I have what seems to be a billion envelopes: polka dots, plain, with cats, bears, apples, etc. I will most likely not send out that many letters over the next couple of years.

I’ve already shared out my stationery a couple of times, but I still have lots. So I’m thinking that envelopes could be useful in more ways than just sending a letter.

I’m thinking of:

-pasting a couple on the inside covers of notebooks I’m currently using to hold small notes, receipts, business cards, etc.

-using envelopes for projects: I tend to write lots of random notes everywhere about various topics/projects. Instead I could write the project on the envelope, and gather up anything related to it in the envelope itself, and then just trash the whole thing once I’ve completed it.

-using envelopes to stash other things, such as coupons, calling cards, photos, stickers, stamps, photobooth photos so I can find them easily when I need one for some admin, shopping lists, to-do lists, etc.

-use them for smallish, flat gifts: not every occasion requires a gift, but sometimes it’s just nice to hand over a little something at the end of coffee date. I’ve started doing that with my good friend (who’s leaving soon! cry) and she’s always really happy about it. A few teabags, a sachet of bath salts, a sheet of cute stickers (bonus points if they’re for nails), a single use sheet face mask, a small packet of sweets, a flat chocolate bar, a small notebook, sachets of spices… There must be more! 1 week ago

5/6/13 I used up another bottle of the body mist.

5/4/13 I purchased 4 skeins of yarn yesterday. I’ve used some more and haven’t been diligent about noting it. I finished off yet another pad of paper and 4 candles.

Revised list
.
lotion (23 bottles -4 = 19)
soap (56 bars -41 = 15)
writing paper pads/packs (160-155 = 5)
candles (204-151 = 53)
body mist (6-5 = 1)

skeins of yarn =
.....618 (12/23/11)
-17=633 (11/01/12)
-01=632 (11/17/12)
-07=625 (11/25/12)
-03=622 (11/27/12)
-01=621 (11/28/12)
-10=611 (12/12/12)
+ 1=612 (12/18/12)
– 8=604 (12/23/12)
-18=586 (12/25/12)
– 3=583 (02/14/13)
– 3=579 (02/17/13)
– 2=577 (02/18/13)
– 1=576
+ 4=580 (02/19/13)
– 3=577 (02/24/13)
– 2=575 (03/02/13)
+ 5=580
– 2=578 (03/18/13)
– 2=576 (03/27/13)
– 4=572
+ 1=573 (04/10/13)
-1=572 (04/14/13)
-9=563 (04/29/13)
+4=567 (05/04/13)

First post 8/11/10 2 weeks ago

Currently using:
-MVNE strawberry and rose body spray (Burberry perfume doesn’t smell good on me, so it’s in the giveaway bag, and the Hermes scent is unisex but doesn’t really suit me either so husband will use it)
-aloe gel from Nature Republic
-three tubes of L’Occitane hand cream is various stages of use
-facial skincare samples
-camellia oil as cleanser

-Not sure about make-up; just have fun and swap colours and looks every day, or stick with one and try and “hit the pan”? The former is more appealing, but the obsessive in me really wants to finish things up. Ditto nail polish. I’ve collected way to many to get through in the forseeable future, but I love collecting empties. At least I’ve stopped picking new ones up and adding to the situation.

-Wore some clothes recently that I hadn’t worn for years. I have a bad habit of not wearing things I like and just throwing on the same old worn-out stuff, probably because I dont have to iron it or I’m not too worried about how I look most days. (Truthfully, I really do care.) Anyway, yesterday’s unloved top is a keeper and is in new condition so that’s cool.

The donation/throw out pile is still in the corridor; I want to go through it again to separate the things that can go to the Salvation Army and the things that need to be thrown away. Must resist temptation to salvage things, but I did a pretty good job putting things in there that didn’t fit well, made of cheap-looking fabric, or just the wrong colour or look. 2 weeks ago

- Another tube of toothpaste. Six left.
- A bottle of Selsun Blue. I have four of these left. This shampoo was the only thing that cured my itchy scalp.
- A bottle of olive oil I was using as a make-up remover and cleanser. Cheapest, best cosmetics item I’ve ever used. I’ll never buy a make-up remover again.
- Various samples.

