The Essentials

Recently I changed my handbag.

My shoulder bag was a gift which I have had with me daily for two and a half years.  It was lovely, practical when cycling, and falling apart.

The one I have gone back to was also a gift.  It is much bigger and a lovely summery shade of blue.  I feel so much more together when I am out and about with my 'new but not new' bag, at a time when I am actually feeling anything but together.

Although I know I should, I don't clean my bag out often enough and this was a great opportunity to consider what I need on a day to day basis.  What do you think?

- Purse

- Keys (I'm back down to two sets now)

- Phone

- Sunglasses

- Mints

- Earphones

- Passport

- Shopping bag

- Toiletries

- Dummy

- Hair bobble

The last two are just since becoming a mum.  Nevertheless, it was a squeeze in the old bag and I have space for a book or documents for work now, I love it.

Spring cleaning

As part of our Spring clean, I've spent some hours sorting out all the clothes (well, mine, Isabella's and Joshua's). I went to Ikea last week with Dad, who patiently and kindly lugged around these awkward boxes and we now have six to go in the loft and two to fill as we go along.

It feels so good to have them sorted and I love this storage system. I added some labels and it should be quick and easy to grab a box as Joshua grows before we go out and buy things double.

Hobby Room Clearout

These views have been driving me mad for a while. After a year in our house, there are some corners that have become dumping grounds and really need some TLC.

This week I finally got round to sorting out the hobby / utility room. It looks great and I feel more like going in there and making things now.

The Get to Work Book

I recently ordered a new planner. Regular readers will know that I'm a big Elise fan and her latest project was exactly what I need.

It's a project planner and diary and this first edition runs from July to August so it fits perfectly with the next school year here and I can start next week!

The aim for me, is to have everything in one place and to be able to plan projects better. With weekly and monthly overviews as well as note space, I think this will do the trick.

Of course it can't do the work for me but I think it will be the next best thing! So excited.

It's the little things...

Keeping to my goals hasn't always been easy for me but I think I'm pretty good at it.  This year I took a step back and decided to go easier on myself given that there is going to be a lot going on.

January has already been a really productive month and something occured to me that was affirmed by this article.  Sometimes it's the little things that get forgotten when we set these big smart goals.  This month, it occured to me to clear up my shoes from our landing.  It took about a minute to do and made a huge difference to me, to Nico and to the cleaning lady.  

It was something that niggled me every time I went out or came in.  I wear the same shoes every day at this time of year yet I had at least ten thrown there.  It was so easy to deal with but took me months to do.

As a result, I am going to start getting more of these things done.  Next up is my handbag.  It annoys the hell out of me every time I try to find something small in there.  It's also starting to fall to pieces so I am going to get another one out - and have a sort out.

Wardrobe Clearout

It's strange but true that just a couple of weeks ago, someone with as many OCD characteristics as I have could lay claim to this wardrobe.  Finally sick of wading through crumpled up tops, to find something that fit and looked decent for work, I decided to do something about it.  I knew I couldn't cope with another winter of conducting that morning search in the dark!

Although I haven't bought all that many new clothes in the last three years, I have finally managed (thanks to my lovely, kind parents) to move all of my clothes with me to Germany and the result is the chaos you see above.  I have been three different dress sizes over the past ten years or so and my wardrobe still contained all of the evidence of this.

It took two days of sorting, but I finally weaned out everything that didn't fit (excepting a couple of sentimental items) and everything with a hole or other irreparable damage.  

I learnt two things about myself during this process:

1. I wear way too much black!

2. I'm a hoarder.

Both things to work on in future.

The wardrobe was already sorted into sections (tops, jumpers, bottoms, dresses, etc) and there was even space for my jewellery and toiletries but it was getting a little cramped.

I'm already benefiting from the new organisation on a morning as I know that whatever I lay my hands on will fit!  It's certainly sped things up, and along with some other adjustments to my daily routine with my new timetable, it's really helped me settle into the new school year.

Here's how it looks now:

I feel better just looking at it!

I'm hoping that an added benefit to this project will be a bit of financial relief in selling some of the undamaged clothes that just don't fit any more.  There are some pretty good pieces in there.  I'm ashamed to say that some had never even been worn.  

The cleared out clothes

I haven't decided what format the sale will take yet but I'm working on it and plan to put half the profits towards my debts and half towards some new, well fitting, brighter clothes!

Spot the Cat!

On Monday I finally got round to filing the papers that I have accumulated over the last two years, you can see how that looked above.  You can also see where Pete curled up for a nap and has been sleeping every day since!  Strange creature!