...one BEE's Aspirational Clutter

 

2021.

Need I say More?

I have been AWOL.  No good excuses.  We're all well, status quo.  I'm just feeling a need to 'dump' some idle ramblings that are clogging up my brain (ie: brain dump!).

JANUARY of a New Year - FULL of potential and possibility.  I have the same 'intentions' for this year as I did in 2019, 2018, etc... ( You can go back ONE post to see those!!).

S.T.U.F.F.  I have reach my CLUTTER THRESHOLD (Thanks Dana White!), and though I have a HIGH Threshold, one 'intention' that is getting a LOT of attention this year is PURGE, PURGE, PURGE!  I have enlisted two friends (LK & LM) to join me playing the MINS GAME.  We are on Day 7.  Today's mission is to Purge 7 items. Yesterday was 6, and tomorrow is 8.  You get the idea!?!

I have been listening to NUMEROUS Podcasts regarding 'DeCLUTTERING' and 'ORGANIZING' to keep myself motivated.  Motivation is the only thing that is in short supply, because we all know I have PLENTY-o-STUFF!!

  

Thanks to TheCLUTTERBUG I have learned that my organizing style is a BEE.  (Go take the quiz - it's kinda eye-opening!)

Today's 'eye-opener' came from...

BE UNCLUTTERED

and the realization of ASPIRATIONAL CLUTTER (aka: 'FANTASY SELF')

"...In short, “aspirational clutter” is all the stuff you buy for your Fantasy Self. We all have dreams, aspirations, hopes for our lives. We work towards these by getting an education, working hard, earning money, and slowly making our dreams come true."

"... Aspirational clutter is defined by two criteria: These are idle things you’re keeping only for a future version of yourself, and… They’re things that create an obstacle for you today, whether that’s taking up much-needed space or digging at your self-esteem" (apartmenttherapy.com)

  

   This is a HARD one. MUCH self-reflection is involved.

~ Deciding what pursuits are worth investing time in.. 

~ Letting go of those that aren't ~ things (aspirations, dreams) that I no longer desire, or at 53yrs., realize won't (for various reasons) be part of my future.

~ WHO am I?

~ What 'exactly' IS 'MY' Style?

  I like who I currently am (for the most part), and don't want to feel 'guilted' by all the 'un-used stuff' in my current life that was purchased with the intention of a 'Better Version'!

So, with that idea fresh in my mind... Day 7 Purge was much LARGER than required by 'The Mins Game'!

I hit a portion of the 'hanging rack' in our closet! I took a Hard look at each piece... office attire from a previous chapter of my life - GONE!  Tree-Hugger FLAX linen/cotton pieces (who am I kidding that I will EVER pull out a clothes iron??) - GONE!  TWENTY-FIVE items (and 20 hangers!!) later, and I feel a 'bit' lighter...  but I have PLENTY more to sort through for the next 23 days!!

until we chat again,

enJOY

& 

be well!

...BLUE MONDAY?

Jumping on the Bandwagon with creations for the recent uprise in 'Aroma Therapy' jewelry

BLUE MONDAY.

'THEY' say it's a thing... I am going to choose to ignore the commercialized version of it, and rather focus on the 'other side':

"to inspire people to take action and make bold life decisions".

 (Click on the link and decide for yourself!)

My 'intentions' (much friendlier than 'RESOLUTIONS') for 2020 are along the same lines as they have been for the last decade or so...

~Be more present

~Create every day

~Purge. Purge. Purge.

~Learn something new every day

~...yada, yada, yada...

Easier said as 'enjoy Life'!

And how has this been working for me? (Why, Thank you for asking!)  ...

Sentimental costume jewelry added to a frame and mirror

~I have Really been enjoying participating in 'joint' creative endeavors.

FRIENDSHIP + GLUE GUN = WIN*WIN!

~EXPANDING upon my minimal crochet 'talents'... WRISTLETS for Everyone!

DD YARN DESTASH + LONG WINTER NIGHTS= WIN*WIN!

~I'm finding YouTube to be an explosion of inspiration! J and I love combing beaches for 'treasures', and now I have been inspired by a lovely vlogger on Prince Edward Island to create mosaics!   A recent DD mirror is revived into a SeaGlass Mosaic.
LANDFILL RESCUE + EXCUSE FOR HOARDING SEAGLASS = WIN*WIN!

How has the first month of 2020 been treating you?  

 I have been missing all of my peeps in Blogland - please say 'hi' in the comments!!
  Until next time....

BE WELL

and

en JOY!

...drumroll, please

2020 PANTONE COLOR...

PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue

Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.

Introducing Pantone's Color of the Year 2020, Classic Blue 19-4052

Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.

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A timeless and enduring blue hue, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is elegant in its simplicity. Suggestive of the sky at dusk, the reassuring qualities of the thought-provoking PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue highlight our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.

Imprinted in our psyches as a restful color, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue brings a sense of peace and tranquility to the human spirit, offering refuge. Aiding concentration and bringing laser like clarity, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue re-centers our thoughts. A reflective blue tone, Classic Blue fosters resilience.

As technology continues to race ahead of the human ability to process it all, it is easy to understand why we gravitate to colors that are honest and offer the promise of protection. Non-aggressive and easily relatable, the trusted PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue lends itself to relaxed interaction. Associated with the return of another day, this universal favorite is comfortably embraced.

