Connecticut Blogger Meetup at Las Vetas Fairfield CT

A few weeks ago the Connecticut Blogging Community (#CTBloggers) held a blogger meetup at Las Vetas Lounge in Fairfield CT.

It was the cutest and brightest little place located right in downtown Fairfield!  It's just steps from the railroad station with lots of fun shops and boutiques surrounding the entire downtown area.

It's called a "lounge" - but it's actually a great little coffee shop that offers munchies like sandwiches and stuff!

What a great time we had!

Although Nicole from OberBargain had arranged the meetup, she was unable to attend. But she was there in spirit because I saved a barstool for her in our mutually favorite color of "Banana Republic" yellow!

Nicole knows Banana Republic is one of my FAVORITE stores...so she always shares info from their upcoming sales with me!  (thanks Nicole!  Missed you!)

Nicole's website ==> OberBargain always has great info on discounts, bargains, and sales! Check it out!


Wendy from Connecticut Bloggers gave a great information session on SEO (search engine optimization) and "no follow" links.  Wendy and her husband Greg also run the blogs  Sweeties Picks,(books) Sweeties Reviews, (product and party reviews) in addition to Connecticut Bloggers (everything CT!). They have even more web blogs - did I mention they blog a lot!?

I also got to meet some bloggers who I've been following but hadn't met before! Below is Joe (left) from Nutmeg Junction, a great little cartoon about Tony the Trolley and his escapades all around Connecticut. Joe and co-creator Jessica Ponticelli also feature their Nutmeg Junction work on Ann Nybergs Network Connecticut.

On the right is Dana from Mastering Mommy Brain - a cute blog about, well, Mastering Mommy Brain, of course!  Dana shares recipes, toddler tips, and some of her secrets for juggling work and family, with one on the way!!!

I also got to meet Latanya from the blog Sprinkles and Booze. Latanya is a fun blogger  with a great quirky sense of humor! Her funny status updates on facebook and observations on twitter always leave me smiling! Follow her!

In addition, I finally got to meet Chelle of Everyday Polish - a great lifestyle blog, about making it all work. You know, fitting in work, life, friends, blogging, beauty.  Chelle helps us "have it all"!

And I was able to catch up with some of the other amazing bloggers I've met before that were there!
Left, April, who also has a boatload of blogs, but my two favorites are Crafting the Magic (hobby blog) and Land of Melted Clocks, one of my very favorite personal reflection blogs. April is always honest with her feelings and makes you realize that you're not alone on this journey we call life.
On the right is the magnificent Jenny of Sweet Jenny's CT. Jenny bakes like a demon...and her blog simplifies things so well that it makes me feel like I can bake like a demon too! Her food pics are AMAZING!

Last, but certainly not least, my three old blogging buddies:
Natasha (left) from One Woman's Style Evolution, a fashion and beauty blog for those of us 40+ and over a size 10!  Hilary (middle), of My Own Blog Review, who lets me live vicariously through her and does fabulous fashion recaps, and product reviews, and Erin (right), from Accidentally Stylish, a fashion and beauty blog, who loves to find thrifty vintage pieces!

I would be remiss if I didn't send a big thank you to Whole Foods Market who provided us with a great gift bag full of snack and protein bars, candles, chapsticks, and all sorts of goodies!

and Shirley J's Mugging, who provided a cooking mug for a future review. This product is fool proof! Just add the ingredients in the mug and bake a dessert for one!  Sounds good to me!  Look for my recap of this product soon!

If you're in the area, stop at Las Vetas Lounge, 27 Unquowa Rd, Fairfield CT. 

It's a fun place!

For more pictures of our meet up - visit and like the Home Place facebook page HERE

Do you have any favorite places to meet up with friends?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

Mystic Aquarium in Mystic CT for Mother's Day 2013

This weekend the wonderful folks at the Mystic Aquarium invited some of the local Connecticut blogging community to attend as their guests for a special Mother's Day Weekend celebration (#MysticMoms).

