Why DisneySMMC is More Meaningful to Me and My Family this Time Around

Inside Yacht and Beach Club Convention Center 

The Disney Social Media Moms Conference is perhaps the most coveted conference available to bloggers out there. It is by-invite only and limited, making the conference a very exclusive event. To be invited is almost an achievement all on its own. And rightly so. It's an invite by Disney itself afterall. None can top that!

Disney Social Media Moms: The Magic Happens When You Keep Believing

Life sometimes have a way of teaching us a valuable lesson in the "Keep Believing" department. It's easier to give up on a dream when it seem like there is no possibility of it ever coming true. But in the famous words of Walt Disney himself, "When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable" and of course, "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." Which simply means, keep believing... Dreams do come true. And to the tune of Journey's Keep on Believing, here's my version of  keep believing to make you keep believing... Believing in that getting invited to Disney Social Media Moms Conference is really not that impossible - just, well, keep believing...or better yet, just sing it!

Here's the link to the music with original lyrics to sing along to: Keep Believing
Or the Karaoke Style without lyrics: Keep Believing

I'm not a small town girl
Not livin' in a lonely world
We took the morning drive goin' to Disneyworld
Just a New Yorker boy
Born and raised in Buffalo
We took the morning drive goin' to Disneyworld

The Fast Way to NOT Get Invited to the Disney Conference Inspired by Disney's Iconic Villains

Photo Disney world

And so the magic happened again. When the lovely Leanne Jakubowski O'Regan tweeted a "coded" tweet on a particular time of the year, everyone paid attention. You paid attention. Then your next move was to call on all the gods of Disney you may happen to know and fervently prayed that they'll bless you with a pixie dusted email. Beyond that point, you started to stalk your email. It was a feat to be patient. But you have no choice but to be. Afterall, there is only one Tinkerbell spreading all the pixie dusts. Also, navigating through the ethernet to make sure you get the magical invite does takes a bit of work. To the lucky ones, this is an auspicious time. A time for great celebration. It may even drive them bonkers with excitement, apprehension and delight.

I should know this. I've experienced this exhilarating emotions 3 times. It's the happiest kind of bonkers you'll ever feel.

However, there's always that flip side to every happy event. The Yang to the Yin. The dark side to the light. The evil Darth Vader to Anakin Skywalker. You get the picture. It simply brings the wickedness in others and all the crazies seem to come out of the woodwork all at once. The unlucky ones.

If you're vying (or dying) to get invited to the most coveted Disney conference, here's a nugget of wisdom for you. Don't be a sourpuss! 

Magical Moments at Disney On The Road in Charlotte

Disney on the Road Charlotte

Experiencing Disney in any shape or form, no matter where you are, always seem to bring the same result: Excitement and thrill! That unmistakable reaction which Disney is known to stir from within even on non-Disney fans. The magic is just contagious! Undoubtedly, the same atmosphere experienced during Disney on the Road when it came to Charlotte! It brought women and men from all walks of life who shared one thing in common, social media, together in one Disney-inspired setting! It was a melting pot of influence, smartness and entrepreneurial prowess!

Disney Social Media Moms On The Road Celebration Coming to Charlotte!

This Friday, September 14th, there's bound to be a generous sprinkles of Pixie dusts and magic in the air as Disney takes its enchanting kingdom ON THE ROAD to Charlotte! With the exclusive and most coveted Disney Social Media Mom Conference not being able to accommodate everyone who wants to attend, taking it on the road, in the comfort of our own cities, is by far a brilliant idea. A way to reach out to more women influencers and highlighting those that makes a difference in the local community!

Hobnobbing Over Dinner with TWIN @TypeAParent

One of the perks I love about being a part of a community like TWIN is the opportunity to network and commune with other women in the blogging society. And not just any women I dare say! These women are huge "wowza!" Huge in great character and influence - Shhh...what I really wanted to say were that these women are oozing with bodaciousness, bootyliciousness and beautifulness - I'm almost jealous! But of course, you won't hear me saying that in here. Are you nuts?

Mom Market @TypeAParent made my heart Warm and Fuzzy

I will be honest with you. I was soooo nervous at the thought of doing the Mom Market at Type A Parent Conference last week. When I got the email from Megan (@SweetSadieMarie) telling me I was approved to take part in the Mom Market, I was like "Whaaattt??? Me??? I got in???" I got all excited and scared, in a good way, at the same time... if that was even possible. I've never done the Mom Market before...

Back to Life...Back to Reality

Cuddling with a sheep doesn't help

I woke up at 7:30AM, again, this morning and I was so annoyed at myself. I mean seriously, me waking up at 7:30AM? "C'mon Maricris, you don't wake up this early. What is wrong with you?!" See these are one of those moments when I get so annoyed I start acting like a weirdo schizophrenic pyscho arguing with myself while trying to go back to sleep! You know what I'm saying, right?

See you at Mom Market @TypeAParent

Night scene at Uptown Charlotte's Center City

Type A Parent conference officially starts today and it's in my "backyard" this year! So thrilled that it is! It's close by which gives me the opportunity to go home and sleep in the comfort of my own bed at the end of the day - true translation: "It's saving me serious big bucks! Although being in Asheville right now doesn't sound so bad either as I think about uptown traffic especially in the morning... Gah! The dreaded morning and afternoon commute!

DisneySMMoms 2012: Royalty, Strollers, Marketing And Pizza!

with @Maritramos inside Disney Social Media Moms Conference Hall

Did the mention of Pizza in my title made you just a tad hungry? Well, you should be! This pizza has been a big hit at this year's conference, everyone just couldn't get enough of it or him, for that matter, it was almost insane! In a good way, of course. Yes, it's needless to say that this years' conference is definitely an interesting mix! One that made the conference a little more, let's just say, unforgettable!

