Challenge Update: Week 9

The “staycation” that kickstarted the conquering of my closet, one unsatisfying item of clothing at a time.

Challenge Rule 1: Buy No Clothes/Don’t Covet

Being on “vacation” (read: going to every single park or wooded area in the region and lugging muddy bicycles around in the trunk) means I have had little occasion to covet or buy anything, for that matter.

As we also have been making regular trips to the basement to get out stored toys*, I have been in regular proximity to the bin of unloved clothes I stored down there a long time ago. These are the things that I either need to start wearing or they will be re-homed at the end of the year. A few items have come out for refashioning purposes so far. I’ve had a few flashes about what to do with some of the garments.

In some ways, the bin is a like a little thrift store I can visit from time to time for inspiration. It’s not coveting, cause it’s all mine. It’s actually kind of fun.

*We have a one in-one out policy for toys, and keep them in rotation so that when boredom strikes, we can take down a toy they are using less in exchange for a toy they want to play with that was in storage. It keeps down on clutter and creates an activity for a rainy days.

Challenge Rule 2: The Inventory

Added a pair of pre-baby black trousers (yay me!) to the Pantheon and a rather boring long sleeved t-shirt which serves its purpose swimmingly.

Also, this blue mohair sweater I knitted a lifetime ago, which I put it in a ziplock and forgot about it for like 10 years. For this reason only the moths never got to it.

Challenge Rule 3: Go-To Catalogue:

Nothing at all to report. I didn’t need it nor did I add to it.

Challenge Rule 4: Mise en Place/Plan Ahead:

I was on a roll! This, if I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a dozen, is an absolute game changer.

Challenge Rule 5: Repair and Mend, Alter when Necessary:

I repaired a bunch of socks, added some flounces here and there because I am 100% certain that I am more likely to reach for something with a flounce than I am to reach for something without.

Oh! Remember me saying that I decided not to alter red jeans cause I liked them too much? Yeah. I changed my mind. I said that, and then proceeded to not wear them once. So I gave them an ultimatum (uhm, me. I gave myself the ultimatum.). I used my favorite skinnies as a template and the result is splendid. I also added about 2 inches to the waist in the back (recovered fabric from the hem), which makes them infinitely more wearable.

Also this:

All the men in my house had superhero t-shirts, and darn it, I wanted one too. I’ve been giving the side eye to this men’s size small Superman t-shirt, from the same load as the boys’ windbreaker. Finally I got up the nerve to do something about it. I must say that my little boys were jealous and with the right cardigan and jeans, I look like kinda like a cool mom.

Round up

Creative binges can’t last forever, and I am looking forward to getting back to real life on Monday. However, they are fun while they last! I’ve got ideas galore to keep me busy dreaming until time becomes available again!