2011 August | Theta Mom®

08.16.11

Kelly Moore Bag: Review and Giveaway

Kelly Moore Bag is owned and founded by mother of one, Kelly Moore Clark. She has been an avid photographer for over thirteen years and spends much of her time teaching others about the art of photography through various workshops. However, while working as a professional photographer early on, Kelly always found herself needing more function and style when it came to purchasing a quality bag to fit her equipment and “chic” lifestyle. She began to daydream about creating her own line of handbags and soon began to sketch out a wish list of what this line of quality bags would look like. Making sure that style, function and fun were the major elements, it wasn’t long before Kelly Moore, the brand was born.

I was lucky enough to review the LIBBY Bag in orange. It contains two zipper pockets in the front with another outside larger zipper pocket. In addition, there are two open pockets on the side as well as an 11” inch zipper pocket that can fit an iPad. Inside the bag, there is a laptop divide which can hold up to a 17” laptop, and this bag contains 5 padded, removable dividers. The exterior walls and bottom of the Libby are padded and has two main shoulder straps (but also comes with a removable messenger strap). This bag retails for $249.00.

I don’t even know where to begin other than saying this is THE bag to own for digital women and mom bloggers. This truly is the perfect event and conference bag, knowing that you can carry your laptop, accessories and random required “purse” items all in one place safely. My favorite feature about this product is the functionality and the durability of the bag. Never have I seen a more stylish and secure bag to hold many of my expensive digital items while at the same time, keeping me organized as I am on the go. The padded removable dividers (which have Velcro on both ends for easy access) allow me the freedom to place my items in securely each and every time. So when I carry my laptop, it’s perfect – but when I don’t need to transport the laptop, removing the padded divider is a cinch, allowing me to fill the bag with other necessities. This feature makes the Libby a very versatile bag, matching my need for function and style.

Shop the Full Collection of Kelly Moore Bags to find the perfect bag that meets your specific needs. This brand offers bags in various shapes, colors, sizes and styles that will match the design and function you are looking for! Be sure to follow Kelly Moore on Twitter for the latest bag news and stay up to date on the latest products and trends on Facebook. Kelly Moore is even offering Theta Mom readers a $15 discount on any purchase. Simply use the coupon code: ThetaMom at checkout. This offer is good through the end of August 2011.

But wait.

I couldn’t let you continue to drool over my Libby bag by Kelly Moore without giving YOU the chance to own a Kelly Moore bag yourself!!!

That’s right! Kelly Moore is giving away one Kelly Moore Bag to one VERY LUCKY Theta Mom® reader!!! Is this an amazing giveaway or what?

GIVEAWAY RULES:

I made this super easy for you. Simply follow my blog (tell me you do), visit Kelly Moore and leave a comment telling me which Kelly Moore bag you would LOVE to own! Be sure to follow me on Twitter and tweet the following as an extra entry:

I’m LOVING the gorgeous line of @KellyMooreClark bags, so I just entered the amazing #giveaway @ThetaMom http://bit.ly/nldbHu

*This contest is open to US, Canada and even international residents (yes, it can be shipped anywhere) ages 18+ and will close on Wednesday, August 24th. A winner will be selected via random.org. {The winner must have a valid email address and claim the prize within 48 hours. Otherwise, another winner will be chosen}.

Enter now ladies and good luck!!

***THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATS KRISTIN! AN EMAIL HAS BEEN SENT.***

Theta Mom® abides by word of mouth marketing standards and believes in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. Kelly Moore is a proud sponsor of Theta Mom® and I received the LIBBY bag to facilitate this review. However, all opinions expressed are purely my own and the content of this post was not influenced in any way.

{ 376 Comments }

08.12.11

Party Pail: Your One Stop Party Shop

Party Pail is owned by Lisa Hechter who wanted to help others simplify the process of planning birthday, parties, bridal showers, baby showers and weddings, which we all know can be very stressful at times. She wanted to start a company in which customers could shop for all of their party needs in one place, offering quality products at an affordable price point. Hence, Party Pail was born and has been in business since 2006.

