LEVEN RAMBIN:
Home to Her Texas Roots & Thriving
FITNESS
THE PURSUIT OF WELLNESS WITH BLOOM’S MARI LLEWELLYN
STYLE + BEAUTY
EMBRACING COWGIRL CHIC
LIFE + CULTURE
ALSO INSIDE...INTERVIEWS WITH ACTOR/DIRECTOR
ALEXANDRA CHANDO AND BLACK PEARL BOOKS OWNER
KATRINA BROOKS
It’s easy to love Austin. We are spoiled with natural spaces, art & culture, and friendly people.
After all, Austin is magical because hundreds of organizations work to make this place incredible for us — nonprofits dedicated to bettering our community and the lives of others — and this impacts our own.
At I Live Here I Give Here, our mission is to make giving back enjoyable. Visit our database of local nonprofits to find a cause that supports the things you love most about your community.
There’s a tangible energy of creativity and entrepreneurship in Austin…
...And the women in these pages are contributing to it. It’s an energy that feels like it’s crackling off your skin, lighting up your brain, and inspiring others to do more, try harder… and occasionally slow down to see the path more clearly.
Mari Llewellyn is a woman who fuels my drive (along with her Bloom Sparkling Energy). She’s an amazing example of an entrepreneur who built something meaningful out of personal need—and discovered there were countless women looking for the same. Her story of hitting rock bottom in college, and alongside her now-husband, intentionally choosing to not only climb out of that hole but scale a mountain of success, is nothing short of inspiring.
Our cover girl Leven Rambin knew that she wanted to be an actress since she was a pre-teen growing up in Houston. She got her first audition, playing the dual role of sisters at just 13-years-old, and hasn’t stopped working since. The actress, who played tribute Glimmer in The Hunger Games, left the rat race of Los Angeles a few years ago and returned to her roots in Texas, settling in Austin where she lives with her fiance (a photographer who shot the cover!), 2 dogs and 2 mini donkeys. We also talked to Alexandra Chando, an actress who like Leven started her career playing the part of sisters on a soap opera – and recently celebrated the release of her directorial debut. We talked pivoting and perseverance with Black Pearl Books co-owner Katrina Brooks, we got inspiration for our next event ‘Cowgirl Chic attire’ and more.
Hope you enjoy and we’ll see you back here next month for the Men’s Issue! Cheers,
JENNIFER BIRN, EDITOR @AUSTINLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE
PS: This month's editor's letter photo is a peak into my creative process - being a reluctant model to see if the framing of the shot works like I imagine it in my head during our cover shoot.
May 2025
PUBLISHER
Joe Kerby | joe.kerby@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Jennifer Birn | jennifer.birn@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Jennifer Birn | Jennifer.Birn@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Stephanie Coultress O’Neill
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Dawson Smith
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
inside the issue
VENETIAN PRINCESS PIROUETTE
Ladies, Embrace Your Wisdom, and Soften Your Lines.
Your face tells the story of YOU!
Dr Shirat Ling enhances what’s already there softening fine lines and adding a little lift without hiding the very things that make you, you
You’ve earned your wrinkles, laugh lines and that spark in your eyes We just help you show them off with a bit more glow
Embrace your wisdom, and let us help you look as confident as you feel natural, real and ready to take on the world
1: Wynonna Judd performed at The Muny Conservancy’s Imagine Muny Gala at ACL Live Moody Theater 2: Nicholas Campbell and Kelly Frye at BHB Private’s reception for The Honorable Harry Herbert and Highclere Thoroughbred Racing 3: Helping Hand Society President, Ellen Muira and Steve Muira at The Crystal Ball, HHH's annual gala
PHOTOS BY BAPTISTE DESPOIS, ZENKO PHOTOGRAPHY
1: Jessica Simpson was a surprise performer at Luck Reunion where performers played on 5 stages 2: Willie Nelson himself closed out Luck Reunion on the World Headquarters Main Stage 3: Arcade Fire performed with Preservation Hall at Luck Reunion at Willie Nelson's Luck, TX
ANDREA ESCOBAR FOR LUCK REUNION
ISMAEL QUINTANILLA III FOR LUCK REUNION
JUSTIN COOK FOR LUCK REUNION
1: Vin Diesel (and Robert Rodriguez) presented Michelle Rodriguez with a 2025 Texas Hall of Fame Award 2: Noah Hawley received his induction award from David Rysdahl and Zazie Beetz at the Austin Film Society event 3: Dave and Odette Annable were Honorary Hosts at the Austin Film Society's 2025 Texas Film Awards 4: Kyle MacLachlan, who's launching new iHeartPodcast “What Are We Even Doing” was a multi-tasking presenter 5: Former "Sopranos" co-stars and current "Not Today, Pal” co-hosts Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Robert Iler were presenters 6: Hosts Jack O’Brien and Miles Gray of “The Daily Zeitgeist” podcast opened the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards 7: Elijah Wood presented a Hall of Fame award to Alamo Drafthouse founders Karrie and Tim League.
Want to be seen in the magazine?
(1) LAUREN SLUSHER FOR AUSTIN FILM SOCIETY
(3) LAUREN SLUSHER FOR AUSTIN FILM SOCIETY
AUSTIN FILM SOCIETY
(1) ISMAEL QUINTANILLA III FOR IHEARTRADIO
(2) GETTY IMAGES FOR IHEARTRADIO
GETTY IMAGES FOR IHEARTRADIO
(S) LAUREN SLUSHER FOR AUSTIN FILM SOCIETY
YOURCOWGI R L CHICINSPO
Cowgirl chic is having a major moment, blending traditional charm with fashion-forward flair. I’m obsessed with the denim-on-denim looks, vintage-inspired embroidery, fringe details, and bold prints that give a playful nod to the Wild West.
Turquoise and coral tones pop against earthy neutrals, capturing the vibe of desert sunsets and echoing the beauty of classic Western jewelry. From high-rise printed trousers to structured denim jackets, these standout pieces are perfect for dressing up or down. Add a touch of suede—whether it’s in tall boots, a jacket, or a statement bag—and you’ve got the perfect blend of rugged and refined. Fringe adds movement and energy, while wide-brim hats and unique accessories bring personality to every outfit. Fortunately for those of us who grew up in Texas, cowgirl chic isn’t just a trend—it’s a timeless way of life.
The Western trend is nothing new in Austin, and these Texas brands are doing it right
ARTICLE BY STEPHANIE COULTRESS O’NEILL
Apparel to accessories, estilo boutique has cowgirl chic covered
Understated Leather's Dazed Fringe top and chapskirt
Kendra Scott jewels including Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott Beau Vintage Boot Statement Earrings
Fraulein Boots Catus Cowboy Boots
Double D Ranch's Cowgirl 'Til I Die dress;
Photo: Mitchell Franz
Leven TEXAS GIRL RAMBIN
The actress & musician returns to her roots
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAWSON SMITH
Leven Rambin’s roots are deep Texan. She was born in Houston to parents who owned a real estate company there and her grandfather was the president of Texaco (formerly The Texas Company). But at just 13 Leven knew she wanted to be an actress, got an agent and landed her first audition - playing look-alike half-sisters on All My Children . Her mom moved to New York City with her for the role she thought would be six months. It was four years.
Leven, who many know as District 1 tribute Glimmer in The Hunger Games, has also played the lead of a hot-tempered demigod in Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters and a Guardian Angel turned Angel of Darkness in a recurring role on Wizards of Waverly Place, she was the sister of Rachel McAdams’ character on the second season of True Detective and more, but tells us she’s most often recognized for her role of Sloan Riley, the teenage daughter of Dr. Mark Sloan, aka McSteamy, on Grey’s Anatomy. “Definitely Grey’s Anatomy,” she says, “It’s one of those timeless classic shows that is re-watched again and again by all generations.” Currently, she’s playing Aubrey James on Fire Country on CBS.
We spent a day with Leven at the Austin ranch she shares with her fiance Dawson Smith – a photographer who took the photos for this feature – as well as dogs Eric and Lola, a cat named Sid and two mini donkeys, Pablo Picasso and Jack Dawson – that she got on Craigslist!
Here’s more from our chat on the origin of her original name, moving back to Texas and finding a home in Austin, what she’s working on next with her music, how she met her soon-to-be husband and more.
LEVEN IS A UNIQUE NAME, IS THERE A STORY BEHIND IT?
My name is actually very special to me and my family. My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer when my mom was pregnant with me and the doctors gave him a slim chance to survive surgery. He told my mom to go to the library and choose a name that means ‘life’ as good luck. She chose Lev. It’s the Dutch word for life. He survived the surgery and I have always felt grateful for this meaningful name.
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE AN ACTRESS?
I knew from a very young age, probably 12 or 13, that I wanted to be an actress. It didn’t feel like something that was very achievable for me growing up in Houston, Texas. It felt kind of far-fetched. But I looked up to other young actresses like Hilary Duff, and when I found out she was from Houston, it made the dream feel more attainable.
