Our newest addition to the fam!

Some might think the next step for me and Chris would have been getting engaged... well, we took a different step first, on our OWN path... maybe it's not what people were expecting, but that's what Chris and I are like ;-) We don't ever do anything the easy, expected way, and it's one of the things I love most about our relationship. And one of the best things about Chris is that he always reminds me to follow my heart <3
We took a stroll through the Austin Pets Alive animal shelter 2 days ago, just for fun. We spent most of the time looking at the dogs, actually... but I had to make a stop in the cat house before they closed for the day. So in we went... and stayed for quite awhile. I could love every one of those kitties! I will never understand people that don't like cats... frankly I find it kind of gross how mean people are about cats. I love dogs and I want one in the future... but for me and my condo living, I won't do that to a dog. So for now, my soft spot for kitties is all that I am entertaining. And I really believe if more people spent time looking at sweet rescue cats, they'd realize they make amazing pets because they DO seek your affection. Cats are awesome... so smart and so loving, despite what some people think. And if you think cats are mean or temperamental, I'd love you to meet this new little guy! He is the most chill kitty in the world, with a purr that rumbles his whole little body.
Welcome to the family, Raider! Daddy and I love you! Remember to stand your ground when you meet the Kuj! She's tough, but not quite as bad as every one else makes her out to be :-) Hopefully you will be great kitty friends!

Austin <3

Museum Shops

What's the best part of a museum when you're a little kid? The gift shop! Well guess what... that shop isn't just for grabby little hands to plead with parents "please buy me this thing I don't need"! Museum shops are actually places I love going to and love recommending... why? Because they are great places for gifts. Yes there are many shops with small overpriced items that no one really needs, like magnets and shot glasses and playing cards, etc. But among these trivial items, many times you can find great, unique gifts that you don't see anywhere else, like interesting jewelry, or local foods and spices, or handmade crafts. Keep an eye out in the kids' book section too, because many times you can find great educational books that you would never see at WalMart or the toy store.
Every time I'm in a shop with my mom I notice that she will make purchases for nieces and nephews... like children's books or puzzles... I've even seen the modern version of paper dolls aka magnetic dolls with different backgrounds and clothes you stick to them! I, myself, have purchased adult gifts like specialized art and photography books.
Chris and I went to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum on Sunday in downtown Austin. We had never been and we were both surprised at how big it was inside and how much there was to see! After wandering for hours through the 3-level building, we hit up the gift shop. Chris bought me an amazeballs smelling candle, made in Fredericksburg, TX! It's a soy candle that smells exactly like the beach! After smelling literally every scent, this is the one I chose... summer's ending and I figured there's no better way to "stay" at the beach throughout the winter. So until the next time I'm relaxing on the sand of South Padre, I have my candle :-)
So don't forget... next time you want a unique gift, or just something local and interesting, don't forget those museum shops! Many times you can enter the store without having to pay for or see the exhibits, and I guarantee, you'll have people asking you where you bought that interesting something!
Thanks ,Chris, for my candle ;-) Love you! Happy shopping y'all! :-)

Road trip!

My view, inside & outside the car yesterday as I drove to Austin :-)
Mo Monkey, Mo Monkey, Mo!

Fort Worth... the next Austin?

You may not know this if you live elsewhere in the DFW metroplex, but if you actually live IN Fort Worth, especially downtown, you've been noticing lots of changes in the last year or two! From the added activities along the Trinity River, to the bike lanes recently added to downtown streets, and the major development of numerous retail restaurants & bars just outside downtown, the changes are happening everywhere! Even Sundance Square is now getting a complete makeover in an effort to keep the center of downtown more pedestrian, moving most of the parking to the outskirts of the city in existing parking garages.

Texas is HUGE, in case you haven't noticed! So I think many Texans will tell you that while we're all proud Texans, we realize differences between the major cities and the people that choose to live there... Houston is different than Dallas which is different than Fort Worth and well, Austin is just the little weirdo that we all can't help but love! But I'm loving that the distinctive lines dividing these cities are becoming blurred!  I don't feel that HUGE difference anymore when I go between Fort Worth and Austin! What I love about Austin, they seem to be bringing to Fort Worth! Tons of outdoor activities and festivals, improved parks & recreation areas, water activities on the river, smaller "local" food joints instead of just giant chain restaurants, and boutique shops! The culture and history of Fort Worth remains, but the activity for MY generation seems to be booming!

Another huge boom lately? Food trucks! Again, an Austin favorite and something they've been doing for years! Today marks the opening of a SECOND food truck park in Fort Worth, the Cowtown Chow Down! Can't wait to hit this up!

So if you love the feel of Austin and you haven't been to Fort Worth in awhile, you need to come visit our little Funkytown :-) I've been saying for a few years now that every move this city makes seems to be geared towards an end-result like Austin, and now it's what everybody is saying! Fort Worth is NOT second to Dallas just because it's smaller, nor any other city in this state! In fact, us locals have just kept it to ourselves mostly... but I think now our great city is realizing we deserve to be recognized! This is an amazing place to live, a great place to raise a family and even better, for me, a great place to be in your 20s and enjoying day AND night life!

