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Top 5 Places to Eat in Fort Worth

I love food. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. I. Love.Food.

I’ve always liked to go to different restaurants and try new foods. Don’t get me wrong, I get in ruts, right now I’m in a taco rut (you’ll see). But for the most part, I love exploring new areas and new cuisines. But, I’m balling on a budget. I am a college student, what else do you expect? So, these are some budget-friendly options.

Torchys

I am obsessed with tacos. Torchys has an amazing menu and their margaritas are sooo good! As soon as I turned 21 I got a margarita and a Baja Shrimp taco. SO. STINKING. GOOD. The atmosphere is more sporty they have tv’s by the bar and they have an amazing deck that is attached to a small patch of grass, perfect if you have kids.

Velvet Taco

Velvet is the restaurant that made me fall in love with tacos. In high school, I would go once a week and get their Nashville Hot Tofu and eat my heart out. I don’t know how I afforded it, but it was amazing. They are more of a restaurant that you’d go to with a group of friends. They have good beer, tacos, and a great deck. This isn’t really a place to take little kids, not a lot of room for them to get their wiggles out, but it is an amazing place for a GNO. It’s also close to West 7th, like it’s walking distance. So you can grab a taco, margarita, and then bar hop with your friends.

Righteous Foods

Righteous is higher priced, but it’s still good. Not going to lie, I was nervous the first time I went in. It looks a little pretentious and I definitely did not fit in when wearing shorts and a baggy t-shirt with my makeup. BUT, the staff made me feel comfortable and they were very informative. They have healthier food and I swear it tastes amazing. I love taking my mom or grandpa here and sitting and talking, it’s so nice!

Tokyo Cafe

Tokyo is one of my all time favorite places to get sushi. The atmosphere is amazing and the food is so good. I always get their Volcano Roll and their Tok Fries (not sure how to actually spell the name of the fries, but I tried my best). I actually met the owner once while I was working and she is super sweet. I may use that as an excuse to eat there more often… The only thing is that it’s not as budget-friendly, but it is definitely worth the investment. It’s a really cute date spot, or even if you want to dress a little nicer and take cute pictures with your friends. There is a cute mural on the building next door and it’s perfect for taking pics.

Blue Sushi

Blue sushi is another fun hangout spot. You can go with girlfriends, or on a date. And the sushi is pretty good too. They have a huge fish tank in the middle of the restaurant and it’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s also close to West 7th if you want to go bar hopping after you grab a bite! I like to dress a bit nicer (aka wear real pants and maybe actually put on a bra) when I go, but that is totally up to you! I’ve been for lunch and people dress down, during dinner they typically wear real clothes.

How I Stay Sane

Let’s be real. Life is busy. Hella busy. Especially when you are in school. Life becomes HELLA busy. If you don’t balance work/school with your social life and your alone time properly, you will drown in an ocean of tears and paperwork. Trust me, I’ve been there. We all have to draw a line somewhere. Give yourself a social media detox, homework detox, or even a life detox! TREAT YO’ SELF. It’s essential to staying sane in this world. Sometimes you even have to detox from something you love, like wine. Thankfully dry January is over and I can drink freely!

I have some go-to’s when I feel a mental breakdown coming on, or if I have. a few free hours. And to be honest, these things are life savers, I probably would have dropped out of school if I didn’t figure out how I can de-stress.

1.Watch a movie or a tv show.

Personally, I use this as a form of escapism. After school, I watch an episode of The Mindy Project or American Housewife and chill for an hour. It takes this weird weight off of my shoulders that I didn’t know what there. It gives your brain a second to chill out. Your brain is technically not a muscle, but you should treat it like one. When you take a break and watch something mindless, it is like taking a break between reps.

2. Write a to-do list (one long-term and one short-term)

I know it sounds crazy, writing two different to-do lists is a bit insane… BUT IT WORKS! I keep one daily or weekly to-do list (depending on how I feel) and one monthly to-do list. The daily/weekly to-do list helps me stay on top of homework and household chores, while the monthly list helps me keep an eye on the bigger picture (aka my new years eve resolutions).

