The Daily Grind of a Work @ Home Mom...

So this is somewhat off topic but...

I just found out Eric Dane has a "sex tape."  In case you've been living under a rock, Eric Dane is Grey's Anatomy's McSteamy and one seriously hot piece of guy.  He is hot in the way that he oozes sex and you just want to meet him somewhere dirty and get naked and then return him to his rightful owner.  Not like McDreamy, who you might just want to cuddle with after. 

Look:

 

YUM.

So, I know I'm late to the game, but I just heard about this so-called "sex tape" so in my spare time (ha), I googled Eric Dane Sex Tape.  What I found was basically an intimate evening at home with hot-man himself, his cute wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and some no-name former beauty queen.  They get high, hang out in a tub not big enough for three, and chat.  While naked.  No sex.  Boobs and wieners, but no sex.

So now that I watched my #1 man (k, #2, after all I am married) strut around with his wanker hanging out, with no hot scrubs or lab coat to make me wonder what's hiding under there, I feel like I've just unwrapped a gift I *really* wanted, just to find out I may not have wanted it so much after all.

I guess there's something about mystery that is intoxicating but once mystery is exposed to the cruel light of day, eh... Whatever...

PS...  It's entirely possible that this post contains material inappropriate for a married woman & mom, but hey, a girl's gotta live!! 

To Vaccinate, or Not to Vaccinate, That is the Question.

So everywhere you turn there is information being thrown at us regarding the H1N1 Flu and the vaccine.  And at every turn is a parent asking, "are you vaccinating?"

We did.  On Monday, both my kids opened their nostrils real wide to accept the H1N1 vaccine.  And while this was ultimately my decision, it was not a decision I came to lightly.

I am not a person who buys into media hype.  I n fact, as the public becomes increasingly panicked about any particular media-induced issue, I tend to become more cynical.  Maybe it's the journalist in me, but I don't trust "frenzy."

Bu I do trust facts from people in the know.

I asked doctors their opinion.  And I asked more doctors.  Then, just to be sure, I asked again.  Every single solitary doctor I asked- from an Internist to a GI specialist to an ER doctor and a Pediatrician - every last one of them not only assured me the H1N1 vaccine is safe, but urged me to vaccinate my children. 

Every last one of them.

They told me that the H1N1 vaccine is prepared no differently than any other flu shot I've given my children and that the hype over the pandemic is what separates it from the regular flu.  As a matter of fact, the H1N1 strain of flu has been included in your regular seasonal flu vaccine each year since 1977, but since this is a new strain, a separate vaccine is being administered.

And yes, people in the high risk groups should get both the H1N1 vaccine as well as the flu shot.  While my instinct was not to administer both the vaccines simultaneously, many doctors do (if they have it - there's a supply and demand issue with both vaccines right now). 

I was reluctant to accept a "new" vaccine for my kids.  But after doing the research, asking health care professionals, finding out how the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine are similar and different, my reluctance was to wait to vaccinate.  And now that I have, I feel like my children are protected from what I understand to be a horrible, complicated illness.

No matter what you decide is best for your family, there are ways to protect against getting sick - make sure your family washes their hands constantly.  We've been going through that anti-bacterial stuff like crazy around here.  At the very least, you'll be teaching your kids good hygiene, right?

You can take the girl out of Canada...

Hubby and I went to a wedding this weekend.  It was that of a co-worker at his office, and it was about 30 miles from home, in the town of Westford, Ma.  The ceremony was at 2pm, the reception at 4.  Between getting out of the church and driving to the inn where the reception was being held, we'd have about an hour, maybe more, to spare.  We didn't know how we'd spend that time, but friends of my husband's took care of it.

They set up a tailgate party in the parking lot at the inn.

Yup, you read it here -  A tailgate.  At a wedding.  In a parking lot at an inn. 

For those of you unfamiliar with the phenomenon commonly referred to as a tailgate party, Wikipedia defines it:

In the United States, a tailgate party is a social event held on or around the open tailgate of a vehicle.  Tailgating often involves consuming beverages and grilling food.  Tailgate parties usually occur in the parking lots at stadiums and arenas before and occasionally after or during sporting events and rock concerts.

There were beverages being consumed (ever hear of a strawpedo?  Neither had I).  There was food (deli sandwiches, chips, salsa), and there was an open tailgate.  Only thing missing was the sporting event.  Or rock concert.

Now, I'm not bashing the tailgate party.  Not at all.  But as a reminder: we were at a wedding.  In the parking lot.  Tailgating.

