(This Re-Post is courtesy of one of Wishpot’s own Baby Experts, Simple Mom!)
It’s been well over a year since I first wrote about the digital, paperless tools I use to be more efficient around the home. It’s time for an update.
It’s easy to feel absolultely overwhelmed when you look for a tool or useful website online. There are hundreds of choices, and sometimes, it feels like they’re all pretty similar. There’s a theory that in this age of information, our range of choices — from toothpaste flavors to online calendars — stress out our bodies and our minds to the point that we’re actuallyless able to make sound decisions. I know I feel that way sometimes.
Here are my favorite digital tools I use around the home.
1. Gmail
Gmail is my email client of choice, because I can check all my email addresses in my one inbox. And I love the labels and archiving system — a quick word search, and I can find most any email I need.
I also “star” emails that become my online to do list, and I frequently use the chat feature for online meetings.
The key to successful email sanity is to only check your inbox at a few set intervals throughout the day. For me, once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once in the evening is plenty. I get a ton of email, so if I kept it open, I’d be tempted to pop over to my inbox anytime something came through. That’s a recipe for stress.
And just like I don’t always answer my phone when it rings, I only open an email when I have enough time to give it a quick, five sentence or less response. If I don’t have that time, then I don’t open it. It can wait.
If it requires a longer than five sentence response, and I can devote the time for an appropriate answer, then I’ll write it immediately. If I don’t, the email gets a star. That means I need to make time to give it a complete response in less than 48 hours.
2. Google Calendar
I click on my Google Calendar from my Gmail inbox, and I host a wide number of calendars on one screen. I’ve got our basic family events calendar, my husband’s work calendar, our menu plan, my writing schedule, our homeschool routine, the advertising schedule for my blogs, and the Book Club schedule.
My husband and I share our family appointments and work calendars, so that we’re always in synch with each other.
3. Last.fm
We’re a music-playing family. We’ve got plenty of downloaded songs in our iTunes account, and with their recent home sharing feature, my husband and I can now share mp3s for both of our iPods.
But last.fm is our daily radio programming of choice for background music. It’s free for 90 days, but after that, it’s only $3 a month. I get my money’s worth and then some, in my opinion. Here’s my profile, if you want to see what we listen to around our house.
It’s similar to Pandora.com, but Last.fm is available anywhere in the world. Pandora is available only in the U.S.
You simply enter an artist or type of music you enjoy, and it will play a “station” of similar music. If you really like a song, you can “love” it, and it will play it more often. If the song is atrocious, you can “ban” it, and it’ll never play for you again. You can also just skip a song if you don’t necessary hate it, but you’re not in the mood to hear it, either.
Last.fm has been my book writing sanity.
4. Pear Budget
I’ve written about Pear Budget a lot — it’s where we handle our family’s budget and accounts. It’s got a great interface, and it’s incredibly simple. For a bit more on what I’ve written in the past head here.
5. Delicious
It’s a classic. Delicious.com (formerly del.icio.us) is one of the oldest bookmarking sites, but it’s incredibly useful and easy to use. I have the bookmarklet in Firefox, so anytime I want to bookmark a site or URL, I simply click on the tag button, enter my tags, and save.
When I need to access my account (which is several times a day), it’s just one click, and Delicious opens in a separate tab. I keep my recipes, book research, website coding helps, and much more here. This is where people can send me links that they want me to consider sharing on this site. My husband and I also send links to each other from here when we’ve got something we need the other person to see.
6. Spark People
I’m working on losing a little baby weight, so I’m currently logging my food intake and exercise habits on this free site. Spark People worked well after my first birth, so I’m confident it will do the same again.
There are a plethora of things this site will do for you — almost too many. It’s easy to get distracted from its main purpose of food and exercise logging, but because it’s free, it’s still a great resource. It also saves the nutritional information on your own recipes, and it’s easy to record the basic things you eat often. I also like that I can map out and track my jogging routes from here with Google Maps.
7. Recipezaar
There are tons of recipe sites, but Recipezaar is my favorite. It has thousands of recipes, and almost every one I’ve tried is good. It’s easy to search for recipes by ingredient or meal type, and for the designer in me, I love how these recipes print. Very streamlined and easy to read.
8. Flickr
We store all but the blurry and redundant family photos on Flickr. It’s a breeze to share with grandparents, and the tagging feature and the ability to create sets, it’s easy to find photos.
9. Wishpot
Wishpot is the perfect place to store gift ideas for grandparents or events. With the bookmarklet for Firefox, all you have to do is click a button when you’ve found something you like, and it’ll toggle a pop-up screen where you can enter the item in a wishlist, along with pertinent information you need. Here’s a few of our wish lists, along with a few recommendations for kids I’ve created as a Wishpot “expert.”
It’s also a great way to create a wedding or baby registry, so that you’re not limited to a few select stores. You can store anything found online.
10. Skype
Skype
has been our sanity saver. This is the way we keep up with the grandparents as we live on the other side of the world, and with a small annual fee, we’re able to have a US-based number so that anyone stateside can call us for nearly free.
This is where I also have a host of business meetings, either by phone or by chat. Skype has truly made the world a much smaller place.
