American Girl Isabelle The Dancer Is Here #AmericanGirl

Here at ChiIL Mama, we're excited to announce Isabelle, the dancer, is the new 2014 American Girl of the year.

AMERICAN GIRL’S 2014 GIRL OF THE YEAR LEAPS INTO THE SPOTLIGHT AND INSPIRES GIRLS TO FIND THEIR OWN UNIQUE TALENTS

Come ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama and meet Isabelle!   Here in Chicago, our non stop snow will be clearing this Friday, for the final day of Isabelle's welcome celebration at American Girl Place in Water Tower Mall, THIS Friday from 11-1pm.   ChiIL Mama will be there, will YOU?!

We got a sneak peek press preview copy of the first Isabelle book, and we've been reading it aloud as a family, around the fire, as the snow storms raged outside.   We're enjoying Laurence Yep's colorful style.   He's an award winning Chinese American author who has written over 60 books, many of them about dragons!   In addition to the Isabelle series, his other published books from American Girl include Spring Pearl: The Last Flower and the 2008 Girl of the Year series, Mia and Bravo, Mia! 

―Feature-Length DVD Based on the New Character Debuting in Summer 2014―

As of January 1, 2014, Isabelle, American Girl’s 2014 Girl of the Year, will dance her way into the hearts of girls nationwide. Isabelle, an inspired dancer with a flair for design, is studying ballet at a performing-arts school in Washington, D.C. The Isabelle collection, available for only one year, comes to life with a beautiful 18-inch Isabelle™ doll featuring long blonde hair with removable pink-tipped highlights and an array of outfits and accessories, including a design-studio armoire and mix-and-match dance fashions. And to further engage girls, a movie based on Isabelle’s stories will premiere on DVD from Universal Studios Home Entertainment in summer 2014. 

Written by award-winning author Laurence Yep, the 2014 Girl of the Year® books―Isabelle, Designs by Isabelle, and To the Stars, Isabelle―introduce readers to Isabelle Palmer, a talented ten-year-old girl who loves to dance and to design ballet costumes. When she starts attending the Anna Hart School of the Arts, Isabelle has a hard time getting her proper footing―both in her transition to a new school and in the dance studio. To complicate the situation, her older sister, Jade, is the star ballerina at the school, and a rival classmate tries to make Isabelle feel as if she doesn’t belong there. Isabelle struggles with self-doubt, but when she stops comparing herself to others and learns to focus on her own unique talents, she finds a special way to stand out and to use her passions to help others, too. The nonfiction section in the back of the Isabelle books features real girls who, like Isabelle, have followed their creative interests to discover a spotlight   of their own.  

To celebrate Isabelle’s launch, American Girl has created an array of special Isabelle-related initiatives throughout the year, including the following:

  Try New Moves with Isabelle: Starting January 1, girls can discover their talents at the online version of the Anna Hart School of the Arts at americangirl.com/girloftheyear. Girls can explore the school’s rooms to learn about ballet, fashion design, writing, acting, and more, plus they can unlock exclusive videos and content related to Isabelle and her upcoming movie. Girls who register at Isabelle’s online academy are entered for a chance to win a monthly drawing for an Isabelle doll and book or the Grand Prize―a deluxe trip for four to New York City and tickets to New York City Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker. 

 Isabelle Apps and Online Play: Girls can get to know Isabelle and her world even better with two special apps―a free app that explores her love of design and an exclusive paid app that’s all about dance. To learn more, search “American Girl” at the Apple App Store. Girls can also visit americangirl.com/play for Isabelle book excerpts, movie-related videos, games, and much more.

 Isabelle Learning Guide: A free downloadable curriculum encourages children in grades 3 to 6 to explore and discuss important themes in Isabelle’s stories, such as discovering your own creative inspiration and sharing your talents with others. The Isabelle Learning Guide is available for download at the For Parents and Teachers section on americangirl.com.

 Isabelle Retail Events: Starting January 1, girls can take part in Isabelle-themed events at American Girl retail stores nationwide, including dance demonstrations, free craft activities, giveaways, photo opportunities, and delicious Isabelle-themed meals. For more details on the in-store events, visit americangirl.com/stores. 

