East Austin, TX September 2023

School Style Back to

FEATURING CHARLIE ANNABLE, SHEP PADALECKI, SCARLETT AND SERENA DIAMOND

ALSO AVIATOR NATION’S PAIGE MYCOSKIE, THE FAMILY BEHIND YAMAS AND MORE...

“FINDING A HOME ISN’T ABOUT SQUARE FOOTAGE AND NUMBER OF BEDROOMS.

IT’S ABOUT YOUR LIFESTYLE AND HOW YOUR SPACE CAN ENHANCE IT.”

The Style Issue

“Glamour is something more than what you put on your body. It has to do with the way you carry yourself and the impact you have on others.” – Tom Ford Did you know famed fashion designer Tom Ford, who served as creative director for Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent before founding his namesake label, was born right here in Austin, Texas?

Like glamour, style is more than what you wear. Style is the way you present yourself to the world. It’s the trends you follow and those you skip, it’s being unapologetically yourself.

In this September Style Issue, a feature on Back to School Style turned into a cover when the kids arrived for the photo shoot emanating their own unique styles before stylist Stephanie Coultress O’Neill even took them around her store, estilo KIDS, to collaboratively decide what they would wear. Charlie Annable (the 7-year-old daughter of Dave and Odette Annable), arrived wearing combat boots that looked so cool with every look it inspired me to buy a pair (pictured) a few days later! Shep Padalecki, (the 9-year-old middle child of Jared and Genevieve Padalecki), has a haircut that immediately makes the point this kid’s got style and, Scarlett and Serena Diamond are the cutest, both when donning ensembles matching their mom Amber Lee Diamond and when selecting outfits that spoke to them individually.

Elsewhere, we chat with the effervescent Iskra Lawrence during a swimsuit shoot at Soho House (stay tuned for what else we did that day in a future issue!), we met the design director of Soho Home while he was in town from London and he guest wrote a feature sharing pieces from houses around the globe available for purchase at Sohohome.com, since who doesn’t want to take Soho House home with them. We interview Fanm Djanm founder Paola Mathe and Aviator Nation’s founder Paige Mycoskie and we broke (pita) bread with Yamas owners Roxie and Hristos Nikolakos as well as their three children. The family behind Yamas’ style is apparent in the design of the Mediterranean restaurant and in the rotating collection of brightly-colored eyewear you can always find Roxie wearing.

Enjoy! See you back next month for the Food Issue!

Cheers,

September 2023

PUBLISHER

Joe Kerby | joe.kerby@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Jennifer Birn | jennifer.birn@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

James Patmore

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jenna McElroy, Doug Still

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

JENNIFER BIRN, EDITOR

Back to School Style

Shep Padalecki, Charlie Annable and Scarlett and Serena Diamond model top

20 Fanm Djanm’s Founder Exemplifies Meaning of Brand Name

A Slice of Santorini in ATX

Photography: Jenna McElroy

Shep Padalecki, Charlie Annable, Scarlett and Serena Diamond model Back to

Sylvester Wilson Construction

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

PAIGE MYCOSKIE IS FLYING HIGH

things to do today is designing my stores.  I get to paint, buy vintage furniture, find old, rad posters and cool wallpaper and create a space for people to not only shop but come into for music, yoga and other cool events.

THE STORES ARE A SHOPPING DESTINATION BUT ALSO A COMMUNITY GATHERING PLACE.

Paige Mycoskie started Aviator Nation in 2006. Today the Texas-born entrepreneur is one of the wealthiest self-made women in the world. Her estimated net worth is $380 million.

She started her company in Los Angeles and spends summers in Aspen, but her home base is Austin. We caught up with Paige, whose brother is TOMS Shoes founder Black Mycoskie, to learn more about why she chooses to hub in Austin, what drives her, upcoming collaborations, her advice for aspiring fashion designers and more.

MOST OF YOUR SALES COME FROM ONLINE, WHAT KEEPS YOU IN BRICK & MORTAR?

