Holidays

Holidays always make things better. 

We are coming up on my favorite time of year, fall. The leaves change colors, football games, holidays coming up, and most importantly if you live in Texas...weather getting cooler. 

Last year about a week before Halloween we moved to New Jersey. It wasn't a permanent move, just a few months for my husband's work. My mother had spent a lot of time working on my daughter's chicken costume and when we moved it went unused. It's been hanging in the closet since. We tried it on this morning to see if we could use it this year. It fits!! Just a few minor adjustments need to be made. Now we're trying to figure out a matching costume for the little one. 

Me and my daughter flew home shortly before Christmas. On a side note I will NEVER fly home by myself again pregnant, and with a two year old. It was quite possibly the worst experience I've ever had. I was sick, having to maneuver a stroller, car seat, luggage, and my daughter around with no help from anyone. Cudos to the flight attendants that just stood there watching me struggle. 

We had a pleasant surprise waiting for us when we got home however. Our house had been decorated for Christmas. Tree up, gaudy lights around the porch, fake Santa on the kitchen counter...the whole nine yards. It was so nice to not have to worry about it. I hadn't planned on decorating since we had been gone but I didn't even have to worry about it. 

I'm looking forward to decorating this year. I'm hoping it'll be the last year were at these apartments. I don't mind renting, but apartment living is for the birds. As we are nearing the end of September I'm already thinking of decorating for fall for the porch. I already have hay bales and fall sunflowers (both leftover from our wedding). Wanting to maybe diy a wreath for the door. A few pumpkins around and call it done. Then to start thinking about Christmas. 

I've been dealing with a lot lately and I'm in real need of a joyous holiday season. I've been told we're moving forward but it is really hard to see that right now. It just seems like our baby steps are microscopic right now, but I guess at least they are still steps. I just wanna take this time to thank all my friends and family that have helped us lately with everything. We really appreciate everything and I don't know how we'd make it without y'all. After the nervous break down I had yesterday I KNOW I wouldn't make it without the support I have. 

De-Clutter

Most people do a Spring cleaning but not many do a Fall Clean-Out. Fall means many things, cooler weather, football games, school starting, and garage sales. What better time than fall to clean out old clothes, toys, and general household items. 

The kids get new school clothes so its the perfect time to get rid of the old, worn out, and too small. Plus it gives you a chance to pack up summer items for next year. When doing this remember that some items won't fit your child next year when it's appropriate weather to wear the outfit so it should be pulled out of the wardrobe. 

Consignment shops are a great place to get rid of unwanted, good condition items and earn a little cash toward new clothes. They are also a great place to purchase clothes for the kiddos. They grow so fast there is no sense buying expensive new outfits they will wear a few months before outgrowing. 

I've just recently gotten into consignment shopping. I've bought things before but never turned in items until this weekend. I brought in some sippy cups and bottles and got a little money to put towards something else. I will be taking some of the girls outgrown clothes to the shop when they are accepting spring and summer items again. 

I did a closet clean out yesterday with Kadees closet and Dylan's box of clothes. (We are using an old diaper box to store Dylan's clothes since they are little and we need to access them easily and quickly).

Today was a closet clean out for mine and hubby's closet.

I once saw a tip to turn all your hangers the opposite direction on January 1st. By July you should have made it through all the clothes you regularly wear and anything still left with the hanger facing the other direction should be pulled from your wardrobe. There are exceptions to this rule however. Coats, special occasion items, or sentimental clothes should stay unless you no longer need them. I will be using this method this next year but in the meantime I'm paring down our wardrobes to what I know we regularly wear. 

Before:

This is the before pictures of our clothes. 

I also plan on redoing my wardrobe basics list soon. You don't need a ton of clothes to have something to wear. Actually having more options makes things more difficult, thus the saying "I don't have a thing to wear". When you pare down your wardrobe to the basics and mix and match you'd be amazed at the number of outfits you can come up with.

After:

These are the few shirts my husband needs to go through. 

I will be getting some formal/wedding dresses dry cleaned and take them to the consignment shop soon as well. They aren't needed anymore and take up valuable closet space. 

This is the small pile of "get rid of" items I pulled from our wardrobe. 

Over the last year I've pretty much gotten all of our other household items down to the necessities. So there isn't much left to get rid of but anything that can't be consigned can be sold at garage sale. Donate everything left after a weekend sale. It's a tax write off and it'll make you feel good about yourself. 

De-cluttering your home will not only give you extra space but it can actually eliminate some stress in your life. By simplifying things there is less to worry about, clean, and store. Fall Clean Out is great for making room for those holiday decorations you'll be putting up soon and the holiday gifts you'll be buying and receiving. 

I remember growing up we always had to clean our rooms right before Christmas Eve at my memaw's so there would be room for all our toys. I take this to a whole new level with cleaning OUT before the holidays. Your children don't need a ton of toys to have fun, be happy, or even love you. In fact the same goes for toys as clothes. The more options they have the more they play with the toys. Too many options and some toys will get shoved in the bottom of the toy box not to be seen again until they are too old for it. A waste of hard earned money for whomever bought the toy. With fewer toys there is less to cleanup as well, making it easier for your children to clean. 

So as the seasons change and you are starting to think about the holidays, football games, and campfires remember it's time for your Fall Clean Out. 

The basics: 1. Fewer items provide more options 2. Consign, sell, donate whenever possible. 3. Enjoy the new and worry less about the old. 

This will also make spring cleaning easier too.