A culling and de-cluttering distraction

Last week I ordered some Insolia All Day Heels shoe inserts after meaning to do so for months. The free shipping offer and reduced price for a pack of four really sealed the deal for me.

I received my inserts on Monday and I'm now very excited to try them. I must say receiving packages at work makes the day so much more bearable.  Note to self: must do more online shopping ;)

As they cannot be switched from shoe to shoe I will pick quite a classic pair of heels suitable for work as my test pair... I'm thinking a pair D&G pumps which I haven't worn for ages due to the heel height, but haven't culled due to their perennial classicism.

Although I am hoping that the inserts work to make these shoes more comfortable, I hope not so well that I regret culling all my high heels!

I have accustomed myself to wearing flats or mid-heel boots lately, but I can't help but think that high heels look so much better with some outfits.  I will report back of course on my thoughts about these hopefully miracle inserts.

Surroundings... I am suffering from declutterer's block...

Maybe I'm a bit slow, but I have started to realise that my surroundings are having a negative impact on my state of well being. My surroundings are preventing me from doing the things that I want to do because of all the things that I need to do. Given that there is so much that I need and want to do, I am getting almost nothing done. It's a vicious cycle.

Not my home

I'm experiencing mini anxiety attacks because... I can't find my favourite lipstick... or too many receipts for goods which I no longer own are preventing me from finding the receipt for a dis-functioning steamer which I only bought 8 months ago.  It's the little things, you know?

What scares me the most is that it's tax time just around the corner and my papers are spread across two rooms, three boxes and four draws. I'm actually expecting a refund, so one would think I would be excited about it hence organised, but I'm not.

I think that I am suffering from declutterer's block.

I have one success story to write about which has actually spurred me on a bit.  The piles of magazines that my Mother finally convinced me to take away months ago, remained where I put them (under the lamp table) for months on end until yesterday.  I am happy to report that as I write this post the last lot of my old magazines have been sorted through and are now in the recycling bin.  I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders (and from underneath my lamp table).  

This blog was a great focusing tool for me when I culled my wardrobe and even though I am a relatively busy person (...although others seem to cram a lot more in, so maybe I'm just lazy?), I'm thinking why not also blog about de-cluttering, organising and beautifying my home?

I know it's been done before... but any interest?  I promise embarrassing before and after photographs.

Additions - Hello Robert Clergerie Platform Sandals, Goodbye Mimco Wedge Booties...

I bought these Robert Clergerie platform sandals the other day:

I couldn't go past them given the bargain basement price and especially since the black version of the same shoe was still ticketed at $755! They are quite comfy and stable to walk in... and now all of a sudden I can't wait for Summer again.

As per my culling strategy this year, to make room on my IKEA Billy shoe shelves for this new acquisition, I culled some Mimco wedge booties... they are listed on eBay already... along with a few other things.

Self-acceptance & the ONE IN ONE OUT culling strategy...

I have to be honest with you all - I have added a lot more to my wardrobe than I have culled over the last three months.

Thanks to a frenzied shopping spree in the US and a successful "hunting" trip to Myer after receiving an invite to the Myer One Designer Clearance, my wardrobe is once again looking rather full *sigh*.

Readers commented upon my return from the US that they could not wait to hear about my holiday purchases and although I prepared a post outlining what I bought, I could not publish it.  Reading it made me feel dirty and to publish it would be akin to airing my dirty laundry in public.

Just one of my US purchases

Nevertheless after some quiet contemplation (hence the less frequent blog posts), I have realised that I have not committed a crime... rather I have enjoyed spending the money which I have earned (after paying all my bills and putting food on the table).

Yes readers, I have resigned myself to the fact that I enjoy buying new things.  Although now, having the benefit of hindsight, I know that things can really get out of hand if I don't reel myself.

So having said all of this, in this my second year of my blog, I will try to utilise the ONE IN ONE OUT culling strategy* having already finished my more extensive allover cull.

The ONE IN ONE OUT culling strategy means that this year for each new fashion item that I buy, I must get rid of a fashion item.  The same will go for cosmetics.  I must finish a product before I replace it with a new product, or at least get rid of a product that I do not enjoy using.

The idea behind the ONE IN ONE OUT culling strategy is that it will force me to be even more critical and mindful of the contents of my wardrobe.  Each time I buy something new I will have to revisit exactly what I have and how I feel about it.  Ideally I will eventually reach a point of WARDROBE EQUILIBRIUM - the point in which everything in my wardrobe is balanced and has meaning.

I have already utilised the ONE IN ONE OUT culling strategy in this past week.  I will write about it in my next post.


*NB: Utilising this strategy before undertaking the extensive allover cull is CHEATING.