Totally Together- Shortcuts to an Organized Life by Stephanie O’Dea (giveaway)

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As you know, I love the crockpot lady. I might be a stalker of hers.   Her amazing recipes end up on my weekly meal plan week after week.   Her Crockpot Candy Chicken recipe is cooking in my kitchen at this very minute.

Stephanie O’Dea is the author of multiple sites (which have recently all been married into one lovely site). She has also written a couple of crockpot cookbooks. Now, we can add Totally Together to the list.

Shortly after becoming a mom, over nine years ago, Stephanie quickly realized there was a need for an all-inclusive day planner or organizer. She knew that mom’s needed a planner for capturing family stuff, but she also wanted a book that would tell her what to do. She longed for reminders to set appointments, reminders to send out holiday cards and to call her mother. She wanted a set list of daily, weekly and monthly chores that she could check off, ’cause women love a check off list! Soon she started creating this journal Totally Together. Where day planner meets The Jetson’s- only in paperback.

About Totally Together

Does the thought of having company over or entertaining send you into a tailspin? Well, Stephanie is here to help us keep our house  company ready within 30 minutes by helping us whip our homes into shape.

Stephanie lives by the “clean less, play more\” method, which allows you to fly through all the chores and minutiae in minutes a day so you can move on to what you really want to do: spend time with family and enjoy living life.   Using a weekly organizational planner format, she spells out exactly what chores are essential and how they should be tackled to maximize time and minimize effort including:

  •  Seven daily chores that anyone in the family can do in just minutes
  • Yearly, seasonally, monthly, and weekly chores divided into bite-sized chunks
  • Household tips and cleaning shortcuts
  • Guide for setting up meal plans
  • Fun, fast recipes
  • Reproducible grocery list with check boxes
  • An action plan for keeping the entire family organized

One of my favorite things in this book is the section on age appropriate chores for children. I think  no matter how much we know as mom’s that our children are capable of doing chores each day, we still put the weight of so many of the household chores on our own shoulders. Sometimes it is good for me to see what other people find effective when giving their children chores and household tasks. I also like that she breaks it down to give us ideas to make cleaning fun for all ages.

Throughout the book Stephanie also shares tips to make the household responsibilities easier, even for mom. I like this one for your microwave.

Easy Microwave Cleaning:

  1. Moisten a dish sponge, and sprinkle it lightly with baking soda.
  2. Cook the sponge on high in the microwave for one minute.
  3. Wipe down the microwave walls, floor, and door with this sponge.
  4. Rinse the sponge thoroughly and wipe out the microwave again to rinse away the baking soda residue, leaving your microwave clean and deodorized.
  5. Cover food with a paper towel when heating food to ward off future splatters.

Totally Together is certainly a mommy solution!  This book hit shelves TODAY and sells for $15- very budget friendly and can be found at Borders, Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com, just to name a few.

Would you like to win a copy all of your own? I have a giveaway!

Giveaway Details:

  1. Enter once or enter all 9 ways. You choose.
  2. Leave a comment for each entry as well as your email address so I can notify you if you win.
  3. Have all of your entries in by 8/16/11 by 11:59 pm, central time.
  4. Winner will be chosen using Random.org.

 

Ways to Enter

  1. Tell me why you would love to win this book or why you need it.
  2. Subscribe to Stephanie O’Dea’s site. The icon is in the upper right section of her site in the header.
  3. Like Stephanie O’Dea on Facebook.
  4. Follow Stephanie O’Dea on Twitter.
  5. Like Crystal & Co on Facebook.
  6. Follow Crystal & Co on Twitter.
  7. Follow Crystal & Co via Google Friend Connect. (right sidebar)
  8. Have Crystal & Co delivered to your inbox. (enter email address in right sidebar)
  9. Tweet this message once per day with the link: RT @crystalandcomp is giving away a #free copy of #TotallyTogether by  @stephanieodea. Mange your household with ease! http://bit.ly/pn1csc

230 Comments

  1. Annie~Savor This Moment says:

    I would SO use this book. How did you know that my microwave needs cleaning? See? I’m using it already. Now I’m off to find the baking soda and sponge.

