Last night we got back from a weekend trip to Austin, Texas. It was our second time visiting, but the last time was several years ago, so a lot had changed. We visited friends, shopped a bit, ate too much, and overall had a wonderful trip. Unfortunately I forgot my “real” camera at home, but I took some fun shots with my phone.
We looked at lots of fun art and vintage ephemera, and scoured shops for treasures. I tried on designer consignment (below, bottom right) at Moss, and that Rag & Bone skirt came home in my suitcase.
Spotted the lovely skull shelf display (below, top left) at the vintage shop Feathers. I also found some drilled antler tips (below, top right) to use in jewelry at Uncommon Objects, and a cool tiny plastic peepshow telescope from the 1940s (below, bottom left) at another nearby shop. I was surprised that I was able to take a picture through the eyepiece. Just look at that saucy (strategically-placed) cat!
Those soggy cacti were in front of Bouldin Creek Cafe, where we ate brunch one morning. Everything there was delicious, and extremely vegetarian- and vegan-friendly.
We rented a little in-law apartment through Airbnb, and one of the owners recommended that we go to Maria’s Taco Xpress on Sunday for their Gospel Brunch (above, left). It’s apparently an Austin institution, and on Sundays it’s packed with people eating tacos, drinking margaritas, and listening to rollicking live gospel music. Their tacos are great, and even if you’re an atheist like me, it’s worth going. In a lot of ways Austin reminds me of Portland, but Austin has it beat when it comes to tacos and live music. We did find a little bit of Oregon love when we spotted this scooter, which had a matching sticker on the other side. I have the same one on the back of my Vespa.
Other places in Austin that I’d recommend visiting: Koriente (really fresh and delicious Asian-inspired food), G’raj Mahal (Indian food served in an outdoor lot), Mockingbird Domestics (cool new and reclaimed furniture and housewares), Crystal Works (rocks, crystals, and small gifts), Sunroom (small boutique with new and vintage clothes and accessories).
