Wednesday, January 15, 2014

On Holiday

Bonjour, and happy new year to you. Even though I have been back at work for over a week now, many people are still on their summer holidays and I feel like I am too! I am reading lots of books and, apart from making our house nice, not doing much else. It feels quite relaxing actually, and I don't even begrudge being back at work.

I have lots of ideas and enthusiasm for 2014. My decluttering enthusiasm is at an all-time-high and I was thrilled to receive a flyer in the mail yesterday announcing that an SPCA op shop will be opening just down the road. I am all too happy to part with something if I know it's going to a good home or will benefit a good cause. It's when I feel an item might be wasted that I hang onto it.

I have a tidy array of bags filled with all sorts of household items and clothing ready to be donated, which I am adding to daily. I can't wait to visit the new SPCA op shop in the next couple of weeks to drop them off. I am even re-thinking things that I used to enjoy, such as my sewing and knitting. I would never declutter my sewing machine and overlocker as I use them regularly, but my big stash of fabrics waiting for me to make into a patchwork quilt or sew my own clothing? I am still keen on the clothing part, but I think I can probably halve my fabric store without even noticing (except to feel relief).

I decluttered my cloth napkins, tea towels, placemats, aprons, tablecloths etc yesterday. I have two drawers with those things in, and I took them both out and put all my items on the dining table. Lucky I had just brought the washing in so everything was there. I put back my favourite ones, left out unfavourites and raggedy and then spent a few minutes admiring the beauty of my drawers that were not bulging as I shut them. I put the raggedies in a rag bag to donate and the unfavourites in my op shop pile.

Next up I feel my pantry coming on. I am going to remove all the plates, cups and glasses, basically anything that is not food, from the shelves and put them on the kitchen bench, wipe out the pantry and then only put back my favourite things to see how it looks. Then consider what's left on the bench and likely pack the rest into shoeboxes for donation.

The photos of me are in Hawaii where we spent eight nights over New Year's. I know, it was fabulous. We stayed right on Waikiki Beach and the weather as well as the busy buzz of lots of people around was wonderful. Many stores had post-Christmas sales on so I did a bit of chic shopping. My navy and white stripe dress is from Banana Republic and I even bought a Diane Von Furstenburg wrap dress. Oh my gosh, I didn't think I would ever see the day as they are so expensive in New Zealand. And it's every bit as lovely as I hoped it might be - 100% silk jersey, just a dream to wear.

Me in my DVF wrap dress with Virgin Chi Chi cocktail before dinner.


I hope your Christmas and New Year was peaceful and that you are feeling positive about 2014!

18 comments:

  1. You are looking relaxed and radiant Fiona!
    Hawaii agrees with you.
    Decluttering in the New Year is such a refreshing and energizing habit. I have been doing a bit of this myself.
    Yesterday I had coffee with my BFF whose daughter is expecting a baby and she has a large tub of fabric scraps and we are all making squares for a quilt for the upcoming shower! I thought to myself how clever of her to have saved all these remnants...I usually dispose of mine after projects. I'd love to see a picture of your quilt when it is finished.

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  2. I agree, you look so relaxed and happy. Congrats on the DVF dress. I'm so glad you enjoyed your vacation. I think you are on the right track with re-thinking the fabric remnants and how lucky to have a donation place so close!

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  3. Dear Fiona, I am so glad you got to take a lovely vacation. I have never been to Hawaii and would love to go.

    I just did a clear out of the house yesterday, but fortunately there wasn't much to clear out since I've been ruthlessly discerning about what has come in to our home. I think I am finally learning after all these years - well, we'll see anyway :)

    How is it that you always look glowing? Your new DVF dress is gorgeous, and the color is especially flattering on you.

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  4. You look so well, Fiona!

