Real Posh MOM

Design Your Own Cookie Bouquet

2012-01-27T17:03:00.002-06:00

I was window shopping and stumbled upon a Cookie by Design. I have always been curious how much the cookie bouquets cost, so I walked in to see this bakery. I was pleasantly surprised by all the options. They were friendly and allowed me to try samples of their cookie. What a great way to localize a national company. I was sold!!!

Like florist, they offer different baskets for any occasion. Since it's Valentine's Day, and my "honey" loves sweet. I thought this was a great treat. With so many varieties, I cannot pick. This is where I need your help, but don't tell @RealGeekDad ;). Which of the below pictures should I order for Valentine's Day?

LOVE BUG

WACKY HEARTS

CONVERSATION HEARTS

Fortunately, if you live in Richardson, Texas or surrounding town, they are having a Grand Opening Celebration THIS SATURDAY (January 28, 2012) from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Come in and try these delicious cookies and other bakery treats.

Cookie by Design

1920 N. Coit Rd

Richardson, TX

972-234-1574

BTW I was NOT compensated for this post, but truly was impressed by their amazing customer service, and I wanted you to experience it too! Can't make it to the Grand Opening Celebration, here's a discount code: VD12CO for $5 off any 7 cookie bouquet! Expires 2/14/2012. Offer may not be combined with any other offer.

Wolfgang Puck Celebrates the Year of the Dragon

2012-01-24T11:42:00.000-06:00

Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck is ringing in the Year of the Dragon with a prix fixe menu showcasing Asian-inspired dishes representing the five Chinese elements: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth.

Make your reservations for the tempting, creative five-course menu, inclusive of a chef’s amuse, a pastry prelude and a decadent dessert. Dishes are designed to evoke themes of the Chinese New Year like good fortune and power, and they will ensure that all visitors start the Year of the Dragon off right.

The Chinese New Year menu will be available alongside the a la carte menu now through February 3, with a special appearance by Chef Wolfgang Puck on the evening of February 1, 2012. The celebratory menu is priced at $125 per guest.

Five Sixty

300 Reunion Blvd

Dallas, TX

214-741-5560

Snyder's of Hanover Sweeten Cookies

2012-01-17T08:58:00.000-06:00

SocialMoms.net and Snyder's of Hanover has teamed up together and asked me to share with my readers a delicious recipe including pretzels as an ingredient and my healthy snacking tips,you can read more about this request here.

It seems like the culinary world has been slightly obsessed with the salty & sweet combination lately. I loved what the pretzels added to the cookie. They stayed nice and crispy, which is a great contrast to the chewy cookie. I absolutely love the combination of pretzel, chocolate and peanut butter.

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Chip Pretzel Cookies

Makes 24 cookies

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. of salt
1/4 tsp. of baking soda
1/2 cup of butter at room temperature
1/2 cup of tightly packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup of granulated sugar
1 egg (beaten)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 cup broken up Snyder's of Hanover pretzel pieces
Sea Salt

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a larger bowl, beat the butter and sugars together on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). On low speed, slowly add the beaten egg and vanilla extract. Beat to combine, scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Add the flour mixture and beat just until there are no more streaks of flour. Stir in the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and Snyder's of Hanover pretzels. Cover and refrigerate for an hour.

Preheat the oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop out well rounded tablespoonfuls of the dough and sprinkle with salt. Leave about 2 inches between each ball. Bake for 10 minutes. If you prefer crispier cookies increase the baking time by 1-2 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before removing.

Snyder's of Hanover

16,859

*Disclaimer - I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Snyder’s of Hanover blogging program, for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Elegance Is Golden!

2012-01-16T11:20:00.000-06:00

As I watched the 2012 Golden Globe Awards, I admired the throwback to Hollywood elegance. Some of night’s best dressed moms opted for glamorous gowns and hair that complemented them. The celebrity stylists should be proud of their hard work. Hollywood’s moms inspired me to looks at my wardrobe and add some elegance to it.

Arguably the best dress, Sofia Vergara and her curves satisfy the fashion-thirsty in Vera Wang.

Tilda Swinton sets new precedent in this icy lilac dress by Canadian designer, Haider Ackermann.

