Dress Of The Day with Angela

 I broke my clavicle in a car accident. The hospital gave me a large triangle of cream colour cloth to tie around my neck as a sling. One evening I want out with a scarf and wanted to wear it draped over the sling to hide it. Then I thought I could use it as a decorative outer piece, with the hospital;s scarf underneath like a lining. Then I realised the scarf was strong enough to bear the weight of my arm without the hospital's cloth. In an emergency, to protect your arm, or somebody else's, you might need to create a sling, or some kind of bandage.  A large scarf or sarong would be very handy. Using a pair of scissors, and a needle and thread, (both in some small sewing kits) you could create a sling, a headscarf, a head bandage, a headband, a swimming cap, a mask, even a bandeau top and a pairt of shorts or swimming trunks. A poncho, with a t shape cut in the middle, is easy and quick to make. Several videos on YouTube show you what to do. I have saved some of my favourite ...

I bought a tarten pair of pyjamas in a red and black and white pattern. Label Senza Sleepwear. Angela Lansbury wearing a red, white and black pyjama set by label Senza. Then I bought a similar patterned shirt by label Shein.  Angela Lansbury wearing the Shein shirt. Why buy another garment so similar? Well, one was pyjamas, the other a shirt, or blouse. One day I was rushing to an appointment when I accidentally put on the pyjama top instead of the blouse!  They looked so similar, I don't suppose anybody noticed. I had a jacket on top most of the day. I felt happy.  The only difference was that the pyjama top had an open neck.  It looked so similar that I don't think anybody except me would have known the difference. The pyjama top felt and looked better. It is in a soft fabric, loose and comfortable.  It goes with a black skirt, a perfect match. It is an alternative to wear if I am washing the shirt by hand overnight and it is not yet dry next morning.. In fact...

 "What do you want for your birthday?" my family asked me.  I wanted more clothes. But my family members already think I have too many.  So, I asked for silk pillowcases. When I searched online, I tried to find silk, from silkworms. I did not want satin, which is a type of weave. Satin can be made from any one of several kinds of fabric, including polyester. The visible difference is that satin, although thin, and soft and shiny on one side, is matt on the underside. I looked for the word silk. But also the word mulberry, which is the plant which silkworms feed on. Polyester is something different. Sets Of Two Some of the manufacturers offered sets of two pillowcases. Why would I settle for one when I can gettwo. I would rather have two cheaper ones than one more expensive one. Why? Because I need two when one has been hand-washed and is drying. Zip Closure Versus Envelope At first, I wanted a zipped one rather than the envelope style. The dearest ones are the ones with a...

 Tartans, plaids, Burberry. Black Watch. Angela Lansbury wearing red, white and black Shein blouse at a Toastmasters International speakers' club. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright. This blouse label is Shein. I thought the red colour was jolly, black co-ordinates with black skirts and accessories practical. White adds freshness, cleanliness. Only when I looked at the photo did I realise what was wrong with the pattern. The horizontal lines on the left and right don't match up. The two sides have been cut separately. They should have been either from one piece, cut vertically down the middle, or not economised on fabric but lined it up.  Why was it made like this? How did it get past the supervisor, past quality control? Maybe it is 'seconds', a sale item.  Maybe an amateur. Maybe cost-cuttiing. Somewhere I read an article investigating how clothes are made so cheaply. The manufacturer in a village or city where lots of people are seeking work offers work where each p...

Dressed For Dinner  A friend's daughter was self - harming. I found this very scary. Sad for her parents. Worrying. The mother assured me that self-harming, at least in this case, was not a full-blown suicide attempt, but a sign of desperation, to get out of a situation, in the person's mind, to right the balance after an argument or a jealousy expressed by somebody else. A bit like sacrificing a child in primitive people, in this case, sacrificing a bit of oneself.  She went to hospital and had apparently recovered and came to dinner with us. I noticed she had a pretty lace covering over her forearm.  Fingerless Long Lace Gloves It wasn't until I looked at it a second time, and was about to ask her where she bought it, that I realised it was on one arm only. It has looked like a fashionable, attention-getter, like a one-shoulder dress. But it was just to cover the bandage on her wrist. Better than a bare bandage. Less inviting comment. Less of a reminder to her. Totally ...

I read in the news today that the French have issued instructions on preparing a survival kit for householders.  Convenient Carry Bag Your house should have a bag you can carry, or sling in a car. Your handbag or tote bag or holdall should have a few essentials. When hiking I wear clothes with pockets and have a rucksack with have pockets water, food and sting relief, and insect repallent, and maps and phone numbers. I also put the hospital nubers in my phone. Survival Kit Everybody should have a survival kit by their door, as well as a first aid box in the bathroom and a burns kit in the kitchen. Also clothes! Japanese The Japanese are reputed to keep survival kit by the door. Why? In case of earthquakes. Travellers should have a first aid kit. In their suitcase or bag. And in cars. Plus spare clothes. For sitting on wet or dirty ground. Medical Help Many buildings have a defibrilator. Do you have a scarf which would act as an emergency sling? After a car accident, I had broken m...