Here's What to Do for Valentine's Day in Austin, Tx

When I think of sexy or romantic cities, Austin is not one that particularly comes to mind. A possible connotation of “sexy” or “romantic” could be New York, Paris, Rome - you get the point. However, if you take a good look, you might be able to find a couple of spots within the city that are sexy in their nature like a boutique hotel or speakeasy bar like Garage.

If I could have a spirit holiday (you know just how people have a spirit animal), it would be Valentine's Day. Not only because it's another excuse to have sex or kiss (totally kidding, of course not), but because it is the one holiday of the year that is dedicated to LOVE…and it’s another excuse to indulge my crafty self in all-DIY-type-of-things.

So right now you’re probably wondering what those two thoughts have to do in relation to each other - well, if you’re a hopeless romantic like myself and don’t mind a sexy night and crafty things, continue reading along. Here’s your guide to 4 things you can do in Austin, Texas on Valentine’s Day to ensure that you and your plus one have a unique, non-basic and sexy night ;). All of the pictures (except the last one) were taken by me so please do not use them unless you ask permission first!!

-xoxo, gigi

The Carpenter Hotel in Austin, Texas by Três Gigi | The combination of minimalist, modern and Texan design that this hotel carries instantly puts it at the top of my list when it comes to favorite boutique hotels in ATX. The Carpenter Hotel is the epitome of modern Texan design.

The Carpenter Hotel in Austin, Tx by Trés Gigi

Hector and Gigi.

The Carpenter Hotel in Austin, Tx by Trés Gigi

The Carpenter Hotel in Austin, Tx by Trés Gigi

Vintage brass candle holders from Brass Blue Bonnets

me and my darling.

Forever white roses or peonies.

put some lipstick on and smooch it on a blank card or use acrylic paint to write your favorite quotes.

always have champagne. lingerie. white roses. but really- don’t forget about the bubbly.

this image was pulled from Unsplash because the macarons I was supposed to receive never made it to me and I really wanted to release my content today so that you guys could get inspired because Valentine’s Day is next week already and I ran out of time and yeah but my favorite place to get macarons from in Austin is Le Patisserie. ( I am aware that this is a run-on sentence but chose to leave it like that for emphasis purposes so if you’re judging me right now, back the fuck off. jk, lol. )

Best Women's Watch for Spring

Spring, where have you been all of my life?! For some reason it seems like this year the winter here in Austin lasted way longer than usual. We just moved apartments a couple of days ago and as I was packing my clothes, I came across all of my short-sleeve tees and sandals, and it suddenly dawned on me how long it had been since I last wore them! That also made me realize how much I am ready for spring. I am so ready for sunshine, spending time outdoors, boat trips at the lake and all things Austin that come with warm weather! With that said, now that spring is officially only a couple of days away, I have started to make changes to my wardrobe and lining up my denim shorts and cropped tees. One accessory that is going to be with me at all times is my new Jord watch, the best women’s watch for spring!

I have actually been wearing my Jord watch since I received it a couple of months ago and let me just say that it is definitely a must-have accessory, especially for spring. I have the Frankie Series, Dark Sandalwood and Emerald. I chose this particular style because the combination of both the sandalwood and emerald looks beautiful on my wrist. The natural dark sandalwood is hand finished and pretreated with tung oils and has sapphire crystal glass, truly making it one of the most unique women’s watches I’ve ever seen. One thing I particularly liked about my wooden watch is that it is super lightweight and comfortable on my wrist! While it is a timeless and elegant piece - you could really wear it anytime and anywhere, whether it is with a pair of shorts and basic tee or an elegant dress. 

