FEMININE REFLECTIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 73, 17 June 1927, Page 5

FEMININE REFLECTIONS

SHOPPING IN PARIS IS SHOPPING INDEED

“We do not ‘inspire’ our clothes in Australia and New Zealand; we just shop.” In Paris the ready-made is viewed with hoiror. It is an experience to go into an atelier bearing a famous name to say you want to buy some gowns at once and to feel that you have made a faux pas. This is what befel an Australian woman, says a Sydney paper, who went to Madame Jenny. Madame Jenny is small and attractive, speaking excellent English She was horrified at the idea of buying a ready-macle gown. She likes to construct to suit her clients’ style. The result is very expensive, but very satisfying. An evening frock for £SO was copied for modern use from a masterpicece of Valesquez in the Louvre. Of the tones of malachite matrix, beaten gold interwoven with green silk on the jupe; super-imposed tulips especially beaten out in gold, and silver tissues at the hem. A six-inch velvet ribbon of dead leaf tones was introduced at the neck of of the robe at the back, falling to the hem. * At another atelier women were having their frocks harmonise with their small dog’s coat or with his leather lead. At Reboux’s one found it just as strange on asking for a plain morning hat to be gazed at fixedly for several moments and then some new shapes were tried on to see which “flattered” one. Then a craftswoman built the hat on your head so that every advantageous feature is brought into prominence and next day your hat is ready. Chez Pinnet you buy the most delightful shoes for twenty-five shillings, but Chez Greco you pay about six guineas and then you forget that bad bootmakers exist. This is, of course, for shoes made-to-order. It would be hopeless to be in Paris and not buy the jewel of the moment. This year one made a captive maid of oneself with slave bracelets which some women wore from wrist to elbow. To realise some of the gaiety of Paris you must book at the Ritz. Maybe your table will be 600. What a sight it is on Sunday night when all Paris is there for dinner and dance. Gowns that beggar description, jewels that dazzle and any other corner of the world a little insignificant for the nonce at any rate.

Method: Scald the tomatoes, skin and cut into slices. Put into an earthenware pot, with vinegar, salt, and apples (previously peeled, cored, and chopped finely). Boil until seft, then rub through sieve, add sugar, ginger, mustard, and finely-chopped garlic, and boil the whole gently for three-quarters of an hour. Pour the chutney into a jar, cover it. and let is stand in a warm place l'or three days, then bottle and cork Ughtly to exclude all air. Sultanas or preserved ginger may be added if desired, but without them the recipe given makes a delicious chutnev. —To “M.F.” PICKLED TREE TOMATOES For pickling tree tomatoes, you should first make the following spiced vinegar. You will require one quart vinegar, 2oz black peppercorns. loz whole ginger, half-ounce salt, halfounce allspice, loz finely-chopped shallots, two pieces of garlic, two bay leaves. Pound or crush the peppercorns, ginger, and allspice, put all into a jar, add the rest of the ingredient, and cover closely. Allow them to remain in a warm place for seven days, then place jar in a saucepan containing boiling water, and cook for one hour. When cold, cover closely, and store for use. To each, quart of vinegar prepared as above you can add one dessertspoon of sugar, then pack firm tree tomatoes loosely in a large jar, cover with the boiling vinegar, and put on a close-fitting lid to keep in the steam. When cold, tie down to exclude air.—To “M.F.”

WOMEN WHO FRIGHTEN MEN

BY PAPRIKA “Who can explain why Marion seemi? able to attract love, but never able to keep it?” A friend put this question to a group fof womenfolk, and we were forced to admit we could not answer i% Marion is a dainty little lady who knows to perfection the art of dressing. She has a wealth of curly auburn hair, and teeth that would redeem the plainest face. Gay, spirituelle and vivacious, she catches up the interest of almost every man she meets, and quite a few fall violently in love with her. The trouble is none seems disposed to stay there long enough to get to the point of proposing. I determined to ask her old governess, who is still her greatest confidante, what the trouble was. I knew that if anyone could solve the riddle, old Miss Reese would be that person. SIN OF CHATTING “Because Marion is cursed with a communicative mind,” replied the old lady sadly, “and the worst of it is that she mistakes it for a high sense of honour.” Many women, unfortunately, have pasts, which, in all honour, might require to be told to would-be suitors, but I knew that our little friend had no such serious adventures to relate. Attractive little women have always masculine admirers, and it is but natural they should accept the homage and attentions which do not come the way of their less fortunate sisters. To relate, however, to a would-be suitor how admirers come and go is surely making too fine a pojnt of honour. Without experiences of some sort, a woman would remain a somewhat raw product, and loving and being loved need not always necessarily lead to the altar. In fact, it is often better it should not be so. ONCE A LOTTERY In the old days of chaperons and Mrs. .Grundy, young men and maidens had no alternative but to accept marriage as a lottery. To-day, when freedom and comradeship can discover mutual faults and temperamental differences which might prove to be rocks in the matrimonial sea, it is surely better to part before it is too late. To relate all these adventures, however, to a man falling ardently in love, may be a little like stripping a horse of his blinders. He is apt to make a headlong bolt, seeing shadows as awful realities, and realities magnified a hundredfold. After all, it is the finished product which counts, and the means by which broad-mindedness, sympathy and tolerance have been acquired need not be too freely disclosed.

