“FINDING A HOME ISN’T ABOUT SQUARE FOOTAGE AND NUMBER OF BEDROOMS.
IT’S ABOUT YOUR LIFESTYLE AND HOW YOUR SPACE CAN ENHANCE IT.”
Hello and welcome to our Summer Fun issue - which is full of fab things to do in Austin and beyond during our warmest months. We bring you adventures in spas, cars, hotels, and towns... and introduce you to some locals who are really grabbing life by the (long) horns and making every day count.
My co-editor Jen Birn and I had our own adventure shooting this month's cover story with Olympic Gold medal-winning swimmer and UT student, Lydia Jacoby, out at the glorious Lake Austin Spa Resort recently.
To celebrate the end of the shoot, the three of us decided to jump off a boat into the chilly lake... invigorating or what? After all, it's not every day you get to take the plunge with a swimming Olympian. We had to take a photo - seen here!
Talking of adventures, I'm about to go on a bittersweet one of my own: returning home to my native England after nearly two decades in the US, the last seven years of them being spent here in wonderful Austin. I'll miss so much about this great place - the tacos, the music, the cacti, the people... so many good people - but I'm also excited to go home to my family, old friends and culture.
So, this is my final issue of ATX Lifestyle as editor. Thank you for reading. Keep loving Austin. And may you embark on some big, bold and beautiful adventures of your own this summer and beyond.
July 2023
PUBLISHER
Joe Kerby | joe.kerby@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Sarah Ivens | sarah.ivens@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jennifer Birn | jennifer.birn@citylifestyle.com, Doug Still
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Jenna McElroy
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer
ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson
WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee
SARAH IVENS, EDITOR @AUSTINLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE
Nestled in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Lake Austin Spa Resort offers a serene escape from the bustling world for a vacation, staycation or just for the day. Renowned for its tranquil ambiance, world-class spa treatments and holistic wellness programs, it’s the perfect break from the stresses of everyday life and provides an unforgettable experience that nourishes both body and soul every visit. Some highlights include:
SPA: A sanctuary of indulgence and healing where the resort’s skilled therapists provide treatments (indoors or outdoors!) from soothing massages to rejuvenating facials and invigorating body scrubs. The spa offers day passes as well as caters to groups who want to dip in for a girls getaway.
WELLNESS: A diverse array of options includes water-based activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and yoga (that can be done on a paddle board in the lake), cold plunges, meditations, martial arts, boot camps, hikes and more.
CULINARY: The resort’s menus highlight farmto-table dishes with vibrant flavors. Celebrated Executive Chef Stéphane Beaucamp creates seasonally changing breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes to be enjoyed in the elegant lakefront dining room, picnics can be prepared to be savored at the lake and healthy lunches are available to guests in the Aster Café.
Whether you seek relaxation or adventure, Lake Austin Spa Resort is the picture perfect landscape for a transformative experience that will leave you feeling revitalized as you head back out into the world. You’ll quickly understand why USA Today rated it the #3 best spa resort in the country for 2023.
Summer kicked off with the long-awaited opening of estilo KIDS in the Casis Village shopping center – right next door to estilo boutique and a few doors down from estilo men. People poured out into the parking lot to attend the celebration that included face painting, hair tinseling, flower crown making, a DJ, mariachi band, shopping and more.
The store will carry clothes for children ranging from 3-yearsold to 14-years-old as well as a selection of baby gifts. Lines will include, but not be limited to Lola and the Boys, Chaser Kids and Katie J. “This has been a dream for a long time, now we’re truly a one stop destination where we can outfit entire families for any occasion,” says owner Stephanie Coultress O’Neill, adding, “I’m so grateful to the Austin community that has supported our small business all of these years. This wouldn’t be possible without it.”
Clockwise from top, left: 1. PodCo co-founder Christy Carlson Romano and estilo KIDS owner Stephanie Coultress O’Neill
2. Everyone had a smile on their face as soon as they walked in.
3. Little shoppers. 4. Revolving subway sign. 5. Founding family: Lillian, Madison, Stephanie and Todd O’Neill 6. The mariachi band.
