BuzzSugar

11 Rules to Dramatically Increase Your Productivity

Wise Bread — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:35:04 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Wise Bread story here on Savvy!

There's a problem with a lot of productivity advice out there, and it's this - your "rules" for personal productivity are often going to be different than mine. Sure, sometimes there's overlap. Sure, you can always learn from others.

But if you want to see a dramatic increase in your productivity, spend less time reading and memorizing other people's rules, and more time figuring out what your own rules are. You'll be more productive and in a way that works with who you are.

So I'm sharing a few of my personal productivity rules. Maybe some of them will work for you or inspire you to think of your own.

1. Small Daily Movements Become Big Accomplishments

I tend to think that I must have big blocks of time in order to get any forward movement. So I hesitate and procrastinate, waiting for that "open time" when I can really push and get a lot done on whatever the current project is.

Turns out, that's a waste of time. Small daily movements add up. It's just that the movements or steps themselves are so small, I think they don't count. They do.

I have to constantly remind myself that I don't need a whole day or a whole week to devote to some project. I just need to take the 10 or 20 minutes I have here and there and use them. I need to achieve a little bit of forward movement every day. That adds up, and it builds momentum, and pretty soon there's been quite a lot accomplished.

For more rules, read after the jump.

Jennifer Morrison Talks About the Fairy Tale She Wants on Once Upon a Time and Emma's New Love Interest

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:34:19 PST

Jennifer Morrison plays Emma on Once Upon a Time, the show's reluctant heroine who has been chosen to break the curse of a town full of fairy-tale characters. I chatted with Morrison about the series, and I had to know how she felt about Graham's shocking death and whether we'll ever see him again. We also discussed the upcoming tales we'll get to see on the show, including the story Morrison would love to see play out. Read my interview below, and if you want to catch up with the show, you can watch episodes online here.

BuzzSugar: We were really upset when Graham died; were you sad when you found out it was going to happen?
Jennifer Morrison: Well, we knew what was coming in the story line since the beginning of the season. But all of us were upset because we love Jamie Dornan, and I thought he was just absolutely fabulous in the show. We all were very close, you know? So it felt like a huge loss, not just on the show, but just personally. We were all really close friends, and we still feel that loss. It feels weird with him not being in Vancouver with us.

Buzz: Is there any way that Dornan might return?
JM: The thing is, just because he died in reality doesn't mean that he can't return as the huntsman, because those are flashbacks. So, depending on the structure of the show, and the story we decide to tell, as far as I understand, there's room for him to exist still in fairy-tale land.

Buzz: With him gone, is Emma getting another love interest?
JM: Well, this last episode that aired, there's a stranger that comes to town, played by Eion Bailey, who is in that very last scene in that last episode that aired. I don't know for sure where they're cutting this at, but I know that there is a possibility that this stranger in town could somehow be connected to Emma at some point. Beyond that, I don't really know.

To find out what else Morrison said about the show, including the fairy tale she hopes to see on Once Upon a Time, just keep reading.

Start 2012 Off Right! 3 Ways to Improve Your Health, Now

Leta Shy — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:35:23 PST

Being fit and healthy may be at the top of your resolutions for New Year's, but that doesn't mean you should ignore your health now while 2011 dwindles down. Instead, remind yourself that the last days of the year are the perfect time to start (or continue) your healthy run. As the year comes to an end, be sure you are doing these simple things to be your healthiest.

Fight stress: The gift-giving may be over, but the end-of-year wrap-up can still leave you feeling hurried, rushed, or stressed. Make sure you take breaks in your day to relax and do something you enjoy to prevent burn out. High levels of daily stress negatively affect your quality of life, so make happiness a priority by relieving stress and you'll be healthier overall.

Exercise and sleep: For many, the Winter season means regularly combating sniffles and sneezes. Nip that cold in the bud before it affects you by exercising at least 30 minutes a day as well as catching up on your sleep. Getting quality sleep and exercise will help keep your immunity revved up and ready to battle the season's nastiest bugs.

Eat for your health: You are what you eat, so make it count. Make sure you are eating enough fresh produce, since fruits and vegetables are jam-packed with the nutrients you should be getting every day. If you're not sure what you're eating, keep our chart of your recommended daily intake of nutrients handy, and track your eating habits in a journal or online so you know where to fill in the holes to reach your nutrition goals.

We Caught the Color Bug

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:10:18 PST

Bright hair dye, even the temporary kind, is usually messy, hard to get out, and takes a long time if you want to create more than a few streaks. So we were really excited when new Kevin Murphy Color Bugs came across our desks. Instead of typical messy liquid dye, they're little pressed powders that you just rub into your hair. That way, you can put on as much or as little color as you like, from a couple of soft streaks to going super bright all over. We tried the orange and purple shades, so to see what we thought (and if it actually came out), just keep reading.

What to TiVo: Saturday

BuzzSugar — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:59:00 PDT

8:00 Two and a Half Men (repeat)
8:30 How to Be a Gentleman (new)
9:00 CSI Miami (repeat)
10:00 48 Hours Mystery (new)

8:00 Cops (repeat)
8:30 Cops (repeat)
9:00 Terra Nova (repeat)
11:00 Hell's Kitchen (repeat)

8:00 Harry's Law (repeat)
9:00 Prime Suspect (repeat)
10:00 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (repeat)
11:30 Saturday Night Live (new, with guests Anna Faris and Drake)

OnSugar Blog: Marks of Love

OnSugar Blog — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 03:16:08 PDT

Lots of moms like to think out loud, and CherylDee is one of them. Here is one of the latest posts to her Lipsticks to Baby Bottles blog.