READY, SET... GET OUT THERE &

enjoy!!

...'G' is for GARBAGE and GUMDROP Trees

'ONE PERSONS "GARBAGE" IS ANOTHER PERSON'S TREASURE"... (or something like that!)

"G" Is for...

GARBAGE!

DISCLAIMER: Retail names have been edited to protect my sourcing!!

'DUMPSTER DIVING MERIT BADGE' by SPOOFBADGES

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/683632418415209160/

  Okay, dear svelteSTUFF readers (all two of you - LOL)... this may not be 'news' to you, but by putting it out into BlogLand- it's kind of like 'coming out of the closet'...  I have become an addicted Dumpster Diver! (MUCH to J's chagrin...)  Yes.  ANOTHER 'aquatic activity' joins my regiment- first 'saleing', now 'diving'.

  DON'T shudder and get skeeved out!  It's REALLY not like that!!  I don't 'NEED' to do this for financial reasons!  It all started 'harmless' enough - searching out economical (FREE!) packing supplies in clothing/homegoods retailers dumpsters (nothing spoiled or smelly in there!!).  I don't actually 'go in' the dumpsters!   At 6'-0", with my trusty 'grabber' in hand, I can pretty much reach anything of interest.  Yes. I do wear gloves.

Mug by REAL PEOPLE GOODS

https://www.etsy.com/listing/658996185/dumpster-diving-travel-mug-funny

  My eyes were soon opened to Just.How.MUCH. good~useable 'stuff' is sent to our landfills!  Quite sad actually.  I won't get my 'soapbox' out and start lecturing about Corporate America's Policies!  I am going to show you a few examples though...

  

**MY size - worn all winter and kept my feet warm and DRY!!

THANKS 'TreeLumber-Land'

USEABLE!

Quality, very slightly imperfect items.  Jeans, Clothings, Purses...  Yes, Retailers spend their time trying to prevent 're-use' by destroying discards (ie: Cutting to shreds or SHARPIE scribbles all over leather).  Wouldn't this time be better spent donating to a shelter or Not-For-Profit Organization??
Thanks to the wonder of the Web, I have learned that High SPF, aerosol sunscreen cleans leather Beautifully.

Neighbor's cat 'GUMBALL' snuggling in her 'new' bed!

FOUR-LEGGED PAMPERING!

~POUNDS and POUNDS of bags of dry food!

~CASES of canned food

~Pet Beds 

~TREATS, Greenies, Toys and MORE!!

  Local Animal Shelter, Friends and strays have all been reaping the benefits!  Only sealed food is taken.  Recalls were checked.  This 'waste' resulted in 'BestBy:' dates within the month, or a dent to one can in a case, or a 'mark' on the fabric.  Animals REALLY don't mind dented cans, and we even discovered our NE wild birds will eat 'Tropical Bird Seed' in the middle of Winter (LOL!).  Now, if only this Chain Store would stop 'slashing' bags to deter use, a LOT more animals could benefit...  Luckily they manage to miss some! 

Card Store rotating rack which held Last Season's "Very Best", but this chain care enough to send this 'outdated' display to the dumpster.

DISPLAYS!

~ HANGERS!!!

~CLOTHING RACKS of all shapes and styles!!

  You know what I'm talking about here - those Heavy-duty, commercial quality, wheeled and swivel Beauties that we all dream of and drool over...  Stores change layouts, replacements are made, the 'old' are discarded to the dumpster out back.

Extended life of rotating card rack, as a JEWELRY DISPLAY for TREMORS CREATIONS!

  We have actually acquired SO MANY of these that I have been passing them onto neighbors and friends!!

MANNEQUINS!

~ Need I say more?

just go to my post for 'D'.

UPDATES:

'Miss Crane' (R) now has a head, and is grooving into Summer with Sesame Shimmer (L)

~AND~

 Her twin 'Miss Tommi' has moved out of town and taken on a new identity as 'Lorraine', in charge of Marketing!

TREATS!

~ HOLIDAY CANDIES!

~CHIPS, COOKIES & CANDIES!

~HEALTH & BEAUTY AIDS!

  Before you go into the 'EEEWWW' mode, ALL items were CLEAN, DRY, Factory SEALED and in a clean, dry bag without 'garbage' items!  Directly pulled from shelves for coming close to 'BestBy:' date.

  Many, Many boxes of Cereal, Pasta, Crackers, Chips and candy have been donated to FREE Food Shelves at local thrifts.

*Of course the SUNSCREEN & STARBUCKS coffee are staying with us!!

THANKS Sea Vee Es!!

So, maybe I'm not making a huge dent in the big scheme of things, but Every little bit helps - right?  

...and the smiles that I have received from the beneficiaries of some of these 'treasures' is enough to fuel my passion!

Just in case 'GARBAGE PICKINGS' aren't a 'true' collection, I will recap one of our other 'G's"

"G" Is for...

GUMDROP TREES!

An 'oldie, but Goodie', that never gets 'OLD' in our house.  Check out past posts:
~https://ssveltestuff.blogspot.com/2014/02/they-are-magically-valentine.html
~https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2611406560113541885#editor/target=post;postID=4725827149284258834;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=1;src=postname

BE WELL

and

en JOY!