The day has finally arrived. The Bluebird of Happiness is heading to Country Inn & Suites.
The hotel has implemented several environmentally friendly changes as part of their commitment to exist in harmony with their surroundings and reduce their environmental footprint, while providing a better yet less expensive service for all their guests.
I will be sharing photos and tweets over the internet.
Please make sure you follow @countryinns on twitter. Country Inn has also created the hashtag #LoveThisCountryATL so you can follow the conference live.
Talk to you soon. I really need to start packing :D
Children's healthcare of Atlanta is notorious for going above and beyond for their patients. This time it was Olivia King's turn to shine and we were invited to watch the event unfold.
After essentially spending her childhood in
hospital rooms at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, Olivia
King finally got her chance to celebrate her birthday in good health – and in VIP
fashion. Olivia celebrated
her sweet 16 on Monday, June 25, just one day before she got to be honored at
the Atlanta Dream Kids Day game against the Indiana Fever. Olivia’s journey has been anything but easy. When she was three years old, she
experienced complete liver failure. Olivia was airlifted from Nashville to
Children’s at Egleston where doctors determined she would need a liver
transplant. In November 2000, she received a split liver transplant and doctors
discovered she was also suffering from cystic fibrosis. The disease had
attacked her digestive system, further complicating her health.
In July 2010, Olivia
needed another liver transplant. This time she received a whole liver, which
has changed her life completely. Barbara King, Olivia’s mother, says over
the past year Olivia is finally “living real life like other kids.”
Olivia and her family sat in VIP seats for Tuesday's game. They met the
team owners, and Olivia was presented with a basketball autographed by
members of the Dream. Olivia also had the opportunity to meet the players
after the game during an exclusive autograph session.
Olivia’s
passion is acting, and she recently started working with a casting agent. She
hopes to be working on films very soon.
The Bluebird patch is extremely proud of Olivia accomplishments and wishes her a life full of happiness and shiny blessings.
Happy Birthday Olivia. The best years are yet to come!!
Facing tough economic times, most charities saw drops in charitable giving this year. Connecting celebrities to support a cause needs to be more than just lending their name. Supermodel Cynthia Bailey (RHOA) has always shown a commitment to help her community by supporting charitable causes. This time her agency, Bailey Agency School of
Fashion, is joining forces with Show Me the Way Foundation, for an All-Star
model casting call for children ages 5-17. Show
Me the Way Foundation (SMTWF) is a non-profit organization that
provides mentoring and positive group activities for youth infected with
and affected by HIV/AIDS and other terminal health issues.
Image via Rolling Out Magazine
Want to attend? I will be there supporting this wonderful organization.
Here are the deets:
WHO:
Supermodel Cynthia Bailey (RHOA) and the Bailey Agency School of
Fashion will partner with Show Me the Way Foundation for an All-Star
model casting call for children ages 5-17. Children selected will join a
host of celebrity kids and their parents for the 2012 Runway Red:
Wonderland
Safari sponsored by African Pride Dream Kids.
WHAT:
The Runway Red Model Call is in preparation for the 2012 Runway Red
Celebrity Kids Fashion Show benefiting Show Me the Way Foundation's
efforts on HIV/AIDS research on Saturday, August 11, 2012. The fourth
annual charity fashion extravaganza is sponsored by African Pride Dream
Kids and will be held at ZOO Atlanta.
WHEN: Sunday, July 1st , 2012
WHERE: Park Tavern 500 10th Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
WHY:
Children ages 5-17 are needed to join an All-Star cast of celebrities, couture
fashions and special surprises for an unforgettable night to benefit
HIV/AIDS research. Supermodel Cynthia Bailey will host the model call
along with instructors and staff from the Bailey Agency School of
Fashion based in Atlanta, GA. Parents and children with inspirations in
the modeling industry are encouraged to attend for an opportunity to
walk in a high fashion show while gaining beneficial career experience
and feedback.
All
the money collected by at the
casting call will be donated to the efforts of Show me the Way
Foundation and the
Bailey Agency and/or Cynthia Bailey will not receive any profit from the
money collected during the fashion show.
Bobby Flay
makes this extremely good barbecue sauce by spiking tomato puree with
two forms of smoky chile—ancho chile powder and chipotle in adobo
sauce—then adding peanut butter for sweetness. The sauce takes some time
to prepare, but by doubling the recipe, it can be made in one large
batch and kept in the refrigerator for up to two months.
Prolific cookbook author
James McNair has been chief judge of Sutter Home Winery's burger
cook-off since it began in Napa in 1990. One of his books, Build a Better Burger, includes every winning recipe. Some past winners—and McNair's Louisiana roots—inspired the burger here.
Minetta Tavern
has become known for its spectacular hamburgers. The restaurant's
namesake burger is made with a blend of beef short rib and brisket from
the nearly century-old local purveyor Pat La Frieda.
Chicken broth, mushroom, and red wine is what makes this burger from ordinary to extraordinary. Serve it with Kaiser Rolls and be the envy of the neighborhood.
These tangy burgers with pineapple rings, teriyaki
sauce, and a spicy cilantro mayo are clearly Hawaiian-inspired, but
that’s not where they get their name. Instead “The Big Kahuna” is what
you’ll be known as after whipping up a batch of these for your guests.
This is a version of a Texas classic. This burger is moist, flavorful and stays together well when grilling. The secret is in the chopped bacon that you incorporate in the patty.
A traditional
Cuban sandwich is the inspiration for this burger. Turning this Cuban
specialty into an American one isn't hard — just replace the roasted
pork with a good old hamburger.
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” Robert Frost
You
know those days when you just want to escape the suburbs and you
drive down the winding road with no specific course and you let God lead the way? Well, that's exactly what happened this past Father's Day. We had just finished watching a movie when our kids
asked us that dreaded question... what are we doing next?? Honestly,
I had no idea. I went into a panic mode. We are on a tight budget,
and we have no friends or family close by that we can visit. Going to
a restaurant or a paying attraction was out of the question. So what
to do? Where to go??
On
the spur of the moment I told my husband to just drive. Drive?? Drive
where? He replied with an incredulous look on his face.
I
don't know I told him. Just drive down the road and let's see where
it takes us. And for the next 25 minutes that was exactly what we did.
We drove without a fixed destination.
We
passed one animal shelter, a regional airport field, one tractor
supply company, 4 water towers, and a indoor airsoft battlefield
before my apprehensive husband asked me how more driving was he
supposed to do.
I
told you, I don't know. We'll stop when it feels right. What's the
worry? Is not like we can't use our GPS to find our way home.
One
Shell station later we saw a sign that says “Fort Yargo State
Park”. A state park? Here?? That would be a good place to stop don't you think?
But it's getting late my husband replied. I don't think there's
enough time to see it on it's entirely.
Who
cares, I said. Is either stop here or keep driving. What do you
want to do?
Needles
to say, we turned our wheels toward the park entrance. Look, I said
to my husband. The park closes at 10pm. We have plenty of time to
explore it.
As
we started driving inside the park you could hear the oohs and aahs
from our kids. Look mommy, a log cabin. Honey, let's park here so the
kids can see it and I can snap a picture or two.
Oh
wow, is this place beautiful or what? It almost feels like a postcard.
So serene and relaxing. I could get used to this. Next time our family comes to visit I am
taking them here. They need to see this, I told my husband as I took
pictures of the old settlers cabin.
I wondered what else is on this park? Let's keep exploring. So far this place is pretty awesome. Look Audrey, it says we can fish here but we need fishing licenses. Maybe we could do that the next time we come to visit.
Time to go, come on kids. Let's see what's on the other side of the park. Look there's a tent & RV campsite, a group shelter, a nature center pavilion, a tent campsite, pet friendly cabins, and a gift shop. Who knew all this was here?? There's hike trails and bike trails too said my husband. Maybe we can bring our bikes next time. Yes, that would be so much fun.
Wait honey, slow down the car. Is that what I think it is??? Is that a beach?? Oh my dear lord we had just hit the jackpot. Are you serious?
You see kids, sometimes is better to be spontaneous and not freak out about where are we going or what are we going to do next. Yes! exclaimed the kids as they eagerly click off their seat-belts to explore their surroundings.
Look mommy, there's a playground, free mini golf, canoe and pedal boat rental! This place is so cool!! Can we bring friends the next time we come? Please, please, please??
As we were walking down the beach we were shocked to see how beautiful everything looks. The sand was white and soft. Everything was clean and the bottom of the beach was just as soft as the sand you see around. Perfect! I said, no rocks to cut your feet and the water looks clear. What else could you ask for?
Mommy
can we we play with the sand? Of course you can. Go ahead and have fun.
Yayy!! said our kids as they run towards the beach.
As we contemplated how happy our kids seemed to be. I said to my husband, seriously, we are so close from this place, yet it took us 3 years to discovered it. Amazing...
You must write about it and tell people to come.
Most definitely, I said. What a great way to end up a day. Father's Day is not about gifts, is about building memories and you know what the best part about memories? What? said my husband.
The best part about memories is that no one can take them away...
I can't remember a time this boy didn't have a LEGO in his hands. LEGO's has always been an important part of Exol's development. He can do anything with them. He can build lighthouses, gigantic spaceships, to anything in between. I called him the "Alton Brown" of LEGO for his unique ability to lecture anyone he comes into contact with.
