SXSW in Rewind

A few distinct cities across the US have a certain aura, a certain quality about them; I've decided that Austin, Texas is one of them. From the moment you arrive, you can just feel the change.

I love traveling, love airports, love staying in hotels. My gorgeous hotel was in a prime spot, located right on Congress, one block away from the famous bar-studded 6th Street (Real World Austin, anyone?), and two doors down from possibly the best bakery in existance, Bakerman's Bakery. My partner in crime (also known as mom) and I made a conscious decision to make the most of our two-and-a-fourth day stay, and I'm happy to report that we, for the most part, succeeded.

Top 6 Austin-tastic Moments
1) A successful first attempt at public speaking at the "Meet Judy Jetson: How Technology is Transforming 21st Century Teens." I was unbelievably nervous, since I tend to be face-turns-cherry-red shy. Somehow, being on stage in front of a room full of people encouraged me to talk. You could even call me... chatty! Clickable Culture was nice enough to post a recap.

2) A full crowd at our early-morning panel! Due to late night SXSW partying on 6th Street (or so I heard... I'm only 18, you know!), we were expecting a handful of people in the audience. An abundance of breakfast tacos (an Austin specialty) must have pepped up the SXSW-ers, because I would guess fifty to sixty people ended up showing up. It was a perfectly eclectic, friendly crowd, including Colleen Haskell from Survivor II, who now works in teen trendspotting and was wearing an adorable top.

3) Meeting YPulse's Anastasia, Blue Bird Escape's Elaheh, and TrendCentral's Dianne. These three incredibly cool ladies are the reason the Judy Jetson panel went as well as it did; they are the type of girls you want to hang out with, the type of girls who manage to be sassy, stylish, opinated, and above all, impossibly sweet!

4) Starting off my day with homemade donuts from the previously-mentioned Bakerman's Bakery. Walking into this teensy bakery made my mouth water beyond control. Iced cookies, pretty donuts, frosted cupcakes, filled croissants--it was a feast for the eyes (and then a feast for my mouth). After a good fifteen minutes of debate, I wisely decided on orange- and maple-glazed cake donuts. Mmmmmmmm is all I can say.

5) Walking at least 10 blocks north of the Capitol in search of "South Congress." We realized we were in serious need of a map much too late. About 5 miles (in cute but killing pink ballet flats) too late. We finally made it South Congress the next day, comforted by a stack of Magnolia Cafe's strawberry pancakes.

6) After too much walking and entirely too much sugar, settling in our hotel room for tasty room service (a first for me!) and The Squid and The Whale. But let me just say my meeting YPulse's Anastasiachipotle portabella sandwich and mom's mozzarella grilled chicken were much better than the movie we watched, which was rather disturbing.

Other highlights include Thai food, vintage store browsing, 90 degree weather, and being out of town during tornados that shook Missouri.

A wonderful weekend trip, wouldn't you say?

-tf