Disclosure

Update 9/27/12:   To clarify, this is not the ONLY disclosure information on June Cleaver Nirvana.   The FTC Guidelines REQUIRE that I make my readers aware of ANY relationship, product received, compensation, service, value exchanged or affiliate links used IN the post about that product or service.   So anytime I write about something where something of value was exchanged, there is additional information about that LOUD and CLEAR in my post.   Google also requires that anytime anything of value is exchanged {doesn’t have to be just money}, if I link to the person/company it is a “no follow” link.   I do that too.

I started this blog about 5 years ago as a substitution for my intense scrapbooking habit and to keep in contact with a dear friend.   I continue this blog as a substitution for my intense scrapbooking habit and to keep in contact with now a bunch of online friends.

It has become obvious that I will never become rich off this blog.

I am learning to accept this.

Even though blogging has not made me rich (or even fully paid for the money I have invested), I have been able to take advantage of some fun opportunities and I think that is pretty cool.   I have NEVER EVER in a million years EVER asked for a product or service for free.

It has been my decision to never accept an opportunity from a company that I can’t sleep at night representing.   I realize that my participation in certain activities is viewed as an endorsement.   For that reason I have turned down many more things than I have accepted.

Because the FTC has decided that blog readers are unable to decipher intentions, I am spelling out clearly what campaigns I have participated in since December 2009 below.   I find the whole thing ridiculous because I know you are smarter than that.

*gasp*

Yes, I said it.

Here is a handy dandy list of things Holly doesn’t understand about the FTC guidelines:

1. I don’t know why my receiving a 99 cent phone app. is weighted the same in the world as if someone gave me a million dollars for a paid post…which I would totally take.
2. Let’s say you give me a t-shirt with your company name on it so that I can wear it to the mall.   The FTC doesn’t require that I stop each mall shopper to disclose that you gave me the shirt, but if I write about my mall trip on my blog I have to disclose that you gave me the shirt.
3. We have all been on sites that rate sales/product services – is it REALLY that difficult to decide which 5 star ratings were planted by the company and which 0 star ratings were placed by their competition?
4. Most posts take me between a half hour and an hour to write.   The FTC doesn’t take into account that that time is unpaid.   It is not like traditional media where someone is paying me a salary to do what I do.   YET, if someone gives me a $2 can of food to write about it is not considered payment for my time it is considered influence over my writing.
5. Do these same rules apply to Facebook, Twitter, Four Square, Gowalla and Whrrl?   And how would all that fine print go?   Could you really add that in in 140 characters?   huh? huh?
6. Why do I have to disclose a gift of a cupcake, but a television news doesn’t have to disclose that they have entire segments that are paid for by advertisers?
7. Why can I go on TV and say EXACTLY what I say here and NOT disclose it, but here I do?
8. What if I go on radio?   Oh, I don’t have to disclose there either.
9. Why does the Harvard Law Review agree with ME?   Oh!   That is a GOOD thing.   Click here to read more from them.

Sorry for the rant…I really have nothing to hide.

SO

Here is a handy dandy list of projects which I have participated in relation to June Cleaver Nirvana:

