Hi everyone! I’m Tiffany from Tiffany Leigh Interior Design and I am so thrilled to be here today participating in Jackie’s new series, based off Nate Berkus’s book “The Things That Matter“.  It’s one of my favourite coffee table books – it really made me change the way I think about personal belongings.
Let’s face it, I collect a lot of things. I’m not quite hoarder status, but I love antique shops and thrift stores and flea markets for the little treasures they hold. Those Staffordshire dogs for example? Got them flea-ing with my best friend Laura after a break up. They are the dog statue version of her and I – two peas in a pod and oh so chic yet a little bit crazy.

But when it comes to items that really have a sentimental value for me, my vintage Bols Ballerina Bottle has special meaning. It belonged to my grandmother, and was once filled with gold flaked liquor. Sometimes I wonder about what she was doing on the evening it was poured.

 When my grandma had a stroke a few years ago, she had to leave her apartment, and this meant getting rid of many of her belongings in an auction. I had been enchanted by the bottle since the first moment I saw it, and my grandma graciously allowed me to take it home with me before it was sold away to someone else.

Every time I wind it up, I think of my Grandma, who is doing well now. Both of my grandmothers are some of the STRONGEST women I know. If you wind up the bottom of the bottle, my tiny ballerina still dances, and music still plays. It is a keepsake I can see myself winding up in the nursery of my future children. Though it has no monetary value (the bottles were mass produced in the 1950s and 60s), it is a priceless treasure to me. Can’t wait to see you at Christmas Grandma!