Gratitude is a Happiness Hack
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
― William Arthur Ward
I’ve mentioned this previously, but I’ve started my day with journaling for the last seven or eight years, always beginning with at least three things I’m grateful for. Sometimes it’s just something like being thankful for a good night’s sleep. Sometimes it’s the health of myself or a loved one or a win at work. Starting the day with a positive thought, thinking about what you have rather than what you have not, has been proven to lead to increased happiness. Studies have shown that a single act of thoughtful gratitude produces an immediate 10 percent increase in happiness, and a 35 percent reduction in depressive symptoms.
Some things I’ve been grateful for lately include the outpouring of support I received around the release of my debut fiction novel, Chasing Sunsets Down I-80, and the release party at Vintage Books + Wine. I also experienced so many moments of gratitude during a day at Miraval – I cried (happy tears) three times during the day. Once it was merely looking at how the light came through the trees while I was on a hike and relishing that the only sounds I could hear was the song of the birds. You can read more about Miraval’s seasonal gratitude menu in this issue.
When it came time to choose a cover for our ‘Thankful Issue,’ Scott Ruskan was top of mind. Ruskan is the United States Coast Guard Petty Officer who was dropped at Camp Mystic during the Texas floods and helped an estimated 165 campers to safety. It was his first mission. He recounts his experience that day to writer Dominique Bejarano, as well as the impact the recognition has had on him since that day.
We all do and experience so many things large and small each day deserving of gratitude. Going into the new year, perhaps get in the habit of writing it down, or at least making a conscious effort to acknowledge it. And, don’t forget to thank yourself. You’re doing great! Happy fall, Happy Thanksgiving, and I’m grateful you take the time to give us a read.
With gratitude,
November 2025
PUBLISHER
Joe Kerby | joe.kerby@citylifestyle.com
CO-PUBLISHER
Montannah Kerby | montannah.kerby@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Jennifer Birn | jennifer.birn@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Dominique Bejarano
JENNIFER BIRN, EDITOR
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee
QUALITY CONTROL
Cagle
Modern Lux Lasik in Austin
Under the guidance of our Medical Director, Dr. Ryan Brewer, a board-certified LASIK surgeon who completed his ophthalmology residency at one of the nation’s top programs, and Dr. Tim Soeken, a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist with both military and academic distinction, we deliver exceptional clinical care and surgical precision. Our bladeless LASIK technology allows more patients to safely qualify for the procedure than ever before.
Imagine your life, in focus.
Unwrap the island life
Take family photos with Sand Santa, find awe at the Holiday Drone Show and Lighted Boat Parade, or fill your stockings during Holiday Shop Around. Unwrap the gift of Port Aransas.
The Season’s SPARKLIEST SOIREE
Zadok Jewelers had a two-day celebration to mark the opening of its location in the Domain, their first outside of Houston. Night one a curated group women embarked on a jet set-inspired journey through Zadok’s jewelry collections for an exclusive preview of the brand’s new showroom. Each guest arrived in a chauffeured Rolls-Royce, courtesy of Hi-Tech Motorcars, before receiving their passport to be stamped at each destination throughout the evening, that began with a champagne toast by Amy and Lisa Zadok. Night two the extended Zadok family participated in a ribbon-cutting and guests enjoyed music from DJ Cassandra and a surprise performance from THEBROSFRESH.
Lauren Petrowski in Bvlgari’s iconic Serpenti timepiece, photo by Ben Porter
Texas Children’s YOUNG PHILANTHROPISTS
Texas Children’s Hospital hosted a showcase dinner at Austin Country Club for current and potential hospital Ambassadors to learn about the Texas Children’s Ambassadors Program and celebrate the new state-of-the-art Austin hospital and its programs. Chaired by Hallie Ray & Parker McCollum, Jess & Case McCoy, Michael & Jon Adams, MC & Scott Deskins, Laura-Hill & John Keller, Katherine Stinson & Norman Taliaferro, and Katherine & Nathan Thornhill, the event featured interactive activations from Orthopedic Medicine, Women’s Services, and the Kangaroo Crew transport services. The young philanthropic crowd also heard from former Texas Longhorn Quarterback Case McCoy about his family’s excitement and commitment to raise funds through the Ambassadors for Texas Children’s Hospital membership group, benefiting the Kangaroo Crew for 2026.
