Some Call Her Mayor, Three Call Her Mom

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dallas city Mayor Laura Miller and let me just say, it was a wonderful experience. Aside from leading one of the largest metropolitan cities in the country, this former journalist-turned-politician is the devoted mom to three young children ages 11 to 16. During the course of our 45-minute conversation in a large conference room on the fifth floor of City Hall, Mayor Miller shared with me some truly interesting tidbits:

• she once kicked a school board leader out of his office during an interview (this was in her journalism days) so she could “pump” (she breastfed each of her three children for a year)
  
• she arranges her schedule so she can have dinner with her busy family every night (very few exceptions to this rule are tolerated)
  
• her children recently asked her if she would consider having another baby (aww!)

Want to know more? Look for the December issue of DallasChild, where I profile this fascinating mom and reveal the one local hot spot the Mayor absolutely can’t live without, plus the REAL reason she’s not running for re-election.

much love~
tessa

"Oh When the Saints..."

Whether you’re a sports nut or not, tonight’s Monday Night Football game on ESPN is one for the history books. It marks the first time the Louisiana Superdome is back in action after a “makeover" - a much needed one at that - post mayhem and devastation that took place in the Superdome following Katrina's wrath. Forget the game, I assure you that you won’t want to miss the pre-game show as U2 (my absolute favorite band) and Green Day team up to perform together live in the Superdome for a better reason than just football. They will be singing a cover of The Skids track, ‘The Saints Are Coming’ before the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons take the field. Shortly after their performance, a download of the song will be available on Rhapsody.com. The entire proceeds will go to Music Rising, a campaign created by The Edge (U2's mastermind guitarist), which is dedicated to bringing music back to churches, schools and professionals in the Gulf Coast area. The Edge hopes that Music Rising will ensure “’that one of the Gulf Coast’s greatest assets, its music, rise again.’”

Watch them on ESPN tonight during the pre-game show 6 – 7:30pm CST. For more information, go to Music Rising.

cheers -
Lauren

It's Almost the Weekend...

The Man in the Yellow Hat and his endearing little friend George are coming to Dallas to celebrate the DVD release of the little monkey’s big screen debut.

Valley View Mall is hosting a day of Curious George activities starting at noon on Sunday (9/24), and the first 60 kids to register can audition for a voiceover role in a future animated production by Universal Studios.

Billed as a “Curiosity and Creativity Day,” the event promises face painting, coloring and promotions galore. Check it out, if you’re curious…

Valley View Mall 13331 Preston Road, Dallas

Also this weekend, Desperados restaurant, a Greenville Avenue Tex-Mex favorite, is having a 30th anniversary fiesta. A nominal donation gets you in the fiesta tent this Saturday, where the food will be free and free-flowing all night.

The event benefits the Love for Kids organization, which helps to serve some 264 local organizations that assist children in need.

Special guests will include former Dallas Cowboy Tony Hill (and friends). Hill will also be stopping by our friend Tania Foster’s fundraiser for Dallas Is Love on October 3. (See below)

Finally, the Desperados have planned a taco-eating contest featuring local media personalities. Dallas Child wasn’t asked to participate, and I think we’re all ok with that. But go see which of your favorite news anchors, reporters and columnists take the challenge and which ones are left with guacamole on their faces. Do it for the kids.

Desperados 4818 Greenville Ave, Dallas

Have a great weekend!
-Liz

Future Plans ...

This past month on Clomid was one of the most emotionally challenging periods in my nearly three-year-long fight with infertility.

Not only were my emotions on overload (sorry honey), but my mind was consumed with the business of making a baby:

• Take Clomid (and forewarn anyone in your path that you are, in fact, taking hormone-affecting meds and caution is advised)
  
• Pop prenatal vitamin that rivals the size of a human head
  
• Wear too-tight OV-Watch that makes wrist sweat
  
• Potty on ovulation-determination sticks (does anyone else have issues finding the stream the first time out? Lol!)
  
• On the “O” zone (ovulation) days, “do the laundry”
  
• Post-laundry, hitch hips toward the sky on a mammoth “pregnancy” pillow for 20-30 minutes
  
• Get blood work done to determine if you really did ovulate or if the stick l-i-e-d
  
• Wait … wait … and wait some more for the end of the cycle, which will either bring about joyous, beautiful, life-changing news or another month of “fun.”

Despite having to constantly be aware of what day it was in my cycle and what my body was (or wasn’t) doing, knowing my husby, Chris, and I were taking that “next step” toward becoming Mom and Dad made it all worthwhile. (And, come on, of course I have to admit there is some fun to be had during the whole baby making process, lol!) All this said and done, I’ve decided to detail my adventures in “wanna-be-mommyhood” in our October issue, on stands the first of next month. This is a story you won’t want to miss as I learned a huge life lesson in between my steps (and stumbles) as “infertile myrtle.”


much love~
tessa

p.s. The family photo above was shot for the October article by our PR/Marketing guru, Ashley, who is also a fantabulous photographer. Kudos Ash for your awesome talent and for actually getting Maxie to look your direction! =)

Thanks to our CoverKid Contestants

Saturday's event was a hit! We met so many adorable children and great families. I worked as a photographer with Tessa as my "assistant." OK, actually I was supposed to be the assistant, but after about five minutes we switched because Tessa is much better at handling the paperwork and details, while I like to be the creative type. At least we know that about each other and work well as a team! We had so much fun with the kids and so many of them sprang to life in front of the camera - there will be plenty of fresh faces to choose from for our covers next year. We'd love to hear what you thought of the event ... e-mail us. --shelley

Could Your Child Be Our Next Cover Kid?

Tomorrow, Saturday September 16, is our annual DallasChild Cover Search and it’s going to be a blast! We’re taking over the castle at Kids Dental (3001 N. Dallas Parkway, Plano on the West side of the Tollway) in hopes of finding fresh new faces to grace the covers of our 2007 magazines.

Interested?

Kids ages 1-12 (accompanied by mom or dad) are welcome to stop by between 9am-3pm; registration is $35. A DallasChild photographer will snap 3 pictures of your child and the best shot will be printed as a mock magazine “cover” as a souvenir for you to take home.

But it’s not all about the photo shoot … this is going to be a fun-filled day complete with a bounce house, games, an ambulance and helicopter the kids can check out and much, much more.

Come on by, we’ll be looking for ya’!

much love~
tessa

Holiday Pic Outfit Inspiration

I'm sure I'm not the only mom who is already obsessing over what my little angels are going to wear for their holiday photo (which will take place next month with the lovely and talented Ms. Jennifer - our cover photog extraordinaire). I am envisioning bright colors and breezy casual. So, when I received a sample from Happy Green Bee, I went ga ga over the sumptuous bands of burnt orange, bricky red and earthy green. The garments are super soft and made of organic cotton too! One of these outfits is a top contender for my baby (if I can match the other boys with equally gorgeous hues). Send me your ideas, moms! --shelley

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Little Darlings

I must tell everyone how excited I am about our upcoming cover girls, Iris (DallasChild) and Briauna (FortWorthChild). Both are spunky 4-year-olds with more enthusiasm and charisma than we could have ever hoped for! They were such fabulous first-time models, you would have thought they came straight from America’s Next Top Model. Here are a few of the outtakes of the girls having fun at the shoot yesterday.
I found our girls’ precious Sister Sam outfits at KidBiz at Preston Center, in Dallas – a store that has been around so long that I remember shopping there with my mom and grandmother as a young girl myself. If you haven’t stopped in lately, I would suggest doing so.
Also, a huge thanks goes to our photographer Jennifer Weintraub of Sugar Photography. She really knows how to work kids (experience gained from being a mom of two little ones) to get the absolute best pictures, especially from our Iris and Briauna. Check out The Sweet Life to see what she has to say about our shoot. I can’t wait for yall to see our latest crop of beautiful darlings on stands Oct. 1!

-Lauren

VOTE NOW!

