Ready to Blog Hop?

By Monica Brand, 23 July, 2009, No Comment

It’s a great way to meet other bloggers and for new bloggers to learn about your corner of the web. The party starts tonight, so get your post ready (I’m giving away a book. No surprise there.) Follow the button above to learn all the details.

Stop and Shop speaks with bloggers

By Monica Brand, 15 April, 2009, 5 Comments

The other day on Twitter, there was chatter regarding companies that understand how to communicate with bloggers (#getit). Add Stop and Shop supermarket to the list, because they definitely Get It.

Today Stop and Shop hosted a luncheon at The Frog and the Peach restaurant in New Brunswick (which was lovely; how nice to be served at a table with white table cloths) for a bunch of us bloggers. I mainly attended because I wanted to see my New Jersey Mom Blog friends, and I love any gathering that involves food, but after the PR reps from Stop and Shop launched into their pitch, I realized I was at my first official Corporation-Wooing-the-Blogger event.

I’m not much for product reviews. Book reviews and tours, that’s more me. Food, recipes, and frugal living, not so much. I’ve had fleeting thoughts of starting a product review blog, but I can’t see it happening, not unless I put the kiddos in school and I was totally bored with nothing to do during the day. No time for a product review blog right now.

You know me: I’d much rather talk about human trafficking and poverty. I’m all about letting you know that Stop and Shop donated $209 to the Community Food Band of New Jersey, presenting a check to blogger Liz Thompson, of This Full House. Remember the Blogging Out Hunger campaign last year? That’s where my heart is, and I’m going to be dragging as many bloggers as I can to participate with me. The next one is in September, by the way. Let me know if you want to participate! *wink*

Oh, one more thing: I want to give a special shout out the great ladies with 360 Public Relations. They obviously know their stuff and they spoke our language. Most impressive was the gal (Angela?) who kept referring to the fact that I’m a home schooler. 360 Public Relations gets it too. My kids had a blast eating pizza, decorating cookies and crafts while I played with the grown-ups.

Thanks, Stop and Shop – and Peapod – for introducing me to the PR pitch. Woot!

Does this mean I’ve finally arrived as a (mommy) blogger?

Facts and figures: Technorati’s State of the Blogosphere 2008

By Monica Brand, 26 September, 2008, 2 Comments

Often when I find a blog I like, it’s not only the content that lures me in, but the person behind the blog that I find interesting. I’m fascinated with the who, what, where and how of the blogosphere, so it’s no surprise that I find this document a good read. The number of men vs. women, ages, what part of the US blogs more – all those questions answered for me.

You may follow this link to read the report in it’s entirety. It’s quite lengthy, so get your bookmark at the ready. I did pull one screen shot of particular interest to me.

$part of Tecnorati\'s State of the Blogosphere 2008$

They have me pegged. I’m a female blogger in the majority age bracket with a personal blog.

Anyone else out there find this good info or am I completely a geek that needs to get a life?

Wait. Don’t answer that.

We interrupt this blog for a special shout out

By Monica Brand, 18 August, 2008, 5 Comments

To my blog designer, Shannon Entin.

Hi, Shannon!

For a long time – at least a year – I’ve wanted my blog to be more than just a theme found on WordPress Planet or another website. Every time I downloaded a new theme, it would work for awhile, but I never was satisfied. I wanted a header with just the right image and feeling to it. I wanted colors I love. I think most bloggers will agree, if you keep a blog long enough, you want it to reflect your own unique style.

When I finally had enough of the canned themes, I knew exactly who I wanted to design Paper Bridges. Not only is Shannon a crackerjack at code, with her own rocking blog, but she’s a home schooling mom too. (That means she must be really smart).

Shannon and I know each other in that place away from the Internet. Maybe you’ve heard of it? Real Life. Our kids belong to the same home school co-op. We’ve swam in her pool. My kids have used her bathroom. I’ve spilled crumbs on her sofa.

Why am I telling you all this? Because being comfortable with your designer is key. You should trust and feel comfortable with the person designing your baby, I mean, blog. I knew my blog was in excellent hands with Shannon.

And here’s the thing: I didn’t know exactly what I wanted with the design when we got started. I knew more of what I didn’t like than what I did. Shannon knew the right questions to ask and she pointed me in the right direction, to get the results you see here.

Okay, guys. Go check out Shannon’s design page, bookmark it for future reference. Because you know you want a blog as lovely as mine.

Oops, I did it again

By Monica Brand, 15 August, 2008, 3 Comments

Signed on for another blog writing gig. This one is Homeschool Hacks where you can follow my witty and insightful advice, tips and tricks regarding home education. Or don’t read what I have to say and fail miserably. Ha. My first post is here.