How many times do you download and app, use it twice, and then forget about it after 2 weeks. Yup, that's me too! I'm always searching for ways to simplify and organize my life so I can keep all the moving parts actually moving forward rather than spinning in and endless cycle of whoops, forgot that. 

In the last 2 years, there are 6 apps that have made their way to the first screen of my phone (and integrated onto my computer as well) and have been game changers for time management, getting things done and feeling strong and balanced. I use an iphone so only know how these work from my experience (most of them are the built-in apps) but I'm confident android devices have similar built-in capabilities to use. No matter if you are working full-time, part-time, these apps help organize any busy schedule and get more items off your list. 

1. Reminders (built-in iphone app)

I use the reminders app to keep track of my to-do list. I went into detail about how I use it earlier this year, and it's still providing me the structure I need to ensure nothing falls off my plate. It's effective for me to track my action items from meetings directly on my computer (I use the cloud sync with my mac), or running between meetings via my phone, or if I think of something I need to add to my list while walking Stella, I can just add it onto the list. You can also use Siri to set the reminders too which is helpful while driving. 

Basically, I use the Reminders app as a dumping ground for all the things I .need to do and then either weekly or daily (depending on how long the list is) I prioritize the list. I keep the top 3-5 items on my "Hot List" and then keep the remaining items on a "backlog" list by category. 

This system has been a game changer in helping me remember things. I can write them down once and then check them off as they make their way up the priority list. Things as small as, order more dog food, or as big as, record podcast. I can keep them in one place and don't clog my mind with trying to remember those tasks that we don't want to do, but still need to get done. 

This is another one that I use on my phone and computer. You can download the GoogleDrive so that you can save files directly from your computer to the cloud and be able to access them from your phone from there. This is especially helpful for photos, but I also use it for updating and tracking excel or jotting down ideas for a post or project so they are always stored and accessible from multiple locations. 

Thanks to using autocorrect on my phone forever, I often don't catch a spelling mistake when I'm in a rush sending an email or writing a blog post. I recently discovered Grammarly and I LOVE it. It allows me to write my entire stream of consciousness and then identifies areas to improve spelling, grammar and syntax. I had no idea I was using so many shortcuts in my emails until I started using it and I feel like it just makes my writing seem much more professional and well thought out without me spending hours re-reading things. 

Slack is an amazing communication tool for teams. It's basically like instant messaging but has search, file sharing, and gifs/emojis on turbo mode. One of my favorite things about slack is "Slackbot". I use slackbot to remind me to follow-up on emails, and best part is that it's free! 

As a project manager, you are coordinating a lot of communication and follow-up to get the information is key. I used to check something off my list once I emailed someone,  however, I quickly learned that if they don't respond within a reasonable time and it's off my list....it gets lost.

I started using Slackbot to set reminders. You can ask it to remind you on a day and time to follow-up with something. The reason I like this better than the using the Reminders app on my phone for one is because it keeps the list of reminders you've set hidden. This way, you can keep the task related items on a list format like the Reminders app and keep the communication reminders/nudges hidden in Slackbot. This way they don't clog up your to-do list which really helps prevent that overwhelming feeling that your list is getting too long to deal with. 

Slack is another one I use on both my phone and computer. What can I say, I like to always be able to access . something! 

5. Podcasts (built-in iphone app)

For this, you can really use your favorite app for listening to podcasts such as Spotify, SoundCloud or any others. I typically use the Podcast app on my iphone and save my favorite podcasts in my library. The reason I love podcasts is that you can learn so much while multi-tasking. I listen to podcasts on my drive, walking the dog, or cleaning the house. I find so much inspiration for developing my business, my career, and making my family stronger. 

Also, I like to have a few downloaded before a long flight. The podcast app on the iphone will automatically download a few of the most recent ones from the podcasts you are subscribed to so it helps remove a step before packing for a big trip and I love not having to remember another thing! 

