Well hello out there. Sorry for the lack of posts but I've been busy. Not only have I decluttered the whole house, I went into the depths of the basement and had a massive declutter there. Our basement is tiny, only about 12x6 or so, but man can it hold a bunch of junk. We've taken a couple of car loads to Family Services, paints and stains to the proper recycle station and I'll be selling a lot too. It was so hard to get started but once I did, I couldn't stop. Actually I'm going to go through it again and see what else I can get rid of.
One of the things I've recognized by going through it all is that I have a a lot of weaknesses. 1. I'm a sucker for a bargain. Most everything I've been saving was such a steal - like $1 or so. 2. I'm a sucker for a good estate sale. I have no business going to them but I still do. I blame M.
We recently went to a cool estate sale of a retired actor that was residing here in Redlands. I could not pass up a really pretty antique hand carved wooden starburst mirror (weakness #3) for $10.
I was able to make it 6 weeks without shopping but the mirror broke me. I figure I've removed about 400 items from my house and basement so one mirror hardly even registers. Plus I'll be selling the reproduction mirror that used to hang there b/c that one is super pretty too. See...
Also, you may notice that I swapped out the black dresser for a cream one I've had for decades. I think it's a better fit.
So what the heck have you guys been up to? x
Lovely pictures. I've been slowly going over things and donating. Can't seem to cull my books, though. Oh, well. Please let us know when you post stuff on eBay. I do still need little things here and there, after getting rid of so much.
ReplyDeletebooks are hard meg! i just imagine them going to really good homes.:) i'm starting to post on eBay this week. if i get it done i'll provide a link for you.x
DeleteYou have such an eye for design, it looks lovely. I found the key after decluttering is to have a one in one out rule. It's OK to replace things with things you love more, as long as the old thing leaves the house.
ReplyDeleteI'm now decluttering and organising my garden. It's a mess after a long rainy winter and I have lots of plants that I'm not that fond of, and want to replace them with ones I love.
thank you aurora. oh my garden needs so much attention. i have a bad wrist right now so that is stopping me and driving me mad! x
DeleteLovely photos, everything looks so light and fresh. We are going to do a makeover in our bedroom this spring and your bedroom is my main inspiration. Love the white dresser, the whole room looks brighter!
ReplyDeleteWish you a great weekend!
/Bea
thank you bea! x
DeleteLove the white dresser!
ReplyDeleteSince I teach, I do my decluttering in the summer, when I have a large block a time. I've got it down to a science-I'm fairly organized/etc and don't keep a lot of excess, but husband is another story, lol.
We also recently watched Forks over Knives-I have never cared that much about meat, and we only cook with chicken/fish/turkey, but hubby is a big ( red)meat/cheese lover.
I think this may have persuaded him to cut some things out of his diet( milk, cheese, most meat)and we've switched to meatless dinner every day. Our first week was really good! Do you have a recipe section here on your blog?
Hi Susan,
DeleteAnother great persuader is the COWSPIRACY follow-up documentary WHAT THE HEALTH. WTH exposes the collusion and corruption in government and big business that is costing us trillions of healthcare dollars, and keeping us sick
On March 16th, WTH will premiere online. For 4 days, 50% of sales will be donated to feed people in need with healthy food, thanks to WTH's partner Food Not Bombs.
One reviewer wrote, "What The Health is a surprising, and at times sadly hilarious, investigative documentary that will be an eye-opener for everyone concerned about health and how big business influences it."
You can watch the WTH trailer and find out how to see the full movie here:
http://www.whatthehealthfilm.com/
good luck susan. you/he will not be sorry! and thank you KO. xo
DeleteBetter fit and style, but I would love the cream one, same spot, if it were black, as well! I love the blog and appreciate that you only write when you feel you can. I appreciate it more that way!
ReplyDeletethank you jean. i've been toying with the idea of black myself. i have to get in the mood to paint! x
DeleteOh that is a bit funny as my first thought upon seeing the creme dresser was "she'll paint it black by summer" I have toyed with the idea of painting some of our furniture black...its a big change. So, currently painting it white...makes sense right?
DeleteMy biggest problem right now is all my crafting. I crochet, cross-stitch, sew and QUILT. The quilting is the worst as it leads to fabric hoarding. I have downsized it several times over the last five years but more just seems to follow me home. Crazy thing is I want to be outside more. Traveling, hiking. Goodness, I will even go fishing with my husband. I have thought about renting a small storage unit...5x5 @ $40 and stuff my crafting life in there. It may be the only way to lose the guilt and get out more.
