Monday Meet And Greet- Someday I'll Learn

Your Name: Chelsea Day

Where do you blog? Tell us a little about you: I'm a marketing consultant and new mom living in San Diego with my husband. I run the family blog Someday I'll Learn, which is all about tackling domestic life…one day at a time!

How did you decide what to name your blog?: When we settled down just out of college, I was pretty clueless about domestic issues and frequently found myself declaring, "Someday I'll learn!" Now, I'm having fun learning new things daily.
What are your favorite things?

■Crème brûlée
■My son's laugh
■Red-eye coffee
■Mod podge
■The color yellow


What are you least favorite things?

■Porcelain dolls
■Freeway overpasses (I always feel like I'll just go careening off!)
■Blood
■Poor grammar
■Dishes


When and why did you start blogging?: I moved to San Diego in 2009 and didn't know anyone. I spent a lot of time browsing other blogs and felt the urge to create one for our own family. It's been an incredible experience and I've actually made friends with quite a few bloggers in real life as a result.

What do you blog about?: Someday I'll Learn offers personal insights and shortcuts for cooking, cleaning, parenting, organization and more. I aim to simplify life for other busy parents with helpful tips and a healthy dose of reality.

What does your family think of your blog? Do they read it?: My family has been incredibly supportive, and most of them read the blog every day. My husband, Nate, is a contributor. Everyone loves his sense of humor!

When do you find the time to blog?: Good question. Uhhh...I don't sleep a whole lot.

What is your favorite blog post ever?: I Have PTSD (http://www.somedayilllearn.com/2011/10/i-have-ptsd/) is the most personal post I've written. It was difficult, but I'm proud of myself for putting it out there and being a voice of encouragement for other people to share their own stories.

What has been your biggest blogging challenge?: Staying authentic and true to my own voice while working with brands to monetize the blog. Someday I'll Learn has transformed from a little family blog into an at-home job, but it's still a space for my own personal reflections. Balancing those interests and keeping my priorities straight takes conscious effort.

What advice would you give a new blogger?: Make friends! I've found so many supportive people in the blogosphere. It can be isolating initially to sit at home and put your ideas out there without a ton of feedback. Join blogging groups and converse with other people.

What widget or feature could you not live without?: LinkWithin (http://www.linkwithin.com/). I love being reminded of past, related posts that I had completely forgotten about!

What are your favorite blogs to read?:

The Mama Mary Show (http://www.mamamaryshow.com/)

Heather Drive (http://www.heatherdriveblog.com/)

Mommy Loves Coffee (http://www.mommylovescoffee.com/)

Ooph (http://www.ooph.com/)


Where can we find you?:

Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/somedayilllearn)

Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/somedayilllearn)

Google+ (https://plus.google.com/b/100350215362162187356/)

Feed/Email (http://feeds.feedburner.com/SomedayIllLearn

Monday Meet And Greet- Real Mom Reviews

Name- Skye, but better knows as "Mom"



Where do you blog? http://RealMomReviews.net

A bit about Real Mom Reviews.... As the mother of 6, five under the age of 7, and a 15 year old- I have done my fair share of shopping for baby products. I am a twenty three year old middle class mom from Pennsylvania and I don’t like to part with money unless I know it is on a product I am going to love.

For the longest time I relied on consumer reports and the ratings on websites to influence my decision on what product I was going to buy. But then I took a step back and realized that most people only write a review on a site like that if they do not like the product. Being extremely picky about what I purchased my kids this just was not the type of review I could trust anymore. So I decided to start writing my own.

Five of my favorite things-

Red

Cuddling

Blogging Friends

Singing loud in the car

My iPad


When do you find the time to blog? Some days- I dont sleep! :) I love blogging, I love trying out new things, and I love the look on my kiddos face when a package arrives at the door- however my neighbors think I have a shopping addiction

When did you start blogging? Real Mom Reviews was established November 14th 2010

My favorite blog post ever is "Bottles Are For Baby Dolls" http://www.realmomreviews.net/2011/05/bottles-are-for-baby-dolls/

What brand or product would you really like to work with/review? A mattress!!! I would kill for a new mattress!!

What has been your biggest blogging challenge, how did you overcome it? Getting my husband to realize it was a full time job. It took almost a year for him to realize that my blog is my job! :)

What advice would you give a new blogger? Make blogging friends and join free events

You can find me on Facebook (http://facebook.com/RealMomReviews)


Twitter (http://twitter.com/RealMomReview)


You can subscribe to my emails (http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=RealMomReview) to get my posts delivered to you daily!

Monday Meet And Greet- Books R Us

Your Name : Eileen


Where do you blog?  Books R Us- http://www.booksrusonline.com


How did you decide on what to name your blog?

I did not know what to name the blog for a while after starting it. It was originally called Ginger High (after My daughter's book) but I started to do book reviews and I felt that the name was not appropriate for the blog at that time. I saw an ad for Toys R Us on TV one day and the name just came to me and Books R Us was born.


Tell us 5 of your favorite things, and 5 of your least favorite things.


Favorite Things:

1. My Family

2. Ice Cream

3. Vacations

4. Winning contests

5. Pizza (Especially White Pizza)



Least Favorite Things:


1. Ironing ( What a tedious job)

2. House Cleaning

3. Paying the Bills

4. Vegetables unless they have a lot of butter on them.

5. Black Eyed Peas Rock group.


When and why did you start blogging?


My daughter Melissa, self published a YA novel called "Ginger High" in 2009 and that was when we started the blog. Although the book did not become a best seller, we both enjoy blogging and meeting new people.


What do you blog about?

I post on a variety of topics including books, software, food and everyday living. My blog is about life and all the crazy things that can happen each day.


What does your family think of your blog? Do they read it?

My Husband and my son have no interest in the blog but they like all of the goodies that show up on our doorstep.


When do you find the time to blog?

I usually blog after I get home from work at midnight ( I work 12 hr shifts as a RN) Everyone is asleep and the only one that will bother me is the cat.


