Eyeshadow Palette Collection and Declutter Fall 2020

Today's post is my eyeshadow collection and a mini declutter.  I've been trying to reorganize my makeup since I purchased this fabulous new makeup storage case (post all about it linked here).

My eyeshadow collection doesn't fit (yet) inside the storage bag because I have a larger than "normal" amount of makeup. I wanted to fit all of my eyeshadows into a separate bag that I could easily access when doing my makeup so I had to downsize a bit. 

I started out by laying everything on the floor and picking out my go-to palettes and favourites.  Then I looked to see where I had a lot of similar colours and decided to part with 3 palettes that I never reach for and I have most of the colours that are in those palettes in other ones that I do reach for.

Above: keep pile 

I use all of these palettes on the regular. Most are neutrals and a there are still a few pops of colour. The Doll 10 Pro Eyeshadow 2 is probably my most reached for palette for an everyday eye look. It would be perfect for work or any professional setting, or just everyday. 

All of these "keep" palettes work well for my aging and hooded eyes!

The Joe Fresh palette is actually a bronzer / highlight palette but I've always used it as an eyeshadow palette as it works better for me that way and it makes a beautiful eye look!

Let me know if you have any questions about any of these and I'd be happy to answer. :)

Above: declutter pile

There's nothing wrong with any of these palettes. The colours are great but the BH cosmetics and Orzya shadows are a bit too creamy/ heavy and pigmented for my liking. This Wet n Wild palette is kind of meh. 

This fabulous Cherry palette missed the keep pile as it doesn't fit inside the makeup bag that is now storing my eyeshadow collection.  I also have a few cream shadows that are not shown as I wasn't decluttering any of them. Luckily,  those also fit inside my eyeshadow makeup bag.

The cream coloured bag shown here now stores all of my eyeshadows except for the Cherry palette that is wedged between my main makeup storage and the eyeshadow storage bag. 

Apologies for the lighting and photos being so varied. I'm doing this at nighttime and blogging from my phone as my laptop is 💀.  And, I thought today would be a great day for a fun and simple Eyeshadow collection  / declutter post. 😊

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Amy 

How To Declutter Your Closet | Tips, Tricks and Hacks!

So, I kinda Mario Kondo'ed my closet! I say kinda because I used some of her ideas but I didn't follow all of her methods. I can't believe how many things I had that no longer fit, didn't fit well, or I never wore. 🙈 I tend to declutter my wardrobe every season and it was overdue!

I love getting tips from others on how they declutter and what makes them decide to part with something. I figured I'd share my tips on how I tackled my current declutter and ways that I made money so I could purchase some new items.

I did not take all of my items and throw them in a pile per the Marie Kondo method. That might work for some but I have too many things. Instead, I broke things down into sections.

Sections:

• I started with all of my undergarments and tried on EVERYTHING. Yep, even underwear. I couldn't believe how many bras and undies no longer fit or were just uncomfortable!
• Outerwear was another category I did on its own. Again, I tried everything on
• Next, I tackled my dresser and started with the top drawer and worked my way down
• I went through my closet. Starting at the back and trying on each garment
• Next were shoes, again, trying everything on
• On another day, I went through my jewellery, hair accessories, purses, scarves, hats, and other areas of my home

Try Everything On:

I pretty much tried everything on. I especially recommend this if your body seems to change over time like mine does. Even when I got to an item and thought "nope, no need to try this on, I already know I love it." I forced myself to try it on and low and behold many of the items that I thought I'd never part with, I decided to let go of after trying them on.

Factors To Consider:

• I asked myself "does this spark joy?" taken from Marie Kondo, but often they didn't but they were perfectly good clothes that I use to sleep in, lounge in, clean the house in, run errands in etc. This method may work for some but what worked better for me was to ask myself "Would I buy this in a store today?" If the answer was no, I got rid of it.
• Do I like it?
• Does it fit well/ is it flattering?
• Is it your style?
• Is it damaged? Can it be repaired? Is it worth repairing?
• Is it associated with any bad memories? If so, get rid of it.
• If you are still uncertain about a piece, take a selfie and that often can help you make the final decision. I used this method a lot!

What to do with the get rid of pile:

• Give to friends and family
• Donate
• Garbage or better yet, use anything too beat up to donate as rags
• Sell

How/ Where to Sell:

• Consignment shops (Plato's closet, local shops etc.)
• Online Consignment Apps (Poshmark, Depop)
• Other Apps: I have a lot of luck with Letgo, there is also Kijiji, Varage sale and more. You can find plenty in the App Store on your phone
• Garage Sale
• Facebook Marketplace 
• Swap (was recommended to me by an online buddy but I've never gone to one)

I donated anything that I didn't think I could sell, which really wasn't much. I sold everything else that was new or like new, which helps me purchase new items 😁 You'd be surprised at what will sell and how easy it is. Although, I will admit that it can be time-consuming. 

Selling inexpensive items in bundles is a great way to make a sale for items that would be difficult to sell on their own. I was able to sell the majority of my items this way, especially the inexpensive clothing from shops like Old Navy etc. Not knocking Old Navy, it's actually my favourite store!

