#JanuaryClutterWary Decluttering Challenge

I know I’m not consistently active in this space like I once was, but I started this blog in the early stages of my own personal journey towards minimalism and I know many of its followers were attracted to/fascinated by that “phenomenon”…so it seemed appropriate to pop in and share the decluttering challenge I’ve decided to host next month!

Capsule wardrobe has become almost mainstream at this point and though I don’t track my daily wears like I used to, it’s still a life-changing concept that I utilize and that’s influenced other areas of my life as well. My war on clutter continues, and even after an intense “minimalist challenge” I was invited to participate in in September, there’s still always a “thrift store box” stashed in some closet around here, gradually being filled and hauled off when full.

After that challenge in September (I shared some Instagram Stories throughout – you can view them in my “Minimalism” highlight reel), I had quite a few friends express interest in participating in the future so I decided to come up with a hashtag and create an accountability group on Facebook for us to cheer each other on as we start out 2019 with a war on (or wariness of, if that feels less daunting) CLUTTER! (That stands for Conniving Little Things That Erode Reason, by the way.) 😆

The challenge is simply this: Each day during the month of January, set aside the number of items that corresponds to the day of the month to get rid of.

Suggested guidelines for the challenge:
– Count like items as ONE thing (i.e. if you throw away six clothes hangers, count that as one item rather than six)
– Don’t count items that you normally throw away or replace anyway (i.e. empty shampoo bottles, outgrown children’s clothing)
(These are merely SUGGESTIONS to help you achieve clutter-free peace and joy. 😁 You can make up your own rules as you see fit!)

If you’re looking for some good ol’ social media accountability, post a photo of the items you’re getting rid of each day here in the group on the daily posts, or come up with another posting plan as you wish on Instagram, etc. Use the hashtag #JanuaryClutterWary (because we’re being WARY of clutter, get it?) in your social media posts and stories!

Feel free to share the group and invite friends to join us! The more the merrier as we wage war on clutter together. 😉

And if you need some help getting started or tips on how to figure out what to get rid of or how to let go of things, download my decluttering cheat sheet from a few years ago!

12 Months of Arlo

Last night, on the eve of Arlo’s birthday, Caleb and I reminisced about Arlo’s birth and the past year with him. I know it’s the most cliché mom thing to say, but our baby has grown up to be a toddler so quickly.

It’s been decidedly the very sweetest year of my entire life so far. It’s hard to imagine the possibility of any future year ever beating this one! Carrying + giving birth to + learning to know my first baby has been sacred, surreal, and precious beyond words. Motherhood has been the culmination of my dearest lifelong dreams and aspirations, moreso than I ever thought it could be. We thank the Lord every day for the Gift of the life of our little son.

(We love our wooden number & letter blocks from Bannor Toys!)

Honoring Headship in an Age of Feminism

Two years ago I wrote a blog post entitled “Why I Cover,” which was largely an attempt to explain to the curious souls I imagined to exist within my sphere of influence, my reason for always wearing some sort of bandana or scarf or hat on my head in public. I remember how vulnerable it felt to share my very personal thoughts on a subject I believed to be quite controversial, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well-received it was. I hope that those who read this next installment will hear my heart with the same level of grace.

Let me begin by reiterating again that I do not claim to have superior understanding of the passage of scripture cited for the principle of Headship. I am aware that there are different interpretations of the original text and that what is meant by “covering” has been beaten to death in debate with various sides believing their view to be Spirit-revealed. I have no desire whatsoever to reenter that debate.

I suppose that the deeper rooting and grounding of one’s beliefs and values and yes, even soapboxes, is an inevitable aspect of the passing of time and age. I also feel that a belief like the one I’m sharing today tends to be driven deeper by its increasing contrast to the popular or commonly-held views it’s surrounded by. And so, my commitment to covering my head as a visible reminder that I am not my own has only been strengthened since the time of my original post.

I’ve watched in amazement as feminist thought and glorified empowerment of women have infiltrated the hearts and minds of even the most “conservative” circles I’m a part of. I see even women who are still wearing the Anabaptist church-mandated head covering rallying with those marching for “women’s rights” and subtly buying into the idea that motherhood and wifehood and homemaking and the nurture and support of our families that we were created for are inferior to the entrepreneurship and social media influence and market presence that seem to define success and value among my generation of millenials. They might not admit it, but they’re living it. I hesitate to say any more here at risk of stepping on toes, but it bothers me enough and has bothered me for long enough that I can’t keep quiet about it any longer.

It feels more important than ever to me to continue to live out the Biblical symbol of headship, recognizing as I cover my head that Man is the head of Woman and that Christ is the head of man. (See also Ephesians 5:22-24.) As a woman, I was created to help, support, and commune with man, to be his companion. There is no shame in being “weaker” (reference to 1 Peter 3:7). Since it is what God intended, it is my honor!

Our world today is SO confused about gender. Gender defining, gender roles, gender equality…it’s all been so tarnished and twisted. I used to wonder why the writer of Genesis repeatedly emphasized “male and female they were created.” I don’t wonder that anymore. Misogyny, feminism, homosexuality, gender confusion…it seems clear to me that these are all tools of the enemy to work against the Lord’s design for humankind and the way they interact with and relate to each other. And I want no part in any of them! So I physically guard myself against his schemes by daily reaching for the symbol I’ve chosen to remind myself of the truth and beauty of the order of Headship. I am not my own, nor do I want to be.

 

You Need a Budget

I first heard about YNAB, personal budget software from YouNeedABudget.com, just a few weeks after Caleb and I got married. (The timing on that one really couldn’t have been better, right?!) I downloaded the free trial right away and was instantly hooked.

YNAB makes it simple to track every penny of inflow and outflow, and one of my favorite things about it is that there is a mobile app (that automatically syncs with the desktop program) that you can use to enter a receipt as soon as you receive it — it only takes a few seconds. This really helps to keep the pile-up of receipts and checks to record from getting overwhelming! In addition, it’s possible to download transaction history from your credit card sites in order to mass-enter transactions quite quickly.

It’s easy to keep track of different accounts (checking, savings, and credit cards), yet see an overview of all at a glance. The software also comes with some great reporting capabilities that allow you to gauge your spending habits over the past month, year, etc.

While Caleb and I currently don’t necessarily stick to a super-strict budget with each category, it’s still helpful to be able to see exactly where all our money is going and try to put caps on certain categories. I also love that we have history of nearly every income and expense amount we’ve ever had in our 2.5 years of marriage so far, and can use the search tool to quickly locate any given transaction for reference.

So if you could use some help in the budgeting department, or aren’t satisfied with your current method (or lack thereof) of expense tracking, give this software a try! (If you use my referral link there, you’ll save $6 and I’ll get rewarded $6 as well!)

Considering Strangers

The gift may not be obvious, and it might not come in a pretty package. For me it seems to often come in the form of conviction. Even through strangers, the Spirit opens my eyes to areas of my life that He wants to redeem.

Believe that you  n e e d  people, and you will become rich.

Just a challenge for you today: extend grace to seemingly obnoxious strangers. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Assume the best.

The driver who cut you off may be distracted by the recent death of a loved one. The grouchy customer service rep may be stressed out by financial or relational turmoil. The telemarketer may have once been a refugee, directly exposed to the unspeakable horror of war. The overbearing co-worker may know abuse that you cannot fathom.

No one’s life is perfect. No one is exempt from the pain and grief of a broken, sin-cursed world. When you find yourself criticizing, complaining, or lashing out…imagine that the person you are dealing with is in the midst of a terrible tragedy. You’ll find it much easier to respond graciously. Treat others the way you’d want to be treated, even if you were behaving unattractively in the face of unfortunate circumstance.

Commit it to memory: there is a gift to be found in every human interaction. You can scoff and reject it, or open your eyes and accept it. The choice is yours.

Currently on My To-Read List

I’m reading more these days than I have in years, and feeling relieved that I’ve finally found the discipline within myself to put down my smartphone and pick up a bound book at times. I’ve always been an avid reader, but in recent years I fell into a careless habit of relaxing by reading blog posts and news articles and social media during my free time instead of delving into a book. Fortunately I’ve been able to make a shift in the other direction again, and I’m once again enjoying the brain stimulation involved in committing to finishing a longer work.

The stack waiting for me at my bedside currently includes:

1. Blog Inc. | Blogging for Passion, Profit, and to Create Community by Joy Deangdeelert Cho
2. Surprised By Scripture | Engaging Contemporary Issues by N. T. Wright
3. Sacred Marriage | What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? by Gary Thomas
4. Every Bitter Thing is Sweet | Tasting the Goodness of God in All Things by Sara Haggerty
5. Strong Women, Soft Hearts | A Woman’s Guide to Cultivating a Wise Heart and a Passionate Life by Paula Rinehart
6. Go to Church,  Change the World | Christian Community as Calling by Gerald J. Mast
7. Create Your Own Money-Saving Adventure | by Malea Politis Johnson
8. Trim Healthy Mama Plan | The Easy-Does-It Approach to Vibrant Health and a Slim Waistline by Pearl Barrett & Serene Allison
9. The Myth of a Christian Nation | How the Quest for Political Power is Destroying the Church by Gregory A. Boyd
10. Jesus Wants to Save Christians | A Manifesto for the Church in Exile by Rob Bell & Don Golden
11. Humans of New York | Stories by Brandon Stanton

Some of these have been on my bookshelf waiting to be read for several years, and my recent KonMari attack brought them to my attention. The ones on this list are the ones I still wanted to read badly enough that I decided to keep them, at least for now.

You can keep tabs on what I’m reading and loving on Goodreads. My goal is to get through the stack by the end of 2015. Then, I can make a new list for the new year! What would you recommend that I add?

My Favorite Apps for iPhone

In case you don’t know me personally, I will tell you: I am an iPhone addict. My first smartphone was a used iPhone 3 in 2012 and I have never looked back. I recently upgraded to my third one, the new 6s, and AT&T offered us a super sweet deal on an iPad mini that day as well that was too good to pass up. These devices bring me a lot of joy. I know that I am a rich American and that I don’t need or deserve them. But, I am grateful for the way they connect me to people, help me organize my life, and open up my world to infinite learning and discovery.

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Here’s a short list of my current favorite apps…

Cortex Camera | My friend Rebekah just told me about this one; it’s a $3 camera app that takes amazingly high-quality pictures (much better than the built-in camera, even on my new 6s which was already a huge improvement over the 5).

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Stylebook | This virtual closet app is still one of my favorite things ever; read more about it here.

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Clue | I’ve tried a lot of different period tracker/fertility calendar apps and this is by far my favorite. The latest update includes a ton of new tracking abilities and it all integrates with Apple’s Health app, if you use that.

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CircleBack | If you’re like me and can’t stand clutter/disorganization with things like your phone/email contacts, use this great little app to manage duplicates and updates. But the best part is that you can mass-delete contacts — something you can’t do using the built-in contacts list on iPhone, for some reason.

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Cartwheel | Love this coupon app from Target. If you’re a frequent Target shopper, you simply must use this! So many money-saving opportunities.

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Couple | This is a little communication app for messages, stickers, location sharing and more for only two people. Caleb and I are sappy romantics and we love it especially for the “thumb kiss” feature. 😉

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OverDrive | My sister recently informed me that you can “borrow” e-books from the library using this app. (Maybe you all knew that already and I’m behind the times?) The Lancaster County Library System that I’m a member of doesn’t have a huge selection, but there are definitely a few good options. Maybe one of these days I’ll become an e-reader.

