I appreciate fashion, and I appreciate fashion makers, or those people who decide what looks good on a woman or a man and then go out and create it. As an editor for Austin Monthly magazine, I've met a lot of wonderful "creators" in the Austin fashion world, and my own style has evolved thanks to many of these artists. One of my favorite artists, though, is Rebecca Foss of Rebecca Lynn Designs. She's not only a great person, but she makes absolutely beautiful, original jewelry. I have one of her necklaces (below) and every time I wear it, the compliments come pouring in.



This piece is reminiscent of the rest of her designs. They're all pretty and simple, crafted with delicate chains, colorful stones and interesting combinations of patterns and textures. She twists and molds and combines vintage stones with modern pearls and sterling silver trinkets with 14-karat gold treasures. She creates necklaces, earrings and bracelets, and while this piece was custom-made, it looks a lot like the other necklaces in her Spirit collection.



Every woman likes to have something--a necklace or a ring or the perfect little red dress--that makes her stand out in a crowd. Rebecca Foss created one of those somethings for me, and I'm sure she can do that for you, too. Check out the story I wrote on Rebecca's jewelry, as well as two other fun and funky designers in Austin, Diane Petkoff of Tasty Jewelry and Kaki Gaines of KAKIdesigns.

Oceanside private campsites. Amazing sunset views. Dogs allowed.

It doesn't get any better than the camping at Bahia Honda State Park just 40 minutes north of Key West on Highway 1. No, really, there is no better place to camp in the Florida Keys. I've asked, and "best camping" and "Bahia Honda" are always said in the same sentence. When I say private oceanside campsites, I mean big sandy patches of land surrounded by trees and shrubs just 30 feet from the Atlantic Ocean. When I'm talking amazing sunset views, I'm talking views from the top of what used to be the Overseas Railroad that sits 40 feet above the water for a wide, uninhibited view of the sunset. And did I mention dogs are allowed? That's not exactly a given when camping in the Florida Keys.



My husband, Noah, and I have been camping twice at Bahia Honda State Park since we moved to Key West in October. Both times, there's been a moment as walked the beach with our dog late at night when we asked, "Is this even happening? Are we really this lucky?" The beach is lit only by the moon, and we can look out for miles in all directions. We're standing at the edge of the ocean, feet in warm tropical waters in the middle of winter. The only sound is the light crashing of the waves, and we feel like we're the only people in the world, yet we're just a mile or so from our campsite.



That's camping at Bahia Honda, where RVs and tent campers are welcome, though you usually need to book a weekend site at least three months in advance. We're tent campers, and that's where the best camping is, anyway. There's maybe 20 tent sites, half of which are on the ocean, the other half are across the little road you drive in on to get to your site. Each site has enough room for a couple of tents, and has a park bench and a grill, perfect for anywhere from two to eight people. And the restrooms and showers are nice, too (I mean, nice by campsite standards).



At your site, you can hear other campers and even see a few of them if you look over the trees surrounding your plot, but as fas as camping goes, this is as private as it gets. We arrived in the late afternoon both times (you can arrive as early as 3 p.m.) and stayed one night. Many people make a weekend of it, and take advantage of snorkeling, kayaking and other activities the park offers for a few bucks to pay for equipment rental. Camping costs about $30 a night (book in advance here), but it's well worth it.



Three things will ruin your camping experience at Bahia Honda. First, don't forget bug spray or little critters will invade your campsite, bite your ankles and manage to find a way inside your tent to make sleeping nearly impossible. Second, and this is probably obvious, but pack everything up at night before you enter the tent. The first night, we left our dog's water and food out, and had some company in the middle of the night from a hungry raccoon. Finally, make reservations. Don't just show up and assume you'll get a camping spot, because I assure you, you won't.

You don't have to go too far north of Key West to feel like you're in a whole different place. And believe me, after a few months on the island, that's a welcome change of scenery.

In French, the word bagatelle means "a trifle" or "a little nothing," often referring to a fleeting romance. But there's nothing trifling or inconsequential about the Euro-French-Caribbean restaurant Bagatelle in Key West. The al fresco atmosphere is seductive, the food is suffocatingly good and the service is impeccable. I don't just have a summer-fling affection for Bagatelle. I have an all-out love affair with the place.






A few friends and I arrived on a Saturday night around 7, and the restaurant was just getting its first dinner customers. We ordered a few drinks at the bar downstairs (my husband had a bottle of Chimay, a Beligian beer and I had a glass of Pinot Grigio). The restaurant has a wonderful selection of bottles of wine, though your choices are limited if you only want to order a glass. Within minutes, the hostess was guiding our group of nine upstairs and seated us at a round table at the corner of a spacious outdoor wraparound deck with a magnificent breeze on a warm Key West night. The table overlooked busy Duval Street, but still managed to stay quiet. I later learned that Bagatelle is housed in an old home built by a sea captain in 1884. I can imagine him, sitting out on his expansive porch, chatting with friends in the same way we did.