What is your favorite blog post ever?

I was surfing the web last year and I found something hilarious so I decided to share it with you.

http://www.booksrusonline.com/2010/05/great-theft-retrieval-system-for-your.html

On a more serious note, my favorite post was my review of the Safer Brand Bug control Concentrate- http://www.booksrusonline.com/2011/08/review-of-safer-brand-bug-patrol.html


What has been your biggest blogging challenge?

The biggest challenge is obtaining sponsors for giveaways. I have had so many rejections or the person does not respond back at all. I would love to learn about template design and change the blog for each season.That would make my blog more appealing and interesting.


What advice would you give a new blogger?

If you are a newbie blogger, it is a lot of work and can take up much of your time. Do not give up and you will succeed in the world of blogging. I have a lot of fun and I find it very relaxing after a hard day at work.


What widget or feature could you not live without?

Rafflecopter of course. I do not know what I would do without it.


What are your favorite blogs to read?

I have so many blogs that I like to read but some of my favorites are:


Confessions of A bookaholic- http://www.totalbookaholic.blogspot.com/

Simply Stacie- http://www.simplystacie.net/


Where can we find you?

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/booksrus

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ginger_high

Facebook: Http://www.facebook.com/charmingadornments

Monday Meet And Greet- Tales From The Nursery

Your Name: Darcy

Where do you blog? Tales From the Nursery http://www.darcyandbrian.com

How did you decide on what to name your blog? I started this blog while I was pregnant and working on the nursery. I figured I'd be spending a lot of time there!


Tell us 5 of your favorite things, and 5 of your least favorite things...

5 Things I Love:

My family

Reese's Peanutbutter cups

Metal music

Tattoos

Gadgets


5 Things I Hate:

Clowns

Feet

Lemons

Being interrupted

Unsolicited parenting advice by strangers


When and why did you start blogging?

I started blogging back in ummm 2000? 2001? I wrote about daily college life with a few others. I've had a few different blogs since then. I maintained a successful gaming blog for a few years. It's always been a fun hobby and outlet for me!


What do you blog about? At TFTN I blog about being a first time mom. I talk about breastfeeding, cloth diapers, products and I love giveaway events!

What does your family think of your blog? Do they read it? My hubby supports it (he's my developer) and a few family members read it. Sometimes they don't like the personal stuff so much.

When do you find the time to blog? Late at night while everyone else is sleeping, usually! During naps I try to do bloggy chores if possible. Off and on throughout the day I tend to email, Twitter, and Facebook via my phone. I sometimes am able to blog a bit from it too.

What is your favorite blog post ever? I think one of my favorite personal posts is about my constant struggle with my self-image. Learning to Love Me http://www.darcyandbrian.com/2011/05/23/learning-to-love-me-my-constant-struggle-with-self-image/

What is the best advice or knowledge that you have found? Be true to yourself, disclose! and give credit where credit is due.

What advice would you give a new blogger? Read other blogs. Don't just follow but actually read them and comment on them. You'll learn a lot and they'll inspire you too.

What widget or feature could you not live without? My husband :)

Where can we find you?

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/talesfromthenursery

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Syrana

And if you sign up to participate in one of the events hosted by myself and Formula Mom, you can join our Facebook group for events and support!

Monday Meet And Greet- Arizona Mama

Your Name: Nancy aka fancygrlnancy

Where do you blog? Arizona Mama http://arizonamama-fancygrlnancy.blogspot.com/

How did you decide on what to name your blog? I was having a hard time with it. I asked a few bloggy friends and got some great ideas. Arizona Mama was suggested by Anna from The Baby Store Plus and I liked it immediately. Its simple and really identifies that I am in Arizona and I am a mom.

Tell us a little bit about you....  I am a mom to an almost 3 and a half year old boy. I started my family a little later in my 30's. My wonderful husband is 8 years older than me and he has a daughter that will be 24 soon. We are currently TTC our second together. I work fulltime in a Head Start Program. Currently I am a curriculum training specialist and I train the teachers and mentor them. I was a Head Start teacher in the classroom for over 10 years.

Tell us 5 of your favorite things

1. my son

2. my husband

3. my mom

4. chocolate

5. winning giveaways


5 of your least favorite things

1. smokers

2. liars

3. cheaters

4. peas

5. paying bills


When and why did you start blogging? I started blogging just under 2 years ago. I honestly started because I was reading blogs and entering giveaways. I wanted to get all those great extra entries for having the buttons and blogging. I also wanted to keep kind of a live journal of my son's life. I have been really bad about not writing in the baby book so I guess my blog is kind of pieces for the baby book.

What do you blog about? I blog about my life with my son. I also do many product reviews and giveaways.

What does your family think of your blog? Do they read it? Most like the idea. My mom reads it and even stared entering giveaways. My husband reads it when its a personal post. I know my brother in law and my aunt have looked at it, but not sure how much they read it.

When do you find the time to blog? I blog in the evenings while I should be sleeping.. lol! And nap time on the weekends.

What is your favorite blog post ever? I don't know about favorite posts, but recently I started a Thursday's Thoughts with Jayden and I write some of the funny things my son says.. he is so smart and cute.. Here are a couple:

http://arizonamama-fancygrlnancy.blogspot.com/2011/10/thursdays-thoughts-with-jayden_27.html

and

http://arizonamama-fancygrlnancy.blogspot.com/2011/09/thursdays-thoughts-with-jayden.html

What is your favorite item you ever reviewed? I have reviewed some great items! two stick out I love for both the product and the great people that work there.. Picture Keeper http://arizonamama-fancygrlnancy.blogspot.com/2010/10/holiday-gift-save-your-memories-with.html  and Ova Cue Fertility Monitor http://arizonamama-fancygrlnancy.blogspot.com/2011/06/ovacue-fertility-monitor-review-part-1.html

What brand or product would you really like to work with/review? I would LOVE to review The Learning Tower and I'd also like Vtech and Leap Frog

What are your favorite blogs to read? I like and read many blogs... Here are a couple:

The Jacobsen Family: http://ourjacobsenfamily.blogspot.com/

The Mommy Times: http://www.themommytimes.net/

Where can we find you?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArizonaMamaBlog

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/fancygrlnancy

Monday Meet And Greet-

Your Name: Amy

Where do you blog? http://www.misavingsmama.com

How did you decide on what to name your blog. It was suppose to start off as a Money Savings Blog and I live in Michigan, So it was only fitting to have it MI (for Michigan) and Savings. When I went to wordpress, I then had to find a different name because misavings.com was already taken.

