ANNOUNCING THE SHEBLOGS ADVISORY PANEL!

Over the past few months, the SheBlogs team has been hard at work sorting through the wonderful applications that we’ve received in response to our call for the new SheBlogs Advisory Panel. The selection process was a long and difficult one, but after weeks of discussion, we’ve narrowed down our panel to 15 remarkable women who represent a sample of our community and our bloggers’ diverse backgrounds and coverage areas.

Please join me in welcoming the 2010 SheBlogs Advisory Panel! We’ll have more news and updates in the coming month, but for now – meet our panelists!

Kari Aceto: http://nateandjakeandme.blogspot.com

I have been blogging for a little over 3 years now – originally I maintained a blog for use as a communication tool with my students when I was a public school teacher. Then, when I was put on bedrest with my 2nd child, I started blogging to keep family and friends up to date with my progress. While on bed rest, I became addicted to giveaways (hence my blog name) and my blog became a place where I would help promote other blogs and/or contests. For the past year, my blog, A Giveaway Addicted Mommy, has become a product review blog with scatterings of stories about my life and foibles. I would love to have a group to belong to that will help me solidify my own niche in the blogosphere.

I am a 36 year-old stay-at-home-mom to 3 boys. My oldest, Nathan, is a senior in high school and is 17 years old. So, you’d think I have "been there and done that" right? Well, I used to think that too until I had my 2nd son, Jake who is now 2 and half years old. Jake continually informs me daily that I certainly know little if anything. Being the gluten for punishment that I am, we decided to have one more, Luke, who just turned 1. Though I have a bachelors degree and have taught thousands of students over the years – nothing has prepared me for this zoo we call our home. Not sure who is the zoo keeper but I am surely the one who cleans the cages.

Leni Calas: http://queensmamas.com

My blog is www.queensmamas.com. There are many sites which claim to have information about the largest borough in New York ( Queens ) but only Queens Mamas brings current event listings and community reviews to a growing group of Queens parents. I am a mother of 2 girls ages 10yrs and 5 months and a Queens native who found a serious lack in resources for parents outside of Manhattan. I am a contributor to Mommy Poppins, NYC’s biggest free events site for parents and am dedicated to bringing attention to NYC’s other areas of interest.

Melissa Carswell: http://www.hiddenvalleysimplicity.com

Melissa is a stay-at-home-work-from-home mom who pursues living the all natural, traditional foods, self-sustaining lifestyle. I also run a site called www.mamabzz.com, so I think I’m in touch with the mama community quite well and can provide some timely feedback. My personal blog is www.hiddenvalleysimplicity.com

Bailey Vincent Clark: http://makeovermomma.com

My name is Bailey Vincent Clark, and my blog/website is Makeover Momma, and it was created to help busy, budgeted women feel fit, fashionable and fabulous after having a baby. It encompasses all topics pertaining to beauty, fashion, nutrition and fitness, with a focus on anything that is easy, cheap and accessible for the every day mom (or very busy women). Although the Makeover Momma book is still in the process of publication, the website has grown rapidly, and has been chosen as one of the Daily Makeover’s featured and elite Beauty Bloggerati (which is very fun), and was going to be part of Cookie Magazine’s brand new blogger panel (but unfortunately, Conde Naste had to close the magazine due to economical reasons, before I could join).

I would love to be part of a blogging panel because I feel I could learn just as much from the process and other bloggers, as I could help give advice, practical opinion, etc. (I might also bring a different perspective as a former written and print publication journalist, who transfered into the blogging world after having kids). I would love helping in any way possibe- whether writing needed content, lending an online voice to She Blogs, filming videos representing She Blogs, attending (and reporting from) any form of conferences She Blogs might prefer, etc.

