The New York Times & Wall Street Journal Spotlight Texas Travel

Texas is having a travel moment. Our fair state got a cover spread recently in the New York Times travel section with Robert Draper's "Texas, 3 Ways" profiling Houston, El Paso and Dallas. The state capital earned the spotlight in the Wall Street Journal's  "Austin, the Best New Barbecue Destination".

"Texas, 3 Ways"

Yoga in Klyde Warren Park/Image via Klyde Warren Park

Dallas

Klyde Warren Park gets the marquee treatment, describing the park over Woodall Rogers Freeway as an "eco-friendly shredder of stereotypes" with its weekend yoga, food trucks, free books and pet adoptions.

Is the big-haired, plasticity that is my home town gone? Hardly. I am living proof of that (yes, the hair is big but, no, I haven't gone under the knife). Dallas, though, has grown both literally and figuratively in a way that anyone who lived here in the 80's might not recognize.

TIP: You can always find out what's going on at Klyde Warren Park here.

Houston
I love that Draper chose to focus on Houston's thriving Asian community. Having gone to college at University of Houston, I discovered the wonderful Vietnamese community the Bayou City had to offer, mainly in food form. I lived on Kim Son's delicious cuisine before it was a chain and scouted tiny Vietnamese holes-in-the-wall downtown.

Draper is more interested in the unique spots on Bellaire Boulevard which are, undoubtedly, worth a visit, especially the Hong Kong City Mall. I would make the argument that Houston's Asian community is SO much more than one stretch of Bellaire Boulevard.

El Paso
I have only flown through El Paso and have never experienced the city. Given it's Mexican influences, I would love it.

"Austin, the Best New Barbecue Destination"

Salt Lick BBQ/Image via Twitter.com/SaltLickBBQ

I joke that Austin is the Brooklyn of Texas. This piece doesn't introduce those who know Austin to anything, food-wise, that's earth shattering. Author Adam Graham hit Salt Lick BBQ and Franklin's BBQ. Meat Craft is a relative newcomer to the mix that is worth a visit.

He does mention a hotel I haven't had the pleasure of visiting: Hotel Ella, an historic property dating back to 1900 that opened as a hotel in 2013.

Your Turn: Share Your Favorite Texas Travel Spot

Bahlmorhea State Park/Image via Texas Parks & Wildlife

Do you have a favorite Texas vacation destination? I love that whole Big Bend area, Balmorhea State Park, Marfa or a good trip to the Hill Country. What am I missing? Please share your favorite Texas travel stops in the comments section.

Do you have a Texas lover on your holiday wish list? From t-shirts and jewelry to BBQ sauce and brisket, you can make his or her holiday with any of the Texas-themed gifts featured below. Check out my Texas style board on Pinterest.

Texas Holiday Gift Guide

Don't Fear The Decorator! Try Online Interior Design Services

A photo of my funky seating area, taken with my crappy iPhone camera I sent to Liz.

I have a confession to make: interior decorators scare me. I have marched into locker rooms, delivered commencement addresses, covered shuttle crashes and jostled former NFL players to get a post-game interview but I fear the decorator.

I know I can benefit from their expertise but I am intimidated by them. Why? A few reasons actually. I worry that the process will take months and will cost an arm and a leg before I even walk in the door. I fear they will try to eliminate everything I have worked hard to piece together in my home while charging me a fortune for furniture that should cost a third of the price. Perhaps more than anything, I fear they'll try to make my home something it's not.

I might have found a solution.

Liz Toombs of Polka Dots and Rosebuds Interiors and creator of Out Of The Box Room Design

Kentucky-based interior decorator Liz Toombs created a phenomenal concept called Out Of The Box Room Design. It's an online consultation service where she works within your budget and your taste to make suggestions based on your preferences. It's kind of genius.

My actual Out of the Box questionnaire

I struggle with my living room. It's a funky layout and, admittedly, our furniture isn't best suited for the space. I filled out her comprehensive online questionnaire and talked to her on the phone. I had to send her pictures of the room as well as some key measurements.