Tell us a little bit about you....

When and why did you start blogging? I started blogging over a year ago. It was my out from daily life. My husband played video games at night and I needed something to keep my self occupied, so I started a blog.

What do you blog about? I started blogging about savings and then realized that you can save money by using coupons, but you can also save money by just buying the right product. So I started doing Reviews on my blog.

What does your family think of your blog? Do they read it? My family really doesn't read it - Most of the time. They do support me in doing it - and my friends make sure to keep me on track when it comes to posting.

When do you find the time to blog?  Finding time is the Hardest thing for me to do. I work 2 jobs plus I am a mom, So it tends to be later at night after the lil guy goes to bed.

What is your favorite item you ever reviewed?  My favorite Review Item was Flip Flop Wines. Not because it is wine, but because of the great people I had helping me review it!
http://misavingsmama.com/2011/06/its-a-flip-flop-wine-summer-review-flipflopwines/

What brand or product would you really like to work with/review?  I would really love to review a Dyson. I have wanted one for years. That is my "holy Grail" of reviews. I would also love to work with KitchenAid on reviewing one of their mixers!

What has been your biggest blogging challenge, how did you overcome it?  I transferred my own blog from blogger to word press. That was probably one of the biggest Techy Challenges that I have faced.

The biggest challenge is sometimes just finding the right words to start a post. I tend to write the post by starting in the middle, writing the last paragraph and then just sitting there and thinking of how to begin it.

What advice would you give a new blogger?  Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Everyone started as a Newbie at one point in time or another.  And if someone is trying to give you advice – and tell you that you are worth more than you are allowing yourself. Trust them. They have been there.

What are your favorite blogs to read?

Mama Loves Her Bargains

Boobies Babies and A Blog


Where can we find you? Facebook, Twitter, Email if you'd like to share it, Etc.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/misavings

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/misavings

Monday Meet And Greet- Staying Me

Your Name - Stacie

Where do you blog? http://staying-me.com

How did you decide on what to name your blog? I’m trying to make myself a better wife, mother, and person in general, without changing who I am. So Staying Me (just creating a better version) is what I came up with!

Tell us a little bit about you.... I’m a SAHM of four girls, ages 15, 12, 3, and 18months. I have been married to the Computer Dude for over 13 years, and plan on at least quadrupling that! During the very little free time I get, I enjoy working on one of the unfinished crochet or cross stitch projects I have. Someday I plan on learning to run, but haven’t gotten around to that yet.


Tell us 5 of your favorite things, and 5 of your least favorite things...


Favorite: Piano music, reading, Autumn, chocolate, and learning new things


Least favorite: Traffic, washing dishes, beets, bills, and people that chew food with their mouth open (more of a pet peeve item, isn't it?)


What do you blog about? I love to bring reviews and giveaways to my readers, but I also like to write about the struggles of being a mom, trying to be healthy, and finding time for myself.


When do you find the time to blog? Now that school has started, my old morning blogging time is gone, so now I blog at night, or during nap time.


What is your favorite item you ever reviewed? Definitely the Chevy Equinox! http://staying-me.com/2011/06/lets-have-some-chevyfun/.html


What brand or product would you really like to work with/review? Oh, there’s so many! Vera Bradley is probably my current goal.


What has been your biggest blogging challenge, how did you overcome it? Wanting too much too fast was and is my biggest challenge. Still working on being patient and working harder!


What advice would you give a new blogger? Have patience and realistic goals, and don’t give up!


What are your favorite blogs to read? I have a lot of blogs that I read, but these two seem to be the ones that I read EVERY DAY no matter what:



Mod Podge Rocks! - http://www.modpodgerocksblog.com/

Tip Junkie - http://www.tipjunkie.com/

Where can we find you? Facebook, Twitter, Email if you'd like to share it, Etc.

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/StayingMe

Twitter – http://twitter.com/SalemMomma

Monday Meet And Greet- Sarahs Blog Of Fun (Yeah Me!!)

Your Name: Sarah

Where do you blog? http://www.sarahsblogoffun.com

How did you decide on what to name your blog? That was tough. I raked my brain over that for days. Then I just typed in Sarahs Blog Of Fun, because I couldn't think of anything else. I just started my blog to enter giveaways anyway, so why did it matter. I never would have thought my site would be what it is today!!

Tell us a little bit about you....


5 Favorite Things-

Hubby

Kids

Tea

Brownies

Free stuff


5 Least Favorite Things-

Getting Old

Only 24 hours in the day

Not working with my Husband anymore (we both worked the same job for 8 years and saw each other all day!!)

Greedy people

Loosing money in the stock market!!


When and why did you start blogging? I opened my blog in December 2009, but I really didn't start using it until April 2010. Like I said above, I only opened it to enter giveaways. Then when I saw people doing reviews, I figured "Hey, I can do that too!!" Then I started playing games on my site to try to make my blog different. Now it's what it is today- HUGE!!! lol

What do you blog about? You name it, I blog about it. Family, Deals, Reviews, Giveaways, Funny stories and pictures. I once wrote a post about doggie dentures!!!

