::M Live! The Expo About Modern Midlife:: JOIN US THIS WEEKEND

::Momma Disclosure:: This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own and true. 

Register for free online with code: MOMMAOFDOS

Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/m-live-the-expo-about-modern-midlife-tickets-28532414219

::DESCRIPTION::

When it comes to menopause, we all get there at different times, with different circumstances, for different reasons, and at different times in our lives. There's not one thing about menopause that's the same for any one of us—but we all arrive at that place, that intersection, at some point or another.

But, midlife is about infinitely more than menopause. And while menopause plays a role, it's not the be-all, end-all of midlife.

Did You Know?

51% of all women are in menopause, but not every woman in midlife has gone through menopause. As women, menopause and midlife are as inevitable as death and taxes. We are the forgotten women. When we are girls and mothers of girls, we are told how to handle puberty, but who helps us how to handle when we go OUT of puberty?


Welcome to M Live!

M Live! is THE Expo about modern midlife - focused on empowering women and providing resources, support, education, entertainment, and opportunities that they can’t find anywhere else. This isn’t your momma’s midlife, this is modern midlife personified.

M Live!—brought to you by Intersection M—features speakers that specialize in integrative and traditional medicine, gynecologists that specialize in menopause and fitness and nutrition experts to provide tips on whole body health and most importantly the opportunity to have your questions answered by a panel of health practitioners that have your best interest in mind. Need motivation? We have speakers for that too! Want to understand finances? We have you covered. Our speaker on finance in midlife will have you set for retirement.

Meet Us At The Intersection!

Being held at the Health Museum in Houston, the day will be filled with information, education, laughter, sisterhood, botox, fillers, advice, questions and answers, vendors who sell fantastic things, a yummy lunch, snacks, giveaways and contests!

It's going to rock your midlife!

We are going to be bringing it, and we want the same from YOU!

Midlife today is what you make it, let's celebrate it together!

FAQs
What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?
The best way to get the event is via car or you can always Uber! Parking is free at the Museum, surrounding streets and at the McGovern Gardens across the street.
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
You can contact Lee at lee@intersection-m.com or Faith at faith@intersection-m.com.
What's the refund policy?
We would be happy to refund up to 10 days before the event. Unfortunately, we can't refund after that!

WEBSITE: https://intersection-m.com/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/intersectionm/ 

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/modernmidlife

::Wine Styles Houston with Houston Latina Bloggers::

::Momma Disclosure:: This is a sponsored post. All content is my true and honest opinion.

Are you looking for a great place to host your next company event, meeting or just gather with friends? I had never been to a wine tasting so when we were invited to visit Wine Styles for one of our administrative meetings with Houston Latina Bloggers, I was excited!

As a Momma who works outside the home I know that many daily business interactions are conducted over lunch or dinner. Some time those meetings are very high profile, professional meetings and with very important clients, vendors or organization members who like to have a nice dinner and drink wine. One thing I like to be is well educated in dining etiquetes. You just never know when you will need it. Which is why the Wine Styles experience was very unique and relevant for many occasions.

We received a small tour of the location which is very business conducive if needed, and relaxing for entertainment purposes. I loved the learning aspects of it as well. Our hostess, Crystal Ybarra was great, and so knowledgeable. She not only taught us about the different wines and what foods they are paired with she also taught us of the different senses used when drinking wine. I felt very comfortable learning about the wines and what to look for when tasting and smelling them.

And, if wine is not your favorite drink, they also have events with craft and specialty beers, their next event is December 16th!

Visit their page for more:

Wine Styles Houston is located near 249 on Louetta Rd.  in Vintage Park; 

http://www.winestyleshouston.com/

::Mommy Trade:: Mom's Night Out Event, May 16th in Houston #ad

::Momma Disclosure:: This is a compensated post. All statements are my true and honest opinion.

