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Photo courtesy of Kendra Scott

There's big beads-and-bangles news coming from a tiny house set up at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

Popular Texas jeweler Kendra Scott has launched a new ranch-inspired capsule collection called (what else?) Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott that'll be sold across the rodeo circuit in major Texas cities this year. But before it saddles up and rides into Houston, Austin, or San Antonio, the collection has lassoed its big reveal in Cowtown.

Visitors to the FWSSR will find the Kendra Scott tiny house pop-up shop on the Go Texas Plaza at the Richardson-Bass Building on the Stock Show grounds. It will be open through the duration of the FWSSR, which runs through February 4.

Inside the tiny house is the new 56-piece Yellow Rose collection, all inspired from time spent on Scott's family ranch, the designer says. The line was conceived with the "modern cowgirl" in mind and even includes a suite of pieces sculpted to look like Scott's beloved horse, Beau.

"Keeping innovation at the forefront, Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott spotlights the traditional designs and materials that are synonymous with the Southwest, while seamlessly blending the bright, colorful style and versatility that the brand is known for," a release says.

Highlights include a one-of-a-kind Bronze Veined Turquoise Magnesite Red Oyster in a beaded collection that is reminiscent of a Southwestern sunset, as well as heritage Kendra Scott pieces in new vintage gold and silver metals.

And, cowboys haven't been forgotten by Kendra. The Scott Bros. by Kendra Scott collection includes the popular Cade & Grey bracelets in genuine stone, like African Turquoise. Price range from $70 to $80.

While the Yellow Rose Collection is available online, a special artisan collection of artisan jewelry is available exclusively at the Texas rodeos. Every piece can be found inside the Kendra Scott Tiny Home at FWSSR.

Jewelry prices range from $60 to $298, with rodeo exclusives ranging from $98 to $5,500.

In additional to shopping for jewelry, guests can pop in the tiny house pop-up to create a one-of-a-kind hat via Kendra Scott’s Color Bar with Hat Customization. Rodeo attendees can personalize GIGI PIP hats with bands, pins, feathers, and more adornments. Hats start at $112, with customization accessories ranging from $2 to $48.

Kendra Scott is also the presenting sponsor of the Bubbles & Bites Brunch Tasting at the FWSSR on Sunday, January 29. Attendees can sip sparkling wine paired with bites from nearly a dozen popular Fort Worth eateries during the brunch-time event. A few of the participating restaurants include Atico, Don Artemio, Joe T. Garcia’s, and Wishbone & Flynt. The event, which will run from 11:30 am-1 pm, and tickets are $50-$65.

Scott herself will not be in attendance at the brunch, but guests will be able to shop the Yellow Rose Collection on site.

Once FWSSR wraps up, the Kendra Scott team will head to the rodeos in San Antonio and Houston to showcase the new collection to even more Texas shoppers in person. The adorable tiny house, however, will not go on the road with them.

Kendra Scott Yellow Rose

Photo courtesy of Kendra Scott

Kendra Scott is launching a Western-themed Yellow Rose Collection.

Courtesy of Kendra Scott

Texas fashion mogul Kendra Scott teams up with Barbie for hot pink capsule collection

I'm a Barbie Girl

Apart from her iconic jewelry designs, Texas fashion mogul Kendra Scott is known for two things: awesome collaborations and giving back. Her latest collection blends all three, teaming up with fellow female fashion icon, Barbie, on a line of exclusive designs that give back to a cause.

Launching Wednesday, November 16, the six-piece Barbie x Kendra Scott capsule draws inspiration from fashion, friendship, and being a force for good. The collaboration comes as both brands celebrate big anniversaries, 20 years for Scott and 60 for Barbie Dreamhouse.

Highlights of the collection include two necklaces in elevated plating, two bracelets, and two pairs of earrings — all in hot pink Barbie hues and all featuring the craftsmanship and attention to detail Kendra Scott customers know and love. Reinventing the brand's signature silhouette, the versatile Barbie x Kendra Scott gold Elisa multi strand necklace features a double sided design, as does the Barbie x Kendra Scott chain necklace, which is perfect for layering or as its own statement piece.


