Pretty Neat: The Buttoned-Up Way to Get Organized and Let Go of Perfection by Alicia Rockmore and Sarah Welch Review & Giveaway 3/20 WINNER CLOSED

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...

Operation Sweet Dreams said...

I'm a follower. I have trouble with my craft area that has no spilled over to random parts of my apartment (oops). Thank you for sharing The Buttoned-Up Way! I love the site and the downloads are perfect and useful!!

March 20, 2011 1:13 PM 

An e-mail has been sent and she has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected via random.org.

Thanks to all those who entered!

The number of television programs showcasing organized homes and living spaces is everywhere.  There aren't many places you can look that doesn't have some organization desire or theme.  We are a society of perceived perfection.  One of which you either fit in or you don't and how you react to that is a personal matter.  I know that I sometimes feel bad for not being organized like Martha Stewart or that I feel less because I don't have a spotless home with a home for everything.  I would love to have a home that looks like a model home but I just can't.  I'm slowly accepting that but it's hard.  This is where Pretty neat: The Buttoned-Up Way to Get Organized and Let Go of Perfection couldn't have arrived at a better time.

I'm in the process of selling a home.  With that came a lot of responsibility of making my home look perfect per my agent.  Unfortunately, with two young children and a baby, it's a tad bit hard for me as my husband is in Kuwait and won't return until the first week of May.  We then have to move to El Paso by June 1st.  Trying to keep the mail, the homework, the school notices, the doctor appointments and referrals as I have two children with chronic medical conditions coupled with my seven year old's non-profit of helping children with epilepsy, I have struggles!  What I do like is how the authors define what is going on with our society, "org porn."  It's so true in that everywhere you look, it's there.  Organizational products, ideas, articles and so forth are pushed in our faces constantly along with that nagging lesson that if we aren't organized, we are imperfect.

The authors come up with great ways to add organization to your life that doesn't require fancy products or endless hours of driving everyone crazy to conform.  A great chapter in this book is also how to say no.  If you are like me, saying no is like giving up chocolate or Johnny Depp movies, IMPOSSIBLE.  This chapter was key in giving me the resources to start saying no.  There are an abundance of great tips and suggestions on so many facets of our daily lives.  It's more than just a book as it's a handbook to help curtail some of the chaos.  The authors present in an entertaining way that makes the book come alive as who wants to read something dull and boring?

There are even some cool and helpful free tools and downloads here.

The Giveaway:

One lucky winner will receive their very own copy of this indispensable book.

To Enter:

Follow my blog and tell me one area that you have trouble organizing.

Giveaway ends 3/20 at midnight (EST) - US only please

Winner chosen via random.org