Also working my way through my teas, wearing clothes and accessories I rarely/never wear. 3 weeks ago

A few pens ran dry, a couple of notebooks got used up.

Bottle of body lotion, Elseve shampoo & conditioner: empty. The classic Nivea in the shower didn’t work out, it doesn’t mix with water at all so it’s gone to live on my desk at work.

Threw away two bras that had given up the ghost.

Going to be doing a lot of osusowake this weekend, which is the Japanese term for making small gifts by sharing things you have: a cute envelope filled with stickers, a package of crafting supplies, a tin with some sweets, whatever you think that person would like. The person knows they are receiving osusowake, it’s a special kind of gift where you empathically say that what’s yours is theirs. I have a feeling that might be the way for me to go in regards to this stationery monster I’ve accumulated. 4 weeks ago

Trip to the goodwill today and got rid of the following

-xmas gifts I have not used (bag & scarf)
-2 books I havent used
-old shirt, sweater (beyond faded), old blanket

I was reading a minimalist blog and it had an interesting article about the fantasy you and the real you (e.g. the fantasy me has a casbah like house covered with pillows and persian rugs – real me has a small 570 sqft apt)which helped me cut down on things.

http://www.missminimalist.com/2011/08/declutter-your-fantasy-self/ 1 month ago

Finished Babydoll by YSL perfume. Nostalgic scent for me, used to wear it when I met my husband. I collected a few bottles of various scents at a time when I wasn’t too careful with money. I’ll be wearing “Le Jardin du Nil” by Hermes from tomorrow.

Slowly using up my other products. Nearly finished a bottle of lotion (using the shower technique, slathering it onto wet skin; it takes a few seconds and feels much nicer than applying on dry), then I’ll take a small tube of classic Nivea into the shower stall to use up. After that, I’ll just have one tub of moisturizing gel left.

So pleased I’m finally getting my money’s worth out of all these products. Will NOT be doing that again.

Brought various cleaning products back into rotation too in the kitchen and bathroom; will be switching to homemade non-toxic formulas when I finally finish them up. 1 month ago

Ended up donating the shirts, I wore them for a couple days and then they found their way to the back of my closet again. Out they go. 1 month ago

4/29/13 Today I used a skein of yarn and gave 8 skeins to a student. I finished off another pad of paper and 2 candles.

4/26/13 Maybe I should start referring to the goal as “increase what I have”. I was given 9 skeins of yarn yesterday and I’ve finished at least that many in the last week. I’ll keep it at 572 until I do a recount. I’ve knocked off another pad of paper.

4/17/13 got rid of another bar of soap.

4/14/13 I finished off another body mist on the bed linens. I’ve also finished off another skein of yarn.

4/10/13 I purchased a skein of yarn and I’ve used 4 skeins. I’ve also used another pad of paper.

Revised list
.
lotion (23 bottles -4 = 19)
soap (56 bars -41 = 15)
writing paper pads/packs (160-154 = 6)
candles (204-147 = 57)
body mist (6-4 = 2)

skeins of yarn =
.....618 (12/23/11)
-16=621 (10/06/12) at most
– 3=618 (10/21/12)
– 2=616 (10/28/12)
-17=633 (11/01/12)
-01=632 (11/17/12)
-07=625 (11/25/12)
-03=622 (11/27/12)
-01=621 (11/28/12)
-10=611 (12/12/12)
+ 1=612 (12/18/12)
– 8=604 (12/23/12)
-18=586 (12/25/12)
– 3=583 (02/14/13)
– 3=579 (02/17/13)
– 2=577 (02/18/13)
– 1=576
+ 4=580 (02/19/13)
– 3=577 (02/24/13)
– 2=575 (03/02/13)
+ 5=580
– 2=578 (03/18/13)
– 2=576 (03/27/13)
– 4=572
+ 1=573 (04/10/13)
-1=572 (04/14/13)
-9=563 (04/29/13)

First post 8/11/10 1 month ago

Burt’s bees face cream
L’Occitane shower gel

Slowly chipping away. Going to take a bag of notebooks into work tomorrow. I always need those. 1 month ago

Burt’s bees cocoa body butter
Molton Brown body lotion
a big pot of cold cream
two mascaras
Burt’s bees carrot body lotion
one of many half-used tubes of toothpaste (7 to go)
Burt’s bees cuticle cream
Burt’s bees almond hand cream
Burt’s bees therapeutic hand cream (yeah, I’m really moisturized these days)
another two lip balms
two more packs of bath salts (just three packets to go)
shampoo/conditioner combo I won’t repurchase

I’ve started to use products that I’ve neglected for a while so hopefully I’ll feel less wasteful on that front (lip/cheek tint, another couple of lip balms, a body lotion, etc.)

