Round Top Recap #1

My cousin Laura and I recently visited Round Top, Texas, for the semi-annual antiques fair at both Marburger and Warrenton. I've always wanted to go and she lives in Dallas so we met there and drove the four hours together, along with some fun friends of hers, who followed us. We had a fantastic four days of shopping, wining, dining and photographing. Here are a few pictures from the week. Check back later for photos of my purchases and the cool (and sometimes wacky) items I spotted while shopping.

Round Top's population really is about 77 during the year, but grows to thousands more during antique week!

This tastefully decorated car, dubbed the "Tijuana Taxi" by our group, sold to a fellow shopper. Some Dallas friends actually went on the maiden voyage around Round Top before the buyer took it home to her son!

Shopping wasn't only about the stuff...it included beautiful scenery too!

Lodging is hard to come by during antique week. We stayed on the beautiful grounds of the International Festival-Institute at Round Top, a 210-acre campus that includes performance facilities, historic houses, extensive gardens, parks and nature preserves (not that we took advantage of any of these features!). It has the added bonus of being located only minutes away from the main attraction as well.

Last fall, Laura stayed in the cute house shown above left...simply adorable, but alas, it wasn't available this time around.

Here we are enjoying a little apres shopping wine and cheese at a house where some friends were staying, right in Round Top square.

After hours, the bubbly flowed at the "Bubble Lounge" at Zapp Hall, where weary shoppers can unwind with some Veuve Clicquot and music. The motto of the fair, after all, is "Come for the antiques, stay for the atmosphere!"

We thought this little Doll Hospital sign was cute, and just perfect for this doll (aptly named "Tony") Laura and her friends bought for another friend back home. Tony is the long-lost mate of Tina, who was purchased during the fall show. He's shown below sporting a vintage-scarf tutu I bought for my daughter (maybe I should spray it with something before I give it to her!).


By far the best (well, actually, almost the only) place to eat in Round Top is the eclectic Royer's Cafe, where we had dinner two nights. Patrons think nothing of waiting an hour or more on the porch (even with a reservation) and the mashed potatoes, homemade pies and ice cream are totally worth it (they ship pies too!).


A big vintage cooler sits on the tiny front porch. Customers can partake of beer and wine from the cooler on the "honor system" while they wait to be seated. Only in Texas!

Inside the small eatery is decorated with menus, t-shirts, Christmas lights and this little Santa, which reminded me of something we had when I was growing up.

Waiting outside Royer's for our table. We may have had a sip or two from the honor bar!

This sign on the front door pretty much sums up the general feel of the restaurant. I'm just glad we didn't see any 70-year-olds in spandex!