Mommy LaDy Club

When You Write A Blog Post, Are You Selling Your Title?

2012-03-11T09:28:00.000-07:00

Did you know that you should be spending as much time crafting your blog title as writing your blog post?

You don't necessarily have to be selling anything on your blog, like having a blog attached to your business, but in order to get more readers, you need to be selling your blog titles.

Why is the title so important? It gets published everywhere...on Google search, RSS Reader, Facebook share, e-mail subscription, Tweets, Pins and Links on other blogs, etc.

Your blog title has to grab that reader's attention, and give her a reason to read the first line of your post and hopefully more.

I found 10 awesome tips for selling your blog title through Etsypreneur.com Newsletter. I asked Kim and Tim of Etsypreneur and EverythingEtsy if I could share them here with you. Kim and Tim are a husband and wife team, who provide excellent information and resources for tips and ideas for not only improving your Etsy business, but your blog and strategies for everything online.

10 Tips for Writing Blog Post Titles That Sell...

Read the original article

Edited and condensed for this post...

Use a Number First – This post is an example. 10 Tips for _____, or 45 Ways to _______. Etc. This is kind of widespread advice…for a reason.
Use Keywords – Using keywords that your reader might search for such as “How to Pick a Name for Your Etsy Shop” make good titles because the post title can match the search term. This is good SEO and it draws readers in because it clearly shows that the post will answer a question they have.
Explain The Benefit – Similar to the above, the title should let readers know instantly that the post will provide them with something they need. An example might be: “Painting Kitchen Cabinets in Four Easy Steps“
Share Privileged Information – I’m not talking about being the next WikiLeaks here. No real state secrets, though that would probably get clicks. (handcuff clicks, cell door latch clicks) I’m talking about titles like “The Secret of _________” or “5 Little Known Ways to __________”. We’re all looking for the secret key to make _______ easier, better, or more effective.
Identify a Group of People – Everyone is part of groups. Identifying groups in your post title will draw in readers who are part of that group as well as readers who aren’t! People within the group are interested in their group and people outside the group want to know what the other group is doing worth mentioning. An example from a recent post here that was surprisingly popular in terms of traffic: Texas Etsy Sellers Rock!
Information Everyone Has That I Don’t – Similar to the “secret” tip above, this is all about making the reader wonder if there is something shared here that they need to know about. An example might be “What Everyone Ought to Know About Baking A Cake”. Even though I’ve baked plenty of cakes, I would still click to see if there was a trick I was missing out on!
Use Fun, Inspiring, Exciting, Pretty, Happy Words! - If your blog is related to your Etsy business, then you’ve probably got lots of happy things to blog about. Use words in your title that let the reader know that the post is going to make them feel good!
Ask a Question – You can ask open ended questions such as “Where is Handmade’s Greatest Opportunity?” or more “yes-or-no” type questions such as “Can you Decorate Your Home For Christmas with $20?” Either way, readers are interested in the author’s perspective and the potential discussion that might be connected to such a post. Click.
Create a Little Controversy or Fear – I don’t love this one, but I know it works. Using the example titles above, I might rephrase them to sound more controversial such as: “Where has Handmade Missed the Boat?” or “Commercial Christmas: Don’t Make a $500 Decorating Mistake!” My advice: use this with caution.
Engage Name or Brand Recognition – If You can associate your post title with a major brand or personality, people are more likely to click through. If you sell Jewelry you might name a post “Why Oprah Needs my Newest Bracelet!” or “10 Reasons Etsy Jewelry Makes Tiffany’s Look Cheap”

Bonus Tip: Engage the readers sense of “no way!”. The last title above uses this in saying Tiffany Jewelry looks cheap. Most people who know anything about jewelry would say “no way!”. Click.

Don’t be afraid to mix them.

Always do your best to included keywords.

Make sure the post delivers on the title!

Authored by Kim & Tim~EverythingEtsy.com

Remember to keep practicing and working on your blog titles. It may take many times before you start to see what is working and getting it right.

Do you have a blog title that has really performed, or have any of your own suggestions? Please share them in the comments!

~Courtney

Missing my final exam, and arriving at school naked.

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From Christina of Spilled Milkshake

Battle of The Leading Men Round 2: Mathew McConaughey vs. Jake Gyllenhaal

2012-03-08T17:16:00.003-07:00

You didn't know that you could find a romantic retreat on a Mom blog, did you?

Welcome to Battle of The Leading Men!

Your Romantic Getaway...

Would you like to play?

Round 2 is Here!

This Time with a Double Giveaway!

First, meet our one and only Hosts, Clint Eastwood & Timothy Olyphant of Justified.

Why are these two so special you ask? They have been designated Untouchable, and shall never battle!

Thank you Gentlemen for guiding us through Round 1. We trust we are still in good hands.

Here’s how to play and win Amber Housey's new book, Just Because, and a Free Club-Content

Regular Membership:

1: You must visit Amber's On The Flip Side blog and leave her a comment.

2: Please vote in the Battle below by commenting the name of your Battle champion.

3: Link up by Sunday at midnight to be drawn to win!

Club-Content is a team of bloggers working together for better blog performance. You'll get writing tips and topics, chances to enter writing contests for cash prizes, and anonymously test your blog posts free for reader approval and feedback. The best part is that everything you do on Club-Content goes right to your own blog. You're not spending time on rafflecopters for something you'll most likely not win. Your efforts for a 1in 5 or 1 in 10 chance of cash are posting material you'll need for your blog anyway. It's a win-win!

The Battle voting will remain open through the week, even if you missed linking up for the giveaway. Get all of the details of our Battles at your Romantic Getaway central, where you can view all past winners and losers from Round 1 and 2.
These lovely contenders were some of our top competitors last Round. It is going to be tough, but you will have to choose whom you want to see again.
Now...Battle On!

Mathew McConaughey, Battle Cry: Dolce & Gabbana

vs.

Jake Gyllenhaal, Battle Cry: Man vs. Wild

Don't forget to link up to be next week's Co-Host, and come back next weekend for more Battles! If you like to play our Battles of The Leading Men, grab our button...

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We're over at Not Your Ordinary Recipes Foodie Friday...Join Us!

Designer Insider Part II: Babble's Top 50 Etsy Baby Shops

2012-03-08T14:11:00.001-07:00

I found out that LaDy LaDuke made Babble's Top 50 Etsy Baby Shops after publishing my last Designer Insider, so here is Part II today to give it its proper day in the sun!...

Hope you all don't mind...

LaDy LaDuke is #19 and ranked #8 in Best Gear...Woo Hoo!

Designer Insider: Who Needs Pinterest? I Have a Blog!...

2012-03-08T11:51:00.002-07:00

For some technical reason, Pinterest doesn't work for me. That's okay, I have a blog!

Welcome to my new Designer Insider Series, where I take you behind the scenes as a Designer, and show you how I get inspiration for our handmade items and product lines for LaDy LaDuke.

Sometimes, I just like to browse, and find special items that catch my eye as my creative outlet. Since, Pinterest doesn't let me pin and create any boards, I'm going to do it right here instead...

From one of my absolute favorite artists on Etsy...

Measuring Tape Head by ruby's lounge

I usually walk around all day with a tape measure around my neck...this is so appropriate.

I'd love to hang that in my work studio along with this...

Nerd Wood Sign made from reclaimed wood by Oh Dier Living

~Courtney

I just got this in my mail and had to include it...We made Babble's Top 50 Etsy Baby Shops!

Springtime and Sewing.

LITTLE COMEDY CLUB......JUST PLAIN FUNNY

2012-03-07T07:59:00.004-07:00

I've decided The Monster has inherited my OCD, inherited from my Grandma Mae, except to a much higher degree. Most of my OCD never actually manifests itself because, well, there just isn't time. But The Monster has PLENTY of time for crazy. She has us all walking on eggshells because we know there will be hell to pay if we don't get it JUST RIGHT.

She wants her hair done in an "up ponytail, with no tangles (no bumps or hair sticking up even slightly)". Usually it's not "up" enough or not quite smooth enough, despite my immediate exclamations of how smooth and up her ponytail is.

She changes her clothes about 25 times a day and the outfits she puts together are some real doozies. She gets up throughout the night and changes clothes and tries on different shoes. I know this because I get up with the baby and walk by her room only to see her sitting on the floor putting on some new concoction.

Our water cooler is childproof (for obvious reasons), so when she wants a drink of water she has to ask for one. It has to be the right color cup, which changes all the time.

The other day I accidentally started to fill it from the kitchen faucet and caught myself, so I dumped out the water and headed over to the cooler. She said, "No, no!! You have to dry it first. The cup has to be DRY!!!" I said, "But I'm just going to put water in it and make it wet." She said, "IT HAS TO BE DRY FIRST!!". My bad.

If you are leaving the house, you must give her the appropriate number of hugs, kisses, and waves. And if you don't say loudly as you're leaving, "Bye, Monster!", then you will pay. This applies to family members, friends, UPS drivers, door-to-door salesmen, everyone.

At bedtime, she wants to read books, but she is the one that must read them. (She doesn't actually read yet but she thinks she does and makes up stories as she turns the pages.)

I could go on and on, but suffice it to say, she knows exactly what she wants and how. I'm thinking this may actually help her navigate through her teen years.

She is also very silly, fearless, and curious all at once. For example, Santa brought her roller skates and she hasn't taken them off since. She wears them all through the house, up and down the stairs, outside, in the car, everywhere. She even wears them to bed, but we slip them off once she's fallen asleep.

Yesterday, she put play dough inside one of the skates and then put her foot in. When I asked her why she was doing that she said, "Because I want to see what it feels like to squish my foot in play dough".

Of course she does.

Betina~

Staying young, and playing with play dough.

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Do you have a Just Plain Funny little one at home? Come and share your stories on our Little Comedy Club Link Up anytime! Get writing inspiration from any of our Topics:

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Your Little Monster
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Embarrassing Moment
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Fit & Fabulous!...Week 9 of An Online Brutally Honest Fitness Journal: Sometimes Eating Hot Dogs & Drinking Pepsi is a Good Thing...

2012-03-06T09:46:00.001-07:00

If you'd like to join us each week with our Fitness Journal, and feel the inescapable pressure of having to post about your fitness/health progress, and being brutally honest, please let us know in the comments. We'll name you as our "Fitness Posting Buddies", and of course you and everyone are always welcome to link up on our Fit & Fabulous Hop anytime.

Sometimes Eating Hot Dogs & Drinking Pepsi is A Good Thing...

Courtney's Fitness Journal Week 9:

This week I did well. I ran the hill, did my kettle bell stuff 3 times, and then I spent a day pushing our antique car in a dirt lot trying to get it to start. This involved rocking it back and forth to get the starter motor to unlock--great arm work! Good thing I had on my wedge heels and not my tall heels.

I had a feeling the car would break down on our outing into the city yesterday, and it did, right at the front of the left turn lane in the big intersection. This kind of thing goes with the territory if you restore old cars. They are fun, but you are going to be working on them, and you are going to be pushing them when they die.

So after the dirty looks from the cars behind, pulling up around us from missing their chance to turn, my husband and I jumped out, and pushed the car up into the intersection to make its left turn. You find out who the nice people are in these moments, like the guy who got out of his car on the other side, and ran over to help us push and clear the traffic, and then the guys who drove by and yelled, "ha ha!". Good thing they didn't spit or throw anything.

I spent all day on that corner of that intersection that was just vacant dirt, except the guy with his hot dog street cart and outdoor tent. Next door was a car wash with many workers scrubbing away and across the street was a tire service and Walgreen's. It wasn't the best part of town, but not the worst either, and we had only a few hours before sunset. We decided getting a cab home, and then bringing another car after getting the fuel pump at the parts store was our best bet.

The hot dog guy, an immigrant from Mexico, was the first to come and check on us while we waited for the cab. The car wash guys stared a lot. The cab driver was from Greece, and thoroughly enjoyed our car talk in the back seat. He couldn't believe that I would be involved in this kind of talk, and that my husband and I work together on these sorts of things. He opened my door for me, when we arrived home, and shook my hand and bowed.

When we got back to the dirt lot with our fuel pump, and got it attached, we had a new problem--the starter motor was locked. The car needed to move to get it unlocked. This is where my pushing came in. Back and forth, forwards and backwards as hard and fast as I could each time, while my husband popped the clutch.

Getting a little exhausted, I turned to see the hot dog guy and his son next to me coming in to push too. That still didn't work, and they had to get back to their stand. We still had daylight and I pushed again, with one of the car wash guys who offered.

Finally we gave in to the tow truck call.

It was now dark and windy. The car wash guys went home, and the hot dog guy and his son deserved a thank you with our patronage. So, I broke my diet this week, and ate a hot dog and Pepsi. Things I never have, but when that is what is served, you eat them.

As I sat in our warm car, watching my husband and the tow truck guy get our car on the flat bed, I watched the hot dog son helping his dad clean up, and jump into the back of the pick up truck to guide him back to the tent to block the wind blowing through. He must have been only 7 or 8, but was so happy to help his father. I was so impressed with this kid, and thought of how most of us would gasp at a kid in the pick up bed, out of their car seat or seat belt! Someone might call CPS...

I didn't weigh myself this week, because I know the scale will be up, but I was reminded of great lessons of gratitude and humility on that street corner instead. Those are important.

...From my warm car seat view of the street corner, I looked at our gorgeous little car on the tow truck flat bed, and then across to the patron less hot dog stand in the cold wind. Then, up darted the little son, running across the dirt lot over to my husband and the tow truck guy. They needed a flashlight, and he had one for them.

Sometimes, eating hot dogs and drinking Pepsi is a good thing.

This Weeks Goal:

Keep up the running and always be thankful and grateful.

Betina's Fitness Journal Week 9:

Court, what a great story!! You sure have had quite the adventures in restoring those cars. I'm impressed with your studliness. And, it's true, sometimes you just can't beat eating a hot dog and Pepsi.

I did pretty good on my exercise this week. I continued my sprints and my random squats, lunges, push ups wherever I could squeeze them in. But my husband was gone this whole week and I caved and had some Dr. Pepper. Ugh!!! I was doing so well, but it sure tasted good. Plus, our little sister went to the hospital to have her baby and I was there with her up all night, and a few Dr. Peppers were definitely in order. But for that reason I didn't weigh, because as we know, those are loaded with sugar and calories.

I think it's true what they say about how it takes 21 days to make a habit of something. I was getting so close. But today was day 1....again.

This week's goal:

Continue my sprinting and add in my Insanity workouts. Keep going on the no-soda commitment and really try to eat better.

We rode bikes and scooters without helmets? Want a Club-Content Widget? Go Grab One!
Winner of our Club-Content Regular Membership and Contest Entry Giveaway is Far From Camelot!
More Giveaways Coming Friday...Stay Tuned To Try Again and Link Up Below Anytime!

How To Gauge Writing Effectiveness...

2012-03-04T11:57:00.003-07:00

Isn't your writing effectiveness something you'd like to gauge when you write a blog post?

It's hard to know just by your number of comments, how much readers really like what you write, because who is going to leave a mean or critical comment? Well, maybe some do, but we all know that commenting and visiting blogs is about reciprocation, and when you visit, you want your comment to be meaningful enough to inspire a return visit.

However, you never really know if your post was good, right? You might like it, and you might feel like you wrote it well, but engaging readers, and knowing what engages them is harder to come by. To grow and improve your blog and your writing abilities and style, you need some honest feedback.

But, who will give this feedback, and put themselves out on the line of being the critic, knowing that it can come back to bite them, and create ill feelings to drive wedges between our blogging relationships? Everyone needs to be protected, and remain anonymous to have a successful environment of writing critique and feedback.

When the idea of Club-Content came to me, I knew I had created this environment. Writers and bloggers can find out what readers really think, through a contest performance and outcome, and the readers remain anonymous in their ratings and feedback.

Christina and I knew that we needed a place for bloggers, who really want to work and improve their blogs and writing that were truly helpful, but fun, and most importantly not hurtful. I think we've really found how to gauge writing effectiveness through our Test a Post Feature.

Club-Content members can run any post they have through our Test a Post Contest System, and find out how it performs with Club-Content readers. Your post will be rated and feedback will be given anonymously. The best part is that everyone learns from each other, and you get so many examples of Content to apply to your own blog through the entire process.

Unlike the other writing Contests for cash prizes, this Test a Post Feature is free for Club-Content members, and accepts any post you have, regardless of the topic or category. You can use this Feature to really work on your writings, and learn from the feedback, and then go for the big cash prizes as you become better, and more confident to put your money where your words are.

Ultimately, Club-Content is about getting the most out of your blogging experience, and taking that precious time you need to maintain and work on your blog, and making it the most effective. The time you spend as a team member of Club-Content always goes to your own blog, and the posts you need to create every week. Plus, you have a whole team of bloggers behind you. Isn't that nice?

~Courtney

Want to try out the Test a Post Feature? Right now, it's just $1 for the whole year.

Writing Effectiveness, Content Galore & Time!

Get your Springtime memory ready for March's Contest!

Our Giveaway for a Free Regular Membership & Contest Entry is still running through midnight 3/4!

Welcome to our newest Club-Content Members!

Becky M., Janae, Jacqueline, Lisa P, Rhonda, Karen, Amber, Alicia, Rosann, Betina, Leah, Sarah, Nicole, Lynn, Beth and Adam

Want to know more about Club-Content?

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From Christina of Spilled Milkshake

Battle of The Leading Men! Round 2: Clive Owen vs. Russell Crowe

2012-03-01T21:37:00.002-07:00

You didn't know that you could find a romantic retreat on a Mom blog, did you?

Welcome to Battle of The Leading Men!

Your Romantic Getaway...

Would you like to play?

Round 2 is Here!

This Time It's a Giveaway!

First, meet our one and only Hosts, Clint Eastwood & Timothy Olyphant of Justified. Why are these two so special you ask? They have been designated Untouchable, and shall never battle.

Thank you Gentlemen.
Here's How to Play:1: Please follow visit and comment on Mommy LaDy Club & Our Co-Host, Not Your Ordinary Recipes.
YOU MUST VISIT & COMMENT for our Co-Host to win the giveaway!

2: Please vote in the Battle below by commenting the name of your Battle champion.

3: Link up by Sunday at midnight to be drawn to win 1 Club-Content Regular Membership & 1 Club-Content Contest Entry!

Club-Content is a team of bloggers working together for better blog performance. You'll get writing tips and topics, chances to enter writing contests for cash prizes, and anonymously test your blog posts free for reader approval and feedback. The best part is that everything you do on Club-Content goes right to your own blog. You're not spending time on rafflecopters for something you'll most likely not win. Your efforts for a 1in 5 or 1 in 10 chance of cash are posting material you'll need for your blog anyway. It's a win-win!
Link up below for your chance to try out Club-Content!
You might just like it!
Alright...Back to our Battles...
The Battle voting will remain open through the week, even if you missed linking up for the giveaway. Get all of the details of our Battles at your Romantic Getaway central, where you can view all past winners and losers from Round 1 and 2.
These lovely contenders were some of our top competitors last Round. It is going to hurt, but you will have to choose whom you want to see again.
Now...Battle On!
Clive Owen, Battle 1 Voter Approved Battle Cry: Clive on Ellen

vs.

Russell Crowe, Battle Cry: Top 5 Lines

Don't forget to link up for a Club-Content Free Regular Membership & Contest Entry, and come back next weekend for more Battles! If you like to play our Battles of The Leading Men, grab our button...

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Men & Shoes & Chocolate.Want one of these? Go Grab One!
Winner is #6, Beth at Far From Camelot!

LITTLE COMEDY CLUB.....MONSTER UPDATE

2012-02-29T09:59:00.002-07:00

A week in the life of The Monster:

*Somehow found bright blue nail polish and painted the walls in her room and in the hallway. Tip: Nail polish remover removes nail polish AND paint.

*Somehow found scissors that are purposely hidden from her and cut short bangs and gave herself a mullet on ONE side, resembling David Spade in Joe Dirt. The only way to fix it would be to give her a pixie cut and then everyone would think she was a boy. So, for now, we are embracing the mullet.

*Using these same scissors (I imagine her face lighting up when she found them...."just think of the possibilities"), she made 12 cuts in the pool net because she wanted to put her feet in the water.

*Used an entire roll of scotch tape to tape the wooden shutters SHUT.

*Ripped the curtain tieback holder out of the wall because she wanted "darkness" and couldn't figure out how to close the curtains.

*Ate a bunch of broccoli throughout the week as she asked, "Mom, can you put broccoli on my cheese?" then proceeded to poop on the floor right next to the toilet because she couldn't make it in time, saying, "I think it's the broccoli's fault."

*While in the shower after the incident above, she got a hold of my razor and sliced her thumb up.

*Changed her clothes 56 times.

*Tried to climb out a second-story window that my husband opened two minutes earlier to let in some fresh air, when he thought she was downstairs.

*Took a header off of the swing backwards because she wanted to see if she could do a backflip.

*Colored her entire face with brown marker.

I am sure there were more "good times" but my survival mode in my brain kicked in and I've blocked them out.

Some of her fire and fearlessness actually helped her to:

*Score 2 goals in her soccer game (legitimate goals, not where they line the kids up and let them kick it in).

*Hone her bike-riding skills (with no training wheels) a few months shy of her fourth birthday.

And one funny thing:

"Mom, can Santa bring me a biolin (violin) for Christmas? Wait......do I know how to play a biolin?"

~Betina

Super speed powers to keep up with Monster!

Want to win a Club-Content Free Regular Membership & Contest Entry? Head on over to Spilled Milkshake and link up in her Wordless Wednesday! Get your Springtime Memory ready for our March Contest!

Link up any of your funny kid/family posts below on our Little Comedy Club Hop! Read through, and get some posting inspiration...

Fit & Fabulous!...Week 8 of An Online Brutally Honest Fitness Journal:

2012-02-27T20:41:00.002-07:00

If you'd like to join us each Monday with our Fitness Journal, and feel the inescapable pressure of having to post about your fitness/health progress, and being brutally honest, please let us know in the comments. We'll name you as our "Monday Fitness Posting Buddies", and of course you and everyone are always welcome to link up on our Fit & Fabulous Hop anytime.

Courtney's Fitness Journal Week 8:

This week, I maintained! Last week, I discovered that by breathing through my eyelids like Nuke in Bull Durham, I can free my Chakra and lose weight by doing nothing! I did my kettle bell exercises 3 times this week, and usually when I exercise, I gain weight, so this is progress. I still got my pitch on!...

This week's goal:

Get back to my twice a week running and keep up kettle bell exercises in the evenings, and keep breathing through my eyelids.

Betina's Fitness Journal Week 8:

I didn't lose any weight this week. But I didn't gain any either, so that's always good. I continued doing my sprints at the park and I even added skipping across the park several times with The Monster. It may sound funny, but skipping is actually a great exercise. And fun! And I can feel my speed coming back a little bit, so that's encouraging.

This week's goal:

I am cracking up at Courtney's "breathing through her eyelids" thing, so I'm going to try that. Ha!! Seriously, I am going to continue my sprints and skipping. I also really want to do more squats, lunges, pushups and other exercises that use your body weight. Those always make me feel strong.

You were young, and it was Springtime?
That's your writing topic for March at Club-Content! Get something ready to enter for cash!Want a Club-Content Widget? Go Grab One!
Winner of our Club-Content Regular Membership and Contest Entry Giveaway is Leah@Dipn-Dots of Life
More Giveaways Coming...Stay Tuned To Try Again!

Business Insider: 17 Things You Must Do for Writer's Block...

2012-02-26T11:11:00.003-07:00

This is a Blogger Insider slash Business Insider that I got from Kim Roach at Buzz Blogger. Kim has all kinds of traffic reports and secrets that I subscribe to, which you can get from her Marketing Laboratory as well! She recently posted 17 writer's block blog templates that are just too good not to share...

Read Kim's Original Blog Post

17 Things You Must Do for Writer's Block...

1. Make a Predictions Post

These are incredibly fun, especially towards the end of the year. Or the beginning of a new year.

Take a look at what’s happening in your market. What’s hot? What are the current trends? And create a blog post around those with your predictions for the new year.

2. Things You Might Not Know About Me

One of the fastest ways to start truly engaging with your community is to give them a peek behind the curtain. Let them see who you are BEYOND just business.

The fact is that we are living through the humanization of business and people are extremely interested in the person BEHIND the business itself.

More than ever… we crave RELATIONSHIPS!

People don’t want cheesy marketing messages… they want YOU.

Your story… Your life… Your own unique personality infused into everything you do.

Your readers will be attracted to your weird quirks because they make you human.

When your flawed your real.

Give people a peek behind the curtain.

3. Why I Don’t Do ‘X’.

People LOVE controversy. That’s why the news channels thrive on ’bad’ news. Kind of concerning but knowing this can help you instantly increase your email open rates, improve your headlines, and get your articles read.

You can use this same strategy on your own blog:

Why I Don’t Do Diets
Why I Don’t Do Online Dating
Why I Don’t Do Article Marketing

This one is an instant winner when used properly. Plus, it’s just a lot of fun!

People are looking for something fun, unique, and different.

By providing them with something valuable AND entertaining, you’ll be the one that gets read.

4. (Famous Person Guide) to (Blank)

Another great place to get article ideas is to tap into the media. Take what’s hot right now in the news and tie it into your market.

Here are a few examples:

The Steve Job’s Guide to Time Management
The Justin Bieber Guide to Dating
Harry Houdini’s ‘Secret’ to Unusual Marketing
The M.C. Hammer Guide to Social Media

5. Case Study

No one can resist a good case study. It’s like a good story.

People love to get a behind-the-scenes look at EXACTLY how someone has achieved a certain goal.

Some examples include…

[CASE STUDY] 1 Article = 7,640 Visitors
How I paid off $15,000 in 9 months by selling my ‘Stuff’ on Ebay
How I Lost 21 Pounds in 30 Days
My Journey To The #1 Spot in Google

If you want to quickly become the market leader in your industry, whip out a few case studies and let people follow along on your journey.

6. Product Showdowns.

Here’s a twist on the traditional product review post. Instead of just reviewing a product – do a product showdown comparing 2 similar products and sharing the pros and cons of each.

Some examples might include…

Optimize Press Vs. Kajabi
Rapid Action Profits VS. JVZoo
Tweet Adder Vs. Tweet Attacks
Odesk Vs. Fiverr

You’re providing extra value by comparing similar (and possibly) competing products. Helping your reader to decide which one is best for them.

You can take this a step further by sharing how you personally are using the product. Anything you can do to get beyond the boring, overdone, traditional product review. The old ways of affiliate marketing are dying. But add your own unique twist and you’ll quickly start to see the difference.

7. ‘X’ Things You Must Do After (Blank) I used this one for this blog title.

Here’s a super simple one that’s almost always an instant winner. It’s fun and easy to write. Entertaining for your reader and it plays on our natural curiosity.

7 Things You Must Do after Writing a Blog Post
7 Things You Must Do After Every Workout
3 Things You Must Do After Every Date

8. How To (Blank) in (X Number of Days / Hours)

Here’s another extremely powerful template that’s similar to the case study post above…

How to Generate 427+ Visitors in 24 Hours
How to Get 1,200 Facebook Likes in 3 Days
How to Lose 12 Pounds in 7 Days
How to Get the Perfect Date in 7 Days

Use either one of these templates to knock-out a killer blog post when your strapped for ideas.

9. Experimental Posts

The only thing better than living an exciting life is to live vicariously through someone else’s exciting life. You can bring this entertainment factor to your blog by doing experimental posts.

This is basically where you set an interesting goal for yourself and post updates on your progress over a 30-day period.

Here are a few examples to get your brain rolling…

May’s Trial – Quasi-minimalism
August’s trial results: Gaining time by losing email addiction
My 30 Day Weight Loss Journey
My 30 Day Email Detox
My 30 Days of Online Dating

10. Comprehensive Pillar Posts

This one never gets old. If you’re looking to establish your presence online, one of the best things you can do to stand out is to start creating some epic blog posts.

A ‘pillar’ article is generally longer than the traditional blog post (1,000+ words). This sort of ‘flagship content’ is a comprehensive article dripping in value.

Building a raving audience of fans online all starts with mind-blowing pillar content.

Content that makes people think. Inspires. Creates value. Provides a new perspective. Pushes people out of their comfort zones. Challenges your readers. And creates nothing short of a braingasm!

Because of this, people can’t help but share it with others via Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon, etc… So when done properly, your pillar posts should bring in a new burst of readers as well.

Here are a few examples of ‘pillar’ posts:

11. (Insert Desired Benefit) That No One Talks About

As humans, we naturally want to listen in on ‘insider information’.

Traffic Strategies That No One Talks About
Weight Loss Secrets That No One Talks About
Dating Advice That No One Talks About

12. Blog Post Roundup

Here’s an easy one that you can whip up quickly when you’re running short on time. List the top 10 blog posts from the year. Or the top blog posts from around the web that week. Or simply do a ‘Best Of’ post for your industry. This could be the best Twitter posts, forum posts, best blog posts, best news items, best product releases, etc…

Whip up any combination of your choice. You could even do this on a weekly basis. People love these types of posts because it keeps them in the loop on what’s going on in the industry without having to do all the searching themselves.

13. Things I Wish I Had Done Differently

These types of posts are almost always a hit because people love to read about other people’s ‘mistakes’. Plus, they provide a ton of value for your readers and help them to avoid common pitfalls.

Give your readers a look behind-the-curtain. Be authentic and transparent and people will love you for it.

Some example headlines might include:

10 Lessons I Learned in 2011
7 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started
12 Things I Would Do If I Were Starting From Scratch

14. The Tools of the Trade

Give people a behind-the-scenes look at the tools you use in your business. People love these types of posts. If you want to take it one step further, shoot a video of your office. You’ll create instant engagement with your readers.

Here are a few example headlines you could use…

The Top 12 Marketing Tools I Use in My Business
7 Marketing Tools I Couldn’t Live Without
18 Must-Have WordPress Plugins
(LIVE Video) A Look Inside My Office

15. Ask / Involve the Reader!!

Engagement is quickly becoming one of THE most important marketing metrics in business.

All of your content should be a reflection of the wants, needs, desires, and frustrations of your reader.

There are LOTS of different ways to do this. You can create an “Ask the Reader” type post where you ask an engaging question and start interacting in the comments. Or you can challenge your readers to achieve a specific goal that month and report back with their results.

Here are a few examples…

Challenge your readers:

16. Debunk Industry Myths.

Every industry has its fair share of myths, legends, and misconceptions.

People love nothing more than debunking common beliefs. Plus, by pointing what’s WRONG in your industry, you also position yourself as a leader.

Some examples here might include:

Top 7 Dieting Myths Debunked
Why I Hate the Atkins Diet
7 Lies You’ve Been Told About Dating
Why Pickup Lines Don’t Work (and what to do instead…)

Talk about what’s WRONG in your industry. Nothing gets more attention than controversy. But you must do it right. Debunk with style.

17. Comment On Industry Gossip

Every industry has it’s own circle of gossip. Writing about these hot topics is one of the best ways to increase readership and tap into the conversation that’s ALREADY taking place in the
mind of your prospect.

You can get your fill of juicy gossip browsing the major news sites, in related forums, related blogs, and in your inbox.

This sort of timely ‘news’ (i.e. gossip) makes for great content.

New fad diets
Famous people on such-and-such diet.
The Truth About Product X
Where is Mobile Marketing REALLY Headed?

Part of positioning yourself as an authority is staying ahead of the trends within your industry. If you can be the first to report on relevant trends that are impacting your industry, then people will literally ‘tune’ into your station to make sure they stay updated.

Take a stand on the issue and help guide your reader to make an informed decision.

Use the 17 blog post ideas above to stand out from the crowd, get your blog noticed, and become an industry maven.

Written by Kim Roach of Buzz Blogger. Edited and condensed for this post. Read the Original Blog Post.

White Cake & Milk...Good for Writer's Block!
Want one of these fun Club-Content widgets, where you fill in the content?Go Grab One!

Battle of The Leading Men: Round 2...Richard Armitage vs. Sean Connery

2012-02-24T08:28:00.003-07:00

You didn't know that you could find a romantic retreat on a Mom blog, did you?

Welcome to Battle of The Leading Men!

Your Romantic Getaway...

Would you like to play?

Round 2 is Here!

This Time It's a Giveaway Too!

First, meet our one and only Hosts, Clint Eastwood & Timothy Olyphant of Justified.

Why are these two so special you ask? They have been designated Untouchable, and shall never battle!

Thank you Gentlemen for guiding us through Round 1. We trust we are still in good hands.
Here’s how to play:

1: Please G+follow, visit and comment on our Co-Hosts blogs, Mommy LaDy Club and Nurtured Beauty.

Please, please visit our Co-Host!

2: Please vote in the Battle below by commenting the name of your Battle champion.

3: You may also link up by Sunday at midnight to be drawn to win 1 Club-Content Regular Membership & 1 Club-Content Contest Entry!

Contest winners receive a cash prize!

Club-Content is a team of bloggers working together for better blog performance. You'll get writing tips and topics, chances to enter writing contests for cash prizes, and anonymously test your blog posts free for reader approval and feedback. The best part is that everything you do on Club-Content goes right to your own blog. You're not spending time on rafflecopters for something you'll most likely not win. Your efforts for a 1in 5 or 1 in 10 chance of cash are posting material you'll need for your blog anyway. It's a win-win!
Link up below for your chance to try out Club-Content!
You might just like it!
Alright...Back to our Battles...
The Battle voting will remain open through the week, even if you missed linking up for the co-host spot. Get all of the details of our Battles at your Romantic Getaway central, where you can view all past winners and losers from Round 1 and 2.
I knew I had to put together a really tough one this time, and here it is!These lovely contenders were some of our top competitors last Round. It is going to hurt, but you will have to choose whom you want to see again.
Now...Battle On!
Richard Armitage, Battle 1 Voter Approved Battle Cry: North & South

vs.

Sean Connery, Battle Cry: James Bond

LITTLE COMEDY CLUB.....NOT SO FUNNY

2012-02-22T22:42:00.002-07:00

I realize that the theme of this post is supposed to be humorous. But this week I am going to digress. I apologize if this sounds too soap-boxy. As I always teach my kids, every family has different rules and that's okay. So if you don't agree with me, I will understand. But I have to get this off my chest.

It's my fault. I should know better, but I guess I let my busy-nest distract me. Plus I assumed that if it's a Disney show, it's just fine for my kids to watch. I know better, really I do. But my kids don't watch TV a lot and sometimes it's a welcomed source of entertainment.

They were watching this show called Good Luck, Charlie......ever heard of it? Or seen it? I had only seen brief snippets of it and it looked cute and mildly entertaining. It's this middle-class family whose youngest daughter is about 1 and named Charlie. And she's very cute. I don't really know much else about it. But the kids were watching it and I sat down to do something on the computer in the same room. I looked up at the TV and watched as the brother and his friend came in the house and immediately told their mom not to answer the phone if Mrs. "So and So" called.

The mom asked what the brother did this time and he said that they may have "borrowed" some lemons from her lemon tree to make lemonade. The mom gives a disapproving look, but before she can say anything the phone rings. She answers to an upset Mrs. "So and So" who wants to know if she knows anything about some stolen lemons, when the brother whips out some money and bribes his mom not to say anything.

So the mom grabs the money out of his hand and LIES to the neighbor, right there in front of these kids!!!!! I COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT I WAS SEEING!!! And to make it worse....the audience LAUGHED!!!

