Call me a fat kid (seriously, it’s totally cool), but I love the Super Bowl for a ton of reasons: one of those is the food! That’s the best part of a Super Bowl party (well that and the Bud Light and popping a bottle of Veuve if your team wins, although the Eagles have never won, so I digress…).
Check out this press release from two of my FAVORITE Houston restaurants. If you’ve got leftovers, call me?
Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar (Heights location only) and BRC Gastropub are offering Super Bowl To-Go items for the big game this Sunday, February 2, 2014.
If you are hankering for good ole’ tailgate fare, Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar in the Heights is featuring a dozen (12) cheeseburger sliders for $18 as well as its scrumptious Frito Pie for 10 people, which and includes 1 gallon of chili, 1 large bag of Fritos, 1 quart of cheddar cheese, ½ quart of onions and ½ quart of jalapeños. In addition, customers can order one quart of Chile con queso and chips for $18 to go.
For something lighter, Liberty Kitchen also can prepare one quart of pimento cheese w/ crudités including carrots, celery and crackers for $20 as well as One pound of smoked salmon with smoke salt butter and sliced baguettes for $28.
BRC Gastropub is offering a dozen (12) grilled and roasted chicken legs with hot sauce syrup for $24 in addition to
Bud Light: The Blonde Side’s Super Bowl Beer
one dozen (12) pigs in blankets made with Wimmer’s hot dogs and wrapped in BRC’s famous cheddar biscuits for $27.
The restaurants require a 24-hour advance notice for orders but the sooner the better as the items may sell out. If you forget to order, call anyway, they will have extra on hand. Please call Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar at 713-802-0533 or BRC at 713-861-2233 or check out www.feedtx.com.
Find us on our twitter @brcgastropub or @libertykitchen.
Recently The Blonde Side was asked to share some fun and interesting facts and reasons to watch the Super Bowl for the awesome “inside scoop for the gal around town” online publication, Tidbits. It was featured in five of their cities (they are all over), check out the post below or click here to see the original content on the Tidbits website.
The awesome online publication is in a ton of cities, so click on the link above and scroll to the bottom for your city and subscribe – it keeps you in the know on important things, not just the Super Bowl!
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In anticipation of the Super Bowl this weekend, we turned to Jayme Lamm of The Blonde Side for party conversation starters. Grab your manicured foam finger and tick through the sports personality’s gal-friendly factoids.
1.The Basics. The Broncos are favored to win by 3, according to most Vegas sports books. That’s just a simple field goal, so every point matters.
2. Why Watch? This will be the first time since 1990 that the No. 1 offense (Denver) will face the No. 1 defense (Seattle). Translation: Plenty of aggressive plays by men in tight pants are anticipated.
3. So Fugly! USA Today claims this will be the ugliest Super Bowl in its 48-year history, with Denver wearing their almost-all-orange uniforms and Seattle wearing white. “Separately, the uniforms aren’t terrible. Mixed together, however, they make for an eyesore. It’s not peanut butter and jelly, it’s peanut butter and broccoli,” said reporter Chris Chase.
5.QB Breakdown Peyton Manning (Broncos) is going up against the younger, faster Russell Wilson (Seahawks), who was only nine years old when Peyton was drafted to the NFL. This will be Denver’s seventh appearance in a Super Bowl and Seattle’s second.
6. Blue Box Dreams. The trophy awarded to the winning team, the Vince Lombardi, is seven pounds of sterling silver, handcrafted by Tiffany & Co.
7. Betting on Bruno. Bruno Mars is expected to put on an epic halftime show, even better than he did at the Houston Rodeo. Not interested in the actual game? Fashionistas can get in on a “prop bet:” What will Bruno Mars be wearing on his head at the start of his performance? Fedora 2/3 | No hat 2/1 | Fur Hat 5/1 | Tuque 8/1
8. Sticker Shock. Ticket prices range from $3K -$14K. The most expensive ticket for the first-ever Super Bowl, 1967, was just $12.
9. Million Dollar Chance. Intuit gave small businesses a chance at a coveted commercial spot, which reportedly sell for $4 million each. One of four finalists – a pet food business in North Carolina, a compost company in Idaho called Poop, a Cali toy maker, or an organic egg farm in Minnesota – will have a professional spot aired for free on Sunday.
10. Fashion Forecast: Puffy Jackets This will be the first cold-weather city to host the game, outdoors. Jersey has an expected low of 23 plus a 20% chance of precipitation. (To date, the coldest played is Super Bowl ’72, played in New Orleans.)
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Screen-Shot-2014-01-30-at-11.06.56-AM.png650759Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2014-01-30 11:12:222014-11-19 11:54:14Tidbits: 10 Reasons to Watch the Super Bowl
Check out this new limited edition shirt from The Blonde Side – on sale this week only so we can place all the orders at once: $24.99.
Comes in a kelly green racerback tank (Alternative Apparel brand) or a short sleeve unisex shirt (Tultex brand) – perfect for gameday at the Linc or on the couch!
Click the link for payment/shipping/sizing info and please share with other Eagles fans.
Just because we aren’t in the Super Bowl (story of our lives), doesn’t mean we can’t show our fandom right now!
Shirts designed by Chris Summerville of Summerville Photography.
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PhillyFly.jpg403585Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2014-01-22 15:37:512014-11-19 12:05:30FLY Eagles FLY Shirt for Sale
Let me first start with full disclosure: I probably don’t need a sports bra, at least not a heavy duty like this one. While I do wear a size C (or Medium in this fit), my “girls” don’t really move up and down thanks to my beloved plastic surgeon, but I never go on a run without a sports bra – for multiple reasons including comfort and fear of nipping out and being super awkward in public if I have to run errands after a long run.
This ultra-light high-to-max support was probably more than I needed, but I run with so many girls who often have to double-up sports bras on long runs. That thought is beyond crazy to me, but I am fairly certain this is the sports bra for you if you’re one of those double-up coverage seeking gals.
If you are a runner, especially of long distances (get it – the MARATHON SPORTS BRA), you’ll want to check this bra out. It’s all the essential components to any piece of workout gear: no chafe, no bulk. Don’t let your sports bra tell you when your run is over due to chafing, stop when your legs (or your mind) tell you to. It is a faster drying bra thanks to Vapor Technology, helping you dry faster as your body heat rises. All good things in my runner’s book.
The thing I love most about this sports bra is that it has adjustable straps to give you a truly custom fit. Most things in life are not one-size fit all, nor should your sports bra be. Overall, this bra was a bit more strength than I needed, but I will definitely wear it for my longer runs thanks to the no chafing and no bulging, and I highly recommend this for other runners!
I am by no means a fashionista, or really any good at fashionable ensembles whatsoever, but I have this uncanny ability to go shopping with one thing in mind: gameday colors.
Red leather and navy stackable bracelets? Perfect for Texans games.
A green blazer? Yes, there’s enough room to wear that to a home Eagles game with a Junk Food Clothing sweatshirt underneath and I’ll be cute and warm. Double bonus!
Sunday, February 2nd marks Super Bowl Sunday where the Denver Broncos will take on the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium. Neither of my teams made it to the big game, so by default, I had to choose a team just to keep it entertaining. I seriously love Peyton Manning and having been to multiple games in Denver, making it an easy choice to root for the Broncos on Super Bowl Sunday. Plus, my dad is rooting for them, and well, he’s the whole reason I even learned to love football.
But I have to be careful not to pretend to be a hardcore bandwagon fan come gameday, so my Super Bowl outfit is kind of a big deal. I still want my friends and family to know who I’m rooting for, but I’m not going to go out and buy a Broncos shirt. I’ll cheer for them for this one game, but I want to be able to wear my outfit again, to make it worth my money.
And truth be told, Broncos colors are dangerously close to Florida Gator colors: those orange and blue combos aren’t really a friend of mine. (Go Noles!)
I recently went to Langford Market to see what they had in store for Super Bowl/Broncos options and was pleasantly surprised. The outfit I decided on is pictured above and is a simple blue dress (Maude) for $69.90 and an orange leather jacket (Maude) ON SALE for $20. (Note, all sale items at Langford Market are currently $20!) It’s simple, it’s got lots of flow (because I like to munch on Super Bowl snacks and drink lots of Bud Light) and is still cute and flirty. I’ll pair it with a pair of Frye cowboy boots and try to limit my loud and obnoxious overflow of sports
Super Bowl Outfit: Runner Up
knowledge and stats and call it a day.
Other great outfits Langford Market had to choose from are also pictured (1-4 options). I was thoroughly impressed with the amount of options in these colors. I found mostly dresses, but paired with a cardigan, it was still a great and comfortable option for lounging at a friend’s house and munching on veggies and wings. They also had some cute patterned shorts and pants that could be paired with a simple NFL tshirt from Junk Food Clothing (can also be found at Nordstrom).
