Beauty Review Dessange Shampoo #JAdoreDessange #InfluensterVox #Beauty #Dessange

Over the years, it's been our pleasure to be part of Influenster. They've sent us numerous Vox Boxes of fun products to review. This time, we got to review Dessange Shampoo, Conditioner and Color Correcting Cream for blonde hair. This fabulous French brand is new to the US, but they've been a European favorite for years.




Disclaimer: Thanks to Influenster and Dessange for sending review samples our way. As always, all opinions are our own. I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

I'm a natural blonde, but decided to go over to the "dark side" for a few years with a blueblack dye. So the past year I've had to bleach my hair repeatedly to strip out the black, then re dye it as close to my medium blonde natural color as I could find. Dessange helped my hair shine, and look amazing, on the parts that were damaged by the treatments AND my own natural color that's grown in.

The color correcting worked fast and well to eliminate any harsh or brassy look.

DESSANGE Paris California Blonde Brass Color Correcting Creme

Product description

DESSANGE Paris introduces the California Blonde collection, a nourishing hair care system designed to moisturize and protect color treated blonde hair. Blonde is a fragile shade that can lose its luster, fade, and weaken with time, so it is important to protect your shade as soon as you color. The special formula, enriched with passion flower extract, delivers infallible shine and luminosity for a radiant blonde color.

A weekly in-shower treatment formulated with Linseed oil and blue pigments to neutralize brassiness and nourish the hair.

You can see the shine from this "illuminating" shampoo and conditioner. They smell luxurious, too.

DESSANGE Paris California Blonde Illuminating Shampoo

Product description

DESSANGE Paris introduces the California Blonde collection, a nourishing hair care system designed to moisturize and protect color treated blonde hair. Blonde is a fragile shade that can lose its luster, fade, and weaken with time, so it is important to protect your shade as soon as you color. The special formula, enriched with passion flower extract, delivers infallible shine and luminosity for a radiant blonde color.

This brightening shampoo gently cleanses and nourishes hair to enhance shine, color radiance and softness. 

Check it out for yourself! I'm glad I did.

DESSANGE Paris California Blonde Illuminating Conditioner

Product description

DESSANGE Paris introduces the California Blonde collection, a nourishing hair care system designed to moisturize and protect color treated blonde hair. Blonde is a fragile shade that can lose its luster, fade, and weaken with time, so it is important to protect your shade as soon as you color. The special formula, enriched with passion flower extract, delivers infallible shine and luminosity for a radiant blonde color.

This ultra-nourishing conditioner wraps hair with moisture from root to tip, smoothing and taming dry, unruly strands. 

Disclaimer: Once again, thanks to Influenster and Dessange for sending review samples our way. As always, all opinions are our own. I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

ATC's THE PROJECT(S) WORLD PREMIERE DOCUMENTARY PLAY Provides FREE Public Performances

AMERICAN THEATER COMPANY ANNOUNCES 

COMMUNITY TOUR OF 

THE PROJECT(S)

WORLD PREMIERE DOCUMENTARY 

PLAY ON CHICAGO PUBLIC HOUSING

FREE PUBLIC PERFORMANCES MAY 17 AND MAY 24

IN CABRINI-GREEN AND WENTWORTH GARDENS NEIGHBORHOODS

FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE DURING REGULAR RUN NOW THROUGH MAY 24 FOR ALL CURRENT AND FORMER PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS

American Theater Company (ATC) announces a special community tour of The Project(s), a world premiere documentary play about the history of public housing in Chicago, to the Cabrini-Green and Wentworth Gardens neighborhoods this month. Free public performances will be held at Edward Jenner Elementary Academy of the Arts on May 17 at 6 p.m. and Wentworth Gardens Field house on May 24 at 5 p.m. Seating for both performances will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Additionally, a select number of free tickets are available for all performances during the regular run at American Theater Company (1909 W. Byron Street, Chicago) now through May 24 for all former and current public housing residents. Interested residents can call ATC at 773-409-4125 for more details. Single tickets are $48 and are available at www.atcweb.org or 773-409-4125.

"We wanted this story to return to the places where it was born,” says ATC Artistic Director PJ Paparelli. “I am very grateful to the generous individuals who are making this tour possible.”

