SavvySugar

A Simple Way to Organize Your Job Search

SavvySugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:30:35 -0700

Shooting out so many job applications that you're not spending time catering your résumé and cover letter to each position is simply counterproductive. However, an efficient job search includes dedicating several hours each day to the employment cause, and ideally this means applying for a handful of jobs each day.

Keep track of your daily job search by creating log. Maintain a spreadsheet with the following details and update it at the end of each day.

Applications sent: name of positions and companies.
Where you found the job.
Followup status.
A section listing the job sites you visited that day.

Organizing your job search will ensure that none of your efforts slip through the cracks, and looking at your full spreadsheet will make you feel accomplished.

Download SavvySugar's Wedding Planning Checklist!

SavvySugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:00:45 -0700

Juggling our everyday lives with wedding planning can be quite a struggle, but you can enjoy the planning process more when you're organized. It's overwhelming when you're not sure what's next on the to-do list, so I've created a general time line for brides out there who need the reminders or reassurance they're already on track - you can download the wedding planning checklist here.

After you've nailed down your wedding budget, get cracking on the rest of the checklist and don't forget to have fun. You're a bride! Try to enjoy every moment leading up to your big day.

How far along are you in the planning process?

5 Ways to Make Next Year's Taxes Easier

SavvySugar — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:30:46 -0700

Many of us like to put taxes out of our minds at least until the calendar year has changed, but you'll keep next tax season's stress levels down by getting organized now. Start the slideshow to see 5 ways that will create a less stressful tax season in 2010. Source

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January Must Dos

SavvySugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:45:42 -0800

Whether or not you're a believer in New Year's resolutions, there's always room for improving the order in our financial houses. Begin the year on an organized note and set yourself up to be in better touch with your finances in 2009 by following my January must dos. Start the slideshow to check out some steps to take this month.

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Decluttering Your Purse

SavvySugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 06:34:17 -0700

My bag is big. And I love it. I have a never-researched theory that a woman's purse habits tend to mimic those of her mother, but that's just based on my own experience. Any backers? My everyday purse doubles as a gym bag so that I don't have to carry around multiple bags, but it's a dangerous thing to have by my side because it lends itself to accumulating random junk.

The Unclutterer posted suggestions on what items should fill different types of purses: minimalist purse, small purse or clutch, daily purse, and corporate work purse (which is really a list of items for a carry-on bag for a business trip). She says that each purse should contain nothing more than the listed items to stay organized and agrees with our sentiments that receipts can be the biggest culprit for clutter. My everyday bag falls somewhere between the contents listed for the small purse and the daily purse; what about yours? Are you meticulous about what you carry around (like counting out four quarters) or do you have a modified clutter situation?

Minimalist purse: Money clip with cash, subway/metro card, one credit card, and your driver’s license; house key and car key
Small purse or clutch: Money clip with cash, subway/metro card, one credit card, and your driver’s license; tube of lipstick; powder compact; cell phone; collapsible brush or hair pick; pack of Listerine breath strips; four quarters (no other change); safety pin; band-aid; house key and car key
Daily purse: Pen; small notepad; powder compact; collapsible brush or hair pick; tube of lipstick, lipgloss, or chapstick; pack of Listerine breath strips; hand sanitizer; tube of lotion; tube of sunscreen; sunglasses; small paperback book; house key and car key; wallet with cash, checks, subway/metro card, credit cards, and driver’s license; cell phone; four quarters (no other change); two tampons; pill holder with a few pills each for headaches, cramps, heartburn, diarrhea, and allergies; pocket pack of Kleenex or two McDonald’s napkins; ponytail holder; safety pin; fingernail file; two band-aids

Stress-Relief Kit: How to Worry Better

DearSugar — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 15:00:00 -0700

Worry operates a lot like clutter. It mounts, causes anxiety, gets in our way, and keeps us from getting things done. I don't really believe it's possible to quit worrying, but I do think we can worry better.

Click here to read more

Here's my system:

Get yourself a small journal -- I dig the little Moleskine ones -- and keep it with you at all times.
Start to be very vigilant about hearing your thoughts: this is key.
When you hear yourself worrying, whip out your notebook and write down all the things you're worrying about. Make a list. We love lists, right?
Make a date with yourself every Sunday to review what's in the notebook.
Make a promise not to worry about the things on that list until Sunday. Each time you catch yourself returning to a worry, gently but firmly remind yourself to wait until Sunday.
Plan to allow yourself an hour on Sunday. Open the notebook and attend to each worry as if you were handling a pile of clutter or an inbox full of emails.
I like the DRAF system: Discard, Refer, Act, File.
Assign each worry in your notebook one of these actions.
Discard it if there's nothing you or anyone else can do. This can mean turning it over to God, a higher power, to the Universe, or simply accepting that it's not something that's possible to resolve. Be honest and be realistic. No hoarding. If you or someone else can't actually do anything about it, out it goes.
Refer means pass it over to someone else. Delegate it. Ask for help. Or, if necessary, do some research, learn more about what you can do to help yourself around this worry. Talk to a friend, a partner or a professional about it.
Act on it if you can. These are juicy ones. Life is hard enough, ladies. If there's something on that list you can handle, have control over or can get behind you, do it now. Worrying makes things harder. We do not want things to be harder. Get crackin'.
File it away. Literally. If you're anything like me, the worries you file will mainly constitute worries about something from the past. If it's over and done with, ladies, take out a sheet of paper, write that worry on it, and put it in a file. Label the file: Completed. This means you let it go. Date the sheet of paper and include your initials. Mean it. Make a big, bold line through that worry in your notebook. Repeat as necessary.

