A Simpler Motherhood

Author: Vanessa

Vanessa

My Spring 2018 Capsule Wardrobe

A Simpler Motherhood

You’ll never find something to wear that makes you feel beautiful, smart, or loved if you don’t believe that you already are. –Project 333, Courtney Carver

Such true words.  Clothes don’t define us, they don’t make or break us, they don’t even tell others if we are beautiful or not.  We do all of those things, with our hearts, our voice, and our actions.  Sure, clothes can give us more confidence, can make us feel good in our own skin, can allow us to be creative. But clothes certainly don’t define who we are.

I have struggled finding my style and dressing well over the years.  I have made bad calls.  Literal bleach-in-the-washing-machine jeans (remember that mom?) and have played it too safe.  I have bought shirts and shoes just because they were on sale and taken things to Goodwill with the tags still on.  I am still learning how to be comfortable and creative with my clothes and dress for what works for my lifestyle.  It’s a process.

spring capsule wardrobe

Capsule wardrobes have been a thing since Susie Faux coined it in the 1970s.  She was the owner of a London boutique called “Wardrobe”. According to Faux, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that don’t go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, and coats, which can then be augmented with seasonal pieces.

Capsule wardrobes have been on my mind for awhile and although I have been moving in that direction for years, I finally stepped up and decided to give it a go this spring.  I have chosen clothes for my capsule wardrobe based on what I absolutely love wearing, what I feel comfortable in, and what pieces go together.  I ended up with just under 40 pieces.  The rest of my clothes not within the 40 pieces are in storage.  All that’s left in my closet is what I have chosen for my capsule wardrobe, thus eliminating the temptation to cheat. Since I am a first-timer and am somewhat experimenting with this, I am giving myself permission to add something if need be.  I’m human after all.  But, my goal is to make it until June 21 with the items currently in my closet.  Also, this wardrobe does not include my workout gear or clothes I wear around the farm to work.  I have a few pieces for those categories.  It only includes things I will wear outside our home.

Here is the breakdown:

19 tops

2 jackets

1 vest

2 dresses

4 pairs of shoes

5 pants (This includes yoga pants I wear for errands #momlife as well as pants I wear for more ‘dressed up’ occasions.)

2 shorts

1 scarf

Many capsule wardrobes include jewelry, however I am not including jewelry this time.  Baby steps, friends!

My goal in using a capsule wardrobe is to make dressing easier as well as to always have something to wear that I feel good in.  The next three months will be interesting and hopefully, rewarding.

Tell me, are you implementing a capsule wardrobe this spring?  What does it look like for you and your lifestyle?

Vanessa

Favorite (Simple) Blogs and Podcasts

My Favorites

If I am cleaning or walking or mowing the lawn (the grass is turning green!), my earbuds are in and I am listening to a podcast.  Listening to podcasts is one of my favorite things to do when I’m not caring for babies.  A good article on one of my favorite blogs makes nap time a bit sweeter.  I enjoy consuming information on simplicity from the gurus and savor listening to a good podcast whenever I can sneak it in.  Today I thought I would share my favorite blogs and podcasts when it comes to simple living.

Blogs

Becoming Minimalist

Joshua Becker has been writing about minimalism for years on his blog, Becoming Minimalist.  There is a wealth of information about living with less on his site, I could spend all day clicking through the articles.  He is a Christian and I appreciate his desire to get past the stuff and be intentional about living a meaningful life.

The Art of Simple

Tsh Oxenreider is a world traveler, writer, and simple living guru.  She is a real person, too, with three kids.  She, along with other contributors, write about living a simpler life at The Art of Simple.  Tsh recently broadened her writing genre and is writing more about other things she loves, but there are tons (and tons) of articles on living a simple, intentional life.  If you scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your name and email, she will send you a list of her favorite posts and podcasts.  Speaking of podcasts, her’s is on my list as well.

Design for Mankind

Erin Loechner is a sweet momma and designer who writes about life with her husband and two littles.  Her words are inspiring and lovely and she has the absolute best taste (just check out her pictures).  She has been vulnerable and real and honest with what she writes on her blog.  I know you will love it.