Who are you rooting for and what are you wearing this Super Bowl Sunday?
I am by no means an Olympic athlete, but given my recent training schedule and re-commitment back to staying in shape and working hard (at Sculpt Fitness here in Houston), if I can drink the same drink that Olympic athletes do, I feel kind of empowered. Like I’m at least on the right track, somewhere…
Having been an athlete all my life, at least some variation of, milk has never really been my post-workout or post-game drink of choice, although the studies are there to back up why it should be. Milk is one of the best sources of protein – helping to build lean muscle and recharge the body when consumed directly after physical activity. And if you work out hard like I do (or at least attempt to), recharging your body and muscles is an absolute must.
I recently tried Core Power, the real milk-based sports recovery drink, which contains the natural whey and casein proteins from milk. Basically, it’s never removed from their original liquid state, so it tastes natural, the way milk is supposed to. The new brand features simple ingredients and great taste, without the chalky-texture. I repeat: without the chalky-texture. That’s usually the worst part about trying these new protein drinks – they all taste chalky and leave a film in your mouth. Pretty gross, right?
But not this one. (Seriously, I’m not being paid to tell you otherwise.)
Core Power boasts 14 grams of essential amino acids and 5 grams of branched chain amino acids and packs 26g of protein – yet it remains delicious. It’s like those V8 commercials where you’re not supposed to tell the kids how healthy they are, except these are actually good.
Protein consumption after exercise and training is an important part of every athlete’s workout regimen – whether the occasional marathon runner or an obsessed yogi. Protein helps build lean muscle and recharges the body when consumed directly after physical activity. (Note, so it doesn’t really do the body as good hours later.)
And let me just say this – milk is not the first after sport recovery drink I think of – usually it’s just plain ole water or maybe a G2 if I’m feeling fiesty, but it really does taste delicious and refreshing, and knowing the good it does for my body, helps too. And here’s the catch a lot of people forget – this is a recovery drink. If you plan to hit the gym or the running trails or the ski slopes on a regular basis, rebuilding those muscles and tissues is essential to returning day after day. This is part of a healthy training schedule, as is water consumption and adequate stretching.
I’ve only tried the vanilla and the chocolate (my favorite!), but there are a few other flavors to try as well (like banana and strawberry) and there’s even a low-cal version for those counting calories.
Core Power, just named the Official Protein Drink of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games is the perfect high-protein sports recovery drink for not just elite athletes, like Olympians, but folks like you and I who lead active lifestyles.
The US athletes selected are Emily Cook (aerial skiing), Eric Willett (slopestyle snowboard), Jazmine Fenlator (bobsled) and Jordie Karlinski (slopestyle snowboard). Core Power limited edition bottles featuring the athletes and their bios will hit shelves this month – personally I’m pretty excited to check these out! And definitely wishing all of our US athletes luck in Sochi – we’ll be cheering you on!
This Chicago-based protein drink is now available nationwide, so give it try post-workout. Would love to know your thoughts as well. If you want to give Core Power a try, check out their store locator to find the one nearest you.
Every year The Blonde Side fronts some money to send out Christmas cards to friends, family, followers, and editors to wow. This year we opted for New Year’s cards (thanks to inevitable procrastination), created by Houston designer April Guzik, and here’s what they looked like. A big thanks to all the input in the design process, and of course to Bud Light for sponsoring these bad boys!
It’s been one amazing year, but as always, I’m hopeful for what’s in store for the next 365 days.
We mailed out over 300 cards, and have had rave reviews from many of the recipients. Looking forward to our Valentine’s
Happy New Year from The Blonde Side
Day cards (hint: Go Eagles!).
Thanks again to all, and go out and enjoy 2014, even if you’re starting a few days late.
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Screen-Shot-2014-01-07-at-9.12.21-PM.png4171019Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2014-01-01 23:09:462014-01-07 23:15:34Happy New Year from The Blonde Side
I’ve never been one for the end-of-year dramatic flair (I swear!) but this year I figured it was time for a small sentiment and look back at my year. I’ll keep it short and sweet, mostly because in my heart I feel it’s important for whoever is reading this to read each and every word. I know time is of value, so…
This year was a lot of ups and downs and roller-coaster’ing for me – much like the life of a sports fan – you win some, you lose some, you kick some ass, and sometimes you get shut out and get your ass kicked, even with homefield advantage. While on FB or Instagram you might think my life is awesome because I got to sit courtside with Pat Riley and Micky Arison (just once) or because I was dancing with LeBron at the ESPYS (well creepily near him) or because I went to 14 NFL games and eight different stadiums – all that stuff is ah-mah-zing, but my life is real just like yours, and sometimes really effed up complete with a mascara tear-stained face.
