The Only 7 Places You'll Find Me Outdoors this Summer

I truly, honestly think I've begun to adapt to Summer in Texas. Summers in Virginia and Tennessee are completely different. The Summer I grew up with is humid and sticky. The Summer in Texas boarders on torture, but as long as my hair isn't frizzing up into a big ball of fuzz, I can hang. With that said, most of the time you'll find me inside, but on the rare occasion I'm outside this Summer, here are the only places you'll find me!

1. Mutts

I have declared my love for Mutts on more occasions than I can count. For those who don't know, Mutts is a dog park that serves food, drinks and wifi. You can pay as you go, or purchase a membership. Gee, Veenie and I hang here all the time and all 3 of us highly recommend it. Well, Gee says there aren't enough squirrels, but other than that, we recommend.

2. The Golf Course

Normally I love playing golf, but the past two times CB and I have gone to play I've been TURRIBLE *Charles Barkley Voice*. I'm actively trying not to let the number of worm burners I've hit recently kill my spirit!

3. Our patio

Once I load up on the mosquito repellent, I love lounging with the pups on the patio! Side note, anyone know of any alternatives to bug spray that work? I'm not talking some frufru nonsense, because I'm a mosquito magnet and I normally need the deep woodsmen strength spray. Has anyone tried the bracelets? Help a sister out!

4. The Adolphus Pool Deck

And NO, not just because that's where we are getting married.

Ok, JK, yes that's exactly why!

5. Trinity Groves

One of the best views in Dallas is on the pedestrian walkway at Trinity Groves. If you're visiting Dallas, this is where you need to go take photos. It's always crowded, BUT, there's plenty of room for everyone!

6. In Front of a Mural

Y'all know I can't quit the murals! They're all just SO AMAZING these days, and perfect for the gram! The heat is totally bearable when you've got a colorful background behind you.

7. Ice Cream on a Patio

You can't have a list about Summer that doesn't include Ice Cream outside! As a RaceTrac ambassador this Summer (see my previous collabs with this awesome brand HERE), you know I have to stay true to a little ice cream shop you might not have thought of visiting, RaceTrac's Swirl World. Ours even has a cute little patio and picnic tables to sit and hang out while you eat your ice cream.

RaceTrac's Swirl World offers self-serve frozen treats including frozen yogurt, ice cream and Italian ice. You can swirl as many together as you like, and even add a variety of toppings. You also have the choice of cup, sugar cone and waffle cone.

Here in Texas, during the Swirl World promotion through the end of July, cones are just 79 cents! Even after the month comes to a close, Swirl World is still way more affordable than those ice cream joints that nickel and dime you to death!

Even better, you still have a few days (through 7/31) left to enter the #HowYouSwirlWorld contest! I'm giving away a $50 RaceTrac gift card, all you have to do is tweet or instagram using the tag: #HowYouSwirlWorld, and tag me, @iamsarahwebb! That simple.

So, where are the only places you can be found outside this Summer? 

Thank you to RaceTrac for sponsoring this post!

All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For the Girl Always on Her Computer

Thank you to Foster Grant Eyezen for sponsoring this post, all thoughts an opinions are my own!

I wake up at 6:30am and after my 50 minute drive to work in rush hour, I'm at my computer by 8am. I'm on my computer from 8am-5pm, with the exception of my lunch break where I'm usually on my phone trying to get some Instagram stuff done. By that I mean I sit in my car listening to Dr. Laura and watching Instagram stories during the commercials. Go ahead, judge, there's no shame on my end. 

By the time 5pm rolls around, I sit for an hour in lovely rush hour traffic again and after dinner - sometimes a workout - I'm sitting curled up with CB on the couch with my laptop. On the weekends I do my best to unplug to some extent (which is why you don't usually see too many Instagram posts from me on the weekends) but during the week I'm on my computer or phone constantly. I found the absolute coolest new product for anyone who is on their computer or phone most of the day - soooo, all of you I assume. They're called Foster Grant Eyezen and they're by Foster Grant Eyezen. They retail for only $34.99 and are a game changer for all you boss ladies out there on your computer 24/7.

