The Dyson Technology Experience: Keep Cool In Style!

I was invited to the Dyson Technology Experience this weekend at the Gold Coast Art Fair in Grant Park. I was not about to miss an opportunity to check out the Air Multiplier™ fans and see if a bladeless fan could truly deliver a nice cool breeze.

Look Ma, No Blades!!!

By Saturday afternoon, the weather had already reached the upper 80s with a steadily rising heat index. The sun was scorching and don’t even get me started on the humidity!

When I got to Grant Park, I could not find the Dyson demonstration quick enough. As I entered the Dyson tent, I was met by a blast of cool air from one of the pedestal fans. I walked around to see the other models and was surprised by how cool it was inside the tent.

As everyone knows, traditional fans do nothing more than blow the hot air around but this was not the case with the Air Multiplier™. It was as if there was a cooling system built within. I spoke with one of the reps who explained how the fans work. The bladeless Air Multiplier™ draws air in through a mixed flow impeller – a combination of the technologies used in turbochargers and jet engines.

Pretty impressive! Everyone inside the tent was excited about the fans. One little girl asked her dad if the fans were magic. Don’t you just love the questions kids ask? Another small child had a curious look on her face as she slowly raised her hand to feel the air. I could tell she wanted to stick her hand in the Air Multiplier™ but was afraid to do so. One of the friendly reps assured her the fan was safe as he stuck his hand inside. She followed his lead and looked completely amazed.

If you have small children or pets the Air Multiplier™ would work well in your home and is so worth the investment.

For the summer of 2011, Dyson is continuing to cement its place as the leading technology company in design and development. I definitely think they are an industry leader. The products are like none on the market. The Dyson Technology Experience is a great way to learn more about Dyson products.

Event: Paella Parade

Paella anyone?

This Thursday I will be at Millennium Park Rooftop Terrace sampling Paella at El Coto de Rioja Paella Parade^TM, a celebration of Spanish food and culture. Following last year’s successful Paella celebration, seven local chefs and restaurateurs will come together to compete and showcase Chicago’s top Paella-making skills, vying for the titles of Best Use of Ingredients, Most Creative, Prettiest and the top prize: Paella Parade Pleaser.  

Guests will have an opportunity to taste each chef’s unique version of Spain’s most beloved signature dish during the competition while sipping delicious wines from El Coto de Rioja. Good times!!!!

Why not skip cooking and join the festivities this Thursday, June 23 from 6-9 p.m. at Millennium Park's Rooftop Terrace, 205 E. Randolph Street. Click here to purchase tickets.

Participating Restaurants:

Province Restaurant

161 N Jefferson

Chicago, IL 60661

www.provincerestaurant.com

Chef/Owner: Randy Zweiban

Emilio’s Tapas Restaurant (2 locations)

215 E Ohio Street

Chicago, IL 60611

www.Emiliostapas.com     

Chef/Owner: Emilio Gervilla

Socca Restaurant

3301 N Clark Street

Chicago, IL 60657

www.soccachicago.com

Chef/Owner: Roger Herring

Four Corners Tavern Group (7 locations)

3258 N Southport

Chicago, IL 60657

www.fourcornerstaverns.com

Chef: Demonthenese Davis

Carnivale Restaurant

702 W Fulton Market

Chicago, IL 60661

www.carnivalechicago.com

Chef: Mark Mendez

Whole Foods Market Lincoln Park

1550 N Kingsbury Street

Chicago, IL 60642

www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Chef: Won Kim

Tapas Gitana (2 locations)

3445 N Halsted

Chicago, IL 60657

www.tapasgitana.com

Chef: Andy Novak

Click here for more information about Paella

Event: Havaianas Beach Pop-Up Shop

HAVAIANAS IS BRINGING CHIC BRAZILIAN BEACH STYLE TO CHICAGO WITH THEIR FIRST EVER BEACH POP-UP SHOP

Chicago, IL (June 17, 2011) – Havaianas, the world’s most stylish and comfortable flip-flop, is bringing Brazilian chic to the Midwest with the opening of an exclusive beach pop-up shop in Chicago, IL.

