* hip mama blog *

New Giveaways on Hip Mama's Place!

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:41:00 +0000

Hello mommies,

Hip Mama's Place has got two new fabulous giveaways this week- stuff that you can really use anytime! :)

Check it out:

$30 Gift Certificate from Announcements Galore!

A Colorful, Fun Ribbon Belt For Your Baby or Toddler, Valued @ $12!

So what are you waiting on? Enter to win now at Hip Mama's Place!

Thanks and I hope you're all having a great Tuesday!

Internet Marketing Services

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:15:00 +0000

When a business tries to establish its presence online to drive traffic and sales, they turn to internet marketing services companies for assistance. Global Directive Marketing Initiatives has been in the business of helping websites of major global brands and start-ups alike get their share of incremental sales opportunities to the doorways, telephones and (in the new millennium). GDMI seeks to monitor, understand and leverage consumer use of pre-selected media during the shopping and buying process through a new division they created to translate this insight into online retail, commercial and industrial traffic for businesses across the globe.

A Chicago contextual advertising company, GDMI's fundamental marketing approach is to bring buyers and sellers together through the Internet medium. They will help identify your target audience, craft a relevant message that compels action and fulfilling on the promise of satisfying a potential customer’s need.

Their comprehensive menu of internet marketing services include Natural Search (SEO), Paid Search (PPC), Yellow Pages, Social Media, Brand Protection, Web analytics, to name a few.

Whether consumers are using Print Yellow Pages, Internet Yellow Pages or other on-line search marketing services to find your particular product or service, GDMI has the experience and expertise to generate cost effective sales traffic to your doorway, telephone or website.

How Was Mother's Day For You?

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:02:00 +0000

Mine went nice. This morning, my husband treated me (well, us) to a McGriddle's sandwich from McDonald's for breakfast. No, we didn't go to McDonald's. He went out and brought breakfast home for me, himself and our toddler. I told him to also stop by the store to get some milk for the boys and while he was at the store, he got me a small bouquet of flowers too.

Later in the afternoon, him and I were talking about crabs so we decided to go to Joe's Crab Shack instead of trying a new place like we planned earlier, for my MD dinner treat. We each had the East Coast plate, which consisted of crab-stuffed shrimp, Maryland crabcakes, fish and french fries with two dips. Then I had a mango-peach smoothie for a drink. He had a titanic tea. We sat outside where we could be close to the indoor little play area where our toddler can play. He had a blast playing with the other kids. Our little Jaden was sleeping in his stroller when we got there but woke up when we were almost leaving the restaurant.

When we got home, we all laid in bed and watched Desperate Housewives together. Overall, it was a wonderful Mother's Day for me. How about yours? Please share.

About Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Sun, 11 May 2008 01:25:00 +0000

My dear hubby just told me earlier this afternoon that he wants to take me and the kids for dinner out tomorrow to celebrate me- Mother's Day. :)
So now I am thinking of a place I want to try. You know when you have small ones, you don't think much about yourself anymore. So I'm thinking of a laidback place, where my kids can make noise and it's okay. Not the romantic, quite place that we used to go to before my hubby and I had our beautiful little angels. :)

Happy Mother's Day, everyone! :)

Exercise Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Sun, 11 May 2008 00:51:00 +0000

I'm really trying to lose some more weight. For the past month, I've lost two pounds already but I need to lose at least eight pounds more. I've been doing my home video exercises, but sometimes it gets a little boring. Hmmm, if I could be doing a more rigid type of exercise..maybe like Jung SuWon, a gentler type of Korean martial art taekwondo. Wouldn't that be something? :)

The Deadline is TODAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:21:00 +0000

Hello mommas,

Just want to remind everyone- today is the deadline to enter the Mother's Day Giveaway Event on Hip Mama's Place.

If you live in the US or Canada and you are a mom, then you are eligible to enter this contest. Look at the fabulous prizes!

Amy Butler design Purse from LooseCabooseDesigns, valued @ $37

Noodle & Boo Glowology Sugar Mama Honey Scrub from Mother Earth and Baby, valued @ $26

All Day Moisture Body Lotion by Belli Skin Care, valued @ $25

Chloe Retro Blue Cherry Apron from Boojiboo, valued @ $28.75

Frankincense Toning Body Cream by Neal's Yard Remedies, valued @ $60

Vitamin E & Avocado Night Cream by Neal's Yard Remedies, valued @ $29

Spring Fling Earrings from Ten Digit Creations, valued @ $12

Carney Silver Necklace from Style Patch, valued @ $15

Sara Moulton Cooks At Home Cookbook, valued @ $20

Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Luminous Shadow in Copper Feel and Lip Gloss in My Cherry Amour, with a Vintage Wall Paper Pocket Mirror from PaperHill, total value @ $18

So what are you waiting on? Ten lucky mom winners will be picked for this random giveaway so you got a lot of chances to win! :)

Go enter now at: Hip Mama's Place!

Jason Castro Eliminated On American Idol!

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:18:00 +0000

My boyfriend Jason Castro, who happens to be from my very own Dallas, Texas, got booted off last night at American Idol's elimination round. I'll be honest though. He was good in past performances, but I wasn't crazy about his "I Shot the Sheriff" version. That's one of the classic songs by Bob Marley that I like by the way, but his own rendition didn't really do justice to the classic-ness of this song. Oh well... I do love the guy for his cuteness and laid-backness. I saw him on my local Fox TV news this morning and he's so like, "Yeah, whatever", when asked if he was okay being eliminated. He's just so adorable! :)

Alright now, here's a YouTube video of his elimination last night.

Bye, bye Jason! Hope to see you around even after Idol. :)

Looking To Create Your Own Website?

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Wed, 07 May 2008 23:07:00 +0000

Most businesses today, whether operating a storefront or just an online store or business, need a website to have a successful business. Having a business website also increases a business' reach- when buyers can't really shop a store physically they can just go to the store's website and buy whatever they need. Not only businesses benefit from having a website. People create personal websites also to have a quicker, cheaper way to communicate with families and friends who may be in a different part of the country or in a foreign country and talking long-distance on the phone is an expensive option to communicate.

Well, most people think that creating websites can be a lot of work and are too expensive to begin and maintain. Vista Print, known as an online store that offers all types of products for your printing needs, now offers a service to help you create your websites as easy as 1-2-3. They even offer a one month free trial.

How does it work?

Build and customize your own professional website in 3 easy steps:

1. Begin Your FREE Trial- test drive it first. T start, check out their professional designs or match your website to your business card. Cancel at any time if you don't want it, there's no obligation.

2. Customize Your Website- You can add text, images, forms, change your design, and much more! No technical or programming skills are needed.

3. Go Live- Let your customers find you easily on the internet. Publish your website and get the online exposure you need to grow your business.

For more details, just go to: www.vistaprint.com

Blog Design Makeover

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Wed, 07 May 2008 22:59:00 +0000

Hello dear blogging friends, how are you all this beautiful Monday morning?
It seems like the weekend just went by fast, didn't it?

Anyways, I'm playing around with my blog design right now- backgrounds and such, so if you see it look a little crazy here and there it's because I'm still trying to find what I'm looking for. Making it a little more fun and reflecting more of my style and something that will go with the current season.

If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to leave a comment here.

Happy blogging y'all! :)

Sugary Sweet Facts

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:02:00 +0000

I came across an article recently about sugar production and I thought it was interesting to share.

Do you know that Brazil is currently the largest sugar producing nation in the world?

Here are some facts about Sugar from Brazil: In 2006 it produced thirty million tonnes of sugar, which made up 20% of the world’s total sugar production. Of that 30 million tonnes of sugar, Brazil exported 17.7 million tonnes of sugar to other nations, which comprised almost 40% of the sugar traded in the world that year.

So if Brazil experiences fluctuations of sugar production, it can affect world sugar prices substantially. In 2002, Brazil’s bumper sugar crop sent world prices plummeting to below five cents per pound.

Not Nice

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:48:00 +0000

I'm sick as a dog today. Ugh. I woke up with a big, mean headache, took some aspirin and it still won't go away. My daily planner is screaming for attention (for errands to do, tons of reviews to write, etc) but it's got to be put on hold for today.

I'm glad my hubby's coming home early tonight. I told him when he gets home, I will need my 'time out'- go to the spare room upstairs and sleep with no interruption from him and the boys. I think I'll feel better after a good long, uninterrupted sleep. Hopefully in the morning I'll be back to being the supermom and wife again! :)

Have You Joined Social Spark Yet?

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:52:00 +0000

A new offering from IZEA called Social Spark is now live. I actually just registered today and it looks like a great place for bloggers to hang out and earn extra cash.

So how does SocialSpark work?