Barbie x Kendra Scott ElisaThe versatile Barbie x Kendra Scott gold Elisa multi strand necklace features a double sided design.Courtesy of Kendra Scott

For ear candy, the Barbie x Kendra Scott gold statement earrings are just that, adorned with new hot pink drusy and high-shine stones. Hoop lovers will hop straight to the Barbie x Kendra Scott gold huggie earrings, where pink opal adds a pop of color to the sophisticated-yet-playful design. Meanwhile, the Barbie x Kendra Scott gold delicate chain bracelet is minimal, yet attention-grabbing with pink crystal baguette stones.

As for the giving back, Scott will donate 20 percent of every purchase of the Barbie x Kendra Everlyne friendship bracelet to the Barbie Dream Gap Project. Created to raise awareness around limiting factors that prevent girls from reaching their full potential, the brand's global initiative supports Girls Inc. in its mission to empower a new generation of leaders. In collaboration with global charitable organizations, the initiative provides resources, curriculum, skills development, and leadership opportunities to girls between the ages of 5 and 10.

“Barbie™ x Kendra Scott draws from a desire to help women feel confident, powerful, and capable of anything that we set our minds to. Growing up, Barbie taught me that beauty comes in many forms, and most importantly, to pursue my passions,” said Kendra Scott, founder, designer, and executive chairwoman of the brand, in a release. “I’m so proud to partner together on a collection that celebrates both fashion and philanthropy so we can continue to inspire the next generation of girls to dream even bigger.”

Prices range from $65-$198, and the limited-edition Barbie x Kendra Scott collection will be available at Kendra Scott retail stores and online.

Courtesy of Kendra Scott

Kendra Scott talks her new memoir and shining career ahead of Southlake appearance

kendra's Next Chapter

Celebrated Texas jewelry star Kendra Scott’s ability to juggle a work-life balance is seriously impressive. The founder of her namesake billion-dollar brand is a newlywed, about to drop her first memoir, Born to Shine: Do Good, Find Your Joy, and Build a Life You Love, and will be returning as a guest shark on the new season of Shark Tank.

Between a dizzying schedule of managing her brand, philanthropic efforts, a multi-state book tour, Shark Tank duties, and nurturing a new blended family of eight, we wonder when the Austin-based entrepreneur has time to breathe.

Apparently, queso, margaritas, and finding joy in the little things fuel the entrepreneur to keep going. Scott also credits her marriage to Thomas Evans (her wedding ring is the one piece of jewelry she never takes off) and the relationship with her family, including three sons — Kade, Beck, and Grey — as foundations of her success.

And while her jewelry has been a must-have accessory for over two decades, her first venture into the literary world has been one of vulnerability and determination.

She's bringing her book tour to the Kendra Scott boutique in Southlake Town Square at 1 pm Sunday, September 18; tickets ($35) are available here.

Ahead of her appearance in DFW, CultureMap sat down with Scott to get the exclusive on her next chapter.

CultureMap:How long did it take you to write Born to Shine?

Kendra Scott: It took a little over two years from when I decided to write the book, but really I have been writing this book for years. I never realized that my journal notes would someday turn into a book. It has been a long process, but after 20 years of our company being in business — it was honestly the perfect time to write this book.

CM: How did you juggle writing, managing the business and being a working mom?

KS: You know, it is always a challenge. If anyone tells you it is easy, and they have it figured out, I think they are lying. I wrote this during the pandemic, so I was home working with the support system of my closest people with me. All of our meetings were virtual, so it allowed me to have time for reflection.

I had also just stepped down as CEO and could just focus on being chairwoman, designer, and founder. I was able to focus more on our philanthropic efforts, like our school at the University of Texas (Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute), and concentrate on writing this book. It is something that I have always wanted to do.

CM: How personal do you get in the book?

KS: I get very vulnerable in the book and I feel that there is power in vulnerability. I hope that being vulnerable will allow other women or people to share their failures, successes, and ups and downs and be authentic.

