THE AUSTIN TOURIST, YVETTE ARRIAGA, SHARES HER FAVORITE SPOTS IN TOWN
ARTS + CULTURE
EXPLORE THE NEW EXHIBITS AT LBJ PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY
At RichesArt Gallery, we don’t believe in ordinary team building— we create unforgettable, immersive experiences designed to energize, inspire, and connect your team in meaningful ways.
Whether you’re planning a full-scale corporate event or an intimate creative workshop, we offer the flexibility to host your experience at our vibrant gallery space or bring the activation directly to your corporate office. Wherever it happens, we transform the environment into a dynamic creative hub where art, culture, and collaboration collide.
From fully curated events featuring live bands, DJs, art battles, live portrait artists, curated bars, and elevated happy hours—to hands-on creative sessions like graffiti experiences and live painting battles, printmaking classes, watercolor workshops, custom sneaker design, and collage creation—every offering is built to spark creativity and strengthen team bonds.
Our signature experiences encourage teams to step outside their comfort zones, collaborate in new ways, and leave with something tangible—whether it’s a piece of art, a shared memory, or a renewed sense of connection. Imagine your team going head-to-head in a live graffiti battle, designing custom sneakers together, or creating collaborative artwork that lives on in your office as a lasting symbol of your culture.
Perfect for companies of all sizes, our programs are fully customizable to match your goals—whether that’s boosting morale, celebrating milestones, fostering innovation, or simply bringing your people together in a fresh, inspiring way.
At RichesArt Gallery, we turn team building into a cultural experience— whether at our gallery or your workplace—one your team will talk about long after the paint dries.
OPEN HOUSE
Friday, July 17 1:30-3:30pm
Founded in 1997, Paragon Prep School is a private, nonsectarian school in Austin, Texas that provides an enriched, advanced, and highly challenging education.
Our school is known for excellent academics, small class sizes, personal attention for each student , and strong partnerships between parents, teachers, students, and staff
Beyond the classroom, Paragon students build on their success in sports, the arts, clubs, and community service
6 weeks to 8 gr ade th
LIFESTYLE LETTER
Wander a Little Further
There is something about summer that stirs our sense of curiosity. Maybe it is the longer days, the warmth in the air, or the quiet reminder that adventure does not always require a plane ticket or a perfectly planned itinerary. Sometimes it begins with simply saying yes to something new.
I'd like to think this month’s issue is rooted in that idea: following the pull of wanderlust, whether it leads you across the country or just across town. It is about rediscovering familiar places through fresh eyes, taking the scenic route, lingering a little longer, and allowing yourself to be surprised along the way. The beauty of exploration is that it looks different for everyone. For some, it is a spontaneous road trip. For others, it is wandering into an independent bookstore, uncovering hidden pieces of Austin history, or finally visiting a place they have driven past for years.
Inside these pages, you will find inspiration for both the grand adventures and the small moments of discovery that make life feel fuller. I hope this issue encourages you to lean into your curiosity this summer and joyfully explore a little further or right here in our backyard.
Happy exploring,
JULIE ROYCE, MANAGING EDITOR @ATXCITYLIFESTYLE
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Zack Fogelman | zack.fogelman@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Julie Royce | julie.royce@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kali Kasprzyk, Andrea Bugbee, Matsumoto Mari
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Stacy Berg, Janie Jones
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
SHOP, DINE AND EXPERIENCE NORTHSIDE
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH AWAY BLUE NILE BOSS BREITLING BRILLIANT EARTH CB2 CHANEL
DIPTYQUE ĒMA FAHERTY FLOWER CHILD FREE PEOPLE GORJANA HAYWIRE JO MALONE
KIEHL’S MEJURI MIZZEN + MAIN NIKE BY DOMAIN NORTHSIDE NORDSTROM
OLIVER PEOPLES OMEGA PAIGE RAILS REFORMATION RH THE GALLERY SEPHORA
SWEETGREEN TAG HEUER TECOVAS VUORI WARBY PARKER
OVER 130 STORES AND RESTAURANTS, WITH MANY EXCLUSIVE TO AUSTIN.
JOYBIRD
Plan Well. Build Better.