Kelly MacDonald in a cap-sleeved sequin gown by Lorena Sarbu.

In Lanvin, Natalie Portman shines in a red and pink satin overlay gown reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes."

Michelle Williams looks conservative and cute all at once in Jason Wu.

Who do you think was the most elegant? Share your views in comment box below.

The Porch is Worth Every Bite

2012-01-15T23:03:00.001-06:00

It is no secret that I love to try new local restaurants. It also is no surprise that I am active on Foursquare, a geo-social network. What I love about Foursquare is the tips that people leave especially regarding menu items. After checking into The Porch, I saw a couple of suggestions to "try the Stodg Burger." Stodg Burger is a calorie counter’s nightmare: beef, bacon, cheddar and egg over easy stuffed between a buttered bun.

Sounded unappetizing. Looked intimidating. But, I was starving. With one gluttonous bite, beef juice pooled in the food basket, and bacon hung from my mouth. And, yes, it was messy...and rich...and amazing. Stodg Burger burns in your memory as it hardens your arteries. I also enjoyed the sea-salted fries. Stodg Burger is a juicy feast to cure an un-gorged gut! :)

The Porch Restaurant

2912 North Henderson Avenue

Dallas, TX 75206

214-828-2916

P.S. The Porch also has one of the best mac-n-cheese dishes in town. If you need some comfort this winter, you should definitely try and report back :)

Chick-fil-A's New Kid's Meal Offers More

2012-01-12T10:05:00.001-06:00

I have never been more excited! My favorite fast food chain Chick-fil-A has announced that they are going to be offering a new Kid’s Meal that is better for our kids! I addressed this with Dan Cathy, president & COO of Chick-fil-A last year. You can read my interview here.

This week, Chick-fil-A rolled out a new Kid’s Meal, featuring Grilled Nuggets as an entrée. Compared to an “average” hamburger kid’s meal offered at fast food restaurants, the new Chick-fil-A Kid’s Meal (grilled nuggets [4-count], fruit cup and low fat milk) contains almost 60% less calories and an estimated 85% less fat. They also added Buddy Fruits® Pure Blended Fruit To Go Applesauce.

The even better news is that the Grilled Nuggets are Gluten Free along with Buddy Fruits® Pure Blended Fruit To Go Applesauce, which contains 100% pure fruit. Now, gluten intolerant kids can enjoy the Grilled Nuggets – a gluten-free entrée option and the Fruit Cup and Buddy Fruits® Applesauce – two gluten-free side item options!

The posh boy really loved the Grilled Nuggets! At first, he did not know how to enjoy the Buddy Fruits® Applesauce because you don't use a spoon but squeeze. After he figured it out, it was finished in minutes. To quote him, "Mmmm..."

As you know, I am a raving fan, but I love how Chick-fil-A is always willing to listen to its customers and offer menu items for ALL.

Date Your Kids

2012-01-11T11:38:00.001-06:00

Photo from DigitalDads.com

As Valentine's quickly approaches, I love how establishments are encouraging parents to go on a date with their child. In the busyness of life, some times we don't stop and listen to one another, especially our children. As Bill Cosby knew, kids say the darndest things. Kids can make you laugh and they can make you cry. So, put down your smartphones, and take your child on a date! You both need it :)

Here's a guest post from the Real Geek Dad about his experience dating his daughter:

My six-year-old sweetheart and I were going on a date! DFW area Chick-fil-A restaurants hosted an event called Daddy Daughter Date Night.

We were greeted with pink and white balloons as we walked through the doors. After ordering our favorites from the counter – Chick-fil-A nuggets, fruit cup and chocolate milk for her; Chargrilled and Fruit Salad for me – we sat down at a booth with a table setting of pink carnations.

Inside the table setting was a card with questions for dads to ask their daughters, to get the conversation started. I wish I had one of those on the first date with my wife! On the flipside were questions for daughters to ask their dads.

We laughed and talked as we enjoyed our food. I got to know my six-year-old a little better than I had before, and she got to know me a little better too. I want more than anything to be the best dad for her. I pray often for opportunities to be a positive influence in her life. Moments like these are answers to those prayers.

