Austin, TX July 2025

The TRAVEL Issue

LIFE + CULTURE

AUSTIN PHOTOGRAPHER

VANESSA JOY'S PHOTOS

FUNDING A WELL IN KENYA

Nonprofits fuel the heart of Texas

Travel & Adventure Issue

We’re in the thick of an Austin summer, and with it come grumbles about the soaring temperatures. But, it also brings the gift of time, with no school for the kids, slower days in the city, summer vacations and more opportunities for travel and adventures.

Austin-based photographer Vanessa Joy went on an epic adventure to Kenya earlier this year and captured a catalog of sensational photos that she’s selling to fund a well (or two) in the village in Kenya near where she took them. Even better – she’s matching funds. See how you can purchase a photo, and help the cause, in our cover story.

Looking for your own adventure? Paris is always a good idea. And, so is exploring cities outside of the ‘City of Love.’ We recently went on a French adventure, stopping in Provence and Versailles before ending in Paris and share reasons why it’s something you may enjoy too – starting with biking the rolling hills of vineyards and feeling like Tour(ists) de France.

We were also recently introduced to Foreign Fare, a fashionable and functional clothing line designed with travel in mind…and we had a chat with actor and adventure seeker Austin Nichols – who recently returned from surfing the world’s longest surf break in Peru! This summer you can find him in the latest release from the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise, in theaters everywhere July 18!

Hope you have a wonderful summer to remember!

Cheers,

JENNIFER BIRN, EDITOR @AUSTINLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE

July 2025

PUBLISHER

Joe Kerby | joe.kerby@citylifestyle.com

CO-PUBLISHER

Montannah Kerby | montannah.kerby@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Jennifer Birn | jennifer.birn@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Vanessa Joy

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.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Stunning Safari Photos that Give

Vanessa

Travel-Inspired Restaurants and Apparel

Texas

city scene

WHERE

NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Bailey Zimmerman brought the love and energy to the Moody Center 2: The show was the 12th Annual iHeartCountry Festival Presented by Capital One 3: iHeartRadio's Anne Hudson...The show's charity partner was St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 4: Megan Moroney was on theme in hearts performing her fan favorites like "No Caller ID” 5: Allie Gonino and Alexandra Chando celebrated the opening of the clean beauty brand Jones Road Beauty 6: Camila McConaughey joined Bobbi Brown at the Jones Road opening party sponsored by Northern Trust 7: Leslie Durso Brittany Ishibashi and Kelly Frye at the opening of makeup artist Bobbi Brown's Jones Road

1: Austin's historic Paramount Theatre transformed Congress Avenue into a dance hall for its 110th Anniversary Gala. 2: The sold-out benefit included dancing and music headlined by Lyle Lovett and his Large Band 3: Constance Dykhuizen, Leslie Lenhart and Taylor Ellison attended The Paramount anniversary supporting the theatre's education programs.

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.

STUNNING SAFARI PHOTOS that give back

Vanessa Joy is selling her photos to build a well near where she took them

Vanessa Joy’s interest in photography was sparked by helping her mom with various shoots in and out of a studio as a kid. The photographer of more than 20 years says, “I fell in love with storytelling through blackand-white film photography in high school and never looked back,” adding, “I think I’ve always been seeing the world through a lens, even before I picked up a camera.”

While Vanessa is a renowned wedding photographer who met her husband Robert, a wedding videographer, while both were working at a wedding, it’s no longer her primary focus. “I cut my teeth on weddings and still do 15 or so a year, but now I do a great deal of corporate photography for companies like Canon and travel the world with Hilton Grand Vacations, photographing some of their resorts,” she says, adding, “I’ve always believed that great photography is about connection, whether that’s between two people starting their lives together or connecting a small business owner to their new best customer, the heart behind the lens doesn’t change.”

That connection also extends to nature and animals. Earlier this year, Vanessa took a trip to Kenya with a group of professional and hobby photographers and creators to document the beauty and wildlife of Kenya. “I couldn’t say no to expanding my creative and cultural boundaries,” she says, “and everyone shared ideas, editing tips, gear, and so much more.”

The group spent most of the 12-day trip in the Maasai Mara with some time in Kenya. “We did safari excursions in the mornings and evenings, and sometimes during the day too!”

Vanessa says. During the trip she collected breathtaking photos, but more than that, she returned to Austin with a mission to give back to the place that gave her memories she’ll never forget, vowing to build a well in the town she visited so the people who were generous with allowing her to take their photos would be privy to the basic privilege of clean water.

