How to Declutter and Make Money Doing it

Over the last few years there's been such a craze over decluttering and minimalism. Although I could never be a minimalist (I like shopping too much), I still have the desire to own less, reduce clutter, and have more room to breathe. But, at the same time, I have a conflicting desire to aquire more at times. Maybe some of you feel this way, too. I think this is where the old adage comes into play "out with the old, in with the new." Who doesn't want to try something new that interests them, or update their wardrobe to be more current.

I've heard a lot about the Mari Kondo method based on her best-selling book, The Art Of Tyding Up. I haven't read her book but I've learned a lot about her suggestions and tips for decluttering through the internet.  I like a lot of her tips but also find that some of them don't work for me. So I take what I like from her methods and make my own decluttering journey, as we all should.

Sometimes, I find that I can conquer my closet or the kitchen and do fairly well. Although, Mari Kondo probably wouldn't agree with that statement. Other times, I feel like I just can't let go of anything but I know that I need to.

Here are some tactics that I use to help myself declutter:

1. Get real with yourself and toss those old, expired products. Think food, skincare, makeup etc.

2. Ask yourself: Do I need it? Do I love it? Has it been used recently or is it just taking up space? Can someone else get better use out of this? Can I make some money with this?

3. Keep what you love and/or need. Do you have duplicates of some items that perhaps aren't necessary? 

4. One question I love to ask myself is "would I buy this in the store today?" If not, get rid of it or sell it
5. Try to adopt a 1 in 1 out policy. If you buy some new items, try to get rid of some old items
6. When you've done all the purging that you think you can, revisit the decluttering concept in a more gentle way. By this I mean, try and find one item per day, from any area of your home that either needs to be thrown away, donated, or maybe you want to sell it and make some of your money back

7. Another tactic, is to do this weekly and try to find 7 items at the end of each week. Then take the items to be donated at the end of every week or month. Whataver works for you. This decluttering tip of mine is meant to take the pressure off, so nothing is set in stone, do your best and you will get ahead.  By using this method I recently got rid of some old cell phones, packaging I no longer needed, old electronic parts that didn't have a partner, some shoes I don't wear, blankets and pillows that needed to go, etc. 

8. Tackle one area at a time and recruit your family members to tackle their areas, too. If they aren't eager to participate, the incentive to make some money or buy something new with that money might just be the nudge that they need

9. It's a good idea to keep a list as you go of items that you need to purchase to fill a need or replace items that were discarded but are still wants/needs

Note: Animal Shelters can always use your old towels, blanket, etc. It's a much better way to re-purpose those items than dropping them into a donation bin where they will probably end up in a landfill.

Also, there are a lot of Women's Shelters, and Shelters period, that can definitely use a lot of our unwanted items.

After the initial declutter, I try to keep on top of things by letting go of items that I no longer need or want. Making room for new things that I do want or maybe even need. "Use it or Lose it" has become my new motto.

You can also make money with the items that you declutter, especially if they are in good condition. Or, maybe they are vintage or collectable. You'd be surprised what you can find in the depths of your drawers, closets, basement, garage, and even on your bookshelves that you could make money with. From jewelery to shoes and even fitness gadgets and the like. 

My favourite places to sell items

• Facebook Marketplace and FB groups
• Poshmark (Get $15 with code poshsummergirl on sign up page)
• Varage sale (App)
• Letgo ( App- in USA, no longer in Canada sadly)
• Kijiji
• Ebay
• Pawn shops
• Amazon (I've sold a ton of books and DVDs on there)
• Garage sale (when permitted or by appointment due to covid)
• Plato's closet - they pay on the spot. They are choosy and want items in good condition and current trends. They don't pay much but if you don't have the time to sell your own items, they are a good option
• Other local consignment shops
• There are lots of other Apps to sell your unwanted goods. Just check your app store

Once you've decluttered your home, you'll probably make more conscious choices about future purchases and what you are bringing into your home. Either way, unless you are a true minimalist, the process of letting go of items that no longer serve you will most likely become something that is ongoing as we are usually bringing new things into our homes. 

