'Tis the Season to Shop with a Conscience

Share: december 2013 Dear ,Thanks for being a part of the another jennifer community. My passions are writing and philanthropy, so each month I share a writing tip, a simple way to give back and the best of the blog from the previous month. Since you can't comment on a newsletter, please feel free to email me with any questions, suggestions, or writing/giving tips of your own (I'll credit you, of course). I love to collaborate! If you have a mom on your holiday shopping list, I have some deals and giveaways to share with you:The Mother of All Meltdowns , the book I co-authored, is now on sale now for Kindle and Nook. You can download it for just $0.99!We have an EXCLUSIVE OFFER for our followers who prefer the print version (much prettier, if you ask me). Get 50% off by ordering through our CreateSpace store. Enter your title access password: moam123 and use coupon code 75N5ZSBR when you order!We also have weekly giveaways going on until Christmas. Subscribe to our blog (just enter your email address where it says Connect with us!) and enter to win a free copy of the book or your very own Cocktail Party on Christmas Day! Winners will be chosen at random on Wednesdays (December 4 - 25). Thank you to all who have already downloaded or ordered a print copy. Your support means the world to me! a writing tip This week's writing tip was submitted by Norine Dworkin-McDaniel creator of Science Of Parenthood and fellow contributing author of The Mother Of All Meltdowns My favorite (writing tip) is to have pen, paper or the notepad on my iPhone and my data recorder on my iPhone with me always. Ideas never come at convenient times so I make sure to have something to take down the idea when it comes, even if it's the middle of the night or I'm driving. (I don't text and drive, not to worry!) But I've learned that I'll never remember it in the morning or when I get home, so I force myself to wake up and get out of bed and get it on paper if an idea hits me in the middle of the night. And to pull over to write something down if I'm driving. When inspiration strikes, you gotta be ready. So I make like a Girl Scout and I'm always prepared. a simple way to give back I recently had the opportunity to write an article for one of my favorite websites, GOOD.is. GOOD is "a global community, of, by, and for pragmatic idealists working towards individual and collective progress." In the article, I shared 5 simple ways I'm shopping with a conscience this holiday. This month, I challenge you to really think about your holiday shopping and find ways to give meaningful gifts. Shopping local, buying fair trade, considering your gift's carbon footprint, looking for gifts that give back and giving experiences instead of things is easier than you think and can create lasting memories.  best of the blog: november 2013 Here are my top 10 posts for the month of November, in order of oldest to newest.Philanthropy Friday: Sevenly  See how Sevenly founders are leading a generation toward generosity. My Halloween Mistake (or Million Dollar Idea?) You be the judge. Will the Candy Monster be the next elf? Get Minted and Support Indie Design The Minted manifesto had me hooked.Philanthropy Friday: Finding Solace with Roxie Because even dogs can give back.My Author's QandA on Crazy Meets Exhaustion The vlog where I answer some hilarious questions about The Mother of All Meltdowns. Reframing Philanthropy + Gearing Up for World Toilet Day This post includes my Medium article on reframing philanthropy and a hilarious video with a singing toilet. You're welcome. Wordless Wednesday: Good Day Maine I was interviewed on the Good Day Maine morning television show and all I got was this photo. Philanthropy Friday: Feeding Our Kids 7 Days a Week G and I volunteered for our local backpack program so his peers can have enough food over the weekend.Philanthropy Friday: Gifts That Give Back Guide 2013 You can feel good about shopping from this list. (And feel free to add to it!)The Beginning of the End of AIDS + Buying (RED) on World AIDS Day December 1 was the 25th World AIDS Day. Read about how far we've come and how you can support the end of AIDS.Don't want to miss a post? Get blog posts delivered directly to your inbox Happy Writing!Jennifer Barbourchief engagement officer another jennifer blog + writing lab