WOMEN’S NOTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 313, 1 December 1933, Page 11

WOMEN’S NOTES.

FASHIONS. ! ’ (By Mary Tallis.) Charming lingerie.—Up-to-date lingerie must be simple to bo right—severe in line, and restrained as regards trimmings—just a narrow lace edging, contrasting binds, as narrow as you can get them, a touch of dainty hand embroidery in a compact design —that’s all we’re allowed these days. You see, anything which means extra bulk is definitely taboo—what’s the good of slimming diet and morning “jerks” if you’re going to lose that sylph-like outline by wearing exuberantly flouncy, much trimmed undies? Have you noticed that all the prettiest and most successful frocks have very well defined waists this season ? That means that we’ve got to be very particular about the set of our waists if we want to do them credit. A wellfitting liip-band or a darted waist are much better than a slot and elastic if you want to give your frock the perfect start off. One very important and definitely 1933 lingerie item is the backless garment—most necessary when we wear those low-cut evening frocks of amusing striped and patterned and of most unexpected fabrics —and equally so when we take the tennis court in one of the new “sun-tan” models, or backless beach frocks which we: shall all be wearing on the sands this summer. A word about fabrics; for daytime wear, undies should be of material thick enough to be quite “shadowproof” ; some of the new rayon crepes, de-chine, suede crepes, or mercerised cottons are delightful. For evening, your undies can be gossamer-fine —triple ninon, artificial silk georgette or voile, according to your purse. BEAUTY. Hand beauty. —The two most important points of nail beauty are: Texture of nail and its proper shaping. Length of nails and their colouring are secondary, contrary to the ideas of many. Texture is important because the perfect texture of the nail, one that is smooth and transparent, is an assurance of good health. Nails which are marked by heavy ridges, bumps, or an obviously horny surface usually indicate ill-healtli. No part of the body which reveals an unhealthy state can be attractive. The shape of the nail should conform to the shape of the finger-tip. Three general classifications of nail-shapes are as follow: First, artistic type, which is much longer from the base of the nail to the tip than it is from side to side. The second, squa.re type of nail, is as broad as it is long. The third, spatulate type of nail, is almost heartshaped, although the tip,

: or free edge of the nail rounds out * instead of dipping down into a V--1 shape in the centre. The ends of the fingers should be studied closely, too, 1 in determining just which one of these general classifications your nails belong to. From the tip of the finger to the first joint is the area to be studied and related to the nail. In the artistic nail we find this joint longer than it is wide and gently tapering at the end. The square nail will be embedded in a square-shaped first finger joint; the spatulate finger will be seen to narrow at the joint and then flare or bulge out, noticeably, before it tapers to a rounded end. Regardless of which of these three general classifications the nails come in, the top, or free end, of the nail should be shaped into a blunt almond contour. Definitely pointed nails, even when the artistic shape is yours, are not considered good taste. Then, too, a. very practical reason is offered—sharply pointed nails break and become rough on the ends much easier than the almond-shaped ones do. When the nails are extremely thin and delicate an emery-board should be used for shaping rather than the long flexible file generally used for this purpose. All shaping should be done beform soaking the hands to loosen dead skin so that nails may be cleaned up properly. Five minutes is a Long time to leave the hands in the warm, soapy water used for soaking, although this maximum time should be allowed when the hands are in very bad condition. Ordinarily, two minutes are sufficient. If your finger-tips are discoloured and the rim under your nails stained, now is the time' to clean them. Keep a lemon always at hand in the bathroom and plunge the nails before and after soaking into the lemon. This will whiten the discoloured parts. Before attempting to remove dead skin from around the nails with an orange stick, scraper, or by the application of special preparations for this purpose, wipe off as much of the dead skin as you can by rubbing around the nails with a dry cloth. Rubbing should be gentle, of course. Cuticle, or skin around the ■

nails should never be cut immediately after soaking, for the immersion of the 1 hands in water gives a dead appearance to what may be live cuticle. Dip the end of an orange stick in oil — olive or mineral oil will do if you havn’t any special cuticle oil —and apply a generous amount around the nails. Let it remain for a moment and then remove. Oil applied in this manner immediately after the removal of dead skill by rubbing reconditions the cuticle so that any loose particles that may have scuffed up during the rubbing may be clipped off with cuticle scissors. The matter of polish is a. personal one, and all of you know how to apply either the drv types or those which come in liquid form. THE HOME. Rooms that Twinkle. —This is the day of the super-soft chair, of the electric light switch at our finger-tips. Pampered and petted, we moderns take comfort for granted—and sometimes forget that half the art of being comfortable is to look cheerful. By old standards, the most modern room is luxuriously furnished. But the past has one lesson to teach us —that rooms should also be furbished with brightness. AVliat has the past to offer in the way of brightness ? you may ask. In the flash of an old warm-ing-pan, the answer comes back. Delightful surprises await anyone who goes seeking for copper and brass. Brass candlesticks vary from comely, homely ones, such as the early Victorian bedroom candlestick, to stately, graceful Charles II pieces which might well have lit Pepys up the stairs after he had written the words: “and so to bed.” Kitchen and hearth-side copper and brass could furnish an Alladin’s cave with brightness, yet without repeating any one form. Trays of Indian, Chinese and African workmanship are also a subject in themselves. Some of these are as thin and light as a leaf, others weighty affairs. One and all make magnificent efforts on behalf of brightness. If in your search you come across some delightful piece with its brightness eclipsed by neglect, remember that one of the good liquid metal polishes will soon set it shining again. Nothing more is needed for the care of old or modern pieces than a few drops of a polish now and again. NET,REWORK. Fun with felt applique.—A very popular form of embroidery in these days is felt applique. Very engaging bookends can be made o,u nigger-brown linen in shades of rose, magenta, mauve, two shades of blue and two shades of green. Trace your patterns of the different units of the design in grease-proof paper, and cut them out. Pin them on the felt with tiny. Tom Thumb pins, and cut out the felt. Lay the book-ends on the wrong side of the linen and outline them with tailor’s chalk, leaving a wood turning. Tack this line so that you get the outline of the shape in tacking threads on the right side. Then arrange your parts of the design on the right side, and pin them in place with tiny pins. If these pins are used, it will not be necessary to tack the felt in place before sewing. Hem the parts round the edge with small stitches. The felt can be bought in pieces about nine inches square for a few pence, and in the most lovely colours. The best thing to use for the sewing is a single thread of filoselle silk. It is mqst important that your thread should match the felt as nearly as possible, so if it will give you a better match at any time, use machine silk. The work also looks well done on cloth for bags and cushions.

