Oh So Cynthia

Little Man and I had a super-fun date Saturday night. The event was the 3d annual The Art of Skateboarding at South Side on Lamar.  

It was an evening of spectacular art, skateboarding, cocktails and fun benefiting Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

Throughout the evening guests could bid on and purchase their favorite artist's skateboard and limited edition Vans shoes.

175 skateboards were on display, designed by either a celebrity artist, clothing designer, graphic designer, or a local artist.

As a Mom, I love events like this that I can share with my son.  Jackson loved the eclectic crowd, photo booth, colorful art and endless supply of Vitamin Water (sponsor). 

It was great to show him that appreciating art doesn't have to mean visiting a stuffy museum.

Jackson's favorite piece: The Snake

Another fun art installation: The Octopus

BIG kudos to my friend, Bri Crum, of Plan b PR for executing a fabulous event.

I posted earlier this week about a Dallas Blogger event I went to on Wednesday night for the Nest, an upscale home furnishings and gift store. They had a fabulous swag bag!  Why was it so fabulous that it inspired a second post, you ask?  Because it was loaded with jewelry!  What girl isn't going to get excited about that!! This was my favorite piece in the bag:

Pewter Twig Band from f. is for Frank – $36

I went to f. is for Frank's website to see what else they did and was happily surprised to see that they are based in here in Dallas! After cruising around the website... now I have my eye on these pieces:

In case anyone is wondering what I would like for the holidays... I'm just sayin'.  f. is for Frank will be a vendor at the upcoming etsy Jingle Bash on November 20 at the Palladium.  I can't wait to find them and try on all their wares in person. Thanks to Beth Dotolo and the Nest for making the introduction!

 

Rain drops and black clouds couldn't dampen the day for the 7 lucky bloggers who were invited to take an intimate tour of one of Dallas' newest developments, Park Lane.  Shout out to my fellow Bloggers: Holly, Lea Ann, Allie, Shauna, me!, Jennifer and Nicole.

Our first stop was to Dick's Sporting Goods. As the Mother of a 10-year old sports-lovin' boy, this store gets a lot of my money! Barry talked to us about the ins and outs of how to pick the perfect shoe. I paid little attention because I do not want to know these things any more than I want to know how to change a flat tire or the oil in my car. What I did like, is that THEY know these things. The staff is super educated and informed and can tell you what you need. Me likey.

We stopped to refuel at Bailey's Prime Plus for lunch.  This place is fantastic - words can't even describe its opulence. I felt like I was in Las Vegas. If you've ever been to a high-end restaurant in Vegas - you know what I mean. The highlight was the Pink Bubbly Cosmo we were served.  A concoction that had dry-ice packed in the bottom of the glass so it looked like a bubbling witch's brew.

I had to bail on the next two stops, which were Freshberry and the Aveda Institute, to prepare for a client meeting but will be going back to visit those establishments. You think I am missing out on a spa visit?! Hell to the no!  Stay tuned for Part 2!! COMING LATE NOVEMBER: Get read for the biggest Old Navy this state has seen! A 2-story super store is set to open, featuring an inter-active play area for the kids.  Jesus has answered my prayers and put some icing on the cupcake! For those of you who haven't visited Park Lane development yet, this beautiful facility is located directly across Central Exp. from NorthPark Center in between Park Lane and NW Hwy.

POST: A Blogger Social was hosted last night by by Hello, Splendor and Fabulous K

Beth Dotolo, blogger and designer extraordinaire, held a Blogger Social for Dallas' most fashionable bloggers to view the new location for the Nest: an upscale home furnishings and gift store now located on Mckinney Ave. - a few doors down from Forty Five Ten boutique.

Champagne and cupcakes were on hand, plus a great swag bag for the first 30 people.  And YES, I was one of those first 30 and the bag was FABULOUS.

A special thanks to Beth for putting together a fabulous soiree. The store is amazing and has tons of fantastic gift ideas, big and small. Just in time for the holidays.  You can visit the NEST  at 4524 McKinney Dallas, TX 75205.

Click through the photo album to view the super cool items I spotted.

Labels. It's human nature to want to categorize things. It makes it easy for us to understand and prioritize people, places and things by labeling them.  I get it.  But I don't always like it.

