Published by Crystal May 29th, 2008
in Closets.
Dear Crystal,
Is there a rule of thumb about how many old t-shirts to keep around the house? I have trouble letting them go, because I use them when I go on power walks or clean the house. But there has to be limit. True confession: I even take my teenage daughter’s t-shirts out of the Salvation Army bag or trash can because I can even use her old ones.
Help!
Cindy in South Carolina
Crystal says: Cindy, you’re right! There ought to be some sort of rule to limit how many old t-shirts to keep around the house! I think it’s reasonable to say that you will only need as many t-shirts as you use, taking into consideration that you can wash and wear them again.
Let’s use a simple mathematical formula to make things easier:
[X/Y]*2.5 = T
In more detail:
[ X # of times per week (maximum) that you go on a power walk and clean the house
÷ divided by
Y # of times per week you do the laundry ]
* multiplied by 2.5 for good measure
= the number of old t-shirts you should keep around the house!
EXAMPLE: Let’s say that you power walk twice per week and clean the house twice per week. Also, you typically do the laundry twice per week. Thus, your formula would be 4 ÷ 2 = 2. Now let’s multiply that subtotal by 2.5 to give you a few extra shirt options to choose from. This gives you a grand total of 5 old t-shirts! (Readers: if your calculation results in a non-whole number, be sure to round up!)
CONCLUSION: This formula will help you keep the number of old t-shirts you own to a reasonable maximum! When your old t-shirts get worn out, you can always replace them with new, incoming t-shirts. Just be sure to throw out or donate the worn ones each time you acquire a new one!
Dear readers: Have suggestions about my math? Have some more ideas? Write to Crystal and let her know!
Published by Crystal May 13th, 2008
in Closets and Travel.
A packing list will help you avoid two very common mistakes:
1. Packing the morning of or night before a trip, and/or
2. Being a “What If” packer!
Here are my 1-2-3 easy packing tips:
- Choose one of these sample packing lists: Business or Vacation
- Adapt it to your own needs! Be realistic, and remember that lighter luggage is always better.
- Save it! Better yet, copy it to a free online list manager, such as Backpack. (Backpack is where I keep all my lists for easy access via the Web.) With Backpack, you can refer to your packing list – and make edits and refinements – whenever you need to!
What’s a “What If” packer?
A “What If” packer is the person who asks themselves too many “What if” questions while they are packing, and who ends up throwing into their suitcase a zillion things they never end up using on their trip.
You know how it goes: What if I get invited out to a fancy dinner? I’ll need those green pants to go with my top. Oh, and those matching purple shoes and belt too! What if the hotel has a tennis court? I’ll need my tennis racket, balls, outfit, shoes, etc.. What if it rains? I’ll need my raincoat, boots and umbrella too! What if I get really bored? I should pack a stack of books, magazines, Sudoku…
To avoid being a “What if” packer, remember the following:
- Packing lighter is always better. Period. For your sanity, for the sanity of others, and for the health of your back.
- Take a tip from those clever Europeans and pack black or other neutral clothing pieces you can mix up and use across multiple events and outings. Colorful jewelry or scarves are great for accenting and dressing up/down neutral outfits.
- Use a packing list that you prepared in advance, and do not deviate from it unless you have a very valid reason to do so.
- When you arrive at your destination, you can nearly always borrow or purchase whatever that you forgot to bring. And that usually ends up being way more fun anyway!
- Avoiding the “what ifs” comes with practice and experience. Be realistic and honest with yourself when you think of what you want to and will accomplish during your trip!
So when should I begin packing?
- At least three days (ideally, one week) prior to your trip, take a solid 5-10 minutes to look at your packing list. Preferably, print it out. Ask yourself: Are there items on this list I need to purchase, borrow, or wash/dry clean before I can pack? Are there errands I need to complete to prepare? If yes, highlight these items/errands on the list, and get them done at least two days before your trip.
- Two days before your trip, lay your luggage out and open. Begin putting items into the luggage, checking them off the list. Don’t worry about how they are arranged in the luggage just yet. This two-day head start will allow you to troubleshoot and obtain any missing items in time for your trip!
- The night before your trip, go through the list one more time, ensuring that all last-minute items are packed. Now is the time to arrange the items in the luggage and zip her up!
Happy packing, and Bon Voyage!
Have ideas to share? Post a comment, or write to Crystal (crystal@sparkleize.com).
Published by Crystal February 2nd, 2008
in Closets.
For years, I threw my earrings into a small jewelry box on the bathroom counter. My hoops and dangly earrings were always tangled together. Each morning as I rushed around getting ready for work, it was a struggle to find a matching pair.
I’ve just discovered the solution, thanks to Grandma. Today she sent me this earring organizer. Check out how my earrings look now!
This contraption also folds up so you can put it in a cabinet or drawer, or take it with you on a trip. Thanks, Grandma!
