Smirnoff’s first-ever team branded bottle goes to…
So since the Cubs were the lucky first for a team branded bottle of Vodka by Smirnoff, are they trying to say Cubs fans need drinks more than any other team?
What about Cowboys fans? Well, I guess they are still living in the 90’s so maybe the Cubs are the obvious first choice?
(Image via Twitter – haven’t found any reports or releases on these new team branded bottles quite yet.)
You’re invited. To what? Only one of the coolest most unique events to hit the Houston charity scene, all in honor and support of a wonderful cause: AIDS Foundation Houston.
Sadly I won’t be able to attend, but I wanted to make sure the readers of The Blonde Side had the info for such a great evening.
WHEN: Thursday, August 21st 6-10pm
WHERE: BBVA Compass Stadium (West Club)
BUY TICKETS: HERE
MORE SOCIAL MEDIA INFO: FB Event Page | Twitter: @AIDSHelpHouston #sport4life
Sometimes people forget the sports world – not limited to fans, cheerleaders, players, coaches, front offices, families and more – are often riddled with the same issues we are. This event puts a unique spin on a topic that many are afraid to talk about and bringing some big names to the table to show their support. Here’s your chance to show your support also. Spread the good word Houston.
*A lot of big names and companies are responsible for making an event like this happen (see at bottom of this post for the full list) – The Blonde Side is proud to see Bud Light as an official sponsor! So if you make it out to the event, go bid on some awesome art, grab a Bud Light, and snap a picture and send it to me on Twitter using #sport4Life.
Press Release Information:
Houston Sports Celebrities and Local Artists Team Up For
AIDS Foundation Houston’s “Sport4Life”
Join AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc. (AFH) and sports champion co-chairs Jolanda Jones and Carl Lewis for the fundraiser Sport4Life at the West Club in BBVA Compass Stadium on Thursday, August 21, 2014 from 6 -10 p.m.
Former Houston City Council Member and national track star Jolanda Jones will welcome fans to Sport4Life alongside nine-time Olympic gold medal champion Carl Lewis; Olympic gold medalists Leroy and Michelle Burrell; boxing promoter George Foreman IV; Olympian Floyd Heard; and track stars Ifoma and Henrik Olausson.
The fundraising event offers a new and unique play to the organization’s annual art auction by adding to its roster the help of professional and amateur athletes to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, reduce the stigma of HIV in the sports arena, and promote healthy lifestyles to the public.
Guests are encouraged to gear up and wear sports attire while attending the fun-filled sports themed night with ballpark-style food, sports art and sports auction items. Guests will also have the opportunity to dance the night away as DJ Chris Luera spins during the evening.
In efforts to score funds for AFH, sports related art from exclusive art collections and original artwork by Houston’s top artists fashioned from various sports equipment will be auctioned off at Sport4Life along with exclusive sports memorabilia and surprises throughout the night.
Featured local artists contributing to Sport4Life include Joe Aker; David Aylsworth; Cara Barer; David Brown; Michael Crowder; Sharon Engelstein; Geoff Hippenstiel; Linda Hofheinz; Ted Kincaid; Austin Allen James; Terrell James; Erin McLeod; Mauricio Menjivar; Richard Nix; Patrick Palmer; Aaron Parazette; Nicola Parente; Josh Pazda; Patrick Renner; Ariane Roesch; Pahl Samson; Kaneem Smith; Shane Tolbert; and Charles Wiese.
This event is made possible with the support from sponsors and underwriters BBVA Compass; OutSmart Magazine; Outsports; Dynamo Charities; Houston Dash; Avita Pharmacy; Bud Light; AIDS Healthcare Foundation; Aker Imaging; Richard Ray; Jerry McNeill; Mixed Emotions Fine Art & Frame; Gwen Richard; Paula Sperber Siegel; John Spurrell; Gary & Mimi Wasserberg; Kelly and Steve Young; and Ziegler Cooper Architects/Jim Hanlin.
For more information on Sport4Life please visit www.aidshelp.org or call 713-623-6796.
Looking for media information? Contact Kim Padgett at The Padgett Group: kim@thepadgettgroup.com
Jason, The Blonde Side and Miguel at the Texans Art party
Wednesday night was a sellout crowd of more than 60 women for our Texans Art night at Pinot’s Palette in the Galleria. It was actually so popular, we had to add another table and are already talking about another night.
Thanks to all our sponsors, ESPECIALLY Stella Artois for providing the beer and Lucky’s Pub for the pizza and salad. Seeing all the artistic ability from some of the biggest Texans fans in the city was awesome. Their individuality in each of their paintings was fun and we played games, Texans trivia, trolled Jon Weeks and Chris Myers on Twitter and much more.
