Welcome to California Surfin’! Each week, bloggers across the Golden State share their thoughts and this is where they come to shine and share their blog posts for the week. This week, we will feature blog posts that are posted from April 15, 2013 through April 21, 2013.

California Surfin’ Weekly Blog Hop is co-hosted by Jessica of Fringies ~ Knitting with One Needle. Be sure to stop by her site and introduce yourself to her!

Well, this blog hop is pretty simple. If you are a California Blogger, come back throughout the week and share your new posts with us on the linky below. After you post yours, try to give some blogging love to the other posts on the link with either a comment, tweet, pin, like or even a stumble.

Here are the simple rules:

• You must be a California Blogger;
• Please leave a sincere comment or message on each of the blog post you visit or one of the other things above if the post leaves you speechless.

Pretty simple, right?

Please leave a link to your specific posts that was written from April 15, 2013 through April 21, 2013.

Welcome to California Surfin’! Each week, bloggers across the Golden State share their thoughts and this is where they come to shine and share their blog posts for the week. This week, we will feature blog posts that are posted from April 8, 2013 through April 14, 2013.

California Surfin’ Weekly Blog Hop is co-hosted by Jessica of Fringies ~ Knitting with One Needle. Be sure to stop by her site and introduce yourself to her!

Well, this blog hop is pretty simple. If you are a California Blogger, come back throughout the week and share your new posts with us on the linky below. After you post yours, try to give some blogging love to the other posts on the link with either a comment, tweet, pin, like or even a stumble.

Here are the simple rules:

• You must be a California Blogger;
• Please leave a sincere comment or message on each of the blog post you visit or one of the other things above if the post leaves you speechless.

Pretty simple, right?

Please leave a link to your specific posts that was written from April 8, 2013 through April 14, 2013.

Welcome to California Surfin’! Each week, bloggers across the Golden State share their thoughts and this is where they come to shine and share their blog posts for the week. This week, we will feature blog posts that are posted from April 1, 2013 through April 7, 2013.

California Surfin’ Weekly Blog Hop is co-hosted by Jessica of Fringies ~ Knitting with One Needle. Be sure to stop by her site and introduce yourself to her!

Well, this blog hop is pretty simple. If you are a California Blogger, come back throughout the week and share your new posts with us on the linky below. After you post yours, try to give some blogging love to the other posts on the link with either a comment, tweet, pin, like or even a stumble.

Here are the simple rules:

• You must be a California Blogger;
• Please leave a sincere comment or message on each of the blog post you visit or one of the other things above if the post leaves you speechless.

Pretty simple, right?

Please leave a link to your specific posts that was written from April 1, 2013 through April 7, 2013.

Welcome to California Surfin’! Each week, bloggers across the Golden State share their thoughts and this is where they come to shine and share their blog posts for the week. This week, we will feature blog posts that are posted from March 25, 2013 through March 31, 2013.

California Surfin’ Weekly Blog Hop is co-hosted by Jessica of Fringies ~ Knitting with One Needle. Be sure to stop by her site and introduce yourself to her!

Well, this blog hop is pretty simple. If you are a California Blogger, come back throughout the week and share your new posts with us on the linky below. After you post yours, try to give some blogging love to the other posts on the link with either a comment, tweet, pin, like or even a stumble.

Here are the simple rules:

• You must be a California Blogger;
• Please leave a sincere comment or message on each of the blog post you visit or one of the other things above if the post leaves you speechless.

Pretty simple, right?

Please leave a link to your specific posts that was written from March 25, 2013 through March 31, 2013.

Share your brief bio:
Lee Reyes-Fournier co-writes the highly provocative and informative CoupleDumb.com, The Relationship Blog. CoupleDumb is a relationship site that covers everything from marriage to dating to parenting and everything having to do with creating lasting happiness. Lee is a professional psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience working with couples, families and addiction. Lee has been writing about psychological issues professionally for over 10 years. You can catch her on her web series ‘Relationship Rehab’ or get her book ‘Dysaffirmation: Because this kind of stupid takes work. Lee also has ventured out into op-ed pieces of a political nature and was frequently featured in Voices for America, MOMocrats and the Democratic National Committee’s websites during the last presidential election.

