Leaving on a Jet Plane

May 16, 2013 By

This blogging challenge has definitely got me thinking about blogging more, which was the reason I did it, but I don’t want to be tied down it for every post. So I’m being a rebel and skipping days I don’t feel like doing. For example, yesterday I was supposed to post about a day in my life, but if you follow me on Instagram you already pretty much know that, so I didn’t want to be redundant. Also, yesterday was my first day at work!!!! I was busy busy.

I accepted a social media consulting position with MtoM Consulting. I’m so pumped to be working with a great group of women/moms! I’m only taking on a few hours a week, but as the business grows I hope to take on a lot more responsibility. Check them out and if you have a local business and need help marketing or know of someone who does, let me know!

So tomorrow I’m headed to Nashville for my sister’s bachelorette weekend. I.AM.SO.EXCITED. because Nashville is pretty much my favoritest city. However, I’m hella nervous about leaving Burke since he’s really attached to me and my boobies. I feel for Ben… he is probably in for a grumpy mister this weekend. I am SO grateful for Skype so I can keep in touch with my little family. Tonight, when I was tucking Molly into bed and we were talking about my trip she turned to me and said, “I miss you Mommy.” Break my heart. I’m going to miss that little sweetie.

I’m taking the next few days off from the blog, but I’ll be back with some exciting stuff next week. Here are two hints (images are clickable):

Caswell Massey Lime Soaps

 

live it coaching

 

 

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10 Things That Make Me Happy

May 14, 2013 By

1. Driving with the windows down and country music blaring on the radio. It’s rare that I get to do that these days… but when I get the chance I go all out. Don’t mind me if I pull up next to you at a stoplight!

2. Having Ben home. He’s unemployed and that sucks, but he is just the best. He helps me with the kids, with cleaning and even with cooking, all on top of his job hunting. And who doesn’t like being able to kiss their husband whenever they want?

3. Farmer’s Markets. Obsessed. Nothing better than buying fresh, local, organic food and knowing exactly where it came from.

4. Vacation. I haven’t been on a real vacation since we went to Mexico last June. Come Friday I will be sipping on a Bloody Mary high in the sky headed to Nashville for my sister’s bachelorette weekend. Holy hell I am excited. I am not excited to be pumping the entire time, but I’ll get over it.

5. Breastfeeding. I love that my boobies make my little baby so happy. So what if he loves me more than everyone else because I feed him? I’ll take it!

6. Coffee. OMG Coffeecoffeecoffeecoffee

7. Childcare at the gym. Go have fun while I sweat my buns off… ALL BY MYSELF! (or with Ben)

8. My kids. I don’t know how I got so lucky, but they are so much fun and totally laid back. They make me SO happy!!

9. Charlottesville. I want to move there SOOOO bad. Fingers crossed that this will happen very soon.

10. SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE IS BACK ON AND I HAVE TO GO WATCH IT BYE.

 

laughing Is this happiness or what? (sister, mama, me)

 




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Monday Already?

May 13, 2013 By

Who am I kidding? My days all run together. So where were we in the blogging challenge?

Day 10 – Most embarrassing moment. I already told you that one. Knees. Banister. Firemen. Let’s not rehash.

Day 11 – Sell yourself in 10 words or less. Former AOLer turned work-at-home Mommy Blogger/Entrepreneur/Social Media Consultant with a little baking thrown in on the side. Domestic goddess? No. Organized chaos? Um, yes! (okay that’s more than 10 and it’s from my Twitter page. shhh.)

Day 12 – What do you miss? COLLEGE. I miss college with all the fierceness that you can miss something. The nostalgia hits me like a truck when I start to think about those four glorious years in the Florida sunshine. My 10 year reunion (what the hell?!? 10 years already?) is next March and you better believe I’ll be there with bells on and drinks in hand!

Day 13 – Issue a public apology. Sorry I’m not sorry for nuthin’.

Image 5-13-13 at 9.50 PM

 




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Blogging Challenge

May 9, 2013 By

Just when I thought writer’s block was going to beat me, my friend (IRL and blogging,) Ms. Mess, posted about doing a blogging challenge. The challenge is to blog every day in May and there is a prompt to help you. PERFECT! So, I’ve missed the first few days… no worries, I’ll make them up in June.

Day 9: A moment in your day

reading

 

I love having him home during the day and I know a certain little girl is going to be very sad when her daddy has to go back to work. I caught him reading books to the kids this morning when I came down from getting dressed. They were reading the library books Ben and Molly had picked out yesterday (they had a daddy/daughter date). Makes my heart so so happy. Couldn’t have picked a better man to be my baby daddy. ;)




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Some Thoughts on the Blogging World

April 9, 2013 By

I like blogging, I really do. Recently, as you could probably tell, I was in a huge blogging rut. I just wasn’t feeling it. Don’t get me wrong, I had plenty to say (I always do!), I just wasn’t motivated to sit and write it all down. However, that is okay. This is my space and I don’t want anything to ever feel forced. I created this blog for fun and I want it to always be fun for everyone!

