The team at Holiday Golightly recently teamed up with Parisian Cowboy to produce our first travel guidebook: "The Parisian Cowboy's Guide to the Round Top Experience".  The book is now available to order online, or you can attend the world-renowned twice-yearly antiques show at the end of March and pick it up at one of the many retailers carrying it there!  The town's conveniently located halfway between Houston and Austin (1.5 hours either way).

Located in south-central Texas, Round Top is a hidden gem—known for its small-town charm, events, shops, lodging and dining. To those in-the-know, Round Top is special because of the beauty of its land and its unique cultural heritage.

 

Round Top is justifiably famous for its twice-annual Antiques Shows—drawing thousands to the small community. Most residents enjoy the excitement and activity of the shows, but want the world to know there is more to Round Top than just antiques.

Come out for the weekend and experience life on a working farm or ranch, take in a musical performance at Sengelmann Hall, the Bugle Boy or the world-renowned Round Top Festival Institute. Drive over to Schulenburg and tour the Painted Churches. Indulge in a little retail therapy in Carmine or La Grange. Embrace the arts in Bybee square. Or check into one of the many local B&Bs and just relax.

 

 

 

 

 

No matter what time of year you choose to visit Round Top and surrounding Fayette County, you are sure to find something new and interesting. You are cordially invited to be a part of The Round Top Experience.

 

 

 

Know of a great boutique, spa, jewelry designer, artist, masseuse, etc... in the Boston area?  Having just finished the "CRAVE Austin" book, we're now helping put together the "CRAVE Boston" book.   We need to know about all the savvy, stylish women entrepreneurs in town! 

CRAVE Boston is a thoughtful, intelligent urban girl’s manifesto that will connect customers with more than 150 extraordinary service professionals and boutique retailers in Boston.  The book is a celebration of women entrepreneurs that showcases some of the most creative, interesting, and gutsy proprietors throughout the greater Boston area.

Punctuated with descriptive text and photos full of colorful energy and stylish spark, reading CRAVE is like opening a door to your very own party and fashion show.

If you know of someone - or you ARE someone - who should be included, let us know!  Email craveboston@holidaygolightly.com or call us at 877-GRLFRND!

• You can learn more about the book here.
• Become a fan on Facebook!
• Follow us on Twitter!
  

 

 

 (Update: position filled)

We need help with various projects, including event planning for the soon-to-be-released CRAVE Austin book, other women-owned-business events and some projects for Holiday Golightly's website. 

 Tasks include:

• Event Planning: Assist with venue, catering, sponsors & logistics for summer book launch party, fall day-long conference, and occasional networking events.
• Market Research & Sales Assistance: Identify & create contact database of prospects, conduct sales and follow-up calls.
• Website Management: Assist with online advertising programs, blogging, website analytics.
• Social Media: Post & interact on Twitter and Facebook for customer engagement.
• Email Marketing: Assist in e-newsletter preparation, direct email marketing campaigns.
• Administrative & Project Management: Process credit cards, track receipt of editorial materials, contact customers for follow-up.
  

Requirements:

College student or graduate, focus in marketing or related business topics. Must be self-motivated with strong computer skills, knowledge of Internet tools, good written & verbal communication skills.

 

Full job description, click here.  Email info@holidaygolightly.com with your resume & cover letter.

We're hiring for some fun part-time summer roles. 

In Austin, we need help with various projects, including event planning for the soon-to-be-released CRAVE Austin book, other women-owned-business events and some projects for Holiday Golightly's website. 

 Tasks include:

• Event Planning: Assist with venue, catering, sponsors & logistics for summer book launch party, fall day-long conference, and occasional networking events.
• Market Research & Sales Assistance: Identify & create contact database of prospects, conduct sales and follow-up calls.
• Website Management: Assist with online advertising programs, blogging, website analytics.
• Social Media: Post & interact on Twitter and Facebook for customer engagement.
• Email Marketing: Assist in e-newsletter preparation, direct email marketing campaigns.
• Administrative & Project Management: Process credit cards, track receipt of editorial materials, contact customers for follow-up.
  

Requirements:

College student or graduate, focus in marketing or related business topics. Must be self-motivated with strong computer skills, knowledge of Internet tools, good written & verbal communication skills.