Kaity Biggar modeled a nearly $10M, 146-carat diamond necklace, photo by Ben Porter
Hallie Ray and Parker McCollum Photo: Tico Mendoza
Kangaroo Crew, photo Tico Mendoza
The Zadok Family, photo by Ben Porter
Imagining A WAY
Imagine A Way, Austin’s non-profit resource providing support for critical therapies for families of children with autism, was themed “Mad Money for a Mission” featuring an immersive Mad Men-inspired experience. Guests were transported from the downtown office to a 1960’s cocktail lounge over the course of the evening, hosted at Four Seasons Hotel & Resort in downtown Austin.
Joy on THE GREEN
The GiveJoy Foundation, the charitable partner of Nutrabolt, hosted their Inaugural Golf Classic at OMNI Barton Creek Resort. The event raised over $1 million, all of which will directly support the GiveJoy mission to empower educators and spark joy in classrooms across the country.
GiveJoy founder Danielle Cunningham Cowboy Auctioneers
Eric Rakofsky
Karynna Allan, Libby DeShazo, Diana Rosales
Info Jake Gilbreath, Sarah Gilbreath, Hunter Caskey, Rose Caskey, Julia Chen Palms, Kevin Palms
Gayle Stallings and co-founder Joel Price
YOUR GETAWAY. YOUR HOMECOMING.
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ROOMS WITH A VIEW
From resorts to boutique hotels, South Walton is home to unique architecture, breathtaking views and accommodations to suit any style.
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BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE
South Walton has a way of setting the scene and shining a spotlight on every moment. If you’ve been here, you know. Find your perfect beach at VisitSouthWalton.com.
WE LOVE LIBRARIES
Two iconic Texas brands – H-E-B and the Kendra Scott Foundation- joined forces to open six Yellow Libraries in Title I elementary schools across the state. Each Yellow Library provides access to hundreds of new bilingual and multicultural books, a custom yellow bookshelf and literacy resources to support teachers and families. This partnership brings together H-E-B’s Read 3 program—which
H-E-B & the Kendra Scott Foundation are making the wonderful world of books more accessible
has donated over 6 million books across Texas— with the Kendra Scott Foundation’s Yellow Library initiative, which has already reached 8,000 students nationwide. The first Yellow Library was unveiled at Camino Real Elementary in Dale, TX and the day was marked with special guest reader Camila Alves McConaughey reading her children’s book Just Try One Bite with third-grade students.
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEELYN COSTELLO
Heroes
ARTICLE BY DOMINIQUE BEJARANO PHOTOGRAPHY BY PERRY SHIRZAD
A chat with Scott Ruskan, the rescue swimmer who saved dozens of children at Camp Mystic
Among Us
My interview with Scott Ruskan was originally set for a Friday at 4 p.m. Thirty minutes before, a text popped up: “Hey, so sorry to cancel last minute. Currently flying a search and rescue case and will not be available for a call.”
For most 26-year-olds, Friday night means wrapping up work and heading into the weekend. For Ruskan, it meant a six-hour rescue mission. When we finally connected, he walked me back through July 4, recounting the shifts in the weather, the decisions made in the air, and what it was like on the ground at Camp Mystic.
“It lives rent-free in my head,” he told me. “It was probably the best rescue of my career, but also someone else’s worst day.”
FROM ACCOUNTING TO RESCUE SWIMMING
Ruskan and his crew are based in Corpus Christi. He is one of just nine rescue swimmers at a unit of 200 personnel. The unit has three helicopters and three airplanes that cover a massive area stretching from Austin to the Mexican border.
The path that brought him here was far from straight. “I worked a corporate-y job. It wasn’t for me,” he said. “Pretty big change going from accounting to Coast Guard. Did a career change and went to the rescue swimmer school. Now I’m in Corpus Christi.”
He didn’t grow up as a competitive swimmer, but he was always comfortable in the water. “I’ve always been around the ocean. I grew up boogie boarding and surfing, just being in the water. That was probably the biggest draw,” he shares. Originally from New Jersey, he chose the Coast Guard for one reason - “search and rescue.”
THE CALL
On the morning of July 4, he and his crew of Rescue 6553 — pilot Lt. lan Hopper, co-pilpt Lt. Blair Ogujiofor, and flight mechanic Seth Reeves — were the ready team. “We didn’t assemble some kind of magical team or the perfect people for the mission, it was just who we had on that day,” Ruskan said.
