The check in is seamless with the ‘Welcome Desk’ setting the cowboy chic mood with cool water or a trip over to the Living Room Bar for something a little stronger. A quick visit with the concierge to set up dinner and I headed over to the elevator lobby. The exclusivity of use when it comes to who can board the elevators is a touch that made me feel special and safe. The hallway leading to my room has been transformed into a mudflap girl meets classy cowboy space with colors that please the eye and entice a relaxed feeling.

Any experience at the W Dallas is sure to be exactly whatever the guest craves or is in the mood for. The Whatever, Whenever service brings something special. Around the clock concierge is there to tune in to whatever needs, wants or requests that you may have and boy do they deliver.

I entered my cool corner room and my jaw dropped. It’s got a social-sized living space lit by the floor-to-ceiling windows. I found myself wanting to curl up in the window-side chaise or watch my favorite movie or show on the 42” wall mounted plasma TV. I even had a dining table for 6. A bloggers dream come true comes in the form of an oversized desk with every charger connection you can think of. There’s even a rainforest shower with a  downpour and the legendary Bliss family of products. I was in heaven.

My favorite part though? Diving into the huge, comfy king-sized dreams with goose-down comforter and down-filled pillows. Sweet dreams. Remember that Whatever/Whenever service? I craved late night cookies and milk and bam, in a flash I was snacking.

As a new puppy parent, having my dog Oliver there with me was special. There aren’t many hotels that allow pets but the W welcomes your furry friends to join and they will pamper them too!

Overall, the W Dallas Victory Hotel has gotten a Texas-sized facelift that pleases with every turn. The hotel is full of fun surprises and relaxing opportunities, so book that vacation or stay cation immediately and revel in one of their sleek guest rooms and suites, fresh off a multimillion-dollar renovation.

Photo Credit: Katie Thompson

Nekter is bringing their 100% all natural, raw, vegan juices and smoothies and wide assortment of equally nutritious snacks, acai bowls, bottled Nekter Grab n’ Gos and the popular 1,2,3 & 5-day Nekter Cleanse Program – to Bicentennial Retail Plaza at 410 W Southlake Boulevard.

Since 2010, Nekter Juice Bar has expanded to new locations including Dallas and now the chain brings the juice craze to our friends in Southlake.

Nationwide shipping of the Nekter Cleanse is reaching new fans across the map daily. Nekter Fans flood the social media and mail circuits raving about the difference Nekter juices and cleanses have made in their lives. As Nekter Juice Bar continues to grow, founders Steve and Alexis are still committed to changing the world – by delivering quality juice products and giving the Nekter communities the priceless gift of improved health and well-being.

Happy juicing, Southlake!

For now, Nekter Juice Bar is located in Park Cities at 6712 Snider Plaza, Dallas, TX 75205.

“After six years on the Dallas scene, we’re thrilled to reveal W Dallas – Victory’s new look with the renovation of our guestrooms and corridors,” said Darryl Jett, General Manager, W Dallas – Victory. “As a cutting edge lifestyle brand, we’ve invigorated the space to improve the guest experience while amplifying the southern aesthetic our visitors have come to know.”

The hotel now comes with “traditional Texas accents inspired by the masculine modern cowboy and the feminine belle.” After stopping into some of the new rooms to check them out, I can see exactly what they mean. Accent pillows adorned with blonde haired, tiara topped beauty queens give how-to details on how to tease your hair to Texas perfection when reversed on its back side. Wow! Talk about Dall-itude. I expected nothing less from you, W!

Here’s a bit more on the details from the W Hotel chain.

“The refreshed rooms activate guests’ senses with cowboy cool textures such as cowhide and snake skin and design accents including lasso sculptures, jewel toned hardware, armadillo skin embellishments, and more. W Dallas restyled all nine rooms, including the iconic, 1,323-square-foot Extreme Wow Suite located on the 15^th floor overlooking Victory Park and downtown Dallas.

