Austin Woman MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2015
“What we are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.” —Eleanor Powell
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is the science of hormones, substances released by glands that regulate every cell in your body, for both men and women. Examples of endocrine diseases: thyroid disease, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome and obesity, hirsutism, menopause, pituitary and adrenal pathology, low testosterone in males, andropause and impotence, polycystic ovaries, recurrent kidney stones, irregular or lack of menstrual periods, high and low calcium, diabetes. We provide a comprehensive assessment of your hormone balance, in-house hormone testing, thryoid ultrasound, and bone density testing.
THYROID DISEASE affects thirty million Americans, half of which do not know they have the disease. Examples: hypo and hyperthyroidism, Graves and Hashimoto disease, goiter, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. Each person has a different genetic set point for TSH. Thyroid problems require lifelong attention. We are the premiere thryoid clinic in Austin, and offer the latest treatment for thyroid disease, aggressive management of thyroid cancer with radioactive iodine and second opinion consults for thyroid surgery.
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HAVE YOU SEEN AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST?
OPTIMAL HEALTH BIOLOGICAL AGE
deals with your health before disease prevention or treatment.
OSTEOPOROSIS
is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. Osteoporosis affects one in two women and one in four men over 50 and is generally missed. Bone fracture is the “heart attack” of the bone. New treatments reduce the risk of fracture and build new bone. A bone density test is the only way to test for osteoporosis. We have the latest bone density testing equipment in Texas, and provide instant bone metabolism, medical consultation, and treatment options.
DO YOU KNOW YOUR BONE DENSITY?
Optimal health is the ideal, yet achievable, health of your body as you reach middle age and beyond. Your biological age is a measure of how well your body functions, compared to your actual calendar age. Our specialized equipment allows us to measure and evaluate your biological age, a composite of your brain age, bone age, heart age, and vessel age. We help you achieve your optimal health, a major factor in the quality of your life as you age.
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WHAT DO YOU SEE? A sizzling steak, or searing heartburn? Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can prevent you from enjoying life and, if improperly treated or ignored, can even be life-threatening. Did you know that there are multiple treatment options currently available? The Heartburn and Acid Reflux Center of Scott & White in Round Rock has assembled a team of specialists to customize your care. To schedule an appointment with our experts, call 512-509-GERD
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64
On the cover
jessica honegger By Steve uhler
72
feature
to thine own self be true
Photo by Annie Ray.
By Deborah hamilton-lynne
Bracelets, necklace and earrings by Noonday Collection, noondaycollection.com; dress, model’s own.
Contents
Photo by Zac Mial.
DECEMber
55 on the scene 23 KRISTY’S TOP 10 December’s To-do List 26 O n the edge Faith Dickey 28 P hilanthropy Real Estate for a Cause
savvy women
GOURMET 81 guilty pleasure
Live Like Royalty
wellness 86 h ealth 88 f itness
Health News You Can Use Wishful Thinking
30 E ducation McCombs School of Business POINT OF VIEW 36 e xpert opinion Christie Miller of K9 Mastery 90 I n memoriam Jo Anne Christian 38 austin innovator Sara Rodell of Loop & Tie 92 m emo from JB The Company Party 94 H OROSCOPES Happy Birthday, Sagittarius! MUST LIST 96 L ast Word The Joy of Giving 40 M ust travel When You Want the Fairy Tale 44 M ust READ Books to Give and Get 46 Must GIVE Holiday Bazaars and Gift Ideas Straight Out of ATX
style + Home 55 tr ends All That Glitters 62 e ntertaining Treat Your Hostess Like Gold
12 | Austin Woman | December 2015
on the cover Photo by Annie Ray annieraycreative.com Styled by Ashley Hargrove DTK Austin Styling, dtkaustinstyling.com Hair by Tim Patrick and Alfonso Hernandez Avant Salon, avantsalon.com Makeup by Erikka Walor Avant Salon, avantsalon.com
Ivory cable-knit sweater, $24.99, Target stores, target.com; jewelry, scarf and bag by Noonday Collection, noondaycollection.com; jeans, model’s own.
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Volume 14, issue 4 Co-Founder and Publisher Melinda Maine Garvey vice president and Co-Publisher Christopher Garvey associate publisher Cynthia Guajardo Shafer Co-Founder Samantha Stevens
EDITORIAL Editor-in-chief Deborah Hamilton-Lynne copy editor Chantal Rice contributing writers
Sarah E. Ashlock, Sree Sen Bhasin, Katie Byland, Deborah Alys Carter, Jill Case, April Cumming, Andy East, Emily Gibson, JB Hager, Maddy Hill, Matt McGinnis, Kristy Owen, Lucy Paije, Deborah Stachelski, Steve Uhler
ART CREATIVE Director Niki Jones ART DIRECTOR Lucy Froemmling CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Rudy Arocha, Cyler Daigle, Reginaldo Gomes, Cathleen Gorbetinko, Ashley Hargrove, Korey Howell, Matt Lankes, Matt McGinnis, Dustin Meyer, Zac Mial, Laura Morsman, Alison Owen, Tim Patrick, Suzanne Pressman, Jennifer Ramos, Annie Ray, Holly Reed, Don Riddle, Kirk Tuck, Cynthia Valdez, Erikka Walor, Jessica Wetterer
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Katie Paschall, Jessica Price
ADMINISTRATION COO/GenerAL MANAGER Shawnee McClanahan Operations and Marketing manager Maggie Rester
Interns
Katie Byland, N’Kisha Heffington, Maddy Hill, Emily Gibson, Evelyn Roberts, Grace Snively, Deborah Stachelski, Breanna J. Williams
Austin Woman is a free monthly publication of AW Media Inc., and is available at more than 1,150 locations throughout Austin and in Lakeway, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Pflugerville. All rights reserved. For submission requirements, visit awmediainc.com/contribute. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission. Visit us online at austinwomanmagazine.com. Email us at info@awmediainc.com. 512.328.2421 • 3921 Steck Ave., Suite A111, Austin, TX 78759
From the Editor
16 | Austin Woman | December 2015
readers to interns. It truly takes a village to put the magazine together each month, and I have been blessed by the support and guidance of a wonderful tribe. The Oxford Dictionary defines “gratitude” as the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. For many years, I have tried to practice an attitude of gratitude, especially in my daily meditation. Each morning, I follow my meditation by watching a TED Talk or video from the Greater Good, and I found that Robert Emmons’ essay entitled “Why Gratitude is Good” (greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/gratitude/definition) was particularly enlightening. “First,” he writes, “it’s an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts and benefits we’ve received.” In the second part of gratitude, he explains, “We recognize that the sources of this goodness are outside of ourselves. … We acknowledge that other people—or even higher powers, if you’re of a spiritual mindset—gave us many gifts, big and small, to help us achieve the goodness in our lives.” As I close this chapter, I have so much to be grateful for and so many people to thank. To everyone who has shared their story or a laugh or has listened to a rant when things were dicey or has celebrated when we scored a coup, many thanks for the support. I am especially grateful for the trust so many people have given me to include their personal journeys on these pages. It means a lot and I hope that I have honored that trust in the best possible way. To my co-workers, who have always tolerated my idiosyncrasies, laughed at my zany stories and shook their heads at my politically incorrect jokes while trying to do their jobs, I thank you and salute you. To Ketan Patel, Victoria Milner, Chantal Rice, Molly McManus and Niki Jones, you know how much it has meant to me to work closely with each of you. And finally, to Melinda and Christopher Garvey, thank you for making me a member of the family. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with you and bring your vision for AW and ATX Man to life in every issue. I have been given a priceless gift: being able to work at a job that I love with people I treasure. You have given me many gifts, both big and small, to help me achieve goodness in my life and in the lives of others, and I am eternally grateful. Even though I am leaving the pages of AW as editor, I will see you around ATX as I begin the next chapter. I am and always will be a member of this tribe. I am Austin Woman.
deborah hamilton-lynne Editor-in-Chief Deborah Hamilton-Lynne photo by Korey Howell.
Richard Bach once wrote, “True love stories never have endings.” And so, in agreement, I begin this, my last letter from the editor, by saying although I am leaving Austin Woman, this job and association has been one of the great loves of my life and thus, will not be ending. I have a deep and abiding love for this wonderful city, the city of my heart, and I have loved being able to bring the stories of the people who make it unique to the pages of Austin Woman and ATX Man. I have loved and embraced the mission of Austin Woman, and will return periodically as a contributor. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with the publishers, the staff and the people who have generously shared their lives and their stories, touching both my heart and my soul. This will be my 52nd issue of AW, and combined with the 16 issues of ATX Man, I will have 68 issues to look back on. Planning something that you know will be the last is difficult, and symbolically, I wanted the issue to reflect my love and vision for the magazine and connection to the readers, who always guide and inform that vision. Recently, we began an “I am Austin Woman” campaign, a simple statement that encompasses so much of what we do. In the second feature in this issue, I attempted the impossible: to define exactly what it means to say, “I am Austin Woman,” and found that although we are indeed a diverse tribe, there are some qualities that bind us. Jessica Honegger, our December cover woman, exemplifies everything I look for in a cover woman: She has found her calling and is being the change she wants to see in the world. A bootstrapping entrepreneur, she is making a global impact with Noonday Collection, a line of jewelry and accessories that appeals to the individuality of Austinites. The icing on the cake is that she is generous with her time, talent and her treasure. She is a true Austin woman. I also wanted to work with some of my favorite writers and photographers for this issue, and all I can say is thanks to everyone; you nailed it. Steve Uhler and Annie Ray bring Jessica Honegger’s story to life. The work of Rudy Arocha and Ashley Hargrove shines as brightly as the sequins and bling on the Style pages. Andy East and Dustin Meyer capture the vibrancy of the young women of the University of Texas McCombs School of Business MBA program, and, as always, Matt McGinnis’ story on Champagne and caviar makes me want to immediately check out every restaurant and bubbly included in his article. People always ask me how we come up with such good stories month after month, and I always answer that not only do we live in the greatest city in the world, full of interesting and interested people, but that I am so fortunate to have a village to rely on: the AW staff, contributing writers Jill Case, JB Hager, Cheryl Bemis and Rachel Merriman, and so many others, from PR friends to
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contributors
Austin Symphony Orchestra
This month, we asked our contributors: What is the best gift you’ve ever given or received?
Annie Ray
Cover Photographer, “Fashioning the future,” Page 64
Since 2005, Annie Ray has focused on bringing out the “real stuff” in everything she shoots. Her relationship with every subject will make 1,000 words say so much more. “The best gift I’ve ever received was my nana’s wedding rings.”
STEVE UHLER
Cover writer, “Fashioning the future,” Page 64 Steve Uhler has written for such varied publications as Rolling Stone, The New York Times Magazine, Texas Music Magazine and Filmfax. This is his second cover story for Austin Woman. “As I interviewed Jessica Honegger, she spoke about her family adopting a child from Rwanda. I remembered I was adopted, something I hardly ever think about because my family loved me unconditionally. The greatest gift I ever received was being adopted. The second greatest gift was never really thinking about it. Thanks, Mom and Dad.”
Perfect date nights start here.
RUDY AROCHA photographer, “All That Glitters,” Page 55
Upcoming events: December 1, 8:00 p.m. Handel’s Messiah Hyde Park Baptist Church Ryan Heller, guest conductor Austin Symphony with Chorus Austin HAndEl’S MessiAh
December 29 & 30, 8:00 p.m. Butler Pops Series at Palmer Events Center “my Sinatra” starring cary Hoffman
“All gifts are good, but the best gift I’ve ever received is the gift of life from my parents.”
Andy East writer, “taking care of business,” Page 30 Andy East is an Austin-based writer. His work has appeared in the Austin American-Statesman, the Dallas Morning News, PolitiFact, Austin Woman magazine, ATX Man magazine and CultureMap Austin. His work has also been picked up or cited by The Associated Press, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Miami Herald and many other publications.
dECEMBER PoPS
S E A Son SPonS oR
Photographer Rudy Arocha is a native Texan who moved to Austin to pursue his education in fine arts as a sculptor. He later rediscovered his passion for photography when his grandfather gave him a camera as a gift. Rudy graduated from the Art Institute of Austin and specializes in portrait photography. When not photographing, Rudy enjoys music, the outdoors and spending time with his wife, Maggie.
Tickets/Info (512) 476-6064 or austinsymphony.org
M E d i A S PonS oR S All artists, programs, and dates subject to change.
“The best gift I’ve ever received is an abstract painting from Colombia that signifies hope. You always have to have hope.”
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Connect with us! find us online at austinwomanmagazine.com.
FEATURED EVENT
EDITOR’S PICK
Dec. 6, 6 to 9 p.m. The sing-along is on the steps of the Texas Capitol. The stroll is on Congress Avenue from 11th Street to Seventh Street. A not-to-be missed family holiday tradition begins with a holiday sing-along at the Capitol led by KUTX’s John Aielli, followed by the lighting of the Capitol tree and the downtown stroll. From 7 to 9 p.m., shops, restaurants, galleries and museums will feature special activities and offers. Highlights of this year’s event include a choreographed dance performance by Forklift Danceworks and interactive art installations from Melissa Borrell and former AW cover woman Elizabeth McQueen. Additional stroll activities include photos with Santa, a special holiday farmers market with the Sustainable Food Center and live music from the Invincible Czars. Best of all is the opportunity to give: Visitors are asked to support fellow members of the community by bringing non-perishable food or cash donations for the Capital Area Food Bank. Last year’s Holiday SingAlong and Downtown Stroll raised nearly 500 meals for Central Texans facing hunger. During the last three years, the event has raised more than 3,500 meals. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit kut.org/post/join-us-annualholiday-sing-along-tree-lighting-downtown-stroll-john-aielli.
Can’t get enough of this issue? Check out austinwomanmagazine.com
➥ More gifts to give and gifts to get. Check out our staff picks for AW’s holiday favorites.
➥ More for dog lovers. Introducing Yard Bar, a place where dog lovers can meet, drink and play fetch.
➥ More local shopping. The artisans of Loop & Tie. ➥ More home for the holidays. I’ll drink to that! We share where to find the best holiday specialty cocktails and offer a sneak peek at the Driskill Grill’s new tasting menu.
➥ More food. Vegan? Gluten-free? Diabetic? We’ve got cookie recipes for those with special dietary needs.
➥ More gifts. We serve up DIY gourmet offerings wrapped in Mason jars. ➥ More holiday advice. Having a blue Christmas? Here’s how to make the best of long-distance relationships with family and friends during the holidays.
➥ More events. What are you doing on New Year’s Eve? We check out the best places to ring in 2016.
➥
More travel. We look in to close-in romantic getaways and offer up an insider’s guide to the Sundance Film Festival and Park City.
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20 | Austin Woman | December 2015
like us
Paramount Holiday Film Series Dec. 1–18 Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave. In celebration of its 100th birthday, the Paramount Theatre is bringing back a beloved tradition: the annual holiday film series. What better way to make memories than watching favorites like Home Alone, Elf, The Polar Express, White Christmas and Miracle on 34th Street or It’s a Wonderful Life in the comfort of the grand dame of theaters? For more information, visit austintheatre.org/ holiday-films.
Win This! Santaland Diaries Through Dec. 27 Zach Scott Theatre, Whisenhunt Stage 202 South Lamar Blvd. It wouldn’t be an Austin Christmas without Martin Burke and David Sedaris’ Santaland Diaries. The crazy antics that make up this tale, created for adult audiences, are a welcome break from holiday madness. This year, there is a special treat: To kick off the evening, chanteuse Meredith McCall and Burke take the audience on a sensational sleigh ride of an all-new cabaret show created especially for Zach. For tickets and more information, visit zachtheatre.org. To win, go to facebook.com/austinwoman and share your most zany story of an encounter with Santa. The person with the funniest story submitted by Dec. 7 wins a pair of tickets.
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Annual Holiday Sing-Along photo courtesy of KUT. Miracle on 34th Street image courtesy of the Paramount Theatre. Santaland Diaries photo by Kirk Tuck.
Annual Holiday Sing-along and Downtown Stroll
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ON THE SCENE kristy’s top 10
December’s to-do list from 365 Things To Do In Austin, Texas. By kristy owen
1
Christmas in the Community
Dec. 1–24 Various Austin locations austinsymphony.com/events/ christmas-in-the-community This year, the Austin Symphony Orchestra is producing a free series of 12 concerts hosted throughout Austin and featuring various ensembles of the orchestra playing familiar holiday music. Christmas in the Community will replace the symphony’s previous traditional gift to the city, the Christmas Sing-Along, in hopes of reaching a broader audience with more performances, more locations and more chances to catch the show.
