Category: ARWB Info

#AWBU @ARWomenbloggers Twitter Party TONIGHT!

We are exactly one month away from the kick-off the 2012 Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged Conference! I hope you are as excited about the conference as we are! We know you may have questions about the conference and what to expect so we have planned a Twitter Party for tonight. This will be your chance to interact with other attendees and get all the details about the conference. Come prepared with any questions you may have! See you on Twitter, tonight at 8p CST!

Want to learn more? Follow @ARWomenBloggers and #AWBU on Twitter and register for our Twitter Party on Tuesday, July 24 at 8p CST to interact with other attendees and get the details!

Learn more about the conference & REGISTER (early bird rate ends on July 31!)

Check out the conference agenda!

You might also want to follow our Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged conference sponsors – we have some exciting announcements! Here are just a few details on our sponsors – watch for detailed blog posts coming this week…

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

The Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged 2012 Conference is presented by Healthy Families!

Watch the AWB blog for more information about this fantastic program this week, and be sure to visit the Healthy Families website – it’s chock full of great parenting resources and FREE books! At our Twitter party tonight, one free conference registration will be provided by Healthy Families – keep up with mentions of #HFNow!

PORCH SWING SPONSOR:

COUNTRY OUTFITTER (connect on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter)

One free conference registration to be provided by Country Outfitter!

GATHERING SPONSOR:

PetitJeanMeats

Petit Jean Meats (connect on Facebook and Twitter)

Petit Jean Meats will provide all sorts of fantastic meats and treats during the conference!

CLOTHESLINE SPONSOR:

The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas (connect on Facebook and Twitter)

One free conference registration will be provided by the Women’s Foundation!

Summer Camp Jitters (and why you should attend #AWBU anyway!)

I loved summer camp! From the time I was seven years old I spent at least a week and as many as 8 at summer camp. I even spent a summer before college serving as a camp counselor.

My whole kid-year revolved around camp. I thought about it and planned for it all year long. I would spend weeks prior to camp perusing the isles of CVS stocking up on travel sized toiletries to fill up my Caboodle, gathering Archie Comics and Teen Beat and collecting candy to hide in my suitcase. (Twizzlers and Atomic Fireballs were my favorite!) I spent hours each night listening to my favorite radio station (Q106) waiting for the best songs to come on so I could hit record on my cassette player and make an epic mix tape that I would play on my “against-camp-rules” walkman that I would sneak in in my pillow case.

I learned how to shave for the first time from one of the “cool” older girls at camp. I met my future college roommate and one of my bridesmaids at summer camp. I fell in love countless times and even wound up engaged (which was later broken-off…thank goodness!) to a guy from camp. But most importantly I formed some wonderful friendships and created some wonderful memories to last a lifetime.

But…I’ll let you in on a secret…going to camp was REALLY HARD for me. I loved it but I was also very nervous about it. In fact, I was so nervous about camp that I honest-to-goodness believe that I threw up EVERY MORNING of EVERY DAY that I ever stepped foot on the grounds of Ganderbrook Christian Camp. True story!

My maiden name was Bulissa. I was known as Julie BARFLISSA for my entire camp career. Even now, if I bump into someone from my old camp days and they don’t remember me I just say “Barflissa” and they start howling with laughter and memory. I would wake up so jittery that I was pretty much useless all morning. I couldn’t even go near the lodge/mess hall until well after breakfast was over as the smell alone would have me retching. By 9am I was a-okay and ready to go for the day.

Weird? Yes. But weird is my M.O.

Anyway…my point is that sometimes things are difficult but those same things can sometimes have the biggest impact on who we are as people. Camp really helped mold me and form me into the person I am today. A lot of who I am was shaped in those early years in the woods of Maine.

One of our goals with Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged is to provide that “summer camp” kind of feel. We will learn some great things from some talented people, we will form bonds with other like minded women and we may even do some arts and crafts! (Morning calisthenics will be optional! HAHA!) You are not expected to have 5000 facebook fans or to get 30,000 daily hits on your blog. Even if you DON’T HAVE A BLOG we want you to join us! If your blog has been sorely neglected for the last 4 years, we want you there. If you have no desire to monetize your blog, we want you there.

