We now live in a generation that hates to iron or doesn’t know how to iron. Normally, it’s either dry cleaned or worn as is, wrinkles and all. Today’s tip lends a few tidbits on ironing. First of all, ironing should not be a strenuous activity that one grieves over. Ironing can actually be a fun activity, especially when given great feed back.

The Shirt

The key elements of ironing a button up shirt is the front panels and the collar. Now on a button up shirt, you have the two front panels, both sleeves, the cuffs of the sleeves, the back panel, the shoulder panel, and last, but not least the collar. If you have the time, by all means, iron the entire shirt, but if not and you are wearing a blazer or jacket, you can get away with just ironing the two front panels and the collar.

Invest In A Good Steam Iron

It is very important to have a good steam iron. With a good steam iron it is less likely to burn through your clothing! Invest in a great steam iron and steam on high (just my preference). When ironing, the steam does all of the work for you, while you merely glide it across the article of clothing.

The Collar

The most important part of the shirt that should be ironed, especially when wearing a suit or blazer is the collar. Starch and steam both sides of the collar. Make sure the collar is folded down exactly on its seam and iron it down. If the shirt has buttons on the collar, unbutton the collar and then iron, then button it back when done. This will prevent ironing folds and creases in the collar.

The Sleeve

When ironing the sleeves, follow the direction in which the bottom seam of the shirt is sewn. Flatten out and spread the shirt as much as you can with your hand to make ironing simple. The crease you iron on the top of the sleeve should match the direction in which the bottom seam is sewn in the sleeve.

The cuff of the sleeve can be iron two ways. One way to iron the cuff is to iron it as you have the sleeve itself. If you prefer not to have the creases in your cuff, open up the cuff, spread it wide and iron both sides flat.

Double Creases

Be careful not to iron double creases into the sleeve. When in doubt of which one is the real/original crease, always go by the bottom seam of the sleeve to measure where the crease should be.

Should Panel

Never, never, never iron a crease in the shoulder panel! That is a #fail! Spread out the shoulder panel and iron it out flat. That’s all!

The Pants

Ironing pants, slacks, jeans, and trousers can be a bit of a hassle, but it is very easy to get  a handle on! The most important thing is to line up the seams as much as possible. Whether you are ironing the pants flat or putting a crease in them, either way, always line up the seams as much as possible.

Sections of the Pant

When putting a crease in the pant, line up both seams of the each leg to match. Break up the pant into sections. The pant has eight panels, each panel being separated by a seam. The pant has two layers, being each leg, and the pant has four sides, being the inside and outside of each layer. Breaking the pant into sections make it a little bit easier to iron.

Double Creases

It is very easy to put a double crease in a pant, especially a slack or trouser. To determine the true crease, just as in the shoulder sleeve, you must measure it be the seam in the pant.  Now, to iron out the double crease, remember, steam is your best friend. Using a good stream iron will always do the trick every single time!

Remedy The Shiny Pant

Depending on the fabric of the article of clothing, use the nozzle on the iron to match the fabric you are ironing. In some cases you need to take extra precautionary measures though. To avoid the shiny look on your pant or any other article of clothing, use an iron cloth or a pillow case to cover the article and then iron over it. Using a cover cloth will prevent the shiny look on your clothing, otherwise, this is a #fail!

For more tidbits and/or questions, feel free to contact me here at https://germichaelthestylist.wordpress.com

GerMichael the Stylist

“Empowering Your Fashion Sense”

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Click here to see more extreme ironing!

Unfortunately, my house is not so conducive to tablecloths in this season of my life.  At least not at our kitchen table where we eat multiple times a day.  Little people under 5 and tablecloths don’t seem to be a good match in my house.

However, we are fortunate to also have a small dining room in our home and I love for it to don a tablecloth during the holidays.  For some reason, it just seems more festive.

And a tablecloth also makes a room seem more put together.  A nice finished look.

But aren’t tablecloths fairly high-maintenance?

Well, they certainly can be.

But if you know what steps to take, maintenance can be predictable and easy.

Washing Rules:

Always wash your tablecloths on the delicate cycle.  And preferably wash them in a front loader.  They can easily wrap themselves around the agitator in a top-loading machine.  This just puts more strain on the cloth than necessary. And it’s also a pain to try and unwind after the cycle is completed.

If you need to pre-treat with a stain remover, make sure it is not going to bleach the fabric by testing it on the inside seam.  Some tablecloths are not made with color-safe dyes and will  bleed/fade/bleach easily.

If there are no greasy spots on the tablecloth, wash on Delicate/Cold.

If there are greasy food stains, treat with blue Dawn dish detergent and wash on Delicate/Warm.

Drying Rules:

Dry your tablecloth on the Delicate setting until it is mostly dry.  When you touch it, you want it to be just barely damp – like when you can’t decide if a fabric is cold or wet.

Now is the best time to iron it.

Ironing Rules:

Iron your tablecloth on the highest setting the fabric can tolerate.

Be very careful with this part – you don’t want scorch marks on your fabric!

If it is a heavy 100% cotton, you can probably iron it on a relatively high heat.  If it is a delicate fabric or has hand painting (or something equally delicate), iron on a very low setting.

As with the stain treatment, test the iron on an inside seam.

It is best to iron a delicate tablecloth on the reverse side of the fabric.  That way, you don’t run the risk of creating that shiny appearance on the correct side if you have to use a hotter heat.

If you’ve chosen to fold your tablecloth directly from the dryer, it is going to have the classic square folding lines.

Only ironing will get rid of these.  Despite what other resources claim, a hot steamy shower or hanging on a curtain rod just won’t do the trick.

Take the time to steam them out with your iron.  It will look so much more presentable, not to mention professional.

Storing an Ironed Tablecloth:

Martha Stewart recommends wrapping a tablecloth around an old inner tube from a roll of carpet.

But I don’t know too many people that have easy access to that.  Or a place to store something that big inside the house.  Although I do really like the idea.

I have found that the best way to store an ironed tablecloth is to lightly fold the cloth in thirds or quarters and ever so gently drape it across a strut hanger. (A strut hanger is the classic pant hanger you’d receive from the dry cleaners.)

If you’ve taken the time to care for your tablecloth, it can be a lovely focal point to an otherwise simple room.

Who knew there were so many great toys related to laundry?!

Some are available for Prime Shipping on Amazon.  So if you order today, they will arrive on December 22.  Not bad!

Here are some last minute ideas:

This is a great bath toy!  Kiddos get to scrub off the “dirt” when in the tub.  The little clothes stick to the bathtub when they get wet.  It’s a 12-piece set and is very reasonable priced at $9.30 and available for Prime Shipping.

This laundry room would fit right in to any dollhouse!  The ironing board flips up and down and washer and dryer doors really open.  Priced at $26.95 and available for Prime Shipping.

Playmobile also offers a pretend Laundry Room.  It features a figure (a little Mama Laundry!), ironing board, iron, washer, and drying rack.  A great addition to your Playmobil set!  Priced at $14.53 and available on Prime Shipping.

What little girl wouldn’t love this washing/ironing center?  Look at that realistic ironing board!  The set requires batteries for realistic washing machine and iron sound effects.  Priced at $59.99.  It must be ordered with ‘Expedited Shipping’ to arrive in time for Christmas.

Several more kid-friendly ideas coming.  Check back soon!

Free call pick up and delivery.

No contracts required. One-time service / weekly service / monthly service (your choice).

Up to 50 Items of Clothing. Any of the following items: shirts, jeans,pants, skirts, blouses, dresses, linens, etc.

Please call 561-290-0432

Currently servicing:

Boca Raton
Delray Beach
Hillsboro Beach
Pompano Beach
Deerfield Beach
Coral Springs
Coconut Creek
Parkland
West Boca
Lauderdale Lakes
Wilton Manors
East Fort Lauderdale

Does not include:  South and West Broward, North Palm Beach or Miami.

No checks, please.

I iron my no-iron shirts
on a dead man’s ironing board.
I wish I could remember his name
or how he died,
but it’s been a long time now.
When I iron my work shirts,
I imagine him
ironing his, and what they might have been like.
The ironing board is so generic
and middle country.
The print on the cover is a bland flower motif.
I imagine that he wore those terrible
short sleeve button-up shirts with the random patterns on them.
The cover is getting thin.
Sometimes, when I’m ironing,
the metal mesh underneath leaves a faint imprint on my clothes.
And, I’ll think to myself
that I should replace that cover,
so that when I die,
and some new person gets my dead man’s ironing board,
they’ll know what kind of woman I was.

My Monday, 12/8/09 did not go quite as planned as my little one still had a “tummy ache” that began yesterday and was threw up after eating breakfast so no work for me today! 

In light of the change of schedule I ate a bowl of frosted mini-wheats with 2% milk and a glass of orange juice and then later a cup of coffee for breakfast this morning at the dining table while checking my work email and working on my weekend post. 

Breakfast

Coffee

I spent the better 1/2 of the a.m. on the computer and watching a movie with my daughter.  Than I did some “much-needed” ironing and a load of laundry.  

Before I knew it my husband was home and it was time for lunch.  I made myself a small plate of red pepper humus with whole-wheat pita chips and veggies on the side.  The little one got chicken noodle soup and the husband ate a sandwich I made him last night. 

Lunch

The rest of the afternoon was spent running a few errands, chatting with the hubby, checking on the little one that finally started to feel better and was eating more.  Than in the late afternoon I decided to tackle the Christmas Tree Lights, which ended up being a little less time-consuming as I only had 1 strand of lights that worked to put on the tree though I did spend some time re-arranging the lights on the tree so there weren’t to many holes. 

