Round Top: Fifth Time's the Charm—Unearthing Hidden Gems in 72 Hours for a Sustainable Adventure!

Round Top: Fifth Time's the Charm—Unearthing Hidden Gems in 72 Hours for a Sustainable Adventure!

Here’s a sneak peek from my latest adventure at the Round Top Antiques Fair! Over three jam-packed days, I explored some of the best shopping spots, uncovered incredible finds, and soaked up the vibrant energy of this iconic Texas event.

From scoring stunning New Mexico ladders and dough bowls at The Bull Market to discovering Mid-Century Modern gems at Fickle and The Compound, every day brought new treasures. Evenings were equally special, like dining at Royers Café, where we ended the day with great food and great company.

This was my fifth consecutive trip to Round Top, and it just keeps getting better! Be sure to check out the full blog post, where I dive deeper into my finds, favorite stops, and tips for your own Round Top adventure.

National Thrifting Day is here

National Thrifting Day is here, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by diving into the treasure troves of Houston’s vibrant thrift scene! Whether you’re a seasoned thrifter or just beginning your secondhand journey, our 2024-2025 Houston Thrift Guide is your go-to resource for discovering the best thrift shops and hidden gems in the area.

Our guide is packed with carefully curated thrift stores, from beloved local favorites to those tucked-away spots that only true thrift enthusiasts know about. You’ll find everything from vintage clothing and unique home decor to one-of-a-kind furniture pieces—all waiting to be discovered.

Show Some Love to Our Sponsor: The Blue Bird Circle

We’re thrilled to give a special shoutout to our sponsor, The Blue Bird Circle, a cornerstone of Houston’s thrift community. For years, The Blue Bird Circle has been a beacon of hope, raising funds for children’s charities through the sales of their beautifully curated secondhand items. When you shop or donate there, you’re not just finding incredible deals—you’re making a meaningful difference in the lives of children.

Explore the Guide & Map Your Thrift Adventure

Ready to plan your next thrifting adventure? Scroll through our 2024-2025 Houston Thrift Guide and discover your favorite shops. With detailed descriptions, store hours, and insider tips, our guide will help you make the most of National Thrifting Day. Whether you’re hunting for designer labels, rare antiques, or just something unique, our guide has you covered.

So, grab your Houston Thrift Guide, map out your must-visit shops, and embark on a day of thrifting fun. Who knows what treasures you’ll find? Happy thrifting!

Celebrate National Thrifting Day with Our Houston Thrift Guide

National Thrifting Day is here, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by diving into the treasure troves of Houston’s vibrant thrift scene! Whether you’re a seasoned thrifter or just beginning your secondhand journey, our 2024-2025 Houston Thrift Guide is your go-to resource for discovering the best thrift shops and hidden gems in the area.

Our guide is packed with carefully curated thrift stores, from beloved local favorites to those tucked-away spots that only true thrift enthusiasts know about. You’ll find everything from vintage clothing and unique home decor to one-of-a-kind furniture pieces—all waiting to be discovered.

Show Some Love to Our Sponsor: The Blue Bird Circle

We’re thrilled to give a special shoutout to our sponsor, The Blue Bird Circle, a cornerstone of Houston’s thrift community. For years, The Blue Bird Circle has been a beacon of hope, raising funds for children’s charities through the sales of their beautifully curated secondhand items. When you shop or donate there, you’re not just finding incredible deals—you’re making a meaningful difference in the lives of children.

Explore the Guide & Map Your Thrift Adventure

Ready to plan your next thrifting adventure? Scroll through our 2024-2025 Houston Thrift Guide and discover your favorite shops. With detailed descriptions, store hours, and insider tips, our guide will help you make the most of National Thrifting Day. Whether you’re hunting for designer labels, rare antiques, or just something unique, our guide has you covered.

So, grab your Houston Thrift Guide, map out your must-visit shops, and embark on a day of thrifting fun. Who knows what treasures you’ll find? Happy thrifting!

Exploring the Grand Canyon: Our 2024 Summer Road Trip

Hey fellow travelers! Buckle up, because our 2024 summer road trip was truly unforgettable. For 2024, we set out on another amazing journey, starting in Albuquerque, passing through Flagstaff and Sedona, then heading up to the Grand Canyon, and wrapping up in Abiquiu/Taos.

As always, I love to make the most of our trips—if we’re on the road, we’re going to see it all! Along the way, we discovered hidden gems, stunning vistas, and plenty of fun spots in between.