On the non-consumable front, I’m putting my body brush back into use, I used some gift-wrapping for a coffee-break snacks gift (it’s sad but I just don’t have that many occasions to give cards and gifts; CLEARLY, I need to make more friends), I’m wearing accessories more often, and I’m rotating my shoes a bit more.

Cooking this weekend’s meals from the pantry. 2 months ago

-1 sweater, 1 vest, our old tea kettle, a book have gone

*Really need to review the closet again but i feel like i love the things in it though i also enjoy some of the new fashions that have come out…soo since Im not growing another closet i need to either prune out old things or find another solution * 2 months ago

3/27/13 I finshed off another 2 skeins, a body mist bottle and a pad of paper.

3/18/13 I got 4 skeins (and a bunch of little balls)of yarn Friday and have used 2 skeins. I’m going to count the smalls as 1 skein since they weigh a total of 5.3 ounces. I’ve used another candle and another pad of paper.

3/2/13 I’ve used 2 more skeins of yarn and finished off another pad of paper.

3/1/13 I completed 3 more skeins of yarn.

Revised list
.
lotion (23 bottles -4 = 19)
soap (56 bars -41 = 15)
writing paper pads/packs (160-151 = 9)
candles (204-145 = 59)
body mist (6-3 = 3)

skeins of yarn =
.....618 (12/23/11)
+ 9=637 (09/11/12) or maybe a lot less
-16=621 (10/06/12) at most
– 3=618 (10/21/12)
– 2=616 (10/28/12)
-17=633 (11/01/12)
-01=632 (11/17/12)
-07=625 (11/25/12)
-03=622 (11/27/12)
-01=621 (11/28/12)
-10=611 (12/12/12)
+ 1=612 (12/18/12)
– 8=604 (12/23/12)
-18=586 (12/25/12)
– 3=583 (02/14/13)
– 3=579 (02/17/13)
– 2=577 (02/18/13)
– 1=576
+ 4=580 (02/19/13)
– 3=577 (02/24/13)
– 2=575 (03/02/13)
+ 5=580
– 2=578 (03/18/13)
– 2=576 (03/27/13)

First post 8/11/10 2 months ago

Finished the BB antibac lotion in my purse!! This is a small victory but that thing lasted forever, Im now onto the BB coconutlime antibac lotion!! (heres to hoping that it goes more quickly!) 3 months ago

I didn’t note what I managed to finish over the last few weeks/months. Toiletries take a long time for me to finish. I know I finished:
a pot of face/body cream (Steam Cream),
a perfume (Feerie by Van Cleef and Arpels, very nice but not repurchasing when I’m done with my perfumes—switching to essential oils eventually)
a tub of salt body scrub
a tub and tube of hair packs
half of my assortment of bath salts
a sample size face care set (ROC; realised how much I dislike that toxic smell that these face care products have… It’s part floral, part… I don’t know…)
a Burt’s Bees orange cleanser face wash (loved it)
a tube of hand cream (L’Occitane shea)
a lip balm

Despite dotting around my office supplies in a bid to use them up, they’re not really wittling away that fast, so I guess I won’t need to buy any for the rest of this year at least.

Used up most of the paper bags for recylables and various foods that were close to expiring from the pantry and that I’d had for a long time (freeze-dried tofu, mixed cereals, tea).

Took some artisan Japanese beer and sake cups out of their boxes and we’re now using them every day.

Set up the tatami room as a gym; dug out the kettlebells, hand weights, flexball, etc., and set them all out to use.

