I went a bit “Rogue” Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

I slayed the Red Carpet – and no one noticed me..

They say that women after a certain age become a bit invisible. I’m usually a pretty big personality ask anyone who knows me, but at the Star Wars World Premier – I was happy to be that older women, and invisible.

You might think, a short women carrying a very large RED LightSaber is hard to miss, I must say most just ignored me. Here are my three reasons why

  1. Most people may have thought I was an older talent agent and they were not going to ask who I was, or tell me where and what I could do.
  2. Maybe people thought I was an executives wife, and we have seen how that works out – (“Sources told Page Six another woman who was rudely splashed was Lisa ­Pevaroff-Cohn, the wife of Goldman bigwig Gary Cohn.” via “SiriusXM canned Bethenny Frankel’s show after meltdown” Page Six
  3. I’m invisible – women after a certain age are invisible, we go unnoticed, and people don’t pay much attention to us – even on the Red Carpet.

Women making an “IMPACT”

“As a bullet whizzed past my cheek, the heat caused me to fall face first into the concrete” Isaiah Brooms spoke to the crowd – and we listened to each word, each breath of his story, this was his experience growing up in Chicago. This same man Isaiah was now in front of the crowd of over 400 women, and he is now a Chicago Public School teacher, a mentor, a youth minister, and role model Mr. Brooms  is telling us this, and thanking Tutoring Chicago and his first tutor Sarah.

Tutoring Chicago

From Tutoring Chicago Facebook page

Isaiah is pitching to the crowd, almost Shark Tank style as he and six other finalist are presenting for the 2016 grant award from Impact 100 Chicago. A group of women in Chicago who each donate $1,000 each to empower change. This is an all women, all volunteer group of women, who put their own money, time, effort, and resources to seek out nonprofits that are making a difference, empowering, and changing the lives of so many.

These grants are not taking lightly, each application and applicant is looked over and vetted with a rigorous review, four-step process, and close look at how the funds will be used.

From RefugeeOne Facebook page -

From RefugeeOne Facebook page –

Each of the presentations were so moving, I wanted to get up and volunteer  my own time and money to help each one. The crowd heard from Refugee One, a very poised young lady who survived the worst situation over in her birth country of Sudan was welcomed with open arms when she finally arrived to Chicago. A heart moving story of how she now has hope for a future because of this group was eye opening.

Another presentation was for a program which supports low-income students so they can continue their education, One Million Degrees and they walked away with on of the four awarded with $100,000 grant’s so they can continue to support their efforts.

Screen Shot 2016-06-04 at 3.41.47 PMHere are the links to all of the organizations that were selected to present – in my heart all of these are amazing and sharing your support will continue to impact change for the better here in Chicago, and around the world. Next year you can bet that I will be supporting Impact 100 Chicago, and maybe you should also.

Chicago Women in Trades

One Million Degrees

The Chicago Debate Commission

Refugee One

Family Rescue Inc

 

Action Chicago

 

 

What will I wear? Because I love to eat on Vacation

I recently had a quick few days in Las Vegas for a conference. I wanted to travel with a simple easy wardrobe that I could mix and match. I looked to pack a few pieces that could be dressy, casual, easy to layer, and items that I didn’t have to worry about wrinkles. By the way, is soft surroundings in financial trouble? because I really like the clothes in Soft Surrounding. offers stylish, luxurious, and comfortable women’s clothes for every size.

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Love this simple pop of bright pink top – you can dress it up or down. Here I have it with a simple pair of jeans, faded black.

This silky black top can be worn for a nice dinner, off to a show, in a club. It gives you a lot of room to enjoy the food you may want to try in the restaurant. If you spill on it no worries, to make sure it’s wrinkle free when you arrive just hang it in the bathroom, and boom it’s ready to wear.

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A great silky black top, with a dark dressy pair of jeans. Gold jewelry.

Love this simple clean look, with a pop of color in the red jeans. This black top is easy to layer and again you can dress it up or down. Looks very classy with the silver chain.

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This is a great look to walk around the town. You can layer it up when your get a chill, and strip it down if you get hot walking in the warm Vegas air.

white shirt, black jeans, business look.

This is a great clean and classy look – I paired it with a black blazer and it was ready for business. A crisp white shirt, dark jeans, and high heals.

