Lunch at Todai

Finally had sushi at Todai at Woodfield Mall today after a near two
year absence (pregnancy and breastfeeding). I stuffed myself silly.
Todai has gotten some bad reviews on Yelp but I think it's good if you
know why you're going there - to fill up on rolls, sushi, tempura
udon, fruit, and all those mini desserts. It does the job if you want
quantity and variety. But it's not the place for super fresh fish or
artistry.

Staying up late doing work - will need to work tomorrow as well so I
can meet a work deadline before our London office opens on Monday.

McDonalds's New Smoothie

Just saw the new McDonald's smoothie for the first time today. Ordered
strawberry banana - wild berry is other flavor. $2.79 for medium size

Best at Taste of Chicago

Went to Taste today at lunch. Best thing I had today was breaded beef
sandwich at Ricobene's. Had Taste portion for four tickets and still
good quantity. Beef on steak from an Asian food booth (Star of Siam?)
was also delish. Liked fried ravioli with marinara sauce but can't
remember name of booth.

Worst was beignet at booth that also sold chicken and waffles. Thought
it was greasy and overcoated with confectioner's sugar.

Zantac at Taste of Chicago

Zantac offered an eating contest, a cooling station (pictured here),
free photos and samples.

BlogHer Conference

I wish I was going to BlogHer '10, the best known conference for women
bloggers. I went last year to the Expo portion and loved it.

Getting to meet other women bloggers, the energy in the halls as women
share ideas and get inspired, the chance to talk directly to brand
managers and PR/marketing folks. It was great seeing the diversity of
bloggers and their interests - from mommy bloggers to product reviews
to postpartum depression to cloth diapers.

The photo shows the free stuff that I picked up at the Expo and at the
Swiffer SocialLuxe Lounge. The lucky few who arrived at the Swiffer
SocialLuxe Lounge party got a huge gift bag that contained a Kodak
mini videocamera and Crocs among other things. I was envious of the
women who got the beautiful and loaded gift bags - it was the best
gift bag I've ever seen in my life. You know from my other posts that
I've gotten a lot of gift bags in my time.

The 6th annual conference will be held August 6-7 at the Hilton New
York in New York City. It was held in Chicago last July.

Taste of Chicago

Taste of Chicago starts today at 11am. Yum, yum. Chef Mario Batali
will be doing cooking demo at 1pm today while Giada De Lautentis cooks
on July 1 at 3pm. Think Salt n Pepa are playing tonight.

Jimmy Bannos at noon today. Ina Pinkney of Ina's at 3pm tomorrow -
think I saw at the Restaurant Show.

America's Beauty Show Samples

Here are the samples from March's America's Beauty Show and Face &
Body Midwest held at Chicago's McCormick Place.