Our favorite place to take our kids out for a date are Chick-fil-A (as mentioned above), GattiTown and Dave & Buster. Mark your calendar for February 4, 2012 for Daddy Daughter Date Night at ALL Chick-fil-A's and reserve your spot here. GattiTown has their Father Daughter Dinner and Dance scheduled on different dates in February, so check out your local one to see when their amazing event will be.

Have a special night out with your child!

The Berenstain Bears Never Disappoint

2012-01-10T12:23:00.002-06:00

I love sharing books with my children, especially ones that teach great lessons. Berenstain Bears are my family's favorite. Many (if not all) of these books are tightly focused on conveying a message or moral to your child.

I was recently ask by a friend for "some parenting advice regarding sibling rivalry! any books/approaches out there that you can suggest? the positive reinforcement/treat bribes/time outs & mr. ouchy are not working)." I immediately thought about the Berenstain Bears. Their pictures capture the kids' attention, and the message appeals to the parents.

If your child has an issue, chances are there's a Berenstain Bears book to address it. Also, it's very easy to find yourself accumulating a Berenstain Bears collection. (They are very inexpensive! You'll find these books in paperback with the majority still in print and selling for $3.99.)

Use these books as starting points for discussion, or simply use them as reading material and trust your child to understand the book's message. The Berenstain cubs deal with nervous habits, bullies, life changes and much more. Your child can benefit simply from hearing or reading these stories. My favorite is The Berenstain Bears & The Green-Eyed Monster.

What is your favorite Berenstain Bears book?

Celebrating Family

2011-12-28T09:56:00.000-06:00

Having grown up with different traditions than my husband, one of the challenges was how we would blend our favorite holiday memories as well as create our own. Fortunately, we both love good food and enjoy spending time with family and friends. That has allowed us make the holidays our own. And now that we have kids, the holidays have taken on more meaning, and my focus is now on creating traditions that will create life-long memories for them.

Having family traditions and passing them on to our kids is important to continuing that family bond and preserving our heritage. But with the stress of the holidays, it can be easy to collapse at the end of the day or make excuses for not dragging out all the decorations and memorabilia that make the holidays special. And as times change, what was once quaint and special may now feel outdated or boring.

3 Ways To Make Family Traditions a Part of Every Celebration:

Involve the kids – young kids who are part of the process of making the memories will be more engaged and will look forward to the activities each year. Adapt the tradition as they grow to keep it relevant and interesting to them.
Keep things simple and doable – know your limitations and embrace what you can do. It’s better to do a few things consistently than be frustrated because you can’t do it all perfectly.
Share with others – holiday traditions are wonderful to share with friends and help our kids appreciate how special and unique they are. Even more important is to learn how other families make the celebration important and meaningful for their family.

No matter how small or big, family traditions give us a sense of belonging, create happy memories and teach our kids the important values we have as a family.

One lucky reader can win a Once Upon a Family Leather Brag Book. Comment below what family traditions are you passing on to your children. "Like" Real Posh Mom Facebook Page. You can also enter by tweeting: "Enter to win a @OUAFtweets Brag Book from @realposhmom #giveaway" The giveaway ends on January 4, 2012.

Healthy Holiday Recipes to The Rescue!

2011-12-27T08:37:00.001-06:00

With eggnog and cookies among the most popular dishes served at holiday parties, it’s no wonder the season causes even the biggest health nuts to stray from eating healthily. Here are some holiday recipes I think you'll enjoy all season long.

Created especially for Texas Oncology as part of its Healthy Holiday Recipe Collection, Merry Mulling Mix is a tasty substitution for cocoa or eggnog and is just one of Texas Oncology’s nutritious recipes you can use to balance out high calorie dishes this holiday season. Made with a blend of dried fruits and spices, Merry Mulling Mix is packed with antioxidants, vitamins and other cancer-fighting properties.

Combining the decadent, but nutritious ingredients of citrus, pecans, olive oil, and dark chocolate, Holly Jolly Biscotti makes a great holiday gift or treat and will complement any holiday spread. Low in sodium and high in fiber, Gingerbread Granola is packed with healthy ingredients like flax seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, golden raisins and dried apricots, making it a delicious and nutritious way to celebrate the season.

Give the gift of of a healthy lifestyle to your friends and family!

