Day Two of Giveaway Week -- Happier at Home!
Today is DAY TWO of The Non-Consumer Advocate's GIVEAWAY WEEK!
Today I have three, count 'em three paperback copies of Gretchen Rubin's Happier at Home: Kiss More, Jump More, Abandon Self-Control, and My Other Experiments in Everyday Life.
Rubin wrote this book as a companion to her wildly successful The Happiness Project, and it's just as enlightening as its predecessor.
"As she conducted the year-long project that became The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin realized that her home, in all its aspects, was the most crucial element influencing her happiness.
So, starting in September (the new January), Gretchen dedicated a school year-from September through May-to concentrate on the factors that matter for home, such as possessions, marriage, time, parenthood, body, neighborhood. How can she control the cubicle in her pocket? How might she highlight her family's most treasured possessions? How, for so long, had she overlooked the importance of the sense of smell? And it really was time to replace that dud toaster.
As in The Happiness Project, each month has a theme and finds Gretchen experimenting with several concrete, manageable resolutions meant to boost her happiness. With her signature blend of memoir, research, and experimentation, Gretchen's passion for her subject jumps off the page, and reading just a few chapters of this book will inspire readers to find more happiness in their own lives."
I first read this book in 2012 while on a non-stop flight from Oregon to New York for my Today Show appearance, and was happy to find myself thoroughly engrossed. (Flying is so boring!) I was lucky enough to meet up with Gretchen for dinner, where we discussed the book, our lives and blogging in general. She is a very astute individual, both as a writer and in person.
I thoroughly recommend Happier at Home for anyone who is looking to become more in control of their own happiness.
How to Enter: Write your name and one small thing that makes you happy in the comments section.
U.S. Residents only, enter one time only. I will randomly choose three winners Sunday, February 9th at 9 P.M.
Click HERE to enter Monday's giveaway for a copy of TurboTax.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Twitter.
Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Instagram.
Click HERE to join The Non-Consumer Advocate Facebook group.
Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Pinterest.
Disclosure: I was given one review copy of Happier at Home as part of this giveaway.
Sewing makes me happy. I totally zone out when I do.
My 28-day budget makes me happy. Doing a budget the coincides with our income cycle makes budgeting so much easier.
My new home and my family inside it make me happy every day.
Cooking from scratch makes me feel great.
Riding my bike makes me happy!
Even after 35+ years, my darling husband still makes me very happy indeed. (Actually, he's not a small thing, but I hope he still counts?)
This made me giggle (and also, an 'aww').
Reese's peanut butter cups.
My name is Elizabeth and one small thing that makes me happy is organic grass-fed whole milk 🙂
Getting a text message in the morning saying, "Good Morning" from someone who obviously cares enough to take the time out of his day to think about me.
Small things <3
My name is Melissa and babies make me happy!
A spontaneous hug from my 14 year old son makes my heart hum. 🙂
Playing with my dogs
My pets make me happy. All 5 of 'em.
Watching my 14 year old girl and 16 year old boy play competative soccer
Karen - meeting my Goodreads Goal for books read for the year makes me happy!
My family and friends make me very happy:)
Diane - baking makes me happy!
Find a few minutes every day to read makes me happy. I need to dedicate more minutes to this, actually.
Julie - My friends and family make me happy!
Finding a few minutes every day to read makes me happy. I need to dedicate more minutes to this, actually.
Michelle W. Taking photos makes me happy.
good conversation 🙂
That my children love playing board games as much as I do.
Snow days make me extremely happy! 🙂
weather makes me happy - it shows me every day that I am part of this beautiful big world.
Rachel. Seeing my foster dogs go to their new homes makes me very happy!
A clean bathroom.
My children make me happy!
Baby kittens...nothing better!
Jennifer. Getting up early to enjoy some reading time while our house is still quiet makes me happy 🙂
Jennifer. Getting up early to enjoy some reading time and a cup of coffee while our house is still quiet makes me happy 🙂
Singing makes me happy!
A favorite song popping up on Pandora.
Knitting makes me happy.
Bare feet. I can't stand wearing socks indoors, even in the winter. My toes need to be free! 🙂
Bad pun jokes make me happy. Cackling-with-laughter happy. For example:
"Did you know that when coral gets stressed, it dies? If I were coral, I'd have been dead years ago."