When I first started blogging I thought it was going to be so great and I would gradually make all these bloggy friends that everyone talks about. “It just takes time,” they say. Look at all these cool women that are friends on FB, Instagram, Twitter and sometimes even IRL! (That means “in real life” and it took me forever to figure that out) I always think that my time will come to make friends like that. But wait, haven’t I been blogging for like two years now? I do have a couple of awesome women that I consider bloggy friends and I love that I have them, but where is my bloggy BFF? Do people have bloggy BFFs?

I think I have been too focused on this little little matter and it has been affecting my motivation. So, I’m back to blogging and not worrying about what’s out there in the blogging world. I will admit that I don’t engage in other blogs (commenting, etc) because I read them through Google Reader. Maybe I will start reaching out… because I really can’t blame my lack of blog friendships on anyone but myself.

Does anyone else feel this way?

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What’s New

March 18, 2013 By

Hey guys. What’s new with you? I can’t hear you! Oh, that’s how a blog works? Ya don’t say. Okay, so I’ll tell you what’s new with me.

  • Burke has his first tooth!
  • Molly is learning like a gazillion words a day. I have to really watch my swearing. mother fucker.
  • I just finished The Lean Startup Machine and it was hard, but so rewarding and I learned sooo much.
  • I’m learning how to make this cake on Wednesday!

    ombre ruffle cake

  • We went to Charlotte to visit my in-laws and I probably gained 5lbs from eating and not exercising… need to get back on the wagon.
  • I’m breaking out. Why? Hormones maybe? ugh.
  • I’ve been a lot more active on Twitter and Facebook. Aren’t you so proud?
  • Have you read the Secret? I’ve been trying to incorporate it in my life. I’ll update you in a few months if it’s working. :)
  • Okay, I have so many shows to catch up on so peace out!
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Things

March 4, 2013 By

Oh hey there. Remember me? I posted the other day on Facebook that I was taking a bit of a break from blogging. It’s not that I have nothing to say, it’s just that putting everything on the blog sometimes overwhelms me. You know all those jobs I had that kept me so busy? Well, now I don’t have them. (Although, I’m still doing cakes if you want one!) And you know that job my husband had? Well, he doesn’t have that job either. Womp womp. Pure Matters closed it’s doors last week. I actually lost my contract in January, so maybe we should have seen the writing on the wall… but nothing can really prepare you for an entire company layoff. So, I’ve been kind of in a funk about the fact that we are both unemployed. But we’ve been here before and we’ll get through it. Luckily we’ve been good at saving, so we have a cushion.

Anyway, there it is. I put it out there. Now maybe my blogging ju ju will come back and I can visit with you more often.

ps – Ben is looking for an eCommerce gig and we are open to moving out of the area, so send any leads my way!

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Survey Results

January 31, 2013 By

So, remember when I asked you to help me out and take a survey? Well the results are in and they are fantastic! Okay, before I get to the results, I need to fill you in on what they are for. I am (and have been) embarking on a new journey! My co-founder, Jim, and I are launching a brand new website that will soon become a favorite of yours, HomeLife123. Be sure to like us on Facebook!

homelife123

We felt that there was a need for moms to connect with one another on a platform that was different than Facebook or Babycenter or Twitter or [insert name of website here]. I find myself using Facebook constantly to ask other moms questions and advice, but then it’s up to me to take that advice or seek out an expert. What if you could log on to a site, ask your question and then connect with a local expert or business that could help you out? Wouldn’t that be great?

For example:

You have a question about breastfeeding. You log on to HomeLife123 and ask your question. Other moms chime in to answer your question, but so does a local lactation consultant. She offers her expert opinion and because you liked her so much you may want to visit her in person. Now you have the option to do so. Or you can just take her (and all the other moms’) advice. Either way, you’re happy!

Doesn’t that sound awesome? I may be biased, but I sure think so. And based on our survey results, I think a lot of you would like it too!

We surveyed 100 moms and got some great info that I think really shows a need for such a site. Here are a few of our findings:

68% of moms surveyed place special trust and value in information/advice from other moms

Well, why? Here are a few answers we received:

  • Experience and it saves me time from having to experiment and try new things out myself. Time is very valuable to me!
  • Because they know what other moms want/need. Their insights, opinions, and referrals are in important to me.
  • As a new mom it sometimes just makes me feel better knowing that I’m not alone
  • It’s nice to get advice from someone who has “gone through it all” and might have some interesting/helpful perspective to share. And its nice to know when I am having problems, I am not the only one having them!

Moms like connecting with other moms. It’s the Mommy Club y’all. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. The great thing about so many moms connecting is that when you ask a question, you’re going to get a lot of different answers and hopefully there’s an answer that can really help you out!

