Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Lighten the Load

Some glorious things happened this weekend: I cleaned my closet AND partook in Sephora's 20% off for VIB's. And I watched The Lost Boys twice, but that's another story for another time.

Now when I say I cleaned my closet I mean I cleaned that mother GOOD. We're talking a third of my clothes are in bags on their way to Goodwill, consignment or eBay. All that's left is to go through the winter crawl space (call 911 if you don't hear from me by Friday) and release a bunch of coats. Buh-bye! Feels pretty awesome to let things go and look forward. Sadly, I've proven to be that person who can't get rid of a t-shirt due to the memories it invokes from that one time...uh, yeah. Therapy much? Who's with me? I know you're out there.

I guess what I learned again this weekend is that belongings do not equal safety and security. They equal piles of crap from days gone by and, at least in my case, do their part to hold me in the past.

Armchair psychology on hoarding aside, let's move onto the good stuff.  THE CLARISONIC.  I've used it twice since Thursday's Sephora stampede. Do I look three years old yet? Goals people, you've gotta have goals.

You may be asking yourself, what's the link between a clean closet and 20% off? Well let me tell you: HELMUT LANG.  I got this thing of beauty for 50% off after months of lamentations on price and don't think I've ever worn it on here before so ta-da! I love it. I want to wear it every day and, sometimes, I actually do.

The moral of the story is only buy things you love, don't despair if you have to wait for them to go on sale because it's a sweeter victory AND DON'T FILL YOUR LIFE UP WITH CRAP YOU DON'T EVEN REALLY WANT.

The end.
~Jacket: Helmut Lang, T: James Perse, Lace Vest (old): H&M, Denim (old): Free People, Shoes: Julian LouiexAldo~
~Necklaces: LowLuv by Erin Wasson and Vanessa Mooney, Rings: Erin Wasson and Vanessa Mooney
Bracelets: Vanessa Mooney (here, here, here, here) and Motif56~
Look hard: two eyebrows! Kinda...

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

We're in the middle of renovating the office and tiling the bathroom which = all kinds of cleaning out CRAP. It's overwhelming but so necessary. I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. (If the new desk ever gets delivered, but that's a different story...) I'm cleaning out the vanity AGAIN before my Sephora order gets here... point of all this being YES, I fully agree, clean it out all out and replace with hesitant care.

ChrisRobinson said...

You look like a TOTAL BOSS in these pictures. Idol status. No words.

The Suburb Experiment said...

We've been paring down around here for future renovations/house sale/move and it IS freeing. Free of all the crap that I didn't even realize I felt guilty about for purchasing it in the first place. GONE!

Claire Kiefer said...

What sweet deals. I cannot believe I missed the VIB 20% sale. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN? I've heard that the Clarisonic is a miracle worker, though I haven't tried it yet. On the list!

You look about half your age, and I mean that with not an ounce of sarcasm.

Lisa - respect the shoes said...

I def need to streamline my closet but I literally just dropped of the four bags of clothes I had lying around literally for months and months to Goodwill. I figure if I make it a priority to go through my closet now, I may start in early 2013.

MerciBlahBlah said...

Okay, your skin, espesh in that third photo, is GLOWING. Truth. 'Nother truth? Lost Boys is THE SHIT. I spent an entire semester dressing like Star after I saw that movie, and in fact, even DIY'd up one of my dad's jackets to look like the bellhop jacket she wore in the movie. Still have it hanging in my closet. I need to pull that bad boy out and wear it. Thirdly? Luh-huh-huv the Helmet Lang jacket. If you get tired of it, you know where to find me.

nicole said...

daaayum! you look freaking great! god, so happy you are blogging again. i have that clarisonic brush and i think it works great! i just went overboard when i first started using it. made my skin totally raw. now i use it every other day. xo

Courtney Erin said...

You are seriously a font of wisdom...I hope you know that. Also, you look foxy in that blazer...which I covet greatly.

Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com

Carrie said...

