We are so pleased to toot our horn about being included in the current issue of Austin Monthly Magazine! We are listed as number 5 in the article, “112 Fun Things to Do in the Summer.” HOT DOG! Awesome sauce! We hope you’ll include us in your to-do list for summer and take a class, by golly!

 

In other news,  we were recently asked to participate in a grassroots campaign featuring local craftspeople, artisans, and business owners by our neighbors – tech/media software development gurus Red Method. Sprucettes and our class-goers were featured in a video to promote hand-made, American-made efforts. You can check out the video below:

Isn’t that special?!! You can see more footage of Austin locals by visiting the Red Method site here. Great mission from those folks: they are using current technology via apps to urge and enable us to buy local, create domestically, and pay it forward to ourselves and our neighbors. Great job Red Method! Thanks for thinking of us here at Spruce! We’re pleased to be included. Here’s a pic from the event…

That’s that for now. Come on by the shop and reupholster local! We appreciate your support always.

 

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After all the hub-bub this last week with our anniversary party and the Design*Sponge even at Anthropologie, we finally have time to share with you the results of our October lampshade class! The Sprucettes love this class as it is so much bang for your buck. You bring your fabric (or we can order it for you), we set you up with the materials, build it together, et voila…a lampshade is born! If you make one lampshade you can make another easily at home in any size – large or small – to re-vamp every lamp in the house. Check out our class-goers’ shades!

Remember that this basic shade can easily translate into a cool pendant lamp!

Be sure to visit the “Classes” section of our blog for a list other classes still available. The October 20th BYOC (bring your own chair) class is nigh!!! We’ll see you at the shop!

Please always feel free to call us at the shop for inquiries, details, and info. We’ll be happy to help you!

 

 

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The end of an era, sure, but not without the beginning of a positive new epoch. As we gear up for Spruce’s 4th Anniversary party in just a couple weeks, we say goodbye to our previous space and reminisce on times past. Events that took place DIRECTLY NEXT DOOR! Hilarious! We didn’t move to Cleveland people!

But seriously, Spruce has come a long way since its inception, with awesome, creative, great customers, excellent team members, supportive and positive press, sometimes daunting and seemingly insurmountable projects (but we always prevail!), “beer:30″ ‘s, three anniversary parties (darn it! in this economy!!), and my favorite, a stimulating cast of rich and varying rotating characters that attend our DIY classes. I want to thank you all personally for entertaining me and employing us for the last year and years past. Love ya’s! THANK YOU!

Enjoy a family slide show of Spruce moments past and present. Also, please see the previous post for our anniversary party details – truly one and all are invited and welcome. Don’t be shy; hope to see you there.

Thank you friends, family, Austin, USA, and planet Earth for supporting Spruce!!!!

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We all have a favorite pastime at work: LUNCH!!! The anticipated break at work that calls your name from the morning on during the work week. A time to get together with your mates, and a much needed sit-down after the kind of work that we do at Spruce – always involving heavy lifting, standing, sustained holding, hammering; general shaking and moving. We get physical! To quote Amanda, often “the goal is to eat, not what to eat!” On those days when the grocery gods are gracious, we treat ourselves to a round and nourishing nibble. This post is inspired by our interest in one another’s lunch and nutrition, and sheer hunger! We share with you a selection of current lunch ideas from members of the Spruce team.

Katherine’s lunch: Herbs and Spice! Sandwich with Rosemary bread, goat cheese, pesto, turkey and roasted red peppers. Side of plain Greek yogurt with mangoes, blackberries, almonds, and cinnamon. I personally think that Katherine should have a food blog. This is one of many brilliant concoctions built on simple ingredients that she brings to lunch every day.

Amanda’s dinner: So fresh and so green, green! Mixed green salad with smoked salmon, goat cheese, strawberries, candied walnuts, tomato, and her favorite dressing, ‘Fisher and Weiser’ brand roasted raspberry and chipotle vinaigrette. For those with a sensitive stomach this one is packed with protein and gentle greens and fruit. Smart lunch.

Meredith’s meal: Savory and Sweet unite! Meredith makes a “posh nosh” with walnut bread, thin-sliced brown sugar ham, apricot preserves, New York aged sharp cheddar cheese, then toasts and heats on our super-duper panini maker until crunch and heat are at a perfect nexus. Served with ridged veggie chips. (We are all addicted to veggie chips – you can’t keep us away!)

Almuerzo de Frank: A working lunch! Frank comes prepared with a lunch tote every day, no failure in nutrition. It is always packed with optimal nourishment and interest. If I’m not mistaken, I think Mrs. Frank may lovingly do the packing for him. Frank’s bag today holds a whole wheat sandwich with Miracle Whip and thin-sliced Black Forest ham. The twist is 3 slices of bread! Also included are carrots, an apple, a “plute”, and delicious Ritter Sport Fine Dark Chocolate wafer cookies. Nutritious with delicious.

Clar’s bite: Brooklyn Italian Deli Dreams! I used a toasted bolillo bun and stacked it with sliced ham, Genoa salami, sharp white cheddar cheese, fresh chopped briney Italian olive and veggie mix including Kalmata and green olives, cauliflower, carrots, spicy red pepper, and pepperoncini. Drizzled with Boar’s Head olive oil and vinegar herb deli dressing. This is a salty sandwich, so it’s important to cut the salt with a great bread. MMMMM. I ate some potato chips too!

We hope that you foodies will share with us any lunch ideas that are brilliant and get you motivated to finish the day. We are always on the hunt for a great daytime meal to keep us moving!

 

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Wow. Can you believe it’s June? Nor can I.

Summer is in full swing here in Austin. This Monday’s high was a  feverish 103 degrees Fahrenheit (gasp!). I have sympathy for my land-locked, water-featureless Dallas and Houston friends and family that don’t have Austin’s superabundance of natural swimming holes and public pools. For those of you outside of town, let me include a little photo of what we’ve got here in Austin. I can’t resist!

The other bonus to this hot Austin summer is the sheer volume of great eats you can find in the city. There is no shortage of specialty food truck, hip diner, mexi-, texi-, fusion, cafe, brasserie, churrascaria, coffee house, sno-conery, local, vegan, Vietnamese….the options are far and wide, and perhaps at times a little weird. The Sprucettes and Sprucer share with you our treasured Austin dining experiences (if we must choose just one!)

Amanda’s pick: El Arbol

Not only is the interior stunning, the exterior dining: amazing. One of many winning restaurant designs by Joel Mozersky (collaborating with Aubrey Carter), the outside is a multi-level experience centered around a giant tree offering great views from bottom and top. Go for the empanadas, the Costillas de Res, and the Bruschetta de Bife (click the menu on the link and DROOL.)

Meredith’s pick: La Condesa

Another Joel Mozersky design; the mural wall is a show-stopper. Architecture is by Michael Hsu. Built inside an historic mercantile, there’s an adjacent bar with inviting mossy wall, a secret vault for private dining, the lighting is ultra-inventive. Meredith recommends the watermelon martini, Hongos y Huitlacoche, and Guiso de Hongas y Epazote. (Menu – click it!)

Katherine’s pick: 24 Diner

Katherine, I concur. Ms. Baronet loves the lighting and the “Dr.Seuss” – like trumpet hoods over the bar. Lots of custom metal work and surfaces adorn, as well as Eames barstool seating and great booths. Katherine has indulged in the chocolate milkshake, the half waffle, corn fritters. I have noted that you can get a fried egg on any sandwich offered. Yay. YAY!

Frank’s pick: Promise Pizza – Round Rock

Featuring certified organic and local-as-possible ingredients. Makin’ it right! I’m on board Frank!

Clar’s pick: a wish, a dream…I have not been yet. Uchi!

It’s one of the toasts of the town. Apparently Mr. Mozersky has a hand in this design, as well. I’m going for the crudo sea bass and machi cure. Maybe a little sashimi and sushi a la carte. MMMM. Refreshing for summer. I’ll have a hunger muffin please!

I have been to so many eateries in my 10 months in Austin; I have not had a bad experience yet. Go here, go there, go everywhere, and make sure to stop by the Spruce headquarters too! Eat well Austin, and cheers to your summer. We’ll see you out and about around town!

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