The following photos were taken during my honeymoon to French Polynesia this past December. I will be writing another post talking all about this trip including itinerary and other details. But first I wanted to show you some of the incredible photos I was able to take while on the trip. In fact, these photos are so incredible that I did not even need to add any filters, presets, or other touch ups on Lightroom.
One of the best parts about living in Texas is the artful adoption of Mexican cuisine into our daily diet. The margarita is (of course) an essential piece of that. While there isn’t a lot that beats a traditional margarita on the rocks (or frozen) there are also a lot of creative takes on the margarita around town that allow you to have some fun and mix it up!
Is there any place more perfect to celebrate National Margarita Day (or month) than at the Southwestern-themed urban retreat hotel, Texican Court? Their Two Mules Cantina is serving up a Champagne Prickly Pear Margarita to pay homage to the month of love. Made with Milagro Silver Tequila, Cointreau, prickly pear syrup, fresh lime juice, agave nectar and topped with champagne, the raspberry-watermelon-like taste of the prickly pear is sure to make anyone fall in love.
They top it off with a glass rimmed with sugar for a sweet ending to your sip! And if you’re looking to celebrate both Valentine’s and National Margarita Day, make a staycation out of it by booking a room overlooking the retro pool! You can sip on margs all night long!
If you are looking for a really great dive Tex-Mex restaurant, look no further than Mia’s Tex-Mex, but don’t expect it to be a hidden gem with no wait- it’s a beloved Dallas institution serving the community for over 40 years. Do expect excellent margaritas, and for those who are fans of Big Red Soda, Mia’s Tex-Mex has a treat for you! They serve a huge goblet of frozen margarita with an entire bottle of Big Red Soda tipped upside down inside. This unique margarita costs about $12 and perfectly complements the one taco that Mia’s is famous for: their Brisket Taco.
The Hibiscus Champagne Margarita has been created by the Mixologists at Mi Dia from Scratch to give their patrons a really cool “Wow” factor as they enjoy their meal. Served in a large martini glass, the bartender pours the Margarita Mix over the dry ice, followed by an entire tiny bottle of Champagne! Because of this fun presentation of this sweet and flowery cocktail, this specialty margarita is perfect for any celebration (especially birthdays and bachelorettes). It will also give you the perfect footage for any Snapchat or Instagram story.
How could we write an article about margaritas and not include the Holy Grail of them all – the Mambo Taxi?! Mi Cocina has been around for decades now, opening back in 1991. When we first arrived in Dallas, we were told we needed to go immediately for some classic Dallas Tex-Mex. Upon arrival, we spotted a frozen swirl of yellow and purple on every other table – that was the Mambo Taxi, one of the most popular margaritas in all of Dallas! It’s made with Sauza Silver Tequila, lime juice, housemade sangria with Pinot Noir, brandy and juices, giving it that Instagrammable swirl look to it!
Using his knowledge from his unique culinary background, Chef Savoie is able to create an amazing fusion of flavor in his tacos and margaritas. Think a Pecan Smoked Chicken, Glazed Pork Belly, Caramelized cauliflower, and Slow Cooked Mushroom. All of these tacos go well with their signature Activated Charcoal Margarita. Do not let the name fool you! It tastes like lemon (sort of) and makes you feel healthy, while still indulging in a margarita!
Meso Maya has some of the best upscale Mexican cuisine in DFW, with a focus on the interior regions of Mexico. Between the delicious food and Latin atmosphere, we love taking out of town guests to Meso Maya, but a meal wouldn’t be complete without the Avocado Margarita! Think muddled avocado, pineapple and lime juice, Cointreau and tequila. If it sounds like it would taste like a non-sweet smoothie, think again. It’s light and refreshing and it a surprisingly amazing treat!
Another unique feature about Dallas, that we love is the amazing Asian Fusion food. Jinya Ramen Bar is one of the best locations that serves Asian Fusion in Dallas. Restaurant founder, Tomonori Takahashi, does a fantastic job at fusing Japanese Ramen with our favorite Mexican flavors. The Matcha Garden includes house-made Matcha tequila, prosecco and basil Green Tea Margarita is no exception and is sure to please. This refreshing cocktail goes best with the Slurp Up Cilantro Ramen, Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen, and the Salmon Poke Mini Tacos.
