Element by Westin DFW Airport North

Green, clean and beautiful! This new hotel in Dallas is a must stay! The Element by Westin is located in DFW and conveniently located near the airport. I'm not sure if we got a great deal, last minute booking discount or the hotel is just great but our King Room was only $105.00! If you are a SPG member you will also receive points for staying here. For the price it's definitely the best hotel we've stayed in..better than Best Western, Holiday Inn and more! 

They offer a free shuttle service, free parking, free wifi and free, healthy breakfast!

As you enter the very modern and ecofriendly hotel you are greeted by friendly staff. Our kind gentleman, Mike was very helpful! As we checked in and checked out the hotel you are provided with of course the best thing, amenities. A spacious and well lit fitness center, a small but private, heated pool, spacious indoor and outdoor lounge area, grill and fireplace included for late nights with friends and family, breakfast lounge and adorable modern decorations to make you feel at home away from home. 

They also provide bikes if you would like to take a scroll. Offering a Pledge to Pedal, just go to Element By Westin on Facebook or #elementhotel, sign up and ride! Substitute a car ride for a bike ride, document your ride and enter for a chance to win the sweet rode bike below! Keeping us in shape and helping out the environment ;) 

We make our way down the hall to our  adorable room. Expecting a normal hotel room: bed, dresser, tv, night stand and bathroom..I was in awe for what I was walking into. As we enter there were spacious closets and drawers to our right, a long kitchen area with appliances: fridge, microwave, dishwasher, sink, pots and pans. To the left was a spacious bathroom with a raised sink, great lighting and large shower with a rain shower head- I was in heaven. We keep walking in, a swivel tv for the large seating area and the bed, large king bed with amazing pillows and linens, night stands, lamps and a floor lamp, this was amazing! Now if we only didn't get there so late and have to leave at 6am- I could really enjoy my stay fully, but for the 6 hours we were there, it was totally worth it and I can't wait to go back to stay in the room ALL DAY! 

The only thing I could not find were q-tips, cotton balls and a hair dryer, so make sure you bring your own. It was a wonderful night and a wonderful stay! I give this hotel 5 out of 5 stars, it was everything and more! The Element by Westin DFW Airport North is a must stay! 

Until our next stay,

McGowens on The Move

DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton- Farmers Branch

Wow! Talk about a stay-cation! Mack had to work in Oklahoma this Saturday and I was off (with no weddings!) so I wanted to join the trip. He dropped me off in Allen and I walked around until I met up with my best friend, Marissa and mom, Janie to shop for bridesmaid dresses. Marissa is getting married 10.4.14!! God has truly given her the right man and a great one at that! David is very funny and kind and a great guy to give my best friend to! 

After shopping, Marissa and I went to eat at Uncle Julio's- not bad. After more shopping we headed to their new house together and met up with David. We hung out then saw a movie, A fault in our stars, very sweet but sad movie. The night came to a close as we headed to the hotel to drop me off. This was a last minute decision and hotels.com is the WAY TO GO if you are booking hotels. You rack up hotel points every time you stay and get a free night after 10. We use to just book hotels through multiple websites but now through hotels.com it's at least going towards something. 

We walk up seeing a cookie van- "oh yum cookies!" We are welcomed and treated with four warm, chocolate chip/walnut cookies, yum indeed! The lady was very nice, a little strange at times because I asked if they had an IHOME, not knowing what that was but I needed to charge my phone. 

We then head up to the room to drop off my stuff, nice again! I am very pleased with this hotel so far! Not to mention with hotels.com they were having a discounted rate. This hotel was originally $179 or so for only $79/night! I am all about hotels and love it when I find a good hotel & deal! 

As we go downstairs, there is a bar, quiet room, pool table, seating area, nice gym and a pool. We dip our feet in possibly for a late night swim but it was a little chilly. I love my amenities at a hotel, so besides the bed and pillows, it's a gym/pool. David and Marissa leave and I head back up to the room to put on my gym clothes for a work out. As I do my sit ups and lunges I get to watch Fast and the Furious- nothing beats that ;) 

Mack arrived and I show him everything ;)  Then off to bed for a good night sleep. We are going to visit the Las Colines mustang fountain, Dallas Aquarium and some other sights while we're here! Love a stay-cation and a great hotel! If you're in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area- this is a great hotel!! 

