Build Me Up, Buttercup

Austin VIPs host empowering event at Antone's in the name of kindness

Build Me Up, Buttercup

Austin VIPs host empowering event at Antone's in the name of kindness

Alex Williamson, Genevieve Padalecki, Jennifer Kassell, Nicole Trunfio, Melinda Garvey, and Andra Liemandt joined in a panel discussion.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Bumble and Understated Leather's new limited-edition "I'll Build You Up Buttercup" tee.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Lauren Petrowski, Ali Marszalkowski, Allee Bennett, Erica Brennes.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Pamela Edmonds and Roslynn Castillo of Understated Leather.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Alex Williamson and Genevieve Padalecki.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Nicole Trunfio.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Kimberley Skinner and Janet Torres.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Sandy Molinare and Genevieve Padalecki.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Sara Reinhardt, Laura Craddick, Amanda Tatom, Stephanie O'Neill.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Elana Schulman tries on an Understated Leather jacket.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Tareen Alam, Emily Wright, Justin Balanon.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Melody Afkami and Amber Diamond.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Paige Casey and Lauren Petrowski.Photo by Shelley Neuman
The Mrs. performing.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Stacy Scarsella, Bevin Ashen-Brenner, Jane Black.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Amy Luck, Alejandra Esperon.Photo by Shelley Neuman
Marni Eth, Bridgitte Sharp, Ana DavidsonPhoto by Shelley Neuman

What: Bumble, Understated Leather, and The Kindness Campaign VIP Launch

Where: Antone's Upstairs

The lowdown: On January 24, Bumble and Understated Leather hosted a VIP event at Antone's Upstairs for the launch of their newest collaboration — an exclusive, limited edition T-shirt with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting The Kindness Campaign.

The event featured an intimate discussion on female empowerment and entrepreneurship with Alex Williamson, head of brand at Bumble; Nicole Trunfio of ETCH AND TRUNFIO Universe; Genevieve Padalecki of Now & Gen; Jennifer Kassell of Understated Leather; Melinda Garvey of Austin Woman and On The Dot Woman; and Andra Liemandt of The Kindess Campaign and The Mrs.

Cocktails in hand, attendees mixed and mingled while trying on leather jackets from Understated Leather — and their new "I'll Build You Up Buttercup" shirts, which are designed to raise awareness about the Kindness Campaign. In addition to the panel discussion, guests were treated to a performance by The Mrs.

Who: Alex Williamson, Genevieve Padalecki, Nicole Trufino, Lauren Petrowski, Ali Marszalkowski, Allee Bennett, Erica Brennes, Pamela Edmonds, Roslynn Castillo, Melinda Garvey, Andra Liemandt, Kimberley Skinner, Janet Torres, Amanda Tatom, Stephanie O'Neill, Tareen Alam, Emily Wright, and Justin Balanon.

nightlife charity

The Long Run

Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas gets engaged on Austin staycation

Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes are now engaged. Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Five-time Olympic medalist and social media powerhouse Gabby Thomas is sporting some new metal — an engagement ring from luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co.

Vogue magazine reported March 25 that Gabby's longtime boyfriend, Spencer McManes, 29, recently popped the question on the rooftop of a staycation rental in Travis Heights. The 28-year-old Thomas accepted the proposal. Thomas and McManes live together in Austin with their dog, Rico Thee Pug.

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The couple started dating in 2022, one year after she stumbled upon his pizza reviews on Instragram. “I’m a huge fan of pizza myself,” she tells Vogue. “I was like, ‘This looks like really good quality content.’”

Impressed by his pizza prowess, Thomas followed McManes on Instagram.

“I got the notification that I had a new follower. I was like, ‘That’s crazy! Gabby Thomas?’” he tells Vogue. “I immediately DM’d her and asked, ‘What did I do to earn a follow?’”

It wasn’t long before that Instagram follow led to love.

Four years after that initial Instagram encounter, Thomas’s best friend and a photographer witnessed the surprise proposal in a setting that overflowed with fresh flowers. “Oh my gosh, this is happening,” Thomas recalls thinking.

“Normally he’s very bad with surprises — and this was the one surprise I think I’ve ever witnessed him keep,” she tells Vogue.

Thomas, a world-class sprinter, earned three gold medals at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, and one bronze medal and one silver medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Thomas has spun her golden success on the track into sponsorship deals with footwear and apparel brand New Balance, Mediterranean restaurant chain Cava, and smartwatch brand Amazfit.

Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in neurobiology and global health from Harvard University and a master’s degree in epidemiology from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Thomas and McManes get along despite the fact that he’s an alumnus of Yale University, an Ivy League archrival of Harvard.

McManes founded an Austin-based non-alcoholic seltzer brand called Kaviva. A former Yale football player, McManes competes for the Austin Huns Rugby Football Club, according to TMZ.

Right now, the newly engaged Thomas has little time to celebrate or plan her impending marriage. She kicks off her 2025 track-and-field season this weekend at the Texas Relays in Austin — where she may or may not be flashing her new bling.

celebrities olympics engagement