Dana K. White

A SLOB COMES CLEAN

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Home Ec 101 Book Review & Giveaway!

By | 139 Comments

Recently, I received a review copy of  Home-Ec 101: Skills for Everyday Living – Cook it, Clean it, Fix it, Wash it by blogger Heather Solos.

I’ll admit it.

I was skeptical. You know how I feel about books and systems that claim they will solve my problems. I was afraid that this book might be one of those.

I was wrong.

I didn’t know what to expect, but I loved this book. Not that I read it from cover to cover, because it’s not that kind of book. It’s a resource of all things cleaning, home maintenance, cooking, and basically . . . . home-ec related. I did read pretty much every word, because the more I flipped around, the more I enjoyed it.

Have you ever wondered the best way to clean your light-fixtures? Fix your toilet? Make your own household cleaners? Repair a broken zipper?

This book has it all. It’s written with wit and reality and doesn’t make me feel like I’m the only one out there who doesn’t get a thrill from scrubbing out my shower.

Let’s be realistic. Around here, I get excited if I can say with certainty that I have vacuumed the living room rug in the past two weeks. Keeping my kitchen out of disaster mode counts as a huge success.

However, I do love to do the occasional deep-cleaning project. But sometimes I get overwhelmed because I don’t know where to start. I’m afraid that I’ll use the wrong kind of cleaner and make things even worse. Heather Solos, the author, gives practical instructions that help me overcome those fears (and eliminate those excuses).

And she’s funny. On my first flip through I landed on an answer to a reader question. The reader asked how to get diarrhea out of carpet.

I would have answered with, “Move!”

The first sentence of her very practical advice?  “Wow, it sounds like you have had a crappier day than I have. “

I was hooked!  I don’t mind clean-freaks, as long as they have a sense of humor about it.

I am excited to have this resource on my shelf. I also think it would be perfect as a gift for a new bride or a college graduate. Full of practical, real-life advice on how to set up and maintain a home.

One lucky reader will win a copy of this book!

NOTE: Giveaway is now over.

All you have to do to enter the giveaway is leave a comment on this post. Nothing special is required in your comment, but make sure that you include a way to contact you. You may want to avoid the spam-robots by spelling it out like this: aslobcomesclean at gmail dot com. Some of you with google accounts have it set up where I can email you through your profile when you comment, but if you’re not sure, leave your email.

If you would like some extra entries, you can do one or all of the following:

Sign up for the Home-Ec 101 mailing list.  (This is a mailing list to be made aware of author appearances, sales and future publications.)

Subscribe to A Slob Comes Clean

Subscribe to A Slob Comes Clean by Email

Become a follower over on my sidebar.

Like Me on facebook,

and/or follow me on twitter.

For each of those things that you do, leave a separate comment, so that it can be counted as another entry.

Example:

Comment #1 – You, Nony the Slob, are the funniest blogger ever.  If you think this book is practical and humorous, it must be.  aslobcomesclean at gmail dot com

Comment # 2 – I followed you on twitter! aslobcomesclean at gmail dot com

Comment # 3 – I already subscribe to your blog! aslobcomesclean at gmail dot com

Please be aware that if you already subscribe, you need to click through to the actual post to comment, as responding to the email can’t count as an entry. And your comment has to be on this post.  Commenting on facebook will make me happy, but it won’t count as an entry to the giveaway.  This giveaway will end at midnight Pacific time on Friday, April 15, and then I’ll use random.org to select a winner.

For once, this giveaway is open to everyone EVERYwhere!  Worldwide!  Woo hoo!

F+W Media provided a review copy of this book for this post.  All opinions are my own.  The Amazon link is an affiliate link.

Comments

  1. Tara @ Feels Like Home says

    I couldn't write this in my own review, but I think this book could be called "Everything Your Mother Shoulda Taught You About Keeping House" 🙂

    Don't enter me in the giveaway. I already have the book.

    Reply

  7. Nichole says

    This book sounds like it would make the perfect wedding gift for a friend of mine

    skyknome at aol dot com

    Reply

  9. Tina says

    You, Nony the Slob Comes Clean, REALLY ARE the funniest blogger ever. I can so relate to you and if you could use this book, then I REALLY could use the book! Thank you! Tina iad050199 at sbcglobal dot net

    Reply

  10. Carlyn says

    Just a few minutes ago as I brushed my teeth, I was wondering about the right way to clean the light fixtures. Sounds like this book would be a great resource!

