Welcome to Social Media Saturdays, the one and only linkup sponsored by the International Bloggers Association, where bloggers grow together. Have you joined yet? If not, go there now!
We’re all about making new friends and finding each other in the places we hang out online. This is the place to mingle, make new friends and form real relationships– not the place to drop links and leave!
If that sounds good to you, then by all means, share the links to your social media accounts here!
Here are the rules:
1. You don’t have to, but if you want to be classy please follow your hosts in each category that you join. We are:
2. Tweet about the party and spread the word so that we can all connect with new friends! The more people who join us, the better experience we all have!
Click the button below or write your own tweet with the hashtag #ilovesocialsaturday so your new friends know where you came from and so that we can chat all day!
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Let’s get started!!! Happy Saturday!!
P.S. If you want to make sure you don’t miss the party (or just say hi!) head over and like our facebook page, Social Media Saturdays. And, if you want to see some SERIOUS growth on your blog, don’t forget to come and join the International Bloggers Association!
There, you can find great new friends in your niche to subscribe to and visit regularly. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to build a network of support!
We’re so excited to introduce the newest addition to our weekly linkup– the first-ever official IBA Blog Hop! This hop is just for members of the IBA (badge required) to visit each other’s latest posts in any category and share the love. If you submit a link here, make sure to visit and comment on and/or share three more.
Each week, we’ll be featuring the three posts that got the most clicks in the previous week, so make sure to come back to see if you’ve been featured! Happy Blog-Hopping!
Here are the featured posts from last week’s Social Media Saturday
Welcome to the 19th week of the Social Media Mixer!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Week 18 – we had 123 blogs and numerous social media link-ups!
The Social Media Mixer is all about networking and making connections. Also, you can gain exposure and increase your social media following! Link up your blog posts and social media accounts and mix it up with some of the other linkers. Each week, the Weekday Mixer will start on Saturday nights at 8:00pm and go on until Wednesday nights at 11:59pm. A blog post will be chosen each week by each of the hosts and guest hosts and featured in the following week’s link-up! If chosen, a brief summary about yourself and your blog/website and all of your social media accounts will be featured. It’s a great way to stand out among the crowd! One blogger will be chosen for 2 weeks of free ad space on Epic Mommy Adventures!
Okay… we’re still on pumpkin. Are you sick of it yet? Hope not because this train isn’t derailing anytime soon. At least today I’m bringing you some variation. Make no mistake, pumpkin desserts still abound in my queue, but right now I’m mixing it up with a dish that’s more on the savory side! I think that’s part of the fun of baking and cooking with pumpkin – it’s so versatile!
The story of my life is written in my calendar and to-do list. Some days the only item I cross off my list is “shower.” Organizational experts suggest breaking down tasks into smaller ones. The idea being that if you {meaning myself} can break it down, an individual {me} will obviously not feel so overwhelmed. Okay, except the list itself can send me into a full blow panic attack on a Sunday night! Stay with me!
My Cassie works at Maple Mountain High school, and the other day, one of her co workers did the nicest thing for my family and I had to come up with a “thank you” that matched the act! I found out that she was a lover of diet coke, like me, and so that made sense to take her a 12 pack of this bubbly goodness but that just wasn’t enough!
I came up with this cupcake and I hope she liked it as much as we did. It is seriously heaven in a cupcake! My husband Mikie came home at ate 3 before she changed his clothes from work.
This post could have also been titled “the evolution of dirty hair”, but I didn’t think that was very inviting. But I am a mom, and I do have hair so mom hair it is! Lately I have gotten a few questions as to “how I go so long without washing my hair”, totally justified question. Chris actually asks me this all the time. He just for the life of him cannot understand why I don’t wash my hair everyday. Simple answer is….I don’t have that kind of time. I can maybe jump in the shower for six minutes before someone has attempted the amputation of limbs from another someone in the house. So I thought I would just lay it out for you.
Aren’t Mason jars the neatest things? I don’t know why I am so drawn to them, maybe because they remind me of a simpler time. My grandmother made the best jams, and always used those jars. I found these lovelies in a thrift store, and had to get them. They say Golden Harvest on the side with an embossed cornucopia.
I saw a news story recently that made me think about moments from my own past. My own experiences with racism.
The news story was about a black actress that was detained by police and accused of being involved in “Lewd Acts” with her white boyfriend. I know that there is always more than one side to a story, so I am not promoting one side or the other. I am just going to share the experience of my own that this reminded me of.
I’m going to say something that the ‘Mom Gods’ are going to be mad at me for but it needs to be said: Today, I realized, even if only for a few hours, that being stuck at home with a sick baby was just what I needed.
If there’s one thing I don’t want this blog to become, it’s some sort of marker for that one person who “has it all, does it all, can be it all” without batting an eye or dropping a bead of sweat. Authenticity and transparency mean a lot to me, and if there is any one universal truth about what it means to be a working mom, it’s that no one’s journey is bullet proof and everyone has experienced some level of earth-shattering difficulty at some point in time.
When we removed the wall between the kitchen and the dining room a kitchen island was top on my list. After the wall came down I was more worried I didn’t have enough space to add an island. And after a while I actually decided against it. Then the wheels started turning. I wanted an island that added storage and counter space but I didn’t want it to take up the entire room.
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Stop by and follow our featured bloggers! We’re sure you’ll love them as much as we do!
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Are you ready to start mixing it up?? Then, let’s go!
Make sure to add the button below to your sidebar to invite even more people to join the fun!
Thank you to Direct Energy for sponsoring today’s post and helping to support my family.
When you live in an apartment, you might think that it’s difficult to save money on your energy bills. You don’t always have control over things that can save you money. By default, your apartment may come with older appliances, if you don’t own the place, it can be difficult to have those removed and replaced with your own newer Energy Star options. However, today I’m going to share some ways that you CAN save money, even when living in an apartment.
Tips to Save Energy when you Live in an Apartment
Turn the lights off when you leave a room. This one is kind of a given, and probably something you’ve heard for as long as you’ve been old enough to turn off lights, but it’s effective. Less lights that you leave on, the less electricity you’re using, thereby leading to more energy saved. If you’re leaving a room, just flick the switch.
Change the type of light bulbs that you use. One thing you can change is the type of bulb you use in all of your lights. My advice is if you’re not currently using Energy Star light bulbs, you run out and grab some and switch all your lights out. It will save you money and even better, they last longer!
Switch Out Your Thermostat – Obviously you need your landlord’s permission for this one, but if you don’t ask, you’ll never know – and it can be a pretty easy fix. If you have an old school thermostat, that you cannot program, you’re losing money. You can switch it out for any basic programmable model, or this beauty, a Nest Learning Thermostat. By getting setting a thermostat to adjust when you’re asleep or away, you can save money on your energy bill. Pretty simple, huh? (If you’re interested in the Nest Learning System, stay tuned till the end on how to enter a giveaway.)
Unplug power cords. Here’s another easy one, but one that can lead to a pretty big chunk of power usage – all of those power cords and battery packs that you leave plugged in when not in use, burn about 15% of the energy that’s flowing into your house. After you’re done charging your phone, unplug the cord and put it to the side. Do yourself a favor and lower your electric bill!
Skip the bath. Look, I love baths as much as the next guy, but they use a TON of water. Keep the baths to a minimum and just take quick showers instead of a daily bath.
Cover your windows with plastic. Trust me, I know. I resisted this, too. It just doesn’t have the same lovely appeal that a fresh, clear window does BUT it will keep the heat in AND your energy bills down. This is especially useful when you live in an older home with really drafty windows. Remember, your whole goal is to keep saving energy.
Use a draft stopper. I think if you were to stand by someone’s door in the winter time, the draftiest and coldest part would be down at the bottom. All that cold air is getting in and your precious warm air is going out, stop this from happening by using a draft stopper. You can find some cute ones all over the place.
There you have it, my top tips on saving energy. There are some really easy and practical fixes that you can put into effect TODAY!
In the meantime, if you’d like to win a Nest Learning Thermostat, Direct Energy is giving 5 systems away. Direct Energy is committed to helping their customers build a smarter home, and thus cut down on their energy usage – which can save you, the customer, time and make your lives easier. Currently they’re offering the opportunity for anyone to learn more about creating a smarter home by visiting their Facebook page, or exploring their Comfort and Control Plans.
Their Comfort and Control Plans, 24 or 36 month plans offer fixed rate price stability, and a Nest Learning Thermostat (a $249 value) at no cost to you. AND, they’re giving one of these away – all you need to do is CLICK HERE, fill out the information and then enter to win.
Your turn!
What ways do you try to save energy? Share in the comment below, whether you live in an apartment or in a home.
Welcome to the 17th week of the Social Media Mixer!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Week 16 – we had 150 blogs and numerous social media link-ups!
The Social Media Mixer is all about networking and making connections. Also, you can gain exposure and increase your social media following! Link up your blog posts and social media accounts and mix it up with some of the other linkers. Each week, the Weekday Mixer will start on Saturday nights at 8:00pm and go on until Wednesday nights at 11:59pm. A blog post will be chosen each week by each of the hosts and guest hosts and featured in the following week’s link-up! If chosen, a brief summary about yourself and your blog/website and all of your social media accounts will be featured. It’s a great way to stand out among the crowd! One blogger will be chosen for 2 weeks of free ad space on Epic Mommy Adventures!
A couple weeks ago, I gave you all a look into a little black dress bridal shower that was thrown for my best friend. I showed that for the shower game, we had a wine tasting. It seemed to be very well received by all of the guests! For me, I had a blast getting the game ready and that included making these really cute {and inexpensive} chalkboard wine glasses. Not only did they serve purpose during the wine tasting game, but they doubled as party favors for each guest to take home. As promised earlier, here is my step-by-step guide at how I created them!
Fall is finally here, and I am loving it! In honor of my favorite season (don’t I say that about all seasons?) I would like to share with you some of my previous fall inspired posts.
You guys! This has been on my to-do list for like…EVER. Ok really not that long, but really since Hannelore was born. I know these are all over Pinterest, but I still love it. I love how simple it is.
A few of my friends and/or readers have told me they don’t consider me frumpy. Thank YOU! I truly appreciate that and then I thought about it. First, anyone who is friends with me on Facebook has a somewhat biased view of my “frumpiness” because I typically wouldn’t post a pic of me in all my frumpy glory (though I have unluckily been tagged in a few – thank you “friends”). The other thing is that while I may not always appear frumpy, sometimes it’s more about how I feel about how I look.
This year money is pretty tight. Paying for all of our expenses, including grad school loans for two people, on one income does not leave a lot of room in the budget for seasonal decorating. Can you relate? Well I’m going to be sharing a series of projects and posts dedicated to decorating on a budget, namely for fall.
I’ve never been a, “I have to have my coffee or I can’t function” type person. Thank God. I do enjoy coffee though, and have learned it certainly helps as a sleep deprived mom of 3. It’s a rare day I get to actually drink the coffee though, and I usually have about 4 half empty, or half full if you want to be an optimist, cups of coffee spread throughout the house. Here’s how drinking coffee typically goes in this house. (Mind you, MANY steps of the day are missing. This is just a generalized run down of the coffee drinking process.)
Have you ever browned butter? I have just recently been introduced to brown butter from a friend who is well-versed in it. She came over for a lesson in pie crust making, and I got a lesson in how to make my first brown butter. I don’t know why for so long I have been intimidated with this magical secret ingredient! Not anymore!
As I mentioned in my recent garden update, I have vegetables coming out my ears! When I planted the garden, my plan was to make homemade salsa with all the fresh vegetables from our garden. I had no idea how many batches of salsa I would be making, but the count is currently up to eight. Eight batches of salsa, folks!
