Life Wright Now | July

WATCHING

Since reading Lily Koppel's book, I started watching "The Astronaut Wives Club" on ABC. It's pretty fascinating to see the behind-the-scenes based on true stories of these ladies who became instant celebrities & supported their husbands without question. I like how the TV show portrays the women, the space race, LIFE magazine & all the hype, & of course, the fashions : ) 

EATING

I really enjoy Vietnamese sandwiches : ) The Bahn Mi from Local Pho is tasty tasty. I had it for the first time tonight! 

READING

I've been working through "Women of the Word" by Jen Wilkin. It's challenged me in how I approach the Bible & motivated me to really study what God has to say. I'm applying her method to the book of Romans - it's been really great so far! I'd recommend this book to any woman (or man!) who is at a lost for how to read scripture or has no appetite for reading the Bible. 

LISTENING

Just started the podcast "Marriage is Funny" per a friend's recommendation. Jessie and Gerard are a married couple that talk about real things like quality time, maiden names & cable bills. Although somewhat cheesy, I like it.  

We are also now hammock owners. We've been hanging out a lot. 

-SJW

Austin | All the Coffee

Although I'm not a huge coffee fan, I do appreciate the atmosphere & "third space" coffee shops offer. Plus, I'm usually game for a sweet treat, an iced chai tea or slice of harvest bread.

While Austin has coffee shops a plenty, I definitely have my favorites. I've had a good many chittychats and study sessions at the following hot spots:

 1. Flight Path

2. Summer Moon Coffee
3. Thunderbird

4. Spiderhouse Coffee

5. Mozart's

6. Caffe Medicci
7. Cherrywood Coffee

8. Epoch

9. Halcyon

10. Dominican Joe's

I'm still developing my favorite spots in Seattle, but for now they are Bedlam (Belltown), Citizen Coffee (Lower Queen Anne), Elm Coffee (Pioneer Square) & Caffe Fiore (Queen Anne).

Planning more coffee dates,

SJW

Austin | What to order

Austin is one of the best food cities. There are restaurants galore, & you could eat somewhere new every day of the year.

My first time at Hut's Hamburgers

Here are some of my all-time favorite places to eat delicious chow:
1. Walton's | deli sandwiches (wins best atmosphere)

2. Hillside Farmacy | mac & cheese

3. Magnolia Cafe | cornmeal pancakes

4. Hopdoddy | magic shroom burger

5. The County Line | warm homemade bread and sausage/brisket BBQ

6. Kerby Lane Cafe | kerby queso - it has guacamole at the bottom!

7. Amy's Ice Cream | mexican vanilla

8. Tacos and Tequila | street tacos

9. Moonshine | complimentary cornbread & popcorn with your order : ) 

10. 24 Diner | belgian waffles

Places I want to try: Salty Sow & Contigo

Got me some cravings,

SJW

Up next: Austin | All the Coffee

Austin | The Essentials

I will forever love Austin, Texas. It's where I graduated college, where I built lasting friendships, where I learned about myself & where I became fond of urban living. Concerts. BBQ. The UT Tower. Unique food. Farmer's Markets. Hikes. The hill country. Tie-dye. Parks. Organic everything. Mom & Pop shops. Burnt orange. Sunshine. The Capitol. I love it all. If you are planning a trip to Austin, (as I know many of you are!) here are the things you just must do.

1. Picnic in Zilker Park & swim at Barton Springs Pool

2. Run around or kayak on Town Lake

3. Stop by the Baylor Street Graffiti Park

4. Shop along South Congress

5. Take a photo in front of the Capitol

6. Mount Bonnel

7. Witness the Cathedral of Junk

8. Catch a movie at the Alamo Draft House

9. Eat at Hey Cupcake or Gordough's Donuts

10. Watch the bats fly out from under the bridge

Bonus off the beaten path things: explore the greenbelt, see peacocks at Mayfield Park, stop in at Savers (thrift store).

Keep Austin Weird,

SJW

Up next: Austin | What to Order

That Lone Star State | Texas Fun

Earlier this summer I went back to my beloved childhood state of Texas! Almost all of my summers growing up were spent under the hot Texas sun & therefore filled with ice cream, popsicles, watermelon & pools : ) I was able to relive those days while celebrating the marriages of two dear friends, spending time with my parents in ATX & reconnecting with college comrades. Here are some of the highlights: 

Realizing we're growing up! Either married or engaged : )

Picnicing with my parents & Sadie : )

Walking around Town Lake. 

Witnessing live music at the Broken Spoke, an Austin classic!

Being a bridesmaid in my sweet friend KD's wedding!

Getting to spend time with these heart friends.

Seeing the ever evolving Baylor St. Graffiti Park in Austin.

Staying in a mod air b&b with my parents directly across from Barton Springs!

Exploring East Austin. 

Staying in this awesome Airstream Trailer with my mom!

Relax & swim at McKinney Falls State Park

Exploring new coffee shops!

Spending my 4th of July celebrating a couple who did the best choreographed first dance ever!

Getting time to read. I finished 2.5 books!

Makes me want to recite the Texas Pledge (yes, there is such a thing!)

- SJW

Up next: Austin | The essentials