Time To Purge?

I have had a take a break from my volunteer job ever since Mother's Day for some personal reasons, but before I left we were getting a huge amount of donations. So many people had SO much free time and you could clearly see that they chose to spend that time going through their things and getting rid of things. We got much more that we even had room for. And I am sure they are continuing to get that volume of donations.

So today I wanted to as the question: 

Is this a good time to purge our closets? 

I don't think there is a definitive answer to this question, but I wanted to spend some time sharing a few thoughts I have had lately. 

Last year I spent a decent amount of time thrift store shopping. Sometimes I even wondered if I might be going way to often. Truth is I didn't always buy stuff. If I did not find things I loved - I would leave empty handed. But like I said I went a lot. Now I am VERY thankful that I did. Especially since I have hardly been able to thrift store shop the last 4 months or so. Although thrift stores are open 99% of them make you wear a mask or have the dressing rooms closed. And I do NOT like buying clothes without trying them on. You can not truly see how they will work for you unless you try them on. So it is SUPER hard to even get clothes right now. And with all the stuff going on in the world - and our issues with China and since many things are made in China - it could very well become increasingly harder to find clothes. 

So I think it is a good idea to go through our clothes and organize them to what fits nicely and all now. And if things are damaged or just positively wrong - as in too short or what ever - my suggestion is that maybe you might want to hold onto your clothes just in case. I think it is going to be harder and harder to replace clothes and it just might be a great time to hold off at least for a bit. This shut down/ regulations mess is lasting way too long and there is no telling when it will be over..... if it ever is. So what I have chosen to do is to just hang loose for a bit and take good care of the clothes I have. Help them to last for a good long time. 

If things clear up - we will all have plenty of time and energy to go through and get rid of stuff if need be - especially if we are able to find some great replacement piece. But for the time being it might be a good idea to hold onto things you may want to wear in the future. :O) 

Trying it for free

Last week - I was blessed with a free skirt. It is in a style I would normally not wear. I probably would have never bought this. But since it was free- I have actually worn it. And I think once it gets a bit cooler around this part of the country - I will really enjoy this skirt. 

The reason why I probably would not have bought it is because it is a layer skirt. And normally they are not that flattering. But I think it is because this skirt lays pretty flat is what helps it be a bit more flattering than most layer skirts. 

I am thankful for the chance to get to try this style for free. It adds another piece of denim to my wardrobe - and I just don't know if you can ever have too much denim...lol

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So one day this week I decided to go through my toppers and see what all I have and how they all fit. It was a really good thing that I went through them. It had been a LONG time since I had seen what I had and had forgotten about a couple the things. As I tried stuff on, I was happy to find things that had been tight last time I tried them on fit a lot better. Even my husband noticed that when I went and showed him a couple of things.

It's a really good idea to know what you have in your wardrobe so you don't end up going out and buying something that is very similar to what you already have. I was very glad I went through and tried stuff on and organized it. I guess I am really getting ready for the next season to arrive. Summer hangs around so long around here- actually too long it seems. I notice many people talking about their fall clothes and showing the outfits they are wearing and I am over here in Texas wearing my capris and sleeveless tops - spraying pumpkin spice room spray - trying to stay cool enough. I even plan to get my fall stuff out and decorate soon. Maybe that will help Fall feel more wanted and appreciated and want to come sooner! A girl can hope. lol :O)

Never Goes Out of Style

Denim is something that seems to never go out of style. And I am so happy it doesn't because I love Denim. Some of the hardest things for me to let go of on this journey with weight loss has been to let go of my jumpers. I had a black jean jumper and a blue one- totally different styles. I loved them and enjoyed wearing them. But they are gone now.

Thankfully I found this denim jumper in the things I had packed away. I will be the first to say that it is not the most flattering denim jumper that I have had. But I am choosing to wear it and enjoy it until I get into the other denim dresses I have found.

I am keeping my eyes open when I go shopping to see if I can find great denim dresses/jumper that will fit me. I don't want to spend a lot of money on things that fit me now - because it will be temporarily used. Here is what I have found so far:

This first one is a Carolina Blues brand dress that I found the end of May. It was originally $6.99 at GW that I have just discovered in a town about 30 plus minutes away. The day I was shopping the purple tags were on sale - 50% off - so I was able to get this dress for only $3.50! What a bargain! To be honest - it has been challenging to find denim dresses/jumpers - and when I do to find one in my size(to be size) is even harder. Oh and to find one that I really like on top of all the other things.

