one for one: august.

A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about our conviction that we have too much stuff and my desire to continue purging until our home is full of only useful and beautiful things.

I also mentioned the possibility of instituting a "one for one" rule in our home: Anytime we bring home a new purchase, we get rid of something else.

Although I'm not a fashion or lifestyle blogger, I figured this blog is as good a place as any to track some of our purchases and whether or not we're following the new rule. I believe accountability here has accounted for much of the success I've experienced in my monthly goal setting, so why not continue that trend with our "one for one" plan?

Every month or so, I'll plan to report here what I've purchased and what I've given away; I think this will help me make more intentional purchases and make more of an effort to get rid of things in a timely manner.

This month, I knew I'd be starting a new, more creative/less corporate job. I also knew we'd be taking a vacation to chilly/windy San Francisco in September, and I might not have the income next month to buy the windbreaker/jacket I knew I'd need for the trip. I tried to make really wise, frugal purchases, while also keeping in mind that, generally speaking, "I already have one."

1 - Gap canvas military jacket in green ----> Express green sleeveless wrap blouse, circa 2007  

I knew I would need a lightweight but sturdy jacket for our San Francisco trip, and although Old Navy had a similar style, I liked the Gap version better. I had a 30 percent off, in-store coupon last week, so I went ahead and bought the jacket... even though it wasn't on the sale rack. I feel like I got a high quality, perfect-for-Florida jacket that should last me a while. (Does a military jacket ever go out of style? Luke Danes says no.) And it only cost me about $50. In exchange for the new jacket, I got rid of a green blouse I'd only worn a handful of times since my very first job interview in 2007. It was time to let go.

2 - Gap easy straight cargo pants in gray ----> White desktop organizer from Michaels

I don't normally make impulse buys (I'm a notoriously male shopper: make a list, stick to the list, grab, leave), but I found these in my size on the sale rack the same day I bought the jacket. I would never have bought these if I didn't have a new work dress code -- I'm not really one of those people who has an entirely separate wardrobe for weekend wear -- but since the new job requires a more creative and comfy-casual look, I knew they'd be perfect. (I've worn them a few times already, and love how comfortable they are. They're still full price online, but check your Gap's sale rack. I got mine for about $35!) In exchange, I got rid of a white desktop organizer I simply no longer have room for or need. It was a great purchase, and maybe if I still had a home office, I'd keep it, but I don't, and I'm learning it's not all that wise to keep things for "some day." So out it goes.

3 - Old Navy polka dot chambray top ----> Black corduroy pants, never worn

This top had been on my wishlist for a while, so I went ahead and purchased it for a new wear-to-work-item. (I've already worn it five times in two weeks, so I'd say it was worth the $25.) It replaced a pair of black corduroy pants I received for Christmas one year and maybe wore once. It makes me mad that I keep things I don't even wear when someone else could be getting could use out of them. It's a wake-up call that I even had something in my closet that I'd never worn... That's a problem, and I hope to rectify it this fall.

4 - Old Navy rockstar skinny jeans in honeycomb ----> Target purple jeans, circa spring 2012

Despite an earlier new year's resolution to buy quality over quantity, I succumbed to the colored jeans trend this spring and bought a pair of ill-fitting, uncomfortable Target jeans in purple. Loved the color, hated the jeans. I think I wore them twice before shamefully placing them in the bottom of my dresser drawer. I know Old Navy is hardly high end, but I decided to try their colored jeans the same day I bought my chambray top. I tried on my normal size first and could not pull them around my thighs. I didn't panic, but I did have to go up two sizes before I had a fit I was comfortable with. I love the color and style of these (they're skinny, but not nearly as constricting as my Target pair) and think they'll be great in the fall. These easily replaced my purple Target jeans, and I'd love to be able to buy Old Navy's red pair as well since now I know I like the fit and color.

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Those are my August purchases, bought entirely with cash from our "clothing fund". We haven't made any home purchases this month (instead, we're saving for a sleeper sofa one $50 bill at a time), and we've got quite a load of stuff to take to a local charity this weekend. (Jordan's been doing some serious purging as well.)  

What about you? Have you done any purging this month? Is the "one for one" concept something you'd try?