1. I was a Corner Bakery Mom December 2009 and received a catering package in exchange for my participation.
2. I posted on JCN in December 2009 about Babyganics, a product which was an advertiser on Burb Mom (I own 1/3rd of the BurbMom.net internet empire).
3. I participated in PUR’s Water on Wheels event when they visited Dallas and was reimbursed for my time at the event.
4. My trip to the International Home and Housewares show in Chicago (1 night) was arranged and sponsored by Hoover.
5. I was a Chevy Girl on the Go which includes the use of a Chevy Malibu for one month.   They assigned me projects to accomplish over the four weeks to blog about and gift cards that would cover the costs of these trips which included Central Market, The Alicia Keys Concert, Massage Envy, Taco Diner, and the NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway.
6. I hosted an event in the Dallas area for fellow mommy bloggers at the Four Seasons Spa sponsored by Scrubbing Bubbles.   Yes, the actual bubbles paid for it.
7. I gave away 5 items in a giveaway that were provided by PUR as part of their Earth Day promotion.
8. I contacted the Scrubbing Bubbles to see if they would give me some more spa baskets to give away on my site.   The bubbles said yes.   Those bubbles are so agreeable.
9. I contacted Little Debbie to see if they would like to give away some yummy treats*.   *I know they are yummy because they have sent me yummy treats in the past and I have participated in a local Dallas Little Debbie event   fall ’09   for Burb Mom (again, I own 1/3rd of the BurbMom.net internet empire).
10. I was a participant in the Texas Driving Experience Teen Skills Driving Class at no charge to me.
11. I went to the Uncle Ben’s Sneaky Chef Cooking Demonstration Class in Dallas and took home some goodies including several boxes of their new whole grain white rice.
12. I was given a $20 coupon with free shipping for the P & G eStore plus the sample box pictured on my blog.   All the coupon codes given away on my blog were donated by P & G eStore.
13. I went to coffee with the California Strawberries and author David Grotto and received a copy of his new book 101 Optimal Life Foods.   Oh, and the strawberries bought me a Chai Tea Latte and sprung for the additional .20 to make it soy.   I love the strawberries.
14. I was a VTech Voices blogger (month long program – July/August 2010) arranged through The MotherHood and received an Animated VTech V.Reader and several books/game cartridges.   They also provided several giveaways.   I received a stipend for writing about my child’s interaction with the new V.Reader Animated E-Book System and creating a video about my experience.
15. The prize I gave away in the Step Stool Supply contest was provided by Step Stool Supply.   Try and say that 5 times really fast.
16. I was a blogger participant in the 6 week H-E-B/ConAgra sponsored Back-to-School Meal Maker Challenge.   I   received products and compensation for my participation.   I also hosted a giveaway on their behalf   – they provided the gift packages ‘cuz that is just like them.
17. I hosted Appetite for Inspiration, a Dallas blogger event sponsored by the Texas Beef Council.   The compensated me, fed me and sent me home with a bag full o’ goodies.
18. I am an Artisanal Ambassador.   It is just like being an ambassador to a country like France or Italy except it is salad.   Next time I am going to try to be the salad president, but that is a few levels above ambassador.   Baby steps.   I am being paid in salad.   Literally, a big box of Fresh Express packaged salad arrived today.   My ambassadorship will last a month.
19. My friend Maile Wilson provided one of her amazing camera bags for a giveaway hosted here.   I begged her and she said yes.   I have purchased one of her bags and she has given me one (under no obligation to write about it or promote it).   Yes, I have two.   Have you seen them? Obviously not if you are questioning me!
20. I am working with Gypsy and Company as an e-stylist, advertising through Business 2 Blogger (I own a portion of B2B) and will be hosting a giveaway on their behalf on JCN.   Clothing was be exchanged…oh, and boots.   I love the boots.
21. I participated in the Wendy’s Pick 2 promotion arranged by The MotherHood on twitter (#Wendyspick2), attended an event and will be posted about the experience.   They fed and paid me.
22. I am a Nintendo Brand Ambassador.   My boys are so excited they can hardly sleep.   They may even allow me to take a few extra pictures of them…they are THAT excited.   As part of my Ambassadorship, I co-hosted an event for Wii and the American Heart Association at the Four Seasons in Dallas.
23. Chevy sent me tickets for the AAA Texas 500 and passes to the Village of Champion Chevy tent.
24. Marie Callendar’s frozen family dinners sent me coupons so she could make my dinner.   I was compensated for my writing time as well.   It was arranged through The Motherhood.   The coupons I gave away on my site were provided by Marie.
25. I bought my partners out of Burb Mom and now own 100% of that overwhelmingly successful empire.
26. Splurge Salon used me as a guinea pig (they call it more tastefully, “model”) for their new Brazilian Blow Out service which I received free of charge.   I was under no obligation to write about it.
27. I attended the Park Lane Mommy Blogger event where samples, gifts and services were provided at no cost to me.
28. I am really tired and will need to be talked into anything new for awhile…

And, if you ever have a question about the authenticity about what I write, please contact me directly.   If you leave ugly comments on my blog, it will negatively impact your online karma and I would hate to be responsible for that.   My email address for sweetly worded questions is:   junecleaver at tx.rr.com.

Thanks so much.   I blog because I love it and not because it is my ticket to fame and fortune*.

*if you happen to have my ticket to fame and fortune, please send it ASAP to the email address above.