19 Ways to Organize Your Life in 2019 {4}

For the 4th post in my 19 Ways to Organize Your Live in 2019 series, I am talking about how to:

Take Control of Your Email

{via pinterest.com}

Email has become a significant source of stress in our lives, with many of us managing multiple accounts and never escaping the constant ping of a new email coming straight to our phones. This past year, I worked on managing my email better and thought you might find it useful too! Here are five tips to stop email from taking over your life:

1. Unroll.me

If you do not know about this life changing service, check it out today! This site sends you an email once a month and with one click, you are taken to their site where you see every email subscription you are signed up for. You can quickly go through the list and click "unsubscribe" on any that you are no longer interested in. It has helped me gain control over my inbox.

2. Limit access

Last year, I removed my work email from my phone. Gasp! I know! I check my work email at work and it has been a great way of protecting my time with my family. When there have been emergencies that require my attention, people get in touch with me on my cell phone. This one step has improved the quality of my life by protecting my family time.

3. Silence notifications

I also shut off the little ping and red number notification on my mail icon on my cell phone last year. Who knew? Now I only see email when I am intentionally checking it, not when The Gap sends me one and my phone pings and puts red visual clutter on my phone. Do this today and thank me later.

4. Archive and Organize

My email inboxes at work and home only show items I need to deal with that day. Otherwise, I create a folder and store the information. Google also has a snooze option that makes an email go away until the date you need to deal with it. Also a game changer. Less visual clutter equals a happier Deanna.

5. Limit new subscriptions

When I am out shopping or purchasing things online, I do not give up my email address unless it is absolutely necessary or they will give me $10 if I do. :) If I do give out my email and it is someone that I do not care about hearing from again, I immediately unsubscribe when they send me the first one.

I hope this helps you reduce some of your digital clutter as well! If you have any other tips that work for you, feel free to share them in the comments.

Books and Beans~February 2019

Happy Monday and happy book review day!

(via @draperjames on Instagram)

Oh winter, we are so over you! I currently find myself continuing to soak up the coziness of cold days spent warm inside, but looking forward to the warmth of the sun again. I caught Mason looking out his bedroom window at his swing set and he said he just couldn't wait to play on that playground again. I agree!

I read six books this month; four fiction and two non-fiction. There are some great ones in this review! Remember, you can click on the title or the book image to be taken directly to Amazon to purchase your own copy. I get a shiny quarter or two if you order your books this way. :)

COFFEE

My warm drink of choice this month has been a London Fog Latte. It consists of Early Grey tea, steamed milk and sweetener. Yum!

BOOKS

Cozy Minimalist Home: More Style, Less Stuff

by: Myquillyn Smith

3 out of 5 stars

I was so excited to read this book, but did not find it all that inspiring or interesting. Fans of Myquillyn Smith will love it, but it just did not offer me anything new. I read her blog years ago, but not so much anymore. Maybe my style has shifted some over the years. I love the title, but the book was just okay.

One Day in December

by: Josie Silver

4 out of 5 stars

I loved this book! You know that I reserve my five star reviews for life-changing books. This one is a strong 4 and a half as a fun fiction read. It's the story of a girl traveling home from work on the bus when she catches the eye of a man standing on the sidewalk. Their eyes meet, there is an immediate connection, and the bus pulls away. She spends the next year looking for him. The story unfolds from there and, at the risk of spoiling it for you, I'll leave it at that. I loved the characters, the plot line and the author's style. Ultimately, I love how the author captures the messiness of love and relationships in an engaging way. 

Swear on This Life

by: Renee Carlino

4 out of 5 stars

This book was so good too! Although heavier than my first fiction book of this month, the plot line of this book is excellent. As a writer struggling to find her voice, the main character finds herself reading a book that her friend keeps raving about. As she reads the book, she realizes that she is reading an account of her own life and that the author is actually her best childhood friend and a man she has not spoken to in years. She reads the book, reconnects with him and everything unfolds from there. This book is all about the bond of friendships formed in childhood amidst awful life experiences and healing as an adult. 