The Canadian in me was shocked (the term "tailgating" in Canada typically refers to driving up someone's ass on the highway).  The wedding-goer in me was in awe.  But the most shocking part of it all was that I seemed to be the only one marveling in my shock and awe.  Others casually stopped by on their way from their cars to the reception and grabbed a quick beer or bite.  No one seemed more than mildly amused that our friends had  thought to set-up shop.  In the parking lot.  At the inn.  Even I took a break from my shock and awe long enough to indulge in a veggie wrap and cup (or three) of warm spiked cider during the intermission between events.  But even as I drank (purely to raise my body temperature as it was maybe 45 degrees out - ok fine, it was delicious...), I was still shocked.  And awed.

I guess you can take the girl out of Canada, but you can't take the Canada outta the girl.

 

PR Fail #231

I love PR.  I used to work in PR, I count on (my own) PR for my company, and I enjoy being reached out to by PR people who wish to combine their client's products with my blog.  But man, sometimes it gets outta hand.

I mean, if you read my blog and have an iota of common sense then you know that the reviews I give and the giveaways I'm lucky enough to host are mainly the result of these PR relationships.  But you also know that something, in some way, is exchanged in order for these reviews to happen.  99.9% of the time it's a sample of the product I'm reviewing.  Just a sample, for me to test-drive, so I can bring you my sincere opinion on product x.  Just as i provide blogs with a sample when I ask them to review a product from Alex Casey Baby.

So how would you feel if you saw a review of a product here that I hadn't put my hands on?  A product that I'd seen in pictures, that I'd read about, but had never used?  I mean, what would that do to my credibility?  Would you ever trust me again?

I didn't think so.  Which is essentially what I told Ms. PR Pro when she sent this email:

Jill,

Hope you're well! I thought this line would be right up your alley for your blog..

Keeping babies and toddler cozy, warm and safe at night just got even more stylish thanks to a savvy line!

Blah Blah Blah...

Happy to share photos, or more information with you. I think your readers will adore this line and it lasts forever!

All my best,

Ms. PR Pro

 

So I responded:

 

Ms. PR Pro,

 

This line looks FAB!  Since I'm the mom of a toddler who still uses sleepsacks (and it's hard to fine ones large enough!), I'd love to review a sleepsack in the toddler section.  We can do this with or without a giveaway, but I think this will be a great success since I receive TONS of hits about swaddles and sleepsacks (and tend to write a lot about them).

Let me know if this works and we can go from there.

Best,

Jill

 

To which she replied:

 

Hi Jill,

Unfortunately at this time we do not have samples to send.  I'd be more than happy to send you photos or additional information, but at this time that's all we'd be able to do.  Thanks so much for your interest.

 

Ummm...  Did I miss something here?  I responded by letting her know that I couldn't imagine how it'd be possible to review something I hadn't seen and let her know that this might be called an advertorial.  But I'm wondering what kind of PR firm thinks this type of outreach, or more importantly, this type of review, might be all that beneficial to the client.  I'm tempted to reveal the firm that bothered with this, and the client's name too, but since that's not really my style, I digress.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

 

 

I might get black-balled for this but...

This post is really directed toward other bloggers.  It also might come off as obnoxious, self-serving and ballsy.  But it directly relates to a topic I've been thinking a lot about recently, so I though I'd put it out there.

I'm wondering - when you are invited by a PR firm to a corporate event for bloggers, do you ever ask the firm if they are offering any incentive to the blogger?  For example, a gift certificate (and I don't mean for $10) to the company's store, a sample of their product, a goodie bag filled with actual goodies, etc... 

I don't.  But I might start.

Here's why. I'm fortunate enough that I do get invited to a handful of blogger events each month.  Typically, they're fun, informative, and well, long.  I want to estimate that every event uses at the very least 2 to 3 hours of my day.  And those are hours that I could use for whatever I choose.

If I choose to use it to listen to information about your company to potentially tell my audience about, shouldn't you say thank you? 

I really started thinking about this after reading Liz Gumbinner's post entitled What are you worth as a blogger?  If you read her piece, she states that when she attends an event in order to find content for her review blog, she does not ask to be compensated.  But, she goes on to say:

...when I'm asked to sit down, learn about a brand, and then brainstorm for them and lend my expertise as a blogger and marketer, I've got to say, "thanks for the free deli platter but I'm going to need a check."

And here's the thing - NO brand is inviting you, a blogger with pretty decent insight into your demographic, without asking you for your ideas on how to appeal to customers like you.  I mean, bloggers, have you ever gotten out of a corp.orate event without at least being asked the question?  And if you're a blogger, then you definitely have an opinion that you just cannot keep to yourself and chances are - you give it!  Right?

So is it out of line to ask for a little thanks in a form other than a hand-shake?

It's Here! My Brand-New Affinity Washer/Dryer by Frigidaire.

It's an awesome day today.  Not just because it's 95 degrees out, sunny, and just a perfect summer day which I'm spending with my delicious daughters, but because today is delivery day for my brand-new Affinity washer/dryer!

I know.  I was supposed to receive the range and microwave to test-drive.  I was crazy excited about that since my current unit is about 20 years old and decrepit.  But alas, it took one delivery man about 10 minutes to figure out that I didn't have the proper cabinetry for the microwave and that it would be a little less simple than we thought to install it so...

I am the proud owner of a beautiful new washer/dryer!! 

Check 'em out:

 

(Full disclosure: that's not my dog.  I'm not a dog person...)

Ok, so while I do plan to frolic in the pool and sandbox with my girls and their playdate this afternoon, I have to admit: I've NEVER been more excited to start the day's laundry.  You see, not only were my former machines old and well, icky, LOOK HOW AWESOME THESE BABIES LOOK!  And they're red!!  RED!!!!

Oh, and since looks aren't everything, these machines promise the following:

* NSF Certification:  Dryer includes ‘Sanitize’ temperature settings to ensure your laundry will be 99.9% bacteria free. 
* NSF Certification:  Washer includes cycles up to 153 degrees to ensure your laundry will be 99.9% bacteria free.                                                                                                                       * WashSense™ technology:  ensures clothes get clean with care.
* Advanced Rinse Technology:  Final rinse uses fresh water to ensure whiter whites and reduce allergens.
* Multiple options:  Over 15 wash options including Stain Clean. 
* Multiple Cycles:  Seven wash cycles including Whitest Whites and Deep Clean Sanitize.

K, so now I have to go because I have stuff to sanitize.  And whiten.

MiaCarina is Tops for Girly-Girls.

Do you have a girly-girl?  If so, then check out MiaCarina, an adorable website featuring chic designs for tots.  But these arenot just your run-of-the-mill clothes, these clothes are hand-sewn to perfection, and as cute as can be.

We tested out a sweet little flowery halter set, and I have to say, the craftsmanship was incredible.  In my next life, I hope I can sew like this.  The cute factor was just as great as the quality, and my toddler enjoyed showing off her new outfit - headband 'n all! - for her whole family.  Really, too cute.

What first caught my eye at this boutique, was Desiree's (the wonderful owner), choice of designs.  What little girl doesn't look adorable in cherries?  And then I saw the zebra design and was sold.  I mean, really - how delicious is this:

 

But if you're living somewhere where summer is winding down, good chance you're already migrating to the fall/winter section of most stores.  Desiree has designed some outfits for cold weather too, just visit her site and see for yourself. 

MiaCarina is not cheap, but her outfits are meant for a special little girl, or a special occasion.  And the quality makes it worth every penny.  Also, they offer FREE shipping on orders over $100 and charge just $4.80 on orders under $100.  Pretty reasonable, I'd say.  

Happy shopping! 

More of My Favorite Things.

I get sent a lot of stuff.  I'm talking, A LOT.  But when I find something I really like, I can't keep it to myself (I guess that's what makes me an effective blogger).  I mean, I feel like everyone should take my advice and run right out and buy whatever it is I'm using and loving.  So let's see what you think of my newest Favorite things.

Sparklehearts Shampoo & Conditioner.  I have 2 little girls, but just 1 with crazy hair.  Post-bath can sometimes gets a little hairy so-to-speak, because the brushing of her hair is not her favorite thing to do.  But all this changed when we started using the Sparklehearts shampoo & conditioner.  It smells YUM and works to make her hair smooth and shiny and easy to comb.

Purex Complete 3-in-1.  Gone are the days of back-breaking laundry-detergent schlepping.  I've fallen in love with these little laundry sheets that go from your washing machine to your dryer.  Can't wait to try em out in my new Frigidaire Affinity washer & dryer that's on its way (more on that later).   

Fabulous Shapewear by Assets.  Because I've really tried them all (and spinning isn't the magic I thought it might be).  So while perusing the aisles at Target recently, I decided to try the inexpensive shaping tank, I mean you can't go wrong for $20 (and btw, they're made by Spanx).  And I loved it!  So much that I even bought more! 

My iPod.  It took me almost a year to break it out of it's cute little case (I'm lazy when it comes to learning how to use new things.  Lame , I know).  But ever since I'm moving and grooving at the gym and with the help of a $10 plug-thingie from Target (again...), I'm even listening in my car.  I know I'm late to the party, but hey, better late than never.

