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Category Archives: Travel

Staycation at Sonesta Bee Cave

08 Tuesday Dec 2020

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Austin, Texas, Dining, Motherhood, Travel

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Austin hotels, Bee Cave, girls weekend, Hill Country Galleria, hotel, Meridian 98, Sonesta, Staycation, suite, Texas Hill Country

Most of y’all heard I recently broke my ankle. I was running around my house on Thanksgiving Day and simply slipped on the floor. I knew it was sprained but was surprised to hear it actually fractured, too. Luckily my kindhearted mother came to the rescue during the first part of my recovery. Wanted to thank her for driving in to help out this week and reward my daughter for good behavior at school. Since I love the idea of family experiences instead of gifts, we booked a suite at Sonesta hotel in Bee Cave, TX. Our ‘girls just wanna have fun’ weekend was a great success!

My mother & daughter cozied up with popcorn for a movie night in our suite.

Sonesta is close to our house and right at the Hill Country Galleria so it was the perfect spot for a staycation with my Kindergartener and her grandma. This contemporary chic, yet laid-back hotel welcomes guests with unmatched style and Texas charm. We started off at their rooftop restaurant, Meridian 98.

Cocktails & a view of the Texas Hill Country — it doesn’t get any better.

We felt so safe dining outdoors at a socially-distanced table. Their patio is HUGE! Ordered a couple craft cocktails, The Beehive and The Beekeeper, and Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp. That starter is awesome…comes with fried jalapeno strips, grilled ruby red grapefruit, and a slice of honeycomb!

The sauce & unexpected combination of flavors made this appetizer unique.

The suite was on the fifth floor and was sized just right for our family getaway. Here are a couple shots of the Austin-hip yet modern-minimal bedroom:

Check out those views! Gazing out upon those rolling hills was a welcome way to wake-up.

This mama’s favorite part: the generously deep bathtub with a large picture window of greenspace. Actually, we all loved the tub — we each got a chance to enjoy it at one point or another. –What girl doesn’t relax in a nice hot bubble bath?! But some people prefer a shower and it was enormous as well.

A dream bathroom: large & luxurious!

Wether you’re local to Austin or looking for a driveable getaway in Texas, I highly recommend checking out Bee Cave and staying at the Hill Country-chic Sonesta!

Spa Luxury Anywhere You Go — Life[style]: Oct. ’17

16 Monday Oct 2017

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Au Naturale, Beauty, Life[style], Product Reviews, Shopping, Travel

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beach coverup, dressing gown, Kleenex Facial Cleansing, PUR attitude, Safe Skincare, Spa at home, Spa Day, The Spa Dress, travel size products, Trial Size Kit

Oh, how I love a day at the spa! –Who doesn’t? However, busy schedules and financial constraints can keep most of us away from visiting more than once or twice a year. Plus, I like to keep my visits limited to only every once in awhile…that way the experience stays super special. This month, I wanted to share a round-up of products that provide spa-like results and a little pampering at the same time. You can use them at home or during your travels for that spa-like feeling of luxury & relaxation anywhere you are!

Refreshed, Radiant & Ready To Go: Keep your skincare routine easy & exciting with these four new Kleenex releases that help prep & maintain a fresh-looking face. Makeup artist Spencer Barnes, who works with A-list celebs like Julianne Hough & Nina Dobrev, uses Kleenex Facial Cleansing products for their natural affect & high-quality sanitation. Kleenex

  • Barnes says the Kleenex Exfoliating Cushions are “perfect” for when clients have “flaky patches” that are ready to lift off.
  • Barnes finds the Kleenex Facial Cleansing Wipes “super gentle” and “easy to use” after a long day of shooting.
  • A must-have for all Makeup Artists, Barnes finds the Kleenex Eye Makeup Removers “gentle,” “effective,” and “easy to use” on all clients.

Safe Skincare Everywhere: Now you can take super-safe skincare along wherever your travels may take you! In perfectly sized TSA-approved bottles, PUR attitude announced that it will release a Trial Size Kit containing five of its bestselling products. By combining patent-pending technology with essential vitamins, antioxidants and nutrients, the PUR attitude brand redefines innovation in skincare by avoiding harsh chemicals, parabens, PEG’s, glycols, sulfates, petro-chemicals, synthetic fragrances and artificial dyes.PUR attitudeThe PUR attitude Trial Size Kit features the following five key products, each of which contains 100% pure, active ingredients (no water) and follows the brand’s strict “Safe Beauty” standards: HydroDrench Moisturizing Gel Cream, Fusion-C Vitamin C Serum, Insta-Results Face Lift Gel, Multi-Effects Eye Cream, and Fountain of Youth.

