Big Behemoth BlogHer Recap From WC Soiree On #BlogHer13 #WCSoiree

Look out Chi-town!   It was an invasion of the blogger brigades last week.   Thousands of bloggers from across the nation descended on McCormick Place last weekend for the largest annual blog conference in existence.  The keynotes,  workshops, VIP networking parties, swag bags, and fun will be talked about in cyberspace for months to come.

I've been blogging professionally at ChiILMama.com since 2009, but BlogHer has always conflicted with Lollapalooza/Kidzapalooza which I always have press credentials for and cover heavily.   So, I was a BlogHer newbie.   I was crazy busy through the weekend, and this weekend will be our all consuming Lollapalooza & Kidzapalooza coverage.  But after that, check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often!  The photo & video filled recaps are coming.   For now, check out our FB and Twitter feed. I was happily hash tagging away in real time at BlogHer so you can get a little taste of things to come.

MC MJ and Beth Rosen of Chicagonista fame

ChiIL Out With ChiIL Mama Vicariously:

Tuesday things got off to a rockin' start with Chicagonista's fabulous Soiree in Water Tower Place and a CBS Moms party at The Ritz.   I've been pleased to be part of the Chicagonista and Chicago Moms Blog Network for years.  Our full photo and video feature on the #WCSoiree is coming.   For now, suffice it to say, the food, drinks and networking opportunities were stellar, the scavenger hunt was fun and all too short, and we got a hilarious Mom sitcom sneak peek.



Anupy looked lovely, though she secretly confided that she really dug the black leather look below more.   Me too!   I'd just run into Anupy the night before, at the press opening for Victory Gardens latest, the intense and excellent Mojada, a remake of the Medea myth based in Pilsen with a family of illegal immigrants from Mexico. 

Here's just a little sneak peek at some of the opening fashion show, featuring press personalities and bloggers from Chicago and beyond.   See any familiar faces?   A number of ChiIL Mama's friends and colleagues were tapped for the show including Anupy Singla (Vegan Indian Cookbooks), Meredith Sinclair, Andrea Metcalf (fitness celeb), 

and MCs Nancy Loo (WGN), MJ Tam and Beth Rosen.





The Australian Bee Gees even serenaded us with a mini excerpt from their current Broadway in Chicago Show, now running at The Broadway Playhouse.

We made loads of sweet connections, so we can bring you even more awesome giveaways, product reviews, entertainment and parenting news and more. 

Here's a little sampling of where ChiIL Mama was ChiILin':

Wednesday:   
*Staples Back to School Luncheon

*Flatout Flatbread Trolley/Improv Tour

*Press dinner at Pinstripes Restaurant through US Family Bloggers



Thursday: 

*Eli's Cheesecake Blogger Breakfast

*The Big Toy Book Sweet Suite Event 2013 (with MANY of our favorite brands like Skylanders, HexBugs, D3 and more!)

*Bump Club/PsychoBaby Party

*Petco/CBN/Reviver Pets Party

*Party on the Mag Mile with Womensforum & Escalate Network

*(E)  BlogHer Expo Opens


Friday: 

*(E) BlogHer (Expo/Workshops/Afterparties)

*Yo-Getter Brunch

*Walgreens Trolley/Beach Party

*Lifetime TV Party

*Hasbro Cocktail Party

*American Girl Party

Saturday:

*(E) BlogHer (Expo/Workshops/Afterparties)