Saturday, March 10, 2012

Sheer and lovely thoughts






"All women are princesses, it is our right."

~Maya, from the movie, A Little Princess




We are, accidentally, in the midst of renovations. It started with the much needed new roof that we put on, last summer. While in the attic, Tom had the idea that the space really could be made into a nifty and fun room if we added a dormer window. As he had the thought, he casually mentioned it to our middle son, asking if he'd like a room of his own. That was that! One thing has led to another (what with floorboards being peeled up and walls being moved around and chances for rewiring and replumbing, etc., etc., etc.) and, to cut a very long story short, at this point, four floors (counting the basement =]) and seven rooms are involved.

Most of the work for this is on Tom's shoulders (although, the time will come to put the pulled apart house back together again) but, even now, it is partly informing where my home projects are tending. For example, since I've been given a new shelf in my clothes closet, I've been taking the opportunity of cleaning it out.....

(Sometimes, shelves in the closet are a happy thought, indeed, Miss Elizabeth Bennett. ;-))

My closet is a wondrous place. I never quite realized it. Back when I had dreams of building a career as an operatic soprano, I had started collecting gowns that I could use for recitals. Also, there's a fair queue of vintage Laura Ashley dresses, an old Victorian cape, my wedding dress and just a whole wealth of pretty things that fit with the city life of my youth but is, now, impractical for the life of a mother living in the countryside. Then, I started realizing how many things that I have stashed all over the place - bits of lace, pastel scarves and beautiful shawls that are the height of sweet coziness to wrap around me - secreted away in a bottom drawer. And there's my jewelry box which is not full of diamonds but it is full of pretty and romantic notions.

Sometime, I'll have to share more of it with you.

It doesn't even matter, really, if I ever wear them, again. Against the trend to simplify to starkness, I desire to hang on to my superfluous treasures, thank you very much!

In the meantime, as so many of these pretties have been passing through my hands, it's been causing me to have very girly thoughts, indeed. Sheer and fluid princessy types of thoughts. Thoughts of perfume and new makeup,  delicate tea cups and, oh, so soft rose petals.... thoughts of ruffled chiffon and pearly pinks and fragile flowers. Romantic and random, feminine thoughts that are really more like impressions - senses - that remind me of how I I feel when I look at the smooth inside of a seashell. Perhaps, maybe, I would be able to share a sense of them with you.
























The pretty things are fun but, even more beautiful, is the understanding of one's worth. That is the loveliest thing about being a princess, don't you think?


"Whatever comes," she said, "cannot alter one thing. If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess inside. It would be easy to be a princess if I were dressed in cloth of gold, but it is a great deal more of a triumph to be one all the time when no one knows it."

~ Frances Hodgson Burnett, A Little Princess







The images of the princess are from a book that my sister and I loved - bonded with - as little girls. The book is called Lona - a Fairytale by Dare Wright.


13 comments:

  1. Hello Katy:
    What great fun, amidst all of the upheaval which clearly surrounds you, you appear to be having, not least in rediscovering so many half forgotten treasures hidden in the depths of your wardrobe.

    Your building projects do sound to be very extensive and we do trust will not prove too much for Tom who is clearly shouldering the greater part of it all at present. That said we are sure that you are all supporting him and can well imagine that in time you will be atop a ladder, paint brush in hand!!

    Whatever, it all sounds to be very exciting and we do so hope that we shall be given updates on progress from time to time. In the meantime, have a very peaceful and restful Sunday.

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    1. My clothes closet has been transformed. I have become brutally honest about what I like and what I don't like. Nothing has been kept for practicalities' sake; so, now, when I open up my closet door - it's a very happy place, indeed - a reflection of me. Also, I can't help but put things in in a progressive, color coordinated, rainbow. It took no extra time and, now, it's a wash of pretty florals and colors.