7. Stephanie and her parents George and Susie Coultress 8. It was packed house.
estilo makes Casis Village a one-stop shop for the whole family's style needs
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During a day at Lake Austin Spa Resort we got to know the Olympic gold-winning swimmer
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNA MCELROYLydia Jacoby, 19, just finished her first year at the University of Texas. She was scouted for the swim team when she was only a sophomore in high school. The Alaska born and raised athlete says, “When I started looking at colleges I was really unsure where I wanted to go or what I wanted to do. At that point, I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to swim collegiately.” That changed when UT came courting. “I absolutely loved the coaches Carol and Mitch, so that was the attraction,” she says, “Then I looked into the academics here ,which were great, and obviously Austin is an amazing city, so it all fit.”
Even with the early college admission, Lydia graduated valedictorian of her high school class – while training to become the first Alaska-born swimmer to win a medal at the Olympics when she took gold in the 100-meter breaststroke in Tokyo 2021, at 17-years-old.
Passionate about not being defined solely on her accomplishments swimming,
Lydia also sings, writes songs, plays the guitar, piano and loves fashion. She’s even designed a collection of swimsuits with Arena Swimwear. Here’s more in Lydia’s own words from our chat in the back of an Uber, after we left the gorgeous Lake Austin Spa Resort to get her to swim practice on time.
WHEN DID YOU START SWIMMING?
When I was six my parents put me on the team so that I would be water safe.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WANTED TO SWIM COMPETITIVELY?
I’ve always been a very competitive person, I saw success at it pretty early and I liked winning my little meets, so I kept going with it.
WHEN DID SET YOUR SIGHTS ON THE OLYMPICS?
Coming from a really small town, even at a young age people would call me
‘our little Olympian,’ so it was always ingrained in my mind. To have it become a reality is pretty special.
HOW WOULD YOU SUMMARIZE YOUR OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE?
Life-changing. I didn’t even think I had a shot at the team until April, and the Olympic trials were in June. It was the first time I’d competed in a big meet since Covid and I got second to Lily King, who’s the current world record holder and reigning Olympic champion previously in that event. To make the US Team you have to get top two at the Olympic Trials and I thought if I could get top two at that meet I could do it again. So, that’s when I fully embraced the Olympics as a possibility. Then I went into Olympic Trials with the mentality that I’m so young that I have nothing to lose, but I also have this crazy opportunity. I never imaged that I’d come out with a gold medal.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO DO AFTER SWIMMING?
I don’t. Swimming will probably be my life for quite a while, but I like to always be doing a lot of things because I think it’s important not to put your whole identity into athletics. I’d love to work in fashion when I’m older. I used to think I wanted to work in high-fashion, but it’s been really fun working with Arena and other athletic companies and be more on that side of it. I have a lot to figure out, but I have a lot of cool opportunities.
WHAT WAS THE PROCESS LIKE DESIGNING YOUR OWN COLLECTION OF SWIMWEAR WITH ARENA?
It was so fun. It’s an Italian brand and their US headquarters are in Portland so they flew me there and I worked with their designer. She’d had some mood board drawings I’d done and it was so much fun to see it come to life.
HOW MUCH DO YOU TRAIN?
A lot, a lot! For summer schedule I have nine practices a week plus three lifts a week.
WHEN DID YOU KNOW BREASTSTROKE WAS YOUR RACE?
I’ve always been a breaststroker, I’ve just always had the knees for it. It takes a lot of weird flexibility in your hips and knees, but I started doing it so young that it’s just how my body moves.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-SWIM RITUALS?
Nothing specific. I do like to have pasta the night before I race. I always get to the pool at least 90 minutes before I race, stretch, warm up.
WHAT ARE CHALLENGES OF BEING A COMPETITIVE SWIMMER?
At times it can be pretty monotonous. I’m swimming and lifting so often and you can definitely get lost in it and put too much of yourself into it. That’s why I think it’s super important to have other interests and other hobbies. School has been great, it’s important to stay well-rounded so you don’t put too much of your identity into the sport.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT AUSTIN?
