What's In a Title?

When I first toyed with the idea of having a blog, it was more of an idea to keep track of my own feeble attempts at decluttering and sorting.  My house being a fairly good example of  '80s double brick ranch style home full of brown furniture.... and lots of 'stuff' inbetween.

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In my naivety duchess_declutter was created (this was my very first post)  I was initially thinking of a duchess as one of these - and there is a big silky oak one sitting in our bedroom.  This is not it.

However, I thought it was a catchy title.  It seemed to fit in with the ideas that were flowing around about decluttering my house and my lifestyle.  At one stage I had two entire households here when I inherited a lot more 'stuff'.

So this is my official Disclaimer Post.  I am not a Decluttering Guru.  I'm actually pretty slack at it, and this also why I've been tidying up the blog a little.  I'm openly stating that this is not really a decluttering blog, more of a ramble.

My apologies to all how have clicked on the title and hoped for guidance.  I'm looking too.

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I'd love some feedback - a) what do you think of the new colour scheme (if you're a regular reader)

and b) is it decluttering tips you're really after??

Cheers for now

Wendy

A Last Minute Post on the last day of February!

Yes I am running a bit fine with this one.  I've been spending far too much time reading other blogs amongst other everyday things I think.  Fun though.

However I have managed some decluttering for February.  I sort of cheated because I didn't actually count everything.  So whether or not I have my 28 items is debatable.

I'm fairly confident that it would be close to this number anyhow.  Not too bad a cull - and there's plenty more where that came from!

So this is how my car looked before I trotted it off to the local op shop on Tuesday.

My decluttering is someone else's gain.  That's how it works isn't it?  Op shop kharma.

I'm feeling a lot more enthused already now that the weather is cooling down a bit.  Who knows what March will bring!


Have a great weekend.
cheers for now
Wendy

My Personal Declutter Challenge

I have been thinking of a way to challenge myself into decluttering more in 2014.

So this is my own personal challenge - anyone who cares to join in please do so!

This is a committment now as I've put it on my blog.  Each month in 2014 (starting February) I aim to:

declutter as many items as there are days in the month

so I'm off to an easy start in February with only 28 days.

I will be be following this little rhyme - 

and as 2014 is not a leap year I hereby challenge myself to 28 items to be decluttered/removed from the premises in February .

Not many variations on the theme, which is why I have chosen to go this way.  Some months will be easy and others I might have to push myself a bit, but I will document it as I go.   Wish me luck.  Maybe I can actually live up to my blog name!

cheers for now
Wendy

Little by Little

............ out it goes!

I aim for one of these a week to head off to greener pastures at the local animal welfare op shop.

Most weeks I can manage to almost fill a bag.  One day the house will look different.  Uncluttered.

cheers for now
Wendy

Revisiting vintage_declutter

Just to advise that I have revamped rebooted my site on ebay under this name.  To access vintage_declutter listings, just click on the link on the sidebar.

It was my intent when I first started this blog to document items as they left the house, in the form of decluttering.  I have to say, I think my first inspiration was my blogworld friend librarygirl, as she carefully detailed the contents of bags as they left the house.

Righto I thought!  I can do that - however in the meantime this blog has turned into an everyday ramble about life on our small acreage, which is just fine too.  I've certainly met some lovely people along the way.

However, although this is going on all the time in the background - I’ve realised that while I have way too much stuff  - I also needed to sell a truckload of things also.

So vintage_declutter was created as an ebay site where I list only vintage, retro and some antiques.  I also started a not so exciting blog of the same name (which I have put on hold).  It may well come back to live another day sometime in the future.

My love of retro goes waayyyy back ........ right back to the day in fact.  I have been admiring, collecting and buying for a long time.  Add to this the fact that I have been the recipient (in a not such a  great way, through inheritance on both sides of family) of some very lovely items. 

At one stage our home held the entire contents of two homes – including large antiques and collectables!  It was interesting to say the least - so I’m pleased to say that now, a few years later, our home no longer looks like an episode of Hoarders Inc.   

My genuine love for retro amd vintage collectables has now evolved to more fine-tuned stage.   I now know which specific ones I’d like to keep.  My mother particularly was very stylish and had an exceptionally tasteful way of displaying things.  I can only hope that once I downsize a little, some of this stylishness will eventually surface in me!

