And the winners for week 1 of the challenge are...

All I can say is...good thing I have my spiral-bound notebook on my desk because I forgot I wanted to show you the random.org picture and used the same browser window to start blogging this post! Hence...lost picture :)

And the winners are...

8 - Michelle who wins a Simplicity ecourse from Beth
5 - Marcia who wins a Household Organising File *
3 - Shirley who wins a Christmas Planner *

(I don't sell these products by themselves anymore, only as part of my Home Organising Product Bundle)


Now for some words of wisdom for the week ahead...

It's not too late to jump in - you are NOT behind. Just start exactly where you are. Who of you will join in on the challenge starting now? Post in the Mr Linky if you're a NEW declutterer.



Also, I noticed that some people aren't sure whether to declutter only one item or more than one. My answer is...it depends on your situation.

• I declutter regularly so I have very little clutter. For me, one item is often a stretch!
• If you're not in the habit of decluttering, you might have TONS of stuff. In that case, go right ahead and throw out as much as you feel comfortable with, in a particular day.
• The other Marcia, one of our winners this week, told me that she's doing light decluttering on the weekend because her grandkids will be there. That is GREAT because it means she has a system.

So do you have a system and a plan for the week ahead?

If not, why don't you tackle one room in your house?

Let me know if you have questions, okay? I'm here to help you get decluttered!

August declutter challenge - day 9

Don't forget to link up on this post by 12pm EST today if you've decluttered 7 items or more this week.

This bag was one of my favourites for many, many years for a number of reasons:

• a good friend gave it to me
• it has my initials on it
• it's the perfect size to carry exactly what you need

I haven't been using it for some time now so it's time to let it go...

What are you decluttering today?

It's National Women's Day in South Africa today which is annoying because we like our public holidays on work days, not on weekends.

How are you celebrating being a woman today?

BTW, for any purchases of ebooks, ecourses or audio products from my store during the month of August, I'm throwing in a free Women's Makeover Kit (Women's Health & Wellness Manual & Self-Confidence Handbook) worth $47.

August declutter challenge - day 8 & weekly giveaway

The giveaway for week 1 is now closed.
Why don't you start the challenge now and enter next week's contest?

I'm decluttering handbags again!

I love this little one, especially the shade of green - only thing is it just is a tiny bit too small.

When I use it, I can only fit my wallet (yes, that gorgeous one), make-up case, cell phone, tissues and car keys. I have to leave my notebook and planner at home :(

So that's why I'm letting it go.

I got it at Jet Stores for about R50 a year or two ago.

What are you decluttering today?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Remember if you've decluttered at least 7 items you get to enter the giveaway.

This is what you do:

1. Write ONE post on your own blog with pictures of the 7 items, or one picture of the 7 items.
2. Link back here.
3. Put the permanent link URL in the Mr Linky below so everyone can come see what you've decluttered.
4. Beth and I will draw 3 names over the weekend and announce the winners on Monday.

Good - let the games begin :)

Here you go - sign up...

August declutter challenge - day 7

Have you been enjoying the stories behind my handbags?

I must say, I've been enjoying the process of giving them a voice before releasing them...sounds very woo-woo, doesn't it?

But it's working because I don't feel like I have to hang onto them for the memories anymore!

Is it working for you too?


Right, back to today...

In Johannesburg, it gets really, really hot in summer. I can't stand sandals with the strips of material over the feet and I practically live in these kinds of sandals (as you can see).

These ones have been with me to Thailand and Malaysia, and I have a picture of us on an elephant in a Thai jungle, with my feet in these :)


What did you declutter today?

August declutter challenge - day 6

It's my birthday today and I'm 34 :)

I am SOOO excited to post these pics because this is a true birthday present.

I've seen these boxes since I first met Dion. They have travelled with us through 13 years of marriage from one house to the next!

So what's in them?

A video camera and projector that used to belong to Dion when he studied TV and Film at Rhodes University.

I went to an old hairdresser recently and we got chatting. It turns out that her son is now also studying TV and Film so I sold Dion on the idea of donating these things to him.

And with that action, there are 3 happy people in Jhb - the guy, Dion (because I'm not nagging anymore) and me!

Because it's my birthday, I get to be extra bossy so...

if you haven't been participating, go declutter 6 items today and post your items in the comments!

Thanks for playing along!

August declutter challenge - day 5

Magazines received while in the hospital last month...

What have you decluttered today?

P.S. Read these two posts to get ideas to organise magazines

August declutter challenge - day 4

I've been known to go up to complete strangers and ask them, "WHERE did you get that GORGEOUS bag?"

Some people will look at me like I'm weird but the true handbag lover will smile because they know what it's like

That's what I did to a girl at work and she told me, so I went out and got one.

I loved it for a while until my cell phone kept falling out of the little pockets because they were too wide.

When things don't function properly, I go off them quite quickly. And that's what happened to this brown bag.

I still love the look of this one...but after you have to scratch around in it for your cell phone for the THIRD time in the day and it's only 10:00 in the morning... you get SO ready to switch to a more functional bag.

And that's why this one is going.

Originally bought at Edgars for R129 about a year ago.

What are you decluttering today?

August declutter challenge - day 3

I bought this bag in Sydney, Australia :)

If memory serves me correctly, it was on Pitt Street. It's in the financial district, right opposite a Gloria Jean's coffee shop and near a Burger King. Trust me to remember all the food places :)

(I've just checked Google and I got the name correct - yay)

This is the hotel we stayed at.

While I'm strolling down memory lane, that was also the same street where I first saw a gay couple kiss. Oh, I do live a sheltered life!

I think I paid Aus $10 (R50) at the time, which was in April 2004.

So tell me, what did you declutter today?

August declutter challenge - day 2

I bought this black bag at Milady's in April. I was looking for a light handbag with lots of pockets that would go with most of my clothes while we travelled in the UK and Ireland.

I found the one in these pictures and while I was there, this black beauty caught my eye.

The only thing is I didn't quite get around to using it. I think it's because I already have one smart, black handbag. And I'm not really into boring handbags :)

You'll notice the price tag is still affixed. R159 for those of you who are interested in prices like I am ($US 20).

I'm now trying to sell it because Milady's does not accept returns outside of a 28-day period (I tried to return it on 5 July - no joy).

What did you declutter today?

August declutter challenge - day 1

Updated AGAIN to add
I tried a new Mr Linky so it is fixed :)



It's HERE!!! I feel like I've waited FOREVER for this day but it's been only 3 weeks :)

Welcome to the new readers and thanks for joining in.

If you're not familiar with the August Declutter Challenge, read about it over on the top of the sidebar ----->>

Don't get overwhelmed thinking about the whole month - start with ONE THING today.

Okay? It's not that bad - really, I promise :)

I'll go first and then it's your turn...


I bought this red handbag in 2001 and it has been one of my favourites ever since.

Do you know why?

Because of its texture. I don't quite know what it's made of but this bag has a deliciously smooth, cool feel. Lovely!

I'm a very tactile person - that means I like to touch things. If you meet me in real life, don't be freaked out if I touch things and go, "mmmmm" ;)

I'm letting it go because it's not quite wide enough for all the things I carry around with me.

Bye-bye, gorgeous red handbag from Truworths.


What did you declutter today?