Q5

89% use social networking sites to find/share info

Wowzer! 89%?! That’s awesome!

 

Q7 83% use the internet for Parenting topics, 78% for Health & Wellness, 62% for Healthy Eating

These are the topics we will be launching with, along with Home — ie: home repair, home design, diy, etc

 

Q9
53% would maybe trust/value helpful information specifically from local businesses/experts

This is great! We will put you in touch with local businesses and experts to help answer your questions.

Q10
60% would maybe trust a local business/expert after communicating online

Here’s what moms said:

  • If they make a good first impression and we build a rapport online I’m more likely to choose that business or expert over another.
  • If I had a specific question it might be nice to be able to contact someone and get advice/answers.
  • If I had a positive interaction with a business person online, I would be more likely to do business with them offline than a complete stranger. However, I don’t know if I would “trust” them more.
  • Local business/expert will probably be much more interested in their reputation; so it would make sense to me from a business standpoint for them to be honest.
  • One-on-one communication helps develop a relationship and the consumer get a feel for that particular business/expert and how it applies to the individual.

Are you still reading? If so, thanks! Stay tuned for more updates and definitely come join us on Facebook for the latest and greatest on all things HomeLife123!

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A Day in My Life

January 14, 2013 By

People often ask me about my days and how I juggle it all. Well, to be honest, my days vary a lot depending on many factors such as: how much work I have, if Ben has to work late, if the kids are sick or if I’m too tired to do certain things. I can’t do it all. No one can. Yes, I have cleaning ladies and yes, my dishwasher needs to be unloaded and there are dishes piled in the sink. Plus, Mondays are laundry days and I didn’t get a single load done. But here’s a little peek into my day.

6:15am – Wake up and nurse Burke (this is early for me, but I knew I had a lot to get done and I couldn’t go back to sleep), get coffee, start working on my social media analytics report that is due every Monday.

7am – Molly wakes up, Ben gets her milk and breakfast while I continue to work on my report.

7:15am – 8:15am – Ben leaves somewhere in there, I get Molly her second round of breakfast (she’s always hungry in the morning), keep working on my report (almost done!), change a couple diapers, Molly plays with her Little People while Burke is napping, I also grab a slice of toast with peanut butter since I know I will be eating breakfast a bit later.

At 8:15am I decide that I will just have to finish my report later and I start getting everyone ready. Myself dressed, Molly dressed, Burke dressed. Make Molly’s lunch, pack up the diaper bag, post a FB post for Pure Matters and get everyone loaded in the car.

9:15am – Head to my wonderful, amazing, great friend who watches the kids when I need her to. Drop off kids.

9:30-10:30am – Meeting with my business partner at Panera where I finally eat breakfast. We discuss our site build and next steps to launch.

10:30am – Back to pick up the kids… nurse Burke, play some games, read some books at my friend’s.

11am – Gym time.

12pm – Home.  Molly watches an episode of Mickey Mouse and has a snack (she had lunch at my friend’s house).

1pm – Molly down for a nap. Nurse Burke and put him down for a nap.

1:30-3:30pm – Work (finish and send report, start working on my new business venture) and eat lunch. Burke won’t sleep in his bed so he naps on me the entire time I’m working.

3:30-6:30pm – Molly and Burke both wake up. Nurse Burke, have a dance party, have a snack, play with play-doh, do a puzzle, she watches another episode of Mickey Mouse on the iPad while I have a call w/ my business partner about QA stuff, make Molly dinner, she plays with her “tools”.

6:30-7pm – Get ready for bed! Brush teeth, read stories, talk about our day and snuggle. Molly is down.

7pm – Pick up toys, nurse Burke, Ben gets home, make dinner (salmon seasoned with EVOO, salt, pepper, garlic powder, dill and baked. Leftover baked sweet potato)

8:30pm – Burke goes down, I shower.

9-9:30pm – Here I am blogging! Now I’m going to enjoy my banana dessert (new obsession I need to share) and spend time with my husband! Hopefully I’ll be in bed sometime before 11pm.

WHEW!

So, as you can see, today I got NOTHING done around the house. I have to pick my battles… there’s always tomorrow! Goodnight folks!

 

 

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Bedtime Battles

January 8, 2013 By

So, I have sat down at my computer to write this post FOUR times now and 2 mins in Burke starts wailing his head off. So each time I trudge up the stairs to put him back down. I’m not quite ready for sleep training yet even though we trained Molly at this age. He’s typically easy to get to sleep… I think it’s gas. Poor guy.

The post I really wanted to write will just have to wait. At least I have the WordPress app on my phone! Multitasking is my middle name.

Oh look. Pictures!

20130108-212407.jpg Yummy snack!

20130108-212511.jpg I could just eat him up!

20130108-212546.jpg Snow bunny!

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