Yes, well she is, amidst loads of laundry, chauffeuring, helping with homework, cooking, and doing floors. How? Is it possible to be well on days when she finds herself covering 120 miles of road in a town many miles less wide than that? She chooses to make time for her own interests. She enjoys preparing for and participating in triathlons; singing, playing, dancing, and listening to music; hiking; watching comedy; writing; working with letterpress; laughing; going to farmers’ markets, Trader Joes, and IKEA;  planning her dream house, and getting mail. She makes time for herself.

This is not something that all moms are good at doing, and it isn’t necessarily something that’s easy to do, no matter how many children you have. Yet it is an absolutely necessary part of successful motherhood, as Jenny’s life shows. Indeed, when she was recently invited last-minute to go to Hawaii for just the price of airfare, she rescheduled two childrens’ braces installation appointments and another’s birthday party to go. “It was hard to be away from my family, but now I know I’ll be able to educate them about Hawaii, and be more engaged with them when I’m home,” she says.

“The things that I choose to do outside of being a mom and a wife are things that, in the end, help my family.” She enjoys triathlons, for example, partly because she knows she’s creating memories in her daughters’ minds of cheering her across the finish line. It’s a net gain for the whole family. “There is a nobility in motherhood,” says Jenny, “but when it’s your only thing, that can be a scary place.”

So she advises those for whom motherhood is their “only thing” to choose to find something they enjoy or rekindle what dreams they may have had, what passions once drove them. Inevitably, those dreams and passions tend to change or be eclipsed by the children you love, but that doesn’t mean you can’t redefine the dreams. Don’t be afraid to amend or alter them, she says. Just choose to do something with them, something that makes you happy. Jenny used to dream of being a dancer. That dream has changed over the years. Now she teaches Beyonce’s Single Lady Dance to other bloggers at BlogHer.

 What are your life’s biggest dreams? What are you passionate about? How will you rekindle your dreams and passions?

For those who have earmarked large budgets to conference sponsorships, the creative solutions are big and bold… not to mention fun!

Twizzler’s built US landmarks out of licorice and strategically placed them through BlogHer this past month (shown on the right with Melissa from TimeOutMom, Jen from HowTo-Simplify, and Troy from Dadventurous). Elmo accompanied Sesame Street to evo last month. Dr. Pepper/Snapple partnered with KaBoom! to build a playground in a New Orleans neighborhood as part of Mom 2.0 in April. I rode a solar powered merry-go-round sponsored by GE at South by Southwest in March. And to kick off my 2011 conference going, ConAgra sent Blissdom attendees packages to their home both before and after the conference. Can anyone say Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn? Mmmmm!

For many brands, just getting on the expo floor at a conference can cost a pretty penny, especially if they are operating on a limited budget. So, adding in the out of pocket cost to beat the competition can be tough. But, when a brand has a good idea and when a blogger adds her own creativity to the mix, it can mean all the difference in helping a sponsorship go from good to great (in terms of awareness) and sometimes, for less upfront investment. And such was the case with MILK at BlogHer in San Diego.

I already love milk and met the Milk team at Mom 2.0 this past April. So, when they approached me and asked to sponsor me to BlogHer, the decision was a no brainer. But then I found out that the campaign they were promoting was called Thanks a Latte, which is a super cute name and a really fun campaign (check it out on Milk Mustache Campaign’s Facebook page). However, I am not a coffee or a latte drinker. I take my milk plain, thank you very much. They said that was OK and that drinking milk at the conference was not a requirement (I did it anyway!).

Check out this fun video @TroyPattee and I took at their booth. We’ll win a trip to New York City if you vote for us (It’s my favorite city! No pressure!).

You see, Heidi had road tripped to BlogHer from New York to San Diego with her family. While at BlogHer, she met Flat Harrison in the #gotmilk booth—a life-sized cut out of Harrison Ford with a milk mustache. Troy and I met him too and had a lovely interaction as you can see below.

But Heidi had a better idea. Why leave Harrison in San Diego? Wouldn’t he get lonely? And why leave him there when he could join her family’s road trip to New York?

So, in the most awesome Flat Stanley way, she packed him up and took him with her and her family cross country, visiting corn fields and landmarks along the way. You can see all the fun pictures on her blog. The one with him in wine country with her little boy holding up a carton of milk makes me laugh every time.

