DFW Summer Fun!

Have you seen the weather forecast for this week? I mean I understand it's July. It's Texas. It's always hot in the summer. That being said, I this is just another level!! I said something about it being abnormally hot this week to my dad, and he immediately started reminiscing about the summer of 1980 when apparently DFW was basically the surface of the sun. Every summer when it gets hot he says, "it's nothing compared to the summer of 1980." I wasn't alive then, but based on how much he talks that heatwave up, it's for the best!

At this point in the summer, even if it's not "the summer of 1980," even the pools in DFW are warm. Your best bet is a lake! Since they're so big, they don't get as warm, and on a hot day are SO refreshing! But without a boat it's a wee bit difficult to fully enjoy the water! Enter SUP!

No SUP is not some teenage slang for "what's up." (Even though it used to be!) It stands for Stand Up Paddle board. SUP is super easy to do, and is a great (but not too strenuous) full body workout. Courtney and I recently visited DFW Surf on Grapevine Lake, and rented some paddle boards! DFW Surf also has locations in Frisco and Little Elm.

About to head out to enjoy the sunshine and refreshing water!

We paddled and chatted our way around the lake. You are allowed to go as far as you please. You can stay close to the shore, paddle over to the little "lagoon," or even head on out to the actual lake. On this particular day the wind was blowing SO hard, which kept us from going too far. We had to sit down quite a bit to keep our body from acting as a sail and working against our paddling.

If the wind is blowing pretty hard, it's easier to kneel on the board!

We made it to the lagoon that is closest to the entrance to the main part of the lake and decided to swim around a bit and enjoy the cool water! As we were swimming we were watching planes land overhead at DFW. All of a sudden I realized it was aboout 1:15, which mean the Qantas flight was on it's way in. (To read all about the fun free family friendly way to watch it come in, read this post: DFW Free Family Friendly Activity) Sure enough, it was just on the horizon! 

See it just above the trees? It is the largest passenger plane in the world...so it's much larger than it looks here!

As we swam around, the wind would push us back towards the boat lanes, so we'd get back on and paddle, then jump back into the water! 

At one point we even just laid on our backs and enjoyed the sun! As our time started winding down, we started making our way back to the shore. We fought the wind back, but when we reached the shore we were refreshed and happy! It is a great way to spend the afternoon. 

DFW Surf also offers a Friday Firework Paddle board tour. In case you aren't already aware, Grapevine shoots off fireworks every Friday night between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Fireworks happen to be one of my very favorite things, so combine that with paddle boarding (because I've fallen in love with it) and you have a GREAT time! The bonus is that it is at night, so it's obviously not as hot! 

You meet around 8:30, and about 8:45 they gather everyone up and give any first timers a crash course in paddle boarding. They give everyone a flotation device, a lit paddle, and then they attach LED lights to the front and back o the board. 

The LED lights give you plenty of light!

Once everyone is set, they start launching them into the water. There are several guides that are also with the group to lead and help.

There were probably 40-50 people in the group!

See all the little lights? Those are more paddlers.

Everyone paddles out to the entrance of the main part of the lake. Once there, you have some time to get situated, take pictures, enjoy the last few minutes of the sunlight.

The fireworks shot off right between those two people. We had a perfect view for the fireworks!

The fireworks tour is what she wanted to do for her birthday!

All the feels for this girl, paddle boarding, and fireworks!

Right at 9:30 the fireworks show begins!

Perfection!

The show lasts about 10-15 minutes, then its time to head back to the shore! You leave pretty quickly to try and beat the boats because they all start trying to get into the marina pretty quickly after the show ends. It is a perfect way to enjoy the fireworks!

At DFW Surf, paddle boards rent for $25 per hour and the fireworks tour is $40 (even though it says $45 on the website). It is worth every penny to have an activity that is fun and refreshing!

I said I've fallen in love with paddle boarding, and I have! I have done it at DFW Surft 4 times, and it is my new favorite activity!

What do I suggest today?

