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Simplify and Downsize...You can do it too! - Page 11

post #201 of 319
12/26/06 at 1:43pm
I have this thread on my bookmarks, I just love to look at the pictures and remind myself that I CAN simplify and my apartment CAN look nice without being full of STUFF.
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post #202 of 319
12/26/06 at 4:23pm
Just had to share -
Several days ago I was looking at your beautiful pictures : , and I saw those magnetic spice holders. I showed the picture of them to DH and said "How cool are those? I would really like to get some of them when I get the chance." Well, you can imagine how happy I am that DH tracted them down for me for x-mas! They are right now on my refrigerator filled with my favorite spices. Now I don't have to dig through a drawer to find them!

Thanks for posting those pictures! They are a huge insperation to me. Now on I go to do some more decluttering...
post #203 of 319
12/26/06 at 9:40pm
Did any of you notice while reading Delight's (Sara's) blog that they've moved OUT of that cute little apartment! They're moving west...sold a lot of stuff, even their bed. Turns out they only lived in the apartment about two months!
post #204 of 319
12/26/06 at 9:57pm
I think Sara's blog is very inspiring. Not just about the apartment, the whole blog. When I feel stressed sometimes I just go thru her albums and enjoy the pics. I can't wait to see the setup in the new place. Especially starting totally over!
post #205 of 319
12/27/06 at 12:29am
you have inspired me delight.
I went thru my kitchen today and ridded our lives of 3 boxes to go to goodwill and a whole bunch to recycle.
It is amazing how much junk mail I shoved into drawers.

Would you be open to helping me make better use of my space by looking at some pics?
I am artistically challenged.
post #206 of 319
12/27/06 at 6:10pm
Thread Starter 
Howdy simplifying mamas!
I've been missing in action for awhile...but I've still been reading all of these responses. It's so wonderful and humbling to know that our journey has helped so many of you.

Tradd is right...we have moved OUT of our tiny apartment, and have moved to Bozeman, MT! We were there for a very short time, but I still enjoyed every minute of it. I'm a firm believer in making your home YOUR OWN even if you are going to be there for a little while (we thought we'd be there at least a year, but plans changed).

We are currently living with family in a beautiful cabin at a camp in the mountains. You can see photos here and here. We have a job opportunity that we are waiting to hear the final word on...so until then, we are in limbo. We'll be spending 2 weeks in Boulder, CO with friends in Jan. and then when we return hopefully we'll be in our OWN place.

We sold all of our furniture...and only kept our clothes, kitchen items, and adventure/outdoor gear, and toys. It fit into the back of a truck and a tiny trailer. If we get the job that we are hoping for, we would most likely live in a a small A-frame cabin. If not, we'll be looking for a small apartment in town. Either way, I'm super excited to start fresh. I want to take the "furnishing journey" slow and only find things that I ADORE. I will be finding everything 2nd hand/used, of course...and that includes antique stores I have seen some of the greatest couches at antique stores. The only thing that we may buy new is a new bed. I would love to go organic/chemical free...and there is a local organic futon maker that I'm going to check out. I will be sure to check back and update as we do more with our next home.

It's funny because even though we have so LITTLE right now materially, we feel like we have sooooo much stuff. I'm going to do more downsizing as we unpack.

The thing that has been a challenge is that when you move to a new climate, there are all kinds of new things you have the opportunity to buy! I am trying really hard to make do...but some things, such as boots, have been necessary. It's just so easy to accumulate more and more without realizing it.

Anyhoo...if any of you have asked me questions and I haven't replied...please don't be offended! I have trouble keeping track of questions within posts. Feels free to PM me or email me at msjanssen @ hotmail dot com.

Happy Holidays!
post #207 of 319
12/27/06 at 6:55pm
It's nice to hear from you Sara!

I just wish I had a mentor here to walk me through this! OR a book, could you write a book for us!

I KNOW I am still keeping too much stuff but I'm torn-- on one hand I want that streamlined life that isn't weighed down by STUFF, and on the other hand, I have so many excuses to keep things-- mostly fear that I'll regret it after I get rid of them, that I'll need them later . . .

I got rid of most of our dishes, I kept two toddler plates and two toddler bowls, and then four of everything else. On one hand I think this is still too much because there are only two adults in our house, but I was thinking how the baby and the toddler will eat off of them eventually. I have a hard time making these decisions.

Also, I have been afraid of what our families will think. I don't know how to explain it to them. How do we tell them that we don't need more stuff? How do we explain our new values and principles with out putting down their choices (which, in some cases, we greatly disagree with?) When I have tried to explain our downsizing philosophy to a couple of family members, they just look blank and then their responses reveal their complete lack of understanding. *sigh*

In the meantime, post-Christmas, DS1 now has, AGAIN, more clothes than he needs, more toys than he knows what to do with, and this is after clearing out one large trashbag full of toddler clothes and two large trashbags full of toys. :
post #208 of 319
12/27/06 at 7:09pm

