Now that you know how finicky I am about clutter, you can imagine my next subject – CLOSETS stuffed with unworn, unnecessary, worn out or out grown clothes. So where do you start?
Plan to take at least half a day to do this and be prepared to work hard. First take everything out of your closet(s)and put it all on a bed, then separate the blouses, tops, pants, shorts, skirts, dress slacks, casual slacks, sweaters, jackets, and suits into piles. Put spring and summer clothes in a separate closet from fall and winter. Or separate them in the closet. Check for clothes that are out of style, maybe they shrunk and are too small now. They have lost their luster and just don’t look good anymore; even expensive clothes over the years can be worth getting rid of. For your summer shorts and cotton tops, see if they will fit into a drawer or on a shelf in the closet, rather than hanging them up; cotton tops don’t need a hanger.
I might suggest that if you have a Costco membership or an organizer store close by that you pick up matching hangers. Costco has black and burgundy hangers – 50 to a box – that are felt; they are great for clothes that fall off the hanger and they help keep your closet looking neat. For suits you can buy at Target, or similar store, hangers that have a skirt/pant hanger that attaches to the Jacket hanger.
I bought two boxes of black hangers from Costco, which is plenty for one person, and I love clothes, and I have a big closet. Now that you have all your clothes stacked in piles on the bed and have put them together by style, pick up each article of clothing and determine if you have worn it out, or worn it recently, or did you out grow it. Anything in these categories should go to the homeless. Have 33 gallon baggies handy for giveaways.
There is no point in over stashing your closet with clothes that don’t fit. If you are fat, you should still want to look your best, so purchase new clothes that fit you and feel good about yourself. There are a lot of overweight women who are well groomed and look very nice, despite their heaviness. So do it. I know it hurts, but trust me, you will feel beautiful, especially if you have only clothes that fit, a new hairdo and good makeup. FYI, anyone who sells makeup will give you a free makeover.
Side note – confession…..Not too long ago when I helped out Rose, see my blog entitled Charity Affair, I found myself intrigued by the clothing at the Salvation Army. One day I went in there looking for something for her apartment and all the store’s clothes were on sale for $1.00 each. Believe it or not, I purchased 5 jackets – a red wool, a brown velvet, a red velvet, and a turquoise linen and a red linen jacket. Wow, my friends who sometimes look through thrift stores were so jealous. These jackets look great, so don’t be proud. I took the jackets home and ran them through the self dry cleaning, Dryel, that you put in the dryer. It was cheaper than taking them to the cleaners. So don’t have to worry about the money to replace some of your things.
Now, back to the bed, by going through your clothes, you will be amazed at how many things you forgot you had and how many things will go together that you never dreamed of. Believe it or not, you may find that you don’t need to buy any new clothes because you have been able to match up a number of items.
Go through your casual and dress slacks, skirts, suits, dresses, and blouses. Give away what doesn’t fit, what is old and more importantly, WHAT YOU HAVEN’T WORN IN OVER A YEAR.
Watch for colors also. If the color doesn’t make you happy, even though you like the outfit, give it away. Colors are important and you will naturally feel and look good in what is best for you. People will often compliment you when you have on a color that is good for you. So loose that ugly outfit, sweater, dress, blouse or suit, that whenever you wear it, you wish you had stayed home. You will find the color that is best for you is the color of the majority of your clothes. Good Luck, have a friend help you if you can't do this alone.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Cleaning out clutter and unread papers
Are you a saver? Is your dining room table stacked with papers and books you want to be sure you can find, or read, in the next century? Are the corners of your rooms piled high with newspapers, boxes and miscellaneous stuff you swore in OTT ONE that you were going to give away, clean out, or burn. Heavens no – never burn, never toss, and always keep. If you ran out of corners, did you use your chairs, sofas and the bare floor on which to put things?
Are you so lost that you have no way to figure out how or where to start? Well the best place to start is 1 pile at a time. Set a goal and a time line. Here is a little story that might give you a picture of what I am talking about. Once, thinking I had enough decorating and retail experience, I accepted a job as a manager of a small home furnishings store. It was only one story and not really large at all, but it had isle after of isle of nick-knacks on shelves stacked close to the ceiling. The open floor space had furniture and other large accessories that would not fit on the shelves.
My second day on the job, we received a shipment of goods – 3 pallets of boxed goodies. I am talking small goodies; most of the boxes were packed with smaller boxes. I had never seen anything like it. And we had to put it all away before the weekend, the busy time when we had lots of customers and could not have them tripping over pallets. My big question to my assistant and other staff was, “How do we do this?” The answer, “ONE BOX AT A TIME.” It worked much to my surprise and after two days the boxes were empties and removed.
Are you overwhelmed? Are you having company? What will you do with all the STUFF? Or are you of the mind set that you just won’t have any company, and then you won’t have to think about getting rid of your “Corner-Treasures”, your “Cherished-Paper-Piles”, and we won’t even discuss yet your closets. NO, NO, don’t shove your STUFF into any closet.