3. Keep a planner on you at all times

I am a maniac, running around from one job to the next and to school and back… I need physically need a planner to let me know what job I am going to have to be at on what day and at what time. I even put when essays and homework are due. I highlight tests, birthdays, and pretty much anything major. It keeps this busy girl sane.

4.Keep a monthly layout

Again, I know I am an organization freak (if you saw my room or asked my mom… they would say otherwise). But keeping my planner on me along with having a desk layout helps me in so many ways. I keep everything major on my desk layout and mark it up with when I work and anything major. It helps give you an idea of what you need to get done now and what can wait. It also helps remind you to keep an eye out for a bday coming up in the next few weeks.

5.Give yourself at least one day off a week

I cannot stress this enough! Give yourself a day to sleep in, catch up on a book or tv show. This is another form of escapism I use. I try to steer clear of the news and anything argumentative for a day and chill out with my friends. Sometimes without my friends (we all need some alone time). I try not to think about class or work and I just spend a day at leisure. It is amazing. Personally, I try to do household chores during my day of leisure so I don’t feel like a complete bum, but hey, we all have our quirks.

6. Take your self out to eat

I love food. I am always on the hunt for an amazing restaurant. Sometimes you aren’t in the mood to talk to people, it happens. Or maybe no one is free and you really want to try out a new restaurant. Just take yourself out to eat. I have to be honest, I was so stressed out the first handful of time I went to a restaurant alone. But eventually, I felt okay putting my phone down and leaving myself to my thoughts. It’s actually very relaxing, I swear.

My Friday Favs

I’m backkk (kinda).

Let’s be real. Life is hard, and crap gets in the way. I’ll get into it in a later post, but for now… what’s up? How are you? I’ve been doing good. If you were wondering.

I figured I could come back with a basic blog post. I’ve been posting here and there, but not really in a solid way. SO I’m going to try to be better, and actually, post. Don’t hate me, don’t unsubscribe (please, I swear I’m funny and cool), just hang on for a second! Let me know what you would want to see!

-Witch Hazel

I’m kind of jumping on the bandwagon with this one, I’ll just go ahead and admit it right off the bat. But I just didn’t feel like buying it for the longest time. I finally bit the bullet over the summer and I do not regret it at all. It took me a while to use it regularly. But once I did it changed my skin. I’ve had acne struggles (ish) for the past year or so. Like bad cystic breakouts. It’s awful, my skin literally hurt and was so swollen. But if I put this on daily and do a facial massage when I feel a breakout coming on, I’m golden.

-Ban.do Planners

Okay, I love planners. I usually buy two a year even though I know it covers the full year. I usually get bored and want a different design. But I am obsessed with this planner’s design. They pack them full of amazing designs and I love the layout. I’ve kept this planner for almost a year and I am not giving it up. It’s amazing. Also, their stickers make me so happy.

-Hydroflask

I know these are annoying and trendy. But I love my hydroflask. It keeps my water cool, I can leave it in my car on a summer day in Texas, and it’ll still be cool when I come back. It is bulky, but I personally don’t mind carrying it around. I prefer a bigger bottle so I can chug water whenever I want. Also, I put a bunch of cool stickers on mine. I’m cool.

-These New Balance Tennis Shoes

These shoes are the comfiest tennis shoes I have ever owned. I usually buy nike, but I wanted to switch it up a bit. So I bought these shoes two years ago not expecting too much. These shoes have lasted me so long, and they are still comfortable. I run, walk, work out, and nap (when I’m really tired I pass out on the couch without changing) in these shoes.

-Annie’s Mac and Cheese

I am a broke college student who is trying to save. I try to find cheap and good food to eat. Most of the time college students eat ramen noodles. BUT, I hate ramen. I’m sorry, I just don’t like it. But give me melted cheese, and I’m there. I love this mac and cheese. And I don’t know how healthy it really is, but since it’s Annie’s I feel like it’s moderately okay for me. Honestly, I don’t care. It’s really good.

Get The Look For Less

By now, you should know that I’m obsessed with NYFW (If you didn’t know… check out my last post here). I have been stalking Instagram and googling different looks, going crazy over all of the looks I’ve been looking at.

