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Pretty Neat-Book Review & Giveaway

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I love to organize! I know you might think I am crazy but, I do. My life and calendar are very organized and I have set up many organizational processes in my home. Unfortunately, my home is where I am least organized and it drives me crazy. The processes I have set up either don’t work for us or, we just don’t do them.

I’m sure you can relate. We all dream of having the neat, well organized home that all our friends are jealous of but…we don’t. I love organizational products, gadgets, books and TV shows but sometimes the TV shows just make me feel guilty because my home isn’t perfect. Well, in Alicia Rockmore & Sarah Welch’s book Pretty Neat: The Buttoned-Up Way to Get Organized and Let Go of Perfection I received their message loud and clear when they said, “We think it is high time for a new standard of organization: an imperfect one.”

In Pretty Neat they cover everything from delegating, eliminating excuses, taking charge of your to-do list and taming your in boxes. I found Chapter 5, Eliminate the Excuses, to be the one that struck a chord in me. I think I have a Masters Degree in excuses when it comes to organizing my home. I am a mater delegater so the daily cleaning, laundry, dishes etc gets done. My problem is the clutter/papers and folding the laundry.

Kitchen Table Before

I actually sat down at 10:00 this morning to write this review, but I couldn’t write it. I hadn’t taken action on what I had learned in Pretty Neat. Instead of writing I got up and tackled the most cluttered place in my house, the kitchen table. We have literally been on the run the last 2 weeks and have hardly eaten any meals together at the table, and last night when we did eat together we didn’t all have room at the table.

 

I was cranking the Disney tunes from Pandora on my Roku as I got to work. I got 4 reusable shopping bags and put 1 on each person’s chair. Then as I cleaned and decluttered I put the items in the correct person’s bag for them to put away properly when they got home tonight. I also threw away a bunch of papers we no longer needed…and some Christmas candy that was buried in there too. It took me about 90 minutes but I got everything sorted and taken care of.

Kitchen Table After

I felt so good about what I had accomplished I even took a picture and texted it to my husband who relied, “Look, a table!”

I have a lot more to do to get my entire house back in order but no I have no more excuses! I learned a lot more great tips and tricks from Pretty Neat. It was an easy read-except for the small print which was a bit tough for this old lady to see. I have 1 copy of Pretty Neat to give to one lucky reader (US only).
Mandatory 1st Entry Leave me a comment telling me your best organizing tip/product. Mine is actually another product from Get Buttoned Up-their Nothing Else pad is my favorite to-do list! I first picked it up a few years ago at Office Depot and I honestly can’t live without it!

Bonus Entries-leave a separate comment for each entry

  • Follow @GetButtonedUp and @MomMaven on Twitter
  • Tweet this I need to #organize my life. I want to #win @getbuttonedup ‘s book Pretty Neat from @MomMaven http://bit.ly/gLsuvC (you may do this 2x a day)
  • Like Get Buttoned Up on Facebook and leave a wall comment that MomMaven sent you
  • Blog subscribers, GFC friends, Networked blog subscribers and Facebook Likers each get 1 entry

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen by Random.org at 9pm on 3/21/11. Good Luck!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% mine. By participating in this review I am entered into a contest through Global Influence where cash prizes will be awarded to selected bloggers.

About cindy

I'm Cindy aka TheMomMaven. I'm a happily married empty nester living in Tampa Bay. I love all things Disney and I blog about easy recipes, family travel, family entertainement as well as product reviews and giveaways.

Comments

  2. Beth C says

    I used to have my mail piled up for several days. Now I go through it as soon as I get and am able to throw away most of. I keep the bills I need to pay in a pile and the receipts get filed away and there is a lot less clutter.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    Reply

  12. Wanda M says

    Since I have little storage space for my various comforter sets, curtains, chair cushions, etc. I have fell in love with Rubbermaid Roughneck Storage Bins. They help keep everything neat and organized.
    wbailey113 at hotmail dot com

    Reply

  21. Jason says

    My best organizing tip is to invest in Rubbermaid Tubs and Label maker. Those 2 things have made life so much easier!

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

    Reply

  28. Giant Sis says

    I love decorative boxes and baskets. They help me sort things as needed and hide the clutter and junk until I am ready to sort through it. Plus, they liven up all my boring black furniture!

    Reply

  43. Toni Marie Caravello says

    My tip – file folder and file storage and file away important paper immediately.. As soon as it comes in the mail.. either label it in your head to toss, recycle, shred OR do what ever it is – if it’s a bill – pay it, if it’s an application – fill it out. Put in envelope – postage and get it OUT. Then file the rest in appropriate folders. You can use a milk crate or filing cabinet or one of those accordian folders.

    reannenny at aol
    Toni Marie Caravello recently posted..New Age Mama- Shenzhen Knives Review &amp GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply

  51. susan smoaks says

    my best tip is to put things away right away, do not let them pile up, have a place for everything and put things in their place

    Reply

  62. Jessica says

    My best tool is my calendar posted in the laundry room. I keep track of everyones appt, practices, and work schedules.

    Reply

  64. JoeyfromSC says

    I LOVE the idea.pad!! I am always thinking of ideas for different stuff(especially waking up in the middle of the night lol) and need a place to write it all down!

    thank you for the chance to win!

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  69. Veronica Garrett says

    My best tip is to install shelves in the garage. This keepa a lot of stuff off the floor allowing you more space.

    Reply

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This work by Cindy Schultz is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.


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