Order Precedes Beauty

Have you ever had a day where you felt like chaos was all around you, sucking your energy and creating stress? That was me this morning. I finally had to stop everything and straighten up. I had to restore order to my life. I've read many a book that has knocked the message home...before you can have beauty, you must have order. Is that the truth or what?! When everything is crazy, and the house is a mess, you become stressful BUT when you have order (like everything has a place and all things are in its place) you feel calmer, more relaxed. Sometimes it's hard to step back and see that having lack of order is the problem. One of my most favorite authors of all time, Alexandra Stoddard, has written numerous books, one being, "Living a Beautiful Life." In this lovely book, she stresses this fact and shows us how we can live a more beautiful life. I've had my copy for years and it is dog-eared, highlighted and has been read many a time. If you're not familiar with her work, perhaps you might like to check her out...she's fabulous!

Living a Beautiful Life 500 Ways to Add Elegance, Order, Beauty, and Joy to Every Day of Your Life Alexandra Stoddard shows how to live a more beautiful, more ordered life, every single day. This classic book draws on wisdom through the ages and deals with life both philosophically and practically. Here is her original theme of living life beautifully with rituals, celebrations and ceremonies every day. Hardcover: Autographed with ribbon and book mark. Publisher: Random House; ISBN: 0679456236; Gift bk edition (August 1996) Price: $25.00 available only at alexandrastoddard.com Paperback: 178 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.57 x 9.17 x 7.24 Publisher: Avon Books (Pap Trd); ISBN: 0380705117; Reissue edition (April 1, 1988) Price: $14.95