About me

Hi there and a warm welcome to my blog.

My name is Vivien – I would have preferred the French version Vivienne (if you are listening mum – it is so much more romantic and looks beautiful written on a page in old script), but I have always been known as plain old Viv and ‘Rusty’ to my Granddad (due to the mop of Ginger hair). 

I am a creature of torn personalities which I try my hardest to reconcile – constantly swinging between the desire for both minimalism and order whilst finding part of my true nature is to be quite impulsive and a bit of a hoarder (I like to call it a collector of treasures!).

Of course it might be an affliction or even some kind of syndrome passed on in my genes but I cannot live with disorder –  I like things neat, tidy, organised, categorised, classified, systemised, co-ordinated, ordered, structured, regimented, methodical, presentable, meticulous, ship-shape, spick and span but I can often find myself, through pressure of daily life, back in the middle of chaos. 

Even though I like modern objects with clean lines and no pattern or embellishments I find I am equally drawn to old and beautiful things; vintage, retro and that kind of mismatch of patterned and patchwork, crafted and ‘earthy’.  I find I cannot part with anything of sentimental value and couldn’t imagine my life without some of my keepsakes and family heirlooms.

Acquiring too much stuff is probably one of my downfalls that I could do with changing.  We will be moving to Scotland to our little cottage by the beach in a few years so downsizing is a must.  I also feel the time has come for me to embrace a simpler, possession free life – retaining  only those things in my life that I truly love.

This blog is my personal journey of discovery and will be a record of the changes I make and the challenges I face in creating a simpler and more organised life while at the same time we continue to renovate our cottage in Scotland ready for the big move.

I live in a small old mill town nestled into the Pennine hills in Yorkshire with my long-suffering husband of fourty some years.  I have two beautiful daughters who have flown the nest (most of the time!). I paint and draw (a little) when time allows, make and bake sometimes but not often enough and garden and grow things as much as possible. I recycle and up-cycle, hate waste and I couldn’t live without my time planner and lists.

Follow my journey with me and do let me know if you stop by I would love to hear from you.