Beat the Heat and Dress the Part: Summer Fashion in Fort Worth

Fort Worth is vibrant with different cultures and types of people. With that, fashion varies like night and day, however, there is one thing that is undeniable once summer rolls around: it is almost always hot in Fort Worth. Beating the summer heat comes at a price but there are still plenty of ways to stay fashion forward.

Rompers, Dresses and Shorts Will Become Your Friends

With all that Texas sunshine comes hot, hot heat. I quickly learned that it is a smart idea to invest in some great shorts, dresses and rompers to stay comfortable on those three-digit summer days. Here are some of my favorites Fort Worth looks.

1. A light, sheer tank top. This is a must have for those 100+ degrees days coming up in August. The lighter colors will keep you cool and the sheer material is another huge plus.

2. Ray Ban sunnies. Do yourself a favor and invest in a pair. You'll need them! Driving in the car or out and about, you can never have too many sunglasses on hand. 

3. A neutral clutch or cross body bag. Whether you are running errands or getting dolled up for lunch, a neutral clutch like this one is ideal for your Fort Worth summer. The monogram is always a nice touch to make it feel personalized. 

4. Tory Burch sandals. This may go even without saying, but having a sturdy, nice pair of sandals that can transition with different outfits is a necessity. You don't have to splurge to get this look either. Try Forever 21 or Target for some neutral or metallic sandals to spruce up any outfit and stay comfortable. 

5. Print shorts. Say it with me now "Shorts will be my friend in the summer". I can't stress enough how essential it is to have a pair of print shorts that can mix and match throughout the summer months. If you are not a fan of shorts, try a casual sundress for a different look that still beats the heat.

Local Boutiques

Here are some of my favorite local spots to shop right now.

1. Beehive
From wear-with-everything basics to chic nighttime looks, Beehive has your entire wardrobe covered at affordable prices. Owner Claire Fields really describes it best, saying that the laidback-yet-chic style of Rachel Bilson is her muse when buying new merchandise.

Find dresses that'll carry you from work day through happy hour and blouses perfect for both big meetings and date nights. D Magazine even featured the boutique in this article not too long ago. Like what you see? Visit the Beehive website to shop or go see this cute place for yourself!

5122 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
817. 570. 0484

Monday-Saturday: 10am - 6:30 pm
Sunday: Closed

Retrospection 
Retrospection is one of my new favorite local stores. This fun, eclectic boutique is conveniently located right off of University near the TCU campus. The decor is phenomenal and their prices cannot be beat. Everything from wedges, sundresses and jewelry - Retrospection has it all. I cannot remember the last time I went in there and didn't leave with at least one purchase. They always have the cutest window designs that make me want to go inside.

They even have a whole purple section especially for Game Day or if you're just feeling spirited.

For more information check out their Facebook page and website, www.shopretrospection.com.


2435 S. University Dr.
Fort Worth, TX 76109
817. 458. 9139

Mon - Fri: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday: Closed

Flirt. 
Flirt Boutique opened its doors to Fort Worth in November 2009 and we are sure glad they did! This fashion forward, trendy shop is located in the West 7th shopping area. Fort Worth, TX magazine has named them Best Women's Boutique for several years in a row and it is no secret why.

Check out their website to learn more about Flirt Boutique.

2952 Crockett Street
Fort Worth, TX 76107
817. 744. 7250

Monday-Saturday: 11 am - 7 pm
Sunday: Noon -5 pm

Good News!

This is not a drill. Kendra Scott will be opening their doors at University Park Village on July 28th!
If you aren't familiar with Kendra, she is a fellow Texan and her jewelry line is absolutely beautiful. Ah, I'll never forget my first pair of Kendras!

You don't want to miss this, y'all.

Learn more about her fabulous line here.

University Park Village
1612 S. University Drive, Suite 401-C
Fort Worth, TX 76107

Monday- Saturday: 10 am - 8 pm
Sunday: Noon - 6 pm
Wednesday Girls' Night Out: 4pm - Close




Check back on Tuesday for a chance to win a pair of Kendra Scott Danielle Earrings like the ones pictured below to complete your look!

Thanks y'all!

xo. Elizabeth





Multi Platform Push:

• On Friday I will tweet "August is just around the corner. Find out how to beat the heat and still dress to impress on Sunday's blog post!" 
• Saturday, I will post a picture to Pinterest of "Beehive"and tease for Sunday's blog post.