The menu includes small plates, salads and dinner entrees, and features fresh seafood in most dishes. I ordered two small plates: the crab cakes with mango salsa and a plate of fresh jasmine rice; my husband opted for the shrimp and scallop linguine in a pink garlic romano sauce. We swapped bites halfway through. The sweet mango salsa perfectly complemented the salty blue lump crab, while the scallops in my husband's dish were just how I like them--cooked thoroughly but still melt-in-your-mouth soft. The prices were reasonable for Key West seafood haunts. Our total bill, including tip, was less than $75.




A few weeks ago, I went to Bagatelle and never made it upstairs; instead my friends and I ordered a few drinks at the large bar area downstairs (the bartender was nice, but not nearly as amiable as our waiter Saturday night). I recommend a happy hour at the bar or a dinner upstairs or down with friends. But really I'm just looking forward to a private dinner there, just me and my husband, with a bottle of wine and good food by candlelight.

It's Earth Day, and it seems everywhere you turn, someone's talking about switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs, planting a tree or saving water and energy. In the April issue of Austin Monthly, we declared that it's easy to be green, and talked to four eco leaders in the city to find out simple, easy ways to make small changes that will make a big impact on your overall carbon footprint. While working with my writers on the story, I found out a few facts about energy consumption and green living that I didn't know before.

+ Personal cars and trucks produce 20 percent of our nation's carbon emissions.
+ Air conditioning and heating account for more than half of all electricity use in the average American home. Opening windows to cool a home on a breezy day or closing shades and curtains on a hot day to do a lot to regulate temperature without ever turning on the A/C or heat.
+ The United States contains only 5 percent of the world's population yet contributes 22 percent of the world's carbon emissions.
+ You can save 100 pounds of carbon during a light bulb's lifetime for each incandescent bulb replaced with a compact fluorescent one.

We should each do our own part to help save the planet; if you live in Austin, pick up a copy of Austin Monthly and use "The Green Scene" story as a guide to better, greener living.

And if you want to spend your green on green, check out these boutiques or companies in Austin that marry sustainability and fashion.

For my day job, I'm an editor for the best magazine in Austin, Austin Monthly. That job has allowed me the opportunity to meet great actors, musicians, artists and designers, but it has also allowed me to learn a lot about important issues that affect many people every day.



Our April issue focused on education, specifically public education in Austin. It looked at the city's best schools, according to the National Center for Educational Achievement. We looked at what it takes to be a good teacher, according to a few who have been awarded for their efforts, and we reported on charter, magnet and specialty schools in the Austin-area public school districts and examined their strengths, weaknesses and value in the school system (see a list of charter schools and magnet programs here). We also told people how to switch careers mid-life and enter the education field, and finally, we asked exactly what's working in our public schools and what isn't from the people who really matter: the students.

If you live in Austin and have school-age children, this issue is definitely one to grab. Plus, you'll read the story of Rupert Isaacson, an author, human rights activist and father of an autistic son, who went to great lengths to help his son deal with this difficult ailment. Isaacson's book, The Horse Boy, is out now and the related movie, Over the Hills and Far Away, was screened at Sundance and will be out later this year.

A great part about Key West is that it's the ideal place to go out, have a happy hour cocktail or glass of wine and really relax. There's a laid-back attitude everywhere on the island, and it's true what they say: even if you live here, it can feel like you're on vacation all the time.

The downside to a carefree vacation town when you live there is tourists and bad service. You won't find either of that at Island Dogs Bar on Front Street. OK, you will find a few tourists floating through the crowd, but this is a great place for young locals to hang out.




The bar's tagline is "come as you are," and people do. Some wear flip flops while others have on fancy sandals, but the setting is right for both. You can sit at the long bar in the center of the space and feel like you're in a swanky pub or you can grab a table outside underneath a yellow umbrella for an island bar vibe.




Adding to the upscale Caribbean feel is the live steel drum player, who's been there all three times I went. The bartenders are always the same, and they're friendly and fast. It's never too crowded and the food--albeit pub food--isn't too bad, either. My friends and I snacked on spinach and artichoke dip and while it was a little greasy, it was tasty. And the bar's affordable. A glass of wine is about $6, but it's served in a wine glass that's not glass--it's plastic. A domestic bottle of beer is about $3.50, and an import is $5 (standard island prices).





My only complaint is that smoking is allowed inside at Island Dogs (good ventilation, sure, but there's still smoke). I generally opt for non-smoking places, but because so many bars are indoor/outdoor in Key West, you see smokers in lots of bars. I'd trade a little smoke for great ambiance, good service and few tourists. And the name? Yes, pups are welcome anytime, too. Score one more for Island Dogs.

The southernmost island is a place that attracts thousands of tourists each year, so it's a place with plenty to see and plenty to do. But not everything is worth the $20 entry fee or $50 ticket. Some things, though, are worth the time and money. I'm happy to share some of the things I think you should do and see in Key West.

