Life + Culture

Big Imagination Begins With Little Sparks

Inside the colorful West Austin studio inspiring creativity and confidence Article by Michelle Wood | Photography by Marissa Klaas Located at 13617 Fitzhugh Road in West Austin, Little Spark Studio began with something Bre wished existed for her own children. As a mother searching for activities they would truly enjoy, she imagined a place where creativity, movement, play, and celebration could all exist under one roof. Transforming that idea into reality became a family effort, from painting...

Professional Services

Beauty, By Design

David Manning creates homes shaped by art, purpose, and place. Article by Steven Valentin | Photography by Courtesy of David Manning Architecture Long before David Manning began shaping homes, he learned to see like an artist. While studying painting at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, instructor Paul Stopforth predicted that Manning’s artistic training would one day make him a better architect. That observation still resonates in every line he draws. For Manning, architecture...

Shopping

Six Local Boutiques Worth Shopping Now

Discover distinctive fashion, thoughtful gifts, and fresh Hill Country style Article by Steven Valentin Apricot Lane Boutique Find flattering, affordable styles for casual days, date nights, and every occasion, plus personalized guidance from its Bee Cave fashion consultants. Shop at  apricotlaneboutique.com/store/beecave . Oh Yeah Boutique This family-owned Bee Cave favorite brings clothing and cheerful gifts together for BFFs, sisters, mothers, grandmothers, and yourself. Learn more...

Life + Culture

The Art of Thoughtful Interiors

Meet three local studios creating elevated interiors that remain welcoming, functional, and deeply personal. Article by Steven Valentin A Woman’s Touch A Woman’s Touch brings a thoughtful, experience-driven approach to luxury interior design. Led by founder and executive designer Jalicia Carter, the consultancy serves residential, hospitality, wellness, and commercial clients nationwide. Each project begins with understanding who the space must serve and how it should support daily life...

Beauty

From Platinum to Yacht Blonde

Blue Door Salon reimagines blonde through sunlit warmth, natural dimension, and effortless Hill Country luxury. Article by Steven Valentin | Photography by Courtesy of Joshua Calhoun For years, icy platinum defined perfect blonde. Now, Blue Door Salon is steering beauty toward warmer waters with Yacht Blonde, an editorial collection inspired by sunlit days, golden evenings, and the effortless elegance of life on the water. Created in response to clients seeking softer, healthier, and more...

Food + Beverage

Taste West Austin

Four local destinations serving bold flavors, thoughtful coffee and community. Article by Steven Valentin West Austin has a way of turning a meal into something worth lingering over. Across the area, local dining destinations offer more than memorable flavors. They create places to gather, slow down and reconnect, whether the occasion calls for a hearty breakfast, an elegant dinner or a crafted cup of coffee. At Maple Street Biscuit Company in Bee Cave, Southern comfort arrives with a playful...

Life + Culture

Trade Pixels for Blocks This Summer

How Bricks & Minifigs Bee Cave inspires creativity through hands-on play. Article by Steven Valentin | Photography by Courtesy of Bricks & Minifigs Bee Cave Children's playtime today is increasingly shaped by screens, streaming content, and digital entertainment. While technology has its place, growing minds still benefit from opportunities to create, experiment, and explore through hands-on play. At Bricks & Minifigs Bee Cave, families can step away from screens and into a world of...

Finance + Legal Services

Building Peace of Mind Together

Protecting children, pets, and the legacy your family is building. Article by Michelle Wood Between school drop-offs, sports practices, family vacations, and packed calendars, estate planning is rarely something parents are excited to tackle. For many West Austin families, it gets pushed aside as a task for "someday." Dana Rieder, estate planning attorney and founder of Rieder Law, PC in Bee Cave, is helping families rethink that mindset. Rather than viewing estate planning as a collection of...

Arts + Culture

Start the School Year on a High Note

Music lessons help students build confidence, focus, creativity, and connection before school begins. Article by Michelle Wood | Photography by Courtesy of Sky Zito Music As summer winds down and backpacks come out for a new school year, many parents look for activities that help their children grow with confidence and creativity. For Austin multi-instrumentalist Sky Zito, the answer is simple: music. "I honestly play music because it's my favorite thing in the world," Sky says. "I'm just...

Life + Culture

Community Starts at Frontyard

How one local destination is giving kids room to play while bringing neighbors together. Article by Michelle Wood | Photography by Courtesy of Frontyard Brewing Some of the best memories are not made at scheduled events or carefully planned outings. They happen in driveways, front yards, and cul-de-sacs where neighbors pull up lawn chairs, children invent games, and conversations continue long after the sun begins to set. That feeling inspired Frontyard Brewing in Spicewood. Before opening...