DFW & Texas Guides

Whether you live in the Dallas–Fort Worth area or are planning a visit, this page collects my firsthand guides to local experiences, dog-friendly outings, gardening in the Texas climate, and everyday life in Arlington.

I live in Arlington and write about places I have personally visited, activities I have tried, and lessons from my own North Texas home and garden. Use the sections below to find an outing, plan something with your dogs, or learn from my beginner-gardening experiments.

Things to Do Around Dallas–Fort Worth

A Relaxing Girls’ Day at WorldSprings — My experience combining massages, mineral pools, and a cabana for a restorative day in The Colony.
Daydream Bookstore Café in Arlington — A firsthand visit to this romance-focused bookstore and café, including what makes it worth a local stop.
Tulip Picking Near Dallas–Fort Worth — What it was like to visit Texas-Tulips for a colorful seasonal outing.

Dog-Friendly DFW

Fort Worth Botanic Garden Pup Club — What I experienced on my first visit with Walt and Lilly, including arrival, parking, shade, benches, and what I recommend bringing.
Why R&B Dog Bakery Is Our Favorite Dog Bakery in DFW — Where Walt and Lilly celebrate their birthdays and why we keep returning.
A Tail-Wagging Grand Opening at Geyer Commons — Our experience at the dog-friendly grand opening and why we planned another visit.

Gardening in North Texas

The Flowers and Garden Favorites Turning My Texas Home Into a Cottage Garden Dream — The plants and garden details I chose while creating a softer cottage-garden feel in the Texas climate.
Texas Tomato Harvest Update — What happened when my cherry tomatoes began producing and what I learned from the growing season.
What I’d Do Differently Next Summer as a Beginner Gardener — The changes I would make after experiencing a full North Texas summer garden.

Living in Arlington

Why Viridian Changed How I Feel About Master-Planned Communities — The neighborhood features and daily-life conveniences that make me want to stay.

Where to Begin

If you want a local outing, start with my WorldSprings girls’ day or Daydream Bookstore Café. Dog owners can begin with the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Pup Club guide. If you are gardening in North Texas, read what I would do differently before planning your next summer garden.

I will keep this page updated as I explore more of DFW and publish new North Texas guides.

These guides reflect my personal experiences. Details such as hours, prices, policies, and seasonal availability can change, so confirm current information with the venue before visiting.

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My Mahjong Starter Haul: The Prettiest Tiles, Mats, and Accessories Worth the Splurge

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If you’ve ever tried to travel with a full Mahjong set, you already know the struggle— they are HEAVY . Like… carry-on regret heavy. So when I started planning upcoming trips, I knew I needed a lightweight, portable Mahjong set that wouldn’t take up half my suitcase—but still felt fun and high quality. After a few weeks of research, I finally found it: the My Fair Mahjong Anywhere Tiles … and honestly? I’m a little obsessed. Why I Chose a Travel Mahjong Set My goal was simple: Something lightweight and compact Easy to bring on trips (or even toss in a tote) Still cute and aesthetic (because obviously that matters) I’m also hoping to find some fellow Mahj players while traveling—but even if not, I fully plan to enjoy a little solo mahjong (solomahj!) moment wherever I go. What Comes in the My Fair Mahjong Anywhere Set I went with the Pink Mini Anywhere Series , and here’s exactly what you get: 160 mini Mahjong tiles 4 mini wooden racks 2 dice Tile gr...

Curated By Shelley

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