The final app for productivity may seem a bit counterintuitive since it isn't directly related to business, but I strongly feel that keeping an active body helps dramatically improve an active mind and keep you at the top of your game. I generally love going to a live class like barre or OrangeTheory (see my list of favorites here), but with a busy schedule, it's hard to make certain class times or to fight the traffic to get to a class. This is why I love the Beachbody On Demand program. I can use it literally anywhere, traveling, at home, or at the park and they have classes that range from 20 minutes to 1.5 hours, with and without weights. All these options readily accessible makes it nearly impossible to skip a workout (although I am human and it does happen). Once I have a workout done, I'm almost always recharged and ready to get more work done and that is why it made the list for productivity apps.

There you have it! These apps are about as simple as it gets but using them effectively can make transformational changes for your productivity and help make time management and getting things done so much easier. When you have big goals, you likely also have a to-do list either on paper or running through your head that is a million miles long, utilizing tools like these helps remove the feeling that you are missing or forgetting something, get it on paper, and create systems to help you remember, execute, learn, and feel good while doing it. 

Amazon prime is probably one of my favorite things of all time! I do a lot of online shopping and prime makes it easy to get things in fast so I can incorporate them into my design or if it's a quick fix item like a lightbulb or pillow insert. I even have a few items on subscription like razors, Emergen-C, and Nespresso pods so we never run out and I don't have to remember to order them. 

I spent the last few days gearing up for Amazon Prime and have filled the BTC store with some of my absolute favorites. It includes things that I've purchased and loved and few that are on my wish list. Shop by category below or shop the entire shop here. 

Enjoy shopping and thank you for supporting my blog by buying through these links! 

​P.S. Don't miss out on bonus tips and content by subscribing to the newsletter. CLICK HERE to learn more. ​​

Ever since I made my husband his leopard birthday cake earlier this year, he's been begging for another one. I was thinking for a while about what type of cake to make, so when Disney asked to help celebrate the 30th Anniversary of The Little Mermaid, I knew exactly what type of cake to make. It ended up tasting so good that it was completely eaten within 24 hours. 

A few of you guys asked how to make it so I put together a guide for you. Hope you enjoy it for your next birthday party or summer soiree, it will definitely make a splash with your guests. :-) 

INGREDIENTS:

• Funfetti cake mix (oil, eggs, water)
• White chocolate rounds (I needed 2 bags)
• Food coloring
• White icing (here is one of my favorite homemade recipes)
• Rice Krispies
• Marshmallows
• Butter
• Sprinkles

SUPPLIES:

• Parchment paper
• Two 7" Pans
• One 4" Pan
• Cooling rack 
• Icing knife - I also love having a turntable when decorating
• Cake stand (I've linked all my favorites below)
• Wooden dowel - ​you just need one, but I use the all the time in random projects

TIME:
About 2 hours hands-on time but lots of waiting steps in between. Prepare for 6 hours in total. 

The first few steps are super easy, just follow the back of the Funfetti box! 

Grease the bottom of the pans, and then place parchment paper at the bottom. This will save you from scraping your cake out of the pan, or worse, having it break as it cools. 

Next, follow the recipe on the back of the Rice Krispy's Cereal box to make a batch of Rice Krispy Treats. (I told you the first few steps were easy!) 

Let the mixture cool for 2-5 minutes. 

Cut the one of the wooden dowels in half, I used just a pair of scissors and rotated the towel around as I cut. This is what you will use to create the mermaid tail. 

Lay parchment or wax paper on a board or plate, take about 2 cups of the Rice Krispy mixture and start forming it around the wooden dowel in the shape of a tail. In order to make sure the tail stays full supported, I would keep it to a maximum of 4-5 inches at it's widest and 3-5 inches high. Place the tail in the fridge to cool for at least 6 hours, a full 24 hours would be great so that it doesn't melt when out the fridge and on your cake. 

Take the rest of the Rice Krispy mixture and place it in your favorite pyrex dish and cool for another treat later. 

Once your cakes are cooked, place the on the drying rack to cool for a few hours. You want to ensure that they are fully cooled before icing. (Otherwise, your ice will melt while you are applying it and none of your decorations will stick, they will melt too.) 

While you wait for the cake to cool, you can start making the "scales" of your mermaid body using the white chocolate rounds and some food coloring. 

Choose your favorite color combination. I used green and blue but you could do pink and purple or yellow and orange, so many fun possibilities! 

