A Simpler Life...

angelpye

Tiny houses!! The dream!

JoJoC

Angelpye, you've really sold that to me! I might see if I can get a cheap version of that book on the Bay of E because my mum would love this (and needs it!!) too. She once bought a book on Feng Shui (sp?) and it was about decluttering. She read it and got rid of a ton of stuff, then gave it to me (I was about 15) and I then gutted my room from top to bottom.

It sounds like it could benefit both of us.

I have a massive double wardrobe and two built in single wardrobes that are full to the brim with stuff. I always feel like I have nothing to wear and that's probably why I'm scared to get rid of anything in case I have LESS to wear. I realise that's a daft thing to say, but I fear that's what goes on in my brain.

I have a top that my husband bought my for my 17th birthday (I'm 29 now!) and clothes from pre-kids that don't really suit my post-baby shape so I'm sure I could easily get rid of 70% of my clothes.

You ladies are really making me think! Thanks

JoJoC

jenberry wrote: »

Haha! Thank you JoJo! Normally, I would have loved being there. When I went to Ikea towards the end of last year, I was in my element, searching for things to buy and disappointed in myself when I only bought a laptop stand (which I never used) and a packet of Dime bars (which I ate on the way home, ha!) Today, I was frustrated by the four sales people who approached me asking if I needed help, and just generally annoyed by the prices (£16 for a glass!) This consumerist society is becoming quite transparent to me.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the Minimalism documentary. I particularly enjoyed the part about Tiny Houses, but not sure I could go that far in my own minimalism journey! I've added another one called 'Consumed' to my wishlist, but I've yet to justify the £2.49 it costs to rent on Amazon video (what a stinge I am!)

Wow, 15-20 pairs of jammies! That's impressive! PJs seem to be something that is easy to accumulate: I threw out probably about 6 pairs last year. Most of them were Primark thermals with silly prints on them, which I never wore. Now I rotate two pairs and that does me just fine! It's a weirdly nice feeling having the 'bare minimum' of everything.

Those tiny houses are amazingg! I was jealous but the reality wouldn't really suit a family of four with two little tearaways.

Yep, 15 pairs of jammies went in the bin and five were left. I get a pair of pyjamas every Xmas from husband's aunt and normally at least two more pairs from others which is lovely, but for every pair I keep, I should be getting rid of some. From now on, I will!

I have a Kodi box on the tv that my sister gave me, so i'll see if Consumed is on there.

angelpye

Clothes that don't make you feel good or belong to pre baby body are the worst! Its all about having clothes that suit who you are now. I love that book and although some of it is a bit unusual due to cultural views on objects I definitely will be continuing on my quest with it.

I think the way we store things is just as important as what we have - her method is about order and visibility so that you can see what you have at all times. Works well for me.

I don't think its necessary to get rid of a massive chunk as long as what you keep makes you feel good. Over time you will use up what you have as it wears out. And if you are into clothes on an identity/style level then maybe you are a 'clothes keeper' (there is an interview with Orsola de Castro about this who is from Fashion Revolution) and someone who consciously buys particular items that are not trend driven that you treat well. Minimalism is on a scale and its about finding what works best for you

JoJoC

Yes, I think that's exactly what i need - something that works for me.

Visibility is a real issue for me - we're basically living with the furniture that we have rather than what we want to have so I may need some inspiration and some fixes to get it right. But it's so true, now that I think of it I can't see anything other than what's hung up. Most of my tops are folded on the shelf underneath the hung up stuff... and I just pick what's on top to wear.

Anyway, enough about me! I'm just really interested in this stuff now

angelpye

The Kon Mari method talks about storage not really being the issue, more what you have (a good sort out and discard session) and how you use the storage you already have - I think you would like it

angelpye

Ps. Sorry jenberry to hijack you thread...

vintagegal

Hello Jenberry, how are you doing?

I've been busy ebaying and have sold £346 and have another £60 bids finishing on Saturday. I did buy a couple of cheap bras that I needed and a pinafore dress for £11.25 (bargain!) but I'm still definately in funds from that!
Will put some more things on ebay tomorrow and sort out a bag for the charity shop as well. It will be good to get some space as I'd like to decorate my bedroom this year, and I am drowning in too small clothes!

Thanks for the inspiration

jenberry

vintagegal wrote: »

Hello Jenberry, how are you doing?

I've been busy ebaying and have sold £346 and have another £60 bids finishing on Saturday. I did buy a couple of cheap bras that I needed and a pinafore dress for £11.25 (bargain!) but I'm still definately in funds from that!
Will put some more things on ebay tomorrow and sort out a bag for the charity shop as well. It will be good to get some space as I'd like to decorate my bedroom this year, and I am drowning in too small clothes!

Thanks for the inspiration

Hi VintageGal,

Great to hear from you and about your eBay successes! May I ask where you got your pinafore from? I've been looking for a nice one for ages but haven't had much success! I love eBaying, but sadly don't really have any more items to depart with (well, probably not 'sadly'!) I don't want to go overboard and then regret giving good things away.

My spending has been pretty good, apart from a couple of daft purchases through the week (ebooks and body cream, no regrets though!) My grocery budget remains about £30 a week and there have been days that have passed with me realising I hadn't spent a penny by the end of it, which is a nice feeling! I even considered taking up dog walking to earn a few extra pennies, but don't know if my work schedule will allow for that.

So glad things are going well for you vintage, keep us updated about how things sell on Saturday, it's so exciting watching your items come to an end!

vintagegal

Hello
My pinafore dress was from Sainsburys in the 25% off promotion. It's denim with a more full skirt and pockets, and has good coverage at the back. It's a nice length, I'm only short but I find some of the pinafores are really too short even on me!
Sold two dresses and a skirt today for £91. Pleased with that. I've put on 4 more things to finish next week. I will get fed up with the post office trips soon!
Hope you're having a nice weekend