Working in the music industry, many would find it easy to get caught up in the glamorous charm of fame, favor, and fascination. In pursuit of that neon dream, some would even risk it all in exchange for a small taste of stardom. However, in eyes of Texas country music artist Aaron Watson, the life that glittered hardly seemed made of gold.

Having lived in their Austin neighborhood for 20 years, Frank and Tara West jumped at the opportunity to build their custom home in a new development within the same area. A realtor by trade, Tara knew exactly how she wanted to have her four bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom, 4,100-square-foot home laid out and what would make it function in the best possible way.

For many people, the idea of an elopement means sacrificing the beauty and elegance of a traditional ceremony in favor of a quick, impersonal exchange of vows without a second thought given to planning the event. Perhaps this was true in the past, but soaring wedding costs and busy schedules created the need for a fiscally responsible alternative that features all of the intimacy and romance of a traditional wedding with a more streamlined and affordable planning process. A plethora of truly unique options for elopements that combine Texas values of family and tradition with the simplicity of the modern age have risen in the Lone Star State within recent years.

In an exclusive sit-down interview with Aaron Watson himself, a member of Texasliving’s editorial team gathered a list of his favorite spots in the Lone Star State. From his favorite Texas sports teams to his personal favorite barbque joint, find out the facts you may not have known about Texas country music’s Honky Tonk Kid!

Fly fishing is a much-romanticized pastime beloved by outdoorsmen the world over. Wading in pristine mountain streams and casting flies hand-tied out of animal hair towards wild and elusive fish are so enticing that movies such as A River Runs Through It practically make themselves.

A small community outside of Houston is just the right place for homeowner Darlene Sauvageau and her family. Close to town and work, the homeowner’s neighborhood is within walking distance of the grocery store, school, and a variety of shops. Originally intended as a short-term property, the house has been transformed into a beautiful 3,400-square-foot custom home with five bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Texasliving Magazine writer Jamie Javor interviewed Dallas’s Mozzarella Company Owner Paula Lambert in the January 2018 issue. While working on the article, Javor had the opportunity to take one of Lambert’s cheesemaking classes, right in Deep Ellum. Enjoy Javor’s first-hand account here and make sure to check out the company’s story and Lambert’s interview in the print version of Texasliving!

The holidays can be guilty of demanding your time in the kitchen. Through the hustle and bustle of holiday preparation, many fall guilty of forgetting their furry companions through the winter whirlwind of Christmas time. Instead of limiting them to the scraps that the younger relatives slip under the table, consider trying a recipe that caters to the four-legged family member curled up under your tree.

Back in 1885, over 130 years ago, before its inscrutable list of 23 ingredients was locked away in two separate Dallas banks, no one had ever even heard of Dr Pepper, or, for that matter knew the recipe. That is, with the exception of pharmacist Charles “Doc” Alderton. In between concocting elixirs for cough syrups and stomach remedies at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Alderton unwittingly became a soda pop pioneer. It was here at this drugstore that Dr Pepper, the world’s oldest major soft drink, was born.

How many capital cities has Texas had? The answer, as with so many questions about Texas history, is: it depends. It depends on whether you are talking about French Texas, Spanish Texas, Mexican Texas, or present-day Texas. Nevertheless, forgotten history is full of surprises, and the story of Texas’s many capitals is no exception.

Some symbols immediately conjure up thoughts of the Lone Star State, like the longhorn, bluebonnets, or cowboy boots. However, onions, pumpkins, and lizards do not! Surprisingly, all of these choices, and dozens more, have been adopted by the State Legislature as official symbols of Texas.

Gift wrapping season is upon us once again. Instead of dreading the often-daunting task, use it as an opportunity to make each gift a customized representation of your style and holiday spirit. Here are some tips to make sure your holiday wrapping is the show stopper at every holiday event you attend.

The hotel is a unique boutique hotel with a first floor that contains the lobby, Bar Saint George, LaVenture restaurant, Marfa Book Company, and a historic wine room, while the three floors above it are entirely new.

Learn about the history of the Hot Toddy as well as a couple of recipes to make your very own at home.

Luxurious linens can transform a winter home from cold to cozy. Winter chills fade away in a home adorned with flannel sheets, decadent duvets, feather beds, and snuggly throws. When selecting these goods, quality is of the utmost importance.