Grapvine Market is now carrying Vosges chocolates. Cute little "purses" of Red Fire and Gianduja, and Red Fire and Black Pearl candy bars. The Red Fire Bar is fabulous -- the best executed "chocolate and chili" combination I have *ever* had. (Why did a Chicago company beat Texas to this? Shouldn't some local chocolatiers think about developing some chocolates with Texas ingredients? I'd love to see a line of chili chocolates featuring different types of hot chilis combined with chocolate...)

The black pearl bar, which I have not tried yet, has wasabi in it -- yep, I said wasabi. I'll let you know how it is, but Ike (cheesemonger/gourmet manager at Grapevine) said it was surprisingly good.

Did I mention I was the one who request Ike get them? And that he's selling them for $1 less than the bar at Hotel San Jose, the only other local source?

Vickie Howell and Knitty Gritty, mentioned here yesterday, also makes the Austin Chronicle this week. Read the article here.

Austin Country Limits is a nicely done photo-blog of the Austin area. My favorite is this view of the umbrellas at the Oasis.

Austin hipster Vickie Howell hosts knitting show on DIY channel. I haven't seen Knitty Gritty -- "It's not your Grandmother's Knitting Show" -- but it's a good move for Austin creative craft community. Unfortunately, It's filmed in LA.

Rumour has it that other DIY shows may come out of Austin in the near future.

Newest fashion accesory to hit the streets of Austin: The bright yellow LiveStrong bracelet. So much packed into such a little package: affordable (just $1), summer color, cool font, jelly-like texture reminescent of the 80s, and let's not forget the cause (the Lance Armstrong Foundation). Get them all over town -- Chuy's and PureAustin Gyms both have them (and I'm sure you can find them at plenty of other places).