What does your family think of your blog? Do they read it? My Family loves it!! Hubby, because I get a lot of neat new products he has never heard of or tried, and because I make money off of it now. With all my hard work over the last year, I won't have to pay for any christmas presents!! The same goes for the rest of my family. My parents love to see what I get, and they love when they get to help review stuff too!!

When do you find the time to blog? Well, I have two small kids, a hubby, dog, out of the house job, and some medical issues, so I never know when I am going to be on here. I at least try for an hour a day. Somedays I am up all night to get work done!!

What is your favorite blog post ever? Right now I have to say Shampoo Warning- Must Read!! http://www.sarahsblogoffun.com/2011/09/shampoo-warning-must-read.html This post has gone wild!!! I have had over 100,000 people view it. It's crazy!!!

What is your favorite item you ever reviewed? I haven't written about it yet, but it's an awesome item. I received a 26 " Mirror Television for my bathroom. I am hoping to have it up soon!!!

What brand or product would you really like to work with/review? This is a tough question. There are a lot of companies I want to work with. Hoover, Whirl Pool, Omaha Steaks, Ford!!!! (Hint Hint!!!)

What has been your biggest blogging challenge, how did you overcome it? Learning. There is sooooo much to learn to do this job. There is always a new social media site to join, a new paid post site, etc. I haven't overcome it, and I hope I never do!!! Learning all the new things makes my job fun!!!

What is the best advice or knowledge that you have found? Ask questions. Bloggers are AWESOME people who are more then willing to help you out (me included!!!) If you don't understand something, just ask.

What advice would you give a new blogger? Set realistic goals. Do not think your site is going to make you millions with in a year. It takes a lot of time and hard work to get to the million mark!!! Has anyone hit that point yet?? lol

What widget or feature could you not live without? Rafflecopter. At first I didn't like it, but now I love it. It makes writing, and entering giveaways a lot faster.

What are your favorite blogs to read? I have a lot of them!! These are the ones I read the most. I have been following them for a long time-

Simply Stacie- www.simplystacie.net

Hip 2 Save- www.hip2save.com

Thanks, Mail Carrier- www.thanksmailcarrier.com

For The Mommas- www.forthemommas.com

Klippin Krazy- www.klippinkrazykoupons.com

Where can we find you?Facebook, Twitter, Email if you'd like to share it, Etc.

www.facebook.com/sarahsblogoffun


www.twitter.com/sarahsblogoffun

Monday Meet And Greet- Susan Heim on Parenting

Your name: Susan Heim

Where do you blog? Susan Heim on Parenting http://susanheim.blogspot.com

How did you decide on what to name your blog? Since my name was already linked to parenting through a book I’d written, I wanted to do the same thing with my blog. “Susan Heim on Parenting” is not very creative, but it tells you exactly who I am and what my blog is all about!

Tell us a little bit about you... I’m married and have four sons. Two are in college, and my twins are in second grade. I’m originally from Michigan, but I’ve lived in sunny South Florida for more than twenty years. I work at home as an editor and writer. I love to write parenting books, and I’ve worked with Chicken Soup for the Soul for eleven years.

Tell us 5 of your favorite things, and 5 of your least favorite things...
 Favorite things:

Travel

Colin Firth

Jane Austen books (I named one of my sons Austen)

Coconut-flavored and -scented things

Warm weather

Least favorite things:

Big egos

Public speaking

Reality TV

Vegetables

Frogs

When and why did you start blogging? I started blogging in 2006 when my first parenting book, Oh, Baby! 7 Ways a Baby Will Change Your Life the First Year, was published. I wanted another outlet for providing parents with great information and product reviews.

What do you blog about? I blog about all kinds of issues related to parenting. I try to cover all the bases, from pregnancy through college. I also feature family-friendly product reviews and giveaways.

What does your family think of your blog? Do they read it? I live with five guys -- my husband and four sons -- and they’re not the least bit interested in what I write. But that’s okay because it gives me the freedom to write about them!

When do you find the time to blog? I write when my seven-year-old twins are at school and after they go to bed. But I’m always checking email and squeezing in work whenever I can.

What is your favorite item you ever reviewed? The NOOK Color Reader’s Tablet from Barnes and Noble http://susanheim.blogspot.com/2011/05/perfect-mothers-day-gift-nook-color.html

What brand or product would you really like to work with/review? Well, my minivan is seven years old… So, if you’re reading this and you’re looking for bloggers to review cars or vans, I’d LOVE to work with you!

What has been your biggest blogging challenge, and how did you overcome it? I wish I knew more about computer programming and creating graphics. I’ve learned a lot just by trial-and-error and Internet research, but I wish I knew more. Fortunately, my husband is a genius when it comes to computers, so he can usually get me running pretty quickly if my computer crashes.

What advice would you give a new blogger? Learn as much as you can and then do what is right for you. When I first started blogging, I didn’t know much about it! But I subscribed to a lot of other blogs and studied what they did. I became proficient at using Twitter and Facebook to bring readers to my blog. But, at the same time, I don’t always follow the crowd. Just because something is new or popular doesn’t mean it’s always best. Many times, I go with my instincts.

What widget or feature could you not live without? I’m a Twitter-aholic. I love Twitter, and it’s been so beneficial in growing my blog.

Where can we find you?

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ParentingAuthor

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SusanHeimOnParenting

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/susanheim

Author Site: http://www.susanheim.com

TwinsTalk: http://www.twinstalk.com

Email: smhparent at hotmail dot com

Monday Meet And Greet- Mom Mart

Your Name: Laura Andry

Where do you blog?: Mom Mart http://MomMart.blogspot.com

How did you decide on what to name your blog?: I am a stay at home mother with two little boys. My husband always jokes around about how certain "jobs" around the house are mine and fall under my job description. I told him I felt like one of those superstores that is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and that he could just refer to me as MomMart from now on.


