Fri-Yay Faves: Drink, Accessorize, and Eat Your Heart Out!

May 4, 2018

Fri-Yay Faves: Drink, Accessorize, and Eat Your Heart Out!

Well hello there! It has been quite some time since my last post and trust me there has been a good reason for it. Over the last few months, there have been quite a bit of change occurring in my life which brings me to this weeks and a well overdue installment of  Fri-Yay Faves!!

Now one of these life-changing events included another relocation, taking me back to my roots. Well, that's a little dramatic, not my original roots but the place I'm proud to call home - Dallas, Texas!! After being here for a few weeks I was craving some good old cajun food (not originated in the DFW but closer to home than the mid-west). 

1.) Razoo's Cajun Cafe - Not to slight some of the more authentic Cajun/Creole restaurants in the area, I typically opt for this jewel because it is so close to my new digs.  This casual dining chain offers up lots of cajun spice, some of which are too good to pass up. You name it they bring it! Some of my favorites include boiled shrimp and crawfish (yes I eat them like a true New Orleanian), shrimp and fish any way you like it, and a ton of good drinks. How about this one for some eye candy. A classic New Orleans drink - the Hurricane! Sooo good, two of these and I'm good for the night! Maybe a little "too good".  

2). Two Tone Bib Necklace - Can we talk about this necklace, PLEASE? I've held on to this thing for years and never wore it until now. While it's an oldie but goodie, right now all I can say is that it's one of my faves. Since I've been back, I've been trying to recapture my style and my efforts are coming along nicely. Trust me, I will bore you with more of my style evolution soon and you WILL see this in heavy rotation, no matter how old it is :).

3). Digital Progressive Lens - Okay ladies, if you're anything like me, once you hit 4.0 you began to notice that you are squinting a lot more. Well now at 4.2, I've gone a bit beyond squinting and according to my optometrist while I'm not for bifocals I am in need of an alternative progressive option. He then introduced me to a digital progressive lense, let me tell you I never want to take these off. With the addition of this super cool Tory Burch frame, I don't like taking these off. Not only are things super clear just as if I were watching an IMAX movie, but I feel so stylish when I wear them. I have received so many compliments, they are an all-around winner.

4). Kona Grill - North Park -  They say that all folks do here in Dallas is shop and eat. I can't dispute this by one bit, hence the two eateries posted on today's favs and trust me a shopping post will come.  Speaking of shopping, one of my favorites go to spots after a day of shopping at North Park Mall is Kona Grill. My go to is their Chicken Satay.... Grilled to perfection, served on a bed of Asian slaw, with a side of peanut sauce. OMG, can you say heaven?! Pair it with a nice margarita on the rocks and you're set.

Thank you for taking the time out to visit my blog. While I've had one of the longest breaks ever, I look forward to getting back to posting, not only my Fri-Yay faves but lots of other gems that speaks to mid-life. Stay tuned!

XO,

Tren

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Fri-Yay Faves - Sweet Smelling Full Bodies

Nov 10, 2017

Fri-Yay Faves - Sweet Smelling Full Bodies

Every time Friday rolls around I get super excited to share my faves with you! This week was no different. With the temperature dropping I've decided to dive into some of my cold weather favorites for this post. I have to admit, I find that this series motivates me to keep going even when I want to give up. On top of that, as I prepare these little weeklies, they tend to spark ideas for future content. It's a win-win for my blog goals and I get to continue to share with you guys. Hang in there with me guys, I promise, there's much more to come from PolkaDotTheory™.  Now enjoy this week's Faves!

 

 1). Perfume:  In my younger years (20's), I never considered myself as perfume girl. I would tend to opt for clean smelling spritzers and lotions but totally stayed away from brand perfumes. Well that wasn't until the day I found myself on a random elevator and this woman got on. Dressed in a black chic outfit with classic pumps, her hair was arranged in a neat bun, I almost felt a girl crush coming on and then it hit me. As she settled into her spot, a short breeze followed, it was filled with such a sweet scent of goodness.  "Oh my word", I thought to myself, "who is this woman and what in the hell is she wearing?" I'm not one to strike up small talk, so I got to the point. I had to ask, "what perfume are you wearing?" She graciously revealed the scent that sent me running to my nearest department store to purchase.  Oh thank you Chic Mysterious Good Smelling Goddess!

I find that I wearing perfume in the winter makes the cold a bit more bearable and life more interesting. There's something about the cold weather mixing with sweet aromas that tend to make me feel all warm inside. What's your favorite scent?