"What does coral have to be stressed about?"
"Current events."
^_^
Soy chai latte. Perfect for those cold winter days.
My name is Becky, my weekly zumba class that I get to take with my best friend makes me happy!
Snuggles from my 19-month old son make me very happy!
Sarah L. homemade comfort foods simmering on the stove.
The smell of freshly-mown grass makes me happy!
Making homemade soap makes me happy!
My 4 year old son saying "Mom you're my BFF"
My silly, awkward, clumsy Saint Bernard makes me happy.
Happiness is overhearing your husband brag to his friends about that awesome hat his wife found at the thriftstore, for only $1!
Hugs from my three year old makes me happy. Even happier when they're accompanied by kisses (without teeth) :).
Spending time with friends.
Pets <3
Sewing makes me happy.
I love using up leftovers in the fridge to make a new and different meal.
I am loving all these comments, they are what's making me happy today.
Katy
Yoga makes me happy!
Tena h. , wintery days and hot cocoa
My (now 7 year old) kitty makes me happy!
Lovely smelling candles (perfect for the forthcoming snowstorm tonight) make me happy! Thanks for the giveaway.
My little dog Tinker!!
Streaming Netflix makes me happy!
Picking up all the stray pieces of paper all over the house and putting them away makes me happy. I would love this book!!
--Susan
Going for bicycle rides makes me happy. Also, reading your blog makes me happy.
using my instant hot faucet to make tea in my favorite mug.
It makes me so very happy to laze around in my hammock while people-watching at the neighborhood park. I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can do this again.
Curling up on the couch with a blanket and a good book (from the library, of course) makes me happy.
When I overhear my two boys being sweet to each other, it makes me happy.
Elizabeth Bales-Stutes
Seeing my bed all neatly made makes me happy.
Snow days! 🙂
Our new furnace that was installed last summer! So we're nice and warm this cold and snowy winter!
Sarah G.
Quality time with my husband definitely makes me happy.
A hot bath and plenty of time to sit in it.
Fan-girling over Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock with my eleven-year old daughter makes me happy!
Having about 2/3 less stuff that we did a year ago makes me happier than I ever imagined!
Baking makes me happy!
Susan
Somebody else doing the dishes
Kelly
My daughters kisses. They fill my heart with enough joy to face anything. Thank God she is generous and sweet!
friends make me happy
My cats 🙂
The look on my dog's face when she comes into the room with a toy and I start to play with her makes me very happy.
What makes me happy is being curled up on the sofa with hot chocolate, with classical or jazz playing on the radio as I read a good (library) book. Double points if a cat joins me. ^_^
The grateful, happy, excited faces of all the dogs when I do an early-morning volunteer shift at the animal shelter. 🙂
Reading a really good book makes me happy. Also, listening to my kiddos laughing.
My daily Diet Pepsi makes me happy!
Reading a good book makes me happy, as does listening to the sound of my kids laughing.
Going home to leftovers for dinner is making me happy today!
a bright moon on snow makes me pause and be happy!
All my chickens running across the yard to greet me every time I go outside!
The ability to take dawdle in a hot shower, what a luxury.
A cup of hot tea makes me happy!
my dog Lola
Tea in a pretty teacup.
An empty laundry basket!
Something that makes me very happy: when I'm sitting down and my cat crawls into my lap and lays her head on me and wraps her arm around my pregnant belly. It's so adorable.
Savings money makes me happy.
Happiness is a cuddly baby.
Friends and family
sunshine! 🙂
A cup of hot strong coffee in the morning makes me happy and functional! 🙂
Being safe in my home and watching the snow fall. Thanks.
A warm cup of coffee, curled up with a good book. Ah, that is my true happiness! 😀
Mary Beth is happy when everybody is home together.
Homemade chocolate chip cookies. Made by me.
My kids make me happy.
Waking up when my body says it's time (instead of when the alarm clock says it's time) makes me happy!
Sewing makes my soul happy!
Oooh! I loved Gretchen's first book. Thank you for the chance to win this one.
