How is it possible that SXSW can last forever but also go by so fast?! My mom, dad, and sister went to Paris for Adrian's spring break, but I had to stay behind for work stuff. So in order to make it "worth it" that I missed out on a European getaway, I was determined to jam pack my week with fun SXSW events.
The party started (literally!) with the House Party in the Hills party I planned for Camille Styles with Who What Wear. You can check out photos from the event here. It was pouring rain during set up, and I was running around like crazy trying to tie up loose ends minutes before guests arrived, but by the time the drinks started flowing, everyone was having a good time. I hired my friend Peyton Frank to make a video of the evening and it turned out AMAZING - check it out here!
The next morning I woke up bright and early to go to the Create & Cultivate pop-up event. A cold front came through and it ended up being FREEZING all day long. It got to the point where I had to go home to get coats and scarves and then come back to the party. I spent the day running around with Laura and her sister Elizabeth, going to panels, checking out the pop-up shops, and grabbing lunch. Our favorite booth was the La Croix photo booth installation! They created an awesome backdrop out of La Croix boxes and had giant fruit props to pose with. Our photo ended up being featured on La Croix's Instagram and Instastory and Create & Cultivate's Instagram!
I got these new puffball sneakers from Sam Edelman and I am OBSESSED. They're one of those styles that girls love and boys hate, but I don't even care. I found this super cute rug at the May Designs pop-up shop and had to take a photo of my sneaks on it! May Designs ended up reposting my photo on their Instagram which was pretty cool!
On Monday night, I went to the Kelly Wynne store for a mini panel she was hosting. Kristen Kilpatrick and Claire Zinnecker were speaking so I went to support and say hi to them!
Tuesday night I got the ultimate SXSW experience. Casper and Onenight teamed up to offer a night's stay at Austin Motel (and an amazing swag bag) for only $99, so of course I had to get in on the staycation. I checked into the hotel after work and scheduled a personal Tesla driver to drive me to dinner with Adrien and Holland. It was so cool - that car literally feels like a spaceship, the back doors open up like butterfly wings!
At the end of the week, Camille let me borrow her SXSW Platinum Badge that basically lets you get into any event at the entire conference. I went to see Third Eye Blind at the Belmont downtown and it was so much fun. (FYI: They put out a new album last year, who knew?!) When they played "Jumper," everyone in the crowd was singing louder than the band itself. Afterwards we popped over to see the tail end of the Chainsmokers concert, but my 90s heart couldn't stop thinking about 3EB.
I wrapped up the longest week ever with dinner on the patio at Contigo. Those fried green beans and spicy aioli are my favvvvvorite thing on the menu. I also got the grilled cheese with bacon and tomatoes! Lana Del Rey was putting on a show downtown and I really wanted to go, but the fasten ride alone would have cost $80... At least when all the SXSW craziness calms down so will the ridesharing prices. We all know Austin is the best city ever, but shhhh, let's keep that our little secret.
xo Carm