I love this look, it’s amazing that jeans with these big rips can actually be considered dressy. This is my casual  travel look when I fly, I layer a soft gray sweater over this, and also carry and wear my big gray poncho – pictured below. I wear my easy gray slip on shoes for going through the TSA lines, easy to slip my shoes on and off.

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This photo was taken on a recent trip to NYC not Las Vegas, but I wanted to include it because you can see I have my gray poncho on. It’s like a big warm blanket perfect to travel on a plane with.

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Have a Happy Day – and learn about WEDAY

MJ Tam and I had a chance to attend the Kick-Off for WeDay Chicago. Hearing from the celebrities who have donated their time and talents for the big event, was so inspiring. I was very impressed by Henry Winkler who seems to be one of the most giving people, talent in the business, and he kinda liked my cell phone selfie light.

 

“WE Day empowers change at home. WE make this change through WE Day, a celebration of youth making a difference in their local and global communities. This change is sustained all year round through the WE Schools program which nurtures compassion in young people and gives them the tools to create transformative social change”

Henry Winkler with MJ Tam takes a selfie, Mr. Winkler gives so much of his time to help others.

Henry Winkler with MJ Tam takes a selfie, Henry spends his time and talents as he contributes to various causes to help others.

With MJ Tam and Two-time Emmy Award winner, multi-platinum recording artist, and giving celebrity Paul Abdul

With MJ Tam and Two-time Emmy Award winner, multi-platinum recording artist, and giving celebrity Paul Abdul

Off To A Conference for Midlife Women #BAMC16

Marketing Zeus: The Purchasing Power of Women

Eating Las Vegas

Food , Food, Food, and more food. Make sure you come to Las Vegas hungry, because the selection of food you will find is truly amazing. What makes the Las Vegas food scene different from Chicago, LA, New York is the condensed strip 4.1 mile area where all the hotels and casinos, shops, restaurants, attractions can be found.

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Las Vegas has more than 330 restaurants on the world-famous strip. What used to be known as the land of buffets and diners, Las Vegas has discovered that the way to a man or woman’s cash can also be found through the taste buds. Today variety of cuisine, talent of innovative chefs, and clients looking for cuisine that’s artsy and daring.

The rise of the celebrity and world-famous chefs makes Las Vegas a go to location to launch a spot for one of their top-notch restaurants.

  • Mario Batalia
  • Wolfgang Puck
  • Bouchon by Chef Thomas Keller
  • Mesa Grill by Chef Bobby Flay
  • Mr. Chow by Restaurateur Mr. Chow
  • Giada by Giada De Laurentiis
  • Table 10 by Emeril Lagasse
  • Heritage Steak by Tom Colicchio

Go to Las Vegas where it’s easy to get into these restaurants, parking is easy, and when you walk out you have a whole world that never sleeps. When you visit LA you need to travel in a car, or limo to try a selection of food from these different chefs, in NYC you could walk,  to find the vast selection of selections and choices as you do walking up and down the Las Vegas Strip.

FullSizeRender (6)I have taken a food tour in the past and being on a guided tour is where you get the history, the great gossip, background stories, fun facts, you can meet some of the chefs,  and taste an amazing selection of food. If you have the time I suggest a food tour, and now they have many to choose from.

IMG_0707This past trip, I had limited time so I decided to sample some small bites, and big flavors in a few of my past favorite restaurants. I choose them based on the location to where I was staying, the location of where the restaurant was based on shopping, site seeing,  and going to get a good meal.

The portions are big, the cost is reasonable, and the atmosphere is outstanding so get ready to enjoy your meal, and after you’ll be perfectly placed to continue your night with friends, as well as the best people watching, lounges and late-night entertainment.

Where I ate this time

  1. MICHAEL MINA – Seafood and american cuisine. The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, adjacent to Café Bellagio.
  2. Wolfgang Puck- CUT Las Vegas The Grand Canal Shoppes
  3. The Country Club – Wynn 19th hole
  4. The Palm –  Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace
  5. LAVO Italian Restaurant – entry of Palazzo
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A traveling “Cirque du Soleil has constantly sought to evoke the imagination, invoke the senses and provoke the emotions of people around the world” spotted at the NADA convention in Las Vegas

Location, Location, Location or when in NYC

The Plaza Hotel

It’s considered the ‘Mona Lisa’ of hotels. It was featured in pop culture movies and books such as Eloise, Home Alone and The Great Gatsby. This  grand hotel is located right in off Central Park. The current GOP front-runner used to own it.

