Furnishings
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After the Holiday Shopping
Wine. Weather. Weird.
That pretty much sums up Fredericksburg, Texas; a strange little anomaly in Central Texas. It used to be quaint and loaded with shabby chic stores filled with dead animals turned into furniture, but it in recent years has upped its game, so to speak. One of my ongoing favorite stops is Vaudeville. I have mentioned it before and it is certainly worth investigating. Try the tea room/cafe. Spend an hour or so in the car driving from Austin and enjoy wine tastings, shopping, then eat a German pastry and head back to ATX.
Vaudeville_card -
Design you own junk trunk!
Got an extra $600 laying around? If so, you can show off your summer body in custom designed swimwear. If only my last name were Rockefeller. 🙁
http://www.orlebarbrown.com/ob-snapshorts-app
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Day Tripping: Not the eating mushrooms kind of way
If you have the inclination, patience, and a handful of cash…
Hop into the car and head east to Round Top, Texas for some antiquing. If you’re a central Texan or have been anywhere near Texas in your lifetime, you’re likely well-aware of this Texas treasure.
If anything, it will be a curious trip to BFE with more people watching and twang listening than you might wish to subject yourself to. All joking aside, it is really fun, just prepare yourself for some traffic woes.
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Ralph Lauren’s Home Collection is the $&#£
Shopping for furniture and home fissures is a huge pain in the rear. Potter barn, Restoration Hardware, Z Gallerie, Arthaus… etc.. etc… It is really tedious.
If you go online, you’re overwhelmed.
If you go into a store, you’re bombarded with retail sales tactics.
If you use a consultant, they don’t listen.Given all that, I’m resigned to admit that the items offered by Ralph Lauren Home are exquisite. Substance, style, and effect. That’s what the brand embodies. I was blown away by the light fixtures offered by the lighting line. Simply stunning.
We have been searching for months to find something for our formal dining room that the “wow” factor we wanted. Well, we found it. Mind you, it costs some $, but I think it is well worth the investment. The pieces are singular, artistic and, well, “butch.” No frills here, it’s ballsy. I love it.
Here are a few examples of items we liked while shopping around Austin for light fixtures. I’m sure you’ll agree they have great character.
Table Lamp 
Light fixture with leather straps 
Hanging shade -
Men’s Gift Guide, Follow Up
I really like some of these thoughtful gifts fro men.
http://www.bustle.com/articles/118241-60-great-gifts-for-guys-that-theyll-actually-want
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Gift Shopping in the Most Unlikely Place
I’ve complained about furniture shopping in Austin before as I don’t feel the city has enough variety at the higher-end of the spectrum. The tried and true place of choice is Louis Shanks on Anderson Lane. There’s a lot to absorb in the store, but they do have a nice selection of finer items. I was really surprised to see a gift section on the second floor. The buyers have done a great job of finding eclectic pieces at an agreeable price point. With the holidays upon us, it would behoove you to stop by and take a gander.
Louis Shanks’ Gift Items -
Holiday Gifting Ideas
2015 is going to be a slimmer Christmas gift giving year since I am moving into a house and will have a lot of upcoming expenses. Simply considering the forthcoming holiday set my mind to thinking about gifting and how it is a bit curious that we spend so much energy on it, when we really just want our friends and family to know that we think about them, we love them, and we appreciate them. So that’s what my focus will be for 2015; finding ways to express my gratitude for friendship and camaraderie.
I believe that when you give a gift that is very personal, there’s more meaning for the recipient. That’s pretty obvious, but I am hoping to find things that are touching and surprising, but won’t drain my checkbook. In Austin, one of my favorite stores to purchase interesting personal gifts is Anthropologie, an upscale variety store (heavy on women’s items). The merchandise is well priced, they carry very unique merchandise, their gift packaging is exquisite, and people appreciate items from that store. There are two locations in Austin, downtown in the 6th/Lamar district and also in the Domain, near the Apple store. (online as well)
Happy Hunting!
Alternatively, consider offering a donation to an organization that your friend or family member is very invested in, whether it be in financial support or simply volunteering with the organization. It conveys to your friend that you care about what they care about.
