Austin, TX August 2023

AMY BAILEY & HER A-TEAM

LIFE + CULTURE FOR THE DOGS: CAFES, RESCUES & MORE

Kids, Pets, Parties, Collabs…

August is our annual Kids + Pets Issue and we have a lot of fun stories to celebrate.

Did you know that there’s a dog rescue for nearly any dog breed you can imagine? From Akitas to Shih Tzus, those who want to rescue a pup but have a specific breed in mind can probably find exactly who they’re looking for at a breed-specific rescue in Central Texas. I found my fur-baby Sir Benny at the Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin and San Antonio. It was love at first sight when I saw him on their Facebook page and confirmed when I got to hold him the first time at a local meet & greet. Once you have your pup(s), take them over to Mutts Canine Cantina, a new off-leash dog park that has a bar & grill on the property with offerings for dogs and their humans.

For our cover story, we caught up with actress and Texas film activist Amy Bailey. Joined by her husband Anthony (who she met while they were both professional ballet dancers in New York City!) and their mini A-Team, 7-yearold twins Allegra and Allister and 3-year-old Archer, we hit some of their favorite spots in Bastrop, where the native Texan has been living the last few years after a couple of decades in England. From Tough Cookie Bakery to The Painted Porch Book Shop, you’ll fall in love with Bastrop and this family. And, because dogs and kids lead to an increased need for house cleaning, we talked to social media sensation Vanesa Amaro. Vanesa and her husband clean houses in Austin and her videos with tips & tricks for maintaining a clean home have helped her amass millions of fans on TikTok and the moniker Queen of Cleaning.

We also have a feature on a company where you can rent RVs like an Airbnb, an interview with Austin FC’s Nick Lima, a look back at the ATX TV Festival and more.

Enjoy the issue and the last days of summer and we’ll see you back next month for our September Style Issue!

August 2023

PUBLISHER

Joe Kerby | joe.kerby@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Jennifer Birn | jennifer.birn@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sarah Ivens, Stephanie Coultress O'Neill

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Jenna McElroy

JENNIFER BIRN, EDITOR

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

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

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

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @austinlifestylemagazine

1: The team of Juice Consulting, an Austin-born boutique marketing & PR firm, at Native 2: Led by Founder/CEO Heather Wagner Reed, they celebrated their Sweet 16 with an 80s-themed bash 3: Director of Operations Tyler Ostby on the mic - and there was a performance by Primo the Alien.

DAVE PEDLEY

DAVE PEDLEY

AMY PRICE

The Airbnb of RVs

PACK UP THE FAMILY IN AN RV FOR TRAVEL, LODGING & ADVENTURE IN ONE

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

Choosing an RV over an airplane for a vacation can be the perfect way to add some adventure to a weekend (or weekslong) getaway. Not only do you have comfort for the ultimate road trip, you can park beachfront and wake up to the hum of waves or fall asleep staring up at the stars while situated in the mountains of a national park.

Getting your hands on the perfect RV for you and your family is made easy with

RVShare, the largest online community for RV renters and owners with a diverse selection of vehicles for rent including drivables, towables, winnebagos and converted vans.

RVShare was started 10 years ago when one of the founders, Mark Jenney, returned from his honeymoon RV trip with his wife Rachel and wanted a solution for their RV when they weren’t using it. “RVshare was created to make the

magic of an RV trip accessible to everyone,” he says. Fast forward to today, RVshare is the largest online community for RV renters and owners, celebrating over 4 million nights renters have spent sleeping in a borrowed RV.

RVShare has vehicles to accommodate group sizes from a couple to a family with a few kids and dogs. Each RV owner is vetted and goes through a verification process before listing and when you book through RVshare, renters are offered insurance for their rental and trip and 24/7 roadside service and customer support, which as they say, allows for a convenient way to enjoy the magic of RV travel for a fraction of the cost of owning.

9 POPULAR DESTINATIONS TO TRAVEL VIA RV:

• Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

• The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness - Lake Buena Vista, FL

• Las Vegas, NV to explore nearby national parks

• Burning Man - Black Rock City, NV

• Yosemite National Park, CA

• Ginnie Springs, FL

• Zion National Park - Springdale, UT

• Campland on the Bay - San Diego, CA

• Daytona International Speedway - Daytona Beach, FL

RVShare was started 10 years ago when one of the founders, Mark

Jenney, returned from his honeymoon RV trip with his wife Rachel and wanted a solution for their RV when they weren’t using it.

