The challenge of prioritizing

I’m sitting here hungry as a hostage, yet I decided it was time to finally update this “blog” of mine. I expect to find myself being Googled a lot more in the coming week.

What have I been up to since the Sept 30 post? Let’s backtrack for a moment, shall we… I’m not exactly sure HOW I managed to omit such information, but I spent Sept 11-14 in New York for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. For some reason I talked myself out of going to Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 concert at the garden (I don’t know, I don’t know) but I kinda felt like I was there since I followed the color commentary on Twitter.

I went to the  Custo Barcelona, Caravan, and Abi Ferrin runway shows. Custo was in tent in Bryant Park so that was very exiciting for me. I spotted Chris Noth (a.k.a. Mr. Big) at the Caravan show. It was a perfect SATC moment, lol. The Abi Ferrin fashions were brilliant, colorful and inspiring. It made me want to visit Costa Rica–she got her inspiration from the island. What else… I hung out with some friends, nearly mastered the subway, visited the Guggenheim for the first time, and bought a cute purple coat from H&M. That trip was a gateway drug. Expect for me to return to NY in Sept 2010 for a longer duration. How long I stay is directly linked to how well I can bribe my mother into watching the children, HA!

October yielded my favorite holiday, second only to my birthday. I dressed as a Playboy bunny and did some party hopping (lol, no pun intended) with two close friends. It was all properly documented for my personal photo albums.

November ushered in my dear daughter’s 11th birthday. I committed to hosting a sleepover for her, so she and 7 of her friends pretty much had the run of my house on Nov 14. Me against the tween army. I kept them busy with crafts, food, and Rock Band. Overall things went smoothly, however I did take note of which girls were obedient and which felt like house rules didn’t apply to them. In the morning, I made them french toast to get them nicely sugared up for their parents’ return.

The Snoop, Chris Brown and Raphael Saadiq concerts came and went without me in attendance. I wanted to be there, but I didn’t score press passes, so yeah… kept my little dollars to myself. I was coerced into buying advance tickets for Jay-Z at the AAC though. I probably could have gotten press tickets for that, but I didn’t want to risk missing HOV twice in a row. That would just be a travesty.

I’ve been doing a lot of legwork for Glamour also. Between participating in challenges for Estee Lauder and a few others, I was chosen to host the Dallas Canon Ball. What is that, you say? Well Canon Powershot teamed up with Glamour for a promotion, and as a value add the Glambassadors were given a budget to host a party (complete with a Glamour/Canon step and repeat for the photos) to get in some experiential marketing for this campaign: http://glamalert.com/canon/. It took some pulling strings and calling in favors, but the Dallas event will be held at Couture Confections Bakery on N. Henderson Ave and will feature a DJ, champagne and cupcakes. It’s Dec 4, you should come.

On the professional front, I made acquaintances with one of the leaders of a group called the Alliance of Technology & Women. We were in a networking meeting together. And after my brief presentation on using LinkedIn to target companies in a job search, she was very impressed with the kid. A few discussions later, and I’m slated to do my first speaking engagement. Here’s my topic:

Successful Corporate Use of Social Media
Everyone says your business should be using social media, but how do you decide if you belong on Facebook or LinkedIn? In this discussion, you will receive insights to deciding which mediums are right for your business needs. Understand the commitments involved in social media engagement, and learn ways to track your social media impact. Finally, you will see examples of successful use of social media in the corporate arena.

It’s going to be a 15-minute presentation, with 15 minutes allotted for Q&A, taking place on Dec. 15. I’m excited, but not really nervous. That is a good thing!

I’ve also started doing some writing for the new SoulTrain.com. The site just relaunched yesterday, but the amount of traffic generated by the Soul Train Awards made for a great launch. The portfolio is updated with the work I’ve written for them.

My Stallion Sports Marketing imprint has been picking up steam as well. My client, Tarell Brown received a contract extension from the 49ers, landed a starting position, and is a regular play-maker. I update his site and send out newsletter a lot more frequently than when we first started. I’m also about to start talks with his former high school football coach to begin preparations for the 2010 summer sportsfest. Tarell already got great turnouts as a rookie with word of mouth promotion of the event. Now that he’s a starter, and has someone in town to do adequate publicity and marketing for the event, it should be greatness! I sooo can’t wait.

Finally, I’m still squeezing in my online grad work at Gonzaga. No one should ever have to do two classes at the same time, while trying to live a full life. It’s a beating. LOL. I have become a devotee to Google Calendar. Without it, I’d be lost.

