jillivictorio@gmail.com /

  1. Traditions & Something New

Peonies (our wedding flower) on every anniversary, June 21

For our ten year anniversary, we renewed our vows in Hawaii and took professional photos. A year later on our eleventh anniversary, John and I woke up excitedly that we didn’t have to work this day as we both took the day off, and beautiful peonies (our wedding flower) greeted me on the breakfast table. I also got a text from our contractor that he was on his way to our home to start demo on our kitchen that morning – exciting times! (More to come on our new reno project). John and I exchanged the traditional wedding gifts. We usually have an idea of what we’re getting each other, but it’s still fun choosing and shopping for the gift. The traditional gift for an 11th wedding anniversary is Steel. We knew exactly what we wanted to gift each other as it is also something we’ve needed for the house and that we’d get a ton of use out of. I’ve wanted these steel Yeti wine tumblers for quite sometime to use at the pool, or while traveling/camping. Yeti makes really great high quality ones so I got John a black steel wine tumbler and he got me the pink steel wine tumbler. Cheers!

 

2. Anniversary Trip

We finally broke away from the kids for an overnight trip to San Antonio to stay at one of my bucket list hotels, the Hotel Emma.  John and I don’t get many date nights so it was nice to be out without kids for once. If we really wanted to, we could ask my dad to watch the kids and make date night a priority, but because he already watches Baron during the day, Monday to Friday, which is a huge help to us, we don’t want to take advantage of his time and we respect his time. But for  special occasions such as John’s and my wedding anniversary, we do make special arrangements in advance for childcare and we are so grateful for the extra time for John and myself.  I assume this may be a challenge with balance that many married couples with children face and understand that we could improve on this area in the following year. More on this later.

So today I want to recap our 11th wedding anniversary.

First things first- we NEED talk about this hotel. We first discovered Hotel Emma last winter on our first visit to San Antonio. We didn’t stay at the hotel, but we dined and drank around the Pearl, and toured the property and grounds. I just knew John and I would have to come back for a weekend getaway without the kids. As our 11th anniversary was approaching, we booked the last River Terrace room! It really might be the most gorgeous hotel we’ve ever had the pleasure of patronizing. You step onto the grounds and you feel as if you’ve been transported to Europe. Just look at this place-

Lobby

 

Lobby

Lobby

For starters, the attentive staff welcomes you with their signature cocktail La Babia, in their amazing library. For any fellow bibiophiles, this library needs to be on your bucket list asap.

Hotel Emma Library

The rooms are gorgeous. We opted for the River Terrace Room because this balcony!  The hotel was definitely a splurge but we don’t go out as often and we love treating ourselves on our anniversary so we went for it. Man was it the right decision. We’ve never felt to utterly spoiled at a hotel. This terrace was my favorite feature as it was our own private little sanctuary to enjoy a glass of wine, or morning coffee with a cozy fire and overlooking the river.

So in love with the bathroom design – vintage mixed with industrial and old world charm and all. the. brass. accents.

To our delight, a beautiful plate of chocolate covered strawberries that John had arranged was on our table upon arriving to our room. A surprise bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice and a handwritten note was left by the Culinary Concierge.

We headed up to the rooftop pool to check out the views before getting ready for dinner.

Outfit Details:  Jumpsuit: A New Day |  Sandals: Teva

We eventually pried ourselves away from the hotel and headed out to dinner and explored the Pearl District. The hotel shuttle will take you downtown but since our dinner reservation was so close to our hotel, we wanted to walk to dinner and enjoy the sights around the Pearl on this beautiful first day of summer.

Coincidentally, J-Lo was also leaving the hotel lobby at the same time as she was headed out to her concert that night. I don’t usually get starstruck, but I thought it was cool that even a-list celebs love the Hotel Emma.


For dinner we enjoyed a beautiful dinner at Cured, just a few minutes walk from the hotel.  We’ve always enjoyed going to out special restaurants in Seattle and the Eastside for our anniversary dinners, and we were looking for a comparable experience in San Antonio. We believe we found just the spot at Cured. At first glance, the building reminded me of one of John’s and my old favorite date night restaurants in Madison Park, Madison Park Conservatory (RIP) with its cozy atmosphere, reclaimed and exposed wood and brick interiors.

