3 year old toddler helps Mommy make video for Oprah

Instead of being frustrated at trying to shoot a video while my toddler jumped around, I decided to let him be part of the project. He "helped" me record my entry into Oprah's OWN Network show contest. I'm pitching the idea of a Frugal Socialite show. He truly is a mini-socialite! By himself, with no prompting from me, he started repeating the things I was saying, and tell me, is he a natural?

Put on the Ritz (Carlton) with glitz without creating a cash blitz -- Frugal Socialite style!

Who knew you could put on the Ritz for a few cents? I had a blast appearing today on WUSA9's noon news with J.C. Hayward to talk about The Ritz Carlton, Pentagon City's 20th Anniversary deals. New Executive Chef, Frederic Chartier, brought not only his new signature dish, Salmon Rillette, to life on the show, but created a little "a la la" with his French accent! The hotel's Fyve Restaurant and Lounge has a little Parisian flair in the house with the addition of Chef Chartier. Inexpensive and The Ritz Carlton seems to be an oxymoron, but The Frugal Socialite found deals to make your mouth water and your budget stay in tact.



Many of us practically live in the Costco across the street or at least breeze through Pentagon City Mall, but how many times have you valet parked on the other side of Nordstrom or rang the bell tucked away by the mall entrance of the Ritz, near Brookstone on the 2nd level? When you decide to get a little down time after shopping or treat yourself to a night away from home, you’ll forget you are any where near the bustling Arlington area once inside the elegance of the Ritz.

Lucinda, Chef Chartier and CBS DC's JC Hayward dishing some prime rib

Here's the scoop on how to Ritz with Glitz
without creating a cash blitz:

$5 dishes at Fyve Restaurant and Lounge

I’m known for finding upscale food for Extra Value Meal rates and the Ritz serves it up perfectly. From 2:30 PM to 11 PM daily, join the elite executives, power brokers and trendy set in the Fyve Lounge for 15 menu items for only $5! This is the longest Happy Hour in town! Choices range from a mini Black Angus burger with fries to calamari to parmesan risotto balls to antipasto, short ribs and meat filled grilled cheese. Cheesecake, sorbet and a nice little “trilogy” of mini cupcakes finishes the meal, also for $5.00. So, for $10 you can have your cake and eat, too, enveloped in a plush, cushy Ritz style couch.



$20.10 – the year and the price on Thursdays

Complete prime rib dinner inside the intimate and elegant Fyve Restaurant. Really, Do you need more details? Just make your reservation and live it up this week.



Rooms with a view AND a private staff

I soaked up every minute of my recent stay in the Ritz’s Club Level room. For a minute, I forgot Sonia and Mulu, the hostesses with the mostesses, didn’t exist merely to entertain us! Frugal is in. Cheap is a mistake! When debating whether to add the extra bucks to upgrade your room to Club Level, don’t waste a minute thinking when you could be drinking – a glass of complimentary bubbly or drinking in the view of almost all the Washington monuments and haps from the Club windows.



Basically, the Club Level includes access to the private staff and lounge on the top floor. Wine, champagne, beer, fresh squeezed juices, breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert buffets plus the most stunning panoramic views in the area are all included on that exclusive floor. Even kids have their whims nurtured with special treats and personal attention. There’s nothing you can want when you’re “in residence” in the Club and if you can think of something you need, your Club staff try to find it for you. All in all, with food, drinks, and the “cater to you” aspect, this option adds hundreds of dollars’ value per person, per day, if you use all the benefits offered.



Announcing The 5-7 Club – Birthday folks on May 7th, come on down…

The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City created a very special club, and only guests who share the hotel’s official birthday – May 7th – are invited to join. Lucky members of The 5-7 Club who visit fyve Restaurant Lounge during May will be toasted with a complementary glass of champagne; and throughout the remainder of 2010, 20% will be deducted from their total meal tab. (Members only, please – a piece of identification showing date of birth is required.)



