Downsizing - culling any things I like but don't LOVE as there is no room! Moving to Australia

So much stuff, so little time....

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Until very recently (we're talking two years?) I've been a maximalist, buy buy buy, not considering the practicality of said purchases and definitely not thinking about the environment or people making the stuff I was buying. All that's changed now, I've done numerous culls of my things, clothing, shoes (SOO many SHOES) household decor items....

But now we're MOVING TO AUSTRALIA it's getting serious, as in we gotta cull anything we don't absolutely LOVE - there's room to store a small amount with my sister as she lives on a farm and has an attic - but we're talking bare essentials people, like my Granna's tea set I inherited:

These tea cups are TINY - like espresso or nothing.

This was the shoe situation I was working with.

I've kept 4 pairs from this, keep your eyes peeled from my shoe capsule.

All of this is either sold and gone or soon to be.

It's really varied what people are interested to buy and what they're not bothered by.

Are you super jealous of all this stuff I have to sell? It's not that bad really, once we can see the floor we'll know we're almost there!

Have you considered down sizing?

Do you collect things only for them to sit there looking back at you?

Let's chat in the comments.

♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.

Natural beauty products - I've done some road testing. The verdict? Natural is definitely superior.

Essone natural sunscreen - contains no water or fillers so is more concentrated, starts out so thick but once you swipe it across your cheek it begins to soften with the heat of your skin and absorbs relatively quickly. Has a divine smell too, like chocolate.

Ethique Shampoo and beauty bars - This shampoo bar has revolutionized my hair and scalp! Where I used to have ridiculously oily hair, itchy scalp and the occasional spot of dandruff I now have soft shiny wonderful hair that only needs washing every four days (used to be every second) It's basically different hair! The ethos behind Ethique is to rid the beauty world of plastic waste so all their bars are packed in commercially compostable boxes, started in 2012 in a kitchen now shipping world wide.

Michael Todd Beauty - I'd never heard of this brand but my sister passed on these goodies. I absolutely love the eye stix, so creamy and pigmented, I wear the gold shade nearly every day. The mask actually made me break out but that might not have been its fault, may need to give it another go.

The essano line of beauty products are cheap as chips from your local supermarket (in NZ & Australia) and have also revolutionized my skin and regimen! I never had bad skin but after travelling a bit I was getting a few cysts and my skin texture just wasn't doing so great. I gave these products a go a few ears ago and notice a change within a month, my pores were less obvious, I no longer got any cysts and have a nice even skin tone. Made in New Zealand and none of the ingredients are tested on animals, sign me up.

I don't use conditioner, it makes my hair flat so I just wash with the shampoo bar then while it's damp comb some of this argan oil through it. My hair got a bit dry over winter time so I thought I'd try this hair mask, it smells like men's deodorant but it's very thick and creamy. I also use this frizz serum if the mane needs a tame.

We couldn't talk natural beauty products and forget the teeth! I actually prefer this toothpaste to the regular stuff, this is quite baking-sodary but in a very refreshing way, plus whitening.

Would you guys give any natural beauty products a go?

I can understand if you're skeptical but in my experience they're actually far superior and in some cases cheaper. Easier on your skin overall and less synthetics for your body to have to figure out.

Let me know any natural products you've tried, I'm really keen to try a natural deodorant next.

♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.

Shoesday Tuesday - a spot of DIY - got some shoes you never... use? Turning some unworn "glove" shoes into a wearable leopard classic pump.

I loved these shoes when I first saw them! But I quickly forgot about them as you do... 

Then one day I spied them ON-SALE at Topshop and just HAD to have them...

However, the Vamp is cut so high it's unflattering so I never wear them. I figured I had nothing to lose and decided to take to them with my sharp sewing scissors...

It was almost too easy.  I think they look a little less grandma now.

Joseph | Everlane | Celine

A few brands have picked up this silhouette, I like it on other people but for me it was just too granny-ish and un-wearable.

I think they look much better now.

What do you guys think?

Obviously if these WERE Celine I would never cut them but as they were not being worn I thought I'd try some DIY.

Would you guys attempt to redesign any of your shoes?

♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.

Shoesday Tuesday - Just a little shopping list - Now I'm trying to be conscious about any purchases.

 This insanely cute necklace from Les Nereides which I first saw in the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney, Australia. It's sweets! On a necklace!

This window display is EVERYTHING...

I've decided the statement necklace is my thing.

Kinki Gerlinki.

A silk Shirt!

A must have - I want one in black too but first, a white silk shirt.

Silk living | Witchery | Fable

 And while no, I don't need any shoes... I would LOVE a pair each of these from Mi Piaci

The block heel and point toe is so wearable and chic plus the slingback means less bothering from blisters? I had a pair of leopard print pumps that I fully wore till they fell apart, so I'm REPLACING them?

