ChiIL Mama was elated to be invited to celebrate and kick off summer in style June 5th with a host of top bloggers, travel reps and summer "must haves". It was great to see so many long time friends and collaborators. Alison Ray and So Chic Media know how to throw a party!
More of our fav original photos are at the bottom of this feature. Any that aren't watermarked are used with permission, from Kevin Hammett Photography, via our friends at So Chic.
Disclosure: Thanks to the Jet Set: Travel in Style Media Event brands and sponsors for all our review samples. As always, all opinions are our own.
More of our fav original photos are at the bottom of this feature. Any that aren't watermarked are used with permission, from Kevin Hammett Photography, via our friends at So Chic.
Disclosure: Thanks to the Jet Set: Travel in Style Media Event brands and sponsors for all our review samples. As always, all opinions are our own.
I'm STILL geeking out on the Spin Spun gourmet, all natural cotton candy that flashed like a rave party! I had the watermelon Tabasco and snuck a taste of the salted caramel and green tea from friends. They were soooo unique and tasty. I want to have a party now, just so these guys can come!
The lovely Colleen Kelly, host of The Family Travel Show, was our Special Guest Host & Emcee and it was great to see her again, as always. We had a great chat and we're hoping to partner up on some future projects. 
**ChiIL Mama's Instagram Video flashing Tabasco and watermelon cotton candy!**
There was even a mini Fashion Demo by Coolibar featuring Chicago Bloggers –April Giannosa, Johanna Grange and Zahra Sandberg. Our favorite here at ChiIL Mama was Zahra's cool blue top which pulled up or down to be both a bathing suit cover up and a cute, casual dress!
3 fashion show shots photo credit Kevin Hammett Photography
It was a fabulous night of networking with locals and brand reps who traveled in from New York and Florida.
Check out our full list below:
Coolibar
Of course. as a mom, I'm all about keeping my family safe and skin cancer free. Sunburn is painful, and dangerous. So I make sure we're covered in sunblock before we hit the beach or head out for outdoor fun. If we can do a lot of it with UPF clothing, that's even better! CooliBar hats and clothing for adults and kids are UPF 50+ which means they block 98% of UVA & UVB rays.
They gave me a rockin' sun hat in our swag bags that my 11 year old daughter adores. She keeps taking it and then when I go to put it on... it's gone! Might just have to spring for another. It folds easily into a bag without getting crushed and has a brim that holds whatever shape hits your mood.
Of course. as a mom, I'm all about keeping my family safe and skin cancer free. Sunburn is painful, and dangerous. So I make sure we're covered in sunblock before we hit the beach or head out for outdoor fun. If we can do a lot of it with UPF clothing, that's even better! CooliBar hats and clothing for adults and kids are UPF 50+ which means they block 98% of UVA & UVB rays.
They gave me a rockin' sun hat in our swag bags that my 11 year old daughter adores. She keeps taking it and then when I go to put it on... it's gone! Might just have to spring for another. It folds easily into a bag without getting crushed and has a brim that holds whatever shape hits your mood.
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
ChiIL Mama Chillin' at the gorgeous Hilton Sandestin resort... in my mind!
Oh how I wish this green screen was the REAL DEAL. It was a loooooooong, cold winter here in Chicago and we're beyond ready to make up for it with as much quality travel time and beach time as possible. Now that we know about Hilton Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort and the fine people there, it's high on our must see list.
ChiIL Mama Chillin' at the gorgeous Hilton Sandestin resort... in my mind!
Oh how I wish this green screen was the REAL DEAL. It was a loooooooong, cold winter here in Chicago and we're beyond ready to make up for it with as much quality travel time and beach time as possible. Now that we know about Hilton Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort and the fine people there, it's high on our must see list.
Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Travel Kids we're all about vacation fun. We're happy to check out far flung locations and bring back the scoop for our readers. We've done family travel as far away as Sweden and have big travel features coming this spring and summer on Portland Oregon,
Disney World/Universal/Sea World/Eco-Orlando/Swamp Tours, Vail Colorado in the Summer, Wisconsin Dells/Circus World/Amish Tours/Cabins & Renaissance Fairs in 2 states.
We're currently booking a 3 generation vacation in Portland for 7 family members this August, so it was a great time to meet the fabulous folks at Home Away. We're excited about their properties and hope to partner up on some travel features in the near future.
We have a cabin near Mt. Hood for a few days, but we're still searching for an Oregon Coast rental and something for a few days in town. Home Away has an impressive array of reasonable properties and we're eager to give them a try!
Sunology
We have a cabin near Mt. Hood for a few days, but we're still searching for an Oregon Coast rental and something for a few days in town. Home Away has an impressive array of reasonable properties and we're eager to give them a try!
Sunology
Moms shouldn't have to chose between harsh chemicals and hazardous sunburns! Sunology to the rescue. This sweet, eco-friendly, safe alternative to toxic chemical sunscreens was in the right place at the right time.