#declutter #makemoney #minimalism 

Huge Empties | Health, Beauty, Makeup, Skincare + Declutter

It's time to clear out the empties that I've accumulated. My last empties post was in August (linked here), so this is 2 months worth of empties.

As always, I will link to products whenever possible in the product headings or link to a similar product if the product is no longer available. I'll also share a brief review as well as whether or not I would repurchase.

Health

Bell Lifestyle Supreme Immune Booster 90 caps

This supplement contains a variety of immune-boosting mushroom extracts. I love using mushrooms in my supplements to boost my immune system and for overall health support.

Repurchase- Yes

Now Foods Evening Primrose Oil 500mg

I take Evening Primrose Oil to help balance my hormones. It's also supposed to help build progesterone in the body, which is something my body needs and unfortunately, I cannot tolerate even bio-identical topical progesterone, so I look to supplements like evening primrose oil as well as Vitex etc. As a side benefit, EPO is also great for skin and hair!

Repurchase- Yes

MegaFood Baby & Me MultiVitamin 120 tablets

Many women take prenatal supplements to boost skin and hair health. I happened to win this product in a giveaway and was happy to try it out since I take a multivitamin daily anyways. Although I do like this brand, I did not notice any special with these supplements. 

Repurchase- No

Now Foods Glycine Pure Powder 1 lb

Glycine is the smallest and simplest amino acid, making it versatile for a wide range of functions. It's necessary for the production on glutathione, DNA, creatine, bile, haemoglobin and most proteins, Glycine also works as a calming neurotransmitter in the brain, where it facilitates nerve impulses and is important for the maintenance of healthy sleep patterns.

I purchased this for the reported sleep benefits. I had tried it years ago but didn't notice anything. I decided to try it again as things can change with our bodies. This time, I took a teaspoon daily in some water and although I didn't notice anything right away, it had a subtle action over time and I began to notice that I was feeling much calmer during the daytime. The jury is still out on how much it has helped my sleep but I will continue to use it and see what time of day might work best for my insomnia issues.

Repurchase- Already have (different brand but I'm going back to this one)

Madre Labs CocoCeps Instant Organic Dark Cocoa Beverage 

If you've seen my empties posts in the past, you've most likely seen this product before. I use it daily in my morning smoothie. It tastes great and contains immune boosting cordyceps and reishi mushroom powders ( you cannot taste the mushrooms). I have an aversion to mushrooms, so this is one of the few ways that I can get the health benefits of mushrooms.

Repurchase- Already have

Skincare

Lise Watier Solution Express 3 in 1 Cleansing Cloths 56 wipes

I received these in a beauty box from TopBox. They are very gentle and do a great job at removing makeup and I found them very soothing to my skin. However, when it comes to cleansing, I do like to purchase less expensive products and save my money for the serums, skin treatments, and moisturizers. If you like to splurge a little on this type of product, I do recommend them.

Repurchase- If I see them on sale

Robin McGraw Revelation Hydra Qwench Moisturizing Night Cream  1 oz

I have tried a few products from Robin McGraw's Revelation line and had fantastic results! If I wasn't always testing out new skincare, I would stick to mostly her products along with a few others peppered in here and there. This is a great night cream and very hydrating without being greasy (full review here). From the products I've tried from her line, I found that I had the most anti-aging results from her brightening line. Not only did I notice a difference but I had compliments galore! That always speaks volumes about how a product is working. Review of her Brightening line linked here.

Repurchase- Yes

Vichy Liftactiv Supreme

I received this product for testing purposes and really enjoyed it. I always have good luck with Vichy products and they never irritate my skin. I'd say I prefer Vichy's Rosy Cream over this one. The Rosy Cream seemed to make my skin feel denser.

Repurchase- Perhaps as I get older I might try it again and see if it benefits me more

NeoStrata SecureWhite Anti Dark Circle Complex

I don't really have dark circles so I cannot attest to whether or not it helps with that. I do have quite the puffy bags under my eyes though and this did not help with that at all. Obviously not the right product for my concerns.