Travel Wear for Ladies Who Spa: During our Babymoon in Bermuda, I got to test out a new spa ‘robe’ that boasts four-way wear — works as a dressing down, beach coverup & more. The Spa Dress is a multi-use wardrobe item for the practical traveler who prefers to pack lightly & expeditiously. It rolls up and is easily packable in the tiniest of getaway bags. spa robe Here are some of the ways to wear this fun, soft, and versatile piece, shown above in “Confidence Boosting Black,” size S/M:

  • A Body-Enhancing Cover Up: Wearable UNDER resort robes. Cotton-blend 80-20% spandex adapts to curves. Stretchy top provides light support.
  • A Slip-On Towel: Lush terry locks in moisture. Doesn’t fall when you need a towel to stay up. Reduces public displays of ‘towel dropping syndrome.’
  • A Dress-Before-You-Dress: Text & primp as you wear. Comfy walk-around attire. Dries as you dress.
  • A Sundress or Skirt: Practical for the sauna but wearable on the beach, by the pool or anywhere your spa excursion takes you, at home or away.

 

The Practical Father’s Day Gift Guide

13 Tuesday Jun 2017

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Au Naturale, Dapper Dad, Fitness, Holidays, Married Life, Product Reviews, Travel

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Alkaline Water, Alkalizing Water Treatment, caffeinated soap, DirtyBird Energy Bar, ENERGYbits, Father's Day, Father's Day Gift Guide, Practical Gifts for Dad, spirulina supplements, Summer Travel

After nine years of married life, my husband and I have evolved into gifting each other more practical, useful gifts for the holidays. Case in point:  we recently celebrated a wedding anniversary and our gift to each other was a new vacuum. –Seriously. It was a really nice hi-tech vacuum, but a household cleaning device nonetheless. We figure, we have everything we need and buy ourselves what we want –within reason and many times after each other’s counsel. Now, for milestone birthdays & anniversaries, we favor the gift of experiences:  i.e. international travel, concerts, weekend staycations, etc. But especially since becoming parents, for those “greeting card holidays” like Valentine’s Day & Mother’s/Father’s Day, we appreciate unique everyday gifts that are consumable and practical. For starters, he’s asked for a tub of Tacodeli’s “Dona” sauce (now available at Whole Foods Market!) and it’s already in the fridge waiting for him. Here are some other ideas:

For the Clean Freak Dad:  Caffeinated soap. DirtyBird Energy is dedicated to creating products to help productivity for active, busy lifestyles. Whether it is at the office, during a workout, or raising children, they want to help everyone be at their best and most productive. Each DirtyBird Energy Bar is infused with ingredients to help achieve this goal.Dirty Bird—The Energy Soap bars are infused with caffeine and peppermint oil to energize the body and mind. Scientific studies show caffeine absorbs through pores and hair follicles, which will energize the body even before your first cup of coffee in the morning.

—The Relax Soap bars are infused with lavender, chamomile, rosemary, and ylang ylang essential oils. Each of these oils absorbs to relax the body and mind as well as soothe the skin. An evening shower with Relax helps to promote a restful sleep allowing him to wake up refreshed & ready for the day ahead.

And the soap isn’t the only thing that’s special! Each soap comes packaged in a patented reusable container that snaps shut and allows Dad to take his soap anywhere (the gym, camping, vacation, etc.) or use it to keep other goodies in. And DirtyBird Energy is proudly made in the U.S.A. — another plus! DirtyBird Energy Soaps are available in singles, a 2-pack variety, 6 packs or in a monthly subscription, delivered right to his doorstep every month.

For the Traveling Dad:  Alkaline water. With summer around the corner, the whole family will be drinking a lot more water. These alkalizing sachets by Coral LLC help raise the pH of his drinking water, buffer chlorine, and add Vitamin C & antioxidants by way of ionic trace minerals. This is a great thing to pack in his backpack during summer travel — useful for weekend camping trips and international excursions alike (both places where the tap water can be suspect!)Alkaline waterI especially love their portability — perfect for amping up water fountain tap water when refilling your reusable water bottle. Whether at home or on the go, the convenient mineral sachets can easily transform ordinary water—bottled or treated—into a boosted beverage that may help support optimal energy and hydration. Alkalized water has also been known to help the body maintain a healthy pH balance, hydration level, and metabolism, as well as support natural detoxification.