Put a teaspoon of food coloring in a disposable cup, (mine were not disposable and they now have a permanent color tinge to them, whoops). Then mix 2-3 tablespoons of water in and swirl until an even and smooth liquid. You want the color to be fairly vibrant in the cup since it will take some time to transfer to the chocolate chips. 

Most people suggest using oil food coloring instead of water based for chocolate, but since I wasn't trying to permanently change the color of the chocolate and rather give it a watery effect, it worked well for me and didn't change the taste of the chips. 

Next place the chips in the cups and let sit for 5 min. I did mine in batches of about do chips at a time, then I scooped them out with a strained spoon and placed them individually on a paper towel to dry. 

Let them dry for 10-20 min before applying to your cake. 

Now is the fun part where you bring all the little pieces together. 

Prepare your homemade icing, or use the store purchased one and ice your cake. I like to put about a 1/2 inch thick application of icing between cake layers. 

For the exterior icing, use your turntable and icing knife to get an even coat on all surfaces. It doesn't need to be too pretty since we will be covering it with chocolate,  but even and uniform will help. 

Then take your chocolate rounds and starting from the bottom, begin applying them around the cake. With each layer, offset the round so that the layer above hangs just barely over the gap between two on the layer beneath. 

Continue applying until the cake is covered. Lastly, take your tail out of the fridge and place it in the top of the cake. Apply sprinkles or for a bit of a glitter effect and get ready to party! 

To me, every cake looks better on a cake stand, so I rounded up some of my favorite cake stands below. 

​It was a perfect 75 degrees and sunny, a slight breeze that was just enough to keep me from breaking a sweat as I walked through the park. I had the Good To Be Home podcast on listening to the benefits of a digital vision board, when I felt it. That annoying rock stuck in between the tread of my shoes.
 
I ignored it at first, thinking that it would shake it’s way out, I mean it happens sometimes and I’d rather not stop and deal with it right now. Then it just became too annoying that I stopped, lifted my foot.  Much to my surprise, there wasn’t just one rock in my shoe, but the treads had tons of rocks, both big and small and only one was causing the irritation, and it wasn’t even the biggest one. P.S. why do shoe company’s make it so easy for pebbles to get stuck in there, I feel like that could be avoided #productidea.
​
Anyway, as I sat there and cleared my shoe from the mini irritations, I took a few deep breaths some of frustration and others from the big hill I’d just climbed up. Then I placed my foot firmly on the ground and started walking with renewed energy.
 
It’s utterly amazing to me how our bodies have a way of telling us to stop. Sometimes we don’t know all the things that have been weighing us down but whether it be an injury, a bad cold, or that blah feeling we get when we are feeling unfulfilled, we are forced to sit, reflect, and heal.
 
While we often wait for that rock in our shoe to trigger this rest, it’s really all the little pebbles which we ignore that causes the breakdown.
 
That pile of clothes that has been sitting on the ottoman in your for a week while trying on 18 outfits just to find the perfect look for a random Tuesday.
 
Those shoes that have needed to be repaired but you keep wanting to wear them so you walk around with a horse-like click clack. Trying to take small steps to minimize the sound, but you can’t help but think it’s the loudest thing that everyone can hear and it definitely doesn't sound like the lady boss strut you are going for.
 
That friend you’ve been meaning to contact, the appointment you’ve been meaning to make, the recipe you’ve been wanting to try. The list goes on and on and as the list get’s longer, the stress begins to build and quite literally with the pebbles, weigh us down.
 
So how can we remove the pebbles on a daily basis, rather than waiting for “the big one” to slow us down?

• Start with the 60 second snaps
  

If something comes on your list, or you see it as you walk down the hall and it will take you less than 60 seconds to do, then do it right there and then. There is no point to adding this one to your to-do list whether it is a physical list or the list floating in your mental load.  Just take care of it right away and then it won’t be nagging at you for who knows how long and taking up mental space and time that is much more useful for the heavy hitters.

• Slim it down
  

This is not saying do-less. I’m a firm believer that we are able to do it all, however, what it is saying is slim down your daily list. Write down all the things (longer than 60 seconds) that you need to do and keep those recorded, so you don’t forget them, but then on a daily basis, take some time to narrow your list to the top 3-5 things. The things that MUST get done that day.

