I'm back!!! With an Exciting Giveaway!!

Have you been looking for blog advice but don't know where exactly you should be looking?

Are you a brand new blogger just starting out and find yourself needing some guidance?

Has blogging been a part of your life for a while but you'd like a little help in where to turn to next?

Do you simply just want to grow your blog?

Well then you've come to the right place my friend because this giveaway has your name written all over it!

I rounded up a group of ladies who have been around the ballpark a time or two when it comes to blogging in order to put this one of a kind giveaway together. We all have some tips, tricks, advice, and guidance that we'd love to shell out in order to help you grow into the best blogger you can be. Whether this be through a Skype session, a back and forth email exchange, a blog critique, a Q&A session, a phone call, a personal jet to pick you up for a private meeting, etc - we're covering all the bases.

All you need to do to enter is check out the participating bloggers, see what awesome package they're offering as a prize, and get to entering the Rafflecopter. And the best part about this giveaway?

THERE WILL BE FIVE WINNERS!

Each randomly selected winner will be paired up with three of the participating bloggers as well as with me.

Therefore each winner will receive four separate blog advice prizes! We're splitting up the prizes so that one winner isn't bombarded with sixteen different sets of opinions and sixteen different sets of ideas on advice. Because that might get a little chaotic and like they say..."nobody got time for that".

Are you excited? We hope so because we certainly are! Let's get this thing started shall we?

Without further adieu, here are the sixteen ladies who have teamed up to put together the "Blog Advice Giveaway".

Erin at Two Thirds Hazel

What you'll win: Each of the five winners will be able to email Erin at any point until the end of eternity (like farther than to infinity and beyond) to ask questions and seek advice.

Brandi at Mama Laughlin

Brandi is offering a phone call or email where you will receive tips from her

on how to grow your blog using the social media form of Pinterest.

You will receive a back and forth Q&A session with Ashley via email 

providing you with the answers you've been looking for on anything blog related.

Mandy at House of Rose

Your blog will be reviewed by Mandy (and her husband!) via recorded screen capture video 

and then they will offer tips on how you can improve. 

Check out an example of this one of a kind opportunity here.

Erin at Living In Yellow

Erin is offering a one hour blogging consultation (done via video chat or phone call)

which will provide you with Q&A, tips and advice.

Whitney at I Wore Yoga Pants

Whitney will provide you with a back and forth Q&A session

giving you the answers you've been looking for on anything blog related.

"Prefer the phone? Let's chat! What about a fun Skype session? Sure! 

Or a good ole email is fine by me too! 

Sky is the limit. Well, I guess in this case-technology is. 

I will take a thorough look at your blog and do my best to answer any questions!"

Raven at Don't Quote the Raven

You will receive a Q&A session via email. 

Anything you ask, Raven will answer...in detail!

Aunie at Aunie Sauce

You will receive a Q&A email session with advice catered to your blog

providing you with a ton of advice and numerous tips to help you grow.

Taylor will visit and review your blog, providing you with an email containing

advice customary to you and your blog.

Stephanie at Beautiful Mess

Receive a three-post editing session:

Pick three of your upcoming blog posts. Send your drafts to Stephanie for her to proofread, 

edit and make suggestions as to how you can easily make your writing more personable, 

appealing, humorous and overall, just more fun to read!

Shanna at Because Shanna Said So

Shanna will answer your top five questions whether this be anything from 

sponsorships, social media, tips to grow and/or how to monetize your blog.

Niki at Glossy Blonde

Two weeks of email consulting during which Niki will answer any questions 

you have about blogging and/or building your brand.

Chelsea at Olive and Ivy

An email with personalized advice and tips catered directly to your blog, 

or a Skype session, or a back and forth Q&A session, etc. Whichever you prefer! 

If you are unsure of what to ask a blog critique can also be given.

Jessica at Jessica Who

 With Jessica you will receive a Q&A session via unlimited emails.

Yes, you read that right...unlimited!

