‘No’ convalescence….
So it happened again…I’ve got the worst ever back pain. So bad..I collapsed..and ended up in hospital…but enough of that, I want to think no more of pain..whilst in hospital I decided to distract myself, to try escape from my current malaise. So I looked back into those old days when convalescence was the ‘very thing’ to help to get you back on your feet, time out and time away (and usually at the seaside, so I can tick that box as I already live by the sea…) never the less, I looked back to those romantic times when the consumptive lay in her bed ‘fading’ away, slowly…ever so, and beautifully…pale skin, hollowed eyes, though at times flushed cheeks and lips (ironically caused by the fever). This enduring image fuelled many fashion trends, looks, poetry, and art. Even Byron was quoted, it was ‘the only way to go’. (Above is a portrait by the Pre-Raphaelite Ford Maddox Brown of his wife Emma, which captures some of this essence or rather a moment in that time when the veil of death was ever present).
Though I was surprised to learn that originally it was thought that the disease was hereditary…this was a disease that took out most of the Bronte family, as well as Keats and many more. Gladly though in the late 1800’s it was discovered how the disease passed through bacteria and was highly contagious, so no hereditary there then…but well on to now. 
In hospital the ward was very low on high fashion magazines…but I did find ‘one’ (a Very catalogue…) and picked out two ‘nightdress inspired’ looks, one a see-through lace number worn by Eva Herzigova, though I would say for the daring and ‘very leggy’ but a ‘miss’ in my books…the other outfit was worn by the ever elegant Cate Blanchett (can she ever go wrong?) who was ‘decked’ in a very frilly blouse, bright red bow-tie and skirt by Gucci, a hit! I can really ‘see myself’ in a lovely ‘ruffled up’ nightie so thanks Cate! By the time I reached home I was still on the hunt for the perfect ‘invalid’ night dress, so I consulted my Golden Hands encyclopaedia, (I mean where else would I look?) when I found this rather fetching pale pink night dress with white long tie-bow and smocking detail at the back, very becoming I thought! 
Also nicely ‘roomy’ and comfortable looking, and when I was ‘up and about’ why not try something more lively, colourful and inspiring? When I came across ‘just the ticket’, a ‘Blue Lagoon’ dress, very suitable for ‘wafting around’ the house, answering the door, making calls and of course indulging in some day time TV!
From Women’s Weekly 4th June 1977… A ‘Blue Lagoon dress!
Talking of entertainment..whilst in hospital I managed to watch two DVDs on my mini DVD player, ‘Becoming Jane’ and ‘The Social Climber’ on the surface…rather ‘different’, yet the character of Jennifer Love Hewitt I feel would appeal to Jane Austen. Her strong ambition, superficiality, the need to fit in and to create the ‘right image’ also the desire to meet the right love match…ring any bells I wonder?? Anyway it distracted me from my back pain woes…And that I can assure you is a blessing!