What's funny about this? I don't find that funny at all. Just the opposite. I find it to be despicable, dishonest, disgusting, and disappointing. Thankfully, I was there to tell my kids how wrong this was, but what if I wasn't? I understand if this was a regular show in prime time, but if your target audience is children, how is this appropriate?

Again, maybe I am overreacting. But I can't stand these shows that glorify dumb behavior. And they are everywhere. And I, for one, am not laughing.

What does everyone else think?

~Betina

Right was right and wrong was wrong?
Go grab a Club-Content Signature Widget and fill in your own Content!
Link Up on our Little Comedy Club!

Fit & Fabulous!...Week 7 of An Online Brutally Honest Fitness Journal:

2012-02-20T22:08:00.002-07:00

If you'd like to join us each Monday(we're late...sorry) with our Fitness Journal, and feel the inescapable pressure of having to post about your fitness/health progress, and being brutally honest, please let us know in the comments. We'll name you as our "Monday Fitness Posting Buddies", and of course you and everyone are always welcome to link up on our Fit & Fabulous Hop anytime.

Courtney's Fitness Journal Week 7:

This week, I lost 1 pound! The funny thing is, I don't know how I did it. It seems that when I don't focus on my eating and fitness, I do better than when I do. I missed running this week, and only did my kettle bell stuff once. I just ate normally too. This has to be that whole freeing my Chakra, and breathing through my eyelids thing, the way Nuke did in Bull Durham to get his pitch on...

or something!

This week's goal:

Get back to my twice a week running and kettle bell exercises in the evenings, and keep breathing through my eyelids.

Betina's Fitness Journal Week 7:

Ha ha!! Courtney, that was seriously funny. Well, not to one-up you or anything, but I lost 3lbs!! Granted, I have lots more to lose than you. I did my sprints at the park and rode my bike several times and I really think the no soda thing is helping. Plus I did pushups everyday and half of them were with The Monster riding on my back, as if my own body weight wasn't enough.

This week's goal:

What's the saying? "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." I'll take 3lbs any day, so I think I'll stick with whats working for me.

You were young, and it was Springtime?
That's your writing topic for March at Club-Content! Get something ready to enter for cash!Want a Club-Content Widget? Go Grab One!

What is Club-Content?

2012-02-19T14:53:00.003-07:00

Many of you are probably wondering, what is Club-Content exactly?

In a nutshell, Club-Content is a place where a team of bloggers want to focus on rich content for their blogs through entering writing contests for cash prizes, while gaining traffic.

Club-Content is not a social network. It is a specifically designed system of cooperation among its members to elevate the performance and content of their blogs, to get the most out of their blogging experience.

The most challenging part of blogging is having readers. Readers are not easy to come by. You have to be creating knock out posts all of the time, and you have to be remembered by your readers for them to return, and tell others about you.

Hearing those crickets chirping after pouring your heart into a post is the worst, right? Even though you might have a strong reciprocating network of fellow Bloggers, wouldn't it be nice to know that what you are writing is really getting through, and your readers aren't just being courteous?

Of course, you wouldn't be able to go without that reciprocating courtesy. It is so welcomed, and essential to growing your audience, but at the same time, to reach a broader audience, you need to be working on improving your content if you are serious about blogging.

This is where Club-Content's writing contests can work for you. Entering a contest for a cash prize, puts you at the top of your game. It makes what you are writing much more important, and your efforts are greater. It's a real motivator for performance.

Then, your entry will be rated by your peers. They are doing this anonymously, so that no feelings get hurt, and everyone gets true results. The contest results let everyone participating know what readers genuinely like, because they are not just being nice, like in a comment on your blog.

The other great part about the contest system, as that it generates traffic. Premium members get to have everyone coming to their blogs to read an entry.

Even if you don't enter a Contest, as a Club-Content member, you'll be able to see the results, and have so many examples of high performance content to draw from to create your own posts.

When Christina of Spilled Milkshake and I talked about how there are so many free mom networking sites out there, and why would you pay to be a part of ours, we knew this would be the tough part to sell. But, all of these great efforts that will go into our writing contests have to be protected somehow, and make everyone participating feel a commitment to each other. If you buy something, it's much more important than if it's free, and you want to know that the person next to you on your team is also just as dedicated as you are.

Club-Content members are in it together. Just like how Triberr says there is strength in numbers, you need vested team members for successful blogging. Going it alone is just too difficult, and you won't get very far. Plus, you don't want a team member who drops out on you, when you are working so hard.

Think about what you pay for daily or monthly and what those things are worth to you? You might buy Starbucks coffee, a haircut, soap, deodorant, a McDonald's combo meal, a new purse, a pair of shoes, a gallon of ice cream, a pizza, makeup, razor blades, a trip to the movies, a movie rental, a Netflix subscription. All of these are a lot more than $5/year.

So, ask yourself what your blog is worth to you? If you think your blog is valuable, or would like for it to improve and grow, then Club-Content is your team!

We will only get stronger with numbers too!

~Courtney

Living forever!
Is your blog worth $1? Check out our voiceBoks Special Offer!
Welcome to our new Club-Content Members!A Georgia AngelMy First OneNot Your Ordinary RecipesThe Organic BlondeNurtured BeautyInsignificant at BestDiaries of a Grumpy Grateful MomOn The Flip Side

Battle of The Leading Men: Round 2...James Franco vs. Leonardo DiCapprio

2012-02-17T08:35:00.001-07:00

You didn't know that you could find a romantic retreat on a Mom blog, did you?

Welcome to Battle of The Leading Men!

Your Romantic Getaway...

Would you like to play?

Round 2 is Here!

First, meet our one and only Hosts, Clint Eastwood & Timothy Olyphant of Justified.

Why are these two so special you ask? They have been designated Untouchable, and shall never battle!

Thank you Gentlemen for guiding us through Round 1. We trust we are still in good hands.
Here’s how to play:

1: Please G+follow, visit and comment on our Co-Hosts blogs, Mommy LaDy Club and LaDy LaDuke.

Please, please visit our Co-Host!

2: Please vote in the Battle below by commenting the name of your Battle champion.

3: You may also link up by Sunday at midnight to be drawn to win next week’s co-host spot!

The Battle voting will remain open through the week, even if you missed linking up for the co-host spot. Get all of the details of our Battles at your Romantic Getaway central, where you can view all past winners and losers from Round 1 and 2.
These lovely contenders were some of our top competitors last Round. It is going to be tough, but you will have to choose whom you want to see again.
Now...Battle On!
James Franco, Battle Cry: Eat Pray Love

vs.

Leonardo DiCapprio, Battle Cry: Inception

LITTLE COMEDY CLUB.......TIDBITS AND MORE RESCUER

2012-02-15T14:04:00.001-07:00

Here are a few funnies from the last couple of weeks:

A conversation between G and B on one of our many rides in the car:

B: Hey, G? Are there dinosaurs in the forest?

G: No, B. Dinosaurs don't exist anymore. They're extinct.

B: Eeewww.....P.U.!!!! They stink???

G asked, "How can Aunt Courtney and you be sisters? You don’t live together and you're grown-ups?"

G got on the phone yesterday to call his imaginary friend, Rescuer. As it turns out, Rescuer wants G to go on a date with one of his girlfriends, and wonders which one G wants. G paces the floor (as he always does when he’s on the phone), and can’t decide if it’s going to be Carlee, Eliza, or Allison, or maybe McKenna. He decides that Eliza and McKenna are too young, and it must be one of the older girls. I told G that I need to talk to Rescuer the next time he calls to inform him that G will not be going on a date until he is 27.