  2. Annie~Savor This Moment says:

    I already subscribe to your update feed.

  3. Annie~Savor This Moment says:

    I tweeted, too! (somehow that doesn’t sound very polite. Just sayin’.)

  4. Annie~Savor This Moment says:

    I like Stephanie on Facebook!

  5. Annie~Savor This Moment says:

    I like Crystal and Co. on facebook!

  6. Annie~Savor This Moment says:

    I follow Crystal and Co. on Twitter, too! @abidiaSavorThis

  7. Annie~Savor This Moment says:

    I subscribed to Stephanie’s website!

  8. Annie~Savor This Moment says:

    I’m now following Stephanie on twitter.

  9. jaci wismar says:

    I NEED this!!! I heart Stephanie O’dea and i’m the most unorganized person i know!
    jaciwiz@hotmail.com

  10. michelle kozel says:

    I so need this book. I returning to work and my husband world’s nights. The checklists will help keep me sane and organized.

  11. I need this! I love Stephanie’s website, and I was just thinking about how I needed a new organizer, but how there is never one quite right. This one sounds perfect.

  12. As a mom of three small ones, I would love to use it for quick tips!

  13. I could relly use this planner. Somedays it feels like …what am I supposed to be doing. Cleaning and laundry can be scary.

  14. I love the chore part, but this would really help me by having our menu/chores/etc right at my fingertips! That would be great!

  15. I’m a GFC follower.

  16. Kim Idell says:

    You know that I LOVE me some organization! Just checked it out on Amazon and it is on sale. Ordering now!
    Kim

  17. Lbrouse1 (at) gmail (dt) com
    Mom of a 6 month old who due to economy has to work full time out of the house. Every spare minute I get I try to spend with my son and husband so cleaning is not high on anyone’s priority list. Any tools I can get to help keep the chaos to a minimum would be valued beyond measure!

  18. Lbrouse1 (at) gmail (dt) com
    RSS Follower – Google
    Stephanie O’Dea

  19. Lbrouse1 (at) gmail (dt) com
    (Lori Chilcott Brouse and/or Brouse House Mouse)
    FB Follower

    Stepahnie O Dea

  20. Lbrouse1 (at) gmail (dt) com
    Twitter Follower (@BrouseHouse)
    Stephanie O Dea

  21. Lbrouse1 (at) gmail (dt) com
    (Lori Chilcott Brouse and/or Brouse House Mouse)
    FB Follower

    Chrystal & co

  22. Lbrouse1 (at) gmail (dt) com
    Twitter Follower (@BrouseHouse)
    Crystal & Co

  23. Lbrouse1 (at) gmail (dt) com
    Public Follower on GFC: Lori B

  24. Lbrouse1 (at) gmail (dt) com
    Confirmed EMAIL follower/subscriber

  25. Becky Cooper (@fabbecky) says:

    Why I need this book – I have never managed to get my house organized and it is beginning to effect my life in disastrous ways! Plus the hubby says we can’t even try for a third until we can keep the house organized 🙁

