This week was the week to finally tackle the kid’s clothing that was pushing out of their dressers and switch out the seasonal clothing. I don’t know how, but over the course of one season their stash seems to grow in leaps and bounds. I know when my little guys armoire doors won’t shut, it’s time to purge.
I took everything out, and sorted out what was too small, and what needed to be put away till next summer.
For some reason it’s so emotional for me to pass on the outgrown clothing… It’s hard to realize that stage of having babies is over (even though my baby is six), and that my children are growing up. I do save a few special items of their clothing from each stage. My mom kept a little white dress of mine from when I was a baby, and I always liked looking at it, till they had a house fire.
Anyway, after I put back my son’s clothes for this winter season, his doors were able to close easily.
I’m sure it won’t stay this way, because he feels like a big guy when he puts his own laundry away, but just by reducing the volume, it has to be much easier to keep things orderly.
My brown eyed girl’s clothes were climbing out of her dresser also, so I purged a bunch she will be too big for next summer (so sad).
Now it will be easier for her to put her clothes away without having to stuff things in the drawers.
Also, in the kitchen my freezer needed some attention, as I have neglected it of late, so close your eyes if you can’t bear to look.
Crazy, I know! After weeding through and wiping down, it was much more presentable!
Now I at least know where every thing is at, and what I actually have on hand. While I was in the kitchen I also cleaned out a cabinet that I very rarely use except to grab a seasoning out of. Here is the before shot.
I found too many expired items which I purged. I need to be more careful about rotating and keeping up with things because I really hate to waste anything. Afterwards my cupboard looked quite bare,
but much better. So that was my organizing for this week! I’m an Organizing Junkie’s 52 week challenge has been so helpful for my motivation this year. I know my hubby is enjoying the benefits as well, as clutter tends to add stress, so hopefully this is reducing our stress level!
Here are a couple of links that have helpful tips on storing clothing:
About(dot)com and Mama’s Laundry Talk.
Here is an article on the definitions of “sell by, best if used by, use-by” and closed or coded dates.
Hope this is helpful!
Linking to some of these fun link parties: Sunday: Under the Table and Dreaming, DIY Showoff, Nifty Thrifty Things, Homemaker on a Dime Monday:Uncommon Designs, Skip to My Lou, Craft O Maniac, Keeping it Simple, Creating Really Awesome Free Things, Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms, Between Naps on the Porch, The Girl Creative, Mad in Crafts, I’m An Organizing Junkie, Sew Can Do, I Should be Mopping the Floor, Making the World Cuter, The Gunny Sack, Mrs. Happy Homemaker, DIY Home Sweet Home, The Modest Mom Tuesday:Coastal Charm, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Tip Junkie, Sugar Bee Crafts, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, 5 Minutes for Mom, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Hope Studios, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Time Warp Wife, Chef in Training, Home Stories A to Z, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,The Blackberry Vine, Carolyn’s Homework, The Kurtz Corner, Growing Home, Cornerstone Confessions, Mercy Ink, A Diamond in the Stuff Wednesday: Raising Homemakers, Crystal & Co., We Are That Family, Women Living Well, The Trendy Treehouse, Handy Man Crafty Woman, Someday Crafts, Fabric Bows and More, Seven Thirty Three, Sugar and Dots, A Creative Princess, Twin Dragonfly Designs, The Thrifty Home, Creations by Kara, Gingersnap Crafts, My Girlish Whims, SemiHomemade Mom Thursday: Shabby Creek Cottage, Delightful Order, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, The Frugal Girls, Miz Helen’s Country Cottage, The Thirty Sixth Avenue, Thrifty 101, Diary of A Stay At Home Mom, Beyond the Picket Fence, A Glimpse Inside Friday: The Shabby Nest, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Chic On A Shoestring, Miss Mustard Seed, Tidy Mom, Whipperberry, French Country Cottage, 30 Handmade Days, Finding Fabulous, Naptime Crafters, Tatertots and Jello, My Romantic Home, While He Was Napping, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hippo, The Country Cook, Six Sister’s Stuff, Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons, Ann Kroeker, Writer, Simply Sweet Home, Craft Junkie Too, Simply Designing, Happy Hour Projects, A Little Knick Knack, Young and Crafty Saturday: Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, A Vision To Remember, Sweet As Sugar Cookies, It’s Overflowing, The Artsy Girl Connection, Too Much Time On My Hands, Or So She Says, Tutus and Tea Parties, Your Home Based Mom
I finally went through my closets and purged the clothes I won’t magically shrink into overnight. It’s been way too long because I took 10 bags of stuff to Goodwill. Yikes!
