Living in Austin, we tend to take our food scene for granted.  I mean, how great it is to get gourmet donuts from a trailer? Or what about having farm fresh, seasonal food available at tons of different restaurants all across town?

On a recent trip to Houston, I wanted to give the emerging Houston farm to table scene a try. One of my favorite things is to try a chef’s tasting at local restaurants. Almost like a private dinner, you get to sample 6-8 different, specially-prepared dishes. In Austin, I’ve had some unforgettable meals at Wink and The Carillon.   In Houston, we chose Haven, a self-described “seasonal kitchen.”

When we walked in, the host took us to our table. Seated directly on the firing line, we heard the sous calling out orders to the cooks, dishes clanking as entrees were plated, and a general hum of activity as waiters scurried by.  Executive Chef Randy Evans greeted us, explained the layout of the kitchen and the function of each station. To see if any last-minute menu changes would be necessary, he asked if we had any food allergies or dislikes.

As each dish came out, Chef Randy described its elements and told us which local vendor supplied the produce and meats. 3 of the 6 dishes contained locally-sourced seafood. Deviled eggs with Louisiana bowfin caviar, gulf fish served over cabbage, and shrimp corndogs all creatively expressed Houston’s proximity to the Gulf.

According to Chef Randy, not enough Houston chefs get their food locally, often times flying fish in from the East Coast and getting produce from Mexico. Through his unique dishes, Chef Randy hopes to transform Houston restaurant goers’ palates and help them understand the importance of sourcing food locally. Part of that is working with local fishermen and vendors to further map the regions of the Gulf from which they source their seafood. By establishing distinct regions within the Gulf, he hopes to allow customers the ability to order fish from their favorite Gulf regions in the way the currently do for East Coast seafood.

As even more of a testament to his passion for local foods, Haven sponsors a weekly farmers market, and Chef Randy participates in the coolest local food event series I’d ever heard of Houston Culinary Tours where local chefs take foodies around to some of their favorite off-the-beaten-path restaurants in the city.

Overall, Haven was a truly amazing experience. One of my favorite dishes was the shrimp and crawfish gnocci served with a delightfully garlicy butter sauce.  Definitely bowl-licking good!  Another favorite was a surprisingly simple twist on a cheese plate: a piece of blue cheese, hunk of honeycomb, and slice of toasted bread. When all three elements combined, there was a perfect blend of sweet and savory couple with a delicate balance of smooth and crunchy textures.

Can’t wait to visit Haven again. For the sake of Houston consumers, I hope Chef randy can spark the taste buds and community support that we enjoy here in Austin. Check out more pictures from the dinner below.

What do you think about Houston dining scene?

Are there any lessons Austin can learn from Houston?

Light jazz plays in the background. A gentle spring breeze blows through the trees. And waitresses scurry past with trays of bite-sized chicken quesadillas that are quickly snatched up by hungry party goers.  This was the scene this past Thursday at the kick-off to Austin Restaurant Week hosted by Garrido’s. More trays appeared (and disappeared) filled with pork carnitas, beef tostadas, and chocolate sauce drenched bread pudding which are all a part of Garrido’s three-course Restaurant Week menu – a steal at $12.

Beef tostadas from Garrido's

For a gal on a budget with a terrible addiction to fine dining and trying new restaurants, Austin Restaurant Week is a dream come true.  Over 50 local restaurants have created special three-course menus for $35 or less, and for some of these restaurants, their typical dinner entree can cost you at least this much!

Restaurant Week menus are offered Sunday-Wednesday this week, April 10-13, and next week, April 17-20, for lunch, dinner. New this year: brunch (check the website to see which menus each restaurant is offering).

Guacaomole from Garrido's

The list of Austin restaurant’s participating runs like a who’s who of Austin’s fine dining scene: The Driskill, Trace, La Condesa, Uchi/ko, Parkside, The Carillon, Aquarelle, and more.  Unfortunately, there just aren’t enough days to check out all our favorites.

Hey, organizers,  take a cue from Houston and next year,  have a restaurant week “month”!

Have you mapped out your plan for restaurant week?

What restaurant is on your list for Restaurant Week?

Check out more pictures from last Thursday’s event.

Let’s face it.  Credit cards are here to stay.  More and more of us are using less and less cash each day.  Hell, even the parking meters downtown take plastic now.  And don’t tell me you don’t roll your eyes and impatiently tap your foot when someone dares pull out a checkbook!  WHAAAT?!

Photo by james.rintamaki on Flickr

So, it got me thinking.  What would the ideal credit card be like?  What features could actually help us impulsive spenders and negligent savers better manage our money?  Here are some must-have features to create the most awesomeness credit card (yet to be invented).

Photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/paalia/

1.  Allow you to set limits on spending categories BEFORE you spend it.

Most money-management software allows you to set GOALS for spending in various categories.  But with horrible money managers like us who find ourselves in debt, we simply see those goals defeated at the end of each month.  After a while, the goals don’t really mean anything.  But, imagine a card where you could limit a category BEFORE you spend it.  Say you want to spend $100 a month on entertainment.  When you reach that amount your credit card would be denied, or it would allow the charge but assess you a fee – that went to a CHARITY you’ve chosen and not a bank.

2.  Use social networking to praise (and embarrass you) on your money management skills.

So, our new card allows us to set goals before we spend money.  Now, when you reach a goal each month, your card automatically shares that triumph with your friends.  A “I stayed under my entertainment budget this month!” would post to your wall.  However, when you go over them, it also shares that dirty secret.  Instead you’d see something like, “I just blew my clothing budget this month!  Next time you see me, tell me if it was worth it.”

3.  Interact with you as you go through the month to help you reach your goals.

Your new card would talk you and keep you automatically updated on your goals.  After you just went through the checkout at the grocery store, you’d get a text message updating you on your grocery goal and warn you if you were spending too much.  “Did you really need that bag of chips?” it would ask.  “You only have $35.82 left in your grocery budget this month.”

Photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/menetekel/

Unfortunately, many of my ideas aren’t new.  They were originally thought up by Dan Ariely in his book Predictably Irrational published in 2008!  He presented his ideas for a more perfect credit card similar to what I just listed to a big bank.  They istened politely to his proposal and did nothing about it.

Now, MasterCard has a service called inControl™ that does just that.  After a Google search on it, I found a press release from August 2010 that Citibank was going to begin providing the service in late 2010.  A quick look on the Citibank website didn’t mention anything about the service.  I guess they realized that if consumers actually limited their spending, they’d be set up to lose a ton of money.  More recently Citizens Financial Group has said they intend to use inControl…but for business customers only in order to allow them to monitor and control the spending of their employees.  Looks again like business looking out for business and consumers losing out once again.  They say they will expand the service to all customers later in the year, but we’ll see if they live up to that.

Photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/alancleaver/

What can you do now to have a more consumer friendly credit card?

Getting gifts cards for yourself and using them for your purchases is one way to limit your spending.  However, the fees on those can get pricey.  A better bet is a new card by my friends at SmartyPig.com (I love these guys!) which allows you to reload a card from your SmartyPig account or your bank account.  There is no fee to transfer money or to use the card other than a first time activation fee (which all the other gift cards have, too).

Another thing is to search out there for consumer friendly banks – as an eternal optimist I have to believe that they exist out there somewhere.  Also, avoid banks that charge you any kind of monthly fee on your accounts.

The technology is out there to make our credit card dreams a reality.  Let’s hope that banks see past dollar signs soon enough to help us all out.

What would your ideal credit card be like?

Do “nice” banks really exist?

This past Saturday, we checked out one of my favorite Austin events of the year, the Austin Modern Home Tour.  This tour gives you access to some of the most amazing modern homes the city has to offer.  From million dollar mansions to $300,000 bungalows, you get to see the biggest trends in modern architecture and interior design.  Unfortunately most of our budgets don’t allow us to buy one of the amazing homes, but walking through them can give you plenty of ideas on how to make your home feel a bit more modern without breaking the bank.

Here are five trends from this year’s tour that you could easily bring into your own home.

1.  Paint your walls white–and let your accessories do the talking.

White walls help frame and spotlight your artwork, furniture and accessories. Add splashes of color using vibrant rugs, throw pillows, lamps or other accessories to really make a statement. This also helps you easily change the feel of the room with each new season or design trend by just trading out the accessories.

2.  Glossy glass tiles EVERYWHERE!

On the tour, kitchens and bathrooms gleamed with glossy glass tiles.  Some were just clear glass,  while others were subtly tinted. Still others were bright with blues and bold reds. Glass tile is also making appearances in unexpected places, like around fireplaces and trimming staircases.

3.  Become a bookworm.

Obviously modern home owners are readers (or they want you to think they are) because every home on the tour used books in the decor.  Stack your books in a single column,on low vintage bookcases, or on a coffee table–just about everywhere there’s a flat surface.

Show off your books with a unique bookcase

4.  Get rid of your grass and put in rocks instead.

Let’s face it: You hate mowing the lawn–so why not create a modern entrance by replacing the traditional grass with rocks?  To add a more dramatic effect, combine both light and dark rocks.

