Here Are All the Tips and Tricks You Need to Know for SXSW

SXSW is just an excuse for us Texas-loving folks to have lengthy conversations on everything we <3 about one of our favorite cities in the Lone Star State. While the fest in general is all about tech + music + film, it’s so much more than that. We’ve given you some peeks at Austin in the past (hey, Re:Make Austin!), but now it’s time to give you our in-depth, pro tip-filled guide to one of the coolest cities. Whether you head to the Texas town for the fest or just for a vacay, pack up the essentials and get your party on with these tips and tricks for SXSW sanity.

Eat Here

Tex-Mex: Tacos are acceptable for breakfast, lunch and dinner (+ fourth meal if the hangry feels arise) in Austin. Not only is Tex-Mex the best hangover cure, but with plenty of options to choose from you could literally indulge in only south-of-the-border meals your entire SXSW visit. Some of our team’s fave spots for getting their Mexican grub on are Tacodeli, Maudie’s, Matt’s Famous El Rancho + Guero’s Taco Bar. Need more options? We’ve got ’em; hit up Zocolo Cafe for low key, affordable (and delicious)Tex-Mex. For amazing queso and margaritas, the spot to be is Chuy’s Restaurant. If you’re into a different spin on Mexican food with a lakeside view go to the Hula Hut and order a pipeline enchilada; you’ll thank us later. B+C Tip: Order the trailer park tacos from Torchy’s Tacos. You’re welcome.

Late Night Eats: Both Brit and our channel marketing manager Victoria stepped in for these recommendations. They both suggest hitting up Kerbey Lane Cafe for pancakes and Kerbey queso. Get ’em both or you aren’t really doing Austin right. Another spot they both agree on is Magnolia Cafe (fondly called Mags by locals), where pancakes are as big as your face according to Brit. And the queso, aka Mag Mud, (that’s queso with black beans + avo for the uninitiated) is to die for. If pancakes aren’t your thing, swing by 24 Diner for chicken + waffles because that combo is perfect no matter what the clock says. B+C Tip: If you’re into any of these three spots mentioned, you can hit ’em up around the clock as they’re all open 24 hours a day.

Burgers: Hopdoddy is THE place to go for “OMG-SO-GOOD burgers,” according to Victoria. Though totally worth it, prepare yourself for the line. Especially if you spike your Nutella pretzel milkshake and order some truffle fries ;) If lines aren’t your thing, you can always hit up the cool atmosphere and delicious burger options at The Tavern. B+C Tip: Skip the South Congress location of Hopdoddy (too much of a SXSW crowd) and hop in a car to the West Anderson Lane spot for a shorter wait time.

BBQ: As if your “To Eat” list isn’t already long enough, you also should probably (AKA DEFINITELY) get some BBQ while in the heart of Texas. Might we recommend Franklin Barbecue (there will be a line), Salt Lick (grab a car for the best Austin has to offer in BBQ), County Line (mm mm good) or Stubb’s BBQ (music + BBQ = success!). B+C Tip: Try Rudy’s Country Store + Bar-B-Q because you haven’t lived til you’ve tried their cream corn and peach cobbler. We never said Austin was the place to be for your diet ;)

Sweets: Austin is filled with sweet treats — take it from our design girl + TX-native, Rosee. Donuts, you say? Pick up a half dozen (or a baker’s) at Gourdough’s Donuts. Or get a dozen of cupcakes from Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop instead. While it’s fine to wait in line for some cookies, why not get ’em delivered from Tiff’s Treats? If ice cream is your thing, check out the Mexican vanilla or the sweet cream with dark chocolate chunks and strawberries crushed in at Amy’s Ice Creams (P.S. they also have alcohol-inspired flavors!). B+C Tip: Guess the movie quote of the day at Amy’s and you’ll get a free crush-in your ice cream. Sorry, no phone cheating allowed.

