Pax & Parker Pop-Up and Open House

If you’ve been following my blog posts and Instagram account you will know two things by now.

1. I love entrepreneurs
2. I love TCU

When I caught wind that two recent TCU grads were opening up a new high-end store, Pax & Parker in West Bend, I HAD to find out more. Winston Parker Ley, a graduate of the TCU Neeley School of Business, and Alari Paxson with a fashion merchandising degree from TCU were also buyers together at a luxury women’s store in San Antonio. They chose Fort Worth to start their entrepreneurial journey and to create long lasting relationships with members of our community. I for one WELCOME these two and their new store and am THRILLED to announce that I will be hosting their first pop-up ever in gorgeous La Cantera! While they are still customizing their 1364-square-foot space, they already have all of their fall lines in and ready to share with you. Favorites include Milly, Yoana Baraschi, Nicole Miller, DL1961, Billy Reid, Jack Spade, and Rodd & Gunn.

My fashion loving heart can hardly take it. I can’t wait to see everything right along with you. Winston also mentioned there will be gifts with purchase for some of the collections. {insertfistbumpemoji}

But of course I can’t just stop here. I had to include everything you could possibly want out of a shopping haul so I invited a few of my awesome business minded friends to join in on the fun.

Bree Linne, Lifestyle Photographer (also a TCU grad) will be shooting a Christmas mini session at an adjacent property. Please call her to book a time slot. Her phone number is included on the invitation below. She is shooting my family this Saturday, and has also shot for this blog here and here. She’s fabulous with kids and she has some exciting back drops planned that are holiday themed.

Laura Meyn, author of Meatless in Cowtown, contributing writer to 360 West, and this awesome blog post will be signing copies of her vegetarian cookbook. I think this is the perfect gift to give a mom or friend that loves to cook or is looking for fresh recipes to serve the family. Laura is a gem and I’m so excited she will be there for you to meet and answer any epicurean questions you may have.

What’s an open house without some home decor to feast your eyes on? I’ve been social media stalking Chrissi Shields with Styled Chaos and have fallen madly in love with her interiors. She is not afraid to mix styles, colors, patterns and textures in her spaces and that makes my heart happy in so many ways. I can almost picture my future home without crayons and paint on the walls. {insertseenoevilemoji} I don’t want to sound creepy about all the stalking, I have also been emailing and texting with Chrissi about some projects in my home and decided that this pop-up would be the perfect venue to introduce you to her work. Visit her website and get in line to book her services.

Toy Works is a family run business since 1983 located in Village of Camp Bowie shopping center. Nancy Hay, shop owner, will be set up at this event with boutique lines of children’s toys and books such as Brio Trains, Corolle Dolls, Rifle Paper Co Books, and Hape wooden toys. I met Nancy recently and she shared with me that they offer complimentary gift wrapping and assembly and they are proud of their huge book department. In fact, her sister publishes a book blog every week on their website, toyworksstore.com; she offers suggestions on lessons you can teach and activities based on the books.

Jill Hall, artist behind The Rustic Thistle shop on Etsy, and another TCU grad will be on hand with her collection of stationery and art. How precious are these notecards? I’ve been peeking around her Etsy shop and Facebook page and she personalizes the stationery as well. I am a huge paper fan, two of my first jobs were working at two stationery stores, and I’m certain that her work is unique and not like all of the repetitive trends you find at Target. I love supporting local and most of all “mompreneurs”. If you can’t make the show, please find something on her Etsy store. But I KNOW  you’re coming to the show, so it won’t be a problem.

So here’s the deal. You’re a busy mom. I’m a busy mom. I feel you. Sister, I feel you in ways that only a mom with 4 kids and major mommy guilt can when thinking about going to spend time for herself. So I am removing ALL sense of guilt because ladies, we will have kid friendly activities in the backyard. Say what?? Yes, you heard me K-I-D friendly art projects led by Christie Neal who is no stranger to kids or art or teaching kids art. She has volunteered at Cook Children’s Hospital and also gives private art lessons to students in her home studio. Side note, my mom is an artist, my mother-in-law is an artist, and my daughter who can spend hours on end with crayons in hand all exemplify the joy it is to use your talents to create art. Come and meet Christie and she’ll share with you how she hopes to inspire your children.

Full disclosure I am a doughnut fan. But not just any doughnut. Really really good ones that are worth the calories, Hostess be damned. Doughboy Donuts has been popping up all over town at different venues and you can find them at Stir Crazy Baked Goods. Melvin the owner mentioned that they are in process of getting a food truck. I think we are all on the same page that this is a very very good idea. The picture below has me envisioning taking a bite out of each one before settling on my favorite. Come to the show to support another small business, we can take bites together. #doughnutbesties

You know what’s crazy? Only having known someone through Facebook but having a huge and utmost respect for them based on what they post and share. That sums up my relationship with Sharon Jackson. Her husband is a track coach at TCU and she’s been a member of Tanglewood Moms since we started the group and has been an inspiration for moms throughout our community. She inspires us to live healthfully, exercise frequently, and even when life brings us challenging moments to keep our chin up and know tomorrow will be a better day. Come meet Sharon if you need a fitness plan now or know you will after the holidays!

An lastly Briley Studdard with Oh Deery Floral. She is a kind hearted soul with an immense talent for floral decoration. I met Briley through Katherine Sasser of Hurley House at one of our #GIRLBOSS dinners and I’ve been following her on Instagram ever since. She works with brides to capture their special moments, but also offers arrangements for any of your personal or event needs. Fresh flowers are a simple luxury, but so necessary in our hectic and sometimes messy lives. Flowers remind us of the beauty in the world and when we receive them as a gift (hint hint Billy Bob Wise) we feel special beyond comparison.

Have I convinced you that you MUST come to our Pop Up and Open House? I hope so.

It’s Wednesday, October 21st from 1-5pm at 5216 Sendero, Fort Worth, Texas. The event is at a home within the La Cantera gated community listed by John Zimmerman of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty. Save the date and we’ll see you there!

xo, V