20 Apps To Beat Holiday Stress

Christmas gifts.The holidays are here!  It’s easy to Install apps so if you need an app to beat the holiday stress, it’s easy to do. But not this year! I’m still making lists, but I’ve learned to simplify my holiday season with a few great apps that do everything from finding the best deals to preparing the perfect meal for all of your guests.

If the holiday season is overwhelming you, download a few of these apps to help you stay sane:

1. Food 52: Is a vegan coming to your Thanksgiving dinner? Do you want to learn how to set a holiday table? Or brine a turkey? This app features recipes, advice, and products to teach you how to become a “smarter, better, happier cook.” It’s a great, quick reference for all things food.

2. TaskRabbit: I love this app so much! Think about all the things you could be outsourcing this holiday season: writing out holiday cards, waiting in line for the new “it” gift, shopping for all the items on your holiday grocery list…the list just goes on and on! Have someone else run your holiday errands for you!

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Make Your Holiday Season Less Awkward

awkward-family-moments-photo-by-donna-daygetty-imagesThe holidays are almost here! For me, that means even more lists than usual,

  • lists of gifts to get my friends and family
  • to-do lists for decorating my apartment
  • grocery lists for Christmas cookies!

Still, all that planning can’t always prepare you for the awkwardness that comes with the holidays. Even though I get along great with my family, that isn’t the case for everyone, and even the closest families can have a grandfather with no filter. Read more

Sample Some Fabulous Finds

sample sizesFree samples are genius. Think about a winery: you go, you sample, you buy bigger quantities. It’s really the smartest marketing a company can do.I love the idea of “try before you buy” and sampling is a great way to expand an interest or try something new! Sites that sell sample subscription services (wow — that’s a lot of alliteration) are all the rage right now. It is also a great way to give gifts.

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Let These Ladies Inspire You

 

We Can Do It poster for Westinghouse, closely ...

We Can Do It poster for Westinghouse, closely associated with Rosie the Riveter, although not a depiction of the cultural icon itself. Pictured Geraldine Doyle (1924-2010), at age 17. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tonight I will be attending the inaugural New York Women in Communications‘ WiCi awards. This awards ceremony honors pioneering women who are changing the field of communications. The incredible women being honored are pushing the communications industry forward and are inspiring the leaders of tomorrow. I’m excited to attend.

 

This got me thinking about women who inspire me. Having mentors and women to look up to has been one of the biggest positive forces to propel me forward in my life and in my career. Here’s a list of the women who inspire me (in no particular order!):

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Reasons to Take a Staycation

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For the whole summer, everyone is daydreaming about jetting off for a beach getaway. I bet very few of you dream of staying near home for your vacation, but don’t sell it short! In hindsight, it’s easy to overlook all the bad parts of a taking a trip – the delayed flights, missed connections and lost luggage.

So next time you think you need a break, consider taking a “staycation” instead. This could mean that you stay in a hotel just down the road, or it could mean that you look to buy a “holiday home” near you. This way you’ve always got a place to go on the weekends or somewhere to use if you have guests staying with you.