50% off Borders Coupon 5/20-5/23!

Just wanted to share this quickly: 50% off at Borders 5/20-5/23!
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/20110520sa50.html?cmpid=SA_20110520

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Never Get Too Busy For Mom!

Did you ever meet a mother who's complained that her child phoned her too often? Me neither.--Maureen Lipman (Thank You for Having Me)

Image courtesy of thebabyplanners.com

Don't forget...it's Mother's Day this Sunday! I know as Busygals we can get caught up in the daily grind, and we don't make as much time for those who are important to us, especially our parents. Make it a goal to call your mom (and dad) more often, it'll mean the world to her (them) :)


Also, I know this holiday can be very difficult for some of you out there...maybe you've lost your mom, a child, or don't have a great relationship with your mom. I know when I worked as a substance abuse counselor, this was a difficult holiday for many of our clients for various reasons. If that's the case for you, on Sunday, be gentle with yourself and take the day to do something that you enjoy or spend time with a good friend :)

Revlon Nail Enamel

Maybe you gals can relate to this... 

I love getting my nails done, but often I leave the nail salon feeling like my nails don't look any better (or worse) than if I did them myself. Crookedly-filed nails, too much nail polish globbed on so it takes forever to dry and almost certainly leads to smudges, little cuts from the cuticle cutter thingy... I don't know...maybe it's just the nail salons in my area of LA, but I've had this experience many times. 

Maybe the nail techs are over-worked and pressured by bosses to get everything done as quickly as possible, which leads to sloppiness. 

Anyway...this has led me to get over my belief that "I can't do my own nails," and with a little practice, they usually look pretty decent when I do them myself! One thing I've found that helps a TON is having a good quality nail polish. 

Image courtesy of blog.en.chatelaine.com

I have found that Revlon Nail Enamel (which you can get at any drug/grocery store, or Target) is really easy to use. It's not too thick or thin, it dries pretty quickly, and it lasts quite awhile (when you put on a base and top coat). They have a great selection of colors too. 

The trick I've found to making it look like you've gotten your nails professionally done is in fact to add a top coat. It gives them that glossy, finished look. 

Get pretty, Busygals!

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Get Out Stains!

Last weekend, I was in a wedding (congrats Mailloux's!). 

One of the bridesmaids got a little stain of some kind of grease on her dress.

Nothing a little club soda and towel couldn't fix!

Image courtesy of www.ehow.com

The next time you have a stain and have a bar close by, dab/blot a little club soda on there with a clean towel, and...ta da!!! Magic! It does wonders! 

Our fellow bridesmaid's dress was fine...that club soda worked like a charm!

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Busygals In the Kitchen - Vidalia Chop Wizard

Yes...I am shamelessly advocating an "As-Seen-On-TV" item. 

Image courtesy of e-stealth.com

I know the commercials can be cheesy, but the Vidalia Chop Wizard ROCKS! 

Sidenote: don't you love how the demo of the person doing something in a conventional manner is always seemingly completely inept at said task? Check out the link to the Vidalia Chop Wizard, you'll see what I mean :).

Image courtesy of giftshomewares.com

Okay, all joking aside, this thing is AWESOME! I kept seeing it at Bed, Bath & Beyond, and even though it was $20 (remember, I'm cheap frugal), it seemed like a good investment. I am glad I trusted my gut, because it has been SUCH a time-saver in the kitchen! I'm probably the slowest chopper on the face of this planet, and recipes that say meal prep takes 5 minutes takes me about a half hour - really, I wish I were exaggerating, but sadly, I'm not. With the Chop Wizard (and my handy dandy Garlic Zoom - you can see my post about that baby right here), it truly does take me the time that a recipe allots. 

Image courtesy of vegetablesonwheels.com

And chopping onions...forget it. I look like I've just heard the worst news in the world after making one slice into an onion...my eyes are like a faucet, tears streaming down my face! Not so much with this little contraption! The chopped onions go straight into a container below, and the effect of the onions on my eyes is minimal compared to regular old knife-chopping. 


I truly think this is a worthy investment, and it has been very helpful to me. I hope it helps you out as well!


Do you have any kitchen gadgets you can't live without? I'd love to hear about them!!!


Happy chopping, Busygals!

