The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up

So I read this book called 怦然心动的人生整理魔法.

I don't really know how to translate the title into English with my poor language. So I googled online and found out its English title is The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up. Unfortunately, the English title is so not as magical as the Chinese one. The essence lies in "怦然心动", which means your heart flutters when touching something and that is something you should keep. The fundamental part of "tidying up" is "throwing away", or more accurately, only keeping things that make your heart beat faster or lost a beat, whatever suits you.

I am slowly buying into this idea. I am always a keeper, my husband is even more of a keeper than me, so even through we don't necessarily buy a lot of stuff, but our house are cluttered with stuff everywhere. We keep the packaging of our 3-year old rice-cooker, if you are wondering.

This book will ignite a spark in you and make you want to throw everything away, which can only be stopped by ... your keeper husband. I've started by quietly throwing my unworn clothing away, and only keep thing that I really like. This process is so addicting, (now I can finally understand why the author said she is addicted to tidying up), and even though I have finished the process one week ago, I am still inspecting my closet everyday while I am brushing my teeth to see if anything more can be thrown away.

In the end, this is not just about tidying up to me, this is more about, living in a minimalism lifestyle, and living in now, which is what I always wanted. Thanks to my bad memory or bad lifestyle, I always cannot remember those little sweet, touching, blessed moments of life. My life is like water, flows by me, and leaves nothing. I want to clear my closet, my kitchen, my house, my eyes, and my memory, re-take life in to its fullest, and not to be hindered by things that do not really matter.

The SALE season

It has been so tempting everyday sitting in front of my computer these days, and I cannot go anywhere since it is my job to sit there all day long. My job, however, doesn't require me, and actually disallows me, to browse the online stores and drooling all over the place.

I wish I had more money, which should have encouraged me to work harder; or I could have more self-control, and filter all the noises about the sales. But instead many hours are wasted by just refreshing pages //blush. I did curb my enthusiasm and only bought a few things from Barneys. And coincidentally they are all tanks. All are on the more expensive side. My wallet is bleeding...

hmm, having the three pictures side by side, I realize how much I like black and white... The shorts, which is actually navy, is quite drapy and flowy. Love!

- Edun silk tank: ~$105

- ATM cotton tank: ~$45

- Barney's silk tank: ~$55

- Jcrew 5" pleated crepe short: $17

Daria Legging

I haven't bought a single pants/jeans after the baby was born, since my bottom is 4 size larger and I am still wishing to get back to my original size. Wishful thinking or not, the idea hold me back from getting any bottoms other than 2 pair of shorts.

And then it came the Daria Legging, which is quite expensive considering it is just faux leather. This might be my first and last (faux) leather legging, so I guess I can afford a more expensive one.

It is, all in all, pretty good legging, medium is a bit too tight for me, but heh, remember I will try to get back to my original size? :)

- UO T shirt: old
- Daria legging: ~$120

New shoes

Finally got the Tory Burch Reva after a long wait. This is probably my most expensive shoes, and I am totally underwhelmed. I went half size up as everyone suggested, and opt for the black logo for a more look subdued look. And it is REALLY not very comfortable.

I will keep it as I had wanted for so long, and it looks pretty nice. But this is my last pair of reva for sure.

Also got the cute checkerboard vans for Lele. It is so cute and I almost want to buy myself a pair immediately. Love!

- Tory Burch Reva: ~$170
- Vans checkerboard classic slip on: ~$20

Aritzia

So I heard every Canadian girl has at least one pair of TNA legging from Aritzia, and that's how popular Aritzia is.

I wanted quite a few things from their store, but in the end decided to only get Wilfred Capucine T-shirt and Daria Legging. The package finally arrived, packed beautifully, and I took no time to try them on. Only had enough time to take pictures of the T-shirt. Will update the legging next time.

It is an Okay T-shirt. I should have paid more attention to the modelling pictures and item description, which I usually don't when possessed by the evil impulse. The shirt is indeed tulip shaped and very long...

 

When tucked, it makes more sense. It is made of 100% rayon, quite thin and flowy. I am going to keep it only because the return policy of Aritzia is not so friendly.

Bottom line, Aritzia is a very cool store which offers some cool pricey items, which I probably can find cheaper versions elsewhere.

- Wilfred Capucine T-shirt: ~$45
- UO BDG twig high rise jean in black: old

Jcrew shorts

I haven't shopped much in the longest time, and then the inner desire bursts out of control. I just placed a couple of orders and will post them once they arrive.

Before that, I got this simple 5" chino short from Jcrew for only $19.xx. The size is smaller than I normally wear, but I still bought it anyway, and took it as a challenge to lose some weight in summer. One year after my baby's born, I am still 25 pounds more than before pregnancy, what a depressing situation!!!

You cannot really tell from the picture, but I tried really hard to hold my breath, and flatten my tummy. lol

The crop top is from forever21. Don't know how to wear it out yet, feeling I am too old for a crop top. Heh, I know, I shouldn't have bought it if not knowing how to wear it. But...it is cute right? :)

- Jcrew 5" chino: $20
- F21 cropped top: $15

Chunky cable knit sweater cardigan

I thought I would never buy anything from forever21. But before I even knew it, three orders were placed, ;)

Some are going back, as expected. But I do like several pieces, including this chunky cable knit cardigan with antiqued metal buttons:

Cardigan: forever21

V-neck shirt: AA

Scarf: AA

Jeans: quiksilver

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff MAC in chocolate