By Design

Luxuriate in the feel of the Hanus family’s premium handcrafted natural soap made from cold-pressed olive oil and organically-grown botanicals. Custom soaps can be created at your request. A portion of the profits is donated to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the United Plant Savers. www.awildsoapbar.com
 

When Rebecca Wingler and her husband set out to design their dream house, the couple wanted to draw upon treasured life and travel experiences. Consequently, Mediterranean architectural elements and art figure prominently in their new Central Texas home.

If you’ve got a taste for chocolate in central Texas, you’re in luck: A dozen chocolatiers populate the dessert scene in and around Austin alone.

Gary Kelleher picks up a hint of chocolate in the finish of a sip of Dripping Springs Vodka. There are notes of vanilla there, too—on that many tasters agree. Not everyone gets the chocolate. But Kelleher knew what he wanted this vodka to taste like even before he set out to create it.

“Our great-great-grandfather made vodka for the czar of Russia,” says Kelleher, one of three brothers born and raised in Dallas. “My grandfather came here from Russia. His great-grandfather was actually hired by Catherine the Great of Russia to make vodka. I grew up thinking that was the coolest thing.”

Many a cheerful soul has sought to "haul out the holly" in early December only to have their spirit fall upon spying that tangle of light cords lurking in the attic. This year, we offer a little advice on both how to light the perfect tree and organize your lights for next Christmas. 

Classic TV shows often featured dads such as Ward Cleaver, Darrin Stephens or Mike Brady in home offices—then called a study or den. Today, as gas prices soar and technology grows more sophisticated, many workers—male and female—work at home. But, home offices aren’t just for work anymore.