    Thanks for writing this blog!
    Carlyn

    Tllsjcn at gmail dot com

    Reply

  11. Carlyn says

    I already subscribe to A Slob Comes Clean, and I'm always glad when a new post shows up!

    Carlyn

    Tllsjcn at gmail dot com

    Reply

  12. Yvonna says

    Subscribed email, already liked you on Facebook, trying to add you to my Google Page, but for some reason it doesn't like me 🙁 Thanks for chance to win : )!

    Reply

  16. Amy says

    Would love to check this out. Always desperate for any new tips I can get on keeping things clean. I already subscribe to your blog.
    ayarberry at q dot com

    Reply

  18. Shannon L says

    Nony, you are the funniest blogger I've ever read. (That's actually true)

    Bana izzyb (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  23. Kari W says

    And I follow you on facebook. I seem obsessed. Actually, you are the only blog I follow! And I never want to miss a post!
    jkcwood (at)yahoo dot com

    Reply

  34. mary1day says

    I would love a copy of this for my homeschooled son.It sounds like he could learn a lot from it.mary one day at yahoodotcom

    Reply

  35. mary1day says

    I am a email subscriber. I have gotten more done since finding you than I ever did.Thank you so much for inspiring me to just get up and move.(move it out of my house)

    Reply

  37. Lenetta says

    Totally true statement – You, Nony the Slob, are the funniest blogger ever. If you think this book is practical and humorous, it must be. (And I used to read Home Ec 101, but had to quit during one attempt to tame my reader. They helped me trememdously when I put together my homemaking binder, which sadly, sits neglected on my kitchen counter.) nettacow at gmail dot com, and thanks for the chance!

    Reply

  44. supernannymissmegan says

    its awesome to check in and see your progress. it gives me hope for myself. would love to win the book. supernannymissmegan at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  51. supernannymissmegan says

    oh wait not done…. now i'm following your blog too… see i kinda want the book haha supernannymissmegan at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  52. Wendy says

    Pick me! Pick me!

    I could use a book like this…even though I already spend more time reading about cleaning than actually doing it.

    Reply

  54. Kathirynne says

    I would love to have this book. And Noni, when you write your book (it's only inevitable)I want a copy of that one, as well!

    Reply

  57. Dimitra says

    It's me again! This time I'm leaving a comment 🙂 hehe! This book might be helpful in transforming me into a "housewife" 🙂
    Thank you! greenceramictablelamp at gmail dot com

    Reply

  59. Suanna says

    Sounds interesting. I like reading books like this and trying to find applications that I will actually apply.

    Reply

  71. Anna says

    I would love to win this! I even promise, cross-my-heart-hope-to-die-stick-a-needle-in-my-eye to get rid of one of the (many) books currently burdening my shelf to make room for it…if I win…

    anna.c.manzo at gmail dot com

    Reply

  81. Virginia (Jenny) says

    Sounds like a great book! It's kinda sad but I never learned the basics of stuff like this.

    Revoirs at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  88. Anonymous says

    Nony, you give me such inspiration and help me cope with my own slob tendencies. Thanks.

    chardellc at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  89. Kris @ WUHS and Eclipsed says

    I think that could make a great resource for ideas on things to make sure my kids know before they leave home. Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply

  108. Amanda B says

    I Love Love LOVE your site and look forward to reading your posts everyday! Thanks for the opportunity to win this book! amabeau at hotmail dot com

    Reply

  120. Dawn says

    Nony, your blog is AWESOME. Thank you for keeping it real and for entertaining us at the same time. And yes, I would LOVE a couple of this book.

    Reply

  121. Merri says

    I love reading your blog. I check in every day and miss you when you don't post. I think you're hilarious!

    Reply

  126. Andrea says

    Slob Comes Clean is my FAVORITE blog. You are absolutely hilarious AND I totally relate to you. I like you on Facebook!

    Reply

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  139. Miriam Gladen says

    Just bought Heather’s book at Amazon. Even it is two years too late since my mother suffering from dementia passed away last spring. But I would have been very happy to know how to… clean the carpet. I’ve sold the house instead.
    Which is true, but the carpet has not been the reason.
    Love from Germany

    Reply

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