I feel strongly about having a brick-and-mortar presence for the brand.  It’s definitely not the biggest money maker and it requires by far the most work but for me but it’s what keeps us real. I’m old school when it comes to shopping and I believe in walking into a store, experiencing the brand all around you and meeting the team.  Each of our stores is a personal art project for me which I love and enjoy creating.  I grew up doing art and one of my favorite

When I started Aviator Nation I wanted a place where I could build a stage and have my friends over to play music and hang out.  It was never just about the clothes, creating the brand was always about bringing people together, hence the word “Nation” in the name. It all truly happened organically.  For me, work and life were one.  If I was going to build a place for work, it had to also be a place for fun and that’s what my first store on Abbot Kinney was all about.  I worked in the back and we played ping pong on our lunch break and then we had friends over to jam after work on the stage.  We pretty much lived at the store, it was awesome.  If I ever had a question about something I was designing, I could just walk into the store and ask my customers what they thought.  It was not only fun, it just made sense.

Right now, I’m designing murals for our upcoming New York Soho location and it’s so fun to design art that we will then get to paint on the walls.  That art will live on for years and people from all over the world will get to enjoy it.  I love making each store unique and a true destination experience.  So maybe the brick-and-mortar stores are more about me having fun, but it is definitely something I feel passionately about and I’ll never stop doing.

YOU KNOW HER BRAND’S SIGNATURE STRIPES & SWEATS, BUT AVIATOR NATION’S CREATOR HAS LARGELY FLOWN UNDER THE RADAR

ARE THERE ANY EVENTS COMING UP AT THE AUSTIN STORE THIS FALL?

We have live shows at the Austin store weekly and the bands we find are always amazing.  We will have special after-parties during ACL of course, too.  If you want to enjoy rad up-and-coming bands for free, follow our social media so you don’t miss out!

YOU DO A LOT OF FUN COLLABORATIONS, ANY COMING UP THAT YOU’RE PARTICULARLY EXCITED ABOUT?

I am super excited this year to be doing a collaboration with Shark Week.  I’ve been watching Shark Week since I was a little girl and I think it’s an awesome way for people to learn about sharks. I’m a big scuba diver, so sharks are close to home for me.  The gear we did for Shark Week is super rad and it’s fun to be part of something that spreads awareness of such an important species.  In addition to the new Shark Week collab, we’re going to continue creating merch for select music festivals this summer – which, of course, I love doing!

Paige is hands-on

The Austin store

Signature smileys

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO MAKE AUSTIN YOUR HOME BASE?

After living in California for about 15 years and building my company I was ready to get back to my roots and be closer to family.  I love California but I really love a small town and Austin is the perfect small town with a lot going on to keep me from being bored.

WHY NOW?

When I moved to Austin to build my store I realized how much I love Austin and decided then to make the move back. I spent the last 15 years traveling around opening stores and growing my team and company. I was 24/7 only focused on work for a very long time and that was what I had to do to build this brand.  Now that I have a team I can trust and things are rolling along pretty good, I can work remotely.  Now I have a great balance and can really experience other parts of life like travel, family and building a home. I also love being on the central time zone.  I have a couple hours before my LA team wakes up where I can grind which is nice, and I’m closer to the East Coast which makes working with my East Coast staff easier.

WHERE ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PLACES IN AUSTIN?

There are so many! I love Lake Austin the most.  Nothing beats a surf session late in the day on a weekday when I have the lake to myself and the sun is going down.  I love

to grab food at Ski Shores Cafe on the lake.  I also love mountain biking in Austin and my favorite trails are over by Barton Springs.  It’s so nice to take a dip in the springs after a ride. My favorite place to spend the day shopping would still be South Congress.  It’s fun to drop into my store and say hi to my team and it’s also fun to see new shops popping up among the many original ones.  South Congress is a great mix of new and old and I love that.  My favorite thing about that street is that I can see the Capitol building while I walk around.

WHAT AVIATOR NATION PIECE IS CURRENTLY YOUR #1 SELLER?

