MUSEUM FIT CHECK! So glad I could catch "Monet to Matisse: French Moderns" exhibit today at the Portland Art Museum before it left! I wore Selkie's Monet inspired "Bridge Angel Mini Bustle" dress and Jeffrey Campbell's ballet inspired "Nympha" heels, which were perfect to walk around in to see the Degas pieces that were also featured!

As a mother who appreciates the finer things in life, Highland Park Village offers an unparalleled shopping and dining experience in Dallas. The Mediterranean-style architecture, with its ornate tile work and overhanging balconies, creates an ambiance reminiscent of a European getaway.

The array of luxury boutiques, including Chanel, Hermès, and Christian Louboutin, provides a curated selection of high-end fashion and accessories . The attentive staff in each store ensures a personalized shopping experience, making every visit feel exclusive.​

Dining at Highland Park Village is equally exquisite. Bistro 31, with its blend of French elegance and Italian passion, offers a culinary journey that delights the palate . The Art Deco setting, complete with Murano chandeliers, adds to the sophisticated atmosphere.​

During the holiday season, the village transforms into a winter wonderland, adorned with over 1.5 million lights, making it a magical destination for families . The festive decorations and events create lasting memories for children and adults alike.​

Highland Park Village seamlessly combines luxury shopping, fine dining, and family-friendly experiences, making it a cherished destination for those seeking elegance and charm in the heart of Dallas.​

If you’re a college student in Dallas and haven’t been to the Katy Trail Ice House yet, what are you even doing? This place is a total vibe. A few friends and I came here on a sunny Saturday afternoon after walking part of the Katy Trail, and it was everything we needed and more.

First off, the patio is massive—like, seriously huge—and it’s always packed with people just enjoying the day. You’ll see everything from groups of friends hanging out, to dogs lounging under picnic tables, to runners cooling off with a beer. It’s super laid-back and has that perfect mix of energy and relaxation.

The drinks? Solid. Ice-cold beers served in frosty schooners (you’ll want to take a picture of it—it’s basically a rite of passage), plus a decent selection of cocktails if that’s more your thing. We grabbed a table under the shade trees, ordered a round, and just chilled for hours.

Food-wise, it’s exactly what you’d want from a Texas beer garden—burgers, nachos, wings. Nothing fancy, but hits the spot. The pulled pork sandwich was fire and the queso didn’t last more than five minutes at our table.

Honestly, it’s the perfect pregame spot, post-class hangout, or just a place to people-watch and soak up some sun. Good music, great crowd, and that classic Dallas mix of casual and cool. If you're looking for a place to unwind and have a great time with friends, Katy Trail Ice House is the move.

We spent the day at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, and I can honestly say it was one of the best family outings we’ve had in a long time. From the moment we walked up to the building—this modern architectural marvel that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie—my kids were buzzing with excitement, and it only got better from there.

Each floor of the museum has its own theme, and the hands-on exhibits kept my kids fully engaged the entire time. They raced virtual cheetahs, built their own robots, and even experienced what it feels like to be in an earthquake (don’t worry—it’s just a simulator, but it felt real enough!). The dinosaur floor was a huge hit with my little ones. Seeing the towering fossils and watching paleontologists at work through the glass windows was like stepping into Jurassic Park.

The children’s area downstairs was a lifesaver. It’s thoughtfully designed with water play stations, soft spaces for toddlers, and interactive exhibits that made science feel like pure fun. I was impressed by how educational everything was while still being completely kid-friendly. We easily spent a few hours there without anyone getting bored—which, if you're a parent, you know is saying something!

The staff was friendly and helpful, the museum was clean and well-organized, and there’s even a café with surprisingly good food (my kids devoured the mac and cheese). By the end of the visit, we were all exhausted in the best way.

If you're in Dallas with children, I can’t recommend the Perot Museum enough. It's a perfect mix of fun and learning, and it’s one of those places that your kids will be talking about for days afterward. We’re already planning our next visit!

Clarified Jungle Bird

1 1/2oz. Dark Rum3/4 oz. Campari (I used Aperitivo Cappelletti)2 oz. Pineapple Juice1/2 oz. Lime Juice1/2 oz. Demerara Gum Syrup2 oz. Whole MilkMix all the ingredients except milk in a mixing glass. Slowly stir in the milk, and watch it curdle!

Set the curdled mixture in the fridge for 2-3 hours. Pour the mixture through a coffee filter or cheesecloth. The liquid should flow through, leaving a bed of curds behind - we’ll use these to clarify the drink.

Once all the liquid has filtered through, slowly pour the liquid through the curds again, taking care not to disrupt the layer that forms on the base. This will take a few hours, so you’ll need to find a way to prop up your filter (I set mine up on my countertop juicer).

The clarified drink will hold for months in the fridge, making this a great drink to batch up in bulk! There’s no dilution in the drink, so you should serve it over a big cube or add 1/4 oz. cold water when serving.

1.5 oz Tequila.0.5 oz Cointreau.Juice of 1 lime.Agave nectar to taste.Several drops Orange Flower Water.

Shake with crushed ice. Top with Corona beer. Garnish was made using a squeezed lime half and dotting with whole cloves.

For this cocktail I used:

15ml Honey syrup, 10ml Peach liqueur, 30ml Earl Grey tea, 10ml Absolut, 15ml Becherovka And a few drops of golden glitter

I put all the ingredients in a shaker filled with ice, double strained in a glass and then I injected it with a syringe in the ice sphere which is garnished with 2 Twists ! Cheers :)

I have just finished a trilogy and went on Goodreads to express my thoughts and appreciation. I did skim through the reviews to see what others thought of the books, as one does when stumbles onto the biggest book review site. What I have found is that people leave one star reviews saying "it has sexual slavery in it" "it has rape in it" "it has lots of mention of gay sex in it" "it contains dubious consent" etc etc. so it contains what is otherwise known as triggers in it. Now, this series' description is quite clear that it has mature content, it has slavery and that this is an enemies-to-lovers, fantasy with M/M romance in it. So assuming one doesn't blindly grab books from the bookshelf/download random stuff to their e-reader it is safe to say that readers are well aware of the summary before diving in, thus giving themselves and the writer consent to deal with and read about such unpleasant or out-of-the-ordinary themes.

If you know you are sensitive to slavery then why do you choose a book that has it as a main plot driver then go online and moan about it? Nobody forced you to pick this story, nobody forced you to keep on reading. It's like knowing you don't like milk in your tea, but ordering a milky tea then complain about not liking it. Or if you are not sure whether you like milk in your tea and you want to be adventurous and order one, then realise after a sip that this is not for you, you can just leave it and have one made in a way you know you enjoy. Not forcibly slurp it up then go complain about it.

Leaving negative reviews because, let's say, the writing style is not up to your standards or you find the story boring or the characters one-dimensional, that is fair enough and when you see thousands of people saying the same thing chances are their opinion has merit.

What really grinds my gears that when it comes to less-known or rising writers working with indie or small publishing houses these, frankly undeserved reviews can cut deep. It will only encourage writers to put themselves in a carefully constructed box of mainstream, acceptable themes and stories, and that is pretty much the death of artistic freedom for the sake of what? Political correctness? If we know anything about human history is that it is full of suffering, struggling, pain and bravery in the face of adversity; all of these include and caused by things modern societies view as triggers. I don't want to live in a world where books are being censored or cleansed for the sake of enlightened modernism.

To quote a classic:

“But I don't want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin.”