Chris Kyle's Best Friend Talks About American Sniper

“American Sniper” starring Bradley Cooper opened in theaters Christmas Day and tells the true story of Texas-born Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. Directed by renowned filmmaker Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, it's already garnering critical acclaim and Oscar buzz. If you aren't familiar with Kyle's story, here's his pretty awe-inspiring life in a nutshell: Kyle served as a Navy SEAL in 4 tours in the latest Iraq war. For his bravery and military skills, he was awarded some of the highest medals in the US military multiple times including the Bronze and Silver Star. Kyle is considered the deadliest sniper in this country’s history, with 160 confirmed kills out of 255 claimed kills. After 4 tours abroad, Kyle needed to make a decision on family life or the military. He had a small child that he did not know very well as he was overseas constantly. This also put pressure on his marriage, so he decided to leave the SEALS and was honourably discharged in 2009. After some time struggling with civilian life, he started a security company called CRAFT and wrote the New York Times bestselling book, American Sniper. Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield were fatally shot at a shooting range southwest of Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. Former Marine Eddie Ray Routh, who came with them to the range, was arrested for the murders.

Meet Storm Chasers Sean Casey at the Perot Museum on January 10

Coming this January, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science will present Tornado Alley 3D, the most ambitious film ever made to explore the origins and evolution of these fascinating, yet devastating weather systems. In the region of America’s heartland known as “the severe weather capital of the world” where tornadoes tear through towns, cities and people’s lives every year, it’s no wonder the vicious storms carry a terrifying stigma as one of nature’s most destructive forces. Narrated by Bill Paxton (Twister, Titanic), the heart-pounding, 20-minute film will run Jan. 9 - May 21, 2015, in The Hoglund Foundation Theater, a National Geographic Experience. Tornado Alley 3D follows daring filmmaker Sean Casey (star of the Discovery Channel's wildly popular Storm Chasers series) and the researchers of the VORTEX2 initiative on a thrilling quest to witness the birth of a tornado.

Armed with an IMAX® camera, a fleet of customized vehicles designed to withstand gale force winds, torrential rains and unrelenting hail, and an arsenal of the most advanced weather measurement instruments ever created, Casey and the VORTEX2 scientists take audiences on a heart-pounding mission to experience a tornado's devastating power while gathering the most comprehensive extreme weather data ever collected. Carrying a 92-pound IMAX® camera, director Casey and his crew race after storms in TIV-2, a seven-ton armored “Tornado Intercept Vehicle” engineered and built by Casey to help him capture what he considers a cinematic “holy grail,” a shot of a tornado from point-blank range. Tornado Alley 3D is the culmination of Casey’s efforts and will give audiences the chance to ride along – and experience a visual powerhouse of never-before-captured tornado footage on the giant screen.

A Look Back and What's Next for Survivor's Missy Payne & Baylor Wilson

Survivor is a reality TV show that pits city dwellers against country farmers, old against young - and in the just completed 29th season - Mothers against daughters. Dallas' Missy Payne and her daughter, Baylor Wilson, were contestants on this season of "Survivor: San Juan del Sur - Blood vs. Water". Missy grew up in Highland Park and still resides in The Bubble. She has coached the Highland Park 8th grade and freshman cheerleading squads at HP Middle School, was the Cheerleading and Dance Team Coach/ Choreographer at ESD and is currently the owner of Express Cheer, a competitive cheerleading gym. Her daughter, Baylor, attended HPISD for a time but embraced "her artsy side" at Booker T. Washington. She is currently a student at Belmont University in Nashville where she hopes to be the next country/pop music sensation (Watch out Taylor Swift).

Baylor and Missy at the Survivor Finale on
Dec. 18. Photo credit: FayesVision / WENN

If you watched this season of Survivor, you know that one of the most dramatic moments of the show occurred when Missy incurred a Level III ankle sprain in a late-season Reward Challenge. She resisted Jeff Probst's insinuations that she might want to leave the game and plowed ahead despite considerable pain (and no drugs). Her perseverance paid off, getting her to the final three where she ended up coming in third place.

Baylor did almost as well, hanging on until the final five before getting voted out. I met up with the duo at DRIP on Lovers Lane the day after Christmas (just 8 days after the finale) to see how they were adjusting to their new "normal" life after 30+ days of living in the jungles of Nicaragua.

The motto of the game in Survivor is "Outwit. Outlast. Outplay." What Survivor reminds us of is that often, it’s doesn’t matter how great your strategy is or how physically strong you are, but how well you can get along with your tribe that keeps you in the game. Social skills are crucial to your success in life. Whether you are a student in a college fraternity or an employee in an office, how you can get along in a group will determine if you end up President or just a member of the team. Learning how to interact, engage and endear yourself to others can pay off big. Pair that skill with a solid education and the world’s your oyster.

ARTicle of interest: Norman Rockwell's The Coin Toss

Dallas is home to many priceless works of art. Some hang in museums, many reside in public spaces for anyone to view and others live in private collections - like the Norman Rockwell painting above. According to ESPN, it hangs on the living room wall of Jerry Jones estimated $20 million mansion in Dallas' posh Highland Park suburb. The painting is called "Coin Toss." With a football cradled in his left arm, his right thumb raised and his eyes aimed heavenward, Rockwell's pear-shaped referee, flanked by skinny football players, flips a coin that hangs in midair. The image was the cover of The Saturday Evening Post dated Oct. 21, 1950. "I bought this painting in 1989 right after buying the Cowboys," Jones says, "I had no money left -- I mean, nothing. But Ross Perot collects Rockwells and he told me this one was too good to pass up so I somehow scraped together $1.1 million." Recently, Jones says, auction house Christie's appraised "Coin Toss" at $18.5 million. "Nothing I've ever owned has appreciated that much," Jones says. Proving once again that he is one savvy business mogul. 

Oh So Tasty: Eureka!