The best way to start is to find or buy a year supply of size 33 or larger garbage bags with ties, but any bag will do. Call a friend with a big car, load it up and take loads to the Good Will, the dump, the trash, recycle. Find someone or some place – there are too many needy people in this world who would love some of your STUFF, but not your papers – toss them.
One important thing to remember, is that your things, especially papers, articles, books etc, can be replaced, and then if you haven’t read them, are you going too? Very doubtful. Start in the corner, and if you don’t get rid of something, sit in the corner and think about how to do it. Pray for help!! Ask yourself why you keep things – who made you do it?
Are you so lost that you have no way to figure out how or where to start? Well the best place to start is 1 pile at a time. Set a goal and a time line. Here is a little story that might give you a picture of what I am talking about. Once, thinking I had enough decorating and retail experience, I accepted a job as a manager of a small home furnishings store. It was only one story and not really large at all, but it had isle after of isle of nick-knacks on shelves stacked close to the ceiling. The open floor space had furniture and other large accessories that would not fit on the shelves.
My second day on the job, we received a shipment of goods – 3 pallets of boxed goodies. I am talking small goodies; most of the boxes were packed with smaller boxes. I had never seen anything like it. And we had to put it all away before the weekend, the busy time when we had lots of customers and could not have them tripping over pallets. My big question to my assistant and other staff was, “How do we do this?” The answer, “ONE BOX AT A TIME.” It worked much to my surprise and after two days the boxes were empties and removed.
Are you overwhelmed? Are you having company? What will you do with all the STUFF? Or are you of the mind set that you just won’t have any company, and then you won’t have to think about getting rid of your “Corner-Treasures”, your “Cherished-Paper-Piles”, and we won’t even discuss yet your closets. NO, NO, don’t shove your STUFF into any closet.
The best way to start is to find or buy a year supply of size 33 or larger garbage bags with ties, but any bag will do. Call a friend with a big car, load it up and take loads to the Good Will, the dump, the trash, recycle. Find someone or some place – there are too many needy people in this world who would love some of your STUFF, but not your papers – toss them.
One important thing to remember, is that your things, especially papers, articles, books etc, can be replaced, and then if you haven’t read them, are you going too? Very doubtful. Start in the corner, and if you don’t get rid of something, sit in the corner and think about how to do it. Pray for help!! Ask yourself why you keep things – who made you do it?
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Throw away, clean out, read or don't read
Getting rid of - Stuff, papers, cluttered closets, old make-up and anything else you haven't read or used in a year or a week.
I have a dear sister who is a saver and that is putting it nicely. She loves to save baggies, empty jars papers she swears she needs to read (even if they are a year old), food from her last dining out experience be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, clothes even a destitute person wouldn’t wear. I love my sister dearly and I have tried to reform her, but it is a fruitless task.
So what is my point? How did I get to be so perfect? I am not, but I have moved many, many times in my long life. I learned early on that it is silly to hang on to things and pay to move them when you can always replace an item if need be. In fact, I have moved so many times I will try and list them for you, but let me preface this list with the particulars; keep in mind that I am the daughter of an Air Force Officer, I was the wife of a Shell Oil Company executive, and my 2nd husband of 30 years and I have moved more than too many times. In addition to moving from one state to another, we more often than not moved from one house to another in the same vicinity. My my father liked real estate, he bought and sold and sometimes rented out the houses he owned.
So here are the places: born in 1-Spokane WA, moved to 2-Colorado Springs, CO, then went to 3-Biloxi Mississippi, then 4-Montgomery Alabama, then to 5-Clinton, Maryland, and then to 6-Alexandria, VA, where Daddy was stationed at the Pentagon. From there we moved to 7-Denver, CO, 8-Aurora Colorado, then to 9-Oakland, CA and 10-Hayward, CA. In 4th grade we sailed to 11-Tokyo, Japan (Washington Heights) and remained there for almost 3 years. We returned to 12-Aurora, CO for 4 years and lived in 3 different houses (that makes 15 moves).
From Aurora we moved to 16-Madison, Wisconsin to finish my junior and senior high-school years and two years of college. (Lived in 2 different homes) (that makes 17 moves) Then Daddy retired and returned to 18-Fremont, California; my mother was born in Santa Barbara, CA and Daddy was raised in Berkley, CA.
I married 1st my husband from Southern California and we moved to an apartment and then into a house in 20-Hemet, CA (that’s 2 moves). Our daughter was born there, and then we moved to 21-Redlands, CA where our son was born. When he was 18 months old we moved to 22-Fremont, CA and from there my husband was transferred with Shell Oil Company to 23-Chicago, (Long Grove), Illinois and then transferred to 24-Houston, Texas. He left Shell Oil Company after 4 years and we moved to 25-Memphis, Tennessee where he went to work for Federal Express – they were only 10 years old at the time.
