Maps & Raps - Austin & NY

Birth Order and Personality

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:05:00 -0400

Something that has come up in several conversations lately: birth order and how it affects your personality. As the younger daughter, people (including my parents) are constantly drawing comparisons between me and my sister. Though we’re close, I always wonder how two people could grow up in the same home and turn out so differently.

And then I look around me and notice that the younger sibling is, usually, the more rebellious one. This might be a huge generalization, but I’ve noticed that streak in my own friends who are the youngest in their families. I wonder if it’s because our parents brought us up with a more laid-back attitude. New parents tend to obsess over everything concerning their newborn and that can translate into a stricter parenting style overall.

I grew up getting away with quite a lot while my sister was brought up with a semi-iron fist and as adults I can see how that has shaped our personalities tremendously. She is more straight-laced, responsible, and family-oriented, while I tend to run off and do unpredictable things.

Still, we’re similar in a number of ways. We’re both pretty introverted. I grew up watching her read, write, draw, and listen to music all the time, and I cultivated an affinity for those activities as well. We both loved watching Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z, and making up songs in the car, and we both love a good Arrested Development episode.

I love having a sister and can’t imagine growing up with a rowdy, smelly brother. I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you think your birth order has affected your personality?

—Valerie

Challenge To Try: Morning Meet-ups

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:29:00 -0400

Within the past few weeks, I’ve been having one-on-one’s with friends (Gladys above) in the morning before work.

As a night owl, waking up early is painful (regardless of how ambitious I am), but I’ve experienced that this time in the morning is so rewarding. There’s something about mornings before the rush hour craze starts that is so neat, and sharing that time is so fun! It’s kind of like a secret world that you miss out on when you sleep in.

When I just don’t want to get out of bed those mornings, I think of the quality time I’m missing out with friends I barely get to see and the value in scheduling those times with intention. These meet-ups also help my natural separation of “work” time and “fun” time become more seamless, which is something I’m always trying to keep fresh. Something else I love is that seeing these friends is so refreshing to start the day with!

Where would be convenient for you? We love our local coffee shop, but this past week Helen invited me over and pressed coffee while we talked on her rug.

Do you meet in the mornings? If you’re an early bird, what gets you motivated to get out of bed? If not, would you be open to trying it?

—Sharon

Happy Friday!

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:11:52 -0400

Happy Friday, all!

I’m diving into something a little more personal today. My second anniversary of living in New York is quickly approaching (June 1!), so I wanted to do a recap of my time here.

A week after graduating (side note: congratulations to everyone graduating this month!), I moved to NYC with one big suitcase.
I was unemployed. I got lost all the time. I was homesick. It’s safe to say I cried a lot that summer.
I found a terrific roommate through a mutual friend and we lived in a tiny box – my room could literally only fit my bed – for a year.
Sharon asked me to start this blog with her. It’s been fun and challenging, but mostly fun.
I found an internship and then got hired. Shortly after that, my company was acquired by Disney. I’ve been there ever since.
We moved to Brooklyn on a whim.
Two of my closest friends got engaged. I will be attending their weddings this year.
Traveled quite a bit – to D.C., Boston, Chicago, Austin, Vermont, Maine, and Dallas. I’m going to Iceland in a few weeks and then Taiwan in September!

Isn’t it crazy how much can change in two years? Post-college years are strange and unpredictable. What are some big things that have happened to you?

—Valerie

What Have you Learned From Your Friends?

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:46:00 -0400

Have you experienced that the closer you get to friends, the more of an effect they have on you?

For example, my friend Christine thinks that every girl should have cowboy boots because they’re so durable, they become your lifelong friends and share so many memories with you. We were thrilled to appreciate her point of view when we each received a pair! Do you have something tangible like that?

Raps has definitely taught my zippy self to slow down and enjoy taking a breather. Rachel shows me that it’s awesome to show your enthusiasm for something you’re really excited about, and Helen regularly reminds me that it’s important and healthy to take a moment to process how I’m feeling instead of always pushing my feelings away. (Go figure. right?)

