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Life in the DayngrZone

Serving up real-life adventures along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast one food and travel experience at a time.

25 Ways Social Media is Like a New Lover

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We’ve all read social media comparisons before but have you ever considered how social networks are like a new lover? All-consuming, exhilarating and euphoric, here are 25 ways social media is just like a new lover:

25 Ways Social Media is Like a New Lover

  1. You can’t get enough of either one
  2. You never want to leave its side
  3. You rush to them in the morning
  4. You give them all your attention
  5. You’d never think of ignoring them
  6. You’re constantly thinking about them
  7. You can spend all day wrapped up in each
  8. You remember exactly what drew you to them in the first place
  9. You believe they’re the best thing that ever happened to you
  10. They can keep you up at night
  11. They can evoke strong emotions
  12. They can be very exciting
  13. Both are totally addicting
  14. Both can make you forget you had a social life before them
  15. Both can stroke your ego
  16. Both can make you feel invincible
  17. Both can invade your dreams
  18. Both can make you fall in love with them
  19. Both can totally make your day
  20. Both can be stress relievers
  21. Both can surprise you in unexpected ways
  22. Both are nourished by quality instead of quantity
  23. Both can open your mind to new experiences
  24. The thought of losing either makes you break out in a cold sweat
  25. Too much with either can make body parts cramp or fall asleep

In order to keep your love affair with social media as thrilling as that first encounter, be sure to continue nurturing the relationships you’ve cultivated. That’s the best way to ensure they’ll stand the test of time. I hope you have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

What made you fall in love with social media? Does social media still feel as exciting today as it did the first time? What would you add to this list?

Date Night at Nu Asian Bistro in Jacksonville, NC

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We all have these restaurants we never notice until we’re on our way to somewhere else, right? Well, Nu Asian Bistro in Jacksonville, North Carolina, has been that place for me for quite a while now. From what I can tell, they’ve been open for almost 2 years now, but for some reason, they never come to mind when the hubby and I are fighting discussing where to go for dinner.

The stars finally aligned for me to try out Nu Asian Bistro when a good friend of mine invited us to a sushi dinner date. Turns out she had been there many times before, and it’s one of her go-to places! It was fate. Fate for a sushi date. Fate for a sushi date with some of my mates. Feel free to stop me anytime here.

Nu Asian Bistro in Jacksonville NC

Great Food and Deals

Now on to the good stuff –  We happened to go on a Thursday night which also happens to be one of their BOGO sushi nights! Finally, I could try different kinds of sushi without it costing me an arm and a leg. I’m usually a Shrimp Tempura Roll kinda gal (which, of course, I got because it’s my favorite), but I also got their Volcano Roll, which I was very excited to try. Both were AMAZING, and I almost couldn’t finish them both (I said almost).

Shrimp Tempura at Nu Asian Bistro

© Nu Asian Bistro

My Volcano Roll even looked like a volcano which I loved. I admired it for a total of 5 seconds before I destroyed it. Our friends got an undeniably large platter of sushi rolls that put my little plate to shame, and they loved their choices as well. If you don’t like sushi, they also offer many other dishes, including a special Thai menu that is out of this world. I’ll definitely be sampling that one soon. The hubs isn’t a fan of sushi, but he was super pleased with his Teriyaki Beef. I almost regretted not getting it, but we’re married so of course, I stole a bite or two or three.

As if the night wasn’t perfect enough with our BOGO sushi rolls, the dinner gods continued to shine down on us with $5 martinis… need I say more? There were four of us in our group, so we asked the waitress to surprise us with four different martinis. We spent the evening sampling almost their entire menu of martinis – Death by Chocolate, Sour Apple, Washington Apple – you name it, we probably tried it.

My Favorite Picks at Nu Asian Bistro

My personal favorite was the Lemon Drop Martini complete with sugar on the rim. The Sour Apple was a close second. This chocolate lover was sure the Death by Chocolate martini would rock my world, but I suppose I’m just not a big fan of chocolate with my alcohol. Martinis and sushi; this is my heaven, I’m sure of it! The service was great as was the atmosphere of this cute little restaurant. It’s complete with some nice, low lighting to really set the mood before you chow down on some delicious food.