I learned that the two most important people in my life have been there all along, and that I needed to stop looking for friends and a support system everywhere but there: MY HOME. As irony and hilarity would have it, it took that wretched Carnival Triumph and infamously named “poop cruise” to help me re-prioritize life. Getting onto that shit, I mean ship, in early February, my parents and I weren’t on the best of terms. I was stubborn, they were stubborn and we kind of left it like that.
Fast-forward a few days, literally not knowing if or when we were getting off that boat, and I realized the two most important people in my life likely wouldn’t be waiting for me to dock in Mobile, Ala. Instead, I was greeted with my friend’s parents, who so lovingly showed up with candy, flowers and signs (it also happened to be Valentine’s Day…). I realized if these girls were so close to their families, and probably experienced the same ups and downs as I did over the years, then I needed to man up, suck up my pride, apologize and just let go and love – probably in that order.
The most heart-breaking experience (probably of my life) was a few weeks after, once things settled down, my dad and I
Texans & NFL fun for The Blonde Side in 2013
were on the phone (he’s in Virginia/I’m in Texas). I somehow broke down and started sobbing, barely inaudible. I’d venture to say my father has seen/heard me cry only a handful of times. I always thought crying was a sign of weakness, but I couldn’t hold it in. I somehow muttered, “you should have been there,” referring to Mobile when our cesspool of a boat finally touched the shoreline.
He should have been there. After all, he was retired and probably bored, what’s a quick drive or flight to Mobile to see your only child?!
Then came his words: I didn’t know if you wanted me there. I’m crying as I write this now. My father, THE ONLY MAN who has ever stood by my side and done more for me than words can EVER say, didn’t think I wanted him there?
And to be honest, before that trip where I dug deep into my soul for an entire week (keep in mind, no phones, no books, no Internet, no booze, no music – I had nothing to do but think of my family and life choices), maybe I didn’t want him there. How sad and frightening of a realization is that?
The cruise ship girls (this was clearly AFTER the trip)
The things on my mind boarding that ship compared to the difference afterwards really spoke megaphone-loudly to my soul – I needed to make some changes, and I have.
This year also brought the heartbreak of losing my best friend. I have cried over the loss of her life pretty much every other day since it happened, and I realize there’s nothing I can do to bring her back. But there are a few things I can do: I can help spread the word and help debunk the stereotype that mental illness should be kept in the dark. We always think what could I have done differently? That’s the problem with mental illness – those suffering are afraid to talk to their best friends about it, for fear of judgement.
No more of that BS. No. More.
I can’t go back and change it for Megan, but I can hopefully change it for someone else. Hopefully less and less people will have to suffer this kind of devastating loss down the road. If I had asked her about her illness more, checked on her more, been more patient and understanding, talked with her parents, maybe it would have been different.
I won’t be one of those people who tries to benefit or get pity from others when a tragedy like this happens. I was a bad
The HI Life
friend for her at the end, and I’ve become a better person for admitting this painful truth. I wasn’t there for her, but it’s because I didn’t know how. I’m not making excuses, but in her last months, weeks and days, I was no where to be found. Having a best friend battling a serious mental illness is tough, but it doesn’t mean you quit. I would never quit in a game, why would I ever quit on a friend? The last conversation we had haunts me like you wouldn’t believe, but I know in my heart she still loves me and forgives me and is looking down on me cheering on the Eagles (she adopted them as a great BFF because she hated football but always said she’d love my team). Now, I do my best to think twice before saying something ugly, or turning my back on someone. As silly as it sounds, I think twice before posting something uber negative on social media, because what-if that’s the way I leave the world? I want to leave this world with great thoughts about me as a person and the work I do.
I dated super shitty guys, blah, blah, blah – haven’t we all? I didn’t really learn anything new in that department, except I am a woman of worth and if it takes me a bit longer to find that dream guy, that’s cool. It took the Saints 39 years to find Drew Brees, and look at them now. They waited, so can I.
