Thursday September 2nd

After hours ART tour @ Milk + Honey with Brooke Gassiot’s LIGHT boxes – tour the spa where artist Brooke Gassiot has installed her wooden light boxes embellished with found objects, you can interact with them! Milk + Honey is located in the Downtown 2nd St district – read about event HERE

Saturday & Sunday September 4th & 5th

Le Garage Sale Fall Boutique sale – otherwise known as shopping heaven! Bring cash, wear bike shorts & sports bras (there are no changing rooms) and an eagle eye. Bargains galore to be had from Austin’s best boutiques.  Held at the Palmer Events center, 10-5 Saturday, 11-5 Sunday, $12 per day or $20 for a two day pass – wanna know what stores?? read the WEBSITE

Sunday September 5th

Chepo Pena’s Space Loteria art opening – 7-10 pm at Thunderbird Coffee 2200 Manor Road

Chepo makes awesome twists on traditional Mexican loteria cards – the opening on Sunday will also include a performance of Karaoke Apocalypse – live band Karaoke – they play it, you sing it

  Monday September 6th – Labor day

Austin Free day of Yoga – for it’s 12th year the Austin Yoga community will celebrate it’s FREE day of yoga. Studios all over offering a wide variety of classes – try something new! Try yoga for the first time! Spread the love  http://www.freedayofyoga.com/index.php

Saturday/Sunday September 11/12th

Fiesta Gardens Diez y Seis Celebration – 2 days of music & fun at Fiest Gardens to celebrate Mexico’s declaration of  Indepndence from Spain. There will be a mix of Tejano, Conjunto & Norteno bands, ballet Folklorico (my fave) – directions and details http://www.diezyseis.org/home.php

Sunday September 12th

Lake Travis Underwater Cleanup – 16th annual clean up of of Austin’s beautfiul Lake Travis – divers to clean out the lake  & non divers volunteer to clean the shore and help the party. Prizes for the most unusual find!! http://keepaustinbeautiful.org/Underwater

Monday September 13th

Sabores Autenticos de Mexico / Authentic Flavors of Mexico  – 6pm at the Long Center for the Performing arts.  To celebrate the bicentennial of Mexican Independence from Spain & the Centenial of the Mexican revolution, 11 of the best Mexican chefs in Texas are cooking together at a special gala event. It’s pretty fabulous, big & fancy at $250 a ticket, but from the looks of it, well worth it  http://www.saborestexas.org/

Thursday September 15th

Diez y Seis de Septiembre Celebrations - Austin celebrates the Mexican call for Independence from Spain with a kick off celebration at Town Hall from 11am-2p, followed by the traditional “grito” at The Mexican American Cultural Center from 7-10 PM. It’s going to be a special celebration this year with entertainers from the Yucatan, mariachis, food & drinks to celebrate 200 years of Mexican independence . The Dancing and music and decorations will be too beautiful to miss!!  Get more details here – http://www.cityofaustin.org/parks/diezyseis.htm

Wednesday September 15th

First ever VEGAN tweet up!!! – details to follow – I promise i will update as soon as i know

Sunday September 19th

Austin Museum Day – 30 Austin Museums, all free, special events & activities. THE best way to visit all the museums you’ve wanted to go to but never have!  To plan your day visit the AUSTIN MUSEUM PARTNERSHIP website.

Talk Like a Pirate Day – well not exactly an austin “event”  but how can I NOT mention it, it even has an official WEBSITE

Tuesday September 21st

HAAM Benefit Day – from 6am till way into the night Austin businesses donate 5% of the day’s proceeds to HAAM  (the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians) support musicians’ health. Musicians, most of whom are HAAM members, perform throughout the day at stores, outside stages, City Hall and more.  Such an easy and fun way to donate to this excellent cause to keep our musicians working and healthy – Get the music schedule and business locations at the HAAM website

September  23-30 - Fantastic Fest 2010: the larget genre film fet in the US, specializing in horror, sci-fi, fantasy & action flicks from around the world – check out the movies & schedule HERE

 September 25th-26th

Old Pecan Street Fall Festival – held all along E 6th street, free live music, tons of arts & crafts vendors, kids carnival stuff, food galore -29th year!  https://www.oldpecanstreetfestival.com/

I recently held an open house at my listing at 6804 Marbry’s Ridge Cove – I love doing something special at open houses to make them memorable and sparkly. 

