Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Dallas

First things first today - a very big "happy birthday" to my husband, Derek today! He's the number one blog supporter and loves reading the comments (especially if he's involved in the post) so wish away below.  Cheers & Beers to 30 years for my best friend!

We got back on Monday from a great long weekend in Dallas (see past trips to Dallas here).  Each year we go (this is our third) we hit our favorite spots and try to do something new too.  

We stayed at the Joule Hotel, right in downtown Dallas.  It's a cute little boutique hotel and within walking to a lot.  Dallas is usually one hour behind us and then if you add in the daylight savings factor - I was up by about 6am each day, which is unusual for me on a trip.  However, I kind of liked the extra time to lounge, search on my iPad, watch college game day and even drag Derek to the gym.  We also ate our weigh I'm pretty sure in chips/queso/quac/salsa - Texas is the best! 


Grapevine, TX Wineries 
We flew into Dallas with no problem on Friday morning; unfortunately we were greeted with rain but also warmer temperatures than we left at home.  Today was one of our "new" this year activities - we dropped our stuff at the hotel and headed to a nearby, VERY darling, town - Grapevine.  Main Street has multiple wineries, cute shops and delicious eats.

First up was Grapvine Springs Winery where we each got a flight of three wines for only $6!  I went for all white - Chardonnay, Stock Yard Peach and Almond Sparkling (my favorite) and Derek went for all reds.  

Next we walked just a little ways down the street to Messina Hof Winery.  Here we just opted to do our favorites for each of us instead of the whole flight - Texas Sparkling Almond for me and Cabernet for Derek.

Our last stop was Sloan and Williams Winery where again, I did white and Derek did red - we love being able to sample just the ones we prefer. 

There was a few that we didn't get too but we didn't want to miss our dinner reservation back in Dallas and that left us a little time to peek in some of the cute shops.


Nick & Sam's Steakhouse:
We decided to do some early celebrations for Derek's birthday on our first night at Nick & Sam's.  The concierge recommended this to us our first year and we've gone back each time.  Scallops for me, steak for Derek and delicious mac and cheese for a side made for a fantastic first dinner.  Dallas was getting buckets of rain but luckily the vallets at the hotel got me to/from the car with umbrellas (so nice!) and there was an overhang at the restaurant.



George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum:
Saturday morning was spent lounging around the room and watching College Gameday since it was taking place here in Philadelphia!  We also wanted to catch the start of the Penn State game and knew most places wouldn't have it on so after seeing them quickly get off to a strong 12-0 start, we headed down the street to our favorite mexican restaurant (Iron Cactus).

After our lazy morning and filling up on too much mexican, we took the short drive over to SMU's campus and paid a visit to the George W. Bush Library, another new this year stop for us.  We had a great time touring around, looking at the displays and taking a seat in the Oval Office.


The rest of our trip tomorrow including an SMU football game, Top Golf, the Cowboys game and a little sightseeing around downtown.

Linking up with Jenn & Jessi for "What's Hap-pinning Wednesday"

29 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to your husband!!!! Hope he has a fabulous day!

    Wow, you guys sure know how to travel! So many fun things before the game. The wine tour looks like a great time and I really want to check out that museum!

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  2. Any trip that involves a stop at the wineries sounds like a good trip to me!! So glad that you guys had a good time!

    Happy birthday Derek!!!!!!!!

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  3. Happy birthday Derek! 30 is such a fun milestone - I am actually looking forward to mine in a few years! Your trip to Texas sounds like so much fun. The winery town looks adorable. And all the Mexican!! Yum!

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  4. Girl, when in Dallas you must eat your weight in queso, guac and all the Mexican food! :) And that winery sounds amazing! I've still never been to one but it's on my to-do list! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  5. Aww happy birthday to Derek! I would love to go to Dallas someday (I've never been to Texas), and this post has totally moved it up on my wish list!

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  6. Happy birthday to your Hubs!! You guys hit all kinds of great spots!! I always forget the wineries are in grapevine!!

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  7. Loved reading about your trip! Happy Birthday to Derek!! And of course chips, salsa, and guac are a staple to eat while in Texas!

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  8. Happy birthday, Derek! I usually just go to the outlet mall in Grapevine but now I really want to hit up this wineries! Haha. Sounds like you had a great weekend!

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  9. Happy 30th to your husband!!!! Looks like y'all had a great time! We're going to Dallas next September for Alabama's game against USC, so I'll keep in mind fun things from your post for us to do!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

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  10. I have never been to Texas and am dying to visit!!! Mostly for the guac and queso, ha! Happy Birthday to Derek!! Hope you both have a great day!

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  11. Happy Birthday! You guys are like the cutest couple ever!!!

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  12. happy birthday derek! what a fun trip! take me to all the wineries with you next time ok? :)

    xoxo cheshire kat

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  13. This looks like so much fun- I've never been to Texas but it's definitely on my list!

    xo, Kristina
    Medicine & Manicures

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  14. Happy b-day hubs! As usual, you look fabulous and the winery looks perfect! xo

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  15. Looks like a great start to the trip! I love eating everything in sight when in Texas. Happy birthday, Derek!

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  16. Happy Birthday, Derek! Looks like the first half of the trip was fun - cannot wait to see the rest!

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  17. Nice photos! Happy birthday to your hubby♥♥

    summerdaisy.net

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  18. Happy birthday, Derek!! I wish I could have done more when we were in Dallas (like the presidential museum and library), but I definitely want to go back with your husband. Your little boutique hotel looks super fun, too!

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  19. I need to get my butt over to Dallas and to those wineries! Looks like a fabulous trip, and happy birthday to your hubby!

    Green Fashionista

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  20. Looks like such a fun weekend! I would love to travel to Dallas someday...It looks like it would be such a fun city!

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  21. The wine tasting looks like so much fun, and your dinner sounds delicious! Definitely a great first day there!

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  22. What a fun trip! I would love a day of just winery hopping. Happy birthday to the hubs!

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  23. When in Rome, I mean Texas, you have to eat your weight in Mexican food! It's pretty much it's own food group here!
    I'm so glad that you were able to hit up those wineries in Grapevine that I talked about after our visit. It's just such a cute part of Dallas that not that many people know about!

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  24. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEREK!!!! Looks like y'all had a FAB trip (as usual- y'all sure do know how to vacation!) So sorry that you had to be here with the rain, but looks like it didn't put a damper (lol) on your time!

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  25. Looks like a wonderful trip! I have never been to Texas (the hubs has been there a hand full of times for work) but would love to visit sometime. Happy 30th Derek! These will be the BEST years of your life!

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  26. Happy Birthday Derek! Looks like you guys had a blast as always, and you're definitely making me want to go to Dallas! Can't wait to see all about the rest of the trip tomorrow!

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  27. I love going to Grapevine for the wineries! Tex-Mex is the best, and I miss it a ton here in the Midwest. I have never been to Nick and Sam's but have heard so many good things about it! We will have to check it out when we move back! :)

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  28. What an awesome trip and happy belated birthday to Derek!!

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