Jacqueline, Author at Real Posh Mom

Balloon Time Brings Fun for the 4th of July

June 29, 2016 By Jacqueline 0

Graduation Party, Wedding/Baby Showers, Birthday Parties! Next up – JULY 4th! If you’re crafty or even if you’re not, Balloon Time Helium Kits can make an already fun party even more festive with their easy to use kit and the creative ideas they have on their website!! I used the Balloon Time Helium Kit recently for my sons’ graduation party and it was so easy to use! This is such an inexpensive and super fun way to decorate the next party you’re having! They also have great ideas for fun activities and games using their balloon themes on their website!

Here’s a really creative and fun project where you can create your own DIY Star Spangled confetti balloons for your upcoming Independence Day Celebration!! To find out how go to: http://www.balloontime.com/party-ideas/holidays/diy-star-spangled-confetti-balloons-fourth-of-july-party-decor/ You can also choose a different idea from their site for your 4th of July celebration like their Balloon Bike Creation! Not giving a 4th of July party this year? Go check out the endless ideas that they have for every kind of party! Your guests will be in awe of you and who doesn’t love to decorate with balloons?!

To find out how to get started go to: http://www.balloontime for the steps and the project description. The Helium Kits come in two different sizes of tanks- Standard and Jumbo with a mix of balloon sizes and coloras, and string. The tank is easy to use and you will be ready to start decorating! Where to Buy a Kit? Use the search on their website to find a store that carries Balloon Time products near you! Balloon Time Kits are available in most major stores like Walmart, Target, etc. and party good stores worldwide.

Happy Independence Day from Real Posh Mom!

“I Just Don’t Want Senior Year to End and Summer to Begin”

May 11, 2016 By Jacqueline 1

It’s May and we are less than a month away from my twin sons’ High School Graduation. How did that happen and why does time seem to speed up when you most want it to slow down?! My first article about our senior year was called “I just don’t want Summer to end and Senior Year to Begin,” so I am naming this one “I just don’t want Senior year to end and Summer to Begin.”

I started this year sad because I was focused on it being a series of lasts and anxious because senior year is a lot of work! But Jack and Jared got all their college applications turned in the first part of the school year (yay!) and both know where they are going to college now (different ones, of course). They have been enjoying their senior year to the max and believe me there is no sadness on their part. The year has been full of football games, homecoming activities, theater productions, and senior banquets. I’ve savored every moment and attended every event (at least everything they would allow me to attend) and shed more than a few tears along the way. My husband and I have loved watching both my sons grow and mature in this last year of their high school careers. They are so different from each other despite being twins, unique and special in their own way and we are so proud of the wonderful young men that they have become. We take credit for none of it and are constantly amazed how lucky we are to be the parents of these two amazing boys.

So here we are – the last month of senior year and it all went by way too fast. It seems like yesterday that they were 5 years old and starting kindergarten. My little boys are 18 years old now and considered to be adults (seriously, if you have teenagers, you know how crazy that concept is). We made it. I never dropped them on their head when they were babies, I never lost them in the store (my husband did a couple of times), and I hope I didn’t annoy them too much with my fretting over silly things (they weren’t silly to me). Through the tears I have come to accept that we have arrived and it’s time for me to start letting go and accepting that things will never be the same again, our family will change and be forever different than it was before. I know that I will continue to fret and worry about them but now it’s up to them to take care of themselves (Remember, guys, you’re adults now!).

Last year my word for the year was focus. I wanted to focus on the boys’ senior year and making the most of their last year in our home. After much thought I decided that my word for this year is evolve. Here is the definition I found for evolve: Evolve comes from the Latin word ēvolvere, “to unroll,” Evolve describes a development that is taking its time to reach its final destination. Think change with a speed limit. Jack and Jared will be evolving from high school students to college students and everything that goes with that transition will be rolling out at warp speed in the next few months. I see endless possibilities ahead for them and I am so excited for them to realize their dreams, to spread their wings, etc. (you get the idea). But not only will my sons be evolving, so will my husband and I. I am evolving from the mother of school age children to the mother of college students and I am trying to visualize what that will look like. After they graduate I will have time to do more writing, volunteering, and I will finally take those art lessons I have always wanted to pick up again but the time constraints of career and motherhood haven’t allowed it. My husband and I can have more date nights, spend time with friends, and travel more! It actually sounds kind of fun when I think about it (I feel guilty now)!

