Meet me at Magnolia! 

Welcome to Waco, Texas, where the charm of Chip & Jo’s Magnolia empire is just the beginning. Beyond the allure of the famous Fixer Upper duo, Waco offers a genuine small-town experience, where locals greet you with a smile, and visitors are welcomed with open arms. Nestled along the I-35 corridor between Dallas and Austin (yes, the same 35W that traverses Minnesota!), Waco attracts travelers with its array of shops and abundance of dining options. Founded in 1849 by the Huaco Indians, whose legacy still echoes through the streets of present-day downtown, Waco is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered.

Location:

Fly into Dallas, rent a car, drive about 1.5 hours to Waco, TX. 

If you plan to visit Magnolia, choose an AirBNB within walking distance. We liked ours which was hosted by Andrew. He has many houses in the same area. We stayed at Gloria Manor. 

Depending on the season and length of time you may plan to visit, you may want to choose an AirBNB with a pool for more entertainment options and lounging.

Things to do:

Visit Magnolia Market at the Silos – this was the main attraction of Waco! There’s so much to do. Grab coffee, walk, shop, hang out on the grounds, grab a cupcake… Great energy. Everyone is friendly.  

Walk & Shop in Downtown Waco – the stores at the Silos, The Findery, Ramble & Co., and Fabled Bookshop were a few of my favorite shops.

Waco Downtown Farmers Market – stop by the local farmers market Saturday morning. Lots of vendors. Located near the courthouse and close to the suspension bridge. 

Walk the Waco Suspension Bridge – Head toward the Brazos River to walk across the suspension bridge and walk the river trail. 

Day Trip to Fort Worth – While you’re “in the area” check out the stockyards in Fort Worth. It’s about an hour and half from Waco, but only 30 minutes from Dallas airport. 

Coffee:

Magnolia Press – the coffee shop at the Magnolia Silos. The workers are friendly. Grab coffee and sit outside in the garden! 

Glory Bell – coffee shop that also functions as a church. Good coffee, large sitting area.

Mamaka Bowls – I went here on accident. Drip coffee wasn’t that good, but the smoothie bowls looked good.

Heritage Coffee – coffee truck at the Saturday farmer’s market. They make all their own flavorings. 

Bitty & Beau’s – I didn’t make it here but had it recommended. The employees are people with special needs which I would’ve loved to support. 

Food:

Milo – best meal of the trip. Cute vibe, lots of plants. Make reservations. The carrots and brussels sprouts were excellent starters. I enjoyed the sautéed shrimp meal. 

Cajun Craft – a local dive! This was close to our AirBNB and felt like a secret little spot. Order the jambalaya and sit out back on the patio. 

Maria Mezcaleria – Mexican food. Although I didn’t eat here, my family said it was very good and highly recommend.

Milk Bottle Cookies – I’m not a big sweets person but these cookies were worth the gluten and sugar. I’d recommend the cookies and cream. While you’re there, pop next door to Ramble & Co. for t-shirts and good vibes.

Food Trucks – although I didn’t personally eat at any food trucks, there were many in the Magnolia silos area that looked good. 

Other Notes:

One or two days is enough time in Waco! The main attraction is the Magnolia Silos and there is some more shopping in town.

Magnolia was much busier on the weekend but calm on Thursday. Note, it’s closed Sunday along with many places in town. 

We visited in early-mid May and the magnolia flowers and trees were just starting to bloom.

From strolling through the quaint downtown streets to indulging in the culinary delights of local eateries, my journey through Waco was nothing short of charming. Whether you’re drawn by the allure of Magnolia or simply seeking the charm of a genuine Texan town, Waco offers an unforgettable experience that leaves a lasting impression on the heart. Until next time, Waco! Yee haw!

Embracing Change: A Letter to Myself

Dear self,

As the tides of life ebb and flow, so do the people around us. Change is inevitable, an intrinsic part of our journey through this ever-evolving world.

It’s a realization that’s both liberating and daunting. The individuals we once knew may no longer resemble the people they are today. And you, dear self, are no exception. You’ve undergone your own metamorphosis, shedding old skins to make way for the new.

But amidst this whirlwind of transformation, it’s essential to remember: change is not only permissible but necessary. It signifies growth, evolution, and the unyielding march forward. Though it may be bittersweet, it’s a testament to the vibrancy and resilience of the human spirit.

So let go of the past, release your grip on expectations, and allow yourself and others the space to change, to grow, to become. Embrace the beautiful chaos of transformation, knowing that within it lies the promise of new beginnings, endless possibilities, and boundless potential.

With love and acceptance,

G

Endings are bittersweet. There’s a mix of sadness for what’s ending but excitement for what’s to come. 