2). Moisture, Moisture, Moisture: Speaking of winter and the cold weather, I don't know about you but my skin goes through the motions in the cold. As I continue to age, I find that my need to keep my skin hydrated is even more important. Therefore during the winter I to ensure that I am keeping my skin moisturized to avoid dehydration, which leads to what - you said it - wrinkles.

Here are a couple of the products that rescue me from drying out all year round. While this is my core set of products for hydration, I add on a bit more as the weather gets cold and dry. I'm penning a post that talks more about these products and for tips on how to keep your skin hydrated to maintain a youthful glow. 

 3). Full Bodied Reds: First all who doesn't enjoy a good Wine Down? We all know some of the benefits of a good glass of wine, which I will save for another post. But I have to confess...  I love, love, love wine, red wines, especially in the winter.

When the temps begin to drop, I look forward to getting cozy with a good ole full bodied red. Gone are the days when I settle for any old glass of wine, I tend to lean towards Shiraz, Syrah, and Malbecs. While I'm continuing to expand my knowledge of wineries and the best brands, the Delectable Wine App has become a handy tool in this journey. I encourage you to check out this app, it's free and it has a snap-and-seek tool, which gives you the run down on a wine based on a snapshot from your phone. How cool is that?

4). A Very Good Read: What pairs well with a good glass of wine? Not only cheese, but a good book. Pair the two with a cozy corner and it's a great evening. There's nothing like settling into a good book while sipping on a good glass. Speaking of a good read, stay tuned for my "What I'm Reading" Series, coming soon on the blog.

As always, thank you for taking the time out to visit. Now it's your turn, tell me what are some of your favorite go to's for the cold weather season?

Happy Weekend!

xo xo,

Tren

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Fri-Yay Faves - Nick-Knack Sushi

Nov 3, 2017

Fri-Yay Faves - Nick-Knack Sushi

I must say, composing this post really lifted my spirits today. When you're feeling down, I encourage you to think about your favorite things. Granted, these thoughts may may not change your situation, but they will certainly change your mood. Enjoy this week's FriYays!!

1). Home Decor and Nick-Knacks: Decorating my space is something that I absolutely love to do. When I have extra money to splurge on decor, I hit my go to spots to see what I can find. This is a cute little pillow that I picked up from my neighborhood Target. Part of their "Room Essentials" line, it was very affordable and a super cute addition to my living room love seat.

 

2). Tempura Veggies & Sushi Rolls: There will never be a Fri-Yay Fave that does not include food. I love to eat y'all! I mean and who doesn't love a good roll? What's best about this plate, not only was it delicious, it was served up in the luxury of my home. Forty-Five Degrees is one of the go to spots for Sushi here in Indy. It's a trendy spot that is nicely situated downtown on Mass Ave. While a visit to the restaurant is always fun due to the modern decor and cool music, delivery is a tap away through GrubHub. Try out the app, I'm sure you can find delivery for your local favorites.

3). Music, Music, Muuuuusic!: When I'm feeling drained, blah, or simply uninspired, I escape with my trusty SBTRKT Radio station on Pandora. While I love SBTRKT's music, the station introduces you a variety of artists in the electronica, chill, down/low tempo vibe. Give it a try, you just might like it!

4). The Walking Dead: How could I not? So let me tell you the story here. In a previous post I mentioned my love for Horror movies and shows none the less, and when this show premiered I was super excited about it. I watched 3 or 4 episodes of Season 1, but I I got bored. My mind could not conceive how in the H.E. double hockey sticks could they do an entire show of zombies....  Fast forward several years later. I was home sick with a bad cold, and not having anything to do but watch TV, I decided to give it a try.  I kid, you not, I ended up binge watching 5 seasons. I am an official Dead Head. I freaking love this show so much that after my Season 6 binge, I decided to join the bandwagon of fans that tune in every Sunday. I. AM. HOOKED!! Shout out to my favorite characters Rick and Darrell - who am I kidding, I love them all.

Now tell me what faves are on your mind today? Make it a happy Friday by making your list! Thanks for stopping by.

xoxo - Tren

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Fri-Yay Faves - Spa Breakfast Traveling Psycho

Oct 27, 2017

Fri-Yay Faves - Spa Breakfast Traveling Psycho

  

 

1). Spa Days: There are times when I need to unplug... relax, and let go of all of my worries and stress. For me, those days call for some much needed time at the Spa. Spa Days provide me the  opportunity to escape the madness of my days and focus on me. I am quickly able to disconnect and quiet my mind, body, and soul. 