Within about a week, Liz delivered a comprehensive design proposal featuring photos of pieces that would work, instructions and an exact shopping guide. I was blown away.

Liz's instructions and shopping guide

I love this concept. Liz made smart suggestions that were incredibly affordable based on my taste. But to that point, I can use her recommendations as a guideline for reimagining my living room. I can also incorporate them on my own timeline. If I want to add pillows now, great. If I want to do it in three months when they're on sale, even better.

Product suggestions Liz made for my house

This service is outstanding for anyone who shares my decorator phobia and is on a limited budget. I also think it's ideal for someone who lives in a rural area or has a second home in the middle of nowhere. My parents, for example, have ranch in Mineola which is about 80 miles east of Dallas. It's not practical for them to bring a decorator out there from Dallas or try to find one in Tyler. But for them to exchange a few emails and some phone calls? No problem.

Liz's service is incredibly affordable, ranging from $225 for a foyer or hallway to $600 for a kitchen. She also does nurseries. (Where was she when we were designing Jordan's room!). Click here for more information on Out Of The Box Room Design services.

*Design consultation was provide for review purposes. All opinions expressed are mine. 

Why Yoga Pants Are Making Us Fat

Fit girls do it best 💪 pic.twitter.com/5jAaFP3erN
— Girls In Yoga Pants (@YogaDeluxe) October 25, 2014

Yoga pants are like a push-up bra for your butt. The right pair lifts your booty and makes you feel like you've squatted your way to a tighter tush. When you feel fat slip on a pair of Nike's Legend Slim yoga pants and you have an instant outfit that fits perfectly. And makes you look skinny, too!

There are multitude of reasons yoga pants are the perfect piece of clothing:

• They're the ideal travel outfit. 
• They give us that "just from the gym" look. I'm an athlete, damnit!
• You can wear them anywhere. 
• You can eat as much as you want and still fit in them. I can't tell you how many times I have worn them to a boozy brunch featuring mimosas, bloodies and a basket of bread. 

BAM. There's the rub. Or the muffin top.

Yoga pants are making us fat.

Those elastic leggings adjust as you do. It's hard to tell if you've gained a pound or twelve because day after day when you slip on your Lululemons, they fit like a glove, one that's slowly getting tighter to the point of becoming see-through.

In my former life when I lived in tight dresses every day for TV purposes, I could tell if I had packed on a few pounds. That Burberry beauty doesn't lie. If I had an indulgent weekend, I felt it on Monday.

But yoga pants, they're like that bitchy girl from high school, the one who lied and said you looked great when you really had Cheetohs cheese dust all over your face.

3 Ways To Avoid Getting Fat Wearing Yoga Pants

Spanx Workout Pants - A Sneaky Fat Pill

1. Actually workout. Yoga pants are awesome if you actually exercise in them. And if you do hit the gym, don't eat Tex-Mex and drink three Mambo Taxis while wearing them afterwards. Trust me. One bowl of queso turns to four in snap. 
2. Tight jeans. Really. If you're feeling fat or wondering if you have let the scale slide a bit too far, spend a day in your tightest pair of jeans or a form fitting dress. There's nothing like a muffin top spilling over the waistband or that "Holy crap, am I going to rip this seam?" feeling to help you get your diet back on track. 
3.  Never take off your Spanx workout pants. Yes, these gifts from the Spanx Goddess exist. 

Be honest, have your yoga pants sabotaged you? Do you have another solution? PLEASE share it with me in the comments sections. I'm all ears. Namaste.

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Still love your yoga pants? I do, too. Here a few of my favorites. 

Great Paris Restaurants You Need To Try

This story has moved to FabFrenchFinds.com. 

Click HERE to read it. 

So Gradual Weight Loss Is No Better Than Crash Dieting?

A new Australian study publish in the The Lancet indicates that people who lose weight slowly are no more likely to keep weight off in the long run that those who crash diet.