Back when I was a single mom, crafting made sense as it helped with gift making. But now at 54 it is beginning to feel like a ball and chain. But I love quilting. I love buying fabric too. I even buy sweaters and linen clothing at the thrift stores to recycle into fabric. Decluttering the kitchen, clothes, and even excess furniture is easy for me, but rarely do I read anyone talk of hobbies.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
blessings,
jill
We are still remodeling our little house we downsized to. As each room is finished, I declutter each box before taking it inside. I really decluttered before we moved but there is always more to get rid of.
ReplyDeleteI always think of your kitchen and bathroom, Janet, and how little you have in each. You aspire me! I absolutely loved your organizing tour of your home. Especially your kitchen drawers. And your one box for light bulbs, measuring tape, etc. I had a separate box for each....no more!
Thanks for your blog. You help us more than you will ever know. 😘
Inspire...not aspire!
Deletethank you betty. i need to do another one of those tours! x
DeletePlease do!
DeleteSo nice to hear from you again! I right away noticed the white dresser in the bedroom and like it a lot better than the black one. I love the way you don't get in a rut and leave things the same forever - I've seen houses on estate sales and garage sales that look like nothing has been changed in 30 years. I know we store a little too much, but that's because I like to change things with the seasons. My big weakness is thrift stores - we have several that get the most amazing stuff. Maybe because we are surrounded by extreme wealth, you wouldn't believe the things people donate. And then I come along and just can't pass up some of these bargains.
ReplyDeletethanks kitty. i've seen those too where the furniture is moved for the first time in decades. the original color of the carpet is reavealed! i love moving things around. i have the same weakness!!! x
DeleteBeautiful! Definitely the cream dresser is better! Glad you're back...I check every day.:)
ReplyDeleteawww thank you uptown! xo
DeleteWe are having the master and hall bathrooms updated/remodeled. I have asthma which is reactive to dust. so I am in the process(OMG) of clearing out. sorting, moving things from the second bedroom which is a sewing/quilting room. Once the second bedroom is empty--it is exhausting sorting all that stuff--I seem to collect PAPER!!--- then I will clean the carpet and begin moving the master bedroom in: clothing four poster bed and two dressers. We don't know if all will fit/ the guy in charge of the work will be creating a dust free "doorway" in the master.
ReplyDeleteWe are thinking when the two bathrooms are done--we will replace the master's carpet with hardwood but for the construction it gives them a place for tools etc.. The baths are now 1984 vintage. And the master had only a soaking tub--no shower. But for now--I am carrying boxes up into the attic. And filling the car for trips to Goodwill.
sounds exciting joanne. i love renovating so much. i love shaking things up like that. paper is so hard to sort through. that's where i started on this and it felt so good! x
DeleteHi Janet! I love love love your blog. I think I say that every time I post a comment lol. I would love to find more lovely SIMPLE blogs like yours. I went through all my Feedly reader and weeded through. Some make me feel overwhelmed - so I deleted. I love home decor blogs or lifestyle blogs that are simple - cozy - and classy. Just like yours! If you ever come up with any more that you love please let us know! Thanks for your blog. You are the BEST!!!!!! Jen
ReplyDeletethanks jen. a few posts back i listed a few of my favorite blogs. i'm so in love with the simplicity/frugality of the prudent homemaker - even tho she has like 8 kids i can still relate to her. :) x
DeleteWow! Lovely! Feels like spring! Doing the same up here in
ReplyDeletethe Pacific Northwest - Sorting out what stays, what goes and
trying not to buy in-be-tween that :-)
thank you seaside. that is the key right?! i sold a bunch of stuff at the flea market this past weekend and when it was all over i was so proud of myself that i hadn't purchased anything from any of the other vendors and at the last moment the gal next to me was packing up and i spied a beautiful vintage silk blouse in my favorite color.......so long story, it's now in my closet. progress not perfection right! x
DeleteSo impressed with your achievements, makes me realise I have a long way to go. Your home is looking super-fresh and the change of bedside dresser opens up that corner.
