Beauty

[MissMew]

I don't come to the Forums much but I'm glad I did today.

FindingMyJoy and PAlady... I have 2 tips and I'm not sure which one mentioned what so I'll just give you both a shout out.

1. I used to be a "lister". I'd make long elaborate lists and would feel so frustrated because I could never clear the list. Things kept getting added on at the bottom. I also found that I was putting things on that I had already done just to have the satisfaction of crossing something off the dang list. Which gave me an idea. Why continuously frustrate myself by making lists I know I'll never accomplish? Now I have a daily private blog where I list all that I accomplished that day. I start off with some info about the day, activities planned or appointments scheduled then I go to the numbered items that I accomplished (nothing from the general info). It is so so fulfilling to see all the little things add up. It keeps me on track when I feel like I'm just bouncing around the house.

2. I have made a firm and fast rule: if I order a piece of clothing, one piece of clothing needs to be removed from the closet and added to the ongoing charity give-away box. I also have a backlog of clothes waiting to be washed because I have way too much clothing. So, every load of laundry that gets done, something has to go in the box. If it's a load that I can't find anything I want to part with, 2 things have to come out of the next load. It never goes past 2 items. I have cleared out my bra drawer as well as the sock drawer. The undies drawer is getting pared down but they go in the trash. lol I will not donate used undies! I can also easily hang clothes on the rack which had been a real challenge until I started this plan. In the past few years, I have had numerous broken bones in my feet which has left me with sore spots and shoes that don't fit right anymore. I just cleared out my shoes and of the gazillion pairs of shoes I owned, yes past tense, I gave away approx 35 pairs. I still have a gazillion left but every shoe is comfortable and wearable and not taking up space that can be used for something else. I have started in on purses but that is proving to be a much harder project. I also have a rule there. I have 2 new, still in the packaging, Kate Spade A bags. I have to lose 50 lbs before I can open one of them and start using it. I had 3 but I have lost 51 lbs which let me open one of the three, so by the time I get to open the other 2, I'll have lost a total of 150 lbs. Bribery can be a great motivator! I can use any other bag that I have but I can't use those 2 new ones until 50 lbs comes off for each. Luckily they are a great style that will be fashionable for a long time and even if is isn't, it's now my preferred style so it will always be "in" for me.

Sorry that I've run on. I hope some of this is helpful to you and to anyone else reading it. I'm writing this after an impromptu clear out of my bathroom medicine cabinet. It looks like "Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard" now! lol

Catherine

PS: just bee - I LOVE your raccoons. They have made me laugh today!

[just bee]

On 5/1/2014 MissMew said:

I don't come to the Forums much but I'm glad I did today.

FindingMyJoy and PAlady... I have 2 tips and I'm not sure which one mentioned what so I'll just give you both a shout out.

1. I used to be a "lister". I'd make long elaborate lists and would feel so frustrated because I could never clear the list. Things kept getting added on at the bottom. I also found that I was putting things on that I had already done just to have the satisfaction of crossing something off the dang list. Which gave me an idea. Why continuously frustrate myself by making lists I know I'll never accomplish? Now I have a daily private blog where I list all that I accomplished that day. I start off with some info about the day, activities planned or appointments scheduled then I go to the numbered items that I accomplished (nothing from the general info). It is so so fulfilling to see all the little things add up. It keeps me on track when I feel like I'm just bouncing around the house.

