I'm a full-time mummy

I received a pitch about this book and decided to request for a review copy. Being a SAHM doesn't mean I won't have chance or opportunity (in future?) to run my own business, plus I'm helping my hubby in the admin side of his business, so I thought I'd give this book a try and see what's in it for us. So here goes my review for the "The Barefoot Executive " book:

Title: The Barefoot Executive: The Ultimate Guide for Being Your Own Boss and Achieving Financial Freedom
Author: Carrie Wilkerson
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 23, 2011)
ISBN-13/-10: 978-1595553690 / 159555369X 
Paperback:  256 pages
Dimension:  9.1 x 5.8 x 1 inches

Description from the product page:
"For the person who longs to run their business from home, author and highly successful entrepreneur Carrie Wilkerson says it is possible (she doesn't just say it though, she shows you how). In her new book, The Barefoot Executive, Carrie helps readers of all types understand the necessary ingredients in starting and running a lucrative home-based business. You’ll learn how to reclaim your time, determine your income, and change your lifestyle-all while keeping personal priorities intact.

Successful at running her own seven-figure business from home and being an active speaker on the subject, Carrie demonstrates business models with tables and charts in an easy-to-understand format. Chapters within the book include such subjects as finding a target markets, developing marketing strategies, and brand development. Especially important are the common pitfalls listed to avoid in starting a business from home.

The Barefoot Executive offers the opportunity to live life on your terms with the financial freedom to do it. Want to start your workday with e-mail and coffee on the back patio? Want the flexibility of joining your fourth grader on an all-day field trip? Are you ready to take that vacation you’ve been planning for years? Then you have a choice to make, and The Barefoot Executive will help jumpstart your transition.

You’ll learn:
    * Your “why.” The most important question. Why do you want to work for yourself?
    * What type of business best suits your experience and talents.
    * How to stay focused on your goal and avoid distractions.
    * Where to find the support that will accelerate your success.
    * How to link your business to the right market.

Whether it’s a service, a product, or your insight or expertise, you already have the raw materials necessary to transform your life. Carrie will walk you through the process of building the business you need to achieve the life you want. Her guidance is practical. No philosophical silliness, no theoretical abstractions—just concrete action steps alongside insights from fellow entrepreneurs, interactive exercises, and links to Carrie’s online video coaching segments. It’s the next best thing to working one-on-one with her. The Barefoot Executive will have you energized by the possibilities and embracing the extraordinary life that is well within your reach. "

I like the statement on one of the intro pages where it says "Get passionate about getting to the place of profitability."

I find the first chapter itself inspiring as it is an eye opener on the myths about being successful in starting your own business. There are quite a number of inspiring quotes to be found in this book such as:

"Winners compare their achievements with their goals, while losers compare their achievements with those of other people.
—Nido Qubein"

The point to be taken into consideration is never to compare ourself with others. You may find others achieving success easily but the important thing is not to use that as an excuse or discouragement but more to use it as a push to move on, move forward in order to be successful ourself.

Under chapter 2, we find the 3 common mistakes that people make when starting their own business. These 3 mistakes are  further explained in their own subchapters.

I like the way this book presents some real life example in the form of "Barefoot Case Study" - shows to us how other individuals face their own challenges and overcome them.

The rest of the chapters are quite informational as it touches on the topics of the methids to apply, on what type of models should your business be based on, and venturing into the marketplace.

You can get this book from Amazon or http://barefootexecutivebook.com/.

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with a PDF copy of the book by Living Your Moment in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous book reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My Book Reviews"

My cheeky son, Benjamin turned 3 years old today!

Two years old stage is not really a terrible two, sure, we have experienced the ups and downs, the laughters, the crying, the pampering, the hugging, the cuddling, the scolding, the time-out-ing, but it all makes up a wonderful parenting journey!

What are the memorable events that happened to my cheeky boy within these 3 years?

• Still on breastfeeding once a day before bedtime (at least he's still sharing mummy;s breasts with his baby sister!)
  
• Potty training (pee and poop) at home: SUCCESS!

Of course there are a lot of other things to be mentioned but the above 2 are what I'm especially proud of!