The Havaianas Beach Pop-Up will be located at 1600 North Lakeshore Drive, at North Ave Beach, situated right near the North Ave Beach House.  The convenient location will allow beachgoers to have access to the official footwear of the summer and indulge in their favorite prints and patterns.  The beach pop-up will be modeled after a traditional Brazilian fruit stand and will exclusively feature “Make Your Own Havaianas.”  

“Make Your Own Havaianas” will offer swimsuit-clad consumers the opportunity to customize their own color combinations with a choice of 10 different flip flop straps and bottoms to mix and match with over 20 different pins styles. 

Once available only at VIP functions and for celebrities, the “Make Your Own Havaianas” beach pop-up will offer guests the opportunity to customize their own flip-flops just like some of their famous celebrity idols, including Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Ivanka Trump, Nicole Richie, Natalie Portman, Kourtney Kardashian, Maria Menounos, Ke$ha, and more.

With the success of the first U.S. Havaianas boutique in Huntington Beach, CA and the highly-anticipated demise of a very drawn out winter, it was the perfect time to open a beach pop-up.  Having a location in Chicago will not only cater to the warm weather shoe needs of Midwesterners, but the unique design of the beach pop-up will also provide an innovative and stimulating atmosphere for customers to express their own personality through their customizable Havaianas footwear.  From the sneakers to the flip flops, shoppers will have the chance to experience the unique collections inspired by Brazil’s vibrant culture.

Store Hours: Open on Thursdays-Sundays from June 30^th through July 31^st, 11am-7pm

 

About Havaianas:

Havaianas flip-flops are truly the best rubber flip-flops in the world.  The ultra-high quality of Havaianas is due to a top secret rubber recipe that makes the flip-flops as soft as marshmallows.  While there are many copy-cats in the marketplace, Havaianas fans know there is no substitute for authentic comfort and style.  Havaianas are continuously showcased on fashion show runways around the world and can often be spotted at some of the world’s highest caliber events.  An affordable luxury since 1962, every pair is still lovingly designed and manufactured in Brazil – offering hundreds of unique colors and patterns to fit your every style and need. 

www.us.havaianas.com  and follow @Havaianas on Twitter and become fans on facebook.com/havaianas

Drive By Post: Fashion Don'ts

This is a quick drive by post. I'm looking at some celebrity pictures from Essence Magazine's Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon and I just had to comment on these eye sores. Enjoy!



Kim Whitley  - The luncheon was held at the Beverly Hills Hotel and I know hotels are often quite chilly and having a sweater on hand is a good idea. What I want to know is who told Kim Whitley this chintzy cardigan was okay to wear? A nice black wrap would have been a better choice. The dress is not at all flattering and her "hair" is a complete no.



Lynn Whitfield - It kills my soul to say something bad about Ms. Whitfield who has always looked fab at various events, but this black bra beneath the sheer coral blouse business is a fashion no-no. When going sheer match the bra or camisole to the top.



Vanessa Williams - Out of ALL the shoes she probably owns, she wore those heavy black suede joints!! Why, God, why???? She had a chance to kill in this dress but she opted for the worst footwear she could find. I pray her strappy sandals or a pair of pumps were in that bag.

Pictures courtesy of Zimbio

To see more pictures click here

My girl Danyelle over at The Cubicle Chick has the run down on the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon too!



Melodies by MJB

The Queen of Hip Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige is launching her much anticipated Melodies by MJB sunglass collection.

My favorite from the collection: Red Carpet in Brown/Horn Laminate

Melodies by MJB has four very haute designs with twenty color options, the MJ's, Incognito, Red Carpet, and Showtime. With a moderate price point, ranging from $165 to $225, I think Mary J. Blige is on the right track with her premium sunglasses collection.

If you're in the Chicago area, be sure to stop by Nordstrom on Monday, October 18th, Mary J. Blige will be there to officially launch Melodies! Click here to RSVP

Which Melodies by MJB strike your fancy? I hope Santa slips a pair of the Red Carpets in my Christmas stocking - I've been really good this year ;)

For more information:
Melodies by MJB