It’s no secret that technology not only helps us stay connected to loved ones, it also helps us stay organized. I’ve been a Microsoft Office user for over fifteen years, using Word for essays from 4th grade through college. I use PowerPoint each day to create collages for GlamazonDiaries.com and let’s not forget Outlook to check the countless email pitches I get from public relations departments. You can say, I use Microsoft Office products daily.
Microsoft has partnered with actress Ali Larter, who just published a cookbook called Kitchen Revelry, on how to utilize its Office 365 in every day life. Juggling an acting career and raising kids, Ali knows how to make it all work.
Here are a few tips to get you organized for back-to-school, home, work and beyond. Then scroll down to the bottom for details on how to enter the giveaway.
Get organized. Throughout the years, I have played many roles. Everything from a cheerleader in Varsity Blues to trying to save one on Heroes. My favorite two roles, however, are being a wife and mother. Whether it’s a date night with my husband, or getting my son to his doctor’s appointment on time, Outlook keeps me on track with my calendar, important contacts and emails all in one view.
Digital notes help you remember. Being a working parent involves a lot of details, and I’ll be honest, sometimes they fall through the cracks. In order stay on top of details, I rely on OneNote as a second brain. Whether on the go with my phone, in my office on my PC or on the couch with my tablet – I can jot down ideas and information on the fly and those notes sync instantly across all my other devices through the cloud so I’m never without.
The cloud keeps you connected. With SkyDrive and Office Web Apps, I’m able to coordinate more easily with my husband on the various projects life throws at us. I love that we can share ideas and information with each other quickly and from anywhere. For example, when I want my husband’s opinion on a script for a potential television or movie role, I load it to SkyDrive and send him a link to the document. Then he can review and make comments from wherever.
Small changes can save time. We’re all creatures of habit, but I’ve learned that even small changes in my daily routine can make a huge difference. For example, I wrote my new book, “Kitchen Revelry,” in Word. Whenever and wherever inspiration hit, I was able to continue exactly where I left off through the Resume Reading feature. Since the document opened exactly at the place I needed it to, I never had to worry about losing that next great recipe idea!
Make it yours. I am inspired by everything from my family, to fashion, to places across the world. Whether it’s creating a recipe card, writing my “to-dos,” or compiling a shopping list, I can express those inspirations through any of the great templates offered on Office.com. It’s nice not to have to start from scratch, giving me more time to stay organized and create items that reflect my personal style.
Ali also has tips for using Microsoft OneNote at home:
One-Stop Planning with OneNote. Wish you had one place to store all your party planning ideas? From images and screen clippings to audio and hand-written notes – OneNote lets you capture ideas on the fly, and synch them across up to five devices, in addition to your mobile phone. You can also find your favorite recipes with advanced search. No need to shuffle through torn magazine pages and recipe cards anymore!
Stay Connected with Loved Ones: If friends and family from afar can’t make it to your party, the new Office 365 can help bring you together. A subscription to Office 365 Home Premium comes with 60 minutes of Skype calls, so you can still party with them face-to-face.
Budgeting Made Easy. Don’t let spending get out of hand. Manage the family budget in the Excel Web App and share it with family members through the cloud in SkyDrive so everyone can keep track of finances from the dining room PC, on-the-go on your phone, and wherever else life may take you.
One lucky Glamazon will receive a copy of Microsoft Office 365 Home Premium ($99 SRP). Enter below.
