WATERWAYS
WATERWAYS THE INSIDER’S LIFESTYLE GUIDE TO WEST AUSTIN
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Sum
ov er L in’
SUMMER LOVIN’ JUNE 2021
INSIDE: DINING OUT, TEXAS ROAD TRIPPIN’,
FUN IN THE SUN, SUMMER ESCAPES, BEAUTY, STYLE AND MORE...
LIQUID ASSETS
Say Hello to a New Summer Beverage This Austin-Based, 100% Organic Vodka is Ready to Sip
As the Texas heat rolls in, you may find yourself thirsting for a refreshing cocktail. Before you break out your go-to spirit in your liquor cabinet, there’s a local brand worth giving a shot. Based in Austin, the award-winning brand is all about bringing healthy ingredients into your alcoholic beverage— and it makes for perfect summer sipping whether you’re enjoying it on the rocks or in a mixed drink. Launched in 2018, Frankly Organic Vodka was cofounded by Philip and Kristen Risk. When the couple set out to create the brand, they both brought years of experience working in consumer packaged goods to the cocktail table as well as a passion for healthy living. The latter is readily apparent in the ingredients they’ve incorporated into their product. Frankly comes in five flavors: original, strawberry, grapefruit, pomegranate and apple. The handcrafted, small-batch varietals are made with organic fruits, roots and botanicals, resulting in deeply layered flavor profiles. For example, the apple vodka has hints of ginger root, lemon juice, cayenne, 10 WATERWAYS | June 2021
wild cherry bark and maple syrup. Taste the grapefruit vodka, and you’ll find it’s balanced with apples, Ceylon cinnamon, lemon juice, maple syrup and maca root. “The fruits and roots are sourced from small farmers who practice sustainable agriculture and value biodiversity,” says Kristen. “They respect our environment by abstaining from the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides. Organic farming is more labor-intensive, yet we believe it yields a harvest with tastier produce.” In addition to Frankly being organic, gluten-free and kosher-certified, you won’t find any refined sugars, artificial flavors or artificial colors in the vodkas. All of this is a plus for those of us who seek products with natural ingredients and clean labels—but may not have thought about it when it comes to vodka. Early on, the Risks discovered how rare transparency is in the spirits industry. “Consumers rarely give much thought to what is actually in the spirits they drink, and >>
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIM DANIELS; ARISA CHATTASA
By Cindy Brzostowski
A VIEW FOR DAYS, EVERYDAY.
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STYLE FILE
Color Your World Patterns and Prints for Everybody (and every body)! By Edith Henry
Summer is right around the corner in Texas (right after our two days of spring). And with it comes a riot of colors—all the beautiful bright hues and soft pastels that make up sunny spring and summer days. Fashion trends tend to follow the seasons, so just as the flowers are blooming all around us, so are colorful prints and patterned pieces, which are reaching store shelves and apparel websites in full force. But what can we do with all the patterns? Can anyone wear them? What about patterns for petite, tall and full-size gals? Do you choose bold prints for big personalities and smaller prints for quiet types? How do you mix prints? Do printed shoes complement a solid outfit? Do leopard-print items go with anything? Let me answer some of these “colorful” questions that often create a kaleidoscope themselves in our minds when we think about how and who and where to wear these patterns.