Yards composed of light and dark rocks

5.  Salvage some old wood.

Sometimes modern homes can seem cold and stark, and this year designers are warming up interiors with salvaged wood.  From floors to tables and bookcases, salvaged wood creates a sense of history in places that don’t have any.

Both the desk and floor are made from salvaged wood

What was your favorite modern design trend on the tour this year?

Check out more pictures from the tour below.  All photos by Doug Naugle.

A bookcase made from salvaged wood and bricks

A milk bottle chandelier

A see-through ceiling above this staircase is a quirky feature

The white walls of the staircase offer a stunning contrast to the blue wall below

Some old skateboard wheels make a unique accessory

Freaking awesome bathroom

Polished concrete floors are still in

Make sure you leave with the right pair!

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One of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions (including mine) is about paying off debt.  Cutting out expenses is one way to reach your goal, but another way is to have more money coming in.  With two kids and a government job, a pay raise and a part-time job are out of the question for me, but I recently heard about virtual freelancing as a way for people to earn some extra dough in the comfort of their own home.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yourdon/

There are several sites out there which cater to those of us looking for some extra cash without having to actually go out and get a second job somewhere.  It’s also a good option for someone in between jobs as a way to keep up your skills and fill your resume.

The premise for the sites is basically the same: There are categories for the different types of jobs, you generate a profile showcasing your experience, and then you bid or apply for jobs you find interesting.  It’s fun to just read through the different people applying for jobs.  One admin assistant job had people from the U.S., Indonesia, and Pakistan send in bids.  We truly are a global economy now!

Here’s a brief rundown on some of the most popular virtual freelancing sites.

Elance.com

• Free or paid memberships.  A paid membership gets you access to more clients and job postings.
• Paid by the hour by using screenshots to document your work; or paid by reaching certain agreed upon deadlines.
• Paid through Pay Pal, wire transfer, or automatic deposit into your bank account.

Guru.com

• Free or paid membership that allows you to bid on more jobs each month.
• Able to request a payment upfront that is held in an account until your work is completed.
• Paid through direct deposit, PayPal, pre-paid Mastercard, wire transfer, and check.

Vworker.com

• Free membership with unlimited monthly bid proposals.
• Guaranteed payment.
• Paid by PayPal, check, wire transfer.

Freelancer.com

• Large variety of jobs.
• Free and paid membership which reduces your commission fee and allows you more bids.
• Paid using PayPal, wire transfer, Moneybookers, and Freelancer.com debit card.

oDesk.com

• Free membership.
• Free skills tests to help prove your skills to employers.
• Health insurance option if you work 30+ hours/week.
• Daily job alert emails.

Have you ever done any virtual freelancing?

What other ideas do you have for brining in some extra cash?

Flickr by niseag03

Last year I made some pretty bold New Year’s Resolutions to not buy any clothes, shoes, or purses for the entire year, and not to use my credit cards.  How’d I do?  With the exception of some new clothes for my trip to Europe and some new shoes for work, that was it.  Also, while I was in Europe I used my credit card.  I justified those purchases since it was an all-expense paid trip, and I wanted to bring some souvenirs back with me.

I discovered that last year my resolutions did curb my impulse to buy things for ME, but I also noticed that I bought more clothes, toys, and shoes for my kids.  This year my financial resolution needs to be bigger and more purposeful.

My 2011 New Year Resolution:

I will pay off $14,239.65 in credit card debt in 2011.

This is half of the total amount that we owe, and it’s going to mean coming up with an additional $670 a month over the minimum payments so some serious financial belt-tightening will be in store, but it’s possible. Since accountability helps drive my goals, I’ll be sharing my progress on the site–so wish me luck!

What are your big New Year’s Resolutions?

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Editor’s Note: With the big Christmas shopping season in full effect, we’re sharing some great local places to hit up for all the people on your shopping list.  Over the next few weeks we’ll be visiting all seven Austin Independent Business Alliance IBIZ districts to help you get inspired to ditch the mall and buy local!

Christmas at Aviary

This week we visit the South Lamar shopping district located on South Lamar between Goodrich and Oltorf.  A super- concentrated collection of shops and restaurants, this is easily one of the best areas to do some grab and go shopping.  Also, unlike the South First district where you criss-cross the street, most of the shops of the South Lamar district are found on one side of the street.

The shops at 2110 South Lamar include Spectacle, downSTAIRS Apparel and Aviary, and if no one is behind the counter at one store, check the one next door, and you’ll probably find him or her there: employees hang out together during down time either in each other’s store or out on the patio that runs the length of the strip center.  This friendliness between store employees carries over into how they treat their customers, too.