One of our favorite cocktails is the Margarita Sangria swirl, but the Rustic puts a really fun and upbeat twist on this fantastic cocktail. Their version? The Rimy Rita which includes a goblet of traditional margarita and a sangria in popsicle form. You can either eat the popsicle and drink the drink separately, or you can allow the popsicle to melt and stir it into the margarita. But no matter what you choose, the Rimy Rita is bound to stimulate your taste buds and pairs perfectly with a warm summer evening on the Rustic’s huge patio and live music!
I have spent an overwhelming majority of my life living in Plano, Texas. But now, my Fiance has moved to The Colony (November 2019); and in July, I will be moving in with him as his wife. Over the 25 years of living in Plano, it has been amazing to see how my hometown has grown as well the areas surrounding it. Recently, I have decided to change the focus of my blogging so that I can learn more about Frisco, The Colony, and Plano and to share what I learn about this wonderful community that I will be moving to in six months. The more I learn about The Colony, the more amazing it is to see how this community grown significantly and has become very family oriented with many fun activities. Even though Matt and I do not have children yet, we are hoping to have a few children in the future. Here are some great places I found for anyone of all ages to visit (specially families with children).
There are so many fun and distracting things to do at TopGolf that we cannot possibly think of a better place to spend time with your family and friends. For the avid golfers in the group, there are about 13 golfing related games for you to play. These games include TopDrive, TopShot, and Quick 9. TopGolf also has other non-golfing games that member of your group can play; including billiards and fooseball. For those who are looking for a space to celebrate something such as a birthday or graduation, TopGolf provides packages starting at $44 per guest.
If you are worried about your little ones running around in a dimly lit area with special effect fog and flashing lights, worry no more! Lasertag – DFW is entirely outdoors and they have 22 acres that is divided into five different lasertag courses. That way you and your family have plenty of space to play and five different fields to choose from. Don’t worry about age, anyone ages 4 and up can participate in this fun activity! If you are looking to go with a larger group prices (10+ People) prices start at $160 and include one attendant and access to their picnic tables.
We love the Truck Yard in Dallas; which is why we were elated to learn that they have opened up another one closer to our home in The Colony. The Truck Yard is a great place for you and your family for many reasons. First, with the regular rotation of food trucks that are parked at the Truck Yard there is guaranteed to be a different selection of food every time you go. Another great reason to visit this awesome location is because it is the home of Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum. The museum is full of toilet seats that have been turned into pieces of art work, which is bound to amuse the children. The final reason that your family is will love this eatery, is that there is plenty of room for your children to play around or dance to some of the live music from their featured artists.
Nature trails are always fun and there are always new and exciting things for kids to learn while outside on nature trails. You and your family could go hiking or biking on nature trails. Or you could pack some picnic gear and have a picnic on the shoreline of Lake Lewisville. But no matter what you decide to do, there is only one thing about nature trails that we absolutely love: Nature Trails are 100% free! There is no admittance fee and you do not have to buy anything while you are there! There are a few Nature Trails here in The Colony, but Matt and I have three favorites. Be sure to try The Colony’s Shoreline Trail, The Colony Five Start Hike & Bike Trail, and the newest one (The Tribute Shoreline Trail).
In a nutshell, The Shacks at Austin Ranch are six eateries and a dog park all connected by a large patio. I love this location for many reasons. First, the entire family gets to go (of course when I say entire family, it means that your dog can join you on this outing). Another reason to love the Shacks, is the freedom to choose. If your family cannot decide on what to eat there are six different options that each family member can choose from. For those in the family who love Japanese ramen should try TEN Ramen. Mom and Dad can get adult beverages at Grrrowlers or coffee at Turbo. If anyone wants street tacos they can go to OMG Tacos. Tacklebox sells some great seafood; and Dirty Burger sells your favorite American Cuisine.
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We all love our children and our families, but (let’s face it) there are times when we would like to get out of the house and have some time of our own. Whether you are going on a date night with your significant other or planning a girls’/guys’ night out with your friends, here are five great places right in Frisco that you should consider when making your next adults only plans.