2. I have made a firm and fast rule: if I order a piece of clothing, one piece of clothing needs to be removed from the closet and added to the ongoing charity give-away box. I also have a backlog of clothes waiting to be washed because I have way too much clothing. So, every load of laundry that gets done, something has to go in the box. If it's a load that I can't find anything I want to part with, 2 things have to come out of the next load. It never goes past 2 items. I have cleared out my bra drawer as well as the sock drawer. The undies drawer is getting pared down but they go in the trash. lol I will not donate used undies! I can also easily hang clothes on the rack which had been a real challenge until I started this plan. In the past few years, I have had numerous broken bones in my feet which has left me with sore spots and shoes that don't fit right anymore. I just cleared out my shoes and of the gazillion pairs of shoes I owned, yes past tense, I gave away approx 35 pairs. I still have a gazillion left but every shoe is comfortable and wearable and not taking up space that can be used for something else. I have started in on purses but that is proving to be a much harder project. I also have a rule there. I have 2 new, still in the packaging, Kate Spade A bags. I have to lose 50 lbs before I can open one of them and start using it. I had 3 but I have lost 51 lbs which let me open one of the three, so by the time I get to open the other 2, I'll have lost a total of 150 lbs. Bribery can be a great motivator! I can use any other bag that I have but I can't use those 2 new ones until 50 lbs comes off for each. Luckily they are a great style that will be fashionable for a long time and even if is isn't, it's now my preferred style so it will always be "in" for me.

Sorry that I've run on. I hope some of this is helpful to you and to anyone else reading it. I'm writing this after an impromptu clear out of my bathroom medicine cabinet. It looks like "Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard" now! lol

Catherine

PS: just bee - I LOVE your raccoons. They have made me laugh today!

Where have you been hiding? We need to hear from you more often!

[Caffeina]

I still haven't bought any bath & body or home fragrance products since mid-July 2013. I have such a large stash it's going to take a long time to get through it all. I haven't bought any cosmetics either, except for some items I ran out of. My goal is to not have any stashes.

Although I've been doing well with my no-buy, I've been getting more frustrated with all my unnecessary stuff, and have been making an extra effort throwing away and donating. I've been having trouble finding space for things that I do need to keep. I'm thinking about having a yard sale to unload a bunch of candles, for cheap too so I get rid of as many as possible. I'll only keep the ones I really really love.

I'm not doing the ORC, but just tackling parts of different rooms when I'm in the mood. The bed in one of my spare rooms had been piled with all kinds of stuff for the last five years. The other day I cleaned all off, and the room looks so nice now. Nothing but pillows on the bed. Wish I had taken before and after pics.

Next I plan to work on the closet in the spare room. It's packed with clothes I haven't worn in ages. They don't even fit. There's at least 25 pair of jeans, and they take up a lot of space. Maybe 10 or so years ago I donated 14 pairs of jeans. It's time to let more go.

To those who've had trouble hanging on the the bandwagon, hop back on and keep trying. I promise you it gets easier the longer you stay on. I passed on the Sofia Vergara fragrance. A year ago that would have been impossible!

[just bee]

On 5/1/2014 Caffeina said:

I still haven't bought any bath & body or home fragrance products since mid-July 2013. I have such a large stash it's going to take a long time to get through it all. I haven't bought any cosmetics either, except for some items I ran out of. My goal is to not have any stashes.

Although I've been doing well with my no-buy, I've been getting more frustrated with all my unnecessary stuff, and have been making an extra effort throwing away and donating. I've been having trouble finding space for things that I do need to keep. I'm thinking about having a yard sale to unload a bunch of candles, for cheap too so I get rid of as many as possible. I'll only keep the ones I really really love.

I'm not doing the ORC, but just tackling parts of different rooms when I'm in the mood. The bed in one of my spare rooms had been piled with all kinds of stuff for the last five years. The other day I cleaned all off, and the room looks so nice now. Nothing but pillows on the bed. Wish I had taken before and after pics.

Next I plan to work on the closet in the spare room. It's packed with clothes I haven't worn in ages. They don't even fit. There's at least 25 pair of jeans, and they take up a lot of space. Maybe 10 or so years ago I donated 14 pairs of jeans. It's time to let more go.

To those who've had trouble hanging on the the bandwagon, hop back on and keep trying. I promise you it gets easier the longer you stay on. I passed on the Sofia Vergara fragrance. A year ago that would have been impossible!

