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Austin - Family Vacation



Now that things are slowing down here at my house
(fingers crossed)
I'm sharing our family trip to Austin
for our niece's wedding.

For Christmas presents this year
we gave all of our kids and  their significant others
plane tickets and hotel stays
so our entire family could attend the wedding!

We were gone for five days
with so many different events 
I put particular care into packing my wardrobe.




I always lay out my travel wardrobe the day before
to make sure I have everything I need for a travel day.




When I travel with various events to attend
I always write out each event on a note card
then list each piece I need for a complete look.
When I travel I am definitely not the light packer
because to me 
dressing creatively is one of my art forms.
This trip was a 3 large suitcases trip.




To present the Christmas gifts to the kids
Jeff typed up a few pages describing the hotel and wedding venue.
I found these leather portfolio's at Anthropologie
added the Cocktail Kits, a patch and charm also from Anthropologie 
added some greenery and tied them with festive twine!
I was so happy how they turned out!




Oh course I got kits for Jeff and I as well!




How cute are these kits!
Complete with everything you see here.
We just had to order the alcohol!





We all stayed at Lone Star court
located in Austin's trendy Domaine.




Jeff and I had a  spacious 2 room suite.





When Ellis and I were researching Austin hotels
it was these SMEG refrigerators in every room
that really helped sell the property to us!




Sweet dining table.



Really love the sliding barn door into the bathroom.






This was our first time doing a vacation with all of our kids and their significant others.
We got rooms for each of our kids and one for us.
I have to say 
it worked out lovely!

We could get together easily on the property when we wanted
and
everyone was free to go do what ever they wanted!

It was the best of both worlds!



Jeff and I even sat outside in our rooms rockers.




 Since the wedding was over an hour out of Austin
Jeff rented a limo
so we could all enjoy the wedding.

As a Momma to these kids
having them all together for the ride out and back
was one of my favorite parts.
Reminded me of all the road trips we took while they were growing up
and 
that cozy, cozy feeling of having everyone together!




It was such a beautiful wedding
I only remembered to take a couple of pictures!
Love this one of these four!
But I didn't  even get one of Slater and his girlfriend
or even Jeff and I.




Our niece was the gorgeous bride!



How adorable are Sarah's place markers!
and
 those succulent cupcakes!! 




After the wedding festivities
Jeff and I hit the road to go explore 
some  of rural Texas!




Jeff and I are big fans of road trips and 
finding all the charm along the way!








We made our way to Waco to visit 
Magnolia Farms.

I was expecting a sweet little space
and 
was shocked by the number of people in line to just get into the store.
The wait was close to an hour ... just to get in!

If you ever plan to visit I would get there at opening
and 
not on the weekend!




How beautiful are the flowers in the entry.




The gardens are are inspirational with a sweet little gift store.

Honestly the property is beautiful
but I personally highly prefer the Magnolia  Home at Target
their Hearth and Home line.
The designs are much fresher and better quality.




Back in Austin Hunter and Megan went kayaking.
Next time I'm in Austin
I'm definitely putting that on my to do list.
What a wonderful way to get a feel for the beautiful skyline!






My favorite part of Austin was definitely South Congress
for some shopping.








The houses in the area are so charming.
I have big love for smaller homes and there were so many lovely ones!
This one helped inspire us to redo part of our front yard.




One of my Austin trip highlights was visiting my dear friend
Jen Rose Smith (on the right)
who is the Art Director for the 
Camille Style blog (Camille is on the left).

I had the pleasure of seeing their new office space
which was so remarkable.

Camille converted a small home into
a lifestyle blogging dream work studio!

Rooms were reconfigured and everything painted white.







Torches for the best tacos anywhere!




All kinds of great little shops!




Fun night life!


Great eating!!

Boy finishing this post has me missing the fabulous city of Austin!!
Have you been?




As always my friends

I wish you love and joy 
as you style your life











Hotel Saint Cecelia - Austin Texas



One of my favorite parts of our recent Austin trip was stay at the incredible

This luxury boutique hotel 
has definitely made in onto my
Favorite Hotel List!

Located in the heart of Austin's hip and lively
South Congress area
the hotel offers the perfect refuge 
from the crowds of  Austin's 
South X Southwest  yearly event.

Named after the patron saint of muscians
the design was inspired by the rock and roll of the 60's and 70's.

"We pay tribute to the great creative legacy of our revolutionary idols and to the spirit of the artist that lives within each of us"



is owned by the 

"Bunkhouse has a reputation for building memorable experiences that offer more than just a good night's sleep and a great cup of coffee. Passion for design, tireless attention to detail and a commitment to creating authentic culture have earned our properties a unique place in the hearts and minds of those who visit us"


Saint Cecelia is engulfed by  lush landscape
creating an intimate luxury retreat.

Check in is done in a quite room
that doubles as their retail shop
painted in the most marvelous peacock blue.




The view from the little lobby had me so excited to see our suite.




Since we arrived a bit early
we were given two cans of ice cold rose'
that we happily partook while sitting outside 
on the French bistro chaired patio.




Because Saint Cecilia can only be 
accessed if you are a  hotel guest
it is known for it's abundance of celebrity and musician clientele.
While we were waiting on the patio for our room
Andrew Zimmerman of the Travel channel's 
 was hard at work.




I absolutely adore hotels
that have a passion for design 
down to the smallest details 
like this leather key ring.




Opening the door to our suite we found we had an outdoor seating area in our own courtyard.






We opened the  suite door to a spacious living room.




With almost a wall of windows
which let in the Austin light.




A dining table and fully stocked bar
added some homey touches.




Unpacking had me taking accessory shots on the fantastic
turquoise floors.





The accessories made up   one of my favorite
Austin ensembles.




The view from the bedroom to the outside courtyard.




The sumptuous bed.





I was so ticked with their kimono robes
I had to buy one for home!




The medicine cabinet had quite the collection of products to buy.




Who doesn't love a large and colorful walk in shower!




After unpacking
hitting the pool was top on my agenda!



I couldn't wait to actually see in person
the iconic SOUL sign 
that the property is known for!

As soon as my darling friend
Austin it and in the know girl
Jenn Rose Smith
who is Art Director for a most  stylish blog
Camille Styles
(which I was fortunate to visit and will share in next week's Austin post)
suggested I might enjoy
The Saint Cecelia Hotel
I looked it up
and 
knew any hotel with a
SOUL sign was a place I needed to see!




We enjoyed an alfresco lunch by the pool.




And as soon as I read you could only access the property if you stayed there
I knew it was exactly where I wanted to 
splurge and stay for my birthday!!







More rooms of their most lovely property.



View from the upstairs terrace.




The bar in the lounge.
Check out the stunning white peacock!




The lounge is a perfect place to people watch.



While in Austin I searched for 
a fabulous accessory
to remember our trip.
My new felted Stetson from the iconic
 was my find!




And back to speaking about design details
my obsession with these egg cups 
has me on new vintage hunts!
Such a simple addition can elevate even simple condiments!






While we were at the Saint Cecelia Hotel
we were able to invite Jeff's sister and her husband 
to an alfresco dinner on the patio.

So I knew I wanted a dress that said
 laid back hostessing with a glam flair.
I found this perfect  vintage dress shopping on my birthday!
It's now one of my favorites!!









A magnificent tree centers the hotel property
with a wonderful hanging chandelier.



I hope you have enjoyed my share of this 
intimate, luxury hotel that makes up
Hotel  Saint Cecelia!

Next week I will being posting one more time 
about our Austin family trip
which included a magical wedding
which was the impetus for our destination!




As always my friends

I wish you love and joy
as you style your life