Fall Break in TX, recap!

Alrighty, here it is. The long-awaited recap of my fall break in Texas. I have to say, the entire experience was an absolute blast, and being with four of my best friends from college made the entire trip even better. There were so many moments where I felt super “pinch me this HAS to be an episode of Sex and the City.” Which it did too many times when you had 4 best friends wandering a big city, gossiping about love lives and window shopping while munching on the yummiest snacks that were found just about everywhere we looked.

We left for Dallas Friday afternoon after we had all finished our classes for the day. The 7ish hour car ride was not awful at all with 4 different driving shifts and a pretty bomb playlist (made by yours truly, and linked right HERE for all your long road trip jamming needs) the drive went by amazingly quickly and soon enough we were in Dallas! My roommate and best friend Brooke’s older brother kindly let us crash in his apartment every night (minus Saturday when we stayed in a lil AirB&B outside Waco and 10 mins from the Silos) and with the apartment being in the middle of Uptown, we weren’t complaining at all!

Saturday morning was an early rise and a drive to Waco. We were BEYOND pumped to see the Silos during Silobration and they did not disappoint at all. With over 100 vendors and so much yummy food, we were set all day for an adventure. Brooke and I ended up picking up headbands that we are IN LOVE with, and did a little damage at the Magnolia Shop itself. It was like an HGTV version of Disney World. I’ll leave most of my explanation for the pictures below because the excitement explains itself. At the end of the day, we ended up watching a movie and munching on our cupcakes from the Silos Bakery before we fell asleep. (I had the lemon lavender and it was AMAZING.)

Sunday we grabbed a quick brunch in a small place in Waco, where I devoured some much-needed coffee and sweet potato pancakes that were to die for. We made the drive back to Dallas and ended up exploring for the rest of the weekend. From driving around the insanely gorgeous neighborhoods to spending a few paychecks at Zara, to hitting up Trader Joe’s and picnicking, and finally having Brooke’s brother show us the ropes to the TX State Fair, we had the most amazing weekend. I wouldn’t have had my fall break go any other way, even if Saturday was 98 degrees at the Silos…

A few foodie spots we hit up that I 10/10 recommend if you’re ever in Dallas:

  • Steel City Pops: **Thanks to Hannah, a fellow Jayhawk, for the rec!** I got the avocado popsicle and my life has been changed for the better. I was a little hesitant but knew I HAD to try. It is mixed with lime and is utterly brilliant.
  • HG Supply Co: if you are on the hunt for a stellar drink, quinoa burger, and rooftop, this is your spot.
  • Joy Macarons: get the cookie dough. just do it.

 

*Prepare for an overload of pictures, but what else would you expect from a blogger in a big city where her only duties were to look cute and look at cuter things?*

IMG_3643

The line to get into this store was hours long at one point. Brooke and I waited it out and managed to get in only about a 10 minute line!!!!! So worth the wait once we got inside. We even saw Joanna’s mom!!!

 

IMG_3696

Everything was just TOO photogenic. The bakery had to probably be my favorite thing we saw all day, probably due to the fact that the episode of Fixer Upper where it’s created is hands down my favorite. (right next to the Christmas guest home episode…okay…they’re tied.)

IMG_3715

This lobster roll. No words.

IMG_3711

IMG_3731

This snap of Madisen and I was taken around 1pm. We were sweaty, we were hot, we were tired, we were SO sweaty. But SO happy.

2F8C1436-456E-4F80-9FD6-2CCA031A1B8D

*yet another pic outside the bakery*

IMG_3691

One of the *literal* hundred of vendors. Brooke and I probably could’ve spent hours at each one. We actually got to chat with the owner of this one and crossed that off the official Silobration bucket list!

78B551FA-8E57-4CBF-9159-50B53CAF71B9

getting to see the May Designs booth was a blogging dream come true! It was like their Insta (that I have stalked all too many times) had come to life and it was AMAZING.