Is funny how LEGO has allowed me, to sneak peek into my son's future. Exol only likes building, he do play video games but his true strength lies in designing and building. If you come to his room and open his desk you will find a bunch of papers with drawing of designs he comes up with. I love how he always write Step 1, Step 2, Step 3 and so on on every single paper.
Exol's spatial visualization ability makes him a great candidate for the LEGO Mini Apprentice Program. Exol's perceptual and cognitive abilities enables him to complete any task faster than a regular person.
Exol's natural born ability in math, science, and spatial intelligence comes from a long ancestry line of engineers, architects, and doctors on both side of the family. I guess he "inherit" the "gene" ;)
Please, if you are from Legoland and you are reading this I urge you to choose Exol as one of your LEGO Mini Apprentice and help him achieve his childhood dream.
Please watch the entire video. The last 2 minutes are the best ;D
The Coca-Cola "Happiness Machine" has landed! You
may have heard of the seemingly ordinary vending machines that deliver
surprises to unsuspecting passers-by. One of these Coca-Cola Happiness Machineshas
struck again, this time in Atlanta. Starting in time for the first day
of summer today, a Happiness Machine is delivering unexpected moments of happinessto randomly selected guests outside the World of Coca-Cola.
The Coca-Cola® Happiness Machine will be outside the World of
Coca-Cola in Pemberton Place from Friday, June 15, 2012 to Monday,
September 3, 2012! The Happiness Machine will create moments of
happiness by giving randomly-selected visitors fun summer prizes during
our "Summer Moments of Happiness" promotion!
The promotion will be live within selected activation days and hours during regular business hours (approximately 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET) outside The World of Coca-Cola in Pemberton Place.
The machine will dispense more than 3,900 prizes such as sporting goods,
coolers and digital cameras – all in the name of summer fun. This marks
the first time:
A Happiness Machine will stay in a single location for an extended period of time
People can plan to visit a machine of its kind
A Happiness Machine has appeared in the U.S. outside a college campus
Since 2010, Coca-Cola Happiness Machines have made brief appearances in
more than 15 countries and on 10 U.S. college campuses. A Happiness
Machine also made a brief surprise
appearance at the World of Coca-Cola in May to celebrate the Atlanta
attraction’s fifth anniversary at Pemberton Place. However, this new
Happiness Machine is the first machine to remain in a single location
for an extended period of time and is also the first Happiness Machine
in the U.S. to appear outside a college campus.
“This experience is about sharing little moments of unexpected
happiness,” said Karen Brunke, Director of Marketing for The World of
Coca-Cola. “And there’s no better place to do that this summer than at
the home of happiness – the World of Coca-Cola.”
Since opening at Pemberton Place five years ago, the World of Coca-Cola
has welcomed guests from six continents, more than 75 countries, all 50
U.S. states and the District of Columbia. In addition, 11 percent of the
estimated 712,000 visitors to Atlanta from outside North America in 2010
experienced the World of Coca-Cola during their stay. Since becoming the
home of the 126-year-old secret formula to Coca-Cola in 2011, the
Atlanta attraction has seen increased attendance, strengthening its
impact on the city’s hospitality and tourism market.
Disclosure: I personally, LOVE Coca-Cola and we love their open happiness campaign. But, just to be clear, "Happiness" is something a little more complex and deeper. But I guess you all know that :D
If you love storytelling and puppetry I have great news for you. The Center for Puppetry Arts has a brand new show that will steal your heart. The Little Pirate Mermaid, is new spin on the familiar Hans Christian Anderson/Disney fairy tale.
Featuring over 40 handcrafted puppets, the show takes advantage of
marionettes as they are a perfect medium for creating a sense of
weightless, “underwater” floating. The magic continues as the story goes
above the water for lots of pirate ship fun, including a naval battle,
an attack by a monstrous squid and hilarious antics between the sailors
and pirates. By combining a well known fable with some high seas
adventure, Center for Puppetry Arts crafts a show that is completely
shipshape and a thrill for boys and girls of all ages.
Our favorite part were the scenes of the old sea hag and the sea monster attacking the pirate ship. From the scenery, to the puppets, to all the different light effects The Little Pirate Mermaid is a show not to miss.
The Little Pirate Mermaid is presented in the Mainstage Theater, June 14 – July 15. Show times are as follows:
Tuesday – Friday*: 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Saturday: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
*There are no performances on Tuesday, July 3 (Museum and
Workshops will be available), and the Center is closed Wednesday, July
4.
Single show tickets include museum admission as well as the
Create-A-Puppet Workshop, where kids can make their own Manta Ray
Marionette Puppet.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR $9.25 (MEMBERS) AND $16.50 (NONMEMBERS) AND CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE AT WWW.PUPPET.ORG OR BY CALLING THE TICKET SALES OFFICE AT 404-873-3391.