For the Dad Who Does It All:  Spirulina supplements. ENERGYbits spirulina tablets fire up your thinking, improve your alertness and protect your brain health all WITHOUT caffeine, chemicals, sugar or gluten. After his big day, RECOVERYbits step in by speeding muscle recovery. These supplements are a 1-2 punch that will improve everything Dad does, from his golf game to his career. Recovery BitsHe’ll love how razor-sharp his thinking gets with ENERGYbits and it’s all thanks to their high concentration of healthy fatty acids, plant-protein, chlorophyll and B vitamins, with no caffeine, chemicals or sugar. These tiny little algae tablets are the healthiest way for everyone to focus better, recover quick, and work smarter not harder. Show your dad (and yourself) some love this Father’s Day and feed your brain with bits. One size fits all!

 

ADELE Live 2016…highlights of Adele’s concert in Montreal

04 Friday Nov 2016

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Everyday Joie, The Arts, Travel

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25, Adele, Bota Bota, concert, French bistro, massage, Moms' Night Out, Montreal, Quebec, Sweetest Devotion

In honor of Adele’s sold out performances tonight & Saturday here in Austin, I wanted to share my experience seeing her in concert earlier this October.  Back in June (as my birthday gift!), my husband got us tickets to Adele’s Montreal stop of her world tour in Quebec, Canada.  He’s got a love affair with that city and figured it would make a perfect getaway weekend for the two of us.  Well, about two weeks before our trip, an important work commitment arose and after looking at all the options, we decided he just couldn’t make it work.  But no worries, because last minute he arranged for my good girl friend Marissa to fly up & meet me for the show!  adele-6Us girls had a short, whirlwind trip to Montreal…I landed the afternoon of the event and we packed a lot into those few hours we had to spare.  After meeting up downtown, we beelined to the perfect gourmet bistro for a fancy French-inspired lunch, complete with foie gras and rose’!  Then, she treated us to massages at the most unique spa concept:  a historic river ferry turned into a luxurious floating day spa in the Montreal harbor called Bota Bota.  It was a delightfully different way to unwind from our flights, take in the city skyline, and do something relaxing before the big show.adele-1We arrived to the venue a mere seconds before showtime but it was perfect timing!  Our seats were pretty high up but very close to the main stage.  And of course the sound, lighting, visuals, etc. were all stunning.  One thing I appreciated was that her face was up on the big screen the whole time…you could see up close how she sang each note & the emotion she put into every lyric.  No costume changes, just the right amount of pageantry, nothing superficial, perfectly classic timeless Adele.adele-2She performed for a full two-hours and showed us lots of personality in between sets!  Adele is very very funny, y’all!  We were cracking up — she was talking about how she’s trying to keep up with her work-outs on this tour but then she discovered Shake Shack during her pervious stop in NYC and those cheeseburgers did her in, haha!  Wonder if she’ll make a stop to one of our two Shake Shack locations while she’s in town?adele-3All the big chart-topping hits were sung, there was a short acoustic set, a couple covers, and best of all:  she told us the back stories.  She writes most of her own music and she really exposed herself emotionally by going in deep:  where she was living, at what point she was at in her career, where she stood in her love life, all of the nitty gritty & many times sad feelings that inspired her writing.  –Ah, Queen Adele crying, cold & wet, living and writing her songs in a dank, dark English basement…say it ain’t so!adele-4A few insights:  she told us that no, contrary to the tabloid reports, she is not pregnant.  She apologized for going away for so long but warned that she will go away yet again…that she needs & wants to be connected to her family and to live a real life and have real feelings in order to produce art that speaks to us.adele-5My favorite song of the night was Sweetest Devotion.  During the intro, Adele described how deep & different is the love for her son and talked about how motherhood changed her.  She was quite the prolific songwriter afterward, always writing, writing, writing pieces about her son.  Her producers cut a lot of it, but this one song stood out and it was thankfully included on her album, 25.  Well after hearing all that background, the song took on a new, more intense meaning for me personally and it was quite incredible to hear it performed live…ALL THE FEELS, let me tell ya.  Hearing her words & viewing them from the lens of myself as a new mother, both Marissa and I were moved to tears…it was a special moment for us mamas.

