ChiIL Mama's Adventures at Women Driving Excellence #WDE15 #NissanCAS #AD

I've got to admit, 25 years ago, when I was a struggling writer/actor newly out of college, I worked the Chicago Auto Show for Saab, in what I only half jokingly refer to as my "booth bimbo" days. I had a college degree with honors, yet the market seemed more interested in my face than my brains. And I was one of the lucky ones among the Chicago Auto Show women. We got to wear t-shirts instead of bikinis, like so many of the "models" were required to work in. Still, we had to wear heels and hose with our short shorts and endure thousands of men hitting on us day after day and panning up and down us with giant, late 80s era video cameras. 

Thankfully, 25 years later, "Women's Day" at The Chicago Auto Show doesn't mean token complimentary manicures or more bikini babes. In 2015 women are THE major automotive purchasing force and a force to reckon with, and the women being recognized at the auto show include doctors, lawyers, politicians, police, entrepreneurs and TV producers. And not one of them was required to show up for work in a bikini!

It was our great pleasure to partner up with ChicagonistaLIVE and Nissan for Women Driving Excellence for the second year. Last Tuesday was indeed an enriching, educational, and fun day with informative, inspiring women. I'm also thrilled to say I'm back, working The Auto Show, and getting paid for my writing skills, with Media credentials around my neck, and no short shorts and high heels required!

Smart blonde, Janet Davies, getting honored instead of ogled at The Chicago Auto Show, with emcee, Andrea Metcalf. 



Disclosure: We have been compensated for sharing this information with our readers and covering the event. As always all opinions are our own. Thanks to Women Driving Excellence for inviting ChiIL Mama to partner up with them on this fabulous programing again this year. 

Women Driving Excellence - celebrating women who start, accelerate, fuel, and steer others to excellence. 

Check out our slide show here for our full photo recap from the day including the incredible honorees. Some of our favorite shots are embedded below as well.

Women's Day, Feb. 17, 2015


I couldn't possibly choose a favorite story among the nominees. We all laughed together, and commiserated. I did enjoy Debi Lilly's story of hiring on friends of her little brother as a summer favor, and how that ended up being her golden ticket to work with Oprah. The honorees had empowering stories of overcoming good old boy networks, husbands who step up to help with the kids while the women fly out to pursue their careers, stick shift skills beating the boys for a car parking job, and so many more tiny triumphs and brave chances these women all took to follow their dreams.



Another high point of the day was the medley of tunes from First Date the Musical, sung by the male and female leads. The show is currently playing at Royal George Theatre and highly recommended. We had a chance to catch opening night, and it's hilarious, heartfelt and too true. Check back with ChiIL Live Shows for our full review and video clips from their performance at Women Driving Excellence that will be up shortly.

Dana Parker and Charlie Lubeck (Production Photos Via 'First Date')

Thanks again to Nissan for sponsoring this excellent annual event. And thanks to producers MJ Tam & Beth Rosen (inspiring women in their own right) of the #ChicagonistaLIVE show in coordination with the Chicago Tribune. 

This time last year we were in the market for a new car and I'm excited to admit that we bought that Nissan Rogue I was ogling last year at the Chicago Auto Show. I've been driving it since last March and it's definitely excellent. (No, I didn't get the "ChiIL Mama Rogue" as awesome as it was... I went for the slightly more subtle, gorgeous graphite blue!) We got the 7 seater and it's perfect for occasional visits from the grandparents, carpooling, and taking friends to fun events with us. When Nissan steps up and takes women seriously, and backs some seriously brilliant women, it makes me even prouder to be driving a Rogue.



Thanks also to State Farm. We insure our cars with them, and last year when someone rear ended me and totaled my car at a Kennedy on ramp red light they made the claims process pretty painless. They gave us a rental car while we went car hunting and a decent settlement that went toward the down payment on my sweet new Nissan Rogue! 



"The State Farm Swag Bag Stretch"-- a mini work out lead by emcee and fitness guru, Andrea Metcalf.

2014 Recap:

The ChiIL Mama Nissan Rogue

The Graphite Blue Nissan Rogue

Click here and scroll down to check out our photo filled recap from last year.

We were quite happy that Women Driving Excellence brought back the networking sessions this year. I made quite a few invaluable connections and came home with a stack of business cards. Thanks to Nawbo (National Women's Business Organization) & Epwng (Exclusive Professional Women's Networking Group) for facilitating. The honorees recognition portion was beyond empowering, with a fabulous assortment of women who are all amazing in their fields. We've been to numerous tapings of The ChicagonistaLIVE show, and it's always a treat to see the rapport of the fab four of the Chicagonista team, imparting wit and wisdom.

Check out more honorees below:

Get social: Want a recap of all the stellar live coverage from #WDE15, follow the hashtag on Twitter and Instagram or check out the Women Driving Excellence Facebook Page. 

