Alive in Wonderland

Is your brand speaking every social media language?

Whenever I speak at conferences or to professional groups I talk about readers/users/costumers "social media language." Every online media consumer has one they prefer. 

The social media world can be confusing to businesses who are trying to reach out to consumers. They often tell me they feel like they are just spewing out the same information on every channel. I explain that you must be in all places in order to "speak everyone's language."

When a social media savvy person (which really is every person between the ages of 13 - 55) finds a product, company or brand they like they will follow that brand in their preferred language. 

My social media language is Pinterest. If I like a brand and I see the little red "P" at the top of their web page, most of the time, that is where I  will follow them. When my friend Elaina finds a product she likes she follows them on Instagram. Others will choose Facebook or Twitter. Social media helps consumers process information in the way they prefer. I'm a visual person. Elaina is community oriented as well as visual. 

It's important for a company looking for brand believers to be everywhere. The trick is to know how to tell the right message in each social media channel. 

Let's use the example of a restuarnt who is using social media in a successful way. 

Pinterest: Post recipes from the chef.

Instagram: Post photos of the daily special and behind-the-scenes photos from the kitchen. (Sealegs Winebar does a great job at this.) 

Tumblr: Create a page that glorfies food and their core beliefs about food with beaufiful photos. (I don't know any restuarant that does this well which is a shame!)

Flickr: Post photos of menu items in albums by season and share them with the community. Invite bloggers to download them for review.

Facebook: Run contests, post photos of daily specials and share news about the resturant. (Driftwood Kitchen does a good job at this.)

Twitter: Interact with the foodie community (Zov's does a good job at this, here.) 

Yelp: Claim your business, post photos and respond to reviews: both negative and positive. Offer a coupon upon check-in.

10 ways new media influencer (mom blogger) differ from a traditional journalist

More from my presentation at the OCPRSA luncheon on The Virtual Power of Parenting and New Media Influencers. 

 

I have a unique perspective on this topic -- How a new media influencer (mom blogger) differs from a traditional journalist -- because I have been (and still am) both of these. Though I began as a mom blogger back in 2008, I am now also a traditional journalist, working as the Editor of OC Register Family magazine and Columnist at the Orange County Register.

 

It's my opinion that the shift in thinking about pitching and working with new media for most Pubic Relations Professionals has been difficult. The standard 'ol press release just doesn't cut it anymore. It is a rare case that those pitches work, even when I'm wearing my traditional journalist hat, but I still receive upward of 100 of them a day.

 

In an effort to help PR folks understand the mom blogger and/or new media journalist I have made this list of how they differ from traditional media. 

 

1. Doesn’t always have access to professional equipment and/or assistance.

The more you can supply to the mom blogger as far as photos, videos and graphic design the better. 

 

2. May not hold traditional office hours

Most mom bloggers are, well, moms. They might be running around all day with their kids and get the bulk of their work done at night after the little ones have gone to bed.

 

3. Is a business owner

Unlike traditional journalists who work for a company, mom bloggers work for themselves and have an entrepreneur approach to their work. That means their time is valuable.

 

4. Effective coverage hinges on relationship

It's all about a good PR/mom blogger relationship. They have built their brand around these relationships. Successful PR people know this and maintain strong communication with mom bloggers.

 

5. Is open to suggestions for story lines and angles

This is probably the hardest thing for a traditional PR person to do. In the past they wouldn't dream of mapping out the story for a reporter, but a mom blogger appreciates hearing the PR person's vision of how they would fit with their brand.

 

6. Immediacy is an important part of her social media currency

Competition is fierce in the mom blogging community. Provide immediate sharing opportunities as much as possible. Mom bloggers want to be the first and/or original. Anything to set them apart from the other bloggers. 

 

7. Usually a one-woman show

They don't have a staff of photographers or graphic designers. They do it all! This makes them great at guiding their brand. Respect it.

 

8. Is interested in experience when telling a story on her blog. That is where she uses her power

They want to stay at a hotel or to eat at the restaurant. They want to try the vacuum cleaner at their house or drive the car for a weekend. They are hands-on reporters. That is the value they bring. 