      I thought that we would never ever get around to these projects. They're all things that will make life much smoother for me. Also, behind every corner, there lies something horrible that needs to be renovated. It's hard to show pictures of our rooms because of it. But, little by little....it's a fun project - making this house our home - a reflection of us.

      I am rewarding Tom with meat. =]

      I can't wait to share! =]

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    2. Ha! I should say that nothing has been kept for ONLY practicalities' sake. I do have practical and wearable clothes - but they're practical and wearable clothes *that I love to wear* - not only princess gowns. ;)

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  2. Dear Katy,

    Such a tender post. Your photo's look like a dream with the faded colours, the soft light and the beautiful fabrics. Is the dress with the dancing flowers yours? You will look wonderful in it! And that beautiful bracelet.... I can imagine the fun you had going through your cupboard, your head filled with memories.

    Such a huge job Tom has taken on. I hope it will all look lovely once finished! Good luck!

    Love your new photo :-)

    Happy new week!

    Madelief x

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    1. Hello, Madelief! You always seem to have an understanding of the mood that I'm trying to get across. I love good moods! ;)

      The funny thing about the dress is that I've never even tried it on. I had seen it in a huge jumble sale and it seemed so pretty and vintage. I wonder what it was originally bought for? The dress for the mother of a bride, perhaps?

      I did feel such a sense of touching my past. I haven't looked at these things for years!

      It's incredible how my husband is excellent in everything that he does.

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  3. Ah, Your Royal Highness ~ see me drop the perfect little swoop of a curtsey.I was always a princess at bedtime as my Magpie indulged my inner princess with ana rray of swishy full length pastel nighties!!! These days, a pair of Mens' striped Pj's and a white vest...how the mighty fall!!!

    Humphrey was a cool advert that was on TV in the seventies by the milk marketing board to encourage us kids to drink milk and involved a never quite seen character called Humphrey, whose modus operandi was to sneak a stripey straw into your glass/milk bottle and snaffle your milk whilst you were distracted!!!! Genius!!!

    Love Sarah -x-x-x-

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    Replies
    1. Heeheehee! I love PJs and buy them but get desperately twisted up in them, alas! Lucky you!

      Humphrey does sound like magical genius - he really does! When I was little, I would completely believe in these things!=D

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  4. Oh that was lovely Katy! Such pretty dresses and sentiments which my Lucy would so agree with! I wonder if you know of The Princess Diaries films? We love them and they are such good fun for children & adults. Have a lovely week sweet Katy xx

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  5. Hi, Dear-

    wonderful pictures- I love those tender colors! And I admire your talent as a photographer.

    Yes- I know that good feeling- there are a lot of things you can´t wear always- and sometimes we have to look at them- and we have to be proud to own them. My wardrobe is very simple- but I have a collection of wonderful shoes- a lot of them are still new and sometimes I am standing there and I am happy to have them- for a special moment :-)

    I hope, you have enough time for yourself!!! But your work at home sounds heavy- but I know, to looking forward to the result is the best thing of this hard work.

    A big hug to you- Ines♥

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  6. So many pretty images here Katy! Oh yes, one can never have too much closet space can they? Wouldn't it be grand to have a princess like closet to hold all our pretty stuff. But then we must be rich enough to be able to buy more stuff for all of those empty shelves. ;)

    Wishing you a beautiful week my friend!
    xo Catherine

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  7. I am always so excited to find and follow new special places. I have no doubt I will enjoy engaging and supporting this wonderful space you have created. Thank you for sharing, I am so glad to meet you. I hope you will find some time to come visit me soon. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

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  8. Thank you dear Katy for your lovely comment at mine. I too get commenter's block - isn't it horrible? I thought it was just me!

    Hope the renovations have all gone well and I look forward to seeing your garden post when it happily pops up!

    Take care

    Jeanne
    xx

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  9. Yes I am moody but only in a twirly hay~feverish way!!!! Enjoy your clump....of daffydowndillys! See you when I return from the wild west of England...lots of love to you...

    Sarah -x-

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