Our number one seller continues to be our FiveStripe Hoodie in Charcoal, but we also sell a ton of the Ninja Hoodie these days too.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE AN ASPIRING FASHION DESIGNER?

My advice is to go for it.  A lot of people tried to scare me in my early days telling me it was an impossible industry.  The truth is it is extremely difficult and I would tell the aspiring designer to not expect anything less than a giant challenge and a lot of hard work, but if they are willing to do the work, be patient and overcome adversity and troubleshoot on a weekly basis, then they should go for it.  It takes super thick skin and long hours but if it was easy then it would not be near as rewarding either.  The reward of making it happen is worth it and to me, all the hard work is worth it because I get to do what I love for work.  Nothing beats that.  But you have to know that it’s never going to be easy!

ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?

I love Austin and I am so grateful for the continued support from this community.  From one Texan to another I just want to say thank you.  Austin is not only my home but one of Aviator Nation’s biggest supporters and has been for many years.  I’m excited to continue to grow with you.

Aviator Nation is located at 1325 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Find them on Instagram @aviatornation @paigemycoskie

Signature striiped hoodie

BACK TO SCHOOL STYLE

Shep Padalecki, Charlie

Annable and Scarlett and Serena Diamond model top trends for kids

Meet the next generation of trendsetters. We gathered the kids of Jared and Genevieve Padalecki, Dave and Odette Annable and Ethan and Amber Lee Diamond at Reed Neighborhood Park for a fun photo shoot modeling some of the most popular looks for school kids this season. But first, they met up at estilo KIDS, where along with stylist and owner Stephanie Coultress O’Neill, they selected the pieces that they wanted to wear. The result, lots of solid colors, bold prints and statement pieces – from a ruffled sleeve to inspirational words.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNA MCELROY

A TRIO OF TRENDS

Stylist and estilo KIDS owner Stephanie Coultress Oneill says…

Color

Solid color ensembles from Barbie pink and brights to soft pastels

Prints

Clothes are boasting bold, happy designs like smiley faces and hearts

Statements From inspirational words to girly, lookat-me sleeves

Offspring of entertainers must come with charisma in their DNA. Neither Shep or Charlie were bashful while monkeying around on the jungle gym and showing kids clothes are made for style and play. Charlie hammed it up for the camera, Shep was a perfect gentleman and these two, whose parents Jared Padalecki and Odette Annable co-star on locally-filmed CW series “Walker” seemed like the best of buds.

Amber Lee Diamond and her beautiful girls

Scarlett and Serena dressed up in Saylor’s dresses that are super cute on their own and also make for a perfect mommy and me moment. Moms looking to match with their girls can find pairings at estilo KIDS where Cleobella also often has some adorable options.

The Triangle: One Stop Spot for Your Wellness + Beauty Refresh

IN ADDITION TO RESIDENCES, RESTAURANTS AND WORKOUTS, BEAUTY AND WELLNESS OPTIONS ARE PLENTIFUL

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

The Triangle retail shops, located on 47th Street between Guadalupe and Lamar are an easy go-to destination to satisfy all your self-care needs. There’s the latest addition, House of Preservation (the Austin outpost of the med spa started by beauty bloggers Brittany Ricketts and Rylie Bland in Dallas), that offers fabulous facials and recently launched their first facial product called Step One. Across the way is Triangle Nails, a go-to destination for everything from a simple pedicure to a meticulously done manicure with all the designs, Restore, which offers cryo therapy, infrared saunas, IV drips and more and a CorePower Yoga and solidcore for fitness – to list only a few. Before class, you can caffeinate at Merit Coffee Co and after swing Natural Grocer for healthy fare to take home.

Triangle Nails

CorePower Yoga

House of Preservation

Founder Paola Mathe Exemplifies Meaning of

Fanm Djanm

More than solely a retail brand, Paola and her team are creating community through shared experiences.

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

Paola Mathe, upper right, with her team

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME?