GIRL CITIZENS. MOTHER AND DAUGHTER BANQUET. There was a very happy spirit prevalent in the Y.W.C.A. clubroom last night, when a “Mother and Daughter” banquet which had been arranged by the Palmerston North Girl Citizens was held. Festooned with yellow streamers, the room presented a very gay appearance, the long tables being adorned with flowers and streamers in the Y.W.C.A. colours. Some 100 guests sat down to a dainty repast. The toast mistress was Miss Enid Sinclair, Chief Citizen, and associated, with her wero Miss McLagan, president of the Y.W.C.A. Board, Miss C. Ashton, Chief Counsellor, and members of the board. Following the loyal toast, the toast list was as follows: —“World Wide Y.W.C.A.,” proposed by Citizen Laura Colley, responded to bv Miss McLagan; “Our Mothers,” Citizen Joyce Cruttenden, response by Mrs W. B. Cameron; “Our Fathers,” Citizen Nola Jordan, response by Citizen Lorna. Perrin ; “The Girl Citizen Movement,” Mrs H. Sinclair (vice-presi-dent), response by Citizen Joan Andrews; “The Y.M.C.A.,” Citizen Enid Sinclair, Citizen Freda Pye in response; “The Chief Counsellor,” Citizen Doris Hansen, Miss Ashton in reply. Interspersed with the speeches were Girl Citizen songs, heartily rendered. The Girl Citizens then presented two dramatic items bearing on the “health” programme they have been following, entitled “Health Session in Court-Mock Trial” and “Beauty Salon a la Mode, 1950.” These items were enthusiastically received and a very happy evening terminated with “Auld Lang Syiie” and cheers for the mothers and Miss Ashton. BUNNYTHORPE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE. The monthly meeting of the Bunnythorpe Women’s Institute was held in the Methodist schoolroom. This being a very busy time, there was only a fair attendance of members. The meeting was presided over by Mrs Jackson, who warmly welcomed a number of visitors from Feilding and read several apologies from others unable to be present. In the absence of the secretary., Mrs Lassen attended to the business, which was very small on account of it being a social afternoon. Mrs O’Donnell then read her report on the conference held at Pahiatua, last month, and was accorded a vote of thanks. Mrs Heggie delighted all by singing, “The Auld .Hoose,” followed by “The False Prophet,” as an encore.

The president- introduced and welcomed the guest of the afternoon, Mrs Paterson, president of the Dominion Federation, saying what an honour it was and a proud day for Bunnythorpe to have her.

Mrs Paterson was presented with a bouquet of Iceland poppies and fern by little Phyllis Lassen and was received with musical honours. After thanking the gathering for the welcome, Mrs Paterson spoke about “Home, and the Influence of the Institute, both Socially and Educationally,” describing interestingly the work in Scotland, England, France and Canada. Members were very keenly interested in the address and at the conclusion Mrs Lassen proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs Paterson ; the address was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Mrs Spooner entertained with an elocutionary item which was well received, and Mrs ICilvington conducted a floral competition, which was won by. Mrs Heggie. The hostesses handed round a dainty afternoon tea. The monthly competitions were judged by Mrs Paterson, assisted by Mrs Billman, of Feilding. The senior class competition, for the best Christmas gift not to cost more than one shilling, was won by Mrs Wiggins 1 and 3, with two beautifully made

handbags from motor tyre tubes, and Mrs Robson 2, with a neat and dainty pine needle work basket. The junior competition was more difficult to judge, though the entries were not large. The work in the competition for the best worked apron was very good and resulted : Misses N. Gore 1, C. Pentecost 2, Miss I>. Wiggins 3. The competitions for December are for the best pot of gooseberry jam for the seniors, and for a bottle of preserved gooseberries for the juniors. The meeting will be held on December 20, a week earlier on account of file holidays. The demonstration will be on icing a Christmas cake.

By special request, Mrs Heggie again delighted all by singing “Afton Water.” Votes of thanks to the judges and all who assisted in making the afternoon such a success were passed and the meeting closed with the singing of the National Anthem. Miss M. Wood was accompaniste for the afternoon.