Gaylord Texan - General

If you're thinking of visiting Texas or perhaps need to plan something indoors with lots of options The Gaylord Texan in Grapevine is the place to be. On a stormy day, holiday, vacation, or just simply during a hot Texas summer day the Gaylord is a place to visit and/or frequent. Here's more specifically why :)

The resort by far has some great accommodations for couples and families alike. They are very family friendly not just in the mannerism of the staff of the resort but also in the activities that they also have; activities that are planned in advance and scheduled in their calendar of events. Their paths indoors and out (from the parking garages to the entire facility) are also family friendly for strollers or large wagons that families have for their kids, in turning also providing ample accessibility for handicapped family members as well, especially those in wheelchairs. They are plenty of restrooms to accommodate the potty breaks and also the diaper changing ages. There so many things to do as a family both inside and outside of the resort.

Now there are no kitchens in the rooms but whether your staying over night or even just for the day to pass the time, they have plenty of restaurant options within the resort that you needn't bother with leaving the premises. You can walk along the indoor "river walk" to see what restaurants you prefer, have room service, or yes you can leave the hotel for some nearby delicious Grapevine restaurant spots that are delicious and memorable. There is of course the Glass Cactus for the night life/restaurant/adult entertainment. (image below is not mine but from a google search of the Glass Cactus).

They're something both chaotic but peaceful when walking the grounds of the Gaylord Texan resort. I say that because it is a popular spot during the major holidays because they tend to plan and have these events for all age groups so it can get pretty crowded, yet there are some trails inside the main dome area of the resort that allow moments of peace and the sound of the water flow, making you almost feel as if you were out in nature instead of a man made/created indoor trail and nature walk. Whether you're inside looking throughout or perhaps in one of your rooms looking out, there are great views everywhere you stop. (image below not mine and is from a google search for "exterior view of the gaylord texan."

With the resort being next to the Grapevine Lake, you have the ability to venture out of the resort (if you're having an overnight stay) to have a day on the lake with the dock area nearby the resort where you can both take your boats and rent boats for the day. The cool part of the resort and the lake views is also the beautiful display of lights and colors during their major national holidays. For example on the 4th of July, there is a beautiful display of lights in the sky with sunset as many wait for the 4th of July fireworks to begin. They have their tradition to display the fireworks for all over the lake. It's not only a memorable display but its also serene in its own way with the reflection of the fireworks against the water (the Grapevine lake). So you don't have to feel stuck just using their workout room and their large poolside accommodations but you can explore the lake events as well during your stay and/or outing. (image below is not mine and was found with a google search for "gaylord resort and grapevine lake").

The Gaylord Resort has a vast schedule throughout the year and as I mentioned before, the holidays are also where the Gaylord tends to shine. Specific ones I can attest to and have been in attendance would be; Valentine's Day, 4th of July, Christmas Season both in their decorations and their special events like the ice sculptures and the Christmas adventure they host in the convention center area of the resort. There's also Thanksgiving and New Year's Day along with some other national holidays. There's always something going on at their location.

I have not personally had a staycation to be able to elaborate on the rooms themselves, however I've seen the pictures of the room accommodations and they look nice/pleasant for the needs of those staying. Personally only seen the room accommodations in passing but there have been good review on their rooms. Guess I'll have to stay there in order to provide and update on their room service and their room accommodations. 

I mentioned briefly about the indoor trails that the resort has and the "riverwalk" but it's hard to do this facility justice by my writing to explain truly how awesome the trails are and the extensive steps you can enjoy all indoors within the AC (during the summer) in the warmth of being indoors (during the winter). From the main entrance all the way into the convention center areas of the facility, it's all connected and can be explored whether you're just stretching your legs and trying to get steps in or you're on a mission to enjoy every facet of the event that the resort is hosting. You won't be disappointed. 

Hey some of these pictures don't really do it justice so feel free to take a day out there to explore yourself!

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Expensive Brand Makeup vs Store Brands (Grocery Store/Walgreens/CVS)

I don't know about many of you but I for one hate makeup! Yes I know odd especially considering that I'm a female, but allow me to explain. You see I only wear lip color and mascara on a daily basis (if the day calls for it) and on VERY special occasions, I'll wear the eye shadow and blush color; I haven't nor do I plan on wearing foundation of any kind or whatever powder first base layer women use. As you can tell I don’t even know all the terms for the makeup world, so bear with me. I've never understood why woman wear the additional make up to begin with! NEWSFLASH women in society: when you put on the foundation or powder to try and cover up blemishes all it does is make the blemish stand out even more! You don’t look better it just announces more “here, I’m trying to cover up the pimples I have all over my face.”  to begin with. Anyway, moving on to what I'm writing about. 

So for the past few years I've been an avid and loyal user of MAC products such as their mascara and lip colors; specifically their Zoom Lash Mascara (that’s now been discontinued and I can’t buy anymore) and their long lasting lip wear color Rose (which has also been discontinued, however may be brought into the market this fall). Well about a month before I had my second baby girl in June, I had bought their second best mascara and was using it. By the time I realized that I was needing new mascara we were already tightening our purse strings because of the delivery of our new baby and I couldn’t afford to mess up my contacts as well as my eyes with wearing old mascara. Which reminds me, rule of thumb ladies, you should never wear makeup that’s been used or even if used only once and then you’ve had for a month. Bringing me to the now new mascara I’ve bought and am using currently. It was purchased at my nearest CVS (at the time but I now purchase it at Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Target, Kroger, and CVS) and I’m happily content with it. Considering how much I loved the MAC mascara and used to pay! I'm even more satisfied with my pocket expense and the fact that it's always in stock, instead of dreading that MAC will tell me "its seasonal" or "currently not carrying that line of product." The worst words for women let me tell ya!

Whether you believe me or not it's the truth-I’ve never once used an eye lash curler and even with my getting older, I don't intend to change that at anytime. I did all of the same steps/technique that I would when I would use the MAC mascara; used my index finger to curl the eye lashes by hand, then put a two stroke one coat on one eye and then the next eye, to only follow up with a second layer coat but this time a one stroke on each eye. I truly appreciate products that naturally enhance the already pretty characteristics of a female. So not to pump my own ego but the image doesn't give me eyelashes justice, but in person I have long lashes, so the fact that this simple product was able to fully enhance the curl and lengthen my lashes-I was very pleased. Ironically, my mother has bought and provided me these two step or two bottle mascara brands-you know which ones I'm talking about? The ones that say they lengthen your lashes and even have a white bottle that you're supposed to apply on first, then you go apply the second container which is the black mascara coat...yes those I've tried those and all those or any other brands did, was to make my lashes clumpy and too heavy that I couldn't just curl my lashes easy enough with my finger, like I've always done...

Needless to say, I’m happy with the new purchase and totally recommend the "Temptation" mascara for the next woman, especially a mom! Better yet, I highly suggest women to stop resorting to the dumb commercials or pictures of women using the mascaras since-newsflash! In case you haven't noticed, those aren't their real eyelashes when they apply mascara...just saying...Please ladies, do you homework and why not just try a new mascara, the $6.99 to $10.45 purchase beats the $32 or $25 known brand makeup.

By the way these ARE my lashes and NOT fake lashes of any kind. I started putting on the mascara on one eye before the final picture were taken...

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman