It has been way too long since I've had time
to update my blog! We've been super busy out here in Dallas doing all sorts of
new things and enjoying the beautiful weather (sorry PA about the snow this
week). One thing I will say that I miss about PA is free Rita's water ice day.
The first day of spring is ALWAYS my favorite day since it's also free Rita's
day. If you are from the North, then you anticipate this day just as I do each
year. I luckily found a Rita's down here about 12 miles from my house, but when
I got there, it was nearly empty. Where is the long line of hundreds of people
excitedly waiting for their free water ice? Apparently Rita's is not such a big
thing down here. Bummer. Oh well, I got my free Rita's
and actually met a fellow Philadelphia in line. Overall, good day.
Since it has been so nice here, we've been trying
to do things outside now. Last Sunday we went to The Fountain Place, which is a
fountain park right outside Fountain Place Tower. I love water (it is a serious
obsession), so when we found out about this place we had to go! It was right
downtown Dallas in the middle of all the skyscrapers. Of course the one time we
decide to go the fountains were all off since it was very windy. We still had a
great time walking around downtown Dallas. It's amazing what new things you can
find while walking instead of driving. You pick up on so much more! We found so
many cool and exciting things to do downtown like exploring the
arts district and a brand new outdoor park Dallas has. We can't wait
to go back when the fountains are on and get to explore downtown Dallas even
more!
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Fountain Place Tower |
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All the fountains are off :( |
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I love water! |
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Restaurant on the water |
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Skyscrapers including Bank of America |
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Fountain Tower again |
Last Saturday was literally 85 degrees and
absolutely beautiful. We had to spend the entire day outside (or in a bar)
since it was St. Patrick's Day! I am almost fully Irish, so I take St. Patty's
day very seriously. My boyfriend and I decided to go downtown to SMU and meet
up with some of his work friends. Of course it was packed and we were lucky to
find a parking spot 10 blocks away. SMU has an outdoor St. Patty's Day festival
where you pay $10 to get in and then you can go into all the bars or even stay
outside on the street and drink. There was a parade going on somewhere, but we
missed that. Since it was so packed, we had a hard time finding our friends. We
stayed outside on the street and enjoyed a margarita or two. Luckily we
just stumbled into my boyfriend's coworkers otherwise we may have
never found them. Phone service didn't work! It was so sunny that
I actually got a little color on my face and arms. Gotta love it when
you are getting naturally tan in early March. One thing that really surprised me
were the cops. I am naturally afraid of cops after living in the North for 23
years, and if I see one I normally look the other way. Down here, the
cops are much more relaxed and friendly. They were taking pictures, giving
high fives, and even enjoying talking with drunk people. The cops up North
could take a note from the awesome police down here. I drank way too much, but
overall I had an awesome day. I recommend you checking it out next
year. SMU kids don't know how to party like PSU kids, but they sure are close.
If you decide to go next year... take cash or you will be waiting in an ATM
line for over an hour!
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Cooling down on this hot day with a tasty margarita |
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Large crowds outside on the street |
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Celebrating with my baby |
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Sea of green |
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Kiss me I'm Irish |
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Green beer |
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What a great St. Patty's Day! |
This past weekend was my boyfriend and mine 2nd
anniversary. I can't believe it's only been two years that we've been together.
We've lived in three apartments and two states so far and have so much more to
still experience together. Cheese ball alert: These past two years have been
the best of my life, and I am so lucky to have found the best guy in the world.
He treats me like such a princess and I fall more in love with him every day.
Now that's out of the way... we had such a great time celebrating. The weather
was cold and raining on Saturday, when we decided to celebrate, so we were
limited to indoor activities. For our first date over two years ago we went
bowling, and ever since it has become a tradition of ours to go bowling on our
anniversary. Our first stop of the day was to 300 Bowling Alley which is an
upscale bowling alley (as upscale as a bowling alley can get). We bowled a
couple of games, drank some beer, and ate some pizza. What could be better? Of
course I won, but that was really no surprise. Three games, pizza, and beer was
almost $100. We had so much fun laughing and making fun of each other.
They also have a private bowling room which you can rent out for the low cost
of $1,500 ha!
