Layered in Adventure

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Jacket: Zara; Pants: Paige

Layering has been super important to me this season. Will an abundant array of options to keep warmth in and the cold out, it’s kind of a game to me to see how things layer. If you’re wearing multiple layers — all of them stylish — and you get hot, you can take one off and still look sharp. When you start to cool off, you slip the top layer back on and still look put together. In a sense, smart layering enables you to look great in a wide range of temperatures without heading home to change.

One of my more favorite finds recently was this super transitional and comfortably cool jacket from Zara. It’s a velvet bomber jacket that is soft enough to keep suitors close and warm enough to keep you moving during your winter adventures. I found myself hugging the fabric and wanting to find a way to make it work for every outfit.

As you all know, I am a huge foodie so on our most recent trip to New York City this jacket was my go to for hopping from restaurant to restaurant. Some of my memories from the vacation included oysters from Mermaid Inn Oyster Bar, Spaghetti from Scarpetta and of course, a huge ice cream cone from Big Gay Ice Cream!

In general, layering is a four-season look. I found that fact to be especially true this time around. This jacket lends itself naturally to fall and winter — when changing temperatures make it convenient to have pieces you can take on or off throughout the day — but with the right wardrobe pieces and the right materials you can have a layered look all year round if you want.

Needless to say, we had an absolute blast in NYC and I certainly can’t wait to go back. Layer your next trip with a bit of adventure!

Plaid in the Park

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 Shirt: J. Crew ; Jeans: Bonobos

Simple things tend to bring us the most joy. A loyal friend, a good cup of coffee or a trusted pair of old boots might do the trick. I find the most pleasure in the art of trekking. Taking the road less traveled, getting outside and blending in with nature. Call me the camouflaged connoisseur of taking to the streets and finding out how to find my drum.

Sorry if my metaphors seem a bit much. I’ve just returned from New York City, you see. The city bustled with traffic of all means, noise pollution and a certain spark that only this time of year can bring. Through it all, though, I found a sense of wonder hidden in the majestic sprawl of Central Park. The feeling called to my inner outdoorsman and so I ventured into the depths of the concrete jungle and dawned a new persona.

The king of the fashion jungle in winter time seems to be the mighty plaid. You’ll find it on scarves, belts, jackets and more. My favorite way to wear it? Shirting. Yup, call me a lumberjack because my affinity for perfectly mixed lines puts me in my happy place. After I’d seen a stretch of the park including ponds, mountains, fountains and lawns, I concluded that I’d better get home before dark. I cherished the ability to rock my new favorite plaid button down for a stroll and only wished that my next adventure would be as soothing to my outdoorsy soul.

Long Flights and Bangkok Bites

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Well hey there. It’s me. I am jet lagged as ever (we’re talking bed before 7pm and 3am wake up calls) but I made it back from Thailand. A beautiful country it is, filled with gorgeous sights, delicious food and the kindest people. I gained so much from traveling across the world to see the curiously chaotic and seamlessly chic cities I’d heard so much about. Over 13 days of traveling has landed me in a state of trance, yes. But I am here to share some of my fondest (and tastiest) memories from my adventures abroad that I hope you will enjoy!

After landing at nearly 2 am and arriving to our hotel almost an hour later, sleep was the only thing on our brains. So after a nights rest and a few cups of coffee we embarked on our first days of sightseeing. The Peninsula Bangkok is one of the most amazing hotels I have ever stayed in. Between the attention to detail, room design and overall classy feel, it’s like being in a dream. Needless to say, the beds were exceptionally comfy as well! Helps when you’ve traveled 23 hours to get there. Right, back to the fun.