He left FedX after 2 years and went into business for himself and we moved to -South Pasadena, CA 2 houses that makes 27-moves). He not only found a new occupation but a new wife. I bought myself a 28-a home and remained in So. Pasadena for a total of twelve years and met my current husband, Ed. A dear man, indeed. We bought a new 29-condo and a moving company and when that went sour, we moved 30 into an apartment. From the apartment we moved to 31-Glendale, CA, stayed for 3 months and Ed got transferred to Santa Barbara, we moved to Ventura and lived in 3 different homes there (that makes 34 moves), and then we bought a condo in 35-Oxnard, CA, and after 18 months we moved into a 36-rental home. After being in Ventura County for 12 years, we moved to 37-Sacramento, CA (Orangevale) to be near our daughter and grandchildren. Then we purchased our own beautiful home in 39-Rancho Cordova, CA (Sacramento) and have lived here for 8 years. Very happy.
Sub-total? moves 39 – I might have missed a move. At any rate, I have always wanted to total that information up and there you have it. That is one reason I hate clutter. Not only that, most of it is useless. If I don’t clean off my desk at least once a week, it becomes a paper factory. I always have a waste can next to me to get rid of things. I figure if it is that important, I can always get my hands on what I need, somewhere-somehow.
I clean out my cupboards at least once a year, and I do my closet in the spring and the winter. If I haven’t worn it in one or two years it goes to the Good Will, there are always people who need what I am not using.
I have a dear sister who is a saver and that is putting it nicely. She loves to save baggies, empty jars papers she swears she needs to read (even if they are a year old), food from her last dining out experience be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, clothes even a destitute person wouldn’t wear. I love my sister dearly and I have tried to reform her, but it is a fruitless task.
So what is my point? How did I get to be so perfect? I am not, but I have moved many, many times in my long life. I learned early on that it is silly to hang on to things and pay to move them when you can always replace an item if need be. In fact, I have moved so many times I will try and list them for you, but let me preface this list with the particulars; keep in mind that I am the daughter of an Air Force Officer, I was the wife of a Shell Oil Company executive, and my 2nd husband of 30 years and I have moved more than too many times. In addition to moving from one state to another, we more often than not moved from one house to another in the same vicinity. My my father liked real estate, he bought and sold and sometimes rented out the houses he owned.
So here are the places: born in 1-Spokane WA, moved to 2-Colorado Springs, CO, then went to 3-Biloxi Mississippi, then 4-Montgomery Alabama, then to 5-Clinton, Maryland, and then to 6-Alexandria, VA, where Daddy was stationed at the Pentagon. From there we moved to 7-Denver, CO, 8-Aurora Colorado, then to 9-Oakland, CA and 10-Hayward, CA. In 4th grade we sailed to 11-Tokyo, Japan (Washington Heights) and remained there for almost 3 years. We returned to 12-Aurora, CO for 4 years and lived in 3 different houses (that makes 15 moves).
From Aurora we moved to 16-Madison, Wisconsin to finish my junior and senior high-school years and two years of college. (Lived in 2 different homes) (that makes 17 moves) Then Daddy retired and returned to 18-Fremont, California; my mother was born in Santa Barbara, CA and Daddy was raised in Berkley, CA.
I married 1st my husband from Southern California and we moved to an apartment and then into a house in 20-Hemet, CA (that’s 2 moves). Our daughter was born there, and then we moved to 21-Redlands, CA where our son was born. When he was 18 months old we moved to 22-Fremont, CA and from there my husband was transferred with Shell Oil Company to 23-Chicago, (Long Grove), Illinois and then transferred to 24-Houston, Texas. He left Shell Oil Company after 4 years and we moved to 25-Memphis, Tennessee where he went to work for Federal Express – they were only 10 years old at the time.
He left FedX after 2 years and went into business for himself and we moved to -South Pasadena, CA 2 houses that makes 27-moves). He not only found a new occupation but a new wife. I bought myself a 28-a home and remained in So. Pasadena for a total of twelve years and met my current husband, Ed. A dear man, indeed. We bought a new 29-condo and a moving company and when that went sour, we moved 30 into an apartment. From the apartment we moved to 31-Glendale, CA, stayed for 3 months and Ed got transferred to Santa Barbara, we moved to Ventura and lived in 3 different homes there (that makes 34 moves), and then we bought a condo in 35-Oxnard, CA, and after 18 months we moved into a 36-rental home. After being in Ventura County for 12 years, we moved to 37-Sacramento, CA (Orangevale) to be near our daughter and grandchildren. Then we purchased our own beautiful home in 39-Rancho Cordova, CA (Sacramento) and have lived here for 8 years. Very happy.
Sub-total? moves 39 – I might have missed a move. At any rate, I have always wanted to total that information up and there you have it. That is one reason I hate clutter. Not only that, most of it is useless. If I don’t clean off my desk at least once a week, it becomes a paper factory. I always have a waste can next to me to get rid of things. I figure if it is that important, I can always get my hands on what I need, somewhere-somehow.
I clean out my cupboards at least once a year, and I do my closet in the spring and the winter. If I haven’t worn it in one or two years it goes to the Good Will, there are always people who need what I am not using.
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