Growing up in the Midwest, my Christmas experience is usually filled with plenty of white snow and typically cold temperatures. Luckily this year my Dad had the brilliant idea of us all visiting my brother who lives in Austin instead. We were blessed with 85 degree days, lots of sunshine, and plenty of family time (which is rare!).

My favorite area of the city is hands down East Austin. I’m always drawn to the developing and gritty parts of a city – like LES Manhattan and Shoreditch London. East Austin is right on par. The streets are void of tourists and the shops and restaurants are genuine. It’s a locals only sorta neighborhood. My favorite spots are La Barbeque food truck (go there over Franklins), Flat Track coffee, Vintage Heart Coffee and Hillside Farmacy

On this trip, we stayed in Zilker Park which was a really lovely neighborhood on the West Side of the city along Barton Springs and Lamar street. Lamar has some great spots to hang out at. My favorite spot this time was Eberly- a designer’s dream of a restaurant. Another favorite spot nearby on 1st is Elizabeth Street Café. The interior is out of a Parisian magazine and the food is deliciously unique.

I was lucky enough to even dip my toes into Barton Springs! Swimming in December...that's my kind of Christmas!