This past weekend, I took a trip to Waco, Texas, with my mom, sisters and future sister-in-law. I mentioned last week that I wasn't really a Fixer Upper girl. However, the weekend at Magnolia completely sold me. 

Everyone says that on TV, Chip and Joanna appear super kind, genuine and in love. After spending a weekend talking to their employees, it seems that everyone who knows them well confirms that this is who they really are - just two, down-to-earth, kind people with strong familial values. 

Also, everything (everything!) they create and design is gorgeous. Even their playlist is perfection! We had a dreamy weekend, so I thought I'd share a few recommendations. 

Travel

It's typically expensive to fly into Waco directly, however, it's easy to find other nearby airports. Dallas/Fort Worth is the closest, but I prefer Dallas Lovefield for the ease of the airport (so cute and tiny!). Austin is similar in distance, too, so I'd price flights for your weekend. 

We rented a car through Costco Travel, which is my #1 cost-saving trip tip. The competitive rates alone make a Costco membership worthwhile for us. 

We grabbed coffee in Dallas at Mudsmith before driving to Waco. 

Stay

After we had already booked the trip, we learned that you can stay at the Magnolia House, which is owned by Chip & Joanna. It looks to be pretty expensive - but gorgeous! I have heard you have to book it far in advance, too. 

We also found it to be relatively easy to find Fixer Uppers on Airbnb. We initially rented this house, but they unexpectedly (and understandably!) cancelled. We later learned it was because a car had crashed through it. So scary! Because we had to rebook at the last minute, we didn't end up in a Fixer Upper, but, our house was very much inspired by the show, as it seems many in Waco are. 

I would highly recommend mapping your house to Magnolia before booking. A lot of the Airbnb's say they are in Waco, near Magnolia, but many are a good distance outside of the city. Waco ain't that big! 

Play

Before the trip, I was a little worried there wouldn't be enough to do for a whole weekend. I was wrong! The truth is, Magnolia Market is basically Disney World for adults. There is so much to do! You could spend hours there - perusing the stores, in the gardens, on the greens, on the porch swings, at the food trucks, in the bakery... 

My sister said it well: they've essentially created a beautiful, outdoor mall. 

Magnolia Market at The Silos

If you plan to do some shopping, the best time to get to Magnolia Market is either early morning or late afternoon. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. it's a zoo. So crowded! We went both Friday and Saturday (twice!) and found we much preferred the late afternoon to morning or midday. Rumor has it (aka the staff told us) that Chip and Joanna often show up late afternoon, too. We did get to see her mom, but no Jo! 

What I loved most about the market was how well done everything is. It is all so aesthetically pleasing and they haven't missed a single detail. We mentioned that it was a trip for my mom's birthday and, within two minutes, someone showed up with a cupcake. Even the shipping station is pretty! 

Although the shopping is awesome, don't miss out on the coffee and food trucks, gorgeous garden, Seed Supply company and porch swings. They also offer an onsite trolley that takes you on a tour of Waco, too. We didn't ride it, but, it seemed to be a hit. 

A few things worth noting: 

• The whole market is closed on Sundays. We were grateful to have had both Friday and Saturday there. 
• You can ship everything onsite and they offer standard FedEx rates. There is also a post office nearby. 
• You can park right by the Silos for $10, or a little further away for free. We parked on the street for free - about four blocks away. 
• A lot of the items are available online, but it's worth going to see the products in person. The sale section in the store varies a good bit (and the deals are goooood!).
• The majority of Magnolia Market is not air conditioned. My advice may be skewed since we went in August (in Texas!), but I'd definitely recommend light, airy clothes and a high ponytail. :) 

Silos Bakery Co.  

Ooooh the bakery! I am still dreaming of the gluten free cookie I ate for breakfast! The line is pretty much always long, but moves quickly. We each got a cookie and a cold brew coffee. If I were forced to rank the bakery's offerings based on my sibling's feedback, it seems the cheese biscuit is the lowest ranking item. The cookies were awesome and, apparently, the cupcake was insanely good. 

Harp Design Co. 

At the last minute, we realized we had time to see Clint's shop. Admittedly, I didn't know who Clint was, but my mom said it would be a good stop. She was right! His store was beautiful! I loved almost everything he had for sale. I'm still dreaming about his Cacti print, but couldn't figure out how I'd get it back!

See The Fixer Uppers

We felt somewhat creepy, buuut really wanted to see a few Fixer Uppers in the wild before leaving Waco. We did a quick driving tour around town to find a handful of houses that had been on the show. We used Magnolia Market Fixer Upper Tour of Waco to find them and gushed as we drove by slowly. Apparently they plant a Magnolia tree on every property they fix up, so that will help you spot them!

Beyond Magnolia 

OK are you tired of hearing the word Magnolia yet? 

Beyond all things Gaines, we also:

• Visited Baylor
• Ate Torchy's Tacos
• Got coffee at Common Grounds 

None of these ventures should be forgotten! :) 

I probably mentioned 10 times that the Silos could be a wedding venue - if that tells you how gorgeous the space is! Let me know if you ever make the trip!