I like to create everything with intention. I knew before I started Fanm Djanm I didn’t want to just sell headwraps, I wanted to build a legacy and pay homage to the women who came before me. Fanm Djanm means Strong Woman in Haitian Kreyol. It’s inspired by the market ladies in Haiti who have contributed a great deal to the local economy while being the backbone of their families. I took that concept and explored what it truly means to be “strong” and a woman and what I’ve learned is that there are many ways to be strong. It was a way to challenge myself to connect with women through head coverings.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO OPEN A BRICK & MORTAR RATHER THAN SOLELY E-COMMERCE?

Having a brick-and-mortar was by accident. I happened to live around the

corner when I saw the “For Lease” sign on the window. I had used the space before when it was a coworking space and thought it was some sort of sign. I’m always here to learn, to grow, and to challenge myself. I thought it would be interesting to open a shop that was Black women-centered in the center of Austin, TX that created headwraps for everybody. We create all of our hair accessories locally and we curate different jewelry and other goods from other women-owned companies and organizations. There are not many shops like Fanm Djanm in this city where a Black woman can walk in and say things like, “I want to live here!” But anyone, no matter where they are from, can walk out with something.

BEYOND MERCHANDISE, YOU HAVE EVENTS AT THE STORE FROM HAIR STYLING AND CAKE DECORATING TO A BOOK CLUB.

The events are to find another way to create community. Many Black women

move to Austin and feel lost and long for community. Many of the women who attend our events come because they want to meet other Black women and they want to support other Black creatives. Our book club is really popular right now! Anea, our Special Events manager runs it. We also love collaborating with other women who want to create inclusive, intimate experiences.

ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL EVENTS HAPPENING IN SEPTEMBER?

We host something called “Wrap It Wednesday” which is a monthly conversation series where I sit down with a woman from the community who we find inspiring. It starts with wrapping them and then we get to know them!

FAVORITE QUOTE?

“Take your time, but don’t waste your time.”

Iskra has legions of fans, followers & friends who fuel the success of her business ventures, like this one with Andie Swim

ISKRA LAWRENCE: ENTREPRENEUR, FASHION MODEL, ROLE MODEL, WIFE, MOM...

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNA MCELROY

We caught up with Iskra at Soho House Austin to get some swimsuit snaps of her new collab with Andie Swim and talk about her journey from beginning modeling at age 12 to her TedX talk on ending the pursuit of perfection.

YOU’VE BEEN A MODEL SINCE YOU WERE 12, WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT?

I love getting to create with a team and work on something new and exciting every day. I’ve traveled the world, met incredible humans and been pushed to really discover who I can be in so many different scenarios and environments.

WHAT’S A CHALLENGE OF BEING A MODEL, ESPECIALLY SINCE SO YOUNG?

The gate keepers of the industry not being inclusive of different body types and making me feel less than and not good enough unless I lost weight - that was tough in my early teens and I believed I’d never make it unless I was as slim as the successful models at the time. And, consequently comparing my body to those models and taking unhealthy measures to try and achieve the weight loss which ultimately lead me to

body dysmorphia when in reality the day I stopped trying to change myself to fit their standards and instead decided to challenge the industry by being myself was when I actually found true success.

FEBRUARY 2017 YOU DID A TEDX TALK, “ENDING THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTION.” WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THAT YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO TRY TO BE AN IDEAL OF PERFECT - WHATEVER ‘PERFECT’ IS?

It was when I saw that self-love was radical because we had to unlearn so much toxic diet culture messaging, even what we had seen from our community, family and environment growing up. The more I worked in the fashion and beauty industry I saw how often we were manipulated to believe we needed to change and were marketed a false, unrealistic beauty ideal and I knew I had to speak up and try and get through to others who may have felt how I did in my eating disorder.

HOW DID THE ANDIE SWIM COLLAB COME ABOUT?

My incredible talent agent Alex Devlin at WME was a huge Andie fan, had them send me a couple of suits

CONTINUED >

and I fell in love. After that, it was our mission to make this collab happen. I wanted my community to know how incredible Andie is too!