Busygals Decorate with High-End Consignment Stores

A quick tip from BusyGalTips' biggest fan and supporter...my mama, Roberta :)


She has discovered and shared with me (and now you!) the beauty of high-end consignment stores. She has found some great treasures (furniture, dishes/china, etc) that are now in her beautiful home. 

What is a consignment store, you ask?

According to Wikipedia, "consignment is the act of consigning, which is placing a person or thing in the hand of another, but retaining ownership until the goods are sold or person is transferred." 

Basically, someone with a piece of furniture or other item consigns it to a shop, who sells it for the owner, and keeps a portion of the selling price for helping them out. You, in the meantime, get a sweet deal on oftentimes one-of-a-kind decorative pieces! Also, if you head to a consignment shop in a well-to-do area near you (i.e. Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, etc), chances are you'll find some high-quality, (originally) high-priced items for a fraction of the original price.


Get decorating, Busygals (and Thanks Mom!)

Busygals get SPICY! 99¢ Only Store Spices

Isn't it annoying when you only need a teaspoon of a spice for a recipe and it costs $5? 

If you know anything about me by now, you know that I LOVE a good deal and saving money (some would say I'm frugal...I say I don't like getting ripped off and taken advantage of ;)...tomato, tomahto...)

Anyway, once again, the 99¢ Only store's got your back! They offer many spices for...you guessed it...99¢! While they don't have every spice in the store, they do have quite a good selection! Next time you're there, check it out and save a few bucks!

Busygals Keep the Party WARM New Use for the Crock Pot

Ever have a hot beverage or some other hot dish out at a party, only to have it turn lukewarm or cold not too long after the party has started? 


 HOT tip: throw it in your crockpot on low, and...ta da!!!...food and beverages at the perfect temp throughout the night! 

 ***Make sure to check the food /beverage every once in awhile to make sure it's not getting TOO hot...don't want any burned mouths!***

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Busygals Love Francesca's Collections

Francesca's is an adorable boutique-type store with super-cute clothing, shoes, & accessories, as well as some items for the home. And the thing I REALLY love about this store is that not only are there some great finds in the store, but their clothing is very reasonably-priced!
AND they offer $5 flat shipping!
They have been expanding a lot, so.check their site, there may be a location near you now!
www.francescascollections.com

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A Busygal's Substitute for Shaving Cream

This tip comes from none other than Dad (thanks Dad!)! 


Out of shaving cream and in a pinch? Hair conditioner works GREAT, and sometimes better than some shaving creams! 

Image courtesy of http://www.health-care-beauty.com

AND...if you're in the market for a new shaving cream, might I suggest Trader Joe's Honey Mango Moisturizing Shave Cream with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E for men and women (honestly, did you expect me to suggest something not from Trader Joe's? :) ). It is the best shaving cream I've found out on the market, and it's only about $3!

Affordable Copies Straight To The Busygal's Door! Best Value Copy

Every Christmas, my husband and I send out a Christmas letter that also doubles as a networking opportunity, a chance to stay in touch with business associates and a chance to update extended family and friends on the latest happenings in our lives over the past year. Our Christmas letter always includes photos alongside each event we talk about...it gives it some visual interest to the letter and makes it more personal. 


Of course, since there are photos included in the letter, we print it in color. As I'm sure you're all aware, color copies are not cheap, especially when you're printing 150 of them! 


This year, thanks to being on the job hunt for much longer than expected, I had plenty of extra time at my disposal to do internet research for deals. I came across Best Value Copy. I got an amazing deal on my prints, and I was MORE than completely satisfied with my order and the extra services they provided, which saved me a LOT of extra work!


For a total of $31.34 (including shipping), my order included the following:


Order Details

Copy Type
- 150 of copies
- 1 of originals
- Color Copy Type
- Single Sided
- Page Size: 8.5 x 11
- Paper Type: 100# Glossy Cover

Finishing Options
- Collation: Not Collated
- Folding: Half Fold


As you may notice from my order above, not only did I get 150 color copies for around $30, shipped straight to my door, but they also printed the letter on glossy card stock paper, AND they FOLDED each newsletter for me!!! Folding 150 newsletters cost only $3 extra, and let me tell you from past years of newsletter folding...it was WELL-WORTH the $3!!! 


In addition, I have a major pet peeve for bad customer service. Well I can assure you, Best Value Copy not only had customer service, but GREAT customer service! They personally called me to confirm that they had all the details of my order correct, and were very quick with email updates about my order and were available for any questions I had with my order. 


