the blog.
How To Minimize Your Belongings Using the KonMari Method!
I am very new to the concept of a capsule wardrobe, but am absolutely loving the experience of living with one over the last thirteen days. Just in case this is your first time hearing of it, let me explain. The idea is to reduce your wardrobe to a small, well thought out collection of pieces that can be mixed and matched to create many outfits. I first learned of this idea from the Un-Fancy blog, so I am loosely following her instructions in my capsule attempt. (By the way, If you've never been to Caroline's blog, Un-Fancy, go now. I'll wait.)
I am very new to the concept of a capsule wardrobe, but am absolutely loving the experience of living with one over the last thirteen days. Just in case this is your first time hearing of it, let me explain. The idea is to reduce your wardrobe to a small, well thought out collection of pieces that can be mixed and matched to create many outfits. I first learned of this idea from the Un-Fancy blog, so I am loosely following her instructions in my capsule attempt. (By the way, If you've never been to Caroline's blog, Un-Fancy, go now. I'll wait.)
Back? Great! Let's continue...
Before choosing any items for my capsule wardrobe I wanted to go through all of my clothing and discard about 50%, minimum. I was inspired by reading The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.
If you haven't read this yet, you should. It's allowed me to finally get rid of things I've been carting around for years. If you're interested, read my review of the book here!
Using the method described in Kondo's book, I met my goal and allocated approximately 50% of my belongings to be donated, sold, or thrown out. With a newly halved closet, it was time to try my hand at capsuling (probably not a word, but I'm using it anyway.) I tried to look at my remaining clothing objectively, as if I were looking at items in a store and not my clothes with their multitudes of associations and sentimental connections. I wanted to create a minimal wardrobe of clothing that was comfortable, fashionable, versatile, and suited my body. Interested in the result? Go check out my Fall Capsule Wardrobe!
But how exactly did I minimize my clothing 50%? And what about all of the other crap that always seems to gather in my house?
Here is a recap of the KonMari method summary I wrote for my post: Living With Less: A Review of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up & How To Declutter the KonMari Way! in a super pretty and pin-able graphic! (You're welcome.)
Just like Marie suggested, I began with clothing and continued from there. I came across this book at the perfect time, just before I moved into a new house and got all of my things out of a storage container! As I unpacked I sorted into categories, and then I went through one category at a time. It was glorious: I sorted and discarded before I ever put one item away in my new home! I realize that not all of you will be lucky enough to have a move coincide with your desire to declutter, and that you may even see that as undesirable (since you need to transport all of the items you'll just be discarding when you get to your destination), so I suggest choosing the room with the most open floor area and making that your sorting room for the next couple of days. Let your family know what you're doing, and assure them the mess won't last long!
Putting Your Belongings Away
Once you've discarded, how do you organize? Marie has a whole host of awesome tips and tricks in her book, but the following are my favourites!
And there you have it, the simple ways you can minimize and organize your belongings for good. Are you going to pick up Marie's book and give it a read? It just might change your life!
Until next time,
ave you used the KonMari method? Tell me about it in the comments!
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Living With Less: A Review of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up & How To Declutter the KonMari Way!
Hello and welcome to instalment number one of my Living With Less series! Today I’m tackling the first step in anyone’s minimalism journey, decluttering, with the help of the KonMari method. This method was developed by Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and an absolute genius. I’m going to give you a summary and review of the book and outline the simple steps you can take to rid your life of clutter for good!
Hello and welcome to instalment number one of my Living With Less series! Today I’m tackling the first step in anyone’s minimalism journey, decluttering, with the help of the KonMari method. This method was developed by Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (and an absolute genius.) I’m going to give you a summary and review of the book and outline the simple steps you can take to rid your life of clutter for good!
(This post contains affiliate links.)
Marie Kondo is an organizing consultant and author from Japan. She has a wonderful no-nonsense approach that really appeals to me, and is extremely likeable. Marie explains why most people are suffering under the weight of their belongings and how to free yourself from clutter. The book is easy to read and understand, and incredibly engaging. I read it from cover to cover in a couple of days and was immediately itching to declutter! This book is such an inspiring read; I’m not surprised that it’s amassed such a large following!
The book begins by shedding light on the common problems with organizing and decluttering that the majority of us share. She then goes on to explain her method of organization and why it works. Next comes an in depth guide to decluttering your home from top to bottom and storing those precious items you decide to keep.
Marie's method is a breath of fresh air which focuses on the joy special possessions can bring rather than the need for acquisition or holding on to useless items "just in case". She demands perfection, which is kind of wonderful in a world full of unnecessary moderation, yet understands that her clients and her readers are only human, and that some things just mean so much to us on a sentimental level that they belong in our lives. She also believes that tidying should happen only once, not everyday. This is wonderful news for all of us busy people who want to do it all at once and be done for good!
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to absolutely anyone. Click on the book cover to buy it on amazon and get started on your minimalism journey with me! (Friendly Disclaimer: This is an affiliate link. There is no extra cost for you, but the small commission I receive if you purchase through my link helps me keep this site up and running!)
Read on to learn how to declutter using the the KonMari method!
How To Declutter Your Life, the KonMari Way!
ONE Dress up for the event. One of Marie's main beliefs is that tidying should be a special event, not a daily chore. And don't we usually dress up for special events? Don't do all of your tidying in sweatpants; through on a smart blazer or a pretty dress and give tidying the respect it deserves!
TWO Tidy all at once. I'll say it again, just because it's such a revolutionary thought! Marie asserts that tidying should be a one time event not a daily chore! Clear your schedule so that you can do it once and do it right.
THREE Discard by category, not location. Don't tidy your kitchen, then the bedroom, and so on. Marie has learned the optimal method of decluttering from trial and error and her extensive experience. Go category by category, and in the order she outlines in the book:
- Clothing;
- Books;
- Papers;
- Miscellaneous items, and;
- Sentimental items.
FOUR Put everything on the floor. One category at a time, go around the house and grab every item then put it in one big pile on the floor. Not only does this ensure that you don't forget or miss anything, but it shows you just how much you actually own; a pretty sobering realization!
FIVE Hold each and every item. Pick up each belonging, one at a time, and ask yourself "Does this spark joy?" If yes, keep it. If not, put it in the donate or sell pile!
SIX Focus. Don't play music or watch TV while you sort. This is an important task that deserves 100% of your focus!
SEVEN Discard all, then organize. Resist the urge to put things away as you go. Marie says it's important to go through each category and discard before organizing what you've decided to keep.
EIGHT Thank your belongings for their service. This one can seem a bit bizarre, but is quite nice when you think about it. Marie suggests that you take a moment to thank the items you are discarding for their service. Even if you are only thanking them for teaching you what you don't like, she says you should find a reason to be thankful for the time they spent in your possession.
This is just a summary of Marie's advice. Go read the book to get the full benefit of her method and to hear all of the principles right from the horse's mouth!
I hope I've inspired at least one of you to explore the KonMari method and bring it into your life. It has only been a month and a bit since I applied these principles in my own home, and while I'm still a bit of a work in progress, I'm noticing incredible benefits! Remember that I will be posting a new Living with Less post each and every Tuesday for the foreseeable future. Don't forget to check in on the blog every week or subscribe to the Plant Based Bride newsletter (you'll find the form at the bottom of this page) for updates right to your inbox!
Until next time,
Have you read Marie's book? I'd love to hear your review in the comments below!
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The Ultimate Wedding Planning Timeline!
This week Jason and I celebrated our one year anniversary, which means we're now less than a year away from our wedding! While this makes me incredibly excited (I might have squealed for a second...) it also makes me more than a bit nervous. Only a year until our wedding?? How could we possibly get everything done? What needs to be tackled first? What do I do?? But luckily, being the organized bride-to-be that I am, I'd already compiled a list of tasks to get done before the wedding a couple of weeks after our engagement. Once I'd listed everything that came to mind I headed to Pinterest and searched for "wedding planning timeline". I then proceeded to repin every search result and add anything I'd missed to my list. By the end of a couple of hours I had a pretty comprehensive list, and I realized that other engaged couples may benefit from it! So here it is, the ultimate wedding planning timeline to keep you organized right up until your big day!
This week Jason and I celebrated our one year anniversary, which means we're now less than a year away from our wedding! While this makes me incredibly excited (I might have squealed for a second...) it also makes me more than a bit nervous. Only a year until our wedding?? How could we possibly get everything done? What needs to be tackled first? What do I do?? But luckily, being the organized bride-to-be that I am, I'd already compiled a list of tasks to get done before the wedding a couple of weeks after our engagement. Once I'd listed everything that came to mind I headed to Pinterest and searched for "wedding planning timeline". I then proceeded to repin every search result and add anything I'd missed to my list. By the end of a couple of hours I had a pretty comprehensive list, and I realized that other engaged couples may benefit from it! So here it is, the ultimate wedding planning timeline to keep you organized right up until your big day!
Without further ado, here's the ultimate wedding planning timeline! Pin it to your wedding board on Pinterest to refer to as you plan your big day!
Jason and I have almost completed the 12+ months before checklist. Not bad for two people as busy as we are! If you found this post helpful please share it with your friends and family who are planning their wedding. We've got to help each other out. This process is pretty daunting alone!
Until next time,
Follow me on Pinterest to see all of my wedding pins! I have FOUR dedicated wedding boards!
Head over to my profile to see the other two, Planning the Big Day and The DIY Wedding!
Don't forget to subscribe to the Plant Based Bride newsletter for updates and a FREE goal setting printable! xox
How Much Wedding Can You Afford? Choosing The Big Number for Your Big Day
Weddings cost a lot. A whole lot. A put-away-every-extra-penny-for-your-entire-engagement-and-only-eat-rice-and-beans-and-don't-buy-anything-that-could-be-considered-a-want lot. When I read that the average wedding in Canada costs over $31,000 I got very close to giving up and eloping with Jason right then and there (we were in Costa Rica, after all. Not a bad locale if you ask me.) But I have always dreamed of a wedding including my closest and dearest, and so had he. We decided to stick it out and go with a traditional wedding. But at what cost?
