, Margaret Garcia, Tammy Goforth, Sandy Gottesman, Lisa & Dan Graham, Lisa Harris, Paula Herd, Tracy Holland & Jim Skelding, Christie Horne, Celia Israel, Erin & Jason Jones, Melissa Jones, Karen Kahan, Cynthia and Gregory Kozmetsky, Rita Kreisle, Kristen Lark, Monica & Casey Layfield, Kit & Alexis Mellem, Lynn, Sarah & Abby Meredith and Kate Andrade, Michele Moore, Bettye Nowlin, Maria Orozova, Janis Pinnelli, Christine A. Plonsky, Robert and Christine Reinauer, Lora Reynolds & Quincy Lee, Debbie and Leonard Rodell, Kim Soechting, Kerry Tate, Maura Thomas, Cathy Thompson, Shari & Cliff Vars, Kathrine Weaver, Nancy Word & Emily Bush

We Are Girls Austin Conference will take place Saturday, November 5 from 9am-3pm at Austin High School. For more information visit WeAreGirls.org

GirlsEmpowermentNetwork.org

For more information about the Girls Empowerment Network, visit: girlsempowermentnetwork.org.

GENOVATORS GIVING CIRCLE

We Are Girls Featured Conference Speakers

MariBen Ramsey, a former GEN board member, got involved with the organization during its early stages and proudly notes she’s witnessed the program progress and grow tremendously.

“Many young girls don’t have any idea that they can create their own future, and GEN provides [them with] great role models, connecting them with successful women to interact with and learn from, and showing girls they can be anything they want to be,” Ramsey says.

GEN originally started out as one program, a speakers series that was present in a few schools throughout the Austin area. Now there are multiple programs through which girls can meet with mentors, as well as with one another, to confront issues they are facing, receive moral support and discuss their future aspirations.

In 2017, GEN will work with more than 60 schools to serve more than 15,000 girls and their families. Through its 180 Program, GEN serves more than 700 girls, most coming from tough living situations, and who have been deemed high-risk or are first-time offenders, and works with them to develop better decision-making skills.

“GEN really gives girls a safe place to talk and build their confidence and be able to make good decisions that move their life forward in a positive way,” says Austin’s first lady, Diane Land, who attributes the tight-knit sense of community found in GEN’s programs as key to the organization’s success. “Each girl has her own unique story [to share], and you really get to understand the circumstances some of these girls live in and the obstacles they face. It gives me a really warm feeling to know GEN is giving them a safe place [to turn].”

Looking ahead, Land says she’d like to see girls not even worry about what society says about them, and for society, in return, to be more accepting of girls making the vulnerable and impressionable transition from adolescence to adulthood.

“I’m not sure that’s going to happen, [though],” Land says, “so, I think it’s much more important to deal with the reality and continue to bring girls into this organization and build their confidence. Then, when they start having kids, hopefully, they can continue the cycle we started.”

On that note of continuation and guiding future generations, GEN has expanded its outreach to 18 counties across Texas and plans to keep their focus on reaching more girls in more places, with the hope to eventually target schools in other states.

Kelly says watching GEN’s growth from its inception to now has been miraculous and exciting. “[The organization] has grown way beyond anything we envisioned,” she says.

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about Girls Empowerment Network

girls empowerment network'S WE ARE GIRLS Austin CONFERENCE WORKSHOP PROVIDERS #bossbabesATX bossbabes.org

Girl Prana girlprana.com

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Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas plannedparenthood.org/ planned-parenthood-greater-texas

Austin Public Library Friends Foundation austinlibrary.org

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“We Are Girls allowed my daughters to explore in a safe and positive environment.”

“I loved the diversity and inclusiveness for all involved."

"It was refreshing to be with other parents struggling to have open conversations with their daughter. I felt so supported!”

“I like that the conference encourages the girls to find their essence and be themselves through group activities, like sports. We Are Girls encourages community togetherness.”

“The subject matter is basic, but SO powerful. Many subjects that parents forget that girls simply don’t know about.”

GirlsEmpowermentNetwork.org

What Adult Attendees are saying about We Are Girls

We Are Girls Featured Conference Speakers

We Are Girls Celebrates Mothers & Daughters!

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presented by 2016 Conference Sponsors and committee members: Karen & Carter Blackburn, Beth & Tripp Carey, Carolyn Rice Bartlett Charitable Foundation, Pam Catoe, Julie Fisher, Susan Gallagher, Ane Lowe, Lynn, Sarah, & Abby Meredith and Kate Andrade, Megan Owen, The Office of the Governor, The Stahl Family Foundation, Kay Wilemon, Marc & Suzanne Winkelman

Austin

Independent School District

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GEN thanks all of our 2016 sponsors for empowering young women in Texas!

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Rifle + Radford Returns Home

Fresh off her jewelry brand’s fifth anniversary, Melanie Edwards reminisces about her decision to make the move back to Austin, looks at her vision for the future and keeps philanthropy close to her heart.

After 10 years traversing the bustling streets of New York City, sixth-generation Texan Melanie Edwards has officially returned home to the source of her creative inspiration and the start of her cross-country journey.

Moving back to Austin marks the end of an era for Edwards, who, as a teenager, dreamed of leaving Texas for the Big Apple to pursue her interest in fashion design. Upon arriving in New York, Edwards interned with prominent designers Donna Karan, Amy Smilovic of Tibi and Oscar de la Renta. She also attended prestigious programs at the renowned Parsons School of Design, honing the skills that would eventually allow her to successfully launch her own jewelry brand, Rifle + Radford, in 2011.

Named after a spin on Edwards’ childhood nickname, Pistol, and her maiden name, Radford, Rifle + Radford celebrated its fifth anniversary in July with a series of local trunk shows featuring some of Edwards’ latest creations.

But selling her products in conventional marketplaces was not how the business began for Edwards, who debuted her brand’s inaugural six-piece collection on Facebook.

“These were the very basic days of Facebook,” Edwards says about the launch of her brand. “When the entire [six-piece] collection sold within an hour, I thought, ‘Maybe I really do have something here.’ ” Some of Edwards’ proudest accomplishments and fondest memories occurred in the early days of selling her jewelry line at the Chelsea Market and Grand Central Terminal. By participating in large-scale events, like the Grand Central Holiday Fair, the largest holiday maker fair in the nation, Edwards reached a vast and diverse audience that turned her small business into a sustainable venture.

“New York City is a fast-paced city with a lot of business people, and the brand reflected that,” Edwards says. “The brand was more buttoned-up, more tailored, but [now that I’m back in Austin,] I’ve been able to put some of my own lifestyle in and tap into a relaxed, whimsical nature.”

Edwards says relocating to Austin has helped her brand reconnect with her Southwestern roots. Austin’s easygoing lifestyle, she says, has led to changes in her jewelry design aesthetic, with recent collections fleshing out a more carefree side of the brand.

While Rifle + Radford doesn’t have a physical storefront in Austin like it did in New York, being in tune with the community is a crucial component of the top-of-the-line customer service that Edwards makes a priority. The reduced in-person contact with customers has led to a flourishing socialmedia presence, helping the brand reach a larger audience and keep in touch with a geographically dispersed clientele base.

42 | Austin Woman | october 2016

“Grand Central Station was just such a hub of people that it was fine to fall a little behind with social media,” Edwards admits. “But, now in Austin, I’ve been making sure to be on top of it so that our fans can have a visual way to see what’s going on with Rifle + Radford every day.”

At the core of Edwards’ brand is her commitment to philanthropy and her desire to give back to the city and people that continue to inspire her.

A cause she holds dear to her heart is stamping out Parkinson’s disease, a medical condition her father has suffered from for the past 20 years.

All profits from her Wear Your Heart collection of necklaces go to the The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and the American Parkinson Disease Association.

“My family has been a part of the Parkinson’sdisease community for 20 years, and I wanted something I could make that was tangible and meaningful to give back to the community,” Edwards says of her collection.

From the sourcing of unique, semiprecious gems from distant locales in South America and Turkey, to incorporating bright colors and layering techniques influenced by her trip to India last Christmas, Edwards always finds beauty and inspiration in new places.

With a storefront or mobile pop-up shop in the works, Edwards is looking forward to making Rifle + Radford more readily available to her local customers in the future. Her master plan, however, includes launching more than just one storefront in Austin. Having specialized in knitwear during her stint in New York, Edwards wants Rifle + Radford to branch out into other directions within the realm of fashion.

“The goal for Rifle + Radford was always to be a lifestyle brand,” Edwards says. “[The line] will expand beyond jewelry to include knitwear and have a few stores for the jewels and one for Rifle + Radford lifestyle.”

Now with her feet firmly planted on home turf, Edwards spends her free time living the Austin outdoor lifestyle.

“My husband and I promised ourselves we would continue the adventurous lifestyle we adopted in New York,” Edwards says. “Even in the town we grew up in, [we’re committed] to find[ing] new experiences whenever we can.”

Rifle + Radford jewelry is available at Stella Says Go and A Custom House. A larger variety of Melanie Edwards’ collections can be found on the website, rifleandradford.com.

Photos by Kate Zimmerman.

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avvy Women

Let’s Taco ’Bout It

Walk the Walk

Two new authors tell Austin Woman Publisher Melinda Garvey how they did more than just talk the talk. photo by kevin garner Longtime friends René Banglesdorf and Lisa Copeland are, self-admittedly, wildly different women, yet, they share a common thread: One day, they had both had enough. As female leaders in male-dominated industries, this duo decided to write a book on abandoning the status quo—amid their own life-changing transformations.

Banglesdorf, the majority owner in an aviation company that buys and sells private jets throughout the world, earned her undergraduate degree in journalism in 2016 “after taking 23 years off.” Copeland spent 25 years as a female pioneer in the automotive industry, breaking records and being named one of the Top 100 Leading Women in the North American Automotive Industry

by Automotive News before selling her award-winning dealership earlier this year. Austin Woman Founder and Publisher Melinda Garvey asked the Crushing Mediocrity authors, upon the recent release of their manifesto, to explain just what mediocrity really means—and how to crush it. —Emily C. Laskowski

Melinda Garvey: What was the initial impetus for writing the book?

René Banglesdorf: Lisa and I probably started talking two and a half years ago about all of the amazing women that we know in the automotive and aviation [industries], which are predominately [male-dominated], especially in executive leadership. We were like, “You know what? There’s certain characteristics that women have who are successful in maledominated fields.”

Lisa Copeland: I think that nothing in life happens by accident. I almost feel like the whole book conversation happened and then we shelved it and we kind of walked away from it. … Then it kind of came alive again… and we brought it alive together.

MG: Lisa, do you credit this book as being something that showed you a path as you were considering leaving the dealership?

LC: Yes, absolutely. It’s real easy to say you want to do something, you want to go out and change the world…but René encouraged me. No, let me back up. She held me accountable. She said you can’t write or co-author a book on crushing mediocrity and go out and talk about fearing less if you don’t take the first step toward your destiny, the destiny you know that you’re meant for.

Melinda Garvey, René Banglesdorf and Lisa Copeland chat over margaritas at Lupe Tortilla, 701 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 512.582.2205, lupetortilla.com.

44 | Austin Woman | october 2016

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Let’s Taco ’Bout It

MG: Sounds like a case of “You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?”

LC: Yes, of course. René, on a daily basis, said, “No guts, no glory.”

That’s the fear: stepping away.

Mediocrity, for me, was staying in a safe place. Now, I really talk to women around the world, around the globe about stepping away from your safe place, your highprofile job, and following your burning platform, which, for me, is, of course, to empower women and to change the world.

MG: Does it come with a cost?

I think that’s the thing people don’t see, so, we stay for a lot of reasons and a lot of different things: relationships, jobs, this and that.

“Mediocrity, for me, was staying in a safe place. Now, I really talk to women around the world, around the globe about stepping away from your safe place, your high-profile job, and following your burning platform, which, for me, is, of course, to empower women and to change the world.”

—Lisa Copeland

MG: Right. But, of course, it seems like women are often taught to be non-confrontational.

LC: That’s not a friend. … If I ever have a problem with you, I’m not going to put it on social media or to a crowd. I’m going to go to you.

Then it will end there, and vice versa. It’s done, it’s confronted and it’s over versus the drama.

RB: We’re all guilty of it. We see people who are really kicking ass in their job, and their health isn’t great. There are people who workout all the time, but they’re ignoring the relationship with their parents or their family and letting that slide into something less than excellent. All of us are guilty of having mediocrity in some area of our lives, pretty much every day.