I would highly recommend Best Value Copy to anyone who is looking for good quality prints that are at a great deal with fantastic customer service - this company is a triple threat!! 

Busygals in the Kitchen - Oxo Good Grips Soap Squirting Palm Brush

Fun fact about this Busygal: I am a total sponge-a-phobe (I don't think that's a technical mental health term, but just go with it people...). I hate touching sponges, they gross me out. 


I discovered the Oxo Good Grips Soap Squirting Palm Brush while at Ashley and Ryan's house (two of the most GRACIOUS and natural hosts you will ever meet in your entire life) for one of their many wonderful social gatherings. 


At the end of a laughter-filled night, I was helping with some dishes, and I picked up the Oxo Good Grips Soap Squirting Palm Brush in their sink. I was very impressed! 

Photo courtesy of www.digitaloffice.ca5

At home I use one of these, which is great, but sometimes it's hard to get into nooks & crannies with it, and junk can get stuck all over it and it can get ruined pretty quick. 

Photo courtesy of www.bedbathandbeyond.com

This baby keeps my hands away from the nasty scrubbing part, but gets into all those hard-to-reach spots, and gunk doesn't stick to it as easily. The top of it has this cool little button you can push that allows you to squirt some more soap onto the dish you're scrubbing for extra sudsing action! This thing has been a great addition to my kitchen for scrubbing dishes, and I'm sure you'll love it too!


You can find it at Bed Bath and Beyond.


Happy cooking and cleaning, Busygals!

Busygals Get Ready! Save Time in the Mornings

Quick Tip:

Need to save time getting ready in the mornings? 

Pick out and set out your outfit the night before for work, it'll save you precious time in the morning! 

Busygals Are Never Too Busy for LOVE

Happy Valentine's Day, Busygals & guys! 


I came across this quote today: 

May I never get too busy in my own affairs that I fail to respond to the needs of others with kindness and compassion. 

--Thomas Jefferson

As I reflect on Valentine's Day, it is so much more than flowers, chocolates, and overpriced prix-fixe menus. Really, Valentine's Day should be an every day occurrence...not only to show your significant other (if you have one) your love, but everyone in your life...family, friends, coworkers, people you come into contact with on a daily basis. Think how much nicer the world would be if everybody just showed each other a little love and compassion on a daily basis...wow! As a Busygal, I can often get caught up in the day to day, and forget this simple idea of showing love and kindness to all I come into contact with. So, as a little inspiration, I compiled a list of quotes that stuck out to me. Enjoy, and let's make every day a LOVE day :)
Thanks to quotelady.com for these quotes.

Every day I live I am more convinced that the waste of life lies in the love we have not given, the powers we have not used, the selfish prudence that will risk nothing and which, shirking pain, misses happiness as well.--Mary Cholmondeley


Expect the people you love to be better. It helps them to become better. But don't get upset when they fail. It helps them keep trying.--Anonymous


How can we communicate love? I think three things are involved. We must reach out to a person, make contact. We must listen with the heart, be sensitive to the other's needs. We must respond in a language that the person can understand. Many of us do all the talking. We must learn to listen and to keep on listening.--Princess Pale Moon


If grass can grow through cement, love can find you anywhere.--Cher


If we discovered that we only had five minutes left to say all that we wanted to say, every telephone booth would be occupied by people calling other people to stammer that they loved them.--Christopher Morley


If you aren't good at loving yourself, you will have a difficult time loving anyone, since you'll resent the time and energy you give another person that you aren't even giving to yourself.--Barbara de Angelis


If you think well of others, you will also speak well of others and to others. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. If your heart is full of love, you will speak of love.--Mother Teresa


Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.--Dalai Lama


LOVE it up today and every day, Busygals!

BusyGals, Get the Wrinkles Out of Your Lives! Downy Wrinkle Releaser

As you all know, I've recently returned to the workforce (woohoo!). 


Well there are some mornings that I wake up to discover that the outfit I was planning on wearing is riddled with wrinkles! Luckily, I have had Downy Wrinkle Releaser around my house for a long time, thanks to the wise suggestion of my dear friend Laurel, an event organizing, creative, caring Busygal. 

How awesome are my cell phone photography skills? I know, I know...

