Old ladies are actually experts at life, and we are fools (continued)

[AiryFairyMum]

Thank you so much for all your brilliant suggestions. I'm aware the last thread is running out, so I've added a new one, just in case we have any more suggestions from a bygone era, or we want to review any new purchases (I have loads on order at the moment!). Thanks to @kojolo for the thread title. Here's the link to the old one: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/3944582-To-realise-I-like-old-lady-things

Darklane

Yes I remember the Max Factor perfumes! Mum had one. It was a black cat bottle with a white ruff around it. I think it was hypnotique but she also had Primitif.

Does anyone remember when Avon made decent perfume? Not the watery vanilla soaked stuff they do now? Occur! was my favourite and also Unforgettable, Moonwind.

Anyone remember the Max Factor California range make up and the Swedish Formula skin care? And Revlon's natural wonder make up? I also remember their touch and glow foundation. Mum had it and I put it on my face. Her skin was a bit darker than mine and I did not realise you have to get rid of tidelines. Must have looked lovely when I went out! I really miss Helena Rubinstein. I loved their mascara and foundation. Have to wait until I can get to France/Belgium and stock up I guess!

Mum had a Ponds 'Angel face' dry mascara that you put water to but I never realised that and wondered how it worked!

I used the Cold Cream two nights ago just for a quick freshen up. Oh, my skin! Ever since, it's felt soft, smooth and refreshed which, as I was snowing (Psoriasis/very very dry skin) every time I touched my forehead beforehand, is lovely.

I don't see why people pay so much money for 'cleansing balms' when they could just stick with what has worked for years and years and years. My only gripe is that the tub is plastic and not the satisfyingly cold and heavy glass they used to be made from.

So pleased this thread been revived! We could all do with a little something to cheer us up at moment. I remember Avon perfumes being nice, there was one aimed at young girls in 1970s and I can't rememberber what it was. They also did cream perfume in a little fancy jar all different style jars depending on scent. My mum used to get one called Topaz and I used to borrow it. I always had Anaïs Anaïs perfume in 80s until going onto Calvin Klein Obsession in 90s. My husband actually bought me some Obsession a couple of years back and I couldn't wear it found it far too strong. Ponds cold cream, I used to use their vanishing cream in my teens and 20s it was great for mattifying oily skin. I didn't know Ponds was still going. Boots used to do their Traditional Formula I think it was called, things like rosewater and barrier cream for hands. I also remember Chelsea Girl and Mary Quant makeup!

Following too

Bought some Korres Greek Olive shower gels from QVC in August when on offer. Seem nice

I'm glad to see this thread revived! Especially as I'm looking for recommendations for a "traditional" advent calendar, preferably with a lovely vintage scene/images behind the windows.

A few years ago, I had a glorious one from Daphne's Diary, but their recent ones have been too "modern" for my liking. Are there any online shops I ought to be looking at?

Mighty I passed the Medici shop a couple of weeks ago so, as I love old fashioned advent calendars I searched for Medici AC, and came across this website:

www.traditionaladventcalendars.co.uk/advent-calendars.html?limit=all&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxdDv2bHw7AIVAbTtCh2itQysEAAYASAAEgJsqfD_BwE

Brasso sounds fabulous. Silly question, is it just for brass?

My dad drank this as a kid. To no lasting effect!

NannyOgg66

Yes I remember Avon's Topaze too! Lovely warm fragrance - Unlike Calvin Klein's Obsession which was a dupe for Cooper's fly spray.

What a very delightful thread.... I am so happy to have found you!

The ultimate comfort in lockdown times. I find I'm wanting a very simple "old lady" life at home, full of comforting things, while outside is so challenging.... so yes, a wee glass of sherry in one of my Dad's little glasses. For me it is Too Pepe Dry as that is what Mum always drank

And I've stocked up on Epsom Salts which my Granny always swore by.

Yes to Rosamunde Pilcher and to Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca..... the only novel that as soon as I'd finished it, I started at the first page again... I couldn't bear to let go until I was forty pages in, I was so sad to have finished it

And yes to Pond's cold cream and bars of soap

And porridge for breakfast

Thank you all for being such wonderful old ladies who I imagine range in age from 25 to 85! Is "old at heart" a thing? In this thread yes, but what I loved about my gorgeous great aunt who died at 102 was that she said she'd never felt a day over 21 her whole life.....and felt very blessed to have had such a lucky life. This from someone who lost her mother at 14 and for two years, nursed her brother with terminal TB in her, and his, twenties. So not just practical lovely things from old ladies but a wonderful approach to life as well

Looking forward to coming back and joining you again - thank you!

Bluegrass is forever etched on my memory as I remember my mum being absolutely furious when I smashed her bottle! Seeing the picture here really brought the smell flooding back.

