The Promise of a Glorious Spring

Beautiful Spring Irises

This week is somewhat chaotic as the boys are enjoying March Break. I also have my in-laws visiting for the week so time to work on my jewelry and my blog is somewhat limited.

I was having some fun on the weekend practicing some photography tips I was given. I had bought these lovely irises on "special" at my local grocery store last week. They didn't look like much when I first arranged them in the vase, but three days later they were looking spectacular. Such a splash of color in this otherwise rather gray winter weather.

Project Simplify - Cleaning Out The Closet

Last week I wrote a post about how I was going to take part in the Project Simplify challenge starting this past Monday.

The challenge for this week was to clean out our closets. Well, mine was long overdue for an overhaul. I put off the task until Tuesday afternoon and then got to work.

I was brutal. I got rid of dresses I hadn't worn in fifteen years and shoes that I hoped to wear again but I just don't. The strange thing is I'm no heavier than I was twenty years ago but after having two children, gravity has taken it's toll on my body and some clothes that I thought I looked really great wearing just don't compliment my figure anymore!

It felt really good the following morning to walk into my closet and see the order in there instead of the normal chaos.

And the local charity shop benefited from my efforts too. I managed to amass one very large black garbage bag of clothing and shoes!

Well, here's my before and after shots.

BEFORE....What a mess!

 

AFTER....hey, I can find things!

New Hair Accessories For Spring!

Recently I've added to my line of hair accessories at Jacaranda Designs. They are available in a myriad of colors and make a lovely Easter gift. Pop them in your hair for a spontaneous splash of color.

Etsy LOVE!

I always enjoy posting my Etsy faves for the week. I'm constantly signing onto Etsy (when I should be doing other things) as I enjoy looking at the creativity of other people. It's so inspiring. Enough of my rambling. Here are my picks for the week. Enjoy!

 

 

 

  

 

 

International Women's Day

I'm an avid collector of vintage cookery books and can literally spend hours paging through them. Just yesterday I was looking at my Mrs Beeton's Cookery and Household Management. I always have a little laugh when I do as some of the topics it covers are just so foreign to me.

 

Just to give you a sampling, here are some of the items listed in the Contents...

... The housewife and her home
... Domestic helpers and their duties (oh, I wish)
... The perfect hostess
... Etiquette - Meeting royalty - the London season

In one chapter, I quote " Although presentation at Court no longer constitutes part of a girl's debut, parents wishing to introduce their daughters to society still find a formal "coming out" somewhere between sixteen and twenty years old, the best means of effecting this. This can of course be a complicated and costly process, involving renting a London house or flat and engaging staff for the season...."

I love reading these excerpts as it reminds me how far women have come in many areas of the world.

There are so many talented, inspiring role models for women these days. A few of my personal favorites are Ellen DeGeneres, Michaelle Jean, Oprah Winfrey, Marina Nemat, Ayaan Hirsi Ali to name just a few. I could go on and on.

On this International Women's Day, which women have inspired and motivated you?

A Rainy Saturday - Games Day

 

Yesterday was a wet, miserable, rainy day in Southern Ontario and I felt so unmotivated to do anything. So we went to the games cupboard and pulled out some boardgames and had a great time playing. We have a four shelves of boardgames and yet the boys always choose the same ones. I think their favorite ever game is "SORRY". The strange thing is, I used to love it as a kid too. I picked this one up at a garage sale about 10 years ago and it's certainly been played a lot.

I know it's a game of chance, but I always lose. Yesterday, I was close to winning against the boys for the first time ever. Somehow though, they still beat me - BOTH of them!

Do you have a favorite family board game?

Spring Cleaning - For Real This Time

I always have such good intentions when it comes to spring cleaning. Somehow though, my plans always seem to get waylaid. Possibly because I'm a busy stay at home mom trying to run a business from home? Oh I could find all kinds of excuses not to spring clean. Of course, I do the regular cleaning every week (oh joy!) but it's the getting rid of clothes that no longer fit, sorting out messy kitchen drawers, getting some sort of organization into the front cupboard that I'm talking about - I'm sure you know what I mean.

Last night, I got together with a few crafty friends (we've decided to meet once a month and inspire each other, maybe take some courses, teach each other etc.).

Our fearless leader mentioned a blog called SimpleMOM that is hosting a challenge of sorts that involves spring cleaning over five weeks. It's called Project Simplify and over five weeks (starting March 7th) we're challenged to spring clean hot spots in our homes. Each Monday the hot spot is revealed and on a Friday we post before and after photos on our BLOGS. Sounds like a good challenge to me!

So I'm going to run with it and see what I can get done in this house of mine (with two boys and a husband probably sabotaging my efforts at every turn).

Are you up to the Project Simplify challenge. Check it out here and let me know how you fair.

Tsh Oxenreider (the genius behind SimpleMOM) has written a book called Organized Simplicity
which will be the foundation for the project and could help you on your way.


(Photo from SimpleMOM)

Don't forget to post your before and after photos and show us the links to YOUR blog.

Yes, we have a WINNER!

Thank you everyone for entering my latest giveaway for the birds nest necklace. I have selected a winner using random.org and it is....

HANA!

I really appreciate everyone tweeting and blogging about the giveaway. I shall be hosting another one in a few weeks. Stay tuned.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Etsy LOVE!

So many talented artists on Etsy it's often overwhelming. Here are a few of my faves from Etsy this past week!