It’s hard to beat a fabulous outdoor concert on a warm springtime evening. Unless it’s a fabulous outdoor concert on a warm springtime evening that benefits families dealing with pediatric cancer. Yeah, that’s better. And we have just that kind of event for you – the Leadership Cobb Class of 2012 is hosting the Summer of Blue Skies Music Festival to benefit Blue Skies Ministries.

Blue Skies holds week long family retreats to bring hope to families living through the heartache of pediatric cancer. In order to help them continue this noble and much needed ministry, the Cobb Chamber is hosting Paradocs, Bellwether Station, Prime and special guest Brother Bert and the Goodbye Machine at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheater. Get your tickets, your blanket and your family and rock out for this very worthy cause!

the guide:

date: Friday, May 18, 2012

time: 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

location: Mable House Barnes Amphitheater, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton, 30126

cost: $42.05/ticket

for tickets: summerofblueskies.com

for more info: facebook.com/sobsmusicfest or contact Amy Selby at 770-859-2350 or aselby@cobbchamber.org

to learn about Blue Skies: blueskiesministries.org

Alisha McKellar

So Alisha launched a “Win Your Way to Prom” writing contest, inviting any junior or senior girl currently enrolled in the show choir at North Paulding High School to enter to win a virtually expenses-paid night to their prom. Here’s how it went down, in Alisha’s words:

the contest

To win the contest, all the girls had to do was write an anonymous essay about why this experience would mean so much to them. The winner would win the things they needed for prom. I can tell you that I probably went through an entire box of Kleenex reading through these girls’ essays. Choosing a winner from this group of amazing girls was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my business so far. There wasn’t a single bad essay, and each girl had their own incredible story to share.

the community outpouring

Before I share the winner, and her photos from prom day, I would love to thank all of the people who helped make my crazy idea a beautiful reality!

First of all, Mrs. Wernette, the choral director at North Paulding High School. She was the entire reason this was even possible! Even though I’ve only just met her, I can tell she is an amazing person by the type of students she is teaching. They all seem to love her and they speak so highly of her.

the sponsors

Ed Long, with BB&T at 7 Hills, for the two Prom Tickets

Urban Renewal Consignment, located in Marietta, for the beautiful dress

La Bella Spa & Salon, located in front of Seven Hills, for hair and makeup

King Tux Rentals, located near Town Center Mall in Kennesaw, for the tuxedo rental (and also for working with local high schools for music program fundraisers)

And an enormous thank you to Acworth Florist, not only for the amazing flowers, but also for such incredible customer service

Elizabeth, at Little Black Dress Little Red Wagon Magazine, for all of her support and help

The winner also received a gift certificate for a manicure/pedicure from a private sponsor.

And, although the winner already had shoes she loved, I would still love to thank Kristi, at Lola Rose Boutique in Ivy Walk, Vinings, for offering one of their gorgeous pairs of shoes!

the winner

Here are two favorite pics of the winner, Brittany~

To view a full gallery of Brittany’s photos, check out Alisha’s blog. 

The first morning he did take this photo

But that was as far as we got.

It didn’t take me long to get in 100% vacation mode.

But I still thought a what I wore post would be fun to share my vacation outfits, so I’ve put together some photos for you. Sources are listed under each photo with links where available.

for the flight

jeans: emersonfry lowrise vintage | blouse: old navy {old} | shoes: DSW life stride romp wedge

to the club

dress: borrowed | shoes: payless {old}

to mama’s fish house

dress: nordstrom rack max studio | shoes: payless metallic wedges

to the luau

dress: old navy printed ruffle sundress | shoes: payless {old}

to casual dinner

shorts: jcrew 5″ chino | shirt: marshalls {old} | necklace: target {purchased recently, but can’t find it online} | shoes: payless {old}

to the zipline

zip-up: lululemon in stride jacket | capris: marshalls | flip flops: rainbow {old and very worn in}