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First, yes, everyone can wear patterns. Some people might not simply because they don’t like them, but for those of us who do like and want to wear patterns, what we wear and how we pair them can be the difference between looking like a street-smart fashionista and a hot mess. It’s best to know the basics of what prints do visually. Just as black is slimming, patterns play with the volume of the garment they’re on. The general guidelines are that large prints and horizontal stripes increase volume (make you look larger) whereas small prints and vertical stripes decrease volume. These are only guidelines though. Everybody and every body is different, so petite women can wear bold large prints and carry it off, and not all horizontal stripes make everyone appear larger. The best way to know if you can wear a pattern is to try it on to see if you are wearing it or if it is wearing you! Most often, if you’re short and petite, large prints can overwhelm your proportions. Ideally, print pattern elements should be smaller than your fist. If you go larger than that, they might overwhelm your petite frame and make you look “swallowed up.” For full figures, we automatically think that horizontal stripes are a “no-no,” while vertical stripes always work. But this isn’t always true. It’s dependent on the precise clothing combinations (pairings). Prints that are too big can divide up the body in strange ways that look >>
NoT To BE MISSED
FAB FINDS FOr Summer FASHION // DINING // BEAUTY // SELF CARE
VIVEL CREPES & COFFEE
TRIBECA BOUTIQUE
OPEN AIR RESORTS
Inspired by the walk-up crêperie stands and sidewalk cafés lining the streets of Paris, Cotê d’Azure and Brittany, Vivel brings the same passions and flavors of France and the real French crepe to Austin. One bite and all you’ll be missing is the Eiffel Tower! : @vivelcrepesandcoffee vivelcrepes.com
Casual Chic and Effortless Style is the focus at this local gem. You’ll find well-stocked shelves full of cool clothes, fun gifts and loads of accessories that arrive daily. Tribeca is a boutique lover’s one-stop shop. : @Tribecaatx tribecaAtx.com
Austin’s premier, family-friendly outdoor hospitality and RV resort situated in the Texas Hill Country 20 minutes from Lakeway/Bee Cave. Stay in one of our vintage RVs, tiny homes or bring your own RV. We offer campsites with electricity and tons of family activities! : openairresorts OpenAirResorts.com
THE MUSICIANS WOODSHED
AUSTIN SKIN PHYSICIANS
GRAZEOLOGY CHEESE PLATTERS
Learn piano, guitar, drums or even the ukulele! No matter your musical taste or interest, we offer customized lesson plans to meet your goals at affordable rates. Student perks include our Garage Band program, live concerts and more. : @musicianswoodshed
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Our platters embody passion for variety, quality and presentation and are a perfect addition to small gatherings or intimate celebrations. We offer a unique grazing experience! Want to make an impression? We deliver gift platters within Austin and surrounding areas. : @grazeology www.grazeology.com
themusicianswoodshed.com
Grand Opening Special: 15% off SPF until July 31st (mention Waterways).
: @austinskin austinskinphysicians.com
Dining OUT Again? Local restaurants show our planet some love by SHELLEY SEALE
With summer arriving and vaccinations putting our fears of eating out in the rearview mirror, many of us are ready to start enjoying restaurant dining again. Today’s restaurants aren’t just taking the health and safety of their customers more seriously than ever, some are also boosting their commitment to being responsible stewards of our planet. Eco-conscious Greater Austin is home to numerous restaurants with sustainability as a core part of their mission. Here are just three of them, including a newcomer to the local scene and classic favorites.
PLANK SEAFOOD PROVISIONS > Centrally located in The Domain, this new arrival offers some of the freshest seafood you can find in Central Texas. The catches are flown in daily, and the incredible raw bar offers a variety of oysters, tuna, shrimp and king crab—along with decadent, over-the-top seafood towers.
