ITEM #17: BAG: Shell handbag

I bought this bag in Vietnam in 2001 and wore it to my brother’s wedding in 2003.

One of the handles broke off. I tried to get it repaired but the guy at the repair shop said that nowadays things are designed to be replaced rather than repaired. So I removed the other handle and haven’t used it since.

I think this bag could easily be used as a clutch. Particularly for anyone who won’t look at it and think about how bad it is that things can’t be repaired anymore…

ITEM #16: FOOD: assortment of tea

This is an assortment of flavoured tea including:
– cranberry
– raspberry & strawberry
– quietly chamomile
– lemon twist
– blackcurrent
– choc orange

I prefer to drink loose leaf tea (favourites include honeybush vanilla, Japanese evening mist, French Earl Grey and Lady Rose Grey) now. But if you’re ok with tea bags then these are quite nice for a change.

I also recall reading in Speed Cleaning that the tannin in tea is a natural dust mite killer. They suggested vacuuming up a damp tea bag to kill the dust mites that may be partying in your vacuum cleaner bag. I’m not sure if the above teas have tannin but it probably wouldn’t hurt giving this a try.

ITEM #15: KITCHENWARE: bottle opener

It says Calana vineyard on it. I don’t know where that is or who gave this to me. I don’t think I’ve ever used it before either.

I’m pretty convinced it would work well. It would be handy to keep as a spare in the picnic basket, in the car, or in the top drawer at work. You never know when someone will hand you a non twist-top beer. It’s better to be prepared than miss out.

ITEM #14: MISCELLANEOUS: Rubber band ball

I was inspired by my Dad to make this ball out of rubber bands that I collected from the mail, around vegetables and other stuff. Dad was inspired by a draftsman he saw who would add bits of tape from his drafting table to a growing ball.

I’ve been working on this rubber band ball for a couple of years (maybe since early 2002). I’m pretty slow (don’t get much mail and don’t seem to buy asparagus frequently enough), so it’s only a little larger than a golf ball. It bounces really well but it goes all over the place.

I think this would be great for someone who isn’t willing to start from scratch, but is happy to take the credit for someone else’s work.

SOLD! ITEM #13: BOOKS: Calvin & Hobbes comic books

I love Calvin and Hobbes comics. They’re laugh out loud funny.

I’m sure my Snoopy came to life like that when I was little…

If I were the type of person who could rip up books, I’d tear out the paper and use the sheets for wrapping small gifts. With some coloured ribbon over the top it could look quite cute.

ITEM #12: VASE: Small dark blue pottery vase

See item #11 for why I don’t really need this vase.

I got this vase at a flamenco dancing restaurant in Madrid in 1996. While in my possession, it’s only held flowers maybe 2-3 times.

It’s between 10-15cm tall and is dark blue in colour. I think it would be nice to hold some hand-picked daisies from your garden. If you had a garden like that… or your neighbour has a garden like that.

I haven’t tried this, but it might also be a nice ikea pencil holder. Or those old pizza hut pencils if you’ve kept any from the old days.

ITEM #11: VASE: Silver metal vase

I don’t really like to keep cut flowers at home because watching them slowly decompose is disturbing. And when I do display flowers, I like to see the stems so I use a clear vase from wheel & barrow or a crystal vase from my top friend A.

My old school friend D gave me this many years ago. She recently ignored my facebook friend request so I’m pretty sure it’s safe for this vase to find a new home.

In terms of size, it’s quite narrow and the height is from my wrist to my elbow. It doesn’t need too many flowers to fill so is quite cost effective in that respect. If you’re planning to buy someone flowers you could present them in this vase. Receiving flowers already in a vase is a nice touch. Keep this in mind for baby showers, housewarming parties, kitchen teas and birthdays.