Going outdoor at Austin!

Today, it is exactly two weeks since I arrived to Austin. I thought it was a university city where you can only have fun at night in the 6th street`s bars and study hard during the day. Well, I was wrong. This city does not stop to surprise me. It has so many options for doing outdoor activities and get you in contact with nature that I never imagined. 

If you like hiking or climbing you do not need to go to the rock climbing at the university gymnasium, although it is awesome, may be you will prefer Mount Bonnell. This is a prominente point alongside the Lake Austin (a portion of the Colorado River). It is the perfect place to have an incredible view of Austin, Lake Austin, and the surrounding hills. From the top you can see some bridges, beautiful houses, the lake and just enjoyed yourself with the peace this place brings to you. Besides, it has sort of stones tables where you can enjoy a romantic dinner or a picnic with friends. You can take bus 19 to get there.

 Mt. Bonnell

Mt. Bonnell

Another place that worth to go if you like kayak, canoe or standup paddle board is Lady Bird Lake. From the UT campus you can take either bus 3, 801 or 803, and if you have your student ID you can go for free. It takes almost 20 minutes to get there. You can rent any of the ítems I mentioned above for 10, 15 or 20 dollars per hour (if you go on weekends or holidays it will be 5 dollars more expensive). It is a beautiful, healthy and powerful activity. Probably you will find a lot of people in the lake either doing water activities or just taking sunbathing. The lake is full of ducks, herons and birds, and If you are lucky and sharp-eyed you can also see some turtles. A lot of people take their dogs so they can swim and play catching the ball in the lake. If you like running or walking, you can also enjoy of the lake´s view by doing your routine just at the side of the lake. Something that surprised me a lot and made me laugh was that men take their children in the baby carriage and run with them. Besides, the lake counts with a few bridges that make the view even greater. One of them is the famous South Congress Bridge where when the sun sets, a great quantity of bats leave the bridge to snack on insects lingering over Austin’s Lady Bird Lake on the Colorado River. The bats are best seen in the spring and summer, when it is incredibly hoy in Texas. 

 South Congress Bridge

Lady Bird Lake

Finally, a great place to go if you like swimmig is Barton Springs Pool. You can get there also by bus from the UT campus. Barton Springs Pool is a man-made swimming pool located on the grounds of Zilker Park. The pool is filled by water from Main Barton Spring. You can go either in summer or in winter, due to Austin's winter is not so cold, at least this year. It is a beautiful and relaxing place to take a bath and swim. It is not so deep and you can see many fish around. There are always life guards when the pool is open and you can jump from a trampoline into the water.

 Barton Springs pool

Barton Springs pool

It has take me only two weeks to discover all these places, I cannot wait to see what awaits me the next four!!

Kendra Scott

When I arrived to Austin one of the things that caught my attention was a kind of jewelry made with colorful stones that almost every woman at Austin wears. After asking about it to some friends they told me these products bellong to a local designer: Kendra Scott. 

Photo: Kendra Scott Webpage

Kendra is a designer, CEO and philanthropist. She started to run her company, Kendra Scott Design Inc., in 2002 with only $500, and ten years later it was named the number one Fastest Growing Company in Austin in their under $10 million category.

The key of success for Kendra has been her innate ability to combine natural stones with amazing shapes. This combination has resulted in a ageless, trendy and stylish product. Her collections have won loyal fans, including celebrities like Hillary Duff. If you like jewelry and fashion you can choose for a wide variety of necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings inspired in Kendra´s travels. There is also a bridal collection and charms to personalize your style.

Currently, the company operates out of Austin, TX with a focus on Family, Fashion and Philanthropy. Besides, you can find Kendra Scott Jewelry in over 800 stores internationally. Not only is Kendra Scott available in stores, but also available over the internet in numerous boutiques. At her webpage you can check the different collections, colors, stones, shapes and prices but most important you can check the SALES; in case you are interested I leave the URL right here:

Although her amazing success, Kendra has not forgotten about giving back to the community, that is why Kendra Scott Design Inc., has always something to give. Through its partnerships with individuals, local and national charities, the company enjoys hosting a variety of unique store events where 20% of the proceeds benefit your cause. Kendra is proud to support programs benefiting patients at MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital through the sale of the MD Anderson Charm. Also, inspired by her dear friends and breast cancer survivors, Lisa and Holley, Kendra designed the Lolley Charm to benefit The Seton Breast Care Center. That are the reasons why in 2010 she was named the most influential woman in Central Texas by the Austin Business Journal. Scott was listed as a "Fashion Influencer" in the Pantone Fashion Color Report in 2013 and 2014 and won an Austin Under 40 Award in the Business & Entrepreneurship category. At the 2013 Austin Under 40 Awards Kendra was named the Austinite of the Year and the same year she was given the Lady Bird Johnson Humanitarian of the Year Award at Luminaria 2013.

If you are planning to travel around the United States, Kendra Scott Design Inc., is a must for you shopping schedule! Do not miss your chance to fall in love with Kendra´s jewelry and help the community!!

P/D: If is your birthday month you can get 50% of discount in all the items!! In case you need a last-minute gift, you can give the gift of instant gratification with and e-gift card from Kendra Scott. You can choose a design that fits the occasion, write a message and just send to the inbox!!!