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Small plates and entrees such as sauteed mussels, wood-grilled salmon, bigeye tuna and beef fillet are designed to be shared. Vegetables don’t get short shrift; the coal fired beet salad is out of this world, nor do the barbecued okra or crispy Brussels sprouts disappoint. Many of these dishes pack an extra flavor punch from the woodfired grill, and eighty percent of the menu is gluten-free. Plank originated in Omaha, Nebraska— the steak capital of America but far from any ocean. The founder had lived in San Diego and, upon returning to Omaha, missed fresh seafood. The solution? He would start his own restaurant and fly it in fresh! His mission included sourcing this seafood in a way that protects the planet, so Plank partnered with Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch® and created its own Conscious Earth program with a commitment to environmentally responsible sourcing and an oath to lead the restaurant industry in seafood sustainability. 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 136, Austin, (737) 234-1122, plankseafood.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICHARD CASTEEL
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEN SHANKS; OPPOSITE PAGE: COURTESY OF THE DINOSAUR PARK; PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE MILL PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO
HIT
THE
ROAD
ADD THESE QUIRKY STOPS TO YOUR SUMMER ROAD TRIP By Cindy Brzostowski
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What’s a road trip without some unusual pit stops along the way? Rather than only breaking up long hours on the highway with the necessary coffee and bathroom breaks, taking a quick detour to a quirky attraction or two can make for a much more memorable drive. As you depart Austin for your intended destination this summer, see if you can squeeze in a visit to one of these unique spots. SAY HELLO TO A SUPERSTAR SQUIRREL Drive down Highway 71 toward Bastrop and you won’t be able to miss Berdoll Pecan Candy & Gift Company. All you have to do is look for the giant squirrel statue! Ms. Pearl, as she’s called, stands at 14 feet tall and has been attracting curious travelers since 2011. Come take your picture with the Texas landmark, and then pop into the shop to sample Berdoll’s famous pecan pies and candies. If the store is closed when you swing by, you can still sample their treats thanks to a 24-hour pecan pie vending machine. 2626 TX-71 | Cedar Creek, TX berdollpecanfarm.com
PRETEND YOU’RE IN PREHISTORIC TIMES Sure, you could check out some dinosaur fossils or skeletons in a museum—or, you can walk among realistic, life-size dinosaur statues in a natural environment. The Dinosaur Park in Cedar Creek is a family-friendly outdoor museum that seeks to offer visitors a better understanding of what dinosaurs were like when they were alive. Walking along the park’s trail, you’ll come across various dinosaur replicas with scientifically correct sizes and features, from the chicken-sized Compsognathus to the 123-foot-long Diplodocus. Yes, there’s a T. rex here too! Along with the statuary, the Dinosaur Park has a fossil dig and playground. 893 Union Chapel Road | Cedar Creek, TX thedinopark.com
SEE A TEXAS VERSION OF A GLOBAL ATTRACTION You may not be able to visit the real-deal Stonehenge in England right now, but did you know there’s a Stonehenge II just past Kerrville? This version of the megalithic circle is 90 percent of the height and 60 percent of the width of the original. The origins of this Stonehenge are better known than that one across the pond. This one was created as an art project by the late Al Shepperd and his neighbor Doug Hill more than two decades ago before it was moved to the Hill >>
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BOOKLIST
Sizzling Summer Reads Books for the Beach and Beyond By Jamie Twitchel
Make Something Good Today: A Memoir
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Chantal Trubert-Tollu
by Mary Ann Shaffer
Both tribute and homage to
and Annie Barrows
Charles Frederick Worth, The
As London emerges from World
House of Worth shows readers
War II, writer Juliet Ashton
how, after arriving in Paris in
is seeking out her next book
1845 at age 20, Worth went on
subject. Oddly, she finds it in a
to build one of the world’s most
letter from a native on the island
prominent and successful
of Guernsey—written by a man
fashion houses. Through the use
she has never met who came
of striking ensembles, paintings
across her name by chance. Their
and documents from family
continued correspondence draws
archives and the best fashion
Juliet into his world and the lives
collections from museums
of his fellow bibliophiles in The
around the world, we learn how
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel
Worth, inspired by fine art and
Pie Society, so much so that she
luxurious fabrics, dictated styles
decides to join them in Guernsey.
and silhouettes to his elite
When she does, what she
clientele while building a brand
discovers changes her forever.
that has withstood the test of time.
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Texas Hill Country: A Scenic Journey by Eric Pohl Pictures often convey what words fail to, and words may never be enough to truly describe the beauty of Texas Hill Country. With 153 color photos of spring-fed streams and wooded canyons, rugged limestone peaks and rolling grasslands and wildflower meadows, this coffee-table book captures and conveys its majesty and grandeur.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF AMAZON.COM
The House of Worth: The Birth of Haute Couture
by Erin and Ben Napier This memoir by the hosts of HGTV’s Home Town gives readers an intimate look into their work and personal lives. Through family photographs, personal stories and sketches, the Napiers show how ingenuity and authenticity, combined with Ben’s carpentry skills and Erin’s impeccable taste in design, transformed their small, tight-knit town.
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