Thanksgiving....What we are making

The proprietor of Sabia, the lovely Jessica, is preparing something sweet for her contribution to Thanksgiving. Jessica heard about her recipe on the wonderful long running radio show, The Splendid Table, hosted by Lynne Rossetto Kasper.

Pumpkin Pie Panna Cotta

This week Sabia shares Thanksgiving thoughts

As we all know, Thanksgiving is upon us, the markets are filled with warm and cozy options, whether you are hosting or attending as a guest, the majority of us will be preparing at least one item. We thought, we would take a break from the 'getting to know the ladies of Sabia' posts and get festive. This week, will be filled with ideas for the holiday, what we are making, what inspires us and what we are thankful for. 
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday filled with whatever makes you happy, be that food, football, shopping or just waking up from that nap and making yet another turkey sandwich....
xo Sabia

Joann's favorite things..

What is the one staple that we can always find in your purse?

‘My iphone and Jao lip balm, that’s technically two, but they are both always in there’

What is the last movie you saw?

‘Winter’s Bone’ - Great film, but very heavy.

Favorite item of clothing lately?

‘I recently bought a pair of shoes from Stella Says Go, just down the street from Sabia. I love them and have been wearing them almost everyday!’

What TV show are you looking forward to watching this week?

‘The Big C’ on Showtime - I LOVE Laura Linney & Oliver Platt!’

Do you have a favorite local coffee shop?

‘I’m probably the only person in Austin that doesn’t drink coffee, but I like LIFT. I usually drink tea or water, but the food is great!’

Is there a restaurant or dish in Austin that never gets old to you?

‘I love UCHI and UCHIKO, I could eat at either, everyday. The crispy oysters at Jeffrey’s are amazing and when I am feeling like Mexican, El Meson has the most delicious guacamole, that, accompanied with the Horseshoe Margarita...heaven!’

What is your favorite holiday ritual?

‘My family always celebrates Thanksgiving and Christmas the weekend before the actual holiday. Both of my kids are married and have children. The holidays can be a bit stressful when you have to visit the parents, in-laws, extended family, etc..as well as trying to have your own traditions. By celebrating the weekend before, it helps us to take the stress off, relax and enjoy our time together’

Favorite Austin landmark?

‘Town Lake, right before the sun comes up. The lake is so beautiful and you can literally see the city waking up.’

Thanks to Joann for sharing with us...until next week...

Joann talks lash extensions and preventative skincare

Luckily Austinites aren’t subjected to harsh winters, but the weather does change, the heaters kick on and our skin is subjected to this. What are your tips for adapting to these changes?

‘Stay hydrated. This is a great time to do a series of peels to help repair the damage from the summer. Another option is microdermabrasion, which typically uses mineral crystals to help remove wrinkles. However, at Sabia, we use the NewApeel DiamondTome System, which does not use crystals, therefore resulting in little or no irritation.’

Tell us about some of the lash services that you offer

‘I love doing lash extensions! I have been doing them for about four (4) years now, they are so much FUN and make getting ready in the morning so much easier. A synthetic lash is individually applied to one of your natural lashes using surgical glue. I can create a natural look or we can make them look very dramatic, and who doesn’t want longer more lush looking lashes without the use of mascara?’

What is your before bed beauty ritual?

‘I have to say, I agree with Elizabeth and Emily, the Clarisonic is the best at washing away the day. Many of us don’t realize that it's important to spend a full minute washing our faces. The Clarisonic has a timer, so when it beeps, you are done! 

I use the LHA Cleanser with my Clarisonic brush, I then follow with the LHA Solution to remove dead skin and residual makeup and sunscreen and LHA Serum to loosen the bonds that hold dead skin together and finish up with A.G.E. Interrupter as moisturizer and A.G.E. eye complex, all by SkinCeuticals, Revitalash for my lashes and  Jao lip balm. While this may sound like quite a few steps, the key to aging gracefully is preventative skincare’

 *We mentioned the LHA Serum a couple of weeks ago here.

Stay tuned as we wrap up our week with Joann tomorrow! 

Introducing Joann Ramirez

Where are you from?

‘Buda, TX'

What is your expertise?

‘Waxing, brow shaping & lash extensions’

Tricks of the trade?