Photo courtesy of the Austin Symphony Orchestra.
Admission is free.
austinwomanmagazine.com | 23
O
n the scene
kristy’s top 10
Mozart’s Holiday Light Show
3
Deliver Presents for Operation Blue Santa Dec. 19, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Blue Santa Warehouse, 4101 S. Industrial Drive bluesanta.org
2
Through Jan. 10 Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3826 Lake Austin Blvd. mozartscoffee.com Mozart’s Coffee is one of the best coffee shops in Austin, mostly because it has a phenomenal location on Lake Austin and a great outdoor deck. It’s also one of the best places to see some spectacular holiday lights. Each year, Mozart’s takes Christmas lights to the extreme, offering an extravagant display. It has a light show at the top of each hour, starting at 6 p.m. and running through midnight, accompanied by holiday music. One of the featured songs is “Wizards in Winter” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I love it! And, of course, another favorite is the “Texas Fight” song. Admission is free.
Delivering presents for Operation Blue Santa is easily one of the most rewarding things I participate in each year. The joy on the kids’ faces when you drop off the presents is unmatched and proves that it really is better to give than receive. On delivery day, the nonprofit needs all the help it can get. As a volunteer, you get to deliver presents and make peoples’ day. When you show up, the folks at Blue Santa will load your vehicle with as many presents as you wish to deliver, and then off you go to make these deserving families’ day. Post delivery, volunteers are invited to share in barbecue and live music as a thank you.
4
Willie Nelson & Family New Year at ACL Live Dec. 29–31, ACL Live, 310 Willie Nelson Blvd. acl-live.com/calendar/willie-nelson-2015-12-29 Willie Nelson is back for his annual Willie Nelson & Family concert at ACL Live. This year, Kacey Musgraves will join him. This is a great show for the entire family! Admission is $99 to $157.
In Austin, December is often mixed with a variety of cold, cool and unseasonably warm days. Sometimes, you have to participate in activities that remind you that we’re in the holiday season. A classic is ice skating at the Whole Foods plaza. Admittedly, the rink is not the biggest, but strapping on ice skates while holiday music is playing can make anyone feel like a kid at heart. Finish your skate session with a cup of hot cocoa or soup from Whole Foods. Admission is $10 and includes skate rental.
5
24 | Austin Woman | December 2015
Trail of Lights and the Zilker Holiday Tree Dec. 8–22 Zilker Park austintrailoflights.org
6
Walking through the 1 1/4 miles of holiday awesomeness really gets you in the spirit. It is basically a rite of passage to becoming an Austinite. The various displays on the Trail of Lights are so different, and each night has a different theme. There are performances, dancers and carolers along the trail. Want a special sneak peak? Check out Night Lights, the second annual preview party, Dec. 4. There will be live music, “night bites” provided by some of Austin’s best chefs, beer, wine, specialty cocktails, carousel rides, Ferris wheel rides and much more fun, all benefiting the Trail of Lights Foundation. Ticket prices for Night Lights vary. General admission to the Trail of Lights is free Dec. 8 through 15. Gate tickets are $3 for adults and children 12 and older, and are required for general admission Dec. 16 through 22.
2. Photo by Holly Reed. 3. Photo by Cathleen Gorbetinko. 6. Photo by Alison Owen.
Ice Skating on the Plaza at Whole Foods
Nov. 29–Jan. 9 Whole Foods, 525 N. Lamar Blvd. wholefoodsmarket.com/store/event/ice-skating-plaza
7
Dec. 1, 7:45 p.m. Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave.
tickets.austintheatre.org/single/eventdetail.aspx?p=768
Omni Barton Creek Gingerbread Competition
Dec. 2, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, 8212 Barton Club Drive facebook.com/events/1703985823150800
7. and 10. Photos courtesy of Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa. 8. Image courtesy of the Paramount Theatre.
8
Elf Pub Run and Screening at The Paramount
Gingerbread houses are one of my favorite things about the holiday season. I never decorate a gingerbread house. Instead, I just go and ogle all the creative houses in the competition. This year’s theme is “Winter Wonderland,” so all entries will have that motif. Don’t want to join the competition? Come hang out for delicious desserts, holiday carols and a treelighting ceremony to remember. Admission is free.
9
Austin’s New Year 2016
Dec. 31, 4 to 10 p.m. Auditorium Shores at South First Street and Riverside Drive austintexas.gov/department/austins-new-year The City of Austin is hosting a family-friendly, alcohol-free event for those who are looking for a good old-fashioned celebration of the new year. There will be live music, interactive art installations, performances and creative activities throughout the night, all culminating in a fireworks finale. Admission is free.
Holiday Lights & Ice
Dec. 18–Jan. 6, 2016 Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, 8212 Barton Club Drive facebook.com/events/750893681682112 Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa sets up a great indoor ice rink overlooking the Hill Country. Holiday-inspired treats and hot beverages will be served, and families can participate in ornament and gingerbread-cookie decorating in Santa’s Workshop. Proceeds from the event benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas. Skating tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children. Season passes are $150.
Every so often, the Paramount Theatre pairs a movie screening with a pub run, and I think it’s just genius. This is for other humans who share an affinity for elf culture! Grab all your buddies and meet at the Paramount. From there, you’ll pass through the seven layers of the candy-cane forest, through the sea of swirly, twirly gumdrops. ... OK, OK, so it’s more like swirly twirly layers of downtown Austin construction, after which you’ll cross Sixth Street (If you see gum there, don’t eat it; it isn’t free candy.), around the Frost-y tower to delectable food partner Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden. Once there, grab a pint of holiday cheer. Then make your way back across Sixth Street (Don’t hug anything there!) to the theater for more holiday cheer, aka complimentary local beer and a 7:45 p.m. screening of Elf. Pub-run participants will also receive two tickets good for beer, soda or popcorn once they return to the theater. Plus, you’ll leave with other goodies! And don’t forget to make plans to enter the elf costume contest. The top five costumes will receive complimentary entry into the 2016 Paramount Break-A-Leg 5K (Feb. 14, 2016) and two film passes to the Paramount Theatre and Stateside at the Paramount. Admission is $20.
Kristy Owen is the event mastermind and blogger behind 365 Things To Do In Austin, Texas. To stay up to date on the best Austin has to offer, visit her blog, 365thingsaustin.com.
10 austinwomanmagazine.com | 25
O
n the scene
on the edge
Reaching New Heights
Austin native Faith Dickey, 26, has captured national media attention again with her latest feat: crossing a 70-foot-long highline across 2,769-foot-high Pedra da Gávea, a mountain on the coast of Rio de Janeiro, in a pair of bright-pink kitten heels, no less. By april cumming
“I was feeling a little bit like a fool out there in pink heels, falling and catching myself. My skirt was blowing everywhere, but it was fun. I couldn’t help but laugh and smile the whole time.” – Faith Dickey, after her third time
Highlining, for those unfamiliar with the daredevil-driven activity, is a branch of the sport of slacklining, the adrenaline-inducing practice of stretching a piece of not-so-taut webbing between two strongholds— two trees or two cliff faces—before wobbling across like a trapeze artist. Faith Dickey got her start in the sport on the grassy hilltop slopes of Barton Springs, balancing on lines 26 | Austin Woman | December 2015
set up between old-growth pecan trees. The athlete holds multiple female world records in her sport and is notoriously known for her 2012 Volvo commercial (The Ballerina Stunt on YouTube), in which she crosses a slackline strung between two 18-wheelers as they drive down a highway at high speed. Her recent high-heel highline endeavor on November 1 was part
of the High Girls Brazil Festival, an inaugural event celebrating female highliners in the country, to which Dickey was invited as a special guest. What heights are her sights set on next? She’s establishing new lines in Tasmania, off the Australian coast. “My focus in highlining is conquering gaps that have yet to be conquered,” Dickey says. “I want to push my own personal records.”
Photo by Reginaldo Gomes.
crossing a highline in heels
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philanthropy
Real Estate for a Cause
Incorporating philanthropy and real estate, Give Realty seeks to change the world. By Katie Byland Among many inspirational women in Austin is Laurie Loew, broker and founder of Give Realty, an Austin-based philanthropic realestate brokerage that is setting out to transform the world by living its motto, “Change your address. Change the world.” In pursuit of her passion for real estate, Loew took a leap of faith and launched her company in July 2008 in hopes of setting herself apart from more than 10,000 real-estate agents in Austin and giving back to her community. When clients buy or sell a home with Give Realty, the company donates 25 percent of its commission to a nonprofit organization of the client’s choice, in their name. Every agent who works for Give Realty is a volunteer or board member at a local nonprofit, but, as a whole, their philanthropic efforts have a nationwide outreach. They believe in ethical real-estate practices and giving their time and talent to the nonprofit community. Loew is specifically passionate about her philanthropic work with Leadership Austin, sitting on the board, and Greenlights for Nonprofit Success, an organization for which she is a social venture partner.
“I fell in love with the whole idea and promised myself that I would stay true to myself, no matter how hard it got, and it did get hard,” Loew says. “It has been rewarding since the very first donation. I get the greatest satisfaction, not only from helping my clients, but supporting something that they are passionate about.” 2011 was the tipping point for Give Realty, and it is rapidly approaching its $500,000 mark in donations. Because its clients’ passions are wide-ranging, Give Realty clients can make their donations to the nonprofit organizations of their choice. They can also choose for their donations to go toward specific projects within an organization. Some of the latest donations include those to Austin Pets Alive!, the American Cancer Society, One Human Race and the American Red Cross of Central Texas. Setting an example that it’s possible to give back and do well in business, Loew has inspired many people throughout Austin, and her clients often tell her they have started to give more and are invested long term in their philanthropic efforts, due to her influence. “I would love to see every agent in the nation do something for the community, whether it is giving money, volunteering or just becoming engaged,” Loew says. “This is just a stepping stone on a very long path of linking philanthropy and business.” For Loew, her idea of sharing her success while taking that important step to give back has paid off, both personally and professionally, and has become a journey she is pleased to share.
Sponsored Events Dancing With the Stars Dec. 6, 7 p.m. Hilton Austin, 500 E. Fourth St. centerforchildprotection.org
Ninth Annual Heart & Soul Luncheon Dec. 10, 10:30 a.m. JW Marriott, 110 E. Second St. riseschoolaustin.org Texas Women in Business Monthly Luncheon Dec. 18, 11 a.m. Shoal Creek Crossing Center, 8611 N. Mopac Expressway texaswomeninbusiness.org Armadillo Christmas Bazaar Dec. 15–24, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road armadillobazaar.com
28 | Austin Woman | December 2015
Photo by Trevor Ray Thompson.
Austin Woman December Launch Party Dec. 9, 6 to 8 p.m. Abbey Rose Boutique, 3300 Bee Caves Road austinwomanmagazine.com
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education
Taking Care of Business
With the most women admitted to the 2017 class at the University of Texas’ McCombs School of Business in the MBA program’s history, Austin Woman goes inside one of the nation’s highest-ranked business schools to introduce three of tomorrow’s business leaders. By andy east, photos by dustin meyer On Nov. 11, Austin-area women business leaders and alumni of the University of Texas’ McCombs School of Business gathered for the annual Women in Business Leadership Conference, with a message: An MBA can be a game changer. “All of the women who had an MBA said that period was the two most important years of their career, and it had done so much for them in changing the way that they think and changing their access to opportunities,” recalls Tina Mabley, director of the McCombs School of Business full-time MBA program, who moderated the discussion. The enrollment of women pursuing their degrees at the 36 top MBA programs in the U.S. has increased to 36 percent nationwide since 2011, according to Fortune magazine, but not as rapidly as many would hope. Women currently make up 47 percent of the U.S. workforce, but only 14.6 percent of executive officers and 4.6 percent of CEOs at Fortune 500 companies are women, something the McCombs School of Business is working to change. Women make up 32 percent of the MBA class of 2017, the highest in the school’s history, according to Mabley. “We were a founding member of the Forté Foundation, which seeks to increase the pipeline of women into upper-level business careers and executive positions,” Mabley says. “We have been working with them consistently to build that pipeline.” The McCombs School of Business also offers the Women’s Forum, through which the school brings prospective female students to campus during two weekends to meet with current female students. The annual Women in Business Leadership Conference also connects current students with women leaders in the Austin community and other alumni. But getting admission is quite competitive since the program receives seven times more applications than 30 | Austin Woman | december 2015
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there are available spots. The school typically reviews more than 2,000 applications for 265 spots. The program has more than 20 concentrations, some of the most popular of which include management consulting, investment banking and high-tech marketing, and concentrations are individually tailored to each student’s interests. “We’re looking for students who understand why they’re looking to get an MBA,” Mabley says. “We want to know that they’re trying to get from point A to point B, and an MBA is the thing that is missing for them to get there. “We also want students who are going to be engaged in the community because that’s
an important part of what we do on campus. Are they people who have been involved in the community that they’ve been a part of? And we recognize that it’s still early in their careers, so they don’t have to have found the cure for cancer or anything like that.” Austin has offered students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in one of the nation’s thriving business communities. The Live Music Capital of the World is the 11thfastest-growing economy in the U.S., adding more than 29,000 jobs between September 2014 and September 2015, according to the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Students often do consulting work for Whole Foods
Market, Livestrong and several other local organizations. “One of the things that I think is unique for us is the city of Austin,” Mabley says. “There are other business schools in other cities, but there’s no [other] business school that has the symbiotic relationship with its city that the University of Texas has with Austin.” Currently, Mabley says, the McCombs School of Business is looking to the future, building Rowling Hall on the corner of Guadalupe Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. It is slated to open in the summer of 2017, and will house all graduate and MBA programs.
Meet the women of the full-time MBA class of 2017. From the Peace Corps to Wall Street and beyond, these future leaders are blazing their own trails in the business world.
Amira Fawcett Amira Fawcett is a native of Houston, and her journey to Wall Street started with chemical biomolecular engineering. After receiving concurrent bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical biomolecular engineering, and biotechnology and biopharmaceutical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, she was recruited by Citigroup to join the high-stakes world of derivatives trading in New York City. She returned to Houston in 2012 to work for JPMorgan Chase. Austin Woman: What brought you back to school? Why did you want to get an MBA? Amira Fawcett: After CitiGroup, I went into private banking at JPMorgan in Houston. I knew I wanted to get back to Texas because I’m from here. While I was [with] JPMorgan, I had a great experience. It’s a great firm, but I realized that my heart wasn’t really in banking, and I wanted to try to do something else. My background has been so varied. I had so many random experiences. I thought that an MBA would make me a more rounded individual, not just rounding out my business background, but also my leadership and management background. My goal was to use business school as a way to shift careers and find a new role in a different industry. AW: What do you want to accomplish during your time at McCombs? AF: I’m enjoying trying everything. Because I had such a structured undergraduate degree with bioengineering, at McCombs, I decided I wanted to really push myself to try things that were new to me. AW: What do you hope to do once you graduate? AF: My goal is to find a job here in Austin. I’m very into the entrepreneurial scene going on here and would like to get involved in it in some way. I’m looking to find a role where I can do a lot of things like that high-intensity environment that I had on the trading floor, but with the ability to just constantly learn new things. I’m not really set on any particular industry at this point.
austinwomanmagazine.com | 33
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education Allegra Asplundh
Chioma Eze
After graduating from Yale University with a degree in history in 2008, Asplundh joined the Peace Corps and moved to a farming village nestled in the mountains of the Commonwealth of Dominica, a 290-square-mile Caribbean nation about 340 miles southeast of Puerto Rico. While there, she partnered with a local eco-resort to promote reading among the country’s youth and spearheaded the country’s first entrepreneur-training and -mentorship program. After returning to the U.S., she continued her philanthropic endeavors in Florida and remained active in the Eastern Caribbean with Hands Across the Sea, a nonprofit that promotes literacy in the region.
At the age of 16, Chioma Eze left her native Nigeria to move to the Big Apple by herself to study at Adelphi University, eventually settling in Queens, N.Y. In 2008, she graduated with a degree in finance and economics. She then received a master’s degree in accounting from the University of North Carolina in 2010 before moving to Houston to work for Deloitte. Eze has also done work with Selfless4Africa, a nonprofit organization that funds social projects on the African continent, including a scholarship program for children in Zambia.
Austin Woman: I see you are focusing on finance. What interested you about finance?
Austin Woman: Why did you want to get an MBA?
