I had stumbled upon The Work at Home Woman during my searches for businesses to join our directory and Holly had not only helped me understand how to grow my business and blog through her great articles and lists, but over time she has become a great friend.

She has just recently released a new book Blogging Success: Tips for Creating Content, Getting Traffic and Monetizing Your Blog and boy would this have been just the book that I needed when I started.

Holly focuses on the three main topics of the e- book Creating Content, Getting Traffic and Monetizing your blog:

In the creating content section, she stresses the importance of finding your niche, even if there may be tons of other blogs writing about similar topics. If you write about things that interest you then people will want to follow you and read more about what you have to say. This should all be done in your voice and how you want to convey it. If you are authentic then readers will come back wanting more.

Now that you have found your niche, how do you get people to read your blog? Holly goes into depth in the Getting Traffic section about many different methods of ways to share, analyze and spread the word about your blogs on different sites and social media. And yes, it’s a lot of work for your blog to get noticed, but once you get a hang of using the techniques that she describes like using Facebook, Twitter, participating in forums, perfecting your SEO, or even writing a newsletter, just to name a few then you will be well on your way to getting that low Alexa rating (and have people read your articles).

Lastly, there is the monetization piece that all bloggers are looking to capitalize on. Yes, some people are truly in it for the writing, but if you want to have your blog become your business then you need to learn different ways to create income. A good hint is to delve into multiple streams of income like direct ad sales, ad networks and more. One method might work for a while, but it’s helpful to try several different means to making money. One hint that I will share with you all from the e-book is that your blog might not be the end all money maker but instead it will build the relationships and connections that you make due to your writing that will provide the income.

If you are like I was back in April 2009, clueless about the world of blogging and how to become successful at it, then you have definitely got to buy a copy of Holly’s e-book Blogging Success: Tips for Creating Content, Getting Traffic and Monetizing Your Blog.

I will be using some of her tricks so that my readers will be able to read this review. Curious how I will do it, then pick up a copy for yourself!

And of course as a little plug for myself: Check out her Blogging Success Stories at the End, there is a little blurb in there from me!

BUY IT: Are you already blogging for your small business, and want to add an extra revenue stream? Purchase Blogging Success: Tips for Creating Content, Getting Traffic and Monetizing Your Blog. Discount to our readers for $10 off the e-book, enter code THANKS at checkout

Disclosure: Living Your MoMent was given a copy of Blogging Success: Tips for Creating Content, Getting Traffic and Monetizing Your Blog in exchange for an honest book review.

As a mother of one, this wasn’t too hard. I worked when my daughter was napping or sleeping at night. I would take off weekends and spend time with my husband when he was home. He worked a lot of weird hours so it was great for my schedule as well. When baby #2 came, working became a little more difficult. I had to find the time to work and be a mom. I wanted more than anything to make sure that my business was successful so that I was justifying my time away from my children as well as making money to help provide for my family. With #3 on the way, I have found that I need a clear path and direction as to what I am looking for in a career. I still want to stay at home and work so that I can raise my children, but I need to make sure that every time I sit down at my computer, it is the right thing for my family. Throughout the years, my plan to have it all has led me astray from some of my goals but for the most part, I have really taken the time to figure out how to balance it all with as little guilt as possible.

I know this is not the case with a lot of moms working at home. JJ DiGeronimo is a woman’s advocate and founder of Tech Savvy Women and Purposeful Woman. She is very familiar with women’s needs and often find that they are searching for clarity and direction as they are often swirling in task lists and personal and/or professional advancement.

This was no different in her own life which gave birth to A Working Woman’s GPS, The Plan to Have it All that Led You Astray which is a collection of best practices to rediscover natural assets that bring energy, wisdom and inspiration back into the life of the reader.

Many women are overachievers and that is where this book fit right into my life. I account some of it to being a Virgo and wanting perfection in everything I do, but I just want to give the best for my family that I can even if it means stretching myself to the limits. After reading JJ’s book, the biggest thing for me is not being able to take risks for the things that could really re-energize my life. As a mom to almost 3 small children, there really isn’t a lot of time just for me, but I know that if I take some risks especially with my career the outcome could astronomical for my family. I know that I have lots of great ideas and as long as I want to share them with the world on a global level then my family will reap the benefits and I will then be able to be the best mom. Being the best mom to me is being able to take care of myself so that I have the ability to take care of my family.

In A Working Woman’s GPS, When the Plan to Have it All Leads You Astray, DiGeronimo shares her story and the stories of many women who have worked through their Plan to have it ALL.