This next one I found at the beginning of March. This dress even though the tag said 6.99 - and it was not a sale day I still got it for a bargain! I had a Goodwill punch card that gave me $10.00 off my purchase. I was able to get this great dress and a pair of black Danskin  capri length. And the awesome thing - is that they had pockets- so I can use them to exercise in and get credit for my movements!! Both of these for free!!

So last week I found another great piece of denim!!

When I shop I continue to keep my eyes open for lovelies in denim- because I wouldn't mind adding another one or two or.....to my closet. Well I do need a black one to replace the one I had to let go of... lol 

Monthly Clothing Report

So for the months of Jan and Feb - a grand total of $8.98 was all I spent on clothing. Well obviously by my above photo - I have had better luck this month.

So I decided instead of lots of individual photos I would post it like this. I only figured this out because on my phone photos - it was set up like this so I took a photo of what was on my phone screen and then edited it. But I am quite happy with how it turned out. The colors are not always true to product - example of that is the two blue top and then cami.

OK so the first photo - I just wanted to show you my cute little pen I found a few weeks ago - it's one I share with the granddaughter- the little body comes out when you are going to write and then pop up and disappear if you aren't. She helped me write out information in my binder in my purse - until I thought how heavy she was and found a pencil.

Ok - I am not even sure ya'll are interested in knowing how much each thing cost - if not - then next month I will leave that off - if anyone has any feelings either one way or the other - let me know.

I will go left to right - starting with the first row:

Bill Blass capris - these cost $3.93

Then we have a like new pair of Faded Glory capris $7.57- these were actually gifted to me.

The top on the right - is a Catherine's brand top- it was half off and I only had to pay $2.24 for it. On the hanger it is not as impressive as it is on- I have worn it and got a compliment on it. I think that navy blue is one of my best colors to wear.

Next row:
Grey St. John's Bay top- this was $4.94
(the top two buttons seem to have a problem staying buttoned - I am planning on going in and sewing that closed so that it can stay modest and look nice)

The next one is a Beverly Drive sleeveless slinky top- $3.93
(this is a great top for church and I will wear with a black skirt that I have)

Next one - Faded Glory - this was new with tags- tag stated a price of $11.97 but I only paid $5.45

Cato- sleeveless top - New with tags - price of 19.99 crossed off and had a price of $13.99 printed. but I only paid $6.56

Bottom Row:

Avenue sleeveless top with a lace panel down the front- New with tags - tags said $34.00 but I only paid $3.73

Cato's brown cami with lace - $1.91
(this cami will be worn with the cato sleeveless top - unless I sew a panel of lace in where it goes too low in the front)

Apt. 9 turquoise cami $3.93

Last but not least:
a pair of Cato jeans - with white stitching - $4.94
(I have worn these and absolutely love them!!)

Not pictured is a black half slip - $2.99

So a total for the month of March is $ 44.55

Sounds like quite a bit but when added to the previous things bought for the year- $8.98 for a total of $53.53 - when dividing into 3 - for the 3 months of the year - it equals about $17.84- which is actually more than some people spend on one piece of clothing.

I will be continuing to look for summer clothes and also short sleeved tops. - so hopefully I will have some more luck!

Monthly Clothing Report

 So at the beginning of the year I shared about my Record Book. I decided to create a record book in order to help me see how much money I spend on clothes each year. It has also helped me to be more particular with what I buy which is a very good thing. It just really helps me to really think about each purchase and make sure that I really like the items. In fact on the same shopping trip that these two tops were found - I also found 2 other tops. They had great designs on them that made me really like them. The color of them were great - red and purple. But as I really thought about them - I realized that the fabric that the tops were made of would really not work for me, so I put them back. And as I think back over it, I really am glad that I put them back.  

 

These two tops are the first things I have bought this year. 

 

So on this last day of February I am sharing with you all the clothing that I have bought this month.

 

About 2 weeks ago I went to a local Goodwill. While I was there I found 2 brand new/ with tags still on them - Liz and Me tops- they were only $4.49 each.   

 

I don't know if you can tell in the photo, but one thing that I love about this black one is that it has gathers at the sleeve - which make them kind of puff- makes the top more feminine. It also has some little gems that shine in the sunlight.  

This green one also have some of the gems. Please excuse the face that in these photos that the tops look a bit wrinkly. They are really nice tops. I was thrilled with that find. It's great to pay less for 2 tops than what most people pay for 1 top!

 

So there you have it - the clothing that I have bought this month.

One More Reason

Today I want to share one more reason to try clothes on before you buy them. When you try things on - you will notice not only how the item fits you - but it will give you the perfect opportunity to really check the piece of clothing over. You will find the answers to many questions like:

 Are all the buttons there?