 

Life[style]: November/December ’15

13 Sunday Dec 2015

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Au Naturale, Beauty, Holidays, Life[style], Shopping, Travel

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Alfalfa supplements, AMG Naturally, Beverly Hills, Coco-T, Fall '15, Kitson, PINES, Royal Silk Scarf, The Ivy, World Vision Gift Catalog

We’ve been busy little bees this Fall!  The hubs & I went on our first trip without baby in October…got in some quality couple time and enjoyed a long weekend in Beverly Hills.  The photo below was taken on the last day of our little getaway:  we shopped at Kitson, ran into Ice-T & Coco (us girls talked pregnancy and bought matching Chanel-inspired tees), and then lunched at The Ivy, where they greet you with glasses of champs before showing you to your table…so fancy!

Then, we took baby to the city where her parents got married, Kansas City, to celebrate Halloween with friends & family.  Plus, my husband Ryan resigned from his position after eleven years with his previous company to reinvent himself by joining a Silicon Valley-based tech start-up.  Lots going on and that’s how I like it…wish blogging didn’t get set on the back burner but it’s my hobby and sometimes that’s how hobbies go when life gets busy.  Anyway, here’s November/December’s lifestyle installment!

Scarf

Gifts that Give Back:  The 2015 World Vision Gift Catalog contains more than 250 socially-responsible, poverty-fighting gifts that improve the quality of life for struggling children and families in the U.S. and around the world.  This holiday season, give gifts that do double-duty:  purchase beautiful handcrafted jewelry & other pieces for loved ones while providing help where it is needed most.  For example, the Royal Silk Scarf ($95) I’m wearing in the above pic adds a pretty pop of color to any outfit and supports the needs of an impoverished community.  The luxurious lightweight silk fabric is woven by Vietnam’s Ma Chau villagers, who receive sustainable income through their craft.

AMG Naturally:  For the past few months, I’ve been enjoying a new medical-grade skincare routine at home thanks to AMG Naturally.  Founded by nutritionist Linda Lizotte, R.D., her research and firsthand experience led her to create and lead the AMG Naturally brand, a company that believes “we are what we absorb.”  Thus, an anti-aging skin care line for consumers who desire actual natural products was born.  Each product contains no synthetic chemicals and are derived from all-natural plant sources, which makes them unique to the beauty industry.AMG Naturally

“Just because something works, doesn’t mean it’s the best way to use it. In addition, what you put on your skin DOES MATTER. The good and the bad, it all gets absorbed. First, do no harm.” says Lizotte.  The refreshing toner spritzes on easily & the non-greasy moisturizer absorbs quickly — love how these two products work together!

Alfalfa Supplements:  Lately, I’ve been getting a boost of greens in an unexpected place:  with alfalfa supplements from PINES, The Wheat Grass People.  Alfalfa’s name is rooted in the Arabic word that literally means “father of all foods.”  Its roots can grow up to 39 feet in length – extending deep into the earth for a variety of nutrients. PINES’ Alfalfa is a high-potency source of the antioxidant Vitamin A as Beta carotene. It’s also an excellent source of Vitamin K, and contains Folic acid, as well as small amounts of Vitamin C, calcium and iron.PINES alfalfa

When you see the word ‘alfalfa,’ you probably think about the sprouts we add to our salads. Although there are some nutrients in these nearly translucent wisps, a more complex source of nutrients and rich chlorophyll actually come from the dark green leaves of the established alfalfa plant months after it germinates and grows to a height of several feet outdoors in soil.  PINES Alfalfa is the ONLY certified organic, Non-GMO Project Verified alfalfa leaf.

 

Welcome to Miami: Sun-Protection Tips & Coolibar review

17 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Baby Girl A, Fashion, Shopping, Travel

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beach baby, Coolibar, family vacation, Miami, South Beach, Summer Travel, sun blanket, sun hat, sun protection, Sun protective clothing, sundress, tunic, UPF 50

Our new little family of three went on our very first vacation together over Easter weekend.  Mama was craving some beach time & Dada had never been to Miami, so we booked a direct flight to spend a few days on South Beach!  Since we’d be traveling with a three-month-old, I was nervous about how the baby would take it…I was worried about her ears on the plane ride, about what baby gear to tote around, how she’d sleep in an unfamiliar hotel room, etc.  Aside from all these factors, another point of concern was sun protection.  According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles after five or more sunburns, making skin protection a priority for families preparing to hit sunny destinations this spring & summer.  It can be overwhelming getting everyone packed and ready, and bringing along sun protection is often overlooked.  Along with our organic baby-safe sunscreen, we were fully protected in Coolibar, makers of sun-protective clothing for the whole family that looks good, wears well and lasts a lifetime.

