Check out Medieval Times Dallas Facebook for more details. It’s a win-win. Give a little, get a little (plus some good karma on the side). Have I mentioned how much fun the new show is?

What did I do on my birthday weekend? On Saturday Dave took me to a special advanced screening of Beauty & the Beast 3D. Another fun fact? It is my favorite Disney movie ever. Can you believe it is over 20 years old? Yeah, me either. It was fun to see it on the big screen again, even though I think 3D movies are overrated. I may have even teared up during the dance scene. Quite a few parents even brought their daughters dressed as Belle. If I had a daughter I would have done that too. Afterward we went to La Madeleine and lunched like we were at a Paris cafe. The tables were so close together (just like in France) that we were practically touching our neighbor’s chairs. Parisians certain like to pack in the people. It was a very Ooh La La day if I do say so myself. And I do!

On Sunday we brunched with friends at Blue Mesa and did some shopping in the afternoon. Yet another fun fact? I was born on a Sunday around 3:30 PM. Dave made my birthday dinner reservations at Craft. It is my favorite restaurant in Dallas, and it didn’t disappoint again this year. I almost always get braised beef or pork, and it is always amazing.

Yes, it looks a little like baby food, but trust me it is the best food ever even if Chef Tom didn’t cook it this time. We had: braised pork belly and pineapples , swordfish, braised beef short ribs, butternut squash puree, yukon gold mashed potato puree, sticky toffee pudding, and chocolate cake.

They always serve several amuse bouches also. We had a sweet potato and pecan soup, as well as fresh pears and caramel. They also served a trio of cookies. I was disappointed that caramel corn wasn’t on the menu that night, but they brought me a special bag to take home anyway. I have never been so full, ever.

I took Monday off to renew my drivers license, and we wasted 3 hours standing out in the rain and in a waiting room. Not the most glamorous ending to a long birthday weekend, but we munched on caramel corn while we waited and caramel corn makes everything better. What is even better? Having an awesome husband who took me to do all of the above, not to mention all the fabulous gifts including new Coach sunglasses and perfume plus more charms for my new Pandora bracelet. Spoiled. xoxo

I didn’t have a wallet I felt matched my new LV, and I definitely was not going to shell out more money to be matchy-matchy. I usually don’t even like gold (or brass) hardware, but this Stacy does a good job of blending in without being too flashy. Kate Spade has sales pretty frequently, so I would suggest getting on their e-mail list.

Winter temperatures (even the mild ones in Texas this year) bring chapped lips. I recently discovered Fresh Sugar lip treatment. Love it. It is a little pricey, but you can also buy tinted varieties and it doubles as lip gloss. Also? During your birthday month you can get a free mini lip duo (Sugar and Sugar Rosé) if you are a Sephora Beauty Insider.

My parents gave me a giftcard to Macy’s for Christmas. I got these houndstooth Sperry Top-Sider slip ons. No I’m not a boater, but it did rain every single day for a week after I got them so I had a lot of opportunities to break them in. They are super comfy, and I also love the silver laces. Bring it, rain!

I have always wanted to try extensions, and my wish came true thanks to Shammah at Additions. I wanted longer hair, but I was constantly getting it cut due to split ends from heat styling. It was fun to get my desired length overnight, and she matched my color perfectly. I love the thickness, and I have been enjoying trying different styles. Surprisingly I have been wearing it curly more often. If you are near Dallas and have been wanting to give extensions a try, I definitely recommend Shammah. She put my fears to rest, and has been amazing every step of the way from the consultation to maintenance.

Do you have any favorites so far this year?

Speaking of things I don’t like to do when I get home, I also had to throw in a load of laundry. Today while working on a project, I accidentally got red highlighter marks all over the sleeve of one of my favorite sweaters. The horror! First thing in the door I peeled it off and went to work scrubbing with Purex Triple Action. Dave said I was SOL and that the red marks were permanent, but I am happy to report that thanks to Purex and a little old fashioned elbow grease, the stain is gone. Vanished. Disappeared. Poof! Also? It smells so fresh. I get so many complements on how my clothes smell since I have started using Purex. And oh how Purex has made my life easier (thanks to Ultra Packs, Crystals (my fav), and Complete 3-in-1 Sheets). Whatever my laundry situation, they have had me covered for the past several years.

I may have the opportunity to provide a few readers with coupons for one or more of the products mentioned above. If you are interested, keep your eyes peeled for a giveaway soon.

Disclosure: I am a Purex Insider and occasionally get to try their new products for free. I have not been compensated nor was I required to post a review.

xoxo,
Laurie

This post is sponsored by Serve from American Express. Sign up for Serve and receive $10 credit towards your first use. Comment below within the next 7 days for your chance to win an extra $100 credit to your account!

Today I had brunch with friends at Mimi’s Cafe before some holiday shopping. We had Hibiscus cocktails, warm muffins, quiche, french onion soup, and a wonderful strawberry and walnut salad. We were stuffed, and when the bill came there was no guess work thanks to Serve from American Express.