Check out The Blonde Side’s FB album of pictures from the event. This was also a pretty funny video/introduction to our class.
Special thanks to our swag bag sponsors which included: Running Game Clothing (use code The Blonde Side for a discount when ordering!), Jentry Kelley Cosmetics, Eddie V’s, BlackFinn Houston, Next Level Urgent Care, Red Bull, 002 Magazine, Houston Texans, Run10Feed10 Race Series, Sculpt Fitness, Langford Market, Alamo Drafthouse, and more!
*If you’re interested in hearing more about these events or becoming a sponsor/working with The Blonde Side, shoot us an email: jayme [at] theblondeside [dot]com.
Guts Grace & Glory Devotional
I don’t often write about my religious beliefs, although they are definitely a huge part of who I am and feel my success can be directly attributed to. It’s plain and simple – I wouldn’t be here right now with this laptop, these words or this sport’s column if it weren’t for the Grace of God.
About a month ago I reached out to my Pastor (Tim Liston) at New Hope Church asking if he’d be willing to grab coffee and just talk. Quite frankly I needed all sorts of guidance in life, love, friendships, motivation and honestly, sports – that is my career after all. I feel when one part seems to be off, nothing works quite the way it should. I had reached that point where I needed to refocus and just recharge.
After we chatted and prayed, I asked for recommendations on a daily devotional. We walked to the church’s bookstore and as we shopped, Pastor Tim introduced me to the woman in charge of the store. His exact words, “Can you help Jayme find a daily devotional – but not your typical women’s devotional, because she’s not your typical woman.” We laughed, but Pastor Tim was spot on. It’s important to note that Pastor Tim follows me on Twitter, so there really aren’t any secrets there.
As odd as it sounds, I was immediately drawn to the men’s section and one book stuck out: Guts Grace & Glory. It felt a lot like choosing a bottle of wine (gosh, can I even say that right now?) – the label is important and is the first thing that makes us want to pick it up and check it out. This devotional was no different – the font of the title was the ESPN font – as an advertising major, fonts are a big deal in my world. I looked closer and saw the foreword was by one of my favorite all-time NFL quarterbacks, Kurt Warner.
Sold.
You may think it’s silly to learn about and be reminded of religion by relating to sports, but it’s right up my alley and that’s what it’s all about. In life we go through many trials and hardships and sometimes we need something we can relate to in order to pick ourselves up and keep going. For me to read something and truly digest it, I have to relate to it – that’s just how I operate.
Sports are such a huge part of my life, why not read about Nike’s famous slogan Just Do It and how it relates to RG3? This particular section talks all about RG3’s stats how he lead Baylor to its first nine-win season since ’86 and passed for a new school record of 3,998 yards and 36 TDs (also rushing for 644 yards and 9 TDs). The story then goes on to say that Griffin kept perspective through it all by pointing to heaven after each touchdown and how he remained active in organizations like Friends for Life and the Special Olympics. He stayed humble and kept doing his job while showing all the fans out there that he was praising God throughout it all.
“I praise God, I thank Him for everything. Purposefully, you live every day for Him, and when He gives you the opportunity to speak up for Him or to do something in His name, you do it,” RG3 said.
Each nightly read ends with a “Game Plan” for you to ponder and pray about. The one with RG3 says that we all have “a stage to make a difference.” Clearly we’re not all professional athletes, but we don’t need to be. Maybe our stage is at work, in our community, at the gym, or with that nosey co-worker – it can be anywhere. But it’s a stage that God gives us, and we should use it.
Other stories come from Bobby Bowden taking criticism early on in his career and persevering and becoming one of the best college football coaches in history. The football parallels of some of the greatest games and how they relate to faith along with stories and quotes from some of your favorite all-time athletes make continuing to grow in your faith easy and fun.
Whether you’re a male or female in love with sports, or you’re looking for a birthday gift or Father’s Day gift for a sport’s lover, this is a great book. You can buy it here on Amazon.
Pro-tip: Since daily devotionals aren’t usually read more than once, I always hand my books off to a friend I think will also get great use of. My last devotional was for Florida State fans and I gave it to a new friend I met on the plane coming home from the (winning!) National Championship. Spread the word. Literally.
If you know of other great sports/fitness type devotionals or Bible verses or websites that stand out, please share them in the comment section – I’d love to check them all out.
Meet your new at home trainer: a deck of cards (via Splie Fitness)
This isn’t my first time writing (and raving) about Splie Fitness. Although based all the way in South Lake Tahoe, my girl Tara (owner and instructor) still has me sweating to her demands all the way in Texas. Here’s her latest idea, via Instagram.
According to the easy game to get your sweat on all you need is a deck of cards. You can use just your body weight for these exercises, or add weights if you’d prefer. Grab a deck of cards and start flipping them over one at a time.
