One more step achieved in the quest to clean and reorganize all the things before August. I have cleaned out and reorganized 2/3 of my closet, and replaced all the hangers with nonslip velvet hangers. I ran out of hangers so, I'll finish the other third when my order of more hangers arrives. One dresser completely cleaned out and reorganized. Two bags of crappy hangers going back to the dry cleaners, and three bags of stuff to donate to charity. There are a few things left in the closet that I want to sell, but they're summer things and my consignment shop isn't accepting summer things anymore. So, I'll hang onto those until Spring.

Epic reminds me that I have been Lurky McLurkerson for a long while.

Good thoughts, coming your way and washing over your mom, Epic.

Big hug to Andi, for checking in regularly. Mwah!

Things have been pretty craptastic around here too.

The house hunt continues and continually boggles my mind. Seriously. The stuff I've seen.

Also. Menopause is turning out not to be for sissies. I've spent shocking money getting told that no one can help me. Given my history with the medical industry these last 5 years, I'm really, truly feeling that I'm screwed.

One of my faux-cousins died two days ago after being one of the longest living AIDS patients in history. He was only 66. Still, he had 30+ good years.

A wonderful contract I was jubilant about seems to have evaporated.

It's ugly hot and humid.

On the upside, Cagney is well. I've seen good movies. I'm pretty close to being a vegan and it's going okay.

So, no need for hairpats, but I've been so focused on my sucky health, and sucky house search I felt it didn't make sense to post.

I have been sending ~ma and thinking good thoughts for everyone.

Good to see your pixels, Epic! And glad to hear that the crap-fest is getting cleared up.

bonny, sounds like there's been a lot of ups and downs. Even if you don't want hairpats I just want to say how much I admire the way you take it all with such grace.

Clean ALL THE THINGS sj! Go you! I switched to fancy hangers a while back and it's been really nice. Though I just went to tj maxx and bought a couple packs of similar ones that aren't quite the same. But whatever. I went through my closet this weekend and tried on every dress in there--got rid of about 2/3rds of them (though a few are in a "put in storage in case I'm that size again" and a few are "don't donate yet maybe I want these", most are in the car to be donated). Except now I'm like "clearly this means I should order some things from eShakti, right?" (Can anyone speak to how their sizing runs?)

If nobody else does, I'll get back to you on that later, meara. I've bought a couple of new dresses lately in size 12 that fit perfectly. Only I haven't taken my measurements in such a long time, I don't know if they match up to eShakti's sizing chart.

I've got this one: [link] with short sleeves and a scoop neck, length as shown. It fits perfectly; a little snug going over the head and boobs, but once you pull it into place, it's perfect.

And this one: [link] (link goes to Pinterest, the dress is no longer available). It's very low cut and makes me look boobtastic.

There's no difference between dresses in how they fit, so I'd say the consistency in sizing is excellent.

Thanks guys! It's weird how good it feels when somebody uses the word "epic" and means me!

askye, sorry in my mememe I didn't acknowledge your bday yesterday. So Happy Belated! Here's hoping it's a little less fraught and as chill as you want it to be.

bonny, really sorry things have been weighing you down as well. Glad Cagney's still doing well and I hope the rest is on an upswing. Fingers crossed for non-crazy housing and helpful med personnel.

Can anyone speak to how their sizing runs?

I would also be interested in hearing the answer to this (when I'm not busy looking at the closet and berating myself for the stuff I already own and barely wear...but eShakti's stuff is so cute!)

Sail, do you usually wear a 12 at most stores? Since I recently lost some weight, but only in some spots, I am so uncertain about what size to buy! Per most size charts my waist is many sizes bigger than my hips (so weird to me, this is a new thing), and in some cases that doesn't seem to matter (ie, jeans most places fit the expected hip size and aren't crazy small in the waist or anything) but other times it seems going up a size is a better plan. Since you can't return easily to a store, I'm skeptical of eShakti...but such cute stuff, and it has POCKETS!

Clean ALL THE THINGS sj! Go you! I switched to fancy hangers a while back and it's been really nice. Though I just went to tj maxx and bought a couple packs of similar ones that aren't quite the same. But whatever. I went through my closet this weekend and tried on every dress in there--got rid of about 2/3rds of them (though a few are in a "put in storage in case I'm that size again" and a few are "don't donate yet maybe I want these", most are in the car to be donated). Except now I'm like "clearly this means I should order some things from eShakti, right?" (Can anyone speak to how their sizing runs?)

Thanks. I needed that. I've been in a lot of pain the last three days and getting anything done has been difficult. The hangers weren't that expensive. I have been buying lots of baby things and maternity things at zulily, and I bought them there as well. I think it was 50 hangers for $20. They're purple and non-slip so my clothes won't all end up on the floor.

I've never ordered from eShakti, but my cousin was wearing one of their dresses last time I saw her, and I was impressed with the quality.

I've been slowly transitioning my clothes to the non-slip velvety hangers too. Though in addition to the non-slip-ness, I'm also motivated by how slim they are. My unfortunately small closet is so crammed I feel like I need a crowbar to get things out, so I'm hoping slimmer hangers will make things feel less jammed in there.

Realistically, I should be inspired by you guys and really thin out the closet's contents. But one thing at a time.

Epic, the slimness is also a plus for me. We don't have much closet room in this house.