I love all the food, there’s amazing food here. There’s also a lot of fun music and art and a lot of fun creatives here, which I think is awesome.
WHAT DO YOU MISS ABOUT ALASKA?
I miss my dog. And you take Alaska for granted a lot growing up there, but it’s an absolutely stunning place to grow up. Not that Austin isn’t beautiful, but coming here has showed me not to take that unreal beauty for granted.
WHEN DO YOU FIND OUT IF YOU MADE THE TEAM FOR THE 2024 OLYMPICS IN PARIS?
Olympic Trials for swimming are a month before the Olympics and everything comes down to Olympic Trials, only the top two in each event make it, so if you get a stomach flu or something you’re not going, it doesn’t matter how well you’ve done for the last four years. So, all you can do is train.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG ATHLETES HOPING TO GET TO THE OLYMPIC LEVEL?
The biggest thing as cheesy as it sounds is to enjoy it. I think it can be easy to get lost in the idea that
“SCHOOL HAS BEEN GREAT, IT’S IMPORTANT TO STAY WELL-ROUNDED SO YOU DON’T PUT TOO MUCH OF YOUR IDENTITY INTO THE SPORT.”
you can’t take any breaks and can’t do other things, and that’s not true. I thought Covid would change the mentality that if you take a single day off you’re going to be trash at it because we all took two to six months off and everybody came back with world records being broken, but there’s still that mentality in swimming. So, I’d say make sure that you love it and the love for your sport will nurture your ability.
YOU’RE A ROLE MODEL FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, WHO’S BEEN A ROLE MODEL FOR YOU?
Jessica Hardy has always been my role model in swimming. She did a clinic in Alaska when I was little and she’s a former Olympian in my event and is absolutely incredible. I’ve always looked up to her and she really helped me through the Olympic process.
DO YOU HAVE A BETTER TIME THAN HER NOW?
No, not yet. Soon.
DO YOU HAVE PLANS FOR THE SUMMER APART FROM TRAINING?
There’s a really cool swim tour I did last year called Mare Nostrum that goes from Barcelona to Monaco to Southern France. It’s a privately owned tour so it’s just fun and laidback and the athletes there swim really, really fast but it’s more relaxed because there aren’t any medals at stake or anything. Things like that are fun because you actually get to know athletes from other countries, whereas at the Olympics there’s a lot more pressure so people stay to themselves.
DO YOU THINK IT’S HARDER OR EASIER WHEN YOU KNOW THE PERSON YOU’RE COMPETING AGAINST?
I don’t mind either way. I’m never one of those people who’s super aggressive towards their competitors.
One of my best friends is my training partner and one of my biggest competitors in my event. We’ve talked about it, but it’s the way that you frame it, you’re competing with someone rather than against them and at the end of the day your result is your result and if someone beats you, it’s only on you.
QUICK FIRE: CITY YOU’D LIKE TO VISIT?
Paris. I’ve been a few times, just for fun, which is weird because usually my trips are for swimming.
FAVORITE FOOD? Chocolate.
FAVORITE QUOTE?
“What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?”
– Eric HansonIF YOU COULD HAVE LUNCH WITH ANYONE WHO WOULD IT BE?
Maybe Rhianna.
FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? Instagram
FAVORITE PERSON TO FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM?
One of my favorite fashion influencers is Leonie Hanne
Clothes from estilo boutique
Bathing Suit Lydia’s collection for Arena
Jewelry from Korman Fine Jewelers
Sunglasses L’Ecurie Paris
“I THINK IT CAN BE EASY TO GET LOST IN THE IDEA THAT YOU CAN’T TAKE ANY BREAKS AND CAN’T DO OTHER THINGS, AND THAT’S NOT TRUE.”
Austin may be landlocked, but a beach vacation is only a 340 miles drive away, where you’ll find South Padre Island. Not just a spring break destination, SPI’s 34 miles of sandy beach make for a great family getaway. Here are some things to do and see when you get there.
