Turning Leaf Refresh #WineOverIce Giveaway

Being a brand ambassador for Refresh by Turning Leaf clearly makes my top 5 favorite things I did this year.  A Summer full of good wine, an incredible growing and learning experience at BlogHer '13 in Chicago and a blurb on Collective Bias blog about What Bloggers Really Want From Brands!  The best way to celebrate is to share the love with a Turning Leaf Refresh Wine Over Ice kit Giveaway! Let's toast to pink moscato, red moscato, moscato and crisp white!  This kit will be the perfect addition to your holiday party or a relaxing night at home!

I partnered up with fellow Refresh brand ambassador Deb of Just Short of Crazy and we'll be picking TWO WINNERS to get this awesome kit!  Here is what's inside:

• $50 Gift Card
• Turning Leaf Refresh Blanket Tote (59" x 51")
• Turning Leaf Refresh Cutting Board/Serving Tray with Cheese Tools
• Turning Leaf Refresh Wine Bucket (not pictured - you can visit Deb's blog to see it!)
• 4 Turning Leaf Refresh reusable/shatterproof/recyclable Wine Glasses
• 8 reusable Ice Cubes
• 3 Dishtowels

This giveaway is only open to readers over 21 and ends on November 20, 2013.

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Send Me To #SoFabCon Because I #LuvSoFab

The minute I heard about #SoFabCon - I knew I wanted to go.  I didn't need any details, I just knew it was going to be an amazing conference because truth be told - Collective Bias doesn't only work with bloggers, they teach and nurture bloggers.  I didn't want any other Christmas gift except for a pass to the conference.

Collective Bias CULTURE is exactly how my family lives.  Their core values are my values.  

- Innovate, Evolve, And Create
-- Be Transparent
--- Be Fun Lovin’ and Happy
---- Be Passionate
----- Be Humble
------ Be Frugal and Scrappy

When I heard that Collective Bias was giving away TWELVE full conference sponsorships with their #LuvSoFab Sponsorship Contest I wanted in - I had not found reasonable flights from Southern California to Bentonville, Arkansas ($500 was so out of my price range) and it would save me a big chunk of change.

I want to attend to meet more of the team that inspires, motivates and truly supports me.  I heard Chief Social Marketing Officer Ted Rubin speak at Niche Mommy '12 and was so impressed that he knew everyone, shared good stories and had killer socks.   This experience would do so much for my blogging career - I can only grow from here on out.  I can't wait to learn more about monetizing, SEO, photography, building my brand and community!!!

So here it is... my submission with a baby, a monkey and a blogger impersonation (done with lots of love)!  SEE YOU IN ARKANSAS!  

I'm Attending #SoFabCon And Other Blogger Conferences...

There is an explosion of blogger conferences and I want to go to all of them!  Attending blogger conferences is addicting.  Don't say I didn't warn you.  My first blogger conference was BlogHer '11 in San Diego.  I went on a whim and had no idea what to expect.  It just made sense to go since it was in my state and I figured, if I didn't learn anything, it wouldn't be a big loss.  I walked away with some sense of what I wanted to do, what I needed to do to get there and I wanted to learn so much more.

I finally narrowed down the list of conferences I want to attend next year.  It was rough.  I made a list of pros and cons for each one - cost, location, dates, sessions, speakers, brands, parties and friends!  If you have your goals in mind, ask yourself these questions:  Are these sessions for me? (Especially if you are a beginner or advanced)  What do I need to learn?  Will this take me to the next level?  Do I like these brands?  Do I know who these speakers are?  Am I a people person?  Let's face it, you need to work a room.  Make friends with bloggers just like you.  Can you woo the socks off brands?  Make a list of questions that works for you.    

My advice:  You need to spend money to make money.  This is what I tell myself and my husband.  This not only goes for conferences but your brand.  This goes for investing in your own domain and business cards.  Every conference I've attended has been an investment and has definitely helped me grow.     

My Christmas gift was a trip to SoFabCon!  I knew I had to make it to this one but the flights are pricey but because the rooms aren't going to kill my bank account and the early-bird price was only $149, I made magic happen.  I can't wait!  I love working with Social Fabric.  I know I'm going to leave this conference with a notebook full of ideas and inspiration!  

Here is a list of cool conferences that I would love to attend - In order by date.  

alt Design Summit www.altitudesummit.com January 23-26 Salt Lake City

Blissdom blissdomconference.com March 21-23 Dallas

Hispanicize www.hispanicizeevent.com April 9-13 Miami

BBC Phoenix bbcphoenix2013.eventbrite.com April 12-13 Phoenix, AZ

SNAP snapconference.com April 18-20 Salt Lake City

Mom 2.0 Summit www.mom2summit.com May 2-4 Laguna Niguel, CA

Camp Blogaway www.campblogaway.com May 24-26 San Bernadino, CA

Elevate elevateblogconference.blogspot.com May 11 Huntington Beach, CA

evo evoconference.com (Unfortunately this conference has been cancelled)

Niche Mommy www.thenichemommy.com (Niche Mommy has been renamed to Niche Parent)
Niche Parent www.thenichemommy.com September 5-7 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 

Blogalicious conference.beblogalicious.com October 3-5 Atlanta, GA

What conferences are you attending this year?