to the snorkle trip

tunic: marshalls jordan taylor | sandals: gap outlet

to the bbq

shorts: banana republic factory store | shirt: target {old} | necklace: target | sandals: gap outlet

to the beach

dress: old navy {recent purchase, but can’t find online} | flip flops: rainbow

dress: target kimono dress | sandals: gap outlet

coverup: target ruffled tube dress | flip flops: rainbow

coverup: nordstrom riviera stripe tunic | flip flops: rainbow

beach accessories

sunglasses: banana republic | hat: san diego hat company large brim hat

beach bag: lands’ end canvas washed tote

to swim

old navy | rey swimwear | lands’ end canvas | old navy

And that is what I wore {Maui edition}.

the guide

To follow Emily’s creative life {and snag a free printable download or two}, visit her at www.jonesdesigncompany.com and www.facebook.com/jonesdesigncompany.

by Holiday

I have a confession to make. I’ve been on vacation. And we all know what happens on vacation. Sayonara workouts and healthy food…hello laziness and ice cream. I knew this week of bliss was on the horizon, but surprisingly enough my mindset has changed a bit. Since beginning this 90 day challenge I have been focused on changing everything in my life, not just the turkey sandwich I typically eat for lunch. After all, we make thousands of decisions on a daily basis and the decision of what to have for breakfast is just one of them.

a shake-y start

When I told Bill (my uber fabulous trainer who I can’t stop bragging about) that I would be heading to Florida for a week his response was this: “Awesome! Bring your Magic Bullet Blender (it’s a perfect size for travel), pack your shake mix, and have a great time.”

Really??? Is he serious? Does this guy honestly think I’m going to make SHAKES for breakfast and lunch while lounging on the beach? Clearly he was hallucinating.

While I decided to leave my blender at home, I reluctantly threw the shake mix in my suitcase. After all, there are pictures of me wearing offensive spandex clothing on the internet. Maybe I should give the whole “nutritional shakes on vacation” thing a whirl.

cravings…of a new sort

Holiday (left) at Hard Rock Cafe this week, with bestie Dacia.

I never thought I would say this…but…wow. I am so glad I did. Within a day or two I was actually CRAVING a shake for breakfast. The thought of greasy food made me nauseous, and all I could think about was blended frozen strawberries. Our beach house was fully stocked with a blender and just about everything else I could think of. No excuses.

Yes, I sat on the beach and enjoyed a Vi-Shape shake for breakfast. I even whipped up another batch for my mom and sister- and guess what? They were hooked after the first taste. We had a great time experimenting with different recipes and combinations…and I’m pretty sure we hit the JACKPOT with the cocoa powder, iced coffee, peanut butter concoction. Watch out Starbucks…Visalus just may have you beat on this one.

it’s official…i’m a junkie

This year has been one of tremendous change for me- it’s all about baby steps and making the commitment to change. This isn’t to say I didn’t have my fair share of indulgences while lounging in the sand for a week. Come on people, I’m only human. But after almost a month of swapping a meal or two a day for a nutritional shake I can really see and feel a difference.

I’ve decided this challenge isn’t going to stop at 90 days- this is something I will continue to incorporate into my daily life. Yep, it’s official. I’m turning into a Visalus junkie and my body is saying thank you.

a recipe

Here’s a winner: Oreo Cookie Cheesecake Shake

the guide:

Body by Vi Challenge Kit

Bill Burke Personal Training: 404.625.6562

Body by Vi 90 Day Challenge 

Anyone up for a little girl time at the spa? Oh, everyone?! Well, one of you (and your very grateful bestie!) will be the lucky winner of a little pampering. Invigo Day Spa – which was recently voted “Best Day Spa in Cobb County” – is giving away a Custom BFF Package to one LBD|LRW fan. The winner and her friend will each get to choose their desired one-hour treatment (can be the same or different) from the following list:

• Essential Cleansing, Gentleman’s, Acne or Teen Facial

• 60-Minute Swedish, Sports or Deep Tissue Massage

• 60-Minute Head, Hands and Feet Massage

• 60-Minute Energetic Stretch

• Hand & Foot Treatment

• Body Polish Treatment

• Water Lily Cooling Wrap

We are sure that with one visit you will fall into L.O.V.E. with Invigo, the luxurious haven of serenity in East Cobb. While the atmosphere is wonderful, the people and their level of service are even better! So enter today and tell ALL of your friends to do the same (and to take you with them if they win!!).

the giveaway:

Entering is easy!