 

9. Is a linear journalist (or story teller)

They don't just publish one story and BAM! they're done. I use the example for this from when I covered the opening of Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawaii. I started Tweeting about it the moment I was assigned the story. I posted photos on Instagram, Facebook and Flickr and videos on YouTube while I was on the trip. I also blogged while l was there. The print story ran the following January, but I had already provided a full body of coverage by that time.

 

10. Has developed her own ethics and standard practices for her work

All reputable mom bloggers should have their standards and ethics policy posted on their blog. If they don't, then ask them for it. 

Do's and don'ts of pitching to mom bloggers

I recently spoke at the OCPRSA luncheon, The Virtual Power of Parenting Media and Influencers. I was looking forward to spending half an hour instructing (READ: bossing) PR folks on how to work with Mom Influencers. Here is some of the info I shared.

 

 

The Do's and Don'ts of Pitching to Mom Bloggers (or Influencers)

 

Do familiarize yourself with her content. Spend time reading her blog to understand the power of her influence

 

Do build a relationship with her via Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest prior to pitching her a story

 

Don’t connect with a general pitch, instead pitch a specific storyline based on influencer’s interests and strengths

 

Do include relative links, hashtags and photos!

Don’t call her a “mommy blogger”

Do be clear on what your expectations are of her

 

Don’t send a traditional press release attached to an email

 

Do create content that is easy to share on all platforms. A .jpg “flyer” is best way to control your message and create easily shareable content. This is my best tip. When pitching to Mom Bloggers send them something they can easily share. 

 

How blogging made me a better friend, mom and person

After my daughter was born, all I wanted was to be a stay-at-home mom. I imagined I'd spend my days pushing my daughter in a stroller through the park in the mornings, scrapbooking our family memories when I could sneak in some "me time," as she napped in the afternoon, and then I'd prepare a pictorial-worthy family meal every night.

It didn't exactly happen that way; I did eventually leave my full-time job when we decided we could make it on one income, but by then, my daughter was four and my son was one.

I was ready. Bring on the stay-at-home momminess! But what happened the next six months shocked me--I was miserable. The reality of spending most days snail hunting, waiting for a child to either fall asleep or wake up, and the stark loneliness of staying at home with two small kids wasn't what I imagined, but I didn't dare tell a soul. Are you kidding? After all the dreaming, planning and sacrifice I couldn't admit I was two "Dora The Explorers" shy of a total meltdown. Even if Elmo himself came and knocked on my door for a little heart to heart--I wasn't going to admit I was going a little crazy.

That's about when I came across this thing called a blog and decided I would start one of my own. I was a journalism major in college and always loved to write and tell stories. I had my own personal blog up and running within a week and a few weeks after that was picked up by the Orange County Register to blog before joining the team here at OC Family. At night after the kids were in bed I'd stay up late writing, making videos and connecting with other moms online. Blogging was just the spark I needed to keep me from leaping into the waiting arms of a deep depression.

I love my kids. It wasn't being a mom that was causing me to spiral, it was the lack of connection to the "pre-mom me" and to other people. I'm a social person and I needed to spend time being creative and then share that part of me. I discovered that being a mom was just like anything else, I couldn't rely on other people to flip that "happy" switch. Once I took it on myself to find what made me feel balanced and content--ta da! I was happy.

Blogging is undeniably denominated by women--mostly moms--and here's why: Our blog is all ours. Moms rightly spend most of their days pouring their energy into everyone else's needs; the kids, the boss, the husband. But a blog is our own space and we can make it look, say and be anything *we* want, and that's empowering.

I believe the internet and its cohorts--etsy, blogs, message boards, Twitter--have been revolutionary to women, especially to moms. Through online networks a stay-at-home mom in Iowa can sell her handmade scarves internationally or a working mom can take night classes online to help grow her career or a stay-at-home mom in Orange County can write on her blog late at night and become a columnist, writer and local TV host all while her kids are asleep or in school.

This month's cover story for OC Family is all about Digital Moms. I proudly wear that title. In fact, the writer, Debbie Lavdas, and I are tight friends and we met through an online OC mom's networking site years ago. If I remember right she described herself as a mom and writer in her bio. I think I replied with "I'm a mom and a writer too!" That was it. We quickly arranged an IRL (In Real Life) meeting and have worked together blogging and now on OC Family TV.

