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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Wined and Dined: 5 Best Dallas Steakhouses

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Celebrating a raise, an anniversary, or making a big impression, the way to get wined and dined in Dallas always leads to steak. There’s a lot of ’em, here are 5 not to miss! 

 

When people come to Dallas one of the first questions they always ask is “where do I get a good steak?”

Followed by “where do I get a good margarita?” and “Where do I get good Mexican food (which of course leads to a big discussion on the difference between Mexican food and Tex-Mex.) 


But a good steakhouse? We have tons of them to choose from. 

And while many of them will get you a good steak, potato and salad, the distinction of a good steakhouse has a lot more to do with how good is the steak and even more so, how good is the service. 

Funny enough, no matter when the economy is up or down, studies show, we still eat steak here in Dallas no matter what. 

(Remember, “beef, it’s what’s for dinner.) 

5 Best Steakhouses in Dallas

One other factor is how dressed you wanna get. Some of these you can get away in with a nice pair of jeans and collared shirt. However, a few of these you’ll need to throw out a little extra effort. And while you’re getting things out, make sure to make allocations for your budget because you’ll be paying some moolah to eat that steak. Thankfully, you can’t miss which ever one you choose. They’re all that good. 

Besides, isn’t that part of the fun? 

5 Best Dallas Steakhouses

Al Biernat’s 

4217 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

You know that moment in the movies where the rich guy is called by name immediately when he walks into a restaurant and they place them in his “table?” That’s how everyone feels at Al Biernat’s. Anyone and everyone has been here and not necessarily for the steak, either. But the service is impeccable in a sophisticated, laid-back way that doesn’t seemed pushed and just at the right time. They have a way to make you feel like a celebrity (that’s because a lot of them also frequent the spot), but more so because you always feel special even on the busiest of Friday nights. A local legend within itself, don’t miss a chance to eat at (and possibly meet) Al Biernat.

Don’t worry, you’ll know him when you see him as he walks around to say hello and remember that your anniversary is coming up (even when you forgot.) 

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse 

10477 Lombardy Ln, Dallas, TX 75220

When people talk about having “that’ experience of having a staff watch your every move and anticipate your every need (even if you didn’t know you needed it), that’s Pappas Bros. Looking to make that big impression that you’ve hit the big time and can spring for the $200+ bottles of vino? That’s Pappas Bros. This menu is everything you expect it to be with shrimp cocktail, filet mignons and one of Dallas’ few food finds for foie gras. But don’t fill up on the first, second or even fourth course. With a beyond dessert menu, you at least need to make room for a bite (or four.)

III Forks 

17776 Dallas Parkway Dallas, Texas 75287

When you see that moment a guy gets on his knee to ask a gal to marry him in an uber romantic eatery that’s exactly what it looks like when walk into III Forks. Except that small, exclusive restaurant is actually 14 different beautiful dining rooms within the 25,000 sq. ft. building. More than 900 people can be in dining at one time, but you’ll never feel like there’s more than you and your dining partner. Recipient of several Wine Spectator awards and any more, you can enjoy that Texas steak with a twist of French cuisine that makes it an unforgettable dinner experience. 

Chamberlain’s Steak & Chop House

5330 Belt Line Rd, Dallas, TX 75254

It’s hard not to be bias about Chamberlain’s Steak and Chop House. When Chef Proprietor Richard Chamberlain isn’t saying hello to the everyone in the room at the steak house or grill (his other eatery in Addison), he’s on TV and in the community doing things. He has all the respect of the local chefs (I’ve seen many of them eating here on their day off), sports stars (they love it here) and certainly of the national ones too, appearing several times on Good Morning America and being named One of the Best Steakhouses in the Country by a little publication called Bon Appetit.  And the man you see on camera, is the same one that you meet, but if possible, even nicer. He food is impeccable and all of his other chefs are too. Prime Rib is ridiculously good. The bisque is ridiculously good. You can’t go wrong unless you just don’t go. And go to Richard hi when you’re there. 

