Monday 9 March 2009

A nice start to the week


On Sunday I did some of this and...


some of that....


Picture from The Advertising Archives
There is something about 1950's advertising that
made housework look so easy and effortless. The
women still managed to look glamorous.



Picture from The Advertising Archives
I love looking at some of 1950's guides to being a good wife etc..
What I wonder is, what women in the 1950's really thought when
they read them!

I hope that you all had a good weekend. On Saturday we took Phoebe to her best friend's horse riding birthday party which she really enjoyed. On Sunday my husband and I talked about how we can make best use of the space we have upstairs and have decided to have a big swap around.
We are still going through de-cluttering each room and the issue is space. Well, lack of it keeps coming up. We live in a 19th century cottage which we love but for the amount of things we have (both hoarders, although most of it mine..), it isn't quite big enough at times. So total re-organisation is needed! At present my workroom is the kitchen! Not ideal really.

Our bedroom will now become my workroom, we will have my daughter's room and she will have the guest room which used to be her room. I am glad that it was Phoebe's suggestion that she has her old room back as it will help me greatly as I did not want her to be put out. The guest room is smaller but she appears to prefer that, finding cosier.

There is a lot to be done still, trips to the recycling centre, charity shop drops etc.. Our new bedroom and my workshop will need to be redecorated. My husband will take a week off soon so that we can both get stuck in to it. I am looking forward to it. There so much to be done but once done, I will be able to progress with my plans much more efficiently.

Just as I finished planning my day today (ironing, more housework, more de-cluttering) the door bell rang. A parcel for me from Counting your Blessings. I have been looking forward to receiving it.


I wish they still looked like this

Inside was a stunning mannequin head along with some lovely magnet cards and Eiffel tower book marker, what lovely presentation. I love collecting hats but was lacking mannequin heads. As you will see from the photos below she really is stunning. (Polly, I am very pleased with her. Patty has done a really good job, thank you!)




Had fun trying out some of my hats on her
(Have not named her yet!)




The 2 magnet cards and Eiffel tower book mark

Well I really ought to get on with some work now!

A bientôt!

Isabelle x

19 comments:

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

What a lovely mannequin head ~ and your hats look stunning on her. I love your pic of the mailtruck and phonebooth! My workspace is the kitchen as well. Unfortunately it has to stay that way, as all of our "spare" rooms have become bedrooms. I'm not in a rush to have my oldest boys grow up and move out, so I'll just happily craft in the kitchen for now (but I still do envy you having your own craft room)! =)

blessings said...

My workspace often is my dinning room, even though I have a studio area. I don't know why I can't contain things to one room ;) Blessings... Polly

Salon de Sucre said...

Wow you seem to have a lot going on !! You make me so motivated for my "soon to be " move from my recent apartment to my new one where I will also have a good sized studio area! Yaay!

Arent those ladies always look so stunning while doing house chores? why do I always looked like trash with my hair up and flipflops and old ragged jeans? LOL

Stephenie said...

What a fun post.. I got no cleaning done this weekend.. So that's what I'm doing today. Hope Phoebe had fun at the party.
Stephenie

Carole said...

Wow!!! Your pictures are lovely. Love the old 50's housekeeping guides too. It reminding me of one I have or actually it was maybe more a recent article on how to be a good wife in the 50's. It said things like you should have a nice hot meal, drink and his slippers ready for your husband when he gets home from a hard day at work and don't BURDEN him by talking to him about your day...can you imagine????? thank God things has changed.
Well have a great day Suzy!!!!

Hollypop's said...

Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog and your kind comment. I'm pleased to have discovered your blog and will be back again.
The mannequin head is great.
Take care.
Nickyx

Anonymous said...

Hi Isabelle, I just love to Good Wife Guide! LOL!! Especially about 'knowing your place' .. an audible gasp was heard as I read this!!

Nickyx

Lori said...

Isabelle, i just love your goodies from Polly...her mannequin heads are lovely and your girl looks great modeling your hats...congrats on finding a way to make a work space for yourself...i currently work in the dining room and it is NOT ideal...the cats are always on the table with me trying to steal whatever i am working on...is it any wonder i am not more productive...arrrrrrrgh!!!

Julia said...

I have absolutely loved looking through your pictures, especially the art work created by your beautiful little girl! Just lovely!!

Julia xxx

Clare and Mike said...

Hi Isabelle,

Yes I agree with you about the housework - I love the way 50s women appear to be cleaning - and even painting & decorating! - in pearls, styled hair, smart clothes and high heels, with just a little pinny to protect them!!

You had a nice weekend by the sounds of it - and a nice arrival yesterday - there'll be another one soon..!

Thanks for your lovely comment!

Clare x

Bleudelavande said...

I discovered just now your funny blog! It's so lovely!!! I will return often Bye bye

Anonymous said...

What a lovely mannequin, and my, what lovelier hats!

Redwoodhouse said...

...thanks for the visit Isabelle, just visited you and I also love your banner and your daughters drawings they are fab. How exciting to have your workroom I just love mine I spend most of my time in it, well I suppose I do sometimes leave to do a little housework and walk the dog but soon gravitate back.
Hope you had sunshine like we had today...
Jan

Sal said...

Hi there..thanks for visiting my blog!
Look forward to meeting you at the V&H fair ;-)

Heather ~Pretty Petals said...

Ohhhhh I have been eyeing one of those mannequins too!!! she is SO lovely!!

Your new workroom project sounds like fun... now you will have a place to play! haha

xo Heather

ps. thanks, I am so glad you loved the vintage wallpapers!

Anonymous said...

Hi Suzy,
Thanks for visiting me. Nice to visit you too - such a pretty blog!

looking forward to meeting you too!

Claire
x
I so agree with you comments about the 50's housewife. I was only looking at some old magazines last night and thinking I ought to get myself a frilly pinny.

Bleudelavande said...

Hi Susy you are welcome on my favourite blog too!!! Tank you I'm so glad you love my blog.I love listen your music during the visit too!!!See you soon!!!

Yvonne said...

Hello Isabelle,
Thanks for your visit on my blog !
I love your photo's too ! and what a lovely daughter you have (so sweet her heartnote's !!)
I'm gonna follow your blog !
Till next time :-)
warm greets Yvonne

The Advertising Archives said...

Hi There,

I am contacting you about the copyright of image in Good Housewife Guide and on the John Bull cover. This owned by The Advertising Archives: www.advertisingarchives.co.uk

We are happy for you to keep this image up on your site but we request that you put a link to our website.

Thanks

The Advertising Archives