ReplyDeleteMy idea yesterday to switch out a large painting has quickly had a domino effect and I am now planning on switching around about 10 items these next few days - furniture, mirrors and paintings. Hubby is very afraid right now cos he knows from experience just how disruptive life can become when I'm on a roll!
i'm laughing mary bc i moved a painting yesterday that started the domino effect too. oh and larry knows quite well where this is all leading...lol x
DeleteI like the new bedroom look; noticed it immediately. You have made it feel more Spring-like.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm madly continuing to declutter with a June 1 deadline for more remodeling. A deadline is good for me. And I have no choice about it; I have to finish; gotta clear the decks! I obsess about it and grumble; I don't like to get rid of stuff that still has good functionality...I hang onto things; it's my #1 flaw...especially stuff I paid 'good money' for...but, if you're on a mission about it, you've got to get tough with yourself. And I have a much smaller home now...may we'll go even smaller, further down the road; I simply do not have room for things but, frankly, at my age now as a 'senior', I should be downsizing anyway; it's certainly easier to clean (easier on the aging body) when you have less square footage and a lesser amount of things.
It's down to, what REALLY do I need; what REALLY do I use. Besides that, at this time in my life, what is necessary for comfort while still keeping enough stuff around me that's also pleasing and sentimental. Two changes I've made: I now do not add to any of my collections anymore. I have so many sets of dishes/china, inherited from family and what I've also bought over the years, that I only now keep one place setting; then, the rest goes.
Also, I'd decided to eschew any idea of having a yard sale. Now changing my mind on it, though. Have been donating completely to charity, or freecycle at the curb (or craigslist/free). But what's left for me to deal with/unload is enough stuff to warrant a yard sale now; maybe two this year. Money is tight for these other bigger home-improvement projects we want/need to do. So, yard sale income will help. No knickknacky stuff, though; too time-consuming to tag it all. Instead, it's a ton of furniture; big things to hang on walls; etc. I won't put an ad in the paper; we've found if we just get up early and put up signs at either end of our cross-street, we get good traffic. Quick and speedy sale is my aim.
In my plans for upcoming remodeling, I'm going back to a lot of feng shui tips to keep things open and flowing in the rooms. I want good energy. Been doing some serious web research in the evenings on it.
My goodness, Janet. You've moved along 400 things; that is amazing. Next up for you, no doubt major gardening after all the rain, huh! Weeds, weeds, weeds. But, oh, the tulips are forcing...and the yellow daffodils are so lovely.
i ditched the yard sale idea too vicki. thankfully alex has a flea market at his store the first sat of ea month so this month i participated. i did well but it was a lot of work. i do need to get into the garden but i've got some issues with my wrist. that's why i've been trying to stay off the computer but the garden calls and needs me........xo
DeleteOh, I've been there/am there; all kinds of carpal tunnel issues to where they told me the surgery would now be pointless and, as a result, I now have such weakness (arthritis) for gripping, picking things up, carrying, bearing down (like to scrub something)...although I can still keyboard (!), which was my downfall (work-related, over years, but d'ya think I'd file a worker's comp claim ever on it...nope, to my detriment). Splints at night sometimes help (get them at the drug store) but in my experience, you just have to baby the wrists through the worst of it and lay off of whatever is irritating them, although that's really hard to do if it's work-related, and I know you definitely have to use your hands on the job. I'll be thinking of you and hope your get some improvement very soon; thanks for posting when it's not the easiest thing for you to do.
DeleteLooks great Janet, love the changes! I became a grandmother this morning! I'm sending a couple photos. :)
ReplyDeleteLinda
xo
Linda, congrats; how nice!
Deletecongratulations linda!!!! she is gorgeous! x
DeleteThanks!
DeleteI like the beige too.........nice change.
ReplyDeleteWHAT have I BEEN Doing..................seeing doctors......and shooting off emails!
Reading and staying PUT.........
Watched the OSCARS!
Waiting for SPRING.......it's HERE!!!!!!!!
yes it appears to have finally arrived this coming week. so exciting!!!!! x
DeleteI love you house and style. We all need to purge a few treasures once in awhile.
ReplyDeleteWe're moving and I've been getting rid of a lot. I'm sure that even after the move we'll need to pare down even more. I agree, once you pare down a boat load of goods, it's only fair that you buy a great mirror!
