Question: What do you get when you combine Disney princesses, a sequined handbag and the Memphis newspaper?
Answer: A rowdier-than-usual Sunday afternoon!
A couple months back, Kate and I were invited to join our mother/daughter pair of friends in their group outing to Disney on Ice: Let’s Celebrate. It was a few weeks later that Lori at In Pursuit of Martha Points introduced her grass roots campaign benefitting the American Stroke Association called Project: Purse and Boots.
Martha Lori was searching for weekly hosts who would bring along this sequined zebra purse – a.k.a Pursey Galore – for their special girl time outing. After the fun is had, the current purse host mails Pursey to the next woman on the list, all ”The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” style. The purse host also agrees to make a donation to Project: Purse and Boots.
I know that before arriving in Memphis, Pursey had some good girl time in Vancouver, Philly and southern California, and is now on her way to Chicago.
Something else that Lori asks hosts to do in conjunction with their hosting duties is to contact local news sources to see if press for Pursey can be obtained. I have to admit that the LBK (Liz Before Kids) never would have done it. LBK would have glossed right over that point, hoping to not be asked again about doing so. But not THIS Liz. THIS Liz went straight to the Memphis newspaper’s website and researched who to contact. THIS Liz lined up an in-person interview, complete with photographs, with a reporter who is writing a “feature” to be printed in the next 2 weeks!
When I received the email from the reporter saying she spoke to her editor and they wanted her to cover this story, I couldn’t tweet Lori fast enough! It was the first time that I thought, ” Why can’t I have the cell phone numbers of my bloggy buddies because this is BIG news!?!”
I know this cause is near and dear to Lori’s heart, and I truly wanted to do all that I could to make Project: Purse and Boots a success.
The most fun part, however? It was spending the day with my big girl! Kate wore Pursey with pride, while squealing through the 90 minute show. I’m pretty sure Kate will be the youngest purse host, and this outing probably the most tame.
I have to show you some pictures of our day, but I want to hold off until the newspaper article is published. Once it is, I’ll include a link and some scoop about my Girls’ Day Out!
And since Craig seems to have his own fan club through this blog, I thought I’d share his pieces of advice for me in regards to being photographed for the newspaper…
“Keep your shoulders back and don’t square yourself to the camera. Turning slightly to one side is the most flattering angle.”
Thanks, husband. Will do. 
Oh, and before you go..Lori enjoys creating a fictious account of each Pursey stop. Our story is pretty sweet, involves the King of Rock N Roll and can be found here.
Disney on Ice sounds amazing, my little girl is still way to little for things like that but I can’t wait until we can have a mommy-daughter outing!! Such a cutie pie miss Kate is! I can’t wait to see the rest of the pictures!
You are going to be SO famous! Very cool, Liz. I will be anxiously awaiting…. I bet the pix are great, since you turned slightly to one side & all.
How cool are you!? You seem to have the neatest opportunities for things…so great and fascinating! May I live vicariously through you?
Love it! I think Before Kids Liz sound much like Before Kids Sherri. You sure rounded up that press, that’s so cool. This will be bigger than Craig’s newspaper appearance, I’m afraid. Now Craig with Pursey might have been big, but I’m sure Kate wouldn’t hear of it. Can’t wait to see the pics and the article!!
awesome!
There are a lot of things the Before Kids Drama wouldn’t do that I do now. I can’t wait to read about the article.
What a cute idea too.
What a clever and funny fundraiser!
and motivator too I guess?! and … yep… Gotta love Elvis!!
What an awesome fundraiser! Add to the fact that Pursey is adorable, and you’ve got a great story – it’s no wonder that the press were all over it. I can’t wait to see the pictures!
I heart Craig. What good advice!
How very cool is that!? I love that you could get some press. I know how hard it can be to get people to cover feature stories, especially with the newspaper climate (less staff to cover that type of thing). Cant’ wait to read it!
I can’t imagine a better event for Pursey. All sparkly and whatnot. Fun! And the interview? awesome!
Wow that is such a great cause! So excited for you about the article. And I think before kids Imperfect momma wouldn’t have done that. But now? I would do anything that would make the world a better place for my monkey man
Well, no wonder your family photos turn out so great. Oh, that Craig.
When I meet you Craig, I’m going out of my way to get at least one unflattering photo of you. Squared to the camera and all. Be warned.