I hear the comment often that online connections are "superficial" and "unhealthy," but that’s not my experience. Try having a deeply felt conversation with your daughter's Pollie Pockets about the weather after being home with a sick kid for two days and then let's talk "superficial" and "unhealthy" relationships. Moms need to connect and the online world offers us a conduit to find customers for our products, like-minded moms in our community and healthy friendships. Embrace it!

Connect with me on Twitter at @suzbroughton or on Facebook at Facebook/Suzannebroughton.

This is from my column in May's OC Family Magazine.  Here are some of my other columns from past issues:

Lessons in Parenting: Lying to Your Kids
Girls In Glasses
A Curious Pear
My Magical Son

How do you get your news now?

I grew up with the big three: Jennings, Brokaw and Rather. Their voices narrated the news of my life--the wall coming down, the Gulf War, September 11. They were the authoritative voice who explained it all to me.  CNN creeped into my news flow in the early nineties, but mainly, these were the individuals I turned to during the critical news moments. 

Specifically, for me, Brokaw. He was "my guy." As a teenager I became so enthralled in the world of journalism that I ended up majoring in broadcast journalism and minoring in print. That might explain why the recent changes in how we get our news has been thrilling for me to watch.

Some might call me a journalism nerd; though not necessary after they've read something I've written.

In the past, the conduits of news were limited mostly to news anchors, the newspapers or news radio. There was no interaction between the news givers and the news receivers except for the hastily written--sometimes by hand--"letter to the editor." (My first internships was reading letters to the editor. I wonder if they still print those in the paper, that would be quaint.) It was a one-way street and we put our trust in the folks who drove the news; we had few choices.

But now, in the new age of journalism, who should we trust  and turn to for our news? Is trust even a quality in news we're looking for anymore?

Last night as the news broke about Osama Bin Laden I realized as I flipped through the channels on TV that I didn't recognize most of the faces reporting the news.  Then of all things, the newscasters were quoting Twitter feeds, blogs and Facebook updates of people even further off my radar. That struck me as ridiculous: "Boise65  just Tweeted 'God bless our troops now bring them home.'" I found myself bouncing around trying to get news and discovered half of it totally worthless.

I truly believe in the power of social media and I'm excited about the changes in journalism over the past five years, but in times of critical news I still feel a little lost in the sea of information.  It's almost like a montage of news now that we piece together ourselves through our TVs, phones and computers. (Honestly I don't read the physical newspaper anymore. I can't imagine what news would be in it today I don't already have from my online sources.)

I like the freedom and immediacy of the new media, but I miss the authority, reassurance and more in-depth reporting that came with the big three anchors, olden-times news reporting.  It's at once easier to get information now, yet harder to discriminate what is factual, relevant and free of  hype and hysteria. Again, it's a montage of news and it seems we are now our own editors. I like it, but it's a big change and with every "big news" event I'm reminded how far we've come in such a short time.

Tom Brokaw called this new media direction the "Tom Payne environment," likening it another time when there was a shift in news disbursement, way, way back in 1776 (i.e: before cell phones):

"I'm a big believer in what I call the Tom Payne environment. I love the idea that we've expanded the street corner (where news pamphlets were sold), but I also say ...you've (the news reader) got a role in this. You've got to be more vigilant and you've got to work harder for where you get information and then develop a litmus test of its worthiness."

Something to think about as we sift through the news today and I admit, it felt good to get some perspective from Brokaw one last time.

You might like to read these other things I've written that loosely follow this subject*

Another Reason To Hop On Twitter

Has Facebook Replaced the High School Reunion?

*relevancy not guaranteed

Has Facebook replaced the high school reunion?

(This reunion made possible by Facebook. My old friend Christine and me.)

I don't think I've ever had such polarized emotions at once. Watching this video of Richard Blade inviting all graduates of the class of '86 from Marina High School to attend our 25-year reunion makes me a once cringe and leap with joy. It's like when saw Adam Ant in concert a few years ago, I was swept away in the nostalgia and youthful swashbuckness of it all, but was sobered and dead baffled by the old man jumping around in scarves, high boots and eyeliner.  Somethings are welcome and warm reminders of your age, somethings are not, rarely do you find something that is both.

