The Little Blog Dress: November 2014

Junior League of Daytona Beach Collecting Toys for Holiday Sidewalk Sale

The Junior League of Daytona Beach, Inc., is currently collecting donations of new and gently used toys, which will be used during a sidewalk sale at the Junior League Thrift Shop on Saturday, December 6 from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. Benefiting the Junior League community initiatives, toy donations are being collected at the Thrift Shop until Friday, December 5 anytime between 9 A.M. and 5 P.M.

Along with the toy sale, the sidewalk sale will feature a bake sale and Santa Claus will be present to take photos with children. The Junior League Thrift Shop will also be open for holiday shopping that day. All proceeds from the toy drive and sidewalk sale will go back into the Daytona Beach area community.

WHO: The Junior League of Daytona Beach

WHAT: Toy Drive and Thrift Shop Sidewalk Sale

WHEN:
Toy Drive: Toy donations may be dropped anytime between 9 A.M. and 5 P.M. up until December 5 at the Thrift Shop
Sidewalk Sale: December 6 from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M.

WHERE: Junior League of Daytona Beach Thrift Shop,
122 South Palmetto Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32114

CONTACT:
Junior League of Daytona Beach, 386-253-1756, jldboffice@gmail.com

The Junior League of Daytona Beach, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, to developing the potential of women, and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The Junior League of Daytona Beach reaches out to women of all races, religions and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to volunteerism.

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Quit Together. Win Together. Great American Smokeout is this Week!

It may surprise you that I was quite the cigarette smoker in my day. I was a weird social, but worse really smoker. I didnt smoke all day every day, but basically if I was driving in my car, the first instinct was light up and get my smoke on. There was a 7/11 in both directions, one that was on the way to work, one that was closer in the opposite direction, if I started the morning without a cigarette stash, I would go in the opposite direction to get them. This wasn't my shining moment.

One day, I caught a cold, then bronchitis and then pneumonia...boom...boom...boom. Based on my fabulous history with cigarettes, I had NO breath capacity. So, the very next day I quit and never looked back. I will say that it wasn't the easiest to do, but I would think about how I felt with such a shortness of breath it made my journey a LOT easier! I think of sometimes what a terrible runner I would be if I continued that nasty habit!

That is my short story, but now I see cigarette smoking in a totally new light. Let's be honest. It is insanely trashy. Not to be unkind, but no sophisticated business women stops her meeting to go smoke. And you smell. bad. It's gross.

Luckily the American Cancer Society has a kinder approach to assist you in stop smoking. Why not give it a shot on a day when you have some much communal support! November 20 marks the American Cancer Society’s 38th year of the Great American Smokeout (GASO), an initiative to encourage smokers to commit to quit or make a plan to quit on that day. By quitting, even for one day, smokers will take a critical step to a healthier life that can reduce the risk of cancer.

This year's GASO theme is “Quit Together. Win Together.” It wants you to share what you can win (e.g., easier breathing, whiter teeth, money in pocket) when you quit smoking. On their website, they have so many great resources to encourage you towards this great goal of being a non smoker!

Want more info? Visit the Great American Smokeout website, call the GASO 800-number (1-800-227-2345), and like the Quit for Life Facebook page.

This post represents a sponsored editorial partnership with the American Cancer Society. All storytelling and opinions are, of course, my own.

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Journey Begins Now

So, this is kind of exciting because I am gonna take advantage of there are still some of my local friends who don't know what a blog is, so I am not sure exaaaaccccccccctttttttttllly locally will read this, but guess what you all! We have started our adoption journey and baby its rolling along! All puns intended.

It's National Adoption Month and I am wrapping my head around it all and like always it most definitely will come out of my fingers onto this platform. How mad will my sister be that she doesnt get my blog on a regular basis! Cause we have only told three maybe four people of our progress! We meaning me of course!

I will update you on some promising news that we received this week but I am now trying to get in the gear of not sitting in the corner and rocking for eight months due to information overload. Because I bet there is adoption blogs I should be reading and following, huh. And boards maybe. And things to google...I am surprised my computer hasn't exploded for all the things that I have googled during my fertility treatment! I wanted to tell you first. Onwards to the long road, we are ready!

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Bloody Mary's with Powell and Mahoney's Mixers

I LOVE a good Bloody Mary! Which is really funny because I dislike raw tomatoes. My husband always teases me because I usually only drink one and then move on to the next portion of the program. Because of my disdain for tomato juice, I am always on the search for a great Bloody mary mix. I hate to be picky but tomato juice straight up or V8 makes me shudder. I am shuddering now...ooof.

I found a new love in the Powell & Mahoney Bloody Mary Mixers! They have created a great blend! This tasty mixture of bold tomato flavor, barrel-aged Worcestershire sauce, and all natural spices will tantalize your taste buds and pair perfectly with every brunch!