MG: Exactly. I’m too old to have somebody BS me all the time. In my group of friends, it’s like: Do I want to hear it? No. But do I need to hear it? Yes. RB: In the book, we talk about how lionesses are always looking for each other. They look out for each other’s young. When one cub is messing up, the other mama will step in and help out and steer that cub back to safety. We need to do that. If we could behave like lionesses, we could hunt together and we could take care of our young together, we could grow up together and grow old together.

Instead of being in competition, if we collaborated like lionesses, this world would be a vastly different place.

MG: You also talk a lot about how we don’t live in an era in which character and ethics are of premium importance. Do you see us getting back to a time when those do matter?

RB: That’s the reason that we wrote the book. It’s because what we see going on in the world around us today is not the legacy that we want to leave. We wrote the book to start the conversation of the question you just asked. Can we change it? The answer is yes, we can.

LC: To René’s point on accountability, we talk in the book about how to build the tribe. I’m very blessed [by the people in] our tribe, and we hold each other accountable. None of us are perfect.

We all make mistakes, but you’ve got to be able to have a friend that’ll look you in the face and go, “You’re screwing up.” I think it’s hard for women. … Part of the accountability, part of all the excellence, part of everything is that you have to be the person who truly, to your very soul, roots for other people. If you root for other people, then you will go tell people, “I care. I want to see you win.”

Crushing Mediocrity: 10 Ways to Rise Above the Status Quo by René Banglesdorf and Lisa Copeland, $23.99, crushingitacademy.com #CrushingIt

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

austinwomanmagazine.com | 47

S

avvy Women

PROFILE

Call of Duty

After going to war, Molly Mae Potter struggled to regain her life at home.

Now she’s working to take care of her fellow female veterans.

by Shelley Seale

The Special Operations unit was looking for engineering and acquisitions officers to support a small, special mission in Afghanistan and Iraq. Potter was the first female selected for this program, and, at the age of 25, one of the youngest.

By the spring of 2010, she was deployed to Afghanistan.

Overseas, she was focused.

“I was dedicated to the mission that I was there to accomplish, and was treated fairly and with the upmost respect by the male Special Operations forces operators,” Potter says.

It had been assumed Potter would stay on base and support the operation remotely from there. However, one thing became apparent very quickly.

“That was not the case once I arrived,” she says. “When I was preparing for deployment, I was focused on the engineering and acquisitions mission…not preparing for war.”

Instead, she was assigned to travel on missions with special-forces operators and fly between remote bases, in the middle of a war.

“I saw things I wasn’t prepared to see, and I experienced things I never thought would happen to me,” Potter recalls.

She had always been fascinated with flight; as a child, she wanted to be an astronaut. Her obsession with space and science propelled her to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., where, in 2007, she completed a dual degree in astro-engineering and space physics. Because the university was military-focused, Potter spent a lot of time with ROTC students who were planning for pilot training after graduation. She wanted to be part of that team, and was accepted into Officer Training School, becoming a flight-test engineer for the Air Force.

But she wasn’t expecting to go to war.

In September 2010, a few months after being deployed, Potter had just come off a long night mission in Southern Afghanistan.

She headed to the dining facility for a sandwich.

“The sun was just rising over the mountains, and that is when our base came under attack,” she remembers. “A mortar round landed right behind me.”

Fortunately, massive concrete barriers helped shield her from the shrapnel that could have killed her. The blast threw her into a ditch and knocked her unconscious.

“I woke up groggy and very confused,” Potter says. “I slowly started to piece together what had happened as people rushed to make sure I was OK. I had a horrible headache and my whole chest hurt like hell.

But I got up on my own. I could walk. I could breathe.”

48 | Austin Woman | october 2016

Photo by Natalie Cass.

When Molly Mae Potter was a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force, she caught the attention of Special Operations Command headquarters. She had just been granted the Company Grade Officer of the Year award for capably leading her entire unit of more than 1,000 officers—a recognition typically bestowed on officers with a higher rank and more experience.

“We have built this amazing network of female veterans united to make sure that Twelve hours later, Potter was flying on anwe never leave one of other mission, and was our sisters behind.” in Afghanistan another month before heading home. Returning to her suburban life and military desk job in Florida, she felt irritable and out of place. She became obsessed with work and her physical appearance, running excessively and developing an eating disorder. While isolating herself from friends and family, her marriage began to fall apart as she struggled with insomnia, depression and anxiety.

“I didn’t realize how much I had been affected by the deployment,” she says. “I developed habits and personal walls that appeared to the outside world that I had my life together, but inside, I was a total mess. I thought I would be able to overcome it on my own. Meanwhile, the lack of sleep, depression and eating disorder were catching up with me, and my protective barriers were quickly collapsing.”

In 2013, as she was coming home from work, Potter was involved in a car accident that brought everything to a head.

“I realized that I really couldn’t keep my guard up,” she says. “I surrendered and admitted to all the mental-health and personal struggles in my life, not only to my family and friends, but also to the military.”

She was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury from her combat injury. With treatment, therapy and the help of her therapy dog, Bella, who often woke her from her night terrors, Potter slowly improved. As her final Air Force mission, she worked with the Pentagon to ensure the future access of service dogs for active-duty airmen as a means for PTSD treatment and suicide prevention. She was honorably discharged in November 2013, with Bella by her side.

Out of the military, however, Potter struggled for months to find a job.

“I went from being star officer in the Air Force and overcoming personal challenges with PTSD, and now no one wanted me,” Potter says.

“I was of no value.”

Finally, a recruiter at Dell contacted her, and Potter was offered a management position in engineering business operations. She moved to Texas to begin her new life in May 2014.

“I feel like it was fate,” she says. “I found a company that I love working for that also values the experience of veterans and is dedicated to hiring them.”

Potter’s post-military struggle is all too common. Many veterans leave the military with unresolved mental-health or personal issues and do not have support while searching for a job. Female veterans experience higher unemployment rates than their male counterparts. They are also six times more likely to become homeless; there are approximately 55,000 homeless female veterans in the country.

Potter became an incredible advocate for these female veterans.

She was appointed Austin City Commissioner on Veterans Affairs, an unpaid volunteer position, and also entered the Ms. Veteran America contest, a nonprofit organization that highlights the strength and sacrifice of female veterans and raises money for them and their children.

Potter quickly raised close to $16,000 through her Ms. Veteran America campaign, which is part of the contest’s efforts to raise money for female veterans. She is on her way to her fundraising goal of $20,000, enough to support an entire transitional facility for homeless female vets and their kids for four months. The finals take place Oct. 9 in Washington, D.C. The winner receives a cash prize of $15,000 and, most importantly, the role of spokesperson for female veterans nationwide. Potter is required to provide at least 100 hours of community service during the year.

She calls her experience with the program transformational.

“For the first time since leaving the military, I finally feel like I have found my calling,” she says. “The competition has been long but so incredibly rewarding. We have built this amazing network of female veterans united to make sure that we never leave one of our sisters behind. Working hard to fight for these issues is what gives me energy every day.”

S

avvy Women

just passing through

When Women Hold the Key

One of Fortune magazine’s Most Powerful Women in Business heads to Austin and tells Austin Woman her secrets to success.

When the Women’s Fund of Central Texas hosts its Keyholder event Oct. 25 in Austin—an evening focused on the importance of investing in women and children, and promising Champagne and a doughnut bar—the audience will hear from Andrea Jung, the president and CEO of Grameen America, the fastest-growing microfinance organization in the United States. Jung is the former chair and CEO of Avon Products, and the longest-serving female chief executive among Fortune 500 companies. The mission of Grameen America is to help women who live in poverty build small businesses and, in turn, create better lives for their families.

Before Jung arrives in Austin later this month, she shared with Austin Woman just what she believes all women must do to build that better life.

— Christine Williams

“Women’s equality starts with opportunity. That’s why I have worked for organizations that work to expand women’s opportunity. From Avon to Grameen America, I have seen firsthand the powerful impact the opportunity to earn a living can make in a woman’s life. I believe that giving women, and especially lowincome women, the tools they need to generate their own income is critical to equality. We can start by expanding access to capital, asset and creditbuilding skills, and support to women in poverty.”

50 | Austin Woman | october 2016

“Follow your compass, not your clock. Every step in your professional journey is an opportunity to find passion for your work. It’s one thing to have a job…but to have true passion for your work is a real gift. Whatever path you choose, make sure to fall in love with the vocation you are involved in.

It will fuel and sustain you through the inevitable ups and downs, and fill your life with greater meaning.”

“Work-life balance is a phrase that every one of us needs to interpret in our own way. Raising two children over the course of a demanding career, I have found that you can’t have it all, not on any given day, anyway. But you can succeed at prioritizing the most important events for family or work. The key is to make wise choices and not look back. There are days I have missed work meetings because of family commitments, and days I’ve missed some of my children’s events because work takes precedence. The secret is to never miss the most important events on either side of the equation, and stop feeling guilty once you’ve made those choices. Plus, once you embrace the reality that there is no such thing as the perfect work-life balance, you find that having [a] good sense of humor certainly helps along the way!”

“A great leader always surrounds him- or herself with even greater people. Whether it is running a Fortune 500 company or a fast-growing nonprofit organization, strong leadership requires hiring the best and brightest, and then motivating them to do their best work. The ability to recruit talent, build skills and empower others to apply their skill sets to the task at hand is crucial. Focusing on the “who” over the “what” ensures your organization is resilient to unexpected challenges and set up for long-term success. I’ve found that, whatever the situation, surrounding myself with smart, driven people who are passionate about their work is the best way to propel forward.”

Photo courtesy of Grameen America.

“Great leaders never let pride get in their way.

Even in the corner office, you are constantly learning. Humility is one of the most important traits of great leaders. Being willing to disconnect one’s ego from one’s ideas and listen to others is essential. Organizations risk paralysis when leaders are unable to absorb advice or embrace new approaches. Commitment to personal reinvention is also key. A mentor told me that every leader should take the following advice: Fire yourself on Friday and rehire yourself on Monday. In other words, constantly approach challenges with a fresh eye because the skills and ideas that were appropriate in the past are not necessarily going to be adequate in the future.”

“Empowering other women means taking action to ensure their success. As women, we all have a responsibility to turn around and extend a hand to those coming after us. That’s why mentorship is especially crucial for women. I have benefited from incredible mentors throughout my career and know that it’s now my turn to give that same guidance to young women. Too often, the most talented and dedicated women can fail to reach their potential simply because they were overlooked on the way up. As a mentor, I try to give honest advice and help set goals to make sure young women have the confidence and skills they need to be successful.”

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NOT Really Roughing It

Sinya photo by Craig Washburn.

If you are an outdoors-centric traveler and somehow not familiar with the term ‘glamping,’ well, you are late to the party—and it’s quite a party, indeed.

by Steve Habel With “glamping,” or glamorous camping, there’s no fire to build, no tent to pitch and no sleeping bag to roll out on the hard ground. Instead, you’ll rest and relax surrounded by the amenities found in most luxury hotels, albeit underneath a huge, sturdy and, if desired, climate-controlled tent. The conveniences found at glamping destinations far exceed anything recreational campers experience.

Glamping is more than just a spotless window to the outdoors. It’s being in the woods or a meadow, or on the hilltop or beach and having the option of retreating to your tent for a little air conditioning, a shower and to check your email or catch up on Netflix via the included Wi-Fi. It’s not roughing it; it’s a way to experience the great outdoors without sacrificing luxury.

austinwomanmagazine.com | 53

M

ust List

discover

While the concept of glamping has been around since ancient times, the trend gets its most recent inspiration from British Colonial days, when wealthy families would employ huge staffs to carry treasured belongings while on safari or taking a holiday in some far-flung outpost.

From electric generators to folding baths and cases of Champagne, those well-heeled travelers were afforded every domestic luxury while “getting away from it all.”

The number of international glamping options has skyrocketed since the word first came in vogue in 2005. Whether in a tent, yurt, Airstream trailer, pod, igloo, hut, villa, cabin, cube, teepee or treehouse, glamping focuses on a high level of service and the complete comfort of the guests.

Global hospitality providers, independently owned sites and mom-and-pop operations are pouncing on the demand of travelers who want to experience the positive aspects of camping without the uncomfortable negatives. Not many folks really want to deal with ants and mosquitoes and dirt and the ever-changing weather when they can jump into a clean, plush bed and not worry about what’s outside when the zipper is raised or the hatch is closed.

Austin Woman tested three local glamping sites offered at different price points and found the results to be suitably plush. (It’s a tedious job, but someone’s got to do it!) However, for those looking to really splurge, we suggest one particular spot offering the most enchanting glamping experience of them all, and it’s well worth the trek north.