I cleaned out my closet about a week ago too. It definitely felt good to get rid of the clothes i never use. Time to shop for new clothes!!! LOL. I really like your outfit. Your jacket is really cute.

:)
Carrie
http://readmylifeascarrie.blogspot.com/

Callie Grayson said...

Doesn't it feel great! I cleaned my closet out 2 weeks ago and half of my clothes are at the good will!

Happy to hear your eyebrows are getting back to normal
Xx
Callie

fifi said...

I am supposed to be cleaning my closet as I sit here going through blogs and typing this! lol As soon as I am done I am tackling that mountain! by the way you are looking good! love the jacket!! xo

Closet Fashionista said...

Hello awesome outfit, you look amazinggggg :D That jacket is gorgeous! I do love finding things I've had on my wish list on sale! :)
And yay for cleaning your closet! I'm usually pretty good at closet cleaning, but not other items...
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

this free bird said...

Me and my eyebrow thank you for your kind words!

And now a question: what is up with all the captcha bs on blogs?? It's EVERYWHERE. Isn't the spam filter enough? helppppppp

17 Perth said...

Um...I'm that girl too! Therapy for two please. Ha. I need to clean out my closet too. Love the outfit and great advice. ;)

this free bird said...

17 Perth I'm so happy to see you here. Even though I wasnt't blogging much, you crossed my mind often. Hope all is well!

k said...

loooovin the outfit. i need to clean my closet out....i do it way too often and then get depressed about the buying things i'm not really in love with because i end up giving them away.

little luxury list said...

I have bags of clothing tied up at my parent's place in NYC and really need to complete the purge. The Helmut Lang jacket is killer on you. I so agree with waiting and getting it on sale. Everything shows up on eBay someday!

xoxo,
Chic 'n Cheap Living

Caitlin @ Candyfloss & Persie said...

NICE JOB!!!! And my oh my Carrie, you look so hot! I LOVE the jacket and the pants too... and you Miss. Fitness- just look great.

RosaLovesDC said...

So glad to see some outfit photos again. Love it!!!!

Josie said...

Whatup, productive weekend. That jacket is to positively DIE FOR. I love it!
xo Josie

Ana said...

you´re great!

A Crimson Kiss said...

Oh Helmut, you were so worth it. I'm grateful for my move to SF–it definitely pared down my closet. Of course, I still have one at my parents' house...YIKES!

Amber said...

I actually cleaned out my closet a few weekends ago and cant believe it took me so long to do it. I feel so much better now that its organized. Everyone should clean out there closets. Its like free therapy.

Unknown said...

i wish i could of rumbled through ur clothes! - but u look so HAPPY Carrie!!! - and i shed a tear every time i see that coat (NEED IT) =- here's my problem - i 'donate' to Lupus all the time - but then 5 years go by and the SAME thing i donated is now the new "IT" item going for 5X as much as i paid for it - where do u draw the line?!

ps i have a giveaway going on :o) ((good cause))

Annie said...

Love this post! I am all for literally and figuratively cleaning out what doesn't serve you anymore. "Feels pretty awesome to let things go and look forward." - YES YES YES! I'm excited for you to have had this cleansing. I'm sure it will make room for wonderful new blessings ;) xo and p.s. i love that jacket!

LyddieGal said...

Damn Carrie, you do look younger!
I think getting rid of that excess stuff in your closet really did help. I know my closet is way to full. I know I save stuff for weird sentimental reasons.
I know i've been saying i need to clean out the closet for the last year.
it's bad.


But the jacket is gorgeous and the advice is solid.

Chic on the Cheap

pretty affairs said...

so true!! i am the one who normally finds it hard to get rid of things because of their 'sentimental' value but recently i have been cleaning my closet and donating stuff to charity & selling on ebay. it's a great feeling to gain more space & some cash - maybe for something more expensive & fabulous :) quality over quantity :) btw, loving your blog so you have a new reader x

Polly said...

Oh yeah, I'm feeling the helmut love!

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