It’s time once again to cast your vote for the very best family-friendly haunts around town in our annual Best for Families (visit www.dallaschild.com or www.fortworthchild.com to vote). To keep things interesting, we’ve added some great new categories like Mom & Dad (What’s the best date night hot spot that you and your hubby love to frequent?) and Weekends (What’s the absolute greatest One-Stop Shop to Get all your “To-Do’s” Done?).

Come on moms, you know you have secret spots that you’re just dying to bring into the limelight — now’s your chance. (Plus, living in my non-mommy bubble right now, I want/need to know who’s got the best baby gear, where to meet other moms, etc. just in case that “little stick” says “PREGNANT!” in a few days … my fingers and toes are crossed!).

Oh, and one last thing … vote in all of our craveworthy categories and you’ll be entered to win a craveworthy $200 gift certificate from one of our fabulous advertisers — now that’s something that should get your fingers to typing!

Have fun!

much love~
tessa

p.s. Thanks to Shelley Anne Marie for the shout out ... always good to know you're "luved." =)

Tessa Anne Marie!

No, that's not her "real" middle name. But we both insert "Anne Marie" after each other's first names when we want to make a point (kind of like when your mom called you by your first and middle names when you got into trouble as a kid). Tessa took off on "vacation," mumbling something about needing a "break." Whatever. Here I am struggling to keep things organized and running smoothly (and trying hard to stay motivated - she's the ultimate whip cracker) and just when I was devising a plan to put a "ban" on any future little getaway ideas of hers, I open my desk drawer and find a GIANT chocolate bar with a little note from her. Not only is she the machine that powers our editorial department, she's thoughtful too (sort of ... she knows I'm on a diet!!!). Here's to looking forward to her return tomorrow; I guess I better be nice to her ( : -- shelley

Is it Hot in Here? Or is it Just Mom?

Personally, I thought producers were about to run out of ideas for reality TV shows, but apparently, I was wrong.

A new show is in the works, and casting directors will be in Dallas on Saturday, September 16 to hold auditions for the Hottest Mom in America.

So what is the show looking for in a mom?

"Our Casting Directors are looking for the Hottest Moms in Dallas, with style,
confidence, and sexuality beyond the carpool!" says the show’s press release.

So, moms, come by Reunion Arena a week from Saturday at 8 am and dazzle the casting directors with your stunning personality.

No word yet on what the show will actually require of its contestants, but don’t worry, we’ll keep you posted.

And while you’re in the mood, why not bring the kids by the Dallas Child cover search the same day? We promise…no reality TV stunts required.

-Liz

Dallas Is Love

While we’re bragging about people, I want to introduce 18-year-old Tania Foster. I interviewed Tania for our October North Texas Teens, and I’m completely in awe. In my excitement, I don’t want to give her story away too soon, but I did want to share what won’t make it in the magazine.

Tania started a web site Dallas Is Love.org to show love to American troops in South Korea. Her grandfather was a lieutenant colonel and her grandmother is Korean, hence her connection to the country. Through Dallas Is Love, you can donate money which will be converted to gift certificates through the Army and Air Force Exchange Service that the servicemen and women can use anywhere in the world.

After several visits to South Korea to visit her mother’s family and military personnel, Tania decided to amp up her campaign to raise a quarter of a million dollars to show the troops that they are appreciated. Her philosophy that all troops need support, but that they're not concentrated in one small area of the world, as we often assume, is refreshing.

The Fosters also met and befriended Sgt. Allen Cottone while in South Korea. Cottone will be coming home just in time for Christmas, and has not seen his wife in two and a half years (they’ve been married for three).

He asked if he could pay the Fosters a visit while he is on leave, and the generous family said they would be happy to have him. Meanwhile Tania has arranged for Dallas Mavericks tickets and is working on securing a room at the W Hotel, donations from local restaurants, etc. to make sure Sgt. Cottone and his wife have an amazing time in Dallas. After all, who knows where the army could take him next.