Known for its expansive American selection of craft beer, small batch whiskey, regional wine, and locally-sourced ingredients, Eureka! recently opened in Uptown in the new phase of West Village (right around the corner from J. Crew). Eureka! offers guests a dining experience complete with 40 American craft beers on tap and 40 small-batch whiskeys in a modern yet rustic atmosphere. The 4,100 square feet main dining room features a cozy ambiance, high ceilings, and (small) private dining room. The contemporary restaurant incorporates tables and paneling handcrafted from hardwoods retrieved from historic American barns, factories, and whiskey distilleries. The 200-seat restaurant features a main dining room comprised of an eclectic selection of sitting options including extra large booths, community tables, bar area, and an al fresco patio complete with outdoor music and lush landscape. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared to showcase quality ingredients, local produce, and locally baked breads. The restaurant specializes in American classics with modern twist with its diverse selection of appetizers, signature plates including all-natural, vegetarian fed, angus chuck burgers, fresh salads as well as delectable desserts.

Two Dallas Women Might Actually Outwit, Outplay and Outlast To Win a Million Dollars This Wednesday On Survivor

All season long, fans of Survivor have rooted on Dallas-based contestants Missy Payne and her daughter, Baylor Wilson in The Blood vs. Water, family-themed season filmed in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. This Wednesday, you can join their family and friends at Cucina Italian Restaurant in Preston Center to watch the finale and live reunion show. Will one of our girls will a million dollars and the title of Sole Survivor?!?! It's a very real possibility! Cucina will be serving dinner during the show. You can order off the regular menu or graze the buffet.  Cucina will be donating 5% of the evenings food sales and $5 from each $50 gift card purchased that during the event to Missy's charity Cheer 4 Your Life. Click here for more details. Cucina is located at 8411 Preston Road at Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75225. Reservations can be made by calling 214-468-4674.

2015 Fashion Stars For A Cause Get Ready To Shine Bight

2015 Fashion Stars For A Cause with event founder Yvonne Crum
photo c/o Danny Campbell

Fashion Starts For A Cause is the annual gala benefitting the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas. Last Thursday at Belk, event founder and Gala Chair Yvonne Crum announced that Toni Munoz Hunt will serve as Honorary Chair for 2015 and she revealed the new crop of women who will lead the charge in 2015 to raise funds and awareness of this worthy cause. They include: Jennifer Fleming, Jamie Fowler, Leah Frazier, Rebecca Hallam, Caroline Harrison, Dr. Naila Malik, Charmaine Marshall, Dawn Mellon, Jessi Moreau, Dawn Neufeld, Melissa Rountree, and Cathy Williamson. The gala will take place March 20 at Dallas Country Club.

One of the tasks of this group is to sell raffle tickets to raise funds. This year's prize is super tasty and fun! The prize is a "Royal Raffle Dinner Party with Chef Darren McGrady". McGrady was the private chef to Princess Diana and her boys for many years and is quite the personality. The winner will receive:

• A four course dinner based on dishes served at Buckingham Palace including food and wine pairing 
• Butler service to prepare your table, greet and serve your guests 
• Autographed copy of "Eating Royally" Top Selling Cookbook for each guest 
• Chef McGrady will join your table, greet and serve your guests 
• Consulting with the Royal Chef on Menu Food purchase, shopping, preparation 
• Tables set up and tear down 
• $5,000 gift card from Belk  

Tickets are $50 each or three for $100 and can be purchased by any Fashion Star or online at http://www.sccenter.org/royaldinner2015.html. The next day, Crum and Hunt appeared on KTXD's The Broadcast with newly announced Fashion Star, Dawn Neufeld, to share how this event started and why this is such an important cause. Click to view the segment:

OSC Holiday Giveaway: Accessories for a Beautiful Smile

This is the season of giving and to show my love and appreciation for your loyal patronage of this blog over the past year I am hosting a series of OSC Holiday Giveaways!  Every Monday throughout the month of December I will offer a new fun and festive giveaway. Today's giveaway will give you two things needed for a beautiful smile: a free teeth whitening from FLOSS Dentistry ($350 value) and a gift set of Nocturnals Lip Gloss from MAC containing four different shades ($50 value).

To enter to win you need to be following my Instagram account and leave a comment on this post:  http://instagram.com/p/woXExODk3g/?modal=true

I will select one lucky commenter to win at 5pm CST on Wednesday, December 17. The winner will be contacted via email and have 24 hours to respond. If a response is not forthcoming, I will select another name until I get a responsive winner.

Lauren Scruggs Marries E! News Jason Kennedy In Dallas Wedding

photo: Lindsey Shea & Kat Harris

Congratulations to Dallas' own Lauren Scruggs who married E! News co-host Jason Kennedy on Friday, December 12 at the Four Seasons in Irving. The festivities kicked off on Thursday with Lauren hosting a bridal luncheon at The Mansion at Turtle Creek. Among her bridesmaids were fellow fashion bloggers Amy Havens and Shannon Yoachum. That evening, the couple hosted their rehearsal dinner at Kitchen LTO in Trinity Groves.

Many of Jason's E! News co-workers were in Dallas for the wedding, including Giuliana Rancic, Ken Baker, Terrence J and Catt Sadler who hosted their daily news show live from the Four Seasons. For Friday's night's wedding, the bride wore a Romona Keveža gown and was escorted down the aisle by her father, Jeff Scruggs.The ceremony was officiated by two pastors, Matt Chandler and Judah Smith. Guests included Bill Rancic, Tony Romo and Candice Crawford Romo, Kathie Lee Gifford, Courtney Kerr, Tori Gonzales and Krystal Schlegel. Pastor Rich Wilkerson, Jr.—the man who married Kim Kardashian and Kanye West—was Jason's best man.  Hawkins Romo, 2, served as the ring bearer. During their vows, the couple exchanged rings by William Noble Rare Jewels.

For the reception, Lauren changed into a dress by her friend, designer Nardos Imam. Long before the wedding took place, the couple selected a sophisticated color scheme that featured a tonal palette of ivory, cream, champagne, blush, shades of lavender, and accents in charcoal grey and silver. The wedding reception was held at the Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas. Local band Cuvée performed a cover of Keith Urban's "Making Memories of Us" for the newlyweds' first dance.

