Instead of having a graduation party, I decided I wanted to go on a trip instead! I had no idea where I wanted go. My mom knows I love the show Fixer Upper and I have read all of Chip and Joanna's books, guides, blogs, and journals. She suggested we go to Waco, Texas where Magnolia is! I was all in. I thought a little about going to an island of some sort but in Waco there is everything I love and I can go to an island later.
So here's the start. My mom and I arrived at the airport... read to find out what comes next :)
We got to our hotel around 7 so we went out for dinner at a place called the back yard bbq. Theres a place where they hold outdoor concerts and its a really fun environment. They have pretty good sliders too.
In the morning we got an early start and went to the Magnolia Silo Bakery. We got cupcakes and coffee and the whole time I had a great big smile on my face because I didn't think I'd actually be there! We went outside to eat and then walked around, still in awe of the fact that we were in the place Chip and Jo talked about in their books. The silos are not in the country like I thought. They are kinda downtown in the city. At first I was like oh... but it is actually more special that way. I am used to having silos out in the country where there aren't many people around. But here, in the middle of all of these roads and buildings, there is a spot where people can come and play, eat, read, shop and just slow down and realize what an amazing space it is.
After getting our cupcakes and coffee, we walked through the garden and just sat and relaxed until the store opened ( the bakery opens earlier than the store and if you're an early bird you don't have to wait in the line that sometimes wraps around the building).
We were waiting in line for the store to open and go in. I had a moment where I was looking around and just seeing the people from all over who came to see Magnolia. Everyone was so happy to be there, you could see it on their faces. I started getting all teary eyed and it made me feel like an old woman who cries over commercials. I was like "Elise stop, just be a non emotional teenager." but then I was like "yeah this is a normal reaction because this place and environment is freaking awesome and so positive."
When we walked in the doors if you were looking at me you would have seen my eyes grow two times bigger. There was everything Magnolia and the store was so much bigger than I thought it would be. It was every design, book, bag, pillow, and decoration that I love all in one place.
My mom and I got to talking with this woman in the store who was in charge of selling the leather bags and jewelry (my favorite section). She asked why we were here and we told her about the graduation situation and that it was my birthday. We moved on to look around in the other huge room of things and the woman came back with another cupcake for me! She handed it to me and gave me a hug for my birthday. I told you this environment was positive.
After we were all done in the store, we saw there was a free trolley from magnolia around the city giving tours and you can hop on and off anywhere on the route. We hopped on and got off at this big store called "Spice Village" that everyone talked about. We checked it out and then went back out to get the trolley and get some protein from one of the food trucks back at magnolia. It turns out if I only have cupcakes for breakfast passing out later becomes a slight risk. I didn't pass out and we got some avocado toast with egg... the best avocado toast with egg I've ever had.
We drove around the city some more, looked in shops, went to Baylor University, and saw some of the houses that were on the show. We also went to the little store where magnolia first started out. We also stopped at Harp Design, the company by Clint. He's the guy who does the wood working for Chip and Jo.
The next morning we had breakfast at Magnolia Table. They usually have long lines and wait times to eat so they designed a space for kids to play, a coffee and juice place to get drinks, a gift shop to browse, and a sitting area so waiting for a table isn't boring at all. We went in the middle of the week so we had to wait for our seat for about 5 minutes. Plus we said we were alright with the bar seating so we got in faster. The inside of the restaurant was beautiful. The food was amazing, and everyone was so kind.
For the remainder of the trip, my mom and I traveled around. We hit some big cities and we went to the Stockyards where the town felt like you were in a western movie. My mom is the ultimate trip researcher and she found a free jazz concert at this huge Library of the next town we stayed at. I never used to listen to jazz music a lot but now it's a playlist on my phone if that tells you anything about how good it was. We also went to a super cute coffee shop...a few actually, and different shopping towns where I basically emptied my wallet. We had lunch at a really pretty restaurant where even though it was scorching hot, we sat on the patio because it was so beautiful.
Tips for Traveling to Texas and Magnolia:
- Go during the week. There aren't as many people.
- Get to the bakery when it opens or shortly after. The line isn't so long and there are seats.
- Don't pack a sweatshirt. It's really hot. Maybe just for the plane.
- Magnolia and Waco only take up 1-2 days. Plan things in other towns as well you want to see or do.
- Pack light if you're flying. There are lots of things that you'll want to take back home.
- If you're going to Magnolia, read the books! It's so cool picturing in your head what Chip and Jo talk about and then seeing the real thing when you go.
- keep a journal. Write down things in detail so you can go back and remember it exactly. And write down the little things you might not remember on top of the big ones.
- Eat a cupcake. They're famous.
My advice:
If you ever get a chance to go to Waco, do it.
Comments