Ooooh, tell, tell!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zamber View Post
Just had to share -
Several days ago I was looking at your beautiful pictures : , and I saw those magnetic spice holders. I showed the picture of them to DH and said "How cool are those? I would really like to get some of them when I get the chance." Well, you can imagine how happy I am that DH tracted them down for me for x-mas! They are right now on my refrigerator filled with my favorite spices....
Where. Did. You. Find. Them??? I have been looking all over!!!! (I have a giftcard, and I'm not afraid to use it! )
post #209 of 319
12/27/06 at 7:54pm
Ebay has them usually. New ones. I think I also found them at Macys online. I know I'm not Sara but I thought I'd answer anyway
post #210 of 319
12/27/06 at 7:56pm
Sara I have to admit I'm a little addicted to your blog. It is SO inspiring and peaceful to explore. You have some amazing pics there. I can't wait to see your "new" house.
post #211 of 319
12/27/06 at 8:08pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommaof3boz View Post
Sara I have to admit I'm a little addicted to your blog. It is SO inspiring and peaceful to explore. You have some amazing pics there. I can't wait to see your "new" house.
Thank you so much! It means so much to me when you guys say kind words about the crazy thought that come out of my head

On another note, I found my spice containers at Target, but I think they discontinued them. Try here. They also have white ones. I have seen them at higher end kitchen stores as well.
post #212 of 319
12/27/06 at 10:19pm
omg.
wow.
I am subbing to your blog to I just glanced over it and was confused as you were in MT.
I am glad things are going well for you.
You have totally inspired me and besides a setback with dh today....
He went thru my goodwill boxes and dug stuff out! YIKES!
But anyhow.
Thanks
Em
post #213 of 319
12/27/06 at 10:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Delight View Post
Thank you so much! It means so much to me when you guys say kind words about the crazy thought that come out of my head

On another note, I found my spice containers at Target, but I think they discontinued them. Try here. They also have white ones. I have seen them at higher end kitchen stores as well.
Oh man, I need some money so I can get those! Badass

ETA: Delight, what template do you use for your blog? I'm trying to make a blog to correspond with my website (because I don't have much space on the site itself and it would be easier to link) and I like your layout but don't see it or did you do your own HTML?
post #214 of 319
12/27/06 at 10:53pm
OMG! I am so inspired. We are moving from a 2400+ square foot house to a 1700 square foot house in a few months. I have been donating, giving away and tossing SO MUCH STUFF, yet I still feel like I have tons of crap! Yet, everyone we know thinks that we really don't have that much stuff. I'm trying to figure out what I really NEED. I don't think I really NEED much at all. Granted, I have space for a good bit of stuff that we WANT, yet I still can't figure it out. I wish somebody would make a list of what to keep and what to toss and what is optional if you have room. LOL!
post #215 of 319
12/28/06 at 6:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kathirynne View Post
Where. Did. You. Find. Them??? I have been looking all over!!!! (I have a giftcard, and I'm not afraid to use it! )
DH found them at bed bath and beyond (you can buy them on their online website - http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...3335656&RN=207 ), and I also found some at Meijers last night (they were by the plates, cookie and food storage canisters). HTH!
post #216 of 319
12/28/06 at 6:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by momma2emerson View Post
I wish somebody would make a list of what to keep and what to toss and what is optional if you have room. LOL!
Ditto!

But since know one has volunteered the cheat sheet, I started making my own list for each room. First I envisioned my perfect ideal room, listed the stuff that would be in there (kind of the bare minimums) and then thought about what was actually in the room and needed to go. Kind of like Clean Sweep, I guess, but in my head. This is how I made my "purge list" which I have on another thread in this forum. There will be more to go since I didn't even get to the storage room/shed yet, but it's a good start!
post #217 of 319
12/28/06 at 2:41pm
Quote:
Also, I have been afraid of what our families will think. I don't know how to explain it to them. How do we tell them that we don't need more stuff? How do we explain our new values and principles with out putting down their choices (which, in some cases, we greatly disagree with?) When I have tried to explain our downsizing philosophy to a couple of family members, they just look blank and then their responses reveal their complete lack of understanding. *sigh*
I have a similar problem and am curious if any of you had to deal with similar situations with friends and family. I grew up in a fairly mainstream family although my Mom and Dad definitly appreciate where I'm coming from the rest of my family thinks I"m nuts... as well as DH's family. NOt to mention all of our friends who get the same glazed over looks discribed above.

I guess my question is HOW do you you make people understand your lifestyle choices without coming off as completely insane(to them)?
post #218 of 319
12/28/06 at 9:42pm
I too am so incredibly inspired by your blog and photos. (Even if you don't live there anymore!) We are planning a move to NYC next fall and will undoubtedly be in a much smaller space than we're in now. I so want to have less stuff and live more mindfully - all the things you said.

I'm bookmarking your blog to remind me that I can do this. Your photos are so gorgeous!

Now my real problem - I cannot declutter and simplify while I am on the computer. I have a serious online problem - surely there is another thread for that, though.

Thanks for sharing!
post #219 of 319
12/29/06 at 9:10am
I'm glad this thread was bumped up, it was just what I needed.

I've never liked any of the spaces that I've lived in, always felt the pressure to decorate to the "current standard", and felt awful when I fell short.

I'm taking the next several months (or however long it takes) to get rid of everything I can. I'm going to paint my white house, and i'm going to fill MYspace with things that I love.

Sincerely, thank you.
post #220 of 319
12/29/06 at 11:23am
Sara..you are my new role model!!
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