Here are some tips to make sure your family’s skin is protected and your vacation isn’t spent tending to painful sunburns:

  • Make sure to wear lightweight clothing that is tightly woven (t-shirts do NOT block UV rays!), and contains a UV protection factor of 50. At Coolibar, all clothing has a UPF of at least 50 and is guaranteed to never wash out or fade. Sun-protective clothing is the BEST way to ensure skin is protected from UV when out in the sun.

    Coolibar womens sun tunic dress

    Sun protective clothing can be really cute, too! Feeling great in this flattering tunic from Coolibar, perfect for anything from brunch to beach.

  • Pack your own sunscreen whenever possible to ensure it will be readily available, and to save some money. Popular vacation destinations often double or triple the price of sunscreen on-site.
  • Make sure to reapply sunscreen to areas not covered with clothing EVERY two hours, when done swimming, and after lots of sweating. You can minimize the amount of sunscreen needed (and avoid the chasing and tears when applying) by covering kids as much as possible with sun-protective clothing.
  • Make sun protection fun! Choose clothing that kids get excited about so they will love wearing it.  We chose this bright pink sun hat for our little one.

    Baby A is modeling the Baby Girl's Splashy All Sport Hat:  http://www.coolibar.com/product/Baby/Sun-Hats-Accessories/Baby-Girls-Splashy-All-Sport-Hat/pc/2379/c/0/sc/2395/155855.uts

    Baby A is modeling the Baby Girl’s Splashy All Sport Hat!

  • Adults need protection too, and more coverage is better. Pack long-sleeve sun-protective shirts and wraps for long days in the sun, or for when it’s a chilly day.
  • Make sure the kids take regular breaks from the sun especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when UV rays are strongest, and make sure they are drinking lots of water. Set your phone’s alarm for reminders to get your family in the shade, reapply sunscreen and get some water.  –One thing we did after taking our dip in the ocean was wrap baby up in this.

    Made in the shade!  Relaxing post-swim in Coolibar's sun-protective baby blanket -- what a cool concept!

    Made in the shade! Relaxing post-swim in Coolibar’s sun-protective baby blanket — what a cool concept!

  • Hats are a huge defense against UV exposure! Longer brims add protection to the neck, shoulders and torso, as well as the face and top of the head. For every inch of brim, you reduce your lifetime risk of skin cancer by 10%.

    This lightweight & breathable Coolibar sun hat is PERFECT for traveling... completely packable, stylish sun-protection.

    This lightweight & breathable Coolibar sun hat is PERFECT for traveling… completely packable, stylish sun-protection.

  • Choose sun-protective clothing that folds easily and dries quickly, so you take up less room in your suitcase! Moisture-wicking clothing allows for a quick rinse at the end of the day and will often be dry and ready to wear the next morning.

 

Life[style]: October

27 Monday Oct 2014

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Life[style], Pregnancy, Travel

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La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa, Lake Conroe, Lake View Suite at La Torretta, Lakeside Restaurant & Bar, Muscle Milk, Mustela, Organic Protein Shake, Staycation, Stretch Mark Prevention Cream, Stretch Marks Double Action

Hope everyone had a lovely Fall weekend!  Blogging today from the shores of Lake Conroe at the La Torretta Resort.  On Friday morning, I had to take the dreaded 3-hour long glucose test (pregnancy-related test to check for gestational diabetes), so it was such a welcomed escape to jump in the car for a little staycation escape over the weekend.

1.  La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa:  Located about an hour north of Houston & 2.5 hours east of Austin, this Lake Conroe resort offers a ton of amenities at a great price.  Upon check-in, we received one of their Lake View Suites on the 17th floor — what a splendid view of the waterpark & lake!View from the Lake View Suites at La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa

Our first evening was enjoyed exploring the resort grounds…they have just about everything you could want in a vacation property.  My favorite features are their lazy river, room views, and lakeside location; Ryan is happy with the ESPN in HD, hot tub, and on-site dining options.  Our first night, we had dinner at their flagship restaurant, Lakeside Restaurant & Bar…we recommend the Spinach & Artichoke Dip appetizer and housemade cheesecake for dessert.  Saturday night was spent at the sushi bar watching the MLB World Series –Go Royals!– over a delish Philly Roll.  Finally, we capped off our evening at the lively piano bar for a little live music and people watching.

