INTERIOR THERAPIES

Growing up, my mother strongly disparaged me from viewing Soap Operas. In fact, this was "forbidden television" to put it mildly. The parental message was so adamant, that I have to admit, I have never seen a Soap Opera episode in my entire life. So,obviously, one can understand my innate fear of the newly popular reality shows.

Now that my mother is diseased, I ventured (with a degree of guilt) into the forbidden territory of reality shows just out of pure curiosity.  Sadly or not,  I am now hooked. I wait anxiously for new episodes of "Housewives of Orange County", amazed that, with all their wealth, they never seem to be able to find any simple joy in life. Watching them makes me feel really superior, which is a feeling I would not normally relish. But, hey, with TV cutout figures, it's OK, right?

Orange County Housewives aside, the two Bravo shows that I am most addicted to are - Interior Therapy, and Million Dollar Listings. Recently, both of these shows featured folks who were quite wealthy and yet, were great accumulators of material possessions. Bottom line, they were high end hoarders.

Their possessions - which ranged from 75 bottles of shampoo and tubes of toothpaste to 40 sweaters of the same style in multiple colors to endless collections of minutia gave me the complete "creepy crawlies." This is more stuff than anyone could consume in a lifetime.

Personally, I think even Martha Stewart is a hoarder. She simply has so many homes, she can just spread out all the "stuff" she collects to make it look really clean and minimalist.



I'm at the point in my life where I just really want to pare it all down and live like a monk. My philosophy is to consume only what you need. So take inventory. Donate what you can no longer use and someone else can use. Chuck the rest. I guarantee you will feel free as a bird. For me, that's what it's all about. This is the time of year to be motivated. Let's all PURGE!!! Recycle, re-purpose and donate. You will feel SO much better. Happy Spring!

Links to a Cleaner Lifestyle:

www.marthastewart.com/340652/spring-organizing-tips/@center/276989/organizing
www.berryhill.com
millioniare rejects
www.spacecraftorganizing.com
www.worldcomputerexchange.org
www.bottomlesscloset.org

PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ

It's Oscar night and, both on and off the Red Carpet, we will all be glammin' it up -- even if only in our flannel "cat pajamas". Always a huge fan of 1930's interiors, this year I was particularly inspired by the French film The Artist, which as we all know is in the running for Best Picture.

As a child, I admit that I almost looked forward to being sick and able to stay home from school. I would lay in bed, dotingly waited upon by my mother, who brought me steaming bowls of tomato soup and hot tea, while I feverishly devoured hours and hours of old black and white Hollywood movies.




While I adored the corny acting, and the gloriously swan like song and dance routines, the interior design always made the greatest impression on me, and has stayed with me through the years. I allowed myself to be swept away into that chimerical lifestyle of white leather, lacquer, feathers, crystal and gossamer fabrics of all sorts and kinds.



I pictured myself sitting at a mirrored vanity, powdering my nose, primping, and sipping champagne, readying myself for an evening out at the Club -- where I would be entertained by the likes of Billy Holiday or Fred and Ginger.

 

Personally, I am overjoyed that this old Hollywood style has been enjoying a resurgence and that we can continue to indulge ourselves in a bit of luxury -- especially in this dismal economy. We owe it to ourselves!

Let's keep that cool, sophisticated passion for all things glamorous alive and well! My money is on The Artist

tonight and I hope yours is too!

WHAT HAPPENED TO WINTER?

Everyone in Chicago is simply reveling in this unusually warm Midwestern weather. While I do admit that I love the sunshine, I am very suspect and just a bit anxious. I have lived in Chicago for 30 years and this is all pretty much an anomaly. Being a four seasons kind of gal, I have to seriously question what's up?


As I understand, it's all about the belly of  La Nina. Ordinarily, she's below the middle section of America. This year she's way up north near the Canadian border. Like a tight belt on a great dress, nothing can fall below the waist. So, we just aren't getting that cold air.
Still, I worry about Global Warming. Is this the just the beginning of the end?

More importantly, this weather has thrown me off creatively. Ordinarily, I would be blogging about snowy things like cashmere blankets, flokati rugs and amazing white accessories (aka Blanc de Chine) Now, what to do?
Like the birds, I'm confused. Where do we go from here?