Repurchase- No

Haircare

Taya Inner Core Hair Strong Anti-Breakage Mask

This is definitely my current favourite hair mask. I find it really hydrating for my parched hair and it definitely improves the look of my damaged, dry, and bleached hair. I do test out a lot of hair products so I don't use it as much as I'd like to. 

Repurchase- Bought a bunch of backups already!

Seabuckthorn Lavender Shampoo + Conditioner

I'm a big fan of these products! They claim to combat hair loss and repair hair shaft. This brand is Canadian and their products are all natural and void of harsh chemicals, and naturally preserved. I love both of these products! They both contain many of the amazing ingredients that are purported to help with hair loss and maintain a healthy scalp and hair. 

Lavender Shampoo:

"Contains Lavender essential oil to promote new hair growth and prevent hair loss by increasing blood circulation to the scalp. For thinning, color treated, chemically treated and heat damaged hair."

Lavender Conditioner:

"Seabuckthorn & Lavender come together to create the perfect deep penetrating and revitalizing conditioner. Omega rich seabuckthorn oils help to increase shine, repair & prevent damage and breakage, and seal the hair shaft to prevent moisture loss. Lavender oil has been used for centuries to combat hair loss, stimulate new growth, and heal a myriad of scalp problems. These oils work synergistically to detangle, protect, and nourish your hair and scalp while making your tresses bright, shiny, and strong. This therapeutic conditioner is suited for all hair types and any scalp condition."

A few of the fabulous ingredients are; Hemp seed oil, coconut oil, seabuckthorn oil, lavender oil, aloe, chamomile, panthenol, and hydrolyzed wheat protein.

Repurchase- Already have

Pets/ Misc

Mercola Ubiquinol for cats and dogs

My whole family takes Q10, including my cat. Q10 is especially important as we age and is just important for our pets as it is for us. I give my cat 1-2 drops in his food and he laps it up. This bottle lasts about 6 months so it's very affordable. Feeding guidelines are based on your pet's weight so the bottle won't last quite as long for a larger animal. But, you can't put a price on health!

Repurchase- Will never be without this!

Now Foods XyliWhite Cinnafresh Toothpaste

I've been using this toothpaste for years!! I had better dental checkups after I began using it so I continued with it. Plus, it's free of fluoride, SLS, gluten, and parabens. I have tried some other natural brands but at this point, this is still my favourite. There are also mint flavours but I adore this cinnamon.

Repurchase- Yes

Makeup & Declutter

Sonia Kashuk Longwear Gel Eyeliner
I am tossing this as it's super old. It worked really well and didn't budge at all. Sadly, Sonia Kashuk is no longer selling cosmetics.

Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara/ Brow Gel
I love this product. It really holds my brows in place and has a great spoolie. It's quick and easy, great for a no-fuss but groomed look to your brows.

Repurchase- Yes

Doucce Maxlash Volumizer Mascara
This mascara has a crazy wand with very long bristles. It was intimidating to use at first because I was always afraid of poking myself in the eye and in fact, I did a couple of times. Once I became accustomed to it, I loved it. It gave me great looking, full lashes.

Repurchase- Probably not. Only because I prefer to buy mascaras that are not only cheaper but easily accessible at the drugstore

Loreal Magic Smooth Souffle Blush in Cherubic
This is a great cream blush option as it seems to fill in pores as if it has a built-in primer. It's called "magic smooth" so it probably does. This colour is gorgeous for light-medium skin tones and gives the most beautiful flush to the cheeks. I am tossing this as it's super old and I rarely use cream blush. Since I have very oily skin, I have to powder over any cream products so they aren't the best choice for me at the moment.

Repurchase- Possibly. If I was in the market for a cream blush, this is the one I would pick up.

City Color Collection Highlighting Cream
Although this product is fairly new to my collection, I am giving it away because I rarely reach for it and when I do I have a hard time getting it to blend evenly. Again, I have to powder on top of any cream products due to my oily skin, so it kind of takes away from what's underneath my face powder. I do like the finish of it though as it doesn't contain glitter, just a beautiful shimmer. Hopefully, someone else will use it more than I did.