~Betina

Link up any of your funny family/kid posts below and get inspiration from any of our Little Comedy Club writing topics!...

You checked the yes or no box to go out with someone at school?Want your Club-Content Button? Go Grab One!Don't miss our Special Offer on now just for our VB family!

It's Valentine's Day! Do You Have a Love Story? Enter It in Club-Content's Writing Contest!

2012-02-14T10:55:00.001-07:00

I just hung up the phone. My husband, at the time my new date, had just invited me to the Polo Match. I looked at my best friend from High School, who had swollen eyes from crying, and told her about my invitation.

She didn't want me to go. She needed me, like she always needed me to do something for her. I was tired of that, and worn out by her crises, demands and ultimatums. I had to choose right then and there...stay, and hold my friend's hand, like I always did, or go off to the Polo Match with this new, very interesting and charming man.

I knew my decision would be the demise of our friendship. I called him back on the phone and said, "Yes, I'll go to the Polo Match."

My husband and I talk about this moment every Valentine's Day. He had been pursuing me for a bit, and I wasn't really playing hard to get on purpose, but was just in a strange place in my life.

I was tired from school and work beating me down. I went to school full-time, and worked full-time to pay for it, and those bottom of the totem pole jobs after 4 years made me tough and cynical. I had dealt with sexually harassing managers and back stabbing co-workers. I was limping with tendinitis from too much ballet as a dance major, my car was broken down, and there was no way I was going to be able to produce improvised movement that represented a "tiger that wants to be a tree, that wants to be a tiger" for my modern dance professor. It just wasn't in me.

I was different from everyone around me, I thought differently, I acted differently, and I had nothing in common with anyone near me, not even my best friend.

Except this new, interesting and charming man, who was like a breath of fresh air. So wise, so calming and soothing to talk to, and he seemed to think the same way I did.

I didn't know that he was growing tired of chasing me, and that if I said no to the Polo Match, he was just going to move on. There were other dates he could take.

That was our make or break moment.

So here we are going on 20 years together, and tonight at dinner, we'll bring up this story.

~Courtney

My husband's smell and voice...and our love story.

Do you have a make or break love story? Enter it in our very first Club-Content writing contest!

We have a Special Offer running for our vB family!

Fit & Fabulous!...Week 6 of An Online Brutally Honest Fitness Journal:

2012-02-13T11:39:00.001-07:00

Courtney's Fitness Journal Week 6:

This week, I drove to 3 different cities, and spent most of my time behind the wheel of the car. This is not so great for exercise or blogging. Needless to say, I fell behind again this week, and I haven't even weighed myself. I'm just back to my computer here today, finally typing. I did do standing squats in our hotel rooms, and some knee lifts here and there, and tried to squeeze my tushy a bit while driving.

This week's goal:

Get back to my twice a week running and kettle bell exercises in the evenings, and keep to lots of small salads.

Betina's Fitness Journal Week 6:

Well, it looks like Week 6 was bad for both of us!! I don't even know what I did all week - I was so busy. I blinked and the week was over. I vaguely remember some birthday parties, practices, friends in town, planning for a triple baby shower that I'm hosting, babysitting, hair appointment, visiting an elderly friend, volunteering in son's classroom and things like that. I did do some push ups over my baby which makes him laugh, so that's a big incentive. AND, I cut out soda altogether. No diet soda, no nothing. So, that's pretty big for me.

This week's goal:

Actually do the sprints I mentioned in last week's post. Anything beyond that will be a BONUS!!

A calorie burning pill & "Exercise Dreaming"--if only dream time exercise counted!

Want a Club-Content Button? Go Grab One!

Link up any of your Fitness/Health posts below, and read through for some motivation!...

Battle of The Leading Men: Round 2...Eric Dane vs. Patrick Dempsey

2012-02-10T10:22:00.002-07:00

You didn't know that you could find a romantic retreat on a Mom blog, did you?

Welcome to Battle of The Leading Men!

Your Romantic Getaway...

Would you like to play?

Round 2 is Here!

First, meet our one and only Hosts, Clint Eastwood & Timothy Olyphant of Justified.

Why are these two so special you ask? They have been designated Untouchable, and shall never battle!

Thank you Gentlemen for guiding us through Round 1. We trust we are still in good hands.

Here’s how to play:

1: Please G+follow, visit and comment on our Co-Hosts blogs, Mommy LaDy Club and Lucy's Soup Can.

2: Please vote in the Battle below by commenting the name of your Battle champion.

3: You may also link up by Sunday at midnight to be drawn to win next week’s co-host spot!

vs.

Patrick Dempsey, Battle Cry: Grey's Anatomy

Tech Support Now! Need Technical Help or Have Your Own Tips...This is Your Resource!

2012-02-09T08:36:00.001-07:00

Our Tech Support Now Link Up is growing with some great articles and tips from all of you. Thank you so much for contributing, and if you're new, please remember that you can always come and share any posts you have here, so that we can find everything in one place as a resource.

Some of the cool tips from below that I used recently, are creating nice and neat color coordinated social media buttons. I didn't follow the instructions exactly, but figured out my own way to get them on our site. The other tip I liked, but didn't need, is to re-size all of your blog hop buttons into a nice grid, that looks neat and tidy in your posts, instead of all hodgepodge. These two tips are both on 5 Easy Blog Updates.

Next, I'm going to try to tackle the Pin it button!

~Courtney

Please read through and get some fantastic technical support, and come and share any of your own technical help anytime!

My own personal geek squad.

Designer Insider: A Jacket to a Floor Rug; Stylish Inspiration on Etsy...

2012-02-07T07:14:00.001-07:00

Welcome back to our new series, Designer Insider, where I take you behind the scenes as a Designer, and show you how I get inspiration for our handmade items and product lines for LaDy LaDuke.

Ideas come from many places and are unpredictable. They tend to evolve, and have a mind of their own. I usually tab or bookmark something I find online, or in fashion and decor magazines, and then come back to them to see what they say to me later.

This week, I was browsing through Etsy, and this caught my eye...

First, the workmanship on this Mobile Jacket is amazing. I love how it's growing and circling, completely off kilter and balanced at the same time. Rich texture and movement are obvious.

So, what does this say to me?...

We previously had in our Shops, some Peekaboo Crib Rugs that were fun animal prints, and squared and angled to peek out from under the crib or any bed. They sold out, and I just haven't gotten back to replacing them.

As you may know from a previous post, That Precious Inch of Fabric, we as LaDy LaDuke do not throw away fabric. There are little bits and snips from our Feeder Frock and maternity clothing items, etc. that go into storage for another day. I already have another item in mind to take up quite a bit of that storage, and use it, but this circling effect in this Mobile Jacket has my mind moving. I see wrapping up fabric strips and bits in cording or burlap string, and creating long ropes to wind into a Peekaboo Crib Rug.

Now that would be cool wouldn't it!? We'll see how this one evolves!

More from Designer Insider:

Stylish Inspiration on Etsy: A Bracelet to an Obi Belt

Animal prints, My husband's hair, Eggnog ice cream & Linen

Want a Club-Content Signature Widget? Click and Grab one!

