SOCIAL SCENE - Fabulous Fall Festivals!

October for me is a time of rebirth.  I must admit that it makes me happy, happy, happy!!! Did I mention it makes me happy?   WHEW HEW!!! The beginning of crisp mornings, pumpkins, turning leaves, and can we talk about those amazing Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin candles from Bath & Body Works??  I DIE! 

Possibly one of the things I look forward to the most is the local Fall Festival.   Arts and crafts, street food, live entertainment, face painting for my kiddo, and running into sweet friends throughout the day.  The Fall Festival is many things to many people – for those in charge of the event it is a way to showcase their community and all that it has to offer; for those attending the event it is way to enjoy a day with friends and family without having to drive too far away; and, for local shop owners, it is a welcome visit from old friends and the opportunity to leverage new friendships.    

Perhaps the one word that could describe the local fall festival is that of community – a group who shares common values.  I just love that.  So, as Fall Festival season is officially upon us – Ennis and Midlothian’s festivals are tomorrow – I invite you to come on down, scour the booths with loved ones, eat until you can no longer take one more bite, and make a hometown memory that will forever be etched in your mind.    See you on the street!

XoXo,

Nicole

Take a look at the upcoming local Fall Festivals: 

 

Autumn Days in Ennis Fall Festival

Saturday, October 19, 2013

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Downtown Ennis

Midlothian Fall Festival and 5K

Saturday, October 19, 2013

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Midlothian Multi-Purpose Stadium

Texas Country Reporter Festival

Saturday, October 26, 2013

9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Downtown Waxahachie 

A Few of My Favorite Things From the Waxahachie Bridal Show

What girl doesn't love a bridal show?  Married, Not Married, Wishing You Were Married, Wishing You Were Not Married, girls always dream of a Cinderella esque bridal affair.  So, today I had the distinct pleasure of not only attending the 10th Annual Waxahachie Bridal Extravaganza, but also spending the afternoon with my amazing momma.  After grabbing a quick bite to eat after church, mom and I decided to hit the road and check out the vendors at the show.   Below are a few of my favorite things from the show!



My amazing mom, Deborah.

Upon entering the show, I was immediately drawn to a jewlery booth, (duh) where I met two of the sweetest ladies, Kelli Bollman and Dianne Dozer, of Origami Owl Custom Jewelry.   Origami Owl is a unique jewelry line that allows you to design a "living locket."  You choose a beautiful glass locket and inside you place charms that tell your story - it is the coolest thing EVER.  You can then make even more of a statement and add metallic, crystal or pearl dangles that clip to your necklace and hang around the locket.  They are great for bridesmaids gifts, mothers day gifts, graduation gifts, and really any thing you can think of gifts.
 


My new friends, Dianne and Kelli
www.dianne.origamiowl.com
  

After coveting these amazing necklaces for about 15 minutes, I rounded the corner and entered what my mom would call heaven - the samples of delicious cakes and food.   Holy Chicago!

First up was I Do.... Cakes by the amazingly talented Sarah Farmer from Waxahachie, Texas.  Sarah can do wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and fun little dessert cakes and pastries.  Of course mom and I made a bee line for the red velvet cake samples.  Those little cakes were so yummy I stole like three when she wasn't looking! 

I Do... Cakes by Sarah Farmer
www.idocakes.shutterfly.com

Next, I tasted the most amazingly fresh white cake I have had in a really long time from The Occasional Slice out of Red Oak, Texas. It was slap your momma good, but being that mom was with me, I didn't see the need in embarassing her.   Lindsey Eddlemon, owner of The Occasional Slice, can do just about anything you can dream of for your event.  

Lindsey Eddlemon and Her Sweet Mom
www.theoccasionalslice.com

 After going into diabetic acoma from the sugar, I had to have some salt to balance it all out (hello) and that is when I had the pleasure of tasting some of the samples at the My Sister's Affair booth.  Owner Linda Rodriguez has been one of my personal "go to" caterers for events I have personally been involved with over the years.   Linda has catered such events as the Navarro College Brilliance Gala and the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce annual auction.  In fact, Linda is the caterer for this year's auction on October 5th at the Waxahachie Civic Center. 