Like most small businesses, Lisa started out processing orders in her kitchen and garage. Her very first “workers” were her husband and two young sons who enjoyed packing the boxes for their handful of customers. Today, this company now consists of a team of over 25 people, 80% of who are the “Mom-Squad,” a circle of mothers and grandmothers who continue to make this business thrive. The packaging that once went on in her kitchen and garage is now housed in an 11,000 square foot facility shipping out 20,000 customer orders in the last three months alone. Party Pail continues to strive toward excellent service as well as a leader in the latest decorating trends.

A perfect example of the kind of careful selection of the best products presented by Party Pail can be found in this Baby Shower theme… can you say gorgeous?

But wait. It gets even better.

Party Pail is currently running a sale now through August 31st! Each theme is 10% off their already discounted prices. Simply enter the coupon codes directly into the shopping cart at checkout. You could benefit from this sale when ordering the adorable Lil’ Angel theme that would be the right design for that spunky little girl {enter code: lil-angel-summer-10}.

And this extra discount is also good on the Lil’ Rebel theme {enter code: lil-rebel-summer-10}, the baby shower Sweet Pea theme {enter code: sweet-pea-summer-10} and the lovely Parenthood theme which is perfect for couples or an “office” baby shower {enter code: parenthood-summer-10}.

In addition to full party themes, Party Pail also offers a variety of decorations, supplies, favors, games, activities and so much more! Be sure to check them out for all of your party needs, it really is your one stop party shop! Follow Party Pail on Twitter and stay updated with recent news, discounts and new Party Pail products on Facebook.

Theta Mom® abides by word of mouth marketing standards and believes in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. Party Pail is a proud sponsor of Theta Mom and I was compensated for this post. However, all opinions expressed are purely my own and the content of this post was not influenced in any way.

{ 8 Comments }

08.10.11

17 Again

The key went into the ignition and the top came down from the Jeep, a summer night was upon us – an evening that did not involve sippy cups, diapers or breaking up sibling rivalry.

This night was about us.

Only us.

Tooling around in the Jeep, the ipod beamed with old school tracks, namely Pearl Jam and we BLASTED it, singing at the top of our lungs all along the highway.

We didn’t have a care in the world.

I was 17 again.

Later, we sat outside with a bottle of wine at a favorite restaurant. We drank and laughed and smiled and talked – I mean REALLY talked. It was like old times and we didn’t have a single worry in the world.

I was 17 again.

We walked hand in hand along the boardwalk.

We smelled the ocean air and window shopped at the boutique stores.

We ate ice cream with our toes in the sand.

We gazed at the stars in the midnight sky and listed to the waves crash onto shore.

We shared new hopes and dreams, together.

And I was totally crushing on my husband.

It was an ideal night, fit for two – a married couple who has had their fair share of major ups and downs.

But that night, was, well – just perfection.

We were 17 again.

{ 34 Comments }

08.8.11

Protective Parenting: I Could Write the Book

Sometimes I wonder if it’s just me – maybe I’m just the crazy one. There’s no cookie cutter way to parent, nor is there any “right” way and if I knew the most effective way to parent then I would write the book. And be uber rich right now.

But, I don’t have all of the answers. I didn’t write the book. And I’m not uber rich.

All I can do is try to conjure up some ideas that appear to work for me in the process. Yet, I am constantly left wondering if the job I’m doing is good enough while preventing mistakes along the way. I am also trying hard to curb the constant worry that erupts inside me.

My son will be six and I *still* cut up his hotdog into 5,000 little pieces. To this day, he has never eaten a hotdog without it being cut BOTH vertically and horizontally. Maybe all of my years teaching in an elementary school have taken its toll on me, knowing that hotdogs are one of the most common ways that children choke. Not only do I continue to cut hotdogs (and grapes for my daughter), both of my kids have NEVER eaten any kind of hard, round candy – and I don’t think I will let them until they are 18 and out of my house.

Choking, it’s one of my constant worries.

My daughter will be three and I *still* cannot lay poolside with a magazine and watch her from afar. Even though she wears a secure life vest as she swims, I must always be in the pool within an arm’s reach of her. You know, just in case…I watch in awe of other parents (of children who CANNOT swim) that don’t seem to mind the fact that their child (who does NOT wear a life vest) can roll over in the water at any moment and be in major trouble within seconds.

Drowning, it’s one of my constant worries.

