The Other Side of Organized- Review & Giveaway

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

Comments

  1. Gosh, I would say that my dinning room is the issue. I have so many beautiful dishes and liens that my china cabinet and buffet are full. I have to keep some of my pretties in boxes, tuck all over the house. I have a very small home. I even have stemware in base cabinets in the bathroom.
    Thanks
    Chris Ann

    treehouse.queen18(atyahoodotcom)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have a serious paper problem. I have to deal with all of the household paperwork and bills as well as 2 trusts. Things get out of control very quickly.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  3. Ohhhh my. An area of my house? You should see my office. It's actually going to be a post someday when I get it cleaned out. I've been planning it in my head for about ohhhh eight months now. Oops.

    Email is in my profile, promise! :)

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  4. the children's toy room is a mess

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  5. http://twitter.com/cneiding/status/27301873504 tweet

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  6. www,clarissaneiding.blogspot.com button 1

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  7. www,clarissaneiding.blogspot.com button 2

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  9. blogroll1 www,clarissaneiding.blogspot.com

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  10. blog roll 2 www,clarissaneiding.blogspot.com

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  11. blogroll 3 www,clarissaneiding.blogspot.com

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  12. Oooo boy, it would be easier for me to tell you which room doesn't need organized! lol
    But my basement and my daughter's room are by far the worse.
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  13. Following and tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/27335145395
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  14. Voted for Top Baby Blog!
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #1

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  15. Voted for Top Baby Blog!
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #2

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  16. Voted for Top Mommy Blog!
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #1

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  17. Voted for Top Mommy Blog!
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #2

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  18. Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/27460013002
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  19. Voted for your baby blog.
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #1

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  20. Voted for your baby blog.
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    entry #2

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  21. Voted for your mommy blog.
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    entry #1

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  22. Voted for your mommy blog.
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #2

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  23. My bedroom closet could really use some organizational help.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  24. I follow on twitter and tweeted-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/27467160799 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  25. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/27580571729 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  26. My basement office could use organization. It ends up being my dumping ground!
    jcottey at aol dot com

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  27. #1 I voted for you on Top Baby Blogs.
    jcottey at aol dot com

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  28. #2 I voted for you on Top Baby Blogs.
    jcottey at aol dot com

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  29. #1 I voted for you on Top Mommy Blogs.
    jcottey at aol dot com

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  30. #2 I voted for you on Top Mommy Blogs.
    jcottey at aol dot com

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  31. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/27668589380 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  32. Voted Top Baby Blog
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #1

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  33. Voted Top Baby Blog
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #2

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  34. Voted Top Mommy Blog
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #1

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  35. Voted Top Mommy Blog
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #2

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  36. Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/27739334193
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  37. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/27756632346 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  38. Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/27846706428
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  39. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/27866549760 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  40. Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/27927159945
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  41. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/28030985667 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  42. Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/28040200688
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  43. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/28402760891 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  44. Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/28408209749
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  45. Voted for Top Baby Blog
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #1

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  46. Voted for Top Baby Blog
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #2

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  47. Voted for Top Mommy Blog
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #1

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  48. Voted for Top Mommy Blog
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #2

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  49. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/28536229600 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  50. Oh man-- I definitely need help organizing my office and the twins' toys!

    jessica.hester@hotmail.com

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  51. Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/28619785677
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  52. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/28627522762 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  53. My kitchen drawers & cabinets could definitely be organized so much better & neater!

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  54. I follow you on twitter & tweeted! http://twitter.com/amweeks/status/28678642433

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  55. I voted for you at Top Baby Blogs! -#1

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  56. I voted for you at Top Baby Blogs! -#2

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  57. Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/28687347909
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  58. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/28717655369 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  59. Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/28803332833
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  60. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/28811985002 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  61. Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/28888319194
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  62. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/28937623130 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  63. Daily tweet;
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/29019148440
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  64. Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/29085910496
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  65. Oh, where to begin... I probably need a LOT of organization in my office area. My filing cabinet needs a makeover. I have a pile of papers that have to be filed and I never seem to have the time to print out labels and make folders, etc.