As I was a child/teenager growing up in the ‘80s,  it is wonderful thing now to be able to re-visit retro on an ongoing basis.  I just wish that I had kept more .... well maybe not, but definitely that TV shaped orange radio, and those green cream and orange pinstripe pants!

So now I have reached the stage in my life where my emotional detatchment trigger has been activated!  I can actually part with things at last.  Items really have to get a move on and find other homes because it is going to be a looong process.  I can still record and keep a memory alive through photos and this is how I’ve chosen to do it. 

So this is a shameless plug for vintage_declutter.  Please forgive me if the whole idea doesn’t appeal to you and this is just a blah blah blah post - but for those who care to -  I’d love you to visit my listings.  I will always be updating and adding new items.  Don’t forget to mention it if you are a blog follower  (extra-special treatment if you are! ).

All listings are postal only - I wrap carefully, send off  promptly (Australia only).  I can tell you a little about the history of an item if you’d like to know. 

.... and lovers of Kathy Winkle plates, sorry but this was just a tempter, they are not for sale - for the moment anyway!

Cheers for now

Wendy

Introducing vintage_declutter

It may seem strange for a blogger such as myself who doesn't blog too frequently - but I'm happy to announce that I've just started another blog!

vintage_declutter  is where I will be listing my vintage and retro items for sale. ... all in the name of decluttering of course.

I have in the past sold a lot of vintage and retro items (including these items)

alongside a lot of other household type things ....

such as these items.







However I have now created a new ebay account (also called vintage_declutter) which will be limited to retro and vintage items and linked to the vintage_declutter blog.  At the moment I only sell through ebay.  This may change over time and the blog may well change over time too.  These are early days.

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The majority of items I sell online are direct from our own home so can tell you a little about them - I know the history.  Most things have come to me from family and after a long time I realised, that I just can't keep it all!  I actually grew up with a lot of these family possessions and it has been difficult to make decisions to part with them - however I'm a very much realist too.

Also I have to admit that I have always collected and have definitely been a op shopper from way back!  I still love the thrill of finding something special to add to my collection.  I love all things vintage and retro and being of a 'certain age' I can certainly relate to a lot of them!

However, I just wanted those who read this blog to know that I will still be blogging here, but adding on items with minimal blogging to the other one.  Make sense?  I hope so, because I'm confused already.  I've found that I can't log in as duchess_declutter anymore, and I'm hopping between the two ebay sites and the two blogs!  It will settle down I'm sure.

So please pop over there and have a look.  You can click on the clock on the sidebar on this blog which takes you straight to the vintage_declutter blog.  The clock on that blog takes you straight to the ebay listings.  I think I will keep a status report on the items on the vintage_declutter blog and that way readers will know what is sold and what is not.  There are only a few items there at the moment, but that will be growing.

If anyone choses to buy something and is a follower on either this blog or vintage_declutter, I'm sure I can organise a little discount or maybe a little something extra in the post.  I'm starting to confuse myself now with all these links and references so I'd best be off.  Normal blogging will resume next post I promise!

cheers Wendy

PS: the party was a great success - no accidents or incidents - just two stressed out parents who were glad it was all over!

So ... you really wanted to see decluttering?

There has been a lot of this lately ....

No no not the dog!

She was in the front seat for only a small part of the trip (drop off to the vet for a blood test - all OK).

The rest of the car was reasonably full with Stuff.  Stuff that needed to go and probably should have gone a long time ago, but had been in the garage.

For Later.  For sorting out Later... or maybe for a garage sale.  Well, we had two of those, didn't sell much and still left with lots of Stuff.

I would like to draw your attention to the funny character in the boot.  A Pokemon figurine from son's bedroom when he was about umm 7?.  He is now 17.  Get my drift??  Stuff kept for way too long.

So I like to take these photos.  I can look back later and wonder just why we kept things for so long.  Plenty more where this Stuff came from too!

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The trip to Canberra was fabulous.  Son and I had a trip that I will remember for quite some time and I hope that he does too.  The weather was suitably bleak and cold on Friday, however it was glorious and blue sky-ed on the ADFA Open Day on Saturday (dammit!).  It was very impressive and well organised.  My reverse psychology idea didn't work!!