I realised I'm an old lady at heart a long time ago, and I'm not even 30 yet

I love:

Cream teas
Cardigans
Hand cream
Nivea - the original in a pot, for night cream
Comfortable and bigger knickers
Anything rose scented
Period dramas
Big thick socks
Slippers
Staying in
Teapots
Hot water bottle
Going to bed early and waking early
Bars of soap
Vaseline

I think the main thing is realising the old and traditional stuff works just as well if not better than the newer and more expensive things.

@SeaRabbit thanks so much I have to have one of those advent calendars! I also just bought a vintage wool coat on eBay it's dark red and fitted with a fake belt and button on the back . It buttons all the way to the top and has a collar I love it! It reminds me of one my nan used to wear .

[quote Allhallowseve]@SeaRabbit thanks so much I have to have one of those advent calendars! I also just bought a vintage wool coat on eBay it's dark red and fitted with a fake belt and button on the back . It buttons all the way to the top and has a collar I love it! It reminds me of one my nan used to wear .[/quote]
That sounds lovely!

Hello. I am very late to this thread but love many of the things listed:
Secret sherry drinker
Teapots and using a proper tea set. Failing access to all of that - warming the cup before making a cup of tea with a teabag
Badedas
Many of the books listed and many of the other wonderful things listed.

I would like to add my perfect Sunday afternoon thing to watch with crumpets and a pot of tea - the Darling Buds of May
Every time I hear the music it takes me to a wonderful place. I love the tv series but I also love the original books as well.

I forgot cold cream- I used to use it all the time. Off to buy some in a minute. I also recently bought the Bronnley soaps shaped like a lemon that were mentioned earlier in the thread.
Found out I enjoy watching Father Brown.
Also I made tea from my home grown chamomile (and discovers that less is more!) and am making balm as Christmas presents, if I can recall how my Aunt used to do it!
The onset of winter is perfect for old lady activities. I feel a twin set coming on.

@Deathraystare

NannyOgg66

Yes I remember Avon's Topaze too! Lovely warm fragrance - Unlike Calvin Klein's Obsession which was a dupe for Cooper's fly spray.

it smelt great to me in the 90s 😂 Also your dad drinking Brasso! 😱

Thermal long sleeved tops under everything has kept me happy so far this winter, but the game-changer?

Shawls. Wrapping up in one is better than any jumper.

@teawamutu

Thermal long sleeved tops under everything has kept me happy so far this winter, but the game-changer?

Shawls. Wrapping up in one is better than any jumper.

I love a shawl So cosy and I love wrapping it around me.

@NannyOgg66

So pleased this thread been revived! We could all do with a little something to cheer us up at moment. I remember Avon perfumes being nice, there was one aimed at young girls in 1970s and I can't rememberber what it was. They also did cream perfume in a little fancy jar all different style jars depending on scent. My mum used to get one called Topaz and I used to borrow it. I always had Anaïs Anaïs perfume in 80s until going onto Calvin Klein Obsession in 90s. My husband actually bought me some Obsession a couple of years back and I couldn't wear it found it far too strong. Ponds cold cream, I used to use their vanishing cream in my teens and 20s it was great for mattifying oily skin. I didn't know Ponds was still going. Boots used to do their Traditional Formula I think it was called, things like rosewater and barrier cream for hands. I also remember Chelsea Girl and Mary Quant makeup!

Pretty Peach perfume? It came in a little pot with a raised pattern of peaches on the lid. www.google.com/search?q=avon+pretty+peach+perfume&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=XqtnGU4xnUfrxM%252CA8pbHTlnj5DvIM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQUxfCsSWud-TflPKz2JcGnZ_sm0w&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjFremo_dXvAhVDoVwKHSLGCZIQ9QF6BAgLEAE#imgrc=XqtnGU4xnUfrxM

@PeskyRooks

Hello! Checking back in with the old lady thread. I have Bluegrass love it. Today been looking for a below the knee bias cut lined tweed skirt for the winter. Just discovered Anya Seton books they are amazing especially Katherine. If you like Phillippa Gregory and Jean Plaidy you will love her books too.

I have Katherine by Anya Seaton - it's one of my favourite books.

Loving this thread and in this past year have actively channelled my inner old lady.

Now I have a gardening cardigan and use Wright's coal tar soap (bar obviously - non of this liquid nonsense).

Recall as a young teenager being given Bromley Lilley of the Valley soap by a kindly neighbour which made me feel so special and so grown up. That will be my next purchase.

And a shawl - hadn't realised I needed one but I so do.

Also picking flowers from my garden, so much more interesting than a bunch from Sainsbury’s.

*@SirVixofVixHall *

I remember that book - Mrs Palfrey- I read it years ago when I was mad for Virago books. When I lived in Peckham, Cherner books was the place for them - a whole load of feminist books. But of course the Mrs Palfrey book is more 'general'. I had the DVD too!!!!

Just waving jauntily to my fellow old ladies ...