One of the experiences that The Peninsula provides is a traditional Thai cooking class. Our experienced started by visiting the fresh market to select the ingredients via the Peninsula Tuk Tuk (the only way to get around the bustling city). This intriguing three-wheeled taxi is synonymous with Thailand and is a fast and fun way to get around the city. The hotel’s brand new, bespoke Tuk Tuk includes complimentary Wi-Fi, drinking water and cold towels on board for guests. No roughing it here! We zipped through bustling streets and alleys of Bangkok to local markets where we purchased fresh ingredients for our cooking class. There was so much to see and eat! I’d heard so much about Thai street food but sampling was a whole other level of cool. Fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and more. We chose our ingredients and headed back to get cooking…

I am a true lover of Thai cuisine and was thrilled when we found out what dishes we would be preparing for the afternoon. On the menu was an assortment including Som Tam (papaya salad with tomatoes and cashew nuts), Tom Yum Goong (Spicy and sour prawn soup with lemongrass), Phad Thai (Thai rice noodles and prawns, bean sprout and chive) and Khao Nhiew Ma-Muang (Fresh Mango with coconut infused sticky rice). Knowing we picked out all the parts to make the dish made it that much better. Our expert chef guided us through each dish before we sat to enjoy it. I felt immersed in the Thai way with the spice, flavors and cooking methods being explored.

After finishing the cooking class, we enjoyed a traditional Thai lunch prepared by the restaurant’s chef at Thiptara restaurant, literally translated as “heaven on water”. While we savored Thai dishes served in open-air traditional Salas set among lush tropical gardens overlooking the banks of the Chao Phraya River, we knew this was a bite of Bangkok we wouldn’t soon forget.

Tasty Travels: Marion

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Nestled in the bustling financial district of Miami, you’ll find a breezy restaurant, grand café, market, bakery, and oyster bar. I stumbled upon Marion during a recent travel to the ‘city where the heat is on’ and I am certain it is one of the best kept secret lunch spots in the city. In fact, I’ll even deem it the ultimate power lunch locale.

Serving up fare and products of the highest quality, handpicked by 3-star Michelin Executive Chef, Jean Paul Lourdes, patrons have the option to sit down and dine on exquisite fare or grab-and-go one of the restaurant’s savory rotisserie chickens or its variety of pastries and other gourmet food items. I felt as if I was dining in a french marketplace where the ingredients for my sumptuous selections had been hand picked.

We began with a selection of charcuterie that ranged from freshly sliced prosciutto to hams. While tasting the different cured meats, we admired a nearby table that ordered the cheese tasting served table side in glass domes. How quaint! For main entrees, it had to be the wagyu steak frites with Beurre Maître d’Hôtel (part of the family of compound butters with parsley). Tender, juicy wagyu filet meats salty and crispy frites for a delicious and unforgettable taste combination. The butter truly was the most perfect and simple addition to a lunch dish like this. My dining partner tried a super flavorful catalan burger with sofrito spices, manchego and arugula. Hard to mess up a damn good burger and Marion nailed it!

An extensive dessert menu was offered but admittedly we only had room for one. Sad, I know! We chose the Bittersweet Chocolate Terrine with Creme Anglaise, Sicilian Pistachios. Think salty meets sweet when this creamy and sharp chocolate bite hits your senses. Light enough for lunch and convincing enough to convince my stomach I was full. Be aware if you order an after lunch coffee, a homemade cookies comes with it!

Stop into Marion and let the superb service sweep you away to the Mediterranean.

Hotel ZaZa Announces New Location in Frisco

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Well, I’ll be. Posh hotel chain Hotel ZaZa has announced it will be placing its next Dallas area location in Frisco at the brand new Wade Park Complex.

“Known for its contemporary design and upscale amenities, Hotel ZaZa will be among the highlights of Thomas Land & Development’s $1.6 billion upscale mixed-use development, taking shape at the Dallas North Tollway and Lebanon Road.

Thomas Land & Development will develop the new hotel, and it will be branded and managed by Hotel ZaZa and Z Resorts Management LLC. It is slated to open with the first phase of the development in the Fall of 2016.

The hotel also will have a 1,000-square-foot fitness center and a ZaSpa.