He now has to really think about what he wants to do, and has several opportunities open to him.  Today he is sitting the first of  QCS tests as are many other Queensland students.  Then block exams next week.  The end of Year 12 is looming.  Time will tell.


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Thanks for the lovely comments on last post, I have a slightly better attitude and understanding of all involved now.  Ultimately it is his choice, we just have to make sure that he is well informed, and I feel that was achieved.

Cheers for now 
Wendy

**Anne** thanks - it was certainly better than I had hoped.
Kirsty @ Bowerbird Blueit was nicely cool thank you!  I was hoping that it had snowed though! 

Maria- it is difficult, but we just have to face these things full on I guess.  

Gooseberry Jam thanks Karen.  It does seem a long way, but I was surprised the direct flight was only an hour and a bit.  The flights via Sydney are nearly 3!  Yes, potatoes home grown and plenty more to come. Hope you are settling into new town.  Keep in touch!   

veggiegobbler - VG they grow up so jolly fast.  Like weeds!  Yes fresh potatoes are something else again in taste, totally different.  Try growing them in tyre piles if you are short of room.

Kim Thanks for your very settling words Kim.  I will refer back to you again if I need some strength if/when it does happen!

Decluttering, Donations and $$

Proof that I have indeed been decluttering.

and have taken a few car boot loads to charity shop also.  Just didn't take the photos, will have to be more diligent with regards to photographic evidence I think!

We are off for a few days - jetting to Newcastle NSW then driving up to see some friends just south of Port Macquarie.  Just hope it is not too windy!

I will be back with vengeance on the decluttering scene next week. 
cheers for now
Wendy

Ahhh Winter - you've done it again

Wool giveaway! 

Follow link at right to let me know

you'd like to be included.

I'll draw it on the 15th July

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Winter, in my opinion anyway, the best time of the year.  

What have I been up to?  Well I have .....  

 

Finished knitting a baby blanket for my niece's firstborn.  I was just finishing up some oddment colours that I had, wasn't sure of  baby boy or a girl when I started knitting. Turned out to be a boy.

 

We have been having (what seems like a continual) clean up around the house and yard.

We've had two separate garage sales - but only sold a little.


This photo taken the night before.  What is it with garage sales these days?  We had low prices, but people only seem to want to look.  We obviously don't have good junk!

So I have taken THREE car loads of goods (sorry forgot to take photos of evidence) to my local Animal Welfare charity store - at least they love me.  I enjoy knowing that someone else will benefit and there might be a few more happy op shoppers around!

...... and have listed some things on ebay - working on more this week.

 

I've been oiling furniture and changing around rooms (again).  This taken mid-turnaround!

Plus I've been generally enjoying life around our place here (especially since I'm at home more atm).

  

 

 

and of course - playing with these guys

What's not to to love about Winter in Queensland?!

( I have used a couple of these photos in earlier posts, but they seemed to fit in well with this one.)



cheers for now
Wendy

A rose and a (very) minor personal challenge

I'm hoping that a few gratuitous rose photos might distract from the distinct lack of decluttering going on here lately.

Roses are my all time favourite flower and I have quite a few around the yard.  Unfortunately they don't do too well in the hot humid weather, and would probably prefer to live somewhere a bit cooler (which would suit me too!).

Having said that though, occasionally when I pick the odd bloom or two I get the warm fuzzies and start taking photos.

This rose would have to be one of my all time favourites.  Don't know the name of it, all labels seem to come off and I lose track.

However, it is a lovely old fashioned scrambling variety, and I just love the colour.  In fact I prefer pastel shades in roses and don't really plant the brighter variations of red or orange.  What are your favourites in a rose I wonder?

All this is a distraction from the real task of some good 'spring' cleaning which will be happening over the Easter break.  We are staying at home, interspersed with a few visits from family and friends.  A nice break I hope.

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Clutter:  This is a good example of it.  Unfortunately, the cupboard still looks the same, but I am aiming to be able to proudly show a new photo of it in the next post.  That's my personal challenge.  Here's hoping!
 

Have a safe and Happy Easter break.

PS: Gooseberry Jam if you read this - I'm sending a cyber bouquet to you on the safe arrival of your gorgeous baby girl :)

cheers for now
Wendy