Urban Adventures with "Aunt Kitty"

Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit, Dallas Museum of Art

Fashion Divas! 

Our "Urban Adventure" started at Mockingbird Station; where I met one of my very best friends, Tiffany and her lovely daughter Maddy, one of my favorite "Petite Fashionable Travelers."   I thought it would be fun to take Maddy to see the Gaultier exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art followed by a fun lunch Uptown and a little shopping in the West Village.

My favorite "Petite Fashionable Traveler" 

We got our DART rail day passes and hopped the blue line to St. Paul Station, and walked the 2 short blocks to the DMA.  We got there early to beat the rush, and I'm glad we did, because we could easily see everything.   As we walked, I explained to Maddy, that when I was in design school, Jean Paul Gaultier was one of the most outrageous designers of the time.

The iconic Gaultier bustier, circa 1990 (the year Tiff & I graduated from high school) 

As we entered the exhibit we were inthralled and took a full 90 minutes savoring every last detail in the six galleries.  Not only were the clothes exquisite, but I was impressed by the illustrations not only from Gaultier's on archives but also from greats such as Jean Phillipe Delhomme  and the photographs taken by the most famous photographers of our time:  Herb Ritts, Ellen Von Unwerth, Cindy Sherman, and Mario Testino.

Herb Ritts photo of Gaultier and Madonna

I was lucky enough to see the McQueen exhibit in New York last summer, and while remarkably different I felt the Gaultier exhibit was just as intriguing.  If you find yourself in the "Big D" before February 12th, be sure and check it out.

After the museum we walked across St. Paul and took the M-Line trolley over to Uptown.  The trolley stops every few minutes, so be sure you have time to spare when riding the M-Line.  We hopped off at Allen street and walked through the beautiful State-Thomas area fantasizing about what it would be like to live in one of the high-dollar "Texas Brownstones."

On the M-line trolley heading Uptown

Maddy decided to be adventurous and was game for Spanish food.  "Not to be confused with Mexican food, she tells her friends."    So we had a nice long lunch at Si Tapas (You may remember, its one of my favorites.)

Yummy Spanish food, loved the okra fritz...good call Maddy 

"For Dallas with love, Jean Paul Gaultier" 

Merry Christmas!

The Capital Hotel, Little Rock Arkansas

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of holidays where ever you are celebrating!

Like many bloggers, I had reached the point where I felt my blog was running my life instead of it being a more organic chronicle of what I was doing.  So I decided to take some pressure off myself and started remembering what I love about fashion and travel and life in general.  I do apologize for leaving you hanging.  I appreciate the kind words and inquires from those of you who have asked "Are you ever coming back?"  

Yes! I will be back.  In 2012 look for changes on "The Fashionable Traveler"   You will see me explore and express more of my creative side.  I've been itching to bury myself in my studio and get back to growing as an artist and designer.  I'll be sharing projects I'm working on.  I'm taking a photography class and video is my new favorite media---I do hope you may find what I'm doing interesting. 

I will always travel, but I have a feeling for 2012 my journey's will be of a more personal nature and close to home. 

Holiday Lunch at the Capital Bar & Grill


I was thrilled when my friend Jana from Houston called to tell me should would be in Little Rock for an overnight, and super-excited when she suggested we have lunch at The Capital Hotel.

The Capital is a beautiful historic hotel in downtown Little Rock.  We are so lucky to have a world-class chef at Ashley's, Chef Lee Richardson.  The Capital Bar and Grill is more casual and a fun place to go for lunch.  There are always a lot of politico's and eccentric Southerners noshing at the bar and grill.  Chef Lee is one of my all time favorite chef's and I admire how he uses local Arkansas ingredients to prepare the most amazing food.

It was a full house last Tuesday so Jana and I cozied up to the bar to have our lunch.  We simultaneously felt under the bar for hooks.  We had a friend who used to say, "A sign of a good bar is that it always has hooks for a lady to put her handbag."  The Capital Bar is exactly that kind of bar, my friend.

Now, every time I go to lunch at the CBG, I tell myself I'm going to have a salad (although I really want the burger and fries smeared with pimento cheese)  However, I came to a compromise and and told myself that somehow half of a grilled pimento cheese sandwich and splitting the truffle fries with Jana (although we weren't going to eat them all) granted was not as healthy as a salad, but not as bad as a burger.

Anyway, lunch was delicious, although we were a little bloated for our impromptu photo shoot in the lobby that ensued.  

Not the best focus but the stain glass ceiling is beautiful 

Loved the flocked ornaments...I'm sure these will be all over interest

What a gorgeous tree!

