Closet Conundrum

I am a big fan of frugality and organization.  I read blogs, Facebook posts, Twitter feeds, all about how to be frugal and save money.  I have come across many posts about clearing clutter in your house and cleaning out your closet.  I blogged earlier about a post that was inspiring here. 

Now, there are two views about closet management that I am pondering. 

1) Clear out everything that you don't wear, don't like, doesn't fit.  That's what the previous post was centered on.  The premise is to open your closet, pick out anything on a hanger, and be able to wear it, and love it.  Easy and simplified.  This makes total sense to me.  There are often things I have bought or have hung on to that I simply don't and won't wear.  Example: I bought a pair of tight fitting, light blue, textured pants in high school, out of impulse. They were not the right fit, definitely not my style, and I have no idea why I bought them.  But because I did, they inhabited my closet for way longer than they should.  Mostly out of guilt.  I didn't want to get rid of something I had hardly worn.  So ridding my closet of those things that were a bad impulse buy, something someone gave me that I will never wear, or things from the 1990s - this I agree with. 

However, this is view number 2) While you should get rid of anything you absolutely won't wear, keep items you like that are a size up or a size down.  If you are anything like me, I often vary in sizes throughout the year.  While I am working at being healthier, and hope to decrease a couple sizes, I have to wear clothes for where I am now.  For work especially, I have tried to invest in good quality clothing that will last for a while such as basic pieces like slacks, shift dresses, and foundation pieces.  I have spent good money on these clothes, so if I am a size smaller now, I don't want to get rid of those basics now, because I might need them at a later time during the year.  The same is to be said about a size smaller. It is not frugal to get rid of everything a size bigger, then down the road, gain a size and have to buy those pieces again.  I am talking about 1 size down or 1 size up, however.  This does not apply to that dress I wore my freshman year in high school.  I will not ever have the body I had then, even if I am a similar size.  Also, that was 12 years ago. 

I also try not to buy super trendy items, or at least limit them.  Trends change too often to keep up.  If you have good basics, adding accessories that are trendy can change up your looks.  So you can take a basic dress and add a cardigan and scarf, or a statement necklace and wedges and have two totally different looks.  That is frugal!  Making your wardrobe flexible and adaptable, so you don't have to buy as many clothes. 

So I think my closet philosophy is currently this: toss or sell anything I don't like or won't ever wear, but keep those basic pieces of clothing, even if they are a size different. I have limited closet space, but also limited closet funds, so a balance between the two views is perfect for me.  

What is your closet philosophy?

One Year Later...

In my last post, I told you that I would start blogging more often.  Well, more than one year later, it seems that I lied.  Not on purpose mind you.  Life happened.

So, rather than go back and fill you in on all that happened in that year, which would take entirely too long, I will simply pick up on where I am now.

I have since left the banking industry and began a new career in higher education.  I learned so much from banking, but I am enjoying this new opportunity.  It is so great to be back on campus where I went to college.  And now they are paying me to be here! I have always said I would go back to college if they paid me.

It is a slower pace, especially now that it is summertime and all the students are gone.  I am finding new ways to occupy myself in the down times.  I have read three or four books this month.  I have missed that!  I will need to budget book money now, however.  The free Kindle books are never quite as good as those from my trusted and well-acquainted authors. I am also trying out a new money-saving/making website, Swagbucks.  I am on day two, and have over 1,000 bucks.  That roughly translates to a $10 gift card.  Not too shabby.  It not hard and most of it is earned through things I already do on the internet, like searches and surveys.  If you decide to join, use this link and I get a 10% credit for a referral, plus Swagbucks will make a donation to end child hunger. Not a bad deal.

I am considering getting a Master's Degree while I am here.  Well, I have pretty much decided to do so - the university will pay for me to take 6 credit hours a semester, so it's basically free - but I just need to get over my fear of taking the entrance exam.  I'm not sure whether it's the test itself or the $200 fee that makes me nervous.  I signed up to take one earlier this year and totally freaked out about it and wound up not taking it.  Sigh.  So I need to get my courage up and take it in June or July if I want to start the program this fall.

