Organizing jewelry
4
Oct
If you are anything like me, you love to accessorize ! Yes – keep me away from MONSOON .
And when you are in a hurry to put on your jewelry…. you just want to grab and run ! But then you find yourself fighting a tangled chain, 50 necklaces on the same hook that needs to be removed to get THE one…and all the frustrations you are too familiar with.
I have LOADS of  jewelry  and today I take you into my closet to show you how I organize my rings and things !
It is a very inexpensive system which I will describe at the bottom of the post and yet I have found it to be EXTREMELY efficient.
I have put it in use many years ago and it has never failed me.
Yes – it is exactly what it seems to be…
PLASTIC DRAWERS that men usually use in the garage for their screws and small bits. Bought at a hardware store many moons ago so they are very durable ladies !!
It is small enough so you can use it for 1 item only or you can cluster items together for eg, all hanging earrings in one. You will be amazed how many sets can fit into one small drawer.
There are certain items that still needs special treatment because of  the structure of the necklace and for those items I use the all-too-familiar free hanging stand.
I love this stand, but I really like the fact that I dont have all 50- necklaces hanging on the same one..only a selected few. That way I can enjoy the beautiful piece without overloading it.
I do agree that there are sometimes jewelry boxes you simply can’t resist ! Buy them ! They work great for those  bangles that dont fit into the tiny drawers.
I bought these beautiful lacquer boxes at Izmaelova Market in Russia.
In Korea you can also find these very traditional lacquer boxes and a dear friend of mine  gave me this one for my birthday last year.
Since my jewelry are all in the drawer system, I use this one for my evening/ formal wear hair-accessories .
Although I love the boxes for some special items, I generally  like to keep my jewelry easily accessible and a felt drawer you buy loose at IKEA to be inserted in any drawer works perfectly for those bangles that need to be handy and all in one eye’s view.
The above is how I store my jewelry collection and it is a very practical one that works for me.
Everyday jewelry (my basic set) goes in a separate system. See, it doesnt matter how many “systems” you have – as long as they work !
Those items I dont want to go put in a drawer  every time I take a shower or go to bed simply to put them on in the morning again…so I have a little mirror box  (it was a gift from my sister – it contained bath salt originally ! – Keep those containers – will blog about it one day !! So keep watching this blog) .
This tray stands right by the entrance to my bathroom. Just before I walk in, I slip the daily jewelry off and put them in there – wedding bands on the ringstand and earrings or necklaces in the mirror box. When my shower is done and all make up finished…hands nice and clean with lotion on…. off course…the jewelry comes next as i walk out of there after my shower. Â (Tip – I have placed the daily vitamins right there with my jewelry to serve as a reminder to take them same time I put on my jewelry for the day !)
If you want to put your own drawer system together:
1. Buy ANY plastic storage container system at your nearest hardware store – for screws, for fishing supplies or at a haberdashery shop for sewing supplies.
2. For jewelry that can scratch or for those drawers where I combine groups for eg earrings – and I dont want them to roll around, I have inserted a little sponge so they lie still and dont get on top of each other
3. It is best to get a system where you get some idea of what is inside – the plastic is usually sort of  a see-thru so you can identify the items vaguely.But when I had more time one day in the summer, I took photos of each item, printed one contact sheet with the tiny thumbnails and glued them to the front, so my helper also knows where to put things back when I dont have the time to do so or she finds a piece lying around in the house! If you are short on time – don’t worry about the photos…from repetition you remember where things go – so, who needs mindgames to keep your brain active? Just play “remember where”…with your jewelry !!! Trust me – have done it for years without photos. Especially if you dedicate a block of drawers to a certain item  – for eg, rings, armbands, necklaces etc.
4. These ones you buy in small boxes containing 16 drawers each. The different sets can interlock, so they won’t slide when you attach them together, and the wonderful thing is that you can keep on expanding your system as your collection grows !
This works for me ! Will it work for you ? Have you invented your own system that works for you?
Take care
Ilze
Ilze
SMILELINE???!
30
Sep
Today in the elevator, I looked down and noticed that I was standing behind the “SMILELINE”….
SMILELINE????!!! What is a SMILELINE??
When the elevator opened, there was a SMILELINE also on the floor in front of the people entering.
I have never seen a SMILELINE before. Â Have you?
And is it what I think it is?
Anyway … I looked up from my feet….
and smiled.