Sinya on Lone Man Creek Wimberley, Texas It’s hard to imagine anyplace more romantic and isolated—in a good way—than Sinya on Lone Man Creek, an African safari tent for two nestled comfortably into the hillside on five and a half acres of Hill Country heaven just outside Wimberley.

Sinya’s owner, Lynn Gallimore, spent some time in Tanzania, and had the massive, high-roofed tent shipped from South Africa. It’s large enough for a king-size bed and an indoor restroom with an antique claw-foot tub. Replete with heating and air conditioning to control the climate, Sinya also offers Turkish towels to dry off following a soak in the Japanese hot tub just outside.

During the day at Sinya, named after an orphaned elephant in Kenya that Gallimore fosters, guests can swim in the creek, hike in the creek bed or fish by the dam, but Gallimore says most people just like to relax and hang out in the hammock or hot tub.

At the guest’s beck and call is a grill, plus a small kitchenette, complete with herbs and spices. Fresh, flowering plants, as well as spa bathrobes, s’mores fixin’s, firewood, propane gas and housekeeping are all included in the rental rate.

Rates start at $299 per night.

Green Acres Just a half hour’s drive east of Austin off Highway 290 sits Green Acres, one of Texas’ newest glamping options. Established in June 2015 by a couple of selfdescribed city folk, Green Acres started with one Marrakesh-style yurt for rent and proved so popular, another artistically decorated yurt was added. Each yurt can fit a family of four, and smaller tents can be added to accommodate bigger parties.

Amenities include a modern bathhouse with a shower, washer and dryer, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, vintage barn, hammocks and a fire pit perfect for making s’mores, the fixin’s for which are provided

by Green Acres.

Guests can hike the getaway’s nature trails or try their skills on the trampoline and half-pipe skate ramp onsite. The property is the home to all kinds of animals with which guests can intermingle, including miniature donkeys, alpacas and cats.

Organic farms surround the “glampsite,” and there is no wireless access on the property, so guests should be prepared to truly unplug.

Rates start at $195 per night.

54 | Austin Woman | october 2016

Sinya photo by Al Argueta. Green Acres photo by Adam King.

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Texas Bell Tent Spring Branch, Texas Situated off Highway 281 in Spring Branch, about an hour southwest of Austin, Texas Bell Tent was erected on a custom deck that hangs on a ledge, capturing a long-distance view of the Texas Hill Country.

At 20 feet in diameter and 12 feet tall in the center, the tent is large enough to house a queen-size bed and twin daybed, and accommodate for an extra queen-size inflatable bed if needed. There is a private bathroom, including a sink, toilet and hot-water shower, and all bath towels, robes and linens are provided.

Custom picnic tables are set alongside the tent for great outdoor dining, and there’s a fire pit with utensils onsite for barbecuing and roasting s’mores. Complimentary coffee and specialty teas are provided for guests in the tent and with breakfast in the main house, which is nearby but not too close for comfort.

Rates start at $125 per night.

Paws Up

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Leslie Sherbet. Paws Up photo courtesy of Paws Up. Photo courtesy of photo Murphy

Greenough, Montana If you really want to get away and channel your inner explorer, Paws Up in Greenough, Mont., might just be the place for you. This resort is the ultimate in glamorous camping, a first-class adventure on a grand scale.

Paws Up is a sprawling 37,000-acre resort on a working cattle ranch in Western Montana, and offers varied lodging options, including Moonlight Camp, a collection of six safari-like tents that rest at the foot of Lewis and Clark’s famous Lookout Rock, just 100 yards from the Blackfoot River.

Moonlight Camp has an impressive array of glamping amenities, including the most plush, comfortable bed to ever wear sheets, private

in-suite bathrooms and a sumptuous dining pavilion that serves haute, grilled cuisine.

Two-bedroom tents give guests the space they need, and there is no shortage of fun activities for kids and adults alike. How about a complimentary horse-drawn wagon ride, a trip through the woods on mountain bikes or an Old West-style scavenger hunt?

For those not interested in any of that, just a call away is the camping butler, who caters to guests’ every whim.

Rates start at $1,295 per night, based on double occupancy.

austinwomanmagazine.com | 57

M

ust List

GUILTY PLEASURE

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Photo by Lucy paije modeled by katie paschall When Salvatore “Sam” Lucchese and his brothers, the immigrant sons of an Italian shoemaker, set up a boot-making shop in San Antonio in 1883, their only customers were the U.S. Calvary servicemen stationed at Fort Sam Houston. More than 130 years later, countless pairs of Lucchese cowboy boots have been worn by presidents, royalty, cinematic icons and international celebrities, not to mention the legions of ranchers, farmers, Southern belles and—yes—especially Texans, who all consider Lucchese the only sole-bearing option for appropriate Western wear. As People Magazine declared in 1977: “Sam Lucchese’s boots are for the rhinestone cowboy in everyone.”

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— Emily C. Laskowski Sheridan boots, $3,495 Available at Allens Boots, 1522 S. Congress Ave., 512.447.1413, allensboots.com..

58 | Austin 58 Woman | Austin| Woman october| 2016 october 2016

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Lauren Bucherie, director of music at the endlessly cool Hotel Van Zandt and its vaunted restaurant Geraldine’s, shares her top listening picks to help you prep for this year’s ACL Music Fest lineup.

by Victoria Stowe

For the past eight years, she’s become an expert in navigating her way through crowded live-music performances and concert halls. As the director of music at Hotel Van Zandt, Lauren Bucherie has a pretty sweet, although often stressful, job of working with both up-and-coming and established musicians. In addition to coordinating live performances for Geraldine’s and curating playlists for Hotel Van Zandt, the Austin-based 31-year-old has made a career out of creating outlets for these musicians to disperse their art to new audiences.

1. Keeper

“I was always intrigued by how emotional music made me feel, whether it be excited or sad or calm,” Bucherie says. “I’ve always been interested in [viewing music] as a pathway to people’s wants and desires.

I am genuinely in awe of how much influence music can have on our mood. I love the power it holds and I like thinking about new and different ways to use that power.”

Fortunately for us, she decided to use that power for good. Before the mania of Austin’s music-festival season starts, Bucherie sat down to sift through the hundreds of artists performing at this year’s Austin City Limits Music Festival. What she distilled was a playlist of applause-worthy proportions.

1.

Genre: synth soul Her favorite song: “Dock” Chorus: “Maybe I’m meant to be yours / Maybe I’ll fill the space in you / You never know / It couldn’t hurt to stick around and find out”

2. Jai Malano Genre: roots blues/blues rock Her favorite song: “You Made Me Love Me” Chorus: “You made me love you / Now you’re my one and only / Put no one before you / ’Cause you made me love you”

2.

3. Chris Stapleton Genre: country/Southern rock Her favorite song: “Tennessee Whiskey” Chorus: “You’re as smooth as Tennessee whiskey / You’re as sweet as strawberry wine / You’re as warm as a glass of brandy / And honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time”

4.

4. Local Natives Genre: indie rock Her favorite song: “Airplanes” Chorus: “I love it all / So much I call / I want you back, back, back / You back”

3.

5. Chairlift

6.

Genre: indie pop/synth pop Her favorite song: “I Belong in Your Arms” Chorus: “’Cause the world goes on without us / It doesn’t matter what we do / All silhouettes with no regrets / When I’m melting into you / I belong in your arms / I belong in your arms”

6. Andra Day Genre: soul/jazz/blues/R&B/disco Her favorite song: “Forever Mine” Chorus: “I just want you to be forever mine / Be forever mine”

60 | Austin Woman | october 2016

5.

1. Photo by Drew DeGennaro. 2. Photo by Kevin Brice Garner. 3. Photo by Becky Fluke. 4. Photo by Renata Raksha. 5. Photo courtesy of Chairlift. 6. Photo by Myriam Santos.

Play It Again

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H O N O R i N G O U T S TA N d i N G w O M E N i N S T E M Welcoming keynote speaker Candice Morgan, Head of Diversity at Pinterest Honorary Chairs Alissa Bayer and Shon Bayer

w w w. G i R L S TA R T. O R G / G A M E - C H A N G E R S

S

tyle

the look

UNSEASONABLY WARM

Optimism tells you to take a gander at those riding boots hiding in your closet.

Reality reminds you this is Austin, where fall fashion is just a little bit hotter. written and modeled by Jessi Afshin, photos by Jordan Afshin The T-shirt Dress

The Off-the-shoulder Blouse

The Cutout LBD

It’s not Austin without a pop of casual chic. Since this city has crowned itself the capital of casual wear, a T-shirt dress is always a good idea.

In this case, dress up a charcoal frock with a pair of pointed-toe suede booties and a caramel-apple-colored bag, like this faux-leather tote. If you’re optimistic, throw on a scarf, in the event it cools down at night.

Showing a little a shoulder is the trendiest way to flirt with long sleeves in October. Stay cool with a classic and clean blouse, and stay on trend with a pair of distressed denim jeans. Lace-up heels are a fabulous fallback to rock comfortable and chic kicks. Add in a few neutral accessories—the easiest way to transition staples from season to season—and you’ve got a complete fall ensemble.

This is the staple every darling should have in her wardrobe arsenal. A little black dress transitions breezily from summer to fall and doesn't look out of place in Austin's winter and spring. Give hot temperatures the cold shoulder with this of-the-moment cutout style.

Complement it with a pop of pastel and consider yourself a master of the season.

Flower 1 sunglasses, $225, westwardleaning.com

Dior So Real sunglasses, $560, nordstrom.com

Treasure&Bond pocket T-shirt dress, $59, nordstrom.com

Chantel slit-sleeve, off-the-shoulder, tiered top, $66.75, nordstrom.com

Street Level reversible faux-leather tote, $48, nordstrom.com

AG The Legging ankle jeans, $245, nordstrom.com

Chevron quilted Love crossbody bag with tassel, $295, rebeccaminkoff.com

Chloe Marcie medium satchel bag, $1,990, neimanmarcus.com

Steve Madden Stecy sandal, $79.95, nordstrom.com

Blake suede ankle boots, $150, samedelman.com

62 | Austin Woman | october OCTOBER 2016

Sam Edelman Yardley lace-up sandal, $129.95, nordstrom.com

1.State cold-shoulder minidress, $99, nordstrom.com

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Au Natural Complete Face Palette, $119 Lucky Lips Lipgloss in Moody, $18 Waterproof Eyeliner in Noir, $17 Lip Shade Lipsticks in Summer Siren, Pin Up Peach, Bad Influence, $18 Naked Sunrise Eyeshadow Palette, $56 Purchase these items at raecosmetics.com or 237 West 2nd St.

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64 | Austin Woman | OCTOBER 2016

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Reclaim your space with rugged refinement.

As autumn arrives and the temperature falls—even if only to dip below 70 degrees—the cozy comforts of the indoors begin to beckon. What better way to enjoy the warmth of the season, especially before the holiday hullabaloo takes over, than by nestling in a nook or snuggling under the

covers? Austin Woman asked Annie Downing of Annie Downing Interiors, who opened her Central Austin showroom in July, to tell us how she uses the subtleties of rustic charm to craft a dreamy hideaway for the hearth and home.

— Emily C. Laskowski

Paint Pick

Day’s End (2133-30), benjaminmoore.com

In This Room r Custom Roman shade from Schumacher r Bedding, sconce and side table from Restoration Hardware r Rug from Dash & Albert r Custom headboard from Revival Supply Co. r Antler, client’s own

get the look

White deer head wall mount with bronze antlers, whitefauxtaxidermy.com

Urban Barn galvanized wall light, lampsplus.com

66 | Austin Woman | OCTOBER 2016

Photos by Buff Strickland.

Emmerson reclaimedwood bed in chestnut, westelm.com

“” “Rustic is a casual, rugged, natural elegance. This can be achieved by using natural materials, soothing palettes and relaxed furnishings. While traditionally, rustic might have appeared heavy and dark, a contemporary version is quite the opposite. Incorporating rustic beams and antique or reclaimed hardwood floors is definitely a trend right now.” —Annie Downing

Various Textures

“Various textures, like the wood and metal shown here, give a room dimension, which is key to creating an interesting room,” Downing says. “A rustic, reclaimed-wood headboard gives this room a sense of warmth. Bedding in different textures, like linen, wool and canvas, also add dimension and visual appeal. The bedside table is steel with brass knobs, adding another material to the mix. Don’t be scared to mix non-shiny metals and finishes either.

Toss a cashmere throw on a sofa and add a wood coffee table. Woven, flat weave, hide and natural rugs, like jute, work great too.”