My friend Stephanie has taught me that there are always two sides to every story, as much as I fight to be right a lot of the time, and Sarina and Mel show me how to keep weird jokes going on and on because it’s fun, and who cares?

Excuse my braggin’ about my friends—What kind of quirks do your friends bring out in you, and what have you adapted from being around them? Do you find yourself picking up their habits?

Let’s celebrate people and friendship dynamics today, because people are so different, and that is awesome!

—Sharon

New York: Summer Things to Do!

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:20:00 -0400

(Image source: wsj.net)

Sharon shared some fun things to do during the summer in Austin yesterday, so I’ve rounded up some of my favorite summertime activities in New York!

I was born in July in arguably one of the hottest places on Earth, so I’m a summer baby at heart. I love the feeling of being outside all day, getting sweaty and jumping into a clear blue pool. New York is a city of extremes, meaning the summers can be miserable and humid, but I still look forward to them after a long, bleak winter, and here’s why:

Rooftop and outdoor films. The Rooftop Films series screens various indie films and documentaries on rooftops throughout the city during the summer. There’s usually live music beforehand too. SyFy Movies with a View also hosts movies at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 1 Harbor Lawn – it’s a beautiful, spacious place and I loved laying in the grass while watching Unforgiven (a Clint Eastwood flick). There’s a good mix of films this summer, including E.T. and Slumdog Millionaire.

Smorgasburg and Brooklyn Flea. We could go on and on about Smorgasburg, the outdoor food market in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Sharon loved her visit there too. But it really is a great way to spend your weekend afternoons.

Central Park. Prospect Park. The High Line Park. New York has three amazing and very different parks to choose from. Central Park is expansive, and you can literally discover something new each time you go. Rent a bike at one of the nearby shops and take it for a spin through the park or bring a picnic blanket and a book and wile away your afternoon. If you like flowers (who doesn’t?), be sure to check out the Conservatory Garden on the Northeast end of the park. Meanwhile, Prospect Park is the perfect place to toss around a frisbee or grill burgers near the Picnic House. The High Line is where to stroll, people watch, and admire the Hudson River.

Beaches. Rockaway Beach is a lot of fun – after you swim, surf, and tan, there’s a boardwalk where you can sample some of the best tacos in the city. Sandy Hook Beach in New Jersey is a bit of a drive, but you can take an introductory windsurfing class. I tried one last summer and it was quite the challenge!

Outdoor concerts and music festivals. Governor’s Ball on Randall’s Island coming up and it features big headlines like Kanye West and Kings of Leon. Williamsburg Park has a pretty good lineup of summer concerts this year that includes The Shins and New Order.

Other fun things I haven’t done yet. Coney Island, Shakespeare in the Park, baseball games, and drinking on the Met’s rooftop are just a few of the things I have yet to do but will hopefully get to cross of my list this summer!

Any other ideas?

—Valerie

Austin: Summer Things to Do!

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:13:00 -0400

Even though I’m a working gal now, the season of summer is very near to my heart and my favorite time of the year! Even though the days can be pretty scorching, those warm nights are the best.

I’m a night owl and summer reminds me of staying up until I please, the excitement of moving into a new apartment (I’ve moved every year!), biking all around town, and enjoying the time under the sun.

Here’s what I’m looking forward to:

Swimming. Splash Movie nights at Deep Eddy Pool and the natural stop that you have to hit up at least once, Barton Springs. I can’t wait for that cool water!

Outdoor movies. Austin Parks’ Movies in the Park at Republic Square, the 101X Summer Cinema at Central Market, and the Zilker Theater Productions always know how to put on a good show. I’m looking forward to Scott Pilgrim and Little Shop of Horrors!

Outdoor patios. Austin offers a plethora of outdoor patios all over that are beautiful for lounging in the evenings. I’m looking forward to nights at Contigo before moving out of the area, craft beer at In.gredients and Draughthouse, or the fancy Weather Up that we got to try last weekend (that originated from NY!).

