Oh!Baby... Have You Met New M.O.M Tia Mowry?

Sophisticated and savvy, engaging and entertaining, and an all around sweetheart, actress Tia Mowry is one of the most sought after talents in the entertainment business today.

A talented and versatile actress in both movies and television,Tia can now add, producer, MOM, and Author to her
M.O.M resume!

 

We all fell in love with Tia the first time (almost 2 decades ago) in Sister Sister.  Not only has she captured the audience in the BET comedy The Game, but we again fell in love with Tia in person last year with her Style Network's hit reality series, Tia & Tamera.






Of course back by popular demand this summer will be season 2, so stay tuned to follow along Tia's journey of being a Master of Multitasking (aka M.O.M)on the Style Network!


We also have the opportunity to read how Tia embraced her first pregnancy with open arms but like all women who have gone through pregnancy, there are many things you never knew until you were pregnant (well there may be no more secrets if you read Tia's book).

Tia accredits her new found esteem for fellow woman and moms out there to being pregnant and becoming a mom.  Tia's Book, Oh!Baby is on sale now, so let her guide you into Mom-hood!


 Now...Let's Meet M.O.M Tia

photo credit Diana King

As a M.O.M., we wear many 'hats', what is the 'hat' you have been wearing lately?


Oh my gosh, I've been wearing quite a few hats lately! I am a mother, a wife, a sister, an actress, an author, and an executive producer!

photo courtesy of Persona PR
Was it hard to go back to work after having Cree? 

It was very hard going back to work after I had Cree! It was so hard to adjust from being there with him every day to then suddenly having to leave him for work. 


Do you think your career priorities have changed now that you are a mom?

Yes! Everything that I do now, I am doing for Cree and with him in mind. I want to do everything I can so that he can have a better life.


Being a working actress, what have you found to be your biggest M.O.M. struggle? Any advice for us M.O.Ms on how you can handle working and raising a family? By the way, how did you find time to fit in writing a book, too?

The biggest struggle is trying not to feel guilty about leaving your child! I cannot put in to words how hard it is to leave Cree when I have to work.


We all got to experience how you handled pregnancy on Style's "Tia & Tamera", tell us what your book, "Oh, Baby!" is going to share with readers, and of course, moms and mama's to be.

My book is all about tips and advice about the things that happen during pregnancy that a lot of people don't tell you about. I have a 'Hot Mama Style' chapter in the book, which basically tells you how to keep your hot mama style throughout your pregnancy.

I have a list of my top 10 go-to's to stay stylish as a pregnant mom, too -- I truly believe that just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you have to give up on your style.


You're pregnant for a long time [almost a year!] so I hope people come away from my book knowing that even though pregnancy can be scary, it is empowering. There's nothing more amazing than bringing life in to this world, and having life grow inside of you. 



Do you want to share a favorite quote or M.O.M. motto you live by now?

Never give up! You are stronger than you know.


Tia is a great inspiration and role model to all of us M.O.Ms out there.  You can follow M.O.M Tia along socially as well!

Twitter:  @TiaMowry
Facebook: Tia Mowry


A Big Thanks to M.O.M Tia for chatting!  Welcome to M.O.Mhood.
photo courtesy of Persona PR



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Mid-Week Must Have with iTunes ~ Giveaway!!!

Whether it's time to entertain the family or work time... we all need a little help with passing the time listening to music or finding a show or movie.


This is why I turn to iTunes for all my music requests and shows.
This week it is my MUST-HAVE while working.  I need some background tunes while I work and it so easy to set a work playlist {or fun-time playlist}.


I also saved myself and my company (Kt Steppers) a lot of $$ by finding 2 TV show episodes featuring my product.  So, this is a great resource for promoting your biz and product by capturing it's TV/Movie debuts and sharing with your customers, stores, audience and more!


I loved seeing on the Tia & Tamera Show, Tia Mowry receiving the stepper we made for her (at the time) soon-to-be baby boy Cree!  (plus from this promo you can see Tia folding her Hot Mama Gown)


That episode was 'Sisters Under Pressure': http://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/sisters-under-pressure/id450804955?i=467197028


From that episode I was able to capture amazing shots of Tia Mowry Loving Baby Cree's Stepper:





 Then last week's Bethenny Ever After episode my stepper was seen there too.  So, of course, I clicked iTunes and looked it up, sure enough there it was in scene with Bethenny Frankel and her husband Jason!


Bethenny Ever After episode: 'Grab Your Balloons'
http://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/grab-your-balloons/id500353715?i=525233389 






So in honor of getting some good press and promotions for a small business at a low cost... we are giving away a $10 iTunes Card.


So, please share with us your mid-week must have to keep you moving through the work week. (this is one entry)


Share on Facebook (another entry into the drawing)
Share on Twitter (another entry into the drawing)


We will announce the winner Friday morning, so you have Today(Wednesday) and Tomorrow (Thursday) to spread the post for your chance to win the $10 iTunes Card.


Be sure to comment below and mention where you shared it as well!


Good Luck and happy promoting with iTunes!
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Taste It Thursday with a Little Help From Martha

Ok M.O.Ms... here is a great recipe and idea for .. ahem... the 'dad's to pull together for your Mother's Day brunch!


Who else to turn to for some holiday inspiration and ideas but Martha!


Easy and anyone can whip this up:


        Spinach & Gruyere Quiche

This outstanding quiche relies only on a few simple elements: a creamy egg custard, buttery homemade crust, and flavorful Gruyere cheese and spinach. This quiche will be a standout at your Mother's Day brunch.

photo courtesy of MarthaStewart.com


Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
3 shallots, minced
3 bunches flat-leaf spinach, thick stems removed and leaves roughly chopped
Coarse salt and ground pepper
8 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated (about 2 cups)
1 recipe Basic Pie Dough, fitted into two 9-inch pie plates
8 large eggs
3 cups half-and-half
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Read on for the directions HERE

Enjoy and Happy Mother's Day to all you M.O.Ms!!!

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It's A MommyUnplugged Monday - Get Plugged In!

If you haven't plugged in yet... follow MommyUnplugged for your daily dose of M.O.M reality!


I thought this fitting today for MommyUnplugged Monday!






Follow MommyUnplugged.com

Twitter: @mommunplugged
Facebook: MommyUnplugged 
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Mid-Week Must Have for Busy Working M.O.Ms

Well, I've learned the hard way...not having my computer files, pictures, information backed up or saved elsewhere is a 'No No'.  It was a sad day when my computer died and I LOST EVERYTHING.


The Geek Squad, Staples, friends who are computer guru's couldn't help either, my laptop was toast!  Pictures of my kids, events,and so much more that I needed for working just gone overnight.


So, this week our MUST-HAVE for any busy M.O.M is:





This is online back up and fool-proof recovery tool!


Hard drive failure DOES happen ( and I know first hand) and it might not be an if it happens but when it happens scenario you need back up. At the office important files are backed up from the server, so why not take the same precautions at home (since this is where most of us M.O.Ms work).



Simple setup, automatic backup,
foolproof recovery.

  • 1. Install Carbonite

    Carbonite is a small program that automatically manages your online backups and helps you keep track of what’s backed up.
  • 2. Back up

    Whenever you create new files or modify existing ones, the Carbonite online backup software sends encrypted copies of those files over your high-speed Internet connection to a Carbonite data center.1
  • 3. Relax — your backup is secure

    Your backups are transmitted using secure socket layer (SSL) security technology, and they’re stored at a state-of-the-art data center on highly reliable disk arrays.
  • 4. Restore lost files easily

    When you need to get your files back, the Carbonite online backup software walks you through an easy-to-follow process that restores your backed up files to the right place on your computer.
  • 5. Access your files anywhere

    Not at your computer? You can get to your backed up files from any computer connected to the Internet — or even from your iPhone®, Android or BlackBerry® smartphone.    

Read More on Carbonite HERE


Good Luck and Back it Up online or buy a portable hard-drive!
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Friday Festivities... Jump in the 'Tank' with Lori Greiner Tonight!



