The military may not want boots on the ground in every battle, but if you want to win in the blogging world you definitely need boots on the ground.
Last weekend at the Doubletree Hotel in Philadelphia there were many boots on the ground thanks to the SITSGirls and their 2014 Bloggy Boot Camp.
Ladies let me be honest with you, if you are serious about turning your blog from a hobby into a business then I highly recommend you make the investment and attend a Bloggy Boot Camp. I don’t care if you have 1 follower or 1 million followers, I guarantee you’ll learn something that will make you a better blogger.
Oh and by the way…the investment is a tax write off!
This post is not going to be a full blown recap of all the weekend activities because you personally need to attend a Boot Camp in order to fully appreciate it. I will however, provide a brief synopsis on what I took away from each of the presenters and then suggest you find and follow them on their Social Media Networks.
Day 1
I arrived at the hotel around 1:30 Friday afternoon and after retrieving my badge from the Registration table I participated in the @LGUS #MomConfessions photo booth. This was a fun way to break the ice and meet new bloggers as well as reconnect with others.
The first session began a little after 2:00 p.m. with Angela Smith, Danielle Smith and Allison Talamantez, an awesome trio of panelist who answered questions posed to them by SITSGirls founder Tiffany Romero. We learned more on how to work with brands as well as what they are looking for when partnering with bloggers.
The session was very informative and timely and it gave us an opportunity to hear the information first hand. Angela Smith is the Senior Brand Manager, Home Appliances Division of LGUS.
Assigned numbers were printed on our name badges and with each break we moved to another table giving us an opportunity to meet even more bloggers. It was an excellent way to expand the SITSGirls circle and a chance to exchange more of our business cards, because you know most of us brought more than 100!
It was great meeting fellow BLMGirls including Monet from Curls and Mo and Kemi from Beauty.Style.Growth, we became thick as thieves throughout the weekend!
The afternoon program continued with a presentation from Tiffany and Francesca Banducci, on the Art of the Sponsored Post. My ears perked up during this portion as they spoke about the importance of having a professional and impactful blog. Tiffany and Francesca discussed first impressions of the “About Me” page, the use of large images, hashtags, Media Kits, bit links, deadlines, reviews, sponsored posts and why “Content is King“. Didn’t I tell you this Boot Camp was well worth the investment, and that was just the tip of the iceberg.
After a short break, Courtney Slazinik gave photography tips and techniques emphasizing that your best photo(s) can increase audience viewership or even go viral on the internet. She definitely has some beautiful photos and because of that, has worked with various agencies and magazines throughout her blogging career.
“Working Smarter Not Harder” is the end game and this motivational presentation was tag-teamed by Tiffany and Danielle.
Closing Remarks before the LG Cocktail Reception were given by Angela, then the hors-doeuvres, drinks and laughter began. It was the perfect ending to Day 1 of the SITSGirls Bloggy Boot Camp.
The sponsors of Bloggy Boot Camp were @LGUS and @MirassouWinery and both had display setups with small takeaways. Angela and Dave each gave informative and entertaining presentations, not only the history of their companies but also of their enthusiasm for working with bloggers.
Day 2
Breakfast began at 8:15 am and our guest speaker was Nell Merlino, President and Founder of Count Me In and creator of “Take Your Daughters To Work”. If you are old enough to remember the sitcom “Maude”, then you will understand it when I say that Nell is just as determined, strong, outgoing and entertaining as she was. A wonderful woman who gave an exceptional presentation on making your blog and yourself New, Better and Different.
‘”EMPOWERMENT IS SELF DETERMNATION”
Our next speaker was LC Johnson, of Colored Girls Confidential. LC talked about various income streams, being audience specific, investing time upfront and constantly driving traffic to your blog. LC is a highly energetic speaker who kept our attention from the beginning to the end with her true life stories and colloquialisms.
“WHERE YOU PUT YOUR ATTENTION IS WHERE YOU GET YOUR RESULTS”
The only male member in attendance was Hudson Crier, he along with his wife Emily presented the Business of Blogging. Topics covered were Branding, Research, Finance, Operations and Networks, all very important aspects for any blogger. Specific emphasis was also placed on analytics and SEO.
Social Media Strategy was presented by Cynthia Wheeler who shared her journey of transforming from being a “mom blogger” into a Social Media Ninja! Cyn provided tips and techniques on becoming a Social Media Consultant, various pay rates as well as the importance of a good web design.
