Thank you everyone for a great weekend.  Now is where you get to really enjoy telling everyone about this fantastic “brand” cation! I would also recommend if you do not have a travel category to make one and add all your brandcations and other travel under it. It makes it easier for brands to find and more likely you are invited on trips that require location posts.

Here is some info below that may help you write your posts. If I missed a brand, please refer to your booklets or hotel packets. Remember that when you write about a travel location to include their contact info so others can easily call the hotel/location and book. At the end of the day you are providing a great article for your site so that makes it great as well. If you were looking for info on Destin, you would want the writer to include those things, so think from that perspective.

I am VERY VERY excited to read your articles. I know you will think of things that I have not and seeing my “home” area from the eyes of so many makes me proud and happy.

CONTEST for $500 CASH prize (paid via paypal)

REQUIRED ENTRY: As you know, we want to reward someone for a job well done! We know ALL of you will do a great job but in order to participate your posts must be turned in by Friday the 24th on the linky. Please make sure you label your post like MOMDOT (Emerald Grande Resort) or MOMDOT (Jim N Nicks).

Other ways you may get extra entries AFTER posts are done:

• Leave a trip adviser recommendation for any of the locations you visited
• leave a Facebook review for the brand on their page and then link on the linky
• for the swag sponsors, thank them on their Facebook page or via twitter for an extra entry (your old tweets do not count!)
• email the brand a thankyou (BCC me on the email so I can confirm, then just add on linky/use your homepage for the URL needed)

 

Info

Pictures for you to use are available in an album on MomDot. Link not required but always appreciated:

https://www.facebook.com/momdot/photos_albums

Sponsors:

EmeraldGrande

• facebook (to leave recommendation and like) https://www.facebook.com/TheEG.Destin?fref=ts
• trip adviser recommendations http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34182-d661096-Reviews-Emerald_Grande_Harbor_Walk_Village-Destin_Florida.html
• direct visitors to http://www.emeraldgrande.com/

Destin Snorkel

• https://www.facebook.com/destin.snorkel?fref=ts
• http://www.destinsnorkel.com/
• Trip adviser: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34182-d1902245-Reviews-Destin_Snorkel-Destin_Florida.html

Buccaneer Pirate Cruise -

• remember they do a fully kids boat trip AND the “adult” scurvy trip we did
• http://destinpirateship.com/
• trip adviser for recommendations: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34182-d3331383-Reviews-Buccaneer_Pirate_Cruise-Destin_Florida.html

Restaurants that hosted

• Emerald Grande (Grande Vista Level), they did breakfast and lunch
• Jim and Nicks Catering and Restaurant: http://www.jimnnicks.com/  and https://www.facebook.com/JimNNicks
• Harry T’s: http://www.harryts.com/ (menu on their page) facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harry-Ts-Lighthouse/156742708633?fref=ts
• La Familia: http://www.lafamigliadestin.com/  and https://www.facebook.com/lafamigliadestinfl

 

Other things you can talk about in Destin:

• If you jet skied or would like to talk about paddleboarding (wade), the info is in your packets
• shopping (we got gift cards from some of the locations)
• Starbucks delivery
• lazer tag
• characture guy
• train on the boardwalk for kids
• Spa

 

Swag and Sponsors info

Flashing Blinky Lights

• http://www.flashingblinkylights.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/EllyD4FBL?fref=ts

LifeLock

• http://www.lifelock.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/LifeLock

Band-Aid, Neosporin, Johsons Baby 

• Twitter: @rfbinder

CoTZ Face Mineral Sunscreen   

• Twitter: @CoTZskincare
• https://www.facebook.com/cotzskincare

Tervis  

• http://www.facebook.com/TervisTumblerCo
• Twitter: @tervistumbler
• http://www.tervis.com/

• Twitter: @refectwhoiam
• https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reflect-Who-I-Am/124972764261232
• http://www.reflectwhoiam.com/

Brush Buddies

• Twitter: @brushbuddies
• http://www.facebook.com/brushbuddies

• http://www.facebook.com/belkin
• Twitter: @belkin
•  http://www.belkin.com

O-Venture (keyrings)

• twitter – @shopoventure
• http://www.etsy.com/shop/OVenture
• http://facebook.com/shopoventure

• https://www.facebook.com/RockAPocket
• http://www.rockapocket.com/

Mommy Tonic

• http://www.mommytonic.com/

 

LINKY TOOLS LOADING BELOW FOR YOUR LINKS

I was just over on facebook announcing all the things I get to do in May.

