Homeworthy, Becoming Elizabeth Arden and more on Monday Musings.
MONDAY MUSINGS NO. 146
Good morning friends, happy Monday musings to you. How was your weekend?
Any time I share a bit of “real life” I a little hesitant. I know that we all have ups and downs in life and that people visit blogs for recipes, fashion and to escape. But this blog is “my life” and this is currently what is weighing on my heart.
A rough weekend
It was a hard weekend. I mentioned a few weekends ago that my mother-in-law is in hospice and they told us she was in the 2nd to last stage of dying.
Sadly she is not doing well and they believe her passing is coming soon. I spoke with her about 5 days ago, but only for a minute, she knew me and I was able to tell her that I loved her.
The last two days she has not really been communicative. My sister-in-law held the phone to her ear yesterday so that we could tell her we love her and that was…hard. How do you tell someone that you love goodbye and I love you?
My mother-in-law is 97 and has had a wonderful life, the last year has been a challenge and she has been ready to go. But I have to tell you and I know that I am not saying anything new, even though you know your person is dying there is still a little tiny piece of you that is hoping they live forever.
Update: Sadly 1 hour after I posted this blog we received word that Betty, my mother in law passed away. Now I know that she will not live forever but I am blessed to have had her for over 30 years.
Life
Some people exercise, some people eat, I bake when stressed. Yesterday I baked 2 kinds of bread, 2 different bar cookies, a cake and some cookies. I will share some of the recipes in the coming weeks, some were new and some old and comforting favorites.
Today is, finger crossed” demolition day on the master bath and then work on our powder bath. I’ll keep you posted. For those that asked I will share a some of the before and after, our tile selections and inspiration.
Ok, on to +5 Things.
1.READ(ing)~
Elizabeth Arden was a household name on six continents and a millionaire several times over before her death in 1966. Arden counted British royalty and social elites from the overlapping worlds of New York, Hollywood, London, and Paris among her clients. She revolutionized skin care and cosmetics, making it acceptable for all women to embrace glamour and wear makeup—not just actresses and prostitutes. She created a successful international business empire before women gained the vote and at a time when virtually no woman owned or ran a national company. She developed the first luxury spa and insisted on a holistic understanding of health and beauty. Unconventional and driven, Arden fervently believed that every woman could be beautiful.
Acclaimed biographer Stacy Cordery does full justice to one of America’s greatest entrepreneurs. Canadian-born Florence Nightingale Graham turned herself into Elizabeth Arden, using her uncanny sense of the possible to take full advantage of everything New York City offered, building her company and becoming one with her brand. In an astounding rags-to-riches tale, Elizabeth Arden came to personify sophistication and refinement. Her hard work and innovation made makeup, fitness, and style not only acceptable but de rigueur. Arden prospered throughout the Depression, reimagined women’s needs during two World Wars, and by pioneering new approaches to marketing and advertising, ushered beauty into the modern era. Cordery delivers a compelling picture of a modern CEO whose career provides a model for aspiring businesses to this day.
MORE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
If you have already read these books or missed something I have featured before on the blog check out My Bookshop on Amazon.
2. WATCHED~Homeworthy Halloween Tour
Homeworthy is one of my favorite places for interior inspiration. This week I discovered this Halloween loving home owner. I myself don’t decorate for Halloween but I think it is fun to see what other people enjoy.
3. LINKS: READ+WATCH+LISTEN
I’m a death expert. I designed eight questions to help you think about dying
Richard Scarry and the art of children’s literature
How Las Vegas Became the Weirdest, Wildest, and Most Futuristic City in America
Here’s Why Your Coffee Tastes Horrible After You Microwave It.
Highly Confident People Avoid These 14 Behaviors
Tips for Finding Great Pieces on Facebook Marketplace
If you’ve ever dreamed of moving to France…
How To Host A Casual Dinner Party
The Notes App Lists You Should Keep In Your Phone For A Happier, More Organized Life
4. SHOPPING BREAK~Outfit of the Day
Move over “ugly Christmas sweaters” and make way for this charming fair isle sweater with birds and holly. This sweater can be worn with the skirt or jeans, or pants. And the skirt can be worn with a blouse, cardigan or whatever else you choose. Both pieces have a holiday feel but can be worn all winter long .
5. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT THIS WEEK
Saturday I joined Juliet and Kim for Weekend Meanderings. I shared Gym Tan, Last minute Halloween Sweet Treats, CODA and more on Weekend Meanderings.
THAT’S ALL FOR NOW
Have a great day friends, thank you for spending part of your day with me.
You can also keep up with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. And last but not least, if you like Pinecones & Acorns share it with a friend!
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On My Radar
Dear Elizabeth,
My ❤️ goes out to you, I understand saying goodbye is so very difficult. It’s one of the hardest things you ever do in your life time to ones you love so much. Your mother in law has had a long life, 97 is really special. I’m thinking of you and your husband. This must be hard on him too.
I hope the remodeling starts off today the way it should. The noise and dust is huge to deal with. Your fur baby dogs will go hide for cover.
You remain in my thoughts this week.
Sorry for your loss. It’s never easy to say that final goodbye to people who played such a big part in our lives. Condolences to your family.
The cranberry break looks wonderful, will definitely try it.
I’m so sorry you lost your beloved MIL. I lost one 18 years ago who had gone from being my nemesis to being my best friend. In fact I laid beside her and held her while she died. Read the article about cats. Obviously I have a very strong bond with Ivy. She is like a best friend.
Brenda
Brenda, thank you very much for your kind words. How wonderful that you were able to be with your mother in law as she left this world. I wish I had been with mine.
I know that you love your sweet Ivy, she is blessed to have you and I am sure that she will love the new place.
Take care my friend.
Sending you a big hug. It doesn’t matter how old a person you love is, it’s always hard. I will always remember attending a funeral of a good friend’s father and he said to me “People are saying he was 75, a good age. But he’s my dad”. And please share your life if you wish. I love reading it all. It’s a lifestyle blog after all. Keeping you in my prayers.
Rita, thank you! You are so right. My sister in law who was her caretaker for the last year 24/7 said it was so sad to see her in pain and to be so miserable. She also said, she thought it would be easier knowing that she ws no longer in pain, but it’s not. It is the death of a loved one who held a huge place in our hearts.
A virtual hug and prayers are welcomed.
Have a wonderful week and thank you again.
Elizabeth, I rarely write, but was very moved by this post. It sounds as if your Mother-in-law was a wonderful woman, and will be dearly missed. You have my sympathy.
My Mom passed away after a very chaotic and fast moving type of dementia. It’s been almost five years now. Looking back, I realize that her illness and death came at the same time as several other major life events for me. I just carried on through all of it.
I hope that you and your husband take extra tender care of yourselves, even though you’re going to be busy with the chaos of home repairs and improvements.
Lisa,
Thank you kindly for your comment and advice. My mother in law will be missed and we were all blessed to have had her for so long.
Dementia is a terrible disease, I am sorry for your loss. I hope that even after 5 years that you are gentle with yourself and caring for your tender heart. Your mom would probably want you to do that for yourself.
The last 2 days have been a noisy, chaoitic mess, the contractors have been wonderful. They also did our kitchen and are really like family.
The mess and the work gives us time to focus on the “mechanics” of planning the funeral and then once we are with family I think we can relax and start to mourn.
Thank you again for your kindness,
Elizabeth