Today I'm feeling happy because, after several months of unemployment, I've been offered a job! And though that's a big thing, the bit that actually delights me most is that the job will be in a beautiful building on a lovely body of water. After a career of jobs in ho-hum locations, I am looking forward to lunch hours spent looking at a pretty view (and feeding the ducks)!
Using the bowl that my late grandmother gave me when I'm kneading bread.
Sunshine!
Sunny days in winter make me happy.
When my kids squeal when I say "my friend Katy from Portland" when they ask me where I learned such and such. : )
A clean kitchen
Yes, please enter me to win this book - it sounds fabulous!!
Mornings when my little guy (4 yrs old!) sleeps in with me are some of my happiest moments; waking up slowly, snuggling & playing little "wake up" games we invent each morning. Pure joy!!
Thrift shopping makes me happy!
30 minutes of morning time before anyone else is up, alone with tea, journal, and a view out my front window is the happiest way to start my day!
My husband makes me happy!
Having a child. I never knew it would be this much fun or the joy she could bring me and my husband. We both agree this is the happiest time in our lives. 🙂
Reading old favorites to my kids makes me happy 🙂
Watching the birds at our bird feeder and bird bath (with heater) gives me much pleasure. How do they stay warm when the wind chill is -26!
Listening to my boys play and make up stories. Some wild imaginations around here.
I love crawling into bed with warm blankets on cold winter nights like this one, and feeling so incredibly blessed and grateful that I have that opportunity.
I love crawling into bed with warm blankets on cold winter nights like this one, and feeling so incredibly blessed and grateful that I have that opportunity.
Drinking a cup of lavender earl grey tea while reading a great book.
~Nina Nelson
My daily afternoon cup of tea and its accompanying reading material make me unreasonably happy for such a small thing!
Waking up early and having a quiet house to myself to read and drink coffee.
Watching the morning news and drinking my first cup of coffee with my pug dog snuggled beside me -- that makes me happy!
A slice of freshly made bread with butter.
Coming home from work and having my pets greet me so happily at the door! It's wonderful after a hard day at work to be greeting with such love!
Walks on our deer trail with my small, very sweet rescue dog make me happier than anything else in the world!
She is my very 1st dog (I'm 60!) and my joy with her is endless - no amount of money can replace this.
Singing along to music in my car makes me happy.
Coffee and naps.
Sitting still in the morning, hands curled around a warm cup of coffee and breathing in the possibility of a new day.
What makes me happy is starting the weekend sitting by a window (in the winter) or on the porch (warm days) with a cup of tea and writing in my journal.
Looking out at the snowy landscape makes me happy.
I can name two, sleeping past 8 AM and a fresh cup of hot coffee
A good cup of coffee!
My Bible study group!
My boyfriend and I live far away from each other. I am happy when we send each other spontaneous e-mails during the day.
a good book and an hour of quiet.
Dancing in our small kitchen with my four young kids to the tunes of ABBA! We laugh so much - it always amazes me 🙂
Thanks for the chance to win this book - I loved The Happiness Project!
Watching the doves landing on the top of the fence outside the kitchen window makes me smile inside with happiness because they are finding what they need to live in the area.
Watching my son play with toys that were mine when I was a child makes me happy.
(And I loved Gretchen's other book.)
My name is Lene, and I'm happy right now, in fact. My husband and son are safe here at home, we're all enjoying our nightly mugs of tea, and I have both my knitting and my touchpad full of books (with large fonts for my old eyes) within grabbing distance. Can't get better than this!
Cooking dinner with my teenage daughter makes me happy.
My nice cozy bed makes me so happy.
My morning coffee.
Baking!
My hubby makes me happy, definitely!
Music! Adrienne
When my kids play together happily... that makes me happy.
seeing the doves outside the kitchen window......knowing they have found what they need to live near
Browsing the used book store or the new releases section of the library. Even if I don't go home with anything, you get all new ideas and get excited about reading some neglected books at home.
Taking care of my FAMILY!
watching the doves outside the kitchen window.....knowing they have what they need to live near
CHOCOLATE. (MILK CHOCOLATE....HERSHEY BARS....MANDmS...
Waking up before the sunrise!
Snuggles with my puppy make me happy.
