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...

Bloggers of Influence who have spurred me to re-vamp my Social Media. Left to right:  Sherelle, aka, FunkiDivaGirl.com, SistaSense, BlasianBaby, Mrs. Deveter, Me/FrugalSocialite.com, YoungMommy, Heather (Disney's Moms Panel), AskWifey, Hanging With Mrs. Cooper, Stephanie of Sister to Sister Magazine

Time to re-vamp and blog, blog, blog

Social Media for the Socialite has taken on a new meaning in the last few months.  Not only am I a freelance journalist, I'm now labelled a "Blogger", or even sexier, Social Media Maven (SMM).  And there's no ropes or cuffs involved in this SMM!

Now I have to live up to it! 

Here I am, surrounded by some SMMs in Disney, as I prepare to get my Social Media on...