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Reference Guide for Essential Oils | Everyone talks about the Reference Guide and how it’s a must-have for every essential oil user, but I prefer the electronic version. It’s cheaper than the book anyway ($4) and I have it with me all the time.

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Shopkick | This is one of those “points” apps to use while shopping; you get “kicks” for walking into certain stores, scanning certain items, and purchasing others. They add up slowly but they do add up and it’s a super easy way to earn free gift cards from your favorite stores!

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Think Dirty | I’ve mentioned this one several times before, but in case you’re new here, I use this app to check ingredient info on cosmetic and cleaning products. Makes the research on toxins so easy!

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You Need A Budget | I fell in love with this budgeting software right after we got married. Having the app on my phone that syncs with the software on my desktop makes adding transactions in real time so easy.

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What app(s) could you not live without? I’d love to hear your recommendations!

Harry’s Razor Blades | My Review

Subscription services are all the rage right now…and I love it. I really don’t enjoy any kind of shopping, so having high-quality products delivered to my doorstep when I need them without my needing to lift a finger brings me much joy + delight.

I kept seeing ads all over the place for Dollar Shave Club and their supposedly cheaper-than-average razor blade subscription program, so I asked my trusty Facebook friends for their feedback. Sure enough, a number of them had tried the service + liked it. But, a couple people who commented on the thread recommended that I try another razor subscription service that I had never heard of, instead. I ended up liking what I saw on the Harry’s website so much that I decided to forego DSC and order the German-made blades instead.

My first shipment, complete with blades, handle, and shave gel, arrived in beautiful packaging and appeared to be every bit as well-made as its creators claimed. I love the sleek ivory-colored handle (available in three other classy color options) and the bottle of gel sports a clean, minimalist aesthetic. Labels are ultra-important to me; I care a lot about how the things that sit on the shelf in my shower look. This brand definitely gets five stars in that department!

The decidedly-male scent of the shave gel took me by surprise at first. While the Dollar Shave Club specifically markets its products as being non-gender-specific, Harry’s is definitively designed for men. I’d been using a men’s shave gel for years (Aveeno Active Naturals) but hardly thought about it because it’s unscented. The Harry’s gel rates a lot better on Think Dirty, however, so I’m choosing to overlook the smell for now. (It’s not a bad one at all, just very–well, manly!)

The blades themselves contour better than any I’ve ever used. And they are certainly sharp! I was in fact enough unprepared for how greatly so, that I managed to nick my ankles about all three of the first times I used them [face-palm]. So, do proceed with caution (but fear not, for I’ve always been a rather clumsy shaver in general).

I’m about a month in to the three-month subscription I set up, and overall I’m very pleased with the results. My one complaint, however, is that the blades are…noisy. If I were a man, and using them on facial hair as intended, I’m guessing this might not be an issue. But in using long strokes as I do on my legs, my razor squawks a long, high-pitched squeak with each stroke. A minor flaw, but annoying all the same…right?!

I may end up taking the shave gel off my plan and just getting the blades, but at the time being I do think I’ll be a happy Harry’s customer for a good long while.

Anyone else tried a razor subscription service and have any feedback of your own to share?

Tucquan Glen Photo Session | Rebekah Viola Photography

I met Rebekah of Rebekah Viola Photography last summer when we worked a wedding together, and have admired her work ever since. It’s been a couple years since Caleb and I had professional photos taken, so we planned a fun woodsy shoot at Tucquan Glen and I knew Bekah’s shooting style would be perfect.

I could write an entire paragraph about Bekah’s talent + eye for a great shot, but I’ll let these pictures speak for themselves. If you like what you see, be sure to follow her on Facebook and Instagram!

See Bekah’s blog post on our shoot here.

flower crown | Megan Waltman of Pearls & Petals

hair | Jess Ziemer of Darla’s Hair Care and Spa

makeup | Rebekah Abreu of Darla’s Hair Care and Spa

dress | H&M

blanket | Sackcloth & Ashes

hat | Urban Outfitters