My Story: Finding a Blogging Family {Part Three} + Giveaway

Earlier I was writing some snail mail cards to a few of my Project Dream friends and it occurred to me that this story of becoming a blogger and how I monetized my blog really isn't complete if I don't mention the amazing women/friends/fellow-bloggers/family who encourage and support me on a daily basis.

When I talked about how I monetized my blog (better than affiliate marketing, sponsorships, etc.), I introduced you to Project Dream International. If you go to the site or follow our Facebook page at all, you can see that we are clearly a fun group of women who mean business! What you might not realize is that we are all bloggers. It's how we all met!

If you have been on Pinterest at all lately or attended a blogging conference, I'm sure you've heard the blogging tribe buzz. The experts say it's crucial and for more reasons than just exposure. A blogging tribe supports you, give you ideas, picks you up when you're discouraged, helps cheer on accomplishments, and motivates you with the best training. Or at least that's what mine does.

We don't call ourselves a tribe, though. We're just Project Dream because dreams are our mission. We aren't limited to only 10 people and we don't have rules about keeping the size of our blogs near each other. Everyone is in different parts of the journey. And that's okay because we're not really a traditional tribe- we're family.

A few years ago I was feeling in a rut. My handful of good friends are ones I've had since middle school (or earlier) and the further I got into adulthood, the harder it became to make new ones. Enter Project Dream... not one of these women lives in the same state as I do, yet I talk to them on a weekly basis, texting, on Facebook, and through the cards that I sent out today. They are there for me in every aspect, not just blogging. They are amazing friends.

Well, I've gushed enough about how great they are. How about a fun look back at this last year? I had the opportunity to travel to Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas to meet up with them and attend some conferences. Meeting in person isn't a requirement- I was very blessed to have been able to.

Dallas- Me and Katie from Building a House of Love.

Dallas- Vicki, Mary, Erin, Katie, Me, and Claire and our friend Juan who we met in Los Angeles. He's awesome.

Chicago- Krysta, Me, Jenn, Bonnie, and Mary

 We actually stayed at Bonnie's house and this was my first time meeting my PDI friends in person. It was so much fun! Mary is actually laughing in this picture. She's a hoot. :)

One of the nights we went on a field trip to Trader Joe's. It was my first time and it was awesome! Of course we were in our pj's and cracking jokes with the few people left working there that late. Always a good time. :)

The Heasleys (how cool are they!? 12 kids!), Jenn, Susie, Krysta, Mary, Bonnie, Elisabeth, and Me

 Oh yeah, and we did attend a great conference and learned a lot besides which TJ yogurt I like best. Here is even more of the group... (ignore my awkward pose)

Funny thing- I can't find any pictures of me with the ladies in Los Angeles, but I know there must be some. Maybe we were just too busy laughing to remember pictures? That was a fun and funny weekend!

Most exciting for me about this walk down memory lane is that I get to see many of these women and meet even more at the Shaklee Global Conference in just a few days!!! I'm so excited to see them all again and do some in-person brainstorming and keep building our businesses and blogs. :)

Blogging friends who I will get to see again or meet in Nashville this week:

Ring Around the Rosies; My Other Shoe; Eyes on the Source; Happy, Healthy, and Domestic; Raising Daisies; Claire's Healthy Home; Beauty Blondie; Erin Branscom; Krysta Steen; Bonnie Donahue; Blissfully Ever After; Parents of a Dozen; The Home Tipster; Pearls, Paisley, and Petticoats

If you would like to be a part of this awesome group of women, go to Project Dream's website and sign up to learn more! No feeling nervous! :) We're all strangers at first, yet all looking for the same things out of life, which is part of why it's so easy to bond. We'd love to have you!

Okay, now GIVEAWAY TIME! :)

In celebration of my first time in Nashville I am giving away a gorgeous pair of earrings from Lauren Amos Designs. These are the same that the main character, Rayna James, from the TV show Nashville wore. I bought a pair for myself because I love them so much! lol.

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I'll be wearing these plenty while in Nashville. :) I can't wait! Good luck!!!

 

My Story: How I Monetized My Blog {Part Two} + MacBook Pro Giveaway

Last Monday I told you a little history about myself and how I became a professional blogger. I also mentioned at the end that I, of course, still need to make money to pay bills :)

Enter Project Dream International - I was first introduced to PDI by another blogger who I had been following for about a year. I read all about how she was building her own business by blogging. I was very curious!

Have you ever thought about doing affiliate marketing on your blog? Or adsense? Or reviewing products? Those are all ways that bloggers can monetize their blog and you'll hear tons about them at events like BlogHer and Bloggy Bootcamp, but what I've learned in the past year is that there is a better way to monetize that isn't talked about much.

Moms everywhere are opening up Etsy shops and investing in supplies to craft their jewelry, purses, prints, etc. Well, there is another group of entrepreneur moms who are also building their own businesses! That's what Project Dream International is- we're a group of women building our WAHM businesses together. :)

I don't know where you are in your life and career. Maybe you absolutely love your job and your blog is already making lots of money! But if that doesn't quite describe you and you want something to help you reach your dreams (vacation, college tuition, home renovation, etc.), you need to check out Project Dream.

