A Social Media Butterfly?!

I can't help it. I'm a sucker to all social media networks (except MySpace since I may just be the oldest living creature if I join in). You name it, I've done it or atleast tried it. But my biggest obsessions right now are of course Twitter, Facebook and if you are in Chicago, you'll be addicted to Windy Citizen too.

The hilarity of "Facebook Fever" is video blogged by Christine of HappySlip.com and I can't seem to stop laughing about it. Don't miss the other video too.



The video below will explain what or who are New Media Douchebags. LOL




Ouch?! But I like the sound of Social Media Butterfly better than New Media Douchebag. Don't ya think?

A Chinese New Year Celebration

Half end of my week last week were dedicated to my children’s school benefit event also celebrating Chinese New Year, Year of the Ox 4707. This is an annual event not only for the purpose of raising funds for the school that supports their excellent curriculum, but it is also the moment to showcase the traditional and beautiful culture of Chinese / Asian artistry in dance performances such as the lion dance, taiko drums, kid's traditional Chinese dances, and more. The school board committee is in charge of organizing this huge event and since I am in the school advisory board, I had the pleasure in taking part of the planning process. Well, the event happened this past Saturday and although I’m still tired from all the work, I am happy that it all ended in success. Come and check out my short video of the event’s highlights. By the way, that is my daughter in her Chinese garb. Gong Hay Fat Choy!

Chicago Auto Show Media Day

GM Motors invited Chicagonista to join them for Media Day in the Chicago Auto Show. I expected that we were amongst the many others to join them - but with a stroke of luck, we had GM’s Social Media Lesley Hettinger all to ourselves (Jen and I) ALL DAY! That started with a nice breakfast at Swissotel, and then she guided and maneuvered us around the actual showrooms of beautiful concept cars, new cars, to the GM Press Conference then lunch with Alexandria Dymowska, General Motors Creative Designer, Color and Trim Studio. Yeah…I mean just Jen and me with 2 amazing and fascinating women! Now how often do I ever get this chance!



You’re saying CARS? Me? Cars? I don’t know much about cars really! Just ask Jen guffawing over my “you look like you are doing the Indy 100!” comment to her when she was sitting down in one of the cars. Jen of course corrected me with – “500” not “100”. What can I say? I was just never into cars like that. lol


But never mind that Jen also pointed out that the T back on one of the concept cars would look great on a dress! I was all in agreement by then. We wondered about the thought process behind naming cars. Is it about designing it to match the name or vice versa? And what does Enclave means anyway? Quite thankfully, we were not off from all our comments and GM’s Creative Designer has really taken my comment on how the mesh pockets on a luxury car’s back seat looks unfinished and not luxurious enough. She even sat inside the back seat and touched around and really delved into it. It was one of those that she will be taking back with her!

Then I realized…what I really found fascinating is it is somewhat similar to the Fashion Industry. The look…the feel…the luxury of fine clothing…. This brought me back to my many years of working in Fashion. The time spent closely watching every product in our Sigrid Olsen NY Showroom. From the inspiration, to the pockets, to the buttons, to the material and the process and time it develops after years and years of concept to its fruition. I get it!



The GM Press Conference was of course very exciting. There were media from all over the world with their cameras and live satellites. The biggest surprise was seeing the car Bumblebee Camaro that was used in the movie Transformer. And the gargantuan of a Bumblebee Transformer robot was standing right before us. It felt like we were in some movie. I knew then that my boys will have to come and see it in the Auto Show when it opens up to public. They have also announced that GM has designed the Stingray Camaro concept car for the new movie “Transformer – Revenge of The Fallen showing by Summer of 2009”.

One of the best take away I got from this is finding out that GM has taken global strides in going with our sign of the times. About how consumers are more eco-conscious and with how our economy are in the dumps right now. I’m not one to speak in depth about global eco-awareness since I am just merely taking baby steps in learning how, so I am going to have you go on to Jen’s @ ecochicorganizer.com and I’m sure she'll take a moment to write more about it.

Again, thank you to GM for this wonderful opportunity and Chicagonista is looking forward with future relationships other than possibly getting my own Enclave in the “white diamond” exterior color that I drooled on. Check out my short video below.

A Blissful Blogger's Night by Boca and Giveaway!

Yesterday was a beautiful and sunny 63 F degrees in Chicago. Yes, in February! And top it all off I was invited to a Boca Blogger's Night Out of bliss. We were treated to a full night of manicure, pedicure, massage, meditation, good food, and friends. Thank you Edelman for such a beautiful job! See my short video and then check out what I'm giving away below...




Each one of us received this really cute EnviroSax (an eco-friendly bag)with a Yoga Mat, Stress Relief CD, Free Boca Coupon, and a Franklin Covey organizer. And we also got to take home another one to give away in our blogs. So if you're interested - leave a comment TO WIN. I will announce the winner next week Wednesday morning.

Also...enter the BOCA Balanced Living Challenge, visit http://www.balancedliving.gather.com and post a short entry up to 250 word, describing the change you'd like to make in your life and how BOCA can help you achieve balance. Do it by Feb. 27th and grand prize winner gets $5,000!

Well, Good Luck to all that will join the contest!

Captured

For my husband's birthday present, I asked my extremely talented artist brother to take pictures of the kids and I. And look what he came up with? It turned out beautiful!

First off, this was all done in one day inside his home...He just started snapping away while the kids stood and be themselves. Within one hour, voila he came up with this. He's a genius!

I love how he captured their normal facial quirks and smiles...their facial expressions and the composition of the all the pictures were just studio perfect (taken in his living room!). Not to mention that my husband loved it!!! By the way, "Baba" is "Daddy " in Chinese just in case you were wondering.

So if anyone of you(in Chicago) would like a "true artist" to take your children's or family's photo (especially in the comfort of your own home), you should really look him up. Just check out his art works here. He's an artist-painter that has an amazing talent that freelances in photography and graphic design.

Thank You Kuya!

One Enchanted CORNY Evening!

For Valentine's Day, the high-end Chicago salons (Mario Tricoci) are holding a "One Enchanted Evening" Love Story contest. Ok...ok...start rolling those eyes lol....My first reaction? "How corny"! As I thought of Robert Goulet singing as Emille De Becque to Nellie Forbush (broadway fans would know who they are) So corny that I had to enter right?!. Why? For 2 reasons:

• To hopefully win their fabulous prize (and why not?!)
• Perfect timing to write one for my most patient and wonderful husband.

When they emailed me back today that my entry was accepted and entered, I went ahead to read it to my husband. He listened. Intently.

Husband: It's Corny!

Me: (chuckling) Well, love stories are corny!

Husband: What dazzled you again?

Me: Your bright future plans. (smiling and hugging)

Husband: (pointed at the kids) There's our bright future plans.

Me: (smiling bigger, no words needed)


Happy Valentines To All!!!

Here's My Submitted Entry and now go here and VOTE FOR ME?! please? and maybe write one and enter yourself? Let me know if you vote or submit too.

PURE LOVE

Our love story is not filled with roses, songs, or diamonds, but it is one that is instinctively and undoubtedly of pure love.

Who need roses when my husband packs my lunch for work everyday without being asked? Who need songs when my husband hums a happy tune when we’re driving to the grocery? And who need diamonds when he already dazzles me with our bright future plans ahead?

One might not find him romantic, but I do. Isn’t it romantic that he manages to add a fruit to my packed lunch everyday? Isn’t it romantic that he’d hum me a tune that he knows could make me smile? Isn’t it romantic that he watches out for our lifelong comfort forever?

Unquestionably Pure Love.

Trust Me, I was lunching with celebrities!

A day after our Chicagonista Launching Party, Jen and I attended another event. This one was hosted by Beth Feldman aka RoleMommy.com (also the author of Peeing in Peace) who is equally as fabulous as this event I am about to tell you. It was the TNT's new tv show "TRUST ME" luncheon with one of their star Monica Potter (also was in Boston Legal) as our guest of honor.

The venue was Capital Grille, So not only were we rubbing shoulders with a celebrity, but we were also treated into a nice and beautiful luncheon. The wine was divine, the scallops were delish and omg the desserts were heavenly! Mind you that after just a few short hours of sleep (because of the event the night before this one), I was exhausted! But the wine perked me up and the luxurious food hit me in the right places that got me all going.

Once we all savored every bite of the delicious food, I was ready to throw in questions about the TV show - but much to my surprise, the luncheon turned more into a real light-hearted interview session. In fact, it was way better than I had imagined it to be. Just to rewind a little bit -- right before heading to this event, I went ahead to read Monica Potter's bio to prep for the interview and I was somewhat disappointed that I didn't see any info if she have any children. I'm not really sure why it was important for me to know this, but I guess my affinity towards other mothers/parents is so strong that I consciously always want to know this of anyone. Beth Feldman had set an easy and comfortable tone pretty fast, and soon enough we were all just loving Monica talk about her 2 kids and how she manages family life with work. It was such a casual girlfriend kind of luncheon meeting where anyone was comfortably pitching in their questions.

I have to also mention that I am amongst a company of friends who all happen to be celebrities in bloggywood. In my table with Monica Potter (see how I had to say "MY TABLE"...haha), I sat between my good friend and Chicagonista partner Jen Khatchatrian ( Ecochic Organizer ) and Dawn Meehan ( Because I Said So). Beside girlfriend Monica, sat Beth Fletcher (I Should Be Doing The Laundry - aka McDreamy's GF! no - really, ask her!)

And across from our table were Stephanie Precourt and her beautiful Ivy (Adventures of Babywearing) Sara Fisher (Self Made Mom) Alma Klein (Marketing Mommy) Beth (I Should Be Folding Laundry - aka McDreamy's GF! ask her!) and Sarah Viola and her handsome Asher (SarahViola.org)

Trust Me's 2 leading stars are Eric McCormack ( Will & Grace ) and Tom Cavanagh ( Ed ). The show is about "a sharp, witty drama series that centers on two best friends working as creative partners at a top-ranked Chicago ad agency". Monica Potter plays the role of the uptight "award-winning copywriter whose forceful personality has a tendency to rub people the wrong way". Well, thankfully she was not in the least anything like her character! TRUST ME!

Again, thank you to Beth Feldman and Bonnie McGuire for the wonderful time and the wonderful bag of TRUST ME giveaways! I hope to see you ladies again soon.