Coming to a conference is really stepping out of your comfort zone for a lot of people. Myself included! It is scary and that’s okay. I totally get that. But we want to welcome you with open arms! So please don’t let fear, jitters, or whatever you want to call it be the reason you don’t attend #AWBU! You can barf every morning if you want to because at the end of the day it will all be okay!

Learn more about the conference & REGISTER (early bird rate ends on July 31!)

Check out the conference agenda!

Want to learn more? Follow @ARWomenBloggers and #AWBU on Twitter and register for our Twitter Party on Tuesday, July 24 at 8p CST to interact with other attendees and get the details!

Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged Conference Announcement

You no doubt heard the news last year. Bloggers from across the Natural State and beyond gathered together for hooting, hollering, bonding, crafting, learning, unwinding and the beginning of many, many friendships. We unplugged our computers and plugged into nature and each other. #AWBU became a legend of its own.

You came from El Dorado, Texarkana, Searcy, Fayetteville, Old Washington, Rogers, Siloam Springs, Little Rock, Bentonville and beyond. Even our neighboring states heard about it – and they came too. Some of you missed it. Don’t let that happen again!

It’s finally time for our second Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged conference. This isn’t Blissdom, BlogHer, Blog Sugar or anything like it – and it isn’t meant to be an intense “real” blogger conference. #AWBU is better: it’s your chance to unplug for the weekend, network with other Arkansas women bloggers, pick up tips, gain inspiration and grow – as a human, and as a blogger.

So, drum roll please……… when and where?

101_0083 — The ARWB Gals - Beth, Stephanie, & Julie

Friday, August 24 (arrive between 5 & 7ish) – Sunday, August 26 (after brunch)
at The Ozark Folk Center State Park
in Mountain View, AR.

This year you have another opportunity to experience our unique conference style. We will have the opportunity to connect with our Arkansas and Ozark heritage as we converge on the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Will wifi be available? Yes but… We will challenge you to disconnect, just for a bit, to build friendships, learn how the art of storytelling can improve your blog, eat delicious food, sip some wine and pick up some great techniques that you can take back to your blog after the conference is over. AND…the rumor is there may even be traditional jig dancing!

So… plan now to just do it. Step away from the screen. You can do this. We’ll have an idyllic setting and real, live, face-to-face connections with other bloggers and inspiring speakers to fuel and refresh you to return home ready to face it all. You know, the work – the play – the cooking – the cleaning – the amazingly improved and refocused blogging.

Who: Women bloggers (and would-be bloggers) in Arkansas and beyond
When: Friday, August 24 (arrive between 5 & 7ish) – Sunday, August 26 (after brunch)
Where: The Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas
Cost: Pre-registration is $135/person before July 31. After August 1, it is $150.

Cost includes meals, speakers, activities, and park admission to craft grounds and concerts. Lodging is additional, we have arranged some special conference rates. An optional Foodie Friday program will be offered from noon to 5p on Friday – details coming soon! Optional Sunday Craft add-on and Ropes Course options also available.

Lodging is the responsibility of the conference participant and is not guaranteed with conference ticket purchase. A block of rooms has been reserved in the Dry Creek Cabins located on the Ozark Folk Center State Park grounds and will be available on a first come, first serve basis. The cost for a room with two queen beds will run approximately $77.00 per night. We highly encourage you to get together with other conference participants and share a room to help lower the cost (yep, $38.50 night). Rooms holding more than 2 people will incur an additional $10 charge per night. Participants must call 1-800-264-Folk (3655) to reserve rooms. Please indicate that you are with the Arkansas Women Bloggers group. The Folk Center can take care of split billing for you. Other lodging options are available throughout Mountain View. Participants needing a roommate can contact Julie Kohl at Julie@arkasnaswomenbloggers.com for assistance.

HERE’S THE SCHEDULE!

Click here to register today!

We can not wait to see you in the mountains,
The ARWB Gals

Call for Entries {Spring Cleaning}

We’ve turned the clocks forward, spring rains are falling and if you’re a mom your kids are probably on Spring Break this week. As we prepare for warmer weather it is also that time when we come asking you to send us content to post on Arkansas Women Bloggers!

The topic for the month of April is {Spring Cleaning}. As usual the topic is open to your interpretation. Tell us about all the ways you keep your “house” – not just your home – in order!

Julie, our Content Cultivator and Calendar Girl, is an art teacher by day. One of her favorite sayings in her classroom is, “The more creative – the better!” This applies to the content here on ARWB as well. We provide you with the topics as a spring board but what you do with it and how you interpret them are part of what makes each of you a great and unique blogger!