Our 2024 June Road Trip Route

Our first official stop is always Palo Duro Canyon when headed to Santa Fe. We make it a point to visit every time we pass by, even though it adds about an hour to our drive. The canyon's beauty is truly breathtaking—if you're in Texas and haven't been, you absolutely should! This point is just south of Amarillo in the map above.

Our second official stop after spending the night in Albuquerque. Pretty uneventful here, but I wish we would have gone on the Tram. The Dallas Mavericks were in the playoffs, so we had a nice dip in the pool, dinner on the rooftop, then headed down to the casino to watch the game.

Meteor Crater Natural Landmark

The next morning on our way out we stopped at the The Meteor Crater near Winslow in Arizona. If you're ever in Arizona, you have to check out the Meteor Creator exhibit at the Barringer Space Museum! It's an interactive and fun way to learn about meteor impacts and their effects on our planet. The museum is home to the famous Barringer Crater and has some amazing exhibits on space and geology. Perfect for a family day out or just geeking out over cool space stuff!

Day 1: Sandi Resort Pool, Mavs Game & Tram (we didn’t do but we had it planned)

Day 2: Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, Flagstaff Shopping & Sedona Scenic Hwy to Under Canvas Grand Canyon

Day 3: Grand Canyon; Staying at Maswik Lodge/Visitors Center & hiked to see the Canyon

Day 4: Hike Day; Hiked Bright Angel about 1 mile down, hiked to the 3 hotels, then hiked west for 4 miles on the west Rim Path; stopped at Maricopa Point, Powell Monument & Mohave Point then took the Red bus back to the hotel to nap. We were EXAUSTED. Later that night we went to the Beer Garden at the El Tovar Hotel which was an amazing view. We then went back to Maswik Lodge for pizza at the pizza restaurant then took a Sunset Tour which was amazing.

Day 5: Shopping for the day then hiking and videos at the Visitors Center & Mavs game at the Pizza spot in our hotel, Maswik Lodge!

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/maps.htm

Attractions along the Way going west to Grand Canyon - Our first stop when headed to Santa Fe or CO is always Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo! Created in 1974 by a group of artists known as the Ant Farm, Cadillac Ranch features a row of ten Cadillac cars buried nose-first in the ground at an angle mirroring that of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Over the years, visitors have embraced the interactive nature of the installation, spray-painting the cars with colorful graffiti, creating an ever-changing canvas of art. The site has become an iconic symbol of American roadside culture and a must-see stop for travelers passing through the Texas panhandle.

Scenic 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona – On our way to Under Canvas, we decided to take a detour along this stunning 40-minute route. It’s absolutely breathtaking! Photos can't quite capture its beauty, but I’ll share some below anyway ;)

Sedona

Under Canvas Grand Canyon

Under Canvas Grand Canyon

We continue our journey to the Grand Canyon. But instead of staying in a traditional hotel, we opt for a more adventurous lodging experience at Under Canvas Grand Canyon. Nestled in the stunning Arizona desert, Under Canvas offers luxury tents with all the comforts of home, along with easy access to the wonders of the Grand Canyon. We spent our day ordering our dinner, playing games and around a campfire with smores, then … the stars shown themselves. They were just beautiful!!

The Grand Finale: The Grand Canyon

And finally, we reach the grand finale of our road trip: the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. As we stand on the rim, gazing out at the vast expanse of rock and sky, we're reminded of the incredible beauty and diversity of our planet. We hiked along the rim, took a Sunset Tour and hiked into the Canyon. When I first arrived to the canyon, I cried, it was aweinspiring.

Staying inside the Park: Grand Canyon Village: Maswik Lodge

I spend months researching hotels before booking, and after extensive research and firsthand experience, here is my review of each hotel within Grand Canyon Village. There are four hotels in the park: El Tovar, Thunderbird Lodge, Bright Angel Lodge, and Maswik Lodge. These hotels are all highly sought after and usually sell out a year in advance, so when I found a room at any of them just two weeks before our trip, I booked immediately. Why am I booking 2 weeks out? Because we were originally headed to Yellowstone, but changed 1 month out to Grand Canyon instead as we realized the drive would be too much for us this summer and will head there next summer.

We ended up at Maswik Lodge as it was the only room for 3 nights left 2 weeks before we left for our trip. Our room cost about $350 a night, but contrary to the website's suggestion, it was not updated at all, which was a real disappointment as our hotel is apart of our vacation. HOWEVER just a short walk from the South Rim, we were able to easily access iconic viewpoints, hiking trails, and visitor centers. And when it was time to refuel, we found ourselves almost nightly at the Maswik Pizza Pub inside our hotel, the pizza was the best awesome and we got to watch our Dallas Mavs win and make it to the Finals here!! The hotel was not so great, but compared to camping, it was fine and it worked for us. But for the price, I would rather have a nicer hotel.