The Project(s) is conceived, co-written and directed by ATC Artistic Director PJ Paparelli and co-written by Joshua Jaeger. From 2010 to 2014, Paparelli and Jaeger conducted over 100 interviews with scholars, city officials, and former and current residents of public housing, including Chicago’s Cabrini-Green, Wentworth Gardens, Robert Taylor Homes and Ida B. Wells Homes. This verbatim material is innovatively combined with a cappella music, body percussion and stepping with choreography by Jakari Sherman, artistic director of Washington, DC-based Step Afrika!—the nation’s only professional dance company devoted to stepping. The ensemble cast of The Project(s) includes Linda Bright Clay, Omar Evans, Kenn E. Head, Joslyn Jones, Stephen Conrad Moore, Penelope Walker, AnJi White and Eunice Woods.

The Project(s) received two development opportunities at the Orchard Project, a national new play development retreat in New York; a Jentel Artist Residency in Wyoming, and a MacArthur International Connections Fund grant, through which Paparelli travelled to the United Kingdom to workshop the play at Citizens Theatre in Glasgow and the Lyric Hammersmith in London, in addition to interviewing public housing residents and city officials in Scotland. ATC also partnered with Howard University in Washington, DC, for a five-week workshop integrating stepping and body percussion.

Remaining performance schedule for The Project(s):

Press opening: Tuesday, May 5 at 7 p.m.

Regular run: May 7 through May 24: Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday, May 10 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sundays, May 17 and 24 at 12 p.m.

The Project(s) is supported by a generous grant from The Chicago Community Trust and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

The Project(s) was developed, in part, with assistance from The Orchard Project, a program of The Exchange, and through residencies with the Jentel Artists Residency Program; Citizens Theatre Company, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheridan College & the Wyoming Theater Festival; and the Howard University Department of Theatre Arts.

Bios

PJ Paparelli (Director/Co-Writer/Artistic Director) is in his eighth season as Artistic Director of American Theater Company. He last directed ATC’s critically acclaimed world premiere of The Humans. Additional ATC directing credits include Hair, Sons of the Prophet, columbinus (Five Jeff Nominations), The Catholic Rep: Doubt & Agnes of God, The Original Grease (Jeff Award for Best Musical), Escape, The Amish Project, Distracted, Yeast Nation (the new musical from the writers of Urinetown), Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Black & White Rep: True West (Caucasian & African American casts), and the regional premiere of Speech & Debate (Jeff Nomination). His ATC writing credits include columbinus and Every Year is This Year, which was co-written by Maria Irene Fornes for ATC’s The Silver Project.

Joshua Jaeger (Co-Writer) served as the 2012 Artistic Projects Fellow at American Theater Company. During that time, he co-produced the 10X10 and Big Shoulders festivals of new short plays, and sat on ATC's Literary Circle. He assisted in producing Steppenwolf Theatre Company's inaugural After Party, a multi-disciplinary late-night series presented in tandem with the annual Garage Rep. Joshua has dramaturged and assistant directed for TimeLine Theatre Company, Victory Gardens and Chicago Dramatists. Alongside his work in theatre, Joshua performs as a percussionist with the international touring artist Angel Olsen. His drumming may be heard on her current release, "Burn Your Fire for No Witness."

About American Theater Company

American Theater Company (ATC) challenges and inspires its community by exploring stories that ask the question, "What does it mean to be an American?" ATC’s Ensemble includes Patrick Andrews, Kareem Bandealy, Jaime Castañeda, Kelly O’Sullivan, Tyler Ravelson, and Sadieh Rifai.

American Theater Company is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation, the MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince, and the Shubert Foundation.

FLASH GIVEAWAY: WIN A Pair of Passes To HOT PURSUIT Mom's Night Out Tuesday 5/5 #giveaway #MNO #HotPursuit

ChiIL Mama has TEN FREE PAIRS of passes to an advance screening of HOT PURSUIT, the comedy starring Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara, for our readers AND a complimentary drink for mothers & 21+ friends or family who are with them. All you Chi, IL Mamas out there deserve a Mom's Night Out. Bring a date, or your 21+ kids, or another mom friend. 

Disclosure: Thanks to Allied-THA, MGM, Warner Brothers & New Line Cinema for partnering up with us again and providing tickets for our giveaway. As always, all opinions are our own.

FLASH GIVEAWAY: Click HERE to enter to win a pair of tickets (must be 21 or older to enter).

