Home Maid Simple

Tag: blogging

How to Balance the Work at Home Mom Life

I never thought I’d be a working mom. Let alone a work at home mom. I knew I’d always find ways to make a little money to add to our finances on the side, but this life I’m living. I never imagined it. Here I am, though, trying to figure out how to balance it all.

I get up at 5 AM these days just so I can get work done. Only usually, sometime between 5:30 and 6:30 I’ll find a small body tucking their toes under my legs, trying to share the space with my laptop. It’s like they have a 6th sense to when Mom gets up. No matter how softly I tiptoe or attempt gliding my stockinged feet across the cold hardwood floors they know I’m up.

I try to focus. Maybe if I cover them in a blanket they’ll go back to sleep for a little longer.

7AM rolls along, and I know I’m pushing it letting everyone else sleep more. We have 55 minutes to get up, get dressed, eat, make lunches, and double check backpacks before waiting for the bus. Thankfully the bus stops right in front of our house, so on cold mornings we hang out just inside the door.

There are days I feel bad for not walking them to school. After all, the bus ride around the corner takes longer than it does to walk. I remind myself the kids find joy riding the bus with their friends. So I resign myself to making sure I’m always at the door when they leave and when they get home. Because I’m Mom and that’s where I’m needed twice a day.

Do you know how incredibly hard it is to be “at work” with a 3-year-old stuffing RescueBots in your face begging you to play? For the rest of the day I feel torn. I need to work. I HAVE to work because I actually have clients and timelines. I also have schoolwork. It was a choice that to some may be something I could let go of, but it’s something for me I have to do. I also need to spend time with little prince. It’s a need for both of us. He’s my baby. In a few months he may be at school, making friends. I can’t waste this time we have together.

So I’m left wondering – usually around midnight – how do I do it all, and still find balance? I decide I can’t. So I let it go from my mind. I kiss my sweet babies and husband goodnight and head to bed for a little more sleep before doing it all again.

Are you a working mom?

Please share how you’ve found balance in your life!

To find more inspiration on balancing parenting and work, check out these awesome blogs:

Daily Momtivity
The Buccio Clan
Peaches and Pickles
Simple at Home
Sara B Nash
Craft Create Calm
Multitasking Mom
LedyLiz
Sweet Discord
Smart Mom, Smart Ideas
Misty Shaheen
Suzi Whitford
Angela Coleman Sherman

February 10, 2016
Influencer Marketing for Dummies Review + WIN a copy of the book!

I received the Influencer Marketing for Dummies book for free. This review is 100% my own thoughts and opinions.

As many of you know, I started going back to school in the fall of 2014. I was a bit scared and nervous because over the years my ideas and dreams had morphed far from what they had once been. When I originally went to school straight out of high school I had plans of becoming a teacher. My major was History Education, and I was going to be one of those cool teachers all the kids loved learning from.

When I dropped out of school to raise my family, I began blogging. Shortly after I started that I began getting emails from companies wanting me to post about their products, and they would even let me try out their product/website/book for free, and a few would even pay me money to do it! I had no idea what I was getting myself into 5 years ago, but when the opportunity to go back to school came, I knew I was destined for marketing.

After all, I was already marketing my own site, had taught 2 of my friends all I knew about blogging to get them set up, and after my family marketing was consuming my life. One of my favorite parts of marketing the ability to help shape opinions in the way something is presented. Whether it’s through a picture of my life, the words I write, or usually a combination of the two. What I do is called Influencer Marketing.

Chances are you do it too! Whenever you tell a friend about that new cafe, or your favorite place to buy groceries – you are influencing them with your opinion. With the rise of social media, influencer marketing is becoming more widespread then ever!

When Influencer Marketing for Dummies came out, I was so excited to get a hold of it! As a blogger I talk to many other bloggers on a frequent basis. I consider many of them my good friends. Together we all try to help each other out. The better other bloggers do, the better I can do myself. What we don’t often see though is the Business side. Those companies reaching out to us have their own ideas of what they want to see, and how they’d like to work with us. Each email I get is slightly different, and they all have certain results they’d like to see by working with me.

Reading through Influencer Marketing for Dummies I was enthralled with the brand side of what I do. When they talked about email pitches that are so bad bloggers circulate them – I laughed; because I remember many of those in my early blogging days. I still get an occasional bad pitch, but for the most part companies are figuring out how to work with us bloggers.

I know many of you are not actually bloggers, but may be interested in the behind the scenes, and some may even be thinking of starting their own blog! If those fit you, I’d suggest grabbing a copy of Influencer Marketing for Dummies. It’s given me a fresh perspective on what brands may be thinking when they want to collaborate, and will help me as I work on my own Marketing degree and try to break into the brand side of this business.

Who wants to win a copy of Influencer Marketing for Dummies? Enter on the Rafflecopter below! Open to US 18+

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

January 11, 2016
What to get your Blogger Friend for Christmas
So it’s December, and you’re down to the last few people on your Christmas list. What do you get that one friend – the blogger friend – maybe it’s your spouse (hint hint Mark…), or a sister, maybe your sister in law, or even your mother. You want to help them pursue the dreams they have for their blog, but you’re not sure what they really want or need.

I asked around my blogging communities what they are wanting for Christmas, and added it to my list to bring you this helpful list of Christmas Gifts to give your Blogger Friend (or family member). Of course I say Christmas, but these gifts are appreciated for any occasion by the blogger in your life.

1. Blogging Conference. This is at the top of my list of what I would love to receive. A huge part of blogging is networking with other bloggers, and the brands we want to work with. There is no better place to do that then at a conference. The biggest problem bloggers run into if they want to attend a conference is the cost. They usually run no less than $100 and can be upwards of $400 to attend a 3 day conference. This cost usually will not include travel and accommodation expenses. If you choose to send your blogger to a conference, you can get together with other friends and family to gift this item. Just do a little research first. Sending your friend to BlogHer Food, when they don’t blog about food would not be a good fit. Check for local conferences too. I’m personally pulling to go to the Build Your Blog hosted here in Utah this year. It saves me the cost of travel and hotel, and it’s a pretty good price at only $149.

2. Craftsy Class. If a conference is out of the budget, you may want to look into Craftsy. Craftsy classes have something that can fit into any one’s lifestyle, especially a bloggers. They have food, sewing, gardening, paper crafting and new photography classes. You can buy your blogger a Gift Card so they can choose the perfect class for them. Price range on these are from $30 for one class up to $75 for 3 classes.

3. Erin Condren Planner. A few years ago, when I first started blogging as more of a business than just a hobby, I asked for a planner for Christmas. Mark got me this beautiful full sized planner, that made my life as a mom and blogger so much easier! That was one of the most organized years of my life. I don’t know why I didn’t buy a new one for the new year. I have heard some amazing things about the Erin Condren Life Planners, so I went looking at them. WOW, it is just what I need! 2 page monthly spreads, perpetual calendar, laminated tabs, stickers, folders….the list just keeps going. As planners go though, they are on the pricier side at $50 and something a frugal blogger will just put on their wish list. Grab a pack of colored pens to go with this gift.

4. Photography Equipment. It’s a guarantee that if you are a blogger, you will be taking a lot of photo’s. To work with quality brands, you need quality photos. There are a plethora of ideas I’m going to list for you under this topic, but the main one is a nice camera. Get your blogger a high quality digital camera, or if money isn’t an issue, a nice DSLR. If they already have a good camera though, here are some other items to help them get better photo’s.
- A photography book, such as the one I pictured above – Food Photography for bloggers. Just remember to keep it relevant to what they write about. Obviously food photography will not help someone writing about family/relationships, or crafting. Amazon has a great books on Photography for Bloggers (<–affiliate link)
- Light box, backdrops, and lighting. There are many DIY tutorials out there for putting together a light box. Make one for your blogging friend for a simple, affordable gift that will do wonders for their pictures. In a quick search though, I found this (affiliate link–>) LimoStudio Photography Photo Studio Lighting Kit Set for a great price of only $33.75. This would be the perfect starter set up.
- Props. What’s a photo without props? In many of my recent recipe photos, I look in my cupboards, and think to myself “boring”. I’m ready to have more colorful dishes to go with my food, for that added pop of excitement in the photos. This gift can be as simple as going to an antique store, or thrift shop and picking up some mismatched dishes that fit into your price range.
- PicMonkey Royale. I LOVE picmonkey. I edit all of my photo’s and make fun banners like the one above, using Picmonkey. They have a free service, but when you purchase the premium subscription, you can do so much more, and create all kinds of fun images. Picmonkey is also great for creating printables.
5. Rafflecopter Premium Service. If your blogging friend runs a lot of giveaways, look into gifting them a subscription to Rafflecopter. This is my personal favorite way to run a giveaway. They have a free version, which is what I use, but they also have different subscription levels, that make entering the giveaway so much easier for our readers with one click links to follow on social media, and pictures to show you exactly what the prize is you’re entering for!