Tell us a little bit about you:

I am a stay at home mother with a 5-month-old baby boy and a 2 1/2 -year-old little boy. My boys are 100% boy 100% of the time and I love it! I have been happily married to my best friend going on five years now and couldn't feel more blessed. I am a Christian and thank the Lord everyday for all the blessings in my life. I am a glass half full type of girl who looks for the humor in every situation. I am an organizational neat freak who loves being crafty and creative. I have been blogging since April 2011 after deciding that I wanted to try my hand at writing. So far, it has been a lot of fun.

Tell us five of your favorite things and five of your least favorite things:

5 Favorite Things:

My family- I love my entire family, they are my best friends. I have a great relationship with my in-laws and truly love spending time with each and every member of my family.

Baby Gear - I am completely addicted!

Vacations where I don't have to drive - if I have to drive it is not a vacation.

The smell of apples - yummy!

Pedicures- nothing makes me feel more pampered than pretty toes.

5 Least Favorite:

Rude People- I have no idea where manners have vanished to, but they need to make a come back!

Heels - I strongly dislike wearing heels. They hurt my feet :(

Long lines - really, no need to explain.

Getting lost - I feel incredibly vulnerable when I am lost.

Asking for help - I am stubborn and like to think that I can do anything and everything on my own and I rarely ask for help, even when I need it. It is a big fault of mine.

When and why did you start blogging?: I started seriously blogging in April 2011 after having suffered from mastitis. I had no idea what was wrong with me and I was frightened. I had a hard time finding information about this subject and decided that I would share my experiences with others and put my information out there. I wanted to write and this was what really pushed me to start doing it.

What do you blog about?: I guess it is more accurate to ask me what I don't blog about. I share my experiences and my perspectives as a stay at home mom. I talk about breastfeeding, potty training, family friendly activities, crafts for kids, blog hops, product reviews, giveaways, and have recently started adding quick and easy recipes. I essentially share my life.

What is your favorite blog post ever?: Potty Training William Continued http://mommart.blogspot.com/2011/08/potty-training-william-continued.html I think my whole potty training experience is too funny. I laugh every time I think about it.

What is your favorite item you ever reviewed?: My Hoover Vacuum Cleaner!!
http://mommart.blogspot.com/2011/09/product-review-hoover-presto-2-in-1.html

What are your favorite blogs to read?:

Mama B http://mamabblog.com/

The Baby Guy Gear Guide http://www.babyguygearguide.com/

There are many many more that I check on a daily basis, but these two I check before I check my own email!

Where can we find you?:

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/MomMart

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Mom_Mart

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me, I look forward to hearing from you and getting to know you too!

Monday Meet And Greet- And The Little Ones Too

Your Name: Ashley T

Where do you blog? http://andthelittleonestoo.com

How did you decide on what to name your blog? I wanted something cute but also something that would also cover future kids.

Tell us a little bit about you....: I am a working mother of 2 boys also helping support my husband through school.

When and why did you start blogging? I started blogging a couple days before my son’s first birthday to help my family keep up with how he was doing. In the past year or so, I began doing more writing and dedicating myself to my blog. I dove into reviewing and loved it right away. I’ve been happy with it ever since.

What does your family think of your blog? Do they read it?: My husband is the only one who reads it regularly. It doesn’t bother me that they don’t read it… much. I know that if I wrote something that I wanted them to read and told them about it, they would check it out.

When do you find the time to blog? I do most of my writing either right before bed after the boys go to sleep or during work. Sometimes its slow where I work and I could write 3 posts in a day and schedule them to keep up with days where there just aren’t any extra hours.

What is your favorite item you ever reviewed? I have 2 favorite items I’ve reviewed. The first is a post I just published last week called Luminess Air http://andthelittleonestoo.com/2011/09/luminess-air-airbrush-makeup-review  and the other favorite is the SodaStream review http://andthelittleonestoo.com/2011/07/drinking-soda-and-being-green-sodastream-review. There were the 2 I had the most fun with.

What brand or product would you really like to work with/review? I don’t have a specific company I’d LOVE to work with but I’d love to review a car seat. You can only do so much in the stores and I loved Hayden’s convertible seat but I am always on a lookout for a new one.

What advice would you give a new blogger? Reach out to other bloggers and interact with them. I have found that I wouldn’t know as much as I do without the help of other bloggers around.

What widget or feature could you not live without? Commentluv. It makes it so much easier for me to visit other blogs and check out what they write about. Maybe even start following them.

Where can we find you?

Facebook: http://facebook.com/andthelittleonestoo

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ashleythinks2

Monday Meet and Greet- Rockin Deals

Your Name: Amy AKA Rockin' Momma

Where do you blog? Rockin' Deals 4 You http://www.rockindeals4you.com

How did you decide on what to name your blog? My son loves to play Guitar…well any musical instrument and always seems to be rocking out some kinda of (So-called) music. And since I’m on this journey because of him, I only thought it right to name by blog Rockin’ Deals.

Tell us a little bit about you:

My husband, Dave and I have been married for 16 years. A little over 4 years ago we were blessed with the birth of our adopted son, Jace. Jace is a very active 4 year old. I never thought I'd be running my 4 year old around to sports and classes, but he keeps me busy. I worked for 13 years at a local daycare before Jace came along. I've been a stay at home mom for most 4 years. I now work at a local preschool as the preschool assistant 2 days a week. I love being able to get out of the house but I still get to be a stay at home mom!


When and why did you start blogging?

My frugal journey started about 3 years ago, after the birth of our adopted son, Jace. Mostly to help off set the cost of diapers, wipes and formula. I had been finding lots of great deals and wanted a place for my family and friends to read about them, too. So, Rockin’ Deals was established on March 16, 2010. I'd been blogging for about 4 years before that on our personal family blog.

What do you blog about? I mostly blog about freebies, samples, coupons and HOT deals. But I also do reviews and giveaways.

What does your family think of your blog? My husband was the one who helped me get started. He designed my blog layout. I'm so thankful that I have a husband who is able to do some much on a website!

