July, 2013 | List Producer

Orchestra To-Do App is Discontinued

July 30, 2013/1 Comment/in Apps, Benefits of List Making, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, List Making, Reduce Stress, Saving Time, Technology, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Another to-do app is shutting down! Orchestra is joining Astrid and closing up shop.

Here’s the story

Despite Orchestra’s great success (ranking as the App Store’s Productivity App of the year in 2011,) the Orchestra team is changing their focus. Part of what made Orchestra a great app was its compatiblity with email — you could forward an email to Orchestra and it would turn it into a task on your to-do list. Somewhere along the way, the Orchestra team decided that they wanted to take this idea a step further and created Mailbox, an app to streamline your email.

How To: Writing a Packing List

July 28, 2013/13 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success, Travel/by Paula Rizzo

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I always make a brand new packing list for every trip. Some people keep a template of items they use often but for me I like to start from scratch and really customize my list. Having the list helps to make my trip less stressful.

Here’s my packing list making technique:

1. Write an Itinerary: Let’s say we’re going somewhere warm from Friday to Monday. We are arriving late on Friday and then Saturday and Sunday will be carbon copies of each other. Breakfast, Beach, Snack, Lunch, Beach, Snack, Dinner. Fabulous! When you make your list think of all the activities you might be doing. If you’re museum hopping — you won’t want to forget your camera and comfy shoes. Read more

Gifts for New Moms Like Kate Middleton

July 22, 2013/0 Comments/in Children, Food, Health, Home, Reduce Stress, Relationships, Shopping, Uncategorized/by Paula Rizzo

I can’t believe it was nearly two years ago that the first Royal baby was born. I’m just as excited as I was then for Kate’s second baby. Especially as it’s a baby girl! It’s about time the Royal family added a little femininity. This time around I caught the whole thing on Periscope, it was really fun to be part of such an important moment. The second royal baby was born on Saturday May 2nd, weighing 8lb 3oz, so a little smaller then her older brother. Re-living the experience reminded me of this post, which is just as pertinent now.

The world has been buzzing for months about the Royal Baby and I’m no exception! Finally a little prince was born on July 22, 2013 at 4:24 pm London time. He weighed in at 8 lbs. 6 oz. (where did Kate Middleton hide him?) and he and his mum (!) are said to be doing well. New dad Prince William said, “We couldn’t be happier.” It’s been said he bought a little teddy bear for the next in line to the crown.

A Gift Fit for a Princess

This Royal birth got me thinking — in lists, of course. What do you get a new mom? Especially a woman who has everything? You want to get something that she’ll really appreciate and value. It’s a big time in her life and you want your gift to be memorable.

It’s always a good policy to give something that can come from only you, but if you’re stumped, here’s my list of great gifts for new moms: Read more

Easy Ways to Clear Mental Clutter

July 21, 2013/2 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, List Making, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

It must happen to you too — you wake up and already a million ideas and things you need to do are whizzing through your head. Then you get on with your day and all these pesky tasks just won’t go away. Having mental clutter can make you frustrated, tired and annoyed. So I say clear it out!

Here are a few ways that work for me:

Write a To-Do List

This may seem a bit obvious, but it works! If you’re mind is crowded with all the things you have to get down, write them down in a To-Do List. This way, you can easily see what needs to get done and you can prioritize better. Read more

My List for Beating the Heat

July 18, 2013/0 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Health, Learning With a List, Movies, Reduce Stress, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Times Square, NYC (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Walking through NYC is basically like walking through pea soup these days. We’ve had several days of over 90 degree weather and I’ve had quiet enough.

Every TV station, including my own, is cover the heat. They have reporters in Central Park, at cooling centers, pools and local stores getting the pulse of the city.

One of the very first stories I covered as a summer intern at WLNY-TV was a heat wave. I was sent out with a videographer and had to ask people how they were “beating the heat.” So I hold a special place in my heart for heat stories. So what are you doing to stay cool?

Take advantage of the heat wave — Keep an eye out for special promotions. A lot of cities offer free public transportation during heat waves. Companies can have a few special offerings, too. NYSC is opening its doors to all visitors in the extreme heat. And JetBlue is offering some promo codes for up to 90% off when the temperature goes above 90 degrees. Read more