friday 5: go texan day

similar dress | similar boots (a great price!)| earrings

photos by Ban Avenue Photography


Yeehaw, friends! If you live outside of Houston, you may not be aware that today is a highly celebrated "holiday" here in the Bayou City, known fondly by locals as Go Texan Day. A proud Houston tradition, Go Texan Day was started years ago by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the largest rodeo in the world, to welcome the trail riders into town and to build excitement around the kick-off of Rodeo. Like any Texas tradition, Go Texan Day has gotten bigger and bigger every year and Houstonians are encouraged to pull out their belt buckles and boots to celebrate the occasion. I couldn't miss dressing up the bump in a little western flair this year! And speaking of history, the boots I'm wearing above have a little story of their own. Would you believe me if I told you they're about 50 years old?! My Mom wore them to show pigs in a livestock show when she was younger; my grandma kept them and they were passed down to me. They're one of my favorite items in my closet because they have such special meaning to me and while I'm no cowgirl, I bust them out any chance I get. 

For this Friday 5, I'm gonna mix it up a bit and rather than talking about the typical fashion or home items I'm loving, I want to share 5 things I love about being from the Lone Star State. I'm not sure how I can limit it to only 5, but I'm gonna do my best. Y'all know we Texans are proud, sometimes overly so, and here are a few reasons why!

1. People really are the friendliest. I'm not saying everyone in Texas is friendly, but overall, Texans are known for showing kindness and hospitality to anyone who walks through their front door. Don't believe me? Read some of the stories of unbelievable sacrifice made during the wake of Hurricane Harvey. I've traveled quite a bit and no place quite compares to Texas when it comes to treating others well, even strangers!

2. The food. This should probably be #1 on the list because the food in Texas is something to talk about. In my hometown of Sweetwater, Allen's Fried Chicken is known far and wide as the best comfort food you'll ever eat. On Sundays they serve mac 'n cheese that is rich, buttery perfection. And the BBQ...don't even get me started on the BBQ. Zach's brother owns a BBQ place back home, Blackland Smokehouse, with brisket that melts in your mouth. My favorite thing to order? The "Plowboy Special"- a frito pie piled with moist, savory brisket, beans, and cheese. We also live right down the street from one of Texas Monthly's Top 10 BBQ contenders every year, Corkscrew BBQ. Should you ever find yourself grubbing out at the joint in Old Town Spring, be sure and save room for the cobbler that's the best I've ever tasted.

3. The sky. I'd say "the sunsets", but that limits this to one time of day and there are other times that can't be skipped over. While Texas does have the most incredible sunsets, best seen out on the plains where Zach and I grew up, the sunrises are equally as breathtaking (I just haven't witnessed too many of these myself since I'm the world's worst morning person). And the stars- oh, the stars. There's a reason the song says "The stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas". That's one of the things I miss most about living in West Texas- you can see pretty much every constellation and star in the sky so clearly, it's magical. And they're even better seen at places like Big Bend and Marfa.

4. The geography. Since Texas is HUGE, we pretty much have every form of geographical wonder. From the beaches of Galveston to the rocky peaks of the Guadalupe Mountains, Texas has it all when it comes to terrain. Some other favorites: Enchanted Rock, Hamilton Pool, the Brazos River, & Big Bend. 

5. The state pride. Texas has a rich history and any Texan you stop on the street will gladly talk your ear off about the Alamo, Jean Lafitte and pirates of the gulf, and the Fort Worth Stockyards. It's a sense of pride that goes beyond that of cowboy hats and tall tales; it's a way of life. Texans are the farmers that grew the salad you ate from McDonalds for lunch. Texans are the petroleum engineers behind the gas you pumped into your car yesterday. Texans are the Wind Turbine Field Technicians, climbing 345 feet up a turbine so you can have power in your home tonight. Texans are hard-working, hometown-loving individuals with a "shirt off my back" mentality and a love for the state that has made queso it's own food group. It's true what they say: "Don't mess with Texas", y'all, or you just might find yourself in a bit of a pickle with the locals.


If you're from the Lone Star State, what is YOUR favorite part about calling Texas home? I'd love to hear in the comments! Happy Go Texan Day!
xo, Britt