Bes Builder is built on the belief that exceptional projects come from exceptional people. From our in-house team to the trusted vendors and trades we partner with, every detail matters and every person involved is held to a higher standard. Our focus on quality, communication, and craftsmanship ensures each project is built with care, precision, and pride from start to finish.
inside the issue
JULY 2026
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Goodnight Loving Vodka was the official sponsor of this year's Bloody Mary Festival. 2: Leaders and supporters gathered for the ribbon-cutting of the new RMHC of Central Texas. 3: Nabil Remadna, Anne Nicholson and Meteorologist Avery Tomasco, at Save Muny's 19th Hole Party. 4: Dr. Jeffrey Shilt with wife Erin and their boys at TCH Ambassadors' Family Fun Day. 5: Local comedian Ashley Fairleigh hosted the Violet Crown Festival, featuring a performance by Dale Watson. 6: Guests attended the Grand Opening Celebration of the new permanent exhibit at the LBJ Library. 7: Marsha Milam and Ray Benson at the People's Community Clinic luncheon at the Four Seasons.
Want to be seen in the magazine?
JULIE ROYCE
TYLER SCHMITT
JAY GODWIN/LBJ PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY
JUSTIN LEITNER
GREG RIVES
JULIE ROYCE
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Double the fun at Camp Doublecreek
Two camps, one unforgettable summer! It’s not too late to give your child a summer full of adventure, friendship, and unforgettable memories! Their weekly Summer Day Camp (ages 4-14) and Horseback Camp (ages 7-14) offer a full day of exciting outdoor activities, swimming, crafts, camp games, and hands-on equine experiences. Give them a call at 512-255-3661 for more information, or visit their website at www.campdoublecreek.com
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Rosedale Acupuncture & Wellness Announces New Location on Burnet Rd
Rosedale Acupuncture & Wellness, Austin’s premier center for chronic pain and neuropathy, is moving this July to a stunning new flagship location! Find us just ½ mile away in the former Modern Animal building at 5118 N. Burnet Rd. Our expanded space brings innovative wellness services — plus more parking — while delivering the same compassionate care you trust. Rosedale is thrilled to welcome you to the future of holistic healthcare. See you there!
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A LEGACY OF LAKESIDE TRANQUILITY
Estate, the Austin Way
Buying or selling a home in Austin is about more than the price - it's about timing, strategy, and knowing the neighborhoods that make this city special.
Barbara Shallue is a local Austin Realtor helping buyers and sellers make confident moves with clarity, care, and strong local insight. From first time homebuyers to long-time homeowners, Barbara offers steady guidance and honest advice every step of the way.
Not sure if selling now makes sense? Give me a call. I'll run the numbers and give you an honest answer.
for the day or a weekend. Day passes, spa experiences, group celebrations and staycations. Trusted Guidance for Austin Buyers and Sellers
THE LBJ LIBRARY HAS Something for Everyone
FROM HANDS-ON EXHIBITS TO RARE FOUNDING DOCUMENTS, IT'S WORTH EXPLORING
ARTICLE BY JULIE ROYCE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAY GODWIN/LBJ PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY
"Phone conversations from the Johnson administration allow visitor to hear the personality and negotiation behind pivotal moments in American history.
The Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library has reimagined how it tells history, and this summer, there's never been a better reason for Austinites to walk through its doors.
The library's newly renovated permanent exhibit, more than two and a half years in the making, replaces the dense wall texts of its 2012 predecessor with an immersive, multi-sensory experience designed for visitors of all ages. It traces LBJ's journey from Hill Country beginnings to the White House, then follows the impact of Great Society legislation through 1981. Every major text panel is now available in both English and Spanish.
"We've created a space where visitors can put themselves in that moment and decide for themselves what role people played, and what role they can play," said Lara Hall, the library's curator.
Interactive elements are woven throughout: video, audio, flip panels, and a touchscreen "America 1964" wall that holds the complexity of an era defined simultaneously by middle-class prosperity and the urgent need for civil rights legislation. Among the most affecting additions is "Voices from the Archives," where visitors place a card on a reader and hear a letter read aloud with the writer's handwriting projected on screen. One comes from Lorraine
Images of children in toy space gear help young visitors imagine what it felt like to grow up during the Space Race.