The call came around 6:30 a.m. Task Force 1, a state-run search and rescue program out of Texas A&M, needed helicopters to respond to severe flooding near San Antonio. “We got a quick brief that there was a flood and there were probably a couple hundred people trapped. That was the only information we had,” he said. “We didn’t know we were going to a kids’ camp.”
They launched from Corpus Christi at 7:15 a.m. with inland rescue gear — ropes, swift-water equipment — even though their
training is mostly maritime. But the weather turned bad quickly. Visibility was almost nothing through the Hill Country. “Pilots upfront made some excellent flying decisions,” Ruskan said. “We had to turn around three times, back and forth from airports, just inching closer to Kerrville.”
By 1 p.m., they finally linked up at an airport with the Texas Army National Guard and Task Force 1. “It was kind of dumb luck,” he said. “Everyone realized this was a good spot based off the radar.” That was when they learned their destination: Camp Mystic, a summer camp with hundreds of stranded children..
“We got into the briefing room with the Army and got tasked with it. I asked if we knew the conditions of the survivors on the ground or how many, and was told they didn’t.
THE SCENE AT CAMP MYSTIC
By 2:30 p.m., after hours of fighting weather and coordinating routes, they were circling over the campsite. The airspace was chaotic. More than a dozen helicopters — Coast Guard, Army, and National Guard — were hovering, hoisting, landing, taking off, all while dodging weather and mountains.
He described his Coast Guard team leading one of the Army helicopters through the storm. “They thought we had better radar since we are better equipped with bad weather going through the mountain pass. We had me in the backseat looking at the weather on my phone calling out the pilots, we had the flight mechanic literally on Google Maps and Apple Maps trying to find the rivers we were going to follow to pre-plan the route around the weather and mountains because if we came up above the mountains in the clouds unable to see we’d have to go back to the airport.”
Crew of 6553 LT lan Hopper, LT Blair Ogujiofor, and AMT2 Seth Reeves
at a time. “Basically, my job was to shuffle them to the next helicopter when it lands and pair up a group with one adult. We were wearing helmets and military gear and it’s super loud and scary. I just wanted them to have a little bit of comfort,” he says. “I thought my job was easy. The guys in the air have a much more challenging job avoiding other helicopters.”
Still, he understood his role went beyond triage. He says he knew, “my mannerisms reflected how bad the situation was. If they saw the rescue swimmer super calm, then they would know they were OK. That’s what they teach you in rescue swimmer school, be calm in a world of chaos.”
He knelt down with kids between flights, asked their names, paired them with counselors, and reminded them they were safe. “These people were having a bad day, probably the worst day of their lives, and they are looking for someone who is calm,” he said. After 3.5 hours at the camp, he had written down every group in his notes app: 165 children moved from danger to safety.
A TEAM EFFORT
Despite the attention Ruskan has received — from viral TikToks, media interviews, to a tweet from the Secretary of Homeland Security — he wanted to make sure others got credit. “We put all those kids on Army helicopters,
He put it in simple terms: “If you are on a commercial airline and they can’t see outside, that’s totally fine because they are on a flight plan. We were not on a flight plan. We were trying to find our way into the flooding zone. We knew we had to stay within the valley, but this was an area we had never flown in before.” At this point, their flight crew had already been flying for about four hours.
The decision was made to drop Ruskan at Camp Mystic once they finally found a safe landing spot. “I was totally OK with it,” he said. “We needed extra space in the cabin. I’m an EMT, we are trained to do triage in the Coast Guard, so I thought I was the best for the job.”
When his helicopter lifted off, leaving him on the ground, he saw a camp counselor and asked if anyone else was there helping. He was told he was the first one. “That’s when things settled in that I was the only person there,” he says.
The mission was clear. “We were tasked with mass transport of people from point A to point B,” he says. “At Point A they’re stuck at a camp and we can’t get a boat in, there’s no roads. The only option is an airlift out and getting them to a proper triage, Point B . Our only mission was to move these kids from point A to point B. Nothing fancy.”
For the next three and a half hours, Ruskan was the face of the rescue at the camp. Helicopters cycled every 20 minutes, each able to take about 15 children
they deserve the credit too,” he says.. “The other civilians who took time off work and brought us breakfast tacos or Black Rifle coffee, those little things made such a big difference.
“Our air crew was responsible for 15 saves and they were in a more isolated trickier spot all by themselves,” he said. “The saves are the most important because those essentially mean if the crew hadn’t gotten there, they would not have made it. It was a total team effort.”