Repurchase- No


Speaking of decluttering, it's something I love to try and keep on top of so I'm not swimming in things or ending up on the show called Hoarders! I tend to keep on top of clothing but never thought of my undergarments!  When was the last time you decluttered your bras and undies?! Well, I finally did, and I was astonished that I had at least 17 pairs of undies stuck in the back of my drawer that needed to go (No photo for obvious reasons). I had about the same amount of old bras that were all ill-fitting at this point! Yikes!

 #brasonly #thisisreallife #reallife

This is part of the aftermath with my bra declutter. My little helper is taking a break! lol

I figured I'd throw this part in there in case you like decluttering as well but never thought to tackle your undergarments.

Thanks for stopping by to see what I used up and what I'm decluttering.

Happy weekend, everyone! 💗

not sponsored. some links are referral links. thank you if you choose to use them!

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.

Monthly Empties + Declutter | Health, Makeup, Beauty, Skincare!

Welcome to another monthly empties and a mini declutter. As always, I will share mini-reviews and links to products where possible.

Health

HyaFlex Hyaluronic Acid Feline Hip + Joint Formula
This is a fabulous product. I started giving it to my cat as prevention as he is aging. The first time that I gave it to him, a few hours later he began to run and jump around like a kitten. That was all the proof I needed that it's definitely benefiting him, so I continue to purchase it. To make the product last longer, I give him 1/2 the recommended dose. I add it to his wet food and he laps it all up. It has no flavour and my cat loves the liquid parts of food, so no problems getting him to ingest all of it.

Repurchase- Absolutely!

Madre Labs CocoCeps Instant Organic Dark Chocolate Beverage
This product has been featured on my site many times, that's because I've been using this product for so long I can't even remember when I started taking it. It contains organic dark chocolate plus certified organic cordyceps and reishi mushroom powders. I use it in my morning smoothies. It tastes great and it's heart healthy and great for immunity too.

Repurchase- Yep!

Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin, and Nails Gummies with Biotin
I can't take biotin on its own or I breakout. I don't have that issue with these gummies. I can't be certain that they're doing anything but I do notice that I have to clip my nails every week. However, I also take collagen supplements, so it could be either or both that are helping my nails grow like weeds. I will continue to take them as insurance, plus they taste great!

Repurchase- Already have

Reserveage Collagen Replenish Powder with Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin C
I did a full review on this product linked here. What I enjoyed about this product is that is mixes into my smoothies flawlessly and it has zero taste to it!

Repurchase- Yes but I have many others to test out first.

Healthy Origins CoQ10
This is another product that I've been taking for years and I won't ever stop taking it. I used to have a heart condition called MVP (Mitral Valve Prolapse). During my last ultrasound to check on my heart condition, it came back that my MVP was not found! I can only attribute it to the CoQ10 as I didn't do anything else for my heart.

Repurchase- Yes but I did purchase one from Costco to test out since my heart condition is now gone!

Beauty

Clairol Frost + Tip Nice 'n Easy
I'm certain that this is the same highlighting kit that I used in high school and I always had great results. When I recently decided to try my hand at doing my own highlights again, it was a no-brainer to go back to this kit. Unfortunately, my hair came out orange, so I went and purchased the one that's for darker hair and it also came out orange. I contacted Clairol via their 1-800 number to find out what level of the developer is in the box but they refused to tell me! I couldn't believe it. It's my hair and they won't even provide me with info on what I'm applying to my hair! How on earth can I make an informed decision without this info!?

Repurchase- NEVER!

Miracle 10 Toner
This product was too harsh on my skin. It made my skin red, dehydrated, and irritated. I'm thinking it's the witch hazel in this product since I checked and it does not contain alcohol. I've never had any issues with other Miracle 10 products. Unfortunately, I won't be finishing this product.

Repurchase- No

Vichy Neovadiol Fortifying and Revitalizing Rosy Cream
I have had good luck with Vichy's Neovadiol line. It's hydrating, non-irritating, and my skin does feel denser when I use them. That's a great thing for my aging skin as it becomes thinner as I age.

Repurchase- Yes, as my night cream.

