An Awesome Friend, Mom, and Author

Howdy friends! Last night I spent time with the amazing Kim Flores-Swenson, and it's about time I mention this AWESOME lady on my blog! Kim is a great friend of mine, with an amazing heart, and awesome husband, and an adorable new baby boy. She's also my gift-giving mentor. She always makes and creates the most perfect and individualized gifts for everyone. More on that later. What's even more amazing about Kim is that she has already reached one of my personal dreams: being an author! Now on to her third novel after just wrapping up her newest, American Twirl, Kim is one of the brightest pics in the Young Adult section of your local bookstore. I thoroughly enjoyed her first novel, Gamma Glamma, and think it would be a great gift for any teen/tween/gal pal in your life. Get it here.

Kim has a fun blog, too, where you can learn more about her as well. It's also full of ways to feel creatively inspired.

Thanks for rocking it out Kim, and always reminding me to doodle. Haaay!

Pia The Pig

Awesomely Frugal Fashion Fridays: Modcloth

Today's installment of AFFF: Modcloth! I love looking at all the fun dresses on this site, and I finally sauntered into the other categories. Some super fun and original vintage looking stuff on here!

Check out this Business Casual Necklace. Hilarious! Tie one on here

How cute is this Rick Rack Dress for summer?! Rick. Rack. Awesome. Get it here

This American Beauty Dress is just screaming "4th of July Picnic!" God Bless Bargains, get it here

This Madeline Dress in Royal and Red is perfect for a summer wedding.
Here Comes The Hotness, get it here

This Dark Room Dress is just plain cool.
Not Cheesy at all, get it here

Pair that with these Sundae Shoes in Hot Fudge, and you've got yourself a delicious duo.
Yum, get them here

As always, Happy Shopping and Happy Friday!
Pia The Pig

Holy Shnikees! Bert needs this!

CLICK AND WATCH NOW! Custom cat outfits!

Awesome: $5 Sale at Urban Outfitters

Get it.

Let's Do It Up Awesomely Big This Weekend

The weekend is fast approaching, thanks to this delicious 4-day work week. Here's a roundup of what looks good around the Big D. Let me know if you know of anything else to add! Lots of free family stuff this week. And the Rangers are here this weekend. I'm ready for a game and a hot dog! Who's in?

Thursday, May 28
Tickles for Toddlers
FREE Thursdays, 2 p.m. Fun for 2- and 3-year-olds who love to jump around, hear a story, sing a song, do fingerplays and lots more. Bookmarks at NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1514, 214.671.1381.

After-School Movie Time
FREE Thursdays, 3:30 p.m. Enjoy a different Disney movie every week. All ages welcome. Audelia Road Library, 10045 Audelia. 214.670.1350.

Dallas Arboretum Cool Thursday Concert Series
$7-$21 Thursday, April 30 through Thursday, July 30. This is Dallas' only outdoor concert series overlooking White Rock Lake. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Rd. dallasarboretum.org

Barefoot At The Belmont Concert Series
$20-$30 Thursday,June 6, 8 p.m. Belmont Hotel is proud to present the return of the outdoor music series, Barefoot at the Belmont. Sip cocktails and munch on tasty bites from the BarBelmont while listening to some of Texas’ best independent artists. 877.476.3378 or click here

Friday, May 29
Free Family Friday at the National Cowgirl Museum
Museum admission is free for the entire family on the last Friday of the month from 3pm-7pm. Bring the entire family and enjoy exhibits from the National Cowgirl Museum and hands-on activities from the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.
Click here for more info

Brandi Carlile
The Granada
8:00p

Saturday, May 30
NorthPark Center Activities
FREE Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for preschool-age children and Saturdays at 2 p.m. for elementary-age children. Dallas Public Library series with opportunities to listen to stories, sing, dance and participate in hands-on activities. NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central Expressway. 214.363.7441 or northparkcenter.com.

Lone Star Comics Game Night
FREE This comic book shop hosts a family game night every Saturday at 6 p.m. 6465 E. Mockingbird, 214.823.0934 or mycomicshop.com.

Downtown McKinney Art Walk
10:00a to 6:00p Historic Downtown McKinney-Mitchell Park
McKinney TXOver 50 artists will showcase their art forte in store fronts throughout downtown. The Art Walk is a perfect opportunity to come down and experience the magic of the downtown

No Doubt and Paramore
Superpages.com Center
7:30

Sunday, May 31
Hard Nights Day All Ages Show
$5 Sunday, May 31. Join Dallas' Beatles cover band for an all ages show. $5. Barley House, 5612 SMU Blvd. barleyhouse.com

Found Magazine's Denim and Diamonds Tour
Davy Rothbart started Found Magazine with the notion of collecting all those "lost, tossed and forgotten items" of prose — some profound, some profoundly strange — that wind up in junk stores, on bulletin boards, and in journals...

