My goal in purchasing and organizing items is to have stuff I never want to hide, things I'd be happy for people to see and proud to own. That means less plastics and more high quality stainless steel, glass, handmade, and vintage items.
Clothing
Black Dior dress
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Louis Vuitton rain coat (similar)
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Grey Dior dress
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Boots (similar)
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Navy Dior dress
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White Nike Air Force 1 Flyknit sneakers
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Black Louis Vuitton wool skirt
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Green Nike Dunk Sky Hi sneakers (similar)
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Levi's high rise jean shorts
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Ferragamo Vara Pumps
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J Brand Maria high waist jeans
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Louboutin Simple Heels
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J Brand Photo Ready 811 jeans
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Black American Apparel ponte foil dress
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Blue American Apparel Ryder mini dress
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Red Closet London dress
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Scarf I knit myself, it looks terrible
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Cotton moto jacket
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Grey American Apparel dress (for bed)
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Cotton linen plaid button-down (similar)
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Stella McCartney Isabel floating
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Black H&M lace front ribbed shirt, short sleeve
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Stella McCartney Clara whispering
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Black Reformation Edison dress I cut into a tunic*
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Three pairs wool socks from my grandpa
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Petit Bateau black t-shirt
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Four pairs ankle socks (cotton)
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Black American Apparel bodysuit
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Bikini (secondhand American Apparel)
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Black H&M tank top
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Two Madewell white t-shirts
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White American Apparel ribbed tank top
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Infinity ring
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Handknit Alisa Design sweater
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TranquiliT slip dress and bandeau
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*As a maxi it made me look like Stevie Nicks
Mostly secondhand, exceptions being stockings, lingerie, espadrilles, knits, and sneakers. I like black again because my new closet keeps cat hair at bay. Longchamp couldn't repair my old Pliage (they discontinued the color) so I reluctantly got a black one instead. This time I'm not having trouble with H&M shirts, despite putting them through the ringer in Oman.
I sold the winter coats and consolidated to one wool coat in a different size, since I shrank and tailoring would be cost prohibitive- I'm at that part of the Korean aging process where I get shorter every year. Not sure why I got the coat because it's purple and if I wear it with green sneakers I look like Baby Bop. I tailored my jeans, plaid shirt, skirt, and two dresses to make them smaller at a cost of 60 euro. Not included: Boxes, dustbags, or belts included with garments.
I sold the winter coats and consolidated to one wool coat in a different size, since I shrank and tailoring would be cost prohibitive- I'm at that part of the Korean aging process where I get shorter every year. Not sure why I got the coat because it's purple and if I wear it with green sneakers I look like Baby Bop. I tailored my jeans, plaid shirt, skirt, and two dresses to make them smaller at a cost of 60 euro. Not included: Boxes, dustbags, or belts included with garments.
Bathroom / Toiletries
- Four Brush With Bamboo toothbrushes
- Stone toothbrush holder
- Two wooden soap dishes, one from La Tresorerie
- Razor
- Blades
- Cup and carrying bag
- EcoTools bamboo makeup brushes: Concealer brush, eyeliner brush, blush brush, powder brush (for cornstarch, you can use rice flour), stippling brush (for foundation), bronzer brush (cocoa)
- Two bottles Tarte Amazonian Clay foundation. I was using two because my skin changes color in the summer: Tan sand (which matches my skin tone) as foundation, Medium Sand as concealer. Right now I'm not using either
- Eyeliner / mascara / eyebrow gel
- Eyelash curler
- Tweezers
- Four bars Aleppo soap (we use two at a time in the bathroom, plus one for dishes, one for laundry)
- Not listed: My husband's leather carrying case, glass shampoo bottle, toiletries, and electric razor.
Electronics
- One Macbook
- Two chargers (one solar)
- One adapter
- One phone
- Speaker
Not included: The owner's TV, modem, phone; my husband's stuff
Appliances
- Metal fan (has some plastic knobs)
- Stainless steel cat fountain (has some plastic parts)
- Kitchenaid mixer
The refrigerator, dishwasher, tea kettle, iron, washing machine, and stove are our landlord's :)
Furnishings
- Componibili
- Chair
Not included: Bed, three tabourets, two woven stools, table and two chairs, butterfly chair, coffee table, two side tables, and couch, furnished by the landlord
Linens
- Four bath sheets
- One hand towel
- Seven washcloths
- One blanket (a Turkish towel)
- 10 dish towels
- 10 napkins
- 6 flour sack towels, for cleaning, I don't know what happened to the rest
The sheets (there are two sets, all cotton), mattress, duvet, and pillows belong to the landlord.
