Fashion Night Out Dallas Style

Last picture before I left for FNO

The 3rd annual Fashion’s Night Out was all the rage Thursday. It’s a night when retailers and designers drum up sales. It was also meant to celebrate the upcoming shopping season. For me, well it was simply to go and see what the FNO hoopla was all about. To recap my night, I started out with meeting my fellow bloggers and partners Delia who is also (http://fashionfoodhotflashes.com) and Cris from (http://www.myfashionjuice.com ), who were both looking very chic for the evening festivities. Our first stop, Highland Park Village. This place was packed, it was madness. From runway shows, famous Dallas DJs, cocktail parties, wall to wall of fashionable people, manicures, photographers, flip books, and tons of giveaways. With so many places to go to with such little time we made sure we went to Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Hermes, Tory Burch and Diane von Furstenberg. Then we rushed over to North Park to check out Neiman Marcus. But we got there a too late because we missed the show. I was okay with that because my feet were a little achy by this time.

It was an exciting evening in Dallas and I was glad to be part of it. I had a blast and I can not wait for the next FNO.

Here are a few pictures taken from FNO.

My aunt Delia and I

Group Shot at Christian Louboutin

Does this count as a guilty pleasure?

Does watching a reality show about a city or a place you call home?

They’re young, they’re hot, they’re single –- they’re Dallas’ Most Eligible. From beauty queens to pro- football player this group of Texas socialites proves to chat everything’s bigger in Texas –- including the drama. Some are looking for true love while others have perfected the art of the one-night stand, and somehow their love lives have all crossed paths at one time or another. Dallas serves as the sexy backdrop for this jaw-dropping series that follows a group of successful friends living it up in the lone star state.

Well, this show has been my guilty pleasure  since it has aired on Bravo.  It must be because I have been in the social settings that they are at; eating at my fave restaurants, going to the hangout’s that I like in the city of Dallas.  Though, I do think the characters of this show could have found a better cast.  But, they are not too far off from how people are in this city.  I have lived in Dallas for almost all my life  and  from being in and out of the scene this is pretty normal.  Drama, Drinking, Catfights and meeting loser boys’ who are thirty thousandaire club (these are people who pretend to be rich and pretentious.)  So I’m intrigued and I love watching it.  I guess it is my guilty pleasure .  I have shared one of my many so I hope you will with me too.

Wine-ding Down

Have you had a long week?  I know I have.  Between kids, laundry, homework, baseball games and what to make for dinner?  Well, it’s finally TGIF!  My husband and I are having a mini date night in our living room, while I blog and he watches baseball while we wine down with some Pinot Grigio.

One of our favorites is Barefoot Pinot Grigio which is by the way surprisingly decent for the price.

Honestly, I do not think I need all these reasons to wine down.  I like my wine and it’s 5:00.

How do you like to spend your time “wine-ding down”?

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken

A soak in herb-laced buttermilk imparts a slight tang to this chicken while tenderizing the meat. The key to grilling chicken is to create two heat zones: one for high, direct heat (over the coals) and one for low, indirect heat (away from the coals).

Ingredients

• 4 cups buttermilk
• 15 garlic cloves
• 1 cup fresh rosemary or thyme
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 3 whole chickens (about 3 pounds each), cut into 8 pieces each (then halve breasts on the diagonal)
• Safflower oil, for brushing

Directions

1. Combine buttermilk, garlic, herbs, 2 tablespoons salt, and 2 teaspoons pepper.
2. Divide chicken between 2 baking dishes. Cover with marinade, turning to coat. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, turning chicken occasionally. Remove chicken from refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling.
3. Heat grill to medium with direct and indirect heat zones. Brush grates with oil. Remove chicken from marinade, and pat dry with paper towels. Grill breast halves, thighs, and drumsticks, skin side down, over direct heat for 10 minutes. Flip, move to indirect heat, and grill, covered, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thighs registers 165 degrees, 10 to 15 minutes. Grill wings over direct heat, flipping often, until cooked through, about 15 minutes.

All Wrapped Up

I really want to get The Remington Wrap-to-Waves!  I love the natural wavy look for my long hair and I can not wait to use this.  I have several curling irons but nothing like this one.

If you have ever used The Remington Wrap-to-Waves I would love to hear if you like it or not.

First Day of School

Kids have many milestones in their first few years of their lives.  Crawling, walking, talking, saying mommy and daddy, and the first day of school.

It happened for us yesterday.  My little girl had her first day of school experience. She did exceptionally well!  On the way to school we were talking about all the things they expected from her, like walking in class instead of being carried, carrying your own backpack,  say “hi” to your teacher as soon as you enter your classroom.  When we got to school, she did everything we talked about.  She was such a big girl!  It was a really weird feeling for me to leave her but my husband told me we had to go so we told her we loved her and to have a good day.  She was jumping up and down, overly excited about being at school.  No tears from Isabella but I can’t say the same for me.  I definitely had an emotional moment.  I felt silly as I walked down the halls to get to my car.  I was supposed to be the big girl and in return my little 2-year-old did a much better job than me.  When I picked her up she was super excited to see me and asked me “you’re not sad anymore mommy”, when I told her no she hugged me and said, me too.

Our first day of school experience with our baby went really well this time.  Actually, it was perfect.  I hope never changes.

My big girl

Holding back my tears