Advance screening of the film is THIS Tuesday, May 5 at 7pm at Kerasotes Showplace ICON (the film opens Friday, May 8). Since it is so close to Mother’s Day, this is the perfect chance for a “Mom’s Night Out” or for you to “Treat Mom/step mom/mother figure/other mom friends" to drinks and a Movie on us! 

Winners will be notified early tomorrow afternoon.

Disclosure: Once again, thanks to Allied-THA, MGM, Warner Brothers & New Line Cinema for partnering up with us again and providing tickets for our giveaway. As always, all opinions are our own.

Films On Our Radar: Shira Piven's Welcome To Me at Music Box 5/8/15 #ChiILFlixPicks #Films

Chi, IL Flix Picks

Piven Theatre Workshop Alumna Shira Piven Returns for Chicago Premiere of

Her Sophomore Film Welcome To Me, Starring Kristen Wiig

Friday, May 8, 2015 at Music Box Theatre

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, we can't wait to check out Welcome To Me this Friday. Piven will introduce the film and conduct a post-show Q&A on Friday, May 8, 7pm at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport in Chicago. Tickets are $15, with a portion of the proceeds supporting scholarships and outreach programs of Piven Theatre Workshop. www.musicboxtheatre.com/events/welcome-to-me-opening-night-with-director-shira-piven-2015-may-8-fri-0700pm Piven will also introduce a second, 9:45 p.m. screening of the movie the same night.

Director Shira Piven, an original member of Piven Theatre Workshop’s Young People’s Company in Evanston, will attend the Chicago Premiere of her second feature, Welcome To Me, a comedy starring Kristen Wiig and Joan Cusack. 

Shira Piven – daughter of Piven Theatre Workshop’s Byrne and Joyce Piven and sister of Jeremy Piven – was an original member of Young People’s Company, the advanced youth program of Piven Theatre Workshop, along with legal analyst Jonathan Turley and actresses Ann and Joan Cusack. Shira established herself as an actress and then director in Chicago before relocating to New York, where she founded Water Theatre Company. Shira has since directed more than 20 plays, many of them original adaptations, in New York, Chicago, LA, and DC.

Piven’s first feature Fully Loaded won the audience favorite feature award at Palm Beach International Film Festival as well as best feature at both The River's Edge International and Carmel Art and Film Festivals. It was also featured at the Boston, San Luis Obispo, Talking Pictures and Newport Beach film festivals and released by Starz. She also directed a short documentary The Beast and The Angel that premiered at the Lincoln Center Film Society and aired on PBS.

Piven has also taught acting for stage and film, from coaching the sons in Talladega Nights to her current work with the Actors Gang prison project, teaching Commedia Dell'arte to inmates in prison, and at Homeboys industries to former LA Gang members. She is married to filmmaker Adam McKay and they have two daughters.

In Welcome to Me, a woman with borderline personality disorder (Wiig) wins the Mega-Millions and – much to the dismay of her parents, therapist, gay ex-husband and local TV station – uses the winnings to fund her lifelong dream of becoming the next Oprah. Joan Cusack, James Marsden, Tim Robbins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Linda Cardellini and Wes Bentley also star, with Joyce Hiller Piven as Wiig’s mother. Welcome To Me begins its week-long Chicago theatrical engagement May 8 at Music Box Theatre.

About Piven Theatre Workshop:

For 43 years, the Piven Theatre Workshop has remained a nationally respected acting school and professional theatre. The mission of the Workshop is to preserve a process of creative exploration that celebrates each individual’s unique voice through an ensemble-based, community-oriented approach to theatre training and performance. The Workshop pursues its mission through three branches of the organization: a training center for children and adults that serves more than 1,000 students annually with mentorship opportunities for emerging theatre artists and educators, extensive scholarship and community outreach programs, and a professional, Equity theatre committed to new works and literary adaptations. All told, Piven serves more than 3,000 people annually. www.piventheatre.org.

About Music Box Theatre:

For the last two decades, the Music Box Theatre has been the premiere venue in Chicago for independent and foreign films. It currently has the largest theater space operated full time in the city. The Music Box Theatre is independently owned and operated by the Southport Music Box Corporation. SMBC, through its Music Box Films division, also distributes foreign and independent films in the theatrical, DVD and television markets throughout the United States.

