The Little Blog Dress: May 2014

RIP Maya Angelou

Today at age 86 Maya Angelou passed away due to health complications. I am in full awareness that we are not on this Earth to live forever, but this still strikes me very sad. Maybe no one really would have been enlightened by Maya if Oprah hadn't brought her to our attention. I know that sounds a little trite but I never had the pleasure of knowing her or her work before she was on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Sharing my favorite quote from her. RIP, Maya, you will be missed.

"I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

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Shark Tank Syndicates on CNBC #giveaway

All good entrepreneur good stories usually starts at their first break. Living in Ormond Beach Florida, I can tell you the story of a boy named Ron Rice who thought it would be a good idea to mix his brand of suntan lotion in his garage, in garbage cans and fast forward a couple of years later he launched a little company called Hawaiian Tropic. Fun story that you can read about here.

Back in 1969, they didn't have social media or even good cable tv that would have an opportunity to promote a show like Shark Tank.

Shark Tank is an American reality competition series produced by Mark Burnett.The show features a panel of potential investors, called "sharks", who consider offers from aspiring entrepreneurs seeking investments for their business or product. The entrepreneur can make a deal on the show if a panel member is interested. However, if all of the panel members opt out, the entrepreneur leaves empty-handed.The show is said to portray "the drama of pitch meetings and the interaction between the entrepreneurs and tycoons.

I really started watching after I was jumping up and down about my girlfriend and her sister having a chance to pitch their product on a Shark Tank segment on the Today Show. Its a fun show and its neat to see "the story" play out in front of you! Always root for the dreamer!!

The CNBC network and that Shark Tank is now being syndicated on CNBC on Tuesdays from 8-10pm.

When I was contacted to promote this great piece of news they told me that they were going to send me a gift box...kind of thought it would be promotionally driven with Shark Tank tee, hat, mousepad etc.

Um, NO!!! It was filled with Shark Tank goodies of businesses that survived the Shark Tank and managed to nab investments!

Check out what was sent in my gift box!

Origaudio Fold and Play Speakers

Season 2 - Episode 207

@OrigAudio

Gobie H2O

Season 04 Episode 26

@GOBIEH2O

Marz Sprays

Season 04 Episode 05

@marzsprays

Pork Barrel BBQ Sauce

Season 1 Episode 6

@porkbarrelbbq

Nuts n More

Season 04 Episode 20

@NutsNMoreUSA

I show this not to make you jealous, but to let you know that you too can have a Shark Tank giftbox!! Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway Below and don't forget to watch episodes of Shark Tank on CNBC on Tuesdays!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Jimmy Fallon in Orlando This June

YEEEEEEEEEEEE! I have been squealing for a little while now because although they sold out in about seven minutes...guess who has tickets to the Jimmy Fallon when he comes to Orlando next month!??

ME!!!!

Megan, my husband and my other BFF Ally and I will be going on June 17th which will be Megan's Birthday to boot! WOO!

I was an early fan of Jimmy...we saw him in 2001 at Stetson University. He was funny but so so shy! I am really excited to get to see him again.

From a social media perspective I must say that they do an excellent job on Twitter!! I am really impressed how personable they run things.

They will be taping brand new shows from Universal Orlando Resort from June 16th through June 19th! Guests include Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, Tracy Morgan, Kevin Hart, Jimmy Buffett and more!
We get a first look at the brand new The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley!

Read more here on the show's website!!

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Amelia Island Paradise

My husband and I spent our first anniversary in Amelia Island this weekend. We had a great time. Par for the course, we booked at the same hotel that we have already stayed at. That is really funny but a little annoying in a sense!! I do it all the time! But it was in a great central location. It was a quick getaway where we enjoyed gorgeous sunsets, yummy Bloody Mary's and for the first time in I can't remember when-just true and utter down time.

As I was posting my sunset pictures on my Instagram, my friend told me I must go to a restaurant called 29 South. We decided to hit it for brunch the next day...and we were so glad we did! I mean, what did we do without the aid of social media to ask for recommendations?

We enjoyed our lunch so much, we came back and grabbed dinner as well. The staff just couldn't be nicer. I mention this because there is a restaurant of the Italian nature that may or not be called Ciao that rudely told us they were closed at 8:10. You are either closed at 8 or at 830...but thank you for the opportunity to try 29 South again. Dinner was as spectacular and I must have the recipe to the bread with kale and sausage! Just the cutest place. Additionally, when we walked out of the restaurant the song I WALKED DOWN THE AISLE TO came on. The hostess was as excited as me. haha. Check them out on Facebook.

Stuffed French Toast

Sausage Kale Egg Bread Awesomeness

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April First Taste Carrabba's Menu

Last month, I had the grand opportunity to once again participate in the First Taste Menu at Carrabba's. The folks at Carrabba's really spoil me. I really feel like part of the family every time I come and especially at these First Taste events where they preview some new and some oldie but goodies shakeups to their menu. I took my friend Kaylee and everything was fantastic!

GNOCCHI FRITTI Italian potato dumplings breaded with panko breadcrumbs, lightly

fried and tossed with romano cheese. Served with our housemade

marinara for dipping-these were so good, made for a great app!

LINGUINE with CLAMS

Linguine tossed with clams, scallions and our white wine cream sauce. How I LOVE thee! This was my favorite!

MAHI WULFE

Lightly breaded, wood-grilled and topped with artichokes, sundried

tomatoes and our housemade basil lemon butter sauce. This is an oldie but goodie but I was reminded how it is always one of my faves!

CONCHIGLIE (con-kee-lyeh) BOLOGNESE

Shell shaped pasta tossed in our housemade bolognese meat sauce

topped with freshly grated ricotta salata. Yes, it looks as good as it tastes!

POLLO SORRENTO

Wood-grilled chicken topped with sautéed eggplant, prosciutto,

fontina cheese and our port wine fig sauce. This was amazing!

PENNE ROMANO with WOOD-GRILLED CHICKEN

Penne tossed with wood-grilled chicken, sautéed mushrooms and red

bell peppers in our roasted garlic black pepper cream sauce. So so so good!

MINI CANNOLI Crisp mini pastry shell stuffed with sweet ricotta and chocolate chip

filling, topped with pistachios and powdered sugar. Perfect way to end!

Also on the menu is the APPLE CROSTATA, which I think I passed out in a food coma, because I didn't take a picture of it. This is a light and crispy open-faced cinnamon apple tart with a thin layer of

hazelnut filling baked in our wood-fired oven, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and our caramel sauce. Thank you Carrabba's for taking such good care of me once again!

ABOUT CARRABBA’S ITALIAN VALUES™ With Carrabba’s Italian Values, enjoy hand-prepared meals perfectly priced for any occasion. Freshly made from scratch with the finest ingredients, now more affordable than ever. Enjoy over 15 great new menu additions of authentic, housemade dishes for $15 or less. Explore our new menu and find your new favorite!

ABOUT FIRST TASTES First Tastes is an exclusive preview event that occurs nationally on the same day at the launch of a new seasonal menu. Amici Club members and a guest enjoy a complimentary tasting, hosted by the Proprietor of each Carrabba’s Italian Grill location.

ABOUT OUR AMICIS Carrabba’s Amicis – Italian for friends – are a group of customers who are brand loyalists and have asked to receive invitations to complimentary events, exclusive offers, flavorful rewards and inside information about Carrabba’s. Nationally, there are over 1,000,000 Amici Club members. To join the Amici Club visit www.carrabbas.com/amici-club

Check out Carrabba's latest commercial!

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NASCAR Day at the Daytona International Speedway

The NASCAR Foundation is holding another fun event at the Daytona International Speedway!

NASCAR Day is an annual celebration of the NASCAR spirit and NASCAR fans. It has been held every year since 2004 on the third Friday in May. This date always is the same weekend as the annual NASCAR All-Star event weekend. NASCAR Fans are encouraged to purchase a collectible pin for $5 and wear it proudly on that day. NASCAR Day has raised over $1 million each year since 2005.

The NASCAR Foundation was created to "harness the power of the NASCAR family and help a wide range of causes closest to our hearts." They support dozens of charities with NASCAR-themed fundraising events across the country.

A few of the charities that the NASCAR Foundation supports include the Victory Junction Gang Camp, Speedway Children's Charities, The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation and the Hendrick Marrow Program.

Locally in Daytona Beach at the Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR Day is celebrated from 11:30-1p. THE Speedway will host its 11th annual NASCAR Day celebration in front of the Tours and Ticket Office with lunch specials, music, raffles and more! OneBlood will also be on site for a blood drive.

For more information about NASCAR Day, how you can participate, how to order a pin and/or volunteer click here for the NASCAR Foundation website. Time is running out to nominate for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, read about that here. On the DIS event calendar, you can see the flier below all big and pretty here.

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Pages

RIP Maya Angelou

Shark Tank Syndicates on CNBC #giveaway

Jimmy Fallon in Orlando This June

Amelia Island Paradise

April First Taste Carrabba's Menu

NASCAR Day at the Daytona International Speedway