I was minding my own business recently. I’d just enjoyed a Chai Latte at Austin Java and was walking around downtown Austin. I suddenly stopped. “Buy one, get one 50% off accessories.” I was an immediate goner as soon as I walked into Francesca’s. I loved all of the pretty spring colors.
My loot that I got:
Seagreen/blue clutch with gold zipper detail
Light Seafoam oval bracelet
Turquoise ring
Earrings
Pastel scarf — I like it when the store has already tied the scarf since I’m so bad at that. I need to watch some YouTube tutorials on scarf tying.
After my jewelry binge, I headed over to Ulta & Sephora.
I was looking for a new pastel nail polish to go with my other purchases. When I saw that this light purple shade was called “Julie“, it was a no-brainer.
I also got some Tarte Maracuja-C Brightener eye cream. I used to get enough eye creams in my Birchboxes that I was set, but I cancelled my subscription in December.
Also featured, Tarte blush in Frisky and my go-to mascara. Although, I may have a new go-to mascara after getting a sample of Benefit’s They’re Real! mascara. Loving it!!
Have you made any fun purchases recently??
Shortly after I got back from Cleveland, I was off to Omaha to spend the weekend with my BFF Chris. I wanted to visit Chris in Omaha before he moved (back to Charlotte). And it didn’t hurt that Bryan Adams was in town for an acoustic concert. I love me some BA!! 
It was a weekend filled with food, drink, shopping, and music. My favorites things! We checked out DJ’s Dugout Sports Bar, The Zin Room (yum!), and Upstream Brewing Company. I know we also went to an Irish bar that was in a basement and it kind of freaked me out…like I could see a random fight breaking out at any moment! So, it must have been an authentic Irish bar. 
Chris lived right by the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, which is also known as the Iowa/Nebraska bridge. I loved this bridge and part of town. This was the view from Chris’ balcony. Of course, I made him walk the bridge with me. Wait, I’m in Iowa…no I’m in Nebraska!
After our walk, we went to Aksarben Village to walk around the art festival. Aksarben = Nebraska spelled backwards…Google is a wonderful thing. The first thing on my agenda though was coffee!
I was immediately drawn to Jones Bros. Cupcakes. This place was a-jumpin’ too!
My favorite piece from the art festival.
My favorite stop in the Aksarben Village was by far the Luvbird Boutique. It was so cute!! I could have done a lot more damage in that store.
After trying & failing to get donuts on Saturday night, I still had donuts on the brain come Monday morning. So immediately after Chris got up on Monday morning, I said…let’s go get donuts!!
My last day in Omaha was spent shopping and gambling at the casino. We didn’t win any money. :/
Happy Hour at Roja Mexican Grill before the concert
En route to the concert
6th row for the concert! It was a great show…acoustic is the way to see Bryan Adams. It was my 3rd time seeing him and the best yet. And can’t wait to visit Chris again in Charlotte this time in 2013!
How was your Labor Day weekend??
I spent my weekend helping the economy by shopping! And watching 1000 episodes of The Hills. Seriously, I can’t believe I got sucked into the marathon on MTV, but I sure went for it.
Do you like when bloggers show you things they’ve recently bought? No—then yeah, you can go ahead and click off of this post. But I personally love it!
Geometric coffee cups
Yellow cereal bowls
Wooden bowls….good for chips or popcorn. I put one my desk to hold random change.
These smell so good! Philosophy “I Love Candy Corn” body wash/bubble bath; 2 candles from Target — Spiced Pumpkin Amaretto & Caramel Buttercream
Adding to my owl decor! Found the 3 larger owls at Marshall’s
Orange utensil caddy…it’s bright, I know…but…
…it goes pretty well with the orange in my Margaritaville machine.
Steve Madden purse
Jessica Simpson purse
I’m going out of town to Cleveland next week for work and wanted a new purse. I can’t decide which one to bring.
Do you have a preference between the 2 purses?
This past weekend, I went to the Austin Craft Riot at the Palmer Events Center. It’s like a big Etsy store under one roof! Okay, it wasn’t that big, but it was free admission so no complaints!
Here’s the loot that I got.
Spot o’ Tea necklace from Poppy and Fern. It was just too adorable not to get! I told the vendor, “I’m not sure why I’m so drawn to this necklace, but it just makes me smile!”
Recipe Book Stand from Hammer It Out
It’s one of those things that I’ve wanted for a while, but never thought of when I was out & about. So handy!