Prior to partnering with Project Dream International, I was feeling very trapped in my 9-5, cubicle job. I thought I had reached my dreams, but was beginning to realize that I wanted more from life. I had also started blogging, but wasn't making much money on affiliate marketing and sponsorships. Project Dream trained me, helped me build my blog, and gave me real tools to make my new dreams a reality. Following my 4th layoff I didn't have to worry because I knew I had my blog and business to rely on. It has made all the difference in my life. Now I am a part of a community of amazing women who will forever be family to me! :)

If you would like to learn more about Project Dream International, go to our site here and sign up to receive the free webinar that explains even more about how we are making money blogging! :) And you are always welcome to message me with any questions. I see so many women with great blogs or obvious potential- they just need a little training and support. I love being able to help others learn how to make money through blogging!

P.S. Now that you are ready to get serious about blogging, you might want some good equipment! :) I'm a part of a really great giveaway going on at Pretty My Party for an Apple Macbook Pro! See the details below and enter to win!!! Good luck!

Rules: Giveaway is open worldwide to all participants age 18 and older. If the winner resides outside of the U.S. they are required to pay shipping. Everyone entering the giveaway is required to like and follow every business and blog participating. You will be disqualified from winning the prize if your name is chosen and you did not follow everyone on the entry form list. Giveaway is open until July 29, 2013 at 12 a.m. EST. One winner will be chosen randomly through Rafflecopter. The winner will be notified by email by hello@prettymyparty.com. Please make sure that email is on your safe email list and doesn’t end up in your spam folder. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The winner will be announced on Pretty My Party on Aug. 1, 2013.
Disclosure: This giveaway is in no way associated with Apple or any of its products. Pretty My Party and those bloggers and businesses listed above receive no compensation to promote Apple products, including the Macbook Pro.

Prize: 13.3-inch MacBook Pro (model MD101LL/A)

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Clean Your Car with Organic Basic H2 {Non-Toxic Tuesday}

Okay, so you've realized that those toxic, traditional, store-bought cleaners are horrible for your health (asthma, cancer, etc...) and you've made the switch for your home, but do you still clean your car with whatever you find in the car aisle of Walmart? I don't know about you, but we spend a lot of time in the car! Husband's commute to work, to and from daycare, trips to the store, weekend adventures... the hours spent in the car really add up!

There's no need to use those special car cleaners though. Secret Exposed: It's just cleaner! :) We keep our car and lungs in great condition by using Shaklee Basic H2 and sometimes the germex Basic G when needed. Take a look!-

Those tires were actually scrubbed down by the guys at our local car wash. I mean SCRUBBED using their foamy cleaner and a hard brush. I finished the job with some Basic H2 and a little towel when I got home. Came off without any harsh scrubbing needed! :)

I guarantee Basic H2 will clean better your current, toxic cleaners. (No really, there's a 100% money-back guarantee with all Shaklee products!) I've never been disappointed and love knowing my family is safe wherever our travels lead us.

Don't forget! This month (July) is FREE membership month with the purchase of any product. So you can buy the one bottle of Basic H2 (which will last you a year+) and have the membership waiting for you 50 years from now. :)

AND my team is doing FREE shipping for this Thursday only!!!
Come join me at the Alison Marie blog's Shaklee Facebook Event to win prizes and learn more. :D

Shop my Shaklee store here!

KitchenAid Mixer Giveaway!

 

Go Here to Enter the Giveaway!

 

You heard right! :) Happy Summer! I've teamed up with an awesome group of bloggers to make this giveaway happen for our lovely readers and I'm so excited to finally be sharing it with you!

Hop on over to the Pretty My Party blog to enter to win! Hopefully you are already following me on Facebook so that's an automatic entry! Good luck and I hope you have an awesome weekend!

Details:

1 lucky winner will win a KitchenAid Artisan 5 Quart Mixer – Choose from more than 30 colors! Open WORLDWIDE, 18+! If the winner is outside the U.S., they can pay for tax + shipping or opt for PayPal cash.

Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 28.

Thank you to the following bloggers and businesses for making this giveaway possible: Tikkido, Pink Cake Plate, Cupcake Diaries, Measured By the Heart, Cherries n Berries, The Frugal Navy Wife, Mommy Octopus, Tickled Peach Studio, Wrong Way Peach Fuzz, From Me, With Love, The Doodling Bug, inkhappi, Bonggamom, Bowbows Boutique, The Nest Effect, Daddy Mojo, Ann-Kay Design, The Alison Marie Blog, The Geeky Hostess, Three Little Monkeys Studio, The REAL Housewives of Riverton, A Delicate Gift, Taradara Made It, Vegas Family Guide, On the Way Home, Saving By Design and Owlanthas

Happy Earth Day! {Shaklee Giveaway}

I had hoped to have a few more posts out before this giveaway, but I'd rather start it on Earth Day than wait. Happy Earth Day!

What are you doing to be a little more eco-friendly this year? Need an idea?

Yes! I'm giving away a Shaklee starter kit! Now you see why I just couldn't delay?!? :)

The Get Clean Starter Mini-Kit replaces over $2,000 of traditional cleaners and there are no toxins!!! Talk about Green! {Enter Below}

Why do I love Shaklee and am so excited right now? Why NOT...

 

 

{Enter Below} Yep, lots to be excited about there! AND Bonus that probably shouldn't even be considered as a Bonus- it ACTUALLY works! Like WAY better than the store-bought-nasty cleaners! Amazingness.

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