a little stroll through the slice of paradise i like to call...

the town where i currently am.

(Moira’s iconic tourism video)

As you’ve probably deduced by now, I have been absolutely terrible at maintaining a regular schedule for these newsletters. I would blame an abrupt shift back to something resembling “normal” (though, *alert* we are still in a pandemic) but the reality is more that I haven’t quite ironed out my daily schedule as a “self-employed” person. I will strive to be more consistent, though, perhaps it’s best right now that I keep you on your toes, anxiously awaiting for your Gmail to ping, notifying you of the delightful surprise that is my newsletter hitting your inbox. Because I know you’re all die-hard fans like that 😉

My BFF Megan, me, and Leanne Ford!

I had intended to publish musings around spring cleaning last Friday but found myself with the unique opportunity to road trip once again to Round Top and awkwardly small talk with Leanne Ford, which I swiftly decided to take. If you’re unfamiliar with Leanne, she is a former stylist turned interior designer, with a resume consisting of multiple HGTV shows, chic celebrity clients and a seasonally rotating furniture collaboration with Crate and Barrel. While I don’t usually hold the title of "celebrity" on an untouchable pedestal, it’s still an unnerving thought to feel like I have any reason to be striking up a conversation with any notable person with an extensively long and intimidating resume. I have this fiery inner competitive nature where I want to feel like an equal to anyone like this (usually immediately humbled and frustrated by the fact I don’t really have any clout to stand on) which has been something I have been painfully self aware of through most of adulthood and have been actively trying to work through as I enter this new era of creative discovery and entrepreneurship.

The mental health emphasis on the “inner child” dictating so much of how we interact as adults is absolutely and undoubtedly true. My sister and I often text each other personal anecdotes from our separate lives, commiserating on anxiety that stems from a formative era of being built up to be the wickedly talented, creative offspring of two individuals who had seen success in artistic, musically inclined and “glass ceiling breaking” spaces. This era was short lived after our grounding parent figures promptly exited the main stage and we were left with no choice but to grow up early, develop mature survival skills, and simply find ways to “cope” into adulthood. The contrast of having a constant nurturing energy driving you to draw, paint, sketch, build, sculpt, play an instrument, dance, sing, create, create, create and then have it suddenly fizzle out left us with foundational crumbs that still haunt us both to this day. There is a lingering deeply rooted pressure to be “those” people while nursing an inner child with a bruised heart. When I dissect what holds me back from taking more risks, I am almost always drawn back to these formative years.

I have this duel mentality that I am somehow still this slightly pretentious artistic intellectual despite having not nourished most of these skills through the years while simultaneously juggling debilitating self doubt on my ability to do anything at all. It feels hard to perfectly articulate, but it’s a funny little voice that constantly seems to chime in in moments of existential dread and confusion. This all coming back to the fact I wished I had been cool enough to approach Leanne Ford from a place of already becoming somebody, in the throws of this deeply cool, deeply creative process, where she would automatically see me as an equal rather than a “fan.” I always have this energy of wanting to see this big, fully painted picture rather than embracing the journey and the steps to get there. Back to that sweet, sweet fantasy life I go…

Meeting Leanne, on top of seeing another celebrity interior designer in my feed turn a whopping 32 years old, along with various acquaintances and friends of friends opening restaurants, store fronts and various business ventures, I’ve been in a full panic about getting my future started. My most recent obsession percolating from seeing a “for lease” sign on my way out of Round Top last weekend. While I will occasionally comb through a commercial real estate site, this week I have seemingly been glued to LoopNet, obsessing over multiple properties I dream of turning into welcoming spaces to fill with diverse dinner parties, life milestone celebrations, local organization events and special getaway weekends.

Want to see a few of them?

First up, we have this event space for lease right outside Austin that would be so dreamily perfect for wine tastings, guest chef dinners, pop-up markets, and indie dance parties. It has a stage, restrooms, a bar, space for food trucks and a private home on the property.

I imagine it a little like this…

Something reminiscent of the Italian villa in “Call Me By Your Name” and my favorite winery in Sonoma, Scribe.

Scribe Winery in Sonoma, California

Next up, we have this little slice of paradise called the Hillcrest Inn in Round Top. Built in 1873, it needs love and a lot of white paint but the hip motel possibilities are endless with the fun this space would be home to both during and outside of the Round Top Antique weeks. It’s listed for just shy of a million which I find shocking given that it resides on over an acre of land and includes a barn and historic blacksmith shop on the property.

I’ll let you click through the very questionable rooms lol

I imagine it a little like this…

I would also build out some of the property back by the barn to have a garden that would rival Martha Stewart’s old Turkey Hill home.

The home that helped launch Martha’s career, Turkey Hill. She lived here from 1972 to 2003. (She bought the home for $81,000 - it sold for $4 million.)

Can’t you just imagine a magical dinner party in the middle of it all?

A dreamy dinner party set up by “Outstanding in the Field.”

SO if any of you happen to be sitting on a big ol’ bed of cash, know an investor who would be interested in believing in me, or would like to seriously consider being my business partner on my dream to become a “Motelier,” you know where to find me! Maybe we could become the next Shelter Social Club. With the mentality that experiences are more important than “things," the thought of investing in areas like this/building a brand off of memories sounds wildly fulfilling. I am eager to create thoughtful spaces that are welcoming to everyone, along with a conscious effort of giving back to community, avoiding the destructive industry of gentrification. For now, I’ll hopefully be able to find a way to start small, with the idea to start hosting a local supper club this summer/fall. Let me know in the comments your thoughts and feels on this potential venture - what holes in the market do you see? What events or spaces would you like to see? Would you come to my motel in the middle of nowhere?

Either way, this daydreaming has done a great job at getting me in the mood for summer and sunshine, despite being completely unprepared for the humid afternoon Austin air that I know will blindside me any day now. Personally, nothing says summer like an afternoon of lazy pool lounging, the faint smell of sunscreen and chlorine floating through the air. If you’re looking to transport yourself to this fantasy, I’ve just updated the one playlist I am particularly proud of. It’s vibey and perfect for everything from a poolside lounge to swanky cocktail party (if I do say so myself.)

That’s all for now. Until next week!

XO,
Glenn