Case  in point...

 

 

 

I would have jumped at the chance five years ago to find old friends who I had lost contact with over the years, but Facebook has done that work for me. I can honestly say I've "found" everyone I was interested in reconnecting with from high school--and then some. I know what they've been up to the last 25 years. I've seen the photos of their kids or dogs. I know where they had dinner last night and what really peeved them about the American Idol elimination last week. I'm good.

 

How to Host A Practically Perfect Blogger Event

At this point, I've attended hundreds of blogger events. Marcy and I have hosted many of them through our blogging group, SoCal BlogCrush. Nearly every month for the last two years we've organized get togethers--big and small--for our fellow bloggers at area restaurants and local venues. 

Five years ago when I started blogging it was a much different environment for bloggers. We weren't invited to much of anything. Then slowly bloggers came on to PR professionals' radar as companies realized our value and the invites started to trickle in. But even then, there were times when I felt like my presence at media events was an afterthought--PR professionals not knowing exactly what to do with a blogger. 

Note: Disney is the one and only shining example of a company that embraced bloggers from the beginning, read about my experience here. 

Fast forward to this past summer. I couldn't keep up with the events--all calling out for bloggers to come eat, play and learn about things ranging from cars to cupcakes. And though I'm thrilled that blogging has taken a solid place within the media, the learning curve is still playing out--for both bloggers and PR folks. 

When OC StyleWeek came to town a few weeks ago, BlogCrush partnered with Jane Gillespie, who is a PR professional for the Irvine Company.  Jane knows how to make bloggers feel welcome and gave us what we needed during the event to then go home and post on our blogs. Marcy and I could even say: Jane Gillespie hosted a practically perfect blogger event. 

If you're a PR professional looking for tips on how to get bloggers to not only attend your event, but to write about it, Marcy and I noted these things Jane did that worked: 

Media Passes: When the bloggers arrived, we checked in at the media center and we were given media access passes. We like that. It's a good idea to give bloggers the same access as traditional media. This takes some vetting on the PR professionals part, but it's worth the effort.

Designated Blogger Area: Giving bloggers a place to do our thing is important. Jane offered us our own Blogger Lounge. We had a table to spread out our equipment, we had access to free WiFi and lots of space to work. Bloggers are usually versed in many different media--photography, video, writing, live reporting--we need some elbow room to reload and get our material out. Remember bloggers often start getting their message out in real time, during an event.

Quality Time with Major Players: Allowing bloggers access to interview and chat with key people in the company will help bloggers put together a complete story. We often ask PR professionals to scope out the blogs before the event and help tailor the blogger's experience with the right interviews, photos ops and video opportunities. 

 

Social Media Information Easily Seen: This sounds so simple, but it gets missed almost every time. 

Twitter Wall!: No one loves a Twitter Wall more than me. The first event I attended that had our collective Tweets projected on a wall, held together by a short, simple hashtag, I fell deeply in love. Me and the Twitter Wall are planning a June wedding. 

Feed The Bloggers: It's just good manners. At our StyleWeek event Jane had set up adorable boxes, provided by Nordstrom Cafe, packed with water, chocolate cake and probably the best roast beef sandwich I've ever tasted. In this case, the dinner in a box provided lots of chatter for Nordstrom Cafe on our social media channels (and here). 

Photo Ops: Though some will cringe when they hear this (I know my journalism professor would), but bloggers are usually part of their stories. Think about it: it's usually our voice, our personality and our views that have made our blogs popular. It's taken a while for PR folks to realize that bloggers would like a photo of themselves experiencing whatever it is they are writing about.  It's one of the biggest differences to note when working with bloggers rather than traditional media professionals.

Other ideas for a great blogger event...

Follow Up with Photos in Accessible Formats: Marcy and I usually create Flickr sets for all bloggers to easily access the photos they would like to use.  Here are ours from StyleWeek.  Some PR people will send us home with jump drives or logins to FTP sites to download photos. 

