Testimonials

Satchmo at the Waldorf. At the Court Theatre

I had an absolutely wonderful time.  I had forgotten to get the details about what I was going to see but having traveled with Robin before, I knew I would not be disappointed.  I was not ! The one man show was mesmerizing.   Barry Shabaka Henley traveled through Louis Armstrong's life introducing us to a variety of characters.  Each was distinct and totally believeable.  All I can say is WOW.  I got a better understanding of some of the challenges that Louis Armstrong faced in his day and how he shaped modern music. It held my attention for the full 90 minutes.  After the show we had dinner at la petite folie.  The meal was delightful.  I highly recommend going on any excursion planned by Robin.

~ Missy La Broi-Hicks (2/7/16)

Tour of Portraits of Motherhood Art Exhibit

It was a pleasure to give Robin and her TIDFM™ client a tour of my newest exhibit Portraits of Motherhood--sharing techniques and personal anecdotes.  Robin Tillotson has been a real resource and a consistent, constant source of encouragement. From my first exhibits until now, Robin has proved to be an enlightened, staunch supporter of my artistry and that of other artists. Her many travels give her a perspective of life not easily seen. Thank you Robin for taking us with you on your journey.

~ Antonia Ruppert (4/18/16)

Tour of Portraits of Motherhood Art Exhibit

It was a pleasure to give Robin and her TIDFM™ client a tour of my newest exhibit Portraits of Motherhood--sharing techniques and personal anecdotes.  Robin Tillotson has been a real resource and a consistent, constant source of encouragement. From my first exhibits until now, Robin has proved to be an enlightened, staunch supporter of my artistry and that of other artists. Her many travels give her a perspective of life not easily seen. Thank you Robin for taking us with you on your journey.

~ Antonia Ruppert (4/18/16)

I FLY CHICAGO

OK people, just take a moment and reflect on what your normal weekend looks like. Now imagine stepping out of that box and into the most fantastic fun adults could have with friends and some people they've just met. I FLY Chicago, provided us with an adventure we can look back on and smile. I am so glad Robin Tillotson thought enough to combine her many groups of friends for this unexpected fun event. We not only had a great time, laughed and cheered each other on. We were introduced and found a connection with others we may have never known. This event has opened doors to explore! I can't wait for our next adventure.

~ Ms. Sabrina (5/23/16)

iFLY Outing with TIDFM™

I went to IFLY and had a wonderful time. It was the best fun I have had in many years. Hanging out with Robin and the other ladies was a blast! I have gone other places with Robin and had a good time. She is truly great person and a nice friend.

iFLY Indoor Skydiving

Thank you Robin for organizing an exhilarating and fun afternoon at IFly Lincoln Park. I enjoyed meeting the group of brave and courageous ladies and trying a new adventure. We all went from nervous expressions to feeling accomplished and powerful! We did it! One of the best lessons that I learned that day came from the instructions we were all given prior to flight: Pay attention, relax, and lean into the wind. It was, and is, a beautiful metaphor for life. I admire the mission of This I Do For Me™ and am looking  forward to future activities!

~ Melody Waller (5/25/16)

Inspired to participate in future events ...

From her first trip to Australia, to dining in Spain, to learning Gaelic in Ireland, to helicoptering high above her home town of Chicago, Robin and TIDFM™ prove that travel opportunities are accessible and that women, in particular, should take the opportunity to embrace exploration.


I've witnessed what began as Robin's solo travels expand to TIDFM™, which shares the experience of travel with others. The rave reviews are impressive enough but the smiles of Robin and those who travel with TIDFM™ are truly inspiring.


I look forward to the opportunity to join Robin and her adventureres in the very near future.

~ Bridgette Roberts (9/18/16)

I have not been able to attend an event but I have enjoyed reading about each one.  Robin has succeeded in bringing women together in a empowering and supportive manner. She is an amazingly positive person who makes everyone around her better at what they do. We worked together many years ago and what she taught me then is with me still.

~ Darlene Pokorny (11/4/16)

Sur la Table Mediterranean Cooking Class

I attended the cooking class at Sur la Table and had a fabulous time! So many great cooking secrets and tips!  

A three course meal prepared in a group setting is a wonderful outing. They also have a Top Notch store next door that has everything culinary!

