Drop everything and buy this Life Hacks print bookazine from Bauer Publishing, because you’re going to need it for your next grocery-shopping endeavor, credit-limit-increase request, sexy date night, you name it. I was a writer on this project, part of the awesome crew at Teamstream Productions, and I learned more than I ever dreamed I could about how to spend less cash on the stuff I always buy, save a ton of time, and get closer to my significant other, even when everyone’s busier than a one-eyed cat watching three mouseholes these days. (Forgive the expression — I’m from the Midwest.)

Purchase it here, then sit back and wait for the time/money/sanity benefits to roll in!

There are about a zillion reasons I’m excited about one of my latest writing projects, Mindfulness Made Simple, a special-interest publication created by Teamstream Productions for Bauer Publishing…but I’ll stick to telling you about only three of them:

First, it was a pleasure to be a writer on this magazine and be a part of a team consisting of so many topflight veteran magazine journalists, photography mavens, and design whizzes. Second, immersing myself in this subject matter definitely made me a more mindful person; therefore, I can personally vouch for the usefulness of this giant, info-packed guide.

And third, my first full-time job with benefits in magazine journalism was also at a Bauer publication, First for Women, an experience that taught me so much about research, voice, audience, and translating sometimes-complex information into useful, readable, accurate — and, most importantly, fun — copy.

Buy the mag here!

OK, if you love clever photo illustrations as much as I do, you must click on my fun (and very servicey!) new story for Allure:

8 Beauty Products That You Can Use As Self-Defense Weapons — Allure

Speaking of design, if you’re also into cool kicks (who isn’t), check out my profile of Brooklyn-based sneaker brand Greats, whose vision is making quality, classic silhouettes at an affordable price point…and reimagining the borough while they’re at it.

How a Brooklyn Sneaker Brand Out-Classes the Giants — The Bridge

Art directors (and killer crabs), you guys are heroes, and we should all say that more often.

I’ve been a Brooklynite for a good long while now, so writing these two pieces for CNN Travel and The Bridge about Brooklyn’s nouveau tourism scene was a chance for me to see the borough the way first-time visitors do. True to Brooklyn’s reputation for being “hip” and “with it,” there’s a ton of cool stuff happening in the hotel scene here. Evidence below:

Brooklyn’s Coolest Hotels and Hottest Hangouts — CNN Travel

The Tea Director: Brooklyn’s Coolest New Hotel Perk — The Bridge

Fun fact: These are the first two stories I’ve written after my recent return to #FreelanceLife. Starting off with a Brooklyn bang.

Before I totally forget to give you an update this summer (is it seriously summer already?), here are a few recent pieces I wrote for Budget Travel, including a guide to travel “secrets” in one of my favorite cities, Miami, and my thoughts on why you should visit Joshua Tree National Park, like, yesterday. Take a look-see:

Best-Kept Secrets of Miami Beach

Which National Park Is Best for You?: Joshua Tree: Best for a Spiritual Experience

8 Indispensable Family Travel Websites—Plus 4 Amazing Apps to Download Now

Aaaaand, just to be super-cagey, there’s something new and exciting coming down the pike for me, but I won’t tell what it is yet…