Lunch was another opportunity to sit and chat with fellow bloggers, and I used some of the time to pick the brains of a few “experts“…ladies you know who you are!
After a delicious meal we literally jumped right back into it, including doing the “Hokey Pokey” led by Angele LaFond of Shoebox Be Gone! By the time Angele finished her presentation on social media and the tax laws including which blogging expenses were tax deductible, I was literally doing another dance called – “hey, I didn’t know that”, mixed in with a little, “say what!”
The afternoon steam rolled with another tag team presentation on Building Traffic Through Amplification using the 5 major social media platforms followed by Freelance Writing and Beyond with Sarah Maizes discussing how to build an online portfolio and credentials; then finally a Power Down session with Tiffany and Danielle who emphasized the importance of not having your blog overtake your life.
Remember to spend time with your family, have regular sex with your husband and always take care of yourself!
Bloggy Boot Camp was my first conference and not only did I have fun networking with other bloggers but I also left with the motivation and determination to become more focused so that I can turn my blog into a successful business.
Of course the delicious foods and the Wine Tasting Party helped to make it a perfect weekend in the “City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection”
Thanks to the SITSGirls Bloggy Boot Camp I’m now ready to take my blog to the next level and soon you will see some changes and then…
get ready to watch me in prime time on You Tube as I forge into the wonderful world of vlogging!
I am so thankful that I invested in myself and suggest you do the same!
Stay Blessed – No Stress in 2014!
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Hello friends,
welcome to Week 21 of “You Choose the Shoes“. I’ve had so much fun with this mid-week feature and I love all of your comments, but as with all good things this too must come to an end. As the weather cools so will the contest and September most likely will be the last month until Spring, but who knows I may change my mind. What say you?
I learned so much at last weekend’s SITSGirls Bloggy Boot Camp which you can read about tomorrow, that I am going to make a few changes to my blog. There will be changes to the posting schedule as well as the topics but I think you will like it so stay tuned.
Now lets get to to last week’s contest…by an overwhelming majority the winners were the HEELS!
This week’s contenders are Madden Girl versus Madden Girl or big Polka Dots versus little Polka Dots or as I like to call them my “Betty Boop” shoes. Speaking of Betty Boop, do you know the origination of the cartoon character? I recently heard on the Tom Joyner Morning Show that she was a “stolen” caricature based on jazz singer “Baby” Esther Jones. If you want to read more about it click here.
Do you remember this sheath dress from eShakti? I love the style and wearing it but by the end of the day it is so wrinkled!
These Madden Girl heels were purchased a few years ago from DSW and were actually featured in the 1st “You Choose the Shoes” post.
The necklace and earrings are Avon and bracelet is from Old Navy, purchased for $1.99.
I love my polka dot Betty Boop shoes, but which pair looks better with this sleeveless sheath?
Okay, are you ready to make a decision? Will it be Madden Girl big Polka Dots or…
Madden Girl little polka dots?
You Choose The Shoes then head over to MrsLookingGood’s blog to check out this month’s #ExShoesMe entries.
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Hello friends,
I know you’ve all heard that Apple unveiled 2 brand new iPhones to be released on September 19th (the day before my birthday!) Both the iPhone 6 and 6 plus boast larger displays, longer lasting batteries and a brand new processor which enables the phone to work 25% faster than it’s predecessor the 5s.
As the launch date for new iPhones gets closer, the values of previous iPhone models continues to depreciate. To ensure that consumers who are planning to upgrade to a new iPhone get the most value out of their old device, those who lock in their price today with Gazelle will have until October 10th to send it in.
Current pricing for the iPhone 5s ranges between $100 for a broken phone and $335 for a phone in flawless condition. With the sale price of the new iPhone 6 set at $199 with a 2 year contract, you can trade in your broken iPhone, get the new release, and still have some money left over for groceries or whatever your heart desires!
Go to Gazelle today, see what your iPhone or other device is worth then tell your family and friends because I already told mine!
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
This post contains affiliate links – please read my Disclosure Statement for more information.
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Hello friends,
as you know, I am always on the look out for beauty products that are not only made of natural ingredients but are also non-irritating to my skin. I remember using puffs and scrubbers when I was younger, but now I tend to shy away from them because they can be too harsh for my face.
I recently ordered this pureSOL 100% Natural Konjac Facial Sponge from Amazon and my first impression was one of concern because it was very hard. However, after soaking it for a few minutes in the sink it became fully soft.