Christmas Tree Lights

Dinner was bbq chicken wings with rice, baked beans and broccoli….that I am happy to say was a big hit with both of my PICKY EATERS!!!  =) 

Dinner

I spent the rest of my evening watching a Hallmark Christmas movie, while the husband was on his computer and the little one was sleeping.  All and all this “off schedule” day was very nice………=) 

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 

TIPS OF THE DAY! 

I saw an article titled Success Secrets! in my Health December 2009 magazine that I wanted to share with everyone, check out the “slimming tips” that worked for Health readers below: 

HIT THE BOOKS 

“I spent hours in the local Barnes & Noble, at the library, and online looking up everything from weight-loss exercises to the actual chemistry of the body.  It was like the blinders were taken off.  Now I finally understand how my body works – - – it’s kep me motivated.” 

GET SAUCEY 

“Substitute vegetables (like asparagus, broccoli & cauliflower) instead of pasta in dishes, and have just veggies with the sauce.  It fills you up for way fewer calories and adds more fiber to your diet – and you still get to enjoy the sauce.” 

KEEP IT FRESH 

“I try to only buy groceries that are on the sides of the supermarket (ME TOO!!!).  I learned this in a foods-and-nutrition class, and it really works.  All your produce, fresh meats, dairy, etc. are pretty much always on the outer aisles of the store.  I only go to the middle ones for what I absolutely need.” 

WEAR TIGHT CLOTHS 

“Wear form-fitting clothing (like tight jeans) when you dine out. I’ve found that it’s a constant reminder of your weight-loss goals.” 

DRINK PLENTY 

“Make water your best friend; it keeps you full and gives you flawless skin.” 

]]> http://mamaslaundrytalk.com/2009/12/08/christmas-gift-ideas-clothes-steamers/ Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:34:38 +0000 mamalaundry http://mamaslaundrytalk.com/2009/12/08/christmas-gift-ideas-clothes-steamers/

Have you run out of Christmas Gift Ideas?  Need some practical suggestions?

If you have a laundry lover on your Christmas List, stay tuned.  Most days between now and December 24th, I’ll feature an appliance, gadget, detergent, or product that can ease the laundry burden.

We’ll start with a…

Jiffy Steamer J-2000 from Amazon.com

Clothes Steamer:

Clothes Steamers are fabulous appliances.  For those of you don’t have a Steam dryer, it is difficult to easily refresh your clothes or knock the wrinkles out.

An old-fashioned iron just doesn’t really do the job.  And I wouldn’t say that it really refreshes clothes either.

Enter the Clothes Steamer.

You’ll often see these in clothing stores to make garments look newer after they’ve been tried on by customers.

How would this help you at home?

Let me count the ways:

- refreshing clothes after they’ve been worn once or twice – but aren’t really ‘dirty’

- can quickly smooth clothes that have been left in the dryer too long

- safely improves the appearance of garments that can’t be traditionally ironed (think velvet, sequins, etc)

- it’s faster than ironing

- works well on draperies and curtains

Like any appliance, there are several brands and price categories.  I pulled these from Amazon because I like having reviews to help guide my decision-making when purchasing an appliance.  Here are just a few to get you started.

Conair

Jiffy Steamer

McCulloch

If you’re in the market for a clothes steamer, there are several things you might want to review  before purchase:

• Will it take regular tap water?  Or does it need distilled/purified?
• How large is the water reservoir?  If it’s too small, you’ll have to fill often which is a pain.
• How long does it take to heat up?
• How large is it?  Do you have enough room for it?
• Does it roll so you can easily retrieve it from the closet/laundry room/mudroom?
• Do you have to drain the water when not in use? If so, how and is it easy to do so?

And there are even some fabulous travel versions!

I believe in conserving energy. 

I’m not sure if it comes from my early training back in the Philippines, where at some point in my childhood, we didn’t have electricity because it’s quite expensive at the time.

I was reminded of that Monday when there was a notice from the utility company that it will be the record for electric consumption, with all the Christmas lights and the cold snap.

I do remember when I was a kid that we used kerosene to fuel our lamps. 

I loved going to my grandma and grandpa’s at night because they had better light. They too didn’t have electricity but they had coleman lamps. It was brighter and much efficient I thought.

I do remember using an iron with live coal. 

At the age five I was able to help my mom in pressing my sisters’ cloth diapers.

It was like an adventure for me. I loved the smell of freshly washed diapers and colours of burning coal inside an iron press.

I did have an traumatic incident when one time I accidentally touched my chest with the tip of the iron press and burned myself. 

I was yelping like a little puppy.

After that I learned not to press clothes without a shirt on.

At around six, I graduated from using the coal-fired iron press to an electric one.

Electricity became more affordable for most families in my hometown.

We didn’t have any appliances then. There was no electric fan, no radio or cassette player. 

Even then, my mom always instructed me to turn off the lights when they’re not in use, or unplug the iron.

To save electricity, we usually pile washed clothes and iron them on the weekend at the same time. Ironing one item at a time consumes much more power, my mom said.

