BusyGalTips

BusyGals, Embrace the Season!

2012-07-24T00:26:00.003-07:00

This entry is basically just a free-flow splattering of my thoughts about seasons in life that are particularly BUSY!

Photo courtesy here

I saw this image on Pinterest, and I feel that I really need to apply it to my life and make it my motto, given this VERY busy season of life I'm currently in.

When I named this blog, I had no idea how very fitting it would be - I mean, I'm always on the go, but life over the past few months has been CRAZY busy.

SIDENOTE:
I fully realize that many of the events I am listing below are fun and happy and fun events, so I'm not complaining or whining - at least I hope it doesn't come off that way - I'm just giving an example of how busy life has been for me. I also acknowledge that life is good - I don't have much to complain about in comparison to many others (like my friend Clare, who has a young son battling major health issues in the hospital, or my dad, who's been in the hospital for the past 3 months, or my uncle who just lost his wife to a horrible form of cancer, or the people involved in the recent tragedy in Colorado, and the list could go on...), things could always be worse, and I realize that. This is just how my life has been and the small lessons I've learned as a result.

An example of my schedule in the past 2 weeks:

Week 1 (Sat thru Sun):
Host small BBQ
Attend friend's bday party
Work full-time
Visit dad in hospital
Attend concert at the Roxy
Attend new small group
Coordinate and attend Vegas bachelorette party Th-Sun (SO fun!)
{Find time to spend with hubby}

Week 2 (Mon thru Sun):
Work full-time
Spend evening with bro, niece, nephew, mom, & hubby for bro's bday
Visit dad in hospital
Eyebrow appointment
Host book club/mini dinner party
Attend Solvang bachelorette party Sat-Sun (also SO fun!)
Attend friend's wedding Sun (another fun event!)
Attend hubby's gma's 80th bday party (also Sun)
{Find time to spend with hubby}

Needless to say, this season of life has been BUSY. This is just a small sampling of life as of late.

My dad entered the hospital in April due to a blood clot issue and has been there since then, and that has been difficult, worrisome, and stressful to say the least. I hate seeing him in pain and feeling so helpless. He has been so strong, and continues to be. So has my mom. They are rockstars! {Prayers appreciated for dad that he continues to heal and get well!}

My hubby and I moved to a new home at the end of April, so that always makes for crazy-busy, with packing a home we lived in for 6 1/2 years and all, and searching for a new home, and dealing with selling a home. We were blessed to have movers and a couple of very caring/generous friends who came to help us with the move and help us unpack.

This has been a busier wedding season than most have been in the past for the friends in our lives. This makes for lots of parties and fun events (showers, bachelorette party getaways, weddings, shopping, helping, etc).

This upcoming weekend is the first free weekend with absolutely no plans on the calendar since April, and it can't come soon enough!

Life will continue to be crazy until early August, and then hopefully things will calm down a bit (one can hope at least)!

Why am I writing all of this? I'm not really sure. I guess it feels therapeutic in a sense. I saw the quote and it really struck a chord with me, as I'm sure it does with many of you who are much more busy than I and with many more stressful, difficult things happening in your lives.

I'd like to have some purpose to this post, so I will close my rambling thoughts with a few lessons I've learned that I'd like to pass on to you (hopefully it can be of some help to you somehow):

Rather than fight this season of life, as I've been doing, I am going to choose to embrace it and accept it. I can't control all of the situations in my life, but I can control how I react to them. I am now choosing to view the tasks on my schedule in the future as opportunities, not burdens or items on a checklist to cross off, or "get through." It's easy to start viewing life that way when your plate is so full, but I think life is becoming so much more enjoyable when I'm able to change my outlook on all that I have to do as chances to experience life in new ways, rather than duties to complete.

So if you'd like, please join me in embracing this season of your life...whatever season of life you might currently be in.

Wishing you sanity, peace and acceptance as you travel through this busy life Busygals!

Life is happening regardless of how I view it, so I might as well experience all that it has to offer!

Aveda Outer Peace Acne Spot Relief

2012-07-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

I turned 30 in May, and as a birthday gift, my body gave me acne for the first time in my life (thanks, body...is there a way to return your gift, or maybe exchange it for something cooler, like thinner thighs or something?!).