You are so beautiful, wonderful woman.
And it’s funny – I never new BK Liz, I only know this one. So I wasn’t shocked in any way when I got your tweet. Thrilled, yes! But surprised? No. Of COURSE Liz would do that! She’s LIZ!
I’m wondering, and have been for some time, how you get anything done living there in Memphis? I would spend all day long singing “Walking in Memphis” (the Marc Cohen version, not the Rascal Flatts version) and getting nothing done.
I’d be happy — and known as that weird lady who sings all damn day — but I’d get nothing done. And I sure wouldn’t look as put together as you do….
How fabulous that the paper wanted to cover this and you get to have your photos taken all for this great cause. Can’t wait to see the pictures! I love your husband’s words of advice, no doubt had he been appearing a new hair style would have been required
What a fabulous idea. it is so great that your getting the word out. i bet yall had a blast at disney on ice..
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Lori O., Maureen. Maureen said: Great tips tho I'll try that lol RT @bellebeandog: Princesses and Sequins and Craig, oh my! http://bit.ly/bl8o89 [...]
LBK= hilarious! Isn’t it amazing how much having kids changes us for the better. Congrats on your success as pursey’s PR woman. I just started reading, but will certainly be back.
Hey Liz that is such a neat idea! Disney on Ice sounds like it would be lots of fun! I hope you are doing well. Have a great day!
Mama Hen
I used to LOVE Disney on Ice when I was younger. (Heck, I’d probably still love it now.) What a great experience for you guys!
I’d like to join the Craig Fan Club please? He gives EXCELLENT advice!
I’m so excited for you guys Liz!! And tell Craig that his tip is helping every woman that has her picture taken ever again!!
What a fabulous way to raise awareness and funds for a good cause. I totally hear you on the before kids Liz. There are so many things I can’t believe I find myself doing as a mother that I never would have considered doing before kids. But kudos to you for getting an article into the newspaper. You are very photogenic, but we all can use a little photo advice – the angle tip is a good one!
I’m looking forward to reading that article! Congratulations Liz. That’s really awesome.
Kristi, Live and Love…Out Loud
@TweetingMama
Can’t wait to see the pictures! Love Craig’s advice to you, too. He kills me! My husband’s advice would have been more along the lines of “Don’t cuss and remember to check for boogers before the interview.”
WOWWWWWW! What an AWESOME, AWESOME story! I love when bloggy work actually makes a difference and does some good in the world. How awesome! Thanks for being so motivated and for sharing your story!!!
-CK
I dunno Disney on Ice is a rocking good time. I’m betting Pursey was loving it. After much debauchery she probably liked sitting back and watching the light show.
Excellent work calling the paper. I’m not sure I’m brave enough.
Way to go, Liz! You nailed the assignment fo sho.
I hope you sanitized that thing before you let Kate touch it.
That is sooooooo cool!! I can’t wait to hear more!!!
We’re going to Disney on Ice in November, I can’t wait! We went last year and had a blast!!
This is so cool!
Love Disney on Ice!
That is so cool. You had me jealous to start with Disney on Ice and then you get to host a traveling purse? You’re awesome!
How cool is that?!?! I sure hope the article will be online. I’d love to read it. What a great story!
Isn’t it amazing what kids will do for your confidence?!! I think this is such an awesome idea!! Can’t wait for the pictures!
WOW!!! This is just coolness from start to finish!!! Can’t WAIT to see photos!!! How absolute cool, L!!!!
Oh how fun!! I love it- and I love even more that you lined up an interview! I cannot wait to see it, you will have to share!
I love this! Good for you for getting some press. Pursey – and you – deserve it! I can’t wait to get my paws on Pursey this spring!
Wow this sounds like a fantastic cause. How amazing that you were able to have a feature in the paper! Way to go Liz. Looking forward to hearing more about it.
That is SO exciting! A feature in an honest-to-goodness newspaper! Lori owes you big time. That is worth at least 50 Martha Points plus a 100 point bonus plus an honorary plaque in the Go-Getters-Hall-of-Fame. Can’t wait to see the article and pics.
This is SO COOL!! And I am so impressed that you got the newspaper to do a feature!!! That is fantastic. I’m going to email you my phone number. You can call me anytime!! Can’t wait to see the news spread.
BK Liz or AK Liz, you are an amazing woman!