Video Options: If you would like bloggers to make and post videos about your product or even, read my post: "Top 10 Tips for PR Professionals: How to Get Bloggers to Make Videos About Your Product or Event." Clever title, no?  

Keep inviting bloggers to events! If you need help choosing the right blogger for your event, contact us at BlogCrush. We will help you put together the right blogger for you. 

 

 

Mom Bloggers are the new rock stars

Need proof you say? Check out me and five other OC Mom Bloggers dorking it out in this lip dub.

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Sheesh! Mom bloggers are sure getting a beating in the traditional media and online world lately. With articles like this one from the New York Times and the following comment and commentary bloodbath that followed, you'd think we are advocating tossing our children into a rushing river, instead of simply reaching for our dreams and expressing ourselves--in small and big ways--through our blogs. Who knew creative, smart, driven women could be so divisive? (Said with sarcasm, naturally.) 

I believe in the power of the mom blogger. I think blogging is revolutionary for women. I honestly do. It's radically extended the reach of some women who before blogging, didn't have much of a voice. I'm proud as all get up to be a mom blogger, because I've seen first hand how it's transformed the lives of women--in a positive way. In an empowering way. Again, sometimes in little ways, like giving her a creative outlet or building a community of support, and sometimes in larger ways, like leading to a new career. It's all good stuff and all equally important in my opinion.

Here's the thing, as moms we have more things in common than we have differences. I try to embrace the differences and then get all giddy and syrupy when I meet (read) a mom who has the same struggles, triumphs and burns with the same hatred for laundry as me.  Blogs can function as a conduit for these connections.  

So, now you know my stand on mom bloggers and you've been properly primed for this video. Six OC mom bloggers, including moi, dorking it up in a lip dub we made to "Our Lips Are Sealed." Because whenever a PR person or brand representative asks me, what's the best way to reach moms, I always tell them the same thing: '80s music.

The bloggers in the lip dub are:

 

Andrea from the blog Hip Moms Who Work.

 

Marcy from The Glamorous Life Association and Publications.

 

Beckey from Hippo Brigade.

 

Roxanne from Me and My Monster.

 

Kara-Noel from Eli's Lids.

 

Me from here...and here.

**disclaimer: 

These bloggers may or may not share my ernest opinion of mom bloggers.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

 

I wish you all a holiday season filled with comfort and joy.  I'm taking some time off, as I do every year from Christmas to New Years.  I'll be back Jan 4th when life gets back in full-swing again.

I have posted my Whrrl Reports Widget at the top of  this blog so if you want to check back and see what I'm up to, you can.  I seem to have fallen head-over-heels in love with Whrrl and I'm filing them every couple of days or so for OC Family.  You can also read my blog there, since I still will be posting there this next week.  (Here's the newly created Hyperlink.)

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Vision

 

 My husband is writing a business book right now and I was helping him this morning flesh out some ideas.  We sat at the kitchen table talking about some concepts;  the first one was how important vision is to a company.  As we talked  I realized that I really don't have a vision for this space.  This blog.

Now that I have Alive in Wonderland over at OC Family (so very thankfully), I feel myself floating in no-wheres-ville over here.  So as I took the day to clean out my office a vision started to form--still kinda blurry, but I feel much more inspired for this blog now. 

Though I will still post things I'm doing in my professional life, I want to share what inspires me personally here: the people, the photography and the stories that move me or make me laugh.  It's not big news, but forming a vision has helped point me in a direction.

 

(Anthropologie display from last month.)

So, maybe I will just post a little idea that will sprout into a bigger story or just one silly notion that springs to mind that day.   I've been talking to other bloggers a lot lately about what it was like when we first started blogging--what motivated us back in the beginning. I want to work my way backward to get that fresh feeling again. 

 

(Snow White's wishing well at Disneyland.) 

That's my new vision: Going backward.  

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The Scientist by ColdPlay

"Oh, take me back to the start."

Saying goodbye to the OC Register

This is my last post at The OC Register's Mom Blog. Thanks to everyone who left nice comments there for me. 

Stay tuned for more news.

 

"We all love your blog here at the Register." 

