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

I am 37 fwiw.

@TempleofZoom

So wise! Im going to get some cold cream this weekend but dont want a strong scent. Is the Ponds one scented?

What does it do? Is it moisturizer or cleanser?

I've always been a bit of an old lady. I like hooded cable knit cardigans, People's Friend magazine, fluffy slippers, lavender scented everything, reading paper novels, tea, country walks, cozy nights in and snuggling under blankets. I've been like this since a teenager.

I just used it to take my make up off, warm face cloth.
It says make up remover on the pot now.
Skin feels lovely, not tight or greasy.
A friend in the beauty industry told me that many cleansers are designed to strip your skin so that you get issues, spots, redness, dryness or conversely oiliness and have to buy more products in the range
I should really cleanse my skin now but Im not going to as it feels so nice.

@Templeofzoom thanks for replying. That's terrible about harsh cleansers, but I guess it's not surprising. Although I do find some mild wash off cleansers just don't do the job of removing makeup at all well and I get spots from skin not being properly clean. Maybe I'm not the person the mild ones are aimed at. It'll be interesting to see how cold cream compares to baby lotion as a cleanser.

Oooh hello everyone. I had posted on the previous thread and so happy to see we are still going.

I see ponds cold cream quite often in the shops, I even think there is a different range now. I have never used it before, so I'll pick one up next time.

I have also been eyeing up the Vinolia soap, the Lavender one especially. Although the range has also been revived and there is even a liquid hand soap now. And Lifebouy soap. Although it leaves a terrible red ring around the bath 😂. Itjust has that smell that reminds me of my grandad (along with old spice). But they all have modern twists now, but I'll do the sniff test for then originals.

I have a lavender bush and the flowers are looking a bit sad (it's spring here). Do I just lob them off and dry them out a bit more? I have a load of little organza bags so I'm keen to make up some lavender smelly bags to use in my cuobaord. They will have to fight for a spot in between all the soaps. I admit I have a problem with soap. It is allover and in every drawer. I can't even use it to wash myself with sadly, but I do appreciate the beautiful scents.

And I know I'm definitely an old lady now, as I have a new fave patio chair. But at 4pm my body tells me it time, to go sit out there with a cup of tea. Not wine, tea! 😂 And in the winter if it's really quite cold, then it's sherry whilst making dinner.

And all this whilst wearing an apron.

[quote InPraiseOfLadyGrey]@Templeofzoom thanks for replying. That's terrible about harsh cleansers, but I guess it's not surprising. Although I do find some mild wash off cleansers just don't do the job of removing makeup at all well and I get spots from skin not being properly clean. Maybe I'm not the person the mild ones are aimed at. It'll be interesting to see how cold cream compares to baby lotion as a cleanser.[/quote]
This is a whole new thread but essentially if you wear make up you should double cleanse.
So something to dissolve and remove make up then a mild non foaming cleanser to cleanse.

This thread has some interesting bits but is also riddled with lazy and patronising ageist stereotypes. I know it's meant to be lighthearted but would people make similar jokes about race and/or disability?

Even my grandmother didn't read The Peoples Friend, for goodness sake. And Bristol Cream is SURELY not liked by anyone, of any age??

Sorry. I expect most of you don't think you are being unpleasant. Cosiness- which is one of the things you seem to like - can be great. But it's NOT OLD. I know several very spare and tough and intellectually sharp older people. Not cosy at all. As the saying goes, 'just look at yourselves'.

@scottishnames

This thread has some interesting bits but is also riddled with lazy and patronising ageist stereotypes. I know it's meant to be lighthearted but would people make similar jokes about race and/or disability?

Even my grandmother didn't read The Peoples Friend, for goodness sake. And Bristol Cream is SURELY not liked by anyone, of any age??

Sorry. I expect most of you don't think you are being unpleasant. Cosiness- which is one of the things you seem to like - can be great. But it's NOT OLD. I know several very spare and tough and intellectually sharp older people. Not cosy at all. As the saying goes, 'just look at yourselves'.

Ive reread the whole thread and I cant see where the supposed nasty jokes and stereotypes are? We are talking about the things our grandmothers, aunts and neighbours liked . With fondness and warmth. Times are tough, anxiety is high and there is uncertainess. Reminiscing and needing to find comfort in things is natural and comforting. No one has sneered at Peoples Friend or sherry, other than you. No they are not for me but if people say they like them then why not. In fact its you saying that liking these things implies a lack of mental sharpness. My GM read Hello magazine and saved them for me, she made all of her beautiful clothes and was absolutely obsessed with politics. She shopped at Selfridges and had small rituals that she enjoyed such as tea at 4pm, always served in a china teacup. What we are celebrating is that small ritual of kindness and care to oneself that seems to have been lost in the modern rush. Old(er) ladies are indeed experts at life.

@scottishnames

This thread has some interesting bits but is also riddled with lazy and patronising ageist stereotypes. I know it's meant to be lighthearted but would people make similar jokes about race and/or disability?