Extra Eats: Looking for the best Pho of your life? Of course you are, who are we kidding! Look no further than Elizabeth Street Cafe, which, according to Rosee, is super Instagram-worthy (the food and the restaurant). If you’re trying to feel like Sandra Bullock’s BFF, stop by her restaurant Bess Bistro for great food and drinks. Running late to a panel? Pick up some fast food Japanese from Zen. Or if you’re planning on having a slow day and actually getting some work done, hang out at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters. B+C Tip: Rosee recommends all of the McGuire Moorman Hospitality restaurants as they are all “on point.” Brit suggests Moonshine Patio Bar + Grill for the “A-MA-ZING FOOD.”

Brunch: Sometimes you can’t make the early panels so you hit up brunch instead, duh. Get the crab cakes and a bloody Mary at South Congress Cafe. If their special carrot cake french toast is on the menu you better believe you’re ordering that too.

Sandwiches: Sandra Bullock’s bistro may be a little too much for you, so try out her sandwich shop — Walton’s Fancy and Staple — instead. B+C Tip: Pick up small bites around the clock during SXSW at the Whole Foods HQ off 6th Street, where there’s free food, events, hydration and the chance for some chill time.

Ditch Downtown: Considering the Downtown/Congress area is going to be packed for SXSW, do yourself a favor and try spots outside of that neighborhood. Some B+C pizza recs include Pinthouse Pizza for a slice and a beer, Homeslice Pizza or Mangia Pizza (it’s stuffed!) because you can never really have enough pizza. Another great find outside the immediate SXSW crowd is Josephine House, an MMH goldmine. As if we could forget about fried chicken (never), swing by Lucy’s Fried Chicken for some locally sourced southern greatness.

Drink Here

Sixth Street (or as some locals call it “Dirty Sixth”) is home to the best nightlife scene in all of Texas during and after SXSW. While it’s super cool that the entire street is shut down for late nights to allow people to scatter from bar to bar — or pick up some drunk food — sometimes that can get a little… old. Instead hop over to Rainey Street for a more laid-back hipster vibe. Here you’ll find spots like Container Bar, Clive (our editorial director, Lisa’s, fave), Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden (which has more than 100 beers on tap plus the largest sausage selection in Austin) and Bar 96.

If you are gung-ho about hanging on 6th, we’ve got some options for you: Easy Tiger (beer garden), Buckshots (shots shots shots shots shots shots!), Barbarella (MoTown, get down!), Maggie Mae’s (two floors with live music) and Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar (for obvious reasons). Basically Rainey Street is where to go for casual networking opportunities and 6th Street is where you go to party hard if you don’t care you’ll be waking up late for panels. B+C Tip: Live on Twitter to keep up to date with where the best parties, happy hours + free drinks are. Then GO THERE.

It’s fun to indulge in beer and shots while in Austin, but there’s another drink you need to consume while in the city: margaritas. Don’t leave Austin without one. Switch it up even more and go get a Mexican martini from Trudy’s. They’re so good and strong that you’re limited to two.

Not everyone is into bars and clubs for their drinks, so swing by the Paramount Theatre for a drink and performances, concerts and movies premieres during the festival. Or go get some laughs and a beverage at Esther’s Follies.

Shop Here

We know you’re there for all the music, film and tech you can indulge in (plus food and drinks) but there’s always time for some shopping. Some of the best can be found on South Congress Street, which is filled with vintage shops, boutiques and awesome places to pick up a pair of cowboy boots. We recommend Feather’s Vintage Boutique, a beautifully curated vintage shop with prices that won’t take fun away from the rest of the weekend. Rosee recommends you swing by and say hi to her friend Lauren who will help you find everything from one-of-a-kind screen printed tees to killer accessories.

You can’t leave Austin without scoring some flawless boots, so stop by Allens Boots to pick up a pair that will make any outfit look bomb.

B+C Tip: Hit up Tyler’s to get your hands on your very own “Keep Austin Weird” shirt.