1. Go to Invigo’s Facebook page.

2. “Like” their page and leave a comment.

3. Come back here and tell us you did it!

the guide:

location: 2550 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 125, Marietta, 30066

phone: 678.905.7377

website: invigodayspa.com

Eating healthy takes a lot of discipline, forethought and knowledge. Or, maybe just a personal chef to do all of that for you!

We have just the lady to help you out – BJ Corpening, owner of Bread of Life Personal Chef Services. After taking her one and only nutrition class while pursuing her Culinary Arts degree, BJ began researching the options and benefits of healthy cooking and eating. It was at that point she realized her purpose in life was to help others in the quest to eat natural, healthy foods that benefit the body. Read on to hear her story and see what she can do for you.

Little Black Dress | Little Red Wagon: What is Bread of Life all about?

Chef BJ: It’s mainly a personal chef service, which is how it all started. I’ve recently branched out to corporate and individual catering. I make meals that are healthy, balanced, fresh, organic, and hormone free.

LBD: How did you get started in this business?

Chef BJ: After I got my degree, I tried the restaurant business and didn’t really like it. I prayed a lot about the decision, because I didn’t want to go into business for myself. But it seemed like the best way to get my culinary point of view across about being a healthy cook. Obviously, restaurant-style cooking is not always the healthiest way, so I decided I had to cook on my own. That was 2004, so I’m in my ninth year!

Chef BJ cooking up some goodness!

LBD: Why this is type of cooking so important to you?

Chef BJ: People always say, “I should eat healthier…I should…I should…I should.” We don’t take the time to actually do it. People choose convenient food over fresh foods. I’m telling people, “It’s cheaper, it’s easier, it’s healthier to cook from fresh than it is from convenience foods.” Convenience foods will just add a lot of garbage to people’s system and if they want to lose weight and just feel better overall, this is one way of doing it.

LBD: So this all came from your one nutrition class in school?

Chef BJ: This one semester of nutrition just clicked with me and I started reading on it and I was just absorbed with the fact that food was so important. I realized we aren’t eating just to feed ourselves; we’re eating for our health. It was like dominos, needing to know more and more. It became important to me to know the source of my ingredients.

LBD: What are some practical tips for families with kids about eating more naturally?

Chef BJ: Find out what they like and cook the same thing on your own. Like chicken nuggets, for instance – make them yourself at home, either fried or baked. If you can have your children help you in the kitchen – chopping or stirring – it will make them want to eat it. They take ownership of it and they love that and become interested in it. Take them to the grocery store or the farmers market. They will see that this is where our food comes from and this is why we eat it.

LBD: Tell us about all of the services you provide.

Chef BJ: I do the personal chef services, where I bring everything needed to cook meals and prepare them in people’s homes. I usually cook multiple meals while I’m there and vacuum seal them for easy storage. I also do catering services, dinner parties, cooking lessons, and romantic dinners for two.

We found that Chef BJ comes highly recommended from those who have benefited from her services!

“On behalf of Smith & Howard I would like to say thank you for your catering services during our busy season this spring. Many of our employees reported higher energy levels due to the health conscious menus you selected. We were also very impressed with your professionalism and flexibility to accommodate the wide range of tastes of our staff.”

