subscription review

 p. 10 :: The Simple List: (Suzanne Rust) -

• 1862: the 1st U.S. income tax was levied.
  
• 1.1 billion: estimated number of people with no access to clean drinking water. Visit csdw.org to find out how $1 can give a child clean water for 50 days!!
  
• 50: number of items you should get rid of, according to life coach, Gail Blanke, who is also the author of Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life.
  
• 7: Bits of baseball lingo:tater {homerun}; cheese {good fast ball}; wheels {a player's legs}; fireman {closer/late-inning relief pitcher}; meatball {easy pitcher to hit}; circus catch {outstanding grab by fielder}; Mendoza line {batting average of .200}
  
• April 6: Major League Baseball's Opening Day

p. 25 :: How do you Stay Connected to the People You Care about Most?  {This month's question} – Answers included: Wii online, leaving notes in kids' lunches or husbands' briefcase, care packages to her daughter in college, + keeping a blog or Facebook.  My favorite is this one woman's answer that said she bought gym memberships for her children + grandchildren, and they made it a point to go to the gym twice a week!  Isn't that a wonderful idea?

p. 30 :: RealSimple.com

• /browsehowtos : check out different how-to's {with instructions on anything + everything}
  
• /browsechecklists : check out checklists on everyday projects
  
• /browsetools : help on pairing food + wine, etc.
  
• /browsegalleries : amazing photo galleries of flowers + inspiration
  
• /browserecipes : yummy recipes {enough said!}
  
• realsimple.com : special products, gifts, books, and more favorites from the people behind Real Simple.

p. 35 – 42 :: SOLUTIONS

• Interested in spicing up your drinking glasses + help people distinguish whose glass is whose?  Use some window decals. 
  
• Do you get irritated with the gunky hair that gets stuck in your brush?  It's Oscar's pet peeve {he thinks it's totally disgusting}.  Use some hoisery and create a screen on your brush, so you can easily remove that hair + gunk easily!
  
• I hate when my groceries slide around in my back seat.  Try a nonskid rug pad to line your trunk.
  
• Have you tried dusting your ceiling fans and got more dirt on the floor than in your trash?  Try cleaning them with an old pillow case, so you can catch the dirt. 
  
• For you florists or those folks who have been exposed to floral supplies, try a flower frog as a photo holder on your desk.  Now, that's fresh!
  
• Trade Secrets : Get Designer Deals Online : check out the following sites for designer items at discount prices online.
  
  
  
  •  www.hautelook.com/realsimple : $20 credit towards your first purchase + expect up to 75% off retail prices
    
  •  www.gilt.com/rs : $25 credit towards your first purchase + expect up 70% off retail prices
    
  •  www.ruelala.com/simple : expect up to 80% off retail prices
    
  •  www.billiondollarbabes.com : expect up to 80% off retail prices
    
  •  www.badjoan.com : expect up to 80% off retail prices

  
  

  
  

• Problem Solving Products : check out these  products for some typical household issues.
  
  
  
  •  Giant spatula {it's like an ice cream scooper… everyone needs one!} : www.kingarthurflour.com
    
  • MP3 swapper {trade musice from ipod to ipod} : www.mishare.com
    
  • Task mug {write your to-do's as you casually sip your coffee/tea}: www.fredflare.com

  
  

  
  

p. 53-111 :: The Guide to Florals

• 3 fool-proof ways to wear florals
  
  
  
  •  pair with a solid shade – if it's a vibrant shade, pair with  khaki, black, or white
    
  • don't mix floral patterns
    
  • camoflauge trouble areas
    
  • check out these sites for some floral goodness : www.whitehouseblackmarket.com {OMG… big mistake showing me this site!  Everything is b+w!  I have no idea why I have never come across it before.}, www.hm.com, www.bodenusa.com

  
  

  
  

• the article features a raincoat from Old Navy in blue {but I also found it in a b+w print}.  As of 3/18/09, they're on sale!

• also features items from www.janemarvel.com, www.myoilcloth.com, adidas polyurethane watches {in a variety of colors}, and these cool rain boots from dav {my favorites are below!}

• some adv
  ice on how to decorate your home with green included: choosing the color green to create a "calm setting".  Recommended colors were: Ralph Lauren in Sea Grass #ML15, Valspar in Lovely Green 6009-9, Farrow & Ball in Minster Green, + Benjamin Moore in Spring Meadow Green #2031 .  Follow this advise if you're looking for:
  
• 
  
  
  
  •  "natural look" : try a moss green with sky blue palette
    
  • "soothing" : try seafoam green with a chocolate palette
    
  • "fresh" : try a kelly green with white palette
    
  • "playful look" : try a lime green with soft pink palette {I know I've seen pictures of a recent wedding like that!}

  
  

  
  

• There are also the green pieces they recommend, which I happened to post about on St. Patrick's Day!  Check them out!

p. 79 :: Article by Elenie N. Gage about Elizabeth Rogers, who is an environmental consultant and the author of the bestselling book, The Green Book.  Elizabeth shares her beauty secrets, from hair + body to face + all!

p. 85 :: Have {less} money, will travel by Elizabeth Schatz Passarella.  If you're interested in taking a vacaction or travelling to get away, but don't have all the funds you think you need to do it, read this article.  She gives tips on: {1} "If flying seems too pricey…"; {2} "If multiple hotel rooms are draining your wallet…"; {3} "If you can travel only at peak times…"; and {4} "If you tend to spend too much, then suffer later…"  Trust me, they're helpful tips, and by the end of the article, you'll be dying to start planning a trip!

