When the weather starts cooling off in the fall, it is time to move indoors. There are many ways to spruce up your home so that you'll gladly want to get cozy and spend more time inside. Below are some new trends to check out as you consider a home makeover for a fresh new look.

Color Trends

According to some designers "in the know," gray is the new beige. Different shades of gray make any room look cool and rich. If you're not a fan, then stick with cream colors or white, and create visual aesthetics using different textures and shapes. 3-D art can be especially appealing.

If all that gray and beige isn't your thing, then consider jewel tones to add a splash of color. Indigo, peacock blue, emerald green, and fuchsia get your attention in…

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Brunch. It’s not quite breakfast, not quite lunch. If you are looking for that mid-morning meal, there are some great locations in and around Austin, Texas.

Jack Allen’s Kitchen is a fine choice in the Oak Hill section of Austin, Texas. It features food that is locally sourced from farms in the Central Texas area. You can eat in or dine outside on a nice day. They offer a Sunday brunch buffet from 1 AM to 2 PM. The buffet offers an array of succulent choices including Chicken Fried Chicken, House Cured Ham, and Jalapeno Sausage. Not only that, the chefs feel free to improvise additional dishes when local farmers have the right ingredients. To top it all off, there are special deals for the kids!

The South Congress Cafe is another great place…

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The city of Austin, located in Central Texas, has no shortage of great food options. One of the popular choices in the area is Mexican food. For those food connoisseurs that love tacos, Austin has everything from meat filled to vegetarian, and breakfast to dinner choices. The following are the five best Mexican food restaurants to pick up some of these shelled delights:

  • Dos Batos has some of the best Mexican eats in Central Texas. The restaurant is located just east of the North Mopac Expressway and West Anderson Lane exit. Dos Batos puts an interesting touch on their taco choices with cooking them on a wood fired grill. Customers can choose from Angus top sirloin, chicken, veggie, or any combination thereof. There are also salads, tortas,…

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Do you crave a cold, sweet treat to beat the summer heat? Central Texas sweet spots are in abundance and ready to serve you up an indulgent frozen treat.

Amy's Ice Cream

Amy's Ice Cream is a favored spot for Austin, Texas residents. This local favorite features more than just ice cream. It presents a variety of goodies including frozen treats such as diverse flavors of yogurt and milkshakes with a selection of toppings. There is something for everyone to enjoy with options of more than 350 types of ice cream. Amy's Ice Cream is fun and energetic with employees dressed in tie-dye, fun cow decor, and smiles all around.

Lick Honest Ice Creams

Another regional favorite to the Austin area is Lick Honest Ice Creams. This trendy locale believes…

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Austin is a city famous for its food, live music scene, and friendly atmosphere. Although many people don't associate the city with natural beauty, there are a number of gorgeous parks and hiking trails in the area. Here are five of the best trails to check out if you're looking to get away from the city for a few hours.

River Place Nature Trail

The River Place Nature Trail offers a 5.5-mile round trip hike. It's a great spot for those looking for a challenging hike that lets you enjoy some impressive scenery. The trail is known for having some steep inclines, but there are some steps and stairways to help you along your ascent. Along the way, you'll pass by several streams and small waterfalls. This trail is located near the River Place…

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With nicknames such as "Bat City", "Waterloo", "City Of The Violet Crown", "The Capital City", "Hippie Haven", "Blueberry in the Red State", "Live Music Capital of the World", and "River City", and with its unique and ever popular slogan "Keep Austin Weird", is there really any reason to vacation any place else? Austin is a one of a kind gem. There's just nothing else like it. Its diverse culture, landscape, events, original and quirky attractions, phenomenal food, and laid-back energy make it an ultimate staycation location for just about any single, couple, or family.

Whether you're new to the area, or were born and raised here, Austin offers so much to see and do. And if you're looking for some Austin staycation ideas to experience on your next…

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When you are a kid, summer is all about fun. School is out, and there is no homework! However, after a few days of just lounging around the house, everyone will be bored and will want something new and different to do. This is where you, as a parent, can score big points by sending your kids to any number of fun camps around the Austin area.

The Austin Parks & Recreation Department has a large number of summer programs for children five to 12 years of age and a few programs for teens. These programs run the gamut from outdoor adventures to cultural activities. The cost of the camps vary, and parents can apply for financial aid. The Austin Parks Summer Playgrounds Program is a free, supervised recreational program that takes place on different…

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Are you looking for somewhere to cool off this summer or just looking for something to do with the kids? Break out your swimsuits and sunscreen, the dog days are finally here and Central Texas is the best place to enjoy the summer sun!

Krause Springs

Take a dip in the blue waters of Krause Springs in Spicewood, a small town only 30 miles from Austin. Visitors can swim under waterfalls, explore coves, and swing into the water on a rope swing. Krause Springs is on private property but tickets are available for a fee of $5 for kids 4-11 or $8 for adults. This summer paradise is the perfect way to beat the heat!

Hamilton Pool

Central Texas has no shortage of pristine natural water holes, as Hamilton Pool Preserve shows. This natural pool was…

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With Mother's Day fast approaching, you may still be stuck on just what to do to express your gratitude and love for all that she has done for you and your family. Sometimes, the standard gift of flowers doesn't seem quite like it touches on the important role she has played in your life. For those who really want to show their mother how much they appreciate them, here are a few ideas to get you started.

  1. Scavenger Hunt
    Let's be honest, regardless of how old you may get, everyone loves a scavenger hunt. You can take this idea and turn it on its head to delight and surprise your mother. Whether you do it on your own or enlist your siblings to help, write down a certain number of notes listing things you love or appreciate about your mother. Then…

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The Austin, Texas area has plenty of restaurants with outdoor dining, perfect for the warmer days ahead. Check out some of the best below.

Dahlia Café

Address: 2450 RR 1869, Liberty Hill, TX 78642

Price: $$

For Southern comfort specialties, dine at the Dahlia Café. Listen to live music and chow down on some biscuits and gravy, burgers and diner fare. Kids will love the chicken-fried chicken and the chocolate chip pancakes. Eat outside and enjoy the sun.

Oasis Restaurant

Address: 6550 Comanche Trail, Austin, TX 78732

Price: $$

Tex-Mex grub is served up on outdoor decks at Oasis Restaurant. Catch a view of Lake Travis, and get some dishes to split. Nachos and tacos are favorites with all ages, and you can enjoy an adult…

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