As Momma's, there are certain features that we seek when joining online groups some important ones are; feeling secure and trusting the group, sense of community and how easy it is to navigate their website. Which is why I am loving Mommy Trade! It combines all the convenience of being able to buy, sell, or trade your used baby items with a sense of community and safety. I know that when I had my children, this could have been very helpful. I would give up on trying to have garage sales and would end up throwing items out or just giving them all away. Mommy Trade makes the process of selling these items and making money, simple! 

For all the details on how you can sign up and cost visit their site here, they are very affordable: http://mommytrade.com/mommy-trade-about-us/

On May 16th, you will be able to meet the group face to face as they will have their first-year celebration with a Mom's Night Out. Where you can network with other Momma's, engage with local Momma entrepreneurs and participate in a lot of fun giveaways! 

You will be able to win a few Momma of Dos goodies as well- Social Media consulting and Blogging 101 consultation, for moms with small businesses or looking to work from home. You must attend the event to win! To enter, tell them Momma of Dos sent you! 

**Mommy Trade-Mom's Night Out Event**

Join us for our Moms Night out hosted by MommyTrade.com! Meet our local moms and have a fun-filled night out! 

$5 at door or show ticket

We have an exclusive venue just for Moms Night Out and can't wait for you to join us!

Your $5 Ticket includes:

* 1 Drink Ticket

* Apps (First Come First Serve)

* Enter all Giveaways (via smartphone)

* Shop until YOU drop at all of our fun and mom-friendly businesses! 

* Happy Hour Pricing on Drinks

* Mommy Trade - Cake (Yum)

* Access to exclusive Moms Night dinner menu (special pricing) Dinner is NOT included in $5 ticket. Ordering options will be posted on the Events page.

This venue will hold 200 local mommies so invite your friends and let's enjoy this fun and relaxing mommy night out!

http://www.crescentmoonwinebar.com/home

https://www.facebook.com/crescentmoonwinebar

(Moms Only) We will be looking at your Facebook profile to see if you are a mommy. 

If you are a local business and would like info about sponsorship or a Table contact us at support@mommytrade.com

*This is our official 1-year anniversary celebration and we hope you can join us in celebrating!

Please RSVP via Facebook!

Tickets for Sale!

http://bit.ly/1NNEftR

::Weekend Snapshots:: Link-Up with 3TwentySix & The Reinvention of Jessica

When we created Houston Latina Bloggers the group was meant to join together local Latina writers who really wanted to engage their readers and simply be part of a culturally unique group. I feel that the purpose has definitely evolved and changed over the past few months. We seek to not only bring together local Latinas who love to write and are true social media influencers but also motivate and inspire all women to feel empowered and share their unique voice. I hope that over the next year we can further grow this sense of community and share even more. 

In the meantime, the ladies that form the group are extremely wonderful and motivate me to keep moving forward in our direction.

I couldn't do anything or make things possible without my fellow co-founders, a huge thanks as always to Ariana of 3TwentySix and Jihane of OnixJ. While I have been seen as the face and "voice" of the team, the ladies who run all the behind the scenes are incredible and truly nothing can be done without them. Their support of my somewhat out there ideas has been great and I truly see them as my Latina Tribe who have been here for me through this amazing venture and journey. Our own community of constant support and love, it's so important to what we do, to always support one another. 

Oh, weekend snapshots. Right, so this past weekend was amazing. We had a great event with amazing women involved. Wonderful sponsors such as Kroger, CHI, Define Hair Studio in Spring, Thinking Girls Boutique, and Pollo Tropical.  Two make-up artist Sylvia and Jannette, as well as three very inspiring speakers.

