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To realise I like old lady things

999 replies

AiryFairyMum · 20/06/2020 15:13

I bought some Yardley perfume for my grandmother and haven't been able to give it to her due to lockdown. I really like it and am going to buy some for me.
Also, I've started looking at those pointy cross-your hearty bras and thinking they look comfy and I quite like the shape, without having to cope with underwires (which I hate).
I'm 37, not 73. Are there any other old lady things I might like please?

OP posts:
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20
BardyMum · 25/06/2020 23:38

The Tortoise and the Hare by Elizabeth Jenkins
anything by Elizabeth Bowen
Mitfords

kojolo · 26/06/2020 07:34

@Binterested, well she's a snob. And that's fine. I don't mind a literary snob - especially in an editor. She probably looks down on Eccles cakes from the market and electric blankets, too! Grin

Dorothy Whipple's literary crime is writing books that are hugely readable and not hugely challenging stories for people who are chiefly interested in spending time with some women in a book for an afternoon. I don't disagree with the analysis, only the crime part.

hippochoc · 26/06/2020 10:23

Joyful thread!
Yes to practically everything mentioned, like to add Persephone books, (Fortnight in September nothing really happens, a family go on holiday together to the seaside, one of the cosiest books I have ever read).
Moshulu for footwear, any boots, sandals slippers, so comfy,
robell and uniqlo elasticated waist trousers.
Now if I could get my hands on some of those ceramic hanging floral pots with holes that you fill with pot pourri or lavender and hang in wardrobe.
Going to buy some lime cordial later Smile

PeskyRooks · 26/06/2020 10:28

hippo they are called pomanders and there are loads of lovely ones on eBay!

hippochoc · 26/06/2020 10:35

Ooh thanks pesky am going to get a cuppa and have a browse!

Bioprepper · 26/06/2020 10:48

On my list this week was rose talc from m&s but its sold out! im wondering if that was mumsnetters getting their fix? Grin

ive also ordered a honeysuckle to go by the front door, and some new flat, wide, suitable for high arch shoes. oh and i picked up a tv magazine this morning. My ringtons order should be here today too

On my wish list is new tea towels, those smelly things you hang in the wardrobe and powder with a puff

SerendipitySunshine · 26/06/2020 10:51

I love honeysuckle flowers in the garden!

Also Eccles cakes are heavenly with Cheshire cheese. Mmmmm....

SerendipitySunshine · 26/06/2020 10:51

Actually maybe Lancashire cheese would be better as Eccles is Lancashire isn't it?

EvilPea · 26/06/2020 10:56

I raise you @sirvixofvixhall semolina, but with lemon curd.

Devine

Destroyedpeople · 26/06/2020 10:58

Oh God please not 'the Mitfords' such a ghastly fascist aristo family. Everyone fawning over them ever since. One of them did write some amusing novels I suppose.

MitziK · 26/06/2020 11:29

[quote Kaathesnake]@MitziK

Bolting the doors made not a bit of difference... they got tied to the doorknob!😆 luckily, marrows weren’t a ‘thing‘ by me, it was apples, bloody apples!! I was at home, stewing apples in my early teens when I should have been out, showing off in front of boys😁

I’ve just realised that in my work bag I carry...
Plasters of different sizes
Germolene
Headache pills
Indidestion pills
Hay fever pills
Deep heat
Safety pins
A small sewing kit
Hairbrush & spray
Cough sweets
Old Lady Handbag😱

Our young staff members may think I’m old and slightly strange... but it’s me they come to for help when buttons come off or they have a hangover or sore throat!

I’m known as ‘Mother’ or ‘Wilma’ (Flintstone) as the oldest in the building![/quote]
I worked in a secondary school with a huge deprivation problem (as in check the register - Good Grief, there's a child who isn't in the Pupil Premium Group in this class). I was in a specialist technical role, traditionally 'male' associations.

Guess who the kids came to see if they had torn their trousers, the sole of their shoe was hanging off, glasses broken, buttons needed sewing back on, a stuffed Heffalump that had been theirs since they were two had some broken stitching (with a request to, if I would do anything about it, please not tell anybody it was theirs), etc?

I was in technician clothing, not an old lady thing in sight, spent my days with my head in electronic/electrical equipment and waving wires and cables around - but they came to me, not anybody else.

GarlicSoup · 26/06/2020 13:11

That’s lovely @MitziK

LesLavandes · 26/06/2020 13:18

I have 2 fluffy bed jackets which i love

GarlicSoup · 26/06/2020 13:39

My beautiful elderly cats.
Whistling kettle on my Aga.
Tea in my Grandmas teapot.
Tea cosy.
Inherited furniture.
Ancient Turkish Rug.
Old cashmere sweaters.
Always sensible shoes.
Big soft knickers and bras.
Pointelle camisoles.
Thermal vests.
My Grandmas wedding and engagement ring.
Flannelette sheets and nighties.
Hot water bottle.
Glass of lucozade when peaky.
Gentleman’s Relish on hot buttered toast.
Radio 4.
The Archers.
Miss Read books.
Chanel No 5.
L’Air du Temps.
Blue Grass.
Real fire and a toasting fork.
Toasted tea cakes.
Fruit scone with lashings of butter.
Real salted butter.
My Great Grandmas silver vanity set with her initials engraved on them
Mohair travel blanket.
Vintage Christmas decorations and tinsel.
Sweet sherry.
Warm milk with brandy and a spoon of sugar.
Horlicks.
Hand knitted cardis.
Mismatched China and cutlery.
A cut glass cake stand.
Cake tin with homemade cakes or biscuits.
Old fashioned homemade birthday cakes with butter icing and a vintage ballerina on top.
Family photo albums and slides.
Beeswax furniture polish.

AiryFairyMum · 26/06/2020 14:52

@garlicsoup I love all of these! Particularly the inherited furniture and rugs. I love old jewellery. I love yellow gold rather than white gold or platinum. My grandmother says it's more flattering on your skin, and certainly on our skin tone it is. But all my friends have white metal.

OP posts:
HelenRose1111 · 26/06/2020 15:02

Sloggi big pants (been wearing them since mid 20s)
Triumph Doreen Bras (soooo comfy no wires, I call it my rawhide Bra - Head 'em Up & Move 'em out!) Grin
Issey Miyake perfume
Lemon bon bons
Potters Chesty Cough Pastilles, taste of creosote but stop you coughing

BluebellsareBlue · 26/06/2020 15:06

Oh BIG PANTS!!!

BluebellsareBlue · 26/06/2020 15:06

Oh and I love a cardi!! Have done for years. I'm 44

woodhill · 26/06/2020 15:26

Cardis rock, easy to take on or off with me going hot and cold

JudgeRindersMinder · 26/06/2020 15:43

I have so found my people!
Has anyone mentioned cake forks yet?

ppeatfruit · 26/06/2020 15:52

Crikey you move fast on here Grin Do any of you lovelies know how to mend my favourite patchwork quilt? It's old (not handmade or special apart for to me) and nearly falling apart.

Musician Tom You have the same feet as dh. he wears\loves Sketchers for informal wear and Timberland for smart wear.

I'm now into not buying much new nowadays (due to the environment). It's funny I remember not wanting to buy cheap Japanese products, now I'm upset at all the cheap Chinese stuff that comes over on those hideous tankers.

MitziK · 26/06/2020 15:55

@JudgeRindersMinder

I have so found my people! Has anyone mentioned cake forks yet?
Got a couple of dessert forks somehow (I have no idea how some of these things turn up in the house, I've got some silver sugar tongs that way - despite not taking sugar in any drinks) and DP instantly picks them on the rare occasions he brings home cream cakes or tartes.

He's just asked if I'd be more comfortable at night if he picked up a new plant spray bottle and filled it with water. I'm not even menopausal yet.

Another OLT thought - wooden spoons and metal utensils in repurposed containers. No plastic spoons here (and what exactly is the point of a plastic fish slice/egg flipper? It bends as soon as it touches hot food and you end up with whatever you were picking up in a heap of mess).

Keeping an eye out in charity shops for a china chicken to store eggs in as well. Not a new one, it has to be ancient, as they stay cooler.

EvilPea · 26/06/2020 16:46

Oooh I’ve been on the lookout for a silver sugar spoon for a long time. Not found one yet. I do have a full set of ivory handled butter knives. They are brilliant, but can’t go in the dishwasher.

ppeatfruit · 26/06/2020 17:08

Iam living the life of an older lady than me! We live in an ancient house with beams , baskets hanging off them , herbs drying on them.

Apart from the technology Grin Though I hate Face Book and all other social media (apart from this site of course!).

I collect rainwater for the garden off the old grange that has no gutters. Into a recycled bath.
I only take water softened baths
No dishwasher
Shutters closed against the heat in summer and the cold in winter
Log burner. Proper essential oil burners.
I do a lot of handwashing\soaking and hung wet on a dryer in the bath or outside in the good weather.
Linen, silk and wool clothes (see above) all old and carefully cared for. Kept for best Grin
I use eucalyptus (mixed with apricot oil) for massaging\treating spots,warts etc.
Go to bed at 10.30.pm up at 7am. Go out early to garden in the hot weather.
Wear comfortable flat shoes.
I change out of going out clothes to easy wear clothes inside and special gardening clothes. Wear rubber gloves for washing up, specific gardening gloves etc.
I wear lavender ess. oil as a perfume and also Penhaligons for best!
Yes to sloggi organic cotton big knicks. All cotton underwear.
Send Christmas and birthday and condolence cards. I'm going to finish there's more!

wildthingsinthenight · 26/06/2020 17:14

ppeatfruit
What am amazing post! Loved it.
garlicsoup
Yes to your whole list especially handed down furniture, Miss Read and Gentleman's Relish

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