Bike Rides. We’re excited to start longer rides! Some that we wanted to check out are with Bicycle Sport Shop, but other options are Mellow Johnny’s, or Social Cycling Austin, which participates in Lend Your Legs with TSBVI and Yoga Rides. Full Moon Cruises have some fun routes too, but run from 12 to 2 or 4 in the morning.

Coffee dates. Coffeeshops on warm summer nights have a more relaxed vibe than during the year. I like the outdoor areas of Cenote, Thunderbird, and Mozart’s on the lake.

Hiking. I’m looking forward to going to Enchanted Rock, Ink’s Lake, Pedernales Falls, Hamilton Pool, or Lake Travis. I went to a class at REI of Central Austin’s best hiking spots last year.. I’ll have to dig up that handout! For local areas, Mt. Bonnell and Pennybacker bridge (pic above) are an easy climb for a picnic.

Traveling. I’ve been preparing for a trip to London, aiming for a weekend trip to New Orleans, and Raps and I will be attending a summer wedding! Summer vacations are the best.

What do you love most about summer? I could do without the mosquitos. Sadly, they love me.

—Sharon

Happy Birthday Maps!

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:21:00 -0400

Happy Birthday to my dear friend and co-founder, Maps (a.k.a. Sharon)!

I’ve known Sharon for a long time (we used to be pen pals!) but we didn’t start hanging out until the summer before our senior year of college.

Confession: I didn’t know how to ride a bike until I was in college. We were both stranded that summer in Austin for internships and classes, and she’s actually the one who showed me how to navigate the city on my $25 used mountain bike. One time, I crashed into her at a stoplight and we both toppled over.

Sharon immediately stuck me as someone I wanted to be around. She has the most laidback, fun-loving attitude and killer taste in music/fashion/life. Sharon also has a huge heart and a passion for helping people and investing in her community.

I couldn’t ask for a better person to start a blog with.

Enjoy your special day, Maps!

—Valerie

5 Ways to Unwind

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:09:00 -0400

It’s been very busy around these parts. Sometimes living in New York feels like a sprint – with hurdles and no finish line. It often seems we’re all rushing from one place to the next like chickens with our heads cut off and barely getting any shut-eye before we zoom off to work the next morning.

Even the weekends can be exhausting. We love to fill our calendars with boozy brunches and parties that end when the sun comes up. One of my coworkers said, “I feel like I need a weekend to recover from my weekend,” and I couldn’t agree more.

Regardless of where you live or what you do, life is bound to be punctuated with periods of stress and anxiety, but here are a few activities that always calm me down:

1. Practicing yoga – I took up yoga when I first moved to New York and it’s made a big difference in my everyday life. It’s not only a challenging workout, but focusing on my breath and postures takes my mind off everything else. If you don’t have a studio nearby, you can do yoga at home with free online videos.

(Image source)

2. Immersing myself in nature – This weekend was the epitome of spring, with tulips blooming, plenty of sunshine, and a light breeze. I found myself outdoors at various parks, including the Conservatory Garden in Central Park. Even if you only have time for a 10-minute walk, getting yourself outside (and away from technology) can help you unwind instantly. (P.S. New Yorkers, don’t miss the Brooklyn Botanic Garden this time of year!)

3. Meditation - Have you ever meditated? I used to be skeptical, but I’m blown away by how uncluttered my mind feels after 10-15 minutes of sitting still and thinking about my breath. If it’s your first time, you can try a guided meditation. The key is to simply acknowledge your thoughts when they arise; don’t be discouraged if you can’t keep them away completely!

4. Journaling –If you have a lot going on, sometimes it seems inefficient to stop and jot down your thoughts, but it can give your days a lot more structure. I find that reflecting on the past week helps me mentally prepare me for the next one.