Even now, I still wait for the weekend to iron my shirts all at the same.

Turning off lights when no one is using them has become second nature to me.

I usually follow my partner after he used the washroom to turn the lights off.

He doesn’t always remember to, and I always nag about it.

I’m not sure if he does it on purpose.

Perhaps he’s become accustomed to me blabbing about the turning off the lights. When nobody is in the kitchen or anywhere in the house for that matter, I automatically shuts off the light.

Monday night I had thought of unplugging appliances that were not in use. 

Apparently even when they’re just plugged and not operating they still consume energy.

I didn’t unplug our appliances.

I didn’t have any reason why.

I also let the Christmas lights on until before midnight before I went to bed.

I still believe in conserving energy and maybe I will turn off the lights one night and use candles.

But during this cold snap, and since I’m alone in the house, I thought I’d feel warmer if I have the bright little Christmas lights.

Dec. 7, 2009

The clothing and textile industries have long been trying to solve the problem of ironing dress shirts, i.e. how to avoid it. The answer came in the form of resin finishes that were added to fabrics, which made them wrinkle-resistant. The first resin used to treat fabrics, during the 1920’s, was formaldehyde and it is still used today! Unfortunately, the molecular change that occurs from soaking the shirt in formaldehyde makes it more brittle (a wrinkle free shirt will last about 75% as long as an untreated shirt). However, a greater cause for concern is that formaldehyde is a carcinogen and  an allergen.

The latest generation of wrinkle-free fabric comes closer than ever to delivering no-iron shirts. Unlike previous versions, the use of linings affixed along the seams keeps pockets and plackets (both sleeve and front) from puckering, but adds a noticable amount of stiffness throughout the shirt. Also, there have been advances in the resin coating.  The new technology permanently attaches small particles to the cloth fibres. The particles are absorbed into the cotton and coat every thread, producing microscopic hair-like extensions that form an air cushion over the cloth, repelling water and smoothing out wrinkles. The technology is young and has progressed so quickly that health and environmental effects are still undetermined.

We remain big fans of the iron and pressed shirts, which reflect our philosophy about how we design and sew our garments: it takes a bit more effort to do it right, but the results are more than worth it.

This is a photo I did for my Facebook profile some time ago. I called it ‘ironing out the wrinkles.’ I thought I’d do something a little silly. I think I achieved my goal.

I may have given the impression, such is my skill at being obedient, that there has always been a woman in my life, from my mother to The First Wife and, now, Viking Woman. The truth is, I was a bachelor for six years.

By bachelor I mean I was free to do anything I wanted. And by that I mean leaving stacks of unread newspapers where they fell, not having to shave every day because “it scratches,” and not being required to share coffee. Here on Planet Man, we pretty much call that “heaven.” Or is it “paradise”? I can never remember.

There were challenges, I won’t deny that. For instance, when it came to meals, if I couldn’t nuke it, toast it or boil it, I ate it raw. I think I pretty much invented sushi in the process.

There was one stretch for, oh I don’t know, two days where I decided to be good to my body and eat nothing but salads. I would use no electricity whatsoever and thus also save on one utility bill. Except I quickly grew bored with eating leaves and shoots and tendrils and eventually defaulted to my standard fare: buns slathered with peanut butter. And a tall, chilled glass of Diet Coke. Are you envious yet? How about hungry?

I coped rather well on my own, if I do say so myself. I rinsed the dishes in cold water at least once a week. I vacuumed the apartment every other month whether it needed it or not. Sometimes I remembered to take out the rubbish before the place started to smell like an abattoir.

I also eventually identified the strange creature perched in the linen closet. The one constructed of metal and plastic, with holes in the bottom and an electrical cord trailing from its ass. My first thought was “Who would invent such a weird-looking door stop?” before having it explained to me that this beast was, in fact, an iron.

You use it to — wait for it — iron your clothes.

How crazy is that?

I did, in fact, learn how to operate that strange mechanism. Mostly out of necessity, which is pretty much the only reason us inhabitants of Planet Man bother to adopt any new skills at all

I donned a shirt, tie and dress pants to cover sports when I worked for the Langley Times. Yes, it was a uniform of sorts but it said “I’m serious about my job here, people.” It also said — because I covered a lot of high school games — “I am not a pervert. Honest.”

My opposite number at The Advance tended to show up at events looking like he’d just come from the beach. Or from mucking out the stalls. I firmly believe people respected me more because I dressed, well, respectively. Even if, clad all in black in the middle of the summer, I looked like I was on my way to a job interview.

That was when I learned the great secret to ironing: It doesn’t eliminate the wrinkles at all; it simply moves them around. Once you learn to shift the wrinkles to the back of your clothes, your job is done. Because, when you think about it, everyone looks at you when you arrive but no one bothers glancing over their shoulder when you leave.

So there you have it, another valuable Life Lesson brought to by the friendly folk on Planet Man. Next week: Fun with knives and toasters. You’ll be shocked. I know I was.

