mommypalooza™ ~ a daily dose of mommy mayhem.

#Cookmore Twitter Party with Kenmore on Wednesday, March 27 at 8pm CST

#Cookmore Twitter Party w/ Kenmore & Momma Cuisine on Wednesday, March 27 at 8pm CST

COOK MORE. What do you think of when you hear those two words?  Is it a chore and a hassle? Or do you think of fun times with family and great friends?

Disney Social Media Moms Conference 2013 - Official Dates Announced! #DisneySMMoms at Walt Disney World

Earlier this evening, Disney PR peeps confirmed that there will INDEED be a Disney Social Media Moms Conference in 2013.  May 9 - 12,  2013 {Mother's Day weekend} -- to be exact -- is when all the magic will take place at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.  

And from now until then, many would-be conference attendees will undoubtedly be  frantically stalking their email boxes every 5 minutes keeping an eye on their inboxes in anticipation of that coveted invitation to the conference.  The event itself is unparelleled, much like the magic of Disney.  Not only are invited guests and their families able to immerse themselves and become one with the Disney Parks family, but bloggers / social media influencers who attend will have access to the most amazing speakers and learning opportunities that will go beyond inspiring them to be and do more!

Last year, my family and I were beyond privileged to be invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Conference and I will be forever grateful!  We were able to experience Disney on a whole new level and well, do Expedition Everest at night which was totally "boss" {as my 9 year-old son would say}!  The memories of the entire experience is something that will never, ever fade from my mind or heart! 

Our passion and love for Disney has been strong for quite some time, but the conference event last year simply put us over the moon!  So much so, in fact, that I was inspired to build my own Disney online home at ¡Hola Disney!, which is my space for sharing ALL things Disney {movies, tv, park info, news, products, shopping, and more} both in English AND en Español! As a Latina, I realzied {after my own searching around} that there was a true need for sharing info in both languages so I headed it up and debuted the site in January 2013.  I'm so excited about the wonderful response I've received and at all that's to come in the future!

 And, no worries, I will undoubtedly be keeping all of you in the loop with the latest happenings of Disney Social Media Moms as the details become available.  In the meantime, I'd LOVE to connect with you on:

¡Hola Disney! - the blog

¡Hola Disney! on Twitter

¡Hola Disney! on Facebook

!Hola Disney! on Google +

{review}: Get organized with The Blogging Planner. #Blogging

 

The Blogging Planner was created by Top Mom Blogger and is available in two sizes.  To learn more about this valuable planning tool for bloggers or to purchase one, click here.

{Disclosure:  As a Blogging Planner Ambassador, I receieved a free copy of The Blogging Planner for my review and use.  All opinions expressed are in my own.  The above may contain affiliate links.}

My entry for the Cottonelle "Name It" Contest

A few weeks ago the hubs and I found out about the Cottonelle "Name It" Contest which is an open call for all creative submissions to name their new two-step cleaning process.  The rules of the contest are that you pretty much come up with an original name for the 2-step clean "routine" which consists of Cottonelle® Ultra Comfort Care and Cottonelle® Fresh Care Wipes.  The name also has to be travel related.  Here's what we decided upon:

I think it's pretty clever and catchy, don't you?  "Down Under" - as in Australia; "Double"- as in two-steps; and "Wipeout" - which is pretty explanatory but also significant because of it's related to Australia and travel since surfing is a part of both!

What would your Cottonelle "Name It" Contest submission be?

Think I'll have a Coke & a Smile #cclp

You remember those Coca-Cola commercials, don't you? "Have a Coke & A Smile!"?  Oh, yes, that tagline will always stick with me when it comes to thinking about Coke products.  And speaking of Coke products, did you know their headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia? I've actually never been to Atlanta for any length of time, except for our first Disney trip back in 2007.  We made it a road trip and stopped in Atlanta for the night, but didn't do too much while we were there.

Well, I'm happy to report that's all about to change because next week I'm headed to Hot-lanta to attend Conversations with Coca-Cola, an invite-only event for social media moms that will span two days of fun. learning, and connecting.  I'm looking forward to seeing some of my bloggy buddies that I've come to know and love from other events and to learning more about the Coca-Cola Live Positively philosophy.  I know we'll also be brainstorming about ways to utilize social media more effectively for branding and outreach to do more good.

There are a slew of other fun bloggy peeps attending as well, so I hope you'll take a moment to follow our #cclp tweets on Twitter.  I know I am looking forward to sharing more with you about Coca-Cola and can't wait to get there next week!

Now I'm off to get my packing and calendar planning done (for my hubs, who will be in charge of the kids) before this weekend is up!

{Disclosure: I was invited to take part in the Conversations with Coca-Cola Social Media Moms Conference.  My conference accomodations including travel, hotel, and expenses are being provided heavily subsidized, however I have not been asked or required to share anything with my readers about the conference or anything related to Coca-Cola.  I am doing this on my own accord. All opinions are my own. No one is the boss of me!}

photo taken with my Samsung Galaxy SII Epic 4G Touch

We're going to Disney {again}!

Last week I was so excited, humbled, & honored, to have received an invitation to attend the 3rd Annual Social Media Moms Celebration at the Walt Disney World Resort!  To be honest, the hubs and I have been talking for a few weeks now about making the trek back to the magical happy place again soon. William, our Kindergartener, spent his 1st, 2nd, and 3rd birthdays there and now, with this opportunity to attend this event, we will celebrate his 6th birthday there this April!  The conference takes place April 26-29 but we are taking advantage of the passes we will receive through the conference in order to extend our stay!  William's birthday is actually April 15th but I am sure if he's anything like me, he'll want to celebrate all month long!

This year the conference event is taking place at the gorgeously fun Yacht Club Resort, which is absolutely one of the most beautiful properties (IMHO) on Disney property.  Back in 2009 during our last visit, we actually headed to the resort for their world-famous "kitchen sink" dessert.

I remember we fasted nearly ALL.  DAY.  LONG. in hopes that we'd be able to finish it.  But, alas, it was not doable.  Even WITH my hubs' insane ability to eat huge quantities of just about everything.  Um, and yes, I was actually pregnant with Jacob during this trip so can you imagine what all that sugar did to my pregnant body? Maybe that's why he's the kinda kid that sneaks chocolate!

I'm having such a great time looking over our Disney 2009 photos and reminiscing.  The kids have grown so much since then and I'm so excited to be able to take them back to experience it all again.  Jacob was obviously in utero then and didn't really get to do much, so this should be SO magical for him especially!

Going off of our last visit there, I'd have to say my most favorite park to visit is Disney's Hollywood Studios.  We were there just shortly after the new Toy Story ride opened up and I remember it was fun from beginning to end! There were fun things to look at and interact with while waiting in line to ride, and of course, the fun ride itself!  I also think their Block Party Parade is the best and most fun out of all the parks! We also love all of the variety of characters at this park.  These are just a few photos from Hollywood Studios:

 

{Waiting in line at the Toy Story ride. Lots of fun decor to keep us entertained!}

{Crawling through giant-sized decks of cards while waiting for Toy Story ride.}

{Look, it's Handy Manny!}

{Block Party parade @ Hollywood Studios}

I should also mention that I've hear tons of great praises about the actual conference itself. I'm looking forward to connecting with bloggers I've admired from afar for a while and reconnecting with those that I've come to know over the years both IRL and online!

Hispanicize 2012: Why I want to go

As I was sifting through my emails in my inbox today, I came across one from one of my most-visited PR blogs, hispanicPRblog.  The headline grabbed me immediately:

Univision Communications Becomes Presenting Media Partner & Sponsor of Hispanicize 2012

Just upon reading the brand "Univision", I was instantly taken back to my youth when I would spend hours and hours at my grandma's house while my parents were at work during the summer or just out running errands.  I *LOVED* spending time with my grandma.  She was just cutest little old lady you'd ever seen.  Well don't take my word for it, look for yourself.

{This was taken at my bridal shower in 2001 after the make-a-wedding-dress-out-of-toilet-paper game. Not sure if she was laughing harder or I was!}

{My grandma and me at my bridal shower.}

So there I would sit on the big, creaky recliner in the living room of her humble one-bedroom abode in East Austin (Texas).  This was the house that she gave birth to 10 children - 5 boys (one of them being my dad) + 5 girls - in and the house all of those children grew up in.  Yes, you read that right.  ONE bedroom.  And while I would sit and rock in this comfy but old recliner, my grandma would have her TV tuned to her favorite station - Univision.  I was subjected to her outrageous and loud laughs at every funny prank or joke they'd show during their Sabado Gigante program and I couldn't help but laugh right along with her.  My grandma had one of the best laughs ever!! Just a smile that lit up the dark, gray skies and just made me feel like I was home.  It's true.  I've even written to her before here on my blog. 

We'd sit and watch this channel for HOURS, literally!  If it wasn't some outrageously funny program then it was a novela -- a Spanish soap opera that would make One Life to Live or The Young & the Restless look like children's theater.  Oh, yeah this is where it really got good!  Thankfully for me, I could understand most of the Spanish soap and ALL the drama that came along with it.  I've never been much of a great Spanish speaker, but I can definitely comprehend when it's being spoken. 

Yeah, sitting with my grandma at her house watching Univision while sharing belly laughs and dramatic gasps is one of my fondest memories as a child.  And for this reason, I want to attend Hispanicize 2012. 

You see, in that email I talked about recieving earlier, I learned that the presenting media sponsor for this year's Hispanicize 2012 is none other than (my grandma's fave) Univision.  I've always wanted to attend the annual event for Latinos in social media, but never before like this!  I have to credit my recent work with the Latina Smart campaign and my wonderful experiences with Latina Mom Bloggers and Verizon Wireless when they sent me to the Vive La Hispanidad Event for igniting a fire within me to become more grounded in my Hispanic heritage and culture. 

Hispanicize 2012 is the premier event for Latino media, bloggers, and press and is in its 3rd year.  I know that with a partnership like this it will not disappoint!  This February it will have been 9 years since my grandma passed away.  I was pregnant with my first-born when that happened and I have always been so sad at the fact that my kids have not been able to know her and what a wonderful spirit she was here on earth.  But they do know about her.  They see her photos and I talk about her and describe what it was like being around her and have her as my grandma.  What a full-circle experience it would be to attend this event and get to learn more about a brand that I feel so connected to.  I'm sure my grandma would have LOVED to be my special guest and attend with me if she were still here and even if she couldn't, she'd probably whisper to me not to forget to get her some sort of "swaggy" item from Univision at the event!  So here's hoping that she'll be my angel in heaven and intervene some way, somehow so that it's possible for me to go.  Fingers crossed, grandma!

How to create + upload a pin on Pinterest

Pin It

Have you fallen victim to the Pinterest craze yet?  I know many of us have and use it religiously to keep some of our favorite recipes, organizational tips, and even those favorite phrases + sayings that we want to remember.

But recently I've seen a boat-load of comments on my Twitter + Facebook streams about peeps feeling sort of "lost" on the site simply because they couldn't figure out how to "pin" something.  I'll agree that although the site still has a lot of room for improvements, I think it is pretty straightforward and can become such a great resource if you can figure out the best way to use it to your advantage.

So, here's my no-frills, simple tutorial on "pinning" on Pinterest.  I hope this is able to help some of you out there who are struggling with getting going on the site.  And while you're there, why not follow me on Pinterest?  I'd love to connect with you there!  Happy Pinning!

 1.  Once you login to the site from this link, you'll see something similar to this (bear in mind if you have zero pins you will see empty boards instead of ones with photos in them like in mine below):

 
2.   Click the "Add+" button in the upper right hand corner.  This will then show a new screen like this one:

3.  Click the "Add A Pin" option.  This type of pin will allow you add a website/url/video/pretty much anything online that you have a link for.

4.  You're then taken to an upload screen where you'll be prompted to enter the url (website address or link to) whatever it is you are wanting to pin.

5.  Copy and paste your link from its source into the box.  Or, alternatively you can simply type in the entire link / url of whatever it is you'd like to pin, like so:

6.  After putting in the link (either by pasting it in or typing it in manually), click the "Find Images" button and you'll get this new lovely on your screen: 

7.  Notice the link to your pin is still visible and now there may be an image associated with the link, which will appear on the left side of the box that opens up.  If you want to change the image or if there is no image that previews there, simply click "Next-->" to slide over to an alternate image.  Notice also that there is a default "board" associated with this pin.  In this case, it has defaulted to my "Get Organized" board.  There is also a small box below that which is where you can type in any description or special notes that you want associated with this pin.  I love this little text area.  I use it to remind myself of why I am pinning this in the first place or to make other random notes that correlate to my pin.  If you would like to change the default board that this pin is assigned to (e.g., instead of "Get Organized", I want this filed under something else), see #8 below.  If not, simply click the red "Pin It" button to complete saving your pin.