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 

N. The Legacy Tower, 7250 Dallas Pkwy, Plano, TX 75024

The youngest of the steakhouses on the list to join Dallas’ elite list, Fleming’s gives North Dallas another reason to stay close to home and everyone else to head northbound on Dallas Parkway. When the restaurant opened, everyone in town made the trek and it was well worth the traffic. With a bar scene that’s great for a Tuesday night in your flats or walk in with your fur and pearls and no one will flinch except to gesture hello and make you feel at home. A huge favorite of many guests are the small plates that are just the right portion size and just the right taste with a little bit of steak, seafood and a little bit of Asian flavor to boot.  Being the new guy, the interiors are new and upscale and so is the technology with the iPad wine list and a smartphone valet claim. 

5 Best Steakhouses in Dallas

(Photo Credit: Flemings)

Bob’s Steak & Chop House 

Various locations in Dallas, Fort Worth & Grapevine

If you’re looking for going BIG, then Bob’s Steak & Chop House is where you’ll find it. Not only will you get that big piece of meat you’ve always wanted and dreamed of, but the trademark carrot (yes, just one) will get your table talking for hours. Really. But whatever you do, don’t forget to order the mushrooms! If you’re a fun guy (appreciate that little pun), then you’ll love the sides of mushrooms that I’ve made a stop to pick up a few times to just eat as a meal. Mind blowing. The menu is straight-forward, but it’s because why would you have a large menu if you know that things you make are so good that no one is going to order them anyway. Your expected dark room, white tablecloth, big red wine experience, you’ll be surprised when you walk out finally and see that you’ve spent three hours eating…and you’re still talking about how big that carrot was. 

So where are you going for dinner? 

Spots Mom Can Relax and Recharge

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Mommin’ ain’t easy. Help mom unwind with this handy list of spots mom can relax and recharge in Fort Worth. 

MamaChallenge is happy to share all the fun families can have in Fort Worth. #SeeFortWorth

Spa

PC: Omni Fort Worth Hotel, Mokara Spa.

Being a mom may be the best job in the world, but sometimes it can be hard to remember that when she’s elbow deep in stinky diapers, last-minute school projects, and a mess of dirty dishes. And that’s not including her own long list of to-dos. Help mom unwind this Mother’s Day with our handy list of ways to relax and recharge in Fort Worth.
 

Wine Down with Wine 


Let mom catch up with the girls or get in some uninterrupted reading time while sipping on a few great wines at Times Ten Cellar. From tastings to special events, everything she needs to begin her downtown wine down is just steps away. If she prefers more for a wine country kind of experience sans the long car drive or plane ride, plan an escape to LightCatcher’s Winery & Bistro for wine tastings and a little trip away from everything right here in Fort Worth (at least until it’s sold.) Make sure to catch a Jazz Sunday brunch for an all-out event.

Lightcatcher Winery

Don a new Do 

In a hurry? In just one hour at Drybar, mama can get the ultimate multitasking hair makeover paired with a mimosa (or elect to leave out the OJ.) Also with that drink order, she can get a 10-minute scalp massage during her shampoo followed by a paired hair order like a Manhattan, Cosmo or a Straight Up. At the end, mom will be ready to take on the world with beautiful tresses to match the picture-perfect smile now on her face.

Relax with a Rubdown

Feeling a little beat up and beat down?  Nothing relaxes mom’s body and soul better than a massage. Fort Worth is full of award-winning spas that can help melt away knots and stresses while mentality whisking mom away. Not looking for a full rubdown? Then concentrate on just the feet with reflexology from FeetWorth where they take down those tootsies for more than an hour…ahhh!

Omni Spa 

Cooldown with Cryotheraphy

If mama is looking for a boost, then The Cryo Spa may be calling. It boasts several health benefits such as increased energy and metabolism. While a few moments in freezing temperatures may not be mom’s ideal way of taking a time out, the end results may change her mind.

Walk off the Worry 

A quick way to relax and recharge is to get those feet moving in the great outdoors. Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to appreciate Mother Nature with a stroll along the Trinity. Head out to the Trailhead Clearfork, Fort Worth’s posh new green space, and enjoy a free exercise class, fresh local goods for sale from the Farmer’s Market, and a Summer Shandy from what Texas Monthly notes is one of the “Best New Restaurants,” Press Café.

 Press Cafe

Stretch it Out with Yoga 

Nothing takes mom to that zen-like state more than reconnecting with her center at one of Cowtown’s many yoga studios. We love Karmandy, SoulSpace and The Yoga Project to name a few. No matter if she is a newbie or a committed yogi looking for a new home to hone your practice, making yoga a part of her daily routine can help ensure mom gets the “me time” that she needs.

