Austin, you really are weird, and wonderful.

Over the summer we usually travel quite a bit.  This summer we didn't travel as much, just enjoying our new place and relaxing a bit, especially since I had a three-week residency coming up.  One trip we did make was to Austin, Texas.  

Our purpose for the trip?  Two words- Willie Nelson.  Yup.  Earlier in the summer we were talking about live music and the conversation turned to Willie...we have always said that we want to try and see him as many times as we can...just so happened to see he was playing in Austin on the Fourth of July...we've always wanted to go to Austin...we LOVE Willie so we booked plane tickets, a rental car and a cute lil' condo right in the middle of everything and made it happen.

​Side note, whenever we possible can, we try and stay in rental versus a hotel.  John and I usually use homeaway.com to find cute condos in places we travel to- we even found a cute lil' casita on one trip to San Diego with a rooftop bar/grill and it was about the same price as a hotel would have been!  The condo in Austin was one street back off the main drag- we could walk wherever we wanted!  It was nice to have a full kitchen, living room in addition to a bedroom.  It really felt like we LIVED in Austin!

Our 'home away' in Austin!

​So...here are some scenes from our trip...

Hands down, favorite shop on our trip... 

This really was a highlight of the trip.  We were on our way to breakfast (Juan in a Million, breakfast burrito, I need one now!) and I spotted the fun green sign on our drive in and we stopped after breakfast.  The owner, Raul, was super helpful...and the shop was FILLED with beautiful handmade items from South America.  I went in with the intention of buying a piece of jewelry for myself and looking for a gift for my Leo-girl's upcoming birthday.  (mission accomplished!)  Raul told me about the different pieces and was really helpful.

I had noticed the art on the wall...and after I had been there a while he let me know that HE was the artist.  I was floored.  We shared some artist stories, and he even gifted me a piece of his heART.  

So if you go to Austin, go and support this kind and TALENTED soul!

Corocoro
2032 E Cesar Chavez Austin, TX 78702

So much LOVE!

​HOPE Outdoor Gallery

...view from the bottom...

Another stop-the HOPE Outdoor Gallery.  It was PACKED!  I loved the explosion of color EVERYWHERE...but also the fact that it was a living, ever-changing work of art that we were a part of.  Seriously, if you go to Austin- GO THERE.  

And if you DO go there, make sure to wear shoes with a good grip so you can get around the site easily and safely.  You can climb up to the top and see a great view of Austin...which John got to see but I didn't.

Oh- and I created a special #AngelDropART stencil and left my mark!

...annnnd a view from the TOP, courtesy of John. (my flip flops weren't the best for climbing so I hung back)

​Annnnnd finally, the reason behind the trip...

​WILLIE NELSON!!!!!!!