PICTURE PERFECT: A BLOGGER'S DREAM GETAWAY TO AUSTIN
AUSTIN. Let me tell you a little bit about Austin… I LOVE THIS CITY SO MUCH. I have been wanting to visit Austin for years… literally. I’ve been trying to get to this city for over 3 years… and something always came up and got in my way. But this year… IT FINALLY WORKED OUT! And it was all for the best because I got to travel down there with 4 other amazing female travel bloggers: Tiffany from @tiffany_tocco, Alyssa from @partyofalyssamatt, and Sophia and Wunmi from @thriftywithacompass… and we created a blogger’s dream getaway to Austin! We wanted the focus of our time in Austin to be on the cute, stellar, and absolutely fabulous! We truly desired to find places that would cater to other bloggers like us. And gosh darn it… I think we did a pretty good job doing that!
WHERE TO STAY
One of the most important aspects of an epic girl’s getaway? Finding the picture perfect place for lodging! And let me just say… all my blogger dreams were fulfilled at both of these establishments that I found. And both places were completely different in their entire theming… I can’t wait to show you both!
I still am on a high from this Airbnb. FOR REALS. This Airbnb is the perfect combination of boho chic and whimsical jungle vibes. From the plethora of beautifully designed throw pillows to the fabulous tropical wallpaper… there is no better of a place to stay in Austin than here! And even better?! There’s an epic backstory behind this place… it was featured on Cash Pad!!! How cool is that?! You can watch the full episode on CNBC here! The before and after transformation is out of this world!
But a little more about the details of this place… the second you walk on property, you will be welcomed with a bohemian flair. A private entrance leads you into a second story loft with an open floor plan, and lots of natural light. You can relax outside on a huge outdoor deck, or enjoy the beautifully designed indoor space… did someone say swinging chair?!
The pricing for this place starts off at $156 per night, which is an amazing price for the Austin area! This is a 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom Airbnb, which comfortably sleeps 4 adults. There is a queen bed in the bedroom, and a sofa bed in the main living area… and both beds are delightfully comfy! Some other wonderful amenities… there’s a full size refrigerator and basic kitchen necessities available, a Smart TV with Netflix, Wi-Fi, free parking, 4 big beach towels, lovely toiletry supplies for showering, air conditioning, and so much more! If you want the full list of what’s available to you, click here! During our stay, there were even some yummy snacks and drinks in the fridge! Such a nice touch.
If you’re looking for any more of a reason to stay here… check out some of these stellar reviews!
Are you convinced you have to stay here yet? Because you should be!! Hehehe! I’ve stayed in plenty of Airbnb accommodations around the world, and I truly mean it when I say this place was one of my favorites! And a total bonus of staying here?! It’s the cutest place to just stay in and enjoy yourself! How did the girls and I do that? Well… let me show you!
We put together the cutest day… just for us girls! So many times when people are away on vacation, they are constantly ON THE GO. Like I mentioned above… sometimes what we need is a relaxing day in! And what’s better than a day in with your girls?! Let me just tell you… girl days are the best! My absolute favorite! Some more of my favorites? All these stellar small businesses I found to incorporate into our girl day!
What is better than an adorable picnic? Not much! The Posh Picnic is the perfect set up for your day with the girls! The Posh Picnic specializes in boho-inspired picnic decor and table settings. And everything is so convenient… Candace (the owner) sets everything up to perfection, and then will come back to take care of the aftermath. Literally nothing could be cuter! The Posh Picnic is the best!
The perfect picnic would not be complete without the perfect charcuterie board… and that perfect charcuterie board comes from Charfooderie! The charcuterie boards from this woman-owned small shop are almost too pretty to eat! I mean… look for yourself!!! My favorite part? The rose in the center!
Desserts, desserts, desserts! I can’t do anything without satisfying my sweet tooth! And my sweet tooth was absolutely satisfied with these delightfully delicious macarons and chocolates! The macarons come from Whisk, and taste as yummy as they look! The chocolates come from Bonjour Brigadeiro and are Brazilian truffle candies. Let me just say… these chocolates melt in your mouth!
Not only is it fun to eat all the sweet treats… it’s fun to create all the sweet treats. The Cupcake Bar provides to-go kits, where they supply you with various flavored cupcakes, frostings, and festive toppings. All you have to do? Put together your perfect and personal cupcake!
