Inspiration of the Week: Clean House!

I think when the spring time comes I’m so eager to get outside and play in the sun that I skip spring cleaning.  Every year, when the first hint of fall comes, that’s when I become ready for a major clean out.  I get the house ready for spending more time indoors as the sun starts to go down earlier.  I like to air out the house when the weather is cool enough to leave all the windows open and clean ever nook and cranny.  Now, I’m not quite there just yet, but I am getting started on my de-cluttering!  Right now I’m organizing for a garage sale (yay long weekend)!

P.S.–The A&E TV show Hoarders has been a topic of discussion lately in the Spruce workshop and I think it’s making everyone a little self-conscious about their possessions.  Here’s what we don’t want our houses to look like:

I have my favorite places to unload items I am finished with such, as Half Price Books, Buffalo Exchange, and Craigslist and I’ve recently found some new places that take donations.  Sure, it takes a little more time to organize for this, but I think it’s worth it to help people out.

1. Dress for Success helps promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Donate your suits and help a lady land a job!

2.  Freecycle works a lot like Craigslist, but everything is free!  If you have things to get rid of and don’t need to make money off your items,  you can really help people who may be in a sticky situation or need to save some money.

3. Where to Get Rid of Anything.  Oprah provides a state-by-state guide for getting rid of various kinds of items.  Thanks Oprah!

4.  Electronics need to be taken to special places for recycling.  Here are some ideas: http://www.ecomii.com

One of my favorite Spruce decorating tips has been that sometimes clearing out a space can be just as satisfying as filling it.  This usually holds true for me…until the latest Spruce fall items show up in the shop!  I may have just made a space for these (I love them):

Have a great week!