For flash giveaways, real time photo features, and the first heads up on incoming fun in Chi, IL and beyond, FOLLOW ChiIL Mama (family friendly) and ChiIL Live Shows (adult) on line and social media.

Disclosure: We have been compensated for sharing this information with our readers and covering the event. As always all opinions are our own. Thanks to Women Driving Excellence for inviting ChiIL Mama to partner up with them on this fabulous programing again this year. 

WIN a Coloring Animal Mandalas Book ($10) by Artist Wendy Piersall #giveaway #ChiILHolidaze

ChiIL Mama's Holidaze 12 Days of Giveaways

Continues

Here at ChiIL Mama we're especially happy to feature local, small businesses that have something creative and innovative to offer, especially when they're run by women. It was our great pleasure to see Wendy Piersall in person yesterday at the monthly broadcast of ChicagonistaLIVE for December. She was one of the guests and two lucky winners took home copies of her new coloring book for adults, Coloring Animal Mandalas ($10). Lucky for you, we've got another one for ChiIL Mama's readers. 



Disclosure: It's our pleasure to partner up with another local, woman run, small business. Thanks to Wendy Piersall for providing us with Coloring Animal Mandalas books for our giveaway and for review purposes. As always, all opinions are our own.

ENTER HERE for your chance to WIN a Coloring Animal Mandalas Book ($10) by Artist Wendy Piersall through midnight 12/20. Open nationwide. They're gorgeous, great for all ages and genders, and so much less expensive than therapy! We recommend pairing them up with quality colored pencils for gifting, though of course they're great with any art supplies.

I was particularly excited to review this book since I have an animal mandala tattoo on my shoulder, an inner circle of dogs and an outer circle of dancing people. Whenever anyone ask me what it means to me I tell them it's interconnectedness & individuality. That's how I feel about art, and well... life too. We all have our own unique voice and vision, but there's explosively cool energy and power in connecting with others. Drop the fears and busy schedules, and doubts that hold you back and try something new. Learning is lifelong and not just for kids. Color alone or with family and friends. These are great to do communally if you're caring for someone elderly or ill. Come create something amazing... art, confidence, community, relaxation. 

We've been thoroughly enjoying our review copy of Coloring Animal Mandalas and will have a full review feature with original photos and videos up after the hectic holidays are over. The kids and adults in our family as well as a number of our friends have been enthralled with coloring these great designs. My 11 year old daughter runs for her art supplies whenever she has a big gymnastics competition coming up or when she's feeling tween angst and stress. It's been an incredibly effective, healthy way to relax. 

Buy yours on Wendy's own site here, Amazon, B & N, or get signed copies on Etsy for the same price or Signed, Limited Edition of 25 Watercolors for $35. 

Wendy is from Woodstock and we love to support the locals. Also check out her cool site, Woo!Jr Kids Activities for printables, crafts, games and more.

Check back with us and enter like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often. It's rewarding! ChiIL Mama's Holidaze 12 Days of Giveaways is on through December 17th for items 1-6 and December 20th for 7-12, with loads of great daily giveaways, flash giveaways on Facebook/Twitter, gift guide ideas, and holiday happenings in Chi, IL and beyond. All giveaways are open nationwide. Here's the master link where ALL our 12 Days of Giveaways Are Added.

Disclosure: Once again, it's our pleasure to partner up with another local, woman run, small business. Thanks to Wendy Piersall for providing us with Coloring Animal Mandalas books for our giveaway and for review purposes. As always, all opinions are our own.

The Helladays & ChiIL Holidaze 12 Days of Givaways Now Extended Till December 18th

So far, I'm afraid our Holidaze have turned into helladays.   The kids and I have all been fighting off (and getting our booties kicked by) seasonal bugs, so I'm behind on blogging and we had to miss The Special Press Preview of the 2013 Chicago Trolley Holiday Lights Tour among other things   We're still going to do an advanced feature and try to catch a later trolley for a photo feature.   We've heard great things and hoped to start a new family holiday tradition!

Today I spent the day at the pediatrician and hospital with my daughter, getting x-rays on her hand which may or may not be broken--6 days before her state gymnastics meet :(.   We'll find out tomorrow.   Nothing like a little suspense...   

Soooooo, we missed out on the Chicagonista's Very Merry Holiday Show broadcast from Nielsen Massey. #ChicagonistaLIVE.   I couldn't even follow along on line since there was no phone/computer reception in the basement catacombs of the hospital where x-ray central is located.

Yep... it's been that kind of December.   Hopefully you're luckier.   Apologies for the delays on our 12 Days of Giveaways.   I promise we WILL run all 12 and we'll be extending the deadline to enter till the 18th, so there will be plenty of time to spread the word and enter early and often.   We'll still get everything out to the winners before Santa's sleigh makes it's rounds, if you get us your address ASAP once the winners are notified by e-mail & posted here on the 18th.   Thanks for your patience, and good luck everyone! 

Sometimes the family just has to come first!

...is still on and now extended through December 18th!!   Woo hoo.