Put a spare hair-dryer (packed away in a box for a few years) next to my bed so that I can dry my hair before I sleep. I usually keep my hair wrapped in a towel for a couple of hours after my shower so it works out better for me that way, otherwise I’ll sleep on it wet and wake up to a crazy hair day. 3 months ago

3/1/13 I completed 3 more skeins of yarn.

2/24/13 I completed 3 skeins of yarn.

2/19/13 I purchased 4 skeins of yarn and completed one.

2/18/13 I used 2 skeins of yarn and finished off another bar of soap.

2/17/13 I used 3 skeins of yarn and knocked out another of the bottles of body mist as a linen spray. This time I finished off Orange Spice and started on Vanilla Frosting.

2/15/13 I used the last piece of paper from a pad.

2/14/13 I was surprised to discover that I hadn’t made any notations this month. I’ve been using up yarn and candles. I’ve used 5 candles and 3 skeins of yarn. I know I’ve completed one pad of paper, however, my husband gave me another that he received in the mail. I’ve given away yarn, and I didn’t keep track of how many skeins have left.

Revised list
.
lotion (23 bottles -4 = 19)
soap (56 bars -41 = 15)
writing paper pads/packs (160-148 = 12).
candles (204-144 = 60)
body mist (6-2 = 4)

skeins of yarn =
.....618 (12/23/11)
– 2=598 (08/01/12)
+ 6=604 (08/03/12)
– 2=602 (08/05/12)
– 1=601 (08/08/12)
– 1=600 (08/09/12)
– 1=600 (08/12/12)
– 2=598 (08/14/12)
+27=625 (08/24/12)
+ 3=628 (08/21/12)
+ 9=637 (09/11/12) or maybe a lot less
-16=621 (10/06/12) at most
– 3=618 (10/21/12)
– 2=616 (10/28/12)
-17=633 (11/01/12)
-01=632 (11/17/12)
-07=625 (11/25/12)
-03=622 (11/27/12)
-01=621 (11/28/12)
-10=611 (12/12/12)
+ 1=612 (12/18/12)
– 8=604 (12/23/12)
-18=586 (12/25/12)
– 3=583 (02/14/13)
– 3=579 (02/17/13)
– 2=577 (02/18/13)
– 1=576
+ 4=580 (02/19/13)
– 3=577 (02/24/13)

First post 8/11/10 3 months ago

So post-xmas clean-up happened, feeling a bit bad about getting so many things (+ boxing day purchases) so went through the wardrobe again
Out
-2 shirts, a purse, a scarf (tag still on), a dress that fits badly,
a dress that is very old, nightgown
-2 books
-3 dvds, 1 CD

-Taking hand soap off the list as have only 2 extra and Mr. D has one extra for himself so we are good there
Determined to keep my clothing count normalish – given that I will be moving again in 7.5 months
I think these regular purges are great so I think I may do an apartment purge every 2 months… 4 months ago

1/21/13 I finished another bar of soap.

1/13/13 I received a package of 6 bottles of body mist for Christmas. I don’t use them as body mist. However, I am using them as linen spray. I have finished the first one, cherries jubilee, today.

I finally got around to counting how many candles I’ve used. I’ve used a total of 139 candles since I first realized that I had waaay too many back in 2010 (2 years & 5 months ago). I’ll be more diligent about counting how many I use.

1/9/13 It is January and I am using up some of the things that I’ve acquired in the past. I’ve used up another bottle of liquid soap and I’m taking that off as an item for me to use up. One bottle in use and one spare. I gave another skein of yarn to my daughter.

Revised list
.
lotion (23 bottles -4 = 19)
soap (56 bars -40 = 16)
writing paper pads/packs (159 -146 = 13).
candles (204-139 = 65)
body mist (6-1 = 5)