HOW MANY SUITS ARE IN THE COLLABORATION?

There are three one-piece styles in three colors and two different recycled fabrics and a 90s-inspired bikini style in two colors.

HOW HANDS-ON WERE YOU IN THE PROCESS?

It was the perfect amount where Andie and the team let me have the final say on styles, fabrics, and colors but did the heavy lifting when it came to manufacturing and distribution. I had full creative decision on the shoot I did for my collection so decided to shoot in Miami with Mid Jordan, a photographer and Creative Director I’ve wanted to create and work with.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT ANDIE SWIM?

I honestly have never put a suit on and felt the same level of comfort, great fit and chi ness as an Andie suit. The team listened to their customer on what they want and most of us want high-quality suits that we can depend on and feel the most confident in, No one wants a suit that’s riding up, digging in or has our bits falling out. When you put on an Andie Swim suit you don’t have to worry about any of that, you get to just enjoy what you’re doing.

I READ YOU WERE A COMPETITIVE NATIONAL SWIMMER! DO YOU STILL SWIM REGULARLY?

Yes, those days feel like a lifetime ago, but I do enjoy swimming here in Lake Travis Austin and all the local pools I go to with my family.

YOU’RE SO COMFORTABLE IN A BATHING SUIT, DO YOU HAVE ADVICE FOR THE REST OF US?

There’s so much I’ve learned over the years since my eating disorder as a teen. I always remind myself that making memories and finding peace when I’m wearing swimwear far outweighs worrying about what I look like and what others may think. I also remember it is ok to feel insecure because so many others do too, but no one is losing sleep over the things I might be picking myself apart about like my back rolls, cellulite or scars, and if they are, that’s probably because they are struggling with their own insecurities too. I finally remind myself that my body is my home and it’s my best friend. It’s always there for me and it allows me to have all these life experiences, and when I change my mindset to gratitude and seeing my body for its abilities and capabilities, it helps me feel accepting and loving.

Take Soho House Home

The House’s Design Director shares pieces from a trio of (Soho) houses to inspire your own

ARTICLE BY JAMES PATMORE

There are currently 39 Soho Houses around the world, from Austin to Amsterdam, Tel Aviv to Hong Kong. Each house has its own local flavor, but some things are a constant at them all –  from interiors you wish you could replicate in your own home, to cocktails like their beloved Picante de la Casa! If you’ve ever wanted to take home the tumbler it’s served in, or the couch you sat on while drinking it, read on for Soho House Design Director James Patmore’s selects from Soho Home.

PS: You don’t have to be a member to shop: sohohome.com

Soho Home is a modern interior brand created for relaxed, sociable living. Designed to mirror the look and feel of our Soho Houses around the world, the range introduces handcrafted furniture alongside textiles, lighting, and tableware. Modern design is matched with a timeless sensibility for individual living spaces that stand the test of time. Whether it’s the cup you use for your first coffee of the day, or the bed linen you sleep on at night, this is the Soho House way of living.

Inspired By Soho House Austin:

1 Alderton Runner Hand-knotted in India by skilled artisans, a wool pile lends comfort while a vibrant color palette brings warmth and character, instantly uplifting any area of the home.

2. House Pool Towel Recreate afternoons at the rooftop pool with this soft pool towel crafted from Turkish cotton and outfitted with Soho House’s embroidered logo and signature stripes. A must-have for pool days at the House or at home.

Inspired By Holloway House:

1. Felix Floor Lamp Distinguished by a stem of solid oak wooden stacking beads paired with a linen shade and antique brass detail, this contemporary design brings warm lighting into any room.

2. Willis Bench Add a touch of vintage-inspired glamor to any interior with soft velvet upholstery. This piece is ideal for placing in an entrance, living room or at the end of the bed.

Inspired By Soho House Rome:

1. Humphrey Armchair Designed to create a stand-alone statement in your living space, place in a corner of the living room and sink into its velvet upholstered, undulating curves.

