Monday Meet and Greet- Eco Baby Mama Drama

This week's featured blogger is Bri, from Eco Baby Mama Drama!  Let's learn a little more about her and her blog!

Your Name: Bri

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

How did you decide on what to name your blog? I knew I wanted something with ‘eco’ and ‘baby’ because my focus when I started was baby products as I was a new mom again and my best friend actually came up with the name and it made me laugh so I ran with it! 

Tell us a little about you...  

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

Favorite Things:

• 1. My 3 boys (even though they drive a mama crazy!)
• 2. Being a stay at home mom
• 3. Sweets (salty is yummy too!)
• 4. Watching Law shows
• 5. Finding a great deal

Least Favorite Things:

• 1. Mean people
• 2. Rude people
• 3. Liars
• 4. Scalloped Potatoes
• 5. A huge store that starts with W

When and why did you start blogging? I started my own blog in April after being a contributor on another blog for quite awhile, I wanted to expand the things I was able to write about and what better way to do that then start my own blog and have full control of the topics

 What do you blog about? Pretty much anything that is family friendly, I love environmentally friendly products for reviews especially.

What does your family think of your blog? Do they read it? My immediate family thinks it is great and support me a lot, my extended family doesn’t really get it.  My 13 year old follows me and reads every post (he is an email subscriber!) and my husband proof reads for me sometimes but my extended family doesn’t really follow me.

When do you find the time to blog? I get about a 30 minute window daily between nap time starting and my oldest arriving home from school so finding time is a challenge

What is your favorite blog post ever? Probably this one (http://www.ecobabymamadrama.com/2011/08/positive-diagnosis-update-on-tates.html) it is the update to a 5 part series in which I shared my youngests struggle with c-diff

What has been your biggest blogging challenge? I struggle with every post, I am a very insecure writer and never know if my posts are too long, too short, or just not interesting.  I am also very tech challenged so simply watermarking a picture is difficult for me.

What advice would you give a new blogger? Network, make other blogging friends, they are invaluable

What widget or feature could you not live without? Since I am tech challenged I don’t really use a lot of widgets honestly

What are your favorite blogs to read? I used to read tons of blogs however I rarely am able to now as any free time I have I spend working on my own blog

Where can we find you? 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/EcoBabyMamaDram

Email Subscribe: http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=EcoBabyMamaDrama

Monday Meet and Greet- Someday I'll Learn

This week's featured blog is Someday I'll Learn! Let's welcome Chelsea and learn a little more about her and her blog....

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

This week I introduce my friend Skye, from Real Mom Reviews. Skye can be thanked for helping me start blogging regularly and introducing me to review and giveaway blogging! THANKS, Skye!

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 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

Where can we find you? 

You can find me on Facebook (http://facebook.com/RealMomReviews) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/RealMomReview) and 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

A big thank you to Eileen, from Books R Us, for sharing with us this week! 

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

A big thank you to Darcy, from Tales from the Nursery, for sharing with us this week. Let's learn a little more about her...

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

Monday Meet and Greet- Arizona Mama

This week we welcome Nancy from Arizona Mama... check out her blog and read a little more about her below!

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- MI Savings Mama

Our featured blog this week is MI Savings Mama! A big thank you to Amy for sharing with us!

Your Name:  Amy

Where do you blog? http://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 doesnt 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:  http://facebook.com/misavings

Twitter:  http://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

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 – http://www.facebook.com/StayingMe

Twitter – http://twitter.com/SalemMomma