Staying Classy

I always advise people, my kids, everyone, to go by their gut feeling. I should have followed my own advice. I'm a member of lots of networking groups and I love them all. Some of my favorites are Twitter, The Classy Closet, Facebook, Babyswags, and MomFaves.


I'm very active with Twitter, Facebook, and The Classy Closet. When a group called Sassy Mamas started I too jumped into yet another group. I found myself neck deep and my last post was promoting them, after only knowing them for a week. One of my highest qualities is I am accountable for my mistakes. With that said I will not go into detail, but Sassy Mamas has lost my trust and I'm longer a part of that group. I am by no means telling anyone to leave, if you're a member. I need to be true to ME!

I've decided to stick with those I know "very well" and if you want HONEST fun, come join me on The Classy Closet. I have been a member since I became active online. The owner "Keeping It Classy Jen" takes time to let all her members get to know her and you will find as I have, she wants us all to succeed.



Do you love to craft? - well there's a Classy Crafters group within The Classy Closet. New to blogging, have a small business, just want to meet people?- there's something for everyone! When you do join, please make sure to friend me.

Get Sassy!

Sassy Mamas Blog Launch Party



Sassy Mamas is celebrating it’s OFFICIAL launch on March 6th and 7th with a party on TWITTER and heaps of fun giveaways, including a BLOGHER ‘09 SPONSORSHIP!

On March 6th and March 7th, if you want to keep up with all of the sassy twitter action, join Twitter

Don't just be a Mama
Be a SassyMama!

Touchd on Tuesday 3

Every Tuesday in my Touch'd on Tuesday series, (I know I'm a day late posting...sorry) I like to recognize those who have Touch'd my life in a positive way. This week not only will I be telling you about two people who've Touch'd my life, but I want to give you the opportunity to Touch someone's life. Read on to see how.

Thank you fro impacting my life in a positive way. You have been an influence in my success of life!

I hope that the recipients of this award pass this on to someone who has Touch'd their life. I think it's a great way to say Thank You!


Janine aka @twincident owner of Twoferthepriceofone blog.
I met Janine at Blissdom09, we hit it off right away. We went into the city of Nashville, stopped at Coyote Ugly's for a drink (along with @shortpumppreppy and @SugarJones), we sat on the bar...well laid on the bar, put on the ginormous bra, and laughed as if we were 18 again. We stopped in the coolest rockin boot shop, with the cutest sales boy(I say boy cause I'm old), and Janine put on a "Rocker" jacket so we could take pictures(you can see these on her site). We bonded!!! Our last night there, Janine helped (along with a couple other peeps) inspire me to
start the MamaRucci blog, so I can show my personal side. I toyed with this all night and the next day at the airport- Who did I get a call from.. but Janine. I met up with her and (you'll see in a sec) and they both said, We decided, you def have to start the MamaRucci blog". I'm know in contact practically every day with Janine and she'll be coming to CT for a visit! Woo hoo made a new friend Ma!


Dwan aka @mommadjane owner of MommaDJane blog and Momma Made
Meeting Dwan was such a pleasure! When I first met her, we chatted for a while and before I knew it she had me rambling all about me, my family, and my products. Being new to the blogging world she was giving me tons of pointers and offering up her help. Later we were at the GNO (Mom It Forward) party and she won the HP laptop giveaway. When she stood to tell her story (she sat next to me) I was floored....to hear that her daughter was born with Cerabal Palsey, and to hear how this amazingly strong woman was dealing with life with such a positive outlook, and to think she was the one offering help to me! It took every ounce of restraint not to run to her, throw my arms around her, and ball my eyes out. To see what happened go HERE.
Dwan was the "other" person with Janine at the airport who insisted I start MamaRucci! She also told me all about Momma Made a site that sells all mom made items. She was so inspiring and I truly feel blessed to be able to call her my friend.

Now as I said in the opening I want to give you a chance to have Touch'd someone's life, letting you make a difference. It won't cost you anything but a few minutes of your time and the value is priceless. Please click on the link to take a pledge for violenceunsilenced, a website with the sole intention of shedding light on the epidemic of domestic violence and sexual assault by giving their survivors a voice.

A couple years ago I had a Holiday Party and asked everyone to bring an unwrapped toy. On Christmas Eve those toys as well as Touch'd gift baskets were brought to our local Women's Shelter. Since then I donate items throughout the year that will help these courageous women start their new life. These women left their homes with the clothes on their back. They don't have toys, glasses, dishes, towels, clothes, sheets, shoes, or toiletries, just to name a few of the needed items. Please remember these women, all through the year and help spread the word!