When do you find the time to blog? I try to do as much as I can while my son is in preschool and in the evenings after he goes to bed. But as a frugal blogger I hate to miss a good deal, so I'm off and on all day looking for the best deal to post!

What is your favorite item you ever reviewed? Divvies Bakery http://www.rockindeals4you.com/?p=6439  and Imagination Movers Concert http://www.rockindeals4you.com/?p=15365

What advice would you give a new blogger? Make blogging friends. It's great to be part of a group of people who think like you do and have the same kind of goals. Help out other bloggers and they will help you in return. If it wasn't for other great bloggers my blog would not be where it is today!

Where can we find you?

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rockindeals

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/rockindeals

Email rockinmomma@rockindeals4you.com

Monday Meet And Greet- Mama Chocolate

Your Name: Johanna

Where do you blog? http://www.mamachocolateblog.com
How did you decide on what to name your blog? I wanted something short and sweet, but unique. As a chocolate enthusiast, Mama Chocolate seemed fitting for me. :-)

Tell us a little bit about you....
I've been a busy stay-at-home-mama and wife for about four years now, and God has already blessed me and my husband, John, with two beautiful daughters, Katie (2) and Victoria, (10 months.)

We are Christians and plan on homeschooling our little ones. John and I are both homeschool graduates (and successful, well-balanced adults,) and we're excited to be passing on that vision on to our children!

We enjoy living out in the sticks and raise kids, sheep, dogs, cats and weeds, (the legal kind).

Like most, our life is hard work, but it's good, and I love it. I'm living my dream: raising beautiful children with a godly, loving husband, out in the country.

When and why did you start blogging? I had a little private blog for some time to keep family and friends updated before I started Mama Chocolate in July 2010.I had officially become a Giveaway Addict and wanted to share the love by hosting giveaways myself, and I knew that if I posted about recipes and such, it would help me actually try new things.

I expanded on that and hope to bring truly useful information to moms more and more in the future.

What do you blog about? I write about the ins and outs of mothering and homemaking, share recipes, family-related reviews and giveaways, and occasionally brag about my precious girls.

What does your family think of your blog? Do they read it? I finally added my husband to my email subscribers last week so that he would actually read it. ;-)

My mom and sisters read it (and tell me they love it, of course, LOL,) and are actually quite accomplished bloggers themselves!

When do you find the time to blog? Early in the morning or late at night are my most productive times. I work on blogging sometimes during the girls naps and now and then during the day.

What is your favorite blog post ever? "Why We Canceled Our Netflix Subscription" - http://www.mamachocolateblog.com/why-we-canceled-our-netflix-subscription.html

What is your favorite item you ever reviewed? Teething Tots Amber Necklaces - http://www.mamachocolateblog.com/teething-tots-amber-necklace-review.html
What brand or product would you really like to work with/review? I would love to giveaway an Ergo baby carrier. I love mine and think every mom should have one!

What advice would you give a new blogger? Do not try to do it alone! Do whatever you can to network with other bloggers. There are a lot of nice bloggy people out there who are happy to help you out and there is so much to learn. You can become overwhelmed and discouraged if you're trying to do it alone.

What are your favorite blogs to read?
Pioneer Woman - http://thepioneerwoman.com/

Life is Too Short Not to Wear Red Shoes - http://www.fashionandmodesty.blogspot.com/
Enjoying the Small Things - http://www.kellehampton.com/

Where can we find you?
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/childrenchoresandchocolate
Twitter - http://twitter.com/choreschocolate

Monday Meet And Greet-

Your Name: Leandrea


Where do you blog? Coupons Are Great

How did you decide on what to name your blog? When I started using coupons I was so excited. I really liked the "I Heart" sites, but I knew that was someone else's idea. Since my site was about saving with coupons and I thought coupons were great...the name was born. It seems like three word names are pretty popular. However, if I could redo my name I would. Because my site contains the word "Coupons" my emails get sent to spam on a regular basis. It is very frustrating!

Tell us a little bit about you: I am married to my high school sweetheart. My husband and I have known each other since the sixth grade. We have two little girls who are 15 months and 3 weeks apart in age. I am a former educator. My degree is in Special Education, but I taught a 1st/2nd combo at a charter school in Oregon. I now stay home with my daughters and attempt to have a clean house and prepare healthy meals. I love helping others - whether they are children or adults. I have a co-blogger on my site who I met on an online pregnancy forum. It was scary meeting in real life for the first time, but now we are the best of friends.

Tell us 5 of your favorite things, and 5 of your least favorite things.



Five Favorite Things: Tetris, Scrabble, Watermelon, Apple products, and running



Five Least Favorite Things: Bad grammar, drama, heat combined with humidity, soggy cereal, beef

When and why did you start blogging? I started blogging three years ago. I wanted to share my deals with my friends. I believe that everyone should be saving money. If there is a coupon for a product then it seems very silly to not use it! I hoped to motivate my friends when I started blogging.

What do you blog about? At Coupons Are Great you will find many ways to save money including coupons, mystery shopping, and online deals. We are a family friendly site and we share all sorts of family ideas. Each Tuesday we have a Crafty post. We try to incorporate a broad range of posts.

When do you find the time to blog? I find the time to blog at night when my girls are in bed or during the few hours that my youngest is in preschool.



What is your favorite blog post ever? This is a tough one! My favorite posts are generally the crafty posts. My favorite posts are tied: Crafty Tuesday: A Care Bear Party http://couponsaregreat.net/2010/09/28/crafty-tuesday-a-care-bear-party/  and Crafty Tuesday: Sesame Street Birthday Party http://couponsaregreat.net/2011/01/18/crafty-tuesday-sesame-street-birthday-party/

What is your favorite item you ever reviewed? My favorite item that I have reviewed is the Blooming Babies Personalized Stamp http://couponsaregreat.net/2011/06/14/blooming-babies-personalized-stamp-giveaway/. I love personalized things. My wish list includes a personalized necklace with my daughter's initials. Being able to support small businesses makes me very happy!