CB told me I looked hot in them so that was really all it took for them to win me over! LOLS!

These non-prescription digital glasses help relax your eyes and also help fight potentially harmful blue light emitted from tech devices. And they fight the temporary effects of digital eye strain. Being on the computer or phone all day is obviously not unheard of in 2017. Most people spend at least 12 hours a day consuming media and nearly 60% of people use their smartphones before bed and right when they wake up. Myself included. I pick up my phone the second my alarm goes off and check email and Instagram.

Well, FIRST I hit snooze 28 times, then I check email and Insta.

Regardless, it only takes 2 hours in front of a computer to cause digital eye strain. Plus, anytime I'm on my computer or phone, I always have the brightness setting turned up as high as it will go. I can't stand uploading to Instagram without brightness cranked all the way up. I feel like if I don't have that turned up, my photo will not be edited properly.


Foster Grant Eyezen not only protects your eyes, but they have eight, on trend styles that are fashionable, and make for the perfect outfit accessory!  I don't wear reading glasses, so I felt super cute in these stylish black frames.

Be sure to check out their website here. I've been using them at my computer for a couple of weeks now and I genuinely do feel like they help. Plus my fiancéeé thinks I look hot in them so who am I to NOT wear them regularly?

Use code Eyezen20, for 20% off! This deal expires 9/30/17.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Foster Grant Eyezen.

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Dream

Pizza shirt back at it again. 

I had a dream last night that I was with a bunch of bloggers I follow, and we were all sitting in a class room. I was in the back. The professor asked the class, how many items did everyone buy from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale? 

One blogger raised her hand and said, "14 items!" 

Another raised her hand and exclaimed, "30 items!" 

Another proud blogger raised her hand and boasted, "50 items, professor!!!" 

Everyone then slow clapped in admiration for her her 50 items. 

The professor asked me, "Sarah, how many items did you buy from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?"

I looked down at my desk, blinked, took a big deep breath and said, "None, professor. I don't have a Nordstrom card." A loud gasp filled the room and everyone immediately touched their hand to their chest in pity.  Whispers of "that poor girl" and "bless her heart" filled the room. 

Oh wait, that wasn't my dream. That was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and I'm Charlie.

Please tell me I'm not the only person without a Nordstrom card? Am I?!?!?! 

ANYWAYS....

Two things I wanted to talk about today.

Thing 1: I signed up for Rent the Runway's Unlimited Program and I'm SO EXCITED ABOUT IT. I'd been thinking about joining for a while, then last week that had a 20% off your first month special and I pounced on it. You get 3 items at a time. Keep them until you're done, then send them back and pick 3 more. It's fantastic.

My first three items (here, here, here) arrived and they all fit like a glove. I was shocked and delighted. You'll see them all this weekend on our trip to Austin.

Which brings me to my next point....

Thing 2: I have a busy week this week before we head out to Austin. I mentioned partnership this last week, but we are there Thursday - Monday for a collaboration with Visit Austin. To say CB and I are pumped is a major understatement. I've been to Austin twice, but both times were for a concert so there wasn't a ton of extra exploration time.

I've got a massive list going, but I'm all ears for your recommendations on the most instagrammable spots.

For this collaboration, I'm going to be doing two different posts. One will be an Austin City Guide (hotel, entertainment, food (also yes, I'm aware that food IS entertainment)) and the other will be a mural guide to the city! FUN RIGHT?

We are staying at Hotel Van Zandt and then one night at Hotel Saint Cecilia.
So, hit me with your recs if you have any!

Ok, gotta run.
TOODLES.
LYLAS. 