6. Website Hosting and Domain Name. I’m sure you’ve all been to a blog that has a web address with .blogspot.com at the end. This just means the Blogger uses google’s blogging platform, and basically google owns it. Last year Mark purchased me my very own domain name http://www.homemaidsimple.com from GoDaddy. I got to drop the .blogspot and have more ownership of this site. I still use google’s blogger platform though I’ve been perusing self hosted wordpress for a year now. Through December 31st, GoDaddy is offering a domain .com transfer for only $7.99.

7. The Gift of Time. My friend Angelia, from Tim and Angi’s blog shared with me one gift that any blogger, no matter what they blog about, can appreciate, and that is the gift of time. To create quality content that our readers want to read, and will find useful in their life, it takes time. Sometimes I have to ask Mark to please take care of the kids, so I can shut our bedroom door and really think about what I’m writing, and sharing with you all. There are just some days, that trying to work with the kids playing on and around me is impossible (though most of my writing is done with a child cuddling on my lap). An offer to have my kids go play with friends would be a wonderful gift. Or bring my family dinner sometime, so I can have just a bit more time in my day.

Find some more ideas for your blogger friends at Shaping Up Your Blog and Eat, Pray, Read, Love

*this post contains affiliate links. You purchase through any of them help me grow my blog! It’s the last gift a blogger looking to make an income may ask for!*
December 9, 2013
Did you know I share sales?

Over the course of the past few years I’ve been trying to update the layout of Home Maid Simple to make it as user friendly to you as possible. I don’t want to overwhelm you with ads that you may not be interested in. I do like to share some sales, and companies however that I enjoy purchasing from, and hope you may come to like as well.

So Did You Know? Over there in the left sidebar I have a section titled Affiliate Sales

This is where I try to share current sales with companies like Flirty Aprons, Craftsy, Zulily, and One King’s Lane to name just a few. For the most part these are all sites I have purchased from and love their product. Periodically there will be some that I have not actually used myself, but have heard great things from others.

So head over there, and check out the current sales I am promoting. And if you click through and purchase anything, I want to thank you. These affiliate companies help me earn a little (and at no extra cost to you) to keep Home Maid Simple running at peak performance, while still bringing you quality content!

Are there any shops you’d like to see me work with? What kind of Sales are you looking for?

August 23, 2013
Blogging Conferences: Are they important? {Think About It!}

A few months after I began blogging more for me, and less just about the kids, I heard that they had conferences for bloggers. All over the country bloggers gather together to learn, pick the minds of professionals, and network.

Think About It!

In just about every line of work, professionals gather together in some type of conference to learn and grow. So why wouldn’t bloggers do the same? For many of us, we use our blogs as a source of income for our families. Sometimes it’s just for that little extra, and sometimes it’s how a blogger supports their family.

I may have thought at one point that a conference for bloggers was kind of silly. Then I started having companies and brands contact me to review their products. I had no idea that was even an option for bloggers at the time. I was pretty thrilled. Someone actually wanted to know what I thought about a product. 2 years have gone by since I began blogging as more of a job then just a hobby and I have learned so much, but a conference would teach me so much more!

Think About It!

If I could go to a blogging conference, oh the things I would learn! I’d start by attending every single session on every topic humanly possible. I’d equip myself with notebooks and a stash of pencils (because face it, I’m still old fashioned when it comes to taking notes).

But blogging is so easy Adelina! All you do is write and take pictures.

True, that’s all you see. There is just so much more than that though. I won’t lie, my writing could use a bit of a boost. I usually have to write up a rough draft (hello my notebooks), then rewrite it on the computer, and finally edit and re-edit. Sometimes a post sits in draft for a few days before I finish it. I really only want to share the best. Attending a conference would equip me to become even better.

Then there’s the photography. At a blogging conference there is sure to be a photography class. Even if I can’t afford tons of fancy equipment, I know I can learn how to make my pictures stand out. It takes time to get the right angle, right lighting, and then edit them to pop it even more!

