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You’ve already visited the laser spa near your home and tried laser hair removal, skin peels, or HcG. Austin spas, though, have much more to offer and if you are now considering a photofacial, Austin has several options, and you may be interested in the information below.

What is a photofacial? A photofacial is a laser spa treatment that relies on broad spectrum light to reach lower layers of skin without disrupting those nearer the surface. The treatment encourages collagen growth and can strengthen connective tissue at those lower levels, which can provide smoother skin with a more even tone. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein in the body, which provides skin its elasticity. As a person ages, collagen production slows and the skin becomes less elastic, which results in lines, wrinkles, and sagging. A photofacial, therefore, aims to renew the elasticity, while also providing the skin a more even color.

What Can it Treat? No one would bother with spa treatments if they didn’t promise some form of cosmetic reward. This procedure is no exception. Its ability to provide a rejuvenated, glowing skin surface has had women and men coming back for more. With the increase in collagen production, the skin can take to its original shape more easily. Thus, photofacials are very effective at wiping away many common signs of aging. In addition, the treatment has proven very effective as creating a more consistent skin tone, thereby erasing signs of rosacea, sun damage, large pores, and age spots.

What Should I Expect During the Treatment? The great part about a photofacial is that you can correct many of the skin problems that plague you during your lunch break. The process requires a very short treatment time; as little as half an hour. While more than one treatment will likely be required to see the desired effects, the appointments can be scheduled three weeks apart to ensure that your schedule is not disrupted too much.

There is very little discomfort associated with photofacials. The only pain, of any kind, that will be felt is a small pinch as the technician guides the light over the treated area. Though anesthetics are rarely required, they are typically available upon request.

What Are the Risks? Photofacials are considered low risk cosmetic treatments. Light bruising or mild swelling is occasionally reported, but should fade quickly, and in the vast majority of cases just a slight pink tone is all that will be seen after the procedure. This can easily be covered by makeup, so the patient can return to work right away. In very rare instances, it is possible to sustain some burning or slight loss of pigmentation.

What Results Can I Expect? Results after the initial treatment may not be overly noticeable, but with each consecutive treatment, the skin should appear fresher, smoother, and more evenly colored. Areas of poor pigmentation, as well as lines and wrinkles will smooth out. Rosacea, age spots, and sun spots will be noticeable faded with each treatment and can be almost completely erased with up to ninety percent reduction in color after the final treatment.

Laser Studio
11111 Research Blvd, Ste 370B
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 337-2466

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As with any surgical procedure, cataract surgery Austin can be an intimidating process to undergo, physically, emotionally, and financially. However, knowing the facts before you take to the chair can help alleviate your concerns, so you can rest easy and see more clearly.

Financial Woes The first fear that most have when considering an operation like cataract surgery is the financial burden that it will place on the household. However, with the average age of cataract surgery patients being over seventy years old, much of the procedure is often covered by Medicare. In 2007, the average cost of laser cataract surgery, after Medicare payments and adjustments was just $241. The cost out of pocket for a cataract removal and artificial lens placement was seven hundred sixty-six dollars. While no one is going to say that it is easy to come up with that money on a moment’s notice, knowing what will be expected of you financially ahead of time can help you plan intelligently.

You Are Not Alone The number of successful cataract surgeries is growing every day and that number is expected to increase exponentially in the coming years. It has been found that approximately half of this country’s population will suffer from cataracts by the time they turn sixty-five years old. That number jumps to nearly 100% at age seventy-five. There are also less common incidents of cataracts in infants, which is generally tied to a mother falling ill during the pregnancy. Illnesses to blame are generally German measles, chickenpox, and similar viruses.

Can You Wait? Generally, the answer to this question is a resounding ‘yes!’ You and your ophthalmologist Austin have the final say about if and when you should undergo cataract surgery. Typically patients will make the commitment to have the surgery done when their vision has been disrupted enough to make it difficult to perform daily tasks, even with corrective lenses. Monitoring the growth of your cataracts is always highly advised, but if you are comfortable with the state of your vision, then chances are that your doctor will agree that you should wait on surgery.

