Fredericksburg: Vaudeville

So the other fantastically chic place in Fredericksburg is home decor boutique/cafe/private event space, Vaudeville.

Smack in the middle of Main Street I saw a white sign with what looked to be an animal skull with antlers. Upon closer inspection it was two nude ladies mirroring one another in a stretched out sensuous pose with the letter V balanced between them. Love at first sight. 

 This is part of the event space. A bar with a Kyle Bunting cowhide mosiac.

 Shoulda bought these cubes and wood coffee table.

 The tea bar in the subterranean cafe

 Looooove the Thomas O'Brien Hicks pendants. I have the same ones in my kitchen.

Vaudeville-branded tea

 Jams and jellies.

Doesn't the menu look yummy?

 My latte made with their La Marzocco espresso machine

I would come to the cafe everyday with my computer and work, wouldn't you?

Fredericksburg: Carol Hicks Bolton

In my opinion, one of two of the most chic places in Fredericksburg is Carol Hicks Bolton Antiquities (I'll tell you what the other one is in the next couple days). 

 Her enormous warehouse on South Lincoln Street is filled with taxidermy animals, Belgian linen bedding, and gorgeous collections of curiousities. 

 Everything is curated to a neutral palette and most of Bolton's finds are brought back from European flea markets. If you want to discover your own treasures, Bolton will take you overseas and get you entree to her best kept secret spots to shop. 

 Never thought I needed a stuffed ferret on a log, but now I think I just might. 

Kerrville: Schreiner Goods

So I have a confession to make: About a year ago I wrote about a place called Schreiner Goods for FD Luxe. Based on photos and the lines they carried, I knew it was an incredibly special place so I wrote about it even though I'd never been. This happens more than most writers will admit. 

 Yesterday I spent the day in Kerrville reporting something for the August issue of Texas Monthly and my new friend Kathleen Keen, wife of Robert Earl and probably one of the coolest women I've had the pleasure of meeting, took me around town and, of course, one of her favorite places to shop is Schreiner Goods. 

She told me I wouldn't believe it, how it's a remarkable place, how the owners have an incredible vision. When I walked in, my jaw dropped. The shop girls offered up champagne and cappuccino (I took a cappuccino and it was served in beautiful white and gold china. I carried the cup and saucer with me as I shopped. So luxe) and my eyes went in about 800 bajillion different directions. I didn't know where to start. 

 There was fantastic clothing (KOCH!), gorgeous homewares (SCENTS AND FEEL FOUTA TOWELS!), tables of denim (J BRAND!) unusual art (A FRAMED BOX OF 54 IRIDESCENT BEETLES!).

 These vintage mirrors were calling to me

 And I almost broke down and bought new dishes even though I just bought new dishes last week.

 But I really went nuts when I spotted these side tables by Fredericksburg resident Cecilia Hager. 

 Each side is cover in a vintage Mexican movie poster and then she goes to town bedazzling the images with sequins, beads, and glitter. Why didn't I think of this?! It's the perfect combo of art piece and cool kitsch. 

And I immediately bought one. If you are ever in SA, make the time to buzz up I-10 for an afternoon in Kerrville. This store alone is worth the hours drive and you'll find things there you won't manage to find anywhere else. Check out their blog here for updates on new merch shipments.

Austin: Texas Tea

We Texans are a little nuts when it comes to iced tea. Growing up every family picnic, bbq, dinner, birthday party always had a huge orange cooler with a spout - that cooler more than likely "borrowed" from a construction site that one of my uncles was working on - carrying fresh brewed sweet tea. Ice-filled styrofoam cups would go round, and the brew was sucked on for the rest of the afternoon.

So I was excited to find out about Texas Tea which is made from organic tea and spring water. They have sweetened and unsweetened versions - though I've never met a Texan who doesn't drink it sweet - but I'm itching to try their fruit versions which are made with the juice of say, peaches from Fredericksburg or strawberries from Poteet. Available at Central Market.

Dallas: Dallas Flea

It's almost time for The Dallas Flea! This Saturday, March 13 from 9 am to 4 pm stop in at South Side on Lamar to buy wares from Arteriors, House of MacGregor, Amber Venz, Bows and Arrows, Gaia, and Enid from Fredericksburg among many others.

Here are a few new pieces from Bonnie Basham Jewelry

Fredericksburg: Root

Look at these cute Swedish Hasbeens that are being delivered to Root in Fredericksburg this month. Just in time for the warm weather, Hasbeens are handmade so no two pairs are alike.

The ones below are for kids and although Root is not carrying them for the mini-me set, I wish that Baby Bean Vintage in Dallas would. I would surely scoop them up for my darling, P.
Photos from Root's wonderful blog and Swedish Hasbeens.

Pastry Queen book signing

I wish I could've stayed in Austin a few more days because tomorrow, December 3 Gardens is hosting Rebecca Rather for a gathering and signing of her new book, Pastry Queen Parties. Rather, an award-winning chef and native Texan, owns Rather Sweet and Rebecca's Table in Fredericksburg and is known for her scrumptious creations that all have nods to this amazing state of ours. This is her third book and she'll be greeting and meeting from 4-7 pm Thursday, December 3 at Gardens in Austin.