Neutral Colors

“Gray and brown are actually perfect complements,” Downing says. “The neutral colors keep the room casual yet refined. Dark-gray walls create a cozy and enveloping feel. This room still gets enough natural light, so it never feels too dark. A dark paint color creates the perfect environment to cozy up in during colder weather.”

Architectural Elements

“It’s important for the eye to bounce around so that it doesn’t get bored,” Downing says. “Add height by using books or boxes beneath some objects and place other items at lower levels too to maintain that visual interest.”

Nature-inspired Accents

“Adding a chunky, nature-inspired piece like a bench helps to ground the space and adds extra seating at the end of a bed,” Downing says. “Woven baskets can be both pretty and utilitarian. They add another layer of design. Use them to fold blankets in by a fireplace or for logs. Use small baskets on a coffee table to hold remote controls.”

Something Personal

“Always inject something personal into a space,” Downing adds. “Add photographs, art, books, an interesting ceramic piece, a horn dish or a beautiful piece of driftwood. Antlers and animal heads are typical wall décor for a rustic room, and even better when they have personal meaning.”

austinwomanmagazine.com | 67

With Her Own Two Hands After five years spent living in the public eye as a chef, author and TV personality, girl hunter Georgia Pellegrini is on a mission to reconnect with what matters most in life: herself, her family and the followers who’ve helped turn her lifestyle into a brand.

By April Cumming Photos by Philip Edsel Styled by Ashley Hargrove Hair and Makeup by Laura Martinez Shot on location at Cabin 71 in Spicewood, Texas

69

Previous page: Haute Hippie black suede cape, $995; 7 For All Mankind suede skinny jeans in cognac, $199, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com; Frye Melissa button boots, $368, available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500, nordstrom.com; Rhythm Suffolk hat in burnt orange, $40, available at rhythmlivin.com.

This page: Joie leopard-print fur vest, $898; Chan Luu choker, $80, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com; green silk shirt, model’s own.

70 | Austin Woman | OCTOBER 2016

IT

was the summer before her senior year at Wellesley College when she got the job offer. The world of private-car services, personal stylists, fancy dinners and free tickets to Alicia Keys concerts was at her fingertips, and all she had to do was say yes. And that’s exactly what she did. For the next year, Georgia Pellegrini would be treated like a queen. It became a routine. In the morning, she would walk onto the trading-room floor at Lehman Brothers and sit next to soon-to-be Chief Financial Officer Erin Callan, and at the end of each strenuously long workday, she would walk home late at night, often in tears.

At the time, Pellegrini, now 35, was haunted by something she had overheard Callan say in response to a question about life-work balance.

“I only have work,” she had said, sans elaboration.

Even at her impressionable age, Pellegrini was precocious enough to know that something about that statement wasn’t right.

“I thought, ‘I don’t want to be her when I grow up,’ ” Pellegrini says. She knew the longer she stayed at Lehman Brothers, the harder it would be to leave. “People around me were creating these lifestyles that they were now having to sustain, so, I left. I waited for my bonus to clear and I left.”

As the crow flies, she was living less than 30 miles from where she grew up, but the breakneck speed of her life on Wall Street couldn’t have been any further from the slow, rural rhythms of how she had been raised. To this day, her parents still live on her grandfather’s 100-year-old farm in the calm, charming suburb of Sparkill, N.Y., and growing up, Pellegrini never hesitated to get her hands dirty, often accompanying her dad to the creek, fishing pole in tow.

“I wasn’t raised with a lot of fear of things. I wasn’t taught that things were dirty or full of germs or something to be afraid of,” Pellegrini says. “Of course you get your clothes dirty. That’s what life is about. I never thought twice about digging in the dirt, pulling a fat worm out of the ground and pushing it right onto that [fishing] hook,” she recalls. “I think we live in a world with a lot of fear now. Everything is overprotected, and I think I was lucky in that I was given a lot of opportunity to run free.”

The granddaughter of a fashion photographer and model, and the daughter of an actress, Pellegrini grew up in a family of free spirits, creative thinkers and entrepreneurs.

“I think part of being a strong woman has a lot to do with the female influences in your life,” Pellegrini says. “I’ve been fortunate in that every woman in my life has been a total renegade. My grandmother, my great-aunt, my mother: each [were and are] incredibly strong women.”

Her parents saw the value in having choices in life, which meant pursuing a solid education, something Pellegrini still appreciates, to this day. She attended an all-girls private grade school and studied cello at Juilliard and the Manhattan School of Music before making her way to Wellesley College, where she majored in international relations.

“Growing up, she was always the one winning accolades and getting all of the awards. She’s always been very accomplished,” says her brother, Gordon Pellegrini, four years his sister’s junior.

“She was someone I looked up to, somebody that would guide me.”

The year was 2002. Pellegrini had graduated from Wellesley and was close to celebrating her one-year anniversary at Lehman Brothers. The economy was booming and the only thing ill-advised for anyone in her position at the time would have been to leave the high-risk, high-reward world of investment banking behind.

“I remember the conversation where she told me she was leaving,” says Marissa Reibstein, Pellegrini’s longtime friend from college. “We were walking down a street in Midtown when she said, ‘You know, I think I’m going to leave Lehman, and I think I’m going to go to the Culinary Institute. I need to pursue something that I love and I’ve got to do it now. Who knows where it’s going to lead me?’

“Working on Wall Street, that was the epitome of Georgia not being authentic. She’s always been a positive person, but she wasn’t happy. She was wearing suits, and that’s just not her. She’s the girl who comes to the party in a unique outfit that’s an expression of all her creativity, not the woman that comes to work in a suit.”

Pellegrini followed through with her idea, enrolling in The Culinary Institute of America. Soon, she started working in some of New York’s most prestigious kitchens, manning the grill at Gramercy Tavern and rubbing elbows with the esteemed Chef Dan Barber of Blue Hill at Stone Barns, the famed farm-to-table restaurant stoically situated on a Rockefeller estate in upstate New York. It was there, at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, that Pellegrini made her first visceral connection with food.

“We had to kill turkeys for the kitchen one day, and it was a watershed moment for me because it was so emotional and intense,” Pellegrini says. “I thought, ‘This is what it is to be a meat eater. If I’m going to be someone who butchers and cooks, I need to learn to kill it too, pay the full karmic price of a meal.’ ” In that moment, Pellegrini decided she wanted to learn how to hunt.

“I think there’s a stereotype that hunters are people who go out into the woods and shoot at things and tell dirty jokes, and they’re white, middle-aged men. I was a girl from New York who didn’t look like that,” she says with a chuckle. “I was looking at everything through the lens of food and how we were eating.”

The last thing she wanted to be portrayed as was Barbie toting a gun.

“I decided to hunt because I thought, ‘Our grandmothers used to go out and they’d kill a chicken in the backyard for dinner, and they’d weed and dig and burn.’ It was about living off the best that your own two hands could produce,” Pellegrini says. “I think we’ve started to rely too much on others to produce things for us, and so much of us are suffering as a result: our health, our mind, our livelihood, our well-being. When you think about it, we’re relying on people to make food for us, and our health isn’t as good. We’re relying on others to provide stable jobs for us, and they’re fraudulent and going under and going bankrupt. We have to come full circle.”

The ethos of being connected to the land, of understanding where your food is coming from, and being able to shake the hands of the farmers who raised your meat and harvested your produce was stressed to a degree of indispensable importance at Blue Hill at Stone Barns.

“Part of being in this cycle of life that we’re all in is that everything has to die,” Pellegrini says, explaining what she refers to as the field-to-stream-totable movement, a cooking methodology that lay at the heart of Blue Hill at Stone Barns’ identity. “Everything dies. We eat animals and plants. Animals eat plants and each other. Plants feed from the dirt, and we all turn to dirt. If you’re going to eat, something has to die, whether it’s an animal protein or a vegetable protein. There’s a cycle of life at play, and in order to eat, something has to die.”

For her, connecting with her food source is a form of connecting with herself. It all goes back to the idea of self-sufficiency, a characteristic Pellegrini considers “the ultimate girl power.”

“Food is experiential. It’s about how you interact with it. The more that we learn to do things with our own hands, the better off we’ll be,” she says.

On paper, working as a chef and working in the world of investment banking sound like polar opposites. Those career paths, however, have two key commonalities: insanely long hours and intense, hard work.

“The great poetic irony is I was working crazy hours, making below minimum wage, but it didn’t feel like work in the same way,” Pellegrini says of her shift from black pantsuits to white apron strings. “I was happy. I felt so energized and excited. It was screaming and abuse but, at the end of the day, it just didn’t feel like work in the same way.”

“She was calm and soulful and creative and happy. She was in her element,” Reibstein says. austinwomanmagazine.com | 71

What’s on Georgia’s Mind?

Spirit animal: “A little, pink pot-bellied pig”

The year was 2008, and Pellegrini had started working at a Michelin Star restaurant in the South of France when she heard the news of the crisis that hit Wall Street.

“When I heard that [Lehman Brothers went under], it was a sign I had made the right choice,” Pellegrini says, reflecting on her decision to shift career paths. “I couldn’t have been further from my life in New York, but I knew it was the right thing. The silver lining to doing something that makes you unhappy is that it forces you to think about what you’re doing when you’re happiest.

For me, it was using my hands. It was food and cooking. It was what I call my manual literacy. I wanted to find a way to get back to that, and get back to the land, get back to the roots, the way that I had grown up.”

At the time she received the news from Wall Street, Pellegrini was living in a rundown house in France. Three frogs had taken up temporary residence in her bathroom and, at night, she would pull a makeshift tablecloth-cum-comforter up to her chin and listen to them bellow as she fell asleep. In the few hours sandwiched between the lunch and dinner rushes, Pellegrini would make the trek home, trampling through a field of dead sunflowers to pour herself a glass of rosé and pull out her computer. Each afternoon, she would take a seat beneath her favorite quince tree outside and write, occasionally journeying into town to send email updates to her friends and family back home. It became a routine.

It was during such a flutter of emails sent back and forth that one of her friends suggested she write a book. He knew an agent in New York and decided to connect the two.

“I sat under the quince tree one day, on a picnic table in the garden, and I just opened a Word document and put down some bullet points for my [book] idea and sent it off,” Pellegrini says.

In her off hours, she taught herself how to piece together a book proposal.

It was 2011 when Pellegrini’s first book, Food Heroes, was published.

“It was pretty wild, serendipity, I think. The poetic nature of the fact that Lehman Brothers went under at the moment that I was getting my first book deal, I just think it was a sign that I was going in the right direction. Every step of the way, all the signposts kept telling me that it was the right choice,” Pellegrini says.

She was using her hands again, exercising her manual literacy and returning to her roots.

She felt a creative resurgence, and her innate entrepreneurial spirit was catalyzed to do more.

She bought a home in East Austin, a space free of clutter, bright with natural light and a small waterfall in the backyard for her pet turtle, Spencer, to play in.

“When I first came to Austin, I loved the feeling that it had, that small-town feel within the culture of a larger city,” Pellegrini says. “That balance was really appealing to me, and, as a creative person, I always found it hard to be in really intense, friction-full cities. I always need a little bit more mental space around me to write and to create, and Austin had that wonderful balance.”

The more she set out to do, the more she accomplished. And the more she accomplished, the more she was catapulted into the public eye. It was a new career. Her life was consumed with navigating the nuances of airport terminals, speaking on book tours, appearing on Today Show segments in the morning and cracking tongue-in-cheek jokes about the taste of squirrel meat with Jimmy Kimmel at night. Throughout the course of the next four years, she would publish two more books, Girl Hunter and Modern Pioneering, and launch her Adventure Getaways, a semi-annual series of wilderness retreats for women.

The recipe for one of Pellegrini’s covetous Adventure Getaways looks something like this: Start with a three- or four-day weekend spent rejuvenating in a beautiful, bucolic setting. Mix in a rifle-shooting lesson, followed by a field hunt, possibly tracking wild game like pheasant or axis deer. Add in a bird-cleaning class, a 30-minute mozzarella-cheese-making session, an off-road horseback ride or fly-fishing excursion, an art-gallery visit and a group dinner, followed by star gazing and roasting s’mores around the campfire.

Not even Pellegrini herself could have predicted how much of a hit the getaways would become, and she’s quick to quiet any assertion that fame or celebrity were on her mind when she started them.

