Courtney Kerr makes a statement with new BaubleBar collaboration

You know Courtney Kerr?  If you don't already, you soon will. She's a big-haired loud mouth turned BRAVO reality TV star, turned fashion blogger, turned TV host, turned fashion designer! How many lives does this kitty cat have?!

Her new collaboration with BaubleBar - an online accessories shopping site - launched yesterday and the collection is filled with Kerr's signature statement-making pieces at affordable prices ranging from $44 to $26.

“When they pitched this idea to me last summer, I never imagined all the dedicated hours that I would spend staring at samples and making decisions and that it would be so difficult,” Kerr told ShopTalk a few days ago. “Obviously, I wanted the collection to be done right, and of course I wanted it to be a reflection of me as a blogger and style tastemaker, but also, speak to my personality.”

“Looking at the collection I see every kind of girl: the one who wears long flowy maxi dresses with traditional turquoise jewelry, the one who dresses in head-to-toe black and tops it off with a badass spiked chain, and the gal who uses her layered jewelry to make a statement. Either way, there is something for every girl in this collection, and it’s a project with an incredible company that I could not be more proud of.”

Courtney's motto is "more is more".  So get to clickin' and fill up that shopping cart! Shop the collection at http://www.baublebar.com/guest-bartender/courtney-kerr.html

Travis Frederick will shave his beard for the love of Texas BBQ on May 30

Join Dallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick at 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House on May 30 to see him shave off that famous beard – all for the love of Texas BBQ. Earlier this month, Travis Frederick appeared on the Elf and Slater Show on 105.3 The Fan to talk about coming to play for the Dallas Cowboys. During that interview Frederick was asked what he thought about Texas BBQ. His response was, “I’d say brisket is probably my favorite. Ribs are also delicious. The problem with the ribs is they get all in your beard and everything. It takes too much work to keep yourself clean.”

On May 30, Travis Frederick will join The Ben and Skin Show from 105.3 The Fan at 3 Stacks Smoke and Tap House. Floyd’s 99 Barber Shop will ceremoniously shave off his beard and then Travis will be served a Texas-sized BBQ meal by 3 Stacks Pitmaster, Trace “The Rib Whisperer” Arnold. The Ben and Skin Show will be airing LIVE at 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House from 2-6 PM. The shaving ceremony and rib dinner will occur between 4:30-5 PM.

Cowboy fans are welcome to come and observe! Travis would also like to encourage fans to bring by donations of clothing, supplies and non-perishable food items for tornado relief efforts. 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House, in conjunction with Apple Moving, will be delivering all donations.

WHAT: Dallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick shaves his beard
WHEN: May 30, 4:30-5PM
WHERE: 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House is located at 4226 Preston Rd, Frisco, TX 75034, www.3stacksbbq.com

Terra Saunders brings Waitressville to CNBC's Crowd Rules

UPDATE (12:45pm)

I just got word that CNBC has shelved the remaining episodes of Crowd Rules and will relaunch the show later this Summer. Terra's episode will NOT be shown this evening. Boo!

Tonight, Dallas' own Terra Saunders brings Waitressville to America on a new show from CNBC called Crowd Rules. Crowd Rules features three small businesses each week who compete in front of an audience of 100. Their votes decide who wins a much-needed $50,000 prize. Entrepreneur and jewelry designer Kendra Scott, TV Newsman Pat Kiernan, along with a weekly guest industry expert, lead the examination of the small businesses in order to help a studio audience choose which company wins the $50,000. While the small business owners make their case to the panel of three, the real power lies in the hands of the audience whose votes will ultimately decide which business is most deserving of the investment. 

Waitressville is a new apparel company designed to give employees a look that will speak volumes about the brand they represent. “What you wear says everything about who you are and what you stand for,” says Waitressville founder and head designer Terra Saunders. For most establishments, outfitting their employees means handing them a T-shirt with the company logo on it or a golf shirt paired with chinos. Saunders seeks to combine fashion with function and bring a more discerning approach to restaurant brands with her designs. Whether you operate a restaurant, bar, bowling alley or other form of entertainment venue, your employees serve as representatives and their look speaks volumes about your brand to the consumer.

Might I interject here to say that life is random.

Case in point: I worked at the Dallas Observer for 12 years and in that time I saw hundreds of sales reps come and go. I'm not kidding. Hundreds. One of the many who crossed my path was Terra Watson (now Saunders). She was decidedly different from the rest because she was also a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader.  She always had glamorous stories of going on tour with the USO or fun celebrities she encountered. She was cool.  But, she too, was gone before too long and I sort of forgot about her. Flash forward about 10 years and Terra's back in my life - now as a client!  Here's what's happened since I saw her last:

   

Saunders has always had an obsession with uniforms. “A uniform means you belong to something, whether it’s the Girl Scouts or a sports team. It’s a status symbol of sorts and as a kid I just wanted to belong. I wanted a uniform,” muses Saunders. Her dream came true when she joined the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders in 1995. Her dance background and experience with the Cowboys gave her the confidence to start DallaswearUniforms.com in 1998, designing dance apparel for other Pro Cheerleader teams. Dallaswear currently outfits cheerleading and dance teams including the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Stars and Oklahoma City Thunder - just to name a few. 

