DK’s Summer Bucket List

These NBA Playoffs are insane! The Rockets have me all kinds of nervous, and LeBron is being…well LeBron. Can’t wait to see who makes it to the Finals. I, of course, am pulling for a Houston/Cleveland Final. I’m not ready for basketball to be over in Houston yet – but with the NBA Finals approaching, so is the end of the school year and it has been a long one – and I mean, LONG. So that I AM looking forward to. It’s time for a well-deserved 2-month break. Before anyone says teachers have it easy, I dare you to try a week in the classroom. ANYWHO. Between Hurricane Harvey taking out the first three weeks of school, and an ice storm cutting the first week of the Spring semester, I am ready to shut the door on this school year. Not only am I looking forward to relaxing and getting some sort of workout routine back, I’m ready to tackle my list of things I want to do. So here is my Summer To Do List. Some things I haven’t done in a long time, or are brand new to me. Torchy’s Party Deck at Minute Maid Park? Count me in!

  1. Kayaking at Discovery Green: Downtown Houston has its own charm and I have yet to hang out down there unless I’m going to Minute Maid, Toyota Center or another concert or show. You would think that being from the area I would know the ins and outs, but really, I don’t.
  2. Golden Nugget Lake Charles: I hear the pool is a lot of fun, and the food is good.
  3. Ditch Starbucks – and check out a new coffee shop
  4. (Re)Start BBG: Kayla Itsines is having a workout here in Houston! Yes, Kayla herself will be at NRG Center on June 3rd and it’s free! Check the @sweat Instagram account for details on how to register.
  5.  Read TWO New York Times Best Sellers: My reading has been very limited in the past couple of years. The only books I have read were either for grad school or teaching purposes. I used to read ALL the time – I got that trait from my dad. I need to start reading again. Sound off on your recommendations in the comments, please!
  6. Concert in the Woodlands: Okay this is something I have done multiple times, but I feel like summer isn’t complete without a concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion. It’s always fun sitting on the lawn for a concert.
  7. Miller Outdoor Theater: Miller Outdoor always has something going on. Want to gather some friends for a picnic.
  8. Day Trip to Pleasure Pier in Galveston
  9. Float Pool Bar in Galveston
  10. Kemah Boardwalk
  11. Purge my Makeup Bags: I have probably fifteen nude lipsticks…I don’t even wear them all…
  12. Torchy’s Party Deck at Minute Maid
  13. Organize My Closet: This one makes me laugh…it’s always a summer item.
  14. Try New Restaurants: Moxie’s Grill and Bar is at the top of the list, in addition to Dunlavy (yes I know I’ve never been), Caracol, Grace’s, Hungry, Prohibition and a slew of others. I know none of these are exactly new. I just haven’t checked them out.
  15. Snooze for Brunch: Okay everyone in their mom (including mine) has been here but me.
  16. Hike all of Brazos River Park: Willie will love me forever. That pup can walk for hours.
  17. Visit a Museum
  18. Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom – It comes out June 22nd. I’ll have this one checked off on…June 22nd.
  19. Day Trip to San Antonio: I want an Adult Trip to Six Flags (did you know they have bars there now?) and some chips and salsa, and margaritas…everything I ever do points to food…
  20. Cooking Class at Sur La Table: Okay this I have never done, but I have wanted to for so long. If you wanna join me, let me know in the comments.
  21. Run a 5K: I feel like there are tons of fun runs in the city during the summer. I haven’t done a race since the Spartan last year. Time for another test…but can it not be 100* out when I actually do it?

This list may seem short, but I also have three trips planned: LA, New York (per usual) and Chicago for Create & Cultivate. Come one Summer, I’m ready for you! Be sure you are following along on Instagram @accordingtodk ! Watch my IG Story, all of the good stuff is in there.