"Are you a Republican or a Democrat?" Since it is November and we are in an election year, I've been getting this one a lot.  I say, "It depends."  I don't vote straight party, I vote on the issues. And my thoughts on the issues change as my life changes. 10 years ago I didn't give a whoop about education. Now that I have a child, I care a LOT about health care and education. 

Another label I don't always care for is "Mommy Blogger".  For one thing, this blog is not all about my child and how I parent him.  Because my life isn't one-dimensional, neither are these blog posts. I write about what's on my mind and what I like and where I go.  There are pros and cons to playing the Mom Blogger game. It's become a generic term, so if you want to be courted by advertisers and corporations... you need to have your blog optimized for certain Mom key words and have the audience to back it up. Anyone notice my .url? Hello! There was a reason for this selection... IJS.

I'm not gonna lie, the free swag is awesome. This is a BIG "pro" to being in the Dallas Mommy Blogger club.  I love being one of the first people in the Dallas market to get to test a product or visit a new restaurant. I love the invites to parties and events. It makes me feel like my opinion matters. And that's really why I started blogging.  Because I felt like I had something to say.  It's fantastic to get that validation from corporations.  And it's great to hear from readers who relate to my stories and agree or challenge my ideas. LOVE IT.

Those who are the most successful in the blogosphere only blog about topics that pertain to a certain niche they are courting.  Well, sorry. That's boring. So, I'll forgo being the #1 blogger in America to keep doing what I personally find fun and stimulating. Which is writing about a variety of topics. I could have a handful of blogs: one for marketing and social media speak, one for parenting, one for Dallas events and entertainment and one for reality TV. (Yes. Some people actually do this)  But that's waaaaay too much trouble. Besides, I'd rather you be entertained because you just never know what the newest blog topic might be.  Keeps you on your toes. 

But, this label of Mommy Blogger... It feels old and outdated.  Like how we used to say trousers in the 1940s and now we say pants.  Ladies used to carry handbags in the 1950s, but now we have a purse.  You see where I'm going with this. Maybe 5-8 years ago, Mom Bloggers only went viral through their blogs (hence the appropriate label we were given)  But today, we are multi-media Mommies and have a plethora of platforms to communicate with various niches and consumer groups: Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, Gowalla and Foursquare, YouTube to name a few.

So, bloggers of the world, I say it is time to update the term Mom Blogger to Social Media Mommy.  If I have to have a label, then this is the one I'm writing proudly on my name tag at the next PTA Group or Meet Up. Who's with me?

The State Fair of Texas is a MUST for anyone in town this time of year. First of all, it's the best people-watching ever.  You'll see all walks of life here.  It's always a thrill to be greeted by Big Tex as you enter the Fair grounds. 

We always wander through the Auto Show and the Petting Zoo. Be sure to visit the Hall of State to see the Butter Sculpture. It's a life-size... something made entirely of butter.  This year is was a TX and OU football player embraced in a tackle. Very cool.  My family loves strolling the Midway. The sounds, smells and lights embody what the Fair is all about. Beware of the carny games.  They are all rigged and if you win anything it will be a miracle.

Tuesdays are the best days to go. Rides are 50% off and it's $3 to get in when you bring an empty Dr. Pepper can.  Trust me, you'll need your money for once you get inside!

The absolute best part about the State Fair of Texas is all the Fried Foods.  It's why our Fair is the most famous in all the world! The offerings change every year.  This year I tried the Fried Frito Pie, which I would recommend but you need to add salsa and/or sour cream.  My 10-year old loved the Fried Cookie Dough, which was like a ball of chocolate cookie dough that you put in the over and let bake halfway and then pulled it out.  So, the outside was crispy but the inside was a gooey mess. Drizzled with chocolate syrup and sprinkled with powdered sugar... what kid wouldn't love that!  Fletcher's Corny Dogs and Funnel Cake are a yearly tradition that we never deviate from.  I also like to get a Gyro in the Food Pavilion.

Overall, it is the best family entertainment around. There's something for everyone!

Unfortunately, Orange Crush was defeated 13 to 6.

Let's hope the other orange team playing today has better luck.
Hook 'em Horns and beat OU!