If you're planning a trip and not camping, I would recommend El Tovar for its fabulous location overlooking the canyon. The building was designed by a Chicago architect and it’s a cross between a Swiss Chalet and a Norwegian Villa. It’s neighoring hotel, Thunderbird Lodge is really lovely and resembles a Frank Lloyd Wright building and Bright Angel Lodge also offer canyon views and different cabins right ON the ledge of the canyon, though I can't speak to the condition any of their rooms.

On our first day, we hiked about a mile down Bright Angel Trail and saw plenty of wildlife—it was incredible. After that, we explored the three hotels and then hiked four miles along the West Rim Path, stopping at Maricopa Point, Powell Monument, and Mohave Point. We caught the Red bus back to the hotel for a much-needed nap—we were exhausted! Later, we enjoyed the Beer Garden at El Tovar Hotel with an amazing view, followed by pizza at the restaurant at Maswik Lodge. To top it off, we took a Sunset Tour, which was absolutely breathtaking.

All the Little Fun Spots In Between

Of course, no road trip would be complete without a few unexpected detours and spontaneous adventures. Along the way, we stumble upon quirky roadside attractions, hidden hiking trails, and mom-and-pop diners serving up the best pie you've ever tasted. From quirky art installations to scenic overlooks, every stop adds a new layer of excitement and wonder to our journey.

Grand Canyon to Abiquiu, New Mexico

We left the Grand Canyon heading out the East Entrance of the National Park. This took us through beautiful foothills of Colorado & Utah Mountains. Plus, we stopped at the Farmington Walmart to pick up some things for our Abiquiu stop.

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Things I wish we had done at the Grand Canyon:

Rafting! The 2-day trip was priced at $900, and the one-day option was around $600, so I passed on it. Instead, we headed to Santa Fe to white water raft with our favorite company, Kokopelli Rafting. Over the past five years, we’ve tried other companies, but Kokopelli stands out as the absolute best!

Sunrise Tour - Wishing we had gone for that sunrise tour at the Grand Canyon—it must have been a spectacular sight! All the photos look amazing, but we did the sunset tour through this company and it was amazing.

Headed west out of the Canyon to Abiquiu, NM.

The route from Abiquiu to Santa Fe.

This trip, we decided to return to Abiquiu, New Mexico, which is about 60 minutes north of Santa Fe. The drive is absolutely beautiful.

I had the pleasure of branding the Airbnb property, Casita De Arrobol, three years ago, and this is our second visit. We were their very first guests back in July three years ago, and we just returned. If we could, we would come twice a year! It’s absolutely stunning and majestic—there are truly no words to capture the experience, just an overwhelming sense of awe. The kids had a blast collecting rocks, painting the scenery, and hiking around the property for two days!

Casita de Arrebol in Youngsville, New Mexico near Abiquiu, New Mexico.

Unfortunately, I got sick during this trip, so we were only able to enjoy one of the activities I had planned for Abiquiu. We went white water rafting! This was our third time as a family, and it was such a blast. We always choose Kokopelli Taos Rafting because they are a small business with fantastic guides. When we first went three years ago, we fell in love with our guide, who turned out to be a snowboarder! We even visited her at Ski Santa this year. This time, our guide was amazing as well and even let Kienan take the helm for a couple of miles on the calm waters.

While we could only do this one planned activity, that’s okay—we’ll definitely be back! Below is a list of the activities we had in mind. :)

Rafting on the Rio Grande just north of Santa Fe

Rafting on the Rio Grande just north of Santa Fe


Cielo Encantado - Santa Fe

I think it's worth mentioning their newly purchased sister property Airbnb in Santa Fe. We spent a week over Christmas at the cleverly named condo, Cielo Encantado, which means "Enchanted Sky," while skiing at Ski Santa Fe.

Cielo Encantado is across the street from the Four Seasons in Santa Fe.

As our road trip came to an end, we are filled with a sense of gratitude for the experiences we've shared and the memories we've made. From the majestic hillsides of Arizona to the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon, and all the beautiful housing we stayed at, this summer road trip has been nothing short of awesome. And as we head back home to McKinney, we know that the spirit of adventure will always be alive in our hearts. Jeremy and I feel so lucky to be showing our kids all parts of the world and don’t plan on stopping any time soon :)

So here's to the open road, the wind in our hair, and the promise of endless adventure.
Until next time, happy travels!