Martini, Martinis at Nu Asian Bistro

Perfect Date Night at Nu Asian Bistro in Jacksonville, NC

We had a great time for our first trip to Nu Asian Bistro! Yummy food, great friends, good atmosphere – it was the perfect date night. I may or may not have had one too many martinis… But hey, who I am kidding, it was totally worth it. Word on the street is they have BOGO sushi rolls Monday through Thursday, and different drink specials pretty often! We’ll definitely be returning to NU Asian Bistro for my sushi fix, but also to try some of my other Asian favorites like Mongolian Beef or a Thai Stir Fry. YUM.

If you’re new to the area or a local and haven’t tried this spot yet, Nu Asian Bistro should be on your list of places to have lunch or dinner. You can find them the next time you visit Jacksonville, NC at:

Nu Asian Bistro
2100 N Marine Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546

Loved this post? See more great finds along my Crystal Coast.

This guest post was contributed by Ragan Chambless. What are your favorite local restaurants in North Carolina? Do you have any places you love or haven’t gotten around to trying yet? I’d love to know what tickles your fancy so I can add some new places to my slew of places to visit. Help a sister out.

4 Helpful Tips for Bringing Out Your Inner Creative

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Creativity, Bring out your inner creative, creative inspiration

Hey bloggers, let’s face it. We’ve all been there. Whether it’s writer’s block or lack of inspiration sometimes you need a little help bringing out your inner creative.  If this sounds familiar, here are 4 helpful tips.

4 Helpful Tips For Bringing Out Your Inner Creative 

1. Brainstorm

You can do it by yourself or you can do it with some creative friends. Make it a habit!

  • Give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm and set time aside to do it! Grab your planner and schedule some time to sit and come up with ideas. 
  • Give yourself permission to experiment. There’s no such thing as a bad idea. Remember, someone, somewhere pitched Sharknado.
  • Write every idea you have down. The more ideas you have, the more options you have.

2. Get Outside

Goethe once said, if nature is your teacher, your soul will awaken. I believe that. 

  • Take a brain break. Step outside and get some fresh air – even if it’s just right outside your door, standing on the porch while the dogs howl.
  • Go for a leisurely walk. There’s something about nature that just soothes the soul and resets creativity.
If nature is your teacher, your soul will awaken. – Goethe

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3. Have a Few Creative Outlets

Seems like common sense stuff right? But how are you feeding your creativity? What creative outlets do you currently have? 

  • Read a good book.
  • Watch a great movie.
  • Take a class (think photography, painting, drawing, music, etc).

4. Live Life

You’re probably going to find it easier to be creative if you’re going out and living life to the fullest. Or, fuller than you are right now. Say yes, to new experiences.

  • Travel whenever possible. Even if that means exploring the next town over.
  • Go to a cultural event. This opens you up to richer, life experiences.
  • Surround yourself with a diverse group of friends. Having friends from different cultures and friends who speak different languages really broadens your horizons and changes the way you see the world.

I hope you’ve found some value in the tips I’ve shared. These are some of what’s worked for me over the years and I’m sure if you try a few you’ll find yourself back in the swing of things in no time! 

What are some of your favorite ways to get your creative juices flowing again? What would you add to this blog post? I can’t wait to hear your thoughts in the comments below! 

What the Heck Are Hashtags and How Do I Use Them?

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Hastags, What are hashtags, How do I use hashtags

If you’re new to social media, you’re probably wondering what the heck hashtags are and do I use them effectively. You’re in luck! In this blog post, I’m going to cover those questions and so much more!

What The Heck Are Hashtags?

hashtag

Hashtags assign topics to your posts, status updates, and articles. Using the pound sign # {or hash} on a social network {think Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+ and even Facebook}, turns any word or group of words that directly follow it, into a searchable link, allowing you to organize content and track discussion topics based on those keywords. That means, if you wanted to post about your visit to NYC like I did above, you would include #NYC in your status update to join the conversation. Click on any hashtag to see all the posts that mention that topic/subject in real-time.

How to Format Your Hashtags

The first thing you should know is that you don’t want to use spaces – even if your hashtag contains multiple words. But you do want to differentiate those words by using upper and lower case. For example, Pen Island would look better, and make much more sense, as #PenIsland than as #penisland, don’t you agree?  Uppercase letters won’t alter your search results so people searching for #abc will get the same results as people searching for #ABC.