Cinderella Goes to the (Crystal Charity) Ball

Dallas is known for it's philanthropic spirit, it's can-do attitude and it's all out passion for a great party. There are many enthralling, engaging, electric events produced throughout the year but none is as anticipated, as talked about, and no ticket is as coveted as a seat to the annual Crystal Charity Ball.

This year I was granted a wish by a Fairy Godmother (my friend, Leah Pasant) who invited me to be a guest at her table and thus I was granted entry to a magical world of the who's who and the haves and have more's of Dallas.

Now, Crystal Charity Ball is not like most gala's in town. It's back tie. And I mean BLACK TIE. You wouldn't dare wear a cocktail dress to this affair. You need a floor-length gown. This is the one time a year where you absolutely cannot be too overdressed or overdone. Opera gloves? Bring it on. Furs? A given! Grandmother's jewelry... Oh yeah, crack open the vault!

I headed to the man I knew could help me - Ken Weber at Vintage Martini. After 6 years in Carrollton, Weber finally bit the bullet and moved his designer consignment/resale clothing treasure trove to Henderson Ave. this past June. "Vintage Martini is known as a destination for designer finds from decades past," says DFW Style Daily. "(Their) collection includes more of the likes of Chanel, YSL, Hermès, and Gucci than most of us will ever see in a lifetime." I hit gold with a Zac Posen forest green couture gown from Posen's 2012 Fall Collection. It fit me like a glove. Could I sit comfortably or go to the ballroom? Uh, no. But I didn't care. I looked ah-ma-zing! I paired my gown with chandelier earrings and a statement ring from local jeweler Laura Pierson. The pink and green Ocean Jasper was a perfect compliment to my gown. And I love the story behind this stone - it's mined from the oceans of Madagascar and is apparently very hard to come by because it can only be collected during low-tide for a couple of hours a day. Very exotic! I braved the crowds at NorthPark Center to hit up Drybar for Veronica Lake old-Hollywood tresses. Dressed and ready to impress, I hopped into my Uber and headed to the Hilton Anatole.

Legacy Senior Communities Raises $400K+ With The Help Of Jane Pauley

The Legacy Senior Communities recently hosted the annual “Yes! Event” and welcomed renowned journalist and author Jane Pauley for a special on-stage interview with more than 500 guests. Pauley discussed her career spanning 30 years as a well-respected journalist and talked about the inspiration behind her New York Times best-selling book, Your Life Calling: Reimagining the Rest of Your Life.

Jane Pauley discusses her career
with moderator Amy Jones

The event, held at the Winspear Opera House in the AT&T Performing Arts Center, was planned by co-chairs Candy Brown, Linda Garner, Amy Korenvaes, Elaine Pearlman, Ruthy Rosenberg and Madeline Unterberg with the help of Carol Aaron, chairman of the board of trustees of The Legacy Senior Communities. 

“The support that we receive from the amazing donors like those who attend this event enables us to say ‘Yes’ to seniors in need of care, regardless of their finances,” said Michael Ellentuck, President and CEO of The Legacy Senior Communities. “Because of that support, ‘No’ does not have to be in our vocabulary.”

For the first time, The Legacy Senior Communities presented The Carmen Miller Michael Award established to honor and pay tribute to Dr. Michael who was a longtime friend and board member of the organization. The award was presented to Molly Bogen, President and CEO of The Senior Source, who like, Dr. Michael, was recognized for her pioneering spirit and unshakable sense of justice and compassion; for over 38 years Bogen has been an advocate for Texans who are aging. The event also featured a silent auction with a variety of items including jewelry, sports packages, weekend getaways and dining and drinks specials around town.

Clutch This: Acrylic Handbags

Acrylic Clutches from Black Beauty Accessories
Diamond Cut Black & White Clutch
Gold Crushed Leaf Clutch

This season's hottest handbag is the clutch. And the must-have clutch is an acrylic bag. Some are square, some are rectangular, some are random shapes like lips or cat faces. But the one thing they all have in common is the hard acrylic shell they are made from, making these bags a piece of 3D art.

The only problem with acquiring Fall's most enviable accessory is the price point. Want top-of-the-line bags from Charlotte Olympia? Get ready to shell out upwards of $1200+. Fret not, fashionistas! I have found a local manufacturer who is offering these hot, hot, hot hand bags at affordable prices.

Black Beauty Accessories website is chock full of amazing deals on necklaces, earrings but their Noire Bella handbag collection is what caught my eye the other day.

Ranging from $100-$135, BBA's acrylic clutches come in a fun array of styles and colors. Buy a couple of hit, the town in style and be prepared to talk to total strangers because these bags are conversation starters!

Blush Cut Diamond Cut, Black and White Box, Shimmer Box Red, Ace of Spade   

Wonder what else is out there? Here's a lookbook of other acrylic clutch options for you to ponder:

OSC Holiday Giveaway: Jessica Simpson Goodies

This is the season of giving and to show my love and appreciation for your loyal patronage of this blog over the past year I am hosting a series of OSC Holiday Giveaways!  Every Monday, throughout the month of December I will offer a new contest for something fun and festive. Today's giveaway is a collection of Jessica Simpson goodies including a .25 Fl. Oz. bottle of Jessica Simpson Signature perfume, a makeup bag/clutch with a floral design on the front that says "The Heart Wants What The Heart Wants. Everything, My Love" and a cotton white iPad cover. To enter to win you just have to subscribe to my email list. If you are already a subscriber, then you are automatically entered to win. I will select one lucky subscriber to win at 9am CST on Friday, December 12. The winner will be contacted via email and have 24 hours to respond. If a response is not forthcoming, I will select another name until I get a responsive winner.

Subscribe!

Email Address *

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Format

• html
• text

*Indicates a required field. As a subscriber to this list you will receive a weekly digest of new posts every Friday. This way you'll never miss out on the scoop about Dallas' hottest events and coolest people. You will also receive occasional VIP invitations and special offers from OSC advertisers. 

Movies (New or Old) Make The Holiday Season Special

SPONSORED POST:

Grab a soft drink from the Coca-Cola Freestyle
machine at an AMC Theatre

The holiday season is the perfect time of year to focus on spending quality time with your family and friends, and what's more fun than going to the movies during the chilly winter season?