Now honestly...who has time for ironing clothes in the morning before work? Not this Busygal! You spray a little bit of this magic in a bottle on your clothing, give it a little tug and smooth-over, and voilà!, wrinkle-free clothes! 


One thing I have been doing if something is really wrinkled, is I hang it in the bathroom while I shower so that the clothing gets a little steamed, then I spray some Downy Wrinkle Releaser on there and the wrinkles come right out. 


Go out and get yourself a bottle, it's seriously such a lifesaver in a pinch!!!

Busygals, Brighten Up Your Home (Busyguys, Score Points)

I don't know about you, but I love to have fresh flowers in my house. However, I don't like the cost that often comes with flowers, and they never last that long. For those days you want some fresh flowers in your home for company you are hosting, or just because, or...ahem...hint, hint...Busyguys reading this...to surprise your Busygal and make her day...Trader Joe's has GREAT deals on flowers! 

Image courtesy of funkydivagirl.com

For as low as about $5, you can get a simple bouquet of gerbera daisies, lilies, sunflowers, and other beautiful flowers. If you really want to "splurge," you can get a full huge bouquet, complete with greenery, for around $10. That's about 30-50% cheaper than a florist, and nobody will know the difference. 


Busyguys, if you don't want her to know you got them on the cheap, grab up an affordable vase to throw them in before you get home, and maybe tie a ribbon around the vase...I guarantee she'll never know, but she'll certainly be happy and surprised :)

Busygals Save Money - 99¢ Only Store

I am a HUGE fan of 99¢ Only stores, as I probably have mentioned in the past...I mean, what's not to love?! They have fantastic deals, wonderful products, and many convenient locations. One of my favorite reasons to head to 99¢ Only stores is for their seasonal decor products...they have such FUN and cute products, and it's always amazing to me that everything is only 99¢!

As you all know, I recently was hired as a school-based therapist at an elementary school. As soon as I found out I got the job, my mind immediately turned to the 99¢ Only store for supplies. In my new position, I am working on a daily basis with children ages 5 to 11, along with their families. 

I walked into the 99¢ Only store the other day to purchase pencils and stickers for the students I am working with. I was of course delighted to see a whole aisle dedicated to Valentine's Day decor...so I had to go take a peek! I browsed through the aisle, and then was elated when I realized that I would be around tons of little kids during Valentine's Day! Do you remember Valentine's Day in elementary school? Passing out Valentines to your friends...getting to eat way too much candy at school...wearing red or pink...I have many fond memories of that day. 

Anyway, I found TONS of perfect items for my new role as the therapist at this school.
For Valentine's Day, I got: 

A few packs of adorable Dora the Explorer lollipop Valentines
(1 pack includes of 22 Valentines for only 99¢!)

A bucket to hold all of the Valentines I'll be passing out to the kiddos

A very cute Happy Valentine's Day banner to hang on the wall

Two different sets of window clings (which I will be able to use well after Valentine's Day - so CUTE!) - I bought these before I got my office , and now know I have NO windows in my office...haha! Oh well, they'll still go to good use somehow...I'm creative. 

And for general work with the students, I got:

An 18-pack of pencils

A 64-pack of crayons (64 crayons for 99¢?! Incredible!) Note: there are not 64 different colors, there are multiples of some colors and not enough of others, but if you throw them all in a bin, kids will never know the difference :)

A colorful 2011 calendar

And can you believe it...I got ALL of this for ONLY $10!!!!


For those of you who work with students, I would highly recommend checking out the 99¢ Only store. I know that teachers and others in education often have to pay for their own supplies out of pocket. The 99¢ Only store has so many great products for school, and your wallet will be happy too!


The 99¢ Only Store...the answer to any smart Busygal who wants to find great products for an incredible steal!

BusyGals in the Kitchen: Quick Tips

Thanks to RealSimpleFood on Twitter, here's a couple of quick and easy tricks to make your life easier in the kitchen:

Use a lemon to lift stains from cutting boards. Rub on the board, juice sit for 20 mins, then rinse. 

Thaw fish in a broad shallow bowl of milk in the fridge for 24 hours to reduce frost-bitten taste.  

 

Busygals in the Kitchen - Cooking With Trader Joe's

My husband and I have recently been assessing why we aren't saving money every month, when we clearly should be. Upon a quick look at our credit card statements, the answer is clear: We go out to meals ALL the time. A HUGE cost. The new plan? Start cooking at home. Simple, right? Ha!