Go Here

Sometimes you just need to escape from the SXSW crowd. One of the best places to get a little quiet time is Town Lake for jogging, walking, running, biking, kayaking, etc. If you’ve got a car, drive to Mount Bonnel or the 360 Bridge Overlook for gorgeous views of the city.

You know what else is beautiful? The State Capital and the tower at UT. Swing by at night for a sight for your eyes.

B+C Tip: Skip a panel and hang out under the South Congress bridge around sunset to get an eyeful of flying bats. Then head to Guadalupe Street (aka the drag or guad), the hot spot for the UT Austin crowd that’s filled with shops and restaurants.

SXSW Tips

We’ve got some SXSW pros at Brit + Co and here is what they suggest to successfully survive the fest.

  • Arrive early if you have a car since parking will be full (B+C Tip: Though super walkable, if you want to get around faster take a petty cab + leave a nice, big tip!)
  • Have your charger with you at all times
  • Keep an eye out for free shows and comb through Eventbrite and Twitter (handles to keep an eye on: @southbyfreenoms, @sxswp + @d0512)
  • Skip happy hour and go to yoga to network instead; check out Black Swan (B+C Tip: It’s donation based, so slip the instructors a $5)

Our final B+C Tip comes courtesy of Lisa. She recommends heading to Austin when SXSW isn’t going on because there is so much to do and see that should be experienced without huge crowds.

Are you heading to Austin for SXSW? Where will you be heading while there? Let us know in the comments.

There’s a newcomer in Trader Joe’s skincare section, and it’s already sending fans into a frenzy! Said to be a solid dupe of the ever-popular Sol de Janeiro Delícia Drench Body Butter, this limited-time TJ’s product goes for just $7, but shoppers say it’s still as rich, hydrating, and fragrant.

Read on for more info on this latest Trader Joe’s beauty drop!

Trader Joe's

The new find is none other than the Ultra Rich Body Butter, a “mega-moisturizer” that Trader Joe’s says is designed to “deeply hydrate and restore your skin’s natural glow.”

Reddit

Its formula is packed with plenty of shea butter, along with nourishing coconut oil, passion fruit seed oil, hyaluronic acid, and Copaiba resin to really help target dry skin. The formula is touted to be extra creamy and thick, all while boating a warm vanilla orchid scent.

Sephora

Trader Joe’s shoppers were super quick to compare the all-new Ultra Rich Body Butter to one of Sol de Janeiro’s body care products, the Delícia Drench Body Butter.

When one TJ’s fan asked about the product’s scent on Reddit, one user noted that “it smells like a clean floral vanilla but not heavy on any of those in particular if that makes sense. It actually reminds me a lot of Sol De Janeiro 59 scent if you've ever smelled that.”

Another Redditoralso dared to compare the two products: “I bought 2 today! It really does smell like Sol de Janeiro Delicia body butter but way thicker.”

Reddit

Aside from the scent of the Ultra Rich Body Butter, Trader Joe’s shoppers who’ve tried the product are loving the texture of it. A few fans on Reddit sounded off about the thick formula:

“Shockingly, it ABSORBS really well!” one person said.

“Once on, it soaks in, hydrates well and has a pleasant, light scent that lasts too,” another user commented.

Sephora

While one 8.1-ounce tub of Sol de Janeiro’s Delícia Drench Body Butter goes for $48, the new Trader Joe’s body butter costs just $7 for 8 ounces.

Wowza! We can’t wait to get our hands on this new find.

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more fan-fave Trader Joe's products!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Admit it: you rolled your eyes when your friend talked about scoring tickets to see Beyoncé'sRenaissance tour or Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour. You've probably even looked at her sideways when she's shared she pays 50% of her household bills because you don't think modern women should do that.

