Week ago Sunday morning, I was all dressed to go out when I stubbed my toes on the half-opened bedroom door. That's the second time I've done that in the last six months. When I broke my big toe, I remembered thinking it was lucky I didn't break the smaller ones. Well...yeah.
Should be about 6-8 weeks until it is healed. I can walk on it, but I can't run😦. I'm headed out of town in April so hopefully it will be doing better. Luckily it is the left foot, so I can still drive.
If I can't run in the evenings, might as well get into my nifty, vintage robe and shop on the internet, as you do.
I can't remember where I found the robe, but it has a front, metal zip and the material almost feels like a crinkly taffeta. I love the flower-power watercolour print, and the colours are just so cheerful. It almost makes me forget I ran into a door.
Finally, an outfit to talk about! The jacket is made from a wonderful printed cotton, embellished with gold beads. It has giant shoulder pads, a cropped length and undoubtedly hails from the 80's. It doesn't show well in the photo, but there is gold paint throughout making it a surprisingly sparkly piece. I don't wear the jacket often for fear of ruining it, but I always enjoy the times I do take it out for fresh air. You'll have to trust me that it looks better in person.
The light wasn't better in the kitchen.
Outfit Particulars:
1980's embellished jacket-Can't remember
1970's skirt-Thrift World
Vintage brooch-Hand-Me-Ups
Belt-Goodwill
Vintage telephone cord handbag-Etsy
Marbled Bakelite bangle-Hand-Me-Ups
Fragrance-Ma Griffe
This candy-wrapper handbag was a recent purchase
I think that was a good deal.
Most of the time purses cost a bit more, even at Goodwill.
It was windy Monday! The skirt is embroidered with a gold thread, and has silver sequins to look like mirrors. It is only decorated on the front (annoying!) but it is fun to wear as you can't help but feel cheerful in that much sparkle!
Outfit Particulars:
Skirt-Goodwill
Top-Goodwill
Handbag-Goodwill
Earrings-K Mart
Orthopaedic shoe-Urgent care at 132nd and Maple😬I don't know what it cost yet, but I'm guessing it will be a LOT. I picked up a second shoe in black (Fashion!) at the pharmacy so now I can match my injured foot to my outfit. Don't judge.
Fragrance-Aquarius
Before my mishap, I wore this teal dress with a teal blazer that were a perfect match. That doesn't happen often, at least not with teal. Alas, I spent the day adjusting the dress and ultimately decided it wasn't worth it, so it was donated where hopefully someone with a smaller bust will find it to enjoy. I just can't do wrap dresses/blouses anymore.
Hopefully we're done with the need for winter boots this year *Fingers crossed*.
A goddess of Victory brooch carved from jet. Probably pre-WWI but possibly later done in an earlier style.
Brass bangle on top, painted wood on the bottom.
Some vintage earring goodness.
Outfit Particulars:
Teal 80's dress-Goodwill
90's jacket-Goodwill
Brooch-Etsy
Earrings-Goodwill
Vintage Snowland boots-Goodwill
Bangles-both Goodwill
Vintage 40's handbag-New Life Thrift
Belt-Thrift World
Fragrance-Vintage Miss Dior (I get it, or at least understand why people like it but I feel like a socialite on the way to a luncheon when I wear it...in other words, not me).
Speaking of antique brooches, this Edwardian sash pin is an interesting piece. The paste stone is a deep amethyst colour which doesn't show well in the photos. It is a gigantic piece, and I haven't worn it yet as it needed a bit of airing out after it arrived. Old metal can pick up odours and this one really did. It smelled of dill, actually. Anyway, it is fine now but I haven't worn it as the only Edwardian style dress I own where I could pin it on a sash in a lightweight cream coloured piece. Guess I'll have to wait until warmer weather.
No idea what the rust staining is. Might have been an old paper label affixed that left residue.
Just get the hell off of my lawn, you damn kids.