Tell us a little about your family.
My husband Paul and I have been married for over 24 years and have 3 kids. Our daughter is 20 years old and multiply handicapped. Our boys are 9 and 6.

How do you relax?
I like hanging out with my kids and playing games. I enjoy reading, writing, playing baseball, meditate and practice chanting.

When did you start your blog?
January of 2009

Why did you start blogging?
We started blogging to create a writing platform for our fiction writing.

How did you choose your blog name?
CoupleDumb was a word we created and it came from the dumb things that people do to mess up their relationships.

What keeps you motivated and inspired to blog?
I receive emails telling us how much we have helped people. That kind of feedback keeps us writing and spreading the word that happy, healthy relationships are possible.

Where do you see your blog and yourself in 5 years?
I am a published author with both fiction and non fiction books on the shelves at Barnes and Noble. I see myself having a busy speaking engagement schedule. I see myself teaching at a university. CoupleDumb is still going strong and we have many contributors who share our vision of a happy world.

Biggest life lesson learned since blogging?
People are not as reactive to me in writing as they are in real life.

What is your secret to success?
Love what you do and do what you love.

What do you wish someone would have told you when you first started blogging?
SEO is the most important thing in the world and the most useless.

All bloggers encounter writer’s block. How do you get past this?
I don’t believe in writers block. I write anything until it makes sense.

What has been your sweetest success story?
Publishing our Dysaffirmation book and being written up in the paper that was syndicated everywhere.

Who are some of your favorite California bloggers that inspire you and that you enjoy reading?
Jessica Rosenberg ~ It’s Jessica’s Life

How long have you lived in California?
Born and bred- we moved to Florida for 16 years – and moved back 1 ½ years ago.

Where is your favorite relaxation location in California?
The South Bay- Where I grew up.

Do you belong to any other social media networks to promote your blog?
All of them!!!

Have you attended any social media conferences?  If so, which ones?
Blogher, Disney Social Media Moms, Type A, SheCon, Blogworld

What was the most helpful thing that you have learned from attending a conference?
We got the most from networking and meeting with brands and relating to other bloggers.

Share your favorite quote or inspirational thought:
“Reality is nothing but a collective hunch.” Lily Tomlin

Tell us something that most people would be surprised to learn about you.
I am Hispanic and didn’t speak English until I was in 2^nd grade.

If you are a blogger in California and would like to be featured on our site, please visit us here to get started.

Kimmie

Last week while I was checking Facebook, I noticed a picture of a tombstone. The comment with the picture said “…It is my honor and duty to make sure Kimmy is well taken care of…“.

Danny & Kimmie

I scrolled further down to see what he was referring to and then I read:

“I have had some funny inquiries about me, or a photo of me.

I am 45 years old and have lived in Big Bear for 35 years.
I was in the last class of 85′ to graduate from the old BBHS.
My dedication to sunsets and photography in general goes to my sister, Kimmy Enger, who lost her life in a car accident on her way to BBHS in 1987, she was 17 years old.

The photo I like the most of me is actually a photo I took of myself on a timer at the top of Bear Mountain.

Thanks for enjoying my page…..There is someone who is no longer with us in whom we need to keep alive through whatever means…This is my means.”

Danny ~ Big Bear Scenery & Sunsets

I thought what a way to bring honor to his sister after all of these years.

Big Bear Scenery & Sunsets

“My sister Kimmy (RIP) guided me to a place I don’t think I would of went to this evening for tonight’s sunset photo.

Glad I listened.
Tonight’s Sunset.”

Please visit Big Bear Scenery and Sunsets on Facebook and take a look at the majestic sunset pictures of the Big Bear Sunsets Danny has shared with us ~ and think of Kimmy.

Big Bear Scenery & Sunsets

How would you describe yourself?
I am an up-beat “go-getter”.