The Mystic Research Aquarium has all sorts of specials each month that are available for everyone! For the month of May they are offering two great discounts! A discount on lunch and moms get in free on May 11th and May 12th in conjunction with a child's admission, check the website for exact details.  And check their website each month for all their special offers! Hmmmm. I wonder what June has to offer!

The cowboy and I were looking forward to learning more about marine life as the aquarium is a recognized oceanic research facility!  Of course, we were also excited about meeting up with some of the other local bloggers.

As we entered we were greeted by the staff photographer who luckily snapped our picture.

Photo credit: Mystic Aquarium

Luckily - because about 20 minutes later the skies opened up and I was drenched.  The photos are moderately priced, from $35.00 for an entire package of a couple of 3 x 5's and some souvenir trinkets along with a photo folder of a 5 x 7 of your family (as pictured above) with a 5 x 7 of one of the park's beluga's whale. Not too bad if you want a souvenir of your visit. And I'm happy we purchased ours as every other picture of me from this day has me soaking wet! We purchased the single folder that included the picture above on one side, and on the other side one of the beluga whales for $22.00 plus tax.  A nice keepsake to remember the day!

We started off by visiting with our new friends, the beluga whales. It appears we were there right at feeding time because they were up and about and swimming around like crazy.  They are such beautiful creatures.

We also popped in to the "pet a stingray" tank where all the little ones were getting an absolute thrill about being able to touch these fellers.

Then we moved on to the sea lions where we met Stephen and Jordan. Nope, Stephen and Jordan aren't sea lions, you sillies, they are two volunteers at the park!

Today was Jordan's first day working at the park, and she was so excited.  I asked if they had to volunteer at the park as part of a school community or service project, and she said no, that she is a marine biology enthusiast and was doing it for the love of the sea creatures!  What a great kid! Stephen explained that new volunteers are paired up with senior volunteers who shadow them until they can go out on their own.  Hmmmm. A real Mother's Day reference...don't you think?! (chuckle)

Our next stop was with the penguins and I could have stayed there all day and watched those cute little guys and girls!  They would all gather on this one rock cliff.

Then, patiently line up, one by one.

And then they would take turns diving off the rock - unbelievably cute!

There was also an area where you could watch them swimming under water!

We then moved on to the seal tank where we learned all about seal habits.

And then the skies opened up with a spring shower downpour! So we scampered back towards the entrance to move inside to the gift store. And BINGO - rain ponchos!

Thank goodness for the clear plastic rain gear!  Only $2.95 for children and  $3.25 for adults! 

We then moved on to the snack bar for our complimentary blogger lunch.  A couple of cheeseburgers, hot dogs and fries, and some fountain soda Barq's Root Beer.

We also learned that straws aren't allowed on premise at Mystic Aquarium because of the choking hazard they pose to the sea animals.  Good to know!  Please don't carelessly dispose of items like this near ANY body of water where animals live, be it the beach or a lake, or an aquarium!

The highlight of lunch?  Meeting up with some great CT Bloggers we know!  Hilary from My Own Blog Review and Wendy from Connecticut Bloggers!

L-R, Hilary, Wendy, and me

 After lunch, we moved inside to the indoor exhibitions.  Below see some of the highlights from inside:

All in all we had a wonderful time visiting the Mystic Aquarium!  It's a great place for a day trip in CT and out of state-ers could certainly make a weekend of it as there are loads of family-friendly things to do in the immediate area. Shopping at the quaint Old Mistick Village and a visit to the Historic Mystic Seaport.  For overnight visits there's a Hilton Hotel right next to the Aquarium, as well as lots of great restaurants.

It's a fun place for the whole family and would make a great weekend get-a-way!

Happy Mother's Day!

Mystic Aquarium

55 Coogan Boulevard

Mystic, CT 06335

860.572.5955

Website: http://www.mysticaquarium.org/

Like them on facebook: www.facebook.com/mysticaquarium

Follow them on twitter: https://twitter.com/mysticaquarium

There's lots of fun events going on at the Aquarium.  And they offer lots of discounts!
Big Y Card?  DISCOUNT!!! Foxwood Rewards Card?  DISCOUNT!!! Military? DISCOUNT!!
Check them all out on the website "Discounts and Promotions" click:  HERE!

