Home Bathroom Luxuries....

You don't need much to have an indulgent bathroom experience...

It's about using the senses to create that feeling of luxury. Sight, smell, touch....

I love using texture to engender the feeling of luxury....a super soft hand towel, the cool crystal like peaks on a cut glass decanter holding pastel blue bubble bath, the silky texture of the liquid as it's poured under the running water, embroidered nightgowns, frilled vintage bed jackets displayed on rhinestone embellished hangers....

 

Rose geranium oil is added to the least expensive of supermarket bubble bath, chosen for it's powder blue hue, is heavenly to inhale and rejuvenates and revives.

 

Vintage baby pink nylon and lace, satin padded hanger, Bohemian style brooch...all a reminder of a gentler time, when bathing truly was an indulgence...

 

...the accoutrements` of a ladies toilette...

 

 ...and of course, you simply must play at being your own handmaiden, and enfold your toiletries and exfoliating mitts into an oversized fluffy towel, to enjoy after bathing.

What's on your Tray of Bliss today?

A mini chandelier...just till I get a real one!

I'm indulging one of my long held wishes...to own a crystal chandelier.

Unfortunately, my contemporary Aussie home, does not lend itself to a full blown shimmering cascade of the kind I imagine in my dreams. Fortunately I am an excellent lateral thinker, and have a keen eye for a bargain.

When I spotted this little tea light candle holder in my local thrift shop, I just knew we were meant for each other. Still with 'new' tags attached, I grabbed this little treasure for just $6.

As the lady carefully wrapped it in swathes of white tissue to protect it, she said longingly..."I knew this one would go to a good home as soon as I unpacked it this morning".

So, no chandelier for me, but candles, mirrors, and faux crystal teardrops will do just fine. I can dream, can't I?

Sometimes we can get the feeling of a luxurious home, for very little outlay. That, I think, is the key to being content, no matter our budget.

Do you crave a chandelier too? Seek out Crystal pendants on eBay, suncatchers, cake stands with pendant drops, pendant earrings...they'll all give that chandelier feel, until like me, you find the real deal.

You could also indulge in other crystal whimsies, such as crystal balls, crystal glassware, or something special and unique like this little crystal hors d`ouevre serving dish...

 

What little indulgence can you find to satisfy the need for a larger one?

What's on your Tray of Bliss today?

Fluff and Nonsense...Frenchy Feather Pouffe`...

Just a bit of Fluff and Nonsense....but ooh-la-la...so Frenchy and pretty...

I have a long list of people to collect gifts for...my family alone amounts to a cast of thousands, or maybe it just feels that way sometimes!

Here's an idea I've come up with for all the ladies and young women who mean so much to me...vintage crystal jars of scented talc with Ostrich feather powder puffs...what a sweet indulgence!

Christmas is always on my mind, and I'm using these as gifts this year, but they would be equally sublime as a Bridal Shower or Hens Night gift, or a thank you for your Bridal Attendants.

Take one baby pink Feather Boa. The kind you buy for Costume Parties. I sourced mine from a Haberdashery store...one metre long (about a yard) for a mere $10. I've paired it with either baby pink velvet or black and white pinstriped ribbon.

Now cut just 15cms (6 inches) of feather boa, and tie it in a half knot, as if you're about to tie a shoelace.

Bring the two loose ends together and hold them with a quick stitch or two. You'll find that the feathers are attached to a thick sort of twine, so stitch into that. Don't cut the thread, just keep the needle and thread attached for the time being. Now you have a sort of feather ball to form your powder puff.

Then cut the same amount of your chosen ribbon, and turn it into a loop by stitching the ends together with the needle and thread still connected to your feathers.

Flatten the loop, and put one more little stitch at the halfway point to form the two loops of your bow, then use another couple of stitches to gather at the halfway point.

You now have a gorgeous soft and sensual ostrich feather powder puff with a pretty ribbon with which to hold it as you dust yourself with scented talc.

To make customised scented talc, take normal Cornflour (cornstarch) and either spritz with your favourite scent, and stir, or add 2-3 drops of essential oil and stir to combine. That's it. Can you believe that's all it is??

My little jars vary in size, shape, and colour, but all were sourced from thrift shops for under $5.

It's a bit of frippery and frou-frou, but I love it.

...Mimi...

The Very First Tray of Bliss...

Well, here I am.

Oh, you're here too...thank goodness...I thought I'd be wandering in Cyberspace on my own for longer than this....phew! Come...sit with me a while. Let's reminisce about what has been, plan for what may come, and feast upon what is now. I'm not sure what we'll find, but I'm sure the seeking will be enjoyable nonetheless.

I'm hoping to share the many ways that I try to carve out some peace in my busy world. A ballerina daughter, a workaholic husband, a severely disabled son, and 3 adult boys with wives is enough to keep a girl busy. But marry that up with my quest to write two books, illustrate the world around me with paint and canvas, and indulge my love of all things vintage (including the husband!), and there's not a lot of time for 'me'...it's a common Maternal Dilemna.

Today I've been nesting. The rain outside has made my home a little gloomy and cave-like. But rather than burrow and hibernate, I've been refreshing and polishing things to a wicked gleam.

I love to put together a $5 Tray of Bliss to soothe the soul...that's it above...my thrift shop bargain hunting has yielded the tray, many, many embroidered linen serviettes, the tray cover and a belly dancer ring to use to cradle a folded serviette. Gathered together, it's a feast for the eyes, the heart and the soul

You can have that one if you like...I can do myself another. Come visit anytime you like....