Wednesday, April 8, 2009

My Everything Book


This little treasure of mine has been with me through it all this past year of moving madness.

I use it for...well, everything. One can find all sorts of things inside.
-My rantings and ravings about life
-Lessons (which have been many) I've learned during these trying nomadic times of ours
-Written notes on restaurant napkins
-Shopping lists
-To do lists
-Quotes that move me
-Notes from a Gestalt Psychotherapy retreat last June
-Notes from Yoga teachers lessons that inspire me
-Pros and Cons list between living in Singapore and Hong Kong (because we really can't decide)
-Inspirations and ideas
-Designs for my future India Room
-Dreams and my interpretations of them

My Everything Book also doubles as a filing cabinet for eye-catching clippings from magazines. Here are a couple.
I adore this picture of Marilyn Monroe leaning over a balcony in New York - looks like my old apartment's roof top. I've had this photo for many years (from Vanity Fair) and always hope to have a photo shoot like this one. I also melt when I see the new Tiffany ad of this adorable baby and mother (and the ring ain't so bad either - hint hint, husband)

A special thing surprised me as I was flipping through the pages of my book the other day which prompted me to write this post now. A perfectly preserved flower fell out from between the pages. I forgot that I saved this little souvenir! I collected it from the city palace (where the Maharana still lives, by the way) in the magical kingdom of Udaipur. It still retained it's color from the day I picked it off the ground and placed in my special book.



My Everything Book has been helpful in organizing my very chaotic life. I picked up this most special book from an art shop in Udaipur from a nice local family. Durgesh, the owner, and his beautiful wife were most generous and warm, even inviting us to their home for tea, which was above his shop. His wife hand makes these sweet books from camel leather and showed me the metal tools used to punch in the patterns. I also bought a similar book from her with an elephant sketch on it and another one with an OM design. I am most fond of this one with the camel sketch. There is something so regal about camels - especially in the way they walk with their heads held high.

My poor book endures much abuse yet holds up quite well even though it grows thicker by the day, (like George Costanza's wallet - if you saw that episode). I had better get a new one soon as I begin to close this chapter of my life.

9 comments:

Goli said...

Hey,
A nice everything book... :)

--
Goli

Mary Elizabeth Liberty said...

lovely book, lovely memories.

Here, There, Elsewhere... and more said...

I love, love love your everything book - the contents + the beautiful leather cover..:)

Archana said...

I always wished I had kept something like your everything book. I have so many bits and pieces of things I love - - but it's all over the place! This is a really neat concept, and I love how it's filled with such random but meaningful things. :) <3

Sherri said...

Hi Goli - thanks. =)

Mary Mary, it does contain such special memories. Thanks for visiting.

HTE, Thanks for your comments as always. It's been such a fun book to put together for me. I would even go so far as to say therapuetic.

Arch, nice to hear from you! I know how you like lists - I thought you might like the idea of an Everything Book. Can't wait to see yours.

Archana said...

Hi Shireena, I think you might have me confused with another Archana? I just happened to chance across your blog today and that's when I read your post about your Everything Book. :) <3

Anaka said...

Great book. So do you carry it around in an everyday, all-purpose bag, or do you just walk around with the book? Or does the book double up as a wallet as well? (I walk around almost everywhere with an all-purpose bag with all things important, including precious pictures I must have with me at all times)!

Rajesh said...

Good to have such a book. Udaipur is a lovely place to pick the book and many more.

http://myindiantravel.blogspot.com/

John and Brieanne Dabney said...

So, you forgot to tell us from whence the book was purchased. Is there a story behind it as well? Love the idea of the this, btw!