Numbers are supported, so #EasyAs123 works. Sadly, punctuation marks are not supported. So commas, periods, exclamation points, question marks, and apostrophes are out. While you’re at it, skip asterisks, ampersands and any other special characters.

There Are No Presets

There isn’t a master list of hashtags, but you can search your social networks {and search engines} to see if there’s a hashtag already in use for a particular subject or topic. You can even check services like HashAtIt, Hashtagify, and Hashtags.org. Remember, every time you add a hashtag in front of a word or phrase, you’re creating a hashtag. Try it out!

How You Can Use Hashtags

Hashtags are supported on Twitter {where they started}, Instagram, Pinterest, and even Facebook, now. There are so many different ways you can use hashtags, the possibilities are almost endless. However, I wanted to give you a few ways you can use them, along with a few tips.

  • Don’t forget, hashtags turn words into searchable links
  • Always start with a # and leave out spaces
  • Use upper and lowercase to differentiate words
  • Use them during conferences and events
  • Use them in conversations around specific topics
  • Use them for Twitter Chats
  • Use them during television shows (#CNN, #GreysAnatomy, #JurassicWorld)
  • Hashtags can be used anywhere within your post or update
  • Use them to find like-minded individuals
  • Use them to find people discussing the topics you’re interested in
  • Use them to create a following for your brand/blog/business
  • Use them to complement photos you share on Instagram (This helps you discover new accounts and pick up followers)
  • Use them to show off your personality, brand voice or tone
  • Use them for fun!

Again, these are just a few ways you can use hashtags while you’re using social media. What would you add to this article to help people trying to understand hashtags? How are you using hashtags? Let me know in the comments below!

Experience a Wild Horse and Dolphin Scenic Tour

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Wild Horse and Dolphin Scenic Tour

One of the best parts of coastal living and life along the Crystal Coast is getting to experience a wild horse and dolphin scenic tour anytime we want.  My kids and I are big nature lovers, so any chance to see wildlife in a natural setting is just magical.

Shackleford-Banks, NCPS, Wild-Ponies, Crystal-Coast-Lady, Island-Express-Ferry Service, Wild Pony and Dolphin Scenic Tour

One stallion challenging another – often used to intimidate an opponent to prevent a fight. © NCPS

Why See Less, When You Can See It All!

My friend, Captain George, owns and operates Beaufort’s largest, most comfortable cruise vessel, the Crystal Coast Lady. He offers regularly scheduled opportunities for locals and visitors to experience their Wild Pony and Dolphin Scenic Tour. If you’ve never sailed with Captain George or you’ve never seen the wild horses and dolphins, add this to your list of things to do while you’re in Beaufort.  
 
If you’ve never been aboard, the Crystal Coast Lady has a fully enclosed top deck (so you can enjoy your cruise without worrying about the weather), plenty of outside seating, a fully stocked galley on each deck, bathrooms on each level and a climate controlled cab on the main salon. I’ve had some tasty treats when I’ve been on board. 
 
Finger food aboard Crystal Coast Lady, Crystal Coast Lady Food, Wild Horse Tour Food, Dolphin Cruise Food

Experience a Wild Horse and Dolphin Scenic Tour

The wild horse and dolphin scenic tour is a 15 mile, fully narrated tour. On it you’ll cruise by Carrot Island and the Rachel Carson Reserve, you’ll see the NC State Port, Blackbeard’s House, Beaufort’s historical homes, high-rise and drawbridges, Duke Marine Lab, Fort Macon, USCG Station, Radio Island, the Morehead City Waterfront, as well as big beautiful yachts from all over the world with a good chance of seeing the Wild Banker Ponies and Atlantic Bottle-Nose Dolphins. Pony and dolphin sightings are typical but obviously not guaranteed, but either way, you’ll have such a good time.

wild-dolphin, Island-Ferry-Express, Crystal-Coast-Lady, Wild Pony and Dolphin Scenic Tour

Atlantic Bottle-nose Dolphins frequently swim beside the Crystal Coast Lady as you cruise.© NCPS

 
I’d highly recommend you make reservations rather than trying to pay at the pier. This cruise fills up. Also, you can book just a dolphin scenic tour or just a wild horse tour but why not have it all?
 