1. My 12 yr wedding anniversary…anyone that has been married at all knows h ow big of a feat that is.
2. Mothers day, which I will actually be spending on the beach with some of my best blogging buddies. Not on purpose, but I guess Mom gets to sleep in on Mothers Day, right?
3. My sister in law graduates vet school after a seriously long haul and Chris and Charlotte are gonna trek that way to see her walk the stage.
4. My birthday…the big 3-5, which I totally plan on making my year.
5. Charlotte gets out for summer vacation, so I guess I’ll be a parent of two kids for a few months instead of just the one I am used to.

And in between all of that?

Definitely some family vacations, trips to water parks and goodness knows what else we can squeeze in.  And with all that travel and fun and summer and wildness this family of 4 will undoubtedly come up with, the last thing I want to worry about is my stuff while I am away. I am not gonna lie..we have had some break ins in our neighborhood. Houses and cars just a few streets over have been victimized and while I do not live in a bad area, I do always think about what I can do to keep my property and family safe.

I recently read a yahoo article over here on Ways to Protect your home from burglary and they listed many that we do already:

1) Get a home alarm: Yep! We have a monitored home alarm for police, fire, and ambulance.

2) Motion sensor lights: We do not have those but our neighbor does and they are pointed at our house, so they keep it pretty well lit for all of us.

3) Dog: Oh yes. You cannot fart in the front yard without the dog alerting you. He could be upstairs with the door closed and he knows when someone is here. It’s actually a little unnerving to be honest.

4) A tidy yard: Yep! We have one bush in the front and if anyone tried to hide in that, well, I feel sorry for them. Its an oleander.

5) Helpful neighbors: If by that they mean nosy neighbors? I am going to go with yes. I know what is going on in front of everyone elses street so I imagine they know about mine.

But aside form the “stuff” and protecting my house and property, I also use LifeLock to protect what I cannot see and take for granted: My identity, credit cards my social and my virtual life. When you go on vacation it’s more than just your TV or your computer that can get stolen.

(Charlotte and I on a Staycation, Girl Style)

Traveling brings you at serious risk and with the amount of camera phones around, every time you go to an ATM, type in a personal pin number, whip out a passport or ID, you run a risk. If you are willing to take the steps to protect your home, here are ways you can protect your personal identity.

With LifeLock Basic you get:

• LifeLock Identity Alert® System – As soon as any detection is made of fraudulent use of your identity and information we alert you by email or telephone so that the proper action can be taken.
• Reduce Pre-approved Credit Offers – We remove your name from all pre-approved credit card mailing list offers dramatically reducing the possibility of a thief rummaging through your mail and/or garbage and robbing you of your personal info.
• 24/7 Member Service – You get anytime access online to our my LifeLock members only interface and 24/7 direct access to our customer service panel of Member Services Representatives.

With LifeLock Premium you get:

• Expanded monitoring of your personal information across a broad network of databases and information
• Enhanced, online reporting and updates of any threats
• Advanced banking account application alerts*
• Anytime web-based access to your yearly TransUnion credit report and monthly score
• Public record surveillance and monitoring
• Payday loan monitoring and surveillance
• Ongoing surveillance of all 3 credit bureau reports for inquiries on your credit
• Alerts for contact information changes on your checking, savings, and credit card accounts*

If you are a mom with a busy lifestyle, you don’t want to worry. No matter whether its your home, tv, credit cards, or bank accounts, all of it encompasses your life. Check out LifeLock here to find out if its a right fit for you…and then take a deep breath and start worrying about the things you can control…like whats for dinner and how you are going to make it through the summer months.

Wanna read more about LifeLock on MomDot?

• LifeLock supports Pat Tillman Foundation
• Are you diligent with online security?
• LifeLock for Life Sweepstakes
• Blogger Tax Tips
• Holiday Security Safety Tips

~trisha

LifeLock has selected me as a proud ambassador for their brand. I have been compensated for my time, not my opinions. All statements, unless otherwise noted, are my own. Thank you for supporting this blog and reading about all my life experiences.

I happen to be a big fan of Clean & Clear products for not just myself but for my tween son as well.  Their products are good for all skin types and ages.

Recently, I was given the chance to review some of Clean & Clear’s newest products.  The three products I want to share with you today are makeup dissolving facial cleansing wipes, advantage oil absorbing treatment, and oil absorbing sheets.