My sister is getting married next month!  I am very excited for her.  She has waited a long time for her perfect someone.  Not that he is perfect, but I think he is perfect for her.  I am sad that she will be moving, to the place we just moved from!  Can't ever seem to get everyone in the same place for long!  That's a symptom of growing up it seems.

I am always striving to live in the present, to "Be Here Now," as the bracelet I am wearing is trying to remind me. I am loving being married and spending time with just the two of us.  We want to have a family one day soon, but the time isn't right for us right now, so we are still growing together and getting to know each other more and more.  He is back in school striving to finish his degree.  It was a transition for both of us, going from full-time work to school, but he was very successful in his first semester back to school in 4 years.

I am all about budgeting here lately.  Going from two incomes, down to one plus a little loan money has been a challenge.  But, in the process, we have paid down some debt, and are working on our other debt.  I have started using the cash envelope system for all our spending minus bills.  It has worked very well so far.  It took some adjusting, but I am much better at estimating what amounts we will need for which categories. I love reading about and talking about budgeting.  So if you are interested, ask me!  I would also love to know what is working for you and your family.

I guess I have babbled enough for today. Hopefully this will be more often than was stated in the previous post!

Five years of blogging under my belt

Looking at my blog today, I realized that I haven't made a post in 2014. So here's to the first one of the year. Never mind that it is May already. I also noticed something else as I was browsing: I haven been blogging for almost 6 years. My first post was in 2008 at the age of 19. It's crazy to think of everywhere I've been and everything that has happened since then. 

Blogging has always been an outlet for me. Whether it was to share happy things that happened or to let off steam for something not so great that was going on. I don't rely on it as much as I used to, because I have my husband to talk to about most things. But still a girl needs her creative outlet. And internet space to let out all those crazy ideas that don't seem so crazy when fleshed out in type. It's also a feeling of being heard. Even when there is no response, just feeling like you have said your piece is settling. 

So I shall do better about continuing my blogging. I usually don't do too much during lunch breaks, so they shall be blogging breaks. 

So until tomorrow, adieu. 

Simplify

Such an easy word.  Everyone knows what it means, but do we know how to live it?  I sure don't.  Or at least I haven't been.  I read a very interesting blog post last night, called The Happy Closet.  I found it on Pinterest, pinned by one of my friends.  It was about purging and simplifying your closet. You can find the series of blog posts here. Be sure to scroll to the bottom and start with Part 1. 

The premise of the posts is to purge all the things from your closet that you don't wear, don't like, think you should keep because it was expensive, or you wore 10 years ago.  This may seem like a simple, "duh" concept, but what she is proposing here is to purge all the crap to get to the clothes and accessories that you LOVE. Not clothes you think you need, or even just like a little. The purpose of the purge is to create a closet where every piece in that closet makes you feel beautiful and happy.  Also, getting to the point where you are so happy and content with your closet, that you don't want to go out and purchase more and more items.  That's the part that really got me.  The lady who wrote the post has not purchased any items for her closet in 2 years.  That seems crazy, right?  Well, for most of us, we have enough clothes that would last us 5 years at least.  Now, she isn't saying that you don't have to replace items now or then, or to never ever buy anything new.  Just to stop buying into the lie that us women have to buy the latest fad, the "look of this season," or any other gimmick that clothing retailers and fashion magazines sell us. 

What this means for me:  I have tried in the past year to not hold on to stuff I don't want/need/am emotionally attached to for no reason.  I am trying to start this concept in my closet, and then apply it to my whole house.  As for my closet, I don't have a ton of clothes that fit me.  I have gained some weight in the last year, which made my wardrobe shrink considerably.  I am starting in 2014, eating more healthy and trying to get my weight down.  No crazy diet, just mainly portion control.  So, I will start by going through my closet (again) and getting rid of those dresses and skirts that I wore in high school or early college.  I might one day fit into those sizes again, but they are worn out or completely not my style anymore.  I am also going to get rid of anything that is 2 or more sizes too small.  I plan to lose the weight, but dropping a ton all at once is not realistic.  If it happens for some reason, I can replace with new sizes. 

