TIP TUESDAY #28: How to make a Girlfriend Laugh!

No, I'm not running for President (except President of Girlfriendology), but my hilarious girlfriend Jill sent me the above very viral marketing video. (THANKS JILL!)

Why not surprise your girlfriend with your vote for President? Or just send her a funny email with Monk-Email (from Career Builder) or ... (insert your comment/link here!)

Share your funny ways to say HI, make your girlfriend laugh or just make her day through online sites, jokes or other harmless antics!

What are your favorite funny sites to share with girlfriend?

Let's all share a couple favorites so we can pass them along to our girlfriends, who'll share them with their friends, and on and on! Just a bunch of fun, funny female friends - fabulous! (Hey - and we can all run for President!)

TIP TUESDAY #27: What's your favorite women's blog?

The internet, and blogs in particular, have given women a voice and a way to connect with other women. From 'mommy blogs' to WAHM (work at home moms), from shopping sites to product reviews, from personal messages via email or twitter, we're connecting and making friends with women in a new way that expands our universe of girlfriends.

Recently this happened in my town when I heard about other cities where women who were on the internet (generally bloggers but also podcasters, social media users, etc.) formed groups - like the Denver "Mile High Mommies" or the "Silicon Valley Mommy Bloggers." So, why not in my city? I found some girlfriends on Twitter and one, ShannanB (of MommyBits blog) helped plan the event for this past Saturday. A total of nine women showed up for the first meeting of the "Cincinnati Women Bloggers." I thought that was a great turnout (and several had responded they want to participate, but had prior commitments). The discussion was fun and interesting. It was great to learn about each woman's blog or if she was just interested in finding out more. And, wonderful Shannan even set us up with a website to connect us all!

There is something special about when women connect. Yes, it helps to have something in common, but after that, we're comfortable, helpful, supportive and great cheerleaders.

There is also a treasure in finding like-minded girlfriends in any way. Blogs are helpful because so many of us share our true self online. (Okay, so that can be good or bad but when it's good, it's great.) Check out these blogs from my new girlfriends from the Cincinnati group:

* MommyBits - Shannan B's "life in the testosterone jungle" blog
* World's Best Burger - "print, politics, pop culture ... served up hot" by Laura
* Wine Me, Dine Me (Cincinnati) - One woman's take on dining, eating and cooking in Cincinnati.
* Amy In Ohio - Ramblings and whinings from the heartland
* Working Moms Against Guilt - Susan and friends are WMAG (you guessed it)

Plus Jacinta, Jane and Diana joined us who are just entering the blogosphere. We're looking forward to our next meeting on July 26th. (For more info, check out the site.)

So, what is this week's TIP TUESDAY question? We learn so much from each other and the internet does provide us amazing resources for connecting with other women. So...

What are your favorite women's sites? Which blogs by women do you follow? Why?

Let's all share a couple favorites to introduce each other to our online 'girlfriends.' And, if you're a woman and have a site you'd like to post, please do. You never know what you might learn from your friends and friends of friends!

And, speaking of, I'm leading a discussion this Saturday at PodCampOhio on women in the blogosphere. If you're attending, I'd love for you to join in the conversation and share what you've learned from being online that might help other women. See you there girlfriends!

TIP TUESDAY #26 - Hey Girlfriend! Can you believe gas is $4/gal?!

It still seems surreal to pay $50 to fill up my little Honda gas tank! Wow, we need some advice on this one!

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What gas-savings tips do you have?

Recently I gently 'encouraged' my husband to drive a little more gas friendly. I've been trying to do it since the prices started going up. Things like coasting to a stop and not going from the gas to the break in one motion! I'm trying to drive sometimes slower, coast up to a red light and just try to avoid rapid, unnecessary acceleration. I also am combining trips and desperately want a scooter! (Just think - saving gas AND looking cute at the same time!)

What are you doing in response to the HIGH gas prices? Thanks girlfriends for sharing!

TIP TUESDAY #25 - Gardening Girlfriends - we need advice!

Summer arrived right on time. Memorial Day snuck in a little early this year but Spring got the memo and left just in time for white shoes and colorful gardens (but not together!).