In reality, I'm thankful for my health and so many other wonderful things in my life, so I can't really complain...but acne is a bummer.

Anyway, I was complaining to my esthetician about my new-found acne, and she told me this is a common occurrence for women who hit 30 - who knew?!

Click on the image above to purchase Spot Relief from Amazon

My esthetician is in an Aveda salon, Vicara, and she suggested I try Outer Peace Acne Spot Relief and gave me a little sample to take home.

Let me tell you...I think I should write to the little miracle workers over at Aveda and tell them that their Outer Peace Acne Spot Relief should be renamed "Magical Acne Disappearing Potion" (or something more clever than that, but you get my drift).

This. Stuff. Is. Ahhh-maaazing!

I put it on a spot before bed, and the next morning there was a visible difference in size (smaller) and color (less red). And within a couple of days of putting this stuff on morning and night, acne disappears! It's like magic in a little squeeze tube!

I'm about as ~~frugal~~ cheap as they get when it comes to buying things, but this stuff was SO amazing when I sampled it, that I hardly balked at the $30 price tag (okay, who are we kidding, I definitely did, but I DO think that this product is a worthy investment).

If acne is a problem for you, check this stuff out, I highly recommend it!

BusyGalTips Favorite Veggie Recipes

2012-03-11T10:36:00.001-07:00

These are some veggie recipe faves that I make often. The quinoa recipes are great to make in large batches and eat throughout the week for lunch at work! Many of these recipes are from cooktj.com, my favorite recipe web sites! The others I discovered through Pinterest. Bon appetit! ;)

California sandwich
http://www.ezrapoundcake.com/archives/16580

Lemon orzo salad with asparagus & tomatoes:
http://www.abigmouthful.com/lemon-orzo-salad-with-asparagus-and-tomatoes/

Quinoa salad with roasted beets & baby spinach:
http://www.thedailymeal.com/quinoa-salad-roasted-beets-chickpeas-baby-spinach-and-orange-recipe

Addictive vegetarian tacos
http://cooktj.com/content/addictive-vegetarian-tacos

Grilled veggie sandwich with lemon garlic sauce (really fast and easy!):
http://cooktj.com/grilled-veggie-sandwich-lemon-garlic-sauce

Quinoa salad with apples, walnuts, cranberries, & Gouda:
http://cooktj.com/quinoa-salad-apples-walnuts-dried-cranberries-and-gouda

Tamale bake:
http://cooktj.com/tamale-bake

Sweet potato chili (I make this in the Crockpot overnight):
http://cooktj.com/sweet-potato-chili

Indian spinach pizza (fast!):
http://cooktj.com/indian-spinach-pizza

Thai yellow curry vegetables:
http://cooktj.com/thai-yellow-curry-vegetables

Soy chorizo vegetarian chili:
http://cooktj.com/chorizo-chili

Avocado and Grilled Corn Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette (save yourself time: trader Joe's sells frozen grilled corn):
http://authenticsuburbangourmet.blogspot.com/2011/05/avocado-and-grilled-corn-salad-with.html?m=1

Have any healthy veggie recipes you love? I'd love to hear them!

{Image courtesy: zoskinhealth.com}

5-Piece Folding Table

2011-10-25T21:58:00.000-07:00

What? On top of everything else in your busy schedule, you're hosting a party...maybe even...Thanksgiving? Oh, and you have a small table that won't accommodate all of your guests? Well you and I have a lot in common!

Have no fear...I've found a STEAL! [Mind you, this will probably be the only time I will ever write a post about Wal-Mart...fundamentally, I dislike the company and try my best to never support their business. Why, may you ask? Read Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By In America by Barbara Ehrenreich]. And after I make that statement, I'm going to go ahead and say that I supported their business...I know, I know...

Anyway, back to the steal I found...
Recently, I needed space for a dinner party of 10 and my table only fits 6. I didn't want to spend a ton of money, but I also didn't want my guests sitting around our coffee table and dinner table and standing at our counter around the kitchen eating. A quick Google search for 'folding table,' and I discovered the Mainstays 5 Piece Card Table and Chair Set from Wal-Mart.

Image courtesy of Wal-Mart

And the kicker? This thing only costs $57...for 5 pieces of folding furniture!! I thought it would probably break instantly with how cheap it was, but I thought it would be worth a try. To my pleasant surprise, it made it through the whole dinner party in one piece (well five pieces, but you know what I mean...) and actually seems pretty sturdy!

