Local Holiday Season Events and Shopping

It’s time to start pre-planning for the holiday season.  I love to travel with my family but also enjoy partaking in local events. Holiday season planning is a mandatory task because it enables me to have a good time while being present (in the moment) with my kids.

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Photo Credit | Just Destiny.com

Why not take a break from shopping and indulge in a cup of afternoon tea?  The Townhouse Tea Shoppelocated on Olmsted Street was featured in Southern Living Magazine.  Relax with a friend and grab a cup of gourmet coffee or delicious pastry.

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Photo Credit | Yelp.com

Winter Wonderland at Railroad Park will host its annual ice-skating event starting November 26 2016.  Guests can purchase hot cocoa along with their family skate rental.  I’ve always enjoyed skating and this might be on the top of my holiday list.

If you’re obsessed with entertaining supplies and Santa Clause this is the perfect local suggestion. The Summit Birmingham will host its annual holiday kickoff with Swoozies Birmingham, Lights Up.  This event will include a parade, fireworks, and potential mall shopping.

To help us get around with ease and eliminate the question, “where should I park?”  Saks Fifth Avenue has a promotion with Uber allowing new users $20 OFF a ride to their store.  In the Uber app, enter code SAKS2016*  – this promotion alone will encourage my shopping with Saks this holiday season.  Plus, I actively use Uber and wanted to share with everyone here!  Don’t forget to check out their Holiday Gift Guide (click here)

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Oojra Makes Gifting an Experience for the Senses

This holiday season, add a touch of elegance to family gatherings with the beautiful reed diffusers from Oojra.  Oojra is the premier lifestyle brand of home fragrances that tell a story through the careful arranging of aromatic essential oils.

Science has proven there is a close connection between scent, memory, and emotion. Oojra has simply perfected the experience so its customers can perfect the feel of their homes for their family and friends.

“Our fragrances provide a final layer of decor to strike the right ambiance for relaxation, romance, focus and balance,” states CJ Lemky, founder. “We aim to satisfy a little wanderlust in our customers’ lives by wrapping their spaces in a scent that is delicious and exotic and reminiscent of a place they’ve traveled, or want to travel.”

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From a five-star spa in Thailand to a Serengeti Safari, each exotic fragrance takes its users off the beaten path, opening up a whole new world they’ll never forget.  Currently, Oojra is offering three distinct fragrances at a limited time price for the holidays.

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The French Provence Lavender Diffuser transports guests to a sunny hillside where frosted purple flowers exude their calming influence on the mind and body.

The Loas White Tea and Ginger Diffuser brings explorers to untouched misty waterfalls and lush tea plantations while exuding an uplifting aroma.

The Thai Jasmine Bamboo Diffuser, Oojra’s most sought after fragrance, inspires romance and relaxation while conjuring up images of fresh green bamboo and garlands of flowers sweetly swaying in the breeze.

Oojra scents curate a luxurious first impression and experience within the home. Give the gift of luxury and versatility to clients, executives, and friends. The sleek glass bottle will stylishly accent any room and exude luscious scents, leaving a lasting impression.

About:
At Oojra, they strive to put a little piece of paradise in every bottle. Since their launch in July 2015, they’ve traveled the globe and listened to the stories and photography of their followers, in order to create unique fragrances that satisfy their customers’ wanderlust and bring the most luscious exotic fragrances into their homes. All of Oojra’s products are crafted from quality essential oils and are phthalate and paraben free.

 

Tailgating and Visiting The Westin Hotel

Last weekend I took a road trip to my collegiate Homecoming celebration, Alabama A&M University.  I’m a traditional girl and returning as Alumni was a big accomplishment.

Aside from viewing the football game, I enjoyed Tailgating because it’s one big party filled with music, food, and a lot of fun!

My attire for the Tailgate was a crop top, high-waisted jeans, and sorority clutch. I selected a pair of heels for height but any true fashion girl has a set of flats nearby.  We also stayed at The Westin Huntsville and I was delighted with the view and room service.

Homecoming was an awesome event and I had a blast catching up with old friends!  Don’t forget to visit my IG account @kwest1908 to view more photos.

Williamsburg Harvest Celebration – America’s Original Farm-to-Table Destination

First garden-to-table (check). First water-to-table (check). First free-range domestic animals (check). First beer (check). It all started in 1607 and continues in Greater Williamsburg with the second annual Williamsburg Harvest Celebration from Nov. 4-13, 2016.

