Mobile Education Game Sponsored Blogger Op, Selected Mom Bloggers Will Earn $75/Post

Blog Opportunity
Deadline to apply is 7/19/13

I have been compensated for this post

As faithful readers know I'm a mom blogger with four kids who is the editor and primary content producer for MommyBlogExpert. I also work as a consultant advising PR agencies and brands on social media campaigns targeting women, moms and families. Today I want to tell you about a great new campaign I am assisting on right now that is seeking to compensate selected bloggers that write about early childhood and/or education topics.

Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

The client company has created a kid's mobile app to help preschool age children have fun while learning math concepts like counting, identifying colors, sizing shapes and objects. This compensated blog campaign will include a series of posts by each blogger that is selected for the program.

The Ask
You are at an advantage if you have one or more preschool age children who might be asked to test the product later. But even if you don't, as long as you're interested in the subject -- from either a teacher or parent perspective -- you are encouraged to apply. Please only submit interest for this if you are able to publish post #1 within a week of being selected about a contest incorporating additional material about the product that would be provided. As of now we are planning to provide assets for a second post to qualified bloggers sometime around August 10.

The Get
Bloggers selected to work with us will be notified shortly. The campaign will include a contest with substantial prizes for participating bloggers' readers. In addition, those chosen will be compensated $75 for each post assigned that is completed on time.

Think this a right fit for you? We hope so!

Deadline for Consideration

Friday, July 19

APPLY HERE

FTC Disclosure: I am a Mom Ambassador for this brand and have been compensated for this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Tracys Closet - Unique Consumer Shopping Experience to Buy & Sell Fashion

Fashion

I received credit to Tracy's Closet for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. 

Just one reason I love being a woman blogger -- I get compensated to shop. In fact, for this post I received the opportunity to go on a shopping spree to try out a new online fashion marketplace concept called Tracy's Closet.

This isn't just another new Internet seller peddling independent brands and designers you'll recognize like Coach, Banana Republic, Tiffany & Co, Louis Vuitton, Juicy Couture and others. 

It's actually a community where you can not only buy women's and kids fashion, shoes and accessories from others. You can also earn credits for purchases you make by selling items from your own closet as well as from your son's and daughter's outgrown or unwanted wardrobes. Each product is categorized as New with Tag, Worn Once, Gently Used, Vintage or Handmade.

TracysCloset.com

What makes this buy and sell exchange upstart so unique is that it operates on a points system, enabling you to shop without using money -- unless you use their option to purchase points with a credit card. Each item’s points "price" is calculated by Tracy's Closet taking into account the original retail cost and present condition. Then, along with a photo and short description provided by the seller, it's listed for sale in exchange for a certain number of points needed to buy it.

Shopping this site with its clean and crisp style is easy and the look and layout of the site reminds me of Pinterest. Once you've signed in to begin your shopping adventure, just click on either the Women or Kids tab on the home page. Then, you can search for new and previously loved clothes, shoes, handbags, jewelry and other accessories in a number of ways by type, brand, condition, color or points required to buy (for example all items priced at under 1000 points). 

Merchandise is sold and new stock added all the time, so you never know what you'll find-- it's like shopping in a vintage clothing shop or a trendy and eclectic boutique. 

Today while browsing I was enchanted by this beautiful piece of jewelry. Way outside my price range, but still fun to discover.

Screen Shot of Actual Item for Sale at Tracy's Closet

Once you click on an item you like, you'll get see some basic information about it and from there you can push the buy button to purchase it with your points. Free shipping is included on everything. Unfortunately you can't search by size right now, but hopefully as the community of sellers and buyers grows, they'll offer that option to streamline your shop experience in the future.

There's a wide range of styles for an array of tastes and occasions. Look at the casual cute red new Esprit flip flops I snagged yesterday! 

Screen Shot of Footware I Bought on Tracy's Closet

Marketing your own fashion pieces is also a breeze. First you use your smartphone to take a clear digital picture of each item you want to sell from your own closet. Then you'll upload image(s) to the site along with providing some basic information about it/them. Once Tracy's Closet has determined the point value of what you want to sell, they'll immediately provide you with a partial credit of the total points you'll earn once the item sells. The beauty is that you are able to shop and purchase items using those initial points earned, while you're waiting for someone to buy your stuff.

