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!
Sometimes it easy to forget that there is more to this state than just Dallas and everything going on in the city! If you are ready for an escape for some R&R, we have gathered 7 wellness resorts around the state that are sure to help you wind down!
Set only 30 minutes outside of Austin overlooking the Lake Travis, Miraval is a perfect place to retreat into your personal inner world of peace for a tranquil getaway. The property is staffed with astrologers, psychics, mystics, pilates instructors, yoga instructors, sound healers, and therapists. Unlike booking a room at a hotel, Miraval sells packages. The Miraval Ultimate Package starts at $629 per night and includes a $175 nightly credit, unlimited classes, luxurious accommodations, unlimited snacks, meals, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Lake Austin Spa Resort was the #1 Texas Resort by Conde Nast Traveler in 2018 and is a great location for anyone looking for a couples getaway. This awesome facility offers a whole host of wonderful activities including: fitness and culinary classes, lectures, boating, Yoga, Meditation, Health, and many more. Other water activities include hydro-bikes, kayaks, and sculling boats. There are two types of packages that this exclusive Spa Resort offers its customers, but we recommend the Spa Refresher Package that costs $575 per person per night; a $160 spa and fitness credit per person per night, is included with this package!
Nominated for the 2019 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, Horseshoe Bay Resort offers quite a few unique accommodations for their guests. For sleeping accommodations, guests have the option to either stay in a hotel room or they have the option to rent a lakeside condo, villa, or private home. They have a private jet center which includes fuel services and discounts, hangar storage, vehicle rental, charter services, and more. Anyone looking for a romantic getaway, there are several fun activities for couples which includes: sunset cruises, Winery Tours, and couples massages.
Glamping paired with a full spa and wellness facilities, Deer Lake Lodge is the perfect place for anyone looking to get far off the beaten path. Amenities includes a shop that sells CBD oils, creams, and ointments, detox and cleansing services, massages, facials, body wraps, colon hydrotherapy, harmonizing rituals, iridology, reiki, scalp therapy, ionic foot baths, private and group yoga sessions. The minimum stay is three days and two nights and guests are given the option to stay in either a cabin or a suite. Suites start at $1050 for three days and two nights. Cabins start at $1250 for three days and two nights.
Set right outside of Austin, Lost Pines Resort and Spa is the most family-friendly resort spa on this list, with several activities that are enjoyable for adults and children alike. These activities include trapshooting, fishing excursions, tomahawk throwing, archery, equestrian, ziplining, survival skills, kayaking, and more. Some enjoyable activities geared more for adults include: Wolfdancer Golf Club, Spa Django, StayFit Gym, Stories Fine Dining, Shellers Barrelhouse Bar and Scribes Club (seasonal).
Located just East of the Chinati Mountains in Marfa, there is a highly exclusive hotel that is worth visiting at least once in your lifetime. Cibolo Creek Ranch has some fantastic amenities including wonderful ranch-style cuisine and fine wines, a pool, charging stations for your Tesla, fitness center, media room, and a private airstrip. You can even bring your best furry friend because pets are allowed everywhere on the ranch except for the dining room. Guests have the option to either rent a Fort or a Room.
If you don’t want to leave Dallas, the Joule Hotel is a fantastic alternative! It is home to a full spa and a fitness studio (VITAL) that includes group fitness and yoga classes. It’s the spa that takes the cake though – you’ll head down to a cave-like set up with impeccable facilities that include a special rainfall shower, steam room, sauna, coed pool with lounge chairs, a relaxation room with tea and snacks and some of the best treatments in town.
Happy First Day of Autumn! It is now officially my favorite season of the year! Autumn is my favorite season for many reasons! I love the fall colors, the weather (Texas weather during Fall is glorious), Texas Tech Football, and of course the holidays.
Thanksgiving is easily one of my favorite holidays during the Autumn Season! With fall finally upon us, it is officially time to start solidifying our travel plans for the Thanksgiving Holiday. This Thanksgiving, my boyfriend and I will be traveling to the lovely and bohemian Texas Capital (Austin, TX). We are primarily visiting so that we can attend the Texas v. Texas Tech Football Game on November 29th. But I digress, I am super thrilled to visit the city of Austin! During our trip, he and I will be staying at the amazing Driskill Hotel.
Originally opened in 1886 by Cattle Barron, Jesse Driskill; the hotel has seen some amazing events and A-class guests (including President Lyndon B. Johnson) over the last 130(+) years. Currently, the hotel part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The Hyatt has made the conscious decision to stay true to the hotel’s original Romanesque Revival Architecture. The Interior Decor (expertly designed by Volz & Associates, Inc.) is an absolutely stunning and ornate Art Deco Design that includes many period-motifs. This makes the Driskill the perfect location for any Instagramable moment, especially: marriage proposals, wedding pictures, family photos, and more!
My boyfriend and I will be staying in a Balcony room, which is one of the premium guest rooms available (aside from the Suites). Along with traditional room amenities (i.e. flat screen TV, Wifi, In-room Safe, and several more); this room also includes fantastic view of historic 6th Street in the Heart of Downtown Austin. Other amenities include, museum-quality art work, live music every night, upscale dining, and traditions such as afternoon tea. Nightly turn-down services are also available for anyone wanting to add a little more romance to their stay.