I also hope that the stories of my childhood, marriage, divorce, starting a business and failing at a business — all of those things are part of what makes me who I am. In the book, I talk about the power of gemstones. Gems all have veins that are considered imperfections, but really it is what makes them beautiful.

CM: Was there anything that you wrote but then changed your mind about?

KS: I pulled out the entire first chapter, and I wasn’t going to put it in there. My publisher, who is also my editor, told me that the chapter was great and that she thought it should be chapter one.

It made me realize that I had to be honest because the book starts in a tough place but then takes readers on an unbelievable ride.

CM: Can fans look forward to more books in the future?

KS: You know, I thought about this. Now that this book is out there in the world, I don't think it will be the last one. It is a different way to be creative, and I think I have other stories to tell.

I would love to do a children’s book someday. My oldest son was one when I started this company; now, he is 20, so he has grown along with the business. Now I have a nine-year-old, and I’ve always read to him. I really hope that children’s books will be in my future.

CM: You are returning to Shark Tank for Season 14. How was the experience this time around?

KS: I absolutely love being on Shark Tank. I will be flying to Los Angeles for the premiere with all the other guest sharks on September 23, and it is exciting because there has never been a live premiere.

Nothing inspires me more than other entrepreneurs. There are long days on set, but they go by quickly because it gets me pumped to meet other entrepreneurs. Many of these people were thinking of ideas before the pandemic, and the downtime during the pandemic gave them the opportunity to put their ideas into action. I get to witness just a little of that in the tank – it is so fun.

CM: You have a lot going on, but is there anything else fans can look forward to before the end of the year?

KS: We just launched engagement rings and a whole bridal collection which is so exciting. We are expanding into other fine jewelry categories, including diamonds and gold and are adding more customization options than ever before.

Scott Brothers, the line I created with my boys during the pandemic, is also expanding. It is so fun that our male customers who were here to buy for the women in their lives can now buy something for themselves. We also just expanded into watches, so a lot is going on.

If you think about it, it took Ralph Lauren 25 years to expand into other categories. Our company has been around for 20 years, so I really like that the next phase of Kendra Scott will be so fun and exciting. From a philanthropic standpoint, we have given over $50 million since 2010 to women's and children's charities. We are, in many ways, a philanthropic organization within a brand. That is how we measure success, so I can not wait to announce our charitable efforts in the coming years.

We have a strong foundation and know what we represent and stand for — I feel like the best is yet to come.

Kendra Scott's first memoir drops on September 20th.

Kendra Scott_Born to Shine
Courtesy of Kendra Scott
Kendra Scott's first memoir drops on September 20th.
Worthy Books

Millionaire Texas jewelry maven Kendra Scott writes next chapter with dazzling memoir

Turning the page

She launched a jewelry company now valued at $1 billion. She received the national EY Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2017. Two years later, she was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame. And she’s been a guest “shark” on ABC’s Shark Tank. And just last week, she released a bridal capsule collection in collaboration with a popular blogger.

Kendra Scott, founder of the Austin-based jewelry company that bears her name, reigns as a Texas and American success story. Now, she’s telling her story in her first memoir, Born to Shine: Do Good, Find Your Joy, and Build a Life You Love.

The memoir, published by the Worthy Books division of Hachette Book Group, is scheduled to be released September 20. It can be preordered now.

“With a voice that’s vulnerable, wise, funny, and poignant, Kendra takes us on a journey of personal stories and tough life lessons, from her humble beginnings as a bullied middle-schooler in small-town Wisconsin, to launching a business in her spare bedroom with $500, to the devastating accident that turned her world on its axis,” Worthy Books says in a news release promoting the book.

“Through the ups and downs, her struggles and triumphs, Kendra builds a life — and a career — grounded in joy, kindness, purpose, and doing good, a life she desires for every reader,” the release continues.

Scott began creating jewelry in a spare bedroom at her Austin home in 2002. Fourteen years later, the Kendra Scott brand operates more than 115 stores across the country, including two in San Antonio, and rings up annual sales in the neighborhood of $360 million.

In 2017, Boston-based investment firm Berkshire Partners invested an undisclosed amount in the Kendra Scott brand. The deal valued the company at $1 billion.

In February 2021, the company announced Scott would step down as CEO of the brand but stay aboard as executive chairwoman and chief creative officer. Forbes last year estimated Scott’s net worth at $800 million.

Today, Scott is a professor of practice at the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at the University of Texas. She also serves on the boards of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

“Kendra Scott is a generous philanthropist, an unwavering optimist, a devoted daughter, and a mother with a squad of strong female friendships. Her entrepreneurial spirit developed at an early age and her path to success is unique, intriguing, and certainly not an easy one,” the Worthy Books news release says. “In 20 years, she has catapulted her eponymous jewelry line, which started as a hobby in her home, into a mega-popular business that has garnered a loyal following of clientele across the globe.”

Photo courtesy of Kendra Scott

Here comes the bridal jewelry in new Kendra Scott collection with Texas blogger

Sparkle and shine

Popular jewelry designer and philanthropist Kendra Scotthas coupled up with Texas lifestyle blogger Emily Travis of Champagne & Chanel to launch an exclusive collaborative bridal collection.

Austin-based Travis co-designed the collection, marking the first-ever influencer-designed partnership for Kendra Scott. The line is available now in all Kendra Scott stores, including those in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Travis started her blog in 2016 while she was a senior studying at Texas A&M University. What began as a creative outlet has garnered more than 1 million followers. As she is a dedicated wearer of Kendra Scott, the brand line has been with Travis during monumental moments in her life, she says.

While on her own wedding journey, Travis couldn’t imagine celebrating her special day without Kendra Scott, she says, and had a vision of what she wanted for her bridal party: timelessness.

“I’m a firm believer that when you find accessories you love, that give you the extra boost of confidence, the rest falls into place — especially on your wedding day,” Scott says in a statement. “We were in the process of expanding our bridal variety and it felt serendipitous when Emily shared her vision for her wedding. I was honored to help her bring this to life for her big day.”

The capsule bridal collection, named after female figures in Travis’ life, features a variety of classic shapes like emerald and round-cut crystals and timeless designs. Included in the capsule collection are dainty drop earrings, tennis bracelets, and necklaces. Together, Scott and Travis created quality pieces at an attainable price point ranging from $58 to $148.

In addition to creating keepsake styles, Travis wanted to design versatile pieces that could not only be worn for black-tie affairs but also more casually every day.

When co-designing the collection, Scott encouraged Travis to incorporate other elements from the big day, such as her floral arrangements. This inspired the Cameron Statement Earring, crafted to effortlessly transition from a formal showstopper to a stud with a unique detachable piece.

“Getting the chance to design a collection with Kendra Scott has definitely been one of the biggest ‘pinch me’ moments of my life,” says Travis in a statement. “This collection is very special to me because it’s inspired by the happiest day — my wedding. I am so proud and honored to have my name on each of these pieces and I hope you love them as much as I do!”

The Kendra Scott x Champagne & Chanel capsule collection is available now.

Kendra Scott x Champagne & Chanel
Photo courtesy of Kendra Scott
The Kendra Scott x Champagne & Chanel capsule collection is available now.
Facebook/Mustard Seed Jewelry

Inspirational Fort Worth jewelry designer earns a time to shine on QVC

Good as gold

Just about everyone in Fort Worth who wears, buys, or gifts jewelry knows of Marcie Finney Ditto and her faith-based Mustard Seed Jewelry. Now approximately 380 million homes worldwide will know about her, too, thanks to an upcoming appearance on the TV shopping network QVC.

Mustard Seed Jewelry was named a winner of QVC and HSN’s The Big Find Search, an annual contest to discover the most unique and innovative products around the world. The prize is a personal appearance and product launch on QVC, which will be broadcast live from Ditto's Fort Worth studio on Tuesday, June 22. She announced the big news live to her social media followers on June 15.

"It's been like having a baby and a college crash course all crammed into one," Ditto says by phone, excited and breathless from finally getting to announce something that's been in the works for nearly a year.

The contest launched in July 2020, and moving forward through each round, especially mid-pandemic, she says, has been an exciting, rigorous, eye-opening, faith-testing, wild dream come true.

"The special thing about the contest is it really gives smaller brands a chance to be on this network, where it’s not easy to come to," she says. "It’s kind of like their version of Shark Tank and an incredible opportunity for you to be in front of their audience."

Mustard Seed is one of five winners in the jewelry category of the contest, which also includes apparel, accessories, footwear, beauty, electronics, and more.

QVC has hand-selected several Mustard Seed pieces — a mix of exclusive debuts and classic favorites — to sell as part of the collection. Just like all Mustard Seed jewelry, the QVC items will be personally designed and crafted by Ditto's Fort Worth artisans using actual mustard seeds, the hallmark of the brand.

Ditto doesn't yet know the time her segment will air on the 22nd, but it will be be sometime between 3-5 pm local time.

"I definitely want to inspire people who have watched us grow and loved us to watch," she says.

From kitchen table to QVC
Ditto gets choked up talking about how far her business has come since she launched it at her kitchen table in 2014 with no more than an idea and a prayer. Back then, she just wanted to give generously and inspire others to grow in faith — like the mustard seed (a parable from the Bible).

As part of her goal to inspire "mountain movers," Ditto includes a small amount of "seed cash" inside each box, intended for the recipient to use it toward a kind gesture. During the COVID shutdowns, her employees wrote "love letters" to customers as a way to ease their loneliness. Mustard Seed booths are a regular fixture at nonprofit events, and she regularly hosts charitable shopping nights at the studio.

With its big-hearted business plan and unique designs, the company has grown about 200 percent each year.

Ditto says people kept mentioning QVC, but it seemed like too big a mountain to climb herself, "bigger than what I could do," she says. Then last year on a beach vacation with her mother-in-law (herself a successful entrepreneur who owned the company that was the precursor to Glamour Shots), Ditto got messages from a client and a friend saying, "You have to enter this QVC contest." And that was it.

"A lot of people think when you own a business you can't have down time, that when you're not working you're not making money," she says. "God can be working while you're resting. Seasons of having rest are equally important as the busy part."

High-profile QVC is a new "wonderful exciting partnership," Ditto says. But local customers shouldn't worry; she plans to continue business as usual from her Fort Worth home base. In fact, she says, people can still make appointments to drop by and shop any time.

But the prospect to reach a new, global audience is more than a little thrilling. QVC and HSN form one of the world’s largest video commerce platforms, reaching more than 90 million homes in the United States and 380 million worldwide via broadcast channels, streaming, web, mobile, and social platforms.

"It's exciting to see our message go out to so many people," Ditto says. "To me that is the why — to touch a lot of hearts — and it's going to be fun to see our beautiful jewels go out to that many people; we are incredibly blessed."

Marcie Finney Ditto will launch Mustard Seed Jewelry on QVC on June 22.

Marcie Finney Ditto, Mustard Seed Jewelry
Facebook/Mustard Seed Jewelry
Marcie Finney Ditto will launch Mustard Seed Jewelry on QVC on June 22.
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CultureMap Emails are Awesome

'Yellowstone' stars to greet fans at Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Yellowstone news

Yellowstone fans, get your comfy shoes ready - there'll be a long line for this one. Cole Hauser a.k.a. "Rip Wheeler" on Yellowstone, and Taylor Sheridan, the show's co-creator, executive producer, and director of the series, will meet fans and sign autographs at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

The event will take place from 4:30-6:30 pm only on Friday, February 3. Location is the 6666 Ranch booth near the south end of Aisle 700 in the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Exhibits Hall.

According to a February 2 announcement from FWSSR, "fans will have the opportunity to snag an autograph as well as purchase some distinctive Yellowstone and 6666 Ranch merchandise while also enjoying all the features the Stock Show offers."

The event is free to attend (with paid Stock Show admission) and open to the public.

