I recently got to watch a outstanding webcast with Peter Walsh, and some special guests to answer all of our back to school questions. The guests were a award winning teacher, a mom, and two students.

School starts in just a few short weeks, and i’m going to share some great organizing tips.

Tips for your child and backpack:

• cleanout  your backpack and binder once a week                             
•   make homework space, clutter is bad for concentration
• teach your child how to ise a backpack, lots of pockets
• color coding can help with small children

For the home:

• Give yourself time to organize
• show you value organization and make it a family value
• use the right tools for organization
• declutter, and see what school supplies you really need to buy
• establish a routine for you and family

    Tip for giving back to teachers:

• Teachers spend $1200 a year out of pocket on school supplies So instead of giving th teacher an apple give them school supplies!

OfficeMax sent me some school supplies from the  Scoolio Von Hoolio, a kid-centric line available at OfficeMax.   I think they are adorable and perfect for my little girl starting school. i love how everything coordinates together, and the hearts, flowers and owl are so cute.

For all your school supplies visit OfficeMax

Marriage can get complicated at times, and even hateful. I know I have had a few problems in my marriage.  The book Halfway to Each Other talks about a couple who after 18 years of marriage wanted a divorce. Susan Pohlman was more than ready to start divorce proceedings after her and her husband came home from a business trip in Italy.   On the last day of their Italian Riviera, Susan’s husband came up with a different idea. instead of signing divorce papers, What if they sign a one year apartment lease in Italy.

After selling everything in California and taking their to kids back to Italy, they start to realize how to be on the same team, and what family life is all about. 

My thoughts:  I found this book very insightful. knowing that its based on a true story and that sometimes you can find a way to make things work.  Its very heartfelt. its fun to think how life away from big cities and malls can change your perspective on life.  

Rating:8

So What: How to Communicate What Really Matters to Your Audience is about finding the connections you crave, securing the interview you’ve longed for and getting the job you want can all be acieved by answering so what?

to a potential employer or a business colleague, just ask yourself 3 simple questions

For what? why are you making this pitch?

So what? why is this important to your audience or the person your speaking to?

now what? what do you want to have happen as a result of this conversation?

according to Mark Magnacca(the author) says these three simple questions given quickly, convincingly, and powerfully people will respond with i love it, i want it, and i’ll take it.

i found this book very interesting and helpful as a blogger. I make pitches to companys all the time. its very good to know what to do and not. It’ s been helpful and has shown some success in my pitches.

this book is available on amazon

I was able to review the new book Solemate: Master the Art of Aloneness & Transform Your Life, which offers a fresh point of view that reframes aloneness as a positive state, and to embrace it rather than avoid aloneness. the book offers a roadmap to help you achieve wholeness and well-being on your own.  Solemate is about becoming the person you were meant to be, treating yourself well, losing  your old beliefs and behaviors that limit your ability to realize your full potential.  instead of trying to find that perfect match, become your perfect match.

in the U.S. today there are 95.7 million single adults, nearly half of all adults in the U.S.

I found this book very loving and made me realize somethings that maybe need to change in my life. I’m not single, but at times feel alone. this book is a great source, with quizzes and exercises to help you along the way.

Can you imagine being in high school or college and suddenly learning you have cancer?  You thought you had a lifetime ahead of you and the whole world at your feet, but suddenly you’re told… maybe not.  How would you cope?

 
That’s the question the twenty young people in this book had to answer when they were diagnosed with childhood cancer.  Perseverance tells of their trials and tribulations, of their triumphs, and of the unique challenges that day-to-day college life brings them.  Perseverance also provides an intimate look at the lives and journeys of these young people and how their courage and strength have affected the lives of others.

Twenty unique and fascinating stories, with one common theme: perseverance. The stories of these heroes demonstrate how anyone can learn to live with energy and passion, regardless of the obstacles to be faced, and will remind us all that now is everything.  

I found this book to be very encouraging, and heartfelt. That if someone that young can fight so hard and still achieve goals anyone with cancer can. This book was a tear jerk-er, but well worth it to hear all the amazing stories.

this book is set to be released on 8/18/09 at a price of 24.99(hardcover)  you can also find additional info at www.carolynrubendtein.com

can also be found on amazon for a price of 16.99