~ Sheri Brazley (2/7/17)

Cooking class at  Sur La Table

What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon doing something I wanted to do for years and Robin made it happen.  Our group of six ladies joined seven other  students for a cooking class at Sur La Table on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago. The class was a hands on experience led by a great chef.  We learned  new cooking techniques and proper ways of using utensils, had fun and laughter working  together preparing a delicious Mediterranean meal and enjoyed eating the meal at the end of the session.  We ended  the afternoon browsing and shopping  in cooking store. A great start  to the year learning new and interesting things.  Looking forward  to joining  Robin and other enthusiastic people for future activities.  Until the next event...  Robin, keep those ideas coming!!!!!!!!

~ Bettie Lyles (2/7/17)

The Bodyguard the Musical

I was really excited to see this play because of my love for Whitney Houston and her music.  I was not disappointed. The singing was phenomenal and the acting was good.  l took my best friend for her birthday, she said she had an awesome time. I want to thank Robin for inviting me, everyone was so nice and welcoming.  I can't wait till the next event!

~ Linda Darling (2/6/17)

The Bodyguard Musical - Oriental Theatre

It was an absolute joy to see one of my favorite movies, as a musical. From the initial, BOOM! of the opening curtain to the spectacular finale, I was entertained. The role of Whitney Houston was played by Jasmin Richardson who clearly knows her craft and Whitney Houston's style. During several songs that Jasmin sang, I closed my eyes and was taken back to the movie scenes from 1992.

Thank you Robin for always seeking great excursions. The Bodyguard Musical was truly a "This I Do For Me™" opportunity!

~ Marilyn D. Willis (2/7/17)

The Good Food Conference March 18, 2017

I thoroughly enjoyed this conference. There were over 100 vendors that allowed you to sample their food, fruit ,tea and juices.  Everything was organic and quite tasty.  I learned so much about healthy eating.  One of my favorites was the chicken sausage which can be purchased at Mariano's at 39th Cottage. There was also a wonderful seminar on how to fry buttermilk fried chicken. I received seeds to plant flowers and vegetables.  This conference was a must see and had it not been for Robin I would have missed it.  I will definitely be back next year.  I have already tried some of the recipes.

~ Regina Hawkins (3/29/17)

First International Solo Trip

Robin was SOOO helpful in guiding me during my first international trip! She helped me from finding a flight, searching for the best accommodations, and even creating an itinerary! My first trip was a success because of her guidance, thank you Robin! I'm definitely looking forward to more trips with Robin!

~ Jessica Brown (05/01/17)

Wine & Food Event May 18, 2017

I had the pleasure of squeezing into the Private Wine Tasting Robin created with the ebullient Brian Duncan. Duncan’s philosophy and approach to the world of wine is seamless---wine is for everyone! Duncan’s wine pairing with a selection of seafood appetizers from Chicago’s EddieV’s showcased the wines and culinary skill of the restaurant.


I’ve attended several wine events in the past and this tasting was educational and extremely enjoyable. A very relaxed atmosphere encouraging everyone to participate without the reluctance of “I don’t know enough to contribute,” that can be an undercurrent at wine events. I am looking forward to future tastings and TIDFM™ events and activities.

~ Charla Draper (06/12/17)

1st Annual Book Club

I had the opportunity to attend the This I Do For Me™ book swap event held at Eddie V's in Chicago. I was blessed to meet some awesome women, treated with great northern hospitality, and the food was great! We exchanged books that we had previously read and I had the honor of receiving, The Devil in the White City, based on Chicago circa 1893. This book has turned out so good, with lots of suspense. I had such a great time, I plan to visit Chicago again. Robin is awesome! I'm honored to have met her.

~ Aneaise Dorsey (8/24/17)

Musa's Warrior Doll Class

On 10-14-17 I joined Robin and several other lovely ladies at Robust Coffee Lounge for Musa's Warrior Doll Class.  It was a rainy day, but Musa's welcoming personality put you promptly at ease.  We made a warrior doll out of a dish soap bottle, and it was so much fun. All of the materials were there for you. You just had to follow Musa's playful instructions and have fun with it.  It made a rainy day like playing inside with friends.  Thank you Musa for the fun; and thank you Robin for letting me know about it!