Leven & Dawson Photo by Alina Leksi
Photo by Alina Leksi
AND ALL MY CHILDREN WAS YOUR FIRST AUDITION?
Yes.
HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT?
At 13, a small agent I sent an audition tape to decided to represent me. All My Children was a soap that I watched with my mom and grandmother every day after school. When I received my first audition from the agent, it was for All My Children and my mom, grandmother and I were so excited.
WERE YOUR PARENTS SUPPORTIVE OF YOU ACTING AS A TEENAGER?
Yes, absolutely. My parents were very supportive and openminded, considering I grew up in a pretty conservative part of Texas. I’m so grateful they allowed me to pursue my dream from a young age.
YOU’VE DONE ALL TYPES OF ROLES FROM A SOAP OPERA TO FANTASY, MYSTERY, THRILLERS. WHICH ROLES HAVE YOU ENJOYED THE MOST?
I enjoy dipping my toes in all genres. But, I feel particularly drawn to more physically demanding or dramatic roles.
WHAT ARE YOU ENJOYING MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE ON FIRE COUNTRY ?
I love Audrey’s backstory, her grit and determination to become a firefighter and rise up the ranks. I love her sassy sense of humor, her competitive side, and her soulful vulnerable side when she finally lets her guard down with Bode and sings on the show.
YOU SING ON FIRE COUNTRY – AND YOU HAVE AN HAVE AN ALBUM OUT?
Yes, I have an album out now on Spotify and all streaming platforms, but I will be recording a new country-style album in Nashville this summer. Stay tuned.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU WRITE MUSIC AND WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO WRITE?
I love writing music. I can’t say how often I really do that but when inspiration strikes I love to write and when I have a deadline for recording, I somehow can bang out 2345 songs at a time.
DO YOU PLAY GUITAR?
No, I wish I had the patience!
YOU CAME OUT WITH A MEMOIR LAST YEAR TOO! HOW LONG DID THAT TAKE YOU TO WRITE?
I worked on my mini-memoir Glimmer‘s G ame for a year. Once I started writing, I gained a lot of respect for authors because it definitely takes a big time commitment, editing, rewriting and structuring.
WHAT WAS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART ABOUT WRITING THE BOOK?
I think structuring it in choosing which personal stories to share. It was daunting to be so vulnerable and honest!
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE A BOOK?
It was the actor strike. I’ve always wanted to share my thoughts and experiences as an actor, especially to help other young, aspiring actors find their way and learn lessons from me.
YOU SEEM TO ALWAYS BE MULTI-TASKING, DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER PROJECTS PERCOLATING?
I’m going to Nashville to record some country albums. I definitely have a lot of interests, but at the moment
I’m focusing on loving my fiancé and my pets and enjoying being home.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN AUSTIN?
Almost 2 years.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO MOVE TO AUSTIN RATHER THAN BACK TO HOUSTON?
When I left LA after Covid, I moved home to Houston for a while to try to find where my soul was calling me next. I was definitely lost for a while. But I would come up to Austin on the weekends and found myself feeling really drawn to it. I decided to take the plunge in July 2023 and I met my fiancé a few weeks later.
HOW DID YOU MEET?
We actually met on Bumble!
WEDDING PLANNING?
It’s coming along…
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN AUSTIN?
I love how much space there is, I love that people are more easy-going and inviting and warm. I love that the city is not based around the entertainment industry and
doesn’t feel like it’s full of sharks. I feel like I’m meant to be here, I don’t know how to explain it.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING?
I love meeting new people and continuing to grow my horizons in Austin. There are so many great people and opportunities here, things to see and explore. I love finding new restaurants. I love tending to my animals and I enjoy walks around the lake. And like you said, I always have some other project going so I enjoy working on my acting, my singing, writing.
QUICK FIRE
Dream role I’ll know it when I see it
Dream costar(s) Gary Oldman - which I accomplished when I worked with him in Mank , Natalie Portman and Jake Gyllenhaal
If you could have one superpower Flying!!
Favorite Austin restaurant ATX Cocina right now
Last show you binged A Teacher with Kate Mara. I’m a sucker for incredible female performances
Favorite musician It changes but I’m a longtime Lana del Rey fan
Favorite quote “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” —Maya Angelou
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THIS LOCAL BOOKSTORE IS CREATING COMMUNITY AND MORE THROUGH BOOKS
Black
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN
Eric, Katrina and their children
Filled with stories traversing time and place, bookstores hold bits of magic. This local bookstore is a treasure in a sea of gems. The female-owned and family-run bookstore began operating online just four months before the pandemic, but rather than slow them down, it had the unexpected twist of having the opposite effect – overwhelming them with almost too much business to keep up. Thankfully, with help from family, friends and the community, they persevered and five years later are able to continue their mission to promote diversity, inclusion and representation – through literature.