What are the risks? Though this information can be scary to those who are already nervous about undergoing cataract surgery, it is important to know that, as with all surgeries, there are risks. Fortunately, with this type of procedure, cataract surgeons Austin assure us that side effects and complications are rare and the majority can be easily corrected. There is the possibility of surgery, pain, infection, swelling, or bleeding in the area operated on. Another issue that could arise is what some call a ‘secondary cataract’. This occurs because when the natural lens is removed and an artificial lens is put in its place, the surrounding, supportive tissue is left intact. That tissue can become hazy. There are other, even less common issues that can arise during or after the surgery. These should be discussed with your doctor before the procedure takes place. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, as the answers can often help ease your mind.

Body repair is the thing you don’t want to have to have done. Body car repair Austin TX generally occurs when you have an accident – when your car comes in contact with another object, be it another car, a phone pole, or even another car’s door in a crowded parking lot. When this happens, you usually have to take your car into a body shop. Here are a few common body repairs and automotive repair Austin Texas tips to know if you want to try to repair it yourself.
Bumper Dents
Your bumpers are probably the most likely part of your car to get dented. It’s the part of your car most likely to come in contact with other objects. It’s why it’s called a bumper.
To repair a dent in a metal bumper, your auto shop will likely remove the bumper and hammer out the dent. The bumper is actually fairly easy to remove. A solid object in the shape of the original bumper, a block of wood perhaps, and a rubber mallet are used to hammer out the dings and get the bumper looking like new.
A vinyl bumper is fixed not by hammer, but through heat. Vinyl is a form of plastic and is reshaped by being gently (no blowtorch) reheated and returned to normal.
An adventurous or auto repair savvy customer may be able to repair minor dents. A block of wood and a rubber hammer for metal bumpers, or a heat gun or a powerful hairdryer for a vinyl bumper would be the needed tools. Of course, a very heavily dented bumper might best be replaced. You may also have to replace the Austin Transmission Repair.
Car Door Dents
The second most common dent repaired in body work is the car door. Your car door is at the mercy of other cars in crowded parking lots and often you will come out to find that your vehicle has been scratched or dented from other car’s doors and bumpers.
Dents can be repaired in several ways, depending on the size and severity of the dent. Some small dents can be pulled out using a suction device, making the car look just like it did before. Larger dents also use the suction method, followed up by body filler, a thick liquid substance which fills in the remaining dent and leaves the car looking smooth and finished. Car door bangs and dings can be repaired by a knowledgeable and adventurous home repairer.
Major Body Work
If you get into any kind of major accident, where your car is hit by another or it slams into a solid object, you will obviously have to take your car into a body shop to get it repaired. Some services offered by body shops include major dent repair, part replacement, such as fenders, doors, hoods, trunk doors and bumpers and unibody frame straightening, if the frame of your vehicle has been damaged.
A totaled car occurs when the damage is too severe to be fixed, or the cost of repair is greater than the value of the car. If you have questions about a magnaflow muffler Austin TX don’t hesitate to ask us. We can help you with all of your
auto shop Austin Texas questions too. Don’t forget to ask us about ac repair Austin with the hot Summer heat rolling in.

About the Author: Brandon Adams is the author of man popular articles on the automotive repair industry.

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Leonard’s Garage & Service Center
4401 South 1st Street
Austin, TX 78745-1924
(512) 445-2892

Leonard’s Garage & Service Center
4401 South 1st Street
Austin, TX 78745-1924
(512) 445-2892

What Makes a Good Bikini Wax?

There are few people who know you better than your bikini waxing professional. When you live in a hot, humid city like Austin, waxing is a must so we can always be beach-ready, but how do you know what makes a good bikini wax? In many ways, it is the same things that make a hairstylist especially good: it is the knowledge to evaluate your needs and the understanding to listen to your desires. While waxing is a little more straight-forward than styling hair, it is no less an important process, and if anything, your waxist needs to be a bit more sensitive to your needs! In any case, when you are looking for anything from waxing to makeup application lessons, you will find it in the best Austin hair salons.

