Dating in Dallas. Toulouse

Guys I am back with another post for my Dating in Dallas series! This week the hubs and I decided to check out a place I had been eyeballing for a while but never actually got around to trying. We all have those restaurants right? Like you notice it, think it’d be fun to give it a try and then forget about it the moment you’re asked the dreaded question… “where do we want to go to dinner?” is there any other question that deletes the contents of your brain that quickly? Really hoping its not just me who feels this way haha.

Well all that being said Dane and I finally decided to try out the adorable French Bistro Toulouse. Like any reputable bistro there is patio seating but since its Texas there is still air conditioning Hallelujah! The interior is definitely Parisian inspired without looking gimmicky, and they play soft French music in the background which I was a massive fan of. All in the all the ambience was very romantic without being intimidatingly upscale. So if you’re looking to knock the socks off of your date without having to worry about which fork to use this is the place. My scrunched faced cutie.

Like any date we started off with drinks, Dane got an old fashioned which according to him was good but nothing to write home about, I tried it but since I don’ t like whiskey my opinion means nothing. I ordered the Chanel No. 6 which was a nice light champagne cocktail that I’d 100% order again.

Then for a few small bites we ordered their Petite Gougere (cheese puffs with truffle oil) each bite was fluffy and beyond flavorful. The perfect balance of delicate texture and sinfully rich flavours.

You guys *contented sigh* Toulouse makes some of the best escargot I’ve ever had! I was honestly worried that I’d be disappointed. One of my favorite restaurants in Austin makes delish escargot and I was afraid toulouse would let me down…but they’ve actually dethroned my beloved Austin spot. Toulouse makes some of the most garlicky, decadent, and tender escargot this girl has ever had! If you’re weirded out by the idea of eating snails, don’t be. Please be adventurous and just give it a try, you will not regret it!

 The perfect ending to our meal of appetizers haha (you wanna try a little bit of everything am I right?) Beignets with cappucino pot de creme! If any desert could turn me into a non food sharer this would be it. I decided to be a good person and share but goodness me I could’ve polished this dish off myself. 10/10 perfect dessert!

Dane and I loved our experience at Toulouse and would definitely recommend you check it out, the ambience was romantic, the food delicious, and the waitstaff was super friendly but didn’t overwhelm by coming by every 5 minutes. Toulouse is the perfect little date spot for changing up the everyday pace of dinner and movie. Try something out of your food comfort zone, sip a cocktail, and pretend you’re in Paris with your gorgeous date!

Dating in Dallas

Hello my lovely followers, I want to thank you for sticking with me even though I rarely post these days. Life has been a whirlwind, after getting married, moving, and other life realness blogging got pushed to the back burner.

I have to admit I’ve missed blogging terribly, I’ve missed the routine and creativity and the ability to interact with all of you fine folk. So in an attempt to be more diligent about posting I figured I would start blogging about date days/nights. Since those are my favorite days. Dane and I share quite a love for food and drink, so I have a feeling this blog will pretty much write itself.

To start off the series I figured we’d start with the most important meal of the day: Breakfast! In order to break up routine the hubs and I have decided to try one new restaurant every other date. We decided to do a breakfast date at Yolk.  We’d been eyeballing this place for a while and finally took the plunge today. my handsome husband’s second love is coffee and yolk got this snob’s slurp of approval

I’m boring so it was just water for me. But how cute is that carafe?Dane’s meal was The Yolk All Star Combo that he upgraded the pancakes to have the Nutty Monkey Pancakes. The eggs were cooked exactly how Dane likes them, bacon was crisp, the sausage was well seasoned and didnt look like a skimpy dog treat (a common occurrence at many a breakfast joints) the maple syrup had been warmed which is always a nice bonus and the pancakes were fluffy and packed full of peanut butter, banana, and chocolatey goodness. No complaints to be had here.

The Yolk’s Chicken and waffles. A bacon waffle, fried chicken, and sausage gravy…Does it get any more southern than this? Well if the chicken had been better yes. Now I thought the waffle was perfect, crispy outside and cloud like fluffiness inside, the sausage gravy was good, but my biggest complaint was against the chicken, the breading wasn’t quite crispy enough to hold up to gravy (a true southern sin) and the seasoning fell a little bit flat. As a Texan I can be bit snooty when it comes to southern staples like fried chicken. All in all I enjoyed my meal, but next time I’d probably just order the waffle sans chicken.

Dane and I certainly enjoyed Yolk, the waitstaff is friendly and attentive, but doesn’t come by your table every two seconds, the interior was fun and hip, and the servings are large so if you wanted to split an entree it could easily be done. I would say Yolk would be an excellent casual breakfast date spot. You don’t feel the need to get too dressed up but if you want to impress your date and wear something a little nicer you absolutely could. The environment isn’t romantic so its very much a no pressure date. Which can be needed sometimes.