And when you’re finally full on all the good eats? It’s time to create your own flower crown! This was seriously SO MUCH FUN. I’ve never done anything like this… and now I’m obsessed! So, how did it work? Elizabeth (the owner) will come right out to your place with all her supplies, and beautiful flowers! She shows you the art of flower crown making, and makes it such a party! One of Elizabeth’s main values is to continue, “an ancient goddess tradition of circling as women and using nature to create adornment and connection”. If there’s one thing you do in Austin… it must be this activity!
Doesn’t all of this just look like the most perfect day ever?! All of the girls and I agreed that this day was probably our favorite day of the whole trip! It was just the most magical day of intimate conversations, loud giggles, and forever memories made.
WOAH. HOLD UP. I have a surprise place to show you! One night we ventured out into the rolling Texas Hill Country… and let me just tell you… it was UH-MAZING. If you’re looking for a place that is completely magical… Cypress Valley is that place. And let me give you a little history on this magnificent treehouse wonderland…
There are a handful of epic treehouses at this countryside retreat. They are: Yoki, Lofthaven, Juniper, and Willow… which each sleeps 2 guests… The Nest which sleeps 4 guests regularly, but can accommodate up to 6 guests. And then there is the Ranch House which is on the ground, but the main room resembles more of a treehouse and can sleep up to 15 guests.
I mean… look at these photos! Wouldn’t you want to stay here?! Hands down… one of the coolest places I’ve ever stayed at!
WHERE TO EAT
The best way to get to know a city? Eat your way through it! This is an aspect of Austin that I fell in love with so hard… their fantastic food scene! There were sooooooo many places that served up some delightful food, but also were so aesthetically pleasing! It was a total win on all levels! So, follow me along on some of the best and cutest places to eat in Austin… your taste buds will thank me for this.
Are you a huge fan of charcuterie boards? Then you MUST head here! One of the best charcuteries boards I have ever tasted… and located in one of the most adorable Austin cafes!
This women-founded and women-owned ice cream shop is one for the books! This shop specializes in dairy free ice cream creations, which are all absolutely delicious. Treat your sweets craving to a unique flavor of ice cream or a fancy shake!
Some of the best cookies in all of Austin! Not only are these cookies totally tasty, but they’re also totally cute! There are SO MANY different cookie designs… you’re bound to find a cookie you’ll fall in love with!
Located on top of The Line… this rooftop restaurant boasts all the best Austin views! The focus of the menu is Mediterranean small plates and seasonal cocktails. Its the perfect place for a girl’s night out!
Pair a Vietnamese cafe with a French bakery and what do you get? Elizabeth Street Cafe! Whether you’re looking for a delightful macaron or bowls of pho… this place is for you!
One of the only places in all of Austin where you can nibble on both an adorable AND mouthwatering Texas shaped waffle! This is an absolute must when visiting Texas!
Are you looking for some yummy goodies, a refreshing drink… and a goat?!?! Well, then… get ready to meet Butters! He’s the sassy goat that runs this joint, and he’s a total hoot! But I must warn you… you better watch your food! If you don’t eat it, Butters for sure will!
This colorful restaurant will make you smile from ear to ear! This place is inspired by Caribbean flavors, where you build your own rice bowls, salad bowls and wraps. There are plenty of fun photo opportunities throughout the restaurant too!
These milkshakes bring all the boys to the yard! All the milkshakes here are seriously so legit, and you will love every last bite of whatever milkshake you get. They even have seasonal milkshakes too… during certain times of the year!
Step on top of one of the best rooftops in Austin! Zanzibar combines tropical colors, with lush jungle vibes… to create the ultimate city escape. And BONUS… there’s a rooftop pool too!
While you’re venturing out on South Congress… make sure to stop by an Austin staple… Torchy’s!!! You better try the queso. It’s delicious!
A place full of the tastiest food, most fun cocktails, and vibrant interior design… Grizzelda’s is such an amazing spot for the girls! Make sure to get the drink that comes in a disco ball!
Cheers to the best donuts in town! With unique and creative flavors to their very own flower wall… this donut stop is so epic! It’s so epic that the donuts almost always sell out every day they’re open! Make sure to head to their website to see how you can pre-order your donuts!