DO: Dive into SPI’s abundant wildlife and ocean attractions. Relax on the beach at Isla Blanca Park where you may stumble upon a Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle nest. Bonus, if you notify a Sea Turtle Inc. volunteer to save the nest, you’ll earn the privilege of naming the turtle babies! Sea
Turtle Inc.’s mission is to educate about endangered sea turtles and rehabilitate them for their return to the wild. Embark on a thrilling dolphin-watching adventure or deep-sea fishing expedition with Breakaway Tours.
On land, immerse yourself in the island’s art scene at the Art Business Incubator. Explore the island scavenger hunt-style and try to find the 30 permanent sandcastles and 12 sea turtle sculptures. Unleash your wild side at the Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary, home to the ‘Big Padre’ alligator and his companion Lady Laguna.
Gallop into adventure at Adventure Park, where rescued horses await your company. Don’t miss the enchanting full moon horseback rides. Experience the nightlife at the Entertainment District, featuring popular spots like The Kraken, Skully’s Barrr and Clayton’s—the illustrious titleholder of Texas’ biggest beach bar.
EAT: Start your day with a delightful breakfast at Josephine’s Kitchen or savor the rich flavors of artisan coffee at Yummy Bistro. Sample fresh seafood at Mahi Nic, offering the unique ‘Cook Your Catch’ experience where they will cook whatever you fish out of the sea. Padre Island Brewing Company is the go-to destination for craft beers and satisfying pub fare or indulge in authentic Mexican cuisine at Viva, where every bite is a flavor explosion. SPI’s culinary scene caters to the whole family.
Island Adventure Parksouthpadreislandadventures.com
Sea Turtle Inc. - seaturtleinc.org
Clayton’s - claytonsbeachbar.com
To help plan your full itinerary, surf to sopadre.com to find where to stay, spa and and plan your activities.
Not just a spring break destination, SPI’s 34 miles of sandy beach make for a great family getaway.
While enjoying a delicious spread from The Well and music from My Friend Maria, guests toasted with William Chris Vineyards wines, Ranch Rider Spirts, bottles of Super Coffee and Mayawell prebiotic sodas. 1. Andra Leimandt and Marybeth, two of our cover women IRL 2. Vogue Vignettes’ Stephanie J. Schiller– who drew the May cover illustration 3. Scrumptious cookie art from Blue Goo Bakery. 4. Laura Elizabeth welded custom permanent jewelry.
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Sign us up! William Chris Wine Co is hosting wine classes for certifications at their vineyard in Hye
William Chris Vineyards is helping Texas wines earn the respect they deserve, recently being named the 56th best vineyard – in the world – by World’s Best Vineyards. Not only do they grow and bottle great Texas-made wine, but they offer experiences around wine, and now also education.
William Chris Wine Co. (WCWC) recently launched the William Chris Wine School with WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) for people who would like to learn more about wine or become Wine Ambassadors.
“What we are offering at this school are educational experiences designed to inspire,” says Director of Education Kelsey Kramer. “WSET courses are designed to empower anyone looking to develop their wine knowledge—regardless of prior experience, from enthusiasts to professionals.”
Their WSET Level 1 courses are in a vineyard setting, making it a fully immersive among-the-vines experience. This course is recommended for those who are just starting in wine or wine tasting. Topics covered include vineyard and winemaking choices, principal grape varieties and their characters, select regional styles of wine and tasting. Classes are currently scheduled July 16 and August 22.
The WSET Level 2 course is more rigorous, with participants tasting wine from around the world, learning both wine theory and tasting accompanied by over 40 wine samples from multiple
countries and wine regions. During this course, students will attend several sessions of lectures and tastings.Topics covered include grape-growing options based on environmental factors, winemaking choices based on 30 principal grape varieties and growing environment, styles and quality levels of select wine regions of the world. Classes are scheduled for Sundays in July.