Another thing to tackle: accessories.  I have about 3 jewelry boxes FULL of jewelry.  Some of it is really nice. I will hold on to the pieces that I love, and give the other nice pieces to my mother and sister.  The other stuff is just that: stuff.  Cheap jewelry that I got at places like Walmart, Claires, and Target.  A lot of it is worn out and can be tossed. 

Purses, bags, and shoes are the kicker for me.  I always think I might need them, even if I haven't touched them in a year.  I will really have to knuckle down on those.  

I really don't think I will stop buying clothes and accessories in the near future.  I am at the point where I am establishing my sense of style.  I have been out of college a couple years now, so I am slowly starting to change from jeans and t-shirts into a style that is more me.  I have a professional job, so I have to dress for that.  And on my off days, I find myself wanting to wear more than just jeans and a t-shirt.  So I plan to add to my wardrobe.  I will try my best to do it judiciously, though.   

I feel like getting rid of all the clutter and unneccesary material things will help simplify my life.  It will be less to take care of and more time to focus on those things that really matter.  I hate doing laundry, after all. :)

Homeowners!

In a few weeks, we will officially be home owners!  We spent months budgeting, looking, stressing, and researching before we finally decided that we should buy a house. It's a huge responsibility, but we think it will pay off for us in the end. I can't wait to move in our little blue house.  I feel so grown up! Married and buying a house. 

I had lunch with a college friend on Sunday. We try to catch up about every month or so. We were talking and reminiscing about our college days. I can't believe  it has been 6 years since I started my freshman year of college. Woah. We both miss college and the experiences and freedom we had. I even miss the school part. I felt like I was good at school. Like it was something I excelled at. There aren't too many things in my life where I feel that way. If someone offered to pay me to go to college, I would in a heartbeat. 

All that being said, I wouldn't want to change my life now. I love being married. I always thought it would suit me, and it does. I love the fact we are buying a home together and love the excitement that brings. I love life know, and am excited for things to come. I try my hardest to be grateful for where I am in life. 

Blogger App

I have discovered the blogger app for my iPhone. Maybe I will blog more often now. Taking out my laptop is a hassle since it cannot be unplugged, or it dies immediately. Also, a good many of my ordinary life pictures are on my phone. Phone cameras are just so handy.

Here are a few pictures from the last couple weeks.

To keep, or not to keep?

I just encountered a bit of a dilemma.  Just a couple of days ago, I unpacked one of the last boxes from the most recent move.  I had been stubbing my toe on it in my closet for too long.  Among the contents of the box were several notebooks of various size and color.  These are my diaries or journals from when I was younger.  I think I started journaling when I was 10 or so, and it lasted until later high school.  My dilemma is what do I do with these notebooks now?  They are filled with all sorts of personal thoughts and feelings and random happenings in my not too event filled adolescence.  I don't know that I would like anyone else reading them, at least not while I'm still alive.

My mother has a journal from her mother around age 16.  I know this is very special to my mom, because her mother died when she was a baby.  It provided a look into her life that my mother never would have had otherwise.

So, to keep, or not to keep?  That is the proverbial question.

Finding Beauty and Meaning in the Ordinary

I had one of those moments tonight where I felt overwhelmingly blessed, special, and insanely happy.  It's that feeling that drowns all doubts, fears, and worries, and lifts your spirits like nothing else.  I am so very blessed in this life.  I feel like the luckiest girl in the world and wonder how I ever came to deserve the beautiful people and things I have surrounding me.

I was watching a movie tonight about a couple, and the girl was an artist.  She had photographs of her husband in very ordinary situations.  Just snapshots of them doing their normal routine at home.  I consider photography a hobby, but I have recently said to myself, I don't go anywhere or do anything where I can take pictures.  So I put those two thoughts together.  Why not take pictures of how my life looks now?  It's these kinds of memories that make the biggest impression with me.  Time spent laughing, goofing off, doing dishes together in the kitchen, taking the dog for a walk, getting ready for bed- all things that seem ordinary, but things that when put together, are the substance of life.  Sure, weddings, graduations, family gatherings are all important and memorable, but why save those photographs for those times only?

