The 5 Best Dog Friendly Spots in Dallas

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PurinaMysteries #CollectiveBias

Like so many cities, Dallas has gone to the dogs! If you google Dog Friendly Dallas restaurants and bars you'll find a list a mile long. It seems like every restaurant here accommodates and welcomes dogs with open arms. I'm certainly happier when the pups are by my side. I'll take them everywhere with me if the Dallas venue allows dogs! 

Today, I thought I'd talk about my top 5 dog friendly spots in Dallas.

Before we get into that though, I wanted to tell you about a special happening at the ultimate dog friendly spot, Petsmart. Petsmart has teamed up with Purina® to offer shoppers an amazing deal: from June 1- June 30th when you spend $40 on participating Purina products, you get a $10 Petsmart gift card.  This offer can actually be redeemed an unlimited amount of times during the month of June, so feel free to shop the special as much as you like! 

Upon spending your $40 on participating Purina products, you will then register with your contact information and upload your receipt to the redemption site, HERE!  You will then be mailed a physical, $10 Petsmart gift card in 4-8 weeks for use on a future visit!

After you're done stocking your cabinets with those participating Purina products, head to one (or all!) of these top 5 dog friendly spots in Dallas to hang with your bestie who stole your heart! Oh, and be sure to tag #PurinaMysteries on social when you're visiting one of these spots!

1. Mutts Canine Cantina 

Mutts is a dog park, restaurant and human/k9 watering hole all rolled into one. This place has been my favorite spot to post up for years. It's a great place to bring your laptop, get some work done and hang with your pup at the same time. Find a spot in the shade and just chillax!

.......Always looking for squirrels.......

2. Ten Bells

This patio in Bishop Arts is shaded (a must in Texas if you want to do a patio) and a great spot to chill with your pup and take in some live music or play trivia. If you're a fan of trivia, round up your pup squad and meet on Wednesdays at 8pm.

BONUS: although they limit the amount of people per team, there's no rule that limits the amount of pups. If All Dogs Go To Heaven or Snoop Dogg is one of the trivia answers, you'll be in luck!

3. Harwood Grove

Harwood Grove is the CUTEST little spot you ever did see. Not only is it dog friendly, but they actually handed us frisbees when they saw we had our pups with us! There are hammocks, lawn games like cornhole and even volleyball! Harwood Grove is open seasonally, and a fabulous spot to hang (or lounge on a hammock) with your pup in Dallas!

4. The Foundry + Chicken Scratch

The Foundry + Chicken Scratch has live music nearly every weekend, and tons of outdoor picnic tables for you and your pup. There is far more outdoor space, than indoor. Plus, there are servers outside so you don't even need to worry about going inside! Awesome pup friendly restaurant and bar right on the outskirts of downtown.

5. Lee Harveys on Sunday

Although Lee Harveys is  leashed dog friendly all week long, on Sunday they have what's called dog day afternoon. On dog day afternoon, their fully fenced-in patio goes to the dogs! It becomes an off-leash dog park for well behaved pups!

Sundog Funday, anyone??

Don't forget to shop those select Purina products for the entire month of June, and get your hands paws on a $10 Petsmart gift card! Here's a look at the products included in the promotion at Petsmart!

Where are your favorite dog friendly spots in your city??? 

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PSHT - Downtime is Overrated

CB and I had an "off weekend" this weekend, meaning - we have a crap load of trips this fall and we didn't have anywhere to go this weekend. We dreamily talked all week about laying around all weekend, cleaning the house, snuggling, enjoying each other's company, taking the dogs on long walks on the beach and eating pizza delivery more than one time over the course of the two day weekend. 

While we did have Pizza Hut (only once) WE DID ALL OF THE THINGS AND DIDN'T REST FOR ONE SECOND. Sigh. For the record, I'm not complaining. Might be tired, but it was worth it. The whirlwind, event filled weekend started on Wednesday when we met the girls (when I say girls I mean our friends Larissa and Heather who live just down the street from us) for a State Fair run. 