I'm a Busygal by nature, and my husband is no different (he should have a blog called BusyGuyTips or something ;) ). He has a very busy and long day at work, and many of his lunch meals are also eaten at restaurants. We often find it easier to spend quality time in the the few hours we do have together in the evenings dining together, and not worrying about prepping/cooking/cleaning (I know...it's ridiculous...we're spoiled). However, our bank account doesn't like it so much. 


Since we want to save money, the new plan is to try to make as many meals at home for dinner and to make as many meals to take to work as well.


I have been on a tireless search for the perfect and most simple way to plan meals. Today I found it through a tweet from cookingwithTJ: "cookingwithTJ Trader Joe's Recipes Grilled Veggie Sandwich with Lemon Garlic Sauce, delicious & quick to make using #traderjoes Misto Alla Griglia.http://bit.ly/hCNujW"

This recipe sounded amazing, I was intrigued...I had to try it out for myself! I went straight to TJ's, and bought all of the ingredients, which totaled only $10 for 4 servings. I am no chef, but this thing was so dang quick and easy to make (5 minutes total), and the resulting sandwich tasted like a restaurant-quality meal (this sandwich would be at least $10-$15 in a restaurant we would usually frequent). It was DELICIOUS! And affordable!!! I was hooked.

When I got home, I checked their facebook fan page (which you can find here). With fingers crossed, I hoped I might find a link to a blog or web site with a few more recipes I could try out. I was MORE than pleasantly surprised to find not only the web site (which you can find here), but also HUNDREDS of amazing recipes!

Wait...I'm not even at the good part yet!!

The authors of cooktj.com (and also The Cooking with Trader Joe's Cookbook: Dinner's Done!, The Trader Joe's Companion: A Portable Cookbook, and Cooking With All Things Trader Joe's) Deana Gunn & Wona Miniati offer some fantastic features on their web site. 

*First, there's easy-to-use tabs on the left in which you can view recipes by Category, Special Diet, or Main Ingredient. I'm vegetarian, so I found that tab incredibly helpful.

*Second, you can create your own profile on the web site. Why is this so cool? Because when you view any recipe and you like it, you can simply click on either "Save" or "Add to Grocery List." It will save it straight to your profile so that when you return to the web site, your favorites are right there waiting for you! 

  

The reason I find this so incredibly helpful, is that because I am a Busygal, I often find myself parked in the TJ's parking lot, searching on my phone for some great recipe to make that evening. This web site will be a lifesaver! 


I have added 66 recipes to my Grocery List. If I plan ahead a little (hey, we can all set goals, right?), I am going to look through the recipes, find some that have similar ingredients, and create a menu (a-la-Clare) for the week. This will save me time, money, and wasted/un-used groceries. 

     

I will simply be able to click on the web site, log into my profile, and all of the shopping lists will be right there! Sweeeeeeet! :)

If you are a lover of Trader Joe's like I am, this web site will be incredibly helpful for you!

Happy cooking, Busygals!

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Busygals, get EMPLOYED!

I don't use this blog as a personal one, but I did have to share with all of you fabulous Busygals out there that I am finally EMPLOYED!!! 


If you've read my About Me, then you know I'm incredibly passionate about helping students...and that's exactly what I get to do!!! I'll be a school-based therapist at an elementary school! Wooohoooo!!!!


While I'm on the topic, I figured I'd share a few tips I've learned through this journey for all of you Busygals who are out there job searching:

Image courtesy of mediapost.com

#1: Among many job search engine options, the one I most prefer is indeed.com. Indeed.com returned many successful job searches for me, and it's a very helpful website -  you can create personalized job alerts, a profile, and save jobs you're interested in, among other features. 
In fact, you can search for your dream job on indeed.com right now - check over on the top right page of this blog and start searching right from this page! 
Hey, it's a one-stop shop! It's what I do...make Busygals' lives easier... :) 

Image courtesy of http://neilschwartz.net/are-you-the-tortoise-or-the-hare/

#2: DON'T GIVE UP! We all know the saying..."Slow and steady wins the race." Eventually your hard work, if you stick with it, has to pay off...and it will! 
I've been on the hunt for the past 7 months, and it's been discouraging and frustrating, but also a time for growing. My confidence in myself and my interviewing skills has exponentially increased, and I have met a lot of wonderful people in my field and made some great professional contacts. 

