A couple of weeks ago, I met up with some of my long time blog friends for a conference with our ad network, AdThrive, in Austin, TX. It was a very good conference and I think we all came away with more things to do on our blogs. It’s always something, that’s for sure! Running a blog is not an easy thing and there’s always more to learn.
We stayed in an Air BNB in Austin and the conference was two days. One of the highlights of the conference was getting to hear and meet Ben and Erin from the HGTV show, Hometown. I’m a big fan of their show and was delighted to hear that they would be at the conference speaking.
It was so fun to get to chat with Erin and Ben for a minute. I really am a fan of their show and am looking forward to the new season in January.
I got another official pic with them with the backdrop of the Summit.
And my long time blog friends, Sarah, Chris and Beth and do you recognize that guy in the middle? It’s Andrew Shue who played Billy on Melrose Place many years ago. We’ve met him before since he is one of the partners in our ad network and he’s always fun to chat with.
Here we all are lounging by the pool on a break one afternoon. Traci was with us too. The Haven girls reunited!
Chris, Traci and I stayed an extra day and drove to Waco for the day. We didn’t realize when we decided to do this little jaunt that it was going to be Silobration weekend, but it ended up being fine. They had a shuttle service that took us from the college parking lot to the Silos, so that was easy. We spent just a couple of hours at the Silos and then drove around town for a bit.
There were a ton of people there and we were glad we got there early in the day as it got worse and worse as the morning went on.
We made a point of going in Magnolia first and we were so glad we did since when we came out, the lines were wrapped around the building waiting to go in.
This is my second visit to Magnolia and the Silos and it’s always fun to see how it’s decorated for the seasons. They do a beautiful job with styling all the home decor items.
I didn’t buy anything but enjoyed looking around.
Joanna’s touch is everywhere in Magnolia.
It’s going to be fun to see what they do on their new TV network next year. I’m excited to see which direction it will go and if they are doing another show or not.
Joanna has such a unique style that has really transformed farmhouse style into a household name, but I don’t think it can last forever. I’m already starting to see signs that it’s waning and I wonder what the next thing will be. Chippy white, signs everywhere, neutral decor, I just don’t think it will last for much longer.
How about you?
Magnolia is a beautiful place to visit though and we enjoyed seeing it.
There are so many pretty things to see on the Silos campus.
Of course, we had to wait in line for cupcakes and it was worth the wait again.
We had a sweet treat (I got the Lemon Lavendar again, sooooo delicious) and a sweet sip from Urban Sips, which is owned by Instagram mega couple Brad and Holly with Our Faux Farmhouse. The combo was so tasty!
I have not idea what that blurry thing is on the left, but I wanted a pic of the Silobration sign. They had a big concert there that night, but we didn’t stay all day.
There was even a ferris wheel on site for the festivities, but we didn’t ride it.
Perfect spot for a photo.
Those Silos such make a breath taking site with all the neat buildings all around.
Chip and Joanna have recently opened The Magnolia Press coffee shop just down from the Silos. There was a long line to get in, so we didn’t wait. Have you heard about their new hotel they are going to renovate and open? They have got so much going on!
Since we had a car, we made the trip to Bosque Ave. and Joanna’s first shop that she opened in Waco.
There were quite a few things there to buy, but I only bought a trio of faux flowers and forgot to take a pic. You’ll probably see them in my house in the spring, they were so life like.
And one more stop before heading back to Austin, we found out where Chip and Joanna’s farmhouse was located and drove out to see it. They have a beautiful white fence all around their property and we could see their pretty house and outbuildings situated among all those trees. It was a beautiful setting and about 20 minutes from downtown Waco.
We had a fun trip, it’s always fun to get together with my blog friends for a few days and a treat to go to Waco too. Hope you enjoyed my recap of Austin and Waco. We ate some good tacos and BBQ brisket in Austin while we were there and had some good eats as well!
You know that all things trendy eventually come to an end and then cycle back around in the future, or a new twist on an old idea. I love elements of farmhouse style but think anything can be overdone. Personally I’ve grown tired of grey paint in every room of the house, white kitchen cabinets, stainless steel appliances and signs everywhere. Honestly, some of the “Friday features” you show I find down right boring. But I will always love you and your blog, especially hearing about the South where my mother was from and stories about your family.❤️
HI, Karen, yes I’m waiting for farmhouse to cycle back out and I know something will take its place. I like farmhouse for the most part, but it is so overdone. All the houses look so much alike and I certainly don’t want my house to look like everyone else’s. I love being an individual with my decorating and trying to keep things classic.