11. Audible
Finally, we’re a book-loving family, and Audible
is a great resource of audiobooks. Since we live overseas, this is a frugal option for “reading” new books, and as I’ve mentioned before, an audiobook is a good entertainment choice for a child’s daily quiet time. Audible Kids
has a wonderful selection.
These tools are about all we use for everyday personal use. I’ve got another slew of digital resources for book writing and blogging, but they’re not terribly useful for productive home management.
(Images courtesy of Simple Mom)
TOT TECH: PDAS FOR KIDS
LEAPFROG LAUNCHES A CHILD-FRIENDLY VERSION OF THE ADULT GADGET ADDICTION
If you’ve ever had to entertain a child in a fix, you know that technology is a convenient babysitter, as kids are mesmerized by gadgets ranging from simple mobile phones to iPhones and BlackBerrys. Considering that consumers don’t typically go anywhere without their personal tech, kid-focused apps come in handy when there’s nothing else to stop a child from screaming and crying. Covered in the iPhone Sitter trend in The Intelligence Group’s New Family Report (which you’ll be learning more about in next week’strendcentral), a pop-the-bubbles app could turn a cranky subway ride into a giggly trip downtown. However, for those who’ve seen more than a few cracked screens or sticky keyboards, a new wave of tech for tots that imitates their parents’ devices is emerging. While toy gadgets are certainly not new, they are certainly becoming more sophisticated.
Taking advantage of children’s desire for their parents’ handheld gadgets, edutainment tech trendsetter LeapFrog recently introduced the Text & Learn. Resembling a jumbo-sized, kid-colored BlackBerry, kids ages three and up can text back and forth on the full QWERTY keyboard with virtual guide "Scout," who also helps them navigate through a pretend browser. Games are included to help children learn the alphabet, spelling, and basic computer skills. Keeping kids entertained, learning, and away from their parents’ more easily destructible gadgets, the device’s $25 price doesn’t seem like too much to ask.
add one to your wish list today!
gift girl
TOY BOX PARTY INSPIRATION
By: Stephanie Frazier Grimm
You’re a Mom. It is the most rewarding title you will ever have. But let’s face it…you wear many hats. Chauffeur, short order cook, housekeeper, Guidance counselor, ATM, Social Secretary, Referee and Party Planner… just to name a few. Worrying about planning your child’s next party doesn’t have to be an added stress, let’s face it you have enough to worry about! I have always been the “party girl”. Whether it is going to, getting together with friends and family, or hosting a party, I have learned the most important thing to remember is…LESS IS MORE. Keep this in mind as you go through the steps of the planning process, small details make big impressions. The little extra details are what people are going to remember…not what games were played. Here are some tips to get you thru your child’s next party.
• Pick a theme. The easiest way to decide is to pick something that your child loves (favorite stuffed animal, sport, video game, hobby etc.) This will make it so much easier when looking for décor because it will actually be fun for you (and your child) because it means something to them. Use this theme throughout your party (invitations, decorations, food & party favors) Pick two colors that coordinated with your theme and use it towards your inspiration.
• Chose a date and location. If you have a younger child schedule the party around their nap time (I promise it makes for a better experience for you and them) having it at your home is always nice, but your local play gym offers free clean up!
• Decorations. This is my favorite part!
• Look in your child’s toy box first; if you pick a theme they love you are going to have toys already. Recycling them for party decorations is ideal.
• Let ribbon, paper, stickers, and fabric be your friend. Fabric makes a great tablecloth (no one is going to notice that you did not sew the edges) Gluing ribbon onto a clear vase with filled with flowers will add an extra touch. Rolling paper into cones and securing with a sticker is an instant snack holder for little hands. Buy clear plastic cups and put your theme sticker on the front.
• Whatever you do, DO NOT go to the party aisle of your local store and by EVERYTHING you see that has to do with your party theme…remember, LESS IS MORE! Plain colored plates with the plastic sticker cup and a toy centerpiece will be enough embellishment for the table. Leftover colored plates are easier to serve dinner on then the ones with Care Bears plastered all over them (your husband will thank you). If your child insists on the character plates, buy the smaller ones and use them for the cake and ice cream.
• Personalizing your party looks fantastic! In your favorite computer art program, you can print out letters that say “Happy Birthday (insert child’s name)” Hole punch or cut out each letter individually and thread with coordinating ribbon, for an instant Party Banner!
• Activities. Kids know how to play, it’s in their blood. They work with whatever they got (which really amazes me) If you decide to have a moon bounce, just have the moon bounce. Having a pool party? Swimming is all they need, but of course a pool party is not complete without beach balls, super soakers, and rafts! Still want some games? Only plan on 2 or 3. A craft table is always fun for kids of all ages (age appropriate crafts are key) something the kids can do themselves gives them more gratification. A Play-doh table is wonderful for the little ones. I through a superhero party and set up a small table with all action figures on it (My little ponies for the girls on a separate table) and in between playing games and having snacks, the kids thought these tables were bliss. Again, recycle your kid’s toys!
