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Great Decorating Ideas From the Hotel Saint Cecilia

CasaSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:00:15 -0700

Austin's South Congress Hotel Saint Cecilia expertly mixes styles, eras, and patterns in the design of its rooms and public spaces. The uniting factor throughout the space is the hotel's inspiration. The hotel was named in honor of the patron saint of music and poetry, and the Rolling Stones circa early '70s, writer William S. Burroughs, and artist Andy Warhol all serve as muses for the hotel. Comprised of five suites, six poolside bungalows, and three studios, this hotel is a must-visit spot the next time you hit Austin. See my favorite decorating ideas from the Saint Cecilia.
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On Sundays, La Zona Rosa Turns Into a Dog-Friendly Church

PetSugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:00:01 -0700

Most nights La Zona Rosa is a bar-slash-music venue featuring loud tunes and Bud drafts, but sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning, the Austin club undergoes a transformation into a community church. Parishioners clean up evidence from the night before and welcome in people and their pets!
Since many visitors walked with dogs, and Texas is no place to leave a pooch roaming the streets or in a hot car, the founders decided to also welcome dogs to sit through services. To see a video of the preparation process and the pups, read more.

Source: La Zona Rosa

Open House: Flags as Drapery

CasaSugar — Mon, 25 May 2009 05:30:42 -0700

According to Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8, (d) of the US Flag Code, the American flag, "should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free." But Austin's Hotel St. Cecilia has used Old Glory as drapery on hospital tracking here in a bedroom suite, and I applaud the look. To me, a flag displayed nearly anywhere (so long it's in one piece) looks patriotic. But some of you - and the authors of the code - may disagree. Then again, there are plenty of tiny US codes and laws that I don't follow (oops), so should this one matter? Tell me your thoughts below. Do you approve of this use of the flag as drapery? Have you done something similar in your own home? Or are you against it?
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Home Away From Home: Kimber Modern

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:00:30 -0700

If you ever find yourself in Austin, TX, look no further than Kimber Modern for a contemporary crash pad during your stay. Designed by Burton Baldridge Architects, the hotel has a clean-lined, low-slung design and is set on a multileveled environment that is never more than one story from the ground. The interior is furnished with high-design pieces by the likes of Offi, Eames, Philippe Starck, Arne Jacobsen, and more. Its cool palette has a surprisingly inviting warmth that will give you the feeling of stepping into a relaxing spa. The rooms are modern and minimal and have an overwhelming sense of "clean" - a far cry from the cringe-inducing patterned carpets of your average American hotel. Beyond that, you'll rest well during your escape on 500 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and stay in touch with WiFi throughout. See more photos when you read more.

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Coveted Crib: An Austin Green Home

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:00:47 -0700

When planning a new home, the owners of a home in Texas wanted to take advantage of the gorgeous views in the neighborhood. Thus, a three-story, 3,100-square-foot home was envisioned for a steep hillside in Austin. The public areas of the home, such as the living and dining areas, are located on the top floor, where the family and guests can gaze out at the stunning views. The house's expansive glass walls not only encourage gazing, but also provide natural lighting for the home, minimizing the use of electricity.

This home's cutting-edge look and smart, eco design shows that green building is compatible with any number of designs, whether they be traditional or modern.

For many more photos, as well as information on the green features of the home, read more.

Rated a four-star (out of a possible five stars) project by the Austin Energy Green Building Rating System, the home boasts a number of green features in the design itself, including passive heating and cooling and daylighting. Water-saving features include low-flush toilets and waterwise landscaping, and electricity is saved through the use of fluorescent lighting, a high-efficiency water pump, and Energy Star-compliant washer, dishwasher, and refrigerator. The home also used low formaldehyde insulation, double pane LowE windows, sustainable lumber, and non-toxic/low-VOC finishes and paints.

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Kellogg's Recalls Peanut Butter Sandwiches

YumSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:00:05 -0800

Could peanut butter be the new milk? Following a salmonella outbreak thought to be caused by tainted peanut butter, Kellogg's announced late yesterday that it has asked stores to halt sales of all Austin and Keebler peanut butter sandwiches.While the company says it hasn't received any complaints or found any issues related to the products, Kellogg's has voluntarily ceased the sale of these products as a precautionary measure, after its supplier, Peanut Corp. of America, issued a recall for its peanut butter, due to possible contamination.

