Saturday, March 21, 2020

30 Chic Days at Home - Day 2 - Create a Cozy Nook


Image: Ella Jardim, Unsplash

Hello chic friends!

Over the past few days I've been thinking of doing a '30 Chic Days at Home' series, since that where most of us will be for the forseeable future.  And we're the lucky ones!  I know there are many who have to go to work, and I agree, it's scary times.

I don't want to give in to the fear though, and for that reason I have decided to focus on the positive things, being lighthearted, doing things around the house that I've not gotten around to and generally making this a time of productivity and forward movement as much as possible.

Yes, I definitely spent an evening with the English Sky news playing live on YouTube and while it was quite fascinating to watch, it didn't feel good afterwards.  I'm watching the news more because it's an unprecedented time we are in and we have to keep informed, but I'm also going to focus on the lovely.

I've decided to use pretty images from Unsplash, because I'm better with words than I am with photos.  Often finding a picture to use is my biggest barrier to publishing a blog post!  I'm taking the pressure off and have saved a ton of inspiring photos from Unsplash to use throughout this series.

Starting from today, I will be posting for thirty days.  My plan is to have short daily posts - little bursts of inspiration and happiness to make the most of our confinement and take our mind off things.  It's all too easy to invite anxiety in the door when I think too much about the possibilities; I know that from personal experience and you may do too.

I thought my previous post could be day one, because taking the time to tidy up loose ends and bothersome things is an excellent focus which will make you feel a bit better about things.  The more we are in control of things, the stronger we feel.  There is so much outside of our control right now, but if we can keep order and a feeling of wellbeing near us, that's got to help.

I hope you enjoy my posts, and if you have a suggestion for one, please let me know.  Also, if you have a series on your blog - maybe a lockdown diary or you simply want to elevate the mood like I do, please feel free to share your link in the comments. We're all in this together.

Let's go!

Day 2: Creating a Cozy Nook

I'm often inspired by decor images where a corner has been repurposed from an empty space into a lovely little sitting area with one or two chairs and a tiny table.  Add a few flowers in a small vase, a cup of tea and a glossy picture book.  I have just such a nook in my living area and it's so nice to sit there, even by myself, with a hot drink.

Another nook idea I love is wrapping up in bed (a mental nook rather than a physical one, perhaps).  Each morning I have a big cup of tea delivered to me - I know, so lucky, but I'd happily get it myself if I had to :) - and I take this time to read something inspiring before I have my shower.  I would get up earlier just to fit this time into my day if necessary.

Another part of my cozy nook idea is reading the books you already have, making the most of them.  With libraries being closed around the place, it's a nice opportunity to browse your own bookshelves.  I have a small number of big glossy picture books I've bought or been gifted over the years, and it's not often that I take them down and read them. If not now, then when?

This morning, I inspired myself with my beloved copy of Vicki Archer's 'My French Life'.  I read the chapter on French women and how they approach beauty and style ('Le Femmes', starting on page 61) and it was a beautiful way to start my day.

Please share what book you might browse for a small pocket of beauty in these troubled times.

And I'll see you tomorrow!
xx Fiona

The cover of Vicki's book.  Isn't it gorgeous?

https://amzn.to/2UoonJX




Wednesday, March 18, 2020

30 Chic Days at Home - Day 1 - The Joy of Getting Things Done


My happy pantry before the big stock-up :)


Don't know if you've noticed, but I have been hibernating away, introvert-style.  It just comes over me and I want to hunker down in my home with minimal contact with the outside world.  It feels a bit impolite but sometimes it's the only thing I can do.  I'm learning (slowly) not to judge it, and just  flow with it.  It feels like I'm playing hooky.

What I've been doing with my time though is, leading on from my posts late last year about making my home ‘show-home-like*’, I have been continuing to simplify, declutter, organise and streamline my surroundings.

[*I’m not sure what you call it where you live?  A show-home here in New Zealand is one of those styled homes that is usually brand new to showcase a new property development, but more recently can be a home that is staged to show the ‘perfect’ lifestyle.  I am always inspired by a visit - even if virtual - to one of those places.]

At first to get a handle on everything that would make my life feel free and easy, I brainstormed a big list of  'loose ends and bothersome things' (that's actually what I called it).  My financial paperwork was messy; I needed to get my tax information to my accountant for her to complete my end-of-year financial statement; my food areas – pantry, fridge and freezer – needed an inventory and a clean out where I commit to making meals out of what I already have in stock; mending to be done; visits to people I hadn't seen in ages; replacing my laptop before it died; getting a new iron and microwave, unjam my overlocker (serger) and tidy my sewing room (yes, again. Sewing rooms are never tidy for long, or at least mine isn't).

It was refreshing to create this list because it was no longer clogging up my head.  Even the littlest things building up can slow me down mentally.  They hang over you like a grey cloud, even if it’s a tiny weeny grey cloud such as making a phone call to book a dental checkup (which is still on my list).

After feeling stuck and not knowing where to start, I had the inkling to choose the one item that bothered me the most.  Looking through my list I saw an online order where I wasn’t happy with the quality.  I was just going to put the items away and chalk it up to experience, but in that moment I decided to do an instant chat with the company concerned.  Within a short time they had issued a credit and I didn’t even need to return the items.

This win gave me the oomph to choose another thing from my list, and another.  I haven’t finished yet, but I have done so much over the past several months and it feels fantastic.  Each mini-achievement spurs you on I have found.

Here are the kinds of things I have been working on most recently:

  • Sent tax information to my accountant for last financial year.
  • Fully up to date with this financial year’s information and will be ready to hand it over after the 31st March year-end date.
  • Loads of paperwork either filed or shredded
  • Getting a plumber in to fix a number of issues that were small but irritating. None of them were big enough for a job by themselves, but when we had several it was such a joy to see them all fixed within a day.
  • Cleaning out my email Inbox and setting up rules for the few mailing lists I am on.  Emails from those people go into a folder which I can browse at my leisure.  I’ve had ‘getting control of my Inbox’ on my wish list for years.
  • Food supplies organised and being used, but… then I did a stock up early this week just in case, so my pantry, fridge and freezer are all full again, however I know this is only temporary and it has made me appreciate having space to breathe in my kitchen! (I am also grateful I can stock up, I know some don’t have the funds to do that.)
  • Committing to not buying something until I use the last one up.  Body products are a big one for me.  I love pretty soaps, body lotions and fragrance.  Our bathroom may or may not resemble a retail store… it’s tough for me to say no to a new purchase but it feels good to make the space over time so I am being strong.

At the moment when we are all going out less, it’s a great chance to do these kinds of things.  It's incredible how good it feels to clear out the clutter of your mind and remove things from your To-Do List, even if it's just deciding that you don't want to follow through on that item anymore and can simply cross it out.  

And instead of feeling shut in, why not take pleasure from making your home orderly and a nice place to be – let it a sanctuary for you and your family.

xx Fiona