5. Volunteer – walking the dogs at my local animal shelter is always enjoyable and relaxing. Animals have a way of making you feel better without even trying.

Any more suggestions? I’d love to hear them!

—Valerie

Vampire Weekend: MVOTC / ACL Lineup

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:10:00 -0400

(Oh heyy I see you, Edwardian Script!)

I’ve been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Modern Vampires of the City for quite some time now! Vampire Weekend’s 3rd LP is to be released a week from today but you can stream the whole album now and pre-order on iTunes.

Tracks that I like upon first impression: Obvious Bicycle, Don’t Lie… most of the album other than the singles so far. Even Contra was noticeably different from their debut and I can only imagine how I’ll grow to like MVOTC as well. Isn’t it so interesting how a band’s “sound” can be so unique and distinguishable?

Also, the ACL Lineup is out! Depeche Mode, The Cure, Muse, Phoenix, VW, Kendrick Lamar, Franz, Tame Impala, Toro Y Moi, Silversun Pickups, Local Natives, JD McPherson, Walk the Moon… and lots to look forward to.

Looks pretty spectacular so far and it’ll be the first year spanning two weekends! Buy your tix or see the ACL Fest website.

If $225 is too much, volunteering is a far cheaper way to attend the festival—$10 to apply! It’s a gamble waiting for time slots though, especially if you’re wanting to wait between shows to get in the front row (which I think is totally worth it). Volunteer info will come out sometime in the summer.

Mel, me & Helen at ACL last year. Will you be going?

—Sharon

Austin: Lounging at the Greenbelt

Mon, 06 May 2013 15:51:00 -0400

How were your weekends, friends?

We spent our Saturday hiking at the Greenbelt and eating on a nice patio on Barton Springs. The river was rather dry but the weather was fantastic, not scorching as expected in Texas. A breeze makes all the difference! We also saw a good deal of mountain bikes, which was fun because I’m itching to get one.

Mel brought her pup Chula, and she made tons of doggie friends, from a Doberman to two babies on a family trip. We saw strangers chat after recognizing each other’s dogs around town! How funny. Pups really are one of the best conversation starters.

There’s multiple access points to the Greenbelt: the ones I’ve been to are at Spyglass Drive, along 360 near Mopac, and off the frontage road of Mopac south of 360. It’s a great stop within the city and you can get far enough inside away from the sound of traffic!

What are your favorite things to do when the weather gets warmer?

—Sharon

Happy Friday!

Fri, 03 May 2013 13:55:00 -0400

Happy Friday, readers! Plans for the weekend? I am so looking forward to being free to chill out and do whatever I want as it comes.

Authentic Indian souvenirs post by our friend Kath.

Relaxing is great for your genes!

Carey Mulligan as Daisy in Vogue.

Dart bracelets by boe from the Toronto blogshop.

Freewheeling Bicycles in West Campus is closing, how sad!

IF This, Then That, where you can set up rules for your media.

I’ve been thinking about doing a triathlon. My friend Mel is looking for a new road bike, too! Any recommendations?

Ethereal maps displaying data.

My friends Tiffanie and Ben started a blog!

The above picture is Metric during the closing acoustic Gimme Sympathy, as at ACL. Also, terrific stage presence and we love those drill team moves, Ems. Have a great weekend, readers!

—Maps

A Guide to Street Photography: 5 Simple Tips

Thu, 02 May 2013 12:02:16 -0400

We’re lucky to be surrounded by talented people, and we had to ask our friend Felix to whip up a photography guide for our readers. His photos are always amazing and we wanted to know how he lands that perfect shot – we hope his post inspires you to take photos of your own. Enjoy!

Three years ago, when I bought my first “nice” camera, I had no idea which direction I wanted to take with it. I experimented with nature photography, took a lot of bad pictures, tried out event photography, took more bad pictures, attempted lifestyle photography, and took even more bad pictures. Finally, tens of thousands of bad pictures later, I started to slowly figure out what kind of photography I enjoyed, what kind I was good at, and what kind I still needed to work on.