  26. Becky Cooper (@fabbecky) says:

    I follow Stephanie on twitter

  27. Becky Cooper (@fabbecky) says:

    I liked Stephanie on Facebook

  28. Becky Cooper (@fabbecky) says:

    I follow you on twitter

  29. Becky Cooper (@fabbecky) says:

    I re-tweeted the comment

  30. Becky Cooper (@fabbecky) says:

    I liked you on facebook

  31. Becky Cooper (@fabbecky) says:

    I joined your site w/ friend connect

  32. Becky Cooper (@fabbecky) says:

    I am now getting your updates through email

  33. Becky Cooper (@fabbecky) says:

    I have been a follower of Stephanie’s site for a long time 🙂

  34. I need this book because I am totally NOT together.

  35. I’m (sometimes) a tad unorganized. I love Stephanie’s crockpot recipes.

  36. I am also subscribed to Stephanie O’Dea’s~ slowcooker and totally together via e-mail

  37. I subscribe to Stephanie’s site via email.

  38. I like Stephanie O’Dea on Facebook.

  39. I like Crystal & Co. on Facebook.

  40. I have Crystal & Co. delivered by email.

  41. Liked Stephanie on fb

  42. liked Crystal and Co on fb

  43. tweeted about the giveaway

  44. Melanie Binkley says:

    Would really love to win as I am a new to parenting (I am an international host mom of 3 kids) cleaning and trying to organize my Mom’s house and clean up her hoarding and now realize that I too have waaaaaay to much stuff and I am always running out of time or something slips through the cracks and I need all the organizational help I can possibly get!

  45. Melanie Binkley says:

    Liked Stephanie on Facebook

  46. Melanie Binkley says:

    Liked you on facebook

  47. Becky Cooper (@fabbecky) says:

    tweeted it again! 🙂 I really need this book…

  48. I am always looking for ways to be more efficient with the little time I have. I am returning to work after maternity leave and things are going to get even busier! This looks like a great resource to help ease the transition back to working full time.

  49. I would love this book. I have yet to find the perfect planner, and to have a planner with lots of helptful hints is a GREAT idea.

  50. I desperately need this book!!! I’m a new mom again
    And work a full time job with a child in college and 3
    Dogs, I could definitely use some tips and help
    Getting our life back on track!

  51. I have a toddler who would love it if I could play more and clean less. I really need some tips as this place looks like a tornado has gone through it on some days. Thanks.

  52. I follow you on twitter.

    BSsMom

  53. I want to win this book because I am facing a shift in our family. I am hoping that for the first time in nine years I will be working outside the home for part of the year (the school year), and need to get better organized to do so!

  54. Sounds like a great book. I need all the help I can get in getting my act together.

  55. I would love to win this book to keep my family organized!! I am very type A, so this is right up my alley!!

  56. Subscribed to totally together

  57. Like Stephanie on fb

  58. Like you on fb

  59. Follow on gfc

  60. Full time Mother & Full time Worker = all help welcomed = )

  61. Super cool idea too BTW

  62. I need this book: D My family is trying to get organized and this would be the perfect addition to the system with three kids it would be a big help!

    *liked on facebook:)

  63. Karen Gonyea says:

    This sounds like it would be helpful in teaching the kids how to help out a little bit with little chores 🙂

  64. Jeremy Rose says:

    Would love this!

  65. This book would come in handy for my family. We are trying to get organized because we just moved into a new home and I an a work from home mom and the whole house has bcome my office.

  66. Michelle Cain says:

    I missed out on the domestic gene, but still crave to be a good wife – I NEED HELP!!!

  67. Michelle Cain says:

    I like Stephanie O’Dea on facebook!

  68. Michelle Cain says:

    I am following Stephanie O’Dea on twitter (my twitter name is faithhopelove20)

  69. Michelle Cain says:

    I like you on facebook!!

  70. Michelle Cain says:

    I am following you on twitter!! (my twitter name is faithhopelove20)

  71. Michelle Cain says:

    I am following on Google Friend Connect!!

  72. Who doesn’t need a little bit of organizational help?! 🙂

  73. Leslie Palmer says:

    I would luv to have this book because it has lots of useful information that I could use…. the house cleaning tips and the age appropriate chore list for children.. and I need a planner. ; )

  74. Rachel Smith says:

    I liked you on facebook!

  75. Rachel Smith says:

    I’m a new mother and my house is a mess. I totally need this book!

  76. jose gutierrez says:

    This would be great for my wife.

