Social Media at Restaurant Show

Billy Dec (CEO of Rockit Ranch Productions), Steve Dolinsky (ABC Food
reporter "The Hungry Hound"), Richard Roeper (columnist, former co-
host "Ebert & Roeper"), and Alpana Singh (master sommelier and host of
"Check, Please") speaking at the National Restaurant Show.

Panel: Learn how to leverage your product or brand through personal
relationships, traditional media, social networking & celebrity.

Billy: Social media: This is the new way to communicate. I encourage
all my employees to post about Rockit on their social media platforms.

Alpana: Facebook is for your friends. Twitter is for people you want
to become friends with. In January someone stole my credit card
through Facebook...just went back on it.

Steve:I spend an hour to hour and half daily on blogging. Today's
journalism students don't know how to write.

Richard: All my videos including YouTube link back to my website so it
makes money.

At the Restaurant Show

Am at the National Restaurant Association Show at Chicago's McCormick
Place. Looking forward to many lectures, celebrity chef appearances,
and French fries today and tomorrow.

Cycling at Green Festival

Green Festival Bike Valet

My daughter Emma and I are at the Chicago Green Festival. Clif Bar
offering free bike valet.

Ecotools Look Gorgeous

EcoTools Look Gorgeous, Love Green Campaign giving out free blush
brushes in front of Chicago Tribune Tower from 6am-6pm today. If you
bring in old bath/body product or makeup brush, they will give you max
of two coupons (up to $7.99) towards EcoTools product.

Bare Escentuals Visits Chicago

Bare Escentuals was at Madison & Canal (in front of Ogilvie
Transportation Center) today from 12-6pm. Was shocked to see them
there - I've seen people hand out product samples but can't recall a
company offering makeovers on a busy street. The slogan on their
coupon: "Rethink Going Bare in Public".

On Twitter last week they announced that they were visiting Wrigley
Field. They said they will be at State Street (go to Rethinkwhatmatters.com
for exact address later) tomorrow and at Ulta Lincoln Park (old
Whole Foods Market location) on Saturday.

Bare Escentuals Quickie Van

Bare Escentuals is taking its Quickie Van around Chicago. Offering 5
minute "make-unders", a sample, and a coupon for a free Handy Buki
Brush ($20 value) with purchase of their foundation.

MORE Gift Bag

Here is the gift bag from the MORE Reinvention Convention along with
gifts from exhibitors. A chocolate cupcake from morecupcakes was also
handed out.

Race for the Cure

Ambassador Nancy Goodman Brinker talked about the promise she made to
her late sister Susan to cure breast cancer. She started the Susan G.
Komen for the Cure foundation in 1981 with $200 after her sister died
in 1980 at the age of 36.

She said that "35 years ago cancer was the big C. People thought it
was contagious, no support groups....The day I saw people cross the
street to avoid my sister, my heart was seared."

Nancy spoke about the power of one: "power that each person has to
make a difference."

Today Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world's largest breast
cancer organization and a pioneer in cause marketing.

How to Master Social Media

Julia Angwin, technology editor and columnist at the Wall Street
Journal, called social media "a public conversation".

She spoke of how she did a makeover of her Google results because she
wanted to have her book Stealing myspace come up first in the results.

Julia gave Pistachio and GaryVee as successful examples of how to
build your brand using Twitter.

Beautiful Skin at Any Age

Doctors Julia Marshall and Amy Derick,
Celebrity makeup artist Tim Quinn of Giorgio Armani Cosmetics, and
MORE beauty director Genevieve Monsma shared skincare and makeup tips
at MORE Reinvention Convention.

Some tips:
-see a dermatologist once a year because skin cancer is on the rise
-use a sunscreen and lots of it: about a shotglass worth for the whole
body
-use Rx retinol and antioxidant serum
-use primer so makeup doesn't settle into pores and lines
-use cream blush instead of powder
-use a foundation brush
-be careful of shimmer and cream eyeshadows to avoid creasing
-avoid heavy dark lips as well as grayish nude lip. Instead, look for
a sheer lip formula similar to your lip tone.

Self Workout in Park Chicago

Another photo of women working out.