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From the greeting staff to the waiters, they all were helpful , warm, and friendly. Exceptional customer service.

That’s right: The Plaza Hotel! I had the privilege of staying at one of New York’s most iconic landmarks. The Plaza Hotel has a long history of being the backdrop to some of the country’s biggest events and celebrations. Immediately when you’re greeted by the bellhop, walk through the marble encrusted lobby, and check in with the concierge, you can sense The Plaza Hotel is more than just a place to rest your head at night.

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The Rose Club, embodying the grandeur of The Plaza with a splash of contemporary style and spirit, overlooks the stunning new Fifth Avenue lobby

 

 

 

During my two night stay, I enjoyed all of the luxuries The Plaza Hotel had to offer. Sitting on Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman is only a two minute walk away. With the sun shining, and temperature in the mid 70s, I was able to enjoy a nice walk around the reservoirs, pavilions and fountains of Central Park.

 

 

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Setting the standard for luxury for more than a century, The Plaza Hotel New York is a testament to timeless elegance.

 

Another highlight to The Plaza Hotel was the food hall. I did not have to travel far from my room to get a taste of New York. There were many diverse options such as Chi Dumplings & Noodles, Pizza Rollio, and Luke’s Lobster. I decided to go with something a little more traditional, but, delicious nonetheless.

If you ever get a chance to stay at The Plaza Hotel, be check out all of the great sights and scenes. This Boomfluent had a 5 Start Stay and the location, the food, the service, and the great people watching made it even worth it.

 

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Located on Concourse level, The Plaza Food Hall offers a collection of fine food purveyors, as well as counter-style dining options. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner I had a classic Lobster Cobb.

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The Plaza Room features one King bed and is located on floors 5 – 19.

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Bathroom is finished with inlaid “earth stone” mosaics and include a luxurious bathtub and separate shower. Among many splendid details are 24-carat gold-plated Sherle Wagner fixtures, as well as hand-crafted solid white marble vanities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s what I do – join me!

In case you don’t know me – hello and welcome to this site. I love to add content and keep it current, but my spelling is less then steller. If you can see past that, it’s kinda a fun blog.

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Getting ready to go live #ChicagonistaLIVE

I’m more of a video person and I am co-founder of ChicagonistaLIVE with MJ Tam. I love working on this social talk show, and have had a blast broadcasting around the world.

Each month we broadcast live from interesting locations. Check us out and let me know your thoughts.. 10603934_10152256401268053_8619354298036326740_o

Boomers on TV? Why not?

Who are the stars of Boomers? Veteran stars line up for new BBC comedy http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/who-stars-boomers-veteran-stars-4054666#ixzz3AV1AMJsX  Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook

Who are the stars of Boomers? Veteran stars line up for new BBC comedy via Daily Mirror UK

 

I wish the US could be as bold as the UK when it comes to broadcasting shows about “Ghasp” Boomers – Hello #Brands we do have dollars to spend….below is a bit about a new show set to air on the BBC…who could would you like to see if done in America?

“Boomers is a brand new BBC comedy featuring some of the biggest names in British TV.

Russ Abbot, Stephanie Beacham, Alison Steadman and June Whitfield head the stellar cast in the hilarious look at retired life in the fictional seaside town of Thurnemouth – dubbed ‘Norfolk’s only West-facing resort’.

The show focuses on the ups and inevitable downs of three couples from the baby boom generation as they come to terms with age, relationships and themselves.

Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/who-stars-boomers-veteran-stars-4054666

I love what I do – The people I meet

What a great #chicagonistalive show at @trumpchicago Thank you to all our #chicagonistalive influencers! @mjtam @nancyloo @duongonline @andreametcalf @candidcandace @cecemelinda @jenluby @foodtravelist @tedrubin @thelocaltourist @tmmeditation @indianapplepie — with Ted Rubin, MJ Tam, Nancy Loo, Beth Rosen and Jennifer Dunham Luby at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago and our crew and staff – you all bring so much joy into my life – and make things fun!!

#ChicagonistaLive at the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago! W  MJTam, Nancy Loo Cece AndNMelinda, Anupy Singla Gupta, The Local Tourist, Andrea Metcalf

#ChicagonistaLive at the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago! W MJTam, Nancy Loo Cece AndNMelinda, Anupy Singla Gupta, The Local Tourist, Andrea Metcalf