Thursday, November 15, 2007

The Organized Life and a giveaway!

Back in September I wrote about the book The Organized Life by Stephanie Denton that had been sent to me from Marcia in South Africa. This book is making its way around the world and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review it.

The Organized Life is a lovely and simple book offering quick, easy-to-reference advice to help you take control of your clutter so you can live every day with less stress and more free time. The organizing tips in this book are straight forward and practical and are presented on colorful pages that are pleasing to the eye and easy to read. As I said before I really do love how it is written in short snippets that I can read in quick bursts as I have the time. The tips are conveniently compiled into categories making it easy to find tips relevant to whatever space you are tackling in your home at the time. Each category contains quotes, checklists and easy-to-follow guidelines for organizing every part of your life, including:

Paper piles
Grocery shopping
Home office
Closets & clothes
Garage
Kitchen & pantry
Holiday shopping & storage
Photos
Children
Bedroom & bathroom

Let me share a few tidbits from the book:

The key to fitting in a major undertaking is to realize it's nothing but the sum of several small tasks. Change your mind-set from "I have only fifteen minutes, I can't start anything," to "I have fifteen minutes, what one small piece of this project can I complete?" If an endeavor seems long in duration, break it down in your mind. Instead of swimming thirty laps, think of it as swimming ten laps three times.

Have one set of cleaning products stored in each bathroom so it's convenient to disinfect at any point in time.

Getting organized is not about getting rid of your memories. It's about making them more accessible.

Here are some sample pages from the book so you can see just how fun the colors are. I know they are hard to read but if you want a closer look and to learn more about the author click on over here.




Suzanne of Let's Talk Organizing from Arizona was the originator of this fun little book excursion and you can follow the book here. I'm going to keep the trend going by sending it on to Melissa from Breath of Life. How did I pick Melissa you ask? Well on my previous post about the book Melissa wrote this comment that made me laugh when I read it:

Everyone said they want to hear what you’ve got to say…I just want you to pass the book to me! It really does look interesting & useful!


You've got it Melissa, the book will be on it's way to Virgina next week. It'll be fun to see where it goes from there.

For the rest of you, Stephanie Denton has offered to giveaway an additional copy of her book to one of my readers. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post by Tuesday, November 20th at 12:00 pm and I'll announce the winner shortly thereafter. Winner will be selected by random generator.

Good luck and thanks to Stephanie for a great book!!

PS: I'll also be adding a copy of this book to the 30 Day Organizational Challenge prize list. It's not too late to join!

post signature

84 comments:

Angela said...

Defently enter me. Im a clutter bug and its a bad habit Im desperately trying to mend. Ill add you to my contest blog later tonight too :)

Amy said...

Please enter me. It looks like a great read!

Heather @ Marine Corps Nomads said...

I would love to have a copy of this. I'm trying to get my house organized while hubby is away...

Jennifer (mom of four) said...

What a neat book. I could use something like this in my life!! Please enter me.

Melissa said...

I can't wait :-)

Stephanie said...

Enter me please!

Anonymous said...

I would also like to be entered. Thanks for the opportunity!

Michelle M.

Anonymous said...

i'd love to be part of this reading and mailing it on to someone else. I've been trying but get discouraged. this may help!

Becky said...

Ooh! Ooh! Pick me! Pick me! It sounds great!

Taya @ Delightful! said...

This would be a great thing to have! Please enter me!

Mrs. Pear said...

Oh, I would love this!

We just moved the end of June, and it feels like I just cannot get quite organized yet!

Jill said...

ooh! this book sounds great. it will be going on my christmas list if I don't get lucky ;)

Bebemiqui said...

I could use this book.

Jynell said...

Pick me! Pick me!! :D

Allison said...

I'd like to enter the contest too!

Brenna said...

I could so use this book!!!

selah said...

This looks like a great book - I could definitely use some organization in my life right now!

Cheri said...

An organization book I can read in snippets? Count me in!

Crazy MomCat said...

Sounds awesome. I hope I win!

Ter said...

snippets are my favorite things to read.... :)

Count me in for the giveaway contest! :)

withanangelonmyshoulder@gmail.com

Donnetta said...

It sounds like a great book! Please count me in! Thanks!!:-)

Robin said...

Sounds like a book for me.

Hope I win.

Anonymous said...

COunt me in!

blogged ya: http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2007/11/thursday-edition-of-contests-galore_15.html

Lazygal said...

Wow. Went to her website and looked at the book's pages more closely. Looks like the perfect book for someone who needs just that little boost to get them motivated and organized. Count me in!

Anonymous said...

Hope it's me.

jkolsubs (at) gmail (dot) com

Hanna said...

Count me in!!

Janis Rodgers said...

Organization is not my strong suit. Please enter me!

Cheryl said...

Please add me, I am really trying to get organized, my life is in chaos.

What a Gift said...

Please enter me into your giveaway!!!

Blue said...

Gosh me too.. I have just found this site and am am trying to find may way throughmy house with the help of org junkie and fly lady...

hope I can greab this!

Anonymous said...

I think I need this....

Hopewell said...

I would love this!

Family O'Foxes said...

please enter me! I could use all the help offered!