What a great way to multi-task to clean out and restock your closet simultaneously!

Join Tracy's Closet Now
I anticipate that this community for fashionistas will get better as it grows and more consumers jump in on the fun. As an incentive, right now Tracy's Closet will give you 500 points instantly to use on the site just for signing up -- membership is free. They also want you to tell your friends and for each referral that signs up, they will deposit 100 additional points into your store account for you to apply to purchases you make.

So let's go shopping! In additioning to becoming a member, you can keep up on all the latest Tracy's Closet news by following them on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

FTC Disclosure: I was compensated for this sponsored post made possible by Mom SparkMedia. Thoughts are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one. 

Pilates Perfect Body Pursuit Teen Tuesday Post by Rebecca Elspas

Teen Tuesday

by Rebecca Elspas, Teen Blogger

The Mission for the Perfect Summer Bod

Highlighted hair. Toned arms.  Flat abs. Victoria’s Secret model legs. Beach tan body. The perfect summer bod. It all seems too good to be true, doesn't it?

Me stretching at the beach, MommyBlogExpert.com

Of course we all want to look nothing less than fabulous in our bikinis! In fact, I just bought this polka dot one at Target that I'm obsessed with. Still it can seem like an impossible task to achieve the dream. Be honest, you get jealous when you see someone with a nicer body than yours. And those model diets? It’s like there's a war and everyone is on strict rations. What about the thigh gap trend? 

Sorry to burst your bubble, but when you work out and get muscular, your legs get toned and defined. That means they get a little more bulgy, in a way, but you get much stronger and much healthier, too. When you go on a diet and eat less, and do more cardio, you lose weight, therefore you lose fat. And when you lose fat, your legs get skinnier, resulting in a thigh gap. 

But when you do muscle exercise and strength training, your body gets defined and you’re likely not going to have a thigh gap because you’ve built muscle. We all know that muscle is denser than fat, right? So you can actually weigh more and be better built and healthier than someone who has lost weight through dieting but who still has a higher fat percentage than you.

Cassey Ho, Image from Blogilates

So I had a lucky stumble upon Blogilates, a Youtube channel by Cassey Ho, a pilates instructor who creates, teaches, and uploads amazing “Popilates” exercises to work your whole body-- abs, arms, butt, thighs, hips -- you name it. 

Here is The Intense Ab Workout, the first Blogilates full-length 10 minute video I came across. I really wanted flat abs, at the very least, so I started a daily workout routine using this great program. Check it out and see if you don't agree with me about how great she is.



My favorite among Cassey's wide selection of awesome exercise videos is the Victoria Secret Model Ab Workout. The title is definitely not misleading cause it will actually give you the abs you want. After working out with this a bit my abs felt so tight it was amazing, and results came so quickly. Now I’m ready for bikini season, and you can be too!

Check out the Blogilates blog for more inspiration to keep you going as well as to access the workout calendars that Ho has thoughtfully shared to help keep you on track. 

Another thing I love about Blogilates, after 7 months as a faithful YouTube channel subscriber, is that the videos are so fun and catch your attention! Love the Billboard favorites and pop famous Gangnam Style by PSY, Drive By by Bruno Mars, and Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen. 

Guess what? Blogilates makes workouts with those songs. Now, you don’t have to have a set of headphones on anymore! She doubles from an amazing Pilates Instructor to an amazing Pilate Instructor and DJ—win win! Cassey also uploads healthy recipes, dance routines, and answers questions in some of her videos.

Lastly, never forget the Golden Rule of Blogilates

“Abs are made in the gym, and shown in the kitchen”—Cassey Ho. 

Shoutout to the one and only Cassey Ho! Follow her on Twitter @blogilates and Facebook, plus check out her many YouTube videos and feast your eyes on the extensive Blogilates clothing & accessories line!

Beverly Bow Yoga Bag, Image from Blogilates

Comment & Connect
Have a question for me? Want to share some of your own thoughts on pilates, staying fit or general exercise? Please leave a comment -- I look forward to hearing from you. You're invited to stay in touch with me, too, by following me on Twitter @RebElspas and on Pinterest.

FTC Disclosure: No payment or other compensation was exchanged in association with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.