It is hard to believe that one of our favorite eras (the Roaring 20’s) was 100 years ago! Fortunately, right here in Frisco there is a really fun bar that is worth visiting (especially if you are a bourbon aficionado). The Rare Books Bar is a speakeasy that has an extensive selection of bourbon. Keeping true to the Roaring 20’s theme, this speakeasy has a “secret door” and requires a password prior to entry. Their weekly password is announced on their Instagram page. So be sure to follow so that you can keep up to date! While you are there, be sure to try our favorite cocktail the Whistlepig Old Fashioned. If you would like to add a little extra flair when visiting this bar, dress up in a Roaring 20’s costume when you go!
From the great location at the Star in Frisco, to the good food to the luxurious rooftop bar, there are many things to like about City Works. However, for the craft beer lover in your relationship, there are exactly 90 reasons to love City Works. This is be cause they have 90 local (or close to it) craft beers on tap. Plus, between the 1st and 2nd floor, they have over 200 taps pouring your favorite craft beers. While you are there, be sure to try the Velvet Hammer by Peticolas. It pairs well with the Smokehouse Burger, Filet Minon Sliders, and the Smoked BBQ Ribs.
If you and your group of adults are looking for something much more casual, Kelly’s Craft Tavern is a great place to go. They have more than 52 craft beers on tap that are changing seasonally; which is perfect for the person in your group who loves tasting new and different craft beer flavors. A couple great beers worth trying the is Lakewood Brewing Company’s The Temptress NITRO and the Strawberry Lager by Abita Brewing Company. These beers also pair well with the Chicken Fried Steak Fingers and the Frisco Joe (Sloppy).
Trophy Park Sports Lounge is a great place for you and your group of friends (or you and your significant other) are allowed to let out your inner child. There are so many fun options to choose from at this lounge. Of course the Trophy Park has some great dining and drink options; but they also have four bowling alleys, fooseball, bocce, arcade games booths, and more! But before your challenge your friends to a great game of bowling, make sure you sit down to eat! We suggest the Lobster Roll or the Pulled Pork entrees! If you are with a larger group, get the Whole King Crab for everyone to share!
Named after the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, this awesome bar combines the best of vintage cocktails with some of the best modern sophisticated interior design. The absolute best time for you and your significant other to go is on Friday. Because on Friday, Bottled in Bond has live music from local artists including; Corina Grove and Caroline Milton. As you are listening to the live music you could be sipping on some of fun cocktails like the Whiskey Daisy or the Vieux Carre. Of course while drinking, you cannot forget about the finger food. Be sure to try the Glazed Bison Meatballs and the Navy Bean Hummus with your drinks!
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Cover Photo Courtesy of Trip Advisor
While you can’t go wrong with a classic burger, it’s always fun to mix it up. And given that we live in Texas, there are a lot of burgers and beef to go around. We have done some digging into the various restaurants and eateries that found new and different ways to put a twist on the classic burger for when you’re ready for a food adventure! Check them out below!
It’s like a taco on a bun! The Barn Burger at Haystack Burgers & Barley includes Chipotle Mayo, Grilled Poblano Peppers, Pepper Jack Cheese, and a side of Queso. This burger also comes topped with Lettuce and Pico de Gallo. Instead of getting fries as a side for this delicious goodness, be sure to get chips and a dip. They serve our three favorite Tex-Mex dips: Queso, Salsa, and Guacamole.
Or even better get the Ranchero Chicken Stuffed Jalapeños as a side. And the Mozzarella Sticks are not to be missed either – they’re essentially jumbo sized, and so so good! Best part is there are three locations around the metroplex and two more coming next year, so there might just be a taco burger right In your neck of the woods!
If this burger sounds a little weird to you, we were taken back at first too. But please, trust us, if you like burgers, bacon and peanut butter all separately, you have to try them all together! It comes with a quarter pound of meat that is topped with hot pepper jam, bacon, caramelized onions, American cheese, and a brioche bun. If you are feeling extra adventurous, try this burger with the “Get Weird Queso Fries,” and for drinks try their Bourbon Cherry Cola.