What makes me happy:
The feel of the velvety softness of a horses' nose. I enjoyed that today on a walk with a neighbor. There were horses in a field next to the road we were walking on. They came to inquire about the noisy dogs we were walking. We were able to get close enough for a few moments of enjoyment.
The smell of homemade bread baking.
Having breakfast with my husband and baby son every morning.
Staying present in each moment....scratch that. Attempting to stay present in each glorious, horrifying, gratifying, painful and beautiful moment without losing sight of purpose.
And my son-in-law's home-roasted (in a converted retro popcorn popper!) coffee.
Making Valentines!
A freshly ground & pressed cup of my son-in-law's home-roasted coffee, enjoyed with my darlin' daughter as we catch up on our lives!
Making a yummy, healthy, from scratch meal at night for myself and my boyfriend makes me really happy. Us having together at night makes me really happy after a long day!
Amy's small thing - watching my cat and dog play and chase each other around the apartment!
Living in the moment.
Zero bars. Yummmmm....
Sitting down to enjoy an espresso every morning before driving to school.
My family
Pancakes and sausages for supper on a snowy evening.
I'm so happy I don't have to go out in this crazy snow storm we're having in the midwest!
A small thing that makes me happy: I went to the thrift store with the goal of buying a coffee mug because I broke one of my two mugs today. I found one with dandelions on it (my favorite flower), it's perfect and I love it.
Snow cream! (Trying to make lemonade out of this snowy, icy lemon of a winter.)
Hot baths, good books and my family make me happy 🙂
My 2 little guys and my daughter ... I just love how much they have fun together with their friends, and how innocent and sweet their pretend games are.
Making things from scratch make me happy.
Days when I get to sleep late.
I just checked this book out from the library! I read her first book and would love my own copy!
the morning cup of coffee before everyone wakes!
A few minutes of quiet time before hubby and the kids wake up!
Seeing and playing with my grandchildren!
I learned two things from observing my grandmother as a child that greatly contribute to my happiness level: eat out on Friday nights (who wants to cook after a week at work?) and have a cleaning lady!!!!
The third thing I discovered on my own - get a pedicure. For me, these three things are worth the money investment for their happiness return!
Pistachio Gelato!
Seeing my husband and our children goof around and be silly....very much the simple things in life!
My dog makes me very happy!
A clean basement and I don't have one.
A clean basement and I don't have one
Coming home from the library with a stack of books makes me happy. I get so psyched to borrow them and it also thrills me that after I read them I return them and get the clutter out of my house!
My cat's sweet face always makes me happy
Getting together with friends makes me happy.
Sarah. My dogs.
Sharon R. is happiest at home with her family, especially when there's nowhere to go and no chores to do!
The peacefulness of knitting, sewing, needlework and seeing what can be created with a piece of string (yarn, thread) and a square of fabric and quietly reading give me happiness and enjoyment within my home.
Thank you.
Being warm and cozy at home with my family on a snow day!
When I'm home with my family with no place to go and no chores to do. Just to spend time together doing the simple things.
Playing with my grandson.
Going to one of the many great parks here in my town and painting a landscape -- really looking at what's before me and trying to capture for others (and myself) the essence of what it is I'm seeing and feeling at that moment in time.
My husband ! Thanks for the offer - Ann Y. Please excuse multiple posts on the underwear posts....my computer kept saying it timed out. Had to change browsers, did not know they went through. Sorry !
My happiness is snuggles from my family, especially after a bath. Smell + sight + touch = joy.
Sunshine and warm weather...reading a book outside. (Oh, someday spring will come...)
A hot soak in the tub after a 5 mile run!
Tracy Neumire
Reading!
A nice hot cup of coffee in my kitchen in the morning.
Having a great cup of coffee in the a.m. in my kitchen.
Right now, getting an outdoor workout in despite winter weather.
Snuggling with my son.
Eating two clementine oranges and a piece of peanut butter toast for breakfast makes me very happy.
A clean and organized house is making me happy right now (if only I had it)!
Stephanie g
My kids helping each other pick up their toys
Date nights with my husband are a must for my happiness!
Watching my crazy poodle jump for a thrown tennis ball--she's so joyful!
Claudia K.
People being nice to each other on NYC subways and busses always makes me smile.
Dishes are done and sink is clean!
