A 13 year old girl committed suicide in 2006 after receiving a series of cruel messages through MySpace. Megan Meier thought she was talking to a teenage boy who had befriended her on the social networking site. After three weeks of friendly communications between the two, he turned on her and told her that the world would be a better place without her. Megan took her own life shortly after receiving that last message.

The horrible twist to this story is that there never was a teenage boy. The MySpace profile was created by a grown woman who wanted to keep tabs on what Megan might be saying about her daughter. This adult woman was responsible for fooling a young girl and making her think that these nasty messages were coming from a cute boy.

This woman, Lori Drew, was indicted yesterday for her role in the suicide. Apparently, Lori Drew even started a blog called "Megan Had It Coming". Wow! I truly hope this woman is put in prison for a very long time. Her actions were horribly disgusting and irresponsible. The video below is from CNN and contains a phone interview with Tina Meier, Megan's mother. This story really makes me sad.

Two days before Mother's Day, Michelle Duggar announced to her family that she is pregnant with her 18th child. The family of soon to be 20, has children ranging in age from 9 months to 20 years old. This famous family was on The Today Show and you can watch this video from the show. Wow, I cannot even imagine having so many children. The Duggar family seems to handle it with ease and is something really special.

Through Blog Catalog, I have met a blogger named Shirley. She is a very ambitious blogger with high ideals and goals to help children. Her blog is titled Proof Positivity and she sees it as "an opportunity for children of all ages to find their voice through positive news".

Shirley's vision: "For every child to have an opportunity to write or report no matter what their grades are."

She explains why: "A child sometimes needs to develop a love for something before they are motivated enough to bring their grades up."

Shirley's goal: "My goal is to put a studio in every school and for that, equipment is needed. I hope to eventually be able to go to my schools and discuss: Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?"

Kudos to Shirley for her love of children and her strong desire to help them. Take a minute and check out Proof Positivity for yourself.

One of the most famous daddy's of all is admitting that he made a mistake. On January 5th, Dr. Phil made a visit to Britney Spears while she was in the hospital. His visit was prompted by a request from her family to intervene.

The real controversy is the statement that Dr. Phil made to Entertainment Tonight. He told them that Britney is in "dire need of both medical and psychological intervention." This has landed Dr. Phil in a little bit of hot water According to MTV.com:

"A complaint was filed against McGraw earlier this week that accused him of violating the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The complaint alleges Dr. Phil practiced clinical psychology without a license and further violated doctor-patient privilege by discussing the pop star's case with the media."

The Dr. Phil episode where he apologizes is scheduled to air today. He has concluded that his "visit was not helpful to the situation".

Create You Squidoo Lens On A Shak Subject And You Could Be Featured On Shakadoo! Once you have built your lens, submit it to the group HERE.

What are Squidoo lensmasters saying about having their lenses featured here at Shakadoo? This is some feedback from the Shakadoo On Squidoo lens. I wanted to thank the lensmasters for their feedback by putting them in the spotlight today! They all have fantastic lenses, you can check them out by clicking on their names.

Reader Feedback

Crystal_Booth Shakagoo is great! Thanks for featuring so many great Squidoo lenses on your site. ~ Crystal Posted December 09, 2007

chloecavanaugh Kelly, thank you for featuring my lens on Shakadoo. Your work is very much appreciated! Left ya a little something***** Posted December 08, 2007

Monteath Well put together lens, showing some love! I don't have a house, though I "outfitted" my outhouse when I lived in Fairbanks, Alaska. Does that count? :) Posted December 07, 2007

GypsyPirate I love Shakadoo - what a great idea!! Posted December 07, 2007

flowergardener Thank you Kelli, for helping us become more noticable! Shakadoo is awesome, and being featured there gives one the feeling that they really have made a great lens! Posted December 07, 2007

rms Thank you for featuring my lenses at Shakadoo! Posted December 07, 2007

Graceonline Thank you for introducing us to Shakadoo and for providing this opportunity. Good resource! I'll pass it along to my grown children. Posted December 07, 2007

