06.11.10

Featured TMC Blogger: Loulou’s Views

TMC welcomes Loukia, author of the blog Loulou’s Views. Loukia is one of those bloggers that I instantly connected with the moment I visited her blog for the first time. She has such an adorable blog design and she blogs about topics that always relate to me. Loukia is also a very personable blogger, very reflective of motherhood and her family experiences. And she always adds the best pictures to her blog, too! Here is how she describes her blog in her own words:

“My name is Loukia – aka – Loulou, and I’m a married mom of two amazing little boys. My boys are the loves of my life! I have been blogging for over three years now, and I love it – I love writing about my adventures as a mom, about my boys, about the situations I get myself in (like almost dying while going for a Mystic Tan!) and I love to give advice on topics like travelling with children, shopping and providing tips for new moms. 

Aside from being a full-time, 24 hours a day mom – the hardest and most amazing job ever – I work full-time in the federal government in Communications. Before working for the government, I worked in television and radio, both on-air and behind the scenes. I also interned at Entertainment Tonight and at CBS TV. Nothing beats the excitement of a newsroom – until you have kids! Then the excitement is never-ending!

I love to blog because I love to write – and through blogging, I have met some amazing, incredible people – it’s truly such an awesome community! The support, the comment love, the stories, the connections… I’m looking forward to meeting you! (And I’ll also be at BlogHer this August in NYC – so let me know if you’re going to be there, too!)”

So be sure to check out the blog and follow her on Twitter!

New to TMC? Join us! We LOVE new members!

{ 27 Comments }
06.8.10

Theta Mom is Turning One and I Want YOU to Help Me Celebrate

It’s official. My very first blogoversary is less than three weeks away and it’s hard for me to put my blogging experience over the last twelve months into words.

From the very first time I hit publish {which was actually my Mission} I knew from that very moment what I wanted this blog to be about and where I wanted it to go. But never did I imagine how this amazing community of bloggers would come together. Between TMC and the Network members continue to join, read and connect and Theta Mom continues to reach new milestones – and it’s all because of YOU.

One year ago I started this blog trying to find my own writing style, a unique design and ultimately my own voice. Aside from a technical standpoint of making the move from Blogger to WordPress, what has made my blogging experience so rewarding are the many real friendships and connections I have made – which brings me to the very reason why I would love for you to share in this special day with me. I really want YOU to help me celebrate this milestone since each of you are such an integral part of this blog.

So to begin the festivities, I am going to draft one of the BEST posts I’ve ever written and I challenge you to do the same by answering one simple question… What makes you a Theta Mom?

What makes you a Theta Mom? Was there one specific experience that was life changing for you and your family? Did you struggle with fertility? Did you overcome a difficult situation with your child? Did the Earth shift once you became a mother? If so, how? Maybe it’s your overall philosophy on motherhood that represents this? However you define it, I want you to share what makes you a true and authentic mom and write a post like you’ve never written before. Dig deep and speak directly from your heart; let’s hear your voice as you continue to support this mission.

I want you to be inspired. I want you to write one of those posts that you can’t wait for others to read. I want you to blog like you’ve never blogged before and I want you to share like you’ve never shared before. Make it funny, heart-warming, moving, happy or sad – as long as it is true to YOU.

Then grab the cute “Proud Theta Mom” button {in the right sidebar – and feel free to replace it with an older  Theta Mom button for some bloggity bling on your blog} or just link to me in the post you create and be sure to link up that post beginning Monday June 28th. I will have a Linky set up for five days so you can link up and have some time to really get to know other Theta Mom bloggers that have linked up and done the same. It will be the perfect opportunity to meet some new bloggers and read some awesome posts! But wait, there’s more…

What better way to kick off this party than with an AMAZING giveaway attached to this blogoversary? For those of you who are not yet familiar with Modern Bird Studios be sure to check out their website, follow them on Twitter (Megan actually tweets back and is one of my favorite tweeps) and like them on Facebook. You can also check out the full review published at Theta Mom all about Modern Bird Studios which you’ll definitely want to read if you haven’t yet.

Modern Bird Studios was so excited to hear about my blogoversary that they wanted to help me celebrate so they are going to sponsor another giveaway at Theta Mom!!! If you write a “Proud Theta Mom” post and link up on the Linky during the week of June 28th at Theta Mom, you will automatically be entered to win a custom 12X24 piece of artwork by Modern Bird Studios (valued at $280)! The winner of this special giveaway will be chosen by me based on the BEST “Proud Theta Mom” post. Here is a photo of the gorgeous artwork that I had done by Modern Bird Studios and reviewed:

You can also tweet to help spread the word about this awesome blogoversary: Join @ThetaMom celebrate her blogoversary 4 chance to win a custom piece of art from @modern_bird Details: http://bit.ly/c2XEiv Please RT

I really don’t think this blogoversary could be any more special. I can’t wait to officially kick off this party with lots of GREAT blog reading and an amazing giveaway from Modern Bird Studios! So get those Proud Theta Mom ideas ready, grab the button and begin writing a phenomenal post set to publish beginning June 28th as you answer one simple question: What makes you a Theta Mom?  

{ 104 Comments }
06.6.10

Cutie Pa Tutus Review and Giveaway

***This contest is now closed. Congratulations Stefanie! An email has been sent.***

Cutie Pa Tutus is owned by Amanda Duke, a mother of two who wanted to find a way to build a successful business and be able to raise her two small children at the same time. She started Cutie Pa Tutus in 2008 based in Charleston, South Carolina, after an overwhelming response of making her daughter’s first tutu for a princess party. Ever since that one tutu was made, the rest is history! Amanda takes such pride in her work and client satisfaction is her top priority. One visit to the site and you will clearly see why Cutie Pa Tutus is so popular! I reviewed The Diva Pa Tutu Outift:

Can you say ad-or-able??? When I took this out of the package my heart skipped a beat. It really is the most adorable thing my 20 month-old daughter has worn yet! The t-shirt contains a pink high heel with sparkly crystal embellishments throughout. The actual tutu skirt has a polished look with a finishing bow and cute dots along the bottom. My daughter looked like a superstar in this outfit and loved wearing it! {It’s so hard to get her to stand still, so this was the best shot I could get…}

The shirt and tutu fit her body perfectly and she will have room to grow into it as well. I was impressed by the creative artistry of the entire ensemble as well as the craftsmanship of the tutu. You can tell that this is made with care and that Amanda wants customer satisfaction. I couldn’t be more pleased with this outfit and Cutie Pa Tutus is now one of my favorites for sure! Be sure to follow Cutie Pa Tutus on Twitter and become a “like” of Cutie Pa Tutus on  Facebook.  

You can purchase The Diva Pa Tutu Outfit for $62.00 here or you can enter to win because Cutie Pa Tutus is giving one lucky Theta Mom reader the chance to win a tutu of choice!

How to Enter The Cutie Pa Tutus Giveaway:

****Required Entry: Follow my blog publicly and tell me you are.

Extra Entries: (You must leave a separate entry for each extra entry to count and extra entries won’t count unless the required entry is done)


1. Follow Theta Mom on Twitter here and leave me your twitter name. (1 entry)

2. Become a “Like” of Theta Mom on Facebook here and leave me your FB name. (1 entry)

3. Subscribe to Theta Mom via email. You must activate the subscription for this entry to count. (2 entries)

4. Subscribe to Theta Mom any other way. (1 entry)

5. Grab one of my cute buttons and add it to your website. (2 entries per button)

6. Click to vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs. Just click the banner on the right side bar and tell me you clicked. (1 entry per click-can click up to 3x)

7. If you have a BlogFrog profile, join my BlogFrog Community here and leave me your BlogFrog profile name. (1 entry)

8. Tweet this giveaway! Just copy/paste the following: Love Cutie Pa Tutus?  Enter to win a #tutu from @cutiepatutus #giveaway @ThetaMom http://bit.ly/dv4p0p Please RT (1 entry per daily tweet)

9. Post about this giveaway on your blog and link back to me. Leave me your link to show the post. (2 entries)

10. Add Theta Mom to your blogroll. (2 entries)

Giveaway Rules:

This giveaway is open to US residents only. It begins on June 6, 2010 and will end on June 17, 2010 at 8 pm. One winner with a valid entry will be selected at random using random.org. The winner will be announced and must respond with a current email address within 48 hours to claim. Otherwise, another eligible entry will be chosen. Enter as many extra entries as you would like Theta Moms and good luck!

I was provided The Diva Pa Tutu Outfit from Cutie Pa Tutus. I was not compensated for this review. These are my own honest opinions and experience with the product.

{ 252 Comments }
06.4.10

Featured TMC Blogger: Mommy Words

TMC welcomes Brittany, author of the blog Mommy Words. Brittany has been a faithful follower and supporter of Theta Mom from its inception. We originally found each other on MBC and we have been great bloggy friends ever since. She was actually one of the reasons I jumped ship to WordPress using the Thesis theme. Brittany writes to most amazing DIY posts and she is one of those bloggers that once she connects with you, she’ll support you all the way. Here is how she describes her blog in her own words:

“Hi, I’m Brittany, and you are my support group just as I am yours. Yes, if there were meetings for crazed mothers where I could meet fabulous women while laughing, crying, bonding, watching my kids and having an occasional glass of wine I would be there introducing myself on a regular basis. When I figured out that no such wonderland exists I found I could make this crazy dream come true on the Internet.  I started writing Mommy Words to introduce myself to you and share my world with the hope that I would make real connections and life-long friends. It worked! I have found so many lovely friends, talented writers and fabulous mothers while blogging. I got more than I ever expected from this journey and it has just begun.