Like I said, I would encourage you to support other businesses rather than Wal-Mart, but if you're in a pinch, this table will do the trick and won't break the bank.

Brita Water Bottle

2011-10-24T10:48:00.000-07:00

I made a recent discovery, thanks to Rebecca Woolf over at Girl's Gone Child: Brita makes a water bottle with a filter right inside of it!!!

Image courtesy of Target

This makes me incredibly excited, because a school-based therapist, I am at a different school almost every day. I bring a water bottle with me, but it only holds about 20 ounces of water. There are no community water resources available in schools besides drinking fountains and sinks (both of which have disgusting-tasting water), or vending machines. So...I end up drinking only about 1 bottle of water during the day, or I end up buying a bottle of water at some point during the day. This is costly and so not "green."

Enter the Brita water bottle, with a filter right inside of it! It's only $10 at Target, and refill filters are about $9 for 2. According to Brita, each filter lasts about 2 months.

I bought one and tried it out for the first time today...fresh-tasting water!!! Ahhhhh...refreshing!!!

2011-09-22T13:34:00.000-07:00

As you may be able to tell from my last painting post, we have been making some minor changes that make a big impact in Casa de Collins (photos to come if I get around to it ;) ).

Many of my ideas and inspiration have come from a wonderful (and addicting) web site called Pinterest.

Don't know what Pinterest is? You should! It's fantastic!

Image courtesy here

What is Pinterest? "Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. Pinterest allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests."

-from Pinterest's help section

The great thing is that whatever images you pin will link you directly back to the web site source, so you can access any needed information or instructions that go with the image.

Pinterest has been helpful to this busygal in the following ways:
Home decor inspiration
Good ideas for space saving and organizing
New recipes to try
Party planning
Techniques to use as a therapist (crafts, etc)
Gift ideas for staff at the schools I work at
Fashion inspiration
Parenting ideas for the future
Hairstyle ideas
It's FUN!

From my days as a substance abuse counselor..."Hi, my name is Carly, and I'm a Pinterest addict."
There, I said it :)

Here is a link to the inspiration board for our bedroom redecoration

You can see how this site has been helping me as a therapist by checking out my other blog, Therapeutic Interventions.

Have you checked out Pinterest yet? What do you think? I'd love to hear how it has made your life as a busygal a bit easier!

Paint Your Walls Like A Pro! FrogTape Review

2011-09-19T12:16:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, my (patient, awesome, and selfless) hubby and I painted an accent wall in our room, changing it from red to blue. Now I don't know how much experience you have with painting, but we've done our fair share in the Collins household (mostly thanks to my need to constantly change things up...sorry hubby).

Anyway, we made a couple of really great discoveries that will save you time and errors the next time you paint.

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

The first one I'll tell you about today is FrogTape.

FrogTape works better than Blue Tape, and here's why:
"FrogTape® is the only painter’s tape treated with PaintBlock® Technology. PaintBlock is a super-absorbent polymer which reacts with latex paint and instantly gels to form a micro-barrier that seals the edges of the tape, preventing paint bleed." (From FrogTape's web site)

It worked wonders on our painting job, and kept the mistakes of paint getting where we didn't want it to get to a minimum.

We also learned a very valuable lesson from FrogTape's web site, which is to take the tape off while the paint is still wet, rather than letting the paint dry and then peeling off the tape. I'm sure you've been in the same boat as us: you let the paint dry, take the tape off, and what comes off with it? Inevitably some of the paint you intended to stay on the wall! Ugh!!! Not so if you take the tape off while the paint is still wet!! Genius!

The one bummer about this? If you're doing more than one coat, you have to tape twice, which is definitely more time-consuming (and annoying), but it cuts down the time overall of having to do touch-up painting on all the parts you didn't mean to paint that went through other tapes you might have tried.

The next time you have a painting project, check out FrogTape!

*This post is written from my own experience and opinion of this tape. Your experience might be different. I take no responsibility if the tape doesn't work as great for you.

Icy-Cool Reusable Ice Cubes

2011-09-07T10:10:00.000-07:00

I know...it's been forever!!