In 2009, the owner of Twin Peaks Restaurant approached Saunders and asked her to design a “sexy lumberjack” uniform for his company. Based on that successful partnership, Breastaurant Uniforms was created and is the undisputed leader for this niche of the food service industry. Current clients include Double D Ranch (TN/LA), Whisky River (NC/FL), and Bone Daddy’s House of Smoke (TX). Not wanting to limit her creativity (or income potential) Saunders has just launched Waitressville to provide restaurant owners worldwide with a one-stop shopping portal to purchase more fashionable apparel for their team or the opportunity to design a look that’s completely unique for each brand. Restaurant owners and managers can easily customize uniform styles, colors and logos directly online.

And now she's about to bring her ideas to the world on Crowd Rules.  What will the crowd think of Saunders’ Waitressville concept? Tune in to CNBC at 8PM TONIGHT to find out!

Hippee Dippee Gypsy Chic at Gypsy Wagon

When Carley Seale opened Gypsy Wagon a few years ago, she had no idea she was starting a cultural revolution. She just wanted a place to sell bohemian, country-chic goods. The Gypsy Wagon strives to carry gifts and home items that are handmade, that are produced with recycled or sustainable materials, and that are made by people and companies who care.  I attended a fun "rebranding" party last Thursday at Peggy Sue's BBQ in Snider Plaza. Carley was thrilled to show off her new billboard (pictured above) and talk about the changes they are making.

"We always have gotten great feedback on our home and gift selection. We recently realized that we had an equally fun story to tell with The Gypsy Wagon fashion. Our style is not about trends, but a state of mind. It is for the girl who prefers shopping flea markets to the mall, who understands the empowerment of wearing fringe boots, and who picks wildflowers to put in her hair," says Carley.  "The new website and billboard highlight this lifestyle through stylebooks, videos, and my new blog. Instead of focusing on individual products on the website, which is what most online stores do, we want to showcase our spirit, and invite our audience to join in the fun!"

Dallas Summer Musicals rejoices with Sister Act

Dallas Summer Musicals celebrates the soul with SISTER ACT - the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look—a convent. Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, SISTER ACT is reason to REJOICE!

Producer Whoopie Goldberg calls the show "Pure unadulterated fun for the whole family. This is nothing but a really good time."  Coming direct from Broadway, SISTER ACT is the feel-amazing musical comedy smash that the New York Post calls "Ridiculously fun,” and audiences are jumping to their feet in total agreement! Just a heads up that the show features all new original music, so don’t expect to hear songs from the movie.  This musical event features original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken who's credits include Newsies, Beauty and the Beast and Little Shop of Horrors.

A Maritime Museum for Dallas is in the works

Mayor Pro Tem Pauline Medrano  

PRESS RELEASE: Noting it will boost tourism, inspire patriotism and serve as an economic catalyst for Southern Dallas and the Trinity Corridor area, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and other local leaders unveiled plans last Friday to build the Dallas Maritime Museum, which will feature U.S. Navy and other vessels that may have borne the name Dallas in active maritime service or have a connection to the North Texas region.

Is it just me or is it strange to want to build a Maritime museum when the largest body of water we have in Dallas is Whiterock Lake? Just sayin'. 

The proposed $80 million museum will feature a 30,000 square foot museum facility, theater and event plaza along with three berths to house maritime vessels, which will be installed along the Trinity River. Plans are in the works for the U.S.S. Dallas submarine to occupy the first berth. It will be the first and only modern-attack nuclear submarine to be viewed out of the water by the general public “The U.S.S. Dallas is the Navy's second ship of that name, and the first to be named for the city of Dallas,” said Rollie Stevens, Captain, USN (Retired) and president of the Dallas Maritime Museum Foundation. “It’s a great honor that Dallas will be the final resting place for the our city’s namesake vessel.”

3d Annual Dallas Margarita Meltdown is coming May 26

The 3d Annual Dallas Margarita Meltdown 2013 will take place on Sunday, May 26th from 5-10pm.  40 years ago, Mariano Martinez invented the frozen margarita machine in Dallas and forever changed the way people around the world drink margaritas. So we take this shiz seriously! This event is a competition between some of the best restaurants and bars in the Dallas area. Competitors will concoct their finest margarita and offer samples to the public in the Bishop Arts District in Dallas, TX.

The full list of restaurants competing in this year’s Margarita Meltdown includes: Asador, El Fenix, Meso Maya, Veracruz Cafe, Ten Bells Tavern, Oak Cliff Social Club, Outpost, Victoria's, Mesa, Espumoso Caffe, El Ranchito, La Calle Doce, Iron Cactus, The Standard Pour, The People’s Last Stand, Urban Taco and last year’s winner Whiskey Cake will return to defend their title. New to the mix this year will be Bowl & Barrel, La Duni, Pozo Mercado, DeLat, Sunset Lounge, Lark in the Park, The Rustic, Boulevardier, Mutts Canine Cantina, 303 Bar & Grill all from Dallas, La Margarita from Irving and The Ranch in Las Colinas.

All attendees will have the opportunity to sample each ‘rita and vote on their favorite one via text message. Tickets for the event are $20 and part of the proceeds benefit La Voz del Anciano (The Voice of the Elderly), a local non-profit that helps serve the needs of the elderly Latino population. Vendor opportunities are still available. For more information, visit www.dallasmargaritameltdown.com.