Looks like it was a very nice and fun trip! Glad you got away for a few days and met up with your friends. It’s always great to do vacations with husbands but, girlfriend trips are good for the soul too. I love the look of farmhouse but just never jumped the fence.
I was tired of neutral everything about five years or more ago. Grey is so depressing, why would you want it on the walls in the house? Pretty sure it’s destined to be a what were we thinking of and the avocado green of its era. I’m definitely a color gal.
Hi, Jan, I’m with you, I have to have color in my house and I think neutral is sort of boring too. It really has to be done well for me to want to live in neutral. I’ll take color too!
Rhoda, thank you so much for sharing your photos and experiences in Austin and Waco. We had been going to Austin every year around October-November – stopping off in Waco to visit Magnolia Market – but we have not been able to make the trip the last two years. I so enjoyed your photos – especially the ones of Magnolia Market. Joanna Gaines and her team of designers are so talented. I agree that Farmhouse style won’t last forever. It looks to me like Industrial Style is the next Big Thing. I think Joanna can easily transition from her take on Farmhouse to Industrial.
Nope, never got on that gray and white, scratched and chipped furniture, signs all over the house. 🤦♀️ I am a color girl, bring on the blues, greens and oranges! I was never a person that wanted my house to match everyone else’s! That’s why I’ve been a fan of your blog! Keep on being you Rhoda!
Thank you, Rebecca, I hear you! I’ve never been on that band wagon either and I know it can’t last forever. It’s already starting to be everywhere and when that happens, it’s the kiss of death. It won’t be too soon for me, I’m very tired of it all.
Thanks for the photo journey!
Rhoda, did you notice how much the couple with HGTV show from MS-how much she looks like your neice Lauren?
Yes, so many people have said that especially when Lauren’s hair was short. I didn’t notice it at first but I can definitely see it.
What a fun trip! I never tire of seeing Magnolia / the Silos and all the new projects Chip and Joanna are unveiling. Farms house isn’t my style but I appreciate it and enjoy it and look forward to the new network. I visited Waco two and a half years ago and feel it’s time to go back … so many new things are happening and those cupcakes alone are worth the trip! xo
Hi Rhoda,
Glad you enjoyed the trip! I know you say you are not the farmhouse type, but it sounds like it’s a great place to visit. I would love to take a girls trip some day 🙂
Hi, Robbie, it is fun to visit, just not my particular style. I love Chip and Jo!
The sign thing – I don’t get it at all. One maybe, and a few more at Christmas, but I saw one decor magazine recently and a feature in it had so many signs in the house (I counted over 20!) that I felt like I was in a rest area on the Turnpike! 😀
I still love gray – I find it soothing after a frantic day at the office, but I’m also experimenting with color.
Hi, Pamela, I agree, the abundance of signs is just all over the place and I don’t get it either. I’ve had 2 or 3, but even got tired of those.
Fun trip to see through your eyes and camera. I have NO desire to go there. I am way tired of the look and hope Jo and Chip have something in mind for the future or this will be a dead spot some day soon. I like individual design! Keep it coming.
HI, Gayle, I’m with you. I’ve been twice but really have no desire to go back. It was worth it to see everything once and the cupcakes are always worth it!
Ha, when I was about 13, my cousin and I got a Brillo pad and scrubbed my country grandmother’s authentically chippy white pie safe and re-painted it white. We did a bad job, but needless to say, I have never liked chippy anything, ever.
Nancy, great story!
The next time you’re in Austin, be sure to visit Fredericksburg, about 90 minutes west of Austin in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. ItSandy’s definitely worth the drive!
I think the influence that Joanna has had on so many younger women and their homes is astounding. She is right up there in my eyes with Martha Stewart. She and Chip are quite a team. Both creatives coupled with business savvy. No, their brand can’t stay at the height it has been for several years but they will figure out a way to carry their name and brand forward into the future and develop new looks. I think Joanna has already changed her style quite a bit from when Fixer Upper first debuted. Her designs are much more modern with deeper, saturated colors. I’ve been to Waco and the Silos, it was extremely enjoyable. But will probably never find my way back there again. I do look forward to their new network. Thank you Rhoda for sharing your trip. Always enjoy your blog!
HI, Libby, thanks for stopping by! I agree they have had a major impact on design and I loved their shows a lot. Can’t wait to see where they end up on their new network. I’m sure it will be a fresh take on things.