idelight

As you know I am about to move house so last night I took on the huge task of sorting out my book shelf. Knowing that I will have a lot less room for my collection at my new home it was definitely a 'clear out' as well as a 'sort out'. I found it absolutely fascinating to see how the book titles reflected my life over the past few years! It's been a difficult time (I'm sure differently elements of that will come through in other posts) but it was like tracing back through the journey by book titles... every woman's marriage, running on empty, let the healing begin, bringing up boys, identity, love wins, a simple path, searching for God knows what! And then more recently when from the pain emerged a creativity that I had buried long ago BurdoStyle, chic on a shoe string, house proud, sew, vintage style, sukie... and many other titles began to appear on the shelves (and of course blogging for bliss!) I could list many others but there's the danger that you will see very deeply into my life & my story very quickly purely from the their titles and I'm not sure any of us are ready for that! So...what would your books say about you? If I was to look through your bookshelves would I be able to identify your story, your passions, your commitments and your priorities? Or would I learn how you relax, where you have travelled to, who inspires you and what you believe in? Then of course came choosing what to keep and what to pass on...an easy choice really! there were many books that reflected previous thinking, belief systems and professions and I took the decision not to have anything on my shelves that I no longer believed in. The outcome... there is now just 6 shelves but each book is now valuable to me because of what it holds in it, what it revealed to me or how it inspires me...and will come with me into my new home!
Does your book shelf look like you!x

Is Fashion Wearing Out The World?x

TO DIE FOR: Is Fashion Wearing Out The World? by Lucy Siegle
So I stood in Waterstones with vouchers in my hand (Christmas gift) and had a battle in head between buying a book that I knew would challenge me, and probably change my shopping habits forever...or staying in happy denial! I took the decision to give the Christmas vouchers the potential to make a difference and bought 'To Die For'. I've only read the introduction and first chapter and know already that if I was completely honest with myself it echoes my heart! In August 2011 I committed to only buying used clothing for a year (Charity Shops, ebay etc.) and quit my addiction to the High Street for at least 12 months. Nearly half way through and I am absolutely loving it...it has brought about so much more creativity and thought into what I buy, wear and then how I pass it on. So I am now settling down to read some more of the book tonight and hand over a little bit more of my denial; I'm sure there will be more quotes to come but for now...x

HopeCottageForSale

I have lived at Hope Cottage for nearly a year and have worked my socks off to turn it from what it was (not nice!) to a bright, inviting, creative & comfortable home. Every wall is white (except 1 pink one), wooden floors throughout the whole property with lots of quirky, vintage & creative touches! My front door is cerise pink with chrome fittings and always starts conversation as guests arrive. This house has been far more than a building to me, it is an expression of the creativity that was buried under work, stress and trying to be Superwoman. Slowly over the past year with the blank canvas (and no partner to consult and compromise with) I have discovered lots about what I like, don't like, can create myself and all on a very small budget. I have found a passion for being thrifty and making something beautiful out of what someone else would consider rubbish! But now it is for sale...(reasons will be explained in another blog post - but it's all good!) Three Estate Agents have been round and tried to convince me that they are the ones to pick, I've started the clear out (extensive) and get frustrated that the children are making it look smaller and untidy just by being there! 

Wow...my first blog post! Writing a blog has been a dream for a while now and at New Year I decided that in 2012 it needed to become reality! So having read 'Blogging for Bliss' by Tara Frey which was inspirational, here goes...x