Founder Mark and wife Rachel

Lab Bulldog

Pitbull Greyhound

DID YOU KNOW THERE’S

a rescue breed? FOR NEARLY

EVERY

Austin is one of the most dog-friendly cities in the country. Since making a No Kill commitment in 2010, which stated the city could not kill while cages are empty and must implement a large-scale foster and adoption program, it’s had a save rate of over 90 percent, making it among the largest in the nation. Austin Pets Alive is the most well-known rescue in Central Austin and does a lot to save pups in and around the city (see more in My Favorites on CUDDLY). But, for those who are deterred from going to APA because they have their heart set on a specific breed, and that’s the pain point between shopping and adopting, this article is to inform you that Austin (and the surrounding area) is home to dozens of rescues that cater exclusively to specific breeds.

You can find a rescue for Akitas, Bulldogs, Basset Hounds, Beagles, Bichons, Border Collies, Chihuahuas, Chow Chows, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Dalmatians, Dobermans, Great Danes, Great Pyrenees, Greyhounds, Huskies, Labradors, Lhasa Apsos, Maltese, Mastiffs, Pekingese, Pitbulls, Pomeranians, Poodles, Pugs, Schnauzers, Shih Tzus, Yorkshire Terrier and more.

WHETHER YOU'RE LOOKING FOR

OR

Adopting a dog is a commitment and every breed has its own specific needs based on personality traits and physical requirements. Rescues that focus on only one breed have expert knowledge to help provide you a recipe for success with your new addition.

A short list calling out a few specific rescues below, but if you’re in the market for a dog, start your journey to your new furry family member entering the dog breed + ‘Austin dog rescue’ in a Google search, or go to http:// pawsitivelytexas.com and you’ll find yourself closer to the perfect pet looking to be fostered or adopted.

AUSTIN BULLDOG RESCUE

These rescues are knowledgable in the unique characteristics and health concerns of Bulldogs and are well-versed to educate future owners. https://austinbulldogrescue.com/

HEART OF TEXAS LAB RESCUE

The HOT Lab Rescue gets dogs that have been abandoned or rescued from shelters and pounds and places them exclusively in Texas homes. All Labradors are neutered/ spayed, are current on shots and heartworm negative prior to being put up for adoption. Check out their website for currently adoptable dogs and local events. https://www.hotlabrescue.org

LOVE-A-BULL

Love-A-Bull focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming pit bull-type dogs, while also providing resources and education. They strive to change negative stereotypes surrounding these misunderstood breeds and promote responsible ownership. https://love-a-bull.org/

GREYHOUND ADOPTION LEAGUE: CENTRAL TEXAS CHAPTER

Greyhounds often come to rescues after serving time on a track, but a few weeks in a good home, and they can quickly adapt to being the sweetest pets. GALTX process is to have prospective parents first foster on the road to adoption. Learn more here: https://galtx-centex.org/

GOLD RIBBON RESCUE: GOLDEN RETRIEVER RESCUE

They provide a network for sheltering, rehabilitation and placing Golden Retrievers in permanent homes in Central Texas. https://grr-tx.com

COCKER SPANIEL RESCUE OF AUSTIN

This is where I got my dog and it couldn’t have been a lovelier experience. They have regular local meet ups around town and if you’ve already filled out an application (and had it approved), you can take a dog home straight from there to begin a trial run. They also maintain a facebook page where you can see who’s up for adoption. http://www.austincockerrescue.org/

MEET THE A-TEAM

ARTICLE BY SARAH IVENS AND JENNIFER BIRN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNA MCELROY

Amy Bailey Is making waves in Bastrop after more than two decades in London

Texas native Amy Bailey is a ballerina turned actress who you may recognize as Queen Kwenthrith from “ Vikings,” or from “The Chosen,” “Doctor Who” or “Dominion.” She spent over two decades living in London before moving back to her native Texas during the pandemic to be closer to her parents. Today Amy lives in Bastrop with her husband Anthony, who she met while they

were both dancers in New York, and their three British-born children, 7-year-old twins Allega and Allister and 3-year-old Archer. We spent a day with the Bailey family exploring some of their favorite places in Bastrop, like Neighbor’s Kitchen & Yard, Tough Cookie Bakery (where their kids have been seen practicing piano after school) and The Painted Porch Book Shop.

