4 Wordpress Plugins to Make Your Blog a Fast Mean Machine

Blogging Tips For the Fastest Blog on the Racecourse

Wordpress Plugins and FireFox Add-Ons

This blog is always a work-in-progress.  Since I switched to Wordpress, I’ve become plug-in happy – there are so many Wordpress plugins that can enhance a site’s performance.

If you’re thinking of starting a blog (or perhaps are already an established blogger) and may be wondering whether you should be using Blogger or Wordpress – Trisha and Kim from Top Mom Blogger offer a great explanation of the differences.

Should you make the decision to switch to Wordpress – be sure to sign up for the Wordpress Orientation Classes offered by Kelly McCausey.

I’d like to share a few plug-ins that I’ve recently added, that make my blog a smooth-running machine (usually.)

1) WordPress Gzip – This is a plugin that essentially compresses and zips the text on your pages.  If you’re familiar with Microsoft Word, I make use of the “shrink to fit” button quite often when I’m preparing documents.  It allows me to fit that last sentence or two onto one page.

Find at: GZIP

From the site:

I’ve found that letting WordPress gzip pages significantly improves performance, typically slashing the size of the text to a fourth. For my home page, that’s a 30% reduction of total page size—including images, ads, etc. A 30% reduction in bandwidth is nothing to sniff at.

2)  WP Super Cache saves your recently viewed pages, allowing them to be accessed more quickly by readers.  There’s also the ability for you to manually clear the cache, or to set functions as to when it should be cleared.

WP Super Cache is a static caching plugin for WordPress. It generates html files that are served directly by Apache without processing comparatively heavy PHP scripts. By using this plugin you will speed up your WordPress blog significantly.

Find at: WP Super Cache

3)  Link Cloaker – If you monetize your blog and have affiliate links of any type that aren’t cloaked, you may be losing out on affiliate commissions.  It’s happened to me in the past.   If you don’t cloak your links, they’ll show up in the URL whenever someone clicks over to your hop page.

This Wordpress plugin is an excellent add-on that not only cloaks your links, but tracks the click-throughs to see how each affiliate link is performing.

Find at: Link Cloaker

4) TTFTitles WordPress plugin enables me to have my own font listed on my post titles.  Right now, I’m using the Miama font, which matches the font on the header of Moomette’s Magnificents.

This plugin lets you use images to replace the titles of your posts, thus circumventing the problem of guessing what fonts your end-users might have installed.

Eve, from Designing With Eve clued me into this wp plug-in.  Eve, a fellow WAHM, has been designing websites since 1998 and has a degree in computer programming and design.   She recently opened up her new design services company and will be redesigning my recipe blog for me – Moomettesgram’s Favorite Recipes – so watch for my announcement when it’s up and running!  Be sure to check out Eve’s design porfolio!

Find at: TTFTitles

5)  WiseStamp – Lastly, this isn’t a Wordpress plugin tip – but be sure to check out the new Fire Fox browser addon that enables you to customize your email signature by adding your social networking buttons, such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIN and Friendfeed to it!

Hat Tip to: Blogging Basics 101

If you found these tips helpful, please let me know!  Happy Blogging!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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@Moomettes

Thanks for visiting! Comments are always appreciated! This blog is Do-Follow Links!

Custom T-Shirts for Women from VistaPrint: Get Ready for your next Fundraiser or Blog Conference!

Market Your Brand

One of the most common ways of introducing yourself to new clients is by distributing a business card.

Those who attend blogging or marketing conferences probably have received many such cards.  Even moms with children in daycare, preschool or playgroups hand out mommy cards!

My husband owns his own business and one of the ways he markets and rewards his customers is by distributing custom-printed t-shirts, caps and sweatshirts.

I have all my business cards printed at Vistaprint, and was delighted to find out that they now offer Custom-Printed T-Shirts for women!

What a fabulous way to market your brand and blog at conferences such as BlogHer10, tweet-ups or affiliate marketing conferences!

I received three custom printed ladies T-Shirts: a long sleeved one and two short-sleeved shirts.

Here I am wearing the long-sleeved version with my Moomette’s Magnificents logo.  (Cosmetic makeup and hair products were also previous reviews!)

Cindi - Moomette's Magnificents

Although my blogs may be very familiar to readers in the blogosphere, now I have a way to show off my Moomettesgram’s Favorite Recipes and Moomette’s Magnificents logos when I go to the grocery store, and possibly an opportunity to then hand out my business card!