PS – I wonder if it will work if I tape a “no whining” line at the front door?
Ilze
The CLOCK is ticking…
29
Sep
Time is not standing still. And while I am trying to figure out the technical details of setting up my blog, I am missing out great opportunites to start cranking away with posting! So, I decided to go right ahead and let the technical detail sort itself out later.
Speaking of the time ticking reminds me of the charm of the clocks behind it and the details that goes into picking the right clock for the right space.
What do you consider when buying a clock – form…function…both?!
For me….I love buying a clock that appeals to me emotionally, but I also think about its’ purpose and its’ place. Some really fun clocks caught my eye but simply would not work in any of my spaces ! Oh…and beware the boring “tells you nothing but the time” version ! When a clock becomes part of the room’s decor, it adds so much more than just being the ticker and you can immediately tell somebody gave it some thought ! Clocks bring character and charm to a room and should definitely be used to make a statement !
This desk clock I bought recently for the kids’ homework table. It clicks over every second and I intentionally placed it on my son’s side to help him snap out of dreamworld when he gets a little distracted in front of his computer as he tends to loose track of time. On top of that – they think it’s fun to watch it tick over.
Also – if you have a painted wall, Â a desk clock is a nice option to avoid yet another hole in a wall, especially if it is black like in this room… a nightmare to fill if you decide to re-arrange the room later.
In the mornings the kids have to catch a bus – almost like catching a train. Ohhhhh… the charm of the OVERSIZED station clock. ALWAYS a winner – everywhere…but in my hallway especially purposeful. I placed it where the kids do last minute things before leaving the house in the morning – packing backpacks, putting on shoes….loosing track of what time has passed since leaving the kitchen.
It is important that it is SO BIG that they simply can’t miss the time …so that they..yes, guessed it- don’t miss the bus !!!
My Office clock is not so easy to read – but it doesn’t matter so much. In this instance it was more important to have a funky clock than a easily readible one. I just needed to get a general idea of the time while being in that room when I am not in front of the computer. When I got busy on the computer, I use the computer screen clock to keep an eye on time.
My most important “Skype relatives” Â live in 2 timezones very close to each other and it is really confusing sometimes….so I have put up these clocks in the kitchen so I can always be aware of what would be a good time to call them. Â Having the clocks with their times on my kitchen wall also reminds me of them very often and seeing the clocks on the wall often triggers some thought of ” I wonder what they are doing right now?!” – oh yes – lunchtime over there !
For fun – I stencilled the name of the countries on the wall around the clock !
But the one with the local time is bigger than the rest (yes – that great IKEA clock that works in so many rooms – I love it !) – because the little one can not read yet and so she knows that she needs to only look on the big one for the local time…and not get confused with 3 clocks same size, different time.
I do not have ANY clocks in the lounge area or the dining room. This is also my motto at our holiday home. Ultimately the purpose of a clock is to keep an eye on the time. When you need to BE somewhere on time…or go to bed on time….Sometimes people hang a clock on a wall, simply because they have a spare one or think – every room needs a clock…but tend to forget that it might be better to NOT have one – if that is what your aim is for that room.
When you have guests, you want them to stay…to have a good time….to forget about the world and their worries and the constant race against time. When a guest’s eye catches a clock on the wall and realize the time – they will often say “Oh my – look at the time – we should be going ! ” And that could end a perfectly good evening at a point where you still had your best chocolates and coffee to serve…
Next time this happens when you were still having a good time and was hoping everybody would stay little longer – you will think of this post ! Have you ever been at a dinner where that has happened? A sudden – oops, it’s late, gotta go !
(If your guests really overstay…just  lead them into the next room where you have a clock ! Problem solved.)
The placement of the clock is very important – the clock in my bathroom was behind my back… I endlessly ended up either having spent too much time already in the tub…..or annoyingly realized 5 times that I bent over backwards unneccessarily since I had more time on hand. That really disturbs a relaxing time in the bath and needless to say – I moved it over to the other wall ! Â So, hang that clock to be in view from where you will be watching it most….not just where the empty space on the wall is.
A few helpful hints next time you go buy a clock ..consider:
- Will it fit the colour scheme, the style and the ambience of the room you are buying it for?
- If you don’t have a specific room for it, try to pick one that will allow enough flexibility to work in various style rooms or that will change with the decor when time comes for a re-vamp.