p. 95 :: The 20-minute workout by Megan McMorris.  My #1 excuse for flaking the workout is not having enough time.  Well, this article busted that myth, and made me realize that keep that out of my head.  Really?  20 minutes?  I don't know exactly how effective these exercises would be to getting you as toned as the girl in the photos, but it sure doesn't hurt to try.  It's a full-body workout, I suppose, since she mentions a several exercises, targeting several body parts, as well as variations to increase the workout's effectiveness.

p. 105 :: how to save on green goods by Kristin Appenbrink.  Another myth busted by this article, because a lot of people say that they "can't go green" because it's too expensive.  For example, my favorite store Target has a variety of organic goods, and everyone knows Target doesn't drain the wallet {unless, of course, you go as much as I do}!

p. 109 :: cost comparison: a cup of coffee – hands down, Dunkin' Donuts has the cheapest black coffee, cappuccino, and espresso {in comparison with Peet's, Starbucks, + Seattle's Best}.

p. 113 :: road tests.  This month's included tests on tape, hair smoothers, + low-fat yogurt.  From masking tape, double-sided, + duct tape to clear/transparent, painter's, and packing tape… they cover the best in each category.  The hair smoothers evalution for all types of hair. and low-fat yogurt was based on the best brand for each flavor {raspberry, peach, blueberry, strawberry, vanilla, plain + Greek}.

p. 129 :: 10 Ways to be a better thinker by Jonah Lehrer.  I think I need this one.

1. Tap your emotions.
   
2. Don't think under pressure.
   
3. Consider alternative points of view.
   
4. Challenge your preferences.
   
5. Take long showers.
   
6. Be skeptical of your memories.
   
7. Don't expect to diet + finish the crossword.{This is a gooood one… very interesting study.}
   
8. Study your mistakes.
   
9. Go ahead + daydream.
   
10. Think about thinking. {Go figure!}

p. 135 :: Back-to-Basics in CLEANING. {article by Nicole Sforza}.  I don't love to clean, but I don't absolutely abhor it either. 

• Lemons can clean: countertops, dishes, faucets, garbage disposal, grout, hands, laundry, AND plastic food-storage containers!
  
• Essential oils can help you clean: combs + brushes, gum-encrusted items {disgusting!}, scuffed floors, shower doors, + windows.
  
• Liquid Castile soap can help you clean: your car, floors, leather upholstery, marble countertops, sinks, showers, tubs, ceramic tile, stove, + vent hood.
  
• Cooking oils can help you clean: cast-iron pans, hands, leather shoes, rattan + wicker furniture, stainless-steel surfaces, + wood furniture.
  
• Borax can help you clean: baseboards, countertops, walls, china {including hand-paintd}, dishwasher, pots, pans + toilet.
  
• Vinegar can help you clean: your coffeemaker, dishwasher, drains, floors, glassware, moldy walls {nasty!}, showerheads, steam iron, + windows.
  
• Baking soda can help you clean: your garage floors {+ other concrete surfaces}, garden tools, grills, barbecue utensils, stove burners, stained teacups + coffee mugs, upholstered furniture, + scuffed walls.
  
• Toothpaste can help you clean: your acrylic accessories, chrome fixtures, scuffed linoleum, piano keys, tarnished silverware, + steam iron.
  
• Table salt can help you clean: your artificial flowers, glassware, greasy pots + pans, spills in the oven, stained teacups or coffee mugs, + wooden counters and tables.
  
• Plus these odd items do wonders too: white bread {cleans your oil painting}, ketchup, oatmeal, rice, tea, glycerin, club soda, hydrogen peroxide, cornstarch, + rubbing alcohol.  If you want to know WHAT exactly these items clean + don't get a chance to pick up a copy, email me!

p. 144 :: 42 mood-boosting ideas to bring joy to every day.  Their list is great.  My favorites are the Gloveable dish gloves from www.surlatable.com, patterned decorative tape from www.containerstore.com, business card filing cabinet from www.thinkgeek.com, + the Cup-a-Cake Single Cupcake Carrier from www.organize.com.

p. 148 :: Wild About Rice, with recipes by Sara Quessenberry.  Instructions on how to make a variety of rices, plus recipes for the best dishes that accompany rice:

• Gingery Glazed Asian Ribs
  
• Creamy Shrimp with Corn + Bacon
  
• Curried Eggplant with Tomatoes + Basil
  
• Lamb Kebabs with Cucumber-Feta relish
  
• Chicken with Olives + Carrots

p. 157 :: Can Facebook be your friend?  by Susan Dominus.  The most common question I'm getting these days from everyone, young + old, is "Are you on Facebook?"  This article helps those of you who are struggling on trying to decide whether you should jump into this new frontier.  Quit debating with yourself +
just do it!  It's not a meat market like MySpace {at least, it's not to me}, and it's staged so that you can become "re-acquainted" with current, long-lost, or old friends.  It's not to "meet" people.

p. 163 :: The Ultimate Bathroom Organizer by Roopika Malhotra.

1. Out with the old, manage the new… some tips on rummaging through your "stuff" and keeping the essentials, which will lead to a cleaner, more organized bathroom.
   
2. What to conceal + what to reveal… what should you hide away, and which items should be exposed to guests?  This portion of the article breaks it down on which disposables should be disclosed, and which ones should be kept private.
   
3. Think outside the box… bag, box, rack… what is best for you?  You can explore the options here.

p. 173 :: Five Easy Dinners

• 20-minute meal : Blackened salmon with broccoli rabe + raisins
  
• heart-healthy : Pork tenderloin with cabbage + apple slaw
  
• vegetarian : Mediterranean salad with chickpea patties
  
• slow-cooker meal : Chicken with tarragon + leeks
  
• kid-friendly : Spaghetti with quick meat sauce

p. 184 :: Dessert in a flash – caramelized pineapple with coconut sorbet

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