...life in the moment...: 40/40

Hello, my name is Rachel...and I have a problem. I love pretty things. More specifically, I love jewelry and shoes. I get all gaga when I'm around accessories. I practically drool over beautiful shoes. But, enough is enough. It is easier to make choices when you have less. After all, God only gave me two feet, two ears, and one neck! I neglected to take after pictures of my jewelry stashes. Just know that everything is nice, neat, and put away!

Here are my necklaces. I used to make a lot of my own jewelry, but trends change so fast in this area and most of it were a few years old.

I kept most of the stuff in the back box, and got rid of everything in the front box.

These are all my cast-off earrings. They got boxed off and sent to their new home at Goodwill!

Here are all pretty girls! The Eiffel Tower thingy in the back is my earring holder.

Next up is my most dramatic clean out to date!

HELLO SHOES!!!
Or, GOODBYE SHOES!!!

Check out that gigantic pile of stinky shoes. There were a bunch that I had a hard time parting with. When it comes down to it, there are only about four pairs of shoes that I wear consistently.

Hello, pretty friends! You all get to stay!

Here is where my boots used to be. Crushed and smashed at the bottom of my closet.

Here is where they are now. Hanging up and out of the way!

One of my favorite parts of my apartment is my extra large closet and my shoe shelf. Be jealous! However, it had gotten messy. I had some organization, but it needed a good overhaul.

Top shelf : Super pretty and special occasion

(Love me some colored heels!)

Second Shelf: Sandals organized by color and Toms

Which now includes another pair!

Shelf Three: Neutral Heels organized by color

Shelf Four: Flats organized by color

Floor: Tennies
Did I mention how much I love my shoe shelf?!?

Well, there you have it. Up next is under the bathoom sink and hall closet.

Don't forget to like me on Facebook!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Life in 40/40 Update

Seeing as Easter is next week, I thought I would share some of my 40 Bags in 40 Days photos. I've haven't been the best at recording what I've gotten rid of or how many bags I've tossed. But I've been a busy busy worker bee.

Photographic evidence that I cleaned as a child. (Again, ignore the sideways picture!)

My brothers and dad will contest that I did not! My mom must have taken this picture to prove that I did. I like to think she was showing off my sweet snow boots that she let me wear in the house...thanks mom!

I'm kinda embarrassed by the amount of clothes I own. Which is why this Lent has been so wonderful for me. I emptied out all my drawers, because I could barely open a few of them!

I tell ya, there's nothing like empty drawers! It makes this organizing fool flip out with joy!

I sorted all of my clothes into keep and toss piles.

Folded everything nice and neatly.

And put it all back in their rightful drawers.

Ahh... now doesn't that look so nice! Like a breath of fresh air!

I had about five HUGE piles in front of my dresser so I called my friend Stacey and she came over and went threw a bunch of stuff. She was able to take two shopping bags home.

These are the bags that went to Goodwill.

Tomorrow I'll show you my closet and shoe clean-out. Even more dramatic.

I still have a few more places I want to get to before the week is over. That's where Good Friday comes in...thanks for a day off! Can't wait to see some of your progress!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Life in 40/40 Week One!

During the season of Lent, I have committed to get rid of 40 (or more!) bags of stuff from my house and classroom! Thanks white house, black shutters for this project!

This week was pretty easy because I started in my classroom. I've been in the same classroom for four years. That's a lot of junk to go through! I'm sure I could have loaded up a few more bags.

Do these bags count?! I wish!

This project is made for me. Growing up, my mom called me the bag lady. I also love love love getting rid of stuff.

I found these bags in my room.

And my personal favorite...the bags within a bag bag...sweet!

The best part of my classroom is all the storage space. It has also been a blessing and a curse! I went through my game closet and got rid of some toys that didn't work. I also got rid of a bunch of old papers and old math lesson charts I didn't need. I also tossed a broken birthday girl crown!

Day one bag finished!

I have more day two pictures, but it was much of the same thing.

I'm so energized with this project. My goal during spring break is to tackle the closet and bathroom at my house. Check back next week for more progress!

How are you doing with your decluttering goals?

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Life in Lent

Ahh Lent. That season which strikes fear in the heart of many Catholics and Lutherans alike!

What am I supposed to give up? Should I pick up a good habit instead? Do I tell people what I'm giving up, or do I suffer alone, and thus become more "holy"? Do I really need to give something up, after all it seems like a really law based thing to do? Do I blog about it? GASP!

It's enough to drive a person crazy!

This Lent, I've been challenged...TO GET RID OF THE STUFF!! After all, stuff is just stuff and it's something I can use less of. Less of Jesus, not so much!

Anywho, enter my new blogging buddy Ann Marie at white house,black shutters and her 40 Bags in 40 Days challenge.

In anticipation for my move, I'm going to use this time to clean out my house and my classroom. Twenty bags for the house and twenty for the classroom. I started today at school.

I'm not attempting to show off or to put on airs. I'm just looking for some accountability and camaraderie as I attempt to live life in the moment. And moments aren't about stuff. They are about the people and experiences God puts in our lives!

Come back every Friday or Saturday to see my progress. I'll also be linking up to white house, black shutters party when she hosts them.

Wanna join in the fun?!