Happy FRIDAY friends! How is everyone's week going?? I've been watching the news and it looks like a large majority of the country has been getting some rotten weather lately - what's with all of this snow, rain, tornados and mudslides?! I wish I could say that I know how you are feeling, but unfortunately for you (and very fortunately for me) we're not having those same problems here in Austin. As a matter of fact as I'm writing this, I am sitting outside at a coffee shop with a sundress and sandals on. It's 85 and sunny right now, with a pretty good breeze. To be frank, it's totally beautiful. I'm sorry for all of you with bad weather. I feel for you - I really do. Praying that nicer weather is just around the corner. Okay friends, that's enough talk about the weather. Let's chat about something more fun, say like a girls weekend??! A couple of weeks ago two of my very best college girlfriends came to Austin for about a week to visit me. You may or may not remember me mentioning this visit a few months back on one of my other blog posts, but let me remind you about these two gals. Meet Kristin (blonde, left) and Sarah (brunette, right) In college we had our little group of 5 of us that did just about everything together and all I can say is that these people are just about as good as they get and I couldn't love them more. Here is full the crew. We missed you, Irene + Katy!!! So Sarah and Kristin came to visit me for the week. The funny thing is, is that I just so happened to get sick right before they came . . . how does that happen? I HAVE NO IDEA. It was bad timing, y'all. Really bad timing and totally unfortunate. I was honestly sick the whole time my friends were here and to be honest with you, I am a really miserable sick person. When I don't feel well, you know. There is just no hiding it for me. (just ask Taylor) BUT, my friends had flown hundreds of miles to see me and we hadn't seen each other since my wedding almost a year and half ago, so I was beyond determined to suck it up and enjoy the week. And for the most part, I did! I have to give Taylor a little shoutout here, because, most days I felt okay and was able to be out and about doing whatever it was that we were doing, but I felt the worst at night and at that point all I wanted to do was lay in my bed and go to sleep. Well, bless Taylor's heart, because he sat up with my girlfriends and hung out with them while I couldn't. He was taking care of me and hanging out with my friends when really what he needed to be doing most was studying for school. It's the little things like that which makes me totally adore my husband. #husbandwin In all honesty though, to not be able to hang out with my friends at night was tough for me. It's funny, when I thought of my friends coming I was excited to show them around and go see all of the cool things that there is to do in Austin, but it was the late night talks at 1 am and moments of us all trying to squeeze into one bed just cause we wanted to be together that I missed this trip. HOWEVER, the trip was AMAZING and just seeing my friends was totally and completely needed and all together wonderful. Here's a recap of our girls week! T-Minus one minute after we were all reunited! SO MUCH LOVE! A selfie in bed, because why the heck not?! And snapchat filters for the WIN! The second day the girls were in town we went to dinner at The Oasis here in Austin - if you are visiting Austin, this place is an absolute MUST. I'll be honest with you here - the food was decent (not amazing, but good), but honestly it's all about the experience and the view. The view is so beautiful - This is one of the days that I was feeling pretty lousy and I wish I had been feeling a bit better, because we heard that there was dancing on the top floor - how fun!! But y'all seriously - check out this view. How beautiful is that?? We got some margarita's and just hung out for a while. It was just glorious. I sure do love this place. . . . . The next day we went to M A G N O L I A, because what girls trip is complete without a trip to Magnolia? I may have made the girls each get a mason jar of Alabama Sweet Tea, because it's delicious and the perfect sweet treat for the warm Texas heat. #IthinkIconvertedthemtosweetteadrinkers Sadly, this is the day I probably felt the worst and so I ended up just sitting on the beanbags on the lawn, while Sarah and Kristin wandered around checking out the market, silos, garden, etc. On a high note - we did get lunch at the Silos from Chedder Box, which is a gourmet grilled cheese food truck and Y'ALL! That stuff is no joke - it is so stinking good. If you're visiting the Silos, hit up Cheddar Box for lunch. You won't be disappointed. #treatyoself If you're in Waco, here are some favorite places to check out: Magnolia Market + Silos (Obviously) Magnolia Table The Findery Common Grounds Heritage Ice Cream Cameron Park . . . . The next day we designated to all things downtown. We had Taylor drop us off right downtown and throughout the day we made our way all around and saw all the downtown hotspots. We started on Congress Avenue and walked up towards the Capital and then walked back down to the infamous sixth street and then alllllll the way to South Congress. From South Congress we walked along the river and headed over to Rainey Street. We did make several stops along the way to shop and of course eat and have drinks! We ended the day on Rainey Street and I think I can speak for all of us and say that our favorite downtown spot is Rainey Street - I'm not sure that it's a spot that many visitors know about, especially because sixth street is what most people associate downtown Austin with, but Rainey Street is the