I give the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton-Farmers Branch 5 out of 5 stars. We had a great night sleep, the bed was comfortable with great pillows, the shower had great water pressure, there was a nice gym/pool, bar and pool table area for hanging out with friends, we were greeted with warm cookies and it had free wifi! Now if you are looking with breakfast included then this is not your place- but you can get a delicious breakfast buffet for $12.95 if you are the morning type or room service for breakfast in bed ;)

Until our next stay,

McGowens on the Move

Mack the Smart & Talented

Mack is my husband..and I knew he was smart, he started his own business, TopDrive Communications and is doing so well!! He loves to camp and is such an outdoorsman! He got our whole Canada trip together on what to bring, do, safety and camping gear- I never have to worry because I know I'm safe with him!! 

http://www.topdrive-communications.com

I knew he was talented..he created a patent pending B3 unit, Boosted, Bonded, Broadband to provide romote internet access. 

And man he is creative!! He just bought a Samsung Gear Fit. It's a smart watch that tells time, calculates your steps, calories, heart rate, reads your text messages, etc. but that's not the point. It comes on a rubber fitness band. Well Mack has created a personalized paracord bracelet that holds the Gear Fit. He can make all colors and sizes! Right now he is just making bracelets for the Samsung Gear Fit but if you would like one for your other smart watch device..let us know!!

The price is $7.00

Pick your color and your connect piece:

Grey/White with clasp connect

Camo with buckle connect 

Thanks & Gig 'Em!

McGowens on the Move

Oh..what a beautiful life

Good morning..good afternoon..good evening and good night!

Life is wonderful with family, friends and an amazing husband by my side!!

Spring has sprung..the cleaning has started and the busy wedding season has begun. Mack and I have enjoyed wonderful day trips to Wills Point to play outside with the dogs and enjoy each others company. 

We went to Tyler's Car Show..car shows are becoming a thing that Mack and I attend!

At the end of February we visited our college friends, Rob and Meredith Hyde and their kiddos Wyatt, Ella and newborn Charlie who recently moved to Wichita Falls. It was such a fun, long weekend visiting them, watching Wyatt's first soccer game, going to the monster truck rally, and taking strolls in their beautiful neighborhood. These are such sweet friends and kids who we just adore more than anything!! It snowed on our last day there which was so fun to experience since we moved back to Tyler from Minnesota and have yet to have a good snow..so we ended the weekend off by putting our Subaru to good use! 

Ella and Mack! Her personality is so fun to watch and truly shines!! miss thang! 

Sweet Charlie..all smiles ;)

Wyatt is such a character..I can't believe how much he has grown!!

Us at Wyatt's soccer game

Saying goodbye until next time..

 We just returned from an amazing 4 day vacation to the beautiful Marco Island. We laid on the beach, ate amazing food, spent great time with family and took a fun ride on the jet skis. 

Mack relaxing on the hammock on our last day in Marco

The last night I was surprised by an early, beyond AMAZING, birthday present from the McGowens!! A trip to Paris!!! It was such a sweet moment with the family and I am so grateful and blessed beyond words!!

We returned home to find out our dogs had received 2nd place in the Dogs in Action contest with the Tyler Paper!!

The picture was taken at Circle Star Pet Resort..an amazing boarding resort that puts pictures up of the dog's daily activities, including: golf cart rides, massages, outdoor/indoor playtime and private agility lessons!! This is the best place for the dogs to have a good time and they are so worn out when we pick them up, it's wonderful!! 

Last weekend we went to Palestine's Dogwood Trails festival!! We walked around, I Zorbed in a pool of water and saw a long time friend Rachel- which was such a surprise!! 

Can't wait for more exciting adventures to come..Mack and I have town festivals to attend, a 5K to run, more wedding and events to work, Lauren's 25th birthday, family birthdays and a trip to Padre Island on the horizon!!

Until next time,

McGowens on The Move