Friday, January 31, 2014

Week 5

http://instagram.com/p/j2LBJfievx/


The item: My Twitter account. 
The backstory: The idea of getting rid of one thing a week isn't just about purging physical items and clearing space, it applies to mental space too. I can't keep up with all of the social media platforms out there, and Twitter is one that I felt like I should be on, because a number of my coworkers are, but I'm finally embracing the fact that it just isn't for me. It makes me feel like I'm at an obnoxiously loud bar, where everyone resorts to shouting at each other, and you're awkwardly listening into conversations that aren't really public, but aren't really private either. And then there's the overserved individual in the corner who just keeps yelling out things to no one in particular. Bleah. 
Method of expulsion: Deletion.
Monetary impact: None.
YTD monetary impact: $7.05

Confused? Here's what's going on.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

For Him


Clockwise from top left:
Haute Sauce Collection -- It's getting haute up in your panty. (Psst. Remember you can get $10 off your first order at Provisions!)
Personalized beer growler -- More acceptable than scribbled "Don't drink me" Post-It notes.
BBQ Tool Set -- Dreaming of summer.
Bell Jigger -- A classy essential.
Unicorn Farts -- Neither particularly classy or essential, but amusing.
A monthly box of something -- like StrideBox for runners.
Egg Cup + Cozy -- How do you not crack a smile if breakfast in bed arrives wearing a hat?
Euchre T-shirt -- Confuse non-Midwesterners.
Hermetus Bottle Opener & Resealer -- For those times when you don't finish a beverage. (Maybe? I don't know if that actually happens to people.)


Wednesday, January 29, 2014

W3 (Words of Wisdom Wednesdays)

http://instagram.com/p/jKUztciesb/

"My smart little sister says that people are wrong when they talk about how you need to be brave to get out of your comfort zone, travel, and see things. The travel and perspective–the escapism, really–are a privilege. The real courage is needed at home, where the ordinary things don’t change unless you work to make them so, where you face old demons and new challenges, and where you can’t just get on a plane to the next destination." -The Yellow House

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

For Her

I've decided the only way to survive the polar vortex is retail therapy. Or at least, pretend retail therapy.


Clockwise from top left:
Skip a Beet Tea Towel -- who can resist a good vegetable pun?
Odette New York Shield Necklace -- I love all things Odette.
Fiona's Candy -- Thanks to my sister, I know just how good the black currant fizzballs are.
N. 5 - Breeze (Tea, Anise, Lemon) -- Spice things up. (Get $10 off your first order at Provisions!)
Odette New York Arrow Cuff Bracelet -- You can never have too much Odette.
Engraved Cocktail Muddler -- Normally I'm anti-personalization and monograms, but these have broken me down.
Ceramic + Leather Planter -- A lovely gift for someone with a green thumb. (Mine only seems to apply for outdoor plants.)
The Pomegranate Cocktail Crate -- Shopping for the person who has everything? This should fit the bill.
Mini Pearl Ring -- A sweet ring for a sweet day.
Softcover Photo Book -- A DIY gift that looks much, much nicer than I.O.U love coupons.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Week 4




The item: Eiffel Tower Table Lamp (1 of a set of 2) 
The backstory: This set of lamps belonged to my parental units, and I'm pretty sure I swiped them out of their garage sale. I had visions of doing a travel-themed room, but that never really came to fruition, and these have been living in the basement for...erm...a long time. Now it will have a much better home with a little girl who is revamping her bedroom Parisian-style.
Method of expulsion: Sold online.
Monetary impact: $20
YTD monetary impact: $7.05

Confused? Here's what's going on.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Week 3




The item: Diaper sprayer.
The backstory: Exciting stuff, right? We used this to....well, you get the picture. But since Josephine has been potty trained for 8 months (?!) now this needs to go to a home that will put it to use.
Method of expulsion: Given to a friend.
*Monetary impact: Gift. Shipping = $12.95
*YTD monetary impact: -$12.95

*Mike pointed out that shipping fees should be included for accuracy, so this has been updated to reflect that.

Confused? Here's what's going on.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Week 2



The item: Books, DVDs, and puzzles. I have a feeling that come October I'm going to regret not sticking to a single item each week.
The backstory: I don't get rid of books lightly. We have shelves and shelves of books in the basement, anxiously waiting for us to move to a bigger house (or just one with more wall space) someday. So I'm not getting rid of "good" books. These are mostly new-ish textbooks and a couple of baby books that J has outgrown. We rarely watch DVDs (we don't have a DVD player, so if we do watch one, it's on our computers), and these were ones we felt wouldn't be missed. The puzzles were Christmas presents, part of a fun tradition that has passed by the wayside -- at least for the time being.
Method of expulsion: Donated to the Friends of the AADL.
Monetary impact: None -- donation.
YTD monetary impact: $0

Feeling lost? Here's what's going on.

Friday, January 3, 2014

Week 1

http://instagram.com/p/it6oXKCeqU/

The item: a stack of clothes.
The backstory: I know, pretty predictable to start with a pile of clothes. But, this isn't even a fresh purge. They've been sitting in the basement since last year (really a month or so, but last year sounds more dramatic, and is technically true) so this was a painless way to get the ball rolling.
Method of expulsion: Dropped off at a clothing donation bin to benefit CDRF.
Monetary impact: None -- donation.
YTD monetary impact: $0

Confused? Here's what's going on.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2014

http://instagram.com/p/iZemJYier3/

Every year I think about resolutions. Sometimes I write down a long list, other years it stays in my head. Some of the goals get checked off at the end of the year, while other remain ignored (Hitting my running mileage goals? Done. Starting to sew? Not so much.). This year I'm upping my odds of success by limiting my resolutions to two, and increasing my accountability by sharing them with you.

1. "Err in the direction of kindness." Thank you George Saunders. (He wrote Tenth of December, so I'm already partial to his great taste in calendar dates.) This gem is from his convocation speech at Syracuse University for the class of 2013. It's good. You should read it.

2. Get rid of one thing a week. I like stuff. I'm not against stuff. I got a number of new shiny things for Christmas that I'm extremely excited about. But I don't like having stuff sitting neglected in boxes or hanging unworn in my closet. So this year I'm getting serious about purging, and you get to play along. I'm planning to post the item of the week on Fridays.

Happy New Year! To borrow a phrase from a pal -- May the year of the horse be a tour de force.