It's the second year in a row for Hauser to appear at FWSSR; in 2022, he and fellow cast mates drew huge crowds.

Sheridan, a Paschal High School graduate, is no stranger to Fort Worth; he lives in a ranch near Weatherford and filmed 1883, the prequel to Yellowstone, in and around Fort Worth. Currently, another spinoff, 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, is filming in North Texas.

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is winding up its 2023 run on Saturday, February 4.

Big openings and major comebacks top this Fort Worth restaurant news

News You Can Eat

This roundup of restaurant news around Fort Worth includes a big opening, some major comebacks, and lots of delicious new dishes to check out.

Here's what's happening in Fort Worth restaurant news:

Quince, a restaurant founded in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, which has been proclaimed the "No. 1 Rooftop Restaurant in the World," has opened a location in Fort Worth, in the WestBend development at 1701 River Run; it opened March 27. The menu features seafood including sushi and ceviches, steaks, salads, and bowls. There's steak au jus, tuna, tempura shrimp, chicken with ginger rice, filet with chateau potatoes, short ribs in truffle sauce on hummus with crunchy chickpeas, pasta fusilli with lamb ragout, New York strip, and a cowboy ribeye. They also serve brunch with dishes such as huevos rancheros, eggs benedict, French toast with berries and cream, chilaquiles verdes, and eggs shakshouka.

61 Osteria, the upscale Italian restaurant in Fort Worth, has launched weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am-2 pm, and weekday lunch from 11 am-2 pm. Brunch includes the Semolina Dutch Baby with luxardo cherries, lemon, and powdered sugar; scrambled egg bruschetta with ricotta, prosciutto, and hen of the wood mushrooms; House Granola with chestnut honey, farro, hazelnuts, and yogurt; and Mozzarella in Carrozza - battered mozzarella sandwich with tomato sauce, calabrian chili, and baked eggs. Lunch includes salads and sandwiches such as the Italian hoagie with Rovagnati cured meats, giadiniera, provolone, gem lettuce, tomato, and calabrian chili aioli; Broccolini Panino with preserved lemon, calabrian chili, provolone, mozzarella, and roasted garlic aioli; and Shaved Porchetta with castlefranco, provolone, mozzarella, fennel, and caramelized mostarda, all served with rosemary fries or a small Caesar.

The Original Mexican Eats Cafe, which has been open at 4713 Camp Bowie Blvd. for nearly a century, will not shut its doors at the end of March, despite previous reports to the contrary. According to a confusing post on their Facebook page, they've been given an extension of three months. “Well friends, we’ve been waiting for our Knight in shining armor, and He has ARRIVED!! We just secured a 3 month extension! Hopefully this will lead to a permanent stay! Nonetheless, we will stay here on Camp Bowie at least through the end of June!!” When asked who the Knight in shining armor was, the restaurant responded that it was "not an actual person, just a small miracle." Sure seems like the landlord cut them a break; wouldn't that guy be the knight?

Terra Mediterranean Grill is reopening in Crockett Row. According to a post on Crockett Row's Facebook page, the restaurant from Adam and Lena Chanaa returns after a four-year absence. Adam and his brother Jalal and their mother opened their first place, Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill, on Lower Greenville in Dallas in 1989. That closed, but they still have an Ali Baba in Richardson as well as one in Monterey, Mexico, plus a Terra Mediterranean in Plano. The Fort Worth Terra originally opened in 2009, but closed due to pandemic. They'll return to the West 7th district, in the former Patrizio space, and hope to open in late August. Before that, they'll be opening a Mexican restaurant across the street called La Cabrona.

Fred's Texas Cafe has launched a new menu with favorites and new dishes including chicken dishes such as tinga chicken salad, a hot honey chicken sandwich, and a grilled chicken Cobb. There's a veggie quesadilla with pepper jack cheese, black beans, corn, portabello mushrooms, and grilled onions, salads, and new burgers such as the veggie burger with a whole sautéed portobello mushroom cap, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion, and mustard; and a salad burger featuring a Fredburger with lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese.

