Wordless Wednesday - Push!

Helping Dad

Digital Book Review GBSMM - Social Media Mastery

Excuse me while I stray a bit from the topic of all things Mama. I am currently enrolled in an online course  - Social Media Marketing at George Brown College. What can I say... Maternity leave has left me doing a complete 180. I founded The Mamalicious Mamas, run their Meetup board and maintain a Twitter account and Facebook presence online. In the meantime I had discovered that businesses actually hire individuals to manage their social media engagement. #awesomeness!

So voila! I am now working on obtaining a certificate in Social Media.

My current project is a Digital Book Review on my reading choice Social Media Mastery (A Daily Actions Guide): 75 Daily Challenges to Help you Expand your Reach, Build your Platform, and Establish your Online Authority.

I chose this book because I learn well through practice vs theory. The author Dr. Tara Ross applies 75 daily challenges to "help you expand your reach, build your platform, and establish your online authority". Some of the areas that I've expanded my knowledge:
- integrating social media accounts
- embedding content
- interacting with groups.

 Tara Ross' daily challenge format assists you to take small, actionable steps that will help toward developing social media mastery.

I took in my first Kindle purchase on my smart phone and tablet.  On my half hour lunch at work I was able to read, absorb and on occasion - quickly complete a challenge.  On Fridays I would go on Twitter, retweet and #FF (Follow Friday).  I registered on Scoop.it and was able to update my Facebook page with relevant information.  My Pinterest account became a business account and I learned how to Instagram.

(Notice that I bolded those platforms?  They link to my accounts.  Some would call this a shameless plug... I like to refer to this as "Pushing my Content". A technique learned in this book)

I took a moment to thank Tara Ross on Twitter, and she replied!!

Wondering which type of social media platforms to use, how to engage with others, advice and links for how-to's?  Social Media Mastery (A daily Actions Guide) is definitely the book to read.  I would recommend it for anyone who is already at ease with any of the social networks discussed in this book.

I created a Tag Cloud highlighting key elements taught within this book.

Please visit me on Pinterest and view my  Pin Board on titled: Social Media Mastery - Digital Report GBSMM.  It contains links and images that support the information I've learned reading this book.  Take a look and let me know what you think.  I was definitely able to better grasp the ideas and findings of Dr. Tara Ross as I read and pinned the links to my board.

I found the book Social Media Mastery to be both relevant and timely.  Not only was it published this year in January, it also referred to the most current platforms.  

So have you read this book?  I would love to know your thoughts.

Mommy Discounts

This was one of those crazy weekends. I am pooped... Feeling behind with my school assignments. Not getting enoug sleep. Worried about C's Mom. And I believe MIssy Miu is having her first bout of diaper rash at 23 months.

On the bright side, I actually did my nails (successfully) since returning back to work 10 months ago. I am always in a rush and wake up with the bed sheets imprinted in the polish. This time I bought a new polish instead of pianting my nails with an old bottle from 4 years ago. Which is why my nails never dried properly.

Loreal's "Royal Reinvention"

I am posting a picture of the finished look even though it is a tad sloppy. I had to tend to Missy Miu after her bedtime due to the rash. I am just proud I put myself first still to get it done.

I am also thrilled because tonight I sent out a communication to the group that they are now eligible to join a membership program and receive a group discount when purchasing tickets for events, attractions or hotels.

Pondering

I'm not too sure what she's thinking about. Maybe it's the fact that we picked up this outfit at Winners Scarborough - McCowan location at an amazing value. 

Straw hat $5.99, Yellow Toddler Dress $9.99.

H.E.L.P. City of Toronto

I love this house.  It's about 30 years old with lots of original everything.  We would love to have some energy efficient upgrades done, but it is so expensive.   One of my concerns is our original air conditioner.  It's working but I'm not sure for how long.  I hate that summer feeling of fear when the hydro reading comes in.

I came across some info on H.E.L.P.  The Home Energy Loan Program.  The three year pilot plan is a financing tool offered by the City of Toronto to help you improve your home's energy efficiency and save money.

" available in specific neighbourhoods in Toronto. The program will be expanded to additional areas in later phases of the pilot program. Current eligible areas include the following neighbourhoods:
- Black Creek: postal code that starts with M3N
- Toronto Centre/Riverdale/Beaches: M4E, M4L, M4M, M4J, M1N, M4C, M4K, M5A
- Junction/High Park: M6P, M6S
- South Scarborough: M1M, M1E, M1C, M1L, M1K, M4B"

It offers low interest loans to qualifying homeowners interested in improving their water and energy efficiency of the home.  The homeowner repays the city through installments on their property tax bill.

The potential savings may offset the cost of your monthly repayments to the city and you will be better protected against rising energy costs.  You have up to 15 years to pay it off.  By the way...  The loan is in the property name not the owner.  #nocreditcheck!  If you move during the repayment process the new owners oversee the payments.

We applied and have been approved for a dollar amount. This week we will phone a certified energy advisor who will do an assessment of our home's insulation, heating and cooling systems and detection of air leaks and drafts.
The wonderful thing about this is we could also be eligible for rebates that could be used towards our repayment plan.

I will keep you up to date on the steps, but thought you should really know about this.  I'm all about saving money, energy and living green. More information can be found at Programs for Residents Home Energy Loan Program.

Canada Day Style 2014

Happy Canada Day! A year ago Missy Miu was in a stroller and I was trying to stop her from eating her Canadian flag.

I've kept up tradition by having her wear a Canada Day themed outfit. I decided to join her.  Picked up these cool Tees from Old Navy.

Rain

"It's about learning to dance in the rain." 

During daycare pick-up...  We got caught in the rain.