Things we didn’t do that I wish we would have!

Grand Canyon:
Rafting at the Canyon
Stay at El Tovar Hotel (or in the closest city with a pool for the kids to relax at night or afternoon after hiking) A Chicago archetect designed it and it’s a cross between a Swiss Chalet and a Norwegian Villa. It’s a super cool building but the neighboring hotel is even cooler Frank Lloyd Wrightesqu spot of Thunderbird Lodge.

Rafting - Mucho Dinero I decided against it and we went to Santa Fe to White Water Raft instead with our favorite company Kokopelli Raft. We’ve tried other companies in the last 5 years and this one is the absolute best.

Sunrise Tour - Wishing we had gone for that sunrise tour at the Grand Canyon—it must have been a spectacular sight! All the photos look amazing, but we did the sunset tour through this company and it was amazing.

Abiquiu:
Ghost Ranch, we had a plan to finally hit this Georgia O'Keeffe spot up, but alas I got sick. boo.
Plaza Blanca: again…same as above. boo. boo.
Mamacita's Pizzeria: BEST pizza, total dive. again…same as above. boo boo. BOO.

Santa Fe Day Trip

City of McKinney CVB Maps

For the last 7 years, I’ve had the pleasure of designing the maps for the McKinney Convention & Visitors Bureau. These maps are provided by the bureau to events and large weddings to be included in their drop off bags for hotel guests. It is such a wonderful resource for guests to enjoy our wonderful town and an awesome way to keep your guests busy before the main event! I'm glad that our town is being proactive and investing in ways to highlight what our town has to offer. If you want more information on the city of McKinney check out visitmckinney.com. Below are some great shot of the the CVB map taken by one of McKinney's finest photographers, Emily McClure at EM Corporate Photography. If you are interested in a similar map for your town or province contact me.

These maps are 12x18 and printed as a pad of paper with 50 sheets in each. They have cardboard at the bottom of each. The full city maps start at $2,500 to design and prints are an additional fee.

10 Ways to Use Infographics As A Real Estate Agent Or Builder

As a real estate agent or a builder, you must continually adapt to competitive market dynamics. You are always on the lookout for the latest trends in the medium of communication used to communicate to your target audience effectively. According to Digg statistics, it has shown that since 2007, infographics used on Digg have increased by 250 times.

Infographics are collections of imagery, charts, and minimal texts that simplify and understand a concept. Typically they use captivating and engaging visuals, which tend to compel an audience's willingness to read.

To make an infographic impactful, ascertain that the content and context are aligned to reach the specific audience and communicate the intended message. Real estate agents and builders can utilize infographics to:

1. Show expertise in a subject.

Infographics are the most powerful tool for a real estate agent. Infographics can effectively convey a message and explain it to its audience in a simple but very informed way. This shows a brand’s expertise in the understanding of a subject.

2. Explain complex concepts

People love complex concepts explained quickly. Visualizing an idea enables a reader to understand a concept better rather than read through a complicated manual about a product offered in the market.

3. Share a true customer story.

The use of infographics will focus on a customer's positive experience with your brand or product. This increases your brand's recognition as well as value to the outside world.

4. Demonstrate the strength in numbers

The magnitude of the meaning of numbers is usually underrated though this is how we measure the value of a product or service. For visual audiences, infographics are the ideal tools to showcase the strength behind numbers.

5. Building brand rapport

Consider using infographics when trying to establish a new brand in the market. Start by creating small infographics with simple designs. Don't hesitate to share your infographics on social media platforms for extra exposure since they are perfect for social media distribution.

6. Compelling readers

If you want to intrigue and compel your target audience into reading your content, then you can never go wrong by incorporating infographics in your content.

7. Conveying exact message

Infographics with detailed message best serve your company. As a real agent, invest more in making a very captivating and intriguing infographic that sends a direct message to your target audience. It's a smart move to integrate infographics into your company or brand, giving their potential in going viral.

8. Compare and represent trends.

Using words to show a growth in the trends in the market can prove to be a complicated task. Infographics are best suited for comparisons of trends. They may be used to visually describe the growth of popularity of specific building designs within a target audience by builders.

9. Brand advertisement

Infographics are the best way to advertise your brand. They have a positive effect on your audience and have a high memorability of what your brand is all about.

10. Simplify complicated topics

Easily simplify a complex concept into a more simplified concept with the use of infographics. Complicated topics are broken down into more straightforward steps that can easily be understood.

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