L’art de la Simplicité

On By Rosie AdamsIn Lifestyle, Minimalism, Nonfiction, UncategorizedLeave a comment

L'art de la Simplicité (The English Edition): How to Live More With Less

Title: L’art de la Simplicité: how to live more with less 
Author: Dominique Loreau
Genre: Lifestyle, Minimalism, Nonfiction, Self Help
Publisher: Trapeze
Release Date: January 12th, 2017

Let me begin by saying how much I wanted to love this book and read it in one sitting. I just didn’t. I wasn’t able to connect with it the way I’ve connected with others like it. Maybe it was the style of writing, as well as the content. It’s hard to say.

There was a lot to like about this book, a lot of wisdom shared, from eastern civilizations in particular. Many of the ideas found in this book will stick with me for a long time, so I am grateful to have read it. Ideas such as living lightly and eating lightly and overall quality of life. There were so many things I agreed with.

Some of the things that I didn’t necessarily agree with however, the author stated them as rather black and white subjects. To me, there are few things in life that are truly black and white, but we needn’t get into any of that here. It just came across a bit on the harsh side, and I doubt that was the author’s intention. It felt like this is right way, this is best way, when there might be other acceptable and good ways to approach lifestyle. (I won’t get into any specifics, as it was sprinkled throughout the book.)

The book was divided into three parts: Materialism and Minimalism, Body, and Mind. I did appreciate and take away a lot of ideas from each part. I just would have liked the book more if it had been a little more “here is what I think” and less “this is the only way to live.” But anyway, there you have it.

 

Real Life Organizing

On By Rosie AdamsIn Lifestyle, Nonfiction, Self HelpLeave a comment

Title: Real Life Organizing: clean and clutter-free in 15 minutes a day
Author: Cassandra Aarssen
Genre: Lifestyle, Nonfiction, Self Help
Publisher: Mango
Release Date: April 18th, 2017

This book begins by asking the questing: what kind of clutter bug are you? Haha. But really. The author states that every person deals with clutter differently, and falls under the category of butterfly, cricket, ladybug, or bee, or some kind of combination of these. This idea was actually interesting to me, as my husband and I seemed to have different ideas of what organized looked like.

“A butterfly is a very visual person and generally likes to see all their belongings for fear of ‘out of sight, out of mind.’ They also can become easily distracted and can float like a butterfly from task to task without really completing any of the projects that they begin.” More is said about butterflies, but you get the idea.

“A cricket is a classic piler!” Image result for hand raised emoji “They are very neat and tidy piles, but piles nonetheless. Crickets like very detailed and logical organizing systems, which can sometimes take too much time to set up or require too much effort to use properly. Therefore, Crickets will stack neat piles until they have time to put them away properly…” Me, me, definitely me. Next.

“Ladybugs are generally stressed out by surface clutter and strive to keep their living space clean and clutter-free. Without a micro-organizing system in place, the small stuff can get shoved here, there, and everywhere!” (Now, imagine a cricket and a ladybug living together. The cricket has neat, little piles that the ladybug likes to hide so that the surfaces are clear! #rantover)

“A bee is someone who always has a new project or hobby on the go! They almost always like to keep their tools, papers, and supplies out in plain sight until they have finished the job or hobby they are working on.”

There is (obviously) a lot more to the book than “clutterbugs”, but this idea was probably the most helpful thing I took away from the book, especially since it can reveal how you and your partner tend to look at clutter and how to deal with it. The author also includes many cute charts in the back of the book to help get you going with your decluttering and cleaning!

Click on the link below to get your copy of this book:

Simple Matters

On By Rosie AdamsIn Lifestyle, Minimalism, Nonfiction, Self HelpLeave a comment

Title: Simple Matters: Living with less and ending up with more
Author: Erin Boyle 
Genre: Lifestyle, Minimalism, Nonfiction, Self Help
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Release Date: January 12th, 2016

Keeping with my current pattern of books on minimalism and simplicity, I picked up Simple Matters from the library, and am now wishing that I had bought it instead. That’s how good it is. I can’t wait to have it among other favorites on the shelf. So let me tell you a bit about it.