skeins of yarn =
.....618 (12/23/11)
– 1=625 (06/04/12)
– 2=623 (06/15/12)
– 8=615 (06/20/12)
– 3=612 (06/23/12)
– 2=610 (07/03/12)
+ 2=612 (07/05/12)
– 1=611 (07/05/12)
– 1=610 (07/13/12)
– 4=606 (07/15/12)
– 4=602 (07/16/12)
– 1=601 (07/21/12)
– 1=600 (07/22/12)
– 2=598 (08/01/12)
+ 6=604 (08/03/12)
– 2=602 (08/05/12)
– 1=601 (08/08/12)
– 1=600 (08/09/12)
– 1=600 (08/12/12)
– 2=598 (08/14/12)
+27=625 (08/24/12)
+ 3=628 (08/21/12)
+ 9=637 (09/11/12) or maybe a lot less
-16=621 (10/06/12) at most
– 3=618 (10/21/12)
– 2=616 (10/28/12)
-17=633 (11/01/12)
-01=632 (11/17/12)
-07=625 (11/25/12)
-03=622 (11/27/12)
-01=621 (11/28/12)
-10=611 (12/12/12)
+ 1=612 (12/18/12)
– 8=604 (12/23/12)
-18=586 (12/25/12)

First post 8/11/10 4 months ago

of this year of course.

12/25/12
I got to teach my step-daughter how to crochet today. She tried to learn when she was in her teens and didn’t. Now, at 35, she picked it up in an hour. When I’m teaching someone, I like to work the same pattern they are using so that the student can see what I do. Christy made three 5-round granny squares and I made three. I also gave her 18 skeins of yarn!

12/23/12 – last week I gave away 2 skeins of yarn and completed 6 more. Then I bought one skein of yarn at the thrift store. I also used a pad of paper. In the meantime, a well-meaning friend gave me 6 bottles of body mist in fruity scents and a pad of paper. I’ve decided to use the body scent as linen spray and I began today with Cherries Jubilee. I burnt some candles and can’t remember how many. Until I actually count them again, I’m going to only consider one completed. I emptied one bottle of liquid soap. When I empty the next bottle of liquid soap, I’m going to quit counting, because I’ll only have a spare and the one being used, so I will no longer see a need to keep track.

12/12/12 I gave away 4 skeins of yarn; used up 6 skeins of yarn; got another scented bar of soap as a gift; finished up 2 pads of paper.

12/3/12 I try to add a new message to edit each month. How did I miscount my bar soap? I didn’t count some in the upstairs bath. So, used one and found 3 more.

Revised list
.
lotion (23 bottles -4 = 19)
soap (56 bars -39 = 17)
liquid soap: (45 bottles -42 = 3)
writing paper pads/packs (159 -146 = 13).
candles (204-74 = 130)

skeins of yarn =
.....618 (12/23/11)
– 1=625 (06/04/12)
– 2=623 (06/15/12)
– 8=615 (06/20/12)
– 3=612 (06/23/12)
– 2=610 (07/03/12)
+ 2=612 (07/05/12)
– 1=611 (07/05/12)
– 1=610 (07/13/12)
– 4=606 (07/15/12)
– 4=602 (07/16/12)
– 1=601 (07/21/12)
– 1=600 (07/22/12)
– 2=598 (08/01/12)
+ 6=604 (08/03/12)
– 2=602 (08/05/12)
– 1=601 (08/08/12)
– 1=600 (08/09/12)
– 1=600 (08/12/12)
– 2=598 (08/14/12)
+27=625 (08/24/12)
+ 3=628 (08/21/12)
+ 9=637 (09/11/12) or maybe a lot less
-16=621 (10/06/12) at most
– 3=618 (10/21/12)
– 2=616 (10/28/12)
-17=633 (11/01/12)
-01=632 (11/17/12)
-07=625 (11/25/12)
-03=622 (11/27/12)
-01=621 (11/28/12)
-10=611 (12/12/12)
+ 1=612 (12/18/12)
– 8=604 (12/23/12)
-18=586 (12/25/12)

First post 8/11/10 5 months ago

12/12/12 I gave away 4 skeins of yarn; used up 6 skeins of yarn; got another scented bar of soap as a gift; finished up 2 pads of paper.

12/3/12 I try to add a new message to edit each month. How did I miscount my bar soap? I didn’t count some in the upstairs bath. So, used one and found 3 more.

