PopSugar

Productivity Advice From White House Deputy Chief of Staff

SavvySugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:00:53 -0800

There's no denying White House Deputy Chief of Staff Mona Sutphen is a busy woman. She works for Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, coordinating the president's public-policy priorities, a position that makes me tired just thinking about it. The multitasking maven shared some of her proven productivity secrets with this month's Self magazine.

On getting organized for the day:
It's a job that involves a lot of problem solving, so I schedule a quiet block each morning to deal with issues that crop up overnight. That way, I'm not letting minor crises take over my day.

On her "one-touch" rule:
When I open an email or pick up a phone message, I try to deal right then with any issue I need to resolve so I don't have to go back to the same piece of paper over and over again.

On "stressing selectively":
I have learned not to work myself up about things I have no control over. When I receive bad news, I calmly focus on managing what happens from there on out.

Do you use any of these tactics to stay productive and on the ball at your work?

Mad Men, "Shut the Door. Have a Seat": This Week's 5 Maddest Moments

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:30:53 -0800

Wow. The biggest surprise of the third season finale of Mad Men isn't actually a plot point, but how light and almost exciting it manages to be. For a show that's normally so tense and tightly wound, this week's episode has a quick pace, and at times, a sense of humor. Of course, there is still disappointment and heartache; some of our predictions for the finale come true, but some go sadly unfulfilled.

Without further ado, let's talk about the door that closes and the one that opens this week, and as usual, the finale's five maddest moments, when you read more.

So long, Connie: It's eccentric hotelier Conrad Hilton that breaks the news to Don that rival agency McCann is buying PPL, and Sterling Cooper along with it. Don's plenty irate, as it's Hilton's fault that he was signed into a three-year contract and is thus, trapped. However, Don's bitterness quickly turns to ambition, when he rallies Burt, then Roger, to buy back Sterling Cooper from PPL. Pryce is unhelpful in even supplying the purchase price for the men, quashing the buyback plans, but then another scheme is launched: Pryce fires Don, Roger, and Burt so they can form a new agency.
Draper Dissolution: While an exciting change is happening for Don in his career, back at home a bleak change is coming. Betty informs Don that she's seen a divorce lawyer and advises him to do the same. It's painful watching these two spar, and I wanted so much for them to figure out how to fix it - but the ball is clearly in Don's court and he does nothing to sway Betty to call off the divorce. Sure, he tells her to, and even suggests that she might need psychiatric help. Oh, and he tells her that he gave her everything she wanted materially, insinuating that should be enough. Don may know what his clients want, but in his marriage, he has no idea what Betty wants.
Irreconcilable differences: Don sheepishly tolerates the divorce talk until he's having drinks with Roger, who spills the beans about Betty taking up with Henry Francis (I do have to say, it is rather nice to see these two getting along, acting like buds). This sends a drunken Don home to wake up Betty for a confrontation about her indiscretion, and things get nasty and uncomfortably physical. Again, Don manages to push Betty into even more resolve, and she tells him that she's going to Reno to initiate the divorce. Don and Betty devastate the kids with the news of their separation, and Betty makes good on her threat to go to Reno after Don softens a tiny bit - to tell her that he won't fight her.
Don, at your service: One of my favorite parts of this episode? Seeing Don put through the paces by Pete and Peggy. He's always treated them like underlings, and they finally have the opportunity to assert themselves. Don obliges them both and tells them how valuable they are, but not before Peggy pushes back. Her backbone straightens when she's first told of the new company and assures Don that she's had "other offers." Luckily, Don doesn't take no for an answer, and visits Peggy at home, telling her he'd spend the rest of his life trying to hire her if she turned him down now. It's so touching to see Don put aside his ego to acknowledge these others, and it makes me sad that he can't do something similar for Betty.
Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce: The gang's back together! It's thrilling good fun watching the new company assemble - Roger and Don get the agency's most prized employees one by one, plus my favorite: Joan! She's a necessity to help find all the files and materials in the office, and, they realize, a force that had been holding the company together. Her role in Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce (can you say "Michael Scott Paper Company"? I told you these two shows have a lot in common!) is a given. With everything coming together so perfectly, though, I wondered why Sal isn't also called in. I suppose we have next season to look forward to for that. Speaking of, next Summer can't come fast enough.