“I was just living my life,” she says, when, in 2011, she started to receive emails from some of her followers. “I’d wake up every morning and I would have emails and the subject [line would say] things like, ‘I think you can help me.’ People would pour their hearts out to me. They would tell me their personal stories of struggle, of where they were in life, of cancer, of abuse, of divorce, of struggling with alcoholism. A lot of them would say to me, ‘I want to go on an adventure with you. I want to step outside my comfort zone. I want to feel empowered. I want to experience life more viscerally.’ ” 72 | Austin Woman | OCTOBER 2016

Favorite flower: “I love the smell of pineapple bush, or peonies, or hydrangea trees.”

Role model: “Martha Stewart. She’s taken a lot of flak, but she’s impressive.

She was a pioneer on so many levels.”

Daily routine: “Pretty much every single day, I eat the same thing for breakfast. I eat eggs and avocado almost every morning for breakfast.

I’m a big hot-sauce fiend.”

If she could have dinner with one person, living or dead, it would be: “Michelangelo. There’s a book about him called The Agony and the Ecstasy.

It’s mind-blowing.”

Favorite kind of meat: “Squirrel. It’s the best meat in the woods. It’s very buttery naturally because of what they eat.”

Least favorite kind of meat: “I’m really not a fan of chicken breast. [It’s] kind of dry and flavorless. I find it to be pretty depressing.”

Three items she always carries in her purse: “Ray-Ban sunglasses, Rohto eyedrops and Aquaphor lip ointment.

I always feel like if my eyes and my lips aren’t feeling good, then I’m just antsy.”

Favorite quote: “My dad said, ‘Mastery doesn’t create passion.

Passion creates mastery.’ I think that has set the tempo to my life.”

“I think we live in a world with a lot of fear now.

Everything is overprotected, and I think I was lucky in that I was given a lot of opportunity to run free.” ­— Georgia Pellegrini

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With each email, Pellegrini became enthralled by the idea and, thoroughly convinced, planned a spontaneous excursion to Montana.

“I’ll never forget the moment when I realized what it had become,” Pellegrini says of her Adventure Getaways. “I was walking out onto the porch of the cabin during one of these trips, and a New York Times writer was there. He came out of his cabin, looked over to my porch and he asked, ‘How are you?’ I said ‘I’m OK. I’m very tired, but I’m OK.’ He said, ‘It’s hard being an empowerment guru.’ I looked at him and I said, ‘What?’ He said, ‘You realize that’s what this has become, right?’ I hadn’t. I hadn’t realized. I wasn’t planning to have that role, but I was showing by doing, not showing by telling.”

Illinois native and mother of two Karen Gelb says her first time attending one of Pellegrini’s trips was a lot like the first day of kindergarten.

“You’re nervous, you’re excited and there’s apprehension,” she says. Now a three-time Adventure Getaway veteran, Gelb grew up on a farm, regularly eating wild game. For her, the getaway was a reconnection to a person she hadn’t known for a long time. “When you’re able to get out of your daily routine and move into something that’s very different, it helps you to come back to your daily routine and be even better. It will make you a better person.”

Gelb adds that the trips empowered her, at the age of 50, to go back to school for her master’s degree.

Reibstein hesitantly set out to join her friend and watch Pellegrini in action in 2013. Her divorce had just been finalized and she was eager to take a trip.

“I had never touched a gun. I had never ridden an ATV,” Reibstein says. “And I have to say, it was a really transformative experience. I did things I had never done before. I learned to shoot clays.

I did a pheasant hunt. I did fly-fishing. I rode on a horse, which I was petrified to do. And other women were doing this too. [The trip] made me expand my boundaries. That’s something you take back with you. You say, ‘If I did all these things that I didn’t think I could do, I can transfer that to other areas of my life. I can be a badass.’ ” Fear of hunting affirmatively behind her, Reibstein has made Pellegrini promise to take her on a wild-boar hunt.

“I really want to make wild-boar prosciutto,” Reibstein says, an air of unfiltered enthusiasm in her voice.

Fast-forward five years, and Pellegrini needs more than two hands to keep count of the number of Adventure Getaways she’s hosted, from Kohler, Wis., to Meadows of Dan, Va., to her upcoming getaway Oct. 13 through 16 in the Texas Hill Country, just outside of Comfort, Texas.

“She’s created this incredible life,” Reibstein says, “just because she went and followed her passion.

She trusted it was going to work out and it did—in a huge way. Now she makes it a point to help other women who want to make similar transitions.”

Georgia Pellegrini’s Six Ways to Be More Self-Sufficient 1. Learn how to change your own tire.

2. E very time a repair is done for you, stand there with the person and have them explain what they are doing to fix it and how it happened in the first place.

3. Practice manual literacy. Get your fingers off the keyboard and into the dirt. This is the antidote to our fastpaced, modern life. Knit, make a loaf of bread, weed, scatter a fistful of rose petals onto a cake.

4. C ommit to learning the name of every plant that is growing in your yard or windowsill.

5. Stop relying on stuff that holds you back. Having it around clutters your mind and creativity.

6. Every time you want to buy something, ask yourself whether you could make it instead, or how much long-term value you will really derive from it.

To learn more about Georgia Pellegrini and her personal consulting and speaking-engagement services, visit georgiapellegrini.com.

austinwomanmagazine.com | 73

How to Make

Georgia Pellegrini’s Jalapeño-infused Bacon Michelada Excerpted from Modern Pioneering by Georgia Pellegrini, copyright 2014. Published by Clarkson Potter, a subsidiary of Penguin Random House.

Jalapeño-infused Bacon Michelada Serves one “This is an ode to Austin, Texas, the town that introduced me to this drink. It is typically made with beer, but good things are meant to evolve. This drink is savory, spicy and rather refreshing.”

Ingredients 1 lime, juice reserved Sea salt

Get Georgia Pellegrini’s recipe for jalapeñoinfused vodka at austinwomanmagazine.com.

1 ounce jalapeño-infused vodka, well chilled 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce Dash of soy sauce Dash of Tabasco sauce 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black peppercorns 6 ounces seltzer water 1 crisply rendered piece of bacon for garnish Directions 1. R ub a lime wedge around the rim of a glass and dip the rim into salt on a saucer.

2. In the glass, combine the jalapeño vodka, lime juice, Worcestershire, soy sauce, Tabasco and cracked peppercorns.

3. Add about 1/4 cup crushed ice and the seltzer water, and stir.

4. D rop the bacon strip into the beverage as a stirrer and garnish.

74 | Austin Woman | OCTOBER 2016

“There’s no other job that I can compare it to,” she says, searching for an explanation. “It’s wonderful, but also hard to wrap your head around. It’s multitasking to a degree that’s almost insane. I always joke that when I’m working on a task, my brain is already three tasks down the line. I think you actually learn that in professional kitchens. When your work is your life and your life is your work, you don’t have that paradigm set up in your mind where [you’re like], ‘OK, I’m clocking out and now I’m going to relax.’ ” She strives to not make work her sole priority, though, and is adamant about prioritizing life-work balance and remaining true to herself.

“I’m not really interested in doing anything in the name of publicity any more.

I’m not really interested in doing anything for the purposes of celebrity, or being more known. For me, it’s really about what am I contributing to the world, to the conversation, to improving people’s lives,” Pellegrini says. “I want everything that I put out into the world to be a true, honest extension of who I am and what I want to contribute. There’s plenty of things in this world that are fake and manufactured, and I want to be producing things that are real and lasting and tangible.”

In the past year, she’s placed an emphasis on stepping back, taking a breath and establishing a slower, steady pace.

“I’m at a stage, this year, especially, where I really want to invest in my personal life and nurturing that,” Pellegrini says, “traveling more for me, not for my work. It doesn’t all need to be Instagrammed. I want less noise in my life. I want fewer superficial interactions. I definitely want to have a family, and that’s part of it too. I need to carve out more space for that. There’s areas where I have to pull back in order to give to my family.

“For me, it definitely has been an intentional choice, especially in the past year, to really slow down and focus and commit to fewer things, but to commit to them really well and not spread myself too thin, not being afraid to say no. I recharge from my quiet time. I recharge from being calm, and not being on. I realized my priorities were to live a good life with the people that I love and care about around me, and I realized, in order to do that, I was going to really have to slow down and make space for that.”

One of the ways she recharges is through entertaining friends—those she’s made both near and far—at her home in Austin.

“I love my house. I love that I’ve created a sanctuary for myself that feels like you’re in this oasis. I love entertaining and having people over and hosting dinner parties,” Pellegrini says, the pupils in her deep-blue eyes widening from excitement. “I love cooking for people. Just having the door open and the fire going, and listening to the waterfall, and eating delicious food and drink, it recharges me. I’m able to nurture them and serve them through my skill sets, which [are] cooking and food. [That’s] me at my most calm, my most happy, my most energized. It’s really about the people you are with.”

Pellegrini’s trusted business advisor, Somers White, whose other clients include business professionals at corporate industry giants like IBM and Hewlett-Packard, says Pellegrini has a knack for recharging others as well.

“She is one of the most delightful people to be with,” White says. “When I put down the phone [with a client], I’d say 99 out of 100 people drain my battery. Only one out of 100 charge my battery. She is a battery charger. You feel better after talking with her.”

Reciprocation is a character trait that comes naturally to Pellegrini. Part of the fun in hosting those Adventure Getaways, she says, is teaching women how to be in the outdoors and experiencing numerous firsts with them.

“I think, unfortunately, most people associate having to do these outdoorsy things with male roles. People assume that you have to act like a man and dress like a man.

You don’t have to be that way. You can still be a feminine woman but choose to selfeducate. I think that the more we self-educate, the more invigorating our lives are going to be.

“It’s experiences and the way you are able to experience and live life and interact with life that ends up ultimately being the most meaningful,” Pellegrini says.

In the same ease with which a pheasant might escape her grasp, Pellegrini holds onto things loosely.

“It’s people, relationships and experiences that I hold much more closely. It’s about making memories, and you’re not going to make memories with things,” she says.

If history is foreshadowing the future, Pellegrini appears to be on the hunt of her life. And if her brother’s predictions are right, she’ll continue to become more of a household name.

“Georgia is somebody that has a one-of-a-kind, impeccable internal drive,” Gordon Pellegrini says. “When she puts her mind to something, or decides that something is worthwhile, she really goes after it. Her making it into a position like where she is now is something that I’ve always felt was in the cards for her. It was just a matter of time.”

by Errol Anderson.

Michelada photo by Georgia Photo Pellegrini.

The year is 2016, and Pellegrini’s daily work life is somewhat hard to explain.

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austinwomanmagazine.com |  75

s b o J y t r i D

76 | Austin Woman | OCTOBER 2016

Put on you r hard hat and step int four Austin o the lives women tak of ing on indu historicall stries that y lacked a have woman’s appr pest contr oach. From ol to gara ge doors to and general motorcycl contractin es g, these co women are mman n’t afraid t ding o get their

By Sarah E. han ds dirty.

Ashlock | Photos by D ust in Meyer

Krystal Hess operates her own company and nonprofit in the motorcycle industry, even though women make up only 14 percent of motorcycle owners in the United States. Sarah McElwee is in the business of squashing bugs, and when a pest-control company surveyed women in the trade, it found this industry has been notoriously male-dominated. Stephanie Perantoni is ascending her way to the top of the garage-service industry.

While it’s well known women make the majority of home-maintenance purchases, little has been written about professional women in this field. And Kristy Attaway is making moves in the general-contracting industry. When it comes to the construction business, only 8.9 percent of this workforce is made up of women.

Austin Woman spoke with these women and found several commonalities. Firstly, their maledominated industries are getting better because women like Hess, McElwee, Perantoni and Attaway are paving the way by creating a motivating and welcoming company culture. Secondly, these so-called dirty jobs weren’t necessarily their career plans. Instead, they discovered they all love the challenge of being one of, if not the only, woman in their respective companies, and have the desire to introduce more women to their industries.

Lastly, these women found success in male-dominated fields by just plain working hard, really, really hard. By spending the time to learn every facet of their industries, they gained credibility, which, as these women’s stories demonstrate, is the only currency that garnered them respect.

77

Sarah McElwee t for ess developmen gic Director of busin Lo rm Inc. and Ge Pest Management

“I certainly never thought I’d be doing pest control,” Sarah McElwee says. because I felt that they didn’t want to report to me or they didn’t trust what I was saying because I would tell them one thing, and they’d As McElwee sits in a glass-encased conference room in South Austin, literally go around me and go to my boss and ask the same exact one would never guess the space houses a pest-control company. McElwee’s words are measured and eloquent as she describes her role at Pest question,” she says.

Management Inc., where she oversees four branches in several states.