This time I enlisted the talent of Vanessa Howell of Austin Ikebana to make some custom flower arrangements to place around the house.

one of Vanessa's arrangements on kitchen counter

Ikebana (arranged flower) – is the japanese art of flower arrangement, and is very different from what we are accustomed to in traditional western flower arranging. I find it more dramatic and wowy. It incorporates the entire flower, stem, leaves, other plants, sticks.  It’s simple yet intricate, and very beautiful.

Check out Vanessa’s website at Austin Ikebana  for gorgeous photos, excellent description of the art, and contact information – imagine these gorgeous displays at a wedding!

August in in Austin means heat, ice cream & the Hot Sauce Festival

YES! the calendar returns…

Tuesday August 3rd

FREE Movie Night at  the South Austin Trailer Park  – Holy Cacao the cake ball trailer was featured on the first episode of the Food Network’s Kid in a Candy Store and they are celebrating by airing that episode, followed by a screening of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory  – starts at 7pm, and admission is ONE bottle of water to be donated to Mobile Loaves & Fishes. Check out more details HERE

Thursday August 5th

Moonlight Margarita Run & Gala- 8pm – Ahhhh Austin – Run the trail, help save the trail, drink Margaritas, sponsored by Maudie’s YUM – Read more details and link to register HERE

Friday August 6th

Robyn Ludwick, singer, songwriter - Happy Hour show at Momo’s Club  6:30 pm – gorgeous voice, the next Lucinda, I love her so i’m just gonna assume y’all will too. She is also playing Momo’s happy hour on August 18th

Saturday August 7th

20th Annual Lake Travis Hot Air Balloon Flight  – meet at 6 am *gulp* at Mansfield damn park to watch Hot Air Balloons take off and fly over the lake, what an awesome photo op!  Details on parking and tailgate party afterwards can be found HERE

Sunday August 8th

Cruising Pink with YPC Komen Austin – 6:30 to 9:pm Lake Austin : The Young Professionals Council for the Austin Affiliate Komen for the Cure are hosting a networking event on a boat cruise! Food, drinks, music, mixing, sunset, sounds awesome for a fantastic cause – Details HERE

Thursday August 12th

Celebrate the Journey -   6pm to 8pm at Sping Condominiums – The Austin American Statesman is hosting a party to honor the opening of the movie Eat Pray Love - Italian, Indian & Indonesian food, meet inspiring women, shop for books to benefit the Texas Book Festival… You must R.S.V.P. HERE

AUGUST 14th TO AUGUST 21st  – AUSTIN FASHION WEEK!!

too many events to list! Between the Kick off on the 14th & the Fashion Awards on the 21st – go be fabulous at the various events all over town at 57 participating locations! Go to the website for complete schedule & even an iphone app  http://www.fashionweekaustin.com/

Saturday August 14th

Austin Ice Cream Festival – 10 am to 7 pm – Waterloo Park  – $5 kids 8 & under free

Tons of different ice cream to try, including Nada Moo vegan ice cream  – perfect summer fun – all benefiting various charities! check the website –   Ice Cream Festival  for all the SCOOP – hahahaha

Deep Eddy Mile – Adult Swimming Association’s annual swim meet at Deep Eddy Pool registration info HERE

Thursday August 18th

Poochinis & Pet-icures – 6-8pm at at Lofty Dog 403 W 2nd street

Benefiting Pug Rescue of Austin come get a free Poochini Martini and pizza while puppy gets a nail trim! Here’s the invite POOCHINIS & PETICURES

Saturday August 21st

Cupcake Smackdown  2.o – 11am to 3pm – FREE but donations very welcome for various charites

this is the best thing ever -  once again Jennie Chen celebrates cupcakes  & fun – Jaffa Cake eating contest, most people frosting a cupcake at once setting world record attempt, Cupcake Cannon & Cupcake  Pinata, cupcakes for sale to EAT of course!!  Plese check the schedule and details of event and charities HERE

BatFest – FREE celebrate our Austin treasure the bats on Congress Bridge with a free concert and festival! lineup & schtuff HERE