AMC Theatres and Coca-Cola asked me to talk about my favorite holiday movies and since I often think of myself as an old-fashioned girl living in a new-fangled world... I thought it would be appropriate to give you my top picks for classic holiday movies and talk about the new flicks I am looking forward to seeing this season. 

On my "can't miss" list for holiday classic favorites is:

1) White Christmas starring Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, Vera Ellen and Rosemary Clooney. A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general. The score was crafted by musical genius Irving Berlin. It's my NUMBER ONE must see holiday film!!!

2) Miracle on 34th Street: I equally love the 1947 classic starring an adorable Natalie Wood and the 1994 remake starring Mara Wilson. The story centers on Macy's executive   Walker and her young daughter Susan, neither of whom much believes in the spirit of Christmas. Dorey is in charge of hiring Macy's Santas, including an old man named Kriss Kringle. He does a remarkably convincing job, and he soon reveals that he actually believes himself to be Santa Claus. The authorities threaten to place the old man in an insane asylum, but a young lawyer comes to his defense. Meanwhile, Dorey and Susan find their own defenses melting and become reacquainted with the power of faith.

Shop Smarter With NorthPark Center's New App

Need to navigate NorthPark Center more efficiently? Wondering what time Annie comes on at the AMC15 this December? Curious what that sculpture piece is outside of Nespresso called and who created it?

There's now an app for that...

NorthPark Center just launched a free mobile application designed to maximize the shopping experience for customers using the iPhone, other Apple mobile devices, and Android phones. Available as a free, downloadable application from the Apple App Store and Google Play, NorthPark Center leverages the tools available on NorthParkCenter.com to enable customers to plan shopping trips and access complete information about retailers, dining, movies and entertainment. Visitors will also appreciate some new conveniences available within the app, including an interactive shopping center map, parking location reminder, self-guided art tour and quick and easy access to purchase AMC Theatre movie tickets.

”Mobile apps have proven to be a successful tool for today’s savvy customer by giving them the information they want at the push of a button,” said Nancy Nasher, president of NorthPark Development Company. “By creating this advanced yet user-friendly shopping app, we are able to extend the shopping experience from the physical to the digital, so that our customers can be fully informed about the incredible happenings available at NorthPark Center.”

Through the new easy-to-navigate, touch-screen mobile app, customers will be able to:
• Quickly access NorthPark Center hours, directions, and contact information.
• View the store directory with phone numbers and store information.
• Access the events tab for a complete listing of promotions and events for our 235 stores and restaurants, as well as for special NorthPark organized events.
• Locate favorite store, dining and entertainment options through the interactive map and easy-to-navigate, in-mall directions.
• Utilize the convenient parking lot reminder to easily locate your vehicle.
• Customize the shopping experience through push notifications about popular retailers.
• Take a self-guided tour of NorthPark Center’s world-class art collection utilizing an interactive map and educational resources.
• View show times for NorthPark AMC 15 and purchase movie tickets.

The Dallas Foundation Provides A Way To Give The Gift of Giving

 

This holiday season, the Dallas Foundation is excited to offer North Texans the Giving for Good Card program - the first of its kind in North Texas. Giving for Good cards work like retail gift cards, only the value is redeemed as a donation to the recipient's favorite charity: any 501(c)(3) public charity in the United States, including schools, churches and synagogues. Order Giving for Good cards, starting in increments of $25 and up, to celebrate holidays and special occasions, to thank clients or to recognized employees. The program was designed to introduce charitable giving in a way that is unique, meaningful and fun. No more searching for the perfect gift, and you get a tax deduction! Recipients of a Giving for Good card may redeem the card on The Dallas Foundation's website. Or, you may give the cards directly to any nonprofit (by mail or in person) or even drop yours in a church collection basket. Next time you want to celebrate a special occasion, commemorate it with a Giving for Good card, and inspire others to give back. Order yours today by visiting https://dallasfoundation.cgc.greaterhorizons.org/purchase/

Holiday Cocktail Recipes from Del Frisco’s Grille

The holidays are a time to get together with friends and family over food… lots and lots of food. You can make it yourself, or do what I do and just leave it to the experts and go out to dine! Del Frisco’s Grille in Uptown Dallas has some new seasonal items on their menu to get you in the holiday spirit. They've also added a couple of seasonal cocktails - the Movember Mule and Chocolate Eggnog Martini - and were nice enough to share the recipes.

Movember Mule

Movember Mule (Cinnamon Apple Mule) 

Ingredients:
2 Oz - Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey
2 Oz – Stella Apple Cider
2 Oz - Ginger Beer

Directions:
Build in Copper Mug

Chocolate Eggnog Martini 

Ingredients:
1.5 Oz - Stoli Vanil
1.5 Oz - Godiva Dark Chocolate or Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka
2 Oz - Eggnog
Garnish with Shaved Chocolate

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a Boston shaker, fill with ice, and shake 10-15 times · Strain into a chilled martini glass

If you'd rather eat your calories instead of drink them, they have some desserts that sound pretty amazing like Nutella Bread Pudding with Coffee Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce, Warm Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Raspberry Sauce, and a Lemon Doberge Cake made with 6 layers, lemon buttercream icing, and lemon glaze. Delicious!

Del Frisco’s Grille is located at 3232 Mckinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75204. (972) 807-6152. http://delfriscosgrille.com

OSC Holiday Giveaway: NorthPark Center Goodies

This is the season of giving and to show my love and appreciation for your loyal patronage of this blog over the past year I am hosting a series of OSC Holiday Giveaways!  Every Monday throughout the month of December I will have a new fabulous prize package to give away. Today's contest is for a NorthPark Center package that includes a purple NorthPark Center branded notebook and pen, complimentary tasting at Nespresso for a Grand Cru coffee, a complimentary entree from Bread Winners Cafe & Bakery, a complimentary flatbread at Seasons 52, a gift card to 7 For All Mankind that could get you anywhere from $50 to $700 off your next purchase, and a complimentary valet parking pass for NorthPark Center (which is PRICELESS this time of year). To enter to win you just have to subscribe to my email list. If you are already a subscriber, then you are already automatically entered to win. I will select one lucky subscriber to win at Friday, December 5 at 9am CST. The winner will be contacted via email and have 24 hours to respond. If a response is not forthcoming, I will select another name until I get a responsive winner.