So I have given myself a challenge.  I want to capture beauty and meaning in the ordinary.  I don't know how much of an artist I am, but I feel like I will learn to appreciate the little things more if I do this.  So here goes.

Filling in the Blanks

It's been a long time since I posted.  So very much has happened that I can't go back and recap everything.  I'll just hit the highlights.  I'm hoping in the new year to blog more.

The most important change has been my last name!  J and I got married on December 8th.  The ceremony was absolutely beautiful.  Not everything went perfect (I lost his ring before the ceremony, there was a mix up with the groom's vest, and the pastor didn't say the vows I gave him) but despite those little setbacks, I had a wonderful day.  It was an amazing feeling to become J's wife and for him to become my husband.  It also meant the world to me that almost all the important people in my life were there for me.  I was missing one important person, and am still sad that he wasn't there, but it was still a beautiful day.  All the little details seemed to fall into place and it was wonderful.

I appreciated so much everything everyone did to make it a wonderful day.  My mom and sister being there for me and being with me through the day meant so much.  I was glad my dad was there too.  

I think I learned a few things about this whole wedding business.  Not that I can go back and redo it, but maybe I can pass along a few pieces of advice to the next bride.  

Don't try to do everything yourself.  That's pretty much what I did.  I didn't delegate all the projects I had or trust pretty much anyone to help me take care of the little details.  It was overwhelming at times to think of everything I had to do.  I didn't know how to ask for help or tell anyone how to help me.  The episode with losing the ring could have been avoided had I given it to my maid of honor to keep up with like you're supposed to.  I had so many things going on in my head that I missed that one little but very important thing.

I did have my mom handling all my apparel and my bridesmaids apparel, so that was a huge relief.  She sewed all of our dresses and they turned out amazing.  She is one amazing and talented lady. 

We had a lot of fun on our Honeymoon.  It was the first time J and I have taken a vacation together, just us.  I loved spending one on one time with my new husband and not worrying about other stuff. I just finished making a Shutterfly book with all the photos I took on the honeymoon.  I am so very excited to get our wedding photos back too!  I have seen 4 of them that the photographer has posted on her blog.  So far, this one is my favorite.  

J is working today (Christmas Eve) and tomorrow.   My family won't be in the state until Wednesday, so I'll go see them this weekend.  It is a weird feeling to be alone on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  I have never had to do that before.  Last Christmas was weird enough because I didn't see my family Christmas Day.  This is worse, not being with anyone.  I don't love that with J's job he has to work holidays sometimes.    Not just part of the day, but 12 hours.  I know it's an important job, but I miss him at times.  I know that it's not the actual day that makes the time with family special, it's just gathering and spending time together.  But I will still miss my family tomorrow.  Can't wait to see them this weekend. 

Merry Christmas everyone.  Cherish those new memories made and special times spend with those close to you, no matter what day it is.

  

Flash to the Past

Lately I have become fascinated with 1950s fashion.  I actually am fascinated with the whole era.  Besides loving the fashion, I love the fact that women were women. REAL women.  They were strong, classy, and beautiful.  I want to be like that.

How gorgeous is that? 

You can't get classier or more beautiful than Grace Kelly in my mind.  I love, love, love pearls.  They wore them with everything.  I have a three strand pearl necklace from my grandmother that I adore.  Though they're not real, I think they came from that era.  I need to find the perfect outfit to wear them with. 

Especially with my job now, where I wear khakis and a t-shirt and work with lots of people younger than me, I feel like I look very young.  I don't want to look older than I am, looking my age would be great.  Maybe if I can incorporate some of the 1950s style in my wardrobe, I can look a bit older. 

I found an article on the internet today that describes why I like the 1950s so much. http://modernretrowoman.com/2011/06/07/seven-reasons-i-love-being-a-1950s-style-woman/  

Working on my Photography

I decided to do something with some of the pictures I've taken that I like. So I put together an online photography portfolio.  You can find it here. Check it out. Feedback is much appreciated.