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More and more projects

Well, I haven’t had to report to a desk since July 1 and truth be told, I don’t miss it one bit. Sure health insurance is nice (I was making major strides in my dental work) but the lights are still on, my house is still mine, and the repo man isn’t trying to take my car. Compound that with the fact that my children and I are in good health, and I’d say that things are splendid.

September saw the rebirth of Supreme Media Group, LLC. I originally established SMG to be the parent company of Y:L Magazine (my blackgirl teen mag I launched circa 2005) but I intentionally made the biz name broad. I knew that there would be business ventures in the future and since establishing an LLC cost me some money, why not make the most of it? So, today SMG offers a spectrum of services including web design, content management, copy writing, editorial, publicity and most interestingly, sports marketing.

I do my sports marketing work under the name Stallion Sports Marketing, a nod to the high school alma mater of my first NFL client, Tarell Brown. He and I are working with his agent on some pretty big things for 2010 and beyond. I can’t wait to completely knock this out of the park and start gaining some traction for my business–and his name.

SMG has two entertainment clients in the works as well. I’m planning to do the website for Young OG Records as well as a chanteuse named Rhonda Nicole.

On the editorial front, I’m back on BlackAmericaWeb again! ‘Kid’ Reid to Explore Life After Music Fame And I was also contacted by AOL Travel to submit a few more clips as they are considering me to be a contributor. That would be nice. Verrry nice.

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Back into the web design game!

I used to design websites once upon a time. I thought those days were long gone until I was personally smacked down by the recession. My foray back into personal web design (and I use the term design lightly because I’m devoted to my shortcuts) was first with my cousin Tarell. He’s a player for the SF 49ers and has had an official website for a while. I wasn’t ever a fan of it, but I didn’t feel like volunteering to redo it for him. Who ever wants to conduct business with family, seriously? Well my newfound downtime allowed me the opportunity to pull something together for him rather quickly and this is the result: http://www.tarellbrown.net. While I’m out of work, I’m hoping this will kick off a chain reaction with his teammates and they’ll all come to me for a site!

This being as clever as I can to bogard my way into marketing for the sports industry.

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Wordpress disaster

I tried to upgrade to the latest version of Wordpress and lost absolutely all of my content. Everything. I am angry… and relying on cached content to rebuild my pages. The entries are gone (or perhaps nestled somewhere I can’t figure out in my SQL database) so I’ve imported the stuff I wrote for the Shopstrong Dallas blog.

If you are a prospective employer or simply someone who has Googled me, I apologize if any links I’ve given you are inaccurate.

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Vote for your Dallas Glambassador!

Short story: http://tinyurl.com/d35ffq

Long story:
It’s been a while since I stopped back here since I do most of my work on Twitter, Facebook and Examiner. Well, I’ve got to put in another appearance at Examiner… I’ve been quiet too long and I’m sitting on some great press releases.

Today I got a package from Glamour with a Wet & Wild makeup overload. I remember Wet & Wild from my high school days. It was cheap, available everywhere and had those bright (garish) colors that my little brown face couldn’t wear (but would try to anyway). Safe to say things have changed. They’ve undergone some much-welcomed rebranding and come up with some pretty neat product. I have:

• Mega eyes creme eyeliner – it’s an interesting concept and I’m anxious to try it. Especially since I recently got the hang of liquid liner.
• Ultimate minerals loose blush – this mineral powder thing is BIG in the cosmetics industry. Nothing like some freebies to force your hand into trying something new. I’ve been wearing the same rose-colored MAC blush for about 3 years, LOL.
• Lash intense mascara – it’s got this rubber/silicon, mutli-textured synthetic brush. I plan to test drive this tonight. With my diminutive lashes, I’m a mascara junkie.
• Speed gloss energizing lip shine – the packaging is cool as I don’t know what! Unfortunately the hue (a Marilyn Monroe red) doesn’t exactly go with my skin tone. I’ll be passing this along to my fairer-skinned friends.
• Natural wear pressed powder – I wish I could have more excitement about this because I’ve been out of powder for about 3 weeks now, lol. BUT, my samples are nude, so I’ll be passing this to the “nude” ladies I know.

