LilSugar

Brown-Bag It: Leftover Lunch Delights

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:30:14 PDT

Whether or not you're on a tight budget, bringing your lunch to work is a great option. Instead of having to throw something together in a frenzy in the morning, these lunches can be made in advance and will stand up to the fridge overnight. These options are delicious dinners that are twice as good the next day. Brown-bag it up with these 10 recipes for make-ahead bliss.

Reinventing PB&J

LilSugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:29:32 PDT

Happy National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day! When it comes to edible classics, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a staple in most children's diets. Though the flavors vary, parents usually lather the nut paste on one slice of bread, spread a sweet fruit jam on another, and then slice the sandwich in half for their kiddo to take to school. We asked chef Catherine McCord, founder of Weelicious and mother of two, to reinvent PB&J five different, kid-friendly ways. Check out her delicious options that are the perfect way to celebrate this tasty holiday and are bound to become household favorites!

Organize Your Life: 10 Tips For Making School Mornings Run Smoothly

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:02:00 PST

From the moment the alarm goes off each morning (if you're lucky enough to wake up to an alarm rather than an early riser!), the rush is on! Getting everyone washed, dressed, fed, and packed can seem like a sprint as you race against the clock to make it to school on time. Add to that some school permission forms that must be signed, a note for the teacher, and that sinking suspicion that there's nothing in the fridge for dinner that night, and the morning can be lost in a black hole.

Never fear, organized moms are here! We've scoured the web to find mamas who've got it under control, and they're sharing their tips (and products) to make your mornings run more smoothly. Keep reading for the best of what they've got to offer!

Decorating With Vintage Globes

Elka Karl — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:04:06 PDT

You may be too cool for school, but that's no excuse for avoiding decorating with great vintage school supplies. You can't go wrong with globes, and there are many ways to add them to your home. Whether in a large grouping or a single accent piece, there are plenty of corners where this cool educational prop would give your home a bit of old-school style.

Photo by Martyn Thompson

Vision Quest: The Facts About Kids' Eyes

LilSugar — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:35:47 PDT

If the eyes are the window to the soul, then it's important to keep those windows in the best possible condition. Kids who aren't seeing clearly often have academic and behavioral issues that can impact their school experience, leaving tots, teachers, and parents frustrated and confused. Luckily, most vision problems are easily rectified with regular vision screenings and eye care. Are you up to date on your facts about kids' vision? Take our quiz to find out.

Take the Quiz

10 Picture-Perfect Potluck Dishes

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 04:51:30 PDT

With book clubs reuniting and back-to-school nights on the way, potluck season is in full bloom. My perfect recipe for a potluck dish? One that's fairly easy to make, simple to transport, packed full of flavor everyone will enjoy, with little to no cleanup necessary! Instead of scrambling to figure out what you should create before the big night, take a tip from these 10 picture-perfect dishes that everyone will enjoy.

4 Ways to Make Your Master's Education Worth Its Money

Emily Co — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 05:00:15 PDT

Going back to school is looking more attractive with a growing number of employers requiring a master's degree. Apparently, an undergraduate degree just isn't enough these days.

But it's dangerous to assume that an advanced degree is a guaranteed ticket to cushy jobs. Not so much. The tale of the Starbucks barista with a JD is unfortunately all too common. If you decide to take the plunge and enroll in higher education, follow these four tips to make your grad school education worth its while:

Build ties with faculty. It's important to get to know your professors, because some of them may have job leads and can play a central role in your professional development. "Students need to talk to faculty. I hear about jobs all the time that I wouldn't put on the listserv, because I want to make sure that I connect my source with an appropriate talent." says Marcel Pacatte, professor at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. "I don't want either party coming back to me later complaining."
Try new things. Take advantage of your time in grad school to explore new things; it may even result in a new career path. "While you're in grad school, I think it's important to sample everything it offers. One student came here and had never held a video camera - never even entered his consciousness - and because of his Medill experience, he's now a documentarian," Pacatte says. Picking up a broad array of skills and experiences will make your resume look less cookie cutter, which is to your advantage.

Read on for more tips.

Stay Safe on Campus With These 5 Things

SavvySugar — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 05:00:55 PDT

Now that you're well into Fall semester, you're also well aware of the lighter and darker components of campus life. There are plenty of strangers you can trust but some folks are unfortunately, unworthy. Going out of your way to protect your valuables and yourself might seem a little paranoid, but can you really afford to expose you and your most prized possessions to potential danger? If Mom is wondering what to get you for the holidays, she'd be happy to hook you up with one or more of these five things to keep you safe.

Fitting It In: Real Life Advice on Finding Time to Exercise at College

Leta Shy — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 03:07:35 PDT

By now, most new college students have had a few weeks to adjust to life on campus, but that doesn't mean they aren't wishing there were more than 24 hours in the day. Between newfound friends, hectic class schedules, and constant studying, it can be hard to remember to make fitness a priority - or just find the time to exercise!

To help us all with the logistic of finding time for fitness, we turned to the authorities on college life: we asked five CollegeCandy writers to share how they keep fit on campus. Read on for their advice on making time for exercise as well as products recommended by them or inspired by their workouts!

Sweet Dreams Are Made of These: Tips to Avoid Nap Time Meltdowns in the Classroom

LilSugar — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 08:32:49 PDT

Snuggle up! Most children require some daytime ZZZs at least through preschool - even if they fight it with all of their lil might. Here are some tips to help lil ones settle down for a snooze - or at least some quiet time - even in the classroom.

Maintain a consistent nap time. If your tot's classroom has scheduled nap time for 1 p.m., stick to the same schedule at home - and that includes weekends.
Send your lil one to school with her lovey - but with clear directions for the teachers that it's only to be taken out at nap time.
Preschoolers love to feel like they are making their own decisions. Let them feel like they're part of the process by choosing a special nap mat for the new school year.
It's important for a toddler to fall asleep on his own at night. If they can't figure out how to self soothe in their own environment, there's no chance they'll just drift off in a classroom, on the floor, surrounded by other kids and distractions.
Nap time can be anxiety producing for restless tots. Talk to your tots about what will be expected, and reassure them that it's OK if they can't sleep; but, they will have to find a quiet activity to do, like reading or coloring, so as not to disturb the other students.