Wedding Update

So where am I in the wedding process?

Wedding venue: Check.  Chapel of Memories at State reserved and payed for.

Reception venue: Check.  Ballroom in the Union reserved.

Catering: Check. Talked with MSU Catering. Will submit order in the fall.

Dress: Check.  Picked out fabric for my dress (only took 2 hours... haha).  I love what we've come up with. Too bad I can't post pictures here (not that future hubby reads my blog, but just in case).  My mom also made a mock up of the patter to see if it worked with my shape (which will hopefully be a smaller shape come December).  It will look great.  So the actual construction of the dress is the next step.

Undergarments for dress: I've got those picked out. Just have to order.

Shoes: I found fabulous maroon shoes. So excited!

Jewelry: Still in the works.

Bridesmaid dresses: Next on the list.

Job!

I am finally employed again after almost three months and many job applications.  It isn't the job I thought I was going to get.  I had interviewed with one company three different times.  I kept calling to see if the position had been filled, and it hadn't, so my hopes kept high.  It seemed like a perfect job for me- entry level, great pay and benefits, and something I could really see myself doing.  But it had been almost two months since my first interview.  Then another offer came along.  It wasn't ideal, and it payed less, but it was more than I was making at the time (nothing).  So I called the first company one last time and explained my situation.  They basically said they weren't able to hire anyone right now.  So I accepted the other offer.  I'm just so glad to be employed again.  I'll work hard at this and hopefully it will be a good experience.

Cheaper than Therapy

I tried at the beginning of the year to start blogging about crafts, recipes, and photography so that maybe my blog would get noticed.  There's a company that shows your blogs to other companies so that maybe they would want you to publish a review of one of their products.  Well, I tried that for a while, but I decided that's not what my blog is for.  It's awesome that other people make money on blogging.  Not many, but some.  My blog is more like therapy.  I don't have many regular followers, but I don't really blog for other people.  I do it for me.  There's just something about venting to a computer screen.  I hope in expressing what I'm feeling or describing what's going on in my life, if someone reads it, it will help them too.  Or at least be entertaining.  But it's really my cheap therapy.

That being said, I haven't been blogging as much as I used to.  I'm not sure exactly why.  It's not for lack of free time.  As of yesterday, I had been unemployed for over 2 months.  I had plenty of free time.  It's not that everything in my life is hunky dory.  I've still got my share of difficulties.  Whatever the reason, I decided it's time to blog again.

Bit by Bit

I've started making more progress on the wedding planning.  I picked up and dusted off that wedding planning binder that I bought and cracked it open.  I actually started writing in it this time.  All I need to secure the reservation at the chapel is to mail in the paperwork.  Ceremony site: done!

I have pretty much decided that we're going to use the student union ballroom for the reception.  It's just across the street and we can really make it look great without going overboard.  It's affordable too!  The only thing I worried about was that MSU dining had to be the caterer.  I don't have many references for them, but it does make another decision very easy!  So I think I'm ok with that.  So I've just got to call them Monday and book it.

Next on the list:  Photographer, Bakery, Florist.

Too Many Options!

Update on last week: Goal failed. The weather kinda put a kink in things. Will try again next week!

Tonight I got on a wedding planning kick.  I started looking at guest lists, venues, bridesmaids dresses, tuxes, flowers, cakes, etc.  I have concluded that there are entirely too many options and ideas out there.  I am a very visual person, so I look for pictures of things I like and add them to www.pintrest.com. You simply must check out this site.  It has so many ideas for crafts, recipes, weddings, clothes, and more. It's addicting.  I have my own "boards" here. Feel free to check those out as well.

I have been engaged for almost five months and I feel like I haven't done much with the planning. I do have almost 11 months left to plan, though.  We finally set a date (yay!) for December 8, 2012.  I booked the Chapel of Memories on Mississippi State's campus.  It's a gorgeous little chapel and it means something to both of us.  We met and started dating at State, so it's fitting. So that's two things down.

