She's Connected Conference 2011: What I Learned

I recently had the opportunity to attend the She's Connected Conference in Toronto. This was the 2nd Annual Social Media Conference, connecting Brands and Top 200 Social Media Women. While some conferences are geared towards women/bloggers, and others are mainly for agencies and brands, ShesConnected brings the brands and digital women together in one venue. This is the reason ShesConnected is the only conference of its kind.

The event is by invitation only, so I was surprised when I received an invitation from Donna Marie Antoniadis (Forbes Top 20 Best-Branded Women on Twitter, Digital/Mobile/Social Leader, CEO & co-founder of ShesConnected.com). I recall sending her a direct message thanking her, but stating that I was "just a small fish in a big pond". I felt that the blogging/social media world was a sea of many more influential digital women. I only had just over 1,000 Twitter followers, while blogging super stars had ten times that! That was how I felt. I have a piddly little blog about my life as a city girl who married a beef farmer and had a high risk pregnancy, which ultimately brought a preemie daughter into our lives. I blog about family, parenting, teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) culture, food, recipes, and products I trust and use in our household. I host giveaways and promote brands. I'm even on a few panels. That's all.

Donna Marie simply replied, "You are not a small fish. Even if you were, brands need fish of all sizes". Something about what Donna Marie said and the way she interacted with me via our direct messages made me really admire and respect her even more. She is so real, so approachable, and so knowledgeable.

Having never attended a conference of this sort, I had no idea what to expect. I imagined that we would listen to speakers, have a few workshops, network, and meet brands.

I had no idea this experience would be so enlightening, enriching, and empowering.

Highlights:
* Networking with blog friends and Twitter connections, new and old to me

* Speaking with and getting to know amazing brands and sponsors

* Listening to keynote speaker, Elisa Camhort-Page (BlogHer co-founder)

* Listening and learning from very interesting and influential panelists and speakers
-What brands want from bloggers and digital women
-Product Reviews vs. Blog Tours vs. Brand Ambassador Programs
-Social Media Rock stars: Verteran, New and rising stars
-What is a Blogger worth?
-Rate Cards, Guidelines, &; Disclosure
-The 10 Rules of the Road, putting it all together

Not only did I learn a lot about what brands want from bloggers, or why rate cards and media kits are important, but I also learned just how powerful and influential we all are. A single Tweet sent out into the Twitterverse can change the lives of many.  I saw that first hand when Julie Marshall spoke of how just $1 a day could feed a family of four in some developing countries and how just $5 could buy a stove for a woman in Sri Lanka. At our table, we collected enough money to buy 6 stoves for women in Sri Lanka and we tweeted it. I glanced up at the big screens and the Twitter feed was going crazy with so many other tables doing the same thing. Within minutes, money was raised to buy stoves! Just like that!

Imagine just a thought or word thrown out into the Twitterverse and many women doing something good for others. That's all it took.

Sherry Abbott spoke about being a 21 Year Ovarian Cancer Survivor & Woman's Cancer Advocate (Executive Director of CCTFA Foundation - Home of Look Good Feel Better & Facing Cancer Together).
The Tamara's Wig story made me cry. Just one small gesture can go a long way and impact the lives of many.

The same can be said of how love and support was spread over the internet with tjzmommy's Twitter followers. When I first heard of Zack and tjzmommy, I knew I needed to meet Heather. Their story was one that really had an impact on me. I was also so amazed at the throngs of followers who posted that special Elmo on their Twitter profile pics. It spread like wildfire.

That amazes me. 

Though I did I learn a great deal from the brands, panel members, and speakers,  I also learned how wonderful it is just to connect with other social media women. It was exciting to be in a venue that was filled with so many intelligent, influential, unique, and special ladies.

The friendships that began online (be it through the blog or Twitter) had turned into friendships I will carry with me for life. Dinner and drinks with special tweeps after the #shoesconnected after party, laughs (as a result of crazy taxi rides in Toronto #chickenwing), and tears (from sharing personal stories) make me realize how truly incredible it is that people can touch each other's lives and how we are all connected and linked somehow.

Some shocking revelations were made: 1) BewilderedBug and I somehow got to talking about ethnicity and discovered that not only do we share Trinidadian roots, but her mother is best friend's with my uncle!
2) AskMamaMOE and I chatted about how we were both from Montreal and somehow discovered that we were both from the same part of Montreal and knew some of the same people! We were in the same cegep/college and same university. Not only that, but we were in the same program and at the same time (only I was a year ahead). She's friends with my brother's friends. Crazy or what?

I'll be posting photo highlights soon. In the meantime, please check out:

The Brands I love and got to chat with at SCCTO
FordCanada
ToshibaCanada
MapleLeafFoods
JanesFamilyFd
Christine Cushing
Purdy'sChocolate
MolsonCanadian67
AdultEssentials
Sobeys
Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA)
Life Choices Food
PepsiCanada
ConAgraFoods
and more!

The blog super stars I was finally able to meet
Julie Cole 
Mabel's Labels (via Julie Cole)Listen2Lena
SassyModernMom
tjzmommy
Mom vs. the Boys
PTPA Sharon

The tweeps I love and have become great friends with
Gingermommy
BeachMama
GoodGirlGoneGreen
AMotherhoodBlog
WhispersInspire
_littlemisskate
BewilderedBug
SweetMamaBrady
AaricaMakeUpblog 
MommyMomentBlog
AskMamaMOE

New friends I met at SCCTO
SoberJulie
CouponMomCanada
orangeheromama 
UpperCanadaSoap
EtobicokeMoms
LittleMsSave
JustNikiV
MadeByHandShow
FabFrugalMama
MapleLeafMommy
milkandcoco
and so many more!

Skechers Twinkle Toes/Hot Lights Winner Announced

The moment you've been waiting for has arrived. Are you ready? I bet you're anxiously waiting to see your name plastered all over this post, right? Well...

The winner of our Skechers Twinkle Toes/Hot Lights giveaway is lucky #12!  Random.org loves you!

Michelle Proulx said... 12

I follow you and sketchers on FB #3

September 13, 2011 1:42 PM

Please contact me with your mailing info so your prize can be sent out to you! Yay! I hope your little girl loves her new Skechers!

We love Skechers, yes?

Baby and You Blog Tour

As a first time mom, I always thankful for input and the words of experienced moms. I feel good knowing that I'm not the only one who has spent sleepless nights with a teething baby or who is going through some fun times potty training a toddler. Note the sarcasm?

In all seriousness, shared experiences have helped me get through some pretty trying times. It's not only about all things baby that moms talk about. There's where to get the best sales and who is having the best discounts or giveaways. Us moms are savvy and frugal, you know!

If you're looking for a place to chat about all of these things, there's a great new online community that I love called Baby and You. The cool thing is that Baby and You is on Facebook. Many of us are already on Facebook, connecting with friends, family, etc. While you're on Facebook, why not check out Baby and You? Join in some great conversations with other moms (and dads), and get exclusive coupons while you're at it.

You want savings? Check out Baby and You for exclusive savings and promotions. Loblaws, Independent, Valu-mart, SaveEasy, Superstore, and Zehrs shoppers will be happy to find deals on items like baby food, diapers, baby wash, etc. Oh, and if  you love PC brand products, you'll find deals on them on Baby and You too! We love President's Choice in our house! We also love Joe Fresh in our house!

I love Joe Fresh. In fact, I recently picked up a few pairs of pants (I am down two pant sizes! Still working on more though!) and I also  needed something cute to wear for the She's Connected Conference in Toronto
Wait! It gets better! If you're like me, and can't resist hitting up the Joe Fresh section when you're at Loblaws or Independent, you'll be happy to hear this!

"Like" Baby and You on Facebook and click on the contest tab on the left. Enter to win $500 worth of Joe Fresh gift cards! Or one of five $100 Joe Fresh gift cards from Baby and You.

Ummm hmmm! You heard me! $500 worth of Joe Fresh gift cards!

Pssst! While you're at it, check out Mommy Moment for all things Mom and Growing Your Baby for all things baby!

Disclosure - I am participating in the Baby and You program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Loblaw Companies. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Halloween Costumes! Have You Got Yours?

Halloween is just around the corner. Have you got your costume yet?

Halloween is one of my favourite times of the year. I love getting dressed up and scaring our neighbourhood kids. Yeah, I'm crazy like that. I also think it's really special to see all the neighbourhood kids dressed up as little ghouls and goblins! Too cute!

