Lollapalooza 101

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Hey all!!  Lollapalooza is this weekend and if you're like me, and planning on rocking out in Grant Park for 3 days, you're gonna need some tips, tricks, and a survival guide.  Read below, and don't forget to share your favevtips and tricks with me!!

Getting Ready:

Make sure to look your best while protecting your assets.  I always use a tinted moisturizer with a bit of shimmer. (Full coverage foundation is TOO much for the heat.)  My fave is Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20.  It gives you a great festival glow, a bit of coverage, and good protection so you can party in the sun!

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Always wear some head gear.  What screams festival-goer more than some awesome cranium accessories?  PLUS, if it's windy, or the weather is inclement, it will keep your hair secure and out of your face.  Fedoras or wide brimmed hats are a NO-GO for the same reason, if it's windy you'll lose it... plus you'll annoy all the people standing behind you.  

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Shoes.  For the love of God, NO heels people.  And no open toed shoes or sandals, especially flip-flops.  We all know that Lolla can get muddy, and if you're wearing flip flops they will constantly get sucked off your feet.  And your feet will look like you've been on Survivor if you wear sandals of any type.  Wear comfy boots or comfy gym shoes.  PERIOD.  Converse or combat/cowboy boots are not only going to keep you feet happy, but you'll stay clean, protected, and look stylish too.  

Bags:  Do not bring any type of bag you have to carry.  Belt bags or Cross body bags are life savers for festivals.  You want your arms free for jumping, dancing, and carrying multiple beers for you and your friends.  Belt bags are not only functional, but these Gabby Fringe bags from 84 Rockwell SCREAM festival.  My favorite cross body bag right now is my new Coach Rhyder cross body in pebble leather.  

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84 Rockwell Gabby Fringe

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Coach Rhyder Cross body

DURING LOLLAPALOOZA:

Lolla Cashless- Did you know you can link your Lolla wristband to your debit card/credit card?  You can pay for all of your food, booze, and merchandise just with a tap of your band. Brilliant! To activate, click here.  

Phone chargers-  The only thing worse than having no cell service while at Lolla, is having a dead phone.  Keep that from happening with these handy little portable chargers that can fit in any pocket or purse.  Urban Outfitters 

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Got lost??: Download the app Glympse. Glympse is a fast, free, and simple way to share your location in real time with the people you trust. So this way you can find the friends you were with if you get lost, or find the friends you're supposed to meet up with easily.  

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GETTING HOME and POST LOLLA:

Surge Protector:  Uber is ALWAYS the way to go, but sometimes the surge pricing, especially after a huge festival or event, can be astronomical.  Surge Protector finds locations close to you with lower surge pricing, and helps call an Uber close to those spots.  Genius! 

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Walk!!!  Always my choice.... thankfully I live close.  But walking home from Grant Park is usually a great way to wind down after the craziness AND get in a bit of exercise after a day filled with food and a ton of drinks.  

Hydrate:  Drink a ton of water throughout the day as well as benefit from drinks like Ginger tea and coconut water to help combat hangovers and keep you ready to rock for the next day!!

Holiday Gifts...Eat Travel Rock Style.

"Tis a far far better thing doing stuff for other people," Said my favorite character from the silver screen, Cher from Clueless. I would have to agree...so this holiday season lets give gifts with which to eat, travel, and rock out.  

Yesterday, I gave a live on-air demo of these apps and goodies on VH1 Big Morning Buzz Live with Nick Lachey  (episode available here)....here's what I discussed!

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We can argue whether Chicago has the best pizza or whether deep dish should technically be considered pizza...one fact we can't argue is that Lou Malnati's is renowned for their world class deep dish. It has been my favorite for decades and I was soooo excited that I could share my pizza crush with the country. I demonstrated how Lou's will ship their pizza (flash frozen and packed in dry ice) anywhere in the country.(click here)  So whether you want a taste of Chicago while far from home, or you want to send an incredible gift to your favorite pizza lover...this will be your new favorite online shopping spot. 

And what goes better with pizza than some frosty beverages?!?!  Am I right??  It's cold out and we don't want to have to leave our homes to get our beloved booze.  Thirstie, the On-Demand Wine and Spirits Delivery, will bring it right to your door.  The app is so easy to use and delivery will take place in less than an hour.  Just download it right from the App Store and you'll be on your way to Happy-Town sooner than you can say Kim Crawford.  

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My favorite travel accessory is the 84 Rockwell hip pack.  84 Rockwell is a HOT new Chicago based designer and these bags mean business.  They are very high quality luxe leather and made right here in the good ole' U S of A.  The best part is that there is a separate pouch for your cell phone (fits an iPhone 6 too) which means I never have to fumble around in my purse for my phone while everyone I'm in a crowded elevator with is forced to listen to my Cat Stevens' "Hard Headed Woman" ring tone.  

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My two favorite brands on earth got together and created a rockstar spawn.  Burton Snowboards and The Frye Company collabo'ed on the Burton x Frye Boot.  It's a badass leather high-performance snowboard boot that has the rugged flare of Frye "Harness" cowboy boots.  It's everything I could ever dream of in a sporting/fashion accessory and I cannot wait to make a statement on the slopes this year. (As if flying over jumps and landing on my ass and sliding backwards down a mountain wasn't enough.) 

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Finally, if you're going snowboarding (or skiing... meh) you need a device which can coldly transport your thirst quenching products aka... we need to carry beer and keep it cold. Let's be honest, what's really the first thing you wanna do when you get to the top of the first lift?  Get buzzed.  Admit it.  The Burton Beeracuda bag helps you look super cool while keeping your beer super cold.  It's an insulated sleeve that holds 5 beers and one in the koozie.  No, it's not only for hitting the slopes, you can use it to bring your stash to a party... or pretend like you're going to yoga class ;) hee hee.