The Fried Baloney Sandwich is nicknamed “The Flat Hot Dog.” It’s a really thick piece of baloney that is deep fried and served on a bun. This sandwich is served in two different styles; Cowboy style and Cincinnati style. The Cowboy style comes with chili, cheese and chopped onion. While the Cincinnati style comes with lettuce, tomato, and mayo.
Also located in the Stemmons Corridor right next to UT Southwestern sits Blues Burger. Their HMF Burger is the best non-traditional burger on the menu, but not for the faint of heart. Atop a premium angus beef patty is ghost pepper jack cheese, jalapeños, spicy blues sauce, onions, and bacon. There are vegan and gluten-free options available for those who have special dietary needs.
This burger really is un-”beet”-table and is a fantastic vegan option if you still want that delish burger but aren’t sure if you want to go that fake meat route. This burger tastes healthy and fresh and is dressed with kuzu, avocado, jicama slaw, butter lettuce and vegan mayonnaise, all tied together with a flax seed bun!
If you’re looking to mix up your meats, the Jackie O burger swaps out beef for lamb meat and adds on baby spinach, oven roasted tomatoes, and feta cheese to top it off! The perfect side? Sweet potato fries and the mudslide adult shake.
Known for their wide variety of burgers, their Le Wagyu is the best non-traditional burger we have tasted. It is made with a dijon crusted wagyu beef patty and served with thyme, caramelized onions, and gruyere cheese. For the more adventurous eater, the hamburger patty can be served with more exotic meats like venison, elk, ostrich, rabbit, camel, duck and boar.
What do you get when you cross a burger with a tuna sushi roll?! The Ahi Tuna Burger from Chop House Burger of course! This Downtown burger restaurant pairs wasabi tuna with pickled ginger, nori chip, and arugula, and puts a bun on it to top it off! So next time you can’t decide between the two cuisines, you can meet in the middle!
Ye Ole Butcher Shop has been a Plano tradition since it was established in 1974. Over the course of the last 45 years, they have provided the community with award winning burgers including the Elk Burger! It’s served on Wednesdays and is yes, made from elk. The burgers at Te Ole Butcher Shop are then served with lettuce, onion, tomato, pickles, and cheese (for extra cost). And for those who enjoy hunting, this spot also provides Game Processing Services starting at $65 per animal.
Burger House has been serving the Dallas community since 1951 and has earned over 20 awards, while also solidifying itself in Dallasites who grew up on those fries with that famous seasoning salt, and those inexpensive burgers! Our favorite is the chili cheese burger, which is quite literally chili added to the top of a cheese burger. It might be one of the more simple items on the menu, but that doesn’t mean its any less delish!
For anyone who loves aged maple syrup and candied bacon on their burger, this is the burger to try. The WhistlePig Burger includes not one, but two quarter pound hamburger patties, topped with authentic WhistlePig maple syrup from Vermont, candied bacon, crispy onions, and barbecue sauce. Instead of ordering french fries as a side for this amazing non-traditional burger, order brussel sprouts or the fried pickles!
For anyone who is a huge fan of Asian Fusion food, this is worth a trip out to the ‘burbs – you can find LA burger in Irving, Carrollton, Grapevine, Richardson and more DFW areas! The K Town Burger is a beef patty topped with kimchi, jalapeños, bulgogi glaze, sriracha mayo, lettuce, and tomato. Of course, what is a burger without a great shake to accompany it? This burger goes best with the Nutella nutter butter shake, oreo crumb shake, or PB&J Shake.
Calling all garlic lovers, this one’s for you! Like all classic burgers, the Nest Burger garlic burger comes with a meat patty, tomato, lettuce, onions, and pickle. But Nest Burger for one, realy differentiates itself because you can choose between one of four types of patties: beef, lamb, veggie or fried chicken. And there’s one burger here that sets itself apart; the Garlic burger comes topped with minced garlic, swiss cheese, and their house made garlic sauce.
Named after the former Mayor of Dallas, Mike Rawlings, this wonderful cheeseburger comes with a tasty mixture of different flavors! A regular hamburger patty, it’s topped with Irish Whiskey Cheddar cheese, candied bacon, blackberry compote, lettuce and whole grain mustard. Get ready for a wild adventure! Also almost every Rodeo Goat burger is just as creative too so you really can’t go wrong with anything!