On January 1, 2014, the Isabelle collection will be available through American Girl’s catalogue,    at americangirl.com, and at all American Girl retail locations. The Isabelle books can also be purchased through retail and online booksellers. To learn more about the Isabelle sweepstakes and promotions, go to americangirl.com/girloftheyear or American Girl’s Facebook page at facebook.com/americangirl. To request a free American Girl catalogue, call 1-800-845-0005. 

ABOUT AMERICAN GIRL

American Girl is a premium brand for girls and a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT, www.mattel.com ), the world’s leading toy company. Since its inception in 1986, American Girl has been devoted to celebrating girls ages 3 to 12 through age-appropriate, high-quality dolls and accessories, books, clothes, movies, and unforgettable experiences. Best-selling lines include My American Girl®, Girl of the Year®, Bitty Baby®, and its classic historical characters. Headquartered in Middleton, WI, the company sells products exclusively through its award-winning catalogue, on americangirl.com , and in its experiential retail stores. By inspiring girls to be their best, American Girl has earned the loyalty of millions of girls and the praise and trust of parents and educators. To learn more about American Girl or request a free catalogue, call 1-800-845-0005 or visit www.americangirl.com , www.facebook.com/americangirl, or www.twitter.com/american_girl

Enter to win:


ChiIL Mama's Holidaze Giveaways continue with an awesome American Girl Bitty Baby & book set ($80 value).   Coming soon.  

New!

Light skin, brown hair, green eyes

Item# F6254

This Bitty Baby doll is just waiting for your little girl to bring her home for cuddles and playtime. She's 15" tall with light skin, brown hair, and green eyes that open and close. She has a huggable cloth body, and her head and limbs are made of smooth vinyl. Bitty Baby arrives with:

• A white sleeper with scattered pink stars and a mock-wrap neckline trimmed with a ribbon ruffle
• A soft cloth diaper
• A hardcover Bitty Baby and Me picture book that brings her story to life
• A sparkly wishing star, just like the one from her book

$80 

Flirty Girl Fall Fashion Preview #fashion

Come shop in style ladies...

Join Flirty Girl Fitness for the 2013

Fall Fashion Preview

A Private After Hours Event

at Water Tower Place

Guests receive a fabulous gift bag including a

1-week FREE Membership at Flirty Girl Fitness*!

Buy ONLINE or by phone 312-666-2266 chicago@flirtygirlfitness.com

WC Soiree, Fashion Show & Water Tower Place Scavenger Hunt Photo Filled Recap #WCSoiree #fashion

I'm still reeling from all the awesomeness that was BlogHer13 and the before and after parties to boot!   Then we went right into our full blown, annual 24/7 Lollapalooza/Kidzapalooza coverage this past weekend.   Now, I'm trying to do as much catching up as I can because we're leaving shortly to shoot a travel feature on summer in Vail, CO for 8 days!   I'll sleep when I'm old...    



Photos by Bonnie Kenaz-Mara for ChiIL Mama/ ChiIL Live Shows. 

We'll have more fun WCSoiree videos to come, including The Australian Bee Gees, my "Candyality" personality test results & a rockin' catapult at Marbles the Brain Store in action. 

But for now, here's our original photo filled recap of the Chicagonista's WC Soiree, 





Water Tower Place Blogger Scavenger Hunt, fabulous dinner at FoodLife, and CBS Moms party.   I've been elated to be part of the Chicago Moms, Chicagonista Blogger Community for years now.   

Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often.   We'll have more in depth coverage on the WCSoiree along with all the latest haps, original content, reviews, interviews, giveaways and photo filled features for YOU.

Click the links below for more official Chicagonista coverage: 

#WCsoiree: A Fashionable Chicago-Style Blogger Celebration To Remember

 http://chicagonista.com/featured/wcsoiree-a-fashionable-blogger-celebration-to-remember/

Pinkalicious Turns Gender Stereotypes On Their Heads

News Flash.  Pink is A-OK for boys and dads to love, too.   Think pink this summer for family fun.   Broadway in Chicago has teamed up with Emerald City to present their hit musical, Pinkalicious, downtown at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place through September 3rd.

production photo 

Sagezilla and I checked out opening day, Friday, and were both tickled pink by the colorful costumes and sets, catchy tunes, and open minded gender message.  Pinkalicious is The Hairspray Musical for the kindie set, with a larger than life, wild haired heroine, bucking convention and signing autographs.