When
you can no longer justify the uniqueness of a product, the quality,
or even the best price what do you do? You offer something that money
can't buy – happiness.
Many
brands believe the “happiness formula” has unlimited marketing
potential and are trying to figure out how to use happiness to
increase employees' productivity and attract more customers.
Jennifer
Aaker, a marketing
professor
Stanford Graduate School of Business believes that marketing
happiness could be one of the few ways businesses can still appeal to
people in a manner that feels authentic. "The idea of brands
enabling happiness and providing greater meaning in the world is
powerful," Aaker says. "People have an aversion to anything
that feels overly manufactured."
From
Campbell's Soup making your happy place anywhere you have your soup
by offering a "smile in every spoonful, JetBlue roadside
billboards promising you will "jet happy", Amazon
smiling logo, to Coca Cola with its global ‘Open Happiness’
campaign. Almost in every category you’ll find a product that just
promises happiness.
Happiness
is a hot topic these days but delivering on the promise of happiness
requires understanding of the use of the word “Happiness”. Why
use a word so simple? Why not say something that’s more tangible
and comparable such as “superior”, “faster”, “tastier”,
“cheaper” or “healthier”?
Marking
companies are getting sassier and more mischievous when it comes to
push happiness as part of their brands. The most common tactics used
are:
Happiness
Tactic No. 1: Make Us Feel Like a Kid Again
Proustian
memories is an involuntary memory in which cues encountered in
everyday life evoke recollections of the past without conscious
effort. Biggest company offenders using this as a marketing strategy
are Johnson and Johnson, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Campbell’s Soup
and Coca Cola.
Happiness
Tactic No. 2: Make Us Feel We’re Part of Something Bigger
The
manipulation of loyalty for a cause:
Wanna
scream to the world you are serious about being eco friendly? Then
stop using plastic bags and buy ours instead. We will even put a
gigantic recycle sign on it so you can rub it to everyone that
crosses your path.
Marketing
to techies? Then you need to know first that Iphone users, are mostly
elitists who believe they are more trendy than you and a cut above
the rest, while Android users, are all about freedom and not
conforming to the norms of society. Wanna rub it in? Then be a rebel
and make sure that logo is visible!!
Sounds
funny, but that how we roll. We all dodged this kind of bullet
before...
The
biggest offender in this category is Zappos.
Order a pair of
sneakers and the box arrives in days. It’s bright yellow and
covered in the world “happy!”. You get it? Buy shoes and get
happy..not you... Zappos... But no worries, we are so happy that you
are making us richer that we will send your shoes in a bright yellow
box so you can feel better about your purchase. Hint, hint, buy a
second pair and you will get...another yellow box.
Happiness
Tactic No. 3: Help Us Escape
Be
anywhere at anytime marketing tactic.
The
tactic is simple. They will try to sell you you can escape either
physically or “virtually”.
Biggest
offenders: Starbucks(physical escape), runner
up Apple (virtual escape)
From
the very beginning, the Starbucks marketing strategy has focused on
creating the “third place” for everyone to go to between home and
work. At the time, most Americans had two places in
their lives – home and work. But I believed that people needed
another place, a place where they could go to relax and enjoy others,
or just be by themselves. I envisioned a place that would be separate
from home or work, a place that would mean different things to
different people.”
Happiness
Tactic No. 4: Let Us Help...
Biggest
Offender: Facebook
Have a
cause you need to promote? Let us help by letting you open a petition
on our website for everyone to sign. Reach your signature goal, make
a statement, rejoice and be happy!
Wanna
keep it touch with friends and family? Find them on Facebook and add
them to your lists. Privacy settings just changed without you
noticing? Don't worry, we love hearing your input and we are working
VERY HARD... to fix it so you can be happy and satisfied with our
company. Remember, our goal is to help you keep in touch with those
that are important to you...
The reality about facebook is that they don't work for you. You work for them. is a great deal if you ask me.
As you
can see, happiness is pushed in almost every product that we come in
contact with. As a marketing strategy, happiness has proven to be one
of the most successful tactics in helping a brand grow. Consumer
happiness is intended to mirror happiness in life and it doesn’t
necessarily have any relationship with consumer satisfaction.
The
Bluebird Patch is not against the use of happiness as a marketing
strategy. What we are against is the lack of disclosure from
companies. Just like cigarettes comes with warning levels
companies need to disclose that buying their products does not
guarantee happiness. You know that old saying money can't buy
happiness... well it's true and there's nothing you can try, say, or
market to make us think any different.
Happiness,
is a journey, a conscious choice, a form of courage, a way of life, a
way of thinking. Happiness is not a yellow box with shoes...
The day has finally arrived. The Bluebird of Happiness is heading to Country Inn & Suites.
