Mini Day-at-a-Time Day Planners

If you’re like me, you block your year into semesters, either because you have a student at home, or you have that familiar rhythm locked deep in your reptile brain. So, subconsciously, every new year still brings a fresh shot at Dean’s list, or at the most outtasight spring break ever. Maybe this is why I like to break in a new day planner by filling in the vacations, breaks, and birthdays first – because in between those dates stretch the days and weeks of obligations and details I just can’t face yet. Like a trail of carrots in the path of my inner Eeyore, vacations urge me on, cheering, “Three weeks till driving Coast Highway 1! Pick it up old girl, you can make it!”

Ready to plot out the awesomest, most organized year yet? Check out the beautiful planners at PaperPosey.com »

"Pebbles" cotton apron from the Iota® Collection

Have you ever noticed how putting on a cute apron turns cooking into entertaining? (OK guys, this post is perhaps not for you :-) Even if it’s Wednesday sandwich night at your house, you can elevate the proceedings with a little kitchen style.

Aprons were something our moms wore, and that I didn’t, for most of my early cooking career. Jeans were made for wiping your hands, right? Right, eew. Later, being around professional chefs who were design clients, I started to acquire chef’s aprons, and soon they were part of my “leaving the workday behind” ritual -  pouring a glass of wine to cook with, and snugging an apron around my waist.

Presenting Iota® aprons: The tie strap is adjustable, and there are pockets for your instant-read, herb clippers or iPhone, whatever you can’t be without during the dinner hour. The creative folks at Iota are surface designers first, so the prints are contemporary chic, and the fabric is lightweight Kona cotton. I have the “Pebbles” pattern on the hook at home, and it has worn well and looks great right out of the dryer.

Time to start your own apron collection? Take advantage of fresh markdowns – at these prices, order one for yourself and one for a girlfriend!  Aprons and more at PaperPosey.com »

Arm Candy Tote in Victorian Bird from Papaya

How do we know for sure that it’s spring? Could be the delicious swish of a summer skirt around your bare knees. Or, maybe it’s the arrival of songbirds at your feeder. Best of both? We suggest a bright little songbird on a new coated canvas tote bag from Papaya. The completely capable Arm Candy Luxe Tote has a cell phone compartment big enough to fit an iPhone, a zipper pouch and two additional slip pockets. Three styles, plus beautifully made coordinating journals. Brighten up your errand running with this cute canvas bag – pocket 20% savings on Arm Candy Luxe Totes with special Coupon Code *springbird* until April 30, 2010.

The 'Bou Notebook

And for the planet. If you’re already a fan of EcoJot notebooks, you know they are eco-friendly, well priced, and a delight to have and to give. And, new this year – there’s a must-have special edition, both for the delightful cover illustration and for the purpose behind it: introducing the Caribou Notebook, or ‘Bou for short, dedicated to one of the most cherished denizens of the North American wilderness.

EcoJot is proud to donate $1 from the sale of each ‘Bou Notebook to Canopy, an organization that works to protect the world’s forests, species and climate. They work with companies like book, newspaper and magazine publishers to switch away from environmentally damaging papers to alternatives that are gentler on the planet.

Click here to order the ‘Bou Notebook, $15>

Learn more about Canopy’s innovative work, high profile advocates and community here>

For over then years, Heifer has helped families in Haiti to become self-sufficient through agricultural projects.

If your heart is breaking as you’re watching the coverage on this week’s devastation in Haiti, perhaps you are looking for a meaningful way to help. PaperPosey supports Heifer International throughout the year, and we’d like to point you to their special emergency relief appeal. Here is the word from their site today:

“Heifer International is issuing an emergency appeal for funds to help families in Haiti recover and restore their lives in the wake of the catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the tiny Caribbean nation on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010.

“Heifer is by no means a traditional first responder,” said Steve Denne, chief operating officer of the global hunger and poverty organization, “but we have projects and partner families in Haiti who likely have lost everything, and now, with this devastation, the need is even greater than before. This appeal will help us help our current families begin to rebuild their lives, and provide the chance to help even more families recover from this devastating blow.”

Donate Now to Heifer’s Emergency Appeal for Haiti»

But, the pieces with the most devoted following are the Cahiers/Notebook Duos. A fresh take on beloved traditional composition books, these pieces are lovely to write in. Sized just right- in a non-business-y format-  each set has two softcover designs. Colors are bold, but mellow out on the recycled paper surfaces. And, the cahiers are made with book quality recycled papers. Devotees search them out! Explore Cahiers / Workbook Duos »

Field volunteer for Doctors Without Borders

Most of us find ways great and small to give back to our circle, whether simply helping within your extended family or in our wider communities. Or, maybe we take on the great big world. Although there are so many places to give this year right here in our hometowns, I find myself drawn to organizations who are focused on people in extreme need and crisis throughout the world. Dealing with problems that seem insurmountable, and yet there they are, putting their shoulder to them every day.

Whenever we receive 30 new subscribers to The Buzz, PaperPosey’s online newsletter, we make a gift of a honeybee kit through Heifer International. It’s a token gesture to be sure, but we’re reminded of the life led by those in the developing world, coping with a depth of need that we as people living in the United States can barely get our heads around.

Sending a little cheer around the world.

