My Favorite Children's Books

I haven't done a Ten post in a while, and today seemed like a great time for it.  I've got to be honest with you, its been difficult lately keeping up with blogging.  The Holidays are fast approaching, my husband is still studying to complete his CPA by the end of the month, and we are in full home-preschool mode - which means time for myself and even time just to connect with you lovelies has been scarce.

I haven't even had the chance to share the many many great things going on with us right now - I have a head spinning in ideas for posts, with relatively no time to get them written!  If only Siri was slightly better at voice transcription...that would be so great!  Anyway, on the topic of home-preschool, I have been loving seeing Zion develop an appreciation of reading and books.

The girl has a photographic memory I tell you!  She can pick up a story by the 2nd time its read, so when she has quiet time she actually "reads" herself her stories, like almost word for word from memory.  She's only 2.5 so I assure you she is not actually reading them, but its incredibly impressive.  I think the biggest compliment is that she will read the stories with the same emphasis and voice changes and expressions that I use to bring them to life.  Cute overload for sure.  

Here are my 10 favorite children's stories from when I was a child...let me know if any of them resonate with you!

10.  Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein

9. Robot by Jan Pienkowski

8. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

7.  The Frog & Toad Stories by Arnold Lobel

6. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald

5. The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Lowrey

4. The Funny Little Woman by Arlene Mosel

3. Green Eggs & Ham by Dr. Suess

2. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

1. The Monster at the end of this Book by Jon Stone

Funny story to tell you about my all time favorite story - The Monster at the end of this Book, I actually loved this book so much that I tore the pages out of this book and hid them, because I didn't want to share it with anyone...it was mine, all mine.  Oh man!

Before I leave you - I have to take a minute and just mention this awesome campaign that Capital One & The Heart of America Foundation are wrapping up this week called, Book by Book!  Research shows that a child’s access to reading material is one of the strongest predictors of their ability to succeed academically, yet some 60% of children in low-income families have no books in their homes.

These two companies are coming together to donate a goal of 50,000 books!!  All you have to do to participate is to like their Investing for Good facebook page and they will donate a book!  They are currently about 8000 likes shy of their goal!  You can also vote for your favorite books to help influence the books that will be donated!  Would you help us to get some of these favorite books in the hands of kids less fortunate!? Just click like below, and to vote for your favorites click here!

Linking with Lena!

Are You Sponsor-worthy? Part I

First, let me just preface my post by stating that this is my opinion, and it is based on my experiences in sponsoring others as well as being sponsored myself.  Also, this is not an article about working with companies and brands - its an article specifically addressing blog-to-blog sponsorship.

So what makes a person sponsor-worthy?   What is the best indicator that you will get your money's worth from sponsoring someone's blog?  Is it their high number of followers?  Their stats?

Reciprocity >> This is the starting point for me.  It really comes down to the Golden Rule.  I believe sincerely in the power of treating others the way I want to be treated.  I know how I want to be treated when I pay someone to advertise my blog on their blog.  I want to be treated as a customer and I want good customer service.  So when someone purchases an ad on my site, I want them to know they are valued and important to me - and that I am grateful.

Practically speaking, I do this by communicating with them in several ways:

I have a welcome email that I send out to every ad space holder - at the beginning of their month of sponsorship.  This email is gold - it is filled with what I will be doing to promote their blog (based on their level of purchase), how I will do it, and what they can expect from their partnership.  It also gives them a calendar of events and important dates for events that will be on my blog (ways for them to grow - connect - and be featured.)

I follow them on everything.  The next step for me is to follow/subscribe to their blog and/or shop, and all social media that I can find them on.  I do this because I want them to know they are on my radar.  I'm going to be looking for ways that I can promote them and will need to know where they are active online.

I visit and browse a bit.  I do a little blog-stalking to see what kinds of things the sponsor has going on, and to learn about them - you know their name, kids and hubbies names, what general area they live in -etc.  I also note their size, niche if they have one and general posting rate.  Basically I try to get to know a little about them.  Plus, I need to make sure they are not a crazy phishing site or adult site or some other nonsense.

Relationship >> This is the heart of it all.  To me sponsorship is more accurately termed partnership.  In a sponsorship I am seeking funds to help me reach my goals.  In a partnership I am seeking funds to help us meet our goals.  Feel the difference?  When it comes down to it, the more I get involved in blogging the less time I have to read a ton of other blogs- so when someone sponsors my blog - they are going to be one of my regular reads.

It makes sense that I would build a relationship with that person - as I am often connecting with them over the length of their ad.  I'm not expecting to become BFF's with everyone who buys ad space but I do think that a big part of my reason for blogging is the community aspect.  So, to conclude this point - building relationships through sponsorship/partnership, being friendly essentially, is a key component to being sponsor-worthy.

Reputation >>  This is a big deal too!  Just like in your real life, your reputation matters.  It is especially true in blogging where a negative encounter can leave heavy repercussions.  Read: Treat your (sponsors) customers like the gold they are! They are precious and their positive or negative testimony of sponsoring you can spread easily through their dm's and private emails!  I know this firsthand because I've had others share with me frustrations with blogs they've sponsored.

A good idea is to under promise and over deliver!  Anytime I have gotten more than what I paid for, I've been a happy customer.  Well, I can think of exceptions to that but they have nothing to do with blogging.  Definitely offer something beyond just ad space - and then follow through always - go above and beyond often!

I believe if you keep these three R's in mind you will have the foundation set for being sponsor-worthy!