Basically works the same as Payperpost, it's a social media marketing network and marketplace for bloggers and advertisers alike- the only significant difference is that it also works as a place to advertise your own blog by having other bloggers write a post about your own blog. Sounds great to me. This site connects advertisers and bloggers through an online advertising marketplace and based on converstional topics, advertisers are able to target blogs where they offer cash sponsorship to the bloggers who publish them. Bloggers then make money by either placing display advertisements on their blog or by writing sponsored content for advertisers. The sponsorships offered through the SocialSpark marketplace allow advertisers to build buzz, generate traffic and maximize social media exposure.

So I was browsing through the opportunities and profiles of other bloggers today. It seems like a friendly site to be part of. And right now I am still trying to update my own profile. (I'm jocelynd there, by the way). Hmm, I got to read more about this site. I want to know more!

Haven't joined yet? It's easy and takes a few minutes. Just go to the www.socialspark.com, register, confirm your email, create your profile and start interacting with other bloggers. Who knows you might even 'spark' an interest in some advertisers and they will sponsor your blog. That means cash for you!

My Little Jaden Is Walking Now!

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:49:00 +0000

*At four months old

It seems only yesterday when I had my baby Jaden. He was born March 2nd, 2007. Now he's 14 months old and has just started taking his first steps a week ago! I can't help feeling so excited looking at him stand up and struggle to walk and then fall, only to try again. He's so adorable right now that this morning I asked dear hubby to show me how to use our video camera again. I totally forgot how to use it! Must have been a year since I haven't used it myself. I've just been so pre-occupied with a lot of things lately that I almost ignored the fact that my kids will appreciate the video library of their childhood when they grow up. So yes, I am going to start taking videos of my kids again. :)

*At twelve months old

Anyways, here are a few cute shots of when Jaden is still a baby up to the present. :)

*What a pout! LOL. (Taken recently at a friend's party. Thanks again, Liza- for this beautiful picture).

NYC Castings For Talents

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:45:00 +0000

My hubby's niece from Los Angeles, California is into showbiz, mostly dancing for big stars and modelling for cosmetic ads. Now she is into trying to get a few acting assignments. She must have used a talent service agency like www.NYCastings.com to get a real paying work acting or modelling for various on-camera, print, voice-over & live projects that she said she has made good money at.

Mocobabies Signing With Baby Set Winner!

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:45:00 +0000

Last week, Hip Mama Blog participated in the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival and gave away a set of Mocobabies Signing With Baby Flashcards and Placemat Set to one lucky winner.

I just wanted to post it here that the winner is Julie D, from the blog Mom Two Ways.

Congratulations, Julie!

Re-decorating Our Master Bedroom

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:37:00 +0000

I really want to re-decorate our master bedroom right now. The only problem is that we might be moving again soon, so it might not be a very good idea. I was looking online at BEDROOM SETS lately and drooling over them. I could really use a new one right now. Hmmm, might be a great idea for a gift to ask my dear hubs. :)

Great News For Moms This Mother's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Sat, 03 May 2008 18:59:00 +0000

I have made it easier for you all to enter the Mother's Day Giveaway Event over at Hip Mama's Place so all of you moms can join in the fun!

I hope to see all of you join- just post a comment with your three choices of prizes, add your name to Mr Linky's and walah, you're done!

Prizes include: a beautiful handmade Spring purse, a pair of Spring earrings, designer skin care, Vicroria's Secret beauty products, Sara Moulton cookbook, and many more!

Contest open to all moms from the US and Canada and will close May 9th, 12MN, CST.

So what are you waiting on? Hurry and join in the fun!

Have a great weekend, hip mamas!

Travelling Out of Town

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:44:00 +0000

Whenever my husband and I travel out of town, or out of state, 90% of the time we just use a car rental service rather than use our own car. I think that it's easier on our car, especially if we're travelling for days. Like, our last travel to Fort Lauderdale, Florida from Dallas, Texas we just rented a car.

With two small kids, we find it easier to travel by car than by plane and in order to rent a car cheap, we usually check out special offers and discounts like the ones offered by Advantage.

Mother's Day Giveaway Event!

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:24:00 +0000

Hello dear mom blogging friends,

How are you all this beautiful Thursday morning? I hope everyone is doing great!

I just want to tell you all about the Mother's Day Giveaway Event I'm currently hosting on Hip Mama's Place. I got lots of special treats to pamper you all dear mom blogging friends. I'm hoping you could help me spread the word by participating in this event/contest.

For more details, please click the logo above or just go to: Hip Mama's Place

Thank you all!

Have You Been to W.H. Stark House?

