What To Wear to Watch the Big Game!

Recently, I have seen a lot of action on one particular pin of mine on Pinterest. After I realized that it was a Polyvore outfit that I created for my blog last year for the Seattle Seahawks before they went to the Super Bowl, I figured it was time to create some updated looks. Since Seattle is heading back to the big game, here's another option for you to go with!

These looks are created for women who are attending Super Bowl parties (or who just want to pick a side at home) but who don't typically cheer for either of the teams playing. Since I love football, I will of course be watching but I don't have any Seahawks or Patriots gear (die-hard Steelers fan right here) so going with the right color scheme is as close as I can get.

I personally like the Patriots look better, but I will not be rooting for them. I'm sure I'm about to be shunned from this blogging network because of that admission! I just have never liked them and would really like Seattle to have a back-to-back win, because that's fun. If you are rooting for the Patriots though, you could basically get away with wearing anything that you would wear for the Fourth of July and add a navy cardigan to it so that keeps things simple!

Above all, keep it casual, this is football! Have fun with whoever you hang out with that night and allow yourself to break your diet a bit for some chips. Enjoy!


Chelsea blogs for Chels & the City, a Pittsburgh-based blog about fashion and city living. She owns Marion Claire Stationery, creating greeting cards with heart & sass. She is also a PA State Rep for the Northeast Bloggers Network. 

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Blog of the Week: Translucent Brown

This week we interview Kaitlyn who writes the blog Translucent Brown for our blog of the week!  Kaitlyn lives in Connecticut and blogs her life, style and travels!  Meet Kaitlyn:

Tell us a little about you:
My name is Kaitlyn! I'm 25 years old and living in Connecticut. I'm a SCSU graduate with my B.S in Advertising and Promotional Communication. A dancer since the ripe ol age of 3. A lover of pickle-backs. And a founding company member and Vice president of a non-profit organization, Projects for Hope!

What is your blog about?
My blog is about a lot of things. Whatever really comes to my mind at any given day. I like to write about what interests me, whether that be fashion, beauty, a recipe or a song that I just fell in love with on the drive home. I just write about anything I feel like expressing. 

Where do you live and what do you love about it?
I live in Connecticut. For the longest time I always hated being here. I moved away, all the way to Miami and while I was there, I was shocked by how much I missed being in New England. I missed the foliage and I was upset that I would miss the snow. I love fall here. Seeing all of the leaves changing. Driving on Route 69 to new haven, and seeing all the trees change and the mountains. Taking hikes with my best friends. Its comfort for me. Miami was always so busy and go, go, go, I felt like Connecticut was just calm. I love it because its just home.  

What is your favorite spot to visit in the Northeast?
I would have to say, of course New York City. I've also been to Burlington, Vermont and had a blast. Would love to go back. 

What do you love most about blogging?
I love the freedom of being able to write whatever is on my mind. Sometimes you feel like you can't talk to your parents or your friends about certain things because they won't understand. Having this blog lets me do that, and it's introducing me to people who feel the same. 

What is your favorite form of social media?
My favorite form of social media would have to be either Facebook or instagram. I can't choose. Facebook because you can talk and interact with people and instagram because I have a love for taking photos and seeing other peoples lives through photos as well.         

Thanks Kaitlyn!  Be sure to visit her blog this week and follow her on social media!  While you're at it, check out a few of her favorite posts here:

• How To & How Not to Get A Guy's Attention
• The Do's and Don'ts of Social Media
• 50 Facts About Me

Do you want to be featured as one of our blogs of the week?  Let us know here! 

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Game Day Party Ideas Round Up!

Are you ready for the BIG game? We've got you covered with some great appetizer ideas, easy ways to decorate and more! All the post featured here are from our Northeast Bloggers members so check them out and pick up a few (or more) ideas for your Game Day party!

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Superbowl Pizza Dip Recipe

Hi again! It's Megan from Soup of the Day blog! I'm popping in from Baltimore, Maryland and am here to share a DELICIOUS recipe that is sure to make you the most popular person at the Superbowl Party this year!