Recharge with Retail Therapy

Sometimes a gal just needs a new handbag or a pair of heels. Fort Worth’s options to shop ‘til she drops include the hip Near Southside, the trendy University Park Village, the popular Sundance Square, the bustling West 7th neighborhood as well as the famous Fort Worth Stockyards and the newly opened Neiman Marcus at The Shops at Clearfork. A day just hitting the racks for something special can remind her how special she is to you, too.

Widget: Sundance Shopping

Sleep off the Stress

Ask any mom what she wants and you’ll find a “time to myself” on the list. One trend many mamas have learned to indulge in is a little staycation. The Omni Fort Worth and the Worthington Renaissance know exactly what she needs with clean sheets, no messes, long baths and room service. And with amenities like spa treatments, pool time and beauty treatments, mom will feel like a new woman in as little as 24 hours. 

This article originally appear on FortWorth.com.

Dinner Delivery with DoorDash

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Forget pizza…Dinner delivery at your door is possible with just the touch of your smartphone with DoorDash. So mamachallenge took the offer from DoorDash to test drive to see if it really worked…and it did. There is not a sponsored post, but the cost of food was reimbursed for trying it out. And now you can too with a special discount just for you!

Even the best of meal-planning parents can’t always be prepared for the challenges that can happen in a day. 

Then there’s just the times you’re too tired to even think about throwing chicken nuggets in the microwave or rolling through a drive-in once again. 


If only dinner delivery  could arrive at your door, hot and ready to eat – and not paying some crazy amount – to get it there. 

FW

DoorDash just launched in Fort Worth and Arlington and I bet those Dashers (the ones that pickup and bring your food) already wonder if I know how to cook at all. DoorDash has been in Dallas for a year and thankfully has made its way westbound

Coverage areas include:

  • Downtown Fort worth
  • Arlington Heights
  • Edgecliff Village
  • Everman & Kennedale
  • TCU Area
  • Western Hills / Ridglea
  • White Settlement
  • Arlington 

And also is taking over Frisco,The Colony, Southlake, Colleyville, Flower Mound and Coppell!

Last week, after a crazy day that I was thinking cereal might be the best option for eating, I downloaded the free app (you can use it on your desktop too) and gave it a spin. 

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With no tutorial or help, I had the app on my phone, clicked through what options were available and delivery times worked with our scheduled, ordered, paid, and was watching the progress of the entire order – straight to my door – with less than 10 minutes spent. 

Restaurant List

I was so stinkin’ excited I couldn’t help but share it on my Facebook and tell all my friends that my dreams of dinner delivery were answered – and it was FOR REAL. 

Even when there was a little glitch – like the restaurant was taking longer to get the meal made, the progress tracker made it easy to see that the ETA had changed a few minutes. (That always happens when I pick it up at some of my favorites, so of course, that’s going to happen from time to time.) 

DD

And of course, the one question that everyone asked was how much did it cost? Was there a huge delivery fee? Was the menu price totally different? While the site says the delivery fee varies by region and restaurant, you’ll see the price for delivery as you do it so there’s no surprises. However, all I paid for my meals was the cost of the listed item and a $1 delivery fee. And then I was able to tip, too – so there was nothing to do when the Dasher arrived at the door except open the door and eat it. 

SPECIAL DISCOUNT

Get $5 off orders of $15 or more for new customers in the DFW area with code: MAMACHALL.

Try it now!

Founded in 2013 at a dorm room in Stanford, DoorDash connects customers with local businesses through technology and logistics by purchasing goods from local merchants and having them delivered in less than 45 minutes.By building the on-demand delivery infrastructure for local cities, DoorDash is bringing communities closer, one doorstep at a time.

 

door-dash

 

 

Last-Minute Deal for Summer Camp at Sky Ranch

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Feel like you’re the only parent who hasn’t figured out what you’re kids are going to be doing this summer? Don’t worry, you can still do summer camp at Sky Ranch with this special mamachallenge deal! [Partner]

Summer is a great time for the kids, but for many parents means putting together a complicated plan that offers the kids something fun to do and somewhere for them to go at least 9-5 , especially if you’re a working parent. 

