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Our Smartish Neighbor: Native Hostel
In our Smartish Neighbors series, we highlight the hardworking, creative small businesses that keep Austin smartish. This week we discover the hip hospitality of Native Hostel. If you’ve read our previous entries in the Smartish Neighbors series, you might be starting to think that Austin would be a great place to visit (you know, if the world-famous music scene and food culture weren’t enough for you). If so, you’ll need a place to stay while you’re in town. And you guessed it, we have a Smartish Neighbor that can take care of that for you. Enter, stage right: Native Hostel. Native is a hostel, bar, restaurant, and venue all rolled into one, like a delicious 4-ingredient taco of fun. On the hostel...
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Our Smartish Neighbor: Gelateria Gemelli
In our Smartish Neighbors series, we highlight the hardworking, creative small businesses that keep Austin smartish. This week we hang out with the gelato geniuses over at Gelateria Gemelli. Have you ever been out at a bar and thought to yourself, “Gee, I wish there was somewhere I could get some amazing, locally-sourced, small-batch gelato right now. Also, I wish I could keep drinking while I eat said gelato”? We think that all the time. Probably because we are lucky enough to have Gelateria Gemelli in our Smartish Neighborhood. The concept behind this gelateria (or “gelato place” to us Average Joes) is simple: serve up tasty gelato with clean, simple flavors alongside classic cocktails, amaro, and coffee. What’s not to love? Gemelli...
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Our Smartish Neighbor: Blue Owl Brewing
In our Smartish Neighbors series, we highlight the hardworking, creative small businesses that keep Austin smartish. This week we hang out with the bombastic brewmasters over at Blue Owl Brewing. Blue Owl Brewing holds a unique niche in the Austin beer world, brewing up a unique selection of sour beers. If you’re late to the sours party (it’s OK, most people haven’t caught the craze yet), sour beers are imbued with an unusual tartness perfect for anyone getting bored of more traditional craft beers. But don’t fret – Blue Owl always leaves a taste of the familiar in each of their sours, keeping them plenty accessible to beer lovers of all stripes. That more restrained flavor is possible due to...
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Our Smartish Neighbor: Parlor Beauty Bar
In our Smartish Neighbors series, we highlight the hardworking, creative small businesses that keep Austin smartish. This week we hang out with the brilliant beauticians at Parlor Beauty Bar. Our fair neighborhood of East Austin is full of tough, adaptive entrepreneurs who are dedicated to spreading the smartish spirit through their innovative businesses. And don’t let Parlor Beauty Bar’s pink motif fool you – founder Charlotte Feliciano is one of the toughest around. She was inspired to start Parlor after surviving not one, but two car crashes. Most people recovering from serious injuries are just inspired to watch weird Netflix documentaries. So yeah, Charlotte sets the bar pretty high. Parlor Beauty Bar provides a whole suite of services in one location,...
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Our Smartish Neighbor: Amanda Deer Jewelry
In our Smartish Neighbors series, we highlight the hardworking, creative small businesses that keep Austin smartish. This week we hang out with the jaunty jewelry makers at Amanda Deer Jewelry. The holidays are upon us, folks – the joyous time of year to freak out about what gifts to get your friends and family. Some people are easy (Dad probably wants a tie, or maybe a drone), but others are tougher to crack. Thankfully, Amanda Deer Jewelry has you covered – at least for all the women in your life. Statistically, that’s about 50% of your list in one smartish swoop (you can thank us later). Amanda Deer Jewelry designs everyday, dainty jewelry right here in East Austin. Featuring refined, minimalist...
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Our Smartish Neighbor: Succulent Native
In our Smartish Neighbors series, we highlight the hardworking, creative small businesses that keep Austin smartish. This week we hang out with the cactus cathedral that is Succulent Native. Succulent Native got their start with the whimsical Flowers on the Fly cart, which still delights Austinites and visitors with adorable plant arrangements in three mobile locations (the Drag, South Congress, and 6th Street). Now this homegrown small business has blossomed – OK, no more plant puns, sorry – has expanded into a new brick and mortar shop. The Succulent Native shop is a cozy East Austin space with an enormous variety of succulents, all paired with creative containers and arranged with artistic flair. The shop will even pot a cactus...
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Smartish Advice: iPhone 8 or iPhone X?
iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus have all been out for a while now, and the early adopters among us have no doubt already ordered their new iPhone of choice. But we know that not everyone is ready to drop several Benjamins on Apple’s latest toys right away. For all the late-ish adopters, careful researchers, and holiday shoppers, we highly recommend CNET’s helpful guide, which even considers other options like the iPhone SE. Or, if you prefer our smartish opinions (we’re pretty opinionated), read on for our take. iPhone X has two main new features: the edge-to-edge OLED screen, and the dual front-facing cameras with Face ID technology. What are these features worth to you? If you answered...
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Our Smartish Neighbor: Arlo's
In our Smartish Neighbors series, we highlight the hardworking, creative small businesses that keep Austin smartish. This time we’re hanging out with the plant based burger revelation that is Arlo’s. What can we say about Arlo’s? Arlo’s is like your vegan friend who is never judgy, and invites you over for jaw-droppingly tasty veggie foods. Arlo’s does plant based food that understands the hedonistic delight of fatty, meaty dishes. In other words, Arlo’s makes some of the best burgers, tacos, and fries you can put in your gob, period. They just also happen to not contain animal products. Yeah, that's pretty smartish. Our personal favorite is the Bac’n Cheeze Burger. Now we hear you saying: hey, neither bacon, nor cheese,...
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iPhone X Pre-Order is Tonight! Here's how to beat the lines.
Pre-orders for the iPhone X begin tonight at Midnight PDT, and by "begin" we mean they will almost immediately sell out. But never fear, we have tips to up your chances of getting the best iPhone ever (until the next one), without camping outside the Apple Store. The short version is: download the "Apple Store" app on your phone, and enter in all your information ahead of time. Then, keep refreshing the app tonight until preorders open. If you have any four-leaf clovers or rabbits feet, those couldn't hurt either. For a full list of pre-order tips, check out this guide from TechRadar. You can get a Silk case for iPhone X right meow and have a smartish case before...
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Smartish Advice: Should I Upgrade to iOS 11?
While those who picked up the new iPhone 8 will automatically be running Apple’s newest operating system (lucky them), those with older iPhones are facing an age-old question – to upgrade, or not to upgrade? The Cons While getting the latest and greatest features seems like a no-brainer, there is a major downside: it’s a big download. According to Forbes, it will cost you up to 2 GB depending on your device. Time to decide which apps you really love (goodbye, Pokemon Go). The Pros However, the new OS does have some surprises for the tech enthusiast and luddite alike. What are our favorites? Glad you asked... Siri can now do spoken translation in English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese...