Author: theseventhsphinx

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earring storage ideas

I usually like to display my favorite objects, or have them on some system of rotation such that I can see and appreciate them even when they are not strictly in use, even if they are not strictly useful. I am much more likely to remember to use them and generally incorporate them into my life, if I can see them.

[At this point it leads to more clutter than I would like, or not exactly clutter…a sense of being cramped. But there are larger storage issues at work, which so overshadow and influence this that it is a concern to save for the future.]

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It must have been my mom who suggested stretching a loosely woven fabric over an embroidery hoop to store earrings, as I’ve stored my favorite earrings this way since I was a teenager. It’s great for dangling earrings. I like that they can be easily plucked off the wall to wear, and just as easily returned. Some less popular pieces that I like to look at (but rarely wear) are good candidates for this, too.

Several months ago now I had a sudden inspiration for storing studs, which I wear all the time lately. [The embroidery hoop method is only suitable for rarely worn studs, as it’s tedious to remove and re-secure them all the time.] I was looking for a ring display, actually, and realized that it would work just as well for studs (this one is black velvet). So pleased with it. I felt a bit brilliant really, when I hit upon the idea. Making small organizational discoveries like this can give me a sense of accomplishment all out of scale with the reality.

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pearls, pearls, pearls, pearls

I have a jewelry box for the less favored pieces, or those that are perhaps lacking versatility or kept mainly for nostalgic reasons, but I like to have the things I wear regularly accessible and displayed in such a way as to offer choice as well as the motivation to vary that choice. Once in a while I’ll substitute in alternates from deep storage or rearrange to give different pieces pride of place. The effect of even small revisions can be surprising, causing whole new patterns of wear and preference. This is invariably satisfying and good.

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invisalign

I recently completed the invisalign process and wanted to give a shout out to my dentist, Dr. Rebecca Paglia.

I went to Align Dental in Back Bay, which had excellent service. This from me is high praise. I am that person who does not hesitate to call customer service and complain. I was a particular and demanding patient, and they handled that well. If you are looking into invisalign in Boston I recommend them.

There was nothing especially wrong with my teeth before, some slight spacing and crookedness, but there was a generous groupon for Align Dental and I needed to do something about the fact that I grind my teeth in my sleep. This was more expensive than a professional mouth guard but have you seen those things? I predicted a future of never wearing a mouth guard but with the retainer I am diligent. It was also in line with my general goal of improving the self, bit by bit.

Let’s see…a photo of my teeth before…

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Eh. It’s hard to see…it’s challenging to find pictures I like of myself smiling with teeth. So often it goes awry and is some horrible half-smile. The slightest laziness or hesitance on my part and the smile is doomed.

[tangent: Then, too, I rebel against the American ordinance to smile for photos, and to smile in general, which I find oppressive in its ubiquity. I smile when I please. The smile does not suit all occasions, nor would I want it to. We all have an image of the perpetual smile, and that is the image of the madman.]

That’s Marianne. Isn’t she cute?

It’s not so obvious for people who don’t know me well, a lot of people never noticed that I was doing invisalign at all (I found this so hard to believe but it is true), but for me, knowing my own face so well, the change was dramatic. Not only how the teeth looked but how the shape of my mouth looked as the teeth closed ranks. A face is not a very large sort of thing…small changes have an impact.

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I don’t expect you to see the difference really but, well. I tried.

I am so pleased with the results and so glad to have made the investment. Teeth, such important indicators of health, are well worth investing in. I completed the treatment in about 12 months and, while it required a fair amount of effort, attentiveness, sacrifice (difficult to eat in public, sometimes, no snacking), and discomfort (if not, on occasion, pain), it was so worthwhile. The level of preoccupation* results in great oral hygiene and establishes good habits. The teeth are healthier and do, I think, look nicer.

*Isn’t it strange that teeth will, in the absence of the retainer, migrate back to their original positions? Even many years later? I am baffled by this. Why should this be?

I’m still getting used to the new look myself.