Bloggy Things

Like Sheryl Crow Says

April 26, 2012 By Blonde Mom 14 Comments

A change would do you good.

Can I get an Amen?

So, how do you like my new look?

I LOVE IT!

I’ve been staring at the same blog design for years. The old header with the photo of Miss A was at least 4 years old and something I’d whipped up on my own. I felt like my blog branding strategywas held together by Barbie Band Aids and spit. I’d made my own design changes over the years but I wanted to wipe the slate clean. It’s kind of like that old, comfy vacation t-shirt that you really need to let go, but you’re hesitant to give up. What can I say? I’m a creature of habit.

Any way, I decided it was time to go for it!

I asked my blog friend Cyn (aka Nap Warden) in the Windy City to give me a spiffy new look. She has designed several great blogs I follow, such as Savvy Sassy Moms, Playgroups Are No Place For Children, and Things I Can’t Say.

I wanted something clean and fun and fresh with bright colors that used the tagline I’d been using in my e-mails. I also wanted to emphasize some of the awesome travel writing I’ve been doing and some of my favorite categories, although it was tough to choose. I mean I’ve been blogging since the days before Twitter. No worries, though, all my archives are over there (points to sidebar.)

If my blog could go out on the town tonight she would…oh yes she would.

I’m still tinkering with a few things and trying to figure out how to incorporate my review blog into this site and I hope to have a new headshot soon. It’s so fun to have something different. I may have even more exciting announcements up my sleeve for 2012. Stay tuned!

If you are thinking about a new blog design, Cyn does great design work, is a whiz at Genesis/WordPress, and she also does quite a bit of branding work for small businesses.

Thank you Cyn!

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Filed Under: Bloggy Things 14 Comments

Pintillating, Pintastic, Pintabulous

March 2, 2012 By Blonde Mom 16 Comments

Pinterest! It’s like Tim Gunn, Martha Stewart, Ryan Gosling, and Rachael Ray had a baby and you’re the favorite aunt who never has to change the diapers.

I have always loved visual boards any way and I remember making one in 1987 my senior year of high school, only it was filled with more neon and big hair and Seventeen magazine headlines. Just about every woman I know, from my mother-in-law to fellow soccer moms, is on Pinterest.

I’m on Pinterest as blondemomblog (I know…how original!)

Let me know your Pinterest name in the comments below and I’ll follow you! And if you need an invitation please let me know because the Pinterest…it should be shared.

Some Pinterest-related notes:

I’ve started a new Pinterest board for all things related to St. Pat’s

If you’re going to be staycationing for spring break (we will be for most of the week!), then you may want to check out my Mom I’m Bored Board

Because I am currently Disney World obsessed, I’ve started a Disney board

What kind of boards do you like to follow on Pinterest?

p.s. I’m in the middle of rebranding my review and giveaway blog to BlondeMomShops.com and I’ve got a GREAT new giveaway for GUESS sunglasses, just in time for summer. Three lucky readers will win! I’ve also partnered with Rue La La to help spread the word about a great new Little Rue boutique and created my first ever Polyvore board.

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Filed Under: Bloggy Things, Reviews & Giveaways 16 Comments

Good And Good For You Challenge: Pork Quesadillas And A Great Giveaway

February 18, 2012 By Blonde Mom 50 Comments

Photo courtesy of the Pork Be Inspired official website.

This giveaway is closed. The initial winner did not contact me so the new winner is Donna George. Congrats Donna! Please look for your email in your inbox.

It’s the final week of my Good and Good For You Challenge and pork and me…we’re like this.

Have you been following along with my adventures in pork? I’ve tried three great new recipes so far during this healthy cooking challenge through Publix and the Pork Board:

Pork Tenderloin With Lemon Garlic Sauce

Game Day Chile Wraps

Pork Roast With Sweet Potatoes and Granny Smith Apples

This week’s lean cut of pork on sale at Publix is Pork Sirloin Cutlets and I made Pork and Mushroom Quesadillas to go with the theme of Healthy Comfort Food Dinners. Yes comfort food CAN be healthy! Woot! We had leftover mushrooms from pizza night on hand, as well as flour tortillas, and my entire family loves Tex/Mex food so I knew this would be a hit! I used Gruyere cheese and the flavor was amazing. This is definitely a keeper recipe!

Check it out…(and scroll down for a giveaway).

Pork And Mushroom Quesadillas

Ingredients

12 ounces pork cutlets, pounded 1/4-inch thick (I bought thin ones, not pounding required)
1/4 cup olive oil with garlic, OR olive oil, divided
salt , to taste
6 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/3 cup green onions, sliced
8 ounces Swiss cheese, OR Gruyere cheese, shredded (2 cups)
4 large flour tortillas, (9-to 10-inch)
Directions

Stack cutlets and cut crosswise in half, then cut each stack lengthwise into matchstick-size pieces.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat; stir-fry pork for 2 minutes or until no longer pink.
Remove pork from skillet with slotted spoon.
Season to taste with salt.
Add 1 tablespoon oil to skillet.
Add mushrooms and onions to skillet; stir-fry for 1-2 minutes or until crisp-tender.
Remove from skillet.
Wipe skillet with paper towels.
To assemble, sprinkle 1/4 cup cheese over half of each tortilla.
Top each with pork and mushroom mixture.
Sprinkle each with 1/4 cup of remaining cheese.
Fold tortillas in half; pressing gently.
Add 1 tablespoon oil to skillet.
Cook quesadillas, 2 at a time, over medium heat for 2-4 minutes or until golden and cheese is melted, turning once.
Remove quesadillas from skillet; loosely cover with foil to keep warm.
Repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and quesadillas.
Cut quesadillas into wedges to serve.
Serves 4.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes

And now for a fun giveaway!

One lucky BlondeMomBlog.com reader will receive a great prize packet that includes:

8 $5 pork coupons (total value of $40)

Water bottle

Reusable grocery bag

Digital meat thermometer

Pedometer

Recipe book

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this blog post letting me know which one of the pork recipes I’ve posted sounds like one you’d love to whip up in your own kitchen.

For additional entries, share this recipe or another one of my #Publix4Pork challenge recipe posts on your Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest accounts (please leave a separate comment for each of these steps here on this post with the link). Limit to four total entries per person.

The giveaway ends at midnight CST on Tuesday, February 28. I’ll choose a winner at random from all eligible comments. The winner will be contacted via email and must respond within 2 days to receive the prize. Thanks ya’ll and good luck!

Disclosure: I am working with the National Pork Board, Publix, and The Motherhood to share with you great recipes using pork and help promote the Good and Good for You Challenge. I am being compensated for this campaign and also received coupons and a gift card to Publix to help facilitate these recipe reviews, but all opinions expressed on my blog are always my own.