What's in Your Purse?

As I'm cleaning or better yet, shifting stuff from one room to another in an attempt to clean and sort everything for our purge, I thought it might be fun to take a second and show you what is in my purse. And also to make sure there wasn't anything in there that I didn't need anymore.

My purse is like a mobile office for me. Being a doula, I have a lot of appointments to keep, notes to take and more. And with me considering opening a shop on Etsy, I've got a lot of notes running of ideas of what I want to make. 

I also normally, but not this time, house toys and diapers and snacks. I'm actually kind of shocked that I didn't house any of it this time!

So on to what is in there. 

My Purse. This was a gift from a friend. It fits my personality perfectly.

Make up bag with make up. I rarely wear this, but like to have it on hand just in case.

Assortment of paperwork. This is my "note"book some applications for the Anti-Mainstream Dad and the paperwork to transfer my gifted van to me!

The planner to keep track of everything. I know it looks bare, but trust me. It's not!

My wallet. I have the hardest time buying one I like. This was a $5 dollar store find. It works, but it's not my favorite.

Assortment of odds and ends. Yes, there is some not so crunchy items in there, but they work when I'm at a birth.

For some reason the mason jar of coconut oil didn't get in here. That is with me at all times! I would be lost without it. It's my everything fixer.

Next time I'll have to share what's in my doula bag. But for now, what's in your purse? 


Hugs & Coffee, 
-The Anti-Mainstream Mom
Join the conversation on Facebook!

Simplifying our Wardrobe: The Purge (Pt 1)

We are getting ready for a big change. A change that involves less closet space. And we are very excited about the prospect that it brings. But there is one little hitch. There will not be enough room to keep what is considered a full wardrobe for all of us. Which is okay, I'm tired of all the laundry anyway. So we are downsizing. 

"The Purge" as you've noticed it being called has started. I've sorted about 10 baskets full of laundry already. (See, told you we have a lot of clothes.) I probably have about 10 more to do as well. Plus bedding. This is getting fun.

Fun? Yes fun. Because we are making it fun. I ask my son if he wants to keep something or send it off into the Universe. We aren't just purging and throwing away. Or even selling. We are going to be giving all our kids clothes to a great inner city organization. Because coming from our homeless and in desperate need background, we know the value simple things hold. And I don't even want my kids to forget that! 

This is proving to be an exercise in learning what are wants and needs. Because we may want to keep all our favorite t'shirts, but we don't need too. And any that are stained and are not going to be able to be used my the groups we are donating to, I plan to turn them into fun little blankets. It will be a great memory and have a practical, new use in our home. 

Now on to what are we keeping.
Each family member will have their wardrobe. I will have 2. (One is a set of work clothes, the rest are home/daily clothes.) 

3 pairs of short
3 pairs of jeans/khaki's/etc.
10 t'shirts-6 short sleeve/3 long sleeve
3 pairs of sweats/house pants
3 pajamas
1 dress up outfit (for church, weddings, etc.)
1 jacket
1 sweater
1 winter coat

for the girls only
3 skirts
3 dresses
3 pairs of tights


I will not be getting rid of any socks or under wear or under shirts. We will be keeping all of those. Because with little kids, sometimes you go through lots of socks and underwear!

This is going to be an exercise in frugality. And picking our favorites to keep. I plan on keeping some extras in storage in case we need them. But for the most part we plan on relying on just what I will have on hand.  This is going to end up being an exercise in patience and all of us picking what we really love most. All clothes have to be versatile, strong, clean and  practical.

Do you think you could slim your wardrobe down? Would it be easy or hard? 

Hugs & Coffee, 
-The Anti-Mainstream Mom
Please take a moment to join in on the conversation on Facebook!