- Does the size correlate with how important it is to notice the actual time? (remember the big clock for little eyes in need of catching the bus!)
- How readible should the numbers be ? – is exact, on the minute time required or just a general idea of the time – in which case you can really go for that funky, crazy clock
- Does the activity in that room require a reminder of time – if not – go spend that money on beautiful candles for the room of leisure rather than a time checker !!
- And when you finally drill that hole in the wall – make sure to place it at a “most viewed from” angle – not just any wall. You might regret if not.
Let your clock WOW your WALLS !!
And please remember to let me in on your clock secrets….
Do you replace clocks like you do with old furniture or do you put them up even if their time has long gone passed?
Do you a favourite clock that you have had for years and that just goes everywhere you move? Or do you have a special childhood memory from the clocks in your parents’ house?
Or have you never given your clocks that much thought…..
Ilze
Ilze
I'm in the MOOD
24
Sep
One of the fun things we had to do was to create a moodboard during our e-course. Â You have to look for things that you love and put them together in a display so others could see what you are all about. (Or that is at least what I think I was suppose to do?!). Most importantly though is to get in touch with yourself in this process.
It got me a little worried as I have recently changed 3 rooms in my house to BLACK?! Would that mean I am in a little bit of a dark mood at the moment?
It had to be nothing electronic – real life things, magazine clippings or different items that inspire you. Thank goodness I picked up a copy of the September 2010  issue of  HOUSE BEAUTIFUL magazine on a recent trip to Hawaii. It was perfect as I found my exact matches for my mood and colour scheme all in one magazine. They have beautiful things and I encourage you to pick up a copy anytime you need a fix on your decor hunger !
You are actually suppose to do it in a folder to which you can refer back later…but IÂ decided to just walk around my house and see what it is that I have recently purchased that I loved ! Obviously that would reflect my mood over the last couple of months, right?
I had so much fun doing this! I realized the value in the exercise in that
1) I don’t really have to worry about that dark side of mine…(as my items turn out to be a little more colourful than just black !….phew ?! and
2) It reminded me why I bought all these things (yes – the colours lifted my spirit and still does) and it gave me a clear picture of what has been catching my eye over the most recent period
3) I loved doing it so much that I decided to use some of the items as inspiration for the start-up header for my blog. It will be a nice reminder of what mood I was in when I started this new blog.
Thanks Holly for making me do this ! It was also all-inspiring to see what others in the class came up with.
I learnt a lot about myself in this process.
Ilze
I’m in the MOOD
24
Sep
One of the fun things we had to do was to create a moodboard during our e-course. Â You have to look for things that you love and put them together in a display so others could see what you are all about. (Or that is at least what I think I was suppose to do?!). Most importantly though is to get in touch with yourself in this process.
It got me a little worried as I have recently changed 3 rooms in my house to BLACK?! Would that mean I am in a little bit of a dark mood at the moment?
It had to be nothing electronic – real life things, magazine clippings or different items that inspire you. Thank goodness I picked up a copy of the September 2010  issue of  HOUSE BEAUTIFUL magazine on a recent trip to Hawaii. It was perfect as I found my exact matches for my mood and colour scheme all in one magazine. They have beautiful things and I encourage you to pick up a copy anytime you need a fix on your decor hunger !
You are actually suppose to do it in a folder to which you can refer back later…but IÂ decided to just walk around my house and see what it is that I have recently purchased that I loved ! Obviously that would reflect my mood over the last couple of months, right?
I had so much fun doing this! I realized the value in the exercise in that
1) I don’t really have to worry about that dark side of mine…(as my items turn out to be a little more colourful than just black !….phew ?! and
2) It reminded me why I bought all these things (yes – the colours lifted my spirit and still does) and it gave me a clear picture of what has been catching my eye over the most recent period
3) I loved doing it so much that I decided to use some of the items as inspiration for the start-up header for my blog. It will be a nice reminder of what mood I was in when I started this new blog.
Thanks Holly for making me do this ! It was also all-inspiring to see what others in the class came up with.
I learnt a lot about myself in this process.
Ilze
Sometimes we need a little push….or is it a BIG one?!
23
Sep
I am a late entry to the world of blogging. Wayyyyyy behind the rest of the world?? …….I know.
Anyway – better late than never.
It is a perfect medium to share with the world out there.
Inviting others to share your inner space of thinking is a cool way for inspiring ideas to get around the globe.