In addition to the beautiful, subtle pictures throughout the book, Simple Matters shares truths and wisdoms that I believe anyone can apply to their home and lifestyle. I loved the author’s perspective, having lived in a small flat in NY. Not only did she make the best of the small space that she had, but she made it a home.

This book has it all, beginning with decluttering, simplifying, and organizing, but not stopping there. She goes on to discuss decorating, bath & beauty, getting dressed, cooking & entertaining, cleaning, and finally thriving. I appreciated how thorough Simple Matters was. Not just tackling the clutter (which is essential) but making your home a place where you can rest and grow and thrive.

Each different chapter in Simple Matters was well thought out and intentional about things concerning the home and the body. On a bigger scale, living smaller benefits our environment, too, by being more sustainable, and less wasteful. If you are interested in minimalism, or just a simpler approach to a sustainable life, this book is for you!

Click on the link below to get your copy of this book:

The More of Less

On By Rosie AdamsIn Minimalism, Nonfiction, Self HelpLeave a comment

Title: The More of Less: Finding the life you want under everything you own
Author: Joshua Becker
Genre: Minimalism, Nonfiction, Self Help
Publisher: WaterBrook
Release Date: May 3rd, 2016

Joshua Becker, creator of BecomingMinimalist.com, defines minimalism as “the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from them.” I like this definition because it encourages things in our lives, but not just “things” – the right things! Don’t you love the idea of being surrounded by only the things that add value to your life? I know I do.

One thing I personally appreciated in Becker’s perspective of minimalism was the way he tied it to Jesus. With his teachings on selling your possessions and giving to the poor, and storing up treasures in heaven, we can see that Jesus was a minimalist before his time! Now I don’t think any of us are saying that possessions themselves are wrong; instead, the point Becker makes is that “excess possessions keep up from fulfilling our purpose.”

When we consume less, we have more time, energy, and resources to spend not just on ourselves, but on others as well. Becker states, “People who give away possessions hold their remaining possessions in higher esteem. People who donate money are far less wasteful with the money left over. And people who give their time make better use of their remaining time.” That’s the kind of lifestyle I’m interested in living.

To summarize, minimalism should bring more meaning to our lives by removing things that are truly meaningless. In having less, we find that we really have more – more time, more money, more energy. More of everything that matters, and less of everything that doesn’t.

Click on the link below to get your copy of this book:

Banish Clutter Forever

On By Rosie AdamsIn Minimalism, Nonfiction, Self HelpLeave a comment

Title: Banish Clutter Forever: How the toothbrush principle will change your life
Author: Sheila Chandra
Genre: Minimalism, Nonfiction, Self Help
Publisher: Vermilion
Release Date: March 4th, 2010

So you are probably wondering what the toothbrush principle is (or maybe you don’t care at all, that’s fine too). The idea behind the toothbrush principle is this: no matter how unorganized someone is, they never lose their toothbrush. The system behind it is automatic because it is essential to life (or it should be).

A concept of the toothbrush principle is zoning, which “involves placing things needed for a particular task where they will be used. Ideally as close to that place as possible. This means that you are more likely to replace them correctly without thinking after you have finished with them, since you are already there.”

Another concept of this principle is completion, “to put things back just where they will be needed, immediately afterwards… Ideally, completion should become an addiction that drives you towards replacing things correctly first time.”

Chandra defines clutter as “any thing that you don’t feel good about or that stops you using your space in a way that either empowers or nurtures you.” The purpose of this book is not just how to get rid of your clutter, but the why behind it. When we confront our clutter and clear it from our lives, we can see ourselves, our circumstances, and our ambitions with more clarity.

One analogy I loved in this book was that of Elizabeth Bennet from one of my favorite books, Pride and Prejudice. She could have settled for Mr. Collins, a safe but boring guy, and guaranteed some security for her family, sacrificing her own happiness in the process. But she didn’t settle, and in the end she married Mr. Darcy (sorry if that was a spoiler, but the book is over 200 years old), the man she loved who happened to be desperately rich. This story can apply to real life – “if the space for the thing you really want is full of something not quite right, when it does come along, it will go away again… you won’t be able to take advantage of the opportunity.”

So get rid of your clutter to create space for the things that you really want in life!

