I am not quite sure how to start this post. I wasn't even sure if it was appropriate but after a chat with a lovely lady at work (thanks Katie), I decided to put finger to keypad.
I wanted to share with you some of the items I have very kindly been given that once belonged to my late Mother-in-law - Bett. The very ethos of my blog is about re-cycling, re-using and re-loving pieces that once belonged to someone else, so it only seems right that I celebrate these pieces as they begin a new life with me.
It is a very surreal experience to go through someone's possessions when they are no longer with you. Bett would smile if she read this but to say she was a "hoarder" is an understatement. The woman could have given Jackie O' a run for her money in the wardrobe stakes. We all got together shortly after she passed away to start the unenviable task of sorting through her life. It is not an experience I would wish to repeat with myself and John only touching the surface really as to the work that was needed.
As we were going through things, it felt as if we were sadly compartmentalising a life into bags for keeping, throwing and recycling. On the flip side, it was nice in a way to see John's face as we routed through things. His face lit up as he found old photo's, keepsakes and even toys from his childhood that had been forgotten over time. Memories that had been buried with layer upon layer of new memories taking their place as we amble through this funny thing called life. We found things that we cannot explain and have no idea how they came to be in her possession such as a suitcase of old dolls, extremely old books, jewelry we never saw her wear.....the list goes on. The more things we found, the more questions were presented as to how well we knew this woman and what stories went with her that will sadly, never be told. It felt wrong in a way for us to be giggling and sharing items as we discovered them but it helped to lighten the mood and to be honest, the woman was a legend, I think we all expected the house to throw up some hidden eccentricities. It wouldn't have been Bett's house if not.
As myself and my sister-in-laws were sorting though her wardrobe, I came across some lovely pieces that I asked (gingerly) if I could keep. I think most people (apart from John) were surprised that I fell in love with some pieces that came from a wardrobe of an 83 year old but to me, if something is beautiful, it doesn't matter about the origin (although I would have loved the chance to actually look through her wardrobe
with her and for her to tell me the stories behind some of the items). I think I chose about ten pieces of clothing in all. Ten pieces that hopefully, I will do her proud when wearing and that will make John smile one of his cheeky smiles that says
only you!
Memories live on in the items we
pass on and I love this idea. I relish the thought that one day, my Niece or my Step-daughters would love a piece from the vast depths of my wardrobe. I get so much joy now when they occasionally borrow pieces for a party or event. My 15 year old Step-daughter recently borrowed a blue silk dress for a family party and she looked beautiful. It is way past the possibility of ever fitting me anymore so the fact that it now has a new "mum", is a lovely thought (as long as it doesn't end up in a crumpled pile on her bedroom floor).
Anyway, photo's of the clothing are to come........I am hoping to take a couple of pieces on holiday next month as they are summery items and should be photographed somewhere lovely. The photo's below cover some of the many items of glassware, jewelry and bags that will now live a new life with me. It seems silly to think that a bag could help keep someone's legacy alive but all of these things will ensure that Bett never escapes my memory.
A gorgeous costume jewelry brooch. I have a peppermint jacket that I wear for work that will house this beautifully.
A few necklaces. The middle one means the world to me as she wore it often and I always commented on it. I am so happy that it came to me.
I love glassware and this unusually shaped bowl is now sitting on a shelf that will house our keys. It's a lovely size which is good as all my keys make me look like a jailer at times.
These two little cocktail glasses will house some succulents when I find time to get to the garden centre. I thought they would look nice on a sunny windowsill.
Johns face dropped when I said I would take this.......
It is large but I am thinking that it can home lots of my smaller handbags atop of a wardrobe in my dressing room. Interestingly there are initials by the handle which aren't hers. Just another question mark as to how it came into her possession. What tales does this case hold.....
This enormous brandy-style glass is currently on a table in my hallway. I am not quite sure of the right place or use for it yet but I had to rescue it from becoming car-boot fodder.
My first ever Radley Bag and matching purse.
My favourite shade of blue.
The picture isn't great for distinguishing this but it is a tiny crystal pot that I will put my watch in every night on my chest of drawers.
Some clip-on earrings. The blue drop earrings have no fixings so I was planning to make them into a necklace.
A gorgeous Swarovski ncecklace.
And last but not least, a Malamute pin! We have no idea why she had this but she had a series of dogs throughout her life and one was a large, white Samoyed, which is a similar dog to the malamute. I will pin it to my little bag I take while walking Solo.
Our house is now a grateful home to a few of her possessions. Possessions that were her choices, her passions, gifts received and stories told. That to me is priceless. More little connections in the jigsaw of our lives.
