International Home and Housewares Show 2013 Saturday Recap #IHHS13

It was our great pleasure to cover the International Home and Housewares Show once again this year.   



Building the 2013 Housewares Show Time Lapse by Josh Green

In a near miraculous transformation, McCormick Place morphed from the enormous, vehicle filled Chicago Auto Show, to an even bigger behemoth, spanning THREE buildings full of fabulous finds for the home.



Video by Core77Inc-IHHS 2013  - Intro by Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Manager



The show opened Saturday, and I ducked in for a press lunch/ networking, then had to run to review an afternoon show.   The lunch was an excellent chance to meet a great group of women who now live in my former home town, Cincinnati.   I shared a table with the Cooking With Caitlin crew who were staffing the social media hub for the IHHS13 show.   A very preggo Caitlin enthusiastically invited the other on line media to swing by their booth and visit, saying, "I'm very pregnant and always hungry, so we have snacks, and we're happy to share."   They ran a live Twitter party from IHHS for Foodies Night In or FNIchat and did an entirely impressive job of rocking the social media angle throughout the duration of the IHHS week.   



I also saw many familiar faces from my friends in the Chicagonista network like M.J., Dwana and Beth Rosen.   They also broadcast Chicagonistalive from IHHS13 on the final day, and pulled in an astounding lion's share of the total social media traffic.



Cake Boss Interview By ChicagonistaLIVE

I also chatted with colleagues/ friends Hope Bertram, Paula of Frosted Fingers, Night Owl Mama and many others.   





It was a pleasure to also see a few more of my friends, representing with cooking showcases.  Anupy Singla of Indian As Apple Pie and Johanna Cook of Momma Cuisine were excellent assets to the show.



Cake Boss Interview By Momma Cuisine



Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   We explored the IHHS Show all day Monday and Tuesday and have loads of original show shots, original video interviews, upcoming product giveaways, and reviews for you.   Check out our eco-friendly, new products, and family friendly finds.   We'll also be doing more in depth company and product features throughout the year.

International Home & Housewares Highlights 2012 #IHHS12 #IHHS13

ChiIL Mama's original photos and take on IHHS12

The giant, annual trade show known as The International Home & Housewares Show is rapidly approaching and once again ChiIL Mama will be there to bring you the best.   IHHS is NOT open to the public, but we'll be taking a sneak peek at all the hot new housewares offerings with an eye to the eco-friendly, family friendly, fun & functional.   We'll be primarily focusing on green living, but we're suckers for the colorful, too, especially when the gadgets are useful and make life easier.

Apologies for the photo quality.   I'm in the market to replace my original generation Galaxy S which does NOT have a stellar camera feature.  Our highly coveted photo credentials came down late and I only had my cell phone on site.   I was the "accidental press" last year.   

It was going to be a one day/one event deal.  I was invited out to a special press event by Soda Stream and had only planned to cover that.  But while I was there I bumped into a colleague I cover lots of theatre for, who offered me a full blown media/photo pass.   It's good to have friends in high places.   So, we did more extensive IHHS Show coverage than we'd initially planned.

These boots are made for walkin:

This year we're back to cover the whole show with intention...and with my pro Canon.   We're taking at least 2 days to explore the THREE full locations of IHHS13.   This show is seriously massive.   And we've be invited to eat, drink and be homey with lots of interesting vendors.    We'll bring our readers along virtually as we:

*Attend an exclusive press breakfast with Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro, for the launch of Meyer Corporation, U.S.'s Cake Boss brand of baking and decorating products.

*Meet Revol handmade porcelain for drinks & hors d'oeuvres

*Attend an internet media lunch IHA Social where we'll 

Network with reps from 10 of our well-known exhibitors

Meet with other influential bloggers and internet media

Learn about the IHA, the Show and what we have to offer in addition to more than 2,100 exhibitors showing off their newest products

and so much more.

Here's our recap of our favorites from IHHS 2012. 

Du-Jay (8) in 2009, trying SodaStream for the first time, for a feature on ChiIL Mama

Soda Stream highlights the waste an average US family creates in a very visual display at IHHS12.   

We've been using our Soda Stream machines for years...we got our first two in 2009 in fact!  

Check out our early coverage here.

Look how cute and little Sagezilla, Du-Jay and their friend, Daniel were back then!   But even over 3 years ago, Soda Stream machines were still simple and well designed enough for them to work them with ease.

We were given two of the original Soda Stream machines for a comparison feature.  Since then we bought a bigger one for ourselves and one for my parents.  Highly recommended.   This is honestly THE kitchen appliance we use daily.   It's saved us money and time and energy carrying heavy cases of water and soft drinks from the grocery and out in the recycling bin.   And we can feel great about the eco-friendly impact, too!

My how you've grown!   It was sweet to see how Soda Stream has expanded and grown in a few short years.   They have a huge line of flavors now, and an impressive array of machine designs from basic and affordable for everyone, to high end glitz, and everything in between.

