Reynolds Real Moms Trip to Chicago!

As I told you about here, I am one of the finalists for the Reynolds Real Moms contest.  On Monday I flew to Chicago to live my dream of staying in a hotel room all by myself.  Ha ha!  It was awesome.  My only regret was that it was too short of a trip.  I arrived to find a gift basket (another dream fulfilled) in my hotel room.  And yes, there was chocolate in it (we're checking off dreams all over the place now aren't we?).

The other finalists and I all stayed in a hotel right on Michigan Avenue.  Even though it was the coldest weather Chicago had seen in 700 days I braved the weather and did a little shopping.

That evening I went to dinner at the restaurant in the hotel (with a few of the other finalists who were super cute, by the way), The Michael Jordan Steakhouse.  Oh, don't you worry because the steak on that menu was only about $60.  Oh man, I about died.  Good thing we had per diem, so the bill was a bit easier to swallow!!  The best thing we ordered was this amazing garlic bread with this blue cheese sauce.  It was to die for.  I only wish I had a bigger stomach to have eaten it all!!

Utokia from She's Got Flavor and I

The next morning we were taken to this most unbelievable neighborhood in Hinsdale.  I am so mad at myself for forgetting my camera!  The homes were so beautiful and charming.  Reynolds rented a home to do the shoot in.  The kitchen was my dream kitchen.  In fact I am still dreaming about it.  I came home and explained to Greg how we could redo our kitchen to be exactly like the one in the shoot.  I don't think he was impressed.  Each finalist filmed 3 commercials for Reynolds, showing how to use their products and make your life easier.  I loved all the tips and promptly came home and used them in my cooking.  I can't wait to share them with you over the next few weeks.  Anyhow, I was able to get my makeup done by this amazing makeup artist.  She made me look really good but also very natural.  I just wish I could take her home in my suitcase with me (along with the lighting guy).  

There was a lot of down time during the day so the PR people, who were such a blast, took us to get pedicures (the third one in my entire life)!

Katie from Good Life Eats and I enjoying the pampering!

my beautiful toes and HGTV on in the background :)

Finally after much waiting, anticipation and adrenaline, it was my turn to shoot.  I am so hoping that it turned out well.  After all, I am not a professional.  But the crew was so kind and helpful and made me feel like I could do anything!  I can't wait to see the videos and as soon as they're available I will make sure to share them on my blog.  

After the shoot we were taken to a lovely restaurant and had a delicious dinner.  I am still thinking about this pasta that had lemon, kale and bread crumbs in it.  It was sooooo good.  By this point it was past 10 pm and I had been up since 6 AM (of course I didn't sleep well the night before because of the anticipation of the next day).  I was so exhausted I went and crashed in the hotel and slept until 10 the next morning.  

Sadly at that point I had to say goodbye to new friends and Chicago.  But happily, I was able to come home to this little guy.  His new thing lately is to butter me up by saying, "mommy you're the best mommy in the whole world!"  In his prayer tonight he said, "thanks for the best mommy in the whole world and the best daddy in the whole world and the best sister in the whole world."  What a good attitude, kid.

The next portion of the competition will narrow the finalists down to 5.  I'm hoping to be part of that group.  In fact I had a dream last night and Greg (my husband) and I both made it in the competition.  (But honey, it's the Reynolds Real Moms contest...you're not a mom!).  Ha ha!  Dreams are so crazy.  To get further in the competition I'm going to need YOUR votes.  When it comes to that point I will for sure let you know!  Thanks so much for your support!!!!