Recently, PaperPosey was asked by Doctors Without Borders for help with gift packages for their field workers. Often, these dedicated doctors, nurses, midwives and other health professionals work knee deep in the worst conditions the world has to offer up, where there is health crisis, famine, war, and natural disaster. Brightening the holidays for these heroes – even a little bit – is an irresistible opportunity. PaperPosey is making a contribution of pocket companion journals. It’s not nearly enough to cover the need for their 140 field workers stationed all over the planet. But, it’s our little piece of the effort. I hope some of our readers will be moved to help as well.

If you watch world news, you’ve heard of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières. Connect with them online if you’re moved to help directly. Word of warning, the stories and photos are true to life, and it’s not all pretty.

Contact Doctors Without Borders to support their vital work throughout the world.

Most of us understand that a clean, uncluttered project room or work environment is a productive one. We are just too busy being creative and productive in spite of the clutter to keep things orderly. If it’s time to take action, though, get started by 1) starting fresh with a really clean space, and 2) tuning up your filing system.

The Clean Sweep: Purge Overdrive
Allen recommends, “it’s good to regularly purge and reorganize the desk, drawers, shelves, countertops and files. It’s very easy to go unconscious to stuff just because it’s there, undermining the sense of active utility in your environment.”

So there you have it. Take the time one Saturday soon and get ruthless (heck, dedicate a work day! Allen recommends companies take one day a year to purge and re-organize work spaces). Shovel out that stacked-up project area, kitchen cubby, or home office.

Lord of the Files

Make it easy on yourself by filing materials where you can find them again. Even if it’s one page, with one action reminder written on it longhand. Give it its own file folder and place it in your tickler file. If that keeper article or key clipping for your idea file is really that important, you’ll file it, too. Create separate filing areas:

1. File resource material you want to keep for reference on bookshelves or a file cabinet. Keep magazine collections in magazine holders on bookshelves.

2. Separate and organize material that’s related to current projects into hot files or bins.

3. File papers that require your action (the cable bill, for example) in a tickler file.

4. File paperwork that should be kept long term (tax returns, bank and financial papers, paid family bills, insurance paperwork) in a separate drawer of your file cabinet from reference materials.

You may find you want more than one filing cabinet. Allen encourages popping for the good ones. You will be more likely to actually use them daily if they have decent ball bearings, don’t buckle or squeak under the load, and look good in the bargain.

Zen and the Art of Filing

Allen advises: go with simple alphabetization in filing in folders, and you will save yourself time and exasperation later wondering how you cleverly classified your stuff. And, if you’ve always wanted a new-generation (post-Dymo) label maker, like I did, here is your permission to go ahead and order it up. Allen claims that printed labels improve the whole experience of searching your file drawer, and that typeset labels dress up your folders so they are presentable for meetings. I can now personally vouch for both points being true.

Your new, improved filing system is where the ideas in the back of your head, the “blue-sky” projects, and the nitsy task lists attached to that kitchen upgrade belong. Not in your head. In your head, they cause a nagging drip-drip-drip of distraction. In a file cabinet or tickler file, they are simply waiting for you to come to them in an orderly progression. By the way, your brand new filing system is also where the daily feed into your paper mail inbox will find a home, unless it’s headed for the circular file.

Inspired? Check out over thirty new home office accessories and organizers in contemporary styles and colors, in our new Home Office area.

Get the down-low from the guru: Go to David Allen’s web site at www.davidco.com to look into his excellent book “Getting Things Done,” as well as free downloadable white papers.

Here is a recipe from my mother-in-law Myrna, a wonderful South Texas character, who got it from her friend Maudie. Myrna almost never failed to arrive at our house with a batch of Miss Maudie’s savory cheese wafers packed carefully in a coffee can. Luscious with cocktails or wine, they are totally indulgent. In fact, Paula Deen declared, “Us Southern girls wouldn’t dream of planning a get-together without cheese straws!*”

Miss Maudie’s Cheese Wafers

2 sticks margarine
2 cups flour
8 oz extra sharp cheddar, grated
½ tsp. garlic salt
½ tsp. cayenne pepper (more for extra sass)
2 c. Rice Krispies

Cut margarine into flour. Add seasonings and cheese. Mix well. Add Rice Krispies, combine. Roll into balls in palm of hand making small balls, about size of a walnut. Press dough firmly into a ball. Flatten with fork, making each one rather thin, so they will be crisp. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Makes 84 to 90.

Ready to create your own kitchen photo album? You can make one with any photo album or recipe box. But if you would like to really do it up with fresh recipe cards with a nostalgic kitchen print look, check out Kath Kidston’s Recipe Binder»

*For Paula Deen’s Cheese Straws, which are piped out onto a tray and baked, see this link: http://www.pauladeen.com/recipe_view/696

In an article in Time, Sanjay Gupta relates his own experience with keeping a food journal to explore the findings of a recently published paper. The findings state that people in the study who kept a food diary lost twice the weight of those who didn’t. Two times the pounds!

Dr. Gupta claims that, since he shows the diary to his wife, it does help to keep him on the straight and narrow. Just the hassle factor (or the guilt?) of writing down “seven peanut M&Ms” was often enough to keep him from even little cheats. It’s all about accountability and reading the patterns. Learn more about the recently published study in the article “Dear (Food) Diary” in Time.

Thinking about a food diary? Pick up a blank journal today. Need help setting your goal? Check out the cool calorie goal calculator and more at The Daily Plate>