Soaked in the sink for a few minutes turned this hard sponge into a very soft one.
pureSOL Konjac Facial Sponge is 100% natural and eco-friendly, free of parabens, sulphates & chemicals, is biodegradable, cruelty free and vegan.
I only needed to use a small amount of my favorite facial cleanser and along with the pureSOL sponge it cleaned my face gently with no irritation.
The pureSOL Konjac Facial Sponge gently exfoliates while deep cleansing and removing any toxins and impurities, leaving a radiant complexion. It is extremely soft and gentle for everyday skin care. Great for all skin types.
The natural woven fibers of the sponge gently massage the skin and stimulate blood flow. It detoxifies and encourages skin renewal while balancing the skins pH, leaving your skin extremely clean and refreshed!
The added BAMBOO CHARCOAL contains activated carbon and essential minerals to deeply cleanse and absorb excess sebum, toxins and other harmful chemicals from your skin.
pureSOL Konjac Facial Sponge comes with an EASY-TO- HANG SUCTION HOOK, perfect for hanging in a well-ventilated space so it’s dry and ready for you to use the following day. It is recommended that you replace the sponge every 2-3 months and because it’s biodegradable, just throw it into your plants or garden soil.
You can order your own pureSOL Konjac Facial Sponge today from Amazon.com and it will ship to arrive quickly to your home or place of business.
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
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Hello friends and Happy Fri-Yay!
Welcome to the Weekend Wind-Down Link Party #35
I hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day Holiday and to all of the parents out there who have kids back in school I know you are doing the HAPPY DANCE!
I am attending my first SITS Bloggy Boot Camp today in Philadelphia, so follow me on Instagram to check out the highlights!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FEATURED BLOGGERS THIS WEEK!
Pure Grace Farms
The Organized Dream
Carrie This Home
Feel free to copy and paste this button onto your blog and follow the party on Pinterest as you are also featured there.
De Divah Deals
Snippets of Inspiration
A Living Sacrifice
Mustard Seed Mommy
Moms Who Save
Congratulations to our fellow host Danielle, as she recently gave birth to a health baby boy – Adam Clarke Wells was born on August 27th at 8:45am, weighing 8.8 pounds and was 20.5 inches long!
Have a wonderful weekend – Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Hello friends,
I remember when I was growing up my grandmother always had to have “a little something sweet” after eating dinner. She believed everything in moderation and never over ate, but she loved her sweets. She would also proudly remind me that the most she ever weighed was 120 lbs, and that was when she was pregnant with her twins, my mother and uncle.
I haven’t seen 120 lbs since the birth of our first son, but I also believe everything in moderation. Sunday dinners are my favorite meals to cook and sometimes I too like to have “a little something sweet” after eating.
Recently while looking through the clearance racks at Walmart I found these Welcome Home Brands Mini Baking Pans. They are made from oven safe paper and are a perfect size for “a little something sweet” dessert.
I cooked chicken and collard greens for dinner and then decided to make some Jiffy Banana muffins using the mini Baking Pans instead of a muffin tin. Following the box directions I filled each mini pan with 1/2 batter without pre-greasing which wasn’t necessary. After putting them on a baking sheet, they were placed in a pre-heated oven at 400 degrees for approximately 15 minutes.
The mini banana loaf removed easily from the pan, there was no scorching and the bread was delicious, which was made a little more so when topped with banana slices and cherry sauce – just “a little something sweet!”
How about you, do you like to have “a little something sweet” after dinner?
Don’t forget to come back at 6:00 p.m. for the #WWDParty!
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Hello friends,
I trust you are all getting back into the swing of things after the long Labor Day weekend – just think tomorrow is Fri-Yay! I spent most of my weekend clearing out the basement and was able to gather a lot of items to be donated to Goodwill.
I am thankful to be blessed with an abundance, however, sometimes it can be a bit too much so donating the excess is always a good thing – Donate Stuff Create Jobs.
Next week I will begin working on my closets so that I can create room for more stuff…
Speaking of creating room in my closet, these two outfits were put together with the same skirt. The skirt is a thrifted find from Goodwill and because brown is a great color for summer as well as fall you will probably see it again next month.
The top was on clearance at J.C. Penney and the purse was also a great find however, not from Goodwill but from Ross. My accessories, the bracelets on the left and watch are from Avon, the bracelet on the right and ring are from Old Navy.