Rotating story blocks trace Lyndon Johnson's early years, highlighting the people, places, and experiences that shaped his worldview and political ambitions.
Bridges, a teenager who wrote President Johnson in 1965 about being denied a seat in a hospital waiting room because of the color of her skin. Another is from Steven Gottlieb, a boy who raised $60 at a neighborhood fair and sent it to the White House to support the VISTA program.
"Those letters illustrate what people who had no agency at the time could still do," Hall said.
Hall recommends the exhibit for children ages 6 and up. Younger kids will gravitate toward vintage telephones, interactive flip panels, and stories about LBJ's own boyhood, including a book and poem that stuck with him from fifth grade all the way to the presidency. The museum's beloved classics, the presidential limousine, Oval Office replica, and animatronic LBJ, remain as well.
Two temporary exhibits add even more reason to visit. Austin Past and Present, on display through early 2027 and curated by former Austin AmericanStatesman photographer Jay Godwin, juxtaposes decades of city photography.
histories. Recipes woven throughout the exhibit highlight how food has carried culture and tradition across generations.
On the library's 10th floor, a special American Experiment exhibition features rare foundational documents on loan from the National Archives. Among them are the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, the 14th Amendment, the Louisiana Purchase, the Statue of Liberty deed of gift, and patents from the Wright Brothers, Alexander Graham Bell, and Thomas Edison.
You won't just be encountering the past — you'll get to experience how it was shaped by everyday people.
"What he's really captured are these ideas of what Austin is… the sense of community, the sense of big town, small town," Hall said.
What We Bring to the Table explores American immigration history through personal stories anchored in actual kitchen tables, where visitors of all ages, especially younger children, can sit, do hands-on activities like sewing cards and playing checkers, and connect over shared
"We're celebrating 250 years of this ongoing American experiment, and these documents are really the foundation of that conversation,” Hall said.
For the first time ever, the LBJ Library will remain open until 9 p.m. every Wednesday through Sept. 2, giving families, students, and anyone curious about American history additional opportunities to experience these extraordinary documents and exhibits on their own schedule.
Whether you're a lifelong Austinite, a parent planning a summer outing, or a first-time visitor, Hall says the library is intentional about making everyone feel welcome.
"So many people struggle with where they belong in the American story," she said. "Creating space for anyone to come in and find their place — that was really important to us."
The LBJ Library is located at 2313 Red River St. on the University of Texas campus. Advance ticket purchase is encouraged.
Where the Coast Slows Down
Sandestin and 30A invite families into an easy Gulf rhythm
The moment you cross into Florida's Emerald Coast and spot that first stretch of sugar-white sand, you'll understand why families keep coming back.
For Austin families craving a summer escape that's equal parts relaxing and adventure-packed, the drive east on I-10 toward Sandestin Beach Resort and the storied stretch of Highway 30A delivers everything a great road trip promises.
Northwest Florida's largest full-service beachfront resort, Hilton Sandestin, just completed a $35 million property-wide renovation, and it shows. All 590 rooms and suites across the Emerald and Spa towers received a full redesign with a fresh coastal aesthetic.
Families will appreciate the junior suites with bunkbed enclaves, each equipped with its own TV, motion-sensing lighting, and upgraded charging stations. The resort also just debuted a newly redesigned indoor pool and lounge deck — a glass-ceilinged space bathed in natural light, so the fun continues rain or shine. Between the Gulf beaches, three pools, paddleboarding, kayaking, charter fishing, and four nearby championship golf courses, the only problem is choosing.
What struck me most, though, was the spa. The Serenity by the Sea Spa at the Hilton Sandestin is the kind of place that makes you understand why people plan entire trips around it. I watched mothers slip away for
ARTICLE BY JULIE ROYCE PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
an afternoon of treatments while dads handled the beach shift. And if you’re looking to book a couple’s massage, they can make that happen too.
Whether you're a mom finally claiming a few hours for yourself or a couple looking to reconnect without an itinerary, this spa delivers. It's legitimately world-class.
When you’re looking for a few hours away from the sand and surf, head over to the Village of Baytowne Wharf, a lively waterfront district at the heart of the resort. Families descend on it for good reason.
