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Feb 15, 2011

Zelda rated it:

Updated: Fantastic. I can't wait to get started. The book is beautifully organized, well-written, attractive and, well, tidy. As someone who is always on the brink of being really well-organized I feel a renewed commitment to that life. I see myself referring back to this book often and I'm looking forward to the upcoming family meeting in which we discuss our family mission statement. No. Really. Read the book. You'll see.

Quarter finished review: I was flying through this book un More...

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Jan 18, 2012

Rebecca rated it:

I agree with about 90% of what the author says. I've been streamlining my life and home for the past three years or so, and it's made a huge difference on my happiness and ability to have time for the things I truly love in life. It's also enabled me to invest more time in my writing career, since I'm able now to live off less money: simpler life = fewer bills = less time required to earn money for bills = more time to write (or run or hike or travel to see family and friends).

One of More...

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Apr 15, 2011

Cathy rated it:

This book is divided into two sections. In the first section, Tsh defines what living simply in the real world looks like. Her definition of living simply is to "live holistically with your life's purpose." She talks about creating a purpose statement for your family and how every family's purpose statement will look different. What is important to one family may not be important to another. With that in mind, we are to reevaluate how we spend our time and money. Once we do that, More...

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Jan 31, 2012

karen rated it:

I think if someone really, really loves simplemom.net, they'll love Organized Simplicity. If, like me, they take what they can use from Simple Mom and ignore the rest, then this book will probably just be okay -- especially since most of the useful info in the book is already covered in the author's blog.

Much of the first half of this book is devoted to explaining why we should buy into simplified/intentional living, and while there are some good points, this section as a whole feels a More...

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May 18, 2011

Elasha rated it:

Four stars for encouraging a simpler life. Less is more - less stuff, less activities, less time and money spent on things that aren't important to us. The first part of the book discusses the why of aiming for a simpler lifestyle, and the second gives ideas on how to declutter, clean, and organize. I believe it is an extension of her blog at simplemom.net. I liked the first half best. I came away with a renewed commitment to simplify (activities, clutter, finances) with the bigger purpose o More...

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Aug 10, 2011

Kathryn rated it:

The author's approach to Organized Simplicity is all about intentional living. Her approach to do this with all members of the family as equal participants is essential for it to truly work and last. Being retired and just the two of us at home our home is organized and runs well. I have always gravited towards organizing techniques and ideas as well has appreciating every day and all that we have. This book is excellant.

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Oct 21, 2011

Jen rated it:

the first few chapters read great, and got me excited. by the end of the chapters on simplicity and why to simplify and how she has organized her whole life made me feel completely inadequate. lol. i was bored with the overall tone of the book. a bit judgmental really. i believe in the simplicity movement, in being organized, in doing less, but it is a journey for each of us to find, maybe preachy is the word i am looking for in the tone. i read the first half in an afternoon, and the second h More...

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Jan 24, 2012

David rated it:

This author provides some thought-provoking, creative tips to living clutter-free. The idea of simplifying life appeals greatly to me, and Oxenreider offers insights as to how to move in that direction. While a substantial portion of the book instructs the reader on how to be better organized, the best portions are at the very beginning. There she makes the case for a simpler lifestyle, and recommends the development of a "family purpose statement" for each household. At the end of More...

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Jan 19, 2012

Tina DC rated it:

"Organized Simplicity" by Tsh Oxenreider has common sense information about organizing your schedule and essentially spring cleaning your home. The first section was a little wordy for me, going on about how most families waste time and money, though the second section held quite a few good ideas and suggestions for cleaning and cutting down on clutter. Much of the information was basic, but it will be good advice for a new homemaker.

My absolute favorite part of this book w More...

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Jan 21, 2012

Lisa rated it:

For free, you can't beat this book! (Kindle version is free, thanks again Karen for telling me:) I will be honest and did not read it in its entirety as I feel I'm about as simplistic as I want to be in most regards (living room, kitchen, bedrooms). Now closets are a whole other story and the garage that is supposedly not my domain is atocious :( Perhaps I can get the husband to read it, but I won't hold my breath! But if your house isn't as tidy as you want it, or you're like me and just w More...

