5 Things I Learned this Week

Windy city hair. Photo via JessandJill.com

Bloggers and bubbles go amazing together: And RM Champagne Salon is the BEST place for it. I had so much fun last night at our 500th member celebration and an even better time seeing all of your faces!

Kelly is a REAL trooper: And is in such a high spirits! I'm convinced that she can handle anything, as long as it comes with a TV and the Bravo channel. Make sure you send her love on Twitter (@kellyryanobrien).

I know what to get my boyfriend for his birthday: All thanks to our style contest contributors, Austen Heller, I've got the next gift giving celebration covered.

Makeup and jewelry are a girls best friend: And I've met my lifelong BFF's in House of Gemmes and The Makeup Show. 

I survived my presentation: And thank you for all the bloggers who congratulated me. Now that I got over that near death experience, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel that is my Master's degree.

Special thanks this week to RM Champagne Salon, Austen Heller, House of Gemmes, and The Makeup Show Chicago! And to all those bloggers who came out to help us celebrate!

And special love to Kelly Ryan O'Brien, who kicks a$$ and takes names. I expect a full recovery before the start of the new Bachelorette.

Happy Friday! x

- Jill Badlotto

#CBN500 Style Contest

Tonight is the night we are celebrating reaching 500 members at RM Champagne Salon! And since we wanted to make things extra fun, we will be having another CBN style contest.

Bloggers should upload a photo of themselves in their outfit to Twitter, tagging us (@chicagoblognet), and using the hashtag #CBN500. 

Best dressed female will win 2 tickets to The Makeup Show Chicago and a $50 gift card to House of Gemmes!

Best dressed male will receive a $200 gift card to Austen Heller!

And if you're not a blogger but want to get in on the fun, you can track what everybody is wearing by using the hashtag #CBN500.

Also make sure you check out The Makeup Show, House of Gemmes, and Austen Heller!

Kelly and CBN on Lucky and Simply Stylist

As if we couldn't be any MORE excited about Simply Stylist's Chicago event and Kelly's Breakout session on #SelfSmarketing, we came across this feature on Simply Stylist's site and on Lucky!

Have you gotten your ticket yet? Don't miss out on the best fashion/beauty event this summer!

Get your ticket here.

You can check out the Simply Stylist feature here, and on Lucky's website here.

See you June 8th!

CBN and Rent the Runway's WGN Segment

Yesterday morning we woke up bright and early to head over to WGN, where our bloggers Rachel of Chicago Chic Blog, Christine of View From 5 ft. 2, and Alison of Brown Eyed Style, modeled Summer wedding looks from Rent the Runway. Hosted by the hilarious Dana of Possessionista, who we think was born to do this, they strutted their designer frocks and accessories down the runway, that can be rented for a fraction of the retail price.

In case your DVR broke (or you don't have one.. those are the only two excuses we will take), you can watch the segment here, and take a look at some behind the scenes pictures below.

Rachel, Alison, Christine, with host Dana

The ladies modeling their looks on TV

Goofing around after the segment

Rachel, Christine, and Alison

Rachel wore a maxi by Trina Turk (retail $458, rental $100), Christine wore a Shoshanna dress (retail $375, rental $65), and Alison wore a gown by BCBG (retail $298, rental $100).

And make sure you check out Rent the Runway, follow them on Twitter, and like them on Facebook!

RockIt's Burger Lab Tasting

Thursday night CBN was invited to a taste testing of RockIt's Burger Bar at their Wrigleyville location. The tasting menu consisted of some amazing options, including loaded fried and a Huevos Rancheros Burger that was to die for, along with signature cocktails. The best part was having the ability to create our own burger and participate in trivia, in which our table, "The Burger Babes", won (mostly because we were teamed up with the smartypants boys behind ManBQue.. but we'd like to take some credit).

RockIt has always been our pick for best burger in Chicago. You're guaranteed a good time, with good food, every time! Check out some of our pics below.

The Menu

   Apricot Turkey Burger ][ The Burger We Created

Huevos Rancheros Burger ][ Our Creation Up Close

                  Cocktails ][ The Men of ManBQue
Loaded Fried ][ Oreo Milkshake

You can follow RockIt Burger Bar on Twitter, like them on Facebook, and check them out here.

You can also follow Billy Dec and Executive Chef Amanda, the brains behind the goodness, on Twitter!

- Jill Badlotto

5 Things I Learned this Week

It's been too long since we've seen our bloggers: Can I hear a HALLELUJAH for our 500 member celebration on May 23rd at RM Champagne Salon? It's been too long since I've seen you all. I'm looking for lots of blogger hugs, deal with it.

Only Rent the Runway can get me up THIS early in the morning: This Monday some of CBN's bloggers will be modeling looks for Rent the Runway on WGN at 7:45AM (so set your DVR's, friends). The early call time is a bummer, but let me tell you something, their dresses and accessories are worth getting up before the sun. 

Public Speaking should be extinct: Send it off with the dinosaurs, because let's be real.. who actually enjoys public speaking? Next week I'll be presenting my thesis for graduation, and I'm hoping that I make it out alive, but by the sweaty palms and shaky voice I get just thinking about it, the odds are against me. Please pray.

This diet will never work as long as I live here: Last night I attended Billy's Burger Lab Tasting at Rockit on behalf of CBN. Drool. But seriously, how's a girl supposed to count calories with so many yummy opportunities? Calories don't count when you're technically working, right?

Cotton Candy is happiness: I'm pretty sure it can create world peace and I think we should totally test this theory.

Happy Friday!

x - Jill Badlotto

CBN & Rent the Runway on WGN

We've teamed up with Rent the Runway again for another television segment!

Our bloggers, Christine of Viewfrom5ft2.com, Alison of Browneyedstyle.com, and Rachel of Chicagochicblog.blogspot.com, along with host Dana of Possessionista.com, will be modeling the perfect wedding guest looks curated by Rent the Runway. You can watch the segment this Monday, May 20th, on WGN at 7:45AM. So make sure you tune in or set your DVR's!

You can also check out past segments we've done with Rent the Runway here! (1, 2, 3)