Klout? Is That A New Lipstick Color?

Well Hello my Dear Friend... Happy to have you here!  Come in, sit... make yourself comfy... I’ve had several requests over the past few months from new Mommy bloggers wanting me to explain some of the different social media sites that are online and if any of them are worth using to help with their blogging presence.  Hmmm... I think I need to fill our cups right about...      NOW!

There are sooo many social media sites that I don’t even know where to begin... kind of like when I’m at the cosmetic counter(s) at Nordstrom’s and sitting in front of me are at least 100 different shades of lipsticks and that’s just one brand and right across is another... What?  I’m doing it again?  But I’m a lipstick fiend!!  Doesn’t social media and lipstick sound the same?  Oh, all right... 

Social sites, lipsticks, social sites... hmmmph!  Yes, yes, I’m starting... I’ll cover one at a time and today’s post I’ll start with a site you may have heard of, but maybe not so much, Klout.  Have you heard of it my Dear?  Yes, no, it’s always good to have some kind of knowledge about the different sites.  I say some kind, because Darling, that’s about all you’ll get out of this MILF! 

Klout is an online sheesh Darling, of course everything is online! rating site that rates your online influence.  Did that make sense?  That made about as much sense as blue eyeshadow and bright red lipstick... none at all!  HA!  Okay, back to my nonsense explanation about Klout... The scale is from 1- 100, 100 being the very tops and if you are the very tops,  it means you live online 24 hours a day and have no life which would be horrible because than you would never be able to buy more lipsticks EVER!  I mean, me buy more lipsticks... buy more lipsticks?  Gee, mention lipsticks and I start getting fidgety... now, hurry hurry... lipsticks are calling me...

So how does your Klout score go up Caffe?  I have no idea Darling!  lol  I’m serious!  Some little gnome comes out of Googleland and deems you Klout worthy and then your score goes up... Like I said Darling, it’s all in how much time you spend online and interacting with others, that I do know.  Oh, one more thing, if people like you, they give you what’s called a K+ in whatever topic that you’re influential about.  And of course I’m most influential about being a MILF and a lipstick fiend and does Klout have that as a topic?  NOoo!  Hmmmph...

Is Klout worth using as a Mommy blogger?  Well it depends my Dear... if you plan on monetizing your blog, then becoming a member of Klout would probably be a good choice especially if you’re trying to make a presence for yourself online.  There are businesses that actually take a looksy to see if you have a Klout score if they plan on doing business with you.  It’s not an end all if you choose not to become a member, but it does let future prospects know what kind of influence you have online in a round about way.  Round about way?  Yes, round about, because not everyone uses Klout.

So there you have it... short cut 101, kind of sort of explanation of Klout by Caffe... better than reading the whole darn TOS page!  Next up... Which lipstick color would be best when visiting Facebook... HA!  Made you look twice... Have a FABulous Day my Darling Friend!  Until next time... Ta Ta!

Bogging? or Blogging? Helpful Tips from Caffe...

Hello and Welcome my Dear Dear Friend... It’s always a joy when you stop by to get your cup filled!  I have a nice pot of, ‘Tips for the New Blogger with a pinch of... Reminder Tips for Those Who Already Knew.’

Here we go... now Darling... what have you noticed about the online world since becoming a blogger?  Yes my Dear... that’s right!  It’s an enormous, never ending black hole, an always changing environment, that is filled with... Experts!  Everyone is now a pro on any given topic even if they’re not.  They have blogs, they write reviews, they have followers and are a part of some sort of community... they have access to Twitter, Triberr, Pinterest and Facebook, but truly Darling, does any of it matter?

But Caffe, what are you talking about and what does any of this have to do with blogging tips?  What am I talking about?  Hmmm... was it lipstick?  HA!  Just kidding... I know we weren’t talking about lipstick my Dear, but speaking of lipstick... have I told you that I found brands that were unleaded?  You know me, I couldn’t live without my little tubes of shimmer!  I purchased a tube of... wait a second... TIPS not LIPS!! 