I’m in love with these tea towel from Fisk & Fern. It was hard to only pick two. Funny that I went for coffee when I’m trying to wean myself off caffeine…
Triangle earrings made from vintage tins cans from Fat Cat Studio. These earrings are way cooler than I am.
Necklace (I’ve already won it and gotten compliments.) from SoCoDivka Designs. I had the hardest time deciding what necklace to get from here. It was all so great! Now I’m lusting over this owl necklace from her vintage site.
Happy Tuesday!!
1. I finally got on the Downton Abbey bandwagon this week! Please tell me that Mr. Bates and Anna get married!! When will MY Mr. Bates come into my life?! I may throw a temper tantrum if Season 2 Disc 1 isn’t in my mailbox tomorrow.
2. I’ve been dreaming of Trader Joe’s horseradish pub cheese since I had it at my friend, Sarah’s, in Charlotte. Sadly, there is no TJ’s in Austin (until next year!) But I did find Pub Cheese at Super Target this week!! Hot Buffalo Wing flavored pretzels dipped in pub cheese…DO IT!
3. After reading so many positive things about the Clarisonic, I bought one myself. I’ve always had bad skin, which at 33 years old is utterly unfair. Clarisonic, bring me a skin miracle!
4. I went to JCP this week to buy my Mom a Mother’s Day present. Annnnd, I bought myself this ring and 2 pairs of sunglasses. Loving the ring!
Don’t worry…I got Mom a present too.
5. I gave Haley a bath yesterday. Ha! Obviously, you can tell that she just looooooves baths. Hehehe. She will turn ignore me for the next 48 hours to punish me for her bath torture.
Have a great Cinco de Mayo / Kentucky Derby Day!
My March trip to Austin via pictures.
The view during dinner at the River Pub in San Marcos, TX.
The crazy good Prince cocktail at Feast restaurant in San Antonio. Gin & tonic, sweet & serrano peppers, & cilantro.
What a creepy beer bottle label!!! Dinner at The Monterey in San Antonio.
My aunt & uncle had the inside track on a hole-in-the-wall burger joint inside the Buda Grocery & Grill. The food was great! The service was another story.
After Lunch in Buda, we did some shopping along Main Street. I’m still in love with this ring that I got at Buda’s Red Door.
My Dad asked me if I was going to get a pair of cowboy boots now that I live in Texas. Maybe I will!
We also went to Gruene, TX for some shopping and wine tasting. I got a bottle of Blueberry Shiraz and Seville Orange Sangria from the Winery on the Gruene.
I was amazed by these HUGE wind chimes in Gruene too.
Happy Saturday! I hope your day is filled with blue skies!!
1. I recently signed up for a Birchbox subscription. Once a month, you get a box with 4-5 beauty samples. It’s not practical, but it’s fun.
I got my first Birchbox this month. It had: Jouer lipgloss (the color is less harsh when you’re wearing it than in the tube), Juicy Couture perfume (which I’ve already used it all), Zoya nail polish (currently wearing it & liking it a lot), and some eye cream. Ladies can always use eye cream!!!
2. Self-serve froyo places are the BEST!
I could have gotten a separate bowl just for more Twix bars too.
3. I got the Camera+ app on my iPhone this week. I learned about it from Janetha. It’s awesome!!
My favorite Haley picture so far:
4. I got these cute Valentine’s Day towels from my friend, Amy, for my birthday!
Owl Be Yours
5. I’m in gift card heaven currently. Hello Starbucks, iTunes, Target, and Best Buy. I’m currently saving up for an iPad from Best Buy. Wheeeeeew. :)
1. I’m loving my new Swivel Store spice organizer. It’s so much easier to find spices now and takes up so little space! I may need to get a 2nd one.
2. I’m stoked to be hanging out all day tomorrow with my nephew, Noah. He may not be stoked after he learns what’s on the agenda: grocery store, PetSmart, Sephora, Bath & Body Works, and Bed, Bath, & Beyond.
3. In less than 2 weeks, I’ll be in Charlotte for a few days. Can’t wait to have wine & sushi with Sarah!
4. I just started Sarah Jio’s newest book on Friday night and already love it!
5. This little girl just wanted to say Hey.
If you need me, I’ll be watching the Golden Globes and wishing that I was Stacy Keibler!
If you missed day one & two, please click here!
Sunday was a GREAT day in Austin. I spent the day exploring the city and getting the vibe.
But first off, brunch!
Threadgill’s had been around since the 1930′s and it said to be where Janis Joplin got her start.
Their theme:
Dang. It’s that good.
What are sport peppers??? I tried to get my cousin’s son to try one, but he wasn’t brave enough. I googled it and sport peppers are typically added on Chicago style hot dogs. Now I know!