Image courtesy of http://www.relenet.com/

#3: Speaking of professional contacts...network, network, network!!! Ramit Sethi, author of I Will Teach You To Be Rich has some excellent tips (sidenote: EXCELLENT book that you all should buy right now. Check out his twitter here and his web site here. Invaluable information regarding money, employment, retirement, etc!). I can't find the link, so I'll just post the text from his email below and label it 3A. 
I have been emailing and staying in contact with everyone I know on a regular basis, updating them about my search, asking who they might know, and also checking in to see how they're doing (don't just be a taker, show that you care about them and what's happening in their lives too...because you do care, right? :) )

Image courtesy of hellobeautiful.com

#4: ALWAYS remember that everyone you meet in an interview is a potential job contact for the future, so remain professional in all of your interactions no matter what. It sucks getting rejected for a job you really want, believe me, I know the feeling. Keep this in mind, though...you didn't get this job? It doesn't mean they won't have others that will open up in the future that you might be better-qualified for (this is exactly what happened to me with the job I just got an offer for - I interviewed with them back in October for a bilingual position - I'm not entirely bilingual - needless to say, I didn't get the job. But when another position that I was more suited for opened up, she immediately called me!). 

Image courtesy of joyschwartz.com

#5: Going along with the last tip regarding professionalism, send an individual thank you note to each person you interviewed with. You'd be surprised how many people don't, and how pleasantly surprised people are when you do. I hand-write mine on nice, simple Thank You notes like the one pictured above. For some great tips that have helped me with wording a good thank you note, click here and here (and for you social workers out there, some great resources can be found here).

Image courtesy of network.nationalpost.com

#6: Make follow-up phone calls (unless the job description explicitly says not to call, make sure you're respectful of their wishes...plus it shows you can follow direction). Sent in your resume and haven't heard from them after a few days? Follow up! I've gotten a few interviews I never would have gotten simply because I called. With today's job market, HR staff members' desks are absolutely flooded with resumes and applications. They just can't even get to all of them. But if yours is on their desk in a pile somewhere and you call, chances are they'll dig through the pile to take a look while they have you on the phone.

You can also call right after emailing your resume and cover letter in, just to confirm they received it...it'll make them look right then.

Courtesy of iwillteachyoutoberich.com

#3A: GREAT networking tips by Ramit Sethi (seriously, check out his book and blog, you'll be happy you did!):

How to get a dream job: Using your network

You saw my recent email about how important it is to help other people using ethical networking. It has personally helped me accelerate my career years ahead.

Today, a case study on how to use specific strategies and tactics to find a new job.

Last night, I was talking to one of my friends on the phone. She's looking for a new job and she's put in an  application to a company she wants to work at. This is a big monster company where you submit a resume and never hear back (unless you know someone). Luckily, she has a friend who works there and she already asked her friend to check on her application...but hasn't heard back.

So yesterday, she asks me, "What do you think I should do? I don't want to bug my friend but I already asked her to check on the app last week."

My response:

1. Check in with your friend again. Here's an email script that works well to get action, but not make you seem rude:

Hey FRIEND,

Hope things are good! Hey, quick question -- I was wondering if you could check on that COMPANY-NAME application I submitted last week. I know things get crazy, so I didn't want this to fall through the cracks in your inbox...

Thanks,

-NAME

P.S. I love Ramit Sethi's blog at iwillteachyoutoberich.com!

What do you think? Good huh?

2. Ok, so the second thing is to STOP FOCUSING ON ONLY ONE PERSON IN YOUR JOB SEARCH. In this case, my friend was waiting on her one friend to help her get the inside track for the application. Unfortunately, there are 2 problems with this: (1) This girl is fairly low-status at the company and (2) she is only one person.  It's like when I see one of my friends fixated on ONE girl at the bar. Dude. There are 8,000 other girls at this New York bar. Let's not go crazy fixating on one fish in the sea, okay.

So here is how you do it.

I asked her, "Who else do you know at Acme Corp"? She said...nobody really. I said really? Think hard. She still couldn't think of anybody. Ok, no problem.

So then I asked her this: "Who do you know WHO MIGHT KNOW somebody who works there?" Still skeptical. But then she started thinking out loud.  Now she had a couple people. And I hinted, "Do *I* know anybody there?" She said no. I said how do you know? Hell, even *I* don't know if I know someone there or not until I check my contact list. You have to broaden your net and ask ALL your contacts if they know somebody at Acme who can help you get your application accepted. And then rinse and repeat with 10 other companies.

Here is your line:

Hey FRIEND,

I just put an application into Acme Corp and I was wondering if you know anybody there who can help get it to the right person. Do you by chance know anybody there?

Thanks,

-NAME

WHY THIS WORKS

1. People LOVE helping other people get jobs

2. People LOVE helping other people get jobs if they don't have to do any work. So if they simply have to forward your email to someone they know at some company, they win (and so do you)

3. Presumably, you are really good, so your friend is happy to introduce you to their contact at the company, creating a win-win. However, if you suck just give up and go home

4. You DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW. So you may not know someone directly at Acme Corp. But do your friends? Their friends? WHO KNOWS? Certainly not you until you try. 

5.Strategically using your network is the best way to get jobs that are never announced publicly. If you concentrate solely on going through the front door to get jobs, you are a sucker

Get Natural, Busygals! A Review of Tom's of Maine Deodorant

 I don't know about you, but when I step back and think about how many products I put on my body on a daily basis...shampoo, conditioner, body wash, shaving cream, lotion, toothpaste, perfume, makeup, and the list goes on...and then how many chemicals are in each of these things, it honestly freaks me out a little bit. 

Now I'm no health guru by any means, but I was raised in a home where natural products, such as vitamins and plant-based products, were used and encouraged (thanks Mom!). My childhood has stuck with me, and to this day, I try to use natural products when it's convenient and not crazy-expensive.

One thing I have heard since a child is that aluminum zirconium, which is found in most deodorants, is no good for your 'pits. I did a quick google search, and it sounds like it's a hotly-debated topic as to whether or not aluminum really causes cancer, or Alzheimer's, or a myriad of other problems, but my thought is, "Hey, if you can avoid something that's even rumored to cause problems, you might as well!"

Which brings me to a product I have been searching for most of my teen and adult life for: Tom's of Maine Long-Lasting Care Deodorant Stick. I have always tried to avoid 'mainstream' deodorants. I've tried to steer toward natural ones, but I have always ultimately had to return to deodorants with aluminum, because, to my disappointment, the majority of the natural ones I've tried simply don't do their job.

I was close, but still wasn't completely resigned to the fact that I would never find a good natural deodorant. On a whim, I snatched up a Tom's of Maine Long-Lasting Care Deodorant Stick in Fresh Apricot while browsing around Target. The label made claims such as, "natural," "24 hour odor protection," "long lasting," "aluminum-free" (ding ding ding!!!). I had low expectations, to say the least, given my previous attempts with others, but I figured it was worth a try.

Image courtesy of healthdesigns.com

To my completely pleasant surprise, this sucker does the trick! It smells light and fresh, not too overpowering, and it WORKS!!! And the ingredients are all-natural as far as I can tell (click here for all ingredients). It is also offered in the scents of: Lavender, Lemongrass (I think I'll try this one next time!), or Unscented/Fragrance-Free.

If you're in the market for a new deodorant, prefer products with natural ingredients, or are selectively cautious about chemicals in products (like me), then I would highly recommend checking this deodorant out! I believe you can purchase it at most drug stores, Target, and possibly even grocery stores.

Stay fresh & natural, Busygals!

New Year, New Look!

I'm sure you've noticed the blog has a totally new look!

I think it looks a little bit more what I'm going for, but I'd love to hear your feedback! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think!

Don't forget to leave your feedback below (the good...the bad...the ugly, I want it all!) :)

Busygals (and Guys) set S.M.A.R.T. New Year's Resolutions

I had the privilege of sharing lunch with three of my social work colleagues from graduate school yesterday, and the topic of New Year's Resolutions came up (I can hear the collective grumble from my readers now...don't worry, I'm in the same boat).

Why the grumbling? We all know the drill...January 1st rolls around...it's a New Year, New You...for the first two weeks anyway...then it's back to status quo. Not all the time, but many times. Why does this happen?

Many people often set their sights very high, and as a result, do not meet their intended goals. This is a huge disappointment for most, but it doesn't have to be!

I wanted to get a little bit "therapist/social workey" on you for this post, and share my knowledge about effective goal setting. 