The Baytowne Adventure Zone offers ziplines, rock climbing, and a carousel, while BLAST Arcade and Laser Maze provide air-conditioned chaos kids love. During summer, weekly fireworks over the bay draw the whole resort out after dinner. But the couples were there too, drinks in hand, perfectly happy watching the scene from a waterside table.
The Serenity by the Sea Spa
For dinner, Seagar's Prime Steaks & Seafood, the Emerald Coast's only AAA Four-Diamond steakhouse, delivered one of the better meals I've had, Cesar salad and bananas foster tableside included.
Fleetwood Covington, a concert pianist-turned-executive chef, has curated a world-class menu featuring a 30-ounce, 60-day dry-aged Tomahawk steak. Literal chef’s kiss.
After two days at the resort, I headed east on Scenic Highway 30A, a 24-mile coastal route winding through dune lakes and state forests past some of the most charming beach towns in the South.
Seaside, the pastel-painted backdrop of "The Truman Show," charmed me immediately. Rosemary Beach followed, with cobblestone streets and Dutch West Indies architecture that
felt like a different country. Further east, Alys Beach delivered one final stretch of gleaming white Mediterranean-style buildings before I reluctantly turned back.
From Austin, the drive is roughly ten to eleven hours — manageable with an early morning departure. Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City Beach sits about 30 minutes away for families who prefer to fly. Either way, the stretch between Sandestin and the eastern end of 30A delivers a vacation memorable enough to make the drive home feel bittersweet.
For more information, visit hiltonsandestinbeach.com and visitsouthwalton.com
Seagar's Prime Steaks & Seafood
Sandestin Beach Resort
ARTICLE BY JULIE ROYCE PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
WEEKEND Well SPENT
Local Influencer Yvette Arriaga's guide to playing tourist in Austin
There's a particular kind of person who knows a city the way most people know their own living room — not just where everything is, but why it matters, how it feels at different hours, and which hidden door leads somewhere unexpectedly wonderful. In Austin, that person is Yvette Arriaga.
Since launching The Austin Tourist in 2021, Arriaga has grown a community of over one million followers across social media by doing one thing exceptionally well: uncovering the experiences most people walk right past. Her content, visually driven and personality-forward, has made her one of the most recognized travel creators in Texas. Featured in Austin Monthly, Edible Austin, and Canvas Rebel Magazine, and named to Voyage Magazine's Rising Stars list, she has built an audience that consistently turns to her for trusted recommendations. When Yvette points somewhere, people go.
What sets her apart isn't access — it's curation. The Austin Tourist has always been less about what's popular and more about what's worth your time: the hidden gem tucked behind an unmarked door, the outdoor experience that doesn't feel like Texas, the neighborhood spot that quietly earns its reputation. When I asked how she would spend a long weekend playing tourist in her own city, her answer felt both thoughtful and practical. The result is an itinerary worth following.
FRIDAY
Yvette's recommendation for Friday starts on the water in the afternoon. Lady Bird Lake sits at the center of Austin's identity,
and she points to Retro Boat Rentals as the most memorable way to experience it — colorful, uniquely named vintage boats, from Gidget to Trixie, an open stretch of water, and the downtown skyline spreading out in every direction. The retro boat experience feels inherently Austin: relaxed, quirky, and with just a little unexpected nostalgia.
From the lake, she recommends continuing to view the panoramic skyline at Nido, a modern rooftop restaurant at the Loren Hotel, making it one of the most visually striking dinner settings in the city. Coming straight off the water, the transition feels seamless. Sit back and enjoy a delicious meal of wild boar lasagna, grilled oysters, or the jerk chicken entrée.
The night closes at Comedy at the Black Rabbit, an underground, BYOB comedy club hidden behind a barbershop in East Austin that rewards the curious and the in-the-know. The shows are raw and engaging, the energy is genuine, and it is exactly the sort of offbeat, only-in-Austin experience that Yvette gravitates toward.
SATURDAY
Saturday begins at the recently-opened Leona in South Austin, a botanical coffee destination with a sprawling outdoor space that eases you into the day before it asks anything of you. Grab a coffee and a pastry in a setting that feels more like a garden than a café.