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been in deep reflection about the past year. 

The joy. The memories. The changes. The challenges. 

Here are my lessons… take what resonates, leave the rest. 

2023 Lessons:

1. Individual paths vary; what works for others may not work for you.
2. Maintain a work-life balance; work to live, don’t live to work.
3. Prioritize experiences over material possessions; travel enriches life.
4. Your job doesn’t define your purpose; it’s okay if it’s just a paycheck.
5. Prioritize mineral health; take tests and understand your body.
6. Trust your body’s signals; practice self-awareness and consider somatic therapy.
7. Enjoy workouts with friends; explore classes and find what you enjoy.
8. Social media is a highlight reel. Mute and unfollow as needed.
9. Long-distance relationships are challenging but manageable.
10. Connect with people; attend events, ask questions, and stay curious.
11. Experiment; if it doesn’t work, consider it a learning experience.
12. Appreciate living rent-free but be open to leaving your comfort zone.
13. Value and cherish relationships with those around you.
14. Friendships naturally ebb and flow; allow for the evolution.
15. Advocate for yourself; assert your needs and boundaries.
16. Embrace change; it’s a constant in life.
17. Be open to life’s surprises; not everything needs a plan.
18. Believe in your abilities even when others don’t.
19. Seek coaching or mentorship for valuable insights.
20. Less is often more; simplify when possible.
21. Appreciate your current situation, even if it’s not your ultimate goal.
22. Accept feedback as a gift; actively seek constructive criticism.
23. Prioritize proactive health and well-being measures.
24. Spend time outdoors for the benefits to your health.
25. Trust your own intuition – it knows best. 

These lessons emphasize self-awareness, growth, and a balanced approach to life.

What’s your top lesson from 2023?

Here’s to new beginnings… “In restful stillness of midwinter there is a time to dream, a time to look inwards, and to connect others. A time of reflection and deep gratitude. A time to discard the old and welcome the new and begin again.”

Yvonne Coomber

Take your time in making your home a haven. Your soul deserves it. – Hoda

From a young age, I’ve loved designing and decorating my space. I redesigned my bedroom at least three times as a child (sorry mom). One of my favorite activities was going to visit my mom’s interior designer and looking at what she had in mind for our next home projects. 

Part of my “adulting” journey has allowed me to relive these feelings again on a larger scale. 

Over the past three months, I’ve been slowly curating the design of my apartment. It’s been a work in progress, but I like it that way. To curate a space, you need to find the ways in which you want to feel in the space, how you use the space, and what you want to bring into the space. 

Although it would have been nice to have the space curated upon moving in, I knew I’d  need to settle in and adjust with time. I also knew that with my values, I seek quality or quantity or instant gratification. Yes, I could’ve gone to Home Goods and bought the same art in everyone’s home but that’s not who I am. I like supporting local artists and finding unique pieces that will last over time.

I finally feel like I’m at a place where my space feels like a home. The furniture has found its place. The art has been hung. The vibe has been created with love and intention. 

To create the environment I wanted, I did a lot of reflecting on how I wanted my space to feel and have been cautious of what I bring into the space. Does it spark joy? Add value? Create calm?

Given my tendency to operate under high stress levels, stepping into a clean, simple, and grounding environment is non-negotiable. I took the time to envision how I wanted to feel in the space and the type of environment I wanted to create. Throughout this reflection process, I found that earthy greens and grounding browns, complemented by natural wood elements and minimalistic decor, are central to my aesthetic.

Every space should inspire you to live your best life. – Hoda

Ready to curate your space?

Reflection prompts:

1. How do you envision yourself feeling in your space, and what activities or elements contribute to that atmosphere?

2. Reflect on colors and materials that not only comfort you but resonate with your sense of peace and contentment. How might they be incorporated into your environment?

3. Consider your overarching intentions for your space. What specific purposes and energies do you hope to cultivate within each area?

4. Delve into how you’d like to designate and utilize different areas in your space. What activities or experiences will each zone accommodate?

5. Contemplate the balance between style, functionality, and quality in your ideal environment. How will these elements harmonize to create a space that truly aligns with you?

6. Envision the impressions you’d like your space to leave on visitors. How can you curate an environment that fosters comfort, warmth, or inspiration?

7. Define and refine your personal style, considering elements of design, decor, and furnishings that authentically express who you are and what brings you joy.

General tips:

1. Define Your Style: Start by identifying your preferred design style, whether it’s modern, traditional, eclectic, minimalist, or a blend of styles. This will serve as a foundation for your design choices.

2. Consider Functionality: Determine how you’ll use each room. For example, a living room may be for relaxation and entertaining, while a home office needs to be functional and conducive to work.

