Internet Password Organizer + Giveaway

I received the Internet Password Organizer in the mail some time ago and I must be honest and say that I was a little skeptical about it at first. You see I already had a little notebook that I kept beside my laptop with all my passwords written in. I thought I was on top of it yet as I added more and more passwords to my notebook I was increasingly getting more and more frustrated trying to find the passwords that I needed. I do try to often use the same password but in many instances it just isn't possible. I also keep my business and personal emails and passwords completely separate which often creates many more username/password combinations than I have the brain capacity to remember.

However I really didn't know how time consuming all that page flipping in my little red notebook was until I started to use the Internet Password Organizer. You see what make the Internet Password Organizer so special is that it is alphabetized and that my friends makes me very, very happy! I am saving all sorts of time and hair pulling craziness now.

The organizer has a spiral binding that allows the book to open flat and also includes reinforced A-Z tabbed dividers with two letters per tab. Each space has room to record the webpage, username, password and notes. Normally the organizer sells for $19.99 but right now they have a 20% off Father's Day promotion going on when you use the coupon code "Dad".

This week I am also giving away a copy for one lucky reader! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post before Friday, May 23rd 11:59 pm pst to be entered. If you don't have a blog please remember to include your email address.

Good luck!

And the winner is........

I'm pleased to announce the winner of the book The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized is:

BrendaS (cornfreelady)

Congratulations Brenda and Happy Organizing!

The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized plus a giveaway!

As you know organizing is a passion of mine so I'm sort of embarrassed to admit that up until I started my blog I had never read an organizing book. I had no idea so much organizational goodness existed. Now one of the perks I have is the opportunity to review some of this goodness for you. The book I'm discussing today is called The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized by Christian author, Karen Ehman.



I'm not even going to beat around the bush on this one. I LOVED this book! This is not a book that talks down to you and makes you feel completely inadequate for not being organized. Not. At. All. Reading this book is like chatting with a girlfriend as she lovingly and gently shows you how to efficiently take care of the "have tos" so you have more time for the "want tos" - unhurried time with your husband, your children, your friends, and your God.

Karen's step by step approach to organizing not only gives you practical guidance on how to de-clutter your "stuff" but more importantly your life including schedules, commitments, priorities and routines. Karen covers it all in this book, she even has a whole chapter devoted to taming the paper clutter and another whole chapter dedicated to menu planning which is so important.

Here is a complete list of the book's table of contents:

1. Being Organized Means Being Prepared
2. Finding Your Organizational Personality
3. Kicking Out the Clutter
4. Maximizing Efficiency in Every Room
5. Combating Overcommitment
6. Taking Control of the Clock
7. Putting Paper in Its Place
8. Menu Planning and Shopping Strategies
9. Now You're Cookin'! (recipes, yay!)
10. Maintaining Your Home's New Order
    
11. Taking It Home, Making It Yours

I loved how she included a chapter on the maintenance part of organization. This is so crucial to any organizing success and I agree with Karen when she says "don't fall for the myth that once you organize your home, it will stay that way forever". Organizing is definitely an ongoing PROCESS that requires you to regularly re-evaluate and re-adjust your plan according to the season of the year or the season of your life.

I recently had the opportunity to ask Karen some questions that I'd like to share with you now. Karen's answers are in purple.

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Your book is so great and such an encouragement to women. What made you want to write a book on organizing?

I was actually hesitant to write a book on organizing. The last thing women need is a "My home and life are perfect and here's how yours can be too!" book. Often organizational books actually make women feel discouraged because, if they aren't living the same style life as the author, the methods they tout won't work. So, I decided that if I was to write a book, it would be one that would take into account personalities, lifestyles and children. Then it would walk women through how to set the bar where they'd like and to come up with a plan of attack that works for them.

Your teenage daughter's words of wisdom are sprinkled throughout the book. She seems very organized herself. You describe her as a formerly messy kid turned mostly tidy teenager. Can you explain how this transformation came to be?