Now, three years later, I’m still trying to develop a signature “style” in my photographs, whatever that means. I’ve had mild success in different areas, but there is one photographic genre that continues to both excite and scare me: street photography. In the simplest terms, it means taking pictures of stuff in urban areas. People, pets, graffiti walls, storefront windows, cafe interiors, cars, street signs, and probably a combination of the above.

Part of the allure of street photography is its serendipitous nature. I can’t tell you how many of my proudest shots were captured simply because I happened to be in the right place at the right time. It works out great for my creatively-lacking self, since I don’t actually create anything in the scene. My primary goal is simply to recognize the scene, capture it, and represent it as honest and true-to-life as possible.

Building upon this mindset, I’ve been making a conscious effort to shoot more with my film camera, for which luck and happenstance are even bigger factors. And to throw on another layer of mystery, I recently collaborated with a photography buddy of mine to do a double exposure film exchange. I shot an entire roll of film at half exposure, wound it back up, and shipped it from Seattle to NYC, where my friend shot the entire roll of film again, on top of my shots and also at half exposure. The results were pretty awesome, considering it was completely up to luck which shots lined up with which.

Serendipity aside, there are certainly ways that you can increase your “odds” in street photography. Here are some things that I have found useful:

Have a camera with you at all times. It’s simple - you can’t take pictures if you don’t have a camera. It doesn’t matter if it’s a DSLR or a point-n-shoot or an iPhone (In fact, I am a huge advocate of Instagram and “phoneography”). During my seven months abroad in Europe and Asia, I lugged my DSLR with me literally everywhere I went, and I’m convinced that’s the biggest reason I got so many of my all-time favorite shots during that period. When something cool happened or an interesting scene appeared, I was always ready to capture it.
Put yourself in the right place. Seek out photogenic areas of the city and neighborhoods that have high pedestrian traffic. Look for interesting people. Hang out where they hang out. If you’re feeling shy about taking pictures of strangers, then ask for permission first.
Wait for the right time. Stand off to the side and absorb your surroundings. Take note of the lighting conditions and wait for a passing cloud if you must. Compose the shot in your head, not in your viewfinder, and adjust the settings on your camera before you lift it to your eye. Then, when everything lines up, you’ll be able to aim and discreetly fire off a shot in less than a second, without disturbing the candid moment with your camera.
Get closer. The great wartime photographer and photojournalist, Robert Capa, once famously said, “If your photographs aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” Have no shame, don’t be shy, and don’t be afraid to be a little creepy. Seriously. In this regard, I feel like female photographers have a slight natural advantage over male photographers with their ability to push the boundaries of comfort without coming off as a creep. But for us guys, being self-aware and making a small effort to dress better (and not like the slobs we usually are) can go a long way with the image issue.
Get personal. If subjects notice you taking their pictures, then just make eye contact and smile. If the situation allows for it, introduce yourself, make conversation, and learn their stories. Get out from behind the comfort of the viewfinder, and become a part of the scene. The extra effort is rewarded by much more comfortable subjects and much more meaningful shots.

Of course, all of these things are easier said than done, and I fail at following my own advice all the time. But, as with every worthwhile endeavor, the learning and refining never ends. I’m looking forward to many more bad pictures to come, and, if I’m lucky, maybe some good ones as well.

This is a guest post by our friend Felix Tang. You can see more of Felix’s work at photogiraffes or follow him at @felixhtang.

Thanks, Felix! For info on post submissions, drop us an email at sharonandval@mapsandraps.com.

Learning After Higher Ed

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:44:00 -0400

(Source: http://brooklyn-spaces.com)

I don’t miss college as terribly as most people seem to – that 50-page thesis about Chinese migrant workers still haunts me – but I do miss being in an environment where I am constantly learning and pursuing knowledge about subjects that aren’t necessarily applicable to everyday life.

