Cristina Fisher
Austin, Texas
Kinda Tropical
Working as a freelancer, I’m often desperate to get out of my home office for a change of scenery. Kinda Tropical has quickly become my go-to spot for both coffee meetings and happy hours. With ample parking, a cute, retro interior, and a string lit (and dog friendly!) patio, it’s an easy spot to venture solo or meet up with a friend. Don’t miss the draft oat milk latte, yucca fries and mezcal paloma.
Take Heart
Looking for a small gift or a treat to yourself? Take Heart is my absolute favorite spot to peruse, hosting an assortment of well-curated paper goods, apothecary, books, candles and more. Its brightly lit interior is tranquil and beautiful, and I’ll find myself lingering even after I’m done shopping!
Desert Door
Located in Driftwood (about a 30-45 minute drive from Austin), Desert Door makes the perfect afternoon trip. Surrounded by dusty roads, native cactus, and a wide open sky, the Sotol Distillery is about the closest West Texas ambiance you'll find near the city. Enjoy a variety of craft cocktails and farm-to-table snacks courtesy of Eden West on their breezy patio or indoor tasting room.
Laguna Gloria
This contemporary art garden forever feels like one of Austin’s best kept secrets. Located at an talian style villa on the shores of Lake Austin, the property allows you decompress from city life, in what almost seems like a foreign destination. Visit to read, meet a friend for a picnic, or wander the grounds. And make sure to check out their abundant list of art classes occurring throughout the year.
Austin is truly one of a kind. We’re this tiny blue bubble living in a giantly red state. Willie Nelson is king but pot is still illegal. Southern hospitality is a way of life, but people (for the most part) are progressive, creative and eager to share ideas. The population is quickly approaching one million yet somehow, the local community is supportive enough to make you feel like you could really make in impact in whatever it is that you do. It’s hard to put your finger on what makes Austin so special, but once you spend time here, I think you get it.
I’m currently freelancing marketing, photography and brand strategy which I’m lucky to call both creative passions and professional skill sets. While I think most of my career fell in to place pretty organically over time, I am thankful to have worked for organizations that encourage creative expression and exploration. This has most definitely allowed me to blossom as an artist both within and outside of the office.