The Other Side of Organized- Review & Giveaway

on October 11, 2010

Many of us are perpetually trying to become more organized, waffling somewhere between new cleaning projects hardcore and totally giving up and giving in to the clutter. I recently had the opportunity to read The Other Side of Organized by born-organized professional orgnanizer Linda Samuels. The Other Side of Organized is an organization book that helps you find a balance, a level of organization you are comfortable with, and stay there.

The Other Side of Organized is broken up into seasons, and discusses the inspiration of each season for wanting change and a renewed desire to organize. For example, in the winter many people are motivated to cut the clutter because they resolve to be more organized in the new year, and in the spring, the budding flowers and new life sparks a desire in many to start fresh. It is filled with anecdotes and many of the author's personal stories, observations, and philosophical musings about the whys of disorganization- why can't we let go, why we see clutter differently, etc. Each section offers ideas on how to find your own comfort level of organization, everything from getting into the mood to start organizing, to making sure you don't become a slave to your To Do list.

Some wonderful tips in this book include this gem: For children with too many toys, instead of offering them gifts for their birthday, offer an experience- a day at a play, on an adventure, etc. Clothing and toy clutter was replaced with the building of wonderful memories.

My personal favorite section was the section on taming your closet. This is my personal project of the moment, and Samuels' tips have been very helpful in getting me going. The Other Side of Organized is a quick read filled with lots of good ideas, but isn't preachy and there are no step by step plans. You simply read the parts you want, work on what you need, and somewhere along the way find your own balance between chaos and perfection.

Buy it! The Other Side of Organized is available on Amazon for only about $13 and is eligible for free shipping. It would make a great gift or stocking stuffer for stressed or overwhelmed friends (or, let's be honest, for ourselves).

Win it! Want to win a copy? BookSparks has generously offered to giveaway a copy of The Other Side of Organized to a randomly chosen reader of Penelope's Oasis. To enter, tell me below an area of your home/schedule that could use some organization help, and don't forget to leave an email address you can be contacted at if you are the winner.

Extra Entries:

♥ Follow on twitter and retweet for one entry daily (must have at least 50 followers).

♥ Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to post.

♥♥ Vote for me on Top Baby Blogs for two extra entries each and let me know you did (you can vote daily for more entries).

♥♥♥ Grab my cute NEW button (old one doesn't count) for your sidebar or add me to your blogroll for three entries each.

Contest open until November 6th to US and Canada. Winner has 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.

Review and giveaway sponsored by BookSparks.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/2