Stretched Too Thin: How Working Moms Can Lose the Guilt, Work Smarter, and Thrive

by: Jessica Turner

4 out of 5 stars

This book is a must read for every working mom who feels pulled between the demands of work and home...every working mom I know! I loved the author's practical advice and relatability. Add this one to your list to ease guilt and become more intentional in your approach to daily life.

The Proposal

by: Jasmine Guillory

4 out of 5 stars

I reviewed Jasmine Guillory's first novel, The Wedding Date, in my blog post HERE.  I loved this one just as much! Her books are pure chick-lit fun with an interesting cast of multi-racial characters. The story is engaging and the characters are believable and endearing. As with any romance, these books are a little on the racy side. I mention that in case it's not your thing. :) When you are in the mood for a romance novel with interesting supporting characters, Jasmine Guillory's books do not disappoint.

Rules of Civility

by: Amor Towles

4 out of 5 stars

I listened to this book on audio and am so glad I did. The book reads like prose with sentences that you want to hear repeated. Set in the 1930's, this book takes place in New York City and follows a young woman navigating her way through work and relationships during that time. This book was very Gatsby-esque with its revelry and flawed characters. The book is essentially a snapshot of one year and the impact of split second events and decisions that change lives forever. Such a good read!

Have a great week everyone!

xo,
Deanna

This is 17

Today, my middle, Parker, turns 17. He was born when Peyton was 2 1/2 and was my baby for 12 years before Mason arrived. This kid was made to be resilient from the start and I could not love him more.

And while Parker planned to spend his 17th birthday driving his car to baseball practice, swinging his new bat and wearing his new cleats, a Christmas break skiing accident altered those plans when he tore the ACL in his right knee. Instead, we are awaiting surgery and sports are off the table for the next year; no junior year baseball, no summer baseball, no senior year football, no driving. And while things could definitely be worse and we are grateful that healing will occur, it is difficult for a 17 year old to accept a year of life looking very different than he had planned.

In fact, Parker has had to work extra hard in all areas of his life and has had to overcome more in his 17 years than most people would ever realize. It has made him mentally tough, fiercely loyal and brutally honest. I learn from him more than he learns from me.

So, this is 17...sports, friends, driving, Buffalo Wild Wings, video games, brothers, family, school...and healing...

We love you, Parker; our world is a better place because of you!

Friday Favorites~Week 5

I'm linking up with fellow bloggers Erika, Narci and Andrea to share my Friday Favorites!

{via pinterest.com}

During a week when many days felt like Friday, we have actually reached Friday! We had three snow days this week as a result of the Polar Vortex hitting Illinois...such crazy weather! Even though we won't love the added school days this summer, we enjoyed the cozy family time at home. 

ONE

During our first snow day, I read this book:

I will review this book completely in my February Books and Beans post, but wanted to let you know now how good it is! It is currently $1.99 for the Kindle Edition on Amazon. This book spoke straight to me and included many practical ideas on how to balance work and motherhood. I felt encouraged after reading this book! If you have ever felt pulled in a million directions between work and home, you will love this book. I you have not felt that way, share your secrets with me. ;) If you didn't see my January Books and Beans post, you can find that HERE.

TWO

I have partnered with Jane to showcase some of their awesome products, including their women's clothing and accessories. If you have never shopped Jane, you will love their products and accessories. I especially love their graphic tee's and shoes.

THREE

I typically like to share my favorite show or movie with you each week, but, to be completely honest, I have been binging re-runs of The Real Housewives of Orange County on Hulu, so nothing new to share here. (#reallife) I would love to know what you are watching and loving because I may be in a bit of a rut. :)

FOUR

We continue to organize and declutter during these cold, snowy days at home. If you haven't checked out my 19 Ways to Organize Your Life in 2019, you can see the first three posts HERE, HERE, and HERE. I love resetting and clearing out cluttered spaces; it's the ultimate in self-care!

We have a fun weekend ahead with the Super Bowl to watch, a 17th birthday to celebrate and a little Valentine's Day planning. Enjoy the weekend with your people!

xo,
Deanna