Happiness - CLOSED

Elite '08

72

52

Erika G.

Austin, TX

When I was a kid, one of our class projects was to seed and pot a begonia and see whose grew the biggest and highest. Mine I named Fertile Fred, and that he was. He grew insanely tall and fecund, and I nearly won the challenge.

Sadly, since then, my green thumb has turned black and in a shocking 180, I have turned into somewhat of an unwitting serial killer of all plants I have owned over the years. Apparently I execute them in all sorts of accidentally horrific ways - light deprivation, starvation, physical abuse. The latter occurred when I owned a small cactus that I accidentally depotted and unceremoniously mutilated after the vacuum cleaner knocked into the flimsy bookcase where it perched, then sucked half of it up into the bag.

Since then, I have been abstinent from plant-owning at the urging of my concerned friends and family who still to this day wonder how I could possibly kill a cactus. You can, people. Ohhhhh, you CAN.

So I am certain that everyone was holding hands in a prayer circle with kumbayas at the ready when I stepped into the cute little house of Happiness. For Happiness is not what I have brought my little green victims in the past.

But I couldn't help but be bedazzled by the sheer volume of adorable succulents and flora raising up their little exotic heads towards me in supplication (or was that fear?), the bright terra cotta pots that lined the windows and adorned the tables inside, the retro artwork, jewelry and frames that filled the shelves. I wandered around the several nooks and rooms inside until the owner (she acted like the owner, at least) helped me choose 2 delightful succulents and 2 terra cotta pots in which to place them. And bonus - she took them out back, drilled holes in the bottom for water drainage, potted them, then put pebbles on top to prevent overwatering (another of my murdering methods has included drowning), all at no extra charge.

I left the store $25 poorer but, well, HAPPY. They look so cute on my front porch, and for the record I have been good about watering them infrequently (that was what she told me to do, people!! I promise!). So far, they have been good hostages.

Hopefully their happiness will continue, and not end with death. However, if that tragic day comes, I will just have to go back to Happiness to pick out some more (un)willing, albeit adorable, victims. They always say that serial killers follow a pattern, and I will certainly make Happiness mine.

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Elite '08

126

269

Tara H.

Austin, TX

Yeah, I kind of have to go with Holly and Shanna on this one.

I love succulents. I have to say, for a "boutique" garden store Happiness has incredibly healthy plants. (Usually its all gloves and gazing balls) You can tell this is really a labor of love for whomever owns this place.

They have a great variety of gifts inside from gloves to the odd gazing ball to candles to jewelry and various gardening accoutrement.

Check it out. Totally worth it.

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3

43

Holly O.

Austin, TX

This place is exactly that.....Happiness.  I love their plants.  Every plant that I have bought has outlived all my big box plants.  They are also the most unique.  All of my succulants have started other little colonies in my yard.  I get so many compliments.  
    Not just the plants, the whole store is cool.  There are local pieces, from jewelry, art, purses and other things for sale....great for gifts!
   And I cannot forget the women that own the place.  They are so warm and inviting.  You've gotta stop in.  Tell them I say hello!

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Elite '08

96

205

Shanna H.

Austin, TX

Oooh, I love succulents. Love them. Probably because I can't kill them (or not as easily), but whatever. That's why Happiness makes me happy. I got two cool succulents here for $11 bucks. One is this low-profile, juicy little green succulent with this crazy red flowery spindle thing coming out of it--it's neat. The other is some sort of Oriental coral plant.

There are also gifts here, and some indie screen-printed T-shirts, and other things. Lots of bird inspired gifty stuff, and I love birds, so that makes me happy, too...

*Update*
My succulents still are alive! ...and...
They moved a couple doors down to the old Bella Blue locale and have a lot more stuff now. More stuff equals even more browsing in this cute little house, now including a back yard. Cute little gnome statues totally distracted me on the way in. They're still reasonable for gifty stuff--my beau picked up a pretty pot and a little chili pepper plant for his dad for $16.

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133

429

Sarah M.

Austin, TX

Happiness reminds me of the type of shop that can be found among the flower beds and rolling hills of rural England. It's cheery and bright, warm and inviting, and on my last visit, there was a small group of women sitting around just chatting and laughing away in the middle of the afternoon. If only they had accents and bad teeth!

Happiness oozes charm and contentment, but I wish there was more merchandise. The home and garden gallery has plants, garden accessories, interior decor items, and gifts. A walk-through of this South First St. store might leave you thinking, "That's all?" Maybe they purposefully limit their stock (a trend among boutiques...which is why they're boutiques, I suppose!), but personally, I wouldn't have minded a few more materials to peruse. Happiness also has some cool salt & pepper shakers and some amazing smelling candles, but my budget said no way. Dinner and drinks....or the 2 oz. tin of wax (or soy...can't remember)? You decide.

(Not Quite) Total Happiness.

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82

305

Alexandra L.

Austin, TX

If plants and flowers could become fashion models, they do so at Happiness.  Sure, you might be able to get a blossom for your garden from a regular nursery, and chances are, a bloom or two might be a bit crushed up, or it's not quite the shape and size you're looking for - give it time, and it will probably turn into what you'd envision.

But if you're the kind of person who needs instant gratification - you just want a plant that looks striking and elegant right this very minute - go to Happiness.  And where else can you get a stylish watering can?

Yeah, maybe not so practical and a bit on the expensive side, but hey, beauty sometimes comes with a price.

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