I'm a label reader, and I try to find the least toxic, most effective sunscreens around. Add to that, my husband and daughter are prone to skin allergies and rashes (yes--even from some of the high end, "safe" products). And allergies change over the years.
My 13 year old son was just in a 9 hour Ultimate Frisbee Tournament on Montrose Beach right after the Travel in Style event so we got a great chance to field test.
I went with Sunology and loved it! My daughter was worried about rashes and trying new things so she used our old family friendly fav. from last year and broke out in hives! Go figure. My son sunscreened everything, but forgot the tops of his feet (he was in gym shoes when we lotioned up, then played barefoot). What a HUGE difference! Poor kid was so red he could barely wear shoes for 2 days. I felt horrible. Next time... we won't forget a spot!
yurbuds
I was particularly jazzed to find a pair of yurbuds in our swag bags! I'd done a past feature on yurbuds HERE as a Best Buy WOLF (Women's Leadership Forum) Blogger, so I've written about how awesome they are, but didn't have a pair yet!
I was particularly jazzed to find a pair of yurbuds in our swag bags! I'd done a past feature on yurbuds HERE as a Best Buy WOLF (Women's Leadership Forum) Blogger, so I've written about how awesome they are, but didn't have a pair yet!
I review loads of new music releases and am constantly checking out bands to shoot for my entertainment site, ChiIL Live Shows. Yet I have the worst time finding ear buds that are comfortable and actually stay in. Usually earbuds are such a pain I go with over the ear headphones. Now all that's changing thanks to yurbuds Inspire for Women. They're guaranteed to never fall out!
Honest Tea
We're also long time fans of Honest Tea. Summer's prime iced tea season, and Honest Tea is some of the best. We've worked with them in the past too. Last summer they sent a sweet intern from my alma mater (Miami University in Oxford) right to my door with a whole flat of Honest Tea to sample and some stylin' swag--sunglasses, beach bag, and kids pouches!
photo credit Kevin Hammett Photography
They're favorites of ours here at ChiIL Mama for their eco-friendly choices and their wide range of flavors. Their teas make great mixers too--extra tasty with a splash of vodka and a Mason Jar mug!
My only beef with them is they discontinued the spicy cinnamon tea--my all time fav. Till they bring it back I guess I'll just have to make my mixed drinks with Honest Tea and cinnamon whisky or vodka. Problem solved. Mmmmmm. Think I'll make one now and hit the hammock once my work's done for the day.
Real Time Recap:
If you follow along on our social media outlets like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter you already got a little taste of the evening in real time under the hashtags #sochictravel #sochicbloggers!
If you follow along on our social media outlets like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter you already got a little taste of the evening in real time under the hashtags #sochictravel #sochicbloggers!
Big thanks to the following sponsors who contributed to our impressive swag bags and to making our Travel in Style night fabulous:
photo credit Kevin Hammett Photography
CooliBar, Hilton Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Home Away, Sunology, Kevin Hammett Photography, Family Travel Show, Noktivo Spa, Spin Spun, Yurbuds, Accessory Mercado, Go Picnic, derma – e, La Fresh, & Honest Tea
Thanks again to Kevin Hammett Photography for hosting us. The photos formed a fabulous backdrop for the evening's festivities and we loved hearing the sentimental story about your own honeymoon shot and how you'd grab it first if your studio was burning down.
photo credit Kevin Hammett Photography
Thanks again to Kevin Hammett Photography for hosting us. The photos formed a fabulous backdrop for the evening's festivities and we loved hearing the sentimental story about your own honeymoon shot and how you'd grab it first if your studio was burning down.
Check back with ChiIL Mama, ChiIL Travel Kids & ChiIL Live Shows like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often.
We have photo & video filled features, loads of great reviews and interviews, and lots of weekly giveaways--nationwide toys/games/products and Chicago based music and theatre tickets. We know what rocks in Chi, IL and beyond... so come travel vicariously with us all summer long. ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama, then get out and go places.
Get Social:
Follow us on FACEBOOK and TWITTER so you don't miss out. Follow us by RSS feed (add your address in the side bar to the right) to get an easy e-mail digest and/or on social media.
ChiIL Live Shows (adult) FACEBOOK PAGE and TWITTER
ChiIL Mama (family friendly) FACEBOOK PAGE and TWITTER
ChiIL Travel Kids (family travel fun beyond Chi, IL)
YOUTUBE (We have 240+ original videos on our YouTube Channel including video interviews with musicians, theatre people, parents in the arts, live show footage & more!)
ChiILin' With ChiIL Mama's Final Photo Favs:
           |
Disclosure: Once again, thanks to the Jet Set: Travel in Style Media Event brands and sponsors for all our review samples. As always, all opinions are our own.
Thanks Bonnie for such a great recap!! Loved all your photos too. So appreciate you being there too, can't wait to see you at the next one!
ReplyDeletethank you for including me in your awesome wrap up!
ReplyDelete