Making a nice pot of soup out of bits from the freezer when it's snowing outside!
Chatting online with my niece who lives to far away to visit regularly!
Cooking for my family and friends always makes me happy!
Cooking for my family and friends!
Crunching leaves with my feet. Linn Y.
The first sip of the first cup of coffee in the morning. Ahhhh!
I LOVE her first book - can't wait to win this one 🙂
Thanks!
Ashley Kinsinger
Kiersten Hyman- What's making me happy right now? Watching my 16 year old daughter shoveling snow in our driveway- she's providing us some funny entertainment as she fights the snow and also clearing our driveway for us. Win-win!
Though I love my boyfriend more than anything, I can really be happy about having a night alone. 🙂
Kathy Magee--Helping my granddaughters with crafts,gardening, etc. makes me happy.
Good tea
Working on a crochet/knitting project while catching up on Dr. Who!
running makes me happy - Sarah Keil
getting to spend each and every day with my kiddos whom I homeschool!
The pat, pat, pat of tiny feet running across the kitchen floor makes me very happy. Julia
Unseasonable sunshine in Seattle!
Happiness is spending time with my family who all live far and wide!
A nice, hot, cup of dark coffee with a dash of cream.
Looks like a good book.
An early bedtime!
Yoga class!!
My bull terrier, Coco:)
Looking at a beautiful sunrise
A warm sunny day, bright blue sky, and a wonderful warm breeze!!
Sewing something requested by kids and them loving the final product
That each day the sun sets a little bit later than the day before! That means every day I'm 1 day closer to summer!
Cara
The movie "Before Sunrise".
Being still--even if just for a moment--makes me happy 🙂
Jenny S.
my first cup of Earl Grey tea in the morning!
Group hugs with my children! 🙂
Saturday mornings, cup of tea, catching up on your blog from the week brings deep contentment to my heart.
Canning and making my household more efficient while teaching my kids the same.
Erin M. 🙂
Kori Jock; looking out the window at falling snow.
Dance parties with my 7 year old daughter.
The chance to win Gretchen's new book makes me happy--I gained a lot of insights from the first one!
Using things up! Empty bottles, leftover containers, fabric scraps, spools of thread = bliss
Drinking tea out of a beautiful, porcelain teacup from the one teacup I kept from my grandmother's antique teacup collection. Something about fine, old china makes the tea taste 100% more delicious!
Perfect cup of tea makes me happy:)
Going thrifting in Chicago with my daughters!
Snuggling on the couch on Friday night after a long week of work with the dogs, cats, and hubby.
I am a huge fan of Gretchen's website and would love to win a copy of her newest book!
Hot coffee with cream. heaven. Amy S.
Sunshine when it's 0 degrees here in WI
Spending time with my dear husband and 8 fabulous kids!
My husband and children make me happy!
Lee Broom - My husband and children make me happy!
It makes me really happy when I fill the coffee pot the night before and set out my breakfast dishes. In the morning it makes it super easy to slip into the new day! (This is my first entry ever.)
Hanging out with my 2 month old in bed when she first wakes up in the morning!
Karen
It makes me happy to work on little art projects with supplies I already have.
Julie Walton
Warm sun on a cold day makes me happy!
Andrea G
Riding my bike on a quiet summer morning. 🙂
Beaches - Katie A
One thing that makes me really happy is reading.
I read her other book and would love to read this one
One small thing that makes me happy in the winter is freshly washed flannel sheets! -Marcy
Jenn H - winning a book would make me super happy!
Alice; and happening upon the local gluten-free bakery last night made me very happy (as did their awesome raspberry-chocolate cupcake).
Thanks for hosting such a fun week!
What a great sight. i'd love to win the book!
Chris Smith
A hot cup of tea in the evening makes me happy.
Laura
Can't wait to read! I love the concept of happiness linked to our home..
My baby girl who was born February 3 is the greatest joy in my life.
- Stephanie Hudspeth
I would love yo win.. Joyce Howden
A quiet Saturday morning with a cup of decaf and catching up on your blog posts from the past week always give my soul a chance to say Ahhhhh......
Classic Carol 🙂
Shannon B - it makes me happy knowing that eventually it will thaw out here!
Lara B