Allegra Asplundh: I’ve seen businesses do incredible things in terms of helping to solve problems and address issues that I have an interest in addressing. For me, it was the financial framework of valuing opportunities and investments, and having a financial toolbox and lens through which to see the world. That was very interesting to me. My default lens is “hipstery,” historical events, culture, language. Those were things I was used to. But finance is something completely new, but I also see it as completely necessary if I wanted to scale my impact. In the end, I think that’s what brought me to business school.
AW: Why did you choose to pursue your MBA at McCombs?
AW: What are one or two things you hope to accomplish through the MBA program? AA: I recently found out that I’ve been accepted to the MBA Investment Fund. It’s a private company run by students. We manage our own stock portfolio and we invest for the long term. It’s a combination of classroom work and the experience of being a financial manager. As women get more involved across the board, but especially in finance, which has historically been lacking in women, that is something I’m excited to do. I also want to continue and build on the work of McCombs women before me as I move through this place as a feminist and ally to other underrepresented groups on campus. An inclusive community is not a foregone conclusion. We have to work for it.
Chioma Eze: I wanted to move out of the public-accounting background. It’s been a good technical training but I wanted to have a more broad experience in business, so an MBA was the route for me to get there.
CE: For me, there were a couple of reasons. One was the location. You can’t visit Austin and not fall in love. The only bad thing anyone has to say about Austin is the traffic. And [there’s] its proximity to Houston, where I want to go into energy finance right after my MBA. Also, I felt like I made a personal connection during the admissions process here. At other schools, I was just an admissions number. AW: What do you hope to accomplish at McCombs? CE: On the academic side, I want to explore more technical and finance courses. Also, on the networking side, I’m hoping to make connections with classmates who will hopefully be lifelong friends, and also with the Austin community and the greater McCombs community. On the career side, I’m hoping to land a job in energy finance.
AW: Once you graduate, what do you hope to do?
AW: Do you plan to return to Nigeria after you graduate, or work for a U.S. company with operations in Nigeria?
AA: I hope to work in the intersection of finance and social impact, hopefully in an investment role. Accounting, investing, corporate finance: These are the tools I am learning now to value firms. But I also know that there is a qualitative role for businesses to play, providing stability and pride in one’s work and community. Already, tools are emerging for investors to take into account environmental, social and governance factors. I hope to be a part of this movement in the investing community.
CE: Being Nigerian, oil and gas is what I live and breathe, so I want to work in that sphere in a finance role. I want to start off working for an integrative company, which means it has operations here but also globally, including Nigeria. That is how I’m hoping to start. That is what drew me to Austin, which is close to Houston. After that, I hope to have assignments around the world, including Nigeria. I want to explore oil and gas as a global career.
For more information on the McCombs MBA program, visit mccombs.utexas.edu/mba.
austinwomanmagazine.com | 35
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avvy Women
expert opinion
The Dog Whisperer: training the ‘Untrainable’ Dogs It might be a dog-eat-dog world, but not if Christie Miller has anything to do with it. By Emily Gibson, photos by dustin meyer
“Every dog is different, just like every person is different. Every breed isn’t for After multiple training sessions and attempts to stop everybody,” Miller says. them from fighting, the dogs weren’t improving. The Some breeds, like pit bulls or rottweilers, are labeled “bully breeds” because dogs, which belong to Christie Miller and her husband, of their protective and prey-chasing tendencies. Though Miller says there fought with each other at such an extreme level that are aggressive dogs out there, there is also a misconception about what these the trainer told Miller she would either have to find breeds were bred for, which leads to people being surprised by such dogs’ them separate homes or put them down. Miller, who assertive behavior. had spent too much time and money on training for the “There are no inherently dangerous breeds out there. There are just people dogs, didn’t give up hope that there was a solution. who don’t know how to handle them,” she says. “And there are people who don’t “I spent about three days being really depressed and crying, understand what they were bred for and get in over their heads.” and then the stubborn in me kicked in and I said, ‘Screw this,’ ” About a year into operating K9 Mastery, Miller realized she was often getting Miller says. “I kept researching until I found a method that asked to help animal shelters and rescue centers that couldn’t handle behavior cases. worked, then I really got into it out of necessity because I was trying to save my dogs.” Eventually, the training worked and the dogs learned to live together. And Miller founded K9 Mastery, a dog-training program she developed using the skills she learned from training her own dogs. Miller equates her style of dog training to “police- or military-style training.” The dogs have “There are no inherently consequences and rewards for their actions, but she dangerous breeds out there. doesn’t reward them with food or toys. She says she doesn’t bribe or lure the dogs into doing anything; There are just people who don’t she shows them good behavior and lets them know how to handle them.” choose whether to act that way. She then rewards good behavioral choices and corrects wrong ones. “There’s no treat in the world that is going to stop a dog from wanting to tear another dog apart. It’s just not going to happen. The dog has to learn to listen to you because it’s supposed to listen to you, so that’s how I teach,” she says. There is a box on K9 Mastery’s website that says the company specializes in training aggressive dogs, or dogs “people have given up on.” Miller has a passion for training aggressive animals, not only because of her own experiences with her dogs, but because she thinks people can be too quick to give up on animals with behavioral issues. “We are now in what I call a throw-away society,” she says. “No one wants to put time or effort into anything, especially when it comes to animals. They just want a magic pill to fix everything.” But she says there is no magic pill to fix an animal’s behavior, that dog training takes time, effort and consistency. “Just like you’re not a perfect person, there’s no perfect dog,” Miller says. “And just because you don’t understand what is going on with a dog, that doesn’t mean it isn’t fixable or correctable, or even wrong.” Similar to having a plumber or electrician come fix a problem, Miller says dog training is just asking an expert for help with a dog’s behavioral issues. She wants more people to ask for help with their dogs because getting passed off can be damaging for a dog’s psyche. “My biggest thing is that people need to realize that dogs are a commitment,” she says. “People don’t dump their children. Once you commit to a dog, you need to do everything in your power to stay with them.” Sometimes, people end up giving up on their dogs because the breed isn’t compatible with the owner’s lifestyle, or the owner didn’t understand the dog’s disposition when they brought it home. 36 | Austin Woman | december 2015
So she developed an animal-training nonprofit called A.D.O.P.T., American Dog Owners for Proper Training, to train these dogs. Today, A.D.O.P.T. is an animal-rescue center that takes in unwanted dogs and finds them new homes. Miller finds the dogs that are on the euthanasia list or have nowhere else to go because of their behavioral issues, trains them and finds them homes. Miller says she has gotten everything from dogs that just need to be told no, to dogs that need to have a muzzle on at all times to prevent them from trying to bite. “I have yet to find a dog that I haven’t made some sort of improvement on,” she says. “And I have not come across a dog that I haven’t been able to place or have their owner keep.” Miller’s message is clear: There is hope for every dog out there. For more information, visit k9mastery.com.
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1. Lifestyle. “First and foremost, you should consider your lifestyle and why you want a dog. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys lounging around the house and watching movies, you should look into more calm and restful breeds. But if you enjoy long hikes or competitions, a working breed would be more compatible.” 2. Health and maintenance. “Different breeds have different grooming and veterinary requirements. It is important to consider what you are willing to deal with in terms of care for your pet before you bring them home, so they can continue to get the best possible care and stay healthy.” 3. Responsibility level. “If you aren’t responsible enough to adjust your lifestyle for a breed that you think is cool, you should consider other breeds instead. People sometimes buy dogs without thinking about the level of care they need, so you should research the amount of work a dog requires before bringing them home.”
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austin innovator
Sara Rodell of Loop & Tie
How to give a gift you can be sure the receiver will actually use. By Maddy Hill, photos by Suzanne Pressman Sara Rodell’s enthusiasm about gift giving is the passionate force that drives Loop & Tie to continue providing a unique gifting experience for those who believe in a life well lived. Loop & Tie was born from an unfortunate season of corporate gift giving Rodell experienced while working for UBS in New York from 2008 to 2011. In her eyes, the gifting process was broken: Why provide someone a gift that is acceptable but something they will never use? Why provide someone a typical gift, such as wine, when what they really want is a yoga mat? These are the questions Rodell asked herself as she began examining the social behaviors behind gift giving, questioning the rules about the process that have been established by society. Rodell is a University of Virginia graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and a minor in anthropology, and her intrigue centers on what gifts constitute appropriate in different social situations. “I was really interested in the intrinsic value of these social currency types of products,” Rodell says. “I saw that we were trapped by our own constraints, where we’re exchanging all of these products that aren’t weird to share, but aren’t really appreciated because they are so common.” With this in mind, Rodell made it her mission to improve the gifting process. She focused on how people can give exciting gifts without taking away from the personal aspect of the process. For Rodell, launching Loop & Tie in 2013 was a test of confidence and character. She had already fought for one startup, Next One’s On Me, a social-gifting app she launched in 2012, only to see its unfocused value proposition fall flat. Rodell says she never thought of herself as being an entrepreneur; she merely had a vision that she knew would help others and decided to follow it. Although Rodell was met with adversity while working her idea, she can now look back at the process and appreciate what she learned. “While I enjoyed my corporate role, I feel I earn my days more as an entrepreneur,” Rodell says. “Every win is hard-fought and every loss is emotional. I’m more fulfilled working for a mission and a vision, and I’m also inspired by those around me who do the same.” Loop & Tie, named after the ceremonial details of gift giving, is based on a simple idea: Having the power to give people gifts they will actually use. Corporations or individuals choose a collection of products from the Loop & Tie website, each organized by price from $25 to $500. After sending a personalized e-card and certificate, gifters are able to see when the gift has been redeemed and what the recipient chose. This tangible data gives corporations and individuals an idea of what their clients and friends are interested in. The best part: The recipient is unable to see the price of the gift. One thing Rodell prides herself on is the personalization Loop & Tie offers, despite the fact the recipient is handpicking their gift. “I think Loop & Tie is important to people because we take a process that is hard and we make it easier, but we don’t make it less personal,” Rodell says. “We really play into a true need people have in a way that’s really elegant.” Items from the $25 category include things like an engraved flask, while items from the $500 category include things like a full travel set, with each item sourced from local artisans. In the beginning, Rodell had to approach artisans about listing their products on the site in hopes they would be interested. When asked about the response she received while initially contacting local artisans, Rodell says she was met with much trust and positivity. “That demographic is such a creative personality type, and most people were excited about the concept,” Rodell says. “For many of our
38 | Austin Woman | december 2015
suppliers, we have the top online account [for selling their products].” Thanks to referrals, Loop & Tie now has artisans asking to be listed on the site. In exchange for being listed, small businesses have a means of entering the sphere of the corporate gift buyer, a challenging market to sell into. In typical startup fashion, Loop & Tie relied on word-of-mouth to get the company name out into the public. Today, Loop & Tie provides gifting services for businesses such as Platinum Realty, Capital Factory, The Catherine Apartments and Admixt. Loop & Tie was also invited to the second annual Google for Entrepreneurs Demo Day, during which the company was presented with a $100,000 investment by Steve Case, founder of AOL. Rodell has experienced great success with Loop & Tie, not only because of her dedication to the company, but also her theory behind consumerism. “There’s a big risk of going out there with your product and thinking you know everything, including the way the products are going to be used, giving you tunnel vision,” Rodell says. “It’s important to be responsive.” The very attainable goal for Loop & Tie, according to Rodell, is to grow and continue eliminating inefficiencies from the gift-giving process. With the help of her eight employees, she seems to be in a great position to achieve that goal. “Seeing the growth and determination of each member of our team keeps us all motivated and constantly improving,” Rodell says. “Our camaraderie and spirit makes working for this big, crazy vision so much fun.”
$25 collection
$50 collection
$75 collection
$100 collection
$150 collection
$250 collection
“These are some of Loop & Tie’s gift collections. Givers send a collection, ranging from $25 to $500, and recipients can choose their favorite gift. They can read the stories behind the products, but they never see prices, so it’s just like taking them shopping!” —Sarah Rodell
austinwomanmagazine.com | 39
M
ust list
Must travel
When You Want the Fairy Tale
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pretty Woman with iconic experiences at the Beverly Wilshire. By Deborah Hamilton-Lynne Go ahead and admit it: Everyone who ever watched Vivian (Julia Roberts) as she stepped out of that stretch limo in that beautiful red gown and matching ruby necklace perfectly complemented by those long, elegant gloves, escorted by the very handsome and very rich man of her dreams, Edward (Richard Gere), who whisked her away on a private jet to opening night at the San Francisco Opera wanted to believe in the fairy tale. It’s been 25 years since the film’s debut,
Romantic Weekend Vivian, to Edward, as they leave for a romantic evening: “In case I forget to tell you later, I had a really good time tonight.”
w A personal shopping consultation on Rodeo Drive w In-suite romantic dining served on your private terrace overlooking the lights of the Hollywood Hills w In-suite carpet picnic, complete with Champagne, roses, strawberries and videos of old romantic movies w Couple’s massage and personal-styling services offered in-suite w Spa, hair, makeup and stylist services, all at your beck and call to prepare for the big night out w A chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce “anywhere you want to go”: to a very exclusive restaurant, for a shoeless picnic in a park or at the Greystone Mansion, or for the ultimate date night to catch a performance at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts or the LA Opera. w A visit to a luxury jewelry store, where you can select a show-stopping signature piece of jewelry to mark the occasion
Photo by Don Riddle/Four Seasons.
The hotel offers three options for romantic-weekend packages, and the sticker shock can be powerful. However, if you want to recreate the moments from the most over-thetop romantic scenes from the film, the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel can accommodate your requests. If money is no object and you want a weekend you will never forget, I recommend the Ultimate Pretty Woman Romantic Getaway. Starting with accommodations at the very luxurious 5,500-square-foot Presidential Suite, the hotel will design a package tailored to your fantasy, which can include:
but all it takes is just one look at the front of the Beverly Wilshire, and it all comes flooding back. Giving in to demand for people wanting to recreate those cinematic moments, the iconic hotel has created several packages that allow guests to live the fairy tale and be the star of their own show. Whether it’s a romantic weekend or a girlfriends’ getaway you are craving, you’ll be living the dream, just steps away from Rodeo Drive.
40 | Austin Woman | december 2015
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Must travel Girls Just Want to Have Fun Vivian: “I want the fairy tale.” It might be the ultimate indulgence, but you’re worth it. Live the fairy tale with your gal pals and return to Austin refreshed and relaxed, with a few shopping bags and a smile on your face. For my Pretty Woman for a Day experience, I skipped the Rodeo Drive shopping in favor of spending the day catching up and enjoying the hotel with a friend. If you book a weekend outing, the sky is the limit. My Pretty Woman for a Day Itinerary:
Customize Your Pretty Woman Girls’ Getaway With These Optional Activities and Excursions: w Spring for an insider-shopping trip on Rodeo Drive with your personal shopper, who knows all the best-kept secrets of this famous shopping paradise. w Schedule a wine tasting and arrive in style in a private limo. w Experience A Taste of Beauty, a 90-minute spa treatment followed by a specially prepared seven-course dinner by Chef Thomas Bellec in a private setting. w Take a private cooking class and learn how the pros do it in a workshop led by the executive chef. w Take a day trip to Malibu or Santa Barbara. You can even book the services of your own “beach butler.”
w Meet Michele at the entrance and take a moment to get into Pretty Woman mode, laughing about our favorite scenes from the film. Enter the historic hotel and take in the beautiful architecture and luxurious surroundings. Check out the stunning floral arrangements and visit the Pretty Woman memorabilia, including the famous red dress, displayed just around the corner from the front desk. w Head to the spa for the Nautra Bisse Diamond Rose facial and body treatment, followed by a trip to The Nail Bar for a mani/ pedi while watching Pretty Woman. Yes, it plays in the nail salon all the time.
Spa photo courtesy of Four Seasons. The Blvd photo by Don Riddle/Four Seasons.
w Lunch and hanging by the pool. Start living the dream and people watching in a private poolside cabana with private lounge chairs, our own TV, chocolate-covered strawberries, a fruit bowl, bottled water, Moët & Chandon Rosé Champagne and an absolutely amazing lunch, beautifully presented and prepared individually for us. w Head back to the spa for a steam and shower before happy hour. Head down to The Blvd restaurant to take in the view of Rodeo Drive and sip on the Pretty Woman Cocktail, made with Belvedere Vodka, St. Germain, lime juice and cranberry juice. This place is amazing, and with the enormous crystal chandelier, onyx bar and incredible wine list, it’s just the type of see-and-be-seen place Edward and Vivian might have visited. w Although Cut, Wolfgang Puck’s signature steakhouse and seafood restaurant, comes highly recommended and might have been just the place for Edward and Vivian’s power dinner, we can’t be budged from the classy lounge atmosphere of The Blvd, so we stay to enjoy a leisurely dinner before ending the day feeling very much like a pair of pampered pretty women.