Getting a bikini wax, especially if you opt for a Brazilian, is a bit like getting your bridal makeup done – both services which, by the way, are available at the best salons. How? You’re likely to be a little nervous, a little apprehensive, but you’re sure you’re making the right decision. You also need someone there who is knowledge and can do her job well even if you are feeling a little shaky. Look for a salon and waxist who can put you at ease.

And unless you want to visit all of the waxing, nail, hair, and tanning salons Austin has to offer, it is beneficial that your waxist be part of your inclusive, full-service salon. This not only increases the convenience to you, it allows you to become more familiar with the staff of the salon, which can only put you at ease further. It is like visiting an old friend more than having an appointment. This is the way beauty should be.

While we want to be beach-ready with bikini waxing in Austin, salon facial treatments are another must to counteract those long days in the sun! The sun can be a very damaging force for our skin, and as part of your regular waxing and beauty routine, facials are tremendously beneficial. Our skin is not only among the first things people notice about us, it is the largest organ in the body. As such, it is vital that we care for it as best we can to maintain optimal health and, of course, beauty. Whether you would benefit from a skin brightening treatment, a glycolic lactic peel, or facial microdermabrasion, Austin is the place to find them. Premiere salons will give you complete and total beauty service.

From bikini, facial, and body waxing and hair styling to tanning and the best Dermalogica skin products and Kerastase hair products, Austin, Texas, residents can benefit from the services of inclusive salons. The feature that transforms a stylist, waxist, facialist, or technician from good to extraordinary is the ability to treat you like the most valuable client they have. Does your salon staff do this? Remember that if you are considering a facial microdermabrasion Austin then Jose Luis Salon is the right place.

About the Author: Kenneth Brown has written extensively about the beauty & fashion industry and enjoys informing consumers about the many options in this field

Show Off Those Pearly Whites!

When the time comes, you want to be able to smile and not feel self-conscious about the whiteness of your teeth. Society today wants to see white teeth, and the simple fact is that white teeth mean clean, healthy teeth. You can get the right image with an invisalign Austin TX appointment or other means like laser gingival sculpting, but when it comes to white teen, you need something different. Many of us know that sometimes it just is not possible to have totally white teeth for years on end. Many factors tend to get in the way of our pearly white goal. Drinks like tea and coffee tend to stain teeth, and other bad habits can get into the way of how great our teeth look. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash are great ways to keep your teeth in fantastic shape, but still there are times when this is not enough.

This is exactly where teeth whitening from your dentist can come into play. You can easily and quickly give your 78749 dentist office a call and ask about the different teeth whitening options available. Dentists have a few methods that you can use in order to improve your teeth many times over. You may decide whether you want in-home bleaching options or if you want to do the process in the dentist’s office. Or you can go straight to a veneers Austin meeting or a dental bonding Austin appointment. The decision is up to you. Your dentist will be ready and willing to assist you in either fashion.

You may have heard of the at-home kits made by the same companies that create toothpaste and other tooth products. However, many of them simply do not match up to the kind of results you can get when you decide to do teeth whitening in Austin, TX. Your teeth will be many, many shades whiter than you thought possible. The great thing about dental whitening kits that you can bring home is that not only are they more effective than the kind you buy at the drugstore, they are also inexpensive! So you get great results without having to spend a great deal of money. Staff fit you with custom-made trays and provide you with the right bleaching solution. After just a few weeks of wearing these trays a few hours a day, you will see amazing results that will have you excited about the final results.

You also do not have to worry about the bleaching agents doing any damage to existing dental work. This includes any tooth inlay work. The solution has been carefully designed so even if you have fillings, caps, or other dental work, they will be perfectly okay. Gums will not have to suffer through any irritation, so you will get whiter teeth without any worries. You will be in and out of the dental office in no time. All it takes to get whiter teeth is a phone all and a handful of minutes. Before you know it, your self-confidence will soar through the roof, all thank to just a little bit of a teeth whitening Austin appointment.

