Day 90: My community closet

Yesterday I delightedly unpacked a container of my spring and summer clothes. Some of them were remnants of last year and many were newly gleaned from garage sales and Goodwill end-of- or post-season.

I started thinking about other perks of buying secondhand other than the obvious monetary savings.

First, you weed out a whole lot of throwaway clothes simply by virtue of them having made it past their first owners. Obviously, this isn't foolproof, as something may be in pristine condition just because the buyer didn't wear it or only wore it once. However, quality construction shows after a few washings.

Second, the clothes have a history. While this may be a turn-away point for some, it's actually an attraction for me. I'm part of a group where people in my community can post clothes for sale. Think Craigslist on a much smaller scale. Though much of our "interaction" is done through internet messages and we might never meet face to face (for security reasons, many use the honor system for pick up) I feel like I've had a small, albeit temporary connection with someone in my community. I've even had "size buddies" give me a heads-up when they clean their closets.

Some may be on a first name basis with Ann Taylor or Ralph Lauren (or even Good Will) but I much prefer my skirt by "Jessica on Main Street"* and my shoes by "Carmen at 15th and Maple." Keeping it local is the way to go.

*Names and places made up off the top of my head

Day 31-33: a little bit of everything

My entryway: before. Complete with classy "old towel rug" and boots scattered all over.

My homemade coat rack is doing a booming business these days.

Day 31: Sorting clothes for a charity giveaway makes me recommit myself to The Compact. All these clothes, many with tags still on or in excellent used condition. Who needs the mall?

While sorting, one of my friends discovers a birthday banner that got mixed in. Since it's not clothing, we aren't including it in the giveaway. She decides to keep it for an upcoming birthday party.

"Is so-and-so having a Spiderman themed party?" asks someone else.

"He is now!" declares my friend. Way to go, fellow make-do-er!

Day 32: Who needs expensive sports equipment? Bobsledding can, in fact, be performed on one's backside, as I learned en route to get the mail. The resulting stiff neck (and lawsuits?) might prevent this from becoming an Olympic event. Though if it ever catches on, this is my kind of sport. Nothing needed except a well padded coat and possibly a helmet.

I talk to my mom on the phone about possible spring break destinations. One of our locations is near an Ikea.

"I can only window shop," I remind my mom.

"That's okay," she says. "I might be flying, so I'll be window shopping too."

Day 33: Decide it's high time to paint my entry way. Unfortunately, the floors will be some of the last things to go, but maybe with a fresh paint job on the walls and a rug, it will be somewhat more welcoming.

Do a little shoveling of the sidewalks and am thankful for the good pair of boots my mom purchased when I was 15 years old. I didn't need them much in the south but they are getting a workout now. With shoes old enough to get a driver's license, for them to still be in excellent shape is a testament to good workmanship. I would rather have one pair of well made boots than 16 shoddily made pairs that end up in the landfill.

Days 11-:17 This week I'm... (Jan 14th-

--Looking for just the right pair of jeans to supplement my meager stash. Four pairs just doesn't work I've learned, when I'm too distracted to do laundry on a regular basis and the pair of jeans desperately in need of hemming always turns up in the rotation on the most snowy, puddly days.

I guess I could just hem them. I'm pretty sure I'm done growing. I keep thinking I can always wear them with heels.

Right. While carrying an 18 month old, a diaper bag, a purse, and anything else I need to take along with me on a given day.

Anyway, another pair of jeans is on my short list. I'm noticing something weird, though. The more I declutter and focus on really appreciating what I own, the less I want to just throw away money --even $5--on something "sort of okay." If I'm going to only own five pairs of pants, I want them to be the most awesome five pairs of pants known to man.

--Procrastinating less since I'm not buying any craft supplies I can't get used and getting down to that pile I've had sitting around for awhile. The clock above is one I made for Little Girl's room.