Famous Last Line of the Film “Some dreams come true, some don’t, but keep on dreamin’. This is Hollywood. Always time to dream, so keep on dreamin’.” Whatever your favorite Pretty Woman moment or scene, you can be certain that the accommodating and imaginative staff of the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons will do everything they can to bring the fairy tale to life for you. Contact the hotel for full details and reservations at 310.275.5200. Some blackout dates apply.
The Blvd
austinwomanmagazine.com | 43
M
ust List
must read
Books to Give and Get
Great gift ideas for the bibliophiles on your list.
By Deborah Stachelski There is at least one on every holiday gift list: the person who just can’t get enough books. This holiday season, we have targeted our recommendations by interest. There is nothing better than relaxing with a steaming cup of cocoa, wrapped up in a soft throw in a big chair by the fire while diving into a new book. Happy reading!
For Fiction Readers Who Love a Suspenseful and Entangled Plot Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty After last year’s best-selling The Husband’s Secret, Liane Moriarty brings back the darkly comic mystery surrounding a disastrous parents’ night at an elementary-school fundraiser. Her unique style and detailed character development let the reader in on the lives of Madeline, Celeste and Jane, three women at different crossroads who wind up in the same shocking place. Big Little Lies is Moriarty’s characteristically hilarious take on ex-husbands, new wives and the little white lies we all tell ourselves in order to get by.
For the Cookbook Collector Who Loves the Personalities Behind the Recipes My Kitchen Year: 136 Recipes That Saved My Life by Ruth Reichl My Kitchen Year: 136 Recipes That Saved My Life is part cookbook (her first solo one) and part memoir. The book is a chronicle of Ruth Reichl’s year following the abrupt shuttering of Conde Nast’s Gourmet magazine, the country’s oldest food-and-wine publication, of which she had been editor for a decade. Reichl took some time to recover from the shock, and, as a chef would, got in the kitchen to begin the healing process. The result is a wonderful, well-curated collection of recipes the reader will come to cherish, as well as an insider’s look at surviving the unexpected and coming out on top.
For the Romantic Who Loves a Tale With a Twist See Me by Nicholas Sparks
For the Reader Who Can’t Get Enough of the Courtroom and Legal Thrillers Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham Currently holding the No. 1 spot on the New York Times Best Sellers list, Rogue Lawyer is the story of Sebastian Rudd, a lawyer who forges his own path in the legal world. He prefers to defend clients other attorneys won’t go near, such as vicious crime lords on death row and accused murderers. He is a lawyer that believes everyone is entitled to a fair trial, at any cost. A true rebel, Sebastian is Grisham’s most colorful, vividly drawn character, making Rogue Lawyer an impossible-to-put-down read. 44 | Austin Woman | december 2015
For Lovers of Historical Fiction The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende In 1939, young Alma is sent by her parents to live in San Francisco as Poland falls under Nazi control. She falls in love with her wealthy uncle’s quiet Japanese gardener, but after Pearl Harbor is attacked, they are cruelly ripped apart when he and his family are declared enemies of the country. From New York Times and internationally bestselling author Isabel Allende, The Japanese Lover is a love story and multigenerational epic that sweeps from San Francisco in the present day to Poland and the United States during World War II.
Photo by Nathan Schroder, courtesy of Rizzoli.
In true Nicholas Sparks form, See Me is a drama about a couple in love but threatened by secrets from the past. Maria Sanchez is the beautiful daughter of Mexican immigrants who achieves success despite her traumatic history, and falls in love with Colin Hancock, a troubled man striving to keep his life on the straight and narrow to avoid prison time. Their love is tested in terrifying ways through a series of incidents that begins to bring up secrets from Maria’s past. Packed with emotion and suspense, See Me reminds the reader that those who see us for who we really are may not always be the ones who are easy to recognize.
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M
ust list
Must give
Holiday Bazaars and Gift Ideas Straight Out of ATX
We’ve curated the ultimate guide to unique gifts for friends and family. By Sarah E. Ashlock
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar armadillobazaar.com Dec. 15–24, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road Single-day pass: $8 Season ticket: $60 Free for kids 12 and younger
Our favorite event this year is the 40th annual Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. This Austin institution takes nearly a year of planning to execute and is part art fair, part music festival. Peruse handmade goods made by more than 160 artists while you sip on a cocktail and enjoy live music. The bazaar’s associate producer and general manager, Anne Johnson, has spent the last several Christmas Eves with her family at the bazaar. She describes it as the perfect shopping destination for any budget, whether
you’re looking for a painting or a whiteelephant gift. “We keep it true to the old Austin roots while also making it modern,” she says. Some noteworthy artisan wares available at the event this year include Lisa Crowder Jewelry, Latika Body Essentials, Greg Davis Photography, Espacio Handmade, Triple Z Threadz and Daryl Howard Art. Look forward to three performances each day by musicians like John Fullbright and Ray Wylie Hubbard. Music’s prominence in this event is no surprise, considering it originated from the beloved bygone concert venue Armadillo World Headquarters, a place Johnson calls “the catalyst for Austin being the Live Music Capital of the World, and for just being weird.” This year, in between gingerbread-house decorating and Christmas caroling, add attending the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar to your holiday itinerary.
German Christmas Market germantexans.org/ festivals/christmasmarket Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. German Free School of Austin 507 E. 10th St. Admission: free
Blue Genie Art Bazaar bluegenieartbazaar.com Nov. 27–Dec. 24, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Marchesa Hall & Theatre 6226 Middle Fiskville Road Admission: free
The Blue Genie Art Bazaar features handmade gifts from more than 200 Texas artisans, ranging from home décor
to mixed-media pieces. Consider attending on a Monday, when 10 percent of profits will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and South Texas. When visiting on a Tuesday, don’t miss the Artist Social, when shoppers can participate in a meet and greet with some of the artists.
46 | Austin Woman | december 2015
This one-day event is the ultimate Germanmarket experience. Shoppers can snag all kinds of gifts, such as ornaments and nutcrackers. An American Santa Claus and traditional German Sankt Nikolas will entertain children, and adults can indulge in a mug or two of glühwein.
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar photos by Jennifer Ramos. Blue Genie Art Bazaar photo courtesy of Blue Genie Art Bazaar.
Create memories and discover one-of-a-kind treasures by making Austin’s holiday shopping events an annual tradition.
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Cherrywood Art Fair photo by Jennifer Ramos. Allies Against Slavery Christmas Market photo courtesy of Allies Against Slavery. Coterie Sampler photo by Laura Morsman. Austin Pets Alive! courtesy of Coat and Tails.
Must give
Gifts for the Greater Good
Cherrywood Art Fair cherrywoodartfair.org Dec. 12 and 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Maplewood Elementary School 3808 Maplewood Ave. Admission: free
Shoppers wanting to give a present that also supports those in need should consider an out-of-the-box gift.
You’ll find quite the lineup of artisans at the Cherrywood Art Fair, which features sustainable gifts, paper goods, jewelry and more. There will even be presents for your pets! Enjoy the kids’ craft area, silent auction, food and live music.
Nobelity Project nobelity.org/donate It only takes a couple minutes to make a donation to this nonprofit, which focuses on educational outreach and creates films that document global issues. Donations can be made in honor or memory of a loved one.
Allies Against Slavery Christmas Market alliesagainstslavery.org/christmasmarket Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The For the City Center 500 E. St. John’s Ave. Admission: free
Miracle Foundation
Shoppers wanting to support socially conscious merchants should add this market to their calendar. Offerings run the gamut and include clothing, coffee, skin-care products and even hammocks.
Gift Boxes
If you’re looking for a present that will keep on giving, consider a gift subscription or gift box. Family members will love seeing a package full of surprise goodies waiting on their doorstep.
Austin Pets Alive!
Batch Box
A Little Bundle
Bat Box
batchusa.com/collections/ batch-austin Batches start at $29
alittlebundle.com Monthly subscription: $49
batbox.cratejoy.com Monthly subscription: $29.99
You can’t give moms and moms to be the gift of silence or sleep, but this bundle is the next best thing. Each box of adorableness contains nontoxic items perfect for the family, based on information provided through the website, including the child’s age and size. You simply purchase the gift subscription and let Mom fill in the blanks.
Created by two hip sistersin-law, Amber Golightly and Christina Montante, Bat Box curates four to five Austinspecific luxuries, often including art and music. Past boxes have included High Brew Coffee, glitter hair bows from JenniferHeartsArt and powder baths from Seaweed Bath Co.
Founded in Nashville, Tenn., in 2013, Batch Box expanded to Austin early this year. Pick from any of the batches or BYOB (build your own batch). We can’t get enough of the Keep Austin Weird Gift Batch, which features 10 items, including an I Heart TX tea towel and The Good Hippie Lip Balm. It’s perfect for transplants and born-and-raised Austinites alike.
miraclefoundation.org This multinational nonprofit supports and empowers orphans and orphanages. Donate an honorarium or memorial gift, and the Miracle Foundation will send a personalized note to the honoree.
austinpetsalive.org/donate Donate to the largest no-kill animal shelter in the country in honor or memory of a loved one, or use the nonprofit’s list of Austin businesses where you can shop for a cause. The coolest gift idea for the pet lover in your life: Receive free shipping when you purchase a custom pet portrait from Coat and Tails using the promo code “APA,” and 10 percent of the purchase will be donated to Austin Pets Alive!
Coterie Sampler coteriesampler.cratejoy.com Monthly subscription: $39.95 to $59.95 There’s no better way to share Austin’s love of munching on artisanal delights than with this gift subscription created by Coterie Market Founder Chelsea Staires Sun. A team researches, tests and thoughtfully selects the products. The coolest thing: They collaborate with makers and chefs to include exclusive items, like the Gardner Two-Month HouseFermented Hot Sauce & Chili Powder. Yum!
austinwomanmagazine.com | 49
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Zink
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ALL THAT GLITTERS
The holidays are your time to shine, so stand out in sequins. photos by rudy arocha styled by ashley hargrove makeup by cyler daigle hair by Cynthia Valdez model: Michelle O'Neal jewelry provided by The three graces
MVL beige sequin dress, $445, Cove Boutique, 1318 S. Congress Ave., coveclothing.com.
STYLE austinwomanmagazine.com |  55
S
TYLE
trends
56 | Austin Woman | december 2015
Sequin tank top, $49.90; sequin pants, $79.90, Express, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., express.com; Rebecca Minkoff silver clutch, $95, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, neimanmarcus.com.
austinwomanmagazine.com |  57
Long-sleeve dark-red sequin dress, $128, Express, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., express.com.
58 | Austin Woman | december 2015
trends
SPARKLE
All jewelry from The Three Graces Fine Jewelry, georgianjewelry.com. 12. Sapphire and diamond flower earrings, $55,000
1. Georgian diamond aigrette, $4,500
6. 2.75-carat yellow sapphire and diamond ring, $6,950
2. E merald-cut "East to West" diamond and sapphire ring, $9,450
7. Oval diamond and sapphire platinum ring, $6,850
3. Emerald, sapphire and diamond ring, $18,450
9. Snowflake diamond-encrusted ring, $16,750
14. Art Deco rock crystal earrings, $1,395
4. 5.53-carat diamond chandelier earrings, $18,450
10. Ballerina diamond halo ring, $4,650
5. Edwardian garnet riviere necklace, $4,850
11. 1.36-carat diamond and sapphire ring, $6,850
15. G eorgian "Day and Night" garnet earrings, $5,750
13. Yellow gold Georgian earrings, $6,450
8. Art Deco diamond and sapphire ring, $9,450
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9 8
shine
1. Brocato Shimmer gold spray, $15, supersilk.us. 2. Stephanie Johnson sequined cosmetic bag, $25, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, neimanmarcus.com. 3. Armani Prive Rose D'arabie Intense fragrance, $320, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, neimanmarcus.com. 4. Urban Decay Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder for Face and Body in Lit, $30, urbandecay.com. 5. MAC glitter in Reflects Copper, $22, available at MAC Cosmetics, 11600 Century Oaks Terrace, maccosmetics.com. 6. Smith & Cult nail lacquer in Bridge and Tunnel, $18, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, neimanmarcus.com. 7. Bobbi Brown Sequin eye shadow in Constellation, $36, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, neimanmarcus.com. 8. Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Burnished Bronze, $28, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, neimanmarcus.com. 9. MAC Mineralize eye shadow in Cinderfella, $22, available at MAC Cosmetics, 11600 Century Oaks Terrace, maccosmetics.com. 10. Laura Mercier Baked Eye Colour in Terracotta, $24, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, neimanmarcus.com.
60 |  Austin Woman |  december 2015
DVF Kendra white sequin romper, $998, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, neimanmarcus.com.
austinwomanmagazine.com austinwomanmagazine.com | |  61 61
H
ome
entertaining
Treat your hostess like gold
Stir up conversation at your next holiday soiree with one of these 15 gasp-worthy gifts.
Pearl Place vase, $75
By lucy paije
katespade.com
With all the event invites you’re fielding this winter season, it can be hard to think of thank-you presents that harmoniously hover between creative and classic, over the top and practical. Not only are the following gifts sure to impress, we wouldn’t be surprised if you’re suddenly placed at the top of everyone’s invite lists next year. After all, your end game is simple: You want to wow your hostess.
If you’d like to bring somewhat more of a Christmas/hostess hybrid gift, this vase is the perfect size to place under the tree. It can be used not only during the holiday, but yearround.
Bloody Mary gift basket, $80 gourmetgiftbaskets.com
Everyone will show up with libations the night of the party, but you’ll be thinking ahead with an antidote to help the effects of the party the next morning. The hostess will definitely thank you the next morning, guaranteed.
Mazel Tov banner necklace, $32 fab.com
For the host celebrating Hanukkah, this hand-stamped necklace is meant to bring good luck.
Bear wine stopper, $20 craneandcanopy.com
Featuring a variety of animals, these wine stoppers are adorable gifts for the host to dress up all those leftover bottles after the party.
G la s s p p l e pinea ent, o rn a m $ 14 ie .com a nth r
opolo
g
ing an Bring ent to help m a the orn ute to ys contrib ree is alwa t a host’s way to add to e t h u c c u a o htful t as thoug t’s Christm s o h the . ations decor
Coconut shea 22-karat gold soy candle, $48 simplycurated.com
As a beautiful accent piece with 22-karat gold designs and a wood wick, this candle has 75 hours of burn time and will not burn or stain if spilled. Once it has burned through, it can be repurposed as a drinking glass. 62 | Austin Woman | december 2015
Classic cornbread stuffing $35
(Set of two in 6-inch-by-6-inch pan), deandeluca.com
If you want to contribute to the meal but aren’t much of a cook, order the pre-made gourmet Dean & DeLuca dishes, and all you have to do is bake!
Glitte r set, $ serving 40
Pop Fizz Clink balloons, $5
le
if sho For th p .com servin e eccentric out a g set is bo host, this n u settin d add glit nd to stan z g in sm . (The glit to any ta d b o t for gli oth acryli er is enca le c s tter-f ree se , allowing ed rving Also availa .) ble u tensil
s and
brit.co
A great way to get the party started is with this fun gift.
in oth teasp er ser vin g o o ns
.
Bubble coupe glasses by ACME Party Box Company, $58
(Set of four)
nmo h , a n t Cin wrea 5 2 s $ u m citr .c o u rr
i
fab.com
Gift these festive Champagne glasses the host will want to open and use immediately.
ade s-m aths a x l r Te wre st 's shi se g o The-strun our h weet y s d n l l han will fi th the seaso y t i r e w a se f th e p up hou mell o ter th t lasts s.) f s c e n o nth s ga lon s. (The three m to end po eys
tp o
"Drink Me" wine tote, $20
Texas -s cuttin haped g boa $48 rd,
katespade.com
Wine is probably the most common hostess gift, so make yours stand out with this adorable tote. The best characteristic: It can be re-gifted time and again.
aheir
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om Alwa y and s s a great g h cuttin ow piece if t , g perso board ca this n heart alized wit n be , ha on th house or s e of yo city or pla tar u r ch oice. ce
Mulled winter punch, $15 shopterrain.com
For all of us who have heard about the warmth of mulled wine but haven’t actually spent a Christmas in England, here is the ideal winter punch to add to your favorite red wine. Each batch is made by hand at Lincolnshire, England’s Belvoir Fruit Farms, so you may be able to give the allure of London after all.