When did you start your business?
I started The Fiammetta Toy Co. Inc. in August 2012. We just launched Stork Babies in November and they have been on the market for 5 months.  Stork Babies are adorable mini bean dolls (7.5cm). They come in a multitude of colors and their own individual matchbox-type box. The first collection is the Italian Collection (8 dolls) and they come with their own Italian name, place of origin and empowering sayings for kids…like…”Believe in your dreams, you can accomplish anything you want to!”.  The next collection that comes out is the Spanish Collection. Two collections of dolls will come out a year, and once the new collection comes out, the previous gets retired. So they are collectible.  All the dolls are created and designed by my kids!! All the dolls are sold separately. Also in 2014, we will be creating “Alien Babies”. These also will be fantastic!  We are currently in over 70 stores and are growing like crazy!

Why did you choose to start your particular business?
I loved little match-box type dolls as a little child and I remembered the passion I had for them and picking the exact color I wanted. I tried looking for these types of dolls 2 years ago to buy on line, however I found nothing. So…I decided to start manufacturing my own and here I am.

What keeps you motivated?
Exciting people about my product and the sunshine! My kids and my husband also motivate me as they are all involved in the business. My kids are my design team and are amazing to deal with. They are extremely creative and we all love the design process.

Tell us a little about your family.
I have an amazing husband and 3 little girls, ages 6, 9 and 11 (Elysium, Starla and River).  Currently I am a surrogate for my husband’s best friend and his wife.  I am 6.5 months a long and looking forward to having a glass of wine to celebrate and be able to bend over easier! J

How do you prioritize family and your business? 
My family comes first, no questions about that.  I have learned over the years that money is lovely, however, family and love is a million times more important.

How do you relax?
Some nights (ok…about 5/7) after the kids have gone to sleep my husband and I site in front of the TV and we watch our favorite shows and I get my back rubbed. I get very pampered and taken care of. We also make a priority for “date night” and go out often together.

Where do you see yourself in 5yrs?
I see myself with a nice size toy company that creates incredible “out of the box toys” with the help of my kids.

Biggest life lesson learned?
Life is precious. You cannot take any material items to the next world, so don’t want for so much unnecessary “stuff” in your life. Travel now, before you get any older people issues…J You never know when your time is up. Enjoy.

What is your secret to success?
Enjoy what you love to do. That is success.

All Entrepreneurs encounter bad days. How do you handle yours? 
I eat ice cream and treat myself to Starbucks. Get back up and remind yourself you are alive and healthy and stop whining.

What was your sweetest success story?
Creating my 3 little dolls of my own.

Are you a blogger?
No, but I have thought about it. I might have too many crazy ideas for some…

What brought you to California Mom Bloggers?
I just happened on the site. Fate brought me here I suppose!

How would you like our bloggers help you grow your business?
To help spread the word about Stork Babies and The Fiammetta Toy Company Inc. Also to realize that this company has all their toys designed by kids for kids!  In addition, to help promote the company as a company that really cares about empowering children and the environment. These are not just dolls, they are so much more! We also give 5% of all our profit to charity.

Share your favorite quote or inspirational thought:
“The best way to predict the future is to create it”. – Unknown

I live by this quote.

Do you send out a monthly newsletter?  How can we get on your mailing list if we are interested in more information?
Please email me at info@mystorkbabies.com and I will be in touch!

Share your brief bio:
As a divorced and happy Southern California blogger, I also keep busy with a full-time day job and a direct sales career with BeautiControl. I’ve been blogging a little over 3 years—talking about my life, my family, pets, friends and more; I share trips I’ve taken and recipes I’ve tried, as well as some product reviews and recommendations.

Tell us a little about your family:
Although I’m single, my home life consists of a (half) crazy roommate, 3 cats and a dog. My “real” family lives in south Texas, where I go to visit them regularly.

How do you prioritize time between your family and your blog?
This is an age-old question; which comes first—sometimes I have to let important things slide, because something more important comes up. I try not to feel guilty about the choices I make—where I go, what I do, and what doesn’t get done. Usually, I’m the one who loses when push comes to shove; family comes first.

How do you relax?
What’s that? Seriously, I keep myself so busy that it’s difficult for me to relax. I think my most favorite relaxing thing to do is to sit on the back of my boyfriend’s boat at the lake or the river, with a book and either a beer or a glass of wine.

When did you start your blog?
I started the blog in December of 2009.

Why did you start blogging?
Originally it was going to showcase my direct sales business; but I found it more fun to just write about everything.