So, what is the “it” that makes a brand stand out? What gets your attention? Is it the larger-than-life exhibits, the creative campaigns, the delicious food, the fun events, nice agency and brand representatives, the swag? Probably a little of all or something in particular for each brand. For #gotmilk, it was a mixture of being in the right place, having the right props, and having the right blogger on their team. I’ve heard people talking about it all month.

What have been some of your favorite conference sponsors and why?

I’ve seen lots of negative posts about social media conferences in regards to schwag. My take? I love schwag. Last year at BlogHer, I discovered the Bounce Dryer Bar, tested it out, and got rid of dryer sheets forever. At Blissdom, I enjoyed Kraft Bagel-fuls, which my kids now regularly enjoy for breakfast when I need to get them out the door in a hurry. And, at Mom 2.0, I learned that my love of pasta didn’t end with linguini and spaghetti-type noodles after enjoying a fabulous lunch and dinner by Barrilla. Mmmmm!

Do you notice a theme here? I find that the schwag that delights me the most is typically delicious.

Top 10 Most Delicious Schwag

The 10 items I’ve received from social media conferences that, to me, are most delicious, include:

1. Quaker’s True Delights Multigrain Fiber Crisps in Wild Blueberry Flavor. I got a couple of bags in my evo’10 Conference welcome bag and I’ve been buying and eating them ever since. The oatmeal bar they sponsored wasn’t too shabby either! Mmmmm!

2. Dove’s Fresh Revive Body Wash. I know! It’s body wash! You may be wondering how soap qualifies as delicious. Well, it does when it comes in four amazing scents. My favorite? Pomegranate with lemon verbena (with deodorant to match, I might add). Mmmmm! Thanks to Unilever for hosting one of the most amazing, and wonderfully scented, parties at BlogHer’10 and for sending me home with a bottle of body wash.

3. Barrilla’s pasta. I’m not gonna lie to you. I only learned how to like pasta a few years ago. And, I pretty much stick to the skinny stuff. You know, angel hair, spaghetti, linguini. But, not any more. The Barrilla-sponsored lunch and dinner at Mom 2.0 opened my eyes to how good pasta can be. Three cheese tortellini with two amazing sauces. I went back for 3rds. You heard me right! And I wasn’t alone. That stuff was addictive!

4. Kraft Bagel-fuls. I love having simple, but healthy meals that are perfect for busy families on the go. My kids are big fans of toast and jam in the morning. But sometimes, it’s much easier to throw a Bagel-ful in the microwave. It’s also a lot less messy, especially on the odd days when the kids end up eating in the car as we rush to school. I loved discovering them for breakfast at Blissdom 2010.

5. Bounce Dryer Bars. I know! Another stretch in the delicious category, but seriously… have you tried a Bounce Dryer Bar? I about hugged the guy that introduced me to this at last year’s BlogHer expo. I put it in my dryer right when I got home and we haven’t used dryer sheets since. I hated finding the sheets in my clothes, so this is a delicious solution and works awesome!

6. 1-800-FLOWERS gift card. Social Luxe Lounge is a favorite BlogHer party of mine. Is it because, Allison, Jane, and Marie are a terrific trio of hostesses? Absolutely! But, it is also because they offer awesome schwag. Who doesn’t want to send their friends flowers?

7. Sweet Tooth Fairy Cupcakes. If you haven’t tried them, click here and order some. This gal knows a thing or two about cupcakes. The attendees of the evo’10 Conference enjoyed them twice: once at the PBS Kids Sweet Suite and again for dessert at the Bush’s Beans Closing Party at the Park City Mountain Resort. They are ridiculously scrumptious!

8. Febreze air fresheners. What’s more delicious than a scented room? Febreze treated me twice this summer—once at evo’10 Conference and again at BlogHer’10. My house smells glorious because of it!

9. Skull Candy head phones. I also got a double dose of head phones—first at evo’10 Conference and then again at the Social Luxe Lounge party. Talk about the sweetest kind of candy! I love their delicious designs.

10. Food! I know this, technically, isn’t schwag, but I adore brands that in addition to giving you great gear, also provide you with fabulous food. There’s nothing like connecting with friends over a little yumminess.

Who ranks up there on the most-awesome-party-food list? Hallmark with its to-die-for veggie tray; HP, which makes me say Mmmmm! just thinking about the dessert!; Lowe’s: Cheese with honey anyone? I could have died and gone to heaven right then and there; Soy Joy and the brunch buffets of all brunch buffets; Unilever… and their amazing water, scented to match the scents of the body wash. Have you tried water with grapefruit? Delicious defined!; and last but not least, Nate Berkus… he alone is delicious, but I ate more than my fair share of finger food at his cocktail party. Mmmm! And this was just food from the offsite parties at BlogHer”10.

