Decluttering - 20 Yr Old Wedding Cake & Dress

So what does a 20 year old cake taste like? Well i cant tell you because i wasn't game.  Plenty of people were saying "Go On, it will be OK" but i wasn't up for it.  It did smell divine.  Every bit as much as it did on our Wedding Day, 20 years ago.  

There comes a time during the process of "decluttering" you occasionally have to put all sentiment aside and just toss it.   I am gifting some very large cupboards to a friend and had to empty them by next weekend.  Lord, the stuff i had in there that had not seen the light of day for well over a dozen years.  All manner of stationery items, all our received greeting cards (and i do mean all) boxed and labelled by individual, dried up paint, a gazillion staples (why?), used manila folders and paper of every conceivable colour and thickness.  Anyone would think that i ran a stationery shop at some point, but no, i think it has more to do with a certain fondness for stationery.  Some people like shoes, some like fancy knickers, well i like stationery.  Its just the kind of girl i am.  I also love containers of any kind but usually matching ones that come in all shapes and sizes.  In the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the bedroom cupboard and and and......   we are talking about decluttering, aren't we?

See, its official, stationery lovers have their own week.  I must remember to do something special next year.

So, on top of these two cupboards were many rolled up posters of various school projects, world maps, astrology charts, aboriginal art posters, you know really important stuff that must be kept.  NOT any more. All items in and on top that i deemed worthy for use by someone else (perhaps a budding SAH Mum that has plans for homeschooling)  have been boxed for collection.  Now why am i giving you such mundane detail of the contents of my cupboards?  Because, right on top in one corner, not the one furtherest away but the one right near the door and the place most likely to just throw something up to get it out of the way as you walk in, sat the top tier of my wedding cake along with the sugar flower bouquets that draped from one tier to the next (there were 3).  There it sat, all these years, and no one, not even accidentally, caused it any harm.  Amazing, as it was totally invisible, not only for short arses like me but even tall ones.  

Covered in a thick layer of dust.  No special covering, just cling film.  No critters had a nibble, no ants invaded, i must show this to Glad, good advertising material.  

 

Pretty amazing, isn't it.  Only the marzipan icing on the cake was slightly discoloured and the flowers still had their apricot highlights. 

My mother commissioned all three cakes and the icing from a lady in Leeton, NSW.   A true artist and no doubt the winner of many ribbons at the local shows.  The brandied fruit certainly contributed to the cakes preservation.  You could still smell it.  I just spoke to Mum and she was disappointed i didn't eat it or at least have a nibble at it and im kind of sorry i didnt.  

Anyway, i tossed the cake after taking photos and a ceremonial cutting and sniff with the family.  I have arranged the sugared flowers around a wedding ornament, also given to me by my Mother, in my display cupboards.  

Now ladies, what to do with my wedding dress?   I haven't looked at it for 14 years now and its up there on the top shelf of the walk in wardrobe along with my veil, garter belt and wedding "stationery" (now shopping for that was a good day).  What would you do?  Its too out of fashion to sell.  Its a large size (18). 

See, there was a husband there that day. 

Do i need to tell you this is my Mum (20 yrs ago).   Mum went all out on my wedding (though we shared costs) because the place where i was married and had my reception was socially out of her reach when she was young.  She was pleased i picked it and we really showed the locals that she/we were just as good.   There were orchids eveywhere that Mum had grown.  My bouquet was from her conservatory and is now named "Lynda's Orchid".  

These are photos of photos so excuse the quality. We are not all red in the original.   Do i keep it forever or do i really declutter?  It would be nice if another bride wore it but like i said, its out of date.  I even still have the choker.  

Thanks for Living In the Land of Oz