SkyRanch

Photos provided by Sky Ranch


Dallas Fort Worth is full of amazing camps for any interest from Airplanes to Zoology, but deadlines for many of them may have already passed months ago…but actually many of them haven’t including Sky Ranch. 

SkyRanch2

Sky Ranch in Van, Texas (yes, the one that kids have been raving about since 1955 and wrote the book on overnight camps) with outdoor fun including swimming, rappelling, horseback riding, zip lines, water slides, and more,  is offering a special deal for MamaChallenge readers. 

Get $100 one week at Sky Ranch in Van, Texas with CODE: 2016SCBlog    

However, if your kids, like mine,  aren’t quite ready for campfire s’mores and postcards from the parents, Sky Ranch now offers “Launch Camps” right here in DFW. Sky Ranch Launch Camp gives kids an extraordinary daycamp experience right in their neighborhood for kiddos (or parents) not quite ready for overnight camp. Designed for kids, kindergarten – 5th grade, Sky Ranch Launch Campers enjoy five, fun-filled days of camp activities with suitable programs and positive encouragement from our caring and extensively trained counseling staff.

SkyRanch3

See? You can still win the “Best Parent of the Year Award” and keep your sanity this summer with Sky Ranch!

Launch Camp’s 2016 Locations:

Addison
Trinity Christian Academy
Addison, Texas
Session 3: June 13-17
Session 4: June 20-24

Allen
Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church
Allen, Texas
Session 10: August 1-5
Session 11: August 8-12

Argyle
Liberty Christian School
Argyle, Texas
Session 1: May 30 – June 3
Session 2: June 6-10

Arlington
The Oakridge School
Arlington, Texas
Session 2: June 6-10

Dallas
Good Shepherd Episcopal School
Dallas, Texas
Session 4: June 20-24
Session 9: July 25-29

Highland Park Presbyterian Church
Dallas, Texas
Session 10: August 1-5
Session 11: August 8-12

St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal
Dallas, Texas
Session 7: July 11-15
Session 8: July 18-22

Fort Worth
All Saints Episcopal School
Fort Worth, Texas
Session 8: July 18-22

Southwest Christian School
Fort Worth, Texas
Session 3: June 13-17

Frisco
Legacy Christian Academy
Frisco, Texas
Session 5: June 27 – July 1
Session 6: July 4-8
Session 7: July 11-15

Grapevine
Grapevine Faith Christian School
Grapevine, Texas
Session 7: July 11-15

Keller
First Baptist Church Keller
Keller, Texas
Session 5: June 27 – July 1

McKinney
McKinney Christian Academy
McKinney, Texas
Session 2: June 6-10

Plano
Custer Road United Methodist Church
Plano, Texas
Session 3: June 13-17

Prestonwood Christian Academy
Plano, Texas
Session 8: July 18-22
Session 9: July 25-29

St. Andrew United Methodist Church
Plano, Texas
Session 5: June 27 – July 1

Prosper
Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Church
Prosper, Texas
Session 4: June 20-24

Rockwall
Rockwall Presbyterian Church
Rockwall, Texas
Session 10: August 1-5

Southlake
The Clariden School
Southlake, Texas
Session 9: July 25-29

Don’t wait any longer – register your child for Launch Camp or Overnight Camp in Van, Texas, now!

Don’t miss this #mamachallenge moment:

How To Glamp

 

Choose Your Favorite DFW Fourth of July Event {Giveaway}

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Depending on how you like to do Independence Day in DFW, you’ve got a lot of options! Whether you’re retro, rocker or just ready for fun, there’s the right place for you to salute the red, white and blue.

KaboomTown

To find the right Independence Party for you, you need to look past location and price and more at the experience. Kinda like choosing a church, you need to find just the right place for you to share your praise. So we’ve put together a list of great Independence events in Dallas, Fort Worth and the places in between based on your personality.


Ready to put a Feather in Your Hat? Then get ready to call it macaroni at Red, White and Boom in McKinney 
This is as Americana as it gets! Red, White and BOOM! kicks off Independence Day with a parade and classic car, truck and cycle show in Historic Downtown McKinney. Hollie Cavanagh, American Idol finalist and McKinney native, will also be on stage to provide live entertainment until Sounds of America, the fireworks show, takes over the airwaves and skyline.