Twitter Titter: Pat Smith

When I saw this tweet from Pat Smith, my first thought was, "Aw! My two favorite bitches!" Pat is such a lady, she probably would give me a very disapproving look for making such a bawdy remark. But it's funny! Look! They are even color coordinated! Pat ran into this yappy style-setter at a Dancing With the Stars taping with husband (and former DWTS champion) Emmitt Smith.

PS: It's Giggy, Pat. Not Gigi. 

Dirk Nowitzki's Celebrity Baseball Game 2013 Attracts Heavy Hitters

The NBA champion and 11-time NBA All-Star returns for Dirk Nowitzki’s 2013 Celebrity Baseball Game presented by Baylor Medical Center at Frisco on Saturday, June 29, at 6:30 p.m. at the Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco (7300 RoughRiders Trl). For the 12th year, two baseball teams, each made up of celebrity players and amateurs, will slug it out for nine innings of hard-charging, umpires-umpping, trash-talking, uniform-wearing, base-stealing, home run-hitting, authentic baseball!

A fleet of famous faces, sport stars and local luminaries will include Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks MVP and 2011 NBA champion), Mark Cuban (Dallas Mavericks owner and shark investor on TV series Shark Tank), Brian Cardinal (former Dallas Mavericks forward and 2011 NBA champion), Devin Harris (Atlanta Hawks guard and former Dallas Maverick), Eduardo Najera (Texas Legends coach and former Dallas Mavericks and OU standout), Terrell Owens (former Dallas Cowboys All-Pro wide receiver), Seneca Williams (New Orleans Saints quarterback), Michael Turner (former Atlanta Falcons running back), Michael Finley (former Dallas Mavericks All-Star) and Donnie Nelson (Dallas Mavericks president and GM) and more. Goose Gossage (MLB Hall of Fame pitcher and nine-time All-Star) and David Justice (former MLB outfielder and three-time All-Star) will be the team managers.

One Night Only! Flashback to the 80s with the return of Kempi's

Ah, the 1980's. When greed was good, ecstasy was legal and the only thing bigger than your shoulder pads was your hair. Those were the days!  The InterContinental Dallas is excited to announce its 30th anniversary and will celebrate on May 30th with a one-night-only return of the famed Kempi’s Nightclub. During the ‘80s, Kempi’s was the place to see and be seen, hosting athletes, celebrities and the Dallas elite for elaborate evenings of dancing and drinks. So it seems appropriate to bring Kempi’s back for a trip down memory lane as they celebrate the hotel’s anniversary.

In honor of the special occasion, the InterContinental Dallas is inviting guests to celebrate its 30th anniversary with an “80s Throwback” party at Kempi’s Nightclub. Party attendees can expect a DJ playing the ‘80s most popular songs while the bar will serve ‘80s-era cocktails like Kamakazis, wine coolers, Long Island Ice Tea and Sex on the Beach, all for just $5 each. Festivities begin May 30th at 8pm and go until midnight. There’s no charge to enter the event, but attendees wishing to book a room for the night can do so at a special rate of $83.

The InterContinental Hotel is located at 15201 Dallas Parkway in Addison. For more information, or to make a reservation, please call 972-386-6000 or visit http://www.icdallas.com.

Wunderblock debuts on June 1 at the Nasher Sculpture Center

The Nasher Sculpture Center will debut a new exhibit called WUNDERBLOCK created by artist Katharina Grosse that will run from June 1 to September 1, 2013.  So, what the heck is a Wunderblock you ask? It's the German term for an old-fashioned children’s toy, known in English as a mystic writing pad or magic slate, which allows users to write on its surface, then “erase” the writing by lifting its cover. In 1925, Sigmund Freud wrote an important essay called “Notes on the Wunderblock,” in which he compared the operation of memory and the nature of the unconscious to the layered construction of this toy. We have all learned something today...

For more than two decades, Grosse has been making large installations consisting of brightly colored acrylic paints sprayed onto walls, ceilings, piles of dirt, and sculpted styrofoam and fiberglass shapes. Taking inspiration from frescoes, plein-air painting, Abstract Expressionism, and urban graffiti, Grosse explores how painting can “appear in space” – in the realm of sculpture and architecture – by giving color extreme and palpable form.

Get great landscape tips on the Water-Wise Landscape Tour 2013

It's that time of year again. Chances are, you've already made a trek or three to Home Depot to buy flats of flowers for your front yard or garden. But it won't be too long before you start to hear the weather man bemoan our lack of rain and water restriction go into affect. Learn how you can plant smart this year during the 19th annual Water-Wise Landscape Tour.  Dallas County Master Gardeners will be conducting free 30-minute talks on Water-Wise gardening every hour on the hour at each of the tour headquarters. Dallas County Master Gardener volunteers will also be assisting homeowners and helping answer questions about the plants and landscapes on the tour. The first 100 visitors at each of the three tour headquarters will receive a free hose nozzle. Whoo hoo!

For more information, visit SaveDallasWater.com or call the Water Conservation Hotline at (214) 670-3155 Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Maps for the self-driving tour are available at SaveDallasWater.com and at all tour headquarters.

