Crinoline Robot's Vintage Week

Been cooking retro food over at Greedybots again...
For once, I actually feel as though my life is vaguely under control. That's pretty rare for me. The garden isn't quite a mess, the house is more or less presentable, and I've had time to work on one or two personal projects. I've really been enjoying vintage gubbins lately, too.


I bought some more vintage music. You can see my review of the first CD, Tea Dance, here.

I'm also on a mission to eat more salads. My back has been playing up, and I suspect the cause is a disc problem - I also get a numb thigh, which would suggest a nerve is being compressed somewhere - but as I know the doctor's first response will be to tell me to lose weight, I might as well do all the appropriate things before going to see the doc. I've decided to write about my salads over on Greedybots, and kicked off with a retro classic, Russian salad. It's laden with mayonnaise, so probably not great on the calorie front. Tasted great, mind you. I shall try some other retro salads too, though I'm not sure whether to go the whole hog and do a jelly salad. What do you reckon?

More of my vintage has made it out of the wardrobe, probably as a result of last weekend's mothproofing escapades. I worry about damaging clothes, especially in the case of frocks that have had buttons pulled off in the past, but that's stupid. If it doesn't get worn, it's pointless. So, if it fits, it gets worn. Not sure what the workmates make of my outfits, though my favourite 60s wiggle dress got plenty of compliments on Friday.

I had a book-buying accident in Waterstones yesterday and got a couple more books in the British Library's vintage crime re-release series. Oops. Still, I only bought two books and there were at least five I wanted, so that's sort of a win. I've started reviewing books for another magazine (I do three now, SFX, Crime Scene and this new one, which is a launch that I'll tell you more about when it goes on sale), so I don't know when I'll get round to reading the new ones.

Glamorous July is going well - I don't manage to do every day's challenge, but I did dig out my AB crystal necklace for the 'sparkle' challenge. (I need more of these!)
I'm not watching much telly at the moment, but one thing I really do love is The Living And The Dead. It's set in 19th-century Somerset, as a young psychologist and his second wife move back to his family estate and try to make a success of the farm, though all sorts of spooky goings-on get in the way as the dead seem to have an effect on the living and the psychologist starts to think it's more than memories causing the troubles. It's like Poldark crossed with The Wicker Man, and I think it's brilliant. I just wish the BBC had waited till later in the year to broadcast it, as so much of it is to do with the farming cycle, harvest time would have been a much better time to watch it. If you've missed it, it's available on iPlayer from the start still.

How's your week been?

Comments

  1. They always tell you to lose weight-you could present at the surgery with a brain tumour and they'd tell you to eat less and take exercise. That said, I wish you luck with your diet, and I hope you get your pain sorted out soon-nerve pain is awful.

    You do look glam in those sparkly crystals. Whatever lipstick that is...I want it! Perfect colour.

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    1. The back pain seems to be waning again. It's one of the reasons I do my morning walks - the walking helps my posture and core muscles, so keeps everything moving.

      The lipstick is, frustratingly, a limited edition from several years ago. I love the colour, and it's matte and long-wearing. I ought to smudge some onto a piece of paper and go questing for a replacement.

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  2. I've akways liked the wicker man

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    1. Yup, you can't beat a bit of Christopher Lee! He's one of my all-time favourites.

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  3. Oh, now I am sorry I didn't follow The Living and The Dead ... Anyway, good luck with your diet, and as I know what back pain is all about, good luck with that too. Moving around usually helps for me ... xxx

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    1. Yeah, if I keep moving, it'll go faster!

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  4. Mim,

    I have to say jelly salad sounds revolting! I like the look of your Russian salad, though.

    Sorry to hear about your back pain - it's a bummer is that. Walking should help and so should losing weight if that's what's you have to do, but what a bore it all is. I have never dieted seriously, know I could do with losing at least stone but I just try to eat sensibly and exercise regularly i.e. walking.

    I do admire your restraint in only buying two instead of 5 books - you can 10 brownie points for that!

    Love the red lipstick - I'm always seeking the perfect red (at a budget price) and so far my favourite is Rimmel No 10 - one of the Kate Mosse, London range. I really like those crystal beads, too.

    I meant to watch The Living and the Dead - thanks for the reminder!

    Have a fab week

    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

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    1. The Living and The Dead is still on iPlayer for a while.

      I don't do diets as such - I'm just making sure I take salads into work so I don't keep eating cheese paninis from the canteen!

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  5. I had bad back problems for a few years and two years ago saw an osteopath that I was recommended. He was amazing and sorted it out for me after three sessions - turns out I have a very curved spine. Yes, agree about the Beeb's scheduling of The Living and the Dead, as it would have been better to watch it when the nights are getting darker and there's a hint of autumn around the corner

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    1. A workmate has recommended seeing an osteopath. I've always been a bit dubious, but it's getting to the point where I'll give it a go as there don't seem to be many other options.