place to go. It's my favorite. Taylor's favorite. And now Sarah and Kristin's favorite. We went to this fun bar first and y'all, how cute is it?! The story behind Rainey Street is that it was an old, worn down street with a bunch of houses that were just falling apart and then at one point people began coming in and restoring these little old houses and turning them into super cute bars. And wala, this beautiful street was born! You really can't go wrong with any of the bars on Rainey Street, but our for sure favorite is Bangers Sausage House and Biergarten. . . . . The next day we hung out at The Domain, which is a fun and really big outdoor shopping center in north Austin. I like to call the Domain a city of it's own - it has shopping, restaurant, bars, workout studios, coffee shops, offices and all that you could ever need. It's a fun spot. We spent the next day out and about at the domain doing some shopping and then had lunch at Culinary Dropout, which is a favorite of ours here. And then that night we took it easy and just spent some time at home relaxing, because early the next morning Kristin was heading out on a flight home. #sadday . . . . So Kristin headed out early on Thursday morning and then it was just Sarah and I for one more day (she was heading out early on Friday morning) Sarah and I like to joke and say that we're each other's picture buddy, because for whatever reason we seem to look better in pictures whenever we are together. I'm really not sure why that is, but we love it. Whenever we get together we tend to go a little picture crazy . . . we just can't help it. That last day the two of us made it a pool day complete with chips, salsa and margaritas. #lifesnecessities And then we called it a day and she was headed back to Chicago early the next morning - I wish I could say that I woke up and took her to the airport, but Taylor got up and took her for me. Seriously y'all, bless that mans heart. Then my friends were gone, I kept being sick and life went back to normal. Aside from being sick, it was the best week with my best girlfriends. I miss them all the time and just to spend a week with them even once a year is the biggest blessing. People - find your tribe and love them hard. Don't let them go and cherish the time you have with them. I'm grateful everyday to call these people my friends - until next time, girls!
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Hi sweet friends! I'm telling you, these past couple of months have been CRAZY! Life is just busy y'all. But it's all good stuff and I'm feeling pretty grateful these days. There is so much to share and I decided that as I get back into this whole blogging thing, I will share all that our little family has been up to lately over the course of a few blog posts. So with that being said - let's start with most recently . . . MY BABY SISTER GETTING MARRIED LAST WEEKEND! Cue all the tears!!! Oh you guys, doesn't she look beautiful?? I can't even believe that she is married - my heart still feels like it is going to burst because it is just so full of joy and happiness from this past weekend. Honestly, I expected to get a little bit emotional at the wedding, but y'all , I was a full on blubbering mess through most of the day. I was doing just fine until she put on her dress and then all of us bridesmaids and my mom surrounded her in prayer - it was at that point where I (and the rest of the girls) completely lost it. I'm a little nervous to see the pictures of that whole shindig - If I wasn't trying to wipe the tears from my eyes, I was trying to hold my nose from running like a faucet and well neither of those are pretty scenes. Catie - I apologize in advance for those photos. But all kidding aside, that moment was one that I don't think I will ever forget. It was so beautiful. Then it was time to walk down the aisle - Taylor and I walked down together and then when Catie and my dad walked down I lost it again (this time in front of the whole church). It was just so sweet and bless Matt's dad - he completely lost it up at the alter and just looking at him had all of us in tears. Honestly, for not thinking that I'd cry much, I did my FAIR share. The whole day was beautiful and it was everything that Catie and Matt had envisioned for their wedding. And now they are in ROME on possibly the most magical honeymoon EVER! I LOVE wedding weekends - they bring so many people together. A lot our family lives out of state and most of us don't get to see each other often, so when we have opportunities like this to all be together, we seriously have the BEST time. Taylor + I were feeling dapper in our outfits (I actually LOVED our whole look) A preview into what the professional photos are going to look like - eeeek! We had family and friends come in town from all over the place - California, Chicago, Virginia Beach, Texas, Utah, Georgia and a ton of other places. My aunt Janice and cousin Carly stayed at my parents place with Taylor, myself and the rest of our family. It was a full house and while it was hectic, busy and a little bit chaotic at times, I think I can speak for all of us staying there and say that we wouldn't of had it any other way. I love a full house. I brought my camera this weekend and took A TON of photos. I may have gone a little crazy on the picture train, but looking back at them this week has me so thankful that I took them. Here are some of my favorites - I love my family! And that's a wedding weekend wrap! . . . Have a great weekend, friends! |
I'm Emilee. 26. Homebody. Believer in a simple + intentional life. Daughter of the King. Living in Austin with my hubs. S O C I A L
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