Now that I got that in order... back to the business of blogging tips.

What I was talking about before I got distracted was this... bloggers are a dime a dozen.  There, I said it.  So now that I got that out into the open... how are you going to get your blog noticed with gazillions of other blogs out there in the BlogSphere?  

Umm, Caffe?  Isn’t that what you were going to tell me?  Me?  OH!...*ahem*... yes of course... because you know me Darling, I’m a MILF!  And MILFs can do anything. 

Tip #1- Determine what kind of blog you have or would like to have.  Nothing muddles my lipstick more than visiting a blog that has no rhyme or reason.  

Figure out your passion.  Is it cooking?  Is it an online family journal?  Are you venting?  Do you want to share with others your incredible knowledge of sea turtles?  I don’t know Darling.. but hey, you might like sea turtles and just not know it!   

An example of a blog dedicated to the blog owner’s passion is... The Big Green Bowl.  My Dear Friend Michael Ann has a passion for baking up... DELISHousness!!  I have to retouch my lipstick every time I visit her.

Tip #2- Write with passion.  There’s that word again!  But quite frankly Darling, as a reader, when perusing the Blogsphere, the blog that will catch my eye is the blog that I feel the energy jump right off my computer screen and suck me into their world.  You know what I’m talking about my Dear, you feel like you’re in the same room, sitting right next to this person like you have been BFF since the beginning of time.  That’s passion, that’s fire... and my Darling Friend, Mommy Bags, is a fine example of your best gal pal sitting and drinking a glass of red and nudging you for a refill.

Tip #3- Set yourself apart and be CREATIVE.  With a click of a button, one can change the color of the text.  With a few adjectives, one can be a storyteller.  With an amazing ability to lie create stories, one can become anybody they want... and most choose to become... an expert at what they love best.  

I know of a FABulous blog that is constantly thinking outside of the box and has become quite proficient at becoming a lipstick fiend, modern day Zsa Zsa, with the ability to say it like it is.  Need I say more about the creative expert that is Caffeinated OC Mommy?

My goodness, my cup is empty and I need to fix my lipstick.  I hope I’ve given you something to think about the next time you start a new post or even a new blog.  Does any of it matter?  Yes Darling, it matters to one person and one person only... your biggest fan, and that fan is you!  Have a lovely day my Sweet...  Ta Ta!

Shhhhhh... It's a Secret!

Hello Darling... I’m absolutely delighted that you are here!  Come make yourself comfy and let me fill your cup with a fresh brew of, ‘Shhhhhh... Can you keep a secret?’...

I’ve been contemplating how to go about saying what I’m about to say.  Yes, I know Darling, when have I ever worried about what I was going to say!  But, well... this is one of those things that I’ve been avoiding and the guilt with holding it in just seems to make the powder on my nose crust up!  Come on Caffe, it can’t be that bad, spit it out already!

Well Darling, it’s been a secret for so long, but... okay... ((deep breath)) here I go... I have been so fortunate in receiving blog awards since the beginning of  this endearing adventure I call, Caffeinated OC Mommy.  I am so flattered and so very appreciative of each and every award that I have received... I have given my all... truly... to do the best I can in receiving these awards, following the rules and in turn... giving them out to my Darling Friends within the BloggySphere.  

But I must confess... I haven’t done my part on many of the awards I’ve received, and I don’t think I ever will.  Yes, I’m pretty sure I’m throwing in the towel when it comes to receiving awards from my FABulous Friends, and yes, I know you gave me an award at some point, I didn’t forget, I just... well... forgive me?  Hate me if you must... you’ll still be my Darling Friend, no matter what... 

