Oh Happy Day Goes to Paris :: CONTEST

I started this blog one day because I was bored at work. I never would’ve imagined the good people and things it has brought into my life five years later. Thank you so much for reading and for being so supportive. I feel super lucky that this is my job and I couldn’t do it without all the lovely people that read Oh Happy Day. So I wanted to do something fun to give back. As a thank you I am doing a giveaway for a 7 DAY TRIP FOR TWO TO PARIS, FRANCE! It’s true. I’ve put together a major giveaway that includes 7 night stay at Mama Shelter, the hippest boutique hotel in Paris. Roundtrip Airfare from the continental United States to Paris, France. And on top of that I will personally host* the winner for two days and take them around to my favorite spots in Paris.

Do you have your berets and striped shirts all packed and ready to go? Great! All you have to do is enter. There are four ways to enter and no purchase is necessary. You can enter each of the four ways one time during the contest (if you enter all four ways it just increases your chance of winning.) Here is how:

HOW TO ENTER (You may enter each way one time.)
1. Leave a comment in the comment section below this post.
2. “Like” the Oh Happy Day on Facebook (if you already “like” it then you’re already entered.)
3. Post a link on Twitter to this contest page http://ohhappyday.com/2011/06/goes-to-paris and include the hashtag #ohhappydaygoestoparis
4. Repost a link to the contest page http://ohhappyday.com/2011/06/goes-to-paris on your own blog, then leave the link to that page in the comment section of the contest page (below).

The contest begins 5:00 AM PST 6/6/11 and ends 11:59 PM PST 6/20/11, when I will close comments. I’ll announce the winner that week.

A few important details. This trip has to be completed by the end of 2011, so make sure you are going to be able to get away in the next seven months. Also, the winner is responsible for any and all expenses beyond hotel, and airfare. Possible additional expenses could include: airline baggage fees, ground transportation in France, meals, tickets for museums etc. You have to be 18 to enter and sorry to my dear friends and family you are automatically disqualified! For Official Contest Rules go here.

*Totally optional (if you just want to see the sites sans tour guide that’s cool too!)

Now I want to tell you about the sponsor Mama Shelter! When I thought about hotels I wanted to collaborate with they were my first choice. I was so pleased when they agreed to sponsor this. Mama Shelter is a design-y boutique hotel in the 20th arrondissement of Paris (read their NYT review here). The hotel was designed by well known designer, Philippe Starck. Each room is done differently with art and cool installations. I absolutely love hotels like this! But the best part, besides being super cool they are really affordable and are even considered a “budget” hotel! I always recommend this place to my friends that are coming through Paris. It’s cool, it’s affordable, and an easy 17 minute bus ride to city center. Plus doesn’t their logo below make you love them? Yea for Mama Shelter!

I hope you are as excited about this as I am! I’ve only been living in Paris for four months but I’ve already fallen in love. Let me show you my favorite places like: the Paris Flea Market, the fresh food markets, Laduree for some macarons, Adorable ribbon stores, and help me on my quest to find the best hot chocolate in Paris. I’ve been saving up for this for a while, besides the hotel I’m personally footing the bill. It’s my way of saying thank you to all my readers. Now what are you waiting for?… Go Enter!

via ohhappyday.com

Oh what a dream it would be to WIN a trip to one of my favorite places on earth, PARIS!! I am sooooo craving a European adventure... Fingers crossed!!

architecture, social media & french fantasy

Architecture

This may have something to do with why I love Chicago so much. iPhone photos of two architectural icons (330 N Wabash & Trump Tower) while waiting along the river for a meeting. It was a stunningly beautiful day today and as luck would have it, I was called to a last minute meeting downtown. It's days like today that make me wish I worked down there - you could meet your friends for a long lunch and enjoy the Chicago skyline.

Social Media

Anyhoo, meeting was good, but the side conversation really has me thinking. I was meeting with two people who are probably 10-15 years older than me and our conversation swayed to social media. This seems to be a reoccurring theme to conversations these days. What is the purpose of social media? How does it fit into our personal and professional lives? How do you use it effectively for business? All interesting questions and I don't think anyone really knows the answers. Even Google missed the boat on social media! And given that, how are we small business people to know how to really use it? I find these conversations interesting, not only because they are relevant to business today, but how the conversations are different among the age groups. Anyone in their early 30's or under is up to their eyeballs in tweets, facebook and etc. They are fully emersed in the social game and, in my opinion, find it hard to associate with those who are not. I find that anyone over 40 just doesn't want to be bothered with it and still finds value in meeting face-to-face and having a real conversation over the telephone. Then there's the 35-40 year olds (my group, the Gen X'ers), we are stuck between those who get it and those who don't and it's a most interesting position to find myself in... I sort of feel like we will be the bridge that holds it all together... hmmm.

French Fantasy

Upon returning to work, I saw a tweet about Bradley Cooper promoting the Hangover II in French. As in he is FLUENT in French. I about melted into a puddle right there in my desk chair. I've been on the BC fence - not sure if he would be on my celebrity crush list or not - well let me tell you, this just put him at the top of that damn list. Bonjour monsieur Cooper!!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYwvFU6dcv4]

things on tuesday :: ack!

With the long weekend I keep thinking today is Monday, but it's not. It's Tuesday and that means it's time for 'things on Tuesday!"

loves

long weekends that are actually relaxing, but still have a mix of good fun
my new bike!
that our company website has been updated - it only took us three years to finalize the design and actually implement, but as of yesterday we are sporting a fabulous new look! Still have some copy to fill in, but this is a huge step for us!!
that I will be getting my favorite flatbread from the Indiana farmers market this weekend - and seeing the pittmans
spring cleaning - now what to do with all of the stuff I want to part with ... sell? donate? toss?
when Jay Leno wears a Burberry tie - I don't know why, but I do.

loathes

that my high school reunion is just around the corner and I have not even thought about what to wear till today
rain. rain. rain.
days when I feel like I get nothing done - that was today
that I have to purchase a new air handler unit for my condo and have no idea how to qualify what is a quality purchase
summer TV
that I am having to wear my glasses more and they always seem dirty

That's it for me. What are you lovin' and loathin' this week?

the weekend

Oh how I love three day weekends!! I had actually planned on doing some more outdoor things, but we had crap weather. Rain. Thunder. Lightening. Flooding. Two days of doom and gloom does not make for a fun start to the summer.

So what do you do when it's raining outside?

Sleep in.

See a movie! We saw Bridesmaids and laughed hysterically. Even the previews were fabulous.

Bake - s'mores bites - and oh are they good and sooo buttery. Positively sinful I say.

BBQ with friends - just as the rain decided to let up!

Photos for Selika's fashion blog - posted here. She loves some high heels!!

Then there's today - 94 degrees, sunny and soooo humid. Oh how I love Midwestern weather...

I was supposed to go to the zoo with friends, but needed to get my bike purchased (to get the sale price!). I bought that beautiful Electra Townie, in vanilla, put a rack on her and took her out for the maiden voyage. Did a three mile loop along the lakefront and quickly figured out that is not the best place to ride as there are too many obstacles. People just doddling along, skateboards, strollers and etc. just parked in the path. Saying "on your left" did me absolutely no good either. So I guess I'll be sticking to the roads from now on.

I need one more thing for the bike - some sort of bag - am thinking I'll go with the Po Campo Armitage Satchel - how freakin' cute is it? I love that it just straps to the bike rack and then looks like a regular bag you can just tote along with you. The only problem I have is that I want this one AND the one that goes on the front of the bike - the Streeterville Clutch ... ugh, so much awesome bike bling!

I love these long weekends, but somehow they are never long enough. I never get everything done that I want to... I'm hoping this week won't be a hot mess like last week. Fingers crossed! Hope you had a wonderful weekend too!

things on tuesday :: mobile

A crazy week and it's only Tuesday.

loves

• Funny questions from unexpected people.

• Getting new technology - I'm such a geek!

• How easy it is to transfer your life from one Mac to another. Oh I am so happy those PC days are behind me.

• Alternative medicine. It just works.

loathes

• Working too much

• Roller coaster weather. Up. Down. Up. Down. Can we pick a direction and move gradually toward it?

• That I'm craving a Europe adventure, but have to buy an air handler for the condo instead. *frown*

• Dieting.

OK. Time for bed kids. Night!

Poipu Beach - Traveler Photo Contest 2011 - National Geographic - National Geographic

via travel.nationalgeographic.com

I've decided to enter one of my photos into the National Geographic Traveler photo contest. It's super hard to choose one to enter, but I thought this one would be good because it's unusual. You don't expect a stormy Hawaiian beach and the sky was incredible.

So "like" it on Facebook an/or tweet it to help me out! Thanks!!

the sun'l come out

...I just know it will.

things on tuesday :: Oprah!

So I missed my "things on Tuesday" this week for a very good reason... Oprah! I was one of the lucky 12,000 to be inside the United Center for Oprah's Surprise Spectacular taping!! I have read that over 150,000 applied and that is insane!!! Selika and I thought maybe we could hit the Oprah Store on the way to the show - but they were closed since all the staff was at the show, duh! Anyhoo, it gave us a great opportunity to take some cheesy photos in front of the studio before heading over to the United Center.

Upon arriving at the United Center it was complete chaos! Lines at every gate and no one really knowing where they were supposed to be. We hopped in line and enjoyed the view - the people watching was outstanding! The outfits ranged from jeans and tees to feathered hats and sparkly stilettos! The Satorialist would have had a field day with his camera with this crowd! Oh and the ladies in line with us were a hoot! We had a ball, despite the cold and long wait to get into the show.

We made our way to our seats in the nosebleed section and found out goodie bag - LED finger lights (for part of the show), Oprah Magazine and a book (also for the show). That was the extent of the giveaways, but I consider the free ticket to the show the best giveaway! Considering people in line were trying to sell theirs for thousands.... idiots!

The show was amazing!!! Stars at every turn, serious tear jerker moments, testimonials to the great things Oprah has done for people around the world and lots of music!

Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes, Josh Grobin, Patti LaBelle, Madonna, Dakota Fanning, Beyonce (finger lights!), John Legend, Diane Sawyer, Rascal Flats (and yes, I even sang to a country song - only for Oprah!), Halle Barry, Queen Latifah, Michael Jordan (who brought down the house), Jamie Foxx (Selika about fell on the folks in front of us she was so excited to see him), Steive Wonder, Will & Jada Smith, Kristin Chenoweth, Jerry Seinfeld, Simon Cowell, Rosie, Dr. Phill, Dr. Oz, Nate, Gayle, Maria Shriver, Tyler Perry (who introduced a bunch of Oprah scholarship graduates from Morehouse college that totally brought Oprah to tears), Maya Angelou (who wrote a poem special for Oprah), Alicia Keys, Usher and Aretha Franklin.

Wow that was a lot to type out ... they just seemed to keep coming, the stars did. I have to say that Oprah Show staff really knows how to put on a concert! To think that they could pull off such an event (set up/sound check/rehearsal) in just a day and a half is nothing short of a miracle I would imagine! I think my favorite part was Jamie Foxx and Stevie Wonder. Oh how I would love to be serenaded by those two men....

I feel so lucky to have been a part of such a momentous occasion. It was my first Oprah Show and I am so thankful to have been able to get in just under the wire.

49 degrees

What a completely miserable day here in Chicago today. It's a whopping 49 degrees (40 degrees colder than just two days ago) and raining and foggy and blech!

But I had very good reason to venture out today ... we had to pick up our tickets...

Yep, it's 100% official we're going to the Oprah Show. I am so excited and so were all of these people standing in line ~ f r e e z i n g ~ for over an hour to pick up their tickets. They were chatting and cheering and you could actually feel the love. So, as you can see, we are in the nosebleed section. But you know what? I am just damn happy to finally cross off one of those 'bucket list' items!! I will take my opera glasses so I can see. : )

Then it was off to pick up some goodies and have lunch at the French Market. I like going, but find it frustrating that there are so many vendors who come and go. You can never really count on something being there - a few vendors seem to stand the test of time, but others are there one time and then you never see them again. It's a shame really. We had crepes and Belgian frites and real Coke (the kind made with Sugar not high fructose .. ) and picked up French macarons and chocolates.

And as we were waiting in line to pay for the chocolate, I took a photo of the display. Shortly after I was approached by the security guard who said I needed to ask permission to take photos.

Let's pause here for commentary - I do not understand the scrutiny on taking photos in public places. It is nothing more than free promotion for these businesses. The number of photographers who actually take photos in places like this with the intention to 'sell' the photos has got to be slim. And, if that were the case then I would most certainly expect them to ask permission prior.

So I believe I was stopped only because I was shooting with a 'professional looking' camera. I fully believe that if I had a little point and shoot or iPhone, this man would not have even bothered with me.

So back to the story ... I asked with whom I should ask permission and he showed me to the management office. I met the guy in the office and explained that I wanted to take some photos with my friends and why would that be a problem. He stated that the French Market is a copyrighted entity and that snapshots are OK as long as you ask the vendor, but if you're just shooting the Market, you'd have to ask. OK, so he said I was cool to take photos and we moved on.

We moved on to the hall that is between the Market and the CTA Metra station - this area is apparently owned by someone different and I was once again approached by the same security guard. "I'm going to have to tell you again about taking photos, because the CTA police might come by..." and so what if they do? Are they going to haul me off to jail? WTF? So we had a bit more of a debate and he ended up walking off - I finished taking the photos that I wanted.

Then he came back by a THIRD time and tossed out something to the effect of "Oh and by the way I understand why you would want to take photos of your friend, she's beautiful." Oh brother... So that's it. He just wanted to get close to be able to get a real peek at us. As we were picking up our last goods, I spotted him discussing the situation with the sanitation guy ... what a creep!

Oh and I did a little guest post over on Sel's blog about fashion. Check it out.

10 on 10 :: May 2011 :: Things on Tuesday

Today I decided to do a combo "Things on Tuesday" and "10 on 10 challenge" - it gave me a little bit of a purpose for shooting my boring work day. Click on the photo above to see everything larger - not a very exciting set, but wasn't a very exciting day. So here goes!

This week's loves

Breakfast and the Today Show - I am grumpy without them

Music is something that I am passionate about. It wakes me up, surrounds me in the shower and puts me to sleep at night! Weather it be my own mixes or Pandora - I am listening right now!

New bags! I seem to be on a forever search for just the right bag... most recent bags are the quilted *emera, an adorable chevron tote and leather Banana Republic convertible shoulder/cross body that I scooped up on ebay (thanks Kendra, hope you don't mind I copied).

The first day of open toe shoes!!! It was a beautiful 80 + degrees in Chicago today - yeah!!

Scoring tickets to Oprah's Surprise Spectacular - WOOT!! I am so excited and freaked out about what to wear. They say to wear color and my wardrobe is chalked full of black, white, beige and gray... ack! What to do??

This week's loathes

That I don't eat better - I have a salad but still have to have a croissant or something that's not so good for me... ugh!

That I cannot seem to get rid of carbonated beverages and stick with water. They just taste better.

My damn sweet tooth - I just have to have something sweet to keep me going through the afternoon.

Neck and shoulder pain that I cannot figure out what the trigger is and how to control it. Two acupuncture treatments and I'm about 80% - am seeing a Naprapathic doctor next week. Sheesh!

Work. Work. Work on a beautiful day. Ah well. Hope you got out and enjoyed your day!!