And now on to the reason we’re here today… I was checking out Tress Obsessed on Glamour.tv (the show from the Herbal Essences contest) and it was instantly clear to me why I wasn’t picked… I don’t have enough hair! HAHAHAH. The girls they chose have awesome, long, swangin’ hair. Anywho, as I was cruising the site I found another contest to be the next Glamour.tv star. I entered and methinks it’s based on viral buzz, so here’s the link: http://tinyurl.com/d35ffq vote for me, tell a friend, please please please

Thanks!!

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"What Not to Wear" season 7

Do you look in the mirror every day and see one of the most fashionable people in Dallas? Yes, I do too. Now, do you know someone else who is full of potential but is seriously misguided on style? Then have we got a deal for you!

The hit TLC network show, “What Not to Wear” is casting season 7 right here in the Big D. I know, I know… we’re always passed up for Austin and Houston. I am sooo excited!

If you’re unfamiliar with the show, here’s the scoop. Well-meaning yet fashion challenged ladies are secretly recommended to the show by her friends and family. They know their fashion victim has loads of potential, but is just not applying it. If the pitch is compelling enough, fashion gurus Stacy London and Clinton Kelly swoop in and rescue your girl in need.

She’s given an assessment of her current state of fashion affairs, ripped apart (hey, I’m sorry… the gurus can be brutal), taught the tenets of dressing well and flattering her figure, then sent off to NYC with a $5,000 Visa gift card to shop.

I’ve seen the show and many times, the rescuees are reluctant to let loose. I suppose this is why people like me aren’t given $5,000 to spend all willy-nilly. Even if what she buys is less than stellar or falls into the same rut she’s been stuck in, London and Kelly offer loads of styling direction to achieve a fabulous result.

To top off the experience, Nick Arrojo and Carmindy come to address hair and makeup, respectively, giving the rescuee a show stopping look.

So, are you ready to recommend that friend, family member or coworker? Send the following info to me at ishopstrong@gmail.com:

• In the subject line of your email, you must list the City and name of your nomination (i.e. Dallas – Mary Jones)
• If selected, nominee receives an all- expense paid trip to New York City, $5,000 for clothing and accessories, fashion consultation, and a complete hair and make-up transformation.
• In the email, include her name, age, size, height, occupation, marital status, children if any, location. Describe her personality, her style, and why you feel that she is a fashion disaster.
• Please include any interesting anecdotes, stories or facts about your nominee.
• Include any information about upcoming events, parties, promotions, or celebrations that would require her to look her best.
• Include 2 pictures that illustrate her bad fashion sense (this is a must!)
• Be sure to include all pertinent contact information, including phone numbers, emails, etc. We look forward to receiving your nomination!

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Ask your Dallas Shopping Examiner

Hello All,

I find myself in an interesting situation. Recently I was awarded the Dallas shopping beat at Examiner.com. The majority of info that I share here (sales, events, promos, scene gossip and photos) would also apply to that site. In an effort to not make this content mirror what’s going on at Examiner, I think I’ll keep Shopstrong dedicated to my personal misadventures in expenditure, while focusing on shopping scoop and info for Examiner.

Bookmark my Dallas Shopping Examiner page! And come back daily for scoop, scoop, and more scoop. And tell your friends! I’m an active participant and plan to come up with all kind of stuff to make it fun and interactive.

www.examiner.com/Dallas

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Ella Bleu Departs Uptown for Plano

Photo courtesy of Ella Bleu

In September the girls in bleu left Uptown in grand fashion–with a huge sale on some really great looks. This week they’re joining the Shops at Legacy. It was a much-needed addition since it felt like Merge and Fusion Home Fashion were driving the chic movement in that development.

Methinks I will welcome to the neighborhood with the purchase of a dress or something

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Wearhouse action: Sale Girl Dallas

Our good friends at Sale Girl Dallas is back for another knock down-drag out sale this weekend:

Don’t miss your chance to shop amazing deals with Sale Girl Dallas at the warehouse this weekend only! Stock up on fabulous new arrivals from DvF, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Arnold Zimberg, Tailor Byrd, John Varvatos and more!

When: November 15, 10 am-4 pm; November 16, 11 am-4 pm

Where: Sale Girl Warehouse 158 Express Street Dallas, Texas 75207

Everything is up to 80% off, cash and credit cards accepted. The best part? No cover!

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Relieve some tension

Photo courtesy of Uptowndallasguide.com

As if the clothes, clutches and M. Clara bracelets weren’t enough of a reason to find yourself at Krimson & Klover this Saturday, how about free professional chair massages 11am-1pm and mimosas? Top it off with 20% off all accessories.
As if

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