School Clothes

 

Every year at this time, my Mom would take us school shopping. Because we lived in a rather small town, it usually entailed driving to a "big" mall somewhere at least 45 minutes away. So we really made a day of it. I looked forward to it every year.

As I got older, and had to do my own shopping, I got to appreciate my own money. And I became a pro at getting bargains.

I also remember plotting which items I'd spend my money on. Like I remember seeing a pair of lace up boots from "Bakers" in a "Teen Magazine". They were way more than I wanted to spend. But I loved them truly. I alotted a big chunk of my budget to them...and purchased them on our trip. I proudly tucked my acid wash jeans into those boots all school year.

The kicker to all this shopping and merriment was that you HAD to come home and clean out your closet to make room for the new clothes.

It was a requirement!

So a few days after the shopping, came the cleaning. Boo! I remember dreading that part. But then I always loved staring into my clean closet at my brand new sweatshirts, sweaters, and shirts all hanging neatly. And my shoes all lined up in a row. It was all part of the experience.

Today was the first day of school at our house. And as such, today is a closet day. I should really make my 8 year old do his own closet this year. But since we JUST re-did his whole closet, there's not really much cleaning to do. But he did get a lot of school clothes for his birthday. And I'm gonna go put them away.

Doing this with yourself and your kids is super smart. It helps you assess what clothes you actually have. And helps you not overbuy. Sometimes, when the laundry hasn't been done, I get to thinking "I think I need to buy so-and-so more pants. They're running out." When, in fact, I just need to wash.

We were also required to edit until everything fit nicely. My Mom said that we had enough closet and we should make our clothes fit in our space. Not the other way around. This is GREAT advice for keeping closets tidy. You DON'T need to keep that t-shirt from 1994. You just don't.

So today's Manic Monday organization tip is:

do your school clothes closet clean-out. Even if you don't have school clothes. It's important in keeping things clean! And you're kids will actually thank you one day. I know that habit is the reason that my closets never get too out of hand.

Okay.....we'll see you here bright and early tomorrow morning for the bedroom reveal. Squeal!! I'm SOOO excited for you to see it!