Kitchen / Garden
- Twelve pieces steel cutlery with box
- Salad serving set (fork and spoon) with box
- 1 long handled saucepan
- 1 long handled pan
- 1 stock pot
- One glass baking dish, whatever happened to the other one, I don't know, but I can't bake much anymore because people exploded gluten all over the oven and I'd have to replace the fan or buy aluminum foil to use it for myself
- 1 set measuring cups
- 1 peeler
- 1 metal ladle
- 1 metal spatula
- 1 metal spoon
- 1 garlic press
- 2 Zwilling Henckels knives
- 1 pizza / cake server
- Pepper mill
- Corkscrew
- 1 stoneware bowl
- Wooden cutting board
- Bamboo cutting board for gluten-free things
- 15 glass jars with rubber fittings and fasteners
- 4 wine glasses (the landlord had so many, we only kept a few, also we broke all ours)
- 8 drinking glasses
- 1 carafe
- 4 glass bottles
- 8 each stoneware plates and bowls
- 4 teacups with saucers (in addition the landlord left four glass teacups)
- 1 mortar and pestle
- 4 copper mugs
- Redecker dish brush
- Glass sprayer bottle
- Glass pump bottle (empty)
- Stainless steel Ecolunchbox bento
- Stone planter, from Basque country
The landlords left bowls, glasses, flatware, and some stoneware dishes so we'll never need disposables.
Other
- Wicker shopping cart
- Four small linen produce bags
- Two knitted produce bags
- Two reusable shopping bags
- Six handkerchiefs
- One camera with case and charger
- One cat carrier
- One wooden and metal cat brush
- Cat fountain (listed above)
- Cat passports and leashes
- One litterbox and stainless scoop
- Bamboo cat feeder with two stainless steel bowls
- One rubber and wood lint brush
- One bag of baking soda
- Four repurposed shoeboxes, used for storage
- Seven frames with photos / posters on walls
- One passport with holder, two bank cards, one driver's license, one frequent flyer miles card
- 30 books and magazines (includes my husband's books)
- One notebook
- One folder
- One Caran d'Ache refillable pen
- Three Rimowa suitcases
- Two luggage tags
- Two wall hangings
- A dozen needles and two vintage spools of cotton thread
- Nails, hammer, and small tool set with mini drill
- Personal set of keys and spares
All my things and the cats' things fit into two suitcases and the wicker shopping cart. Consumables included where requested. Counting multiples as one, and not including my husband's belongings, it's about 140-200 items, but looks like much more in the smaller place! We sold and gave away our old things so they didn't go to waste. Everything sold in a matter of a few days, too. To see how I organize everything, click here.
Having less to care for, clean up, and maintain leaves me freer to enjoy Paris, socialize with friends, and, weirdly enough, host guests and keep up with household chores. In our big place in the 7eme, sometimes I'd be so tired after scrubbing all those windows and floors, I just couldn't have friends over for tea or meet them for lunch (clearly I am not cut out for having children). Now the place is always presentable. They can come over anytime, and I'll always be ready to go out. Also I just love having more money to eat at gluten free / vegan / zero waste places and not having to cook all the time. I guess what I'm trying to say here is, living in the 7eme was like buying a cashmere sweater from Old Navy. It seemed like a smart idea at the time, but was ultimately boring and disappointing.
Having less to care for, clean up, and maintain leaves me freer to enjoy Paris, socialize with friends, and, weirdly enough, host guests and keep up with household chores. In our big place in the 7eme, sometimes I'd be so tired after scrubbing all those windows and floors, I just couldn't have friends over for tea or meet them for lunch (clearly I am not cut out for having children). Now the place is always presentable. They can come over anytime, and I'll always be ready to go out. Also I just love having more money to eat at gluten free / vegan / zero waste places and not having to cook all the time. I guess what I'm trying to say here is, living in the 7eme was like buying a cashmere sweater from Old Navy. It seemed like a smart idea at the time, but was ultimately boring and disappointing.
"living in the 7eme was like buying a cashmere sweater from Old Navy. It seemed like a smart idea at the time, but was ultimately boring and disappointing."
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how I now feel about Miami :)
We understand each other :) You stuck it out in Miami a long time though and did great things there! We just never left our apartment haha it was too remote
DeleteI missed something, move "from Paris?" Last I read, you just moved to a new apartment in Paris.
ReplyDeleteYes, we did, to simplify and save money so we could move away from Paris, I love it but four years is a good amount of time in a city- like college- and I want to live in lots of different places on most continents :)
DeleteYes, I checked your archive to figure this out myself. Where are you guys living mostly now?
ReplyDeleteSide note: I just binge-re-read all your posts and am so inspired. Whenever people think I'm a minimalist, I'm like, you have no idea. Haha. I have so far to go.
Also, if you are willing to share, I would like to hear about your decision on having children - I feel the same way you do about my energy levels and what matters to me (or from what I can tell, I do, reading into your casual comment) but would be interested in a longer reflection on your part.
Hi Amy! I'm curious, what do the people in your life categorize as minimalist? I'm trying to find out what most people's definition is because a lot of people seem to think zero waste is not compatible with minimalism. Not sure what city yet, I'll keep the details off social media for the most part until I'm positive :) as for children, I don't have much to say, I like them but not for me. I enjoy being the aunt to my friends' kids, the one that spoils them, but I also like our lifestyle without them... Being able to go out without having to find a sitter first, traveling without a baby, etc. I haven't had the desire yet to have kids, even when I worked with them regularly. It's a lot of responsibility I just don't want.