Toyota Sienna 2012 Went To Disney To Meet Mickey

Toyota Sienna 2012 at Disney!

Yes, I sure gave this fully-loaded Toyota Sienna 2012 a ride of its life by taking it to Disney with me! And I, on the other hand, had a fun and smooth ride in return, WIN! This is the second time I've ridden a fully-loaded Sienna and each time I fall more in love with it. There is just a lot about it that's, well, lovable!

On The Go! 5 Make Up That Works

BEFORE
Mickey Ears and Tiaras! 

I'm at a conference for social media savvy fairies right now and timing is crucial - you know the drill. You stay up late and wake up early the next day. No time to dilly-dally! Just like the Fairy Godmother would say. You have to keep up with the schedule or you'll have Mickey crackin' the whip on you! Now that would hurt. Ooh did I just hear you mumble Fifty shades of Grey. Oh you naughty! But nope we're not going there. We're going to talk about how to spiffy up and lookin' pretty in no time. You'd like that, won't you? Kinda like a quickie for make-up! Yes I did just say, quickie. Because it is!

Where is Zensible Mama?

If you're seeing this and staring right at my shirt in the picture, then I'm most likely on the road en route to the happiest place on earth where Pixie dusts abounds and Mickey Ears are known to be hidden! Or I'm already there and thrilled like a little girl at the adventures that lies in store for moi'! Yep, Zensible Mama and her traveling ZCrew is yet on another road trip and is looking forward to tons of fun and adventure in the next few days ahead of them. As for me, I'm going to take this magical journey as a mini-me-cation so if you don't hear from me soon enough, just imagine me on a long, extended date with Mickey! Or lost in Peter Pan's world and definitely needs no rescuing! So, see you later alligator...

Countdown to Disney World - Packing the 10 Must-Haves!

In a few days, I will be bathe in Pixie Dusts and surrounded by Prince and Princesses and tons of Mickey Ears and though I'm excited out of my wits, first things first! I need to pack. Do you have any idea what to pack for an exciting trip like these? Well, if you don't, I've got some great ideas to help you survive your trek in the land of Magique!

On-The-Road Experience With The Toyota Sienna 2012

The next Swagger Wagon Family with the Toyota Sienna 2012 basking in the warmth of  the Florida heat!

Travel have been a huge part of my family at the very start of the year and some of these travels we opt to drive like at our recent road trip to Florida where we went to Fort Lauderdale for She Streams conference where I was a speaker and then a short stop to Kissimmee where I was on assignment for Visit Kissimmee and mini-vacation all rolled into one. Now, road trips are not new to us but the Toyota Sienna is. And mind you! Not just any Sienna, this is a fully-loaded Sienna! This is why we were quite overjoyed to have the van to our perusal on this trip! And I tell you, it didn't take long to feel like we were the new Swagger Wagon family!

Travel Docu-Series She Streams Edition

Sunset in Fort Lauderdale - A view from my room!

As promised, here is the second part of the mini-travel video docu-series I put together for AT&T that documented our road trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for She Streams Conference and the conference itself. Watch the video and see if you can identify some familiar faces!

Road Trip Docu-Series Made Possible by AT&T - Part 1

Zensible Mama and Geek Papa on a road trip adventure
documented and connected by AT&T

As a frequent traveler, being on the road and maintaining a seamless connection to keep up with your virtual world can sometimes become a daunting task, add annoying, when internet connection is either flaky or non-existent! During my recent travel to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for She Streams Conference, AT&T took the challenge by arming me with a smartphone and providing me it's 4G power to help me document our road trip experience so we can share it to the world, our family and friends IN REAL TIME!

Rite of Passage at SheStreams

My speaker badge at She Streams 2012 Fort Lauderdale, FL

If you were me, rite of passage would most certainly have been what I experienced at the recent SheStreams conference at Fort Lauderdale in Florida. During the Power Moms session where I was one of the speaker, one blogger from the audience asked "How would you know when it's time to move up to the next level?". Though most of us were a little dumbfounded by the question, well seriously now, how one does really know?, it was indeed a very valid question.  I was appointed to answer the question when no one in my panel volunteered to answer and though I tried my best to answer, that lady's sentiment kind of resonated where I'm right now. How do I really know when it's time for me to move up to the next level? From an achieved blogger to a full-pledged speaker...

Another Year of Making Magical Memories At Disney Social Media Moms 2012

Glad to be seeing you again Mickey! - Zensible Mama in Disneyland

It's that time of the year. Disney Mania! If there is a conference that's highly anticipated by my family each year, it's the widely coveted Disney Social Media Moms at DisneyWorld in Orlando, Florida! And rightly so. Not only is it an exclusive, highly celebrated event, IT IS most importantly held inside the most magical place on earth and hosted by Disney itself! No wonder, it always seem like winning the Golden Ticket every time one gets invited or yet again re-invited each year. At that point, you're beyond blessed! That's how I look at it anyway. And yes, I'm blessed to be invited again this year! I'm ecstatic. My family is ecstatic. I'm sure you can't fault us for that, can you?

Road Trip to SheStreams Powered by AT&T 4G LTE

Traveling has always been a part of my being and without it, it's just not me. It is a bug that I have successfully passed on to my family. Not that they are complaining, they actually love it as much as I do. And so, just barely settled back from my recent trip to California, here I'm gearing up for yet another trip of many! This time a road trip with my family to Fort Lauderdale in Florida for SheStreams '12 Conference! The exciting thing about it? I get to document the fun and adventures (maybe even a bit of misadventures) during our drive and the rest of my time at the conference, all in real time! Thanks to AT&T and the power of 4G LTE!