xo,
Karen
can't wait to hear about you move karen. things have a way of sneaking back in don't they! x
DeleteHi Janet I am a longtime fan. Love your style and following along with your blog. I recently lost both my parents after long illnesses. I offer this info- 1) I am still raw mom passed day after thanksgiving and dad a month ago. 2) my life over the passed 4 yrs had been in downsizing recycle mode. Moved from a 4900 sq ft house in NC to 1600 sq ft cottage in RI to be near my folks in their final 2 yrs of life. My husband and I are divorcing and our 9 yr old daughter lives with me. - change has been my motto. I am just beginning a second round of purging now that I have been in my new home a year. And both my parents have completed their journeys in earth. Still surreal - miss them terribly but I find cleaning and tossing therapeutic these days. Getting rid of the longtime duds that I have not wanted to deal with to make room for this next chapter of my life and let's face it some things just no longer fit my life. So as I conclude my ramble. I just want to say thank you. I have been following you from almost the very beginning and one of the things I looked forward to each day was sitting down and reading your blog and ogling your lovely home. Cheers Janet and thanks again. Pamela xo
ReplyDeleteoh pamela i'm so sorry for your losses. life is hard. it sounds like you are taking care of yourself tho which is fabulous. cleaning and clearing the decks as vicki mentioned is so cathartic for me and i'm sure for you too. sending love and prayers to you. xoxo
DeleteI agree, the cream colored dresser looks much better next to the bed! And the starburst mirror is adorable.
ReplyDeletethanks! i agree. i should have taken a closeup of that mirror bc it's incredible! xo
DeleteHi Janet- Happy March! I want to thank you so much for your lovely posts and views into your gorgeous home. I am a divorced single mom with two daughters (and recently adopted dog).Although I am well-educated, I choose to work in a low-paying helping profession because it gives me great joy. I have never been a materialistic person and always say I could live happily in a shack with a stack of my favorite books and visits from those I love. Unfortunately, I live in an area where most judge you based on what kind of car you drive or purse you carry. I find great inspiration in your lifestyle and home. I strive to bring simple beauty into my home and to live a simplistic life. My home is filled with love, music, books, greenery from my small yard, and lots of laughter. Thank you so very much for all your wonderful posts- I am so very grateful.
ReplyDeleteoh dana what a lovely comment. we really need so very little to be happy right? you are an inspiration to choose a low paying profession bc it offers you so much joy. that's rare in this day and age. xoxo
DeleteHi Janet! I have a quick question-when you get out of bed in the am do you get dressed immediately (to lounge wear or excercise wear or what you are wearing for the day) OR do you put your robe on? I'd love to know what your routine is as far as your clothes first thing in the morning. Thanks!!!!!! Jennifer
ReplyDeletewell that's an interesting question! lol i actually put a warm sweater on first thing. then when the sun comes up i switch to my workout clothing, tee shirt, yoga pants and hoodie and do my walk and HIT routine. then after breakfast i change into whatever i'm wearing for the day. xo
DeleteI was so happy to see this post! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us.
ReplyDeleteI have been doing the same kind of thing at my house. We have painted and changed curtains and have been clearing out our basement. It has felt so great to clear out and pare down to what actually fits and works in our life right now. Letting go of many things has made me feel more optimistic and given us a lightness of spirit.
oh it so does mo-reen. i love that light feeling sooo much! xo
DeleteLove the little cream dresser!
ReplyDeleteSo nice to see a post from you. I have a weakness for estate sales too. So much so, I opened an antique booth several years ago just to justify my addiction! I no longer have the booth, and instead I sell on Etsy. I suggest you look into it vs. Ebay. It's so low risk. Very inexpensive and once you post (with a set price) it is up for several months, were you can renew your listing....or it simply sells. You could post pictures and advertise on IG. Some weeks are slow, and then a week like last week where I sold 5 items was great! Oh well, good luck with whatever you decide to do, and I love that new little mirror and nightstand change!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing your home! And I adore your new cream chest replacing the black one. It fits well and a nice change! I need to get back to De-cluttering. You just motivated me!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to provide you with this link to an interesting article written about Jack White in New Yorker magazine.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/03/13/jack-whites-infinite-imagination
Oh my goodness! Just came across ur blog! I'm smitten with it all! Can't pull myself away from it! It's now
ReplyDelete0109 AM and I have to work tomorrow! Luckily I don't leave till 1230 😬
You are soo inspiring! I live in a small cottage in Napa. I have been decluttering for a while now. That's not the problem.
The problem has been the buying new things! But having read your blog inspires me to follow into your footsteps! I also can't get over your grocery bill! How can I make this happen?? So happy I came across this beautiful site! You are fantastic! 👌🏻✨😘
Janet,
ReplyDeleteDo you know what plant is represented by the foliage on your round mirror from Miss Doris? I bought a candlestick in Germany for a friend and it had the same leaves & berries. I thought maybe it was mistletoe. What do you think?
Cara
hi cara. that's a good question. it may be mistletoe, that's a good guess! x
Delete