Dear Angie,
Hope your new year is off to a great start!  This is our first newsletter for 2008, and each month, we will share ideas on how to use DearBook, and how using it can bring more order, comfort, style and joy to your life. 

Below, see how using DearBook has helped me.  In months to follow, we'll discover from others their secrets:  favorite books, traditions or recipes that provide comfort and joy, style ideas, tips used to bring order, and more.

Order, Comfort, Style & Joy
How DearBook can help


ORDER:  I'm not a naturally organized person but over the years I have definitely come to realize the incredible benefits to more order.  Since starting DearBook a couple of years ago, I've had to find ways to do things smarter.  With two small kids and a husband that travels often, there was not much of an option if I wanted to keep my sanity!  What has helped me most is getting everything out and ready the night before:  everyone's clothes, backpacks, purse, errand and work to-do list and items.  It always starts our day off better, and makes each of us in our house more enjoyable to be around.

As far as my DearBook, I have a basket in the kitchen that I put anything that needs to go into DearBook...special card, recipe for upcoming holiday, gift idea from a magazine or catalog, wedding invitation, child's special artwork, note jotted on scrap paper (a birthday to add to the Dates to Remember page, or something funny our kids said - to be recorded on the Little Things Worth Remembering page).  Then once every week or two I sit down and place everything in my DearBook.  Having a specific place for these special things, and knowing where to find them later, has been a lifesaver.


COMFORT:  Traditions have been proven to provide comfort, strengthening families and friendships.  Our kids are already talking about the strawberry shortcake they'll get for breakfast on Valentine's Day (something my mom had for us every year at this time).  Now that I have DearBook, I'm more  aware - more on the lookout - of ways I can add a bit more to my family's, friends' and own life. 

I also find comfort in letting go of perfection.  There are still some things I want just so, but everything else, I do the best I can at that particular time and that's that. 


STYLE:  One of my favorite things to do is look through magazines and cut out what appeals to me:  home interiors, recipes, outfits, inspirational articles, entertaining tips...DearBook is the perfect place to keep your favorite clippings - especially those you'd like to have handy for an upcoming event.

Plus, DearBook is a beautiful home accessory in itself.  DearBook is handcrafted from a company in New York that has been making fine books and accessories for over seventy-five years.  From the album to the paper inside, I wanted each component to be timeless and well-made.  (This was one place I wasn't willing to give up perfection!)

JOY:  Surround yourself with what you love.  We periodically go through our house and closets and give away stuff we don't use and don't really love having around.   I'm starting to see the pattern of what I buy that I shouldn't - shoes I remember having to think about before purchasing - and a home accessory I bought because, and only because, it was on sale.  I've begun keeping a running list in my DearBook using one of the blank sheets, of things I'd like to have.  Then when I'm ready to shop, I have a much clearer idea of what I really want - including a picture of an item and where I can find it.  Often, I cut out of magazines or catalogs what I like (for myself and others) and stashed it in one of DearBook's pockets.

And surround yourself with people who make you happy.  Use DearBook to plan something (a weekend getaway, 4th of July cookout, dinner party, family movie night...) with those people in your life you enjoy being around and those you want to get to know better. 

Seventy Eight Remaining...

We have 78 Inaugural Edition DearBooks remaining... If you would like to purchase one, please click on one of the links to the left to purchase online or at one of our retailers. 

I have really enjoyed hearing how DearBook has already been a help to some since using it for a month or two.  What you'll really love is looking back after using it for a year and having everything that's dear to you all in one place.  Whether using your best handwriting and carefully placing items in, jotting down notes here and there and just stashing stuff in the pockets - or a little of both, your DearBook becomes priceless at the end of each year.