Austin

For the most environmentally conscious of foodies, compostable silverware just isn't enough. Case in point? In.gredients, soon to be the country's first-ever zero-waste, no-packaging supermarket.

In.gredients, which is slated to open this Fall in Austin, TX, plans to specialize in fresh produce, dairy, beverages, dry bulk goods, and household toiletries and cleaners. Shoppers will not only be required to bring tote bags to take home groceries with, but they'll also need to bring reusable containers to purchase foods such as grains, nuts, spices, and coffee from the store's bulk inventory. For more details on the store concept, keep reading.

• Serve an Irish breakfast this weekend. — Chow
• Giant whoopie pie pan: love it or hate it? — Baking Bites
• A table at Top Chef's restaurant wars is up for bid in a charity auction. — Eater
• Make pasta e broccoli for dinner tonight. — Serious Eats
• Michael Voltaggio and Ludo Lefebvre prove they've paid their dues as chefs. — Daily Dish
• Where to eat bone marrow in San Francisco. — Grub Street SF
• Inside the making of an ice cream cookbook. — The Feast SF
• Food bloggers: learn how to use Google recipes to your advantage. — Huffington Post Food
• If you're heading to SXSW, here are Austin's top eateries. — ZagatBuzz

Do you fancy yourself a princess? Do you have a hankering for clover-shaped designs? If you are affirmative on either of those, you may very well like this little piece of heaven deep in the heart of Texas. Originally constructed in 1925 as the San José Catholic Church in Austin, the mission style home was renovated in 2008 by Urban Nature and put on the market to many shoppers' delight.

While many homes certainly have a spirit about them, this one has a name to go with it. Titled the Bouldin Castle, it boasts arched doorways, stacked limestone, magical chandeliers, royal grounds, and a refreshing lap pool. Adding to the stately yet gothic ambiance are ebony floors that contrast dreamily against the alabaster walls. It hardly seems necessary to bring much interior design to these digs as the bones are so dramatically pleasing on their own. I, however, would definitely be up for the task! Unfortunately, it's no longer for sale (someone got lucky!) but we can still peruse the lovely gem and dream of living there happily ever after.

To see the rest of the charming castle, read more

It's no secret I'm a wannabe Austinite. The eclectic town that surges with live music, funky artists, and gorgeous landscape always tugs at me when I've got a few days off on my calendar. What makes the pull to Austin even stronger? Hotel San José.

Situated right in the heart of the folksy part of town with delicious eateries, music venues, fab vintage shops, sweet boutiques, and cupcake vans, the real estate couldn't be better. Having said all of that, I'd be perfectly content to stay on the hotel premises for an entire weekend. A green hotel in many respects, the San José uses only biodegradable cleaning products, employs Austin's renewable resource program, and offers organic food. A less is more kind of place, the chic digs are outfitted with craveworthy Bertoia and Eames chairs, animal print rugs, blockprint linens (think John Robshaw), mounted concert posters, platform beds, and cement floors. And it doesn't stop there. The gravel patios, cheeky cacti, quaint pool, butterfly chairs, and hot Texas sunshine make for a pretty sweet afternoon outdoors. Follow that up with a margarita-infused vintage shopping spree where you can score second-hand milk glass vases and used Levi's. After that? Catch a live show at the Continental Club and stumble back to your home away from home. Not too shabby for a place that charges about $100 a night, no? Ding! I'm calling the airlines right now. 

To see the rest of the photos, just read more

Touring Austin's Bouldin Castle, a former Mission-style- turned-fairytale home, I noticed a set of platform beds made from stacked wooden beams and felt a serious pang of envy. The beds have an awesome organic modern quality to them that's just downright cool. I wouldn't be surprised if the beams were salvaged, too; they do look a bit worn. The good thing is that if you have the initiative to make your own, it's an easy DIY waiting to happen. You'll need to drill together about 33 standard beams to support a full or queen size mattress, but really the concept can be customized for any bed size you need. The only trouble is that you have to be willing to give up your box spring! What do you think? Do you love 'em like me?

There's so much to crush out on when it comes to Austin, TX — from its music venues to its vintage shops and swimming holes, it's a city I truly adore. And now I have to add this cool modern home to my list of crush-worthy features in Austin.
Built a little over 20 years ago, the home's open living space makes entertaining a snap. Features such as a vaulted-beam ceiling, Brazilian slate, Carrera marble countertops, concrete flooring, and a huge wall of windows help it to shine, as does its beautiful slate fireplace. The three-bedroom, two-bath home is great for a family, and its proximity to downtown Austin and UT ensure that you're buying in a prime location.

You can tour the house in person this weekend if you live in Austin, as this home is one of 16 featured in the Austin Modern Home Tour. If you're interested in making a permanent move to Austin, check out this home's realty listing.

Most nights La Zona Rosa is a bar-slash-music venue featuring loud tunes and Bud drafts, but sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning, the Austin club undergoes a transformation into a community church. Parishioners clean up evidence from the night before and welcome in people and their pets!
Since many visitors walked with dogs, and Texas is no place to leave a pooch roaming the streets or in a hot car, the founders decided to also welcome dogs to sit through services. To see a video of the preparation process and the pups, read more