More than 30 culinary food events and happenings will blanket Greater Williamsburg (Yorktown, Williamsburg and Jamestown) over a period of two weeks. Thirsty for more? The booming beverage scene – including Williamsburg Tasting Trail partners offering beer, wine, distilled spirits and mead – will also join in the celebration.

Tickets for the various events range from $0 (free) to $125. Some of these will sell out, so don’t wait to get your tickets! Highlights include:

  • Lambs + Clams at The Williamsburg Winery: A night of inspired culinary creations from some of the region’s top chefs paired with world-class wine, beer and spirits.
  • The Cycling Shepherd and His Flock: Enjoy a 30-mile bike ride along historic Route 5 and the Virginia Capital Trail culminating with a lamb-tastic wine-paired brunch.
  • Merchant’s Square Tapas Crawl: A dining tour of The Cheese Shop, Berret’s Seafood Restaurant & Tap House Grill and Hound’s Tale.
  • Private Wine & Chocolate Party at MAD About Chocolate: A chocoholic’s delight of French and Belgian chocolate creations paired with wines that complement the flavor.
  • Williamsburg Tasting Trail Craft Brewery Tour with Lunch: Including stops at Virginia Beer Company, Alewerks Brewery, Brass Cannon Brewery and Second Street Bistro.
  • Pop Up Late Night Speakeasy: Featuring Prohibition Era cocktails in a secret location with limited seating. Look for the doorman and the blue light somewhere in Merchants Square…

  • Masters of Taste, Sommelier Challenge Wine Dinner at The Williamsburg Winery: Enjoy a five-course meal paired with wines selected by three renown Sommeliers. And many more events including Chowder Fest, Oyster Roast, Family Fish Jamboree; breakfasts and brunches, farmers markets, wine tasting seminars and brewery tours!

The Harvest Festival will also feature guest chefs from outside of Williamsburg, on hand to demo some of their most popular dishes: Walter Staib, City Tavern in Philadelphia; Ian Boden, The Shack in Staunton, Va.; Jason Alley, Comfort and Pasture in Richmond, Va.; and Sam McGann, The Blue Point in Duck, N.C., among others.

32nd Annual Southern Women’s Show Recap – Girls Day Out

Attending the 32nd Annual Southern Women’s Show is a local tradition in the Birmingham metro area. Participants have the opportunity to view exhibits and purchase a variety of products from aromatherapy to fashion accessories, and home decor.

It’s considered to be the official Girls’ Day Out with live entertainment and delicious treats.  This was my first year taking part in the event and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit.

Vendors at The Southern Women’s Show were pleasant and very knowledgeable in terms of selling their products. For example, I received a presentation from the doTerra Representative describing the use of essential oils.  doTerra’s different from most essential oil companies because they provide the highest quality oils. Yes, I am a lover of fashion but also an advocate of health and wellness. doTerra’s wellness presentation (essential oils 101) was a treat!

In addition, the exhibit provided cooking demonstrations from Alabama Gulf Seafood and ProFashion offered professional hair styling tips.  Belk encouraged participants to stop by their booth for a makeover with the use of cosmetics from Bobbi Brown and Clinique.  I had a really good time testing the new fragrance gift sets.

The Spotlight Stage (on Thursday) included Step by Step Painting Old Furniture, Beige and Black with LANCOME, and the Unclaimed Baggage Experience.  In my opinion, I give The Southern Women’s Show a thumbs up and encourage anyone in the area to purchase a ticket next year.  You might see me there!

Exhibitor List:

Bohemian Bliss

Gigi Cupcakes

Scentsy Wickless Candles

Wacoal

Michael’s Steaks and Seafood and much more…

https://youtu.be/UwcyG6xeWqM

Indie Fashion Week DC Cycle 3 | Oct. 3-9, 2016

Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today for this thing called FASHION!” From October 3rd-9th, Indie Fashion Week  will be hosting several events throughout Washington, DC. For Cycle 3, the fashion series will be paying homage “in style” to the Iconic Independent artist Prince Rogers Nelson, whose untimely passing rocked the world this year. In addition, Indie Fashion Week will be highlighting Domestic Violence as the month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Throughout the week, the color PURPLE will be represented throughout all of the events and several songs by Prince will the theme of each individual event.
Indie Fashion Week  was created by Harley Morgan and Terrance Payton (ROE the Agency, LLC) to create a fresh look at independent fashions who may not be able to gain big recognition when they first launch on the scene. Buyers, the media, influencers, style connoisseurs and the general public will get an ample opportunity to interact, connect with, and support Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle brands over a seven day span. Indie Fashion Week aims to bridge the gap between consumers and independent brands by building a platform to facilitate sustainability, brand expansion, and retail opportunities. Indie Fashion Week is building a new and vibrant fashion community by creating a space where tools can be provided to help fashion entrepreneurs to learn about the business of fashion, to hone their craft, to network with their peers, and to build long lasting business relationships.
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When asked about the vision behind the creation of Indie Fashion Week, Co-Creator Harley states  “Indie Fashion Week is shifting the style culture in a multitude of ways. From highlighting the fashion brands from our area down to the EXPERIENCE that you receive with such a wide range of fashion-fused events, you have no choice but to be excited! The mood Is changing; the time has come for us to get excited about fashion here in our city!”
 
The full schedule of Indie Fashion Week is as follows:
  • Monday, October 3rd– “KISS” at #ModelMONDAYZ – Kickoff Networking Party at The Manor
  • Tuesday, October 4th– “Controversy” at #StyleISH Styling Competition at Touche featuring Celebrity Stylist Zoe Dupree
  • Wednesday, October 5th– “Sign of the Times” at WALA Creative Entrepreneur Workshop Series “Trademarks & Copyrights”   Use code IndieFashionWeek for 50% Ticket
  • Thursday, October 6th– “Pop Life” at #StylishMixer Industry Party [Invite Only] at Ping Pong Dim Sum
  • Friday, October 7th– “Diamonds & Pearls” at #Rendezvous Ready 2 Wear Presentation at L8
  • Saturday, October 8th– “Let’s Go Crazy” at #FashionNightOut
  • Sunday, October 9th– “Purple REIGN” at The Indie 500 Fashion Finale
If you are excited about the upcoming fashion week, please take some time to read about the happenings from Cycle 2 by clicking HERE for the event recap and then make sure to get ready for Cycle 3!
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For more information on
Indie Fashion Week DC, information on volunteering or to RSVP to any of the events, please visit www.indiefashionweekdc.com. You can also follow
Indie Fashion Week on Social Media: Twitter – @Indie5HundredDC, Instagram – @IndieFashionWeek, and Facebook –www.facebook.com/indiefashionweekdc. 

Kingsmill Resort and River Contest

Are we are all late to the party? Every mountain, lake, island, desert and forest is already named in America. It must have been a blast in 1607 to land in what’s now the United States and say, “Hey, let’s name that river The James after our dear old king, and let’s name that one over there The York River to remind us of home!” So now, in 2016, we’ve got nothing to name except our kids and pets.

Or do we?

Down on the Virginia Peninsula in Williamsburg, intrepid travelers and vacationers have discovered a new waterway, a river– and it has no official name. The powers that be, being amazingly creative, call it the “No Name River,” but even they now think it should have a proper name given tens of thousands of people come from all over the U.S. to swim, play, float and jump into it. It’s not navigable to commercial traffic; there is no industry on it; and the water is so clear you can see to the bottom.

And they want the public to name this river.

The river is found at Kingsmill Resort, and it surges with 250,000 gallons of water and travels an incredible 500 feet. It has no headwater and no mouth, but it flows at around 3 miles per hour and is ideal for floating, wallowing and rafting on colored tubes, given it goes around and around, yet never really begins or ends.

The naming contest is simple. Anyone over 18 can go to

www.kingsmill.com/name-the-lazy-river and enter their suggestion by November 1, 2016. There are rules, so check them out, and the winner will be notified on November 4, 2016, and receive a free “Kingsmill Loving Summer Prize Package” for 4 people with two nights accommodations, daily breakfast and a $25 credit to spend at the lazy river when it opens on Memorial Day weekend in 2017.

For information, dive into www.kingsmill.com or call (800) 832-5665.

Round Hill Resorts with Shayna Hiller

Ring in the new year with one-of-a-kind coach, Shayna Hiller at the beautiful Round Hill Resort in Jamaica, January 19-22, 2017.  Shayna will take you through a practice of intention and goal setting and help you press the reset button as you ring in the new year.