But lets face it. I can’t afford a $100 bag, much less a bag that’s worth $1,000. Maybe one day, but that day is definitely not going to be in the next week. So, for the time being I’ll scour Forever 21 and ASOS.

I am in love with this simple Jonathan Simkhai look. I have been looking at long trench coats and drooling ever since I got home from New York in early January. And those jeans… To be honest, I got pretty dang close to it this look. I’m so proud of myself. I love Forever 21 sometimes…

Top / Bottom / Shoes /Jacket / Belt

Friday Fav’s

Yah, I’m hopping on the trend. Well, actually it’s 11:30 pm and I just drank Dr. Pepper and I don’t want to study for Macro Econ. I’m a communication major okay?!

So while I’m on this caffeine high and can’t stop thinking, I might as well batch some blog posts. Might as well be kinda productive while I procrastinate. Am I right, or am I right?

1.Grape Seed Oil

Okay, this stuff is magic. I don’t have terrible skin, but we all have our days. I struggle with cystic acne and dryness every once and a while. I usually apply this one a week (I use to apply it every day… my skin was literally glowing) with my fingers before I put on creams at night. I wait 30 minutes to an hour for it to soak in and then I apply my night cream. It has worked wonders. It soothes, tightens and brightens. You can also use it to cook with, but I have never done that. I got windburn on the back of my hands last year (I didn’t even know that was a thing) around the same time a friend got windburn on her face. I applied the oil morning and night along with lotion and my hands healed within days, her face too two weeks to heal fully. I told you, it’s magic.

2. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer

I used the Anastasia Brow Wiz for YEARS. When they came out with the Brow Definer, I literally laughed. The tip is huge, how could it make your brows look natural?! You’d be shocked. I just restocked and I am in love with this brow pencil. It is so easy to apply and it takes me half the time. If you are doubting this pencil, go into a Sephora and ask them to test it on you. You won’t regret it! Well, unless the person applying it sucks at doing eye brows, go to the girl with the best brows and ask her.

3. These Mom Jeans

I really didn’t think mom jeans would look good on me. I have a very awkward body and I typically have to wear skinny jeans. But these jeans are affordable (I use afterpay) and super cute on. I always get tons of complements on them. When I was working at Anthropologie people would stop me all the time and ask me where I got them, thinking they were from Anthro and I spent a good $200 on them. Jokes on them, I bought them for $80 (still more than I’d like to spend) at Urban Outfitters!

4. Superga Sneakers

I got these for myself as a birthday gift last year, and I am still obsessed with them. I throw them on with anything and everything. They aren’t the comfiest, but they are super cute. Mine are a little scuffed and dirty now, but I personally like shoes that are a little dirtied up. They are like cheaper and less comfy Golden Goose shoes with out the branding. Right?

5. My Favorite Cardigan

I bought this at Anthropologie and let me tell you, it is worth it. I got a discount because I was working there (I definitely would not have bit the bullet if I didn’t have a discount) and it was the best thing purchased there. I wear it all the time. It is heavy enough to get me through a cold morning, but light enough to get me through the day. It is so flattering on, this pic does not give it justice. I am actually considering getting it in different colors… I got mine in brown and grey (which is out of stock unfortunately, they don’t like to restock). But I am obsessed with all of the colors. It is so cute and classic. It’ll definitely carry to next year.

Trend’s I am Still Loving

Fashion seems to be cyclical nowadays. This or that comes in and goes out, then the trend seems to reinvent itself years later. Personally, I didn’t invest in any of the newer trends last year. I typically wait a second to buy into a trend. I want to know how long it’s going to stay in. I also want to wait for fast fashion to catch up so I can afford it. Let’s face it, I’m a broke college student.

Spring Break Picks

With spring break coming up I know a lot of people are gearing up to get lit. Or work your butt off while your co-workers are out of town (hollaaaa). But we can dream even if we are working out butts off.

This Maxi Dress Cover Up- I usually just wear a tshirt and flowy shorts as a cover up. But then what are you supposed to do if you have plans to get lunch after tanning at your mansion in California and you have 20 min to get dressed?! This dress. It is so cute and casual, it can be dressed up or down… It’s perfect.