Sunday August 22nd

Austin Italian Festival – 4pm to 9pm at Laguna Gloria – a fund raiser for Austin Museum of Art - FERRARI Car Show, Moto Guzzi,  Aprilia & Ducati , Vespa, Italian Food, Italian Fashions. COOL! more details HERE

August 27th – 29th

Fall Home & Garden Show – at the Austin Convention center – get some inspiration for you home, awesome vendors, seminars, exhibits

Sunday August 29th

Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival – 11am to 5:50 pm – Waterloo Park

Ya – seems crazy, Hot Sauce in the middle of August in Texas – but it’s a TRADITION! and it’s yummy – go for the Salsa and enjoy killer music too including El Tule & David Garza – website HERE

6804 Marbrys Ridge Cove

6804 Marbrys Ridge Cove is located on a quiet cul de sac just off of Far West Boulevard in the Austin neighborhood known as Northwest Hills
Built in 1995 it boasts really gorgeous views from the rear deck as well as the upstairs balconies off of the master bedroom and two guest bedrooms. The fourth bedroom functions as a gameroom/playroom with bright windows & french doors to the landing. Updated kitchen, formal dining room, office.  A classic, comfortable well maintained home.

This house is currently listed for $532,900

The Northwest Hills neighborhood is roughly within the boundaries of Spicewood Springs on the north, Mopac on the East, Far West Blvd to the South and Mesa west, yet like Marbry’s Ridge Cove it does extend beyond those streets to include Meadow Mountain, Ladera Norte, North Hills Drive & Farhills Drive for example.

The neighborhood schools are Doss Elementary, Murchison Middle School and Anderson High

Some of the cool things nearby 6804 Marbrys Ridge Cove are:

Northwest Hardware – one of the few remaining old school small box hardware stores with awesome personal small town friendly service

El Arroyo – north location of Austin’s legendary “the ditch” restaurant

Old Quarry Branch of  Austin Public Library

Mangia – Austin’s award winning Chicago deep dish pizza on Mesa Blvd

Dirty Dog - locally owned dog grooming and self serve dog wash! Best invention ever

Mirabelle - fine dining on Mesa Blvd

Torchy’s Tacos – finally branched out north! It’s all about the Diablo Salsa!

Not to mention 2 nearby grocery stores, HEB & Randall’s, numerous small business and restaurants, banks, dry cleaning, yogurt, yoga, pilates, starbucks, gym…

Here are a couple of  neighborhood things you may not know about unless you lived there!

The “scary house” – as my kid have always called it. Located on Waterline, you can’t miss this house during Halloween time. Super mega extravagantly decorated people travel from all over to trick or treat for full size candy bars and to admire the display.  Over the years the neighbors nearby have started to join in the on the contaigious atmosphere and now it is literally a block party! We like to watch the progress as they start to put out decorations starting October 1st

The goose – without fail, this resident on Edgerock dresses her goose statuette up complete with accessories and “friends”.  Often the goose’s outfit reflects the season, holiday or local event

below is the Virtual Tour – check out view!

If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more give me a call!

the comments on my last blog post overwhelmed me in such a glorious way – tears and smiles, soaring heart, goosebumps, strength, uplifting. I do believe it has been one of the best things to ever ever happen to me. I thank each and every one of you, and those that sent emails or commented on facebook or twitter. I really cannot say that more sincerely.

I am compelled and thrilled to count all the blessings this experience is bringing me – and this is one of the biggest.

As far as updates go, my surgery went well, I had a blissful week of being pampered by my closest friends during recovery. My lymph nodes are clear and the removal was successful.  At this point I still do not know what my treatment will be or if  I will need furthr surgery in the form of mastectomy. There were a couple of facts that don’t make it cut and dry despite the fact that they “got it all”, we are waiting for a couple more test results and a couple more tests to take. But all in all it’s not a worst case scenario in terms of type of tumor, details details blah blah. 

Physically i’m feeling pretty good, some discomfort at the site, and major mental fatigue. Some days i’m cry-y and down and daunted by what’s to come, and others i’m elated by the power I feel and the blessings, they make me feel luckier than anyone.