If you need help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)


Are you planning on taking the pledge? OR do you have someone that Touch'd your life...tell me in the comments

Let's Talk Shampoo

Our hair says so much about us. We have to take care of it each day. It gets it own appointments to be trimmed, colored, permed, and styled. It takes a lot of abuse as we wash, brush, blow-dry, and place very hot instruments on it in order to make it do what we want. We need to take special care of this delicate but strong piece of us.



We watch commercials with beautiful models whose hair shines, bounces when she walks, flows ever so gently in the wind, and not one split or dry end. The brand tells us we too can have hair like this by using their products. Reality check!!! Sure we can...if we have with us at all times; a stylist, lighting expert, portable fan, and photographer telling us which way to turn.


Fact- you can have beautiful hair by taking care of it. Regular trims (every 4-8 weeks), Shampoo, conditioner, and product of your choice (hairspray, gel, mousse, etc)



Let's talk shampoo, this is part of our needed beauty regimen. How do we as consumers know how to pick a shampoo, after all, we didn't go to cosmetology school? Well I did and I'll be sharing secrets of the industry with you.

All shampoos on the market say ph balanced. Companies are not required to put the ph on the label. Without getting into the science of ph, I will say, hair and skin should be between 4.5-5.5 on the ph scale. I always advise my clients to try to purchase professional products through their salon, however, if you need to shop for yours at your local grocery store, stay with brands known for hair: Vidal Sassoon, Paul Mitchell, Matrix, ans so forth. A lot of these companies started their line in salons and then opened it to the public. Your stylist could recommend the Best product for your hair in their salon, as they are the professional (most stylist aren't selling the product to make money, but rather to educate you, the client).

How to recognize a great product.

• color should be clear/white (we don't want extra colors added)
• lather should be very rich and thick
• texture should be creamy
• you should not need to use more then the size of a quarter
  

You should ask your stylist for two separate shampoos and you should switch them every three months to avoid build-up. You also get build-up from your gel, mousse, hairspray, and other hair products. To get rid of build-up use the recipe below.

• 8 oz warm water
• 1 tbsp baking soda

Once every 4-6 weeks, mix well, shampoo, rinse, pour build-up mixture over head(tilting backwards), comb through with wide tooth comb, rinse, condition.

Myths- we do not want our hair to be "squeaky clean". This means we just stripped all the protective natural oil out of our hair. One shampoo should be enough unless you go days without washing your hair.

See your professional stylist for further information.

Feel sexy, Feel beautiful, Get Touch'd!

Touch'd on Tuesday

For those of you new to this blog. Touch'd on Tuesday is a day that I tell you about people who have Touch'd my life. Every day you come in contact with people and they may say or do something that impacts your life. Personally I have been blessed with many friends who have helped, guided, or lent an ear. To these people I give the "You have Touch'd a life" award.

To the following peeps: Thank you for impacting my life in a positive way. You have been an influence in my success of life!

I hope that the recipients of this award pass this on to someone who has Touch'd their life. I think it's a great way to say thank you!



Gina LaGuardia- aka @GinaLaGuardia owner of Editorial Service, Inc and her blog Confessions of a Content Pimp
I met Gina on twitter, we talk nearly every night. She offered her editorial skills to help me write my bio tag lines for my posts when I was in a pickle. We are now working together with Mom It Forward to organize live Tweet Ups for Ct and NY. Gina has become my paisan (Italian for good friend). I haven't had the honor of meeting her in person, Yet, but I look forward to it in April!!!

Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna- aka @CarrieBV Author/Journalist catch her at Cherry Bomb
I have known Carrie forever, she is like family to me. When I started my business, Carrie was my personal editor. She was the first one to ask Touch'd to be a sponsor and brought us to CA and NewYork! I wouldn't be where I am today without her!!! She made me feel like a "Celebrity". She is one girl who Rocks!! You should definitely check out her book "Cherry Bomb"!

Beth- aka @PlusSizeMommy owner of Plus Size Mommy
I met Beth on twitter, she is my Steeler buddy. Beth was one of the first people to ask to review my product. She was "thee first" to have Touch'd on a live video. Beth gave me my second award (which I still have not put on my blog). In Nashville she spoke about me as if I had known her forever and it sure felt as if I'd known her my whole life. She has the best laugh and she has become one of my best friends on Twitter and off. She has a Plus Size Heart and is always there for me.

