Tip of the day

Research has shown that forcing yourself to smile will actually improve your mood.

So, take this moment to smile, whether you're happy or not.

9 simple, brilliant things I wish I had thought of

1. The Pillowcase dress. My favorite instructions/pictures are from Red Instead, a brilliant blog from an Australian mum!
2. Flip books of your short digital videos, available from FlipClips. This is such a neat idea... and so long in coming!
3. Brilliant, simple, linkable planners and notebooks from Start Here. They're simple, streamlined and they keep my life organized--I have a brain, and I'm incapable of doing that. Classy, with room for your preferences in content format.
4. The Sew What! Skirts book... 16 fabulous skirts in one spiral bound book. A-mazing.
5. Envelope books for brilliant storage of all things flat and small.
6. The best use of empty paint cans ever. And I mean, e-v-e-r.
7. Stores where you paint your own pottery. Brilliant business model, fun idea... also loads of fun to visit!
8. This house. Way too cool.
9. Fishtanks. I love my fishies so much. Probably the best invention ever.
   

9 Unconventional ways to make someone's day

An uncountable number of times a day, I run into things that will remind me of certain people. Chances are, that person would be absolutely tickled to know that someone was thinking of them or that they share a common interest that I associate with them. Here are 9 ways to take a brief thought and turn it into a smile.

1. Rip, clip or copy the page of the newspaper, magazine or book that made you think about someone. Slap a post-it with a hello on it and drop it in the mail so they can read it too--yes, the real mail. With a stamp.
2. Carry a digital camera with you. Snap pictures of the things that trigger happy memories. Upload and tag.
3. Hear a song that reminds you of someone? Gift it to them on iTunes. At just 99 cents a song, it's worth it to share a happy feeling in the form of musical sentiment.
   
4. Go hug them. Not unconventional, but often underestimated.
5. Ask about life. Ask to see pictures or projects. Ask if you can help. Mean it.
6. Send them an e-mail with a one liner of the most important thing you have to tell them.
   
7. Draw them a picture. No, seriously. Do it. Make sure it's at least cute, if not a work of art.
8. Tell them you'll pray for them. And do it. People don't expect to hear it... but they're usually thankful for someone who cares enough to pray, and actually say that they will.
9. Make a care package... there's nothing more encouraging than getting a package or being presented with a grocery bag full of simple but meaningful things. A favorite magazine and snacks, a good book you just read and wanted to pass on, something that's just fun (bubbles, etch-a-sketch, goofy old pictures).
   

The point isn't really what you do. It's the fact that you're doing something. In today's multi-media, fast action, over-booked world, it's easy to forget that people need encouragement from the people who love them. In a world that's growingly devoid of simple friendships and emotional connection, it doesn't take much to get lost and discouraged.

Change that. Make somebody smile.

9 Socially friendly bits of gossip

1. Check out JennaLou.com for amazingly cute wallets, clutches and the like. I just bought one, and I l-o-v-e it!
2. It's supposed to be 40 degrees next Thursday. Break out the shades!
3. Blueprint magazine is out of print. :(
4. Two movies to expectantly wait for: Leatherheads (April 4) and Made of Honor (May 2)
5. Almay has a new foundation, Truly Lasting Color, which should win some sort of award. Between that and their recent SmartShade makeup release (similar to a tinted moisturizer in wearability, but it blends to your natural skintone), I'd say they've got the best foundation on the market. Their NearlyNaked is a good basic foundation, too.
6. Next time you're on Facebook, play Scrabulous. It's fun and makes your brain feel healthy.
7. I can buy two tall hot chocolates ($2.50) for the price of one triple shot grande peppermint mocha ($4.75). Figure out what your standy-by secondary drink is. It's a good way to save money when you're not feeling picky.
8. Christian Siriano won Project Runway! Fierce!
9. FACT: The Office is back on NBC on April 10th at 9pm. QUESTION: how did we live this long without it?