Recent Arrivals chronicles the books that have made their way onto the Today, I Read… bookshelf. Here’s the latest arrival: Comfort Living by Chrstine Eisner

First line: Remember in "The Wizard of Oz" how Dorothy looked everywhere and asked everyone in her search to [...]

Initial thoughts: This book is gorgeous. When it arrived in the mail (along with its companion journal), I was stunned by its layout, colors, and formatting. Care went into its design and it shows.

So far, I’ve read a few of the pages and I’m pleasantly surprised. There’s a very approach to making changes around the home which means nothing is too jarring. In fact, I can’t wait to start applying some of the techniques discussed and seeing how well they work over the next couple of months going into the new year.

Book description:

Learn how little it takes to introduce positive change into day-to-day living!

People talk about comfort foods–foods that not only satisfy the appetite, but also nourish the soul. What about Comfort Homes and Comfort Lives? Comfort Living: A Back to Basics Guide to a More Balanced Lifestyle introduces a new way for people to think about, create and live with their physical surroundings and daily routines.

Author Christine Eisner demonstrates that creating a balanced lifestyle doesn’t have to be time-consuming, complicated or costly–and that living a good life is within easy reach. In Comfort Living, there are no rules or mandates; just some very simple and practical tools, presented in a casual, contemporary and relevant way.

• If you’re searching for your keys in the morning instead of sitting down for breakfast, this book is for you.
• If you envy the cozy nooks you see in catalogs and magazines but don’t have a clue about how to create your own, this book is for you.
• If you already enjoy fixing up your home with fabrics and furnishings but wonder if the look reflects who you truly are, this book is for you.
• If you are not able to enjoy your "decorated" home as much as you thought you would, this book is for you.
• If you simply want to make your house more of a home–a place that revives you each day–this book is definitely for you!

In these times, life isn’t about keeping up with "the Joneses," and it’s not about total deprivation either. Believe it or not, "the good life" is there for the taking. Just as with Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, it can be as simple as looking inward and saying, "There’s no place like home."

In Comfort Living, Christine is the reader’s personal guide, leading them through a process of self-discovery and creation. By translating inner priorities into physical surroundings and daily routines, each day can become a bridge to comfort, meaning, community and growth.

For each individual, this interactive book will ultimately become a personalized edition, customized to their particular needs and journey. Consider this book an 8-week investment in yourself and those who live with you–with lasting results.

Book Details: 84 pages; Lifestyle Design; Pub. November 15, 2009

Learn more:

• Official website