McElwee addresses these problems by being direct, and often receives a baffled response, as though the person did not realize what The company focuses on commercial projects, such as government contracts, and hired McElwee to seek those out. Once she was he was doing. on board, the company expanded rapidly. While McElwee worked The preconceived notions of this male-dominated industry also trickle in business development in other industries, she says learning every beyond the staff and into customers’ perceptions. aspect of the pest-control business proved essential, but did not come “I show up at homes to do pest control and people look at me like, without its challenges.

‘Where’s the tech?’ ” McElwee says. When she responds, ‘I am your tech,’ One of the biggest challenges the customers give her a hesitant, confused McElwee faces in her managerial role look. “I can tell right off the bat, they’re “Being young and a female, they is finding trustworthy individuals and going to ask a lot of questions because they definitely look at me like, discovering ways to motivate them. want to see if I know what I’m talking about.”

‘There’s no way she knows what Since technicians are mostly men, McElwee takes these reactions in stride. she’s talking about.’ ” McElwee deals with some pushback.

“If it’s something up in the attic…they’re “Being young and a female, they defilike, ‘Are you OK?’…Treat me like I’m anynitely look at me like, ‘There’s no way body else coming in your home to perform she knows what she’s talking about.’ I definitely have to earn their rea service. I even did it when I was pregnant. That was probably the best spect, and that comes back to me knowing the ins and outs of pest control ever,” McElwee adds. “I wish I could’ve YouTubed people’s faces, like, so that I can have a conversation with the utmost educated technician ‘Is this a joke? Are we on Candid Camera?’ ” and they understand that I know what they’re talking about,” she says.

As the mother to a 4-year-old boy, McElwee believes being one of the McElwee estimates about 90 percent of those she manages are men, few women in the pest-control industry has given her great insight. and the remaining 10 percent who are women are typically in more “It teaches me lessons to teach him,” she says. “There are certain administrative roles. This doesn’t appear to be a company-specific ratio; things I’d want my son to grow up and do and not do.” there don’t seem to be many women interested in inspecting and treating Since pests can’t tell time, McElwee doesn’t work the typical 9-to-5 pest problems, which often requires kneeling and crawling in tight spaces. job, which requires her to rely on her supportive husband, that is, except McElwee admits, as a woman, managing men can be trying and rewhen it comes to dealing with bugs in the house. That’s her job. quires certain tactfulness. “[Our relationship] is very opposite than most men and women,” she says.

“I’ve had to blatantly have conversations with managers or technicians

78 | Austin Woman | OCTOBER 2016

i n o t n a r Pe ie n a h p e St nator d safety coordi Location lead an e or Servic for Precision Do

Tucked into an unassuming building on a large lot in North Austin sits Stephanie Perantoni’s office at Precision Door Service. Perantoni gives off a warmth and openness that seem rare for a supervisor and someone raised alongside four brothers.

Perantoni earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University), with the goal of becoming a lawyer. After graduating, she wanted to take a break. She took a risk and started a business in Phoenix, Ariz., running poker tournaments at bars.

As the business grew, Perantoni became pregnant with her first child, a son. She sold her piece of the company to her business partner and moved back to Texas. About four months after having her son, Perantoni took a job as an “after-hours phone person” at a garage-door company. The owner never expressed that the hiring decision was gender-based. Rather, he asked if she could meet the physical demands of the position, like lifting doors and carrying springs.

Eventually, the owner saw her potential and asked her to increase her hours and transition into positions of greater responsibility. At the time, Perantoni downplayed her skills, so as not to threaten her female boss. When her superior quit a couple years later and the company faced a state audit, Perantoni led the response.

“I handled it like a champ,” she says. “Now I could step up and be who I really was.”

The owner of the company promoted her, but after the owner passed away, his wife sold the company to Precision Door Service.

That transition came with a corporate element, and she had to work for six months before assuming the position again.

“I had to prove myself again. … There were definitely thoughts that it wasn’t a female position,” she remembers.

Now, after having her second child, another son, Perantoni has hit her stride.

“I’m in a position where they all trust me. They know that I know what I’m talking about,” she says.

Precision Door Service has multiple locations throughout the country, including in Houston and South Bend, Ind. While Perantoni’s location doesn’t necessarily sell the most volume, it does have the best numbers.

“It’s all about the culture that I built,” she says.

While working full time as a single mother, Perantoni returned to school to earn her master’s degree in teaching, with the mindset that she’d teach low-income children and make a difference. Instead, her profession has made a difference for her.

“I get a lot of self-worth from work,” she says.

While there is one other location lead who is a woman, it’s tough stuff finding females to assume traditionally male roles.

“We have women in the company, but we don’t have “It’s about how I did my any women technicians. I’d love to have a woman technijob, and how we all cian,” Perantoni says. “I think work together.” they would do very well because people do have a perception of women being kinder, less likely to take advantage of you.”

When she first started, she wondered how her technicians and colleagues would respect her if she didn’t know exactly what they did. This pushed Perantoni to learn how to install a garage door, and while her staff appreciates it, she finds that respect is hinged on her leadership skills.

“It’s about how I did my job, and how we all work together,” she says. “I’m here to serve them. I can’t succeed if they’re not succeeding. … If it’s all about numbers or all about me, then they’re not going to do well. I do think that’s something I can grasp a little quicker than maybe my male counterparts can.”

austinwomanmagazine.com | 79

krystal hess rcycle Missions Founder of Moto cochet Customs and owner of Ri

Krystal Hess sets her motorcycle helmet down on the table at Buzz Mill, the 24-hour bar and coffee shop off East Riverside Drive.

“I was just here last night,” she says before talking through her career trajectory, pausing at some moments and beaming at others.

From her home, Hess operates the nonprofit Motorcycle Missions, in addition to holding down several other gigs, including nursing and her own powder-coating business. Originally from Canada, Hess moved to Austin after escaping an abusive marriage. Here, she found herself in another turbulent relationship, this one with someone who loved motorcycles. She had to talk him down from suicide. He sabotaged their relationship, including a motorcycle they had planned to rebuild.

Like that motorcycle, Hess needed rebuilding. After six months, she was left without much of anything in a new city.

“It was traumatizing,” she says.

Then, someone purchased that motorcycle from Hess, above asking price, and offered to teach her how to put it together in his shop. She spent the summer rebuilding the bike, and since then, she’s been hooked.

One day, she wanted to ride one of the bikes at the shop. The owner asked if she knew how to ride, to which she responded, “Totally.”

“I did not know how to ride,” she confesses. “I had never ridden a bike before in my life.”

She searched YouTube for how to start, shift and ride a motorcycle. Her impromptu training worked, and she didn’t crash.

Her courage to get on that bike and go stems from an emotional place, one in which she was “starving for meaning” and “grabbing at every opportunity.”

“Getting on the motorcycle, [you] actually find something that challenges you and gets you out of your head for a while. Because you’re so focused on not dying on a motorcycle, and the movement and how it moves your body, you forget about all that other bulls--t,” Hess says.

Motorcycles helped Hess set meaningful, long-term goals. She focused on herself for once, rather than her relationships.

“It’s my time to live,” she says.

Riding a motorcycle intimidated her at first, but she gradually gained the confidence that recently led her to ride down the Pacific Coast Highway.

“That’s what it takes to grow as a person,” Hess says. “Motorcycles have helped me do that.”

Since working on bikes is no easy task and requires research, training and good, old-fashioned practice, Hess can understand why some men might have a problem with her.

“I think a girl that’s a nurse that comes in to work on motorcycles, I think it’s fair that they look at that and go, ‘Does she know what she’s doing?’ ” Hess admits.

Along the way, Hess learned how to powder coat, a technique that uses dry powder rather than traditional liquid to paint a bike. She’s powder coated for most of the dealerships throughout town, and it’s a unique skill that has been instrumental in thrusting Hess to acquire quite the fan base. And it doesn’t hurt that she hands out business cards for her company, Ricochet Customs, every week at Doc’s Motorworks’ bike night.

“A lot of people don’t take you seriously [as a woman]. Ninety-eight percent of the calls for powder coating come from guys,” Hess says.

She says her work speaks for itself.

“I know motorcycles have affected me in a very positive way. They literally “Getting on the motorcycle, [you] changed my life. I would say they saved actually find something that my life,” Hess says. “If they can help me, challenges you and gets you they can help anyone.” out of your head for a while.”

That’s why she founded Motorcycle Missions, a nonprofit that provides motorcycles, gear, lessons and space to ride, all at little to no price for those who are struggling. Looking forward, Hess also plans to provide a program to those interested in building motorcycles.

80 | Austin Woman | OCTOBER 2016

Kristy Attaway ger at d regional mana ors Vice president an ct ra General Cont Hill & Wilkinson

weeks early, spending a month in the neonatal intensive-care unit. The Kristy Attaway shows off the cheerful office space that Hill & Wilkinson flexibility was everything to Attaway and her family. Later, she had her General Contractors calls home. She’s confident, at ease. second child.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology with business “There are guys who I work with still who are like, ‘I swear you foundations, Attaway thought about attending law school, but had second must’ve shoved your kids in drawers because I never heard them,’ ” she thoughts. During college, Attaway worked for an interior designer who says. “There were lots and lots of conference calls in my closet with my specialized in workspaces. She headed to Dallas to interview for a similar head between clothes trying to muffle any noise.” position. At the same time, her now husband’s friend recommended applying for a job at Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors in Dallas.

An office opened in Austin, and gradually, she came into the office Attaway playfully says he “nice bullied” her to interview for the posimore often, eventually working there full time. In February 2015, she was tion, which would require her to run a Blueline Machine, an ammoniaasked to run the office, to which she answered, “I’m ready.” based system that existed before documents were able to be digitized.

At a Women in Construction boot-camp event hosted by the University of Denver, Attaway listened in shock The job didn’t sound enticing; the about women’s struggles with misogyny environment smelled and the position “I’m just lucky I fell in with in the field. required heavy lifting. a fantastic company that’s “I’m just lucky I fell in with a fantastic Her interviewer, now Attaway’s company that’s supported me, no matter mentor, spent two hours discussing supported me, no matter what what kind of role I was [in] in my life,” the $5-an-hour position, and Attaway kind of role I was [in] in my life.”

Attaway says. walked away feeling like she found When Attaway went on job sites early on, where she belonged. she admits she did get some cat calls, but also notes the atmosphere has After six months on the job, Attaway took courses at a community changed quite a lot in the last decade. college on blueprint reading and estimating, which entails determining Attaway perpetuates a caring company culture, from work-life balance the cost based on building plans. She then went to the job site as a project to projects. The Austin office has a break room with weights, exercise engineer. equipment and even an area to golf, and plenty of healthy snacks.

“You didn’t see women out there at all,” she says.

“If a project comes around and it’s not a good fit culturally, I don’t After spending a couple years gaining experience, she headed back to care how much money we can make doing it, we’re not going to do it,” the office to begin estimating. Attaway relocated to Austin, forcing her she says. to leave the company and work for another general contractor. A couple While Attaway works on million-dollar projects, some of the projects years later, she received a call. With contracting becoming more digitized, one of the owners of Hill & Wilkinson asked if Attaway would work she’s fondest of are the most meaningful, such as a much smaller project remotely. She said yes. with the Austin Humane Society and one for Armed Services YMCA in At the time, Attaway was pregnant, and then her daughter arrived six Harker Heights, Texas.

austinwomanmagazine.com | 81

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No cauldron bubble is required to tuck into this trio of spoils. story and photos by natalie paramore Candy apples: the quintessential Halloween treat that no one actually eats. And with good reason; they are messy to make and even more grueling to gobble. However, two new twists on this classic treat can be prepped ahead of time for any household’s All Hallows’ Eve. Still not convinced? Instead, try our ultimate hostess trick: a two-ingredient goodie that screams last-minute teacher gift. austinwomanmagazine.com | 83

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84 | Austin Woman | october 2016

The far-out treat for ghosts and ghouls:

Galaxy Candy Apple Pops Provisions 3 large Red Delicious apples 1 cup blue raspberry Jolly Ranchers 12 5-inch-long lollipop sticks Miniature cookie cutter Parchment paper Edible glitter, shimmer and stars (You can find these at most craft stores.)

Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. While the oven is heating, slice the edges off opposite ends of each apple. Then cut 1-inch-thick apple slices from both edges, avoiding the core. The slices should lay flat. A large Red Delicious yields one slice per side.

3. Using the miniature cookie cutter, cut shapes into the apple slices.

4. Insert the lollipop sticks into the apple cutouts.

The simple, satisfying apple of your eye:

Chocolate and Caramel Sliced Apples Provisions 4 large Granny Smith apples 16 9-inch-long lollipop sticks 1 bottle Magic Shell chocolate 1 bottle Magic Shell caramel

5. P lace the unwrapped Jolly Ranchers into a small baking dish and melt them in the oven for about five minutes, or until pliable.