We all signed up for accounts from home ahead of time, and received $10 in our account. It was quick, easy and secure. In just a few days I received a debit card in the mail to use. It was also easy to link my bank account and transfer money back and forth. My friends paid for our brunch on their credit cards, and I easily transfered funds into their Serve accounts to pay them back. I was even able to do this while we were still at the table from my Serve iPhone app, but that’s not the only way to use the service. You can also transfer and send funds from your computer too. So far I have used the service to send money, receive money, and even used my new debit card to make a purchase at Target and Bath & Body Works.

Purchases can also be made online with the debit card, and you can withdrawal funds from your account via ATM or move money back and forth to and from your bank account. You can also sign up for “subaccounts” that allow you to move money to a separate account (with its own debit card) to pay your kid’s allowance or instead of giving them cash for an outing. I can see it as a fantastic way to teach them how to save and budget too. I am definitely already a big fan of Serve, and have been telling everyone I know.

Remember to sign up for Serve and receive $10 credit towards your first use. Comment below within the next 7 days for your chance to win an extra $100 credit to your account! Official sweepstakes rules and regulations may be found by clicking here. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

You know: college, job, husband, house, and then baby. Check, check, check, check, and nope. I always wanted to be a youngish mom, but now in my 30s I’m starting to feel really old. I never dreamed I would have to deal with hypothyroidism and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) which basically leaves my fertility status in a state of uncertainty. The worst part is all the judgment and questions. I know people mean well, but it’s still hard to stomach, and is among several topics I just don’t want to talk about or even be asked about. I understand that it is human nature to just assume it is going to happen, especially when someone is married. It is even harder for me, because I also just assumed it would have before now. I have become increasingly depressed (especially around the holidays) and wonder if this will ever be in the cards for me.

In case you didn’t know, PCOS makes your cycle wonky. That means I can go months and months without having a period at. all. Trips to the doctor’s office are expensive, and it is also a beating to have to have fertility chats when really I am just there for my yearly exam.

I was really excited to discover that First Response (the makers pregnancy and ovulation tests) have also come out with a fertility test ($2 off coupon and more information). It can be taken on the third day of your cycle.

While my disease may adversely affect the reliability of this test for detecting FSH levels, it is still comforting to have this at-home test as an option that provides me with a glimmer of hope that someday I will be lucky enough to be called a mom.

The instructions are simple, the results are easy to understand, and it only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. If you are trying to conceive or are feeling like your chances of being able to are less likely due to age or other factors, this is a great tool to help ease your mind or guide you to your doctor for further tests.

Disclosure: I was selected for this #spon post by Clever Girls Collective, which promotes Blog With Integrity as do I. I received a First Response kit to try in addition to being monetarily compensated.

Last week I was invited to bring some guests and enjoy the new show and upgraded feast that begins at the Dallas Castle on Friday, November 18. Can you believe the story hasn’t changed since 2007? Me either. It was always magical, but it’s fun to see the subtle changes and old favorites. It was like I was 16 all over again!

Once you enter over the drawbridge, you are transported back to the 11th Century. We encountered a princess, a jester, and a falconer. Everyone is in character, and tries their best to interact with each guest.

We got dressed in regal wear for a photo prior to dinner which was fun to do. We liked the picture so much that Krista paid the $32 to get us a copy. Yes that’s a little steep, but it came in a very nice hard cover keepsake book. And look! It has the date we attended as well as the castle location.

Afterward we mingled in a large hall in front of a bar and souvenir shops before being invited by the king to enter the arena. We were seated in the front row of the red knight’s section. Did I mention we got hooked up with Royalty Upgrades? We also happened to be right next to the knight’s wife and young daughter. We were tipped off when she kept calling him daddy. Surely he was going to win. They wouldn’t let him get slayed in front of his little girl, right?!

I also love the food they serve during the show. Yummy chicken, ribs, potatoes, soup, bread and apple strudel– most of which has a clever name like dragon toes, for example. We were so stuffed afterward. The meal alone is worth the price of admission.

We cheered for our knight as he competed and fought, waved our flags, and watched the beautiful horses. Unfortunately in the end our knight didn’t win, but he did get to give his daughter a sash that said Queen of Love and Beauty. AND our friend Helen received one of the carnations he tossed to his adoring fans.

We had so much fun, and I know you would too. I can’t wait to go back, and we actually are going again this week just the two of us. I can taste the chicken now.

Did you know Medieval Times is open on holidays? We went a few years ago on Christmas to avoid having to cook. You can also go on Thanksgiving. Just think… no dirty dishes, no slaving over the stove or playing hostess and cleaning up after guests. I like letting someone else do all of the work! Guests can purchase tickets at the door, online at www.medievaltimes.com, or by calling 1-888-WE-JOUST. They often have specials where adults can get in for kid’s prices or other promotions, so be sure to ask when booking. Right now you can get a free Royalty Upgrade when you purchase full price tickets.

