Every so often, I am presented with an opportunity to photograph something out of my normal routine of wedding storytelling and authentic family life. Last week, I was referred to Spiro Photography by my bestie Mary Brunst (who works corporate events quite often!) to join a team of photographers to capture a leadership event for World of Hyatt Hotels out in Dallas. Especially after spending a couple of winter months cozy at home both working in the office and doing a fair share of hibernating, I was eager and excited for a fresh travel experience! I talked it over with Tyler and accepted the job, trying to manage my excitement in the weeks leading up to our trip because I love a good adventure and couldn’t wait!
Finally, it was time to go! I couldn’t wait to fly, visit a part of Texas I’d never been to before, and take in everything I could from the experience as inspiration, fun new memories, and a refreshing retreat.
We were scheduled to fly into DFW and work the three-day event before heading back home to Baltimore. Seeing that we’d be only a couple of hours away from Waco, Mary and I decided to extend our stay so we could have some girl time together and venture out to see the Silos!
The corporate event went very well and I had a great time meeting lots of new people and making new friends, memories, and seeing a little bit of what the city was like. The speaker sessions I photographed during the event inspired me and taught me a lot as well. It was really cool to be able to soak up lessons and be positively influenced while I worked. And looking back, it was so good for me to step out of my comfort zone to capture a new type of content, setting, and experience.
After the event was over, it was time for Mary and I to drive to Waco! We were looking forward to going and spending time together, and seeing what the city was like together. Along the very flat drive down route 35, we passed trucks of baby cows and donkeys, jacked up trucks zooming by, and observed the interesting scenery that featured a little of this and a little of that. I found the lay of the land to seem very random and not as structured as it is here on the east coast!
We arrived to our Airbnb just north of Waco, called the Wildflower Guest House. It was adorable and our host was so sweet and friendly. We loved meeting her, hearing a bit about her story, and getting settled in before heading out for lunch at Magnolia Table before visiting the Silos.
Tucked in the center of the city of Waco, the tip tops of the Silos can be seen from the freeway, just a few exits up from where the sign for Magnolia Table is visible on the opposite side of the road. We stopped there first, for lunch, and were able to get a seat, even without reservations. We were waited on by Elaine, who was an absolute ray of sunshine. She’s been working with the company since before the restaurant opened five years ago, and so evidently loves her job. Her smile made us feel so warm and welcome, and she gave us her thoughts and recommendations on what to order and what to do around town while we were visiting. The food was delicious, simple yet so flavorful, and tasted exactly as was described on the menu. The portions were perfect, pricing was great, and each dish was visually beautiful and fun to look at! I started with a blackberry lemonade, then we ordered the biscuits and strawberry butter, the bacon and deviled eggs with a side of jalapeno jam, followed by two Gaines Brothers burgers… I wish I could have ordered a second of everything to take home to share with Tyler!
After lunch, we headed right over to the Silos, started with a latte at Magnolia Press, and leisurely explored the grounds, litte shops, food trucks, and both the Magnolia Market, and Magnolia Home stores. It felt like such a part of the city, not an overly commercialized tv-ified place to come get some cheap coffee and a donut. No, this was nothing short of an intentional retreat space… The perfect spot to come on a Saturday for family time outside, or to sit and read a book with a cinnamon bun and some hot tea. It was fresh and cute, full of life and happiness, while also feeling serene and peaceful. The balance of color, texture, tones, and use of decor elements was so pleasing to the eye, as would be expected, and everywhere we looked there was something else to oo and ah over. It was so relaxing to walk around and take everything in as we sipped our coffees, people-watched, and shopped.
We aren’t big TV watchers in our home here, but I do subscribe to the Magnolia Network because of its inspirational shows and the way it makes me feel when I tune in. I love The Lost Kitchen, so many of the home shoes, Growing Floret, the creative workshops, of course — Jo’s cooking show, and so much more. I love for my senses to be captivated and engaged, inspiring me and pulling me in with color, scent, texture, etc… and places like this are some of my favorites to experience in such a sensory way. There were several times I actually teared up as I shared with some of the workers who were selling me my purchases, how the overall experience of visiting the Silos made me feel. Every single one of them was nodding their head as I spoke and would reply saying oh trust me, I know… It's truly something special… adding a few personal touches to the sharing of their own perspective. One employee even opened up a bit to me about some deeply personal things in her life, and another shared about his love of photography, and dreams about taking pictures for the company one day.
Sure it could all be seen as just a bakery, a home goods store, a restaurant, and a collection of boutiques… But it’s seriously so much more. You feel it while you’re there. The goodness. The light. The love. The humility. The grace. It’s tangible and palpable, radiating through each and every element, in every place you look. Chip and Jo, and their team of creatives and business professionals, really do have a gift, and it’s incredibly impressive. I think as entrepreneurs, we look for particular things when it comes to certain professional experiences and walked away without a single criticism. The values of their faith, their hearts, and the lessons they’ve learned throughout their lives have cultivated to create such a brand that touches the hearts of others, reaching out to others to remind them of how deeply the world needs them, and giving us the inspiration to just be ourselves and rest in the person we were created to be — that our story matters — and that we are each individually important, loved, special, and worthy of infinite love and grace.
I don’t think either of us expected to be as blown away by the Magnolia experience as we were. Even though we had of course seen the property on their show, everything as whole seemed to translate in such a much more special way in person, and we felt it so deeply. The authenticity, quality, others-centeredness, joy, care, and Godliness that Chip and Joanna have instilled in their brand shone through so brightly from every single worker we encountered and every detail we experienced. They definitely do not false advertise when it comes to what they appreciate, care for, and the way they treat other people. It’s just so evident in the culture of the grounds, the people, and the experience they give visitors as a whole. Sure it might sound dramatic to feel this way from visiting a store, but trust me, it’s there. For those who are in touch with these kinds of things, you’ll know what I mean, and you’ll feel it too. :)
I could go on even more about our trip, but for now I’ll just let the pictures tell the little story of our day at the Magnolia Silos, and a little time spent downtown in Waco too.
Hope you enjoy!
XO,
Kirs
So whether you’re looking for somewhere new to take a little weekend getaway, interested in an idea for a girls weekend trip, or simply want to see what Magnolia’s all about — I suggest you go! Springtime or during the holidays would be a magical time to go too. I’d love to take Tyler back for their Silobration one year. :)
I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be able to have had the privilege to experience this special little part of Texas. I really appreciate and am still reflecting on the inspiration this trip gave my heart in so many different ways, and for the blessing of having such a special friend to see it with and who made it all possible!
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