My Everything Else, an Interview with Nicole C.
Tell us about yourself, your family, and your site:
My name is Nicole Carpenter. I’m the mom to four little kiddos, including a set of identical twins. I’ve been married to my wonderful husband for 10 years. I own my own communication consulting company and try and squeeze in clients between kids, blogging, and everything else. My blog MyEverythingElse.com was just redesigned. It was formerly known as TwinsfortheShow.com and started when I was pregnant with the twins in 2010.
I am so excited to celebrate my new blog design with a Launch Party, the entire month of January 2012, complete with giveaways! So, please come on over and visit.
With four kids, how do you balance your time between being a mother and getting your own work done? What advice can you give to other moms who are also balancing motherhood and working?
I have my 16-month-old twin boys on the same schedule-thankfully. I rely on nap time! Right now they take two naps a day. They go to sleep and I go to work! I’m really nervous about how I’ll handle it when they drop to one nap a day.
In a pinch, I also wake up early or stay up late. However, at least one (if not more) of my four kids is usually up in the middle of the night so I’m still looking forward to sleeping regularly.
You have some kids’ party pictures on your site, but you’ve taken party planning to the next step and have incorporated it into your business. What party planning tips can you offer other moms?
Well, I’m still in the process of a party division through my company. But, I do have a few party planning tips.
- 1. Pick a color scheme. Pick two or three colors that coordinate with your theme and focus on theme.
- 2. Mix and match party paper goods. Save money, don’t buy expensive ‘themed’ party goods. Instead mix and match solid color napkins with plates or cups. Or just use a “themed” napkin as an accent.
- 3. Individual servings. I stopped serving sheet cakes at my children’s birthday parties. Cupcakes are just much easier. I also serve ice cream in single serving, individual cups. You can buy them in the freezer section with the ice cream.
What are some of the things you like to blog about on your site? Where else can we find your writing on the internet?
In the beginning, my blogging focused just on the twins and our family adjusting to the twins. However, I realized I wanted to blog about so much more! Things like parties and crafts and funny things the kids, even the older kids, do. I also have a giveaway here and there. (In January, we are hosting our new blog “open house” and I have some really fun giveaways lined up!).
I’m also a writer. I have a “mommy column” in my local newspaper and several articles on KSL.com in their “Motherhood Matters” section.
What are some of the ways in which your family tries to save money?
My husband and I stick to a budget. We have money in the budget for fun things like date night but knowing you’re accountable at the end of the month to each other really helps.
I also never pay full price for anything! I don’t clip many coupons but I watch sales like a hawk. A Buy One Get One sale is particularly helpful when you have two babies to clothe. I also go crazy for a really good clearance rack.
Contact Information:
Sites: www.MyEverythingElse.com , www.SidewalkCommunications.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/TwinsfortheShow
Twitter: @NicsEverything
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