Whatever your reasoning is, you're aware that you have a habit of judging how your friend spends money and feel like you should stop. But friends shouldn't lie to each other, right? Eh, we've yet to see lying in relationships produce healthy results, but overstepping boundaries is just as worse. This is especially true if your friend doesn't always ask for your financial opinions.

Want to know why you keep doing it even though you're making your friend uncomfortable? Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Navjot "Navi" Hughesof Empower Mental Health has a few hints so pull up a chair to see what gives!

4 reasons you're lowkey obsessed with how your friends spend money

Jayda Anderson

1. You're using money as a way to compare yourself to your friend.

Seeing it worded like this sounds harsh and is sure to illicit the following responses:

  1. "Are you kidding me? I'd never do that!"
  2. "There's no comparison between my friend and I. I love them too much to do that."
  3. "It's not like I'm hurting my friend when I try to give them advice."

Even if you're not proud of it, there's a reason why comparison feels a embedded. Hughes says you're zeroing in on your friend's finances because of your "mindset." She further explains, "...we compare because money either separates you or brings you together. It's a social comparison because it's one of the most powerful tools to create the life you desire." This checks out if you and your friend are always talking about the kind of futures you want.

Here's the clincher: Hughes says, "Some are motivated by others, and some become jealous and hopeless."

Tima Miroshnichenko

2. The childhood lessons you learned about money are on full display.

Did you grow up hearing "money doesn't grow on trees" or "Anyone who doesn't save their money is being wasteful?" You may not think about it, but plays a role in how you look at other people's habits. Hughes says, "...judgment comes from our social upbringing. Some people have a scarcity mindset, so they hoard all their money." This could explain why you're less likely to spend money on things you consider frivolous while thinking your friend who does has lost a grip on reality.

The other side of this is being in a position where you didn't have to worry about money growing up. "If you are from a wealthier family, you know that money is a tool that flows." But, you're not off the hook from having negative opinions about others. You could still "judge others for not being smart and investing their money," according to Hughes.

Shaunna Levy

3. You may be jealous of your friend or annoyed with their complaints.

You can adore your friend while envying them for having the luxury to do whatever they want with their money. It's not to say they're truly in the position be carefree, but their ability to believe they'll be okay no matter what may make you see green. Then again, you may resent your friend for complaining about financial hardships they're in because of bad choices.

Like Hughes has mentioned earlier, there's so many reasons why everyone judges each other. She reiterates, "Usually, it's a place of jealousy," and it can show up differently based on your friend's circumstances.

"If your friends travel and you can't afford it, it creates discontent," she uses as an example, but "if your friends complain about not having money and bad spending habits, you may be annoyed and frustrated because their habits don't align with their perceived values," she adds.

Kaboompics.com

4. You're unable to handle the same criticism you're dishing out.

It's easy to judge others for doing something we think isn't right, but it's harder to accept the same vein of criticism. Hughes says people who consistently critique their friends' spending habits wouldn't have a hard time paying attention to their own choices if they were genuinely seeking "expert guidance on how to manage money instead of avoiding it."

For example, you could feel envious of the friend who has a good relationship with money while you're always spending it as soon as you get paid. "Some people cannot hold on to cash because they don't feel they deserve it. It's the subconscious programming that prevents them from making changes," says Hughes.

Emma Ripperdan

Here's what to do if you're truly concerned about your friend's finances

Approach the topic delicately

Sometimes we love to pose aggressive interventions with our friends because we "know" them. While this may work in some cases, it could backfire if you're adding to the guilt they're already feeling.

"If they ask for feedback or they complain in a moment, you can get curious and ask questions that allow them to realize their mistakes," suggests Hughes. Don't go thinking this is your shining moment to make your friend change, however.

"Ultimately, it's up to that person to receive feedback. If they don't want the input, it's best not to express your opinion as it doesn't impact you..." Hughes remarks.

Pavel Danilyuk

Here's how to set a firm boundary with a friend who can't keep their opinions to themselves

If you've found yourself on the receiving of constant opinions about how you spend money, we know you're annoyed. We're irritated for you because invasive questions or thoughts about money can ruin a longstanding friendship!