I did want some leopard print Chelsea boots too but I just can't find the right ones... maybe because I don't really NEED them.

These are cute from Gorman

What about you guys?
Anything in particular on the shopping list?

I never used to MAKE shopping lists, just bought any old thing that took my fancy.
However, after cleaning out literally (not figuratively!) 95% of my wardrobe I've come to the hard realization that less is definitely MORE.

Have a great Shoesday Tuesday!

♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.

Shoesday Tuesday: Downsizing - Going from maximal-ism to... a lot less: A new Minimalist outlook. Culling at LEAST 85% of my wardrobe, gradually - Part i: Shoedrobe

Before / After

Warning: May contain disturbing images of 

items no longer needed and therefore sold!

 Only 2 shelves of shoes now

Bottom shelf is now for hats&beanies, purses, scarves. 

And nothing lives underneath!

So how did I manage this most-zen of tasks?

Over a long period of time - we're talking at LEAST 2 years.

I am a super fan of those shows about people building a/house hunting for Tiny Houses, these people seriously have to DOWN SIZE and I get annoyed at them dithering about getting rid of half their stuff - that they appear to not need. Which got me thinking about my own situation.

Here are some tips I've learned along the way to help the cull:

1. If you love it - but never wear it: you know the shoes with the ridiculous heel that you can't really walk anywhere in so you end up wearing something else?  If you never end up leaving the house in it, or WORSE, you do and have mega blisters or are a SUPER pain to your companion/s because you wore them.
MOVE THEM ON

2. If you love it - but you already have one very similar: I had 4 pairs of sneakers. I really only wear sneakers when we travel (we walk a LOT when we travel) so I sold my blue Converse Allstar hightops. I LOVED these shoes... but I've only got one pair of feet. I don't miss them either. Plus I still have 3 pairs.

Remaining Sneaker Collection: Vans cupcakes, Zara Embroidered, Converse Allstar Crossword.

3. I love it - but it's mega hard to style: You know that pair of fancy trousers you bought but can't really pull off wearing? That dress that you HAVE to wear: heels/tights/a jacket - insert rule here. If it's not working for you, don't be afraid to MOVE IT ON.

4. If you love it - but you just bought something new and awesome: You know the one in, one out rule? It's really good! Rather than hanging onto the old ragged one, move it on and enjoy your new shiny one*
*Before purchasing is a really good time to consider if you NEED a new shiny thing? Maybe the old item you never wore will do just fine, fall in love again people!

5. If you love it - but: When you go to look through your closet you're looking looking looking through ALL YOUR CLOTHES and still have nothing to wear! Like I said: try to make your closet work for YOU. If all your bits and pieces aren't working, ask WHY?

6. If you love it - but: It's a polyester disaster in that it clings/sweats/static attacks you. Natural materials will always trump plastic! Plus lately a lot of polyester material shrinks in the wash! HATE THAT*

*One thing to remember with natural materials is they do tend to stretch out and then contract again upon washing.

7. You don't necessarily love it - AND you NEVER WEAR IT: That "beach-bag" that you forget exists, even when you go to the beach* That pair of jogger bottoms that makes your butt look like cottage cheese/is too hot for all but the very most niche occasion* That velvet cross-body bag you're holding onto but smells weird* That summer dress you have that you can't wear in summer because it's polyester and therefore TOO SWEATY/CLINGY*
*These are literally all things I culled and sold.

Things I never wore and therefore SOLD: Ruby shoes: cool, just never left the house. Witchery Bag, loved this bag, just didnt need more than 4 bags. Shoes, all nice items, just didn't need in the grand scheme of things.

Things I love and therefore kept: POM POM shoes from ASOS: love. beanies, beret, hat, love all of them. Two pairs of Topshop heels I bought in the sale, love a block heel. My Oobt Ryn Fluffy bag. Kinky Gherlinki Platforms - so 90's. Glassons Rose Gold Mules: $12.50 = Bargain. Topshop studded boots and some western style boots - staples. My cupcake Van's - ridiculously comfy!

Cheers everyone that's made it to the end!

I hope you find a gem in among my ramblings...

I've watched a lot of YouTube videos about cleaning out wardrobes and everyone does it in one fell swoop - which could work for you but personally the gradual method was a much easier way for me to let go and be truly ruthless, as opposed to saying, "Oh I'll hang onto this just in case"

I have honestly cleared AT LEAST 85% of my original wardrobe, including clothing, nail polish, hats, shoes, necklaces - you name it. 

It's a work in progress too - if I buy anything now it's because there was a gap and as that piece moves in something has to follow it out - one in one out.