♠️ = lunges
♦️ = push ups
♥️ = squats
♣️ = plank rows
Whichever number is on the card, you’ll do that many of each exercise. Go through the deck once and then switch the movements to 4 new moves. You should be good after two times through. Be creative the second time through. Exercises you can incorporate in the second round can include: tricep dips, frog jumps, burpees, mountain climbers, ab exercises like bicycles, bridges – the list is endless.
Try this next time you’re at home or at a hotel and a gym and weights aren’t readily available.
What games have you played to help with your fitness routine?
True Food Kitchen (photo via Facebook)
Welcome to Houston. And thank you.
You are exactly what we needed here in Houston. Exactly.
True Food Kitchen, located off Post Oak (Phase II of BLVD Place in the Uptown District at 1700 Post Oak Blvd.), is truly a restaurant (and even a meeting space) designed for everyone catering to a number of diets, including a variety of innovative vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, along with a regular all-around healthy and delicious menu.
Houston marks the 8th location for True Food Kitchen. The menu is based on “honest food that tastes really good,” which is kind of just…perfect.
Best-selling items include the “Inside Out” Quinoa Burger, Panang Curry and Tuscan Kale salad (brunch is also a top favorite of yours truly, including all the delicious drinks – some using organic tequila).
True Food Kitchen serves brunch, lunch and dinner; an assortment of Natural Refreshments such as Kale-Aid (kale, apple, cucumber, celery, lemon, ginger) and a Medicine Man antioxidant blast (sea buckthorn,
True Food Kitchen now open in Houston
pomegranate, cranberry, black tea, soda); and a huge array of wines. Its 4,500-square-foot Houston spot will have both indoor and outdoor dining rooms and bars, with plenty of room for you and your group either inside or outside.
True Food Kitchen opened a location in Dallas back in 2013, which won the Nation’s Restaurant News 2014 Trendsetter award for “captivating customers with food that’s both delicious and nutritious.”
Pro-tip: If it’s just you or you and a friend, grab a seat at the bar – it’s downright amazing to watch the bartenders/juicers in action. They will answer any questions you have and are super chatty. Always a plus at a new spot in town.
Lucy: Fun active wear found at Zappos.com
I spend entirely too much time in workout clothes. Granted, I do workout every day (even while on vacation), but an hour sweating it out with my trainer doesn’t constitute spending the entire day in spandex and lycra and other sweat resistant clothes.
But I still do it.
Shopping on Zappos.com the other day I ran across the brand Lucy. I’m really not sure why I’d never heard of it before – there is literally a storefront less than two miles from my house.
They had a ton of great stuff that looked good online, but I found this fun chevron printed tank ($55) and thought I’d give it a go. Because chevron always makes sweat look better, right?
I’m pretty selective with my workout gear – it’s got to fit well, compliment my body shape, and it’s most definitely got to be able to hold its own in the gym or on the running trail. Function first, fashion shortly thereafter.
This particular tank (named I Run This) is moisture wicking, quick drying/breathable and ideal for high-energy activities. I’ve said this before, but I tend to run errands after a hard gym session, so a quick drying tank or shorts is almost a necessity for me. I may not smell amazing sitting at Starbucks, but at least I won’t look sweaty or feel well.
Since I am so selective with workout gear, I only branched out with this brand because Zappos.com offers free shipping and free returns, so if it didn’t fit or I didn’t like the look and feel of the tank, I could return it without any hassle.
Also pictured: lululemon speed shorts in black and New Balance Fresh Foam running shoes (also available on Zappos.com).
The Blonde Side in Black Halo and Mattie-Lou in Natalie Deayala on the ESPYs Red Carpet
Once again the ESPYs proved to be hands-down one of the best events – both on an incredibly good-time personal level as well as business with opportunities to interview 100+ athletes in one day, coupled with everything else the ESPYs, ESPN crew, and all of LA has to offer.
Dressing for a red carpet event is something I’ve yet to master and has taken my anxiety to high levels – especially when you’re there to work.
You want to fit in, but not in the sense you’re an athlete up for a prestigious nomination. You’re working it, so you need to be able to move around and act crazy to get your interviews in, and it’s the middle of July in Los Angeles, so you gotta be careful not to show sweat stains or die of heat exhaustion.
After much deliberation, I went with this black dress from Black Halo (from Tootsies here in Houston). You can see me posing on the carpet with my new friend, Mattie-Lou/Cippy Wallace, as we waited for the celebs to arrive.
Side note: my favorite celeb/athlete on the red carpet has to go to Laila Ali. She absolutely looked stunning and that blue dress showed off her well-earned muscles and awesome figure!