Austin and Keebler are pulling toasted peanut butter sandwich crackers, peanut butter and jelly sandwich crackers, cheese and peanut butter sandwich crackers, and peanut butter-chocolate sandwich crackers from store shelves across the country.

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Coveted Crib: Lone Star Home

CasaSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 07:00:23 -0700

Austin resident Blake Dollahite didn't enter the rat race when he finished college. Instead, he rebuilt a crumbling bungalow with the help of his dad and friends. Using a variety of salvaged materials, as well as furniture he built himself, the results are absolutely fantastic. For the whole story, pick up this month's copy of Dwell. Source

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Casa Verde: Ronald McDonald House Goes Green

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:00:20 -0700

While I may have some criticisms of LEED, the USGBC green building program, there's no question that the program is an important step in the right direction. Hopefully, thanks to green building guidelines and programs, green building will someday soon become a standard part of any construction project, and not an afterthought.

Austin, TX, has the oldest regional green building program in the country, with its Energy Star program established in 1985, and the green building program evolving from it six years later. Now, the city's Ronald McDonald House, which provides housing for families whose children are suffering from serious illnesses has been recognized for its new, healthy, and green building.

Austin is now home to the first green Ronald McDonald House in the world. It's also is the first building in Austin and only the third in the state of Texas to attain the highest level of green building recognition awarded by LEED - the Platinum certification.

To find out the green features of this house, read more.

Toxin-free building materials were used throughout construction and finishes.
Rehabilitation of a brownfield site means that no undeveloped land was used for this project.
The sod roof systems replaces greenery used in construction, while also controlling heat island effect. Rooftop gardens also are a place for guests to sit, visit, and relax.
Native landscaping reduces needs for water.
A 10.5 KW photovoltaic solar panel system will produce enough electricity for 15 of the 30 rooms.
Use of daylighting minimizes electricity for lighting while providing natural sunlight for guests.
Natural ventilation improves air quality, helping children with compromised immune systems.
Construction of air handling system minimizes shared air in guestrooms, also improving air quality.

If you're interested in finding out more about Austin's Ronald McDonald House, read all about it here.

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2007 SXSW Music Fest: I'm Already Overwhelmed

BuzzSugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 06:30:56 -0700

I'm not even in Austin for the South by Southwest Music Festival this year (but oh how I wish I were), and I'm still overwhelmed by the surplus of amazing bands taking the stage at any given moment.

Today marks the kickoff of the music (and most major) portion of this multimedia bonanza, which is known for breaking new indie acts. On day one alone, there'll be performances by Cyann & Ben, Rosie Thomas, Loney Dear, The Mountain Goats, Blonde Redhead, The Pipettes, The Rapture, and Peter Bjorn & John. Whoa. Then, of course, there is everything else, including the Iggy and the Stooges reunion and hotly anticipated performances from Mika and Amy Winehouse.

But don't worry: There are plenty of ways to get a handle on this musical madness, so read more

Here are some of my favorite South by Southwest treats out on the web. Let me know if you have other good recommendations!

SXSW is offering a downloadable "torrent" of MP3s from hundreds of festival artists.
Rolling Stone has rounded up its 10 can't miss shows for 2007.
If you're a DirecTV subscriber, you can watch many of the performances in your living room.
Also, SXSW should be maintaining its Daily Chord news site with highlights from the shows.
And of course, check in daily with BuzzSugar, where I'll be featuring MP3s from some of my favorite SXSW artists, as well as any exciting news.

Megan Leads the Way For Brian and Kassius

PopSugar — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:00:13 -0800

Megan Fox spent her Thursday afternoon enjoying another round of shopping with Brian Austin Green. His seven-year-old son Kassius joined in on the fun, as the trio hit a variety of furniture stores together. They finished up with lunch at the restaurant Chin Chin, and Brian showed his chivalrous side by holding the door for Megan. She kept things relatively casual for their outing, playing down the sexy image she says sometimes gets in her way.

To see more of Megan, Brian and Kassius, just read more.

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