Jouviance PlumpFX Lip Serum
I loved this product. It really made my lips feel hydrated. It definitely improved the look of my dehydrated lips over time. I would say that it gave my lips the appearance of being fuller and they definitely appeared healthier. It wasn't sticky at all, yet it lasted for quite some time. It reminded me of Dior's lip serum. This is still a pricey product at $32CAD.

Repurchase- No. Only because of the price.

Madre Bees Organic Lip Balm (Now called Sierra Bees)
I've been purchasing these lip balms in large packs for years. There are so many great flavours to choose from. I have one in pretty much every room in my house plus my purse. They are super affordable, organic, and quite good for a lip balm and I really appreciate that it's organic.

Repurchase- Yes

Declutter

• Skinn Cosmetics Eyeshadow Palette in Seduction- I never use it anymore and it's super old, but has great pigmentation!
• Joe Fresh Eyeshadow Palette in Neutrals- I never use it and it had very poor pigmentation, is very powdery, and makes my lids look very dry.
• Maybelline Single Eyeshadow in Tastefully Taupe- I have so many other taupe colours in palettes. 
• Covergirl Melting Pout Liquid Lipstick in 105- Just the wrong colour for me. Too orange. 
• Joe Fresh Waterproof Eye Crayon in Taupe- The product dried up and fell out. 
• Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Crayon in Trespassing Taupe- It was a great matte eye crayon for when you want a quick eye look that also looks good but it goes on patchy now. Note: the best way to apply it is with the warmth of your finger and blend it out. 😉

I hope you enjoyed this month's empties post and mini declutter! 

XO

Makeup Brush Storage & Organization On A Budget!

I was doing my weekly makeup brush deep cleansing and I thought I should share with you how I store and organize them.

It may be an old idea to some of you, but hopefully, it will be helpful to others who maybe haven't seen or thought of this as a way to organize makeup brushes.

I purchased this great pen / office organizer for a few dollars at Home Sense. I thought it would make a great makeup brush organizer because of the dividers. This way I could separate my makeup brushes by type.

I think it's the perfect size. I keep my brushes that are not in use stored in makeup bags that are put away. This just houses my brushes that are in use (and yes, it holds all the brushes shown in the photo of my brushes drying on the towel above!)

Since there are 4 quadrants, I organized them by eye brushes, blush, bronzer & highlight, and face.

This system is working great for me! 

Here is where they are actually stored on my desk.

 I would rather keep the brushes inside my desk but due to a poor design, the drawer only opens 1/2 way so I lose 1/2 the space. ugh.. it's a "youtube made me do it" horrible purchase.

Ironically, after reading an article in a magazine about how it's not good to keep makeup in the bathroom due to humidity, I googled how to store makeup and that is how I discovered the wonderful world of beauty on Youtube and the web.

I also purchased this mail organizer to keep my makeup palettes in, but it just puts too much clutter on my desk for me. I ended up using for it's intended use (paperwork). 

Some of you may not mind having your palettes out and this would be a good way to organize them. Again, probably not new to a lot of you makeup junkies like me. 

I hope you liked seeing how I store my makeup brushes. I love organizing and I'm always looking out for new and better ways to do it. 

Let me know if you have any organizing tips!

PS. Come and join all the blogger linkup fun over at Fabulous and Fun Life & Best of the Blogosphere

Amy

xoxo

Instagram Challenge: Finish #7bySpring

In January I decided to join some other beauty junkies on Instagram who were participating in a challenge called #7BySpring. The objective was to finish up 7 beauty products by spring aka today!

Finishing beauty products can be quite the challenge. Products like mascara are easy since we replace them on the regular. I ended up adding a mascara to this challenge as I didn't have anything else that I could come close to finishing up.

These challenges can get tedious as we end up using the same products everyday, which kind of takes the fun out of playing with makeup. But, it's also rewarding to finish products up so we can move on to something new and say goodbye to the old.

For challenges like this, I recommend selecting products that are older and may expire if you don't use them up.

Here is a screenshot of my initial Instagram post, showcasing the items I chose for this challenge. 

And, here we are today on the first day of Spring and the last day of this challenge

I don't remember the last time I finished up a lipstick!

