Shop Local/Shop Smart: Margo's Sea Salt Scrubs

Oh So Cynthia is about showcasing the city of Dallas and what makes it a fabulous place to live. From food to fashion, reality TV to movie premiers, cultural events to business deals, this city is happening and the people who live and create here are affecting change, not only in our city, but all around the world! I'm a girl with champagne tastes on a soda-pop budget, so I am all about smart shopping.  Throughout the holiday season, I will be bringing you a series of posts that will combine both of these concepts - Shop Local/Shop Smart - bringing you great gift ideas for under $200 from local designers and businesses.

Up first is a little something for the girly-girl in your life:

Margo's Sea Salt Scrubs ($34)

In 1999,  Esthetician Margo McIntosh,  was inspired by many of her clients to develop spa style products they could use in the privacy and convenience of their own home and receive the same amazing results they get at a spa without time and scheduling constraints and over-inflated prices. The entire time working in the spa, Margo experimented with what salts worked and which ones didn't and the same for the oils and the fragrances.  From that experience and true interest, Margo created her own Sea Salt Scrub using the best of the best of all 3 ingredients that are in the jar: The best salt, the best oil and the best fragrance.

I am not really a bath person, so I asked regular Guest Contributor, Porsha Thomas, to test out this product for me. Here's her review: 

I'm the kind of girl who needs her bath to relax.  It's seriously been this way since I were about 12. Bath preparation was always the same, I would snoop through my Mom's old school CD collection (the one I wasn't supposed to touch) on the hunt for Etta James, spark my dollar store tea light candles, and relax in my pretend-adulthood game.

Aside from looking all lovely and glowing after my weekly scrub and soak session, I love that Margo's Sea Salt Scrub is made completely of natural ingredients.  Blooming Earth, my fragrance of choice, combines fresh grass, Patchouli, Lavender and Green Tea with ancient sea salt and jojoba oil. The end result is a light "woodsy" scent with a feminine twist, and skin so soft you won't believe!

Margo's Sea Salt Scrubs can be ordered online or found at several local retailers throughout Dallas.

Taco Ocho: Worthy of a Trek

Ever since I read Steven Doyle's review of Taco Ocho, I've been dying to visit. I loves me a good taco!! My car is reluctant to cross NW Hwy.  (I'm a Parkie, it's an unwritten rule of citizenship) so I still haven't made it to Richardson... but I did send my gal-about-town, Porsha Thomas to report back to me if the place lived up to the hype. Here's her report:

It's true. I trekked 21 miles from north Oak Cliff to Richardson on a mission to sample the deliciousness that is Taco Ocho.

Considering all of the buzz surrounding this fast causal taqueria, I had no qualms enlisting a girlfriend to partake in one of my favorite things to do – dine.  With a little pre trip online research, I discovered that Taco Ocho allowed us to "bring our own b", so a quick stop for Coronita's (an appropriate choice, we felt) was in order.

Once at Taco Ocho, we must've had the "overwhelmed by choices" look on our faces, because an super nice employee referred us to his favorite selections on the menu.  With the resto's signature Mexican and Latin American flavor and with everything sounding so good, it was a heavy feat, but we did it. We ended up sampling a selection of tortas, tacos and naturally, chips and salsa.

I was quite excited about my Cubana Torta, which featured a melange of pork, ham, chorizo, jalapeño, spicy mustard, and Oaxaca cheese. I decided to do it big with my meaty selection because, hey, when I do ever go to Richardson to eat? If you happen to be a Chorizo lover, this should definitely be your pick.

Mmm, and the Ancho Garlic Shrimp taco? Could eat one every day. My flour tortilla was brimming with grilled shrimp and topped with plantain pico de gallo and shredded spinach. The plantain pico lent a hand in the subtle sweetness I tasted in every bite. Truly delicious.

Lastly, the Latin Love. Shredded beef, refried black beans, fried plantains, aged cotija cheese, and salsa verde. My friend and I both tried this one and we kind of we both fell in love. Again, that whole sweetness thing mixed in with flavors from the beef, beans and cheese is amazing.

So the consensus: would I cross the river and 635 to go back to Taco Ocho? Yes! But it's going to be on a Saturday. Also, I have to thank them because I discovered something big, I really like plantains!

Until next time, y'all!

About the author: Porsha Thomas
Porsha Thomas is a freelance writer, social media maven, and girl about town. An advocate of living the vintage life, her favorite things consist of a classic pair of Ralph Lauren saddle oxfords, her 1940's bachelorette pad, sipping Cabernet Sauvignon from one of her gazillion vintage glasses, and coolin' with Hugo Boss, her pit bull pup.

Susan McWilliams debuts Dreamscapes in Dallas

Due to the increasing number of invites and amazing social opportunities that are coming my way, I have decided to enlist the help of my new assistant to help me cover more of what Dallas has to offer. Today's post is brought to you by Porsha Thomas:

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Oh, how I love the Fashion Industry Gallery, with it's "Floralia" chandeliers, sassy sleek decor, and polished concrete flooring. Planning an event you'd like me to attend? Mix in a little art, have it at FIG, and your invite will automatically be accepted.  My plus one and I sauntered into a world of glamor and artistic whimsy last Thursday night. On a mission to view the latest works by the lovely, Susan McWilliams, we made our way down ever-under-construction Ross Ave and to the Gallery.

McWilliams, a home-town girl and financial planner turned abstract artist, shows regularly in Houston and decided it was time to bring her creative gems to art-loving Dallasites. Dreamscapes Collection features a collection of large-scale abstract paintings that bring dreams to life with vibrant color.

“I want to give interior decorators, architects, home owners, purveyors of art and those just beginning to develop an appreciation for abstract art a chance to gather and celebrate the life it can introduce into our environments,” said Susan McWilliams. By donating ten percent of the evening's proceeds to Family Gateway, this evening also assisted in the development of creative skills among children who don’t typically have access to the materials or expertise to fulfill their creative dreams.

The shimmering beauty (literally, her gold dress was amazing, she is pictured in the group photo above in the middle) chatted with friendly folk accepting congrats, and apologized repeatedly to me for being pulled away from our convo. Awesome. Genuinely nice and popular! That gets an “A” in my book.

We viewed the pieces in the Dreamscapes Collection amongst well-dressed socials who mingled with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in hand.   Mixed in with the chatter about which of Susan's works was "the fave" were business people getting their network on - a must (as you know) on the Dallas social scene. I definitely found one that would look fab in the bacherlorette pad.

The night was spent lightly groovin' to pop tunes chopped up with electronic beats and spun by local DJ Brandon Olds and naturally, hobnobbing with the beautifuls. Sigh! My kind of evening!

About the author: Porsha Thomas
 Porsha Thomas is a freelance writer, social media maven, and girl about town. An advocate of living the vintage life, her favorite things consist of a classic pair of Ralph Lauren saddle oxfords, her 1940's bachelorette pad, sipping Cabernet Sauvignon from one of her gazillion vintage glasses, and coolin' with Hugo Boss, her pit bull pup.