2. Railton Bedside Table The mid-tone oak Railton bedside table boasts a round, cylindrical shape with sculptural, curved lines and ridges to create dimension.

ABOUT JAMES PATMORE: As Design Director of Soho Home, James Patmore oversees design for all categories for Soho Home and bespoke products for Soho House locations worldwide. He joined the company in 2018 as the first dedicated Product Designer at Soho House and has experience working for a plethora of design artists, interior designers and homeware brands including Rolf Sachs, Karim Rashid, Tom Dixon, Habitat, and Made.com.

Humphrey Chair

Willis Bench

Alderton Runner

Railton Bedside Table

Pool Towels

Felix Floor Lamp

A SLICE OF SANTORINI IN ATX

Upscale neighborhood

Mediterranean restaurant will transport you to Greece – with the food, décor & hospitality

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOUG STILL

Yamas Mediterranean Kitchen + Bar opened late June and after only a week, the buzz was so loud and favorable that they were booked on OpenTable through the summer – a feat for any Austin restaurant in a season many seek a respite from the heat. The husband and wife co-owners Roxie and Hristos (Chris) Nikolakos were thrilled and surprised in nearly equal measure. “We didn’t expect this,” Roxy says.

The moment you walk inside the restaurant, the blues and whites of the décor dotted with pink flowers and walls painted with murals (the work of Cabo-based artist Aurora Covarrubias), you’re enveloped in the vibe of the Grecian islands. When you’re greeted by Roxie, Chris or one of their

children – Mackenzy, 25, Jagger, 23 or Eris, 17 -  you’re embraced by the warm and inviting Greek hospitality. And when you take a bite of the food, your taste buds take you back to your last visit if you’ve been to Greece, or introduces you to authentic Greek fare if you’ve never been.

The family moved from Rhodes, Greece to Austin, Texas in 2000. Roxie was born in Austin to a mother who was Greek and a father who was American and split most of her childhood between here and there. She met Chris in Rhodes in 1994 and says they decided to settle in Austin once they began having children. “We had no plan, but we always wanted to open a Greek restaurant,” says Chris, “we tried several times, but it wasn’t possible.”

Although bad timing, failed partnerships and frustration paved the way to arriving at Yamas, both Chris and Roxie agree it was worth it, because Yamas, completely family-owned, is

the restaurant that was their destiny. Greek TX, the building company Chris owns, oversaw the buildout and construction, Roxie and Chris designed all of the interiors with pieces sourced from Greece throughout the restaurant. Their daughter Mackenzy, who also serves as General Manager, designed the restaurant’s logo, at the local restaurant where every family member plays a role.

“We’re here every day,” Roxie says, “My job is to make everyone feel at home, it’s like an extension of my home.” It’s part of their ethos centered around ‘filoxenia’ – a Greek concept translating to ‘making a stranger a friend.’  Chris adds, “We want to know the names of the people coming in, they’re our neighbors.” Literally, the Nikolakos’ live only a few blocks away from Yamas themselves. And, although a reservation may be hard to come by on Opentable, a few tables are saved for walk-ins each night and the bar is always first come first served. CONTINUED >

The menu is a culinary journey across Greece’s diverse regions, highlighting the unique ingredients and techniques that make Greek cuisine so extraordinary. The kitchen is led by Chef Dimitrios Kelesoglou, a third-generation chef originally from Macedonia, Greece, and trained in traditional Greek cooking. Roxy says their signature octopus dish reminds her most of home, Chris says it’s their traditional Greek salad, which unlike many Americanized versions is served sans lettuce, letting the plump tomatoes be the star.

Some other signature dishes include the warm Cheese Saganaki, Fried Feta with mixed sesame, honey, and crumbled roasted walnuts, Chicken Schwarma served with fries, Grilled Whole Branzino and Lobster Thermodo served with orzo. There are also Instagram-worthy cocktails, a selection of Greek wines and a Baklava that alone will keep this writer going back.