Let me know what your thoughts are in the comments below! If you love this cool women’s watch, join my giveaway by clicking here for a chance to win a $100 promo code towards the watch of your choice, giveaway ends 3/18. Even if you don’t win, you will still receive a small gift <3

Luxury Wooden Watch

Why I Quit the Whole30

I quit the Whole30 and I don’t feel bad about it. I was seven days in the program when I realized it wasn’t for me. Trendy programs and quick diets have never been ideal for me (notice how I am using the pronoun “me” almost in every sentence). As soon as I started the program, my entire focus was on complying with every single rule: don’t eat any type of sugar, don’t eat dairy, don’t do this, don’t do that... blah blah blah. I spent more time worried about not fucking up and focusing on everything I couldn’t eat instead of focusing on the real problem (learning how to eat healthy and nutritiously). The more I couldn’t have something the more I longed for it. I was craving all sorts of things that I hadn’t craved in a long time, things that had gluten as well even though I’ve been gluten-free for quite some time now.  

Like many of you, one of the commitments I made to myself this New Year was to eat healthier.  However, I want it to be a lifestyle, a permanent change and doing the Whole30 was going against all the goals that I had set for myself and my relationship with food. I want to forever change the way I eat not just for 30 days. Limiting myself to eating healthy for only 30 days, in my mind, it meant that after those 30 days, I was going to binge on all the food that I couldn’t eat while I was on it. Now now, I did do my research and I know that even though the Whole30 is not a diet but more like a kickstart to commence that permanent lifestyle change, as long as I had that 30 day mark in my mind, I wasn't going to be focusing on the real problem. To me all of this diet thing has a lot to do with psychology.

Even though I am not practicing the Whole30 program, I am still eating pretty much all the recipes that are Whole30 approved and will still be using recipes from their cook book from time to time. My main priority as far as diet goes is to keep eating really clean. For example, I am trying to eat lots of greens, fruits, meats and all sorts of veggies. I am still drinking my coffee black and trying to avoid added sugars, artificial sweeteners, gluten and dairy. However, I also believe that dieting should be a balance. With that said, if during the week I ate really clean and crave a gluten-free pizza, you best believe I am gonna have that pizza. Am I going to eat pizza every week? Probably. Jk. Totally not, I hope. But I am going to have some if I feel like I really want some. The same goes for ice cream. If I am doing really well and eating really clean, then I will certainly eat a small cone if I feel like having one. 

Since I have officially and publicly stated my new diet and fitness goals, now I have to adhere to them. I am going to continue sharing healthy foods, recipes and snacks. I will also be tracking my progress and posting some before/after pictures. Please still send me your health recipes, whether they are Whole30, Paleo, etc. I don't care much about the labels as long as it is a healthy and sustainable meal. :) I would love to hear your personal experiences with any diet programs you might be doing, let me know in the comments below! 

How To Make Sherbet Cocktails for NYE

Happy New Year, loves! Champagne is my love language and drug of choice so you can imagine how I feel when it's going to be NYE! 

When I think of Austin, I think of Barton Springs, tacos, Topo Chico, SOCO, Willie Nelson, bikes, my lovely memories from being a student at UT Austin, hipsters and hippies. I also think of Mighty Swell. Being a local Austin brand and sharing a lot of the same cultural values as the city, these sparkling cocktails couldn't possibly be more Austin. With that said, they have become one of my favorite canned beverages, whether I am having a picnic, grilling outside or hosting a New Year's Eve party, I always make sure to bring along a pack of Mighty Swell. I was so happy to see that now they only carry 120 calories and 4 grams of sugar- plus they are also GLUTEN FREE and NON GMO. 

Since my favorite flavor is Peach, I made a delicious cocktail with it using sherbet and champagne. Here's how to make a Sherbet Cocktail for NYE using Mighty Swell:

• 1 bottle of your favorite champagne
• 1 pack of Mighty Swell Peach drinks
• 4 champagne glasses
• Berry flavored sherbet (or any flavor you like)
• Ice cream scooper

1. Grab the ice cream scooper and scoop one small ball of sherbet into each of the four glasses
2. Immediately fill 1/3 of each glass with Mighty Swell Peach 
3. Fill the rest of the glasses with champagne and voila you will have the perfect sherbet cocktail for NYE!