I'm not a huge sports fan but I always look forward to Superbowl each year for one reason....THE FOOD. Whether I host the party or head over to a friends house I always spend an hour or two browsing recipes for the perfect contribution. This year it's Pizza Dip.

There is nothing tastier than a dip that tastes like pizza! Am I right?

I used pepperoni as my meat but you can replace it with sausage if you'd like. Just note that I wasn't cooking anything in my slow cooker- just warming it up. Your cook time will change if you use a different meat.

Ingredients-

Pizza Dip:

• 1 cup of diced green pepper
• 1 cup of chopped onion
• 3 cloves of minced garlic
• 28 ounces of pizza sauce
• 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese
• 15 slices of pepperoni cut in half

Bread:

• 1 french baguette
• 1 stick of butter
• 3 cloves of garlic
• Italian seasoning (I just put in a dash of- cilantro, rosemary, garlic powder, thyme, basil, salt and pepper)

Steps:

1. Add all ingredients (except mozzarella cheese) to the slow cooker and heat on low for 1-2 hours
2. Set oven to 375 degrees
3. Spread baguette slices out on a cookie sheet
4. On a skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Once it's melted add in garlic and seasoning and let cook for about a minutes
5. Brush butter/seasoning mixture onto each piece of bread
6. Place cookie sheet into the oven for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown

* I added the handful of mozzarella cheese to my bowl of pizza dip before diving in!

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Five Ways to Beat the Winter Blues!

Although we seem to be having a mild winter (at least compared to past years!) it's still easy to catch yourself with those awful winter blues. You may not be suffering from actual seasonal depression (although that's a very real thing that lots of people have to endure) but chances are winter tends to put a damper on your mood, especially since we live in the cold Northeast.

1. Don't become a hermit crab. You may not be lucky enough to plan a trip somewhere warm and tropical, but that doesn't mean you have to stay indoors and mope around! Make sure to stay social and plan fun activities with your family and friends. Since the days are shorter and we seem to be more exhausted after the work week during winter, lots of people choose to stay home on the weekends. Don't! It's okay to binge watch Netflix and stay in bed every once in awhile, but even planning stuff like going bowling, ice skating or just dinner with friends can really improve your mood. Planning group gatherings (some examples: weekend getaways to a bed and breakfast or the casino with your BFFs) can definitely keep your mind OFF winter and keep your mind on something fun that's coming up. Before you know it, those group gatherings will turn into beach and camping trips.

2. Take some Vitamin D. We get a lot of our vitamin D intake from the sun, so naturally during the winter when the days are shorter, we get less of this essential vitamin. Making sure you go outside for at least half an hour each day is a good way to keep getting some sun in, but if that's not possible for you or you feel like you need more, you should definitely add taking vitamin D to your daily to-do list.

3. Keep a fresh vase of flowers around. I've been buying myself a fresh bouquet of flowers every couple of weeks or so and I can't even begin to explain what a difference it does to my mood! Maybe you're not really a "flower" kind of person, but there are other ways to brighten up your room and keep it fresh. Buy a candle that has one of those "summer" smells (like sand and ocean...mmm). Keep your shades open when there is sun out. Surround yourself with bright colors. Every little bit counts.

4. Make an upbeat playlist for your work commute. Sometimes getting into your car in freezing temperatures is the biggest struggle of your day. Help yourself out a little by making an awesome and upbeat playlist for your commute. DO NOT listen to sad love songs! Put songs on there that you know will pump you up. Don't be afraid to sing along and dance in your car while you're stuck in traffic. If anything, it will make the person next to you smile and spreading some cheer is always a good thing, right?

5. Don't overeat. It is so, so easy to pack on the pounds during the winter. Our bodies probably even need the extra food to keep ourselves warm. But neglecting your nutrition is not the way to go. It's definitely okay to indulge every once in awhile and honestly probably comforting on those long and tough days, but don't let it become a habit. You don't want to suddenly wake up in the springtime and realize you need to lose that winter weight ASAP before bikini season. Ugh!