First up was Dr. Kelley Watts, a local family therapist who spoke on how we should not allow our inner demons to take charge of our world, and instead we should conquer them one day at a time and be confident in who we are.  Then, came a personal favorite, as she is my boot camp trainer Maggie of Texas Fit Chicks. She spoke about how she isn't the typical young trainer and how her weight struggles led her to where she is today. She confessed to having a cheat day and how she creates balance in her everyday workout routine by also indulging in those things she loves. She spoke about being motivated as a fellow Momma of Dos and growing into her true purpose. She is an amazing motivator and person. Finally, my good friend Sharon of the Bitchy Business Briefs told us a little about her daily activities keep her mentally and physically healthy and young. How she doesn't want to necessarily be young again but knows the importance of feeling great at whatever age. How embracing your age and learning to care for yourself has given her new life.

All the ladies had such wonderful stories to share, that I feel they impacted us in many ways. They gave great insights into how our overall well being affects our everyday lives as women. How negative thoughts affect our inner beauty which in return affects what we feel like and look like. And, that we should really focus on ourselves to be strong and healthy because in the end if we aren't well our lives show it and our moods can be altered in a not so good way!

The rest of our weekend was spent, with friends, resting and eating great homemade food.

{This is a Link-Up with 3TwentySix & The Reinvention of Jessica }

::CHI Houston Latina Bloggers Event Recap::

::Momma Disclosure:: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Farouk Systems & Lopez Marketing. All opinions and statements are my own. 

When I used to think of CHI, I thought of, obviously;  my curly "untamable" mane, a long-standing reputation and great smelling products. Now, when I think about it, I think about community, a commitment to quality and reinvention that fits the time. Houston Latina Bloggers were invited to take a tour and learn all about Farouk Systems as well as meet the CEO of CHI, Basim Shami, son of Farouk Shami. I didn't know how inspiring the moment would be but I truly felt an instant connection with the brand's purpose and future goals.

The facility aside from being fully equipped to produce high-end, eco-friendly products is also almost fully staffed by Latinos. That alone makes me feel a wonderful sense of belonging. Farouk Systems recognizes the hard work and dedication of the Latino community which led to the company cutting any ties to Donald Trump, which is definitely admirable. That paired with Farouk systems involvement in education created a new-found inspiration to continue to support the company and their products. 

Not only was I in awe of their efficient production line, their passion for education and the Latino community but also their constant commitment to creating new products. Their upcoming lines promise to be different and just as great as everything they produce now. We received a sneak peek at these products, how they plan to bring them out over the next year or so and how each product was created. Wish I could share more but I can't so follow CHI and their social media sites for all the upcoming reveals and products lines. 

CHI En Espanol Twitter 

CHI En Espanol IG

CHI En Espanol FB

The event was filled with so much information, so many goodies, a great lunch and, of course, silly moments where we were able to see the behind the scenes of all things CHI. It was an amazing experience and am happy that our group was selected to attend. I have since opened all my products and began exploring items that I didn't know they had such as the tea tree oil products. As well as items I have never tried like the dry shampoo, which is my new favorite item. You can read all about these items on their site: 

DRY SHAMPOO

TEA TREE OIL

BIOSILK

::Houston Events/Giveaways with HLB Members:: #HLBNetwork

Join local Latina Blogger Sharon of the Bitchy Business Briefs THIS SATURDAY, February 6th!! American Heart Association - Houston will be at Macy's, Total Go RED Makeover from 2-4 pm inside Memorial City Mall located at 900 Gessner Road, Houston, Texas 77024. 

Bring your girlfriends and when you turn in your event passport you will be entered into a drawing for $250.00 Macy's gift card. 

#GoRedHouston #LatinasGoRed 

Follow Sharon:
Blog: http://www.thebitchybusinessbriefs.com/#!blank/cx97
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBiitchyBusinessBriefs
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonLeeZapata
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebitchybusinessbriefs/

--------

Myself and fellow co-founder of Houston Latina Bloggers, Jihane have been invited to speak on the Careers in Media: Print and Digital panel for Career Day on Saturday, February 13 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. I will be speaking about my experience as a writer/blogger who has also written for magazines and newspapers. 

