(A lovely red door on an old building in Lockhart, Texas.)
Saturday morning, we took a drive out to Lockhart, the Barbecue Capital of Texas. Ryan wanted to try the two restaurants we missed on our last trip there, and the boys and I always enjoy the ride and the scenery. One of my favorite things about small Texas towns is the picturesque charm, and when we stopped at Kreuz Market, I spied this gorgeous old building across the street. I was planning to photograph my new bag from One Mango Tree, which I told you about yesterday, but then I noticed the shades of red in the pictures and decided they deserved their own post.
(Kreuz Market in Lockhart, Texas.)
Kreuz Market is basically a warehouse in the middle of a parking lot, but I love the old brick sign and its no-nonsense appearance. You can get delicious barbecue there, and that’s really all you need to know.
(Fair Trade style in small town Texas.)
And just to add a bit of fashion to this post about colors and barbecue, I’m wearing one of my favorite Mata Traders dresses, which I’ve basically lived in all summer, my bracelet from VavaVida, and my awesome new bag from One Mango Tree. I almost wore the red version of the dress, but I’m so glad I didn’t, since it would have clashed with that door. And the barbecue sauce.
(My new fall bag.)
I lugged around my nautical bag all summer and loved it, and then September snuck up on me. Even though it still feels like summer, and probably will for months, it’s time to put away the sailing stripes in favor of something more colorful and textured. I found this Convertible Bucket Bag by One Mango Tree, a fair-trade store that carries beautiful products while working to educate consumers and provide job security to women in impoverished areas of the world. My bag is now sold out, but One Mango Tree has similar styles here and here, and the navy version (which is also gorgeous for fall) can be found at Greenheart Shop (on sale!).
The bag itself is a piece of art, and the cotton fabric is quite sturdy and durable, as well as beautifully printed. It’s a deep sack, and I love that I can carry all of my necessities in it, while also adding the boys’ things when needed, too. This bucket bag has two short straps and one detachable long strap that can be worn cross-body style. I prefer a shoulder bag, so I shortened the long strap as much as possible, and that works perfectly.
The small detail that really drew me to this bag is that each one is stitched by hand, and One Mango Tree’s craftsman, Mpande Eric, attaches the straps and rivets himself. I love knowing about the person who made this utilitarian item for me, and that fact reminds me of the time I asked my dad to help me lengthen a purse strap when I was in high school, and he carefully punched holes and added rivets to a purse I had bought with my babysitting money.
I’m really happy with my new fall bag, and it will be my constant companion over the next few months, and then again next year, too.
(The boys on their first day of school.)
This week was really busy. We enjoyed Labor Day, James and Rhys returned to school, Ryan went fishing with his dad and mine while my mom came to visit, and the first part of my five week collaboration with The Glamorous Housewife began. This weekend, I’m looking forward to some quiet time, and maybe a little barbecue, too. Here are a few things that caught my eye this week.
An old Rolling Stone profile of Katy Perry that I just read yesterday.
The very cool work of a latte artist. I didn’t know there was such a thing!
Though it’s September, it’s not cooling down in Austin yet.
A review of Janelle Monáe’s new album.
I can’t remember the last movie I saw in an actual theater.
And my friend started an awesome new VBAC site for African-American women. I am so proud of her and there is such a need for this!
Have a wonderful weekend!