Podcasts

The Next Right Thing

Emily is an incredible writer and speaker, this I know for sure.  She has some bestselling books and speaks all over the country about being a soul minimalist.  She has created a podcast where she talks about ‘making room for your soul to breathe’.  It’s so good, friends…packed full with wisdom and practical tips.  And they are only about 10-20 minutes, so they are a quick listen.

The Simple Show

The Simple Show features my girl, Tsh, as well as three co-hosts (Erin Loechner being one of them).  They have talked in the past about saying ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to the right things and now they are diving deep into other topics such as how to consume the news, what to listen to, and travel.  I look forward to these every week.

The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

Now, Jamie doesn’t talk about simple living, but I couldn’t not have her on the list.  She is so good, friends.  Jamie interviews women from different arenas. They talk about big things and small things and you feel like you’re right there with them, hanging with some girlfriends.  I couldn’t suggest this podcast anymore.  Also, she just released her first book, If You Only Knew.  I devoured it on my trip.  Check her out, you won’t be disappointed.

There they are…my favorites!  I hope you find something in there you love. What are your favorite blogs and podcasts?

Vanessa

Decluttering Challenge Printable

A Simpler Home, Printable

Over on A Simpler Motherhood I have been talking about stuff and decluttering by category.  Today I want to share with you a simple printable to help you get started.  You can complete this challenge with a friend or go at it alone and share your journey over on A Simpler Motherhood’s Facebook Page.

When you are decluttering remember to ask yourself these three questions:

Do I love it?

Is it beautiful or useful?

Have I used it in the last 90 days or will I use it in the next 90 days?

You can start today or wait until April 1 to get started.  Just click on the link below and you are able to print straight from your computer.  Enjoy!

Click Here: Decluttering Challenge Printable

Vanessa

Secure your Mask

A Simpler Motherhood

Secure your own mask before securing others.  We have all heard this analogy before.  If you don’t secure your mask first, you might not be able to get your mask on in time.  I know I am in need of a break when I am securing everyone else’s masks except for my own.  Sound familiar?

As mommas, we get the incredible privilege of serving our families day in and day out.  We get to love them, make them meals, read the same book thirteen times in an hour, kiss imaginary ‘owies’, and give of ourselves all day long. And it’s good, really good…most days.  But it’s also hard and exhausting and sometimes it can make us weary.  Whenever I get that weary feeling deep in my bones and I’ve let a deep sigh slip for the fifth time during lunch, I know it’s time to secure my mask.

Securing my own mask looks like a coffee date alone.  It looks like a good book in my hands and a hot cup of coffee by my side.  It looks like moving my body in the early mornings before my babies wake.  It looks like a date with my husband.  It looks like writing at a coffee shop.  It looks like meeting a friend to chat.  I feel reenergized and ready to love my people when I take a little time to secure my mask.

A few weeks back, I did something big to secure my mask.  My sweet husband and I took a trip, just the two of us, to have some fun and spend a load of time together.  We had time to connect so our marriage can continue to thrive.  We are the kind of people who like to be together and to travel, so that’s what we do.  We have great grandparents who love to watch our kids, so it is a win-win-win for everyone.

Friends, it was so incredibly good.  My cup was filled to overflowing.  We talked about big things and little things, about our family, our future.  We had time to ponder and linger and just enjoy one another.  My cup is still full to the brim.

How do you need to secure your mask?  Take time to write down or think about three things that make you feel happy, refreshed, or calm.  Write them down or put them in your notes app.  Try and do one of those things each week for yourself.  Even if it’s getting up five minutes earlier to have a cup of coffee before you have children to feed.  Think about it, write it down, and then do it.  It’s worth it, friends.  Secure your mask so you can secure those cute, wonderful little humans’ masks.  It’s worth it.

Vanessa

Five Favorite Simplicity Books

My Favorites

Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light. —Vera Nazarian

We are a family of readers, so far anyway.  Kevin and I spend the early morning quiet hours engrossed in books and Luke and Lily like to make a stack of books on the couch and read book after book after book.  It is yet to be seen if Jude will join us.  His interest in books includes carrying them around and throwing them.  #thirdchild

Recently I had a pile of simplicity books on my nightstand in my bedroom and on the end table in my living room.  I reread my favorite simplicity book and found a new favorite.  Today I’m going to share my top five simplicity books along with a runner up.

