New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

We're heading into a pretty exciting weekend in the Crescent City.  Two big free events are happening in the area:  Saints Training Camp(!!!!) and the 3rd Annual New Orleans International Children's Film Festival.

The New Orleans Saints will have open practice at their Metairie facility every day from Friday through next week, culminating with the Black & Gold Scrimmage on Saturday 8/7:

Friday 7/30: 8:50-11 am; and 4:20-5:45 pm

Saturday 7/31: 8:50-11 am; and 4:20-5:45 pm
Sunday 8/1: 3:20-5:45 pm

Monday 8/2: 8:50-11 am

Tuesday 8/3: 3:20-5:45 pm

Wednesday 8/4: 8:50-11 am

Thursday 8/5: 3:20-5:45 pm
Friday 8/6: 8:50-11 am
Saturday 8/7: 2:50-4:20 pm Black & Gold Scrimmage

So, if you're ready for some football (I know I am!), then head out to the Saints' outdoor practice field and cheer on the World Champion New Orleans Saints!

Once you've had your fill of football, take your little ones to the Contemporary Arts Center to experience the 3rd Annual New Orleans International Children's Film Festival.  This free festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am until 5:30pm, with animation workshops held each day from 4:30pm to 5:30pm.

Saturday evening, take your picnic basket and blanket (or purchase food and drink at the park) and head over to St. Patrick's Park for a free showing of Ferris Bueller's Day Off.  The movie will begin 30 minutes after sunset.
Have a wonderful weekend!

What to Do on Wednesday...

If you're looking for something to do on Wednesday, you're in luck! 

In Algiers you'll find the latest installment of their "Wednesdays On the Point" series.  From 6-9pm head to the Dry Dock Cafe & Vine & Dine to check out Captain Josh and his tribute to Jimmy Buffet!

Wednesdays still mean free admission to the New Orleans Museum of Art.  Experience a curator-lead walk through of the exhibit "Ancestors and Descendants" from 6-6:30pm, then dance to Flowtribe while they put on a free show!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

And the Winner Is...

The winner of the Orglamix cosmetics giveaway is...

comment #41 - Eco-Friendly and Frugal!

I have contacted you via email and you have 48 hours to respond to me with your information so you can receive your selection of 3 Orglamix products!  Congratulations!

American Idol Tryouts in New Orleans!

Do you have what it takes to be the next American Idol?  If so, head to the New Orleans Arena today to grab your wristband (they are registering people all day and night Sunday, up until 8am Monday), then return to the arena Monday by 5am to get in line (no camping out will be allowed).  You have to be 15-28 years old, so I'm out (as if my lack of singing skills wouldn't have eliminated me anyway!), but if any of you plan to audition, let me know!  I hope to be rooting for the "home team" this season...

All rules and forms are available on the American Idol website.  Good luck to any of you who try out!

Last Chance!

My Orglamix cosmetics giveaway ends Sunday night!  Don't miss your chance to win - enter here!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

If you find yourself looking for something to do before Bonnie arrives this weekend, here are a few things that won't break your budget.

Looking to do something to help those directly affected by the oil gush in the Gulf?  Head to Grand Isle where, in place of the annual Tarpon Rodeo, they're hosting the Island Aid Festival.  Though not a free event, the $10 admission fee will benefit the Grand Isle Alive Promotion Fund which will help Grand Isle's fishing and tourism industry that has been damaged by the oil catastrophe.  Head south to see such acts as LeAnn Rimes, Three Dog Night, Sammy Kershaw, and others!  Gates open at 10am.

Want to stay a little closer to home?  Saturday at 11am (as they do every Saturday), the New Orleans Jazz Historical Park will welcome your child and his or her instrument to play with a real jazz band as part of their "Music for All Ages" program.

Also on Saturday, the St. Charles Public Library in Luling will once again have a showing of "One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure" at 10am in the planetarium.  This show, and the 2pm showing of the Twinkle Theater are free.

Enjoy your weekend, and try to stay dry.  Keep your fingers crossed that Bonnie does as little damage as possible as she blows through the oil-slicked Gulf!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

If you're looking for a cool place to enjoy on Saturday, head over to the planetarium at the St. Charles Public Library in Luling for a free showing of "One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure" at 10am. 

From 10am to 1pm at Borders on St. Charles, meet author Mildred Glover and get an autographed copy of her book "Buddy Heads for Home".  Following the book signing, at 2pm celebrate the new movie "Ramona and Beezus", based on a Beverly Cleary classic, with games, activities, and giveaways.  The movie celebration will also be at the Borders in Metairie.

From 12pm to 2pm at the Whole Foods Market in Metairie, beat the heat and treat your taste buds to the Sorbet, Ice Cream, and 365 Popsicle Palooza!  Enjoy samples from local treat producers, including Kleinpeter's ice cream and Quintin's sorbets!

And it's that time again - free admission Sunday at the Louisiana Children's Museum thanks to Target!  If you go, make sure you check out the "New Orleans: Proud to Call It Home" exhibit and learn about our unique local architecture.