Michelle at The Vintage Apple

You will receive a back and forth Q&A session with Michelle via email 

providing you with the answers you've been looking for on anything blog related 

so that you have the knowledge and tools to grow.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Oh, How Pinteresting Linky!!!

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!!! Sorry this is so late today!!!!


A couple of weeks ago I posted a tutorial on how to embed your fabulous pins for today's linkup...make sure you check it out here or click the button below!!!! Pinterest has changed the way we embed code now,  and I just want to make sure everyone is aware of what to do!!!!

I'm on a little bloggy vacay but I still wanted you to be able to link up your fabulous pins for OHP today!!!! Be back soon!!!!!!

<center> <a href="http://www.thevintageapple.com"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hrB2eKWxQws/UCIFh-ooBuI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/57h8QwGLtNs/s1600/pinterestingwed.png"/></a></center>
I can't wait to see what you guys pin this week!!!!!!
Grab the code above and link up below!!!

Oh, How Pinteresting!!!

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!!!


A couple of weeks ago I posted a tutorial on how to embed your fabulous pins for today's linkup...make sure you check it out here or click the button below!!!! Pinterest has changed the way we embed code now,  and I just want to make sure everyone is aware of what to do!!!!

I'm on a little bloggy vacay but I still wanted you to be able to link up your fabulous pins for OHP today!!!! Be back soon!!!!!!

<center> <a href="http://www.thevintageapple.com"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hrB2eKWxQws/UCIFh-ooBuI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/57h8QwGLtNs/s1600/pinterestingwed.png"/></a></center>
I can't wait to see what you guys pin this week!!!!!!
Grab the code above and link up below!!!

Bloggy Vacay

via

Happy Tuesday everyone!!! I hope you all had a wonderful and super restful Memorial Day weekend! We had so much fun and now I need some time to rest FROM my vacation! HA!

I'll be taking a bloggy vacation for a little while, but don't you worry your pretty little heads...I'll be back soon!!! I will have the OHP linky up for Wednesday for those of you who want to participate!

Also, if you are interested in participating in my popular series From One Mom to Another, please email me at vintageapplemichelle {at}gmail dot com and put FOMTA in your subject line!

See you soon!

From One Mom to Another: Red Velvet Rooster

Happy Thursday everyone!!! Thank you so much for checking out today's From One Mom to Another post....today's featured guest is one amazing mamma named Chelsea! She blogs over at the super cute blog Red Velvet Rooster!! One of the things I love about Chelsea is her openness and honesty about being a mom...it is very refreshing to read a post so direct and sincere when it comes to motherhood! I hope you enjoy this post as much as I did! Happy Thursday!!

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1.     Something you wish you knew before having a child?

I wish I knew SO many things before having a baby! I wish I knew how painful and awkward the recovery from vaginal birth can be.  People think it’s just C-sections that are painful, that’s a lie.  I wish I knew how hard the sleep deprivation can be, but also that it will be short lived.  I wish that I knew just how much money we would be spending on diapers and wipes.  I wish I knew how pointless it was to stock his closet with cute button up shirts…all of which he has worn once or not at all.  I wish I knew how pointless a lot of stuff on our registry really was.  Crib, co-sleeper, diaper pail, swing, diapers, wipes, pajamas with footies and formula (or breastmilk) will get you through the first 6 months of life without a problem!  Lastly, I wish I knew just how fast time was going to fly once you have a baby.  They only stay a baby for a few seconds it feels like…

2.     Most surprising Mommy moment?

How challenging breastfeeding is and how much your production can be hindered by stress and anxiety.  Bubba had to be put under the bili-lights for 24 hours at the hospital a day after we took him home.  We were lucky enough to be able to have a room with him, but I had a meltdown during this time and I let stress and anxiety take over my body.  We all went home the next day and I breastfed that next month.  I loved breastfeeding and the bond it created between my son and I.  I loved feeling like I could provide for him, literally, everything he needed. 