A Little Bacon Love bacon-jam gift set, $37 skilletstreetfood .com
Give the savory gift of bacon this season with these delicious three jams, straight from famous Seattle-based restaurant Skillet Street Food.
austinwomanmagazine.com | 63
’
Noonday Collection s Jessica Honegger is making the world a better place, one accessory at a time. Steve Uhler
Annie Ray
Ashley Hargrove
Tim Patrick & Alfonso Hernandez
Erikka Walor
64
In a city overflowing with eyes-on-the-prize entrepreneurs focused on the next big idea and even bigger profit ratio, Jessica Honegger is doing much more than simply making her mark as a financial success story. She’s changing the world, one accessory at a time. As the founder and co-CEO of Noonday Collection, the phenomenally successful Austin-based fashion-accessory company, the busy executive fashionista is in constant commute mode, usually in transit to some remote part of the world—Africa, China, Southeast Asia, South America—recruiting, nurturing and overseeing her ever-expanding army of artisans and suppliers. She probably spends more time at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport than at her home on Austin’s Eastside. On this balmy fall day, she’s briefly touching down at her corporate headquarters to oversee a fashion shoot. Just back from a trip to Africa, she’s leaving town again first thing the next morning. If she has jet lag, she doesn’t show it. “I’m going to Nashville tomorrow. We’re raising adoption money for seven families,” she says, her face breaking into a huge smile of anticipation. “It’s going to be big!” As the adoptive parent of a child from Rwanda herself, Honeg-
66 | Austin Woman | december 2015
ger is passionate about adopting children from overseas. She is passionate about a lot of things: empowering women, fashion, fair trade, trunk shows, children, kombucha and, biggest of all, connection. Connection is a recurring motif in Honegger’s life; it’s in her spiritual DNA. “I love connecting with women and people and cultures, and celebrating that we’re more alike than we are different,” she says. “I enjoy creating opportunities for women here in America and in other countries to come into their own and walk past fear and perfectionism, and embrace who they are in the world. To be able to connect with these artisans and entrepreneurs that are going through similar journeys is definitely my joy.” To say her energy and efforts have paid off is an understatement. In just five years, Noonday Collection has grown into one of the hottest new companies in the country, boasting more than $11 million in revenue last year, and a three-year growth rate of more than 5,000
percent. The company was spotlighted in Inc. Magazine as third on the list of Fastest Rising Women-Led Businesses in the Country, and last October, Noonday nailed the No. 1 spot on the Austin Business Journal’s Fast 50 rankings for businesses with revenue of more than $10 million. What began with a single improvised trunk show in her living room now has more than 60 full-time office employees working out of an impressive office-cum-warehouse in East Austin, along with nearly 1,000 independent sellers throughout the country showing and selling the work of more than 4,000 artisans from 14 countries. With that degree of success, you may expect Honegger’s hauteur to border on Prada-esque. But despite her formidable achievements, success hasn’t gone to her head. Ebullient and down-to-earth, she exudes an aura of relentless optimism, resolve and boundless energy. She seems to run on pure passion, faith and, in moments of indulgence, Starbucks coffee. Honegger wears the accoutrements of her success casually and comfortably, embracing a refreshing worldview on what defines a successful woman. “We’re an image-driven culture,” she observes. “We have these images of perfectionism and what we should be as women. When I think about what the perfect fashion-company CEO should be, I think of Gwyneth Paltrow,” she says, breaking out into a self-deprecating laugh. “And when I compare myself to Gwyn, I fall short. “But as I travel, I’m able to see what other women are doing in the world, and they definitely don’t have the same definition of success
’
as women here in America. For them, as working mothers, they’re doing everything they can so their children can flourish. The more I became part of this global community of women, the more I saw how I was the one who had a wrong perception of being a working mom in the world.” When she’s not scouting out new fashion-accessory merchandise throughout the world, Honegger is often seen at trunk shows in this country, those hosted by her ever-expanding brigade of Noonday Collection sales reps, called ambassadors in the company lingo, or speaking at endless seminars and events, often for overseas adoption fundraisers. Noonday’s unique business modus operandi is modeled after the popular Tupperware parties of the 1950s and 1960s, in which neighborhood distributors sponsored informal selling soirees out of their homes. But Noonday’s tweak on the formula is revolutionary. Instead of cookware, Noonday Collection ambassadors showcase handmade fashion accessories by artisans from throughout the world, and both the artisans and sellers make a profit. All Noonday’s products—colorful scarves, elegant bracelets, necklaces, earrings, bags, purses and more—are handmade by local artisans from throughout the world, and all transactions strictly adhere to Fair Trade Federation guidelines. Artisans rely on ambassadors in the States to sell their products, and ambassadors rely on the artisans overseas to provide them. It’s a symbiotic partnership spanning the globe and connecting cultures. Call it compassionate capitalism.
Jessica Honegger s Favorites From Noonday Collection Ecuador Bracelets “Each season, our design team whips up a new set of dreamy arm candy. I love these tagua seed and leather beauties from Ecuador. With one in each of my favorite fall shades, they make a perfect autumn ensemble.”
Ibrahim Necklace “Our Ibrahim necklace from Ethiopia is a definite favorite of mine. I love the versatility of this piece too. The top features a removable bracelet, so it pairs as a longer necklace or bracelet, or both.”
Westward Bag “Of-the-moment ikat combined with vintage Indian fabrics makes this piece a must-have in my book. It reminds me of exploring the markets in India.”
Linked Horn Necklace “The mix of raw and refined come together so perfectly in this necklace. This piece is made by Vietnamese artisans who carve jewelry from ethically harvested water-buffalo horn, continuing a craft their village has practiced for 400 years.”
austinwomanmagazine.com | 67
Jessica Honegger’s globe-spanning spiritual journey began less than 100 miles from her current home in Austin. Honegger was raised in San Antonio as the younger of two children. Her mother was a stay-athome mom and her father was an entrepreneur, working in the lessthan-glamorous field of wastewater management and grease traps. “I grew up visiting sewage-treatment plants on the weekends,” she smiles. “Very sexy job.” During a summer while in high school, she journeyed to Kenya with a church outreach group to help construct a building for a community sewing circle, a harbinger of things to come. “It was the first time I saw poverty outside of my own country,” she recalls. “I remember seeing a 4-year-old girl carrying her younger brother on her back. There were a lot of children without parents.” Returning home, Honegger resolved to make a difference, launching a local campaign to raise funds to send a girl she met in Kenya to school. “I kind of became the resident activist at high school,” she says with a laugh. After graduating from the University of Texas with a degree in Latin American studies, Honegger volunteered for the international outreach group Food for the Hungry, going to Bolivia for a year, a pivotal moment in her entrepreneurial evolution. While in training, Honegger
met her future husband, Joe, who was assigned to Guatemala. The two shared a mutual desire to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. During her time with Food for the Hungry, Honegger came to realize the correlation between work and self-esteem. “I saw the power of how work restores dignity, learning more about community development,” she says. “I saw rising out of poverty was largely due to an entrepreneurial spirit, where they took what little they had and multiplied that, even if it was something like starting a little business, selling coal to their neighbors. I began to notice how entrepreneurship could play a part in creating opportunity for the poor, and that work is a way to restore human dignity to people. That’s something I really wanted to be part of.” Honegger returned to the U.S. a year later, marrying Joe and moving to Austin in 2002, but found her homecoming a disorienting transition. During the next few years, she bounced through a seemingly random series of unfulfilling jobs: flipping houses, working in a jewelry store, trying her hand at interior design. The couple also had two children: Amelie, now 9, and Holden, 7. Still, something was missing. “I really struggled when we moved back to Austin, and felt a disconnect between this American life and the simplicity of the life I had lived overseas,” she confesses.
India
vietnam
rwanda
“
This idea of noonday—the sun, of
something really positive and how women shine
”
when they come together—it seemed right.
-Jessica Honegger
uganda 68 | Austin Woman | december 2015
Honegger had also felt a profound calling to adopt a child from overseas. When she and her husband visited an orphanage in Uganda during a trip in 2010, the die was cast. They resolved to adopt a child from Rwanda, an expensive and time-consuming process. During that same trip, Honegger also connected with Jalia and Daniel, two struggling paper-bead necklace designers from Uganda who had a backlog of product stored away in the States. They asked Honegger to try to sell some of their bead necklaces in the United States when she returned home. Impressed with both their work and their commitment to helping other artisans in their community, she agreed. That February, determined to raise money for the adoption, the fledgling entrepreneur took a leap of faith. “I had my first trunk show at our home, selling Jalia’s stuff. I also sold anything else I had, my clothes, my furniture. It was like a garage sale,” she says. But, by far, the hottest seller was Jalia’s jewelry. Suddenly, kismet kicked in. All the acquired skill sets Honegger had previously perceived as random failures began to coalesce into building tools for a unique business. She realized she could seek out the best artisans overseas in vulnerable communities, pay them a fair wage for their wares and sell those wares in the States, with
her profits going toward adoption funds. She christened the company Noonday, after a Bible verse derived from Isaiah 58:10, “When you offer yourself to the hungry and afflicted, then your light will rise in the darkness and become like the noonday.” The passage appealed to her. “This idea of noonday—the sun, of something really positive and how women shine when they come together—it seemed right,” she says. Jalia and Daniel became Noonday’s first artisans. Honegger also found a financing partner for Noonday, Travis Wilson, a friend and investor who believed in her vision. The cherry on top came the next year, when the Honeggers welcomed their newly adopted son from Rwanda, Jack, into the family. Since then, several Noonday employees and ambassadors have adopted children from overseas. But Noonday was not an overnight success. “It was a rudimentary business,” Honegger recalls of the early days, “but pretty quickly, I pulled the work elements together: product, branding, customers. I was a company of one.” When a friend in Seattle heard about Honegger’s fundraising trunk show, she asked if she could have one, eventually becoming Noonday’s first ambassador. Via several conduits—Noonday’s catalogue, website, trunk shows and growing word-of-mouth
Photos courtesy of Noonday Collection.
uganda
“I think power is a gift, and the ultimate test of power is when we’re using it to create more power for others.” -Jessica Honegger austinwomanmagazine.com | 69
Noonday Collection By the Numbers Directly impacts
Noonday’s
Partners
global
with
4,047
impact
30
artisans in
reaches
19,731
12
family
countries
members 70 | Austin Woman | december 2015
artisan Businesses
Together, the noonday family has celebrated and supported
1,621
adoptive families
Ana Hernandez
Photo courtesy of Noonday Collection.
Ana Nineth Hernandez’s English may be a little hesitant, but even over a fuzzy and freeze-prone Skype call from Guatemala, her smile comes through bright and clear. Five years ago, Hernandez was living a fringe existence, weaving scarves and selling them to occasional tourists from her modest textile business in her small village of San Juan La Laguna. Today, she oversees a profitable weaving business with 35 employees, making scarves to be sold in the U.S. for Noonday Collection. “I like to create new things for Noonday,” she says. “It has definitely changed my life, given me opportunities, such as further study at university, and support for my family and other people financially.” Hernandez and her group of employees, all women, generate more income than most of the men in her village, who typically make about $2 a day harvesting coffee. “It’s very important to me,” she says haltingly. “I can create opportunities for me, but most important, to create opportunities for other women.” Hernandez began weaving when she was 7, continuing a tradition that has been part of her family’s livelihood for generations. Jessica Honegger met Hernandez during a visit to her village in 2012, and became intrigued with Hernandez’s unique method of utilizing local plants to produce dyes for the dazzling colored yarns used in weaving. The two women bonded instantly. Hernandez’s work is now a popular Noonday Collection perennial. “I love her passion for work,” Hernandez says of Honegger. “And she supports the change in lives of people around the world. I like to work with her for those reasons.”
reputation—the company’s workforce and customer base expanded exponentially. As Noonday’s momentum grew, Honegger grew increasingly self-confident, becoming a virtuoso in the fine art of persuasion and motivational speaking. “You hate saying no to her,” says Laura Choy, a longtime Noonday independent ambassador, “because you sense that if you say yes to whatever new idea she has up her sleeve, you’re going to be part of something really special.” Honegger is a big booster for self-empowerment. “I think power is a gift, and the ultimate test of power is when we’re using it to create more power for others,” she says. “I feel that, as women, we don’t need to diminish one another. We don’t need to compete. We can actually create opportunity and use our power to create more power for one another. That really is the premise of Noonday Collection.” Noonday’s mission and business model empower not only women in far-off places, but within the company as well. “I’ve learned that there’s power in my voice,” Choy says. “I’ve always been quiet and reticent to believe that what I say matters. I think customers might feel the same, like their purchase is good,
“I’ve learned that no matter where you live or what sort of economic status you were born into or have built for yourself, we are all connected.” - Heather Bauer but still just kind of small. I disagree. They actually provide work for me, and we all get to provide better for our families.” Fellow ambassador Heather Bauer echoes Choy’s sentiments. “I’ve met mamas from Ethiopia to Ecuador and right here locally in Austin who all want the same thing,” she says. “We want good jobs, a good education for our kids, a safe place to raise a family. I’ve learned that no matter where you live or what sort of economic status you were born into or have built for yourself, we are all connected.” Once again, it comes back to that theme of connection. “When I think about that first gathering I had at my home, it wasn’t just about selling things to make money toward adoption,” Honegger says. “It was really about mobilizing my community to understand the journey we were about to go through. A physical gathering is such a powerful way to do that. We’re such a digital culture now. To actually have a physical gathering where we can come together and celebrate this journey that adoption takes us on is really powerful.” Recently, Honegger and 60 Noonday ambassadors completed a group trip to various countries, meeting many of the artisans they’ve come to know through telling their stories and selling their wares at trunk shows. Gathered in sewing circles, around weaving looms and at shared meals, the connection between women and cultures was immediate and lasting. Language and economic barriers evaporated in a communal quilt of shared purpose. With Noonday’s success, Jessica Honegger has effectively become an artisan of sorts herself, creating a business model with universal appeal, sustainability and purpose. Now that’s a fashion statement for the ages. For more information, visit noondaycollection.com. austinwomanmagazine.com | 71
What defines an Austin woman?
Molly IvIns, Liz Carpenter, Sarah Weddington
72 |  Austin Woman |  december 2015
Photo by Matt Lankes.
By Deborah Hamilton-Lynne
I am Austin Woman. That statement is prominently featured in all new AW materials, on the website and on the front of AW business cards. “I am” statements are powerful statements, both descriptive and defining. Who can forget the famous “I am Spartacus” scene in the classic film as thousands of captured slaves stood with their leader in solidarity? But what exactly does it mean when someone says, “I am Austin Woman?” What description or definition can I give to the women who make up that community? In my role as editor, the question I am asked most often is how we choose the cover women. What qualities do we look for in those women? The other question I am often asked is how we decide what to include in each issue. What I have realized is the real question on most people’s minds is exactly what defines an Austin woman. What sets her apart or makes her stand out? And conversely, what qualities do all these women share? I have had the privilege and the pleasure of being associated with Austin Woman from the beginning, first, as a writer and for the past 52 issues, as the editor. In that time, I have found it is almost impossible to give a simple definition or description of what it means to say, “I am Austin Woman,” as the members of this community are as diverse and unique as the city itself. However, there are many characteristics these women share. Getting to be the architect of each issue and getting to learn what motivates these women, what inspires them, to know where they have been and where they are headed has been an honor. Their generous hearts, courageous spirits and willingness to share their stories have brought me and our readers great insight and joy. I encourage you to go to our archives and revisit the stories of the women who filled our pages throughout the years. Please indulge me as I look back and reflect on what I believe it means to say, “I am Austin Woman.”
Austin women have a style of their own. When I first moved to Austin, I thought Austin women had no style, but as the years went by, I learned that not only do they have style, they have a style that is 100 percent their own, and that they refuse to be defined by any trend, whether it is on the runways of New York City or Paris, or the showrooms in High Point, N.C. These women know exactly what Austin style means to them. Beautiful, gracious, classy, relaxed, laid-back, a little quirky, always original: These are the hallmarks of ATX. For my style cues, I look to Kendra Scott, Donna Stockton-Hicks, Camila Alves, Carla McDonald, Tracey Overbeck Stead, Ashley Hargrove and Cheryl Bemis.
