God gave me the idea to do a magazine about relationships. I got the greenlight to start blogging while in graduate school so it's been a labor of love to do this but I love blogging about everything BLISS is about and then some. At first I was nervous about blogging because of my busy schedule but I decided to push forward and start seeing this vision come to life!
When people come to your blog, what will they find?
They will find a Christian and Biblical perspective on dating and relationships. A lot of Blacks in the Christian community are single or divorced, and there is a spiritual way of addressing those issues and celebrating that stage of singleness in an effective and beneficial way. There is information for single men, single women, engaged and married couples with content created by single men women and couples. This is primarily for the Black/African American community, but the content is truly universal. My goal is to help get Black Christians in healthy and happy relationships that lead to successful marriages. Healthy and solid families lead to happier and healthier children and communities.
Who are your blogging inspirations or heroes?
I LOVE Black and Married with Kids, Elevate, and EEW. They are great at incorporating faith and current events, news and inspiration for the Black community.
As a British based female that is always seeking a new adventure, friends and family suggested that I do something more with my passion. The Ad-lib Traveller was born and I decided to start sharing my outings and travel experience on the blog.
What is the promise that you make to people who visit your blog?
When you visit the Ad-lib Traveller blog, you will find a host of articles about my travel experience in parts of Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. There are also categorised sections for accommodation, restaurants and *Limelight* features. The *Limelight* section is specifically for places that I particularly loved or simply had to share with readers!
Articles are not only about places overseas but also attractions and places on my hometurf that could appeal to travellers visiting the UK. All photos and content (from sourcing to writing) is my own. From the logo to photos for illustration, the work is all my own.
GLAM Life Blog by Maika, Maritza, Jessica, and Lydi'Ann.
Why did you decide to start blogging?
My sisters and I decided to start this blog to create a space of our own on the internet. We often found aspects of ourselves on different sites but no one place that we could fully identify with. Since we are all young and ambitious, we carved a niche of our own!
What is the promise that you make to people who visit your blog?
When people come to our blog they will find young women who want to live marvelous lives... and don't mind chronicling their experiences while also introducing their audience to others who are succeeding in their fields. We talk about whatever truly interests us.
Whether you sift through our random rantings and ravings, check out our summaries of various events, gush over our fashion and beauty finds, laugh at our attempts at Finding Ourselves in the World, you will find yourself entertained.
Ashley and I (Oneika) have always been passionate about connecting with people. I had a long career in retail leadership and training. This combined with my foodie sensibilities, love of yoga and insatiable thirst for books and writing, a blog seemed like the next logical step. Ashley is an avid interior design enthusiast and lover of all things connected to real estate. She brings a natural style and visual aesthetic to the blog. We both believe that living well helps people make great decisions and live a healthy life both mentally and physically.
What is the promise that you make to people who visit your blog?
When people come to the blog they'll find interesting series on yoga like Oneika's 30 Day Hot Yoga Challenge or Yogis of Color an interview series that talks to Yogis all over the world. In the home department Ashley writes about the adventures she and her husband Grant have had renovating a Harlem brownstone. You'll see recipes with photos that are healthy and easy to make. We do have guest contributors as well. If you're interested in staying healthy you'll find topical articles on getting fit and staying that way.
We promise that people will come to the blog and leave feeling inspired.
I wanted to merge the two things I loved most—Journalism and Baby C. I was a stay-at-home mom who spent a lot of time reading baby blogs, chasing the latest parenting news, and exposing my daughter to videos, books, and classes. Although I enjoyed being a mom, I missed being a reporter. So, God poured lots of ideas into my brain (I really can’t take the credit as I was sleep deprived and forgetful!) I connected with other bloggers, a production company, and a graphic and web designer. After a long labor, Diary of a First Time Mom was born and I returned to work full-time days prior!
I believe Diary of a First Time Mom stands out from other baby blogs. Even though you can’t reinvent the wheel, you can buy new tires, add fancy rims, and drive your ideas to the next level.
The blog is confessional. I want other moms to know they’re not alone, even if they don’t have financial or emotional support. In my own mother’s words, I tell house business! I write about being dumped in my second trimester, getting stretch marks, and receiving WIC benefits. Fortunately, my family has stuck by me and allowed Baby C to become the boss.
The blog is also humorous. Followers will swap stress for smiles when they read posts, such as Odd Advice and Stuff Single Moms Say (written by the comedian who brought you the viral video Stuff Boujie Black Girls Say.)
The blog is informative. We offer advice and provide information on everything from placenta encapsulation and postpartum sex to eczema in infants and fertility yoga. Very Smart Brothas Relationship Guru Damon Young, Leading Black Pediatric Dermatologist Dr. Patricia Treadwell, and Hip Hop’s Financial Advisor Rob Wilson are among our experts.
The blog is relatable. Although some topics target the African American mother, the blog is written with ALL moms in mind. The stories make everyone laugh, cry, or shake their head. You don’t have to be a new mom to join our community either. Maybe you’re trying to conceive, already pregnant, a seasoned mom, or a new dad.
What is the promise that you make to people who visit your blog?
I promise to tell the truth. I reveal intimate details about being dumped over the phone while pregnant (after being in a nearly three year relationship.) I share how I went from living on a beach in the Cayman Islands to living with my sister and her family. I talk about humbling myself and signing up for WIC and Medicaid benefits when I decided to quit my job and return to my hometown. I also talk about how my faith and family has led to a full-time job (created just for me based on my background!) and a blogging business.
I tell my business to let other moms know they're not alone. They may not raise their children in the "ideal" two-parent household but they are blessed nonetheless! I show people how my life couldn't be better, how I spend my Saturdays at Mommy & Me classes, and how I don't have to be perfect to be a good mother. Being a new mom is an adventure, and I promise to take readers on a wild ride through my trials and triumphs.
Who are your blogging inspirations or heroes?
There are so many people to choose from. I have to say Damon Young from Very Smart Brothas. He's not a mommy blogger as you know...lol...but despite his blogging success and busy schedule, he has answered my questions, listened to my cries, and pointed me in the right direction, all after I forced him to mentor me...lol. Yes, I was a Facebook stalker, but he went to my high school, so I thought that wasn't weird, right???
Monday, February 4, 2013 at 10:03AM 
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