Well, first I tried screaming, yelling, grounding, threats...all to no avail. She was a pre-teen girl with lots of "stuff", stuff she liked to display. Her room was off of our living room and I grew tired of the piles and junk. She grew tired of me nagging all of the time. And she felt that when I attacked her stuff, I was attacking who she was as a person. We came to a compromise and bought some cool baskets, and bins where she could stash her stuff. And, I also pulled a makeover on her room for her 13th birthday--totally retro and lime green and orange. It motivated her to want to keep it looking nice. Since then she has grown into a very tidy and organized girl!!

In the very first chapter you mention that being organized boils down to being prepared. Can you tell us why?

Life seldom happens the way we want it to. When we prepare in advance for what thing may occur, we can meet the challenges in a calm, collected way. Having a meal in the freezer for a friend who gets sick, taking a tote bag to the orthodontist's office filled with note cards, stamps and our address book so we can catch up on thank you notes, having you child's medical info handy for those ER visits etc.. I really think that being prepared is much more important than being neat!

In your book you encourage women to avoid getting overwhelmed in their organizational efforts by focusing on just ONE area for a few weeks or months. Only once they have formed new habits in that area and the skills have become part of their regular routine should they move on to tackle another area. I couldn't agree more with this and am wondering what one area you feel women should concentrate on first and why?

I say tackle your piles and de-junk your home first. It will motivate you and give you a sense of calm. Then you can tackle other areas such as managing your time, planning your meals, shopping, laundry routines, etc... When our surroundings are de-cluttered and in order, we can think clearer.

*********************

You can find Karen through Proverbs 31 Ministries as well as her blog. Her book is available for purchase through Amazon.

Thank you Karen for writing this amazing book as well as offering to give away a free copy to one of my readers. To enter simply leave a comment on this post (be sure to leave a valid email address) by Monday, April 14th at 11:59 pm pst and then I'll draw one random winner on April 15th.

Happy Organizing!!

Busy Body Book

I've just recently had the opportunity to review the 2008 Busy Body Book, a personal and family grid organizer. Back in January, on my other blog, I posted the favorite calendars and planners of some of my readers and this particular planner was my friend Jennifer's favorite.


As you can see this planner offers you the opportunity to schedule up to 5 family members in their own separate columns each week all on the same page. This could be extremely useful for families with kids constantly on the go with various activities. Another nice feature is the perforated "to do" sheets in the back.

The only downfall with this calendar for me is that they don't include a "month at a glance" calendar at the beginning of each month. They do however give you a condensed 6 months at a glance at the beginning of the book.

If you have been wanting to try this calendar out for yourself, now might be the right time because not only is Busy Body Book offering their 2008 Stripes and Zigzag planners for 50% off but also their Fridge Grid Pads as well.

Cabin Cuddler

Awhile ago I reviewed the Happy Traveler Family Gear Bag from Family Travel Gear. I was so blown away by the attention to detail in that product that I couldn't say no when they asked me to review another product for them. This one doesn't necessarily have anything to do with organizing but it is wonderfully efficient.

Meet the Cabin Cuddler:

Finally a blanket designed for traveling! I don't know about you but being somewhat of a germaphobe myself I will not use the blankets and pillows supplied on an airline. I mean I just have my doubts that these things are ever washed. Thankfully I never have to worry about that anymore. The micro-fleece Cabin Cuddler blanket solves that problem with it's unique wrap-around design created to keep passengers warm even in the coldest airplane cabins.

I absolutely can't say enough about the detail put into this product. I'm a details girl and I wish more companies would take the time to add the extra special touches to their products. The Cabin Cuddler, when not in use, folds all up into itself to create a pillow that conveniently fits into the matching reversible carrying case that is included with it. This case fits easily into carry on luggage but also has a handle if you'd rather carry it separately.


The carrying case also turns inside out to become a soft pillow case. This can then be used with airline pillows or you can use the blow up travel pillow that is included with each Cabin Cuddler. I love that they've thought of this, such a small thing that just makes me appreciate the product even more.

I've just been using the product at home while I watch TV. One of my favorite features is the patented pocket that I can put my feet into to keep me warm. I love it! The Cabin Cuddler is available in two colors and is machine washable. It is also reasonably priced at $29.99. You can read more about it on the Family Travel Gear site here.

Great stuff!

1-2-3.....Get Organized!

