One of my 2012 ‘to-do’s’ is to make a clothing wish list and the best way to do this was to assess the clothes that I already have – I’m really strict with myself about clothes buying and for the most part (one pair of jeans being the exception), will only buy (and keep) clothes in my wardrobe that I wear.

Notice a trend ^ – Since going a little more minimalist with my clothing I’ve noticed a definite move towards a ‘uniform look’, and nearly everything I own is either grey or black…..this works out brilliantly for mixing and matching and I love it, but may seem a little boring to others!

Full clothing list: 29 core pieces

• 9 jumpers (pictured0
• 2 tanks
• 3 shirts/blouses
• 2 jeans (1 that fits!)
• 1 jersey top
• 1 waterfall cardigan
• 1 white/blue striped summer top
• 2 pairs black work trousers
• 1 pair black linen trousers
• 1 pair casual black trousers
• 2 floaty evening tops
• 1 black long sleeve t-shirt
• 3 black t-shirts

After pulling everything out of the wardrobe I removed 6 items for recycling – mostly tatty looking jumpers – and made a very small list of needs. Mainly t-shirts. The ones that I have, Gap t’s bought in 2009, are looking very washed out and need replacing.

Clothing Wish List: (2012)

• 3-5 t-shirts (black and grey)
• Black Trench Coat
• Black (summer) wedge shoe

Sourcing the items:

I’ve already got my eye on a pair of summer wedges, and will be buying them with the gift vouchers that I have – the t-shirts I’ll buy in Gap (I like their t-shirts), when we go on holiday in April. The trench is the one thing that I’ll need to search for, although I’m probably going to wait until I’ve lost a little more weight as it needs to be something that lasts (and I keep) for a very long time.

So that’s it.  I’m really pleased that I did this exercise as I now have a simple ‘items to buy’ list that, when everything is bought, will update my wardrobe quite nicely.

Let me know, do you keep a clothing wish list? Are you regularly assessing your wardrobe?

My Minimalist Wardrobe (Update) is a post from: Move to Portugal

This post takes inspiration from Rachel over at The Minimalist Mom who recently posted about her own minimalist make up (and it ties in nicely with my feel good week)

I’ll start by saying that I’ve never really been a make up person, a lick of mascara and a light foundation is about as far as I go. However in the past I’ve not been immune to buying the latest skin care product to hit the shelves, only to throw it away a few months years later.  I’ve learnt my lesson though and these days stick to buying my favourites only.

Here are the only products that I use all the time;

• Clinique Super Balanced Foundation
• Clinique All About Eyes Concealer
• Maybelline Colossal Lash Mascara
• Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
• Lee Stafford Messed Up Hair Gunk (which I probably don’t need)
• Body Shop Coconut Body Butter (my favourite ever product)

I also keep a small tin of vaseline in my handbag (for my lips), and up until recently I was using Olay Total Effects Day SPF Moisturiser, but it ran out and I haven’t replaced it yet…..although I may do when I have enough Boots points* to pay for it – my favourite way to ’buy’ beauty products!  I have a couple of other things that I’m currently using, but they were gifts.

Spending: I don’t want make and beauty products to be a major part of my budget, but I’m not ready to go totally product free. I think annually I’m spending around £60 – this year I’m going to track it properly to see if I’m about right with this amount.  I always buy the body butter on sale (and through a cash back site), as it’s usual price is £12.50 (it’s currently selling on sale for £6.25), last year I ended up paying around £5 a tub. And I’ll buy a foundation when I’m in NY because it’s $23 there and £21.50 here! The hair gunk will last me all year anyway, but I do need a new hand cream.

What about you? Are you trying to cut your make up and beauty spending? Do you have a favourite make up product?

*I just checked my Boots points and I have £9.16 to spend in store. Yay!

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Make-Up + Beauty Products is a post from: Move to Portugal

Every new year without fail I have a mad idea to clean and de-clutter every single bit of my house. And I mean every bit. I make a very (very) long list and slowly work my way through it.

I’ll usually get about half way before throwing in the towel, and I never quite get to certain jobs. Like extractor fan cleaning for example, which always seems to get left! (Well life is to short isn’t it!?) But it’s not too short apparently (if you’re me), to organise your cutlery drawers! Hmmm. I know, I need to get out more!

Anyway I present two of the three drawers that I have in my tiny kitchen, all clean and tidy.

That’s all I have! Can you tell I’m not a cook?

All back in.

Pots and pans (steamer not shown)

And the main reason for this post. There wasn’t anything to de-clutter! I’m making progress people

Kitchen Equipment is a post from: Move to Portugal

The best thing (for me) since de-cluttering and minimalising my wardrobe is that I no longer waste money on clothes, mainly because I plan every shopping trip and always go with specific items in mind.

I’ve also developed a sort of ‘shop the seasons’ routine. But only two seasons; summer and winter. I find that I don’t need stuff for spring and autumn – that’s what cardigans are for!

I’m currently assessing my wardrobe to see if I need anything for the winter – I’m not sure that I do (apart from socks). I already have enough jumpers etc, however I’m thinking that I would like a new blouse for a Christmas party I’m going to and some new ‘going out’ shoes – preferably a perfect pair that will last me for years…. a total want, not need! I let you know if I find them.

Let me know, how do you shop for clothes? Do you go with a list?

(photo credit)

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Assessing Your Clothing Needs is a post from: Move to Portugal

I’m not sure what to call this post as I didn’t want to put the word ‘underwear’ in a post title lol and if I had a drawer full of gorgeous ‘lingerie’ I’d perhaps be a little more brazen and show you big pictures.  But my undergarments are sadly lacking in gorgeousness, practical is probably how you would describe them.  So we have small pictures and a serious need to stop being such a frugal person tightwad and buy a few items – definitely extra socks – who only has four pairs of (proper) socks?!

Anyway step one to organising your drawer – empty it onto the bed

step two – sort your socks and remove any unwanted items

step three – organise into piles and place back in drawer

step four – make a wish needs list!

Easy isn’t it?!

PS. Please forgive me for the light in the photos and the showing of my smalls before 9am on a Monday morning!

Organising my socks and stuff is a post from: Move to Portugal