By E.S. Sparks Novelist Milan Kundera once wrote: “It's not for nothing that fantasy exists. It's what makes homes of our houses.”  Personally, I can’t think of a faster way to kill a fantasy than overhead fluorescent lighting. A rosy glow is the way to go, so whether you’re looking to add some magic to your dwelling or create an atmosphere for getting more intimate, candles can instantly transform a space. It makes sense why humans have been gathering around the flicker of a wick for centuries, be it for everyday use, spiritual practice or casting a romantic aura; it's an easy way to ground oneself in the present. After all, a burning flame demands our immediate attention. Addy Medernach,...

Hello 24-hour party people! Our first ever after hours event DISCOTHEQUE was a psychedelic 6-hour odyssey that pushed the limits of Feels So Good as a venue, redefining what a nightclub can be. KC Powell, FSG retail curator and mastermind behind the concept, put it best: "Multi-purpose spaces are the future of human gathering." (Stay tuned for our next rave set for South by Southwest 2023!) DJ Sets by: Total Request Crew Christy Ray Orya Just Jim Lizzie Aguirre Visuals by Nighttime Static Photos by Kenneth Aaron / @kennthaarn SHOP RELATED

By E.S. Sparks What happens when you take generations of tradition, inject new blood, a passion for the pits, and a family committed to providing the best damn barbecue to their community? You get a prime example of what makes Terry Black’s Barbecue a cut above the rest. Mike Black, who co-owns the business along with his twin brother Mark, sister Christina, and parents Patti and Terry (the restaurant's namesake), did not always plan to follow in the family trade. While his lineage might suggest otherwise—he got his start working at his grandfather’s restaurant, Black’s Barbecue, which has been open since 1932 in his hometown of Lockhart, TX, “The Barbecue Capital of Texas”—his own story is surprisingly relatable to anyone...

By E.S. Sparks A handsome devil in a white suit. A slick con man with a gold watch and an immaculate haircut. These are tropes Andrew Cashen plays up well—during our initial conversation, his pale blue-green eyes (seemingly always set to “stun”) are obscured by Jim Jones-esque sunglasses. “It was sunny,” he later assures me when I ask about his wearing them for the duration of that chat; I still can’t decide if they were worn for his benefit or mine. It’s tempting to lean into myth-making when it comes to this prolific performer. I’ve seen him on stage in four distinct musical acts and his energy and talent are undeniable. But as “Andrew Cashen” the band, his stage persona...

We sure had a hell of a time at our 3rd annual Feels So Good Fest benefitting the Austin Music Foundation! From familiar faces to new friends, we had a spectacular turnout and were happy to host so many talented artists, vendors and bands.  Can’t wait ‘til next year when we can do the dang thing all over again. In the meantime stay tuned for all our upcoming events year-round, we hope to catch y'all at the next one! Performances by: The Pinky Rings Blue Jean Queen Chloe Jobin Being Dead Dossey JD Clark Dealbreaker Kydd Jones Mike and the Moonpies Total Request Crew (surprise set!) Dead Meadow Photos by Cameron Britt Kisel / @camkisel Isabella Martinez / @peppermintgirlphotography SHOP...

By E.S. Sparks With the holidays right around the corner, things can get hectic. ‘Tis the season to take time to treat yourself to something sweet, and our friends at local Asian-American bakery OMG Squee have got the goods! From their delectably dense mochi donuts and kaleidoscopic assortment of macarons to their seriously adorable merch, there’s something for everyone to be thankful for. Self-described “skill hoarder” and owner Sarah Lim sat down with us to share a few of her favorite things and the joy of embracing the cuteness. Owner Sarah Lim in her own design, the classic Squee Tee. Photo by Blaine Leggett Baking is such a meticulous profession. But looking around it seems like y’all have a lot...

The following photos were taken at the LEVITATION festival from Oct. 27th-30th 2022. From our pop-up shop at Hotel Vegas, presenting the Osees for four nights, our in-house designer Bella Borbon's band The Pinky Rings' electric set at Mohawk, and the shows we inherited from the temporarily closed music venue Parish and adjoining My Oh My bar, this past fest has been a doozy! Thanks to all who came out and supported us. Until next year, y'all! Performances by: Osees Sunflower Bean Ringo Deathstarr Grandma Being Dead Moon Duo Al Lover The Pinky Rings Photos by David Brendan Hall / @dhallphoto Daniel Cavazos / @firstthreesongs SHOP  THE  LOOKS

By E.S. Sparks Confession time: Over the course of my life, I’ve been told my communication style can at times be… challenging. It seems some people would appreciate a little warm-up in the beginning of a conversation before being nudged into the dense, dark deep end. So, to break that ice, one might start off with something innocuous.  As I sit nearly knee to knee with the striking local performance poet, Raphaella the Swan, in the twinkling backyard of The Tigress Pub, I compliment her blood-red cheerleader’s uniform, immaculately tailored to her corporeal form. Her old copy of Dante's Inferno next to my smokes, it seems the theme runs deep—the kind of headspace required for the upcoming live performance of her...

The following photos were taken at on Saturday, October 1st 2022 at the Summer's End Pool Party at Austin Motel. DJ Set by Total Request Crew.   Photos by Faith Vivian / @faith.vivian Tatum McNutt SHOP THE LOOKS

Whether you naturally possess a green thumb or not, you may soon be trading in your gardening gloves for mittens. But regardless of your degree of plant literacy, you’re definitely not the only one affected by the change in season (and the unpredictable nature of Texas weather), so it’s always a good idea to check in on your most resilient, prickly friends.* Because even the tough ones can use some extra care.   We met up with the expert plant wranglers at East Austin Succulents and they graciously gave us a few pointers for succulent success this fall you can read below. We highly recommend stopping by the open-air retail location for a look at their eclectic selection of plants...