3. Choose a Cohesive Color Palette: Select a color scheme that complements your style and creates a harmonious flow throughout your home. Consider how colors evoke emotions and choose accordingly.

4. Personalize with Accessories: Add personal touches through accessories like artwork, decorative items, and textiles. These can reflect your interests, hobbies, and experiences.

5. Balance Open and Private Spaces: Create a balance between open, communal spaces and private areas for relaxation and solitude.

6. Optimize Lighting: Incorporate a combination of natural, ambient, and task lighting. Lighting can significantly impact the mood and functionality of a space.

7. Furniture Selection: Invest in furniture that aligns with your style and provides comfort. Consider the scale of the furniture in relation to the room’s size.

8. Maximize Storage Solutions: Effective storage helps maintain a clutter-free environment. Consider built-in storage solutions or multifunctional furniture.

9. Experiment with Textures: Incorporate various textures through textiles, furniture, and decor. This adds depth and visual interest to your space.

10. Consider Scale and Proportion: Ensure that the scale and proportion of furniture and decor are appropriate for the size of the room. This creates visual harmony.

11. Experiment and Evolve: Don’t be afraid to try new things. Experiment with different layouts, colors, and decor elements. Your style may evolve over time.

12. Seek Inspiration: Draw inspiration from interior design magazines, websites, social media platforms, and even nature. Save images that resonate with you for reference.

13. Prioritize Comfort: Prioritize comfort in seating, bedding, and overall layout. Your home should feel inviting and relaxing.

Remember, designing your space is a personal journey. Take your time and enjoy the process. It’s about creating a space that feels uniquely yours and supports your lifestyle.

Find your style. Curate the vibe. Design the space. 

Your home should tell the story of who you are, and be a collection of what you love. – Nate Burkus

Age 23: a year of transition, transformation, and travel. 

23 felt like a weird in-between year. No longer a student. Identity shifts. Friends evolve. Body changes. All the things. 

But 23 was also transformative. A year of change, travel, and growth. 

Grateful for what was, excited for what’s to come. 

23 lessons from 23:

1. You are capable. Believe in your gifts. 
2. Trust your own intuition – it knows. 
3. Befriend change – it’s a constant. 
4. Find activities outside of work.
5. Not every craft needs to be a business. 
6. Take a breath (or 10) before reacting. 
7. Find movement you love. Do that. 
8. Travel while you’re young. Travel often. 
9. Not everyone will see your gifts.
10. You may need to go to grow.
11. Find mentors. Connect often. 
12. Distance makes the heart grow fonder.
13. Throw yourself into new experiences.
14. Don’t be afraid to go alone – expand. 
15. Protect your energy. Not a hell yes, no. 
16. A simple smile goes a long way. 
17. Slow down. What’s the rush?
18. Connect. It’s all about who you know.
19. Give yourself grace – you deserve it. 
20. Stop doubting your gifts. Be confident.
21. Keep shinning. People are watching. 
22. Nature it medicine. Go there. 
23. Communication is key. Ask for what you want. 

May my next trip around the sun bring in even more love, light, and transformation into who I’m meant to be. 

“Long distance relationships are hard, but they’re also incredible. If you can love, trust, respect, and support each other from a distance then you’ll be unstoppable once you’re physically together.”

-Unknown

One of the many “things” that come with post-grad life and early twenties is “where to live? Who to live with? Where’s my job?”…

For me, this looked like entering a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend of three years. 

As happy as I was for him to be ambitious about moving and trying something new, I was sad. I was also worried. Would the relationship work out? How would we have date nights? Would I need to move eventually? 

Change. That always shakes me up. So many worries. So much doubt. Fear for the future. 

It was hard adjusting to this change. We were no longer a short drive apart or in the same time zone. It was messy trying to learn how and when to communicate and learning each others preferences. There were countless times I cried. Somedays all I wanted was a hug or someone to talk to. I consistently reminded myself that we would see each other soon and the distance wouldn’t last forever. I focused on the good things and learned to find the silver lining. 

“Missing someone gets easier everyday because even though you are one day further from the last time you saw them, you are one day closer to the next time you will.”

-Unknown

“The space between the two of you may be hard now, but over time your distance will strengthen the love that is there. The moments together are the ones you’ll learn to cherish and remember when the time between you becomes longer. I know it’s hard to see now, but the love between you will keep growing, even when you’re apart.”

– Moule T.

Now, here we are ten months later and I’m adjusting to living in the same state. Wait, I don’t need to buy a plane ticket to visit? I have to balance time with him and my friends again? How am I going to get used to this change? 

I trust I’ll figure this out. We managed ten months apart, we can learn to coexist again, in the same place. I intend to continue to cherish the moments we have together, even though they will be more frequent. 