They even brought in author and fitness guru, Jillian Michaels, as guest speaker at IHHS13!!   Check out her inspiring podcasts here 

Jillian Michaels’ podcast.

Check out their site here for Garlic Card info.

We're big fans of the Garlic Card, a Swedish invention that makes life easier for sure.    Sometimes the simplest ideas truly are the best!

We have a Garlic Card to give away to our readers along with adult ($9.95) & kid size ($6.95) produce scrubbing gloves by Fabrikators shortly!   

She's Crafty:

This crafty booth got our attention for most creative!   Lynne at Lynne's Wim.com was staffing the booth with her mom.   She gives "kitchen witch" a hip, new twist with adorable aprons and witchy wear.

Check 'em out here on Facebook.

As a music blogger/ photographer/videographer I was stoked at her choice of monickers for her styles--some of the most rockin' women in alt rock!!   Can you match a last name to the rock stars below?   

Cooking's not my forte, and it'll be a cold day in the kitchen before Martha Stewart or Betty Crocker have any shot at being upstaged by ChiIL Mama.... but The Whim Collection was so dang funky and fun, it had me seriously tempted.   My husband's in the TV/film industry, eats on set a lot and travels extensively...so I do still have to feed the kids more often than he does, by default, but he actually LIKES to cook!   Wonder if my awesome better half could rock the whim look?   

Green Favorites:

Our fav IHHS swag was the Nude Food Mover lunch box in a bright blue neoprene case.   We rock the green living as much as possible and have been moving toward zero waste packed school lunches for several years now.   We have reusable bottles and containers versus baggies.   These are specifically food shaped and the stackables are perfect for smash proof snacking.

Freshwave is local, green and great smelling.   I almost walked by but heard "....stinky tweens, smelly dogs...." and did an about face.   Yes, yes we do...have both.   We also avoid chemical cover ups and weird, allergy aggrevating sprays.   They gave us an awesome, unscented odor remover jar to sit around, dog shampoo, and a little spritzer.   Highly recommended!!

Nellie's All Natural  makes a sweet line of eco-friendly cleaning solutions.   We tried samples of the laundry soda and watermelon dish soap.   Smells delightful, lasts a looong time, and works great, too!  Highly recommended.

Capabunga keeps your xtra wine fresh with a silicone topper that's easy to apply and remove!   We got a sample of the 2 on the left and have been enjoying them all year.

Our aptly named friend, Johanna Cook at Mommacuisine, will be back again, early in the morning on the final day, with a cooking demo!   Our friend, Anupey Singla Indianasapplepie will be cookin' too!

2012

Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often for our photo filled recap of IHHS13!

Disclosure: SodaStream invited me to a blogger event and during the course of covering the IHHS show, we were given a small number of items for review purposes, including soda stream bottles,  a salt shaker, grapefruit segmenter, mixed drink rocks, a garlic card and peeler gloves, Nellie's dish soap and laundry soda, a Nude Food Movers Lunch box, and several natural odor removers from Freshwave.  

All opinions are my own.   There were no stated or implied coverage requirement or expectation from any of these brands in exchange for products or gifts. 

Momma Cuisine’s #MCShowLIVE “Holiday Celebrations” Show #foodiefun

Check out our friend, Johanna's live, holiday, cooking show this Tuesday on line.  Momma Cuisine rocks!  

Momma Cuisine will host a live web cooking & talk show, "#MCShowLIVE Holiday Celebrations" on Tuesday, December 11th, 2012 in Downtown Naperville at Casa by Charleston.

#MCShowLIVE’s Holiday Celebrations episode will feature guests Michael Bottligerio, Windy City Wine Guy, presenting wine pairing tips for the holidays. Mark Wilhelms, founder of Red Meat Market, will be teaching Momma Cuisine and her viewers the difference between traditionally fed vs. grass-fed beef and show her Prime Rib preparations and carving. There will also be a fun fashion segment with celebrity make-up artist, Paula Heckenast, City Lights Make-Up, demonstrating three different holiday looks that are simple enough to recreate at home.

Giveaways for viewers on #MCShowLIVE’s “Holiday Celebration” episode includes three $50 gift cards from California Pizza Kitchen, three packages of assorted grass-fed meats from Red Meat Market and a copy of James Beard Award nominee, Kari Underly’s book, “The Art of Beef Cutting.” Just in time for the holidays!

#MCShowLIVE’s “Holiday Celebrations” episode will be streaming on MommaCuisine.com on Tuesday, December 11, at 11am CDT. Broadcasts will be accessible on MommaCuisine.com website, as well as the taped shows on her You Tube Channel (http://you tube.com/mommacuisineshow).

Significant in #MCShowLIVE will be viewer interaction through social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Viewers can join the conversation as they follow along the show on Twitter using the hashtag #MCShowLIVE. It is great way for the audience to be a part of the live show. There are also great product giveaways viewers can sign up for that are announced live during the show.