It will be the third Hotel ZaZa in Texas, joining locations in Uptown and Houston. Hotel ZaZa also recently broke ground on a location in downtown Austin and continues to “aggressively look for additional opportunities across the country,” the company said.

Stan Thomas, president and chief executive of Thomas Land & Development called Hotel ZaZa, “a leader in the competitive Dallas luxury hotel set,” offering a “one of a kind experience.”

Said Benji Homsey, president of brand development for Z Resorts: “The Frisco community is booming, and our resort-style hotel will meet the need by offering a unique experience, blending the best of business and leisure travel with the luxury and exclusivity of a boutique hotel unlike any other in the area.”

The new Hotel ZaZa will be positioned along the main street of Wade Park’s retail village, surrounded by 600,000 square-feet of high-end shopping, dining, and entertainment. The center also will feature 6 million square feet of office space, as well as apartments, condominiums, and single-family homes supported by “numerous luxury amenities and concierge services,” the company said.

Hotel ZaZa is the first of three hospitality venues slated for Wade Park. Plans also include a 350-room executive conference hotel along the Tollway, and an upscale limited-service hotel.

The development also is slated to include a 45,000 square-foot Whole Foods Market, iPic Theaters, and Pinstripes, which signed leases for the center earlier this year. The developer broke ground on Wade Park in early August.”

Frisco just got an early Christmas, and suddenly the suburbs are a bit more posh!

Chicago Chic in the Windy City

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As you may have noticed on Instagram, I spent this past weekend in the windy city. However, it was more of the sleet and snowy city for the majority of the weekend. This Texas boy almost didn’t know what to do with himself. Then I had a thought, if I just bounce from shop to shop on The Magnificent Mile and peek into some delicious restaurants I’ll be out of the cold weather. Perfect.

The city of Chicago was alive this weekend. If you’ve never been, I highly encourage spending 48-72 hours (or longer) hitting the pavement of this mid-western city that makes every visitor feel at home. With a flair for the bold personalities and even bolder cuisine (cue deep dish pizza and Chicago dogs), the city also has a softer side. As I perused the racks at Topshop, dined on a delicious midday lunch at RL and walked the streets of the city I never felt lost or out of my comfort zone. Chicago is the third most populous city in the United States, after New York City and Los Angeles. With 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in both the U.S. state of Illinois and the American Midwest. I love the people, the food and the fashion. Quite frankly, this southern boy is a mid-westerner at heart.

So take a peek at my pictures above as I documented my whirlwind trip to Chicago. Another dining recommendation? (because you know I had to) Go to PUMP Room and be enchanted by chic and deliciously hip ambiance with gourmet food and craft drinks. All outfits seen above are courtesy of TopMan at Topshop.

New Era for Hilton on The Hilltop

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Lacoste Shirt / Bonobos Khakis

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Over the weekend, Dallas celebrated the newest luxury hotel to hit ‘The Hilltop’. The Highland Dallas, formerly Hotel Palomar, was unveiled on Thursday, Oct. 30. In celebration of its Grand Opening, the hotel hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and champagne saber off by Celebrity Chef John Tesar. The first of its kind in Hilton Hotels new Curio Collection, The Highland is a chic escape for travelers and those who prefer to stay-cation.

The Highland is the first hotel in Hilton’s Curio Collection, a selection of one-of-a-kind properties that celebrate their individual personalities. For Dallas’ location, rustic southern touches can be seen around the property as well as Texas charm pieces like the cow photo in my king bed room. I found myself napping in the luxurious down pillow-top bed and reflecting at the amazing corner view that peered out over all of Dallas. As far as unique style goes, The Highland has it aplenty and with Knife and Exhale Spa to add to the experience the hotel is poised to raise the bar in Dallas.

The Highland Dallas

5300 E. Mockingbird Lane

Dallas, Texas 75206

Reservations: 844-442-8746