I love your blog!
~Amy

Opening Pandora said...

Sounds like a great read, count me in please!

Anonymous said...

I would love to get my hands on a copy of this book.

Anonymous said...

i would love this book!!

Veggiemomof2 said...

Enter me please! I need to get my library to start buying these kind of books!

Anonymous said...

I'm interested in the book, too!

Veggiemomof2, tell your local librarian of specific titles you are interested in (if possible, hand him or her a list with author and title). Most librarians love to get suggestions -- I know, I am one!

Deedee said...

I'd love to have a copy of this book!

Anonymous said...

This is such a must have for me...sign me up, Please!

Danielle said...

this looks like an awesome book!

Jennifer said...

Are people without a good place to keep even one little book allowed to enter a drawing for a book on organizing? I could really use the help. And if you ever give away a home makeover be sure to let me know!

Angie said...

Looks like a great book! Please enter me.

lev53211 said...

just what i need to help keep me organized. please enter me!

Mamabug said...

Sounds like a winner to me!

Dede said...

I would love to win this book!

sam said...

I would love this book!

Anonymous said...

We are working on decluttering, so this book would be very helpful!

noreen said...

I could use this book :)

Christine said...

Oh, oh pick me!!

Debi said...

I can use this book...either way winning or buying it, it will be in my library...

Kathleen W. said...

This would be a great gift for my sister-in-law, who is always complaining about being disorganized

Unknown said...

Enter me! If I don't win, I'll cyber stalk Melissa and see if she will send it to me.

Erin said...

What a great book! I am always looking for ways to make my house cleaner and more organized. Thanks!

Erin

Melissa said...

One can never have too many organizing books. Sign me up.

Anonymous said...

Great Please sign me up!

jcollaird at aol.com

Brandi said...

Oh! Enter me! Enter me! I am addicted to organizing...okay, I WISH I was addicted to organizing, I think I am more addicted to reading about organizing and finding new ideas. I plan on starting my big organizing plan next week when I get all the Christmas stuff out. Anything I don't put up this year I am getting rid of. I have way too much crud stored away that I never display.

Unknown said...

Me! Me! Me!

I'm trying to organize my house while I am on maternity leave. (yeah - I'm crazy). This book would be a big help!

Laura said...

I'd love to win! I used to think of myself as an organized person, but with a larger house to manage, my bad habits are sneaking up on me!

The Estrogen Files said...

I can't tell you how much this book would do for me! I'm terrible at organizing the larger aspects but micro-organize some other areas. Vicious circle...

Sarah in Houston said...

After reading your last few posts about Peter Walsh on Oprah, you have given me the courage to tackle my sewing room. It is full to the brim. I want to keep much of it, but there is plenty that I will never complete. I need to be honest about it and just donate a lot of my "stuff"
Thanks for helping,
Sarah in Houston

Sharijoy said...

Okay Laura...you've got my attention! It looks like a good read! Plus I could use all the HELP I can get as my time is now somewhat BUSY!!!! I uae to have hours to do what I wanted when and now I am finding EVERYTHING a challenge!! I could use more hints and tips like 15 mins tackle small! Basically I'm saying ENTER ME PLEASE!

Ginny said...

I'd love to win, I so need this! The book looks great :)

Dawn said...

This sounds like a great book. I would love it.

Melonie said...

This sounds fantastic! Please enter me also!

Sea said...

I'd love an organizing book! My house could definitely use it. ;)

-sea

Emily (Laundry and Lullabies) said...

I've been feeling less-than-on-top-of-things lately. Maybe this would help.

An Ordinary Mom said...

What a fabulous giveaway!

Surviving said...

I could use all the help I can get!

Twisted Cinderella said...

Mmmm . . . sounds like a great book!! I would love it!

Jennifer said...

Ooo...would love to read this...please enter me! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for entering me in your giveaway.

Tasha at new4younow@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

With Christmas coming I need help organizing the kids stuff before more stuff arrives! I could really use this book!

Richelle said...

Please enter me. It looks like a great read!

Tammy Taylor said...

With 3 young children I need as much help as I can get! Please enter me.

Anonymous said...

Wow! This is just what one disorganized mom needs! Come on lucky generator.

Anonymous said...

Oh Laura, this books sounds wonderful! I could definitely use it, and I know 4 kiddos and a wonderful, ever-so-patient hubby that would be forever grateful! :)

Blessings!

Karen said...

Count me in. I am on a cleaning and organizing spree, and I need some inspiration to keep me focused. We do NOT want to get to the point where we need Peter Walsh around here, LOL:)

Kathy Jebbia said...

I want to enter too! I'm an organizing addict!

Forgetfulone said...

Did I already enter? I can't remember! That's why I go by the blog name "forgetfulone."

Anonymous said...

i thought you gave this away already. I'd love to read and pass on. thanks.

BethH said...

Laura, I just found your blog today, and love it. I am "organizationally challenged", but do enjoy the fruits of working at it. I have an 18 year-old daughter who likes to organize, too. I think we both would enjoy the book, so please enter me in the giveaway.
Thanks!

Heather said...

I love your blog!

Anonymous said...

Please with 3 litte ones under 5 I need this book to keep me sane!! :)