8.  To change the board that this pin will be filed under simply click the drop-down box and you will see all of your current boards.  Note that if you would like to start a new board category, you can simply start typing where the text "Create New Board" appears and then click "Create".  A new board will now be created with the title you just typed!  You'll then need to click the red "Pin It" button like in step 7 to complete saving your pin.

9.  And there it is!  Isn't she lovely?  After clicking "Pin It", you will be taken to the board where you've saved your pin and you'll be able to see it - along with all of your other related pins - instantly!

10.  Pat yourself on the back!  You're officially "on Pinterest"!!

Pin It

{FYI - the pin used in this example are free and beautiful printable lists and calendars from Life Made Lovely, which was a feature on my most recent {friday finds}.}

Six social media resolutions to make in 2012

Recently CNN published this article suggesting five tech behaviors to drop this year if you're looking to make "tech resolutions" in 2012.  One of the suggestions included ceasing the copying and pasting of Facebook statuses.  I couldn't agree more.  Nothing makes me scroll down my newsfeed faster than when I see the words, "repost if you agree" or something of the like.  Can you say annyoing, anyone?  If so, copy and paste THAT as your status!  Ha!

So, I got to thinking (I know, a dangerous thing, that is!) -- what are some of the social media behaviors that peeps are now committing that get under my skin?  I've come up with a few things that I think every person (blogger or not) should try and keep in mind this year.  Revamp and make over your social media game this year and stop doing things like this:

1. Stop posting large jpg images/graphics with random (but sometimes inspirational) quotes on them.  Seriously.  Facebook is NOT Pinterest!  It is rather annoying to have my entire newsfeed littered with feel-good text images.  Not that I disagree with {most} of what they say, but it just isn't the place to load that kinda stuff. 
   
   
2. Patrol your Timeline/wall, peeps!  It is so disheartening to visit a friend's Facebook page only to find random spam and other linkage on his/her page that is just there and makes NO sense!  Your Facebook timeline (or wall, as it were) is like your front door.  Don't let it get clutered up with spammy posts or images.  It's just not cool.  Or easy on the eyes.
   
   
3. Along with #2 above, stop clicking on spammy links when you see them!  Seriously, this is the eqiuvalent of spreading a disease, peeps!  It is!  You click on it then it automatically shows up on YOUR profile for others to see and be enticed by and ultimately do the same thing -- CLICK!  It's such a vicious cycle.  So, the next time you see a status like "OMG I just heard that {XYZ} will give away 500 iPads if they reach 500 fans! Hurry, get yours now!" , just scroll on by.  Don't be a host of the social media spam disease.
   
   
4. Here's a biggie:  sending out mass Facebook messages to ALL of your friends.  Just.  Stop.  DOING.  IT!!!  Although Facebook does now offer the option for recipients to leave the conversation, it is still annoying in the first place to have to read through a Facebook message sent to the masses.  So unless you're messaging everyone for a damn good reason, like you won the lottery, had a baby, or are running for President - please just refrain from doing it.  It's uncool.
   
   
5. Lastly, don't auto-Tweet your Facebook messages via your Twitter account.  You do know that Twitter has a 140 character limit don't you?  Well when your Facebook status update is longer than that we, your loyal Twitter followers, only see a truncated status update with ". . . ." which is - you guessed it - ANNOYING! Instead, use a social media dashboard service like HootSuite to schedule and send Twitter & Facebook updates separately.  Your followers will thank you and you will effectively communicate whatever it is you are trying to communicate.  Win/Win!

That's all I got for now.  What are your pet peeves when it comes to social media or tech behaviors?

Recently CNN published this article suggesting five tech behaviors to drop this year if you're looking to make "tech resolutions" in 2012.  One of the suggestions included ceasing the copying and pasting of Facebook statuses.  I couldn't agree more.  Nothing makes me scroll down my newsfeed faster than when I see the words, "repost if you agree" or something of the like.  Can you say annyoing, anyone?  If so, copy and paste THAT as your status!  Ha!

So, I got to thinking (I know, a dangerous thing, that is!) -- what are some of the social media behaviors that peeps are now committing that get under my skin?  I've come up with a few things that I think every person (blogger or not) should try and keep in mind this year.  Revamp and make over your social media game this year and stop doing things like this:

1. Stop posting large jpg images/graphics with random (but sometimes inspirational) quotes on them.  Seriously.  Facebook is NOT Pinterest!  It is rather annoying to have my entire newsfeed littered with feel-good text images.  Not that I disagree with {most} of what they say, but it just isn't the place to load that kinda stuff. 
   
