My Operation Simplicity

I'm inspired people.  Ever heard of a simplicity cleanse?  It's not lower intestine related like my BFF Brandy thought.  Here's how that text message conversation went:

Me:  I'm going to do a simplicity cleanse.

Brandy:  Never heard of that one.  If you want a REAL cleanse, go get a colonoscopy.

Something to that affect.  After I explained what it actually was we both then LOL'd and actually laughed aloud in fits for about 5 minutes.

Anyway, Simplicity Cleanse.  I found out about this from my favorite Better Homes & Gardens magazine (it really is the best) December 2011 issue.  Check out this blog operationsimplicityblog.com.  Joslyn Taylor is the creator and author and she had 2 goals in mind for 2011:

1)  End 2011 with less stuff than she began with
and
2)  Only purchase items she intends to keep for 5 years

I totally "get" her.  She kept buying and buying stuff (clothes and items for her house) that she didn't Love and didn't utilize.  So she decided to completely change her way of life.  During  her experiment she realized that buying higher quality items, gives you more value.  For example instead of buying 3 pairs of shoes from Payless, she would "invest" in a higher brand shoe which in turn will last longer.  Look for things with VALUE is what she impresses.  Try to stay away from buying items that are "trendy" and will be out of style in a year or so. 

I love this idea.  I was looking for inspiration to scale down my wardrobe as well as the amount of stuff we have in this house.  Now that I don't need my work clothes, I will be getting rid of a lot of pieces that I just won't wear anymore.  Hopefully some of my favorites I can integrate in my everyday ready to wear clothes.  I'm looking to scale down my wardrobe so that every single day of the week I can go to my closet and love what I'm putting on and not have to think about it.  If I have to scale down to only 10 outfits....then so be it. 

I also need to be cognizant of getting rid of clothes that may not be appropriate for an almost 30 year old Mom.  It's time to be less trendy and buy items that I don't see all the college kids in town wearing.  I really hate seeing 50 and 60 year old women dressing like their daughters with knee high boots, rhinestone jeans and such.  Ick.  I will not be that Mom. 

As for the house....UGH.  I still have boxes I haven't unpacked from the move.  We have A LOT of stuff.  All of us do:  Joe, Evelyn, the dogs, and myself.  It  needs to go - I don't want to be a pack rat anymore!!!  In the Dallas house we had tons of built in shelves all over so I had tons of tons of, for lack of a better term, Crap to put on said shelves.  I don't love it, I hardly like some of the things, but it was better to have something up there than nothing at all.  Well, we don't have any built ins in the new house, so low and behold that's an easy out for a lot of stuff. 

This is not going to be an easy project, and it will not all be done in one swoop.  I went through the closet last night and took out like 10 items.  It's a start, but I definitely have more work to do. 

So, I have created some action items to assist me in my Operation Simplicity:

• Try on every single article of clothing I own and take a picture of me wearing it.  If I don't love it - I'm getting rid of it.  If it doesn't wear well on me - I'm getting rid of it.  If I'm on the fence about anything, I will call in a jury of my peers (Laura and Brandy since they live close) and force them to watch me try on everything and give me a "yay" or "nay".
• Go through the house room by room and get rid of everything I don't love.  BUT, before getting rid of it - think if perhaps I would love it somewhere else in the house or maybe in a different color.  It's amazing sometimes how a quick spray paint job can completely change an object. 
• New purchases:  Never buy anything new without "sleeping on it" whether it be clothes or a couch.  If it's clothes - take a picture of myself in it; if it's a houseware make sure it's returnable if I get it home and don't like it. 

Alright friends, I'll keep you updated in my progress.  I'm going to start working on my closet today.  Wish  me luck! 

Looking Forward to 2012

It's almost 2012.  That means the flea marketing and "antiquing" is going to be superb this next week because people are getting rid of things to make room for new stuff they got for Christmas, as well as the tax conscious consumers are making donations before year end to claim charitable contributions on their taxes  (I did a tax internship).  I'm definitely going to hit a few places tomorrow and do some more on Monday, and if needed Wednesday.  I really don't need anything in particular.  Just want to see if their is something I can't live without.  I'd be happy to do some personal shopping if anybody wants me to keep an eye out for anything.  I'll charge a 10% finders fee (*wink). 

I suppose I'm looking forward to 2012 and to see what it brings.  2011 brought a lot of change to our family~including our big move back to Arkansas and my retirement.  The impending new year is making me think about my 2011 "resolutions" and how I never seem to accomplish them.  I had three:

1)  Get back in shape        FAIL
2)  Don't procrastinate about getting things done around the house     SEMI FAIL
3)  Stop making work my first priority and make my family #1         PASS

At least the most important one is the one I managed to accomplished.  And now that I'm no longer working I should be able to concentrate on getting 2011's #1 and #2 addressed.  So, the first actions I'm taking in order to ensure successful resolutions for the new year is getting them written down. The second step is that I'm going to add actions I'm going to take to get these goals accomplished.  So here they are:  My New Years Resolutions for 2012:

1)  Get back in shape by using our brand new treadmill for cardio, taking walks with Evelyn once the weather warms up, and using the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred (I've already done it a few times and it is a real a**-kicker), and eating a more balanced diet.

2) Stop procrastinating about getting things done around the house by making a list of items I need to paint, sew, purchase and make a schedule so that I clean a room each day instead of trying to clean the entire house at once. 

3) Make my blog my "job" - other than being a good mom and wife. 
   
Blog Goals for 2012:

• Reach 100 members
• Get 1,000 page views a month (right now I average about 400 a month)

That's really it.  I'm keeping it simple and trying not to make my expectations too high. 

But to reach my 3rd goal - I need your help!  Please tell me what you like and dislike about the blog or what you would like to see me blog about.  I welcome constructive criticism - I don't want a comment or email that says "I don't like your blog".  I'd rather have "I don't like your recipes" or "I don't like it when all you do is a complaining post" or perhaps "You are like, the most brillant craft idea stealer ever!".  I want to make my blog something you want to read and in order to do that - let me know what you like!

Promises to YOU, the readers!!!!

I love to read blogs.  I read a range of different types daily.  But I've noticed lately, to much chagrin, that some of the very popular ones have "sold out".  They are now getting sponsors and that requires them to post daily - and because of that, the quality of the postings has gone down.  This makes me so sad because I use to look forward to read their posts and now if I see a new post on my dashboard I think "oh great, is this one an actual post or just filler?"  I don't want to E3 Creations be like that.  So I promise never to post just to post; therefore I won't be posting everyday.  If I have tons to talk about and lots of ideas to share - I might post everyday one week.  But  I'm all about quality over quantity. 

2012 is going to ring in Beth's Favorite Things. That's right - I'm going to do giveaways of some of my favorite things! You will have to leave a comment to enter so if you are a dedicated reader but aren't "follower", you need to join and be a fan. Because I am not paid to blog - if you are interested in advertising please contact me ;) - the prizes won't be that great. But hopefully it will attracts more members. More members=my blog being more attractive to advertisers=bigger and better giveaways. Get it? Good.

So spread the word when I do a post you like - and comment, comment, comment!!!  Don't forget to write down your resolutions and put them someplace you are forced to look at them.  You are more apt to accomplish them if so.  Goodbye 2011, you were a better year than 2010 and brought me much happiness.  Here's looking forward to 2012 - a new year that is FULL of possibilities!  What will you do with this new year?