The kids have starte with Wonders & Worries, read about them HERE – they are a miracle and will be the focus of my next charity of the month post

Speaking of that, yeah, I know I skipped May charity and haven’t done June happening, I have a good excuse right

So, I want this blog to remain as it was, Austiny, arty, real estate-ish, cancer references will be mostly awareness, events ect..and mentions as it relates. I have created a seperate blog that I am calling “Glitter Every Day” where I will post updates ect… Read it HERE and check it frequently if you like – http://glittereveryday.blogspot.com/

I’m still working, still having fun, still wearing glitter (I got some new glitter goodies for my birthday!)

Love to you all

I don’t how to start this post – so I started it like that. It’s an announcement of sorts, and a story, and a message.  So I will dive in with the point first – this week, on Monday, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Tomorrow, Friday, I am having out patient surgery to remove the lump.  The rest of the story is as yet unknown.   I wore my favorite glitter eyeliner to the biopsy last Friday, and to the Surgeon appointment Tuesday, and I felt so pretty and brave.  Gonna slap some on tomorrow morning too and some lip gloss. 

The insane generousity and love from my friends has already blown my mind.  And I have to admit, part of the reason I am writing a public post about this is because I want and welcome any and all prayers, vibes, love & warmth sent in my direction, this is not a time to be coy about asking for what you want.

I also have zero doubt about what I will gain from this, there’s no limit or OD of cliches when it comes to inspiring people, educating people, raising money for people  – I will be that as others have.

Of the many wonderful words of love & support I have received, a couple stand out right now:

One friend, a survivor, when I told her  I wasn’t comfortable with the word survivor, said  “You’re definitely a survivor – sometimes, the hardest part is surviving being told about it” I can relate to that!

One of my fave people to be around right now told me that I was OK, that we are all OK till we are not…and that is so right. Even if it sucks, I’m OK.  These words float around in my head daily, alot of times a day. And help big time

Ok, it seems I don’t know how to end this post either….so, ladies pay attention to your selves. Everybody, be happy and positive daily, and I am going to wear glitter every day

love

Nanette

photo by Cory Ryan - www.coryryan.com

My 8 year old son wrote this for me in school:

Inside My Mom

Inside my Mom are two arms hugging me when I get home from school

Inside my Mom are feet taking me on walks

Inside my Mom are lips kissing me at bedtime

Inside my Mom is a voice reading to me at night

Inside my Mom is faith beleiving in me for who I am

Inside my Mom is a heart half full of me

by Gabriel Scalzo

Wednesday May 5th – Cinco de Mayo

La Condesa Cinco De Mayo Block Party – downtown Austin/2nd St – 5 to 10pm FREE

Mexican street food, live music from Brownout & Ocote Soul Sounds (wow) plus others…

Sponsored by The Austinist - http://austinist.com/2010/05/05/austinist_sponsors_la_condesas_cinc.php

Thursday May 6th

Texas Mamma Jamma Ride Kick-Off Party  – GSDM Idea City 828 W 6th St – 6 to 8 pm

The Mamma Jamma Ride takes place in September to raise money for Breast Cancer – come to the kick-off party to learn more and have fun! -  see the FLYER for info

Salsa Workshop
Mexican American Cultural Center – 600 River St 6-7  pm $10
Then after – Salsa music night! Pura Salsa Dance Social with 100% Salsa Music
8:30 – 10 pm
Free & Open to the Public
 
Live Music by Orquesta Trabuko

Friday May 7th

No Pants Day – do i really need to elaborate?

Couple o great shows:

Ben Folds at Stubbs

Shearwater at the Parish

Friday AND Saturday May 7th & 8th

The Revival Festival – Nutty Brown Amphitheatre  – starts at 6:45 Both evenings

ummmm – Jerry Lee Lewis???? The Blasters??? The Supersuckers? Insane line up – Rockabilly, country, honkeytonk, americana, pretty much music perfection – Line-up ect HERE

Contemporary Art Trunk Show & Vintage Posters – Art on 5th 1501 W 5th

Lots of fine art originals for sale, along with European Vintage posters - http://www.arton5th.com/

Saturday May 8th

Chuy’s Hot To Trot 5k & Kid K – Chuy’s on William Cannon

Race, Rattle & Roll w/Elvis! Proceeds go to Special Olympics Texas – Register info HERE

