Just when I had written off Anthropologie as a warehouse of expensive thrift store knock offs, they go and worm their way back into my heart by using Austin as the backdrop for their most recent catalog shoot. And is it just me, or are these pictures much better than usual? Alright — I admit it. I’m a sucker for the charms of my recently adopted hometown, but no other place I’ve lived has made me feel so comfortable, had so much to offer, and remained actually affordable. Ssshhhhhh, don’t tell anyone, though! The traffic is already so bad that you can walk down I-35 faster than you can drive it. But because I’m a sharing and caring person, I’m kicking off a two part tour of Austin via Anthropologie that Karly will conclude next week. Whew, and thank jeebus for Karly’s super sleuthing skills! In the two years I’ve lived here, I have barely sampled a tenth of all the fun goodies, shopping, restaurants and curiosities, that make up the capitol of the Lone Star State.
Welcome to Austin, y’all!
So you’d think a trailer with a giant Austin sign guarded by an ex member of the Grateful Dead would be hard to miss, but actually Karly and I are kind of at a loss as to the location on this one. Karly says it may be a part of the crazy Cathedral of Junk, and I’d say that’s an awesome guess. If it’s not correct, I fully expect some savvy Austinite will come set my ass straight, pronto (but in the nicest, friendliest way possible).
Update: This fantastic neon montage appears courtesy of Roadhouse Relics. Mystery solved!
Grab a cuppa joe at everhip Jo’s Hot Coffee. Owned by ex Manhattan crime fighter, Liz Lambert, Jo’s Congress location sits next to the Hotel San Jose — site of much boozing and laid back cruising — which she also owns. Not content with owning a badass coffee shop and our favorite hotel in town, Lambert recently opened the uber fabulous Hotel Santa Cecilia, which our Austin buddy Andrea blogged about here.
Say hello to The Hideout. It’s a theater! It’s a coffee shop! It’s an art gallery! Speaking of art, check out work recently exhibited at The Hideout by our good friend Miss Hope Perkins of The Hot Pink Pistol. Her sister, craft goddess Jennifer Perkins of Naughty Secretary Club fame, blogged all about it right here.
There are a million hipster havens in Austin, but South Austin Music (on the right) with its huge selection of guitars and banjos, is a staple stop for local indie kids of the musical persuasion. Of course, if you’re like me and don’t know your C chord from your G, you can take lessons there, too.
Austin has more than its fair share of drags, but none are as popular as South Congress. Little more than a decade ago, the South Congress was apparently a cultural wasteland filled with hookers and more hookers.
Now it’s filled with delicious boutiques and restaurants and candy. And if you like candy like I like candy, you’ll love the very quaint Big Top Candy Shop, with its old timey soda fountain and eclectic assortment of sugared goods. Where else can you get a candy coated scorpion? Hm?
On the left, Cheapo Records beckons with its siren call of cool dusty vinyl and free live music, which reaches a drunken fever pitch during SXSW. On the right, yet another colorful Austin vignette. Eastside, maybe?
The Continental Club has been an Austin institution since 1957. They carry on the swinging, honky tonk vibe and for the most part, it’s all good. But I have been known to throw a fit after being asked to pony up a $15 cover fee for a band I’ve never heard of. However, as even my sweet little dad can attest, the bartender pours very stiff drinks. And that leads to dancing. And dancing is always a good time (until you wake up the next morning).
Guero’s Taco Bar on South Congress has one of the cutest patios in the history of the world. Sit under the spreading branches of an enormous oak tree festooned with lights at night, and enjoy yourself a margarita (or five). There really is nothing better on a hot Texas night. A word of caution, though: watch out for the flying tree roaches, aka floaches, aka B-52 bombers. You may have heard that everything is bigger in Texas? Well, it’s true.
No trip to Austin is complete without a visit to one of Alamo Drafthouse’s seven locations. I’m partial to the South Lamar theater since it’s close to home and I’m a lazy bum, but the downtown Ritz theater always makes for a good time. The Alamo basks in unique awesomeness largely due to the fact that they will bring food and BEER to your seat while you watch movies. The only downside to that arrangement is that you will surely miss at least 10 minutes of the movie while peeing out that pitcher of Dos Equis you just guzzled. Eh, small price to pay, right? The Alamo also hosts all kinds of crazy events, like a sing along to Purple Rain, visits from directors like Quentin Tarantino, and wacky comedy routines set to soundless movies.No can miss.
Be sure to join the very knowledgeable Karlypants on Monday for Part Deux of our Austin tour guide. There will even be — gasp! — home decor.
See? We didn’t forget this was a design blog, after all.