Tail-Gating in Style at SMU

Jane and the Fashionable Traveler on "The Boulevard" at SMU

Going tail-gating with my cousin Jane the morning after my Big 4-0 birthday bash was probably not the best decision, but I have to admit those "SMU's" know how to throw a fashionable tailgate party. 

SMU located in the heart of Dallas is a beautiful, picturesque campus.  The oaks line Bishop Boulevard, "The Boulevard" and set the scene for picture perfect tail-gating before a home game.  

"The Boulevard"-SMU, Dallas, TX

I love Dallas because it is such a "networking" city.   It's really hard to meet a stranger in this town, everyone knows somebody.  It's a city with six degrees of separation; and in Dallas presentation is everything.  

That's why no one was surprised to see a tent set up complete with chic white couches and a chandelier (only in Dallas) or tents catering from some of the best restaurants in the city.  

Not to mention, the fantastic people watching.  I just love how the SMU girls really make an effort.  It was such perfect day, and the perfect uniform was feminine dresses in red or blue with cowboy boots. 

I nursed my Bloody Mary from my Texas Tech sippy cup (a birthday present from Jane & Stan) and ending up meeting several fellow Red Raider Alum's...see what I mean about Dallas. 

Celebrating the "Big 40" at the "Great State Fair of Texas"

Everything is bigger in Texas...right?  What better way to celebrate the "Big 4-0" than in Texas.  I'm so happy my BFF talked me into facing 40 head-on with a big celebration and I'm such a lucky girl to have so many wonderful friends and family that not only made by birthday special but every day special as well. 

I was thrilled that everything worked out so I could go to the State Fair of Texas with my friend Tiffany and her family.  I haven't been in years, and its always been one of my favorite things to do.  I used to work right across the street from Fair Park and often the lovely ladies would let us in for free to have lunch.  But having moved away from my native Texas I appreciate the fair so much more.  While there are many other State Fair's across the country there is nothing like "The Great State Fair of Texas." 

The Old Howard Wolf Building on Parry Avenue---my old office

Fair Park

Living in East Dallas after college, I developed a love for all things Art Deco.  Fair Park is recognized as a significant example of Art Deco architecture.  Most of the buildings were erected for the 1936 Texas Centennial and many of the design elements have been restored to their original splendor while the inside of the buildings have been updated with modern amenities. 

The Women's Museum, Fair Park-Dallas, Texas

Art Deco mural-Fair Park, Dallas, Texas

Art Deco Mural, Fair Park, Dallas, Texas

The prestigious Cotton Bowl, Fair Park, Dallas, Texas

A Texas Aggie (gig'em) and a Texas Tech Red Raider (wreck'em) in front of the Cotton Bowl

The Food
No visit to the State Fair of Texas would be complete without indulging in a little (often lo-brow) "fair food."  While it was possible to find everything from "Fried Butter" to "Fried Beer" to "Chicken Fried Bacon" to "Fried Ding-Dongs,"  I opted for a few old favorites. 

Roasted Corn on the Cob with lots of butter and cheese

Texas Tator Twisters 

Taco's al Pastor

All Things Fried

Fried Pickles

Fried S'mores

The Midway
You gotta have your picture taken with Big Tex, and you have to ride the Ferris Wheel, "The Texas Star;" it's the largest Ferris Wheel in North America.  Even though the rides are over priced, you've got a ride a couple, especially when your oldest and dearest friend dares you; or her lovely daughter ask you to go with her. 

The Fashionable Traveler and the "Petite Fashionable Traveler" in front of Big Tex, State Fair of Texas

The Log Ride is so refreshing-The State Fair of Texas

The view atop the "Texas Star" 

The "Dare" 

All the Rest
There is something for everyone at the State Fair of Texas from the petting zoo, livestock shows, pig races, and stunt dogs, as well as plenty of entertainment. 


If you find yourself in Dallas before October 23, 2011, be sure and check out the State Fair

I'm not sure what prize this chicken won, but I hope it was for "Best Hat"

Badger Camp: Owning My Age!

The girls at "Badger Camp"---girl's trip to Key West

You may recall, a certain girl's trip I took last summer to Key West, FL.  I wrote about where to stay, what to do, and where to eat; but I didn't write about the part of the trip that changed me the most..."Badger Camp!"   


It took us all of five minutes in Key West to revert from our grown-up, poised and successful "modern women" selves to a gaggle of giggling teenagers.   Sure we swapped stories about our families, our jobs, our love-lives but, inevitably, we would wind down every night (o.k....very early in the morning) watching silly Youtube videos on Misty's iPad and collapsing in laughter.  