So in this last month of our senior year instead of being sad about all the endings, I am really going to try to concentrate on new beginnings. I really am. Check back with me in a month and see how I’m doing.

Jane Austen’s “Love and Friendship” is Deliciously Fun!

April 14, 2016 By Jacqueline 0

The eagerly awaited film LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP opens in Dallas on May 20, 2016! The movie is an adaptation of young Jane Austen’s unfinished novella Lady Susan, believed to have been written in the mid 1790’s but revised and published by her nephew, James Edward Austen-Leigh, in 1871.

Love and Friendship takes place in England in the 1790’s, and features the beautiful, notorious but poor widow Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale). It begins with her abrupt visit to Churchill, the estate of her in-laws who she barely knows. She’s there because she has no place to live and to lay low while the rumors about her scandalous affairs (with a married man no less) die down. While there she continues to spin her web on her next prey, this time on the young handsome and eligible bachelor Reginald DeCourcy (Xavier Samuel) who is her in-law’s brother. She’s also dead set on securing a husband – the very rich Sir James Martin (Tom Bennett) for her young and rebellious daughter Frederica (Morfydd Clark). What ensues is a most delightful story told through the creative eyes of Screenplay Writer and Director Whit Stillman.You can’t take your eyes off of Kate Beckinsale throughout the movie. Not only is she beautiful to look at, but her monologues are absolutely brilliant. She walks the line between being a perfect English lady while she’s flirting with scandal and deceiving everyone in her path. Chloe Sevigny, who plays her American friend Alicia Johnson, is well-casted as one of Lady Susan’s only friends and confidante. Tom Bennett’s character Sir James Martin is especially wonderful. He doesn’t have a brain in his head and he will make you laugh out loud at some of the idiotic things he says.Love and Friendship is a joy to watch from beginning to end. It’s a departure from most of Jane Austen’s novels and in Whit Stillman’s creative hands it’s a true delight. Because the relationships between all the characters can become quite complicated they are introduced in a funny and creative way in the beginning of the story which gives you a clue that this is going to be a different kind of Jane Austen film. Despite it being a period film it’s funny and fresh and you can’t wait to see what the conniving and absolutely brilliant Lady Susan will do next.

Grab some girlfriends and go indulge yourself in this wonderful new Jane Austen film.

Written & Directed by:

WHIT STILLMAN

Starring:

Kate Beckinsale, Xavier Samuel, Morfydd Clark, Emma Greenwell, Tom Bennett, James Fleet,Jemma Redgrave, Justin Edwards, Jenn Murray, With Stephen Fry, and Chloë Sevigny

Million Dollar Quartet is Electrifying at Dallas Summer Musicals

February 18, 2016 By Jacqueline 0

What do you get when you mix Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash together? You get an extremely fun and entertaining night of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll music ever performed and it’s called ‘MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET”. This International Tony Award Winning musical is coming to Music Hall at Fair Park February 27, and 28^th for three performances and you will not want to miss this incredible night of music that will have you dancing in your seat. You will experience the music of these four rock ‘n roll geniuses that came together for one moment in time and went on to shape the music scene forever.

The musical is inspired by a true story and is set on the afternoon of December 4, 1956, when record producer, Sam Phillips, gathers musicians Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash together at his studio, Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. The result? One of the most incredible and legendary jam sessions ever. Hits like “Blue Suede Shoes, “Great Balls of Fire”, “Hound Dog”, Fever, “I Walk the Line” are performed plus many many more. You will get to experience what it must have been like to witness first hand four young artists ready to burst into the music scene and see that magical moment when they all came together to perform with each other for the first and only time. This is a “must see” for all you rock ‘n roll lovers.

Trivia:

Where did the name “Million Dollar Quartet” come from? A newspaper reporter who was present at the jam session dubbed it “The Million Dollar Quartet,” offering a rough guess as to what the salaries of the four men would have been, and the name stuck.
The actual session that day (and night) yielded nearly four dozen musical tracks.
Who was the original singer of the hit song, “Blue Suede Shoes?” Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis or Carl Perkins? The answer is Carl Perkins. Due to a severe car accident Perkins did not get to perform the song on The Perry Como Show as scheduled. Elvis Presley performed the song a few weeks later on the Ed Sullivan show and it became a huge hit for him and he was forever identified with the song.