Tilting worse than usual here thanks to the uneven height of my shoes. I did recently find out my spine and hip can be corrected, even at this late age. As I've aged, the scoliosis I've had from childhood has worsened and obviously, you can see how I tilt, and if you were to view me from the side there's a dramatic hump on my back. Were it purely cosmetic, I wouldn't bother but it is now starting to impair my breathing and cause worse pain than I'd adjusted to living with over the years. Anyway, my understanding is they essentially take apart your spine like Leggos, fuse it and put you back together-or something like that. I'm at the perfect age to have it done-young enough that it would be worth the risk, and hopefully be able to recover easier. If I wait too much longer, it might be harder to do the rehabilitation afterward. Anyway, that's something we've been talking about here, as it would greatly improve my quality of life. Aside from the bashed toes, I'm probably in the best physical condition of my life from all the running. I knew all that cardio would pay off! If anyone has had this done, I'd love to hear about it if you feel like sharing your experiences.
Outfit Particulars:
Not seen-Peacock print dress-Goodwill
Bolero-Goodwill
Vintage 60's coat-Thrift World
Glentex scarf-borrowed from Danny's collection
Vintage handbag-Can't remember
Bangles-all over
Brooches-thrifted at two different Goodwills
Fragrance-Chamade
This is a case where the perfume is significantly different from the toilette. It is wonderfully green and full of aldehydes, and hyacinths. There's lily of the valley, carnations, lilacs, amber...spring in a bottle. The toilette never impressed me-I always thought it smelled like a generic late 60's fragrance, but the perfume is something else. If you can get your hands on a bottle of this, do it (and send it to me😀).
And that's about it. With the spring weather comes the allergy-induced asthma and I curse the maple tree behind the house every time Danny starts coughing. We're giving the home nebuliser a good workout, that's for sure. My project this week is hiring a pet-sitter for Xerox and Shitty. Plenty of people out there for dogs and cats but we just don't have that many people that know about birds. We'll find soimeone-I'm not taking a budgie and a goldfish on a road trip!
Hope you have a great week. Look out for doors!
15 comments:
please do some more research about correcting your spine!!! i know 2 people who had such surgery long ago and both are still suffering - the girl even has a slightly lame foot since.
and there are alternatives for sure! i developed a hump back in my mid 30´s, with much pain, blockades and the spine started to get stiff.... i found a yoga teacher (or she found me!) who is specialized in orthopedic cases - et voila - after 1 year of exercise the stiffness was gone and the pain and blockades are history. of cause i still have to do my exercises.....
love the pattern mix look with that fab 80´s jacket - gorgeous!
get well soon!!!
xxxx
So sorry about your foot. John's sister broke one of her big toes years ago and was told that nothing could be done for it, I think it was just taped up and healed slowly. She has had no further trouble.
I have had either stress fractures or arthritis for years in my left foot. In order to take my 1/12 to 2 mile walk I had to replace all my shoes in the last year. I wear Alegria or Vionic and love them.
Re that pin, could you use it as a necklace or a "pretend" necklace by placing a plain chain under it? I do that a lot in order to get more use out of my brooch collection.
Can hardly believe the hilarious names of your pets!! Did Danny name them?
JanF
Sorry about that toe! Toe stubbing seems to be particularly hazardous at our age.
That floral robe is divine! Who priced that candy wrapper bag- that is just gorgeous!
I need to get my neck fused- no amount of yoga, clean eating or positive thinking is going to bring back my collapsed discs. Just not looking forward to being surged upon.
Broken toes are a bitch!! Take care of yourself and you will be out running again soon. xxxxxx
Please add the embellished cotton jacket to the list of "items of clothing I bequeath to Beth" on your final directive. (Not that I'll ever have the patterned slacks or skirt with which to pair it, so it will be worn with black velour, as usual.)
More seriously, dear Goody, this business of spinal repair is both a mental and physical undertaking. Me mum suffered from two extra vertebrae added to extreme scoliosis, and she was forced to undergo surgery for spinal stenosis in her 70s. Not a pleasant experience but one which was unavoidable given the lack of options when she was young. Options for you in 2018 are splendid, but...?
Please google "Richard III, the New Evidence" and meet Dominic Smee, his 21st century body double. The relevance of the difficulty in breathing aspect of advancing scoliosis is made evident in this documentary. Perhaps you'll find a way to contact the medical people involved in this study???