Kristin- aka TheSassyMom owner of The Sassy Mom
Sassy and I met on Twitter at the GNO party. We became the welcoming committee. We found a lot in common besides being moms- One of them being Chocolate! I never thought I'd find someone who loved chocolate more than I do, well Sassy is that person. My first radio debut- I was shaking in my boots- and there was Sassy, routing me on in the chat room. She made me relax and enjoy being on Chicks Who Chat. Sassy and I are now "real friends" and share lots!

Steeler's in the House

So this post is late...but it's never a bad time to talk Steelers!

We, the Ferrucci's are Huge Steeler fans! We ordered the NFL ticket just so we can make sure we can watch every game they play. Being in New England, we're subject to Giants and Patriots. Football is a big event at our house. The same "crew" comes each week- Giants, Redskin, San Fran, Cinn, and others- (everyone can't be perfect!).



Just like players, we have our traditions too. The jersey gets put on right before the game and hung back up after the game. We have lots of food to eat through out the day, I usually make some kind of macaroni (we're Italian) and we always have buffalo wings! Steve the Steeler Snowman sits in his "childs" rockin chair (this was our daughter's when she was two). Steve stays there the entire season. Nobody, not even children, are allowed to touch Steve! (or else they will deal with TT ..that's me)


During halftime we got outside and play a little, supposedly, touch football, but someone usually gets slammed into one of the many cars parked on the street. Once i start yelling that someone is going to get hurt, we then just pass the football (this is when I get involved. I can throw a pretty good spiral but I need to work on my distance. My daughter can pass it about 30 yards with a bullet spiral.

We yell, jump, high five, and commentate. We scream the player's names and what they should be doing. Our Terrible Towels whip through the air and if you sit too close to one of us you will feel the wrath of the towel- so be careful! We do this every week in hopes that we will (yes we are a part of the team) go to the Superbowl!

This year all our work paid off! We went to the Superbowl and won our 6th Superbowl ring! I think we just got our voices back.


Well now it's down time......next month we'll start to get our gear ready for opening day in April of The Yankees......stay tuned!

Touch'd on Tuesday 1

Three months ago I was referred by a friend to start networking online. I took a plunge into the online world, not realizing it was a whole other world. It was so exciting yet so scary because this world had a new set of rules. When meeting someone, you can't rely on your smile and handshake to impress them. In this world you're judged by the words you type. No tones in your voice or body language is going to help you.

I began speaking with some women and men who already had blogs, websites, groups, radio shows, and had this online venture down to a Tee. Not wanting to sound ignorant I was very reluctant to ask questions. In the real world I am "question queen", I want to know it all! These ladies and gents were talking about things that sounded like another language to me. I couldn't imagine ever getting through this.

I finally got up enough nerve to ask a question, and to my surprise I received more responses than I knew what to do with. There were people who seemed to like me for what I wrote and were truly interested in what I was doing. They took me under their wing, they spent time explaining terms and showed me how to be successful.

Before entering the online world, I heard about "mommy bloggers". The buzz "in the real world" was these women were home with their children and had nothing better to do than play on the computer. Let me tell you, this is so far from the truth... it's a joke. These woman are so intelligent and amazing, they can work circles around your CEOs of top corporations. Their blogs/websites are successful businesses. I don't know any CEO who can run a profitable company by himself, take care of the children at the same time, and oh yeah don't forget about cleaning and cooking. These women are powerhouses. They stick by one another and help each other to overcome any obstacles. They've got each others' backs... They are united!

I am a very sentimental person and one reason I picked Touch'd as the name of my business is because I love to help people and I feel we touch people's lives everyday, sometimes not knowing it. I want to recognize the incredible women and men who have "Touch'd" my life and helped me to get this far. I strongly recommend to go to each of their links and get to know these Incredible women and men.

I'd like to present the "You have Touch'd a life" award to the following women and men (in no order). You have all been an influence in my success of Life! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! May be a little wordy but trust me, you have to read about these peeps!



Christy aka ShaketheSalt owner Shake The Salt
Christy was the first person on Twitter to talk to me and to give me guidance, we exchanged email addy's and have been friends ever since! Without her, I would have left and never come back!