Why do we need your content?

This site is about YOU! While ARWB is still young and still growing we have a lot of plans for the future of this site and this group. In order to provide you with wonderful conferences, giveaways, exclusive blogger events and so on we need to have a high and active membership. Providing content is one way you can be involved!

What’s in it for me?

At this time we are not able to offer financial compensation for your stories but guest blogging for us does have other rewards. We will provide links to your blog within your post. We will also give you shout outs on Facebook and Twitter. When people read your writing on our blog they are much more likely to click through to your personal blog to read more about you. We will also list you in our Featured Contributors widget in our sidebar.

What can I write about?

We will accept posts on just about any topic! Write what you are comfortable with or challenge yourself to try something new! Additionally, each month we will provide a topic to help you get your ideas flowing. The topics are intentionally vague to allow you to put your own twist on the topic. The topic for April is {Spring Cleaning}. We want you to tell us about all the ways you keep your “house” – not just your home – in order! Do you have a special spring cleaning regimen? Do you have an idea for clearing out the clutter? What are you doing to get your kids out of the house and into the fresh air?

How do I submit a story?

First be sure to check out our Guest Post Guidelines. This will give you all the details about everything you will need to send to us. Posts can be emailed to julie@arkansaswomenbloggers.

Do I have to be a member of ARWB to submit?

The short answer is “No, but…?” We will accept content from non-members but priority will be given to those who have shown a genuine interest in Arkansas Women Bloggers mainly by signing up with us. We have and will post content written by non-members but our goal is to create a place where the members of Arkansas Women Bloggers can get the word out to each other about their own personal blogs! If you haven’t joined us there is no time like the present! You can find our fast, free and easy to fill out registration form right HERE!

Call for Entries March {Women’s History}

It’s that time again where we come asking you to send us content to post on Arkansas Women Bloggers!

The topic for the month of March is {Women’s History}. As usual the topic is open to your interpretation.

Why do we need your content?

What’s in it for me?

What can I write about?

We will accept posts on just about any topic! Write what you are comfortable with or challenge yourself to try something new! Additionally, each month we will provide a topic to help you get your ideas flowing. The topics are intentionally vague to allow you to put your own twist on the topic. The topic for March is {Women’s History} in honor of Women’s History month. Perhaps you will want to write about your own personal history. How did you end up where you are now? How did you start blogging? How have you left a legacy in this world? Maybe you will want to write about a famous woman who has influenced you in your life. Maybe you will want to write about your bestest friend or a great blogger you know! The possibilities are endless!

How do I submit a story?

First be sure to check out our Guest Post Guidelines. This will give you all the details about everything you will need to send to us. Posts can be emailed to julie@arkansaswomenbloggers.

Do I have to be a member of ARWB to submit?

Call for Entries – {Love Story}

It’s that time again where we come asking you to send us content to post on Arkansas Women Bloggers!

The topic for the month of February is {Love Story}. As usual the topic is open to your interpretation.

Why do we need your content?

What’s in it for me?

What can I write about?

We will accept posts on just about any topic! Write what you are comfortable with or challenge yourself to try something new! Additionally, each month we will provide a topic to help you get your ideas flowing. The topics are intentionally vague to allow you to put your own twist on the topic. February’s topic is ‘Love Story’. You could certainly tell us about how you met and fell in love with your significant other but it doesn’t have to be limited to that. What about your love for your kids? Your parents or grandparents who fell in love and have been married FOREVER. It could be about a book you love, a restaurant, a shirt, a favorite childhood toy. The possibilities are endless.

How do I submit a story?

First be sure to check out our Guest Post Guidelines. This will give you all the details about everything you will need to send to us. Posts can be emailed to julie@arkansaswomenbloggers.

Do I have to be a member of ARWB to submit?

ARWB Facebook Love!

One of our goals is to help women bloggers in Arkansas Connect with one another. Soooo, Here’s a listing of ARWB members who gave us their blog’s facebook link when they registered with us. Go ahead, click them all and give them a “like”! You’ll be adding some great content to your facebook newsfeed and getting to know your fellow Arkansas Women Bloggers too!

