Last weekend was my first trip to Austin. My question is, why did no one tell me my town was just 3 hours south of me for the last 14 years of my life? This city is so me I can’t take it. The wall art, the eccentric people, the dog friendly restaurants, bike lanes, delicious food and overall fantastic atmosphere was too much to take. I am going to live there, I am confident about that. I can’t imagine living anywhere with a budding advertising career, a puppy and wanting to have fun in my 20’s. So, while I ferociously job hunt in Austin, I will be hunting in Dallas to make sure I absorb every ounce of the town I’ve taken for granted. I did my best not to post too many pictures of my friends and I making the same poses in front of the same hot tourist spots but I gave in a little. What I didn’t post were pictures of the vintage shops that I could have played dress up in for hours while searching Pinterest for ways to make them updated. Unfortunately, a barista’s salary can only purchase so much little. I did manage, however, to purchase a pair of big clip on vintage earrings that I die for - hence the awkward ear picture that if it wasn’t for the earrings would never be seen by anyone but me and instagram.
Places and things to obsess over:
Spider House: This place had a very ‘too cool’ attitude. The patio was two levels of wooden deck with multicolored Christmas lights draping overhead. Inside, the effect of Christmas lights continued inside over the heads of chess players, a gentleman reading at the bar and then groups of friends chatting in old booths and chairs. The walls were covered in sharpie so you can write and have your quote or autograph fossilized for many spider house visitors to come. The menu was delicious. You could have a latte, hot chocolate with alcohol, a margarita or a jack and coke - and everything in between. I could live here.
Hi, how are you wall is located right by their campus on the side of what I think was Thai food? Perhaps? I don’t know the history behind it (don’t worry, I will) but it’s an Austin tourism staple picture.
Uncommon Objects is a store PACKED with random antique-y stuff, but in a cool hip Austin way. It’s not necessarily cheap stuff, my earrings were $15. But each object is very unique. They have picture frames, decor, and vintage accessories.
Coffee shops are my favorite thing. I worked at Starbucks because I loved it over local coffee shops. Now as a barista, I love every coffee shop that isn’t Starbucks. Thanks to Around Me, I found some great ones! A place called Joe (or something like that) is right on South Congress. You can walk up to the counter as you’re walking down the street and grab a cup of coffee. And check out the I love you so much sign. The picture of the tea pot is what I received at breakfast on Saturday morning - is it not just adorable? Not to mention delicious. On Monday morning I woke up at 7 am (curse of being a barista, 7 is over sleeping) and instead of waking up the whole house I went and explored. I found a shop called Full Moon (again, or something like that). This place had the most delicious latte I’ve ever had. They make their own sweet milk which they use in their either Half Moon or Full Moon latte. I dream of this latte. I spent far too much money on tea and coffee in Austin. But hey, it’s one of my passions and I don’t regret a single sip of that latte.
Book People is a huge bookstore in Austin. It was Barnes and Noble size with the personality of a whole in the wall bookstore. Here I purchased a book called 36 Hours *You can find it here http://www.amazon.com/The-New-York-Times-Hours/dp/3836526395/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331602723&sr=1-1 * It’s 150 cities and what you should do when you visit for the weekend - hence, 36 hours. This store is definitely worth a look!
Cream Vintage is a store located right by campus. It is pure vintage and pure mint.
Puppy Friendly is a big deal in Austin. Many restaurants are walk up, so you can hang with your dog on the patio and a lot of Austinites walk around with their dogs across town. To say I love my dog is an understatement. I’d love to proudly show off his OU jersey on the streets of Austin.
Sixth Street is obviously too much fun. If any of those bars were in any other town (say, Norman) they would be the most popular bar in town. I would like to explore 6th street more during the day when there isn’t a constant stampede of people filling the streets. The Live Music Capital of the World sign is located on 6th and is another tourist must.
The Capital is a good place to go.. we walked in..and then we walked out. I think that was pretty good of us.
