ROUND TOP RECAP
Driving into Brenham, TX the night before the market, we ended up staying at one of the local spots recommended by the market. What a hidden little gem! The Dixie Motel , ran by Karl and his wife is so lovely. It really makes you feel like you’ve gone home after moving out as an adult. They have personally redone an old motel and kept the original layout remodeling each one themselves. Karl has built the furniture and his wife who also did the Round Top Markets for years has hand selected each piece that went into decorating each room. Each room has a great ground blend of coffee with a slow drip maker and he keeps real milk in the refrigerator. As a guest, you get a nice little continental breakfast that is set up each morning with fresh squeezed orange juice. As someone who is very particular with what they eat, this was wonderful. They even give you a customer stainless steel water bottle that you can fill up at your leisure on site at the filtered water stations, another big win for me!
I highly recommend the Dixie Motel for those little getaways or if you are visiting Round Top and do not want to pay the Round Top price for a place to stay. You will not be disappointed!
The next morning we joined the Heart to Market set up at Drift & Holler, which is such a great little place in Round Top, TX. Amy, the co-founder of Heart to Market is so sweet. They did such a great job at hosting a great show. All the vendors were so lovely and the talent is unbelievable. As a vendor- going to make money, you really have to have tunnel vision from everything else you want to purchase, LOL. I kept eyeing the Turkish rugs every second I could along with silver jewelers. There were several artists displaying many talents.
I scored these amazing boots from LUCKY FINDS and let me tell you, I am always reassured why I choose vintage every time! I had 3 pairs of designer boots that were recently purchased from Nordstroms last week that do not even compare to these. They are way over priced for the quality and these bad boys were only $50.00! They had an amazing collection of college vintage goods. I could have search their booth for hours and their fun little bus was decked out with premium denim.
I was so grateful for Seven Seeds Texas BBQ for keeping us fed throughout the days.
Markets are definitely not for the faint hearted person. There is so much that goes into prepping for it and then the packing up and hauling everything to set up and the long hours of the day, then the break down and hauling it all back. One thing you must have, is positive energy and a great ride a long partner! Someone who is going to help you keep that great energy going and make it fun on those long days, and my sister did just that!
For those who are new here, our brand focuses on reducing, reusing, and recycling. Are set up was nothing less than that. I have reused my set up multiple times, it recently served as a headboard and build in desk for my son’s room. It came together beautifully. We filled the wracks with the new kids line that was originally designed Pre-Pandemic. The collection was recycled from mens dress shirts, table cloths and bed sheet linens. The jacket collection is the cutest from recycled multi- colored quilts. It’s like a grandma’s hug!
Our vintage house dresses or as others would refer to as, kimonos, were a huge hit.
These, I would have to say are one of my favorites! I like pieces I can wear multiple ways. I love wearing these around the house, out for coffee date or even date night. I even take them with me on vacations to wear over my swim suit.
The process preparing for markets is probably what keeps me coming back year after year. Behind the scenes no one sees, meetings with all the incredible women I get to work with and create with. All the seamstresses that help my crazy ideas come together! We would not have a product without them. Every woman has a story and that is what has connected us. I always want to be able to surround myself with other women trying their best and contributing to something greater while lifting other women. That is extremely important to me as an individual and as a brand.
Round Top was a wonderful experience. I would like to join the Spring Show possibly next year and really get in the middle of it. I will definitely make it a yearly shopping venture for sure. It has all those unique pieces you can’t find in the retail stores and the people you meet, the stories they share about each piece or their journey, you can’t buy that. It’s an experience!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all those who made the drive to come out and shop, support and show your love for small businesses, the makers & shakers. XO, Arrica