The World Feasts on Christmas

2011-12-23T21:18:00.000-06:00

I love this time of year. Apple cider on the stove. Cookies in the oven. I’m already thinking about my Christmas menu. As I was thinking about it today, I started wondering about traditions in other countries. Did you ever think about what other people are eating while we are enjoying turkey and ham? Here’s what I found out:

In Denmark, a traditional Christmas meal is roasted goose.
In Greece, they eat leg of lamb.
In Hungary, their choice of holiday food is typically chicken paprikash, which is flavored with paprika.
Italians often eat a fish stew called, zuppa di pesce.
The Irish also eat seafood in the form of an oyster stew.
My favorite is New Zealand’s traditional Christmas picnic eaten on the beach.
In Spain, dried fruits are used in every course from soup to dessert.
In Philippines, they eat a roasted pig.

We enjoy Nochebuena which is a large Spanish family feast. I think it would be fun to adopt the tradition of another country for our Christmas celebration. What a fun way to learn about other cultures!

Suzie Bitner Was Afraid of The Drain

2011-12-22T19:29:00.001-06:00

I feel so blessed that I have had the life I have. Because of this, I feel compelled to give back every opportunity that I have. Giving people hope and helping others isn't hard - sometimes it's as easy as just thinking about where you are shopping or making a purchase.

Suzie Bitner Was Afraid of the Drain is a children’s poetry collection comprised of 124 poems and over 100 illustrations. Written by Barbara Vance, the book is filled with humorous and whimsical poems that take you to a world where mice wear roller-skates, a girl turns into a peanut-butter-and-jelly-sandwich and a baseball embarks on an unexpected trip.

But, let me get back to giving. Author Barbara Vance decided that, for each book sold from the "Susie" website, www.suziebitner.com, she would donate one to our Troops’ families through the USO’s “United Through Reading” program. With this program, service members who stop in at a USO location (often in airports) en-route to a destination may choose a children's book and record themselves reading it to their child. The USO then ships the DVD of the service member, along with the actual book, to their child!

Make a difference this year by sharing the story of Suzie Bitner Was Afraid of The Drain - it is a gift that will truly keep on giving.

REVIEW: Fortune Cookies Creations

2011-12-22T14:43:00.002-06:00

I always look forward to eating those little fortune cookies after a meal at Asian restaurants. Fortune Cookies Creations figured out how boring the traditional fortune cookie can be and made a business out of making them tasty and extraordinary! You can personalized fortune cookies for any occasion. They have Vanilla Fortune Cookies, Fruit Flavored Fortune Cookies and Chocolate Covered Fortune Cookies. They sent me a box full of Vanilla and Fruit Flavored Fortune Cookies.

Fortune Cookies Creations would make great baby shower favors! They could also make lasting impressions for small businesses at trade shows or for larger companies at corporate events. The ideas are endless, and they can be used for everything from birthdays to weddings! I personally like the brown cookies that are chocolate flavored. I bet this cookie dipped in chocolate is ah-mazing! Hmmm...Valentine's Day treat?!

Fortune Cookies Creations' prices start at $19 for 50 cookies. You can order here or follow them on Twitter here.

P.S. NYE Is Where You Need To Be

2011-12-21T08:52:00.003-06:00

It’s the most frequently asked question this time of year: what are you doing for New Years Eve? Do you want a private evening or be out in the social scene? Let me suggested the perfect place for both at the new chic restaurant called Private | Social. This mouth-watering menu will leave you completely satisfied as you ring in the New Year's with that special someone. All that’s left for you to do is to find a babysitter and a hot outfit. I’ll leave that one up to you.

Amuse

Nantucket Bay Scallops

Serrano Ham, Wasabi Greens, Kumquat

Warm Lobster “Cake”

Coconut and Lemongrass Broth, Avocado, Cilantro

Garden Gimlet – Hendricks, Fresh Lime Juice, Lemongrass syrup, Basil, Cilantro

Duck & Foie Ravioli

Butternut Squash, Lambs Lettuce, Marsala

Cognac Cobbler – Hennessy VS, Lemon Juice, Simple syrup, Topped with a Mix of Seasonal Berries