People get their teeth whitened every day, so why not take advantage of what your dentist has to offer you? Simply call and ask for information. When you discover how little it costs, how easy it is, you will wonder why you haven’t done it before.

About the Author: Bobby Milton has worked in the dental industry for over 20 years and writes and lectures on many different dental topics

Argh! There is nothing worse than being- literally- stopped in your tracks by the pain of a pinched nerve. Whether temporary or chronic, compressed nerves are by all definitions a real pain to deal with. Fortunately, the sufferer of such agony does have some control and can beat it at its own game. It is almost as easy as one, two, three. Call a austin pain management doctor as soon as the pain starts. They are the leaders in pain treatment. The doctor is a migraine specialist.

One: Alternating ice and heat. The old adage still holds true. This trick really does pack a punch against pinched nerves. The reason for this is that, although there are many different possible causes of pinched nerves, including herniated or bulging discs, bone spurs, pregnancy, injury, repetitive motion, and joint disease, the majority of the time, the result will be swollen tissue around the nerve in question. By alternating ice and heat, the sufferer is able to reduce swelling (with the ice) and relieve spasm and pain (with the heat). Switched in twenty minute intervals, these can both have tremendous healing impacts. This is also very effective for treating Austin neck pain. Ask a pain specialist about botox pinched nerve.

Two: Stretching. It might not sound like the most fun and it will eat up a bit of time from the day, but this is one tool that can greatly benefit many pinched nerve sufferers. Specialists like those at Interventional Pain Associates should be seen prior to beginning a stretching routine to ensure that the cause of the pinched nerve will not be made worse by doing the exercise. Also, this is not as simple as bending over and touching your toes like you did in elementary school. There are techniques to getting the right stretch depending on where that pinched nerve is located, which is why a good physical therapist can be extremely beneficial on the road to recovery. These trained therapists can determine the best course of stretching and training for the patient to ensure that healing occurs without further damage, by consulting with the specialists at Interventional Pain Associates and assessing the injured area. Stretching can really help Austin back pain and sciatica.

Three: Massage. Ah, the work is done and now it is time to relax. Massage has been proven to have excellent pain reducing benefits for pinched nerve sufferers. It can even help reduce muscle spasm, which can keep the nerve locked up tight. However, again, it is always wise to consult a trained professional to determine the cause of the injury prior to seeking the help of a masseuse. Given the go ahead, seek out someone who has had experience working with pinched nerve sufferers and be sure to explain where the pain is. Always be vocal about any pain felt during the massage. Too much pain may be an indication that something is not being handled correctly. Massage is very important for failed back surgery syndrome.

Though this triple threat- heat and ice, stretching, and massage- can make a large difference in the life of someone who is experiencing severe pain associated with a pinched nerve, it is important to determine the root of the problem and ensure that it is handled so the problem does not become chronic. The specialists at Interventional Pain Associates have a number of techniques for revealing the underlying problem and can assist that person with non evasive or minimally invasive procedures like a racz procedure to ensure that he or she can continue a life with little or no pain. If you have pain that persists beyond this ask your pain specialist about fibromyalgia austin tx. You may want to consider having a
neuralscan for persistent debilitating pain problems like cancer pain treatment.

About the Author: Karen Prior has written extensively about the pain management industry and works hard to keep patients informed about the newest developments in pain management

Unwanted hair is a common problem with both men and women. Tweezing, waxing or shaving can produce temporary results. You need to repeat this for removing unwanted hair. Moreover, these are not performed all over your body. To remove that unwanted hair permanently, laser hair removal techniques are used these days. It works with the energy from a special laser light. This technique helps to remove the unwanted hair from large portions of your body. This technique works best on coarser hair rather than fine body hair. A few weeks after your laser treatment you may want to consider having a chemical peel Austin TX to even out your skin tone.

With the advancement of technologies and science, people discovered the use of laser hair removal in Austin to remove unwanted hair from their different body parts. People across the world have admired and appreciated the benefits of laser therapy.

The process of laser hair removal

The area where the process will be applied first shaved and cleaned. After that, an anesthetic cream is applied. Highly concentrated light beams are produced through the laser. The pigment that is located in the hair follicles absorbs that light and consequently damages the surrounding hair follicles. The process is usually painless but you might feel uncomfortable sometimes. Based on the body part or area where this technique is going to be applied, the process lasts for a few minutes to an hour. Any sensitivity that occurs disappears quickly and you can carry on with your regular life without any problems. This is also true for a laser facial treatment.

Experienced professionals always do the laser hair removal. Therefore, the process is safe and produces effective results. You may feel that the treated skin is darkened or lightened and sometimes you might feel burning sensation. However, these side effects are always removed easily. Since darker skin is more prone to sensations and allergies, it is advised that you should avoid tanning before going for the therapy.

After an interval of certain period, the procedure is repeated for 4 to 6 times in case of permanent hair removal. The cost of the treatment is also based on the area and time taken for it.

It is always recommended that before undergoing this treatment, you should always be aware of the pros and cons of the treatment. Largely, there are satisfactory and favorable comments on the results of this treatment across the world. The primary requirement of this therapy is to inactivate the hair follicles so that there is no re-growth of the hair. In most cases, even if the hair grows back, the rate is substantially reduced.

Advantages of the method

This method is safe compared to the other hair removal techniques and is performed by experts.
This produces effective results in most of the cases as reported by the clients. The method is very convenient is carry out on the larger body areas.

Make a visit to The Cadiz Laser Spa we will guide you with best laser hair removal techniques without causing any side-effects at all! They can also help you with spider vein removal bee cave tx and dermal fillers.

About the Author: Roxanne Jones has written extensively about the medical spa industry and enjoys informing consumers about the many options in this field

The harmful effects that are caused due to environmental hazards, lifestyle and aging are not considered permanent no longer! Different facial skin care technologies are available these days to replenish your skin at a austin downtown salon. They can help you with hair color austin. At Cadiz Laser Spa, we offer you all kinds of options to rejuvenate your skin. We offer customized treatments to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, like cheap botox Austin TX and cellex-c facials austin. These treatments are also used to enhance you skin quality to lend that healthy glow to your face.

There are various types of facials available in a Austin Facial Salon. Be sure and ask them about sunless tanning salons.

Acne Blue Light Therapy

This therapy is used to treat the bacterium that brings about acne to your face. Acne that is not cured with other facial treatments can be cured with this light-based facial treatment. The treatment continues for a long period. You need to visit our salon for various sessions. A harmless treatment, it hardly causes any side effects. This procedure may also be referred to as a salon lumi.

Chemical Peel

This is a popular skin care technique where a chemical based solution is applied over the skin of the face. It is beneficial for facial rejuvenation as it removes the top layers of your dead skin. It helps to reduce wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and sun damage. The peels may vary according to the components and strength of the peeling properties. To give an optimum effect, you should undergo these treatments under the supervision of our professionals.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

To remove the unevenly pigmented skin that is damaged due to harmful sunlight, this is the ideal facial treatment. The outer layer is removed in this kind of therapy. It is used to stimulate the collagen and inner layers of the skin. To reduce fine lines and wrinkles on face and neck, it is an ideal solution! You can achieve even-toned, smoother and fresher skin with these treatments. An expert can guide you, to see if you are suitable for the treatment or not. Be sure and ask your consultant about botox.

Laser Skin Tightening

Infrared light is used in this type of treatment to tighten the skin. It is an advanced non-surgical anti-wrinkle treatment. Laser light produces the heat to stimulate the collagen, making it look tighter. People prefer this to avoid surgery. There is a similar process used for tattoo removal.

Microdermabrasion

It is used to efficiently remove the dark acne spots and wrinkles on your face. The process can be done very quickly that is the reason that it also referred as a “lunchtime” wrinkle treatment. Crystals are used to exfoliate the outer layer of your skin and rejuvenate it.

Permanent Makeup

Permanent makeup is getting popular among women as it removes the painful task of everyday makeup and then removing it. It is used to enhance your look and make it more attractive to people. Talk to your consultant about a makeup application Austin.

If you are looking for any facial treatment and are confused about what to choose, then visit Cadiz Laser Spa to get expert advice and professional skin care today! Ask them “What’s a good tanning place to go to in round rock”? They will tell you that you have come to the right place. They can also help you with spa waxing, makeup services in Austin Texas and shu uemura hair care products.

About the Author: Kenneth Brown has written extensively about the beauty & fashion industry and enjoys informing consumers about the many options in this field

One of the most frustrating eye problems that many people experience is dry eyes. The eyes feel so dry that it is uncomfortable, annoying, and can even be mildly painful for some people.

There are many reasons why dry eyes occur. The main reason is environmental. If your home is heated to a warm temperature in the winter, it likely means your home is lacking in moisture. This dry atmosphere will also dry out your eyes. Other environmental factors can include blowing air, like from an air conditioner, or the weather itself.

For those environmental factors that are within your control, like the heater, you should be able to help cure, or at least diminish your dry eye problem fairly easily. What you should do is have a humidifier in your home which will replace some of the moisture lost by the heating of the home. Also, try not to sit near blowing fans or air conditioners if you can help it. With these steps you will see a marked difference. Talk to a macular degeneration specialist about glaucoma surgery in addition to cataract surgery when recommended by your primary eye physician.

There are some people who just have naturally dry eyes. If you feel like your eyes are always dry, no matter the season or conditions of the atmosphere, you may want to consider eye drops. It’s important to note that you should not use the eye drops on the market made to clear up red eyes if you’re simply trying to tackle this problem. Rather, you should look for something called “dry eye relief” or “lubricant eye relief.” These products are made with materials that mimic your own natural tears. This will help return the moisture to your eyes. To find out more about lasik surgery visit your eye doctor and don’t forget to inquire about lens implants if you are in need of that procedure. A corneal transplant may be necessary later in life depending on how your vision needs change.

Sometimes people are unsure of how to use the dry eye relief type products. Typically they come in several small plastic vials to preserve freshness. When it is time to use one, simply open it up. Then with one hand, keep your eyelids up and with the other hand, put drops into your eyes. Follow the directions on the package carefully with regard to how many drops you should put in each eye. One of the newer technologies for vision correction is called lasik surgery.

While eye drops are effective for mild to moderate cases of dry eyes, some people need something stronger. For those people, there are medical-grade eye drops that have to be prescribed by your doctor or ophthalmologist. The prescription medicine will also help to mimic your natural tears, but will do so by reducing the inflammation in the eye caused by chronic dry eye.

The difference between the over-the-counter choices and prescription medicine is that the prescription helps with the production of tears, rather than simply making the eye temporarily wet. Since there are some mild side effects from the prescription medicine, be sure to talk it over with your eye care professional.

About the Author: Mark Masters has authored may pieces on the eye care & surgery industry and enjoys keeping his readers up to date in this field

Austin has the double blessing of being a college town, which is always good for night life and being a city of good size. This means that there are always new clubs opening, fun theme nights, unsurpassed happy hours and much more. Here are just a few of the can’t miss things to do in Austin after the sun goes down.

There aren’t many clubs in Austin that have received recognition from government officials for being such a great live music venue, but that’s exactly what you get when you go to the Elephant Room on Congress St. This is not only the best live jazz venue in Austin, it might just be the best live music venue in Texas. Check their website for a night by night breakdown of live acts, drink specials and more. If you want to get your groove on, check out the Elephant Room for all of the jazz you need.