Pick Your Own Tour with The Crystal Coast Lady

Crystal Coast Lady Cruises
600 Front St
Beaufort, NC. 28516

Phone: (252) 728-8687
 

Beautiful Wedding Invitations for the Modern Bride

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Wedding invitations for modern brides, Beautiful Wedding invitations for the Modern Bride

This is a sponsored post

My wedding story was quite an amazing one and my invitations weren’t exactly what I’d dreamed of all my life. That doesn’t have to be your story though. If you’re a soon-to-be modern bride that’s chic, independent, and knows what she wants, then Basic Invite is going to be your new bestie!

Let’s be honest, even the savviest prepared brides can get overwhelmed with the tasks, the choices, and the budget. Luckily, being a modern bride also means having resources at your fingertips which can help put some stress at bay. From wedding blogs to online vendors and even social media for opinions and support, the endless resources today’s world provides help brides stay on track and make well-informed decisions easily.

Basic Invite Wedding Invitation

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Basic Invite

As a truly modern girl, I’ve teamed up with an online stationery design company, Basic Invite, to give you a peek inside the world of online wedding invitation design just perfect for the modern bride.

Shopping online, designing online, and ordering online is time-saving and simple, but in order to be the most effective in your online invitation journey – you also want to be prepared.

So, for any brides searching for wedding invitations – look no further! Basic Invite has you covered and they’re bringing you three of their favorite modern methods for the ultimate wedding invitation suite – modern bride style.

Seal and Send Invites for the Modern Bride

Basic Invite Wedding Invitation, Simple Wedding Invitations

The newest and most impressive wedding invitations are hands down, the Seal and Send. These are an all-in-one, foldable wedding invitation with a tear-off rsvp postcard included. Guest addresses are pre-printed onto the front of these invites so that no envelope is needed! All you have to do is fold, seal, add a stamp, and send! No envelope licking, no envelope stuffing, and no handwritten addressing!

All Matching Everything

Wedding invitations, basic invite wedding invitations. simple but elegant wedding invitations

Even some of the most modern couples opt for a more traditional wedding invitation, but to take this old-school style and spin it into the most beautiful invitation – choose a single design and match, match, match!

Basic Invite has over 900 wedding invitation designs from clear to foil and everything in between. Rather than sending out a save the date, followed by an invitation, and some enclosure cards that sort of go together, order a full matching wedding suite with a matching rsvp, save the date, and enclosures for a clean, cohesive look.

Wedding Websites

Wedding websites are a great way to keep things modern and organized when it comes to wedding plans and your invitations specifically. There is no substitute for a hand-delivered invitation straight off the press, but for real-time updates and extra special details, wedding rsvp websites are a great tool. Not to mention, 100% FREE! We call that an added bonus.

Choose a design that matches your wedding invitation or compliments your style. Upload a gallery of images, write a little love story, and invite your guests to upload their contact information instantly through your wedding website. You can even provide day-of details like maps, directions, and accommodation info to keep your guests in the loop right up to the moment you say “I do.”

Sweet friends, whether you had a vision already in mind or the search for invites is finally on, head over to Basic Invite for modern affordable wedding invitations you and your guests will love! Best of all, they’re offering 15% off everything sitewide which means even if you’re not a bride-to-be, you can shop thank you notes, business cards, personal stationery, and so much more at a discounted rate! I know all you stationery enthusiasts will appreciate that!

I can’t wait to hear what you think about Basic Invite and whether or not you take advantage of their 15% discount. Be sure to let me know in the comments below. Happy shopping and if you’re planning on heading down the aisle in the near future, congrats to you!

Celebrate National Donut Day with Dunkin Donuts!

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This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Dunkin’ Donuts

National Donut Day is right around the corner!

My kids love Dunkin’ Donuts, and if I’m being honest, I always have. When we lived in South Florida we had a Dunkin’ right down the street from us. We could walk there if we wanted to and often, as a teenager, my friends and I did.

Raising my kids in the same home I grew up in, they grew to love how close the local Dunkin’ was, and how it was occasionally a treat on the weekends for breakfast.