Japanese May Festival  – O’Henry Middle School 2610 W 1oth – 12:30 to 4:30 pm

Taiko Drums, japanese food, caligraphy, origami!  get some scoop at the Japan-America society website

Active Live Movement Festival – Toney Burger Center, 3200 Jones, Rd – 11 am to 3 pm

FREE celebration of healthy & active lifestyles. Wii Games, Rock Climbing wall, Inflatable obstacle course, more!  www.almfestival.com

Saturday & Sunday May 8th & 9th

Big Gay Garage Sale – it is what it is – benefits Austin Pride – Facebook Inivite HERE

Sunday May 9th

Mothers Day! I suggest hinting heavily at some kind of pampering at Milk & Honey Spa if you are a mom

Sweet Songs Music for Families – Big Red Sun 1102 East Cesar Chavez – 10:30 to 12:30

Benefits Mother’s milk bank! Mother’s Day Brunch and CD release party featuring the music of local Austin Mama Musicians – Big Red Sun has such a groovy atmosphere, this sounds really lovely. go here for the scoop  http://www.austinsweetsongs.com/

Arts & Crafts Sidewalk Sale at the Art Pad – 4520 Burnet Rd – 9 am to 4 pm

Sale of new & used art supplies such as brushes, pencils, color pencils, mosaic supplies, kids craft kits, misc. craft supplies, frames, fabric & notions, books, gift items, home decor, t-shirts, toys & much more!

Bemba’s 2nd Annual Mother’s Day Picnic, Momma! I love you  – Alma de Mujer 13621 FM 2769 – 11 am to 6pm – $20

there will be workshops in nature, photography, and more.  On-site massage picnicking, food vendors, silent auction, sports and 22 acres of hiking. Last year I brough Hula Hoops! There’s also live music with  Sarah Harris, Margo Valiante, Dawni McCray and Suzanna Choffel headlining  – ticket info and details HERE

Saturday May 15th

2nd Annual Public Hoop Out hosted by Hoopcircle.com!  Wholefoods Upstairs Courtyard – 10:30 to 1:30

Laura Scarborough of Hoopcirle will teach an informal class & synchronized HOOP jam at 12:30 – this is so rediculously fun I want to see everyone there!  Hoops will be availabe for Sale too! Facebook invite HERE.  My TWEETVITE >>> HOOP UP

Austin’s Family Nature Crawl – all ages and FREE

A morning of family friendly superfun nature exploration starting at the Austin Nature and Science Center and moving on to The Redbud Center and The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center before finishing with a midday celebration at REI Downtown. Check out the Nature Rocks Austin website for deets

Friday May 21st AND Saturday May 22nd

Pachanga Fest – Fiesta Gardens – 2101 Jesse Segovia

Unbelievably cool Latin music festival – check Line up, schedge, ticket info ect…HERE!

Saturday  May 22nd

O. Henry Pun-off – O. Henry Museum  409 East 5th Street – 11 am – FREE

Live music, punny stuff, book sale, BBQ – plus the info website is called  www.punpunpun.com

Sunday May 23rd

Austin Urban Vet Center Grand Opening  – 710 W 5th St – 12 to 4 pm – FREE

Pet adoption, moonwalk, raffles, food n stuff  – pets welcome!  see the FLYER

May 27th to June 13th – Kerrville Folk Festival!

Camp for 3 weeks, a weekend, or go for a day and stay in a hotel like I do! It’s more than the music, it’s a lifestyle. The campsites themselves are a whole other experience, amazing jams to be found. This is one of my fave events ever. Check out the incredible line up and all the schedule HERE

Thursday May 27th

Wounded Warrior Dinner

The CapTexTri is hosting a dinner in conjuntion with the Triathalon (See May 30th & 31st) to honor men and women of the armed forces and ensure the significance of Memorial Day to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project. Check the website to see how to be a part of this inspiring event.   http://www.woundedwarriordinner.com/

Austin Wine & Music Festival  – The Domain shopping Center

Yummy & Fun – what else???  HERE is the scoop – Great music Line up – especially Mickey & the Motorcars on the saturday night

May 29th & 30th

Fiesta Amistad – at Old Settlers Association – 3300 Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock

Huge hispanic fetival, tons of food and music – El Amistad Club of Round Rock

Monday May 31st

Capitol of Texas Triathalon – there is still time to register!  