 

Full job description, click here.  Email info@holidaygolightly.com with your resume & cover letter.

*****

In Boston, we're running the "CRAVE Boston Apprentice" program to pull together the CRAVE Boston book on local women-owned businesses and need 4 apprentices to work on the book from beginning to end. 

Modules include:

• Market Research: Identifying the hot women-owned businesses we need to know about in greater Boston
• Marketing: Conducting email campaigns, Tweeting, building press relationships
• Event planning: Coordinating the sales kickoff event & book launch party
• Sales: Making calls & presenting door-to-door to business owners, cultivating referrals, securing sponsors for events
• Project Management: Coordinating photography sessions, securing editorial content & managing payments for the business profiles
  

Program to last June through Aug/Sep depending on school schedules. Part-time (minimum 10-20 hours per week), with some required meetings in Boston and some flexible scheduling and working from home. 

Full job description, click here.   Email craveboston@holidaygolightly.com with your resume & cover letter.

 

Follow us on Twitter @holidaygolight

 

You may remember the "CRAVE Seattle" book from our November post (free copies still available if you get 10 friends to sign up for the Holiday Golightly newsletter - learn more here).

Holiday Golightly is now helping create the Austin, TX version - which is due out in June.  Have any favorite women-owned businesses in Austin?  Let us know!!  We have to get the book wrapped up in March, so don't dawdle.  Share the love!

Or if you need us to help you PLAN a trip to Austin so you can discover all the wonderful businesses it has to offer, click here!

In CRAVE's own words:  “CRAVE Austin: The Urban Girl’s Manifesto: The ultimate guide to the places women CRAVE in Seattle, including more than 100 women you need to know.  CRAVE Austin is a thoughtful, intelligent urban girl’s manifesto that will connect you with more than 100 extraordinary service professionals and boutique retailers in Austin.

CRAVE Austin is a celebration of women entrepreneurs that showcases some of the most creative, interesting, and gutsy proprietors throughout the greater Austin area. Punctuated with descriptive text and photos, full of colorful energy and stylish spark, reading CRAVE is like opening a door to your very own party and fashion show.

Not only is CRAVE an intelligent guidebook for those wanting to know what’s happening throughout town, it’s also a primer for those who recognize and value the contributions that spirited business women make to our area, introducing you to 100+ insightful, dedicated women behind these exceptional enterprises.”

 That’s right. This Getaway has a small number…because it’s walking distance from my house.

 Sunday, I was walking with my Post-Valentine’s Valentine (ok, my roommate, so magical) and we had the best and cheapest Sunday morning getaway. So here we go, Seattle Golightly Girls, this one is for you:

Wallingford (Seattle) Getaway

11:02am Coffee. (Um, Hi. It’s a necessary first stop on any Seattle adventure.)

Hands down my fave caffeine fix in Wallingford: Fuel Coffee (1705 North 45th Street)

I dare say it: some of my favorite baristas reside here. They are always looking so hip it hurts…and they are just so friendly. I covet the bangs on one gal.

Enjoy local artwork on the wall, and the chairs outside for lounging and people/dog watching. That will be a double soy latte for me, single non-fat latte for the lady.

++++

11:24am Brunch.

Molly Moon's, baby! (1622 ½ N 45th St) It’s the hottest thing in Wallingford since Trophy came to town. The best thing is, they are doing Sunday brunch! Oatmeal and ice cream? Yes, please. (Hurry though! My Molly Moon's source says they are only doing brunch through February!)

If it’s a nice day like this weekend, I suggest taking your goodies and posting up on the corner of 45^th and Wallingford. Nice big bench, and there's always room for more people watching.

++++

11:57am The Main Event.

World Wide Books & Maps (4411 Wallingford Ave N)

There is the best hidden treat right off of Wallingford, Wide World Books & Maps. Don’t let the Rick Steve-esque bags in the window deter you…you can get lost in this place. So, sneak in your coffee (rightly so, they give me a bit of a stink-eye when I take mine in). They have international novels, any travel book you can think of, random accessories (I’m a fan of the Gorilla Pod myself).

Like a good mullet, there is world music and books in the front, huge maps in the back. So yes, I’ve been here once or twice with girlfriends when we have been plotting our next big adventure (or to just see where Namibia is. I just can’t find that on the mental map in my head).