Tour Headquarters Central: Bath House Cultural Center - 512 E. Lawther Dr., Dallas, TX 75218 (NOTE: NEW LOCATION FOR CENTRAL TOUR HQ) North: Les Lacs Linear Park - 3901 Beltway Dr., Addison, TX 75001 South: Lake Cliff Park - E. Colorado Blvd. at N. Zang Blvd., Dallas, TX 75203

D Magazine throws a foodie feast to celebrate the 100 Best Restaurants in Dallas

If you love to eat, this will be the par-tay of the year for you! Nancy Nichols, Food Editor for D Magazine, is throwing a fun soiree to celebrate the publication of the June 2013 issue which contains The 100 Best Restaurants in Dallas. The Best Restaurants event will take place on Wednesday, May 22 from 6 to 8 pm at 3015 Trinity Groves and will feature food from the top chefs in Dallas. The fare will feature an eclectic mix of haute cuisine, off-the-beaten-path barbecue joints, and a variety of dishes from ethnic restaurants. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to mingle with an unprecedented gathering of chefs and restaurateurs from the top restaurants in Dallas. Along with the food tastings, there will be cocktails by Brugal Rum, beer by Trumer Pilsner, DJ Jose Guevara, Land Rovers on display and a See's Candy buffet.

Nichols says,"If you don’t like my picks, you can throw a pie at me. I’ll be right outside the front door waiting for you. It will cost you $20 and the money collected will go to the North Texas Food Bank." Oh... I am so there Nancy and I got a big, fat pie with your name on it! :)

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at http://dmagazinebestrestaurants.eventbrite.com/#

Carry the Load this Memorial Weekend

Carry the Load Walk will be held on Memorial Weekend, May 26-27. The idea is to do something positive, patriotic and challenging as a family.  Navy Seal Clint Bruce, co-founder of Carry the Load, has a simple message: Let's bring back the true meaning of Memorial Day. U.S. military veterans carry the memories of their buddies who never came home. It is very personal and very deep. And they want Americans to pause and acknowledge the loss.

The event begins at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 26 at Reverchon Park. Several thousand participants will walk up and down the Katie Trail for 20 hours and 13 minutes. It doesn't matter how far you go, just walk longer than you think you can. That can be one mile, 10 miles or more. Many of the military veterans who participate walk the entire 20 hours and 13 minutes.

Do you have someone in your family who has served in the military or who has served as police, firefighters or EMTs? You can walk in their honor or "carry" their memory. Hint: Walk as far as you can on Sunday evening, then come back Monday and walk the last leg at the event's emotional conclusion at noon. Registration is free. Participants raising $200 or more will receive a t-shirt, parking pass & 3 meal tickets for the day of the event.

For more information or to register, visit http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1047584

Peace, Hope, & Butterflies 2013

Miracle Players Foundation will be hosting its third annual Peace, Hope, & Butterflies family fun and music festival on June 1 from 2-6pm.

The event will feature great activities for kids (and the young at heart) including a petting zoo, obstacle course, pirate ship, arts and crafts, giant slide, and more. The day will also feature local art vendors, as well as several delicious food trucks. You'll also enjoy live music from Five Times August, Fox and the Bird, August and J, and Dovetail.

The event will culminate in the release of 500 butterflies by Dallas area childhood cancer warriors.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 13 and younger and can be purchased online.

Sara Bareilles performs acoustic set at Element DFW Hotel

Sara Bareilles performed on May 18, 2013 at the Element Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Hotel as part of the first stop on  the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®) "Hear The Music, See the World" concert series. These exclusive world tour of music performances gives unparalleled access to private performances & premium concert tickets with a range of today's most sought after artists at Starwood Hotels. The event started off with an outdoor cocktail hour and the concert was performed adjacent to the Element Hotel in an outdoor tent staged with flickering candles.

A gifted songwriter and a versatile pianist with no formal training, Sara Bareilles burst onto the pop scene with a naturally skilled voice that ranged from powerful and soulful to sweet and gentle, earning her instant comparisons to Fiona Apple and Norah Jones. She achieved mainstream success in 2007 with the hit single "Love Song", which brought her into the number one spot on the Billboard Pop 100 chart. She has sold over 1 million records and over 4 million singles in the United States alone and has been nominated for a Grammy Award three times.

Light the Runway with Katydid Collection

Looking for something fashionable, fun and charitable to do? Then you are in luck because the second annual “Light the Runway” father-daughter fashion show, benefitting Dress for Success Dallas will take place Friday, May 17 from 7 p.m. to midnight at 129 Leslie in the Dallas Design District.

Stomping the runway - family style - will be the likes of:
Alison and Leonard Volk · Allyson and Hugh Aynesworth · Chef Brian Luscher of The Grape · Deanna Di Pizio of Salon Pompeo · Dr. Mitchell Fagelman · FC Dallas’ Daniel Hernandez · Former NFL player Odie Harris · Gene Gates of Batutto Restaurant (formerly of Gene and Julie on 103.7 Lite FM) · Jack Son of FLUENT · Jody Dean of Jody Dean & The Morning Team on 98.7 KLUV · John Conte, Wade College · Mitch Carr of CBS DFW 11 · Ryan Neufeld, former Dallas Cowboy · Stephen Giles, DIFFA Style Board and Vaughn and Gigi Miller.

Katydid T-shirts owner Katy Messersmith Mattox encourages local fashion lovers to come and enjoy a night of great wine, fashion and light bites. Event tickets are between $35 and $125 and can be purchased at http://dfsdallas.org/light-the-runway-sponsor-levels/. In addition to serving as the event’s host, Messersmith Mattox will be the show’s featured designer, and part of her spring collection will be featured on the event’s runway.