Through a collection of stories, exercises and advice, DiGeronimo helps women rediscover their own journey and bring energy, wisdom and inspiration back into their lives.

In this engaging book, DiGeronimo invites readers to envision and become the women they are supposed to be.

BUY IT: Want to how to live the best life for you then purchase the book on their publisher’s site at http://www.halopublishing.com/bookstore/The-Working-Womans-GPS

Disclosure: Living Your MoMent was given a copy of The Working Woman’s GPS in exchange for an honest book review.

My style hasn’t change that much from my first pregnancy but it is nice to get a couple new things every time that I get pregnant. Rachel from Kiki’s Fashions contacted me and I was like a kid at Christmas when she told me that I could choose from their trendy maternity clothes. It was so hard to pick out just one shirt to review for them.

In the end, I wanted something bright and fun to showcase my ever growing belly. This picture is of me at around 31 weeks. They not only have cute and trendy maternity clothes but are also cheap. We all know that we only wear maternity clothes for a limited time, but we do want to look good and not pay a ton to do so.

If I was a first time mom, then I would have gone crazy here! I would probably still be working and they have great casual and work clothes. Basically clothes for any occasion and you will look great. They also run great sales so you can get a deep discount on already cheap clothes!

At Kiki’s Fashions, they not only offer expecting mothers cute maternity dresses, trendy maternity skinny jeans, and modern maternity tank tops, they also offer our maternity clothing at prices every pregnant mom can afford. They add to their maternity clearance section weekly, so there are always deep discounts on maternity clothes saavy mothers can discover. And don’t forget to check out our pregnancy clothes under $10. Where else can you find this large of a selection on cheap maternity clothes?

BUY IT: If you are looking for cheap maternity clothes that are trendy then head on over to Kiki’s Fashions to check out their inventory!

WIN IT: Kiki’s Fashions (Click there <—) is giving away a $25 Gift Certificate to their store to one lucky Living Your Moment reader. Entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on November 9th, 2011.

Disclosure: Living Your MoMent was given a complementary trendy maternity shirt from Kiki’s Fashions to try  in exchange for an honest product review.

October 17th, 2011:

Many businesses and blogs use photos to increase the number of visitors to their page. One way to add a visual to your page is to take your own, but if you are looking for professional pictures without having to pay premium pricing then stock images are the way to go. They look great and are very reasonably priced.

Recently, Lisa from Photos.com contacted me to offer my readers a chance to gain more information about their site and to win a pack of their own stock photos to use. When I went to go try out the package they gave me to try, I was so thrilled by all the pictures I found of working moms and moms working at home. Those are pictures that I use on a regular basis.

Photos.com is the #1 place on the web to get professional, royalty-free stock photography by subscription. For one low price, you can download all the stock images you need. It’s affordable for the growing business or blog to add some visuals to your work but still stay within your budget.

Since 2003, Photos.com has been a leading source of both professionally shot and user-generated content. They are a division of Getty Images—a leading creator and distributor of still imagery, editorial imagery, footage and music in the world.

You have the ability to choose from 2.6 million royalty-free stock photos and illustrations with releases—available as single images, image packs or subscriptions, so you can save based on your project needs.

The compelling, high quality images and illustrations can help you improve your advertising, presentations, websites, blogs, sales brochures, direct mail, email and more.

I’m so excited to be able to use Photos.com in more of my blog entries and for pictures in media kits that we might pass along. It’s a great place to start if you want images to enhance your website. Not only is it easy to navigate, the prices are great and there are so many options that you will never have a problem finding a picture to display on your site.

BUY IT: Stock Images are available to buy in affordable packages of your choice at photos.com.

WIN IT: Photos.com is giving away a 50 image pack (Valued at $134.99) for one Living Your Moment reader. Enter by October 19th, 2011 for your chance to win!

Disclosure: Living Your MoMent was given a 10 pack of Stock Photos  from Photos.com to try  in exchange for an honest product review.

August 28th, 2011: For most events, I am great at remembering to take photos but on some occasions I’m so engulfed in the party that I just forget. Luckily, my mom is always around with her camera and takes great pictures. Now the question is what to do with these pictures once I put them on my computer. Usually they just sit there and don’t do anything, so I was thrilled when Shutterfly asked me to get the word out there about their new Photo Books which allows so much more control over making your photo book.

In addition to the photo books they have, Shutterfly added more layouts, designs, backgrounds, stickers, and cover options so everyone can create the perfect photo book for all occasions like birthday invitations, Christmas cards and in our case my son’s baptism.