In true Busygal fashion, I've been busy, busy, busy with work and life!

I wanted to share with you this great discovery I made at Cost Plus/World Market. Reusable Ice Cubes from Icy-Cools! I don't know if they're still at World Market, I haven't looked lately, but you can order them straight from Icy-Cools (see link above), or you can order them here through Amazon, and they're a little bit cheaper.

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

As a school-based therapist, I continue to provide therapy services to our clients during the summer, which means I've had a summer full of parks and home visits. As a result, my lunch has to stay cold in my hot car. We've also had a lot of beach trips, road trips, parties, etc this summer in which we've needed to keep food cold. These reusable ice cubes have been great!

First, and most importantly, they keep my food cold! But the other thing I love about them is that they leave more room for food in my insulated lunch bag. Most ice packs are so big, they take up so much space! The reusable ice cubes are helpful because I can put all my food in first, then dump the ice cubes in and they surround all my food, keeping it nice and cold! One more great thing about them: the container they come in can be re-used to store them in your freezer!

Busygals in the Kitchen: On the Menu This Week at BGT...

2011-06-20T22:54:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share with y'all a typical week's menu in the BGT kitchen.

You may remember some inspiration I received from Clare. True to my word, I have been planning out menus from Cooking With Trader Joe's incredible web site since January, and the benefits have been multi-faceted: we've been saving TONS of money, I've totally improved my cooking skills, we eat healthier, and we eat home-cooked meals that are filled with many organic veggies and fruits.

Here's a sample from this week (by the way, all the ingredients shown in this photo were $67. That's 5 meals-worth of food for two people, plus fruit and drinks, and 2 pre-made salad lunches, plus plenty of leftovers! I did have some of the ingredients already for the recipes below, which is why they're not in the photo. This is drastically less money than we used to spend on food when we were going out to meals pretty much 7 days per week).

Image courtesy of Busygaltips

Here's what's on the menu this week, taken straight from my grocery list at Cooking With Trader Joe's:

Image courtesy of cooktj.com

Oven Roasted Potatoes
- 1 (24-oz) bag Baby Red Potatoes (about 9-10 potatoes)
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 cubes frozen Crushed Garlic, or 2 cloves garlic, minced.
- 3-4 sprigs fresh rosemary or 2 tsp dried rosemary
Tamale Bake
- 2 (18 oz) tubes cooked polenta, sliced into 1/3" rounds
- 1 pkg Soy Chorizo, removed from encasing, or substitute 1 lb meat cooked in Taco Seasoning
- 2 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained
- 3 zucchini squash, sliced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
- 1/2 cup Enchilada Sauce
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- Sour cream as garnish (optional)
- I'm adding sliced Crimini Mushrooms to this recipe
- This recipe is a favorite in our house!
Indian Spinach Pizza
- 2 pieces of frozen Tandoori Naan, plain
- 3-4 Tbsp Masala Simmer Sauce or other curry sauce
- 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained (squeeze the water out with your hands)
- 2 Tbsp fresh Ricotta
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- I've never made this...we'll see how it is!
No-Prep Veggie Lasagna
- 1/2 (16-oz) box No Boil Lasagna Noodles
- 2 jars Tomato Basil Marinara (26 oz each)
- 1 (14-oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (optional)
- 1 bag frozen Misto all Griglia (grilled eggplant & zucchini), thawed
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 (15-oz) container Fresh Ricotta or Fat Free Ricotta
- 1 (16-oz) bag frozen chopped spinach, thawed
- 1/4 cup Parmesan or grated Pecorino Romano
- Basil or Italian parsley for garnish (optional)
- I'm adding sliced Crimini Mushrooms to this recipe
Spinach Pesto Pasta Salad
- 1 bag (16 oz) fusilli pasta (I used Brown Rice Pasta for this one)
- 1 7-oz container of refrigerated Genova Pesto
- 1/2 bag of baby spinach (3 oz)
- 1 16-oz container heirloom cherry tomato mix
- 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
- 1 container Ciliegine (fresh mozzarella balls), drained
- Blarg...I forgot the fusili pasta!!! Someone want to pick some up for me? ;)
So there you have it...a typical weekly menu in the BGT kitchen. If you haven't been using cooktj.com, or the menu planning idea, I highly recommend it! It's a time and money saver in our house!!!

