Back to School!

It's that time of year again! I can't believe it, school is about to start, 3 weeks away!

Is this what your kids closets look like right now? Summer clothes mismatched and thrown in despite my efforts to match a coordinating shirt w/shorts, they still have their fave's! They might have to accidentally disappear for a while, then bring them back. Or not.




Last year's school shoes, definately needing an  upgrade. This pic does not do it justice, there are some seams coming apart. And these maybe the third set of laces. Granted they are hand-me-downs from a cousin (love them) so they well got there use.




So my goal this week is to first go through everyone's closets!
Starting with the oldest, because they may be handed down to the next sibling or cousin or friend in need, before having to put away in storage.
Then go through the drawers, including; p.j.'s, t-shirts, underwear, and socks. These undergarments get bought brand new, but that is my opinion, except p.j.'s.
Then grab your handy-dandy notebook, and make a list of what that child does need and sizes. After making a list for each child, go shopping in your storage bins and cross off list as fulfilled.
Then don't forget to put your list right in your purse to always have with you when out shopping at the stores. Which are having great sales on now!




When putting clothes away in bins, don't forget to label gender and size, eliminating a lot of time and headache later. Notice I also put the boys clothes in blue bins and the girls in silver (I haven't seen a pink bin yet), making it easier to find.




When doing a jean fitting, remember destressed is still in style, so don't feel too stressed to buy all new, they'll come like that anyway now. But if the holes are way to big and the waist still fits, (By the way love the person who came up with the elastic-adjustable waistband!), just make them into cute cutoffs! (It's still warm enough to wear shorts to school for a while.) You may throw away the bottom, but that's not me, I save them and trim off the seams and save to add to the levi quilts I'm making for Christmas! (SSHH!! don't tell my kids, and yes my 14 yr old actually asked for one-makes great for camping.)




As for collared shirts or anything you hang, turn the hangers around backwards. When you wear it and hang it back the right way you know you like and wear that item. The hangers that have not been turned around in 6 months obviously are not getting worn and may be recycled.
There are a few things you can do with used clothing.
1. Hand-me-downs! We love these, and I'm sure others do to!
2. Donate-D.I., M.S., etc. Usually these are well worn.
3. Consignment-there are all kinds of shops around now that take clothing, shoes, bags, you name it. Most of these stores will pay you cash, or give you extra for in store credit. My favorite for kids is Kid-to-Kid in Provo or Lindon. My favorite for girls and ladies is My Sister's Closet in Spanish Fork, which will donate if not sold in 3 months.
4. Garbage-holey socks, and used underwear.
5. Rags-t-shirts make great rags for cleaning baseboards or to have on hand in the garage.




Unless you have set aside a budget for school clothes, try just buying one new item a week, like this week all the kids got new shoes. One stop at the shoe store, done! Then the next week, essential undergarments, and so on.

 Hope this makes your back-to-school shopping a little more blissful!