Susan52 Terrific site! Thanks for featuring my Kindle lens on the Shaktronics page of Shakadoo! Posted November 28, 2007

AllThingsMichigan Oh man! Another site where I'll be spending time. Looks pretty cool. Thanks for the info :) Posted October 24, 2007

Clutterbugs What a cool idea for a website! I haven't heard of it before now...I'll definitely be returning to Shakadoo for updates. :) ***** for introducing me to the site! Posted October 14, 2007

To see more about Shakadoo On Squidoo, visit the entire lens by clicking: Shakadoo On Squidoo

Once upon a time, you could buy a toy for your child and not give it a second thought. It was a time not that long ago, yet it seems to be gone forever.

As a parent, I am in shock and dismay at all of the toy recalls lately. It leaves me wondering if there is anything safe out there for my children. All of us are going to have to be choosier and do more research before buying anything for our kids. It might take some extra time to investigate before we buy, but it will be time well spent.

With the holidays quickly approaching, I decided to start looking up safer toy choices. I found several resources for toys that claim to be safe and lead free. Of course I cannot vouch 100% for their safety (as none of us can), but the companies that sell them do.

Back To Basics Toys issued this statement about their toys:

"While none of our products have been involved in the recent recalls, we realize that the impression is that products made in China are not safe. Back To Basics Toys utilizes independent laboratories for safety testing, and we feel strongly in the integrity, value, and safety of our entire collection - regardless of origin. We remain focused on making sure that products are made to conform to safety standards, and that our items provide the quality and play value that you expect.

For more information about general toy safety please see the Toy Industry Association web site at www.toy-tia.org. While we feel that our entire collection is safe and family-friendly, we realize that you may only feel comfortable buying an item if it is made in North America or Europe. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of best sellers made outside of Asia."

Here is my list so far of what I hope are safe toy choices:

Pick products manufactured within North America and Europe and enjoy them with confidence, using Back to Basics Toys new search feature!

CambiumLair- Made In The USA": Offers a variety of wooden toys made in USA

Maple Landmark- Made in USA: Offers a variety of wooden toys made in USA

American Plastic Toy Deluxe Housekeeping Set Made in USA: Offers a great variety of plastic toys made in the USA

ChessHeads Deck Builder by Wizergames Made in USA Fun For All Ages

To sling or not to sling.  That is the question. You see woman every day with their children strapped to their chest, back or hip. Steph is the blogosphere go to lady for anything pertaining to babywearing. You may have read her blog, Adventures in Babywearing, before. I had a chance to ask Steph a few questions about babywearing. Here is what she had to say.

Me: For anyone unfamiliar with the term, can you please explain babywearing.

Steph: Baby wearing is the act of carrying or wearing your baby close to you in a carrier or sling - there are so many benefits for mom and baby when you hold them close.

What made you decide that babywearing was for you?

When pregnant with my third child and having two little ones already, I joked that I'd have to wear this next baby to keep him safe. Then I attended a La Leche League meeting before giving birth and saw moms wearing their babies in beautiful slings- the babies were happy and the moms were able to go about their business... I was hooked! I bought a sling and have worn Gray since the day he was born. He still loves it (he'll be 2 in October!)

Have you received and negative feedback because of your decision?

Fortunately my family and friends are supportive of our gentle parenting style. They have seen the positive results. Many babywearers (but certainly not all) will co-sleep and breastfeed into the toddler years as we do- that is probably what I see the most "unsure" feedback about.

Of course people that have never seen a baby in a sling have stopped me and asked "Is he breathing in there?" or "Is that a baby or an animal?" or weird things like that! He'll be content or fast asleep and I'll get asked if he likes it. Of course he likes it! He loves it!

Do you have any tips for someone who is interested in the babywearing lifestyle, such as what products to use?

I'd recommend checking out TheBabywearer.com for a vast array of tips and articles about babywearing. It can be overwhelming at first, so if you have friends that wear their babies, try their slings out or check out your local LLL. And I am also happy to offer any tips or advice!

And, what we all really want to know: Do you wear Gray to the bathroom, too?