You can say something like, "While I appreciate your concerns, I will figure this out". You must take control of the conversation and be assertive if others are crossing a boundary. This usually reflects a lack of boundaries in relationships beyond finances- so chances are your relationship already lacks boundaries.

Need more money tips? You'll love browsing our articles about budgeting, saving money, and more!

Keeping our minds sharp becomes just as important as maintaining our physical health when we get older.

But while memory, concentration, and mental clarity can decline with age, the good news is that the brain remains extremely adaptable and can still benefit from consistent mental exercises.

So, just like how you hit the gym and work out your muscles to stay fit, you can participate in activities that strengthen your cognitive abilities, too. Whether you want to improve your memory or simply stay mentally agile, here are eight mental exercises that will help keep you sharp.

These are the 8 best mental exercises to keep your mind sharp!

1. Play Card Games

cottonbro studio

A study conducted in 2015 showed that regularly playing cards can actually increase brain volume in various regions, which is linked to improved cognitive functions like memory and critical thinking.

Not to mention, card games are a great way to boost focus, hone your decision-making skills, and connect with other players. Some popular favorites you can try out include poker, crazy eights, hearts, bridge, and gin rummy.

2. Strengthen Your Trivia Knowledge

Marcus Aurelius

Are you more of a "Jeopardy!" or "Family Feud" person? Regardless, trivia is an excellent way to exercise your brain and learn more across a wide variety of topics. The best part is that you can play solo or in a group.

Download a trivia app on your phone, hit up a trivia night at local bars or cafes, or play some trivia board games with friends or family. Participating in trivia regularly may improve both short-term and long-term memory retention.

3. Build Jigsaw Puzzles

Kaboompics.com

From simple 100-piece images to more complex 1,000-piece works of art, puzzles are more than just a way to relax. They're also a great mental workout.

Building jigsaw puzzles has been shown to activate multiple cognitive functions, such as spatial reasoning, visual processing, and problem-solving, all of which are critical for preserving brain health as we mature.

4. Venture Off The Beaten Path

cottonbro studio

When we stick to the same routines day in and day out, our brains can get pretty complacent. Try shaking things up and stepping outside of your comfort zone by challenging your mind.

For instance, taking a different route to work is a small habit switch that can have a surprising impact on cognitive function. You'll be forcing your brain to adapt to new environments or processes and stimulating areas responsible for memory, problem-solving, and spatial awareness.

5. Play An Instrument

Charles Parker

If you've ever wanted to learn how to play an instrument, there's never been a more perfect time. Again, since the brain is adaptable and continues forming new connections throughout your life, you can develop new skills at any age.

Plus, picking up an instrument requires concentration, coordination, and memory, making it a stellar brain exercise.

6. Learn A Foreign Language

Ivan Samkov

You can reap significant cognitive benefits from learning a foreign language as well. Research suggests that being bilingual can actually enhance creativity, memory, and visual-spatial skills. It even makes it easier to switch between tasks and may help delay mental decline.

The best part? It's never too late to get started. There are plenty of language-learning apps available right on your smart device. Otherwise, visit a local class to connect with others who are also picking up a new language.

7. Teach Someone Else A Skill

Mikhail Nilov

It's one thing to learn a new skill; it's another to teach it to someone else. Not only will it reinforce your own knowledge, but it'll deepen your understanding further.

When you explain a concept or technique to another person, you have to break it down, identify key steps, and correct mistakes along the way. This helps solidify your grasp on the topic at hand while bolstering your memory.

8. Meditate

Marcus Aurelius

Finally, daily meditation does more than merely calm your mind or reduce stress. Regular practice may also improve memory and increase your brain's capacity to process information more efficiently.

All you have to do is take a few moments each day to focus on your breathing and clear your mind.

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