So will Dane and I be going back? Yes we will. We enjoyed our time there and the food was pretty good, we’re excited to explore the rest of the menu and see how that stacks up against what we ordered originally.

Again thank you guys for sticking it out and bearing with my dry blogging spell. Let me know if this is a series you’d like to keep seeing. If you’re familiar with the Dallas region be sure to share what recommendations you might have. We’re always looking for more Date night ideas. Cheers!

 

Keith Harkin 2017.

So its been a hot minute since I’ve done any sort of blog post…I am sorry. Weddings, travel, back injuries galore, ya its been a tad hectic around here. But for those of you who have stuck with me I have one seriously fun post!

I had the pleasure of getting to see Keith Harkin in concert yet again. Basically if the guy is in town I am trying my darnedest to go see him. Essentially the only time I’m not there in the audience blown away by his talent is if I absolutely could not miss work. That’s just about the only thing that’ll keep me away.

I never tire of seeing Keith, because he is the musical equivalent of fine wine, he gets better with age. I had a particularly wonderful time at his last concert in Dallas at the historic Poor David’s Pub. Keith has really honed his style and is uniquely himself, a true artist’s artist. He cares about his music, he’s not out to please people and do what’s popular at the moment. His evolution of art is not to keep up with others but to nurture his own individual voice both literally and figuratively.

Please tell me I’m not the only one getting serious Stevie Ray Vaughn vibes here.

I cannot encourage you enough to check out this class act. Keith is by far one of my favorite artists out there. He manages to bring all demographics together with his art, music that everyone from the grandest babies to the greatest grandparents can enjoy. True art is timeless and knows no boundaries, this is something Mr Harkin truly exhibits. You can find more info, buy merch, etc through his website and be sure to follow him through his twitter and instagram

Fashion Friday: Hot Dame

I will make no excuses for lack of posting…But I had a little freetime this week and I thought hey I should post a little look for you all. This week I am featuring the hottest little black dress I’ve ever had the good fortune to wear! The dress is The Vamp from Pinup Girl Clothing.

Hair Flower: Gift from Miss Amy May

Earrings: Charlotte Russe/Similar

Necklace: Gift/Similar

Dress: Pinup Girl Clothing I actually tried on this dress when I went the the pinup girl clothing boutique many moons ago and fell in love instantly…but alas I was a little too broke to buy it at the time…but as the saying goes “Good things come to those who wait”. The dress went on sale, and is still on sale I might add, so I finally bought my PUG first love. The Vamp is the perfect LBD, form fitted to show off the curves, yet modest enough you wouldn’t feel awkward if you ran into your Grandma while out and about. The fabric is a sturdy cotton poly blend but still comfortable, as reference I am 36″ 27.5″ 36″ and the Medium fits me quite comfortably. Basically The Vamp is everything you could want out of a LBD…But if black isn’t your thing this dress comes in other colourways as well!

Shoes: Restricted

I hope you all enjoyed this post and thank you for putting up with me and my lack of posting. Happy Friday!

 

A Very Unique Fashion Friday

Well hello my lovely readers. How have you been? Well I hope. I must say things with me have been pretty wonderful, lots of life changes seem to be happening all at once. Since we’ve last spoken I’ve moved into an apartment closer to work and my fella, I’ve had a birthday (24 now) got a raise at work whoop whoop, oh and ya…I GOT FREAKING ENGAGED! On February 12th I celebrated my birthday with my *then boyfriend* now fiance, we went to breakfast and he gave me the sweetest necklace of an acorn and thimble, if you’re a weirdo like me then you know the wonderful peter pan story that accompanies such a gift. Well after breakfast we went to work…sexy stuff I know. But it was the next day that made my birthday gift all the more special. I knew my sweet fella had a day long date planned and he seemed particularly excited about it so I thought I best dress the part, and I could think of no better company than Unique Vintage for my special birthday dress. I’ve always been a sucker for retro clothing and vintage dresses and particularly anything with a plentiful skirt, and if it just happens to be pale blue I have to have it. So it was a no brainer for me to pick the High Society Swing Dress… but oh man I could not have predicted how perfectly that dress would suit the day. Cause you see, my love had planned a peter pan themed scavenger hunt of sorts, and my dress is very reminiscent of Wendy.

In each little numbered box was a peter pan figurine and had a corresponding envelope with some sort of punny peter pan joke and instructions for which destinations to go to. The day started at my favorite coffee shop, then to one of my fave brunch spots, then we got pie cause anyone can do cake for a birthday but we all know pies really where its at, we then went to the butterfly gardens in Dallas which was beautiful, and then the last box and letter came for that one we were instructed to go to a park in downtown Plano. This park has always been dear to me, I celebrated my 8th birthday there and I remember seeing a couple get married in the gazebo and I think about them every birthday and how theyre doing…well it has now become a great deal nearer and dearer to me because this is where the love of my life asked me to marry him. The last box  had a single red feather in it

me looking way too focused about putting a red feather in my babes beanie.

and the letter was the most beautiful heartfelt speech/proposal in the world…its just a shame I was too swept up in emotion to remember a word of what was said after the fact…sorry babe.