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My beautiful red roses, the color of love. |
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Me bowling aka winning! |
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With the love of my life |
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Kisses |
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My baby bowling |
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Being silly |
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Notice how they spelled our names, Sho and Bel ha! |
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Kicks |
After bowling and pizza we needed some dessert
obviously, so our next stop was Gigi's Cupcakes. I had never heard of Gigi's
before, but they supposedly have the best cupcakes in Dallas. All they sell is
cupcakes, so they'd better be good! And they were, although they have a little
bit too much icing for my personal taste. They had a ton of great flavors such
as wedding cake, strawberry shortcake, and red velvet cake. Each cupcake
was $3.25. Definitely worth a stop if you ever come across one.
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Gigi's cupcake display |
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Too big to fit! |
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One strawberry shortcake and one red velvet cake |
Our last stop of the night was by far the best.
It was a surprise until the last minute, but when we pulled up to Ser
restaurant and I saw four Bentleys, I knew I was in the right place. Ser is
actually a steak house which I was skeptical of since I don't eat red meat. I
later learned that Ser is on the 27th floor of the Dallas Hilton hotel right in
downtown Dallas with a view to die for. Two weeks ago we had gone to Reunion
Tower which is 56 stories up, but the view from Ser was 100 times better. You
could see the entire skyline unlike Reunion Tower where you could only see it
from one side. The view alone was enough to have a great dinner, but it gets
even better! Our server was great at explaining the menu, and the way she
described their sea bass special made it irresistible. I am usually really
boring when it comes to food, but at a luxury restaurant like
Ser is would be silly to order the chicken. My boyfriend went with the Wagyu
beef which he was really excited about. While enjoying the view, my sea bass came
out in a paper bag which it was cooked in. The manager actually opened it up for me table side. The aroma that escaped that paper bag was
intoxicating. My sea bass came with a lemon risotto which
might possibly be the best thing I've ever eaten in my life. The sea
bass (which I was nervous about) turned out to be the most delicious fish I'd
ever eaten. My boyfriend, who eats red meat like it's his job, said his steak
was the best he has every had (bold statement). We also ordered a white
tuna appetizer (amazing!) and a beignet dessert (amazing!).
The view alone was enough for us to come back, but after that meal it's going
to be hard to stay away for long! Our meal with wine was over $200,
so definitely not your average every day meal, but for our next special occasion
you know where you'll find us! You HAVE to check out Ser, your tastebuds won't be sorry.
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On our way to dinner |
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Top floor |
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View to die for |
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SER |
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Appetizer, check out that view |
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Getting the skyline in the back |
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Open kitchen |
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I love DTown's skyline |
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Best thing I've ever eaten! |
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Baby's Wagyu beef |
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Dessert |
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Happy anniversary baby <3 |
We ended our anniversary weekend with a trip to
the American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas to watch the Dallas Stars play
the Minnesota Wild. Funny story, our tickets were actually free from a ticket
stub our valet driver gave us a few weeks back. We just had to pay the $4
processing fee from Ticketmaster. Free tickets are always welcomed. On our
drive down, my boyfriend informed me that his company does business with
American Airlines and gave his company free tickets to sit in their box for the
same game we were already heading to. With the help of some of his work
friends, we were able to sit in comfort and style while enjoying the Stars play
in the American Airlines Center while in the American Airlines suite. Not a bad
night. Besides paying $15 for parking, the night was entirely free. Being in
the suite really made me realize how truly blessed we are. I look back on my
blog and see all the amazing things we’ve done in only two months of being
here. It’s important to stop and appreciate all that we’ve done and all that
we’ve yet to do. Who else gets to sit with the owners of the stadium on a
Monday night? We do! Unfortunately the Stars lost 7-4, but we still had a great
time enjoying our time with each other, friends from work, and the American Airlines
suite :)
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American Airlines Center |
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With my baby |
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Here they come! |
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Enjoying the game and my beer |
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We were right on top of all the camera men |
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Perfect seats |
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Welcome to the American Airlines suite |
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Fight! |
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3rd period |
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They lost, but we still had fun |
This weekend we are suppose to have nice weather again. You know that whatever we do, I'll be updating you on later. Until next time <3