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Cleaning Out My Closet

April 6, 2020

Cleaning Out My Closet

Closet, Staying at Home, Wardrobe, Cleaning, Chores

Blouse || Jeans || Wedges || Handbag || Earrings || Bracelet || Watch

Just like everyone else in the country, I’ve been spending a good bulk of my time indoors. While running a virtual 4th Grade classroom is keeping me pretty busy, I’m trying to get through a long list of chores for around my apartment. On the top of list is to clean and purge my closet. You would think that a move across the country would have made me toss the pieces that I don’t use, but there are still so many pieces that should have stayed in NYC. As I go through my wardrobe, here are some things to keep in mind for a seamless process.

What Is Less Than Perfect Condition?

This is probably the number one deciding factor when looking at my closet. I’ve had some pieces since my college days and they’re starting to show it. Even though the clothes are still practical and fit, they just have been loved way too much to stay. If something has a slight stain or tear, it’s sadly time to say goodbye. The good new is, this is your opportunity to shop and replace something you know you’ll wear.

What’s Out of Season?

Since moving back to Florida, I’ve had no use for a lot of the sweaters I’ve collected while living in New York. I don’t want get rid of them because we often travel to Vermont to visit David’s family. Instead, they’re leaving the closet and going into storage (i.e. under our bed). Even though I didn’t get rid of anything, I have so much more room in my closet for more Floridian pieces.

What’s Just Not My Style?

It’s taken these few weeks of staying at home to get a refreshed sense of my personal style. For the most part, I’ve been attempting to get dressed each day as if it were a regular work day, although a barefoot one. There are still some things I don’t want to wear, even if it’s just around my apartment. That’s a huge hint that something in my closet isn’t my style any more and the more I think about it, I realize that I haven’t some of these pieces in years!

When Should I Donate?

Now that I’ve cleared out my closet, I have a few bags worth that I want to donate. Although some donation locations are still open around the city, I don’t feel comfortable just yet venturing out. If the Goodwill or Salvation Army locations in my city specifically request donations, I will be sure to do my part. Until then, I’m storing things in my laundry room, ready to donate when life as returned back to normal. Although we’re not sure when that’s going to be, it’s nice to know that I can do something for my community right away.

Since we’re all, hopefully, riding things out at home, it’s the perfect opportunity to check off the chores that have been on our list for awhile. Whether that includes going through your closet or not, let’s make the most and the best of staying at home.

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Getting Outside with Social Distancing

March 27, 2020

Getting Outside with Social Distancing

Social Distancing, Outside, home, healthy

Cover-Up (also) || Sandals (similar) || Similar Tote Bag || Earrings

During this time of social distancing, people are learning more about their extroverted or introverted personalities. Maybe they love this time at home more then they thought or maybe it’s driving them absolutely crazy. I’m somewhere in the middle and can take it or leave it, either way. The one thing that I simply can’t live without, though, is being able to get outside! Since we live in a small bungalow apartment without a yard, that means leaving our apartment for some outdoor time. When I do, I’m extremely mindful, stay at least six feet from others, and don’t touch anything. Social distancing outside are activities that are either solo or for the people in your household. Unfortunately, it’s not an excuse to get together with your dearest friends.

Explore Your Neighborhood

Even on a non-global pandemic day, I love the opportunity to walk around Old Northeast. Our neighborhood is one of the oldest in St. Pete and the majority of homes are around a century old. The trees are fully grown and adds for a ‘walk in the jungle’ sort of you. David I love these walks because, as current renters, we daydream about what home we’re saving up for. Feel free to wave to your neighbors and catch up, from a very safe distance. We also have the opportunity to walk towards Tampa Bay for our strolls. Getting that fresh, salt air I swear has been keeping me sane. I highly suggest getting by the water at least weekly.

Go For A Run

There’s no better time than the present to add some solo exercise to your daily routine. Seriously, what else will you do? Admittedly, I fell out of any sort of exercise routine since moving, but have become re-inspired during my time at home. I joke that I’ll be in the best shape of my life when this is all past us, but there’s some logic behind it too. We all know that exercising helps you release endorphins, but it also can boost your immune system. The healthier you are now, the more your body will be equipped to handle an upper respiratory infection like the coronavirus. Try staying away from crowded areas or run at a less busy time.

Find A Spot To Read

Right next to our neighborhood is a big, water-front park. People have taken to it to have outdoor get-togethers with their friends, which again is a huge red flag. As long as you are alone, and a minimum of six feet away from the closest party, it also can be a nice spot to sit with a new book. Other options that are a little more private can be under a tree near your home or, obviously, in your porch or backyard. I’ve ordered three books from my local book store that I can’t wait to dive in to.

Have Dinner Al Fresco

Like I have said before, we have very minimal outdoor space which makes dining outside a little tricky. What we do have is a set of stairs and a little pathway that leads to the street. We’ve been known to set up dinner at either of these spots. When having dinner outside, make something easy and portable. Play some ambient music and add a fun cocktail for good measure. Since date nights seem like a distant memory, this is the closest thing I can get and I”m taking full advantage of it!

Please know that when I go outside, I keep all of the CDC recommendations in mind. I daily monitor the rules implemented by my city’s government and follow their recommendations to the letter. Be sure to listen to government officials, but go outside only when you can follow the social distancing protocols. Staying active helps give me the slightest resemblance of normalcy, but I know the day may come when it’s no longer an option. I’m just trying to make the most of it while I can.

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Revisiting Italy From Home

March 24, 2020

Revisiting Italy From Home

Just like the rest of us, I’ve been cooped up at home for the past week. I’ve only been leaving for a run around the neighborhood and the rare trip to the grocery store. The trips I’ve been looking forward to in April and May have been cancelled, but I’m still trying to stay optimistic about June and July. Instead of letting the disappointment get the best of me, I went down a deep rabbit hole on my previous posts from my honeymoon.

David and I spent two amazing weeks in Italy. Rereading the posts and seeing the pictures has given me a new found sense of hope for the future. I feel like I’ve been revisiting Italy from my own. To share that all with you, I’ve gone back and refreshed my Italian blog post. Read them, enjoy them, and I hope they inspire you to travel to this amazing country as soon as we are able.