Even though work is a steep learning curve in itself, you tend to hone in on a very specific set of skills and the rest of your education is left to your own devices.

It can be hard to find the motivation to learn anything after a long day at work, but it’s immensely more rewarding in the long run to listen to a great podcast or read a lengthy article than to see what the Real Housewives of New York are up to.

The best thing about not being in college is that you learn what you want to learn, on your own terms. There are so many little ways to engage yourself that don’t require a textbook (remember the pungent smell of old textbooks?) or listening to an old man wax poetic about an archaic scientific theory for hours.

Here are some fun things I do to keep my brain sharp:

Sign up for Lumosity! The basic version is free and gives you access to several games that improve your attention, mental flexibility, speed, memory, and problem solving skills. You can play once a day and see your BPI (Brain Performance Index) go up!
Attend fun events, i.e. book readings and workshops, in your city! I recently discovered The Secret Science Club, a monthly gathering at a cool bar, where an expert tackles a different scientific topic each month. I learned about crocodiles last month.
Longform curates longer news features across the web. Perfect for long subway/train rides!
Sign up for an online class! Skillshare and Coursera have plenty to choose from. I’m starting to take a Coursera class on nutrition.
Quora is always an interesting source of user-generated information.
Like I’ve mentioned before, podcasts are the way to go – perfect for streaming while you clean or commute. Some of my favorites: Seeing in the Dark (Radiolab), Charlie Ravioli (The Moth), and the poignant What I Did for Love (This American Life).
Documentaries, which I’ve written about here!

How do you keep learning after college? Please share your ideas in the comments!

—Valerie

Happy May Day & National Bike Month!

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:17:08 -0400

Raps & Steph!

It’s May, one of the best months of the year, and also National Bike Month. My goal this month is to ride my bike every single day as a month-long celebration!

I’ve never commuted to work via a bicycle because I’ve always had in my head that bikes are for fun rides and somehow I separated that from my work life. Ha, how silly! Another plus of commuting is that I’d save gas by riding my bike (duh), so I just mapped my route to work this morning.

Do you think you could ride your bike every day this month, just to see where all you could be comfortable going? Even if you couldn’t every day, let’s just decide to get out there rather than letting our bikes collect dust, yeah? Don’t forget to bike safely and always wear a helmet.

—Sharon

P.S. It’s Bike to Eat week! Get a 10% discount at these Austin places shown on this map.

Texas: Bluebonnet Season

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:10:00 -0400

For all you Texans out there, did you grow up taking bluebonnet pictures in the spring?

During our time in the Hill Country last weekend, we saw patches of bluebonnets sprinkled along the side of the highway and it reminded me of outings with my family when I was younger. There’s a few albums that we have of my sister and I in matching dresses that my mother sewed for us, posed in bluebonnet patches and squinting in the sun (I’ll have to see if I can’t find them). Only one of the best things about growing up (& living) in Texas.

They were only here for a couple of weeks and are starting to go out. Bluebonnets are so beautiful! I absolutely love living in Texas.

—Sharon

Local Picks: Favorite Pubs in Austin, TX

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:03:00 -0400

Oh Austinites, we’re so spoiled with the variety of beer on tap in town. It’s a privilege to have so many choices, and I can confidently say that there’s a fun place for everyone in Austin, regardless of what kind of beer you like or even if you’d prefer to eat rather than drink.

Here are three local stops I personally enjoy that present a delightful variety of choices. All are within the city and great for a visit after a bike ride!