Toys R Us Makes Gift Buying Easy for Baby Showers & Kids

2011-06-12T22:24:00.000-07:00

I had the honor of being invited to my friend Melissa's baby shower this past weekend. It was lovely, complete with home-made cake and cupcakes by the grandma-to-be, family heirlooms, fresh lemonade, and baby gifts galore! As someone who has yet to become a mama, I was amazed, as I always am, at how much stuff a baby needs and how clueless I am about all things baby...but that's for another post altogether I suppose... :)

Now a word about the baby shower gift-buying process and a new discovery that has made life a bajillion times easier for us Busygals out there!
Four words: "Eligible for Store Pickup."

I don't know about you, maybe it's just my luck, but I have gone to Babies/Toys-R-Us to buy baby shower gifts multiple times, and have been completely baffled by their registry gift-buying process each time. I've printed out the registry, gone to the aisle it says the product is on, and about six times out of ten, the item is nowhere to be found. I don't think I've ever gotten out of the store with whatever items I've wanted to purchase without having to ask an associate for help with locating at least one item. Oftentimes I've had to purchase items I wasn't originally intending to purchase, just because after I've been in there for an HOUR, I want to pull my hair out and don't care what I buy any more, as long as I have a gift in hand so I can get the heck out of there!

Maybe I'm not the only one with this experience, and maybe people have complained about their inefficient registry-buying process, because I was delighted to discover this little feature on their web site when I went to check out Melissa's registry. It saved me time and frustration.

Next time you're on their web site looking for items to purchase, look for this little baby (above). Four words that can make your life much easier...Eligible for Store Pickup!

This thing is a lifesaver!

Here's how it works:

*Select items from the registry that are Eligible for Store Pickup (yes...this limits your options as to what you can choose to buy...but the person registered for the items and wants them, so get 'em and save yourself time! ;) )

*Select the store at which you wish to pick the items up

*Check out (using your credit card or Paypal)

*Wait for an email to confirm your order has been filled (I got mine within a couple of hours)

*Go to the store you chose to pick up at, and your items will be waiting for you at the Customer Service desk!

No more searching, looking for someone to help you search, wandering aimlessly around the store in frustration...Yipppeeee!!!

I used this feature to purchase Melissa's gifts and was pleased with the experience and time and effort it saved me!

Added bonus: Babies/Toys R Us has a whole section dedicated to wrapping paper, gift bags, and cards that are all entirely appropriate for a baby shower or child's birthday gift, so you'll be done with all gift-giving-related tasks in no time!

Save yourself time and searching, I know I will use this feature from now on!

Blister Prevention in a Pinch...Busygals Get Creative

2011-05-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of thebudgetfashionista.com

You may recall my previous post about the Band-Aid Blister Block stick. If you don't or you haven't read it...you should read it! ;) You can access it by clicking on the link above, or here.

Anyway...yesterday, I was wearing a pair of heels I've worn many times before with absolutely no problems. For some reason, yesterday was different, and I had left my Blister Block stick in my purse, which was in my trunk, while I was at a school doing an intake with a client and parent. The more I walked, the more painful walking was.

I was in a serious pinch here, and desperate for some kind of relief. My solution was definitely odd, and many of you will probably think I'm completely NUTS after reading the rest of this post, but I was desperate!

So, with a bit of creativity and ingenuity (and probably a few screws loose in my head), I remembered a pack of mini Post-Its I had in my work bag.

Image courtesy of http://www.jm-bruneau.be/

I know what you're thinking, but yes...I seriously put a mini Post-It on my heel. And you know what? It was INSTANT relief! While it was definitely not the ideal solution and it was for sure a little weird, it totally saved me for the rest of the day!

So, ideally, just don't forget your Blister Block stick, which is a complete lifesaver! But when you're desperate and you're in an office setting, changes are there are some Post-Its laying around ;)

Get creative, Busygals!

I'm dying to know (and also hoping to feel like I'm not the only ~~crazy~~ creative person out there)...what's the craziest or oddest solution you've ever arrived at when you've been desperate for a solution to a problem with few resources at your disposal?
Post a comment below!

50% off Borders Coupon 5/20-5/23!

