An Inspirational Read
Sarah Ban Breathnach has been one of my favourite authors for a while now. I picked up Simple Abundance a couple of years ago, and it came to me just at the right time. I eagerly followed up on Sarah's work with The Simple Abundance Companion and Something More, but I found Romancing The Ordinary to be her best work yet. The book is a light and inspiring read, and like your best friend, Sarah encourages you to come in a little closer and share in some "secret women's business". And almost everything she suggests - from creating a Holiday Memory Book, to mixing your own bath salts - are easy, fun-filled ideas to help you find beauty in the ordinary.
I loved this book so much that almost every third page has been highlighted with quotes and ideas that have inspired me. And I would encourage any reader, who is looking to bring a bit of romance back into the every day, to pick up a copy of this gorgeous book.



Zara Stevens
Boy Meets Girl: A Pocketful of Wedding Stories

Sweet and simple
Reading the other reviews I was surprised to see how many people appreciated the asthetics of this book in hardcover - I'm almost sorry I have the paperback version!

I have not read any of Ban Breathnach's former books, so my review does not suffer from comparisons to what most reviewers consider to be a far superior book "Simple Adundance". However, I will be sure to hunt that book down now, given the glowing reviews it has been given.

I found this book to be sweet and simple. I appreciated the structure of the book and liked that there were not dated entries - I feel this gave the book a more flexible, organic feel. Some of the entries were quirky, others insightful and a few were almost bizarre. But I feel the purpose of this book was to give people a focus for seeing the gifts in their own lives, most of which we don't see in the manner of not seeing the forest for the trees.

I recommend this book, although I have my usual complaint of the seasons always being for the northern hemisphere, leaving us southern hemisphere people wondering what to do with 7 pairs of socks in January, the height of our summer.

TOO MUCH GOD FOR ME
I bought several sets of tapes for my family gift giving but when I played one I decided to put them in the charity box instead. Far too much religion in it. Self improvement and joy of living does not HAVE to be god related. I am sorry because I really do think she has great talent. If she could just write and leave religion out of it.

Jumping Into The Deep End
"Do you remember when you were little and jumping into the deep end of the pool was one of the most daring things you could do? Once a sense of play introduces a little deep-end jumping into each ordinary day, you'll want to keep doing it again and again. And you were meant to."

Thus begins one of the chapters of Breathnach's wonderful book. And reading this book is much like jumping into the deep end. Each chapter is replete with sage wisdom, witty humor and examples of ways in which we can all make each 'ordinary' day wondrous. From chapters such as "She Who Should Be Obeyed," which speaks to, and honors, a woman's sixth sense of "Knowing," to the delicious quotes which precede each chapter, and are scattered throughout the pages, this book speaks to indulgences intended to restore weary feminine souls -- soul wisdom evident on nearly every page, rituals for body, mind and soul, decorating tips for making your retreat a soul haven, scrumptious recipes, feminine fashion and helpful gardening hints.

A welcome theme that is woven throughout the book like a scarlet thread is the subject of self-nurturance and the importance of being wedded to oneself. In a society that indoctrinates single women with the fallacy that life apart from a romantic relationship is a failed life, Breathnach affirms the fact that the most important love relationship a woman can have is with herself.

I highly recommend this book to any woman interested in rejuvenating her spirit....and perhaps particularly to women who find themselves in mid-life with feelings of regret and longings for adventure. By the time you finish this book, you will recognize that 'something a simple as a rainy summer afternoon can provide us with some unorthodox adventures on the wings of memory.'

Best book I've ever read
I have never enjoyed a book as much as this one. I have given 3 of my sisters a copy along with all of my girlfriends. This book has changed the way I live. A must for all women over 35! I have also bought extra copies to give my daughter-n-laws when they get older!