I just want to scream "WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

And here's the thing: those who crash diet and those who adopt the slow and steady approach are all likely to gain their weight back in the long run.

This after experts, for years, said that losing weight slowly is the way to go.

No wonder we're so screwed up when it comes to weight loss.

The Science
An Australian trial recruited 200 adults assigned to a crash diet or gradual weight loss program. The slow and steady group reduced their calorie intake by around 500 calories a day for 36 weeks. The crash dieters ate between 450 and 800 calories a day for just 12 weeks.

Researchers found that those who lost weight rapidly were likelier to reach their target weight. Duh....you see the scale move, you get motivated. Read more here.

What I know
The contradictory findings when it comes to weight loss news is one of the most frustrating for anyone fighting the bulge battle or trying to maintain lifelong weight loss.

Me, circa 1999, close to 200 pounds

Here's the thing: do what works for you. I have lost more than 50 pounds on one occasion (in the early 2000's) and then lost the baby weight after having Jordan. Eating real food, mostly produce while truly savoring indulgent meals works for me. I never feel deprived. Ever.

There are times when restricting calories or doing a juice cleanse to jumpstart weight loss can be effective. It can serve as motivation to keep going. It has worked for me in the past.

If you're looking for a true "diet" to follow, the Mediterranean Diet is outstanding. I also like the principles of the Greek Diet (essentially the Mediterranean) and the whole French Women Don't Get Fat thing.

At the end of the day, educate yourself and do what works for you. A common sense approach to weight loss and maintenance is truly the best way to go: eat real food, indulge occasionally, enjoy it and exercise regularly. It works.

Promise.

What's the most frustrating thing for you when it comes to weight loss and diet news? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Get Your Daily Diet & Fitness Tip In 2015
Do you want more real world diet, fitness and healthy living advice? Sign up for my daily diet and healthy living tip HERE. You will receive smart, practical advice that you can use in the real world to help you reach your healthy living goals.

I have been there....and am fighting to the good fight every day to avoid going back there.

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Gameday Boots Review

Click on any item to learn more about it.

If you're a college football fan, you need to learn more about Gameday Boots, the Austin-based company that is KILLING IT when it comes to gameday style.

Their boots are simply fabulous, offering them for women, men, boys and girls in both tall and short styles.

Celebrating The Icons And Essentials On National Handbag Day

Edie Parker Bespoke Clutch

October 10, 2014 marks the second straight year celebrating the accessory that millions of women (and some men) can't leave home without. PurseBlog.com created the genius marketing gimmick unofficial holiday but it has taken flight as retailers like Bloomingdale's will be celebrating.

When you think about it, the handbag is worth celebrating. It's a wonderful expression of personal style yet incredibly functional. What else can hold your makeup, work essentials, money, cell phone, wet wipes and more while adding the finishing touch to any wardrobe?

I'm a believer in investing in handbags because they can truly last a lifetime and be passed down through generations. I love my grandmother's bags and can't wait to share them with my daughter, along with some of my own collectible pieces.

Click on any item to learn more about it.

There are certain handbags every women needs in her wardrobe, what I like to call The Essentials. I couldn't live without my Gucci Swing Leather Tote or Sophie Hulme Tote. They're both outstanding bags for work and errands. While my Bottega Veneta Clutch is something that will remain stylish forever.

Click on any item to learn more about it.

While The Essentials are important, The Icons are revered. From the white glove treatment, literally and figuratively, people give the Hermès Birkin to the lasting timelessness of the Chanel 2.55, these bags become a part of their owner. Not as something that defines them but as an heirloom that remains in a family for generations.

They should be considering some cost as much as a house. Case in point: Heritage Auctions sold a crocodile and white gold Hermes Birkin for $185,000 in September. That's one bangin' Birkin.

What about you? 

Are you a handbag lover? What did I miss? I was on the fence about adding the Louis Vuitton Speedy to The Icon list. Should it have been included?

What's your favorite bag? Please share in the comments section!

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