UPDATE 12/5: Congrats to Brittany Perry. She was lucky #784 and won this fabulous assortment of NorthPark Center goodies!

Subscribe!

Email Address *

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Format

• html
• text

Thai Meets Texas at Pakpao's New Brunch Service

Thai Omelette

Pakpao Thai recently launched a new "Thai-Meets-Texas" brunch and they invited me in this past weekend to experience it for myself. Pakpao's chef/partner Jet Tila has had appearances on Cutthroat Kitchen, Iron Chef America, and Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations so I expected to see some creative thinking when it came to the menu. I was not disappointed. Brunch is my all-time favorite meal of the day so I was curious to sample their entrees. I mean, what is a Thai brunch anyway? I'm posting the menu below so you can see for yourself. Brunch cocktails are always a vital part of the experience because, you know, brunch without cocktails is just a sad, late breakfast. Pakpao serves $1 original or tamarind mimosas, $3 lychee bellinis, and a $5 spicy Thai Lemongrass Bloody Mary (my personal favorite). I sampled several of the entrees and everyone at my table agreed that when it came to sweet vs. savory, the sweet dishes were our favorites by far. The Thai Tea French Toast and the Coconut Pancakes with Pineapple and fresh housemate whipped cream were spectacular. I also thought both the Thai Omelette and the Crab Omelette were delicious. I wasn't crazy about the Pork Congee, but that 's probably because it was the least flavorful of all the dishes we ate. Overall, I loved the menu, atmosphere, cocktails and service and give Pakpao two thumbs way up for their brunch service. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Brunch is served Saturdays & Sundays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday brunch will also feature a DJ. Pakpao is located at 1628 Oak Lawn Ave #120, Dallas, TX 75207, (214) 749-7002, http://pakpaothai.com

John Dal Canton Wants You To Get Your Buzz On This Holiday Season

One of my favorite gifts to give (and to receive - hint hint) is liquor. A bottle of wine, champagne or spirits is always a gift well received and fun to share with others.  John Dal Canton, Sommelier at Hibiscus, recently gave me some tips regarding gifting & serving wine over the holiday season and I thought I would share them with you:

OSC:  What is your favorite sparkling wine under $15?

JDC:  Cremant de Bourgogne Rose from Val de Mer. This is wine is from the acclaimed viticulture area of Burgundy France, and is made from the Pinot Noir Grape. The producer is Patrick Piuze who is arguably the up and coming rock star of Chablis, and he makes this wine under his second label Val de Mer. It really rocks and is a great bubbly for the holidays.

John Dal Canton, Sommelier at Hibiscus

OSC:  What wine would you serve a hard-core beer drinker?

JDC:  Either a really brioche-y Champagne, because it has the carbonation and maltiness a beer drinker would associate with beer, or, if the person is a true beer aficionado, someone who likes sour beers and beers impregnated with brettanomyces than perhaps a Mouvedre from Bandol or even some Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien Bordeaux.

OSC:  If attending a holiday housewarming party, what wine would you recommend bringing as a gift?

JDC:  Since so many people bring different bottles of wine and spirits to a holiday party, I like to give them something they can hold onto for a while. You can almost never go wrong with Brunello di Montalcino as a gift. This bottle can be something that they can add to their new bottle collection or can save for an upcoming dinner party. It is made from a clone of the Chianti grape called Sangiovese Rosso. Some producers I would recommend that will not devastate your bank would be Tenuta Silvio Nardi, Ciacci Piccolomini and Casanova di Neri. These are great producers and will appease palates from the novice drinker to the most discerning.

Festive Finds For The Holidays

Sponsored Post:

Cheers from the Jonathan Adler store. These pillows allow you to make any kind of festive statement you want!

Even though the holidays are quickly approaching I have been dragging my feet when it comes to making a list and checking it twice because the task is honestly a little daunting. So many people to buy for and so many original, clever and meaningful gifts to find! Ack! Nespresso gave me the kick in the booty I needed when they asked me to partner with them and showcase a few of my festive finds for the holidays. Their request forced me to get online, see what was out there and start bookmarking my favorite must-have items for the season. At the top of my list is the VertuoLine System from Nespresso. It's a total game changer in the coffee world - it relies on patented Centrifusion™ technology for state-of-the-art brewing. Just pop in a Nespresso capsule and the VertuoLine machine scans the capsule's bar code, then automatically custom-brews the ultimate cup of coffee or espresso in under a minute. Tops on my wish list for myself is their Aeroccino Plus which allows you to take milk right from your fridge and make steamed or foamed milk in a hot minute to create your own lattes and cappuccinos right in your own kitchen. Scroll through the lookbook below to see some of the other festive finds I will be buying for others (or maybe just hoping I get in my stocking) this holiday season!

This post was brought to you by Nespresso. To learn more about their products, visit Nespresso.com. 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.

Shop For A Cause: Sukan Jewelry

Pat Smith with Cynthia Smoot (wearing the
Tulsi Bead Horn) in October 2014

Sukan is a Hindi word meaning "good wishes" which reflects Radhika Zaveri's aspirations to provide means to women in rural India to bring forth their art and gain independence through a positive path. Sukan's jewelry pieces are made in India yet represent global purpose of building a conscious society everywhere. Their designs are made thoughtfully and embody sustainability by using recycled glass.

You can meet Zaveri and shop the Sukan collection at a holiday trunk show at The Lotus Shop inside the Crow Collection of Asian Art Museum on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6 (11am-5pm). 

Zaveri believes that personal consciousness is a way of life and at Sukan, they are dedicated to deliver sustainable ways of creating high quality, caringly crafted jewelry. To Zaveri, sustainability is a way of thinking and living that embodies not only ways to care about the planet but also helps communities and their generations and finally our own individual choices.