This post was originally posted to Preparing for a Career in Healthcare Blog. To see the full post click here
Hello everyone! It is the hard to believe that we have completed three and a half weeks for the year 2019! Where has the time gone?
Despite the year still being one quarter complete, many things have happened. I have set up a Facebook Page, reconfigured my Instagram Account, started the Spring Semester of school, passed two tests, and I have two more tests coming up that I need to study for. Thus, I have taken inspiration for today’s blog post from having to study for school.
Studying comes in many different forms. For my first degree, my time studying was almost entirely spent reading, writing and memorizing. However, I am in school trying to earn a second bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering. This major is an entirely different breed. Engineering is almost entirely math. Studying for math involves more practice and deduction than anything else. But I am getting off topic, so I digress.
Since returning to college there are many things that I have learned about regarding study habits and college success. Below, I have listed out a few major points about studying do’s and don’ts.
1) The Relationship Between Comfort Level and Studying
The more experience I have with successful study, the more evident it has become that there is a correlation between comfort level and studying. In other words, the more comfortable I am, the less productive I am during my studies. To combat this, here are a few things I have found that help tremendously with my productivity during study hours.
Dress Nicely (Try to Avoid Wearing PJ’s and Athletic Wear)
No, you do not have to wear your fanciest clothing. But you will not be as productive dressed in your PJ’s or athletic gear as you would in regular clothes. Make it a point to wear jean pants or jean shorts and a nice blouse or graphic T-shirt. Another option, is a casual maxi skirt/dress, sun dress, or jean skirt. Since it is cold outside, I usually wear skinny jeans, boots, a fashion T-shirt, and a cardigan/jacket/vest. In the future, I might write a post that includes some of my favorite outfits to wear during my studies. But for now you might be able to find some inspiration on my Pinterest board I’m a Citizen of the World (pay particular attention to the Cozy Section, Casual Date Section, and the Weekend Section).
Do not Study on your Bed
I know that I cannot be the only person who is like this, but my bed is my heaven. It is the most comfortable place for me to be. Because it is so comfortable, it is a terrible place for me to study. I am not nearly as productive if I study on my bed as I am when I study at the kitchen/dinning room table or my desk. When I am sitting on my bed, I often time get distracted doing other things. This is not ideal for an environment that needs to promote learning
Better yet, Get out of the House
Being at home makes us comfortable, since comfort level seems to be inversely correlated with productive study. Therefore, it is probably best that you get out of the house entirely. Where you go does not matter, just get out of the house. I find that cafes are my favorite places to study. But libraries, classrooms, the Math Lab, your Professor’s office are all excellent alternatives to sit and study your material. On Friday’s I go study in my Physic’s classroom and study. On Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, I sit in my Professor’s office and complete Calculus III homework.
2) Read your Textbook and Write Down Everything!
There is something about writing things down that make concepts much easier to memorize and understand. As you sit and read your textbook, be sure to jot down as many notes about what you are reading. Also, it is very important that you review and rewrite the notes that you have taken while in class. For example, one of the things I do (especially in Physics). I sit and read the book and write down any and every major point and revelation the book gives me. Then you sit and practice the sample problems. Generally, I will try to attempt the sample problem myself, then go back and see what I got wrong (you do not learn a thing by getting everything right). Finally, I will attempt to solve every odd numbered problem at the end of each chapter (these problems have the solutions in the back of the book).
3) Setting Timers
This subject will most definitely require another post, because it applies to every situation (not just school). Plus, if you have never gotten into the habit of timing yourself, then there are a few things that you might want to know prior to picking this up as a habit. Therefore, I will follow up with a post in the next few weeks regarding this topic.
4) Finally, Take Breaks and Do No have “Study Marathons.”
As humans, some of our biggest flaw is thinking that we learn more if we sit for several hours and study the same subject they whole time. This could not be further from the truth. Be sure to take breaks during your studies. During those breaks, be sure to actually get up and do something. There are many things you could do during your breaks, clean your room, clean the kitchen, go for a run/walk, lift weights, spend time working on a hobby, blog and so on. This is why timing yourself with timers are so important, so that you do not get so caught up in studies. Also timers help you time your breaks so that you do not loose yourself in these hobbies during these breaks.
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