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Have you visited the Mystic Aquarium or an aquarium near you?  

Do you have a favorite sea creature? 

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below

Home Place Disclaimer: Our entrance fees to the aquarium and lunch at the snack bar were courtesy of Mystic Aquarium. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are those of our own. We purchased the rain gear and photos ourselves.

Clinton Kelly's Do's and Don'ts for Spring 2013 at Macy's #SpringStyles

You've all heard the saying, "it takes a village to raise a child" haven't you?  Well this week, when preparing for Macy's Spring Styles Fashion Show, featuring Clinton Kelly, I certainly experienced something similar to it.

I had planned to attend this fashion show with sponsorship by the Everywhere Society at the Macy's in the Westfarms Mall, right outside of Hartford, CT. However, when the date of the show was released to us, it was only a few days away...and on a weekend that I had planned to visit family in upstate New York. I did reach out to some potential guest bloggers, but it seemed like everyone was busy this weekend! Sad face.

So, of course, I turned for support to the place I knew best, the Connecticut Blogging Community.
One member of our wonderful community, mentioned that a colleague from work was a BIG FAN of Clinton Kelly's and would love to take my seat, and would be happy to take pictures and recap the event for my readers!

So folks, you see, while it takes a village to raise a child, it sometimes takes a community to write a blog!

Many, many thanks Beverly and friends, for this review of Clinton Kelly's Do's and Don't for Macy's Spring Styles 2013! #SpringStyles

#SpringStyles
copyrighted photo used with permission

Beverly Wanza-Jones is a guest blogger for the Home Place blog. Beverly is a blogger whose passion includes jazz and fashion

To a rapturous crowd of 400 fans of fashion, Clinton Kelly of TLC's "What Not To Wear" and author of the book "Oh No She Didn't" walked on to the stage at Macy's in the Westfarms Mall and gave us all a lesson on what TO wear! 

copyrighted photo used with permission

Clinton has a personality that electrifies a room while engaging us in a personal, warm conversation about how our clothes make a statement about ourselves. When Clinton's on stage, he gives candid, often funny advice in a kind way, the way only a best friend would. I'd say Clinton Kelly is everyone's best fashion friend! Below he critiques a member of the audience with his trademark wit and inspiration.

The fashion segment of the show opened with this great look of 'mix and match' separates with bold statement jewelry.

Alfani Jacket, Calvin Klein Tweet Pencil Skirt
copyrighted photo used with permission

Sometimes it's all about the shoes.  Look how wonderfully these coordinate with this suit. The taupe handbag acts as a great neutral and accents the spring colors.

Calvin Klein Suit Separates
copyrighted photo used with permission

Here's a great way to mix patterns. Note the Aztec print that is popular this season, and the boldly patterned cropped pants. Patterned pants are also a fun trend for spring 2013.

Aztec inspired top
Cropped print pants
copyrighted photo used with permission

Maxi dresses continue to be on trend this season.  Here's a boldly patterned tribal print highlighted by a cute little cropped jean jacket.

Casual daytme look with sandals and cropped jacket
copyrighted photo used with permission

One of the highlights of the show were these adorable "short-shorts" worn with a high low striped top and a great pop of color in this peach cropped jacket. 

copyrighted photo used with permission

There were so many spectacular outfits that came down the runway it's hard to choose a favorite! 

The fashions covered work attire, weekend, date night, party perfect and, the aforementioned season's “must-have - crop denim jacket”.

In the closing, Clinton shared with us a positive message. He advised us all not to compare ourselves to models in advertisements who might have been photo-shopped or who had many things about them that are fake. We should be confident in our options of what we choose to wear. The event ended with the thunderous applause of an appreciative crowd!

Macy's did an amazing job hosting this event and the fashions were FABULOUS! The tag line of the event was "Only One Star [the Macy's Star] brings you coast to coast" ...but I give this event 5 out of 5 stars! 

Thank you Macy's! 

Thank you Bonnie for the opportunity to guest blog for you on Home Place! 

And now it's time for shopping!