Have a wonderful weekend!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

Here are a few events to kick-start your weekend without breaking the bank:

Up for a run on Saturday morning?  Head to the Quarter to celebrate San Fermin in Nueva Orleans 2010!  The running of the bulls in New Orleans is a little different than the one in Spain - here, the Big Easy Rollergirls are ready to "gore" the runners with plastic baseball bats!  The event is free, and starts at 8am at Conti and Bourbon Street (runners begin to assemble at 7am).  If you plan to run, wear white with a red cloth on your waist and neck.  Kids are welcome, but are asked to stay on the sidewalk.  If you're in the street, you're fair game for a knock down by one (or more) of the toughest women in New Orleans!

The boats are back at City Park's Big Lake, and to celebrate, they've scheduled a blessing of the fleet (now including bikes and a gondola!) for Saturday at 11am, and free boat and bike rides from 11am until noon. 

Are your children fans of the PBS show Super Why?  I know my boys are.  Super Why will be visiting the Esplanade Mall in Kenner on Saturday from 1-3pm to promote reading around the world in conjunction with WYES and the Simon Malls' Kidgits program.  If you have never heard of Kidgits, it's a kid's club that costs $5/year, and includes a t-shirt, birthday gift, and monthly events at your nearest Simon mall.

Teach your kids about the dangers of drugs at the Louisiana State Museum's exhibition "Target America: Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause".  The exhibition will be on display (with free admission) through November 24th, but on Saturday from 1-3pm, children will have the opportunity to become Junior DEA agents by completing 3 tasks in the exhibit.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Orglamix Cosmetics Review and Giveaway! CLOSED

I recently had the opportunity to try out an organic line of pure mineral makeup called Orglamix.  Cheri was kind enough to let me choose 3 colors to test and review.  With over 125 different colors to choose from, it's easy to spend a while "window shopping" on the Orglamix site!

I was so excited to receive my order the day before I left on vacation.  The colors came packaged in 0.5 oz pots - perfectly sized for travel.  When ordering, I wasn't sure which shade of the mineral foundation I should try - I'm typically fair- to medium-skin toned, but in the summer, I'm tanned (I know, I know... a dermatologist's nightmare).  I emailed Cheri for guidance on picking the right shade and she was very quick to respond.  The "Bocote" she suggested was a good match for my summer skin tone.  When I tried it on, all three products were luxuriously silky-smooth on my skin. The blush and eyeshadow shades blended easily, and my face was done in a matter of just a couple of minutes!  One night, I also used the eyeshadow wet for a more dramatic look for a much-needed night on the town with my husband!

All Orglamix products are 100% satisfaction guaranteed - if you're not satisfied for any reason, just return the product within 14 days for a full refund.  According to the website, all products are PETA-approved, and made without synthetic ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances and dyes, petrochemicals, and phthalates.

Check out the Orglamix website to see all the vibrant shades!  And at less than $5 a pop, you can experiment with the bold, exciting ones like "Citron" and "Geranium" (which I think would be just perfect for carnival-time "dress-up")!  In addition to the single colors available, Orglamix has a variety of sets and starter kits available (like this one, which just might be my next order!).  And check out the Haute Beauty blog for makeup tips, and special sales on Orglamix colors!

Would you like to win some items from Orglamix?  Cheri has graciously allowed me to offer a lucky reader of mine to select any three colors from the following Orglamix formulas: Pure Organic Mineral Eye, Blush, Glow, Foundation, or Color Corrector. 

HOW TO ENTER:
Go to the Orglamix Etsy shop and let me know which eyeshadow color is your favorite (this is mandatory for an entry).

EXTRA ENTRIES:

• Subscribe to my site via RSS or email (if you're already a subscriber - let me know)
• Follow me on Google Friend Connect
• Grab my button and tell me where to find it
• "Like" Orglamix on Facebook (include your Facebook ID in your comment)
• Follow Orglamix on Twitter (include your Twitter ID in your comment)
• Follow @bigeasymom on Twitter (include your Twitter ID in your comment)
• Tweet about this giveaway (can do once daily): "I entered to win #Orglamix cosmetics from @hautebeauty and @bigeasymom http://tinyurl.com/28o9r6g"

Contest ends July 25th, 2010, at 11pm CDT.  Open to U.S. residents only.  Winner will be chosen using Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond once notified. Please make sure to include your valid email address in the comment if it's not readily visible in your profile - thanks!

Disclaimer: I received products from Orglamix in exchange for my review, but my opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.

Happy Wednesday!

It's Wednesday, which means extended hours and free admission to the New Orleans Museum of Art. If you haven't been yet, head to the museum to check out the fine art collection on loan from the Tulane University Amistad Research Center.

Head to the Roundtree Blown Glass Studio in Algiers for some free music and dancing tonight as part of the free Wednesdays on the Point series.  Tonight's event is a Latin dance lesson and music by Freddy Omar Con Su Banda from 6-9pm. 

Have a wonderful Wednesday and try to stay dry!

Uncle Sam Jam!

On July 3rd, Lafreniere Park will again be the site of the Uncle Sam Jam: a free and family-friendly celebration of our country's independence!  Beginning at 3pm,enjoy music from a DJ until 5pm, and live music from Ghost Town until a fireworks display at 9pm.  The Wiseguys will close out the evening from 9:30pm until 11pm.  Get out to the park early to snag both a parking spot and a place for your picnic blanket!