Products I finished:

-Marcelle Sheer Tint Fluid Moisturizer- I have used for years and would repurchase

-Elf Lash and Brow Clear Mascara- I use this all the time and will definitely repurchase

-Jordana Best Lash Extreme- Another product I've used for years and will repurchase

-Maybelline Color Whisper in Lust for Blush- I recommend this formula for aging lips as it's very hydrating and doesn't accentuate lines. It's a more sheer formula and I do like it, but I became a little sick of it after using it everyday. I started to mix it with a lipstick I have that is too brown for me and then I wound up with the perfect pinky-brown/ mauve shade! (I liked it so much I did a blog post on it HERE).

Products I did not finish:

-Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Face Powder- I was sooo close to finishing this! I would not repurchase this as I found I became oily quickly with this powder and it was a little heavy and accentuated pores. I would buy other powders by PF like their Youthful Wear powders.

-Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller- This thing just keeps on ticking! It's made it through 2 "empty" challenges and it's still going. I got this on sale for such a good price that I have backups! I just hope they don't expire!

-Essence Eye Shadow Base- This is just like the Garnier Roller above, it doesn't end. It has also survived 2 Instagram "empty" challenges and doesn't seem to be close to being empty. I would buy it again but I have another eye primer that I bought last summer that is still waiting on standby!

I guess 4 out of 7 isn't bad. 

I'm definitely looking forward to using my other products now that this challenge is over! And, I'm also looking forward to some new challenges!  

If you know of any fun challenges, please leave them in the comments or click on my Instagram link at the top of this page and leave me a comment there..

Thanks for stopping by!

Amy

xoxo

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

Decluttering Series: Weekly Beauty Product Testing With #Reviews- Week of Aug 3 + 10th

I'm still working on using up all of my samples, but I am making a lot of progress along the way. After this week, I mostly have some skin care samples to try out.. here's hoping that my skin wont freak out!

I tried out quite a few products so I'll try and make the reviews brief and to the point. ;)

John Frieda Colour Renew Tone-Correcting Shampoo for Colour Treated Blondes

This shampoo claims to neutralize brassiness for colour-treated blondes in 3 uses. It's your typical purple shampoo that you find in blonde shampoos that remove brassiness. Some of these types of shampoos can be VERY drying for your hair. I didn't find this one very drying and the results were subtle. I wouldn't say this one is very powerful at reducing brassiness. 

Korres Wild Rose 24HR Moisturizing and Brightening Cream

I found this to be more of a lotion consistency than a cream, despite this, it was fairly hydrating. I was surprised that I didn't have any breakouts as many rose based products tend to make my acne-prone skin breakout. I used it in conjunction with my usual serum and oil and although I would rate it as good, it didn't blow me away so I wont be purchasing it.

Dove Go Sleeveless Beauty Finish 48 Hr Antiperspirant

I really liked the scent, not sure how to describe it but I really liked it, and it wasn't a powdery smell (which is great for me). This is definitely a little more powerful than my aluminum free deodorants. I never wore it for 48 hours, so I cannot attest to that claim. I prefer to use products without aluminum, so I will stick with my aluminum free deodorants and save this for special occasions when I need a little more power.

Novex Queratina Brasileira Hair Food Keratin Treatment

After using this product my hair had a slightly different texture to it. It felt a little bit more coarse (maybe stronger?) but I found it a little too heavy for my fine hair when I left it on for 25 minutes with a shower cap on. However, when I used it as a regular conditioner in the shower and only left it on for a few minutes, my hair was not weighed down and I liked the results much more. I am curious to see if it would have any long term benefits though. And, I'd be willing to sacrifice weighed down hair for a day each week or month if it meant healthier, stronger hair. My hair wasn't particularly soft, so I doubt I'll ever find out if there are long term benefits unless I'm able to get my hands on a few more samples.

John Freida Go Blonder Lightening Shampoo

This product definitely brightened my blonde hair. I noticed it after just one use. It did leave my hair feeling more unmanageable when it was wet, but it was fine once styled. I would say this product lives up to it's claims. However, unless my hair needs some lightening, I will probably be sticking to my purple shampoo to tone down any brassiness.

