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2010-03-24

Shelf Life

My blog is officially ancient... I'm re-blogging an old post. Don't worry it's better this time... Since the first post my camera has been upgraded, the shelves have been painted and the shoes have multiplied (like bunnies... it's natural).
One of the things I love most about my old, pretty, little house, are the built in bookshelves. Instant charm...like dimples on a baby. Sometimes I wish I was one of those people who could live in a pristine house and dutifully dust the one vase that adorned the room... but, it's just not going to happen. I'm a bit of a clutter fiend and these shelves that cover the one wall of our living room give me a place to keep some of the clutter at bay and are a great way to display some interesting bits of our lives. I say, our lives, but it's mostly my stuff on display... Matt did have one of those Maple Leafs Stanley Cups that came in a 24 of beer on the shelf but at some point that mysteriously disappeared.

Some items of interest...(my labelling begs Kendi's forgiveness for being so sub-par...)

shelf2

shelf1

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1. A shelf full of artifacts from my family's years of living in Korea. My Oma (Papa's side) later sent me these paper cut-outs, which were framed. They are so pretty and remind me of a woman who's tenacity and style I have always admired.
2. A vintage umbrella that my parents gave me. They give the coolest stuff...
3. An antique hide skinner (?). A few years back, we went as a family to a local antique show. We had a contest within the family to see who could find the most interesting thing for under $10. We even asked a antique vendor to judge us... Matt found this old tool for $15 and told the lady our story of why he needed to buy it for $10. She let him have it because our dorky family competition tugged at herl heart strings... I thought he was on the way to an easy victory but for some reason the judge picked my martini swirler (?) that had a naked bum on top of it and said 'bottoms up'... I think Matt deserved that victory. I should have shared the chocolates I won.
4. Our wedding invitation. No envelope, no reply cards, no inter-twined doves... of all things related to our wedding, this was my favourite part. It was just 'us'. Matt's hockey skates and my fancy shoes on a postcard...
5. My other Oma's old clutch and Bible. I feel really lucky to have these things.
6. A wedding photograph of my Oma and Opa (Mama's side). They were together forever but had to wait until after the war to get married.

I love these shelves... so many memories in such a small space. Are you a sentimental old fool, a pack rat, a displayer of all things pretty...or, (shocking!) a clean and pristine kinda person?

21 comments :

LyddieGal said...

I love how your shoes mingle with your mingle with your knick-knacks, so cute!

and your wedding invites - just lovely!!

I am collector who wants to be clutter free - but of course I can't throw anything away and it's a problem. I also hate dusting. My shelves are probably in it an inch deep.

Chic on the Cheap

Unknown said...

That is definatly the best wedding invites I've ever seen...wish I had thought of that one...a little too late now tho....

Julia said...

Sigh...I covet all these shoes. I would say I'm a pleasant mix of sentimental old fool and clean and pristine. The only things I hoard are clothes and books-- everything else is very neat and orderly and clean...

Rhonda said...

I absolutely love the way your shoes and clutches coexist with mementos. so great.

The wedding invite is wonderful. If we'd had guests for our weddings, I imagine I would have done something similar. LOVE!

Leah said...

I love how you added your shoes to your treasure shelf. This is such a cute post. xoxo

Danielle said...

I love seeing your shelves! I tend to be sentimental, in a clean and organized way ! :)

Secondhand Stella said...

John makes fun of me b/c I always have some weird display on a table or shelf.

I am coming to your house and stealing all of your purses ;)

Celine said...

You have a lovely way of saying things - I love your shelves. :) (and no, I'm a "everything goes!" kind of person...sadly)

Louise (Fifth Sparrow) said...

I'm officially stealing your idea of displaying my favorite shoes and accessories around the house... so much better than art!

I also lived with a guy that had the entire hockey themed collection of coke cans, the montreal canadiens one was his fave. They all ended up hidden. I don't need to explain why. :)

Cute shelves! xxx

Anonymous said...

Oh, how fun to peek into your past!

Anonymous said...

Oh and your bright tights comment cracked me up, lady.

Linda said...

Clean and Pristine apparently. Clutter makes me nervous, I want to put everything in the garbage always.

H to the izzo said...

Oh, I love this. I would kill for built-ins. I like how you've displayed your purses and shoes and photographs. Accessories are like art and should be displayed. I need something like this in my bedroom--thanks for the idea.

Marie said...

What a wonderful post, love the pretty shevels and the items they hold. Wish I had some empty shelves to display my purses and shoes on now. Maybe it will make me spring clean a bit...
The wedding photo of your grandparents is the best part!
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
Spring into Spring giveaway

FutureLint said...

Oooh, I am jealous of those built-ins! I am a total sentimental pack rat... I just have STUFF everywhere but it's all important and cute!

Unknown said...

Love the shelves! I only have one bookcase and it's stuffed with books. Silly bookcase!

Eyeliah said...

awww, cute shelves! mine have been decorated the same way it seems like for years!

Wanderlusting said...

I'm sentimental but things will be different this time around when I redecorate. Out with the old! I tend to clutter up with tons of photo frames and knicknacks and YES shoes. but we'll see this time...

PS love the shoes (and the layout of your stuff) - do I spy Modern Vintage?

thelasthurrah said...

great idea for your shelves, AND extra storage for all those shoes and clutches you must have ;) I'm intrigued as to the stories behind the other items...p.s. I did the same thing for wedding invites (just a simple postcard).

Nishant said...

I love this. I would kill for built-ins.
data entry work from home

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