Clothing Redux - Update (June 2015)

Remember my grand plans of returning in early June with a newly-organized closet and a capsule wardrobe? Well, vacation and having fun took precedence, but I wanted to share a few thoughts and some of the clothing that may not make the cut.

Empties - May 2015

I used a few full-sized products, and I used a few samples. Most of the products were cruelty-free, natural, and/or non-toxic. Not all, sadly. 

Irked by the amount of bottles and tubes around the house, I did some consolidation and mixology. 

Empties

Alaffia Authentic African Black Soap, Unscented (16 oz)

Clarins UV Plus HP Broad Spectrum Protection SPF40 (deluxe sample)

Eminence Organic Skin Care Blueberry Soy Exfoliating Cleanser

Good Soap by Alaffia, Fresh Mint

innisfree it's real manuka honey mask

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil (deluxe sample)

Josie Maran Argan Black Oil Mascara

Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Vitamin C Youth Activating Oil (sample)

Tarte Maracuja Oil (sample)

The All Natural Face Body Butter, Peppermint

Repurposed

Celtic Complexion Vida de Fleur Liquid Moisturizer

February 2015 Empties: http://tinyurl.com/o8pyfh4

Mongo Kiss Lip Balm, Unflavored

Pumpkin & Poppy Lipstick, Rita

Pumpkin & Poppy Lipstick, Wilding

I purchased all items mentioned here, or I received them as samples with a purchase. No items were provided to me for consideration.

Travel Light - Portland, OR

Earlier this month, John and I took a six-day trip to Portland, OR. It is very easy for me to travel light for weekend and long-weekend trip, but I challenged myself to travel as light as possible.

The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: Clothing Redux (Part I)

Recently, someone commented on my video on working The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up on my clothing in November 2014. The person wanted to know if I'd maintained my new stasis, or if I'd rebounded and amassed more clothing.

Interestingly enough, I have done a bit of shopping, and my cousin gifted me with a huge bag of clothing she'd purged from her closet. So... did I backslide?

Using What You Have - Multiple Uses

No matter if you are becoming a minimalist, just de-cluttering a bit, or attempting to get your spending and/or shopping under control, I am willing to bet that you will unearth multiples of the following:

• food (pantry items)
• paper products (kitchen and bath)
• bath & beauty products

I am willing to wager because I was guilty of this in the past.

If you're hesitant to donate your excess, here are some ideas for using up bath & beauty products.

1. Soap can double as shampoo and as detergent for hand-laundering bras, tights, etc.
2. Shampoo can double as shaving cream and as detergent for hand-laundering bras, tights, etc.
3. Conditioner can double as shaving cream and as cleaning agent for your sink and shower (in-between deep cleans, of course)
4. Body lotion can double as a leave in conditioner

What are you double duty ideas?

Quick Tip - Use What You Have - Expired Products

During a recent purge, I discovered that my beloved Josie Maran Argan Balm had expired in early December 2014! Even though I had been using without incident, I thought it wise to cease doing so. Given that more than 1/3 of the product remained, I felt a pang of guilt when faced with tossing it.

Quite often, we discover expired products in our home. It is sad because we are looking at waste: wasted money, wasted product, and wasted time (the time spent purchasing the product). Thankfully, some expired beauty products can enjoy a second life. For instance, I tested the expired balm as both furniture polish and shoe polish.

Is there an expired product for which you found a second and/or alternative use?

Simplifying & De-Cluttering - Getting Started

Start Small

I am fully invested in The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, but if the idea of gathering ALL of your clothing and sorting it in one go is too daunting, start with your socks. 

Perfection Paralysis

Sometimes, it isn't feeling overwhelmed that stops us in our tracks, but perfectionism. Do not allow the desire for perfection to paralyze you and to keep you from starting the process. Seeking perfection is an exercise in frustration, and it immobilizes you. It keeps you from trying something new or from starting on a new path.

Crush Compromise

While you don't want to be a perfectionist, you don't want to abandon your ideals and desires completely.If you have a very specific idea of the type of bookshelf that you want to buy, wait for it. The books can remain boxed up for another month or two. Just don't let those boxes hang around forever.

Stop Storage

How many areas of your home serve as a storage unit? Attic? Garage? Basement? 