Anthony shared that they chose to keep Amy’s maiden name of Bailey as the family’s surname, in part because “Allegra Bailey sounded better than Allegra Gordon.” Along the way we talked about what it was like growing up in a small town in Texas before leaving for New York City and then relocating to London, now being in Bastrop, where she plays an active role in lobbying for better tax breaks for the film industry and more. CONTINUED >

WHERE IN TEXAS DID YOU GROW UP AND WHAT ARE SOME MOMENTS FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD THAT ARE UNIQUELY TEXAS?

In 1860, my ancestors moved to the coastal town of Rockport. The cemetery there is full of Baileys and I’m a 4th generation Mexican immigrant to Corpus Christi on my mom’s side. There’s a lot of history down on the coast for my family. Growing up in Rockport was truly magical. The most gorgeous trees in the world are there, giant wind-swept live oaks. I had an idyllic childhood: life was sweet and slow, full of nature and simplicity.

YOU LEFT TEXAS IN YOUR TEENS TO STUDY DANCE IN NEW YORK, AND THEN LONDON – DID YOU HAVE CULTURE SHOCK?

I mean, from having this amazing childhood, I quickly morphed into a disgruntled teen who thought Texas was the armpit of the world. By 16 I left to dance in New York City at Joffery Ballet School and by 18 I moved to London permanently. I was pursuing a career in classical ballet so South Texas became persona non grata. It wasn’t until I grew up a bit and looked back at my home state that I began to appreciate it all over again. Plus, everywhere I went, from Europe to Australia to South America, people got curious and wide-eyed when I said where I was from. Texas has a certain charm and mystery about it that separates it from the rest of America.

YOU RETURNED FROM LONDON WITH YOUR OWN CHILDREN AFTER OVER TWO DECADES. WHAT HAVE YOU LOVED INTRODUCING THEM TO IN TEXAS?

After over 20 years in London, where I met my husband and we raised our three kids, we decided to come back to Texas to be near my parents. We arrived summer of 2021 and my British/Canadian husband, who had only visited Texas at Christmas with me, had to come to grips with the beast that is summer heat. My poor British kids, they were just wilting. Plus, they had never dealt with the stinging critters we have here. Two years in, I think they finally understand, no you cannot just lay down in the grass. On the flip side, we have loved slowing down and learning to grow our own food. My kids had only lived right in the middle of London, NYC and LA until we moved back. Now we have a big backyard and trails down to the river. They’re no longer city kids, they’re dusty-footed and dirt-streaked, with rocks and bugs in their pockets. It’s wonderful.

YOU’RE A DUAL UK-US CITIZEN MARRIED TO A CANADIAN, WHAT HAS IT TAUGHT YOU?

I’ll always be grateful to my folks for letting me fly the nest and see the world. I’d like to think being exposed to a huge variety of cultures, languages, and traditions gave me an open mind and heart. We’ve lived in four countries and traveled to over 70. People are far more similar than different; we love our families, we want to be safe, healthy, and free. Loud extremists get the most coverage, which breeds fear. But my experience has been that when you mix with the average person in any given culture, the common thread of kindness and humanity is there.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING AN ACTING ROLE?

I always want to play the character that is a bit odd, deeply flawed, not necessarily liked by the audience. Playing the hero is easy…it’s the villains I find much more interesting. Those roles feel rare because not a lot of female characters are written as weird or unattractive. I’d hope to be described as a “character actress” and I don’t mind not looking cute.

At The Painted Porch Book Shop

“People are far more similar than different; we love our families, we want to be safe, healthy, and free.”

Piano lesson at Tough Cookie Bakery

YOU’VE IMMERSED YOURSELF IN BASTROP’S COMMUNITY AND THE FILM INDUSTRY, CAN YOU SHARE SOME EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING?