The Signature Anniversary Dessert with Pop Rocks, that throw back Candy?

I still have to try it, but Pastry Chef Dallas Marsteller has surpassed herself with the creation of a signature twentieth anniversary dessert. If it’s anything like the other goodies of Chef Marsteller’s, then I’ll also take one, two, or a dozen, to go! Both a throwback to the 1990s and a nod to the capital’s world-renowned cherry trees, this just-unveiled delight is named The Chocolate Chip Cherry Soufflé. Baked to order with pop-rocks ganache and sour cherry compote, it’s complemented by a mocha ice cream trifle on the side. This delightful indulgence will be available only in May.

Go online to: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/PentagonCity/Default.htm, to read about their contest for returning customers and guests, called, What’s Your Story?” and check out their Signature drink recipes.



Questions about my personal experiences at the hotel and restaurant? Post a comment here or email me at frugalsocialite@aol.com.

6 islands, 7 days on 5 star Princess cruise for $199--- Believe it!

If you could see islands on a 7 day Princess cruise for $199, could you be packed by Sunday? A legit deal.


I called and verified this rate and date is still available!
No joke! The cruise industry can’t stand sailing with a ship half full. Who says the early bird always gets the worm? The Frugal Socialite only books cruises within 21 days of sailing because the deals are just this sweet!

Princess Cruise Lines 
The Caribbean Princess ship
Sunday, March 21st, leaving from San Juan, Puerto Rico
Two cabins left at this price: 
$199 per person for a category M room
$51 taxes
PLUS--$75 on board credit for spending on the ship. All said and done, this is a 5 star, all food and activities included, taxi ride between 6 islands for only $21 per day. That ain’t even one Starbucks coffee, a paper and a Big Mac Extra Value meal.

I’m seeing flights on www.sidestep.com from $300.

After these sell out, the room rate goes to $550 per person.

Let me know if you want to go! Join my blog, or twitter and follow me to get the contact info!

Frugally yours,

Lucinda

If you could see 6 islands on a 7 day Princess cruise for $199, could you be packed by this Sunday? A legit deal. When you join my blog, I'll email you the info: www.frugalsocialite.com!

My blog has a new home

The Frugal Socialite has moved to www.frugalsocialite.com. Click on blog. Or go to www.kontain.com/frugalsocialite



Thanks for being a reader!

Lucinda

Chuck E. Cheese on Route 1 in VA is closed until 2011 for renovations. Do they understand what a void that is for parents who need indoor play during Winter???

Christmas card Mailer or Moron?

I'm such an online gal.  From bills to shopping to research, it's all about the web. 

First , I need real stamps to mail Christmas cards and then I need to break my tradition of carying them in my bag from Dec. 1 to Dec. 24th. At 8 pm on Christmas Eve, I realize it's over, so my custom is to put them away until next year. Then, guess what, the cycle continues. At least I'm consistent!

Can anyone relate?

GA Tech & Clemson game keeping me interested & I don't even watch college football. Overturn was a let down but GA pulled it out anyway!

ICE! at Gaylord is the Hottest, Chilliest Ticket in Town

The Frugal Socialite slid down the chilliest ride in town! Ice! has a slide made entirely of ice that was the slickest, quickest, cold bottomed plummet I've ever done. From the parka fitting at the front door to the angelic wrap up at the end, this is so worth it! Preview and launch night at the Gaylord Thursday was amazing. It is the best ticket indoors for a holiday transformation. Fireworks and Christmas trees? Who knew? You should! www.christmasonthepotomac.com

How does Sprint stay in business? They are crap. Cricket looks SO appealing right now.

Did anyone read the Doonesbury comic strip about Social Media taking over life in Sunday's paper? LOL hilarious.

Frugal Socialite tip of the day: How to eat, shop, or go out for free the whole month of your birthday. Tweet me or subscribe to my blog to find out: blogspot.com/frugalsocialite.