The 1886 Cafe & Bakery is open daily from 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM and serves breakfast and lunch all morning and early afternoon. Executive Chef, Christian Aptez, delights his patrons with fantastic breakfast options, including: Austin Hot Fried Chicken, Smoked Salmon & Bagel, Hangover Omlet, and the vegan Texas-Shaped Waffle. Some lunch options include Poblano Corn Soup (which is gluten-free), Arugula & Melon Salad, Turkey B.L.T Croissant, and the Hangover Burger. To drink, be sure to try their The Breezy One Cocktail.
Every Second Monday at 6:00 PM, the 1886 Cafe & Bakery hosts the Craft Series at 1886. This series offers guests four craft beers accompanied by a four course dinner all for the great price of $45.
Named one of the Top 10 Bars in America by USA Today and Best Bar in Texas by Southern Living, The Driskill Bar is a wonderful gathering spot for travelers over the age of 21. Happy Hour is from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Daily. If you are looking for a few bites to eat: try their Margarita Flatbread or Smoked French Dip. Or after a long day, guests can relax in a large lounge chair, listen to some live music (which is offered nightly), socialize with some new friends, all while sipping on the The Batini (the Official Drink of Austin).
This post was originally written by Kelsey Andriot and posted on The Chronicles of Kelsey Blog.
The following article was first published on Dallasites 101 Blog. To read the complete article click here.
Glamping has become a fun and unique way to relax and enjoy nature but without the hassle and discomfort of traditional camping. The term (“glamping”) was first coined in the United Kingdom in 2005 for luxurious, resort-like camping. And luckily, it was carried through to the US, with our own State of Texas offering some wonderful glamping spots that are perfect for a great solo trip or couples getaway. Here are 8 of our favorite!
The gold standard of glamping in Texas, and maybe the entire US, El Cosmico is a bucket-list getaway. From DIY Self Tent camping to renting updated trailers from the 1970’s, to Sioux-TeePee Rentals, Mongolian Yurt rentals, African Safari Tent Rentals, and even short-term apartment rentals, they have the perfect accommodations for any traveler with any level of “roughing-it” experience. And the flat, desert backdrop that is Marfa makes the entire experience unforgettable. You more than likely have seen this place on Instagram, or have heard of some of its sister hotels like the Hotel San Jose or Austin Motel, all owned by the Bunkhouse Group, that does an amazing job of curating unique and retro hospitality experiences.
El Cosmico also hosts the annual Trans-Pecos Festival of Music + Love, coming up on September 26-29 this year!
The Collective Retreats is a national glamping brand aimed at offering romantic getaways for couples! And one of their locations is in the Hill Country at Montesino Ranch. For $750 per night, you can treat yourself and your significant other to some really fun treats; including a luxurious 60 minute in-tent couples massage, reservations for dinner at the on-site Farm-to-Table restaurant at the Three Peaks Lodge on your first night, along with several other romantic treats. The Collective Retreats also has other fun activities that are great for couples and include: Wine Tour Wimberly, Electric Bike Tours, and a “Beer, Brining & Branding Culinary Class” just to name a few.
Geronimo Creek Retreat is the perfect retreat for any group of friends looking for accomodations near New Braunfels. They have several options for sleeping accommodations including Treehouses, TeePees, Cabins, and the Homestead Haus. But we like the Treehouses best – they can fit up to eight people and have quick access to Geronimo Creek where guests have 24-hour access to the kayaks and paddleboards. Should the group decide to stay-in for the night, you can challenge your friends to a game of foosball or shuffleboard, or just hang out and have drinks by the firepit. If the group is going out, Schlitterbahn is a 24 minute drive and Gruene Hall is a 30 minute drive.
With two large safari tents overlooking the beautiful Texas Hill Country and the Pedernales River, Walden Retreat is the perfect destination for any romantic couple looking for some much needed privacy. Each tent includes a King-Sized bed, Clawfoot Bathtub, an outdoor deck, a private fire pit, and several other luxurious amenities. If you and your significant other are looking for other activities during the day some fun activities we recommend the 290 Wines Trail, visiting Fredericksburg, and Garrison Brothers Bourbon.
This is a great isolated glamping site with some wonderful amenities that make it feel like home. The lovely Safari-inspired getaway includes some wonderful features; including a hot tub, hammock, a stone patio, and fire pit. Also, if you are looking to go swimming during the hot summer months, Sinya is surprisingly close to some local swimming holes including Jacobs Well (16 minutes) and The Blue Hole (8 minutes).
At least once in your lifetime, Basecamp Terlingua is a destination-must. They have several great options for sleeping accommodations, including cabins, tee-pees, and lotus tents. But we recommend the Bubbles. The Bubble is an inflated dome, where the top half or the dome is perfectly clear, allowing you and your travel partner to admire the rustic beauty of the West Texas desert by day or stargaze by night, all while lounging in a luxurious queen bed. And it is all for the price of $199 per night.
Three beautifully designed safari tents are the perfect place to visit during the hot summer months because they have quick access to several beaches along the San Marcos River. Each “tent” is 650 square feet and includes all the luxurious amenities of home; including hardwood floors, fully equipped kitchenette, large indoor shower, and a luxurious king-sized bed. For activities guests have several options including visiting the 150 year old pecan orchard is within walking distance. Or if you would like to float the river, the Texas State Tube Rental is a 16 minute drive west.
Coming soon in the Piney Woods Region of Texas, there will be a brand new Glamping site called The Getaway. It is a fun and unique concept, using tiny cabins as a new way to get out of the overconnected city life, retreat to the woods and unplug. The Getaway has all the luxuries of home such as indoor plumbing and A/C. Each Tiny Cabin also includes a firepit with a gill rack, making them perfect to try newly found Pinterest Campfire recipes.
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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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