Christy Pipkin
austinwomanmagazine.com | 73
Austin women find strength in adversity. Many Austin women count themselves as survivors— survivors of breast cancer, domestic violence, rape and child abuse. What always impressed me when telling their stories was the way they refused to let adversity define them and the ways they found the strength to share their stories. Austin women don’t just survive, they thrive, and then they reach out and give their sisters a hand up. For a little sweet inspiration, look to Andrea McWilliams, Cherie Mathews, Patti Rogers, Shauna Martin and Courtney Sanchez Santana.
Austin women are creative and innovative. When I think of one of the main attributes that sets Austin women apart and indeed defines the city itself, it has to be the clarion call to creative souls and spirits. We support and revere musicians, dancers, artists, filmmakers, writers and playwrights. I have been fortunate to interview and feature so many creative talents that the list seems endless: Sara Hickman, Elizabeth McQueen, Natalie Maines, Christine Albert, Ruby Jane Smith, Sarah Jarosz, Sandra Adair, Kat Candler, Kelly Willis, Elizabeth Avellán, Shawn Colvin, Sahara Smith, Anne Akiko Meyers, Anne Rapp, Ruthie Foster, Carolyn Wonderland, Marcia Ball, Kathy Valentine and Eliza Gilkyson, just to name a few. Creativity and innovation run through the collective soul of Austin women and are traits shared by almost every woman we have profiled, regardless of her profession. Austin women think outside the box.
shauna martin
Sarah bird
74 | Austin Woman | december 2015
Accomplished
heidi marquez smith
Austin women choose to build a legacy. Looking back at the women who have graced our cover, I think of how blessed we are to live in a city where women like Teresa Long, Jo Anne Christian, Cookie Ruiz, Pebbles Wadsworth and Sally Jacques devote themselves to the arts and to the indelible memories of women like Liz Carpenter, Lady Bird Johnson, Molly Ivins and Karen Kuykendall, which makes trying to live up to the high standards they set a tough act to follow. This is the city where women like Ada Anderson, Sarah Weddington, Wilhelmina Delco and Rhoda Mae Kerr made history and shattered glass ceilings. This is the city where the dedication of Lynn Meredith became the Thinkery, and of Donna Stockton-Hicks and Sally Brown, which became The Rise School, and where the vision of Rebecca Powers led to the creation of Impact Austin. The legacies of these Austin women have contributed mightily to the quality of life for everyone who calls this city home. Their accomplishments shine as something to strive for, and they set the bar high for future generations.
“Like the many great women who found their way to Texas in the 1800s, those you profile in Austin Woman all share a strong pioneering spirit, a willingness to endure adversity to explore, attempt and achieve. They are at the heart of what Austin is all about: innovation and pluck.” – Carla McDonald
austinwomanmagazine.com | 75
Patti ROgers
Almost every woman we feature in the magazine has big dreams, and what has been most interesting to me is the way they have chosen to manifest their dreams. The problem with dreaming big is that many people think it is crazy and that it can’t be done. For Austin women, failure is not an option. They respond undaunted with optimism and determination and marvelous projects, like the Seton Breast Care Center, the Thinkery, The Long Center and the Austin Film Festival, which have become part of the fabric of our community.
76 | Austin Woman | december 2015
“The thing that truly inspires me about Austin Woman is that it embodies the spirit of what a true sisterhood is all about. As I travel and work around the globe, in no other place have I found a single community so banded together in their spirit to help women grow and thrive. I often think about Austin Woman as I think about how I envision the global quilt of women worldwide coming together in a community that truly supports, inspires and enables women to reach their fullest potential.” – Ingrid Vanderveldt
courtney sanchez Santana
Austin women are driven to give back and pay it forward. They share their time, talent and treasure in huge measure. Newcomers to Austin always remark on the generosity of Austin women and particularly, their desire to help others succeed. There is a strong sense of pride in the accomplishments of the entire tribe that fuels this spirit of cooperation and mentorship. For proof, look to Jan Ryan, a successful entrepreneur who decided to pay it forward when she started Women@Austin in 2013, creating a network to advance female entrepreneurship. In her own words, “The creation of Women@Austin echoes what most women in business realize: We all need each other. We’re here because of others. With Women@Austin, we have the opportunity to leave a legacy in this city. Austin can and should be known for our ability to attract talented women, to become the most accessible, supportive city in America for women to launch a business.” Austin women work tirelessly, often with little thanks and recognition and no pay, giving thousands of hours to organizations and individuals for no other reason than to make a difference. I cannot remember a time when I reached out for help, either personally or for a cause, and even the busiest of them turned me down. It’s a thing among Austin women. No matter their age, station in life or occupation, they are here to help, and Austin women value connection.
Sarah evans
Austin women are citizens of the world. You need look no further than the work of Jessica Honegger, Christy Pipkin, Sarah Evans, Caroline Boudreaux, Donna Berber and Niyanta Spelman to realize the global impact these Austin women have made. From providing educational opportunities for students in Ethiopia, Kenya, and in Honduras, to providing clean, fresh water throughout Africa, to providing loving and safe homes for orphans in India, to providing health care, to saving the rainforests, to empowering female artisans through business opportunities and microloans, these women have expanded the reach of Austin, and made a huge difference.
“I think of Austin Woman magazine as an ongoing dialogue, spotlighting women in this city who are pursuing progress and change. What I love most about AW women is the sense that we’re all in this together, the spirit of giving back, of sisterhood.” – Jan Ryan austinwomanmagazine.com | 77
“I am Austin Woman. Why am I Austin Woman? I believe to be an Austin woman, you must love Austin, understand your community and surround yourself with great women leaders. My council in building a business and being an Austin woman: Build your ship on land and not on the water. It takes a village to raise an entrepreneur.” – Cherie Mathews
I AM AUSTIN WOMAN
marcia levy
l
Purposeful
judy maggio
78 | Austin Woman | december 2015
Austin women are on a mission. Austin women are particularly good at recognizing a problem, finding a need and filling gaps, and they do it in the most creative and determined ways. One of the common threads that runs through most of the stories I have written and edited for AW is that these women have a distinct sense of purpose. I look to Alexis Jones, Jan Ryan, Courtney Sanchez Santana, Ingrid Vanderveldt, Donna Berber, Sarah Evans, Christy Pipkin, Susan Dell and so many others. Their missions range from empowering a billion women by 2020, to creating safe harbor for women fleeing domestic abuse, to creating a place where the women of Central Texas can receive first-class care and treatment for breast cancer, to empowering women locally and throughout the world, to providing water, food, homes and health care for those who need it most. Austin women on a mission are focused, selfless and determined.
Authentic
Lady Bird Johnson photo courtesy of the LBJ Library and by Frank Wolfe.
lady bird johnson
All these characteristics, in some way, define what it means to be an Austin woman. But is there possibly one word that might connect all these descriptions? Austin women are passionate and love what they do. Austin women love their city, their families, their friends and the world, in general. They are confident, and many have found and answered their calling. Many have realized they only thought they had it all figured out. Austin women refuse to be defined and refuse to give up. Vision, perseverance and passion might as well be their middle names. But what one thing ties it all together? I believe it is authenticity. To me, when you say, “I am Austin Woman,” you are also saying, “I am what I am. Take it or leave it in totality.” Although Austin women are complex, at different stages of life and as quirky and independent as this city we call home, the one thing that makes them unique while drawing them together is the desire to be genuine, to live authentic lives and to let that authenticity guide their journeys. So, when you say, “I am Austin Woman,” say it with a wink and with pride, knowing you and your sassy tribe are the real deal, a tribe that I have been proud to be a part of. When you say, “I am Austin Woman,” know that it has power and meaning. It is an “I am” statement with a lot to live up to.
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GOURMET Live Like Royalty
The ultimate holiday indulgence: Champagne and caviar. story and photos by matt mcginnis The holidays are ripe for indulgence. It’s a perfect time for pampering family, friends and yourself. The ultimate culinary extravagance is the pairing of Champagne and caviar: bliss! Both are tiny festive balloons bursting with joy, just for you.
CONGRESS
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G
OURMET
Guilty Pleasure
What’s so special about the salted eggs of a sturgeon? It’s that almost magical pop of the delicate shell that showers your mouth with insanely delicious buttery, saline and fishy goodness. Nothing else can replicate the tactile experience or flavor. Who was the first person to eat the gray-black eggs of a scary fish that looks like it just swam out of the brackish waters of Jurassic Park? Some say Greek philosopher Aristotle and his cronies were diggin’ sturgeon roe way back in the fourth century B.C. While the Persians (aka Iranians) may have been the first to salt sturgeon eggs from the Southern Caspian Sea, it’s the Russian czars who gave caviar its fame as an extravagance. Its popularity spread when the Russians started selling it as a luxury item to European royalty in the 16th century. Caviar caught on big in the United States in the late 1800s, and by 1910, sturgeon were almost extinct in the U.S., resulting in the halting of domestic production. Similarly, the sturgeon population in the Caspian Sea and Black Sea was decimated by overfishing, poaching and pollution. In 1988, sturgeon was listed as an endangered species, but poaching for the lucrative black-market trade after the fall of the U.S.S.R. devastated the industry. Wild beluga and osetra sturgeon have been fished to near extinction. As a result of scarcity and regulations limiting the harvest of wild sturgeon, caviar prices have soared. Fortunately, farming sturgeon provides cost-effective and sustainable access to the good stuff.
Order Like a Pro You don’t have to be an in-the-know aficionado to get good caviar in a restaurant or store. Just follow a few basic tips.
3 Buy enough. You’ll want at least a 30-gram tin (about 1 ounce) for two people, but the ideal serving is 50 grams per person.
3 Know what you are getting. Caviar is the
unfertilized salt-cured fish egg that can come from 26 different species of sturgeon. Look for nationality and species of fish on the tin—Russian sevruga, Iranian osetra or California sturgeon—to know what you are getting. While items like salmon caviar are technically roe and not caviar, it is common to find affordable eggs called whitefish caviar or trout caviar. Caviar is graded by the color, size and texture of its beads. The finest caviars are larger eggs that are lighter in color with firmer beads that pop in your mouth. If you are new to caviar, try milder styles like Chinese shassetra or American white sturgeon. Make sure it is fresh. Caviar stays fresh for four weeks unopened when well refrigerated. Once opened, caviar starts to soften and gets fishier. It will only keep for a day or possibly two when stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator.
3 That beluga isn’t what you think it is.
Beluga is widely regarded as the finest caviar, but in 2004, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed beluga sturgeon as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. It’s currently
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illegal in the U.S., however, you may see river beluga caviar, or kaluga caviar, on a menu. It’s a scrumptious substitute with large, firm and luscious pearls. Sustainably raised caviar is a good thing. Because most species of sturgeon are now considered endangered, sustainably raised, farmed caviar and other fish roe are
Where to Get It in Austin There are several stores in Austin that sell quality caviar, but two with high-quality caviar year-round include: Lone Star Caviar 512.636.8265 As the only caviar-specific retailer in Central Texas, Lone Star Caviar sells a wide array of wild caviar, from domestic sturgeon in a 4-ounce container for $280, to golden osetra imported from Iran in a 3.5-ounce tin for $350. To ensure freshness, the retailer only keeps a small amount in stock. Proprietor Bill Kirchenbauer recommends calling ahead to pre-order. He delivers in the Austin area usually within 24 hours. Whole Foods Market Each Whole Foods location carries a limited selection of caviar year-round and increases the selection to six to 10 varieties during the holidays. Ryan Boudreaux, a seafood coordinator, says Whole Foods carries caviar from small, sustainably farmed, artisanal companies like Tsar Nicoulai Select California Estate Osetra. Various quality levels are available, from a farmed white American sturgeon for $40 for an ounce, to a reserve-style white sturgeon caviar for $90 an ounce. Whole Foods follows its seafoodsustainability practices for the purchase of caviar, which precludes it from buying Russian sturgeon. It only carries fresh caviar. Boudreaux recommends customers talk to a fishmonger to check the date of caviar before buying it. It has a finite shelf life of 60 to 90 days. He recommends packing it in ice, even for a short drive home.
great alternatives to wild caviar. Wild-harvested sturgeon are killed for their eggs, while eggs from farm-raised sturgeon are live-harvested. Look for farm-raised varieties like white sturgeon or paddlefish roe.
The Proper Way to Eat Caviar Eat caviar in small bites, served right out of the tin with a non-metallic spoon made of mother-ofpearl, wood or even plastic. Let the eggs spread on your tongue and pop those lovely pearls on the roof of your mouth to let the rich, nutty, buttery, salty, fishy flavors explode across your palate. Alternately, caviar is delightful when served with blini, toast points or cold boiled potatoes with a dollop of crème fraîche—all excellent neutral backdrops that won’t compete with the flavor of caviar.
How to Select Champagne Champagne is a must for pairing with caviar. The tart acidity of Champagne and silky texture exquisitely enhance the enchanting, salty flavor of the caviar. It’s a match made in heaven. Even when excluding all styles of sparkling wine made outside the Champagne region of France, there are still several styles to choose from. Follow these tips to simplify the selection of Champagne.
3 Ask for advice. Go to a restaurant with a
sommelier who can make suggestions or visit a reputable wine shop and ask for advice from the smart people who work there. Sommeliers and wine-shop owners spend all day, every day recommending wine, and are great resources for finding the best Champagne for the money.
3 Know what you like. Do you prefer sweet or
dry? Demi-sec, sec and extra dry are sweet, while brut and extra brut are dry. Do you like your wine to be more tart or more rich? Champagne made with all chardonnay grapes, called blanc de blanc, is more elegant, with lemonjuice freshness and high acidity. Champagne made with pinot noir is typically bigger, richer and more structured. Pick your year. Champagne made with wine from multiple years is called non-vintage and will have “NV” on the label. It is usually less expensive than vintagedated Champagne. If you choose vintage Champagne, some good years to consider are 1995, 2002, 2004 and 2008. Consider being adventurous. If you want a solid Champagne without spending a lot of time scouring the wine list, pick a non-vintage bottle from one of the major houses, like Bollinger, Krug, Moët & Chandon, Piper-Heidsieck, Taittinger or Veuve Clicquot. If you feel more adventurous, try a grower Champagne, or fizzy wine made by the same house that grows up to 88 percent of their own grapes rather than buying it from other sources. Look for a tiny “RM” on the label, meaning récoltant-manipulant, which signifies it is an independent grower and producer. It’s possible to find high-quality Champagne at a great price from houses like Egly-Ouriet, Guy Charlemagne, Pierre Gimonnet & Fils and Serge Mathieu.
Five Places to Eat Caviar in Style
Caviar isn’t on the menu in most restaurants in Austin, but a range of varieties is available at a handful of places in town. Here are five great places that serve high-quality caviar.
Clark’s Oyster Bar 1200 W. Sixth St. This neighborhood seafood restaurant and raw bar has the casual charm of a beachside bistro. Known for its outstanding oysters and bangin’ cocktails, it also has a respectable selection of Champagne and caviar. The sparkling-wine list offers a diversity of styles and prices, with nine types, ranging from $44 to $240 a bottle. “Our sparkling-wine selection gets rotated frequently,” says June Rodil, master sommelier and wine and beverage director for McGuire Moorman Hospitality. “I think it’s important to have a mix of non-Champagne as well as Champagne from the big houses, grower-producers and nonvintage and vintage to fit the menu.” The Clark’s caviar lineup, chosen by Chef John Beasley, follows the same principle of offering a variety of styles and prices. Beasley selects caviar and seafood only from sustainable sources. He looks for clear consistency of the beads and flavor varieties for five to seven styles. The menu carries inexpensive golden whitefish roe and wild paddlefish caviar starting at $30 an ounce, as well as a selection of white sturgeon and osetra for as much as $240 for 50 grams. Each is served in a traditional setup, with a mother-of-pearl spoon, blini, crème fraîche and a selection of garnishes. The Clark’s servers are trained to provide recommendations on caviar to help guests make a good choice for their taste preferences and budget. “Less expensive fish roe, like paddlefish, have a more mellow, murky and earthy flavor,” Rodil says, “When you move up to sturgeon, you’re starting to get an unctuous, rich, beautiful, rounded bead with an almost mineral and clean taste.” The perfect pick: For a flawless pairing, Rodil recommends the royal white sturgeon caviar and Guy Larmandier Grand Cru Champagne, served in half bottles. “A half bottle is the perfect amount to have by yourself with caviar,” she explains. “It’s made with 100 percent chardonnay and super powerful. The caviar is a little quieter, so it goes well with the chardonnay. The wine is like a laser cutting through the creaminess of the caviar, crème fraîche and egg. [It’s the] perfect texture with the texture of the caviar. It’s a middle-tier splurge, so you can get it again if you fall in love and not feel too guilty.”
