here's a tip

Party planning problems solved: Head to the W Austin for the perfect Girls'Getaway

Poolside at the W Hotel.
Photo courtesy of The W Austin
W Hotel Austin exterior
Courtesy of W Austin

With bachelorette parties or reunions taking place on what feels like every other weekend, I'm constantly looking for the perfect location for a female-friendly "retreat" of sorts.

The trouble is, a large — or even small — group of friends can't always coordinate to pick up and fly to a faraway destination for a weekend.

Here's where the W Austin comes to the rescue.

Whether you're seeking a staycation, a little R & R or a place to celebrate an all important life-event, the chic hotel has got you covered. The aptly named AWAY Spa is reviving what was deemed "last year's most popular spa package" just in time for summer — the Girls' Getaway.

The package includes room, drinks, poolside spa treatments and other onsite amenities. After you're all souped up with mani, pedis or facials, head downstairs to the Living Room or Trace for cocktails and dinner. If you're lucky, there might even be a show at the adjoined ACL Live at the Moody Theater.

You seriously never have to leave. But if you must, the hotel is conveniently nestled in the heart of Austin's Warehouse District and shopping friendly 2nd Street District.

Packages are available for Friday - Sunday stays through late September. Check online for availability and (good) rates, and don't forget to mention the promo code GWW.

You can thank me for putting a stop to your party-planning woes later.

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Concert News

Austin icon Gary Clark Jr. to play free show launching wife's maternity pop-up

Photo courtesy of Bumpsuit

Bumpsuit is now open at the Domain Northside.

Austin icon Gary Clark Jr. is playing a free hometown show on Friday, December 13, to celebrate the opening of his wife, Nicole Trunfio's trendy maternity store, Bumpsuit. It's open now, and will be in Austin for six months.

Clark will be playing with his band: King Zapata and Elijah Ford on guitar, JJ Johnson on drums, and Dayne Reliford on backup vocals and keyboard.

They're fresh off the announcement that Clark will receive a Texas Medal of Arts, one of the highest honors a Texas artist can receive. He's known for modernizing the blues — not overwriting past traditions, but bringing the established sound into popular music people love whether they're conscious of the genre or not.

The new store's neighbor Grimaldi's Pizzeria is bringing a pop-up bar to the event, and there will also be yard games, photo opportunities, and more, according to a release.

Bumpsuit is filling an auspicious space for minimalist fashion at Domain Northside. It'll spend its tenure at 11700 Domain Blvd. Suite 120, the former site of Austin's first Skims Workshop, which has since moved on to a permanent location in the same shopping center.

The two stores are very similar in aesthetic, with Trunfio's focusing on maternity and postpartum wear. Styles are generally made in neutrals or jewel tones, and cut in extremely simple shapes.

“After spending our summer on tour as a family with Gary and his band, we are excited to end the year at Domain Northside to coincide with the opening of our Bumpsuit store,” said Trunfio in the release.

"Doors" for the (presumably outdoor) concert next to Bumpsuit neighbor Vuori (11701 Domain Blvd. Suite 154) are at 7 pm; the show starts at 8:30 pm.

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