XOXO

DK

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Rockets and Yankees

I don’t know why it took this long to get this post up, but I won’t make it a habit. Last week I had an insane week with a cold that felt like death was taking over, a Soul Cycle double ride, and three games. This is somewhat of a long post, but sit tight. I’ve got some food recs and Minute Maid gameday tips for you.

Last Sunday’s game vs. the Jazz was a good one. Mainly cause I’m obsessed with the food at Toyota Center. The waffle fries and chicken lime nachos (I think that’s what they’re called), are my favorite game time snacks. I mostly sit in section 109 and I know they have seasoned waffle fries and nachos in the club lobby. I also know they can be ordered them from the floor if you are lucky enough to be sitting courtside. Just a warning, from experience, you can’t look cute, eat nachos and watch for flying basketballs (sometimes bodies) at the same time. So, if you are sitting courtside, pick one. 🙂

After the game, we had an dinner at Masto’s.  I will say this spot is perfect to get fancy for date night, or have a nice family lunch or dinner. If you still don’t have Mother’s Day plans, this is a good spot! I did try some of my cousin’s steak and it was amazing. I was craving seafood so I split the seabass and crab cakes with a friend. I highly recommend the seabass. We had it blackened, and it was incredible. Keep in mind I had nachos, fries, maybe some popcorn a cookie, and some other random stuff at the game, so yeah. I was good and full.

Tuesday was the first of back to back trips to Minute Maid Park for the middle two of a four-game series between the Yankees and Red Sox. You’re probably thinking back-to-back games is unnecessary. But listen, on August 29, 1980-something, I pledged my allegiance to the Pinstripes, and it’s been Bronx Bombers only my entire life. At this point, I was miserable with my cold/allergy situation but a cough and runny nose were not going to keep me from seeing my boys in Houston. Not to mention, the Yankees have been on fire, and I’m not going to miss seeing Judge, Stanton, Hicks, Sanchez and the whole crew put on a show. Anyway! Here are some game-day tips for a good time at Minute Maid.

  1. Pre Game at Lucky’s Pub! If you have the time, grab a beer or two before the game! Lucky’s has on-site parking, and if you arrive early enough you can park in their lot and leave your car there for free to head to the game. If you’re hungry, order the wings at the pizza. you can’t go wrong. Especially, if you’re trying to avoid ballpark concession prices. Lucky’s does offer a shuttle to Minute Maid but it’s a less than ten-minute walk. Frankly, I haven’t taken the shuttle – I’ve only walked. (Note: the next day I valeted my car right across the street for $40. Parking ranges from 20 on up).

    aaron walk up
    Aaron Judge, New York Yankees #99
  2. Get there early for batting practice! Whether you are there for the ‘Stros or not, BP is always a good idea. Lucky for me, I got to watch Judge and Stanton put on a show. Judge alone, was enough to get there early. But whoever is in town – batting practice is always fun. Just sayin…Here’s a tip, if you’re there for the visiting team, sit along the third baseline. You never know who will come over and sign something for you before the game. You can usually get into sections 110-116 and go down close for BP or go sit in the outfield and catch a few balls.

    giancarlo
    Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees #27
  3.   Have fun! Be loud and be proud. Whoever you’re rooting for, do it with pride. I cheered (croaked is more like it, cause, coughed for a week straight) for my Bronx Bombers for two nights in a row. A born and raised Houstonian, cheering for the Yankees – in Houston. I did it with pride, and you should too for whoever your team is. If you didn’t eat before and are hungry, Shake Shack and Torchy’s Tacos are at Minute Maid. There is a cool viewing deck at Torchy’s and the queso and guacamole are an obsession. Shake Shack’s black and white shake and SmokeShack burger are delicious. You’ll thank me later.

Next week I head to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Bring on the funnel cakes and roller coasters.

Make sure you’re following me on Instagram (@accordingtodk) to get all the good stuff in between posts.

PS: I just got to customize my summer edition. FabFitFun box! See my previous post on how you can get one! Click here: I’m A FabFitFun Partner!

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