In addition to WSET classes, they will offer a Texas Wine Ambassador Certification course, which was created to support and sustain a region during its era of explosive growth. This one-of-a-kind course takes attendees from the basics of what wine is to the depths of Texas soils, with the goal of impacting others with Texas-grown wine in a concise and meaningful way. Every Texas Wine Ambassador will gain the skills needed to combat the misconceptions about Texas wine, identify the core themes of growing grapes within the state, and how to enhance these wines through service. The first certification course will take place on April 22.
For more information on the William Chris Wine School and to register for upcoming classes, visit williamchriswines. com/wine-education . For direct inquiries regarding WSET courses email education@williamchriswines.com. Check out the next page for recs for a day out in Hill Country enjoying some fine Texas wines.
williamchriswines.com
10352 U.S. Highway 290, Hye, TX 78635
They're hosting Sunsets in the Vineyard Saturdays through September 2nd. Sunset Packs including a charcuterie board and two bottles of select wine will be available for purchase. The event itself is free and open to the public.
lostdrawcellars.com
113 E Park St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
1686 US Highway 290, Johnson City, TX 78636
You can visit Lost Draw’s original tasting room downtown Fredericksburg to sample wines while enjoying live music and now also checkout Lost Draw Johnson City, their vineyard estate with a tasting room and outdoor bar that opened December 2022.
abastriswinery.com
320 Klein Road, Stonewall, TX 78671
The name of this family-owned boutique winery literally translates to the Latin phrase “of the stars,” inspired by a quote by Galileo that wine is “sunlight, held together by water.” They’re hosting live music Saturday afternoons throughout July.
upliftvineyard.com
235 Miracle Mile, Stonewall, TX 78671
An exclusive, reservation-only winery where you can book an experience to visit their secret, off-site barrel room and sample wines straight from the barrel!
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Marfa is a small town with a big personality. Tucked away in the vast West Texas desert, 433 miles from central Austin, Marfa has become an artistic oasis and a hub for those seeking offbeat adventures and cultural immersion. From captivating art installations to otherworldly landscapes, Marfa is a unique place to get away for a couple of days a, whether as a final destination, or en route to a stay in Big Bend National Park, 98 miles from Marfa.
PLAN YOUR TRIP:
DO: Check out the mysterious beauty of the Marfa Lights, the captivating phenomenon that has puzzled visitors for decades. They’re not visible every night, but you can read about the history of the mystery at the official viewing center.
Explore the Chinati Foundation, a contemporary art museum showcasing large-scale installations amidst the desert landscape that are sure to evoke deep thought and conversation – not the least because it’s the home of former military base established in 1911!
Discover the iconic Prada Marfa, an art installation that mimics or maybe mocks a high-end boutique in the middle of absolute nowhere. It was constructed in 18 years ago and vandalized within days, but has remained intact since security cameras were put alongside the time capsule of Prada bags circa 2005.
Immerse yourself in the unique art scene at the Ballroom Marfa, known for its thought-provoking exhibitions and live performances and wander through the Marfa art galleries, where local artists display their work For outdoor enthusiasts, venture into the stunning landscapes of Big Bend National Park where you’ll find hiking trails for all skill levels.
EAT: Marfa’s culinary scene offers a diverse blend of flavors that will delight your palate. Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Astra, next to The Lincoln, where their scrumptious pastries and savory dishes will energize you for the fun-filled day ahead, or check out the cheekily named Buns n’ Roses. For a special occasion, or just because, treat yourself to the multi-course meal at Cochineal, an intimate restaurant known for its farm-to-table approach, creative dishes and signature Cochineal wine. Its well-deserved reputation precedes it, so make a reservation in advance. For a more casual dinner, check out Marfa Burrito or satisfy your craving for authentic Tex-Mex cuisine at Maiya’s Restaurant. Don’t miss out on the iconic Food Shark, a beloved food truck serving up Mediterranean-inspired dishes that will leave you wanting more. And, if you decide to cook for yourself or want to grab a snack to go, swing by The Get Go for staples and gourmet finds.