The Social Stop: EASY TIGER // 6th & Sabine // Menu

This bake shop and beer garden is one of my favorite places to go! It’s always lively, fun, and full of energy, and there’s a variety of places to sit and activities to participate in. Highlights include:

An “upstairs” bakery (tiger claws, fruit danish, pain du chocolat)
Indoor tables with board games, bar & wall seating
Outdoor live stage, picnic tables, & ping pong tables
Delicious beer cheese, sausages, meat and cheese boards (recipes recently shared)
A variety of visitors, not just one age group
Brand design by LAND Co.
I go for… the South Austin Golden Ale or any of several Ommegang’s at any time (Witte, Hennepin, Art of Darkness, or my fave, Rare Vos)

The Beer Fanatic’s Stop: DRAUGHTHOUSE // Medical & 41st

Draughthouse is one of the oldest bars in town (formerly called Draught Horse) and is one of our more regular stops after a fun bike ride. Rosedale is also a beautiful area to bike around with the Shoal Creek path nearby and the shady trees in the neighborhood. Highlights include:

Dog-friendly patio perfect for chilling at night
Dartboard and jukebox indoors
70+ rotating beers on tap
Quiet neighborhood outside of the loud downtown scene
I go for…the Left Hand Milk Stout or Real Ale Coffee Porter. View their tap list.

The Sophisticated Stop: HOPFIELDS // Guadalupe & 31st

I’ve written about them before, but since then Hopfields has expanded their seating area to twice the size it was before. The result is a casual sit-down atmosphere in the front and back with intimate, pocketed tables for classy dining within.

Back patio and smaller “rooms,” some with fringed curtains
French-inspired pub food (Pascal burgers, truffle fries + aioli)
I go for… something new on their tap wall. A Live Oak Hefeweizen is also a good choice anywhere!

There’s a whole slew of beer and food stops (Banger’s, Pinthouse Pizza, Tiniest Bar in Texas—which is the first image), dive bars (North Loop) and even grocery stores (the flagship Whole Foods, In.gredients) that offer local taps as well, so I’m suspecting this post warrants another installment in the future.

Have you been to any of these, and did you like the environment or selections? Drop us a line if you’ve got favorite stops that you’d like to see covered or cover yourself!

—Sharon

NYC: Sleep No More

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:02:00 -0400

It’s been a week since I “watched” Sleep No More and I’m still reveling in the experience. “Watched” seems like an inappropriate verb for what I was doing – it wasn’t as if I passively sat in a chair to a view the play. Sleep No More had me sprinting up and down flights of dimly-lit stairs, exploring the woods, chasing actors through corridors, and standing only inches away from a murder scene.

To provide some context, Sleep No More is the latest version of an interactive, site-specific work of theatre put on by the British theatre company Punchdrunk. The show has been wildly successful since its conception. The New York version takes place at the fictional McKittrick Hotel, which is actually three adjoining warehouses in Chelsea made into a mesmerizing space.

The set design is spectacular and each room is given unique touches to make them appear as if they are each housing a secret. One of the best parts of the show was being able to rummage through drawers, touch books on the shelf, peer into closets and look for clues about the characters. There is a popular candy room filled with jars of all types of chocolates and licorice – I was advised by a friend to spend some time there.

I won’t give the plot away, partly because I haven’t fully wrapped my head around it myself. It can be very disorienting and confusing to piece together without any dialogue or direction, and I’ve heard that everyone’s recollection of the show can be very different depending on which characters they chose to follow.

If you find yourself in New York and have a taste for something off-kilter, be sure to make reservations in advance. Be warned that there is a good amount of nudity and gore. This isn’t a show you’ll want to bring your parents to.

—Valerie

Happy Friday!

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:55:00 -0400

(via Austin Eater)

Happy Friday, readers! What are y’all up to this weekend? I’ve been waiting all week to do some yoga and will be attending a conference and wedding, woo! It’s been a while, but here’s some links:

15 of Austin’s hottest burgers, including the above pictured Kobe Beef Burger at one of my favorite places, drink.well.

A lavender festival at Becker Vineyards this weekend! $5 for parking and I believe $10 for 6 wine tasting tickets if you’re interested.

Falling Fruit, an interactive map from NPR that shows where to forage for fruit in your city, awesome! What up, Clarksville and St. Edwards!

Toy Joy is moving downtown to the 2nd St. district, 1 block west of Austin City Hall for more parking. I personally am quite attached to the 29th St. location… that area won’t be quite the same afterward!