Cured specializes in charcuterie boards and house-cured meats. Overall food was delicious, ambiance was beautiful with warm exposed brick, ornate details and elevated updates throughout the interior in a historical atmosphere. The building used to be the Pearl’s Administration Building built in 1904 and has been lovingly restored. As you enter the building, a large charcuterie case shows off hanging meat in the dining room; it’s stocked with options like smoked vealwurst, smoked duck ham, and jalapeño sausages.

I loved everything we ordered, but favorite dish was the Beet, Avocado and Citrus Salad.  The flavors and textures just remind of the delicious farm to table foods we enjoyed in the PNW.

Aged pork belly, bresaola, smoked double barrel cheddar, pink lemonade jam

 

Avocado, Beet & Citrus Salad

 

Wagyu Beef Short Ribs

After dinner we ended the night with a gorgeous stroll at sunset along the famed San Antonio River Walk, followed by more champagne, macarons and turndown service.

River Walk

Outfit Details | Crop Knit Top: Zara similar here | Blazer: Wild Fable | Shorts: Prologue |  Sandals: Sam Edleman, similar here

 

When we returned back to our room, THESE were waiting for us. At Hotel Emma, turn down service comes with macarons. Every. Night. Winning.

Turn Down Service with Macarons!

We made ourselves right at home lounging in these amazing lightweight cotton Guyarobes by Dos Carolinas made exclusively for Hotel Emma.

 

In the morning, you can ring downstairs and hot, freshly brewed coffee magically appears in your room, or you can head down to the Library and enjoy the same freshly brewed Merit Coffee at the coffee cart with an assortment of continental breakfast pastries.

We opted to do both because the library is just so fabulous – had one cup of coffee there and brought more coffee up to our room to enjoy on our terrace.

I find that the best time for truly experiencing architecture during travel and resort amenities is very early in the morning before the crowds come down or arrive. Since becoming a mother I’ve been an early riser and just can’t sleep in. I am a morning person and love quiet mornings exploring hotel grounds without any distractions. The stunning Southerleigh is a hidden gem tucked in the Hotel Emma. Truly a treat for the senses, we got to admire all the rich architectural and design elements that went into this building and had the place pretty much to ourselves.

Pearl Farmers Market

I’m so glad we made plans to visit the Pearl Farmers Market. This has got to be one of my favorite farmers markets I’ve been and we’ve been to a lot!  The Pearl Farmers Market is held every Saturdays and set up along the beautiful outdoor space through the Pearl grounds, which is also just outside the hotel, hosting local produce, meat & cheese producers, fresh flowers, fresh baked goods, live music & cooking demos. It is also very family-friendly with a splash pad for kids in the middle of the plaza. This is the perfect spot to grab breakfast or lunch and a bistro table while the kids splash or run around the park.

Outfit Details | Dress: A New Day |  Sandals: Teva

 

Before checking out of our hotel, we had to stop by the gift shop to pick up a bottle of the most wonderful scent we experienced throughout the hotel during our stay – Milagros by Soular Therapy designed and produced this exquisite room fragrance exclusively for Hotel Emma. The spring and summer aromas of amber, sandalwood, oakmoss, and citrus greeted and followed us throughout the property and we wanted to experience the same aromas at home. I never knew ‘scent marketing’ was a thing but I’m now a believer!

Scent Marketing definition by Air Aroma: By using scent, brands are able to connect with consumers on a deeper emotional level, resulting in a more memorable experience. Scent can attract new customers, increase sales, heighten value perception, and expand brand recognition and customer satisfaction.

 

After a weekend of being wooed by Hotel Emma and her gorgeous architecture, attentive staff, macarons, champagne, and coffee, we were refreshed and ready to go home to see our kids and how the demo was coming along. Besides, isn’t that one of the best things about getting away? At the end, as much as we love a luxurious getaway, we’re ready to go home. And we’re reminded of how special home is and how much we love being at home with our little family.

3. Notes on 11 years of marriage

Over the years, each person learns that marriage isn’t all about spending every waking moment together, it’s more about discovering our individual dreams, talents and challenges and growing together and as one as lovers, best friends, partners, and companions. As a family.

Marriage is a time of constant learning and adjusting. It’s the time of endless self-discovery and growth. The journey continues, but every year there is something new. That, is my reality of our marriage in the 11th year.

What does your marriage look like today?

jillivictorio@gmail.com /

The highly anticipated House of Dior exhibit, Dior: From Paris to the World, opened at the Dallas Museum of Art last Sunday and I just had to get my fashion fix with an early peek.

The exhibit profiles both Christian Dior himself and the fashion house’s artistic directors including Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri.

