Birmingham

Hear Jane Speak on Biz Talk Radio

In the WAGG studio with Roy Williams recording my segment for Biz Talk 

Be sure to tune in to WAGG Heaven 610 AM today from 3 to 3:30 p.m. I’ll be on Roy Williams’ radio show Biz Talk discussing blogging, See Jane Write and the upcoming Bloganista Mini-Conference.

You can also stream the show at http://www.610wagg.com.

If you haven’t registered for the conference yet, don’t delay. We have less than 20 tickets remaining.

You can get your tickets today at thebloganistaconference.eventbrite.com.

Check out Meet the Bloganistas to learn more about our speakers and read about our sponsors to learn what door prizes you could win at the event.

Jane About Town: To Kill a Mockingbird at the Alabama Theatre

Gregory Peck (center) as Atticus Finch

To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorite books of all time. Set in Depression-era Alabama, Harper Lee’s novel follows the story of Atticus Finch as he defends a black man against a false rape charge and strives to shield his children, Scout and Jem, from prejudice and hate. 
As an English teacher I have the privilege and pleasure of leading a group of 8th graders through a reading of this book each school year. And after we finish the novel we watch the 1962 film adaptation of the book, which in my opinion, is a classic in its own right. 

This Sunday, July 13, from 2 to 5 p.m.,  I’ll have the chance to see To Kill a Mockingbird on the big screen at the Alabama Theatre as part of its 2014 Summer Film Series. 
Beginning at 1 p.m., author Beverly Crider will be in the Alabama Theatre lobby signing copies of her new book, Legends & Lore of Birmingham and Central Alabama.
Doors will open one hour before showtime. Tickets are $8 and will be available at the door or in advance through Ticketmaster.

Meet the Bloganistas


The mini-conference will be held 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 19 at the Homewood Public Library, 1721 Oxmoor Road. You can find a complete conference schedule and order tickets at thebloganistaconference.eventbrite.com. 

Now get to know our speakers and panelists. 



Alexis E. Barton is a style blogger and digital influencer whose commentary and fashion advice appears weekly on the popular blog SameChicDifferentDay.com, which she launched in September 2011. Her personal style tips have been featured in The Birmingham News, Skirt.com, Life and Style PR and on WBHJ 95.7 JAMZ. Alexis has appeared on ABC 33/30’s Talk of Alabama and on CBS 42’s Wake Up Alabama. She has worked with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, H&M, Girls Inc., Macy’s, Belk, and a number of other non-profits, businesses and brands to help make the world a more stylish place. Alexis has been named a 2013 Role Model by the Girls Scouts of North-Central Alabama and this year was named a Birmingham Trailblazer by The Birmingham Times. 


Heather Brown is the lifestyle blogger and social media and blogging consultant behind MyLifeWellLoved.com. She is a Birmingham native, has been married for 5 years and has been blogging for 4 years. She would love for you to connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram @MyLifeWellLoved.





Megan LaRussa Chenoweth is the fashion stylist, image consultant and personal shopper behind Southern Femme, which is both a blog and a style consulting service. A Birmingham native, Megan moved to New York City to work for a famed trend forecaster and pursue a Master’s degree from Parsons School of Design. But the South wooed her back with its slower pace and picturesque landscape. Megan created Southern Femme because of her desire to educate her favorite women in the world, Southern ladies, on both high fashion and their everyday wardrobe. Megan has styled and produced fashion shoots for several magazines including Birmingham magazine, Alabama magazine, and Seventeen. 



Vanessa Culpepper of the blog BuddingFashionista.com is ready to step out in style no matter the time of day or occasion. As a producer of a morning news program, she doesn’t let her overnight shift keep her from putting a stylish spin on work-appropriate looks. She carries the same attitude toward her weekend wardrobe when she is off the clock and running around with two kids in tow! Vanessa does all this while stretching her budget to the max! She doesn’t claim to be the hottest fashionista around…she is just budding.


Williesha Morris has been hustling gigs of the freelance variety since she graduated from the University of South Carolina with a journalism degree in 2001. Since 2012 she has been pursuing the dual title of administrative consultant/virtual assistant and writer. Having this title allows her to never get bored, along with helping small business owners and entrepreneurs get more done and show freelancers how to truly live a “free” freelance life. You can find her on Twitter – @willieshamorris. She created her blog MyFreelanceLife.com in 2013 and also blogs at nerdythirtysomething.wordpress.com. 


Tanya Sylvan of the blog All In Stride is a Jersey girl living in Birmingham who loves to run far and eat lots. Her real life and blog life collided recently when a long-time blog reader offered her a job doing marketing and public relations for an outdoor publications company. Now she can say that she really does eat, sleep, and breathe all things outdoors! You can find her blogging about running, recipes, and random life events at tanyasylvan.com.


Carla Jean Whitley is a writer, editor and teacher based in Birmingham, Alabama, where she is managing editor of Birmingham magazine. Her first book, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, is set for publication by The History Press on July 22. Carla Jean founded the music blog Birmingham Box Set, and has also written for BookPage, Paste, The Birmingham News, Sky and a variety of other magazines and newspapers. Carla Jean volunteers with literacy organizations and teaches journalism at the University of Alabama and Samford University. Her favorite yoga pose is bakasana and her favorite cats are orange. Connect with her at carlajeanwhitley.com.

The Call to Be Bold


I should have known Friday would be a great day. 

During my personal Bible study time Proverbs 28:1 was brought to my attention: “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” And this was after a week of feeling God urging me to be bold in my prayers and to be more confident about my future. 

Marla and Marcia Pruitte
a.k.a. The Pruitte Twins

Then I went to Cupcakes and Conversations, a ladies empowerment night hosted by inspirational speakers Marla and Marcia Pruitte, better known as The Pruitte Twins.  

The night was full of motivational talks by local women who true are movers and shakers in our city. Women who spoke at the event included  radio and TV personality Eunice Elliott, Robin Ato, owner of Gracie Grove Venue where the event was held, Kimberly Davis and TaShara King of Davis and King Consulting, public relations pro Chanda Temple and Kanisha Shamburger of Created to Win Enterprises LLC. 

All throughout the night the message I heard over and over was to simply be bold. 

Be bold enough to dream. I knew I’d love the Pruitte Twins as soon as they started talking because they mentioned that they are fans of vision boards. A vision board is a visual representation of your dreams and goals. I make a new vision board every year or so because I believe that, as Proverbs 29:18 states, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”  (more…)

Jane About Town: Cupcakes and Conversations


On Friday night you’ll find me with my business cards in one hand and a cupcake in the other. 

Think of Cupcakes and Conversations as a ladies night out for women looking to be empowered in their professional and personal lives.  The theme for this event is “reNew You: Renewing Your Mind For Your Purpose.” The panel discussion will cover a variety of topics including personal finance advice, beauty tips, and guidance on how to get the most out of life. 

One of the panelists for this Cupcakes and Conversations event is See Jane Write member Chanda Temple, who is director of public relations for the Birmingham Public Library. Alabama 13’s Eunice Elliot will be a speaker as well.  

The night will include food and drinks (and cupcakes, of course). Click here to learn more about this event and to purchase tickets.