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Home Place Disclaimer: I am a member of the Everywhere Society. All contributors were provided with compensation for this post about Macy's Clinton Kelly event. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are those of our own.

Macy's Prom Fashion Show - Mandi Line & Action Item #MacysProm13

This weekend we attended the Macy's Prom Fashion Show at the Westfarms Mall in Connecticut.

#MacysProm - #MacysProm13

#MacysProm - #MacysProm13

As always, Macy's knocked it out of the park, or better yet, they ROCKED it out of the park, by featuring Mandi Line, hip stylist for ABC's Pretty Little Liars, AND we were treated to a quick set from the band Action Item. 

We arrived early and were thrilled that Macy's had arranged for front row catwalk seats for our media coverage. Thank you Mary and Brent from Macy's Special Events! What a great job!

I absolutely loved the bright pink seats and the entire set up!  Everyone shopping in Macy's was in awe and kept coming over to check out the event!

Pre-show setup

And it filled up fast!

Everyone is tweeting #MacysProm!

Mandi Line opened the show recapping some of the Pretty Little Liar storylines - and welcoming everyone to Macy's in the Westfarms Mall in Connecticut.

Mandi is super-cool, ultra-chic, and was wearing a black and white striped, sleeveless, button down shirt, red satin skinny jeans, with black boots. Very West Coast Rocker Chic! She's absolutely gorgeous, and reminded me of a younger, EDGY, Sigourney Weaver.

Mandi broke the show down to four distinct prom fashion segments:

• Glamour
• Pretty Little Rocker
• Free Spirit
• After Party  

Mandi's fashion advice?  MORE IS MORE!

Don't skimp on the accessories - that is what will make your dress or outfit unique and interesting to YOU!

Go ahead and pair a studded leather belt with a chiffon dress if that's your style!

Of course, each dress was styled impeccably  and the young models were wonderful!  As each dress went down the runway, Mandi would comment on what character in Pretty Little Liars would wear that dress, but I was thinking about the girls that I knew who were likely  prepping for Prom 13, and what each one of them might wear!

Caitlin & Sam in CT, Shannon in LA, Kimmie & Melissa in Ho-Ho-Kus, Kelsey in Cheshire, Noelle, Corinne, & Jessica in Middletown, and Amber in East Hampton, you would ALL totally rock these dresses!

Glamour:

Molly started the show off right with this silver sleeveless T-back strap dress by City Studio.

 City Studio

Alexis wore this red criss cross back dress by Blondie Nites.
(pssst: Kelsey, I though this dress would look great on YOU!)

Blondie Nites

Libby wore a floor length apricot with silver lace insert and silver back strap dress by Xscape.
(Caitlin this dress has your name all over it!)

Xscape

Chelsea wore a strapless corset lace back gold and white dress by Betsy & Adam.
(Melissa, this dress would be so perfect on you!)

Betsy and Adam

And Anna closed the Glamour segment with a navy dress with sequin embellishment by City Studio.
(Kimmie, this dress would look beautiful on YOU!)

City Studio

 Pretty Rocker:

Molly opened the Pretty Rocker segment with a silver with black overlay dress by Onxy Night.

Onyx Night

Chelsea was beautiful in the fuchsia and pink ombre dress by Be Darlin.

Be Darlin

Libby rocked this short white and silver dress by Blondie Nights by pairing it with some textured stockings.

Blondie Nites

How cute does Alexis look in the ivory and gold dress by Speechless? Loved this dress!

Speechless

Anna closed the Rocker segment with this animal print dress by Teeze Me.
(Corinne, if you're reading this, THIS DRESS IS YOU!)

Teeze Me

Free Spirit:

Molly opened the Free Spirit segment with this amazing gold and chartreuse/lime number by City Studio

City Studio

Erin from Accidentally Stylish loved this dress!
Look how great it looks on her!

Chelsea wore this gorgeous strapless printed high low number with sparkle studded waistband by Jump Apparel. 

(Amber...this was a dress made for you! This color would look great on you!)

Jump Apparel

Libby WORE this blue dress by Material Girl with the cross hatch open back.
The details in this dress were amazing!