Weddings cost a lot. A whole lot. A put-away-every-extra-penny-for-your-entire-engagement-and-only-eat-rice-and-beans-and-don't-buy-anything-that-could-be-considered-a-want lot. When I read that the average wedding in Canada costs over $31,000 I got very close to giving up and eloping with Jason right then and there (we were in Costa Rica, after all. Not a bad locale if you ask me.) But I have always dreamed of a wedding including my closest and dearest, and so had he. We decided to stick it out and go with a traditional wedding. But at what cost?
That is the exact topic I'd like to explore today. How much should you really be spending on your wedding? There are a whole host of factors, and every couple will be different, but I hope that these talking points that Jason and I spent time over will help you and your soon to be spouse figure out the big number for your special day.
Who's paying?
This is the first thing you want to figure out. Are you and your fiancé paying for everything yourselves or will you be getting help from family? Is your family paying for the entire shindig? You need to know who's contributing to footing the bill.
How much outside contribution can you count on?
You don't want to just assume that your parents will contribute as much as you need, you have to actually ask them. (You may think this is common sense, but common sense isn't really all that common.) Have a frank discussion, even if it makes you uncomfortable, and ask them how much (if any) they're willing and able to put towards your day. Don't go into it with any expectations, that way if they do agree to help you financially you'll be grateful no matter what the dollar amount is. Understand that they may not be capable of contributing at this point for various reasons and respect their decision. If they do want to help out, get a specific number from them so that you can plug it into your calculations. Things may change a little as the planning goes along, but you want to have the most accurate idea of what you'll be getting from outside sources right from the start.
How much do you have in savings?
Have an honest conversation with your fiancé and find out how much each of you has already saved and how much each of you is willing to contribute from those savings. You need to think about the amount you want to have remaining in your savings accounts AFTER the fact; you don't want to use your emergency fund to pay for your wedding! A wedding is wonderful, but it's just one day. Don't sacrifice your financial security for the foreseeable future for a party, no matter how special!
How much can each of you save leading up to the wedding?
Look at what each of you expect to make in the time leading up to your wedding, subtract your needs, and figure out how much each of you could save, under ideal circumstances. Don't include income that isn't guaranteed to come in. Any extra income can be a bonus booster to your wedding budget, if you need it! Make sure to leave a little wiggle room in your monthly living budget for wants - you don't want to deprive yourselves as you go through the (potentially stressful) wedding planning process. Keep enough fun money for a couple of date nights and treats here and there, you'll appreciate it later I promise!
Add up all contributions from family and friends, the amount you can allocate from your savings, and the amount that you can each reasonably put aside in the time left to your wedding to find your absolute max budget. You do not want to make this number your actual wedding budget! Look at the next series of questions to determine how much you actually want to spend, and keep any of the left over money as a buffer. Unexpected costs always come up and having money ready for that purpose reduces stress by approximately 500%.
Are you planning on a honeymoon?
Putting aside the funds for a honeymoon can be a big task. Ask yourselves if you need to go on a honeymoon right away, or even at all. If you do want to go right after the wedding look into options that fit within your means and shop around for the best deals.
How many guests do you REALLY need?
Make an initial guest list, then cut anyone you don't NEED at your wedding. This day is about you and your future spouse and your commitment to each other. Rather than thinking of the guest list through the lens of who you'd like to have there, think about who you'd be distraught to not see on the day. Who are those people who you and your spouse couldn't get married without? The number of guests has a huge impact on the final cost of your wedding, so think long and hard about how much you want your coworker's second cousin to witness your nuptials.
Do you need to get married near a major city?
On the whole, weddings near a city centre will be more costly than those further away. Do you need to be married in the heart of downtown Toronto, or will Barrie do just as nicely? Do your research on real costs in the area you're looking at to get a better idea of what you'll be parting with.
How much are you each comfortable spending?
Does the idea of spending tens of thousands of dollars on one weekend make you sweat? Or does a $50,000 budget sound just fine? You need to get a clear picture of what each of you is willing to spend so that you won't regret it in the years following your wedding. Keep in mind your other financial goals for the next 5 years. Make a list of where you'd like to be and make sure you aren't shooting the future you in the foot by overspending today.
Related Blog Post: 7 Ways Pinterest is the Best Wedding Planning Tool on the Internet!
Now that you've really thought about it, come up with a number that you both feel good about. Know that no matter how much you plan, your wedding day will likely pop up with unexpected costs. Don't beat yourself up if you end up a little off your goal! Remember, that's why you set your actual budget below your absolutely maximum budget, so that you had a bit of breathing room. Now get out there and start the fun part.
Until next time,
How did you and your spouse come up with a budget for your wedding? Let me know in the comments below! Share this post with your engaged friends to give them a leg up in the planning process and check out my wedding boards on Pinterest for a little wedding inspiration!
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