The Surprising Benefits of Not Throwing Things Out

I don't have a photo that I want to post today, so I thought I would tell  a story instead.  The reason I am able to come up with this story is that I wrote it for a contest several years ago, and not being one to throw things away, I ran across it this morning.  The object of the competition was to tell a story in 50 words exactly.  At first I found it difficult, but then I got into the swing of it, and wrote lots of them.  Fortunately, they are all together in draft form in my old notebook!  (Also a bit of dust on the cover, but let's not be picky!)  It's called:


Resolution Therapy


New Year's Eve, Elsa began a life review, starting with her failures.  By number 39, she was depressed.

Her therapist recommended delving into her past. Instead, Elsa wrote a best-seller called "How-Not-To-Do-It".

Years later, finding her original list, Elsa burned it, along with the therapist's card.

Shocking underwear!

Here I am, looking like one of those dollies that hides a roll of toilet roll paper underneath.  Apologies if this doesn't bring up the image of a crocheted dolly on the top of the toilet tank!

Gorgeous husband took this photo of me in a hoop skirt and corset when we visited the Costume Museum in Bath.  Little did I realize that just a few years later I would be wearing one of these swinging bell type garments with a blue Victorian dress over top of it.  It really does have a lovely swinging rhythm as you walk.

The Costume Museum had various outfits for the public to try on to get "a feel of yesteryear", so to speak.  Naturally, I popped it on over top my sweater, for a truly fetching look.

We spent the rest of the day, after leaving the Museum, exploring various interesting boutiques, workshops, antique shops and funky junk stores.  It was a smashing day.

Words of Truth on a Tee shirt

I had to laugh when I saw this message on a tee shirt in a shop window in Vienna.  I never wear tee shirts with slogans or pictures on them, but this one really grabbed my attention.  Maybe because there wasn't a person wearing it (trying to be smart) or maybe just because the message is so undeniably TRUE.

Playing at being Victorians

Here I am in the Dingle in Shrewsbury, a delightful little park more or less in the town centre.  My gorgeous husand and I are playing at being Victorians.  On the left of the photo is a fellow dressed as a Victorian policeman, and on my other side, dear husband, dressed in an outfit that -- to be honest, resembles somthing a travelling snake-oil salesman might wear.  He is supposed to be a politician, so I'll let you draw what conclusions you like from that, in regards to how appropriate it is!

We are part of the Shrewsbury Heritage Group and are re-enacting the Olympic Games, that were revived by William Penny-Brooks, and held in Shrewsbury in 1864.  Yes, my Candian friends, even before Canada was a nation!  The history is all around us here in England, and every once in a while I put in my "North American eyes" and marvel at it all!  The church in the background of the photo is St. Chad's where Charles Darwin was christened. 

Here is a close up of my Victorian booties, and even though they were just the right thing to wear, they weren't made for comfort.  Still, I could manage for a few hours, and that's what us Victorians do, suffer for beauty!

Love from England,

Rose

Nothing like red nails for a bit of glamour!

Here I am showing off my lovely red manicure that I got to accessorize my 1940s outfit.  Nothing like bright red nails to make you feel glamorous!  Such a simple thing to do, and yet, how effective.  Especially if someone else does them for you.  I had treated myself to a manicure and now I know why people spend the money on it instead of bothering to do it themselves.  It is a much, much better job than what I do on my own.  The close-up also shows the pattern on my forties dress quite well too.

The Catwalk in the 1940s

Here I am about to enter a genuine 1940s caravan.  It was cute as a button!  Tiny sink and kitchen cupboards, a wooden "wireless" radio, rag rugs on the floor, and of course, some deck chairs and geraniums outside.

It's wonderful to enjoy the fashions of the 40s and the music without the inconvenience of rationing, not to mention the worry about bombs, or being invaded.  How luck we are to live in these times!  They had samples of the rations on display and I could easily eat a week's supply in one meal, or two if I was dieting.  It's a good thing I'm only play-acting, or I'd be a lot thinner than I am now. 

The Catwalk, Regency style

Fashion in the era before jeans!!  Here is my gorgeous husband and I dressed in Regency outfits of the early 1800s period, parading around at Attingham Park, Shrewsbury.

This is the first post for my new blog, and I am about as competent as a Regency lady at this!  I'm better at fluttering the fan.

This is just one of my "adventures in style" about looking good and feeling good as a woman "of a certain age."   Further adventures in later posts, once I come back to this century.

Love from England,
Rosemary