La Madeleine has new limited-edition bakery items for spring: Blueberry & Lemon Individual Cheesecake topped with tart lemon whipped cream; Blueberry and Lemon Crepe with blueberry-cheesecake filling and fresh blueberries; and Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting. Three seasonal favorites are also returning: Lemon Blueberry Danish with blueberries and a lemon cream center; Lemon White Chocolate Chunk Cookie with tangy lemon glaze; and Lemon Poppyseed Muffin with a sweet lemon glaze drizzle.

Dog Haus has a new creation: the Pepperoni Pizza Sausage, a savory link with pork and fennel Italian sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella, tomato, and oregano. Guests can get it the Würst Way, served on King's Hawaiian rolls with spicy basil aioli and grated cheese; the Corn Dog Way dipped in Dog Haus’ root beer batter; and “Sliced Way” grilled and sliced with spicy basil aioli. A new item in the Absolute Würst Sausage Series arrives each month.

Cowboy Chicken, famous for its rotisserie chicken, has added chicken tenders to its menu, served with honey blaze, ranch, BBQ, and honey mustard sauces.

Genghis Grill has partnered with chef Robert Kabakoff on a trio of new Fried Rice bowls: Kimchi Fried Rice with spicy pickled cabbage, fried rice, scrambled egg, in spicy Korean chili sauce; Jambalaya with chicken, sausage, shrimp, onion, bell pepper, and dirty rice; Farmhouse with chicken, bacon, jalapeños, ranch seasoning, fried rice with carrots, bell pepper, onions, and a cream BBQ ranch sauce. They start at $8.49.

Dunkin' has new Breakfast Tacos with scrambled eggs, sharp white cheddar cheese, fire-roasted corn, and tangy lime crema in a soft flour tortilla, with or without bacon. What sets Breakfast Tacos apart is the fact that the fire-roasted corn takes center stage.

Cicis Pizza is collaborating with Mike’s Hot Honey to offer a Hot Honey pepperoni pizza, drizzled with the signature chili pepper-infused honey. Now through April 30, the Hot Honey Pizza will be in the third slot after Garlic Cheesy Bread and Pepperoni Pizza, or to-go, $10 for a medium, $12 for a large, or $15 for a giant.

Yogurtland, the self-serve frozen yogurt brand, has two new seasonal fro-yo flavors: Thai Tea and Boba Milk Tea, inspired by two classic tea experiences. Thai Tea frozen yogurt is new, with a bold black tea flavor and sweet cream notes. Boba Milk Tea is a returning flavor, with brown sugar notes. They also have a new limited-edition topping: rainbow mochi.

Chick-fil-A has brought back Watermelon Mint Lemonade after six years. It's available as Watermelon Mint Sunjoy, Watermelon Mint Iced Tea, and Watermelon Mint Frosted Lemonade, starting Monday, April 3. "Guests loved the Watermelon Mint Lemonade in 2017, so we are thrilled to bring it back to our menu and introduce new ways for guests to enjoy this flavor," a spokesperson says.

Gong Cha has a new Sparkling Series of bubbly beverages featuring combinations of fruit flavors, pearls, jelly, milk foam, and sparkling water: Sparkling Milk Foam Mango with Star Jelly, a bright, fruity and fizzy mango drink topped with milk foam and chewy, peach flavored jelly in star shapes; Sparkling Lychee with Mango Popping Pearls, a tropical fruit blend of lychee with bursts of mango in each pearl; and Sparkling Hibiscus with White Pearls, a sweet & sour hibiscus drink with tart, floral flavor and chewy white pearls. The chain has seven locations in DFW.

Häagen-Dazs Shops has a new ice cream confection: Pineapple Coconut Shake, an alcohol-free ode to the classic piña colada, made from Häagen-Dazs Pineapple Coconut ice cream, topped with whipped cream and a slice of fresh pineapple, available April 1-June 14.