III

Norwegian Halibut

Artichoke Barigoule, Chorizo Tomato Sauce, Fennel Salad

Bitter Italian – Zucca, Dimmi, Sun Dried Tomato Water, Grapefruit

Chianti Braised Short Ribs

Polenta, Red Cabbage, Figs

Poisoned Apple – Lairds 7.5 Year Old Apple Brandy,

Dark Cherry Balsamic, Swedish Berb Bitters, Tennyson Absinthe

Poached Pear and Goat Cheese Crostini

Chocolate Surprise

Guatemalan Chel – Ron Zacapa Infused with Figs and Cinnamon,

Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, Vanilla Ice Cream

Private | Social

3232 McKinney Avenue

Dallas, TX 75204

214-754-4744

Snack Time Made Easy

2011-12-19T13:42:00.000-06:00

Snack time is the period where moms like to take a break from feeding. It is a great time for your child to learn to feed themselves and to handle a drink while mom washes dishes, takes a deep breath or checks her Facebook status on her iPad.

It’s hard to get a handle on juice boxes. One squeeze too many, and I'm cleaning up a tidal wave of apple juice. Keep the mess to a minimum with The First Years Adjustable Drink Box Holder. The expandable top gives sippers a handle to grip everything from milk boxes to yogurt smoothies.

I tested this on my toddlers and rather than being frustrated with Capri Sun pouches, I enjoyed a stress-free, spill-free beverage break. I just threw this in my kids' bag and transported it to play groups and birthday parties a.k.a. messy drink territory.

I’ll drink to that!

Next, you can stop holding cereal in your hands. The Snack-Trap is a simple cup with a soft lid that lets your child feed himself. It is not completely spill proof of food, but its convenience make up for those minor messes.

I tested this on my toddlers and preschoolers. They loved the independence of feeding themselves. I would load it up with Goldfish or cereal and hit the road.

The First Years Adjustable Drink Box Holder and Snack-Trap are a sanity and timesaver for moms. They were always with me when I'd leave the house. These are great stocking stuffers for those young kids in your life :)

DFW Lights Up This Holiday

2011-12-19T11:04:00.000-06:00

I love this time of the year where family traditions are made. One of ours is enjoying holiday lights. Bundle up your family, get out of the house and experience holiday lighting displays in North Texas!

ARLINGTON Area: The neighborhood of Interlochen at Randol Mill Road & Westwood Drive is a MUST SEE until December 31, 2011. One of the largest holiday light displays in North Texas comes to life with more than 200 homes!

CARROLLTON Area: We make a special trip to see this one every year! (Hebron Parkway & High Sierra Dr.) This house brings to life Santa’s Workshop. You know you are at the right house if Snoopy’s on the roof. A visit to DFW would not be complete without a glimpse at this spectacle for yourself.

DALLAS Area: A fan favorite is always the Highland Park area starting at Armstrong Pkwy & Preston Rd. These exquisite holiday displays will delight both the young and old in this drive by tour of lights and displays. If you feel adventurous, you can even tour the homes by carriage.

FARMER’S BRANCH Area: The Pharr Family house (14535 Southern Pines Cove) is highly recommended until January 1, 2012. One of the most popular houses to visit in the DFW area is the Pharr family house who choreographs their 275,000 Holiday Lights to various holiday music. (Tune your radio to 95.9 to hear the music). It’s definitely worth a visit.

FRISCO Area: The Frisco Town Square at Coleman Ave & Frisco Square Blvd has a dazzling, choreographed holiday lights and music show until January 8, 2012. They also have carriage rides, a parachuting Santa and a Gigantic 3-Lane Snow Slide.

PLANO Area: I never turn down an opportunity to view the beautiful houses of the Deerfield Neighborhood at Legacy Drive & Preston Meadow until December 31, 2011. Grab a cup of hot cocoa or a gingerbread latte and take a drive through this festively illuminated neighborhood.

Talent Helps Man's Best Friend Shine

2011-12-15T06:29:00.001-06:00

Isn't it interesting that talent means an ability, a gift, and it also means money?! Remember the parable of the talents. One can make as much money, as one cares to, by using one's talent appropriately, without waste or delay. It is imperative that we do use our talent and not just ignore it. The big breakthrough in the search of success comes when one recognizes one's talent.