He also pointed to other crews in the air that day, including the Texas National Guard crew with the call name “Shiner” based out of Austin and a medevac crew out of San Antonio known as “The Alamo.” “They’re sick, love those guys,” he says..
LIFE AFTER THE MISSION
Since Camp Mystic, Ruskan and Rescue 6553 — the “random crew on the random day,” as he calls them — have flown more missions together. They still grab beers and stay in touch on group chat.
But life off duty has changed too. He suddenly found himself all over social media, with strangers posting about the rescue and his role in it. “I got pretty popular overnight, never really wanted that,” he said. “I’m still just a rescue swimmer, pretty new on the job, still standing on duty and still trying to pull my weight.” His Instagram bio reads simply, “just a guy.”
He visits his girlfriend in Austin often and is a big fan of P. Terry’s. He remembers with gratitude about the companies who dropped by the hangar with donations. “YETI dropped off some things and Black Rifle dropped off coffee. Everyone’s morale was super boosted.”
Ruskan has been in the Coast Guard for four years, most of that time in training. Rescue swimmer school has an 85 percent fail rate, he shared, and the program to become a pilot is even more selective. “Good crew communication was the biggest lesson. Trust your training.”
For inspiration, he points to his uncle Dave, a retired New York City firefighter. “He was a first responder, I would visit him at the firehouse in the city, on duty 24 hours. I thought if I could be like him, that would be sick.”
At only 26, with one of the most harrowing rescues of his career already behind him as his first mission, Scott Ruskan remains humble. “I know it’s kinda cool I’ve gotten all this attention recently, but I’m still on mission, on duty.”
Scott with his family and Secretary of Homeland Security
Kristi Noem
Families are experiencing homelessness in Central Texas. Join us in creating brighter futures and shining light where it’s needed most.
Your support creates brighter futures for thousands in need. Scan the QR code to donate today.
That Miraval Magic
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES BAIGRIE
As the holiday season approaches—with its whirlwind of parties, deadlines, and endless to-dos—it can feel like we’re running on fumes. A day pass or staycation at Miraval Austin offers the rarest of gifts: stillness, reflection, and the chance to reconnect with yourself. Whether it’s the thrill of spotting a protected bird in the nature preserve or an unexpected realization uncovered within, Miraval promises moments of magic woven into every visit.
From October through December, the resort adds a gratitude-focused menu of activities and offerings to its already expansive year-round schedule. Designed, in their words, “to open your heart and elevate your compassion for the beautiful wonders, big or small, that surround our daily lives,” the experiences help guests move into the season with more presence and peace.
Upon booking, you’re invited to start building a personalized itinerary—important, since the sheer breadth of options can feel delightfully overwhelming. On arrival, you’ll receive a packet that encourages you to set a oneword intention for your stay and tuck away your digital devices into a “cell phone sleeping bag.” The grounds are largely phone-free, making the immersion complete.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GRATITUDE-INSPIRED PROGRAMMING INCLUDE:
• Equine Experience – working with horses and expert facilitators to notice and shift restrictive patterns while practicing living in the moment.
• Movement meditations – from a self-guided hike on Miraval’s private trails to a contemplative walk through the Sophie Labyrinth, described as “a metaphor for our sacred inward journey to the Divine within.”
“In a season when our calendars tend to fill and our energy runs thin, Miraval Austin is more than a retreat; it’s a reset.”
• Creative classes – manifestation workshops, culinary lessons, and even hands-on beekeeping or chicken-keeping.
• Unique yoga – everything from aerial yoga in silk hammocks to TexZen Yoga, inspired by Willie Nelson’s Zen nature and Texas musical legacy.
And of course, the Life in Balance Spa is not to be missed. Guests receive a credit toward treatments that span from crystal energy balancing and signature massages to indulgent body rituals, scrubs, and facials.
Before departure, Miraval invites you to write a letter to yourself—a reflection on your experience and intentions. Three months later, the note arrives in your mailbox, a gentle reminder of the calm and clarity you cultivated.
In a season when our calendars tend to fill and our energy runs thin, Miraval Austin is more than a retreat; it’s a reset. A chance to pause, breathe, and remember that gratitude itself can be transformative magic.