Uh, yes actually! I've worn baby in the bathroom and even tried on jeans at the Gap while wearing Gray.

Thanks, Steph, for the great information! If you have any questions for Steph, you can reach her jsprecourt@yahoo.com.

At times I think I might need to hire a life-coach to get me organized and show me ways to stay organized. With four kids and this blog, the schedules and responsibilities pile up and it is no wonder I forget things. Life is a highway of "must see, must do, must have right now" or so Judy says on her Goodyblog and I would have to agree. I spend most of my life hurrying, running, and doing. Hence, the term, "stop the world, I want to get off".

So, for a few minutes I want you to stop your world and read this exclusive interview with Judy. She is a woman on a mission to provide an informative and entertaining place for parents to unwind their tangled world and enjoy the carnival of life we live in.  I loved getting to know her and can see that we have a lot in common.....like the fact that we live in a frat house (like), we love Mexican food and have enjoyed getting to know one another....I hope you do too!

1. What made you decide to start blogging and how long has your site been up?
Goodyblog's been up and running for about 3 months. The whole edit staff of Parent's magazine blogs. I wanted to start it because as much fun as it is to be an editor at a magazine, blogs are so immediate and personal.

2. How much time do you spend writing posts, doing research and reading comments per day?
If I told you I'd get in trouble! But I would say I spend most of my time reading other people's blogs. I always start out thinking: I'm just going to skim through my bloglines and see if there's anything I want to link to. Then I get totally absorbed in reading and clicking. I try and do a lot of this at home.

3. What other blogs do you read (work & pleasure)?
Oh, so many! Well Loveshakbaby, of course. Mod*Mom, designmom, daddytypes, thingamababy. I think those are my most beloved.

4. Where does your inspiration come from?
Everywhere! From the news, to something my kid says, to walking by a store window!

5. How do you stay motivated?
I just love it!

6. Do you have blogging goals (like what you want to accomplish with your site)?
Well, I'd like to get as many people as possible to read it! But also, I'd like there to be a feeling of community that's not cliquish. Where everyone feels comfortable chiming in.

7. What is the most important thing that you want readers to take away after reading your posts? Well, I always post something either because it inspired me, made me laugh, or just cause it's cool. So that's what I hope people feel when they read it.

8. When you take a break what is your favorite indulgence? (m&m's, hot bath, sitcoms etc) Law&Order, Mexican Food, and Magazines

9. What is your favorite part of blogging, eg. Making friends, community building, getting heard etc.?
I thought it was going to be the actual blogging part, but it turns out it's the meeting people (well I haven't met anyone personally, but I feel connected to a lot of people now and I read their blogs differently.

10. Tell me about your family (if it is not too personal)
I have two boys, Julius 13, Oliver 9, Molly the golden retriever and a super hot husband, Matt. We live in Brooklyn and as the boys get older, the more I'm feeling like a chick who's living in a frat house.

If you're not a regular reader of Goodyblog, I suggest you high tail it on over to Judy's site and check it out. It will, no doubt become a major bright spot in your day and you may even learn something you never knew before.

In a very candid, e-mail interview, Amy Clark, mother, blogger, and founder of MomAdvice, opens up about her goal to empower women, her Martha Stewart tendencies, and her famous Friday Foot Soaks. Her passion comes from the uncertainty of life and finances. But one thing is certain, she's got a great head on her shoulders and she's encouraging moms from all over the world to live functionally and frugally at the same time.

Amy is quite the Alpha Mom, and I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I have......

1.  How is your blog and your site different?

Well, in the beginning they were actually very different. I had started out just wanting my blog to be a place where I could share about my everyday life. The idea was to take the pressure off of myself and this nagging need that I needed to be Martha Stewart. It was also to take away any false illusions that I actually know what I am doing as a parent or that I do everything the way I should. I had a blast with it, but found myself creatively drained and also felt like I needed to censor myself in order to not hurt people’s feelings in my life. The idea was to be my authentic self and instead it came out as a washed up version of my crazy personality.