Fight Fat After Forty

Dr. Pamela Peeke spoke about top 10 rules to minimize your menopot
(manopot for older men) at MORE Reinvention Convention. Her tips:
learn to plan, eat more lean protein, incorporate more healthy fats
(nuts, avocado, olive oil), control carbs, lighten up dinner.

Her list of 12 menopot minimizing foods includes oatmeal, egg whites,
protein powder, berries. She had a 3 egg white omelet with 4 veggies
for breakfast. She also loves Greek yogurt (high protein content)
with blueberries (very low glycemic index).

Giorgio Armani's Tim Quinn

Celebrity makeup artist Tim Quinn who works for Giorgio Armani
Cosmetics is scheduled to speak later today at the MORE Reinvention
Convention on "Beautiful Skin at Any Age". Here he is at their booth
where women are getting mini-makeovers.

Dara Torres at MORE Reinvention

12-time Olympian Dara Torres just finished speaking about her amazing
comeback after a 7 year break from training to win 3 silver medals at
the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Decided to go back to swimming after throwing up with morning
sickness on the stairmaster when she was 6-8 weeks pregnant with her
daughter. She joined a master's swim group. One thing led to another
and she ended up going to the 2008 Olympics.

"Age is really just a number. When you dive into the pool the water
doesn't know how old you are. You don't put an age limit to your
dreams."

Self Workout in the Park Samples

Here are some samples from Self Workout in the Park.

T-fal ActiFry offered French fries cooked in only 1 tablespoon of
olive oil and green beans with almonds and parsley (developed by Food
Network's Ellie Krieger) while chef demonstrated how to use the $299
appliance.

Dietician Vicky offered me nutrition tips at the iVillage tent. Two
other dieticians were answering diet questions. Eat whole grains for
breakfast instead of donuts. On a plate, fill it with half to 1 cup of
whole grains, 4oz protein, and unlimited vegetables. Told Vicky that
my husband and I usually end up throwing away fresh produce because it
spoils. She said to buy pre-cut, frozen (just as nutritious as fresh),
and steam-in-bag.

Garnier Nutritioniste Mini-Facial

Here I'm waiting for my mini-facial at Garnier Nutritioniste booth
using Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra-Lift Pro Gravity Defying Cream at
Self Workout in the Park.

Garnier Booth at Self Workout

L'Oreal had a big presence at Self Workout in the Park Chicago.
Garnier offered hair color consultations, mini-facials, Garnier
Fructis samples, and a prize wheel. Maybelline New York offered
foundation shade matching.

Another beauty company - Jane Iredale - The Skin Care Makeup had a Lip
Service Tent. Sean recommended Susan Pure Moist Lip Color for me.

Sexy Stretch at Self Workout

Chicago women braved mud and cloudy weather to attend Self Workout in
the Park. First workout in Main Stage: Sexy Stretch to increase
flexibility, followed by Masala Bhangra, AB Attack, Cardio Tai Box,
and Retro-Robics. The Quiet Zone featured yoga and pilates while
Rebounding Zone featured mini-trampolines and weights.

Maria Menounos at Self Workout

Maria Menounos, "Access Hollywood" and "NBC News" correspondent,
filmmaker and actress, was special guest at Self Workout in the Park
at Chicago's Grant Park. She danced to Bhangra and Bollywood as Sarina
Jain taught us the Masala Bhangra Indian-style dance moves.

At Self Workout in the Park

Am waiting in line for doors to open to Self Workout in the Park. Lots
of fit women in tank tops and leggings anxiously waiting.

Jillian Michaels was special guest here - "She was wonderful" said one
woman in line.

Gift bag had 1 bottle of water and Crystal Light Pure Fitness
strawberry kiwi fitness drink mix.

MORE Reinvention Convention in Chicago on May 17

Am looking forward to going to MORE Magazine's Reinvention Convention next Monday at Chicago's Navy Pier. 

Promises to be an inspirational event with keynote speakers - Olympic swimmer Dara Torres, actress Dana Delany, and Nancy Goodman Brinker (founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure).

Other speakers include author/journalist Lee Woodruff (she spoke at BlogHer'09 at the PepsiCo event) and Giorgio Armani makeup artist Tim Quinn (met him at makeover event a few years ago at Saks Fifth Avenue Michigan Avenue).