  77. Back to school time makes me want to be more organized. I would love this book.

  78. GFC follower

  79. Because I’m a busy mom of two little girls and I need help being organized.

  80. I would love to win because I have a 4 week old newborn and I’m pretty sure I left my brain somewhere. Help! Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
    sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com

  81. I like Stephanie on Facebook (Erin E)
    sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com

  82. I follow Stephanie on twitter (@sewmuchstuff)
    sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com

  83. I like you on Facebook (Erin E)
    sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com

  84. I follow you on twitter (@sewmuchstuff)
    sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com

  85. I follow you via Google Friend Connect (Sewmuchstuff).
    sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com

  86. I need all the help I can get!

  87. I would use it for myself this would be good for back to school

  88. donna zittel says:

    I need this book because I have a 4 yr old and 2 yr old twins and I need organization HELP!

  89. donna zittel says:

    GFC follower

  90. donna zittel says:

    FB follower of your page

  91. this book would be a gig help in my life with all helpful tips

  92. donna zittel says:

    Follow her FB page now.

  93. Stephanie R says:

    I NEED this, I am a super disorganized mommy and I live for organizers and add is whipping me into shape.

  94. Jackie W. says:

    We need something like this-because our family lacks structure bad….I hate to admit it, but we with my husband out of work things just don’t get done like they would when he is gone. :/

  95. Jackie W. says:

    Subscribed to her website (the totally together part).
    jaxw1208(at)gmail(dot)com

  96. Jackie W. says:

    Like Stephanie O’Dea on Facebook as Jackie Nicole Wertish.
    jaxw1208(at)gmail(dot)com

  97. Jackie W. says:

    Follow Stephanie O’Dea on Twitter as @jaxw1208
    jaxw1208(at)gmail(dot)com

  98. Jackie W. says:

    Already a fan of Crystal & Co on Facebook as Jackie Nicole Wertish.
    jaxw1208(at)gmail(dot)com

  99. Jackie W. says:

    Follow Crystal & Co on Twitter as @jaxw1208
    jaxw1208(at)gmail(dot)com

  100. Jackie W. says:

    Follow Crystal & Co via Google Friend Connect as Jackie W.
    jaxw1208(at)gmail(dot)com

  101. Jackie W. says:

    Subscribed to Crystal & Co via email.
    jaxw1208(at)gmail(dot)com

  102. Kerrie Mayans says:

    With four kids, I need something to keep us organized. At this point, anything would help!
    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

  103. My sister is a new mom and I would love to give this book to her as a gift. It’s full of wonderful ideas and moms can’t get organized enough. 🙂

  104. Diana Bradford Hatch says:

    I would love this as a gift for my daughter

  105. Diana Bradford Hatch says:

    I follow on GFC

  106. Diana Bradford Hatch says:

    I like you on fb

  107. Diana Bradford Hatch says:

    I follow Stephanie O’Dea on twitter

  108. Diana Bradford Hatch says:

    I like Crystal & Co. on fb

  109. Diana Bradford Hatch says:

    I follow Crystal VanTassel on twitter

  110. Jennifer R says:

    I would love to win this “shortcuts to an organized life” because I need help in that area of my life. reejen at comcast dot net

  111. I need this book because “7 daily chores a family can do in minutes” sounds pretty good to me!

  112. I subscribed to Stephanie’s site!

  113. I like Stephanie on facebook!

  114. I like crystal & co on facebook!

  115. I follow stephanie on twitter!

  116. I follow crystal & co on twitter!

  117. I follow crystal & co on GFC!

  118. I subscribe to Crystal & Co!

  119. I Like Stephanie O’Dea on Facebook.

  120. I Follow Stephanie O’Dea on Twitter.

  121. I Like Crystal & Co on Facebook.

  122. I follow Crystal & Co on twitter

  123. gfc follower

  124. I would love to win because I want to learn some of her tricks on keeping/managing an organized life.

  125. Laurie Brown says:

    I need this book!! I want to win it for me~

  126. Laurie Brown says:

    subscribed to her site

  127. Laurie Brown says:

    Like Stephanie O’Dea on Facebook.

