Desperate Housewife
It's happening again... I'm in the midst of another great slim down. This isn't about weight or calories. It's about consumption. I physically want to own less, and I want the things I do own to be outstanding. In essence, I'm breaking up with many of my possessions.
This is a process I've been going through for the past few years, and this time I'm ready to cut a bit deeper. How freeing will it be to only own things which I absolutely adore? For me, this process focuses almost exclusively on my wardrobe, as it's far easier to eliminate non-essential housewares. I pare down our kitchen cabinets easily, keeping only the best and brightest. When it comes to sequined clutches and sweaters I have a much more difficult time letting go.
Maybe it's the approaching new year, but I find that I am deeply motivated and inspired. Motivated by the need for order. Inspired by our very own Travel Concierge, Anne, who has sold everything she owned - ridiculously chic San Francisco home included - to travel exotic locales with her husband. Yes... I'm not kidding. An interview is coming soon, in the meantime she sent me this excellent article on letting go of your things.
What do these celebrity closets have to do with the great breakup of 2010? Everything. Take a look at Kimora's closet (well, one tiny corner of her enormous closet). It gives me a headache just looking at it. She is clearly owned by her possessions. I'm certain she has items in her closet she's barely aware of. Bags given to her by companies, jeans she's never worn (and won't). And yet...she needs the things to feel "right" about life. I couldn't possibly live with a closet so packed to the gills. Eva on the other hand... I adore her well edited closet. It appears that she has a carefully selected group of precious things that she adores. I imagine she knows every dress, every shoe, every bag and can tell you when she purchased it and what it looks fabulous with. It looks like a happy, controlled useful space. If these staged photos are any indication of the reality beneath, Eva owns her things. Her things don't own her. John Trosko - famed organizer of Los Angeles - tends to agree with me.
But don't be fooled... she owns hundreds of jeans and dozens of stilettos. Notice that everything has a place, though. Eva's racks aren't overflowing. She has perfectly matched hangers and seems to have the jeans categorized for easy dressing. Here's a woman who knows how to work her wardrobe for maximum effect. She likely doesn't accidentally buy the same jeans over and over again. I'm not saying I don't want a fully functional wardrobe... I simply don't want any items in the closet(s) or drawers that I don't love. If it doesn't fit right, isn't flattering on, isn't high quality, isn't useful - it goes. See ya! What remains must be useful, flattering, well tailored and essential. The rest must go. So with my sorting containers marked "eBay," "charity," and "trash" I begin the editorial process. I'm diving in and not looking back. After all... a girl needs more room for those things which she absolutely does love. Anyone care to join me in the great purge of 2010?
Yes, I will join, you are an inspiration to how I want to live! with quality and a lot less quantity!
Posted by: kathy | December 30, 2009 at 09:54 AM
Frankie, if Eva edited so well, why did she show up for an awards show in a freaking bathing suit? ;)
Posted by: becky | December 30, 2009 at 10:11 AM
I am so all over this, right up my alley! Just yesterday I packed a bunch of ill fitting tops into a "charity" bag. However, I did quickly replace them with new buys, but these will last a good amount of time and fit great. I try to edit/pare down my closet at least twice a year, makes life just that much easier.
Posted by: CarrieC | December 30, 2009 at 10:21 AM
I'm in. I just moved into a smaller space to accelerate the process actually, but the letting go of my stuff has been harder than expected. Thanks for the much needed recharge of inspiration!
Posted by: Tiffany | December 30, 2009 at 05:06 PM
OH I love it! So the question is... HOW shall we do it? I'm thinking of building a page and posting up pix of everything I'm looking to purge. If anyone wants an item they can bid on it or whatever. Challenge is... it's LOTS of items. I'll likely separate it into "fun things for the blog" and tried and true boring things for goodwill... or something like that.
Would anyone be interested in that? Ideas?
Posted by: franki durbin | December 30, 2009 at 05:33 PM
Trying to find time over my Christmas break to do the very same thing! Let me know when your *lovelies* are being sold on ebay/zazzle.
Posted by: Pamela | December 30, 2009 at 08:46 PM
Hi Frankie!
Oh gosh, give me a break: "famed organizer of Los Angeles." You're scaring me with that one darling.
Rome was not built in a day. Whilst I don't thinkith your closet will take a few centuries, it will probably take a few nights. I'd love to work with you on it though... remember, this is all a process and sometimes just spending one or two hours will get you motivated. Many of our clothes have memories. I have a sweatshirt from a summer job I worked just after high school and it's 20 years old. I wouldn't dare wear it out in uber-trendy El Lay, but it's comforting to squeeze into it every once in a while. So my advice is what you already know, keep the things that mean a lot to you, just don't keep it all.
John aka OrganizingLA
Posted by: John Trosko | December 30, 2009 at 09:51 PM
Franki, I'm so in!! The "too much stuff-ness" is killing me softly. I feel like I'm wearing too tight jeans every time I step into my closet. I'm gonna start today, well after champagne and a little NYE partying.. prolly tomorrow.. well after the well earned hangover. =)
P.S. I haven't forgotten about my unorthodox request, I will have that info to you asap. =D
Posted by: Zena | December 31, 2009 at 04:36 AM
Loving all the feedback on this! I have a heaping pile of dresses, shoes and bags. If it's not absolutely in my "wear all the time, fits perfectly, adore it" category it is OUTTA here. Even if it still has tags on it! Pretty sure I'll end up posting it all on a separate page for anyone who wants to take a stab at it!
Posted by: franki durbin | December 31, 2009 at 06:23 AM
Franki -
Thanks so much for the link. I agree with your readers it is difficult to get rid of your things, but that said I'm spending New Year's Eve in Quito so the pay off is HUGE. Feliz Ano Nuevo everyone!
Posted by: Travel Muse | December 31, 2009 at 09:10 AM
Franki,
I am with you on this one! I intend to relieve my closet of 50% of its inventory.
What fun it will be to know exactly what is in there!
Posted by: Sara | January 02, 2010 at 06:51 PM
I'm late to the party, but I definitely need to participate in this!
Posted by: A Loopy Life | January 05, 2010 at 10:21 PM