Wilton ReTreat in Chicago – Day 1

I was so excited to be invited to the Wilton Mom ReTreat in Chicago at the beginning of June.  I love baking and really wanted to learn how to decorate my cakes!  I had a great time in Chicago and loved getting to know the Wilton team, the Wilton Products, and my blogging friends!

I left my home in California at about 4:45 a.m. and headed to Santa Maria, where a small plane would be heading on to LAX at 6:00 a.m.  At LAX, I met up with Caryn (Rockin Mama) and we flew together on a huge plane for 4 hours to Chicago.  It was a blast sitting next to her and chatting about our family lives, To Do Lists, and Apple Products (yes, I want a MAC someday)!!  The guy next to us was telling us all about the iPad and how wonderful it is (if I had the money, I’d purchase it tomorrow), as well as information available in the Apple Stores located throughout the U.S.

Once we stepped off the plane in Chicago, I instantly “felt” the difference in the air and the humidity.  Caryn and I were headed to baggage claim when my cell phone rang and it was Emilie (Baby Loving Mama) letting us know where she was, since we were all riding in the Limo together to the Aloft Hotel.

Within a few minutes, a stretch Limo was at the curbside waiting to take us to our ReTreat!  The Limo ride was so fun!  There were stars in the roof that changed colors, cold sodas and water, glasses, and LOTS of leg room!  If you’re looking for a Limo for your city experience, be sure to check out Limo Find.  Before we knew it, we were at the hotel!

Here’s a clip of our experience in the limo!!!

Check-in took a few minutes and then we each headed to our own rooms, ready to shower off and get that “traveling” feel off of us.  There was a King Size bed in the room with a huge flat screen tv.  Wow!!  In my room, I had a few other fun surprises waiting for me from the Wilton team!  They left me a reusable coffee cup with lid, a journal to take notes in, a folder with the itinerary of the ReTreat, an edible Cookie Bouquet, and some fun decorating books, including Cupcake Fun, Brownie Fun, and Cookie Exchange.  The bouquet was gorgeous and really good too!  I actually ate all the leaves before I headed down to the Introduction in the lobby.  I felt a little guilty, until I found out that most of the other ladies did the same things – shewww! LOL

Here is a little clip of what I found in my room from the Wilton Team!!!

After we met up in the conference room, another Limo took us to Francesca’s in Bolingbrook for dinner.  They brought plate after plate after plate of yummy appetizers, pastas, and dessert.  It was so much fun hanging out with the bloggers and learning that one of the Wilton Staff Members (VP Marketing) was related to some of my parents’ friends – who they just happened to play Bridge with.  What a small world, huh?

Emilie, Me, Tanya, and Jennifer

Emilie and I talking about our sites and Wilton products!

Moms attending the Wilton Mom ReTreat!  Left to right – Emilie (Baby Loving Mama), Lori (A Cowboy’s Wife), Tanya (Mommy Goggles), Caryn (Rockin Mama), Christine (From Dates to Diapers), Me, and Jennifer (J Leigh Designz)

We were all pretty tired by the end of the day but were excited to dig into the new Wilton Cake Decorating Curriculum and “get our bake on” as Emilie mentioned earlier!  A huge thanks goes out to Wilton and their staff for putting on such a fantastic and well scheduled event!

This is a sponsored partnership. Wilton provided accomodations and products to bloggers
attending the Wilton Mom ReTreat.  All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.