Wanna be in the Limelight? Then be a star at Southlake’s Stars and Stripes
Hosted at Southlake’s Town Square, you can be a big dog in a big town with their special Star Experience. While the event is free, VIP allows you reserved seating, special parking, perfect viewing, table for four, preset appetizers and water for a cost. You’ll also be able to enjoy the rest of the activities you expect like bounce houses, face painting, music and a zipline? Not sure about where you’d put that except maybe to the always packed Apple store so you can get ahead of the line. 

Aren’t much for Red, White and Blue because black is more your color? Then Fat Daddy’s Star-Spangled Patio Party in Manfield is your TNT.
Shake it “All Night Long” at Fat Daddy’s Star-Spangled Patio Party. With a new extended patio, prepare for a fun night of rockin’ fun complete with AC/DC tribute band “Back to Black.”

Feeling Nostalgic for Fried Food and a Ferris Wheel? Fair Park Fourth in Dallas will be your favorite flavor! 
Held at Fair Park, you can spend the day reminiscing about all your State Fair memories while you walk around Fair Park. Enjoy live music from  Razzmajazz Dixieland Band and at 7 p.m. and The Beatles tribute band A Hard Night’s Day, water features and access to rides, games and concessions within the State Fair of Texas Midway, starting at noon on July fourth. near the fireworks viewing area on the Midway.

Does Fort Worth by Way of Water Whet Your Whistle? Then Fort Worth’s Fourth has a tube waiting for you!
Fort Worth has a little bit of everything from pony rides, bounce houses water sliding, mini golf, ziplines and tubing at Panther Island! The event is free, but you can upgrade to better seating and close bathrooms, which I consider always to be worth the cost. And of course, there’s a big fireworks show that can’t be beat (I saw it last year from Willie Nelson’s Picnic and it was amazing – but see that note below.)

For those of you that always spent Fourth of July with Willie, I’m sad to report he’s left the building…Well actually he’s returned his annual Fourth of July Picnic to Austin, so you’ll need to get southbound 35 for that Texas country renegade roundup.

Do You Want the Best Show in the U.S.? Then belly up with half a million of your new best friends at Addison Kaboom Town!
This little city may be home to less than 20,000 people, for 30 years this nationally acclaimed event has brought more than half  to this suburb known for its food and fun to Addison Circle Park for what is called one of the Best Fireworks Shows in the U.S. (and that’s bonafide). On July 3, warbirds take over the sky, military bands fill the park with music, and surrounding restaurants put on their own watch parties as everyone waits for the 30-second show that is also simulcasted on 100.3 Jack-FM.

Word from the Wise: From my own experience (this event is one I’m proud to promote professionally), the way to do this event is at one of the fun parties like Cantina Laredo with a steel drum band, The Quarter with karaoke, or TGI Friday’s with bands all day. But there’s a ton to choose from, so make sure to check the list and see if you need to make reservations so they have a spot for you!

And from the fine folks at Addison, we’ve got a $50 gift card for one lucky winner to TGI Friday’s to help you get festive as we count down to freedom! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Worth the Stay: Sheraton Fort Worth Renovates Hotel

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Disclaimer

 

A few weeks ago DFW was plagued by Icemegedon. If you haven’t heard, here in Dallas we don’t do know how to deal with snow and ice, so if any precipitation falls, especially when it turns to ice, the world stops. Unfortunately tests don’t and the hubs had a biggie (his BAR exam), so we were forced to stay as close as possible to the testing center in Fort Worth. For him, the stay was a necessity, for us, we had a reason for a “getaway” even if we didn’t get to go too far from home (or the hotel), it was a change of scenery. And a heated indoor pool didn’t hurt either.


Sheraton-Hotel

So off to the Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel and Spa we went. A long time hotel in downtown Fort Worth, I was excited to have a chance to check out its recent renovation and changes it would be making over the next few weeks. With a few days to spare indoors, we would be able to take a look around the hotel and take it for a test drive! (I mentioned the heated pool while it was snowing, right?)