Milk Bar, the New York dessert company, has launched two new cookie types in grocery stores: bite-sized crunchy cookies (“crunchies”) and ready-to-bake cookie dough. Known for familiar-yet-unexpected items like their Compost Cookies, Milk Bar entered into the Grocery category in 2020. Crunchies will come in four flavors: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Toast, Pretzel-y Chocolate Chip, and Vanilla Butter Crunch, and sold at Whole Foods. The cookie dough comes in two flavors: Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow and Fruity Cereal, and is sold at Target and Kroger.

El Chico has two new cocktails featuring tropical flavors: Guava ‘Rita: with Monte Alban 100% Agave Silver Tequila, Gran Gala Orange Liqueur, Reàl Guava and margarita mix; and Sangria Swirl, a house frozen ‘Rita with El Toro Silver Tequila and red sangria swirl. Both are $7 and will be available April 3-July 3 at participating El Chico locations: 1549 S. Bowen Rd. Pantego; 7621 Baker Blvd., North Richland Hills; and 503 I-30, Rockwall.

Chili’s is no longer using children’s activity placemats that promote keeping parrots and monkeys as pets, after a complaint was lodged in Nebraska. The North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance collaborated with PETA to discourage use of the placemats.

Ridiculously violent John Wick: Chapter 4 hits most of the right marks

Movie Review

The world of John Wick sure has changed a lot from its relatively small beginnings in 2014. Back then, Wick (Keanu Reeves) was just a former hitman out for revenge on the people who killed his dog. Now it’s a full-blown franchise with a story that spans continents, necessitating that each subsequent sequel try to out-do the previous film.

John Wick: Chapter 4 is the biggest movie in the series yet, clocking in at just shy of three hours. Stunt coordinator-turned-director Chad Stahelski does his best to fill that massive running time with as much brutality and derring-do as possible. Wick, having long ago run afoul of the powers-that-be that lead the hitman syndicate, The High Table, is still on the lam, with only a few loyal friends willing to help him.

One of the leaders of The High Table, the Marquis (Bill Skarsgård), is on mission to root out Wick once and for all, systemically shutting down versions of The Continental, hotels that serve as safe houses for assassins like Wick. With the Marquis and his henchmen constantly on his tail, Wick has no choice but to do what he does best – take out as many people as he can before they get to him first.

The film, written by Shay Hatten, Michael Finch, and Derek Kolstad, is not quite a non-stop thrill ride, but it’s as close as you can get when you decide to make a film this long. The complexity of the machinations of The High Table makes it almost impossible to keep up with the actual story of the film, but when they get down to the business of fighting, none of that really matters.

There are multiple extended sequences that become an orgy of violence, but the way they’re staged by Stahelski and his team make them eminently engaging. John Wick: Chapter 3 suffered from repetitiveness, and while the same could be said here to a degree, it feels fresher because of the sheer number of combatants and constantly changing scenery.

The fight scenes are magnificently over-the-top, but in this series, that’s to be expected. Where the filmmakers step up this time around is in the cinematography, with bravura shots filling the screen. The camera is almost constantly on the move, swooping in, out, and above the action. One especially memorable sequence even has the camera going above walls to follow the fighting.

While the majority of the story is treated in a deadly serious manner, the filmmakers aren’t afraid to add in some goofy elements. We’ve always had to take Wick’s ability to survive (mostly) unscathed with a huge grain of salt, but this film turns that idea up to 11. At certain points, there’s a kind of a Wile E. Coyote tone to Wick’s escapes, especially a late sequence involving (many) stairs.

There’s not much to the character of John Wick other than his preternatural ability to kill, and Reeves continues to play him perfectly, expressing himself more in gunshots and punches than words. In addition to returning favorites like Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, and Laurence Fishburne, this film sees great supporting turns by Skarsgård, Donnie Yen, and Shamier Anderson.

John Wick: Chapter 4 did not need to be nearly as long as it is, but in this case, the excess is the point. Much of it is ridiculous and ridiculously violent, but it’s also highly entertaining, which is all you can hope for from this type of film.

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John Wick: Chapter 4 is now playing in theaters.

Keanu Reeves in John Wick: Chapter 4

Photo by Murray Close/Lionsgate

Keanu Reeves in John Wick: Chapter 4.