It's interesting that the finale also weaves in flashbacks of Don's early childhood, as this season's premiere did. What Don is remembering now, though, is how his father died. The elder Whitman was faced with losing his home, and after breaking free of the cooperative, readies a trip to the city to sell his crop. His spooked horse kicks him in the head, killing him, with the young Don as witness. It's an obvious parallel to Don's circumstances, who's losing his home, as in his marriage; and, losing his home, as in his life's work. Of course, he only manages to take control of one of those.

So what did you think? Did this season wrap up the way you wanted it to? And even though we won't see the Draper family or the worker bees of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce until the fourth season returns, you can still join the Mad Men group in the community to chat about the show year-round.

Photo courtesy of AMC

Precious: A Dark Tale With a Hopeful Light

BuzzSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:30:00 -0800

When Precious first caused rumblings at Sundance, I thought, "There is no way I'm seeing this film." There are certain things that I find uncomfortable to watch - pregnant teens, abuse, Mariah Carey. But I'm so glad I did. Because despite its drawbacks on paper, Precious provides a big payback to those who watch it. It's one of those few unforgettable films that stays with you days later - for better and for worse.

Based on the novel Push by Sapphire, Precious follows the story of Claireece Precious Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), an overweight high school student who is pregnant for the second time by her father and living with her abusive mother, Mary (Mo'Nique). She struggles at school, because on top of her circumstances, she's also coasted through the system without ever learning how to read. So after the news of her recent pregnancy reaches the administration, she enrolls in a special program to get her GED.

I realize that by now you're probably nixing this one as a weepy, formulaic melodrama, but hear me out. As you may have gleaned from my interviews with its stars, the film is indeed a hopeful story at its heart, so to see what I mean, read more.

Part of the story's positivity is thanks to Precious's new teacher, Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), and an almost unrecognizable Mariah Carey as her social worker, Mrs. Reiss. Both women reach out to Precious and uncover a girl with joy despite her abuse - but the tension at home with her mother continues to climb.

As you might expect, many of the scenes between Precious and her mother are incredibly difficult to watch, but the saving grace is director Lee Daniels. He weaves in daydreams during the most brutal scenes, transforming Precious into a movie star or a popular girl with a good-looking boyfriend. These diversions are how Precious copes, and like her aspirations, you begin to yearn for her happy ending, too.

Newcomer Gabby Sidibe portrays Precious with an understated realism that's remarkably convincing, and Mariah Carey delivers a restrained performance. But the real eye-opener here is Mo'Nique. As Precious's mother, she is raw, always spitting out vile words - and she is easily one of the most bone-chilling villains of the year. Mary truly believes that Precious deserves the hand that hits her due to her own mixed-up past.

After you leave the theater, Precious will have made an impact on you. You will feel uncomfortable in parts, you will cringe, and you may just hate it for putting you through the turmoil. But keep watching, because there is strength and spirit to be found even in the bleak subject matter - and perhaps a few award nods.

Do You Read Your News Online Or From A Paper?

GeekSugar — Sat, 05 May 2007 07:14:45 -0700

Last weekend I found myself making fun of my father for wiping newsprint all over his face and went so far as to bait him with "gosh Dad, newsprint is soooo 1990."

While I'm a self-proclaimed news fanatic and graduated from a journalism school that still bows down to the old-fashioned newsroom and real "papers," I find myself getting most of my news online.

I think it's more a matter of only having enough time to peruse the paper on Sunday and the fact that I have access to a couple of hundred news sources online, but my newspaper subscription has been stacking up and is left unopened most days.

Cheryl Spills About Ashley, X Factor, Exes & Elocution Lessons

PopSugarUK — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:55:01 -0700

Cheryl Cole spoke to The Sunday Times about the bad and good press she's had and the stories behind the headlines, including Ashley's kiss and tell, elocution lessons, her addict ex, trust and her new solo music. If you missed reading it in print, it's all up to read online, but here are some extracts from the fascinating story:

On newspaper rumours of elocution lessons: “Can you imagine Newcastle if I started coming out talking like the Queen? I couldn’t think of anything worse. It would be enough to drive you insane because it’s not always nice, is it? Stuff is just made up. It’s not nice to be criticised by another human being, it’s not nice to read it... so I just stopped.”
On whether she fully trusts Ashley: “I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t trust anybody in life except my mother and my dogs. I’m scared to let people know how much they mean to me, and it’s scary that you can love a small hairy thing so much.”
On their happiness: “Yeah. We’re happy. You have to go through life. You have to have that learning curve. That pleasure versus pain. In general my life goes shit shit shit, amazing amazing amazing. I’m on the biggest roller coaster ever. I feel like for the past six months I’m starting to level out. I’m sure at some point the nemesis will come back, but I feel like when the bad things happen there’ll always be something good coming.”

To read what Cheryl has to say about difficulties of joining The X Factor, her drug addicted ex, her brother, and the future, just read more.

On joining The X Factor: "Sharon’s shadow was really hard to fill, and at the time my only impression of judging was of being judged, so being given that name was scary. I felt uncomfortable. Then I started to realise that I could actually benefit these people because I know how they feel. I can help them... This year I think I’ll be less [emotionally] involved. This year I’ve got the boys and there was something about them being girls, young girls - I felt responsibility for them.”
On her brother: "I haven’t actually spoken to him for a while, but he’s got a baby and I’m hoping that will be his turning point. But he has been [an addict] my whole life. Yes, from when I was seven or eight. He is only three years older but he looks much older. It’s all the abuse he’s done to himself over the years... I am not a big drinker. I am starting to learn a lot about myself. Drinking is scary to me now. I’m scared of losing control of how I feel or what I’m thinking. I’ll have the odd glass of wine to relax, but I’m not a mad-night-out person. I don’t like it. My granddad was an alcoholic as well. I would always see him staggering home from the pub, absolutely pissed on Strongbow. It affected his kidneys and his mind. He was losing his mind towards the end, all through alcohol. It’s so easy for a lot of people to knock the drink back but I am determined not to let myself go down that road."
On her ex:“A few weeks ago there was a story in the News of the World, and this person [Mack] said how I saved him from drugs. At the time he was constantly denying to me that he was using, even though I could see all the symptoms. He would be cold turkey in the bed next to me, covered in goose bumps, head to toe. ... I knew he was on it, but I didn’t want to believe it, and I wanted to be the one who got him off it. He denied it and denied it. That’s what drove me crazy. So when I saw that in the paper - ‘I made her life hell. I was using heroin’ - that was the first time in all these years that he admitted it and I felt the weight lifted off my shoulders. Even though my life has moved on and I’m in a better place, it was a relief.”
On her new solo music: “I have reached a point where I feel content. All the negativity has gone. The first single is called Fight for This Love. It says… 'We’ve got to fight, fight, fight for this love. If it’s worth having, it’s worth fighting for.' ... [It's] to everyone that I’ve seen in a tough situation. I think anyone can identify with it. I hope it makes people feel able to fight harder and not give up hope.”

You can read the rest of Cheryl's in depth interview from The Sunday Times here.

Trend Alert: Publications Peddling Wine

YumSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:00:59 -0700

As newspapers and other media outlets have struggled to bring in revenue, they've begun offering a different kind of paid service to customers: wine clubs. Most have little to do with their publications' wine columns; rather, these services compete directly with online wine retailers.

In September last year, the Wall Street Journal joined the likes of Forbes and Sunset to become the first countrywide paper with a wine club. For $69.99, customers get a 12-bottle case of wines from around the world through WSJwine. Despite the unconventional business model, other competitors soon followed suit.

Last month, The New York Times Company introduced its very own wine club. The company is "hoping to delve further into our audience and bring them products and services that basically enhance the bond with The New York Times," the company's VP of strategy said. Earlier this week, the nation's top-selling newspaper, USA Today, jumped on the bandwagon with the USA Today Wine Club.

It seems that newspapers are hoping readers might pay for wine, even if they aren't willing to pay for exclusive news content. Would you be inclined to subscribe to a wine club run by a paper?

Newspaper Tells Employees to Reapply For Their Own Jobs

SavvySugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:16:06 -0700

Ouch, this is pretty brutal. In a survival of the fittest type of test, The Journal News, a newspaper in Westchester County, NY, has told 300 employees they'll have to reapply for their own editorial and advertising jobs. Friday is the deadline for applications, and in two weeks the paper will decide who will stay and who will go. Seventy workers, 50 in editorial and 20 in advertising, will lose their jobs no matter what.

The employees who are rehired, so to speak, will be faced with slightly altered job descriptions that include a greater emphasis on the paper's website. Michael J. Finch, president and publisher of The Journal News, explained, "The business is changing and it's changing rapidly. We need to embrace and integrate these skill sets that will support a multiplatform approach to what we do."

I suppose the paper's actions could be considered as fair, but can you imagine how upset you'd be as an employee of several years up against newer staff members? What do you think of the way The Journal News is handling its restructuring efforts?

Utah Paper Won't Print Same-Sex Wedding Announcement

TresSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Tyler Barrick and Spencer Jones were legally married in San Francisco on June 17, 2008. The couple is headed to Jones's hometown in southern Utah next week for a family party, so they thought it would be fitting to print a wedding announcement in hometown paper The Spectrum. Unfortunately, the paper didn't think the news of their marriage was fit to print.

Initially the paper agreed, but asked that the announcement be printed without a photo, since showing a husband and husband might make readers uncomfortable. The couple asked the publisher to reconsider their photo, but ultimately, the newspaper rejected the request altogether, saying that it only publishes announcements for marriages legal under Utah law.

Jones, who was raised Mormon, has commented on the personal importance of the announcement:

"I've thought a lot about the gay and lesbian kids who are surely all over the place in southern Utah. . . . When I was a kid . . . I would have loved to have seen a picture of two guys having their life together celebrated in the paper."

Attempting to print a marriage announcement in anti-gay-marriage territory seems like a creative way to call attention to the cause. Do you think it was a good idea?

10 Important Things to Know About Retinoids

BellaSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:00:07 -0700

Retinoids have been used for decades, but oddly, they don't get much buzz. These underpraised and often overlooked topical treatments could help your skin in more ways than one, though. Not only do they effectively treat acne by unclogging pores, they can also slow signs of aging while keeping your complexion healthier. Retinoids - including drugs like tretinoin, isotretinoin, adapalene - are topical forms of vitamin A, and they're available only by prescription.

The good news is that retinoid medications can work wonders for your complexion. Unlike over-the-counter treatments, though, they require a little more attention. To find out what you need to know before considering retinoids like Retin-A, Tazorac, and Differin, just keep reading.

Sam Sifton Is New York Times's Next Food Critic

YumSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:00:22 -0700

When Frank Bruni announced he'd be stepping down as the New York Times's restaurant critic, readers were left with a pressing question: Who will step up to the dinner plate? The food world waited collectively with bated breath until the answer was announced today: Sam Sifton, the paper's current Culture editor, will begin reviewing in October.

The blogosphere wasted no time compiling critical stats on Sifton, and Gawker has already come up with a slew of potential dining guises for him. One thing's for sure: The role of restaurant critic is evolving. Even execs at the Times admit critics don't wield the power that they used to, and with photos of him already abundant on the web, dining incognito will be virtually impossible.

Sifton may be new to the position, but he's no novice - in fact, he was rumored to have turned down the job once before. In addition to being the culture editor at the Times, he's contributed to the $25 and Under column, reviewed restaurants before Bruni's arrival, and even served as Dining editor. In last month's New York Times Magazine, he detailed making meatloaf for Nora Ephron. What do you think of the news? At a time when media is evolving so rapidly, does the role of restaurant critic still have a place in the food world?

Source