Last week I shared some of my favourite Home/Lifestyle books, which are really more for the coffee table than the library. This week, I'm excited to let you in on some of my all time favourite business books, the ones that have impacted my career and my company the most. I have a major addiction to business books. I devour them; nothing inspires or motivates me more! (Recently, we've started an Au Lit Biz Book Club so I can share the inspiration with my staff.) I'll say this - some of Au Lit's greatest successes, internally & externally, come directly from the following books. So without further ado, here are my Top 10 Biz Books (in no particular order):

1. Onward, Howard Schultz

2. Delivering Happiness, Tony Hsieh

3. When Fish Fly, John Yokoyama & Joseph Michelli

4. Hug Your Customers, Jack Mitchell

5. Unmarketing, Scott Stratten

6. The Method Method, Eric Ryan & Adam Lowry

7. World Changers, John A. Byrne

8. Start With Why, Simon Sinek

9. Soul of a Business, Tom Chappell

10. The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg

Today on Twitter, Doug Coupland, one of my favourite Canadian writers - the man who defined my generation (X) - tweeted out the following plea for suggestions on getting-to-sleep-secrets: 

Only slept 2 hours last night, and no idea why. What are your getting-to-sleep secrets? I'm listening.

— Doug Coupland (@DougCoupland) February 29, 2012

Ever notice how good you feel after de-cluttering a space and re-organizing it? It can be totally therapeutic, right? Linen closets are especially prone to disorganization - between sloppily folded fitted sheets and mismatched sets, your linen closet can quickly become a disaster zone. (Confession: mine is stuffed with mattress pads rolled into balls, baby sheets I won't part with, and every pillow cases I've ever owned. Which is, like, hundreds.)

So where to start? Purge, purge, purge! Here's a good rule of thumb: if you haven’t used something in the last 6 months (unless it's your Grandmother's heirloom sheets or a special embroidered set from your trip to Italy!), it's time to let it go. There are plenty of charities like the Salvation Army and city shelters that will gladly take them off your hands.

Labelling your shelves is also a great way to maintain organization. Imagine how wonderful it would be to have all of your bedding divided by size - queen, king, twin, double; by item - flat sheets, fitted sheets, etc; or even by bedroom. It will also make it easier for family members to find what they're looking for without destroying all your hard work.

There's really nothing quite like a beautifully made bed with fresh linens, or a pile of warm-out-of-the-dryer towels. Creating an organized and clutter-free space for your precious linens is a quick and rejuvenating project for 2012. Enjoy!

I realize we're already almost half way through January, but it's never too late to share a good tip. While it's recommended to flip your mattress once a month, I think most of us rarely remember to do it at all. So, here's your reminder!

Flipping your mattress regularly can increase its lifespan and maintain its comfort. The less flipping you do, the more likely you are to cause a permanent sag. This is especially common with couples in the middle of the bed where the bodies meet. Lumps or sags create uneven surface area, and can actually be a precursor for more serious injuries, not to mention less restful sleep.

Flipping a mattress can be difficult depending on the size and weight, so make sure you have someone to work with. If you have a pillow top mattress, you won't be able to flip your mattress, but turning it will be as beneficial.

Happy flipping!

Last week, we discussed how many pillows on your bed is too many. What's just as important is the actual measurement of each pillow. When you're buying new pillows, cases, shams or protectors, knowing your measurements can save you a lot of hassle. Whether you're just replacing old pillows or buying something new to fit pillows you already have at home, you'll need your measurements! (Stated emphatically.) Going by memory alone can be confusing. For instance, what you thought was a standard pillow might really be a queen (they look almost the same.) Also, each company's sizing can vary, so it just helps to know what you've got.

To help you with future purchases, we've created a diagram based on North American standards, which is what we carry:

Leave a comment below or let me know on Twitter or Facebook!

What's on your list this year? Leave a comment below or let me know on Twitter or Facebook!

Have you started your Holiday shopping yet? Leave a comment below or let me know on Twitter or Facebook!

Back in September, Maclean's Magazine released an article discussing the fraudulent issues within the down industry in Canada. What's most troubling about their findings is that the fakes are not only filled with small quantities of down and chicken feathers, but they are also wildly overpriced. These companies are now selling low quality products and charging consumers the price they'd pay for real quality down products.

Michael de la Place, president of industry group Downmark says "The fraud against consumers that's going on is mind-blowing". The Down Association of Canada, creator of the Downmark label, is a non-profit organization with a mandate to educate the public about down and feather products. They monitor the marketplace by seeking out misleading products and advertising. In 2007, they launched the "Name & Shame" campaign aimed at retailers, where they post "fraud alerts" on their website.

At Au Lit, we only work with companies that are certified by the Downmark association in Canada. We even display the insides of our down products in store, so that our customers know exactly what they're purchasing. Make sure you trust the company you're buying down products from and that they can answer all of your questions and concerns regarding the sourcing of their pillows and duvets.