Found Magazine's Denim and Diamonds Tour
8:00p The Public Trust (formerly Art Prostitute)
2919-C Commerce St
Dallas, TX 75226
(940) 300-6642

B.B. King
House of Blues
7:00p

Kate Voegele
The Loft
6:30p

It's gonna be a hot one. Don't forget the SPF!
Pia The Pig

This Sounds Awesome

Pack your picnics and your portable chairs! The Dallas Symphony is performing free tonight at Fretz Park in Dallas (Hillcrest and Beltline). Festivities start at 6 p.m. with performances by local bands, bounce houses, and petting zoos. Parents can purchase $3 wristbands for unlimited access to all the kiddie games and attractions. Catch the sunset tonight with great weather as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra performs from 8-9 p.m. There's a Whole Foods just minutes away at Coit and Beltline for all your picnic-packing needs. Free? Picnic? Symphony? Grass? 80 degrees? Sounds like music to my ears.

YAY summer!
Pia The Pig

Awesomely Customized Baby Bedding!

Good morning my friends!Today the spotlight is on babylovin.com, custom-made baby bedding. AAAD reader Jen started the company a few years ago, when, like most of us design-junkies out there, she became unsatisfied with the pre-packaged options (and custom prices) for baby bedding. So, like a true entrepreneur with good taste, she launched her own line. Check out how many fabric options she has: over 100! I like loads of these fabrics for myself. I'm guessing the sheets might be a little short for my bed...but juuuust right for your little angels. Here are some of my faves, but check out all the fabric choices for yourself.



Make sure to check out the Babylovin Etsy site as well. Tell her Pia The Pig sent you!

Thanks for reading Jen, and thanks for giving moms much more stylish (and affordable!) custom options.

Sweet Dreams!
Pia The Pig

Central Market, Your Roses Are Awesome

And even awesomer today, when I couldn't believe my eyes to see such beautiful, fat roses at just $7 for a dozen. ATTENTION ALL MEN: GO TO CENTRAL MARKET TODAY. (Do any men even read this blog?) You will be rewarded!

Brighten up anyone's day with a single rose for just a buck (EVERY TUESDAY!!!) or their blowout dozen deal today.

Roses poster from Etsy

Central Market has the most gorgeous rose selection, with colors and bloom diameters I have never seen before. Reason 68386026 I love Central Market.

Happy Tuesday, my Blooms!
Pia The Pig

A Rule To Follow For An Awesome Life: Always Stop At Lemonade Stands

Lemons Art on Etsy (I have this and love it)
Happy Day Off, my friends! I was so pleased to pass by a delightful lemonade stand yesterday. My parents always stopped and gave a big tip to lemonade sellers when we were little, and it's one of the 3278598392094 lessons I am thrilled that I learned from them. There is no better reaction when three little words are uttered: "keep the change."

So, I thought I'd show a little lemonade love (there's the title for my not-quite-finished Summer iMix).

I'm loving handmade banners lately, and this one can be hung on a tree for maximum curb appeal for all your lemonade stand traffic! Handmade lemonade banner on Etsy

There's nothing better than fresh-squeezed lemonade, and this is just about as close as you can get at your local grocer. I am in love with Simply Orange and Simply Lemonade might be even better. SO GREAT!


For an extra treat for your lemonade stand (or simply an adult lemonade stand, WHY HAVE I NOT DONE THIS YET?) why not whip up this Frozen Lemonade Pie, courtesy of the Neelys on Food Network? The reviews are amazing.

And finally, let's just call it The Perfect Accompaniment to The Lemonade Stand: The Vodka Rosemary Lemonade Fizz courtesy of Epicurious. I mean seriously. When are you coming over? Because I am ready to make this RIGHT NOW.

When life gives you lemons, CASH IN!
Pia The Pig

Our Vets Are Awesome.

Happy Memorial Day. I thought I'd include the Wikipedia entry for Memorial Day so we can all learn a little bit more.

God Bless America!
Pia The Pig

Awesome Twitter To Follow

Okay, so Twitter can be annoying/confusing/unnecessary, but I am loving Cookbook on Twitter! Twitter gives you 140 characters or less, and this genius named Maureen has condensed her recipes into just that. Who knew Mango Rhubarb Salsa could be so simple? There's a new recipe almost every day. Now this, I can handle!

Follow on Twitter. Lead in life.
Pia The Pig