I got these shoes about 7 years ago from Betts, they’re made by a brand called Zensu which used to make a lot of really comfortable shoes. I’m not sure if the brand is still around. This pair of old faithfuls have been stepping out with me every summer since 2005. Over the years I’ve done everything within the power of cobbler technology to keep these shoes alive. At first it was the basics – repairing the heel and re-gluing down the lining. Then things got more complicated last year when I had extra holes punched into the sling back so that I could make them tighter across the heel. This year however, there was no room left on the straps for another set of holes. I will be summering without you, Zensu black sling backs.
Which now leaves me with the problem of finding a replacement pair. I’ve missed the summer sales, haven’t I? I guess the online search will begin tonight. If anyone has any suggestions for where to look, I’d be most appreciative of some help.
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| A Costco prawn cocktail. I know it’s not fresh off the boat via the Sydney Fish Market but it was delicious all the same. This platter was $13. |
As many of you know already (how could you not from all my blogging and tweeting about it), I’m in the middle of a house cleaning project that has been going since the beginning of the month. It has meant weekend after weekend of staying in all day with only trips to Costco to break the monotony. Which is why I also keep talking about Costco because there hasn’t been much else going on in my world that’s been vaguely exciting.
Anyway. Today I decided to live a little at lunchtime by emulating Victoria Beckham’s famed lunch. Well it’s famed in my mind becuase I remember reading about it in several of the weekly gossips a few years back. Allegedly, Victoria is a big fan of the high protein lunch and peeled cooked prawns are an especial favourite.
So. I’m not sure exactly how many prawns she has, ‘lots’ in her book could mean a single digit less than 5 but I took things at face value and got this prawn cocktail platter at the C place off the M4 (it’s getting a little monotonous typing Costco) to share with Mr SSG. It was a very filling lunch. Possibly because I thought the cocktail sauce needed a little Kewpie mayonnaise for flavour and colour. Then I had a large chocolate muffin for afternoon tea which kind of defeated the purpose of the prawn lunch, I guess. Still, perhaps practice makes perfect. I’ll give it another try next weekend – without the mayo kick to the sauce which was very zingy on its own.
I’m especially proud of the progress we made in the declutter today. Today’s target was the dreaded spare room. I don’t know if your’s is anything like ours but here’s a word picture. No walking area on the carpet beyond about half a metre from the doorway. Stacks and stacks of stuff you don’t remember buying or owning piled high up on the walls. An out of control population of enviro bags on the floor which have spilled out of their original home (the largest enviro bag you own). Cardboard boxes of arch lever files full of notes I’ve not needed for around 5 years. Higgeldy piggeldy collections of bulk goods mixing it on spare tables. The only definite thing about the room is that it’s where I do the ironing and the ironing board is the only surface free of debris.
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| A historic first, readers. We now have NOTHING on top the shelving units in the kitchen. NOTHING. It’s all stowed away here in the spare room / urban grocery. |
It took 5 hours but this is the new wall unit that houses all our dry supplies. I was the chief engineer that set up the stainless steel shelving system with Mr SSG providing his height and strength. No one’s toes got rolled over (it has lockable wheels) and no one got knocked out by a stray shelf. I like the way the unit looks. It’s got simple lines and looks very efficient. It’s got a foodie aesthetic. Yep, got it at Costco – around the $120 mark.
In fact, it almost looks like an aisle at an urban grocer’s. It’s very Donna Hay or perhaps more Nigella Lawson (I think Nigella would be more understanding of the carton of Mi Goreng instant noodles). We now have floor space and everything has its proper place – and it’s not just wherever there happens to be space. I’ve been wondering into the spare room at random moments all evening just to run my eyes over the order that is the shelves of provisions. Even the aprons hanging from the corners of the unit look as if they belong.
There was no end to my efficiency today. I even found an environmentally friendly solution that is the nightmare of built in wardrobes at 5am in the morning when you’re the only person awake in the bedroom. It isn’t fair to turn on the overhead light for fear of waking the other person in the room yet how do you tell the difference between black and navy blue? Or one hand bag dust cover from another?
The answer for people on a budget (those that aren’t would have in built motion sensor wardrobe lights) are these wireless LED lights. They cost $23 for a pack of three (Costco / the C place off the M4 -where else) and are genius. They are battery operated and you can either stick them on with the supplied heavy duty velcro or else screw them in. The units are battery operated and as they have LED lights are apparently quite energy efficient. There are 3 panels of light whose angles are fully adjustable (just roll the light panel where you want it), the unit rotates on its pad and detaches when you need to use it free hand or change the batteries. There are 2 brightness settings and you can either manually switch it on or off or turn it to an automatic sensor mode (30 or 60 seconds). The wardrobe is now fully LED powered and ready for the crack of dawn, Monday morning.
Gee this decluttering business takes it out of you. I’m retreating to the sofa for the rest of the evening. Have a lovely evening.