“When they work, long distance relationships are the best sort of beautiful, I think. That a person could wait months, cross miles, and oceans for a few short spectacular moments with the person they love, that’s it, you know, that’s what we’re all searching for.”

– Beau Taplin

If YOU are going through a long-distance relationship, I believe in you. You are strong. Your are capable. You are loved!

I just returned from a busy four-day trip to northern Michigan. It was amazing.

Beautiful. Peaceful. Eventful. 

Day 0: Minneapolis to Grand Rapids

I took a late-night flight from MSP to GRR to have a full first day. You can also fly into Traverse City, but I flew into Grand Rapids to meet with my boyfriend (and because I love GR). 

Day 1: Grand Rapids to Petosky 

• Coffee from Madcap, the best. I usually get the miel with oat milk.  
• Drive to Mitchel State Park. Walk the park to stretch and get fresh air.
• Arrive in Petosky for lunch. We ate at Sam’s Grace Cafe (obviously had to). I wanted breakfast but they were on the lunch menu. It was still good. 
• Walk around downtown and shop at the boutiques in Petosky. 
• Visit the Lavender Hill Farm. We arrived near closing time, so we gave ourselves a tour and went to the gift shop. Be prepared to spend money at the shop. Not a must do (I just love lavender).
• Check in at AirBNB. We stayed at the Ortlieb Farmhouse for two nights. You get what you pay for but the host, Finland (the Bernese Mountain dog), Bear (the golden retriever), ducks, sheep, and location were great! 
• Dinner (wood fired cauliflower crust pizza) and wine flight at Petosky Farms. This was right next to our AirBNB. Beware, vineyards in the area close early. 
• Wine tasting at Gabriel Farms. We were the only people here, so we basically had a private tasting! Great wine. 

Day 2: Petosky to Mackinac Island

• Drive 30-45 minutes to Mackinaw City. 
• Take Shepler’s Ferry to Mackinac Island. We bought tickets in advance, and they offered free day parking shuttle. Very easy. It’s a quick 15-minute ride to the island. 
• Hop off the ferry and walk to Lucky Bean Coffeehouse for coffee. I would plan to eat breakfast before getting to the island if you’re a breakfast person.
• Rent bikes. There are bike rental stands everywhere. You ride bikes on the road – you are now a car! We did the 8.2-mile trail around the island. Flat path (only one hill). We stopped to walk up to Arch Rock on the trail. Gorgeous scenery. 
• Lunch (and more coffee) at Watercolor Cafe. Simple and delicious. A little off the “beaten” path. Less crowded area. 
• Walk and shop on Main Street. Endless stores and fudge! 
• Walk to the Grand Hotel. We did the self-guided tour ($10 per person). 
• Mini golf at the Grand Hotel. Cute little course. Discount when you tour the hotel.
• Walk back to town and get your fudge to bring home. 
• Aboard the ferry back to Mackinaw City. You could eat dinner there. We drove back to Petosky Farms for ours. 
• Ended the night at Gabriel Farms with a glass of wine. 

Day 3: Petosky to Traverse City

• Check out of Petosky AirBNB.
• Coffee at North Perk Coffee in Petosky.
• Drive to Bay Harbor for breakfast at Maple & Batter. 
• Drive to Traverse City. Grab another coffee at Brew. Enjoy the boutique shopping in downtown. Lunch at Mama Lu’s tacos. 
• Drive to Sleeping Bear National Park. Buy day pass at the visitor station. Hike Empire Bluff Trail (around 3 miles total). Stunning views. Climb the sand dunes (about .25 miles up) and admire Glen Lake. We packed towels to take a little nap at the top. 
• Check into Traverse City AirBNB. We stayed in a room close to the city. Good location, clean, cozy. Kelly, the host, was friendly and gave us great recommendations. 
• Drive out of the city about 20-minutes for vineyards. We went to Chateau Chantal. Good view. 
• End the night at Rove Estate for sunset and another glass of wine. Very close to our AirBNB. 

Day 4: Traverse City to Grand Rapids

• Check out of AirBNB. 
• Place an order at Peace, Love, and Tiny Donuts. Walk to grab a coffee while the donuts are being made.  
• Walk on pier and admire Lake Michigan.  
• Grab another coffee from Brew (if you’re crazy like me) and do the final shopping in downtown. We were not hungry for breakfast, but our host recommended Sugar 2 Salt for breakfast and the Rough Pony for coffee. 
• Drive back to Grand Rapids. Keep your eyes open for farm stands with cherries and strawberries! 

Michigan is beautiful. I would recommend adding northern MI it to your summer travel list. Water, shopping, and hiking. Endless beauty. Sights of awe everywhere.