Tag Archive for: list making

Join Diane Lane and Start Your Own Bucket List

Diane Lane attending the premiere of True Grit...

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Summer is the perfect season to tackle a few items on your life to-do list. Nature is in full bloom — and there’s no reason you shouldn’t be too!

In an interview with the Ladies’ Home Journal, Diane Lane revealed that she recently created a bucket list. (And it’s a total of four pages long!) Her list has a nice variety of entries, including “Building a really cool tree house” and “Do a handstand away from the wall and hold it for more than a second.”

If you want to learn another language or travel around the country – it’s never too late to begin writing your own bucket list!

Here’s a few reasons why now is the perfect time to cross some life goals off your list right now:
  • Big or small, every item has a place in your bucket list for a reason, and chances are that reason hasn’t changed. Give yourself the opportunity to have one of your dreams come true, no matter how small!
  • This is the perfect way to break yourself out of your normal routine. It’s easy to get lulled into a pattern where every week is almost the same as the last. Doing something new will give you new energy and resilience.
  • Carpe diem! The whole reason to make a bucket list is make sure you don’t miss out on anything in life. It’s time to take the sentiment to heart!

Crafty Book Uses Lists to Learn about You

Declaration of You

I’m not a particularly crafty person, but enjoyed the creative, artistic aspects of The Declaration of You, written by creativity experts and fellow bloggers Jessica Swift and Michelle Ward.

As the title claims, this book is all about embracing every aspect of your personality and openly acknowledging all your positive attributes. The best part is, this book uses lists to help get you there!

The Declaration of You is divided into 8 different sections, each devoted to a differently-themed declaration. As the authors explain the importance of each declaration, they prompt their readers to develop lists about themselves, such as “Things I Might Want to Try.”

True to their creative ways, Jessica and Michelle include a craft project in each of the sections, but don’t get scared off! These projects are simple and fun. The first project is even a vision board — much like the one I make every New Year.

Through crafts and lists alike, The Declaration of You encourages its readers to begin some self-reflection and discover new aspects of themselves. If you want to hear more, check out their website and begin your declaration. Who knows what you might find?

Cross “Meet Giada de Laurentiis” Off My Bucket List

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Me & Giada at BEA in NYC

I have to share a really fun “bucket list” item with you.  I met Giada de Laurentiis!  Every year I attend Book Expo America (BEA) at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in NYC for work.  It’s a huge gathering of book publishers, publicists, authors, potential authors, librarians and book lovers.  I set up several meetings with publishers and get the skinny on the new books coming out in the next few months so I can set up interviews.  It’s always a fun and enlightening event.  But this year was the best yet!   Read more

Congrats to Astrid: An Amazing To-Do List App

Would you like a personal assistant to help you remember appointments and check things off your to-do list? I know of one who will work for cheap and keep you organized and make sure you hit all your deadlines. Her name is Astrid. And I’d like to offer my congratulations since the company was just sold to Yahoo.  

Who is Astrid?

Astrid is an adorable little octopus and one of my favorite to-do list apps for iPhone or Android.  If you don’t have one of those devices you can also access this productivity tool by going to Astrid.com.

Astrid will keep all of your tasks organized and remind you of what you need to do with motivational and encouraging nudges like “How about it? Ready tiger?”  You can also rename all of your lists and maintain them however you like — set reminders or not, give your tasks due dates or not. It’s up to you. Read more

7 Tips for Traveling Abroad

Photo Mar 12, 6 02 21 AMWhile traveling abroad there were a few things that made my trip even easier so I’ve decided to share my list with you:

1. Use Airplane Mode: When you board the plane – put your phone on airplane mode and leave it on for your entire trip. This way you will avoid any crazy expensive
data charges. Your phone won’t access any cellular towers this way but you can turn WIFI on if you want to check your email. I found this to be a really easy way to stay connected but also not have to worry about spending a fortune.

2. Pack a Carry-On Only: Between going through customs and waiting for your luggage – getting out of an international airport can take forever, but to make it easier for you, you could check out this carry-on luggage size guide before you jet off! As this way you won’t have to worry about bringing the wrong size luggage on your trip. My advice is to pack everything you need in a carry-on. You will save time and money this way. My friend Nicole has quite a system for this. Click here for her techniques. Read more