Probably the biggest and most notable thing I did this year was make a massively impromptu decision to move to Hawaii. I moved there to write a book (about my life), but so much more happened. I learned to slow down a little, appreciate life and most importantly, how to love myself. I probably sound annoyingly cheesy, actually I know I do because I’m annoying myself, but it’s an experience I can’t really put in words, which is a devastating thought for someone who makes her living as a writer, one who is supposed to be good with words. I did some incredibly dumb things, like jumping off a 70-foot cliff with a random dude I met hitchhiking (who did not actually jump with me, red flag numero uno) and based on the videos and photos, I’m actually REALLY lucky to be alive. I spent three entire months on that glorious island hitchhiking around with nothing more than tequila courage in my veins and my trigger-happy finger held tightly on the taser my dad mailed me.
Living in and loving on the North Shore
Hawaii, and the ability to put life on hold for 3.5 months and write out my dream, was a blessing that many people don’t get. It was an experience. It was amazing. It was an amazing experience. I am a better person, and I have a damn fine book that is waiting to be published (hello publishers, lets talk – it’s a hilariously inappropriate recount of my life – a mix between Chelsea Handler and Tucker Max, but a tad more relatable and embarrassing) thanks to that island stint.
And lastly (I know there were probably 17 other MAJOR things that happened worth mentioning throughout the past 365 days), 2013 brought forth one of the toughest things I will ever face in life. Something that only a few people know, but something that showed me I have some of the most amazing friends to ever grace planet earth standing in my corner.
Most people can reach a year’s end and without much debate categorize it as a really good and blessed year, or a terrible shitty one they are ready to say goodbye to like a worthless quarterback. For the first time, I can’t do that. 2013 brought some damn good stuff my way, but it also brought a lot of tears, a lot of drama and a lot of heartache.
What I can say is this: 2013 was a year of learning. I think that’s the thing about life (if I’m wrong let me know), but I think we are supposed to just keep learning and being better and trying harder. Each day. Every day.
So there is my semi-short and sweet look back at 2013, and a semi MASSIVE thank you to those of you who stood by me, read my column, worked and partnered with me in business and didn’t set my jersey on fire even when I sucked. I don’t love you all, but I like most of you and am thankful for all of you.
xoxo, here’s to an even better 2014 for all of us, and hopefully an EAGLES SUPERBOWL WIN, finally.
You’ve had eleven and a half months to find the perfect gift for that perfect guy in your life, but alas, the clock is ticking and it still hasn’t hit you.
This might come as a surprise to you, but many guys, including your dad, brother or significant other, really dig sports, so why not get them tickets to one of the hottest sporting events of the year, also known as a gift they’ll never forget, also known as you’re the one who answers to Santa Claus from now on…
The folks at The Ticket Experience, an award-winning company that has been featured on ESPN and CNBC specializing in sports, concerts and theatre tickets all over the nation has one simple goal: to help you find the perfect tickets while still (hopefully) meeting your budget. And this isn’t their first rodeo either. This group of friendly experts is seasoned in helping people with absolutely no understanding of sporting events buy tickets to those hardcore and extreme fans coming to the table knowing exactly what they want. Rest assured they will walk you through the process and help you determine the best seats and games to meet your budget, all wrapped up with one tidy and fancy bow.
Use this quick guide, with information and tips from Ignacio Cubero and Patrick Ryan, the business partners behind The Ticket Experience, to make sure you get the best possible seats and prices. Getting the bang for your buck is what it’s all about this holiday season. Well, that and it’s the whole thought that counts thing…
“The Ticket Experience enables you to buy with confidence. If you buy tickets and have a question or feel like you’re going to be stuck with them or your needs change, we’re willing to work with people,” Ryan says of the business model. “We’re a mom and pop business that started with my business partner’s mom and I working out of my home and now we’re fortunate enough to have a number of employees and a nice office, but we know where our roots are from. We take every order very seriously and while we have the technology and website that looks complicated, the people behind it are very simple and easy to work with,” he says.
“If someone’s buying tickets as a gift, there are a couple things they need to figure out. First, are they buying tickets for a loved one because they want to see the home team or the away team? That will help narrow down the focus and of course the other thing will be budget,” Cubero starts.
That’s the ticket – to the perfect holiday gift!