IMG_3681

Did I mention they gave me flash tats and agenda stickers? Yeah, obsessed with them.

3A813200-0BFE-4631-B116-6FE0F1CF5CFA

Amen.

IMG_3684

This booth was full of customizable sprinkles. Their business card was a bag of sprinkles. Coming from someone who had an emergency container of sprinkles in her locker in high school, I was in love.

IMG_3671

Painting pumpkins with Joanna’s new paint line!! These cute lil pumpkins now line Brooke & I’s window in Alpha Chi and are just too cute.

IMG_4176

The smells of this place were incredible. *also notice how as the day went on, the hair went up and the glasses went on…texas heat and I are NOT friends*

IMG_4156

*patiently waiting to submit our sweet treat orders* B & I waited in this line for 45 minutes…and that was quick compared to other times of the day

IMG_3900

Teddy Bear Park!

IMG_3822

Happy gal with her avocado popsicle. Steel City you now have my whole heart.

IMG_3818

Had to snap this picture of this sweet little restaurant because my aunt’s name is Nora and I love her so very much. Seeing it immediately made me think of her family and their sweet three little kiddos that I could cuddle 24/7 if given the chance.

IMG_3877

B giggling at who knows what while at dinner @ HGSupplyCo Sunday night. The view was seriously, gorgeous.

IMG_3903

Probably my favorite meal all trip. Brooke’s brother took us to his favorite coffee shop and naturally, the in sync roommates that we are, we both ordered lavender lattes and avocado toast. When I saw cilantro topped the avo toast, I knew I couldn’t pass it up. Weird fact: I literally could eat cilantro plain, it’s probably my favorite food. Anyways, the toast is to die for and was well worth twinning with B.

IMG_3923

I’ve always seen Sugarfina things ALL over the blog world and socials but have always died to step foot into a store. Well, I got to, and was in love. How CUTE are these customizable ones?!

IMG_3922

I’d be lying if I said B and I didn’t highly debate buying everything in the store…

IMG_3925

Rose and champage flavored gummy bears? 2 of each please!

IMG_3739

Had to throw in this snap of B in the Gigi Pip booth. We both stalk (and are obsessed) with their Insta and seeing them (and their gorgeous hats) in real life was a really big moment for both of us. (also how stinkin’ cute is my roomie?!)

7B3DF9D1-417E-4334-91AC-7B02CED84194

Told you we had a picnic! Smoked salmon, goat cheese, crackers, sushi, olive oil popcorn, pico, pumpkin cookies, and more. The best.

IMG_3938

IMG_3974

Last but not least, a fun snap Brooke might kill me for of her eating some fried guacamole at the fair. Obviously had to be documented.

Hope you enjoyed seeing my fall break adventures! If you have any Dallas/ Waco questions feel free to comment or shoot me an email! I’d love to chat! Until next time, xoxo, Ally

akn

 

links I’m lovin 10/20/17

D5EE768A-BE1F-4606-A4CF-2B1B7072A3FC.JPG

So sorry there hasn’t been much activity on the blog this week. Fall break was filled to the brim with adventure, and I am editing pictures from those adventures as I type in order for a lil Texas recap for all ya’ll (yeah I went to TX for 5 days, “ya’ll” is now in my daily vocab.) Midterms, field work, and a quick last minute decision to go see Hoodie Allen in KC last night filled this short but mighty 3 day week, so not much time was left for doing a whole lotta nothing!  BUT, on the off time I did manage to find (aka walks in between classes was about it) I still have a few things I wanted to share with you! So let’s get to it:

{one} Ingrid has been on the top of my “people I aspire to one day be” list since like circa 2010 and honestly nobody has topped her yet. Her video on advice to her younger self does all my love for her some justice and is 100% worth the watch.

{two} Would it even be a links post if I didn’t include something I totally am convinced I need to survive from J.Crew?