That's the e-mail I received from Theresa Walker, a editor of the Life section of The Orange County Register, over two years ago. (I saved it.) She was commenting on the "citizen blog" I was writing on the Register's website. Anyone can have their own blog on the site and I signed up and started blogging ... and blogging ... and blogging, hoping someone would notice me. 

I was thrilled when I received her e-mail. We met for lunch and that's when Theresa asked me to be one of the bloggers for The Mom Blog -- again, THRILLED! I had been a stay-at-home mom for three years and had started blogging after a heart-to-heart with my husband over dinner one night. He told me he thought I was a creative person with no creative outlet and suggested I search for my calling. Then I told him I had this hair-brained idea about starting to blog. He was all for it. 

We launched OC Moms in February 2008 and I kicked off my blog, then named "Mommy's Mind is not a Toy," with this post "...and all the germs laughed." 

Since then I've made a lot of friends here in this space and connected with a lot of O.C. Moms. But, now it's time for me to move on to other writing adventures that have come to me in cyberspace. I'm enormously grateful to The Orange County Register and my editors, Theresa Walker and Roxanne (don't call her Roxy)  Hack, for the opportunity, support and friendship they have given to me. They have helped make the dream of a stay-at-home mom to become a writer come true. 

If you're a mom with a dream, whatever it is, and you think that laundry, brain-numbing children's TV, and exhaustion will keep you from ever achieving it, I'm proof that you can do it. I know that sounds a little corny. But, I don't know one mom who's not trying to figure out how to carve out a little creative or intellectual life for herself within her family's hustle and bustle. It can be done. I promise. 

So to all of you O.C. moms out there who have a dream, to quote the line from Herb Brook's speech in one of my favorite movies, "Miracle": This is your time! Now, go out there and take it!  

(Like I could not reference hockey in some way.)

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Have you seen this video of a 4-year-old's rendition of the Miracle speech? So cute and pretty impressive that he could remember the whole thing. Hey, I'm happy if my son just remembers to zip up his pants.

 

Love it!

Love it!

Alive in Wonderland was voted Reader's Choice for OC's Favorite Local Blog!

(Me and Kirsten. Me and Marcy. Me and Debbie.)

I attended the "You've Just Been Spotted" OC Blogger Awards last night.  Thanks to everyone who voted for me--Alive in Wonderland won Reader's Choice for Favorite OC Local Blog.  

Kelly and Coleen from Just Spotted did a great job putting the event together. In true new media style at 8 PM they Tweeted the winners from every category.  I would tell you a didn't teared-up a little when I read I won, but they have me on video weepy and grateful.  

You can go to the Just Spotted blog to see who won what and also to get the lowdown on everything that's happening in Orange County. 

Thanks to everyone who voted for me.  I'm humbled and inspired.  Blogging is my passion and it's gratifying in so many ways that people appreciate what I do here. 

The best part of the night was meeting bloggers I hadn't met before and chatting with old friends.  Capital Photo Booth provided the pictures above along with the background for this photo of Marcy.  

We took pictures together. The proof is in her hands, but I promptly lost my copy because I was juggling two camera, my iPhone, and my faithful Flip.

You can see our Whrrl Photo Story here...

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If you're new to my blog. 

Here's a sampling of what goes on in this blog...

Tell Orange County Stories.

For example:

 Sometimes  I wish that I could stop you from talking.

✺

Talk about the '80s. 

For example:

  I think you're a total babe...wait, no I don't.

✺

Fabricate completely untrue stories for my own entertainment.

For example:

Breaking News, Irvine Mom Admits She Can't Afford Something.

You make me feel brand new

Got my new look on. Thanks to...

Kirsten of Wright Creativity gets every ounce of credit for my newly designed blog. I think she exemplifies the word creative: Resulting from originality of thought, expression, etc. It's the "etc." that made working with Kirsten a pleasure. 

I sent her some very, and I'm exaggerating this even,  sketchy description of what I wanted to do to this blog's design and she took what I sent and did this!  Doesn't it look great?  

I wasn't going to redo my banner, but she said she was just "feeling creative" and put this one together.  I think it's so rare to find someone who takes that extra step just because they feel inspired. (MARCY is like that, too.) 

