I know a couple who have had a family Christmas card made ever since they had very young children. They are now in their 40s and their children are now teenagers. Every year, they hang up all of the cards on a little bulletin board in their kitchen. It’s fascinating to look at their faces, their clothing, and – yes – their hairstyles.

I am resolving to do the exact same thing because it makes my heart happy to look back, to remember days gone by and to dream about the days ahead.

Here’s what we have so far (We were married in 2002, but didn’t start ordering Christmas cards until several years later):

2005:

2006:

2007:

2008:

2009:

This year will be extra special because our family photo will include four people. Actually, if you want to get technical, there were four people in the last picture too…but one of them was inside of me (Pregnancy is so amazing…and kind of weird too.).

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When you get your cards this holiday season, consider the options at CrinkledNose.com, an Alabama-based company that specializes in personalized announcements, invitations, and holiday cards.

Two of my favorite designs are:

You can choose between vertical, horizontal, or folded cards.

If you prefer, you can pay a bit extra and your cards will be printed as magnets. How cool is that?

YOUR TURN: Do you order Christmas cards? Why or why not?

BUY IT! Receive 15% off your order by entering discount code: MetroMama.

WIN IT! One winner will receive 50 cards in the style (baby announcements, holiday cards, moving cards, etc.) and size of his/her choice from CrinkledNose.com. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, November 15th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

*CrinkledNose.com is one of my sponsors for the Mom 2.0 Summit this February.

My ratio is high because my models are so strikingly beautiful.

That said, my pictures don’t always turn out how I envision because…

1. My house is not at all conducive to picture-taking.
2. My backyard is teensy-tiny and kinda blah.
3. I am almost always holding a baby while taking pictures.
4. I’ve never read my camera’s manual.

I may not be able to immediately change the first three (and, really, I don’t want to change #3 because…seriously…who would want to put down a baby who is that cute?), but I can change the fourth. This weekend, I determine to read my camera’s manual. It’s been on my to-do list for the longest time, but now I’m going to make it a reality.

Because ::

• I want to take spectacular, frame-worthy pictures.
• I am fascinated by the art of photography.

I know I will never be able to fully capture my girls’ tenacious spirits, sparkling personalities, and hauntingly beautiful eyes in pictures…but I’d like to try.

Stay tuned for photography-related articles, product reviews, and giveaways.

YOUR TURN: Have you read your camera’s manual?

I do two things:

1. Check the ratings on Amazon.
2. Search “[product name] blog” on Google.

I do that second step because I love to hear the authentic, honest voices of bloggers.

• I like to see those jeans on someone who is not 5′11″ and 100 pounds.
• I like to see what that mom next door is making in her new blender.
• I like to see a real baby’s head peeking out from behind the carrier, smiling.

I tire of sleazy ads and fast-talking salespeople. I want the real deal – the whole enchilada. Pros and Cons. Pictures. Etc.

If I read a genuine review, there’s a good chance I’ll shell out my hard earned cash for the product. If the product is being reviewed and endorsed by a blogger I already read and trust, that chance increases exponentially.

And THAT, my friends, is why product reviewing is “big business” these days – for bloggers and for brands. Companies will often send out samples of their products without batting an eyelash because – to them – it is small potatoes. On the flip side, bloggers receive the advantage of trying a new product, becoming an expert, and sharing their inside experience. In most cases, it’s a win-win for both parties.

It’s no surprise then that bloggers everywhere are channeling the power of their personal networks and their powerful presence online and becoming go-to sources for in-depth, personal reviews.

Perhaps YOU are a blogger that is watching all of the fun and fanfare from the sidelines – and you want to jump onboard?

I encourage you to check out my ebook – Bloggertunity: A Mom’s Guide to Blogging. The book includes a whole chapter on how to break into product reviewing, including my “top secret strategy” for getting products to review. I also share tips for writing riveting reviews and I answer commonly-asked FAQs.

Like this one…

Q. I just started my blog. When can I start reviewing products?  How many readers should I have before I approach companies?

A. That’s a great question…and a tricky one! I started querying companies pretty early on, but only after I had established some solid content and a significant following of readers. I don’t think there is a magic number per se, but it is probably safe to assume that smaller items will be easier to obtain than larger, higher-priced items at first.

When you are first starting out, your best bet is to join review networks*** and add your name to PR lists. That way, you will be sent relevant campaigns that are a good fit your demographic and your current audience.

***NOTE: My book includes a list of review networks that you can join or apply to.***

WANT TO READ MORE AND BUY THE BOOK?

For the next 48 hours, you can get 30% off. Just use coupon code REVIEWER before Saturday, November 7, at 11:59 pm. Buy the book here.

AS AN ADDED BONUS, anyone who buys the book before that deadline will be entered to receive one of these three prizes (anyone who has already bought the book will be automatically entered into a drawing). Yes, there will be THREE winners!

Check out these mouth-watering prizes:

A Delicious Fruit Design Bouquet with Half Dipped Strawberries by Edible Arrangements (regular size; $75)

When you want to send a thoughtful gift that is healthy and makes the recipient happy, be sure to browse the beautiful bouquets at Edible Arrangements.

Made with fresh, premium fruit and delivered nationwide, the bouquets are sure to make a memorable and much-loved gift for anyone.

And don’t forget the youngest of recipients! Edible Arrangements also offers arrangements for kids…sure to make any kid smile. And what parent ISN’T going to be happy about their child receiving a whole bunch of cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and grapes?

A $35 Gift Certificate to Heidi’s Heavenly Cookies

With flavors like Toffee Chocolate Chip, Rocky Road Eclipse, and Chocolate-Dipped Macaroon, these aren’t your ordinary cookies! Homemade and baked with love + care, Heidi’s is a homegrown Georgia-based business with appeal to the masses.

The delectable cookies arrive in gorgeously wrapped boxes. Ideal for business gifts, thank you gifts, and more.

Bestseller Collection Taste Pack by Crumbs Bake Shop ($24; 12-pack)

Featured on the Today Show, Crumb’s cupcakes are anything but ordinary. The LA and NY based shops feature over 50 varieties of cupcakes including Oreo, Red Velvet, Cappuccino, Caramel Apple, Chocolate Pecan Pie, and – the one I would order if I went to the shop – Peanut Butter Cup.

Isn’t that Taste Pack awesome, by the way? 12 mini cupcakes for $24. That is a totally fun gift idea for a team of teachers/nurses, a college student and roommates, or a mama with a big family.

Want to order something off the site right now? Enter discount code CRHS15 for 15% off your order (through Nov. 30).

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One more thing: I hate leaving people out (I was always the girl in school who talked to the wallflower or introduced myself to the new kid) so I have a giveaway for everyone – even if you don’t or can’t buy the book.

Anyone who comments on this post before Saturday, November 7th, at 11:59 pm will be entered into a contest to receive a $5 gift card to Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. I know it’s a teensy prize, but won’t it be fun to pull out that card from your wallet next time you’re at the mall?

So, chime in. Say anything. If you want, you can answer this question…

YOUR TURN: When you are going to purchase a product, do you turn to blog reviews? Why or why not?

P.S. Don’t forget that you have 48 hours to enter discount code REVIEWER to get 30% off my book.

Yesterday and today, I spent a good deal of time wrestling over vaccine issues: researching, praying, and trying to find peace.

In the end, we ended up getting two [as evidenced above].

I’m still not sure how I feel about the whole thing.

Heather at Freebies 4 Mom is giving away the all-new HP Photosmart Printer. Enter before Nov. 12.

If you are a breastfeeding mom (or you know one), enter to win one of the 25 gift baskets that Lansinoh is giving away to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Deadline: Nov. 21.

Announcements

Enjoy the Magic of Christmas inside every Bass Pro Shops store, Nov. 8- Dec. 24. Stop in for free crafts, free activity tables, free laser arcade, free soft gun arcade, model trains, and more!

My husband’s Aunt Kathy recently started a new website for people with celiacs disease – Your Gluten Free Kitchen. Find recipes, resources, and learn the “gluten free basics.”

Good Reads

Check out these creative ideas by the brilliant, beautiful, and skinny-jean-wearing Darcie {Such the Spot}: 10 Hostess Gifts for the Holidays.

Keith Wilcox {Almightydad.com} explains why you should buy frozen if you want Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.

Do you use StumbleUpon? Why or why not? Read Amy’s take on the topic and chime in on the discussion.

Miscellany

She’ll try on each item for about one minute and dance around excitedly and say, “What am I, mommy?” And then want to move on to the next item.

Unlike many girls her age, however, she would NOT want to wear a princess dress all day long. She’s much too practical for that. She always opts for clothes that she can “race” and “hike” and jump on the bed in. She likes soft, stretchable items that are easy-to-get-on-and-off – and that have no buttons.

Often, when she selects her outfit for the day, she’ll pull out one of her sets from Tea Collection, a San Francisco-based company that specializes in globally-inspired apparel for kids (birth to age 8).

I have to admit that she has fabulous taste. If I could dress my girls in only one brand, I would undoubtedly choose Tea Collection. The pieces are unique, well-made, stylish, AND well-suited for plenty of activity.

Take one peek (and be forever captivated by the brand):

• TOP LEFT: Shibuya Floral Dress, $44.50
• TOP RIGHT: Tokyo Hoodie, $39
• BOTTOM LEFT: Takayama Plaid Dress, $59
• BOTTOM RIGHT: Sayonara Tee, $29.50

The prices aren’t exactly low, BUT…these clothes are made-to-last. They are crafted with care and easily survive wash-after-wash without noticeable wear. I also appreciate the fact that the materials are simple (translation: comfortable, perfect for preschoolers who like to dress themselves), yet the designs are obviously not your every-day department store variety.

P.S. My daughter is wearing the Meiji Floral Dress ($55) and the Purity Organic Legging ($25) in the above picture. Thanks to Tea for providing that sample for her.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a $100 gift card to Tea Collection. To enter, leave a comment with the name of one other style (other than the ones listed) that you love from Tea Collection on this post prior to Wednesday, November 11th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

At the sheer wonder of her life and the beauty in her face, yes.

But there was something else there too…something about the way she looked that caught me by surprise.

She was sitting in her high chair. Sitting! And she looked up at me with her observant eyes – and gave me the sweetest of smiles.

And, with a bit of incredulity, I realized that she is 7 1/2 months old. Over halfway to a year. She’s crawling and laughing and trying so hard to be a part of everything. And when she wakes up at night, it sounds like she says “Mama” from the other room.

She is big as big.

And I will never, ever have this moment again. Ever.

I guess this is what motherhood is all about. Just when I begin to feel like I understand my children…everything changes. Yet somehow I know them just the same.

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Lately, my 7.5 month old (Can she really be that old?) has been sporting these ultra-fashionable Cozy Ankle Booties from Robeez around our ‘hood. I would have taken a picture of her in them, but all of my photos of her feet lately have been a blur. She’s a girl on a mission – especially when there is something enticing across the room (say, a shoe or my phone or a piece of paper). Never mind the fact that she’ll have toys scattered around her in every direction. She’ll narrow in on a unattainable object and begin crawling at an unprecedented pace toward it, mission-impossible-style. I then proceed to swoop in and save the day. If I put her down across the room, she’ll dive for the object once again. She is persistent as anything. She is also smiley and sweet…and very, very stylish (more stylish than I am, in fact).

WIN IT! One winner will receive a pair of Cozy Ankle Booties from Robeez {$38.95; winner’s choice of size, 0-24M}. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, November 9th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

On the contrary, Fall tip-toes in – a bit unannounced, holding Her breath.

You see: the seasons blend together here in a perfectly played symphony, without dramatic pause or tuning of instruments. In our area, weather is pretty much the same nine months of the year – 70-90 degrees with sunshine. It’s lovely. Really.

Sometimes I only “remember” it is fall when I watch television or pick up a catalog. I see pictures of pea coats and brightly colored scarves, down vests and wool hats – and I yearn to pull out my meager collection. But then I wait…for cooler weather.

I am excited to announce that cooler weather is finally here (well, “cooler” for this Arizona girl…meaning…cough…a little under 70 degrees) and I’m super excited to wear…boots.

Specifically, the Women’s Montecito Leather Boots ($140) that Teva recently sent me to review.

The montecitos look awesome with jeans. They have that rustic, western, “I-just-spent-a-day-outdoors” look.

But they look equally cute with a skirt (I think that combo would be just about perfect for line dancing, no?):

Best of all, these boots are exceptionally cushy and comfortable. In fact, I want to wear them everywhere. The wedge provides the teeniest bit of height, but these are not your “wear-to-impress-and-then-take-them-off-the-minute-you-get-home” kind of shoes (you know you have pairs like that!). These are functional shoes, yet…they’re also fashion-forward.

If somebody asks you what you want for Christmas, say “Montecito.” Seriously. You will love these.