    I am in SERIOUS decluttering mode, as my husband just accepted a job in downtown Seattle. He has sublet an apartment near his new office and begins working there on Monday. Meanwhile, I'll be here in Denver preparing out beloved little rowhouse for sale; hope to have it listed on the market by March 1. Lots of decluttering and "packing" to do -- and I say "packing" because the movers will actually pack the boxes for us. All I have to do is set up a staging area for them, and have things divided according to room (kitchen, bath, master bed, etc.). It's overwhelming to move out of state, but at the same time SO exciting to have a really, really fresh start and offload all of this STUFF.

    My mother also died over the holidays, and she kept EVERYTHING. After cleaning out her room at the nursing home (and finding coupons that literally expired in 1970), I feel quite unsentimental about STUFF. My husband and I truly look forward to owning a small home that contains only things we love, we need, and/or we use. I will be rereading your blog quite a bit, I think, for inspiration.

    Cheers, and happy new year to you and yours!

    Marsi

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  5. Fiona you look lovely in the photos, I'm so glad you got away, as a fellow shop owner I know how hard that is.

    I'm in decluttering mode too, the space in my kitchen cupboards is a-m-a-z-i-n-g.

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  6. Fiona, you look absolutely stunning. That's all I wanted to say.

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  7. Those DVF dresses are so flattering and beautiful. Glad you got to get one.

    You look relaxed and happy; Hawaii sounds wonderful!

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  8. We are going strong with the decluttering here too, I cannot wait to get rid of the Christmas boxes and packaging that has been piled up here since Christmas (I loathe boxes) - thank goodness the recycling pickup is on Friday!

    Very jealous of your Hawaii vacation, it sounded splendid! Glad you treated yourselves. Great DVF dress, I love her dresses too. I have one that I bought back in 2008 that I still wear during spring/summer.

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  9. Hi Fiona, i have been reading your blog in the Xmas break and have now caught up with all your posts! You have inspired me in all sorts of ways. i have read books you have commented on in your blog and now can happily say that i have declutered lots in my home including the wardrobe and my 2014 plan is to buy less and use more of what i have. Love your photos of your Hawaii trip and am glad you are relaxing! A big squeal re the purchases. how lovely! Cathyxx

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  10. Fiona - you are lovely as always! How exciting and wonderful to go on vacation to Hawaii!! I can't wait to read more about your decluttering and whatever else you care to write about in future posts. :)

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  11. Wonderful that you have had such a great holiday! Holiday+Decluttering+DVF dress=GLOWING!

    xo, H

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  12. Hi Fiona,

    Your Hawaiian New Years holiday sounds great! I hope I get to experience Hawaii someday. After I stop procrastinating and declutter my to-do list, I hope to declutter my closet and donate some things. I also rang in the new year with various ideas and I feel good about 2014!
    Happy New Year! Enjoy your DVF =) as always, your posts are a pleasure to read!

    xo Lenna
    http://inner-aspen.blogspot.com

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  13. You look fantastic! Happy New Year to you!

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  14. Your holiday sounds wonderful, I need to declutter a bit too especially my fabrics, I have some bits I will never use, mainly clothing given to me for the fabric, so they can be donated. You have inspired me. I like to recycle but this can sometimes add to clutter.x

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  15. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
    You look wonderful in Hawaii.
    Thank you for declutttering inspiration!
    In preparing for Christmas, I even got my daughter to go through her stuff dating to when she was in kindy-drawings and all. The joy I feel when walking by her now craft /music area.
    hugs ,
    Irene

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  16. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
    You look wonderful in Hawaii.
    Thank you for declutttering inspiration!
    In preparing for Christmas, I even got my daughter to go through her stuff dating to when she was in kindy-drawings and all. The joy I feel when walking by her now craft /music area.
    hugs ,
    Irene

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  17. What a wonderful surprise to find that you are blogging again! You were the first blogger I discovered and I would read and re-read many of your posts. So happy you are back. You also inspired me to start my own blog thefifthcygnet.blogspot.com. Look forward to reading more of your thoughts and ideas.

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Merci for your comment. Wishing you a chic day!

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