Seven Ideas to Declutter Again

Seven months ago I talked about what you could or probably should do to declutter your wardrobe and home at the same time. The list ranged from specific hangers, to plastic utensils, and to electronic devices that are no longer used or broken. Back then I listed 50 things but honestly there is always more you can get rid of. Always. Granted, it takes time and it is not always fun to dedicate a day or two {or more} to clean out a specific room or the entire house. BUT it is so worth it!!

Today, I'm reminding us all that it is time again to look at our homes. How much have we accumulated over the past few months?! How many more items did we purchase? Have we used them at least five times since then? If not, think back, was the purchase really necessary?! Have we gotten rid of unused, unloved, triple jeans/t-shirt stacks we never touch?! 

I'm not here to preach, believe me. B and I often talk about it. He wanted to get something last week and I was against it. Not only do we not need it, I know we will never ever use it. I know I won't. Last week wasn't the only time he came up with some item that needs to be part of our household. Oh man, he sometimes thinks machines can solve the world. Don't get me wrong, when something helps me work faster and it makes, let's say, cooking easier I am all for it. Hello crock pot, or a fabulous mixer. All for it. Yet, do I really need an automatic can opener that needs to be plugged in, when I have a wonderful hand-held one already available working perfectly?! NOPE. Do I need a spaghetti maker machine? Absolutely NOT. My coffee maker is old and needs to be replaced, yes, but it is still working and until it stops working the replacement can wait. But I'd rather have a new coffee machine than those two other items. What B doesn't realize is 1) I'd rather save the money or spend it on something else, like a nice dinner or a bottle of wine {ha!} and 2) We don't have the space for any new item. And this is what brings me back to today's post...more detailed decluttering!

Are you still with me?! I hope so! Why? Because this shows dedication and curiosity. Also, it is probably a sign your home is as messy as mine and you are in desperate need for a quick clean-up. So let's get started!

1. Line up all your shoes {winter, summer, heels, what not}, count them, and put those pairs away you have not worn in one full year. Those, you donate if in excellent condition or try to get some money for thanks to thred up, or toss if in bad shape.

2. Go through all mail you put away {wherever that is}...do you really truly absolutely need to keep a birthday card from 2004?

3. Look into your medicine cabinet. Toss away expired items. No need to be sad. Toss it all away!

4. Line up every single beauty and body product you have. What is unopened goes nicely organized back into a cabinet. Everything that has been opened and used at least once stays outside and will be used. NO MORE SHOPPING FOR NEW SHAMPOO OR EYELINER OR WHAT NOT until you used everything else up. Do you really need five different shampoos? Or ten different lipsticks, two of which you haven't touched in the past year?! Or 40 different nail polish bottles, ten of which are already so crusty there is no way they will look good on any of your nails?! NOPE. Use now or toss right away.

5. Schoolbooks...you might have kept the ones for your major. Makes absolute sense, hello, same here! Have you touched them since you graduated? Never?! I don't know about you, but B has over 14 biology books. Granted most of them are different but some are the same exact ones just a different cover and edition...I made him toss the very very old versions because not only are those books heavy, they take up a ton of space and he hasn't touched them in years. It hurt to toss them but he felt relieved afterwards. Or find a way to get sell them to a company. Someone can always use a used book.

6. Go through your pantry/freezer and fridge and make a list of what you have {opened and closed products, include all produce too}. Create a meal plan for at least one full week with what you have in stock, with you at home. Oh and do not grocery shop!!! Unless you need milk and will run out of it tomorrow. Scared?! Don't be. It's actually nice to create new dishes {or old ones} with food you already have. Use them up, empty your uber full pantry, and make room for new products. It shocked me when I did this month ago. Saved me a ton of money too. Nothing got thrown away {I was lucky nothing was expired}, and I enjoyed seeing a more organized and fresh looking pantry!! Use what you have!!!

7. Challenge yourself to do less laundry! Wait what?! YES. Here's what I want you to do...count your underwear! Yes, you read right. Count it. Do you have more than 14? So you're good to go without doing any laundry for two full weeks. WHAT?! Yes. Think about it. You change your underwear once a day {assuming this as a normality}, and you probably have more than one pair of PJs, and probably more than one pair of work pants, home/lounge wear, casual T-shirts, and blouses. Right?! I'm right, aren't I? When I announced to B that I was planning on doing laundry every two weeks he was absolutely against it. My question to him was Why?! You've got plenty of underwear for over two weeks, you've got a massive load of socks, work shorts and shirts, as well as regular shorts and shirts. Besides, if I wash every week the same clothes will be worn over and over again and the rest will not be touched. Plus, every garment will be valued. End result? He realized I was right {women are always right, right?!}. We have plenty of towels and sheets too so no need to worry about those as well. This little laundry challenge helped us wear clothes we would probably not have touched or worn, and would have donated.
*of couse, if you have children this challenge will be interesting but there's a way it may work as well because your children probably have more than two shirts and pants and pjs as well.

Here you go...seven ideas on how to declutter again. You have to do this more than just once in your life or a year. Yes. I go through my clothes a lot. Probably once a month. I'm also getting older. I don't need clothes from when I was 20, or 25. It's time to let go. Plus, styles change; bodies change, too. Letting go of the past {clothes, food, mail, shoes included} is cleansing. It helps rejuvenate the soul. Sounds ridiculous but is so true. Also, it helps find pleasure in exploring new styles and items. Thanks to StitchFix I can do this. If you haven't heard of StitchFix, you're truly missing out! Plus, having plenty of room for a new item or two {or three} is always an exciting moment, isn't it?! *more on StitchFix soon {because I use their items more than I do anything else...it is definitely time to declutter my closet again}.

What have you done so far to make your life less chaotic? Have you gotten rid of clutter and if so, what was it and how long has it taken you?!

xoxo

50 Things To Throw Away NOW

Every season I clean out my closets. All of them. I get rid of clothes I no longer want to wear, haven't worn or touched for months; I go through my notebooks, stationery, pens, and magazines. I will not browse through a food magazine from 2010, and I certainly will not wear that cute shirt I bought a year ago but haven't touched in months. I also don't need four pairs of sneakers, or twelve pairs of jeans. Granted, this year it is a bit different. I brought everything I owned in Europe over here, and although I donated and tossed so much overseas already, there is always going to be an item or two I will never touch again. NOW is the time to get rid of exactly that said item{s}. We all know it's not just one item. We also certainly know our clothes are not the only drama corner in our home. There is more, and today it is time to look at what you could and probably should throw away now. 

1. Hangers from the dry cleaners
2. Hangers from the store {they really don't go well with the rest in your closet}
3. Magazines from five years ago, well, all those from 2015 and older. You know which ones.  
4. Old newspapers and newspaper clippings you will never look at again.
5. Old product boxes {mixers, TV, diffusers, shoes, etc} you know you won't ever use again. Not even to fill with Christmas gifts next year. Toss them, or donate.
6. Bills, taxes, and that paperwork over 5 years old {go paperless; being clutter free is awesome}
7. Take out menus you never ever look at again
8. Old technology {VHS tapes since you probably don't have a player anymore (if you do, then keep them), floppy disks, etc etc}
9. Old greeting cards {birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, thank you's, etc}. I love cards. I keep most but then realize I never look at them again...so why bother keeping them then? Keep a few maybe but toss the rest now!
10. Plastic cutlery, and plastic plates
11. Cutlery that is no longer working for ya {I tossed old ones away the other day taking too much space up in our drawer}
12. Plastic containers without a lid, and those having lost their original shape
13. Dried up nail polish bottles {gross!!}
14. Fake jewelry you don't wear at all; you once did but now? Nope.
15. Old towels you don't ever use and know you won't ever use again.
16. Old cellphones and covers. You won't look at those photos again, even if you wanted to. Come on, you won't.
17. Unloved toys and stuffed animals {pets or kids' toys; doesn't matter...toss or donate!}
18. Video games you will never play again
19. Expired food in the pantry and/or freezer and fridge {if it expired in 2013...I think it is time to do so}
20. Matches
21. Stretched out hair ties, old bobby pins, etc
22. Little shampoo/conditioner/gel bottles from hotels. You won't ever use them, will you?
23. Old calendars, organizers, ticket stubs, business cards, notebooks, school books, etc you won't ever touch again
24. Expired coupons
25. Holiday Decor; at least the duplicates and the ones you didn't take out last year
26. Ornaments you don't see as sentimental or cute
27. Flower pots and watering cans, unless you are having flowers of course
28. Duplicate extension cords, or cords of any kind
29. Old wallets or bags. You replaced them for a reason, so why keep the old one?
30. Clothes that are more than two sizes too small.
31. Clothes you haven't worn last year at all. Donate or toss.
32. Clothes that make you feel ugly and uncomfortable. Donate!
33. Socks, underwear, and shirts/pants with holes, worn out to the max and faded...just toss.
34. Items you bought and didn't like and wanted to return {return if you can, sell or donate}
35. Hats you don't wear or look hideous on you. You know they do.
36. Extra buttons, shoe laces, ties, stockings, leggings, and what not you know you won't ever replace or use
37. Anything that won't fit your children anymore. 
38. Cleaning supplies you thought were good but turned out not to work for you. Be gone!
39. Styling products, lotions, washes, etc you wanted to try but didn't like. Toss!
40. Bags from the mall, from parties, from grocery stores...why keep them? Toss!
41. Junk mail {in paper or online}
42. Candles you once used but haven't used in months or years
43. Cooking utensils you haven't used in a year. Donate if in good condition.
44. Touristy/Travel knick-knacks. Keep a few, toss or donate the rest.
45. Gift cards - Use them. If empty, shred!
46. Candy you bought to enjoy and somehow forgot existed. Just toss it.
47. Expired sunscreen.
48. Old batteries, and ink cartridges. Recycle them so you can get money back.
49. Plastic bottles, glass bottles, drinking can...recycle them and get money back. 
50. Broken anything. Unless you are planning on fixing that broken item this week chances are you probably will never fix it. I have been there, tried that and miserably failed. Toss, toss, toss.