Carissa Rogers aka Carissa_MomIF co-founder of Mom It Forward
This is the lady who I can contact at 1:00 am for help and she will stay up until 2 or even 3 am to make sure I have completed what needed to be done. She has also become one of my best Ofriends. ofriends=online friend. We talk practically everyday. Carissa has coached me along to make sure I'm successful! She was also one of my roomies at Blissdom09! Join the Party every Tuesday night at 6 pst, 9est at twitter.com

Jyl aka Jyl_MomIF co-founder of Mom It Forward
I met Jyl through the GNO (Girl's Night Out) parties on twitter. She was the first one to really ask me exactly what it was I did before Twitter and Touch'd. She boosted my confidence by telling me she wanted me a part of GNO. Jyl grabs a hold of those around her and pulls them up with her. She was roomie #2 at Blissdom09. I know she's a true friend, as she didn't kick my ass out of our room when I snored.

Sugar Jones aka SugarJones radio personality on Classy Closet and catch her in the raw at SugarJones.TV
Sugar is my long lost soul sista. We met on twitter and never looked back. I feel like I've known her my whole life. She knew I was kinda shy (go figure), and was the first to help me overcome my fear of speaking on the radio and also was the first one to actually interview me. I was shakin in my heels. We talk everyday and she truly wants to help people succeed. Without her I would not be here. She Rocks!!

Michael Guerin aka MichaelGuerin owner of Automated Merchant Processing and co-owner of
Best Web Presence
I met Michael a couple years ago, he was referred to me when I needed to start accepting credit cards for my business. At the time I was in a bad situation with my former web guy. Michael lended a guiding hand and helped me step by step with my website...FOR FREE, putting aside the credit card plans. "Let's fix this first, before we go forward", Michael said. We got everything straightened out and Michael then set Touch'd up to accept credit cards (yay!) Once this was done I decided I NEEDED to hire this man for my website. He is working very hard and we will see a completed Touchd.net very soon. Michael has become one of those friends you vent to! He also MADE ME join Twitter! So thanks to him I have made lots of new friends!!!

Cookie Ferrucci aka Cferrucci owner of Can you feel it, my heart beating through my chest
I have known Cookie her whole life. She brought me joy every day from the minute I brought her home. She is my life and my world. She is also my Biggest Fan! From day one, when I started Touch'd, I was able to ask for her opinions, editting skills, hugs on bad days, excitement on great days, and yes, she is also my product tester. This little ball of fire has shown me how to stick with my beliefs and not worry about what others think. She was/is my role model of staying True to yourself- no matter what! She is one of the strongest women I know. Whatever path she takes, she will leave a trail for others to follow. I am so proud that she is my daughter. I love you hunny!!!

Erin Pyle aka erinjeany owner of From Son Up To Son Down
Erin has dropped everything to help me with techie stuff. She had to break it down in a way that I would understand and wrote so much that she was able to use it as a post...lol. She hates to talk on the phone yet she broke that rule for me, because I need to be walked through certain things. She offered continued help which normally she gets paid big money for. Yes, I feel special! It's rare if I go a couple days without talking to Erin. She is a friend I cherrish! Without her I wouldn't be where I am today!

Chris Perrin aka Blogwelldone owner of Blog Well Done and now intoducing Start being Productive
Where do I start with Chris. The first time I referred to him I said, "she". He still gave me a chance. We talk every night til 2-3 in the morning. He knows when I'm getting tired, because the stupidity factor comes into play. This is usually when he says, "Night". Chris and I started talking about recipes, then I found out he too had technie knowledge.....you guessed...he now has questions coming at him like bullets. Chris is now "a cousin", and he'll be creating recipes for Touch'd! This is going to be so cool. He is also helping me be more productive. (check out his new site). He is one of my closest friends...I can even say fart to him!

Phylis aka Babyswags owner of Baby Swags
Phylis and I met on twitter, there was a situation that I needed to speak with her about so we exchanged emails. That led to exchanging phone numbers. The first time we talked on the phone it must have been for an hour. We could have probably talked for another 8 hours. We shared ideas and dreams and came up with at least 10 businesses we wanted to partner up on. We did, however, start the Wii Twit Fit club. We can go without talking for weeks and start again right where we left off. Phylis is my celebrity friend..lol. She is always thinking of others and I'm glad she's one of my best Ofriends.

There are so many others who deserve this award, but I don't want people to not read about them because there's too much. I decided to start a series "Touch'd on Tuesday". If you feel you should be here- you probably will be. I did not pick anyone in any order. Just as you love all your children the same...you love your friends the same too. Those who know me should have realized I only had one of my daughters listed. As I said I started a series.