Cut-out and move forward

It was no surprise to me that I had a lot of paper in my house. The majority of which is bound and beautiful, beautiful books. What I had forgotten — probably on purpose — is how many back issues of magazines I had.

My house had become an archive of Real Simple and it was a real mess. As we packed up and I got exhausted I would treat myself to a little down time. Just me, my Xacto knife and back-issues. I got to re-read some issues and discover the items and articles I really wanted and not feel a need to hold onto anything else. Recipe I wanted to try? Cut-out and move forward. Inspiration photo? Cut and and more forward. So on and so forth.

I created a bunch of file folders for magazine cut-outs.

You can't see it very well there, but I have a slew of options:

• Recipes To-Try (the keepers get moved to the Household binder)
• Party Ideas
• Household Tips
• Beauty, Fashion & Health
• Gift Ideas

So, in an effort to avoid repeating the RS habit from the old place, I am doing this on a month-to-month basis. Currently I am only subscribed to Better Homes and Gardens but I miss RS and will probably go back soon.

At the end of the month, when I know the new issue will be winging its way to me any day, I sit at my dining table and re-read it, carefully cutting out anything that catches my eye. This month I used scissors instead of an Xacto knife but I highly recommend the latter to avoid snagged and torn edges for a full page removal.

I come prepared with Post-It notes (I like the small pad made of recycled materials best) so I note why I was struck by something. In this case I knew I wanted to paint the mailbox a bright orange for my Oriole loving husband. Bam! Here is the perfect color so I can remember to pick it up. Plus, a little complementary color action if I fall in love and want to use it elsewhere. 

Once I've cut-out and tagged everything, they go in their folders or on a bulletin board et voilà! I can take the rest of the magazine and recycle it, knowing I've gotten what I wanted and my house isn't going to become all the more cluttered!

 

And don't forget a delicious drink to cool off! That's my seltzer water with a bunch of frozen berries —
better and tastier than ice!

But, I can imagine someone thinking

But what about the things that don't apply now but might later? Problem solving tips and stuff?

That is the joy of the digital age, my friends! So many major magazines now offer a digital version as well as a paper. Heck, a lot of them will give you both with one paper subscription. So if later down the road I think, damn, I remember there was a BHG tip about wobbly fans in June, all I have to do is flip open my e-reader. SO simple and clean!