A large portion of my past jobs have included goal setting with clients (usually called a Treatment Plan or Service Plan). We utilize these to ensure that clients are making the progress they would like to make during their treatment, and to measure and document their progress as a therapist to ensure that the methods we're using are in fact effective.

I owe this knowledge to many previous jobs, professors, mentors/supervisors, and probably textbooks, so I'm not sure who to exactly credit (and a quick Google search revealed that there's much debate to who exactly originated the S.M.A.R.T. goal setting concept), I'll just credit the profession of social work as a whole, and make it clear that this is not something I came up with myself (I wish!!!)...I'm just passing it on to you :)

Image courtesy of christopherwatts.posterous.com

To set effective goals, you need to be S.M.A.R.T.!
Goals should be:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Realistic
• Time-based

I'm going to use the example of weight loss, since this is a major resolution many people set in the New Year (I know, because my gym is PACKED for the first 2 weeks of January...then it's back to normal...ah, good intentions... ;) )

SPECIFIC
Be as specific as possible with your goal. If you want to lose weight, how much?  By when? How? Do you belong to a gym already?

Example: 
"Lose 10 pounds by March 15th by joining the YMCA and exercising 1 hour 5 times per week and not eating after 7pm 7 days per week." 

You might even want to include the specific days you will exercise and what type of exercise will look like: Mine would say, "Attend Swim Fitness class Mon, Wed, Fri 9-10am, and Boot Camp Tues, Thurs 6-7pm."

MEASURABLE
You need to know what you're working toward. How will you know you've met your goal? I have set my goal to be met by March 15. By March 15, I should have lost the 10 pounds. 

Example: 
"Weigh myself every Wednesday at 7am and record weight loss progress."

This will assist me with feeling productive and holding myself accountable. It can also help me to reassess my goal if I realize I am not on track to meet my goal and I can make adjustments as needed. 

ATTAINABLE
If you tend to be an impatient individual (like me) and 3 1/2 months seems like an eternity to see your goal met, set some smaller goals to get to the final goal. 

Examples:
"Lose 1 pound/2 pounds within the first 2 weeks, etc."
"Prepare ahead of time and eat small, healthy snacks throughout the day to prevent feeling hungry and eating unhealthy or seemingly more convenient options."

Your goal also needs to be something you are motivated to actually achieve. If you set a goal to lose weight because you think that others will be happier with you, but you don't really care one way or another, you're probably not going to stick with the goal. Make sure you want to meet the goal!

REALISTIC
This is where many of us get ourselves tied up. Is a 10-pound weight loss realistic and attainable within the next 3 1/2 months? Maybe not. If I know this isn't something I'll be able to achieve, I've already set myself up for failure. I may need to reassess. What is something that I can for sure achieve? 
Why is it important to set attainable goals? Because when our goals are unrealistic, we get overwhelmed and throw the towel in. Set small, achievable goals. You can always increase the "difficulty" of the goal as you progress.


TIME-BASED
When will you meet your goal? In my example, I will know I've met my goal if I have lost 10 pounds by March 15, 2011. Like I said, I might want to even break this large goal into smaller ones, like losing 1/2 to 1 pound every week for the next 14 weeks. 

Let's evaluate my goal one more time: 
*SPECIFIC: "Lose 10 pounds by March 15th by joining the YMCA and exercising 1 hour 5 times per week and not eating after 7pm 7 days per week." *MEASURABLE: I will know if I'm making progress on my goal by weighing myself weekly. 
*ATTAINABLE: I have set smaller goals, such as losing 1/2 lb to 1 lb per week for the next 14 weeks (obviously I'll need to lose more than 1/2 lb per week to meet my goal). I am also deeply committed to this goal, because I know that I  feel great with the weight I have already lost in the past 12 weeks (almost 10 pounds!)  
*REALISTIC: I have determined that 3 1/2 months seems to be a reasonable amount of time to lose 10 pounds for me, based on prior experience.
*TIME-BASED: I will know if I've met my goal if I have lost 10 pounds by March 15, 2011. 




This is pretty hideous looking, and I know I have a better official one from a past job, but I can't locate it on my computer. But here is a rough idea of how you can use a chart to set realistic goals (this is not how a treatment plan would look at all, it's much more detailed and professional looking, but it gives you an idea of something you can create for yourself):

Get S.M.A.R.T., Busygals, and meet your goals!