[aprilskies]

MissMew, welcome, I had to LOL about you being a "lister." That is me in a nutshell. I make them, barely cross anything off, they get longer, I Don't feel like I am accomplishing anything, I add things I did do just to cross them off (this one gave me such a giggle so true), then I eventually take things off that really aren't important, try to target certain ones, determined to make phone calls I need to make, don't feel like making them, they stay on the list, Omgosh, I could go on. So funny. I do still keep them because unfortunately I am extremely forgetful and it does help me remember what I need to get too. It actually has showed me, as I am trying to be more mindful, that I blow off even the important things and I am trying to work on that. As far as the shredder, I have gone through so many that I just don't buy one now. Don't have a good suggestion. This is a great thread, glad you have joined.

[aprilskies]

My May goals, attack paperwork 15 mins at a time, make my kitchen cabinets more functional, just continue to let go of things everyday/every week, really limit the beauty products I buy this month. I have added a lot these last few months and now it's a matter of incorporating them, plus I really don't want to get back to where I have been. I think I am going to do the sharpie date thing and mark these products to be aware not only how long it takes to use but how old something is getting especially since I am bad at using. Good luck in May.

[PAlady]

MissMew - My list not going to be an extensive list, I own few dress clothes. But the list will include what I have so when I do have to dress up (that is not very often for me) I can just go to the list and see what I have. You know how it goes, out of sight out of mind. I also haven't bought much lately ( not loving what is out there), but these are clothes that have just been hanging there and I have been just too lazy to do anything with them. So now they will be off to the youth home and hopefully someone will wear them.

Also, welcome to the thread.

just bee - Love the raccoons.

Love the Au and Ag - I would still open the mail, you never know what may be in it. I have almost thrown a few important papers away because I wasn't going to open an envelope. If you go to an office store, they have a larger and better selection of shredders. Just note, the better the shredder the more expensive. but they are worth it.

Off to get some caffeine and do something constructive. Have a good day everyone.

[Squirrel Lover]

On 5/1/2014 just bee said:

On 5/1/2014 dperry said:

Well, I decided to get the BB TSV and it arrived today and I am glad that I did! I actually like all of the products!

Cue the harp music!

That is so funny just bee. I actually needed eyeshadow because my Dior eyeshadow quint is over 4 years old and I finally hit the pan.

[MissMew]

PAlady - something else that might help you, not so much remember what you have but what you have that might work for a specific situation is to take pictures of what you have and place them in a notebook. When you have a particular event, pull out your notebook and start sorting your pieces until you've put together an outfit that works for you. Be sure to include shoes, jewelry and other accessories. It doesn't have to be a big notebook - even 4 x 6 inch file cards would work, or even just printing out your pictures on 4 x 6 inch photo paper that you could easily sort into categories and place in a file box. I have a couple of photo albums that have pockets that photos slide into and I think that would be a great place to store your pictures. What gave me this idea is seeing articles in magazines showing a dress from this designer and shoes from that one, etc etc. Picking up your photo album to review when you're watching TV one evening or while you're waiting for dinner to finish cooking would be a good way to keep your inventory fresh in your mind and give you an opportunity to "play" with your clothes, putting together outfits that maybe you hadn't thought of before. Just a thought.

Catherine

[Eager2Learn]

Hey everyone! Welcome to those who are just joining!

Another month is here, a chance to recommit.

As usual, this month's goal is to have less coming in than going out.

For this month's ORC: I need to re-organize my files! I received the Freedom Filer (it really is a handy system). I emptied two 2-drawer file cabinets of files and supplies into 5 boxes. I purchased and made up the folders that I think I'll be needing. Now the hard part. I'll be sorting, shredding, recycling or refiling all those files! This is a tedious process because everything has to be checked for SSNs, account numbers, etc. I'll try to do a little each day. It'll be so good when it's done.

Stay strong!