MamaLaw: Evidence for Our Insanity Plea » BlogHer

A Month Later! Photos from BlogHer ’10!

justicefergie — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:05:13 +0000

Scene and Heard: BlogHer ’10 Detox

justicefergie — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:46:30 +0000

Scene:
Last night, at home in our bedroom. Me and hubby winding down for the night after my trip to NYC for BlogHer ’10.

Heard:

Hubby: Could you PLEASE stop checking your phone?

Me: But I have new notifications!

Hubby: You wouldn’t know that if you stopped checking your phone.

Me: Yes I would. The little green light flashes when I get a new email, text message, @reply or DM.

Hubby: Maybe I should check Amazon to see if they sell a little green flashing light that I can wear around my neck. You might pay attention to me then.

Me: *Gulps* Puts phone down.

—————————————————————-

See what happens when you’ve spent 4-days straight with social media addicts and glued to your smartphone! I’m officially in detox mode, friends!

Countdown to BlogHer (with Clothes!): Part 2

justicefergie — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 20:19:05 +0000

Ah the days before BlogHer. A time when the Internet is abuzz with detailed posts and videos about What to Wear to BlogHer. I am tickeled pink to say that the task of packing for BlogHer was made a tad bit easier for me this year thanks to the fabulous folks at Gap! I was invited to be one of 12 DC Metro Area bloggers that would be fitted in cute pieces from the Gap’s fall collection and rocking them at BlogHer ’10.

So last Friday I hit the mall and met up with the manager of my local store, Jamie, who was uber-patient and hooked me up with 2 looks for the weekend.

Poor Jamie succumbing to the requisite blogger photo.

They have a new line of pants called Gap Magic that are supposed to do wonders! We all know that I have more than a little junk in the trunk, so when you see me on Thursday, make sure to let me know just how magical these pants are. Heh heh. Take a gander at some of the pieces I’ll be wearing at BlogHer:

Ribbon Tee

Skinny Contrast Studded Belt

Shawl Cardigan

Curvy Pants

Metallic Moccasins

Cascading Ruffle Tank

Long & Lean Dark Wash Jeans

Black Leather Belt

Of course, I still need several more outfits to make it through the event-filled weekend in NY. Something for the Thursday night events, my speaking engagement on Friday, and the Blogalicious party on Saturday evening! And finally something laid-back for brunch and the trip home on Sunday. So tonight I will be all about the packing.

But that Gap experience: A personal shopper? Customized fitting? A complimentary wardrobe? I could get used to this.

Squeeeee!

Curious to see what the other Gap bloggers are wearing? Follow the #GapMagic hashtag on Twitter.

BTW- it was totally my idea to write this post. Thanks to Jamie and Gap at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, MD and Justine at Brand About Town for hooking a sister up with the great clothes!

Countdown to BlogHer (with Chocolate!): Part 1

justicefergie — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:12:41 +0000

BlogHer ’10 is just days away and it’s time for me to get my act together. This year the pre-BlogHer excitement reached an all new level for me, and I think it’s largely because I’m in a comfortable groove when it comes to my blogging self. I belong to several blog networks that I adore and so many exciting doors have opened as a result. Not to mention the energizing success of Blogalicious and all the opportunities that it has brought us Mamalaw gals. Finally, there’s the bizarre and sometimes uncomfortable colliding of my blogging self and my working self. No matter what aspect of my life I turn to, all roads lead to BlogHer ’10! So it’s a good thing that I have a ride to New York City this Thursday morning…

On the Hershey Train!

The what?

The Hershey Train!! The fantastic, fantastic Lara of Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom, Amy L. of Resourceful Mommy, and Amy M. of Teach Mama hooked up us DC Metro Area bloggers with travel to and from The Big Apple, courtesy of Hershey’s Chocolate. Sweeeet! (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself)

To celebrate, last week, we each received a S’mores Kit from Hershey’s Chocolate complete with – of course – Hershey’s Chocolate, marshmallows, graham crackers, and fancy dancy marshmallow roasters:

It’s been so ridiculously hot here that we haven’t had the courage to even think about firing up the grill, so I’m thinking that I’ll save this fun activity for September, when the DC Weather gods decide to have some mercy on us. In the meantime, though, I did try a delicious recipe for S’mores Brownies for my Ladies Summer Luncheon last weekend. Take a look at these beauties:

Want the recipe? SO easy:

S’mores Brownies a la Fergie

Bake store-bought brownie cake mix according to package directions (I chose Betty Crocker chocolate – not fudge – brownie mix); let cool and cut into squares;

Halve 6 marshmallows and place a half on each brownie square; Broil for 1 minute or until the marshmallow is golden and a little melted;

Melt 2 bars of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate in a double boiler; add a splash of heavy whipping cream and dash of vanilla (if desired);

Drizzle melted chocolate over the brownies and top with crushed graham crackers.

Just one of the many wonderful uses for Hershey’s Chocolate. Another is to smuggle the candy bars onto the train on Thursday morning. I’m thinking I’ll need all the sugar I can get. BlogHer ’10 is going to be HYPE!

If you’re going to be at BlogHer ’10, make sure to get your piece of the sweetness:

Thanks to Hershey’s Chocolate for sponsoring my train ride to BlogHer ’10 and for the cute S’mores Kit!