Fortunately for Teresa Berg, she has discovered how she could combine her talent with her love for dogs. Teresa is a dedicated animal lover and has been using her camera to help animals in need. She photographs animals in the shelter system to facilitate and accelerate their adoptions. Her images have increased traffic to shelter websites and facilities, which has in turn led to increased adoptions (some as high as 100% for the animals photographed!). Below is a clip from CBS Sunday Morning featuring her work.

Teresa Berg Photography has produced a gorgeous 2012 Tiny Dogs calendar. What a great gift for the pet lover in your life! Teresa Berg Photography is having an Open House for her clients on Saturday, December 17, 2011. The Open House with Santa is Teresa's way of saying "Thank You" to her 2011 clients-- so it's all free -- and NOT open to the public. But, no worries, you can book a session for 2012 and see Santa THIS year! Bring your pets (4 p.m. - 6 p.m.) for this exclusive event with Santa.

Cow-lendars Are Back!

2011-12-12T09:22:00.002-06:00

I love this time of the year! Christmas music playing. Smelling the sweets that are baking. Meeting up with friends and family. And, opening the mailbox to find Christmas cards and gifts. Fortunately for me, I got a sweet card from Chick-fil-A with their amazing 2012 Trail Grazer Calendar.

The 2012 Chick-fil-A Trail Grazers calendars cost $6, BUT it will pay for itself in NO time, as there are $35 worth of FREE food coupons inside!

The 2012 calendar includes the following coupons…
January: FREE Chick-fil-A Nuggets (8-count)
February: FREE Small bowl of Hearty breast of chicken soup
March: FREE Simply Orange Juice or Dasani Bottled Water
April: FREE Large Diet Coke
May: FREE Chick-fil-A Chicken Biscuit or Large Waffle Potato Fries
June: FREE Large Coca-Cola Zero
July: FREE Small hand-spun milk
August: FREE Spicy chicken sandwich
September: FREE Large Coca-Cola
October: FREE Chargrilled chicken sandwich
November: FREE Chick-n-Minis (3-count) or Yogurt Parfait
December: FREE Large Sprite

What a great gift idea for teachers or co-workers!

Project: Living Well

2011-12-11T22:51:00.003-06:00

First, there was TOMS Shoes. Then there was Charity: Water. Now, there is Project: Living Water. Project: Living Well is using the IndieGoGo to raise funds to produce a wearable water-container called a Calabash. Its design is based upon the shape of the original calabash found in Latin America, which has been used to carry and deliver water for thousands of years.

Introducing Project: Living Well from Project: Living Well on Vimeo.

The mission for Project: Living Well is to sell products, like the calabash, that inspire people to engage in helping others live well, turn passions into actions, and spark conversations around the incredible things people are doing in the world. And through the sale of our unique brand of products we will dedicate funds to provide people with access to clean water abroad.

They have the next 45 days to raise the funds to get this started right… so to be bold from the start, they are looking to have 5,000 people back our project. NOW IS THE TIME TO JOIN!

Check out Project: Living Well! Donate in honor of a friend or family member who has everything? It's the gift that keeps on giving :)

You can also Like Project: Living Well on Facebook or Follow @ProjectLivnWell.

Fashion Forward to Facebook

2011-12-11T10:33:00.001-06:00

From attending a few soirees with friends to covering events in the fashion and food world, I have been keeping myself quite busy. With Facebook photos and my obsession with posting them, I have to be conscience of what I am wearing.

Giselle Phelps of Dallas station CW33 News did a great job covering this new phenomenon. You can see the story here. This story made me think that I may not be the only one concerned about her wardrobe. Here are some tips that might help you when getting ready to head out the door to the latest event that will make your pictures unique, but you are not necessarily breaking the bank.

Look for simple, neutral, monotone accessories for areas you don't want to accentuate. Black, tan, or navy blue can work well.
Bright, intricate, "statement" accessories (aka "focal pieces") can draw the eye to your best features. Save beading, embellishment and multicolor pieces for areas you want to show off.
Choosing a focal point (only one statement piece at a time).
Choosing between large earrings and a large necklace, or any other pieces in close vicinity.
Refraining from exactly matching your accessories to your outfit or to each other (the vintage owl pendant loses its charm when you pair it with an owl bracelet and owl ring).

