The Omni Dallas Art Collection

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Last week, I shared my experience at the Family Travel Conference, however I didn’t really have time to tell you that much about the Omni Hotel in Dallas. The moment has arrived!
The Omni Hotel was built just last year and is conveniently connected to the Convention Center. We were actually lucky enough to be there for the one year anniversary on 11/11/12 (that’s right – it opened on 11/11/11)! In just one year, the Omni has already made a name for themselves as being named one of 100 Best Places to Work in Dallas. When you look at it – why wouldn’t you want to work here?
  • The building is beautiful, inside and out.
  • The staff is absolutely out of this world! They’re kind, helpful and everywhere. Have you ever been somewhere where you need to find a staff member and can’t find a soul? That’s not going to happen at the Omni Dallas.
  • Parking – easy as it comes in the parking garage or you can valet.
  • Rooms – Well here is where I can’t provide much insight as I didn’t stay at the hotel but I did hear a lot about the TV’s in the bathrooms. Did your ears just perk up?! Plus, there’s also only 16 (out of 1,001) rooms (if I remember correctly) with a balcony so if you get one, you are one lucky duck!
During the Family Travel Conference, all of the attendees split up into various groups to tour the hotel. My particular group toured the art. Now at first you may say, is there really a lot of “interesting” art to see? The answer is yes. It’s everywhere and definitely interesting.
I love traveling but I love finding the “hidden treasures” even more. The art collection at the Omni is one of those “hidden treasures” but on top of that they stay true to their local roots. All of the art displayed within the hotel is by 150 local artists. All of it. All 6,500 individual pieces of it. Let me share some with you!
Wade Moore, Manager of the Collections Gift Shop provided us with the tour.
In the first photo on this post, you can see the lights on the outside of the building. These lights are moving all the time! When the Red River Rivalry was in town the lights showed the Texas Longhorn. Again -they’re moving all the time and the building looks gorgeous with the Dallas skyline behind it but the interior designers even took it to the next level. (Below) These the the walls along a hallway, the lights mirror the lights on the outside of the building!
Here are a some of the pieces of art that we were lucky enough to see on our tour. The art portion that we saw was so immensely small compared to the volume that is featured in the hotel.
Art can even be seen hanging from the ceilings.
Now, in the below picture, the water droplet pieces hanging from the ceilings are not actually featured art but items picked for the interior design of the hotel. Our group, thought it was just a piece of art that was included. It fits right in – amazing. Everything flows so well together!
The below artist also has artwork featured Barbara Bush’s personal collection.
I loved these pieces!
The artwork can also be found in local meeting rooms. Imagine holding in meeting in this room?! It’s absolutely stunning!
Now if the art featured inside the building wasn’t enough. Check out the stunning view of Dallas from inside the hotel!
Finally, I need to mention the Collections Gift Shop downstairs. If you enjoy a piece of the art in the hotel, it will not be difficult to find the artist go to with the piece. Some of the items, you can even purchase if you would like. In the Collections Gift Shop, the experience takes one step further. The shop holds items from the local Nasher Sculpture Center and Dallas Museum of Art that can also be purchased as well as other items from local vendors.
Below is the Villy Custom bike. Villy Custom was recently featured on ABC’s Shark Tank and received the largest amount of investment funding. Each bike can be customized however you like and can be shipped if you are visiting from out of town. Such a unique piece that can’t be found in all hotel gift shops! You could get one for yourself, for a friend, for me… just throwing out some ideas!
If you have an opportunity to at least stop into the Omni Dallas, I would definitely recommend it! I saw so many hidden treasures!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! I hope we are all spending the day with family and friends. Although, we should be thankful for everything that we have daily, it’s kind of nice to set aside a specific day otherwise our lives may become so busy that the days pass by too quickly and thanks isn’t noted.

So this year, these are just a few of the things that I am thankful for:

  • My niece – you came into this world on May 9th and my life has not been the same since. I miss you everyday my sweet little baby. I’m so proud of to be your aunt!
  • My family. You are just awesome.
  • My friends, near and far.
    • For the near – thank you so much for your support, your backbone, your guidance. Sometimes, it may not seem like I am listening but I am. I hear every word you are saying. Thank you for craziness, concert buddies and always being there.
    • Far – it amazes me if we haven’t seen each other for months or years, we pick up right where we left off. I’m also very blessed to have known some of you for 3/4 of my life.
  • Blessings in disguise – as much as things may not be going in my favor at times, there is a reason for everything. There is a plan. I’m hopeful that the outcome will be spectacular!
  • Millie – You are honestly the best car that I could ever have. I’m so sorry that I haven’t been the best mama to you and got you into a little fender bender last week, but it’ll be good here on out!
  • Nature and Travel. I’m putting you two hand in hand. I wouldn’t be traveling if I didn’t get to look at the beautiful surroundings in this world. I honestly cannot wait to see what’s next down this road! I feel blessed that I can do the things that I love!
  • Opportunities. Grab every single opportunity. That opportunity alone may open so many doors, you can’t let them pass and I’m thankful for each and every one that comes my way.
  • A job.
  • Down Home Traveler, the readers and fellow bloggers. Honestly, I never would have thought that I would have a following and have fellow blogging friends from near and far. Thank you so much for your support, for making me feel apart of a blogging family and allowing me to know the opportunities that are out there!

These are just some of the things that I am thankful for. What are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, HOB Dallas

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On November 10th, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals paid a visit to good ole Dallas and my friend Amberly and I were not going to miss it (as usual). If you are ever looking for a wicked show to check out – this is your band. They’ll play a little rock, perhaps a ballad or two, but the magic lies in performance. Personally, anyone can sound good on a record but when GPN comes into play it’s all authentic and 110%. Guitar solos, hitting every note, the band collaborating on the drums, dancing and getting the crowd going from the stage. Everything you want will be there and it’s always a good time!

Here are a couple videos from the show!

Originally from Vermont, they’ve really paved the way in the past few years. They’ve started the Grand Point North Music Festival in Burlington, VT (which I really need to get to). Grace has also collaborated with Kenny Chesney on ‘You and Tequila’ and ‘El Cerrito Place’. They’ll even be going on an European Tour with the Avett Brothers next year! Keep an eye out – you won’t want to miss them!