The genesis of Sukan collections is a dynamic mix of themes, colors and materials that reflect everyday elegance with substance and panache. "The idea is that we empower ourselves and those around to define the type of world we want to live in." Sukan literally mean good wishes and is my mother's name. The inspiration comes from iconic styles that have been transformed to casual modern luxury. http://www.sukanjewelry.com

Oh So Tasty: Henry's Majestic

One of the perks of working in PR and marketing is that I have amazing clients who feed me well. I have had the privilege of working with Bread Winners for 16 of their 20 years and I couldn't be more excited to introduce you to their latest creation: Henry’s Majestic. Normally I don't copy and paste a press release - but I wrote the damn thing so I am using it. Why try to recreate perfection?!

Roe Dileo

Their motto is "Good Food. Strong Drinks." Henry's Majestic will quench your thirst and satiate your appetite in a comfortable setting where great ideas will be forged, enemies will become friends, bonds will be strengthened and memories will be made. Pretty good, huh. Actually I can't take credit for that, my partner wrote it. 

Two large bars provide patrons with a comfortable place to enjoy an array of elixirs, an eclectic wine list or beers from near and far served from 24 taps in an approachable environment. The 4860 sq. foot site features an industrial contemporary design style speckled with unique “found” items. Most impressive are the spacious dog-friendly patio where diners can enjoy an outdoor fireplace, pool table, TVs and al fresco dining in a relaxed atmosphere. We all need a place to imbibe and feast, to relax and reflect, a place that offers the riches of cultured community setting and genuine southern charm. That place, is Henry’s Majestic. 

Part of the genius behind Henry's Majestic is the executive team they put in place. Rosanne “Roe” Dileo leads the team as General Manager and takes an active role in all aspects of the concept; from the menu to the bar to the front of the house. This New Jersey native created a name for herself locally as the chef at The Libertine Bar and was most recently at Boulevardier in Bishop Arts. She is currently appearing on Hell’s Kitchen as a contestant in Season 13 of the FOX cooking competition series starring Gordon Ramsey. Adam Kovac is the Executive R+D Chef for Bread Winners, Inc. Kovac has been with Bread Winners for 9 years. He has turned his passion for charcuterie and meat curing into a new company called Meat Parlour which will be providing Henry’s with its cured meats. Alex Fletcher rounds out the team at the helm of their beverage program. Fletcher is a recognizable name on the bar scene and his work at Victor Tango’s earned him the reputation as one of the best bartenders in Dallas. Fletcher also crafted his skills at The People’s Last Stand and with Bread Winner's team at The Quarter.

Here's some food porn for you:

What President George W. Bush Eats on Thanksgiving

I bet this is what George W. Bush will be eating on Thanksgiving

I've always said that details can make or break a party. Unless you stuff your guests full of great food and drink. Then they are so happy they won't remember any other little snafu that might occur. So, this Thanksgiving, consider making this amazing looking dessert courtesy of former First Lady Laura Bush. It's a Texas Buttermilk Coconut Pie with Whipped Cream and I have a feeling that even if you overcook the turkey or run out of cranberry sauce - this pie could save the day. I found the recipe on Lea Berman's blog, America's Table. Berman is the former White House Social Secretary from the George W. Bush administration and spent her entire adult career as an event planner. She claims to have learned a lot about hospitality from former First Lady Laura Bush. "She thought carefully about every event she hosted: how it could be exceptional, how the food and flowers could in some way reflect the occasion, how the calligraphy honored the attendees – it was a package of small but important details that led to a great party." So, this Thanksgiving, follow her lead and put a little extra effort into your table setting. Pull out the fancy hand towels. Use the good china. And if all else fails... serve this pie.

No Tie Dinner & Dessert Party Goes Bollywood for 2015

2015 No Tie Dinner & Dessert Honorary Co-Chairs Sterling and Jody O’Donnell and Co-Chairs David Nelson and Dennis Kershner. Photo credit: Sergio Delgado

Press Release - Celebrating a landmark year, the 10th Annual No Tie Dinner & Dessert Party launched its fundraising season with a Kick-Off Party at Scott + Cooner for approximately 150 avid No Tie fans and dessert lovers. Announcing the 2015 theme “Under the Yum Yum Tree,” the Bollywood-style Kick-Off Party captured the magic, vibrant energy and exotic flavors of The East and things to come at the main event to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 7:00 PM at the Frontiers of Flight Museum.  The event also unveiled a new web site and the 2015 chair committee. Stylist, interior designer and all-around Renaissance man David Nelson returns with Dennis Kershner, sales executive at Interior Resources, as Co-Chairs, and Jody and Sterling O’Donnell serve as Honorary Chairs. Another first, No Tie has engaged Kristi Holman, owner of K&L Management, as coordinator of the spectacular tenth anniversary event which has been run by ASD staff and volunteers for the last nine years. Last but certainly not least, the 2015 No Tie Dinner & Dessert Party announced the 2015 presenting sponsor, Purple Foundation, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that raises funds to improve the lives of people in the Dallas area who are living with or are affected by HIV/AIDS. No Tie Dinner & Dessert Party is the largest fundraiser for AIDS Services of Dallas which provides housing and supportive services for low-income and formerly homeless men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS. The Kick-Off Party revealed exciting news, from the 2015 date and theme to a first-ever VIP ticket that will offer a deluxe lounge area serving premium spirits, luxury auction packages, and exclusive desserts. General admission advance tickets are $60 until February 20th or $75. VIP advance tickets are $130 until February 20th or $150. Tickets are available to purchase online at www.notiedinner.org.

Oh So Fashionable: FGI Night of Stars 2014

Lisa Dawson, Todd Fiscus, Linda Gray, Zac Posen, Emma Bell and Nancy C. Rogers were honored at the 65th Annual FGI of Dallas Night of Stars Gala, November 14, 2014

On November 14, Fashion Group International of Dallas (FGI of Dallas) hosted its 65th annual Night of Stars Gala at Fashion Industry Gallery. Every year, FGI brings in a big name designer to honor with a Career Achievement Award and show their Spring collection. Previous honorees have included amazing designers like Lela Rose, Billy Reid and Kay Unger.