Shayna is a one-of-a-kind coach who provides effective methods for integrating mind, body, and spirit. She supports people who have a desire to feel their best, physically and emotionally.

Guests of this transformational retreat will learn how to love their bodies, eliminate self-doubt and shame, manage stress, feel more confident, increase intimacy in their lives, and lose excess weight.

Great tools that guests can take home include:

  • Simple meditation techniques that they can use in their every day lives to reduce stress and increase energy and mental clarity.
  • Step by step guidance on how to visualize clear intentions and a game plan for materializing desires.
  • Guests will leave feeling stronger and more connected with their bodies through mindful yoga, and more peaceful and balanced in their minds.
  • Healthy food for one week will release stagnant energy and toxins in the body and leave people feeling light, refreshed, and inspired.
  • The art of conscious eating, breathing, and living.

This retreat will provide guests with the space to gain mental clarity, set meaningful intentions, create a comfortable game plan, identify your top priorities, and maximize your overall health.

Shayna Hiller is an expert in the fields of nutrition, yoga, and meditation. She is the author of ‘Don’t Judge Me By My Cover‘. She supports people in overcoming eating disorders, increasing intimacy in their lives, and discovering and actualizing their life’s purpose. Shayna offers first hand knowledge and expertise to gently guide people on their path to wellness.

Round Hill, in Montego Bay Jamaica, welcomes you with genuine Jamaican hospitality while captivating you at every turn. This beautiful 110-acre private enclave of luxury villas, boutique oceanfront rooms, award-winning seaside dining and an exquisite spa that lies nestled in a lush tropical hillside along a private bay of turquoise waters.

Josef Forstmayr, Managing Director at Round Hill Hotel & Villas comments: “We are extremely excited to be partnering with wellness expert Shayna Hiller to create a unique retreat that will help our guests feel completely re-energized after the festive season. The panoramic views of the ocean from our fitness centre/gym at Round Hill provide an encouraging environment to inspire and motivate guests as they exercise. The stunning location of our gym and yoga pavilion, combined with the positive energy that Shayna will evoke through her exclusive wellness programme, will no doubt make our guests leave the resort feeling completely rejuvenated both physically and emotionally. We look forward to inviting visitors to experience this wonderful wellness and mindfulness retreat.”

An Early Bird Promotion is available until December 10 for $2,662/double occupancy – shared room (per person) and $3,465/single occupancy.

The retreat does not include airfare, but flights can be booked through Retreats Unlimited.  For more information on the retreats, visit http://www.myretreatsunlimited.com/new-year-new-shayna-hiller/.

The New Year New You retreat is curated by Retreats Unlimited. To make a reservation, review the detailed itinerary or for additional information visit Retreats Unlimited or call 312-961-3280.  For more information, interviews or photos, please contact Tammy Petersen at

tammy@myretreatsunlimited.com

Ereka Vetrini Shares Back-To-School Survival Guide

On Tuesday, August 9, Ereka Vetrini, the host of TLC’s Sunday Brunch shared her back-to-school survival guide for all things classroom 101.

She’ll offer insights on everything from finding the perfect lunch snack to capturing memories to staying clean. With this variety of great tips, you may find that your kids could even want to go back to the classroom.

 

This segment is provided by The Laughing Cow, V Tech, Kandoo & Boogie Wipes and Target.

 

About Ereka Vetrini:

Ereka Vetrini is a TV Host, Lifestyle Expert, Brand Spokesperson, Producer, Blogger and proud mom of two! Tune-in to TLC Sunday Brunch on Sunday mornings as Ereka brings you the very best brunch & cocktail recipes, styling tips and so much more! Ereka is also the host of Lifetime’s Access Health where her and her team bring you the latest cutting-edge developments and innovations in medicine, nutrition and fitness, so women everywhere can take charge of their health, starting today! As the TV spokesperson for AllRecipes magazine, you can catch her in the kitchen at The Today Show, Meredith Vieira Show and The Better Show where she cooks up recipes created by home cooks from across the country.Ereka was the host of Easy Does It on Yahoo! where she interviewed authors, experts and celebrities to uncover everything you need to know about how to simplify family life. As a mother of two, Ereka enjoys spending every spare minute running after her 1st grader and preschooler. Check out her blog BeYOUtifulmoms.com to see how she balances it all and deals with her daily dose of mom guilt.