These Steve Madden Slides- I have seen Hermes slides all over Instagram and I am DYING for a pair. However, I don’t have that much money to throw at a cute pair of shoes. Thankfully, Steve Madden offers a cute dupe!

This Anthropologie Top- I own this top in two colors. It is amazing. It is a simple piece that adds to your outfit, without distracting. It is so comfy and flowy, it is a great transitional layering piece. Even if you cover up the sleeves with a jacket you can still see the neck line (which I am in love with).

This Bond One Piece- I love one piece swimmies. I wasn’t a fan of the hole in the midsection last year, but it has grown on me. I feel like it makes the piece look more interesting and it kind of elongates you… Maybe it’s just me. But this swimsuit is amazing!

This Bikini Top- I owned a bikini top like this from Target and it was amazing until my sister stole it and lost it. It is nice take on the classic black triangle bikini.

The Anthropologie One Piece- Again, I love one pieces. The red and pink are a fun pop that will make you stand out in any crowd. I just love two tone looks. Plus the neckline elongates you’re torso. I just love anything that might make me look taller.

The Ruffle Top- This top is a little trendier, but with a pair of cute shorts it would be perfect for day to day wear during spring break and into the summer. I have been loving puffy sleeves. Maybe we should bring back glamour shots too?

This Urban Outfitters Maxi Dress- Again, I am obsessed with maxi dresses. The lines on this dress, again, elongate and are sooo beautiful. The mix of horizontal and vertical stripes… I am drooling. Throw on a pair of heels, or a pair of white sneakers, and you are set.

This Going Out Dress- I don’t go out much but if I did, this is what I’d be wearing. I love simple pieces, you can add accessories to really make your fit pop.

These Earrings- I have been loving dangly earrings lately, but I HATE spending a ton of money on them. Earring trends go in and out so fast, it’s hard to keep up. Plus I always loose earrings. It’s sad. So, I find cute earrings on Forever 21. So, you won’t feel guilty if you loose them or if they break.

These Earrings Too- I just love Forever 21 earrings… okay?

2018 FAll FINDS

Fall finds.jpg I have been an obsessive over fall and winter clothing since I was in middle school. The only issue is that I am broke. Meaning, I had the off brand UGG boots and Burberry scarfs that people very quickly pulled apart and accused me of ‘ripping off’ brands. IT WAS GREAT. I LOVED MIDDLE SCHOOL.

But all of this means that I got really good at bargain hunting and budgeting very fast. Which is honestly a benefit for you. I spend hour upon hour staring at a screen while my mom yells at me to clean my room (yes, I still live at home, its HELLFA cheap), and you get to google and click. YOU’RE WELCOME.

THIS BLOCK OUT SWEATER / THIS LONG LINE FAUX FURR COAT / THIS SUPER CUTE SWEATER / THIS LONG LINE CARDIGAN / THIS RED SWEATER / THESE DOC MARTENS

MAD LOVE// TREES DALLAS

Sooooo about a week ago I got this amazing opportunity to photograph one of my childhood idol’s concerts. JoJo is such an amazing performer and I am so glad that I finally got to see her! (I also got to meet her and she is super sweet!) I got the go ahead to post some photo’s and I finally got around to posting them!

Side note: I also got to see Stanaj (The opener) perform for the first time, and he was amazing!

Thank you for reading

-Madeleine

Frightful First Dates!

If you haven’t been following me on social media (Which you totally should), you’d know that I have an internship with The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show. Yes I am freaking out still. Yes everyone thinks I am weird because I fangirl just about everyday. ANYWAY, I have a podcast with KiddNation (Yes I am still freaking out about that as well). It’s called Frightful First Dates, and it is about the good bad and the ugly sides of dating. So far I have interviewed a guy who ghosted me, AND a douche bag! I basically try to get to the root of their issues and talk it through and ask them why they are such butt faces. You can check it out here. I swear it’s funny. The people I interviewed texted me saying I was hilarious after they heard the podcast.

You can stay updated on the podcast and my life onnnn

Twitter: @MadShelton

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Thank you!