Closet Updates

Turns out I really need a new wardrobe.  This is my dream closet below.... someday.  In the meantime, I've begun a ruthless weeding out.  This procedure takes time... lots of inspiration to remind me of what I'm trying to do and then lots of editing over and over until I'm satisfied.  Also, fittings - I'm keeping a large number of clothes that I love that are currently too small for me.  I'll probably get around to recycling these someday but for now I can't part with them.  Thank goodness for spare bedroom closets. 

Next a weeding out of cosmetics, makeup and so on in the bathroom. 

I completed the living room this past long weekend.  Books, Movies, Magazines, Liquor and so on.   Much more room to breath now and even more storage space but it just seems to take me forever to get this done right. 

The next room is one my biggest pockets of resistance.  The spare bedroom (yes that includes the closet).  I use this as a catchall and office so that means filing of 3 years of paperwork as well as sorting through all the miscellaneous stuff I'm not sure what to do with.  This might take a awhile.

Finally it's the Easter Long Weekend

This long weekend felt like it would never, ever get here.  I've actually had to scrape snow off my car this week but I'm spending this weekend finally packing up the last of the winter clothing and breaking out spring outfits - well the one's I can get into anyway.

The recent discovery of a new Faberge egg and one of the original eggs, helped me decide on my theme for this Easter. 

 

1887 Third Imperial Egg

 

How it ended up over here is a story in itself that we'll probably never know. But welcome back from obscurity.  No matter what you may think of the Romanov Empire, you have to admire the stunningly beautiful and romantic tradition of the Royal Faberge eggs.  Click on the links to find out more about the eggs and their personal history.

 

The eggs shown are not all of the eggs by any means, just my personal favorites in no particular order.  Enjoy the beauty, the opulence and the craftsmanship.

 

 

1891 Memory of Azov

 

1897 Coronation Egg

 

1892 Diamond Trellis Egg

 

 

1895 Blue Serpent Clock Egg

 

I love this one and I'm not alone - presented to Prince Albert II in honour of his Silver Jubilee, Princess Grace quickly snapped it up for herself and it sat on the desk of her personal study where it remained until it was inherited by Prince Albert III. 

 

 

1896 Twelve Monogram Egg

 

 

1896 Egg with Revolving Miniatures

 

  

 

1901 Gatchina Palace

 

 

1903 Peter The Great

 

 

1900 Cockerel Clock Egg 

The little bird on top sings.

 

 

1908 Peacock Egg

The peacock in the tree can be removed and wound up where it struts and fans its feathers.

 

 

1909 Standart Egg

 

 

1912 Napoleonic Egg

 

 

1913 Winter Egg

There are so many more and this site has a great history about each of them.  It's a great read.

 

But here's the little guy that started the tradition.

 

 

1885 Hen Egg

 

And last but not least the last egg before World War I which ended the over-the-top Imperial Eggs.

 

 

1914 Mosaic Egg

 

There were a few others (including one that wasn't completed as Faberge was forced to close it's doors).  Given conditions in Russia during the First World War and after, the eggs were kept patriotic, austere and modest in comparison. 

 

Camille Styles Entertaining

I've always felt this woman has more taste than most people have in their baby finger (certainly more than me) and she should really publish a book.  So I'm delighted to see that she has written just that.  You can pre-order from here.

 

Congratulations Camille.

Taking a Break Today with the Tiffany's Yellow Diamond

The famous Yellow Tiffany Diamond has had a couple of different settings and my favourite was the "Bird on a Rock".  However, the new setting designed to celebrate the anniversary is quite beautiful as well. 



 

The Tiffany Yellow Diamond

 

 

Previous styles.  One to celebrate the movie Breakfast at Tiffanies, and of course my favourite Bird on a Rock

 

 

Apparently there are very few women to ever wear this stone.  Audrey Hepburn was one of them.

 

 

 

The latest look 

 

One room down ... too many more to go

Every spring I've given my house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.... except these last three years when my life spiraled out of control.  After a horrible winter I'm ready to kick it into high gear and get moving on my spring cleaning.  However, I've discovered the hard way that three years can do more damage than I anticipated.  This is going to take longer than I thought.  I've only got one room done.  Granted I'm being very thorough and using the opportunity to really make ruthless decisions about what's going to remain.  That said, I decided that the master bedroom would be my first really big project to tackle since it would include my wardrobe and I would clean everything out and begin moving the spring/summer clothes into the wardrobe and packing up the winter clothes.  I've forced myself to try on every single article of clothing and really judge.  Wow - that turned out to be a major problem.  I've gained far more weight than I realized and found that I will have very little to wear this summer.  So, since a whole new wardrobe is out of the question, there is little option left but to begin a .... "diet".  I hate that word so I'm going with "lifestyle change"... sounds less restricting.  The cupboards, fridge and freezer will be my next move. 

 

I love these organizers for fruit and eggs and yet I can't find where I got this image from or where I can find these products.  Let me know if you're familiar with them.

 

 

Here's a great article from One Good Thing for really giving my fridge a good cleaning.  This is what I'm aiming for.  It appears we have the same refrigerator. 

 



I'm scouring the web for healthier eating recipes and suggestions so any good ones forward my way, especially lunch ideas for me to take to work.  It's my greatest weakness and usually where all of my previous "life style" diets have gone off course. 

 

Along with my "life style" diet is a determination to begin a new exercise program.  Not quite sure how that will look yet, but I'm determined to get started.  Here's a good article  from Vickie Archer of French Essence to motivate you.

 

My complexion is a mess so I'm looking for ways to clean up years of stress lines, sun damage and overall puffiness (and any other aging suggestions - you name it I need it).  Then there's the tanning issue.  My skin is so pale that I glow in the dark.  Sun tanning is now out of the question.  Too many years of baking myself (I know, I didn't listen and I'm paying the price now), so I'm looking for a good self-tanner. 

 

Then there is my son's bedroom, the crypt as I'm beginning to refer to it.  I literally can't find the floor and many things have simply disappeared in there never to return to the land of the living again.  Time for a really ruthless cleaning out in there.  I may never be heard from again. 

 

This is just the tip of the iceberg so bare with me and if you have any really good articles, suggestions, etc. for getting organized let me know.  I'm on the hunt.