“Great everyday meals” is the mantra of Momma Cuisine. “It‘s about showing busy people that they too can make Great Everyday Meals with simple ingredients and basic cooking techniques,” says Johanna Cook, the personality behind Momma Cuisine, “#MCShowLIVE will bring my recipes to life and give me the opportunity to showcase other great cooking, food talents and inspiring people who can help us with all of our quests to create Great Everyday Meals and Great Everyday Lives.”

Momma Cuisine has enjoyed exposure on Chicago television networks such as WGN and WCIU, on radio WDCB, in print media such as Chicago Parent Magazine, Naperville Magazine, and Suburban Woman Magazine, as well as on digital media sites such as Huffington Post, ifood.tv and Chicagonista. Momma Cuisine has also been featured in live demonstrations at the International Housewares Show, Chicago Cooking Expo and a six-city Chicagoland cooking tour with Buick for the “Buick & Momma Cuisine French Market Tour”.

Now ending the pilot season, #MCShowLIVE’s first official season sponsored by Kenmore, starts on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 11am CDT, continuing as a monthly live cooking/talk show, every second Tuesday of the month. 

Momma Cuisine is also going to roll out new shows on her You Tube Channel. #TasteBites will be videos of her Great Everyday Meals recipes, while #MommaInTheCity will be a food travel show, showcasing great food places and artisans throughout the country. All shows will be available on MommaCuisine.com as well as her You Tube Channel (http://youtube.com/mommacuisineshow).

Visit Momma Cuisine on the web at www.mommacuisine.com.

MommaCuisine LIVE Tuesday 11/20/12 #mommacuisine #MCShowLIVE #foodiefun

Johanna Cook has the right name for her passion...and cook she does!   You've checked in with ChiIL Mama for where to ChiIL Out around town, photo & video filled original content, reviews, interviews and family friendly fun.  Now check in with our friend MommaCuisine, at 11am tomorrow (Tues) for foodie fun!   She's got a simply Thanksgiving show that will be simply awesome.   

CHICAGO MOM HOSTS LIVE COOKING & LIFESTYLE SHOW 

Johanna Cook, founder and creator of Momma Cuisine, brings her friendly and familiar style to the live show “Momma Cuisine Show LIVE” (twitter hashtag #MCShowLIVE). The cooking and lifestyle show is broadcast from Casa by Charleston in Naperville (15 W. Jefferson Ave.; casabycharleston.com).

The second #MCShowLive  will take place on Tuesday, November 20, at 11am CDT. The theme of the November 20th show is “Simply Thanksgiving,” the highlight of which will be Johanna’s demonstration of simple and healthy homemade cranberry sauce. The broadcast will be accessible on the internationally popular MommaCuisine.com website.

“‘Great everyday meals,’” the mantra of Momma Cuisine, “can be done with simple ingredients and basic cooking techniques,” says Johanna. “#MCShowLIVE is an interactive cooking and talk show where the audience can engage with me and my guests in real time, either as a live audience or using social media. It‘s going to be so fun!”

Viewer interaction, through social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook, is significant in the Momma Cuisine Show Live. Viewers are encouraged to tweet directly to Johanna and guests throughout the broadcasts, using the hashtag #MCShowLIVE, and post on Facebook, tagging Momma Cuisine in comments.

#MCShowLIVE features the brands and products that facilitate creating “great everyday meals,” in addition to lifestyle segments and giveaways to a live audience. All elements of cooking will be showcased, from smart shopping and prep-work to cooking, serving, and more. Special guests highlight their specialty and/or product and will be available to answer viewers’ questions.

The premiere show featured Jen Luby (@JenLuby), home entertaining expert, co-founder of Chicago In White and Editor-In-Chief of YouKnowYouLoveFashion.com, who shared instructions on setting a purposefully and beautifully mismatch-themed table setting, and Melissa Graham, “Head Spear” of Chicago-based organization Purple Asparagus (@Purpleaspchi), who discussed tips on how to get kids eating healthy as well as how her organization is helping to fight childhood obesity, one school at a time.

The special guest for the November 20 show is founder of Travel BeCAUSE, Christine Pothoff, sharing her Thanksgiving travel tips for families. In addition, lucky viewers will be randomly chosen to receive gifts, such as a special treat of assorted organic chocolates from Green & Black’s (@GreenBlacksUS), gourmet coffee from Illy Issimo (@illyissimo), and a purple Kenmore 5-Speed Blender from Kenmore (@Kenmore).

“Taste Bites,” mini-segments of quick How-To hints and tips, rapid recipes, and information on upcoming show subjects, are regularly tweeted (on Twitter, by @mommacuisine) and aired on the MommaCuisine YouTube channel.

Momma Cuisine has enjoyed exposure on Chicago television networks such as WGN and WCIU, in print media such as Chicago Parent Magazine, Trib Local, Naperville Magazine, and Suburban Woman Magazine, as well as on digital media sites such as Huffington Post, ifood.tv and Chicagonista. Momma Cuisine has also been featured in live demonstrations at Whole Foods Market and at the Buick Chicagoland French Market Tour 2012.

To visit Momma Cuisine on the web, click here.