Hey Beauties! (noticing how bad I need a fill.. ooh child) I live for a fit that is simple yet deadly! A band tee can do so much for an outfit but a distressed off the shoulder band tee? Hunty.. SIGN ME UP!
This was a rare outing for me but it truly showed me to think outside of the box and be down to explore. I was in a small town called “Texas Wine Country” for a wedding and keeping it 100 as always, if this wasn’t the location the couple chose, I probably wouldn’t have made the trip. It’s in the middle of nowhere and the entire town revolves around wine and peaches.
You’re Really Gonna’ Hate Me
Did I mention I appreciate every single one of your precious souls that are peeping this right now? You are perfect, special, and I want to squeeze each one of you (this is me buttering you up because what I’m about to say next, may end our friendship). I am not a wine person in any way, shape, or form. Still love me? I’m not going to sit here and be a “wine basher” but it’s just not my thing, it doesn’t sit well in my Vodka & Tequila infested tummy and it makes me sleepy. HOWEVER, due to the circumstance I arrived and was ready to see what trouble I could get in to.
I was asked to do makeup for someone that is super loyal to a business I am affiliated with, so I had a few hours to kill before I was due at the venue for GLAM. I drove down the main strip of town which was literally called “Main St.” and saw there were a few spots.. bars.. *wink* worth hitting while I was in town.
The Accident
After plugging in the address to the venue I was led even further into “nowhere” and the scenery was starting to change. I was living a wine lover’s dream as I was driving down this road, vineyard after vineyard and ads for wine tastings galore. I noticed that there was an old farm style barn… umm more like Mansion.. with a beautiful rustic exterior, there was something interesting about this (what I thought at the time) house. Driving down the road I was only able to catch a glimpse and knew no matter what that place was, I was going back. It didn’t occur to me to look it up right away or anything because DON’T TEXT/GOOGLE AND DRIVE, but I was also on a time crunch.
After arriving at the venue, I was in full makeup artist (wannabe) mode and got to work. I don’t have to tell you how weddings go, we ate, drank, and danced the night away. The DJ offering us a phone number to text our requests was a BAD IDEA.. it got poppin’ in there real quick. I decided to leave later the next day to explore and head back to the mystery mansion. It didn’t seem right to not hit “Main St.” first, I wouldn’t be doing the town justice if I skipped it. I was grateful to find a bar that didn’t just serve wine and OH.. this bar was also literally called “The Bar” but they sure did serve a mean Paloma (I’m thirsty). There was a boutique next door that I hit up and must say, everywhere I went had excellent customer service and was just so warm and welcoming. I LOVE TEXAS.
City Slicker
With my new goodies and my cocktail fix, I was ready to head to Magnolia Pearl. I sure was productive during my cocktail hour and finally did my research finding out that it’s actually a retail store. (Mind Blown) I was now more eager than ever. Doesn’t the drive always seem longer when your anxious to get somewhere? I finally arrived and it seriously was such a VIBE. The whole backdrop and moment was on the opposite scale of who I am or where you would catch me. Seriously, take a moment and visualize this with me. City girl in ripped jeans, chunky boots, full face beat…including lashes to the heavens and the darkest lip I own. This may sound exaggerative to some but I got some unsure looks on “Main St.” Okkk..haha..
Not Expecting This
I immediately noticed that everything was strategically placed and was exactly where it was meant to be. There was an old truck out front and the sickest seating areas spread about the front lawn. Going up the porch, there was a table and chair set up made of tree bark; painted white and the dopest statue I’ve ever see, an almost Victorian piece with the words “WEAR YOUR REVOLUTION” painted across the torso. I have never been more curios or anxious to walk into a place as I was at this very moment. Walking in my eyes just wanted to go everywhere, it was extremely minimal with its clothing displays and everything was spaced out perfectly. The other “customers” in the store were treating the location as a museum more so than a retail store. I think the employees were used to this because they kept to themselves and allowed us to look around freely. Not only was there a full wall fireplace but there were antique full-size mirrors harnessed from the ceiling, a full kitchen with a smaller dinner table and stairs leading up to another level. It was clean and organized and every piece of décor just had my eyes bulging larger and larger.
The clothing and accessories were more bohemian geared but thankfully I found a shelf of band tees because I wasn’t leaving without something. I wasn’t informed yet as to what officially their story was, but I could tell everything was in limited quantity and a lot of the items looked handmade or re-done. I decided on a Bruce Springsteen tee because I loved the grey and pop of orange but what truly drew me to it was the stretched collar, distressing, and oversized feel. I noticed that all the tees were “one size fits all” and just went for it. All I cared about was buying this tee and putting it on my body because this moment needed to be documented.
Warning
Making my way to the cash register I passed a jewelry case and the pieces in there were just amazing, there is definitely something in there for you if you can take a minute to actually look at anything but the structure. The price point for the pieces in this store are not “cheap” by any means. Prices range from $100 for a tee to $400 for overalls. There sometimes is a reason behind everything so it’s always good to find out the reasoning. Walking up to the register was a moment in itself, the cashier was shocked that someone was actually making a purchase. There were at least 4 different waves of people that came in and didn’t purchase anything.
I Sure Did
In the process of my purchase I was able to gather that the clothing was handmade and hand designed in house (the artists were literally upstairs right above where we were standing hence the price point) She proceeded to tell me I could “go up there and check it out” I respectfully asked if I was allowed to take pictures and it was actually encouraged. I was allowed to roam around and was even informed of stage/venue “out back” all I could thing was.. there’s an out back? First stop was upstairs, a set of wooden distressed stairs led to an area with workstations and fabrics lining the walls. There was a younger lady upstairs sketching who looked over and smiled. I felt like I was in her creative space, so I caught a quick glimpse and made my way back downstairs. I spotted a fitting room on my way to the exit and decided to throw on my new tee before scoping out the rest of this place.
Random fact: It wasn’t till I was in the fitting room that I noticed “Magnolia Pearl” was printed on the back of the tee along the top, made me love it even more. The quality and feel of the tee on my body was perfection, perfectly oversized to where it fell off the shoulder and super soft. It was meant for this tee to find me being that I was already in my favorite ripped knee black Zara jeans. Alternate option here. These jeans are high waisted and super comfortable, I was able to move freely in them and they fit like a glove. A band tee and jeans isn’t complete without a stacked boot, these are also a favorite from Zara and I wear them anytime I want to dress up a grungy look. These boots have a small platform and stacked heel so they are very comfy and sleek. I love a chunky boot silhouette that doesn’t add extra bulk. .Fashion Fate. Here are some MODISH approved options from ASOS and another flat option from Free People.
Visionary
Outside was equally as creative as the inside with its random but perfect décor. A perfectly made bed was suspended in air on the back porch and I found another vintage truck that housed a chicken coop. There was a stage and bench seating made of hay spread throughout as if it was set up for an audience. I heard they recently started having musical performances on certain evenings. The stage setup was far from anything I’ve ever seen with a vintage love seat, multiple large area rugs as a backdrop, and a vintage chair suspended in the air. When I say this place is next level, I mean it. I’ve never been anywhere like it and truly admire the hard work and vision it took to make this gem exactly what it was. If you find yourself in “Texas Wine Country”, make the trip to Magnolia Pearl, you wont regret it.
Cheers,
-Modish Champagne