Tell us what you do to combat those winter blues!

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January Photography Challenge!

Welcome to our Photography Challenge!  This is a once a month challenge to take a photo that fits into the theme for that month.  This months theme is: GOAL.  The link up will remain open the rest of the month so everyone has a chance to show off their photos!

Please make sure to visit other blogs on this hop if you link up and leave a comment on their photo!

Remember to link up directly to the post with your photos fitting the theme!  You can have more than one photo in your post, but please only link up once each month.  Please do not link up to your blogs main page, this link up is for the photography challenge only!

Be sure to join us for the February challenge next month! February's theme is SWEET and the link up will take place starting February 19th!

Do you have a GOAL themed photo to share this month?  Link up below!

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Blog of the Week: Living La Vida Holoka

This week's blogger of the week is Jessica who writes the blog Living La Vida Holoka!  Jessica is a Jersey girl who blogs about crafty little projects, recipes and her adventures.  Meet Jessica:

Tell us a little about you:
Hi! I’m Jessica. I am a born and raised Jersey girl, housewife and happy homemaker, married to a spider killer and snuggler extraordinaire. I am the sole author of Living La Vida Holoka and owner of my Etsy shop, A Little Loka. I also contribute posts on Hello Nature. Most recently, I began designing DIY projects for Darby Smart.  

What is your blog about?
I have kept online journals for years, but started blogging on Blogger in 2010 when numerous friends asked me to share recipes with them. I started blogging with the main intention of creating a food blog, but wanted to maintain a space that encompassed all of the things I loved and recently made the switch to a website. Living La Vida Holoka includes recipes, DIY projects, tips and adventures in marriage and local life.

Where do you live and what do you love about it?
I live in Central Jersey. What I love most about my location is that we seem to be right smack in the middle of everything. We're just a short trip away from both the city and the beach. During the weekend, my husband and I often take trips to walk in the woods or enjoy a stroll down the shore. I love being so close to all of the places I enjoy!  

What is your favorite spot to visit in the Northeast?
I am happiest near the ocean or hiking through a wooded trail. I love historical places or any place that has a story to be told.

What do you love most about blogging?
I have absolutely loved the wonderful connections I've made through blogging. I have developed such great, lasting friendships through my blog. Bloggers have their own little community. We're here to share, connect and help one another. 

What is your favorite form of social media?
 Twitter is great because I can say what I'm thinking in a short blurb, but my favorite form of social media is Instagram. I love taking photos. It's nice to share snapshots of things I'm doing throughout the day!       

Thanks so much Jessica!  Be sure to check out Jessica's blog this week and follow her on social media, too!  Feel free to browse a few of her favorite posts:

• Resume Update  
• Pantone 2015 Color of the Year: Marsala
• Book of the Month: Refinery 29 Style Stalking 

Do you want to be featured as one of our blogs of the week?  Let us know here! 



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Do's and Don't of Social Media

Kaitlyn, of the blog Translucent Brown, has some great social media tips for all bloggers (and non bloggers, too!) to keep in mind this year!  She shares five great tips for social media etiquette with us below.

 

1. Think about what you post and share.
You are what you tweet. You are what you post. Use some good common sense before you hit the post button. Think about if this is something you want representing you and your character. If its not something that you would say or show to your grandmother, than you most likely should not be posting it on social media networks.

2. Don't overshare!
No one needs to know that you and your boyfriend got into another fight. My point is that you shouldn't share everything! What is meant to be personal should stay personal.

3. Think before you tag.
No one likes the person who tags all their friends in that embarrassing drunk selfie. Before you post and tag a photo, think about what that photo represents and what that photo says. What would a potential employer or your Dad think if they saw that picture? Not good? .... Don't do it then.