Be a Party Animal at the Dallas Zoo's Party Safari

The
 second
 annual
 Kid
 To
 Do
 at
 the
 Dallas
 Zoo,
 themed
 Party
 Safari
 and
 benefiting
 the
 Dallas
 Zoological
 Society,
 is
 set
 for
 June
 1,
 2013
 at
 the
 Dallas
 Zoo
 in
 the
 Lacerte
 Family
 Children’s
 Zoo,
 Giants
 of
 the
 Savanna,
 Cat
 Green
 in
 ZooNorth
 and
 Picnic
Ridge.

 
 

Jamie,
 the 
youngest 
giraffe 
at 
the
 Dallas 
Zoo, 
is 
stepping 
out 
as 
this 
year’s
 “safari 
guide,” 
and
 she
 promises
 it
 will
 be
 an
 evening
 to
 remember!
 The
 block
 party
 style
 event
 will
 feature
 kid‐friendly
 fare
 from
 16
 restaurants
 and
 exciting
 entertainment
 such
 as
 bounce
 houses,
 a
 live 
DJ,
 face
 painting 
and 
arts
 and
 crafts, 
as
 well
 as
 unique
 animal
encounters,
 a 
private
 bird
 show
 in
 the
 Wildlife
 Amphitheater,
 and
 much,
 much
 more!
 

This
 year’s
 Event
 Chairs
 are
 Julie
 and 
Rob 
Little 
and
 Honorary 
Chairs
 are
 Kellie
 Rasberry
 and 
Emma
 Kelly.

 
 The
 Dallas 
Zoo 
is
 thrilled to
 announce 
this 
year’s
 participating 
restaurants 
led 
by 
Honorary
 Restaurant
 Chairs
 Tracy
 and
 Kent
 Rathbun.
 They
 include:
 
 Church’s
 Chicken,
 Cook
Hall,
 Dallas
 Affaires
 Cakes
 Co.
, Dallas
 Zoo 
Group
 Sales
 &amp ;
Catering,

 Dread
 Head 
Chef,
 eatZi’s
 Market
 and 
Bakery,
 El
 Fenix,
 La
 Madeleine
, MAX’s 
Wine
 Dive
, Pecan
 Lodge
, Shinsei
, Start,
 Stephan
 Pyles 
CATERS,
 Uncle
 Julio’s,
 Urban 
Crust and Which
Wich.
­

 

Sponsorships 
and 
tickets
 are 
still 
available 
for 
purchase. 
Tickets
 are 
$75
 per
 person 
and
 children 
age
 2 
and 
under are 
free.
Visit
 DallasKidToDo.com 
to 
purchase 
tickets.


CFDA's {FASHION INCUBATOR} fosters fashion in Dallas

runway drama from Reece Hudson

The CFDA's {FASHION INCUBATOR} scooted into Dallas yesterday to introduce four of the program's designers to our market's VIP's in the fashion industry.  They visited upscale stores like Neiman Marcus, Stanley Korshak and Forty Five Ten, threw a private luncheon and a glam cocktail party at the W Hotel's Ghost Bar.

The see-and-be-seen of Dallas fashion set came out for the evening's cocktail soiree and as I wandered about I spotted Neiman Marcus' Chuck Steelman, John Piermarini, stylist Stephanie Quadri, Tracy Hayes, Joslyn Taylor, handbag designer Susie Straubmueller and blogger Krystal Schlegel all scoping out this hot new talent.

I didn't know much about the program so I hit the internet and discovered that CFDA's {FASHION INCUBATOR} was designed to support the next generation of fashion designers. They provide a creative professional environment to foster promising fashion talent, and help selected designers grow and sustain their business. By offering low-cost design studio space, business mentoring, educational seminars, and networking opportunities the program provides a way for participants to reach their full potential and become an integral part of the New York Fashion community.

Bespoke Eyewear from Tom Davies

I met British eyewear designer Tom Davies at a special appearance at Occhiali Modern Optics yesterday. My first thought was that he looked like Elton John circa 1978. I mean that in a good way: jacket and bow tie, lots of teeth, sexy English accent - all very quintessentially British.  Davies was in town to offer his bespoke services to Dallas clients. What does that mean? That a few lucky clients had the opportunity to work one-on-one with Davies and have him create a custom frame just for them.

Customers have their measurements taken and their face shape and features are taken into account.  Shape, style, colors, materials - all are hand-picked by Davies as he studies your face and personality while you sit with him.  The measurements and design choices are then sent to his workshop in Shenzhen, China from which point it takes about 3 weeks to get the glasses delivered.

Clients are given a bar code so they can trace the production path of their glasses online and even see a little film about each stage: welding, tumbling in a bamboo tumbler to smoothen the edges, hand polishing etc… Each pair of spectacles passes through the hands of 16 people before it reaches the customer.

Oh So Entertaining: Priscilla Queen of the Desert Opens May 14

Dallas Summer Musicals is kicking off the Summer with Priscilla Queen of the Desert.  This OUTRAGEOUSLY fun musical tells the uplifting story of a trio of friends, on a road trip of a lifetime, who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed. An international hit with over 500 dazzling, 2011 Tony® Award-winning costumes, Priscilla Queen of the Desert features a hit parade of dance-floor favorites including "It's Raining Men," "Finally" and "I Will Survive." The Hollywood Reporter calls PRISCILLA "funny and fabulous! Joyous entertainment with eye-popping visuals and unexpected heart!"

Priscilla Queen of the Desert will run May 14-26 at Fair Park's Music Hall. For tickets, visit http://www.dallassummermusicals.org/shows_priscilla.shtm

Scenes from Stiletto Strut 2013

Star Children’s Charity partnered with Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities to host the 5th annual Stiletto Strut at Neiman Marcus Willow Bend on May 10, 2013. Stylish strutters such as Norma Johnson, Crystal Herrera, Daniel Lewis, Maggie Kipp, Shay Geyer, Angie Strange, Dawn Mellon, Jennifer Cloutier and Cindy Davis from Big Rich Texas kicked off the morning by joining hostess Pat Smith in Neiman's Shoe Department for a champagne reception & Shoe Auction. We then "strutted" up the escalator to the second floor for a private brunch & fashion show.  Proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County, who provides more than 4,800 area children and teenagers a safe place to learn and grow during the vulnerable hours between school and home.  To learn more about Star Children's Charity, visit http://www.starchildrens.com.

Pat Smith and Cynthia Smoot (dress: Lela Rose)

WIN the "Cynthia" Necklace from Gehati

The "Cynthia" necklace

I was introduced to Dallas jewelry designer, Diamond Downes, by my friend DFW Style Daily editor Lisa Petty earlier this year. I have since become a big fan of her work and introduced her to OSC readers back in February.  Not only are her creations beautiful, but most pieces are under $200. You know me, I like affordable fashion.

I am co-hosting a show with Gehati this Saturday at Curated and you are invited to attend and shop the Summer Collection.  There will be many new designs available at the event - including the fabulous necklace you see pictured to the left named after ME - so be the first to grab a piece from this amazing talent.

Help us spread the word about this event, and you could WIN the Cynthia necklace pictured here. Hop over to Facebook and "Share It to Win It".  By sharing the post, you will be entered to win.  I hope to see you all at Curated on May 18 between 4:30 and 6:30pm. Curated is located at 4435 McKinney Ave., Dallas, TX 75205.

WIN tickets to see The Molly Ringwalds at the Dallas Arboretum on May 16

Like, oh my God. I am so totally excited to be emceeing this week's "Concert Under the Stars" at the Dallas Arboretum. When they showed me the list of bands that will be performing over the course of the Summer, I like, totally zoomed in on The Molly Ringwalds because the 1980s were, like, the most rad era EVER.  I mean, fer sure. Like totally.  Grab your family or some friends, pack up a blanket and a picnic basket and make plans to join me at the Dallas Arboretum this Thursday, May 16 for this like, totally bitchin' night of 80's music. Concerts are from 7:30 - 9:30 pm with the gates opening at 6 pm.  Tickets range from $12-$27 and can be purchased online at https://reservations.dallasarboretum.org/Info.aspx?EventID=8.

Who will be crowned the next Little Black Dress Designer?

The little black dress is a fashion icon, and the region’s top fashion design students are proving they have what it takes to reinvent it. The Little Black Dress Designer – one of Texas’ largest fashion design competitions – has narrowed down its 2013 Dallas submissions to the top ten designs, which were selected by 13 celebrity judges on Monday April 8 at Hotel Adolphus. The finalists will unveil their designs at the Little Black Dress Designer Fashion Show May 22 at House of Blues in downtown Dallas. The top five designers from Dallas will be awarded half of the $30,000 Texas scholarship fund with the other half reserved for the contestants who entered in Houston.

Greer Garson Gala 2013

Greer Garson Gala Captivates
by Jayne Chobot Herring

It was a beautiful evening celebrating a movie star in Cannes, complete with glamorous celebrities, paparazzi, brightly colored gowns, martinis, and a lot of cash exchanging hands. A 3D movie, sponsored by INSIGHT and Dr. Ivan Bank projected the legendary Greer Garson herself on a big screen, socialites compared designers and jewels, and the elegant voice of Jan Strimple echoed through the ballroom.

The event was actually the much anticipated annual Greer Garson Gala at the Omni Dallas, benefitting the Texas Health Presbyterian Foundation, but that doesn’t change anything about that first paragraph. Jennifer LeLash, in a black Michael Kors Collection dress and SHONA jewelry, chaired the event with her husband Chris (looking quite dapper in his tuxedo), and both held the reigns throughout the evening and were visibly pleased with the over $115,000 raised that evening. As here Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas President Britt Berrett and Texas Health Resources CEO Doug Hawthorne.

Join Me at Pamper Me Fabulous on May 19

Pamper Me Fabulous is the Ultimate Women’s Day Out. Spend a day with the girls and the things you love! This one day event will feature a full day of enlightening workshops, workouts, medtations, beauty, spa, health and wellness bests, drinks, shopping and uplifting energy. Gain valuable insight from celebrity experts in "The Expert Corner", love your mind and body in the "Activity Area", shop and experience "it" products and services in “The Bazaar”, relax in the lounge, and of course, score the much–coveted Pamper Me Fabulous gift bag. The best part? Indulge alongside other like-minded savvy women and experience one on one interaction, consultations, and product sampling with our event sponsors, and participate in numerous giveaways.

I am pleased to be joining them as a speaker to talk about Social Media: Choosing the Right Platforms to Boost Your Brand Online. Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook, Vine, Twitter, Path... there are so many platforms and so little time! How do you know which ones are right for you? I will share my 20 years of media experience to help you decide what channels will be the best for you - whether its for fun or profit! Also on board to speak (about other stuff) is Bon Blossman from Big Rich Texas and Dr. Naila Malik.