Click on the link below to get your copy of this book:

The Book of Hygge

On By Rosie AdamsIn Hygge, Nonfiction, Self HelpLeave a comment

Title: The Book of Hygge: The Danish art of contentment, comfort, and connection
Author: Louisa Thomsen Brits 
Genre: Hygge, Nonfiction, Self Help
Publisher: Ebury Press
Release Date: August 18th, 2016

I think it’s worth mentioning that hygge is pronounced hoo-gah. Now you know, you’re welcome. This book defines hygge as “a quality of presence and an experience of belonging and togetherness. It is a feeling of being warm, safe, comforted, and sheltered.” (This makes me think of The Shire, Bag End. The hobbits sure knew a thing or two about hygge.)

This book describes 6 aspects of what hygge looks like in the lives of the Danish, who are some of the happiest people in the world.

Belonging – “At the heart of hygge is an experience of belonging and a sense of connection. It’s most often associated with being in the company of others, but we can enjoy hygge alone.”

Shelter – “Hygge is housed by an experience of shelter. The foundation of that shelter is our basic sense of security… Tryghed is the experience of everyday well-being, safety, peace of mind, and freedom rolled together that supports the framework of daily life.”

Comfort – “Hygge is the basic language of comfort, a vernacular common to us all, and the way that we seek comfort is one of the foundational elements of cultures worldwide. Every culture has a vocabulary of scent, texture, taste, sight, and sound that speaks to the hearts and bodies of its people.”

Well-being – “… is about a deep rapport with ourselves and the world around us. Hygge strengthens that rapport by nurturing consideration, responsiveness, and delight in our relationships with the places we inhabit and the people who make up our families and communities.”

Simplicity – “Hygge… is both an inner and outer condition of simplicity; a clarity of presence and intention, and an honest, uncomplicated, practice… Hygge is a timeless practice, an everyday mindfulness that comes from a wholehearted participation in life.”

Observance – “The observance inherent in hygge opens our eyes to the value of tradition and to the quality of soul slightly concealed in the details and commonplaces of ordinary life – the objects that are most alive and connected to the world through daily use and the modest activities that we repeat.”

This was a light, yet meaningful, book that was enjoyable to read. The idea of hygge resonates deeply with me, and I have been looking for and practicing it in my life without having the word for it – but now I do.

Click on the link below to get your copy of this book:

The Curated Closet

On By Rosie AdamsIn Nonfiction, Self Help, StyleLeave a comment


Title: The Curated Closet
Author: Anuschka Rees
Genre: Nonfiction, Self Help, Style
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Release Date: September 20th, 2016

“Buy less, choose well, and make it last.” ~ Vivienne Westwood

Continuing a similar theme as last week, this week’s review is on decluttering (yay!) and curating your closet until all that is left are pieces that you love, that fit you and your style perfectly. (Again, I give you permission to skip this post if it is not your thing. I have been reading books like this because it appeals to this specific season of my life. Moving four times in one year has a way of making you want to live as minimally as possible!)

When I first picked up this book, I actually thought it was about closet organization. Which, to some extent, I suppose it is. But more than that, it is about cultivating a style that is personal to you. This is not based on fashions and trends that change week to week. It’s about discovering what you love to wear, what looks good on you (and what doesn’t), and developing a wardrobe that reflects that unique style.

There is one system used in this book that I will continue to use for the rest of my life. (I even got my husband on board, too.) I like it because it makes you think before you shop, and especially before you buy, to help prevent a buildup of clothing that you don’t need or won’t wear. (I also like this system because it involves lists!)

So here it is. Make a list of items that are high priority, medium priority, and low priority. This should help keep you on track when shopping so you don’t end up buying things you don’t actually want or need. For example, under my high priority list is a good-quality winter coat, as I will be spending this upcoming year in Montana. Now that’s what I call high priority! Under my low priority list is an Emma Swan leather jacket (any Once Upon a Time fans can probably picture what I’m talking about). I don’t need an Emma Swan leather jacket, but I would love to have one in my dream closet. The items in your list can be wants, not just needs – but maybe they appear on a lower priority list.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and my closet is better off after reading it. I know it will be a bit of a process to obtain a closet that reflects my own style perfectly, but it will be worth it in the long run to have clothing that fits well, that is made well, and that I look forward to wearing.

Click on the link below to get your copy of this book: