Skimbaco - The Lifestyle

I'm one of Walmart's Eleven Moms

2008-10-12T13:09:00.005-04:00

I was just recently chosen to be one of Walmart’s Eleven Moms. Eleven Moms is a group of real life moms and bloggers, who among many other things offer money saving tips in form of informative (and may I say fun) videos on Walmart’s YouTube channel. Not surprising for Walmart offering you always lot for your buck – “Eleven Moms” current number is actually 15 mothers (well, including one mother-to-be), and I wouldn’t be surprised if the number is even growing the next few weeks.

After I told about this for a few of my friends, I received raised eye-brows and questions why I would like to support a “company like Walmart”. As an emerging PR person, and social media consultant, my image is extremely important to me, and the question “who do I work with” is extremely important for me to answer right for the sake of the brand what I am trying to build for myself.

While partnering with an international retail giant is a no-brainer, I (too) had some negative feelings of Walmart. Especially after visiting one of their stores (in Leesville, Lousiana) this summer and the media recently portraying Sarah Palin’s biggest support group “Walmart Moms” (and I don’t agree with her politics, not that it really even matters, because as a Finnish citizen, I do not have a right to vote).

I'm sure I had several reasons not to have “my brand” mixed with Walmart's image.

I have more reasons to be part of something I believe is going to be revolutionary in American marketing history, with a company making world history.

Walmart has given me a change to have my voice heard by more people, and not to spread word of what they do or sell, but what I believe in. Living smart and saving money is one of them. Sustainability and living green is another one.

But this isn’t really about me. This is about something much bigger. Walmart didn’t just give me the spotlight to get my voice heard, they gave me a change to get your voice heard.

I was just visiting Bentonville, Arkansas, with the "other moms" learning more about Walmart's company culture and their marketing and sustainability programs among many other things. Women and especially moms form the largest group of customers for Walmart, and Walmart wants to reach out to this group even more than before and do it right. That's where me and other Eleven Moms come along. We offer them information what we real life moms think, like and want - all of us very involved with social media and blogging and voicing out not only the concerns of what we think, but also what our readers and people in our networks think.

I would love to hear your questions about Walmart, and hope to get you some answers you have been looking for. Please join me in my journey as one of Walmart's "marketing moms".

NYC TweetUp October 15th

2008-10-08T16:38:00.003-04:00

I want to meet you in New York!

WHAT: TweetUp - meet up for people who have met each others at Twitter

WHO: @katjapresnal, @BabiesGottaHavT, @PopJudaica,@AlexisNeely, @SavvyAuntie, @kaibigan7, @JanePorricelli, @jerseymomma... and please RSVP to this post so I can add YOU on the list!

WHY: For fun, networking, dinner

WHEN: 6:00 PM, Wednesday, October 15, 2008

WHERE: Film Centre Cafe, 635 Ninth Avenue, New York City

NEXT ONE: November, date to be determined.

Join Me in the Virtual Gal to Gal Walk

2008-10-04T17:22:00.003-04:00

What are you doing this October to raise breast cancer awareness?

I changed my Twitter avatar to the above picture and joined Gal to Gal Walk a fun virtual walk raising awareness of breast cancer and benefiting the Gal to Gal Foundation, the non-profit organization raising funds and awareness for stage IV breast cancer patients and their families.

These might be small things, but sometimes when small people do small things, and there are a lot of small people, we can all make a difference together. If my pink avatar makes one woman to go and have a mammogram taken or remember the recommended monthly self-breast examination, I have helped.

Actually, I encourage you to educate yourself of the risk factors for breast cancer and start breast cancer prevention by choosing a healthy life style.

I would also like you to join me to the Gal to Gal Walk and start helping those who are living in the most critical phase of breast cancer, right now.

Gal to Gal Walk

Send It To FIVE Friends - REGISTER TO VOTE NOW

2008-10-02T12:42:00.006-04:00

I was tagged to spread this important message and video by 3 Dog Media.

Watch this video, send it to five friends, that's not too much to ask. Then register to vote - you can find from Google where you can register to vote.

DON'T VOTE ... UNLESS YOU CARE

Unless you care about
health care,
war,
gun control,
women's rights,
children's rights,
social security,
wealth ware,
economy,
gay rights,
any rights,
your future,
your country
...

Unless you care.

The final day to register to vote is October 4th in many states. You must register now to be able to vote.

REGISTER NOW:
www.maps.google.com/vote

I'm tagging five people to spread the word:
Arianne
Jessica
Jill
Megan
Stacey

Ps. Check out the Blume Election Tees

Handmade Halloween - Make it Special This Year

2008-09-30T23:09:00.005-04:00

The leaves are starting to turn yellow, the nights are already cold, the days are getting shorter.. It's fall time, and that means that Halloween is soon!

I wanted to share a few cute handmade Halloween finds I found mainly at Etsy. Just adding cute accessories can make the whole outfit. Many handmade products are made to order, and if you wish to have any of these special items for this Halloween, I suggest ordering as soon as possible to ensure Halloween deliver!

This Halloween - be creative, and get accessories that can be used even after Halloween is over.

Twinkle-Kids Spooky Felt House ($59) will provide endless hours of non-messy "baking" time. Halloween fun guaranteed even for the rainy days.

Get into Halloween spirit with this Halloween ghost hair clip - your little girl can make a statement for only $2.

Custom hand painted and embroidered Converse Chuck Taylors, $59,99.

The shoes are not just meant for walking - they will rock any outfit, anytime. The designer also makes custom shoes to match any outfit, so even if the skulls are not in the plans for this Halloween, make sure to check out MamiGirlBoutique

Tote and Tee brings Halloween to every day. The funky tees with custom initial or number are great for school - or part of your imaginative halloween costume. The Halloween themed tee $34.

He wants to be the Spiderman?

Give a little spin to the cartoon character outfits, and choose something little more special. This Custom Spider Superhero Cape, $20, is customized with your child's initial and will be a treasured in the role-play after Halloween is way over.

Hannah's Tutus offers your little princess or witchess plenty of cuteness for trick or treating, choose from variety of tutus to fit your little girl's style and your budget. The Witch Tutu Costume pictured is $38.

If you love tutus, and the fairy tale princesses and fairies is what you daughter is all about, I also suggest checking out Trinity's Tutus for more tutu-cuteness. The Tinker Bell costume ($60) above is just too good to be true!

More Handmade Halloween Finds at my Wishpot List!

View my wish list on Wishpot »

Scary Sale at Boo-tique Skimbaco

2008-09-29T18:39:00.002-04:00

Skimbaco.com will have a SCARY SALE for the whole month of October. Talk about October fest!

I have lowered the prices super low - up to 75% off of your favorite kids' clothes brands like Tea Collection. Sweaters, jeans, pants, lots of great stuff for school. Sizes are very limited, and many styles have only a few sizes left. Shop NOW for the best selection. The sale officially starts on Wednesday, October 1st, but be the first in the know, and shop already now.

I am trying to get rid of all the sale items by the end of the month - I would really appreciate if you can spread the word of my big sale - everything MUST GO!

If you want to support my sale and store, you can copy and paste and use this banner during the month of October.

Medical Bracelets, IDs and Other Precautions Parents Need to Take

2008-09-28T11:56:00.007-04:00

This summer I found out I had 12 blood clots and I'm currently on blood thinners to solve those bad boys out of my lungs. I haven't really been writing much about this, and how I have been feeling lately. I think the main reason is that when the the thought really hit me (that I could have died) I freaked out. And I was trying to find a job and trying to keep my online presence a little less dramatic than the reality.

I'm OK now, really. I finally found an excellent doctor in New York, my blood levels are finally getting where they should be, and I have regular check ups now only every other week, instead of 1-2 times a week.

But it has been a wake-up call, and I can not emphasis enough: enjoy life every day, do things you are passionate about, you never know what happens tomorrow. And another life lesson learnt: take precautions. I've always been a big believer than well prepared is halfly done, and I like to plan everything. But I haven't really planned what happens if I am in an accident, or, gasp, die. Nobody really wants to think about that kind of stuff.

But I'm here now saying you must. I must.

I'm still working on this, but here is what I have done so far.

Medical Alert Bracelet by StudioJewel

I got a custom made medical alert bracelet, made by designer Lisa J Lehmann at StudioJewel. I wanted something special - if I was going to wear a medical alert bracelet, at least I wanted it to be fashionable, right? I told Lisa which ones of her designs were my favorites, and she made a custom bracelet just for me. I love it!

Don't need a medical alert bracelet but like the design? You'll love this Multi-Strand Leather Wood and Sterling Silver Bracelet (50$)

The paramedics and EMS personnel check your left wrist for medical alert bracelets, and they are able to give you the right care when then know your existing medical conditions or like in my case: the medicines you are taking. It is common to engrave your emergency contact info to the bracelet as well. My bracelet says "see wallet card" on the other side.

Wallet Card by MedIDs.com
I also got a wallet card stating my information, medicine I'm taking and emergency contact number. I got mine from MedIDs.com for free.

This is what they inform on their site should be on the emergency alert wallet cards:

- Name
- A list of your medical problems
- A list of your medications (including herbs and supplements)
- Name and phone number of your doctor
- Name and phone number of family or close friends
- Whether you wear contact lenses

I keep this card in my wallet, right next to my driver's license, in case I am not able to give this information myself. The card was really easy to make, and MedIDs.com let's you do it free at their website.

I read "Wear Clean Underwear"

I read Alexis Martin Neely's book Wear Clean Underwear!: A Fast, Fun, Friendly and Essential Guide to Legal Planning for Busy Parents and then things really hit me. I have to make a plan for my children, if something happens to me.

Get it now at Amazon, $11.53

Did your parents ever tell you to wear clean underwear in case you are in an accident? Mine did.

Alexis shows me in her book that wearing clean underwear is not enough now when I am a parent. She tells with real life examples how planning for the worst can make the biggest difference in your children's lives in the unfortunate case if something happens to you. I am a mother who cares about her children, I want my children being taken care of even when I'm gone. And I am ashamed to confess: I was in the group of 69% of parents who had not named guardians for their children. This had to change.

Alexis offers you several ways to be in the know what steps you need to take. You can read her book and visit one of the Personal Family Lawyers to assist you in the family estate planning and making all the legal documents needed if something happens to you. Alexis is so passionate about helping parents to do this, that she actually created a service for parents to name guardians for their children. Visit a free site Kids Protection Plan and learn more.

Kids Protection Planning Kit

I want to take this one step further though.

I want to make sure I am doing everything I can for my children, and next I'm going to purchase the Kids Protection Planning Kit to be even better prepared. The kit helps you to prepare the legal documents to name short and long term guardians for your children, and instructs how to write instructions for the guardians what to do and what values you would like them to teach your children.

The kit helps you to make instructions to everyone taking care of your children what to do in case of an accident and to whom to call. Also something that I hadn't even thought of - children need medical powers of attorneys to ensure they are getting the needed medical care in case you are not there when they need it. And like the medical ID - you will need a personalized ID card in your wallet telling you have minor children at home and the instructions what to do if something happens to you.

This kit is exactly what busy and caring parents need, and I can't wait to get this important issue taken care of. I will share my experience and what I think of the kit, after I have received it.

BlogWorldExpo for me was about Personal Branding

2008-09-24T12:41:00.011-04:00

Erin Kotecki Vest and me.

While conferences and trade shows are not anything new to me, I have been attending to some professionally since I was 19 years old, but I popped my cherry in Vegas for the first ever blogging / social media event.

My initial plan for the conference was to shake as many people's hands as I could, shovel my business card to everyone I possible could, speak up and spit out perfectly rehearsed sales pitch to everyone I could ping down to listen.

But that's not really me.

And I didn't even write down or practice the "perfect sales pitch". While most people I met heard that I work for America's Personal Family Lawyer Alexis Martin Neely as a PR / Social Media Specialist, I avoided making many sales pitches.

A PR person, who doesn't do sales pitches? Doesn't sound very professional, does it?

Let me explain why and what I did instead.

Some of the dominant themes in the social media are Personal Branding and Transparency.

The Old School PR was building an image, and building everything in your business, and your business persona around that image. The New School PR is all about being honest, being yourself and building your brand around what You Are.

The Old School PR people also said "there is no such thing as bad PR" and even Frank Sinatra believed all publicity was good as long as they spelled the name right.

Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park and me.

One of the keynote speakers was Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park and Mike (can I just call you Mike? After all, your music has been all over the Rockies with me and my skis.) said this exact same thing, and how that is so old school.

He said something like "if a magazine tells you got a groupie pregnant, and it's not true, it's not good publicity". While in the world of britneyspearses anything goes for many just for the (dis)honor of being in the magazine cover, this still makes perfect sense to most of us regular people.

I love marketing and PR, but it is totally different to build a brand or market a product when it isn't mine or especially when it isn't myself. As a PR person I find marketing myself my biggest pet peeve. It is very difficult for me to brag, tell how excellent I am, and do the sales pitch. So I don't do it often. And I avoided doing it at BlogWorldExpo. And that was part of my strategy to get noticed.

Since in the social media the transparency, honesty and being yourself (or you will get a kick in your nuts if you are playing to be someone else than who you are and get caught) are most important aspects, I wanted to show people who I really was in real life - the same person I am at Twitter or here in my blog.

I didn't jump in the front of Chris Brogan to tell what a fan of him and his site I was. And even when Gary Vaynerchuk, my biggest marketing and social media idol, said he was excited to meet me, shook my hand and commented because we both were wearing green (Gary would say here: "Go Jets"), I didn't ruin the moment by pulling out my business card and giving my sales pitch, or even telling that I have a huge professional crush on his work (that would have been awkward, but I'm sure he gets it a lot).

I thanked Darren Rowse for my BlogWorldExpo ticket, I won it in his blog contest, but didn't even give my business card. I danced with Laura Fitton and Pete Cashmore on Saturday night, but I'm sure he still doesn't know who I am. (It's OK, he will.)

I met highly appreciated website owners, and I wanted to ask if I could guest blog, or gasp, become a regular blogger on their site, I didn't. I talked to book publishers and authors, business owners and fellow PR people, and I didn't ask for a single thing for myself.

I asked instead: "What can I do for you".

I talked about the conference, about Twitter, even about skiing in Colorado and shopping in New York City, but I didn't do my sales pitch - until somebody asked for it. Relationships aren't built on sales pitches, relationships are built on trust, common interest and human connection.

The thing is, people hear the sales pitches all the time. I was hoping to be refreshing and who knows, maybe people will remember me for that. At least Nicolas Cage will, if nobody else.

NYC TweetUp This Saturday!

2008-09-23T21:01:00.009-04:00

I want to meet you in New York!

WHAT: TweetUp - meet up for people who have met each others at Twitter

WHO: @katjapresnal, @BabiesGottaHavT, @SavvyAuntie, Nancymk, @helifreak, @kaibigan7, @ReelInvitations, @PopJudaica,@webmetricsguru, @Niche, @lindazimmer... and please RSVP to this post so I can add YOU on the list!

WHY: For fun, networking, cup of coffee

WHEN: 3:30 PM, Saturday, September 27th, 2008

WHERE: Le Pain Quotidien, 922 7th Ave at 58th St, New York City

NEXT ONE: October 15th.

Your opinion matters

2008-09-16T09:03:00.000-04:00

Old marketing and sales rules are changing. Your opinion matters and your voice as a consumer is heard better than ever.

Imagine this example.

A customer walks into a bike shop to purchase a simple just-to-get-around-bicycle. The store offers only special mountain bikes and expensive race bikes in addition to their vast collection of winter sports gear. There is a sporting goods store close by selling a product exactly what the customer is looking for, but he doesn't know it.

Old World Sales Man:
The sales person understands that they don't really offer anything the customer is looking for, but gives an impressive sales pitch, why the customer should spend three times more money than he originally had thought of, and buy one of the high tech mountain bikes. The customer buys the bike, but regrets it afterwards, because it wasn't really what he was looking for. When the winter comes, he doesn't return to the store, and tells his friends to get their gear from somewhere else too.

New World Sales Man:
The sales person understands that they don't really offer anything the customer is looking for, but tells that there is a sporting goods store in the next block, where they sell the type of bikes he is looking for. The customer buys the bike from the other store, but remembers the sales person's honesty afterwards. When the winter comes, he returns to the store, and tells his friends to get their gear from there too.

While you might say that there isn't anything Old and New in these examples, there is a huge difference whether this happened 10 years ago or today. In the Old World, the sales men got away with the "must sell" practices easier than in today's markets.

In today's market the customer might go home and blog or blast in his online network about his experience and thousands of other potential customers would hear about it. Social media is changing the way we buy and sales people sell.

In the Old World also the marketing strategies and sales pitches were also written in secrecy, and the new products were kept under the lid until the official launches. In the New World, the customers opinions are asked even before the product hits the market.

Your voice as a consumer is important to companies - use it. This is the best way to get the products and services you are looking for.

Want to give your voice to something today? Head to Intrepid Mompreneur and vote for a tag line to her banner for Kids Protection Planning Kit. Your vote counts. And even better: come up with a new tag line, and win a product every parent should have!

Get My News now Pimped

2008-09-13T08:15:00.006-04:00

Last night I listened to TwitCastRadio with Warren Whitlock and Deborah Micek, the inspiring authors of the Twitter Handbook.

On yesterday's segment, they interviewed John Atkinson of PimpMyNews. It took me a second to really get the business idea of talking blogs, and then when I did, it hit me like a train. PimpMyNews offers your favorite blogs in an audio form. No, not just podcasts, not just the blogs with audio or video blogging, but PimpMyNews translates the written text to an audio form. And that's not all, but PimpMyNews converts the audio to MP3 files, which you can listen with any MP3 player, or from your iPod, iPhone or from your computer.

So let's get this straight: I could start exercising, and listen to my blog feed while on treadmill? Yes!

You can take your favorite blogs anywhere with you. You thought just reading the blogs from your phone was cool - think of listening your blogs while you drive the car, cook dinner, run, exercise, walk your dog... The possibilities are endless.

PimpMyNews is one of the new sites and applications absolutely revolutionizing the blogosphere. And among all the cool guys, trendsetters and early adopters, is listed also my little blog called Skimbaco Lifestyle. My blog is listed under Lifestyle and Mommy Blogs. It is pretty lonely in that category. In fact, my blog is so far the only blog listed under Mommy Blogs (talk about being an early adopter on my niche!).

Get my news now pimped, and join PimpMyNew today and have your blog listed there!

Orville Redenbacher's Natural Popcorn Warning

2008-09-10T19:35:00.003-04:00

Just in - a warning of Orville Redenbacher's Natural Popcorn.

Please visit Mom-o-Matic and read how the Orville Redenbacher's Natural Popcorn burnt her hand "You know how hot steam is when it comes out of the top of a microwave popcorn bag? Well imagine that in clingy, liquid form" on her hand!

What if it had been one of her children, or face?

This was a second bag of popcorn that obviously had a defect, and the lady contacted the Orville Redenbacher customer service. The Orville customer service offered to send her $10 as a an apology, and when asked to send out a warning to consumers that there might be more than just these two defective bags they answered no, but "they would pass it along to packaging department after they sent some coupons".

Consider this blog post the public warning of Orville Redenbacher's Natural Popcorn bag defects which might cause burns. Let's put our mommy blogging network in good use and tell other moms out there about this too, allright?

Please Digg it, Stumble it, Kirtsy it, Tweet it, best of all: blog it.

Fierce Hugs Tote Giveaway

2008-09-07T08:34:00.005-04:00

Fierce Hugs is one of your top onesie and t-shirt destinations for babies. Their artistic and delightful designs make you smile and your baby and tot look hip. What I like about this company the best though is that all the tees and onesies are made of organic cotton from Fair Trade farmers. Now, that's something to feel extra good about.

Fierce Host is sponsoring us a fun giveaway of something hip and fun for you - A Fierce Hugs Tote Bag! The bag isn't available for sale yet, so be among the very first ones to carry this fun tote bag.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
1. Comment on this post with a link to your blog (or e-mail address, so I have a way to contact you) with your favorite Fierce Hugs design.
2. Deadline: September 23th 12 PM EST.

PS. Please check out Isabella's Best School Outfit Photo Contest for more fun prizes.

NEW LOOK - NEW ADDRESS

2008-09-06T19:44:00.003-04:00

I have been thinking about a real niche for my blog, and realized that I'm more like a YNIIDI-type of a girl and finding a specific niche has been difficult for me to focus.

See, originally this blog was only going to be an extension to my store Skimbaco.com, but evolved to something much more personal than that. Mainly because of you my dear reader. According to blog comments and my traffic stats, You wanted to hear more about my crazy life, than just product reviews of children's products.

Now I have made a decision, and finally changed the blog to a domain it should have been for a long time: www.skimbacolifestyle.com. I hear people asking all the time how to say Skimbaco, and what does it mean. I posted to my new header!

I made the word "Skimbaco" up two years ago.

I went against what everyone teaches you about SEO, I wanted my domain and store name be something unique. This was my only way of knowing my real online success and reach - how fast and how far a word I made up would go. When I came up a word "Skimbaco" there were ZERO google results. Today - I know all the over 22,000 hits are about my store or me.

While skimba=skiing and co=Colorado could mean just it: skiing in Colorado, I would like to explain that it is much more. It is the way to live your life to the fullest, enjoy every minute of it. Our kids were born in three different countries, my husband is a hot helicopter test pilot from Texas, I am a former model & PR girl from Finland, and our life together is roller coaster we enjoy. From skiing in Colorado to shopping in New York, and everything between. We make lemonade out of life's bitter lemons and take crazy leaps to new adventures.

Please check your feed subscriptions (I know you are there, thank you!), I'm off from my bloggy training wheels now, I have my own domain www.SkimbacoLifestyle.com

PS. One of the reasons I had to do it... I'm going to Blog World Expo in Las Vegas in a few weeks. Just couldn't print .blogspot.com in my biz cards.. The YNIIDI is also printed in my biz cards - can you think what that means?

Photo contest entries - and fabulous children's clothing

2008-09-06T18:43:00.003-04:00

We've had some photo submissions already to Isabella's Best School Outfit Photo Contest! I wanted to share two cute outfits with you already today - these outfits are delightful and unique, and you can find the clothing designers online! Remember, I am not a judge on the photo contest, and have no saying who will get to the finals :)

"Hi my name is Anna...I'm almost 6 years old. My mommy made me this outfit to wear to Kindergarten. I like comfy clothes I can play in...but hate to sacrifice my fun, funky style! I take horse back riding lessons so this horsey knit was right up my alley!! And who can resist a fun brown polka dot?!? My mom is Takeabowcreations on ebay. "

Please check out Anna's mom's blog Take a bow for more insights how to get her beautiful clothing. She is also a talented photographer, and her blog is a joy to visit.

This beauty is Sydney, and her outfit is made of one of my favorite fabrics, a Finnish stable, Marimekko's Unikko. Just like Anna's, Sydney's outfit is made by her mother. Sydney's mother, Patty Young blogs at ModKidBoutique, and her creations you can find at Etsy in her store modkid - but hurry, the availability is limited! Patty has just recently signed a fabric designing contract with Michael Miller Fabrics, and her first fabric line will hit the stores this fall and will focus in this new venture. How exciting for Patty - congratulations!

Please send your kid's photo for the contest - and she/he and you might be featured in my next blog post!

Best School Outfit Photo Contest

2008-09-04T19:33:00.007-04:00

Isabella is wearing Tote & Tee ABC 123 tee.

ISABELLA'S "BEST SCHOOL OUTFIT" PHOTO CONTEST

WHY: Baby photo contest here, Hot Blogger Calendar contest there.... and eight year old Isabella felt like there wasn't anything for kids of her age. So she decided to host her own contest - for school kids.

WHAT: Send a picture of your child wearing his/her favorite school outfit (ages 4-10 years old), and we'd like to hear why it is the child's favorite outfit. Like Isabella's video entry? Go for it!

WHEN: We'll take photo submissions in until September 17th. Then our guest judge Jill Notkin, the owner of a fabulous children's boutique Alex Casey Baby and a blogger at The Daily Grind of a Work at Home Mom, will choose 6 finalists. Starting on September 18th we'll start a voting poll running until the September 24th. The winner will be announced on September 25th.

WINNER: Winner will get a Tote & Tee t-shirt of her/his choice customized with initial or number and a funky lunch box. (total value: 63$)

WHATEVAH: Send photos to info at skimbaco dot com with title PHOTO. By submitting a photo you give us the right to post it on our blog(s) and share it with our readers.

Jenna McCarthy's Parent Trip - Hot off the Press

2008-09-03T10:26:00.008-04:00

The laugh out aloud funny (I've heard pee-in-your-pants funny..) book, Jenna McCarthy's The Parent Trip: From High Heels and Parties to Highchairs and Potties, just came out this week.

When you are looking for a funny book to give a new mom, this one will be The One to pick. Jenna's writing style is engaging, insightful, and did I already say funny..? From hot shot fashion writer and a mom of two, Jenna offers a refreshing view to motherhood.

A short excerpt from the book, Jenna says you should never heat your baby's food because "when your baby eats food for the first time, she has no idea what to expect. But if you give it to her heated up from the get-go, you’re unintentionally creating a warmed-food snob. More importantly, you’re up the creek if you’re forced to serve it up cold, say in a restaurant or during a blackout."

Available at Amazon

A few good picks for moms to read.

Want to know how you can get a Porsche?

2008-09-02T23:59:00.003-04:00

I have a theory "anyone could buy a Porsche" and I have been preaching this theory to my friends and family for years. The theory applies to gaining everything else in life as well - for example to achieving your dream job.

You wanna know how I realized that I had just found my dream job... I found an article written by my new boss Alexis Martin Neely and she almost exactly describes my "anyone could buy a Porsche" theory. She titled her article "How Can I Afford It?".

And if you want to know my theory on how anyone could buy a Porsche - I'll tell you how on a new community called Moms Money Matters - where moms talk about money, from one mom to another.

You might also be interested in subscribing to Alexis' Family Wealth Secrets Online Magazine.

Tweetup in New York

2008-09-01T19:52:00.003-04:00

I want to meet you in New York!

September is here and we should really decide on the TIME and PLACE of the TweetUp. After reading everyone's messages I'm trying to accommodate as many people's wishes as possible and made a decision for Saturday September 27th. I am thinking a late afternoon so even moms with babies can attend, with an option to continue the night out somewhere else afterwards (hey, this mama has never partied in NYC so somebody better show me some good time :) I have a feeling that a two hour quick meet and greet isn't enough, I've been waiting to meet you guys for so long.

According the answers to the tread I'm assuming it'll be around 15-20 people. Since I'm the new girl in town, I am going to need some help from the Real New Yorkers to set up the place.

Please RSVP to katja.presnal at skimbaco dot com or preferably by leaving a comment here so everyone can see who is coming.

I'll let everyone know of the exact time and place as we get it figured out, but for now on mark the Saturday, September 27 afternoon (and evening!) to your calendars.

UPDATE: two already said 27th isn't gonna work for them. Let's keep it still nro 1 option, but if that doesn't work for you, would October 4th be ok?

Calendar Girl here, hello

2008-09-01T12:34:00.001-04:00

Thank you so much for everyone who voted and helped me to get to the calendar. Against all odds - I made it!

Chief Mom Officers offer an answer on how to market to moms

2008-08-31T23:54:00.009-04:00

I know, this comes as a shocking news to you: moms have brains. Even the stay-at-home kinds.

Another tidbit for you: moms spend most of the household money.

No, I'm not just referring for those care free days of lunching and shopping at the malls with the other mommy friends, I really mean Most of the Money. Who do you think makes up the mind of the family car? Or in which house the Mom wants the family to live in? Does mom do the grocery shopping and how about decorating the new house? These are all big money purchases here, and yes, in many households, it's the mom who makes the purchasing decisions.

Companies have recognized moms as a large target market for years, but failed going deeper to the niche markets. "Mom" isn't just the classic soccer mom, who smiles at the thought of lavender smelling laundry. The companies need better insights to really understand what the target market mothers really is about and find the niches within.

THIS IS WHERE CHIEF MOM OFFICERS COME IN THE PICTURE

Social shopping site Wishpot.com was the first company to say it aloud and seek an employee who had both: marketing and sales experience and mommy experience to manage their (surprise:) baby channel. Important part of the job was to connect and network with other mothers. Wishpot.com hired Jessica Smith as the first ever Chief Mom Officer earlier this summer.

Jessica Smith jumped on the hot tamale train with the revolutionizing concept of Chief Mom Officers. "In a nutshell, if you are a company offering a product or service to parents, especially Moms, hiring a Chief Mom Officer will give you a company evangelist, a social networker, and leader" Jessica says on her Chief Mom Officer website. Chief Mom Officer is the perfect position for those maybe even (temporarily) domesticated professional women, who are moms, but also have had work experience in sales and marketing.

HOW TO BECOME ONE

The Chief Mom Officer position is also the perfect job for many of us bloggers, networkers and online mommies. If you are new to blogging and networking, start getting connected online. Connect with me (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook), and I am more than happy to introduce you to other networking mommies out there.

You can also connect with other moms and companies supporting the concept at the Chief Mom Officer Facebook Group and the LinkedIn Group. Follow the open Chief Mom Officer job positions at the ChiefMomOfficer.org Career Site.

Help Jessica to spread the word of Chief Mom Officers. The more noise we make, the better the corporate world will hear of this concept and the more companies will want to hire a Chief Mom Officer. When Jessica has announcements, spread the word.

If you are serious about this - Jessica even offers consulting and coaching.

COMPANIES HIRING

Besides the obvious benefits for the companies hiring Chief Mom Officers, Jessica also offers coaching and recruiting consulting to companies.

I would like you to look closely at the marketing procedures of Jessica helping Babyspot.com, who announced that they are hiring a Chief Mom Officer today.

Jessica has been building the anticipation for days telling she has "a big announcement" coming. Mommies, the potential Chief Mom Officers, have been anxiously waiting for the "big news". Jessica announces the news will be posted on Sunday evening at the Chief Mom Officer LinkedIn group. Jessica also starts the Facebook group for better visibility. Sunday evening comes, and the announcement. People go crazy, and start sending questions, even before the job posting is up.

