Aladdin Collapsible Salad Set

 Aladdin introduced the Collapsible Salad Set at the International Housewares Show. The set consists of a collapsible plastic salad bowl, a strainer, and three leak-proof containers to transport salad dressing and salad toppings. The company representative said that research with women found that they many frustrations about lunch. One issue: women wanted to eat more salad at lunchtime but did not like the existing storage containers. This set allows women to take a big salad with multiple toppings (just like at restaurants) to work but carry home a much smaller container for the bus/train trip home. 

Iron Chef Cat Cora at Housewares

Met Iron Chef Cat Cora at the Starfrit booth at the International Housewares Show. She was at the booth to sign copies of her cookbook, Cat Cora's Classics With a Twist, and promote her new Cat Cora line of cookware. The marketing materials promote the line as "Professional Chef Tested. Modern Mom Approved"- I didn't realize she has four boys.

Lucky Magazine Launches Lucky Kids

You can tell the economy is improving. After pulling the plug on Cookie magazine for affluent moms in October 2009, Conde Nast again sees an opportunity to reach moms & advertisers. Lucky magazine, the shopping resource for style conscious women, launched Lucky Kids magazine in March 2011. Lucky Kids will be published only twice in 2011, with the second issue coming out in time for back-to-school. Actress Angie Harmon and two of her daughters (Avery, Finley) are on the cover.

CND's Ambassador Anne Clarizio

Anne Clarizio, CND Education Ambassador, and owner of Head to Toes Salon in Arkansas, did my beautiful nails using CND's Shellac gel nail polish.

CND's Shellac Nail Polish

I got Shellacked at the CND VIP Room at America's Beauty Show in Chicago last Monday. Shellac was introduced in spring 2010 as a gel nail polish with 14-day wear. It is applied like a nail polish but cured under a UV light so no drying time.

I wanted to try a lot of different colors. On my left hand the colors are Hollywood, Masquerade, Decadence, plaid (Black Pool, Cream Puff, Iced Cappuccino, with Romantique as the base), zebra (Black Pool, Cream Puff). On my right hand the colors are Wildfire, Hot Chilis, Tropix (1/2 Iced Coral), Tutti Frutti, and Hot Pop Pink.

Nordstrom's Beauty Director Jules

Last Saturday was Julianne "Jules" De'Chaump's last Nordstrom Oakbrook Trend Show. Jules will be leaving her job as Midwest Beauty Director to take on another role at Nordstrom's Seattle headquarters. Jules, we'll miss your energy and sense of humor.

Nordstrom March 2011 Gift Bag

I won a goody bag of the Clarins (Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover Lotion, Instant Smooth Line Correcting Concentrate, Moisture-Rich Body Lotion) and Elemis (Absolute Eye Serum, Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Gel Mask) items pictured. All attendees of the Nordstrom Oakbrook Spring Trend Show received the cream "lace" bag filled with the items in the plastic bag (samples of Antica Farmacista Orange Blossom, Lilac & Jasmine candle, Caudalie Vinoperfect Day Perfecting Cream SPF 15, Clinique Long Last Lipstick in Creamy Nude, Miss Dior Cherie eau de toilette, and Prada eau de toilette pour homme).

Disclosure: I won a goody bag from Nordstrom.

Box Appetit Lunch Box

I saw a lot of options to carry lunch to work at the Housewares Show. I took today as a vacation day to recharge after all the trade shows in March.
The Box Appetit was designed by black+blum in London. The box comes
with an inner dish, a sauce pot for dressing, and a fork/knife. The
clear lid has a sauce dipping area for sushi. The product is made of
Eastman Chemical's Tritan and is dishwasher and microwave-safe (for up
to two minutes).

Disclosure: I received a sample from the Eastman Chemical booth.