New custom furniture outfits all guest rooms including platform beds, headboards and side tables, sofas, dining and coffee tables and desks, as well as updated sofas and headboards.  Each room also had a new W Bed mattress. Custom carpets line the hotel corridors and rooms with a hidden homage to an iconic woman’s silhouette. Whimsical décor including custom pillows and throws following the design narrative add texture and comfort to each room.”

Those custom carpet lines? Yeah they’re mud flap girls! So cool and definitely a Dallas touch. The hotel chain spent over $100 million on renovations of 11 of its properties and I’m sure these touches will add to the guest experience that is already rich in comfort and style!

So come stay a night (or nights) and see how the W Dallas – Victory is bringing cowboy chic to life in a big way!

From a warm inviting bar where Gene pours up a Tito’s Tini with a splash of Malbec, to the comfy dining room filled with banquettes and group tables.

“Inspired by the 5-Star quality food, yet casual approach to restaurants in Tuscany, Battuto Italian Kitchen features fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. As members of the Slow Food movement, we take pride in carefully preparing our handmade pastas, slow-braised meat sauces, handcrafted pizzas, clean vegetable purée soups, entrée salads, fresh seafood and locally and humanely sourced protein.”

Their new fall menu certainly inspires a time for indulging in good food, wine and enjoying the meal.

A delicious cauliflower soup, a bison pappardelle and gnocchi are amazing at Battuto in Plano. The real show stopper however lies a hop, skip and box away from old world Italy. The Mac and Cheese pizza with Nueske’s bacon delights and reminds us that you can put just about anything on top of a pizza. Just don’t tell Jerrier that. Another winner, the fresh Bay of Fundy salmon on asparagus risotto is light and when paired with the creamy risotto is plate perfection.

Open up your eyes to the Northern neighborhood where Tuscany is reborn and a taste of Italy means so much more.

Battuto Italian Kitchen

18101 Preston Rd Ste 204C

Dallas, Texas 75252

(972) 930-0558

“Plano will be the first facility in Texas to implement FlyBarre, a total body sculpting class that blends the best of light weight training, dance, and core strengthening exercises. Unlike typical barre classes, FlyBarre incorporates more cardio with pulsating movements for a better and more effective workout.”

I can’t wait to see what all the talk is about, as a Barre rookie I can only imagine a room full of toned, tanned women sweating and Plié-ing themselves into a frenzy as the music plays.

So get your butts to FlyBarre and experience a FREE week of FlyWheel and FlyBarre September 23rd-29th. That’s right, FREE. No excuses. Though it might be a drive away for most of you, your behind and metabolism will thank you dearly.

A plethora of green spaces fill the nature requirement:

• Main Street Garden with its adoring puppy play area and Rusty Taco hideout (Currently Undergoing a brand new look and new sod!)
• Belo Garden with grassy knolls and water features will young and old beating the heat.
• Klyde Warren Park, the bad ass park that has DJ parties, food trucks and bootcamp. Need I say more?

Restaurants/Markets that have a passion for creating an escape for the true epicurean:

• CBD Provisions putting final touches on what is to be a delicious gastropub
• Wild Salsa serving street tacos south of the border style.
• Weekend Coffee serving up a strong Iced Chai or Cold Brewed Coffee for this Summer heat
• Urban Orchard Market and Urban Vineyards filling a need for an organic grocery/market that doubles as a chic wine bar

CBD Provisions

Shopping that takes notes from the Champs-Élysées:

• Play, a children’s store that sports Comme des Garçons for the little ones
• Neiman Marcus showing that the big D for Downtown will always have style
• Ten Over Six providing one of kind, kitschy pieces that pop and scream to come home
• Traffic: Los Angeles where I’ve already been challenged to pull of a man skirt but could still pick up a dapper pair of jeans or jacket for the night out

All of these components come together to form a thriving, proud community of restauranteurs, hoteliers, business owners and residents. This once-doubted Downtown is now bursting at the seems with development and beckoning for you to come and see what it has up it’s sleeves.