Performances:

Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 1:30 pm and 7:30 pm
Single tickets start at $25 (pricing subject to change) are now on sale at: DallasSummerMusicals.org by phone at l.800.514.ETIX (3849) and at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, Suite 542 in Dallas, TX.

The Bridges of Madison County at Dallas Summer Musicals

February 4, 2016 By Jacqueline 0

This new Two-Time Tony Award winning musical production is based on one of my favorite romantic books and movies of all time, “The Bridges of Madison County”. It was created by one of Broadway’s most accomplished creative teams with music and lyrics by Three-Time Tony Award winning composer Jason Robert Brown and based on the best selling novel by Robert James Waller. It opened February 2nd and runs through February 14th.Here’s the plot if somehow you missed seeing the incredibly romantic 1995 movie with Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep: It’s the story of star crossed lovers Francesca Johnson, an Italian war bride living on an Iowan farm in 1965 with her nice but boring husband Bud and their two rambunctious teenage children Michael and Carolyn. When the husband and kids leave her at home for four days to go to the State Fair to show Carolyn’s prize steer guess who shows up for dinner? The extremely handsome, sexy, worldly, and rugged photographer, Robert Kincaid. He stops at her farm to ask directions to one of the famous covered bridges of Madison County that he’s photographing for his magazine, National Geographic. She invites him in for iced tea and the rest is their story of desire, love, lost dreams, hope, and sense of duty.Brown’s musical score is fresh and a total delight. It’s a mixture of country, operatic, and folk which might sound odd but it works. Elizabeth Stanley’s (Francesca) operatic voice is absolutely beautiful and Andrew Samonsky (Robert) vocals were for me, perfection. Remember that name, because I predict we will see much more of this wonderful singer and performer. I also loved the sets. You really feel what it must be like to live in the flatlands of Iowa in the ’60’s by the bare but creative use of scenery.

This is not only a wonderful date night production to take your significant other to but is also a great “chick” musical. And remember Valentine’s Day is just around the corner!! This musical will make you laugh, swoon, and will break your heart – but in a good way.Single tickets for THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, starting at $20 (pricing subject to change), are now on sale online at DallasSummerMusicals.org, by phone at 1.800.514.ETIX (3849) and at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, Suite 542 in Dallas, TX.

Dallas Summer Musicals’ highly anticipated 2015-2016 Season will continue with DSM’s production of Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, March 11-27, 2016; WICKED, April 20 – May 22, 2016; RAGTIME, May 24 – June 5, 2016; BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, June 14-26, 2016; and closing the season will be 42ND STREET, June 28 – July 10, 2016. Dallas Summer Musicals Management Group, Inc. will also present the Broadway hit musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, February 27 & 28, 2016 for a limited engagement.

Discovery Channel’s True Crime Series “Killing Fields” featuring Forensic’s Expert and Mom, Lori Morgan

January 28, 2016 By Jacqueline 0

Have you ever wondered what your life would have been like if you had followed your dream of being an actress or an astronaut, etc? Forensic Expert and Mom, Lori Morgan not only achieved her lifelong dream of being a forensics expert after she became a mom but she’s now being featured on The Discovery Channel’s new true crime TV series “Killing Fields”. “Real Posh Mom” participated in a recent question and answer session with Lori about her life as a forensics expert and how she juggles her career and family.

But first here are the details about this exciting new series “Killing Fields”. It’s on Tuesday nights at 10/9c PM, and is Discovery Channel’s first-ever true crime series. I don’t know about you but I’m a huge fan of Netflix’s “Making a Murderer,” HBO’s “The Jinx” or “True Detective” so this is definitely a series that I will be checking out. It is uniquely Discovery with an exploratory feel tracing the criminal investigation in real time.

Close up of Retired Detective Rhodes Sanchez and Detective Aubrey St. Angelo at burning sugar cane field.