It’s beginning to feel a lot like fall… and I’m excited. It’s not about the pumpkins, or sweaters, or not sweating the second you step outside. For me, fall is all about the honeycrisp apple. If you’ve never eaten a honeycrisp, you are missing out on life. I pretty much don’t want to eat anything else. They are so perfectly crispy and sweet. When honeycrisps aren’t in season, I have a hard time eating apples. They have ruined all other apples for me. They are everything an apple should be.
We went blueberry picking in July at a local U Pick Farm. We had fun picking blueberries and even ran into old neighbors, but boy was it hot out. S did a great job picking and trying to fill up her own container. However, after about 5 pounds of blueberries S was done.
Our laundry room was kind of dark and dreary. This was the first thing we remodeled when we moved into our home. We started by taking out the old and slanted cabinets. Then we took off the old and gross paneling.
This week, I want to share with you my tips for landing a job, even while you’re pregnant! I actually applied to and interviewed for jobs while I was pregnant, because I wanted to have a better job lined up for when I eventually decided to return.
Congratulations!! You have won 2 weeks of free ad space on Epic Mommy Adventures! Please e-mail Natasha at 1EpicMommy@gmail.com for more information on your free ad space.
Stop by and follow our featured bloggers! We’re sure you’ll love them as much as we do!
If you were featured above, feel free to share the badge below with pride on your blog or website!
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Are you ready to start mixing it up?? Then, let’s go!
Make sure to add the button below to your sidebar to invite even more people to join the fun!
Hey readers!! I’m so excited that you’re joining us for another week. I’m really really looking forward to getting the opportunity to read all of your great posts. Also, please remember that we feature many of the best blog posts in this actual link-up!! That means that if chosen, you’ll be featured across 29 different blogs. That means 29 different audiences will have the opportunity to view your work. That sounds like a great reason to link-up, to me!! Look forward to reading them all!! 🙂
The Emmys are here! Are you watching it? To celebrate the Emmys, we are going a bit glamorous this week! Do you have any Emmy or celebrity posts? Share it here! How about funny and entertaining posts? Share them here! But, please don’t feel limited – share anything you’d like!
Thanks so much to everyone that joins us each week and makes this blog hop the best that it could be!
As you may know, Turn It Up Tuesdays is all about being happy, excited, energetic…and having fun! Link up your favorite posts (old or new) and meet some awesome bloggers in return! Link up your funny stories, DIY posts, recipes, mommy moments — anything at all, as long as it is family-friendly. We want to laugh, be entertained, be inspired, and have a good time!
“Heartbeats Soul Stains is a place I’d like to share my thoughts and experiences on being a woman, wife, a mother of 7, friend and survivor of many different obstacles, challenges and tragedy.
I will share the good, the bad and the oh so ugly things that happen in a family our size. Life is hard for all of us, we all have those crosses to carry. Life is also very beautiful and precious and I am determined to never take the amazing blessing I have been given for granted.”
Stop by and check out her blog…it’s definitely a great read!
Are you interested in having your blog or website featured in this spot? Then, sponsor Turn It Up Tuesday for a month! Click here! It’s only $5 for an entire month!
We’re accepting sponsors for 2015!
Interested in being a guest host or becoming a permanent co-host?
Complete the form here! Monthly co-hosts will be chosen on a first come first-serve basis. We’re now accepting guest hosts for October, November and December.
Here are the Featured posts from last week!
Victoria chose How to deal with difficult family members from Snippets of Inspiration. “I chose How to with Difficult Family Members because we all have those family members who can get under our skin. This article is right on point when it comes to how to deal with them without running your blood pressure up in the process.”
Kelly chose obstacle course from Life’s Little Projects. “I love fun activities that gets kids moving, especially when it is done frugally at home.”
Tara chose Fabric-Covered End of Summer Wreath from Melanie Gets Married. “This bright colors on this wreath really caught my eye when I saw it. I love everything about it, the different prints and bright fun colors really just come together!”