Getting Up To Speed On TCU Football

One of the more obvious perks about living in Fort Worth is the privilege of sharing the college town pride of Texas Christian University. If you're new to the city and you were not aware before you moved, you certainly must know by now. Not far from downtown, just off University Ave. is the home to just shy of 10,000, always purple wearing, TCU Horned Frogs. 
If you are new to the Lone Star State, certainly you heard before you moved to Texas that football is always a part of the conversation. The hype is real: football is truly treated like a religion here. For a Chicago girl, I sure am pretty passionate about my TCU football. I guess you can say I've been converted.

      

With college football season just around the corner, I thought I'd give you a quick briefing so you can start to sound like a local (or at least have some idea of what all the fuss is all about). 

Amon G. Carter Stadium

Sometimes referred to as "Hell's Half Acre", "The Carter", or "Gary's House", Amon G. Carter is TCU's home stadium. This grass field, open air stadium recently underwent a $164 million renovation that was finally completed in 2012, so you can sure bet it has all the bells and whistles you could ever imagine. It also houses the Armed Forces Bowl every year. Saturday nights? You better believe this stadium is hoppin'. This year, TCU joined forces with Disney's consulting firm "Disney Institute" to improve their already fabulous game-day experience. Read more about that partnership here. Bottom line: this fall, if you are not at the games, you'll wish you were.

Who's this "Gary" guy everyone's talking about?

Coach Gary Patterson is just about as good as it gets. The football gods really had us in mind when they rewarded us with this one. "G.P", as he's often referred to, has coached TCU since December 2000 and has led the Horned Frogs to a 97-28 record. Under Patterson's reign, the Horned Frogs have owned the No. 1 ranked defense in the country five times (2000, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2010), the most top defenses by any team since the NCAA began keeping records in 1937. So in other words: TCU defense is Gary's bread and butter. 

Hold on - what the heck is a "Horned Frog"?

Mustangs, Bears, Rams.. Horned Frogs? Not exactly your typical mascot. TCU is the only school with this unique mascot, making it nationally distinct. Despite its name, a "horned frog" is actually a lizard.   The typical Horned Frog is three to five inches long. According to the TCU Admissions site, Horned Frogs are cold-blooded animals and have an unusual pineal gland, resembling a "third eye" on the top of the head, which zoologists believe is part of their system of thermoregulation. When angered or frightened, horned frogs can squirt a fine, four-foot stream of blood from their eyes. This explains the fierce red accents and stripe across the helmets debuted at the Cowboys Classic vs. LSU at AT&T Stadium last season. Didn't see them? Here's what they looked like:

Pretty sweet. Right?

The Horned Frogs are notorious for switching up their helmets quite often - which adds to the suspense leading up to game day.  Another fan favorite? The Purple Hydrochrome helment. C'mon - Even the name sounds cool. 

Nike never disappoints us on TCU uniforms and equipment. I can only imagine what this season will bring. Keep your eyes peeled - TCU's purple and black armor is sure to impress.

The Big 12: The Conference That Can't Count

As of 2012, TCU plays in the Big 12 Conference. Yes, you counted correctly - there are only 10 teams in this conference. But seriously, all joking aside, entering is 11th year, the Big 12 conference is one of the most competitive conferences in Division 1 sports. For the third year, the conference is lead by commissioner Bob Bowlsby and remains the only major conference in the nation to determine its champions in all sports directly on the field of play with a full round-robin schedule. This premiere athletic conference encompasses five states and nearly 38 million people. TCU and West Virginia are the newest additions to this league.

If you're going to jump on the bright purple, TCU fan bandwagon, here's a quick list of some famous TCU football alums and household names you might recognize:

• Ladainian Tomlinson "L.T" 
• Davey O'Brien - namesake of the "Davey O'Brien Award" awarded to the best quarterback in the country
• Bob Lilly
• Andy Dalton - former quarterback that led TCU to a Rose Bowl win in '11 over the Wisconsin Badgers
• Jason Verrett  

TCU students can enter the games for free with their student ID cards, but if you are a non-student and want to get in on the action you can buy tickets here.