My mother and I have been hashing out wedding dress ideas and designs.  She's going to make my dress!  I'm very excited about this.  Even though I will have to wait a while to see myself in the finished product, it will be so special and definitely worth the wait.

Just Do It!

While I'm waiting for the Benadryl to kick in and quiet this noisy brain of mine, I thought I'd take a minute to write.
No, this isn't a post about Nike, but I think their slogan works nicely for where I'm going with this.
Too many times in this life have I over thought and over analyzed an idea or situation and in the end gave up or talked myself out of it. I will never accomplish any goals or get anywhere in life if I keep doing this! I have to "Just Do It!"
Now I'm not saying you shouldn't think about things before you act. God knows this has saved me from embarrassment and mistakes many, many times. But after you consider something, act!
I have been saying far too long that I need to lose weight. I need to cut the high sugar and carb intake, drink more water, and get off the couch. I know this and have weighed all my options, but I fail to act. My wedding is in 358 days. I refuse to not look and feel my best. I will act.
I will set small goals each week so I don't drown in a sea of disappointment and failure. My goal for next week is to walk 4 days and not to drink sodas. I think it's attainable. No, it IS attainable.
I am hoping that this plan will help me feel better about myself and will motivate me to do other things I want/need to do.
Question: What motivates you?

Exciting Changes!

So you might have noticed that I've made some changes to the ole blog.  How do you like it?  I've decided that my blog needs a bit of direction.  I hope that in the process, maybe I'll get a clue about what direction my life is going in.  I want this blog to be less about what's happening to me and more about what I'm doing. Instead of being the receiver, I want to be the doer.  I hope to focus more on my hobbies and talents.  Things like photography, cooking, crafts, and the like.  Anything I happen to be doing at the time.  So, let's hope this works.

I would also like to ask a favor of those reading.  For the sake of a little research, please post a comment if you read this post.  Something as simple as "I read it!" will do nicely.  It can be anonymous if you prefer.  I'm just trying to get an idea of how many of you are out there.

Thanks!

I'm a big girl now....?

Well, a good bit has happened in the past few weeks.  I'm engaged now. :)  I'm very happy and excited about it.  I haven't really started planning the wedding.  Haven't talked about it much either.  Has a lot to do with all the stress right now.

I've been on the road for three weeks doing my job.  It's a lot different than I thought it would be.  I'm not so sure I'm doing a good job.  I don't like being away from home.  There's a good bit of stress involved.  I'm not competitive or sales-minded.  I don't like working 13 hour days or sometimes longer. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I accepted the job.  Oh wait, I just wanted a paycheck.  I was ready to get my own apartment and be self sufficient.  It hasn't worked out so well and now I just feel stuck.  Sometimes I think I'm really dense.

I have come to dread two weekends every month.  My Love works every other weekend.  His work schedule combined with mine doesn't work together very well.  Weekends we spend together are amazing.  I don't want to do anything other than be with him.  Weekends he is working are long and often boring.  I travel all week, so the last thing I want to do on the weekends is travel more.  So I stay home.

I want things to be different.  But I don't know how to change them.

Constantly Moving

I thought I would update everyone on what's been going on in the past couple of weeks. I have started week three of training. I'll be in Nashville and then Portland this week. Last week was Charlotte. I'm so very tired of planes, airports, shuttles, delays, and layovers. Not to mention hotels and eating out every meal.

Each week is physically, emotionally, and mentally draining. We are given so much information that at the end of the day I couldn't tell you my name. Doing my presentation in front of my directors last week was so stressful. Not to mention missing my guy. I hate leaving. It sucks so bad to be gone for 8 or 10 days straight with not much time to even talk on the phone.

I have all my stuff in my new apartment thanks to my amazing sister. But I haven't had a chance to even get things put away. It's bugging me. I would much rather stay home this week and next to get it all settled.

I went this morning to get my car title and tag, car insurance, and my MS driver's license. I'm officially a MS resident again. Yay!!!

I'm stuck at the gate with our flight delayed. Lovely. Have I mentioned that I hate flying?