Tania has also organized an event at Potbelly’s in Garland (Firewheel Mall) on October 3. She has arranged for KISS FM and possibly Miss Dallas or Miss Texas USA to be there to drum up support. I know I will be there.

Since “Dallas Is Love,” I wanted you all to know about this incredible young woman.

-Liz

YES!

I am officially in the “O” zone (read: this AM’s “stick” said I’m ovulating). I couldn’t be more excited … well, if the “stick” says I’m preggars next month then of course this excitement will be eclipsed by impending mommyhood, but for now, after surviving my first roller-coaster cycle of Clomid (and almost three years of not ovulating), this is, in a word, thrilling! YEE-HA!

Other exciting news? I am constantly and consistently in touch with local moms who are absolutely amazing and have great things to share with the magazine and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to get this inside look at motherhood. Take for instance Lindsay Kwait, a young woman I met through a mutual friend who traded in her interior-design dreams to be a stay-at-home mommy to her 6-month-old son, Travis. She’s one of those totally plugged in people that we all aspire to be: she blogs constantly and what she posts is awesome. I check in periodically and am always impressed with what she shares – like the video she posted of Travis’ first solid-cereal experience – she didn’t want her mom (who lives out of town) to miss seeing it (aww, too sweet). Be sure to grab the Fall/Winter issue of babydallas out next month to see what Lindsay has to say about all the things she’s wish she’d known pre-baby.

And then there’s Tiffany Cotney, a breast-cancer survivor I’m profiling in our October “Mom Next Door” department. She is fabulous! I spoke with her for over an hour today about her experiences in beating breast cancer and she is inspiring. She has twin 2 year olds (precious!) and we talked about how the past year (she was diagnosed in Aug., 2005) impacted her as a parent and as a woman. You just have to read her story – her spirit, her upbeat (read: bubbly and full of laughter) personality and zest for life is contagious.

My fingers are crossed that I’ll soon be able to join the ranks of these fabulous moms.

much love~
tessa

P.S. The sign I'm holding in the photo says "MOMS ROCK!"

The Case for a European "Holiday"

If you can’t tell already through my other posts and bio, I am a HUGE advocate of spending time abroad – especially at a young age. The benefits are overwhelming, and if you spend enough time mingling with the locals, you’ll not only get a true picture of Americans from the “outside world,” but see that the “American way” is not always the only way. For this reason, I believe that it’s crucial for teens and college-aged students to spend time abroad; the lessons they learn, and the perspectives they’ll gain are invaluable and will help shape their lives. They did for me.
I just finished working on an article about just that (advocating teen trips to Europe) for the October issue of NorthTexasTeens. In it, I let you in on the personal experiences I’ve gone through, and the knowledge and lessons I took back with me crossing back over the pond.
If your teen is asking for a trip abroad, or even thinking about it, I hope that after reading this article, you give them the green light – I promise that it is one of the greatest gifts you could ever give them.
-Lauren

PS - the photo is of me (denim jacket, far left), some of my classmates and a Scottish bagpipe player on the Millenium Bridge in London

Calling All Ballerinas:

Tiny dancers ages 10-14 have just less than a month to get warmed up for auditions for The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes.

Auditions will be held Sunday, October 1 in the Dallas Opera Rehearsal Hall for the part of Clara in "The Nutcracker" segment of the show. A limited number of parts will go to seasoned, young en pointe dancers, and the chosen few will perform in some of the 40 shows during the production's Dallas run.

Email for more information and registration searchforclara@yahoo.com

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is presented by the Dallas Summer Musicals

-Liz

Fall's Forecast...

Summer heat is still “blessing” us with its presence, but as far as the beauty industry is concerned…it’s fall! Neiman Marcus Willow Bend in Plano is hosting their Backstage Beauty Reception to kick off the season’s newest additions this Thursday night from 6 – 8 pm on the first floor in Cosmetics. Get all the inside info on fall’s big beauty must-haves and secrets, along with the fabulous complimentary red tote with a cosmetic or fragrance purchase of $85+. See you there!

- Lauren