What I'm Loving This Summer

It’s official..SUMMER is here! I never really appreciated this season while living in Texas (triple digits anyone?) until I moved to Chicago. When you are buried under snow with a polar vortex hovering over you for 6 months of the year, you savor every day of those three short but sweet summer months. So as you prepare for vacation, warmer weather and longer days check out what I’m loving this summer plus some great travel, style and entertainment tips.

Savvy Traveler Insider Secrets - #ChicagoTravelShow Recap

Last week I attended the 11th Annual Chicago and Travel Adventure Show, the largest travel show in the Midwest. When I attended the event for the first time in 2014 with friends, I had such a wonderful time that I knew I would make this a “go to” event every year! (Check out last years recap here) My good friend, travel blogger and Paris tour expert Paige of Paris by Paige traveled from Milwaukee to attend the expo and we made it a fun Girls Weekend!

Know Before You Go: Travel Tips for Exploring a New City

Happy New Year! Hope everyone is off to a fantastic and powerful 2015!

This time of year is always special for me! I celebrated my 34th birthday on New Years Eve (yes I am a #NYE Baby) at home with friends, food and lots of fun. 2014 was a phenomenal year for me: I lost 60 lbs, quit my corporate job to freelance, consult and coach full time , moved to a new apartment and of course traveled:)

On New Years Day I also celebrate my “Chicago-versary”. Seven years ago on January 1st I took a one way flight from Dallas/Ft Worth to Chicago to begin a new chapter in my life. I left behind friends, family, a beautiful home and opened myself to new opportunities the "big city" had to offer. For all the ups and downs it's still one of the best decisions I've made in my life thus far.

As I settled into Chicago back in 2008 I had to quickly learn how to adapt, navigate and explore my new city. Luckily I had a coworker and friend to help me but I still had to take it upon myself to explore Chicago on my own.

How to #Travel Better with Samantha Brown of The Travel Channel

This past Sunday I attended the 10th Annual Chicago and Travel Adventure Show, the largest travel show in the Midwest. Over the weekend over 200 travel experts, tour operators, tourism officials and travel companies gathered to share knowledge and inspire us all to book our next vacation and discover our "dream trip". As a travel blogger I'm embarrassed to admit I knew nothing about this expo until the wonderful Beth Santos of Go Girl Travel Network organized a meetup. I would have missed out on all the expert speakers, cultural cuisine, travel deals, networking and of course all the FREE GIVEAWAYS!

Once I looked at the lineup of speakers which included experts Rick Steves and Pauline Frommer, one name had me rushing to the convention center,Samantha Brown, world traveler and everyone's favorite travel TV host! Long before I started blogging I loved watching the Travel Channel and following her adventures to exotic destinations, historic European cities and local destinations. Having a career that included traveling over 200 days a year, earned her the title of "The girl with the best job in the world"  Seriously! 

This is why her face is on my vision board:) 

Samantha Brown in Malaysia at a village of the Orang Asli (www.samantha-brown.com)

Chicago Event: Jet Magazine and Fashion Fair Say Yes to Life, Love & Beauty!

Last night on a rainy Chicago evening hundreds of the Windy City's most fashionable women met at The Pump Room to "Say Yes to Beauty" The exclusive "Say Yes" event hosted by the iconic Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) brands, Jet Magazine and Fashion Fair Cosmetics was our introduction into the newly revamped Fashion Fair cosmetic line. Guests enjoyed complimentary "Say Yes" cocktails, appetizers and mini makeovers while DJ Kiss spinned hot R&B and Hip Hop tunes all night long.  

The JPC dream team behind the event JPC Chairman - Linda Johson Rice, JPC CEO - Desiree Rogers and Editor in Chief of Jet Magazine - Mitzi Miller mingled with the crowd and shared with us their excitement about the refreshed cosmetic line.  

Toya Nicole interviewing Editor in Chief of Jet Magazine, Mitzi Miller

The Jet Magazine and Fashion Fair partnership is all about "reintroducing Fashion Fair to a younger generation of women with bright new colors to match everyone's skin tone" shared Miller. The largest black-owned cosmetics company has been around for over 40 years and while some may think they know all about the brand, Miller encouraged women to "take a second look at the totally refreshed line"  In support of the campaign Fashion Fair recently premiered the short film "Say Yes" directed by Ava DuVernay. Starring Lance Gross and Kali Hawk, "Say Yes" (named after the Fashion Fair lip color) "explores the power of the affirmative, and the beauty that blossoms from embracing life."  I am looking forward to trying out the new line and saying YES to - life, love and beauty!

Check out some fabulous photos from the evening

"Summer in the City" Series: Chicago's Street FoodArtistry Festival

Hey there and HAPPY SUMMER! 

August will officially launch my "Chicago: Summer in the City" series for the blog! I often blog about destinations and travel tips but I wanted to dedicate this month to my home base, the world renowned city of Chicago :-) 
Every summer hundreds of thousands of tourists travel to the "Windy City" when it warms up to experience "Summertime Chi". From concerts and movies in the park, festivals, farmers markets, shopping and unique outdoor events Chicago has it all! Look forward to sharing with you all the fun:-) 

This week I am super excited about attending the Third Annual Street FoodArtistry Festival on Sunday August 11th. Street FoodArtisty Chicago. The SFA fest is a celebration of Chicago's hottest street food , culture, art and music. Chicago is home to one of the more developing food truck industries around the globe. StreetFood Artistry will host some of the most trending local trucks featuring fresh and interesting culinary selections. SFA is also a non profit supporting creative enterpreurship. It's a party with a purpose!