40s – Live, Love, Laugh Out Loud

Angela Anderson Art Blog

Arkansas Press Women

Because every fairytale needs a budget

Curly Hair, Straight Talk

East 9th Street

Eggs and Herbs…where creativity meets the farm.

Instead of the Dishes

It’s Good to be Queen

Spinning Dreams and Weaving Yarns

What’s up in the world of Steely Joe

Please note that these are all Facebook pages, not profiles (so you can “like” them – no friend request needed). If you would like to have your blog’s facebook page included in future “ARWB Facebook Love” posts, please head over and register as a member of our site (it’s FREE!). If you’ve already registered but would like to add your facebook page, please email fawn@arkansaswomenbloggers.com with your name, blog name, and facebook page URL.

If you’re considering starting a facebook page for your blog, here’s a post from Fawn on why you should.

Merry Christmas from ARWB

We want to take a moment to wish all of you a very merry Christmas. We hope that today is filled with magic and happiness. We hope you enjoy a wonderful and heartwarming day with your families. Thank you for being a part of our extended families.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Holiday Cheer,

Stephanie, Fawn, Beth and Julie

Call for Entries – New Year, New You

The New Year is always a good time to reflect on life and to set new goals for yourself. Whether or not you make “resolutions,” self-reflection can be a beneficial thing to the mind, body and soul. Setting a new goal or heading in a new direction can take us on a journey that helps us to better understand ourselves. This January, on Arkansas Women Bloggers, our theme is New Year, New You. While the theme can lend itself to writing about resolutions – it doesn’t have to. We intentionally leave our monthly themes slightly vague to allow you to add your own twist or interpretation.

You have now had almost a month to lurk around and peruse the all new Arkansas Women Bloggers. Hopefully you have had a chance to read the posts written by the brave souls whom have already contributed to the blog. Some of them were first-time contributors and some were seasoned pros. But the common thread between all of them is that they took a leap of faith and submitted something to us.

Whether you write about fashion or food, religion or politics, spending or saving, motherhood, life, loss or any topic in-between – I guarantee you have something that will appeal to our readers. Please consider writing something for us to post here on Arkansas Women Bloggers.

Our monthly topics are just a springboard; just something to help you find inspiration. January’s topic is New Year, New You and while we will gladly accept posts on this subject we would also love for you to submit anything that you desire.

Please take a moment to review our posting guidelines. If you have any questions or concerns or if you wish to submit a post just email it to Julie@arkansaswomenbloggers.com. She is really friendly, won’t bite and is checking her email constantly to read what you have to submit!

Recent Winners on ARWB

Arkansas Women Bloggers has been at its new home for three weeks and what a whirlwind it has been. We have been giving prizes and hoping to entice the 400+ members of our old site to head on over and join us here. If you have not taken the time to join us yet, we hope you will soon! There is power in numbers and we have several deals in the works that will be sweeter, the more members we have. If you have joined us, THANK YOU! We hope you will continue to encourage all your bloggy friends to join us as well.

We want to take a moment to congratulate all of our recent winners and to sincerely thank all of the sponsors of the great giveaways that we have had so far. We will be having many more giveaways and exciting events in the near future.

Recent Winners on ARWB

Jackie W. won the Cooks Illustrated – Best Make-Ahead Recipe from Lyndi of NWA Foodie.

Whitney S. won a Flip Camera courtesy of Shannon and Gwen of NWA Motherlode.

Stephanie H. won a $100 Visa Giftcard compliments of the Collective Bias Team.

Jasmine B. won 2 show tickets courtesy of the Walton Arts Center.

Heather N. won an autographed copy of the The Pioneer Woman Cooks courtesy of Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman.

Karen W. won an autographed copy of the The Pioneer Woman Black Heels to Tractor Wheels courtesy of Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman.

Shana W., Christy J., Stephanie H., and Amy B. all won handmade Christmas ornaments from Julie at Eggs and Herbs.

The Pinterest Challenge Wreath Giveaway, sponsored by Gina of Desperately Seeking {Gina}, is still in progress. Please click here for more information on how you can enter to win.

Please help us to show appreciation to our sponsors by taking a moment to visit their websites and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and other social media.

Friday, August 24 (arrive between 5 & 7ish) – Sunday, August 26 (after brunch) at The Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, AR.

Friday, August 24 (arrive between 5 & 7ish) – Sunday, August 26 (after brunch)
at The Ozark Folk Center State Park
in Mountain View, AR.