Date Night Away

A couple weekends ago I was going into my Saturday and Sunday with a huge meeting weighing on me.  I mentioned to Hendrik Friday night that if my meeting on Saturday morning went well and we were plan and duty free for the weekend if he wanted to skip off to Dallas late Saturday afternoon.  The new Fifty Shades movie had hit theaters and we could go to a fancy big city movie theater and grab an artsy hotel for the night before heading home Sunday.  I made the stipulation that I ONLY wanted to go if my meeting went in my favor because otherwise I just wouldn't be able to enjoy myself.

To my huge relief and to my sanity my meeting went AMAZING and as soon as I got in my car I called Hendrik to give him the news and confirm that he still wanted to head to Dallas that evening.  I was planning on leaving around 6 and that would give us plenty of time to get to a hotel and a late show of the steamy new movie.

Hendrik's work schedule was really slow on Saturday due to weather so he was home early and we were able to head out around 4:30.  I found us an awesome room at the Lorenzo, a really modern artsy hotel in downtown Dallas.  I had driven by this hotel many times and couldn't wait to see it.  We got all checked in and up to our room by 6:45 pm.  I took some pictures and booked us an Uber to the movie theater.

this was on the ceiling

We headed downstairs to wait on our Uber...this was my first time using Uber and it worked out perfectly.  I panicked a bit in the beginning trying to figure out the app as neither of us had ever used it.

Hanging out in the lobby.

This entire weekend was full of firsts...our first time staying at the Lorenzo, our first time using Uber, and also our first time seeing a movie at a Studio Movie Grill.  

The drinks were really tasty but the food was bland.  I could see the allure if we lived around Studio Movie Grills and we really wanted to see a movie but were short on time.  Seeing we don't live near any we would actually have to make plans to visit one and I wouldn't do it again....I don't think.  It maybe fun for a girls night but I think I would rather eat and enjoy conversation at a regular restaurant and see a movie at a normal theater.  I didn't find it was disruptive just not great food.  

As far as the movie its self...omg it was perfect.  It makes me want to re-read the books for the THIRD time.  After the movie we Ubered our way back to the hotel and crashed.  

Sunday morning we woke up from a not so great sleep.  Our hotel room was super hot and we both tossed and turned a lot trying to get comfortable.  We had a birthday party Sunday afternoon early so we were packed up and sitting at a cozy table at Jonathan's in the Oak Cliff neighborhood in Dallas.  I found this place online and OMG...it was perfect.  It was packed, only allowed you a party no larger than 4 due to space, and the food looked amazing.

Hendrik got the peppered biscuit and chicken with breakfast potatoes.  

I got the all in one waffle which is a waffle loaded down with gravy, sausage, eggs, green chilies and hot sauce and probably more stuff I just can't remember.  I would definitely go back and try other items on this menu!

It was quirky, quaint, hipster, and a little Sunday morning adventure that topped off our night out on the town.  After our breakfast we headed home and just in time as the weather was getting pretty bad in Dallas and we would have been stranded there most of the day otherwise.  I'm so glad we acted spontaneous and enjoyed a night out trying new things!

Insta Dump #46

January instagram was pretty sparse or so I thought before putting this little collage together... I was really busy with work all month long but we did manage to get in some good activities.

Happy New Year// recapping Mexico trip// killer mode// new hair// Bas Rutten MMA // nothing better than clean house// workout done at 6am// booked El Salvador vacation// new rash guard// stuck at work with my face mask on// nighttime working all month long// Kid Rock concert

6 Podcasts You MUST to Listen to

Over the past six months to year I've spent a lot of time in my car running errands for the businesses and also going to Dallas for repairs and appointments.  In that time I have come to really love podcasts.  Below are 6 podcasts that I'm completely in love with or just trying out but so far they have me intrigued so I'm still listening. 

I've only listened to one episode of this podcast but it was the episode that Sophia interviewed Sarah Jessica Parker and I LOVED it.  So much so that I went ahead and subscribed so I can listen to a few more to decide if I really want to invest fully. LOL  I found this podcast from a recommendation from another blog post and decided to give it a listen as I read Sophia's book Girl Boss and really enjoyed it.  She is an inspiration to all women and very empowering.  

I've been listening to Young House Love since the beginning so like almost 2 years now as they are on like episode 84!  I started listening to their podcast because I loved and followed their blog for years and love the advice they give on renovating and decorating.  They are DIY king and queen plus always have interesting tid bits that aren't all about home stuff on their podcast.  If you are into decorating and DIY you should try them.  

This podcast is fairly new but I've listened from the beginning.  I have followed and LOVED Celeste for years now.  I started following her when I got into fitness heavily several years back. She's the creator of my awesome booty scrunch leggings that I wear pretty much daily at the gym.  She is unfiltered, un-glamorous, and just awesome.  She's been through some tough times over the past year and holds nothing back. She's going places and I love listening to her transformation and helping empower and educate women on all things entrepreneurship and randomness. Laurin Conlin is her co host and is also in the fitness industry.  She is so smart and has some great opinions that she brings to the podcast.  They talk on a variety of topics so there is something for everyone on this one.  

