As the oldest daughter in a family of four siblings with a mom who wasn't overly "girlie," there were a lot of moments growing up when I wished I had an older sister. Someone who had "been there and done that." Who could give me tips and advice, guiding me through the tough stuff. Well, I didn't have an older sister. And, sadly, I don't know that I was all that helpful for my younger sister (I still don't know how to use a curling iron)! But, looking back, I do know the type of advice I would have liked to have heard, and that's exactly what I found when reading QuickieChick's Cheat Sheet to Life, Love, Food, Fitness, Fashion, and Finance - on a Less-Than-Fabulous Budget. Laurel House is like the big sister you never had (or maybe wish you could have subbed in...like I'm sure my sister wishes!), and the book is a fun read filled with savvy advice.
Who is QuickieChick?
Laurel House is a thirty-something lifestyle expert and personal trainer whose YouTube videos have garnered more than seven million views. Her ultimate goal is to help women make the most out of every moment while drawing the most out of the tools available to her. Don't have the budget for a day at the spa? No problem! One of Laurel's "quickies" will walk you through how to whip up a facial using simple ingredients from home. Don't have money for a gym membership? If you have a few minutes and a little bit of space, you can do any of Laurel's quickie workouts. The whole idea behind Laurel's philosophy is to stop making excuses and to take advantage of all the tools you do have available to you, rather than fretting over the things you don't have.
>> Read more about Laurel House on our Real Sporty Woman column!
The QuickieChick book
I'll admit, now that I'm a thirty-something myself, there's a lot of information in the QuickieChick book that isn't immediately applicable to my day-to-day life. I've been married almost nine years, held a number of professional positions, switched careers and lived enough life that I feel pretty steady and confident navigating the world as I know it. That doesn't mean that I don't completely appreciate everything she's putting out there. As I was reading through the chapters, I couldn't help making a mental note to put this on my must-buy list for any high school or college graduates coming up through the ranks. The read is easy and engaging with advice that's immediately applicable and sound. A few of the sections that are especially helpful for young women:
- Balancing finances and shopping smart (including tips on when to buy in bulk)
- Finding a career mentor
- Real world etiquette (job interview, meeting a guy's parents, having lunch with co-workers, etc.)
- Facebook privacy settings and your work life
- Online dating dos and don'ts
- Fitting in fitness even when you're busy
- Eating healthfully even on a budget
- Smart beauty and fashion tips for looking your best at all times
- Creating skinny cocktail recipes (plus some really tasty-sounding recipes included in the book - Skinny Jalapenito, anyone?)
Purchasing the book
QuickieChick's Cheat Sheet to Life, Love, Food, Fitness, Fashion, and Finance - on a Less-Than-Fabulous Budget is available in paperback and as an e-book at online retailers like Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. You can pick it up for prices ranging from $9.99 (for the e-book) to $17.99. While it makes a great gift for graduating seniors, be sure to order it early so that you can give it a quick read-through yourself. Whether you're 18 or 45, or somewhere in-between, you're bound to takeaway a number of life tips that you didn't know or forgot you knew. I, for one, plan to put the Quickie hair rescuing tips to good use - after 30 years of untamed tresses, it's about time to make the most of what I've got!
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