Makeup Dissolving Facial Cleansing Wipes

I can’t say enough about these cleansing wipes.

  First of all, they are gentle enough to use on your eyes so you can easily clean your entire face with one wipe.  I love that I can clean off all my makeup including my eye makeup with them.  After wiping your face, you can see the dirt and makeup on the wipe so you know your face is getting clean. These are absolutely perfect for traveling too because there is no liquid- throw it right in your carry-on!  I actually brought them with me on a camping trip for my son’s school and as I sat in the cabin washing my face with the Cleansing Wipes, the other moms were amazed.

I didn’t need water, just the wipes.  They are just so much easier to use than soap and water.

Oil Absorbing Sheets

There is nothing worse than mid-day shine on your face.  Whether is weather or just your skin type, its a very self-conscious feeling.  The Oil Absorbing Sheets come in a small portable package that you can bring with you anywhere, it’ll fit right in your purse. They are actually these thin blue silky sheets that are really neat.

What I really like, is that you can use them right over your makeup without removing ANY of your makeup.  So if your having a mid-day shine problem, you can dab away that excess oil and actually see the oil on the sheet without ruining your makeup or leaving any residue or powder behind.

Advantage Oil Absorbing Treatment

This product I actually had my tween son use.  Being a tween boy his face has been breaking out a lot lately.  After he washes his face, I apply a thin layer of the Advantage Oil Absorbing Treatment to his face where his pimples are.  With consistent use, I have noticed a big difference.

Sometimes, even after a day, I’ll notice his face clearing up.  Because he’s a tween boy, I can always tell when he’s not washing his face regularly…which lets face it at this age is very common.  There is a huge difference in his complexion when he is washing and using the treatment.

Clean & Clear are products that I stand behind fully.

They have products that both my son and I use daily.  As a mom, I never want to use products that are too harsh on my son’s skin…especially his face.  I feel good about using Clean & Clear on his face.  And I love seeing the results.

Wanna learn more? Check out the products from Clean & Clear yourself!

~Nicole

MissBlondie.com, Guest writer for MomDot

I was given the above products by the representing PR.  All opinions stated are solely that of my own.  

You may remember later last year as an advocate for Avon (see disclosure below) that I had the pleasure of telling you about a great gal named Angelique that changed her life by working with Avon and showcasing some of the fantastic new products they had like the Ultimate Mega Makeup Palette and the Jon Bon Jovi cologne and perfume line.

Now Avon has a great new initiative with the CEO of LearnVest’s Alexa Von Tobel. According to a recent survey from LearnVest, more than half of women in the US shoulder $9,000 worth of credit card debt.

WOW!

That is a ton of debt and it really is so easy to fall into it. I know when I was in college that I put way more than I should have on a credit card. When I got out I had to pay it off and I did, but it took years with all the interest that racked up. Now I live nearly debt free (certainly credit card free) and remind myself that if I cannot pay for it in a month, I do not need it.

I can tell you that it took a lot of hard work and responsibility to get to that point in my life and it wasn’t and isn’t easy.

If you are one of those women that are stuck in a circle of debt, this new series by Avon may be really interesting to you. Together, Avon and Alexa have created Smart Moneymakers – three online videos featuring helpful tips on ways to earn more and save more.

Avon Smart Money Makers with Alexa: Save More, Earn More

Avon Smart Money Makers with Alexa: Creating a Budget

Avon Smart Money Makers with Alexa: Embrace Your Inner Entrepreneur

 

And just to remind you about Avon again in case you missed one of the past articles:

Representing Avon is unique, because Avon is unique!

• Avon is the world’s leader in anti-aging skincare, fragrances and color cosmetics, with over $11 billion in annual revenue – Consistently appears among Fortune Magazine’s leading companies and is listed on the world’s major stock exchanges.
• Approximately 6.4 million Representatives worldwide – A trailblazer of opportunity for Representatives in more than 100 countries, with a simple, proven path to financial success.
• The most innovative marketing and sales tools available – From face-to-face to e-commerce, Avon makes it easy for you to succeed.
• Avon’s $100 million Global Research and Development Center is key to the company’s commitment to stay at the forefront of the beauty marketplace.

Avon, the leader in direct selling since 1886

Avon began in 1886 as the California Perfume Company, whose founder, David McConnell, discovered that bringing his perfumes directly to his customers – mostly women – was much more effective than traditional selling methods. His first “Representative” – then called a General Agent – was Mrs. P.F.E. Albee of Winchester, New Hampshire, who traveled by train, horse and foot to sell Avon and recruit other Agents. That was the beginning of Avon’s heritage of empowering women by offering financial and professional opportunities in a time where little existed – it would be another 34 years before American women could even vote! Today, Avon continues to provide economic opportunities for women worldwide.

