Tag: clothing

No Fooling: April Is the Best Month to Declutter

Posted on by Jordank

Pranksters throughout the world like to kick off April with a deception that makes a “fool” out of gullible believers. From schoolchildren slapping paper fish on their friends’ backs to news reports that the Eiffel Tower is being dismantled, pranks big and small have tricked and amused many a person over the years.

But all fooling aside, April just might be the best month of the year to #declutter and #organize.

April is a month of rebirth. Flowers start to bloom and the weather gets more pleasant. And yet, it’s still too early in the year to be chockablock with social occasions, deadlines and all of the other things that tend to crowd a schedule. It’s the perfect time to spend a few hours or days sorting through your #stuff.

A great place to start is in your #clothes closets. You’ll be swapping out heavy coats and sweaters for breezier garments soon, if you haven’t already; why not make April the month you take a complete inventory of your #clothing? #Store whatever you want to keep, and #donate anything that just isn’t being worn to ClothingDonations.org.

#Spring #cleaning will unearth even more #household items that you no longer want or need, and April gives you the chance to throw open the windows and make a fresh start. As you #declutter, #clean and #organize, decide if you want to stage a #garage or #yard sale at some point in the near future, says Simplify 101; early-season sales tend to be a big draw.

#Clutter itself can make #fools of otherwise rational people. “#Clutter is a master of deception, tricking us into believing that it enhances productivity, comfort and creativity when it does the opposite,” says Miss Organized. “By unveiling the illusion of clutter and taking proactive steps to #declutter our lives, we can cultivate a sense of clarity, purpose and serenity.”

Don’t be the butt of your own joke or waste another minute of your April. Start #decluttering, #cleaning and #organizing now, and you’ll get the last laugh.

Beat the Holiday Shopping Crowds

Posted on by Jordank

With prices rising rapidly and the #holidays on the horizon, you might want to start #shopping early. Stock up on any ingredients you might need for your #fall feasts and baking before the supplies run out, and hit the malls ahead of the crowds. You can #save #money and beat the rush by looking for lightly used cold-weather gear such as sweaters and coats (and maybe a few #gifts) at the local #thrift and #secondhand stores supplied by your generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org now. Resale proceeds go toward the support of valuable #veterans programs nationwide. #FallActivities

Inexpensive and Fun Fall Activities

Posted on by Jordank

You don’t have to break the bank to have a little #fall fun. Cheap or free things to do include taking a nature walk; spending a day at the local café or reading a book; having a spooky-seasonal movie night; whipping up a batch of soup, chili or cookies; crafting; or playing a game of touch football. Another great thing to do is overhaul your #clothing closets and dresser drawers to meet the cooler weather efficiently. “It’s a wonderful time of year to #donate clothes to those in need,” says The Every Girl. “Spend a weekend getting recentered for a new season and give back at the same time.” #FallActivities

Are You Really Going to Wear That Again?

Posted on by Jordank

As the seasons shift, you probably turned first to a few core #clothing staples to deal with the cooler temperatures: long sleeves, hoodies, jackets and other transitional garments. Big stacks of cold-weather #garments lie in wait, however, for even harsher weather ahead.

The challenge at this point of the year is to decide which garments are going to be useful in the months ahead and have them ready to wear to holiday parties, treks in the snow and any other occasions #winter might present.

You can put away the shorts and swimwear — for now. But as you make the seasonal transition and take inventory of your clothing, there’s a critical question to ask yourself: Are you really going to wear that again?

Some of the #summer clothing you were planning on storing may be too worn to wear again in 2026. A few garments might have been kicking around your closets and drawers, never really fitting into your scheme — or perhaps not fitting your physique in a flattering way.

Similarly, many of the #fall and #winter garments coming out of storage may no longer suit you. Some may have shrunk (flannels are notorious for this); others might have holes and stains; still others will fail to fit your current style or lifestyle.

Make an honest assessment of what hasn’t made the cut so far this year and what you can and will wear in the months ahead. If you’re on the fence with certain garments, try them on; you will probably find that something is just “a little bit off” fit- or style-wise on more than a few.

That “little bit off” represents the difference between you feeling confident at home, work and play and uncertain or self-conscious. And any garment that doesn’t support positive feelings doesn’t deserve to return to your shelves or into #storage for next summer.

Use drawers, shelves and #closets only for items you know you’ll wear again. Collect and #donate lightly used items that fail the “Are you really going to wear that again?” test to ClothingDonations.org, and trash the ones that are too worn to be of any use other than rags.

You’ll reclaim your personal style, look great and be ready for whatever winter throws at you!

Stock Up on Winter Essentials

Posted on by Jordank

While less is more when it comes to #stuff, there are a few things you might want to have at the ready before #winter if you want to be #prepared for the worst. You might need a good snow shovel, de-icer, flashlights and batteries, a weather radio, an emergency car kit, food that doesn’t require preparation, and extra pet food. Even if you aren’t completely snowed-in, you might like to stock up on #winter staples such as flour and sugar for #holiday baking. In many areas, you’ll need a good winter coat and waterproof boots — and you can find a lot of lightly used winter gear at the #thrift stores supplied by generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org.