So with that being said... I would like to thank you and the many Darlings and Dears who thought of little ol meeee when an award was and is up for grabs... even if I don’t swing by to collect my award, you know I’ll always celebrate by purchasing a new lipstick... I can’t help myself!   xoxo

Kimba Darling... Thank You! xoxo

Hello, hello my Darling Friend... Can you believe it?  Three, yes THREE posts in one week!  This calls for a new shade or two of lipstick for me... you know my Dear, I need every excuse possible for a new tube of color so that when I receive my credit card statement at the end of the month, the Hubby knows what my motives were for visiting the cosmetic counter soooo many times!

Why a post so soon Caffe?  Well Darling, I got a comment from my Dear Friend Kim who is the mastermind behind Kimba the Caffeinated (Ha!  See, we have lots in common!) Book Reviewer yesterday about the Linky Follower.  And you know what?  She got me thinking about all the ways to follow a blog from Facebook to Twitter, receiving emails... aren’t those all available to all blog platforms?  Have I lost my mind and got sucked in on this whole Follow thing?  I mean really!...  Like GFC was the one and only!  But why does this bother me so much?

These questions represent a type of insecurity that I refuse to be a part of!  A little part of... sort of part of?  I think I don’t like change, except my lipstick color of course and maybe that stupid little GFC box makes me feel... relevant.  There, I said it.

Maybe I’ve been misled... how many times have you been to a blog that has thousands of followers but hardly any comments?  Are these bloggers only doing blog hops and nothing else?  Does that make one feel important because they have many followers?... I'm not sure what the point is, because as you scroll down the page, there’s no content!  You know you’ve seen these before, right Darling?  

So thank you my Dear Kim for reminding me that no matter how many followers I have, what’s relevant is not the numbers, it’s the loving interactions I receive from YOU!

Well my cup is emp... huh?  I didn’t fill our cups??  SHAME ON ME!  Where did my manners go?  Out the window along with my insecurities... Come again Darling as I always appreciate when you stop by...  Ta Ta! 

Guess What? No Silly, Not Another Shade of Lipstick...

Well Hello my Dear Friend... As always, I’m absolutely delighted that you’re here!  Let me fill your cup with the latest information on a possible replacement for Google Friend Connect (GFC) that was given to me by my Darling Friend Lisa over at Mompreneur Mogul...

As you probably know, Google Friend Connect will be no longer as of March 1st.  Now, we really shouldn’t care about the number in the GFC widget and who we think is reading our every word and it makes moi feel so important that they are following, I mean really... what is this, a popularity contest?  Yes!!  Yes it is!!!  And I have made it past the 100 mark and that’s a BIG accomplishment especially when I can’t stand blog hops!  Ummm, did I just say that out loud?  **Ahem...**

Okay, what were we talking about?  Well... I know if I can’t remember, then it must have been about lipstick!  Lipstick does that to me... did you know that I get stuck in the lipstick aisle at Target?  Huh?  You did?  And... OH!  GFC!  That’s were we were... ooops, went the wrong direction, not that talking about lipstick is ever wrong...

GFC... yep Darling, I’ve gotten accustomed to seeing my Darlings and Dears in the side bar and when it isn’t there any longer, will it matter?  Will I miss them?  YOU BETCHA!!    

But guess what?  The creator of the MckLinky Blog Tools, Brent Riggs, has worked with a few bloggers to come up with... **insert Angel trumpets here**... Linky Followers!!  Whoot whoo!!  Linky Followers is a brand new widget tool that to my knowledge, will work with any blog platform.  Sign up, it’s free... and because I’ll miss you Darling!

Until next time my Dear Friend... Ta Ta!

PR People Make My Lipstick Smudge!

Well Hello-hello my Dear Friend... I’ve been expecting you!  I know Darling, it’s been awhile... I’ve been up to my eyeballs in media relations and I can’t seem to cut through all these emails!  Enough about that, for now... Come make yourself comfy, I’ve got a strong brew to fill your cup...