The More of Less by Joshua Becker

Joshua Becker is one of my favorite minimalists to read.  He has two kids and loves Jesus.  This book is completely practical, but gets down to the why on simplifying and getting rid of the stuff.  You can find more of his work over at: becoming minimalist.com.

Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver

Courtney Carver is the creator of Project 333, a movement to live with less clothing, 33 pieces for 3 months to be exact.  In her book she writes about her multiple sclerosis diagnosis and her need to eliminate stress and her desire to live a more intentional, more love focused life.  I am newer to her writing, but I loved this book.  I love how she integrated storytelling into practical ways to live with less so you can have more time for the good stuff.

Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne

I have read and reread this book so many times.  I am in love with the simplistic approach to parenting.  I know not everyone would agree with my thoughts and ideas and that’s okay!  Being different is good!  However, I do think every parent could take away something from this book.  It’s insightful and backed by research.  I make it a point to reread this book every year.

Clutterfree with Kids by Joshua Becker

Another book by Becker and it hits all the highlights of decluttering and purging with kids.  If you’re looking to pare down and you have kids, this is a must read.

Notes from a Blue Bike by Tsh Oxenreider

Tsh is a favorite author of mine.  She doesn’t know it, but I view her kind of as my simplicity coach.  Notes from a Blue Bike is laid out storytelling style and I couldn’t love it more.  Tsh has lived around the world and she uses her experience to craft a book full of wisdom and practical tips and tricks to live a more intentional life.  She discusses food, work, travel, entertainment, and education.  And it’s all good.

Seven by Jen Hatmaker

Seven is my runner up.  Not because I don’t absolutely love it, because I do. I love Seven and Jen.  I just borrowed the book from a friend awhile back, so it’s not in the picture or my library (I might have to change that).  In Seven, Jen introduces us to her experiment to get rid of the excess.  One of her experiments included only eating seven types of food for a month. Another experiment she only wore seven pieces of clothing.  (Can you imagine??) She turns the ‘American dream’ upside down and it’s a bit shocking, highly motivational, and super enjoyable and witty.  Classic Jen.

If you’re looking for a simplicity book, these are some good ones to start with…there isn’t a bad one in the bunch.  What are your favorites?

Vanessa

A Quick Reset

A Simpler Home

Spring is in full swing.  Rain, mud, and the occasional snow or sighting of sun is making up these last days of March.  Whatever the weather brings outside, springtime is always a great time to reset, refocus, and open up the windows for some fresh air while I do a little spring cleaning.

Before I can dust the cobwebs and mop the salt off the floor in our mudroom, I like to do a quick declutter.  A reset.  It doesn’t take long to prepare my home.  I put the reset on my calendar and to-do list.  Two 15-30 minute sessions always leaves my house a bit tidier and easier for me to clean surfaces and nooks and crannies.

The Reset

1.  Clear surfaces.

Maybe you still have Christmas decorations out.  Or maybe Valentine’s Day?  Easter?  A great time to do this would be after this upcoming Easter weekend.  I clear all the surfaces in my main living areas: the living room, the dining room, the kitchen, the entry.  I box everything up or put it in an empty cupboard.  As I clear each surface, I quickly decide if I need to keep each item.  If not, it goes in the donation box in the basement. I don’t think a lot about it, I just decide if it’s useful or beautiful and move on.

I keep my surfaces clear for about a week or so and slowly bring things back in, once each surface is clean.  This helps me to really decide if I want an item in the space this spring.  Also, this ties into quieting the home, something I did after Christmas.

2.  Make a quick sweep through kid rooms.

I am not talking about a big overhaul here.  I go through each room with a box or bag in hand and take out everything unnecessary: a hoard of books under the bed that hasn’t been looked at in awhile, random Kleenex (I know, gross), small knick knack toys forgotten on dressers or in tubs.  I donate whatever is unnecessary and try and quickly put everything back in it’s place.  I also make a pass through my husband and I’s bedroom, closet, and bathroom.

3.  Go through the winter gear.

During the winter I try and not look too closely into my kids’ drawers in our mudroom that hold mittens, hats, shoes, and boots.  It’s just not worth the loss of my sanity.  But now it’s time to look (ugh) and take out any unused shoes or accessories so I can give the drawers a good vacuuming and wiping out when it’s time to spring clean.  I will put away all their winter gear except for their coats hanging on their hooks.  We live in the midwest, so if it’s above freezing coats, hats, and mittens are optional.

4.  Paper

Paper doesn’t affect my spring cleaning much, but I try and go through the kids’ artwork and random papers I haven’t decided on in the junk drawer and purge.  It’s a good way to start fresh with new art this spring.

5.  Cleaning Closet

The last thing I do is double check my cleaning closet.  I go through everything that sits on the shelves to see if there is anything that needs to be tossed or recycled.  Earth 911’s article on how to dispose of cleaning products has helped me know what to do with supplies I no longer need or use. There may even be some items I need to pick up and I record those so I have everything I need I’m ready to do a deep spring clean.

A reset is something I do a few times a year and right before spring cleaning is my favorite time to do it.  Grab a bag or box or both and declutter areas in your home so you are ready for this hopeful new season of spring.

 

Vanessa

A Simpler Motherhood

A Simpler Motherhood

Hi there.  This is the very first post here on A Simpler Motherhood.  I wish I could put into words how excited I am!  Thank you for joining me.

When I was dreaming of what motherhood would look like I pictured sitting on the couch with my children at my feet, hot mug of coffee in hand, playing and laughing with them as they built creative structures with wooden blocks.  I dreamt of baking chocolate chip cookies with my well dressed children, all of us donning matching aprons, giggling and sharing a warm cookie from the oven.  Enter real life and three babies later.

An insulated to-go mug, with a lid of course, is the only way to sip coffee with my littles around.  The insulation keeps it hot and the lid keeps it from the inevitable spill.  Indeed we bake cookies, but it requires a lot of patience and comes complete with a disaster of a kitchen when the finished product comes out of the oven.  Flour and sugar usually litter the floor and half of the chocolate chips are gone before it’s time to add them to the batter.  There could be a ‘discussion’ about who gets to lick the spatula and who gets to lick the spoon.

Real Motherhood is not what a dreamt it to be pre-children.  It’s messy and beautiful and frustrating and exhausting and so full of love.  As I have walked this road of motherhood, I have been pulled in different directions: organic or not organic, breastmilk or formula, sleep training or no sleep training, preschool or homeschool, Velcro or tie laces, cloth diapers or regular, when to ween, when to take the pacifier away, what pediatrician to go to, what activities to get them involved in, are they doing too much or not enough, are they saying words at the right time, walking at the right time, learning their letters at the right time?  The list goes on and on and on and on.  When I was dreaming of having children, I didn’t dream of making decision after decision after decision after decision.  I didn’t dream of contemplating so much all the time.  And so, I started to take small, baby steps if you will, in the direction of a simpler motherhood.  I’m still on that journey, by the way.

A Simpler motherhood looks like sipping coffee (in an insulated to-go mug) while watching your children play, or even playing with them.  It looks like making cookies in the kitchen, no matching aprons required, and allowing little hands to help crack the eggs and beat the batter.  It looks like saying ‘yes’ when your child asks you to push him on the swing.  Speaking of yes, it means saying ‘yes’ more to your kids’ creative or crazy ideas.  A simpler motherhood looks like waking up with a smile on your face.  It looks like taking care of yourself so you can take care of your people.  It looks like date nights with your husband and coffee and conversation with a friend, even if it’s in a to-go mug.

Pursuing a simpler motherhood means freedom from comparison. It means less distraction and notifications and being more present with your family. It means being authentic, the mom God created you to be.  A simpler motherhood means being intentional with how you live day to day, week to week, month to month, year to year.  Because these days, they make up your life.  A simpler motherhood looks like deep breaths of fresh air and grass underneath bare feet.  It looks like red cheeked babies and picnics in the backyard.  It looks like a stack of books piled high on the couch, you and your littles snuggled under a soft blanket, toes touching, bodies engrossed in the story on the pages.  It looks like good days and better days and some days when you need to eat a piece of chocolate in the bathroom.  A simpler motherhood looks like taking time to savor the sweet moments of this beautiful, messy, frustrating, full of love season.  Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?  I am on this journey; taking small, baby steps to make this time of motherhood something I can fully enjoy and appreciate.  I am on a journey to a simpler motherhood.