Never Go Clothes Shopping Without A List

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How many times have you stared into your closet thinking, “I have nothing to wear!”? It used to happen to me quite often but then I figured out a system for stocking it. You guessed it — a list! Everybody seems to think that clothes shopping is an incredibly difficult task, but does it really need to be? You may have heard of a service called Stitch Fix that helps you gain some new wardrobe options based purely off your own style choices. If this idea interests you, you can find more info out about Stitch Fix by having a look at a review for the service.

I was fortunate to share this secret with the readers of Bneato.com — thanks to Beth Zeigler, the site’s founder. It’s a wonderful site with tips for organizing just about anything. Check out my guest post “Clothes Shopping With A List.”

Keeping a Book List

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I’m completely obsessed with “The Help,” by Kathryn Stockett for two reasons:

1. It’s a great story set in 1960s Mississippi about the lines drawn between white women and their “colored” maids. I’ve been reading it since our trip to Miami and I’ve been hooked ever since. I read walking down the street, in elevators, on the subway — you name it!  I savored the last 15 pages because I didn’t want it to be over.

2. I love Kathryn’s story – she was turned down 60 times before selling this book! I mean – at that point..some people would have said “enough.” But I’m so glad she didn’t. What a great lesson in perseverance.

I always have an on-going reading list. I’m lucky enough to work with a bunch of readers so we swap books often. I also have a Kindle and an iPad but I must say – it’s just not the same for me. I haven’t gotten used to not holding a book. Although—those electronic devices are much easier to carry on the subway! Read more

List of Healthy No-Cook Lunches

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I take my lunch to work on most days for two reasons:

1. It’s cheaper

2. It’s healthier

Whether it’s leftovers from dinner or a sandwich or salad — sometimes I’m bored with whatever I’ve brought for lunch. So in an effort to spice up my options and be less stressed I reached out to nutritionist Patricia Bannan, author of “Eat Right When Time is Tight” for some inspiration.

21 Healthy and Delicious No-Cook Lunches

By

Patricia Bannan, MS, RD

No time to cook? Whether you’re brown bagging it, busy at home or dining out, try one of these healthy lunch ideas from my new book “Eat Right When Time is Tight: 150 Slim-Down Strategies and No-Cook Food Fixes.” Nutritious and delicious, they all have 400 calories or less and provide protein and fiber for sustained energy.

BROWN BAG IT

Here are seven lunch options to brown bag and carry with you:

• Tuna hummus dip. Mix together 1/2 cup of canned, drained water-packed albacore tuna with 2 tablespoons of hummus and a splash of lemon juice; eat with slices of celery or cucumber or a few baked pita chips.

• Italian bean salad. Toss 1 can of drained white beans with 1 teaspoon each of balsamic vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil and add fresh herbs (e.g, parsley, basil and/or oregano) to taste. Read more

How to be a Productivity Junkie

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To-do ListYou already know that I’m a compulsive list maker — but I’m also a productivity junkie. With a to-do list in my hand — it’s pretty hard not to be.

I have my days of course when I feel like I haven’t gotten anything done but for the most part I’m extremely efficient and I have my to-do list to thank.

I was lucky enough to be able to guest blog for the “Life…Your Way” blog this week. Check out my post about Ways a To-Do List Will Help You Do More.

What are your productivity secrets?

—
T8DDPDJBHAYH

Checklist for Parenting

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Our trip to Miami was fabulous. We slept in, went to the beach, swam in the ocean, read, ate great food and just relaxed. Until we got on our Continental flight from Miami to Newark…

I don’t know anything about being a parent. I’m not one yet. But I know how NOT to be a parent and I learned that valuable lesson on Flight 44 — thanks to a family of four that sat in front of us.

The parents were traveling with their two and four-year-old daughters and completely ignored those girls the whole trip. For that excruciating two hour and 28 minute flight – one of the girls was whining, while the other one was screaming at the top of her lungs…the entire time. I’m not kidding. And the parents were zoning out – doing nothing — literally nothing. I was feeling my blood pressure rise.

I don’t blame the kids at all – they are innocent in this story. It’s the parents who I have a problem with. They acted like they were in their own living room instead of on a crowded plane with 200 other people. They were rude, selfish and inconsiderate to me and to their kids.

I’m not a parent yet and I’m not pretending to know what it’s like to be one. So I’ve enlisted the help of my parent friends for this checklist for good parenting:

Jene Luciani, Gigi’s Mom

  • Count to ten before reacting in a high pressure situation
  • Always find time for laughter; at the end of the day, a happy child trumps all else
  • Always be as prepared as possible…especially when going on a trip! Bring everything you could possibly need in any situation – make lists! Read more