Ouch! The number of times I've stubbed my toes, it's a wonder I've never broken any. The spine surgery sounds a bit scary, but seems worth considering if it's that bad that your breathing is impaired and you're in a lot of pain. It's not a decision to take lightly. The watercolour print of your vintage robe is lovely, and so is the embroidered maxi skirt. Total love for the godess of Victory brooch and the Edwardian sash pin too. Those would definitely have come home with me! Sending you lots of healing vibes xxx
Very sorry to hear about your foot - I hope it rapidly heals. You have a lot to think about concerning your scoliosis: After reading your blogs for a while now, I know you will research and analyse the options thoroughly and take time to make the right decision for you and your family - I wish you all the very best with this process.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw your telephone cord bag - I bought what looks to be exactly the same bag at an Antiques and Vintage Fair in Canberra (Australia) last Friday! it is brown and white like your and in perfect condition. I mostly pick up my handbags from Op shops and fetes but I knew my chances of finding such a wonderful bag again was very slim: sometimes you just have to splurge on something you love.
Best wishes, Alli xxx
I'm sorry to hear about your toe but delighted to hear your spine can be corrected. I would say go for the surgery but of course you will have to pay for yours whereas here it wouldn't cost us anything...
Firstly that robe is divine. I adore that sort of water colour print - it looks just like a painting. There's a Scottish designer here whose designs are very similar to your robe; her name is Blubell Grey.Do check her out. I wish I could afford her designs!
Your outfits are fabulous. I really liked your teal outfit; you looked like a 1950s lady who lunches...
What amazing brooches. A mourning brooch; a wonderful Edwardian brooch and some lovely flying ducks - are they made of wood or plastic such as bakelite?
Do hope your toe heals quickly!
I don't know if you follow Rosalind but she wrote of her back op here: http://www.rosalindjana.com/2011/10/backbone.html
It changed her life.
I'm so sorry about your toes but happy to see that it hasn't affected your fabulous style or sense of humour.
I remember admiring those recycled bags in India - they were expensive, yours was a bargain! xxx
Your poor foot I hope it heals quickly. I don't envy you having to decide upon surgery or not, I guess all you can do is weigh up all the options. My boss's husband had to have his back fused a couple of years ago, he had some complications with an infection but once that cleared he is doing marvelously and has no pain now at all. It's different for each person though so you have to choose what is best for you.
Love, love, love your flowery robe, so pretty.
Ouch! Hope you heal soon and that you do what's best for your back xxx
@Beate
Complications are definitely something I need to consider. I'm a bit too far gone for yoga to help much, but I certainly would consider alternatives.
@Jan
They call it "buddy taping" when you can use the next toe to support the broken one provided that one isn't broken as well ;)
The fish was originally named sunshine...until the first time we had to clean the bowl. He's about 4 1/2 now which is pretty good for a goldfish, I guess.
@Beth
I'm not saying I'd lock up any nephews in the tower of London, but I totally understand being a bit cranky from all the pain and inadequate breathing. I'll look for the documentary.
My mum had spine surgery for messed-up nerves that didn't go well, but she already had so many other medical issues, I question why they bothered. Hopefully as you say, things have improved since our mothers had their surgeries.
@Veronica
Cost is a big deal here, as insurance only covers about 80% (after you've paid a fortune for insurance) and I would likely need rehabilitation care afterward. I do live across the street-literally a two minute walk from the spine surgical centre, which is convenient!
@Vix
I wasn't familiar with Rosalind-thank you for that link. It is good to hear an account from someone that went through it.
@Miss Magpie
It is always good to hear positive reports along with the negative. You tend to hear more about things that go wrong, than things that go well, generally.
@Melanie
Thank you. I spent years yelling at my son not to run in the house...and what did I do? Good thing I wasn't carrying anything sharp ;)
@Bibi
The neck is scary, isn't it? I have had a bulge on a disk for ages that I just haven't felt desperate enough to fix. Good luck with it.
I have no useful advice to offer, merely enormous amounts of admiration:)
Augh, just reading how you broke your toes made me wince. I hope they're not as painful now and are healing well.
I hope you're able to find a good solution to the back problem - doctors are able to do great things nowadays.
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