Of the name of the store they have said, “Black pearls represent so much of who we are and strive to be as a bookstore: independence, strength, loyalty and healing. Legend has it that black pearls symbolize wisdom and knowledge, which is apropos to our story. Some cultures believe black pearls are a symbol of hope, while others believe they carry healing powers and protect from negative energy. The rare black pearl represents everlasting love, which aligns with our founding principle - Love One Another as I Have Loved You (John 13:34).”
We had a chat with Katrina Brooks, who owns and operates the store with her husband Eric, about their bookstore, that’s been at its current location since February 2022, where you can find some current bestsellers mixed with classics, tomes you’ve probably never seen and some people’s previously read favorites, their charitable arm and more.
DOES EVERYONE WHO VISITS GET A TOUR THEIR FIRST VISIT?
Well, we don’t force a tour on anyone, but we do ask everyone who comes in for the first time. Some people opt to explore the store on their own, but for the most part, visitors choose to receive a tour.
HOW DO YOU CURATE YOUR BOOKS?
With love. I always say it’s more of an art than a science. We utilize multiple resources, but ultimately, we are very particular about what goes on our shelves.
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHICH BOOKS WILL GO IN THE STORE VS ONLINE?
Our online store is an automated system that pulls from multiple sources, so we don’t have to pick and choose what to offer in our online store. Through the online store pretty much anything in publication can be ordered.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE BOOKS?
It’s hard to play favorites. I love memoirs, biographies, and autobiographies. I also really enjoy business-related books. I love to hear peoples’ stories because everyone has one. I think there is always something to learn from
someone else’s experiences and there is always something applicable. Life experiences are not siloed.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE LOCAL AUTHOR?
HA! I think that’s a trick question. There are so many amazing authors local to Austin and many are friends of the store. We are thrilled to support local authors and the work they do!
WHAT’S A CHALLENGE YOU FIND IN OWNING A BOOKSTORE?
Our bookstore model is not a traditional retail store model. We are a community space masquerading as a retail store, so the most challenging thing is figuring out how to operate as a business while existing as a safe, peaceful, third space for all.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY SETS YOUR STORE APART FROM OTHERS?
The store is a vibe! There is an authenticity that you feel when you walk through the door. We are genuinely happy to share space with our customers and strive to convey the value they add to this experience. I’ve visited many establishments and felt that they’d rather I not be there or are indifferent to my presence. Everyone who walks into our store should see themselves represented on our shelves, and everyone who leaves should feel appreciated for their patronage.
YOU TAKE BOOK DONATIONS WITH THE PROCEEDS GOING TO CHARITY, DO YOU RECEIVE A LOT OF DONATED BOOKS?
Yes, we have such a supportive community! All donated books are sold as used and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit our nonprofit partner Put It In A Book, a 501(c)3 dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion, and representation through literature. Not only does Put It In A Book represent the untold stories of marginalized and underrepresented groups, but it embodies a voice for those stories yet to be written. It is the charitable arm of Black Pearl Books and partners with schools and other community organizations to help make diverse books accessible to all.
BARNES AND NOBLE IS OPENING DOZENS OF NEW LOCATIONS, DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE RETURNING TO BUYING REAL BOOKS?
I don’t believe people ever stopped buying books. There’s that little monopolized online retailer that built their entire business on customers buying books. I think people are returning to buying local and are being thoughtful about how their dollars impact their local community.
Find Black Pearl Books at 7112 Burnet Rd., Austin, TX 78757 or order online at www.BlackPearlBookstore.com
PURSUIT OF WELLNESS
Mari Llewellyn’s business blossomed from her own inspiring wellness journey – and it keeps getting bigger
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN
In 2017 Mari was a college student struggling with her mental health and not taking care of her physical health. She hit rock bottom before deciding to make incremental changes that would lead to a 90lb weight loss and the foundation for what would soon after become Bloom Nutrition, a company she
Photo by Michelle Nash
“Your pain can be your purpose..the hardest time in my life set me up for the best time of my life.”
co-owns with her husband Greg LaVecchia that sells supplements and most recently added canned beverages with Bloom Sparkling Energy and Bloom Pop.
Mari’s also host of popular podcast Pursuit of Wellness where she shares lessons learned and has expert guests talking about everything from mental wellness to longevity hacks. She was named on Inc’s Female Founders 500, Forbes 30 Under 30 and Bloom was named a LinkedIn Top Startup the last two years.