Much to our delight, our current home in North Carolina is also located quite close to a Dunkin’ Donuts store as well. We could easily ride our bikes there – and that’s something we should probably consider doing if I take into account how often the kids ask for donuts on the weekends! 

National Donut Day

Friday, June 1st is #NationalDonutDay. The perfect way to end the week, if you ask me. I’m collaborating with Dunkin’ Donuts on National Donut Day to make sure everyone gets a chance to celebrate by grabbing their favorite Dunkin’ beverage and a FREE classic Dunkin’ donut!

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Are you ready for #NationalDonutDay, June 1st? We’re getting the party started early! 🍩We’re happy to collaborate with @DunkinDonuts to give away 2 gift-cards! To enter, follow along, drop a comment below and tag a friend who’d like some donuts, too! (Giveaway open to U.S. Residents Only – Deadline to enter is May 31st @ midnight eastern) . 🍩 Best of all, we can all score yummy donuts! On National Donut Day, with the purchase of any beverage, you’ll get a FREE classic donut all day on June 1 (while supplies last) 🎀 . . . . #NCBloggger #NC #SouthernBlogger #FoodBlogger #LifestyleBlogger #TravelBlogger #RaleighBlogger #DIYBlogger #BeautyBlogger #StyleBlogger #StreetStyleBlogger #FashionBlogger #Blog #Blogger #Bloggerlife #BlogLife #BloggerStyle #BrandInfluencers #CLTBlogger #Donuts #Doughnuts #Donut #Doughnut

A post shared by NC Blogger Network (@ncbloggernetwork) on

Plus a few other NC bloggers are participating, too. They’re already enjoying their donuts and it’s been fun to follow along and see what everyone’s choosing.

Dunkin’ Donuts Giftcard Giveaway

If you love Dunkin’ as much as we do. Make sure you take a moment to enter the fun giveaway I’m hosting over on Instagram. Take a moment to swing by and enter for a chance to win a Dunkin Donuts gift card that you can use anytime – not just on National Donut Day.

Red Bull Chooses NC to Launch New Organics Line

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I love organic food and drink. It’s true! I strive to go buy organic whenever I can. It’s so important to me as a mom that my kids get the healthiest options whenever possible. So I was really pleased to get a box of Red Bull’s Organics, their new sodas. What a treat! 

The kids couldn’t wait to try them and were debating over how we were going to split them up. In the end, we all had a little bit of each. For me, my favorites were the Lemon and the Ginger. The kids like Cola the best. 

Red Bull Chooses NC to Launch New Organics Line

I’m thrilled to share that Red Bull has chosen North Carolinians to be some of the first to try their new line of organic beverages. North Carolina, with its bustling food scene and appreciation for craft beverages, has proven to be the perfect place to launch Red Bull’s new organic sodas.

The new line, ORGANICS by Red Bull, is a range of premium organic refreshment beverages made with ingredients from natural sources. They’ll be available as of April 2, 2018, where Red Bull is sold in North Carolina, from Raleigh to Winston-Salem to Wilmington as well as through Amazon.com.

The Official Red Bull Organics Launch Party

Some of my local blogging friends also got a preview and, like me, are sharing the invitation to the launch party. It’s going to be fun!  

The Organics By Red Bull Flavors Are:

  • Simply Cola – Not your average cola, this not-so-sweet caffeinated soda is derived from multiple plant extracts like kola nut, ginger, and cinnamon. It’s 32 mg of caffeine that comes from organic coffee beans harvested on plantations from all over the world.
  • Bitter Lemon – The refreshingly tart flavor of this caffeine-free soda comes from citrus extracts and organic lemon juice concentrate complemented by an herbal bitterness derived from plant extracts.
  • Ginger Ale – Thanks to ingredients from ginger extracts and zesty organic lemon juice concentrate this caffeine-free is as aromatic as it is tasty.
  • Tonic Water – The distinctive, light taste of this caffeine-free Tonic Water comes from a thoughtfully balanced blend of lemon and lime notes and a little herbal bitterness from plant extracts. The well-balanced sweet and sour taste is tart and dry.

You’re Invited! Save the Date –

If you missed the first event, there’s still time to get in on the fun. Save the date! On April 10th from 6-9, Organics by Red Bull will host Sam Jones for a free whole hog BBQ event. In addition to delicious BBQ, you’ll be sipping on cocktails from the Cocktail Bandits featuring the Organics by Red Bull sodas – and tasty sides by PoshNosh Catering. The event will be open to all, at Whitaker and Atlantic but you must RSVP to attend.

