STAFF PICKS what’s a milestone you’re celebrating in 2021?

WHAT’S YOUR MOST RECENT SELF-LOVE PURCHASE?

The Austin Woman staff believes in self-care, and so should you. No shade. No guilt.

ANNE COX

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Concert tickets count as self-care, right? Every year Austin City Limits falls right around my birthday. I went for the first time ever on my 21st, and I’ve gone every year since (excluding 2020). This year was definitely my favorite because I got to go with a lot of my friends and my girlfriend. Something about sitting in a field with a pitcher of rosé, a cowgirl hat and Remi Wolf playing live in the background…Sounds like self-care to me.

CATHERINE SCHUETZLE

SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

My most recent self-love purchase was a tower garden. I bought it because I wanted the cleanest and most organic veggies and fruits. And the only way to know for certain I’m getting that is to grow my own food. I do not have a yard to grow fresh produce, nor the space in my current living situation…and I was not blessed with a natural green thumb or memory to water plants every day. I needed an easy solution, and this was the obvious answer! The picture is about a month ago. I planted a few kale, a couple types of lettuce, spinach and a couple herbs!

SLOANE WICK

EDITORIAL INTERN

My most recent self-love purchase was a Starbucks reusable cup. When I left my hometown for college, my incredible former co-workers bought me the same cup as part of a going-away gift basket. It brought me to tears. In a tiny way, I’d be able to take them all with me to a new city through the yellow and blue floral cup. Unfortunately, I dropped the cup while rushing to class and it cracked at my feet. Try as I might, I could not salvage it. In October, I saw the same cup at my local Starbucks. I knew what I had to do. All of my old friends have moved on to bigger and brighter things. One just celebrated her first year in the U.S. Navy, another is going to graduate school for psychology and another has been promoted to a leadership position. Yet I know if I needed any of them they would be there for me. Every time I hold my cup, I’m reminded of that.

CY WHITE

MANAGING EDITOR

I’m an absolute nerd. So much, in fact, I’ve waited to buy this one thing for over a decade. I first had the opportunity back in a magical time when Best Buy used to have an extensive DVD section, with genres and everything. The show I wanted? Case Closed, the dubbed version of the anime Detective Conan. The show is over 900 episodes long, last time I checked. Only about 150 episodes were ever dubbed. Since that’s how I first encountered the show, that’s what I wanted. Alas, I deemed it “The One That Got Away.” I hesitated to buy it, then could never find it again. But then, oh then. A few months before my most recent birthday I found a couple sellers. I declared I would drop whatever amount of money necessary to get it. I was only out about 70 bucks and now have the show I’ve wanted for 10+ years.

PARKE BALLANTINE

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS AND BRANDING STRATEGY

Due to the pandemic reshuffle, I’ve been in housing limbo for the past year and half, but this month I finally moved into a new apartment. So my most recent selflove purchase is related to creating a sanctuary out of my home. I’m not what I’d consider a nurturing type, but I did manage to bring a snake plant with me from NYC and keep it alive and well. As part of creating a space that is rejuvenating and calming, I’ve begun to invest in a few more plants to join my little Nagini. These plants remind me of the simple but essential needs in life and provide me with the subtle and powerful joy of beauty.