(179:  Wednesday morning at the board of ironing.)

My second favorite household chore is ironing.  My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint.

~ Erma Bombeck

I’m not feeling well today.  I don’t think I can manage the heavy housework I ought to be doing, but I’m not unwell enough to spend the day in bed or curled up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, sipping tea, and reading a good book (as tempting as either option happens to be right now).

So I decided I will concentrate on the laundry.  For only two people, M and I manage to accumulate a lot of dirty laundry over a short period of  time.  Just when I think I have caught up with it, another load or two is brought down to the laundry room and somehow, when I’m not looking, it multiplies, breeding vast piles of shirts, socks, towels, and other assorted and sundry items.  I wish there was a way to neuter my laundry so it would stop doing that.

I buried a lot of my ironing in the backyard.

I’m eighteen years behind in my ironing.

~ Phyllis Diller

And then there is the ironing.

Ironing.  Ugh.  I’ve spent a lot of time and voice protesting the ironing.  When I put it on a to-do list, it usually starts as “contemplate the ironing.”  Sometimes contemplating is all I can do when it comes to the ironing.

I walk by, I contemplate, I turn away and find something else to do.

I don’t know how many times I’ve said, “I’d rather clean bathrooms than do the ironing.”  It’s not the truth, but when I say it I think it is the truth.  I put it off, put it off, and put it off.  Like Phyllis Diller, I want to bury the ironing in the backyard (except that digging the hole would be more work than actually doing the ironing!).

There eventually comes a time when I have to stop contemplating ironing and just do it.  That is when I wonder why I put it off.

Ironing is one of those chores that forces me to be here, now.  I can’t go wandering off into the past or the future.  Stress, anger, pain, sadness, happiness, joy, love… whatever I’m feeling at the time comes with me into the ironing.

And somehow, it’s transformed.  It becomes me ironing.  And that’s all.  It’s the scent of hot, steamed cotton.  The feel of the wet heat rising.  The wsssshing sound of the iron as it moves across the soft, hot material of the shirt, the hissing of the steam.  With my feet firmly planted on the floor, my arms and hands are in motion as one hand holds and positions the shirt and the other moves the iron.

Ironing brings me into the right now.  Into my body.  Into my senses.  Allowing my mind to wander off could mean a burnt article of clothing or a burnt hand or finger (something I know from experience).  The meditative quality of ironing permits my busy (monkey) mind to settle down and clear.  All worries effortlessly drift away when I reach the point of being truly present in the moment.

Don’t get me wrong.  Ironing is not about to become my new favorite hobby and I won’t be going into the ironing (or laundry) business.  Today’s appreciation is likely to be tomorrow’s procrastination.  But it is nice, every once in a while, to enjoy the work I do and to take the time to appreciate an aspect of the job I’ve chosen.

(Yesterday’s view of the pond at sunset.)

So, here I am. Day 1. Blog no.1

I suppose I had better start by explaining just a little more about me: twentysomethingandmarried.

As I’ve stated in my profile, and quite rightly so, I married the man of my dreams. We are fast approaching our first year wedding anniversary but I’ve got to admit – it’s been bloody hard. However, (feeling rather naive) it’s not like no-one told me it wouldn’t be. I had sat through coffee after coffee, lunch after lunch, and heard time and time again from my girlfriends that ‘the first year of marriage is always the hardest.’ It won’t be for me and The Dude I heard myself thinking. The truth of the matter is: marriage IS hard.

Don’t get me wrong I love my husband dearly, and still get those wonderful butterflies in my tummy when I think about him. I also get slapped with the reality of everything that I do for him. From washing all of his clothes, ironing, feeding, cleaning and of course making all of the plans with friends and family, whilst holding down a full-time job (with a 3 hour round commute may I add) I’m starting to feel a little ‘unappreciated’ and can’t help wonder how the dynamics of our relationship all of a sudden changed after I said those two words, ‘I do.’

I decided I was going to start this blog a few months ago after the hubby and I had a very ‘insightful’ conversation. We were talking about two close friends of ours who had recently split up because my friend (girl) felt she did ‘everything’ and didn’t get anything back from her boyfriend :0(  I was shocked that my hubby took her side and immediately I saw this as an opportunity to subtly suggest that perhaps our friends’ situation was starting to become the same case for our marriage. To which hubby responded (far too quickly) “well it’s different for us, we’re married.”  Excuse me. The minute those words fell out of his mouth I saw the colour drain from his face. Rather than react in my normal manner of shouting I instead retreated to silence. I didn’t so much as look at the kitchen sink that week. Bliss.

Anyway, enough from me today. I’m off to dinner with some girlfriends tonight, where I will no doubt talk about being blissfully married and then I will come home and finish my day with a spot of ironing. Joy.