Spectacle Sunglasses

2110 S. Lamar, 78704
512-382-6197

Although it looks like your regular mall sunglass store, it’s not.  Spectacle is Austin’s ONLY locally-owned sunglasses retailer–and they carry all the top brands from Ray Ban to Oakley and Chloe to Prada.  Owners keep tabs on current fashion trends, so you’re guaranteed to find the latest shades to protect your peepers.

Who to shop for: Your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse who would never splurge on a pair of sunglasses on their own.

Spectacle

downSTAIRS Apparel

2110 S. Lamar, 78704
512-687-0489

If you are a girl who loves her graphic tees, you can restock at downSTAIRS.  Some favorite ones had a can of hairspray spraying swirling lines into the sky and another one with a bottle shooting soda in a playful pattern.  They also had a nice selection of deep purple and blue striped button down shirts for those guys who don’t shy away from color.  Jewelry by local designers also fill the shelves.

Who to shop for: Any girl you know who loves print tees; the man in your life who needs to brighten up their wardrobe

Mens and Womens tees at downSTAIRS Apparel

Aviary Home Decor

2110 S. Lamar, 78704
916-4445

Inspired by the owners’ travels, Aviary boasts modern home decor and fashion accessories from around the world.  Walking in you are struck by the quiet beauty of the white porcelain statues and figurines.  Other standouts are the hanging biomes by Articulture and the intriguing seatbelt handbags by HARVEYS.  While you mull over your purchases you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine at the bar.

Who to shop for: The person who has everything – you will find something they don’t have here!

Ceramics by local Austin artists at Aviary

Austin Art Garage

2200 S. Lamar, Suite J; 78702
512-351-5934

Austin Art Garage makes owning an original piece of artwork accessible to anyone–no matter your income level.  Here you can find emerging Austin artists such as Graham Franciose and Marty Butler, and make an investment in their work before they make it big.  One way Austin Art Garage keeps the prices affordable is by offering small pieces on unconventional materials such as wood.

Who to shop for: The art lover in your life

Art by Graham Franciose at Austin Art Garage

What’s your favorite store on South Lamar?

How much of your shopping this holiday season was spent locally?

Check out more pics from South Lamar:

One thing I love about Austin in the fall and winter is that it never gets too cold to do stuff outside.  This past weekend I took my  two daughters to Kiddie Acres, the 32-year old amusement park for kids in north Austin off Mopac and Howard Lane.  The old timey carnival music greets you, and, in the evenings this time of year, the lights on the rides twinkle.

Carousel at Kiddie Acres

What I love about this place is that it takes you back to a time when quality family time meant more than playing a video game or sitting in a darken theater together.  It meant experiencing that pure child like joy when you are at place meant just for you and with rides your size.  My girls love it, and I love seeing them love it.

Kiddie Acres located at 4800 W. Howard Lane, and is open year round Tuesday-Sunday.  The hours vary with the season, but they are usually open until 7pm.

Have you every been to Kiddie Acres?

What’s your favorite experience there?

Where do you go to spend quality time with your family?

Ferris Wheel at Kiddie Acres

Now that Thanksgiving has left our tummies full, Christmas season and the holiday shopping that goes with it is officially here to leave our wallets empty.  Hopefully while you all out there shopping local businesses, you are also sticking to your budget.  Here are some steps to keep your wallet in check this holiday season.

Four steps to keep a fat wallet this holiday season:

Step 1: Write down the names of everyone on your list

photo by Susan Averello on Flickr

Before you even start hitting the stores, you need to have a plan.  Be sure to include EVERYONE – spouses, brothers, sisters, kids, in-laws, grandparents, parents, co-workers, caregivers, “adopted” families, etc.  Wrack your brain until you make sure that you’ve gotten everyone down.

Step 2: Determine how much you want to spend on each person.

Go down your list and assign each person a dollar amount.  If you’ve already bought something for someone SUBTRACT it from the amount you plan on spending.  You are trying to create a budget going forward so you know how much you can spend on each person.  Total the list so you know how much you plan to spend on all your holiday shopping.

Step 3: Look at you monthly budget to reallocate money for your holiday gifts.

Now that you have the total amount you intend to spend, you need to figure out where it’s going to come from.  If you’ve been saving up for the past few months for your shopping, then good for you this step will be easy.  If you haven’t, then this is the month you cut out restaurants, slash your grocery bills, eliminate entertainment, and squeeze every available penny so you can spend that money on your gifts and not get into debt.

Step 4: Look at layaway.