Lucinda Cross: http://www.corporatemomdropouts.com

Lucinda Cross is a speaker, author and mom. Now founder of Corporate Mom Dropouts, blog, radio show and book. For several years, she has made it her life’s mission to uplift, inspire and change people’s lives. She likes to call herself a catalyst for motivation, passion and high energy and has worked with small business owners supporting them to work on their business and not in their business, and women who were interested in learning how to work from home and take charge and create the life they love. Her life has been filled with wonderful experiences – from being a single mother, to a Mompreneur, sharing her gifts as a marketing strategist, mentor and writer she uses that wisdom and insight to motivate moms to create a better life, a better community and a better business.

Sarah Ellis: http://thepitterpatterboutique.blogspot.com

My name is Sarah Ellis and I am a 27 year old mother of two. My son, Dorian, is 8 and my daughter Jordan, is 2. I currently reside in Southern California with my wonderful hubby who is a Pilot in the US Army. He has been employed by them for 9 years and has been deployed 4 times. I work from home running a web-based baby boutique and expressing myself and life’s everyday adventures via my blog, http://thepitterpatterboutique.blogspot.com. I was recently diagnosed with MS (October 29, 2009) and my blog has been a great outlet for emotions and questions.

My blog has a little bit of everything but one thing that’s consistent in every post is my own personal brand of wit. I enjoy making people smile and I love offering myself as an example in life. I’m finding my way while everyone watches, and learns.

Anitra Elmore: http://themamazone.com

I am an African American, stay-at-home mom of two (8 yr. old daughter, 4 yr. old son). I am a former teacher with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and I have been married for 15 years. I blog at The MamaZone, where I offer useful advice, exceptional resources and ideas to make the "mama-life" richer, and If Mama Ain’t…, where I write about issues relevant to Christian women. While I have a unique target audience and approach for each blog, I maintain a commitment to encouraging and empowering women on both. I believe that commitment, and my lifestyle and experiences combine to form a unique perspective that would be a valuable asset to the Sheblogs panel.

Janis Elspas: http://MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com

First & foremost, I am a WAHM who has 4 Tweens: triplets plus another child — all born within a year. I am homeschooling all my kids in addition to mommy blogging full-time and I occasionally consult in marketing communications in areas that are not a conflict of interest with my blogging business. My blog, http://MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com has proudly displayed the pink SheBlogs badge since you launched in August, eclipsing almost my entire blogging career which started in April 2009. As an advocate of blogging ethically, I also actively promote the group BlogWithIntegrity.com whenever I have the opportunity, especially in light of the recent FTC ruling. The mission of MommyBlogExpert is to provide a blog that’s rich in G-rated content which enhances living for parents, kids, and extended family; I also do family-friendly product reviews, book reviews, movie reviews and associated giveaways.

Prior to MommyBlogExpert, I worked for 30 years (full-time and as an entrepreneur) in B2B, consumer, and non-profit media and analyst relations and journalism — and have actively retained my network of contacts in these fields. I’ve held a variety of management positions in both corporate communications departments of publicly-held companies and also for major public relations agencies such as Hill & Knowlton and Rogers & Cowan; in addition I’ve published stories in the past as a syndicated columnist for Copley News Service and freelanced for various traditional print media. Previously, I also owned and operated a publishing and career services company, Rachel PR Services, that served the advertising, PR, and journalism professions.

Melissa Essex: http://www.sweetmissa.blogspot.com

I am a new blogger, but love trying out new products and have always spread the word about my new finds to my family and friends. I am a special education teacher in an inner city high school, a Tastefully Simple independent consultant, and a fiancee to an amazing man. We’re currently planning a wedding for 8/19/2010 aboard the Carnival Miracle! My interests include cooking, baking, writing, scrapbooking, reading, finding new products and good deals! I would love for my blog to eventually become one that my readers look to for honest reviews, fun giveaways, and entertaining stories about my life as a busy late 20′s lady!