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Dec 27, 2011

Keren rated it:

Organized Simplicity is one of the better “home-organizing-books-geared-for-women” I’ve read. I think part of that is due to the fact that, in an interesting twist of irony, so many of these organizing books are quite unorganized and cluttery in appearance themselves (and make you feel guilty if you don’t use their specific methods and become organized within 24 hours of reading the book). Oxenreider’s book appealed to me aesthetically for that very reason: it was a simple, modern, spiral-bound More...

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Jan 26, 2012

Girl rated it:

As someone who was looking for practical advice, this book was a slow start. There is a rather long narrative (about 50% of the book) that explains the authors philosophy which will probably inspire some, but I was already of a mindset to downsize, and wanted to get down to business. Once the book gets to organizing, it is practical, straight forward, and easy to follow. However, I think a few people will be overwhelmed by the brisk pace of the organizational overhaul as it's presented. I'd say More...

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Feb 07, 2012

Stephanie rated it:

I downloaded this book when it came up as free on the Kindle app. I occasionally read Oxenreider's blog, so I expected that this book would be enjoyable.

Organized Simplicity is definitely written for families with lots of children and lots of stuff. We aren't really "stuff" people, and while I know we have some items that are worth donating or tossing most of her book was beyond anything we have. I did pick up a few good tips and tricks for storage and organization. Her More...

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Feb 19, 2012

Mscout rated it:

I must admit, I have a habit of reading how-to books, particularly the organizing and simplicity type. Sounded like a match made in heaven, right? Unfortunately, I was really disappointed in this one. While there was a fair amount of useful information, Oxenreider spent so much of the book explaining how she wasn't talking down to you, that it just came across as condescending. Very much along the "me think thou doth protest too much" line.

All of the suggestions are doable More...

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Feb 06, 2012

Christan rated it:

This book is great when considering how to simplify your "stuff". Her tone did resonate with me because we have similar lifestyles (Christian, homeschool, stay-at-home mom). I've heard that it's a little more difficult to "get" her if you don't fit into those categories. However, I do think that her methods could be adjusted to any lifestyle. I really liked the part about decluttering/cleaning the home in 10 days (it may take longer depending on your circumstances). I really More...

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Dec 12, 2010

Karyn rated it:

I so appreciate this lady's philosophy on living the simple life. The first half of the book was a tidy compilation of thoughts she's blogged over the past few years. It was my favorite part of the book.
The second section takes one through each room in the house putting the principles into practice. I skimmed through this part--mostly because we've moved twice in the past year, and I feel quite happy about what we currently do and don't have in our house.
Toward the end of the book More...

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Jan 15, 2012

saferia rated it:

This book was not what I expected. I was looking for practical ideas to de-clutter and suggestions on things to keep and things to pass on. This read more like a memoir on having garage sales, moving overseas, and keeping ridiculously long lists for one's family. Do I really need to make a list of my daily "chores" such as wipe down counters, wash the dishes, replace the toilet paper? Not a good use of my time.

There were a few good pages in the, "Money is a Tool" ch More...

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Sep 12, 2011

Danielle rated it:

I love books on organizing. I just do. I liked this particularly because while it gives some on organizging, most of it focuses on why a simple life brings blessings. The first half focuses on finding a family mission statement of sorts and the second half gives details on how to declutter and clean. This wasn't fully loaded with details on how to declutter (Peter Walsch is the man for that)but it was still thorough. She gives a lot of resources and ideas for further research. She even gives de More...

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Jan 12, 2012

sage rated it:

Eh. 1.5 stars.

For every hundred suggestions, maybe five of them were useful. The rest were either common sense or unworkable for my situation. The ten-day plan is fundamentally ableist in that it requires more physical exertion in a day than many even mildly disabled people can accomplish in two weeks running. Also annoying is the use of the rhetorical "we" in the beginning of the book, in which she preaches a sermon on what all is wrong with the world today. I found mys More...

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May 14, 2011

Dana rated it:

The book Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider is a good book. Strange first name for the author though. Did she simplify the vowels out of it? She has vowels in her last name though. Hmmm....

Anyway, she explains reasons why one should simplify and then gives tips and guidelines on how to simplify our lives. I like that she said "we should calculate every item's value by asking:... 1. Is this thing useful to me (us)? and 2. Is this thing beautiful to me (us)?.

More...

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May 04, 2011

Amanda rated it:

I enjoyed this book. I think Oxenreider has some good ideas for home organization. One thing she says is that if people have less stuff, they gain so much more time. Time that can be used to make life more fulfilling.

