Jill Walles, Realtor

09/24/2026

Adding another one to your Bastrop shopping list! ✨

Rhinestone Rattler Boutique has such a fun mix of clothing, jewelry, accessories, and gifts, with plenty of unique pieces you’re not going to see everywhere else. And just as important, the people working there are SO kind and helpful. 🩷

I love getting to share the locally owned businesses that make our Central Texas towns so much fun to explore. If you’re shopping in Bastrop, put this one on your list!

📍 Rhinestone Rattler Boutique | Bastrop, TX

TexasBoutique

09/16/2026

A little peek inside The Oaks at High Hill! 🤍

I was there last week to speak at the Central Texas I-10 Community Alliance Summit and got a chance to look around while I was there. This beautiful venue is tucked away in High Hill, just outside of Schulenburg, with gorgeous countryside views, an incredible ceremony spot beneath the oaks, a beautiful ballroom, outdoor spaces and even villas for overnight guests.
It’s primarily known as a wedding venue, but as I learned firsthand, it’s also a pretty great spot for conferences, retreats and other events.

Another beautiful place right here in our little corner of Central Texas!

📍 High Hill, Texas

09/08/2026

It’s been a minute, but I’m back with another Diet Dr Pepper review! 🥤

Finally made it somewhere I haven’t reviewed before: BB Market in Paige.

Will it hit? Will it disappoint? Is it worthy of a return visit? 😂

Only one way to find out. 👀

09/02/2026

Smithville moms, this one is for you! ❤️

The MomCo at Calvary Smithville is all about giving moms a place to find friendship, encouragement, and community, because motherhood is a whole lot better when you don’t have to do it alone.

They meet the first Tuesday of every month from 10 AM–12 PM at Calvary Baptist Church in Smithville, and all moms are welcome!

Monthly meetings include:
❤️ Brunch
❤️ Childcare
❤️ Activities, crafts or games
❤️ Time to actually connect with other moms

They also have playdates, Moms’ Nights Out, coffee mornings, hiking meetups and other events throughout the month.

📍 Calvary Baptist Church
607 NW Loop 230
Smithville, TX 78957

And if the cost of membership is a concern, don’t let that keep you away. They offer partial and full scholarships when available.

You can find more information and registration details at:
themomcoatcalvarysmithville.com

If you know a local mom who could use a little more community, send this her way. ❤️

The MomCo at Calvary Smithville

08/29/2026

Another reason to spend an afternoon or evening in downtown Bastrop. 🍷

Pluto’s Wine Bar is a veteran-owned, family-run wine bar and bottle shop right on Main Street, with a great wine selection, events, tastings and a food menu that deserves some attention of its own.

We tried the raw oysters, polenta, and bacon cheddar biscuits, and every single thing was delish. And yes, I am still thinking about those biscuits. 😂

If you’ve been to Pluto’s, tell me what we need to order next time!

📍Pluto’s Wine Bar
924 Main Street | Bastrop, Texas

08/27/2026

This is how Gigi stays strong. 💪🏼❤️

The older I get, the more my reasons for strength training have changed. Of course I want to feel good and look good, but even more than that, I want to be STRONG. I want to pick up grandbabies, get down on the floor and back up again 😂, work in my yard, carry my own stuff, and keep doing all the things I love for as many years as possible.

And I genuinely love doing that at Iron Tiger Gym in Smithville.