During this process of working as an Ambassador in showcasing Avon here on the blog, I have learned a ton about the program. And part of that I have been highlighting successful women. Please enjoy this interview with Emily Seagren about her experience with AVON and how it has helped her life.

INTERVIEW: EMILY SEGREN for AVON

MomDot: I would love to know your top 5 products you are recommending.

 Avon has so many great products to recommend to customers and especially at holiday times. Here are my top 5 recommendations:

 1.      Anew 2 Week Kits – If my customers are long-time Anew users or have yet to try Anew for the first time, the Anew 2 Week Kits are perfect for traveling and a great way to try one of the regimens without spending too much up front. My favorite Anew line is Rejuvenate. I love how the Anew Rejuvenate products make my skin look and feel!

 2.      Glimmersticks Eye Liners – I always tell my customers they can never have too many Glimmersticks! With so many different kinds of Glimmersticks to choose from, customers should definitely stock up on a few of each kind for themselves and to give as gifts. I use Glimmersticks Waterproof Eye Liner in Brown Chocolate or Blackest Night.

 3.      Glowdacious Illuminating Powder by mark – For any customer who is looking for a facial bronzer, I recommend the Glowdacious Illuminating Powder. I absolutely love the mark makeup! After applying my foundation and powder, I always add the Glowdacious Illuminating Powder in Shimmied Up to give a nice glowing finish to my face.    

 4.      Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel – When any of my customers talk to me about wanting to even out their skin tone, one of the products I highly recommend is the Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel. I have to say I had not tried the product myself until it appeared on the Dr. Oz show but now I will never go without using it. This product definitely makes my skin softer and smoother and helps my makeup go on more evenly.      

 5.      Naturals Kids Products – For any of my customers who have children or grandchildren, I definitely recommend the Naturals Kids products. I love this line of products and so do my kids! The fruity scents and cute characters on the bottles make bath time fun. The roll-on body paints keep my kids happy and entertained in the tub. I also think it’s great I can use one product, the Natural Kids Body Wash and Bubble Bath, for 2 uses. Any product that saves me a step in my routine is a must. 

 

MomDot: Personally and/or professionally, what attracted you to Avon and why do you enjoy your career with Avon?

 Personally I was drawn to Avon because of all of the great product offerings. Like many other consumers out there today, I am a bargain shopper and look for great deals but I also like high-quality products…Avon gives you the best of both worlds! It is true that many of the products sell themselves because Avon just makes great products.

 I have my grandma to thank for introducing me to Avon. When I was little, she would always give all of her grandchildren Avon lip balms, hand creams, and perfume as Christmas gifts. I never imagined Avon would become my full-time career.

 Professionally I enjoy selling Avon because the business is so flexible and the opportunities are limitless! With a husband and two small children at home, I love that I can grow my Avon business at my own pace! I signed up to sell Avon almost a year after my first child was born. I was working a full-time job at the time and looking for a way to spend more time at home. Avon has given me the ability to earn income but at the same time spend valuable time at home with my children while they are young.   

 

MomDot: What are the best benefits of working with Avon?

 I have always been intrigued by entrepreneurship and dreamed of one day owning my own business. Avon has given me the opportunity to develop my own business, love what I do, and share the same opportunity with others. I love all of the incentives and trips Avon offers. I am definitely driven by all of the fun contests, bonuses, and rewards we as representatives can win and achieve. I am extremely grateful for all of the opportunities Avon has given me and my family!

 

MomDot: What are the biggest challenges with your Avon business? 

 One of the biggest challenges with Avon has been finding new ways to sell customers. For the first couple of years of selling Avon, I tried to sell traditionally by handing out books around my neighborhood and building a local customer base. I found it difficult to build a profitable business going door-to-door and decided to start thinking outside of the box. I signed up to sell Avon at fairs, began recruiting other representatives, and started promoting my Avon business on the Internet. I think it’s important not only to reach out to Avon customers locally but to also build a solid online business and continue to develop my Avon leadership team. I love how there are so many ways to build and promote my Avon business!   

 

MomDot: What have you been able to do with your earnings from your Avon business?