  128. Laurie Brown says:

    Follow Stephanie O’Dea on Twitter
    frugalwahms

  129. Laurie Brown says:

    Like Crystal & Co on Facebook

  130. Laurie Brown says:

    Follow Crystal & Co on Twitter
    frugalwahms

  131. Laurie Brown says:

    follow you on GFC

  132. Tiffany Johnson says:

    I would love to win this book! I recently became a mom to my second baby boy and that made things so much more chaotic in our house. My husband works nights so I’m mostly responsible for taking care of the children and household. We also had to move away from our family because my husband got laid off. In addition to that, I’m doing a friend a favor and watching her daughter this year. Needless to say, my life is nonstop right now and I can use all the tips I can get! 🙂 Thanks so much for the chance to win this!

  133. Laurie Brown says:

    subscribe via email

  134. Mandi Mella says:

    I SOOOO need this… lately, my life is so chaotic & could use this to get back in a routine! Would love this! 🙂

  135. Mandi Mella says:

    I liked Stephanie on FB 🙂

  136. Mandi Mella says:

    Follow Stephanie on Twitter 🙂

    @Mommy2Caleb

  137. Mandi Mella says:

    Liked Crystal & Co on Facebook

  138. Mandi Mella says:

    Follow Crystal & Co on Twitter

    @Mommy2Caleb

  139. Mandi Mella says:

    Tweeted about the Giveaway!

    @Mommy2Caleb

  140. Kathy Conder says:

    I like Crystal and Company on FB!

  141. Kathy Conder says:

    I would love to win this book. I seem to be in a rut and need some inspiration!

  142. I need this to help me get more organized. I also like that it gives suggestions for chores by age.

  143. Jessica Davis says:

    I need it because who doesn’t need a little help getting it all together!
    jadavis42@tntech.edu

  144. Jennifer C says:

    I stink at housekeeping so it would be awesome to have this book.

  145. I need this planner because my house is out of control!! I need help!!
    Connie G
    CGruning at aol(dot)com

  146. I follow Stephanie O’Dea on Facebook as CGruning
    Connie G
    CGruning at aol(dot)com

  147. I follow you on Facebook as CGruning
    Connie G
    CGruning at aol(dot)com

  148. I follow Stephanie O’Dea on Twitter as CGruning
    Connie G
    CGruning at aol(dot)com

  149. I follow you on Twitter as CGruning
    Connie G
    CGruning at aol(dot)com

  150. I’m a google friend connect follower.
    Connie G
    CGruning at aol(dot)com

  151. I could use this book because I need anything that will help me organize my home and life!

    rebekah.allthingzrelated at gmail.com

  152. Dana Denay says:

    I can use anything that will help me stay organized. Always looking for new, creative ways to do so. dmatthews38751@yahoo.com

  153. susan smoaks says:

    i would love to win this because i totally need to get more organized

  154. Stephanie says:

    I would love to win this organizer because I’m a very list oriented – organized person. I’m always searching for a better organizer – this looks like it!

  155. Ana Gonzalez says:

    I would love to win this book because I love to read, and I have my own collection of books. I’m always on the lookout for finding a good book.

  156. Being a single momma, I can use all the tricks, techniques and great ideas I can get! This book sounds awesome!

  157. I would love to learn the clean less, play more method!
    chasing_joey(at)hotmail(dot)com

  158. My life is so crazy right now I could really use something to organize it.
    gingeroo616 at aol dot com

  159. fb fan
    oursafehaven
    gingeroo616 at aol dot com

  160. Amanda S. says:

    I’d like to win because it sounds like a really helpful book!

  161. Amanda S. says:

    gfc follower

Comments are closed.