I'm Bored... (Giveaway Closed)

...with my blog. Granted I just became a new mommy 2.5 months ago and taking care of baby girl has been my #1 priority. Still, becoming a mother doesn't mean I have to throw my personality out with the baby's bath water. I have been yawning at my blog for some time, but I recently became motivated to do something about it. My inspiration? The Redhead Riter! She has recognized my blog with several awards, and I feel compelled to live up to the honors. Moreover, I am in awe at what she has accomplished. She has built a Taj Mahal in the blogosphere by launching a family of networking blogs she calls the Blogrolls. You have to check it out and enter her giveaway! She makes me want to step up my game. I have been experimenting with HTML/CSS code to add some flair to my posts and created a Flickr account to organize photos and graphics. I am also going to start participating in some memes and put that pizazz back into my blogging (I am making jazz hands right now). Get ready because it's going to get more entertaining around here, and I have a W-I-C-K-E-D sense of humor!

I just needed to remind myself why I started this blog: to journal, make friends, and swap information and resources with other mothers (useful tips and services, product reviews and giveaways). On the PR front, I've been reaching out to some companies...stayed tuned. In the meantime, I will work on making my blog more appealing for you. I'm going to start by:

Hosting my first giveaway and it will be self-sponsored (I selected and purchased the prizes).
It's called the 100 Followers Challenge...I am looking for a few good friends to join my site!

The prize: a Fall into Comfort Gift Pack
UPDATED: a $10 Target Gift Card has been added to the prize package!!!

(pictured: Xhilaration hat and 2 pairs of gloves, Burt's Bees lip balm 2-pack, Swiss Mocha Cafe)

How to enter (entries that do not follow instructions will be disqualified):

Mandatory first entry: follow my blog publicly with Google Friend Connect and leave a comment. If you are already a follower, state so in your comment.
Earn extra entries for completing each of the following (leave separate comments for each additional entry):

• subscribe to my blog via email and activate the subscription (2 extra entries=2 separate comments)
• blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post (2 extra entries=2 separate comments)
• Bonus for my loyal readers: What does Marlie's middle name mean? Post your answer in a comment

The rules:

• You must have a blog account to enter. Anonymous posts will be discarded.
• This giveaway will end when the 100th follower joins Marlie and Me.
• Winner will be chosen randomly from all comments posted.
• The winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond. Please make sure I can contact you either by having an email address visible on your blog profile or leave your email address in your comment(s). By accepting the prize, the winner is granting permission to have your name posted here.
• In the event the prize is not claimed in the allotted time, another winner will be chosen.
• Giveaway is open to US residents only since I am paying for shipping.

Speaking of prizes, I received two awards from sweet Tami @ Hearts Make Families:



I am passing these trophies along to 10 blogs that I have just found and enjoy (it's supposed to be 15, but new baby, remember?). The winners then accept the award by posting them on their blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his/her blog link; pass the award to 15 other blogs that they have recently discovered and think are great (don't be a rule-breaker like me); and contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award. The award winners I chose are listed here in alphabetical order:

1. The Balancing at of...One Chic Mommy
2. Dradrah's Place
3. Leigh vs. Laundry
4. The Lilac Grove
5. Maneuvering Motherhood
6. My Sippy Cup Runneth Over
7. Personal Journal Blogroll
8. The Politics of Love
9. When Did I Become My Mom?
10. Yaya Stuff

 *This giveaway is self-sponsored*