The story follows homicide detectives as they reopen the case of a young woman found in the Louisiana swamp lands, a body dump site, where the forces of nature often erase evidence of a crime. Tormented by an unfulfilled promise to solve the 1997 homicide investigation, Detective Rodie Sanchez comes out of retirement to rework the case that has haunted him for the past 18-years. Armed with cutting edge investigative technologies, Rodie puts together a top-notch team including Detective and forensics expert Lori Morgan.

Originally a stay-at-home mother, after her children were in school, Lori sought a new challenge and went on to earn her degree in forensics. Lori is often first to hop into her vehicle to attend to a crime scene in the show. She is the liaison with the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab and is tasked with the job of finding a piece of evidence that can be used in conjunction with modern day forensics to help solve a case. We had a chance to catch up with her and ask her about what it’s like to be chasing killers, while balancing life at home with her family. Here is what she had to say:

What drew you to the field of Forensics?

I was always interested in the field of Forensics – even before I even knew what it was. When growing up, my brother and I would read stories about crimes and serial killers. While most kids shy away from that kind of stuff, or be a little afraid, that wasn’t in our case. But interestingly enough, even though I was so interested in that as a kid, I didn’t go into this business when I first went to college.

Was it hard making a career switch later on in life?

The challenge was finding a degree program that would work into my life with my family. I never wanted to take away too much time with them to study or be in class. The hardest part about studying was that I usually had to study late at night, after my children went to bed. Some nights I was so tired that I would just have to throw in the towel and wake up super early to study. I also tried to get as much studying done while my kids were at school.

What is it like to have a full-time job as detective and a busy family life at home?

My days are packed — working full time and then going home to try and have quality time with my three teenagers and a husband. That in and of itself is a big challenge.

Are your kids interested in following in your career footsteps?

So far, no. None of my children have expressed an interest in Forensics. They see how much I love my career but they also see the late nights and long hours that doesn’t have very much monetary compensation. I tell my children that their career choice should be something they have passion for because the money aspect of it will only keep them happy for a limited time.

Was it strange to have a TV crew following you around in your daily routines?

When we first began the project, I don’t think any of us realized the magnitude of it all. In the beginning, it was strange but now we’ve all gotten used to the crew. And we’re actually going to miss them when they leave.

Is working as a DNA detective just like CSI, True Detective or those other shows on TV?

Not exactly. We don’t always get that perfect DNA profile to give a lead that will end up with an arrest or a suspect. There aren’t machines yet that draw up this beautiful fingerprint every time. A lot of times we have to deal with very small partial fingerprints that yield nothing, and the same goes with DNA. It’s only a 50-50 shot that you’re going to get that DNA profile, and then when you do get it, that person has to be in the national database system for you to even get a coded hit.

Anything else you’d like to add?

The mystery deepens each week and the clues keep coming in. Be sure to watch Tuesdays at 10/9c PM on the Discovery Channel.

Get to know Lori even better by watching YouTube Clip – Featuring Lori:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpLokB6MOr4

“KILLING FIELDS” reached a new high with 1.84 million viewers last week and has grown consistently each week across key demos. The series continues to build not just a large male audience but last week’s episode set new ratings highs for women as well as younger viewers. The series also has cemented Discovery as the #1 unscripted cable net in the 10/9c PM hour across key demos. Shot in real time, the season finale is on February 9 at 10/9c PM on Discovery

Sneak Peek Clip: Killing Fields – Episode 4 airing Tuesday, January 26 (FOR POSTING ONLINE)

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZK_OOw8PWg

Get Your Elf On with ELF The Musical!

December 7, 2015 By Jacqueline 0

ELF The Musical opened last night at The Music Hall at Fair Park and will be playing from December 8-20! Nothing will put you in the Christmas spirit like watching a grown man in an elf suit dancing, singing, and acting like he’s 10 years old! This production is a wonderful opportunity for families of all ages to experience the spirit of Christmas with lots of laughter and fun!