Kirsten is available to work her magic on brand spankin' new blogs or if you feel like your blog needs a make-over, you can CLICK HERE to contact her.  She works in Typepad and Wordpress, and is also available to do the odd button (see mine to the right if you want to take it for your blog), Twitter backgrounds or logos for you.   

I looked into several other blog designers and was put on a long wait list, then it occurred to me to ask Kirsten--who is a BLOGCRUSHER  and I read her BLOG faithfully. She did everything in two days.  It's like that saying "I say it here and it comes out there." (That's a saying, right? I didn't just make that up...) She was that easy to work with...and she's as sweet as pie, which is nice, too. 

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Neil Finn last night at Largo was simply phenomenal.  Seeing him for the first time in a small venue (100 seats) was beyond expectation.  He stood on the stage at one point and  the audience just shouted out what they wanted to hear...and then he played their requests.  What an amazing night.  Thanks  to Clonizelo.-- my accomplice and true Finn companion. 

Orange County Blogger's Ball, 2009

I'm going to let my video tell the story of this year's Orange County Blogger's Ball. 

Orange County Blogger Ball 2009 from Suzanne Broughton on Vimeo.

I would like to express my deepest thanks to Ms. 110%, Marcy from "The Glamorous Life Association."  Everything she does, she does well and with style.  Thanks, Marcy.

(Marcy is cropped out of this photo on the right. I didn't receive the mandatory photo 

approval from her before posting. Let me know if you give it your "okay" Marcy and I will add you.)

Next, I'd like to thank Nikki from Prose and Converse for showing up as a surprise guest.  We have been reading each other's blogs for years and hadn't ever met in person.  We both confirmed each other's status of FIRL (funny in real life) midway through the night (and on tape), which is nice...and she has that whole "lights up a room with her smile" thing going, too.  Which is also, very nice. 

If you're an Orange County Blogger and would like to join BlogCrush, click here to get to our fan page on Facebook.  We have meet-ups once a month in an effort to unite OC Bloggers in real life.  

New blog: Orange County Daily Photo

“Photography, as a powerful medium of expression and communications, offers an infinite variety of perception, interpretation and execution.” Ansel Adams

Creating an Orange County Daily Photo Blog has been on my mind for a while. I used to post a daily photo right here on Alive in Wonderland, but it became too difficult to keep up with it regularly and I felt it infringed on my writing time. But the desire to share Orange County through photography was still there, so I started this collaborative blog that launches today:

Orange County Daily Photo

The photographers include Marcy, Jeff S., Chris, Jeff D., Tracey,  Susan, and moi. Head over and take a look. We love Orange County and hope to show you why with our photography and stories.

You can also follow us on Twitter:  OCDailyphoto.

Orange County Bloggers I'm crushing on you

"A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men."

Gene Wilder 

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 

Are you a blogger? Do you live in Orange County? Has your family banned phrases like "If you read my blog, you wouldn't have asked me that" or "I'm so blogging this" from leaving your lips? Do you take pictures of your dinner? When you start to talk about your blog does your best friend (IRL) start to dig around aimlessly in her purse? Are you up late at night writing your insights on '80s music or the redeeming value of Target? 

I've got the group for you. 

BlogCrush is a group I created for all OC Bloggers. We meet-up once a month in a safe environment where we can talk freely about page views, Flickr, BlogHer ads, and the wonder of Twitter without the fear of non-bloggers roller their eyes at us or threatening to never comment again. 

Last month we got together on a warm weekday night at the Veggie Grill at the Irvine Spectrum.  It was great to meet blogger who I have been reading, some of them, for years. I gave each and every one of them a hug and it wasn't weird at all (for me) because I felt like I knew them--they were my friends. 

It was a little bit of nonsense on a Wednesday night. It was eating sweet potato fries and drinking fruit tea. It was a bunch of people who had a common passion sharing it with others. It was awesome. 

If you are an OC Blogger, please head over to BlogCrush's Facebook page and join us or if you're not on Facebook (gasp!) you can email me at [email protected] and I'll keep you in the loop for the next meet-up. 

Our hope is that we can grow a strong, loyal, and supportive blogging community in Orange County that's way better than any group in Los Angles that will inspire and enrich our county. Really.