2). Breakfast Spots: One of my favorite spots here in Indy is Cafe Patachou - Dubbed a student union for adults; it's a trendy local spot that serves up delicious, healthy breakfast and lunch dishes. One of my go to's is the Broken Yolk plate. It includes two eggs prepared any way you'd like with swiss cheese, avocado, and for me a cup of fruit. The coffee bar boasts different blends including the house favorite. If you visit, be sure to order a morning cocktail, the Pomegranate Prosecco is #His favorite.

 3.) A Getaway Plan: While Spa Days serve as short term escape, I must say that I love, love, love, a long break away from the norm. Travel is something that I've grown accustom to and I have no desire to slow down anytime soon. I often drift off thinking about my next destination. Stay tuned for travel coverage on the blog - so exciting!

4). Scary Movies: It's that time of year where scary movies are everywhere. As the temperature continues to drop and we creep towards that spooky date, I find myself curled up on the sofa watching some of my favorite classics... I can't wait to watch Psycho, Friday the 13th, and of course Halloween. Boooooo 💀

Thanks for visiting and enjoy the weekend!

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New Blog Series - Fri-Yay Faves!

Oct 20, 2017

New Blog Series - Fri-Yay Faves!

Theory No.: 691 - It's the little things that tend to have the biggest impact on your heart. 

I don’t know about you guys, but for me it has been a crazy, stressful week and when I have days or weeks that are full of the crazies, I try to step back and think of things that bring joy to my heart. You know the kind of things that makes your spirit smile.

After spending a few moments reflecting on a couple of things, a light bulb came on. I thought why not share the things that I love with the hopes that maybe a few of you can relate or take some time to reflect on some of your favorite things.

So here goes... Welcome to the very first installment of PolkaDotTheory Blog Series called, Fri-Yay Faves!

 1. Sunday Brunch: Mimosa's & Conversations with #Him

2. Long drives with my sidekick, Ms. Michie 

3. Cheeseburgers!!! My go to comfort food. I will be posting the recipe for my ground chicken cheeseburgers soon.

 4. PolkaDots and Pedicures - Lilac was my favorite color this past spring and summer. Looking for new Fall favorites. 

Just a few of my Fri-Yay faves this week! Stay posted for future Fri-Yay Favs as this series continues to evolve. Enjoy your weekend! 

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#TBT - Falling In Love (All over again...)

Oct 19, 2017

#TBT - Falling In Love (All over again...)

In the spirit of TBT, I'm at it again, walking down memory lane.. An old post, but still super relevant today. I'd love to hear your thoughts, drop a comment below! ✌

Theory No.: 016 - You were created in love. You have the right to bask in it.  Give some of it away, and always keep a stash tucked away for you.

In my last post, which was “years ago”, (yeah I’ve been a bad blogger, more on that in upcoming posts) I shared two words: REFUSE & EMBRACE. I went on to announce a plan to refuse all of the unwanted, unhealthy things in my life and commit to embracing my goals and intent for a better, well-lived life. It’s time to move forward, carefully, thoughtfully, and obviously one step at a time.

Many of us come to the conclusion at some time or another that what we have, how we are living, and/or what we are giving our attention to is simply not cutting it. We look at our lives in search of the fruit of our labors and sometimes come up empty. But the question is why? This is what I had to figure out for myself, just like anyone else who wants to go forth and change.

One of the biggest challenges that I have been faced with is making me more of a priority. I get in the habit of putting any and everything before “me”: work, love, the pup, EVERYTHING. I thought that was what I was “supposed to do”. I became an afterthought in my own mind, watched myself disappear into the background and I ultimately lost my voice, my purpose, and the overall vision for my life. I lived like this for a while (years) until one day I woke up and made a decision …..It was time for a change…  

It all started with a conversation I had with God. I asked Him to forgive me for neglecting myself. I asked for the courage, strength, and knowledge that I would need to move get through this rut. I asked Him to help me to find my voice and make my presence known in my own eyes.  That part was easy, but the required work was hard and I had a lot of work to do. It started with figuring out why I felt that I didn’t deserve my own attention; an obstacle like no other, which ultimately lead me to face the deadliest demon of all, a lack of self-love.

After realizing that love, or the lack there of was the root cause of the rut I feel into, I began to heal. Things began to get better. I started to see the light; I began to open up to myself and to the world around me. I was able to reconnect and get to know and understand the woman that I have become. It has been an amazing ride and all so worth it.

So today, I am thankful for the season of my rut, if I had not been there, I would not be here – in love! I am in love with the woman who saw the need for change and found the courage to cry for help. I am in love with the woman who is committed to refusing the old way(s) and embracing the new.

Thanks for visiting! 

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