{three} So naturally I’ve convinced myself I NEED another pair of New Balances…kinda obsessed with this pair….thoughts?

{four} My friend and I bought tickets at 7am for a 7pm Hoodie Allen show in KC last night and not to be dramatic but I love that sweet boy SO MUCH! If you haven’t listened to his new album…go for it. Or just play No Interruption on repeat, whatever works for you

{five} Mackenzie is on her THIRD 101 in 1001 list and I’m truly amazed. Reminds me that I probably should get around to updating mine….

{six} shameless promo of mine inserted here

{seven} Kate’s latest & greatest edition this week may have been one of my favorites. monogrammed pj’s AND Blair Waldorf headbands?! sold.

Well that’s all for this week! Expect a Texas update post real soon!
xoxo, Ally

cropped-akn5.png

 

Links I’m lovin’ 10/8/17

A28B240A-8C44-485D-ACEB-0C4049E27FAA.JPG

Another week FLYING by in college life for Ally with too much happening in all the best ways. Honestly it’s crazy keeping up with life in college but my busy body self wouldn’t have it any other way. From #NationalTacoDay on Wednesday dinner with my roomie, Brooke, to planning a huge sisterhood event for Sunday (pics to come!), to nights out with my pal Brenna (she’s really wanted to be mentioned on here so there ya go, let’s see how long it takes her to catch that considering she much prefers to just look at the pictures…) I have been running around 24/7 this week! But still managed to round up some links for ya’ll:

{one} THIS. NEW. LILLY. PRINT. Oh my goodness, I can’t get over how they somehow made avocados look so totally trendy, but they so totally did. I ordered the girl’s leggings and am seriously so pumped to have them arrive! I’m really debating getting the little baby shift for my new cousin, Edith. Can’t imagine how darling she’d look.

{two} It’s officially the time of year where we all have to debate our Halloween costumes. I’ve never been a huge fan of the holiday, slightly too spooky for me to be quite honest. However, Frannie’s fashionable costume picks have me almost excited to dress up this year!

{three} J.Crew has 30% off today!!!! If I wasn’t already wayyyyyy over my fashion budget for the month, THIS sweatshirt would 100% be in my cart.

{four} super shameless plug for Madeline&Co (and myself) to buy one of her backpacks at 15% off using the code XOXOALLISONNICOLE !!!

{five} I am in charge of a sisterhood fall movie event for Alpha Chi tonight and I totally forgot how much I LOOOVE event planning. I helped with the senior brunch last spring and was kinda hooked. I am super pumped to see how everything will turn out, I’m sure I’ll flood my Insta story with pics so be on the lookout!

{six} Target’s new clothing lines have me blowing my bank account every time I walk in. But how can I NOT when it features the cutest things ever like THIS DRESS, THESE BOOTS,  , and THIS COAT!

{seven} …have you?

{eight} One of the juniors in Alpha Chi is fostering a puppy for the human society and we got to watch it at the house for a bit on Friday morning. I was in major need of some puppy snuggles and this lil cutie was just the cure. Made me miss my doggo back home for sure though!

{nine} I’ve honestly never NOT been a Miley lover. I do have the entire Hannah Montana movie soundtrack in my car, and so THIS absolutely made my week and may or may not have had me in tears.

{ten} Way back before I even started this blog (we’re approaching THREE years..what..) I read Kate’s “coffee date” posts and they are honestly the reason I started blogging. She just uploaded a new one and it’s safe to say I am still so proud to be a part of the blogging community with people like her spreading good sales but also great messages. Give it a read, you won’t be let down.

That’s all for this week folks! My friends and I leave for Dallas/Waco TX for fall break in less than a week! Taking recommendations on anything and everything for those areas! Leave a comment or shoot me an email at xoxoallisonnicole@gmail.com!!! Another busy week ahead for me with a few midterms and packing my bags for Texas! Until next time! xoxo, Ally

cropped-akn5.png