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299 Steps to Blogging Heaven by Nikki Pilkington

One of the only good things that came out of the Social Media Course fiasco was crossing paths with the lovely and talented Nikki Pilkington, who’s been helping businesses  promote their websites since 1994 and really knows her stuff.  She doesn’t like to call herself a Social Media Marketing Expert but I have to say she’s pretty damn clever.

I managed to blag a copy of her e-Book 299 Steps to Blogging Heaven (£10). It’s an easy read, full of great examples, made me laugh and is not riddled with technical jargon.  I managed to bomb through it in about 45 minutes, but that doesn’t mean it was light on content; as its jammed packed with loads of useful tips.

I was pleased that I was already doing quite a few of the things she was recommending, but by the time I finished reading it, I had a list as long as my arm of things to do on my blog.

She covers everything from:

  • what to write about and what not to write about
  • basics of SEO
  • importance of headers
  • generating key phrases
  • blog design and placement of content
  • recommended plug-ins to make your blogging more efficient
  • driving traffic to your blog
  • guest posting
  • also two very high-profile bloggers make an appearance
  • plus loads more

If you’re a blogger this is a must read!  What are you waiting for?  Off you go and get it.  I’d love to know what you thought so please do leave a comment.

 

 

 

Lost for ideas….try a pick your own…

Don’t you just love summer holidays? Not!  I’m only on day 3 and already on my knees.  I don’t remember as a kid having such a fun filled agenda, my mum used to open the front door shoe us out and that was it for the rest of the day.  Now I find myself busier than a party planner and getting paid diddly squat for it!

We have had a full on day, gymnastics followed by a picnic in the park but this afternoon we did something a bit different.  We went to our local Pick your Own (not nose) and picked some strawberries and blackberries.  I think they’ve missed a trick; they should really weigh the kids before and after and not the punnet as not many berries made it into the pots.

It was a lovely way to kill an hour!  However, it dawned on me afterwards, ‘now what am I going to do with all this fruit?’ I’m no dab hand in the kitchen, a few people suggested making jam followed by scones.  I nearly fell about laughing.  Someone did suggest making wine with it and I was tempted.  I already had a punnet of strawberries and raspberries in the fridge that were out of date, ready to be composted.  My mate was going to make a crumble so I thought I’d give it a go as well.

It was really dead easy.  I used the following recipe….

We had great fun!  But now I know why I don’t bake just imagine we also made a trip to the shop especially for custard….

But her final words were….’I don’t like crumble!’

These kids don’t know they were born.

 

How to remove objects from kid’s ears and noses

My daughter isn’t the first child to stick things in places where they shouldn’t go.  You may remember the time I had to suck a pea out of her nose but managed to avoid A&E, genius.

Last night she was supposed to be in bed. But we could hear her pitter pattering around upstairs, really didn’t think much about it. We found her whimpering at the top of the stairs.  We discovered that she had got into my make-up and then sprayed hairspray in her eyes.  In hindsight, it was a bit frightening as she was crying at the top of the stairs and she could’ve easily have fallen down them.  After administering basic first aid, I did a quick Google search and learned that hairspray will hurt but won’t cause permanent damage.

Tonight, she has excelled herself!

How not to work with bloggers

I don’t blog for money, I do it for the craic and it’s a way for me to expand on 140 characters sometimes.  However, as a blogger we’re sometimes asked to review products, attend events or try things out with our kids with the hope that we’ll blog about it.  It’s a great way for companies to advertise and we get to try out a lot of cool things that we may otherwise not get to.

In this case, I was sent a recipe and asked to do some baking with my daughter.  This isn’t the first time I’ve been asked to don an apron and get into the kitchen.  I normally don’t mind because I don’t bake enough with Madame and this makes me get in the kitchen and it’s usually fun.  The last time I was asked to review a recipe, I was sent everything I’d need.

This time I was sent a recipe, that calls for 7 ingredients and they only sent one of the ingredients with a retail value of 98p.  Yup, you heard me right….a whopping 98p.  However, the recipe calls for self-raising flour, honey, sultanas, butter, salt and milk.  I have a couple of these things in the house but would have to go out and buy the rest. It wouldn’t break the bank but can’t help thinking this is incredibly cheeky.  Plus, it will take me about an hour to make it, clean up the mess afterwards and don’t forget the time to write up the review.  Sorry, but my time is worth more than a quid.

This isn’t the first time this has happened, I’ve been sent toys where the batteries needed, cost more than the toy itself, asked to travel at my own expense and blatantly asked to do things out of the goodness of my heart which doesn’t include charities or companies that I’m passionate about.

I wouldn’t go so far as to name the PR company, as it would be unprofessional and this particular one isn’t unique in this practice, but I think it’s time that PRs/Companies stop insulting us by asking us to work for nothing.

Heck, I managed to get a £xxx coat off my hubby and it took a lot less time, effort and at least I got a bit of foreplay before being screwed!  ;-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free things to do with kids in or near St. Albans

The joys of Half-Term!  To stay sane we try to do at least one thing each day.  However, the cost really starts to add up so I’ve put together a wee list of things to do in or near St Albans that are virtually free. You can thank me later!  ;-)

Stockwood Discovery Centre – one of my favourite hidden gems.  It’s near the airport in Luton, only 15 minutes from St. Albans up the M1.  It has a permanent display of horse drawn carriages, plus changing displays, an outdoor playground, bee keeping display, beautiful gardens to run around and a café for a much needed latte.

See if you can find the Anderson Shelter.  It’s near the chickens. We’ve been at least a half a dozen times and discover something new each time.  It’s normally free but during half term they have special events that cost a couple of quid.  This time they have some Creepy Crawlies.

Cassiobury Park, in Watford, we often venture over there on the weekend.  It’s one of Madame’s favourite playgrounds.  It was rebuilt a few years ago and other parks should take note.  The playground is brilliant with very creative apparatus for kids to explore.  Plus, there’s a hot dog stand, ice cream truck, mini railway (£1) and nature reserve.  I love wandering down to the canal to watch the barges go through the locks.  I’ve also recently discovered that there is another ‘nice’ café and playground at the top of the park but I haven’t found it yet.  Do take your scooters!

Nottcutt’s Garden Centre on Hatfield Road.  This one is a bit cheeky, but perfect for a rainy day.  It has a great display of outdoor climbing frames, which technically you aren’t supposed to play on, loads of animals and fish, plus books and toys to browse.  There is also a café with reasonably priced kids meals, with a small fenced off play area.

Then next door there is PJ Camping, which has a giant display of tents that the little ones can run in and out of!  Great fun!

Aldenham Country Park and Rare Breeds Farm, another one of my favourites just past Costco on the A41, it’s well sign-posted.  Technically it isn’t free as it costs you £4 to get out of the carpark but worth it.  There’s an adventure playground, animals to visit, Winnie the Pooh’s 100 Aker Wood to explore and if you remember to bring some bread you can feed the ducks.  Plus, if you’re feeling energetic you can wander around the reservoir.  There’s also a café but if it’s nice out it’s a great place for a picnic.  Or you can do what we do and combine it with a trip to Costco; lunch for two is only £4.20!

The Wick, Marshalls Drive, St. Albans.  The majority of locals don’t even know this exists.  It’s a small wood which is just off one of the poshest streets in town, it has a very small playground in the back of it, but it’s a wonderful wood to explore.  We often go hunting for fairies and monsters.  It’s magical!  Plus, you can ogle the big houses!

Do you have any local hidden treasures you would like to share?