My son has a life-threatening nut allergy which takes my worry-ness to a whole level. Did I just make up that word? Worryness – it would be defined with my photo next to it. I take every precaution known to man with this allergy but we do not live in a bubble and there will come a time when my son will have to handle these situations on his own. Even though I never leave home without an Epi-Pen and a bottle of Benadryl, I still have a hard time being relaxed any time we are faced in an environment containing nuts.

Anaphylactic Shock, it’s one of my constant worries.

I could actually make this list go on and on because when I think about it, I am without a doubt a Theta Mom who constantly “worries.”

Yes, I am THAT mom.

In fact, I fear that I am royally screwing up my kids because I may appear to be a bit overprotective, when my “worryness” takes over.

Royally screwing up my kids, it’s one of my constant worries.

Sometimes I wonder if it’s just me, maybe I’m just the crazy one. Perhaps I should just write the book on Protective Parenting – because I certainly have infinite experience on the subject.

{ 40 Comments }

08.5.11

Stepping Out of the Mommy Blogger Box

Today’s guest post is presented by Mary Lauren, author of the blog My 3 Little Birds. She’s sharing some insight today that is perfect blog fodder. Until I began working as a social media consultant, I didn’t realize the magnitude of the millions of other blogs out there that went beyond the scope of your average “Mommy Blog.” Apparently, Mary Lauren knows this as well and shares some sage advice:

“Mom Blogger.”

I had no idea how loaded these words were when I started my own blog.

Sure, I’m a mom, and a blogger, so I’m a Mom Blogger. But starting out, it wasn’t that simple. I’d come to learn that some bloggers have a real and legitimate issue with being put into that category. If you’re like me, the Mom Blogger label doesn’t bother you at all. I’m happy to be a part of this sisterhood, and if you’re inclined to put us all into one group, then so be it.

This isn’t a post about bloggy politics, or the pros and cons of being labeled a Mom Blogger.

The issue I’m addressing on Theta Mom® today is our tendency of limiting our networks to those that are similar to our own blogs. Since we’re all part of the Theta Mom Community, I think it’s a safe bet that most of us are moms who blog. And how many who are pigeon-holed into the “Mom Blogger” category are guilty of networking exclusively with Mom Blogs, perhaps even without realizing it?

This isn’t unique to the blogosphere. We do it in our everyday lives, too. How many times have you been in a new situation, such as a new job, and gravitated toward others who you saw as being similar to yourself? We do this for good reason; we’re more likely to have things in common with those who, well, we have things in common with. But the blogosphere is so diverse and varied and I think we’re doing ourselves a disservice by not thinking outside the Mommy Blogger box.

I’m not saying that valuable relationships can’t be made among other bloggers who are also moms. But I’m encouraging you – particularly those of you who are new at blogging or who want to expand your network to consider a few things:

1. Take a look at the other bloggers in your tribe (and by this I mean the blogs you read and comment on regularly, connect with on Twitter and Facebook and turn to with questions or advice, and who do all of those things in return). How diverse is this group? How did you come to find each other?

2. In addition to great places like Theta Mom®, network in places that aren’t exclusive to “Mom Bloggers.” My blog has an emphasis on writing, so I joined an online writer’s workshop and found some great bloggers that way, many of whom aren’t moms. Are you a photographer? Do you blog about home improvement, food, or have some other niche? Focus on the niche instead of the label…and you may be surprised at the networking relationships that develop.

3. Why not actively support some different types of blogs yourself? I’ve heard from several bloggers who are outside of the moms-who-blog group that it can be hard to break into the closely-knit circle of moms. I’m sure they’re not being snubbed intentionally, but let’s support bloggers who may be feeling alienated.

One of the great surprises when I took a leap of faith and started my blog was the community I’d come to be part of. For me, my tribe looks a little different than what I would have expected. Call it a dysfunctional family if you like…but one thing’s certain; if I had limited my clan to only so-called Mommy Bloggers I’d be the one who was missing out.

Whether you consider yourself a “Mom Blogger” or a “Blogger Who Happens to be a Mom” I think that you, too, could benefit from thinking about how to add to your network.

What are your thoughts? Have you considered stepping out of the “Mommy Blogger” box?

If YOU would like to guest post at Theta Mom® I am currently accepting submissions. Full details can be found on the Network page.

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