Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Hoarder of Clothing


I know that materialism in excess breeds discontentment and fosters ingratitude.  I also live in a small home with 4 children.  So why on earth is it I cannot seem to get the girls clothing under control?!  They have a large closet and 2 dressers bursting at the seams.  Creating chaos when it's time to get dressed.  These are just the clothes my 5 and 6 year old fit into right now.  I also have several large storage bins full of clothes for them to grow into, not to mention the bins of clothing they have grown out of.  I really struggle with this and I promise within the last month alone I gave away several bags of their clothing.  It's like their clothes are rabbits and multiply.  My problem lies in the fact so many of the clothes are wonderful.   There aren't any clothes they can't wear whenever they want.  I don't believe in special occasion dresses, every day is special.   Maybe because they totally dress and pick out their own clothing it ends up they wear only a handful of their favorites.  Then there are my favorites I keep in the mix hoping they might chose.  Anyway bottom line is something had to be done.  So we did it.  I set out all their tops and bottoms.  (first pic)  There were over 120 tops alone!  The last photo is what we got it down to.  Amazing!  I have to tell you it panics me and I want to go out to the garage and bring just a "few" things back in.  The fact I haven't actually gotten rid of them is a security-but I know I have to.  SOON!  I also show a photo of the bin I packed to store away for Dotty and the pile to give away.  In the give away pile alone are 6 swimsuits,  2 dresses,  23 pairs of pants, 13 pairs of pajama's and 45 tops.    Next up the shoes and closet.  Baby steps.

8 comments:

  1. It's girls. I swear it. I have one boy and three girls. My boy needs a few t-shirts, some jeans, and sneakers. My girls, white sandals, black mary janes, cute sneakers, flip flops...and we are still on shoes. I am so jealous of my friend with four boys when she packs for their vacations.

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  2. The first picture reminds me of an I Spy page!

    Good job!

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  3. I love that there is a baby amidst the scramble of clothing!

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  4. I'm majorly impressed that you managed to fit this organizing in to what must be a supremely busy life! I can identify with the temptation to hold onto things (but, they are so cute) and it must be even more tempting when you have a little one to grow into the clothes some day. I have a girl and and a boy so I don't need the girl clothes, but have a hard time getting rid of the things she grows out of since so many of them are so special. You are inspiring me though. Maybe it's time for a run to the local charity shop ...

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  5. I'm so glad I'm not alone in this! I have just had a small sort out too. I thought I needed to get some new summer dresses for my daughter but on closer inspection she has more than enough. Well done for being so ruthless.

    xxx

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  6. This is exactly what I'm doing, right now. Well, taking a break from anyhow. Four kids makes alot of clothes. I'm thankful for one boy in the mix to make it kind of fewer clothes. But his are easily the grossest! What is it with boys??

    On a seperate note- I think Solanah is SO Lucky to have you for an aunt. You are amazing, and I truly admire you. Four kids, and you still manage to inspire vintage in your lifestyle and your babies.

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  7. oh my oh my...a true girl mommy!!! Dear ol hubby must be a saint with, you and all your baby kittens...lovin' all the girly goodness like piles of clothes! This post was awesome...i saw it yesterday...didn't have time to comment...so swung back by...and started to giggle...why????? The first time i didn't even see sweet baby kitten in the photo...ha ha ha...love her in the mix of all those adorable clothes...she's already taught to(really) get in to fashion...lol :)

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  8. oh my god! look at all those clothes! having girls must be so fun. i think i am done having babies and sometimes i get really sad i'll never have a daughter.
    by the way, i gave you a shout out and a little blog award over at my blog! you rule!

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