Who Invited Sarah?

This was my second year going to the rodeo and it was just as much fun as the first time! Let me take you through the day.

This year I went on a Saturday. On the weekends, the rodeo starts at 2pm and the concert is at like 5ish. My Friend Katie and her mom were in visiting so we started the day off early!

I originally had two outfit options. The base was essentially the same, but the other top option was a red gingham tank. Now I have mentioned this before, I LOVE black clothing. I have to force myself to not buy black dresses and shirts, because I don’t need any more for real. But I somehow always end up with more, hence the choice of the black backless top over the red tank. The red boots were a no-brainer and my skirt from Old Navy, just fit the vibe too well not to be worn.

The belt and necklace were the real stars of the show with this fit. My necklace is a chili pepper! How cute is that?! I got it from Zara last year specifically for the rodeo, so it is only right that it makes a second appearance. The belt is the best, most western thing ever. I am claiming it as vintage. I got it from my last landlord (shout-out Dorry, iykyk). It is brown and has metal hearts all along it. I have no clue where it is from but it is the only belt I wear because sarah secret: I hate belts.

I rolled up to the hotel, clutching their Tenfold coffee at 10:30 am. (If you have not been to Tenfold, GO!) Brace yourselves for the intermission of a lifetime as I unveil the ABSOLUTE TENFOLD MAGIC I stumbled upon: a Strawberry and Vanilla latte!

Tenfold has a seasonal strawberry syrup on their menu currently and it is to die for! I have had it in their matcha and I would highly recommend. I decided on Saturday that I wanted to try something special and ask for both their vanilla and strawberry syrup. Let me tell you, it was magical. I felt like ratatouille when all the colors are swirling around him. I proceeded to have another one on Sunday & will have many more in the future as long as the syrup is available.

Okay back to the rodeo. We got in and took pictures right away! Of course in front of the classic H and also all the cute booths along the walk.

The weather was looking a little gloomy at the start of the day, but then it quickly became the most sunny and hot day. I know I live in Houston and should be used to that, but when two days before it was 50 degrees, I am allowed a little bit of complaining. I was sweating so much, but I would much rather be hot than cold.

We made our way through all the fun shops in the NRG center. Looking at all the stands was so fun and I wanted these boots so very badly. To keep myself from overspending I have started to just photograph things that I love. That way I can look back later and decide if I actually want the item or I can provide it as a gift idea.

Look at these beauties though. They are so me!

We then walked through the carnival. It was so chaotic with so many people, but such a fun change of pace for the weekend. The food smelled amazing and I felt like I was back at Knoebels (if you know what this is you get a gold star).

Funny moment of the rodeo is that I fell. Yes you heard that right. I was walking along, thinking I was rocking my outfit and all of a sudden my knees were smacking the ground. My foot went in a hole and my ankle decided to betray me and somehow I slammed down onto my knees right in front of the cheesecake on a stick stand. The worst part is I couldn’t get back up because both my hands had drinks in them so I had to cry out for Katie’s help because she had not noticed I had fallen (how embarrassing for me). All I could think about after that was how the cheesecake people just watched me and probably thought I was so intoxicated, when I was in fact very sober. My knees paid the price for this and are currently sore and bruised.

Falling was also disappointing because Katie & I were scoping for cowboys & even though I am giving up men for lent (kidding but not really) falling the way I did in front of a potential honey was not ideal.

We did not want to miss a second of the rodeo, so we headed inside the stadium early to find our seats. I of course had to get a corn-dog… okay fine I lied, I got 2 of them… as soon as we got inside. Then we headed to our seats. Katie’s mom pulled through (shout-out Chrissy) with the seats. We were so close, 4th row to be exact, and we even got complementary snacks. check it out!

The best events in the rodeo, in my opinion, are mutton busting, barrel racing and bareback riding. The women barrel racers killed it! They were so fast and had insane times. I will be honest, the bareback riding looks literally insane and scares me. The way their legs are flying in the air as the horse is bucking is crazy, but its so much fun to watch. Mutton busting, however, is the greatest thing that has even occurred and mark my words if I have children, they will be participating in this.

Basically children hang on for their dear lives to sheep as they run. Most of the time, the sheep get so excited they crash into each other, and the kids go flying off. It is the most entertaining thing to watch. Please look up a video on it or go watch my 2024 Instagram highlights to see one from last year if you don’t know what it is.

The performer was Bailey Zimmerman. He was very good, but I did not know any of his songs. I will say I am not a huge country fan. Don’t get me wrong, there are some songs I like, but I won’t willingly listen to them alone in the car. Bailey rode in on a GIANT lifted truck (figures) and left with no shirt and different pants, on the same truck at the end of the show. Iconic.

Overall the rodeo was so fun and I am so down to go back before the season ends. It was so good to see & spend time with Katie! We will see what the rest of March brings.

Thanks for reading! Love Y’all!