Remember that adorable fairy costume we reviewed for Costume Super Center?

Little One wanted to wear that this year, but we do live in Northern Ontario, and the nights are getting cooler. I wanted a costume that Little One would be warm in, so the fairy costume will be reserved for her dress up play dates with friends (ummm...you know that my toddler loves dressing up, so dress up day is  every day for her!).

What did we choose for Little One's Halloween costume this year? Well, nothing scary. She has decided that she doesn't like anything scary. She's going to be a...

Strawberry!

I'll be going as this...

Hubby is still undecided on what he'll go as this year. We have a few Halloween parties to attend this year (with and without kids)!

If you haven't already decided on what you're going as, why not check out CostumeSuperCenter.com? They have a huge selection of costumes for infants, toddlers, children, men, and women. By huge, I mean hundreds of costumes to choose from!

Want to hear something even better?
Get Free Shipping w/ code TWEET10 
Just enter the code upon check out and you'll receive free shipping!

AccuDial Weight Based Dosing for Children Review & GIVEAWAY!

Summer has ended, and the kids are back at school. You know what that means, right? Ummm hmmmm...Time to pass around colds and flus. Yay.

Though my little one is not at school yet, she does attend early learning playgroups and other activity groups that foster learning in children. This means she is in contact with her peers on a regular basis. Snotty, runny noses, here we come!

My biggest worry about administering meds to my child is whether or not I am giving her the correct dosage. A lot of times, the label on the box tells you a dosage by age. Well, my two year old is a very tiny two year old. Wouldn't it make more sense to give a dosage based on weight instead of age? I've often wondered about that. Thankfully, I was introduced to Children's AccuDial and they've thought about that as well!

From the company website:
Children’s AccuDial^® is a revolutionary line of OTC medications designed to give your child an accurate dose of medicine. The weight of children in the same age group can vary greatly, and they should not always be given the same amount of medicine. According to the American Medical Association, 72% of children are dosed inaccurately with OTC medications. Using the patented AccuDial rotating dosing system, simply turn the outer label of the bottle and match the child’s weight with the correct dose listed in milliliters!
Now, doesn't that make sense? Children's AccuDial has sent me some of their Pain & Fever rotating dosage label. It relieves fever, aches, and pain and comes in cherry flavour. Suitable for children ages 2 and up.

Even my husband was impressed by the rotating dosing system.Want to see how Chidlren's AccuDial works? Click here for a demo. It's pretty cool, isn't it? Now all the guess work is taken out of administering proper doses of meds!

The AccuDial product line includes:
Pain & Fever
Allergy
Cold & Stuffy Nose
Chest Congestion
Cough & Cold
Runny Nose & Cough
Nite Time Cold & Cough
Day Time Cough & Cold

Click here for more product info.

Want to try AccuDial for Children and see why I think the dosing system is fabulous? AccuDial is giving TWO of my readers a chance to try out their products.

WIN IT!
Two lucky readers will win one Children's AccuDial Rotating Dosage Label of their choice. Yes, TWO of you!


Two win, simply head over to the Children's AccuDial website and let me know which product you would like to try. (Mandatory)


Additional Entries:
* Like Children's AccuDial and Random Thoughts and Musings from the Island REVIEWS on Facebook. Pop by and say hello! (4 entries)
* Follow this blog on GFC (1 entry)
*Follow this blog on NetworkedBlogs (1 entry)
* Follow @AccuDial and @chancesmommy on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (4 entries)  
I want to #Win Children's Accudial from @AccuDial @chancesmommy's blog! 2 chances to win! 
http://fb.me/10jX9Tvb4

Giveaway Rules

1. Contest is open to Canadian Residents only
2. The contest will run from Sept. 22 – Oct. 3, 2011 at 11:59 ET.
3. One winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be notified at the email address used upon entry.
4. The winner will have 48 hrs to respond and failure to do so will result in a new winner selection.
5. Please leave a separate comment for each entry and an e-mail address so I can contact you if you win.

Disclosure- AccuDial has given me Children's AccuDial Pain & Fever to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and my own.

Ghost and Ghouls Season with Hallmark

I don't know about you, but Fall is my favourite season. Sure, I love the days spent on the beach and the warm weather of Summer. I love the fresh smells of Spring. I even love the crisp air and white snow of Winter. This said, Fall is my favourite with all the leaves changing colours, it's not too hot or too cold out, and...