6. D ip the apple pops into the melted candy and set them on the parchment paper. Let them harden for two to three minutes.

7. Dust the apple pops with edible glitter, shimmer and stars before they’re completely cooled. The candy hardens quickly, so it may need to be reheated in the oven for an additional 60 seconds at a time.

Sprinkles (optional) Directions

The sweet and salty snack in a snap:

1. Slice the edges off opposite ends of each apple. Then cut 1/2-inch-thick apple slices from both edges, avoiding the core. The slices should lay flat. A large Granny Smith yields two slices per side.

Halloween Hostess Treat Provisions

2. Insert the lollipop sticks into the apple slices.

Equal parts candy corn and store-bought, honeyroasted peanuts (We recommend serving 1/2 cup of each.)

3. Freeze the apple slices for at least 15 minutes or as long as overnight.

Container of choice (Miniature mason jars make for a nice presentation.)

4. D rizzle the frozen apples with chocolate and caramel Magic Shell. Add sprinkles if desired.

Directions

5. F reeze the apples overnight or serve immediately.

Mix the candy corn and roasted peanuts together and pour the mixture into the container of your choice.

austinwomanmagazine.com |  85

G

OURMET

food news

Jazzy June’s

One makeover and a glass or two of wine later, this South Congress Avenue bistro is ready for its close up.

By Trinity King

The black-and-white-checkerboard tile flooring sets a classic foundation for the melee of circular, brass tables rimmed with black-leather banquettes. Take a seat at the white marbled bar and marvel at the mirrored-wall backsplash boasting bottles of Rodil’s rotation of curated wines. Or retreat to the dog-friendly patio and spend the afternoon people watching outside.

The menu pays homage to beloved dishes found in traditional tapas bars and bistros in Paris, with each dish featuring a Texas twist. Are you in the mood for a simple breakfast? Try the breakfast chalupa, made with scrambled egg whites, black

beans, avocado and salsa, or sample one of the creme fraiche cake doughnuts when you’re craving something on the sweeter side. If you’re planning to bring a date for dinner, it would be amiss to not order the rightfully hyped bone-marrow bolognaise with fresh tajarin (egg-yolk noodles), kale and Parmesan.

If your eyes decide to linger on the dessert menu afterward, we can’t say we blame you.

With mouthwatering selections like orangeblossom creme brulee, marshmallow-fluff brownies and cinnamon-sugar palmiers, it can be a struggle to simply look away.

Perhaps the most acclaimed, noteworthy feature June’s has to offer is its extensive wine and cocktail menu. This is Rodil’s area of expertise, after all. Cap off the evening by nursing an agave cocktail or a glass of somewhat obscure wine (a white assyrtiko from Greece, perhaps?), then call up a song selection on the jukebox and bask in the sweetness of doing nothing, or “la dolce far niente,” for those looking to impress their dinner guests.

Photo courtesy of A Taste of Koko.

Master Sommelier June Rodil finally has a place in Austin to call her own with the opening of her eponymous restaurant, June’s. Opened in late July, the Frenchbistro-inspired space replaces Wahoo’s Fish Tacos on South Congress Avenue.

Step inside and you’ll find a ’50s diner theme exuding a modern, cheerful vibe with a vintage, cobalt-blue jukebox readily catching your eye from the corner.

Women are the most powerful engine for economic growth.

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ellness

fitness

Toil, Toil, Soil and Rubble

Working out in the garden keeps Take Heart Owner Nina Gordon fit and happy.

BY Gretchen M. Sanders In 2011, Nina Gordon took a giant leap of faith. Feeling burned out from a 15-year career in social work, the Connecticut native opened Take Heart on Austin’s upand-coming East 11th Street. One step inside the stylish home-accessory and gift shop sets patrons immediately at ease. A natural tranquility envelops shoppers as they browse a thoughtfully curated selection of housewares, in which every item reflects the poise and polish of the shop’s owner. Tea towels, candles, vases and cards fill the shelves.

88 | Austin Woman | october 2016

“I like to say I sell objects to inspire,” says Gordon, who, in her free time, finds her own inspiration in her garden. “My yard is full of living things, and I like putting them in the earth.”

Digging in dirt also happens to be a fantastic workout.

For Gordon, gardening is a way to nurture herself and keep a fit physique. What better way to alleviate the stress and uncertainty of running a business than heaving a shovel, raking leaves or pushing a wheelbarrow?

Here’s how Gordon uses her green thumb to stay in shape:

The Workout

The Motivation

“It’s hard work,” admits Gordon, who likes pruning, pulling weeds and the constant watering so much, she doesn’t notice the workout that comes with her labor. “I sweat a lot, and I always sleep well after I do yard work.”

That’s not counting the calories she burns just pushing the lawn mower across her lawn.

“It takes me over an hour to mow,” Gordon admits, “and I’m worn out afterwards.”

But her workout doesn’t end there: Succulents and ferns speckle the many surfaces of Gordon’s house and porches, requiring regular attention.

“I care about my plants, so, I try to make sure they get the right amount of water and light every day,” she says.

Though beautiful crepe myrtle and pomegranate trees line her yard, Gordon admits she’s no natural gardener.

“I put effort into it,” she says, adding that anyone can learn how to grow things.

When Gordon’s not holding a hose or shovel, she enjoys walking her dogs in the neighborhood.

“It’s very gratifying when my house and yard look nice, and the physical activity makes me feel good,” she says.

Her life just works better with harmony and order. That’s why Gordon hopes to make her backyard an oasis, a place of respite for herself and the people she cares about. The front yard, she admits, she keeps tidy for the neighbors.

“I just wouldn’t feel at ease if my yard were messy,” she laughs.

The Mindset “Taking care of my house and my yard is a way for me to take care of myself. I think it’s an attitude of self-care, an attitude of putting love into the things I care about,” Gordon explains.

She also believes time spent outdoors benefits her overall health.

“There is something spiritual about spending time in nature, and I want to make room for that,” she says.

When it comes to making plans for gardens, workouts, careers or life, Gordon offers some advice: “Trust yourself, be nice to yourself, be yourself and don’t compare.”

Photo by Kate LeSueur.

The Diet “I make simple things for myself: noodle bowls, salads and turkey burgers,” says Gordon, who also enjoys grilling on the back porch with friends and somehow resists sugary drinks, junk food and anything fried.

“I can’t have dairy, but I do drink plenty of water and herbal tea. I try to eat healthy overall,” she says, conceding that she does yield to her favorite dessert: Sweet Ritual vegan ice cream.

“I mix peanut butter cup and chocolate olive oil together in a cone,” she says. “That’s two delicious scoops.”

The Gear “I wear the same thing when I exercise as I do when I work in the yard,” Gordon laughs.

That’s a tank top, running skirt and sneakers. For tools, Gordon often picks through garage sales.

“Sometimes, the older tools are sturdier than the new ones,” she says, noting that it doesn’t take much to get started.

Gordon recommends buying or borrowing the basics: rake, shovel, wheelbarrow, watering can, yard-debris bags and clippers.

The Playlist “A lot of times, I’m actively trying to meditate and stay in the moment when I exercise,” Gordon says.

Her current mantra comes from Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk.

With each step, Gordon breathes in and out and recites his words: “In, out, deep, slow, calm, ease, smile, release, present moment, wonderful moment.”

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DO YOU KNOW YOUR

TSH?

HORMONES AND ENDOCRINOLOGY

Endocrinology is the science of hormones, which affect every cell and every function in your body. The glands secreting these hormones form your endocrine system, a tightly interconnected system with thousands of feedback loops. It is far more complex than any supercomputer today. Hormones control everything in your body from birth to death. Without hormones, your body cannot function. Examples of hormones: estrogen, testosterone, insulin and hormones like thyroid, cortisol, adrenal and pituitary.

WHAT ARE ENDOCRINE DISEASES?

They are diseases caused by a malfunction of one or more endocrine glands in your body. Examples: thyroid, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome and obesity, hirsutism, menopause, low testosterone in males, andropause and impotence, polycystic ovaries, irregular or lack of menstrual periods, high and low calcium, and diabetes.

WHAT FACTORS AFFECT YOUR ENDOCRINE SYSTEM?

hypothyroidism. Thyroid ailments include Graves’ and Hashimoto disease, goiter, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. Thyroid problems require lifelong attention. Each person has a different genetic set point for TSH, the thyroid stimulation hormone.

WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?

Osteoporosis 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 the age of 50 and is generally missed. Bone fracture is considered to be the heart attack of the bone and can have major consequences on your quality of life, from reduced mobility to potential loss of mobility altogether. A bone density test is the only way to test for osteoporosis. We perform such testing and provide consultation on bone metabolism and osteoporosis treatment.

HORMONE MYTHS DEBUNKED The facts about some hormone myths:

“Seek your optimal health, your ideal yet achievable health, and increase the quality of your life.”

Aging, other diseases, stress, environmental and genetic factors do influence your endocrine system. Aging changes how hormones are produced and absorbed by your body. Genetic factors and other diseases can do the same. Stress triggers a cascade of hormones that affect your heart, kidneys and other organs. Recent research identified endocrine disrupting chemicals in our environment.

WHY SEE AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST?

Hormone treatments must be followed by a hormone specialist (endocrinologist) the same way heart disease is followed by a heart specialist (cardiologist). An endocrinologist has years of special training in diagnosing and treating your hormone imbalances.

Endocrine diseases are often missed, since symptoms are often subtle and easy to brush aside. An endocrinologist starts out with a thorough physical evaluation looking for these telltale sings, then follows up with a battery of blood and other lab tests. Often, additional highly specialized tests are involved to identify the root cause of your hormonal imbalance.

WHAT IS THYROID DISEASE?

Since hormones rule your body, have your hormonal balance assessed by an endocrinologist to optimize your health.

Dr. Simone Scumpia of Austin Thyroid & Endocrinology outlines everything you need to know about hormones and their effect on the body.

Thyroid disease affects 30 million Americans, yet half of them do not know they have it. It is called the “silent disease.” One in eight women will develop a thyroid disorder in their life; women are five to eight times more likely than men to develop hyperthyroidism or

3 Bioidentical hormones are not human identical and may cause complications.

3 Fountain of youth hormones (otherwise known as human growth hormones) can cause serious side effects when used for anti-aging.

3 hCG diets (HCG) by themselves do not cause weight loss, but can cause irregular periods for women and breast enlargement for men.

3 Hormone treatment of fatigue, depression or anti-aging should be avoided due to many side effects it can cause.

3 Adrenal fatigue is not a real disease, but adrenal failure is a life threatening disease.

WHAT IS OPTIMAL HEALTH AND BIOLOGICAL AGE?

Medicine addresses disease treatment and prevention. Optimal health and biological age deal with your health before disease prevention or treatment. We focus on optimal health, the ideal yet achievable health of your body as you reach middle age and beyond. Our specialized equipment allows us to measure and evaluate your biological age, a measure of how well or poorly your body is functioning relative to your actual calendar age.

Biological age is a composite of several “ages” such as brain age, bone age, heart age and vessel age. Optimal health focuses on your wellness before disease can be identified; it is a step before disease prevention and does improve the quality of your life.

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W

ellness

Q&A

Breast-cancer Reconstruction

Local expert Dr. Elisabeth Potter answers our questions on the procedure.

Northwest Hills neighborhood, Dr. Elisabeth Potter is the city’s leading surgeon for breast-cancer reconstruction. As we focus on Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, Austin Woman asked Potter to explain the ins and outs of the often daunting reconstruction process and why the women she treats inspire her every day.

— Christine Williams

EP: After a breast-cancer diagnosis, it is never too early to see a reconstructive surgeon.

But it is important to know that it is never too late to undergo a reconstruction. I have patients who are receiving their first reconstruction surgery 20 years after their initial diagnosis. When a woman sees me after diagnosis, we decide on the type and timing of reconstruction.

For many women, I can begin the reconstruction process at the same time as their mastectomy. Occasionally, we delay reconstruction until later because of a woman’s preference or medical need. In either case, the planning process starts early so that no opportunity is missed and the best cosmetic outcome is preserved. A diagnosis can be overwhelming. It’s my job to think ahead, even when it’s hard for a patient to see three months into the future.

Austin Woman: What makes a woman with breast cancer a good candidate for reconstruction, and how does she know what type of breast reconstruction is best for her?