Just got this press release for a photo shoot this city won’t soon forget…

Extras needed for a Mavs themed photo in the BIG ad campaign!

The city of Dallas is shooting at American Airlines Center Wednesday evening, and they’d love to have you in the picture. They need a few hundred volunteers as extras walking into the AAC. The ad will be used locally, regionally and nationally in print and online.

All you need to do is show up in Mavs gear or Mavs colors (white, navy blue, royal blue or kelly green).

Come out and show your love for Big D and the Dallas Mavericks!

The fun starts at 6pm…I’ll see you at Victory Park! Dress nice and cool!

More details: 

Parking: Free parking at the AudiPark Garage on the northeast corner of the AAC. You can enter the AudiPark Garage from North Houston Street or North Akard Street.

When you arrive, please check in at the pop up tent set up next to the RV. The RV will be in the alley between the AA plaza and the AAC building.

To celebrate the 10^th anniversary the restaurant is hosting a party on June 30^th. Dallas-area patrons are invited to partake in a delicious buffet, house-infused cocktails and a DJ. That’s right, an endless amount of Kent Rathbuns amazing food, cocktails and live music. This is gonna be one for the books.

“We feel very fortunate to have enjoyed a successful 10 years,” said Chef Rathbun. “During this past decade, we’ve served thousands of diners, and we’ve made a lot of friends and regulars along the way. It’s been a good run, but we’re not done yet. We’re just as excited about the next 10 years.”

Anniversary festivities will take place Sunday, June 30^th from 2pm – 8pm. Food, drinks and entertainment will include:

• A buffet featuring farm fresh salads, wood burning oven pizza, a taco bar, roasted lamb and pig, sliders, beef ribs, cedar plank smoked salmon, shrimp and more
• House infused cocktails featuring Smirnoff Vodka, Tanqueray Gin, Shellback Rum, Bulleit Bourbon and Patron Tequila
• DJ Danny Salinas
• Birthday cake
• Paciugo Gelato cart

Make it a Sunday fun day to remember this weekend.

The cost is $35 per person. To purchase tickets, visit this site.

As the winner of 13 Tony awards and a Grammy, Book of Mormon is no stranger to attention, and Dallas is welcoming Elder Kevin Price and his band of traveling preachers.

If your ancy waiting for your turn to get those tickets, the AT&T Performing Arts Center ‘Virtual Waiting Room’ site offers these tips.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets to The Book of Mormon, please be patient – we are processing online orders as quickly as possible. And please note the following:

1. There is a strict limit of 8 tickets per order and per account. Any attempt to exceed this limit will result in your order being canceled.

2. You will not be able to select your own seat for this show. You will pick your price level and will be assigned the best available seats at that price.

3. Before you entered this waiting room, you preselected a specific performance. ONCE YOU CLEAR THIS WAITING ROOM AND ENTER OUR TICKETING SITE, IF YOU ATTEMPT TO CHANGE YOUR PERFORMANCE YOU WILL BE PLACED BACK INTO QUEUE.

4. You may attempt to purchase tickets by telephone at 214-880-0202, but we are able to process many more orders on line than by phone, so this waiting room is your best path to purchasing tickets.

Ps…I’m still #1400 in line. *Sigh*

Update: 1 hour later I’m in the 500 range.  If you just can’t wait, I just saw tickets for sale on Stub Hub for upwards of $749.95 for close up seats. Yowza.

A short stroll across the lawn out front and sharp turn to the right, you’ll find yourself in an open, sunlit dining room. Wicker style chairs, large hanging orb lights and wooden accented floors complete the feel as picture windows allow plenty of views of the spacious acres of grounds. Maas stressed throughout the meal that they strive for organic, local ingredients that really showcase the Texas agricultural bounty and pay tribute to this classy Presidential center. So, here’s a peek at the menu. (Wine and Beer, Mimosas and Blood Marys also available)

My favorites? The ricotta appetizer, arctic char main and don’t you dare miss the griddled carrot cake y’all!