How to Make Boozy Hot Chocolate, Mexican Style

Merry Christmas ya filthy animals! The holidays are finally here and with it the parties. With the cold weather and the snow (yep- it snows here in Austin sometimes) I was really inspired to create a hot chocolate recipe. The only hot chocolate brand I ever buy is Chocolate Abuelita, because as a Mexican child that's what I grew up with and if you know a little something about chocolate and history then you know that some of the world's best chocolate comes from Mexico. Anyways, as I was sipping on my hot chocolate at home, I thought to myself, "I wonder if most people (Hispanic and Non-Hispanic) know how good Chocolate Abuelita is?"  So then I thought it would be a great idea to make a recipe not only about hot chocolate but also about BOOZE (one of my all-time favorite bottles, Tequila 512). Also, if you know anything about me is that I don't really cook (maybe once or twice a year :p) so this recipe is designed to be quick, easy and perfect to use for any holiday party! P.S. This is the first recipe and first video I ever make so be nice and feedback is very appreciated in the comment section below (just be nice, okay?!).

 Here ya go:

How to Make Boozy Hot Chocolate. 

These ingredients will make 4 servings :)

• 1 small saucepan
• measuring cups
• cooking spoon
• 4 cups of milk
• 1 bottle of Tequila 512 (or any tequila bottle of your choice)
• 1 tablet of "Chocolate Abuelita"
• 1 bag of marshmellows
• 1 pack of peppermint candy sticks
• 4 mugs 
• caramel or chocolate syrup

The Ultimate Austin Beauty and Wellness Guide

November is here- and I couldn't possibly be more happy! Without a doubt, it is the BEST month of the year...not just because there is something so romantic about the leaves changing color (if you're anywhere but Texas lol) or it's my birthday month, but because all of the best holidays are on their way- with duh the exception of Halloween. While the holidays bring a lot of joy and happiness, they can also bring a lot of stress and anxiety. Between the shopping for gifts, traveling, attending parties or pulling extra hours to finish client work- it can be amazingly hard to even remember to shower (gross- but yeah, don't act like you don't know what I am talking about). 

Keeping up with a consistent fitness routine and trying to eat healthy is a daily battle for me, however, even more so during the holidays. Trying to live healthy shouldn't be about reaching short-term goals but about making a lifestyle out of it. It's about doing the best you can for yourself just for today. With that said, I thought it was the perfect occasion to let you know about my favorite beauty and wellness places in Austin to relax a little, go for a manicure, a facial - maybe even a nice haircut. I also included a couple of healthier food options for you to snack on or grab a quick salad instead of going for that fast food. Avoid the holiday stress and take a little breather by visiting one of these lovely places!

Below you will find The Ultimate Austin Beauty and Wellness Guide. Also, if you click the little button featured right below this text, you can get yourself a digital copy of the guide :) 

Vetiver Skin Studio and Spa by Carrie Sexton - 1808 Travis Heights Blvd., Austin, Tx - @vetiverskinstudio

This place is gold! Carry Sexton, who has been a professional holistic esthetician for many years, opened up Vetiver Skin Studio for business roughy about a year ago (and I am so happy that she did).

Here's what you should know:  The studio is located in a beautiful vintage house near South Congress (address provided above) and has all the vibes you might be looking for (yep- super Instagram worthy). She offers natural and holistic facials, peels, waxing and make up. She is the creator of the Vetiver skin line (facial oil, body oil and body scrub). And yes- she uses products from her Vetiver line in the facials! She actually makes the products in small batches in a kitchen using vetiver imported from India. Vetiver is great for so many things including aromatherapy- often helping to ground and relax you. Her Vetiver products also help with skin hydration, anti-aging, acne scarring, hyper-pigmentation and more.  You can shop for it on her website or at Free People! You can also book your facial or waxing service with her via her website (also gift cards from here would make a great gift, especially for mom!) 

