Book Review and Giveaway: Pretty Neat by Alicia Rockmore and Sarah Welch (Ends 3/21) CLOSED
Monday, March 07, 2011 Posted by Dina
Pretty Neat is a handbook that embraces the chaotic reality that lies beneath org porn’s glossy veneer, offering pithy anecdotes and candid advice from experts and real women alike on tackling organizational inertia. Funny, irreverent, entertaining, and helpful, the book covers all facets of clutter-control, from tried-and-true tips for conquering to-do lists and wrangling family schedules to ideas on excavating inboxes, eliminating excuses, and delegating housework. Most importantly, Pretty Neat insists that women need to stop holding themselves to impossibly high standards, and focus instead on defining their own, realistic organizational goals. Full of engaging examples from everyday women, Pretty Neat offers readers unorthodox, surprisingly simple methods to reduce their org porn–fueled stress, insisting that perfection is impossible — and unnecessary — in this messy, unpredictable world called real life.
My Review
Pretty Neat: Get Organized & Let Go of Perfection is a very refreshing organizational book. Of course, as it can be expected, it offers tons of useful ideas on organizing and conquering clutter - focusing on real-life solutions. The book includes chapters on delegating, learning to say no, taking charge of to-do lists and family schedules, clearing clutter at home and at work, taming the chaos of toys and inboxes, even mastering home-cooked meals.
What I love best about it was how it centers on priorities and allows readers to let go of unrealistic expectations. Sure, the impeccably arranged rooms we see in books and magazines look nice. Personally, I would not want to live in a sterile house that is nothing like our messy, busy, happy daily life. My home does not have to be perfect but it can be pretty neatly organized with the help of this book. The authors of Pretty Neat help us make peace between an organized and a livable home, and I am so grateful for that.
The Giveaway
One lucky U.S. reader will win a copy of Pretty Neat!
To enter, please share below what's your biggest organizational challenge.
For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:
- follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win a copy of Pretty Neat from @GetButtonedUp and @aitmama! #Giveaway ends 3/21 #contests #home #organization #books http://tiny.cc/gzy5o";
- follow @GetButtonedUp on twitter;
- follow GetButtonedUp via email or Google Friend Connect - do both and comment for each;
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- vote for JANB on Picket Fence Blogs - can be done daily - and comment below for 2 more entries;
- go here for additional ways to get extra entries.
Disclaimer / Disclosure: Thanks to my involvement with Global Influence, I received a complimentary copy of the book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post but I will be entered in a prize drawing. Cover art and book description courtesy of the publisher, author or PR firm.
March 7, 2011 at 10:53 AM
The Office - it becomes a catch all for everything
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March 7, 2011 at 6:56 PM
I became executor of two trusts last year. With those and my paperwork I am being overrun.
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March 7, 2011 at 8:15 PM
My next project to organize is the hall closet. I already know there is more in there than space allowed. It's going to be a challenge.
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March 7, 2011 at 8:38 PM
Our biggest organizational challenge is the garage.
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March 7, 2011 at 10:14 PM
The filing cabinet has "papers to be filed "later"". Yikes!!! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
March 8, 2011 at 3:33 AM
all my PAPERS. i'm like whyyyyy whyyyy.
March 8, 2011 at 3:35 AM
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March 9, 2011 at 2:20 AM
organizing my clothes.
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March 10, 2011 at 10:53 PM
my biggest challenge is keeping up with mail, it piles up!!
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March 12, 2011 at 8:08 PM
My biggest problem is actually organization of my clothes...I have a habit of leaving them in luggage, laundry baskets, on my bed, etc...I need help!
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March 13, 2011 at 9:40 AM
My biggest organizational challenge is my sweetie's hobby of restoring vintage collectibles. There is no dedicated space or storage for the items-to-be-restored, the finished items or the restoration supplies. It all just kind of spreads itself out infinitely everywhere...kind of like tribbles.
March 13, 2011 at 1:31 PM
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I also commented at Children's Book Review: Doodles Alphabet Coloring Fun by Setria James. Thanks!
March 14, 2011 at 8:00 PM
My biggest organization challenge are usually stacks of papers - from my children's school, hubby's work, etc and making sure they get filed or put wherever they're supposed to be!
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I'm one of your facebook fans! (Annmarie Dipasqua Weeks) -#2
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March 15, 2011 at 2:05 PM
Organizing receipts is a challenge!
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March 17, 2011 at 5:46 PM
Our bonus room, turned playroom, is a challenge. It's often a sea of toys.
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March 21, 2011 at 3:54 AM
My garage is my biggest challenge. Everything ends up in a box and thrown in there. I need DH to build me some shelves and clean it up so we can put the car back in there!
Great giveaway, thanks.
March 21, 2011 at 3:57 AM
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March 21, 2011 at 4:09 PM
5 peoples stuff in a tiny space thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com
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March 21, 2011 at 4:39 PM
Ugh...my biggest clutter challenge is clothing, kitchen gadgets/utensils, cookbooks, craft type projects and I love, love, love thrift stores!! I'm afraid that I'm hopeless!!
--Josette
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March 21, 2011 at 9:47 PM
My kitchen, it's a scary place!
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