NEW Modal Concept Tote Bag's A Best Bet for Mother's Day at @Best Buy #modal #AD

Got a multitasking Mama? Who doesn't?! This year, think beyond flowers and get the moms you know and love something they can use on a daily basis. The NEW Modal Concept Tote Bag, available at Best Buy, is a convenient, portable bag that can go from the gym to the office with ease. And your mom/mother figure/mom friends you adore may think of YOU fondly whenever they pick up this colorful, stylin' bag. 



Bright ideas in even brighter colors!

Here at ChiIL Mama, they sent me a bright purple Modal Concept Tote Bag to review, and it's a freelancer's dream. Happy Mother's Day to ME! I tend to hit the gym in the morning after I drop my kids at 2 different schools at 7:30 & 8:30am. After an hour work out, I sometimes have meetings, or events to shoot, or I grab some quality writing time at a local coffee house. With the Modal Concept Tote Bag I'm good to go for whatever the day may bring. 

This playful bag makes me happy just looking at it. There's plenty of room for my computer, pad, camera, smartphone, gym clothes, towel, makeup, hairdryer, and shoes. And best of all--my laptop doesn't smell like feet. That's truly a gift!




               

Disclaimer: Here at ChiIL Mama we're elated to be chosen as part of the Best Buy Blogger Network for the 3rd year now. The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

This Modal Concept Tote Bag (Retail value of $ 59.99) is a terrific Mother’s Day gift for the busy mom on the go. There's a pocket for everything--even hot hair tools or hot lunch items. Your stinky gym shoes and towel can hang out together in their own vented pocket AWAY from your laptop, phone and tablet. And there's even a designated yoga mat strap on the back. I hate carrying a zillion different straps on my shoulder and with the Modal Concept Tote Bag I don't have to. 

The Modal brand focuses on helping make life easier through cleverly designed products that feature surprising functionality.

The Modal Concept Tote is designed to carry all your essentials in style. Store your wallet and other valuables in discreet, water-resistant pockets. 

• Laptop Storage--Dedicated, secure and padded sleeves for both laptop and tablet storage with quilted soft-touch lining

• Fitness Gear--Heavy duty, moisture-resistant fitness pocket has plenty of room for your workout clothes, including shoes, and is vented to promote air circulation along with straps for a towel or yoga mat.

• Thermo Pocket--There’s even space to store warm hairstyling tools. It’s all together in a convenient, portable bag that can go from the gym to the office. With functionality unlike any other, this bag would make a terrific Mother’s Day gift for the busy mom that hits the gym before or after work.

Click here to order yours!

Best Buy Shipping and Store Pick Up Make Gifting Super Simple For Moms Near and Far

Free Shipping on orders $35 and up.

Free Store Pickup

Pick up your order in as little as 45 minutes. 

Disclaimer: Once again, here at ChiIL Mama we're elated to be chosen as part of the Best Buy Blogger Network for the 3rd year now. the reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

HELP OUT: ChiILin' With ChiIL Mama and The March of Dimes #MoDSquad #imbornto #ad

The MoD Squad

ChiIL Mama's elated to be chosen as one of just 39 mom bloggers nationwide, representing the 39 weeks of a full term pregnancy. Together we're the Mod Squad, and we're spreading the word about The March of Dimes and how you can help! Check back with us early and often from April through June and follow along on the #imbornto hashtag. Everyone's born to do something amazing. What's your super power?



Disclosure: It's our pleasure to partner up with The Motherhood and March of Dimes.We have been compensated for sharing this campaign with our readers. As always, all opinions are our own. 

ChiIL Mama's seriously stoked to be a part of this three-month social media program with a team of 39 “MoDSquad” mom bloggers and a team of dad bloggers, too. The I'm Born To campaign is designed to raise awareness of March of Dimes’ important work and programs that improve the lives of babies and families everywhere. These guys are the pros on preemies and they have over 75 years of staying power.

In our first few weeks we attended a virtual briefing, rocked a Twitter Party, and partied it up in person with our Chi, IL friends and loads of awesome goodies from businesses that have partnered with March of Dimes. 

Check out ChiIL Mama's full slide show here and favorites embedded below.

Help Out

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are a great excuse to shop it up and help out. March of Dimes has partnered with businesses that want to help babies. Missed the March for Babies last weekend? Lots more you can do to help from the comforts of home. 