Have you ever heard of a ley line? I joke that Bastrop must be on one because I can’t quite understand the mystical vortex of growth this tiny town is about to experience. Musk has brought Space X and Boring Co, an $8M medical cannabis facility headquartered here and we have major hotel chains sniffing around. I’m most excited about the film studios though. We have Chiz and Maria out at Spark River Studios who have big development plans and Alton Butler is breaking ground on a 546-acre facility five minutes from my house! How fortuitous is that? Impact DataSource expects the full studio to generate $177.8 million a year, support 1,443 permanent jobs and generate $64.3 million in household earnings in the decade.

YOU’VE GONE TO THE CAPITOL YOURSELF TO LOBBY TEXAS STATE LEGISLATORS TO GIVE BETTER TAX BREAKS FOR THE TEXAS FILM INDUSTRY.

It’s been a fascinating experience. I want to write a series about the lobbying world. We’ve been working with legislators to show them

a broader view of our industry. For better or worse, TV and Film is overwhelmingly labeled as “left” and “liberal”. Texas is a Conservative state, so you can fill in the gaps there. But most of us in this industry are far less concerned with politics than we are with feeding our families and doing creative work. I’ve worked on a huge show about pagans (Vikings), and a huge show about Jesus (The Chosen) - there is room for all of us. Beyond that, we are educating people on the enormous economic impact it will have on Texans. Our industry is essentially a blue collar one; our productions need local carpenters, drivers, electricians, hairdressers, caterers - the list goes on. No other industry outsources in such a broad way. My team is working incredibly hard to get big budget productions to Texas and have them stay. We want the long-term, well-paid jobs that other states like Georgia have attracted through their incentive program.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS, PERSONALLY…

There are so many iterations of dreams and goals in the various journals I’ve kept over the years. As I get older, I understand the simplicity of ‘I just want to be happy.’ Life seems to be getting

Tough Cookie Bakery has books and games too

weirder politically, economically…I hope over the next ten years I can be as healthy and happy as possible, and in that, spread it to as many people as possible. Start with that premise, and all the juicy details of life fall into place, right? I hope I can make meaningful entertainment for people, I hope I can encourage empathetic debate, and I hope I can be part of shows that inspire, provoke, and enrich. I really hope in ten years my husband and kids are proud of me and what I’ve achieved for our family.

AND PROFESSIONALLY?

Having kids and making my family a priority hasn’t always aligned with a busy acting career; I’ve had to say no when a project meant too much time away. But I plan to work forever so there’s no rush… I’ll take all the old lady roles when I get there!

QUICK FIRE ANSWERS FAVORITE QUOTE?

My dad always adds “Be of Good Cheer” when he says goodbye to people. It’s like a mini-blessing. I also love the Four Agreements: Be Impeccable With Your Word, Don’t Take Anything Personally, Don’t Make Assumptions, Always Do Your Best.

THREE BEST THINGS TO DO IN AUSTIN?

Barton Springs, bat caves and performances at Paramount Theatre.

THREE BEST THINGS ABOUT TEXAS?

The kind people, the wide-open spaces, and the beautiful thunderstorms.

A PERFECT BASTROP WEEKEND IS…

Morning coffee at Tough Cookie, hiking trails in Bastrop State Park, afternoon swims in the river, pizza and beer as the sun goes down at Neighbor’s Kitchen.

Jenga outside Neighbor’s Kitchen & Yard

Queen of Cleaning

Austin’s Vanesa Amaro has cleaned up on Tiktok, where she gives cleaning tips to over 5.6 million followers

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

Vanessa and her husband began professionally cleaning homes in Austin eight years ago. During the pandemic, she started creating videos with cleaning tips, as well as recipes to cook, and her account took off, amassing millions of followers and over 100 million ‘likes.’ She’s since wrote an ebook of cleaning tips, available on her website, become a spokesperson for Clorox and although she and her husband still clean houses for a couple of clients each week, they’ve turned their attention to giving back.

“My husband and I started cleaning houses for people in need around two years ago,” she says, “We started with a focus on people who were suffering from depression, elderly people and pretty much anyone who was struggling to stay afloat. I know how overwhelming cleaning can feel for someone going through a difficult time and how easily clutter and mess can build up, so it can feel like a never-ending cycle. Getting to use my expertise to alleviate even some of the burden in their lives is so rewarding!”

