Manchester is always on our list anytime we cross the pond! Alex is a Manchester United fan and cannot pass up the opportunity to visit Old Trafford. Our last trip included a stadium tour, but this time we were lucky enough to attend a match. We always have a great time in Manchester, so I wanted to share a full Manchester Travel Guide based on our favorite spots!

The Lowery Hotel: We stayed at the Lowery five years ago, but sadly they were booked this time around. Most Manchester United players and coaches who do not live in town stay the night there before a match. We loved the Lowery and were bummed that there were no rooms left for us. It is not in a highly walkable area, but there is a strip of restaurants/shops within walking distance and it is a short uber to the main downtown area. The rooms were well decorated, maintained, and most importantly clean!

Manchester Hilton Deansgate Hotel: We visited Cloud 23 during our previous visit, so when the Lowery Hotel was full the Manchester Hilton Deansgate immediately came to mind. The concierge was very helpful making sure everything was set prior to our stay and arranging transportation to the airport. Our room had plenty of space, a fantastic view, and the breakfast buffet offered a large variety. The hotel did seem to be suited more for business and the room we stayed in was not as clean as we would expect from Hilton.

Old Trafford Stadium Tour: We saw every aspect of the stadium including the locker room, tunnel, player’s seats, owner’s box, and press room. Go behind the scenes at Old Trafford and see the stadium through the eyes of Manchester United greats themselves. The tour was about 80 minutes long and very informative.

Manchester United Match: I didn’t know the slightest thing about soccer until I met Alex and would consider myself more of a casual supporter than a true fan. The experience of watching a Premier League match live was unbelievable and I would recommend it to anyone! It is easier to find tickets for certain matches online, but we had no issue finding tickets from a trusted website.

Cloud 23: During our first trip to Manchester, our Uber driver was kind enough to share his favorite spots, including a dining room on the 23rd floor of the Hilton Deansgate: hotel. We had some free time and stopped by for a cocktail then and this trip we stayed in the Hilton hotel to visit again. The atmosphere and view were incredible and we enjoyed the cheese plate with a selection of cheese, seasonal fruit chutney, grapes, and biscuits. They also serve an elaborate tea that looks perfect for a special occasion.

Dukes 92: We planned to walk back to our hotel from Old Trafford after the match and I stumbled on Dukes 92. I would recommend making a reservation in advance and if weather permits we enjoyed the patio. Dukes 92 patio is more casual than the dining room so check the dress code in advance. Everything we tried on the menu was delicious and the hamburger was a nice taste of home.

La Bandera: There are so many great Tapas places in Manchester, something I wish we had more of in Dallas. I had a hard time narrowing down which one we wanted to try but glad I picked La Bandera. We wanted to go somewhere within walking distance so we could see more of the city. Everything we ordered was delicious and do not skip on the churros! El Gato Negro was another tapas spot high on our list.

BrewDog: Alex found BrewDog on a work trip to Columbus and we later realized they are based in the UK. He couldn’t resist passing one on the street without stopping to enjoy a seasonal beer. The BrewDog in Manchester also offered a great variety of single local canned beer to go if that is your thing.

Below are a few photos from our recent trip to Manchester! xoxo

This past weekend Alex and I had a little staycation here in Dallas at The Statler Hotel. We decided to take the time to explore our own city before all the hustle and bustle of the holidays hit. While we had been to the Statler for events and dining, we had not stayed in a room. The Statler opened in 1956 and played a large role in establishing downtown Dallas as a business hub. In 2015 the hotel reopened after renovations but kept much of the 1956 charm. We loved every little detail of our mid-century room and the fantastic view of downtown Dallas! We stayed in the King Bed Premium Larger Room and found the room, closet, and bathroom to be very spacious. The bathroom was hard to photograph, but there was a ton of counter space (win!) and a rain shower. The Statler also has 5 dining options including Overeasy, Fine China, Scout, Buron & Banter (a speakeasy), and Waterproof (rooftop pool).

