Strawberry Summer Spritzer

Who doesn't love summer? Now that the season has officially begun, Texans will be battling weeks of intense heat. 

Need a tasty drink to stay hydrated by the pool? A Strawberry-Mint Spritzer made with La Croix will delight and refresh your tastebuds!

Ingredients:

- 3 large Strawberries 

- 10-15 mint leaves

- 1.5 oz of simple syrup (just boil water and add a couple tablespoons of sugar to make syrup)

- 1 can of La Croix (I used lime flavor)

- Ice

(To make alcoholic, add shot of choice liqueur, I recommend rum OR top with champagne in substitute of soda)

1) Rinse strawberries and mint leave 

2) Cut 2 strawberries in small sections for muddling (leave third one out for garnish)

3) Muddle mint and strawberries in glass

4) Add simple syrup and stir

5) Add ice

6) Top with La Croix

Enjoy!

You’ve Been Branded – 10 Logo Fragments You Are Sure to Recognize

Countless hours of research have gone towards it. Companies spend billions for it. Your brain has been subjected to it. Society revolves around it. Branding. How much is a brand truly worth? How many brands can you recognize off the top of your head? Have you been branded?

In 2013 Forbes published a list of The Worlds Most Valuable Brands. “The 100 most valuable span 15 countries and cross 20 broad industry categories,” explains Kurt Badenhausen in his Forbes article enlightening readers on the math Behind The Numbers of this list. He states that, “brands from U.S. based companies make up just over half the list with the next biggest representatives from Germany (9 brands), France (8) and Japan (7).” 

Branding - crucial to every company, not only differentiates a businesses from competitors, it promises a certain confidence their experience will meet or exceed expectation. Brands also have created a way for the consumer to buy personal image and social acceptance while also creating loyalty retention. Where would we be without branding?

            With games like Logo Quiz, you can test your skills and see just how many brands you can recognize. Here are ten brands below to get you started:

1. 




2.




3.




4.




5.




6.




7.




8.




9.




10.

Answers:

1) Microsoft; 2) Netflix; 3) Google; 4) Target; 5) McDonalds; 6) Disney; 7) Facebook; 8) AT&T; 9) ESPN; 10) Fox

Dallas Lawyer Raises Over $20,000 for Veteran’s Charity at Birthday Ball

Kevin Buchanan enjoying his Birthday Ball

Thursday, February 27, 2015 - The Perot Museum came alive Saturday evening for the first annual Buchanan Birthday Ball benefiting veteran charity Honor Courage Commitment, Inc. As a veteran of Operation Desert Shield, Kevin Buchanan understands the importance of supporting other veterans in the success of their future endeavors post-active duty. Honor Courage Commitment, Inc. focuses on three pillars to position veterans into becoming leaders in the private sector who will ultimately create more jobs and programs to support the 240,000 - 300,000 veterans who transition out of the military annually.

Attendees of the evening – including State Senator Royce West; Sheriff Lupe Valdez; Judge Dale Tillery, 139th Judicial District, Judge Gena Slaughter, 191st; Judge Staci Williams, 101st; Larry Duncan, President Dallas County Schools; and David Vobora, former linebacker for Seattle Seahawks– arrived dressed in their finest, taking the Perot’s infamous escalator ride to the fourth floor for a breathtaking view of Dallas Skyline. During cocktail reception guests were able to explore museum exhibits and enjoy tasting sponsored from Beluga Vodka.

During dinner, the charity’s CEO Andrew Nguyen took the stage to explain the inception of Honor Courage Commitment followed by Jacob Schick, a former fellow of HCC, Iraq war veteran and actor who played the role of Wynn in the new movie about Chris Kyle, American Sniper.

Special thanks to Britta Erin and James M. Stanton for their special contribution to the charity. Britta is a partner at litigation boutique Lynn Tillotson Pinker Cox LLP, and her husband is a former state district judge with the Stanton Law Firm PC. The Stantons are active members of the First United Methodist Church, and live in Dallas with their four children: Alexandra, Luke, Eric and Caroline.