From there, head west on Highway 290 to the Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, where a guided hike leads you into one of the Hill Country’s most stunning hidden gems — a lush grotto tucked inside
"I’ve always loved helping people discover places they never would’ve found otherwise."
Yvette Arriaga at Sydney's Cat Lounge.
Photo by Stacy Berg.
a limestone canyon. With its cascading waterfall, emerald pool, and rare microclimate, the preserve feels worlds away from the city, offering a quieter, more intimate nature experience that rewards those willing to slow down and take it in. Reservations are required, and the guided format ensures the landscape remains protected.
Back in Austin by the afternoon, Yvette recommends making time for Sydney's Cat Lounge, the city's beloved cat café, where rescue cats wander freely among guests. This Alice in Wonderland-themed sanctuary is playful, a little indulgent, and genuinely joyful. Interact with multiple kitties while sitting on mushrooms, royal thrones, or in the catio built exclusively so the fuzzy little felines can frolic.
Saturday dinner belongs to Tiki Tatsu-Ya, the immersive tiki restaurant on South Lamar, with dramatic cocktails, a tropical interior that fully commits to its own fantasy, and food that more than holds its own against the spectacle surrounding it. It is dinner as an experience — random thunder booms, tropical drinks such as the Pearl Diver and The S.O.S., and exactly the right energy for a Saturday night in Austin.
SUNDAY
Sunday begins on the water because Austin keeps pulling you back to it. Mozart's Coffee Roasters on Lake Austin has been an institution since 1993: lake views, a sprawling outdoor deck, live music, and coffee roasted in-house. It is unhurried and beautiful, setting exactly the right tone for a final day.
From there, head just down the road to Laguna Gloria, the lakeside campus of The Contemporary Austin that feels less like a museum and more like stumbling onto an Italian estate on the banks of Lake Austin. Walking through the gates, you feel transported, although you’re only five miles from downtown. Monumental sculptures dot the wooded grounds, quiet pathways wind along the water, and the 1916 Driscoll Villa gives the whole place a romantic, European stillness. It is one of the most visually striking settings in the capital city.
“I think the best experiences in Austin are the ones that leave people feeling inspired, surprised, and wanting to explore more.”
Austin skyline from Nido's outdoor patio. Photo by Casey Woods.
Lunch stays local and legendary: Top Notch Hamburgers, the classic Austin drive-in on Burnet Road, immortalized as a filming location for Dazed and Confused The burgers and crunchy onion rings are quite literally top-notch and worth every savory bite. Plus, eating here feels like a small act of Austin citizenship.
The weekend closes the only way it properly can: at Chicken Sh*t Bingo at The Little Longhorn Saloon, the Burnet Road honky-tonk that has hosted this gloriously absurd Austin tradition for over 50 years. Every Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m., a live chicken selects the winning bingo number while the crowd listens to live music, can win hundreds of dollars, and collectively decides this is exactly where they are supposed to be. Quirky, loud, and entirely unapologetic — the perfect last impression of a weekend well spent.
Follow Yvette Arriaga at @theaustintourist on Instagram or at theaustintourist.com for weekly guides, hidden gems, and her latest Austin recommendations.
The grounds of Laguna Gloria at night. Photo by Maxx Parten/Wikimedia.
Chicken Sh*t Bingo at Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon. Photo by Yvette Arriaga.
Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center grotto.
Photo by Yvette Arriaga.
Austin's Most UNEXPECTED Place to Explore
Tucked behind a modest house on a quiet South Austin street, the Cathedral of Junk stands as one of the city’s most unconventional art environments — and a testament to one man’s decades-long passion for transforming discarded materials into a sprawling, walkable sculpture.
At 4422 Lareina Drive, what might at first glance seem to be just another suburban backyard reveals itself as an intricate maze of recycled treasures, towering more than three stories high. The cathedral’s winding stairways, colorful rooms, and hidden chambers draw visitors into a world of unexpected whimsy — all assembled from items others once threw away, including bicycle parts, old toys, tools, and even household appliances.
The creator, Austin resident Vince Hannemann, began building the installation in 1988 when he was in his mid20s. What started as a personal hobby soon grew into a beloved local attraction, as neighbors and strangers alike began contributing their unwanted bits and pieces.
