Oh So Tasty: 12th Annual Taste of the NFL

Kent Rathbun Concepts is one of many restaurants who participated in this year's Taste of the NFL event

North Texas Food Bank Tackles Hunger at the 12th Annual Taste of the NFL
The Ultimate Cowboys Tailgate Party
by Dawn Neufeld


“Are you still on your pageant diet?”

It’s the first question I was asked by a friend as I stood on the 50-yard line at the behemoth that is AT&T Stadium in Arlington last weekend. I’d competed in the Mrs. Texas America pageant the weekend prior, and after a month of clean eating, I was ready to throw down at the 12th Annual Taste of the NFL: The Ultimate Cowboys Tailgate Party presented by the North Texas Food Bank and the Dallas Cowboys. More than 20 booths serving mouth-watering, gourmet tailgate food from some of DFW’s best restaurants lined the sidelines on the field. It was on!

There is so much food at this event and if you’re not careful, you’ll fill your belly before you have a chance to try everything. One of my favorite barbecue spots in Dallas, Off the Bone Barbecue, was serving their famous ribs. After I inhaled my first rib (the meat really does fall off of the bone – it’s divine), I contemplated grabbing another one but decided to hold off so I could save room for all of the other delicious food. As I was still wiping barbecue sauce off my face, my husband Ryan and I noticed Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett chatting with folks and taking pictures. My husband is a retired NFL player and he and Jason were teammates Ryan’s first year in the league so they spent a little time chatting as I plotted my next move.

Dallas Summer Musicals presents Cinderella through June 21, 2015

Dallas Summer Musicals is currently presenting Cinderella at the Music Hall at Fair Park. I asked Dawn Neufeld and her "mini-me" to experience the stage version of this classic tale and report back. She shares their experience in this post:

Cinderella Continues To Enchant 
by Dawn Neufeld

Summer. Trying to keep the kiddos busy and entertained can be a little overwhelming, but it’s also the perfect time for a little mother-daughter bonding. My mini-me Bryn and I had the perfect opportunity for some girl time this week – we took in dinner and a show at Music Hall at Fair Park. And it was magical. I grew up believing in fairytales. The story of the little cinder girl who cleaned by day and met her Prince Charming by night was always one of my favorites.

I couldn’t wait to take Bryn to see the musical version of the story and watch the fairytale come to life in the Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Cinderella presented by Dallas Summer Musicals. The show was wonderful. The lively music, flying fairy godmother and Cinderella’s stunning gown transformations were captivating. But be prepared – this musical version of the classic story deviates from the one your kiddos are familiar with so you may need to tell them to use their imaginations. And good thing the kids are out of school – the 7:30 p.m. start time means the show doesn’t wrap up until around 10:00 p.m. Mini-me started dozing off during the last couple of scenes at the end of the show. The late start time did allow some wonderful bonding moments.

Celebrity Fashion Experience Vol. 4

Last Thursday, I was at my son's lacrosse game. The 5/6 grade Highland Park Scots were in the playoffs for the season victory and I couldn't miss that! Across town, my good friend, Dawn Neufeld was all dolled up and emceeing the Celebrity Fashion Experience Vol. 4. I asked her to share her evening with us and here's her recap of this reality TV star-filled evening!

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The Dallas fashion scene was abuzz last Thursday night for Celebrity Fashion Experience Vol. 4.

Wearing a dress designed by designer Linda Rowe Thomas in a stunning royal blue in tribute to Autism Speaks, I hosted the event for the second time. St. Louis designer and Project Runway (Season 9) top-five finisher Laura Kathleen opened the show with gorgeously patterned dresses and jackets.  After presenting her line, Laura Kathleen joined her friend and Project Runway All Stars winner Mondo Guerra to watch the rest of the show.

Project Runway designers Laura Kathleen and Mondo Guerra

Dawn Neufeld with Linda Rowe Thomas

Heidi Dillon, president of TheFashionistas and cast member of Big Rich Texas, sat front row with cast mate Connie Dieb and Taylor Garrett from Logo TV's A List: Dallas, as six seasoned and upcoming designers featured their fall/winter 2012/2013 lines on the u-shaped runway at Lofty Spaces. This year’s event was special in that Front House Management teamed up with a charity for the first time.  Proceeds from the event benefited the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of Autism Speaks.

Front House Management CEO Karen Michelle then debuted her inaugural Key Resort & Swimwear, followed by newcomers Angelica Sandoval of Geisha, Inc. and Nayra Guerrero. Chicago-designer Horatio Nieto then presented his women and men’s collections.  The men’s collection was inspired by coal miners and featured a rustic yet structured and sophisticated look.  The women’s collection was gasp-worthy!  Many of the designs were very wearable – very sleek and what I like to call “work chic.”  The collection was capped with a stunning gown that would turn heads at any of the Dallas high society black tie events.

Taylor Garrett, Connie Dieb, Brandy Voirin and Heidi Dillon

The show’s finale was presented by Celebrity Fashion Experience alum Linda Rowe Thomas.  Romás collection featured stunning Jackie Onassis-inspired classic pieces.  America’s Next Top Model alum Furonda Brasfield expertly navigated the runway in a stunning black evening gown to conclude the collection and show. The Celebrity Fashion Experience has quickly become one of the not-to-miss fashion events in Dallas!

About Dawn Neufeld:
Frisco resident Dawn Neufeld was a cast member on VH1's Football Wives.  Married to retired NFLer Ryan Neufeld and mother of two children, Will and Bryn, Dawn is an attorney and television personality.  Follow her on Twitter @DawnNeufeld and on her blog, The Gridiron Goddess.

Photos courtesy of Lujo Media. To see more photos from this event, click here.