How did you choose your blog name?
On the forum, where I took my 30-day blogging class (http://partyplandivas.com/forums/); I asked all of the participants on the forum site to give me suggestions—and just fell in love with this name from one of my good friends, Jan Hatchett (http://janhatchett.com/).

What keeps you motivated and inspired to blog?
I just love the idea of writing; I’ve done it all of my life—poetry, journaling, essays and even magazine articles. I feel a great deal of freedom in what I can write (and photograph) and post on my own space.

Where do you see your blog and yourself in 5 years?
Personally, I hope to be retired from my full-time job; which will leave me more time to blog! I want to have a large following, plus brand ambassorships and regular product reviews, as well as a huge community of friends that I socialize with regularly.

Biggest life lesson learned since blogging?
Don’t sweat the small stuff; everything will work itself out in its own way. Make things happen, don’t wait for them to happen.

What is your secret to success?
Keep moving & hope no one notices the holes in the wall.

What do you wish someone would have told you when you first started blogging?
To jump in and start; I tend to over-analyze every little thing before I start a project of any kind.

All bloggers encounter writer’s block. How do you get past this?
I walk away; maybe turn on the TV and just find something else to occupy my mind.

What has been your sweetest success story?
I wrote a post that I thought was something along the lines of “My summer vacation….” And got a very nice comment from someone who helps manage publicity for Texas’ National Historic Site!

What has been your most popular posts?
I’m not sure which would be my most popular to date.

Who are some of your favorite California bloggers that inspire you and that you enjoy reading?
My Reader File is miles-long; but among my favorite California bloggers are:
The SITS Girls (don’t know if that is strictly CA, but I love their site) http://www.thesitsgirls.com/
Confessions of a Fat Girl—hilarious, touching and always engaging
http://www.confessionsofafatgirl.net/blog/
MizMeliz—my friend and a hell of a writer
http://mizmeliz.com/

How long have you lived in California?
I’m a true California girl; lived here all of my life!

Where is your favorite relaxation location in California?
It used to be the beach; but lately, I have really enjoyed anywhere that I can just sit back with a drink/cup of coffee and people-watch.

Do you belong to any other social media networks to promote your blog?
I am in several groups on Triberr.com; belong to the Southern California Lady Bloggers; and work with a couple of coaches for both my blog and my direct sales business.

Have you attended any social media conferences? If so, which ones?
I attended my first Bloggy Boot Camp in Las Vegas last fall—and am even more in love with those SITS gals! I’m signed up for the Business Edition in Phoenix this spring and hope to attend at least one more Social Media conference before the end of the year

If yes to the  above ~ what was the most helpful thing that you have learned from attending a conference?
I learned that connections to other people are the most important thing (in life AND in blogging!). Networking and listening to the experiences of other bloggers made me realize that we are all the same underneath it all—some of us are just a little better at putting words together.

Share your favorite quote or inspirational thought:
It would be something that my boyfriend says frequently—much to my annoyance. “Where ever you go, well, there you are.”

Tell us something that most people would be surprised to learn about you.
I’m pretty much of an open book—what you see is what you get.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I am so loving this whole blog environment that I’ve found. The men & women I’ve met are real—even if we’ve only met in cyber-space. Dealing with people on the internet, makes it easy to hide certain aspects of ourselves; but we need to realize that people who are reading our posts want to know who we are—that we’re real people, with freckles and zits and anxieties. And the bloggers that I’ve been lucky enough to meet IRL are wonderful; and I’m so glad to have met each and every one of them!

Do you send out a monthly newsletter? How can we get on your mailing list if we are interested in more information?
Nothing official yet, that’s still on the to-do list. If you’re interested in helping out with fulfilling that list (its very long), please let me know!

If you are a blogger in California and would like to be featured on our site, please visit us here to get started.

Welcome to California Surfin’! Each week, bloggers across the Golden State share their thoughts and this is where they come to shine and share their blog posts for the week. This week, we will feature blog posts that are posted from March 18, 2013 through March 24, 2013.

California Surfin’ Weekly Blog Hop is co-hosted by Jessica of Fringies ~ Knitting with One Needle. Be sure to stop by her site and introduce yourself to her!