What's more important these days? Your Google ranking or your credit score?

Procreation Vacation dominated traditional media & now social media is kicking it's butt

After 1000s of articles, radio and tv stories about me and my husband's participation in The Procreation Vacation in 2006 - 2008, in media like USA Today, CNN, Fox National, Good Morning America, Jay Leno, The Washington Post, Italian papers, etc., etc.   Procreation Vacation in USA Today,


I added small listings on Ning.com and other social sites last week and they have knocked the Procreation Vacation down in ranking!  What the hooty? 

I have come into social media-dom in disbelief and awe.  I am a traditional media girl, bred on the need for clips, bylines, resumes and credentials to even get a glance from editors.  In the 2000's all one has to do is create something in a free space, called online, and voila! Published!

My head is spinning.  So are my fingers as I try to keep up with the trend...

Gladys Knight is onstage now singing "I'm gonna fight to the end". Me, too, girl. R u singin' to me?

Travel with baby but leave some gear behind...Choose good hotels!

Why lug toddler gear? Many hotels have it covered!




Moms, don't get discouraged about travelling because the baby's stuff is an extra suitcase and a half. When planning a trip consider the hotel. Even if it's a quick overnight in your own city, make it easy! My 2 year old has been on over 40 trips in his lifetime due to my career. I take him and hubby along as much as I can. I KNOW about hauling gear from 2 months of age to now.



These are some of the hotels that have made home-away-from-home a breeze. Check with each individually, but in general they've stocked: bedrails, bottle warmers, microwaves or access to them, baby toiletries, extra Lysol or hand sanitizer, certified babysitters, pack-n-plays, extra sheets for playtime and more---



The Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. (check with all InterContinental Hotels)

All Disney resort hotels within Disneyworld

The Swan and Dolphin Hotel in Orlando at Disney (www.starwoodhotels.com)

Great Wolf Lodge (I was at Williamsburg, VA, but check their whole national chain)

The Millenium Hotels in New York City

The Hyatt Hotel and Resort in Cambridge,MD (www.hyatthotels.com)



Many more, but these stood out for their quality and willingness to make baby and family happy!

If you ever thought Holiday Inn was just a budget joint, are left behind! InterContinental Hotels Group, owner of H-Inn, IC, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge Suites, Hotel Indigo, etc., etc., has taken over D.C. Not only is this a first class group, but they are not playing when it comes to guest satisfaction. IHG is rocking the Convention Center tonight with a massive dinner with all the owners worldwide being serenaded by Ms. Gladys Knight herself! Are you on the list?

I don't like to act like a groupie, but today at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in D.C., I saw Steadman. Should I have tried to find out if Oprah was in the house? The Frugal Sociallite can't run folks down, but those who do, get their mission accomplished. I have a project where I need to reach the esteemed Ms. O. What do you think?

Hanging Out as guest of InterContinental Hotels

Just had dinner with Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor for CBS and formerly The Today Show. Also sat with President, CEO and PR Directors of Inter-Continental Hotels (IHG) Worldwide (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, Hotel Indigo, etc.)  Left to Right, Andrew Bard, my contact and oh-so-diligent contact at Weber Shandwick PR firm, Peter Greenberg, who we're lucky to see outside of a TV screen or First Class plane seat, Natasha Gullett, Director of Brand Communications for IHG, Me/The Frugal Socialite and British hostess with the most-ess, Francie Shulwolf.

Just made a Mint Julep, courtesy nightcap I found in my room, at The Willard Inter-Continental in D.C. The housekeepers here are on top of it all!  The tray is placed discreetly beside the magazines and almost hides out, until you notice the TV is tuned to Jim Hewes, bartender at the Round Robin bar downstairs. Jim tutors on how to make a Mint Julep.  After seeing it run over and over, it's time to crush some ice and mix that drink up!  I'm enjoying historic luxury at the building I drive by weekly. The Frugal Socialite has to figure out how to have a stay-over in my own town more often...