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Bumble debuts online shop and buzzy high-end lifestyle collection

On top of the capsule collection, Bumble will also collaborate with different brands quarterly. (Tropico Photo)
Austin’s yellowest dating app is turning heads in a whole new way with a wearable collab debuting with California-based lifestyle brand Aviator Nation.
Bumble x Aviator Nation gear and a separate capsule collection called Bumble Basics will be hosted on the app’s new website Bumble Shop. On the site, you’ll see branded T-shirts, hats, sweaters, games and baubles.
“We originally created our merchandise for the Bumble staff, brand ambassadors, and those who attended our events,” Chief brand officer Selby Drummond said in a release. “However, before we knew it, people were asking where they could purchase our items–from pens to T-shirts, and everything in between.”
The 1970s-inspired Aviator Nation collection is made up of three pieces, all with the same yellow stripe pattern: the double-zipper cowl neck Ninja pullover, drawstring Ninja sweatpants and a trucker hat with a sizable Bumble emblem.
The collaborative collection is on the pricey end: $200 for the hoodie, $150 for the sweatpants and $45 for the hat. Bumble said the collaborations will be quarterly, with the California brand cinching the first spot.
Meanwhile, the Bumble Basics collection is more robust with 12 pieces to peruse. The taped crewneck, featuring white ribbon with the tagline “make the first move” down the arms, and varsity sweater, with thick yellow stripes and the word “Bumble” across the front, both stand out on the page for their uniqueness.
If you prefer a more simple silhouette, a cropped and embroidered logo shirt still stuns in bright marigold but the simple T-shirt provides a more muted color scheme. You can go for the classic dad hat in black, white or yellow, or opt for the trendy corduroy bucket hat in sunny hues.
“Though we’ll initially be focusing on apparel, we envision Bumble Shop will eventually become a space where people can purchase everything from date night kits, custom houseware items, and more,” Drummond said.
Bumble has already begun that venture with pronoun keychains, a playing card deck and its Question Game, which gives players topics to talk about to “push past small talk.” The capsule collection tends toward the more affordable side: $68-79 for the long sleeve shirts, $25-30 for the hats and tees, and $14-16 for everything else.
The capsule collection is indefinite but Aviator Nation’s collection is limited edition, lasting until the next quarter. Sizes range from XS-XXXXL.
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(Pexels)
Austin Nicholson was ahead of the curve when he got his vasectomy in September 2021, saving himself a long line as Austin-area doctors say the demand for sterilization has seen a “significant” spike since Roe v. Wade was overturned on Friday.
Nicholson, 25, said he would prefer to adopt children, had felt the Supreme Court decision coming for a while, and, wary of the consequences, he decided to pull the trigger and make an appointment.
“A big part of it was the political climate. We could both potentially face consequences and she would definitely face more consequences, which I also personally would not want,” Nicholson said. “I didn't want to be stuck in Texas and have a potential abortion on the mind when it's illegal.”
(Austin Nicholson)
According to vasectomy specialist Dr. Luke Machen of Austin Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, the clinic received over 150 vasectomy appointment requests combined on Friday and Monday following the ruling. Typically, the clinic performs 45-50 vasectomies per month.
The Austin Urology Institute reported that they received about 70 calls in the first hour after the ruling was released. OBYN at Women’s Health Domain reported receiving over 100 requests from women interested in getting their tubes tied.
“I would say a significant number of patients who scheduled recently have mentioned the Supreme Court case,” Machen said. “A lot of guys have said they were thinking about having a vasectomy over the last year or so, and the ruling was the final push to get it done.”
The average patient at Austin Fertility who receives a vasectomy is about 37, though Machen said he has started to see an increased number of patients with zero children choosing to get a vasectomy. While they put together a study, Machen expects demand for the procedure to plateau but stay higher than before the ruling.
Machen said vasectomy is the most effective form of permanent birth control, requires only about a week of recovery time, is reversible with success rates of up to 95% and has no effects on sexual function or testosterone.
Nicholson said the procedure was less than $700, he was never in any pain, had very little recovery time and has never regretted the decision—in fact, he has happily recommended the procedure to friends.
“It helps me feel better knowing that I won't put a woman in that situation where she'd have to be faced with a potentially life-altering decision, or consequence even,” Nicholson said. “I actually have had three of my friends ask me questions about it and tell me that they were considering it.”
(Valencia Hotel Group)
Live music and beer? Say no more. With a location in Austin, and others throughout Texas, the court hotels by the Valencia Hotel Group have a new offering for weekend stays: Live Music & Longnecks.
Enjoy live music all weekend long and check out the hotels’ state-of-the-art amenities between sets. Make a splash in the pool, enjoy outdoor fire pits, or challenge your friends in a yard game while enjoying a weekend full of live music! Did we mention the package includes deluxe accommodations and a bucket of beer? Oh, and if you needed more convincing, this pet-friendly hotel means the whole family can join in on the fun.
The hotels
Explore any of the Court Hotels by Valencia Hotel Group for a memorable escape. Each property offers a unique experience remnant of yesteryear but with all of the modern amenities that make for a fun and comfortable stay. With acres of landscaped courtyards, relax and unwind in an outdoor environment perfect for doing everything or absolutely nothing at all. With locations in Austin, College Station, Irving, and Lubbock your urban retreat has never been so close.
The music
Locals and travelers alike are invited to enjoy the deep roots of Texas music all summer long with a robust lineup of live performances. From the banks of the San Antonio Riverwalk to Irving’s manicured streets, Valencia’s hotels are a place to gather and reconnect, offering uniquely Texan settings for the weekly performances.
“We’re proud of the community we’ve fostered among Texas musicians and the many rising stars who perform at our properties,” says Amy Trench, corporate director of brand marketing & PR for Valencia Hotel Group.
In Austin, you can catch good ol’ fashioned Texas country by Drew Moreland and Clayton Gardner, bluegrass by Reagan Quinn, and much, much more.
With unique programming at each of Valencia’s properties, there’s something for everyone to enjoy all summer long.
The perks
If you’re a Valencia Hotel Group Rewards member, the perks are plentiful. Enjoy up to 10% off the Best Available Rate, and for a limited time, members can save up to 15% off a stay of 2 nights or more, for select stays in 2022.
But that’s really just the beginning. At select locations, you can enjoy discounts on weeknight stays, a complimentary third night, or curated packages for a romantic getaway or a night of watching the Verde at Q2 Stadium. You’ll also find special rates for AAA and AARP Members, educators, and front-line heroes including military, law enforcement, fire, and rescue workers.