Does anyone know where January and February went? It seems like I've been cleaning and organizing since I took my holiday decor down and now it's March! The new year brings the best intentions, it inspires a cleaning and organizing frenzy for me, that if nothing else takes me through my home slowly but surely. Starting with the closet under the staircase that houses all my holiday decor, then moving to desk drawers (oh, that feels so good when it's organized and clean) into my studio organizing gemstones and my work bench, then finally to the Master closet.
When working with clients to organize their closets or cleaning out my own I love Mari Kondo and use her "sparks joy" method to some extent, although keeping some items that are sentimental or clothing that may not quite fit at the moment (working off that holiday cheer), in hopes that I'll be wearing again soon is fine with me.
So what do we do with those items we're getting rid of? Landfill, Donate or Recycle? I rarely toss anything in the trash unless it's so worn out no one can make use of it and I love to thrift (it's amazing what people donate, right?). Here are a handful of my favorite places to donate, consign or recycle! Click on the links I've provided in the names to learn more...
DONATE
1. March 8 was International Womens Day and Dress For Success is an organization that dresses women for job interviews. If you have professional clothing, jewelry and accessories your not using any longer this is truly a wonderful source to help out.
2. The Salvation Army is a non-profit that will pick up donations or you can drop off at your nearest location and while your at it do a little shopping. We find many fabulous new pieces from Zara, Target and other well known brands! Don't forget your receipt for a tax write off!
3. A Homeless Shelter: Our local one in SCV partners with a Thrift store that we can donate to and they'll give vouchers to the homeless to go shop there. Call your local shelter to find out where to donate to. Tax deductible.
CONSIGN
4. For luxury designer items you can consign and make a little extra dollars. The Real Real is perfect for your designer pieces. You can send them items and they photograph, post and sell or if you're in the LA area they now have a store you can visit!
5. Do it yourself consign... use Poshmark for Cabi, Lululemon, Michael Kors, Free People, Coach moderate priced pieces seem to do well here. You will need to upload the App, take photo's and post them along with regularly checking in, but once you get the hang of it it's not to bad. You will also need to ship the items, so check and see if you think this is right for you.
CASH OR TRADE-IN
6. For trendy and vintage clothing there is usually a Buffalo Exchange and they're good for getting cash back or credit to the store. Each store varies greatly as to what they'll accept so double check online or with the store first! Every city I travel to I will scope out their BE and visit! We have good ones here in Ventura, Sherman Oaks and Hollywood. I have found some amazing designer pieces there as well. My daughters use BE quite often! Great in college towns.
RECYCLING
7. Denim Recycling @ Madewell stop by one of their stores with your pre-loved pairs. They'll keep them out of landfills by turning them into housing insulation for organizations like Habitat for Humanity—and give you $20 off new ones.*
8. Habitat for Humanity While you may not be able to donate certain items like mattresses, Habitat Restores generally accept a variety of items. For instance, used household items and home goods from kitchenware to cabinets are just a few of the types of donations you can offer a Habitat ReStore. Most gently used items can either be donated, recycled or repurposed.
Now let's get to clearing out and make space before spring gets here!
Xo, Zoé
When working with clients to organize their closets or cleaning out my own I love Mari Kondo and use her "sparks joy" method to some extent, although keeping some items that are sentimental or clothing that may not quite fit at the moment (working off that holiday cheer), in hopes that I'll be wearing again soon is fine with me.
So what do we do with those items we're getting rid of? Landfill, Donate or Recycle? I rarely toss anything in the trash unless it's so worn out no one can make use of it and I love to thrift (it's amazing what people donate, right?). Here are a handful of my favorite places to donate, consign or recycle! Click on the links I've provided in the names to learn more...
DONATE
1. March 8 was International Womens Day and Dress For Success is an organization that dresses women for job interviews. If you have professional clothing, jewelry and accessories your not using any longer this is truly a wonderful source to help out.
2. The Salvation Army is a non-profit that will pick up donations or you can drop off at your nearest location and while your at it do a little shopping. We find many fabulous new pieces from Zara, Target and other well known brands! Don't forget your receipt for a tax write off!
3. A Homeless Shelter: Our local one in SCV partners with a Thrift store that we can donate to and they'll give vouchers to the homeless to go shop there. Call your local shelter to find out where to donate to. Tax deductible.
CONSIGN
4. For luxury designer items you can consign and make a little extra dollars. The Real Real is perfect for your designer pieces. You can send them items and they photograph, post and sell or if you're in the LA area they now have a store you can visit!
5. Do it yourself consign... use Poshmark for Cabi, Lululemon, Michael Kors, Free People, Coach moderate priced pieces seem to do well here. You will need to upload the App, take photo's and post them along with regularly checking in, but once you get the hang of it it's not to bad. You will also need to ship the items, so check and see if you think this is right for you.
CASH OR TRADE-IN
6. For trendy and vintage clothing there is usually a Buffalo Exchange and they're good for getting cash back or credit to the store. Each store varies greatly as to what they'll accept so double check online or with the store first! Every city I travel to I will scope out their BE and visit! We have good ones here in Ventura, Sherman Oaks and Hollywood. I have found some amazing designer pieces there as well. My daughters use BE quite often! Great in college towns.
RECYCLING
7. Denim Recycling @ Madewell stop by one of their stores with your pre-loved pairs. They'll keep them out of landfills by turning them into housing insulation for organizations like Habitat for Humanity—and give you $20 off new ones.*
8. Habitat for Humanity While you may not be able to donate certain items like mattresses, Habitat Restores generally accept a variety of items. For instance, used household items and home goods from kitchenware to cabinets are just a few of the types of donations you can offer a Habitat ReStore. Most gently used items can either be donated, recycled or repurposed.
Now let's get to clearing out and make space before spring gets here!
Xo, Zoé