With the new season comes the obvious need for gardens filled with vibrant flowers and appropriately placed greenery. To someone like me, this is all overwhelming. I unfortunately can only identify a couple plants - hostas, iris (who are beautiful but have taken over my mini garden between the neighbor's driveway and mind) and ivy. That leaves a couple hundred million plants that I could have purchased last summer and this year pull it from the ground thinking it is a week. Aargh! I need help! (And, having seen a few other gardens with a fine batch of 'stuff' growing in it, I don't think I'm alone.)

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is for all you gardening girlfriends:

What gardening tips do you have? How can we have a nice yard and garden without too much time and frustration?

Last year I bought a few perennials and the women in front of me complimented my flowers. I admitted that they would probably last a season and that I would pull them the following year, thinking they were a weed. They told me their trick was to put a rock by each perennial. It would stay there over the winter and be a great reminder of the plant that should be there.

So, PLEASE what are your tips? Do you pull weeds then treat the ground before adding mulch? DO you have any secrets for a window box that blooms all summer? Help beautify our neighborhoods by sharing your gardening secrets with your girlfriends. (And, we know we can trust our girlfriends!)

TIP TUESDAY #23: What safety/health tip do you have for your girlfriends?

This weekend I listened to a podcast by my girlfriends over at TheDivaCast (podcast of five fabulous, fun, forty-something girlfriends) and they shared a great TIP:

Take your car keys to bed with you! If anything happens, just click on the panic button and your car alarm will go off. So, if you hear someone break-in or something happened like a fire or medical emergency, you can alert your neighbors that you need help. (They'd at least call the police if it didn't stop immediately!) Isn't that a great tip? It is also applicable for our parents who may be on their own but may fall (and, you know, couldn't get up!).

Just another example of how much we learn from our girlfriends! So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What's your favorite safety and/or health TIP?

Maybe it is something as simple as chewable vitamins and calcium/fiber supplements that don't upset your stomach (like I shared with my girlfriend Deana recently - they really do work!). Help make a girlfriend's quality of life better just by sharing a simple little tip! Thanks girlfriends!

(And remember that we have lots of PRIZES to give away in the Girlfriendology Monthly Contest! Send in a girlfriend story and you very well may win one of our great prizes!)

TIP TUESDAY #22 - Girlfriends: what's your favorite internet contest?

Lately Girlfriendology has been getting some great attention. Publishers and manufacturers are sending books, bags, jewelry, etc. to give away as prizes. In May, we have over 40 prizes to give away in our monthly Girlfriendology Contest. (And, all you have to do is send us a short girlfriend story - this month based on a birthday event/gift between girlfriends.) You can see all the prizes here - so send in your stories to contest@girlfriendology.com! (And, your stories will inspire others when shared on our podcast!)

As girlfriends often offer, I'd love your advice on our contest. So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What's your favorite internet contest? Do you enter online contests? Why or why not?(And, what would inspire you to share a girlfriend story?)

What inspired this TIP TUESDAY question was a popular, fun review and contest site. Shannan is a working mom who blogs about her life as happily married, mother of two boys (hence her 'testosterone jungle' world!). Her one blog, MommyBits, shares updates and lessons on being a mom. Her other blog, MommyBitsReviews, is a review/contest blog by Shannan and her girlfriend, Kathi. In addition to advice you can trust (come on - if you can't trust your girlfriends, who can you trust?!), they also have regular contests (like this one for Pizza Hut!).

Check out MommyBitsReviews for contests/reviews on everything from pasta to software, juice to make-up. Then stop back at Girlfriendology for our May Girlfriendology Contest. We have fab books by wonderful women authors ready for prizes. Be a girlfriend and share your girlfriend story!

TIP TUESDAY #20 - Help your girlfriends dress green?

Spring has sprung here in the mid-west. Bulbs have popped up and blooms have burst out,making it a colorful, wonderful reward for getting through winter! However, with it comes packing up the winter sweaters and returning the spring/summer clothes to the closet.