I decided to turn the blog around and make it more synonymous with my purpose with our website. I wanted to share more information and tips on how you to run a household, how to save a buck and share great parenting ideas. Our blog includes product reviews, book reviews, and we feature work-at-home moms who are trying to do what they can to work and stay home with their children. The blog was a great way to incorporate other elements into our site and also remain true to the principles of what we were trying to offer.

2.  You started MomAdvice to give information to moms that you were looking for on-line and could not find but what made you decide to start a blog?

I have the tendency to be a bit…um, long winded. I have a hard time writing short pieces so it is a creative challenge for me to try and keep my blog posts short. I pride myself on providing in-depth information, but moms have a limited time to surf the net so they want the information to be quick and to the point. I still pride myself on writing well-researched posts, but they are shorter and easier for moms to read.

3.  You blog like a pro how long have you been blogging and do have others that blog with you?

Ha! Thanks for the compliment! I have been blogging for about two years, but really came into my blogging space in May of 2006. That is when I finally got into my writing groove and carved a niche for myself. My blogging became more regular because my topics came more easily to me.

I am the only one who blogs for our site right now, but I do appreciate reading other people’s blogs who have a team of opinions to draw from. It certainly makes it more interesting than one person’s input. I just haven’t felt comfortable offering up any creative control at this point.

4.  How much time do you spend writing posts, doing research and reading comments per day?

I spend way too much time on this. I love comments and blogging appeals to my need to be the center of the universe. You can picture me at my computer going, “They like me. They really like me!” 

I couldn’t say exactly how much time I spend on this because my blogging and my everyday life are so entwined now.  When I go to a store and figure out how to save money on something, I make a mental note of how I can blog about it. If I am doing something around the house and figure out a way to be more efficient doing it, I make another note to blog about it.

Overall, I spend approximately twenty hours on the blog and website each week. This makes my hourly wage about two cents an hour…but it is SO worth it!

5.  What other blogs do you read (work & pleasure)?

I read a lot of blogs so it makes it hard to choose just a few. I love Frugal Upstate (to remind me to be smart with my money), Lifehacker (so I feel smart about everything else), Like Merchant Ships (to remind me to be creative with my money), Home Ec 101 (to help my inner-Martha), & The Space Between My Peers (to help me try and appear slightly fashionable). I love reading blogs though and look forward to reading my feeds every day.

6.  Where does your inspiration come from?

Definitely my children! They inspire me daily to push myself just a little bit further than I think I can go. I want to stay home with them and it is really important to me. If I am not successful at what I do, then I risk having to enroll them in daycare. I love being home with my kids and that provides all the creative fuel I could ever need!

7.  How do you stay motivated?

I think we all have drive in different ways and to different degrees. A lot of my drive comes from the uncertainty of life and finances. My husband was unemployed for almost a year and I had to return to work to support the family for the first year of my son’s life. I wanted to be home so badly with him and I made a vow to myself that I would do whatever it would take to make that work. It took a long time for me to figure out how to make that happen, but now that I have it…well, I am just driven to keep it that way!

8.  Other than give great advice, what would you like to accomplish with your blog?

I want to empower women. That is really my main goal and objective. This weekend I went to a wonderful ladies luncheon that was an honorary tribute to women and I was sitting among a lot of working women. The speakers all talked about how women don’t have equal opportunities, how they don’t make as much as men, how we have to make the bacon and fry it in the pan…and it went on and on. They said that they wanted to empower women to feel like they are equals to men and how we deserve to do everything men are doing. I am all for that!  I think it is great that women want that and I want that for them. My gripe is that empowerment comes from different places for different people. I feel empowered being the CEO of my household. I manage the money, I do the shopping, and I juggle the schedules, I am still a strong woman and I still give my husband a run for his money. He certainly is not making me stay home and I don’t feel like my womanly rights are taken away. I guess what I want women to know is that you are still powerful and just as essential in a household if you stay home, then as if you work.