Friday and having done my depilation and exfoliation yesterday, this morning i showered and gave myself the requisite enema before splashing on a touch of perfume and slipping into pale blue lace panties that matched the dress i had decided to take to wear for Mistress Ana today.  First though, i had a plumber to deal with so had to wear my male clothes over the top of the panties.  Fortunately, the plumber arrived more or less on time and so i was able to leave for Mistress’ house by 10.45am and arrived around 11.15.

i was surprised to see a large van parked outside as i arrived and felt a little apprehensive as i climbed the stairs.  However, there was no need for any apprehension on my part, the van belonged to a sales rep for equipment Mistress was purchasing for Her business in Thailand.  i made us coffee and we all three chatted until the rep left.  Mistress then showed me how the dead bolt on Her back door had broken and dispatched me off to the local hardware store to get a replacement which i did and fitted as soon as i returned.  Mistress then had me remake the bed downstairs for Her daughter is arriving this evening.  i made up the bed, secretly wishing that i could be still in service with Mistress when Her daughter arrived for Mistress has told me that Her daughter knows all about me and would dominate me also.  There is something even more poignant about serving Mistress and someone else being present and knowing of it, possibly having me serve them also.  It sort of makes the relationship and my position as slave more public.  While many would think this to be humiliating, to me it is a desirable part of being a slave.  There is much to be gained for me emotionally from being Mistress’ slave but if no one else knows of this or witnesses my servitude, it is diminished somewhat in its impact.  i have wanted to be owned and enslaved for so long, i need confirmation of my position underscored by the relationship being known to and witnessed by others.  Mistress has made it clear that this will happen before too long and so i know that my time will arrive but as i made up the bed for Mistresses daughter, i couldn’t help but dream and wish it was to happen later today.

Only once i had made up the bed was i able to change into the turquoise lace dress and matching medium sized turquoise stiletto heels that i had taken with me to Mistress’ house so that She could get an idea of other aspects of my wardrobe.  i wore no bra with this dress which delighted Mistress, who’s first instinct was to put Her hand inside the top and fondle my breasts, play with and suckle briefly on my nipples.  Ooohhhh, the sensation was electric.  my nipples were still tender from yesterday’s prolonged attention and the touch of Mistress’ fingers and then mouth sent delicious tingles right through my body.  i did not want Her to stop and was instantly aroused and at that moment, i was like putty in Her hands and She could have done anything to me or demanded i do anything for Her.  i have become addicted  to her and intoxicated in my love for and desire to serve Her.

The nipple play was only brief but it set me on fire and i felt very much aroused as i went off to do the ironing that i had been unable to finish yesterday.  Another chore but one that i have no qualms about for to me it is like a prayer or act of worship from me to Her and i do the work gladly and happily.  Once i had finished the ironing, there was time for me just to quickly sweep the floor before i had to take my leave.  The last time i shall see Her for several weeks due to our respective travel schedules.  However, Mistress allowed me a final taste of Her nectar before i departed and gave me instructions as to the chores She expects me to carry out whenever i am in town, even though She Herself might be away.  i drove away feeling sad that i shall not be able to see Her for such a long time but so happy that i am Her slave and that i have such a wonderful Owner to serve and devote my attention to.  Mistress reminded me that the CB-2000 must remain in place, something that others might consider a severe loss of liberty but which to me is a comfort knowing that She has complete control of my sexual function and wants me to remain entirely under Her control, even though i may visit other Dommes such as Goddess Joyce on my travels.  i will be seeing Goddess Joyce and i will most certainly be given chores to do by Her but Goddess Joyce accepts that i now belong to Mistress Ana and am essentially on loan to Her while i am in Peru. Furthermore, the thought that it will now be at least 2 months before i am even remotely likely to be granted another orgasm hardly entered my head in spite of feeling both emotionally and physically aroused by serving Mistress Ana today.  It may in time prove to become a challenge for me to bear but as i write, the memory of the orgasm i had yesterday will take a long time to fade and it was so much more profound than any masturbation that i shall endure my chastity for the reward of another such wonderful experience at the hands of my Mistress, Domme and Owner,

We made a new ironing board cover for Katy to replace her ratty ole one.  We didn’t have quite enough of the green so we improvised with a white strip on the end.  I love the fresh spring print, and I’m pretty  that she is going to enjoy ironing so much more than before…

I know I’m the kind of girl who irons wrinkles into clothing, but this can’t possibly have been all my doing.

I was getting ready for the aforementioned interview today. After a good hour of trying to find something to go with my deep purple Oxford shirt (and after realizing I was going to be late if I didn’t just pick something), I set to ironing. Everything was going normally (intermittent swearing and name-calling of inanimate objects, but generally, more wrinkles coming out than going in), when the back of the brand-new shirt shredded. I didn’t leave the iron on it for too long, I wasn’t stretching it, the shirt just fell apart.

Why is it always when you are getting ready for something important that everything seems to go wrong?

Needless to say, I was not in a good mindset for an interview by the time I got into the car, hastily dressed, empty-stomached (no time to eat), and peeved. Luckily, the half-hour drive and some good ol’ Joni Mitchell calmed me down and the interview went alright.