I was on the hunt months ago when I really started driving a lot for a travel podcast and I can't remember how I found this one...probably from a blog but I found it and gave it a listen.  It was hard for me to get into it at first as both Ryan and Amanda's voices were really like pot heads LOL it was hard for me to sit and listen but I found a few really interesting episodes which made me get sucked all the way in.  Before I knew it I had gone back to the beginning of their podcast and listened to all the episodes.  Right before New Years I got completely caught up to date and it was horrible I felt naked.  LOL Then to make matters "worse" they took a two week recording break for the holidays.  Now it is a weekly release and I save my weekly podcast for the end to really savor the listen and like currently I'm an episode or two behind since I've been test driving a few others which is awesome.  Hopefully next week I can binge my backed up episodes.  The reason I love this podcast is because I can literally follow along for an hour with them and daydream along their adventures.  It is not unknown that I am passionate about travel so any perspective and tips I can get about how to be a better traveler and learn about new locations is something I'm all on board with.  

I stumbled across this podcast around 2 months ago when I was hoping to find a new season of Serial but I wasn't so lucky on that front.  I did find this true crime 6 episode podcast about a real crazy in California that spun a web of lies and trapped so many woman.  It was really interesting and makes you realize that when you think you love someone love is truly blind!!! and DUMB! If you are a fan of Serial then you will for sure enjoy the quick listen.  It does jump around a bit and is a little hard to follow in the beginning but if you stick it out you'll get the flow of things.  

I found this podcast after I got caught up on The World Wanderers and was on the hunt for a travel escape.  She doesn't put out as consistent episodes because I think she travels a lot and blogs and podcasts on the side but I've listened to several episodes and want more.  As a solo female traveler she offers a unique and interesting perspective that I enjoy.  

All of these podcasts can be found on iTunes.  If you have any good podcasts that you love please let me know, I'm always open to try new ones.  Also if you give any of these a listen please let me know what you think. 

Book Review: Origins

I was just cruising Amazon a while back and stumbled onto Dan Brown's new book a week from when it had been released.  I had to grab it up and put all other reading on hold as I knew it was going to be amazing.  I have read all of his other books like the DaVinci Code, Angel's and Demons, and Inferno which are all other Robert Langdon novels as well.  Add the love of those past books with the love I have for the movies and this read was a no brainer!  The reason I love the Robert Langdon series of novels by Dan Brown is because they mix history, art, and travel all together in a realistic way.  They also really make you think about religion and science in a way that can always work together but brings up many questions.  I don't know how many times...but there was several...that while reading this book I stopped reading to head over to the Internet to research some of the artists, history facts, and areas in Spain that were key features in the book. These books are quite long but so worth the read.  Such a good book that I hated to finish...my hope is that there will be a movie adaptation!!!  Check out the Amazon synopsis below then head on over and get your copy..NOW!

Synopsis from Amazon

Bilbao, Spain
 
Robert Langdon, Harvard professor of symbology and religious iconology, arrives at the ultramodern Guggenheim Museum Bilbao to attend a major announcement—the unveiling of a discovery that “will change the face of science forever.” The evening’s host is Edmond Kirsch, a forty-year-old billionaire and futurist whose dazzling high-tech inventions and audacious predictions have made him a renowned global figure. Kirsch, who was one of Langdon’s first students at Harvard two decades earlier, is about to reveal an astonishing breakthrough . . . one that will answer two of the fundamental questions of human existence.
     As the event begins, Langdon and several hundred guests find themselves captivated by an utterly original presentation, which Langdon realizes will be far more controversial than he ever imagined. But the meticulously orchestrated evening suddenly erupts into chaos, and Kirsch’s precious discovery teeters on the brink of being lost forever. Reeling and facing an imminent threat, Langdon is forced into a desperate bid to escape Bilbao. With him is Ambra Vidal, the elegant museum director who worked with Kirsch to stage the provocative event. Together they flee to Barcelona on a perilous quest to locate a cryptic password that will unlock Kirsch’s secret.
     Navigating the dark corridors of hidden history and extreme religion, Langdon and Vidal must evade a tormented enemy whose all-knowing power seems to emanate from Spain’s Royal Palace itself . . . and who will stop at nothing to silence Edmond Kirsch. On a trail marked by modern art and enigmatic symbols, Langdon and Vidal uncover clues that ultimately bring them face-to-face with Kirsch’s shocking discovery . . . and the breathtaking truth that has long eluded us.
 
Origin is stunningly inventive—Dan Brown's most brilliant and entertaining novel to date.