The Blonde Side’s newest bikini: L*Space via Zappos.com
As most of you know, I spent last summer in the most amazing place doing the most amazing thing —> I moved to the North Shore of O’ahu and wrote a book!
During those four incredible months on the island, I learned many things about myself and about what’s important in life and so many other life-changing things, like how to properly hitch-hike, how to cut yourself off from all social media, and more. But lucky for you this blog is about bikinis…
I moved to Hawaii sight-unseen and didn’t know a soul. My second day there, I was grabbing lunch at Ted’s Bakery, literally across the street from my place, and two locals sat down at the community table next to me. We started chatting and they asked me to join them to surf some monstrous waves (I watched).
Afterwards we started talking all things Hawaii and Anthony told me one of the easiest ways to spot a tourist was by her bikini. I didn’t really understand the correlation, but he said tourists usually wear more coverage/full bikinis and were more conservative than the local style. It was true – I noticed it immediately and everyday for the next few months.
After a month, I took it upon myself to say I lived there. It was true – it was my new address for an undetermined amount of time and that made me feel the need to celebrate with a new bikini – which is how I was introduced to my now favorite bikini – L*Space. The short twelve-mile stretched where I sequestered myself to didn’t have Targets or Victoria’s Secret – there were only cute and local shops – including the bikini shops.
Where can I shop L*Space on sale?
You can also shop LSpace on sale at Nordstrom Rack for some killer dealers. Grab great deals on LPsace bikinis at Revolve and use code TULIP for 10% off most orders.
Now that I’m back living in Houston (where’s the beach!?), I want more L*Space, but it isn’t an extremely commonly-known brand in these parts. A select few stores carry the brand, and if they do, the sizing is usually sparse (it’s so popular). Ordering bikinis online used to give me anxiety – I never like to pay for shipping and even at 32-years-old, I still manage to get my size wrong EVERY SINGLE TIME. But I learned that you can order L*Space on Zappos.com and instantly I felt like a small piece of me was still in Hawaii – at least when I was at the pool.
There are a ton of style and colors, so take a few minutes to check out their stuff. (Personal sizing note: I wear my regular size on tops and a size larger usually on the bottoms.)
Zappos offers 24-hour shipping and free returns, so I no longer feel the extreme anxiety ordering the wrong size – I usually order a small and medium in every top and bottom and end up returning whichever doesn’t fit. I still feel like L*Space is a little known secret here in Texas, and I kind of like being one of the trendy few in-the-known on these awesome bikinis.
Pretty sure The Blonde Side’s never been mistaken for “chicken legs”
If you’ve read The Blonde Side or followed me on Instagram for a while, you know I’ve fallen head-over-heels for New Balance running shoes.
I’ve tested out many running shoes during my time as an athlete – I love Nike for many activities and their look and feel, but for function for my particular feet I’ve really become a loyal New Balance fan. The shoes I’ve been running in for the past six months are the New Balance Fresh Foam 980’s. They come in a myriad of colors, and have held up through all my travels, half-marathons, workouts at the gym, and more.
Since I’m a girl and either A) like to change my mind a lot or B) find something and fall in love with it and order a bunch of them so I never run out, Zappos.com makes shopping for running shoes particularly easy (free 24-hr shipping and free returns 365 days/year is just a simple bonus).
My favorite feature on the site is the ability to narrow down your search considerably to save on time, and to help ensure you are ordering pretty much the perfect shoe. My first option of course is to select New Balance, but the option I like most is “pick shoes by shoe weight,” as I’m a big fan of shoes that are extremely lightweight. Heavy shoes seem to slow me down, so this is a non-negotiable when shopping new shoes. The Zappos.com feature allows you to select from four weight options (6-10oz, 11-15oz, 1-5oz, and 16-20oz), which is incredibly helpful since you can’t feel them in person (or you can just order a bunch and return the ones you don’t like as much for free).
Not to mention Zappos.com offers 24-hour delivery and free returns, just in case you order the wrong size or
Zappos.com allows shoppers to choose “shoe weight” while shopping
change your mind on the color. As a creature of habit, I’ve run into the issue many times where a shoe I’ve really loved has worn itself out and I want the exact same shoe – many local stores won’t keep them in stock and 99% of the time, I’ve found that the same shoes (in the same colors) are available on Zappos.com, and since I already know the size, it’s a no-brainer.
Pro tip: Reading the reader reviews/comments on the shoes has also proved helpful many times, so keep that in mind.
New Balance shoes are also American-made and absolute marketing geniuses – huge, huge bonus for this Red, White and Blue blonde girl.
Even The Blonde Side makes a smart move from time-to-time, like buying New Balance running shoes on Zappos.com.
FREELANCE + SPORTS + TRAVEL + FITNESS
COPYRIGHT 2019, THE BLONDE SIDE
CREATED BY JAYME LAMM