Zac Posen and Cynthia Smoot

This year's honoree wasn't just big - he was jaw-droopingly, amazingly, awesomely, fantastically HUGE and everyone there was buzzing to get a moment with Project Runway's Zac Posen.  I was lucky enough to have interviewed him the day before at his penthouse suite at The Joule so when I saw him at the gala I didn't approach him because I wanted others to have their time with him.

But when he saw me he gave me that boyish grin of his and waved me over for a hug. "How's my new Instagram buddy?" he asked as we posed for a photo. His charm is palatable and everyone who met him couldn't stop talking about how approachable and delightful he was.

Highlights of the event included a silent auction, a fashion show featuring designs by Zac Posen, a cocktail reception, dinner, and an awards ceremony. Neiman Marcus' Ken Downing presented Posen with his Career Achievement in Fashion award, model Chandra North presented Lisa Dawson the Career Achievement in Business award, art patron Cindy Rachofsky presented Todd Fiscus with the Career Achievement in Event Design award, Peter Doroshenko presented philanthropist Nancy C. Rogers with the Art Patron of the Year and WFAA's Ron Corning presented DALLAS star Linda Gray with the Lifetime Achievement award. Linda's DALLAS co-star Emma Bell was the host for the evening. All the cool kids were at Table 17... shoutout to Heidi, Bill and Dallas Dillon for having me at their table. Other fashionable attendees included Chuck Steelman (FGI of Dallas Regional Director), Sheree Hartwell (FGI District Director), Nasiba Adilova, Renée Rouleau, Gregg Asher, Brian Bolke, Steve and Lucy Wrubel, Nha Khanh, and Elizabeth Anyaa.

Celebrate The Holidays In Tees From Katydid Collection

There are two things I love with equal abandon: T-shirts and the Christmas holiday. So, when Dallas-based Katydid Collection sent me their new holiday look book I was squealing with excitement. Styles range from boatneck to baseball tees, and come in a range of cute holiday savings like "Eat, Drink and Be Merry", "Ho, Ho, Ho Y'All" and "Jesus Is The Reason For The Season". Cost is $32.95 per tee. Order this week to get FREE SHIPPING!  You can check out all of their fun holiday designs at http://www.katydidcollection.com/holiday-collection.html

Want to win a free Katydid holiday tee of your choosing?

I am giving one away today on Instagram! 

Click here to go to my Instagram profile and enter to win!!

Celebrate the Holidays at NorthPark Center

Scattered Light by Jim Campbell

The holiday season is merry and bright at NorthPark Center as they celebrate “A Season of Light.” Setting the stage for a magical holiday experience is beautiful décor of twinkling lights, bountiful plantings, and interactive displays featuring the season’s most notable characters.

A spectacular new installation by renowned artist, Jim Campbell, entitled Scattered Light will draw visitors to the CenterPark Garden with its cascading grid of flickering light. The work, which was recently on view at Madison Square Park in New York City, creates the illusion of figurative images through its 3-D matrix of thousands of hanging light bulbs. It promises to be Dallas’ most photographed light display this holiday season.

Bells are ringing at NorthPark Center to encourage visitors to donate their spare change through The Salvation Army Kettle Campaign, which raises important funds for year-round programs at more than a dozen Salvation Army centers in North Texas. Make the holiday season a memorable one for those in need by giving presents, clothing and necessities through The Salvation Army Angel Tree. Choose an Angel from The Angel Tree, drop off your gift by December 9, and The Salvation Army will make your delivery in time for Christmas.

Pat And Emmitt Smith Celebrate The Spirit Of Entrepreneurship

Calvin Carter (Bottle Rocket), Susan O’Brien (Hail Merry), Emmitt Smith, Evelyn Torres (Solaris Technologies), Scott Sams (KRLD), Sarah Palisi Chapin (Hail Merry) Steve Lieberman (The Retail Connection)

Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities hosted its first annual business luncheon on Thursday, November 6, at the InterContinental Dallas Hotel, raising more than $100,000 for youth programming and education. The luncheon, “Celebrating the Spirit of Entrepreneurship,” highlighted a panel of successful business entrepreneurs from the North Texas area and provided inspiration to guests to “stay the course” and always give back. Quotes from each of the featured panelists lined the entryway to the event. My favorite one came from Calvin Carter who said, "The most important thing is to keep the most important thing the most important thing." Say that to yourself 4 or 5 times and let it sink in. I love little nuggets of wisdom like that.

Pat and Emmitt Smith

Featured panelists included:
Albert Black, CEO, On Target Supplies & Logistics
Calvin Carter, CEO, Bottle Rocket Apps
Steve Lieberman, CEO, The Retail Connection
Susan O’Brien, Founder, Hail Merry
Sarah Palisi Chapin, CEO, Hail
Merry Evelyn Torres, CEO, Solaris Technologies

Scott Sams, well-known radio host at KRLD, moderated the event in Addison. Attendees also heard from Noble Obriki, a student in Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities’ Team 22 program, which provides mentoring and enrichment opportunities for high potential, yet underserved youth.

Noble expressed his gratitude for the investment the charity has made in him. “Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities has opened my voice and given me the motivation to aspire beyond the set boundaries of today,” said Obriki. Proceeds from the luncheon will support the programming of Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities.

Change Lives This Holiday Season Through Santa's Sparkle

Radio personality Tony Zazza needs our help to make this a happy holiday season for some less than fortunate families on our community. "I have spent the last 16 years as a radio personality here in DFW and absolutely love this community. Last year we helped 5 local families who had all been met with undue hardship. Ranging from a 38 year old single mother of 3 who had been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer to a family who lost their mom and 18 month old brother in floods in Austin and the remaining 5 siblings came to Dallas to live with their grandparents who were living off Social Security."

Santa’s Sparkle is an opportunity to changes these families lives even if for just 48 hours. Nominations are currently underway for this year's programs and will end December 3. The Zazza Community Foundation is a Tax-Exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit and donations are tax deductible.