Emerald City's Pinkalicious compels kids to eat their greens as a cure for pinkititis, and we're all about encouraging fresh, healthy veggies.   But there is a deeper and more colorful theme we really dug.   Men and boys can love pink, too, and girls can love a host of colors beyond pink.   Wow!    Thank you.    


It seems so straightforward, but this is a pretty radical concept for mainstream children's theatre.    It's also one dear to our hearts.   In high school, my husband was the rebel skate punk with the pink trimmed board while I wouldn't be caught dead in such a girly girl color.   We've both mellowed with age, but the sentiment still stands.


I'll be honest with you, we skipped Pinkalicious when it first played at Emerald City's home base, The Apollo Theatre.   Their productions tend to skew young and I thought the world needed another pink pushing, pastry tasting excuse for little girls to embrace a monochromatic existence like I need a pointy toed, anorexic Barbie Doll as a role model for my daughter.


Sagezilla is somewhat of a self proclaimed "anti-princess" and not a big fan of the color pink, just because every other little girl in her 2nd grade class universally picked it as their favorite.    But we are big fans of literature based theatre and Sagezilla had read some of the Pinkalicious books at school and she surprised me by really wanting to see the show.   The message turned out to be a pleasantly unconventional one, encouraging individuality and expanding beyond gender stereotypes.

My little rebel without a clue is the one who horrified her conservative, suburban Grammy by belting out, "MY FAVORITE COLOR IN THE WORLD IS BLAAAAAACCCCKKK," at the tender age of 3.    She still loves black at age 8 and was quite happy at the Pinkalicious premier, to be the ONLY punk in head to toe black and all black Chucks high tops in a sea of poofy pink girls (her wardrobe choice).   The only hint of hot pink she conceded to were the skull laces on her shoes.    No Pepto Bismol hued princess tote for this grrrrl.   The pink polo wearing theatre boys adored her!  

One of them even recommended we check out this book, Not All Princesses Dress in Pink which I'm looking forward to.

Like I said before, we're big fans of book based theatre.   When shows encourage kids to read or books spark a love of theatre, it's a win win situation. 


  


A number of books by sisters Elizabeth Kann and Victoria Kann, who co-wrote Pinkalicious, are available in the lobby.    They come in a whole rainbow of colors beyond pink, too, in case the show's message sunk in, that girls can love a wide range of hues.   Check out the books, Purplicious, Goldicious and Silverlicious.

Kids can meet the cast and collect autographs in the lobby after the show.   One thing we've always enjoyed about Emerald City Productions is their play bills.    The adults get one version and the kids get a smaller version that's big on fun, with pre-show games and show related questions.


Check out Pinkalicious and make a whole, fun, downtown day of it.   We went to The Cheesecake Factory for lunch after the show, to rest our eyes from all that pink in their golden, cave like, spiral filled space.    While you're at Water Tower Place drop by American Girl Place, The LEGO® Store and Marbles:  The Brain Store for kid centered shopping fun.


Pinkalicious runs Thursdays through Sundays at 10AM with alternating Thursdays and Sundays.   For an exact performance schedule visit Broadway in Chicago.

We're working out the details, but ChiIL Mama may have exclusive video interviews with members of the cast for you in the next few weeks, so check back in early and often.

Marbles: The Brain Store-Grand Opening With Give Aways All Day Today

 Shoppers Can “Play Their Way To A Healthier Brain” On Chicago’s Magnificent Mile

"People have been beating down the door, trying to get in to the store, while we were setting up." said Lindsay Gaskins, CEO.    There's excitement in the air and give aways galore all day.   So come on up to the 4th floor and cool your heels in downtown Chi Town at Water Tower Place.   It's a great day to explore a fun new store.


ChiIL Mama interviewed Lindsay, met the big brainy mascot, Albert, and took a video tour around the store at the press opening yesterday.    We'll have that footage up for you in the very near future.   In our upcoming video, Lindsay expounds on how Marbles differs from big box toy store, talks about her candy company wife and how their nephew insists that between the toy and treat connections, they're the coolest aunts a kid could ever want.   She also has an in home toy tester, in the form of an adorable 15 month old daughter.    