Stay tuned for more practical tips on sponsorship!  Have a specific question you want answered?  I'm collecting a bunch for an upcoming vlog, send me an email and I'll make sure I answer yours!

babyhuddle! U.S. Launch!

Hey lovelies! Check out this great resource for parents that is launching today in the U.S.! babyhuddle is an online parenting community, one-stop shop and resource guide all in one.  They launched in the UK in 2011 and have been growing like crazy!  I had a few days to test out the site ahead of the launch, and its been super easy to use, and a great way to ask questions, organize lists of items that would help others, and find new and interesting products that other parents recommend.

Here is a screen shot of my profile ... I created a couple of lists, and have asked/answered a few questions as well.

You can follow specific parents that you find on babyhuddle with lists/answers you find valuable.

Here are some of my pluses and minuses of the site:

(+):

• Super easy to use and efficient, clean interface.
• You can create great bundles of products in your lists - which is great to use as a resource for friends that are expecting for the first time, or to keep track of things you found invaluable during different stages.
• Great information, and answers from parents.

(-):

• I couldn't find a way to add any products that weren't already listed on the directory - and there were some things that I'd love to have added to my lists, so I hope that will be a future option.

Though this isn't the first parent community site I've come across, it does offer a few unique ways of sorting and gaining valuable information from other parents.  I also feel that it is less cluttered and overwhelming than a lot of the other resources out there - I encourage you to take a look at it yourself
and see what you think of it!

Make sure you check out my lists - "Help for sleep deprived parents" and "Breastfeeding Easily & Successfully" for some of my favorite products that got me through that first year with Zion!

Visit babyhuddle on: Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest

I was compensated for my time in writing/reviewing Babyhuddle, however; all opinions and views expressed in this post are my own.

Winners & Ad Space Claimers

Hey lovelies!! Woohooo! I'm finally back with the winner of the Lauren Nicole Gifts $75 Shop Credit, and all of the official ad space claimers from the Birthday/Blog Anniversary Giveaway in early September!

Winner of the Lauren Nicole Gifts Giveaway:

Congrats Lesley R! 

Can't wait to find out what you choose from this great shop! 

 Thank you to all who entered!!

And now the ad space claimers from my 1st Blog Anniversary:'

Warning - totally unnecessary to watch this video!

December Ads:
Loveliest -
Ashley M.

Lovelier - 
Brittney L.
Ashley K.
Erin B.
Jessica S.

Lovely - 
Emily R.
Diana Z.
Sarah F.

Most Lovely - 
Jessica B.
Jennifer N.

January Ads:
Loveliest -
Courtney D.
Ang P.

Lovelier -
Brighton H.
DeAnn P.

Lovely -
Sarah-Louise B.
Amber M.
Brittany H.
Kassie R.
Sara V.

Most Lovely -
Krystal B.
Melissa P.

February Ads:
Loveliest -
Kimberly
Chelsea O.

Most Lovely -
Kelly H.


All of you will be emailed this evening - and totally your responsibility to claim your ad space via the instructions I send! Thank you to all who entered and participated! XO

This Post Sponsored By:

A Post #Sandy #NYC

Things have been a bit nuts here in the last week.  I can't believe its been a whole week since I've posted, but other things have been on my mind.  Like superstorms and millions of people being displaced from their homes in many states including my own.

While, our little family survived the storm with little more than the occasional flicker of the lights and the epic howling of the wind that sounded like a banshee screaming outside our apartment, others are dealing with loss of life, property and the basics we so easily take for granted.

I think the hardest part is the fact that so many people are hurting, more than can be reached right now by the Red Cross & Government programs - and the rest of the country could easily just go on their way about their own business and forget about the needs of the people here.

If its easy to remain comfortable in my bubble up in Washington Heights, how much easier in a part of the country that didn't face the storm?  I fear another Katrina - towns and cities decimated with only a small percentage of the country giving of their time and treasure to help.

New York is resilient but I also disagree with the attitudes of overconfidence and arrogance by many officials shown on the news - New Yorkers need help right now.  And the city and state is not able to match the need - which means the help has to come from elsewhere - and I think our city and state would do better tempering the "We can survive anything attitude" to the "We need your help - in some ways desperately" attitude!

From things I have heard just today, several of our shelters are running low on supplies.  The demand is too great at this time to effectively care for those who are in need.  We're talking babies without basic necessities like diapers and formula.

I too sometimes find myself at a loss for how much I can do to help so many people.  I mean, I am a stay-at-home mom with a 2 year old at home to worry about.  But I'm driving myself crazy brainstorming things I can do with her to help.  Is it making meals?  Is it giving money?  Whatever it is I have to do something to help!  It is not only my responsibility as an American, but my hearts desire as a Christian.

I'll admit I am very independent in my political views, to the dismay of some, however; I want to challenge those who stand on the viewpoint of "Government programs to help others should be cut" to prove that there are others who will rise to this call of providing for their fellow Americans in such a time of great need.  Because some of these people have lost everything - every. single. thing. - and will need help to get back on their feet.  I hope those who gawk at these programs put their money where their mouths are.

I am burdened in my heart to be a bit of a squawking voice at this moment in time, because I don't want people to just simply forget and go about their lives without knowing the truth - our side of the country needs your help right now - in whatever way you can give - please do so.

I've created a special ad space on BaxtronLife for the rest of this year - and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to local relief efforts in our area that provide supplies to families in need.  (Through TGC Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund).   For more details please visit my sponsor page here.

Praying for all of the people suffering the results of this storm,