Patsy O’Brien, Chief Operating Officer at Smith & Howard and catering client

the guide:

website: breadoflifechefbj.com

phone: 770-634-8049

email: bjc30066@hotmail.com

If you are doing Disney, be sure to do it the right way! Possibly more than any other family adventure, Disney takes meticulous and detailed planning when you’re talking about loading up the minivan with two or three little ones and heading to the magical mecca. To help you out, we got some tips from Disney planner extraordinaire, Jill Paxton. Jill owns Enchanting Memories Travel, which caters specifically to the minivan-packed, children-toting Disney crowd. Here are a few suggestions she has to make your trip go a little smoother (and cheaper!).

1. The Disney dining plan can save you money on meals, but you will want to make your dining reservations about 180 days in advance to really take full advantage of them.

2. Disney offers free shuttles to and from the parks for people staying at one of their resorts.

3. You will need to get a Park Hopper ticket to enter more than one of the four Disney parks in one day.

4. Before you book, be on the lookout for specials that Disney is running. They run them throughout the year.

5. Check park hours when planning your trip, because the parks usually close earlier during off-season months.

6. Staying onsite allows you to use Magic Hours – meaning you get in the parks an hour earlier and leave an hour later than everyone else!

Jill with Mickey Mouse

7. Get the FASTPASS ticket and avoid the lines! If you have it, you’ll get a ticket at each ride allowing you to come back at a specified time and get right on without the wait!

Her final tip? Use a travel agent that knows Disney {such as herself}! They are privy to tricks and tips that you aren’t – and that you don’t have the time to research and figure out!

the guide:

website: enchantingmemoriestravel.com (get a free quote)

phone: 404-245-1399

email: jill@enchantingmemoriestravel.com

Once again, Taste of Marietta was a huge success! Tents full of scrumptious fare, hordes of eager hungry people, and great live bands filled the Marietta Square, making for an exciting fun-filled day of tasting.

the grand champs:

Here are the 2012 Taste of Marietta food winners. The judging was TOUGH (LBD|LRW’s Elizabeth Cossick was a judge)…everything was delicious. But here’s how the votes fell:

 The Big Chicken

Hottie Hog’s smoked wings

The Grillmaster

Dave Po’s St. Louis Ribs

Finger Lickin’ Good

Grand Champion BBQ’s ribs

All American

Delightful Bitefull crab sliders with mac-n-cheese

Best International Cuisine

Taqueria Tsunami shrimp tempura taco

Most Unique

Fusco’s Via Roma’s fried mozzarella cheese curd

Best Comfort Food

Keegan’s Pub Grilled Mac-n-Cheese Pulled Pork Sliders with Tomato Bisque

Dangerously Delicious Dessert

Chocolate and Spice Eatery’s brownie raspberry crepe with fresh strawberries, peanuts and Nutella

Tastiest Taste

Chicago’s shrimp ‘n grits

Blazin’ BBQ

Sam’s BBQ-1 spare ribs

a new national sponsor! 

Plus, TUMS was a national sponsor for this year’s Taste of Marietta! You probably saw their team walking the square, bags on their shoulders, passing out their new TUMS Freshers to thankful, indigestion-suffering tasters (you might have been one yourself). And, if you were a recipient, you noticed the refreshing minty flavor of TUMS’ newest brainchild. We talked to Mandy Hennebry at TUMS and got the lowdown on their new product…and why this national superstar chose to sponsor our very own Taste of Marietta.

LBD|LRW: Why did TUMS decide to sponsor Taste events around the nation?

Mandy: This is a very big year for TUMS. We’ve got the biggest launch in 80 years – the TUMS Freshers. It’s one of those ah-ha products that has been a while in the making. We know that over ninety-percent of people who suffer from heartburn, also suffer from bad breath and Freshers address that problem. So, naturally we thought of the Taste events to tell people about this! Thousands of people are indulging in food and drinks, getting heartburn and bad breath – what better way to introduce Freshers?

LBD: So, why Taste of Marietta?

Mandy: It’s definitely an excellent event – one of the best taste events in the South. It’s perfect timing, great weather. And it’s got a ton of great food.

LBD: And these TUMS Freshers are primarily targeted to women, correct?