Hannemann, who describes his work simply as “kind of cool,” says he builds the cathedral because it’s fun and resonates with those who explore it.
Visitors who step inside the cathedral often remark on its labyrinthine feel, where every turn reveals another quirky tableau. Some rooms have color themes, such as “the yellow room” or “the pink room,” and there are tunnels and observation platforms that offer new perspectives on the structure’s eclectic bounty. The installation has a texture and complexity that have invited comparisons to science-fiction sets and dreamlike landscapes.
Though it sits in a residential neighborhood, the Cathedral of Junk is firmly rooted in Austin’s “Keep Austin Weird” ethos, embodying the city’s affinity for offbeat creativity and individual expression. Despite — or perhaps because of — its unconventional nature, the cathedral has hosted weddings, school tours, and other gatherings, drawing curious visitors from near and far.
Access to the cathedral isn’t like that of a typical museum. The installation sits on private property and is open to the public only by appointment. Prospective visitors should call in advance to arrange a tour of the site, and donations are welcome to support the ongoing upkeep of the artwork. Street parking is available, but guests are asked to be respectful of the quiet neighborhood and avoid blocking driveways or mailboxes.
The Cathedral of Junk turns one man's cast-off collection into a walkable, wonderfully weird work of art
ARTICLE BY JULIE ROYCE | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Entrance to the cathedral.
The Cathedral of Junk has weathered its share of challenges over the years. In the early 2010s, city officials cited the structure for code violations and required adjustments to bring it into compliance with residential building standards. With the help of volunteers, architects, and engineers, Hannemann reached an agreement that allowed the cathedral to remain intact while meeting safety requirements.
Despite its humble beginnings and unorthodox composition, the Cathedral of Junk stands as more than just an assemblage of cast-off objects. It reflects a creative spirit that sees beauty in the overlooked, playfulness in the mundane, and possibility in the discarded — a quirky cornerstone of Austin’s artistic identity.
For appointment information, call (512) 299-7413 before planning a visit.
Cathedral of Junk's creator, Vince Hannemann. Photo by Jason Shea.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 1/2 oz- Cucumber & dragon fruit gin
• 3/4oz- Toasted black sesame Velvet Falernum
• 1/2oz- Lime juice
• Topped with ginger beer
• Hawaiian black lava salt & black sesame
GARNISH
• Small paint brush
• Simple syrup
• Hawaiian black lava salt mixed with a pinch of black sesame
INSTRUCTIONS
Infused Gin: Infuse 1 whole peeled and cut cucumber in gin for a week. Strain the cucumbers out. Add 1 tablespoon of organic dragonfruit powder and mix very well with a whisk. To make the syrup, toast 1/2 cup of black sesame at 350 for 10 minutes. Take it out and let it cool. In a mortar and pestle, grind the toasted black sesame, but not too fine. Add the sesame into one bottle of John D. Taylor’s Velvet Falernum. Let that set for about 2 to 3 days and use cheese cloth to strain out the fine bits of sesame. Juice one fresh lime and strain to remove the pulp.
Cocktail: Paint a strip of simple syrup down a Collins glass. Take a spoon full of Hawaiian black lava salt mixed with black sesame and layer that down where the painted simple syrup was placed. In a shaker tin combine: 1 1/2oz cucumber dragon fruit gin, 3/4oz toasted black sesame Velvet Falernum, and 1/2oz lime juice and shake that up! Fill the painted glass with ice (I use crushed ice) and strain over the ice. Top with your favorite ginger beer (my choice is Fever Tree ginger beer).
ARTICLE BY MATSUMOTO MARI PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
The Magic Dragon
Make a Statement With This Stylish Cocktail
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
The 10% Target Mindset
Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.
1 2
MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
STACK THE DECK
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
NEVER MISS A MONDAY
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.
More Pages Await
A TWO INDIE SHOPS REWRITING WHAT A NEIGHBORHOOD BOOKSTORE CAN BE
ARTICLE BY JULIE ROYCE
Austin has never been short on character, and its independent bookstores are proof of that. Forget the algorithmic bestseller tables — these stores are curated, community-grown, and deeply human. Whether you're after a carefully chosen novel, a unique gift, or simply a place to linger with a new paperback, each offers something no online retailer can replicate.