Looking good!
I love getting little things done around the house! The kids drawers are so neat you have inspired me Im off to organize my drawers.
I’ve been thinking about getting to my spices. Did you find any that weren’t expired but you haven’t used? I think I’ve bought spices for a specific recipe in the past and then never touched them again. Do you have a plan to make sure you use the spices you kept?
I’ve purged like that… so stuff looks ‘naked & empty’ One thing that might help your little guys keep stuff organized & make them feel more grown up is labled baskets/boxes for their clothes in their armoire. I know my son liked his stuff to look neat, but when he pulled a shirt from the bottom of the stack it ended up being a mess. Containerizing has helped him.
Great job in the kitchen.
Great job! I have a tendency to overbuy on clothes and got a hanging “days of the week” organizer. It really helps me keep perspective that if there are still clothes in the drawers AND in the organizer, he’s obviously got enough clothes!
Hi Margo, I am visiting from Dittle Dattle. When I saw your pic with the freezer I thought, oh, a kindred spirit. Maybe she will inspire me and You did! I love your blog and how so much content points to Jesus. I am now following you.
I am really going to continue loving your blog…decluttering is something we all need to do. In fact, I have been doing just that for the past few days. I go in fits and starts, and can always use more ideas and inspiration. I have joined your followers list and invite you to join my followers list; as well,I hope you will grab a blog button. Hugs, Gayle
http://atastefultouch.blogspot.com
I feel the same way about passing along the outgrown closes. It is always bittersweet to realize they won’t wear something again and they are getting so big.
Purging clothes is hard, but having it all organized for two seconds is a nice reward. Good job in getting it done and your freezer too!
~Kimberlee at SD
great job! It’s half term here in the uk and I was hoping to get some kid bedroom sorting going. so far nothing but still a few days to go!
I just cleaned out my fridge & freezer & organized my cabinet that held tea/coffee stuff. I actually made a tray & put all the regularly used items on it so I can easily pull out the tray when I need it and put it back when I;m done. Doesn’t it feel so good to be able to find what you need? Great job.
Good work! I hate saying goodbye to all the smaller clothes too. Good reminder to check the expiration dates in the pantry!
I have difficulty parting with the littlest clothes as well; I saved only a few favorites for the grandchildren. I did save all the sports t-shirts to make each a t-shirt throw blanket; most success when using a fusible stabilizer to the usable area of the shirts first, then cutting & sewing.
When I was a child I wore hand-me-downs of many family members that were just a part of the “closet stash” @ the cabin. One of my favorites was the old pendleton “49′er jacket” that was new to my grandma in the 40′s. I was surprised to learn it is still being made, with only the colors changing a bit today. SO maybe there are a few stylish clothes you should keep even of your own that your kids will enjoy one day!
Great job on the organization!
Reading about your clothing situation reminds me that I need to do the same with my kids clothes, especially my four year old. She is a clothes hoarder, so I may need to do it while she is preschool!
Oh my goodness this is amazing. Are you on a fall cleaning kick or what? Awesome!
I hope you’ll share these before and after pics this week on my mommy solution meme!
http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2011/10/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions-15/
I bet that feels good! I just did that to my boys drawers. Thanks for linking up with DIY under $5!
Feels so good to purge! I have a hard time giving up my ‘baby’s’ clothes too!
Gaylene
Wow, you’ve been a busy bee! Thank you for sharing and linking to Wicked Awesome Wednesday!
You’ve been featured!
http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2011/10/top-ten-features-from-10262011.html
Thanks for linking to the party! Hope to see you back this Thursday.
DaNita
Oh my goodness look at all you have done! This is such an inspiring post!
xoxo,
Jen