Revised list
.
lotion (23 bottles -4 = 19)
soap (56 bars -39 = 17)
liquid soap: (45 bottles -41 = 4)
writing paper pads/packs (158 -145 = 13).
candles (204-73 = 131)

skeins of yarn =
.....618 (12/23/11)
– 1=625 (06/04/12)
– 2=623 (06/15/12)
– 8=615 (06/20/12)
– 3=612 (06/23/12)
– 2=610 (07/03/12)
+ 2=612 (07/05/12)
– 1=611 (07/05/12)
– 1=610 (07/13/12)
– 4=606 (07/15/12)
– 4=602 (07/16/12)
– 1=601 (07/21/12)
– 1=600 (07/22/12)
– 2=598 (08/01/12)
+ 6=604 (08/03/12)
– 2=602 (08/05/12)
– 1=601 (08/08/12)
– 1=600 (08/09/12)
– 1=600 (08/12/12)
– 2=598 (08/14/12)
+27=625 (08/24/12)
+ 3=628 (08/21/12)
+ 9=637 (09/11/12) or maybe a lot less
-16=621 (10/06/12) at most
– 3=618 (10/21/12)
– 2=616 (10/28/12)
-17=633 (11/01/12)
-01=632 (11/17/12)
-07=625 (11/25/12)
-03=622 (11/27/12)
-01=621 (11/28/12)
-10=611 (12/12/12)

First post 8/11/10 5 months ago

I went to my first clothing swap, which was somewhat effective in helping me get rid of some accessories (purse, gloves, necklace, earrings) I no longer use. On the other hand, I came home with 1 tank, 1 pant, 1 capri, and 1 sweater. So what I lost in accessories I gained in clothes. Also black friday purchases include, 1 pair of fuzzy pants, 1 bra, 1 sweater…soo not so hot in that department either. Sigh.

I felt a bit bad b/c Im serious about the idea of minimalism but clothing seems to be my weak spot. I’ve def. reduced what I bring into the house in other areas but this continues to be a challenge. 5 months ago

This turned out to be by far my favorite goal and after filing it I found that bad habits crept back up on me. I guess that having this list is the best thing I can do to stick to it. Things that I ended up buying that I could have done without: office supplies, nail polish, lipsticks, foundation primers, face care sample kits, eye pencils, stationery.

To the other people on this goal: think twice before marking it as “completed”.

I’ve got a few beauty products that aren’t the best for my skin—they either cause small breakouts or make my face look greasy, so I’m using them for other purposes. My neck doesn’t seem to get spots, so I use them for that or randomly on my arms or shins. It doesn’t seem to matter!

I need to have a massive declutter and tidy up, so I’ll have a clear idea again of things I don’t need to even consider buying. 5 months ago

11/28/12 1 more skein of yarn is finished.

11/27/12 3 more skeins of yarn have bitten the dust.

11/25/12 I’ve used up another tube of lotion, and given one away. I finished off a skein of yarn while practising a new pattern. Packaged up 4 skeins to give away and completed 2 other skeins. I’ve also burned 2 more candles.

11/17/12 I’m using up some of the many candles I have. Last night I burned 7 candles at one time, today another. My grandkids loved it. I gave away a skein of yarn to one of my students.

11/11/12 I used up another bottle of liquid soap and the lotion I had in my purse.

11/2/12 I got 17 skeins of yarn from my sister, left at my mother’s house. I’ve also used up several skeins in the process of making 2 afghans, so it may be a close swap.

Revised list
.
lotion (23 bottles -4 = 19)
soap (52 bars -38 = 14)
liquid soap: (45 bottles -41 = 4)
writing paper pads/packs (158 -143 = 15).
candles (204-73 = 131)

skeins of yarn =
.....618 (12/23/11)
– 1=625 (06/04/12)
– 2=623 (06/15/12)
– 8=615 (06/20/12)
– 3=612 (06/23/12)
– 2=610 (07/03/12)
+ 2=612 (07/05/12)
– 1=611 (07/05/12)
– 1=610 (07/13/12)
– 4=606 (07/15/12)
– 4=602 (07/16/12)
– 1=601 (07/21/12)
– 1=600 (07/22/12)
– 2=598 (08/01/12)
+ 6=604 (08/03/12)
– 2=602 (08/05/12)
– 1=601 (08/08/12)
– 1=600 (08/09/12)
– 1=600 (08/12/12)
– 2=598 (08/14/12)
+27=625 (08/24/12)
+ 3=628 (08/21/12)
+ 9=637 (09/11/12) or maybe a lot less
-16=621 (10/06/12) at most
– 3=618 (10/21/12)
– 2=616 (10/28/12)
-17=633 (11/01/12)
-01=632 (11/17/12)
-07=625 (11/25/12)
-03=622 (11/27/12)
-01=621 (11/28/12)

First post 8/11/10 6 months ago

I read a lot of blogs about various different things, but one happened to be a makeup blog with a series called one more try before good bye. The idea being giving items you’ve neglect another shot at redeeming themselves before getting rid of them.