Love these Leuchtturm 1917 journals and colors for those of you that might be looking to try something other than Moleskine.

Bird hybrids because of cross-species breeding.

Love Home Slice’s tweets about their specials. They always give me a good laugh.

So excited for this concert next Wednesday! Synthetica is one of my favorite albums.

Also, an article in Marie Claire explained how you wear on Casual Fridays can impact the impression your coworkers have of you (or your skill of understanding what’s appropriate in your company’s culture). True, right?

Have a great weekend!

—Sharon

Austin: Amaz for Hair

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:08:00 -0400

Amaz for Hair, 1509 Old W. 38th, Ste.1

For me, getting my hair cut used to be an exciting yet anxious process. One of my least favorite memories is going to a salon in high school and being unable to effectively communicate what I wanted, ending up with a mushroom cut. Eek… talk about insecure teenage moments.

I don’t really have a regular routine and have gone to Birds for crops or Avenue Five for trims. Recently, however, I really enjoyed my visit to Amaz for Hair.

Amaz is in a converted house on Old 38th, is decorated quaintly, and feels cozy. I was even pampered with a free treatment because I had visited during customer appreciation week. My stylist Brenda was the sweetest, chatting with me about what we love to do in Austin! I’d recommend a visit to check it out if you’re looking for a local salon to try.

Are you a good communicator? It’s a great skill to have, especially when getting a haircut (and in many other situations). If all else fails, make it easy for the both of you and bring a picture.

How adventurous are you when getting your hair cut? I’ve had the urge to dye my hair lavender… what a sight that’d be!

—Sharon

Coachella Survival Guide

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:19:00 -0400

Jimmy Kimmel recently threw (funny) shade at some Coachella attendees for pretending to like fictional bands. The video sums up all the ridiculousness that runs rampant at music festivals. But in spite of that, there is a lot of fun to be had.

Coachella is no walk in the park. I learned the hard way – I’m still nursing a sunburn on my nose and trying to cough up all the dust from the festival grounds. But when all is said and done, it was an extremely well-organized festival with little to complain about other than the oppressive heat, the dust, and a few subpar acts. It was a beautiful location, with palm trees and mountains in the backdrop, and gorgeous lit-up structures at night.

I made an informal survival guide for Coachella – hopefully you’ll find these tips useful and applicable to other festivals too!

It’s not just about the music.

It’s about the vibes, man. Just kidding, but not really. Coachella is a culminating experience where fashion, self-expression, interpretive dancing, and over-the-top absurdity collide. The music brings everyone together, but it’s much more than just a series of shows. Case in point: A big, graffiti-covered snail that would move through the crowds.

Pace yourself.

It’s tempting to bounce around from set to set, but keep in mind that the festival spans three days! Try to sit down and eat a snack between shows. Yes, there are so many bands to see, but it’s better to really go all out for a few and then take it easy for the rest.

Different strokes for different folks.

The great thing about Coachella is the diverse lineup gives you a taste of everything. Seeing a mixture of indie bands, EDM, folk rock, and rap – from swaying at The Lumineers to jumping along to the Wu-Tang Clan – kept things interesting.

Sunscreen and water are your best friends.

Music festivals expose you to awesome music, but also to UV rays. Find shade when you can and re-apply sunscreen every few hours. Coachella had refillable water stations dispersed throughout that made drinking water a little easier, and many people opted for CamelBaks.

Don’t wear anything you truly care about.

That includes your designer jeans (er, just don’t wear jeans!), jewelry, and your favorite white shirt. It’s going to get covered in dirt, sweat, mud, grass – you name it. Wear something comfortable and disposable.

Keep an open mind.

Go to a band or artist you normally wouldn’t listen to just for kicks. You might have a great time! Even though I’m not particularly fond of EDM (electronic dance music), the light shows and crowd’s energy made those shows enjoyable.

Most importantly, have a blast! I sure did!

—Valerie