The hotel is placed perfectly in downtown Dallas and is within walking distance of so many things. We were able to walk to the Neiman Marcus flagship to see all the Christmas decor and enjoy a cup of coffee at Royal Blue Grocery. Since we have dined at the Statler before, we walked across the street to Partenope for dinner. The rigatoni, prosciutto, and almond flour cake at Parenope were all to die for! If you are visiting Dallas or planning a staycation like us, the Statler Hotel is such a great option! The Statler Hotel is owned by Hilton and is a part of the Curio Collection. xoxo

Need more Dallas recommendations? Check out my posts here:

Dallas Date Night Ideas

Favorite Coffee Shops in Dallas

Favorite Hotels in Dallas

Favorite Places to Shop in Dallas

Favorite Restaurants in Dallas

It might just be me, but lately, it has been hard to find an evening or weekend that Alex and I don’t have plans for. When we do find an evening without anything going on, we are usually stumped about what to do. We enjoy some time at home with @sirwinstonphillips but love a fun date night. I have listed some of our favorite Dallas date night ideas! If you are looking for a great place for a dinner date, be sure to check out my favorite restaurants in Dallas! xoxo

Late Nights at the Dallas Museum of Art – The Dallas Museum of Art keeps its doors open until midnight on the third Friday of each month. They welcome guests with social lectures, live music, and multiple bars. This is the perfect way to see the many beautiful collections at the DMA and it cost less than admission to a movie. Admission costs $10/person and is free for DMA members.

Topgolf – You don’t have to be a pro, or heck, even know how to hold a golf club to enjoy Topgolf. Each bay is well equipped with fans and heaters to make sure you’re comfortable in any weather. They also offer an extensive menu with some pretty delicious options. There are multiple locations across the metroplex.

Perot Museum Social Science – This museum is not just for kids! Stop by the Perot for one of their Social Science events to avoid busloads of screaming kids. Social Science is an evening of adult-only museum fun offered on a Friday every quarter. Tickets go quickly, so you might want to plan ahead for this date.

Sur La Table cooking class – Alex and I have been to a few cooking classes at Sur La Table and always have the best time. We end up learning so much and make a second date night trying to recreate everything we made in the class. You get to eat as you cook and the classes are BOYB, just be sure to wear shoes you can stand in all night.

Galleria Ice Rink (during the holidays) – Unless you absolutely hate ice skating as I do, the Galleria ice rink is the perfect holiday date to get everyone in the spirit. The properly oversized Christmas tree, the smell of Starbucks coffee, and the excuse to hold hands are the makings of a perfect evening. Admission is $12 during public skating hours, and skate rentals are $3.

Specialty screenings at Alamo Drafthouse – The dine-in movie theatre offers specialty screenings for new and old movies regularly. We recently enjoyed seeing Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in 35 mm film with time-relevant trailers. Times, prices, and availability vary based on location.

Dallas Trolley Tour – Learn something new about the city of Dallas, with over 100 sights and facts along the way. You are welcome to hop on and off at any of the 14 stops giving you the opportunity to try new restaurants, coffee shops, or bars. It is free to ride the trolly, but if you would like to join in on the tour, tickets are $29.

Sporting Event – One of my favorite things about Dallas, is the fact that we have a professional Football, Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, and Soccer team in our backyard. Ticket prices vary, but if you find reasonably priced options, a sporting event is always an eventful and fun date.

Picnic in Klyde Warren – The park is the perfect spot to stop for lunch while exploring downtown. A meal at Savor restaurant, food trucks, or a packed picnic all make great date days.

Images via Denise Thompson.

Need more Dallas recommendations? Check out my posts here:

Statler Hotel

Favorite Coffee Shops in Dallas

Favorite Hotels in Dallas

Favorite Places to Shop in Dallas

Favorite Restaurants in Dallas

Last week my mom and I took my grandmother on her first trip to New York City to celebrate her 85th birthday (read our full trip recap here). I wanted to make the occasion extra special, starting with where we stayed.

Location was important to us and midtown was the perfect spot to easily see everything we wanted in two days. I am a Hilton Honors member and when looking at their line of hotels The Conrad Midtown instantly stood out above the rest. Up until about a month ago, the Hilton property on west 54th street was known as The London, before transforming to The Conrad Midtown.