9.  What is the most important thing that you want readers to take away after reading your posts?

I just want to inspire people creatively to make good financial choices. I have lived hand to mouth, I have lived like a queen when things were good, and now we live very modestly. I want people to know that I have that knowledge to draw from and that I have seen both sides of the coin.

10.  When you take a break what is your favorite indulgence? (m&m’s, hot bath, good book, sitcoms etc)

I have an official Foot Soak Friday that I encourage all women to rise up and take advantage of this opportunity each Friday. I have a foot soaker and I do the whole nine yards while I have a great glass of wine. It is my little treat to myself and one that I look forward to every Friday. I get a little perturbed when anything interferes with this, as this is my major treat to myself. I also love Milk Chugs (my treat at the grocery store), board games, Soduko, & Grey’s Anatomy.

11.  What is your favorite part of blogging, eg. Making friends, community building, getting heard etc.?

It is my way to release my inner rock star. Yes, she is not as cool as Joan Jett, but it feels good to get such awesome emails from people telling me that something I said or did had a positive effect on their life.

12.  What is the worst part of running a site and a blog?
I get a lot of emails if I am not on top of things. People wait all week for certain features on our site and if they aren’t up in time, I am getting panicked emails from people. I run a website and blog so I can work for myself, but I am really working for everyone else out there. It can be a little agitating, but also serves as a reminder to me to not start things I can’t finish.

How can a mother of 5, be a designer, art director and blogger all at the same time while living in the hustle and bustle of New York? Well, I've got some news for you, Gabrielle Blair, from Design Mom, manages to show us in a candid e-mail interview, how design and mother hood can intersect. We are so excited to have been given the opportunity to get to know her better and we found that Gabrielle is a genuinely great mom juggling kids, career and "me time" and we think that you will enjoy getting to know her too......

1. With the design career that you’ve had what made you decide to start blogging?
When we had our fourth baby, I took a maternity leave, and that kind of extended as I did freelance projects. Then we had another baby, and my husband had the idea that if I wasn't working at a full-time, 9 to 5 type of job, but could just explore doing things I love, that ultimately that would be more fulfilling, and more valuable in all ways. My husband is finishing up his PhD, but had some work that could support our family long enough for me to pursue something other than full time work, and I took that opportunity to experiment. My siblings were getting more and more into blogging and I found a niche that I thought I could fill.

2. How long have you been blogging?
I have been reading blogs for about 4 years. I started my own blog last July.

3. How much time do you spend writing posts, doing research and reading comments per day with five kids?
I blog at night when my kids are in bed -- around 7:30pm -- and early in the morning. We don't start our morning routines until 7:00am, so I can get up before that if I want to get in more computer time. Probably like any blogger, sometimes I can put together posts quite quickly, and sometimes they take way longer than I would like.

During the day, I check email a few times, but don't do much blogging. I reserve precious daytime hours for everything in my life except blogging. My older 3 kids go to school. The two babies are home. When the babies are awake, I do things like manage our 5-kid household, and run errands, and play with them. When they nap, I do work for freelance design clients.

Sometimes I think I'm spending too much time blogging -- and the next minute wishing I was spending more time blogging and leaving more and better comments on all the great blogs out there.

4. What other blogs do you read (work & pleasure)?
So, so many. I'll list a small (tiny) sampling that will appeal especially to parents:
1) My sister's blog is always my first stop (http://www.jordanferney.blogspot.com). She has impeccable taste. Plus she's always doing interesting things.

2) Blog con Queso (http://roomconqueso.blogspot.com), and Upside Up (http://roomconqueso.blogspot.com) never disappoint.

3) I have several local friends that blog. Most write very personal blogs intended to be read by family and close friends, but two write for a more general parenting audience. Both are excellent:
Bells on Their Toes (http://bellsontheirtoes.blogspot.com) and Café Johnsonia (http://cafejohnsonia.blogspot.com).