~ Neva Rodez (11/7/17)

SYDNEY AUSTRALIA

I had the opportunity to experience "The land down under" with a group of wonderful women. We came together to celebrate the beginning of a phase in our lives that Robin as deemed the... "This I Do For Me™" phase. In order for me to embrace the "ME" concept I had to make some quick decisions to ensure my spot on the trip. I made decisions that called for me to think of "ME" first. I had to forgo Thanksgiving with family (I'm the primary cook),forgo celebrating my 60th birthday with family, and take my first international flight!! After pondering a few seconds (LOL)I embraced the concept of the group and I decided to do it for "ME"!! I had the experience of a lifetime on a trip that was so well planned and orchestrated that I am still in awe of the experiences I had. All my thanks to God for the courage to say yes, to Robin and Allison for their tireless work and commitment, and to my spirited and supportive travel mates. I look forward to the future in anticipation of all of the "ME" experiences I will have as a member of the "THIS I DO FOR ME" group.

~ Kimberly Washington (12/3/17)

Musa's Warrior Doll Class

On 10-14-17 I joined Robin and several other lovely ladies at Robust Coffee Lounge for Musa's Warrior Doll Class.  It was a rainy day, but Musa's welcoming personality put you promptly at ease.  We made a warrior doll out of a dish soap bottle, and it was so much fun. All of the materials were there for you. You just had to follow Musa's playful instructions and have fun with it.  It made a rainy day like playing inside with friends.  Thank you Musa for the fun; and thank you Robin for letting me know about it!

~ Neva Rodez (11/7/17)

Sydney Australia

Just returned from a fabulous trip to Sydney Australia with Robin and 7 other great companions. This trip was everything I hoped for and MORE!!. Our friend in Sydney, Allison, and Robin took care of so many details and planned so many excursions and meals that this trip was truly a vacation.  Great choices for meals and suggestions and assistance in tour plans made this trip worry-free and very enjoyable.  Allison's intimate knowledge of Sydney and Robin's knowledge of the groups dynamics helped us all have a great, stress-free trip.

~ Kathy Vanna (12/3/17)

Sydney, Australia 2017

When I was asked to relate my experience traveling to Sydney, Australia, I quickly realized I would have to exercise great restraint and set strict limits, because I could truly write a book!  So, here are my top three highlights:

#1 My Travel Companions
In total, we were a group of ten ladies from various backgrounds and life experiences, who first met online through our private website. Everyone brought something special to the group. Thinking about my time with these wonderful women gives me a warm glow. I now consider them all “forever friends”, and I would certainly welcome the opportunity to travel with them again.

#2 Sydney, The City
Sydney is a beautiful, cosmopolitan city. Think Manhattan; skyscrapers everywhere, a shoppers paradise, with any high end store you can desire, and many that are exclusive to Australia. Sydney has a very sophisticated public transportation system; buses, trains, ferries, and of course, you can always hail a taxi or call Uber. We were there in the spring, so the weather was perfect for walking and window shopping. I must admit that some of us went a little Ugg crazy, but who could resist the fantastic prices and unique varieties!!  Our home away from home was the charming Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney, located in the heart of the city. The accommodations were plush and lovely, and the beds are truly heavenly!!

#3 Our Excursions
We had a very full itinerary! Botanical Gardens, Royal National Parks, Planetariums, Aquariums, Blue Mountains, beaches, zoos and museums!! Did I mention High Tea, and the Sydney Opera House? OH, MY!! And the restaurants! French, German, Thai, Malaysian, Indian, Greek, Italian, Seafood and Pub Grub, all with authentic ambience and cocktails! There was never a dull moment, and we all fell into bed each night, full and satisfied!

I really tried to limit my list to three, but I cannot end without mentioning the dynamic duel who worked so hard to make our ten days in Sydney so memorable!  Robin Tillotson and Allison Smith poured their hearts and souls into insuring that this was a trip of a lifetime for our group. They thought of everything from personalized welcome gifts, to providing a private photographer who accompanied us and captured our adventure in pictures! Working with a group can be tricky and challenging, but they were always patient and kind, ready and willing to accommodate all personal needs and requests. When asked if I would do another group trip, my answer is YES! Especially with such capable people at the helm!

~ Kim Rober-Gillis (12/6/17)

Bangle Making Class

Talk about a fun afternoon! This I Do For Me™ did it again! Our intimate group of crafters ( of which several of us didn't know we were) met and were expertly led by Neva in making beautiful silk tie bangles! We Oooo'd and Ahhh'd over each finished product! Not only was Neva an excellent instructor with each step expertly demonstrated, but our individual creativity was further inspired by the line dancers and their music in another part of the building! I'm ready to make another one!

~ Constance Winfrey (4/8/18)

Pretty Girl Cuff Class

This was such an awesome class.  Instructor was patient and very helpful...I created such a beautiful cuff...did not realize how creative I could be....great environment and a fun group...

~ Annette Long (4/7/18)