Working with World Vision, a nonprofit started in 1950 that has helped more than 3.5 million people in over 100 countries, Vanessa is selling the captivating photos she took on the trip and not only donating 100 percent of the proceeds towards the effort to build a well, which costs $15,000, but matching the first $15,000 in funds to build two wells. As of print time, Vanessa has raised $7,500, which she’s matched for a total of $15,000. The prints, including those pictured on the cover and in this feature, are still available for purchase. Vanessa is also donating her time for the printing and framing – with the help of a Canon, LexJet Hahnemühle, which provided her with a massive professional printer, ink, and paper for this initiative. CONTINUED >

Here’s more inside Vanessa’s trip to Africa for anyone thinking about a visit themselves.

WHERE WERE YOU IN KENYA?

We spent most of our time in the Maasai Mara and a bit in Nairobi. The Mara was where the magic happened—sunrises over the savannah, elephants and lions just feet away, and communities who welcomed us with open hearts.

YOU GOT AMAZING PHOTOS AND HAVE BEEN SELLING THEM TO RAISE FUNDS TO BUILD A WELL IN KENYA. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO DO BEFORE THE TRIP, OR DID THE TRIP INSPIRE THAT MISSION?

The idea came to life because of the trip. Meeting people whose daily lives are shaped by a lack of access to clean water hit me hard. It didn’t feel right to just come home with beautiful images and leave it at that. Those faces, those stories—I knew I had to do something more.

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE THE CHARITY TO SUPPORT?

I’ve sponsored children through World Vision for over a decade. They’re transparent, innovative, and committed to long-lasting solutions for those in need while keeping operating costs low.

Water itself is such a basic need that it’s a no-brainer to fill because it affects everyone so deeply. I chose to support World Vision because of the incredible impact they have in providing clean water to communities in need. Every 10 seconds, World Vision is able to help another person get access to clean water, which transforms lives by improving health, freeing up time for education, and creating opportunities for a better future. Giving that time back to people by providing them wells right in their village gives them opportunity to do a whole lot more with their day.

WHAT HAVE BEEN THE MOST POPULAR PRINTS SOLD SO FAR?

The pair of giraffes and leopards have been the top two and the others pretty equal.

WHAT KIND OF CAMERA DID YOU USE?

I used the Canon EOS R5 Mark II, EOS R1 with an RF 100-300mm 2.8 or 85mm 1.2 lens for most of the wildlife shots. It was the perfect combo—sharp, fast, and versatile enough to capture everything from sweeping landscapes to intimate animal moments.

HOW CLOSE DID YOU GET TO THE LIONS AND LEOPARDS?

Close enough to get nervous, especially when they look us directly in the eye or camera! We were in open vehicles, maybe 10–15 feet from some of them. It was exhilarating—your heart pounds in the best way, and we all got incredible photos.

WERE YOU EVER AFRAID BEING SO CLOSE TO THE ANIMALS?

Honestly, no. The guides are incredibly skilled and respectful of the animals. You feel their deep understanding of the land

It changes you. The wildlife, the people, the landscapes—it reorders your priorities and expands your heart in ways you don’t expect.

- Vanessa on her experience doing a safari in Kenya

and its inhabitants and follow their instructions along the way, and that puts you at ease. It’s not about fear as much as it’s about reverence.

WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE PART OF THE TRIP?

Spending time with a local Maasai community, hearing their stories, and photographing them with their children having nothing but smiling faces. But, seeing the flies on their faces that they don’t even swat away because they’re completely desensitized to them, having lived with them and their whole lives, it’s something I couldn’t ignore. And, since I have the power to provide some kind of help and change through my influence, that’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly.

ANY TRAVEL TIPS FOR SOMEONE GOING FROM AUSTIN TO KENYA?

Layered clothing that’s water resistant as well as SPF-infused is an great idea; get your vaccinations early and definitely pack patience. It’s a long journey and waiting for the animals once you’re out on safari can be even longer. But once you’re there, the jet lag fades fast when you’re looking into the eyes of a lion and taking in the beauty of a sunset.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND A SAFARI IN KENYA?

Absolutely. It changes you. The wildlife, the people, the landscapes—it reorders your priorities and expands your heart in ways you don’t expect.

You can purchase prints at Safariwildlifeandlandscape.com

Austin Nichols

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN RUSSO

We Know What He's Doing This Summer...

