When I was first married back in the late '60's it would never have occurred to me to go without make-up...shaving my legs and underarms was done in the privacy of the bathroom and cutting my toenails was the same.
Suppose I was still in my Mothers mindset in many ways...there were certain grooming rituals you kept to yourself...so razors and that dreadful Veet hair remover cream...do you remember that...it smelt foul, but was the only thing to use on my moustache, was kept in the bathroom cabinet along with a box of Tampax ...out of sight.
My then husband knew perfectly well that I shaved my legs and that I was horribly conscious of the line of black hair on my upper lip...so just why I hid creams and razors away I haven't the faintest idea.
One of my neighbours from those days used to nip across the road to the corner shop in her slippers...they were actually high heeled fluffy mules...I thought that dreadful...even worse, was on a Friday she'd put her hair into rollers and tie a chiffon scarf over the top in the morning...ready for the going out to the 'pub in the evening.
I was such a horrible snob that I thought her quite beyond the pale...
One of my boyfriends Mothers wore a cotton apron...the sort that crossed over in the front...she used to take it off when the milkman called for his money...she'd hang it up on a peg in the kitchen and smooth down her skirt before answering the door.
The minute she'd closed the door on the milkman she'd put her apron on again.
Another little quirk of my neighbours was to hang her undies out on the washing line so everyone could see...huge brassieres'...slightly grey from constant wear and washing...lace trimmed knickers and full length nylon petticoats...
I was horrified by the blatant display of undergarments...used to dry mine on a clothes horse and whip them off to stuff them behind a cushion when the man from the Prudential called...Lovable bras that could stand up on their own and plain black knickers...black stockings for work and suspender belts, which weren't so much sexy as practical.
The neighbours husband was called Colin...he worked in one of the carpet factories and used to come home drunk most evenings...shouting and banging on the door 'cos she wouldn't let him in until he'd sobered up...he used to sit on the doorstep for ages...all bleary eyed and needing a shave.
Done it again...sort of drifted from the original plot. Never mind...I'll tell you about soaking my feet another time.
I identify with that story as I was brought up by my Gran. I am still a little that way but do the shaving and mani and pedi's in front of my other half - who is totally bemused that I do this cos he couldn't give a damn. The thing is I do. I used to use heated rollers before i went to work - never could stand the thought of rollers and a scarf even in the privacy of my own home! We used to have a clothes line in our backyard that no one could see to put under garments on the rest of the stuff could go on the big line that used to be pulled up to about 30 feet or more I think! Ah so funny!
I was a snob did all that, coty l aimont perfume then youth dew after that I took a fancy to Chanel no 5 only worn on special occasions
I then discovered if you keep perfume in the fridge it doesn't start to give that horrible smell so yes vashti those were the days when we thought we were the bees knees
Ha ha................memories of my two big sisters! They used to hang their undies on a clothes horse that was pulled up on a pully in the kitchen,,,,,,,,,
Hi vashti I had to laugh coz my mum was the same. Things like that were always private in our house. She would rather have cut her throat rather than go out without make up and dressing nicely. Our home was always as neat as a new pin and very clean. She was horrified at how slobbish me and one of my sisters are about housework! She never swore either.
Mind you some of her teachings must have rubbed off on me as I take a pride in my appearance and try to dress nicely. Every time I put stuff on my washing line (but never knickers, bras or night clothes) I think of her hanging out washing for 6 people x
Those were the days; always wore make-up, manicured my nails, styled my hair, wore smart clothes and wore talc & perfume. I would not have dreamed of leaving the house, without my prep routine. Mum was the same and taught me and my sisters to be ladylike (i try, but at heart I remain a tomboy) snobby, maybe but it was about standards and mum, bless her, certainly had these. I am still interested in make_up and clothes but do not wear makeup for most of the time now.I would not have had the confidence to be bare faced, when young.
I still like my underwear to remain just that, I don't like to see bra straps on display. X
Isn't it odd, how when we were young and had beautiful line free complexions , we couldn't imagine being seen without make - up ....even though we didn't need it?
Now? When many of us could do with a bit of improvement.....we can't be bothered! Odd world, isn't it? lol.
it seems to be what should be in the bra that's on display now lol
Loved that. We've just had our 53rd anniversary. Could do with a truck to carry the ball and chain which Is getting heavier, only joking of course. I used to put hair rollers in at work if we had a date later. Once used some of my mothers hairspray from a plain bottle without permission. Then found the smelly and sticky mess was caused by fly spray. She didnt have any hairspray.
I still put my makeup on daily (it's my personal ritual and I love the glamour) I have pedicures once a month - if I didn't my feet would like a feral goat!. I colour my own hair hairdressers never get it right. I make an effort to wear what I like to wear. I like to cook for family and friends who I adore. I have two potty chihuahuas, a very elderly cat, Canary, two budgies and a diamond Python named Miss Hissy (my daughters actually she has since moved out. The thing is the COPD dosnt get a look in, but there is no way would let Michael into the bathroom when I'm in there no matter what I'm doing. There is such a thing called decorum! A few of my friends leave the bathroom open for all and sundry
Lovely post Vashti and took me right back to when I was younger too. I hated the hair removal cream because I used to develop a rash so had to use Zinc and Castor Oil cream to stop that - most attractive.
Pete's nan had a cross over pinny and used to wear it all the time. We had the man from the Pru call and he always sticks in my mind because he was short, wore a nice hat and was very chipper. The coal man was tall, lanky, wore a mac and had a speech problem. The milkman was the same one we had for years as were the two postman. Used to get two deliveries a day back then. You got to know the people who came to the door and even those who only occasionally came down the street, the knife sharpener, ice cream man, were familiar. I loved the rag and bone man as he would give a small toy or bubbles to kids who handed over their old clothes. All good fun.
Such memories you evoke Vashti and that's not a bad thing.
After leaving school and starting my first job, I was not allowed to leave the house with bare legs I had to wear either stockings or tights with no snags or catches and definitely no white shoes. These were my dad's rules and he used to check! When I was 19, I had a fall that meant my knees were heavily bandaged so I made myself some trouser suits for work - you would a thought the world was coming to an end, I did mention to him that the Victorian age had passed, he was not amused.
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A Simply Ghastly Birthday...