There is so much more you can throw away now. This list is endless. I didn't want to bore you, nor did I want to list it all. Every household is different. Everyone has different things, but to be honest, in the end, we all have stuff to get rid of. I just threw away sunscreen which expired two years ago. It smelled great, didn't look too bad, but I think it was just plain lotion now. Plus, I had a new one bought last week. Why keep the old one?! I tossed a lot of broken anything, magazines and newspaper clippings, cellphone covers, old worn-out and faded shirts, as well as bags and boxes. It felt liberating. I feel free now. Plus, there's room now when I walk into my storage closet. Yes!

Always remember you don't have to throw away everything. You can donate {also good for tax purposes}, recycle, and even sell. Schools are great places to donate to, churches too, and well, just the simple Goodwill stores as well. We donated our couch, recliners, new looking shoes, clothes, and bags to our local Goodwill store. I even gave books and kitchen utensils away. I felt great knowing someone else is going to use the items I no longer wanted or needed.

It is a new year and it is the perfect time to start fresh. Clean out your home, one day and room at a time. Donate or toss. Feel free. Feel liberated. Feel happier. It is time to throw away at least 50 things now. Do it. You won't regret it. I promise.

xo

Reading Challenge 2016

Time has flown by this year it is unbelievable. It has flown by so fast I did not complete my reading challenge I had in mind for 2015. I love to read but when life hits you in the face unexpectedly you either read more or you stop. I stopped. I could not pick up a book; any book. I wasn't interested in the written word for a long time and this scared me. I had no desire to get lost in anything. The second I opened a book and decided to read it I paused for a few seconds and smiled, knowing I was doing the right thing and knowing I was feeling better. 

So with 2016 approaching I knew I needed change. It is not because a new year is about to begin. It is because I feel it is time to make a few changes in general. Life taught me a lot this year and one thing I know is to not wait for anything or anyone. 2016 will be filled with changes, and one will be my reading challenge. 

A few weeks ago, Krysten mentioned on social media that she was going to ask her other half to choose books for her to read. To be honest, this thought scared me because my other half cannot stand reading at the moment and even if, we both have very different taste in literature. To challenge our relationship and my love for the written word I knew I had to try this as well. So, thank you Krysten for inspiring me to challenge myself and my books. 

Here are the rules:

• B solely chooses the books from my Goodreads list and/or from the shelf I mark as unread
• I get six vetoes {though I doubt I will use them all, if any}
• If I don't like the book and cannot make it halfway through I can stop reading it
• If the book is part of a series and I like it I am allowed to read the next book in that series

I am excited about this. This will help me cross a few books off my online list, and it will allow me to discover genres I think I have no interest in {but we all know I do}. 2016 will be an interesting reading year for me. I am so ready!

xo

8 Reasons You Should Cook at Home

Cooking at home can be fun. It can also be challenging and end up in a total disaster. Yes, I know, not really what you wanted to read right at the beginning. Let's be honest though, I am no cook. I may have some cooking gene in me but I am no cook and I will never be one. When I cook I sometimes fail, and often make a huge mess. However, I love food. I cannot stand chain restaurants, wanna-be restaurants {a.k.a. fast food places} or prepared frozen dishes. My love for food is real guys. I love a well prepared meal; a meal made from scratch. I love when I get as many nutrients in as possible. That being said, it is not easy to get them all in at once, let alone find an affordable place that does not rip you off with micro meals that leave you starving. So I have to cook it all myself. 

I hated the idea of cooking all the time. I wanted to get served. Yes, spoiled I know. However, I learned that cooking at home can be fun, and a great way to connect with your senses as well as with your special someone, and hey, a great way to get back in shape and feel good about yourself.

Here are a few tips on why you should cook at home {AND meal plan}...even on your worst days!!!  

1. It saves money. Literally. 

2. You could eat your favorite childhood dish every single day - just saying.
3. You can plan meals ahead of time {one week, two weeks, or even for a month} and not stress out.
4. Your partner or kids can help cook. This makes a fun date night, trust me.
5. Cooking from scratch is simply healthier!
6. You know exactly what goes into your pot and eventually mouth & body.
7. When planning meals ahead of time you become a better grocery shopper. Knowing what you need and not getting distracted by "potential deals" along the way will save you time and money! No more impulsive shopping!
8. Finding out you are creative can be rewarding. When you cook something new {Pinterest is a great help} you learn that cooking at home can be fun, very easy {don't go for a full on heavy dish that takes up half of your kitchen, budget, nerves and time!}, and that cooking is not scary at all will eventually make you feel accomplished, proud, and filled with joy. Plus, when your significant other tells you the meal was a blast and that it needs to be repeated soon you know you did well.

Are you cooking at home?

Am I the only one planning meals ahead of time or do you do that as well?

I plan our meals two to four weeks ahead of time. That way we use what we already have in our pantry and add some fun to our week by creating a new dish or so. Plus, we don't end up buying items we won't ever use.

Any fun recipes I should consider cooking next?

My favorite and easiest to make is still my one pan Mexican Quinoa Dish.

Have a fantastic day my lovelies.

xoxo

two last images via here | here