Through consignment shops, Facebook Marketplace, and Apps like LetGo, I was able to sell the majority of my unwanted items. Anything that was of a higher value, I sold on its own, while inexpensive clothing was sold in bundles as described above. I sold everything from shoes, to hats, and even an old jewellery box as well as unwanted makeup!

Decluttering always makes me feel good as I have more open space and room to breathe, but inevitably, the spaces slowly get filled again. 🙈

I didn't touch on storage or organization in this post as this post would be far too long, so I'll save that for another day. What I will add is that bins and vertical space are your friends. :)
.

I hope you found some of my tips helpful! Let me know if you have any tips for decluttering! 💗 

Happy Friday and happy decluttering if you plan on tackling your home!

Monthly Empties | Health, Beauty, Makeup Declutter!

I didn't finish up too many products this month. I'll have to work on that! I mostly finished up some health products (including my cat's), and I have a few makeup products to declutter (although, I probably have more that I should have purged).

As always, links will be provided to products whenever possible.

Beauty

Kirkland Daily Facial Towelettes
I love these wipes! They're very effective, non-irritating and a great value! I buy these at Costco or from Amazon.

Repurchase- Yes

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water 
Love this product too! When I'm just too tired, I use it after a makeup wipe to remove any traces of makeup or dirt that's left on my skin. I also use it after a regular cleanse for the same reason.

Repurchase- Already have

Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser Reconstructing Butter
I think I got sucked into the packaging and the whole "butter" thing and the fact that this product claims " 90% of hair's strength reconstructed from root to tip." This was average for me but I have bleached and very frizzy hair. It would probably be effective for people with less damaged and frizzy hair.

Repurchase- Nope

Health

Madre Labs CocCeps Instant Organic Dark Cocoa Beverage
I drink this product daily in my morning smoothie. It doesn't contain any sugar and it tastes delicious. I sweeten with Now Stevia. This product has immune boosting cordyceps and reishi mushroom powders! NO- you cannot taste them!

Repurchase- Already have

Webber Naturals Super Sleep
This is another fab product. The first time I tried it, I slept for 12 hours solid. Unfortunately, I no longer get that effect from it, but it does help me fall asleep. I have to be careful and not take it all the time as my sleep will become more restless if I use it every night and like most products with melatonin, they can cause me to wake up prematurely. I am extremely sensitive to most things. I think for the average person with normal sleep issues, this product would be fantastic. If you're like me, and sensitive, it's best to rotate this with other products for sleep. Note: This product contains melatonin, 5-HTP, and L-Theanine.

Repurchase- Already have

Jarrow Max DHA Fish Oil
This is my favourite fish oil and I've been taking it for years. I have tried many other fish oils but I keep coming back to this one. It has many health and beauty benefits!

Repurchase- Already have

Bach Remedies Rescue Night Homeopathic Spray
Another great product to help with sleep and it's super gentle. It doesn't interact with medications etc. This isn't something that's going to knock you out (to my knowledge and experience) but it takes the edge off and can help you fall asleep and go back to sleep if you wake up prematurely. If you don't like the spray featured here, they also come in lozenges although you get more for your money with this spray.

Repurchase- Already have

HyaFlex Hyaluronic Acid Joints for Pets
I've found that this product is really effective for cats with joint issues or as prevention. After giving it to my cat for the first time, he went absolutely crazy running around the house like a kitten 2 hours after the first dose. So, I've continued to give it to him and I notice his back area is less sensitive to the touch. I love that I can just put it into his wet food and it's tasteless so he gobbles it up. Because it's pricey, I'm going to try another product for joints and see how it goes. I may rotate this and the other product that I'm trying out. I'll have to see how it goes. If you are not concerned with the cost, I can't recommend this product enough. Tip: I gave my cat 1/2 the dose to make it last longer but it's also important to note that he was not diagnosed with any joint issues. I gave it to him more as prevention as he is aging, and I saw him benefit. 

Repurchase- Absolutely

Badger Sleep Balm
This product is so old now that it's lost the scent. Of all the badger balms that I've tried, this is my favourite one. I find it very relaxing. It contains lavender, bergamot, rosemary, ginger, and balsam fir. I personally don't detect the scents of the last two essential oils listed.

Repurchase- Yes

Primal Defense HSO Probiotic Formula
I just finished up this product the day that I'm posting this which is why it didn't make it into the above photo. I've been using this product for 20 years now! It controls my IBS symptoms. You can read more about my IBS and how this has helped in this blog post. 

Repurchase- Already have

Declutter

Here's a little declutter/purge!

Essence Sun Club All in One Bronzing Highlighter *discontinued
I LOVE so many Essence products. And, I loved this product for the last few summers. I used it on lazy days as it would serve as blush, bronzer, and highlight all in one (as the name implies). I guess I never did an outdoor lighting check until the other day. In the outdoor lighting, I saw that this product accentuated the pores on my cheeks big time! From now on, I need to check my face in outdoor lighting before I decide to keep a product! 😁

Repurchase- I'm pretty sure that this product is no longer available.