DeleteThanks for your reply! I think the idea of wanting an apartment/townhouse rather than a single family home is minimalist (I live in Iowa); not keeping books, memorabilia (I work in special collections, basically the rare and unique section of the library so this is very counter-culture to my profession); and while people are very eco-aware here, we're a long way from zero waste (I've just begun this path myself). I agree on the children part especially as I am worried about my career, but that too feels very counter-cultural. I read a lot of blogs, like yours, to remind myself a substantial portion of people do live this way.
DeleteYour career sounds so interesting! I do keep special books and don't think they run counter to my goals of minimalism and zero waste but I guess it's true I don't have shelves of them... if you have any blog recommendations I'd love some! Thanks!
DeleteOh thank goodness. Our place is small by Australian standards, and probably a little bit larger than your old place in the 7eme, and I get exhausted tidying what is essentially a town house. Then I feel guilty for having such little energy, but at least I'm not the only one who feels this way!
ReplyDeleteI regularly window shop the real estate guides and dream about a new place, but then give myself a gigantic reality check when I look at how large the rooms are, all the floor space to maintain, and all the lovely places the pet birds will perch, poo and eventually destroy (window sills, skirting boards, picture frames, the TV et al).
Aw haha actually the first thing we did when looking for a new place was consider what the cats would like haha! It's funny how pets come into play even when we're just window shopping. And oh girl I thought at first the 70m2 would be a breeze after downsizing from a two story house on an acre of land... Nope. It gets old fast. I can understand why you'd be exhausted!
DeleteI looked around my office as I read your post and realized I probably have more stuff there than you do in your whole apartment! However, I am inspired every day by reading this blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! That's ok, you need stuff at work haha
DeleteHow inspiring as usual. Reading this felt like my going through someone's home being nosey. Was it easy to share ?
ReplyDeletePurple coat huh ? I will wait for you to write your thoughts on it come winter. May I admit that I am a little shocked in a good way.
Is it possible to have mover's envy. I move around a lot and its been a pain every single time. We have needed a U-haul the last time around.
So white sneakers made it into your closet huh ? Was curious. How do you condition your shoes ? Do you own shoe trees, clothing brushes or other maintenance things for the closet ? Sorry for being nosey.
This time was a lot easier to count than the first time around... I tried the coat on again today and was really pleased. I used to use purple and bright green and leopard as neutrals. I don't know why I went so far in the opposite direction. In my new neighborhood lots of girls wear bright vintage-inspired coats and dress like Jess from New Girl. So I feel it's appropriate. For shoes, I don't have any trees, although my husband does. The only clothing brush is the rubber one, and I have a garment bag but that's about it. I use Aleppo soap and candelilla wax for my shoes. Sometimes I rub olive oil on them- if you buff it out well, it won't spoil. I put them in the sun sometimes to air them out and always wear socks with them. This is my method for treating all our shoes: http://www.paris-to-go.com/2014/12/how-to-care-for-and-break-in-shoes-naturally-the-zero-waste-way.html
DeleteOh and PS: your beautiful Michelin man coat had to be sold?? Waah! I loved that thing on you :) But no matter how beautiful, if something is ill fitting then it's always a chore; I understand :p
ReplyDeleteYea the tailoring was too hard with how intricate the sleeves and the waist were- it was cheaper to buy a different coat. Thank you so much! But yea you know the issues I had haha
DeleteI find myself hoping you move to a totally different climate/environment, just so I can see how you'd adapt your wardrobe....
ReplyDeleteLol! If you look under the travel section you can see my wardrobe for other climates :)
DeleteI am tempted to do this. I have sooo much stuff.
ReplyDeleteOn a different topic, I love the TranquiliT clothing!
Me too, so comfy and eco friendly!
DeleteI'm going to ask a stupid question but... what do you need to clean/ brush/ scrub your bathroom etc??? I can't find sponges or brushes of anykind into your list except for the cats or linen or dishes. How do you manage? I have quite some trouble cleaning up since water is very hard in southern France (+ soap and it becomes really sticky!), even with hot vinegar (gonna try washing soda). What would you advise to take off really dirty stuff? Thanks in advance. :)
ReplyDeleteI just use flour sack towels- I have one I use for the toilet, one for the bathroom, one for the kitchen, etc. Washing soda is great for softening water as is citric acid, lemon juice, and Aleppo soap (or savon de marseille since you're in the south!)
DeleteWell it isn't enough for everything, it was way too dirty unfortunately. I ended up using my dish copper sponge to scrub the dirt away but the combo of warm vinegar + washing soda and baking soda that I used before did a part of the job though ^^. You don't have a broom either for the floors? How I wish cleaning was as easy for me as for you, it takes ages to clean a house! (but I'm working on it) Thank you so much! :)
DeleteThat is a great tip, the copper sponge sounds pretty :) Yes a house takes much longer unfortunately. I don't use a broom, it's small enough for me to hand wipe the floors, and I vacuum in this apartment as well but it doesn't need it very often- maybe once a week.
DeleteWow handwiping the floors, looks perfect for fitness! ^^ Thank you again for your advices, you're an inspiration! :)
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