SXSW 2014

This year's SXSW looked something like...

We were in and out of Austin in the blink of an eye, but we made the most of it. First night in town we joined a True Detective slumber party in our sleeping bags :) and crashed hard. The next morning, we had an amazing breakfast with our pal, Jaime, at Bouldin Creek Cafe. Man, have we missed the food in Austin. Then we were off to the Billy Reid party for the majority of the day. Out of all the parties, the Billy Reid shindigs are always at the top of our SXSW list. Solid line ups, good space, good vibes, good drinks (although this year we did not touch a drink due to our 30 day challenge), the best staff and none of that flashy BS. We stuck around until after the Robert Ellis set, jetted over to Juice Land for some energy where Kelly got green juice all over her shirt, raced to meet up with Nev + Scarlett (You remember these two cuties, right?) at Revival with the Deus Ex Machina and The Land Boys crew and ended the night with laughs at Justine's. Our last morning in town began with breakfast at Galaxy Cafe and ended at the Renegade Craft Fair. We've had our hearts set on a few items from Bekah's shop, AWTB since meeting her last December and had to take advantage of this opportunity to see and touch everything like a couple of five year olds. Photos just don't do the items justice. All the pieces in her booth were perfectly beautiful, clean, minimal, full of personality and great craftsman ship. We stocked up with some goodies and then hit the road for Houston, but not without stopping by Juice Land one more time :)

Thank you Michael for the VIP wristbands at the Billy Reid Shindig, we had a blast!
Thank you Jaime, Jace and Katie for sharing your homes with us. We were very Comfy.

SXSW /// 2013

My BFF, Pearl, lives in Nashville and we get to see each other a handful of times a year. Mostly surrounding Music events and shows, so every year we meet up at SXSW for some good times. Unlike a lot of jaded folks, I still think sxsw is like Christmas. It's the best. My recipe for a good time in Austin during this time is to have a super loose/open mindset and go with the day. That way I'm not stressed out about not finding parking, crowds, or missing a show. Usually, I get so caught up in the moment, I forget to take photos or write down fun moments to remember ( working on my memory), so this year I tried something new. I got to road test a Stash (unreleased) Journal to collect all my scraps, photos and stories of sxsw in. In four days, I nearly filled the whole thing up! Anytime I had a moment to my self, I wrote down times, venues, restaurants, drinks, people I met, maps, lyrics, you name it...  After that success, I think I will always take a road journal with me on my trips.

Essentials: Haversack, boots, passport, camera + strap,  sunnies, journal

    

<3 td="">

Newly wed Jason & Amanda Isbell @ The Billy Reid Shindig

outfit check :)

It's always a bonus to see these folks (college buddies)

Pearl, Jason, Tracy

Bootsy Collins. Holy shite sandwich!

Dancing is a sxsw must /// Ruben

Backstage at the Dawes show on Congress was pretty rad.

My friend Ruben bought me this awesome Dirk Fowler (F2 Design) print for my new place

A few personal highlights///
Billy Reid Party <> Leagues <> Jason Isbell <> Amanda Shires <> Lily Hiatt with John Hiatt <> Flatstock 38 <> Ramblin Creek Party <> Suzy Ragsdale <> Daniel Markham <> Seryn <> pedicabs <> Meet Bootsy Collins <> Dawes <> Numerators <> Seeing my friends <> People Watching <> cab drivers <> the whole dang thing

How I survived///
My Stash Co Haversack which held... iPhone <> Charger <> Tylenol <> Sudafed <> 3 cameras (digital, instant and film) <> cash monies <> sweatshirt or button down <> roadtrip journal <> sharpie <> water bottle <> Lipstick <> bags of almonds <> MariGold bars <> a hat <> Tumbleweeds Sunnies <> Gum <> Chapstick

Tips///
You don't have to take, drink or eat it just because it's free.
Don't try to wear a lot of make up, it will only melt off through out the day.
Wear comfortable shoes. If you must wear the really cute painful shoes, wait until the last day. Save you dancing feet!
Drink lots and lots of water.
Be flexible, plans change so be ready to go with the flow.
Don't be a butt head to anyone because chances are you will bump into them again.
When you run into bootsy, don't be too cool to ask for a photo with him.
Carry a sweater because it's cold at night

Brandi's Tips///
Have some cash, toilet paper, wet wipes, toothbrush, Allergy medicine, chapstick, and hand sanitizer in your bag just in case.
Do NOT talk to your cab driver, they might throw you out on the streets and you will have to walk miles and miles in the middle of the night. Right Fred? Right Nick? (Kelly: FALSE Talk to your cab driver and they will tell you awesome stories about their life, their kids and how their baby mama pissed them off by buying the kid shoes with velcro instead of laces because the whole point was to get him to learn how to tie his shoes, but he really can't be that mad because they are Iron man shoes... right Ruben?)
Stay at a friends house that knows how to cook, you will be hungry and too tired to go sit in some over crowded diner at 3 am.

XOXO

AND WE'RE OFF: SXSW 2012

1. My Stuff. Jacob hates that my bags are never zipped up. oops.
2. Nora's Stuff.

Nora and I are packed and ready to go....Tomorrow. I was planning on packing tomorrow because I can never get around to packing ahead of time. But, Nora texted me "You better pack tonight Hoe!" She ended up just coming over and helping me focus. It's so hard for me to pack because I don't know what mood I will be in. So now I am sitting here feeling accomplished and smelling the yummy IPA Jacob is drinking next to me (sad face). I am still on my No drinking alcohol for lent thing. 46 days. No I am not catholic, I just wanted the discipline. Go me!

Anyway.... Kelly will also be going to SXSW she just can't leave til Friday. So stay tuned for SXSW updates from the both of us.

Will any of you be there? Who are you hoping to see? I am super bummed I missed Miike Snow. Super Bummer. Waaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!