Part of me wishes we would’ve at least gotten out on the lake/rented a jetski or something, but between packing boxes for our upcoming move & all my pregnancy appointments back home, simply taking it easy and never leaving the resort property was exactly what we needed.  You can’t really tell so much from their web site, but the fitness center is huge and we were impressed with the variety of workout rooms & equipment options at our fingertips.  A good workout, soaking up a little sunshine, springing for room service, and a nice nap will do wonders for the soul, I tell ya.Sunset at La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa

2.  Organic Muscle Milk:  Being pregnant, my husband is always pushing for me to get more protein…he wants that baby to GROW! 🙂  Because their organic line is newly launched, I recently received a complimentary shipment of 2 four-pack cartons, one chocolate and one vanilla.  Besides endorsing this drink as a great way for me to get in those grams of muscle-building protein, the hubs loves this stuff too.  He gulped down both flavors eagerly, going for them as a breakfast on-the-go, post-workout protein supplement, and ‘just because’ as an afternoon snack…goes without saying, I had trouble keeping them stocked in the refrigerator.

I’m usually a chocolate girl but the vanilla is hands-down my favorite.  I had one of those crummy-feeling days a couple weeks ago, full of pregnancy symptoms like headache, nausea, and all-around lack of energy…was contemplating cancelling my afternoon beauty appt. just becuase I didn’t want to leave the bed.  After some self-coaching (get up! you can do it!), I peeled myself up and drank a muscle milk during the drive there.  –Must’ve been exactly what the doctor ordered, becuase I felt energized after finishing it and the delish vanilla flavor made me feel like I was treating myself to a milkshake!

Being organic is a game changer for me on these drinks, too.  I don’t know of many protein shakes that taste as good (especially while containing as much protein) while maintaing that USDA Organic stamp of approval.  Plus, they are low fat, low cholesterol and sweetened with organic cane sugar and organic stevia.  You can try Muscle Milk Organic Vanilla Protein Shakes at Target.

3.  Mustela:  I’m 29 weeks along now and among other pregnancy concerns, I’m in full-on stretch mark prevention mode.  The baby is estimated to weigh about 3 pounds at this point and is expected to triple in size during the third trimester!  Although my preg-o belly has been pretty small-ish so far, I know this bump is primed to really pop in the coming months.  My mom says she used olive oil to prevent stretch marks and I think I’ll follow her natural oil-based lead by experimenting with my organic coconut oil from Whole Foods.  Mostly, though I’m leaning on a stretch mark prevention cream by Mustela.  It’s a little pricey at just under $50, but I got mine with a 20% of coupon at buy buy BABY.  This one seems to be the most reputable:  successful in clinical trials, legit sounding active ingredients, and Paraben/Phthalate-free.  It’s worked so far…not a single stretch mark yet (fingers crossed my skin stays that way!)Mustela stretch mark prevention cream review

Pregnancy Announcement Photo Session, part two

28 Thursday Aug 2014

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Pregnancy, Travel

≈ 1 Comment

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Blue Ridge Mountains, Laura Vogt Photography, Maternity Photography, Mountain Air CC, Pregnancy announcement

More maternity pics from our shoot with Laura Vogt Photography…

I first felt the baby move at 18 weeks and now feel it moving around all the time.  Both my husband and my mother have felt Baby Wiese’s little kicks, too.  We find out the sex in just a few days!  Gender Reveal Party is in Austin on Sept. 6th.

Pregnancy Announcement PhotographyPregnancy Announcement PhotographyPregnancy Announcement Photography Pregnancy Announcement Photography Pregnancy Announcement Photography Pregnancy Announcement Photography

Pregnancy Announcement Photo Session, part one

14 Thursday Aug 2014

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Life[style], Pregnancy, Travel

≈ 2 Comments

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Blue Ridge Mountains, Golden Hour, Laura Vogt Photography, North Carolina, Pregnancy announcement, pregnancy photo session

