I may be a bit late to the party on this one, but here's a couple snapshots from our Memorial Day trip to Fort Worth. There were so many other spots that we wanted to check out, but lots of restaurants and shops were closed on Sunday and Memorial Day. Major bummer, but another reason to head back there soon. Here's some of our favorite sights and spots we discovered on our trip! 

Fireside Pies // Literally one of the best meals John and I have both had. It was pretty dark in the restaurant, so I didn't get any pictures....but not that I could have, because there is no way we could have waited to take those first bites anyways. From the appetizer to the dessert, each plate we ordered was perfection. We skipped lunch that day, so we went a little wild and ordered the roasted veggies (the pick of the day was beets) and the fancy house salad. We followed that with the buckwheat tagliatelle and mushroom pasta - they make the pasta fresh in house, and it was incredible. I don't even like pasta all that much, but this....oh my gosh, delicious. The wood-fired burrata pizza was literally one of the best pizzas I have had in the good ol' US of A. Even though we were stuffed, we got the chocolate torte for dessert. Oh, and the grapefruit Rickey cocktail is SO good. Just the right mix of tart and sweet!

AF&B //  After our meal at Fireside, we ventured to their sister restaurant for lunch the next day. It was American farm-to-table food with a creative kick, and it was delicious!

Kimbell Art Museum // We visited this museum to check out the architectural savvy of Louis Kahn and Renzo Piano. Oh, and the art. That Matisse that John is standing in front of was my favorite.

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth // I loved this museum! The architecture was so cool, and the art collection was oh-so-covetable. They were installing an entire new exhibit upstairs, so we only were able to see the first floor galleries....but consider me impressed! Oh, they had a great gift shop too....lots of Japanese tchotchkes and jewelry. I picked up that sweet gold arrow necklace for a cool $20, and John got a goofy keychain.

Stockyards // This place is like a movie set. It literally feels like Frontierland at Disneyland. Totally Texas, and totally touristy...but so much fun. We saw cowboys riding bulls (which gave me crazy anxiety), went to a huge honky tonk, watched the best two-steppers in the West, and caught a show by The Cadillac Three. Must remember to wear boots and a hat next time we go!

Sweet Sammies // A big selection of cookies smooching a big ol' scoop of any Bluebell flavor you want. It's not rocket science why we liked this place.

Wrare // A mecca of cool gifts and housewares, I thought this place was really well-curated and had a bunch of decor that could fit lots of different budgets.

In Instagram speak, these are what I'd call wayyyyy latergrams. John and I were in San Antonio a couple weekends ago visiting his parents who flew into town, and it was quite possibly one of the most needed and relaxing staycations we've ever had. I mean, how often do you see a sloth live and in the flesh when wandering in the hotel lobby? And how often do you have the opportunity to accidentally be in town during the wonderfully colorful Fiesta? Rarely, friends....so we took full advantage and mosied about town while we waited for the in-laws to arrive via their private jet (jokes...but I bet they wished they did after their horrendous day of travel!). Just wanted to share a few snapshots because I think life is best lived with confetti in the streets, flowers decorating doorways, and streamers dancing along patios.

PS: This Kristen Bell moment takes the cake for all Slothtown, USA sightings.

PS #2: Those jeans that I have been living in since I got them? They are the Aiden by J Brand in Meadow. Total perfection. Get some.

Happy Monday, y'all...hope you all had a great weekend. John and I had a blast in Houston, where we gallivanted about town with my baby brother and his girlfriend. We found some real gems while we were there this time around, and I just had to share them with you all. Be warned: most are food joints because we are fat kids like that.

1. Houston Zoo // Elephants! Tigers! Foosa! Meerkats! Grizzlies! Albino alligator! Lions! Chimps! Giraffes! Perhaps it's because we went to the zoo as a family all the time when I was growing up, but I can't resist a date at the zoo. I just wish the animals could roam the entire length of Hermann Park....I feel bad that they are cooped up in those little pens all day. :( But, on the plus side, they seemed to be looked after really well.

2. Local Foods // So good! I loved the vibe of this place. I got the crunchy chicken sandwich on a fresh pretzel bun with kale and housemade chips, and John got the duck confit sandwich (tasted like Thanksgiving!) with the chips and orzo. We also shared the limeade, which was super tasty.

3. Natural 'Beachy' Waves // When we left our house on Saturday AM, I had blow-dried my hair straight. Cut to a few hours later, and I had waves galore compliments of the most insane humidity ever. Normally that kind of weather does a hideous number on my tresses, but it was working for me that day. Win!

4. Crave Cupcakes // From the sleek and modern marble and glass decor to the adorable cupcakes monogrammed with their signature vintage stand mixer, I loved this place. The coconut cupcake was my favorite. A definite must-visit when we go back next time!

5. Myth & Symbol // Probably one of my favorite boutiques in Houston, this gem is packed full of Rachel Comey, Ace & Jig, Odette, Alyson Fox prints and more. It's on the pricier side, but the clothes, accessories, home decor and shoes are well worth it if you are looking for a beautifully crafted investment piece. It's just a predicament when you can't narrow down what to get because you want every single piece in the store. Sigh.

6. Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe // Smore's crepe strike your fancy? How about a lemon and sugar option? Classic banana and nutella float your boat? Or are you more of a dulce de leche with strawberries fan? Either way, this creperie serves up a ton of sweet and savory crepes in a really adorable Parisian-themed setting.

Smithville, Texas. Just an hour drive outside of Austin, but it feels worlds away and of a different era. John and I love finding places like this. A prime spot for weekend antiquing, talking about how vintage graphics really are just that much cooler than their modern day cousins, jumping around empty streets, admiring adorable old cottages with wrap-around porches that beg to be enjoyed with a rocker and glass of ice cold sweet tea, and piningly staring into the windows of an apparently awesome BBQ joint that was c l o s e d when you rolled up with a rumbling belly.

PS Be sure to also check out Bastrop if you are up in that neck of the woods...

After a full day of icky airports and listening to wailing babies bust a lung on the plane (as much as I'd prefer my ears to be filled with Bob Marley and The Wailers for 4 hours, I really do sympathize on this one), waking up to this scene is literally my idea of bliss. Click the link below to get the full scoop on our FL adventures!

Since my new blogger friend Jackie is living it up in France, Italy and Spain right now, I've been plagued with wanderlust....so naturally, I'm sharing my fave carry-on essentials on her blog Purple Monkey. Thanks for having me, Jackie...travel safe, avoid the gypsies (they TOTALLY pick-pocketed me), and have tons of fun!