• Food. Again, follow your theme if possible. Use a shaped cookie cutter to cut grilled cheese or other sandwiches into shapes. Healthy options are a must. (The Mom’s will thank you) Small plastic cups with a spoon full of your favorite dip and some cut up vegetables inserted is perfect for your mini guest. (Bonus: the kids are not double dipping with the adults!) Fruit snacks come in every shape and theme and drinkable yogurts with swirly straws are always desirable. mmmmm….Cake. A big cake is great, but cupcakes are just as popular. Cupcake toppers are a great DIY project using paper, stickers, and toothpicks. Or you can purchase them from one of my FAVORITE resources, ETSY. There are some talented artists on there. Want to skip the cake altogether? Offer an ice cream bar where kids chose their favorite ice cream and toppings (get the camera ready because this is SO much fun!)
• Party Favors. Parents are tired of those little nick-nacks the kids come home with. There is no need to go overboard. A bottle of bubbles with a ribbon tied around it with a personalized tag is always a hit. Having a Circus theme party? Fill clear plastic bags with animal crackers and staple coordinating paper to the top adding a personalized label for that extra oomph. Another option is the ever popular candy bar. Set up a table with your child’s favorite candies (purchased at your local warehouse store) and use beach pails (as the candy containers) to give it that “kid friendly” feel. Supply small plastic bags, so the kids get to fill their own loot bag with what they want. First birthday party, rubber duckies are always a favorite, but downloading your child’s favorite songs onto a CD is the gift that keeps on giving.
Now that your party is planned, it is most important to enjoy your child’s day. Take a lot of pictures. Also know that it is not mandatory to open the gifts while all the kids are watching (WOW that is a HUGE relief)! A simple Thank you note is a definite. It just shows your guests that you appreciate them to celebrate your child’s special day. (It also teaches your child etiquette and graciousness) With proper planning, your next children’s party doesn’t have to be so hard! But of course if after reading this you still find it completely overwhelming, hire a professional. If you can get someone to clean the house, cut the lawn, cook the food, or plan the party no one has to know you had “an extra set of hands”! That’s why people (like me) are in the service industry, to help others out. Your secret is safe with me!
Author, Stephanie Frazier Grimm, is Mommy to Carter and Ellie, and is the owner of Couture Parties, one of a kind event planning and design in Newport, RI. Couture Parties offers event design/planning for weddings, dinner parties, cocktail parties, baby showers, bridal showers, children’s parties, fundraising and so much more. Couture Parties was started after her second child was born and her first business, Mama & Bambino was sold. Being a work at home mom-entrepreneur and designer is something Stephanie is passionate about. Stephanie is available for planning, advising, and inspiration. Her website is www.CoutureParties.com
and follow her on twitter @CoutureParties.
Use your Wishpot Wish lists to save your party supplies too!
gift girl
May 12, 2009 · Filed under Pondering
This is one of the prettiest kids cutlery sets you will find. The little Bean and I demoed it a few weeks ago when we first introduced you to the wonderful online store,NoPlastic.ca. Check it out in action here.
This beautiful, stainless steel set comes with a spoon, a fork, chopsticks and a really pretty little case so that you don’t need to dump goopy utensils in your purse or wipe them off with your tee shirt.
The sweet bird engravings on the spoon and fork are exquisite. They’re like those antique sewing scissors my grandmother used.
And the chopsticks unscrew for easy storage. How cool is that?
Best of all? No plastic. BPA-Free. Dishwasher safe.
Best best of all? Thanks to NoPlastic.ca we’re giving a set away to one lucky Babies Gotta Have It reader. Pair it with a pretty BPA-free feeding set for a gorgeous baby shower gift! Want to enter? Read on.
To Enter the NoPlastic.ca Stainless Steel Portable Cutlery Set Giveaway:
- Take a swing by NoPlastic.ca. Check out all the items they have to offer and let me know which one, besides the cutlery set, you’d like to try. If you entered my last NoPlastic giveaway, please stop by the shop again and list a different item. That’s it! Entering is that easy!
***Want extra chances to win? Do anything listed below and leave me additional comments for each one letting me know what you did! Maximum of three entries per person.
- Follow me on twitter (click the birdy button on the left to do so easily) and Twitter this giveaway (I’ve even made it easy for you, just cut and paste): Go plastic-free! @BabiesGottaHavT is giving away a portable stainless steel cutlery set from NoPlastic.ca http://tinyurl.com/owstcj
- Blog this giveaway (send me the url so I can enjoy your post!)
- Subscribe to my blog using the button on the left
- Grab my button and put in on your blog! Button code is in the right sidebar.
Your email address will remain private and not be shared with anyone. Giveaway only open to those with U.S. or Canadian addresses. Giveaway begins on Tuesday May 12th and ends on Tuesday May 26th at 11:59 Eastern Standard Time. On Wednesday May 27th, Random.org will select the winner I’ll email you immediately. After my baby called Larry the Cable guy the last time she did a drawing, we have decided to take a little vacation from her choosing the winner. Random.org is in no way as cute and unpredictable as my baby, but it is much more efficient and does not use any pieces of paper, even recycled ones. I am sure you will understand. Thanks for entering!
A great giveaway from one of our mom experts!
gift girl