This list doesn’t begin to touch on the delicious toys, games, other personal care products and food, etc. that I’ve been able to test and enjoy as a result of the many brands’ generosity that make all of these events possible.

Are you heading to a social media conference this fall? Been to one recently? What schwag is most delicious to you?

I was so excited to repeat the fun experience that I bought my BlogHer 2011 ticket early. But we all know that tickets sold out fast and not everyone was able to get a full-access pass.

And that’s where this fun giveaway from Time to Play comes in!

(Picture from the Sparkle Corn party, including Allison Czarnecki, Michelle Lamar, me, Barbara Jones, Marie LeBaron, and Ciaran Blumenfeld.)

The Prize

Time to Play is offering one lucky winner the chance to experience BlogHer in New York City this year. Just follow the entry requirements below and you’ll be entered for a chance to win one full-access pass to BlogHer 2010.

Entry Requirements

For a chance to enter and win, please complete the following three requirements and leave a separate comment for each:

1. Follow @timetoplay on Twitter.
2. Visit the Time to Play blog and leave a comment on this post, sharing the post you most enjoyed.
3. Tweet the following:

• ENDS 2NITE! Enter 2 win a full-access pass 2 #BlogHer from @timetoplay on @momitforward! http://bit.ly/c9MO66 #gno #BlogHer10 PLS RT
• Can’t wait to chat back to school w/@timetoplay 2NITE @ #gno Twitter party (9-11 ET): http://bit.ly/aQEOaU PLS RT

Extra Entries

The following five entries are completely optional and will earn you one extra entry per item for this giveaway. Leave a separate comment on this post for each completed entry.

1. Follow @jimsilver and @thetoyguy on Twitter.
2. Follow @momitforward on Twitter.
3. Follow Mom It Forward on Facebook at http://facebook.com/momitforward.
4. Become a Friend of Mom It Forward’s Google Friend Connect (see box in right sidebar).
5. Subscribe to the Mom It Forward RSS feed (click on orange heart at the bottom left on the homepage).

Terms and Conditions

No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway ends on at 10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 27 2010. The winner will be announced during the #gno Twitter party. See all terms and conditions here.

Almost as fun as attending parties is my love of planning them. So, what would BlogHer party central be for me without being on an organizing committee?

BowlHer ’09

In partnership with Collective Bias and One2One Network, I am organizing a party that takes me back to summers in the 80s spent with my cousins watching Grease 2. Sing it with me: “Let’s Bowl! Let’s Bowl! Let’s Rock and Roll!” Come on, tell me you loved it too! And you guessed it, the great news is: You’re all invited!

Whether you’ll be in Chicago or not, you’re invited, because this party is the first-ever interactive BlogHer party. We’ll be partying live in Chicago, partying at locations from Connecticut to Seattle and several places in between. We’ll be streaming and on the radio. And, as if we’d forget, we’ll be tweeting all night long! Here’s where you can go to get all the latest details:

• Check out the BowlHer party details here: http://bowlher.com.
• Join the BowlHer Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/bowlher.
• Follow @BowlHer on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/bowlher.
• Stream live with us here: http://momtv.com/bowlher09.html.
• Listen on Blog Talk Radio here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BowlHer.
• RSVP for the Chicago party here: http://bowlher.eventbrite.com.
• RSVP for the Connecticut party here: http://bowlherct.eventbrite.com.
• RSVP for the Denver party here: http://bowlherdenver.eventbrite.com.
• RSVP for the Salt Lake City party here: http://bowlherslc.eventbrite.com.
• RSVP for the Seattle party here: http://blogherseattle.eventbrite.com.
• RSVP for the St. Louis party here: http://swirl.eventbrite.com.

Lifetime’s “Project Runway” Design Challenge

This event isn’t just about strikes and gutterballs; it’s also about showing off your fashion sense in Lifetime’s “Project Runway” design challenge. As you plan your wardrobe for Chicago, pack something that’s bowling-chic. Or put together an old-school glamorous look like the stars of yesteryear who bowled at Hollywood Star Lanes. Whichever style you choose, this is your chance to pose for the “paparazzi.”