"The Honey Badger" got a lot of airplay.  According to the video, "The Honey Badger is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most FEARLESS animal on the planet."  

You know the line, "Honey Badger don't care; he don't give a Shit!"  In Key West, we became "Honey Badgers;" together we were fearless--- we could do anything!  Over our four day trip, we conquered our fears one by one, from overcoming a fear of snorkeling to saying it was someone's birthday (when it really wasn't) and having a house full of drag-queens sing "Happy Birthday" to a certain someone who gets embarrassed easily.  Other people took "Girl's Trips" we had "Badger Camp." 


A bit of a daredevil, and always the prankster; my friends were determined to find "the thing" I feared the most and make me face it.   I met their challenges, faced them head-on.  I was "The Ultimate Honey Badger."  But as fate would have it, my fear found me, on the dance floor at Sloppy Joe's.  A couple of ineberiated college kids kept bothering us while we were just trying to have a good time.  It was annoying and we had had enough.  


I looked the ring leader in eye and said, "How old are you?"


"21"


"Don't you realize, I'm old enough to be your mother!  Would you act like this in front of your mother?  I didn't think so, leave us alone."  


And with that, the drunk guys scurried away.


"That was awesome!" Carrie said "I can't believe you did that." 


Dumbfounded, "I owned my age.  I can't believe it...that's my BIGGEST FEAR!" and it was my 'Honey Badge'" 


Today, I'm 40...I OWN IT; AND IT'S FABULOUS! 

The Fashionable Traveler at 40!

Have You Discovered Pinterest?

Have you heard about Pinterest?  I'm kinda of obsessed with it lately. 

Pinterest is a social, virtual pin board.   How many times have you come across something online and thought "What a great idea!  I'll have to remember that for my next (project/party/room decor idea/recipe/etc.)"

Well Pinterest is the site for you. The best thing about it is that it is social so you can follow your friends and your friends can follow you.  It a wealth of rich, visual sharing!  I've spent hours "pinning" decor ideas for my "dream-house" "dream-wardrobe" "dream party" etc.

Check it out and let's connect!

What do you think of Pinterest?

Treasure Hunting in Colorado

Aunt Dorothy & Uncle Jim at "The Texas Outpost" 

As Jennifer mentioned in her Colorado story, "First of all, 'cabin' in this family is an euphemism for really nice house in the middle of paradise."   

The reason that everyone loves the "cabin" is because its like a living museum full of memories and "treasures" my Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Jim have picked up along the way.  I've often thought, that they could have their own "treasure hunting" reality show. 

Who else could find a pair of Prada shopping shoes at a garage sale and pay $1?  Aunt Dorothy of course.   Like any good reality show, sometimes there is a drama.  Like the time Jim got fed up with all the stuff they had accumulated and convinced Dorothy to purge some "junk."   Reluctantly, she did, and together they lugged a truck load of stuff to the dump.  After they emptied the truck, something got Jim's eye and he picked it up and threw it in the back of the truck.  

"Excuse me. "  Dorothy exclaimed.  "What do you think you are doing?" 

"What do you mean?  We need this."  

"Jim, we just threw that out!"  

"Oh..." he says as he reluctantly throws his "new found treasure" back into the junk pile. 

I definitely have the "treasure hunting" gene, while my brother does not.  But we all love to admire Jim and Dorothy's treasure trove.  Here's a peek of some of my favorites from the Colorado cabin.

Jim found this stain glass window in pieces over thirty years ago, and had a craftsman put it back together.  When they built the cabin, they made this window the focal point of the front of the house.  

Stained glass window

Jim, has a gift for wood; spotting it, salvaging it, and beautifully refinishing it.  The stairs are made from wide planks of re-salvaged wood, that Jim stained and built.

Jim's hand-crafted stairs

This is the latest acquisition...actually, it's a happy accident.  When they arrived at the cabin this summer, they found that this is what happened to my grandmother's old mirror.  It looks a lot like some of the contemporary art we saw in Old Colorado City.

There is always something to be done in Colorado.  I sang for my supper, by doing a bit of rearranging and making some focal points various things.  Here's "The Gallery" in progress.  

"The Gallery" Indian rugs, hides, and Southwestern art

Jim and Dorothy have accumulated so many wonderful things, they built a "Treasure Attic" to hold it all.  I love the treasure attic.  Notice how high the ceiling is, making it easy to stand up, walk around and see everything.

The "Treasure Attic"-Colorado cabin

Are you a treasure hunter?