Fit & Fabulous!: Renewal Fitness Online Personal Trainer Review and Summary

2012-02-06T18:07:00.001-07:00

Renewal Fitness Online Personal Trainer Review and Summary:

Betina and I have reached the end of our training program with Kimberly Brockway of Renewal Fitness. She offered a month of her services to us for free in exchange for blogging every week about our progress. If you think you'd like some extra motivation and guidance through your fitness and diet goals, please take a look at Kimberly's program. She has designed it just for us Moms!

Even though blogging about your progress can be painful, we decided it's the best way to keep it up, and move forward. When you know you have to write a post, you actually do something. Posting together is also very motivating. We each know we just have to do it, because the other is waiting. The other unavoidable motivating factor is that our Fit & Fabulous Hop is listed on voiceBoks on Mondays. So, there is no escape.

If you're like I am, barely fitting in 45 minutes of exercise cumulative on a good week, then consider blogging every week about it. It does put the pressure on, and can be a good thing.

If you'd like to join us each Monday, and feel the inescapable pressure of having to post about your fitness/health progress, and being brutally honest, please let us know in the comments. We'll name you as our "Monday Fitness Posting Buddies", and of course you and everyone are always welcome to link up on our Fit & Fabulous Hop anytime.

Courtney's Review & Summary of Renewal Fitness:

What I accomplished in 1 month:

I am actually at square one. I had a week, where I lost a couple pounds, but am back to my weight when starting the program. My measurements are exactly the same. My goal is to lose 5-10 lbs. and some inches, so this is going to be a long battle. I also realistically have only devoted 45 minutes/week to exercise. The long and slow combination of minimal exercise and lower caloric intake is my plan. For me, it has to be a lifestyle, not a fleeting program.

I am back running with my husband twice a week up the very steep hill near our house. This is extremely intensive, right outside my door and over quickly--perfect for me. Just getting back to this running is a huge accomplishment, that wouldn't have happened without the inspiration of Kimberly's program. I also include kettle bell exercises while catching some news in the evenings.

I look forward to feeling the pressure and sharing the brutal honesty every week with Betina and the rest of you!

~Courtney

Betina's Review & Summary of Renewal Fitness:

I completely agree with Courtney that blogging about my progress, or lack thereof, keeps me motivated. I am accountable to Courtney and to anyone who reads our blog. It's the best form of journaling because it's out there for everyone to see.

My experience wtih Renewal Fitness was good. I ended up losing a total of 10lbs in a month, in large part due to my cutting out sugar. I really am a sugar addict. I'll take it any way I can get it. So, that has been a major challenge for me. But, the contest I have going with my girlfriends is helping because $5.00 per offense is steep.

I still need to really step it up on the exercise front. I will do really well and then I'll get distracted and let everything else interfere with it. More than anything, I want to do it to set a good example for my kids. I want them to see how important exercise is and also how fun it can be.

I had a fun visit with Courtney last week where she told me and our other sister about her running escapades. She runs into bobcats, mountain lions, snakes, and javelina. I decided if she can risk her life to run, then I can certainly do it in the safety of my suburban neighborhood where the worst thing I might run into is an occasional stray cat. I've never been much of a runner - long distance. I do, however, LOVE sprinting. And I'm good at it. I always do better doing exercise that I'm good at. So, my new idea is to find some time every day to go out and do some sprints. There is a park across the street that has plenty of room, so I can take the kids along, leave the baby in the stroller and go for it. I really have no excuses.

Thanks to everyone for following our journey and for your motivating comments!

~Betina

Firm arm skin that didn't flap and smack against my sides while running, and thighs that don't rub together!

Want one of these Club-Content Signature widgets, where you get to fill in the content? Go grab one on our new site partnered with Spilled Milkshake. Get ideas for content on your blog, enter contests to win cash and gain traffic to boot!

Please link up any of your fitness, diet or health posts on our Fit & Fabulous Hop below!...

Business Insider: Welcome to Club-Content! Our New Website and Venture with Spilled Milkshake...

2012-02-05T19:17:00.001-07:00

A few months ago, I got this idea in my head of a way to earn cash as a Blogger. In our Mom blogosphere, we tend to see a lot of giveaways, which are always nice of course, and as a sponsor of giveaways, and using them as a tool for our product exposure, I certainly embrace them. But, the giveaway prize might not always be something you want or need, and you spend a significant amount of time on rafflecopters, right?
Time is precious as Moms and Dads, and then we need to create time to maintain our blogs. I think we all struggle to think of interesting content for our blogs, and to come up with posts that keep our readers entertained. This is a daily challenge, and once you have taken that plunge into the blog addiction world of relishing comments, checking your stats incessantly, and aiming for higher achievement with your blog status, there's no turning back. It's only onward and upward!
This all takes time and effort as you know, but why not take some of that time and effort you've already spent, or need to spend anyway for your blog posts, and let your time and efforts give you a chance of winning cash?
Enter Club-Content!
A place where blog content and writing contests meet, with the added benefit of traffic to your blog!
I teamed up with Christina of Spilled Milkshake, whom I'm sure many of you know, and we created a blog content resource with useful writing ideas and topics, while offering the ability to enter your writings into our Contests for a chance of winning cash each week.
If a weekly topic doesn't suit you, there will be another for another chance of winning, but most importantly, you will always have a resource and inspiration for blog posts. It's a win, win!
So what about the traffic part? We have different membership levels set up, in order to make our Contests run smoothly, and to ensure traffic. Each week, the Contest Entries must be read and rated to determine a winner by all members of Club-Content. Our Premium Members are our weekly Contest Hosts, and all members must visit the blogs of Premium Members to read a Contest Entry and rate it, bringing traffic to their blogs.
We have a Regular Membership too, that is less about the traffic to your blog, but focuses more on the writing and Contest Entries.
There are other great perks as Members like, discounted Contest Entry fees, keyword challenges and getting your articles featured on our homepages for everyone to read, as well as a free listing for your blog in our Club-Content Directory.
I hope you find our new Club-Content venture to be unique, beneficial, resourceful and fun, so that we can all elevate our blog content as a team on the Mom blogosphere.
Then we can all say together, "Don't Hate Me Because My Blog Has Content!"~Courtney
I didn't even know what a blog was!
Go grab your Club-Content Signature Widget on our site and fill in your own content!
Club-Content Launches Monday, February 6, 2012!

Battle of The Leading Men: Round 2...Viggo Mortensen vs. Denzel Washington

2012-02-03T04:59:00.003-07:00

You didn't know that you could find a romantic retreat on a Mom blog, did you?

Welcome to Battle of The Leading Men!

Your Romantic Getaway...

Would you like to play?

Round 2 is Here!

First, meet our one and only Hosts, Clint Eastwood & Timothy Olyphant of Justified.

Why are these two so special you ask? They have been designated Untouchable, and shall never battle!

Thank you Gentlemen for guiding us through Round 1. We trust we are still in good hands.
Here’s how to play:

1: Please G+follow, visit and comment on our Co-Hosts blogs, Mommy LaDy Club and Not Your Ordinary Recipes.

2: Please vote in the Battle below by commenting the name of your Battle champion.

3: You may also link up by Sunday at midnight to be drawn to win next week’s co-host spot!

vs.

Denzel Washington, Battle Cry: American Gangster