Linda Rodriguez of My Sisters Affair
www.mysistersaffaircatering.com

Tomorrow, I will continue A Few of My Favorite Things From the Waxahachie Bridal Show with florists, photography, and Event Planners.   Stay Tuned!

XoXo,
Nicole 

Part One: Game Day Fashion Has Come A Long Way

Picture Credit:  Polyvore.com

College Game Day attire has come a long way since I was in college.  Gone are the days of simply throwing on your favorite college t-shirt and jeans and cheering on your favorite team.  Game Day attire has evolved into a fashion trend of its own.  From the Game Day dress to Game Day boots, it's all about looking your best when you step into the stadium.   

Don't believe me?  Do a simple "game day attire" search on Pinterest or the web and thousands of ideas will pop up on your smart phone.  The ideas are endless!  I love looking at all the pictures and saving them to my personal pinterest page so that I can look for the same outfit idea - but in my college alma mater colors. 

So with this in mind, it got me to thinking.  Part Two of this series will be to scour the shops in Ellis County, Texas to put together Game Day Outfits for not only colleges, but also the local large high schools - Waxahachie, Ennis, Red Oak, and Midlothian.  My plan is simple:  Contact the shops in Ellis County and have them pull their best game day outfits in the appropriate colors and we will show you how you too can get a game day look right here in Ellis County, Texas! 

And while I bleed red and black as I am a Texas Tech graduate ( GO RAIDERS - GET YOUR GUNS UP!), I figured I would show some Texas hospitality and support Texas A&M by posting some sample maroon and white game day attire since they are playing a huge game today versus Alabama.  Note to Ennis Lion and Red Oak Hawk Fans: These are great Game Day looks for you too since your school colors are maroon and white.  

Be sure and check back next Saturday as I will have some sample Game Day looks from shops around Ellis County. Here's to looking your best on Game Day! 

 

 

SOCIAL STYLE: Casual Friday

Friday, Oh Friday, how I love thee!  It's a time to celebrate the end of the week and the start to a weekend filled with family and friends.  Throw in a great party or get together and you have the perfect weekend combination! 

Why not start your Friday off right, with the perfect casual Friday outfit?  This great little get up will take you from day time to night time in no time.  Take a great pair of jeans, add a great top, and polish it off with a blazer and a great pump.   This combination is casual enough for casual Friday, but professional enough to still be taken seriously at work.   Then, when 5:00 p.m. hits you lose the blazer and meet your favorite girlfriends for a cocktail to celebrate the start of the weekend!  

Looking for something to do this weekend?  Check out the "Sip N Stroll" in downtown Waxahachie on Saturday, September 14th from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Enjoy wines from Messina Hof and Red 55 while you shop the fabulous shops in downtown.  Tickets are just $10 and may be purchased from any participating downtown merchant.   For more information, visit: www.waxahachiecvb.com

Picture Credit:  polyvore.com

Stepping Out on Faith

I have been dreaming, contemplating, analyzing, and thinking about launching Ellis County Social for three plus years.  I am a Texas girl and as the saying goes in Texas, "Everything is Bigger Here" - including dreaming big! Being in public relations, event planning is just one part of my job; however, it is the part I love the most.  I LOVE events - planning them, creating them, dressing for them, watching them come to life, and writing and reporting on them.

With this in mind, I thought why not take my 8+ years in public relations and combine it with my love for events? For three years, this thought rolled around in my head, but I was scared.  What would people think? Would they think it stupid?  Ridiculous?  That I have no business thinking that I can do this?

STOP. RIGHT. THERE.  If I don't believe I can do it, then who will?  I know that people will love this site - who doesn't want to be "in the know" when it comes to events, trends, and fashion?   And just like that Ellis County Social was born!  Ellis County Social is your "Go to Guide" for social tips, trends, events, and style in Ellis County, Texas - a beautiful area located in North Central Texas that is still filled with small town charm, but offers big city amenities when you need them.

Thank you for your interest in my blog - I look forward to starting this journey with you.

XoXo,
Nicole