The two who make it work the best can each win a fabulous trip to a private “Project Runway” Party in NYC this September.* See you on the red carpet at 7:30 at Lucky Strike Lanes located at 322 E. Illinois St. Chicago , IL 60611

The Other Parties

If you haven’t already checked out the Kirtsy Alertsy to see all the other super soirees, click here for a one-stop shop for BlogHer party central. And, if you don’t want to siesta during an awesome fiesta, print this party planner and take it with you to BlogHer.

Whether you’ll be going to BlogHer or not, Join #GNO this Tuesday where experts from Lifetime TV and Twitter fashionistas will share their best tips for style success and fashion faux pas in 140 characters or less.

• What: Girl’s Night Out (What’s GNO? Click to find out!)
• When: Tuesday, July 21, 9-11 p.m. EDT
• Where: Party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtag #gno.)
  
• Topic: Fashion!
  
• Who: @audreymcclellan, @bowlher, @erikalehmann, @fashiongrail, @lifetimetv
• Party Favors: Remember to check out this week’s giveaway sponsored by Lifetime.
• RSVP: Enter your twitter URL/ID in the list below (e.g., http://twitter.com/jylmomIF).

Mr. Linky not showing up? Go ahead and leave your Twitter URL in the comments. This offers #gno gals the opportunity to follow and be followed all in one place!

Also, make sure to check out the details for the BlogHer party that is sure to be a ball: BowlHer ’09!

Entry Requirements

To enter, you are required to do two things:

1. Leave a comment, including your e-mail address.
2. Post these messages on Facebook and on Twitter:
   

   Going 2 @BlogHer in Chicago? RSVP 4 @BowlHer ’09 party—Sat 7/25, 8 pm @ http://bowlher.com. PLS RT

   Enter to Win @lifetimetv’s Summer GIVEAWAY Sweepstakes @ http://bit.ly/LcXKd PLS RT

Extra Entries

Take advantage of all the many fun ways to earn extra entries this week. Leave an additional comment for each.

• Join the BowlHer ’09 Facebook Fan Page!
• Subscribe to the Mom It Forward Newsletter.
• Join the Mom It Forward Friend Connect (in right sidebar).
• Join the Mom It Forward Flickr Group.
• Join the Mom It Forward Facebook Group!
• Click here to join the Mom It Forward Facebook Page. (This is different than the group!)
• Request an Invite to the Mom It Forward Linkedin Group.
• Take the Summer of Service Challenge this week and comment on that post.

The Fine Print

• What: Girl’s Night Out (What’s GNO? Click here to find out!)
• When: Tuesday, July 14, 9-11 p.m. EDT
• Where: Party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtag #gno.)
  
• Topic: Simple Summer Meals
  
• Who: @bowlher @citymama @mombloggersclub @erikalehmann @plussizemommy @rachelferrucci @scrappinmichele @thinkmaya
• Party Favors: Remember to check out this week’s giveaway sponsored by Campbell’s.
• RSVP: Enter your twitter URL/ID in the list below (e.g., http://twitter.com/jylmomIF).

The Prize

One lucky winner from this site will be selected to win a Campbell’s gift package, including the following:

• A FLIP camera
• Campbell’s Cooking Companion Cook Book
• Thermos
• Green Bean Casserole Dish
• Campbell’s Products

Entry Requirements

To enter to win, you are required to do the following three things:

1. Leave a comment on this post, including your e-mail address.
2. Join the BowlHer ’09 Facebook Fan Page!
3. Post one of these messages on your Facebook wall or on Twitter:
   

   Going 2 @BlogHer in Chicago? RSVP 4 @BowlHer ’09 party—Sat 7/25, 8 pm @ http://bowlher.com. PLS RT

   GIVEAWAY! Win a Campbell’s gift basket, including FLIP camera http://bit.ly/IF6ov PLS RT

Leave an additional comment for each of these extra entries (for a total of five extra entries):

• Join the Mom It Forward Friend Connect (in right sidebar).
• Join the Mom It Forward Flickr Group.
• Join the Mom It Forward Facebook Group!
• Click here to join the Mom It Forward Facebook Page. (This is different than the group!)
• Take the Summer of Service Challenge this week and comment on that post.

The Fine Print
No purchase necessary to enter. Winners will be selected randomly through http://random.org. Collective Bias and Campbell’s employees and Mom It Forward employees are ineligible to participate. All entries received after Sunday, July 19 at midnight PDT will not be considered. Entries that do not follow all of the entry requirements will not be considered.