Woman to watch

Kendra Scott celebrates International Women's Day with new collection and philanthropic foundation

Courtesy of Kendra Scott

Today is International Women's Day, and jewelry icon and philanthropist Kendra Scott is celebrating as Kendra Scott does best — launching an all-new collection and announcing a new charitable foundation.

A component of the Austin Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3), the mission of the Kendra Scott Foundation is to empower women and youth in the areas of health and wellness, education, and entrepreneurship. According to a release, Kendra Scott started her brand with the intention of doing good first and selling jewelry second, a philanthropic mentality that has been embedded into every facet of the company. The Foundation will allow Kendra Scott to do even more good and serve as an overarching platform to deepen the brand’s investment in changing the lives of women and youth.

Scott has proudly donated more than $50 million to local, national, and international causes since 2010. Centering around the pillars of wellness, education, and entrepreneurship, Scott's philanthropic efforts include a commitment to breast cancer research through Yellow for Pink by Kendra Scott; a creative arts program for pediatric hospitals called Kendra Cares; support for educators and underserved students; and growing the next generation of women leaders through the Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

“My intention when I started this business was always to do good first and sell jewelry second, and the launch of the Kendra Scott Foundation will allow us to continue to do just that for decades to come,” said Kendra Scott, Founder, Designer, and Executive Chairwoman of the brand via release. “I have always strived to use my talents to improve the lives of others, especially women who need to be connected to sources that will help them flourish. This is why the Kendra Scott Foundation was created and why we are so driven and inspired to expand our impact and reach even more women and youth each and every day.”

Also launching on March 8, the brand released a new collection of watches and watch bands to add to their 2022 timepiece collection. New additions include the Iridescent Stainless-Steel band, available in the Alex Link Watch Band, featuring subtle spring hues; a refresh of the best-selling Dira watch with an Iridescent Sunray face and featuring a diamond embedded within Kendra Scott’s iconic medallion logo; and the Filigree Leather Watch Band. Designed exclusively for Apple Watch®, the latter is crafted with genuine Italian leather in luxurious shades and features the brand's signature logo as a pattern on the band.

The new collection of watches and watch bands range from $138-$288, and are available at KendraScott.com and in retail stores nationwide.

Courtesy of Kendra Scott

Kendra Scott sports a previous style of the best-selling Dira Watch, which has been updated with an Iridescent Sunray face for 2023.

Brunchy Business

Mimosa Walk returns to Austin's South 1st Street for sips and shopping

Blue Suede/Instagram

Businesses along South 1st Street are welcoming shoppers with mimosas on Saturday, November 16.

Perhaps no other drink has the mimosa's power to draw people out on the weekend, and one Austin neighborhood is harnessing it for a leisurely tour of local businesses. The Austin Mimosa Walk: South 1st Fall Festival is scheduled for November 16, and will stop at local businesses, each with complimentary drinks.

The tour will include some shopping, some casual snack spots, and even some wellness stops. Although not every business mimosa walkers will pass is participating, the tour will pass lots of local eateries, making it easy to tack on a lunch when the Champagne starts making itself known.

The following eight businesses are participating as stops on the self-guided tour:

Austin Salt Room — a spa-like environment for salt therapy, essentially hanging out near tons of salt while breathing in microscopic salt particles, which are said to improve respiratory health
Blue Suede Austin — a cool women's shoe boutique (with a wine bar!) that specializes in semi-casual styles at mid-range prices, featuring brands like Sam Edelman, Jeffrey Campbell, and Cecelia
Devil’s Details Boutique — formerly Bloomers and Frocks, this vintage shop has rebranded and shifted its focus to jewelry, often in bold and unique styles
Glint Dental — a dental office specializing in aesthetic procedures like veneers and whitening, but also offering general and preventative care
Golden Mean — early holiday shoppers should keep friends and family in mind at this gift shop, which carries unique goods ranging from soaps and blankets to kitchen goods and avant-garde decor.
Once Over Coffee— an unassuming-on-the-outside, artsy-on-the-inside coffee shop serving Wild Gift Coffee and less common coffee shop finds like kombucha and Italian soda
Package Austin — a queer menswear store for harnesses, underwear, accessories, toys, and community events
Sugar Mamas Bakeshop — a colorful bakery specializing in fantastically decorated cakes, often with a sarcastic or funny twist

The listing on Eventbrite promises a hydration station by Topo Chico, a collector's glass, and that the event will sell out. It requires that tickets ($32) be purchased in advance online. [Update: An event organizer says the ninth business on the Eventbrite list is still under construction, and will not be participating.]

The walk will take place from noon to 3:30 pm. Guests will receive a "passport" to help navigate between tour stops. A check-in tent will get guests started at 1628 S. 1st St.

local business cocktails shopping