DESIGN FOR A CAUSE
After a successful debut last year, Living Oak is hosting the second annual Design for a Cause. The benefit raises scholarship funds for The Children’s Therapy Spot, a clinic that provides essential speech, occupational and physical therapy which help children with a wide range of diagnoses reach their fullest potential at home and in school. Therapies can cost families $5,000–$20,000 annually. The event aims to help reduce that burden so more children can have access to therapies.
Highlights of the evening include live music, a wine tasting, bites by Austin chef Corey O’Connor, a local art exhibition, raffle and of course, shopping home décor while at Living Oak Home, the storefront for Living Oak Interior Designs, which owner Laura Williams opened in response to clients often wanting to shop homes she’s staged. Learn more and get tickets at livingoak.com/events
Last year’s stylish soire funded therapy for 12 families and they aim to extend the life-changing impact this year
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MADELINE HARPER
Laura Williams (far left) and the team behind Design for a cause
Brief Round Top Film Festival Guide
FOUNDERS:
The festival was founded by the mother-daughter duo of Shanna and Skylar Schanen. Shanna says it melds her love for film with her dedication to fostering artistic expression and community enrichment. Skylar, a writer/director, aims to provide an inclusive platform for emerging filmmakers and artists to exhibit their work.
Melody Maids, also the name of a singing group out of Beaumont, TX started by Eloise Milam. They entertained troops for about 30 years, both domestically & globally, with the goal of lifting spirits, building morale & spreading joy. * Check https://roundtopfilmfest.org/ for screening times.
Boone & Company, a centrally located one-stop shop for everyday food and specialty items including delicious eats, craft cocktails, gifts, home goods and more! Dine in or get goods to go. 206 S Washington St., Round Top, TX 78954
HOSTIE offers luxury rentals ranging from restored 18th-century homes to design-forward retreats and peaceful farm getaways. The properties vary in size to accommodate groups and each property is close to the festival and paired with optional concierge services for a stylish and seamless stay. https://hostievacationrentals.com/
Check out the Rising Star Showcase, a panel of performers the festival curators believe are building momentum toward long, celebrated careers. The conversation, moderated by Richard Robichaux, will allow honorees including Ayden Mayeri, Greg Tarzan Davis, Jacob Lofland and Paulina Chávez to reflect on the roles that put them on the map and the transitions they're navigating.
H O P E
Begins with YOU A SEASON TO
The holidays have a way of calling us back to what matters most—faith, family, compassion, and the quiet but powerful act of giving. As lights go up and calendars fill, there are still many who sit in silence, carrying burdens too heavy to bear alone. But what if this season, you could be the spark that changes everything for someone else?
The founders of City Lifestyle, through their private foundation, are once again launching its annual Christmas Giving Campaign—a heartfelt effort to seek out and support individuals and families who have quietly fallen through the cracks. The mission is simple: to bring light, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.
Since its beginning just four years ago, this initiative has grown from a humble idea into a life-changing movement. Last Christmas alone, more than 200 families across the country received unexpected support—financial relief, but also something even more powerful.
“We don’t just send checks,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond charity. “This is about community,” Matthew adds. “We believe we’ve been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing.”
Every story begins with a nomination. Often, it’s a neighbor, coworker, friend, or teacher—someone who’s been quietly carrying too much for too long. One past recipient, after receiving unexpected support during a time of deep personal struggle, wrote:
SCAN TO NOMINATE
“We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
“Beyond the very practical solution of receiving funds to fix my car, this thing you guys worked together to do is bigger than that. I carry the Christmas card you sent in my purse. When things get really hard, I pull it out and remember what it felt like to be seen. That card represents hope— that change for the better is possible. I’m not sure how many people get to carry hope around in their purse. But I do.”
Another wrote in after her husband was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and unable to work:
“This support has blessed our family not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually as we trust God to meet our needs throughout this difficult time. Thank you to our anonymous friend and to your foundation. What a joy and gift to be part of God’s family!”
Each year brings countless stories like these—real lives touched by simple acts of kindness. Some use the funds to pay overdue bills, others to afford groceries, medication, or repairs. But no matter the circumstance, the impact is the same: hope is restored.
This season, you have the opportunity to be part of that. The campaign is now open to nominations—completely confidential and prayerfully considered. Whether it’s someone battling illness, facing unemployment, or just in need of a helping hand, you can bring them a moment of grace that will ripple far beyond Christmas morning.
“Knowing my mom was chosen filled my heart with indescribable joy,” said another past recipient. “Your generosity doesn’t just brighten her life; it inspires hope and faith in all of us. It enables her to stay in her home and get back on her feet.”
