Absolute Mommy: BlogHer

Showing posts with label BlogHer. Show all posts

We're Back... {HelloCotton Hop}

We are back!!

After a brief hiatus,

Laura {Our Reflection}, Lena {Mom 2 Memphis and Ruby}

and I are back with another awesome Hellocotton LinkUp!

If you've hopped with us before then you know the drill.

If not here is some info to fill you in on Hello Cotton:

Hellocotton allows you to follow for free the most talented women

bloggers out there. It is the easiest way to discover the latest on

trends and to take on a daily dose of inspiration. Hellocotton also

allows you to comment, vote and share it all with your friends.

Hellocotton brings together all inspiring blogs of the moment. All you

friends (people you follow) messages and articles are uploaded in real

time to your homepage. This way, you don't miss a thing. Scroll the

"Headlines" to make sure you checked out the most popular publications.

Hellocotton is a goldmine, therefore essential.

Create a Hellocotton account, if you haven't already,

then come back here and link up!

The Rules

1. Follow your hosts

{they are the first 3 in the linky and they WILL return the favor!}

2. Follow at least 3 new blogs via Hellocotton

{or more!! and don't be shy, introducing yourself is a wonderful way to make new friends!}

3. Spread the word!

{the more the merrier! grab the button & add it to your blog, tweet or Facebook about the linkup! this is not necessary, but would kindly appreciated!!}

That's it!

Have fun!

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Hellocotton!

West Coast Blog Hop

I'm so excited to be co-hosting a wonderful link party,
aimed at bringing us together on the West Coast!
This is about making new friends close to home,
and possibly creating stronger bonds in real life.
I'm so excited and hope that all my west coast readers link up!
Take it away, Katlyn!

It's that time again! We're hanging out with our fellow West Coasters! Link up with us!

Are you a blogger on the West Coast?

Are you seeking to find new friends in the blog-o-sphere and possibly in real life?

Well you have come to the right place!

Your Host:

Katlyn @ The Dreamy Meadow

Your Co-Hosts:

Jessica @ Before The I Do's

Laura @ Our Reflection

Megan @ Absolute Mommy

Melissa @ The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife

What are the rules?

1. Follow your hosts.

If you are interested in co-hosting email me at katlyn[dot]larson[at]gmail[dot]com

2. Link up your home page in the state that you reside in.

3. You see those little Twitter and Facebook buttons? Hit them and share!

4. Grab the button and put it somewhere on your lovely blog!

5. Mingle your heart away & have fun!

Washington:

Oregon:

California:

Alaska:

Hawaii:

You Have No Idea {Book Review}

Last month I signed up to review Vanessa Williams and Helen Williams joint venture, You Have No Idea. It's a book they wrote together. Most of it is from Vanessa's view, but like any good mother, Helen puts in her two cents where needed. Let me tell you, this book had me wanting more. Each chapter presented a new situation, and I just needed to know how it all ended. Plus, BlogHer wants to send me FREE books to read and review? Uh, Yes please, and thank you!

This is a paid review friends, but the opinions are mine.

I hope that you enjoy this review, and it makes you want to read this book!

The book begins with Vanessa talking about her childhood, her parents, and life for her family in a mostly white suburb. What I loved was that Vanessa and her school friends knew no color boundaries. They were friends of similar interests. I also loved that from the word go, Vanessa was on a path all her own. Even admitting if Helen told her not to do something she did it. She was a child that had spunk, but also had grace and beauty. Which was a product of the kind of love and nurturing she got from Mom and Dad.

You Have No Idea, talks about her stint as the first Black Miss America. I bet some of you young ins didn't even know she was Miss America. Well she was, and she was a trail blazer! In the book she discusses how in some parts of the south, she had extra security during parades and events where she was the honorary guest! Seriously!

Unfortunately, her rein as Miss America came to a very abrupt end, just 6 weeks before the new Miss America would be crowned. She was dethroned by some racy pics that were published in Penthouse Magazine. Now, today, every celebrity has some naked pics and sex tapes floating around the Internet. Isn't that what has made Miss Kim Kardashian a household name, with a billion dollar empire to boot? Well, back in the early 80s, (1984 to be exact) racy photos were not acceptable behavior of a young miss, who just happened to be America's newest sweetheart.  She details how she was able to handle that crisis, and bounce back.

I enjoyed reading her climb to stardom. It didn't come quickly or easily. Her Miss America scandal was always the monkey on her back.  I'm so used to just noting her roles as an actress, and I always forget that she has had a very successful recording career. By reading the book I was equally impressed with her Broadway career.

This book was also the perfect example of the mother/daughter dynamic. Her relationship with her mother is very different from mine, but love is always a constant. Helen loves Vanessa in her own way. Sometimes I found that Helen may be a little harsh. Just as I felt that Vanessa could have taken some of her mother's advice. Listening to Vanessa's story from her point of view, and then to hear it from her mother was great. As a Mom, who is still a daughter, I could totally relate.

Oh, and you know Wilhelmina, from Ugly Betty? Well, it's been said (in the book) that Willie was modeled after Helen! The looks, the sharp tongue, the wit... All Helen! Since I was and will always be a huge Ugly Betty fan, I loved that little factoid!

If you get a chance, this is a perfect summer read.  It's not just about some starlet living the good life. This is a book about perseverance. This is a book about a strong woman working her way to the top. It's also a book about a working mother. Sure it's Hollywood style, but she had her fair share of late nights and early mornings. She also had moments where she had to decide between her kids and her career. She had to make those tough choices that we are all faced with.

I thought I knew all about Vanessa Williams, but I had no idea!

For more information on You Have No Idea or

to join in on the BlogHer discussions, click the link below.

http://www.blogher.com/bookclub/now-reading-you-have-no-idea