inspired to make every day, life + work stellar

When I got the message on my screen about Google taking down Google Reader for good after July 1st, I went into shock mode. What am I going to use to read my news feeds from all my favorite sites?! Reading these news feeds on Google Reader + the Reeder app have been such a big part of my daily routine for years. I chose not to believe the news for weeks until I finally accepted there Google Reader will be gone for good. On the positive side, Google allows you to export your subscriptions {go to Reader settings > Import/Export tab and then click on the “download your data through takeout”.} so that you can import the subscription data to whatever service you decide to use.

After reading reviews on several RSS feed apps/websites, I decided to migrate to Feedly and have been really happy about the results so far. All I did was log in with my Google Reader account and it automatically loaded all my feeds. The interface is clean, super easy to use, and there are several different layouts you can choose to read your feeds. Plus I was able to organize all the news feeds based on categories such as lifestyle, design, weddings, etc. So far, so good.

I also decided to drop the Reeder app which I use on my iPad to read my news feeds because it no longer syncs to Evernote. The developer has not done anything to solve this issue which a lot of people are complaining about.

Feedly syncs with most browsers, iOS and android. You can’t be that! After all, I feel great about the new change.

Happy reading + wishing you all a very Happy Easter weekend!

I recently discovered this journal app, Day One, and was really hoping it wasn’t another app I get excited about in the beginning but get bored after a few uses. Thankfully, this app made me want to use it on a daily basis. The interface is simple yet so beautifully designed.

I like the idea of typing out my thoughts + memories rather than writing in a journal {my hands starts aching after a writing a few sentences!}. So this app was right up my alley.

The Day One journal app allows you to upload an image for each journal entry – visuals make it more interesting to read + document.

The Day One journal app is available on the iPhone, iPad and there is a desktop version for the Mac. You can sync the journal entries between all devices and via Dropbox or iCloud.

You can even convert the journal entries into a PDF document which can be emailed.

Journaling can be a therapeutic + enriching experience. Try it out!

I hope your 2013 has started off to a great start! One of my intentions this year is to be more organized.

Friends, I want to introduce you to two apps that have been quite helpful in getting me organized and on task. There are so many apps out there but to help me narrow down the choices, the app must:

• Have a desktop version {or can sync to a web app or Google Drive} plus the app must be available on the iphone and ipad
• Can sync + back up files and notes on other devices
• Have a web version just in case if I don’t have access to my desktop {laptop or computer}
• Have collaboration capabilities – can share notebooks, lists, etc. with other users or contacts

Evernote + Wunderlist {my latest obsession} have met these criteria!

EVERNOTE

Evernote replaces your paper notebook. Often times, before the app-age, I’d jot notes down on a post-it note or a scrap of paper and end up misplacing it! Well with Evernote, it eliminates paper wastage + time trying to find the mysteriously missing paper.

Evernote can magically clip pages from the web with all the images + text {think clipping articles to read later or recipes} plus you can put together a todo list as well. You can create different notebooks {think recipes, baby shower ideas, travels, blog posts, notes from your history or photography class, etc.} to keep your notes organized. You can even attach PDFs and the text in the PDF is searchable and you can also add voice notes.

I purchased the premium version for $5 bucks a month {it’s worth it} because it gives you 1GB each month {free version only gives you 60MBs} which gives you plenty of space to store high-res photos, thousands of text notes, files and web clips. Each note size can be up to 100MB versus 25MBs for the free version. The premium version also gives you access your notes offline, whereas the free version, you have to be connected to wifi or your mobile internet to have access to certain notes.

Don’t forget to download the web clipper for your browser so that you can clip pages when you’re surfing the web and remember to sync your notes so that they become available on all your devices!

WUNDERLIST 2

Wunderlist is a pretty amazing, simple todo app + it just keeps getting better. Wunderlist just released Wunderlist 2 which has a brand new, beautiful interface + best yet, now you can add subtasks to your todos!

This app has a very clean interface and it is very easy to use. You can create different lists {for example: blog projects, work projects, personal errands, home projects, etc.}.

To add a todo item, click on the bar on the top of the page to start typing. Click on the calendar to set a due date and then hit “enter” to create/save the todo item. You can add additional options by double clicking on the todo item and add a reminder, subtasks plus notes. You can also collaborate with others by sharing your lists. I love this app and love that I can access it on my phone, tablet, and desktop!

I hope you, too, find these apps useful! Now, I’m off to check this task off of my list on Wunderlist!