What the ESPYs Taught Me

I woke up this morning with an emotional hangover. I watched the ESPYs last night (as I always do because I enjoy the pain, apparently) and if I wasn't ugly crying during the two (three?!) hour show, I had goosebumps. That's a lot for the human body to handle in a short amount of time, especially considering we fast forwarded through commercials. Legit, two straight hours of goosebumps and ugly tears. No wonder I felt all weird this morning.

If you missed it, here it is in a nutshell: U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro who was badly injured in Afghanistan when his humvee rolled over a bomb. He was in a coma for three months and was told he'd likely never walk or breathe on his own again.

He of course said F THAT and now competes in the Invictus games for power lifting and shotput and was the very first 100% combat disabled Air Force technician to re-enlist in the service.

image via   

And the tears rolled.

He then gave an acceptance speech after winning the Pat Tillman Award for service where he talked about being terrified for his son to see him for the first time. He was scared that his son would be scared of his new face.

And the tears rolled.

The son of course hugged him (what Del Toro described as "the best hug of his life") and told him he was glad to have his dad back.

And the tears rolled.

We then met Jarrius Robertson and his family. Jarrius has been all over social media, you've probably seen him on the sidelines at Saints practices or maybe at WWE events. Jarrius has had two liver transplants and 13 surgeries and is legit the happiest little kid I think I've ever seen.

In true ESPY dramatics, they tell us his entire story and the viewer is left praying this little guy is still alive. They finish the segment by telling us in April, he received a life-saving liver transplant giving him a new shot at life.

And the tears rolled.

He won the Jimmy V Perseverance Award and accepted the award looking like a stone cold boss. Check him out.

He and his dad gave a speech about being an organ donor and I simultaneously cried, got goosebumps and smiled as big as I possibly could. Go on Jarrius. You the man. He of course got a standing ovation (as did all of the night's real heroes) and....

the tears rolled.

Finally, the last ugly cry happened right before bed. Michelle Obama told us the story of Eunice Shriver's pursuit for inclusion for those with intellectual disabilities in the world of sports. I am nothing short of embarrassed to say, I didn't know the story of Eunice's journey to founding one of the most revolutionary organizations on the planet, the Special Olympics.

Several athletes also helped to tell Eunice's story. These select athletes told us how they were bullied, pushed into lockers, made fun of, mocked and shied away from ever striking up conversation with their peers because they were embarrassed and ashamed of their disability. They told their story about how competing in the Special Olympics single handedly gave them the confidence they had been lacking their whole life.

And the tears rolled.

Eunice made it her life's mission for inclusion in sports. She did it. In a time (60s-70s) when women didn't have a platform she found and fought for a platform, and in my opinion she legitimately changed the world with the creation of the Special Olympics. Last night we learned that 250 million people in this world have an intellectual disability and thanks to Eunice, they now have a place to compete in sports.

Her son, Tim Shriver accepted the award and gave an insanely powerful speech on her behalf. Eunice passed away in 2009, but I certainly hope that she was able to see her son, and the eight athletes who helped tell her story, so beautifully accept the Arthur Ashe courage award on her behalf.

I went to bed last night snuggled up in CB's nook, as I always do, but last night I had a very full heart. Each year, I watch the ESPYs and each year they teach me something different. This year, the ESPYs taught me that the world of sports is so much more than the NBA or NFL. It's so much more than Steph's 200 million dollar contract. It's so much more than if the VOLS are going to have a winning season or not.

Sports changes the lives of everyone who plays. Using sports as his personal variation of therapy helped Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro walk and breathe again, when he was told he probably never would. Hanging out with the Saints players, the girls and guys from the WWE and the LSU football team gave Jarrius Robertson the strength he needed to keep the fight going until his number was called on the liver transplant waiting list. Sports opened Diana Shilts' (and other people's) eyes to see that it's awesome to be different.

Sports changed my life. I had a really rough time in high school, I had a hard time making friends and never found my place. On the basketball court though, I always felt like I belonged. I was never intimidated on the court, I never felt like I had to say or do the right thing or I'd get made fun of. No one ever called me "pubes" (because of my curly hair) on the basketball court and it was the only place in all of Midlothian High School where I wasn't self conscious or anxious or intimidated.