I was excited to see the newly renovated rooms and amenities. We stayed in the One Bedroom Suite – Double Queen and because we were at the end of the hallway it was a little larger than the other suites. The bedroom, living room, and bathroom were all separate, which was nice with three people in one room. The closet was in the living area and was large enough for all of our hanging clothes. There was also a dining table near the city view window, which gave us plenty of space for breakfast each morning.

Sadly the restaurant, Dabble, was still under renovation and we were only able to enjoy in-room dining. As a Hilton Honors gold member, we received credit towards breakfast. We had a large spread waiting as we finished our hair each morning. Every staff member we met was extremely friendly and helpful. We mainly used Uber to get around the city, but the concierge will call a car or cab for you. We met a few sweet pups in the elevator because the hotel is pet friendly. I highly recommend The Conrad Midtown for your next trip to New York City! xoxo

Need more New York recommendations? Check out my posts here:

NYC with Monna

Refinery Hotel NYC

If you follow me on Instagram, chances are you saw a few photos this past weekend of my trip to NYC with Monna. You might remember my grandmother, Monna, from my Mondays with Monna series. Believe it or not, this year Monna is turning 85! A couple of months ago, she mentioned that she has always wanted to visit New York City and never had the chance. My mom and I thought there was no better way to celebrate a milestone birthday than with a trip to the big apple! We had such a great time that I just had to share all the details of our trip to NYC with Monna. Be sure to scroll all the way to the end for a short recap video of our adventures! xoxo

Our flight to New York took a little longer than anticipated thanks to some showers in the area. Luckily, I had already planned to have Precision NY Chauffeur and Airport Transportation pick us up at baggage claim. I do not normally hire a car service, but after our experience, I will be doing so more often. We finally made it to The Conrad Midtown, formally The London NYC, and the two-queen bed suite was perfect for the three of us. I will be sharing a full review of The Conrad Midtown later this week.

We kicked off our grand tour of NYC with a trip to the top of the Empire State Building. The VIP Main Deck Express Experience tickets (aka Fast Pass) made our trip to the top much shorter than everyone else waiting in line. There was a little rain, so we had a beautiful misty view of the city. Next, we made our way downtown to visit Ground Zero. My mom and I had not seen the memorial and it was especially special to my mom who ate lunch at the World Trade Center on September 10, 2001. The line to the museum was a mile long, so we did not have a chance to visit that part of the monument, but have I heard great things. We enjoyed lunch at Osteria della Pace in Eatly before walking through the financial district to Battery Park. Since Monna tends to get motion sickness, we saw the Statue of Liberty from the still coastline of Battery Park.

That night we enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Polo Bar before seeing the Broadway production of Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre. The Ambassador Theatre was built in 1921 and has not had as many updates as other Broadway theaters. Before turning in for the night we walked by Times Square to see all the lights at night and to make some custom birthday M&M’s at M&M World.

Past a little rain on the first day, the weather was beautiful the rest of our trip. We started day two with a carriage ride through all of Central Park. We used NYC Horse Carriage Rides and our driver shared a ton of history and was nice enough to take all the photos we wanted. We took a stroll to see The Plaza, Bergdorf Goodman, Trump Tower, The Chrysler Building and stopped in Grand Central Station. That afternoon visited the fourth floor of Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue for lunch at The Blue Box Cafe. The food, employees, and atmosphere made the headache of getting a reservation well worthwhile. We enjoyed a delicious lunch and spent the afternoon strolling through the endless cases full of diamonds, silver, gold, and crystal. Before enjoying dinner at Fig & Olive, we visited Rockefeller Plaza and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Before catching our afternoon flight home, I made everyone visit Ralph’s Coffee Shop on Madison Avenue. The coffee shop is perfectly tucked inside the women’s Ralph Lauren store, where I could have spent all day looking at their black label. The weather was beautiful so we walked back toward our hotel along Park Avenue while admiring the towering building and perfectly placed flowers.

