A Trip to Magnolia and More

Hello friends! Welcome to my weekly update of all the things happening over here. This week, I’m sharing about my trip to Magnolia, vases, and a mailbox update.

Last week, I went to Waco, Texas to attend a conference I have been going to for the last three years. Of course, each year, we head over to Magnolia silos to get inspired and look around to see what is new. It always is fun to see what creativity Joanna and her designers have come up with.

I first went to Waco to see the silos like maybe 9 years ago for the first time. My (then) business partner and I enjoyed all the buzz that was swirling around this community that had been built. I loved the gardens then too. It’s cool to see how it has changed over the years.

Before we get to that, just a few thoughts to share this week.

Thoughts for the week

My birthday is coming up later this week, so I have been thinking about all the fun times I had when I was younger, along with all the parties I hosted for my babies. When I tell you, I love a theme party, I mean I really love a theme party! Another thing I got from my Mom.

One of my favorites was a farm party I threw my baby girl for her 4th birthday. I used a sawhorse to craft the cutest cow that the kids sat on for photos. I made a barn cake, played Old MacDonald and other games, and crafted the cutest gift bags to go. She’s 33 years old now, but I still remember her in her little blond braids, and overalls, like it was 5 years ago.

My middle daughter had a super fun detective party one year. It was so fun coming up with activities for that. But one of my faves was her backwards party which we did when she was about 11 or 12. We did the party backwards, starting with gift opening and cake eating. Everyone had backwards names (except for her two friends named Hannah, which is the same no matter how you look at it!)

I loved that even some of the parents got into the fun, driving through the driveway backwards! And of course, everyone had their clothes on backwards. My favorite part though, is that recently, she hosted a backwards party for her own daughters!

Once I hit 40, I pretty much stopped being excited about birthdays. Except for my birthday trip we would take each year to New York City, to see Broadway shows, shop around, and eat our way through the city. After CoVid hit, we stopped going. Since my son has an October birthday too, we pretty much stay home and hang out and celebrate with all the kids.

Last year, my family put together a book for me, full of love letters, even from all the littles. It was the best. I know they would agonize over finding the perfect gift, and I truly never need anything. So I’m always greedy, and just ask for them to pour their heart out on paper! Hahaha. That’s probably easier, right? I’m sure, no, but I am always glad that they oblige.

Spending time with loved ones is the only gift I have found that I want. There’s nothing better than that. Especially in these times where time seems to fly by.

Anyone else totally bummed that Diane Keaton passed away last week? I feel a movie binge coming on. Especially one where Nancy Meyers directed her! I can’t believe she is gone, as she seemed like such a life force for a long time. I guess that is the one thing you can always count on. Time marches on, even without us.

A trip to Magnolia

This year I was anxious to visit the garden section of the silos, and the Herbarium. Joanna had done one of her ‘Mini-Reni’ shows on transforming a little garden shop they had on the property into a classroom, and it was super adorable. It was closed, but we got to look through the windows like a stalker.

The gardens in the outside area there are always such an inspiration. I feel like I did not get enough done in my own gardens this year, so I will file this away in my brain for next year.

Inside the other shops, there was lots of displays featuring dried flowers and field grasses. It looked pretty cool and would be a fun way to decorate on a porch.

In the home shop, I had to stop to look at all her wallpaper books. What else can I wallpaper? I am loving all these greens, even though my house is really only interested in blue and white. I can barely tell it what to do.

And the side of this building message makes me wish that I could just put some giant quote on the side of my house! Hahaha. I’m sure my HOA would love that.

Buying vases

I’ve been super into buying vases lately for some reason. Obvi, I have way too many milk glass vases, but I have been branching out.

I bought this wicker one at Magnolia. It has a glass cylinder in the center that would hold water if needed. Of course, since I have been home, I have been so busy so I just plopped some dried hydrangeas I had hanging around in it.

I also bought this green and white enamel one while out antiquing. This one is big, and it is too fabulous. I’m ready to build a room around this piece, as it’s waiting for something good.

Vases are one of those things that are so useful. Don’t forget to even grab some cheap glass ones at a thrift shop when you are out. They can easily be painted, and can end up looking really cool when displayed with many of it’s friends.

A mailbox update

I think I told you about me adding some cedar shingles details to the front of my house. Yup, me up on a roof is always a good time. I really had to pysch myself out to finish that last peak, as the ladder was sooooo high. So when I did this little project, it was way easier (and safer).

I noticed my cute little mailbox had a shingle roof that had seen better days, so I dug out a few of the leftover shingle scraps I saved and got to work. The rest are waiting to jump in the fireplace for a roaring fire, as soon as it gets cold! I can’t wait!

Here’s your reminder to paint or decorate your mailbox for the season. Why not give your mailman a bit of a smile?

Check this out

You have to check out this freaking adorable door knocker! How cute is this? This will be the chef’s kiss to my outdoor refresh this fall.

Are you mad for plaid like I am? Then you will looooove this sweater jacket like I do! OMG, it’s time for jeans and boots too!

Speaking of, another darling pair of jeans from Walmart you might need! Who knew that Walmart was going to end up being the go-to place for denim.

This month, we are in full swing with our new word, RENEW!

have you thought at all about how this can help you make a few goals this month? October has been crazy busy so far, and I have more stuff on the horizon, so I am really going to lean into renew as a source to keep myself from going crazy.

Maybe a few trips through McDonald’s for a Diet Coke, a massage on my birthday, and definitely some Diane Keaton moving bingeing happening. This should renew my soul a bit to head into the busy holiday months.

What will you do to renew yourself? Tell me about it in the comments.

Until next week

Well, thanks for spending some time with me this week. I hope you are enjoying some fall colors, good football, and stroll or two through some antique shops. You deserve it. Come to think of it, so do I! Let’s go!! I will tell you all about it next time. Have a great week.

For more inspiration, follow along on these links.

Pinterest | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram | LTK