4. Don't overload our newsfeed!
Ugh!! Have you ever gone on Instagram and there's that one person who posts 10 pictures back to back to back! PET PEEVE!! If you're looking to increase your following, posting all those pictures is not going to be a good look for you. Be more structured in your postings. The best time to post on any social media site (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest) is between the hours of 1PM and 4PM. Be wise people!!

5. Ignore!
I am a very opinionated person. And I have a lot to say. But not everyone feels the same way I do about certain situations. And with that.. comes the mean, dreaded comment. If someone isn't being so nice to you or says something that you just don't agree with, my best advice to you would be just to ignore it. I've learned from my mistakes! Don't add fuel to the fire. By ignoring it, you are defusing the situation.

Bottom line... is to just act right. Don't use your social media networks as a means of an outlet for the inappropriate. Keep it classy. You'll appreciate it later on down the line.
 
Be sure to check out this post and more great posts over at Kaitlyn's blog!

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How To Use Hashtags

how to use hashtags

One of the biggest social media mistakes a business or blogger could make is not utilizing the power of hashtags. Using hashtags gives you the power to grow your brand's social media organically. What is a Hashtag?

“...the pound sign (or hash) turns any word or group of words that directly follow it into a searchable link.” - Mashable.com

Hashtags instantly will link your social media post to a group of others with the same topic. As a small business owner, using appropriate hashtags can help drive your brand recognition and boost the reach of your advertising campaigns. How to use Hashtags

1. Use the #hashtag symbol (#) before a relevant keyword or phrase.
2. They can occur anywhere in the body of your text - beginning, middle or end.
3. They will not show up in searches if your accounts are private
4. Twitter recommends using only 1-3 hashtags per tweet. Whereas on Instagram, you can use up to 30 hashtags per photo.
5. Using too many hashtags devalues your brand, so do not use them spammingly. An example of a bad tweet would be: #DIY #ValentinesDay #Crafts you can #create at #home with your #kids #today. A better Tweet would be: 15 #DIY #ValentinesDay #Crafts to do at home today with your kids via @mommalewsblog.
6. Using the “@” Symbol will speak directly to an individual’s account, "tagging" them.

Create a hashtag to develop your brand! Although you might want to be creative and quirky, keep it simple and easy to remember.

1. Use no spaces between more than one word in a hashtag
2. It does not matter if your hashtag has a capital or lower-case letters, as your search result will yield the same results.
3. A popular marketing strategy is to use your brand's name as a hashtag ie: #NorthEastBloggers or #BloggersGetSocial. By doing so, you can see all of this person's work in one place.

 

You can currently use hashtags on:

• Twitter,
• Instagram,
• Facebook,
• Pinterest,
• Tumblr and
• Google Plus

Just because a hashtag is on social media, doesn’t mean that your brand’s hashtag cannot be seen outside of the internet.

• While your small business may have a small budget, you can advertise your hashtag on posters, stickers, sidewalk chalk outside of your storefront or any well trafficked public location.

Now that you know what a hashtag is or how to use them, how can you use hashtags to find new followers?

• Use relevant hashtags that are being used in your field.
• See what the trending hashtags are and use the hashtags that are relevant to your business.
• Search hashtags and follow those who are using similar hashtags. For example, locally I often search hashtags like #Princeton or #NJMom and follow accounts using these hashtags because they are targeting the audiences I would like to be following me.

 

Quick tip: Not sure what hashtag is being used for an event, campaign, etc? Search! For example, I recently had a client asking what the hashtag was for the Tribeca Film Festival. We searched Tribeca Film Festival in a Twitter search and quickly found out that it was #TFF14. Hashtags allow you to include yourself into conversations and network with potential new customers or business relationships! The best way to gain followers is to follow others! Engage with your new followers. Be social! You already have something in common!

What are popular hashtags you search or are common in your networks?

 

  Reesa Lewandowski writes at www.mommalew.com and www.njmom.com. You can find her at @mommalewsblog on all social media networks.

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