Even my grandmother didn't read The Peoples Friend, for goodness sake. And Bristol Cream is SURELY not liked by anyone, of any age??

Sorry. I expect most of you don't think you are being unpleasant. Cosiness- which is one of the things you seem to like - can be great. But it's NOT OLD. I know several very spare and tough and intellectually sharp older people. Not cosy at all. As the saying goes, 'just look at yourselves'.

It was a light thread, until your post.

Oh rubbish:

Bristol Cream makes a trifle
My grannie who would be 110 at least now either wafted Shalimar or Horse and introduced me to The South of France and Gin &It.

I'm 61 and happily reminisce about my first shop bought cardigan and scratchy wool. Grannie's bolster, eiderdown, stays and hot milk with cinnamon and sugar.

She also drove a tractor and motor car in the 30s and ran the farm and family businesses during the war and after.

Not sure she ever read the People's Friend or a cookery book but she add up like a computer and usually had a ready reckoner in her pocket.

Makes note to read thread.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/4363390-The-Christmas-Chronicles-by-Nigel-Slater-Read-Along-Thread?msgid=111898473#111898473

Can I point you all in the direction of this thread.
Blissfully warm and cosy and we will be reading CC from 1st Nov.

I've been looking for you all for months!!! I was an OG on the first thread in lockdown.
Are you all over on the Nigel Slater thread now??

I have my bottle of Sherry and raring to go .

Sitting cosy under a patchwork quilt (made by me) with a glass of port. Is lovely.

I was BORN THIS WAY!
Now I’m 44 and I’m growing into my old soul and life gets sweeter all the time. Indeed, DH tells me he thinks he fell in love with me when he bumped into me in Camden Market in about 1993 ‘looking like an ancient bag lady’.
It’s been Tana Lawn blouses, Agatha Christie, staying in and baking since forever for me and now I have found my people 😍

OneofTheGrundys lovely! Hello

I am sat under my Christmas blanket on the sofa wth a g and t trying to remember where I put my knitting...

This thread has made me laugh, and at 67 I can be relied to come out roaring lite a gorgon at the ageism on MN.

I have a pile of People's Friend's calendar tea towels handed down by my late and lovely MIL, which I iron after washing. Also a collection of Rington jars and plates. She was properly of that generation, born in time to actually see the Marx Brothers on stage in Newcastle. My mum's perfume was Yardley's Freesia.

I need to recover my old lady-ness in some respects.

For myself I have hand cream by when watching TV
Use Nivea for my face - nothing else
Read and re-read EF Benson's Lucia novels
Have all of Alan Bennett in print and audio
Listen to to the Archers - started by my late DH who was brought up on it.
I have ambitions to be more dressed, less of the dog-lady look occasioned by my, er, dog who is walked twice a day
Drop the trainers - until lockdown I would never wear trainers unless running or going to the gym, and practically wore my lip out inwardly sneering at those who did. :o

@OneOfTheGrundys

I was BORN THIS WAY! Now I’m 44 and I’m growing into my old soul and life gets sweeter all the time. Indeed, DH tells me he thinks he fell in love with me when he bumped into me in Camden Market in about 1993 ‘looking like an ancient bag lady’. It’s been Tana Lawn blouses, Agatha Christie, staying in and baking since forever for me and now I have found my people 😍

Tana lawn is the world's nicest fabric bar none.

I could have written this!
Handcream right beside me now.
Nivea tick.
Lucia novels tick.
Obsessed with Alan Bennett
Archers tick.
Have some lovely soft supportive trainers as I have Long Covid which affects my feet.

Also our house is old and even with heating on my lower legs and feet get cold so just bought some leg warmers
Not sure that is "old lady" but they are very cosy!

I was supposed to quote your post echt but it didn't work!

I was on the previous thread, too.

Harvey’s Bristol Cream is the ambrosia of the gods. So there, naysayers! I too love quilts and Liberty tana lawn and sent daughter off to university with one of the former, made from the latter.

Been at this for decades, me and my mates used to call it the German shotputters society.....runs for cover and tin hat....while the woke accusers declare us racist, vile or lord knows what....

I found a load of back copies of The Lady in a charity shop the other day.
Just sat with a cuppa doing a crossword from the back of one. Tree lights twinkling. Santa blanket on knees. Bliss.
Love reading the ads at the back for cooks, housekeepers and nannies etc.
Might get a subscription!

I've just stumbled across this thread. Could have done with the hug of the last thread during the first lockdown.

I love Agatha Christie, Miss Read's Fairacre seires (but not Thursh Green oddly enough) and crocheting blankets. May have a bottle of Harvey's in the cupboard from last christmas that I'm slowly working my way through too.

@wildthingsinthenight I've bought the odd copy of the Lady. It's wonderful, but the subscription is quite pricey. I think I looked as a possible gift idea for my mum.