I received so many great restaurant recommendations on Instagram Stories but sadly didn’t have the time to visit them all. Here are the restaurants that were most recommended: 21 Club, Bacaro, Bagels & Schmear on 28th, Bubby’s, Carbone, Catch, Frenchette, Flip Sigi, Gato, Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co., Jacob’s Pickles, Katz’s, La Vara, LAVO, Le Colonial, Osteria Morini, Palma, Sofreh, Wayan, Xi’an Famous Foods.

Need more New York recommendations? Check out my posts here:

The Conrad Midtown

Refinery Hotel NYC

Continuing my hometown guide, I have listed my favorite coffee shops in Dallas for you! There are so many great places to grab a quick latte, spend the day working or catch up with an old friend. Be sure to read my Favorite Restaurants in Dallas, Favorite Places to Shop in Dallas and Favorite Hotels in Dallas to plan your next adventure! xoxo

Ascension Coffee – There are seven locations in Dallas, including their roastery. Ascension offers a larger food menu than most coffee shops and has a great happy hour including both coffee and wine. Their coffee is sourced from local farmers and brews using a variety of unique methods. Most of their locations are great for both working and meeting friends. 

Commissary – This is one of my favorite stops in Downtown Dallas (image featured above). Commissary has a large food menu offering breakfast and lunch options as well as a small market area to pick up things to go. This is more of a place to meet friends than it is a place to work. When you’re done with your coffee, be sure to grab a scoop of their gelato! 

Davis Street Espresso – Trendy Oak Cliff coffee shop with a great patio. They host a lot of local events and have a large selection of merchandise for sale. It is a great spot for meeting up with friends, especially if the weather is nice.

Fiction Coffee – The rotating mural on the wall of the entrance is a must-see. They have local artists create the most fun pieces! Fiction Coffee is a smaller space but has plenty of room to work. 

Foxtrot – The newest coffee shop/market/store in Dallas. Foxtrot has a great patio, plenty of space to work inside, a cute shop to buy gifts and gourmet foods, to-go and delivery menus, and a coffee bar. It is a full experience and should be on everyone’s list. 

Halcyon Coffee Bar – Large coffee shop on Greenville with plenty of soft seating and work spaces inside. There is also a large patio if the weather is nice. They offer happy hour every day from 4-8 including beer and wine as well as coffee. They also offer a small food menu. 

Houndstooth Coffee – They have three locations in Dallas and some in Austin as well. Houndstooth offers catering services if your office is near one of their locations, but each store has plenty of work space and small food menus. 

La La Land Kind Cafe – La La Land is another new spot in Dallas and offers so much more than just coffee! They mentor and employ disadvantaged foster youth who are aging out of the system. Their menu is 100% organic, the food menu is limited to toast and cookies but there are some unique coffee, tea, and matcha options. It is located just off Henderson and offers great spaces to work or meet friends. 

Magnolias Sous Le Pont – Hidden in the Harwood District, Magnolias Sous Le Pont has a spacious patio and plenty of room inside to work. The cold brew and matcha are our personal favorites.  

Mudsmith – Locations on lower Greenville and Oaklawn, offering a much larger food menu than most coffee shops. Mudsmith also has a large selection of pressed juice, beer, wine, and kombucha on tap! 

Overeasy – Inside the recently renovated Statler Hotel, Overeasy is part restaurant and part coffee bar. It is more of a place to meet friends than a space to work. The restaurant part offers a large and delicious food menu. The coffee bar is easily accessible through the lobby, but there will most likely be a wait for brunch in the dining room so plan ahead. 

Royal Blue Grocery – The Highland Park Village location has a cute patio and a loft with plenty of workspaces. The downtown location has a smaller workspace and is better for to-go orders. Royal Blue Grocery offers a small menu but has plenty of to-go goodies and a mini-market where you can buy some groceries, gourmet foods, and gifts. 

State Street Coffee – Located in uptown, the patio is very spacious and dog friendly. State Street uses unique brewing methods to create its craft drinks and offers a small menu of tacos and donuts. There is plenty of work space inside as well.

Images via Alex Phillips.

Need more Dallas recommendations? Check out my posts here:

Statler Hotel

Dallas Date Night Ideas

Favorite Hotels in Dallas

Favorite Places to Shop in Dallas

Favorite Restaurants in Dallas