Lori Greiner (www.LoriGreiner.com) is a well-respected inventor, entrepreneur and organizational expert. Regarded as the most prolific inventor of products for women of her time, Lori started with one idea and turned it into a $500 million dollar brand.  A familiar face on QVC for the past 14 years, she has launched over 350 products and holds 110 US and international patents. Known as the go-to girl for clever solutions to everyday problems, Lori’s practical inventions have transformed overcrowded kitchen cupboards, organized cramped wardrobes, and untangled jewelry boxes for millions of people across America.  You can now check out Lori on ABC’s hit television show, Shark Tank, in which Lori demonstrates her keen entrepreneurial sensibility and achieves results no other shark has achieved before!


Let's Chat with Lori
What is your best advice to a budding entrepreneur?

Make sure you are realistic about your product and that it is truly something a lot of people want and need.  Do some market research and ask people outside of your family and your friends what they think of it.

What is a must-have site or resource all entrepreneurs should know and follow?
I don't think there is one main resource.  There are great books out there and shows (Shark Tank being one of them).  I think doing a lot of research to educate yourself helps a lot. Read, Google search, and investigate topics that are relevant to your market and product.  Today with the internet, there is so much information out there that's so helpful and accessible.  You can ask almost anything and get good answers and direction. I love Google search.

Has Shark Tank changed your opinion of the everyday entrepreneur?
Not particularly, because I have been working with budding entrepreneurs all along trying to help them get their products out there.  I think we all have a lot of similar characteristics.  We all believe our items are the best out there and we are all passionate about our products.

Favorite quote or book ‘to live by’?
My quote and philosophy is: “There are no no's, just how can I!”



Make sure to tune into Shark Tank Friday night(TONIGHT) on ABC at 8 pm EST.

There's a great 3-in-1 nail polish like nothing ever done before!  I'm not saying which Shark makes the deal, but it's going to be sold on QVC the next morning at 10am EST!

Follow Lori here:
Twitter: @LoriGreiner
Facebook: Lori Greiner
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Taste it Thursday with Campbell's Kitchen

Never fails to turn to Campbell's Kitchen for an easy family friendly meal.  I usually have some sort of Campbell's food product in my pantry, so I know I will complete a meal that my family will love by clicking www.campbellskitchen.com 

Tonight enjoy 

Chicken & Stir-Fry Vegetable Pizza


A pre-baked pizza crust is coated with Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup and topped with stir-fried veggies, chicken strips and Cheddar cheese for a deliciously different pizza.

What you will need:
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup(Regular or 98% Fat Free)
1 prepared pizza crust (12-inch)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 cups frozen vegetables
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 package (about 10 ounces) refrigerated cooked chicken strips
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
Dried oregano leaves or crushed red pepper


Read on for directions making HERE

Follow Campbell's Kitchen 






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Monday's M.O.M to Mention ~ Sara Blakely, THE {under}Cover Billionaire

If you are like me, reading such amazing success stories like Sara Blakely's are hard not to revisit or pass along.


As we all know 'SPANX' is somewhat of a household name now, did you know who, what, and how it all began?


Well, for me I got my copy of Forbes in the mail and I couldn't stop reading and then looking up more about this amazing M.O.M Sara, whom can inspire all of us to turn $5k into a Billion!



Sara Blakely, who took a simple idea of a footless pantyhose and turned it into a $1 billion business. The inventor of Spanx is now the youngest self-made woman(41) on the Forbes rich list.  So, of course I had to make her our M.O.M to mention!


Working Mom, Wife and from "Working as a sales trainer by day and performing stand-up comedy at night, I didn't know the first thing about the pantyhose industry (except I dreaded wearing most pantyhose). Also, I had never taken a business class which made the process even more challenging. As a result, I had only one source to operate from...my gut." 


Sara also shares on Forbes.com her top 5 Startup Tips or five lessons for would-be entrepreneurs HERE so read on...




courtesy of spanx.com



Thank you Sara for inspiring all of us M.O.Ms to conquer and not give up!



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