5. Where does your inspiration come from?
From what I see and do everyday. I think that is one of the real keys in blogging, it has to come from what you are intimately familiar with. If I had to do a ton of research every week, I would burn out quickly. So I try to write posts from what I am thinking about, and how I am thinking: Which of my kids is having a birthday next? Will we do a friends party? Will there be a theme? I need new knives. What kind should I buy? It's time to decorate for Easter. What kind of display will I have time to make? A catalog came in the mail featuring especially cute swimsuits that someone should buy. My son needs new sneakers, what kind will I buy? Will I let him choose? And on. And on.

6. How do you stay motivated?
I guess I would divide this into two categories, there are internal rewards and external rewards to blogging. And both are important. For the internal rewards, I would mainly include that my blog has made my whole life feel like a creative outlet. With my blog, I can showcase what I'm doing in my everyday life and that gives me clarity about these immediate tasks, plus it changes these everyday tasks into a kind of public expression of who I am. Before my blog, it was: "Gabrielle Blair found the perfect swimsuits for girls this Summer." Although relatively meaningless, this kind of task (finding the perfect swimsuits) can be really difficult. So, I might be really excited about completing it, and maybe I would call my sisters, or tell a friend or two and they would get excited -- mostly out of courtesy. Now it can be: "Design Mom found the perfect swimsuits for girls this Summer." and it feels like a grand thing I can share with thousands of women and we all may benefit from the exchange.

For the external rewards, it is so fun and motivating to have a kind of thoughtful conversation about everyday life. Once I could see I had a sizeable dedicated readership, I didn't want to disappoint them or leave them hanging. And once I started scheduling Guest Moms and Giveaways, well, those were commitments I wanted to keep and felt responsible to keep. Another big motivating factor is seeing readership grow and getting "fan email" letting me know my readers like what they see. Everyone loves a pat on the back. But again, if I relied solely on such back-pats, I couldn't sustain this for long. There also has to be a balance of internal rewards.

7. Do you have blogging goals (like what you want to accomplish with your site)?
On a really good day, I think "Why not take over Martha Stewart's company when she retires?"

I was talking with another blogging friend, and our sense is that opportunities will come to anyone who consistently keeps a good blog. Even though it's been around for years, blogging is still new enough that it's hard to predict where it will take you. While I am the kind of person who likes to make goals and look for benchmarks, and I have done things to try to court readers -- because it is great to have readers -- a lot of the growth has just come in unexpected ways and ways which I never could have anticipated or prepared for.

8. What is the most important thing that you want readers to take away after reading your posts?
I want them to have a happier day after seeing something pretty.

The longer answer is that when I apply my design training to the tasks of motherhood, which I do by default, I can see how the decisions I'm making make my life a little prettier or improved than it would be otherwise. I think mothers in my generation are choosing motherhood. It's not the default path they would take -- women in America have all kinds of amazing opportunities outside of parenting. So, when they make the choice to become mothers, they want parenting to be a really quality experience -- especially knowing some of the other quality paths they've left behind. I love being a parent and I hope my posts help other mothers see how beautiful and enjoyable and fulfilling even the small tasks of parenting can be.

9. When you take a break what is your favorite indulgence? (m&m’s, hot bath, sitcoms etc)
Eating sugar (sour patch kids, pear jelly bellys, ice cream, hot cocoa) and watching TV: 30 Rock, Grey's Anatomy, Veronica Mars, Studio 60, The Office.

And I love indulging in a highly recommended novel -- but I have to do it sparingly, because I won't set it down until I finish. Which means that all blogging/showering/dishes are on hold until I'm done with the book.

10. What is your favorite part of blogging, eg. Making friends, community building, getting heard etc.?
Probably the getting heard. I think everyone has something to say and blogging is an easy way for them to say it. If you keep a blog for even a month, readers can get a pretty rich sense of who you are.

Second would be the friends aspect: making friends, keeping track of friends who've moved, and getting to know friends better through their blog..

Thank you Gabrielle, you've given us a pretty rich sense in who you are and consider you a true blogging friend!

Michele Little is surely One Chic Mama and she is doing everything she can, with her blog, to encourage moms everywhere to realize that amongst the chaos, diapers, and noise, motherhood doesn't mean the end of style!

