Being a blogger opens up so many different avenues. From networking opportunities to possibilities of seeing the world through different eyes. Most of all, blogging has afforded me the opportunity to make friends and to both inspire and be inspired by words that create change. I am never uninspired by my friend Tameka of the blog Tea & Honey Bread. Her way with words, her beautiful art and jewelry - reminding me that I am never lost in the taupes, or alone as a loner.

As a blogger she has reached a milestone: 500+ blog spots and 200+ followers! To celebrate these awesome accomplishments, she is hosting a Reader Appreciation Giveaway over on her blog. You are gonna wanna check her out and enter her giveaway.

To find out more and enter, click --->here<---

I was over at Tea N Honey Bread today and learned all about a great take on Pay-it Forward, which is one of the greatest gestures of kindness ever. This random act is known as Craft-it-Forward, where you pay-it-forward through art. It doesn't take a lot to do or major artistic skill. We all are creative in our own ways and by crafting-it-forward you will get to showcase your creativity by making something homemade.

If you are ready to get crafty and share your art, here's all that you need to do...

• Be one of the first 5 people to leave a comment, then email me your name and address.
• Get something homemade just for you created by my hands.
• Blog all about how to Craft-it-Forward
• Then craft and share.

That's it... see, I told you it wasn't going to take a lot to do it. Just a little bit of creativity and kindness, which you already have! If you don't happen to make it in the first 5 and you still want to participate go right ahead. Blog about Craft-it-Forward and brighten someone's day.

The Dots & Blocks Personalized Lunchbox from Che'demi's Boutique, created by the wonderful LaTonya Yvette. I won this last month in one of Denene's giveaways. I am super excited that it has arrived and I know Miss J will be too when she gets to see it in a couple of hours. I wont have to ask what she'll be taking her snack in next week!

Another thank you to both LaTonya and Denene for their generosity and ability to spread happiness in their work. Hopefully I will be able to get pictures of Miss J toting her new box.

Samantha Gregory of Rich Single Momma is the author of this book and has just informed me that an autographed copy will be on its way to my house in a couple of days! As part of her monthly giveaways, she decided she would bless 1 lucky mother with her guide and inspiration. She was in such a giving mood that she chose to give away 2 more! I was one of the lucky 2. I am very excited because this will be the first "single mother" book in my library, and what single mother wouldn't want to collect as many secrets to success that she can? Which is why I will soon be purchasing a copy to add to UC Berkeley's Student Parent Center. An abundance of shared resources is like the ultimate in motherhood networking. We are always on a quest to find as much information and tactics as possible to lessen the stress of combining full time academia with full time parenting, of all kinds. I don't care what you've heard, being a student parent is just as challenging, if not a bit more, than being a working parent.

Anyhoo... I am looking forward to taking in Samantha's wisdom. She has an amazing story of struggle and triumpth. You should check her out, even if you aren't a single mother, she is a wonderful asset with her Side Hustle series.

Thanks again Samantha!

Last week, over at MyBrownBaby, I entered to win one of these adorable personalized lunchboxes from LaTonya Yvette's great Che' Demi's Boutique. To my surprise, I got a "you're a winner" email from Denene informing me that we can now retire Miss J's plain Jane lunch bag for one that will surely set her apart from all of her friends around the lunch table. I shared the news with her and she picked the one pictured above. It will be personalized with none other than a "J" =).

A great big thank you once again to both Denene for hosting the giveaway and to LaTonya for her generosity. Miss J will carry this lunchbox with pride and most importantly, in style!

In addition to checking out Che' Demi's line of personalized lunchboxes and other fabulous fashions and trinkets, you can also visit Che' Demi's Boutique Blog for LaTonya's weekly Sunday Piece of Cake.

Then pay Denene a visit and enter her latest giveaway.