I know I've reviewed a few organizing books in a row now but I've got another great set to tell you about that I think you're going to like. Professional Organizer Beverly Coggins has created a 1-2-3...Get Organized series of seven mini books to help you organize your life one book at a time.

The seven books are as follows:

• Three Steps to Organizing your Child's Room
• Three Steps to Decluttering
• Three Steps to Organizing your Kitchen
• Three Steps to Organizing your Office
• Three Steps to Time Management for the Stay-at-Home Mom
• Three Steps to Clever Cleaning
• Three Steps to Time Management at the Office

Each book consists of three main steps with each step offering plenty of tips and advice broken down into quick and easy to read points.

I'll tell you what I love most about these books. Not only are they small but the plastic glossy pages are wonderfully durable making them perfect for throwing into your purse to take out and read whenever you are stuck in a "hurry up and wait" situation. I also love the colorful pages as presentation is very important to me.

For those a little bit more ambitious and wanting to really get serious about getting organized she offers a workbook series that comes complete with checklists, questionnaires and templates on CD. Some of the titles include Three Steps to Downsizing to a Smaller Residence, Three Steps to Time Management for the Working Mom and Three Steps to Planning Dinner. These do-it-yourself guides are very thorough with Bev carefully walking you through each step of the process.


Now I've saved the best for last. One of the other things Bev includes in some of her packages is a Hassle Free Dinners CD. This CD is a menu planners dream and you all know how I feel about menu planning! It offers 52 dinner menus complete with step-by-step instructions and recipes along with coordinating color-coded weekly shopping lists. I am very impressed with how much work this must have been to put together especially since everything you need to put quick, nutritious, sophisticated meals on the table is included! She also didn't repeat an entree for the entire year either! Well done Bev!

On the 1-2-3...Get Organized site you'll also find a page listing the February sales so if you are interested be sure to check that out first! Next week I'm going to be giving away a set of these mini books as part of a special organizing giveaway I'm doing so keep your eyes open for that over on I'm an Organizing Junkie sometime on Monday.

A Life Less Cluttered

Updated to add: Christine is offering free shipping on her book until December 31st!

I'm happy today to review for you another organizing book although this one isn't your typical organizing book. A Life Less Cluttered, written by Professional Organizer Christine Rice, isn't an organizing "tips" book but rather a book that focuses on the characteristics necessary to getting and staying organized. Christine's book takes you on a journey through answering the "whys" of disorganization to exposing the traits common to highly organized people in order to aid you in adopting them for yourself and reaching your own organizing epiphany.

I've always said that I'm not a born organizer. My organizing skills and abilities didn't develop overnight but were gradually acquired out of necessity, practice and a desire to lead a more simplified life. Christine feels the same way and she will also tell you that she wasn't born with the "organizing gene". She offers this encouragement in the very first chapter:

Organizing doesn't always come naturally but with help it can become easier. This is where you need to let go of any lingering guilt you may have regarding your current disorganized status and what originally brought you to that state. You've always had the capability to learn, you just didn't have the guidelines to follow. That is, until now. Open yourself to learning at the highest level possible. Accept your new reality that you, too, can be more organized.

Christine also offers one of the best definitions of what being truly organized means and it may surprise you:

Life happens. It's not as if finally being organized brings with it a guarantee that your home or life will never again be turned upside down. The difference is when you are better organized you can more quickly remedy the situation when things are a little out of control. It means living an easier, less stressful lifestyle and being able to locate important papers or belongings at a moment's notice. It usually means there is nearly a place for everything and almost everything in its place most of the time.

Did you get that? It isn't about being perfect! Amen to that!

I found Christine's book absolutely refreshing and eye opening. I never thought to approach organizing in this manner. Not only does she explain in detail what the traits are of highly organized people are but she also shows you how to adapt and apply those traits to your own life and surroundings.

This is one book I can't recommend more highly. It isn't heavy or complicated reading either because believe me most of those types of books I never end up finishing. This book just makes sense and is so uplifting and encouraging at the same time. I'm very impressed.

Christine offers her book for sale on her website in both paperback and ebook. More information can be found here. Check it out for yourself, it just might change your life!

You can also find Christine over at her blog Organizational Enlightenment.