As the second child, it takes me a little longer than it did with my first to get a scrapbook together or even print out pictures, so when this opportunity with Shutterfly came up, I jumped on it. It allowed me to get creative with the custom path option. In the past, I have used the custom options but this time it was great to have the built in embellishments, different page colors for the background.

I had a blast taking time away from my kids to bring out the creative side in myself to come up with all the different pages for this book. Now, I have a great keepsake for my son to enjoy when he is older to remind him of how dapper he looked in his white suit for his baptism in our backyard. He had such a special day and I’m thankful that Shutterfly gave this busy mom of 2 (plus one on the way) time to carve out of her day to record our memories.

In a few days, we will be having a giveaway for 5 of our readers , below are the details, but PLEASE do not POST on here, it will NOT count!

1. Go to http://www.shutterfly.com/ and let us know what you will make with your photo book!

-For additional entries (Please add separate comments for each additional entry):

2. Follow @livingyrmoment and Tweet this contest. In another comment let me know that you did. RT @livingyrmoment has a #giveaway w/ @Shutterfly for a free 8×8 Photo Book to our readers http://tinyurl.com/3j5wjpm

*May Retweet Once Daily

3. Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter.

4. Post a link or write a post on your blog. (2 extra entries, list both below separately)

5. Subscribe to our RSS Feed!

6. Become a Fan of Living Your Moment and help spread the word about our new Page!

7. Become a Fan of Shutterfly

8. Follow @Shutterfly on Twitter

9. Follow Living Your MoMent on Google Connect (it’s located in the right margin !)

Giveaway will begin on Monday September 5th! Entries must be received by midnight on September 14th, 2011. Winners will be selected at random and announced here on September 15th, 2011.

“Have a blog?  Want to review a Shutterfly photo book? Sign up: http://goo.gl/K5hUC” on your Facebook, Twitter, and other social media.

Disclosure: Living Your MoMent was given a complementary 8×8 photo book from Shutterfly to try  in exchange for an honest product review.

This is a cool way to remember how small your children’s fingers (or toes) were. I love that since I have two kids, we could personalize their fingerprints so I would know which one was Luci’s and which one was Jake’s (toe). Yes, we have pictures and that first lock of hair, but really there is nothing we can do to keep our children babies and toddlers forever. I love that I immortalize my kids with their tiny fingerprints onto charms. So that when they are all big and grown, I can remember that they did use to be this tiny.

Made from PMC, this keychain is perfect for keeping your loved one close! It is 99.9% fine silver and will not tarnish like sterling silver does.

Janessa will send you a kit to take an fingerprint imprint. Super easy! You will mail it back to her. In 2-3 weeks, your charm will be completed. The final piece is about the size of a nickel.

Children younger than 2 years old do not have a well defined thumbprint so there may not be much detail which is why we did Jake’s toe – there will be a lovely little dimple though which will still look great and will be unique to your child. Generally, toe prints turn out great for the littlest person which I used on Jake but he has a giant toe, so I was worried it wouldn’t work!

I can’t wait till our next little bundle of joy shows up so that I can get his/her fingerprint imprinted on a charm and add it to the existing too. This is a great present not only for moms and dads but for Grandma’s as well. It’s also a piece a jewelry that can be used  everyday and matches any outfit.

All charms are handmade with love by Janessa so that she can help you recollect the days of childhood.

Special: 10% discount (valid through the end of the year) on those who order with the code “LMM10″

BUY IT: The Nickel Sized Print retails at $55 and you can purchase it and other charms at http://www.designsbyjanessa.com

Disclosure: Living Your MoMent was given 2 complementary fingerprint charms from Designs by Janessa to try  in exchange for an honest product review.

The Fresh Start Women’s Foundation is dedicated to empowering women to transform their lives through engagement and education.  One of their new online resources for women is wehelpwomen.com.  The site is dedicated to providing support and resources for women in transition…whether that transition is related to your career, personal development or finances.

The site is very user-friendly and currently has 12+ online courses (all 30-minutes or less) that fall into the following 3 programs:  Career, Finance and Personal Development.  One of the great features of the site is that they offer a free “life assessment” which you can get by answering just a few short questions.  The life assessment will create a brief list of courses that are recommended specifically for YOU based on your current goals.  I actually did the life assessment myself and the results were the exact courses that I was interested in when perusing the site initially.

If you have it all together, then this site is probably not for you.  But if you’re looking for some encouragement with other like-minded women, empowerment on some difficult life transitions, and education to help grow your business and yourself, then this site would be a great asset to YOU!  There is an annual fee of $59.99 (or a broken-down monthly fee) that grants you access to ALL courses that are added as well as discussion groups with other members and some discounts on a wide variety of other resources.

