HELLO chocolate bars.

Disclosure: Thank you to Lindt chocolate for sponsoring todays post and inspiring me to try new Lindt HELLO.

Yeah, we’re going to talk about amazing new chocolate from Lindt and an equally amazing sweepstakes today. But, first I’d like to give you a little backstory about me as a blogger:

After my husband and I got married we moved to a small town in northern Michigan to go to college. Neither one of us knew anyone, and with it being such a small town – there wasn’t much to do. So, I started a blog. I remember coming across the idea online – this was way before pinterest, or even Facebook was popular. I started it as an online journal of sorts, just to feel like I had something to pour my thoughts into. It soon became a crafty blog where I would post projects that I had completed, etc. I had no idea that there were so many other bloggers out there, so many people to learn from and connect with. Slowly but surely people started commenting on my blog posts, following my Facebook account, and wanting to connect – with me. I couldn’t believe it. I had no idea how amazing this community would be – or how it would change my life.

Having an anxiety disorder can definitely hold you back from a lot of things – especially making that first “hello” when you meet someone new. But with blogging, I was beginning to learn how important it was to branch out and network. One of the first blogs I really got into was Little Miss Momma. I remember reading Ashley’s posts, and wishing I had the confidence she had to really write. Really share her thoughts, her life, even her struggles. She was not only a beautiful person on the outside – but she was gorgeous on the inside too. She made me want to really share what I was feeling, really dig deep and get real. At the time William and I were trying to conceive (Wyatt) and we were struggling. And I desperately wanted to talk to people who understood, or other mothers who could relate to what I was going through. I knew that in order to be as open and welcoming as I wanted to be, I had to make a very conscious choice to change. To open up, and to not be afraid.

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I started off small by introducing myself online to other bloggers. I actually think one of the first people I reached out to was Ashley, emailing her about my fertility struggles. And guess what – she responded. She was sweet, and I could feel like she genuinely cared. That one email, that one response, meant the world to me. It’s something I never will forget – and it is something that I will always be incredibly grateful for.

After that, I gained the confidence to reach out and make small connections. Some of those small connections grew into big ones. Blogging has been such a blessing for me because as someone who has a difficult time socially in real life, blogging gives me a platform to show others who I am without having to feel like I’m on a blind date. I have time to compose my thoughts, reactions, etc. And when I’m ready to make the leap – to take the friendship to a face-to-face level, I can do it with confidence. 

I’m blessed to have a whole tribe of ladies that I now consider close friends. Women that I speak to almost every single day. Women who inspire me, who make me want to work harder, who fill my heart, and who listen to me when I’m down. It’s essential to have a bloggy support group – and they are mine.

Lindt HELLO is a new premium chocolate that is inspiring connections and conversations everywhere. It’s deliciously-packaged chocolate that is now available to the masses. The Lindt HELLO collection comes in four amazing flavors (pictured above). I absolutely love them all but if I had to choose a favorite – it’d be the caramel brownie. They come in bars, sticks, or mini stick bags. I love the bars because they are broken up into tiny squares – so you can enjoy it on the go and stow it away in your bag for later 😉

And to spread some love they’ve created a sweepstakes that you can enter every day for a chance to win some amazing prizes. Each week you will be inspired to reach out, connect, and break out of your shell!

Take this chance – be inspired – and get out there and make some connections!!

How to Enter: Visit the Lindt HELLO Sweet Connections Sweepstakes Landing Page and enter your email address. Entries can be made daily for additional chances to win the below prizes.

5 Weeks of Prizes

Week 1: Table for Two (9/10 – 9/16)
• Dinner & a movie with the +1 of your choice!

Week 2: Double the Fun (9/17 – 9/39)
• Say HELLO to a fun double date night + Lindt HELLO chocolate for dessert

Week 3: Girls Just Want to Have Fun (9/24 – 9/30)
• Enjoy a shopping spree with the girls + yummy Lindt HELLO Chocolate!

Week 4: Sweet Staycation (10/1 – 10/7)
• Lindt HELLO treats you to a pampered night in – movies, books + chocolate!

Week 5: Besties Reunion (10/8 – 10/14)
• Reconnect with your bestie at the spa for a day + Lindt HELLO chocolate to sweeten the deal.

**No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18 years or older (19 in AL or NE and 21 in MS). Void where prohibited. See Rules at for weekly sweepstakes entry periods, prize descriptions, odds and other details. Ends Noon on 10/14/14. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Lindt & Sprüngli (USA) Inc., One Fine Chocolate Place, Stratham, NH 03885.