Shopping

• BIG RED SUN
• 1102 E. Cesar Chavez Austin, TX 78702
• 512/480.0688
• Big Red Sun has some of the best succulent arrangements in Austin. Not only do they have great plants, but they have a great boutique. It's in an old house, and every room has its own motif. From baby stuff, to jewelery, to unique books. Even when I'm not looking to shop, I love just wandering around this place.

• TREASURE CITY THRIFT
• 1720 E 12th St Austin, TX 78702
• 512/524.2820
• "Treasure City is a volunteer-run nonprofit staffed by a friendly anarchist collective." - Austin American Statesman
  "Possibly the best thrift store/social movement of the century... holding the torch for an Austin that is not so much "weird" as "freakish," in a good and not particularly mass-marketable way." - Austin Chronicle
  Need we say more!

• SOLID GOLD
• 1601 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78702
• 512/473.2730
• Solid Gold sells clothing, accessories, stuff for your bathroom and its activities, home decor... and they even offer spa services! What don't they do?

• MODE FASHION BOUTIQUE
• 1601 e. Cesar Chaves St., Ste. 101 Austin, TX 78702
• 512/436.8924
• Mode is a fashion Boutique. Its all about rock 'n' roll and sticking out its tongue at you... but in a nice way.

Food

• PRIMIZIE OSTERIA
• 1000 e. 11th St., Ste. 150 Austin, TX 78702
• 512/236.0088
• My favorite menuitems are their paninis. They make it with homemade herb flat bread that is the best! If your in the mood for Italian, you will not be let down! The Vino selection is worth stopping in on its own.

• CAFE MUNDI
• 1704 E 5th St # 100 Austin, TX 78702
• 512/236.8634
• Cafe Mundi is a place no matter how you look or feel that day, you'll fit right in. They have one of the best outdoor sitting areas woth lots of great trees and plants. Great empanada's, every soup of the day is better than the one before, good little beer selection, and of course the array of coffee and teas. Stop in for movie Monday.

• PROGRESS COFFEE
• 500 San Marcos St. Austin, TX 78702
• 512/493.0963
• The best turkey sandwich I've ever had (made with cream cheese, and jalapeno jelly). Their have exceptional salads as well for you rabbits out there. My favorite is the mixed greens - made with walnuts, apples, grapes, and fresh cheeses. Their magazine selection (you can read there or buy one for home) is on par with my house, which is impressive. From Fader, Surface, to Adbusters, and that's just a few of their many circulations.

• BOSSA NOVA COFFEE
• 2121 e. 6th St., Ste. 101 Austin, TX 78702
• 512/478.8700
• I'm a smoothie girl, and they know how to do it right. I have yet to have something from the bakery that wasn't delicious. I recently had a mango cheesecake that my mama couldn't have made any better. The chicken salad is my favorite on the menu. Their lunch special - any half sandwich, with your choice of soup, salad, or fruit. It also comes with chips, and salsa for $6.25. You can't beat that with a baseball bat...

• JOE'S BAKERY & COFFEE SHOP
• 2305 e. 7th St. Austin, TX 78702
• 512/472.0017
• True authentic Mexican. The best breakfast tacos in town. While you're there, don't forget to get an oatmeal Cookie! Yum Yum!!

Bars

• RIO RITA
• 1308 E 6th St Austin, TX 78702
• 512/524.0384
• Close your eyes and say Bloody mary! Bloody mary! Bloody mary! And a B rated horror flick will appear before your eyes. This place is one of my new fav's. All there specialty drinks are drink al lishas. Don't be afraid to try some new concoction here. The inside is a mix match of retro lighting, seating, and art that all work together very well. They have a good outside area as well which is a plus because I have a hard time finding places with good outside socializing. Their food is much better than your plain old bar food.

• THE PEACOCK
• 515 Pedernales St. Austin, TX 78702
• 512/276.8979
• They have the best summer drink! It's made with green tea infused vodka, green tea, and a splash of sake - but be careful - they can go down easily! When I walk in here, I feel like I'm on a set of an old Hollywood film. It's completely original from all other bars. The bartenders are always nice, and fun to talk to and will explain a drink without any attitude.

Online East Austin Resources

• EASTAUSTINITE.COM
• "The sights and sounds of East Austin" is all I could really find describing what this site is about... but I guess that pretty much sums it up. It's a daily blog dedicated to East Austin and all of it's goodness.