Category Archives: Texas Lifestyle Magazine

Marc Smookler founded Sake Social in 2009 after taking his first sip of premium sake at a sushi restaurant and struggling to find a bottle of similar quality anywhere else. After searching at various sushi restaurants, specialty wine shops, online spirits retailers and premium grocers around town, Smookler discovered how difficult it is to acquireContinue reading “Five Minutes With Marc Smookler: Owner, Sake Social”

“Matilda The Musical” is an uplifting, captivating tale filled with inspiration, kindness, humor, karma and, best of all, girl-power moments. Packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs and several unforgettable stars, “Matilda” is a joyous celebration of the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination.   

Although the idea of repurposing has been around for centuries, it has never been more popular than it is today. Structures that were once considered junk, trash or obsolete are now finding their way back into the Texas landscape and being given a fresh start. Salvaging worn out, tired wood that others likely consider trash, Spector,Continue reading “Upcycling, Texas Style”

This article was first published by Texas Lifestyle Magazine on April 9, 2019 The Spring season is bouncing into the Bayou City with Houston Ballet’s first-ever Nutcracker Market Spring Spectacular. Patsy Chapman arrived at the Houston Ballet in 1989 and today leads the Nutcracker Market. We chatted with her ahead of the Spring Spectacular. This year, that enthusiasm andContinue reading “Five Minutes With Patsy Chapman: CEO Nutcracker Market Spring Spectacular”

When Mike Shoup first began his search for native Texas plants to add to his growing nursery business, roses were the furthest from his mind. In 1983, Shoup opened The Antique Rose Emporium on eight acres in Brenham with award-winning display gardens, including roses, perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs. Mermaid and other ‘survivor’ roses became the foundation ofContinue reading “Antique Rose Emporium, a Rose by Any Other Name is Still a Rose”

It’s Italian Cucina’s owner and Executive Chef Al Fini, an Italian native, has been delivering his love of Italian cuisine and culture to Austin for over 30 years.  Fini began establishing his Italian culinary roots in Austin over 20 years ago when he opened Girasole, a Northern Italian cuisine restaurant on 4th Street. He followed up theContinue reading “#FoodieFriday: It’s Italian Cucina, an Authentic Italian Experience”

Austin-based architect Tim Brown believes a home’s greatest asset is the land that it rests on.  Following that belief, the homes that Brown, owner of Tim Brown Architecture, creates enhance the natural environment they occupy. The Texas A&M grad, who started his business in 2009, also believes every home should possess aesthetic beauty, energy efficiency and be aContinue reading “5 Steps to Building Your Dream Home”

This article first appeared in Texas Lifestyle Magazine on March 29, 2019. J. Alex Ruiz is a self-taught blacksmith who has won top honors competing on the History Channel’s ‘Forged in Fire’ series. In 2014, San Antonio’s Ruiz became interested in blacksmithing when he picked up a simple block of steel and made a groundContinue reading “Five Minutes With J. Alex Ruiz: Blacksmith, Bladesmith”

This article first appeared in Texas Lifestyle Magazine on March 25, 2019. “Understanding what fit will look like on you is motivating because it is realistic and grounded in your goals and past experiences.” Kathleen Trotter’s book, ‘Your Fittest Future Self,’ breaks down the pros and cons of over 30 workouts, diets, and motivational strategies to helpContinue reading “Five Minutes With Kathleen Trotter: Author, Fitness Guru”