I am exasperated to say the least by all the emails that are flooding my inbox sent by these annoying PR/Media people who have no clue how the world of the BlogSphere works!  These schmucks think that we bloggers will write and advertise their products for free... What the hey?  

I am constantly bombarded with notes of how much these people enjoy my blog and how ‘family friendly’ my content is... Really??  Family friendly?  Since when is butt crack family friendly?  Or how about MILFs?  Explain that one to your 8 year old!

It is obviously clear that these PR people are a bit simpleminded and they could use my help in making their way through Blogland... So Darling, if you have the need to send this post to those irritating people in the PR department, please DO, compliments of Caffe!

PR People, get your notebooks out... this is for you! 

DO use the bloggers name in the intro of your email.  It shows that you actually took the time to notice.

Don’t not mention the blog’s name and it’s a guarantee that the delete button gets clicked faster than I can apply my lipstick.

DO peruse the blog to see what the blog has to offer, if what you are selling compliments what the blog is about, contact the owner.

Don’t bother the blog owner with irrelevant information that has nothing to do with lipstick, Stoli Elit, Prada Shoes, MILFy clothes, what the blog content is about.  For instance... my blog is about a hot MILF named Caffe who is obsessed with lipsticks and likes to ridicule other Mommys’ bad behaviors.  What that means to a PR person?  Don’t send me a press release on lactating... ooops... lactation consultant Sara Chana... and PLEASE note, I’m a MILF!  I don’t need America’s #1 authority, Bob Harper to tell me how to lose weight... I’m perfect the way I am! 

 DO ask the blog owner if they would be interested in what you are promoting and also include how you will compensate the blog owner for working on this project with you. 

Don’t tell the blog owner they should write about your product!  Nothing muddles my lipstick more than getting an email that tells me what I should write about... worse yet, if it’s a product that has nothing to do with what I write... Hmmmph!

So there you have it... communications 101 for those who work in public relations.  It should be a no brainer... after all, these people are in public relations!  If there is a need for any other advice on how to behave in the Land of Bloggers, I would be happy to assist.

My cup is empty and I need to get back to work... I have many emails to delete, hmmm... maybe I’ll send them this post instead.  Until next time my Dear Friend... Ta Ta!

Lip Balm on Sandpaper... I Don't Think So!

Hello my Darling Friend... I’m SO pleased that you are here!  Make yourself comfy and let me fill your cup...  Today’s blend is a fine blend of, ‘You’re boring.  You’re bland.  Umm, not sure how many ways to say... “It taste like cardboard!”’

Caffe!  How rude!  Yes my Dear, I know that the cold, hard truth, can sometimes be... well... freezing!  Let me explain before you send out the cavalry...

I help a FABulous Mommy who has created a blogging social network called, Blogaholic.  Yes Darling, I’m on the admin team and I’m the hostess with the mostess greeting new members and answering whatever questions they have that I have NO IDEA what the answer is.  I’m a mini celeb there, and so naturally I get questions like these... 

Hi Caffeinated, 

because you have such a wonderful blog and you seem to have a lot of followers, will you stop by my blog and let me know what you think?  Thanks!  

Or this...  

Hi OC Mommy,

I was wondering, how do you get people to comment? I’ve had my blog for awhile now and I leave comments on other blogs, but it seems like no matter what I try I don’t have more comments or followers.  Any advice?

Why yes... yes I do have some advice... try not writing!  CAFFE!!!  WHAT??  Am I  SOoo wrong?  Save these poor souls from wasting their time!  Not all bloggers can write, some are excellent readers.  And not all bloggers have a good sense of design, just look at their sense of fashion in the photos they display for all to see!  Put the two together... it’s like wearing blue eyeshadow with a bright red lipstick... it’s just not pretty!

Oh, alright... I’m not that blunt when giving my opinion, but to give them pointers is quite, well... er... ummm... like putting lip balm on a piece of sandpaper!  Sandpaper will not soften no matter how much lip balm is used and it’s a very messy procedure...

