Category Archives: New posts

Wendy’s Berry Almond Chicken Salad.. I Don’t Eat Salad and I Loved it!

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Wendy's Berry Almond Chicken Salad

I was lucky enough to be part of a group of wonderful local bloggers here in Atlanta for the second time, to be given the opportunity to try a new Wendy’s menu item, the Berry Almond Chicken Salad.  The Berry Almond Chicken Salad is a seasonal addition to Wendy’s salad line.  Because I’m not a fan of salad I ordered the half sized salad thinking I would have to force myself to eat even that much salad.  Much to my delight, I was wrong!

Boy was I surprised when I received my salad!  I wasn’t expecting to be handed such a fresh, colorful, delicious looking salad (and by a very courteous staff at that!) The Berry Almond Chicken Salad was topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries, shaved natural Asiago cheese and warm grilled chicken.  Yum!!  Seriously, I  don’t eat salad, just ask my sister (@greedygrechen on Twitter), and I really enjoyed Wendy’s Berry Almond Chicken Salad.

Wendy’s Berry Almond Chicken Salad is served with fat-free Marzetti’s Raspberry Vinaigrette and sliced almonds on the side adding great flavor and texture to the salad.

GIVEAWAY!

I am giving a lucky reader a $25 gift card to Wendy’s.  To enter, leave a comment below telling me what you’d like to try at Wendy’s.
This contest is open to U.S. residents 18 and older.  No P.O. Boxes.
Entries accepted through 11:59pm June 15th.

Earn extra entries by doing one or all of the following:

Disclosure: Wendy’s and The Motherhood invited me to try the new salad, and I was compensated for my time, but all the opinions in this post are my own.

 

Alicia Hagan, Editor

 

Are you Happy or Stressed that the Kids are out of School for the Summer?

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summer vacation stress question

I asked the question on Twitter this morning “Two more days until my 11 yr old is out of school. Do you get excited about your kids being out of school, stressed, or both?” and was thrilled to get a good mix of answers includes those below..

Kids out of school for summer vacation - are you happy or stressed?

 

Yes, I am super excited that my 5 year old daughter is already out of school and that my 11 yr old son will be out of school is T-24 and counting.  But I also get a little stressed when I think about trying to run a business (AtlantaMoms.com too), transport my son to camp, cook, clean, play, travel, etc..

Here’s what I’m most excited about:

  • Not having to wake up at or before the crack of dawn to get the kids off to school.
  • Being able to jump in the car and go to the park (or where ever) whenever we want.
  • My son experiencing some amazing summer camps.
  • Going to the beach with my family for a week.

Here’s what I’m least excited about:

  • Not knowing from minute to minute when my 5 year old is going to come into my office or whatever room I happen to be working in at the moment, and ask for a snack, help with a toy, or for me to play a game
  • The money I’m going to spend on gas for transporting my son to his four summer camps.
  • Having to take the kids everywhere I go.. grocery store, etc..

What are your most and least favorite things about the kids being out of school for the summer?

P.S. Follow me on Twitter here.

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Bath & Body Works myPocketBac Hand Sanitizer Contest – Design Your Own Today!

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Bath & Body Works myPocketBac hand sanitizer design contest
You can design a myPocketBac too!

I am a hand sanitizer addict. I carry at least one hand sanitizer in my purse, two in my van, and you’ll find them in drawers, bags, and closets throughout my house.  I recently asked my daughter’s pediatrician if there is such as a thing as too much sanitizer (specifically, when you go to Disney) and she said no.  So there’s my argument to my husband and sister.  Done! I win!  The pediatrician said so.

I’m excited to tell you about a contest that Bath & Body Works has going on right now.. related to none other than.. hand sanitizer!

Bath & Body Works has inspired a clean hands craze with its custom collections of pocket-sized anti-bacterials that started with Bac-2-School PocketBacs that launched last year.

Bath & Body Works is giving fans the opportunity to put their own spin on the brand’s iconic PocketBac Hand Gel Sanitizers with the myPocketBac Design Contest. Bath & Body Works is inviting consumers to log on to www.myPocketbac.com to customize their Bath & Body Works PocketBac labels through June 9th.  The design contest puts the power of personalization in everyone’s hands, giving fans one more way to make PocketBacs their own.

The winning designs will be chosen by fan popularity, allowing Bath & Body Works customers to select the design that will end up on shelves. New winners will be selected this month AND next month, doubling their chances to win.

What are you waiting for?  Click on over to create your myPocketBac hand sanitizer design now!  Have fun!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.
Contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, age 18 or older at time of entry. Void where prohibited by law. Click here for entry details and deadlines and Official Rules.