I know my stretch marks that I started getting as soon as I hit the 8 months mark of being pregnant, which has lasted me until now, always seemed to bug me. They're not as dark and as yucky looking as they were at the beginning. They're starting to fade to white but I can still see them. I felt so insecure about them for such a long time. Plus modeling before also meant that going back to modeling now, I had something to cover up, something to hide.

But then I came across a picture and I have to say, it made me feel better. Made me proud to carry these marks. It was all worth it, every line, every scar, every ounce of pain I felt. I would do it again. A million times in fact. Because what I had in return, is such a beautiful little angel. I still tear up when I think about Kiara. She's been so amazing. She's changed my life, taught me patience, and taught me to love to a whole new level.

So here's to you, all you Mothers. Don't feel ashamed of them anymore. Wear them proudly. I know I am.

To see the image that changed CherylDee's mind, click here. Want to see more? Start following Lipsticks to Baby Bottles or start your own OnSugar blog. It's easy, it's free, and we just may feature your content on our site!

Source: Flikr User Jamiiiiiie

Group Therapy: My Boyfriend and I Only Talk on Weekends

Tres Community — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 03:05:00 PDT

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

So I've been seeing this guy for about two months and things are going pretty well, and it definitely seems like we are headed toward a serious direction because that is something we are both looking for in our life right now. He's even mentioned about wanting to settle down and start a family. It's been two years since I've been with someone, and for him it's over two years, too. I'm 24 and he is 34. He works a lot of hours because he is high up there in the corporate world. One thing that has been bothering me is we don't communicate during the week, only on the weekends. Sometimes I will send him random texts about food or jokes but we don't get into a conversation about it. I know he works long hours, sometimes 10-12 hours a day. I'm not asking him to talk to me everyday. We don't have to talk everyday. It would be nice of him to text me or have a short conversation with me sometimes just for me to know that he hasn't forgotten about me.

In my past relationships and with the guys I casually dated, we talked or texted daily. Sometimes it was not everyday, but just enough to know that we are thinking about each other and are curious about what we are both doing.

So, I mean am I asking for too much? I'm not a clingy person. I have a full-time job and activities after work, so I wouldn't want to lounge around and talk on the phone everyday like I used to. Everything is going great so far and I'm really happy but this is bugging me! How should I bring this up?

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Gear That Every Hiking Backpack Needs

Michele Foley — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:24:00 PDT

With cooler temps on the way, early Fall is one of the best times to go hiking. Whether it's two miles or 20, you'll want to make sure that your backpack is filled with all the essentials. From protecting your skin to protecting yourself against a serious emergency, here's everything you should have in your pack before hitting the trail.

Water - When hiking, do not let yourself get dehydrated! Carry a big water bottle or, better yet, a Camelbak. A Camelbak generally allows for more water and makes it easier to get a drink than having to fish for your bottle. Camelbak reservoir pouches fit right inside a pack, and a tube from the pouch runs out toward your shoulder. To get a drink of water, bite down on the end of the tube and suck. What's great is that Camelbak pouches double as backpacks, meaning you'll have room for all of your other goods, too!
Sunscreen - When spending a full day hiking, one application of sunscreen won't be enough. Make sure to follow the specific guidelines on the sunscreen bottle to know how often to reapply. Keep in mind that if it's hot out, you'll want to apply sunscreen more frequently since you'll likely be sweating it off. For maximum protection, buy a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen with a water-resistant formula.

See the rest of the items - including one that may save your life - after the break!

Lights, Camera, Decorate!

Mandy Harris — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 04:00:00 PDT

Photographs are an easy and versatile way to decorate any home, but your decorating inspiration doesn't have to be limited to the pictures themselves. The cameras, lights, tripods, and film used to produce those photos make for equally beautiful decor!

If you've got the photography bug too, first invest in a vintage-style camera (bonus points if you learn how to use it) and display it proudly. Then augment your shutterbug display with a photographer's floor lamp ($649), adorn your coffee table with a set of vintage camera coasters ($60), and keep your pencils in sharp focus with a camera pencil sharpener ($14). Need more lens love in your life? Shop the rest of the items above!

5 Smart Ideas For Cutting Wedding Food Costs

SavvySugar — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 03:05:10 PDT

Food costs definitely make up one of the biggest chunks of a wedding budget, but they don’t have to totally break the bank. Nor do you have to sacrifice a delicious, memorable wedding meal in the name of saving; you just have to get creative! To inspire you, here are five unique cost-saving ideas from real-life savvy weddings.

A family affair: When my sister got married years ago, we enlisted the whole family to make things manageable. Our grandparents, who owned an amazing barbecue restaurant, catered the reception in a beautiful old barn. Our aunt, a librarian by day, pastry chef by night, baked the most amazing, beautiful almond cake, plus almond cookies as favors.
Take over your fave restaurant: Two of my favorite weddings ever took place in the couples’ favorite restaurants. My oldest sister had a small, intimate ceremony on the patio of the restaurant, followed by a delicious sit-down meal in the cozy, candle-lit dining room. A couple of close friends had a low-key ceremony at city hall, followed the next day by a big celebration, complete with wood-fired pizzas and specialty cocktails, in their favorite spot. It’s more affordable than you might think, and you’ll often just pay a flat fee for both the venue and the food.

To see a few more memorable, budget-friendly wedding dinner ideas, keep reading.