Ryan used the back-to-back NBA Champs, the Miami Heat as an example in determining if there’s a specific team you want to see or just be a part of the sport you love. “If you know they are a big Heat fan, lets find them the best Heat tickets for their budget, but if their love for teams is a bit spread out and they prefer a lower level ticket, we can stretch the budget out a little more and have some flexibility. Getting those parameters first will help narrow down the focus and opportunities from there,” he says.
For some sports fans, they just want in the arena, but for others, they want to be so close, they can hear everything the team is saying to each other.
“Personally, I’d want the best seat possible, regardless of the opponent, so that would drive a lot of the decision for me because it’s fun to sit in the upper deck for a rowdy game given the exciting atmosphere, but the view isn’t as good as TV, so I’d rather go to a Wednesday night game against a non-marquee team. Look at a market like Houston, you could probably sit within ten rows of the visiting teams bench as the same price as an upper deck center for the Miami Heat, so as a fan of basketball the sport, I’d rather sit really close to the bench, even if it isn’t that great of a matchup,” he says.
And let me pause here – if you’re already confused or your palms are sweaty trying to decipher this information by yourself, the team at The Ticket Experience can walk you through all of it like they do with many of their customers. In fact, you can even email them directly at a VIP address (mail to: email VIP@TheTicketExperience.com) to start narrowing it down.
The Ticket Experience is what’s known as a secondary ticket market, simply meaning you’re buying a ticket that’s already been transacted once. It’s a lot like StubHub, a service you may already be familiar with, but with much more flexible and mom-and-pop shop type options, from people who know many arenas and stadiums like the back of their hand.
One of the things sites like StubHub lack is personal service and answers to some pretty vital questions. As Cubero and Ryan put it, “there’s no such thing as a dumb question.” I asked them to give me a few examples of things they may not see on a site like StubHub or where their expertise in so many stadiums/arenas can come in handy for a buyer like you and I.
“A common one is the numbering and lettering of rows. In some venues, the double letters like AA, BB come first, like they do in the Palace of Auburn Hills, and some of those seats include access to a complimentary buffet, but in the PNC Arena where the Carolina Hurricanes play, the double letters are actually in the back,” Ryan says. “A venue map is often times two-dimensional and doesn’t explain all the benefits of seating options, so that’s not an unfair question to ask. Things like, ‘are there any perks’ or ‘are there sections that include easier access to a bar or all you can eat buffets,’ etc. or some sort of lounge area,” Cubero chimes in. “Having an expert give you that information helps a lot, especially when you’re going after the experience,” he says.
Something else that isn’t always labeled on seating charts – where the team benches are located. That’s a huge plus for a big basketball fan that wants a close-up shot of Dirk Nowitzki.
Another tip from Cubero and Ryan, especially when using sites like Google or StubHub is not to shop just based on price. “Don’t just shop on price because one ticket is $200 and one a couple rows back is $170. On StubHub for example, the prices you see are what the person selling that ticket wants, it does not necessarily mean the seat is better. It’s not a completely logical market, to be honest,” Ryan says.
Other things The Ticket Experience can help you with is determining if there are sections you’d want to sit in or avoid. “In Houston, they have the Red Rowdies, a diverse fan group where fans audition by showing a ton of spirit and chosen to receive free tickets all season in that section. The section is loud and fun – they have drums and they go all out into characters. If I was going with kids who wanted to be loud, that’d be a great section, but if I was going to entertain clients, I’d absolutely not want to be near that,” Ryan laughs. Knowing where those sections are is helpful it seems. If you’re in a low row by the team tunnel, there’s a chance you’ll get a high-five or a wristband from your favorite player, but having the inside knowledge on where those seats are can be tricky. That’s what makes for a fun experience.
Another example Cubero points out when finding tickets in the “perfect” section is knowing where the no alcohol sections are in certain NFL stadiums. Imagine being with a huge bachelor party for a Broncos game and ending up in the only section that doesn’t serve or allow alcohol? Football and beer is a good thing, and that could certainly prevent the experience you’re going for.
“Sometimes stuff like that isn’t always clearly laid out but we can help people navigate that,” Cubero says.
An important thing to note about the secondary market, and companies like The Ticket Experience, is that the price fluctuates a lot, based on demand. “If you’re looking at a winter sport such as basketball or hockey, March can get really hot because teams are in a playoff hunt, so all the games have that dramatic feel to them, so prices can shoot up. There’s also the downside that if a team is out of the playoffs come March and they are tanking, prices will have gone down,” Ryan explains.