Her approach has people take ten days to declutter, reorganize and clean their homes. I would love to do this - but Bryan would have to take the kids away for 10 days for it to happen!

I thought the section of each area of the home got a little repetitiv More...

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Jan 31, 2012

Robin Marie rated it:

This was a great book. It is definitely geared towards a certain "type" of people, so if her lifestyle is contrary to yours the book will seem preachy. Lucky me, even though I dont have kids we seem to view many of the same things as significant.

This book is less about organizing and more about simplifying. However, it is a very organized approach to simplifying :)

I found it inspiring amd helpful, on both a soul level and a household level. I guess I had more brain More...

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Nov 20, 2010

Amy rated it:

I actually haven't finished it yet...but it's the kind of book you'll refer to for a while. The first half is ideas and suggestions for making your household and family more organized and intentional. I really liked her suggestions! The second half of the book is a detailed account of how to clear out the clutter in your home, room by room. I'm starting slow. She suggests taking 10 days out to do this, but I don't have 10 straight days to do it. If you like her blog, simplemom.net, you'll e More...

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Apr 24, 2011

Kass rated it:

I really enjoyed the tips on organization and Oxenreider's encouragement was enough to get me started on my living room and kitchen. I've modified the tips to fit my needs and current lifestyle (as in don't have time to do a deep cleaning) and they've been helpful. I'm not super holistic about cleaning products; I'm okay with purchasing Windex, Clorox, or whatever to clean my bathroom. The book's kind of "granola" but there are plenty of practical tips that make this book worthwhile fo More...

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Sep 09, 2011

Erin rated it:

Finally! A practical, step-by-step how-to book on clearing the clutter and organizing your house. Nothing earth-shattering or surprising, just a ten-day plan to go through your house and get it cleaned up and organized. Admittedly, I haven't actually tried the plan yet, but I think I could easily do it if I could get my husband on board and break up the 10 days over weekends or holidays (or use vacation time, I suppose). And I'm relieved that I kind of DID do many of the steps already as a s More...

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Jul 01, 2011

Mugsymkelly rated it:

I'm really enjoying this book that espouses uncluttered, debt-free living. Tom thinks I am late to the game as I go around purging our already fairly spartan house (yesterday I threw away some empty little heart lockets I'd had since second grade), mostly in anticipation of our upcoming move this summer but also inspired by this book, but is pleased nonethheless. Quinn, however, searches through the trash can and gives things new life and says he is sad about all the thnigs I'm throwing away ( More...

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Jan 15, 2012

Michaelle rated it:

I love reading this book so much. I have already gifted this book to some of my friends and brought a copy for myself. It include information on how to manage you household and keep it clean and the recipe for making homemade chemical cleaners are a treasure to have within reach. It a keepsake book for your lifestyle or starting out in your first apartment or retiring to a home. It have a lot tips and tricks that will last and show result. It's your grandmother book of value wisdom for the home. More...

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Feb 05, 2011

Amy rated it:

This is an excellent book for anyone trying to organize and simplify their life and home. The author is a stay-at-home mom with 3 children currently living in a foreign country. She makes a disclaimer at the beginning that she is not a "professional" organizer but has simply discovered some secrets and tricks that she thought were worth sharing. I loved the philosophy in the book, her simple steps for accomplishing the tasks presented, and the goal she articulates of making our life e More...

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Dec 17, 2011

Tara rated it:

I love the idea of simple living. Jeff and I have been so overwhelmed lately by stuff and by hustle and bustle. The idea of just finding our family's purpose and cutting out all the other stuff seems really appealing. I'm sure it isn't an easy process to get to simple living. And I don't dare believe I can organized my house entirely in 10 days without driving myself and all my family crazy. But, for me, it is a worthy goal to simplify in baby steps. Definitely after the holidays, though.

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Feb 19, 2012

Trace rated it:

It was a nice quick read... I love the authors idea of her daily docket - which is not new if you've read her blog.
I do admire that she starts the book off by being honest about not being a professional organizer with clients. That she's a stay at home mom...which in my world qualifies her in a way that professional organizers without kids aren't.

No new earth shattering ideas... just some solid ideas that work for her family... now i just have to start her 10 day plan.... :)

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