We already know many people who have walked for March of Dimes and donated time and/or money over the years. Now you can do your part by shopping at one or more of these merchants, donating, or taking part in partner promotions to support the cause. Visit imbornto.com to learn more about special Mother’s Day and Father’s Day offers from one of their partners:

• Mud Pie – will donate $2 to the #imbornto campaign for every Bella Bar, Mom Bar and Mommy and Me jewelry item purchased for Mother’s Day. In addition, Mud Pie will donate 10¢ from each baby headband or sock purchase to the March of Dimes throughout the year.

• Bon-Ton (and sister stores) – This May, with any $75 fragrance purchase for Mom (or yourself), you can receive a fragrance atomizer for just $1, filled with your choice of fragrance. 100% of the atomizer purchase will benefit the March of Dimes. Starting April 30 when you donate $3, you’ll receive a $10-off coupon for your purchase of $25 or more. Or shop online, donate $3 and receive 25% off!

• Martha Stewart – Join the #THX2U movement and share your appreciation of Mom with the world. Upload a baby picture of your child, grandchild, or yourself using the hashtag #THX2U, and $10 of the Emeril/MSLO/Meredith donation will be recognized for each uploaded photo in support of the imbornto campaign.

• eBay – Visit eBay’s Charity Shop for Mother’s Day gifts where proceeds from your purchase support the March of Dimes. Also, from May 4 – 11 you will be able to make a donation to the March of Dimes at checkout when making purchases on eBay.

• A&E Jewelers – will donate 20% of the price of each twinkling Swarovski encrusted sterling silver March of Dimes Enchanted “Healthy Beginnings” Necklace available in three stone options.

• Alex and Ani – will donate 20% of the purchase price* from each Special Delivery Charm Bangle sold, with a minimum donation of $25,000, between March 2015 and December 2015, to the March of Dimes.

• Kmart – Now through June 20, 2015 Kmart, the #1 March of Dimes fundraiser for more than 30 years, will donate $1 from the in-store or online purchase of each puppy figurine to the March of Dimes (minimum donation of $30,000). Kmart and the March of Dimes are proud to work together for stronger, healthier babies.

ChiILin' with ChiIL Mama & #ImBornTo in Chi, IL

   ChiIL Mama had a blast finding out how our friends complete I'm born to... and giving away lots of adorable goodies from March Of Dimes' partners ALEX AND ANI, Kmart, Mud Pie, & Bon-Ton!! All are donating a percentage of their proceeds from sales to March of Dimes. Check out this rockin' "wear your PJs" 
party at the play ground!

#ImBornTo be a mama

Meet Erin who is expecting her 3rd son in June & the adorable big bros to be, Asa (pictured) & Silas!  

#ImBornTo blaze my own trail

Meet Carrie who is due in September & big sis, Madeline (7)

#ImBornTo break down barriers

Meet our awesome friend, Sandia (11), who is in my daughter's class in Montessori school.

#ImBornTo be wild

Meet our super friend, Serena, Sandia's little sis & fearless team gymnast.

#ImBornTo rock & roll

Meet the family with the kindie rocker mama & the coolest collection of names: Mama Sarah, Lyric & baby Pixie (pictured) & Luna

Finally, we have a quartet of 6th grade girls: twins Claire & Laine, Mia, & my daughter, Sage Ani.

#ImBornTo 

Create-Mia

Write-Claire

Run-Laine

Flip-Sage

What are you & your kids born to do? We'd love to hear in the comments below.

About March of Dimes

President Franklin D. Roosevelt founded The March of Dimes in 1938 to combat polio and they succeeded. In the decades to follow, they never stopped protecting the health of America’s children. March of Dimes-funded research has saved millions of babies from death or disability. New research offers hope for treatments and preventions for serious problems, like birth defects and premature birth.

Today, the March of Dimes is inspired by all babies – those born healthy and those who need help to survive and thrive. These babies are the millions of reasons behind our urgent mission and why the March of Dimes:

• supports all important research into the causes and preventions for premature birth and birth defects

• fights for health insurance for all pregnant women and children

• pushes for expanded newborn screening that could save lives and prevent disabilities

• reaches out to women with healthy pregnancy information and services

• provides comfort and information to families with a newborn in intensive care

Disclosure: Once again, it's our pleasure to partner up with The Motherhood and March of Dimes. We have been compensated for sharing this campaign with our readers. As always, all opinions are our own.