But it is not all that easy to clearly communicate what you wish to say or portray.
I stumbled upon Holly Becker’s  blog a couple of weeks ago – yes, I can not even recall HOW that happened…but boy, am I happy I did…..!!
Besides the blog immediately catching my eye …and KEEPING it there for quite a while !!!……it also happened to be on the last day for sign-ups on an e-course for blogging. PERFECT !!
If EVER you need to do a course – pick this one: BLOGGING YOUR WAY ! Â It is superb!!!!
It has inspired me GREATLY so far… and ALL the credits for any good things you will find on this blog in the future to come , will have to go to these 2 wonderful girls who is making it all happen for our class over the internet. Holly from http://decor8blog.com  and Leslie from http://acreativemint.typepad.com . Their blogs are simply amazing.
I still have a LOT to figure out …(like how to get the links to their sites work perfectly and get a nice picture up for them?!) ….
For that I take full accountability and will accredit none of the mistakes I make to them..as they have only taught us wonderful, inspirational ways of creating the best blogs ever!
It is all new to me but I am exciteda about this BIG push that I got into the blogging world – I have needed that to finally get going.
Ilze
A new beginning….
22
Sep
My new blog is up and running ! Â I hope to make this place a sanctuary for both me and you to come here
….to explore,
…….share a journey
…………..and express thoughts and ideas that would not come along if it is not for the inspiration from others!
People and things are what inspire me….in that order…
And I would love to share my thoughts on that with you – my reader !
Ilze
Happy Birthday to my mom…
6
Sep
Today is my mother’s birthday.
I remember this day as one where there was a buzz in our house with more phone calls and drop-in visits than one could handle on a particular day.
It was always her highlight of the year !!
Today my mom has no idea that it is her birthday.
Dementia robbed her from the joy and awareness that comes with this day.
But WE know… and we celebrate her life still to this day.
I am so thankful for the wonderful mother that brought me into this world.
I love her.
Ilze
So happy to hear from her…
30
Aug
The phone rang 10 to 10 this morning. Perfect timing.
Morning routine done and Pilates just finished. Just grabbed a coffee and sat down in front of my computer when the Skype buzzed up.
I was so happy to hear her voice.
So happy to hear her laughter over the phone.
My neighbor called. I call her my neighbor because nobody moved into the house where she moved out of about a month ago.
Now she lives in another country and the house is empty.
In fact, the whole street is empty after she left and many times I feel the emptiness just from being in my kitchen, knowing that she is not next door anymore. Not there when I need an egg or milk to borrow….not there to quickly come give advice about how to rescue a failed recipe…..not there to go have a cup of tea if the day is running over me….
Don’t you just LOVE that kind of neighbor? Do you still get those kind of neighbor everywhere in the world?
I had one…and now she is gone.
But she is still on the other end of Skype.
And what a relief when you know you can answer and put the video rolling – with no make-up, no hair done, before taking a shower, after having done your exercises….and she still answers your “Good Morning” with a “Hey – you look great, girl !”
Oh…..I miss my neighbor!
Ilze
The Land of the Leaving
27
Aug
I live an expat life. …which is, for most parts, a very good life.
But it is a huge task to attach and detach to the friends, mostly in the expat circle, that you meet upon arrival and during your stay –
who then have to pack up and leave again – sometimes without much warning.
…that is if you don’t leave before them…
It is a roller coaster of making friends and seeing them off
…. ALL THE TIME…..
Sometimes there is not even enough time to get to know the other person all that well.
You just know that you truly like somebody and that you wish you could have had more time to get to know that person.
Tonight, yet another friend left..
One of those people who just makes the world a better place to live in.
Someone who just makes everybody have more fun when she is in the room.
We will all miss her. And that is where I got stuck – in the “missing” part…. in how “empty” it is going to be at the next lunch when she is not there anymore….
But then, in saying goodbye – her departing words to me was not – I will miss you….
but “I am so glad I met you !”
And again, it showed me her enlightening spirit – seeing things the way she sees it.
And that reminded me of a key part of this life again
“I am less sad that I have to leave, than to have never come to this place
I am more happy to say farewell than to have never been introduced.”
The people we meet and the ways in which everyone teaches me things about this life and about myself and influences the way I see the world and live my life makes this process have both power and meaning.
I live in the LAND of the LEAVING.
Ilze
My name is 
