Stitch Fix...my review.

I joined the Stitch Fix craze at the end of 2014.  So far, I have received about 9 "fixes".  So far, I really love this service.  I know I pay a little more for items than I might if I were out shopping at a store, but the convenience is truly worth the extra cost.  As a working mom of three kids who have countless activities all week and weekend, I have very little time to browse boutiques and malls to find clothes that I like and that fit.  Having a shipment of things that are "my style" and 9 out of 10 times fit me perfectly is just amazing.  For one, I hate to try on clothes.  I get overwhelmed by large department stores.  I don't have the time to shop.  And if I do, I don't want to haul 3 bored kids with me.

If you are interested, please use my referral link: My Stitch Fix Referral

Pictures!! Finally.

To be honest, toys all over the living room really used to bother me even if they were neatly stacked or organized.  Now, after three kids, I have realized the kids are only kids once.  I need to enjoy the clutter at least for now.  That being said, I still like a bit of organization...it just makes me happy.  So my balance is organized chaos.

As promised, I wanted to keep you posted on my journey.  The living room is finished and I have pictures to prove it.  I have to say I love the new entertainment center with all the shelves.  The open shelving keeps toys, books and games off the floor, but still visible.  I can't tell you how many times we have played Uno or Sorry over the past weeks.  Since the girls can see their games, they want to play before bed.  It has been a lot of fun playing with the kids in the evening instead of watching television.  Don't get me wrong there has been a few scuffles. I'm not naming names but there are some fierce competitors in this family.

Because we bought new furniture, I wanted to keep the storage solutions simple and reuse what I could.  I found a few baskets on clearance at Pier One.  They were the perfect size to fit in the bottom shelves of the entertainment center.  I filled one with educational type toys and the other with small cars and trucks.  I reused three bins I had from our old house.  These are nice and large and have tops.  They keep all the bulky items concealed.  We still have push and ride on toys for now.  They are just parked in the corner with the bins.  For blankets and pillows I have a metal bucket behind the couch. 

 

Update on the living room!

I have to say my simplification and organization of the living room are going well.  The new furniture looks really nice and gives the room a whole new feel.  The kids have fallen in love with the new couch. 

So far, I have gone through the toys culling anything that has been outgrown or not used.  I reused some round barrel type bins from the old house.  These hold a lot of Cooper's toys an manage to conceal the clutter.  I put his books and puzzles on the shelves of the entertainment center for his easy access.  Other toys were grouped by type - like "cars" and "educational" and put in large basics that reside on shelves of the entertainment center.

My next task is to tackle the stuff behind the couch.  There are threes baskets back there.  One is full of blankets and throws.  Another is full of stuffed animals and the last is full of balls.  I have to break up the room into sections; it is less overwhelmimg and I can actually finish a task in as little as 15 to 30 minutes.

One tip for reducing clutter is to make three piles: "keep", "donate", and "trash".  Avoid a "garage sale" pile unless you know you are having one really soon.  If you have really nice items, especially kids stuff; there a number of places that will buy or consign your items.  My favorite is Once Upon a Child.  I am sure ther others too. 

Looking forward to hearing comments.  I will post pictures soon!