Birdhouse Books and Gifts · 5925 Burnet Rd · Woman and veteran-owned, Birdhouse Books is built on the belief that everyone who walks through the door should feel seen. A standout kids and middle-grade section anchors the space, while locally made gifts from Austin artists line the shelves. Regular book clubs and story times make it a true neighborhood gathering place.
First Light Books | · 4300 Speedway · Tucked inside a transformed 1960s post office in historic Hyde Park, First Light is equal parts bookstore and all-day café — open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The curation leans literary fiction, poetry, nature, and music (extra deep on that last one, being Austin), plus one of the city's best magazine stands. A membership program offers book discounts and free drip coffee.
Austin’s Bookstore
Austin's bookstore scene runs deeper than you might expect. Monkeywrench Books is a volunteer-run, collectively operated radical bookstore and community space stocked with political theory, zines, and social justice literature. Finney's Books is a romance-only shop — from sweet contemporary to romantasy — named after the owner's dog, Finney. And Vintage Bookstore and Wine Shop pairs a glass of Texas wine with your next great read.
First Light Books
Birdhouse Books and Gifts
JULY 2026
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
JULY 1ST
Annie at ZACH Theater
ZACH Theater
ZACH Theater presents Annie, the beloved musical about a spirited orphan searching for family and hope. Featuring iconic songs like “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” the production runs through Aug 2 and offers a heartwarming, family-friendly theater experience filled with humor, heart, and unforgettable music. For more info, visit www.zachtheater.org.
JULY 1ST
Paramount Summer Classic Film Series
The Paramount Theatre & Other Venues
The Annual Paramount Summer Classic Film Series runs all summer, ending on September 7. New films will be announced each month. Visit www.austintheatre.org for more information.
JULY 4TH
LBJ Library 4th of July Celebration
LBJ Library
On July 4, the LBJ Library will host a full day of activities, including free museum admission, complimentary refreshments, arts and crafts, and live music.
JULY 4TH
Willie Nelson's 4th of July Celebration
Germania Insurance Ampitheater
Willie Nelson's annual 4th of July Picnic is returning to Austin. Since 1972, Nelson has hosted this beloved event, which features an incredible music lineup, local food vendors, and a fantastic fireworks display at the end of the night.
JULY 4TH
Star Spangled Fest
Vic Mathias Shores
The Austin Symphony hosts an annual concert of patriotic music, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over Lady Bird Lake, in celebration of America's 250th anniversary.
JULY 16TH
Hot Summer Nights
Red River Cultural District
Between July 16 and 18th, 20 venues throughout the Red River Cultural District will host free live music, alongside local food and vendors. Local acts like Golden Dawn Arkestra, Emily Wolfe, Moving Panoramas, Ringo Deathstarr, and more have taken over stages in past years to celebrate summer in the Live Music Capital of the World®.
Factors and Goals That Effectively Treat Neuropathy
• Find the underlying cause
• Evaluate nerve damage
• Determine treatment required
• Increase blood flow
• Stimulate nerve fibers
• Decrease pain
www.rosedaleacuwell.com
512-623-1996
1403 W. 45th Street, Austin, TX 78756
Are you experiencing numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands and feet? Are you fearful of losing your balance, falling or worse, losing your independence? You may be experiencing Peripheral Neuropathy nerve damage. Over time, nerves experience loss of blood supply in the extremities from constriction causing damage to your nerves.
Dr. Lucas Brown, DAOM LAc, of Rosedale Acupuncture and Wellness Center, provides award-winning care in Austin and surrounding communities. His custom treatment plans are designed to restore vital blood flow and nutrients, actively stimulating the repair and growth of your peripheral nerves and blood vessels.
Discover a non-invasive, drug-free approach helping Austin residents regain balance, comfort, and independence — and take the first step toward getting your life back today.
It is time for you to stop hurting and start living! Call or scan QR code to meet Dr. Brown for a consultation today. Advanced restorative therapies designed to help you walk steadier, feel stronger, and live life fuller.