So what do you tell them Caffe?  I ask them if they love it.  If they love it, then who am I to give advice?  But just in case they want more of a critique, I do have... drumroll please...

Caffe’s 3 Cs for Blogging...

1) Content- I know Darling, this is a bit obvious... but honestly, sometimes when I visit a new blog, the content is all over the place or it has none!  These blogs need a purpose, or not... if that’s what’s for breakfast... but if that’s the case, then it shouldn’t be a surprise to the blog owner that there’s not a whole lot of activity going on.  Good writing is what attracts a reader and keeps them coming back for more!

2) Keep it Clean!-  And I’m not talking about the writing itself... I’m talking about all the clutter in the side bars.  What a junk yard!  Blogs with a million widgets and pop up ads muddle my lipstick and drive me to click on the escape button ASAP!!  And if there are side bars on both sides of the actual post with this kind of hodgepodge... Eeeekkk... run away... run away... 

3) Consistency- Exactly!  You my Dear Friend, know that when you visit moi,  you receive a warm greeting each and every time you visit.  You also know that I’ll fill your cup with a few giggles, some complaining, and I’ll almost always find a way to add lipstick to my posts.  True?  True!  Even if the posts are random, the blog format for the most part, should remain consistent. 

Okay my Darling, my cup is empty and I need to go and powder my nose... I need to look absolutely gorgeous for my admiring fans... Huh?  Boring?  You?  Never my Dear Friend, besides... you have meee to keep you on your toes!  Until next time my non-boring friend... Ta Ta! 

Caffe's Thoughts On Blog Hops... Quite Frankly My Dear, I Don't Give A Damn!

Hello my Darling Friend... Always such a pleasure when you stop by!  I’ve got a fresh brew of, ‘Really?  64 less 2 and some that already follow, so minus... let’s just say 10!’ to fill your cup with...

Oh Caffe, what are you filling my cup up with this time?  Blog hop rules Darling!  They’re never followed and I don’t know why I even bother... Bad manners... No follows... and the time and effort to make some new friends and increase blog traffic just makes me want to call it quits and stick to something that makes me happy... buying a new shade of lipstick!

Thanks to Darling CC over at The Clumsy Coquette, I was featured last Friday on her blog hop... how wonderful and it ended my fickle relationship with hops... for about an hour... then the comments start to roll in... OH Joy... guests!  I just adore having company and filling their cups... “I’m your newest follower, hit me back on the GFC when you stop by”... Ummmm, not sure I like that kind of request.  Hit me back?  Yep, I’d like to hit you back!  What happened to pleasantries and the art of tact?  Hmmmph... some people forget all their manners when leaving a comment!

Then there’s the rule about Follow the Feature!!  Now let’s take a look at this particular rule my Dear and figure out the math... I started with 259 on the GFC and now I’m at 275... some of my newest followers didn’t even come from the hop... 

                                                             275

                                                           -259

                                                              1 6

Really?  16?  16 out of 64 less 2 and some that already follow, so minus... let’s just say 10... you know, the brew I’m serving... the number I got... 52!!  52 that linked up to this hop that did not follow the rules!  WOW!  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again... “These darn blog hops... they’re such a heartbreak!”

So with that being said, I’m breaking up with blog hops for good... shed no tears for me my Dear Friend as I am Caffe and I’d much prefer to spend my time with those that I already love to flirt with... of course, I’m talking about, YOU!

Oh looky, my cup is empty but quite honestly, I’m ready to brew a new pot of something else... Come back again my Darling, as you always put a smile on my pretty little pucker.  Ta Ta!

Manners Matter... Even for FAB Bloggers Like Myself

Hello my Dear Friend... Happy to have you here! Come on in, I've got a nice warm brew of 'Mind Your Manners' to fill your cup...


I've got 2 hops that I linked my pretty little button to... Lots of Lovin' Weekend Blog Hop hosted by Damaris and Weekend Wander sponsored by FTLOB, I figured today would be the perfect day to chat about our, well... our blog hopping manners!