Well, this blog hop is pretty simple. If you are a California Blogger, come back throughout the week and share your new posts with us on the linky below. After you post yours, try to give some blogging love to the other posts on the link with either a comment, tweet, pin, like or even a stumble.

Here are the simple rules:

• You must be a California Blogger;
• Please leave a sincere comment or message on each of the blog post you visit or one of the other things above if the post leaves you speechless.

Pretty simple, right?

Please leave a link to your specific posts that was written from March 18, 2013 through March 24, 2013.

Share your brief bio:
Jamie is a Minnesota Girl who has landed herself in the big city of LA. Although she resides in LA, that Minnesota will never come out of her. She enjoys photography, baking, art, wine, and learning about new healthy snack options.

Tell us a little about your family.
My family includes my fiancé and my two adoring cats that I love very much.

How do you prioritize time between your family and your blog?
It’s a struggle. Fortunately, when he asks for time I always make sure to give it to him, and also try to include him in fun events around town. He also enjoys being a photographer so often loves being the one taking the pictures at events we attend together.

How do you relax?
How I relax is usually in front of the computer or a long nap. Sleep is always the cure, right?

When did you start your blog?
I started in October 2011

Why did you start blogging?
I found my passion for writing, and was determined to get a writing job. Others recommended that I started a blog, and that’s where my journey began. I had no idea how much of a world it was.

How did you choose your blog name?
I wanted to encompass where I came from with where I was now hence “Minnesota Girl in LA.” I had no idea how much of a conversation starter it would become, or how many people know people in Minnesota or have family that reside there.

What keeps you motivated and inspired to blog?
It’s my passion. The motivation is easy for me it’s what I enjoy to do. I love writing, telling stories and showcasing my photography.

Where do you see your blog and yourself in 5 years?
Oh gosh. 5 years is a long ways away and so much can change. As long as its still keeping me happy that is enough for me.

Biggest life lesson learned since blogging?
The numbers really don’t matter, what truly matters is your passion, and the following you have gained.

What is your secret to success?
Happiness! As long as you’re happy doing what you’re doing, success will soon follow after.

What do you wish someone would have told you when you first started blogging?
Oh gosh, just one thing? Hah. In the end, the numbers just don’t matter. What matters is being genuine and true to who you are.

All bloggers encounter writer’s block. How do you get past this?
I can honestly say that I have not experienced this. My issue is that I have so many ideas in my head with what to write about and never enough time to actually do it!

What has been your sweetest success story?
I count those little moments such as the first time a company I worked with published me on their website to when someone recognizes me at a blogging event to the first time I was pitched something instead of me doing the pitching, etc.

And of course the time I met David Mirassou of Mirassou Wines.. that was a memorable moment in my life.

What has been your most popular posts?

• Healthy Eating Leads to a More Healthy Heart
• A Different Spin on Lasagna
• Fall Photo Shoot Ideas

Who are some of your favorite California bloggers that inspire you and that you enjoy reading?

I really admire Ginger from RambleRamble.com and Carolyn from This Talk Ain’t Cheap  and Maribel from Stroller Adventures

How long have you lived in California?
It’s been 2 years now. Time flies, doesn’t it?

Where is your favorite relaxation location in California?
I love going to Laguna Beach!

Do you belong to any other social media networks to promote your blog?
Yes: So Cal Lady Bloggers, Collective Bias, Clever Girls Collective, The Sits Girls

Have you attended any social media conferences? If so, which ones?
I attended my first conference last fall with Bloggy BootCamp put on by the Sits Girls. I’m also attending Camp Blogaway this May to learn more food blogging.

If yes to the above ~ What was the most helpful thing that you have learned from attending a conference?
It’s all about networking! And just those little tidbits of information that is shared.

Share your favorite quote or inspirational thought:
“If you love something, set it free. If it comes back its yours, if not it wasn’t meant to be.”

Tell us something that most people would be surprised to learn about you.
I am left handed =)

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I love blogging, the people I have met along the way and just sharing my journey and experiences with the world. It has made me a better writer, a better person, and overall, helped me to embrace life a whole lot more.

Do you send out a monthly newsletter? How can we get on your mailing list if we are interested in more information?
You can subscribe to the blog by going to http://mngirlinla.com.