Disclosure: I received complementary admission and Royalty Upgrades from Medieval Times for myself and three guests, but was not monetarily compensated for writing this post. The opinions expressed are my own, as always.

I don’t want to share the exact one online yet. I usually post it on Christmas Eve or Day. Plus I want everyone to be surprised when they receive it. Hey, I take my cards very seriously.
If I didn’t pick my top choice what would have been my second? Well… I loved that there was the option of ornament cards. These are so fun! I can imagine hanging them on the tree or even using them as gift tags or part of a holiday craft project.

What else do I love about Tiny Prints? They have online customer service. I had an instant message conversation to get my questions answered and didn’t even have to pick up the phone. Genius! Also the shipping is always quick and the cards are excellent quality. I always get so many complements on them. Many of the cards even have coordinating address labels. So what are you waiting for? Which holiday photo card will you choose this year?

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Tiny Prints. I have been a customer of theirs several times in the past. I was not monetarily compensated, however I will receive a set of cards in exchange for this post. The opinions expressed are my own.

It was a short walk from the train station to the main palace and a statue Louis XIV. Even though we were early, it was exceptionally crowded and the line to get through security was already very long. This was definitely a very popular tourist destination. Each time someone spoke, we heard a new language!

It was obvious from the front that this is a very lavish estate. Gaudy golden fences and gates (gilded bronze, if you want to get technical) beckoned us to enter, and once inside we grabbed audio guides and started making our way through each ornate room. This is definitely the kind of place a history buff would love.

There were tons of paintings and busts, as well as beautifully painted ceilings. Some rooms had a theme, many of which were dedicated to Olympian deities. We were shoulder-to-shoulder with other tourists, so it was hard to really enjoy seeing each space and we kind of dashed from room to room hoping for a little fresh air. The famous Hall of Mirrors was long and was full of mirrors (duh) and very pretty chandeliers. It was also very full of people, so I think that takes away from the Wow! factor just a little bit. They certainly must have had some grand parties there.

About halfway through we decided to take a slight detour to Angelina inside the palace. I had been dying to try their hot chocolate. It was very rich, and it did not come with cream as it does if you go to one of the other locations in Paris. We also ordered a lemon tart which was delicious. This break was much needed after being on our feet for several hours.

Afterward we finished the tour of the inside and made our way toward the gardens. On this day they charged us an extra entry fee, but we unfortunately we never got to see the musical water show. It was obvious the gardens and their fountains are very well cared for, and I imagine it is even more beautiful in the Spring.

We went in search of a picnic area, but ended up a little lost in the Orangerie due to a misleading map. In the end we came back over the main palace and had our picnic on the steps instead. We fed some pigeons the extra bread from our sandwiches and enjoyed resting in the shade.

At this point we were much too tired to walk the over 30 minutes that it takes to get to the other part of property, so we bought tickets on a mini train that took us around the gardens and back road to the Grand Trianon, Petite Trianon, and Marie-Antionette’s Hamlet. Along the countryside we saw great picnic spots (opps) and even a field of sheep.

The other buildings were relatively small in comparison to the main palace, and also quite empty save a few things here and there. It was still interesting to see, but I am not so sure it was worth leaving the gardens and missing the show. We did meet a couple from New York on the mini train, so we chatted about our experiences and they gave us some advice for when we got to London. It was kind of nice to have an entire conversation in English after practically a whole week of speaking broken French.

I really liked the quaint countryside buildings and surroundings as opposed to the very ornate main palace, but there was no audio guide for this portion of the property, so I feel like we didn’t learn as much as we had during the first part of our visit. It was early evening by the time we finished, so we walked back to the RER train station and headed back toward Paris. I was so exhausted I fell asleep!

We freshened up at the hotel and and decided to walk around the 8th arrondissement and stopped at Le George V Café for dinner. We had another decent French meal, though nowhere near as good as the one we had near the Moulin Rouge a few nights before. Of course desert was the best part! It was a chocolate cake with warm fudge inside with a side of vanilla ice cream and creme. I could have skipped the fish and just had the cake! We also drank wine and did some people watching. Most of the other patrons were meeting with friends and drinking only. They sold a special drink with a lit sparkler which seemed to be very popular with the locals. I really enjoyed our leisurely dinners in Paris cafes and wish it was more like that here at home.

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped by the Flamme de la Liberté, a monument near the Alma Tunnel, where Princess Diana died. There are messages written all over the bridge and the some on the base of the monument itself. There were a few old flowers and letters, and I was quite surprised there was not more. My understanding is that many of the messages have since been removed.

The next day was our last day at Relais Bosquet and in Central Paris, so we headed back to the room to pack and get ready for the morning and our transfer to Disneyland Paris.

To be continued…