Sheraton-Fort-Worth-MamaChallenge

Perfectly located only two VERY short blocks from the Fort Worth Convention Center, the Sheraton Fort Worth will soon be complete with renovations to:

  • Guest Rooms
  • Club Level Guest Rooms
  • Club Lounge
  • Lobby Bar
  • Lobby-level Perks breakfast and lunch bistro

The room was the ideal size for a family that had two kiddos that needed space to move around, an oversized couch and a table space for me to make snacks for the kids. For mom I had the work set-up to power through what I needed to take care of my work load. And then there was the uber comfortable couch that we could all fit on comfortably while we watch TV!

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Somehow I was able to steal an hour to enjoy a one-hour massage from the Spa. The full-service salon provides everything a gal or guy could want to revive and recharge including nails, hair, facial and my needed solution, a much-needed massage from the spa director that goes down as one of my favorites ever. REALLY.

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Sheraton-Fort-Worth-Spa

Sheraton-Fort-Worth-Spa-Nails

After feeling like a million bucks at the spa, the family sat down for dinner at the hotel. Met quickly by a very friendly waiter, we were seated. While the service was a little slow (we blamed the snow and probably a understaffed restaurant due to the ice), we had a hot dinner steps from our room. I was glad the menu including innovate entrees the adults enjoyed and the kids’ favorites well made and with lots of flavor. Had I have had a refrigerator, I’m pretty sure I would have made my leftovers a midnight snack.


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Of course our favorite part of the stay had to be the heated pool, Warm and toasty, the kids were able to splash and play in the big pool and I was able to relax a little in the Jacuzzi.

What a way to enjoy a nice cold stay in Fort Worth! Next time we’ll try it when it’s sunny outside and see what other fun we can have staying at the Sheraton Fort Worth.

sweepstakes_main

REMEMBER, Now until March 31, enter to win a Fort Worth Weekend Getaway with:

Sheraton Fort Worth
1701 Commerce Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Visit Website

Looking for fun with the kids while you’re in Fort Worth (and there’s not ice on the ground?) Here’s our family-friendly Fort Worth day trip ideas featured on the Visit Fort Worth blog.

Fort-Worth-Family-Friendly

Free Printable Checklist for Just Between Friends Sale (JBF)

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Hitting up a consignment sale in your neck of the woods? Then make sure to be prepared with this free printable checklist, perfect for Just Between Friends JBF Sale.  

If you’ve been following MamaChallenge.com, you’ve seen my incredible kid buys at Just Between Friends Sale. Twice a year I take inventory of what clothes and sizes the kids have and need and then head to the JBF Sale to find great deals on tons of clothes for both my kids for the next 1-2 seasons.

jbf-logo

With , it’s time to make my list! But this time I’ve gotten rid of my stack of Post-its and scratch paper and have devised a simpler way to get all my sizes and my want list for JBF in just one place with this checklist.


All you need to do is download the printable, take it to the kids’ closets and then write what you need, what size the child is wearing now and will be next season, and what other items you might need for the next months. Then bring it to the sale so you stay on target while you show the biggest consignment sale in Texas!

JBF-Checklist-MamaChallengePDF | GOOGLE DOC

Another thing you are going to want to bring to the sale – a coupon for free admission! (Just print or show on your phone at the entrance to the show.) 

A few changes this year make it really worth it to go. For the first-time parents & grandparents can sign-up to shop early as well as volunteering & consigning will get you an early pre-sale pass!

Don’t miss these posts:

5-Things-To-Do-Before-Going-to-JBF

JBF-Consignment

Drink Your Way Through Italy, Washington and Texas at Grapefest 2014

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If the title alone isn’t enough reason for you to get excited, perhaps you should stop reading now.

With an event called Grapefest in a town called Grapevine, you should get the notion these people are serious about their wine and their fun.

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Considered the largest wine festival in the Southwest,  GrapeFest, held along Grapevine’s Historic Main Street, Sept. 11 – 14, is a four-day fest actually for the whole family. This year’s features some of the world’s best wine regions with Washington, Italy and of course, Texas.

Some of the favorite festival events include:

    • The Champagne Terrace (my favorite)
    • People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic, the largest consumer-judged wine competition in the nation with more than 140 Texas varietals from 44 Texas wineries
    • GrapeStomp
    • KidsWorld
    • Palette Pleasers at the Palace
    • ItalianCarFest
    • Five stages offering live entertainment
    • The Texas Wine Tribute and much more!