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  6. Looking lovely. That red lipstick is a fab shade on you.
    Spinal pain is miserable but it sounds like you're doing all the right things. I found Pilates really helpful.
    We haven't seen any decent TV for ages but stumbled across The Secret Agent on the i-player last night and loved it. xxx

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    1. I was kicking myself for missing the first episode of The Secret Agent - I'll have to watch that at some point. I've seen Hitchcock's 1936 film 'Sabotage' which is loosely based on the book and was very good.

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  7. I really need to watch The Living and The Dead. When it was on it clashed with something else I was watching and I totally forgot to record it. Everyone says it's right up my street so I will definitely try and check it out this weekend. xx

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    1. It's weirdly beautiful, simultaneously warm-coloued and cold. (I'd love to know what sort of filters they used when shooting it.) As a west-country dweller I do think they make rural types out to be all a bit bonkers, but then it wouldn't be much of a story without it.

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  8. Russian salad sounds great if they made it without peas. I don't know if I would fancy a salad with jelly in it but you never know. I suffer from back pain too so can only sympathise. It does sounds like a bit of a trapped (sciatic??) nerve. Is it down the outside of your thigh Mine does that. Got to agree about the losing weight thing at the doctors. It really is just an excuse for poor care. My physio used to make me lle on my stomach and kind of curl my head and toes towards the back, pushing my stomach down. Apparently it moves the disc back in. Didn't do much for me but it might be worth a shot. Hope you feel better soon. Xx

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    1. Yup, the outside of the thigh. It seems to be calming down again now. I'm sticking to my salads for a bit, even so.

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  9. I meant to start with The Living and The Dead and then didn't, I missed The Secret Agent as well. I must try and catch up.

    I found an osteopath helpful in the short term but as it turned out my pelvis was tipped up and tilted forward on one side and every time she put it back in place it went straight out of alignment again when I started moving. This was why I ended up doing the Alexander Technique to basically retrain myself! I now do Pilates and find that very helpful.
    Finding yourself potentially homeless has been the most magnificent diet but I wouldn't recommend it!?!

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    1. I was wondering how your house hunt was going - either I've been missing you on social media or you've been quiet. I hope all's okay now.

      Hmm, it looks like there's a Pilates class near me, maybe I should give it a go.

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  10. "Book buying accident", tee-hee-hee, love that - and know exactly what you mean. I seem to be especially prone to those myself, too. :D

    Big hugs & happy mid-July wishes,
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. I keep trying not to buy more books as I have a house full, but somehow I struggle to resist. This time I confined myself to authors who I already have books by.

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  11. Loving the polka dots & crystal necklace on you!
    Back problems are the worst.
    Jelly salads sound scary, my mom made one with green lime jelly, canned pineapple, and cottage cheese that didn't taste too bad but looked like it came out of someone's nose.

    I wonder if we can get The Living & the Dead here in Nepal?

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    1. Thank you! I love that polka dot dress, I've had it years and will be gutted when it finally gets worn out.

      Cottage cheese and jelly sounds like one of my husband's worst nightmares. Maybe one for Halloween!

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  12. Damn! A bad back is no fun. In our office we all go to a chiropractor, one colleague went for a slipped disc. Three sessions sorted it. Have a look on groupon for any offers. No point in suffering. I'm glad you're wearing your vintage more AND getting lots of compliments too. Makes you feel better, doesn't it? You're looking very glam with your crystal necklace and lippy on. Very nice indeed! Thanks for that recommendation, anything to do with Somerset is good in my book (I'm a native :) xx

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    1. The back seems to be behaving slightly better again. I'm hoping it will all go away on its own. I'm still munching the salads!

      I dunno if you'd like the Somerset in the programme; the locals are portrayed as superstitious yokels. (Then again, I grew up in Norfolk where that wouldn't be far from the truth, so perhaps it's also true of Somerset!)

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  13. Happy Sunday, Mim.
    Well... there's just something lovely about leaving a comment a Sunday, right? Then, when you log on to see - there's someone who's thinking of you.
    You portrait is honest, real, you represent what a True Woman looks like; let's face it: we are not (nor should we strive to be) an image of perfection. What matters is that we ARE perfect to the ones that we care about. :)
    I am yet to start watching "The living and the dead" - I just might give it a go tonight. Thanks for reminding me. :)

    Marija

    P.S.
    There's a letter coming your way.

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  14. Thanks for the heads up on the Living and the Dead, sounds worth a peek! x

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  15. I'm no stranger to book buying accidents either! Sounds like you were quite restrained. I've watched the first two of the Living and the Dead and thought it was great but really pretty creepy! Think I will watch the rest. Hope you get your back pain sorted.

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  16. Haven't had a book buying accident in an age! I love coming home with new books, must rectify this :)

    Hope you feel better now.

    I was thinking of delving into the world of salads, as our kitchen is so, so hot in the summer that cooking is horrible. We have a terrible, terrible problem with ants, open the window even a crack and they'll be in :( so as we won't use poison, I cook along with dinner xx

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