‘Yamas’ is how people say cheers in Greek. Short for “Stin Yeia Mas,” it translates to “to our health.”  We can’t think of a better way to follow a healthy Mediterranean Diet than to become regulars at this Mediterranean oasis.

RESTAURAUNT INFORMATION

HOURS: Tuesday-Sunday 4:00 Pm To 12:00 Am And Brunch On Saturdays And Sundays.

LOCATION: Located at 5308 Balcones Dr, Austin, TX 78731

WEBSITE: http://yamasatx.com/

RESERVATIONS: Call 512-243-7499 to reserve your table.

SOCIAL MEDIA: @yamas_atx

ABBY JANE LOVE’S

GRAIN-TO-TABLE

BAKESHOP

The bakery is nestled inside Barton Springs Mill (where they get their flour) in Dripping Springs.

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER

BIRN

Abby Jane Love’s culinary career in Austin began working as a pastry chef at Dai Due Butcher Shop ten years ago. It was there she met James A. Brown, the owner of Barton Springs Mill, and pitched him the idea to put a bakery in his mill. The rest is history. We talked to Abby to learn more about her bakeshop – that also sells beer, wine and espresso. Making it a great stop for afternoon lunch when in the Hill Country.

DO YOU EXCLUSIVELY USE GRAINS FROM THE BARTON SPRINGS MILL?

Yes, we built this business with a desire to serve high-quality baked goods, and to me, that starts at the source. We hope our customers can taste the difference in the flours we use in every bite.

WHAT’S THE MOST POPULAR ITEM AT YOUR BAKESHOP?

We have a couple of sweet fan favorites like our oversized cinnamon rolls, our Texas pecan bar and our stone-milled croissants, and our Big Country sourdough loaf is always flying off the shelves. Our sourdough pizza is a sell-out every time we make it and our ham and cheese croissants-made with ham from Belle Vie Farm and stoneground mustard is just *chef’s kiss*!

WHERE DID YOU LEARN TO BAKE?

I took a part-time job baking in a mom-and-pop shop while I was in graduate school in Boston for library science. Baking captured my enthusiasm so much I quit school and never looked back. Since then, I have learned on the job from whomever was willing to hire and teach me. Turns out, showing up on time and working hard can get you a very, very good (free) education.

AND YOU DONATE ANYTHING LEFTOVER?

Yes, we wrap up every loaf we don’t sell, freeze it, and it all goes to Dripping Springs Helping Hands.

WHAT MAKES YOUR WEDDING CAKES SPECIAL?

Abby Jane excels at small-scale custom cakes that focus on high-quality seasonal ingredients that are sourced locally. We don’t use fondant icing or artificial food colorings at the bakeshop, but we’ve had fun coming up with creative ways to achieve colored effects with naturally-sourced food dyes. We also offer fresh and hand-pressed flowers as decoration, which adds a signature touch.

DETAILS:

Address: 16604 Fitzhugh Rd Unit C, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Hours of operation:  Thursday - Friday: 8am-3pm, Saturday - Sunday: 9am – 3pm

Website: abbyjanebakes.com/ Instagram: Follow @AbbyJaneYall for events and specials

Abby Jane

My Favorite Things

WHAT I'M LOVING THIS MONTH...

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur: The new matte-meets-moisture liquid lipstick smoothes fine lines and comes in eight shades.

CHARLOTTETILBURY.COM

Saltair: Iskra Lawrence’s line of effective, sustainably packaged skincare products that celebrates all body types, skin tones and genders.

HTTPS://SALTAIR.COM

Heart Water: Purified rainwater they say is ‘directly from the clouds and never hits the ground.’

HTTPS://DRINKHEARTWATER.COM/

AO Tours: A guided bus tour traversing Austin’s varied architecture. Fun and informative whether you're visiting or playing tourist.

Spoke & Wheal: See Tim Patrick at the relatively new Austin outpost for the salon’s signature dry cut. 1213 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703

Errand: On-demand errand service that allows you to schedule pick-ups and deliveries from packages to prescriptions on an app.

HTTPS://GOERRAND.COM/