Closet Clean Out

With Spring comes spring cleaning. And with spring cleaning comes the dreaded CLOSET CLEAN OUT. I’ve been researching this one for a while, not only for the purposes of this blog, but also because my own closet has become such a mess it has now infringes on the room. I just try not to make the mess angry enough to landslide down and attack me.

The Marie Kondo method of “When I hold this item, does it give me joy?” is a slippery slope for me. A swimsuit hasn’t given me joy since 1994, and yet, realistically, I need to own one. So, I knew I’d need to go with a more traditional approach.

Most of my research says the best way to begin is to pull everything out of your closet. Everything. Give the walls a good wipe down and vacuum the dark reaches of the floor. This is a good time to assess the space and ask yourself some hard questions.

• How much can you realistically keep?

• How much of your wardrobe do you actually utilize?

• Is there a more effective way to utilize the closet space you have?

At this point, you need to separate your items into three distinct piles: keep, trash, or donate/sell. While you’re going through these items, you should cull out clothing that no longer fits properly, free hats and t-shirts you will never wear, clothes you used to love but haven’t worn in years, and items you said you’d repair, but haven’t. Most articles say to get rid of anything you haven’t worn in 6 months. I disagree with that. I think a year sounds more reasonable. If you didn’t wear a sweater all last winter, odds are, you won’t wear it this winter. Get rid of it.

After you’ve gone through everything, it’s time to go back to your three key questions and reassess. Have you culled out enough to make an appreciable difference? Have you kept the staple pieces that serve your wardrobe needs most? Would additional shelving, wall hooks, or other organizers help you maintain order long term?

After you’ve answered these questions and have completed the modifications that will best maximize your space it’s time put the closet back together. You should do so with a plan in mind.

• Hanging clothes together by season, cold weather clothes to one side, warm weather clothes to the other.

• Making staple wardrobe pieces easy to find. I suggest putting them in the middle, separating hot and cold weather clothes.

• Folding items (such as sweaters) and storing them in the dresser or on a shelf when possible, to save closet rod space.

• Using wall hangers for belts and handbags, to keep them off the floor and make them easy to find.

Getting your closet organized so you can find what you’re looking for in the morning, will hopefully prevent that mad morning rush. You may even have time to enjoy a leisurely second cup of coffee. Finally, something you can hold that brings you joy!

How to Buy the Perfect Gift for Others

It happens to me every Christmas shopping season. There are at least three people who are impossible to buy for! PERSON ONE is my mother, who has particular preferences about style and fit. (My husband tells me I fall into this category, too). PERSON TWO is my father, who buys what he needs or wants for himself, because it never occurs to him that in two weeks he will have three grown children and a wife racking their brains about what to get him! And then there is PERSON THREE. PERSON THREE is usually a person I don’t know very well, perhaps my child’s teacher, the person whose name I drew at work or neighbor that has watered your plants or fed your dog.

Honestly, I can’t help you much with gifts for person’s one and two. We can go have coffee and commiserate about trying to shop for them, but that’s all I have to offer there.

But for PERSON THREE, I have a list of “Go To” gifts that are usually very well received!

1. 1. A Hydro flask or a Tervis- Because most everyone can use a good, leak proof to go mug

2. An umbrella- This is something most everyone needs at one time or another, but never bothers to buy for themselves

3. A triple header USB Cable- At some point, this is something everyone will find very useful!

4. A candle- You really can’t go wrong when buying a woman a candle

5. A pair of Smartwool socks- Once you’ve worn Smartwool socks, all other socks pale in comparison

6. A unique piece of artwork- A piece of original artwork ensures it’s something they don’t already have.

7. An ENO Hammock and straps- Give the gift of relaxation with a hammock and the straps are easy to use so there’s no frustration setting it up

8. Whiskey River Soap- These soaps are hilarious. They’re sure to make the person you’re buying it for chuckle.

9. Bluetooth wallet- For the guy who is always losing his wallet.

10. An Otter and Oak Gift Card- This is a last ditch effort for when you really have no idea what to get that hard to shop for person.

I hope you find one of these suggestions helpful if you have to buy a birthday gift for your brother’s new girlfriend, or a Christmas present for your cousin Fred. As to trying to find the perfect gift for your mom or dad… well, my offer for coffee and empathy still stands. ~Jackie Farley

The Importance of Supporting Small Business

I never understood how hard it is for a small business to flourish in today’s world, until I started working for one. Locally owned shops are forced into competition with local chain and big box stores and the entire internet. By virtue of their size, the big guys get all of the perks. There are the tax breaks, the ability to buy merchandise in such volume that they get a lower price on items, and the ability to tap into their corporation’s large advertising budget. This means the bigger stores may sometimes be able to offer lower prices. However, small businesses have much more to offer overall.

Small Businesses have the luxury of human contact. They know what their customers want, because they actually KNOW their customers. When you walk in their door, they may know you by name, by your order, or maybe just by your smile. But because of that recognition, small business owners will go that extra mile to make sure you leave their business a satisfied customer. Want something they don’t have? They will often find it for you. Want a color that isn’t in stock? They can get that, too.

Local businesses are also invested in the community. These are the places that will buy an ad in the school yearbook, or support a little league team. They want the community to grow and thrive, because that means their customer base will thrive, too. It’s a symbiotic relationship that benefits everyone.

Finally, small businesses keep prices reasonable. A big store with no competition can charge the customer as much as they want, and depending on that person’s needs, they may be forced to pay it. When you have several small businesses providing the same products or services, everyone has to keep their customer service high quality and their prices affordable, or people can (and will!) go somewhere else.

So the truth is, supporting small businesses does a lot more for your community than you ever realized. It keeps local people employed. It keeps services conveniently nearby. And it acts as a system of checks and balances to keep inflated prices at bay. In short, if you want to improve the big picture, sometimes you just need to think small! ~Jackie Farley