Tag: fall

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!

It’s Time to Reset Your Fall Routine

Posted on by Jordank

You’ve probably noticed that the days are getting shorter and the temperatures (a bit) cooler. The kids have returned to school and the merchandise on the store shelves has a sepia-toned, spooky or pumpkin-spice bent. And even if the first leaf hasn’t changed color, it’s fall.

As your rhythms adjust to the available daylight, you may feel a desire to change other parts of your routine. It’s “a temporal landmark—a moment in time that separates one’s past self from one’s present self, making it easier to adopt new habits,” says Calendar.com.

While summer is more freewheeling, school and work schedules rule the fall. Cooler weather makes it easy to get a good night’s sleep, cook comfort meals and exercise. And just like the trees shed their leaves, you can shed the habits that no longer work for you.

Begin with reflection. Ask yourself what summertime habits might undermining your energy and productivity. Perhaps you need to cut down on screen time, make a list of to-dos ahead of the holidays or get to work on a household project before the first snow.

Align your habits with the flow of the season. The early sunset might inspire an earlier bedtime — and there’s nothing quite like a good night’s sleep. Nights out with friends might morph into quiet nights around a firepit. Burgers on the grill might turn into hearth-warming butternut squash casseroles.

One way to meet the fall season is to #declutter. Items such as coolers, outdoor games, pool toys, sporting goods and tents won’t get much use in the months ahead, so #organize the keepers for #storage and #donate the things you don’t want to ClothingDonations.org.

The same goes for clothing. Designers debut the new fall fashions as the weather changes to drive sales, abandoning summer clothing to the clearance bin. You can do the same as you pull out your cool-weather clothing — decide what to keep, store, wear, donate and trash.

The changes you make to meet the season don’t have to be massive to have a positive effect. Even a tiny bit of #decluttering or a few extra hours of sleep can improve your outlook on life. Make a few small, attainable goals and stick to them for the season. Have a happy fall!

Don’t Stress About Summer’s Bounty

Posted on by Jordank

Home #gardeners can easily be overwhelmed by the sheer bounty of #summer and #fall #produce, especially if a particular crop succeeds. “There is an odd combination of being thrilled that you found the right plant and variety to produce like crazy, while also being stressed about what you are going to do with it all,” says The Homestead Garden. Visit the #garden daily to keep tabs on growth. Make a to-do list of tasks that will maximize your #harvest and still give you time to cook or store everything. Give excess fruits and vegetables to your neighbors if you can’t use them all. And look at gardening as a rewarding hobby, not a chore. #FreshProduce

Eating Seasonal Offers Multiple Benefits

Posted on by Jordank

Using fresh produce in season has a variety of benefits, says the Home & Garden Information Center at Clemson University. First, freshly harvested produce is at its peak nutritional value and is unlikely to have needed extensive storage or artificial ripening. Produce sold in season is also more cost-effective for the end user, since seasonal abundance typically lowers prices. Finally, eating fruits and vegetables in season helps support local farmers and the community, while reducing the environmental impacts associated with soil degradation and long-distance transportation. #FreshProduce

Keep Your Seasonal Produce Fresh

Posted on by Jordank

If you’re anything like the staff of The Organizing Blog, you grow and/or buy a lot of fresh seasonal produce during the summer and fall. But keeping things fresh can be a challenge! To avoid food waste and eat everything at peak, keep heavy items at the bottom of your shopping bag to avoid bruising delicate produce such as peaches and tomatoes, SF Marin Food Bank suggests. Know where to store items for longevity, whether it’s in the refrigerator, on the counter or in the pantry. And if you can’t use fresh produce before it goes bad, process it for later use and freeze or can it. Plan ahead, and you can eat healthy year-round. #FreshProduce