“If there is a must-see game, I think it’s more important to lock something in that you’re comfortable with, and not worry about it and understand you got a good deal. It’s a volatile market; it can go up and down. The Rockets market could collapse if James Harden and Dwight Howard got hurt, so that’s one of the things we try to help people understand. If you’re buying early, you’re buying piece of mind,” he says.
Another important note when buying from the secondary market is that the face value printed on the ticket isn’t always accurate. So don’t freak out if you paid a little more. Here’s a short example of how it works in some markets, according to Ryan. “Some teams are assigning averages to ticket prices, so a Friday night game against the Lakers may go for well over the $55 value printed on the ticket, for instance you might pay $105, but a Tuesday against the Bobcats you can probably score for $25, in the secondary market. Remember, you are paying market demand. In our business 70% of the tickets we sell are sold for below ‘face value,’ he points out.
Like many reputable businesses, The Ticket Experience makes their money off repeat customers, so feel at ease when reaching out to them asking questions or purchasing tickets. Their entire business model is based around making sure the fan, no matter of what team, has a great experience, tells their friends, and hopefully comes back for more (in that order).
With all the different markets, different opponents, different playoff races, and more “there’s no stupid question when it comes to ticketing,” Ryan reminds me. And believe me, I tried him on that, and it became crystal clear after our talk that there are so many variables when buying tickets and his team is ready to explain all the scenarios, etc. when purchasing.
For questions, email VIP@TheTicketExperience.com – and remember, there are no dumb questions, at least not when it comes to buying tickets… so get ready to be everyone’s favorite Santa Claus this season.
This piece originally ran on GirlsGuideTo.com under The Blonde Side’s column. Click here to see the original piece.
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/NBAXmas.jpg303425Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2013-12-20 23:51:272014-11-19 12:09:04That’s the Ticket! For a Holiday Gift!
NFL Glam: Philadelphia Eagles Game Day Eyes from The Blonde Side
Game Day glam doesn’t have to stop at your team-colored outfit or that retro jersey from your great grandfather, you can up your personal sporty flair by creating your very own game-day eye look. If eyes are the window to your soul then game day eyes are the window to your football fandom, right?
Thanks to Houston makeup artist, Andrea Simmons, Founder of FaceForward Weddings, we’ve put together a fun step-by-step guide to creating the perfect Philadelphia Eagles eyes to rock at Lincoln Financial Field or on the road.
Since I’m partial to MAC Cosmetics, we used their awesome palette of colors and came up with: Plumage (the darker green), Steamy Frost (light green with some shimmer) and Silver Ring to create this look. Note, if you visit any of the MAC Cosmetic counters (or other brands you prefer) and present a logo of the team you’re trying to create, they will gladly help pull similar colors in case they are sold out of the specific colors we used.
Get Eagles Game Day Glam Eyes in 7 Easy Steps:
1. Coat your lids with a primer so that the pigment shows up, giving you a more vivid and extreme color (not to mention long-lasting in case you go into overtime).
2. Take Plumage (the darker green) with a regular fluff shadow brush and apply to the outside corner of the eye. This doesn’t have to be perfect because you’ll end up blending out the color with the silver in the next step.
3. Take the Silver Ring (color) using a crease brush and blend into the crease to soften the color.
4. Take your smudge brush and use Plumage again underneath the eye at the lash line to define the eye (this will serve as an eyeliner).
How-To: NFL Glam: Philadelphia Eagles Game Day Eyes
5. Take your fluff shadow brush (make sure to clean plumage off so you don’t mix the colors) and using Steamy Frost, apply to inside corners of the eyelid.
6. Take a dark eyeliner and line the top eyelid from corner to corner.
7. Apply mascara.
Now you’re ready for your game day chant: F-L-Y-E-A-G-L-E-S-F-L-Y
To see this original article on GirlsGuideTo.com, click here.
And if you’re in Houston, you’re in luck. Andrea with FaceForward Weddings is available to cater to groups of gals for parties and events out and about or in your home to help you learn how to create your own perfect game day eye glam, no matter your team (she’s a Steelers fan, but supports The Blonde Side’s endeavors with the Eagles and the Texans).
Shoot her an email for pricing and dates and be sure to tell her The Blonde Side sent you so she’ll hook you up with a little bit of a deal. Email her at: a.simmons5586 [at] gmail [.] com
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/photo-1.jpg20812081Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2013-11-12 20:53:362013-11-12 20:53:36NFL Glam: Eagles Game Day Eyes How-To