La Madeleine Sweetens The Holidays

2011-12-05T12:20:00.001-06:00

Enjoy the sweeter side of the holidays with la Madeleine’s French-inspired desserts. Baked fresh at each la Madeleine Country French Café, these holiday sweets are the perfect way to end a holiday feast.

Holiday Mini Desserts – Enjoy a taste of the holidays with la Madeleine’s holiday minis. These bite-size treats include Peppermint Mocha Parfait, Chocolate-Dipped Macaroons and Gingerbread Crème Brule.

Linzer Cookies – La Madeleine’s heart-warming, sandwiched, shortbread cookies filled with raspberry preserves and sprinkled generously with pearl sugar. Bites of these cookies transport me to a European patisserie.

Gingerbread Fig Muffin – A seasonal gingerbread muffin with a sweet hint of fig. This is Real Geek Dad's favorite with coffee.

Triple Chocolate Peppermint Cookies - I saved the best for last. If you are watching what you eat this holiday season, you NEED TO splurge with this treat. It is simply divine! These treats are only available for a limited time, so don't wait until they are gone :)

Joyeux Noël!

Dallas Needs a PR Agent

2011-12-05T12:11:00.001-06:00

As news of Lamar Odom has been traded to The Dallas Mavericks, so comes another reality TV star, Khloe Kardasian. It makes me wonder how will they portray Dallas? What I love about Dallas is its amazing fashion selection, friendly people and its beauty and culture as a city!

If you’re not from Dallas, you probably imagine “Big D” residents riding to work on horses, all women have BIG hair and all men wear 10-gallon hat with a LARGE belt buckle. Let's not forget that thick "Southern" accent. If you live in Dallas, you know this image is merely a stereotype. You know that horses would be exhausted from riding on our many freeways or otherwise suffer the fate of our crazy driving habits.

Alas, this image is what the media perpetuates, which is why Dallas needs a PR agent. In the recent years, Dallas has seen the rise in reality TV shows filmed here, from Most Eligible Dallas to Top Chef to Big Rich Texas to Man vs Food. I have no problem with shows that feature local restaurants and talents, but some of the "characters" on some shows make Dallas seem shallow, conniving and petty.

I don't own a pair of Cowboys boots - not that I think people who do aren't fashionable. I don't own a horse, but I do enjoy riding one. Dallas is more than just a TV show - it's a diverse metropolitan city. Moon Over Dallas personifies Dallas in a better light.

What do YOU love about Dallas?

Secrets to a Sweet Santa Session

2011-12-04T11:24:00.001-06:00

The trip to see Santa is one of those times where your approach needs to combine your own child’s personality with an understanding of predictable child development stages. Like so many things in childrearing, there are lots of different approaches and most will work.

So, the first issue is how to address the issue of Santa Claus with your kids. A belief in Santa Claus can lead to a lot of fun times during childhood, including writing letters, preparation for the night before Christmas, etc. There will be a short period of intense disappointment when they find out that Santa doesn’t exist (at least not as they are picturing him!), but for most families that celebrate Christmas, this brief disappointment will quickly pass and be outweighed by the fun of the earlier belief.

Now, the next question is where will you "visit Santa"? Teresa Berg has made it easy by providing a comfy studio with easy Christmas music playing. Santa IS jolly, conversational and gentle. She takes various shots to make sure she captures the best moment of your child's visit with Santa Claus. Fortunately, Teresa Berg Photography is having an Open House for her clients on Saturday, December 17, 2011 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. The Open House with Santa is Teresa's way of saying "Thank You" to her 2011 clients-- so it's all free -- and NOT open to the public. But, no worries, you can book a session for 2012 and see Santa THIS year! Bring your kids or your pets (4 p.m. - 6 p.m.) for this exclusive event with Santa. (He'll even share his milk and cookies.)

Here's some tips for you as you prepare your child's visit with Santa. For infants younger than 9 months, developmentally they won’t be scared of strangers yet, and the visit should go terrifically. But some children have a lot of stranger anxiety between 9 months and 2 years, which will make time alone with Santa difficult, while others will easily be reassured as long as you stay close to them.