So the next time someone asks you, "Where should we go? What should we do today?" just say... "Won't you take me to, FUNKYTOWN?!" ❤

downtown Fort Worth

Don't you ever get tired?

If you're like me, you need some motivation for workouts. I have come to realize in the last few years what the absolute best motivation is for going on a daily run... a dog. Now, I don't have a dog... ok, well officially don't have one yet. I do have Mr. Wilbur, Chris' pup, that I am now step-mother to, and believe you me, I love that dog as if I were there from day one. But I don't have my own dog, like one I picked out or was given to ME. Since my brother and I never experienced having a dog as kids, he got his own a few years ago, leaving me as the last remaining person on earth that's never owned a dog. Enter, Cozmo... a super lovable, super excited pup from a local Austin shelter. He's my 2nd dog... or my nephew if you will ha! Cozmo is a daddy's boy... goodness he loves my brother! It's pretty cute how he's perfectly content lounging with Chris on the sofa. But... he really is a ball of energy! And he is my workout motivation. Those adorable puppy dog eyes are killer, from the minute I get up in the morning, every time I'm in town. It's kind of funny how quickly going for a run becomes my priority, because who wants to make the sweet puppy dog sad?! Not me.

So yesterday was an interesting day, weather-wise, in Austin. After high winds & rain in the morning, it cleared up in the afternoon to reveal a gorgeous few hours of sunshine, cooler temps & lower humidity. Even though we went for a morning run, Cozmo & I cut it short when the rain started coming down. So of course when it cleared up, he was all over another walk. So we went... dang those puppy dog eyes, but bless you pups for keeping my lazy butt moving! Until the day I have my own "running partner", I will be thankful for every chance I get to enjoy the great outdoors and some exercise with Coz, the friendly pup :-) Here's some pictures from our beautiful evening walk yesterday!

Roadtrippin'

Happy weekend! Welcome to Austin! I'm down for the week visiting Chris and the OTHER Chris, aka my brother... can you believe my boyfriend AND my brother are named Chris? You're probably thinking that could be confusing... yeah... it is! But how wonderful is it that I can drive 3 hours and be in one of the coolest cities in Texas and visit both of them?!

I like to travel, even if it is from Fort Worth to Austin and back. And I love being in the car for my travels. We live in a world based on speed; how fast can you get there, how quickly can you get it done, when are you moving on to the next thing? Most people would probably rather fly, especially when you take frequent trips to a place nearby. Not me! Give me my car! Because really, what's so wrong with taking some time to get somewhere? Why should everything I do be based on how fast I can do it? Why should I hop a plane and sit silently next to someone I don't know and more than likely, someone that doesn't want to know me because they're grumpy about the flight they're on? Something tells me there's many more friendly, interesting people to encounter along the road, especially in Texas!

There is no place I love to be more than my car! There is nothing better than a mix CD, windows down, sunroof open and an iced tea next to me as I fly down the Texas highways! Yes it's gas money and time and car maintenance, but it's also freedom! I suggest we all step back from life and take a minute to realize how fast we try to move through it... everything can slow down a little bit if you make an effort. Why not enjoy some quiet time to yourself instead of stressing yourself with making a flight on time, limiting the size of your luggage, throwing out all your liquids or putting them in individual bags, getting dressed just so you can strip in public and be searched for things you wouldn't even dream of bringing with you... why not put some effort into getting yourself where you need to go, maybe basing a decision on what you may get out of it, and not just how you can save some money and/or time?

Don't get me wrong, I know in a down economy every one must cut corners, everyone needs to think about time and money... but don't we all do that a little TOO much? Haven't we all forgotten that one amazing roadtrip memory we have? You know... like when you were in college and Jill's car started to overheat and smoke on the highway on a trip to Houston and you have to putt along until you make it to Wal-Mart for some anti-freeze! "Swing swing swing from the tangles of my heart"... yes that's actually one of my true college stories! Or the first roadtrip you took with your significant other, or the first roadtrip you took with your kids... I'm willing to bet every single person has at least one great memory of being in the car.  Now how many great memories do you have of being on a plane? Just sayin'...

I say we all step back a little from our crazy technological shortcut world, our apps to book flights and restaurant reservations, our text messages and tweets, and maybe we remember a time that was not that long ago... a time when adventure was not "checking-in" to the spot where everyone already is, but rather a time when we just jumped in our cars and went! That's my favorite thing about my roadtrips... I may not have a new destination every time, but you can bet the scenery along the way changes each time. I can choose a different route, I can choose a different rest stop, I'm in control and can change my path at any point and it's that freedom that never allows me to get sick of the I-35 drive. I could focus on the destination and getting there quickly, but I choose to enjoy the drive :-)