My brunch: potatoes, eggs, watermelon, sausage, biscuit & gravy. And coffee, of course!
They put tortilla chip strips on top of the eggs. Is the normal in Texas?? It was good, but didn’t necessarily add anything to them.
I enjoyed the vibe at Threadgill’s. There are pictures everywhere of different musicians that have played there. There was also a really nice Gospel band playing in the back room on Sunday. I would like to go back at night to hear other music and have some beers.
After brunch, I was off to spend the afternoon with my aunt Ann & uncle Bob!
One of the top things on my list…
The Whole Foods flagship store!!!!!! O.M.G. it’s so big and wonderful and magical.
I love sandwiches about as much as Joey from Friends.
Seriously?! It’s a never ending salad bar.
Holy Cow! Literally…holy cow…look at all of that cheese!
Between the wine tasting, beer tasting, and all the free sample stations…you can have a good time at Whole Foods!
Standing by all this fruit made me feel healthy. Ha!
Part two tomorrow…..with BATS!
If you missed day one, click here!
On day two of vacation, I didn’t make it to Austin. Oops!! I stayed down in Kyle (where my family lives) and San Marcos. On Saturday morning, we went to my cousin’s son’s T-ball game.
Run!!!!!! I have to say my cousin’s son, Austin (they named him that before they moved to TX), is pretty awesome! He’s super talkative which I loved. I haven’t seen him in a few months, so I figured he’d be shy at first. But he was a chatterbug the whole time I saw him. We’re BFF’s.
After the game, my aunt Jill and I went to San Marcos to hit up the outlet malls!!!! They have two big outlet malls in San Marcos, which I couldn’t pass up. We actually only made it to 1 of the malls before I was broke tired.
Some of my purchases:
Skirt from the Gap (I got 2 shirts & a sweater from Ann Taylor Loft too that I didn’t photograph.)
These cute coffee dessert plates. I’m saving them to display in my new kitchen for whenever I move (next April hopefully!). It will be my design inspiration piece.
Fall place mats from Marshall’s
Cute platter
Halloween cookie cutters, which I’m 100% sure I won’t use before Halloween. But it will be fun to forget about them and then find them again next year when I unpack Halloween decorations. Surprise!! I should use the fall leaf cookie cutter before Thanksgiving though! That’s a good tangible goal for me.
Toasted coconut body wash & lemon lotion….which I needed like a hole in the head, but I’m a girl and couldn’t resist.
Blue wallet from Fossil and an owl wallet from Marshall’s. When I checked out at Marshall’s, the cashier asked me if I saw the panda wallet too. I said, yes I did…but owls are more awesome, first off. And secondly, at 32 years old I’m already too old for this owl wallet probably…and I’m DEFINITELY too old for a panda wallet.
I do get compliments on my owl wallet from the 19 year old baristas at Starbucks though.
Blue/grey clutch from Fossil….$15, y’all!
Grey purse from Fossil…….I got a watch from Fossil too and a bracelet that I failed to photograph.
Dang, I spent a lot of money. I blame my aunt. She was an enabler. “Oh you’re on vacation!!” “It’s okay to treat yourself!” “Just use a credit card!” Ha!
And my most favorite purchase……
Say hello to my gold Coach bag. I heart it. She’s my new baby. I feel like a fancy pants when I tote it around.
After spending all that money, I needed alcohol! It was back to my aunt & uncle’s for a BBQ.
Would you like a margarita or a Bloody Mary? I opted for one of each. My uncle Carl was a great bartender. He made me a Bloody Mary the next morning too.
My aunt Jill & aunt Ann
The 3 of us boozing it up!
OH OH OH…..if you live anywhere there is an HEB grocery store, BUY THIS.
Roasted Pineapple & Habanero Dip….oh, you can buy it online too. I need to do that.
Take that baby & pour it over a block of cream cheese.
Devour it with crackers. Nomnomnomnom.
Cheeseburgers. I never did figure out why one lone burger had a Kraft single and the rest had “real” cheese.
Baked beans
Queso & chips. Now, they dip their Nacho cheese Doritos in queso. That’s….weird, to me at least! I tried it. I’m adventurous like that. I still prefer the classic plain tortilla chip for my queso though!
After dinner, we played poker. I lost. No surprise there!
That wraps up my day of helping revive the economy with my spending!
(This recapping is fun for me! I’m getting to relive the whole trip. Not sure why I procrastinated on blogging for so long!!)
More tomorrow!!!