Now that we’ve officially announced the pregnancy, I thought I’d share some highlights from our pregnancy announcement photo session.  We were so lucky to be vacationing in the picturesque setting of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains at the same time as my Sister-in-Law, a talented photographer based in Tulsa, OK.  Laura of Laura Vogt Photography specializes in engagement, wedding, and boudoir photos with an ethereal, soft, romantic quality about them.  She does a lot of outdoor shoots in fields of flowers at sunset, beautifully capturing ‘golden hour’ to give her photographs the essence of a fairy tale.  She graciously took time out of her holiday to shoot some 800+ shots of us, which came out to one click every four seconds!  I’ve narrowed down my favorites and although totally unedited, they truly capture how I’m feeling right now.Pregnancy Announcement Photo Pregnancy Announcement #2 Pregnancy Announcement #3 Pregnancy Announcement #4 Pregnancy Announcement #5 Pregnancy Announcement #6

 

Passaporto Italia

29 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Everyday Joie, Travel

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Central Market, Italian cheese, Italy, oyster stout, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Passport Italy, Texas, truffle honey

I was recently honored with an invitation to attend an absolutely delightful “media preview day” on behalf of this little blog, BlogJoieDeVivre.com!  Yes, I’ve attended many events such as this before, but they were always on behalf of other media outlets I’ve written for:  in college for The Daily Cougar, on the ‘other side’ as a PR rep at Weber Shandwick, and over the past year for InFluential Magazine.  This, however, was my first time to attend a media event on behalf of my very own web site!  Guess I’m a legit “media” outlet now, y’all — lol!Central Market's Passport Italy event

But seriously, it’s so wonderful and gratifying to not only have people actually READ this outlet for my writing, but to now get attention from P.R. agencies seeking my reviews & coverage of their products, ideas, and events.  I’m quickly learning one has to draw a hard line and keep true to yourself & your passions in order to maintain authenticity.  I reply “thanks, but no thanks” to PR pitches literally every day but luckily, a few story opportunities come along that are right in line with the interests of myself & my readers.  As such, Central Market‘s media preview day for Passport Italy was right up my alley!  Complete with samples, sips, an Italian opera singer, and even a live human statue (he was so good — a complete surprise!) the event was very well done.  How could you not enjoy yourself diving into this glorious spread?Italian cured meats & cheeses at Central Market's Passport Italy

Throughout my travels, I’ve truly never tasted better food than while dining in Italy.  France was a close second, but I feel their claim to fame lies more in the gourmet preparation & presentation of cuisine.  Every country has signature fare to boast about, for that matter, but there is something about Italian food that takes the cake.  From the pasta, pizza, wine & cheese, I would love to eat my way through Italy Eat, Pray, Love-style.  This is why I was intrigued to hear about Central Market’s Passport Italy concept:  Starting tomorrow through May 13th, your local (if you live near one of their Texas locations) Central Market will showcase traditional Italian foods & ingredients, along with hundreds of new imported items such as gelatos, breads, pastas, cured meats, wines, cheeses, and olive oils.  It’s a taste of Italy without ever leaving Texas!  And everything’s bigger in Texas, even the Parmigiano-Reggiano presentations:Parmigiano-Reggiano display for Passport Italy at Central Market

Did you notice they’re serving honey with the cheese?  I always forget about this complementary combination!  It wasn’t just any ol’ honey, mind you — it was Italian TRUFFLE honey!  Anything with truffle is guaranteed to taste good, right?  They paired various types of honey with all the different cheeses, actually, truffle (seen below) and even lavender honey.  –What a unique ingredient to serve alongside the cheese tray at your next gathering!Truffle honey at Central Market's Passport Italy

Another unique product showcased during the event was an Italian craft brew called Birra del Borgo “Perle ai Porci” Oyster Stout.  I’ve never had an oyster stout before and was surprised to learn they’re made by actually adding oysters into the mix during the brewing process.  It was described as tasting like a saltwater tootsie roll.  Another cool aspect of the standout flavor born from all that oceanic originality is that the drink actually pairs best not with seafood, but with pork dishes.  I could totally see it working marvelously with a honey-baked ham, for example.Birra del Borgo Perle ai Porci Oyster Stout from Central Market

Check out these fun products over the next couple weeks during Passport Italy — a larger-than-life two-week immersion in the food, wine, and culture of the country.  Top-flight culinary superstars including chefs, vinters, and cheese makers will travel to Texas to share their knowledge of Italian culture and cuisine.  Their prized products and presentations will imbue your regular grocery shopping scene with authentic Italian flavors at all Central Market stores across Texas.  Enjoy all that fresh-made pasta and hand-stretched mozzarella, friends — Ciao Bella!

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