BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

  • Style
  • Outfits
  • Travel
  • Home
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop My Looks
  • Collaborate
  • About

Does Your Wardrobe Spark Joy?

January 23, 2015 by jessica 12 Comments

ToryBurchSandals1

I’m due for another closet cleanout soon. It’s a daunting annual task and a humbling come-to-Jesus moment when I try on almost every item and ask myself three questions:

  1. Does it fit?
  2. Is it flattering?
  3. Is it right for my lifestyle?

I recently discovered that I was missing one crucial question: Does it spark joy?

Last week, I came across an article that described the organization secret of Marie Kondo, the author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. She suggests cleansing your home–in this case, wardrobe–by asking one simple question: Does it spark joy? If it doesn’t, simply thank the item for the role it has played in your life and move on.

Yes, it does seem pretty hokey at first blush. However, the more I thought about it over the past week, the more I found myself using it as a litmus test for purchases. And you know what? It has been freeing. Take the striped DVF dress, for instance. It had all the hallmarks of something I’d love. It’s striped. It’s by my favorite designer. It’s a dress. It’s well made. It fit well. However, something about it didn’t spark joy for me. I tried on another dress I ordered from Shopbop (which is sadly sold out, but you can find the maxi dress version here) and I was over the moon. I was giddy and I couldn’t wait to show Dave.

It sparked joy.

What I love most about this process is that it doesn’t suggest giving items the heave-ho if they haven’t been worn in a year (the usual closet cleaning mantra). If an item resonates with you, you’ll wear it again eventually. Maybe last year wasn’t the right time. Maybe the year prior wasn’t even the right time. Maybe this year will be.

It’s really about getting rid of the items that feel like an emotional burden, allowing your closet to be a joyful space. It brings emotion back to clothing. I don’t want to “curate” a closet (and God forbid I ever have a capsule wardrobe). I want my purchases to be joyful. If that means a hot pink dress one month and a boyish button down the next, so be it.

 

Filed Under: Shopping Guide Tagged With: closet cleanout, shopping habits, style tips

Hello!


Jessica Hamm
Hello there! I'm a first-time homeowner updating a 1920s house in Madison, Wisconsin. I have a penchant for travel and a love of costume jewelry. Follow along for personal style, travel, and lifestyle content.

Search

Keep In Touch

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

For You…


I’ve had my eye on these graphic earrings for awhile and now they’re even more tempting at $50.

For Home…


This drink table is perfect for small spaces when you need a place to perch a cocktail. Plus, it doubles as a plant stand!

Instagram

Phone nooks don’t get the attention they deserve Phone nooks don’t get the attention they deserve. They’re practically begging to be used as built-in displays for ceramics! 

(I removed the phone jack, pulled the wires back through the hole, and patched it up, so it’s no longer functional for a landline. I assume a future owner won’t miss it either!)

#phonenook #vintagehouse #thisoldhouse #pottery #ceramics #targetstyle #hearthandhandwithmagnolia
I can’t believe we’re celebrating our fourth C I can’t believe we’re celebrating our fourth Christmas in the house! I’ve taken a version of this photo each Christmas to serve as a timeline of the small changes over the years. One thing never changes, though: I think our Christmas tree is the prettiest. 😊 I hope you have a wonderful holiday in however you’re able to celebrate this year. 2020 has been difficult, but we’re in the home stretch now! Sending lots of love your way!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. #c It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

#christmas #christmasathome #christmastree #ckstyleaccordingly #showemyourstyled #showemyourholiday #1920shome
As my holiday gift to you, enjoy my favorite famil As my holiday gift to you, enjoy my favorite family cookie recipe now on the blog! (Find it via the link-in-profile or search for "sugar cookie.”) It never feels like Christmas until I’ve had my mom’s sugar cookies. In a typical year (or even an atypical one like 2020!), I’ll spend a couple of days working on these — baking them the first and decorating them the second — and it immediately puts me in the holiday spirit. Not only are these nostalgic for me as she’s been making them my entire life (there’s even a photo of me, no older than 2 years old, sitting at the kitchen table “helping” with them), they’re hands-down the best sugar cookies I have ever had. And plenty of people agree with not-so-subtle hints to make them each year.

#sugarcookies #christmascookies #baking #frostedsugarcookies #holidaybaking #holidaycookies
It never really feels like the holiday season unti It never really feels like the holiday season until I’ve made sugar cookies with my mom’s decades old recipe — and until I’ve risked a food-borne illness by snacking on raw dough. I shirked the holiday tradition last year after having been too busy with holiday travel (ten days in Belgium and a long weekend in Chicago left me too busy with other holiday to-dos), but there’s zero excuse to put off baking this year. #AlwaysHome #QuarantineForever
Buffalo plaid packages tied up with string ... the Buffalo plaid packages tied up with string ... these are a few of my favorite things. 🎶 (I don't think Julie Andrews would mind tweaking the lyrics a little bit, right? 😉)

Pro tip: Instead of looking at the gift-wrap section for things to decorate your presents, hit up your local craft store. I bought a package of 75 jingle bells, a dozen mini bottlebrush trees, and twine in seasonal colors for just a couple of dollars each. (The wrapping paper is from Target.)

#holidayseason #buffaloplaid #giftwrap #plaid #presents #christmasgifts #christmasgiftwrapping #giftwrappingideas
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Jennifer Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in