The lake was still tranquil aside from ripples caused by occasional jumping fish and gentle swirls from the paddle blade. The morning was peaceful, birds stretched their wings in the cooler air before heat drove them into thick tree cover, their tweets lyrical and apolitical. After 45 minutes of cruising the Colorado River, I steered...Read More

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you don’t need to wear matching shirts to have a great girls’ trip. Nor do you have to be celebrating an impending marriage or birthday.  You can and should plan a girls’ trip because it’s medically proven that fun and friendships are good for your body...Read More

“Looking for recommendations for a girls’ trip!” “Taking hubby away for a long weekend, suggestions?” “Need a fun weekend getaway less than three hours by air.” They’re all over Preston Hollow and Park Cities neighborhood Facebook groups; requests for recommendations for girls’ trips, weekend getaways with the hubby, and easy family trips. Oh, and spring...Read More

Pimento cheese and palmetto trees, cobblestone streets and charming, colorful architecture are hallmarks of Charleston. Ranked by Travel + Leisure magazine 10 years running as America’s favorite city, Charleston is rich in history and contemporary attractions. Like many of you, I have been to Charleston to partake in fresh oysters, sweat through walking tours of downtown, and...Read More

Last year I read “Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett, one of my favorite contemporary authors. It’s set in a fictional lakeside town in Michigan, a place that Patchett paints as close to perfect with a cool, swimmable lake, a community theater, restaurants, and nature all around.  I’d never been to a place like that and...Read More

Portugal is the new destination darling. The small, western-most European country, known for its colorful azulejos, or ceramic blue tiles, that adorn commercial and residential buildings, palaces, and monuments, is all the rage right now.  Instagram feeds are reeling with photos and videos of our friends and neighbors posing on the Pink Street, the Peña...Read More

One of my greatest luxuries in life is to go to a spa for a few days to immerse myself in a culture of body, mind, and spiritual wellness. Sure, there are magnificent resorts that include a spa as a guest amenity to enjoy while on vacation; but visiting a spa resort, an enveloping oasis...Read More

The Michelin Guide was created by the founders of Michelin Tires in 1900 to promote the demand for cars, thereby increasing tire sales. The guide originated in France and provided drivers with maps, suggested places to visit, dine, explore, and even get their cars serviced. There were only 3,000 cars on the road back then...Read More

Travel during the holidays is sometimes motivated by guilt: “Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go,” and all that. Our To-Do Lists are filled with holiday-related errands and tasks, so the fun kind of travel, the day trips and staycations, don’t happen like they do the other 47 weeks of...Read More

“Texas. It’s Like a Whole Other Country.” Remember that campaign from a few years back? It’s a catchy slogan and all, but it’s true. Texas IS like a whole other country compared to the other 49 states, and within the confines of our friendly, anthropomorphic cowboy-shape of a state, there’s still diversity. Take Dallas versus...Read More