Once I learned all I could, I would then find myself networking. Let’s face it, after learning from the speakers, the best part of a conference is meeting other bloggers. I’ve already found so many online friendships like – Mallery from Horrible Housewife, Jillian from Mommy Testers, Amber from Jade Louise Designs, and Nicole from Wyoming Girl *turned* Coastie Wife.

Not only have these amazing bloggers become my blogging friends, and pushed me to improve, they have one other thing in common. They all have the #CBias tag in many of their posts. Was that just coincidence? I don’t think so! .

Think About It!

I #LuvSoFab! The Collective Bias Community, aka Social Fabric, must be doing something right if I ended up following all these blogs for their great content and pretty pictures. When I read their “reviews”, I don’t feel like I’m reading a users manual, but an actual persons opinion on a product. They suck you in with their writing, and make you want to pin every image (and yes I have a pinning problem….).

Did you know? This is the first year Collective Bias is putting together a conference? I want to go!!! I would get to meet my favorite bloggers, and become a better blogger myself. Here’s the kicker for me – #SoFabCon is being held in Bentonville, AK. Do you know what that means? Home of Walmart! And since you can buy just about anything at Walmart, it also means the home of many Brands! Brands I would love to talk to, pick their CEO minds and create lasting relationships with.

Think About It!

If you could attend a conference where you can connect with people that would make your business better, wouldn’t you do it? That is what #SoFabCon would do for me.

After attending a conference I would come back renewed, with excitement bursting from the seams of this page, picture you would all want to pin like crazy, and content truly worth reading. The most important thing I would learn and bring from conference though, is how to better manage my time around blogging, to maximize my time with family.

Mark actually made a comment the other day that had me say inside – Think About it.

“Sometimes I think you take more pictures of food then you do our kids”

I honestly hope that’s not true, but when I go through my pictures, it’s not just food, but products, the house, random pictures of random things, and not so many of the kids. I want that back, and I know attending a conference would help me prioritize, get back the moments with my kids, and still create quality content for Home Maid Simple that people love.

#SoFabCon, #Cbias, I have one thing to say to you –

Have You Ever Attended a Conference?

March 14, 2013
The Best of 2012
Yesterday I shared with you a review of our life in 2012. Today I’d like to share some of the favorite blog posts. I’ll start with the reader favorites. These are the posts that were visited most frequently in 2012 (minus any giveaway posts).
1. After (sort of) Kitchen We started our year with a kitchen remodel. 257 of you came by to check out the almost finished result.
2. Should Kids Share a Room? In a new meme we started this year, Think About It Thursday, I told 151 readers my thoughts on whether kids should share a room.
3. Why I Wear A Dress to Church This has been my personal favorite post all year. In an attempt to share some deep personal feelings on my religion, and a stand against a movement that I disagree with. 151 readers stopped by to hear my thoughts.
4. Halloween Costumes In October 148 readers came by to read my ramblings on Halloween Costumes.
5. Upcycled Receiving Blankets In one of my few and far between sewing tutorials, I shared how I turned our old receiving blankets into a quilt. 142 readers have read, and hopefully found inspiration for making their own quilt.
6. Cleaning Microfiber Couches Periodically I’ll throw out some tips on Tuesdays. I pulled 136 of you in to learn how I clean my microfiber couch.
7. You Never Lose Review 135 people were interested in my review of the new auction site You Never Lose, where you truly can never lose.
8. DIY Drum Light As part of our Kitchen/Dining Remodel, I made our own Drum Light. 114 readers came to see how I made it.
9. Making a House a Home: All About the Attitude In March 90 of you came by and read my epiphany over something my then 5 year old said.
10. Over the Sink Light Finally 81 readers stopped by to see the light we added above our sink during the kitchen remodel.
Number 3 and 9 on this list were my absolute favorite posts to write this last year. I felt strongly about them both, and really let my feelings show.

There were a few other memorable moments this past year.

We enjoyed a new Link Party co-hosted with Diane from Simple Living and Eating – Foodie Friday! We plan on continuing this party through 2013 as we share more recipes, and enjoy all the food you’ve shared with us.
I attempted another party – Think About It Thursday – that didn’t really take off. For now, we’re going to put this one on hold.
Finally, my most memorable moment of 2012, was purchasing my own domain. Mark surprised me on Black Friday with www.homemaidsimple.com Our new online home. Within the coming weeks, we’ll be switching out of blogger and finding a new server and blog platform.