As a blogger/writer I have great respect for everyone in the field and take so much pride in not only what I do but also teaching young Hispanics in our community how they too can reach their goals.

Students from 6th to the 12th grade can learn about what it takes to get into the print industry, how digital media is complimenting and transforming print media. What positions are available in these two fields and what you can do to be a part of it. 

Join us as we join many other local faces and voices of television and radio! It promises to be a great learning experience; see all the details at: www.hispanic-forum.org

::More about Jihane::

    {Jihane is on the far left in the dark blue shirt. Picture  by Alex Montoya of D'mont Photography} 

My name is Jihane. I am a British Latina, vegetarian(ish), mother of one, multicultural, tree hugger blogger. I blog about organic, natural, sustainable, cruelty-free and vegetarian topics and products, as well as the challenges of raising a vegetarian child in Texas. 

I moved to Houston 5 years ago all the way from Newcastle upon Tyne, England!  

I started blogging  back in 2011, during that time I was doing a Masters in Communications at the University of St Thomas and thought a blog would help me with my writing skills. Blogging, not only did help me become a better writer but it also helped me become better at networking, media pitching and PR. Soon enough I was part of Latism Houston Chapter and the Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals. 

I am now the proud co-founder of Houston Latina Bloggers; an idea that started after Connie, Ariana and I meet at Blog Elevated 3 years ago. We believe in the power of our voice, the voice of the modern, hard working, passionate and caring Latinas not only in Houston but around the world. It was this vision that drove us together and that continues to move us forward with this project. I look forward to working with all of you and finding out more about the Latinas that move Htown! 

Follow Jihane: 

Twitter & IG: @onixJihane  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Onixjhealthyliving 

Blog: www.onixj.wordpress.com

------

Our very own HLB Social Media Director will have her first ever workshop! It will be an Instagram 101 class which will have great content to help grow and promote your brand. Great for new bloggers or small business owners. The class will be February 20th and is $35.00, a perfect investment of long term results! You can RSVP HERE! 

Follow Ariana:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/a_shankasaurus/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/3twentysix

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/3twentysix/?fref=ts

Blog: http://www.3twentysix.com/

------

::Giveaways::

If you follow Nikki a beautiful Latina and her blog over at Lipstick and Brunch, then you know she has a great giveaway on her right now! For all you looking to create some unique wall art with Minted. She has a perfectly crafted post over on her site, where you can learn more about her newest Valentine's Day giveaway. 

    {Photo Credit: Nikki of Lipstick and Brunch}

::More about Nicole::

My name is Nicole (most people call me Nikki) and I built a career working in women's and food magazines as a professional photographer and beauty writer. This blog is my curated space in the cyber-universe where you'll find my travels & foodie moments, frugal fashion finds that will make you look expensive, celebrity sightings and event coverage and my make-up obsession translated into beauty subscriptions, hauls and reviews. Be inspired. Live happily. Smile in the face of adversity. Be bold and never give up!

Follow Nicole:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lipstickandbrunch/?fref=ts

Blog: http://lipstickandbrunch.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lipstickandbrunch/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LipstickBrunch

::Houston Latina Bloggers::

CHI Espanol currently has a giveaway on their site and HLB members are helping promote it. 

This contest is only open to those within the USA. The link to register is: http://gvwy.io/cmbxpnx 

Deadline to register is Feb 19th!! You are your BFF will have the opportunity to win; Shampoo, Conditioner, hair spray, a CHI bag and styling iron.                                                                   

::Houston Museum of Natural Science:: La Virgen de Guadalupe #ad

::momma disclosure:: this is a compensated post. all opinions expressed are my own.

