I’ve always heard that if you have something bad to say, you should sandwich it between two nice things. I’ll do just that today.
These two things that would make excellent holiday gifts for any woman on your list. You are on your own list, aren’t you?

GOOD THING –  For weeks I have been hearing about a book by Marie Kondo:
“the life-changing magic of tidying up – the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing. ”
This little baby (the book is only a bit over 5″ X 7″)  packs a powerful punch, as it’s track record attests: #1 New York Times Best Seller with 3 million copies sold in America!

On page 2 of her book, Ms. Kondo states confidently, “A dramatic reorganization of the home causes correspondingly dramatic changes in lifestyle and perspective. It is life transforming.”  

If clutter, lack of  storage, or a full closet but nothing to wear are challenges you or someone you know faces, buy this book. Even after our big down-size seven months ago I’m ready to do this and be surrounded only by things I love that thrill me.

BAD THING – I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve when I found out that the fourth book of The Millennium Trilogy (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest) had been released.

I knew there had been rumors of an unfinished book when Steig Larsson died. Being an avid fan, I ordered The Girl in the Spider’s Web and began reading it the moment it arrived on my doorstep.

I had not read any reviews (my bad) and I had assumed a lot of things. First, that the writer would be at least close to Mr. Larsson’s caliber. Second, they’d use the same translator. And third, someone who speaks English would have read the damned thing. I should have suspected something when all of the praise on the book jacket was for the other books.

The book is poorly written, and the sentence structure is awkward due to the poor translation. I tried to hang in there, really.  As far as I’m concerned, The Girl in the Spider’s Web should instead be The Girl in the Trashcan.

GOOD THING – For a small inspiring gift, give someone The#Truthbomb App for their phone. For a grander gift, order them the #Truthbomb Card Deck from www.daniellelaporte.com.
I love her daily messages, they’re always just what I need. As she says, “Just one sentence can change your mind, break open your heart, soothe your soul, or hit you like a #TRUTHBOMB.”

Now, how sexy is that!

XO Donna