Book Review and Giveaway: Pretty Neat

Org porn has caused as much damage to womens' psyches as super models have caused to their self-esteem. Org porn is all the things, like magazines, tv shows, books, etc that showcase these perfect, serene, beautifully decorated and organized homes, sort of like the models in the girly magazines are presented as physically perfect. What we don't see is the airbrushing of the models or, in the case of org porn, we forget that those "homes" are often just sets somewhere that are not really lived in or they are real homes that have been cleaned and decorated specifically for that photo shoot. Instead, we are left with feelings of guilt and disappointment that we cannot achieve the same results.

Pretty Neat: The Buttoned-Up Way to Get Organized and Let Go of Perfection by Alicia Rockmore and Sarah Welch, helps the reader realize that perfection is not only impossible, it is also not necessary.  This book shares tips on delegation, family schedules, handling your own excuses, to-do lists, and tackling your in-box.  There are several exercises through the book that help you to set "good enough" goals for yourself and to help you get your house into a livable organized state.

I really enjoyed this book and found it to be an easy read.  I also like that this book can work for ANYONE.  It is not just for those who strive for perfect looking homes, but it is also for those, like myself, who have already accepted that perfection is not possible.  I recommend this for anyone who has any need or desire for a more organized life.  We are in the process of decluttering our entire home and I am enjoying each step of the process.  Currently, I am purging the clothing, but then I will be revisiting the chapter on taming the toy tsunamis.

***Giveaway***
I have a copy of Pretty Neat: The Buttoned-Up Way to Get Organized and Let Go of Perfection for one of my readers,.  The winner will also be entered to win a $200 gift card (same as cash such as Visa or AmEx) plus a selection of Buttoned Up products (ARV: $50) to be used towards her own reasonable organizational goals for her life.  The winner of the gift card and products will be drawn from all the winners from this and other blogs that participated in this review.  Mandatory entry:  Share your favorite tip for getting or staying organized.  This can be about organizing any area of your life.  Here's mine-  I keep all my cleaning supplies in a plastic carry-all.  This way they are all together and easy to bring from room-to-room.

Extra ways to enter (leave a comment for each one you do):
- subscribe to The Happy Wife
- follow The Happy Wife
- share this giveaway via your blog or other social networking site.
- Follow me on Twitter

The winner will be chosen on March 22nd and they will have 48 hours to get back to me or a new winner will be chosen. I will choose the winner at some point in the evening of the 22nd and entries will be accepted up until the drawing.

***Disclaimer***
I received a free copy of Pretty Neat: The Buttoned-Up Way to Get Organized and Let Go of Perfection in exchange for my honest review.