1. Check out SUP at DFW Surf (link to website: https://dfwsurf.com) for the daytime or the fireworks tour. They make you take a beginners class if you tell them it's your first time. If you are confident in your abilities (it is so easy) then you could probably just go for it. Also book online to ensure you have a board...especially on the weekends!
2. Check out the fireworks at Grapevine Lake! Obviously, you don't have to do the paddle boarding to see them. There are many parks around the lake to watch them from! You can see them from Rockledge Park (there is an entrance fee, but the best view), Lakeview Park (no entrance fee), or Oak Grove Park (no entrance fee, but he biggest crowds). For more information, go to http://www.lake-grapevine.com/fireworks!
3. While you're out there, you can check out Big Daddy's Ship Store restaurant. They have great burgers, fried pickles, fried shrimp, grilled oysters, and other dive type food. It's great before or after paddle boarding, or you can catch the fireworks from here if the nighttime paddle boarding freaks you out!

DFW Free Family Activity

Can you believe its already July?? Where is summer going? I feel like we JUST got out of school, and I have less than a month before school ends.

Lately we have been so blessed with cooler weather, but apparently that is going to change next week. While you can still get outside without sweating like crazy, you should check out Founder's Plaza!

My brother and sister-in-law told me about this place, and it sounded like a spot I needed to check out. I met LJ and the kids there over Spring Break!

It's the perfect place to pack up a picnic lunch, and let the kids eat while they play! LJ packed a picnic lunch for the kiddos (because she's forward thinking like that), and I swung by Chick-Fil-A. We enjoyed our picnic lunch while watching planes land. You can also see/hear planes taking off. 

It really is incredible how many planes are landing and taking off! The take off about every 2 minutes, and land every few minutes. 

After the kids finished eating they ran around and played! 

The closer it gets to 12:30, the busier Founder's Plaza becomes. That is because the "main attraction" shows up around 12:45-1:00 every day. That is the Qantas flight from Sydney, Australia. It is the Airbus A380. It is the largest commercial plane in the world! The Qantas flight between Sydney and DFW is the only flight at DFW serviced by the A380. It usually lands between 12:45-1:00, sometimes as late at 1:30.

On this particular day the flight was running late (I mean the flight time is like 18 hours, so it's not super uncommon for it to be a couple of minutes behind), and the kids had to leave to make it home for nap time. I stayed behind so I could catch it! 

Look how little the people are compared to it! 

You can track the flight to see if it is running behind schedule. Just type QF7 into Google, or FlightAware, and it will tell you when it is scheduled to land. As it is starting to approach, you'll know it! It doesn't really look as though it is moving! It is mind-boggling to think something that big can fly!

What do I suggest today??

1. Pack a picnic, or grab lunch from somewhere, and head to Founder's Plaza (1700 N. Airfield Drive, Grapevine, TX 76051) to watch planes come in. It really is a fun place to enjoy the weather! (Note: in order for the planes to be landing by Founder's Plaza, the wind needs to be blowing in from the South. Lucky for us...this time of the year that's true the majority of the time!)

Delicious Date Nights in DFW!

One of my favorite things is food. Seriously, I love a good meal! I love everything from a white table cloth restaurant to a hole-in-the-wall wooden sign kind of place! Good food is good food! Any time we are going on a date, it is centered around where we are going for dinner.

I have three solid suggestions for your next date night! They are sure to please!

First up is Acadia Parish! A hidden gem behind Blue Mesa off West 7th! It is a SUPER casual type place. The whole place is on a patio with wooden picnic tables. A native Louisianian owns the place, and opened it after missing real cajun food. They drive to Louisiana to buy their crawfish, and it shows! They are some of the best (and biggest...for real...they're HUGE) crawfish I've ever had! They have all the cajun favorites. From boudin to beignets!

Like I said...it's VERY casual!

As you are pulling up you might be confused. You park in a sketchy looking parking lot, and will find Acadia sandwiched between an outdoor country type bar, and a heavy metal scream-o type establishment. It's odd....but it's worth it!

The crawfish are literally the size of a small lobster! 

A pound of crawfish comes with potatoes, corn on the cob, and boiled eggs! Delicious! I always like to have sausage with my crawfish, so I just added a piece on. It was SO good! 

After we finished our crawfish, Matthew decided to order some beignets. I have to admit I was quite skeptical. It's hard to compete with Cafe Du Monde! 