Does the zipper work?

Does the snap work?

Are there any stains?

Are there rips?
Has the item been altered from the size it says it is? I have come across this on several occasions. 

If you don't try the item on - you might miss something that is wrong with the item. So take the time - try it on. You will be glad you did.

Really Look It Over

There is something else important that my sister and I have learned while thrift store shopping. And it is something we have learned from experience.

It is a very good idea to really look over each piece of clothing that you are thinking about buying. We have learned from experience that people donate clothes with stains, holes, and even clothes that they have altered that may not work for us.

And of course, it is a great idea to try things on. There have been many times that because we tried a piece of clothing on - we have noticed a stain or hole that we may have missed had we not tried it on. Also button - buttons and zip zippers. Sometimes clothes come with extra buttons - so if it is missing a button you may be able to replace it with one sewn into clothing elsewhere. And sometimes it would work to just replace all the buttons.

Having a bad zipper is a harder fix indeed - so be sure and make sure they work.

One more think to take notice of is the design on the top - check it out. I bought a cute top once that was really cute. It even had new tags on it! I though I had gotten a great deal. Once I got home - I noticed that on the back by one of the arms there was a distinctive flaw in the design. I was disappointed. That is why I say be sure and just really look each item over.

Many times thrift stores have policies that once you buy the item you can not return it so check those clothes out before you buy them. You will glad you did.

One Simple Trick

Today I want to share an important thing to remember when buying clothes used. It will seem very simple but many do not do this one simple trick.

I believe for a long while I missed out on some great items because I did not try stuff on. Mostly because of what size the time said it was. But one time I was shopping with my sister and she pulled out a pair of really cute jeans and said, "hey try these on. I think they will fit you." When I looked at the jeans, I noticed that they were a size smaller than what I wore. Well thankfully I listened to her and tried them on. They fit and I learned something important that year, I learned that a size in one brand may be called another size in another brand.  I also learned that over time some brands have actually changed how they size things. I know for sure that both Wal-mart and K-mart have done this. Because of these reasons it is important to keep an open mind and when looking for clothes- be sure and try them on- especially the things you really like. You may be surprised at what you find! I know I was! In my closet right now I have several different sizes of jeans and tops and that is ok - as long as the items fit me and I like them.

So remember - be sure and try things on. You may find favorite pieces just because you took the extra time to try stuff on. Also you will see how it fits you and that is a great thing. Not all things are made the same. And just because one things fits you good doe not mean that everything will.

Holding out for Favorites

Over the years my sister and I have learned to hold out for favorites when it comes to buying clothes. By that I mean that when we are shopping we try hard not to buy something just because it will do. We want what we buy to be things that we love.

In years past we didn't do such a good job with holding out for things that we loved. Many times we would get things because they meant a certain criteria. One main criteria for tops that I buy are tops that are long enough. I don't like short tops. And so sometimes when I found tops that were long enough - I would get it even if they color or design was not something that really spoke to me. But as time goes by I/we are really doing better at waiting for pieces of clothing that we really like. For example we try to hold out for great colors, favorite designs and favorite styles. There are times- that we might slip and buy something that doesn't fall under favorite category, but it is much less often now.

I am hoping by using a book to record what I buy, that I can also record and keep track of how many of my purchases are actually favorites. I understand that something things that seem like they are going to be favorites- end up not hanging right or what ever-  but overall I hope that I see a trend to more and more holding true to myself and getting things I love.

Stay tuned because I have a little more to share about things we have learned about thrift store shopping.

Record Book

Sometimes I get my best ideas from other people. today I am going to be sharing an idea that I have gotten from my sister.

So you know that my sister and I do a lot of our shopping for clothes and such at thrift stores? Well a year or so ago my sister began to wonder how much she was spending on clothing. So she bought a small notebook to keep in her purse so that she could keep track of her purchases.

Then she set a budget for herself. Then for the entire year of 2015 she would record what she bought and how much money she spent. And by the end of the year she discovered she had not only stayed in budget, she had some money left over!!

So I decided that I would like to see how much money I spend on clothes and such each month and for the year. So I went and bought a little notebook for my purse and I will begin keeping track of my purchases. Here is my record book:

 I am kind of thinking that I may want to keep track of other purchases as well. It will be interesting to keep up with how much money is spent.

I may do some posts about my purchases throughout the year. I am not sure yet. 

So I am just wondering - do any of you keep track of what you spend and what have you found the best methods?