Driven by a strategic partnership with Nutrabolt she and Greg moved to Austin about 18 months ago and she says she’s never felt more at home. Here’s more from our chat with Mari on how challenges in her past have led to a successful present with an even brighter future in the forecast.
YOU’VE BEEN OPEN ABOUT HITTING ROCK BOTTOM IN 2017. WHAT WAS YOUR ROCK BOTTOM AND HOW OLD WERE YOU?
My rock bottom happened my senior year of college, when I was in an extreme amount of emotional
pain and not feeling aligned to the life I wanted to live. I’ve been really open about it on my podcast and have told my full story there, but it was a culmination of serious mental health issues and ignoring my physical health. I couldn’t function, had disconnected from my friends and family and dropped out of college a semester before graduating. By then I had gained 90 pounds and was at the lowest point in my life.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO DIG YOUR WAY OUT?
I moved back home and got to a place where I began to process my rock bottom and reflect on where I was at in life. I realized I wanted to make a change and started with baby steps – progress not perfection. It started with building small healthy habits such as taking longer walks with my dog Lulu and replacing the sugary Starbucks muffin I was having every morning with a high-protein breakfast.
My now-husband Greg was a big source of inspiration at this time. For as long as I’d known him, he had made time for the gym and cooking healthy, which
Photo by Sarah Sherr
I really loved. I called him and said, ‘I want to get healthy.’ I copied his meals and began making all my own food and made my way to the gym. Greg would visit me on the weekends and help me work out. I had allowed myself to be the worst version of myself, and I wanted to step it up and become the best version. I became laser-focused on fitness and wellness and gained a sense of independence - it felt like I had this thing that was mine that made me feel and act better. I stopped drinking, started eating healthy foods and became passionate about nutrition and what I was putting into my body. I got a job at a gym that really helped me grow my discipline and focus. For nine months, this is all I did.
WHAT KEPT YOU MOTIVATED?
Showing up every day, chipping away at my goals and seeing results - no matter how small - kept me motivated. My journey helped me find out who I am as a person and gave me a fire. At this time, I was also documenting my journey on social media and it was really rewarding to know that it was inspiring those around me to do the same. Knowing that I was making a difference in other people’s lives was a big motivator.
WHAT WAS THE MOST IMPACTFUL CHANGE YOU MADE?
Being more aware of my body, from everything I ate to movement to sleep. Before this journey, I wasn’t someone who thought about those things at all. Having knowledge and intention about wellness was huge in so many choices I made and continue to make on my journey.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR WOMEN STRUGGLING TO MAKE NECESSARY CHANGES?
To just start, and to start with small healthy habits. Showing up for yourself is the best thing you can do, and small choices lead to big change if you do it consistently over time.
Top: Greg & Mari; Photo by Sarah Sherr
HOW WAS BLOOM BORN?
I lost 90 pounds and was really proud of myself and posted a before and after photo. This resonated with a lot of people more than I anticipated. From there I shared more wellness content and my following grew. My community asked for workouts and products, so Greg and I created PDF workout guides that we sold over Instagram. That led to a Shopify website and our first physical product: fabric resistance bands.
With funds from those businesses, we launched Bloom in January 2019. The reason is really simple: I wanted supplements that were for me. On my fitness journey, none of the supplements out there really spoke to me. They were intimidating and masculine. I wanted to offer something that would inspire people going through a similar journey. We wanted good formulas that tasted great and started with a pre-workout as our first supplement.
We did everything ourselves, from finding suppliers, sampling all of our products, designing the labels, and getting products to customers. We built out from thereanything I wanted in a supplement, we made. Every dollar we made we put back into the business, which is how we were able to keep going and expand into Greens, more supplements such as Creatine and Colostrum & Collagen, and our Sparkling Energy Drinks.
BLOOM IS BLOSSOMING!
HOW MANY PRODUCTS DO YOU HAVE NOW?
We have over 10 products across different categories to support women at different stages of their wellness journey. All of our products are designed to be flavorful, functional, and enjoyable to use. It’s been a busy past couple of years!
Pre-workout was the first product we made because it was a gap I experienced during my fitness journey. We then introduced Greens because I personally wanted to incorporate more fruits and veggies into my diet. Greens were the catalyst to what Bloom is today. They blew up on TikTok in 2021 with an overwhelmingly positive response–and the rest became Bloom history!