Material Girl

Alexis countered with this beautiful fishtail white and multi-print dress by Jump Apparel. 

(Jessica, this dress demands swag...and has YOUR name all over it!)

Jump Apparel

Anna ended the Free Spirit Segment with this strapless sequin top high low flowy dress by Hailey Logan.
(Noelle - this dress would look perfect, just perfect on you!)

Hailey Logan

After Party:

The last set was the After Party, where Molly wore this show stopping strapless fuchsia tiered appliqued short dress by Jump Apparel.

Jump Apparel

Libby wore this fabulous nude / multi beaded mini by Rampage.
This dress was unbelievable...but definitely a body conscious mini with no room for error!
Libby rocked it!

Rampage

Chelsea wore a bright coral one shouldered draped mini by Xscape.

Xscape

My favorite dress of the night was worn by Alexis, 

this gorgeous ivory and silver sequined halter dress by City Studio.

(Shannon you would look beautiful in this!) 

City Studio

The closing number was a gorgeous tank paillette body conscious white dress by As U Wish 

topped by a jean jacket by Jessica Simpson.

(Sam you would look great in this look)

Dress: As U Wish
Jean Jacket: Jessica Simpson

Hilary (L) from My Own Blog Review takes a break from her cake pop by Get Baked Bakery by Emily to tweet out some fashion shots, while Natasha from One Woman's Style and Evolution shares some of her favorites from the show on her Twitter news feed.

Hilary (L) from My Own Blog Review  Natasha (R) from One Woman's Style and Evolution 

Immediately after the show the band Action Item started their set!

Check out some of the band's passionate, melodic music from their album Resolution HERE

...and the models took the catwalk one last time. 

And Action Item stayed to sign autographs and meet all the fans that turned out for them!

Hilary is stoked that she got autographs!

And we also got to meet up close and personal the amazing Mandi Line!

Mandi and me!

Brent from Macy's Events and Mandi Line.

The show was also supported by InStyler hair styling, Donna's Nail Boutique, Get Baked Bakery by Emily, and Kiss 95.7 FM Radio Station.

The Get Baked Bakery brought some yummy CAKE POPS!

The guys for 95 KISS FM

InStylist

MAC demo

Donna's Nail Boutique

Macy's was also offering a special drawing for a shopping event after the show with the amazing Mandi!

Remember to check Macy's website for events in your area!

Click HERE and enter your zip code!

Hope you enjoyed looking at some of the Macy's Prom Fashions 

shown at the fashion event at Macy's Westfarms Mall!

See more pictures from the event HERE and "like" the Home Place facebook page!

You can search for more info at: #MacysProm and #MacysProm13! 

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What was your favorite look from today's show?  

What did you wear to your prom? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.

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And check below for some upcoming 2013 Macy's Prom Fashion Shows in your area!

Saturday, March 23rd at 2pm

Macy's at Sun Valley Mall

1 Sun Valley Mall, Concord, CA 94520

*Special Guest Mr. Kate

*Complimentary manicure bar.

Saturday, March 23rd at 2pm

Macy's at Scottsdale Fashion Square

7014 E Camelback Rd #5000, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

*Special Guest Jamie Krell

Saturday, March 30th at 1pm

Macy's at Woodfield Mall

5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173

*Special Guest Mandi Line

Saturday, April 6th at 2pm

Macy's at Robinson Town Center

100 Robinson Centre Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205

*Special Guest Mandi Line

Saturday, April 13th at 2pm

Macy's at Valley Fair Mall

2801 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95050

*Special Guest Mandi Line

*Complimentary manicure bar!

Saturday, April 20th at 2pm

Macy's at Bowie Towne Center

15300 Emerald Way, Bowie, MD 20716

*Special Guest Mandi Line

Saturday, April 27th at 2pm

Macy's at South Coast Plaza

3333 Bear Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

*Special Guest Mr. Kate

Tweet using #MacysProm and show us what you scored at our pre-prom event

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DISCLAIMER: I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere provided me with compensation for this post about the Macy's Prom event. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.