Do you know or need what is in those boxes? What binds you to the contents? If it's guilt or fear that you'll need it someday, forget it. I've been donating and de-cluttering for 20 years, and in that time, I've regretted purging ONE item. One.

Is your house a home, or is it a storage unit for you, your kids, or your friends? If so, give them the incentive to remove their possessions: a deadline to retrieve or an invoice. Assuming that it is wanted, saving grandma's vintage vanity until your child finds her/his first home is fine, but storing 15,000 albums for a child is another story.

Double Duty

Recently, I read Skin Cleanse, and it made me re-think my relatively streamlined skin care regime. Why not use extra virgin olive oil to remove my mascara? One product, two uses! Think about secondary and tertiary uses for products that you already own. Use an expired lip balm to soften your cuticles and to polish leather shoes and handbags.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Tiny Tweaks #1

What do you do when you have finished -- or nearly finished -- with tidying up?

You make tiny tweaks!

This past weekend, I discovered an expired face mask in my small bath and beauty product collection. This prompted a full-on investigation of the expiration situation of my bath and beauty products.

One small tweak: For sanitary reasons, set up a review schedule for the perishable items in your home. Review pantry and refrigerated items at least once a month. Review bath and beauty products on a quarterly basis.

If you have streamlined your possessions, this review should be rather quick and painless. Pitch anything that has expired. If an item seems "funky" in spite of its expiration date, pitch it!

House Tour - 2nd floor

In January, John and I downsized from a three-bedroom, 1.5-bath townhouse in a county north of the city to a smaller place in the city. Our current place is a 986 sf (91.6024 sm) townhouse with two bedrooms and one bathroom. It was built in 1944, and is perfect for us!

We love city living, and we love simple living. Because we have so diligently streamlined our possessions, what you see is the second floor "as-is." I did not tidy or hide things prior to filming.

Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Electronics (Komono)

I plunged into The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up as a way to really streamline my possessions before moving house. Since moving, I have done a bit of tidying up (aka de-cluttering) in the komono categories. I even broke the rules and tidied me mementos before finishing all of the komono because I knew it would be a quick win.

However, it has been far too long since I focused my attention on tidying, so I pushed myself to tackle my electronics today. Thankfully, I am not a big geek when it comes to electronics and gadgetry, and it was stored (except for my Kindle) in a small/medium paper shopping bag.

Shopping Spree (Spring 2015) - Beauty Items

When I lived in the suburbs, I trolled the mall almost weekly, but now that I live in the city, I need to make an effort (i.e., drive further) to be a mall rat. My desire to reduce my mileage, gasoline consumption, and/or time wasted sitting in construction-induced traffic has had a great impact on my shopping habits. I shop less. 

I had unsubscribed from most retail email lists, which decreased my desire for retail therapy. I follow a few green beauty sites, but I buy only if I need to replenish a beauty staple and/or if the current promotion is of value for me. For example, cream shadows aren't my thing, thus I passed on the RMS Beauty St. Patrick's Day promotion. This shopping spree was replenishment items purchased during with promotions.

R.L. Linden & Co. // customer appreciation promotion -- $18.00
The Bee Charmer Refining Cacao Honey Cleanser + Mask

iHerb // introductory order -- $20.38
Devita, Solar Protective Moisturizer, SPF 30+
Sierra Bees, Organic Lip Balms, Pomegrante, Vanilla & Cocoa Butter, 3 Pack

Jordan Samuel Skin // flash sale -- $50.00 + $8.00 shipping
HydrOasis Face and Eye Serum
Water You Waiting For? Face and Body Mist (free w/ $50 purchase)
NB: Rather than buy product I do not need, I paid for shipping.

Whole Foods // unwanted beauty item trade-in promotion (25% off) -- $28.04

Zuzu Luxe Liquid Eyeliner, Raven

Andalou Naturals All-In-One Beauty Balm Sheer Tint with SPF 30

NB: This is a 3.6-mile walk (round-trip) from my home.

More Quick De-Clutter Ideas

Last week, I was inspired to do a quick de-clutter, and I am always keeping my eyes open for quick-hit opportunities to simplify.

Two quick ways to simplify:

1. Swap items with friends and/or co-workers of a similar mindset.
2. Take advantage of retail trade-in and/or upgrade offers.