2011-05-20T07:01:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to share this quickly: 50% off at Borders 5/20-5/23!
http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/20110520sa50.html?cmpid=SA_20110520

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Never Get Too Busy For Mom!

2011-05-06T17:36:00.000-07:00

Did you ever meet a mother who's complained that her child phoned her too often? Me neither.--Maureen Lipman (Thank You for Having Me)

Image courtesy of thebabyplanners.com

Don't forget...it's Mother's Day this Sunday! I know as Busygals we can get caught up in the daily grind, and we don't make as much time for those who are important to us, especially our parents. Make it a goal to call your mom (and dad) more often, it'll mean the world to her (them) :)

Also, I know this holiday can be very difficult for some of you out there...maybe you've lost your mom, a child, or don't have a great relationship with your mom. I know when I worked as a substance abuse counselor, this was a difficult holiday for many of our clients for various reasons. If that's the case for you, on Sunday, be gentle with yourself and take the day to do something that you enjoy or spend time with a good friend :)

Revlon Nail Enamel

2011-05-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

Maybe you gals can relate to this...

I love getting my nails done, but often I leave the nail salon feeling like my nails don't look any better (or worse) than if I did them myself. Crookedly-filed nails, too much nail polish globbed on so it takes forever to dry and almost certainly leads to smudges, little cuts from the cuticle cutter thingy... I don't know...maybe it's just the nail salons in my area of LA, but I've had this experience many times.

Maybe the nail techs are over-worked and pressured by bosses to get everything done as quickly as possible, which leads to sloppiness.

Anyway...this has led me to get over my belief that "I can't do my own nails," and with a little practice, they usually look pretty decent when I do them myself! One thing I've found that helps a TON is having a good quality nail polish.

Image courtesy of blog.en.chatelaine.com

I have found that Revlon Nail Enamel (which you can get at any drug/grocery store, or Target) is really easy to use. It's not too thick or thin, it dries pretty quickly, and it lasts quite awhile (when you put on a base and top coat). They have a great selection of colors too.

The trick I've found to making it look like you've gotten your nails professionally done is in fact to add a top coat. It gives them that glossy, finished look.

Get pretty, Busygals!

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Get Out Stains!

2011-04-19T21:42:00.001-07:00

Last weekend, I was in a wedding (congrats Mailloux's!).

One of the bridesmaids got a little stain of some kind of grease on her dress.

Nothing a little club soda and towel couldn't fix!

Image courtesy of www.ehow.com

The next time you have a stain and have a bar close by, dab/blot a little club soda on there with a clean towel, and...ta da!!! Magic! It does wonders!

Our fellow bridesmaid's dress was fine...that club soda worked like a charm!

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Busygals In the Kitchen - Vidalia Chop Wizard

2011-04-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

Yes...I am shamelessly advocating an "As-Seen-On-TV" item.

Image courtesy of e-stealth.com

I know the commercials can be cheesy, but the Vidalia Chop Wizard ROCKS!

Sidenote: don't you love how the demo of the person doing something in a conventional manner is always seemingly completely inept at said task? Check out the link to the Vidalia Chop Wizard, you'll see what I mean :).

Image courtesy of giftshomewares.com

Okay, all joking aside, this thing is AWESOME! I kept seeing it at Bed, Bath & Beyond, and even though it was $20 (remember, I'm ~~cheap~~ frugal), it seemed like a good investment. I am glad I trusted my gut, because it has been SUCH a time-saver in the kitchen! I'm probably the slowest chopper on the face of this planet, and recipes that say meal prep takes 5 minutes takes me about a half hour - really, I wish I were exaggerating, but sadly, I'm not. With the Chop Wizard (and my handy dandy Garlic Zoom - you can see my post about that baby right here), it truly does take me the time that a recipe allots.

Image courtesy of vegetablesonwheels.com

And chopping onions...forget it. I look like I've just heard the worst news in the world after making one slice into an onion...my eyes are like a faucet, tears streaming down my face! Not so much with this little contraption! The chopped onions go straight into a container below, and the effect of the onions on my eyes is minimal compared to regular old knife-chopping.

I truly think this is a worthy investment, and it has been very helpful to me. I hope it helps you out as well!

Do you have any kitchen gadgets you can't live without? I'd love to hear about them!!!

Happy chopping, Busygals!

