Stationery Entrepreneur Manages Her Life and Business With Lists

unnamedRunning a company and managing a family is not an easy feat. However, our featured list producer for this month does just that. In fact Bonnie Marcus launched her stationary company while she was pregnant with her first child. As a pregnant entrepreneur, she launched HMHB, where she blogs about pregnancy advice and writes about maternity products, like baby bottles, for other moms. She has been kind enough to answer a few questions and share some of her productivity tips.

1. Why do you call yourself a compulsive list producer?

As the owner of a very busy design studio, and mommy to 3 very busy little boys, I wouldn’t be able to last one day without having a “to-do” list of priorities in front of me! There is always too much to do & too little time to get it all done, but with a list of priorities, it is all much more manageable. Read more

Lists Are This Fashion Entrepreneur’s Secret Weapon

Katrina 1Putting together a work wardrobe is a daunting task. You can spend hours looking for a look that’s smart, but not too much – that’s flattering, but not too flashy, and deciding whether Fake Gucci vs real Gucci is the best option for you. Stitch Fix is a website that helps you outsource your shopping, finding looks that work for you without having to navigate the mall. The CEO of Stitch Fix, Katrina, understands the importance of outsourcing tasks and is also a list maker like me! The successful entrepreneur shared how her lists help her to be less crazed and get things done. Read more

5 Ways to Boost Your Confidence Instantly

confidenceEven the best ideas can sometimes fall apart when they are presented with doubt and anxiety. In fact, a confident presentation style can sometimes be just as important as the ideas being presented. While believing in yourself and in your plans is easier said then done, luckily there are ways to trick yourself into feeling more confident.

1. How You Stand – At a recent TED talk, Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist, suggested that standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain.  it might even have an impact on our chances for success. Stand in a power pose, with your hands on your hips to feel more in command of a situation. Read more

Declutter Your Closet in Time for Summer

DeclutterThe sun is coming out and so are the shorts and sandals! It’s time to check out trendy online boutiques to start creating your wardrobe for the summer!
The start of summer means packing away your coats, hats and gloves for hopefully the next few months, but it’s also a good time to clear out your closet. De-cluttering can often be a painfully time consuming task. Some people like to get it over with in one afternoon (with good music to motivate them) while others prefer to split it up into phases. You know one day doing pants, the next day doing shirts. You’ve got to find what works best for you. I’ve got so many old clothes I need to get rid of since I’ve bought a load of new clothes from this site. It’s time for a new style!

As you go through every item in your closet consider the following:

  • Have I worn it in the past year?
  • Do I love it?
  • Is it uncomfortable? Does it itch/scratch?
  • Does it project the image I want to present?

Read more

Barbara Walter’s Retirement To-Do List

Barbara Walters

Barbara Walters retires May 16, 2014. (Photo Credit: deadline.com)

If you were to visit my parents on Long Island and ask to see my high school year book, next to my photo you would find the words, “hopes to become the next Barbara Walters.” What an overachiever I was, even then! Truth is — I’ve always looked up to Barbara Walters. I remember watching interviews she had done in my college journalism classes and learning from the best. I try to use her techniques even today when I do my own interviews. After reading her memoir, “Audition” I felt compelled to write her an email — and she actually wrote me back! I’m happy I got the opportunity to tell Barbara that she is one of my greatest teachers.

Today is her very last day of work after 50 years on television. She’ll finally be able to enjoy some well-deserved downtime.  To help her out, I made a to-do list of things she should enjoy during her retirement that will keep her up to date with the times:

1. Get a Netflix account: In a recent interview, Barbara said one of the first things she wants to do during her retirement is go to a movie. What she may not realize is that with a Netflix account, she’ll be able to watch as many movies as she wants whenever she wants… in her own home!

2. Get an Instagram account: After 50 years on television, it may be hard to adjust back into the “real world.” But she doesn’t need to cut out the entertainment industry completely (and she’s not—she’s still going to be executive producer for The View!). With an Instagram account, she can stay up to date with some of her favorite people she’s gotten to know over the years by “liking” their posts as they attend numerous events and award shows. And I would love to continue seeing what she’s up to!

3. Go through her old wardrobe: Barbara is in luck—fashion trends are starting to repeat themselves. Rather than have to update her wardrobe, she can just go through her closet and bring out her old favorites. Or use the extra time to clear out clutter and do a bit of a fashion show with all the garments she’s worn through the years on big interviews.

4. Travel: Since her budget won’t be going towards an updated wardrobe, Barbara can spend all her money towards travels. I even have some recommendations on my Pinterest board for places to go!

5. Learn how to take a selfie: Lets face it– we’re all going to miss seeing Barbara on our television screens everyday. It’s going to be weird not knowing what she’s up to! But once she learns how to take the infamous selfie, we’ll be able to stay updated. She can post it to her Instagram account!

6. Have lunch with me! I had to throw it in there because I’m sure we’d have tons to talk about. I’m available whenever you are Barbara!

Happy Retirement!