RSVP if you’re interested in attending this upcoming sure-to-be-fun event with your fellow NC Bloggers.

To see more of the types of events we partner with brands on, check out all our campaigns, and events.

Hello from Blog Life University 2017

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Blog Life University Conference, 2017 Blog Life U, 2017 Blog Life University, Blog Conference

I’m spending the latter part of this week at the 2017 Blog Life University Conference and I can’t wait to share all the key takeaways from the conference with you later, right here on the blog.

If we met at the conference, welcome! I’m a blogger just like you. I’ve been blogging since 1997 and I’m really excited to share my passion with you the NC Blogger Network. 

If you love blogging as much as I do, and you love connecting with other blog bosses just like you, then you’re going to love the NC Blogger Network. 

Whether you’re a fashionista or a foodie, new to blogging or a veteran, NC Blogger Network’s got something for everyone – and for every type of blogger. I look forward to welcoming you to our community! We’ve got what you need to succeed. 

Blog Life University 2017 Attendees – Grab Your Discount!

It’s all about building community and connecting with your tribes, you know, like minded-bloggers, so I’d love to offer you a discount on our annual membership. Use code BLOGLIFEU now through Monday, 9/25 and get $10 off our annual membership. 

About The NC Blogger Network

NC Blogger Network is North Carolina’s premier community for bloggers. We bring bloggers together for events, education, networking and paid opportunities working with relevant brands! Membership to the NC Blogger Network is based on an annual subscription.

Our goal at the NC Blogger Network is to create a strong state-wide community of bloggers working together to support and encourage each other through our network. It is also our goal to provide our members with paid opportunities working with brands they know and love.

About Blog Life University 2017 and What We’ll Be Sharing 

Blog Life University 2017 is THE Conference to Learn How to Take Your Blog from Hobby to Business.

These speakers are experts in their fields and ready to share with you their secrets to success. Scroll down to read about each session – you definitely don’t want to miss!

Thursday, September 21, 2017

  • 9:00 – 9:15 am – Welcome with Melissa Llado
  • 9:15 – 10:15 am – Getting Paid What Your Worth Through Working With Brands by Jenny Melrose
  • 10:15 – 11:15 am – Organizing Your Day for Maximum Productivity with Aaronica Cole
  • 11:15 – 11:30 am – BREAK
  • 11:30 – 12:30 pm – Expanding Your Reach With Podcasting by Nicole Culver
  • 12:30 – 1:30 pm – LUNCH
  • 1:30 – 2:30 pm – Make Your Photos POP Without Breaking the Bank by Tiffany Dahle
  • 2:30 – 3:30 pm – Jumping Into Videography WithOUT the Fancy Equipment by Christina Patterson
  • 3:30 – 4:00 pm – BREAK
  • 4:00 – 5:00 pm – Grow Your List to Maximize Your Income with Kirsten Thompson
  • 5:00 – 5:30 pm – Closing Remarks with Melissa Llado

Friday, September 22, 2017

  • 9:00 – 9:15 am – Welcome with Melissa Llado
  • 9:15 – 10:15 am – Massively Grow Facebook to New Heights with Rachel Miller
  • 10:15 – 11:15 am – Pin It and Win It…Traffic That Is with Cynthia Rusincovitch
  • 11:15 – 11:30 am – BREAK
  • 11:30 – 12:30 pm – The Art of Affiliate Marketing with Dollie Freeman
  • 12:30 – 1:30 pm – LUNCH
  • 12:00 – 6:00 pm – Brand Expo Open
  • 3:00 – 4:00 pm – Protecting Your Financial Future- Creating a Business Budget with Iyanna Vaughn
  • 4:00 – 5:00 pm – Building Abundance Through Product Launches with Becky Mansfield
  • 5:00 – 5:30 pm – Closing

