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Designer: Sergio Guadarrama
Making it all the way to the final four in sea-son 18 of Project Runway, Central Texas native Sergio Guadarrama (one-half of the duo behind Celestino Couture) absolutely dazzled in the finale with his gorgeous Ocean Anthem collection, an ethereal color story of white, gray, light blue, and indigo filled with feminine fringe and sparkling appliqué details.
Plant Purveyor: Desk Plants
A beacon of hope to those of us who want plants in our homes and offices, but struggle to keep them alive, this ingenious company sells beautiful varieties of greenery like pothos, sansevieria, and haworthia that are naturally hard to kill (aka drought-resistant and able to thrive in any light condition).
Apparel for Moms: Chapter Goods
Haylie Schwartz was tired of seeing post-maternity wear that was either poorly made or overly corporate. Inspired, Schwartz created a modern line of machine-washable apparel—with easy removal points for breastfeeding, such as shoulder snaps on jumpsuits and ties on dresses—that is stylish enough for any woman, but caters to moms.
Bookstore: Lark & Owl Booksellers
From the second you walk into this women-helmed independent bookstore in downtown Georgetown, you can feel the passion and commitment of the owners, who are quick to give curated book recommendations and often know their customers by name. After stocking up on books, order a Seinfeld-style “big salad” or breakfast all day at the on-site bistro, developed by the team behind Better Half and Wright Bros. Brew & Brew.
Home Decor: Shop Magic Caravan
Owned by a world traveler and seventh-generation Turkish rug collector, this Burnet Road gem is filled not only with Turkish rugs, but also towels, pillows, robes, lamps, dishes, and other home goods and hammam products from Turkey—all available in a rainbow of colors and patterns.
Bags: Pascal Nu
In architecture school, Devon Stonebrook learned how to laser cut site models using acrylic—a skill that came in handy when she switched fields and became a designer. Now, she uses her expertise to create bold, avant-garde handbags made of acrylic, concrete, resin, and PVC lacing that are chic and functional.
Self-Care: The Ocean Lab
The past year has been pretty stressful, to say the least. Watch tension melt away as you take a break from external stimuli and float in an individual “float cabin” of 1,400 pounds of Epsom salt dissolved in 10 inches of water at The Ocean Lab, where its flotation therapy is said to mitigate everything from anxiety to pain to insomnia.
Pet Store: Barkin’ Creek
You won’t find any canned or dry dog food here. This canine kitchen makes fresh, gourmet-quality meals such as turkey and sweet potato, fish and sweet chips, and lamb and brown rice, plus house-made snacks like apple crackers and pumpkin molasses cookies. Fido never had it so good.
Record Store: End of an Ear
High Fidelity’s Championship Vinyl, this is not—and that’s a good thing. Since opening in 2005, owners Dan Plunkett and Blake Carlisle have valued an ambience that’s inviting to both seasoned collectors and vinyl neophytes. With used bins always at capacity, a back room filled with refurbished stereo equipment, and aisles of Record Store Day rarities, it’s an audiophile’s dream.
Mobile Health Boost: Drip Drive
Launched this January, mobile IV hydration service Drip Drive provides intravenous drips that claim to help with immunity boosting, athletic recovery, and yes, even, hangover cures. As social distancing became a way of life this spring, a health-centric service that makes house calls is music to our ears.
Stress Reliever: 512 Rage Room
Choose your “weapon” of choice (baseball bats and sledgehammers are especially popular) and fulfill every one of your agro smashing fantasies. Equipped with highly breakable items like beer bottles, dishes, and computer printers, this rage room in Kyle is uniquely suited to taking out frustrations à la Michael Bolton in Office Space.
New Gym: Equinox Austin
What’s more impressive than an on-site spa, a eucalyptus steam room, infrared hot yoga, a reform Pilates studio, and more than 100 group fitness classes a week in a luxe three-story environment? Try effortless parking on SoCo. Yes, the new Equinox has an attached parking garage free for all its members—a small miracle on South Austin’s busiest commercial strip.
Shoes:
Chisos
A back injury in his early 20s propelled Will Roman to create a more comfortable cowboy boot, a feat he’s pulled off with triple-density, non-collapsible polymer insoles that absorb strike impact. Handmade in León, Mexico, all of his Chisos boots feature artwork inspired by the natural beauty of the Lone Star State.
Lou
After cutting her teeth in product development for Marc by Marc Jacobs and Cushnie in New York, Brigitte Sharp relocated to Austin in 2016 and debuted her own accessories line, Lou, in 2019. Made of genuine Italian leather, her luxe Simone booties and Eva mules are the perfect 2-inch height, with just enough lift that won’t leave your soles in pain by day’s end.
Huma Blanco
No fast fashion here. Designed by Adriana Crocco, a third-generation shoemaker, Huma Blanco footwear is handmade in Lima by Peruvian artisans. From the brand’s Milla suede mules in magenta to Hollis d’Orsay flats in citron, these vibrant shoes can make any outfit sing.
Accessories:
Haley LeBeuf Jewelry
A whiz at soldering, forging, casting, and stone setting, Haley LeBeuf handcrafts each of her jewelry pieces in her North Austin studio. Although the designs are minimalist in nature, they pack a punch with powerful shapes like the serpentine Asp Statement Earring and the space age–inspired Phase Ring.
Fanm Djanm
Talk about wrap stars! Haitian for “strong woman,” Fanm Djanm is the creation of founder Paola Mathé, who grew up in Haiti and now designs eye-catching headwraps for women in bold patterns, vibrant hues, and metallics shades.
Silk Diaries
While Kylee Barnard learned how to dye silk as a means to quell her anxiety, her soothing hobby soon morphed into a profession, as she now dyes bralettes, kimonos, scarves, and robes for her brand, Silk Diaries. Barnard also makes heirloom silk pieces from special-occasion blooms—say, if you want her to dye a pillow with petals from your wedding bouquet.
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