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you know, I was totally wrong about picture #1, I realized late last night that it’s actually Roadhouse Relics, a shop on south 1st that makes retro neon signs from scratch. Sorry I was wrong. The cathedral of junk is badass and certainly deserves a shout out
Also, to anyone planning a trip to austin and the alamo drafthouse: they have lots of fancy food not just bar snacks, the salads are amazing as are their brick oven pizzas. However, and pay very close attention here, make sure you order the queso con carne, it’s out of control.
In the words of Tina Fey: I want to go there. And in those clothes.
Karly is nothing if not a queso connoisseur. Don’t ask me how she’s still skinny. It defies logic.
Stephanie, come on down! We’d love to take you out on da town.
i like their clothes and some of their home stuff but yea you’re right it is a very expensive thrift store. you both should have been at the photo shoot! u bitches are all sorts of hot.
About 95% of Anthro’s merchandise is not anywhere close to my personal aesthetic, but as a former clothing and interiors retailer I really admire their vision.
It’s clear, it’s singular, and it never wavers. So much so that lovers and haters of the brand say “That’s so Anthro.”
You know instantly when you see it or something like it (the UK’s “Toast” catalog). Many retailers would kill to have such branding.
P.S. The fence photo? I have that top on my wish list.
P.P.S. I once met one of Anthro’s women’s wear buyers at market in New York and he was the biggest asshat ever. Rude, condescending, and (incredibly enough) very poorly dressed.
these ARE cool photographs! but damn anthropologie and their stupid prices! and i sort of hate the whole state of texas, just because i have a jesus freak sister that lives in dallas. shudder.
Drollgirl, Austin is not in Texas.
Lovely, lovely post! Damn, I’m happy and proud to live in Austin. Can’t wait for Monday’s post. And thanks for the shout-out, again. I feel so spoiled
What – Austin is not in Texas?
Ok, technically Austin is in Texas. But no one who actually lives here would admit that. Austin is like a cool blue oasis surrounded by an angry red sea…
Aw this is a lovely home town proud post -you can feel your town love a oozing! Thanks for sharing! Austin sounds like a very cool place indeed!
I’m packing my bags and my twins and husband and we’re moving there today! Well, just in my dreams….We can at least put it on our list of “must-sees”.
Hope you’re doing well…still waiting on baby I take it??
Personally, I love anthro. Many of the clothes I’ve purchased in the last 6 months have been from there. And I am far from bohemian.
Austin looks like such a *great* place to live. Why does it have to be in Texas?
I’m finally catching up on blogland and I love seeing this post. I’m glad Anthro is exploring the USA for inspiration and photo shoots. Looks like a great place to be!
Sold! I am in love with that city and now want to go back to Anthroplogie just to get the catalog. It really is a welcoming place with so much to offer. I hope we make it down there!
I would love to hate Anthropologie… The knock-offs, the attitude. But, I not-so-secretly love Anthro. I met their fabric buyer at a NY Gift Show. Just like Raina said, this guy was extremely condescending. Too cool for school.
not so wild about anthropologie. after working for the company for several years as a manager and then moving to philadelphia where i knew a LOT of people- (mean and awesome) the company kinda sucks. they rip off small designers, treat their employees (across the board- from sales associates to designers and buyers) kinda shitty…. the smell in there makes me nauseous. (its a candle called Volcano- shudder) The only thing that is awesome is their displays which are universally acclaimed thanks to their vision of employing great up and coming artists who are bamboozled into having their their creativity co-opted for $15/hr. I appreciate them trying to Americanize their photo shoots instead of promoting some faux-european aesthetic.. However- they can stay out of austin for all I care.
Hate Ruffles, You are a doll for giving us all this good gossip. You are welcome on our blog anytime!
Hate Ruffles, I think I love you! Thanks for sharing the goods.
I’m sad but not surprised to hear your assessment of Anthro, as I have heard similar stories about Urban Outfitters, which I believe is owned by the same company. Stealing from young artists and designers is very bad karma.
It’s official: I’m fuh-reaking moving to Austin when I get out of school. Your personal babysitter is here! Until then, I want to come down for a visit! I miss Austin and more importantly, you!
Aw, shuckins, little sis! You are welcome anytime (especially if you’re going to babysit
[...] Design Crisis will take you on the whole tour but I will point out that Jo’s Coffee (second picture, to the right) is beside the Hotel San Jose—a place i would happily take up full time residence at. [...]
[...] virtual tour of that delightful haven in the middle of my homestate, like the brilliant ladies from design crisis [...]
I wanna know who’s green guitar on that vintage cozy couch is and where???I want go sit and play or just look and drool….:)