It's time for Halloween!!!

There's just something so exciting about Halloween! As part of the Hallmark Press Pause Panel, I get to tell you about some of the amazing products Hallmark has for your loved ones!

We all know that Hallmark is known for their greeting cards. Now, Hallmark is also known for their special gifts that help create memories for family, friends, and other loved ones. I know I head for Hallmark for Birthdays, Baby Showers, New Baby, Baptisms, Graduations, Weddings, Christmas, and yes, even Halloween!

Look what I received in the mail today! Just in time for Halloween!

Hokey Pokey Skeleton
This spooky (yet adorable!) little friend dances and sings to a parody of the "Hokey Pokey" song when you press the button on the pumpkin. I thought it was very cute and the perfect addition to any scary Halloween party!
Special: $14.95 with each purchase of 3 Hallmark cards. Regular Price: $29.95

It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Book with Sound
 If you're a Charlie Brown and Peanuts fan, you'll love this book! Just like the TV classic that we've all grown to love and look forward to seeing every Halloween!
Special: $9.95 with any Hallmark purchase. Regular Price: $14.95

Hocus Pocus Treat Presenter
 I love this! This treat presenter looks like a big book of spells, and when you open it, you are greeted with eerie, cackling messages! I can't wait to see the reactions from our trick-or-treaters when they reach into the box to get their treats! Booooooooo! Too cool!
Special: $14.95 Regular Price: $19.95

Flickering Witch Candle
 This spooky flickering candle adds a little scary factor to your Halloween decor! The light flickers and it's oh so scary!
Regular Price: $19.95

Three Hallmark Halloween Greeting Cards
Of course, no Hallmark Press Pause post would be complete without greeting cards! Hallmark has a wide variety of fun, funny, and even spook-tacular cards for all the people you love!

I am beyond thrilled about all the great products I get to share with you today. I immediately thought of how these items would add to the "feel" of Halloween at our Halloween party. I thought of how Little One would enjoy them and be just as excited as I am about them!

Little One woke up from her nap and the first thing she saw was the Hokey Pokey Skeleton. To be honest, it scared the wits out of the poor thing! She demanded that I turn it off! Ah, well. Maybe she'll like it by Halloween time! It's guaranteed to be a hit at our next Halloween party!

Whether it's in the form of a funny (or spooky!) Halloween card, or a really cool and creepy treat presenter or dancing skeleton, Hallmark will surely make your loved ones smile.

Disclosure- As a member of the Hallmark Press Pause Panel, I was given the Hokey Pokey Skeleton, It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Book with Sound, Hocus Pocus Treat Presenter, Flickering Witch Candle, and three Hallmark Halloween Greeting Cards. All the thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest, original, and my own.

Seventh Generation Giveaway Winner Announced!

Recently, we were introduced to Seventh Generation and have been testing out their environmentally-friendly products. We have been trying out Seventh Generation diapers and wipes on Little One and I have to say that I feel really good about using them on her.

The Free & Clear diapers are free of chlorine processing, fragrances, and petroleum based lotions. They also fit snugly and absorb well. 

 They're super thin, so I was a little apprehensive about how absorbent they'd be. To my surprise, they worked really well! Just by looking at the photo below, you can see that the diapers are not processed by chlorine.

Little One likes them because they're comfy. Mommy likes them because they're better for her and the environment.

I was pleased to see that the Superstore in Sudbury carries Seventh Generation products. I'm so happy that I'm able to get the laundry detergents, all-purpose cleaners, diapers, and wipes there! The Island Pantry also carries Seventh Generation diapers, so those on the Island don't have to venture too far to get their environmentally-friendly diapers!

Oh, I guess you're waiting for me to announce the winner of our giveaway, right?

The lucky winner for our Seventh Generation Giveaway is...

**Paula said... 26

My best tip to be environmentally conscious is to precycle. That means to buy things with less packaging, only what is necessary and things with recycled content. pjkxxxxxxll at hotmail dot com

August 28, 2011 12:42 AM

** A new winner had to be chosen, as this giveaway was only open to Canadian residents.

Thank you to Seventh Generation and Mom Central Canada for facilitating this giveaway.