Two things are guaranteed each day on the island: 1. There's an ocean surrounding it, and 2. The sun will set each and every night. So take advantage of those two things and get out on a boat for a sunset cruise. Hundreds of people flock to Mallory Square to watch the sunset from land, but nothing beats an uninhibited view from a boat on the water.



I nabbed that shot on a sunset cruise aboard a Fury Water Adventures catamaran, which departs on the Gulf side of the island behind the Westin resort. For $37 ($33 if you book online in advance), the catamaran shoves off, taking you on a two-hour cruise near the harbor. Free beer and wine are served during the sail by a friendly, competent staff of (mostly) young guys who act like they love what they do. There may well have been 75 people on the boat, but the deck space is so large, it didn't feel crowded at all.

The downside of a large cruise like this is that you never really get "out on the ocean." In fact, here was our view much of the time, looking back at the harbor and at other big boats from similar companies taking tourists on a similar cruise:



A better option--but also a more expensive one--is to pay for a private sunset expedition. Take a walk through the Historic Seaport one afternoon, and you'll see plenty of captains offering private sunset sails for two to 10 people. Prices range anywhere from $400 to $1,200, and dinner and drink options are endless. Some cruises offer champagne and dessert while others serve a full dinner.

My sister got married in Key West in January, and we took a private sunset sail with Southernmost Sailing, which departs from the key just north of Key West, Stock Island. Captain Dave Griner and his staff were great. We called last minute, on a Friday, to book a Saturday sail, and because he didn't have anyone else scheduled, he cut us a deal for half price. We set out on a 42' Fountaine Pajot catamaran, which had more than enough room for the dozen or so people on board. The boat even picked us up at the Hyatt Resort and Spa, where my sister was staying, which has a private dock. This time, we really got out on the ocean for what was supposed to be a two-hour cruise, but ended up being more like three. They even let us stock the ice chest with our drinks of choice and fire up the grill for a post-wedding bratwurst fest.



There are plenty of companies that offer a two-hour, no-nonsense, all-you-can-drink cruise for less than $40, and a few dozen private sailing charters that give you privacy and a view that's picture perfect. Either way, if you choose a cruise with a bunch of strangers or an intimate sail with your spouse, a Key West sunset cruise is a must see, must do.

Without the ability to pay a refund if a taxpayer is entitled one. I live in Florida, one of seven states with no state income tax, so I don't expect to get any money from the state government. But Californians do, and I wouldn't be too happy to hear that the state is sending me an IOU instead of actual cash this year.

That's right. We're all so broke that even the state of California is pulling lint from its pants pockets. These are strange times in which we're living, but they can be good, too, as we refocus out attention on what matters most: our friends, our families ... and bargain shopping.

I've been clipping coupons, perusing thrift-store shelves and shopping at online discount sites for years, but suddenly, everyone wants to find a deal. I shared some of my bargain-shopping expertise for home design and renovation in the February issue of Austin Monthly magazine. Check out some of my tips below (to get tips on cheap fashion finds and entertaining ideas in Austin, you'll have to get your own copy of the magazine).






And for more general tips, I give you Bargain Shopping 101.



Happy Tax Day, everyone.

Or lunch. Or dinner. Or anytime of day. Since my husband, Noah, and I moved to Key West last October, we've scoured the city for the best in delicious food and drinks. My first recommendation: Help Yourself, an organic-foodie heaven.



An indoor/outdoor health-food eatery on the corner of Fleming and Margaret streets, Help Yourself has everything the earth-conscious consumer wants: healthy, organic and local food, recycling and compost facilities on site and a staff that's dedicated to the cafe and founder Charlie Wilson's mission--to provide food and education to enhance lives with increased energy, greater vitality and superior health. It doesn't hurt that they're friendly, too.



And did I mention the food? I love the crispy tacos with brazil nut meat, but my husband prefers the Korean BBQ chicken bowl. But for breakfast, lunch or the perfect afternoon pick-me-up, you have to grab a delicious, healthy, chilly smoothie (perfect for the 90-plus degree days in Key West). Noah's sipping on the "purple jungle," with acai, blueberries, goji berries and banana. Mmmmm...



See and taste for yourself. Wraps, breakfast plates, juices and salads await. Check back soon for my next Key West foodie find.

Last week, NBC announced that it renewed a deal with DirecTV to continue airing the best show on television that nobody's watching: Friday Night Lights. Now entering its fourth season, FNL is loosely based on the novel by H.G. Bissinger and was first adapted for film before director Peter Berg brought it to television. But the show has become about much more than a football team in a small West Texas town. It's become a show about small-town life and the real-life issues that face almost all families in our nation. You won't find a better written, better acted, better produced show on the air. Oh, and it's filmed on location in Austin, Texas. Check out the story I wrote about this amazing show in the December 2008 issue of Austin Monthly magazine.









P.S. You need to check out the photographer who took these photos, Matt Rainwaters. He's pretty good.