The first Sunday of each month = lots of lovely bloggers telling tales of wonder, perhaps with a photo or two. To see more stories visit the Master Storyteller (Sian's) post here. This month I've chosen to follow Sian's suggested theme of dressing up!
My first memories of dressing up are from my granny's house. She had a whole, huge wardrobe in the second bedroom, full of dresses, bags, shoes, and most importantly, beads, which we could dress up in to our heart's content. My sister hadn't come along yet (she's 9 years younger than me) so my little brother had to adorn himself in necklaces instead (not that he seemed to mind):
And at least his necklaces were mostly blue!
I'm going to miss dressing up at my granny's house. She passed away in January this year, and my Grandad just moved out of their house last month. I didn't return back after he started packing up, as I couldn't bear to see the memories being dismantled. Most of the dressing up items went to charity shops before we realised things were going, but thankfully I've got a few vintage dresses that my granny gave me a few years ago, so I shall treasure them!
At home we didn't have much to dress up in. I remember making a TV costume out of a cardboard box to win 3rd prize at a local fancy dress contest! But that wasn't 'pretty'. I had a bridesmaid dress I wore to my auntie's wedding when I was four, and I managed to squeeze into it until I was about eleven, so it was my standard dressing up outfit! We didn't have any 'boy' costumes as far as I can remember though, so again my little brother had to go girlie, in an old party dress of mine and a pink wig - don't tell him I showed you this photo! (The girl in the middle, called Cheryl, was my best friend for years - but we lost touch and now I can't remember her surname. I'd love to know how she's getting on in life):
My brother always liked to pose with crazy faces in photos, which is something my daughter loves too. In fact she's not that fussed about dressing up, unless I tell her she can pose for lots of silly photos, then she's happy:
She's not allowed to put things on her brother yet, though she'd like to dress him up! And he's too young to put things on himself. Except for maybe a plastic drawer, after he's tipped all the toys all over the floor - it makes a good hat:
So I don't suppose it will be too long until he's dressing up in beads and princess outfits that my daughter has outgrown!
After all, anyone who's seen my 30th birthday photos will know that in this family, dressing up is definitely encouraged!:
Thanks for reading! If you used to dress up, do you still love it? Would you grasp any excuse to put on a costume, or do you dread the suggestion? I know that just because I love it, it doesn't mean that everyone does!
Have a happy Sunday! x
23 comments:
Love your stories and photos - memories from childhood can be very special. I love your mermaid outfit.
My 2 granddaughters are mermaid mad. They are always dressing up and my son in law has just discovered that you can buy proper tails from US. Apparently you can also swim in them though you'd need to do butterfly stroke & be pretty good I imagine!
Fabulous photos! and there is that smile again - on your little brother this time :) I loved your dressing up birthday party..if we had been in the vicinity you can bet we would have been dressing up right there along with you lol
What a wonderful selection of dressing-up photographs, crowned by your 30th birthday one. It is lovely that everyone enters into the spirit of it; love that plastic hat!
I like dressing up and it's one of the reasons I like Halloween - although not keen on the UK gory version :( Yes, we dress up - the kids did until recently every year and there are still dressing up bits in the living room toy box.
I always groan at dressing up but once I get in the swing of it I love it :)
You look amazing on your birthday and how great you all look together :D xxx
I loved dressing up as a child....we had a big dressing up box of all sorts....but as an adult....I must admit I hate it!!
I love any old excuse to dress up :)
What a wonderful collection of photos :) I don't think I've ever been much of a 'dresser upper' to be honest... I'll only do it if I have to, and I'm not that enthusiastic about getting my kids into costumes for themed parties of days at school, either! (I sound like such a party pooper lol!)
Great memories and wonderful photos, your poor brother! :) x
AS a child, i loved dressing up in my mom's old fancy dresses. We're usually up for costumes on Halloween, although I often default to a witch.
Rinda
I am in the 'dread' camp I'm afraid. Your story and photo's are wonderful. I've just seen Rinda's comment and remembered once dressing up as a witch! not difficult for me though!
You and your daughter have identical smiles - such lovely photos. Just hope your brother doesn't read your blog, he may not appreciate being known as the man who used to wear lots of necklaces!
Like Jacky I loved dressing up as a child...and you have brought back lovely memories of my gran's collection of beads!...but I HATE it now!
Alison xx
what a lovely selection of photos and stories Jennifer! This family is partial to a dressing up outfit too! x
What a wonderful group of photos of dressing up!!
What a beautiful family! Growing up with a house full of girls, my brother had to wear "girlie" stuff too---only he didn't like it!
I do remember that gorgeous and fun 30th birthday photo! I usually find I don`t like the whole thought of dressing up and don`t really want to, but know when I do, I end up having lots of fun!
You really do bring dress-up to a new level. BTW, your brother in the pink wig is ADORABLE! I wonder if he still does dress up and, if so, what his preferred attire is?
I just loved reading this! What wonderful photos you have - your poor brother lol! The final photo of the four of you is lovely :)
Such brilliant photos and stories about all the generations in your family! I am so glad you still have some of those vintage dresses ...
loving all the photos of dressing up through the ages! I have to be in the right mood to dress up these days we were arranging a girls night out for Christmas and someone said can we dress up and what is the theme??!! I said the theme is Christmas! lol xxx
I love this post - you're the perfect mermaid! Beautiful!
I can't believe how little you've changed from that first dressing up photo - brought back happy memories of dressing up at my own gran's! TFS
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