Northern California

Posted on November 13, 2014 by coffeeandtacos

Today I am headed to San Francisco to meet my mom and my brother for a little getaway, and I am so, so excited for the adventures that await! On Friday we’ll stay in Half Moon Bay for an evening, and then dreams will come true as we spend a few days in Big Sur, a place I’ve been dying to visit. I’m looking forward to exploring new communities, eating delicious food, drinking California wines, and spending tons of time near the ocean. I can’t wait to share photos when I get back!

Happy Thursday to you and yours! See you next week.

Image via Rob DeGraff

Week & End

Posted on September 26, 2014 by coffeeandtacos

It’s Friday, yay! Do you have big plans to celebrate the first weekend of fall? Of course, I’m always a bit sad when summertime draws to a close but it’s a good thing that it gives way to autumn, my second favorite season. James’s best friend, Joe, and his wife, Katie, are visiting for a few days, so we have plans to take them to some of our favorite Dallas spots, like Good 2 Go Taco and Meddlesome Moth, and we may even brave the crowds to check out the opening weekend of the Texas State Fair.

Have a good one, and enjoy some fun links from around the web!

I snapped the photo above while strolling down Abbot Kinney Boulevard during our visit to Los Angeles last week. We went to several spots that I love – Urbanic, Firefly, Lemonade – and found a few new treasures, too. More on that to come!

Each fall there’s a contest at the State Fair to determine the best new fried foods of the year. Take a look at this year’s finalists – which treats would you try? I’d like a bite of the Sriracha balls and the fried sweet Texas.

This Fort Worth-based home tour is so inspiring to me – it captures so many elements that I would like to incorporate in our house someday. It has such a pleasing mix of neutrals, plants, pops of color, and remnants from travel adventures. I love!

Speaking of Fort Worth, there are two reasons that I need to trek out there for a day trip soon: the Faces of Impressionism exhibit (featuring pieces from my favorite museum in the world, the Musée d’Orsay) is starting next month at the Kimball Art Museum and this cute ice cream shop is calling my name.

Aren’t these white ceramic cups lovely? I love how neutral they are, and I think they’d be equally great as drinking glasses or as succulent planters.

Hi, Mom & Dad!

Posted on July 21, 2014 by coffeeandtacos

Mom & Dad visited Dallas this past weekend and I was so caught up in our fun plans that I neglected to post a Week & End recap on Friday – whoops! I guess that shows that I’m really taking this post to heart and keeping my focus on life’s sweet moments instead of being distracted by life’s list of to-dos. We had so, so much fun spending time together and, clearly, as this photo suggests, we spent a lot of time enjoying one of our favorite mutual hobbies – eating! I can’t wait to post a recap soon, so stay tuned…

Week & End

Posted on June 27, 2014 by coffeeandtacos

Friday already?! I guess time really does fly when you’re cooped up in the house for a few days – once I got back into my routine after I started recovering, I feel like I blinked and each day was over in a flash. What’s on your agenda for this weekend? Tomorrow James & I are going on a Stand Up Paddleboarding adventure at White Rock Lake with some friends (preceded by breakfast tacos and followed by margaritas), and then I’m heading to Victor Tango’s for a birthday dinner to celebrate my dear friend Kristen. James & I embarked on a major closet clean-out last week, and we’re nearly finished – I think on Sunday we’ll have just the time we need to conclude the decluttering process. It feels so good to be organized and not weighed down by so much stuff, don’t you think?

Have a great weekend and enjoy some fun links from around the web!

I saw the poster above on Bri Emery’s Instagram this week and I wanted it for our house (the reminder is so, so good and I love the color scheme)…then, lo and behold, I discoverd that it’s available for free in Yield Design Co.’s shop – FOR FREE, PEOPLE! All you have to do is pay $2 shipping. What are you waiting for?!

I have been longing to check out two fabulous-looking new(ish) coffee shops in town: Weekend Coffee & The Wild Detectives. I need to hit up these spots soon (and very soon).

I love this peek into the refrigerator of Courtney McBroom (of Momofuku Milk Bar fame).

As a celebration of the closet-clean out (I seriously got rid of so many shoes – I can’t wait to sell them at our garage sale), I figured that these gorgeous Joie sandals had to find their way into my collection (thanks, Mom!).

Got a birthday coming up but not quite sure how to celebrate it? Consider donating your special day to Touch A Life. In lieu of gifts, ask your loved ones to support Touch A Life’s work in Ghana. Host a party so you can celebrate your birthday and thank your family & friends for their giving spirits!

Image & poster via Yield Design Co.

Cross Plains, Texas

Posted on June 16, 2014 by coffeeandtacos

James & I spent the weekend at his family’s ranch in Cross Plains, Texas. It is one of his favorite places to go as it’s truly a refuge & retreat for him. He loves wide open spaces and he is able to relax most when he’s tending to the ranch and the animals that live there. I, too, find such solace during our time at the ranch. I love the fresh air, the home-grown produce, the hours I spend reading & napping in the hammock, and the small town charm of Cross Plains, a place with a population of less than 1,000 people. We drive just a few hours west and it feels like we’re transported into a different time, and there’s something so therapeutic about that.

Here are some fun photos I snapped on my phone this weekend. We loved spending time with James’s parents, sister, and brother-in-law; playing with all of the ranch puppies (Callie included), especially the newest resident (and my running buddy), Spot; checking out the Barbarian Festival & antique car show in town (which was held at a park that was entirely covered in a magical canopy of majestic trees – so beautiful); eating delicious food; and simply enjoying a restful and relaxing time together.