Greetings – Goss Micheal Foundation

MissGuided Sancha Long-Line Tux jacket, Converse Chuck Taylor low-top sneakers, Rag and Bone 'The Skinny' jean

One thing I really love about travel – culture. I am sure my sweet mother-in-law who is reading this has one eyebrow raised. You see, she is the one who drags me (almost kicking and screaming) to every museum, tour, gallery, or exhibit the city we are visiting is offering. I often times look at her and she just smiles and says, “Oh, Mary, it will be good for you.” Growing up my parents always had season tickets to the theater and took us on trips where we would learn the history of America or the city we were visiting. They tried to pound into our heads that culture and history were what makes the world go round. So I know it isn’t their fault I have such a reaction toward museums. I actually have a deep passion for history (my favorite subject in school) and love learning about cultures past. So it is always a bit odd to me that I drag my feet so much when my mother-in-law tells me we are going to a new exhibit with such and such artist or a museum to see the ancient ruins of the such and such culture. To be honest, every time I leave the show I am always so happy I saw it and feel great that I learned something new. It wasn’t until this past trip to London that I start to feel an appreciation for the artists work I was seeing and an appreciation that I had the opportunity to see these great works of the world.

One thing I am guilty about – “Dallas shaming.” I can bash this city until the sun comes up but really, it is an excellent place to live. Dallas has given me so many things and I am eternally grateful for that. It is a fabulous place to live and I am lucky to have been here almost 10 years! However, I get really frustrated that there isn’t that much “culture” here. I know, I know! I almost want to hide under my desk as I write that. It is so hypocritical. I (used to) roll my eyes when I would see a museum on the itinerary when I was traveling, but I expect the city I live in to have a fabulous selection of them? Doesn’t make sense does it? Okay so here is my justification. When I am traveling I love to see the city for what it is. As a local sees it. I love to wander the streets, pop in bakeries, sit at cafes, walk the side streets, and get lost. I hate to have a schedule because I think it takes away from seeing the city for its intended purposes. So when I see the museum on the list I know I will be stuck in a building reading about the city instead of outside actually enjoying it. However every time I leave the exhibit and know a little bit more about the artist behind the street art or the history of why the town square is located where it is I have a deeper appreciation for the history of what made this city what it is today. Traveling is all about learning others cultures and growing as an individual. So, after learning about local cultures and artists (via these museums/exhibits) you have the sense that you fully understand the city, its people, and its culture. Getting out everything you needed to via travelings intended purposes.

Having places like this in Dallas – where you can meet other creatives, get away from the “typical Dallas outings,” and have a place to see and enjoy art (which I am learning to do) is a bit of a challenge. To be honest, I didn’t really know of many places besides the Dallas Arts District who had galleries of different types of art. So when my friend Krystal asked if I wanted to join her for a day at the Goss Michael Foundation I wasn’t sure what I was in for. I just knew it sounded like fun and very different than my typical day so I said yes. When we arrived I was astounded by the different works of art. I literally felt like I was in a mini Pompidou. The art ranged from graffiti, to screens, to canvas, to lighting, and to installations (by the famous Damien Hirst). I felt like I was in a different city somewhere across the world! And in that moment I realized why I didn’t mind exhibits, museums, or galleries when I travelled anymore – because it was a new and different experience that made me realize I was in a different part of the world. Which always makes me happy! However, Dallas has all of this right in my backyard, I was just too lazy to discover it!

In the next few weeks there will be lots more photos from theGoss Michael Foundation! I hope if you are in Dallas you will have the time to check it out! It is a really cool little outing with lots of interesting art. And I promise you – you will feel worlds away. And then when you walk outside, you can get in your car and drive home! It is seriously win/win. Dallas, you are amazing. I am sorry for shaming you!

outfit details // MissGuided Sancha Long-Line Tux jacket, Converse Chuck Taylor low-top sneakers, Rag and Bone ‘The Skinny’ jean