Fun fact: Austin’s father was a fan of Austin after going to college at the University of Texas, but Austin wasn’t named after the capital city. Rather, Austin, Nichols & Co, a distilling company that produced Wild Turkey Bourbon and was originally located in New York City! Austin was born in Michigan, but his dad brought the family back to his college town when Austin was a young child. He spent 22 years here before leaving for LA to pursue acting. He returned to his hometown in 2020 and says, “I love the magical waters here. I believe that the springs and all the different beautiful places to swim are the reason Austin happened, because not everywhere in Texas has that and it gets really hot.” He adds, “I think that’s part of the reason why people are so

“I love the magical waters here. I believe that the springs and all the different beautiful places to swim are the reason Austin happened, because not everywhere in Texas has that and it gets really hot.”

— AUSTIN NICHOLS

nice here and people care about each other, and they’re not cranky. I think there’s something magical about these waterways and these springs and that’s a huge, huge draw for me.” Austin’s mother Kay was a national champion water skier and Austin began competitive water skiing from the age of two! Although, he says these days he prefers surfing (he recently surfed the longest wave break in the world in Peru) and hydrofoiling – which you can find him doing on Lake Travis.

While the actor, who you may know from Friday Night Lights or One Tree Hill is certain to spend a copious amount of time in the water this summer, he’s also going to be celebrating the big screen release of the latest in the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise. “I feel like a kid again who got their first movie and it’s coming out in theaters,” he shares. “The business has changed so much and there are so few big movies that have a guaranteed theatrical release, so to have a big summer movie, I’m so excited.”

This sequel will be the fourth film in the slasher franchise. Austin was a fan of the original film, saying, “I watched it when it came out in 1997. I remember when Scream came out in 1996 and then I Know What You Did Last Summer came out and Kevin Williamson (the writer) was the guy who got credited with bringing the slasher flick back in the 90s and kind of gave it new life. I remember loving the first one.” He admits, “I probably didn’t pay too much attention when the sequels came out, but

I loved the first one and when I heard about this, I remember getting a call basically telling me ‘They really like you for a role in this movie, and it looks like you’re getting it.’

He didn’t even have to audition for the role! “No, I didn’t audition,” he tells Austin Lifestyle , adding, “Those things happen sometimes, but I’m not Tom Cruise, and it’s not every movie, so when it does happen, it’s just such a gift. And the next part was that I was going to film in Australia, which is a place I’ve wanted to go to since I was eight years old and had never been. It was ticking boxes and getting blessings hitting me left and right. So, I flew down to Australia in November and was there a month and had the time. It was fantastic.”

While he’s previously directed a few episodes of Walker, Austin recently directed his first feature film, The Salamander King , which he says, “is really a love letter to Austin. It’s a group of funny people who work at a golf course who are endangered in trying to protect their way of life and everything is about how it’s changed and their favorite places are getting demolished and turned into condos and just protecting your identity in your home in a vastly changing world.” The film is currently on the festival circuit and hopes to have a home and a release date soon.

We’ll keep you updated on that. In the meantime, check out the I Know What You Did Last Summer in theaters everywhere July 18 – and check back here for more Austin Nichols in a future issue…

Travel-Inspired Restaurants and Apparel

Texas couple is taking lessons learned abroad home to connect people to other cultures through food

Thy and Matt Mitchell love to travel. They love to explore other countries and cultures – and bring what they’ve found home to Houston, TX. In 2019, the couple channeled their wanderlust into a pair of globally-inspired restaurants, Traveler’s Table and Traveler’s Cart – both in Houston with plans to potentially expand.

In October 2023 they added travel-inspired apparel line Foreign Fare to their portfolio. We met Thy when she did a Foreign Fare pop-up at The Ella Hotel here in Austin and we were instantly smitten with her designs, passion and curiosity.

HOW MANY COUNTRIES HAVE YOU VISITED?

About 30.

YOU WORKED IN HR AND YOUR HUSBAND WAS A WRITER – THEN YOU PIVOTED TO BEING RESTAURATEURS WITH AN APPAREL BRAND.

We believe in the romance of travel and the spirit of adventure - values that are woven into Foreign Fare, Traveler’s Table, and Traveler’s Cart.

Our restaurant concepts were born from a deep love of exploring the world and the belief that food is one of the most powerful ways to connect with and understand other cultures. Through shared meals, we believe we can foster greater empathy, curiosity, and open-mindedness.

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

SHARE MORE ABOUT YOUR TWO RESTAURANT CONCEPTS.