STAY: Experience the charm and hospitality of Marfa’s unique accommodations that range from rooms with Egyptian cotton high thread count sheets, to chic boho airstreams. Feel like you’re in a community resting your head in the cozy casitas at The Lincoln, where the units have kitchenettes and there’s a central fire pit to meet other guests, perhaps even the owners who live on the property most of the year. If you prefer a more luxury hotel feel, try the Hotel St. George. Although, don’t be fooled by the renovated modern exterior, this hotel’s history dates back to 1886!
Across the street from The Lincoln is the historic Hotel Paisano, known for hosting the cast and crew of the classic film “Giant,” that has comfortable rooms and a glimpse into Marfa’s rich history. Or, stay at El Cosmico which offers an array of glamping options including casitas, trailers, tents, teepees and yurts.
Marfa, Texas, with its quirky allure and artistic soul, invites you to step into a world where imagination knows no bounds. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast, an outdoor adventurer, or a food lover, Marfa will leave an indelible mark on your heart. Discover the magic of this enchanting desert town and create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.
Best friends and businesswomen
Jennifer Spector, Shari Schneider and Mary Lindenberg – who live within a mile of each other here in Austin and co-founded tennis brand Runway Athletics – talk love, hope and fashion, on and off the court.
As lifelong tennis players, we were tired of seeing the same old looks on the tennis court. We wanted to create fun and fashionable court wear. We also realized that many players and even non-players were now wearing athletic apparel throughout the day. We kept that in mind as we curated and designed our line. We wanted every woman to feel good and look good, both on and off the court. We designed our clothes so women could feel well put together and comfortable to go straight from the court to lunch or errands, without having to change in between.
Having played tennis together for years, we were always talking about the need for better looking clothes on the courts. We had several three way calls about it and decided we were all at a point in our lives where our children were grown and we were ready for a new challenge, that we really could do this. In November of 2020, we purchased our website name, filled out the necessary paperwork and Runway Athletics was born. When we first started, our plan was to come out with a super cute, comfortable, and flattering tennis dress that would be manufactured in
the U.S. As we started to learn the ins and outs of manufacturing and creating samples, we realized with so many body types out there, getting the right fit in an athletic dress was going to be very tricky so began working on our court skirt. This skirt which we have manufactured right here in Texas, has been the anchor skirt for our entire line and has been a top seller ever since.
Three women in their 50’s starting a business during the Covid pandemic was no easy feat, but we did it, and here we are. And as a female owned company, we recognize the importance of helping other female entrepreneurs in any way that we can.
Since our inception, our philosophy at Runway Athletics has always been the same… LOOK GOOD, PLAY HARD! We recognize the confidence provided by a great looking outfit.
We designed our Hope, Strength, Love court skirt in honor of all those fighting breast cancer. Runway Athletics gives back 20% of net profits from the sale of the skirt to the Susan G Komen Foundation.
We are so proud to have been chosen by Dropshot Series as the only women’s clothing vendor at the inaugural ATX Open, Austin’s only professional tourlevel tennis tournament and the city’s largest women’s professional sporting event. We worked tirelessly from 7am to 10pm for ten days straight, but it was well worth it.
For more information on the items pictured go to runwayathletics.com
"Three women in their 50's starting a business during the Covid pandemic was no easy feat, but we did it, and here we are."
THE "NAPA OF TEXAS" HAS FINALLY GOT ITS FIRST BOUTIQUE HOTEL... AT LAST!
Founded in 1846 by German immigrants, Fredericksburg has been lacking one thing for a long time – a fabulous place to sleep off the wine tours. But this summer that changes, as the latest addition from the group who brought you South Congress Hotel, La Condesa, Café No Se, and Butler Pitch & Putt opens its doors.
Albert Hotel is a historic preservation effort with four late 19th century buildings and a newly constructed hotel with event, spa, and restaurant space. Named after architect, historic preservationist, and general man-about-Fredericksburg, Albert Kiedel, Albert’s great-grandfather Dr. Wilhelm Keidel came to Fredericksburg as the town doctor and judge in 1847, the year after the
town was founded. His father, Victor Keidel, was a doctor and pharmacist beloved by the community, famous for riding his palomino at the head of the centennial parade.