• Clear it out
  

On a monthly basis, go through your long list and ask yourself does this really need to get done? If it hasn’t made the cut for the top 3-5 for a month, maybe it isn’t as important as you thought. Our perception of what is important changes and evolves as we do. You know that pillow you “had to have” and 6 months later you were so over. We do the same thing to ourselves with our to-do lists, so let those expired items go.
​ 
There is no magic wand for taking stress out of our lives, we always have it in some form. But what we do have, is our ability to take control of how it impacts us by the little actions we do each day to manage it. The number one way to manage stress is by not ignoring it but by dealing with it head on whether it’s the 60 second snap or a bigger item.
 
This isn’t to say you may step on a big rock occasionally that makes you pause no matter how well you manage it. It is saying, however, that you won’t have to face that rock everyday if you deal with the little pebbles instead.
 
Every day I work on these same things. Not every day is perfect, but with a system to fall back on, I find that I can focus and keep things moving. Much like the first step of my walk after the cleared out rocks in my shoe.  

At the beginning of the year, Brad and I sat down and did our annual goals planning. We decided to do things a little differently this year and not only do it once at the beginning of the year, but also check-in every 90 days and reflect on our progress to make sure we are still on track and have our priorities in the right places. 

Health and well-being is important to both of us, in fact, between physical and mental health, our 90 day planning template has 2 entire sections dedicated to health. This weekend, we spent time planning our next 90 days and in doing so, I reflected on how my health was over the last 3 months and here is how it shook out. 

In January and half of February I was really good about tracking my progress and was hitting my goal more than 85% of the time. Then, after I got sick in February, I took some time off and although when I was feeling better, I got back to working out, I didn't get back to tracking it. So although I think I was doing well at reaching my goals, I have no way of actually knowing.  

Tracking our actions can be really overwhelming. First of all, it's one other thing to remember, to actually record what you are doing and secondly, it forces us to hold up a mirror of reality right to our faces at the end of the week or month. There are countless times when I end the week, craving a pasta dinner (it's my favorite Friday treat) thinking, "I was pretty healthy this week, I can totally have pasta for dinner." Then I sit and think back on the week and it's more like, "Well I guess I had ice cream after dinner last night, oh and that extra latte on Tuesday, and oh shoot, also that glass of wine on Monday night, and now that I think about it... I only worked out twice." Well shoot! I thought I was completely on track but now not only am I frustrated with myself, I'm also thinking what the heck should I have for dinner now. 

I know it happens to all of us, but as we laid out our goals for the next 90 days, I'm re-committing to not only doing the work, but also tracking it so that I can hold myself accountable and actually achieve what I set out to do this year, not only in my health, but all the other goals I have. (Cue downloading the  Boost Action Planner  for Q2 now). 

So whether you are tracking workouts, water intake, meditation or any other form of well-being, I've rounded up my favorite workout outfits and well-being treats to help us all get motivated, keeping each other accountable, and ready for summer! 

​What's one of your favorite things for staying healthy?

Guess what, I got it from my Momma! In my family, my mom is known as a super cleaner. We joke that she “loves” to clean, when in actuality she just loves a clean space. Now, however, all my sisters and I know exactly what she meant all those years. Having a clean home seriously makes any bad day feel better.
 
The fresh scents, clean counters, and neatly organized drawers makes things easier to find, take stock of and just overall keeps me smiling. I need to look into the psychological effects of a clean space because I swear, there is something to it.
 
But the counters and toilets are not the only things you should be cleaning. Try incorporate the 8 things below into your cleaning routine. These ones don’t have to be weekly cleanings, but things you should do every 1-2 months to keep even the darkest corners feeling fresh.
 

1. Light switches – We touch these probably more than door knobs so keeping these fresh keeps the germs at bay, sticky free from any dirty hands that touch them, and your walls looking fresh.
2. Base boards – This is like a dust collection monster or a shoe scuff’s favorite spot. A magic eraser sponge does wonders here. 
3. Drawer/Cabinet crumbs – No matter how much I try to keep things in organized tupperwares or their sealed packages, there always seem to be crumbs, especially in the junk drawer. So every time you clean, try to dump out one drawer or cabinet and wipe it down. And then overtime, you’ll keep those crumbs under control.
4. Dishwasher filter – I always forget about this one and then wonder why my dishes aren’t looking as clean. The first thing my mom says, “did you clean the filter” and every time, that is the reason. One day, I’ll remember, and now all of you can too :-)
5. Kitchen cabinet faces – Whether it’s a little cooking grease that accumulates or dirty hands hitting them as they pull the drawer open, these can sometimes start to look a little sad. Taking a quick spray and wipe down makes your kitchen stand out even more.
6. Door knobs – Seriously, we touch these all the time and so does everyone else that comes to our home..
7. Fans – Dust accumulates up there, especially during summer months when our doors and windows are open more.  Wipe them down with a damp cloth and keep a bag nearby to wipe the dust into so it doesn't fall on the floor or your furniture. 
8. Under the bed – turn your mattress while you are at it. To keep your mattress lasting longer, you should actually rotate it often so that you don’t end up with too deep of indents on any particular side. So, while you lift the bed to get all those dust bunnies, take a mattress rotation too. 

How often do you guys clean these spots? Any other nooks and crannies that need some extra love and attention on your list? I'd love to hear them in the comments!

Inevitably we forget things. I think we all have the best intentions to not forget, but no matter what, it happens. And if you think about it, it makes sense. Did you know that we make over 200 decisions a day around food alone? 200! I only remember maybe 6 of those a day. Our brains are certainly impressive, keeping track of things we don’t even realize for all our projects and tasks, all while keep our foundational systems running to help us stay alive.
 
I used to think that if I just focused more or worked harder on remembering things, I would be able to stay on top of things. That may work for some of you still, but, after letting myself down time and time again, I realized that I needed a system to help me. I started with just pen and paper to-do lists, but I ended up leaving them between work and home and not getting much actually checked off.
 
So, slowly but surely, I implemented little things to help me get better. It started out with my hot list to do system (all about it in this post in case you missed it) and as I started getting better from that, I added in other aspects like the Boost Action planner to help keep myself accountable not only to one off tasks but also to consistent habits that help me improve my health, well-being, and specific intentions for the year. 
 
Every Sunday I spend 5-15 minutes reviewing my Boost planner and setting myself up for the week ahead. I realized that I was naturally doing a few other things on Sunday’s to help prep for the week (although not consistently) and when I did, I felt so much more on top of it and was able to reflect on a weekly basis on how well I was doing. That way if, by chance there was anything I forgot, it didn’t go months and months before getting the attention again.
 
I love this system because at the end of the day, the only way we can stop forgetting things is to keep ourselves accountable to our Intentions and actions. If not for ourselves, then for those around us, because if we don't hold ourselves accountable, for many of the things on the list, we don't just let down ourselves, but we also let down someone or some grand goal or vision down as well. 
 
This month's March Boost action planner includes my week start checklist to help you set yourself up for success each week. It will help keep you refreshed, focused and grounded in your intentions so that you can reset and keep moving toward them each week. CLICK HERE to download your template. 

This year, I plan on sitting down and doing a similar exercise for a personal quarterly review. I've included my template in the March Boost Action Planner (click here to get the March Boost Action Plan)
 
Here is how I break it down: 

Where were you in January? Were you only working out once a week and where are you now?
If you’ve been using your Boost Action planner, use metrics! (i.e. I used to do 1 workout a week now I am consistently doing 2 a week) or I’ve been achieving 75% of my goals so far. (i.e. drinking 60 oz of water 22 days out of 30).

In college, Brad and I would spend hours watching Cake Boss. Well, Cake Boss and River Monster’s, can you guess who chose which one? 
 
I’ve always loved the idea of cake decorating, I even made my sister’s 16th birthday cake in the shape of a car and big 5-0 numbers for my parent’s joint 50th. So when it came time for my wedding almost two years ago, I decided that one way I could save money was by making my own cake!
 
Everyone thought I was a little crazy, but I was so excited about it. I made 7 practice cakes leading up to the big day and brought them into the office for taste testing and feedback. By the time my wedding rolled around, I swear I had perfected the chocolate chunk chocolate cake recipe with a blackberry vanilla cream filling and large floret finish. Here's a pic.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I have been wanting a dog for a looonnngggg time. When my sister lived with me, I basically acted like her dog, Winston, was mine too and lived vicariously through her. So, when Brad and I welcomed Stella into our family in October, I was beyond excited.
 
To be honest, I knew it would take some convincing to get Brad onboard (he loves dogs too, but just didn’t think it was the right time for us) and so I did a lot of research on what type of dog` would be good for an apartment, how we would fit it into our lives and the cost. I compiled it all into a PowerPoint and expense spreadsheet. I know it sounds excessive, but it was actually a great gut check to see if we really could take on the responsibility.
 
And so, when we decided on Stella, I quickly hopped online and made frequent trips to PetSmart and Petco to get all the goodies for Stella’s arrival (She flew to us through Delta Pet Cargo and they were amazing!)
 
I know a few of you are gearing up for your own puppies and I’ve been getting tons of questions on what to buy so I’ve compiled my complete checklist of what to buy for a new puppy before they arrive and few others you can get based on things you learn about their behavior after a couple weeks.

Some of the best places to shop and get discounts: Petco, Petsmart coupon books, PetFlow, Chewy. Also, remember almost all these places will price match if you ask. 

◊ Check out the Banfield Puppy Plan through Petsmart for amazing petcare at a great price
◊ Make sure you ask what food they are currently eating so you can get the same one
◊ Leash - I love the rope leashes, they are really durable and look cute!
◊ Harness - This one is really good. Stella didn't love wearing it at first but it helps a ton so that she doesn't slip out of her collar while on a walk. 
◊ Collar - I got both the xs and s that Stella needed in a sale bucket at Petsmart but found similar ones here and here
◊ Potty Bags - you can get these in bulk in Amazon.
◊ Potty Bag Dispenser - I like this one with the zipper so you can store some treats in there as well. 
◊ First Toy – This was seriously her favorite toy. We gave her the little whale baby as soon as she got out of the crate the first time and then put the blanket in her new crate so that she could have something that instantly made her feel like home. She still drags both of these all around the house and it’s the cutest thing.
◊ Food bowl - I loved the dipped ceramic look to go with the rest of my neutral decor at home.
◊ Water jug - This one is super helpful so that you don't have to fill the water as often 
◊ Bed - I got Stella's on sale at Tuesday Morning but here is one similar. She loves the lips on the side to use as a pillow for her head. 
◊ Crate - I really wanted to DIY her crate, but even DIY couldn't beat how affordable this one was. Maybe one day I'll still do a DIY but for affordability, this is the way to go!
◊ Crate Pad - to keep her cozy even in her crate. You can wash this too if there are any early accidents. I did keep a potty pad in her crate for the first few weeks just to be safe. 
◊ Training Treats - Stella is super food motivated and love these. 
◊ Puppy pads - We used these when she was a puppy and also again once she got spayed so she had an easy spot to go when she was out of it. 
◊ Fresh patch - We don't have a yard so we get these delivered monthly and keep it on the balcony so she has an easy spot to go. 
◊ Carpet Cleaner - literally the MUST have purchase while potty training. We traveled a lot while she was a puppy too so this came in handy in everyone else's house too. 
◊ Food Tupperware - I keep Stella's food on the kitchen counter so I really wanted a cute container. I love this one and then I keep her big 50Lb food bag in the pantry and refill it as needed. 
◊ Treat Tupperware - I love this one as a simple and fun jar that keeps her treats fresh.
◊ Brush - I like that this one has a soft side and a harder side. Stella was super sensitive to brushing at first so having the soft side really helped her get used to brushing. 
◊ Shampoo - I haven't tried any others yet but this one is great so far.
◊ Slow eating food bowl - Stella eats way too fast and almost inhales her food so we had to get these to try help slow her down. This is the one we got, but here is a more stylish one that I want to get soon. 
◊ Mini tennis balls - She LOVES fetch and these are perfect for a small dog or puppy
◊ Chew Toys - I mean, can a pup really ever have too many toys. This one and this one are her favorite. 
◊ Toy box - I hate clutter, so everyday, I put her toys back in the bin before bed. I love this one from ikea
◊ Antler chew – This is an amazing toy while teething or if you'll be gone for a few hours, it keeps them entertained and is great for their teeth too.