Next time you think SPORTS are dumb because you see a star running back with a multi-million dollar contract arrested on drug charges, remember that the world of sports does so much good that never gets talked about in the media.

There is so much more to the world of sports than what we see on TV, the ESPYs last night taught me that.

A Dallasite's Weekend Guide to WinStar World Casino

One of our absolute favorite weekend getaways from Dallas is to WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma. It's a super easy drive from Dallas, under an hour and a half, and an awesome, easy weekend getaway with something for everyone. When they contacted me and asked if I wanted to come have 24 hours of fun, well that was a no-brainer! HECK YES I DO! 

WinStar has everything you could ever want in a resort. They of course have a full casino complete with poker room, black jack tables and more slot machines than you could ever imagine. In addition to the casino, the resort is jam packed with amenities like a world-class spa, 36 holes of golf with unlimited bottles of water included at every turn, MIST their night club and two beautiful resort style pools with a full service bar. 

This past Friday, I took a half day at work and headed to Denton (on the way to WinStar) to pick up CB for our 24 hours of excitement at WinStar. I had already hit the ATM, one thing I certainly recommend doing before you go to avoid any ATM fees at the casino. On the way, we had lunch at Rusty Taco which makes for a great pit stop to break up the drive. 

Oh, and makes for great content for Dallas Love List. But that is neither here nor there, jk Dallas Love List content it's always here AND there. Whatever that means.

After tacos, we jumped in the car and hopped back on the highway. The drive from Denton was a short 45 minutes. When we got to WinStar we dropped our car off with the valet which is TOTALLY FREE! Not bad, right?

For the trip, we had VIP check-in which made things SO SMOOTH. I don't think we waited more than 2 minutes to get checked in and get our keys to the room. Our room was on the 16th floor, and the view was incredible.

The bathrooms at WinStar have what I like to call Oprah lighting. I might be aging myself here, but do you remember watching Oprah and her guests were always GLOWING. Their eyes glistened, their skin looked miraculous and it was all because her set had such incredible lighting. That's the same lighting that WinStar's bathrooms have.

I of course took a shameless selfie to document.

We immediately unloaded and headed for the pool.
And by pool I mean pool bar.

We only stayed for a few hours for two reasons. Reason one, I'm not totally convinced that I acutally have pigment in my skin, so I burn way too quickly even slathered in 50SPF, and two we had a very exciting date with The Spa at WinStar.

Both CB and I had spa appointments. CB was getting a classic massage, while I had a "glow" package lined up that I was so giddy about. The glow package included a full body exfoliation/moisturizing two hour treatment.

My whole body was dry brushed, which essentially felt like a glorious back scratch that I constantly beg CB to give me (lolss), followed by exfoliation via sugar scrub, a hydrating body wrap and aromatherapy oil application.

This treatment was EV-ER-EY-THING.

It was the best of both worlds. If you're looking for a massage, this is the way to go. If you're looking for a deeply conditioning, reparative and moisturizing skin treatment this is also the way to go. She worked out all of my kinks (there were quite a few), helped with the pain I have in my neck from when I do spin class and left my skin feeling SILKY SMOOTH. I seriously couldn't stop touching my skin. It was incredible.

The only downside was how sad I felt when it came to an end! But, alas, it was time to have dinner and party the night away with CB.

CB loved his massage as well, but since his was a bit shorter, when he finished up he headed down to the poker room while I got ready for the evening.

For dinner, we went to their Italian restaurant called Capisce Ristorante Italiano. I had a drity gin martini (always my go to) and the gnocchi which was excellent and CB had the special ravioli for the evening and a glass of pinot noir.

We also gambled, duh! I loved the new kiosks for reprinting your player's club card. The player's club card is their reward system. In the past, reprinting a card has kind of been a pain in the butt, but this was so easy, the kiosk printed mine in all of 2 minutes.

