We love living in Chicago in a city that is deep in traditions, huge in spirit, and strong in community! Chicago does St. Patrick's Day in an epic way! We've actually been celebrating since last week with the Northwest Side Irish Parade! Irish flags fill the neighborhood and leprechauns keep coming home from school. Our twins, along with all the kids at St. Thecla, were decked out in green today. We hit Vaughan's Pub for fish and chips tonight and St. Patrick's Day celebrations were in full swing.

Tomorrow morning one of Chicago's best traditions kicks off at 9:00 a.m. with the dyeing of the Chicago river green. This awesome tradition started in 1962 and is entrusted to the Chicago Plumbers Union Local 130. Over the years the crowds have continued to flourish and the Chicago Riverwalk has developed into a spectacular space. Thus, this year the dyeing of the Chicago river green is growing as well and will add one block! Enthusiastic St. Patrick's Day fans will be able to watch the Chicago river turn green from Columbus to State Street.  

My husband, Tony and I watched the dyeing of the river green a few years ago and it was awesome! We loved watching the Chicago Plumbers Union zip around in their boats and turn the river green with their secret dye. Bagpipes played while huge crowds decked out in St. Patrick's Day finery cheered on the plumbers. It was such a gorgeous, iconic Chicago day.  

After the dyeing of the river green, Tony and I had an opportunity to meet up with our friends at COUNTRY Financial and had a fantastic time celebrating St. Patrick's Day together.

COUNTRY Financial helps support the iconic Chicago tradition of dyeing the Chicago river green. As a company that loves the color green, it is a natural fit for COUNTRY Financial to partner with the Chicago Plumbers Union. COUNTRY Financial is a company that helps make iconic traditions happen and realizes the importance of being a strong, leading community partner. The huge spirit of Chicago will be flowing throughout the city during the St. Patrick's Day festivities and I appreciate COUNTRY Financial giving back in such a unique way.

The strong values and humble nature of COUNTRY Financial are evident with this partnership as well. I had to search to find pictures for this blog post and found these fantastic pictures on the COUNTRY Financial Facebook page. COUNTRY Financial plants the seeds for good things to happen and then watches them grow into something fabulous. Since they are so humble, I wanted to share with you their good work and how they are helping the city and the thousands and thousands of revelers celebrate this St. Patrick's Day.

COUNTRY Financial is also an outstanding company to work for with an amazing culture driven by the CEO, Kurt Bock. Kurt and COUNTRY Financial celebrate their awesome teammates during St. Patrick's Day as well. What a fantastic way to celebrate and recognize your team!

If you are working on your financial security plans and insurance needs I hope you will consider reaching out to the awesome folks at COUNTRY Financial. I know they will share some simple steps to help you on your road.  

Tomorrow, I'll be tipping my hat in thanks to the Chicago Plumbers Union and COUNTRY Financial for another epic Chicago tradition  of dyeing the Chicago river green. If you are downtown for the dyeing of the river green look for the great folks at COUNTRY Financial and tell them I said hi! I hope you have a very happy and safe St. Patrick's Day!

(This is not an ad. I'm fortunate to be friends with many of the great folks at COUNTRY Financial and think they are awesome. I love that they support this iconic Chicago tradition and wanted you to know too!) 

As a busy mom of six-year-old twins, Sophia and Stella, I feel like I often look like a hot mess! My hair is thrown in a ponytail most of the time as I dash about taking care of our family, the house, and working part-time. To be honest, I don't give much time or attention to my hair unless I have some special event happening. I do know though that my hair could use some help.

A few weeks ago I dropped the girls at school and came home to clean up the kitchen. While washing the breakfast dishes I listened to the Today show. It was one of those beauty segments that show several must try products. Two "real women" came out to talk about the new L'Oreal Paris Elvive extraordinary oil shampoo and conditioner. The gals talked about how this new product has special oil that helps revive your hair. They went on to talk about how it improves damaged hair and makes your hair super soft. The gals said that after two weeks you would notice a big difference. I had to admit that their hair looked beautiful and I knew mine was damaged. They were great spokespeople and told viewers to go to Walmart to pick-up the L'Oreal Paris Elvive extraordinary oil shampoo and conditioner.

So get this - I did! I had to pick-up some new markers and crayons for the girls and thought, why not try the new product. Later that day I went to Walmart and grabbed the school supplies. I went to the shampoo aisle and found the L'Oreal Paris Elvive extraordinary oil shampoo and conditioner and decided to give it a try. Even if it helped a little, it would be an improvement for me. 

So get this - it works! The first day I tried the L'Oreal Paris Elvive extraordinary oil shampoo and conditioner I noticed how thick the shampoo is and works deeply into your hair. After a few days I could tell that my hair was softer. After a few weeks I definitely feel like my hair is softer, healthier and has a better shine!

I have never written a blog post with a product review and gold stars but L'Oreal Paris Elvive extraordinary oil shampoo and conditioner motivated me to do so! I give this shampoo and conditioner 5 stars! If you feel like your hair might be a hot mess like me, go to Walmart today and try it! You will be glad you did! 

My picture in this post is after using the L'Oreal Paris Elvive extraordinary oil shampoo and conditioner for a few weeks! As Sophia and Stella say, this is my fancy hair! We were going to a special wedding shower and I finally felt like my hair looked good! If you try this new product I think you will feel good too! 

(This is not a paid post for L'Oreal or Walmart. I just think this L'Oreal Paris Elvive extraordinary oil shampoo and conditioner product is great and you can find it at Walmart! You should also check out the inspiring work by @LOrealUSA  @LOrealParisUSA on #WomeninScience #Sustainability and #BeautyforYou on Twitter!) 


​