HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Hello, Upscale Party Readers.

In a few short days, it will be my

Add capthttp://birthday.artmaven.com/clipart

As I explained in my profile, this blog will not only cover party planning and decorating, but will also explore living with major depressive disorder.

TRIGGER WARNING: SERIOUS DEPRESSION

Age has not been much of an issue with me until now. But I am having a really hard time with this birthday. Sixty is very decidedly NOT YOUNG. It's not even middle-aged.  I am turning OLD. 

http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

Of course, 60 is nothing like it used to be. I am well aware that Baby Boomers, most of whom have already turned 60, have redefined age and that we can be active and vibrant for many years to come. Many, many blogs and books explain all the wonderful things about being 60. At the very least, they say, "It's better than the alternative!" The alternative, of course, being death.

But when you have suffered most of your life from very serious clinical depression, and when you are in "remission" from the serious stuff, you still suffer from dysthymia (a mild but never ending depression), you're not really sure that this is better than the alternative.

 

It's not that I want to die. It's that I want something to live for.

And everything that I have lived for either no longer exists,

 or is out of my reach.

I will explain in my next post.

Queenisms.com

 

DIY TUTORIAL - Tea Party Hat - Wedding - Derby - Pretty Hat! PART TWO

Happy Independence Day! 



http://vintageholidaycrafts.com/4th-of-july-vintage-postcards/

Hello, Upscale Party Readers!

I hope that you are having a wonderful holiday weekend!

This is Part Two of my DIY Pretty Hat Tutorial.

STEP 3: Assemble the bow.

You have already chosen the ribbon for your hat. Mine is a 1.5" floral satin polyester ribbon. You will need about 1 and a half yards.

A. Fold the ribbon.

There are a few ways to make a fluffy bow.

 

I find it easiest to hold the beginning end of the ribbon and circle it around itself making about a ten inch circle, then flattening the circle into a pile.

 

Other crafters prefer to flatten the ribbon as they fold it back and forth over itself. 

Each layer should be twice the size of the bow you want to create. My accordion layers are about ten inches wide, so that each loop of the bow will be about five inches in size.

Once you have made about ten layers of ribbon, flatten them out.   

 

B. Cut and tie the layers together.

 

Cut a little "V" in the center of the pile of ribbon.

 

Cut a second V across from the first, so now your pile

of ribbon has a narrow center.

 

At the cut center, use small gage wire or a thin piece of

ribbon to tie the layers together.

 

 

 

C. Pull apart the layers and shape your bow.  

 

Hold your ribbon firmly with one hand at the center and pull each loop toward you, one at a time, shaping it into a loop. Pull all loops on one side of the center then do the same with the other side.

 

 

 

Since you will be placing this bow against the hat, arrange your loops so they have a "front" and a "back" side. Fluff all the loops and shape them until you are happy with the overall shape.

 

      

 

Step 4: Next time -Attach your bow to your HAT!

 

 

Queenisms.com

Crafting Your Way Out of Depression

Hello, Upscale Party Readers!

As I explained in my profile, I want to use this blog, not only to talk about crafting beautiful things and planning upscale events, but also to share my experience living with major depressive disorder. Entertaining and creating beautiful things has probably been the one constant in my life, other than the presence of mental illness.

TRIGGER WARNING (depression)

My childhood ...

My mother was always entertaining and she did so in truly upscale style! Throughout my childhood, our beautiful home was always elaborately decorated for parties and holidays! These are the memories that I cherish. These are the times when my family was together and life seemed happy.

In between the picture perfect holidays and behind the beautiful facade, however, my family was in constant turmoil. I always knew that something just wasn't right; I always felt that somehow I was not normal. But it wasn't until long after I became an adult that I understood how unhealthy my upbringing had been and that it was still affecting my life. 

 



http://www.jinbiban.com

Both of my parents suffered from undiagnosed and untreated mental illnesses. My father was a suicidal manic-depressive, obsessive compulsive alcoholic. And yet he was high functioning and able to succeed in his career as a prominent attorney. My mother, among other things, was codependent, depressed, had attention deficit disorder and narcissistic personality disorder. And yet she was also a gracious hostess, able to welcome guests from all walks of life and make them feel comfortable at any occasion.

More about my tumultuous childhood later. In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more about adult children of alcoholics (ACA) here are some resources:

http://www.adultchildren.org/lit-Laundry_List

http://www.thefix.com/content/5-characteristics-adult-children-alcoholics

This little glimpse into my childhood was intended to put my depression in c0ntext. Growing up in a home environment where the parents are unpredictable and often abusive

http://www.iechar.org

is no easy task. I still suffer from feelings of anger, abandonment and shame, and feelings of great sadness and loss, all of which basically come down to severe depression.

 

Through a series of unfortunate events, I do not have the affluence of my childhood, but I have my mother's legacy of sophisticated taste and appreciation for elegance. I began crafting and doing DIY projects because I wanted beautiful things that I could not afford to buy.

Recently, I realized that my obsession with crafting has been a way of coping with my depression. Crafting produces a calm state similar to the idea of Zen.

When one mindfully dwells in the present moment, one completely dissolves into whatever activity manifests.  One becomes the activity.  Most people have had peak experiences, which all involve being so totally involved with life that one’s sense of separateness dissolves into the experience.  Very Zen.

 http://www2.bc.cc.ca.us/resperic/what_is_the_meaning_of_zen.htm

 

To read more about the benefits of crafting for those of us who suffer from anxiety, depression or chronic pain, see this recent article by Jacque Wilson, of CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/25/health/brain-crafting-benefits/index.html

 

More about living with depression to come.

 

Next up: My first Craft Tutorial!

 

About Upscale Party by Kim

Somewhere between the lavish pageantry of a Royal Wedding and the modest celebrations of the "middle class" is an entertaining style called Upscale Party.

Just because you were not born a princess, haven't had the luck to marry a handsome prince, or haven't yet made your first million, doesn't mean that don't love and appreciate high quality things, beautiful places, and elegant events.

Of course, money helps when you have upscale taste, but not everyone with money, or even royal blood, recognizes elegance and high quality when they see it.

I love to entertain lavishly, but can't afford to shop where royalty and the very rich shop. And the big party supply stores don't generally appeal to my upscale taste. So, over years of entertaining, I have learned to use my creative and artistic talents to craft celebrations that are remarkably beautiful, elegant and fun!

My plan for this blog is to share my thoughts and provide practical advice on creating an Upscale event, regardless of your budget!

Although I am excited about this opportunity to exchange ideas, I am still working full time, so for now I can commit to posting at least once a week. I am also looking forward to hearing your ideas, comments and suggestions.