Congress 200 Congress Ave. One of Austin’s finest fine-dining restaurants, Congress really knows how to do elegant meals. Caviar feels right at home here. Champagne is a staple. The Congress wine lists boasts more than 20 types of sparkling wine, the majority of which are Champagne. The list runs the gamut, from the non-vintage André Clouet Grande Reserve Brut at $68, to the prestigious 2000 Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill Brut for $436. Executive Chef David Bull has gathered stacks of prominent national awards for his craftsmanship of cuisine. Among his stellar dishes, he always has a selection that includes caviar. “We change our caviar selection four to five times a year,” Bull says. “We want the right seasonally available ingredients. In the fall and winter months, the quality of caviar is much better. It’s all about the spawning. We incorporate farm-raised golden osetra from the Caspian Sea in a delicate dish made with cauliflower mousse with a brown-butter cracker to highlight the flavor of caviar. It’s interactive. Use the crackers to dig in. It’s a fun experience.” Bull’s driving force when sourcing caviar is to find high-quality eggs with the right color and separation of whole eggs that aren’t broken, as well as a good flavor profile, but caviar that’s still affordable so it’s not intimidating. However, his top priority is to serve sustainable ingredients. “It’s a chef’s responsibility to make sure he’s not serving an endangered animal,” Bull says. “I make sure we are getting farm-raised caviar.” It might not always be on the menu, but Congress offers stand-alone caviar service. During the holidays, look for farm-raised golden Caspian osetra served with a boiled egg, red onion, parsley and capers and toasted brioche. It’s served by the ounce for about $70. “It’s a great bar snack if you can afford it,” says Jason Stevens, director of bars and beverage at La Corsha Hospitality, which owns Congress. The perfect pick: Stevens gets downright misty-eyed when he describes the perfect combination of Champagne with that bar snack. “I like a non-vintage Champagne, like Krug Brut Grande Cuvee, that has a little bit of age because it is important to have a nuttiness come out in the Champagne to match the nuttiness of the caviar,” he says. “It’s really beautiful. The flavor is one thing but the textural element is another. When eating caviar, it’s so fun for me to crush the caviar on the soft palate of my mouth and let that buttery oiliness come out. The bubbles of the Champagne combine with it to create an elegant, creamy mousse. The high acid cuts through the richness and lets the delicate aspects come out to play.” Alternately, he recommends a very cold shot of vodka. “I would make a shot with five parts of potato vodka and one part of super chilled akvavit,” he says. “Take a bite of caviar, take a taste of vodka and then more caviar. Rinse and repeat. What a lovely way to spend the evening.”
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Jeffrey’s 1204 W. Lynn St. A couple years ago, Bon Appétit magazine named Jeffrey’s one of its Top 50 New Restaurants when it reopened under new ownership by McGuire Moorman Hospitality, which also owns Clark’s. It’s accurate to say it has only gotten better with age. With one of only three master sommeliers in Austin responsible for the wine list, it’s no surprise Jeffrey’s stocks an exquisite selection of Champagne. Wine and Beverage Director June Rodil organized the list by grower Champagnes and négociantmanipulant Champagnes in either brut or rosé. It touts superb bottles such as 2004 Bollinger Grande Année Brut, 1988 Le Brun-Servenay Champagne Exception Avize Grand Cru and 1989 Pierre Paillard Grand Cru Brut. “We have a lot of guests who are really into wine,” Rodil says. “Our sommelier team can answer their deep questions and get people conscious about what they want to drink. We have a large selection of great Champagnes, with about 35 labels. I print our list every week and that changes regularly.” French-trained Executive Chef Rebecca Meeker, who honed her culinary skills at Chef Joël Robuchon’s restaurants in New York and Taiwan, along with Chef David Whalen, sample caviar weekly to find the very best. Like the Champagne list, the caviar selection changes regularly to ensure Jeffrey’s always has the freshest possible high-end caviar. The restaurant typically carries one or two styles, such as Iranian osetra or royal osetra from Israel. Jeffrey’s serves caviar in a traditional way, accompanied by blini, crème fraîche, chopped onions and chopped boiled eggs. As an alternative to the mother-of-pearl spoon, Rodil recommends “caviar bumps.”
“It is super trendy,” she says. “People eat caviar off the back of their hands. It makes a lot of sense, as long as your hands are clean and free of odor. After all, you know you’re own scent, and because of that, caviar is the only flavor you taste. Caviar is such a delicate thing, you don’t want any other flavors interfering.” The perfect pick: To go with that royal osetra caviar bump, Rodil recommends a 2006 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut. “Cristal is a pinot noir-dominant blend,” she says. “It’s delicate, with the big richness to go with the intensity and the richness of the bubble of royal osetra. The 2006 vintage is big, lush, with great acidity. High-status caviar deserves to be served with high-status Champagne. People think about Jeffrey’s as a celebratory meal. It’s easy to indulge here.”
Russian House 307 E. Fifth St. This is a vodka den. The Russian-themed family restaurant, bedecked with Soviet-era flags and paraphernalia, has 101 flavors of infused vodka in a dizzying array of fruit, herbal, floral and dessert flavors, as well as unexpected flavors like bacon, cigar and a Stubb’s BBQ flavor, in decanters that line the wall behind the bar. Executive Chef Vladimir Gribkov’s signature infused vodka has 35 Russian herbs and spices, and tastes a bit like brandy. Owned by husband-and-wife team Gribkov and Varda Salkey, Russian House is a celebration of Russian culture beyond just food and drink. Salkey, a member of the Russian Olympic basketball team, and Gribkov, a chef for more than 25 years in Europe and Russia, moved to the U.S., and saw an opportunity to open the first Russian restaurant in Austin. The menu features classics like cold beef tongue, borscht, golubtsy and family recipes that have been passed down through the generations. The menu also includes a nice assortment of roe and caviar, chosen by Gribkov. It starts with treats like a boiled egg stuffed with red salmon caviar and progresses to Russian Siberian sturgeon baerii and, at the top of the heap, beluga supreme malossol for $220 for a 20-gram portion. This is the river variety and not the illegal wild beluga. General Manager Roman Butvin escaped the cold winters of Moscow to move to Austin, and joined the team at Russian House shortly after it opened in 2012. “Both red [salmon] caviar and black [sturgeon] caviar are popular in Russia,” he says. “The salmon caviar is more affordable, easier to find and has very fine roe. Black caviar is a bit more upscale. All of our black caviar is from the Caspian Sea.”
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LaV Restaurant & Wine Bar 1501 E. Seventh St. Elegance without pretense is the pervasive vibe at LaV. The atmosphere is imbued with subtle sophistication, from the art on the walls and the light fixtures to the intricate details of the dishes on the French Provençal-inspired menu. In this setting, Champagne and caviar almost seem like a must. With one of the city’s most expansive wine lists, overseen by Sommelier Rania Zayyat, it’s easy to find an exquisite bottle of Champagne. LaV has more than 40 Champagnes available, with bottles starting at about $100 and increasing to the $975 1989 Krug Collection. The expansive list can be a bit overwhelming, but Zayyat, an advanced sommelier, helps guests easily navigate the waters. Caviar at LaV is on the down-low. It isn’t printed on the menu and is only offered by the server.
“It’s for people in the know,” Zayyat says. “It’s contagious. When people hear about it or see people eating it, they want it.” If you are one of the people in the know (and you are now), you’ll find Black River osetra from Uruguay available in a 1-ounce portion for $200. The organic and sustainably farmed sturgeon from the Rio Negro River is malossol style, meaning it’s cured with a little salt to preserve it and retain its natural flavor. The dark-gray medium-sized pearls are served with a touch of whimsy: LaV rolls out the tin with a mother-of-pearl spoon and the traditional accouterments, including crème fraîche, egg yolk, egg whites, shallots and chives, but instead of blini, it offers house-cut potato chips. The perfect pick: Zayyat recommends picking Champagne that isn’t too old or too rich. “You’ll want carbonation and freshness,” she says. “Caviar is so delicate of a flavor, you don’t want to overpower it with something too old, oxidized or too rich. Blanc de blanc is a great accompaniment. It is more elegant with more acidity, lighter body and finesse that goes well with the saltiness and brings out the nutty, creamy flavor and sweeter finish of the osetra. Champagne is a perfect palate cleanser and it softens the brininess of caviar. The carbonation goes well with the popping of the beads on your tongue. Champagne goes great with fried food. The potato chips we’re doing are a perfect match. It’s very fun and playful.” As an alternative, Zayyat says Russian vodka is classic. She recommends slightly chilled Beluga Noble Vodka as an amazing pairing.
Russian House offers a traditional caviar service, with the caviar in a crystal bowl accompanied by a plate of baguettes, blintzes and blini, as well as Russian-style nonpasteurized butter, crème fraîche, capers and onions. “In Russia, we eat it either with blini or a baguette with butter on top and caviar,” Butvin says. “We also serve boiled eggs with a mixture of cream cheese topped with red caviar. It’s a festive Russian appetizer.” The perfect pick: Butvin suggests pairing caviar with vodka or Champagne, but notes vodka is really the way to go. “We have pairings [that] are with plain vodka and not-infused vodka,” he says. “It’s important to keep the flavor of the caviar prominent, and you don’t want to interfere with the flavor of the infused vodkas. We have set vodka-and-caviar pairings on the menu, with all of the best vodkas included, like Stoli Elit, Double Cross, Russian Standard Platinum, and our most expensive vodka is also called Beluga.” Russian House also offers a selection of Champagne, including André Clouet, Veuve Clicquot, Moët & Chandon Nectar Imperial and vintage Dom Pérignon.
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Health News You Can Use
The latest studies that impact your health. By Jill Case
Repeating Aloud to Another Person Boosts Recall
Heavy Internet Use May Put Teens at Risk for High Blood Pressure In a study published in the Journal of School Nursing, researchers found teens who spent at least 14 hours a week on the Internet had elevated blood pressure. Of 134 teens described by researchers as heavy Internet users, 26 had elevated blood pressure. This is believed to be the first study to show a link between time spent on the Internet and high blood pressure. The findings add to growing research that has shown an association between heavy Internet use and other health risks like addiction, anxiety, depression, obesity and social isolation. Andrea Cassidy-Bushrow, a researcher at Henry Ford’s Department of Public Health Sciences and
the study’s lead author, says the take-home message for teens and parents is moderation. “Using the Internet is part of our daily life, but it shouldn’t consume us,” she says. “In our study, teens considered heavy Internet users were on the Internet an average of 25 hours a week. It’s important that young people take regular breaks from their computer or smartphone, and engage in some form of physical activity. I recommend to parents they limit their children’s time at home on the Internet. I think two hours a day, five days a week is good rule of thumb.” For more information, visit newswise.com/articles/ view/640936?print-article.
Others’ Holiday Cheer Can Turn to Your Holiday Fear “I do feel like the fear of missing out can be particularly difficult around the holidays,” says Carolyn Ievers-Landis, a pediatric psychologist at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. “I think that extends to what kids are getting for Christmas: if your friend gets the latest shoes or they have the latest electronics and you don’t.” Fear of missing out (FoMO) is a form of social anxiety in which people are compulsively con-
cerned about missing a party, event, interaction or experience. Ievers-Landis says this anxiety is fueled by connectivity through social media, through which everyone seemingly knows what everyone else is doing. “People who might have [compared themselves] in the regular world without social media can now do it more and more, so it can have more of a cumulative effect to harm their mood,” IeversLandis says.
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Repeating aloud boosts verbal memory, especially when you do it while addressing another person, says Professor Victor Boucher of the University of Montreal’s Department of Linguistics and Translation. His findings are the result of a study to be published in the next edition of Consciousness and Cognition. “We knew that repeating aloud was good for memory, but this is the first study to show that if it is done in a context of communication, the effect is greater in terms of information recall,” Boucher explains. To demonstrate this, Boucher asked 44 French-speaking university students to read a series of lexemes on a screen. (A lexeme is a word such as it is found in a dictionary.) During the task, the participants wore headphones that emitted white noise to mask their own voices and eliminate auditory feedback. The subjects were submitted to four experimental conditions: repeating in their head, repeating silently while moving their lips, repeating aloud while looking at the screen and finally, repeating aloud while addressing someone. After a distraction task, they were asked to identify the lexemes they recalled having said from a list that included lexemes not used in the test. The results show a clear difference when the exercise was performed aloud in the presence of someone else, even though the participants had heard absolutely nothing. Repeating in one’s head without gesturing was the least effective way to recall information. “The simple fact of articulating without making a sound creates a sensorimotor link that increases our ability to remember, but if it is related to the functionality of speech, we remember even more,” Boucher says. Previous studies conducted at Boucher’s Phonetic Sciences Laboratory have shown that when we articulate a sound, we create a sensory and motor reference in the brain by moving the mouth and feeling the vocal chords vibrate. “The production of one or more sensory aspects allows for more efficient recall of the verbal element. But the added effect of talking to someone shows that in addition to the sensorimotor aspects related to verbal expression, the brain refers to the multisensory information associated with the communication episode,” Boucher says. “The result is that the information is better retained in memory.” For more information, visit newswise.com/articles/ view/640952?print-article.
]
She also notes that depression is a real and serious consequence of FoMO, with tweens and teens being most vulnerable to the dangers of downward social comparison, or always thinking people are doing more interesting things than you. “If people are constantly comparing themselves to other people and constantly hooked in to see what they’re doing, compared to other people, it can really affect your mood,” she says.
Five Tips to Avoid FoMO 1. Enjoy the moment (mindfulness) 2. Limit social media 3. Be grateful 4. Keep busy 5. Embrace occasional solitude (joy of missing out, or JoMO)
For more information, visit newswise.com/articles/ view/627843/.
Can Work Stress Be Linked to Stroke? Having a high-stress job may be linked to a higher risk of stroke, according to the analysis of several studies. The meta-analysis is published in the Oct. 14 online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. “Having a lot of job stress has been linked to heart disease, but studies on job stress and stroke have shown inconsistent results,” says Dr. Dingli Xu with Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China. “It’s possible that high-stress jobs lead to more unhealthy behaviors, such as poor eating habits, smoking and a lack of exercise.” The analysis focused on all the available research on job strain and stroke risk. The six studies analyzed involved a total of 138,782 participants, who were followed for three to 17 years. Jobs were classified into four groups based on how much control workers had in their jobs and how hard they worked, or the psychological demands of the job. The job demands included time pressure, mental load and coordination burdens. Physical labor and total number of hours worked were not included. Passive jobs are those with low demand and low control (janitors, miners and other manual laborers). Low-stress jobs are those with low demand and high control (natural scientists, architects). High-stress jobs, which are high-demand and lowcontrol, are found in the service industry (restaurant servers, nursing aides). Active jobs with high demand and high control include doctors, teachers and engineers. In the six studies, the percentage of those with high-stress jobs ranged from 11 percent to 27 percent of participants. The analysis found women with high-stress jobs had a 33 percent higher risk of stroke than women with low-stress jobs. People with high-stress jobs were 58 percent more likely to have an ischemic stroke (the most common type caused by blockage of blood flow) than those with low-stress jobs. People in passive and active jobs did not have any increased risk of stroke. The researchers calculated that 6.5 percent of women’s stroke risk was due to their high-stress jobs.
“Based on this study, it is reasonable to consider testing interventions aimed at increasing job control, such as decentralization of decision making and flexibility in job structure, such as telecommuting,” says Dr. Jennifer J. Majersik with the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and a member of the American Academy of Neurology who wrote a corresponding editorial. “If effective, such workplace changes could have a major public-health impact.” For more information, visit newswise.com/articles/ view/641123?print-article.
c Austin Area OB/GYN is pleased to announce our affiliation with Consortia Medical to address the problem of urinary incontinence. Unfortunately, many of our patients find that when they laugh, cough, sneeze or exercise, they leak urine due to a weakness in the muscles surrounding
FEAR OFOFSNEEZING? FEAR SNEEZING? FEAR OF SNEEZING?
(Or laughing, coughing, running, standing up or even playing sports?) (Or laughing, coughing, running, standing up or even playing sports?)