Once I took a bite I realized I was totally wrong, but in order to adequately enjoy these I was going to need a real shake of powdered sugar. I took them back, and they gave me extra, extra powdered sugar! Is there any such thing as too much? I think not! I have to admit...these were comparable to Cafe Du Monde! I ate almost all of these, and had to stop myself so Matthew could have a couple of bites. 

With a belly full of delicious food, I'm a happy girl! 

Also in Fort Worth, but in Downtown, is Taverna! I had been there once a few years back, and decided I hated it. It took me like 2 years to try it for a second time. As it turns out, I didn't like it the first time because I made a poor choice when I ordered! Matthew ordered for me when he took me back, and I am now in LOVE! He ordered me a risotto with shrimp and lemon. It seriously tastes like summer! It is filling, satisfying, light, and bursting with the taste of sunshine! Matthew took me back in April, and I've been 4 times since then just to order it. I have even dragged Courtney along, and she is now ordering the same thing! 

I mean...doesn't that look like summer on a plate??? I always ask for extra lemon...

because I love lemon!

When Courtney and I went to Taverna, we were celebrating my kids finally being finished with the STAAR test, and basically my entire year being over! We went to dinner, shopped for sunglasses, and then enjoyed the beautiful evening in Sundance Square. 

Just two girls at the end of the school year, enjoying good food! 

Over in Dallas my go to is The Porch! I'm not in Dallas super often, but when I am it's very hard to turn down The Porch. When the weather is nice it is great to sit on....the porch! It is off Knox-Henderson, and sitting outside faces the street. The atmosphere is casual, and it's the type of place you can get dressed up for or come the way you are! 

They have a pimento cheese appetizer, and as someone who absolutely dislikes pimento cheese, its delicious!!! We didn't order it the night we went, but you wouldn't be disappointed. I almost always order the beef stroganoff! It is not a light, summer dish like the lemon risotto over at Taverna. It is a heavy, savory type of dish. It is nonetheless, bursting with flavor! I, once again, have Courtney ordering the exact same thing!

I always ask for extra carrots, because I prefer the ratios to be even...I know...I'm a strange gal! 😀

There are a few bonuses to dining at The Porch. On your way out, there is a giant container of Starbursts! I'm a sucker for the pink ones...they are THE best! I always grab one, or three! 😀 Also the valet for The Porch is THE BEST VALET ANYWHERE! I've had my fair share of valet experiences, and this is the best valet I've ever used. I'm not talking good service once...it's every time! I've never waited more than two minutes for my car, I've never had to open my own car door, and I've never been concerned handing over my keys! The service of a valet may be a small thing to most people, but to me it's the small things that matter the most! 

What are my suggestions?

1. Check out Acadia Parish!
2. Check out Taverna! (There are also locations in Plano and Dallas)
3. Check out The Porch!

Happy Eating! 😀😀😀

Be A Lobster!

(I wrote this blog post...and then found out it is "National Take a Chance Day!" I laughed when I read that because it is just a perfect "holiday" to go along with this post!)

Matthew and I were having an interesting conversation while riding in the car one day. He asked me how work was going, and I could tell it wasn’t one of those conversation filler type questions. He was legitimately wanting to have a real conversation about it. I’m pretty sure he knew what he was wanting to say to me before he ever started the conversation. We got in a deep discussion about work related topics. While we were talking he looked at me and said, “you need to become a lobster!” To which my response was…”WHAT?!” I thought he had lost it!

He started explaining that he had heard a presenter at a conference tell a story about a lobster. Lobsters (as you well know) have a hard exoskeleton shell. As the lobster grows, it must molt and get rid of its shell. If the lobster never gets rid of its old shell, the lobster will never grow any bigger. When the lobster has shed itself of its shell, it is completely vulnerable to other creatures who might be looking for an easy meal. Over time the lobster grows in size, and eventually forms a new shell.

(A quick Google search shows this is not a new story, but it was new to me!)

Then he looks at me and says, “maybe it’s time for you to be vulnerable.”

Y’all…that statement hit me like a train.

I am guilty of staying within my comfort zone. But the problem is, the comfort zone can become a stagnant place. I looked it up, and some synonyms for stagnant are “inactive,” “lethargic,” “depressed,” “dead.” None of those are positives!!! There is no power in those words….except for the power to bring you down!

