Exploring Dallas
Howdy,
Sorry for being MIA – Matt and I got hit with a bug as soon as we got home from Dallas. I made it to work for a good 20 minutes on Monday before driving home and getting in bed, where I couldn’t move for 12 hours. Weird. When I woke up this morning and felt normal, I was in the best mood of my life because I was so happy it was over.
Anyway, thanks for your sweet comments on our move. I’m even more excited after spending a few days looking for apartments in Dallas. We didn’t exactly find ‘the one,’ but we saw so many options that I’m sure we’ll find something good.
In between stops, we ate at some pretty awesome restaurants and hung out with my friend Liz, and Matt’s friend, Chris and his family.
The food is top notch and right up my alley – casual, modern, reasonably-priced, and eclectic. Some highlights:
Lunch in a squash at Dream Cafe.
Mambo Taxis at Mi Cocina.
Trying local beer at the Katy Trail Ice House.
A huge make-your-own sandwich at Eatzi’s
A mint julep with a delicious southern meal at Sissy’s: squash dogs, fried catfish, and ribs with brussels.
And a lovely brunch with little William and a ridiculous potato breakfast casserole at Breadwinners.
I’m actually super excited to get back to work and back into a routine. See ya!
Read MoreTexan Confessions
I’ve been keeping something from you. But now that my employer is in the know about next year, I can officially share that Matt and I will be migrating across the country to the Lone Star state….
Don’t ya love how they make it look like Dallas is on the water:)
We’re moving to Dallas, TX this summer!! Whew. Feels good to share. I’m obviously very excited, but I will have to admit that it took me a minute to swallow. You see, Matt had an awesome job offer in Charlotte, NC. Since I went to college near Charlotte and really love my home state, I could always see myself settling there. And maybe I still will. But, Matt got another offer at the last minute, and since it was essentially his dream job, we switched gears. I mourned Charlotte, the east coast, and being close to my family, but now I’m absolutely pumped for this new adventure. I’ve secretly always wanted to move west, and in my opinion, the hotter the better:) One of my very best friends lives in Dallas and I had the chance to visit her back in November, just a few weeks before Matt got the offer. It was so much fun! The added bonus is that quite a few friends from Matt’s graduate program are moving as well. We are heading there tomorrow to figure out housing!
I’m excited to experience a new area of the country, live in a big city again, be close to good friends, and eat Tex-mex all.the.time.
They say everything’s bigger in Texas. I’m ready to dream big.
Read MoreWedding Wirlwind
My dad had his heart set on seeing the sunset over the ocean, so even though it was in the 40′s outside we had a picnic style cocktail hour.
We didn’t think we would be able to see much with the cloudy skies…
but we still enjoyed some wine and then the sun emerged from under a cloud!
It descended from the cloud and we instantly felt warm…
and then it quickly disappeared again. What a neat sunset!
I think the highlight of the weekend was the wine tasting we did on Saturday night. We’re having the rehearsal dinner at the golf club and the bartender was nice enough to give us very generous pours of all the house wines. We were impressed!
Mazen showed his ID but it wasn’t accepted.
After lots of wine and a Duke win (!), we were so ready to eat!
My sister and I split the fresh catch with bourbon glaze over a grit cake as well as the fish tacos.
And we shared the most divine cobbler for dessert! Mixed berry with a scone crumble on top. I swear I blinked and it was gone:)
Sunday was the reception tasting! I never get tired of the view from our venue. Palm trees + ocean = wedding paradise.
We tasted a ton of different stuff. The good news is that we liked almost everything. The bad news is that we can’t make up our minds on anything!
I know I want these crab cakes for sure.
We want the menu to be balanced and well-rounded, so we’re going to see if the chef can do variations on some of the dishes. I’m pumped for the food!
After the tasting, we went into Wilmington to meet with our wedding coordinator and florist at Kickstand Events. She is awesome and we had so much to talk about that 2.5 hours flew by. I’m so glad we decided to use Kickstand and I’m thrilled with how things are coming along.
By the time we finally got home, it was nearing 9 and we went straight to Whole Foods to satisfy a pizza craving. I think I went to bed within 30 seconds of finishing my last slice. It was a wonderful whirlwind of a weekend and I’m smiling from ear to ear. With less than 3 months to go, I’m getting nervous and excited at the same time.
Read MoreThoughts from a Thursday
I think I pulled something at bootcamp this week. I stepped on the treadmill and didn’t make it 60 seconds before I headed to the bike.
Sometimes I search for split ends and cut them one my one. It’s therapeutic .
This weekend is my wedding tasting at the island! I guess if the food’s not good it’s too late.
Matt’s at the kitchen table studying for an exam with complicated math – aren’t you so glad it’s not you?
Every day that gets closer to the wedding, I feel more and more overwhelmed with joy and gratitude.
Why is it so hard to go to bed on time?
Bald Head tomorrow evening. Gotta go pack. Have a splendid weekend!
Baltimore & Back
I’m back from a girls weekend with my grandmother and my mom! The weekend was quite relaxing and we did lots of eating and talking. I got word on Twitter that Friday was national margarita day, so I asked the bartender at the retirement home bistro to make me one on the rocks. She actually made it martini style with a sugar rim and it was oh-so-strong! My grandma enjoyed a bloody mary. We sat around with her friends and chatted about the wedding.
We ended the weekend with a big Sunday brunch buffet that only happens once a month. The highlights were the sausage and egg strata, the sticky buns, and blueberry pancakes!
It was a great weekend of visiting! Its always fun to see my grandma amidst all of her friends – she’s still living it up even though she’s in her 80′s:)
I think the flying tired me out because I felt ehh today. Matt was playing in a soccer tournament in Austin this weekend, and his 1am arrival last night probably didn’t help either. I’m such an old lady these days, but I’m sooo excited to go to bed tonight!! Hope yall had a pleasant Monday.
Read MoreThoughts from a Thursday
-I slept through my 5:30 alarm for spinning and woke up with a jolt at 6:30. It was actually glorious because I got an extra hour of sleep and still managed to fit in a jog. I couldn’t believe how great I felt with that extra hour today!
-I found a recipe for dill and zucchini orzo in Country Living and it was so delicious. This will be perfect for summer (aka yesterday’s weather), and I can’t wait to make it again! The massaged kale we had on the side? Not so much…we may have eaten the sweet potatoes off the top and then put the rest of the kale in the oven to turn into kale chips. Only we forgot about it and all the leaves turned black.
-It’s February eve. Yay.
-I hope I’m not spoiling anything (way back in the first season of Downton), but Lady Mary’s kiss with Matthew gave me chills!!! Loved that scene.
-I’m officially obsessed with designing paper products online. I’ve made multiple versions stamps, menus, and gift tags just for fun & inspiration.
-No matter how many fun recipes I find and try, Indian night will always be one of my favorites and never seems to lose its place in the meal rotation.
-I ordered a lightweight suitcase that weights 8.2 pounds for my honeymoon. That means I can find exactly 41.8 pounds of clothing items to fill it with.
-Weekend plans? Grand visions of Superbowl buffets? Who’s even playing?
Read More
Welcome to TBT!
I've created this blog because I'm in a bit of a quarter life crisis. Since graduating from college in 2008 and earning an advanced degree in school psychology in May, I still don't know what career path to follow. All I know is that time is moving way too fast and I find myself living only for the weekends. Bear with me as I attempt to reclaim my twenties by finding pleasure and balance in the work week and incorporating my passions of food, fashion, fitness, and fun into everyday life. 
She said what?