(Or laughing, coughing, running, standing up or even playing sports?)
the pelvic floor. This common condition is often caused by childbirth. Through the Consortia program, which is covered by most insurance carriers, patients could see significant improvement or even cure within six sessions of physical therapy. Ask us how to take advantage of this program today.
aaobgyn.com (512) 451-8211
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Wishful Thinking
Check out our top 15 holiday gift picks, guaranteed to please any outdoor enthusiast or fitness fanatic. By April Cumming Kids make it look so easy. Give them a colored pencil and a piece of scratch paper, and in less than five minutes, they’ll hand you a misspelled front-and-back list of what they want for Christmas. It’s impressive. Inspired by that child-like sense of instantaneous desire, we filtered through the clutter that is the fitness-gear industry and curated a list of items most sought after by those with a passion for breaking a sweat in the studio and relaxing in the great outdoors.
Two Times a Yogi Bag $128, lululemon.com
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 32 MGR $120, nike.com Weighing in at 10.8 ounces, the Air Zoom Pegasus is a lightweight shoe that won’t force you to sacrifice on comfort or cushioning. While the majority of us will never come close to being a gold medalist, that shouldn’t stop us from training (or styling) like one. As one shoe tester said, “If my face is a wreck during a workout, at least my feet look good!” Amen, sister.
YoYo Mat $79, yoyomats.com Imagine never having to clumsily roll up your yoga mat again. Marketed as “the world’s only self-rolling fitness and yoga mat,” the YoYo Mat is lined with hidden magnetic strips to keep your mat flat during practice and roll itself up when you’re done. With a successful finish to the company’s Kickstarter funding project this October, YoYo Mats are now ready to order online.
Ghost Lanao Pro 6 27.5 Women’s Bike $1,444, rei.com This REI-exclusive all-terrain women’s mountain bike is designed to deliver speed, stability and—thanks to a RockShox front suspension system and 27.5inch wheels—a smooth riding experience. Be warned though: This bike is sure to turn some heads with its good looks.
Finding the motivation to go to a workout class can be hard enough. Finding where you put your change of clothes shouldn’t have to be. Equipped with a laptop pocket, a ventilated wet/dry compartment and a secure nesting spot for your yoga mat, this easyto-clean carryall will have you in and out of the studio in no time.
S’well Bottle $25 and up, swellbottle. com Do animal prints ever go out of style? We didn’t think so. Constructed to keep drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours, these vacuum-sealed, stainless-steel bottles are BPA-free and have a smooth-to-the-touch feel. S’well has chartered new territory in the water-bottle industry and—dare we say it—made rehydrating a fashionable endeavor. Inspire 400 earphones $40, yurbuds.com When it comes to a smooth workout, a good set of earphones is just as important as your rockin’ playlist. Specifically designed for women, these bold, tangle-free, magnetic earphones sync with most Apple products, allowing you to play music and make phone calls at the touch of a button.
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In Memoriam
The passing of a great lady and Austin patron of the arts
Jo Anne Christian, known as one of the triumvirate of the three Js, leaves a marvelous legacy in The Long Center, Austin Opera and many other Austin cultural institutions. By Deborah Hamilton-Lynne It was a fitting tribute that beautiful music from her favorite composers—Puccini, Verdi, Wagner, Strauss and Bizet—flooded the airwaves as radio station KMFA dedicated an entire day of programming to one of the great ladies of the arts, Jo Anne Christian, on the day she passed away. This is a personal tribute for me, as Jo Anne was one of the first people I met when I moved to Austin, having been introduced by Liz Carpenter. We often sat together at the Tuesday Club, shared political anecdotes and saw each other at receptions and events, most recently, the Texas Book Festival gala reception. She never failed to greet me with a smile or to share a witty story or insight that always made me laugh. She was a mentor and a role model for other women and a revered patron of the arts. We shared many interests, especially a love of the opera and a goal of increasing awareness and education for all Austinites when it comes to
this often overlooked and dismissed art form. Jo Anne was a force of nature, which may have come from her training as a lawyer (She was one of only six women to graduate in her University of Texas School of Law class of 1962.) or her love of music (At a young age, she studied piano and took voice lessons from William Marsh, who wrote Texas, Our Texas, the official state song.) or her love of and insider’s view of politics (She was married to LBJ Press Secretary George Christian and was a member of the Johnsons’ inner circle.). In whatever order forces came together, Jo Anne’s most noted accomplishment was the vision for and realization of The Long Center. She, along with the other members of the formidable three Js—Jane Sibley and Jare Smith—aimed to have The Long Center serve as a permanent home for the ballet, symphony and orchestra. Her efforts on behalf of the arts came with many awards and accolades, including her 2010 induction into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame. Organizations such as Austin Symphony Orchestra, the UT College of Liberal Arts, the Blanton Museum of Art and the Harry Ransom Center all benefited from her philanthropic support and guidance. For me, the impression of Jo Anne Christian that will remain is her welcoming smile when anyone approached, as she reached out to say, “Hello, friend. Tell me what you know.” Thank you, friend, for everything you did for Austin. I aspire to be more like you and will remember you gratefully with a smile and a wink every time I hear Puccini’s beautiful arias and watch the election returns roll in.
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memo from JB
The Company Party
Happy holidays from the usual suspects. By JB Hager
First, the invitation will come considerably late, leaving you little chance that it will fit in to your social calendar. This will leave almost 0 percent chance for those needing a babysitter. It will most likely be at an odd location on an off night because booking it at a presentable place was overlooked. So you might find yourself on a Sunday night at a shooting range or Build-A-Bear under the guise of it being super fun. More than likely, it will be in the back room of a mediocre hotel or restaurant that was popular in the ’70s. The HR person will have a lovely, decorated welcoming table to distribute you $500 in fake poker chips and two drink tickets for you and your date. There won’t be much clarity on attire, so you’re likely to show up semi-formal, only to find it’s a Western theme at a pool hall just off the highway. Most holiday parties have the same cast of usual suspects, regardless of what you do for a living, unless you’re an Uber driver. There is always that awkward moment when your spouse is talking to your work spouse. You know how a lot of people jokingly have a work husband/wife? That’s all pretty funny until you are all standing there staring at each other, drinking egg nog, wondering if you are, in fact, swingers. Then there is always the instance of talking to that woman your wife swears is trying to sabotage her at work, which you always disregard, that is until you talk to that co-worker for five minutes and then you are like, “Holy s@#&, she really is trying to sabotage you!” There is the inappropriate cocktail-sipping sexual-harassment guy, who is working the room and never fails to deliver. Perhaps you can make a drinking game out of his tasteless remarks. There is the intern who acts like he should be running the company. There will be an emotional basket case that starts crying halfway into a glass of wine. The person that assumes the role of company mom will spend her evening consoling her. There will always be one over-served person. He probably went to the party store and got every potential color ticket for drinks. It will create a scene when his spouse tries to get him to leave. There will be the woo-woo girl that brings her stripper girlfriend and treats the company gettogether like a wild night in Vegas. All the wives will make a mental note, trust me. It will be entertaining watching the two co-workers 92 | Austin Woman | december 2015
who sneak off to have sex every day at lunch and think no one knows what they are up to. They can’t help but awkwardly grind. There are entertaining things to like: 3 The boss’ speech about what a successful year it has been, despite hearing a daily beatdown about how the numbers are way off 3 The handing out of etched-glass awards, giving recognition to those who are overworked and underpaid in hopes they won’t quit 3 Guess what. Later, there’s karaoke, and you will likely exist on YouTube forever. Happy holidays!
Photo courtesy of JB Hager.
It’s that time of year again when we all head to the gratuitous work holiday party. Yea! I don’t mean to bring everyone down, but I’ve been around long enough to know that certain things always ring true with company holiday parties.
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horoscopes
Happy Birthday, Sagittarius!
Nov. 22–Dec. 21
Your Month: Here’s an unusual piece of advice: Make decisions based on what you think in your head, not what you feel in your heart. This month, forget everything you’ve read about following your passion; your wisest counselor is your mind. You possess the ability to collect apparently disparate bits of information and come up with the big picture, then paint it so others can see it too. It’s a gift, and not one to be taken lightly. Use it for yourself right now. Look around you. Examine each bit of collected information concerning what you wanted to be when you grew up. Now you have your answer. ➺ This month’s spotlight shines on travel and relationships, no surprise in a busy holiday season. The surprise is in how you relate to your travel and your relationships. You’re looking for people to share your life at the deepest possible level, with intensity as a key component, but you simultaneously need to feel free in your environment while this happens. Interesting dichotomy, is it not? Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 20): Here are a few questions to ask yourself this month: What can you invent to showcase your unique talents to the max? What can you pursue that’s out of the ordinary and utilizes your current state of individuality? What contribution can you make and what legacy can you leave to the world? How can you channel your tremendous and intense energy into something positive, exciting and challenging? How can you capture the exhilaration of battle without actually fighting and control that energy so it’s not a danger to yourself or others? The answers to these questions hold the answers to your universe. Aquarius (Jan. 21–Feb. 19): You’ve always known one of your major lessons is to serve others, but it’s easier to dream about a way to benefit humanity than to actually do it. Right now, your spirit is more than willing, but your flesh is just a little weak. Let’s begin with something simpler than saving the whole world, shall we? How about saving a few close friends, co-workers or relatives? You give great advice as long as your feelings aren’t too deeply involved, so tap into your masterful ability to almost psychically ferret out the root of a problem and help a few folks closest to you. Pisces (Feb. 20–March 20): It’s one of those good news/bad news months. The good news: You’re experiencing so much career activity, you almost don’t have time
for holidays. Somehow, you’ve become hard working and respectable. Philanthropy and communication are the keys to your current success, so believe in yourself because you’ve been right all along. Now for the bad news: Communications with your partner? Not so much. Your intentions are good but you have so many ideas and plans, you aren’t sure which ones are right, so you make promises you can’t keep. Expect this whole personal relationship head of steam to blow on Christmas Day. Sorry. Aries (March 21–April 20): We know it seems like an oxymoron to tell you, “Expect the unexpected,” but this December, opportunities for adventure are all around you. Your search for higher knowledge, interesting travel, foreign cultures, exotic religions, broad philosophies and even formal education provide you with the keys. It’s all about self-learning and, my dear, boredom is not your friend. Don’t hide away waiting for something to happen; meet your challenges head-on. That’s your style. Be public, choose variety and your own ideas, your ability to communicate and your sales and marketing skills. If you can’t do that where you are, move. Taurus (April 21–May 21): This month is a cozy, squishy, snuggle-in-the-family-bedand-watch-Elf kind of month. You should be getting along with your partner very well, thank you, and your kids too. Everyone looks beautiful to you now, and people bask in that
94 | Austin Woman | december 2015
kind of appreciation; it encourages good behavior. So you get the job of peacemaker, for the most part. But to maintain this peace, you need a physical outlet too, or you may fight with co-workers or trip over your own shoelaces. Here’s a suggestion: Pick up a non-teamrelated sport or join a gym. Workout a lot in December. Gemini (May 22–June 20): It’s all fun and games this month and no one’s getting hurt, except a few random friends who didn’t get invited to one of your parties. But a heads-up from you, and they’re over it. It’s even fun at work, where everyone loves you and feels like family. It may make you a little stressed, fitting all those happy people into your house at the same time. So, as much fun as this all is, it can also be a bit too much of a good thing, if you know what we mean. Don’t worry; you can handle a month of this, right? Cancer (June 21–July 22): Native Americans called this full moon, in Cancer on the 25th, the cold moon, and it is. It’s also the most powerful moon of the year for you, and it happens to be on Christmas Day, to boot. You can get almost anything done if your intention is to clean out closets, either literally a la Marie Kondo, or psychologically a la Carl Jung. You love holidays with home and family, but December won’t be relaxing for you, as there’s too much to do. Organize each day, pare down your errands to essentials and don’t get stressed out and crazy. That’s when accidents happen. Leo (July 23–Aug. 23): Some things just seem meant to be, like when you and your loved ones are taking time off, having fun, traveling around and not really thinking about work. Then—wham!—you get the phone call, the letter, the email, the big thumbs-up for your work. This time of year is always lucky for you where work is concerned. While everyone else is kicking their shoes off and kicking back from work, work seeks you out. When it’s offered this month, take it. The opportunity may not seem like much right now, but don’t pass on it. It’s a gift in disguise.
Virgo (Aug. 24–Sept. 22): Your house is full of people and your car is full of gifts, but your work brain doesn’t stop. A wise Virgo shared his thoughts with me on what he calls the “monkey mind,” that obsessive mental loop Virgos (and others) get into when they can’t stop going over and over and over something. And now, while the social norm is to stay wired and connected at all times, your monkey mind can communicate with colleagues throughout the world at all times of the day and night, and never leave your house. It’s all part of your current (secret) partnership agreement with the masses. They need you, holidays or not. Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): Here’s your exercise regimen for December: Hold your words in your mouth and count to 10. Now, swallow them. Repeat. Let’s try that same exercise with an email or text: Write what comes pouring out, everything you feel like saying and count slowly to 10. Now, erase. You feel uncharacteristically impulsive and aggressive this month, so it’s important to hold on to your words, written or verbal, before unleashing them on an unsuspecting public. Be especially careful of colleagues and romantic partners. No need to watch in awe and horror as words you never meant to say fly from your mouth and fingertips. Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): There currently exists a warm and intense attraction between you and the rest of the world. Don’t you feel it? It’s that legendary Scorpio magnetism on maximum power and aimed outward in all points of the compass. Whatever you find fascinating and turn your attention to, whether it’s art, travel, nature or design, becomes charming and in demand by association. It’s the image you present, but also your keen interest in other people’s lives. It’s charming, not intrusive because you’re truly interested. This month, you will find lots of things to be fascinated by, and lots of people to charm. By Deborah Alys Carter deborah@pinkaustin.com
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last word
The Joy of Giving
The memories we gather, the things we learn and the discoveries we make: Giving is full of marvels. By Sree Sen Bhasin, illustration by jessica wetterer the pure joy of a mother giving her baby a bath in a shallow village pond, green with algae. I watched her from a moving train and carried the glow of her joy in my head. I saw a man lovingly fed white bread dipped in milk to a litter of puppies, puppies born on the street and sheltered in a wooden crate under a portico. The rain shower only added to their joy. When my daughter was little, I took her to the public library every Giving is full of marvels, but not necessarily an act of conscious week. She stood in the aisles, arms crossed, surrounded by printed benevolence, intentional generosity or an attempt to do good. letters and colorful spines, and became a lifelong Giving can be profoundly beautiful without fan of reading. Reading is a gift we pass on Giving can be profoundly beautiful being deliberate. I love the slow joy of hope through generations. The joys are ripples that without being deliberate. that fills me when I forgive myself for things I get bigger and bigger. might have done wrong. When we release our The joy of giving was always a part of my fears to the greater wisdom of our innate ability to endure and mother’s cooking. She gave herself to her friends and family in the carry on, we receive the joys of being free, being surprised and elaborate dishes she cooked. While we ate, she watched our faces. growing in ways we didn’t know before. When she saw our eyes crinkle at the deliciousness of the food, she I spent many years setting up the offshore Indian division of an smiled. Her eyes held the deepest joy I had ever seen. Austin-based software company. I had the privilege of working with My friend Karen gave me a gift that keeps giving. When her mother and mentoring young girls, many who came from remote areas, girls passed away, she gave me one of her mother’s cherished platters, one with scant ideas about economic independence and self-reliance. Some, that I had given her mother years ago. She thought her mother would I became very close to. I saw them grow, break barriers and find selfhave liked me to have it. The joy we have is an unbroken circle of love. worth in a whole new light. And finally, when they moved on to new To me, the joys of giving are the memories we gather, things we learn lives and new ventures, I felt a joy that was quite unlike anything else and the discoveries we make, sometimes within ourselves. Quite like I had ever experienced. life, those joys are unpredictable, enigmatic, far-reaching, commonI witnessed strange and beautiful joys of giving when I was in India: place and at the same time, profound.
I read a short story when I was very young. A boy was asked, “What is this thing called the joy of giving?” He didn’t know how to answer that. Later that night, he made a choice between two apples in the larder, one bigger than the other. He chose to give the bigger one to his brother. And he knew the meaning of that joy.
Last Word is getting a makeover! Starting in 2016, Last Word will become I Am Austin Woman. The column will continue to feature a reader submission and appear in the magazine each month. February’s I Am Austin Woman topic will be “The Last Time I Gave Someone a Compliment.” To be considered, email a 500-word submission by Jan. 1 to submissions@awmediainc.com. 96 | Austin Woman | december 2015
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Wishing you happy holidays and a safe new year!