Crib Notes Blog

So clean

8/28/2021

Want to see something gross?
I vacuumed the whole house (open floorspace, no hidden corners) with our old vacuum then again with the new one, and look how much it picked up
I've never felt so dirty or so clean in my life
I recently received this vacuum to try but it's only $70! Definitely worth it, especially if you have pets!
https://shopstyle.it/l/bxADN
Https://shopstyle.it/l/bxyyN
#bzzagent

The Size of Everything

10/1/2018

It's release day!
Reader friends-- add this to your list! I'm still mid-read, so I don't have a full review yet, but I can tell you already-- you should be reading it.
It's under $10!
https://amzn.to/2xQExRP

Hot Mess (book review)

1/12/2018

I like to clean out. I love to organize. I get excited when a consignment-style shop gives me $6 for my old clothes.

But. Sometimes saying you're organized is easier than actually being-- or even harder: staying-- organized.

We look to a blog post, a magazine article, a Pinterest board, a Target end cap, for ideas. But sometimes fancy labels and trendy bins are failed organization attempts in disguise. A cute container does not an organized closet make. (In addition to organizing, I also like strange language patterns [nerd].) But really, it's true. This is just one of the topics that Laurie Palau covers in her new book Hot Mess: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized.

(I met Laurie a couple years ago through a mutual friend. I actually attended one of her Clutter Clinics-- read more about my experience here.)

I love that the title includes the word PRACTICAL, because that's one of the things I immediately noticed about Laurie's style. Recently, she posted a thought that totally resonated with me: "The [really popular recent] method of only holding onto things that spark joy in your life sparked a revolution of people decluttering-- which is great-- but it's unrealistic. My daughter's lacrosse stick sparks no joy in my life, but I need a home for it." EXACTLY!

My bills? Don't spark joy. My kids' homework? No joy. Q-tips? No.The boys' endless sporting equipment? While I love watching them play, the equipment itself does not spark joy. But all of these things are necessary. And the entryway, kitchen island, bathroom counter, and garage floor, are not the places these things should live (respectively. I guess. Although when something lacks a *home* who knows where it'll actually end up.)

Hot Mess (btw, cute title, right?!) approaches purging and organizing in a realistic, practical, and do-able way. Instead of trying to explain all the types of clutter, all the aspects of organizing, and all the pitfalls to avoid, I'm going to recommend that you read Hot Mess. If you're local to me, you're welcome to borrow mine, but I'd suggest getting your own (it's under $15 and on Prime and under $3 for digital download!). It's the kind of book you're going to want to refer back to. In the meantime, find a home for it on a neatly-organized book shelf ;)

Follow Laurie and Simply B Organized on Facebook, Instagram, and her podcast: This Organized Life

Hot Mess: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized was written by Laurie Palau, published 2017, zolopublishing, New Hope, PA

So me

11/17/2017

I have three book review coming up that I am SO excited for!
Between the 3 of them, they are just so "me"!
The entire 100+ list of past reviews can always be found at cribnoteskelly.com/bookreviews
http://www.cribnoteskelly.com/book-reviews.html

Picture Book Month

11/14/2017

We're halfway through Picture Book month!

Here are about 65 recommendations to add to your Christmas (or library) list:
http://www.cribnoteskelly.com/book-reviews.html

The Boyfriend Swap (book review)

9/21/2017

Long, long ago (aka 2011) I read Meredith Schorr's Just Friends with Benefits and commented how the pop culture references were so funny and relateable. Six years later, I laughed out loud when I read one specific line of dialogue between characters in her latest title The Boyfriend Swap, as it was exactly what I have said to my husband about the same song. All of this super vague and awkwardly-written commentary (I'm trying not to spoil the joke or the story!) is just to say that Schorr and her characters get me. Or I get them. Either way, it's a good match.

The Boyfriend Swap-- posed as The Holiday meets The Proposal --features Robyn and Sidney, who connect through a mutual friend to devise a plan to survive the holidays with their respective families...and each other's boyfriend. As you can imagine, some madness and mayhem ensue as the girls try to decide if the boyfriend swap was the perfect plan or a horrible idea.

The Boyfriend Swap is the latest in what's becoming quite a tall pile of Meredith Schorr books on my shelf. They never fail to entertain me with stories that are familiar enough to settle in with, but original enough to keep me guessing. The holiday theme makes this the perfect book to read over Chrismukkah break!

Pre-order the paperback or the Kindle version now or grab a copy in November, but don't miss this one!

Saying Goodbye to My Little Geek

9/6/2017

My Little Geek is a fun little book that I had the honor of reviewing a few years ago. I just found out that it (and its siblings) will soon be out of print! Use code L337 to get 'em while you can, for 50% off!http://www.cribnoteskelly.com/cnblogwe-have-a-lot-to-say/my-little-geek-book-review

Everywhere, Wonder {book review}

6/25/2017

Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr books are among my favorite, and Everywhere, Wonder does not fall short of that expectation.

While it's listed as a children's book, it can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Its pages are filled with, well, wonder. There are philosophical musings (think "if a tree falls in the forest...") presented without the least bit of pretension. There are magical realizations that are grounded in reality. There are everyday happenings posed in wondrous ways.

This is one time that it's ok to judge a book by its cover. You'll love Everywhere, Wonder for the way it looks as much as the way it sounds (the glory of a Swanson/Behr book).

Everywhere, Wonder was written by Matthew Swanson, illustrated by Robbi Behr, published by Macmillan Imprint February 2017

Merry Happy!

12/24/2016

Merry Christmas Eve and Happy 1st Night of Hanukkah!

I'm a little late on the recommendation, but this is a great story with a wonderful message:
http://www.cribnoteskelly.com/cnblogwe-have-a-lot-to-say/gracies-night-book-review

Friend Flurry

12/21/2016

Join me on Influenster!
You'll receive cool, FREE products to test out and share with friends!
You usually have to apply to join, but this is a time-sensitive, invitation-only automatic entry, so visit: influenster.com/r/1290177
Once you're in, link to facebook or any social media network to complete your membership!