All T-Shirts are:

• 100% preshrunk cotton T-Shirt

• Easy to design and order

• Available sizes are: S, M, L, XL and XXL

If you’re going to be in a bridal shower this wedding season, have some made up for the bridesmaids in the wedding party, or as a gift for the bride-to-be for her bachelorette party!

Order for your next PTO or sports team fundraiser!

To design your own Custom Printed T-Shirt visit: Vistaprint

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Blog Hop Time Again at Friday Follow

More Followers!

It’s the 4th Friday Follow Blog Hop going on!

Spread the word about Friday Follow by grabbing the button for your blog and come celebrate again every Friday.  Feel free to also send out a tweet, blog, stumble or share the news in your own special way!

On Fridays this meme is a great way to meet new friends and get more blog followers! Welcome to the second Follow Friday Celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades!   They invite you to join them every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.

• Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.
• Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. They will follow you back.
• Follow as many blogs as you’d like to have followers
• Comment on the blogs telling them you’re from Friday Follow
• Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

BlogHer10 Conference Pass Giveaway Coming Up!

2-Day Conference in New York City

Win A Ticket

Many of my readers know I was all excited about attending BlogHer10 in New York City this summer.

If you’re a current email subscriber to Moomette’s Magnificents – thank you; but if you aren’t yet – you must might want to subscribe NOW because I’ll be running an exciting contest in March!

But first things first.

If you’re a veteran blogger, you’re probably familiar with all the conferences that take place throughout the year in various parts of the country.

If you’re new to blogging, Blog Conferences are a great opportunity to meet fellow mom bloggers, affiliate marketing bloggers and bloggers from all walks of life.  Together they share information and bounce ideas off of each other.

BlogHer is open to anyone and everyone who considers themselves part of the blogosphere; BlogHer is particularly focused on highlighting the skills and talents of women who blog. All genders, ages, ethnicities, and levels of blogging experience are encouraged to attend! We promise there’s something for everyone.  (And in case you’re curious, about 10-15% of attendees are men.)

My friends Connie, from Brain Foggles; Heather from Beautiful British Columbia; Murray from Murray Newlands Marketing Blog; and Trisha from MomDot all are veteran conference attendees.  It’s thanks to friends like these who help me to improve on my blogging skills and techniques and enable me to meet new friends through social networking.

Do you think you’d like to attend some conferences, but need to get sponsored to attend? Read up on some of the following tips to help get sponsored.

Now that you’ve made it this far, I’ve saved the best for last.

Certain plans don’t always pan out, and this year’s BlogHer10 conference falls on my grandson Slugger’s birthday weekend this August.  I already bought my conference pass to BlogHer10, and will be hosting a Giveaway (a $298 value for the 2-day pass) to my readers who are email subscribers!

So watch for my upcoming Giveaway post Enter the contest HERE which will tell you the rules and sign up for my Newsletter!

For More Information Visit:  BlogHer10

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Pepsi Refresh Project: Giving Back to Community Projects

Help Make Communities Better

Pepsi can help make their – and your friends’ and families’ – ideas happen with the Pepsi Refresh Project.

Our family has always been pet-friendly.  We had a purebred Black Lab before the girls were born and as they were growing up.  Now I have a grand-dog, also a Black Labrador.

My own Lab was leash-trained, and didn’t roam freely, even in our own backyard.  The grand-dog, however, was trained off-leash, feels quite at ease responding to commands, and is quite social with other dogs and people.

Through combined efforts and donations, my town recently opened a dog park. Dog Parks are becoming more and more popular. Not only  are they fun for our dogs but , but are also a great place for humans to interact. They provide a place for dogs to run off leash and socialize with other dogs, as well as allowing for owners to socialize at the same time.

Unfortunately not all communities have Dog Parks available for our canine friends.

I’ve been asked to let you know that through the Pepsi Refresh Project, Pepsi will give away more than $20 million dollars to fund projects – both big and small – that help make communities better. The company invested significant resources, and opted not to advertise at the Superbowl this year, in order to support meaningful social engagement.

Through grass-roots community effort, our town has also upgraded a local playground to make it more handicapped accessible as well as added new lights for the football field at the high school.  Neighboring towns were able to build a skateboard park, and another one built new sports fields for youth lacrosse, baseball and football programs.

Pepsi wants to hear what needs they can help fulfill for you and your community.

Each month, you have the opportunity to submit a project in one of six categories:

• health
• arts & culture
• food & shelter
• the planet
• neighborhood
• education.

At the end of the month, Pepsi will post the top submissions on their website and let the public vote on who should win grants ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 (totaling up to $1.3 million dollars!)

Lauren Hebart, Mom and CMO of Sparking Brands at Pepsi was interviewed and states:

Why is Pepsi Refresh Unique?
The program is unique because it puts the power in the hands of the consumer. Individuals submit their ideas and then the nation votes on the idea that moves them the most. This is done in a very ground up way. Essentially, we’ve democratized the process.

As a Mom what types of lessons do you hope children learn by getting involved in community projects?
Parents want to instill good values in their children and encourage them to act on their ideas and beliefs. As a Mom myself, I’ve shared this program with other moms in my community and have found that it sparks a cord with everyone. I’ve also seen my own children get very excited about it. I think it just feels right to them

If you and your family have a fantastic idea for an improvement you’d like to see in your community, submit it for consideration for the March round of grants.

When I do drink soda, Pepsi is my beverage of choice.  You can connect with the Pepsi Refresh program via Twitter (@pepsi) or on Facebook

Vote for your favorite submissions for February’s grants at RefreshEverything.com

There are many creative, fun and unique meaningful ways to give back, and Mom Central thinks it’s fantastic that Pepsi wants to help.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Pepsi Refresh. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Reading Glasses Shopper – Review and Giveaway

Spare Reading Glasses

Stylish Reading Glasses for Women and Men

I’m usually so busy and rushed I forget where I’ve placed my reading glasses or sunglasses at home and run out the door for my errands. Then I end up straining my eyes when I have to read a menu at a restaurant or grocery shop.

I’ve found some nice beaded chains so I can wear my readers around my neck, but oftentimes I do take them off and misplace them somewhere.  Just when I need them, I can’t find them.

Recently I had the opportunity to review some reading glasses from Reading Glasses Shopper, which will solve this Baby Boomer’s problem of forgetting where I placed my glasses.

We carry only the best brands and models of discount reading glasses on the market. If you’re shopping online for quality reading glasses, we definitely have what you’re looking for. We are committed to offering you the finest reading glasses at great prices while providing exceptional customer service.

The glasses come in different strength magnitudes, which are sufficient for most people.  You can shop for +1.00 power up to +4.00 power.

Womens and Mens Styles are available:

• Reading Sunglasses

• Bifocal Reading Glasses

• Folding & Compact

• Half Frame

• Full Frame

• Fit Over Sunglasses

The glasses I received are the New Jessica Sun Readers in Black.  While not prescription, they’re fashionable and perfect for reading directions while driving, or sitting on the beach or poolside when I don’t want to take my regular prescription sunglasses with me.

Reading Glasses Shopper has most versions in stock, and are members of the Indianapolis Better Business Bureau.  FREE shipping is available on orders over $30.00

Summer vacation season will be here, so pick yourself up a pair or two of extra glasses at a great price!

Follow on Twitter @RdgGlassesShopr
Follow on Facebook

For More Information Visit: Reading Glasses Shopper

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a $20 Gift Certificate to Reading Glasses Shopper.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Reading Glasses Shopper and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and which is your favorite style.

This contest will run until February 9, 2010 at 11:00 pm.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Friday Follow Blog Hop: Join To Get More Blog Followers

Join the 2nd Follow Friday Blog Hop!

On Fridays this meme is a great way to meet new friends and get more blog followers! Welcome to the second Follow Friday Celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades!   They invite you to join them every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.

• Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.
• Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. They will follow you back.
• Follow as many blogs as you’d like to have followers
• Comment on the blogs telling them you’re from Friday Follow
• Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow

Spread the word about Friday Follow by grabbing the button for your blog and come celebrate again every Friday.  Feel free to also send out a tweet, blog, stumble or share the news in your own special way!

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Google Friend Connect – my buttons are on my sidebar!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

How To Get More Blog Followers – Friday Follow Celebration

Friday Follow

Get More Followers!

This meme occurs on Fridays and is a great way to meet new friends and get more blog followers! Welcome to the first ever Follow Friday Celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades!   They invite you to join them every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.

• Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.
• Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. They will follow you back.
• Follow as many blogs as you’d like to have followers
• Comment on the blogs telling them you’re from Friday Follow
• Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow

Spread the word about Friday Follow by grabbing the button for your blog and come celebrate again every Friday.  Feel free to also send out a tweet, blog, stumble or share the news in your own special way!

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Google Friend Connect – my buttons are on my sidebar!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

In Memory of Karissa – Prissy Green

Another Candle in the Wind

Saying goodbye and Godspeed to Karissa Gindling, at Prissy Green

I like to dispel the myths of the beauty industry and see through their marketing. I am vinegar and water cleaner, and I make my own laundry soap. (yea, I went that far!) Composting, gardening dirt loving girl.  I am honestly not that prissy, I am more or less,just addicted to beauty products!  And living a green and clean life! I will admit I don’t have it all down perfectly and I am far from an expert, but that is exactly why I wanted to do this blog.  As I get informed, I promise to share my knowledge with you to the best of my ability!

And she did.

Related Articles:

• In Home Spa Treatment: Pamper Yourself
• 3 Tips For Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
• Reading Glasses Shopper – Review and Giveaway
• In Memory of Karissa – Prissy Green
• Telescopic Explosion Mascara By L’Oréal Paris

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Tags: affiliate links, affiliate marketing, blogger, Facebook, FireFox, FriendFeed, Kelly McCausey, LinkedIn, tutorial, twitter, wordpress, wordpress orientation class, work at home, WP Super Cache

It’s My SITS Day! Welcome to Moomettes Magnificents!

January 12, 2010 by Moomette's Magnificents (Admin)  
Filed under Facebook, Veranda Chit Chat, Web 2.0, baby boomer, family, grandparenting, leisure, lifestyle, parenting, social networking, twitter

163 Comments

The Secret Is In the Sauce

The Secret To Success Is Support

Hi Everybody!  I’m so excited as today is my special SITS Day!

What perfect timing for a celebration as this past weekend was also my BIRTHDAY!  It’s great to celebrate with all my SITStas!

If you aren’t familiar with SITS – It’s a great group of gals from who believe that The Secret Is In Support by leaving comments on each other’s blogs and you can find out more at The Secret Is In the Sauce.

What’s a party without cake?  Since I have a recipe blog also at Moomettesgram’s Favorite Recipes, I’ve baked my favorite cake to share with you!

If you haven’t met me before, I’m Cindi, and also known around the blogosphere as “Moomettesgram.” You can find out more about my quirks on my Nav bar under 101 Random Things About Me.

I’m a Baby Boomer (+ one more year older now!) and I write offering tips about working from home.  I also offer Product Reviews and Giveaways from the perspective of a Baby Boomer Grandmom from New England, who’s “Been Around the Block.” I also like to share scenic photography pictures of New England on my Wordless Wednesday memes.

You’ll see I’ve been married for over 35 years.  I have 2 grown daughters – both college grads.  The oldest is married and a Marketing Director, and my youngest is currently in grad school studying Therapeutic Pediatric Disabilities.  I have two grandkiddos that I often speak about – ‘Lil Moomette who’ll be 4 this year, and Slugger who will be two.

Since this is my special day, I’d like to share some favorite posts.

Earlier last summer I did a 4-part series which was sort of a chronicle of “this is my life” – from when I was in my teens up until the kids arrived, at Woodstock: Part 1 – Talking About My Generation.

Another favorite was my fateful vacation trip to Bermuda.  We don’t get to travel too much and won a trip to Bermuda through a raffle when my oldest daughter played Lacrosse in college.  You can find out why I ended up with a souvenir Tetanus Shot Certificate for my scrapbook at Gas Crunch: Bermuda + Boomers + Scooters = A Souvenir Tetanus Shot.

Lastly, even though I’m a Baby Boomer, in my mind I still like to think I can walk into Victoria’s Secret and think I’ll look good in some of the things they sell.  Find out what really happens when someone my age walks into such a store – Lingerie:  Or What Do You Do With This Stuff?  A Baby Boomer Dilemma.

I hope you’ll also check out my Work-At-Home Tips section, along with my product reviews and general Humor and Curmudgeon commentary under “Veranda Chit Chat.” I also welcome people to Guest Post, and you can find all my current Guest Posts, Blogging Resource and Social Media informational tips on my sidebar under “Must Reads.”

Thanks for stopping by and helping me celebrate my SITs Day and Birthday Week!  (Yes, I’m beyond birthDAYS and make a whole week’s celebration out of it!)  You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Stumble Upon on my sidebar!

I look forward to meeting everyone and hope you’ll become regular visitors!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

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