A press release of the new opening is released. Jessica starts a site for open Chief Mom Officer position at Standoutjobs.com and the new opening is posted there first thing on Monday morning.

By the time the job post is up, tens of potential Chief Mom Officers already knew about it - even though it is Labor Day, and the corporate offices are empty.

I bet Babyspot.com CEO is happy about Jessica's marketing efforts and the fact they are receiving qualified applications by numbers. Not to mention - the press coverage they will be getting, including this blog post. Babyspot.com is showing it is a company who takes marketing to moms seriously and appreciates its target market. Now, this is the positive PR any company marketing to moms needs.

You put me on the spot

2008-08-30T23:35:00.004-04:00

I think I almost had a writer's block. And then it developed to the longest blog post ever.

I mean come on, you nominated me to the Hot Blogger Calendar and now I have to show that that's what I am. One steamin' piece of the blogosphere's best.

Since I have been moving, I actually almost missed the whole thing. On Wednesday morning I clicked to the Hot Blogger Calendar site and realized it was full game on. There were bloggers who had gotten over 300 votes by Wednesday. And I had 15 votes.

Oh, I'm so thankful for those 15 people who had voted me, I would have been so so sad, if there hadn't been any votes. I noticed I was listed only by my full name (now it is changed, thanks Jane and Sarah), and realized many people know me better just as Skimbaco, since I also used my company name as my twitter handle for a long time. I was trying to explain myself this must be the reason for my low votes. Of course, all my best friends are also on the list.

I panicked. I have been tooting my horn as a PR person and as a social media and networking girl, and here I was. No votes (well, 15), and I hadn't done anything for promote my presence in the race. I had forgotten the whole thing due all the other things going on.

I had two options.

Just lay low, and hope people didn't even notice that I was on the list, almost hope I wasn't on the list, so I wouldn't have to do anything. As a marketing and PR-girl, self-promotion is my biggest weakness.

My other option was to get up and do something, and at least save my face as not being the girl who didn't even try. And you know me - shait happens to me all the time ( Shait = just a little Germanlish word we made up a few years ago, so kids wouldn't learn a bad word for poop), and I'm not really afraid of failure, but what I can't take is not trying at all.

So I did. I took the Hot Blogger Calendar race by the horns.

First I called my best friend, and she calmed me down from the panicked situation of me feeling being publicly totally humiliated and helped me to get a game plan. I realized that I shouldn't just give up on it, and not just for me, but also for Jane and Sarah, who have been working really hard to get the whole calendar thing going on. They work so hard, and Jane is a dear friend of mine, I should do my best to promote the Hot Blogger Calendar, and show how excited I am to be part of it. Show what an honor it is to be part of it.

The Hot Blogger Calendar is as good as we all make it together, I thought. I had to be part of the race, I had to have the all-it-takes attitude. I had to do it not just for me, but for everyone involved.

Since I practically know half of the other amazing female hot blogger candidates, and we all know a lot of same people, I knew I had to pull out the big guns. The only way I could even just to save my face, was to use my connections in Finland - these were the ones nobody else knew. Me and my friend contacted almost everyone we knew in Finland, and posted about it to one discussion board we are both part of.

What I didn't expect that the discussion board conversation went crazy, and there were also haters who said they'd rather vote someone else than me. They even started googling other contestants! I know my blog traffic has exploded since Wednesday, and I know suddenly even The Daily Grind of a Work at Home Mom has 5% of her readers coming from Finland. This is what I meant - this is as good of a thing as we all make it together. I have made a difference, even if I'm not among the winners. I helped others to get votes and traffic too.

I honestly first thought that there will be only 6 women and 6 men in the calendar.

There were over 230 women in the list, and I had 15 votes and wasn't even in the top 100 on Wednesday morning. Mission impossible and I knew it. I still started "campaigning"- what I had to loose? I had everything to gain.

I posted a shocking picture of me. No, I wasn't naked when it was taken, and my kids were running around the house while my husband took it in our kitchen. I was a bit shocked that some of the contestants were taking the word "hot" meaning sexy. I thought it was something totally different. There was no way I'd wear sexy lingerie for a photo, nor say that I'm sexy. So I posted a photo, which many people knowing me have thought is hilariously funny.

I guess for many people being naked or even remotely applying to it is a bigger issue than wearing sexy lingerie in public. I don't know. I'm from Finland, and over there we go to public saunas naked all the time. And what's better than rolling in the snow making butt-marks with our sauna-hot nekkid booties (really, I have done it, many times). Showing a little shoulder - I didn't think it was that big of a deal. Besides, I don't even own any sexy nightgowns. I sleep naked.

Funny thing was, that my picture and link to my blog was posted on a website offering "office safe peeking". I'm sure they were disappointed when they came (in big numbers) to my blog to "peek some skin" and saw my pictures of lemonade and Olympic uniforms. But I think these office "peekers" voted too.

By Thursday evening I was 15th on the list. I think around that time someone told me there actually will be 12 women in the calendar and I thought "Holy Sheit, I have a chance!"