Happy New Year

Thank you all for making 2012 a great year!
January 2, 2013
Blogging VS Broadcast Media {Think About It}

Thanks for joining Home Maid Simple, Mumfection, and Tim and Angi’s blog for our weekly Think About it Thursday.

Each week we discuss a thought provoking topic. Sometimes they’re serious, others are funny – but we hope they all make you think! In a world of daily grind, we often just go through actions without giving thought to much else. So take a moment, and think with us. Then write up your thoughts, and link up on the bottom of this post (we’d love to come visit at your place to see what you’re thinking!)

Has Blogging become more Influential than Broadcast Media?

As a blogger, I would love to say yes, because that would mean people come seeking what I write. They want to know my thoughts, how I felt about a product. They would be looking to me for news and facts and truth.

But I don’t think this is the case. I still think most people are influenced by Broadcast Media first, and use blogs as the way to back up their feelings. I mean, think about it. Every news station has their website, and most have added blogs now as well. Is that their main source of broadcasting though? No the blog is a 2nd, a backup, a stand in to add to what they’ve already put in their Broadcast Shows.

Take for example, yesterday. I blogged about this new Deo Perfume Candy. Shortly before I had blogged about it, the Kelly and Michael show (by the way, where did Regis go?) aired – and guess what, they were talking about the Deo Perfume Candy! Do you want to know what happened after their show? Amazon sold out of the Candy! Literally within minutes, it was gone.

Now if I had blogged about it before the show was broadcast, there’s no way Amazon would have sold out that quickly. They probably wouldn’t have sold out at all actually.

The thing is, Broadcast Media just reaches more people in the moment, influencing them right then to do something. While Blogging takes time. I don’t reach millions of people in a one hour segment. I reach thousands of people at different times of the day/week/month. Because of this alone, I don’t think blogging will ever be more influential than Broadcast Media.

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November 15, 2012
Blogathon Bash Wrap Up #blogathon2

Wow! What a wild and crazy blogging weekend! I am so glad I participated in this blogathon. I got so much work done behind stage here at Home Maid Simple! I got some personal goals accomplished, like weeding through all my emails, organizing my schedule, writing up some rough drafts, brainstorming post ideas, and scheduling out some posts so I can spend more time with the family.

My favorite part of this blogathon though is how much I learned!! I sure hope you guys are ready for some awesome posts. Through the Mini Challenges I’ve now learned so much. My favorites that I’ll be using constantly though are these

– Printable Recipes! Now you’ll be able to print out Foodie Friday’s recipes.
– Photo Collages! I have wanted to figure this out for awhile, but had no idea where to start. Turns out it was really easy. Check out Picmonkey.com. No more huge pictures all in a line. Yay!
– Favicon. Ok this doesn’t benefit you guys so much, but I just think it’s cool. Look up at your browser tabs. See my cool new symbol? It’s the maid’s head. So now you can always get back to me when you go browsing elsewhere. Cool right? Ok maybe not for you, but I feel awesome.

Normally I take weekends off from blogging, but I’m glad I put a little more focus into it this weekend. I’ll be using many of the things I learned to make Home Maid Simple a better experience for you my readers. I spent approximately 10 hours this weekend blogging, learning, and having fun with my fellow blogathon participants. You guys rock!!

June 25, 2012
Blogathon Bash – Kick Off Post

This weekend I’m taking part in a Blogathon Bash. All weekend long a bunch of bloggers are taking time to focus on their blogs big time. Working on new posts, cleaning up blog designs, and promoting posts through social media outlets.

Here at Home Maid Simple, I’m going to focus on writing many posts and scheduling them out. This will give me more time to play with my kids, as the blog takes care of itself posting.

I will also be taking part in the mini challenges on the Blogathon blog. I’ve browsed through some of the challenges already, and I think I’m going to learn a lot about blogging, and making this a better place for you my readers!

During this event (and always really) I would love any tips, ideas from you all on what you’d like to see here at Home Maid Simple. Why do you visit this blog? What do you like reading about? Are there any posts you’d like to see? What can I do to keep you coming back?

You can contact me at familyroom2@gmail.com
or follow me on facebook or twitter

June 22, 2012