The hotel is located on the site where the Keidel family pharmacy and homestead remain, both of which will be integrated into the new site plan. There’ll be three eating options - The Restaurant (offering seasonal ingredients from local ranchers and farmers), The Keidel Pharmacy (a grab-and-go cafe) and JuneBug’s, a backyard BBQ joint – and two bars, White Elephant Saloon and a pool bar.
Albert Hotel, 242 E Main St Fredericksburg, TX 78624, alberthotel.comSAMMY DILLARD, CO-FOUNDER OF THE WAHWAHTAYSEE RESORT IN HILL COUNTRY, TALKS TENTS, TRAILS AND KEEPING THINGS TEXAS.
An hour outside of Austin, on the banks of the San Marcos River, sits a glamping resort that combines the luxury of a cool boutique hotel with the wildness of an African safari... and that is exactly the owners’ aims.
We bought the property in 2015 without knowing a thing about the glamping industry, but shortly after my brother spent his honeymoon in Africa and visited several safari type resorts while there and loved them. My father and mother had also been to Africa several times and really enjoyed the ambiance and romance of the tents they stayed in while vacationing there. We originally built three tents, one for my family, one for my brother’s family, and one for my parents.
The tents and cabins are some of the nicest in the industry, sat along the San Marcos River on our
102-acre property. We are unique because of the details we have put into each accommodation we have. People feel like they are staying at a private ranch, keeping it small and quaint, but with the property very well kept. We want guests to feel refreshed and happy when they leave the resort with a sense of appreciation for nature, and hope they will want to return to Wahwahtaysee each year.
YOU EMBRACE ALL THINGS TEXAS, DON’T YOU?
Yes. We recommend guests get out on the river, whether for fly fishing, kayaking or just chilling out. Then they can pick nuts in our 150-year-old pecan orchard, or eat some world-famous BBQ in nearby Lockhart and Luling. At the property guests will see many, many different types of birds, as well as other animals like deer, armadillos, raccoons, etc. We even sell Yeti cups with our logo on them!
For more information, go to wahwahtayseeresort.com
The popular Dallas-based beauty blog turned spa House of Preservation (known as the Med Spa the internet built!) co-founded by best friends Brittany Ricketts and Rylie Bland has finally landed at Austin’s Triangle, bringing innovative skincare and beauty treatments to residents seeking a high-end experience. We ask them how to handle the heat this July and still look flawless – and safe!
BRITTANY SAYS:
“In the same way your wardrobe becomes less bulky during summer months, so should your makeup and skincare. Ditch your heavy face cream for a lightweight moisturizer. We also recommend getting rid of heavy foundations in general. Not only are they less skin-friendly, but they’re also more likely to give you that sweaty/ melted look during summer months. We prefer using a tinted SPF.”
RYLIE SAYS:
“Up your antioxidants. SPF and antioxidants are a power couple when it comes to fighting sun damage. When harmful rays hit your skin, SPF absorbs them while antioxidants neutralize the free radicals created by them before they cause damage. Always apply an antioxidant serum underneath your SPF.”
BRING YOUR MAGIC
Glow up and relax into your vacation with Solvasa’s Crystal Energy Wand & DeStressance® Serum. Combining vibrational massage and gua sha with a skin-brightening serum, you’ll see changes like de-puffed skin and softened lines - that will leave you radiant inside and out all summer long.
$120 from solvasabeauty.com
Brighten up your skin with a Vitamin C packed serum from Ever. Their Daytime Brightening Serum has 10% Vitamin C, giving an instant glow, while helping to reduce discoloration and dark spots. For more coverage, their Daylight Radiance Tinted Moisturizer also uses the power of Vitamin C, but with the added benefit of SPF. $85.50 and $45 respectively from ever.com
House of Preservation is located at 815 W 47th Street #100
For more information, go to houseofpreservation.com