Mandy: Yes, if you think about a woman being out to dinner with friends or at a potluck dinner – anywhere food is involved – and she’s indulging, she’s having fun, she doesn’t want to have to deal with heartburn or bad breath. We like to call these times “moments that matter.” The Freshers are perfect for those moments. Also, the pocket-size packs make them perfect for on-the-go moments, because they fit in a purse!

If you didn’t try the Freshers at the Taste of Marietta, you can also go to TUMS.com or their Facebook page to get a coupon. Hint: They like to run contests with fabulous prizes {such as Tori Burch clutches} on Facebook, so check regularly!

the gallery:

Register for the Race for Wishes 5K HERE: http://bit.ly/IDeoZH

the gig:

Join us for Race for Wishes 5K! Runners, walkers, stroller-pushers and leashed pets are welcome!

The Make-A-Wish foundation needs your help to grant pending wishes for children in the Georgia-Alabama chapter (our chapter!) of Make-A-Wish. Each wish costs approximately $6,000-$8,000 to fulfill. To help meet this need and give a child an incredible blessing, Little Black Dress|Little Red Wagon Magazine has teamed up with PTS Sports and PT Solutions to help Make-A-Wish Team Taylor raise some much-needed funds.

Taylor is an inspiring 11-year-old who lives in Kennesaw with her parents (her mama Kim works for LBD|LRW, pictured right). She is also a childhood cancer survivor and former Make-A-Wish recipient. Every year, Taylor helps raise funds both for childhood cancer research and to grant the wish of another child. If you’re inspired to help, join us for….

the guide:

Race for Wishes 5K and Family Fun Day!

When: Saturday, May 5

Where: Bentwater Activities Field, 3730 Cedarcrest Road, Acworth, 30101

What time: 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Race check-in begins at 8:30.

5K will start at 9:30.

Festivities will continue until 1:00 p.m.

Race sponsor: The 5K will be run and organized by PTS Sports and PT Solutions.

Activities: After the race, the {free!} Family Fun Day will be open to the entire community from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Festivities include a live band, Williamson Brothers BBQ, bounce houses, a children’s and women’s fashion show, dance performances by CK DanceWorks, a large silent auction, snow cones, glitter tattoos…and much more!

Cost: Festival is FREE! 5K registration is $25 for race; $35 for race, t-shirt and BBQ

100 percent of proceeds go directly to Make-A-Wish

Register to run, walk or stroll: www.active.com/running/acworth-ga/team-taylors-race-for-wishes-2012

To give: www.walkforwishes2012.kintera.org/teamtaylorwishes

For information: e-mail Kim@BlackDressRedWagon.com

Dubbed “A Mother’s Day Race for More Play Space,” the 3rd Annual Swift Cantrell Classic is coming back on Saturday, May 12. This sprawling park, located just moments from Downtown Kennesaw, has it all – two massive playgrounds, a dog park, expansive green space, pavilions, two walking trails, a skate park, and more! The race will start at Kennesaw First Baptist Church, run down Main Street, winding through Swift Cantrell Park and back down Main Street to Downtown Kennesaw.

If you aren’t a runner or long distances aren’t really your thing, don’t let that stop you from participating in the fun. You can walk and opt for the 1k to keep things easy breezy! Children 10 and under can sign up for the untimed registration, and they’ll also receive their own free t-shirt. Truly, this is a family event! After the race, all of the participants are welcome to Kennesaw First Baptist Church for a pancake breakfast and awards ceremony, where Aroma Ridge will provide free coffee and Farmers Market Baskets will have the place stocked with fresh bananas and oranges – so yummy!! The awards will be earned by overall champions in the different running divisions, and by winners in each age bracket. So lace up your running {walking, trotting, whatever…} shoes and help the best park around continue to be the best park around!

the guide:

location: Kennesaw Downtown to Swift Cantrell Park, 2847 South Main Street, Kennesaw, GA

date: Saturday, May 12, 2012

time: 7:30 AM

cost: ages 10 and under – $10; over 10 – $25

for more info and to register: swiftcantrellclassic.com