TCU 2014-2015 Football Schedule. Click to Enlarge

The past two years as the rookie to watch in the Big 12 have been rocky to say the least. Although defense may be Patterson's bread and butter, TCU's offense has fallen short. The new additions of co-offensive coordinators former Texas Tech WR coach, Sonny Cumbie and University of Houston's Doug Meacham bring high hopes for TCU football as they enter the 2014-2015 season.


TCU kickoff is only 38 days away and as you can imagine I'm more than excited to get my boots and purple sundresses out for another exciting season. Hope to see y'all at The Carter! Go Frogs!

5 Fun Date Ideas in Fort Worth

It's Friday, I'm in love.

I was lucky enough to have been swept off my feet two years ago by the perfect man for me and we've been together ever since. It's been really special to get to explore Fort Worth together since we are not natives. We've stumbled upon a couple fun ideas that are unique to Fort Worth and its a shame not to share them with you.

If you want to explore Fort Worth with a significant other or a friend you want to get to know just a bit better, there are so many great places to do that in Fort Worth. I've come up with 5 great date ideas that go beyond just a typical dinner date and a movie.

1. Recently, we decided to go check out the Rahr & Sons Brewery in South Fort Worth. This might not seem like the most obvious date spot, but we had a great time together. I am not a huge beer drinker, but the fact that this brewery was started by a TCU alum was enough reason for me to get excited about going. They have 2 hour tastings and tours twice weekly - Wednesdays from 5-7 and Saturdays from 1-3. It's a fun place to grab a drink and chat. When the weather's nice, they have food trucks outside and benches to sit on. Plus, its cheap! For $5 you get up to 3 beers and you get to keep the special Rahr & Sons glass.  Find out more on their website. 701 Galveston Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76104.

2. Our trip to the Fort Worth Water Gardens has been one of the coolest places we've been on a date in Fort Worth. Not only are they beautiful but the gardens are free to boot! Grab a picnic and a blanket and find a spot at the gardens at night. We went kind of by chance, but we could not believe that more people didn't go there! Everyone in Fort Worth should experience this urban playground. Bring a camera - or you'll wish you had! They are located between Houston & Commerce along W. Lancaster Ave. 1502 Commerce Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102.

3. The two of you can head to the Fort Worth Food Park for a new twist on the day date. Enjoy a variety of gourmet dishes served up by some of the area's top local chefs all in one serene park-like setting in the heart of Fort Worth’s cultural and entertainment district. The Park is pet-friendly and all food trucks accept credit cards. Try Fort Worth favorites such as Salsa Limon for lunch and follow up with something sweet like Red Jett Sweets' cupcakes. The park is open Thursday through Sunday. Visit their website for hours and more on the park. 2509 Weisenberger St., Fort Worth, TX 76107.

    

4. Fort Worth is bringing back the drive-in movie. Coyote Drive-In is one of Panther Island's newest additions. For only $8 you can see two back to back movies - any day of the week. Come enjoy the atmosphere of the lushly landscape patio pavilion. They have big-screen TVs, great music, plenty of shade and spectacular views of beautiful downtown Fort Worth. Money saving tip: Wednesdays they offer 1/2 price bottle of wine. Coyote Drive-In is located north of downtown Fort Worth off of Main Street near LaGrave Field. Check out their website for movie showings and more information. 223 NE 4th St., Fort Worth, TX 76164.


5.Want to indulge? Go for a Champagne Couples Massage at the Perfect Touch Day Spa, voted Best Spa and Best Couples Massage by Fort Worth Magazine. The tranquil atmosphere is the perfect hideaway retreat to rejuvenate and reconnect with your sweetie on a romantic date. For more information check out their website or call 817-870-3610. 3023 Bledsoe St., Fort Worth, TX 76107.

Tillman's Roadhouse: Southern Comfort Cuisine with a Twist

It's no secret that Dallas-Fort Worth has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the U.S. With so many options, how do you choose?

Tim Love, celebrity chef and one of Fort Worth’s own, is currently starring in the new hit reality show, Restaurant Startup that airs on CNBC Tuesday Nights at 9. Love is best known for his success with fine dining restaurant, Lonesome Dove, and Trinity River-side sensation (one of my all time favorites), Woodshed Smokehouse, but he earned his celebrity status through his appearances on shows such as Food Network’s Iron Chef America and Top Chef Masters. (See why Tim Love adores Fort Worth in his testimonial video here.) Many publications give a great deal of attention to Love’s successful restaurants, however, today, I wanted to bring light to another spot that you might have missed.

Nationally recognized for its interior design and unique fusion taste, Tillman’s Roadhouse is one of the most relevant, chic places to dine on West 7th. This classic Texas roadhouse with a “twist” is located on Crockett Ave and boasts a welcoming outdoor lounge living room equipped with couches, a fireplace, and a front row view of the buzzing Fort Worth culture. Upon entering, you can’t help but look straight up to see several over-sized crystal chandeliers that light the building with an unbelievable elegance. The walls are made up of birch tree halves, lined with numerous deer heads and framed by damask drapery. This unexpected combination of rustic, Texas flair and delicate decor, makes for a unique dining experience you will be talking about for weeks.

The vision for Tillman’s Roadhouse was originally shaped by the couple, Sara and Ricky Tillman. With Ricky’s skills in cooking and Sara’s knack for business, they chose to follow their dreams and take a chance by opening “Tillman’s Corner Restaurant” in Dallas in 1992. After years of the restaurant thriving, Ricky suddenly passed away in 1997. Although devastated, Sara made a promise to continue developing their vision. With her desire to revamp the restaurant, she teamed up with a renowned group of passionate, creative individuals to develop what is now known as Tillman’s Roadhouse.

            

Spicy Tuna Crunchy Tacos

Party planner, Todd Fiscus and decorator, Rob Dailey, combined forces to create a one of a kind restaurant and bar that captivates anyone who has the opportunity to see it. Whether it’s brunch on the patio or drinks in the lively bar atmosphere, you will never leave Tillman’s unhappy or hungry. The Tillman’s culinary crew strategically combines staple, traditional foods with flavors that are both familiar and unique. Items with names such as “Goat Cheese Truffle Tater Tots” and “Spicy Tuna Crunchy Tacos” initially leave you puzzled but the fusion of flavors and creative quality of presentation leaves you wondering, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Tillman’s even has a private dining room you can rent for special parties or events.



One of the menu items they are best known for are the melt-in-your-mouth s'mores. Sara Tillman was featured on the ABC talk show, The Chew to share the secrets of these sweet treats. Watch here:

 

Tillman’s Roadhouse is without a doubt a unique and chic dining experience. The warm ambiance and even warmer hospitality in this eclectic atmosphere leaves you coming back for more every time you walk past their door. Visit their website to get info on booking their private room, their menus, and more! 

Stay tuned and keep an eye out for updates this week on the Instagram #FWFinest contest. Keep sharing your dream Fort Worth apartments using the hash tag #FWFinest to be entered to win an exclusive giveaway.

Top Places to Live in Fort Worth

Your apartment should be more than just where you sleep - it should feel like home. 

Whether you've already lived here for years and it is just time for a change, or you've made the decision to move here, there is no reason why you shouldn't love where you live. We have put together a list of the top places to live in Fort Worth.

There are several different choices in your search for housing options, but I am going to focus on the apartment complexes in the Downtown, West 7th and TCU areas.

                                                                         

Trinity District Urban Apartments

Managed by the Dallas-based Lincoln Properties, the Trinity District Urban Apartments have a modern, sophisticated look. These brand new, luxury apartments are located conveniently near Downtown Fort Worth. They are still completing one portion of the development, however, the ones that are open look very nice. The community pool is ideal for the hot Texas summers spent in Fort Worth and is well equipped with grills and a patio.

Visit their website for more information.The Gallery 1701The Gallery 1701 is one of my favorite apartment complexes in Fort Worth for many reasons.

The location seems to be perfect: it is adjacent to the Trinity Trails, close to the TCU area, walking distance from University Park Village, the outdoor shopping center on University, and minutes away from downtown.. But most of all, it is directly across from Woodshed Smokehouse. The 24/7 concierge service in the front office seals the deal for me. There is even a drop off for your laundry service. The double sinks available in the master bathroom is ideal for couples.

For more information on The Gallery 1701, visit their website.

