Tuesday, October 30, 2007

StumbleUpon

I would like to introduce you all to StumbleUpon. This Mozilla or Internet Explorer add-on has introduced me to more cool and useful websites in the last three weeks than I have found in the last three years.

The application is simple, download the application, put in your interests and then start clicking. You’ll be so impressed you’ll bookmark just about everything that pops up. I have so many bookmarks that I need to figure out the best way to organize them. The system also keeps track of what you like and don’t like so that you can For each stumble you can decided whether or not you like that page and the application learns better your interests.

Stumble upon does have a few other features, such as adding your friends to see what they like, however I have not yet found this feature particularly useful.

Tx: www.genbeta.com

Friday, October 26, 2007

Hearty House Plants

These plants you couldn’t kill if you tried. Well that’s an exaggeration, you will have to occasionally water them, but they all an easy way to add some foliage to your indoor environment. We all know how important this greenery is to help purify the air around you.

Pothos

This plant is vine-like and full of leaves. It likes any type of light, even fake light. You should water very couple of weeks at least, but you can’t really over water it. If you cut off a branch and stick it in a little water, the branch will root in about a week.




Spider Plant

This plant is spiky and occasionally blooms on long arm like branches. Minimal light and water are all that are needed. The branches sprout little baby plants that if you cut off and put in a little water, the baby will root.






Lucky Bamboo



Throw it in a glass of water. Seriously that’s it.




Jade Plant

This plant is a succulent and can handle a forgetfully induced drought. It likes a decent amount of sunlight, but won’t die in the shade. Break off a little branch and put it in a glass of water and this little guy will root.





Thanks for the pics! (in order)
www.auspet.com
silkplant.tripod.com
Clickr_Clickr on Flickr
www.plantranchco.com

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Unique Magazine Recycling Ideas

Clutter comes in many forms, but the most intrusive is certainly the old magazine piles. My mother has Better Homes and Gardens from a decade ago. I've always thought that simply throwing magazines in the recycling bin seemed like a waste. There are so many people who would enjoy even old magazine articles. So here are a few ideas for a way for people to reuse your old magazines.

1. Take it to the gym. My gym has a giant magazine rack where people leave their old magazines and then borrow them while they are working out. It's great because i don't have to drag one along every time and i get to see new stuff. If you gym doesn't have one, ask one of the managers if you can set up a neat little bin.

2. Coffee Break. Bring a couple to the break room at work and leave them in a neat little bin in the corner. Make a sign offering them for free. You'd be surprised how people will add to it and start sharing.

3. Use them for art projects. I love to cut out my favorite pictures and paste them on different projects, from those plain wooden magazine bins from Ikea, to a bland picture frame, they can really spice up your environment. I will have soon some more craft ideas for your extra pictures.

(Another way to get some cool cutouts is to go through old catalogs.)

Whatever you do, don't keep the magazines around, saving them for the day where you will pull the pictures out. If you don't have time, get rid of that clutter and haul those magazines away!

Monday, October 22, 2007

Office Candy Dish


Today’s blog is a different idea for networking in your office. If you feel like you are left out of the office chats and hallway meetings, then making your cubicle or office more welcoming is a great idea. One way to do this is to bring in a candy dish and setting it on the corner of your desk.

I would recommend a clear jar so that people can see what goods you got without having to look inside. Also, to make sure your coworkers feel welcome to take some. At first you might want to consider a little sign inviting them to come over. A good example:

Please Help Yourself!

Probably inappropriate would be a sign saying:

Eat me!

This is a good way to get people to include you in their impromptu office discussions.


I would recommend individually wrapped candy to avoid sticky situations and to cut down on germs. Just get what you hand out at Halloween.


If you find you going through a lot of candy, just leave the jar empty for a few days saying something like you haven’t had time to go to the store. If your coworkers are nice some one will bring in a bag.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Organizing Accessories

Organizing the many accessories a girl’s got can be a difficult task. Those wily organizing experts tell us, “Make sure everything has its place.” But what if you have 80 somethings? Below are a few tips for organizing each of those little trouble items that seem to be everywhere. With this hopefully you can create the right spot for each of them.

Sun Glasses:

Problem: Some people put them in their cases, but I’ve always found that cumbersome. You

have to remember to put them back in, if you can find it, or they get scratched up. Or it becomes a hassle so you don’t put them back.

Solution: A key holder. I got this one at the World Market. I nailed it up behind my bedroom door, but on the inside of your closet door is also a great place.







Necklaces:

Problem: They get tangled together ruining decent jewelry, and do not have a decent place
to rest.

Solution: The trusty key holder:











Next Time: An easy craft project for organizing earrings…

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Brown Baggin It



Brown Bag it

Taking your lunch with you to work can save you delicious amounts of money. If you spend only $8.00 a day for lunch, which isn’t difficult to do, you will spend almost $2000 a year. That’s $160 a month. If you’re like me, and live on a limited budget, this money can make a huge difference.

But it can be really difficult to facilitate a Brown Bag habit. Time and resources are at a minimum.

Excuse #1: Your coworkers are going out, and you don’t want to be left out.

Answer A: Get a buddy to do it with you. If you only really hang out with a couple people at lunch, convince them to do it with you. Go to a park or eat quickly and go for a walk together.

Answer B: Offer to set up brown bag lunches where everyone brings their lunch and listens to a short information session on a new piece of software or a new concept. It’s a great idea for professional development for the presenters, the attendees and makes you look great for suggesting it.

Answer C: Take one day, maybe Friday as a reward for being so good all week, and make sure everyone gets together to go out. I agree with the new book, “Never Eat Alone” you should always be trying to create new relationships to develop your career as well as personal life.

Excuse #2: You don’t have time to pack a lunch in the morning.

Answer A: If you cook at night, when putting the food away, put a little bit in a single serving container and set it right in the front so you don’t forget it.

Answer B: Precook some foods like pasta or rice. Or pre-chop some green pepper and celery and toss them together in an impromptu pasta salad or in a quick stir fry.

Answer C: Buy a bunch of poptop soup cans and put them in your desk. Make sure you keep a sturdy bowl or container. If you have room in a freezer grab a couple of lite frozen dinners and toss them in there.

Another amazing advantage to brown bag buffets, your can easily control your caloric intake. If you’re watching your weight this can be a great help.

Here's a great page of ideas for your brown bag adventures.