The BlogHer $100 Question Contest!

justicefergie — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:54:25 +0000

Gotta love that BlogHer. They keep coming up with fun and easy ways to shower fellow BlogHers with love! This week, they are running their “$100 Question Contest.” Every day this week (Monday through Friday) a different blogger will be asking a question, and one lucky commenter will be entered to win $100 from BlogHer! Not bad, huh?

And I’m so excited to announce that Tuesday’s question was posed by yours truly. Yup, that’s right – all you have to do to enter to win is pop on over HERE to answer my $100 Question.

The Rules:

Comments must be made at BlogHer.com to be eligible for the prize.

Commenters must be registered BlogHer.com users (all you need is an email address to register.)

My question’s contest will be open Tuesday, April 27 through Thursday, April 29 at 5pm.
Click here for more of the Official Rules.

Good luck!!

When Mommy’s away princess will have her way

Justice Ny — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:52:00 +0000

I was away for a couple days at BlogHer in Chicago (incidentally, I had a blast) and I returned from the conference a little early. Much to my surprise, I returned home and princess had had a ball. Apparently, daddy went to Sears shopping for god only knows what and princess must have stumbled across a Hannah Montana showcase because there was a plethora of random items H.M.-related in MY bed when I returned.

H.M. flip flops – two sizes bigger than she wears and she can’t even walk in them!
H.M. socks – really, is it that serious? The H.M. logo is on the bottom of the foot so no one will ever see it! (see pic)

Three dresses that must have been on or near the display because otherwise daddy would never have bought them

H.M. hair accessories out the wazoo – about eight hairbands and 50 million elastics – by the way, her hair is about 4 inches long; it’s going to be at least a few years before she can even use these things

Clearly, when mommy’s away princess reigns the day – so it worked out well for both ladies in my household — mommy got some me (and girl) time and princess had her time!

I’m Feeling All Warm And Fuzzy Inside

Justice Jonesie — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:16:00 +0000

OMG, BlogHer was a blast! I met so many of the ~~women I stalk~~ women behind the blogs that I follow that I was trying my best not to act all silly and star struck in their presence.

I had a few reservations about going to BlogHer but I have no idea why. I have no regrets for going and in fact, can’t wait until NYC next August, where BlogHer 2010 will be. The conference itself was great, but that’s nothing compared to hanging out for three days with all these wonderful women who share their funny, inspiring, or heartfelt stories with me (okay, and the rest of the world). I also really enjoyed meeting the women whose tweets make me stop in the grocery store and start cracking up to myself.

There is so much to say that I don’t even know where to start! Today, I just want to say hello and give big hugs to some great women I got to meet “In Real Life” (Blogher’s theme this year) and who helped make my weekend so much fun.

From left to right, Denene from My Brown Baby, MommyDaddyblog, Christie aka Chatterbox from My Life, A Work in Progress, Lorrain aka Ask Wifey, Me, Renee, and BabyMakin(g)Machine. It was so great to meet these ladies and see Renee again.

I also met Beth from I Should be Folding Laundry, she won the award for Best Eye Candy Blog, MochaMomma (she is fun.ny!), and Mommy Wants Vodka, and of course, our title sponsor for Blogalicious, Mrs. Sowell from MomNoir! She is awesome and divalicious- perfect fit!

I’ll fill you all in more later because I have to unpack my SIX bags from the trip (four of which are mostly swag) check emails, return phone calls, get my house ready for the kids who are coming back in TWO days, and more.

I can’t wait to see my kiddos again. My stomach flips just thinking about hugging and kissing on them.

Smooches!

BlogHer Day 1: First Impressions

justicefergie — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:38:00 +0000

Justice Jonesie and I are sitting on the floor in the “Blog to Book” session at BlogHer. We’re on the floor because the session is packed. The session is packed because the conference is huuuge. There are 1,500 women here and it’s surreal. A couple of impressions from the first day of my first BlogHer:

Everyone here has an interesting story.
Marketers understand the power of social media to advance their brand.
BlogHer is not the place to come if you want to get some rest.
The legendary swag is awesome; but shouldn’t be the main reason that we’re here.
The moms who brought infants are either super brave or super crazy. Or both.
Girls just wanna have fun.

More updates to come!

Ford Drive Experience at BlogHer

Justice Ny — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:07:00 +0000

Yesterday was our first day at BlogHer – well, really it was pre BlogHer because the conference doesn’t offically start until today. We spent the day with Ford, which was really cool.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t that thrilled before because my impression of Ford is not good. But, they’ve come up with some really innovative technologies AND what’s most impressive is that they’re changing their cars with women in mind. Yes, I said it – there are 2010 models with rear and side view sensors (for those hard to back out of mall spaces); refrigerated compartments in the rear seat (to keep your drinks, formula cold); pocketbook hideaways; and parallel park assist that will actually park the car for you. There is one model that I want and many of us were hoping that in return for our time, there were keys in our lunch boxes – but no such luck! So, our day with Ford was fun and interesting.

Off we go!!!!

Justice Ny — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:18:00 +0000

BlogHer, watch out ‘cuz here we come … see you there!