If we never get out of our comfort zone, and get rid of the fear of making ourselves vulnerable, how will we ever grow? I’m not content with being who I am today in 10 years! I need to be constantly pushing myself to grow whether that be professionally, spiritually, emotionally, or personally. However, that might mean facing something that will end up making me vulnerable. It might mean doing something I don’t know everything about. You know what, that’s okay! There are always people around to help you, support you, and build you up!

So…are you a lobster stuck inside your shell? Have you wanted to make a career change? Get a different job? Start your own business? Finally start working out? Go back to college? Learn a language? Take an art class?

I’m sure if we really examined ourselves we have something we’ve held back on doing out of…well fear. I know I am guilty of it, and I have started the process of changing it.

Go be a lobster! 😀

Rainy Day Necessities!

We have had our fair share of rain lately! From what I hear, we have a few more rainy days ahead. I kind of enjoy a weather pattern like this. The change is nice, and I love an excuse to get cozy! 

The rainy and cold weather got me thinking about rainy day necessities that everyone needs!

Check out the video for the BEST umbrella ever!

Matt's mom is the first person I saw with one of these! I thought it was absolutely genius! I kept meaning to buy one on Amazon, and just kept forgetting. When I saw the forecast this week, I knew it was the perfect time to grab one. I'm OH so happy I did! An umbrella that keeps water INSIDE the umbrella, and keeps you from getting soaked? Yes, please!

I made it home nice and dry. Now it's time to get cozy! I named my Pottery Barn blanket a must have before Christmas, but I'd also classify it as a necessity for a rainy day too! (You can check out my post about that here!) I'm wrapped up in it basically every night, even if it's not raining. It keeps you warm and cozy, even on the coldest of nights!

(Side note: I've been soaking up the Winter Olympics! I think the Winter Olympics are my favorite. I love watching the short track speed skating. I was watching at dinner with my parents the other night, and was so wrapped up in the speed skating that I shrieked and startled people at other tables!)

Cozy feet = happy feet! Check out the video to sneak a peek! 

Field and Stream Cabin Socks

While I'm wrapped in your Pottery Barn blanket, I want to keep my feet cozy too! These socks are the softest, coziest, warmest socks! I believe they are an exclusive to Dick's Sporting Goods. You can't beat the price either! They are currently buy one, get one free! They have many different options. I got mine back around Christmas, which is why they have a "holiday" look to them!

I got in the house dry, wrapped up with the blanket, and made sure my feet were warm. What's missing? A good book, of course!  I've read two books for entertainment reasons recently. Class Mom by Laurie Gelman and The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena were both great reads! Class Mom is about an "older" mom who becomes the class mom for her son's kindergarten class. Lets just say she does things her own way, despite what the other moms think! All my teacher friends (especially you elementary teachers), and all of my friends with little kids, you should definitely check this out! The Couple Next Door is a page turning, suspense type book. It is not violent, but the kind of book that you want to see what happens next. I was not prepared for it to end. When I read the last sentence I literally said, "what?!?!" Since I was reading in public, I'm sure people thought I had lost it!

What do I suggest today?? (Shouldn't it be obvious?!)

1. The best umbrella ever!
2. Get yourself a Pottery Barn blanket!
3. Treat your feet to Field and Stream Cabin Socks!
4. Check out Class Mom or The Couple Next Door!
5. Soak up all of the Olympics you can! It ends Sunday, so I'll be over before you know it! 

The Protection of the Lord!

Hey there! It's been a bit since I've posted a blog and this is why...

On December 28th I was in a car accident. I was on Hwy 183 in Bedford when a pickup truck came into my lane, clipped my car, and sent me spinning out of control across three lanes of traffic. I didn't touch another car. The front of my car ended up slamming against the wall on the opposite side of the highway. The driver's side airbag deployed. I ended up facing the opposite way of traffic pinned against the retaining wall. I had to climb across my car and exit from the passenger side of the car. The truck that hit me didn't stop, but I'm so grateful to the people who did. They helped pry the door open so I could get out. Called 911 for me. Searched my car for my phone, and other contents of my purse that were thrown all over my car.

