This and That

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Short and Sweet Guide to Fredericksburg

S: Chris and I recently celebrated our two-year-versary (as we call it). (We also celebrate monthversaries, which our friends give us much deserved too-sweet flak for.) This versary will be our only yearly one as an engaged couple, so we decided to take a midweek trip to Fredericksburg, a small town about an hour and a half outside of Austin. We stayed at Hoffman Haus, a b&b that is more like a collection of adorable cottages. (When I think "b&b," a huge house with separate rooms and a large communal area comes to mind. It's nothing like that.) Breakfast is brought to your door each morning in a picnic basket, and it's just an all-around lovely experience.

The driveway of Hoffman Haus

Picnic basket breakfast

Chris in front of our room

For lunch the first day, we went to the Sunset Grill. (I had the Q Burger and Chris had the Black & Blue Burger.) We then headed to Red, one of our favorite designy stores, and ended up buying some awesome metal numbers that we plan on incorporating into our centerpieces for our wedding reception next year. We also stopped by Root and Beulah's, which are right across the street. Root carries high-priced indie designers (think Lauren Moffatt) and Beulah's is expensive cute things for the kiddos.

Root and Beulah's

We also met this cute dog at a wine store on Main Street. He was so old and wobbly I instantly fell in love with him.

My new bff

That night we had dinner at Navajo Grill and drinks at Lincoln Street Wine Bar.

Us at Lincoln Street

The next day we did more shopping after checking out of Hoffman Haus. I had to say good-bye to this sweet little guy that hung out on our porch the entire time we were there. I wanted to take him with us SO BAD.

Sweet thang (plus my red toes)

Cat-kiss

We headed to Alamo Springs Cafe, home of one of the best burgers in Texas, on the way back to Austin. This took about thirty minutes to eat, but was well worth the time and effort.

The Cover Burger, as they call it.

More (less friendly) cats on the cafe's porch. I don't judge though. 

I love all cats, even snobby ones.

So:

To stay: Hoffman Haus

To eat: Sunset Grill, Navajo Grill, Alamo Springs Cafe

To shop: Red, Root, Beulah's

To drink: Lincoln Street Wine Bar

Also, remember that you can get a glass of wine or a mug of beer and drink as you walk around town. A lot of places on Main Street have to-go cups. It's encouraged!

Short and Sweet Guide to Marfa

S: Chris and I met in Marfa, Texas, so it is a tiny town with a big place in our shared history. In our living room, we have a framed Marfa Film Festival poster print. Almost two years ago, I went to the festival with two girlfriends of mine. Chris went (bravely!) alone. We met somewhere in the middle.

 The frame in our living room

Friends of ours are thinking of stopping by Marfa as part of their honeymoon, and I couldn't help but make them a list. This lady loves lists! And also, because I met Chris there, it just seems like such a magical (YES, MAGICAL) place.

So here's my Short and Sweet Guide to Lovely Marfa. I hope their visit is as memorable as ours was.

To Stay

El Cosmico

Perfect if you want to stay in a yurt, tent, tepee, or trailer. And seriously, who doesn't want to stay in a yurt?

Thunderbird Motel

Same owner as Hotel San José on South Congress in Austin. Obviously more expensive than staying in a yurt, but a little more comfortable, too.

Hotel Paisano

National Historic Landmark. Makes you feel like you are simultaneously acting in a Western and vacationing in a small Italian villa.

Adobe Casita

This is where me and my girlfriends stayed during the festival. Cute little house within walking distance of the town center.

To Eat

Cochineal

A little on the expensive side but definitely worth it. They make a flourless chocolate soufflé that I still have dreams about. Also, America Ferrera was at the table next to us during dinner. Random, awesome, totally Marfa.

Maiya’s

Also on the expensive side. Not as good as Cochineal but still delicious. Close to Hotel Paisano. (At both Cochineal and Maiya’s you should make reservations.)

Food Shark

Great, inexpensive lunch. They have odd hours sometimes, so definitely check their website before venturing over.

Pizza Foundation

Cheap and very tasty.

To Drink

Padre’s

The bar we went to every night. Where Chris and I met. Pool tables, video games, bar food, occasionally live music, and the potential to meet your future fiancé. Seriously. It happened to us; it could happen to YOU.

Hotel Paisano

They also have a full bar at the hotel if you get tired of the dive-bar-iness of Padre’s and want to try something a little swankier.

To Do: Nature, Books, Art, Art, Art, Art

Everything listed below is what makes Marfa MARFA. I cannot recommend each and every one of them enough. 

Marfa Lights

Marfa Book Company

Donald Judd Foundation

Chinati

Prada Marfa

Ballroom Marfa

(All photos taken by Sandra, 2010, Marfa, Texas)