1. Get Off Promotional E-Mail Lists: Places like Orbitz, J. Crew and Victoria's Secret send out a lot of special web promotions. The problem is that they clog up the inbox. I see them on my iPhone, tell myself I'll read it later, or redeem whatever coupon they're sending, and then three months later it's still sitting there. I also got off every publicist's list I was on, because as much as I like to see what they're up to, no one was offering spots on the list for shows or invites to lunches. I figure if someone really wants to reach me, they'll call.
The one place I always welcome promotions from is Teleflora, because I often send flowers and topiaries to clients when they move in.
2. Clean Out All Your Purses: When I was growing up we used to always make fun of La Madre because she always carried a huge handbag full of crap. Then I grew up and started doing the same thing. On any given day my bag is full of old listings, folded up back issues of The New Yorker, bills to be paid and about seven different kinds of pens.
I recently cleaned out every bag I owned, threw out out a few old ones, ran one through the wash and realized that my Louis Vuitton Speedy needs to be repaired. I also tossed all the loose change into the Peppe Jar*. Now, when I need a bag I can just toss my wallet and keys in, without pulling out a fistful of detritus.
Also: I put all my lip products into a little bag, which seems to be extending the shelf life of my glosses. No more opening a tube and finding it covered in grit.
*The Peppe Jar: It costs roughly $120 to bathe and shave a Persian cat, which is a ridiculous yet necessary aspect of Persian ownership. TR and I have a jar that we toss change into which usually defrays Peppe's grooming bills by at least 50%, if not more, depending on if I'm stealing the quarters for coffee. When the jar is full, which takes about three months, Peppe goes in for his spa treatment.
