ATOD Magazine

Austin, COLUMNS, DG's Passion, Hotel, Lifestyle, Limited Edition, TRAVEL, Travelogue

Heywood Hotel Austin

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The most notable aspect of the Heywood Hotel is something I genuinely believe that every single Hotel around the world would benefit to mirror: their mini-bar. Their mini-bar has an entire selection and nothing is over $4 and even the bottles of wine are normal range. There is no markup or traditional pricing and honestly, as a person who travels and stays at so many hotels all over, this is by far the most refreshing innovation ever. Kathy not only created a hotel that has incredible decor, exquisite brands – everything is Spa related – the mini-bar is stocked with local and edible fare, bottles of water not more than $2, and somehow you just feel like you are family – she took time in developing the look and feel of a place that is thoughtful, pristine, and suffices every need you could have.

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Austin, Austin F & W, COLUMNS, DG's Passion, Eat | Drink, Events, Limited Edition, Special Event, Wine & Beer

Austin Food & Wine Festival DAY 3

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Today the sun is unrelenting, burning our flesh the moment the yellow burst rises up. As I walk in through the entrance, there sits on the grass a large table with the signature black tablecloth. On it? Stacks and stacks of commemorative glasses for the taking. Shatter-proof and bearing the insignia of the 2013 Austin Food & Wine Festival. Yes, this is the very last day and I look on it with a bit of sadness.

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Austin, Austin F & W, COLUMNS, DG's Passion, Eat | Drink, Events, Lifestyle, Limited Edition, Special Event, Wine & Beer

2013 Austin Food & Wine Festival DAY 1

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I have been to Austin twice in my life. This April was the 2nd time. This time I was greeted by familiar faces, succulent food, savory sweets, open minds, exquisite talent, momentous friends, and a slew of food, wine, life, travel, and culture lovers to which degree I have quite possibly never encountered before. Passion and a thirst for life was present more so than I can remember on this wonderful trip to Austin all in the name of the 2013 Austin Food & Wine Festival.

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AM's Drive, California, COLUMNS, Special Event

Coachella 2013

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The dirt rose up around us like steam as we tread through rows of cars with painted windows. The afternoon sun was beating down on our exposed shoulders, but an occasional breeze helped to soothe them from the 97 degree heat, carrying the distant scent of coconut sunscreen, hot grass, and smoke. The mile walk from the day parking lot to the front gates was punctuated by three security checkpoints, passing by fenced off car-camping sites and shuttle bus drop off areas. We had to empty out our water bottles prior to entering, but were informed of the multiple free water refill stations located throughout the grounds, as well as new bottles only costing $2. Also, if you brought 10 empty water bottles to the recycling booth, they would give you a new, cold bottle for free.

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Arts | Culture, COLUMNS, DG's Passion, Featured, Featured PHOTO, Lifestyle, Photography

Featured Image – DAVID CAROL

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Every so often there is an image that grasps onto me and seeps into the very depths of me…

It’s usually unsuspecting and almost always sheer awakening. I started this new creative endeavor because imagery is one of the most powerful methods of expression. Visuals by way of the snap of the shutter and the playful dance of words. The images chosen in the “Featured Image” posts are by Photographers and Photojournalists I have met and partnered with specifically for this new avenue of creative collaboration.

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COLUMNS, Culture, MD + the UK, Music

Goat and Gnod

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This month is all about collectives. Bands are for squares. I mean why bother putting an ad for a bass player in your local rehearsal studio when you can recruit the entire town into your band and preside over it like a cult leader? – And – before you dismiss the whole idea and mutter something about the Polyphonic Spree, rest assured that the current trend of sprawling tribes of musicians are decidedly darker than before. Gone is the saccharine pop and gaggle of grinning misfits in robes…

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COLUMNS, Interviews, Limited Edition, Music

Shana Halligan

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Imagine a voice that stirs the very essence of song, incites so much emotion with a single note, embodies strength, sensuality, and sweetness, and writes some of the most exquisite songs I’ve ever heard. That is Shana Halligan. Introduced to her music 4 years ago, the minute I heard her I knew she was someone entirely authentic.

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Ali's Fashion, COLUMNS, Fashion | Health, TrendsTues

Gwen Stefani Style Icon

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More than just a girl, Gwen Stefani has blossomed from her humble beginnings as the lead vocalist in Ska band No Doubt playing greasy garage shows on the weekends to a worldwide fashion icon. After recording a solo album, winning World’s Best-Selling New Female Artist in 2005, debuting her own clothing line and starting a family of four, she still has time to live the platinum blonde life.

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Los Angeles, Music | Theatre

Belz!

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“Story of the life of Hugo Schwarts, a fictional Jewish comedian from the Galician shtetl of Belz. We follow his successes, hart-breaks, marriage, love affairs, children, laughter and tears…

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Ali's Fashion, COLUMNS, Fashion, Fashion | Health, TrendsTues

Fashion Report: Must Have Accessories

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#TrendsTues™ – Must Have Accessories!!

by Ali Levine of Ali Levine Designs

For #MANic Monday, we focused on classic accessories that every man should know how to incorporate into his style. But why should guys get to have all the fun when everybody knows that diamonds are a girl’s best friend! And in honor of bling, our team collaborated on accessories for this season that they just cannot live without. From kicks to cuffs, we have assembled an array of accessories which are sure to transform the genre of your favorite ensemble into a fresh and funky look.

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A Drink?, Cocktails, Eat | Drink, Los Angeles, Wine & Beer

Zinque Abbott Kinney

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A fairly delectable selection of wines, small plates, fresh ingredients, and this rural rustic chic kind of atmosphere, I stumbled upon a rather perfect place. I wait. Patio is insanely busy but the restaurant, not so much. And I wait. And I wait. But eventually, sunshine (my happy server) comes over and asks me what I want. To begin, you have to give a credit card. Much like a bar, you open a tab or pay and close. A bit different but hey, better than someone drinking too much and not being able to pay I guess. And so, I relent. I begin my curiosities by ordering a glass of Grenacha, Evodia from Spain, vintage ’11.

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Eat | Drink

Brasserie Cassis

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I am obsessed with all things French: the language, the country, the attitude, Marie Antoinette, and, most importantly, the food. Julia Child, who I also have a slight obsession with, brought the simplistic elegance, and ridiculously delicious, essence of what real French food is all about to the American audience. It wasn’t just the hoity-toity, über expensive fare that most Americans thought it was; it is really about the ingredients and the fatty, acidic, pure flavor of exquisite French dishes.

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Ali's Fashion, COLUMNS, Fashion, Fashion | Health, TrendsTues

SXSW Trends Tues

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The South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conferences & Festivals offer the unique convergence of original music, independent films, and emerging technologies. Fostering creative and professional growth alike, SXSW® is the premier destination for discovery and we here at Ali Levine Design love discovering new and upcoming talent. Especially talent with great style.

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COLUMNS, Culture, DG's Passion, Interviews, Limited Edition, Music, Special Event, TV | FILM

Looking Back on Love – LENNY KRAVITZ

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Directed by Artist, Photographer, Producer, and Music Man, Mathieu Bitton, every shot is honest and gritty – no concealed perfections. Told in a fragmented voice that embraces the moments caught through the lens, the poetic narrative strung together by raw moments not only tell a story in a way that I find refreshing, Matthieu – an artist in his own right – propels us into a world both dynamic and real. He shows us the many sides of a man. A musical icon. A dreamer that captivates the gentle hum buzzing within us all – that need to find love in everything.

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