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:59:00 +0000

Have you been to or heard of W.H. Stark House in Orange, Texas? I live in Texas and have heard about this tourist attraction. But here's what I found about this famous Victorian landmark in Orange, Texas.

The W.H. Stark House is a 14,000 square-foot home built in 1894 in Orange, Texas, by William Henry Stark and his wife, Miriam M. Lutcher Stark, prominent philanthropists who occupied the home until 1936. Designed in the Queen Anne architectural style, the house features a distinctive turret, stained glass windows, and ornate woodwork in cypress and long leaf yellow pine. The home remained vacant until 1971, at which time a major ten-year restoration was commenced. The restored Stark House opened for public tours on February 10, 1981, and it remains open currently for public tours, allowing visitors to view the Stark family’s original furnishings and personal effects, as well as rare 18th and 19th century decorative arts. As the only surviving structure of many that once lined the tree-shaded, residential neighborhood in Orange, Texas, The W.H. Stark House is a unique testament to Texas’ social history and a point of interest to residents and visitors alike.

When you tour the home, you'll find that the Stark House holds a significant display of original family furnishings, china, silver, rugs, porcelains, glass, artwork, woodwork, and lighting. From the one-of-a-kind sterling silver tea service on the First Floor to the rare Napoleon death mask on the Third Floor, each level of the Stark House offers an extraordinary glimpse at the lifestyle of the prominent timber family who occupied it from 1894-1936.

The W.H. Stark House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission. It is operated as a program of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, a private foundation established in 1961 by H.J. Lutcher Stark, the only surviving child of W.H. and Miriam Stark.

Very interesting indeed. So the next time you're planning to visit Texas, why not go to Orange, Texas? They got lots to offer to tourists- including the beauty that is W.H. Stark House!

Who's Your Favorite Celebrity Chef?

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:48:00 +0000

Who is not a fan of the Food Network? Even if you don't cook a lot, don't you just like to watch the celebrity chefs cookin' and bakin' to their hearts' delights? :)

My favorite celebrity chefs are Sara Moulton and Rachel Ray. I own two of each of their cook books. I still use the cook books whenever I need to cook something different than what I already cook, or something special and on special occassions.

Who is your favorite celebrity chef and why?

It's ABout Time

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:02:00 +0000

Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthdays or any occassion- it seems like watches are one of the most thought of item for gift-giving. Last two Christmases ago, I gave my hubby a gold-tone classic Movado watch. He loved it! Now I'm thinking, I might get my mother in-law a watch for Mother's Day.

I'm looking at this online store called TheWatchery.com. They got all kinds of luxury watches you can imagine- at a fraction of the cost that you pay at retail stores. They even offer free watches with almost all of their customers' purchases. And the 80% off MSRP can't be beat too!

Hmm, now I'm psyched to buy my mom on law a watch. I'm looking at all the beautiful pieces they offer. This discounted store is just great! I could even search based on brand, gender of the person I'm buying it for, and price. What a convenient way to look for what I want!

I like the Tag watches they offer too- something to come back to when I'm ready to buy for myself as well.

Just Came Back

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:01:00 +0000

So most of this morning was spent running errands. My kids and I had a wonderful time at the mall playground too, and mommy got to shop a little bit as well. :)

I went to this discount boutique store that sells handbags that look nice and cheap, LOL. I got me a handbag that's a little over-sized, not the everyday type of bag. But I will be travelling out of the country in a couple months so I figured this bag seem the perfect size to use as a carry-all for my basic things, and a bit of the kiddos' things. I'm sure I will probably have at least two carry-alls, since I will be having my two kiddos with me too. Ahhh..I can't wait to see my siblings again. It's been almost three years since I was home. This travel is still in planning though, no final date or schedule yet. But it's going to happen definitely this year.

Bothersome Phone Calls

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:18:00 +0000

I'm sure I'm not the only one who gets these bothersome calls on my cell phone from time to time. So reently I just registered mine on the National No Call Registry list. I've read though that sometimes those annoying calls still come through even then, so I was also looking into this new service called the Reverse Cell Phone Lookup service.

Errands, Errands, More Errands

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:49:00 +0000

Today is going to be my errands day- I gotta go get a few grocery items, stop by the post office, take the kids out playing at the mall playground. The last one is fun- as it's always fun to see my kids having fun!

After that I'm also checking out the local library. I've been meaning to do that for a while. Today is just the day! :)

So how is your Tuesday going to be?

*** hip mama blog ***