Traveler’s Table, opened in 2019, just before the pandemic. In October 2024 we expanded with our second concept, Traveler’s Cart, as a natural extension of the original. Traveler’s Table is a full-service restaurant featuring what we call “curated global cuisine” - more refined, complex dishes in an upscale setting with table service where reservations are encouraged. In contrast, Traveler’s Cart focuses on modern global street food in a more casual, counter-service environment. It feels modern and hip, with plenty of free parking, lunch, dinner, and late-night on weekends.

WHAT’S BEEN A HIGHLIGHT?

Traveler’s Table has been featured twice on the Food Network –once on an episode fo Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive Ins and Dives where he enjoyed our Crispy Pork Belly in Pasilla Sauce and Caribbean Braised Oxtails and again when our executive chef beat Bobby Flay on Beat Bobby Flay with Duck Chilaquiles.

HOW DID FOREIGN FARE COME ABOUT?

I focused on creating pieces that felt more chic compared to typical athleisure—designed for women who want to feel polished and put-together while on the move. We launched with four core styles: the Wrap Me Up Dress, Jetsetter Jacket, Flight Jumpsuit, and Hideaway Hoodie. Now, with the launch of our Soft Landings Collection, we’ve introduced plush, ultra-comfortable travel sets that I can easily see becoming every woman’s ideal travel day outfit.

ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?

As we continue to grow, our goal is to expand our travel lifestyle brands - whether through the dishes we serve or the clothes that we design - bringing the beauty of global connection to more people, one plate or outfit at a time.

Summer in France –Not Just Paris

FROM THE SOUTH OF FRANCE TO VERSAILLES, FRANCE IS FULL OF WONDERS

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

Plenty of Austinites escape the scorching summer heat with European excursions – London, Paris and Rome among top destinations to visit. But, there’s a wealth of cities to see in France, in addition to the city of love – although a visit to Paris is always a good idea.

Below are a few suggestions to spark ideas for your next getaway.

COQUILLADE IN PROVENCE

If you enjoy biking, wine or art, you’ll love a stay at Coquillade, a five-star Relais & Châteaux estate, recently awarded two MICHELIN Keys, that’s located in the heart of Luberon in the Provence region of France. To get there you’ll fly into Marseilles and need to take a car an hour or so to the property (or there’s also a helipad on the property), but it’s worth the journey. Start a trip here to decompress or book it for a whole trip on its own. There are a few standard rooms, a variety of suites and a six-bedroom villa available - fitting for families, bachelorette parties, writer retreats or other special occasions. The diversity of accommodations, along with the picturesque grounds, make it a perfect place for a wedding, and they host several. Set on a

vineyard, you can enjoy wine made on-site during your stay as well as their world-class spa. Over 21,000 square feet, the spa is equipped with a sauna, steam room, Kneipp pools, ice fountain, sensory shower, heated indoor pool, fitness center and outdoor jacuzzis, in addition to treatment rooms. Elsewhere, take a self-guided tour of the art in the common areas, curated from the owner’s personal collection. There’s also a cycling center on-site where you can rent electric bikes to leisurely go into town, get a guided bike ride, or train for the Tour de France on Luberon’s rolling hills. They also host riding retreats! Check out their website for more. https://coquillade.fr/

LES LUMIERES IN VERSAILLES

Versailles is less than 45 minutes from Paris by car and less by train, but often overlooked as a destination by those who travel to Paris – although it shouldn’t be.  Versailles is great escape and home to a rich cultural history, with Palace of Versailles and its lush gardens central to the city. The ornate rooms, art, architecture and gardens filled with fountains and sculptures can be explored for hours. While a day trip from Paris is possible, Les

Lumieres is reason to stay the night – or two or three nights. The hotel is housed in a 17th-century building across the street from the Palace of Versailles and is all about supporting sustainability and mental wellness – from the 31 rooms named after French figures from The Age of Enlightenment to the positive quotes and affirmations that adorn the walls, to Austin’s own Ryan Holiday’s book The Daily Stoic in each room! The champagne bar is called Le Bar de Philosophes and the restaurant is plant-forward and encourages you to dine using all of your senses - with your phone in a wooden box beside the table.