If you are the only person on the planet that didn’t see the popular 2003 New Line Cinema movie starring the adorable Will Ferrell then here’s the plot:

Buddy is a young orphan child who crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts on Christmas and is mistakenly flown back to the North Pole. He’s raised as an elf, unaware that he is actually human (even though he’s at least 3 feet taller than his fellow elves and sucks at making toys). When he questions Santa about rumors he’s heard from the other elves, Santa confesses the truth that he’s not an elf and tells him the story of how he ended up at The North Pole. He sends him on a journey back to his native New York in search of his birth father and his true identity. His father of course, is quite the workaholic Scrooge who doesn’t have time for his wife and young son much less getting to know his new 30 year old, “crazy” son who thinks he’s an elf and dresses in a hilarious green elf suit. The rest of the story is about Buddy introducing his new family and all of New York to the spirit of Christmas!

Buddy, is a pure delight to watch with his goofy, childlike merriment and pure innocence. Okay he’s hyperactive and exudes pure sugar (literally) and is over the top in the spirit department but he ends up making friends everywhere he goes. From his father’s publishing office workers and family, Macy’s Christmas Santa and elves, to the humorous and hardened New York policemen he encounters along his journey. He even finds love with a disillusioned, beautiful young lady from LA who’s never seen snow much less believes in Santa Claus!

The cast of actors are a delight to watch and hear. The music is infectious and the dance numbers are fast, and upbeat! I loved the opening scene where the elves are singing and dancing (on knee pads – so adorable!) and the musical number in Macy’s is a lot of fun too. I think my favorite though is the really jazzy number that takes place in a Chinese restaurant on Christmas Eve and features several depressed “fake” department-store Santas. The songs are written by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, and based on a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin.

ELF is fun Holiday entertainment! Take the whole family – it’s time you find your “Inner Elf”!!

Single tickets are from $20 – $104 and are on sale online at: DallasSummerMusicals.org, by phone at l.800.514.ETIX (3849) and at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, Suite 542, Dallas, TX.

Dallas Summer Musicals’ highly anticipated 2015-2016 Season will continue with THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, February 2-14, 2016; DSM’s production of Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, March 11-27, 2016; WICKED, April 20 – May 22, 2016; RAGTIME, May 24 – June 5, 2016; BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, June 14-26, 2016; and closing the season will be 42ND STREET, June 28 – July 10, 2016.

The Sound of Music Opens at Fair Park Music Hall

November 5, 2015 By Jacqueline 1

NOVEMBER 3-22, 2015

AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK

I didn’t really know what to expect before going to see the new production of The Sound of Music on the DSM Stage. The movie version remains one of my very favorite musicals/movies of all time. I love everything about it, the music, the romance, the scenery, and the true story of the von Trapp Family. So I was a little nervous about seeing this new stage production. How could the producers and director dare to remake such an iconic classic and expect devoted TSOM fans to approve of it? Sometimes you just don’t mess with perfection right? Well, not only were they successful in producing a wonderful stage version of the musical but I loved it from start to end.

The new production of The Sound of Music features the music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and is directed by three time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien. It’s fun, fresh and gives more depth to the characters that we know and love. What a great opportunity to introduce this wonderful musical to a whole new generation of theater goers!

The production is full of extraordinary talent. The lead of Maria Rainer is Kerstin Anderson. Ms. Anderson is a sophomore at Pace University and won the role over hundreds who auditioned. She’s a very talented jewel who nailed the role on many levels. And although it may be hard to imagine anyone except Julie Andrews in the role she does a great job and makes the role her own. Ben Davis as Captain von Trapp gives a solid performance as a nicer, gentler version of the Captain. Oh he’s still stern and strict in the beginning but softens quickly under Maria’s spell. One of the real show stoppers in this product is the extremely talented Ashley Brown as Mother Abbess. She has a voice that you can’t believe exists it’s so strong and beautiful. Which brings me to the heart and soul of this musical and that are the Von Trapp children. They are some of most incredibly talented young actors you will ever have the privilege to watch perform. All seven of them are very well cast from the tiny Gretl to the very talented 16 year old (going on 17) Liesl played by Paige Silvester. They are a total delight to watch.

Loved the sets. Designer Douglas W. Schmidt’s sets are really quite beautiful and contribute tremendously to the overall effect of the musical. From the beautifully painted Alpine mountain backdrops to the lacy walls of the family mansion and the dark atmosphere of the convent, they are creative and burst with color.