Since then, we’ve introduced more products I really love: Sparkling Energy, which is so tasty and has better-foryou ingredients, Creatine, which has long been regarded as something only for men - but is scientifically proven to help women build lean muscle and aid cognitive function, and our Colostrum & Collagen Peptides, the only 3-in-1 formula out there that balances gut health and nourishes hair, skin and nails.
Flavor, function and fun is at the heart of everything we create. I’m so excited for Bloom Pop, our better-foryou soda, which is coming out toward the end of summer. Bloom Pop has 20 calories, 4g of sugar or less, Apple Cider Vinegar, and no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. And, of course, it’s all about flavor. People are freaking out over Shirley Temple and I can’t wait for everyone to try it.
HOW’S THE TRANSITION TO AUSTIN BEEN?
Austin is a special place and has made such a positive impact on our way of living. There’s true community here and people love health and fitness in a fun and social way. Bloom is all about community and making wellness fun, so Austin really was the perfect fit for us. We’ve been intentional about growing our team here and building out our Austin presence, and I think this next phase of Bloom is going to be our best yet.
WHAT’S YOUR LONG-TERM VISION FOR THE BRAND?
Our vision has always been to help people bloom into their best selves. While Greens was predominantly our focus for a while, we realize that people have different needs depending on their goals or time of day. With that in mind, the long-term vision for the brand is to create really awesome products that speak to the different wellness needs and uses people have.
Bloom reimagines daily essentials with flavor and function. We always ensure our products taste really delicious with a variety of flavors, because we think your wellness essentials should be enjoyable. We also use efficacious, high-quality ingredients that are rigorously tested to meet the highest standards for safety and quality. We’ll always have these factors in future products, and Bloom will always be female-forward and community-oriented.
Women’s health will continue to shape the wellness industry, and I’m proud to be a woman with a wellness brand and a wellness podcast at the forefront of this topic.
WHAT’S A DAY IN YOUR LIFE LOOK LIKE?
I am all about routine, particularly with sleep, nutrition and exercise. This is all to ensure I have balance within my day.
In my current routine, I’m up around 7am, open the blinds and let the sun in, then make my fancy water with electrolytes, Bloom Colostrum & Collagen Peptides, Creatine if I’m working out and Glutamine, which is great for gut health.
Then I’m off on a walk around the neighborhood with Arnold. When I get home, I either make coffee or have a Bloom Sparkling Energy. I workout, usually weightlifting or pilates, then it’s time for breakfast. I’m a breakfast girl and you’ll never catch me skipping it. After breakfast, I have my Bloom Greens.
I get ready from there and by 9:30 am I’m out the door. The days’ tasks always change, sometimes I’m at the studio recording podcast episodes, at Bloom meetings, or creating content.
After work, I love to eat dinner early, usually by 5pm. My friends tease me for being the queen of early dinner reservations, but I swear by it so I can digest and get to bed early. Greg and I eat dinner together at the table whenever we’re both not traveling, and after that we go on an evening walk.
I’m in bed by 8:45 pm and meditate every night before going to sleep. Mental health practices and gratitude practices help me show up as my best self every day. Sleep is so important and is my foundation for everything. I’m asleep by 10pm most nights.
HOW MANY ANIMALS DO YOU HAVE?
We have two dogs, Lulu and Arnold, a horse and eight chickens. I feel so lucky that this is my life, that I can go outside every morning and grab eggs. I’ve wanted a horse my whole life and my horse Red is a dream.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU WORKOUT AND WHAT DO YOU DO?
I workout most days and listen to my body for when I need more or less. I’ve recently gotten more flexible with what I do for my workouts and am usually weightlifting three times a week, do Pilates two times a week, maybe hit a group class or walk around the Lady Bird Lake trail. I’m passionate about getting 10,000 steps a day and I work that into my routine.
IF PEOPLE HAVEN’T YET LISTENED TO YOUR PODCAST PURSUIT OF WELLNESS, WHAT EPISODE WOULD YOU SUGGEST THEY BEGIN WITH?
Pursuit of Wellness is designed to be dynamic and cover a range of wellness and lifestyle topics, so you can pick and choose depending on your interests. If I had to name an episode, I would start from the beginning and listen to the first episode.
HOW AND WHEN DID YOU MEET YOUR HUSBAND?
Greg and I met in college at Drexel University. His fraternity house was across from my sorority house, and I knew of him as a loud, funny frat bro. We ended up taking the same bus to our internships during our junior year, which is where our relationship blossomed.
AND HE’S A PARTNER IN BLOOM?