This annual rearranging ritual reminds me of all the stuff I have and don't wear. (Does it do that to you?) And, now with the focus on 'going green,' is it socially responsible for me to not buy more and/or be more conscious of what I buy?

In honor of the upcoming Earth Day, let's help each other figure out what it means to 'go green' as girlfriends. And, in the case of clothing, how can we feel good about our choices either not to buy new things (and we'll have a podcast this month with a woman, Debra Quartermain, who isn't buying anything new in 2008!) or to buying eco-friendly wearables?

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

Are you changing your clothes buying habits to 'go green?' If so, how. If not, are you making other changes that you feel better about (and that will help others be more green)?"

For me, I am avoiding stores where I'm tempted to shop. I have plenty so I'm trying to limit my purchases and be conscious of what I'm buying. I'm not saying I'm shifting to all organic materials and dressing in recycled coffee-bags (!), I'm just trying to make an effort to be more aware and open to better options.

But I need help! What are you doing to be more environmentally responsible? How can we be a girlfriend to 'Mother Nature.' What's your tip? How can we be more green, girlfriend?!

TIP TUESDAY #19 - Girlfriend Tips for going Green at Home

It may be trendy, and this may be Earth Day (month), but it's still 'not easy being green.' Organic, all natural, recycled, recyclable, tree-free papers, eco-friendly, soy ... the options are many and but the real choices (based on what's best for the environment, does the job and is cost effective) are few.

Who do you turn to in the real world for the real answers to confusing issues like green home products? Your girlfriends - of course! So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What are your tips for 'going green' for your home products?

For me, I've seen the new 'green' version of Clorox cleaning (non-bleach) products but I haven't tried them - have you? (If so, please comment!) My one tip is to use white vinegar for fabric softener. No chemicals, dyes or additives, it really does remove extra soap in fabrics and leaves you with soft, surprisingly pleasant-scented laundry!

So, girlfriends - go green for us! Together we can be a girlfriend to 'Mother Nature.' What's your tip? How can we be more green, girlfriend?!

TIP TUESDAY #19 - Spring Wardrobe advice for Girlfriends

It has been raining (and not snowing!) for days so that must mean that Spring is in the air here in the Midwest. With Spring comes a need to shed the sweaters, put away the mittens and remember where you stored your Spring wardrobe!

Our recent podcast guest and fella blogger, MARGOT POTTER is off in Paris right now - lucky girl! Before she left, she blogged about finding sassy rain boots but couldn't find any stylish raincoats. (Which makes me more than a little embarrassed of my boring, black trench/raincoat which has seen better days!)

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What are your tips for a stylish spring? What's new in fashion that warrants a purchase?

For me, on my January trip to Paris (yes, I am a lucky girl too!), I already purchased the decorative "Wellies" plastic boots at Target. (Love the $9.99 sale price!) So at least I'll feel a bit unique and fashionable when walking the pup during these Spring showers.

Now it's YOUR turn! What is YOUR fashion tip for the Spring? What new pieces of clothing or accessories would update your wardrobe? Please share. We fashion-challenged girlfriends need to know! Thanks Girlfriends!

TIP TUESDAY #18 - How are you and your Girlfriends celebrating National Mom's Night Off?

Did you know that you get a free pass tomorrow (Thursday, March 20th) for a night out with your girlfriends? Well, thanks to RACHEL HAMMAN, founder of National Mom's Night Out, you're free to go to dinner or just spend time with your girlfriends!

Rachel, a guest on a recent podcast is RACHEL HAMMAN. Rachel also wrote Mom's Night Out - Even inmates get time off for good behavior!

AND, Rachel donated several copies of her book to Girlfriendology for prizes for this month's Girlfriendology Contest*. Just enter the contest and you'll be in a drawing for her fun book with great girlfriend stories!

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

How will you celebrate National Mom's Night Out?

Personally, I had a girlfriends night last night (Thanks Joan, Allison, Amy, Cheryl, Nancy and Venus), a girlfriends afternoon on Sunday (again - thanks Joan! Debbie, Cindy, Sherman, Pat, Barbara and Peggy) and have a girlfriends night tonight with Paula, Becky, Jill, Judy, Lynn and the lovely Tina. So, I'm making a week of it! So can you, so get started!

* Another AND ... The February Girlfriendology Contest podcast is now live and features our first ever girlfriend contest winner interview. (Thanks so much Georgia for sharing this amazing story about your girlfriend Sally - pictured together here.) This could start a fun new tradition of interviewing our monthly winner!! Have a great girlfriend story and want to share it on our podcast? Enter the contest!

TIP TUESDAY #16 - Favorite Girlfriend Gifts

Do you have a girlfriend who always gives you your favorite gift each birthday? Or maybe a friend who thinks she gives you the best gift when it doesn't even resemble your sense of style?! Either way, you've no doubt experienced the ups and downs of being a good girlfriend gift giver and recipient.

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What is your favorite gift to give a girlfriend? Or the favorite gift you've received from a female friend?

I've bragged about my friend Terri in the past. She knows the shops I love and buys me gifts that always are my favorite. And, she gives gifts with such genuine friendship and generosity that I always feel inept when giving her a gift! Through Terri, and other girlfriends who bless my life, I learn so much about giving, sharing, caring and paying attention to others' likes and dislikes. I always learn so much from my girlfriends.

Your turn! Tell us what gifts you've given or received that have been special. Inspire others with your creativity, your girlfriend's thoughtfulness or just the general closeness of dear friends. Give the gift of sharing with your girlfriends here at Girlfriendology!

TIP TUESDAY #15 - Winter care advice for Girlfriends

BRRR! It is cold here in the Midwest and Spring can't get here soon enough! Long nights, short days, low temperatures and potential for dangerous driving are great reasons to hibernate at home with a new puppy, some good books (Eat Pray Love and The Girl's Guide to Building a Million Dollar Business) and a DVR with American Idol, Survivor and, of course, Oprah.

With all this indoor time, it seems to be perfect for pampering ourselves - right?! And, believing that we get the best advice from our girlfriends, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

How do you pamper yourself in the Winter? Share your favorite skin care products or routines that make you feel good even when it is freezing outside!

Generally I like the start the discussion but there's a reason I ask - I don't have any good advice in this area and need yours! My skin is snake-like, my lips are pealing and my nails are cracking. Not a pretty picture I know, but a true one and one that needs your input! Please share your Winter beauty and skin care tips with your girlfriends!

TIP TUESDAY #14 - Girlfriend Podcasting Advice?

The recent PodCamp that I attended (a seminar for Podcasters and people in "new media"), found me in the company of a bunch of techies - but I was happy to see more women than in previous technology events. Having a little experience in the technology world (I was on the USB initial marketing team and marketed computer audio equipment), it was overwhelming but also extremely invigorating. Through podcasting (and blogs and audiocasting) there are so many more ways to communicate with others which is an exciting time to be Girlfriendology and building community with women all over the world promoting female friendship!

My girlfriend Dana is a big podcast fan. She listens to podcasts nightly to put her to sleep or in the middle of the night if she wakes up. Another girlfriend, Carrie is one of the Diva Cast - a popular podcast of five, fun, fourty-something female friends who I met up with at PodCamp. (I was very lucky to have her there as well as her fellow Diva Sharon and their techie guru Robin - anything is better with a girlfriend along!)

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question:

Do you listen to podcasts? If so, how often? Why? Which ones? What podcasts would you recommend for your girlfriends?

Part of our goal at Girlfriendology is to, like a helpful girlfriend, share information with each other that makes our life better. Perhaps our podcast with ELLEN SHUMAN on emotional eating would help you or a friend. SHELLEY BALL-DANNENBERG recently did a podcast with us on dyslexia. BETH WHITMAN is about to do a podcast with us on traveling solo. All these are based on being a good girlfriend to you.

Let us know of any "girlfriend authors or experts" we should interview on our Girlfriendology Podcasts - email ideas@girlfriendology.com. And listen in to a few podcasts and let us know what you think. We're here for our girlfriends and we'd love to hear from you!

TIP TUESDAY #12 - Cleaning advice for Girlfriends?

The week away plus a new puppy and a very full schedule equal one messy house. Since I know my girlfriends also lead busy lives being moms, teachers, cooks, volunteers, etc. (and not all of you have cleaning assistance!) I thought it might be helpful to hear from you and to share together our cleaning tips. So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What cleaning/organizing tips do you have? How do you maintain your home and your life without going crazy or going into hiding?

If I were to have a tip (which should mean I follow it!), mine would be to set a timer and clean for a specified amount of time. I did that last night for one hour - I unpacked from my recent trip, cleaned the bathroom, folded/put away clothes and just basically straightened things up. This limited time makes me stay on task and not stop to read a magazine I just found under my bed or get interested in a TV show or hang out with the puppy. Having a limit to my time makes me focus and work fast with my limited time commitment.

So, since we're girlfriends and we learn from each other - what is your cleaning tip for other female friends?

TIP TUESDAY #11 - Girlfriend Packing Tips

It's a little late for me, I leave tonight for Frankfurt, but we got some great comments to our travel tip request last Tuesday. So, let's stay on this little travel journey together. This week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What packing tips do you have for traveling? Maybe it's traveling alone or with the family - what do you do to make it easier, tighter, better - with everything you need??

Again, a little late for me, I'm taking too much I'm sure to Frankfurt and Paris, plus I need to have some room for things we'll buy there. (We get to spend a day in Paris just 'trend shopping'!) I'm just concerned I have the right shoes and warm enough clothing without taking my HUGE coat!

I'll check in from the road but please share tips among yourselves!

P.S. Again, I'd highly recommend any travel books by Marybeth Bond. Listen to her podcast for great girlfriend or personal travel tips. Check out her web site for the "Gutsy Traveler" and her travel books for women!

TIP TUESDAY #10 - Girlfriend Airport Travel Tips

Monday and Tuesday this week found me in Atlanta (and airports in between). Next Tuesday I head for Germany and France which means more airports and an even "longer time to hang in the sky." (Sorry, some old John Denver line!)
So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What tips do you have for airports and flying?

Don't get me wrong, I generally LOVE airports. The energy, the people watching, the movement of people on a mission going somewhere with a whole bunch of strangers, the interaction and conversations, the anticipation of 'time travel' to a different destination ... it is a luxury that I recognize and appreciate for the opportunity.

However, there are also the long security lines, even longer transports to terminals, super tight seats, waiting on the tarmack, delays, unexpected changes in plans ... the spectrum of life's ups and downs (literally) all in the space of a few hours between destinations.

My tip is to walk. I walked from Check-in at Delta in Atlanta through the underground tunnel and back and forth on Terminals A, B and C yesterday. It helped me occupy my time, gave me lots of people watching opportunities and helps me feel better for the snacks I consume (in lieu of a real meal!). I get energized from airports, inspired by the different people who's path I cross and sometimes even blessed by smiles and random acts of kindness along the way.

Share your airport travel tip. Selfishly, I can use it before next week's international flights. Hopefully others can share and benefit from tips so we help each other have safe and enjoyable journeys, or as my Dad called it 'traveling mercies.'

P.S. For great girlfriend or personal travel tips, check out the podcast with Marybeth Bond. She is the "Gutsy Traveler," and the #1 Women's Travel Expert. From places to visit to how to pack, shop, dress, etc. Marybeth's the expert. Check out her and her great travel books for women!

TIP TUESDAY #9 - What's your girlfriend tip for a healthy life?

Did you make a New Year's resolution to lose weight? Eat more healthy? Exercise more? (I did, as I sit here on the internet while the treadmill sits idle!)

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY questions are:

What do you do to stay in shape and healthy? What exercise or diet plan seems to work for you? (What can you stay with longer than the first few weeks of January?!)

For me, walking is the best exercise program I can maintain. I walk on Saturdays with some girlfriends. Pretty soon we'll train for the half marathon (to walk, not run!). I do enjoy my treadmill when I have good reading materials and have the time to spend on it. And, I need to write on a calendar what I do to hold myself accountable!

What do you do? Please leave a comment. Maybe you'll inspire other women to stay healthy and happy in 2008!

P.S. Interested in more info and a very interesting, informative interview? Recently Emotional Eating Coach Ellen Shuman talked with me on our Podcast about 'healthy at any size.' Listen in! Not only did we talk about being healthy but also the healthy relationships we can have with our girlfriends by not allowing negative body image influences.

TIP TUESDAY #7 - Favorite gift you received from a girlfriend this holiday

First, forgive me. This is TIP TUESDAY - on a Thursday! That's what holidays and a new puppy will do to a girl! (The pup is great - I just want to spend all my time with him while he's still a pup!)

I just read some 'blog marketing' articles and one mentioned that your blog needs to 'provide a solution.' Well, if there is one thing girlfriends do for each other is provide solutions - we help each other through all kinds of problems and situations with creative ideas and recommendations. So, we're right on track with TIP TUESDAY (especially when we all share comments!).

Girlfriends ARE gifts, so we'd like to hear from you for this week's TIP TUESDAY question:

What is your favorite gift you received from a girlfriend this holiday?

I love hearing others' comments so that I can improve my gift giving skills - so
please add a comment - we want to hear from you!

I'll start ... My creative friend Jill gave me a meaningful book for creative women (so I know I'll love it!). Terri, my always thoughtful friend, gave me some "olives" (that are really chocolate covered almonds, since she knows I don't like olives but I do like chocolate and almonds!) as well as Eat Pray Love, another book I've heard about and need to read. My friend Tina gave me a beautiful pair of earrings to replace the ones I bought previously that I lost one of - how sweet was that! (Other girlfriends gave great gifts too - THANKS to all of you - especially for the GIFT of your friendship!)

What do all these gifts have in common? They were specifically selected for ME! Did your girlfriends do a great job of finding gifts that were perfect for YOU? Share your COMMENTS and help us all be better girlfriend gift givers!

TIP TUESDAY #6 - What's your advice for holiday cards and letters?

If you receive our Girlfriendology newsletter, you know WHO is our upcoming January 1 Podcast "Boomer Star." She's creative, funny, inspiring and you'll trust her. She gets girlfriends, especially those of the boomer variety!

Do you ever wish someone would tell your friends and family the truth at the holidays? That there might be a better way of doing things, but of course you can't say anything because you'd never want to hurt their feelings. Well, let our Jan. 1 podcast star tell them for you!

Read her article on writing holiday letters, then send it along to a friend. And, while you're being honest and sharing, please also comment on this blog for your thoughts on:

What tips for holiday cards and letters do YOU have?

Should they be short? Long? Lots of photos? Do you want/need to know their medical abnormalities or thoughts on if stone-washed jeans will make a come back? Interested in their favorite reality shows and their family outing to the local zoo?

Here's your chance to share your thoughts, then share this blog with girlfriends who may need it or just will enjoy it!

And, while you're sharing, don't forget to mention our December Girlfriendology Contest and Great Girlfriend Gift Giveaway! We'd love to share a prize with you, just for telling us why you're thankful for your girlfriend(s). We're thankful you're here!

TIP TUESDAY #5 - What's your last minute holiday shopping tip?

Today is my husband's birthday. I don't think they should let women have babies in December - it is too hard to come up with presents for that and for the holidays! "I don't need anything," he tells me. Well, that sure helps make shopping easy!

In addition to him and other family members, I am blessed with great girlfriends and need to shop for (or make) gifts for them. With extremely limited budget and time, my stress level starts to rise.

I've mentioned this book before but it comes to mind ... In The Tending Instinct, by Shelley Taylor, stress tests done on women show that we respond with "tend and befriend." Shopping is getting stressful, so I'm looking to my girlfriends for HELP!

This week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

"What shopping secrets do you have for hard-to-buy-for girlfriends and others?"

One of the best gifts of "girlfriendship" is that we learn so much from each other. Please, be a "Santa," and share your shopping secrets! Thanks girlfriends! Happy Shopping!!

p.s. Speaking of "gifts," this is the month of the Girlfriendology "Great Girlfriend Gift Giveaway." While you won't receive them in time to put them under the tree, you will have a nice gift for yourself or a friend in '08.