The most precious coffee shop you ever did see! Everything literally is pink, and sipping on some warm roasted coffee is a dream come true in this pink paradise!
If you’re looking for one of the most Instagrammable restaurants… THIS IS IT. Taquero Mucho is another pink paradise! They have fiesty drinks, pink tacos, and disco balls for days!
WHAT TO DO
If you’re not eating somewhere epic in Austin… you’re bound to be doing something that’s ultra cool. From super hip bars to extra unique ways to see the city… Austin has you covered with keeping you entertained and making sure your level of fun constantly remains at a high level!
Literally the best nail studio I have ever been to! And might I add… it’s also the most fun, colorful, joyous, radiating… and all the other positive adjectives! If you’re looking to get the coolest set of nails on the block… then Cute Nail Studio is for you! Their specialty? Fabulous nail art!!! Not only do they offer nail services… but they also offer facials, brows/lashes work, waxing, tattoos, and other body treatments. You MUST make an appointment before visiting here. They are very popular… so, make your appointment far in advance!
If you love Kendra Scott’s jewelry, then make your way down South Congress for this beautiful flagship store. Not only is the store absolutely gorgeous inside, but there’s a few other fun things about visiting. There’s always a very fun and colorful mural to snap some photos in front of… right on the side of the store. And there’s also an adorable cafe within the store called Sips and Sweets. Here you can buy specialty drinks, along with cute cookies!
Their motto… “Keeping Austin fun since 1987!” This is one of the most colorful, fun and festive toy stores you will ever step foot into. From Hello Kitty… to Marvel… to Disney… to Star Wars… there are so many playful toys to choose from! There’s something for the kid in all of us!
Words cannot even begin to describe the coolness that is this bar. This is an interactive bar and is seriously so awesome! There’s a bunch of fun photo installations inside where you can take photos and videos. There are so many creative drinks to choose from, and my favorite is the disco ball drink! Not only is it tasty, but it’s super festive too! Don’t forget to grab your drink and then head out on the dance floor!
Just outside of Austin… there’s a magnificent wonder! Hamilton Pool Preserve is a natural swimming hole surround by limestone, and a waterfall cascading all around it. It’s an easy hike down to the preserve, and your whole walk down… you’ll enjoy beautiful foliage and scenery. An important thing to note though… you do have to make reservations to visit. You can make reservations typically about 2 months in advance. I would recommend checking back to the reservation website frequently, as reservations are very popular.
Cheers to all things organized and colorful! I love Erin Condren so much… and when I found out the flagship store was in Austin… I freaked out! I was so excited to visit! This beautiful store is located in the amazing mall called, Domain Northside. There’s definitely not a shortage in fun things to see and do in this area!
Are you looking for something totally unique and different?! Then Retro Boats is for you! This is literally one of the best and most fun ways to see the city! Where did these boat beauties come from? They were saved from going to the landfill, and then repurposed into colorful pieces to grace the water. Choose between Lola, Babs, Gidget, Gladys and June. All of the boats are so user friendly, and you don’t need any boating experience to drive around the beautiful Lady Bird Lake.
You may notice I don’t have any photos of my time at Miraval Austin & Spa… that’s because this spa retreat really places an emphasis on focusing on self-care, rejuvenating one’s soul, and stepping away from the business of life. I purchased a day pass to this lovely spa, and it was one of the best decisions ever! Set within the rolling hills of Texas, right outside of Austin, this gorgeous resort is full of various spa services, wellness activities, and so much more. The second you start your day at Miraval, you will instantly feel revitalized. There’s a plethora of activities to engage in throughout the day… from yoga to meditation. In between your agenda, stop by the cafe for a delightful smoothie… and then enjoy your lunch under the swaying trees. And of course, don’t forget to indulge in some of the glorious services offered at the spa. My favorite was the Jade Meridian massage. It was very unique to this spa, and like nothing I’ve ever experienced at a spa before. Ah… I’m just reflecting on that massage and already feel more relaxed. So… do yourself a huge favor and book a day at Miraval!
AUSTIN… you were so lovely to me. I know I’ll be back! Why? Because there are SO MANY other things I still want and NEED to do!!! I already have an ongoing list of all the fun places I didn’t have time to visit, but NEED to visit sometime in my life. Austin… I’ll see y’all again real soon!
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