There’s also the spa, the first to carry and use Beau Domaine, a skincare line co-founded by Brad Pitt! Both men and women can book a facial at the hotel made with his anti-aging products, and buy them to take home.  https://www.leslumieres.com/

LE CINQ CODET IN PARIS

It’s easy to begin or end a trip to France in Paris, if for no other reason than it has the biggest airport to fly in and out. But, you don’t need to be told there’s an endless list of reasons for a visit to Paris – from landmarks like The Louvre to their museums celebrating fashion – or sitting at a sidewalk café people watching and observing

the fashions of the people who live there, be it over croissants and coffee in the morning or while enjoying charcuterie and wine in the afternoons. While places to stay abound, Le Cinq Codet is a contemporary 5-star hotel located in the 7th Arrondissement, a short walk from the Eiffel Tower or Musée d’Orsay, and convenient and central to almost everything. Housed in a former telephone exchange from the 1930s and completely redesigned by architect designer Jean-Philippe Nuel it’s a great home base whether you’re visiting The Louvre, hunting for gems in the vintage stores or celebrating something special you want punctuated by Eiffel Tower views. https://lecinqcodet.com

LADY OF LOTUS

Lotus America’s CMO Kara Sellentine has been racing through traditional barriers her whole career

Kara Sellentine is the Chief Marketing Officer of Lotus Americas, the UK-born maker of classic road cars and innovative racecars that calls Austin its US home. Being from Detroit, Kara has a long history in the car industry, but her first job was as a production assistant at The Jerry Spring Show! And, she’s done more than dabble in stand-up comedy - taking classes at The Groundlings where people like Will Ferrell and Jimmy Fallon got their start and performing alongside people like Pauly Shore an Dave Coulier.

We had a chat with Kara about being a female in historically male-dominated professions, what she loves about working at Lotus and more.

PRIOR TO LOTUS YOU WORKED AT STELLANTIS, HOME OF 14+ ICONIC AUTO BRANDS. HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY?

I don’t have the traditional story of ‘my dad was a car guy, so I love cars.’ I grew up in a household that went to musicals weekly and listened to Barbra

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

Streisand on repeat. But, my parents are born and raised Detroiters, “The Motorcity” as we call it. Automotive is a part of the Detroit DNA. I knew the best way to work at an agency in Detroit was connected to automotive, so I found a job at an agency called 89Degrees that worked on the Jeep and Ram brands. By networking, I landed myself a job at Stellantis (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles at the time). Essentially, I made it known that I really wanted to work for FCA and when one of the employees at the time told me they had a job opening I said I would literally do anything. And that’s how I got myself a job working in the glamorous world of extended warranties.

Although not a creative role whatsoever, it played a pivotal role in my career. Working in extended warranties allowed me to not only understand every facet of the automotive industry, it gave me the opportunity to work on every brand from Alfa Romeo to Wagoneer to Chrysler. It was also key in developing my Excel and budget skills, which have been important to my role now as a CMO. After a few years in extended warranties, I interviewed for the Brand Manager job at Alfa Romeo and landed the job through charming the manager with my creative skillsets. I was a part of the Alfa Romeo brand while it was competing in Formula 1, so it was there I fell in love with motorsports and luxury automotive. My first Formula 1 race was at Circuit of the Americas.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

The luxury automotive business comes with an incredible community that I love to be a part of. And, luxury automotive really focuses on design, so the artist in me appreciates cars as pieces of artwork and not just a functioning tool to get you from one place to another.

Outside of luxury automotive, I love everything marketing. I’m the type of person who will sit through every Superbowl commercial analyzing the content. Creative advertising and strategies make me tick in the most positive way. Additionally, influencer marketing has been a very exciting part of the job, as I enjoy the relationship-building that comes with it.

WHAT’S IT LIKE BEING A WOMAN IN A PREDOMINANTLY MALE-DOMINATED FIELD?

Bring it on! I have always gravitated towards careers and activities where women are the minority. Not just in automotive, but also in stand-up comedy (where women make up less than 10% of comedians) and in college I was an athlete, which was often very male-driven and I had all male coaches. I can’t say I necessarily think of things in the sense of gender; rather, I am competitive in nature, and I like a good challenge in whatever I do.

DO YOU HAVE ADVICE FOR WOMEN WANTING TO BREAK INTO THE CAR INDUSTRY?

My advice is rather generic and that’s “let it be known.” If you want something, don’t just write it in a journal and throw it away, but be in the right places at the right time. Network. Something that really helped me excel in career is that I wasn’t afraid to setup a 1:1 with executives and let it be known exactly what I wanted. I think people think they can just blindly apply to jobs by sending their resume, but you should always be “working” towards what you want, and a big piece of that comes with networking.

This is an incredible time to be a part of motorsports as a female. There is a big focus on it and will continue to be. It’s really a matter of asking yourself what aspect of racing you want to be a part of it.

WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE?

Lotus has a great partnership with its sister brand Volvo, so I am currently driving a Volvo.