After some slots and blackjack, we called it a night.

We woke up the next morning, excited for golf at 10am! The course was actually just expanded to 36 holes, so we were pumped to have the privilege of getting to play! There are two, full 18-hole courses: Redbud and Scissortail. We were assigned to Redbud, and much to my relief we didn't have to pair up with anyone! Even though I'm really not bad at golf, I get nervous hitting in front of other people, that was SUCH a relief.

It was swelteringly hot outside (hello, Oklahoma in July) and CB and I were both RIDICULOUSLY impressed by the amount of water available to us on the course. The only kind of water I prefer to see on a course is via bottles, as opposed to bodies of water I have to hit my golf ball over to reach the green.

It felt like every few holes there were giant coolers filled with ICE COLD bottles of water so we could stay hydrated. There were even towels iced down to drape over your neck. It was a really lovely touch that did not go unnoticed.

Speaking of lovely touches, I didn't have the "touch" around the greens that day. I didn't play very well, but CB and I sure had a blast spending the day on the links together.

After golf, we loaded up our clubs, said our goodbyes and headed for the highway.

We had such a wonderful time and of course will be back sooner rather than later.
Partially because I forgot to cash in my voucher from the slot machines, but mostly because WinStar is such an easy and awesome getaway from Dallas for a weekend of fun.

Plus, I hear that my boy Willy Nelson will be there in November at the Global Event Center and I couldn't possibly miss that event for the world!

For more info on WinStar and to book a room, check out their website HERE!

Don't Wait for Opportunities to Come to You

Don't you hate it when you wake up in the middle of the night with an amazing blog post idea and think, "Man, I really should write that down." but then are way too lazy and you just roll over and fall back asleep thinking, "Nahhhhh, I'll remember it. It's too good to forget." 

Yeah, me either. 

JK JK JK JK. I did this last night and totally forgot what it was. I'm sure it was totally riveting though, perhaps even a viral game changer post that everyone would fall in love with and I'd gain instant blogging fame. Alas, the genius idea is gone and although I've been trying to remember it all morning, I've got nothing. 

CB and I had a whirlwind of a weekend, one that I'll be updating you more on as the week goes. On Friday, we took a half day because Winstar World Casino (about an hour and 10 minutes from Dallas) invited us out for 24 hours of fun! We had an amazing time even though I gave them a lot of my money via the black jack tables. More on that later this week though.

Yesterday CB and I had a full day of playing tourist in Dallas. We found a new neighborhood we want to live in, tried a few new restaurants and visited the Farmers Market. I also took photos for several different blog posts in the EXACT same outfit. Please do not judge me, but in my defense, it's a very good outfit with the focal point being a t-shirt that says the word PIZZA in giant letters and nothing else. If you would, please just act surprised each time you see it during the month of July. I promise I have other clothes, but changing in and out of new outfits in July heat is no fun. Nobody got time for that. 

Last night we went to an unlimited food and wine event - my favorite kind of event, duh. I thought I'd give y'all a little bit of background on how I get tickets to these events for free. It's pretty complex and detailed process and it requires a ton of work on your part.

NOT - I literally just ask for tickets.

I have no secrets, no tricks up my sleeve. I just simply ask. 90% of the time I get a yes. 10% of the time they don't respond at all. I don't think I've ever gotten a no. 

Not only do I ask, but I ask for a specific number and type of ticket. I also tell them what I'll do for them in return: ticket giveaway on instagram prior to the event, social shares during the event, several on insta stories, and a blog post after the event, filled with high-quality photos. The email request I send is short, sweet, to the point and includes a specific request, followed by what's in it for them. 

The vast majority of events I go to for Dallas Love List, I was not invited to, rather I had to ask for it. So, this is your daily Monday reminder to go ask for something you want this week. Whether it be a ticket to a foodie event in your hometown, a collaboration with a clothing company you look up to or even a hotel stay for the next trip you have planned.

Don't wait for opportunities to come to you. Go get them yourself.