 
The Berkeley Apartments

The Berkeley Apartments are located in the prestigious Berkeley neighborhood along Forest Park Avenue near TCU's campus, just minutes from the medical district, West 7th and downtown. These apartment homes are another complex managed by the Dallas-based Lincoln Properties, and offer top of the line amenities. This gated community has a clubhouse and business center located near their pool. The Berkeley is ideal for students and recent grads and I would highly recommend it.

For more information on the Berkeley Apartments, check out their webpage here.

Still haven't found the one you love yet? Here are some other great apartment complexes:

Firestone Apartments

The Phoenix

The Lofts at West 7th

The Lancaster

The Tower


Know of any other great apartment complexes you think we should feature? Let me know! Leave me a comment before you leave.

Found your dream Fort Worth apartment? Share a photo of your new place on Instagram using the hashtag #FWFinest. A lucky poster will be entered for a chance to win a fun giveaway later this week.

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for updates and for notification of new posts.

Promotion:

After posting this blog, I will post the Instagram graphic above on the blog's Instagram page to further promote the contest.

Next, I will pin the graphic below on Pinterest. Once clicked on will lead viewers to my blog post.

I will also post the following graphic on my blog's Facebook fan page as well as my personal page, encouraging them to read and share.

                                         

On Twitter, I will tweet "So you want to live in Fort Worth. Here are the BEST places to call home: link". I'll tweet again later this Thursday, "In case you missed it, here are Fort Worth's best apartments" just in cased some people didn't see the post on their feed.

Fort Worth; So Much More Than Just "Cowboys and Culture"

Whether you are new to the city or a native Fort Worthian, 'Fort Worth's Finest' is your one stop, go-to for everything you need to know about the quintessential FW lifestyle. From Happy Hour spots to upcoming events, 'Fort Worth's Finest' has you covered.

Fort Worth brings a unique blend of Texas hospitality and contemporary culture. Although it was once known as "Where the West Begins", it is now quickly becoming a place to begin new endeavors. The past few years have been monumental in paving the way for a new up and coming city vibe and Fort Worth is now buzzing with opportunity.



As for me, I found my way to Fort Worth by way of Texas Christian University, like many newcomers do, and I couldn't be happier that I did. As a Chicago native, I feared the culture shock in my transition to Texas, but Fort Worth has truly a breath of fresh air. I thought I'd have to (permanently) trade my heels for cowboy boots, but truthfully, I have been pleasantly surprised. In the four short years that I have lived in Fort Worth, this city has transformed seemingly overnight into a place anyone would be proud to call home. It is so much more than the "Cowboys and Culture" it is so famously known by and continues to grow in popularity among new college grads from across the country.

Most recently, downtown Fort Worth was named the #1 of the 2014 Top 10 Best Downtowns in the country by Livability. One of the many wonderful things about Fort Worth is that it has the big city feel without the big city traffic. There is always so much going on, however, it never feels crowded. Coming from Chicago, this has been a refreshing change from the Windy City hustle and bustle. Although people are flocking from all over to see what Fort Worth has to offer, it is easy to get around and there are minimal lines at restaurants and shops.

How could something so great continues to grow even better? From the Magnolia Ave. Strip to the West 7th corridor, there seem to be new restaurants and shops sprouting up every day. I hope Fort Worth's Finest can be the first place you check to hear about all the new up and coming finds in Fort Worth as well as the hidden gems that you might not have seen!

Wherever you may be in your life: a recent college grad or an established professional, Fort Worth has something for you.

For more updates on upcoming posts and more

• Twitter: @_FWFinest
• Facebook: Fort Worth's Finest
• Pinterest: Fort Worth's Finest
• Instagram: FWFinest

Platform Push:

For my first multiplatform post, I composed a background explaining whom I am and what I aim to accomplish from the blog. As for the push, I feel it would be most effective to reach my audience by sharing it via Facebook the night before the blog post. I already have an established audience within my friends on Facebook and I could encourage them to share it as well. Through posting it on Facebook, I could post an engaging photo and a little synopsis of what the blog is about. This will be the quickest way to advertise my blog with both a photo and a link to my blog to establish an audience. I also created a twitter account (@_FWFinest) that I will grow an audience with time. The goal is to have twitter updates scrolling on the home page of the blog itself to further incorporate interaction between the audience and the page. This will also be another platform that I can use to push my blog posts.