Simon Malls & Why you need to visit one near you...

Model to Backstage

For as long as I can remember, back when I was 8 years old, my passion has always been about the fashion industry.  It first began when I got into modeling.  Back when I was skinny...haha...I walked in many fashion shows, graced different fashion editorials and networked like crazy in Texas, Florida, New York and Georgia.  I had an AMAZING opportunity to move to New York, and get signed with Next Agency but I was a complete immature dummy back then and chose "love" instead.  After that, I decided it was best for me to get back into school and study Fashion Merchandising.  The more I got involved and study event production in the fashion industry, I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.  Now here I am, working for Simon Property Group and one of my responsibilities is to help plan events at the mall.  Although, I'm not doing as much fashion forward events that I would like, I'm looking forward to the possibilities after I graduate.  And speaking of fashion shows at my mall...make sure you check out our back to school event for teens called "Back At It!" on August 3rd.  We will be having a fashion show at our mall, showcasing all the latest back to school trends on the runway just for teens who love to turn heads!  Also, we will have a giveaway for one lucky girl and boy, to receive a full back to school makeover!  Make sure you stay tuned for more details ahead!

These photos are from backstage for our annual "Mom's Night Out" event and fashion show, that we produced at Rolling Oaks Mall.  The girls in the bottom picture are the best!  Planning a fashion show is no joke, and having backstage crew is definitely worth it so you're not running around like a chicken with your head cut off!

Building with Home Depot

It's official!  Today I have officially made plans with Home Depot, to host a huge exciting event for kids at Rolling Oaks Mall!  I'm truly excited, and looking forward for this event.  The event will be held on Saturday, July 20th (11-1pm).  Make sure you stay tuned for details and more exciting events your child will absolutely love for this summer!

  

Christmas In July

Ho Ho Ho!  Christmas In July is coming up to a Simon Mall near you for the Simon Kidgits Club!  I'm looking forward to our next event at work that I have been currently planning.  What better way to cool off during the summer with the kids, when you can have a "snowball" fight inside the mall and meet/greet Santa in his vacation suit??  At my mall, I decided to do a Christmas in July Luau party.  If you joined us last year for our Around the World event, and watched the Hawaiian dancers...they will be back for this upcoming event!  This will be a great event for the whole family to enjoy this summer, and a nice way for the kiddos to tell Santa what they want for Christmas so he can get started right away with his elves!  Ava didn't get to sit in Santas lap last year during the holiday season, so I'm predicting this will be a good way for her to warm up to him before the holiday season.  She already has on her list a children's BMW electric car...which I'm sure Santa aka Grandma will get her.  Haha!

Simon Kidgits Club

Water Baby, Summer fun!

Ava had a blast this past weekend!  We spent all day at Schlitterbahn on Saturday, and Corpus Christi Sunday!  I signed Ava up for swim classes when she was 6 months old...it only lasted for a month.  I was extremely surprised at how much fun she had playing in the water!

Arts & Crafts - Kidgit Fun

Summer is here, and I'm using this season as a great opportunity to host more children events at the mall for our Simon Kidgits Club.  The Simon Kidgits Club, is a fun and educational childrens club that has been provided by Simon malls for the past 10 years.  Kidgits is like my little baby at work, and I have so much fun hosting entertaining events for our members!  At Rolling Oaks Mall, we are looking to reach more to the military families, and so we have an exciting event planned for Veterans Day.  Before the big event, I've decided to use the upcoming Military holidays leading up to Veterans Day, and make them into Kidgit events to get the word out.  So far I have done an event for Memorial Day and this past Friday, I decided to host an Arts & Crafts day to celebrate Flag Day.  The kids loved it!  They enjoyed decorating their own tote bags, and creating their own American flag.  We received positive feedback from our current members, and new members that we gained during both events.  Even a couple of military families from Randolph Air Force Base came through, and is looking forward to our future military events!  Kidgits is a wonderful club for kids as young as 1 year, up to 15.  For only $5 for a whole year they receive tons of free stuff, enjoy exciting events every month, and enjoy special coupons/discounts at the mall.  You definitely get your $5 worth, plus more!  I highly recommend Kidgits, I even have my little Avalee signed up and she is enjoying her membership!

1st Birthday

Earlier this month, we celebrated Avalee Mariah's 1st Birthday!  Since Ava has no say in what the theme of her birthday can be, I decided on doing a Parisian theme.  Yes...not your normal children's 1st birthday theme but I know in a few years I wouldn't have a say in what I personally would like to do!!
So of course, I was the one who planned the party from start to finish.  I found great deals at Hobby Lobby for Parisian decorations.  Hobby Lobby and I, have a love/hate relationship.  I absolutely love that store, BUT every time I leave I end up spending too much money than what I planned on!  Luckily, I saved money by making the cake and cupcakes myself...it was delicious by the way!  The party decor turned out exactly the way I envisioned it!  I really wanted an Eiffel tower cupcake holder, but the one I saw online cost $200!  So instead of buying an actual Eiffel tower cupcake holder, I bought an iron Eiffel tower from Hobby Lobby for only $30, and cardboard cake holders for less than $10.  I took the cardboard cake holders, and cut a hole in the middle of the holder to place on top of the Eiffel tower top.  The cardboard cake holder stayed securely on, and I was able to place cupcakes on top of the Eiffel tower.  Instead of paying $200, I only paid no more than $40 on an Eiffel tower cupcake holder!  The party was a great success, I look forward to the many birthdays to come and watching my beautiful baby girl grow!