COTA IS NOW THE OFFICIAL HQ OF LOTUS AMERICAS. HAVE YOU DRIVEN A LOTUS AROUND THE COTA TRACK?

Yes! And I highly recommend it. There’s no better way to experience the Lotus Emira, a 2-seater sports car that goes 0-60 in less than 4 seconds. When you can get in a Lotus on a track, you really get the opportunity to experience the reason a car like that exists. You’re talking about a 76-yearold brand that was built on the backbone of motorsports, racing, and performance.  Whipping it around a 3.41 mile track like COTA with incredible twists and turns makes you proud to be a part of the brand.

YOU WERE A PRODUCTION ASSISTANT ON THE JERRY SPRINGER SHOW – WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT FROM THAT EXPERIENCE?

The Jerry Springer Show was my first job out of college! Funny “inspiring story” is that when I applied to the job I was living in Michigan and put my friend’s address in Chicago on the application. I got a call for the interview and they asked me if I could come tomorrow, in which I responded yes, but I was in Michigan at the time! So, I jumped in my car, drove five hours and stayed with my friend. At the interview I landed the job and they asked if I could star the next day! I responded, “Yes!” and with a backpack full of clothes, I moved to Chicago and lived with my friend. I always love that story because it taught me to take chances, live in the moment and be willing to do whatever is necessary to fulfill your dreams.

DJ CASSANDRA

IS HAVING A MOMENT

Check out her Spotify playlists for your summer soundtrack

DJ Cassandra (aka Cassandra Shankman) has been DJing since 2014. Well, she tells Austin Lifestyle, “ I tested it out in 2014, but didn’t touch it again until 2016 when my friend wanted us to try DJing her going away pool party.” And the rest is history! January 2019 she started DJing as her full-time job.Since then she’s DJ’d over 1000 gigs, but the highlights in 2025 so far have been exceptional. When asked the standout moments she says, “There have been so many highlights in my life that I am just so grateful for, but I would have to say DJing University of Texas’s 2025 university-wide commencement for over 60,000 people at the stadium was definitely a highlight of my life and a memory I will never forget! It was such a full circle moment, as I didn’t get the chance to attend my university-wide graduation at UT.” She adds, “I’d say playing ACL both weekends was a massive highlight and flying to Lake Como to DJ a very good friends’ wedding was another! DJing Spotify House this past SXSW with Benson Boone on the dance floor was a memory of a lifetime and DJing with Flavor Flav in Orlando and then him hyping me up afterwards -I will never forget that moment.” And the year is just over halfway over.

If you’re heading out on a roadtrip this summer or looking for a summer playlist for a barbecue, check out DJ Cassandra’s playlists for each (and more!) on Spotify. The former includes artists from Ja Rule to Stevie Wonder, and probably many you’ll be introduced to for the first time.

FAVORITE THINGS

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

1. ERLY

Good clean fun – for your skin. Inspired by their young children playing with their skincare products, friends Jamie Chandlee and Dr. Hallie McDonald set out to develop a line they would use – and not mind if their daughters did too. Made for skin types of all ages and a fan favorite from launch, you can find this Austin duo’s full range, including a face foam, illuminating serum and moisturizers at https://itserly.com

2. THE WEBSTER

More than 15 years after opening her first location, a flagship store in South Beach, Florida, Laure Heriard Dubreuil has brought her mixedbrand luxury retail store to Austin. The Webster at The Domain is reminiscent of its origin with inviting sunshine yellow upholstered furniture in a space laced with fashion brands like Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Rick Owens and more. https://thewebster.com

3.DAGNE DOVER LUGGAGE

The brand built on making bags that marry fashion and function – from handbags to gym bags, diaper bags and fanny packs now makes luggage too. The collection includes checked and carry-on suitcases, each in two sizes, garment bags, a garment duffel and travel cubes. They’re currently available in black and grey as well as a dusty rose and deep olive green – for those of us who like to recognize their luggage the moment it hits the carousel. https://www.dagnedover.com/

4. SPLITS59

Basic pieces that are so buttery soft, cute and comfortable you’ll want to wear them all day – whether you workout first thing in the morning or not until evening. They’re also go-tos for everything from travel to pickleball to chic athleisure attire. https://www.splits59.com

5. HEAVILY MEDITATED BY DAVE ASPREY

The Austin-based king of biohacking, podcaster and author’s new book blends cutting-edge neuroscience with practical biohacking techniques he says have the power to unlock the brain’s potential, providing shortcuts to advanced meditation states without the preceding years of practice. Available wherever books are sold.