Antone’s in Austin is another wonderful live music venue. Not only can you see more than your fair share of local acts at Antone’s, but there are plenty of worldwide known acts that play here, too. Combine the great music with a funky vibe, a great décor and bartenders who know how to mix the perfect drink and you have the best night out in all of Austin. If you want fun, check out Antone’s on 5th St. in Austin.

For a night of rock and roll that is second to none in Austin, check out the Continental Club. Voted one of the best bars on the planet by Playboy Magazine, the Continental Club is the place to drink and the place to be seen if you are in Austin. Want to party with Longhorns that you’ve seen on TV? This is the place to go. From live music to a jukebox that is unsurpassed, this is the place to let your hair down in Austin.

One final night spot to check out is the Cedar Door Bar & Grill. If you are looking for an exotic cocktail or just a no-nonsense place to party and have fun, than this is the place for you. Located at 2nd and Brazos right in the heart of Austin, this is a night out you can’t miss.

There is nothing quite like the fun and excitement of a festival. The city of Austin celebrates throughout the year with a multitude of festivals that are sure to make both you and the kids smile. Here is a brief glimpse of just a few of the festivals that will be in the greater Austin area soon.

Starting right after the end of Thanksgiving, the Austin Trail of Lights Festival goes the entire month of December and features a trail of lights that completely illuminates Zilker Park. If you are new to Austin, you have to come check out these lights. Nothing will get you in the holiday spirit faster. There are tables selling crafts, hot refreshments and more. It is a family favourite every year in Austin.

March is when festival season really kicks off. The Texas State Arts Festival takes up the first week in March and it is an event residents look forward to every year. This festival showcases every medium and every kind of artist you can imagine. Even if you are just a casual art fan, this festival can’t be missed.

One festival that everyone in Austin can look forward to is the Austin Chocolate Festival during the month of March. Best of all, this festival benefits breast cancer research, so feel free to spend a little more than you would otherwise and enjoy some of the best chocolate you’ll find anywhere. Pace yourself or you’ll be in for an early day.

Festivals return to Zilker Park with the Zilker Garden Festival. Enjoy live music, outdoor grilling food and so much more at the botanical garden. View amazing plants and flowers and remember to take a few home with you, as well.

Perhaps the most popular festival of the year is the Louisiana Swamp Thing and Crawfish Festival. You’ll think you are back in the bayou with this authentic Cajun party right in the heart of Austin. The festival takes place in late March and is held all over downtown. If you love spicy food, live music and cold beer, this is the festival for you.

Austin is blessed by not only having a university in its midst that brings many outstanding cultural events to the area, but the city is surrounded by other locales that also have a rich cultural tradition.

Tickle your funny bone with the Mish Mash Show in Austin. The next showing of this popular running series in January 5, with additional shows on January 12, February 2, 9 and 16. All showings are performed at the Capitol City Comedy Club. The great thing about the Mish Mash show is that everyone comes out laughing. No matter what kind of comedy you prefer, the Mish Mash Show has something for everyone.
Check out this magical one person show at the Dougherty Arts Center starting December 4 and running through the 29th. Natasha Mylius : A Walk Around Austin is a one of a kind show that is sure to make you laugh, make you cry and make you think. Few people know and understand the city of Austin better than Natasha and she shares her insights into what makes this city special during her amazing show. Tickets are free and show times run throughout the day.

Enjoy an art show like no other with the Mix n Mash Art Exhibit and Sale at the MexicArte Museum on Congress St. See genres from all over the art world thrown together to create a whole new type of art that is utterly unclassifiable. This amazing exhibit runs through the month of December and is a fun time out for the whole family.
If sculpture is your thing, than check out UMLAUF Sculpture Gardens on Lee Road this holiday season for Water Sparks: The First 30 Years of Sculpture; A Damian Priour Retrospective. This exhibit is sure to spark interest in art, even if you can’t tell one from the other. Not many sculptors use limestone as their medium, but Priour does and the results are extraordinary. See the history of the Texas gulf coast laid out in front of you like never before. The natural beauty of Texas is evident through the UMLAUF Sculpture Gardens this holiday season, don’t miss it.