Disclosure: Bath & Body Works is providing me with samples of Bath & Body Works PocketBac hand sanitizer for review purposes.  All opinions in this post are my own and are not influenced in any way.

Alicia Hagan, Mom Blog editor

 

Moms in Business Unite Conference Notes – Just Enough “Geek” To Get You Going with Christie Crowder

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Part 2 – Moms in Business Unite Conference Session 2: Just Enough Geek To Get You Going
Part 1 – Using Technology to Market Your Business

 

Speaker: Christie Crowder
Twitter: @chatterboxgc
Website: ChristieCrowder.com

Christie is speaking about tips on how business owners (or aspiring business owners) can choose technology wisely to that it’s used to keep your venture running smooth on the inside and shining like a star on the outside.

It All Starts With You

– Start with technology on your own level
– Keep your internal technology as current as your external technology
– What’s popular might not always be what works – great point!
– Start Simple – stick with gadgets and apps that challenge you but are user-friendly. You can always upgrade.
– Keep it simple. Don’t sign up for every social media network or buy every productivity app.

Be Proactive and Productive with Apps

– Less Errors with Trials. Look for free versions of apps.
– Maximize Multi-Tasking.
– Choose apps that handle more than one task or function simultaneously.
– Look for web and mobile capabilities
– Get a “Wingman” (or woman)
– Have someone you can call on for technical assistance and advice

Don’ts and Do’s

– Ignorance is not bliss
– Do not leave all of your technology operations to one person.
– Don’t go changing trying to please me
– Don’t make unnecessary changes just to keep up with the Jones’
– Don’t be afraid to change
– Don’t panic, it’s supposed to be fun!

My (Christie’s) “Coolest Things” For You and Your Business

– Smartphone
– Tablet
– Square credit card reader for iPhone (free)

Notes and Brainstorming Tools and Apps

– Evernote (web, mobile, and desktop applications). All sync together.
– MindNode (Mac app). There are other “mind mapping” apps available.

Operations & Collaboration Tools and Apps

– Google Docs
– Nozbe
– Producteev
– Skype
– Dropbox (online file storage)
– Wiggio.com (makes it easy for you to work in groups)

Client Management and Accounting Tools and Apps

– Gist
– Tungle.me
– Simplifythis
– Wave accounting (free accounting system)
– Outright

Communications and Public Relations Tools and Apps

– MailChimp
– Mad Mimi
– Shout’em
– Wufoo (Christie’s favorite form maker). Can create surveys and forms.
– Pitch Engine. Social media press release.
– QR code maker and reader (free apps available including JumpScan)

Marketing and Social Media Tools and Apps

– Hootsuite
– Facebook
– Trackur
– What the hashtag?
– Seesmic
– Tweetdeck

I hope you enjoy these tips from Christie as much as I have. I will link up to the Tools and Apps mentioned here later, after the conference.

 

Moms in Business Unite Conference Notes – Using Technology to Market Your Business with Lorraine Robertson

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I’m in the first session of the day at Moms in Business Unite in Atlanta and am enjoying hearing Lorraine Robertson talk about how to use technology/social media to market your business. Here are a few notes.. Pardon the format as I’m not editing as I take notes.. just trying to get the information out to you so you can enjoy it with me!

 


Speaker: Lorraine Robertson
Twitter: @askwifey
Session: Using Technology to Market Your Business

 

Why Use Social Media?

– Raise Awareness
– Increase Sales
– Build Branding
– Engage with Consumer

Large Brand Facebook Success Example:

– Coca-Cola is the biggest Facebook Fan Page with over 26 million Fans.
– They let the fans really drive the Facebook page
– Enlisted Maroon 5 to create a song for them
– Booked Maroon 5 for 24 hours and asked fans to choose/create a song via Facebook Fan Page. Great interactive way to engage Coca-Cola fans.

Smaller Brand Facebook Success Example:

– Charles Orlando – The Problem with Women is Men
– Self published author
– Set up blog and social media platforms
– Naturally gravitated toward using Facebook. Responded when people posted questions. Interaction.
– You don’t have to take on every platform out there.

How to segregate different topics on Facebook VS. Twitter?

– Look at who your audience is on each
– Twitter is more open. Anyone can be following you on Twitter unless you block your Tweets.

It’s OK to Tweet something more than once.

Top 10 Social Media Marketing Tips from @askwifey

– Have a Plan
– Do your research
– Be selective
– Understand the rules
– Don’t be overwhelmed
– Pay attention
– Make a schedule
– Provide good content
– Be engaging
– Be authentic

I hope you enjoy reading my notes from the Moms in Business Unite Conference as much as I’m enjoying being here!