   
2. Patrol your Timeline/wall, peeps!  It is so disheartening to visit a friend's Facebook page only to find random spam and other linkage on his/her page that is just there and makes NO sense!  Your Facebook timeline (or wall, as it were) is like your front door.  Don't let it get clutered up with spammy posts or images.  It's just not cool.  Or easy on the eyes.
   
   
3. Along with #2 above, stop clicking on spammy links when you see them!  Seriously, this is the eqiuvalent of spreading a disease, peeps!  It is!  You click on it then it automatically shows up on YOUR profile for others to see and be enticed by and ultimately do the same thing -- CLICK!  It's such a vicious cycle.  So, the next time you see a status like "OMG I just heard that {XYZ} will give away 500 iPads if they reach 500 fans! Hurry, get yours now!" , just scroll on by.  Don't be a host of the social media spam disease.
   
   
4. Here's a biggie:  sending out mass Facebook messages to ALL of your friends.  Just.  Stop.  DOING.  IT!!!  Although Facebook does now offer the option for recipients to leave the conversation, it is still annoying in the first place to have to read through a Facebook message sent to the masses.  So unless you're messaging everyone for a damn good reason, like you won the lottery, had a baby, or are running for President - please just refrain from doing it.  It's uncool.
   
   
5. Lastly, don't auto-Tweet your Facebook messages via your Twitter account.  You do know that Twitter has a 140 character limit don't you?  Well when your Facebook status update is longer than that we, your loyal Twitter followers, only see a truncated status update with ". . . ." which is - you guessed it - ANNOYING! Instead, use a social media dashboard service like HootSuite to schedule and send Twitter & Facebook updates separately.  Your followers will thank you and you will effectively communicate whatever it is you are trying to communicate.  Win/Win!

That's all I got for now.  What are your pet peeves when it comes to social media or tech behaviors?

#midwestmoms - It's a wrap.

I've been amazingly blessed this past year as a mom, wife, and yes, even a blogger. You may have seen me sporting this profile pic on my Facebook page over the past several months:

Well, I remember first hearing about the #midwestmoms campaign several months ago and thinking, "that is TOTALLY me!".  I was eager to learn more and see what Verizon Wireless was all about. 

And I never expected to feel as tied to a brand or company as I do with them.  And never in my wildest expectations would I have felt like I've gotten so much out of knowing a great group of my fellow midwest mom bloggers as I do now!

These chicks

and these chicks

fuuuuuhhhreakin' crack me up!  I had THE most fabulous time with all of them this past summer in Chicago at Midwest Moms Media brands & bloggers summit.  We connected about our families, our blogs, our lives as mothers, and of course -- our techie gadgets!!

I even got to meet another real, live Candy!!  This NEVER happens!

Over the past few months I've shared so many laughs with these ladies online and I truly have a special place in my heart for ALL of them! 

And the folks at Verizon and at their agency, Rauxa, have been impeccably professional to work with and have gone above and beyond with the #midwestmoms campaign.  I am humbled and honored to have been a part of it all!

And yes, things have certainly changed a bit around here.

It's awesome that I've been able to share such great technology like the Motorola Xoom and my Droid Bionic smartphone with my kids.  They now have hands-on experience with tablets, smartphones and understand the basics of apps, 4G LTE, WiFi, hotspots, and other fun techie stuff.  I am such a firm believer in teaching kids to embrace our technology, not to shield them from it.  The way I see it, the jobs of their future haven't even been invented yet, so any advantage I can give them on various technologies that exist will work in their favor one day. 

My oldest now LOVES to play Words with Friends with his Grammy who lives two states away.  Not only is he experiencing technology and what it brings to this world, but he's able to use it to engage with her even when she's not visiting.

So to my peeps at Verizon & Rauxa -- as we close out one of the most awesome years, I want to say "THANK YOU!!"  for inviting me to be a part of this fun #midwestmoms experience!  It has been wonderful beyond measure, and more than I could have ever imagined!  I'm sad this campaign is coming to an end, thankful for what it has been, and dreaming of when our paths will cross again!

 

 

 

{Disclosure: I am part of the Verizon Wireless #MidwestMoms project and am being compensated for this series of posts, however, the opinions expressed herein are those of my own. No one's the boss of me!}