Instead of applying this to makeup (which I’ve been steadily using up for the past two months) I decided to go through my wardrobe. I came up with four long-sleeved shirts I just don’t wear for whatever reason.

I’m going to wear them around for the next couple of months or so and make a final decision as to whether or not they are an item I will wear normally. If this works out well I may have found a new way to declutter my wardrobe! 7 months ago

10/29/12 I just found another B&BW lotion as I worked on decluttering an area of my bedroom.
10/28/12
I’ve done a complete decluttering of my downstairs bathroom today and realised that I have way more lotion than I knew. Turns out there are 18 bottle of lotion. Almost all of them were purchased from Bath and Bodyworks, this year. I do so love that store. Even though I keep lotion in my handbag, by my bedside, by my living room chair, in my car and on my desk, obviously, I can’t use 18 bottles in the next year. I can, however, use some and give some as gifts.

Today, I learned my sister has left a lot of yarn at my mother’s house to let me have or to donate to my niece. oh, my! I feel myself salivating.

10/21/12 I have been continuing to use whatever I can to make my home more spacious. Of course, I also keep purchasing books and yarn. With the financial limits I’ve placed on myself for the last part of the year, I’ve managed to reduce the incoming items.

Revised list
.
lotion (23 bottles)
soap (52 bars -38 = 14)
liquid soap: (45 bottles -40 = 5)
writing paper pads/packs (158 -142 = 16).
candles (204-83 = 121)

skeins of yarn =
.....618 (12/23/11)
– 1=625 (06/04/12)
– 2=623 (06/15/12)
– 8=615 (06/20/12)
– 3=612 (06/23/12)
– 2=610 (07/03/12)
+ 2=612 (07/05/12)
– 1=611 (07/05/12)
– 1=610 (07/13/12)
– 4=606 (07/15/12)
– 4=602 (07/16/12)
– 1=601 (07/21/12)
– 1=600 (07/22/12)
– 2=598 (08/01/12)
+ 6=604 (08/03/12)
– 2=602 (08/05/12)
– 1=601 (08/08/12)
– 1=600 (08/09/12)
– 1=600 (08/12/12)
– 2=598 (08/14/12)
+27=625 (08/24/12)
+ 3=628 (08/21/12)
+ 9=637 (09/11/12) or maybe a lot less
-16=621 (10/06/12) at most
– 3=618 (10/21/12)
– 2=616 (10/28/12)

First post 8/11/10 7 months ago

After realizing that all 5 of my current workout bottoms all have issues with them I decided it was time to replace them. The elastic was stretched out on four of them, leaving them hanging on my hips and threatening to fall off completely. The other pair had developed a couple of holes.

I purchased two new pairs of jogging bottoms (I only really wore two of my previous ones) and chuck the rest into the recycling bag. Now I have clothes that fit and more wardrobe space. Win win! 7 months ago

2 books to goodwill and on a strict ban from buying household decorative products until we settle into a home for longer than a year.
However, the new city has great shopping…I think that will be tough. Also, I’ve noticed that when xmas comes, I shop for me alongside everyone else. I may have to watch for this. 7 months ago

I’ve decided to file away this goal. I’ve developed much better habits and self-awareness, and a heightened sense of gratitude for what I have.

I’ve opened every box, drawer, cut off tags, broken seals, dug out old things and I’m in the process of either donating or using or at least finding a good spot for things that I do need. I’m accessorizing more, taking better care of my self, shopping less, repairing things. There is still room for a lot of improvement though.

I’ll probably set up more specific goals that are related to this topic as it will be an on-going theme in my life. 7 months ago