What brand or product would you really like to work with/review? I would love to work with Garmin to review their running watches.



What has been your biggest blogging challenge, how did you overcome it? My biggest blogging challenge is finding the time to sit down and blog. I have too many tabs open on my computer and I am easily distracted. I am working on focusing more.

What advice would you give a new blogger? As hard as it may seem, try to make blogging friends! I am a very reserved person who has a hard time getting past the "Hello how are you's" but the best thing you can do is introduce yourself and try to get in to some blogging social circles. I am not the most active person in my social circles and I tend to learn more from others, but it is totally worth it. Blogging is much more fun when you have friends. Plus, the friends you make are always a wealth of knowledge.

My next piece of advice is to stay true to yourself. When you blog about the things that make you happy you will be successful. As a frugal blogger I sometimes have to remind myself "Just because everyone else is posting about it....doesn't mean I have to too."

What widget or feature could you not live without? My favorite widgets are Askimet (spam control), and the winner is (for giveaways), and Mile 51 (list maker)

What are your favorite blogs to read? My favorite blogs include:

Run Faster Mommy - http://www.runfastermommy.com/

Skinny Runner - http://skinnyrunner.com/

Skinny Taste - http://www.skinnytaste.com/

Eighteen25 - http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/  

Where can we find you?Facebook, Twitter, Email if you'd like to share it, etc.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CouponsAreGreat

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/CouponsAreGreat

Monday Meet And Greet- Mother Of Pearl It Is

Your Name: Tree (aka Mother of Pearl)

Where do you blog? Mother of Pearl It Is http://www.motherofpearlitis.net

How did you decide on what to name your blog? Long story short... my oldest son began calling me Mother of Pearl years ago, and it kinda stuck. You can read about WHY he came up with that name for me here at Mother of Pearl, You Say?! (http://www.motherofpearlitis.net/2010/02/mother-of-pearl-you-say/)

Tell us a little bit about you.... I've been with the love of my life for 24 years... married for 15 of them. We have 5 beautiful biracial kiddos, a lovely DIL-to-be, and 2 precious (or is that precocious) granddaughters. We are very family-oriented, although slightly dysfunctional. :) I work outside the home part-time, and LOVE my computer. I'm also scheduled to have Gastric Sleeve surgery this Friday, and am looking forward to feeling good inside and out again. You can read about why I made this decision HERE http://www.motherofpearlitis.net/2011/03/okay-im-doing-it-a-personal-post


Tell us 5 of your favorite things, and 5 of your least favorite things...

Favorite things: my family, the beach, my laptop, amusement parks, chocolate

Least favorite things: liver & onions, procrastination, being broke, fake people, aching all the time (I have RA)


When and why did you start blogging? I actually started 9/2009, but got frustrated and stopped after a few months. Then got the bug again, and have been blogging steadily since 2/2010. I started doing reviews around that time too.


What do you blog about? MOPII is a mixture of our family's crazy antics, teenage dramas, the fun of being "young" grandparents, & a mish-mash of reviews and giveaways!


What does your family think of your blog? Do they read it? They don't really pay much attention to it... unless I tell them they MUST listen to my latest post. LOL They do love the reviews though (well, the review products anyway... tee hee)


When do you find the time to blog? Right now, I am on unemployment and getting ready to have my surgery, so most days I'm on throughout the day. When I'm working... I get right on as soon as I'm home. Then go back and forth in between doing chores, playing with the kids, watching tv, etc.


What advice would you give a new blogger? It's YOUR blog... you write whatever you want to write about, add whatever you want on your blog, but do take into consideration any advice that others offer you. You don't want to "follow suit" just because Jane, Betty, and Tom are doing it, but you also want to be sure to listen to their critiques. They may offer things you didn't know about, which may make your blog even better! :)


What are your favorite blogs to read? I don't get around to reading as much as I used to, since I began doing reviews/giveaways. But, there are several that I love to read when I get time. I like to laugh, and these gals (and guy) always make me chuckle.
Boobies, Babies, and a Blog http://www.boobiesbabiesandablog.com

The Boogie Man is my Friends http://mommafargo.blogspot.com

The Blog O' Cheese http://theblogocheese.blogspot.com

Where can we find you? Facebook, Twitter, Email if you'd like to share it, Etc.

Facebook: http://facebook.com/motherofpearlitis 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/amotherofpearl

Linked In: http://linkedin.com/in/treelindsay

Monday Meet And Greet- Freebies And Cheapies, And Mia's Musings

Your Name: Lori (AKA Mia)

Where do you blog? Freebies & Cheapies http://freebiesandcheapies.com/

and Mia's Musings http://miasmusings.com/

 

How did you decide on what to name your blog? Pretty much kept trying until I found something that was available.

 

Tell us a little bit about you....I am a forty-something year-old mom of a precious 4 year old boy. After having lost a twin pregnancy in 2000, I never thought I would be a mom-he was a true gift from God. I quit my job of 10 years to be able to stay home with him. Things are pretty tight around here but it is worth every minute to be able to stay home with him.
Tell us 5 of your favorite things, and 5 of your least favorite things...

Favorite things:

1.My son
2.My dogs-Sadee, Rambo and Sophie (also known as Puppy Pia)
3.Camaros
4.Music
5.My fish

Least favorite things:

1.Being broke all of the time
2.High electric bills
3.Selfish people
4.People expecting me to do everything for them because I don't have a J-O-B
5.Housework


When and why did you start blogging? I decided to blog to see if I could make a few dollars here and there. So far, I am not making much but I am having a good time with it and have met some awesome bloggers!


What do you blog about? At Freebies & Cheapies, I blog about coupons and saving money. I decided to start Mia's Musings so I could diversify and post about other things.


What does your family think of your blog? Do they read it? My mom is 85-she used to play games online but has moved in with my older sister and they, nor my other sister, ever get online. I do have a few cousins that like the coupons deals and freebies.

