This time a year ago we were very busy decluttering the big clutter hotspots in our home in preparation for downsizing. One of the hardest areas to conquer was the loft because we rarely went up there apart from at Christmas (it had no fixed ladder) and consequently what was put up there stayed put for the ten years or so that we lived there. Also at the time we thought we were buying a three storey house without a loft and little storage (just a garage) so we knew that we would not be able to hold onto most of the stuff we had always stored. Big decisions and big losses had to be made. Some things were easy to loose (why were we holding onto to a very dated 'Wendy House'? ) but other things were much harder to make decisions about. I deliberated over my wedding dress but eventually (and happily) donated it to Oxfam and we drastically edited down our vast collection of Christmas decorations. My husband got rid of many of his old school books.
A harder job, and one that could only be done by me, was editing down a vast collection of sentimental items - some from our courtship and wedding and many items from my children's baby, toddler and primary school days. I was glad that I had kept many of the items, but there were just too many. The big boxes of baby stuff I had kept were not attractive to look at, were disorganised and left me feeling more overwhelmed than nostalgic. There was too much to look at in one session so I spent several evenings going through the items, carefully choosing and saving those items that held the most meaning and throwing a lot away. Each time I came back to the collection the process of editing became easier. I already owned three neat white lidded boxes which I had bought in a random previous attempt at becoming organised and I decided that these would be ideal for keeping the most treasured items from my sons' early childhoods and our wedding. There were quite small but big enough to put quite a few items in.
Although challenging and time consuming, in the end I enjoyed sorting out these sentimental items and realised that I would like these items to be more accessible in the future. I decided that if I kept fewer sentimental items they would be easier to store and look after and that I could enjoy handling them and looking at them more often. So what should you put in a memory box? The size of the boxes I chose dictated that I couldn't keep anything too bulky – I have had to put a few items like first shoes and a christening gown and shawl in a separate box and I keep selected photographs separately in albums. These are the sort of things I have put in my sons' memory boxes: hospital tags; scan pictures; a newspaper from the day they were born and from the millennium; a CD from the week they were born; a babygro; cards from their births, christening and first birthdays; drawings and paintings; certificates, school reports and sports newspaper cuttings; letters to and from Santa and homemade cards made for us. Our wedding memory box contains letters, cards and a few small items from our wedding
I'm glad I took the time to edit down these sentimental items and I am happy that they now fit inside small, attractive boxes because the contents feel more like treasured memories. Also, even though in the end we lost the three storey house and moved to a house with a loft (and had a ladder fitted – yay) I actually keep my three memory boxes at the top of my wardrobe and not in the loft because I like to have them near and know that they are safely stored.
Putting a few memory boxes together was fairly easy and inexpensive and they give me lots of pleasure. At the moment my boys aren't that interested but I hope they will appreciate them one day. As the boxes are small at least they won't get too bored.
Finally, the wind dropped, the sun shone and it really felt like spring was here at long, long last. You could actually feel the sun's warmth on your skin and seeping into your bones. The breeze felt soft and refreshing rather than bitter and cruel and for the first time this year I had the confidence to leave my coat behind. We know there won't be many Saturdays like this in the whole year so with wall to wall sunshine we got the chores done quickly and headed out after lunch to play.
This weekend is National Trust free weekend (thank you Froogs for the tip-off) so we headed off to nearby Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire. The hall is set in a charming village which was rebuilt in the 17th century when the hall was being built. There are no grand walls, drives or gates hiding this impressive Restoration mansion, it can seen easily from the main road leading through the village. The hall has an impressive staircase and long gallery which were used for some of the interior scenes of the BBC dramatisation of Pride and Prejudice. Outside there are formal gardens and a lake. In the nearby servant's wing is The National Trust Museum of Childhood which is full of interactive fun and fantastic archives. We enjoyed the hall, gardens and museum and there was a lovely atmosphere outside with plenty of grass for picnicking on and for children to play freely. We sat outside and lingered over a cream tea. And do you know, we didn't want to leave because it felt so good to be relaxed, warm and outside. I could get used to that feeling.
I've just updated my simple pleasures list on my sidebar and thought I'd show you this inspiration from here on pinterest. It's a gorgeous spring morning here today with beautiful birdsong. I love the promise of a new day and the chance to enjoy some simple pleasures. Here are some of my current simple pleasures and a few more photos from our stay at Peace and Plenty, Boscrowan.
a cosy bathrobe
pale yellow primroses
blue skies
white bedlinen blowing dry outside
the smell and taste of homemade bread
homemade gravy
I hope you have a chance to enjoy some simple pleasures this weekend.
Storm Thorgerson - a genius who sadly passed away yesterday. This man inspired my husband to do what he does for a living, graphic design. Thorgerson designed many of the iconic Pink Floyd iconic album sleeves and has also designed art work for other artists such as Muse, The Cranberries and Biffy Clyro. Here are some of our favourite Storm Thorgerson designs: Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon, Animals and Wish You Were Here, The Cranberries - Wake Up and Smell the Coffee and Muse - Absolution.