Intelligent Dressing

outfit details // ASOS Leather Look Peg Leg trousers, ASOS Duster coat, ASOS Double Tie bow, Everlane Silk blouse,

accessory details // ZeroUV sunnies ($10), Dana Rebecca Lauren Joy necklace, Ellie Jay 5 Row diamond

photo shot by Molly Miller

Intelligent Dressing. Why on earth did I name this post that? Well, to be honest, I just thought the outfit looked intelligent. There is something about wearing a tie around your neck that lends to the belief – I went to an ivy league school. Okay, so not in real life. If it is anything like other college campuses, those kids are wearing jeans/work-out pants, t-shirts, and hoodies. But isn’t the make believe so much more fun? I have loved the tie on women look since seeing Elle Woods rock it in Legally Blonde. “What, like it’s hard?” Little early 00’s quoting! I am queen of dropping movie lines and annoyingly asking which movie it is from! Mmmm kay, back to the post. I have most recently been inspired by the tie after seeing it from the Saint Laurent runway show. It is so incredibly sharp and classic! And yes, it screams I mean business. This particular removable ASOS tie is under $10 and can pretty much work with any button-up. Just make sure you button all the way up to the top! Another awesome way to style this look would be with a wide leg pant, blouse tucked in, and tie around the neck. So chic!

side note – I am off to Houston for the weekend to help with my mothers non-profit – Grammy’s Cookie Convoy (check it out). She sends thousands of cookies to the soldiers overseas (5,000 at a time) as a “hug from home” so they know they are not forgotten! She is such an inspirational woman and I always get excited to help and also a little overwhelmed with emotion at the number of volunteers who show up to help and the stories they have of their own kin fighting overseas or personal stories of wars past. My mom is touching so many lives and I only hope one day I can be half the woman she is! Sorry, had to take a moment to brag about my mom and share her non-profit! She so deserves all of the accolades.

outfit details //ASOS Leather Look Peg Leg trousers, ASOS Duster coat, ASOS Double Tie bow, Everlane Silk blouse,

accessory details // ZeroUV sunnies ($10), Dana Rebecca Lauren Joy necklace, Ellie Jay 5 Row diamond

Don’t Leave Without Trying – Venice, CA Edition

Location: Venice, California

Name: Cafe Gratitude

Price Point: $$

Dish: Macrobiotic Bowl

Why? Oh.kay. this is going to get longwinded but coming from Texas I am a meat lovin’ carnivore. That sounds terrible but it is true. I absolutely love meat and turn my nose up when I hear people say they don’t eat it. It may look like I am judging, and I am. Not in a mean way, more in a, “wow I think you are really missing out.” Now trust me, I understand the benefits of not eating red meat. You feel better, it is hard for your body to process, you feel less sluggish, and the spiritual benefits -wow! Yes, yes, yes. But for me – no, no, no. That being said, when I arrived in Venice while visiting my friend Eva and Jena, Eva announced we were going to a vegan restaurant. I almost died. I didn’t want to be the poor sport of the group so I acted excited but I was less than. I had never considered vegan food as an option. A dish without meat? No, thank you! However, we walked-up to Gratitude, sat down, and then the waiter asked us what we wanted. Uhg, I don’t know. I LIKE MEAT! Whatever, I’ll have a juice and the Macrobiotic bowl (which Eva recommended). Before walking away to place our order the waiter left us with a question of the day (which they do everyday). “What is it that we are grateful for?” Okay, okay, this was pretty damn cool! I love questions that make us think and go deeper than the surface. I was starting to like this vegan place. Then the meal came. Hmmm… I immediately asked how I eat this bowl of “veganness”? The key – to mix it all up and dive-in. Diving-in is exactly what I did! HOLY VEGANNESS!!!!! It was one of the most divine meals I have put in my mouth. The freshness and mix of nature along with the greek-style yogurt sauce all rolled into one was almost too much to handle. You could literally taste every single ingredient – but in the best way possible. It wasn’t dry but full of flavor and richness. I can’t even describe what a moment me and this dish had. But let’s just say, it was a moment to turn this Texas native, meat eating girl into a vegan lover. Ya, that good. Something I recommend trying if you make your way to Venice.

photo via Jena’s instagram

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