I'm gonna play cheat a little bit here and recycle some stuff I wrote back when he turned 2 years old. Some of the pictures are linked to some of my blog posts, so feel free to click on it to read more (and see more pictures!). Here goes:

Ben looking around...	Ben started gurgling and making cute sounds...
Ben started giving us cute faces...	Ben's 1st visit to his pediatrician...
Ben pondering about his future?	One in a million shot of Ben's 1st sit on his own!
Ben pulled me over and gave me a kiss!	Ben's surprise look as I snapped this shot!
Ben enjoying live music...	Ben signalling to daddy 'no, no, no'!
Ben showing mummy how he brushes his teeth...	Ben showing us how old he is...
Ben with his cute teeth!	Ben, careful not to reveal too much...
Ben enjoying his float...	Ben's 1st solo walk in the park...
Ben having fun weighing himself...	Ben started his Sunday school!
Ben gazing up at me as I breastfed him...	Ben tasting the oil pastels...
Ben's 1st banana leaf rice meal!	Ben loves stickers!
Ben's 1st tantrum at Toys'R Us...	Bubble Head? Ben playing with his bubble gun!
25 months old   Ben fixing his ride-on car & laughing...	26 months old Ben relaxing on the beach...
27 months old Ben's first coconut drink!	28 months old Ben helping daddy to wash car!
29 months old Ben decided to revamp our bedroom...	30 months old And created a motorbike out of our pillows!
31 months old I just love my boy!	32 months old Ben is into light saber...
33 months old Getting harder to snap his picture!	34 months old I hope he holds my hand when I'm old...
35 months old Ben still looking cute when crying...	Ben at 3 years old!

Happy 3rd birthday to you handsome man!

Mummy, daddy and baby Alyson loves you awfully so so so much!

Read: Read: Psalm 112:1-2 (NIV), Psalm 127:3 (NIV), Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

I stumbled upon a pitch by Icecreamfairy looking for bloggers to review their products and I immediately emailed to ask whether they are OK with international bloggers, and my oh my, they are happy to provide me with the products of my choice from their website for my review!

Although their products are only being sold in Korea both online and offline at the moment, but they will be available in US in the first half of 2012. So here goes my review for the products by Icecreamfairy:

Description of the products:

"California-based icecreamfairy develops superior-quality baby accessory products made with high-quality materials tailored towards trend-leading parents and the babies in style! 

Our baby accessories not only complete the style, but protect baby's neck, shoulder, head and spine, in the sun, during the nap, and various weather conditions in any mobile situations. icecreamfairy's premium materials prevent germs, odor and bacteria, and its ergonomic designs provide comfort and convenience while preventing head deformation and shaking baby syndrome. 

Enjoy icecreamfairy's hip, colorful, yet stylish products and give your little ones the best gift ever!"

I received a total of 3 products for my review, so I'll break them down by each product:

Seriously people, did you see the gorgeous packaging or not? I felt so reluctant to open them up and wanted to just leave the items inside, untouched so I could continue admiring them! Anyway, because I have promised to review items and promises must be fulfilled, so, here goes my feedback on the 1st item of this post: 

1) Frosty Boots in Pink Birdy

I requested for size 12cm for Alyson, just in case she suddenly you know, grow taller or something... anyway, rules in getting children's clothing, better get bigger size!

Now, the material is soft and fluffy, good to protect and keep her tiny little feet warm. It is easy to put on and it is elastic so it doesn't hold on to the ankle tightly.

Of course, we don't have winter season in Malaysia but I was thinking of the family outings we are going to have at Genting Highlands (one of the coldest place in Malaysia) and I think this cute little boots are going to do their job just fine!

2) Dreambow Latex Pillow in Pink Birdy

The Dreambow Latex pillow was originally designed as head support cushion in a mobile environment (stroller, car seat, etc) to prevent babies heads from shaking. Now, this is one cute pillow! The material is soft and yet sturdy for Alyson to rest her head on and she looks so comfortable lying there on the bed playing!

I like the ergonomic designs which are contoured to fit and support the head and neck nicely! Don't forget the latex material helps prevent germs, bacteria, mold and dust mites!

3) Nappy Pocket in Skyblue Daisy

Prior to this, I actually use 2 plastic bags, each storing 2 spare new diapers for Benjamin and Alyson.

I love the vibrant colors! Pink and blue, and I can squeeze up to 4 diapers with a bit more space to spare! I like that there is a flap at the back which I can put plastic bags and tissue papers in case I need to use them, perfect for short trip outside!

Love how convenient it is to stuff my kids' diapers in style now!

You can check out the collection of products at their website

Now, my sponsor has generously offered a Dreambow Latex for me to host as a giveaway to 1 lucky winner! Please note that this giveaway is only available for US residents. (Apologies to the rest, please don't get mad, OK?)

To enter the giveaway, kindly read and follow the instructions as stated in the Rafflecopter form below.

• You can enter either via login through your Facebook account OR just key in your name and your valid email address. 
• Please also leave your valid email address in the post comment so that I can contact you if you win this giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with the product by Icecreamfairy in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine.