springpad blog

You’ve heard it said before, but Austin, Texas is indeed the live music capital of the U.S. With its thick concentration of storied music venues and year-round calendar of acclaimed events like Austin City Limits and of course South By Southwest, even those who have never set foot in Austin concede its royal status in the music community. But tunes are hardly the only draw in the state capitol; its food hubs are as serious about their menus as its music clubs are about their gig calendars. If you’re lucky enough to make the trip for SXSW, you have the opportunity to experience the best of both worlds. Below are a few go-to Texas-born dishes you’ll want to hunt down between sets in Austin.

Dig this list? Click on the Spring It! button below to save it for later. (New to Springpad? We’re a free application that makes it easy to save anything you want to remember. Learn more here.) BONUS: Save this list or any restaurant and you’ll be entered to win a meal for you and your friends at SXSW, on us!  We will choose a winner on March 19th and notify them by email.

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So the first date went well, and now she’s invited you over for dinner. You’re in charge of the vino, and want to impress her without emptying your checking account.  If the extent of your wine knowledge ends with Two-Buck Chuck, fear not, for we have you covered. The below 25 wines not only taste great, some of them just sound downright expensive. Of course, however, they’re not.

Dig this list? Click on the Spring It! button below to save any or all of the wines for later. (New to Springpad? We’re a free application that makes it easy to save anything you want to remember. Learn more here.)  BONUS: Save a wine from this list and you’ll be automatically entered into Springpad’s wine giveaway.  Five people will be randomly chosen, and the winners will be contacted by email March 31st.

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When Philadelphia brothers Pat and Harry Olivieri created the “steak sandwich” in the 1930s, it wasn’t much different from the Philly cheesesteak we know today. After all, there’s not much to it on paper. Thinly chopped steak piled high on a hoagie roll was the Olivieris’ original version, with additions like provolone, fried onions, green peppers and mushrooms eventually finding their way onto the menu. The torch has since been passed down through generations of cheesesteak proprietors who have put their own stamp on the classic. Some have swapped chicken for steak, while others have experimented with vastly different types of cheese– and even added unlikely flairs, such as pizza sauce or jalapenos.

Whether it’s a blinged-out bomb or an Olivieri original, one thing is for sure: the Philly cheesesteak is the pride of the City of Brotherly Love.  As with any iconic regional dish, the Philly cheesesteak has a passionate army of ambassadors. Here’s a mouthwatering close-up of four of the best-known cheesesteak hubs.

Dig this list? Click on the Spring It! button below to save it for later. (New to Springpad? We’re a free application that makes it easy to save anything you want to remember. Learn more here.)

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Compulsive gadget collectors are aware that tech toys don’t always come cheap. But there is no shortage of fun, reasonably priced accessories out there to add to your gizmo arsenal. Each of the below gadgets comes in at under $20. And while some may seem more practical than others, we can all recall moments when each of these items would have come in handy. From smartphone lifevests to keychain breathalyzers, here are 20 cost-efficient contraptions that might make things run more smoothly for you.

Dig this list? Click on the Spring It! button below to save it for later. (New to Springpad? We’re a free application that makes it easy to save anything you want to remember. Learn more here.) BONUS: Save a gadget from this list and you’ll be automatically entered into Springpad’s gadget giveaway.  Five people will be randomly chosen, and the winners will be contacted by email March 31st.

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In the previous 81 years of the Academy Awards, the Academy has honored a total of 20 adaptations with the distinction of Best Picture. From All The King’s Men in 1949 to Slumdog Millionaire in 2009, the nature of both the literary works and the subsequent films has spanned genres, time periods, and of course, subject matter. With the 82nd Academy Awards upon us, we thought we’d compile our own personal bookshelf, so to speak, of all those adaptations that went home with top honors. Whether you’re a book hound, a film buff, or somewhere in between, save your favorites in Springpad to easily remember them the next time you’re searching for some entertainment. (New to Springpad? We’re a free application that makes it easy to save anything you want to remember. Learn more here.)

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EatingWell’s article on safe non-organic produce was yet another reminder for me on the dangers of pesticides in food.  When I am in the produce section at the grocery store, I am always enticed by the organic aisle–but buying solely organic would quickly push me over my monthly grocery budget.  I’m always forgetting which produce items I really should be buying organic as well.  A great health and environment resource,  The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has compiled a list of fruits and vegetables that are least likely to be effected by pesticides, and therefore safe to buy non-organic.

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We all know Oreos taste just fine on their own. After all, they’re “America’s favorite cookie.” Some might therefore argue that there’s no reason to get any crazier with an Oreo than to pair it with a tall glass of milk. But some people feel the need to push the boundaries of these delicious treats, and of course, their concoctions have found their way to the Internet.

The compilation below looks at 15 inventive recipes that feature the Oreo. Some throw Oreos into classic desserts like cupcakes and pies, while others use the cookie in dishes that may sound a little strange (ahem, understatement). From simple to downright creative, these recipes may not change the way you eat your Oreos — but they will at least change the way you think about them.  If you want to give one of these recipes a try, click the Spring It! button to save it for later.  (New to Springpad? We’re a free application that makes it easy to save anything you want to remember. Learn more here).

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There’s nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of mac and cheese. The beauty of the dish is in its simplicity. But just because it’s a simple recipe doesn’t mean it can’t be enhanced. From experimenting with different cheeses and noodles to adding lobster or green chilies, it’s easy to give this classic dish a whole new spin. No matter how unconventional they may seem, the following ideas can turn this traditional comfort food taste into an inventive culinary delight.  If any of the recipes catch your eye, be sure to click the Spring It! button to save it for later.  (New to Springpad? We’re a free application that makes it easy to save anything you want to remember. Learn more here).
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Paris.  Venice.  Maui.  Detroit.  We’re all well versed in the usual locales of love. But what if you’re after something a little less cliché? Somewhere remote. Say, for example, one of 378 islands in a remote region of Panama. Or maybe the remnant of a Greek island once ravaged by a massive volcanic eruption? Whether you and your significant other are into the heat of the driest place in the world or snowy French slopes, we’ve got you covered. So dust off that underused passport as we guide you through some lesser-known options for your next retreat. Save the locations and hotels you like in your Springpad account for when the time is right. (New to Springpad? We’re a free application that makes it easy to save anything you want to remember. Learn more here).

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Big-budget films rarely need to jockey for attention from fans and critics. A-list casts, wide distribution, and built-in followings (in the case of adaptations or sequels) do most of the work. And while a handful of these mega pics are worthy of their hype, they often disappoint and leave us wishing we had taken a chance on that slightly under the radar flick.

In the spirit of the hidden gem, allow us to get you hip to some smaller-budget films you may want to queue up. From foreign to animated to independent to flat-out old, here are 20 great anti-blockbusters you should probably check out sometime in the near future.

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