 In May 2012, my husband and I took our son to Disney World for the first time! It was an incredible, memorable trip and completely paid for by my earnings from Avon. We have also been able to pay down personal debt from the income I earn with Avon. I think the most rewarding part of my Avon business is the fact that I am able to bring home a full-time earnings with the flexibility of taking time off when I want, working the hours that fit into my personal life, and knowing that my earnings will only grow in years to come.  

 

MomDot: Is your family involved with Avon? (ex/ Daughter, Husband)  Are there roles that your different family members play with your business?  

My family is completely supportive of my Avon business. My children are still a little too young to help out with the business but my husband definitely plays a pivotal role in helping me. He understands how important my Avon business is to me and will help out in any way that he can. My husband is my emotional support and helps with “business chores” when I get overly busy. I love that he is always trying to come up with new ideas to make business tasks easier for me, which in turn helps me be more productive in less time.

 

MomDot: Are you in Leadership? If yes, what is your role and how does it affect your business? 

 Currently I am an Avon Unit Leader and working towards Advanced Unit Leader. I have a team of about 40 representatives and am presently working with two of my downline members on becoming Unit Leaders. I see the importance in growing my leadership business and want to share that with other team members.

 It’s a timely process to grow a solid team and reap huge rewards from leadership. However with every new representative I sign up, I see a boost in my earnings and know how lucrative the leadership opportunity could be down the road for me and my business. I feel it is important to keep in constant contact with my team, recognize those that are excelling, and help those that are still learning. In order to keep communication lines open with my downline, one of the things I do is create a bi-weekly email newsletter to recognize campaign performance, welcome new members, give tips on how to increase their sales, and keep my team informed on what’s going on with Avon.  

 MomDot: Do you use social networks? If yes, list the top 3 social networks you are most active on.

 I think it’s crucial to my business for me to be involved with social networks, especially marketing to consumers. I spend most of my time marketing on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. I am also active on LinkedIn and Google Plus.

 A few years ago, I started a group on LinkedIn as a forum for Independent Avon Representatives to network with each other. The group has almost 3,000 members now.

 

MomDot: Are you active on Facebook? If yes, how often do you engage with other Facebook users?

 I have a Facebook page dedicated to my Avon business. I try to post a few times a week about Avon new products, Avon sales, free shipping, and the Avon opportunity. I love the enhancements Avon has made to our personal websites that allow us to promote individual products directly to the different social networks.

 

MomDot: Do you have a blog? If so, what is your URL? 

 I actively post on the blog provided to us by Avon. I write a few blog posts a month in addition to posting to my social network accounts to help drive customers to my website. My posts range in topic from what it’s like to become an Avon representative to what new products are coming out in the next campaign. I was fortunate to learn a few things about Search Engine Optimization and Internet Marketing in college courses and at my previous job that I have incorporated in promoting my Avon business online.  

Here is the URL: http://eseagren.avonrepresentative.com/blog

I want to thank Avon for allowing the opportunity to share with my readers how they can get involved with Avon as a consumer or as a leader in selling cosmetics. If you sell Avon or NEED an Avon Representative, please feel free to comment blow. And also if Avon or any other direct sales opp has changed your life, I definitely want to hear about it!

~Trisha

*avon sponsored blog post

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Opinion Outpost for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

This week I am on a kick to help you earn more money at home. I do it, so why not anyone else! Let me introduce you to Opinion Outpost! Everyone has an opinion (atleast they do on the internet, am I right?) so why not share yours?

OPINION OUTPOST

Opinion Outpost offers its members the opportunity to take surveys in exchange for rewards. Voice your opinion and shape the products and services that touch your life! Sharing your opinion has never been so rewarding!

• Cash and rewards. – Redeem points for instant cash via PayPal or for other exciting rewards.

• Prize Draw – Taking surveys enters you into our $40,000 year-long cash give away! Every quarter a winner will win $10,000!

• Charities – Trade in your points to support popular charity organizations.

First off, its totally free.

You can sign up  for Opinion Outpost and start earning immediately! If you do not need the money you can also choose to donate it to charity, which is always a great option. But who am I kidding, everyone can always use a little extra cash!

Give your opinion and shape the future. Sign up for free and earn cash and gift cards.

Start saving for Christmas, birthdays, or a special treat for yourself.

It is super easy to sign up. You just enter your name and email and then they send you an activation email:

 

Then it's easy to get started!

I dont know about you, but it is never too soon to get started on saving a little something extra for the holidays. They seem to show up so quickly! Let me know if you have had some success with this so I can share with my readers.

~trisha