Michelle took an interest in fashion at an early age and has not stopped creating beautiful things since. Her home studio is the base for Mary Michele Apparel and Designs where she spends her days dreaming up designs and fabulous clothes. We found her to be one of the happiest and most fulfilled moms ever and we are inspired by her refreshing words and candid thoughts on the balance it takes to make mommyhood doable and stylish at the same time.

With a successful apparel and design business what made you decide to start blogging?   
Well, as a creative person, I can't sit still for long and am always looking for exciting new adventures.  I first had the idea for One Chic Mama after I had my daughter, back in 2003.  After going through those first months of trying hard just to get a shower most days, much less leave the house looking pulled together or even stylish, I realized this is what happens when women have children.  And I thought about ways I could use my background in fashion to give moms some useful tips and information on beauty and style to help them keep it all together, and to remind themselves that just because you've become a mother doesn't mean that you have to lose your sense of identity and style. 

How long have you been blogging at onechicmama? 
I started One Chic Mama in May of 2006.     

With two kids in tow, how much time do you spend writing posts, doing research and reading comments per day?
It really varies, depending on our daily schedules.  Several hours some days, one or two on others.  It's hard to focus when my 4 month old is fussy and won't nap, or when my 3 year old wants to play a game.  I'm always striving for that balance, where I can get done what I need to and still have plenty of time for the kids.  I feel so lucky to do what I do, and wouldn't change a thing!

What other blogs do you read (work & pleasure)?
There are a lot I find interesting.  Let's see, Mommies With Style to keep up with cool kid wear, Blogging Baby, Design Sponge, Chocolate & Zucchini, Hostess with the Mostess, Parent Hacks, Strollerderby, City Mama, Modern Mom, She Finds Mom, No Good For Me, DesignMom, Kiddley, oh, and the list goes on and on.

Where does your inspiration for writing come from? 
Primarily from my own experience.  If I have a challenge, or find a great new product that makes my life easier, I want to share it! 

How do you stay motivated?
I have to say that lately, I've found myself feeling very full of joy.  I love my family, and I love what I do (with the blog and with my design biz) and I'm happy that I can have the best of both worlds.  If I ever feel unmotivated, I just start surfing and see what all these other great bloggers are doing and it gets my juices flowing.  Or I receive some great new products to review and I think, wow, there are some amazing things happening out there, I want to share the information. 

Do you have blogging goals (like what you want to accomplish with your site)? 
I do.  I'm working on my strategy to grow the blog.  I have thought about having guest bloggers.  I've also thought about writing a book.  I'd like to host events, both locally and nationally, and get moms connected with a night out for pampering, or something like that.  Oh, yes, lots of ideas and not nearly enough time...

What is the most important thing that you want readers to take away after reading your posts?  I'd like for moms to remember who they are, and that if they spend just a few minutes each day on their appearance they'll look and feel better, especially in those first few months of sleep deprivation and feeling frumpy.  I'd like for each woman to be reminded of what an awesome, amazing person she is and that she deserves to look and feel her best, and that it doesn't have to take a lot of time or money to look good. 

When you take a break what is your favorite indulgence (m&m’s, hot bath, sitcoms etc)?
I love making a nice big mug of steaming English Breakfast tea and nibbling on Trader Joes' chocolate chips, so that they melt in my mouth when I take a sip of tea.  I love feeling pampered by a soothing massage or facial.  And just taking a night off to go have dinner out with my husband.  Oh, and I love watching The Office, 30 Rock, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy and House, and just chilling with a good glass of red wine.   

What is your favorite part of blogging eg) making friends, community building, getting heard etc.? 
Blogging has been a fascinating experience.  I like feeling in tune with what's happening.  I like the community and network of blogging moms (we're all so supportive of each other), and I enjoy passing on things that make my life a little easier, or things I think will help make other's lives better.  It's been much more rewarding than I anticipated, and I'm sticking with it!

Loveshakbaby is so glad to hear that she is sticking to it! And we encourage you to give Michele a shout and read her latest post about the need to help other women and the environment at the same time. Thanks, Michele!