Olé!

To all the mothers of "youngish" children out there (you know who you are), let me live vicariously through you. I'm about to tell you about two very cool JLSA Holiday Olé Market-related events that circumstances are unfortunately preventing my daughters and me from attending. So I want you to go. And I want you to tell me later about how much fun you had--okay, you don't have to rub it in. Be easy on me. But if you could take a few pictures and send them to me, that would be swell. Just so that I could feel like I was there, you know? Because I'm going to say it again: I hate that I am missing these two events!

First up, next Friday, October 26, you have the opportunity to attend a brand-spanking new Holiday Olé Market event called "Starstruck -- A Red Carpet Event." From 4:30pm to 6:30pm, you will be treated to a fabulous "tweenage" fashion show by Allie G's (a fantastic kids' clothing boutique in Alamo Heights) with entertainment by none other than RADIO DISNEY. My almost-9-year-old daughter, Eleanor, was all fired up to do a little turn on the catwalk a month or so ago when we realized we had a legitimate direct conflict (her elementary school's biggest fundraiser, the annual fall carnival) and we had to bail. I'm sick that we are missing it, and I just know it's going to be an awesome event. I had just bought my tickets when I realized we couldn't go, so I'm sending a good friend of mine, along with her mother and her daughter, to enjoy the style show, sample tasty snacks and drinks, pick up a little swag, and have a great time shopping Olé afterwards. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.

The following morning, on Saturday, October 27, from 9:00am to 11:00am, you simply must take your little ones to the first-ever "Pajamas & Pancakes" event at the Holiday Olé Market. While you are enjoying your delicious pancake breakfast, participating in fun hand's-on activities from The Royal Canvas Painting Parlor and the San Antonio Children's Museum, having a great time listening to The Twig Book Shop's Miss Anastasia perform a spectacular story time, and doing a little shopping, I will be sulking cheering for my daughters on the soccer field sidelines. Go it alone or with friends, or meet up with the JLSA Moms' Group, headed by Carrie Lane. (Contact Carrie at jlsamoms@gmail.com for more information on the Moms' Group!) Kids under 2 are free, the over-2 set costs just $7 a ticket, and adult tickets are $15 and include general shopping all day Saturday.

I LOVE the way that the awesome Olé ladies are extending the League's unique "shoppertainment" experience to families, and these two events really round out the great line-up of events surrounding the JLSA's annual Holiday Olé Market. It's all happening at the San Antonio Shrine Auditorium, 901 North Loop 1904 West, San Antonio, Texas 78232.

By the way, if you also have too much on your plate next Friday afternoon and/or Saturday morning, there are still other fun events to attend sans kiddos, or you can just head out to Olé to do some good old fashioned shopping! I, for one, will be at the Preview Party on Wednesday, October 24. Olé, Olé! 

San Antonio Cellar Classic

A Good Time to Wine

I enjoy wine. I'll come right out and say it. Why beat around the bush? Why wind around the grapevine, for that matter? I like to have a glass of chardonnay when I come home from work and am busy cooking dinner in the kitchen. I enjoy a cold, dry rosé when I'm at the beach, looking out at the Gulf waves. A glass of something bubbly (Prosecco, please!) cajoles my BFF and me into good humor when we are feeling crazed, frantic, or even a little down. A slightly chilled pinot noir is the prelude to a romantic date night with my husband. Wine is natural. Wine is good. Not everybody drinks it, but everybody should. (Thank you, George Michael.)

One fun place to enjoy good wine, accompanied by good food, here in San Antonio is MAX's Wine Dive. I Yelped about it awhile back here. And MAX's sister restaurant, Boiler House Texas Grill & Wine Garden, a new spot for noshing and grape guzzling, is set to open soon in the fantastic Pearl Brewery. Both of these restaurants will help set the stage for this fall's San Antonio Cellar Classic, a two-day event celebrating wine and wine-friendly cuisine. Our own JLSA Fête du Cuvée committee will be volunteering at the event, and part of the ticket proceeds will support the League. The San Antonio Cellar Classic is a great addition (or perhaps an alternative) to Fête du Cuvée, the League's annual fine wine auction fundraiser, for JLSA wine lovers and wine lover wannabes.

Fête Committee Members Tina Taulbee and Brooke Swallow Meabon

volunteering at last year's San Antonio Cellar Classic.

Want details? Here they are! Cheers!

"Reserve Dinner"

Friday, October 12, 2012

6:30pm to 9:00pm

MAX's Wine Dive

$125 per person, $225 per couple (limited to 40 people)

Take a look at the awesome menu here!

Grand Tasting

Saturday, October 13, 2012

1:00pm to 4:00pm

The Stable at Pearl Brewery

General Admission $40

VIP Admission $90

For more information, check out the Cellar Classic's website.