We have quite the family representation here. My parents, my son, my daughter and son-in-law, and I are all members. That’s multiple generations of our family training under the same roof. ❤️

Iron Tiger isn’t about being fancy. It’s about people. The trainers are knowledgeable, encouraging and kind, and the community here is just special. I call it the Cheers of gyms because it really does feel like everybody knows your name. 😂

I filmed this on my birthday, which made it even better. When I swiped my key fob to come in, it played Happy Birthday. 🥹🎂

Here’s to another year of getting older… and getting stronger. 💪🏼

08/26/2026

Well, my daughter has done it. She found a plant shop that I absolutely did not need to know existed. 😂🌿

We visited Horsemen Co. in downtown Bastrop today, and this place is SUCH a delight. Beautiful, healthy plants at really reasonable prices, handmade wooden propagation stations and plant hangers, classes, consultations, and someone who actually knows what your plant needs when you inevitably bring one home because it was pretty. 🙋🏼‍♀️

🌱 And don’t miss Plant Bingo!
📅 Thursday, September 3 at 6 PM
🎟️ $40 to play
🪴 6 rounds of prizes + 2 grand prize rounds
🎁 Plants, gift cards & merch
🌿 Every player gets a plant!

Seating is limited, so contact Neighbor’s to register.

📍 Horsemen Co.
601 Chestnut Street, Unit C
Bastrop, TX 78602

Tucked back behind Main Street next to Neighbor’s Kitchen & Yard

And while we’re discussing plants… if you ever find yourself wondering what to buy me for a birthday, Christmas, Tuesday, whatever… apparently you can just come here. I saw at least 12 things I need. 😂🪴

Highly, highly recommend this sweet little Bastrop shop. 💚

08/25/2026

Fresh juice + fresh bread = I am IN. 🍊🥖😂

Finally made it over to Sunny Hill Juice Bar in Bastrop and loved it! Fresh, cold-pressed juices made in-house, plus smoothies, coffee, matcha and some yummy food options.

AND… on Fridays, Sunny Hill is a pickup spot for Little Bear Baked Goods, aka my favorite bread. So you can grab your juice and your bread in one stop, which feels like an extremely efficient way to make me happy. 😂

📍 Sunny Hill Juice Bar | Bastrop, TX

Near the entrance to Bastrop State Park
Go check them out and tell me what I need to try next! 🍓🍋🥕🥖

ExploreBastrop

08/21/2026

Excited for this event! Realtors join me!!

🔥Meet the women taking the stage at Realtor’s Edge Austin!🔥

We're bringing together a powerhouse panel of women who are REAL, accomplished, dynamic, and absolutely ELECTRIC.

✨ Anne-Marie Cancienne
✨ Jacki Short
✨ Amanda Ponce
✨ Elizabeth Riley

These women are bringing the real stories. The wins, the challenges, the lessons learned, and the growth that comes from showing up, leading boldly, and staying true to who you are.

And who better to lead the conversation than the incredible Renée Nicole Damron! She is one of our amazing team members at Edge Home Finance and truly embodies class and elegance. She has a gift for connecting with people, asking the right questions, and creating conversations that matter.

Real stories. Real impact. Real growth.
Five phenomenal women. One stage.
One conversation you do NOT want to miss.

📍 Brazos Hall | Austin, TX
📅 Tuesday, September 22, 2026
🎟️ FREE EVENT + LUNCH PROVIDED!

🔥 DON’T WAIT—REGISTER NOW AND SAVE YOUR SPOT!

https://forms.expotrac.com/realtors-edge-austin/registration-form/step-1

08/11/2026

Bastrop or Smithville? 👀

I get asked about both all the time, and while they’re only about 15 minutes apart, they definitely don’t feel like the same place.

Bastrop has more going on, with more restaurants, shopping, newer neighborhoods and development, plus easy access toward Austin.

Smithville is smaller and a little quieter, with a historic downtown, older homes mixed with newer construction, and that small-town feel where you’re probably going to recognize somebody when you run into Brookshire Brothers. 😂

Neither one is “better.” They’re just different, and depending on what you’re looking for, one might make a lot more sense for you than the other.

I put together a full Bastrop vs. Smithville comparison on the blog today, including housing, location, things to do, and some of the differences I notice from working in both markets.

If you had to pick one, which are you choosing, Bastrop or Smithville?

👇 Full comparison in the comments.

Jill Walles, REALTOR® | Kevin White Group, Keller Williams Realty