I suggest clearly describing what the visit will be like beforehand so the child isn’t surprised by anything. The best situation is that if you have an older sibling, let them sit with Santa first (even if they’re beyond the period of believing in Santa) which will help normalize it for your younger child. When it’s time for your child to go to Santa Claus, I would go with them and stand holding their hand while they first sit down, then slowly break away for the pictures as your child is comfortable. Keep everything in perspective, if things start to fall apart, that means that the child isn’t going to get much enjoyment out of it and you are likely working on this for your own enjoyment.

Good luck! And, remember that a picture is worth a thousand words, so why not enjoy a photo with Santa from Teresa Berg Photography and set up a family portrait for next year!

Teresa Berg Photography

17194 Preston Road Suite 221a

Dallas, TX

972-250-2415

The preceding was a sponsored post. For more information about the sponsor (Teresa Berg Photography), click here.

Bertolli Makes A Souper Dinner

2011-11-30T20:10:00.001-06:00

There’s nothing like a good soup when you’re tired of eating out. While cooking at home is always easy on the wallet, soups are often packed with a myriad of vegetables, which means you’re getting even more bang for your buck (and a full tummy too!).

Bertolli, known for their authentic Italian-inspired pasta meals, is now making a wonderful variety of frozen traditional Italian soups. Bertolli's packaging has always interested me. All of the vegetables are hand chopped then flash frozen individually, so they are fresh and picked at the height of their ripeness. The pasta is cooked to perfection and not mushy at all. The amazing part is the broth, it’s packaged in little ice cubes. Why haven't I thought about doing that?! Put it all in a pot with a cup of water and simmer for 10 minutes…. PRESTO your done! Soup for two.

The Bertolli Meal Soups for two are very easy to make. Simply heat straight from the freezer into the pot. Buy a few of these for easy entertaining or to take a night off during the busy holidays! Bertolli Meal Soups come in the following varieties:

Tomato Florentine & Tortellini with Chicken - Cheese-filled tortellini, white meat chicken, spinach and tomatoes in a rich tomato bisque with a hint of basil. GOES WELL WITH GRILLED CHEESE!
Tuscan-Style Beef & Vegetables - Tender beef, mushrooms, yellow squash, zucchini, carrots and celery with bowtie pasta in a savory broth. FRESH BREAD COMPLETES THIS MEAL!
Chicken Minestrone - Roasted white meat chicken, pasta, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots and celery in a savory chicken broth. MY FAVORITE!
Roasted Chicken & Rotini Pasta - Roasted white meat chicken, beans, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, tomatoes, and pasta in a hearty vegetable broth.

One lucky reader can win a Bertolli Swag Bag that includes stainless steel ladle, Bertolli freezer bag and tasting coupon. Comment below which Bertolli Meal Soup do you want to try. "Like" Bertolli and Real Posh Mom Facebook Page. You can also enter by tweeting: "Enter to win a @Bertolli Swag Bag from @realposhmom #giveaway" The giveaway ends on December 8, 2011.

No compensation was received for this post. I was provided with the same product above to review from Bertolli. All opinions are my own.

Roberto Felisati: "Naturally Different"

2011-11-29T12:03:00.001-06:00

If you're looking for something special and a break from the usual routine of highlights and foils, then treat your hair to one of several new color techniques from Roberto Felisati Italian Hairstyle.

BEFORE

I was fortunate to have THE Roberto Felisati do my hair. He is truly an Italian artist, strong on the Italian. (He is learning English quickly though.) He recommended the Shatush, where hair is back-combed, and color (organic, yay!) is placed on the loose ends, resulting in a natural and impressive finish that prevents re-growth looking too obvious for longer. The process is one-of-a-kind.

IN PROCESS

The Shatush treatment was a quicker job altogether, with no foils and a much better finish - could this be the way forward for color? I think so! “Different” is the word to describe Roberto Felisati’s haircut techinique, but after my haircut, my hair moves more naturally making it easy to style at home. The chic Roberto Felisati Italian Hairstyle hosts über comfy chairs and modern furnishing transporting you to a European salon.

AFTER

Roberto Felisati

4023 Oak Lawn Ave

Highland Park, Texas

214-521-4422

Disclosure: Roberto Felisati Italian Hairstyle provided me with the services above. These are my opinions.