And then, ladies, comes Monday. Start again, noticing your thoughts.

If You're Drinking This Holiday Season, Go Green

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:28:54 -0800

To me, being healthy involves more than exercise and a balanced diet - I also try to live in ways that are eco-conscious and sustainable. I recycle, eat organic and local food, and do my best to cut down on waste. I feel better knowing that I'm helping preserve our planet, and a good state of mind is essential for healthy living!

This philosophy shouldn't stop at cocktail hour. Luckily, there are more choices than ever before when it comes to organic alcohol. Since the holidays often involve parties and grand meals, why not choose responsibly made alcohol if you're imbibing this season?

To see a list of organic spirits, beer, and wine, read more.

Tru Organic Vodka ($20). Tru vodka is made from organic ingredients, and the company plants a tree in Central America for every bottle sold. The company uses less glass to produce its bottles, and the glass that is used is recycled. Top that off with a synthetic cork, soy-based ink, and packaging that converts into a shelf and you've got yourself a carbon negative rating! Aside from its straight vodka offering, choose from lemon or vanilla flavored vodka too.
Casa Noble Tequila ($40-130). Award-winning Casa Noble is made from 100% organically farmed Blue Agave plants and is USDA certified organic. All the tequila is made harvest-to-bottle on the Casa Noble estate where water usage is carefully monitored and organic cleaning products dominate. Choose from silver, resposado, anejo, single barrel resposado, and single barrel anejo.
Juniper Green Gin ($20). Juniper Green has the bragging rights of being the first organic gin ever, and is made using organic ingredients like grain, juniper, and coriander. Besides being USDA certified it also has certification from the British Soil Association for its use of sustainable farming practices.
Papagayo Organic Rum ($28). The organic sugarcane used to make Papagayo single estate rum comes from small family farms in Paraguay, and the rum is distilled using organic practices. Available as a white or spiced rum.
Benromach Organic Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($60). The raw ingredients of Benromach are all organic, and the company is certified by the British Soil Association. Though it's not reclaimed wood, its casks are made from materials that come from sustainably managed forests.
Parducci Wine ($12). Parducci wines are not only affordable they are made using organic grapes from family owned farms and come delivered in eco-friendly packaging. The Parducci estate uses solar and renewable energy to power itself, as well as sustainable farming practices.
Domaine Carneros Sparkling Wine ($30). Made from organic grapes, bubbly from Domaine Carneros is also vegan. (If you didn't already know champagne and sparkling wine has animal products like egg whites in them.) The winery uses solar power and is a big fan of composting.
Wolaver's Organic Ale ($10 for a 6-pack). Wolaver's uses organic ingredients and its sustainable farming practices include the use of bio-diesel fuel, free-air refrigeration and relying on local ingredients. The company also donates profits to research in organic farming. There are eight varieties available that include pale ale, oatmeal stout, and alta gracia coffee porter.

Consumer Reports Files Petition Over Industry Misuse of "Organic"

BellaSugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:23 -0800

Today, the publisher of Consumer Reports and the Organic Consumers Association filed a petition with the Federal Trade Commission. They're asking for action against the widespread false use of the word "organic" on beauty, skin care, and personal care products.

Makes sense, since many beauty products claim to be organic or natural when they're actually nothing of the sort. The OCA is also concerned that by blatantly misusing the word "organic," irresponsible personal care companies are destroying consumer trust in the idea of organics as a whole.

What do you think? Should cosmetic and personal care companies be held to the same standard as farmers and manufacturers? And do you trust the term "organic" less because of the way it's thrown around?

Source

Get the Dirt on Olympic Champion Bode Miller

FitSugar — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 03:00:28 -0800

When I heard that Hannah Teter was moving off the grid and into a yurt, I was incredibly impressed - talk about green living to the extreme! Well, it looks like Hannah isn't the only member of Team USA to take eco-consciousness to the next level. Five-time Olympic medalist and vegetarian Bode Miller is living my dream of owning an organic farm.

I think I may have developed a tiny crush listening to Bode talk about his love of farming and everything organic in this video. Fun fact: Bode grew up in a home without electricity or running water. His parents were organic farmers too, so it totally makes sense that they imparted this valuable craft onto him.

11 Awesome Ideas For Organizing Your Books

CasaSugar — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:00:00 -0800

As part of this month's focus on home organizing, I thought we'd take a look at some of the ways that people are organizing books in their home. I scoured Flickr for a look at real-life homes that were organizing or displaying books in interesting ways. Want to see what I found? Then check out the slideshow!
Source: Flickr User austinevan

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