Paid Off the Mortgage!

I paid off my 15 year mortgage on my townhouse last month – a couple years early!! It feels so great.

I remember about 6 years ago feeling super trapped by debt in a job I hated. Then I found a job with a great company, paid off my $26K in credit card debt and my car payment using Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover method, and now the mortgage is paid off too. Last summer I was able to remodel my bathroom using cash!

I still need to scrimp now to remodel the rest of my condo with cash, but what a difference from a few years ago! I just found out I need to spend $2K more in dental work inlays on 2 more teeth (ugh – Celiac life) but at least I don’t have to put that on a card anymore. Now when some unexpected expense comes up I don’t get stressed out trying to figure out how I will pay for it.

The secret was really downsizing my life and simplifying. It’s provided me with much more security now and for my future.

Smith Farms

OK, so I just have to give some love to Smith Farms, my favorite place to buy produce in Orange County, California.

I’m lucky to have a lot of local organic sources available to me like farmers markets, and farm stands. But my favorite place for years – even before I really went organic – is Smith Farms in Irvine (corner of Jeffrey & Bryan).

Their prices are always great and they’re open daily until 7 pm which is super convenient.

Today I went there for my lunch break and just had to share what a huge haul I got for a great price. The food quality is outstanding too and almost 100% organic.

So now that I am really trying to eat clean I got 4 big bags of produce – for under $24.

2 boxes strawberries
Bunch of celery
Bunch of bananas (organic)
2 bunches green onions
Stack of garlic
2 bunches cilantro
3 white onions
Huge head of romaine lettuce
6 tiny red potatoes
2 huge white peaches
1 zucchini
2 cucumber
3 avocado

Time for lunch! Yum!

Preppy Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe (updated)

I seem to be settling into my current size for now, so I expanded my wardrobe some. Although a wardrobe based on black as the primary neutral is the most versatile in my opinion, I find the color is a bit harsh for my coloring, especially in the Summer. I found myself drifting back to more traditional colors. I find that navy-on-navy is a bit formal though. Especially in California, people are somewhat more casual, so breaking it up with gray, khaki or white seems to tone it down a bit. White is best worn in the summer, but cream can look fresh anytime during the year.

This is my current capsule version:

Navy lightweight twill blazer
Slacks: khaki, gray, cream
Pencil skirt: gray, black, khaki, navy cotton twill
Sleeveless dress: gray, black
Jeans (dark wash)
5 short-sleeved blouses/sweater shells
White cotton blouse
Brown topsiders (or penny loafers)
Cardigans: Navy, cream, gray, bright blue, white
Navy cotton cable crewneck pullover sweater
Khaki shorts
3 Polo shirts

Silk & cashmere blend scarves
Pearl necklace & earrings
Black, navy, nude beige heels
Navy, chestnut brown ballet flats
Chestnut sandals (I like gold also but it’s not very preppy for daytime)
Tan day bag
Black clutch
L.L. Bean small boat & tote for summer (blue trim)

I have found some amazing vintage silk scarves on Etsy.com for great prices!! Check it out if you need to stock up.

Winter Capsule Wardrobe

Winter 333:

Here’s the capsule wardrobe I’ve been wearing for the most part this past month. Not including jewelry in my list this time. I have 2 or 3 other skirts I rotate in occasionally as well. Made it really easy to pack for my recent 12-day vacation. I discovered Xmas earrings, pins and scarves take up a lot less packing space than bulky Xmas sweaters!! I only brought about half these items on my trip.

Black handbag (black wallet doubles as a clutch)
black heels
black short cuffed booties
Black ballet flats
Saddle brown ballet flats
chocolate Topsiders
Black & white polka dot scarf
Turquoise flannel scarf
Multicolor gauze scarf
Gray cashmere cardigan
Black & white jacket cardigan
Red cardigan
Black cardigan
Aqua cardigan
Ivory cardigan
black dress
Ivory/ brown print dress
Black & white print dress
Gray turtleneck
Ivory short sweater
Black short sweater
Charcoal short sweater
Red short sweater
Black & white blouse
Hot pink long sleeve polo shirt
3/4 sleeve charcoal tee
3/4 sleeve black tee
3/4 sleeve ivory tee
Charcoal sweatsuit
khaki slacks
Black slacks
Gray slacks
Black cable sweater
White crew t-shirt
Black crew t-shirt
Black skirt
Gray skirt
dark wash jeans
Gray wool pea coat

Traveling Light

I apologize for being away for so long! I’ve had a crazy schedule at work the past few months.

The good news is that I was hired full time after 2 years – previously I was a consultant with a contract that renewed every six months. So that means much better health coverage and benefits than previously.

When I was “officially” hired, I traveled to San Jose with some other co-workers for orientation. I also had dinner with my family while I was there.

I thought I packed light – a laptop bag and small rolling carry-on, as it was just an overnight trip. However, the next morning I was chagrined to learn that I’d be leaving for the airport directly from my office! I had to bring my luggage to the office with me.

Seems I still have more to learn about minimalist travel. If I could do that trip again I would bring: 1 cardigan, 2 knit dresses, a nightshirt, 1 pair ex-oficio underwear (can be washed & worn next day), and 1 pair ballet flats. I would have worn most of this and the nightshirt and 2nd dress would have fit in my laptop bag in a little bag or packing cube. I’ll be ready for next time!