Book Review: Style Statement

Another recommendation straight from my book journal. If you've ever looked at your closet, your office, or even your career path and thought, "Gee... I wish all this stuff could really reflect who I am," then you must read this book.

Title: Style Statement
Series: N/A
Author: Carrie McCarthy & Danielle LaPorte
Genre: Non-Fiction / Psychology / Health, Mind and Body
Format: Softcover
Publisher: Little, Brown
Pub. Date: April, 2008
Page Count: 256
My Rating: A (85%)


First Sentence: In a materialistic culture obsessed with image, it can be hard to stay in touch with your real self.

Blurb: Style Statement is an inspiring take on the power of style and authenticity. Deemed "style psychotherapists," Carrie and Danielle are the creators of the Style Statement: a two-word compass that helps you make more confident choices in life -- from your wardrobe to your relationships, your living room to your career plans.

Part workbook, part inspirational narrative, Style Statement presents a series of inquiries that lead readers to the personal words that guide the spirit, look and feel of their life. The first word represents your foundation, your 80%. The second word, your 20%, is what motivates and distinguishes you.

Via Carrie and Danielle's Lifestyle Map, readers then explore how their own unique Style Statement can generate momentum in every area of their life.

My Brief Comments: This book is a treat for the senses. It’s beautiful to look at, lovely to touch, and engaging to read. I enjoyed all the first-person accounts of individual style statements. I was surprised by the level of focus on journaling and self-discovery, but it makes sense, considering the end result is supposed to be two words that apply to every part of your life: from the shoes you wear to the career you choose and the friends you make. In the end, I was thrilled and pleasantly surprised by my style statement. Sensual Artist. Two words that describe me perfectly. In the future, I’ll be sure to draw on this style statement when making decisions, whether aesthetic or internal.

Lacey
http://www.laceysavage.com

Book Review: The Now Habit, by Neil Fiore

As I was telling my chat group earlier today, I'm somewhat obsessive about my books. Frankly, I don't think anyone was surprised. I read a lot, and I buy more books than I can read... it's a losing battle, but one that I, frankly, don't want to win.

Anyway, since I keep a book journal, I thought I'd start sharing with you guys the books I really, truly adore. Those that have made a big impact in my life, or those I keep thinking about weeks after turning the last page.

Today, I'm starting with THE NOW HABIT, by Neil Fiore, a book that completely changed my productivity levels.

The following is taken directly out of my book journal:

Title: The Now Habit
Series: N/A
Author: Neil Fiore
Genre: Non-Fiction / Psychology / Self-Improvement
Format: Softcover
Publisher: Tarcher
Pub. Date: April, 2007
Page Count: 201
My Rating: A+ (100%)


First Sentence: Whether you are a professional, an entrepreneur, a middle manager, a writer, or a student who wants to overcome problems with procrastination – or if you simply want to be more efficient in completing complex and challenging projects – this program will help you get results.

Blurb: Originally published by Tarcher in 1988, The Now Habit has sold more than 58,000 copies, and is as relevant as ever!

Author Neil Fiore offers the first comprehensive strategy to overcome the causes of procrastination and to eliminate its deleterious effects. His techniques will help any busy person get more things done more quickly, without the anxiety and stress brought on by failure to meet the workplace's pressing deadlines.

This revised, redesigned edition includes a new introduction and a section that provides strategies to understand and deal with the complex role technology plays in procrastination today.

My Brief Comments: This book was exactly what I needed. I was suffering from a really bad case of procrastination. I wanted to write… just not badly enough to do anything about it. And the more days that passed when not a word got written, the worst I felt about it (and about myself). Fiore takes a positive approach to curing procrastination. His theories are based on the concept that procrastination is good for you. It’s not a weakness or a flaw. After all, we wouldn’t be doing it if it didn’t feel good. So he teaches us how to get those same benefits through other methods. He also says that overcoming procrastination leads to better, more frequent “play” breaks. He’s right.

This is the point at which I would normally offer an excerpt, but I can't seem to find one readily available.

I hope those of you who check out this book get as much out of it as I have.

Lacey
http://www.laceysavage.com

Let sleeping cats lie

Some cats sleep in their owner's bed. Others curl up in their favorite rocking chair. My kitten stretches his little body out on our couch, making it impossible for anyone else to share his comfy spot.

New cover alert!

One of the most exciting moments for me (second only to receiving a contract offer) is seeing a new cover for the first time. There's something so exciting about my story finally having a "face" to show the world.

My latest cover knocked my socks off. I'm absolutely delighted with it! The artist did an outstanding job capturing the feel of this werewolf tale.



The book is scheduled to be released on June 18 from Ellora's Cave.

Artistic fun with my kitty

I made some desktop wallpaper images using photos of my kitty and Photoshop. I'm really pleased with how these turned out, so I wanted to share. :-)

Make sure you click on the thumbnail to get the full effect of each image.

Meme: 6 Random Things About Me

I've been tagged by fellow blogger and Servant of the Muse Lyndi Lamont / Linda McLaughlin.

Rules of the meme:

a. Link to the person who tagged you.
b. Post the rules on your blog.
c. Write six random things about yourself.
d. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
e. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment at their blog.
f. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

So, here goes. Six random things you may not know about me.

1. I drink honey right out of the jar. Most days, I don't even use a spoon.


Photo by: alsjhc

2. I used to work as a collections agent for a credit card company.

3. On my birth certificate, my first name is registered as "Lizuca". (That's pronounced lee-zoo-kah)

4. I'm a poker nut. One of my goals is to win a World Series of Poker bracelet before I die.

5. The only alcohol I drink is rum. And even then, it must be spiced rum, and it must be combined with Coke (regular, not diet).

6. I subscribe to six Harlequin category lines, which adds up to roughly 30 Harlequin books that show up on my doorstep every single month.

And you thought you were weird? Ha!

I tag:

Darragha Foster
Selena Illyria
Trixie Stiletto
Dawn Montgomery
Robin Snodgrass
Fiona Jayde

I can't wait to read your memes!

A writer's work space

I'm probably the most organized person you'll ever meet. Even my To Do lists have To Do lists. However, those organizational skills don't apply to my writing desk, which is pure chaos on the best day.

Does it bother me? Not at all. I love being surrounded by papers, magazines, books, notes on my latest WIP, journals (I have way too many of those), colored pens, at least six stacks of sticky-notes (of all different shapes, sizes and colors), candles, hand cream, my graphics tablet, my wallet (that credit card has to stay within reach at all times), and 20 tarot decks.

Knowing all that stuff is usually on my desk, you might wonder how I can even fit my keyboard and monitor on its glass surface. Well, not only can I fit those pertinent items, but I even have room for an observer:







So, what about you? What (or who) sits on your writing desk?