Featuring almost 200 haute couture dresses, as well as accessories, photos, original sketches, runway videos and other archival material, this exhibit is one of the most beautiful displays I have ever seen.

As you enter, you’re surrounded by outfits from “The New Look,” 18 black and white looks. The collection’s two main lines, the Corolle and the En 8, set the stage for fashion in the 1950s.

 

Next you go into the “Office of Dreams,” a collection of 22 white toiles or mock-ups in plain cotton muslin.

 

 

 

 

While these displays were impressive, the runway hall was fun to walk through as your unexpectedly step into the “From Paris to the World” hall. It’s filled with 57 designs, propped up high, allowing you to look up in awe as you approach the back wall, which is also gasp-worthy. Thirteen dresses are highlighted in their own little cubbies, reaching high up to the ceiling.

 

 

Dallas Museum of Art’s 40-foot-high Barrel Vault gives this striking display maximum impact, providing the Dallas exhibit with something that the Denver exhibit did not have.

 

 

“Splendors of the 18th Century” shows Dior’s desire to bring the flamboyance of 18th-century France into modern life.

Lastly, “Fields to Flowers” conveys Dior’s belief that “After women, flowers are the most divine creations.”

 

I left this exhibit feeling inspired and refreshed seeing all the beautiful fashion, art and designs. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to move, live, work, raise my family, and pursue my passions in a new city where fashion is celebrated in a big way.

This quote pretty much sums up how I feel about moving here.

 

‘Dior: From Paris To The World’ is on display at the DMA May 19, 2019 to September 1, 2019. Timed tickets can be purchased here. 

 

jillivictorio@gmail.com /

Outfit Details: Crepe Blazer: Zara sold out (similar here), Floral Pants , Mules 

 

“What’s your style mood?”

The endless winter weather has us dreaming of color and warmer weather, and spring is just around the corner.

Infusing color into your winter wardrobe can lift your style and your mood, elevate seasonal neutrals, and can give a traditional print or floral a modern edge. Look for winter and early spring pieces that can be worn now, and into the warmer months ahead. The stores are blooming with florals this season, from moody and dark to bright and bold. Our old friend, neon, has reappeared, adding nostalgic sass.

On Friday, I attended The Spring Fashion Presentation hosted by Neiman Marcus Fort Worth. The Neiman Marcus team is taking a fresh perspective on the new season, working in terms of mood, rather than trend—style over “rules.” Moods change like the weather, so have fun creating a wardrobe that suits you whatever your daily inclination or inspiration.

The room was filled with many creative women in media and the industry, and all around style enthusiasts.  Some whose work I have followed and admired since moving to DFW, and others who I met and whose social media I recently discovered.

 

Without further delay, here are the five Style Moods presented for SS 2019:

The Hopeless Romantic

Layers of ruffles, sweeping pleats, ribbon bows and floral prints paired with a full range of chromatic values make a strong showing. White is a major player too, from statement shirts with feminine silhouettes to embroidered dresses. Strong but sweet makes a point.

This gorgeous number by Elliatt is perfect for a spring occasion whether it be Easter, a luncheon, tea, or a spring wedding.

Free Spirit

There’s wanderlust, and then there is truly artful travel. Choose a big, printed bag for both form and function, one where you can tuck all the essentials for a trip. The textures, rich color and tone of woven straw like this Rebecca Minkoff Straw Circle Tote and free-flowing fabrics like these Satin Cropped Cargo Pants conjure the relaxed feel of going where the wind takes you.

Colorful Personality

Nothing lightens a mood like a pop of color. Whether you add a colored bag or shoe to your look, or go bolder with a statement piece. Don’t shy away from a bit of neon; it adds a chic dimension to any look. We loved the bright colored Balenciaga minibags worn with everything from denim shorts to playful dresses.

 

Urban Sophisticate

In the mood for something sleek? Go for low-key neutrals, which are often seen in fall fashion, but reimagined in spring looks. Camel, rust, cream, taupe and black lend sophistication. Leopard on leopard was a hit on the runway. The Veronica Beard Double-Breasted Leopard Print Jacket is an investment piece that can be worn dressed up or dressed down. Here it is shown dressed up with sequins with the Dolce Gabbana High Rise Leopard Pants.

 

Go-Getter

Get ready to take on the week with modern, layered pieces made for maneuvering around the town.  Alice & Olivia’s Floral print bomber or duster paired with biker shorts work well together, whether dressing for work or play. Wear the Rag & Bone White Kitten Heel Booties, which will go with literally anything in your closet, or rock the Gucci platform sneakers for a bite of street style. Add a statement fanny pack or boob bag in a bright white like the fabulous fun of this Rebecca Minkoff Belt Bag.

For a more casual weekend or travel look, finish the look off with a Teva style sandal which I was especially excited to see incorporated into the style moods. I’ve been seeing Tevas all over NYFW posts and this 90s sandal is back and better than ever. For a designer take on the Teva, check out the Prada Grip-Strap Sandal.

So what’s YOUR FAVORITE STYLE MOOD? I would love to hear how you are going to try on style moods this Spring!

 

jillivictorio@gmail.com /

We recently got back from a Colorado Winter Vacation to Breckenridge and it was a great experience to travel to Colorado and the Rocky Mountains for the first time.  The kids haven’t seen snow since we moved to Texas from the PNW and snow was one of their wishes for Christmas. We loaded up the truck, kids and snow gear, and we were off on our first long road trip. 13+ hours to be exact.  Needless to say, I was beyond excited for snow, a cozy cabin, fires, and winter mountain vibes.

This trip, we headed to the ski town of Breckenridge, located at the base of the Tenmile Range, with an elevation of about 9,600 ft above sea level. Breckenridge is an authentic mountain town with tons of charm and attractions on Main St. which we were lucky enough to experience during Christmas.

 

Airbnb Cabin

We arrived to our Airbnb, and our cabin was just as charming and lovely as the pictures shown in the listing. The Swiss Chalet style a-frame cabin tucked high above the mountains has a spectacular view of Peak 8. The cabin was cozy, warm, inviting and decorated in vintage ski decor.

It was so nice to have a warm and cozy cabin with all the amenities to come back to after a day on the slopes. We enjoyed cooking some of our meals in the cabin’s fully stocked kitchen, and the kids enjoyed baking cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve night in anticipation of Santa’s arrival on Christmas morning.

View of Peak 8 from the deck

Breckenridge Nordic Center

On Christmas morning we went on a family snowshoe hike at the Breckenridge Nordic Center. The trails offer magnificent scenery of the Ten Mile Range and Breckenridge Ski Resort surrounded by beautiful spruce forests and spectacular views.  The Nordic Chalet at the trailhead area houses equipment rentals, retail, snacks, drinks, and a wood burning fireplace that is the perfect spot to warm up with a beverage after your snowshoe adventure.

John and I have loved snowshoeing since our first snowshoe adventure date in the Olympic National Park in 2006 and we’ve tried to continue snowshoe hikes every year as our schedules would allow. We wanted to share this snowshoeing experience with our family too and found it to be a great Christmas Day activity to enjoy the great outdoors and exercise.

Children’s igloo at the start of the trails

 

 

 

 

At the end of our hike, ready for a hot drink!

 

Peak views from Breckenridge Overlook

Outfit Details: Beanie: Rossignol, Jacket: SAM, Base layer and Pants: TopShop Sno, Boots: Danner from 2016
Get The Look: Ski Weekend Style Inspo

Breckenridge Ski Resort

The gondola ride was a highlight for the kids. You can ride up to Peaks 7 and 8 to dine at the restaurants and take in the mountain and town views.  Unfortunately Baron got altitude sickness halfway up on the Gondola after the photo above was taken. Mom tip: carry barf bags and extra wipes!

Ski School

Jonah had his first snowboard lesson here at Breckenridge Ski School. The staff were incredibly helpful, so friendly and passionate about what they do, and it shows!  The check-in process for ski school was smooth and well-organized. There are two places you can choose to have lessons – The Village and Peak 8. We chose Peak 8 since the location was convenient for us and we knew we would be dining on Peak 8 later in the day.

Jonah, happy and tired after a full day of learning and riding!

With this being our first time to Breckenridge, we had no idea just how huge and majestic this ski resort was. Breckenridge has 5 peaks, 187 trails, 2,908 acres and the highest lift-served terrain in North America – WOW!
The mountain stats are so impressive that they even have a new trail map created by trail map artist James Niehues.

Photo courtesy of Breckenridge Ski Resort

Dinner at Robbie’s Tavern

After a long day on the slopes or in the cold, there’s nothing better than hot comfort food. Robbie’s Tavern is conveniently located slope side on Peak 8 just a few minutes walk from Jonah’s snowboard lessons. The restaurant has a cool outdoor patio with heatlamps and fire pits for apres ski and drinks.  It started to snow so we opted to sit inside and after a full day or riding, Jonah did not want to be outdoors any longer.
I ordered the lamb gyro and it was perfect.
John got the chili cheese fries
I wish I would have gotten the hot chocolate! They look like this:

Photo by Robbie’s Tavern

Description: Robbie’s Peppermint Patty is a delicious beverage mixed with Peppermint Schnapps and a rich hot chocolate mix.  It’s topped with a mountain of whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candy.

 Main Street

Downtown Breckenridge’s Main Street is the quintessential mountain town filled with charming boutiques, shops and restaurants, with all the Christmas feels, like a scene from a Hallmark movie 😉

Main Street at night is like no other. Every single Victorian building home and business is beautifully lit in Christmas lights. This one was my favorite you can spot from miles away.

A family trip wouldn’t be complete if someone didn’t get sick.

Travel Tips: (for Colorado first-timers combatting altitude sickness)

  1. If you’re from a low-land region like us in Texas, you’ll need time to adjust to the altitude. We didn’t take the time to adjust and just went straight to 10,000+ ft above sea level and half of our family got altitude sickness during our trip. Don’t do it.
  2. Pack and drink a ton of water. More water than you normally drink at home.
  3. Eat lots of carbs. This helps with preventing altitude sickness and improves overall wellness.  This is the one time when you can eat carbs to your hearts desire and it is highly encouraged! Lots of carbs like kettle chips, bread, bagels, fries.
  4. Pack mini oxygen tanks.

 

Leaving Breck

Overall, despite the temporary altitude sickness, we enjoyed our winter vacation with our family and our kids had the most fun and made some amazing memories on our first visit to Colorado during Christmas. We would love to come back to this beautiful state and experience more ski towns and see the many other family-friendly ski resorts. What are your favorite family-friendly ski resorts you recommend in Colorado?

jillivictorio@gmail.com /

One of the many perks of traveling or moving to a new place, is discovering must-shop stops in the various cities and towns. Highland Park Village is one such find— it also happens to be America’s first outdoor shopping center, and is best known for its luxury shopping, amazing restaurants and beautiful Spanish architecture.  Highland Park Village became the prototype for retail destinations all over the country when it opened in 1931. Originally conceived to be a town center, it’s now a bustling hub for all things fashion and food.

Where to shop… anywhere you can afford, CHANEL, Hermes and Valentino have been long time staples with new designers & boutiques rotating in yearly such as Alice & Olivia, GOOP, FRAME, Dior, Vince, James Perse to name a few. My favorite new store is the hip Veronica Beard.

Where to eat… Austin favorite, Royal Blue Grocery is the spot for specialty food and market provisions and sandwiches. The tiled entry floor is instaworthy for a shoe pic! No trip is complete without a stop at the beautiful and chic Bird Bakery. They make the freshest baked goods daily, while their cafe menu features delicious fresh sandwiches featuring breads baked in house and yummy soups. They also have beautiful cakes if you’re needing something special.  The bakery is not only beautiful, but kid-friendly!  The back of the cafe has several tables, and larger farmhouse table and benches, and little TV stations for kids. For a more refined yet casual dining option, Bistro31 is the quintessential Dallas brunch spot.  The menu specializes in cuisine with French, Italian, and Spanish influences and is surrounded by European decor.  For a more cozy and luxe setting, between the bright outdoor patio and terrace villa, head up to Lounge 31 where you’ll find the most beautiful bar interior featuring a Spanish-style Carrera marble bar and an indoor champagne lounge with plush velvet tufted seating.

 

The Beautiful Bird Bakery

 

Marble and Brass throughout the interior – my two favorite materials in the world

 

Wandering and admiring all the architecture. These tiled stairs are goals!

Blazer: Save here Wild Fable Splurge here: Anine Bing | skirt and Belt Bag Who What Wear | Mules: Nic + Zoe on sale!| Eyewear: Ray Ban

 

LOCAL

Over the weekend, my family and I enjoyed a relaxing morning at HP Village LOCAL. LOCAL is a seasonal neighborhood market featuring a variety of Dallas-Fort Worth’s favorite vendors, farm-sourced produce, games and entertainment the third Saturday of each month.  Can’t wait for the next one where the weather will definitely feel more like fall. I’ll be featuring my favorite cozy fall sweaters in the next HP Village LOCAL post.