Busygals Decorate with High-End Consignment Stores

2011-04-10T23:04:00.000-07:00

A quick tip from BusyGalTips' biggest fan and supporter...my mama, Roberta :)

She has discovered and shared with me (and now you!) the beauty of high-end consignment stores. She has found some great treasures (furniture, dishes/china, etc) that are now in her beautiful home.

What is a consignment store, you ask?

According to Wikipedia, "consignment is the act of consigning, which is placing a person or thing in the hand of another, but retaining ownership until the goods are sold or person is transferred."

Basically, someone with a piece of furniture or other item consigns it to a shop, who sells it for the owner, and keeps a portion of the selling price for helping them out. You, in the meantime, get a sweet deal on oftentimes one-of-a-kind decorative pieces! Also, if you head to a consignment shop in a well-to-do area near you (i.e. Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, etc), chances are you'll find some high-quality, (originally) high-priced items for a fraction of the original price.

Get decorating, Busygals (and Thanks Mom!)

Busygals get SPICY! 99¢ Only Store Spices

2011-03-31T19:42:00.000-07:00

Isn't it annoying when you only need a teaspoon of a spice for a recipe and it costs $5?

If you know anything about me by now, you know that I LOVE a good deal and saving money (some would say I'm frugal...I say I don't like getting ripped off and taken advantage of ;)...tomato, tomahto...)

Anyway, once again, the 99¢ Only store's got your back! They offer many spices for...you guessed it...99¢! While they don't have every spice in the store, they do have quite a good selection! Next time you're there, check it out and save a few bucks!

Busygals Keep the Party WARM New Use for the Crock Pot

2011-03-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

Ever have a hot beverage or some other hot dish out at a party, only to have it turn lukewarm or cold not too long after the party has started?

HOT tip: throw it in your crockpot on low, and...ta da!!!...food and beverages at the perfect temp throughout the night!

***Make sure to check the food /beverage every once in awhile to make sure it's not getting TOO hot...don't want any burned mouths!***

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Busygals Love Francesca's Collections

2011-03-18T11:57:00.001-07:00

Francesca's is an adorable boutique-type store with super-cute clothing, shoes, & accessories, as well as some items for the home. And the thing I REALLY love about this store is that not only are there some great finds in the store, but their clothing is very reasonably-priced!
AND they offer $5 flat shipping!
They have been expanding a lot, so.check their site, there may be a location near you now!
www.francescascollections.com

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A Busygal's Substitute for Shaving Cream

2011-03-10T20:40:00.000-08:00

This tip comes from none other than Dad (thanks Dad!)!

Out of shaving cream and in a pinch? Hair conditioner works GREAT, and sometimes better than some shaving creams!

Image courtesy of http://www.health-care-beauty.com

AND...if you're in the market for a new shaving cream, might I suggest Trader Joe's Honey Mango Moisturizing Shave Cream with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E for men and women (honestly, did you expect me to suggest something not from Trader Joe's? :) ). It is the best shaving cream I've found out on the market, and it's only about $3!

Affordable Copies Straight To The Busygal's Door! Best Value Copy

2011-03-03T21:39:00.000-08:00

Every Christmas, my husband and I send out a Christmas letter that also doubles as a networking opportunity, a chance to stay in touch with business associates and a chance to update extended family and friends on the latest happenings in our lives over the past year. Our Christmas letter always includes photos alongside each event we talk about...it gives it some visual interest to the letter and makes it more personal.

Of course, since there are photos included in the letter, we print it in color. As I'm sure you're all aware, color copies are not cheap, especially when you're printing 150 of them!

This year, thanks to being on the job hunt for much longer than expected, I had plenty of extra time at my disposal to do internet research for deals. I came across Best Value Copy. I got an amazing deal on my prints, and I was MORE than completely satisfied with my order and the extra services they provided, which saved me a LOT of extra work!

For a total of $31.34 (including shipping), my order included the following:

Order Details

Copy Type
- 150 of copies
- 1 of originals
- Color Copy Type
- Single Sided
- Page Size: 8.5 x 11
- Paper Type: 100# Glossy Cover

Finishing Options
- Collation: Not Collated
- Folding: Half Fold

As you may notice from my order above, not only did I get 150 color copies for around $30, shipped straight to my door, but they also printed the letter on glossy card stock paper, AND they FOLDED each newsletter for me!!! Folding 150 newsletters cost only $3 extra, and let me tell you from past years of newsletter folding...it was WELL-WORTH the $3!!!