Elie chose Grilled Sweet Peppers Wrapped in Bacon from Home Is Where The Heart Is. “You had me at bacon…and grilled! Two of my favorite things! These will go great with our burgers this weekend!”
Chelsea chose Facts of Life: After Baby from Logan Can… “This post was so incredibly true. I think every mom can relate to what she shared, especially about the date night’s! Loved it!”
Jillian chose How I Organized My Life with this DIY Aqua & Gold Chalkboard Calendar from Making It In The Mountains. “I love her post about making a calendar that she has posted to organize her life. I’m constantly looking for new and exciting ways to organize and this inspired me to find a calendar for the wall in my office. I love it!!”
Rachel chose Our Debt-Free Journey {One} from Blessed in Alabama. “I chose this post because it’s hard to be honest with ourselves sometimes and I greatly admire anyone who starts this journey. I have bounced back and forth between no debt and manageable debt and I completely understand the hardwork and sacrifice it takes to achieve a debt-free status. Good Luck to Toni and this will be a great journey to read along with!”
Stacey chose Doctor Who Scarf Bracelets from Sum of Their Stories. “These bracelets are amazing! I have spent this past week re-watching seasons 2 through 7 of Doctor Who, in great anticipation of the new season premiere of the 12th Doctor. I feel that this is a fitting post to choose as a favorite, wishing that I could knit, because I would definitely make these! Thank you so much for sharing!”
Jessica chose Gratitude vs. Mindfulness from Reflective Mama. “I love her take on concentrating on the “now”. Today, I think many of us tend to get super busy with “distractions” such as emails, text messages, etc. whenever we have that “free moment.” I think we need to unplug during the day and appreciate the “now” around us like the baby giggles or even taking time to smell the roses. Awesome post and great reminder on living in the now!”
Tenns chose Organized: 5 Tips to getting the most out of your day from 180 Days to Happy. “You can never have enough organization tips! I’m always looking for ways to maximize my time and what I do throughout each day. I’ll definitely be keeping this post on handle for how to do it even better!”
Sandy chose Latitude & Longitude {HOME} Wall Art from Home.Made.Interest. “This is my favorite for the week – Using latitude and longitude is such a great way to personalize your home. This would also make a great house warming or bridal shower gift. Being the thrifty gal I am, I love that you found these pieces in a scrap bin. Thank you for the inspiration!”
Becky chose Fall Dollar Store Craft Contest from My Pinterventures. “I loved this post because it’s fantastic idea. So many DIYs consist of things that are expensive. I love a good, cheap, craft and can’t wait to see what happens with this link up. I may even give it a whirl!”
Silvie chose Mini Strawberry Sweet Rolls with Vanilla Cream Glaze from Born To Bake Forever. “I chose this because I have a weakness for both strawberries and desserts! After trying this recipe I have found another delicious family favorite.”
Kimberly chose How To Create An Awesome Blog Profile Picture from Barbie Bieber and Beyond – Raising Girls. “I have been using the Google+ widget to provide a profile pic on my blog. But I have been wanting to change it up for some time now. This post showed me the perfect way to do so using Canva. The tutorial tells you how to upload the finished product in Blogger, but if you are a WordPress user like me, you can still get it done.”
Link up your posts, make some friends, and earn the chance to be featured or become the Best of the Best on Turn It Up Tuesday! We will feature the favorite posts each week!
![cherry cheesecake cupcake_thumb[5]](http://epicmommyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cherry-cheesecake-cupcake_thumb5-500x463.jpg)
I’ve never been a, “I have to have my coffee or I can’t function” type person. Thank God. I do enjoy coffee though, and have learned it certainly helps as a sleep deprived mom of 3. It’s a rare day I get to actually drink the coffee though, and I usually have about 4 half empty, or half full if you want to be an optimist, cups of coffee spread throughout the house. Here’s how drinking coffee typically goes in this house. (Mind you, MANY steps of the day are missing. This is just a generalized run down of the coffee drinking process.)