Someone was having a little trouble opening the treasure chest that had the ring in it…and someone else had a terrible case of the giggles

after a very teary yes and a kiss he told me to turn around cause he had another surpriseMy face at seeing my dearest Amanda who lives all the way in Maryland taking pictures.

needless to say I was happy about that surprise…but he also made sure my family was there and even his parents my soon to be in laws flew out for the big event too!

I was all giggles and Dane was all types of smug 😉

couldn’t quite believe what had happened

and then of course we proceeded to act like weirdosI certainly have found my match

Cardigan: Doll Me Up Darling

Necklace: Hooligan Alley

Dress: Unique Vintage Thank you thank you a million times over for making me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world on the happiest day of my life! It never ceases to amaze me how accurate UV’s size chart is and how flattering their cuts and choices of fabric are. I always feel like a princess in their pieces and I would imagine anyone else would too!

Shoes: Miz Mooz/Similar

Photography: The incredible Amanda of Gilded Isle Photography I just wanted to say thank you again to my love for knowing how important it was for this moment to be captured and for knowing no one could do a better job than Amanda. Girl these pictures my frosty personality melt into a puddle of feels! You’re the greatest!

So basically I’ve been living in a state of I cannot believe this is my life…and how does one even plan a wedding? Haha so forgive me for the lack of posting consistency and the abundance of mushy pictures and posts but hey I’m in love and I’m not the least bit sorry about that. Happy Friday my dears and I hope you all have a beautiful weekend and that you buy yourself that Unique Vintage outfit you’ve been eyeing…because hey ya never know when the love of your life could propose and your best friend could be hiding behind a tree documenting it all so you want to look your best 😉

Music Monday: Keith Harkin Band

So it took me absolute ages to post this feature…I’m sorry but vacations, sickness, and just the fact that I took a ton of pictures meant I had my work cut out for me. I swear all of my posts these day’s begin with an excuse…shame on me. Anyway back in December I had the great pleasure of attending a Keith Harkin Band gig, yep that’s right a Keith Harking BAND! I’ve seen Keith perform many a times and I am always blown away by his artistry and musicality, but oh my goodness to experience the kind of energy that is brought to the stage when there is a full band is nothing short of AMAZING! I had such an incredible time and I’m sure you can tell from the pictures everyone else was too! 

If you weren’t fortunate enough to catch Keith at Poor Davids back in December fret not because he’s coming back March 18th and you can reserve your tickets here if you’re not able to make the gig might I suggest purchasing Keith’s LONG AWAITED SECOND ALBUM: On Mercy Street Here. Every song is so raw and honest you feel as if you have your own private show with Keith right there. I hope that you all enjoyed the pictures and that you all continue to support true artists like these lads here! Cheers!

 

Olan Rogers Feature Pt 1

Okay so its been MONTHS since Ive done a post and I am sorry for being lazy. How are we all doing? A lot has happened in the last three months, I’ve been super busy with work which is nothing new, I managed to finally spend time with my beautiful pinup buddy solemate Miss Amy May, fought off some awful colds and a stomach bug which wasn’t fun, oh and ya I finally snagged myself a boyfriend…he’s pretty wonderful, but if you guys are sore about my lack of posting blame it on my boyfriend for eating up my freetime 😉

Anyway enough of my excuses this weeks’s feature is highlighting the always hilarious and ever soft apparel from Olan Rogers Supply. I’ve featured this rad company a few times on the blog already, but I tell ya I never get tired of doing so. The shirts are so stinking comfortable and as I said before the designs are just too fantastic. I love the “Inside Joke” like aspect of the designs too, its another way of spotting other Olan Rogers fans, its like people and their obscure band t-shirts 😉

Except I’m going to be nice and share why this shirt in particular is so fantastic…You just have to watch this video.

Outfit No. 1

MAGIC!!!!!!

Hat: Olan Rogers Supply

Jacket: Forever 21/Similar

Shirt: Olan Rogers Supply

Jeans: Old Navy

Boots: Target/Similar

 

Outfit No. 2

Jacket: H&M/Similar

Hoodie: Olan Rogers Supply

Jeans: Old Navy

Boots: Target/Similar

 

As I said before Olan Rogers Supply has some of the softest articles of clothing to ever grace your skin and well who doesn’t want to wrap themselves in soft essentially inside jokes? So if you’re on the hunt for some new winter gear or better yet stumped on what to get your friends and family for Christmas check out Olan Rogers Supply and if you order before the 15th your parcels should arrive before Christmas! So no braving the shopping malls for you, you can kick back watch some hilarious videos on youtube and wait for the postman. I hope you all enjoyed this post and that you grab some awesome Olan Rogers gear. Happy Saturday!

