Empty’s – September 2024

A couple years ago, I started a new series called “Empty’s” where I revisit an item after it’s been used long term, and decide whether I want to repurchase it.

You can find my previous posts here:

Here are the items in my Empty’s bin today:

Farmhouse Fresh Three Milk Ageless Moisturizer (here’s the link)

I first tried this moisturizer in a sample that was sent with my order back in the spring. I liked it, so I decided to give it a longer try with one of their Pick Your Own sampler sets which are a fantastic way to determine if you actually love something before buying the full sized product. Well, my .5 fl oz sample is empty and this has quickly become my FAVORITE daytime face lotion. I waited until my birthday, just in case they sent me a birthday special or promo code… and they did! So, I reordered this moisturizer and I also get to try their body mousse for free as a birthday gift. YAY for Farmhouse Fresh!

Trader Joes Daily Facial Sunscreen (In store at Trader Joes, no link available)

I shared back in January 2024 that I had found a dupe for the Supergoop sunscreen at a much more reasonable price. The only downside is that you have to go to a Trader Joe’s to buy it, because it’s sold in the store for $8.99. This stuff is AWESOME and it goes on light with great coverage, so I actually will use it every single day. By the end of the summer, my bottle was getting low so this is an absolute YES for a re-buy for me!

NYX Professional Makeup Epic Wear Liner Stick (link on Amazon)

Look, I’m not a makeup guru. I basically just swipe on a little eye makeup, some powder on any shiny spots and my trusty chapstick. So, if you’re looking for fancy makeup tips… I’m probably not your girl. However, if you’re a lazy makeup person and like an eyeliner that goes on like a gel pen… I’ve got you!

I have this liner stick in a few colors, but All Time Olive is my current favorite shade. It’s goes on SO SMOOTH and has a bit of a metallic to it. Most importantly, once it’s on it doesn’t budge all day until you wash it off. As someone who wears hard contacts and has random watery eye issues, this is so, so, so important. So yes. This is my favorite eyeliner, it’s only about $8 per stick, and YES, it is a re-buy for me!

Disclosure: Not sponsored. This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. This means that clicking on a link may help me earn a small commission at no cost to you.

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47

Each year on my birthday, I post an annual birthday photo… and today I’m celebrating 47.

This year I happen to be at a work conference on my birthday, so I got a little fancy and brought my tripod with me so I could take my photo in my hotel room.

I feel like my 40’s are flying by and it feels quite odd that I’m closer to 50 than I am to 40. Which also makes me think that turning 50 will absolutely require some sort of amazing trip, perhaps Italy or Greece?

I feel change coming this year. It’s a bit too early to say, but I’m working hard at ‘living my best life’ and I see that continuing for 47. My goal is to maintain a work-life balance between job accomplishments and life accomplishments. I plan to make time for my creative side and am looking forward to building a stained glass studio in my basement soon. I want to spend my energy on people and activities that ‘fill my cup’ and focus less on the unbalanced relationships in my life. And travel. Of course. Traveling with Travis and Jack absolutely fills my cup and I hope to have the opportunity to explore more places this year.

If you feel like doing a little clicking, here are my previous birthday posts: 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38, 37, and 36.

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Cleaning Out My Closet: Saying Goodbye to What No Longer Sparks Joy

Over the past few months, I’ve been taking a much closer look at my closet – what I wear regularly, what I LIKE to wear regularly, and what can move on to a new home. While most of my decisions are based on what items are (or are not) working for me, I do have to acknowledge that some of the choices came down to cash.

We are still dealing with an avalanche of hospital/surgery bills from Jack’s broken arm, so that gave me a little monetary kick-in-the-behind to decide whether I liked the item more… or the money I could potentially earn.

Let’s take a look at a few items I’ve let go recently:

Rough + Tumble Bags: Vintage Hoop Hobo and Cross Body Wallet

No, I didn’t sell any of my vintage Coach bags (yet); however, I did thin the herd a little when it comes to my Rough & Tumble purses. While I love, love, loved my larger green bag… it was one of the most expensive ones that I owned. Also, I have two other similar sized R+T bags that I tend to reach for more often – switching between them throughout the year. So, this one went to a new home.

As for the smaller green crossbody bag, I tend to reach for my little black Coach Watson when I need something small and hands-free. Since they both served basically the same purpose, I decided that the R+T version could go.

Total earned: $665

Two NotPERFECT Linen Skirts: Striped Marseille and Toast OIA

I love my linen skirts, but to be honest I love some of them more than others. I’ve had this striped version since last year and have worn it a few times, but when I compared it to other skirts in my closet… it just was never my ‘first pick’. As for the toast OIA version, I found that the color was similar enough to another skirt that I own that it ‘met the same need’.

Would I have let them both go if we didn’t have a bunch of bills? Maybe not. However, for both of these skirts I enjoyed the potential cash more than I really needed them in my closet.

Total earned: $170

Poshmark Purge

In addition to my ‘name brand’ items, I also put a bunch of stuff in my Poshmark closet on super sale and accepted low-ball offers just to get some stuff out of the house. Since June, I’ve sold: an Anthropologie dress, Sam Edelman sandals, a J.Jill skirt, Boden cardigan, Athleta skirt, 2 Eileen Fisher dresses, 2 James Perse t-shirts, Athleta leggings, Kate Spade skirt, Eileen Fisher tank top and a Flax linen skirt.

Total earned: $280 before fees.

So that is 17 items that have left my house over the past few months. And honestly, I don’t miss ANY of them. They were no longer sparking joy. They were no longer needed. And now someone else has the opportunity to enjoy something new to them. Also, that is over $1,000 that went towards hospital bills. So, I’m calling that a win-win!

If you’ve been thinking about trying Poshmark for your own closet purge, you can use my special invite code to open an account: POCKETFULOFJOUL Then, if you see something you want to buy, you will get $10 off your first purchase. If you want to check out my Poshmark closet, you can find it here: https://poshmark.com/closet/pocketfulofjoul. Feel free to make an offer on something if you love it!

Note: This is a referral code. If you choose to use it, you will receive $10 upon joining Poshmark and I will receive $10 after your first order is delivered at no cost to you.

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