What was really attractive is the ingredients were all things I could pronounce and a lot of these ingredients make my Bloody Mary's a success like : Organic Gluten-Free Vegan Worcestershire Sauce Organic Ginger Puree, horseradish and celery seed, all important go-to ingredients!

Powell & Mahoney have a TON of different mixers, check them out here. And if you get stuck for inspiration, each bottle comes with three recipes, allowing you to fill your glass with either your favorite standard or something new. No matter what you choose, Powell & Mahoney's all-natural mixers let you concentrate on raising your glass, not cutting up ingredients! Find them on Facebook and Twitter. Trust me, this will take the guess work out of your drink mixing forever!

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Friday Five-Five Ways to Stay on Track and Healthy During the Holidays

Today I linked up with Eat, Pray, Run DC and You Signed Up for What, and Mar on the Run for this fun Friday Five.

Today, its time to talk about five ways to stay on track / healthy during the holidays. Its so hard! For one thing, isn't so easy to just crawl into your sweats and eat all day every day? Or is it just me!

1. Get a buddy! Makes things so much easier when you are responsible for another person. When you make a commitment to get up and walk in the colder AM, guilt sets in when you want to bail and get back into that cozy warm bed.

2. Pay close attention to websites like Skinnytaste and La La Loosh, two of my favorite skinny recipe blogs. If you cook smartly, you will stay within your zone and maintaining will be easy.

3. Eat before you go to the parties, nothing is worse for your well being than not eating and then drinking a whole bunch and snacking inappropriately. Make a plan and keep yourself on a schedule so this doesn't happen. Because being drunk and hangry? It aint pretty.

4. Keep motivated by your winter wear. Like I said, and am incredibly guilty of-sweats are easy to get lazy in! Keep buying those leggings, and svelte holiday dresses. You will think more about the moment on the lips mentality, I promise you!

LOVE these boots! Credit:Pinterest

5. I know Eggnog SOUNDS good...but dear God the calories, why not drink champagne instead? Always a celebratory cheers!

Holiday Cocktail - Champagne, cranberry juice, raspberries, and mint!

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Billy Joel Spends New Year's Eve In Orlando Florida

This is amazing news. I am really excited that one of my all time favorite performers is coming to Orlando!!

Live Nation announced today that Billy Joel will perform a special New Year’s Eve concert in Orlando at the Amway Center on December 31, 2014. This performance marks Billy Joel’s first solo headlining appearance in Orlando since 2007. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 14 at 10 a.m.

"It’s a very exciting time to be in Downtown Orlando as its vibrant art scene continues to thrive and our world-class venue for entertainment welcomes a long-revered artist,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. "I'm excited to announce another major event and invite our community to celebrate the New Year with Billy Joel at the Amway Center. This is yet another example of the Amway Center continuing to deliver on its promise of bringing the very best in live entertainment to our Central Florida community. It will be a Truly Legendary New Year’s Eve celebration!"

"It's an honor and a thrill to welcome Billy Joel back to Orlando after seven years to perform at the Amway Center and ring in the New Year," said Orlando Venues Executive Director Allen Johnson. "A celebratory evening with this inimitable artist will surely be remembered as one of Amway Center's Truly Legendary concerts.

Billy Joel is one of the highest grossing touring artists in the world. Having sold over 150 million albums globally, his music has remained among the most popular in the world. The singer/songwriter/composer is the sixth best-selling recording artist of all time and the third best-selling solo artist.

Recently, Joel was honored by Steinway & Sons with a painted portrait that hangs in Steinway Hall in Manhattan, the first non-classical pianist to be immortalized in the collection. He played to more than 110,000 fans when he performed the final concerts at Shea Stadium, featured in the 2010 documentary film "The Last Play At Shea.” This week, Joel will receive The Kennedy Center Honor, one of the United States' top cultural awards.

Joel has received six Grammy® Awards, including the prestigious Grammy Legend Award. He has been inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has received numerous industry awards. His music has also served as the inspiration and score for the hit Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “Movin’ Out.”

American Express® Card Members may purchase tickets before the general public beginning Monday, November 10 at 10 a.m. through Thursday, November 13 at 10 a.m.

TICKETS: $49.50 - $149.50. Buy tickets at amwaycenter.com, Chase Box Office at Amway Center, Ticketmaster retail locations, charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000 or at Ticketmaster.com. All dates, act(s) and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, service, handling and facility fee charges. For Amway Center box office and ticket information, visit amwaycenter.com (phone purchases are not available through the Amway Center box office). The Amway Center is located at 400 West Church Street and the box office is located on the north side of the Amway Center, near the intersection of Church Street and Hughey Avenue.