"La Virgen de Guadalupe ha sido un símbolo de esperanza, protección y consuelo para sus seguidores por casi 500 años, pero ¿por qué? ¿Qué tiene la virgen que ha inspirado a millones de personas en el continente americano? La virgen morena apareció ante Juan Diego en 1531 en un evento que no sólo le cambió su vida sino la de toda una nación. Hoy en día, su imagen representa un milagro y la identidad de una cultura. Revive su historia desde sus orígenes hasta el día de hoy en nuestra exposición."~HMNS 

Growing up my life revolved around traditions and most were created because of our religion. As my children continue to grow and learn about us as Mexican-Americans; who we are, where we come from and what we believe in, I want to expose them to cultural connections as much as possible. Which is why I am always seeking and thankful for exhibits, like the one currently being present at the Houston Museum of Natural Science about La Virgen de Guadalupe. 

A while back when my kids were little a man around my age, early 30's asked, why? Why I dressed my kids as Juan Diego and a Gudalupana? My answer was because of my culture and my roots and what I want my children to know about how I was raised. While I know that they will ultimately select their own path and religion, I don't want to lose the opportunity to teach them as much as I can about our culture, faith and identity as Mexicans in America.

While we might not always be active as Catholics, we still have our faith and beliefs. But, I feel that more than that, certain Mexican traditions are such an amazing part of history you just have to teach others about it. My kids might not always end up praying the rosary every night, but we honor our ancestors and respect where they come from and what they believe in.

If you have a chance to visit this amazing exhibit Momma of Dos has a special treat for you! Discount tickets, click on the link here and enter the following code- atom (just as shown, no caps) 

::Making Connections:: Networking Events and Conferences

{This is not a compensated post. All opinions expressed are my own.} 

Houston hosted for the first time ever one of the largest Latino conference and event organizers- Hispanicize. As they brought their three city networking tour to Houston in an effort to promote the April conference. And, Houston Latina Bloggers were present. As Social Media/Digital influencers and content creators, we attend these events all the time. I always hear from everyone, I made some great connections today or I met new people last night. So, you made the connections. Now, what? The following are some tips to convert those connections into lasting business relationships and help build your brand. 

{Picture from Hispanicize facebook page} 

1) Create a database- Thanks to my 8-5 job I have become a bit of an excel nerd. A simple spreadsheet with all your new contacts will go a long way. Now, you definitely want to do this after every event and don't get behind like this Momma did this year. I think since May I have about 300 business cards sitting on my desk waiting to be converted into tangible connections. Don't wait, do it now! Record people's names, phone number, email address and their blog or company/brand. You can pull from this database and filter it for easy access to everyone you need to stay in touch with. Nerdy. I know. 

2) Send an Email- I know that these days we can easily add people to our Facebook pages and LinkedIn, but then what? Sure that person can see your work and what you do. But, if you don't reach out to them and find out how you can work together or collaborate, then that person just becomes another FB friend. The true connection comes by sending your connections a personalized email, reminding them that it was great to meet them and maybe asking or offering to work with them in some way. Making that connection with people who are within your niche and that you would like to work with or learn from is very important. Otherwise, they are just a business card sitting on your desk. 

3) Interact- If you truly want to keep up with your new connections and create a circle of good networking contacts; then please don't forget that we are all human we love interaction and conversation. Not every day, you don't have to become the persons best friend, in some cases you do. But, every once in a while finding out how they are or what they are working on, is always a good start. You never know what you can learn from your new contacts or what event they might know of that you don't. Keeping in touch even in this day in age, is very important. I see people "like" or comment on my social media sites all the time, but unless I engage in real conversation with them, I have nothing. 

                                                   {Picture  from Hispanicize facebook page} 

Finally, when you go out to events and networking functions have fun, relax and enjoy everyone. My favorite part of these situations is just enjoying the moment and not worrying too much about whether or not the relationship will be built or if the person will help me gain anything. I simply talk to as many people as I can. Becuase I love to talk. I always ask about them and listen to them. I am myself and if the conversation leads to what I do, then I gladly explain who I am and what I do. 

                                                    {Picture from Hispanicize facebook page} 

Have you made great new connections lately? How have you followed up with those connections and do you keep a database?