‘Everything in moderation. There is something very beautiful about a woman who looks natural and ages gracefully. It’s understandable to want to slow the process via peels and injectables, just do it in moderation.’

Favorite beauty product?

‘I LOVE the LHS products by SkinCeuticals!! My skin feels smoother and my makeup looks better ever since I started using this line of products. 

I also can’t stop using the Goe oil by Jao after showering, no more dry skin!’ 

Favorite icon?

‘John Lennon’

Favorite Author?

‘At the moment, I am reading ‘Freedom’ by Jonathan Franzen, but I really enjoyed the ‘Millennium Trilogy’ by Steig Larsson, which started with ‘The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’

Astrological Sign?

‘Gemini’

Pets?

‘Technically they are my grandkids dogs, but I'll go ahead and include them :) PeeWee, Penny, Ziggy Ringo and Churchill’

Favorite Botanical?

‘Peony’

Lauren wraps up the week discussing the best brush, her magazine addiction and Martha Stewart

Did you ever have a hair disaster when you were growing up? 

‘I have had many a hair disaster and that is a strength in my career.  I know how it feels to have too much cut off, to not be listened to, and to grow out terrible layers for 2 years.  I remain conscious of this when considering how to cut or color my clients hair.’ 

What's the best brush in your opinion?

‘Mason Pearson mixed brush is great to have for detangling, smoothing, and conditioning the hair and scalp. An investment that will last many years.’

What's makes your job great?

‘I am able to constantly strive to improve because if I do not, someone else will do it better than me, in addition to that, I get to combine my creative skills with socializing!!’ 

Favorite magazines?

'Oh wow, Well, I have what someone whom I live with might call a magazine addiction. But, if I have to list them, I like the usual fashion mags like Elle and Marie Claire, I get inspiration from catalogues like J. Crew  and Martha Stewart Living (seriously good recipes in that one) and I LOVE the French couture mags that you can find for like $20 bucks at  Book People. Amazing visual stimulation!!!!’

What's your favorite holiday ritual and why?

‘I love to see people getting dressed up and looking fancy for parties and pictures.  We are so casual in Austin, it is nice to have an excuse look hot.’


Where is the last place you went on vacation?
'The Grand Canyon!! It was so amazing!'

What music have you been listening to lately?

‘My friend Anne made me a dance-y mix and it is all kinds of good stuff.  Au Revoire Simon is what comes to mind.’  

What's the last movie you saw?

‘The Social Network.  I heart Justin Timberlake.’  

Do you have a favorite local coffee shop? 

‘I have a few. Number one, Lift on South Lamar - they have this smoothie called the Elvis on Speed.

I drink it twice a week, it has nanner, peanut butter, almond milk and two shots of espresso. I think it is genius.  I also love me some Once Over on South 1st.’

What item of clothing / accessory do you pull out of your closet and wear over and over?

‘White shirts and gold chain necklaces. They never get old. Oh and boots!! I love boots more than any other shoe type.’ 

What TV show are you looking forward to watching this week?

‘I just got rid of cable as an experiment. I am watching Mad Men on Netflix.  I sometimes watch three in a row.’ 

What are your favorite places to chow down in Austin?

‘In this order:  Enoteca, Perla's, Eastside Showroom (the grits and greens!), Fonda San Miguel, Taco Deli & The Daily Juice.’

Favorite Austin landmark?

‘The trail around Town Lake, I cannot live without it.’  

Thanks to Lauren for taking the time to share with us....until next week!

What is BALAYAGE?

In a previous post, Lauren discussed the BALAYAGE technique. We wanted to know more and share with you, dear readers..

BALAYAGE literally means ‘to sweep’ in French. This technique was developed by celebrity stylist, Jacques Dessange, over 20 years ago in Paris, and also where Lauren studied the procedure. 

This two-tone hairstyle is also lately known as ‘dip dye’, a moniker borrowed from the fashion term for a graduated color from dark to light. This hairstyle embraces the visible root, but by ‘sweeping’ on the color it results in a more natural, sun bleached look. The highlights are painted on the hair by hand and in a sweeping motion from the base to the top of the hair. The color is applied heavier at the tip to produce a hairstyle that looks like you’ve spent a decadent summer on the French Riviera...and who doesn’t want that?