I don't like to interfere with my teenage sons' bedrooms too much. Eighteen years ago I would spend loving, lingering moments in my first son's beautiful nursery peering over his cot. Now, when I remember, I peer around the door of their bedrooms to quickly monitor the chaos. Their mess is no longer a lego strewn treasure trail covering every floor and surface of the house. The debris is contained, and now my loving gesture is to offer them a bin liner or two, a jolly word of encouragement and they usually make a reasonable and amicable attempt at clearing their stuff. You see, it's their space and their mess and as long as they contribute to household chores in general (occasional cooking, putting out the bins and clearing up after meals) I don't mind about the state of their bedrooms too much.They need this space to unwind, dream and take refuge from the pressures of the world (and living with us, no doubt). If they can occasionally clear their bedroom floor that will do. One day soon their rooms will be empty and I know that I'm not quite ready for that.
I loved my bedroom when I was growing up even though it was the smallest in the house. I didn't want to swap it for a bigger one because it felt like mine. I remember... getting my first duvet, a wicker peacock chair, constantly rearranging the furniture, playing my first vinyl albums, putting Vogue magazine covers on the walls, changing my clothes several times a day and my crazy revision habits. Intense years, if you recall. I don't know if I've ever quite felt the same about a space. I know in the early days when we bought our first home I felt quite overwhelmed by the responsibility of owning a complete house even though I was excited.
I love that intensity that teenagers feel about their rooms. And I know I shouldn't peep but I loved discovering a site developed by teenagers for teenagers, The Do Not Enter Diaries, to celebrate the diverse spaces and styles of teenage bedrooms. With a music soundtrack, dancing and video tour of what their room means to them - I love the creativity behind this idea.
And I found a tidy teenager, how about that? Tell your teenagers to check it out if you have any - if not your inner teenager would be allowed a look, I'm sure.
This image, fom pinterest found here, is the look I was trying to create all those years ago - checked shirt, flared jeans, guitar and a wicker peacock chair! It makes me feel fifteen again... almost. Do you remember your teenage bedroom? How did you style it? How do you cope with messy teenagers? I'd love to hear.
I was on holiday at the end of March when I would normally have written my April mini goals so I am posting some spring goals instead in the same fashion as Laura at Move To Portugal. My goals are linked to health and are inspired by some motivational words and photos I saw on Howies site. This is a great site and blog to check out as they not only promote active clothing that has a low impact on the environment but they have an enviable chilled attitude to work and play. Here my goals to hopefully lead to new healthy habits.
Get moving – ideally regular running again but at least several walks a week
No more diet coke – have given this up since Lent and can hopefully live without it now
Less alcohol – more drink free days needed
Healthier desserts – I'm looking to buy and use more fruit
Eat more yoghurt – good for weight control and protecting the immune system
Less caffeine – this is something which in excess negatively affects my sleep and mood
Switch off laptop at least an hour before bedtime – not easy as I write many of my posts in the evening , but I will try
Floss teeth – a perpetual promise to my dentist
Pace rather than race – plan my days better and focus on the main tasks required so that I am not always chasing deadlines
Eat more vegetarian meals – for nutrition and to save money
Take a multvitamin supplement and cod liver oil capsules – we have had too many coughs and colds this winter and my Mum swears by this combination
As always I will let you know how I get on. Have you got any health goals? Do you take any supplements? image
Some sunny highlights from this week. Temperatures have risen above 10 degrees and there's a feeling of va va voom in the air. Joining in with Jen from little birdie. ♥ Daisies just outside our house. I feel just like these daisies look - desperately straining for the warmth of the sun after a long, long winter. ♥ The hedges have been getting greener by the day. ♥ Celebrating my Mum's birthday. Treating my Mum always makes me happy. ♥ A change of footwear. Not quite sandals weather but my favourite cons make me happy and put a spring in my step. I try to not wear boots between April and October, much as I love them, because I like to acknowledge the change of the seasons. It feels strange not wearing all those layers and woollies, though.
Thanks for reading, commenting and following this week, I love hearing from you. Be happy xo
Just a quick post this week for Minimalist Monday. You've got to watch this clip and laugh - no matter how organised you are and how much you try and simplify your life we all experience this feeling sometimes, don't we? I wonder ... Do I need perfection in all areas of my life? Are my expectations set too high? Do I take enough time to care for myself? Would I achieve more if I slowed down? Do I take on too much? Could I ask for more help? Do I take myself too seriously? The answer is probably yes to all of these questions and this clip makes me recognise myself and laugh at myself and that's no bad thing. How about you? Have a great week and I hope you get time to take a break, just for you xo