For this look, I wore a leopard print top also thrifted from Goodwill and large Jimmy Choo inspired bag. Necklace and earring set is from Jewelrymax.net
With each outfit I wore my favorite Jessica Simpson peep-toe pumps from Charmingly Linda’s Consignment Shop. I am so thankful that the weather was perfect during the summer months after such a harsh winter. Let’s pray for a gorgeous Indian Summer and Autumn.
Even though I didn’t get a chance to wear a lot of my summer clothes, as I go through my closets, anything not worn in the past two years will be donated.
How do you decide when to get rid of clothing?
I am thankful that I am able to donate to Goodwill; I am thankful that we had a wonderful holiday; I am thankful to be attending my 1st SITS Bloggy Boot Camp in Philadelphia tomorrow and last but not least, I am thankful for my family, my friends and of course my faith.
Now it’s your turn, what are you thankful for this week?
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
12 Comments
Hello friends,
I hope all is well in your world. I am slowly but surely getting adjusted to having only one son at home with Malik now away at college. He seems to be doing well, last week I received a few text messages and 1 phone call! I can now fully appreciate the “call your mom” statement.
Thank you all for the votes last week, it was a close race but the winner squeaked by and it was the NO Bow Dollhouse beige wedges.
This week you will be choosing between high and low, as in flats versus heels.
These gorgeous heels were actually given to me from fellow blogger, Nout over at SandpaperKisses and when I saw them I was blown away in love! If you get a chance go over to her place and show her some bloggy love – she is just too adorable!
Not only were these shoes a perfect fit, but the platform in the front made them uber comfortable. Now they may not seem as comfortable as a their contenders, these well-worn pair of color block flats purchased from CitiTrends.
These ballerina flats are also very comfy, but for only a short period of time. I need arch support so I find wearing flats for long period of time uncomfortable.
How about you, can you wear flats without discomfort?
So are you ready to choose? Which will it be, the flats or…
…the heels? But of course before you make the final decision, take a look at them solo.
Are you ready to submit your choice?
Flats with the skirt for a comfy casual look
Or heels for a dressier look?
Leave your comments below, then come on over to Whitney’s Place and check out her Personal Style Link Up feature.
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
21 Comments
Hello friends,
well it has been a little over two weeks since I started my weight loss journey and am proud to report that I am down 4 lbs already – Yay me! I’m not one who likes to weigh in every day even if it’s thought to be more of a motivator if you do.
We keep our bathroom scale downstairs in the powder room which is another reason why I don’t step on it daily – “out of sight – out of mind” Now that we have the Eat Smart Precision MaxView Digital Scale I am more inclined to do so not only because it’s so precise, but because it has a large LCD display that I can read without my glasses.
I let Tayair try out the scale first and was shocked to see that since his surgery he had lost 8 lbs, but was more shocked when I stepped on it and realized that I must have found them! That is definitely more of a reason to put down the wine and bread and pick up the dumbbells and jump rope.
I like this EatSmart Precision MaxView Bathroom Scale and have decided to move it upstairs into our bathroom as more of an incentive to reach my goal weight before my 53rd birthday on the 20th.
The EatSmart Precision ViewMax Bathroom Scale has a 400 lb capacity, and comes with 2 year Guarantee. The scale requires 2 AAA batteries which are included and it was ordered and shipped quickly from Amazon.com.
What motivates you to keep your weight in check?
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
8 Comments
Hello friends,
Happy Labor Day 2014, the unofficial end of the summer (BOO!!!). I can’t remember a summer flying by as fast as this one did, how about you?
So what are your plans for the grill today? It’s going to be a gorgeous day here in Delaware so I’ll be outside cooking later this afternoon. However, if you are staying indoors but still want grilled hot dogs you might want to try this tasty recipe.
I used Jennie-O turkey products because we don’t eat pork and not a lot of beef. I wrapped a slice of turkey bacon around each hot dog then secured them with two toothpicks.
Pour a little olive oil in the skillet and allow the bacon wrapped dogs to cook for approximately 15 minutes, turning to keep them from burning.
Once the bacon is crispy, add chopped onions and peppers, turn heat on low allowing the peppers and onions to soften for a few minutes longer.
Remove toothpicks and turn hot dogs to ensure they are thoroughly cooked. In the meantime, toast your bun.
“Dress your bun” with your choice of condiments add chips or fries and enjoy!
What is your favorite way to cook hot dogs?
Can’t forget to include a little adult beverage, remember to drink responsibly!
I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
7 Comments