Because you are an Oh So Valued friend, I am sharing the opportunity to attend for 50% OFF! Visit Pamper Me Fabulous online to purchase you ticket and enter the code: pmffriends.  I hope to see you there!

Please VOTE for Oh So Cynthia as Dallas' BEST BLOG (#23) in D Magazine's annual Best of Big D poll. 

You can vote once a day, every day until May 12.

ShopSeptember: The Launch Party

(left) Sarah Jones and Julie Michael   (right) Devin Ellis, Kristy Attaway and Marissa Woolf

On April 18, Laura Peter from ShopSeptember and Cynthia Smoot from Oh So Cynthia hosted a stylish soiree to celebrate the launch ShopSeptember - a new cyber shopping destination - featuring an interactive lounge, “art fashion,” informal modeling, super stylish prizes, complimentary nibbles from Hypnotic Sushi, wine and champagne, and fabulous shopping! The website is the brainchild of Dallas-based Laura Petter and features a trendsetting contemporary women’s apparel e-boutique featuring two different shopping experiences: The Showroom and The Street, both offering well-priced, fashion-forward garments. The Street gives shoppers a say in what looks they want to see and shop for on the site through polls, chats, and blogs, while The Showroom provides hard-to-find fashions by rising star designers. Head to www.ShopSeptember.com to shop this stylish site.

Scenes from this hip par-tay:

Meet Eight Skincare founder Vicki Weaver-Payne at Stanley Korshak

Sponsored Post:

Searching for an easy, natural way to pamper and prevent dry skin that’s also affordable? You can meet Vicki Weaver-Payne, the founder of Eight Skincare, at Stanley Korshak this Friday, May 10 from 11am to 4pm.  Vicki will be give personal skin evaluations and show how to diminish and rejuvenate dry skin by spending just a few minutes a day.

Enjoy refreshments as Vicki demonstrates Eight Skincare’s simple, luxurious 4-step daily routine for beautiful, healthy skin in just 5 minutes. Just in time for Mother's Day, any $55.00 purchase of Eight Skincare will receive a 2.5 oz. Travel Moisture gift. There will also be drawings throughout the day (whoo hoo!) to win Eight Skincare products.

Glamour Magazine recommends, "Whether you’re shedding some layers to hit the beach or stripping down for some bedroom QT with (insert name of extremely hot person you’re attracted to here), chances are you probably want your hot bod to look, well, you know, especially hot... Want smooth skin alllll over? Give yourself a good brushin’. Make your skin-smoothifying routine even more effective by adding a short and sweet extra step that helps slough off dead skin cells.

'Before jumping into the shower, I prep my skin by using a dry body brush. (A textured shower brush like the Eight Dry Skin Body Brush works wonders!) This helps to make my skin super soft even before I start the whole exfoliating, shaving and shampooing process,' says Amber Katz of Beauty Blogging Junkie."

Follow the smell of Ginger Lime on Friday to Stanley Korshak. I'll see you there!

Stanley Korshak is located at 500 Crescent Court Suite 100 Dallas, Texas 75201 (214) 871-3600. For more information, please visit, http://www.stanleykorshak.com/events-and-trunk-shows/All-Events/

Please VOTE for Oh So Cynthia as Dallas' BEST BLOG (#23) in D Magazine's annual Best of Big D poll. 

You can vote once a day, every day until May 12.




This post was brought to you by Eight Skincare. While I did receive compensation for authoring this post; product selections, descriptions, and opinions are 100% my own. Interested in a sponsored post or product review? Contact me for rates and details.

Let's play a game: Real or Desperate?

Readers of this site know that I am reality TV obsessed. It's like a train wreck - you know what's coming but you just can't look away!  As we approach Mother's Day, I’m reminded of all of my favorite reality TV moms and the crazy things they do to look beautiful. Would I ever do it? Doubtful—but if I did, I would never tell! So often, these reality celebs go way too far with the plastic surgery, to the point of reeking of desperation.

I had the opportunity to chat with Dallas' favorite reality TV cosmetic surgeon Dr. Jeffery Adelglass, or as America knows him "Dr. A," to play my own version of Andy Cohen's speed game to see what the good doctor would say on the subject. The game was "Desperate or Real?" Boy, oh boy, he did not disappoint.

(L to R) Taylor Armstrong, Jill Zarin and Lisa Vanderpump

Visit the Chinese Footwear Exhibit in Addison, May 8-22

As a part of Worldfest: Spotlight China, the Town of Addison will be showcasing dozens of pairs of traditional Chinese cloth shoes in a public exhibition at its Visit Addison Gallery. This free exhibition celebrates the culture of cotton shoes in China.

The shoes are on loan through the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Houston from the Bubusheng Museum in Yichang, near the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River.

 The museum’s collection is one of the largest and most impactful protectors of this part of Chinese culture. The curated exhibit in Addison represents key features in the Bubusheng Museum’s expansive collection of over 1,000 pairs of Chinese cloth shoes.

The selected footwear was chosen for its representation of unique themes including: love, traditional regions, suffering and a return to nature. The collection reflects not only the geographic differences but also the cultural diversity of China, including shoes designed around traditional careers, religious practices and minority groups.