Suddenly feeling an odd surge of sympathy for Janet Jackson.

No. My beloved and I really are Neanderthals when it comes to popular culture. Right now he is slowly preserving in a cedarwood smoky room  (the fire doesn’t draw), giggling at out-takes from French and Saunders. Youtube again: see last blog. I had to leave the room; couldn’t say if it was the comedy on offer or the ’smoke gets in your eyes’ re-enactment scene. Both were making me weep.

Today in housewifeland, I have been sewing and cleaning and polishing and scrubbing and making do and tidying away and folding up and flapping it out to dry. Ah! Such joys. Four months done in married life and only…how much more to go?

A friend commented on my temporal capacity, being newly married an’all, to even consider penning a blog. What with all the pants and sheets to iron and the buttons to reunite with collars that surely need reversing? I merely respond; with ribboned hair and swept hearth, I can be near to perfect and, yes, still find a few still moments (in between potting jam and broiling ham) to pen a few words of encouragement to my sisters.

Another friend commented something wry about being so wise at such a young age. I respond; when is one entitled to hold an opinion of ones own? Late twenties? Early forties? Or when all the old people have died?  Nope. I must confess, I find it hard to keep stumm these days. It must be the iron – steaming my brain cells and setting them alight with fanciful ideas, all of my own, about, well…things, and politics, and stuff and important goings on.

Or not. I feel exhausted with all this opinionated brouhaha.

I need to go and iron my husband’s face.

i was up early and out quickly, calling at the shops on my way to Mistress Ana’s house to buy some flowers for Her. i arrived at Her house at 8.45am and it was close to 9.00am by the time i had changed into my maid’s clothes, comprising black mini skirt and blouse, white apron, white stockings, black patent leather stiletto heels, long red wig, hooped earrings, ladies watch and the luxury of a little lipstick.

First, i found a vase and put the flowers in water.  i had bought both yellow and orange liliums – Mistress had made it clear that i was not to buy gerbera’s, chrysanthmums or roses!  i also gave them some cut flower food.  Next, i checked to see if Mistress had left any laundry.  There was too little to be bothered with.  However, in venturing downstairs i also checked the state of the bedroom and Mistress’ office, both of which Mistress had said were a mess.  She was not joking.

First though, i made up Mistress’ bed.  The clean linen had been left on the bed apart from two pillowcases which i found among the items to be ironed and so quickly ran the iron over them and put them on the pillows on the bed.  Once Mistress’ bed was made up, i went downstairs to make up the other bed.  Having done so, i thought that the room would also benefit for a clean so dusted surfaces and skirting board and then vacuumed the carpet.  i also wiped down the surfaces in the bathroom and cleaned the mirror.  i got the impression that Mistress’ youngest son had not cleaned either room or bathroom for some time.

Next, i tackled Mistress’ office.  Again, i wiped down all surfaces and tidied up papers, being careful not to throw out anything that might be important, leaving such things neatly on Mistress’ desk.  Here also i vacuumed the carpet.  Next it was back upstairs to clean the large balcony.  When i first went out there, i noticed the lady from next door collecting Her mail.  She did not notice me though but it got  me pondering what repercussions there might be had She spotted me.  Not so much a concern for me, more perhaps for Mistress.  Anyway, i continued with the cleaning, first cleaning the surfaces and then sweeping up the grime before mopping the tiled floor and finally cleaning the glass ballustrades inside and out.   While i was doing this, the phone rang and i decided i should answer it, thinking it could be Mistress.  It wasn’t. It was an Australian male, possibly Mistress’ husband, he wouldn’t say but when he asked who i was i simply told him it was roxie, the cleaner!  Having been told Mistress would be back tonight, he said he would call again later.

Once the balcony was finished i gave the lounge room and kitchen a quick tidy up and clean, not a thorough one because i was running out of time, but swept the floor where a few crumbs had been spilled and wiped down the kitchen surfaces.  i worked through from 9.00am to 1.00pm and by the time i had finished i was starving and also perspiring as the day had turned quite warm after a cool start.  i changed back into my male outer clothes, leaving the white lace  bra and panties on underneath.  It would have been 1.15pm when i took out the rubbish to the bin as i left and while i would have loved to stay longer and to have made a start on the ironing, at least i left the place looking much tidier and cleaner than i found it.

The rest of the day i spent back in my own office working to get as much done as possible in the hope of having more time to spend with Mistress on Friday, something i am looking forward to very eagerly.

What’s happening to me? Back in July, Ikeagate seemed to confirm my constitution as an incorrigible domestic What-A-Mess, merrily strewing puppyish chaos about my living space and passing off general clumsiness, laziness and muddiness as bohemian laissez-faire, but over the past few months I’ve slowly started to fold. Literally. I’m playing origami with my vests. I’ve bought 4 packs of those strange stiff shiny zip-up Komplement cartons and devised a clothing storage system so complex that I have had to print and laminate an identification key for my knicker drawer.

