I’m the “Blogger of the Week”!

I was lucky enough to be featured as the “Blogger of the Week” on Terry Jaymes “Alive” radio show on KIRO-FM in Seattle this past weekend. Terry and I chatted about my list making ways and how this blog started.

Please listen here and skip ahead to 20:51 for the beginning of my segment.

It was really fun and different to be on the other side of the interview. Usually I’m the one asking the questions — but Terry was terrific and engaging. This was the first time I had listened to Terry’s show and I think a lot of you will really like it. Terry is a big goal maker and even wrote a book about it to help people reach his or her full potential.

On his website the show is described as, “The real man’s approach of self-betterment” – advice, personal stories, edgy, humorous and honest – Terry Jaymes ALIVE is for anybody who chooses to live an extraordinary life.”

I’m all for that! Give it a listen on KIRO-FM’s website every Saturday night from 6pm-8pm Eastern. I’m so excited to have been a part of it!

Must-Have Tools for Home Cooks

Chicken Picatta is my signature dish. I got the recipe from Giada De Laurentiis and it’s my go-to dinner. I can whip it up in no time and it’s always delish. Good thing Jay likes it because he’ll be eating it for the rest of his life. haha! I’ve been trying to expand my menu and try new things in the kitchen though — but the tools you have are just as important as the foods you cook.

I reached out to Chef Lisa Schroeder from Mother’s Bistro in Portland, Oregon to get the 411 on what tools home cooks need to have to be successful. Here’s her list:

Home Cooks Essential Kitchenware

by Lisa Schroeder

With the right equipment cooking is easier and faster. Cook like a pro with these basic but essential items every home cook should have. Whether you are buying for yourself, or for a bride, you simply can’t go wrong with these classic items.

1. Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer, preferably the “Professional” (they have all kinds of grades with varying levels of horsepower… this model is the heaviest duty)

2. Set of good knives like Global, Wusthof, Shun (Most important knives: an 8-10 inch chef’s knife, paring knife, and a bread knife. Read more

10 Most Common Decorating Mistakes

I’ve said it before — I’m not good at home decorating yet. I just haven’t found my stride with it. So in the meantime my bedroom looks like a college dorm. We didn’t win the “Angie’s List Worst Bedroom Makeover” contest. But the good news is that I’m totally fine with not being the worst at anything! There will be other opportunities to transform my space — like this list right here. Expert designer Lauri Ward gave me a list of the most common decorating mistakes and how to fix them. Are you guilty of making these?

10 Most Common Decorating Mistakes

by Lauri Ward

Everyone makes the same errors when it comes to decorating, no matter the style of their furniture, the size of their home or their budget. An example of these errors is using questionable traders. When you are decorating your home you want it to look as beautiful as it possibly can. This makes using a reputable trader essential when deciding who to use. Read more

How to Push Yourself for Success

I have to be honest — I didn’t want to write a post for today. I usually write the night before and it was late and I was tired. I had a full day of shooting segments and was really looking forward to going to bed. I thought — “I don’t have that much to say today,” and “I’m too lazy to copy edit a guest post to put up” so I thought of just going to bed. But I pushed myself because I’ve made a commitment to this blog and to all of you who read it.

Pushing yourself even just a little bit will help you achieve your goals and become successful in all areas of your life. Think about all the successful people you know — they pushed themselves even when they were too tired or too busy or too frustrated.

Here is a list of ways to be inspired when you’re struggling: Read more

Checklist for Public Speaking

Whether it be at an important conference for work or in front of your peers for a toast — there will be a time in your life when you will have to address an audience. Before your palms get all sweaty — here’s a checklist from a pro on how to handle yourself. Mark Grimm is a former news anchor turned public speaking mentor.

Checklist for Dynamic Speaking

by Mark Grimm

It is exhilarating to feel in command when speaking in public. Yet no one is born with that gift. Dynamic speaking is an acquired skill that everyone can develop. Here are nine tips that can help make you dynamic:

1. Know Your Audience: Do your homework before you get anywhere near the podium. What is the audience looking for? Read more