There are a few things in the musical that are different from the original. The production has added a couple of songs and left out a few scenes that the original had but don’t fret. I actually didn’t miss them and had a hard time remembering what they were until later. Our favorite songs are still a mainstay of the musical such as the title song of course “The Sound of Music”, My Favorite Things”, “Do-Re-Mi”, “So Long, Farewell”, and my personal favorite “Edelweiss”. (Personal note: Thank you to my grade school music teacher Mrs. Kraft for teaching us to sing these show tunes and many others in music class. It instilled in me a love for musical theater that lasts to this day.)

In the song “Maria” there is a verse in which one of the nuns asks the question about Maria “How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?”. I believe that’s what they’ve achieved with this new production, they’ve caught a moonbeam in their hands. Go see it and it will make you fall in love with the musical all over again, I promise.

Fun Facts:

2015 marks the 50^th anniversary of the film version. One of the most successful movie musicals in history.
It is based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers.
The original Broadway production, starring Mary Martin, opened on November 16, 1959. It won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, out of nine nominations. The original London production opened at the Palace Theatre on May 18, 1961.
When it came to the movie, Julie Andrews wasn’t the first choice for Maria. The Producers wanted Grace Kelly or Doris Day to replace her because Andrews wasn’t a big star yet (Mary Poppins hadn’t come out yet). Doris Day ruled herself out as “too American”.
The Sound of Music (1965) was an exceptionally successful film in the mid-1960s – at the time of its release, it surpassed Gone With the Wind (1939) as the number one box office hit of all time.
The Sound of Music was the last musical written by Rodgers and Hammerstein; Oscar Hammerstein died of cancer nine months after the Broadway premiere.
The von Trapps did escape Austria as the Nazis came to power, but they didn’t flee over the Alps, they got on a train to Italy and then traveled to America, where they had a concert tour scheduled. The day after they left, Hitler ordered the Austrian borders shut.
When the von Trapps came to America they settled in Stowe, Vermont. They opened the Trapp Family Lodge, which is operational to this day.

Single tickets for THE SOUND OF MUSIC, from $25 – $106 (pricing subject to change), are now on sale online at DallasSummerMusicals.org, by phone at 1.800.514.ETIX (3849) and at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, Suite 542 in Dallas, TX.

Groups of 10 or more receive a 15% discount, priority seating, and many more benefits. Please call 214.426.GROUP (4768) or email Groups@DallasSummerMusicals.org.

Dallas Summer Musicals’ highly anticipated 2015-2016 Season will continue with ELF The Broadway Musical, December 8-20, 2015; THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, February 2-14, 2016; DSM’s production of Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, March 11-27, 2016; WICKED, April 20 – May 22, 2016; RAGTIME, May 24 – June 5, 2016; BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, June 14-26, 2016; and closing the season will be 42ND STREET, June 28 – July 10, 2016.

Dallas’ Northpark Center Celebrates 50 Years with Special Events!

October 9, 2015 By Jacqueline 0

The iconic Northpark Center in Dallas, TX recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary on August 22, 2015 and is celebrating this huge milestone with a series of unique and very fun events that you will not want to miss. If you’re familiar with Northpark you know that it’s not just a shopping center, it’s a cultural experience!

First, here’s a little background on Northpark: It was named as one of the “7 Retail Wonders of the Modern World” by Shopping Centers Today. NorthPark Center is a luxury shopping experience with over 235 unique retailers, restaurants and legendary department stores, and a clientele from around the world. NorthPark Center is also very unique because it also features an incredible display of art, architecture and landscaping throughout the mall. The center has won countless awards, including the American Institute of Architects’ Best Design of the Decade, and features internationally-acclaimed 20th century artwork on display throughout the light-filled space and amid the 1.4-acre landscaped garden, CenterPark Garden.

Here are some of the events that are happening at Northpark as part of their 50^th Anniversary Celebration:

FASHION EXHIBITION

Art Meets Fashion: 1965 – 2015
August 22, 2015 – January 3, 2016

A definite “must see”! This exhibition features specific examples of dress that reflect the synergy between art and fashion from 1965 to the present. The exhibition includes The Texas Fashion Collection at the University of North Texas (which is considered to have one of the most important historic fashion collections in the country). The exhibition is located on Level One between Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. Garments on display include designs by Oscar de la Renta and Giorgio di’ Sant Angelo.