Yes, I already posted fair photos, but you'll just have to suffer some more. 

Here I am with Big Tex in my cup. 

Here I am giving Big Tex some of my beer  

Here I am eating a fried red velvet cupcake 

Here I am eating a Mama's Stuffed wing. 

Then on Thursday night, we went to a Hoedown. Full details on said hoedown over on Dallas Love List's fancy new blog. I wore the cutest little off the shoulder dress... WHICH IS CURRENTLY ON SALE FOR $20.98. I paid more than that, yes I'm a little peeved.

Friday we had every intention of staying in and keeping it low key, but then I saw our neighborhood was having a fall block walk. I also saw a few of my favorite words - free food and free drinks - all lined up next to each other and decided it was a good idea that we go. I am SOOOO glad we did, it ended up being the best time.

I also landed some new sunnies that I got a smoking hot deal on. These sunnies are Krewe, a New Orleans based brand which my girlfriends introduced me to on our trip back in March. I still am not sure why this store was selling Krewe, or why they were so cheap, but I bought them and ran out the door as fast as I could before they had the chance to change their mind on the price.

Here are the sunnies on their website. I paid absolutely nowhere near that price. Sarah- 1, Sunglass Gods- 0.

Saturday morning we decided to go to the fair ----------- AGAIN! 

If you haven't done the math - carry the 7, subtract the 2, divide by 38 - that makes THREEEEEE times at the fair for me. Because, you know, who even really WANTS to be skinny? I only ate stuffed olives though this time, aren't you proud of me? 

On Saturday we went to Park and Palate at Klyde Warren Park. I'm only being slightly dramatic when I scream --- THIS IS THE BEST EVENT I'VE EVER BEEN TO!! The most incredible food, first class vino, rosé to die for and every kind of liquor you could ever need to boot. I'll be doing a full recap on Dallas Love List -- if you're interested -- but here are a few of my favorite snapshots from the event. 

Macaron cupcakes from Bisous Bisous Patisserie 

A little Rosé All Day action 

Streamers from I'm assuming The Color Condition. I pretty much go giddy for everything they touch.

  

I have sooo many more photos, but I'll save those for the post that goes live on Dallas Love List. 

I ended the weekend with a runway show for Toni&Guy. I've gotten my hair cut by Sharayah at the Northpark location since I moved to Dallas 4 years ago, and she invited me along as her guest. If you live in the Dallas area, I absolutely swear by Sharayah for cut and Ethan for color. They are both in Northpark, work as a great team and are very reasonably priced. I mean, I trusted them to take me red and they didn't let me down. Highly recommend! I'll be sure to post an event recap on Dallas Love List too! 

WHEW.

Is anyone else exhausted just from reading this. 

I am NOT DOING ANYTHING TONIGHT, so no one even think about asking me. 

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Building a Local Instagram Account vs. Personal Instagram Account

Alright kids, it has been about a month since I updated on the progress with Dallas Love List so I thought I'd come back with a few new points of interest. I know a few of you are following along, or have even started your own local Instagram account recently. 

For those who don't know, I'll give you the quick rundown. I started Dallas Love List - a local Dallas-based Insta account on June 2nd.

I have two posts about it

1. How to start and grow a local instagram account

2. Growing a Local Instagram Account, What Works What Doesn't

The account is currently right about 5,100 followers in just over 4 months, which is fantastic!  There are though, a few things that have been eye opening and somewhat strange when you compare it to a personal blog account.

1. I realize I'm not just rolling, elbows deep, in 30k followers or anything, but I've made peace with the fact that I don't foresee getting paid for anything I do on this account.  

I don't think cash money is in the cards with this account, and I'm oddly ok with that. It is all about what is worth it to you. Free dinner, entertainment and drinks is worth it to me. Just keep in mind, monetization on local accounts may be quite difficult. Invites, though, will be prevalent.

2. I didn't realize most events would be with strangers. 

Maybe this is dumb thinking, but I assumed that CB and I would just get invited to dinner on our schedule. 