I started blogging here and there more than a year ago but things got crazy enough that I had a regular need to write things down for the Internet in the summer of 2009. Since I began writing I added my third child and stepped up the circus that is my life! I have a great husband and three ridiculously cute and hysterical kids aged 3 and under. Sophia is 3. Miles is 2. Violet is just 4 months old.  I am a busy mommy!  I left my job in investment banking to stay home when I had Miles and I have never looked back at those 80 hours a week. I am now exhausted and totally satisfied working the 168 hours a week that Motherhood requires. Double the hours, double the fun right?

I blog about all that is Motherhood and then some. I, like you, am more than just a Mom and I write about things that are in my life, on my mind, expanding my heart.  I am totally open so beware…you may laugh or cry with me. You may also feel the urge to open your tool box or craft cupboard. Why?  I also throw in detailed How-To’s when I tackle DIY projects like building furniture or creating gorgeous flower arrangements for a shower.

Being a mom means multitasking and when I find something that works I will let you know!  I am officially adding blogger to my list of jobs (like motherhood, unpaid) and will begin a series on blog design and organization this summer. I built my blog myself, learning WordPress into the wee hours of the morning, and I am proud of it.  It still has a long way to go, but I like to learn how to do things myself (while I am a Theta Mom I am type A all the way).  I get a ton of questions on blog design and coding so I figure I may as well post my tips and resources for everyone! Right now my blog is like my life – you never know what you’re going to get…but I hope you like it. I can’t wait to meet you, to blog with you and tweet with you, I can’t wait to get to know you and your world.  I hope you stop by!”

Be sure to check out the blog and follow her on Twitter!

New to TMC? Join us! We LOVE new members!

{ 23 Comments }
06.2.10

Stuck in the Middle of a Battle

I can’t believe I wrote about this five months ago and I am still here in the same situation. Nothing has changed even with good intentions.

I can’t believe summer is practically here and I am placing the exact same clothes on my body just as I had done last year. I remember folding those clothes up at the end of the season thinking it would be the LAST time I would be seeing them. I still have visions of myself smiling as I slowly packed each piece away thinking they would never touch this body again.

Wrong.

And now? I just feel stuck.

At the start of the New Year I swore that this time was going to be it. I was going to do what I had to do to get rid of this “baby” weight. The problem is that baby will be two in September so there is no excuse. Back in January I wrote about this issue and here I am writing about it again. To make matters worse, two years ago I officially began to work from home so my need for getting “all dressed up” to turn on my computer or play with my kids seemed ridiculous. I found myself getting “fully dressed” only when I went out to the store or to pick up my son. It’s hard to motivate myself to look all glam when it’s really just for the Target cashier or my pediatrician. Yes, that is my reality.

So aside from the “baby” weight issue and being stuck in the same clothes as last year, I look at everything in my closet even down to the cute shoes that I have and I truly have nowhere to wear them to – it’s almost like the end of an era. And this same feeling hits me even when I browse online and stumble upon a gorgeous pair of pumps like these from Kate Spade: {image credit}

I am at that point in my life in which I absolutely cannot spend $325 on a pair of Python Print Pumps {paying a mortgage, graduate school loans and raising two children} but it’s also the notion that even if I did own them I would have no place to wear them as a WAHM. You see, all of these emotions also hit me at once…

My friend recently went back to work full-time and needed me to watch her son for the afternoon. She dropped him off and after we chatted for a brief moment it was the first time I truly felt stuck in the middle of this battle.

I watched her walk to her car in her cute jeans, white open toe heels and adorable sunglasses while I stood there in the doorway, waving back to her in my black yoga pants, t-shirt with dried-up snot on my shoulder from my baby girl, holding her on my hip while chasing after the two boys behind me. I used to be that cute girl in designer jeans and heels, rushing off to work and now I just find myself stuck in this space. I think The Mommyologist needs have another chat with me about bringing my Mom Sexy back…

Regardless, I have since realized that a big part of my problem with this weight battle is pure lack of motivation. And this needs to change if I want to see change. I can’t give up this fight until I win.

Although I’ve come a long way of loving this body after giving birth to two babies, I need clothes that fit and right now they don’t. I need to do this for myself. I have everything else in order and going for me in my life right now so why is this so freakin hard?

And when I even remotely think about those Fall clothes from last year waiting for me – I’ll be damned if I am stuck in those, too.

{ 115 Comments }
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