Essence Lipstick in Nude Love *discontinued
This used to be a favourite of mine but I no longer reach for it. I've had it since May 2015 and it seems to accentuate the lines on my lips so it's time to say bye!

Repurchase- No

Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick in Warm Me Up
I've also had this lipstick since May 2015. It's such a gorgeous colour in the tube but shows up very dark on my lips. It's too dark of a shade for me and I never reach for it... so bye to this one too!

Repurchase- No

I should probably go through my lipsticks more thoroughly as I'm sure there is more to declutter due to age, plus, I tend to reach for the same few shades, although I do like to have some options. 😍

How long do you guys keep your lip products for before you decide that they need to be tossed? I'd really love to hear! 

So that's everything for this month. Hopefully, I can do a little more emptying of beauty products next month!

Happy Weekend! 

XO

*Always consult with your health professional before beginning any health supplements. I share my experiences in hopes to help others, but in no way is it to substitute advice from your health care provider or Doctor.

*Not sponsored. All opinions are mine.

2016- The Year of Simplicity/ Blog changes

I feel like 2016 will be the year of simplicity, or at least the start of it for me.

If you've visited my website before, you probably notice some changes. I have made some changes to try and simplify the look and feel of it for my readers. I hope you like the changes. I'm sure it will always be a work in progress as most things are. If you have any suggestions on other changes that I could make to improve my blog/website, I'd love to hear your suggestions. So, this is the start of my journey to simplify in 2016, starting with my blog.

It seems like there's a move towards simplicity and/or minimalism these days, I find it interesting and oddly appealing, especially to someone who has always been a bit of a shop-a-holic. The thought of minimalism is appealing and intriguing to me, but I have to be real with myself, I know I'll never be a minimalist. But, I know I can pick up some ideas from it and pare down some. Really, it's been brewing inside me for a while now, the urge to purge. Sometimes the amount of stuff I have drives me crazy and while I am appreciative of everything I have, it can become overwhelming at times. So, I've found myself constantly trying to donate or re-purpose things that I'm able to part with. 

Over the last few months, I've worked on cleaning out my closet and I found that I had to part with my things in baby steps. I was born with some kind of clothing addiction in my jeans genes so that doesn't help the situation. I am aware that I have too much and I find that I feel overwhelmed by it. I also notice how much freer I feel when I have less (notice how much better you feel after a clean out?!). One of my issues is not being able to pass up bargains. I've learned how to sniff out the super deals like a pro, and that hasn't helped me in my quest to reduce my belongings. It feels so great to clean out and create more empty space, but do you ever notice that you then get the urge to fill those spaces with new stuff!? I know I do! The struggle is real, 

Next, I went through all of my beauty products, This was tough too! Anything that's expired is easier to part with of course, but I sure did feel the pain of realizing how much money I wasted! That was a real eye opener, I realized it's time to stop the waste, which I am much more conscious of now.

I've started to tackle everything else in the house which is a huge chore! Anything I don't need or use needs to go. I have already listed many DVDs and books for sale, and some have NEVER been used- what a waste!

Am I the only one? I find myself alternating between feelings of wanting more and wanting less. It's kind of like binging and purging but with things, not food. I notice a lot of people just consume constantly (self included at times-I blame the sales!), And, then there's the minimalists, hats off to them for being able to really simplify and let go of stuff! I feel torn between the two sides, maybe it stems from my love of organization and my love of having new things.

I notice that a lot of my posts are hauls and a lot are declutter posts- polar opposites. Just proving the fight I have going on inside of the desire to have less but then want more! It's a viscous cycle. I see many others doing the same, so I don't think I'm the only one. 

I'm trying to open my eyes to it all, I may not be able to see so clearly through all the sale and clearance signs, but I know that I'm going to find a better balance now and make much more conscious decisions from now on. Less stuff = less stress! 

The bottom line is that it's all just "stuff" in the end, and in the grand scheme of things most of it is not important. But, some nice new clothes and makeup is fun and can make us feel good. I think that if we reduce the amount of stuff we own, we can then think more clearly and focus on the more important things in life. Looking back, I can see how much more prevalent consumerism and attachment to belongings has become over the years passed. Maybe the whole "KonMari" thing triggered the recent movement towards owning less, I've heard so much about her method and her book over this past year. Whatever started it, I think it's a move in the right direction.

If you haven't heard of the KonMari method here is a link to her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing


Things I will work on to achieve more simplicity:

• Make more conscious decisions and choices in all areas of life
• spend less money
• purchase consciously (eg. Do I already own 10 tops like this? Do I need it?)
• get rid of what I don't need, don't use or expired items
• clean out
• organize
• donate / give / share
• consign
• own less
• try and use things before they expire
• spend less time on the computer and more time in real life
• focus on the important things, not stuff!
• consider 1 in : 1 out
• don't save things for "someday"
• use it or lose it!
• Mantra: Less IS more
• ... I may add to this list as I think of more things....

2016

If you have any ideas or suggestions for ways to simplify, please leave me a comment. I can use all the suggestions I can get!

Amy

XX