Want to see more?  Visit www.wehelpwomen.com and get your free assessment today!

Disclosure: Living Your MoMent was given a complementary tour from We Help Women to try  in exchange for an honest product review.

When I received the Scentsy Scent Circle from Bobbie Anne in Cranberry Mango, I was so excited to try it out there. I stuck it right in the diaper pail and after Jake’s nap, I went up to get him and his room didn’t smell like poop as much as it did a fruit scent. AHHH, much better!

We love the fruity scents in our house, most of our lotions and soaps have a fruity aroma as do all my Scentsy bars which is why I chose the Cranberry Mango. To give you a sense of what our house smells like this scent is a “mélange of tropical mango, cozy cranberry and spicy pineapple” so basically good enough to want to eat it.

The Scentsy logo never smelled so good! You can hang freely in cars, lockers, and closets or even put it in a diaper pail to freshen up any stinky room like I did. Packed with scent, each will give you weeks of Scentsy wherever you go. And I think the next one that I purchase will actually go someone like my car or my closet but I knew we had to tackle the smelliest of smells first. The great thing is the scent circles are available in all fragrances including leather.

If you need to freshen up an area of your house or car, then you won’t believe the fragrance you get from one of Scentsy’s scent circle and they are small and convenient so pick one or ten up today!

BUY IT: If you would like to purchase a scent circle for just $3.00 from Blog With Mom, please visit her Scentsy site at https://blogwithmom.scentsy.us/Buy/Category/461

Disclosure: Living Your MoMent was given a complementary Scentsy Scent Circle from Blog With Mom to try  in exchange for an honest product review.

But guess what? I just found this great new group coupon site call The Customer Advantage that gives you the same discounted rates but allows you to make extra income at the same time with no buy in rates or anything. It’s all free.

You’d jump on that wagon wouldn’t you? First off, you are saving tons of money on the services provided by the small business and on top of that you can make some extra cash on the side by sharing the info with your friends.

The membership is free and the commission is great because you can earn a 5% referral from just sharing a unique url with others who sign up for the daily deals as well.

Now the question is how does this benefit the small businesses and non-profits that want to participate in the deals. For the non-profits, there are no out of pocket costs and you will also earn a 5% commission on all purchases made by your members. In turn this could bring some serious ROI on marketing to your organization and really get the word out about the impact you are trying to make on your communities.

Many small businesses are trying to spread the word about their products and services and what better way by offering a daily deal at 50% off or more or even by signing up their staff and earn a commission as well when these members make purchases.

The Customer Advantage is a win-win situation for all parties involved. The customer can get a great deal and make a little extra income in the process while the businesses get the exposure they need and deserve in their communities. This can be a business for some or simply a coupon site for others.

Sign up for The Customer Advantage to begin saving a significant amount from vendors in your area and by the way make some extra money as a passive income today.

Disclosure: This is a paid sponsored post from The Customer Advantage but Living Your Moment signed up for Free to give an honest review.

Therapon contacted me to do a product review of their Theraderm Skin Renewal System and I was thrilled to see what their products could do with my skin. I’ve never been one to stick to a daily skin regimen and I was a little worried that I wasn’t going to stick to it, but I did. After a couple days, I noticed that my skin was smoother and looked brighter. The program was easy and I know that many people say that if I can do it then anyone can do it. But that is the truth here, I never follow through with my day to day skin routine. I can even do it with my two little ones asking me questions.

The Theraderm Skin Renewal System is a simple, daily regimen consisting of four products that work harmoniously to restore a healthy, radiant appearance no matter your age. Rooted firmly in bioscience and clinically tested, each product is comprised of pharmaceutical-grade ingredients specifically chosen to enhance skin’s natural ability to restore itself. The result is healthy skin that is well-defended against the environment and signs of aging. The Theraderm Skin Renewal System includes:

Cleansing Wash

Fruit Acid Exfoliant

OPC Reparative Gel

Choice of: Enriched Facial Moisturizer or Gentle Facial Moisturizer

Gentle Action Application Pads

IF you are looking to restore your skin and reduce signs of aging then the Theraderm Skin Renewal System is the system for you.

BUY IT: The Theraderm Skin Renewal System is available to purchase for $137.50 on the Therapon site.

WIN IT: Therapon is giving away Theraderm Skin Renewal System for one Living Your Moment reader. Enter by May 18th, 2011 for your chance to win!

Disclosure: Living Your MoMent was given a complementary Theraderm Skin Renewal System from Therapon to try  in exchange for an honest product review.