HERE ARE SOME CLEANING TIPS VANESSA GAVE AUSTIN LIFESTYLE:

TO BEST SET YOUR HOUSECLEANER UP FOR SUCCESS  Pick up personal items lying around and find a home for them! This could be toys or clothing on the floor or dishes on kitchen counters. If you have pets, check with your housekeeper or cleaning service what their pet policy is. Some ask that you secure your pet while others are okay to work around them!

TO MAINTAIN YOUR HOME BETWEEN CLEANINGS

Cleaning for even an hour every day isn’t super realistic for most people, so I recommend making the most of quick cleans! Set aside even a few minutes each day for quick cleans to help maintain your home, especially heavily used spaces like the kitchen. After cooking for example, I like to wipe down my counters and stovetop with Clorox Disinfection All Purpose Cleaner,  which is safe to use on a variety of surfaces, so I don’t have to worry about switching products as I go to pick up grime, grease and crumbs easily.

Connect with Vanessa

On TikTok: @vanesaamaro91

Website: https://byvanesa.life/

Email: amaroscleaning3@gmail.com

Vanessa is currently accepting requests for pro bono cleanings for those in need who might need a fresh start in their home. Those requests can be sent via email.

TO CLEAN PET STAINS/ODORS

As a dog mom with a young puppy, I deal with pet related stains and accidents a lot! For accidents, I suggest using a specialized urine cleaner like Clorox Urine Remover which is formulated to break down urine stains to eliminate odors on hard and soft surfaces.

BEVERAGE COLLABS FOR CAUSES

LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS KARENA DAWN AND NATALIE ELLIS CREATED A WINE AND A SMOOTHIE RESPECTIVELY THAT RAISE FUNDS FOR GOOD

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

Karena Dawn is the founder of Tone it Up, a wellness movement that includes a collection of nutrition products, online workouts, meditations and community to bring positivity to your mind, body, and soul. She’s also the founder of The Big Silence, a charitable organization with the mission to cultivate conversations and offer resources and programs to destigmatize and change the culture around mental health. To raise funds and increase conversations for the latter, she recently collaborated with Slate Theory Winery, a Fredericksburg winery which uses 100 percent high-quality Texas fruit from their own estate vineyards in their wines, and created a red and a white, “The Therapist” and “The Patient,” with a portion of the proceeds benefit The Big Silence Foundation’s programs. Actress Ashley Greene narrates a video that explains more that can be found on The Big Silence website. Cody Jones designed the labels. On Slate Theory’s website, it says, “Our goal is to use our wine, and artistic style, to engage all of your senses, as well as your mind. For it is in the mind that all things exist” – which explains in part why it’s such a great partnership.

In their first-ever smoothie collaboration, The Well partnered with Natalie Ellis, CEO + co-founder of BossBabe, a podcast and online community focused on empowering women to build businesses that allow them to find more harmony, fulfillment and peace in their lives. The Instagram pink smoothie is strawberry basil layered with chia seed pudding and topped with hemp seeds. It’s packed with a variety of functional, high nutrient ingredients, trans fat free, refined sugar free, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free. And, $5 from each smoothie is donated to Strong Women, Strong Girls - a nonprofit organization championing the next generation of women leaders through innovative, multi-generational mentoring programs focused on promoting female empowerment and developing skills for lifelong success.

Karena Dawn. photo by Bobby Gold * Bottles & wall art by Cody Jones

WHERE TO GET THE GOODS

SLATE THEORY’S “THE PATIENT” AND “THE THERAPIST”

10915 US-290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Learn more about charity partner The Big Silence at: https://thebigsilence.com/

BOSSBABE SMOOTHIE

The Well at Studio Three 501 Brazos Street Austin, TX 78701

THE WELL ON 2ND

440 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701

Learn more about the charity partner Strong Women, Strong Girls at: https://swsg.org/

Sylvester Wilson Construction

NICK LIMA

Nick Lima has been sporting #24 as a defender for Austin FC since the club’s inaugural season. We caught up with Nick - who welcomed baby girl Gabriella Rae with his wife Ashley March 1!  - during the Austin FC Energy Experience Presented by C4, the official energy drink of Austin FC. He talked about game days, the sport he (for a time) gave up soccer to play, Lionel Messi, Ted Lasso, Austin and more.

HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR ENERGY UP?

Training every day, diet, nutrition and sleep.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-GAME RITUALS?

Yes, what I eat and then a couple of little quirks that I won’t share, but I have to do every now and then, like how I adjust my watch and things.

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

WHAT’S A GAME DAY DIET LOOK LIKE?

My wife and I love to cook together and enjoy breakfast together and then right before I’ll just have some rice and meat usually, maybe some salmon, very simple. It’s mostly hydration, especially in this Texas heat.

YOU’RE USUALLY THE ONE WHO TAKES FREE THROWS AND YOU HAVE A CRAZY ARM. DID YOU EVER PLAY BASEBALL OR FOOTBALL?

Yes. I grew up playing football and baseball. Football was my main sport in high school and I even quit soccer for a bit, but soccer ended up working out for me so I stuck with soccer in college.

On comradery in Ted Lasso vs reality, “In the locker room success kind of brings it together and loss is where it has to be cultivated, so the show does a good job of showing that.”

Nick Lima and Jen Birn

DID YOU WATCH TED LASSO?

I haven’t seen the last season, but I watched the first two.

HOW ACCURATE WOULD YOU SAY THEIR PORTRAYAL OF COMRADERY IN THE TEAM IS?

It’s a little bit fabricated, quite a bit, but I think the comradery aspect, the general picture of it is right. It’s about the leadership and understanding who the individual is to create that comradery. In the locker room success kind of brings it together and loss is where it has to be cultivated, so the show does a good job of showing that. Plus it has pretty good characters.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MESSI JOINING THE MLS?

I think it’s really good for the league. He’s the best player in the world, the best player that arguably ever played the game. I’m excited to be able to share a field with him, share a league, but also what he’s going to bring to the league. It’s going to be incredible and I can’t wait for it,  you can already see the impact.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT AUSTIN? Everything. The community, what there is to do, and most importantly I love how the city, the team and the community have embraced myself and my family. It’s been pretty cool to be here.

Nick Lima

My Favorite Things

WHAT I'M LOVING THIS MONTH...

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

Walking into Yamas with its blue and white decor dotted with pink flowers, I was transported right back to Santorini. La Caza is a local brand a long time in the making (literally) and Foxtrot’s namesake popcorn brand is available at their now three Austin locations. To balance the food, spirits and

snacks I’m a regular user of Erin Stewart’s Savor & Sweat app. She has great summer recipes and workouts for all skill levels. For the pets- I’m always at ease dropping my dogs at Bravado–and it’s across the street from vintage stores Room Service and Big Bertha’s Paradise.

Yamas: A family-owned Greek Mediterranean Kitchen + Bar that will transport you straight to Santorini. 5308 Balcones Dr, Austin, TX 78731

La Caza: This Austin-based brand of tequilas are fermented for nearly one hundred hours to the sound of Mozartthen poured into hand-blown glass bottles!

Savor & Sweat App: Chef and fitness instructor Erin Stewart curates a library of healthy recipes and workouts that can be done at home

HTTPS://SAVORANDSWEAT.COM/

Bravado Dog Grooming: A boutique family-owned salon where dogs get trimmed, cut and groomed with care – and bravado. 119 E North Loop Blvd, Austin, TX 78751

Cuddly’s Rescue Rover: A collaboration with Austin Pets Alive that rescues abandoned animals in the Austin area and transports them to safety.

HTTPS://CUDDLY.COM

Foxtrot Popcorn: The convenience store with essentials and great local finds has their own signature popcorn in Sea Salt and Garlic Parmesan.

HTTPS://FOXTROTCO.COM

A Doggone Good Time

MUTTS CANINE CANTINA IS A MUST FOR SOCIAL HUMANS & THEIR PETS

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

The off-leash dog park, bar and grill mash-up concept opens in North Austin August 10 and will be cooling off Austinites and their furry friends who brave the summer outdoors. Amenities at the 1.6 acre park include but are not limited to a full bar and grill, a K9 Splash Pad, both large and small dog parks, automated and self-wash dog wash stations as well as covered patios, fire pits, event areas and private party cabanas offering mimosa and bloody mary bottle service. There are also Bark Rangers™ on duty to help pick up after pets, make sure they have ample water and make sure everyone’s furry friends are playing nicely.

