• Food,  Friends,  Fun in Chicago,  I've Got Mad Skillz,  My Friends Have Mad Skillz,  My Sister Has Mad Skillz

    Chicago Food Swap: Almost Like Hanukkah!

    March 18, 2012

    Yesterday my sister and I drove to Forest Park so we could participate in the Chicago Food Swap. It was the second swap that co-organizers Vanessa and Emily have put on so far, but my first time going. Sadly, I missed the first one due to having other plans. I’ve been looking forward to this one for two months. Great news: it was fabulous! We had a great time. The way a food swap works (apparently this is huge in Los Angeles, by the way) is that everyone brings home-grown or homemade items, packaged so that people can pick them up and look at them. When you sign in, you…

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  • Fun in Chicago

    It’s A Baby Shower For Operation Precious CARgo!

    March 6, 2012

    I have signed on to do yet another thing. I know what you’re thinking: “Is she NUTS?” “She’s so busy!” “She is DEFINITELY NUTS.” This is really really cool, though. (And it’s short-term, which is a bonus.) I have been asked by the lovely people of Chevrolet to captain a team for Operation Precious CARgo. The mission is to collect registry items for a deserving, expectant military mom. So…cool, right? Basically my “team” (and that includes my Social RevUp partners MJ and Dwana who are unofficially co-captaining) is made up of all of my local family and friends. Do you know me? Live in the Chicago area? You’re on my…

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  • Fun in Chicago,  Random Thoughts

    Mix It Up

    March 3, 2012

    This morning, I got up at an ungodly hour (3:00 a.m.) to drive Jim to the airport because he’s off to Arizona for a week-long bicycling camp. This week he’ll be riding around fifty miles each day, in the mountains and through the desert. The last time he attended Desert Camp was about four years ago, and he’s been chomping at the bit to get out there again so he’s pretty excited. I’ll miss having him around (I kinda love him, you know?) but I’m thrilled for him because he works really hard and this getaway was just what he needed in this frigid, depressing, blizzard-filled, miserable, okay, rather spring-like…

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  • Fun in Chicago,  My Friends Have Mad Skillz,  Reflections on Parenting

    How Does Your Family Celebrate Valentine’s Day?

    February 14, 2012

    Today I thought I’d show you the first part of a video series I’m involved with (along with several of my beautiful Chicago blogger friends!), produced by MJ Tam for the Chicagonista Live show. The series is called “Our Voices” (#OurVoices). I love many things about this particular video, but my favorite is the Barbara Walters/Oprah-style lighting that worked miracles I’ve never seen before. I’m working on a way to have that light follow me around everywhere. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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  • Fun in Chicago,  Pretty Pictures,  Review

    Sporty, Luxurious, Electric, Family Time at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show!

    February 13, 2012

    I venture to say that a day spent around (and in) shiny, colorful, beautiful new cars is enough to put a smile on most people’s faces. I know that I had a great time last last week when I was invited by General Motors to attend the Chicago Auto Show as a part of Social Media Day (Kudos to the organizers of the Chicago Auto Show, by the way, for recognizing the power of social media!). I had some great experiences and learned some interesting things there, starting with what I heard during our breakfast. The room was full of us social media types as well as Chevy Volt owners,…

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