In addition, I have a major pet peeve for bad customer service. Well I can assure you, Best Value Copy not only had customer service, but GREAT customer service! They personally called me to confirm that they had all the details of my order correct, and were very quick with email updates about my order and were available for any questions I had with my order.

I would highly recommend Best Value Copy to anyone who is looking for good quality prints that are at a great deal with fantastic customer service - this company is a triple threat!!

Busygals in the Kitchen - Oxo Good Grips Soap Squirting Palm Brush

2011-02-24T22:06:00.000-08:00

Fun fact about this Busygal: I am a total sponge-a-phobe (I don't think that's a technical mental health term, but just go with it people...). I hate touching sponges, they gross me out.

I discovered the Oxo Good Grips Soap Squirting Palm Brush while at Ashley and Ryan's house (two of the most GRACIOUS and natural hosts you will ever meet in your entire life) for one of their many wonderful social gatherings.

At the end of a laughter-filled night, I was helping with some dishes, and I picked up the Oxo Good Grips Soap Squirting Palm Brush in their sink. I was very impressed!

Photo courtesy of www.digitaloffice.ca5

At home I use one of these, which is great, but sometimes it's hard to get into nooks & crannies with it, and junk can get stuck all over it and it can get ruined pretty quick.

Photo courtesy of www.bedbathandbeyond.com

This baby keeps my hands away from the nasty scrubbing part, but gets into all those hard-to-reach spots, and gunk doesn't stick to it as easily. The top of it has this cool little button you can push that allows you to squirt some more soap onto the dish you're scrubbing for extra sudsing action! This thing has been a great addition to my kitchen for scrubbing dishes, and I'm sure you'll love it too!

You can find it at Bed Bath and Beyond.

Happy cooking and cleaning, Busygals!

Busygals Get Ready! Save Time in the Mornings

2011-02-20T01:49:00.000-08:00

Quick Tip:

Need to save time getting ready in the mornings?

Pick out and set out your outfit the night before for work, it'll save you precious time in the morning!

Busygals Are Never Too Busy for LOVE

2011-02-14T17:15:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day, Busygals & guys!

I came across this quote today:

May I never get too busy in my own affairs that I fail to respond to the needs of others with kindness and compassion.

--Thomas Jefferson

As I reflect on Valentine's Day, it is so much more than flowers, chocolates, and overpriced prix-fixe menus. Really, Valentine's Day should be an every day occurrence...not only to show your significant other (if you have one) your love, but everyone in your life...family, friends, coworkers, people you come into contact with on a daily basis. Think how much nicer the world would be if everybody just showed each other a little love and compassion on a daily basis...wow! As a Busygal, I can often get caught up in the day to day, and forget this simple idea of showing love and kindness to all I come into contact with. So, as a little inspiration, I compiled a list of quotes that stuck out to me. Enjoy, and let's make every day a LOVE day :)
Thanks to quotelady.com for these quotes.

Every day I live I am more convinced that the waste of life lies in the love we have not given, the powers we have not used, the selfish prudence that will risk nothing and which, shirking pain, misses happiness as well.--Mary Cholmondeley

Expect the people you love to be better. It helps them to become better. But don't get upset when they fail. It helps them keep trying.--Anonymous

How can we communicate love? I think three things are involved. We must reach out to a person, make contact. We must listen with the heart, be sensitive to the other's needs. We must respond in a language that the person can understand. Many of us do all the talking. We must learn to listen and to keep on listening.--Princess Pale Moon

If grass can grow through cement, love can find you anywhere.--Cher

If we discovered that we only had five minutes left to say all that we wanted to say, every telephone booth would be occupied by people calling other people to stammer that they loved them.--Christopher Morley

If you aren't good at loving yourself, you will have a difficult time loving anyone, since you'll resent the time and energy you give another person that you aren't even giving to yourself.--Barbara de Angelis

If you think well of others, you will also speak well of others and to others. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. If your heart is full of love, you will speak of love.--Mother Teresa

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.--Dalai Lama

LOVE it up today and every day, Busygals!