Fashion Friday Featuring Apostolic Clothing Pt 2.

Hello my beauties! So I missed posting last week because I caught a rather gnarly cold ugh, but I’m back to the land of living and hopefully you find that the wait for the new post was worth it because I certainly do. If you missed Pt 1 you can read that here and learn a little more about the lovely company Apostolic Clothing.

For this look I really wanted to draw inspiration from the gorgeous chocolate brown tulle skirt and pretend for a moment that it actually felt like fall here in Texas 😉

Necklace: Charming Charlies/Similar

Scarf: Borrowed from my mom/Similar

Jacket: H&M

Top: Forever 21/Similar

Skirt: Apostolic Clothing well hello new favorite fall skirt! I have owned tulle skirts before and I usually find them to be a hit or miss item, either they look too ballerina-ish for everyday wear, or they can look a tad…witchy for lack of a better adjective. However this beautiful tulle skirt from AC is perfectly wearable, distinctively feminine, and delightfully flattering with its wide elastic waistband that cinches in at the smallest portion of my waist and length wise hits me mid shin so my legs don’t look to short. I am so excited to get lots of wear out of this skirt, I have a feeling a future blog post with different styling methods is probably going to make an appearance. Would you guys like that? Basically I am just looking for more excuses to wear this little number.

Shoes: Miz Mooz/Similar

I hope you all enjoyed this post and that you check out Apostolic Clothing. Happy Friday!

Fashion Friday Featuring AC Clothing Pt 1.

Yes! Week 3 and I still haven’t dropped the ball on blogging! Haha I have to admit though I almost didn’t make it, I didn’t know what I was gonna post about, but hallelujah my parcel from Apostolic Clothing showed up just in time for me to crank out a shoot and a review.

Apostolic Clothing was founded on the principle of  providing fun and fashionable modest pieces. In a world or extremes it can often be hard to find clothing that is modest without it looking like a gunny sack as well as finding clothes that are on trend but still leave a little to the imagination. So coming across AC is like breathing in a breath of fresh air. You can read more about the beliefs and principles of the company here.

Now onto the fun bit! PICTURES!

Blouse: H&M

Skirt: Apostolic Clothing Can we just take a minute to appreciate how fun the print of this skirt is? I absolutely adore the pattern just the right amount of quirky and feminine. The cotton/poly blended material itself feels very sturdy no flimsy tissue paper skirt here, and the size chart is very accurate, I’d suggest though if you do fall between sizes to size up. My waist measures 27.5 inches and the medium is precisely for that measurement, so there’s not really any wiggle room there, so just keep that in mind whilst ordering. All in all I am incredibly happy with my new skirt and I have a feeling I will be getting a lot of wear out of this fun little number.

Shoes: Restricted Footwear

I hope you all enjoyed this post, that you check out Apostolic Clothing, and that you keep an eye out for Pt 2 of this feature. Til then happy Friday my lovelies.

Fashion Friday Get’s White Hot With Unique Vintage

Bonjour! How are you all doing? Thankfully it hasn’t been as long since we’ve spoken last, I really am going to try and keep with my posting schedule, but I can’t make any promises 😉

This week I am featuring Unique Vintage yet again… Yes I know I do a lot of features of UV clothes but I haven’t heard any complaints, and if I do…well I can’t say I’d care. I adore my UV Darlings!

Just casually doing The Can Can during my shoot.

Hair Flower: A lovely handmade gift from Miss Amy May

Dress: Unique Vintage God bless the person who constructed this white cotton masterpiece. I can’t recall the last time I wore a dress that has made me as happy as this one. I can honestly say that I would be more than happy to get married in this dress (of course that’s not happening anytime soon haha) but seriously that’s just how beautiful I feel in this number. The bodice is slightly structured so no weird lumps and bumps from floppy fabric, and of course since its haltered you can adjust to your specification, The fit is so spot on, it basically feels like I custom fit. I think this might be one of the most flattering silhouettes I’ve ever worn, even with my less than average proportions the size chart was incredibly accurate. Now talking about sizing here comes the sad news, I snagged this number during a sale and as everyone knows dresses that go on sale always run out of sizes so right now they only have medium 😦 but the good news is its still on sale for $50 so if medium is your size by all means snatch this dress while you still can! Also you ladies who are not medium don’t think for one second I’m neglecting you, I think this dress could make an excellent substitution.

Shoes: Miz Mooz/Similar

I hope you all enjoyed this post and that you check out Unique Vintage. Happy Friday my loves!