Yes, Greg is the CEO of Bloom and we are the yin and yang of running a company. We’ve been able to focus on our true strengths and drive those areas forward within the business. Greg is operational and a marketer at heart with a very keen
entrepreneurial eye. I’m more creative and focus on branding, building our community and keeping the brand focused. Greg likes to say that I’m good at saying no to every shiny opportunity and focusing on what makes Bloom, Bloom. He excels at everything on the business side, like growing our brand awareness and creating our team.
We’ve been a huge support system for each other and we’re grateful we get to do this with each other. We both have grit and are good at pushing through hard things - we are always looking to achieve what’s next. We’re not even close to being done yet.
FAVORITE MANTRA OR QUOTE?
Your pain can be your purpose. If you had told me at my rock bottom that I would be where I am today, I would not have believed it at all. But the hardest time in my life set me up for the best time of my life, and I’m so proud to be on this side of my journey.
Photo by Mary Kang
BTS with
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN
The actress/director on her directorial debut and laying down roots in Austin
Alexandra Chando
Alexandra Chando may have rolled in on the wave of Angelenos moving to Austin during the pandemic, but she’d actually already lived here more than a decade prior, when she played the lead role of identical twins in The Lying Game, which was filmed in Austin 2010-2012. When the show got canceled, she headed back to Los Angeles but tells Austin Lifestyle, “I decided to make my way back here. I was unhappy in LA and felt that after 13 years there, things had run their course, and I needed a fresh start. Austin has a great filmmaking community and I wanted to tap into that.”
And she did. Alexandra recently made her directorial debut with The 8th Day, which takes place in Texas. “My quick elevator pitch of the film is always ‘it’s a female heist movie, set in 1994, in West Texas,’ but the proper logline is: Two small-time thugs, an old woman living with a dark secret, a young woman desperate to get out and a check cashing store full of money will all intersect in a small Texas town… In eight days.” The film was released in theaters and on demand on March 14 and is currently available on all streaming platforms. She says she was drawn to the film because “The writer/producer of the film, Suzanne Weinert (also local to Austin, brought me the script after I mentioned I was ready to direct a feature. As an actor myself, I’m always drawn to characters first and with this script it was no different. The female characters were especially intriguing to me as they felt strong, yet flawed and so very human and I felt like it would be fun to play in the early 1990’s. When I was prepping the film, I was inspired by so many of the great movies that came out of the 90’s and wanted to pay homage to them. I also love to point out that all of our producers (including our investor) are women who live in Texas--which made this project that much more special for me.”
Alexandra’s friend Lindsey Morgan, a native Texan who also moved back about four years ago, is an actress in the film. When asked if it’s easier or harder to direct a friend Alexandra says, “I think with Lindsey in particular, it was easy because we help each other with our self-tape auditions all the time, so we already had a comfort and trust there. We’ve developed a shorthand, so I never felt like I had to be super precious when we were talking about scenes or I was giving notes.”
Going forward, Alexandra hopes to work both in front of and behind the camera. “I love both, especially when I’m acting in comedy, but there’s nothing like the feeling of directing for me,” she says. And, she hopes to do both from here, saying, “I love the energy here--even when I step off the plane, I can feel it. I love that I can have a better quality of life--spend more time outdoors, get out on the lake. I also love the community of people I have here--I feel very fortunate to have found some incredible friends who feel like family,” adding, “I’m looking forward to hopefully a next wave of film and TV production here in Austin. We have such talented artists here and the ability to create and film projects at home would be a dream.”
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Flashback: Moments from SXSW 2025
PANELS, PREMIERES, MUSIC AND MORE INJECTED THE CITY WITH DAYS OF NON-STOP ENERGY AND EXCITEMENT
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN
Benson Boone was so flippin’ good at Rolling Stone’s Future of Music Showcase at ACL Live at the Moody Center. Photo: Samantha Tellez for Rolling Stone
Michelle Obama did a talk with her brother and podcast co-host Craig Robinson - accessorized in Kendra Scott. Photo: Gilbert Flores
Matthew and Camila McConaughey raise a Pantalones Tequila toast at the premiere party for his film The Rivals of Amziah King at Cinema Center. Photo: Lu Chau, Photagonist
Austinites, including Camile Styles, Iskra Lawrence and her beautiful baby Prima at Create & Cultivate’s Future Summit Powered by Chase Ink
Chelsea Handler at the SHE Media Co-Lab at SXSX. Photo: Courtesy of SHE Media
Uber and Waymo celebrated Austin’s launch with an event featuring a performance by Country star Megan Moroney and food from Terry Blacks!