Thanks to all my friends, and their friends, and all the wonderful Finns, by Friday morning I was 10th on the list. By this time many had already given up with hope, but good 30 candidates were still fighting for the spots.

On Friday I thought I had done it all. I had contacted my friends, I had asked their help. I had mixed feelings of my photo, maybe some people thought I was really trying to be sexy, while I just wanted to be funny. I had so many direct messages from men I had never even talked to before on Twitter, and even had to write someone an email saying "I'm interested in the blog ad program your company offers but I'll pass on the amish porn" (don't ask, he said something about a buggy).

I consulted with my best girlfriend again, and asked if she thought it was appropriate to send an e-mail to all my contacts, including my customers. I have about 10 different newsletter lists and finally as one of the last straws I sent out e-mails to half of them yesterday. And the votes started pouring in.

The thing is though, that they are pouring in for the other contestants too. I have been going from the 9th position to the 15th today, and I am so close being "in", and so close being "out". Can't you see that I'm passionate about this, and I shouldn't be forced to say "Auf Wiedersehen" to the Hot Blogger Calendar?

Just keep voting.

I promise, with this passion I'll make it worthwhile for having me in the calendar.

Ps. Thanks for linkage:

Hot Blogger Calendar
Joolz
NeenMachine

What? I'm not hot enough?

2008-08-27T19:05:00.016-04:00

The Hottest Female Bloggers poll for Hot Blogger Calendar has gotten almost 7700 votes so far - phenomenal!

But me - not so many votes.

Are you people trying to say I'm not hot enough? I have heard people say I am as hot as the pancake griddle at Cracker Barrel on Sunday mornings.

UPDATE:
Wohoo - my fellow Finns have been voting for me and I get lots of traffic from Finland. You can also read my message in Finnish.

Vote and win a T-shirt!

2008-08-27T08:30:00.007-04:00

Women's Election CollectionTee, 28$

I absolutely love the fun prints of The Blume Election Collection t-shirts (for everyone in the family). November 4th is getting closer and closer, now is the time to show your political view, national spirit - and the importance of voting.

Women's Election CollectionTee, 28$

Let's practice voting for a chance to win a t-shirt of your choice!

Yes - now you have a chance to win one of these awesome tees, available for women, men and children. I have been nominated for the Hot Blogger Calendar and need your help to make the cut. I am not doing too well so far - what, I'm not hot enough??- so I need a lot of help, please tell your friends too! The Hot Blogger Calendar photo shoot will take place in NYC in September. Hurry voting - the time ends soon!

VOTE AND WIN A TEE - HOW TO ENTER

1. VOTE FOR KATJA PRESNAL for Hot Blogger Calendar.
2. Leave a comment here with either a link to your blog or e-mail address how I can reach you if you win. If you don't have a blog, nor want to leave your e-mail here, just e-mail me to info at skimbaco dot com with a title "Vote!" and you can attend the giveaway.

3. Deadline: Sunday August 31st 12 PM

Kids' Election Collection Tee, 25$

Auta Katja Kalenteriin!

2008-08-27T05:47:00.001-04:00

Thanks to my fellow Finns I added a voting poll and message in Finnish!

SAMA SUOMEKSI

Joku ehdotti minua mukaan kisaamaan mahdollisuudesta olla "Hot Blogger Calendar 2009"- kalenterissa. Amerikkalaisten blogaajien kerma kilpailee nyt mahtavasta tilaisuudesta olla kalenterin kuvissa. Kalenteri ei ole pornahtava "kuumasta" nimestä huolimatta (saati sitten kuvastani :), ja kanssani kisailee erittäin kunnioitettuja amerikkalaisia blogailijoita.

Miksi haluan kalenteriin? Olen PR-alan ammattilainen ja näkyvyys on siis kaiken A ja O - kalenteri-hankkeen takaa löytyy kunnioitettu PR-firma, sekä muutama ammattilais-blogaaja, ja kalenterin myynti kohdistuu blogaajille ja sosiaalimarkkinoinnin saralla työskenteleville.

Tarvitsen sinun äänesi!!!!

Olen suhteellisen hyvin verkostoitunut Amerikassa blogaajien keskuudessa, mutta niin hyvien tyyppien kanssa että tunnen yli puolet kanssa-kilpailijattaristani, ja he eivät minua siis voi kannustaa voittoon, vaan kilpaavat itse mukana. Kohderyhmämme on myös sama - joten äänisatoni on jäänyt todella alhaiseksi. Ja juuri siksi juuri SINUN äänesi on niin tärkeä.

Olen ainoa ulkomaalainen koko listassa, ja haluaisin edustaa Suomea kuvissa, ja jos minut valitaan kalenterin kuvaan, haluan että kuvasta henkii suomalaisuuss. Saunan penkillä levittelyn voit unohtaa - ajattelin lähinnä unikko printtiä ja kotimaista kännykkää ;)

Äänestä nyt!

Äänestys on todella helppoa: klikkaa nimeäni Katja Presnal allaolevassa äänestys-lomakkeessa. Eikö ole helppoa?

Ja papukaijamerkki niille jotka kertovat kavereillekin!

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Vierityspalkki
Mari Koo
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