Year in and year out, #thrift and secondhand stores are a source of inspiration for #inexpensive and #crafty #Halloween costumes. Browse the aisles of #donated #clothing and household goods and consider your options: Maybe an’80s aerobics instructor clad in dayglo Spandex? A Mario brother in overalls? A classic pirate in pantaloons and eyepatch? Whatever the concept, you can pick up lots of foundational #clothing and props — and if you shop #thrifts supplied by generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org, part of every purchase funds programs that help the nation’s veterans. #ThriftStoreHalloween #HalloweenCostumes
Tag: clothing
It’s Time to Clean and Organize the Garage
Meant to hold an automobile and (maybe) a few tools or outdoor items, the #garage tends to attract all kinds of #stuff. Out of sight and mostly out of mind, the garage can quickly become a dumping ground for old #clothing, #boxes of memorabilia, extra furniture, sporting goods and tons of other items that don’t immediately find a place elsewhere.
The change of seasons is a great time to clean out the garage and #organize the things that make the most sense to house there — including your car. But before you start to #purge and #clean, “think about how your garage can best serve you and sketch out a plan to achieve an end result you’re happy with,” says Martha Stewart.
Examine your garage #storage needs. Maybe you have a lot of sporting goods — bicycles, watercraft or camping gear, for example. Perhaps you’re an avid gardener and need a dry space to store shovels, rakes, the lawnmower and other equipment. And of course, anything to do with a motor vehicle and its maintenance should have a space here, too.
Once you have a plan, pick a mild day and empty the garage out. Dust the rafters, sweep and vacuum, and wipe down the flat surfaces. Eliminate common nuisances such as spider webs and wasps’ nests. Sweep and mop the floors with a soapy solution or something stronger if you want to get rid of engine oil stains.
Then, wipe down whatever you decide to keep in the garage and return it to a dedicated #space. “Now is the time to create additional storage solutions,” Martha Stewart notes, by installing overhead racks and shelves for boxes and bins, pegboard #organizers for tools, hooks for bikes and kayaks, and a bench for gardening equipment.
Anything that prefers climate-controlled storage such as paper goods and fabric items should probably find a home indoors in a (dry) basement or closet. And anything you no longer need or want that doesn’t fit into your newly #organized garage can go to ClothingDonations.org by arranging a #free #donation #pickup at your convenience.
A clean and organized garage might be a place where you’ll want to spend more time when the weather permits. You may even be able to park your car there!
Edit Your Wardrobe With the Change of Seasons
Making the transition from #summer to #fall #clothing is simple. While it might take a couple of hours and some decision-making, it can pay off in terms of #closet space and time saved. First, do an edit of your clothing, sorting everything into keep, store, #donate and repair piles. Dedicate prime #closet space to the cold-weather #garments you know you’ll wear and fill in any blanks in your #wardrobe with a few new items. Then, contact ClothingDonations.org. for a #donation #pickup. “Ditching items that no longer serve you is not just about creating space,” says Simply Spaced. “When you purge the old, you make space for the new — whether it’s new career aspirations, a new relationship or simply a new season.” #ClothingSwap
Make Space by Storing Summer Clothing
Sorting out your #summer #clothing for #storage can free up valuable #space early in the #fall. Just empty out your #closets and drawers, and ask yourself whether those summery outfits still fit, if you’ll wear it again, and if you wish to keep, #donate it or trash it. Then, organize anything you want to keep for next summer into types of clothing and hide them away in bins to revisit when the weather gets warm again. “Swapping out clothes allows for extra closet and drawer space,” says A Bowl Full of Lemons. “It alleviates cramped spaces and #clutter. It’s also a great way to inventory what you have and what you need.” #ClothingSwap
A Checklist of Summer Clothing to Store
When you’re prepping your #closets for #fall, you may be unsure just what can go into #storage bins and #donation bags. Likely candidates are flip-flops, espadrilles, sandals and other open-toed shoes; light cardigan sweaters; tropical prints; beach dresses, swimwear and summer rompers; and shorts and linen pants. If you don’t typically travel to warmer climates, all of these items can be stored out of sight — under the bed or on a high shelf — until you need them again in six months, says My Closet Edit. “If you do need access to your items for travel, you can have all of the off-season items to one side of your #closet or in a whole other closet in your home.”