Doro Travels: Top 5 Things To Do in Austin, Texas
I have loved Austin ever since I binge watched Season 6 of Queer Eye. I loved the culture, the fashion, and the energy. Being a budding tech hub doesn’t hurt its case either ;)
I took a 12 day vacation to Texas in July/ August of 2022 and visited Austin, San Antonio, and Houston - I feel like 4 days per city was a good amount of time as it left me wanting more!
Austin is truly the perfect city for a young professional with an abundance of restaurants, nightlife, activities (indoors and outdoors), and entertainment. You can get by on foot and with car share if you’re taking a vacation here, which is fantastic.
Read on for my top 5 must-dos in Austin, Texas!
Doro Sips: Coffee Oysters Champagne
I found myself in Toronto in mid-October of last year for a work trip and after 3 days where I could not tell you where my workday ended and sleep started, we completed our client strategy workshop. It was a roaring success. Naturally, I took myself out to celebrate at 9pm and after a bit of wandering on King, found myself at Coffee Oysters Champagne, in Downtown Toronto, located at 214 King St W.
I am not an avid drinker but I can never turn down a glass of bubbly - mainly because I love what it represents: joy, celebration, and togetherness.
Join me for a few sips, a champagne tour, and a late night bite!
Doro Dines: Hydra Estiatorio Happy Hour (Buck a Shuck Oysters)
I woke up yesterday with the oddest craving at 7AM: freshly shucked raw oysters. In this economy, buck-a-shuck oysters are hard to come by, but are still around if you really search… luckily, Hydra and Ebisu are still around.
After work, I called up a friend who also happened to be Downtown and we decided that Hydra was the move based on proximity to our offices (#corporategirlies), buck-a-shuck, and the beautiful space. Hydra is a chic, two-level Mediterranean restaurant in the heart of Downtown Vancouver dishing up some of this city’s freshest raw and cooked seafood. Their happy hour runs from 3-6pm and is perfect for anyone who works a typical 9-5(ish).
If you haven’t been to Hydra yet, please do yourself a favour and add it to your list. And if you see a 5’2” corporate girl eating a dozen oysters like it’s nobody’s business, it’s probably my doppleganger…
Just Doro Turns 1!
Just Doro turns 1!! What started off as a “just for fun” experimental project because I had far too much spare time on my hands in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, has turned into a full on side hustle with legs. This endeavour would be nothing without this supportive community and I’m so grateful for you all.
Thank you for joining me on this adventure and for your support, love, and encouragement. Big big love.
Here’s to year 2!
Doro’s Holiday Gift Guide: For the Gals
Holiday season is just around the corner (like legitimately around the corner) and giving gifts is one of my love languages (in addition to ergonomic furniture, oat milk flat whites, quality time, “text me when you’re home safe,” and acts of service - let me stop before this turns into an extension of my Hinge profile), so I wanted to put together a gift guide for you all based on trends I’ve seen and as always, my personal experiences with products. This gift guide is for the amazing gals and women in your life, but may be appreciated by folks of all genders!
Truth be told, I’m not sure if this is a gift guide or an extension of my running wish list and favourites… no harm, no foul.
This list of holiday gift ideas is organized based on the level of your relationship with the human in your life, with 1 being an acquaintance and 10 being your significant other or a best friend. From almost lipstick to a beaded wristlet keychain to a mini diamond tennis bracelet, there’s something for everyone.
Black Friday & Cyber Monday Finds 2022
Nothing brings me greater joy than a good deal, especially something I’ve had my eye on for a while. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the ultimate tests of delayed gratification - can I hold out for 11 entire months for something sweeter? As someone who adores summer and fall fashion, I wish that we had sales of this scale during other times of the year, but it would also take the excitement out of it.
To prevent overspending and to minimize environmental waste, I constantly remind myself not to buy things that I wouldn’t buy at full price to ensure I’m meeting a true need and not an impulsive want, just because it’s on sale.
Here are some of my nifty Black Friday/ Cyber Monday purchases and deals I’ve spotted, which includes tried and true investment items and essentials under $20. Hope this brings you and your loved ones great joy!
Gastown Crawl: The Forge, Kozak Ukrainian Eatery, Oak + Fort, & Is That French?
Earlier this year, I was invited to a Gastown Crawl, hosted by the Gastown Business Improvement Association (BIA), for a summer evening to explore Gastown, Vancouver’s most historic neighbourhood. With over 55 new businesses newly opened in Gastown over the past year, the community is alive again with new spirit and excitement. I frequent Gastown all the freaking time: you can usually find me inhaling sushi at a concerning speed at Momo Sushi, searching for my next statement piece at The Latest Scoop, and fawning over home goods at Old Faithful Shop.
We started the evening at The Forge, a hidden cocktail and whiskey bar at Smith’s Irish Pub, stopped by Kozak Ukrainian Eatery for a treat, trotted over to Blood Alley for a tour of the area’s newest development, attended a special retail preview of Oak + Fort’s newest flagship location, and ended the night with drinks and appies at Is That French, a natural wine and raw bar.
Travel Guide: Austin, San Antonio, & Houston (Texas)
We are back to some airplane lunacy/ blogging as I’m currently in the air, en route from Houston to Vancouver! I just wrapped up a 12 day vacation in Texas, where we visited Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. While the vacation is still fresh in my mind, I wanted to give y’all a rundown of my overall trip.
I’ll also share my favourite restaurant and experience from each city so you can add these ideas to your personal destination guides as well.
Travel Guide: Airport Tips, Speeding Through Security, and A Positive Mindset
I recently flew to Austin, Texas, USA for my first international trip in 3 years due to the pandemic. Granted, I flew to Toronto twice in the last year and the principles of air travel still remain, but clearing customs (and all the goodness that comes with entering another country) does add some stress to the whole situation, especially if you’re an anxious traveller like myself!
At the suggestion of the lovely Becka Gibson, who said that she LOVES reading travel guides and would love to read a Just Doro travel tips post (don’t flatter me now, it’ll get to my head), I decided to tackle this challenge en route to Austin. Yes, I’m literally on a plane right now.
Read on for some tips for a smooth time at the airport, my tried and true CATSA guidelines, and my personal travel mindset!
Travel Guide: 5 Air Travel Tips That I Swear By
We all have our preferences and personal rules for air travel. This blogpost is shorter than usual as it’s an extension of some ramblings from my Instagram stories and DMs with y’all! Do I believe in checked luggage? Do I prefer aisle or window seats?
I know that I’m more particular than most and wanted to share my 5 tips for a seamless air travel experience.