    nhartmann54 at gmail dot com

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  66. Voted @ Top Baby Blogs #1

    nhartmann54 at gmail dot com

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  67. Voted @ Top Baby Blogs #2

    nhartmann54 at gmail dot com

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  68. Your button is on my left sidebar @ http://mamanyc.blogspot.com - #1

    nhartmann54 at gmail dot com

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  69. Your button is on my left sidebar @ http://mamanyc.blogspot.com - #3

    nhartmann54 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Tweet Tweet! :D
    http://twitter.com/#!/nhartmann54/status/29105488488

    nhartmann54 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  71. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/29129589177 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  72. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/29224160564 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  73. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/29306961978 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  74. our home office needs some real organization help

    nhmoose99 at yahoo dot com

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  75. Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/29398815360
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

    ReplyDelete
  76. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/29400285910 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  77. Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/29471561286
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  78. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/29512892984 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  79. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/29604706007 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  80. Putting Laundry away. It just piles until I can't stand it any longer

    rhondastruthers a tyahoodot ca

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  81. Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/29679774344
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  82. My room really needs some organization...we also use it as an office and for crafts!

    melissamcnicol at yahoo dot com

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  83. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/344158233436160 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  84. My bedroom could use some organzition.
    erma0726@sbcglobal.net

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  85. Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/97hockeymom/status/533965312106496
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

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  86. My kitchen our table always ends up flooded with junk and there never seems like I have enough cupboard space.
    shawnac68@hotmail.com

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  87. my daughters room really needs help! moondreamer1979 at yahoo dot com

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  88. I could always use organizational help in my home office. No matter what I do, I can't seem to keep up!

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  89. I follow you on Twitter
    @ContestMom
    and tweeted!
    https://twitter.com/ContestMom/status/659320630939648

    ReplyDelete
  90. The spare bedroom!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

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  91. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/672814818402304 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  92. In my bedroom, somehow it always get disorganized!

    flychild7(at)gmail(dot)com

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  93. Our spare bedroom could definitely use some help -- it's becoming a catchall.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

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  94. Our kitchen is in serious need of a little organization. I dread going in there most days, there's so much stuff EVERYWHERE :/

    ayoung3360@hotmail.com

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  95. I voted for you today!

    ayoung3360@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  96. I voted for you today

    entry #2

    ayoung3360@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  97. My bedroom closet is currently the area that needs organization RIGHT NOW!! I need to switch my seasonal clothes and purge clothes.

    scarter305 at aol dot com

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  98. My clothes need help... I have baskets of laundry all over the place, no room for them...
    AD85(at)live.ca

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  99. My kitchen can really use some organization...I have WAY too many junk drawers..
    sallylynnsara@hotmail.com

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  100. Following on Twitter & tweeted - EbayMommy
    sallylynnsara@hotmail.com
    http://twitter.com/EbayMommy/status/774459506036736

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  101. My tiny home office could definitely use help with organization. I work from home and I have a little tiny space in the bedroom where I keep everything I use. It is so small that it almost seems impossible to keep everything where I can find it.

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  102. My closets Seriously need some help.

    freebiegoddess03@aol.com

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  103. everything needs to be organized.Its very overwelming and i am not sure where to starts. Probably the bills and other household paperwork.nickbug2000@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  104. daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/902336700489728 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  105. my closets are the worst everything piled up i cant find a thing :(

    kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

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  106. My office could use serious help. I have PTO stuff, preschool papers, work stuff and stuff about building our new house all stacked up with each other and all over the place.

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

    ReplyDelete
  107. I voted for you on top baby blogs.

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

    #1

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  108. I voted for you on top baby blogs

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

    #2

    ReplyDelete
  109. One area that could use some help is the desk in the kitchen. I need a better system for mail so it doesnt end up in stacks on it!
    kufb50 at gmail dot com

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  110. My home office needs some serious organization

    s2s2 at comcast dot net

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  111. Every room seems to get overrun with paper! Cookbooks and recipes in the kitchen, books and magazines in the living room and bedroom and of course the office-bills, computer print-outs, and everything that doesn't seem to land anywhere else.

    ReplyDelete
  112. I follow on twitter as willitara and tweeted

    http://twitter.com/willitara/status/977158470115330

    ReplyDelete
  113. I have your new button.
    http://beascreations.blogspot.com
    #2

    ReplyDelete
  114. I have your new button.
    http://beascreations.blogspot.com
    #3

    ReplyDelete
  115. My desk and our garage is in need of help. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  116. My desk, my kids room, my closet could all use some help

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  117. My living room seems to need help, I would love to get that together. suelee1998 @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  118. My office could use some major help. Thanks!!
    aleksa91 hotmail

    ReplyDelete
  119. My garage needs some organization help. garrettsambo@aol.com

    ReplyDelete

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