And that was before the arrival of The Shoe Forest.

Oh, God, The Shoe Forest. The groaning pleasure of replacing the cream patent brogues on their designated trees. They salute me smartly in the morning,  those serried ranks of footwear, crying out to be chosen to grace the Blonde’s freshly showered feet and insisting that they, no they are the pair that will defy puddle, coddle pavement-sore ball, and generally look outrageously hot (in an unslutty way). And so I pop on the chosen two, and don a crease-free frock (crease free! Who would have thought ironing in front of Merlin could be so much fun!) and trip out into the mortal muddle of London feeling like a minor deity (minor, mind you. No uppity manners here.)

Where will it stop? I hit Shoreditch House on Saturday evening to unwind in a suitably louche manner after a day of nerdy orderment and ended up playing chess for three hours! Chess!

Chess!

I did insist on playing with four knights though, because I’d got a bit of a Merlin fantasy going, what with all that ironing. And then I kept on moving the prawns (nipply chess pieces) sideways, and knocked everything over reaching for the octopus (not a chess piece. This was what we were eating). All those neat little squares were really beginning to piss me off.

There is hope.

I was officially on holiday Friday that turned out to be a laundry day.

My friends know I love doing laundry.

Often they’d ask me, “What are you doing this weekend?”

And my typical response would be, “Got a date with my washing machine and ironing board in my basement.”

I was 10 years old when I first washed my own clothes.

My grandma taught me.

It’s typical in my family that once you hit puberty you already know how to take care of your basic needs, of course that doesn’t include making a living.

But that includes knowing how to make rice, fry an egg or two, clean your own clothes, wash dishes, clean the house and other chores.

I grew up with my grandma and she was the one who trained me.

I didn’t know if my dad decided to send me to grandma to get trained as he often said if you couldn’t take care of yourself, then you wouldn’t be able to leave home and start your own life.

He was 14, when he decided to live on his own, after his parents split up and he didn’t want to live with either of them.

From hindsight, I wondered if he wanted to learn these things so I’d be ready when he and my mom separate.

They didn’t separate, although now they each had their own places on different cities because of their jobs. It’s difficult to explain in a short note like this what exactly is the score between them. I know that they make the effort to see each other as often as their schedules allow. It’s not uncommon in the Philippines. Many families have one parent working somewhere else and the other raising the kids. Heard about Filipino temporary workers? 

Yeah, there are thousands of them, if not millions, in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Korea, Canada.

Just name a country that hires cheap labour, Filipinos are there toiling away, all in the hope of providing a better life for their families.

My dad never attempted to go abroad. I don’t know why. But he and my mom put us all – seven children – to school. 

Some of my siblings didn’t get to go to the school they wanted but we all went, with my youngest sister the last one and still toiling away to get a diploma.

Every time I put a load of laundry in the washing machine, I’m reminded how difficult it was to wash clothes by hands.

I don’t do that anymore.

Even when I went back to the Philippines in 2006 I didn’t. 

My mom hired a laundry woman to wash my clothes. 

My dad was right, if you don’t get trained to take care of yourself you wouldn’t be able to leave home and start your own life.

I still do laundry, wash dishes, clean the house, and do other chores.

And I do them in own place, in my own time. 

Oct. 9, 2009

I don’t remember when or where, but sometime back I heard that wrinkles were the new cool. It was some new trend that the kids were shiznitty about. I could usually care less about the latest trends followed by the kids, but this one got my attention. Mainly because I’m a very wrinkly sort of guy.

I know the phrase “new cool” is old and busted but I don’t care. I live about three years behind the coolness curve. By the time I pick up on it, it’s already dorky and geeky and stale. But that’s just the way I roll.

There is no way in hell you’ll catch me spending the time to take my clothes from the dryer and iron them. No way. So I just wear the wrinkles and tell myself that is the new cool. I’m happy with that.

I’ve since been informed that I must have been mistaken. Either wrinkles were never really the new cool or that trend has long since gone bye bye. Too damn bad. I’m enjoying the wrinkles.

I was thinking about this and the need to conform. I’m no rugged individualist but on the other hand, I don’t think I’ve ever done anything simply to conform, either. If I don’t want to spend time ironing my clothes then I’m not going to, and I don’t care how others may perceive me when they see the wrinkles.

I think a line from a Joan Jett song about sums it up for me:

I don’t give a damn about my bad reputation!
I don’t give a damn about my wild masturbation!

Ooops. I improvised a bit there. Most of you are probably screaming at your monitors right now, “TMI! TMI!” (The few of you who aren’t — call me!) Heh.

Fashion? Bleh. The only thing that concerns me about fashion is: Is it comfortable? If it isn’t comfortable or serve some sort of function (like an extra pocket) then I have no time for it. I can’t believe all the fashion shows on TV. I mean, seriously. Who really cares about any of that crap?