Blog Life University 2017’s Sessions and Speakers

  • Jenny Melrose takes you behind the scenes of working directly with brands to increase your sponsored post rates.
  • Becky Mansfield is sharing all about launching a product successfully to increase your income.
  • Melissa Crenshaw Llado will walk you through adding income through an online store.
  • Aaronica Bell Cole knows all about increasing your hourly rate by maximizing your productivity and she’s sharing all of her secrets with us!
  • NC Blogger Network member, Tiffany Dahle, takes amazing photos and she’s going to show you how to take gorgeous pictures without spending tons of money on expensive equipment.
  • Beloved Women with Christina Patterson started her video blogging with just her phone and she’s going to show you all of her tips and tricks to getting started with video easily.
  • Nicole Culver is all about increasing your reach with podcasting…growing your audience will bring in more income and she’s going to show you how.
  • Cynthia Rusincovitch is sharing her secrets to building and organizing your email list for maximum return on investment.
  • Rachel Miller is a guru at growing your business through Facebook and she’s diving deep with massively growing your Facebook page.
  • Dollie Freeman knows how to boost your affiliate commissions even if you’ve never done affiliates before…learn the ART of affiliate marketing to substantially increase your income.
  • Iyanna Vaughn is going to wrap up the conference by showing you HOW to protect your financial future and organize your blogging finances so you can reap the rewards of growing your online business.

Let’s Keep In Touch

I look forward to connecting with you, welcoming you to the NC Blogger Network and I hope you’ll stay tuned for those session recaps and key takeaways. 

Help Carolina Locals During the One Warm Coat Drive

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One Warm Coat Drive for Carteret County, Coats for Carteret County Locals

One Warm Coat Drive

Hey friends! I’m a big fan of getting involved at a local level so this year, one of the non-profit organizations I’m on the board for is encouraging everyone who can to donate a new or gently used coat this Winter. 

Why Coats? 

Health experts report that even a 2-degree drop in body temperature results in reduced heart rate, loss of coordination, and confusion. Adults cannot work effectively and children find it difficult to learn. For most, a warm coat solves the problem. But, for the nearly 15% of Americans living in poverty, a warm winter coat is a budget “extra.”

Did you know?

  • 15% of seniors live in poverty
  • 3.5 million people experience homelessness each year
  • One in five children is living in poverty

You Can Help Carolina Locals During the One Warm Coat Drive

Gateway Western Carteret Community Alliance and the Crystal Coast Christmas Festival have teamed up with One Warm Coat this holiday season to help our local community members in need. This is such a sweet way to help someone in need, right here in our community, this holiday season. 

You can donate a new or gently used coat during the Festival (Dec 2 – 11) and your contributions will go to a local domestic violence center and a local homeless shelter.

You can also bring in canned goods as well, contributions will also go to our local shelters.

Cans and One Warm Coat Drive and Drop Off Location: 

The Market At Cedar Point
1046 Cedar Point Blvd
Cedar Point, North Carolina

For more info call (910) 330-7937 or (252) 285-6606

About One Warm Coat

holiday charity event, one-warm-coat-drive

One Warm Coat works to provide a free, warm coat to any person in need. We encourage people to keep others warm by donating a new or gently used coat.

One Warm Coat is a national non-profit organization that assists in the donation of coats. We help individuals, groups, companies and organizations across the country collect coats and deliver them to local agencies that distribute them free, to people in need.

Key Facts and Figures

WHAT THEY DO ANNUALLY

Support over 3,000 Coat Drive Ambassadors by:

  • Providing free instructions, materials, tools and resources
  • Hosting and maintain a searchable database of coat drive events across North America

Assist community nonprofit agencies by:

  • Listing them on their searchable database
  • Assisting them in receiving needed coats

Work with business and brands to:

  • Engage employees and customers in giving warmth
  • Develop and support marketing goals and initiatives

WHAT THEY HAVE ACCOMPLISHED

They have focused on one specific need for 22 years allowing us to:

  • Support more than 20,000 coat drives to date
  • Expand to support coat drives held in all 50 states & 10 countries
  • Collect over four million coats providing over four million people with warmth

Keep their expenses low (with an average cost of .50 per coat) allowing them to:

  • Use our funds efficiently with 95% of every $1 supporting our programs
  • Provided over 300,000 children with new coats of their own

If you have gently used coats and jackets you’re no longer using or no longer need, please pass them on to someone who desperately needs them this Christmas. You can drop them off now through December 11th. 

Thanks in advance!