When do you find the time to blog? Not sure, LOL! I pretty much spend all day online but seem to get lost in cyberspace here lately. I am trying to set a schedule to go by so I can hold myself accountable if I don't get something done.


What advice would you give a new blogger? Take it slow and find a few friends that blog to give much needed support when you need it.


What are your favorite blogs to read? Too many to pick favorites!


Where can we find you?Facebook, Twitter, Email if you'd like to share it, Etc.

Freebies & Cheapies on Facebook http://facebook.com/freebiesandcheapies

Mia's Musings on Facebook http://facebook.com/miasmusings

Mommy Mia on Twitter http://twitter.com/mommymia

Monday Meet And Greet- Happenings Of The Harper Household

Name: Danielle Harper


Blog URL: http://www.HappeningsoftheHarperHousehold.net

Where can we find you?

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/HappeningsoftheHH

Twitter - http://twitter.com/HarperHousehold

E-mail - HappeningsoftheHH at gmail dot com


Tell us a little about you... Let's see..... well I am a SAHM, but prior to that I was a bank teller attending college part time as an English major. Now please don't get on me about the fact that I don't follow proper grammar rules in my blog posts. I write like I talk - and I don't talk right - bahahahaha. My family always makes fun of me for this - but I can bust out an A paper like no one's business! Like I said, I'm a SAHM to two beautiful little girls - Dilly & Sugar and wife to an amazing man. And we have decided to try for #3! I am a cloth diapering, breastfeeding, baby wearing mama so you will see lots of reviews and giveaways for products related to those things plus lots more.
Tell us 5 of your favorite things, and five of your least favorite...

Favorites: Cloth Diapers, The Twilight Movies, Geocaching, Tattoos, and Crab Legs

Least Favorites: Drama, Most cooked vegetables, Sarah Jessica Parker, Snow, and Scales

What are your favorite blogs to read?

Pretty All True - http://www.prettyalltrue.com/

Three Times The Fun - http://bissingfamily.com/

Motherhood, WTF? - http://motherhoodwtf.com/


What do you blog about? I blog about my life and my girls which leads to lots of posts about cloth diapering, breastfeeding, and baby wearing. I also like to blog about any other products that fit our lifestyle.... especially green products! It will be interesting to see how my blog evolves as my girls grow up - but I don't want to think about that right now... they grow up too fast as it is.


When and why did you start blogging? A year ago!! I celebrated my one year blogiversary on August 6th. I originally started blogging to share our day to day activities with friends and family, but I soon noticed I was mentioning products. For example I talked about the baby food cookbook I used to make Sugar's baby food and I decided to try out the review/giveaway world.


How did you decide on your blog name? When I first started blogging it was just to share our day to day life with family and friends and I'm a big fan of alliteration - yes I was an English major, hehe - so I started thinking of words that started with H like our last name. Soon "Happenings of the Harper Household" was born!

When do you find time to blog? Usually after the kiddos are in bed for the night which is 8:30 PM. I am blessed to have two little girls that lay down and go to sleep without a fight. I really hope this continues because I enjoy my me time which could really be called blogging time!

What does your family think of your blog, do they read it? My hubby reads it when his facebook updates him to the fact that I wrote a new post and he likes that I get all sorts of new awesome products to try out - though he would like it more if these products were golf clubs or Xbox 360 games! My mom enjoys reading my blog and checking out the pictures I post of the girls. Every time she sees something new around our house the first thing out of her mouth is "so is that a review item too?" Hehe!!

What is your favorite blog post? The Worst Gift Ever - http://happeningsoftheharperhousehold.net/2010/08/ww-worst-gift-ever/

What is your favorite review item you have ever reviewed? Zooper Tango - http://happeningsoftheharperhousehold.net/2011/07/zooper-tango-review/

What advice would you give to a new blogger? Blog about what you like and what you enjoy writing about. Don't worry about offending someone because there is always going to be someone who doesn't agree with you. Write from the heart!

What brand would you LOVE to work with? Kolcraft - I want to be a Kolcraft Mom sooooo bad!!

Monday Meet And Greet- Real Dad Reviews

Welcome to Meet And Greet!!  Each week, we will be featuring a new awesome blogger for you to learn about!!

Your Name: Nathan "The Dad"





Where do you Blog? http://www.realdadreviews.com



Tell us a little about you... "My name is Nathan! I am a retired United States Army Veteran. I have been married to my wonderful wife Skye for 4 years. We have three beautiful children together. We also have custody of our two nephews, and my sister in law."


Tell us 5 of your favorite things...

Top Five Movies of all time-

1-Twister

2-Stargate

3-Independence Day

4-Hard Rain

5-Day After Tomorrow


What do you blog about? "I blog about anything and everything my family can use, that I think others would want to know how it worked and if it worked. Some products rock my socks off, while others I would not use if I was paid. Well maybe if I was paid a lot..."


How did you decide what to name your blog? I decided on real dad reviews because I was getting jealous of all the cool stuff my wife (real mom reviews) was getting in the mail. Every time I mentioned something I liked or didn't like about the items she was getting, she told me it was real MOM reviews, not real dad reviews, so I improvised!


What is your favorite blog post? My Newest Baby http://www.realdadreviews.com/2011/03/my-newest-baby.html


Favorite item ever reviewed.. Pack It http://www.realdadreviews.com/2011/01/packit.html


When do you find time to blog? I am a stay at home dad, who does the majority of my blogging after the kids are asleep!


What does your family think of your blog? My wife, of course loves it. We team up sometimes for reviews together. The rest of my family just doesn't understand how it works.


What advice would you give a new blogger? Never give up- it is not easy. Take a step back, give yourself a week break, and hit the ground running when you get back!


What are your favortie blogs to read?

http://frugalmomoftwo.com/


http://thebloggess.com/


http://theoatmeal.com/


What brand or product would you really like to work with/review? Boon! I love all the products from Boon.