Scenes from A Day At The Races 2013

(top left) Best Hat Winner: Alia Reiniers  (top right) Best Dressed Couple: Sharla and Vladimir Stavanovic

(bottom) Judges: Maxine Trowbridge, Rachael Abrams, Blake Stephenson and Cynthia Smoot

Achieve Psycho Success with Mattox

Dallas author Marc Mattox (who goes by the mononymous pen name of Mattox - which is very mysterious and sexy) has just released P$YCHO SUCCESS.  According to the press release, it's a motivational book that drives the reader hard to alter their circumstance and maneuver out of the mundane ‘cube farm’that plagues so many individuals– and into an influential position that could ultimately lead the reader to owning and running a successful company.

"I wrote the book largely as a motivation for middle Americans caught in the corporate machine to change their circumstance and show a path that one individual took to move out of the mundane cube farm and ultimately into their own business," Mattox told me.

"The only way your are going to find real financial success in the corporate world or in your own business is by being BOLD. Not just dipping your toe in the pool, but by confidently wading out into the deep end and then swimming like hell. There are practical techniques and strategies for positioning yourself for success in numerous business situations, but the reader will find the book has far more edgier strategies."

Psycho Success is already garnering high praise from business leaders. “The business techniques and strategies laid out in this book are timely and relevant for today’s future entrepreneurs and deal makers,” said Bryan Barretto Vice President Strategy and Business Development Verizon Enterprise Solutions. “You can be the Honey Badger or you can be its dinner”.

Pokey O's debuts Ice Cream Tacos for Summer

Last night I attended a media preview for Pokey O's new Ice Cream Taco.  Available May 5, the new taco will allow diners to choose each element of their custom-made taco, from the shell-shaped waffle cone all the way to the toppings!

Sarah McLachlan croons for Vogel Alcove

Sarah McLachlan

“The world’s on fire and it’s more than I can handle” Sarah McLachlan sang to the audience at the Meyerson Symphony Center last Monday evening. She said it was the perfect song to illustrate her passion for philanthropy. “If we have more than we need, then we have a responsibility to share it” she explained to the audience.

The Grammy winner claimed to have had walking pneumonia for seven weeks at that point and was relieved to even be able to sing. We had a hard time believing it as she reached and maintained every note to crystal clear perfection, moving many of us to tears on multiple occasions. But it wasn’t just the music.

The crowd was gathered for the twenty-second annual Vogel Alcove Arts Performance Event, raising money to provide free childcare, education, and case management for Dallas children and their families residing at 18 local emergency shelters, domestic violence shelters, and housing programs.

The program is the only school in the nation doing what they are doing, and the children go on to start at other schools at the same educational levels as the others the same age, despite their circumstances. The organization is grateful to be in Dallas, a community that does not turn its back on the homeless or their children. McLachlan had visited the center earlier in the day and had what she described as “a very profound experience. [The children] feel loved and cared for.”

Dallas Dweller: Jose Reyes

Dallas is full of colorful characters. There are those you see monthly in the society pages, whose stories are legendary in this town. But, this feature is inspired by the people that I think you should know more about because of their fabulous style, interesting back-story or amazing accomplishments.  Dallas Dweller seeks to introduce you to these fabulous faces and this week, I want to introduce you to a one of the arts scene's most suave style-makers:

Jose Reyes

José Reyes considers himself an arts patron and Dallas civic leader. He works as a Mortgage Servicing Specialist for Bank of America but his strong public relations background makes him a powerful advocate for the non-profit community. He has worked for marketing and communications firms such as The Richards Group, Temerlin McClain Advertising, Moroch & Associates, and The Dallas Morning News.

His favorite Dallas landmark is Lee Park and Arlington Hall. "The park truly is an oasis in the heart of the metropolis that is Dallas," says Reyes.  "I have attended some of the most memorable parties and weddings of my life at Arlington Hall. It is such a very special place for me."

When this dapper gent heads out for a night on the town, his favorite haunts are Salum, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, and Stephan Pyles.  And it's quite possible to catch him browsing Dallas' favorite shopping boutiques at Highland Park Village or Stanley Korshak.

When I asked him to tell me something quirky or interesting about himself that no one would suspect, he retorted, "I come from a family of 9 children. I am number eight. Six girls and three boys. There was never a dull moment when we took those family vacations all in one car. Yes, that's how we rolled..."

Better Engage through Brand ECHOnomics

Jeff Brady, former anchor at WFAA-TV in Dallas and now host of ‘The Texas Daily,’ a weekly TV talk show on KTXD-TV in Dallas, has just released Brand Echonomics: Building a Message that Matters, which describes how infectious brand messages develop momentum and spread, even in an era of overwhelming media fatigue. 

Brady leverages a distinguished 20-year career in TV - including his role as a primary evening anchor at the ABC affiliate in Dallas - to explain the most effective communicative process: storytelling.  Since the beginning of human culture, Brady explains, important messages have been conveyed using the narrative storytelling process. A protagonist encounters a problem, struggles and finds some resolution.

Brady includes a litany of engaging, pithy, examples - many from his career as a journalist - and now as CEO of Brady Media Group, a Dallas-based media consulting firm.

The book also has a specific formula that explains how a ‘Brand Echo’ can be built by an entrepreneur, non-profit, or even a successful existing brand. Brand Echonomics explains that important messages now must attain “BIO-Media” status; that is, “By Invitation Only.”