We even ran into local Mom and WTTW Celeb, Miss Lori, and her youngest daughter, who were happily playing games and shopping together at Marbles:   the Brain Store.   Her daughter's 8 and entering 3rd grade, like ChiIL Mama's Sagezilla.  




Are you losing your marbles trying to keep the boredom at bay and keep your kids interested in learning over the summer?   Marbles:   the Brain Store can help make growing your brain fun again.    Come on downtown and make a whole day of it.   


Check out Broadway in Chicago's hilarious gender defying musical, Pinkalicious, with a larger than life heroine and boys who aren't afraid to wear pink.    It's like Hairspray for kids.   Explore the world of American Girl Dolls and check out The Lego Store.    Water Tower Place is not just for the boring grownups anymore.    ChiIL Mama has a review of Pinkalicious coming up imminently, and a big, photo filled feature on American Girl Place shortly thereafter.    Friday, when Sagezilla and I saw Pinkalicious, we ended our girls day out at the theatre with lunch at Cheesecake Factory.   We both love the quirky, spiral decor and the delicious food.


*Remember, Marbles at Water Tower Place is running great give aways all day, for their grand opening, if you're heading out for a downtown adventure TODAY.

MARBLES: THE BRAIN STORE OPENS SIXTH CHICAGO-AREA LOCATION AT WATER TOWER PLACE

Marbles: The Brain Store, a popular specialty retailer offering creative and brainy games, toys and gifts for all ages, today announced the grand opening of its sixth Chicago-area location at Water Tower Place on the city’s Magnificent Mile. Designed to encourage customers to “play their way to a healthier brain,” this one-of-a-kind retailer offers a unique assortment of fun and wildly addictive games, puzzles, brainteasers, trivia and activity sets as well as scientifically-acclaimed software and books.

Founded three years ago in Chicago, Marbles: The Brain Store offers a unique collection of handpicked, expert-tested products designed to strengthen and entertain the brain. Marbles’ mission is to make the shopping experience enjoyable and interesting in a uniquely interactive store environment. Customers are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and interact with Marbles’ enthusiastic team of brain coaches to play games, solve puzzles, check out the latest software and flip through books to find the right products for them. Marbles attracts a diverse range of shoppers including parents, teachers, therapists, caregivers, students, baby boomers and seniors.

Marbles: The Brain Store operates six stores in Chicago, three in Minnesota and plans are in place for an expansion next month to the East Coast.

“Our goal is to continue our mission of finding the best brain fitness products out there and putting them all under one roof,” said Lindsay Gaskins, Marbles CEO. “Our team is made up of smart, outgoing people who are passionate about learning new things and creating a fun, interactive environment where any customer can find a product designed to help their brain reach its full potential.”

The concept behind Marbles: The Brain Store is supported by compelling research and the latest advances in the field of neuroplasticity. Marbles’ staff is trained to know and play with every product in order to provide tailored recommendations and field questions from customers.

Marbles: the brain store offers products to stimulate and strengthen the brain, ranging from scientifically-acclaimed software and books, to simply fun games, puzzles and activities.   In a time of recession when stores were closing left and right, Marbles has not only succeeded, but expanded in a big way.

Marbles offers the best brain-boosting games, books, puzzles and software, including several Marbles-brand products launched in 2010.

Marbles offers products for five key brain functions: critical thinking, memory, word skills, visual perception and coordination. Before entering the Marbles collection, products are reviewed by a board of Brain Health Experts that consists of scientists, physicians, psychologists and other therapists. Roughly 250 SKUs are carried in the store at one time and the assortment is refreshed three times per year.

Shopping at Marbles is fun, informative and hands-on. Customers can try products in-store and the sales team, called “brain coaches”, are well- trained on matters of the brain to help with product recommendations.

Other Chicago-area Marbles: The Brain Store locations include: 

• Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60154 

• Old Orchard Shopping Center, Skokie, IL 60077 

• Lincoln Square, Chicago, IL 60625

• Downtown Naperville, Naperville, IL 60540 

• Downtown Chicago on Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

A full list of locations, wide product assortment and the latest news and research on brain health is available at www.marblesthebrainstore.com. Additional information about Water Tower Place is available at www.shopwatertower.com.

Come on in and check 'em out!   The doors are officially open.