Andreas Schaefer from Flickr

Layaway is making a comeback, so if you can’t squeeze enough out of your monthly budget, this is a good option for you.  Sears, TJ Maxx, and Toys R Us are just some of the national chains that offer layaway, but you can still find local stores willing to offer this old-school service such as Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock.

Final Thoughts

Just remember to keep the gift giving all in perspective.  I mean, do you even remember what you got last year?  Stick with your budget so you don’t end up paying for this year’s holiday gifts next year.

How do you budget for holiday shopping?

Do you believe less is more when it comes to holiday gifts?

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Editor’s Note: With the big Christmas shopping season right around the corner, we want to share some great local places to hit up for all the people on your shopping list.  Over the next few weeks we’ll be visiting all seven Austin Independent Business Alliance IBIZ districts to help you get inspired to ditch the mall and buy local!

This week we head to the South First shopping district located on South First from the river to Oltorf.    As cars race through the curves along South First, you are enticed to brave the traffic while criss-crossing the street to explore one local boutique after another.  An almost secret part of town that you want to keep all to yourself, the area has an air of approachable sophistication that makes you feel that you discovered something special.

Morning Star Trading Company

1919 South First, 78704
476-1726

Walking into Morning Star you first feel like maybe you aren’t supposed to be there. The rows and rows of massage tables and spa sized jugs of massage oils and lotions give the impression of a private spa. But as you make your way around the store, you start to see that they have all the supplies you need to create your own home spa: fragrant incense, relaxing cds, massage lotions, and aromotherapy oils.  They also have a nice selection of jewerly and healing stones, bath salts, and candles.

Who to shop for: Your yogi and spiritual friends; moms who need some at-home pampering.

Gifts from Morning Star

Flashback Vintage

1805 South First, 78704
445-6906

Flashback Vintage is set up in a house, and the owner says she would not have it any other way. Clothes racks stand in the living room while accessories dangle over the kitchen sink. Closet doors have been removed to display items on the shelves.  One room hosts an entire wall of vintage cowboy boots. And as you walk from room to room, the feeling of home is always present. With lots of sequined sweaters, jackets and tops, what sets this store apart from other vintage stores is the glitter and glitz. Plus, care is taken to display clothes in a way that makes them look current and hip, and make it feel like you will be, too.  They also have a good selection of old concert and band t-shirts for the guys, too.

Who to buy for: Boyfriends, husbands who love vintage t-shirts; girlfriends and wives who appreciate unique accessories

Flashback Vintage

Lovely Austin

1506 South First, 78704
291-7132

Lovely is AH-mazing!  When normal people clean out their closet they take their stuff to Goodwill, but luckily for you, when the buyers of Dolce and Gabbana, Catherine Malandrino and Stella McCartney clean out their closet, they take their things to Lovely.  Oh yeah, and with shoes by Prada and Gucci, do you need any other reason to go?  And you know these people only wear their clothes like once or twice so everything is practically brand new.  Not only is Lovely a designer consignment store, but they also have vintage couture and clothes by local Austin designers.  When you stop by, be sure to sign up for their email list so you can find out about their yard sales and other special events.

Who to buy for: Yourself – everyone deserves a little Prada every once in while; your fashionista friends

Prada at Lovely Austin

Mana Culture

2214 South First, 78701
707-0200

The owner of Flashback Vintage told us that we had to check out Mana Culture, but to watch out because we’d probably leave with feathers in our hair.  Intrigued, we headed there, and were blown away by the amazing feathers thoughtfully woven into the owner’s hair.  They looked like some tripped out highlights that can be made as modest (using brown and tan feathers) or as daring (using blue and red feathers) as you like.  Besides the featured feather accessories, the store has beautiful jewelry made by local and international artisans which were displayed in bowls of sand or salt giving the place an earthy elemental vibe.

Who to buy for: Moms, sisters, friends who deserve a special piece of jewelry

Get feathers woven into your hair at Mana Culture

As one of the largest AIBA districts, South First is easily a place you could spend an entire day exploring all the shops, galleries, and restaurants.  It’s also an area you’ll want to return to over and over again to find that hidden treasure  or unique item to set you apart from everyone else.

This weekend is a great time to explore not only South First but all the other local shopping districts as part of Austin Unchained, a movement designed to encourage you to break the chain habit and shop local this holiday season.

What’s your favorite South First find?

Check out more pictures from South First

Incense at Morning Star

Incline table at Morning Star

Rows of boots a Flashback Vintage

The "kitchen" at Flashback Vintage

Designer clothes at Lovely Austin

Lovely Austin

Jewelry at Mana Culture

Local designers at Mana Culture