Wink Threading Salon - Downtown and Domain - @winkthreading

I have been threading my eyebrows for the past maybe 5 years (yep- there you have it, my secret to beautiful eyebrows lol). I love threading because I feel like it leaves your eyebrows way more natural plus it's like getting an eyebrow grooming (they trim them, brush them, you name it). Finding a good place to get threading can be hard, I think it comes down to the specialist (the threader)- I might be dumb for saying this but I really do think that threading is a talent and not everybody has it. Anywhere I live or travel, I always have just one place I like to go to. In Austin, Wink Threading is the place for threading. Honestly, they have the best threaders (if that's what you call them) in town. They know what they are doing. Every single time I go and explain what I want, I love how my eyebrows turn out! And yes, it fucking hurts...but not as much as you think, it's worth it. 

Tenoverten Nail Salon - South Congress - @tenoverten

Seriously, the best place in Austin for a mani/pedi session is Tenoverten (plus it is right across from Mañana Cafe so I always grab a quick coffee or tea before my appointment). I like this place because they have amazing and clean service plus they can do basically any design you like. Whether you're looking for a fun nail design or just a basic (not so basic) mani/pedi then this is definitely the place to visit!  

Hair by Richie - 6905 Dallas Dr, Austin, TX - @rockstarrichiehair - richieabraham1@gmail.com

What's your favorite thing about getting a hair cut? If it is the hair wash and the massage that comes with the hair wash then we might become best friends lol. Richie did an amazing hair wash/massage thing on my head and I loved it (seriously though)! With his friendliness, he can easily become your go-to hair person (stylist). He also does amazing balayage and coloring! Head on over to Green Alley Salon (address provided above) and pay him a visit, you won't regret it. 

Pure Yoga Texas - South Austin, Downtown, North Austin and Cedar Park - @pureyogatexas

While there are a couple of places in town that offer hot yoga, Pure Yoga is definitely at the top of my list. I've been coming here (on and off) for a couple of years now and the thing I love the most about this place are the instructors. They are always super nice and welcoming- especially when being inside a room set at 105 degrees fahrenheit. The other day one of the instructors at the North Austin location even sang to us during savasana and it was so touching. 

If you want to give your body a little detox, clear your head and be in the present moment, this is definitely the perfect place to go to!

Meditation Bar - 8108 Mesa Dr. Suite B103 Austin, TX -  @meditation_bar

For several years now, I've been really into meditation. From what I've researched the benefits of meditation are astonishing! I'll let you do the research on your own but in my personal experience, meditation has helped me with anxiety, stress, sleeping patterns, losing weight, concentration, mindfulness, awareness and even overall happiness. I feel like with today's technology and fast paced American culture, we are living in auto-mode. In other words, just going going going and not really even living. There are times when I will miss entire conversations or moments (even exits to my home) because my mind is always running or my phone is always opened. How can we be of help to others or even ourselves if we aren't really even here?

This place truly offers amazing classes where you can practice being mindful and self-awareness. They offer a variety of guided meditations including ones with a focus on aromatherapy and breathing. If you want to de-stress during the holidays or looking for a group to meditate with or even just a place to learn how to mediate, this is definitely the best meditation place in Austin.  

Blenders & Bowls - Downtown, Westlake and East Side - @blendersandbowls

Take a break from the party foods and the holiday shopping and get yourself a bowl from Blenders and Bowls. They have the best fruit bowls in Austin! I also like to treat myself to a bowl from here whenever I finish a workout, it serves as motivation and man does it work! 

Other favorite places I like to go to for a healthy snack or a lighter meal here in Austin are : Picnik, Verts and Ramona's Hummus. I especially love the gluten-free avocado toast from Picnik, salad bowls from Verts and salad/hummus bowl with chicken from Ramona's.