Dr. Elisabeth Potter: Today, there are so many options to choose from in breast reconstruction that every woman diagnosed with breast cancer is a candidate. From smaller procedures, like fat grafting or oncoplastic rearrangement, to more extensive ones, like implants or the DIEP [deep inferior epigastric perforators] flap, there really is an option for everyone. Breast reconstruction is both an art and a science. Deciding which type of breast reconstruction is best ideally emerges from a conversation between the patient and her plastic surgeon, with input from the rest of her treatment team. The need for radiation or chemotherapy must be carefully considered.

The primary goal is beating cancer. I focus on formulating a reconstruction plan that fits into that objective.

AW: How critical is the timing on reconstruction for a breast-cancer patient?

Is there a best time for reconstruction?

92 | Austin Woman | october 2016

AW: Your specialty is DIEP flap reconstruction. Are there any risks that women should know before considering this type of surgery?

EP: Whenever I offer a patient DIEP flap reconstruction, we discuss risks in detail. As with any surgery, the general risks include bleeding, infection, pain, scars, etc. In DIEP flap reconstruction, I transfer extra skin and fat from a woman’s abdomen and mold it into a breast. This is an amazing procedure because it utilizes extra skin and fat that many women have on their belly to restore their bodies after cancer. To do this surgery, I use a microscope to sew very small blood vessels together so that the belly tissue can live on the chest. In my hands, this surgery has a 98 percent success rate.

AW: What do your patients tell you are the major benefits of DIEP flap reconstruction?

EP: Most of my patients are happy that they have a natural reconstruction using their body’s own tissue that can often be accomplished with a single surgery. Of course, there’s the benefit of having a flattened,

sculpted abdomen, but the most important benefit is feeling whole again. Here in Austin, I find that many women desire a reconstruction without the use of implants, and the DIEP flap provides this. It’s a lifelong reconstruction without the need for the maintenance that implants require.

AW: What will a patient’s breasts look and feel like after reconstruction? Does it vary based on the type of reconstruction?

EP: The appearance and feel of reconstructions vary widely, and patients can experience great results with either implants or their own tissue. An implant-based reconstruction is often beautiful, and I always strive for a natural breast shape. But an implant is a medical device that may, at times, feel more firm than a woman’s own breast tissue. DIEP flap reconstruction feels more natural because it is made from a woman’s own skin and fat.

Many of my patients find it helpful to view before-and-after photos and to meet with other women who have gone through the process.

AW: Additionally, what kinds of changes to reconstructed breasts—from aging to weight loss or gain—should be expected as time passes?

EP: In the case of a DIEP flap reconstruction, a woman’s breast will gain and lose weight with her, and it will age naturally with her over time.

In contrast, implants are medical devices. So, a woman with implant reconstruction should expect to undergo revisions or replacements every 12 to 15 years.

AW: What have your breast-cancer patients told you that has most impacted your work?

EP: I am always learning from my patients.

That’s one of the privileges of this job. Every day, I interact with people who are facing the most difficult challenges of their lives. I can’t help but be inspired by the strength and honesty of the women I treat. Their examples teach me that we don’t always control what happens to us, but we control how we respond.

I carry this lesson with me.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Elisabeth Potter.

Starting when she was just 4 years old, her grandmother used to call her “Dr. Elisabeth.” Years later, following degrees from Princeton University and Emory University and a residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, not to mention training at the world-class institution that is MD Anderson Cancer Center and starting her own successful practice situated in Austin’s convenient

c If you leak a little bit when you laugh, cough, or sneeze, you are among the millions of women who suffer daily from incontinence. It is more common than you think and should not be treated as taboo anymore.

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memo from JB

Low-hanging Fruit

The office buzzwords I’ve been running up the marital flagpole lately are coming to me a little too easily.

By JB Hager, photo by rudy arocha My wife is ready to punch me in the face. We were discussing monthly budgets and I said to her, “I’ve just run the numbers and we’re not moving the needle.” Yes, two office clichés back to back. No wonder she doubled up her fists. This is not the person she has been married to for the last 18 years.

Our roles have reversed. When we first met, she was a research analyst and eventually moved into executive recruiting. She would come home from work talking about “metrics” and what the “office crazy bitch” was doing to everyone. “Every office has a crazy bitch,” she would explain to me. “It’s part of the corporate world.”

When she wasn’t working on a new spreadsheet, I would find her working on Life was so much her own employee evaluation. First of all, easier when I could she loves spreadsheets. Who on earth loves label anyone in a spreadsheets? Secondly, who ever thought it was a good idea for an employee to write position of power a down on a piece of paper what “needs “suit” and despise improvement” in their own work, sign it them all. and hand it over? That’s like handing a bullet to your assassin.

She shifted many years ago into a stay-at-home-mom role, so the corporate speak has faded, although our daughter’s entire life is documented on various spreadsheets. They are filed neatly, in case you are ever wondering what she had for lunch Nov. 3, 2009, or whether the Pirates softball team had a game on field three March 23, 2011.

I, on the other hand, worked in a creative, childlike environment for the last 25 years. In radio, expectations are high of what comes out of the speakers, but very low in the hallways. A radio studio is oddly similar to a monkey cage: Everyone wants to walk by and look in the window, but you don’t really want to be in there unless you are, in fact, a monkey, subhuman but entertaining. Not only have I never put together a budget or a spreadsheet in my life, I rarely wore pants. Flip-flops and bed head were the norm.

Fast-forward just a bit. I’m working for a creative startup and have somehow earned the label of department head or some kind of decision maker. It’s frightening. Life was so much easier when I could label anyone in a position of power a “suit” and despise them all. My wife finds it hilarious that I now deal with team meetings, regular conference calls, rush hour and so forth. I’m suggesting software solutions and procedures, the very things I found absurd my whole life. The part that she doesn’t find amusing is I’m starting to bring business speak into the home, the thing that I used to make fun of.

The following are some things I said to her and the often ill-fitting situations in which I threw them out without even realizing it: • I already mentioned “running the numbers” and “moving the needle.” This actually applied to our real-life monthly budget.

• I told her to “think outside the box” when she was actually putting a plant into a planter box.

• When stuck in traffic on my way home, unable to decide where I should pick up dinner, I suggested we “table it” and “circle back” on the issue when I got home.

• When discussing the Saturday to-do list, I was adamant we try to “fine focus” on what needs to be done instead of trying to “boil the ocean.”

94 | Austin Woman | october 2016

• In a brief, awkward conversation regarding our sex life, I mentioned I had an “open-door policy.” That was not well received.

• When making weekend plans with other couples, I blurted that she should “ping” me when they have their “ducks in a row.”

• When asked about the overgrown lawn, it did not go well when I said I “didn’t have the bandwidth” but it was “in the pipeline.”

Regardless of the strain that the new business dialect has put on our marriage, I’m confident we will be able to “peel back the layers of the onion” and “break down the silos” that divide us. Until then, I’m going to “take it offline” and make a spreadsheet of the annoying things that have changed about me. I’ve projected I can improve by first quarter.

Luckily, we don’t have a crazy office bitch, but I might actually find that entertaining. So, I have that to look forward to.

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I Am Austin Woman

More Than Pink

lenge. Komen Austin is funding thousands During the month of October, the of mammograms in our five-county impact country bears witness to a phearea for women who can’t pay for them. nomenon called pink. There is a Last year, 31 women were diagnosed with sudden onset of athletes and pobreast cancer from those screenings. That’s licemen, celebrities and socialites, truly impactful dollars at work. bus drivers and construction work Once a diagnosis has been made, there ers, everyone wearing pink. Lights are biopsies, tests and treatments that can on buildings change color and decost a patient without insurance thoucals appear on cars, windows and sands and thousands of dollars. Jenny the cheeks of children. It all began Peterson is a great example of how close because one woman promised her so many live to the edge. A self-employed sister, who was dying from breast landscape designer, Jenny chose to put cancer, that she would do everyher kids through school instead of paying thing she could to make sure that for insurance for herself. When the diagone day, no one died from this disnosis of breast cancer came, it came with ease. That was 34 years ago. Today, a $15,000 price tag just for the diagnostic Susan G. Komen is renewing that work she needed before treatment could promise with a new, big, bold goal: begin. Komen funding paid that bill. Toto reduce the number of breastday, she’s four years cancer-free, written a cancer deaths by 50 percent in book and will soon be married. just 10 years.

This battle is about more than just For all of the progress that has been moving numbers; it’s about saving lives. made on this disease, 40,000 women will Everyone can have a role in doing it. Aldie this year from it. In Travis County, lison was 3 when she lost her mother to it’s the second-leading cause of death. breast cancer. She and her family have If you are an African-American woman, been participating in Race for the Cure your chance of dying from the disease and raising money every year since. is 40 percent higher. Once a woman is Jordan knits and sells drink holders to raise money to donate to diagnosed with the disease, one in five will see it return in the form Komen’s efforts. Jenny wrote a book and became our Race Ambasof metastatic breast cancer, having spread somewhere else in the sador. And these women make these commitments all because no body and resulting in a chronic condition for which there is no one deserves to grow up without a mother, a daughter, sister or best cure. There are about 150,000 women living with that diagnosis friend. They are all more than pink. today. Just because you are younger than 40 doesn’t mean this You wouldn’t think a color could disease can’t find you. More than 13,000 change everything, that a simple shade women younger than the age of 30 will be It all began because one woman of light would be able to inspire action, diagnosed this year alone. Breast cancer enlighten the mind, even save a life. But doesn’t discriminate or play favorites. The promised her sister, who was dying it does, every day. The pink “running biggest risk factors for getting breast canfrom breast cancer, that she would do ribbon” isn’t just a logo. It’s a symbol of cer are being a woman and getting older. everything she could to make sure that strength, perseverance, survival and the It’s not all doom and gloom, though. We vision of a world without breast cancer. do see hope on the horizon and there are one day, no one died from this disease.

I hope everyone will join me. Go grab ways to move those numbers. The first way those running shoes, walking shoes, hikis screening. If a diagnosis is made early, ing shoes, river shoes or high-heeled shoes and let’s get to work to a breast-cancer patient’s five-year survival rate is 99 percent. When make the color pink a color of celebration and a reminder of a time the cancer goes undetected and diagnosed at Stage 3 or later, survival when breast cancer was something we still had to fight. Put aside rates drop to 60 percent or lower. It sounds like an easy fix, but a dollar for every mile you run, every step you take or hill you while many women have access to care and insurance to pay for it, climb, donate it to Komen Austin and watch lives change—all overwhelmingly, in Texas, many do not. With more than 4.3 million because of a color.

Texans without insurance, getting these women screened is a chal-

Austin Woman features a reader-submitted essay every month in the I Am Austin Woman column.

To be considered for December’s I Am Austin Woman, email a 500-word submission on a topic of your choice by Nov. 1 to submissions@awmediainc.com with the subject line “I Am Austin Woman.”

96 | Austin Woman | october 2016

Photo by Korey Howell.

Komen Austin Executive Director Suzanne Stone describes the power of that one meaningful color.

ACTIVITIES AND RECREATION ARE ABUNDANT IN THE AUSTIN AREA. SO IT’S NO SURPRISE CROSSOVERS AND SUVS HAVE BECOME ALMOST A NECESSITY FOR MANY ADULTS AND FAMILIES. SINCE ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL, MAZDA CREATED 3 VERY CAPABLE, AWARD-WINNING CROSSOVER/SUVS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO MAKE DRIVING BETTER. FROM STYLE TO

More locations, less wait time. That’s the best kind of emergency care.

THERE’S At St. David’s our goal is simple. To be the best.FEATURES, Which means deliveringNOTHING care basedORDINARY on your needs.

Your life is our passion. And that passion drives our purpose. Because you deserve the best.

ABOUT DRIVING A MAZDA. EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE TODAY AT ANY ROGER Emergency Care

The Best Is Here.

BEASLEY MAZDA LOCATION.

PROUD SPONSOR CENTRAL • SOUTH • GEORGETOWN • KILLEEN

RogerBeasleyMazda.com | 866-779-8409

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Austin Woman MAGAZINE | october 2016

TH E M O ST AWAR D E D S UV O F TH E YEAR

Volvo Cars of Austin

Volvo Cars of Georgetown

6375 Hwy. 290 East

7501 S. IH-35 (Exit 257)

512-452-0266 • 1-800-278-6586 volvoaustin.com

512-930-2111 volvogeorgetown.com

©2016 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. The Iron Mark is a registered trademark of Volvo.

“Man may have discovered fire, but women discovered how to play with it.” —Candace Bushnell

THE 2016 XC90 | OUR IDEA OF LUXURY