Serenata Strings Quartet

Cake by FrostedArts

Guests Enjoying Cocktail Reception

Casey Buchanan; Mariah Tepichin; Kevin Buchanan; Lauren Buchanan-Ammons; Paul Ammons

Cynthia Santiago and David Traylor

Becky Luong-Nguyen and Don Nguyen

Dinosaur part of Perot Exhibit

David Vobora; Andrew Nguyen; Judd Rodgers; David Taylor

Kevin Buchanan and Judge Staci Williams

 

Guests Partaking in #22Kill Pushup Challenge

 

Color Guard Presenting Colors

American Sniper Actor Jacob Schick


Photos by Clinton Bales - Perfect Media Studio 

First Ever Culturemap Stylemaker Awards

The first ever Culturemap Stylemaker Awards will take place this Wednesday, October 15 at Tootsies in the Plaza at Preston Center. The six finalist have been chosen by Culturemap readers: Matt Alexander, David Goltl, Jenny Kirtland, Kevin Lavelle, Maleiah Rogers, and Melissa Rountree. These finalists will be showcased during the fashion show party where judges will be selecting editors’ choice.  The winners are to receive a Plaza at Preston Center shopping spree and a styled feature in a Plaza ad campaign. Only 300 people can attend so get tickets here before they’re gone!

Tory Burch vists NorthPark Neiman Marcus

American fashion designer, Tory Burch, graced Northpark Center's Neiman Marcus on Wednesday, October 8, the day before she spoke at the 29th Annual Luncheon for the Dallas Women's Foundation. She spoke about “Her commitment to increasing economic security for American women, and her approach to the issue.” per DWF site. With the luncheon already sold out, numerous fans waited in line just for the chance to meet Burch. 

Light Bites by NM Cafe

Light bites from NM Cafe and wine were passed throughout the afternoon to keep the crowd of ladies, dressed in Tory Burch, at ease while waiting for their chance to meet the gorgeously blonde fashion mogul. Burch signed personal autographs for each fashionista, and even took pictures with her fans.

            Burch has become a symbol of success to women, proving that obtaining dreams are possible. After developing into such a well-known icon within just 10 years, Forbes pronounced her a billionaire, back in January 2013, and listed her as the 79th most powerful woman in the world.  Being honored to be graced with the presence of an outstanding woman such as Tory Burch truly would make anyone grateful.

Lost at Lekka

Lekka's Bar, located at 17606 Preston Rd Dallas,TX 75252
photo by Emily Paige

      Traveling up Preston Road in Dallas you are bound to find a place to grab a drink, but I was not expecting to happen upon this hidden South African treasure! Urban Spoon had dubbed this spot "Most Popular New Restaurant 2013". While extremely low key, you could certainly impress someone with your knowledge of hidden foreign cuisine, with the perfect patio. After all, Lekka does mean awesome, amazing, and delicious in South Africa! As soon as you walk in, (after parking in the back) many friendly faces welcome you. Few might remember the old Obzeet, located just a few streets north, which got lost in a lease awhile back. Luckily, Lekka decided to grace us with their South African presence. 

"Blue Fries" made with curly fries and blue cheese

      Although this place seems more for light bites, the diverse menu offers everything from Buffalo wings to Bruschetta. The “Blue Fries” (pictured) are curly fries drizzled with blue cheese, quite an interesting combination, but delicious if you love bleu cheese. With many salad options, various “salad toppers” are available to choose from like ahi tuna or steak strips - a great way to add a little extra protein to your meal! 

The "Larney" topped
with Prosecco

      






The cocktail list has numerous delicious options, each speciality cocktails has a South African name (fortunately the menu translates). The "Larney" (pictured) is South African for fancy, which is very fitting, being topped with Prosecco! Guys should not be worried because beer and wine are also on the list too. Be sure to catch happy hour Monday-Friday from 4-7pm and all day on the weekends!

      In front of the restaurant there is a unique gift store, which is the perfect place to find a Christmas present for that aunt you have no idea what to get! Everything from salt lamps to unique outdoor accessories to Himalayan bath salts can be found inside OR you could bring your relatives here when you have to figure out how to entertain them over the holidays. Live music can be found on the patio every Thursday through Saturday evening.

Lekka's Light Flower Tree

        Lekka is a great lunch spot, or a place to grab some drinks on a low key night. The huge patio with light flower trees is definitely a great escape when you need to “get out of Dallas” and enjoy yourself. So come get Lost at Lekka, escape to South Africa, if even for only a moment.