Wishing all the moms out there a wonderful day!
6 Easy Ways to Deal With Difficult Coworkers
May 9, 2014 by
When you’re around the same people for eight hours every day, sometimes personalities can clash. Getting along with difficult coworkers may seem impossible, but these reliable tips will help you work together in harmony.
1. Choose your words wisely. By removing direct pronouns like “you” from your discussions, your coworker will feel less accused or targeted. Make your directions and criticisms about the project, not the person.
2. Talk face-to-face whenever possible. It’s easy to sound brash in an email, and speaking on the phone or in person can eliminate that worry (and your coworker’s resulting anger).
3. Minimize contact. If you frequently chat with a whiny or sullen coworker simply to be polite, start keeping things short and sweet. A simple "good morning" works in place of your usual "how are you," which often leads to unwanted conversation.
4. Be tactful about complaints. If you have to bring a problem to your boss, plan what you’ll say beforehand to avoid sounding angry or accusatory.
5. Avoid gossip. Respond with uninviting phrases like "Oh really?" when you’re faced with office gossip. If you act disinterested, gossip will likely start to pass you by in the future.
6. Just breathe. Take a deep breath when you feel yourself start to get angry and you may avoid a nasty altercation.
Tips on Managing Difficult People [Harvard Business Review]
20 Ways to Deal with Difficult Coworkers [iVillage]
Ten Tips for Dealing with Difficult Coworkers [All Business]
How to Deal with Difficult Coworkers [Forbes]
Public Domain/Public Domain
New Facebook Sweepstakes! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!
May 8, 2014 by
To enter the Sweepstakes, Like our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends June 30, 2014.
For mobile users ONLY, like our Facebook Page, and then click here to enter!
5 Delicious Recipes for Chicken Pot Pie
May 6, 2014 by
While chicken pot pie is typically considered a winter dish, the simplicity of this comfort food makes it a go-to meal for all seasons. If you're deciding what to put on the dinner table tonight, here are five chicken pot pie recipes to consider, one of which can be ready to bake in as little as 30 minutes!
Chicken Pot Pie IX [Allrecipes]
The votes from over 6,000 reviewers have earned this pot pie recipe a five-star rating.
Chicken Pot Pie [Food Network]
From Barefoot Contessa's Ina Garten, this recipe yields four individual pot pies.
Pot Pie [The Pioneer Woman]
Step-by-step photos make this recipe appear especially appetizing.
Classic Chicken Potpie [Martha Stewart]
A decorative edge on the pie crust makes Ms. Stewart's recipe shine.
Easy Chicken Pot Pie [Campbell's Kitchen]
This easy recipe relies on a can of cream of chicken soup for its base.
5 Beautiful Houseplants That Are Easy to Care For
May 2, 2014 by
Is your thumb a bit more black than green? Are you known for killing houseplants as quickly as you get them? Many houseplants are finicky, and just a bit too much water or sunlight can cause them to unexpectedly croak. Here’s a list of five houseplants that are resilient but still just as decorative.
- Geranium. The leafy geranium has a dark, rich color and uniquely shaped leaves, but it’s also one of the sturdiest houseplants. It flowers all year round with bright, colorful blooms if you place it by sunlight, and it won’t mind if you miss a watering or two.
- Cactus. Cacti are commonly known for their resistance to drought, surviving naturally in the desert without much water for weeks at a time. The same is true for store-bought cacti, which only need watering about once every month.
- Peace Lilies. If you live in a cave-like apartment or a home without much direct sunlight, the Peace Lily is the plant for you. This leafy green plant with white flowers can survive in dim lighting at temperatures below 55 degrees.
- Palms. Create a tropical paradise in your home by placing a few hardy palms in bare corners. These incredible plants purify the air and don’t require much from their owners in return.
- Aloe. This plant is often very large and attractive, and you can even use its soothing interior on burns or cuts. It prefers bright light, so place it on a windowsill and water only sparingly.
Houseplants for the Forgetful Gardener [BHG]
7 Indoor Plants that Purify the Air Around You [Inhabitat]
Easy DIY Beauty Treatments You Can Do at Home
April 25, 2014 by
Creating a spa experience at home is easier than you think. Here are three easy, inexpensive beauty treatments that you can perform at home using items you probably already have in your kitchen.
1. Ease puffy eyes with tea bags.
You're probably already familiar with this one: Chill wet tea bags in the fridge, then place them on your closed eyes for ten to twenty minutes. The caffeine in the tea will help de-puff the delicate eye area, while the tea's antioxidants aid in reducing inflammation. Sliced, cooled cucumbers or potatoes can also be used here.
2. Exfoliate with brown sugar.
This sugar scrub will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth (and smelling sweet!): Simply combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, two tablespoons olive oil, two teaspoons instant oats, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg to form a paste. Gently rub the scrub into your skin, then rinse.
3. Banish dry patches using lemons.
If you're sporting scaly skin on your heels, elbows, or knees, try this trick: Grab a lemon from your fridge, cut it in half, then rub the flesh of the lemon over the dry patches. The acid of the citrus fruit aids in removing dead skin cells.
Our Favorite All-Natural Home Beauty Treatments [Fitness]
6 Cool Homemade Beauty Treatments [Cosmopolitan]
6 All-Natural Beauty Fixes [Woman's Day]
Peruse Original Artwork from American Artists at Yard Dog Gallery
April 22, 2014 by
An art gallery in Austin, Yard Dog once specialized in showcasing folk art from the American South, but has since grown to feature art from all over North America. This is a great place to stop by and browse when visiting the shopping district.
Here, you'll find smaller pieces for sale, as well as work by well-known artists, like singer Daniel Johnston's cartoon art and Lisa Brawn's painted woodcuts. You can browse some of the inventory online, but there is nothing like viewing these creations in person. Regulars all agree that Yard Dog Gallery puts on one of the best parties for Bloodshot Records during South By Southwest, so keep that in mind when planning your yearly festivities!
Yard Dog Gallery is open daily.
Yard Dog Gallery
1510 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 912-1613
http://www.yarddog.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/yard-dog-gallery-austin
Phone a Friend About These Classic Game Shows
April 18, 2014 by
Few television programs had viewers jumping up off of the couch in excitement as much as the game shows of years gone by. Here are three of television’s best game shows.
Jeopardy!
You may not believe it, but the ever-popular Jeopardy! first aired way back in 1964. The show’s current host, Alex Trebek, got his start in 1984, and the program is just as beloved now as it was 50 years ago. From the white handwriting against bright blue screens to the classic “What is…?” format, Jeopardy! is one of the most recognizable of all television game shows.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Developed from a British game show with the same name, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? is a trivia show with a $1 million prize. The questions become increasingly difficult as the contestant progresses, but the prize money attached increases in amount as well. Contestants are permitted to use a “lifeline” when they're stumped, including phoning a friend, eliminating two incorrect answer choices, and asking the audience.
Double Dare
Double Dare was a children’s game show on the Nickelodeon network. It combined trivia questions with physical challenges, and two teams of kids competed against each other for the various prizes. The show was beloved for its ridiculous antics, often humorous challenges, and, of course, its signature green slime.
Is your favorite game show on this list? If not, tell us about your favorite game show!
Public Domain/Openclipart.org
The Roaring Fork: Get Fired up to Feast in Austin
April 15, 2014 by
Everything is supposed to be bigger and bolder in Texas, and Austin locals know The Roaring Fork’s flame-grilled food and wood-fired flavors are no exception. For a spicy start, try the kettle of green chili pork served with warm, buttered tortillas. One favorite burger is a behemoth beef patty topped with cheddar, smoked pepper bacon, and poblano peppers. Other meaty selections include braised beef short ribs and a spit-roasted half chicken. The award-winning restaurant also offers market-fresh fish and creative cocktails like their huckleberry margarita.
With its prime location in the heart of the city and its classy yet casual atmosphere, The Roaring Fork fits the bill for business lunches or a night out on the town. This Austin restaurant serves dinner Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. ‘til 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. ‘til 11 p.m., and Sunday from 5 p.m. 'til 9 p.m. They also offer a daily happy hour between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Lunch is served weekdays only starting at 11 a.m.
The Roaring Fork
701 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 583-0000
http://www.roaringfork.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/roaring-fork-austin
Public Domain/Public Domain
Happy Spring!
April 14, 2014 by
The sun is shining and the flowers are starting to bloom. Wishing everyone a lovely Spring!
Equal Housing Opportunity