Nominations are open from November 1st to December 5th, 2025. To submit someone you know, simply scan the QR code or visit @CityLifestyle on Instagram, where you’ll find the nomination form in the bio.
This holiday season, let’s give more than gifts. Let’s give each other the gift of being seen. Because sometimes, the smallest gesture becomes someone’s greatest miracle.
To nominate someone in need, visit: KingdomBuildingFoundation.org or scan the QR code.
Black Friday, Reimagined
events
NOVEMBER 8TH
Travis County Open Day
Gardens are in and around Central Austin | 10:00 AM
Organized by The Garden Conservancy and regional ambassador Twistleaf Land Design, the tour will showcase five private gardens, from an eclectic evergreen haven to a terraced retreat abundant with pollinator-friendly perennials.
NOVEMBER 14TH
STOP MAKING SENSE: A Film by Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads
The Paramount Theater | 6:00 PM
To coincide with its 40th anniversary, the 1984 film directed by renowned filmmaker Jonathan Demme, considered by critics as the greatest concert film of all time, will screen at a live public event hosted by Talking Heads Jerry Harrison, who will deliver introductory remarks, post screening comments and audience Q&A.
NOVEMBER 15TH
Home Slice Pizza’s Carnival O’ Pizza
Home Slice on South Congress | 12:00 PM
In celebration of 20 years in Austin, Home Slice is bringing back its beloved carnival for one day only. What began in 2006 as a small fundraiser to celebrate Home Slice’s first anniversary became an 11-year tradition, drawing crowds for its games, live music, raffles, and, of course, plenty of pizza. The family-friendly event benefits Foundation Communities, a local nonprofit that provides affordable homes and free on-site support services to thousands of families, veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
FAVORITE THINGS 5
1. CONSUELA
These clutches, handbags and totes bring joy. Founded by artist and designer Conni Reed, Austin-based Consuela is celebrated for their signature design philosophy, “The Art of the Unmatched™” — an artfully collaged mix of vibrant colors, layered textures, and intentional contrasts that are purposefully unmatched, never mismatched. Inside the bags is the tagline “Make today ridiculously awesome” and it states on their website “It’s not about the bag, it’s where you take it.” https://consuelastyle.com
2. KENDRA SCOTT X GAME DAY COLLECTION
“
Shine bright, Texas fight!” Kendra Scott is a proud sponsor of Texas Athletics and created a Longhorns Game Day collection that will have you wanting to show your University of Texas pride all the days, not just game days. Some pieces in the collection include Longhorn gold hoop earrings, a Longhorn pave diamond pendant, and the Ainsley Convertible Chain Necklace in Dark Orange Enamel. Pair it with a pair of Kendra Scott’s new sunglasses in partnership with Marchon Eyewear to show your school spirit in style. https://www.kendrascott.com
3. AIRTASKER
Have a task you’ve been dreading, or simple can’t do? There’s an app to outsource that. AirTasker launched in Austin earlier this years and can help with an array of things from furniture assembly to event staffing, gutter cleaning – or any type of cleaning, at-home dog grooming, handyman repairs, picking up the dry cleaning and more. Users input their task in the app, add a budget, field bids and then choose an AirTasker for the jobs. All payments are completed securely in the app. https://www.airtasker.com
4. THE SOUL OF FONDA SAN MIGUEL: FIFTY YEARS OF FOOD AND ART
Tom Gilliland and Miguel Ravago founded Fonda San Miguel in 1975! At the time, Fonda San Miguel was the first restaurant in Texas to focus exclusively on true, authentic regional Mexican cuisine from Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz and Yucatan. The restaurant’s also renowned for its carefully curated collection of museum-quality artwork. All of this is captured in their new cookbook celebrating a half a century! There are over 100 recipes, incredible photography, notes on the art and a Forward written by Robert Rodriguez. It’s available for purchase on Amazon.
5. MELROSE RIVER CLUB
This boho chic oasis bordering the San Marcos River is the perfect place to spend a romantic getaway, host friends from out of town or book out in its entirety to celebrate a milestone. Float the river and exit right at the river club and then spend the rest of the day relaxing at the Sink or Swim pool, complete with cabanas and a fully-stocked pool bar. At night, get a grab & go bottle of wine and enjoy dinner around a picnic table followed by s’mores around a fire pit. https://www.melroseriverclub.com/
