Mommy Monday: Gift Exchanges with strangers, and a give away!!

Since becoming a mom a whole new community has opened up to me. When I was pregnant I had the What to Expect When Expecting app on my phone. Within that app there was a November due date community board that I kept in touch with because it was nice to see other mom's that were in the same stages of pregnancy as me. That group spun off a Facebook group and that is where I keep in touch with them now. It is so great to have a group of women that have babies around Sloane's ago that I can go to for advice or support.

I'll admit I'm not a frequent poster in the group but I read posts in the group daily and from time to time I'll comment on a post when I have something to say. Overall I just enjoy having the group to follow. A fun way that the group stays connected is by doing gift exchanges.

The first one I participated in was the Mother's Day gift exchange. A couple group members organized the whole thing through Elfster.com This is an awesome website that helps you pair up people in a secret Santa type fashion. You can also make a wish list on the website to help your secret mommy get a better idea as to what types of things you would like as a gift.

 

I was so excited to participate in this gift exchange that I was trying to decide what to get the mother I had for a month! I looked at so many options and finally decided on something that I thought honored the Mother's Day theme. I got her a silver cuff bracelet with an inspiring inscription about mom's on it and "Are You My Mother" by P.D. Eastman, on of my favorite books when I was a child.

 

I sent the package through the US mail and unfortunately I got it out a little late so it didn't make it before mothers day. The gift I got however came well before mothers day.

The mommy who had me sent me a Passion Fruit Daiquiri Philosophy Shower set that came with shower jell, body scrub and lotion. I have always wanted to try out the Philosophy brand but just never had so it was exciting to get this as a gift. The package also has a recipe for a Passion Fruit Daiquiri that I want to make. I have searched for passion fruit around where I live and haven't been able to find any but I hope to find some so I can include that in my review blog of the product.

I am actually signed up to do two more gift exchanges now, both with a summer theme. One is once again through the group and the next is just signed up through a blog I follow. I'm excited to see what I get from those exchanges and I'm excited to go shopping for these exchanges as well. I love giving gifts!

Now for the give away!!! I got my very first from Inflenster, which is a sight that you basically do reviews on products and share the reviews you do through your social media. There is just some little things you have to do, like linking your social media and answering a short survey, to qualify for the FREE boxes. So my first box had Palmolive Soft Touch dish washing liquid in it. It came with two bottles so I figured why not give away one! To enter all you have to do is write a comment on this blog post (not a comment on the Facebook post but on this actual blog post) I'll randomly draw the winner on Friday5/24/2013 and contact you to get your shopping information!

 

 

Me Manifesto

So have you been wondering why I blog. I know some people think it's so weird that I want to write about my life for all to share. There are many reasons why I blog and there are many things I want to accomplish with my blog.

I've always enjoyed writing. Now I'm the first to admit that technically I'm not the very best writer. I am not a good speller and I despise taking the time to proof read (something I am working on) That being said modern spell check has helped me in school and I typically get very good grades in my English classes. In fact in collage a teacher thought I had taken the lesser English class just so that I could be with Mat.  I have always written a journal and I love writing random poems.

I love having a record of my life that I can go back to look at as many times as I wish. Believe it or not I go back into photo albums and scrap books and old blogs so much. It's just so much fun to have something to help you remember the details of your favorite memories. It even helps you remember things you didn't even realize you had forgotten. It seems even more important now that I have Sloane to record our memories. Time is going to go by faster than I even realize and I would be so fun to look back at things that I was thinking about at this time.

I like connecting with people. I enjoy reading other people's blogs but I've noticed that some mommy or beauty blogs talk like they are experts. Now don't get me wrong I need those expert bloggers but I think my blog is more of a way for me to share my discovery of new things and a way to ask questions.

So where do I want to go with my blog you ask? I'm not really sure, but I'd like to see how far I can go. I'd love to be able to get a good amount of readers so that I get my questions answered in the form of comments. I'd also love to be able to host a give away to more people than just my friends and family. I want to connect with people from all over the world! I just admire the blogger community out there. I'd love to go to BlogHer one day, although it seems a bit expensive.

I'm thinking I'll read this book I've heard of called Blog Inc. to see just how far I can take thing blog thing.

So all you bloggers out there, do you have any tips for me?