Dallas Farmer's Market; Italy in My Heart

We took a quick trip to the Dallas Farmer’s Market last week. Yes it was warm, but so much fun. We checked out cute shops and fresh produce. We walked around Ruibal’s, a nursery in downtown and checked out all the beautiful plants they offer to the public. After coming home from Italy I have been obsessed with flowers, especially bougainvillea which beautifully adorn the buildings of Positano with different shades of magenta. After seeing that Ruibal’s sells it and getting some tips from one of the workers there, I have made it a mission to grow it in my garden! I’ll let you know how that goes…

Before we knew it our tummy’s were rumbling so we headed to Velvet Taco and ate way too much, instead of walking it off we rode the trolley around town, same idea right? So we ended our Dallas family date with Slurpees for the boys and Fred surprised me with Gelato from Botolino in Greenville because I will just not shut up about how I miss eating gelato everyday when we were in Italy.

Growing bougainvillea, eating gelato, Italy will forever be a part of me. A sweet lady from my church, Janine, told me I would never be the same in the best possible way after going to Italy. I think she was right.

Valentine's Date in Deep Ellum

On Saturday Fred treated me to an early Valentine’s Day Date. He knows me too well and planned it just right.

Dallas, Food, Duh.

While a girl can eat a big meal, trust me… I’m more of the tapas philosophy, small bites so I can try a little of everything and take my time. So Fred decided to take me out to eat small bites at a few different spots.

We started our date at Jimmy’s Food Store, the best Italian market in Dallas. Italian cuisine and culture is so near and dear to us and being in Jimmy’s Food Store makes me feel like I’m there though I've never been but I like to pretend while i’m there! You can buy a glass of wine to sip on while you shop. You’re completely surrounded by every imported Italian ingredient you might ever need along with local goods. I found the perfect pasta noodles for my Galentine’s Party coming up and we bought our meats we needed for pizza night from the deli, the deli!!! At the deli you can buy sandwiches, the most amazing sandwiches in town, Fred and I split a prosciutto caprese sandwich, soo tasty!

We then headed to Deep Ellum, one of my favorite spots in Dallas. We walked around the outdoor market, hit up a few shops like Jade & Clover and Archer Paper Goods, seriously adorable shops!

Then came our second food stop, Revolver Taco. We had authentic street tacos with wagyu beef carne asada, cilantro and onions! The best part? There’s an abuelita in the kitchen making your tortillas, (insert tears of joy here) and you can actually see her throwing it down in a cute Mexican apron. You won’t find your typical Texas “fajita meat” tacos here, just the real good carne asada.

We ended our date with dessert at Emporium Pies. It was my first time checking out the Deep Ellum location so I was really excited to check out their floral mural, insta worthy. They have their seasonal “Valenpies” I had to go with the Dr. Love pie, a gooey brownie with red velvet cream cheese, need I say more?

Though it was a chilly 30 some degree date, my super hot Valentine kept me warm, like literally, my thoughtful Fred even bought me hand warmers to put inside the pockets of my coat. Thank you Fred for always loving me, caring for me, spoiling me. I love you my dearest Valentine.