Blog hops are the perfect opportunity to make some new friends, check out what others are up to, get inspiration, and of course, get your wonderful blog noticed!  Let's go over a couple of things that I've observed about doing hops...  


#1  Read the rules of the hop BEFORE you link up... sometimes it's as simple as following the host, other times there may be rules such as follow the 3 links before you or leave a comment, or... you get the idea.  If you can't or don't have time for that particular hop... DON'T link up!  It's not fair to the others who are playing by the rules and it's like a domino effect if you are supposed to follow someone and you don't.


#2  Let's talk about comments shall we?  With anything in life, first impressions are important and the way you introduce yourself to a blogger you've never met before is through comments.  Am I right?  Of course I am Darling!  You wouldn't go to a complete stranger's house and tell them to fix you dinner, now would you?  Same holds true for asking a blogger you've never met for a follow back.  Don't do it!!


There is a word called, 'tact' when asking for a follow back.  How about instead of writing, "I'm a new follower, you can follow me back at... blah, blah, blah..." say, "Hi, enjoyed your post on.... I'm a new follower from... when you have a moment, maybe you could stop by for a visit."


SEE?  So much better!  But I know you read all the rules and are very tactful when doing hops... this is just a reminder for those that might need a refresher... kind of like how I need to go and refresh my lipstick...  Have fun hopping around this weekend my Sweet... Ta Ta!   

Floozy on the Loose... Am I SO Wrong?

Well Helloooo my Dear Friend, how are you?  Yes, I know it’s been awhile and you’ve probably been wondering what I’ve been up to.  Come sit down and let me fill your cup...

All this time you may have thought I was unpacking from my trip to Kansas, and maybe that’s why I haven’t been around.  ‘Gee, Caffe sure is taking a long time unpacking her lipsticks...’  I have a confession for you.  A little secret that I hope you won’t judge me harshly when you find out.  I’ve been, well, I’m trying to be lady like and all, but there’s no way to get this out without the possibility of being viewed as... loose.  Or should I say, promiscuous?  ‘I wonder where she could be now?  Or who she’s with?’  Oh no, I’m not that naughty, maybe a little mischievous at times but hardly promiscuous, at least not in my mind... Help me my Darling to answer the question that is burning inside of me tinged with guilt... Is it so wrong of me to love more than one?  Can’t I have as many as I want and not feel like I’m betraying the other?  Yes!  Yes, I will love them all and not care what anyone thinks of me!  I can’t help it, I am addicted and I want more!  I am a Google Friend Connect Floozy!  There, I said it.  I said it and I’m not taking it back!

I can’t control myself, I love all these varieties of blogs and the triumphant feelings I get when I push that little Follow button... ahhhhh... the power to make someone smile when they see my pretty little picture and that I, that little ‘ol me, can elevate someone’s day with a push of my finger.  Wow, now that I put it that way, I can make this whole GFC thing sound quite sexy!  Now I’m not a one night stand kind of gal, push the button and run...  I like it a little more playful, leave a comment here, leave a comment there, entice my new found friend and hope for them to stop by and join me for a cup of something friendly.  And when they do, they always do... WHAMO!  I tell them all about Monkey Repellant!  How can you not like monkey repellant?

Now that I have confessed to you my addictive behavior for anything that is a blog, you’ll understand why I get so lost in the BlogSphere, forgetting myself and enjoying my many rendezvous of the online world where it’s okay if my lipstick doesn’t match my outfit and my behavior is actually accepted by our fellow bloggers.  So if you happen to stop by and you haven’t heard from me in a bit, don’t be alarmed, I’m probably out and about playfully commenting and enjoying using my finger!  Oh darn, the pot is empty... stop by another time and I’ll fill your cup with more confessions, more laughter and of course, more of me!  Have a wonderful day my Sweet... Ta Ta!