Sample of local.xml file when starting a new project
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<layout>
<!-- ############# GLOBAL LAYOUT UPDATES ############# -->
<default>
<!-- Remove unwanted blocks entirely -->
<remove name="right.poll"/>
<remove name="right.permanent.callout"/>
<remove name="left.permanent.callout"/>
<remove name="paypal.partner.right.logo"/>
<remove name="tags_popular"/>
<remove name="catalog.compare.sidebar"/>
<remove name="sale.reorder.sidebar"/>
<!-- Default Head -->
<reference name="head">
<!-- Add fonts -->
<block type="core/text" name="fonts">
<action method="setText">
<text>
<![CDATA[
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://fast.fonts.net/jsapi/9db62b6b-1ada-4e26-82b7-d8634a6ca088.js"></script>
]]>
</text>
</action>
</block>
<!-- Add customized select dropdowns for forms -->
<action method="addCss">
<stylesheet>css/select2.min.css</stylesheet>
<sort_order>10</sort_order>
</action>
<action method="addItem">
<type>skin_js</type>
<name>js/select2.min.js</name>
<params/>
</action>
<!-- Add share this (or any outside javascript) -->
<block type="core/text" name="share_this">
<action method="setText">
<text>
<![CDATA[
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/button/buttons.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">stLight.options({publisher: "pub_number_here", doNotHash: false, doNotCopy: false, hashAddressBar: false});</script>
]]>
</text>
</action>
</block>
<!-- Add custom stylesheets (not needed if using SASS) -->
<action method="addCss">
<stylesheet>css/styles.css</stylesheet>
<sort_order>20</sort_order>
</action>
<action method="addCss">
<stylesheet>css/global.css</stylesheet>
<sort_order>30</sort_order>
</action>
<!-- Add custom javascript -->
<action method="addItem">
<type>skin_js</type>
<name>js/custom.js</name>
<params/>
</action>
</reference>
<!-- Top Links (account dropdown) -->
<reference name="top.links">
<action method="addLink" translate="label title"><label>Link Title</label>
<url>/link-url</url>
<title>Link Title</title><prepare/><urlParams/><position>1</position></action>
<remove name="wishlist_link" />
<remove name="checkout_cart_link" />
</reference>
<!-- Default Header -->
<reference name="header">
</reference>
<!-- Default Footer -->
<reference name="footer">
<remove name="footer_links"/>
<remove name="store_switcher"/>
</reference>
<!-- Default Root -->
<reference name="root">
</reference>
<!-- Default Left Column -->
<reference name="left">
</reference>
<!-- Default Right Column -->
<reference name="right">
</reference>
</default>
<!-- When Customer is Logged out -->
<customer_logged_out>
<reference name="top.links">
<action method="removeLinkByUrl"><url helper="customer/getAccountUrl" /></action>
</reference>
</customer_logged_out>
<!-- When Customer is Logged in -->
<customer_logged_in>
<reference name="top.links">
</reference>
</customer_logged_in>
<!-- ############# MODULE-SPECIFIC LAYOUT UPDATES ############# -->
<!-- Add links to the customer account sidebar -->
<customer_account>
<reference name="customer_account_navigation">
<action method="addLink">
<name>email_preferences</name>
<path>email-preferences</path>
<label>My Email Preferences</label>
</action>
</reference>
</customer_account>
</layout>