Or, check out the rest of Teva’s collection when you shop for birthday/holiday gifts.

For your guy:

The ever-popular and ultra-comfy Men’s Agate Thong ($65):

For your beach bum, always-casual-yet-always-chic friend:

The Women’s Mush Flip Flops ($24):

YOUR TURN: What is the weather like where you are?

WIN IT! One winner will receive Mush Flip-Flops from Teva {$24.00; winner’s choice of color and size}. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, November 9th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

Because I am a deal-seeking kind of girl, I appreciate boutiques like DownEast Basics.

The cool thing about DownEast Basics is that the most expensive item that the brand carries is $44.99. Most of the tops, bottoms, dresses, and skirts actually run in the $15-$30 range. And, if you are a bargainista like me, you’ll appreciate the sale page with discounts up to 70% off (If you’re pregnant, be sure to check out the maternity tanks and tees on-sale for $5.00).

DownEast Basics recently sent me two items from their fall line to review – the Closer Look Cardigan ($24.99) and the Out and About Skirt ($33.99):

Here’s a close-up of the skirt:

And me in the sweater (Thanks to my cosmetologist sister Kathryn for doing my make-up for all these shots. She just started her first job at a salon and clearly has a knack for it.):

The Closer Look Cardigan is soft, easy to wear in hot or cool weather, and has that slouchy look that is all the rage this season. The sweater extends beyond the hips and has two mini front pockets.

The Out and About Skirt, on the other hand, is excellent for petite types like me because the A-line is flattering and the length is just right. The corduroy is lightweight, yet perfect for fall – and the tiers are just plain fun. And I already told you I’m all about the orange this fall. As such, I’m loving the pumpkin-inspired hue of this skirt.

YOUR TURN: How much money do you generally spend on new clothing pieces?

WIN IT! One winner will receive the Closer Look Cardigan ($24.99) and Out and About Skirt ($33.99) by DownEast Basics. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, November 8th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

As the years passed from elementary to middle to high school, I still considered going the medical route. I certainly had the qualities necessary – I loved school and could easily see myself in academia for a long stretch. I also have a natural ability to memorize things. I’ll often look at a word/paragraph once and be able to recall it instantly.

Somewhere between childhood and young adulthood, I was enticed away from science by literature and poetry. The English language and all of its marvels captivated me. I went on to study English at the undergraduate level, then went to seminary very briefly, and then eventually landed on getting a masters in school counseling. It’s funny how life unravels – a series of choices based on the places we are, the people we meet, and the doors that we walk through.

Someday I still might like to get my PhD. Maybe. I wouldn’t go the medical route though (too many years, too much time away from my family), but perhaps I could pursue a doctorate in Family Studies or Communications. That said, it’s really not on my radar right now. I’m already “studying” my family and I’m learning more about communication right now than I ever could in a classroom.

Sometimes people talk about having “mommy brain” or feeling like their mental capacity is draining from at-home motherhood, but I don’t buy it. I am more innovative, bright, and courageous than I ever was. I am constantly reading, studying, writing, collaborating, and creating. My kids inspire me to be the best version of myself. I am more qualified than ever to do research, to speak at conferences, to write books, and to serve as a consultant.

I am choosing to be an at-home mother and I firmly believe that my education and my credentials are not wasted in this line of work. On the contrary, my intellect is sharpened daily as I teach, inspire, and play with my two daughters.

P.S. I’m wearing scrubs in these pictures not because I’m a doctor and not because it’s Halloween (although it would make a great costume…), but because one of my readers gave me the best idea awhile back. She said she wears scrubs around the house because they are as comfortable as PJs, but you don’t have to run for cover if a neighbor or the UPS guy happens to stop by. I thought that it was such a brilliant idea that I decided to steal it.

So whether you just want to wear a pair around the house or you really do work in the medical industry (as a doctor, nurse, physician’s assistant, dentist, or dental assistant), I encourage you to check out Scrubs & Beyond - an online destination for medical scrubs and uniforms. The company offers 25 different brands, including Baby Phat Scrubs, Disney Scrubs, Grey’s Anatomy Scrubs, and IguanaMed Scrubs. Scrubs & Beyond also has an online outlet, home of $8.99 specials and other great clearance items.

YOUR TURN: What did you want to be when you were growing up?

WIN IT! One winner will receive a $25 gift card to Scrubs & Beyond. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Saturday, November 7th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).