Lululemon Clothes.  I'm pretty sure when they were designing these clothing they weren't thinking "mommy uniform."  But for me, these superbly made yoga-inspired clothes have become just that.  Next on my shopping list, one of their adorable gym bags (since I'm currently carrying my things to and fro in one of their large shopping totes - not so cool!)

RCA Small Wonder.  It's at my fingertips whenever my kids are doing something extra-cute (cuz they're always cute.  Obv.).  Seriously.  It's super easy to use and downloading is a breeze.  The quality is as good as it needs to be and it's just one of those things that you didn't even know you needed until you had one.  For my full review, visit here.

What do you think?  Are you familiar with any of my favorite things?  Have a Favorite Things post of your own?  Share it here!

Super Why! A Children's Show for Smart Kids (and the adults who watch with them).

Sometimes, as a blogger, I get to do very cool things.  Like recently, I was invited to a behind-the-scenes look at one PBS Kids most popular shows for preschoolers, SUPER WHY!  So as a mom that lets my kids watch television (boo!  hiss!), I was stoked to learn more about what goes into kids' programming and, as a celebrity stalker, to meet the creator of the show, Angela Santomero.

Ok, maybe "celebrity" is pushing it, but not if you ask my kids.  They LOVE SUPER WHY!  and as a parent, it was interesting to hear the details about why a new children's show even gets created, and what type of research goes into it.  Here are some interesting facts I picked up:

• A new series gets built as a result of a need.  Like, when there was a need for programming with a literacy curriculum, SUPER WHY! and Martha Speaks were created.  Sid the Science Kid obviously covers early science exploration, and (betcha didn't know this) Curious George's curiosity introduces preschoolers to key concepts in math, science and engineering. 
• Ever want to pull your hair out because the kids morning show is THE SAME episode as yesterday?  And last week?  This is actually done purposefully since repetition is good for young kids. 
• Oh, and funding is most definitely a problem.

And you thought they were losing brain cells while watching TV.

I was duly impressed with the amount of research that goes into making these shows.  Focus groups, expert consultations, testing - you name it.  Nothing happens by accidentand it shows.  To hear Ms. Santomero talk about the characters and story-lines, you'd think she was discussing a Shakespearean play - that's how well-thought out the plots are, and when I got home, I tested this all out on my 3-year-old.

She named every character and explained their "powers".  She and her not quite 2-year-old sister can sing the re-invented alphabet song (see below if you're not familiar with the tune), and she can even name some of the letters she sees on the screen.  Not bad for 3.

I was not one of those parents who didn't let their kids watch tv until the recommended age of 2.  I am, however, a parent who enjoys watching with my kids, even if I'm doing other things as we watch.  And it seems I'm not alone.  Many of the parents in the session were thrilled to invite Super Why!  into their living room each day because it's a) entertaining for kids and b) NOT ANNOYING FOR ADULTS!! 

To learn more about Super Why!, visit the PBS Kids website and join their Facebook group (and then you can say you're a Super Why! groupie... ;).  

 

 

A Blog For All Seasons

If there's one thing that I did learn at BlogHer, it's that everyone blogs for their own personal reasons.  Since we spend most of our time blogging in a bubble, it's nice to get out and remember what brought us here in the first place. 

I started A Daily Grind as an extension of my business.  That, and the fact that I'm actually a trained writer (shocking, I know) is what inspired me to sit down and put words out there for whoever wanted to read.  At the time, I didn't realize I was joining a "tribe" or would soon be labeled a "mommy blogger."  Cuz, really, I never thought of myself that way until someone told me that's what I was.

And really, I'm not sure I like labels (unless they say Tory Burch or Marc Jacobs, that is).

Over the course of the conference, I was asked "so, what's your blog about?" like 127 times and 127 I stumbled.

"Ummm..., it's like about, uh, I guess... stu-uff?"

Cuz really, I didn't know what to say.

So I spent a little time thinking about it.  What is this blog about?  And what I came up with is not a one-word answer.  My blog is like me - all over the place, sometimes disorganized, but it always has a touch more personality than you'd think on first glance.

It's true, I do reviews and giveaways here cuz, hey, someone's gotta put applesauce on the table. ;)  But I do reviews and stuff because I really do like trying new products and also because I know the influence bloggers can have when they write a truthful and honest review.  I know this because I know the influence other bloggers have had on my brand.  So if you're you're a company or even just an individual with a product and you're on the fence about whether or not bloggers can help you, give it a shot.  I bet you'll be happy with the results.

But as much as I like spreading the word about the latest and greatest, I feel like my best posts, the ones that really reflect my true personality are those that really come from the heart.  Anecdotes about something that happened in my day, my rants and raves... Those are the pieces that tell a story about me. 

So next time someone asks me what my blog's really about?  I'll probably answer simply: me.