The storm before the calm...

I don't want to frighten you...

... so I'll show you one of the "after" shots first.

But here is a "before" shot. And I have to admit, I was already a good way through the closet purge when this was taken. Had I remembered to take photos when things were REALLY messy, it would have been a Halloween post because it was that scary!

(Almost as scary as the 1980's wallpaper border that STILL wraps around our room as seen in some of the photos!!!)

But I digress. Back to the closet makeover. This was a long overdue project. The closet was crammed full of various sized clothing. I've struggled with my weight since my late30's/early 40's when I hit menopause at a very early age. It's been an ongoing struggle for me, and one that I hope to beat for good this time.

I've lost 43 lbs. since January. By all rights, I should have lost a lot more by now but  there have been several months this year when I've slacked off and not weighed myself daily, or even weekly. I also got lazy with tracking what I was putting in my mouth. Those lazy periods do not serve me well. I really need to stay focused.

But back to the closets. So, yes, it was time to clean out the closet of things that are (thankfully) too big for me now. And with any luck, I'll do another closet makeover once I lose my next 40+ lbs.!

By the way, this is our master bedroom closet. I love the HGTV house hunter shows and always get a chuckle when young couples go into the master bedroom WALK-IN closet and are disappointed that it's on the small side. Oh, to have even the smallest of walk-in closets! This closet used to have accordion doors, but they took up too much space in our small room and also blocked off too much of the inside of the closet when in their open position, so years ago we removed them and hung a curtain...

... which is, in fact, a very old, faded sheet that I'd found in my thrift store travels. It had such a pretty, subtle floral design...

... and scalloped lace trim. 

And on another note, Amanda and I took a fun little road trip the weekend before last and I'll share in an upcoming post. We stopped by a fabulous yard sale along the way where a woman was selling gorgeous potted plants that she had grown. So I picked up a Wandering Jew and a Jade plant to keep my Aloe Vera company. I'm not sure if they'll stay in this window, but for now they make a nice grouping!

Have a great week, everyone, and stay warm if you live somewhere cool! It's gotten VERY chilly here in the New England!!! 

Donna

March: In like a Lion...

... if the lion is a little baby cub.

What a strange New England winter this has been.

This is the extent of the snowstorm we had this first week of March. As you can see, it didn't amount to more than several inches. Back in October we had a freak snowstorm, right before Halloween. But other than the snowfall of October and this one now, we haven't had much more than a dusting all winter long.

 These photos were taken on March 3rd, just 5 days ago, and the snow is already gone as the past two days have been over sixty degrees!

I gave my aloe vera plant a little hair cut the other day. The tips of several pieces had been touching the window when we were having colder weather and the didn't like that. It looks much better snipped back a bit.

I love the ceramic pot I have this plant sitting in.  I remember purchasing it a couple of years ago at a local garden center. What I remember most was that my Dad was with me that day. So many things remind me of him.

I got these little bird stakes at the same time. They look quite at home sitting under the aloe vera stems.

Well, it appears Baby has spotted something out in the yard. Maybe it's that itty bitty Lion Cub that ushered in the month of March!

Enjoy this beautiful month!

I'm linking up to Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home. Pop over and see everyone there!

Donna

bare naked windows...

I love the look of bare naked windows. Whenever I wash them (which last happened a few days before Halloween), I always take down the valance. The windows tilt in for easy 'outside' cleaning, and the valance always gets in the way of the tilting...


We have shutters on the bottom half of the window for privacy, so it's not like I have to put the valance back up, but for some reason I always do... Anyhow, I got my supplies ready and went to work.


After all the windows were washed and the woodwork cleaned, it was time to put everything back in place. I love the scalloped edge, embroidery and eyelet trim of this runner that I use in the window. I've even grown fond of the worn wood where the shutters rub as they are opened and closed every morning and night...

The aloe vera planter got dusted and put back in place...

...along with several of our fur babies' urns...

My boy, Blackie, is kept in a blue cotton ball holder.

And finally, the little decorative candleholder is cleaned and put in place (it's actually just a dust collector since the only time it is ever used is during a power outage, and during those times it is moved up to the mantel so furry little feet won't knock it over)...

And speaking of furry little feet, as soon as the valance was back in place, little Baby had to climb up and inspect my work. She looks so sweet and innocent in this photo, but just you wait until I show you her dark side in a future post!! Yes, Baby, I captured it all!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend! I'm off to the Cape on a one-day 'mission' tomorrow and it's supposed to be glorious weather! Yippee!

I'm linking up to Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home so be sure to stop by and visit all the other participating bloggers!

Donna

Planters, kitties, and goodbye Halloween...

My aloe vera has become a wild and crazy plant of late (said with a Steve Martin accent ... am I showing my age?)

It's growing leaps and bounds, hanging, curling, and looping around... There's no stopping it!

Just last December it was a tame and demure little thing, able to stand upright in a cheap plastic pot...

But no more.. Ever since sprouting this Medusa-like growth, the cheap plastic pot didn't stand a chance, constantly tipping over with the weight of the plant... Definitely time to find something a bit more substantial.

Just look at the crazing on this gorgeous robin's egg blue heavy ceramic pot I picked up. (The garden centers are having crazy sales right now, so if you're in the market for a birdbath or ceramic pot, now's the time to grab one!)

It's perfect in every way - just the right size for the bay window (can't encroach on the kitty cushion!) and just the right color for our little cottage living room!!


And most of all, Spotty approved! He thinks he looks quite handsome with his black & white fur offset by the blue planter, and I must agree!

Who's out there, Spotty? Anybody? Oh, you say it's just the leaves falling... How I wish our maple could stay this color for at least another month or so... but like everything else, it has peaked and has started losing its leaves... Can winter be far behind? I'm afraid not...

I also had a heart-to-heart talk with Spotty today, and as you can see, he tried tuning me out. I explained to him that his friend, Lamp Bandit (who he has grown quite fond of over the past month), was going away until next October...

I then gave them some private time to say their goodbyes before packing away Mr. Bandit Mask until next year... Don't worry, Spotty, you have your new blue planter, and it won't be long before all the Christmas goodies come upstairs. I've got a vintage angel that I think you're really going to like!!

And that reminds me! Ronda at Tempting Textiles is having a 20% off sale through November 8th.... Just enter the promo code Cozy November when you check out to receive the discount - she has lots of fantastic Christmas goodies in the shop, as well as her slipcovers and vintage finds!! Happy shopping!

Thank you to Cielo at The House in the Roses for allowing me to share my cottage blue planter with you! Please visit Cielo to see her cottage post and to find a list of others participating in "Show off your Cottage Monday."

Donna