ABOUT AMWAY CENTER
The Orlando Magic served as the developer of the Amway Center, which hosts major national events, concerts and family shows. Opened in the fall of 2010, the facility is owned and operated by the City of Orlando on behalf of the Central Florida community. The Amway Center was designed to reflect the character of the community, meet the goals of the users and build on the legacy of sports and entertainment in Orlando. The building’s exterior features a modern blend of glass and metal materials, along with ever-changing graphics via a monumental wall along one facade. A 180-foot tall tower serves as a beacon amid the downtown skyline. The 875,000 square foot, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified building features a sustainable, environmentally-friendly design and unmatched technology, including 1,100 digital monitors, the tallest high-definition video board in an NBA venue and multiple premium amenities available to all patrons in the building. Amway Center was recently honored with TheStadiumBusiness Awards’ 2013 Customer Experience Award and named SportsBusiness Journal's 2012 Sports Facility of the Year. For more information about the Amway Center, visit www.amwaycenter.com.

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Farm to Table Dinner For A Great Cause!

My friends at Mia Dona Market and Hull's Seafood are getting together and hosting a Farm to Table dinner at Tomazin Farms to help a young lady with her battle against Lyme Disease.

Amanda's family and friends are uniting to raise funds to help with her battle against Lyme Disease.

Please support this precious family!

Amanda Tomazin was diagnosed with Lyme Disease over two years ago. It has been a battle from the beginning for her and her family since so little is truly known about this disease. Although Amanda looks so healthy and happy, she is actually literally wasting away from the inside out. Lyme Disease is known as a silent epidemic right now. Those who suffer from it seem "normal" but that is not the case. Lyme disease affects every aspect of your life. It also is very easy to misdiagnose.

That being said, multiple doctors visits, including those across country, have done little to help slow the progress or help to stop it. Her parents have been working hard to try and provide the support and find the resources to provide a cure. At this time, they are looking to seek assistance at a facility in Idaho that specializes in natural therapy treatments. It seemed to work when they took Amanda there over a year and a half ago but it is costly. And this is where you can help.

Please consider supporting the Tomazin family during this time of great need. Travel expenses, including but not limited to plane fare, car rental and hotel stays need to be covered. Due to the nature of the treatment, Amanda has special dietary needs and a hotel with a kitchen is necessary for food preparation. In addition, due to her being so weak from the disease, she needs to travel in a wheel chair, which is another consideration when making arrangements for a place to stay. She is light and sound sensitive, which is also an additional challenge. Please pass along to anyone you think might be able to provide assistance. But above everything, please pray that The Lord would be gracious and release Amanda from this silent, horrible disease.

Support Amanda here and buy your tickets to this great charitable experience here.

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Florida Hospital Becomes Official Healthcare Provider of Daytona International Speedway

Two iconic Central Florida organizations, Daytona International Speedway and Florida Hospital, announced today a multi-year partnership that will make Florida Hospital the second Founding Partner at Daytona International Speedway, as part of its historic $400 million DAYTONA Rising redevelopment project. Providing high-quality medical services and new fan experiences at the “World Center of Racing,” Florida Hospital will inspire the community to race toward better health.

“Florida Hospital’s mission, vision and reach make them an ideal partner,” said International Speedway Corporation Chief Executive Officer Lesa France Kennedy. “We look forward to connecting them with visitors and race fans year round.”

Beginning in January 2015, Florida Hospital Volusia/Flagler will be the exclusive healthcare provider of Daytona International Speedway, which includes providing medical equipment and personnel for all events, managing the care center operations and providing ambulances to handle emergency situations.

Arriving in a Toyota Camry pace car, Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III and Florida Hospital Volusia/Flagler CEO Daryl Tol shared the unprecedented announcement on the West end of Daytona International Speedway’s frontstretch.

The massive DAYTONA Rising project, encompassing the Speedway’s nearly one-mile long frontstretch, will be complete by January 2016. The project will transform the Speedway into the world’s first motorsports stadium with premium amenities and attractions unmatched in the industry.

The Florida Hospital brand will be represented on one of five special entrances called fan injectors, including more than 20,000 square feet of engagement space. Within this injector, Florida Hospital will have a presence in one of the “neighborhoods” which will encompass retail and dining areas, as well as dozens of video screens to provide fans with non-stop views of on-track action.

“This is more than a sign on the building; this is a true partnership. Florida Hospital will be integrated into the fan experience at the Speedway,” Tol said. “Through our partnership with the Daytona International Speedway, we’ll provide another key access point for health care in the Daytona Beach community where guests will experience Florida Hospital’s commitment to whole person health and wellness.”

In addition to serving as a Founding Partner of DAYTONA Rising, Florida Hospital will be an inaugural partner in ONE DAYTONA – a premier 190-acre mixed-use retail, dining and entertainment development across from Daytona International Speedway.

“Our partnership with Florida Hospital reinforces the immense appeal of the nation’s first true motorsports stadium to attract brands outside of the core sports arena,” said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III. “We’re pleased to welcome Florida Hospital to Daytona International Speedway.”

Race fans can follow the progress of the DAYTONA Rising project by visiting www.DAYTONARising.com and connecting with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. Also, fans can see the construction project up close by taking one of the daily tours available at the Speedway on non-event days throughout the year. Visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/tours or the Speedway Ticket and Tours Building for more information.

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