   
Cost is $195. More info at:
http://www.moremusthaves.com/2010/reinventionConvention/rc_chicago.html

Met Melissa d'Arabian

Met Melissa d'Arabian of the Food Network at The Bread Art Project
event at Sprouts Academy Preschool and hosted by Jennifer James of the
Mom Bloggers Club.

Am Looking Forward to the Chicago Green Festival

Am looking forward to the Chicago Green Festival that's coming to Navy Pier on May 22nd and 23rd. It takes place during the weekend so you can bring the entire family to learn more about green products and services.

About 350 booths will offer organic foods, fair trade beverages, beauty products, clothes, and green home services, etc. Last year SodaStream Soda Maker attracted a big audience to its booth - people wanted to learn more about how to make flavored soda at home to save money and help the environment. There will be lectures galore on everything from urban agriculture to toxic homes to social media for social good. Amy Goodman, Dr. Alan Greene ("Raising Baby Green"), and Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun are among the festival's 150 speakers. A Community Action pavillion, Fair Trade pavillion, a Green Home pavillion, and Green Kids' Zone offering children's activities will be at the festival. Free bike valet being provided courtesy of Clif Bar.

The Chicago Green Festival is offering a free ticket ($10 at the door) if you give them your name and email address at: http://www.greenfestivals.org/chicago-free-ticket-offer/

Food Technology Innovation & Safety Forum

Attended the Food Technology Innovation & Safety Forum at Hyatt O'Hare
yesterday. Speakers included Mark Timble (president - North American
Consumer Foods at McCormick & Company), Todd Hale (SVP, consumer &
shopper insights at the Nielsen Company), Dr. Chor-San Khoo (senior
fellow, former VP global nutrition and health at Campbell Soup
Company), and Dr. Elizabeth Pivonka (president and CEO of Produce for
Better Health Foundation).

Learned about the challenges of reducing sodium in foods from Dr. Khoo.
Afternoon break refreshments included fresh fruit (appropriate after
hearing about health benefits of fruits and vegetables), biscotti, and
huge cookies. Sponsored by Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts Inc.

Self Workout in the Park this Saturday

Looking forward to Self Workout in the Park being held this Saturday
in Chicago's Grant Park. Have gone to this event for a number of
years. Love the workouts, free beauty and food samples, and makeovers.
Maria Menounos of "Access Hollywood" will share fitness tips. The cost
is $20.95. More info at http://www.selfworkoutinthepark.com/

Starbucks Frappuccino My Way

This week Starbucks launched its however-you-want-it program to allow customers to customize their Frappuccinos. The old Frappuccinos used a dairy base so vegans (or others like myself who are avoiding dairy) could not partake. Now you can get one made with soymilk for an extra charge or add extra coffee. Yeay! I had a caramel soy Frappuccino no whip earlier in the week - yummy! Am ready for another one today.

Lecture at Housewares Show

At the March Housewares Show at Chicago's McCormick Place, Karen Kranz of Starpoint Consulting Group gave a presentation on "How to Make Your Store a Destination: Insights from Home Shopping Channels". Accessibility, authenticity, affordability, and community were some key
points she mentioned. TV channels HSN and QVC offer authenticity by having company founders,
makeup artists, celebrity chefs, and product inventors such as Bobbi
Brown, Mally Roncal, Nate Berkus, Colin Cowie, Emeril Lagasse, and
Wolfgang Puck appear on the shows.

Andrea Robinson Cooking

Here's a photo of chef and sommelier Andrea Robinson from March Macy's
State Street culinary demo where she paired wines with two dishes
including edamame pesto and chocolate ganache made with tofu.

Got Quoted in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution‏

I got quoted in last week's Atlanta Journal-Constitution article about Astral Brands (Aloette, CosMedix, Pur Minerals) and its goal to expand sales by using television.

"Virginia Lee, a senior analyst with Euromonitor International who covers the skin care and cosmetics industry, said that having a product on TV heightens consumers’ interest." “Companies have said that following their brands’ appearance on TV, they actually get more customers in the stores,” she said. “I would say that whereas 10 years ago, having your beauty brand on TV was kind of embarrassing, it’s no longer that way."

Instead, many prestige beauty brands including Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Lancome, and NV Perricone have embraced TV shopping (Home Shopping Network and QVC).

Article at: http://www.ajc.com/business/atlantas-astral-brands-seeks-495414.html