The Capital of Texas Triathlon has become an exciting event that happens downtown in the Capital of Austin, Texas. Attracting first timers, relay-ers, age groupers, and Professional triathletes from around the globe. One of the most exciting and spectator friendly races in the country! check the website for how to register, volunteer or go watch the fun http://www.captextri.com/

I’m sure I’ll be adding more stuff as it appears in my radar!!

What are YOU doing this month???

Green Cow Still Life

Disclaimer: I’m totally biased and a Huge Ethan Fan and have known him since he and Jeff Johnston played at my daughters 2nd birthday in our backyard.
But that does not mean I should not share the joys of his whimisical Folk art  chairs, chickens, cows, and tigers with you all.  I love the colors, I love the themes, I love how it’s instantly recognizable. He’s also insanely sweet and a new dad of the cutest boy ever.

Ethan paints in variations of themes, they are obvious throughout, and often are in phases. I first knew him in the monochrone flower phase.  He is pretty fond of buildings. Fruit, shoes, the occasional fried egg, animals.   He likes to paint the items floating, or stacked on top of each other, like chair on chicken. (say that, it’s fun)

Balance - by Ethan Azarian

He has his gallery right in his house in East Austin, and he opens it to public for the East Austin Studio Tour every year as well as for a Christmas Art Show.

Recently he has been expanding to murals. It’s a perfect match. He was commissioned to paint a mural on the roof of a child’s room in a Central Austin house and I was lucky enough to get to go hang out one day and I shot the little video below.

Ethan is also a musician founder of the Rad Austin band the Orange Mothers and currently master of the solo show

Here is some vid i took at Central Market in Austin of Ethan playing a show, with the fab Jeff Johnston accompanying him on the amazing musical saw and the telephone -yep, you should check out a show.

Check out more Ethan Art and find out about events & shows at his website http://www.ethanazarian.net/

And call him if you want a mural!!

Also for kicks check out his Dad Tom Banjo - make sure to search YouTube to see vids of his INCREDIBLE Cranky Shows – you will love me even more

FYI – Saw player Jeff Johnston is the bass player in Li’l Cap’n Travis  (my Fav local Austin band) as well as about a million other bands.

Travis County has recently made available $1.3 million in federal funds to help Texas families purchase FORECLOSED homes in the Austin area – it’s called the Neighborhood Stabilization Progam.

Here are some details & points about the NSP-1 program:

• There are defined targeted areas where to purchase the homes within Travis County (not including within the city of Pflugerville), but any day now the County is expected to get official permission to include the entire city of Austin
• Buyers may use the lender of their choice but the County can refer to a list of  lenders that have gone through the process
• If a family is below the 50% income max – they can get financed directly through  Travis County
• 100% financing is available, including closing costs – and it is 100% forgivable after either 5 or 10 years of ownership depending on the size of assistance
• The size of the loan is determined by the difference between what the buyer is qualified for and the cost of the home
• Thus far they have closed on 3 homes and the maximum loan has been $26k
• This can be an amazing opportunity for families to own a home, but be warned that the process is a bit tricky & time consuming. Paperwork/forclosure/timing. Make sure your REALTOR  is well educated on all the processes
• The County’s goal is to be within 15% of appraised value of the home. For example is a home is appriased at $100k, the goal is to purchace it for $85,000. This isn’t a total requirement and is hard to acheive. If the house purchase price is for more than the appraisal it won’t work.
• To qualify, the buyers need a credit score of at least 620
• Buyer must  have a minimum of $500 to invest towards the purchase
• Buyer must have interest in purchasing a forclosed home by May 31st 2010
•  Have a total household income below the amount in the chart below

For details on how to apply and for contact information please go to the Travis County Housing Finance Coroporation website!  http://www.traviscountyhfc.org/nsp-1.html

I think despite the hoops and paperwork – this program is super beneficial to both neighborhoods and potential homebuyers.

Realtors & buyers please don’t hesitate to contact me with any further questions, I have talked at great length to people in this department and am happy to investigate further!