Mario Badescu Skin Care

Special Cucumber lotion: Forget about it! This is full of alcohol. I will not be using this. I damaged and dehydrated my skin for enough years when I was trying to combat acne and didn't know any better. Luckily, now I know better and I don't dry out my skin!

Peptide Renewal Cream: I don't know if I got a bad one, but this smelled of some horrible gas or engine oil, it was very strange (and awful). It was really thick and very difficult (almost impossible) to blend into my skin. I would be willing to give it another chance if I could get my hands on another sample and see if I just got a bad one. I find it hard to believe they'd make something that smells so horrible and doesn't absorb into the skin.

Peptide Renewal Serum: This serum had a nice slip to it and seemed hydrating. Unfortunately, after using it for a week, I ended up with small, painful bumps under the skin on my forehead!  Nuff said. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! 

Let me know if you've come across any fab products lately..

ps. Come and join a bunch of fabulous bloggers at fabulousandfunlife

Amy 
xx

Makeup Graveyard #1- Purging/ Decluttering Some Makeup and Beauty Items!

Welcome to the Makeup Graveyard!

Well, it looks like the items pictured above won't be making it into any of my empties posts. Instead, they are making it to my first ever "makeup graveyard" (aka. garbage.) Last night I got a burst of energy (nothing new,-night owl here) and something prompted me to go through my eyeshadows. Although, today, I have no memory of what it was that inspired me to do so. But, as you can see, I found more than eyeshadow to add to my makeup graveyard. 

Above are the first batch of products that I decided were now fit for the trash and not my eyelids. They are either super-old, chalky and/or have no pigmentation. Although, I did end up saving the Essence Quattro palette from the graveyard and decided instead to pitch an ELF quad of similar colours that was MUCH more suited to the graveyard.  (note: the items are deep in the trash so I was not able to get another picture minus the Essence quad that I "saved.")

What's going and why:

• YBF Palette, your connected collection- too old and dried up
• Sally Girl eyeshadow quad, no colour just the number 388477- chunky and hard, yuk
• Smashbox eyeshadow quad in Juxtapose- this is so old and the powders are now hard
• Annabelle 4 Show eyeshadow quad in Vivid-eye- Zero pigmentation
• Essence eyeshadow quad in Over the Taupe- Saved!

Here is a picture of the inside of the ybf palette:

This was a nice palette but it's super-old and as a result, lost its pigmentation. I loved this one for my purse or travel as it has a nice array of neutral eyeshadows plus a blush and lip colours. Although, I've learned that I'd rather not have lip products inside my palettes as they get kind of gross and gunky!

Here are the other items I came across today that wound up in the graveyard. As I mentioned, I ended up choosing to keep the Essence quad and instead trashed the ELF one above- the tones were similar but the Essence one was much more buttery and pigmented- sorry ELF, I love lots of your other products! :D

What's going and why:

• Eyeshadow brush from eBay. It came in a 5 piece set for less than $2, the others are great, this one is SO hard and sharp, someone could get hurt!
• Bella Pierre powder brush no.23- this is like putting makeup on with a brillo pad (I love many Bella Pierre products, just not this one)
• Bella Pierre makeup base- product has separated and gone bad
• ELF eyeshadow quad in Drama- shadows are hard, chunky, and have no pigmentation
• Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream Skin Perfecting Tinted Moisturizer Cream- well, besides the long name,....this has to be the worst BB cream or tinted moisturizer I have ever tried! I don't know if I just got a bad one but besides zero coverage it won't blend into the skin, it stays on the skin and leaves patches of product all over my face. Byeeeee!

I know I won't be missing any of these products and it makes me realize that I have to go through my things more often. Decluttering, purging or whatever you want to call it can be tough but it's definitely worth it. I don't want to get rid of things just for the sake of getting rid of things but if something isn't working for me anymore or maybe is past its prime, better to let it go and focus on the things that are working for me and won't give you an eye infection or something! *knocking on wood

Have you done any purging or have any tips on making it an easier task? Please share in the comments. I would love to get better at letting things go, they are, after all, just things and not important in the grand scheme of things. ;)

xo Amy