✢✢✢✢✢✢✢✢✢

These are the bloggers that pulled themselves away from their computers long enough to meet-up at The Veggie Grill:

(Here are some of us are now. I swear there are boys in the group.)

Marcy of The Glamorous Life

Marcy also designed the BlogCrush logo. Thanks, Marcy.

Julie of Angry Julie Monday

Dana and Jeff Sipper

(Note Jeff is a boy.)

Elaina of Restore

Kristin from Meringue Bake Shop

Stacey of OC Food Mommy

Roxanne of Me and My Monster

Aracely of Day Tripping Mom

Jeff from OC Metroblogging

(Note Jeff is also a boy.)

Kara of Eli's Lids

Sara of Ducks and Pucks

Jen from Tiny Oranges

Kirsten of Wright Creativity

Debbie from Peace Love and Momminess

Martha from Melody Gibbons

Sandra of TolduOC

Suzanne of Twenty Four at Heart

Becky from Happy Hour Mom

Tracy from Tracy Clark

Lorna of Calif Lorna

Auckland Daily Photo: BBF

I have started to read a lot of photo blogs lately, especially other Daily Photo blogs. One of my favorites is Auckland Daily Photo. So, I was super happy to be given a "Blogging Best Friend" tag from Lachezar of that very blog.

I have always been fascinated by New Zealand--springing from my Split Enz/Neil Finn/Crowded House adoration (read a little about that here), then lasting due to New Zealand's beauty--and his blog brings me a slice of that beautiful country daily. His pictures are simple and precise, truly an inspiration.

The rules of the tag are below, I have chosen the following blogs in part based on the rules, and in part because I haven't ever linked to them before and I wanted to introduce them:

Big Hair Envy: : Her own tagline says it best "Confessions of a former spiral perm addict." I don't know where she is, somewhere country-ish. Where are you?

The Mental Pause Chronicles:: Serious fun and she never, ever talks about shoes, chardonnay, laundry, football,, how best to clean your kitchen...or llamas., she never talks about llamas. She kicks out the humor from this place called "Connecticut."

Dry as toast:: My newest follower. She is a young writer living in New York. I just want to squeeze her she's so adorable and then get all bossy every time I read her posts.

I love retro things: : After reading Amy's blog I feel like I have just chatted with a friend. She's also in New Zealand.

Yankee in Belgrade: : Bibi's daily photo blog is like going to Serbia daily, without the jet lag or language barrier.

If you have the time, feel free to respond to the tag--I will still be your BBF, even if you can't do it.
1. Only five people are allowed
2. Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog
3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world
4. You must link back to whoever linked to you

Make that four...

Being patently bossy--especially when it comes to things I know a little about--I have coaxed not one, not two...fine, four people into starting their own blogs. They are, in order:

Marcy at "The Glamorous Life."

Andrea at "Bakers Love."

Carrie at "Splendid Press."

and now, Jenny at "Brain Bunnies."

I have also given my long-winded, moderately inspired, coffee-got-cold-while-I-was-talking opinion to the following people about their already fantastic blogs:

Chris at "Dharma Bum."

Lisa at "Lisa Mertins Life Illustrated."

Nannette at "Girl Friday."

To be noted: Personal "advise" has been handed out to countless bloggers in comments, direct messaging on Twitter, and via email.

Marcy's not so glamourous life

My dear friend Marcy over at The Glamourous Life (read in sarcasm here over use of the word "glamourous") is having a G.I.R.L. party on her blog. G.I.R.L as in Glamourous In Real Life.

Bloggers can join in by sending her posts that detail their domestic goofs and blunders or just send embarrassing photos. We love those. If you have a blog, this is a fun and painless way to get connected with other bloggers.

I submitted my Lessons of The Earthquake Cake. If you've read it, you know it hits the mark on all three of the criteria listed above.

The bonus for Marcy? All the strange and slightly questionable google searches that "Girl Party" will bring to her site.

(I begged her not to use this drawing of me cleaning my house, but I suppose she couldn't resist.)

Please excuse me while I slip my new look on

Thank you to the outlandishly creative Heather at Bluhm Studios who is busying herself right now with the important work of making my blog look fabulous.