Best of all, this place has lots of great talks and book readings. My roomie went to check out what they had to say about trekking to Machu Picchu. Better yet, the Gutsy Women are meeting Feb 21^st at 9am. Bring your coffee and go meet some amazing ladies that could inspire your next big trip.

Here is their list of events that are coming up!

If this Getaway isn’t in your immediate neighborhood…here are a few other travel stores around the country that could be a nice substitute. I just can’t vouch for their nearby coffee shops:

San Francisco: Get Lost Travel Books  (I their word for it.)

Boston: Globe Corner Bookstore (My Sources Say)

New York City: Idlewild Books (Survey Says)

Any other great ones out there?

 

It's natural!  It's fresh!  And no, it's not some new energy drink from the back of US Weekly...   It's a weekend trip to Vail! 

Holiday Golightly is here right now, participating in the "adult spring break" which is Presidents' Day Weekend here in the Male Valley (oops, did I say that out loud?  I mean Vail Valley...)

Yes, the male-female ratio in Vail is legendary - and we can tell you from personal experience (ok, not THAT personal) that the rumors are true.  The mountain and the town are running amok with athletic, energetic men with flushed cheeks from the fresh mountain air (or, wait, is it maybe the beer?).   Don't worry married ladies, you're just LOOKING...

And of course, a ski weekend is not JUST about the men.  Or so they tell me...  The snow is great right now - a fresh dumping provided fresh powder Sunday and the lift lines were moving fast.  (See, there are SOME benefits to a terrible economy).  And town is stock full of great restaurants, cute shops, and spa opportunities.  Holiday Golightly has scouted out the best of them (we know, it's a tough job ... but as they say, somebody's gotta do it).

Let us help you plan a getaway to boost you out of those mid-winter blues!

 

 

I heart Valentine’s Day. Maybe that stems from going to the all-women’s college and not having a beau to celebrate with. But DETAILS. For me, Valentine’s is a day that I appreciate all of the lovely friends in my life. While people are off in restaurants in pairs…here are a few ideas of what you can do with your laayyydies:

1. Be wholesome! Have a card marking party. Do you know the origins of Valentine’s was Saint Valentine cutting out his heart and sending it to his mistress that rejected him? His still beating heart was a token of his undying love. Don’t do that. Rather, party elementary school style. Pull out the doilies, paper, and Sweethearts and go to town! Think of friends or family that will appreciate a sweet handmade card sent via snail mail.
   
   My Heart Pants for You? I don't say that to friends much...but I just couldn't help putting it up
2. Do a Girl Mixer! Email some of your single gals, and have them bring a fun, single friend of theirs! It is a great way to meet some new ladies around the area. Have everyone bring a ‘white elephant’ Valentines Day gift, and have an exchange. A cupcake from the Erotic Bakery or a bad Romance Novel would be so clutch for that.
3. Round up the troops: He’s Just Not That Into You is playing. Come on, that’s just perfect. Make sure to fandango ahead of time!
4. Grab your gals. Draw names a few days before Valentines. Whoever you draw, treat them as your Valentine. Send them flowers; bake them some cookies, whatevs. Extra points for sending them something at work and being their secret admirer for the day.

So there you have it. Live it up! Saint Valentine and his dead, beating heart would not want it any other way.  If you have any Valentine’s ideas to add to the list…do tell.

 

 

 

Welllll hello.

I’m proud to be a newest addition to the Holiday GoLightly crew! And though I like to dream about having copious amounts of money and time to travel with girlfriends to amazing places….I am always the one searching for cheap flights, hotels, places to see and do close to home. I like to make my meager budget stretch as far as I can.

Thus, ‘Thrifty is the New Black’ is born. I hope to share some Golightly worthy trips, travels, outings, and restaurants that will suit my young-professional budget (oh and let’s face it, isn’t getting a deal just so much more satisfying?)

So please, if you have any questions about cheap, fun, most-current places or suggestions, by all means, send them my way! Comment below or shoot me an email (I’m jonesing to try it out: kara@holidaygolightly.com) I will be happy to serve up suggestions and ideas for weekends staying in the city, or places to see on a cheaper budget.

Ta!