Guided Tours
Saturday, October 10, 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm

Free guided tours of Art Meets Fashion: 1965 – 2015 with Texas Fashion Collection Director and Curator, Myra Walker.

RUNWAY SHOWS – Friday, October 9th and Saturday, October 10th

For the schedule of runway shows go to: http://www.northparkcenter.com/pages/northpark-northpark50-fifty-years-of-fashion

Reserve tickets for October 9 Runway Trend Presentation.

Seating for all shows is limited and must be reserved.

Saturday, October 17, 2015
7:00 PM, CenterPark Garden

NorthPark Center invites you to a free family concert in CenterPark Garden. Enjoy the magnificent 60-piece orchestra performing popular selections by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Gershwin, as well as scores from Jaws, Pirates of the Carribean, Frozen and more. Open seating in CenterPark Garden. Reserved seating will be available on the Bread Winners patio by calling 214.303.0049.

ArtROCKS!
Featuring a concert by Gravity Feed and a performance by Dallas Ballet Company

Sunday, October 18, 2015
1 – 4PM, CenterPark Garden

Children can participate in hands-on art activities led by important artists from North Texas, including Joanne Cervantes, Nathan Green, Kelly Kroener, Annette Lawrence, Suzanne O’Brien, Shamsy Roomani, William and Thoele Sarradet, James Thurman, and more! The event open to the public, and food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Leo Villareal Exhibition
Coming Soon

In celebration of the 50th anniversary, two major works by Leo Villareal will be on view within the shopping center, including a newly commissioned piece inspired by his iconic Buckyball sculpture. His work can otherwise be found at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, The National Gallery in Washington D.C., and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.

IN-STORE EVENTS

For a complete listing of the many “In Store” Events at North Park go to:

http://www.northparkcenter.com/pages/northpark-northpark50-fifty-years-of-fashion

“The Intern” Movie Review

September 17, 2015 By Jacqueline 3

I loved “The Intern”! I attended a preview of it last week by a special invitation from fellow Fashion Blogger Leah Frazier, and I was more than pleasantly surprised with how well-written, funny and relevant it was to adults of all ages. The movie might be somewhat more impactful to the over 50 crowds who are retired or thinking about retirement but I think the 20 and 30 somethings will thoroughly enjoy it also. They will be able to relate to the issues that they face in today’s world of technology, the struggles of balancing career and families, and how women/men relationships have changed in the last few years.

Here’s the plot: Ben is a successful businessman who is retired and a recent widower. He’s a real go getter who tries to keep himself busy with new hobbies and activities but he’s really lost in the new world he’s found himself in. He’s searching for something to fill the void in his life and he’s more than a little excited when he sees a flyer advertising for “Senior Interns” at a new fashion website. Ben jumps into the opportunity feet first and what you find yourself watching next is a pure fun.

Who would have thought years ago that the great, dramatic actor Robert De Niro who was known for roles in “The Godfather” and “Goodfellas” would have become such a great comedic actor? And Anne Hathaway as the young, ambition driven CEO is a delight to watch as always. There are many great moments in the movie with the two of them playing off of their “reverse” roles as boss and intern and at the same time such sweetness to watching their relationship develop and grow. There are also some hilarious scenes with Ben and the twentysomethings who work at the company who grow to love and respect Ben as a mentor and get into little trouble along the way..

This movie is primarily about relationships, all different kinds of relationships. “The Intern” is directed by Nancy Meyers who has given us some classic relationship movies such as “Baby Boom” and one of my all-time favorites “Somethings Gotta Give”. “The Intern” explores the sometimes painful path that people take after their career and romantic relationships end. It also examines the struggles that young people have balancing successful careers and families. It gives us all hope that you can find relationships in the most unexpected places and times and you should never judge people by their age or sex. Everyone has something to offer. Relationships – isn’t that what life is all about?

‪#‎theinternmoviedallas! www.theinternmovie.com

Rating:	PG-13 (for some suggestive content and brief strong language)
Genre:	Comedy
Directed By:	Nancy Meyers
Written By:	Nancy Meyers
In Theaters:	Sep 25, 2015 Wide
Runtime:	2 hr. 1 min.