Monday was a fun family night. We had been invited by REDBOOK to celebrate Salma Hayek being on the November cover of the magazine and to see a screening of Puss In Boots. There was also going to be a boot collection and a silent auction of women’s and children’s boots.
We don’t normally take the kids out for evening events when they have school the next day, but Reggie and I made an exception. The kids were really excited about Puss in Boots. They were so eager to go to the event that they came right home from school and took a nap, since we would be out late that night. (They hardly ever take naps!) Honestly, I was interested in the charitable aspect the most. The kids get to experience so much that it was good for them to give something at an event too, so we brought a pair of boots for the collection.
Once I arrived, I was personally intrigued by the silent auction, since I had never attended one before. The proceeds benefited the V-Day and Pro Mujer charities, so I was bummed that I didn’t get the pair of boots that had I bid on. I kept going back to see if anyone had beaten my bid, so that I could raise my price (up to a certain point, of course). I really thought that I had won, because my bid was still the highest when it was time to go inside the theater for the screening. Some experienced silent auction person must have swept in and beat my bid at the very last minute. Now, I know my technique for the next auction :-).
Before the screening began, Salma Hayek Pinault spoke to the audience for a bit. She mentioned that being a mom to her daughter Valentina was one of the reasons that she wanted to be a part of the Puss In Boots movie. In the movie, she plays Kitty Softpaws, so her outfit, an animal print Alexander McQueen dress, was fitting. Salma said that her character was a strong, independent female who was a capable swordfighter and dancer. “She is a little bit smarter than him (Puss),” she shared. As she was talking, I kept thinking how much I liked her enthusiasm and energy. I also noticed that there was a cute little girl in the row in front of us who just kept laughing and clapping after every sentence that Salma said. When the little girl left with Salma, I realized that it was her little daughter Valentina…how sweet! Later, my boys commented on how much they liked the movie and asked if Salma was the woman from “Modern Family” (Sofia Vergara). “They have the same skin and the same hair and the same voice,” Sean shared as explanation for their confusion. Yes, both women are gorgeous Latinas, but I don’t think that they really look alike and their accents are very different…kids.
At the end of the event, we were sent home with a gift bag full of beauty products from Salma’s new beauty and skincare line, Nuance, and a bunch of other fun items. Since Reggie went with me, he received a bag too. I mentioned to the kids that I was going to give away one of the bags on my site because I don’t need double beauty and makeup items. One chimed in, “Oh, but you DO need double makeup!” (Whatever…) Check back next week to see a detailed list of what was in the bags. I must say that reading REDBOOK again convinced me to buy a subscription. I’m an admitted magazine lover and the magazine is really well put together. It was a sentence on the last page that slipped the scales in favor of me buying a subscription though. It was one of those “if, then” type of info graphics and the first question (regarding whether to be good or indulge during the holiday season) was “Are you okay with looking like Mrs. Claus on your holiday photo card?” That made me chuckle. Granted my personal responses were not options (a. take the photo before the holiday season or b. stay out of the holiday photo – just include the kids/pets/fill in the blank!), but I loved the flow of the page.
In any event, thanks to Redbook for treating my family to such a fun evening!