This year the selected families will embark on a Magical Christmas journey that will begin Sunday, December 14th when arriving at the Hilton Anatole. The families will enjoy a private marionette show in their theatre, followed by plush accommodations that evening. Monday, December 15th the families will wake to breakfast and then be surprised by a trumpet calling and welcoming by Santa & Mrs. Clause before being escorted to the Anatole’s Winter Wonderland known as “Sparkle”. Here the families will be presented with their own Christmas trees and the surprise of presents wrapped under each tree for each of the family members. The festivities will continue with spa treatments at the Anatole for those interested, all meals throughout their stay and ice skating to their hearts content at Sparkle before laying down for a little winters nap that evening again with accommodations provided by the Anatole.

Highland Park Village Announces New Tenants And Says GoodBye To Old Ones

There's a whole lotta changes happening over at Dallas' toniest shopping center, Highland Park Village. Yesterday a press release went out announcing store closings and openings. Here's the good news:

• goop – a “pop-up” store created and curated by Gwyenth Paltrow. This exclusive engagement opens November 17 and closes December 14. 
• Giuseppe Zanotti – Italian designer of men’s and women’s footwear, jewelry and accessories. This is the first Giuseppe Zanotti boutique to open in Texas and it is slated to open in early spring. 
• Dior Beauty – a jewel box of a boutique at only 500 square feet, this is the first Dior Beauty boutique in the United States and is slated to open in late spring. 
• Bluemercury – a multi-brand beauty and skin-care boutique with expert advisors selling top brands. This is the first Bluemercury store to open in Texas and is expected to open in early summer. 

But alas, as often happens, there is bad news that is accompanying the good news.  As previously announced, Summers also confirmed that Tom Thumb will close its Highland Park Village store on November 30, 2014. Tom Thumb’s parent company, California-based Safeway, informed Highland Park Village ownership and store employees that the store must close by December 1 in order to complete the acquisition by Albertsons that was announced in March 2014.  “We are excited about the new tenants coming to Highland Park Village. They will complement our existing retailers and add to our shoppers’ experience,” said Summers. “We also want to assure our patrons and local residents that we are in talks with potential retailers and grocers to provide some of the services and goods that will be lost when Tom Thumb closes and we’ll have more to share on that as we get closer.”

While Summers seems super excited about the changes, there are many who are not happy with the changes being implemented. There is a lot of grumbling from consumers (Parkies in particular) that HPV is pricing themselves out of the reach of even the higher-than-average consumer. When I moved to Park Cities 10 years ago you could find stores like The Gap, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic and Harold's. Today, the center is filled with high-end luxury designer boutiques with average price points that 95% of Dallas shoppers cannot afford. If HPV is all about quality over quantity, then they are right on the mark. Many residents of Park Cities are all up in arms over what they see as the demise of what has been a family-oriented destination for the community. Gone are the days when children could ride their bikes over for a frozen yogurt or french fries. No longer will you be able to pop in for a gallon of milk before you hit the carpool line at Bradfield Elementary. What some see as radical change for this community watering-hole, Summers sees at positive change for the 92-year old shopping center.

What do you think about the direction HPV is going? Discuss....

Zac Posen on Fashion, Food and what he really thinks about Dallas

I caught up with Zac Posen at a luxurious penthouse at The Joule hotel on Thursday afternoon. He is in town for a few days (primarily) to accept an award from Fashion Group International (FGI) Dallas but like any good entrepreneur was taking full advantage of his time here and had spent the afternoon wining and dining some of Neiman Marcus' top customers and socialites like "Fancy Nancy" Rogers, Anika Call and Kristie Ramirez. Posen will be bestowed the Career Achievement in Fashion Award at one of Dallas' hottest events this Friday evening at FGI Night of Stars gala. Other honorees will include Todd Fiscus who will receive the Career Achievement Award in Event Design and Lisa Dawson who will be honored with the Career Achievement Award in Business. In addition, DALLAS star Linda Gray will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award and Nancy Rogers will be presented with the Art Patron of the Year Award.

FGI supports fashion student not only with funds, but with connections to others in their fields of interest. I believe that no matter what station or stage of the game you are at, it is crucial to have people who believe in you and support you on your journey, so I asked Zac to tell me who a few of his early mentors had been and what they meant to him.  "I've been really fortunate in my career to have had many mentors. I've always been drawn to people who are magic - I call them my angels." He credits Bloomingdales Kal Ruttenstein for being one of his first big supporters and says that he saw more in him than Posen saw in himself at the time, taking him to dinner sometimes twice a week early on in his career to offer him guidance and nurture him. He called Vogue's Anna Wintour "an instrumental force" in his career saying "she has a level of excellence that is outstanding and has given me some of the best, and hardest, advice I've ever gotten." He credits Dallas' own Neiman Marcus for taking him under their wing and having a huge impact on his success. "Ken Downing took me on the road when I was 21 and that's how I saw America and learned who my customer was," he mused.

Dallas Dweller: Marnie Glaser

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.

Dallas Dweller: Marnie Glaser
by Alison Weinstein

Last week, I met my friend and early education advocate, Marnie Glaser, for coffee. Even in workout gear, Marnie still manages to channel Audrey Hepburn! Envy aside, I instantly became obsessed with her… bar graphs! It had been some time since we had gotten together and to my “What’s up?” – question, Marnie busted out her laptop! What else could I expect from my friend with the Masters in Brain and Behavior Science? For as long as I have known this classy Preston Hollow Mom of Three (including a set of twin boys), Marnie has been pounding the legislative pavement (in her fabulous kitten heels BTW) with groups like Commit! to challenge the status quo of education quality in Dallas County.

“86 percent of students in Dallas County graduate high school without being college ready,” said Marnie who then provided hard numbers on how this impacts our community. So much for my interest in her holiday travel plans. “The breakdown happens before third grade (with reading and writing deficits) and from there it’s very hard to catch up. Imagine the gravity of change if we could aggregate our talents and work together to remedy the problem. Imagine the prosperity our community would have when every child loves to learn, is successful in school and can reach their full life potential. ” When asked what drives her, Marnie responded that the notion of kids being left behind because of gaps in the system is “intolerable and simply doesn’t have to happen. There is solid research to support change. It’s up to all of us, whether our children go to private or public school, to ensure that all children in our community have access to a quality education.”