For example:

Just moved these River Island Leopard-print loafers on for these blush pink flatforms.

What do think guys?

Do you do the wardrobe cull?

Or are you a hold onto things kind of gal?

No shame! Share...

♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.

Shoesday Tuesday - Shoes too small? Pinching you in all the wrong places? Never fear - I have the solution for you... Shoe Stretching!

How cute is this fluffy bag...? Shoes - David Lawrence. Bag - Ooby Ryn

Arancini - Bag: Witchery

I love me some leopard print and these shoes are no exeption - they are however, half a size too small...

Do you ever try on shoes and they feel good, then you get them home and they've sudenly shrank!? These shoes were great when I bought them but the first tie I wore them, OUCH! I googled: "How to stretch shoes" there were a few results including: fill a small bag with water, push into toe of shoe and pop shoes into freezer. I tried this trick on my boots and it did work. Would be a good step if you have wide feet!
I then searched "shoe stretcher" on Trademe (New Zealand's answer to Ebay) and I picked up these puppies:

The front piece splits in two to stretch the toe, the plastics blobs are for strategic stretching if you have bunions. The end piece stretches your shoe length ways to accommodate your heel.

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I used these stretchers on my boots too and stretched them a whole size - they're now my go to piece for cooler days. Boohoo.com have heaps of great over the knee boots at the moment, have a look. Coincidentally I find Boohoo shoes run small so I always size up.

Speaking of shoes, I am selling some. I'm trying to keep my collection down so this way as I buy new shoes I have to sell old ones!

I Love all of these shoes but I'm trying to be a bit more minimal in my shoebsession 😊
Do you guys like to cull every now and then or are you collector/hoarders?

Have you guys ever tried shoe-stretchers?

I can really recommend them - especially if you're an online shopper and cannot return ill-fitting shoes.

Happy shoesday everyone.

♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.

Sunday Instagram catch-up - Cats, Baking, baking, baking, Throwback Thursday to a warmer time, Macarons... Street art, views of the sea and a RIDICULOUS dessertgasm

Good day sensation seekers.

How was our week?

A little Instagram Catch-up while we sip our coffee/teas.

1. Norman looking ever suave in his tuxedo.

2. Lemon passion fruit Melting Moments... recipe coming soon!

3. #Throwback Thusday to the Gold Coast July 2016

4. #Throwback Thursday to Melbourne Zoo March 2017.

5. Macarons all packaged and ready to sell for charity!

6. New Water Tower up Mauao (our local hill) by Mr. G.

7. View from Mauao - Look at that sea!

8. Coffee and an Oaty caramel slice at 'the Bach' Cafe

9. Some stories I snapped through the week.

And the Piece de resistance - The baked cookie and vanilla ice cream at Good Neighbour pub in Hamilton - was so freshly amazing it's making me wanna go make one right now.

How was your week?
Do anything fun?

♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.

Travel Thursday - Girls weekend - Rotorua 10k, desertgasm, friendly kitty visitor, excellent coffee and a nice scenic stroll

1. Rotorua, known for its geothermal activity and traditional Maori village settlement, it's a major tourist trap hence the helipad and multiple sea plans waiting for rich sight seers. Rotorua is also known for stinking of rotten eggs from all the sulfur!
2. Check out this sweet bicycle tree: made from bicycles gifted from residents in Rotorua it's designed to highlight the city's growing reputation as the southern hemisphere's mountain biking capital. Plus it just looks cool.
3. The garden outside the restaurant Atticus Finch is next level awesome.
4. the INSANE deserts at Ciccio

Us four girls were in Rotorua for the Half Marathon (Angela did the 21k walk, Michelle and I the 10k run and Gillian the 4k walk) but we only enter events for the deserts. These pictures don't show how RIDICULOUSLY MASSIVE the slices of cake are, like 5 inches tall!

Apple and custard doughnut - it tasted a billion times better than it looks and it looks GOOD!

They do cake orders too - I had to take a picture of these cute sugar paste shoes.

We stayed at a Holiday park and received a visit from this little friend (left) He kept walking away and making me follow along to pat him, he looks just like our pusscat Norman on the left.

After the event Michelle had to go but Angela, Gillian and I went BACK to Ciccio for one of their fabulous Freakshakes. The 3 of us shared this cookies and cream one and it was still too much, imagine having one to yourself!

After our shakes we headed back to Tauranga, the girls stayed another night at my place. We got delicious coffees from the food van along the boardwalk and then headed out around the base track of Mauao - a big hill at the end of town that forms a natural harbour with an adjoining island Matakana - Mauao means "caught by the rising sun" read the legend here.

Look at those views!

We got medals but forgot to take a selfie with all of us! Never mind, we have our memories.

Happy travels everyone.

♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.