I had an old clock from a certain big box store that sells tires and kale under the same roof. I bought it years ago for a couple of bucks just because I needed something to tell time. It was super ugly but functional, so I kept it.

(Side note: Being a compacter is great but being a compacter with a consumer past is helpful too. Provides raw materials.)

--Celebrating that I found a floor lamp for the living room! I took some donations to Goodwill and happened to spot the perfect one. I was really close to just caving and buying a new one but I'm glad I didn't.

--Hanging some black and white photos above that couch pictured above. Note to self: When ordering prints that go two to a frame, make sure one isn't horizontal layout and the other vertical. I now have a nice Easter picture of us all lying down. Oops. Ah, well. Life lessons...

--Trying to spend five minutes a day unsubscribing from all the email lists I have somehow been added to over the years. They all want me to buy, buy, buy! Unless you're Goodwill, it's not happening. Even then, I'll have to think long and hard first.

--Sewing leggings for Little Girl from some outgrown ones of Big Girl's. It hit me that they are essentially the same waist size (after factoring in the cloth diaper bum) when I accidentally dressed LG in BG's size 4 clothes one day and didn't notice for an embarrassingly long time. No wonder they were dragging...

I cut about an inch off the side of each leg and about five inches off the bottoms.

Size 24 month polka dot pants to use as a guide.

Why yes, I do use red thread if it's what's already in the machine...

--Enjoying my first "eat out" meal in two weeks. In an effort to de-clutter my life, I was ruthless with the pantry as well and tried to make meals from what I already owned. I spent $15 more on groceries each week but it was worth it in the long run. Bonus: no cross contamination stomachaches.

--Buying new wisely. I used some Christmas money to purchase bike helmets for both girls. This is an area where I would rather not purchase used unless I know the history and/or previous owner. I'm not super paranoid but I don't want to stick to my convictions at all costs if the risk isn't worth it.

Day 4: I own four pairs of pants

Yesterday was super productive for me: my kitchen got cleaned like never before and my kids were awesome together! They played together with no fighting and no tears for half an hour while I scrubbed the stove.

I also managed to find the bottoms of all our laundry baskets. As much as I love my clothesline, there are certain days when I'm extremely grateful for my dryer. Yesterday was one of them.

Upon organizing my closet, I came to the realization that I own only four pairs of pants (five if you count the pair that I keep meaning to take in to fit) and this is delightful to me. For years I have dreamed of a streamlined closet where I wear everything I own and it's all able to mix and match. I still have a way to go to have a truly minimalist closet but I can dream.

New clothes?

Say what you want about me: I know what I like!

I was able to go out by myself for a few hours tonight and I had the bright idea to go shopping. I have felt like my wardrobe is pretty lacking lately and while I have never enjoyed clothes shopping I thought it might be more palatable by myself.

I usually don't buy clothes for myself at places that don't contain one of the following words: thrift, resale, will, or salvation. I think the last time I actually purchased something at a "regular" store was during the Bush administration. Does it help if I specify that it was the younger Bush?

So tonight I began my great adventure. To explain the reason a cheapskate like me is shopping in a fancy schmancy store, here's the background: I have been looking for a maxi dress for quite awhile,  but since the trend is still ongoing, I haven't had much luck at secondhand stores. Making my own was quite a failure too, and I will post about that later.

I had to calm myself down to walk into the first store. Whenever I would watch What Not to Wear, I never understood the anxiety. Let's just say I learned my lesson tonight. I kept hearing Stacy and Clinton in my head, nitpicking my choices.

"Those pants are a cute pattern but they make you look three feet tall."

"A thirty year old mother of two should not wear pink pants."

Actually, I'm not sure of the rule on age to pant color relationship but my overly critical inner voice advised me against it.

Oddly enough, while there was less selection than Goodwill, I found it way more overwhelming.

Ultimately, I spent 52 cents on my evening out (on a non-clothing item at--wait for it--Goodwill!) My wardrobe will remain boring for the time being but I remain optimistic.