Brandie Harris: http://freesamplefreak.com

I am an upbeat blogger with ALOT to say! =D I can be professional, I can be sassy, I can be witty….I can be it all! I blog about many things from free samples to making money. I review products and offer reader giveaways. I have a very close relationship with my readers whom are very loyal. I also have a Chatroll on my blog where I speak directly to my readers daily and answer any and all questions. My chatroll is often full of just random conversations…apparently I am a good person for people to talk to! I make it to where my readers relate with me dead-on! I love what I do and couldn’t imagine doing anything else!!!

Crystal Richie: http://ewokmama.com

Hi, I’d like to put my name in the hat for the Advisory Panel members. I’m a 29 year old divorced mom of a 3 year old boy living in San Francisco. I work full time and my son attends daycare. My personal blog ewokmama.com details my adventures with a three year old from the perspective of a working mom who is focused on attachment parenting. I also write for the San Francisco City Guide at savvysource.com, providing reviews of local areas/events of interest to parents. I have been active in the blogging community for six years now and I feel very strongly that providing an honest view into parenthood (from techniques to gear to activities) makes parenting just a little easier on all of us. I think my straight-forward approach would be very beneficial on the Advisory Panel, and I believe I represent a key demographic of moms.

Jennifer Shipley: http://unconditionalmom.com

My name is Jennifer, but I’m known on the internet as Unconditional Mom. I’m a 36 year old single mom. I’ve been blogging, off & on, for about 10 years. I used to be a Publicist in the music industry (local, regional & national levels) and ‘retired’ when I gave birth to my daughter 4 1/2 years ago. Now I’m a PTO Chairperson, Karate Mom (I’m the Operations Manager), Dance Studio Mom, YMCA Mom and so much more. I love being involved in everything possible, networking and being a Mommy. I’ve been social networking for 10 years. I utilize Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and several other websites; I feel it’s imperative to spread the word using various outlets.

My blog is called Unconditional Mom. I wanted something to explain how I feel about being a mom; giving opinions about products that are Mom & Child related; free stuff (legitimate; no gimmicks) that Mom’s may be interested in; blogging about our personal life & experience and so much more. Recently I have been asked to be a ModernMom.com (Brooke Burke / The Doctors & Dancing with The Stars) official blogger as I had been featured four times in less than a month based on the contend that I had blogged about.

Stacy: http://gogogadgetmom.com

Hi, my name is Stacey and I am the creator and editor of Go Go Gadget Mom. I am fortunate enough to work from my home which means I can stay home with my two girls while making a little money. That also means that I get to work in my pajamas on those rainy or cold days!

I have been married for 7 years to an audio engineer and technology geek (one in the same) and that is just what he does in his “free time”. His day job consists of designing sound, video, and lighting systems for performance spaces. So, by default, technology and gadgets have become a constant fixture in our ever-changing lives.

Go Go Gadget Mom has been a work in the making for quite some time. I first realized how gadget savvy this next generation would be when my toddler daughter was navigating around websites on my computer long before she could even ride a bike. The very first time she picked up my iPhone she was able to “unlock” it, check the weather, check the weather in Alaska (where her aunt and uncle live), and take a picture.

Nicole Wiseberg: http://nicolesnickels.net

My name is Nicole Wiseberg and I blog at Nicole’s Nickels (http://www.nicolesnickels.net). My blog is a deals blog about money-savers (free samples and coupons) and money-makers (surveys, online offers, and mystery shopping). I work a full-time job as an attorney for a non-profit during the day representing primarily women in their domestic violence and divorce cases and by night am a frugal blogger. I love blogging and am so proud of how successful my blog has become.

I regularly post reviews and giveaways and enjoy a strong relationship with many different PR people I have met through my blogging journey. I have been featured on local and national television and print media. I am attaching my media kit for your review. It covers many of these aspects. The power of a female blog is so great and I know how powerful my voice can be to readers, It’s important to maintain relationships and contact with PR and to keep the female blogger’s image a worthwhile one in their eyes.