A week or so after he had been in the hospital for jaundice, I began to notice that nothing seemed to make him happy.  He never fell asleep after nursing and instead continued to cry.  He would nurse for 45 minutes at a time and still was not satisfied.  He gave me blisters from nursing so hard. He was super gassy and was only sleeping 8 hours…A DAY!  I also began to notice that he didn’t seem to be gaining weight and my breasts were not nearly as full as they were before we took Bubba to hospital for his jaundice.  I knew all of this was not normal, so I decided to pump one day and see how much milk I would get.  I got 1 ounce in 30 minutes of pumping.  It was then I realized that he had not been getting enough to eat from me.  We went to the doctor to confirm what we already knew.  He had dropped almost a pound from his birth weight in a month.  That same day I rushed to the store and got a bunch of Similac Sensitive.  Watching him drink that first bottle of formula was the most amazing moment for me.  For the first time in Bubba’s life he was satisfied.  He fell asleep right after that first bottle. 

I cried a lot about the fact that he was so hungry for a month and I had no idea.  I cannot look at pictures of him from that first month without crying.  He looked like a tiny, old man.  To this day, I still cannot believe that it took me so long to realize there was a problem…but hey, it’s not like they come with an instruction manual.  I cried a lot about the fact that I could not breastfeed as I was planning on breastfeeding him for the first year.  I was comforted by the fact that Bubba loved his formula so much and by how he began to thrive and grow into the huge 22 month old boy he is today.  When we have our next child I hope I will have more success breastfeeding now that I know what to expect and now that I know more about products like Fenugreek bars, teas, etc.   

3.     How has Motherhood impacted your life all around?

 Being a Mama is the most important, fun, moving, overwhelming, stressful, terrifying, hilarious and rewarding job ever.  Becoming a mother has helped me become a better person.  I am more patient and understanding.  I am less judgmental and extremely protective.  The small things, like a messy house, don’t get to me as much anymore.  I would much rather spend time playing with tractors and trains with my son than washing the windows and that is OK.  My priorities have completely shifted.  My focus is 100% on my family and our experiences together.  Motherhood is a role I have always known I was born for.  That doesn’t mean it isn’t one of the hardest jobs out there though.  Most of the time, I can cope with anything.  I have been able to handle the sidewinder curves our adventure takes us on…other times you will find me in a dark corner, head in my hands, rocking back and forth.  We are only human after all.

4.     Best piece of advice?

I know I am only supposed to give the “best piece of advice” but I felt these all are worth mentioning.

-Trust your instincts.  If you think there is an issue, you are probably right. 

-Don’t worry too much. 9 times out of 10 you are doing it right…People have been making babies and keeping them alive since the beginning of time. If cave women could do it without all the fancy gadgets we convince ourselves we have to have, we can do it too.

-You are not a perfect Mother and you never will be…so quit trying.  Just be the best you can be.

-Don’t forget about your relationship with your Husband.  It is easy to do, but your marriage is just as important as your child.  If your relationship is not healthy, your child will suffer from it.  I am guilty of not balancing wife and mother very well at times and it is something that I actively try and work on every day.

-No matter how bad you think you look…take pictures with your babies…you will regret it if you don’t.

5.     Anything else you would like to share?

Be conscious of the fact that babies and children are VERY perceptive.  They can feel your emotions.  If you get frustrated, they react to that.  If you are sad, they can feel it.  While I was transitioning to a new job I was very stressed and anxious and Bubba felt every bit of it.  He threw fits over everything that week.  He literally had a conniption fit over dropping a toy one day.  Once I picked up on what was going on and made a point to leave work at work and the issues were solved.  Bubba was much happier within the first day of me, consciously, letting go of my anxiety and keeping it out of the home.  Being a Mom is a lot about faking it till you make it, at times. Your emotions take a backseat to your child, which is not always healthy…but it is part of being a Mom.  The really awesome flip-side to this is that Bubba is my saving grace on a bad day.  If I am having a bad day, being the class clown that he is, within five minutes Bubba has me laughing and I have forgotten that I was ever having a bad day.  Kids are great like that.