When I got out of my car and looked at it on the side of the highway, there was no question it was totaled. After speaking to the police and getting the car towed away, I ended up in the ER to get checked out because my shoulder was bothering me a bit. After an x-ray, it was determined that I had a broken collarbone, but otherwise I walked away unscathed.

The hospital gave me a sling, which I promptly replaced with an upgraded one from Amazon, and suggested I go see an orthopedic surgeon to get a better diagnosis. I will be "slinging" it for another month until the Orthopedic surgeon is satisfied with my healing progress.

I remember realizing what was happening, as it was happening. As my car was spinning across the highway I was praying and praising God that Psalm 91 is true. That He commands His angels concerning me to guard me in all of my ways and they lift me up in their hands! I knew I had nothing to be afraid of, for the Word says I am protected!

One of the police officers at the scene said the fact that I didn't hit a car as I was spinning across the freeway was a miracle. To which I responded, "that is correct!"

The ER doctor who treated me mentioned to me that I was in such high spirits for a person who had just been involved in a serious accident. Which got me thinking about a couple of things...

1. The peace of God transcends all understanding. Throughout the entire evening, I was completely at ease. 
2. Peace and joy are fruits of the Spirit.
3. God works for the good of those who love him, therefore He was working in this situation.

Given these things, why wouldn't I be in high spirits??

I have experienced pain, though as my healing is working it gets better by the day. My biggest challenge has been letting people help me do stuff, and realizing in order to let my body heal I have to cooperate with it. My family, friends, and boyfriend have gone above and beyond to be of assistance to me. 

I have had people ask if I was angry at the person who hit me and didn't stop. My response has been no. That person either needs to repent for what they did, or get saved. It does me no good to hold angst towards that person. I forgave them the moment it happened.

I have been asked if I am scared behind the wheel. I was the first time or two, but I was reminded that according to 2 Timothy 1:7 I do not have a spirit of fear. When I feel as though I am becoming frightened, I begin quoting the Word and it falls away.

What do I suggest today?

1. Read (and memorize) Psalm 91 in it's entirety. I'd give you a specific verse, but truly the whole thing is powerful. On the night of my accident, this is the scripture I prayed as my car was out of control.
2. Read (and memorize) 2 Timothy 1:7. Women tend to worry/fear, so this is a perfect one for women. 
3. Read John 10:10. The spirit of fear that tried to enter my thoughts in the days following the accident were nothing but the devil.
4. Read Psalm 27:1. The Lord is on your side, so you have nothing to fear.
5. If you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, read Romans 10:9-10. Feel free to email me or send me a message! I'd love to talk to you!

Christmas Wishlist 2017

Beginning somewhere around the beginning of November, I start to get the question "what do you want for Christmas?"

 If you're like me, and still have no idea what you want, fear not! I have you covered! I have suggestions that will satisfy the questions being asked by your mom, family, friends, husband/boyfriend etc.

Let's get started! (I apologize for the marathon post. I promise it's good stuff! I have provided links to websites that carry most of what I'm suggesting. You don't even have to leave the house. #winning)

1.) This candle!!! It's currently ON SALE! Bath & Body Works has this scent in hand soap, wallflowers, and lotions. It smells like the most wonderfully, relaxing spa!

I'm telling you...this is the best! 

2.) This blanket!!! My sister-in-law (Hey LJ!) introduced me to this blanket forever ago. My brother and sister-in-law each have their own, as do my niece and nephew. They make them in a child size, so it's perfect for all members of the family! I finally asked for one for Christmas last year, and quickly became obsessed. I even gifted one to my best friend this year. (Hey Courtney!) Don't worry...I'm not spoiling it for her. I gave her Christmas present to her before Thanksgiving, because I just couldn't help myself!

Courtney snuggled up with her blanket as soon as she opened it!

Nothing goes better with your morning cup of coffee than this blanket! It's just so cozy!

Cozy with my blanket, watching Christmas Vacation, wearing Christmas pjs, writing this blog!

3.) These Urban Decay products!!! I started with the setting spray (the black bottle), then added the priming spray (the green bottle), then followed a suggestion from Courtney and bought the eye shadow primer. The 6,000 near perfect reviewers on Sephora agree on how awesome these products are! My makeup stays on so well that every night I'm shocked by how much comes off on my makeup wipes! 

They really help your makeup last ALL day!

3.) This foundation!!! I received this in a sample size from Sephora, and immediately fell IN LOVE! Then found out Sephora didn't have it in the store...

The lady at Sephora actually told me to go to Ulta. Isn't that their competition?? I just don't understand. Why give out samples, and not have it in the store?? They do have it online, but I wanted it in my hands!

I digress...it evened out my skin tone perfectly, and didn't feel heavy and caked on! It doesn't take a lot to get great coverage, so one tube of it will last you at least a few months!

4.) Rodan and Fields!!! I would like to be very clear. I do not sell R&F, and receive no freebies by putting this on the list. I just really like the products! I have NEVER felt more confident in the way my skin looks. My R&F lady posted something one time that made so much sense to me. It was basically that the most expensive makeup in the world would look bad on bad skin. Good skin is the base of all good makeup looks. I tell you, it's true! I haven't tried anything I didn't love. I use the Unblemish Regimen that is for acne, but I also use the Reverse Lightening Regimen to even out skin tone. I also use the eye cream, and active hydration serum. I'm telling you...obsessed! If you have any questions about any of their products, contact my R&F lady: Cindy Aldrete (caldrete.myrandf.com).

In this picture I have on full makeup to desperately try to cover up all the acne I had on my face. It's almost embarrassing!

(Campbell could not be cuter though!)

My hair wasn't the only thing that changed between these pictures. I always use to analyze people's before and afters and say, "well the lighting is different" or "the camera is at a different angle." These are my results after just a couple of months (like four I think), without any makeup, in the same place of my car, with almost identical lighting. In the picture on the right, I was headed to church...without makeup!

5.) Lipsense!!! Again, I'd like to make it clear I do not sell lipsense, and do not get any freebies from suggesting this! Just like with Rodan and Fields, I just love the products! Lipsense is amazing! My friend Caty sells it, and in April of last year I asked her if I could just try it to see if I liked it. She gave me a color to use for an entire weekend, and I was hooked! She gave me Praline Rose, since it's a great neutral. 

Praline Rose started everything. It is just perfection! 

My love of Praline Rose caused me to slowly start to add to my collection. I now have quite a few, and love them all. I'm going to share some of my favorites!

Purple Reign gives you a perfect, bold, pop of color!

Goddess is perfect when you want a noticeable neutral...is that even a thing? It is now. 

Lexie Berry is the perfect bold, fall color! It is a dark wine color, but not TOO dark. It's just right!

 Because a PERFECT red is a requirement for every woman, Blu-Red is a necessity! It just gives any outfit just a little extra pizzazz! 

If you're wanting to start your own Lipsense collection, contact Caty! 

6.) Apple Watch! You can read all about my love for my Apple Watch and all the reasons you need one on my Apple Watch review! 

7.) This perfume!!! I smelled this for the first time last summer, and it was love at first sniff. I immediately purchased it, and haven't stopped wearing it! I wore it visiting a friend over the summer. When I gave her a hug, she caught a whiff of it, and said "what is that glorious scent you're wearing???" I'm telling you...it is the BEST perfume I have EVER smelled. It is definitely not the cheapest perfume, but it is the best!

8.) The BEST leggings in the world! Seriously, they are a must have! These leggings are thick enough that you don't have to worry about your backside being visible! We've all seen someone out in the world whose leggings were thin, and her entire butt was visible! (Does anyone else think "do I tell her everyone can see her butt?" But then don't because you also think, "perhaps she wants her butt visible to the entire world!" so you just say nothing??) Trust me, in these leggings, that will NOT be you! Besides ensuring your underwear aren't on display for the world, the thickness also gives you a little control and holds everything in. We all wish our stomachs were smaller, flatter, more toned, etc. These leggings will camouflage an area you may be self-conscious of. They are priced at $49.99, and they are worth EVERY penny. However I prefer not to spend $50 on leggings, so I watch them and wait until they are on sale. With it being close to the holidays you can get lucky and catch them on sale. Lou and Grey doesn't go on sale super often at Loft, so jump on it when it is!

The best leggings EVER!

When it's Friday, and this time next week we'll be on Christmas break! 😀😀😀

What do I suggest today??

1. I'd suggest number 1-8 on the list above! 😂😂😂