For example, I assumed I'd get emails that said something like this, "We'd love to have you in for dinner one night, just let us know when you are free!" 

That is NOT the case. The majority of invites, thus far, have been to what's called a media dinner. A media dinner is basically long tables and giant group seating. Everyone gets the same meal, same drinks, same desserts. 

You sit at a table with strangers. For example, my first dinner I sat at a table with people I'd never met before. We all had to make small talk for two hours. Meh, I'm not sure how I feel about this side of things. 

Now, of course, I'm starting to see a lot of the same faces over and over again. I guess the point is to make new friends, but currently, I can't say I'm enjoying sitting for hours with people I know nothing about. 

It also feels a bit competitive, seeing as we are all going for the same Instagram market. 

3. You'll get to hook your friends UP! 

This is my favorite new realization so far. I got an invite to go to a free Soul Cycle + Brunch class last Friday. I was SOOOO pumped until I saw it was Friday morning at 9:30am. I don't have a flexible schedule, and I was broken hearted to decline it. 

Then a lightbulb went off, could I send a friend in my place? They said they would love that, and I sent my friend Heather who has a flexible schedule. She loved it, I got a photo for the gram, everyone won! I've since gotten to hook my friends up with free beer, food and even beauty events that I was unable to attend. 

I've stopped saying no to events, just because I'm not in town or have a prior commitment. Here are some photos my friends took at various events for me... not bad right???

A local instagram account is so different from your personal blog account, but I absolutely recommend starting one. You'll have so much fun exploring your own city and trying new restaurants. 

If you have any questions at all about starting or building a local instagram account, just leave them in the comments below! I'd also LOVE to hear any success stories or tips you have found on building your instagram account! 

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Big Tex Friday || Photos from the State Fair of Texas

The moment I have been waiting for for so many long, long months has finally arrived. This weekend, I will be reunited with my one true love.

"But Sarah, you live with CB?!?" 

Au contraire you sweet faced wonderer, I am not talking about CB. CB is my best friend, and I love him with all my heart and all that good junk, but my one true love is none other than the University of Tennessee Football Team. He knows that, he has accepted it. 

So you can imagine my excitement when my long distance, one true love, announced several months ago that he was coming to Texas to see ME! YES, ME! Can you believe it?!?! 

Well I marked the date on my calendar, October 8th, in ORANGE permanent marker and I immediately raced to the window of my 28th story castle, sat on a tuffet eating curds and whey and watched, sighing heavily and longingly as I began waiting for his arrival. 

Now, it is finally here. My love. Tomorrow. It's only a day away. 

Ok, I'll cut the crap. I'm heading to College Station tomorrow and I am literally bursting at the seams.  

Also, I do mean literally in this case because I went to the fair after work last night and ate one of everything fried and now I am literally bursting at the seams. Oh, and also due to excitement.

I am going to do a "Fair Friday" theme on Dallas Love List today, and wanted to give you guys a sneak peak of some of the photos I'm thinking about posting! 

Shameless plug in 3...2...1...

YOU SHOULD FOLLOW ALONG WITH FAIR FRIDAY ON DALLAS LOVE LIST!!

Oh Em Gee, what a super idea! Dang, I'm good at idea making. 

So Texas State Fair, Y'all! 

Umbrellas at the Wine Garden

The Texas Star

Injectable Balls of BBQ
Also, these were legit my favorite...

 Fletcher's Corny Dogs with Beg Tex

This fantastic Texas Mule I had made with a local ginger beer

The cotton candy, tasty meat treats and fried chicken pot pie

The legit, prettiest apples of all time

And all of the games at the Midway

It was hot and my camera felt like it added 43 pounds on me, but it was worth it cause I'm kinda obsessed with these pics! I hope everyone on Dallas Love List likes them too! 

Ok, off to College Station, kids! 
GO BIG ORANGE! GO BIG ORANGE! GO BIG ORANGE! 

 

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