Last month I enjoyed grapestomping at Messina Hof (which comes to Grapevine in November) so next week I’ll take my turn at at the GrapeStomp at Grapefest. Teams of two take turns to stomp approximately 18 pounds of grapes for two minutes. If your team stomps the most juice, you just might qualify to stomp some more at the Grand Champion StompOff on Sunday, with the winners being awarded the coveted “Purple Foot” award, a beautiful glass foot from Grapevine’s Vetro Glassblowing Studio. Entry fee is $5 per person. Special GrapeStomp events include the Senior GrapeStomp at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 12 and the Mayoral GrapeStomp on Saturday, September 13 at 11 a.m. A free special stomping area is also available for kids 13 and under.

And you’ll totally find me at the Champagne Cork-Off on Saturday. (This isn’t a photo of me, but I plan to be as motivated to win! ) I am serious about bubbly!

Photo courtesy of Grapevine CVB.

Photo courtesy of Grapevine CVB.

So are you ready to go? Great! I’m giving away FOUR PASSES TO Grapefest on MAMACHALLENGE’s Facebook.

So head on over to make sure you get your tickets to Texas “winecountry” at Grapefest!

28th Annual GrapeFest
Thursday, September 11 at 10 a.m. Admission is free to everyone all day Thursday and until 5 p.m. on Friday.
Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
$8 for adults, $5 for seniors (62+) and children (6-12).
Weekend passes are available for $18 and souvenir weekend passes are $23.
Admission is free for children five and under.
www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com/GrapeFest

Experience Fort Worth’s Best Homes & Food at A Wish with Wings Kitchens Tour {Win}

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Top chefs creating delicious dishes in some of the most beautiful homes in Fort Worth? Sign me up – especially when there is A Wish with Wings involved!

As part of their fundraising efforts to grant “Magical Wishes for little Texans with life-threatening conditions,” A Wish with Wings sponsors the Kitchen Tour, a one-day event that allows you special access to experience a few of Fort Worth’s finest homes while munching on bites like ricotta pumpkin cheesecake, tuna tartare, chorizo stuffed dates from Fort Worth’s best chefs. Last year’s event included Chef Blaine Staniford of Grace, Chef Jon Bonnell of Bonnell’s, and Chef Anthony Felli of Del Frisco’s. 

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Since first opening their doors in 1982, a Wish with Wings has served more than 1,300 Texas children and families to grant wishes like they did for my son.  Each magical wish brings hope, happiness, joy and laughter to a child facing an uncertain future, while giving the families the priceless gifts of memories to last a lifetime.

Luxury Fort Worth Homes included on the tour:

9552 Bella Terra
9585 Bella Terra
9341 Bella Terra
4660 St. Benet Ct
4616 Palencia Drive
9517 Marbella Drive
4666 Sidonia Ct.

All proceeds from the Kitchen Tour benefits A Wish With Wings, Tickets may be purchased in advance for $20 each and $25 on the day of the event. Reserve your ticket today by visiting www.awishwithwings.org or call (817) 469-9474. KTlogo Kitchens Tour

Benefitting A Wish With Wings
Montserrat – Luxury Fort Worth Homes
Saturday, September 20, 2014 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Reserve Your Ticket: (817) 469-9474
www.awishwithwings.org

You can also win two tickets to the Kitchen Tour! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Go Back to the Future with WFAA Free Movie at Coyote Drive In

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Thanks to our sponsor WFAA ABC for hosting this event for free this Thursday!

wfaa abc

A few weeks ago we celebrated the end of summer with a little staycation fun in Fort Worth. Driving around town sparked a new bucket list of places to eat and visit like Coyote Drive-In. This little gem has been hot on my must-do list and now WFAA ABC is hosting a family-friendly night to enjoy movie classic Back to the Future for free and preview a new surprise fall show on ABC.


What a way to do Throwback Thursday than with Marty McFly under the stars, with your family and for FREE!

What’s your favorite Back to the Future moment?

THROWBACK THURSDAY with WFAA
Thursday, September 4
Doors open at 7pm
Coyote Drive-In
223 NE 4th St, Fort Worth, TX 76164
New ABC Fall show will be played followed by family favorite “Back to the Future”
Free

wfaa abc drivein

 

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