the best shoes I never wore

For 3 years I had a pair of designer shoes in my closet that I loved. They were red and white checkers with 4” stiletto heels and were purchased for $75 (normally $400!). They were perfect, except that I never wore them out of the house because, by the time I walked from the bedroom to the front door, I would give up from the cramping and take them off. In hind sight, I never should have purchased a pair of shoes that was obviously 2 sizes too small, but I was being optimistic. Just like the skinny jeans I keep in case I lose 15 pounds, I kept these shoes because I really hoped one day my feet would go from a size 9.5 to a size 8.

After 3 agonizing years, I finally came to grips with reality. I grabbed those shoes, along with all those cute “I’m 21 and love to party!” tank tops, and made a trip to My Sister’s Closet, a local chain of consignment stores in Phoenix.

I held in the tears while the girl behind the counter quickly looked through my items and set up my consignment account. She explained that the items would be placed in the store at the price they know is appropriate. If the item doesn’t sell, it will be marked down. If it still doesn’t sell, it will get donated. When the items sell, about half of the profit will go into my account that I can use as store credit or redeem for cash.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I still love to get the warm fuzzy feeling from donating clothes and household goods to great non-profits, but consigning has become my motivation for getting rid of all the impulse buys I have in my closet. All those items they are still in new condition, were purchased on an amazing sale, or the salesperson talked me into can now actually do me some good.

So goodbye Banana Republic pants that went from a 6 to a 2 in the wash. Goodbye Ann Taylor v-neck I don’t have the assets to wear. No longer do I need to look at you and feel guilty for the money wasted. I can take you to find a new owner who you will make very happy, and I now start to fill the empty spaces in my closet!

This one's got it together.

First things first. Let’s examine dictionary.com’s definition:

Main Entry:              laundry room

Part of Speech:        n

Definition:                a room where clothes are washed and dried, usu. with large appliances

Example:                 We have a great laundry room, well-designed, organized, and in the perfect location.

Etymology:               1967

Does that presently sound like your laundry room? If the answer is yes, give yourself a pat on the back, way to have your clothes cleaning station in check. But if yours is overflowing with miscellaneous items and mishmash of detergent bottles, it’s time for a clean up.

*Get rid of the clutter. Take everything out of the laundry room that doesn’t belong there.

*When laundry is done get it folded and put away ASAP. One pile seems to attract multiple others.

*If you have a counter for folding, use it! Keep it free of clutter.

*Have a small trash can for lint, used dryer sheets and other trash that accumulates.

*If you have a laundry product that you don’t use or like, give it away or trash it. If you haven’t used it yet you probably never will.

*Use built-in cabinets for laundry products and cleaners. If you don’t have built-in cabinets, use plastic drawers or crates.

*A hanging bar or drying rack is easy to install and ideal for clothing that can’t go in the dryer.

*Invest in large, sturdy laundry baskets or canvas totes.

*A multi-bin sorter helps keep colors or family members’ items separate.

*A small plastic bin can be used for change, keys and other items often found in pockets.

*If you spend a lot of time in the laundry room, make it enjoyable. Keep it well lit and have a small stereo.

The key to a great laundry room is making it orderly and then keeping it that way. Laundry doesn’t have to be a chore; it can be a relaxing experience. Well, that may only be true for a small percentage of us but having an organized space will certainly make it less exhausting.