Above: The cast of Apple TV’s The Studio won IMDB’s Fan Favorite Ensemble and were presented the STARmeter Award at SXSW. Photo: Robby Klein/Getty Images for IMDb
Bottom Right: Daisy Ridley at the premiere party for SXSW selection We Bury the Dead following her panel interview at the Collider Studio sponsored by Bloom Nutrition, Peroni Hendrick’s Gin, Rendezvous Films and Collider. Photo: Lu Chau/Photagonist
Shark Tank fans packed into the Kendra Scott Flagship and enjoyed the Lemonade Stand by Kendra Scott Sips & Sweets during Kendra’s talk with Daymond John. Photo: Keelyn Costello
Bonny Ghosh, Editorial director, Inc., Chelsea Clinton, Vice chair, Clinton Foundation, Kara Egan, Co-founder and CEO, Teal Health, and Naomi Watts, Founder of of Stripes talking women’s health at Inc. Founders House. Photo: Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Inc.
People lined up for a chocolate fix at The Museum of the Future House presented by Dubai Future Foundation
Restoring Commercial Real Estate Value
Rolling Suds, the nation’s leading power washing franchise, dedicates its services to revitalizing and enhancing the value of commercial real estate properties. Scan for more!
Set your schedule. Make an impact. Build a life you’re proud of.
Or maybe it’s someone you know. If this isn’t the right time for you, but you know someone who could be the perfect fit, we’d love an intro.
MAY 10TH
The Paramount Theatre's 110th Anniversary Gala
The Paramount Theatre: 713 Congress Avenue, Austin TX 78701 | 5:30 PM Congress Avenue will be transformed into a Texas dance hall for an evening of live music, dining, and fundraising with Grammy Award-winning Texas legend Lyle Lovett and His Large Band headlining the event. The fundraiser will help support arts education, reaching 35,000 Central Texas students through innovative in-person programs and plays a vital role in preserving Austin's most historic stages.
MAY 22ND - 25TH
Hot Luck Fest
Various | 5:30 PM
The Hot Luck Fest is back Memorial Day weekend for it's seventh year! Founded by James Beard Award–winner Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, Guerilla Suit principal and Mohawk owner James Moody, and Feast Portland founder Mike Thelin, Hot Luck mirrors a backyard cookout, bringing together some of the team’s favorite chefs, cooks, and musicians from across the country. Information and tickets at hotluckfest.com
MAY 29TH - JUNE 1ST
ATX TV Festival
Multiple locations Downtown Austin ATX TV Festival is a brings TV fans & industry together to celebrate favorite moments in TV as one community. Some highlights of the 14th season include a look back at Mad Men with Jon Hamm, a reunion of the cast and crew of The Leftovers and an acting class taught by the legendary Henry Winkler! Badges and tickets are available at https://atxfestival.com/
FAVORITE THINGS 5
1. DJ CASSANDRA
Cassandra Shankman seems to be doing everything, everywhere all at once. She DJ’d NASCAR at Cota, the Sips & Sounds Music Festival and ACL. She’s shared a stage with Willie Nelson, Blake Shelton, Teddy Swims and more, this year she became the first woman to win Best DJ at the 43rd Annual Austin Music Awards – she’s a friend to all and ever evolving.
2. FOXES AND BOWS
A female-founded, Austin-based Irish Whiskey. You can find it in local bars like The Dead Rabbit, Marlow Bar and Kelly’s Irish Pub and they have many recipe suggestions to whip up whiskey cocktails at home. www.foxesbowwhiskey.com/
3. PROGRESSIVE DINNER PARTIES
Melissa Baker (@amellionmoves) hosts Moving Menu dinner parties with a different restaurant for each course. A recent one took participants to Boa Steakhouse, The Kitchen, The Ellis, Golden Boy and Sushi Roku. Bonus: Each guest received Uber codes to get place-to-place and home. Follow @themovingmenuofficial on Instagram for the next one.
4. TRUBAR
Founded by a woman with women in mind, a TRUBAR is a clean, plantbased protein bar that’s better-for-you by being free of seed oils, sugar alcohols and artificial ingredients. It’s also gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free, and available in fun flavors like Daydreaming About Donuts, Get in My Belly PB. & Jelly Strawberry Shorty Got Cake and my favorite It’s Mint to be Chip. www.trubar.com
5. HOSTIE VACATION RENTALS
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN
Beautiful short-stay rentals in Round Top, Wimberley and more that come with optional concierge service and can accommodate couples looking for a romantic weekend getaway or parties of up to 12 for familiy reunions or girl’s weekends. I recently joined a girl’s weekend in The Villa at Element Ranch during The Roundtop Antiques show and the space and concierge service was absolutely perfect. https://hostievacationrentals.com/