Austin-based twin sisters and co-owners, Lisa Ladewig and Laura Ladewig Landers opened the Austin outpost of the franchise, that also has Texas locations in Dallas, Allen and Ft. Worth. Lisa, Vice President of Sales and Marketing says, “It was a no-brainer that Austin needed a destination like MUTTS® where pups and peeps can enjoy all their favorite things in one place.” Laura, Vice President of Business Development and Events, adds, “Contrary to normal dog parks, MUTTS® offers a space for guests to sip on margaritas and enjoy great food, entertainment on the big screens and live music all while their pups run free!”

The bar and grill serves specialty cocktails like the Barkarita® (MUTTS’® signature margarita) wine by the can or

bottle and a variety of local craft beers, including a K9 Lager from Texas Beer Co. that gives back to K9s For Warriors. The MUTTS® Austin grill features snacks like fried pickles, edamame hummus and crinkle fries as well as chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, breakfast tacos and more. The menu for canine customers includes PUPsicles (frozen peanut butter and beef broth served on edible ‘sticks’) and the Doggie Dog, a bite size 100 percent beef frank.

While humans may always go to MUTTS for free, canines must have a membership that costs $349.95 annually or $34.95 monthly, or they can enter with a day pass that’s $9.99 MondayThursday and $14.99 Friday-Sunday.

MUTTS Canine Cantina is located at 9825 N. Lake Creek Parkway.

Season 12 of THE ATX TV FESTIVAL Highlights

Here are some featured clips of panel discussions, Q&As, screenings and special events with cast and creators of the past and present. We think it’s going to be picked up for Season 13.

1. Ted Danson attending a script reading followed by a reunion with the cast and creatives of Cheers.

2. Austin Lifestyle Editor Jen Birn moderated a panel hosted by PodCo on the business and creativity of podcasting. Pictured with PodCo co-founders Brendan Rooney and Christy Carlson Romano, new Podco host Anneliese van der Pol and PodCo President Calvin Robertson.

3.  Kristi Korzec, a writer for “Superman & Lois,” speaking on a panel on TV tackling women’s health presented by Hollywood, Health & Society.

4. Odette Annable and Dave Annable did a surprise panel where they talked about their transition to living in Austin.

5.  Kendra Scott, who guest sharked on “Shark Tank,” joined Shark Tank sharks Mark Cuban and Daymond John, producers Clay Newbill and Yun Linger and Beatbox Beverages Justin Fenchel for “We Have a Deal: Inside the Business of Shark Tank.’

6. Spouses of nearly 30 years Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson talked about working separately and together and the importance of not taking any of it too seriously at a panel presented by Variety

7.  The cast of “Everyone is Doing Great” came out to support the World Premiere of their second season.

8. Spill the Tea’s Dani Dudek moderated a panel with the Women of “The Good Doctor.”

Inside the “TV Camp for Grownups” largely held in and around The Driskill

local lines

to shop

Austin has a community of incredibly talented designers and curators keeping Austin uniquely stylish. Here are some of my favorites...

ARTICLE BY STEPHANIE COULTRESS O'NEILL

1. CASSANDRA COLLECTIONS: Founder/Designer Cassandra King creates one-of-a-kind pieces that exude femininity and style.  2. LA LUMIERE: This collection of beautiful bespoke jewelry is perfect to wear every day and makes a great gift.  Founder Jessica Sherrett has created unique designs with inspiration from classic pieces she inherited. 3. MILA AND ME Hand-dyed by Melissa Dieck, this loungewear collection has the cutest Mommy and Me sets.  4. NINA BERENATO: Each piece of Nina’s gorgeous collection is handcrafted by Nina and her all girl team here in Austin.  5. DYLAN WYLDE: Fun and edgy, owner Jessica Conaway has curated an awesome collection of clothes and accessories that have unique flavors just like Austin. 6. HOWLER BROTHERS: The men’s line they say is inspired in part by fly fishing, western wear, waves, world cultures, food and music is designed right here in Austin.