BE SLIM AND FIT

By DOROTHY DEE Slim figures are still the fashion, and are likely to remain so, for, after all, to be slim is to be youthful—provided one does not overdo things, and, through excess of zeal, become unhealthy and angular. • It seems absurd to sajr that one’s digestion can be too good. Yet the fact remains that when the digestive organs are abnormally strong, the blood and body obtain an excess of nourishment, that is if given the kind of food from which great nourishment is to be obtained, and when it is properly assimilated. That type of food should, of cour.se, be taboo if you are inclined to be over plump Then you must choose food that is harder to digest and contains less fattening elements. That Starved Look Never diet yourself to the extent of cutting down your rations to practically nil, when you are naturally a good eater, for then you will make yourself ill. and the only certain result will be a decidedly ageing appearance. The sensible method of combating stoutness is to change your diet, and if you have been a hearty eater, lessen it by degrees. Your body will gret gradually used to the change and require less nourishment. Eat more meat than bread or vegetables, and, since a light supper will not harm you in any way, take only dried or preserved fruits at night, and eat your largest meal in the middle of the day. so that you can take exercise after it. Salt, meat and fish and spicy foods are non-fattening. Gooseberries, oranges, pomegranates and barberry are suitable fruits, and should form a feature of your meals. Grape fruit for breakfast is excellent. Lemon juice in water, with not too much sugar, is an excellent drink, or orange juice for a change. Vinegar is helpful and should be taken with all salads, without oil. When to Walk

Sleep as little as possible, six hours is ample, and walk as much as possible in the warmest part of the day. All exercise that will induce perspiration is good. Reading through a very ancient manuscript, said to have been written by Abdeker, chief physician to Mahomet, and wrought from Arabia and first translated into French in 1740, I learnt that the ladies of those days, when they suffered from excessive abdominal fatness, made themselves girdles filled with salt which they wore next their skin until “they became so lean they could hardly be known." It sounds a somewhat uncomfortable procedure, but. perhaps, it was only worn at night. Of course, salt does possess decided curative properties as witnessed by its use during the war. so there may be something in it!

HIGH PHYSICAL EFFICIENCY

WHAT MARSHALL’S FOSPHERJN E DOES Successful athletes will tell you that they have no “nerves.” Many of them keep fit on Marshall’s Fospherine. You can’t be strong physically unless your nervous system is healthy. “Marshall's” is more than a tonic: i is a powerful and highly concentrated nerve food, giving quick results, and creating new strength. You get 100 doses of Marshall’s Fospherine in . the six-sided carton for L’s 6d If your chemist or storekeeper i.out of stock write Proprietors. A. and W. Baxter, of Baxter’s Lung Preserver. Christchurch. 5

SKIRTS TOO SHORT

'AN AESTHETIC OFFENCE PARIS ORDERS CHANGE By Cable—Press Association.—Copyright PARIS, Wednesday. At a conference of leading dressmakers it was announced that a complete agreement had been reached on the point that women’s skirts of to-day are too short and opposed to aesthetic taste. The conference decided that in future frocks shall be longer, though not quite down to the ankles. —A. and N.Z.

LAWN x TENNIS

ONEHUNGA CLUB “The financial position of the club is excellent, and the courts are in splendid order,” said Mr. G. L. Taylor, who presided over the annual meeting of the Onehunga Tennis Club. The club had won the C grade interclub competition. Officers were elected for the ensuing year as follow: President, Mr. M. Robb; vice-presidents, Messrs. G. H. Flemming, F. J. Ohlson, G. L. Taylor, and P. Harrison; secretary, Mr. S. La Roche; treasurer, Mr. A. 13. Ohlson; ladies’ committee, Misses Carnachan, Watkins, Haslett, Hickman, Parr, and Coates; men’s committee, Messrs. J. T. Harrison, Warren, Cole, Parr, and J, Carnachan.

MOUNT EDEN CROQUET CLUB

A SUCCESSFUL SEASON The Mt. Eden Croquet Club has had a very successful season according to the report presented at- the annual meeting of members at the club’s pavilion, Nicholson Park, Mt. Eden. Finances are very satisfactory, it was said. Prizes for the club’s competitions were presented by the retiring president, Mrs. Mueller. Miss Keatley won the club’s championship. The B handicap singles was won by Mrs. Von Sturmer, the prize being donated by Mrs. Hudson. The handicap doubles were won by Mrs. McGill (A player) and Mrs. Wann (B player), the B player’s prize being donated by Mrs. Cucksey. The following officers were elected: President, Mrs. M. Rudd; hon. secretary, Mrs. Reg. Hooton; treasurer, Mrs. Cowie; match committee, Mesdames Johnston, Chadwick and McGill; general committee, Mesdamea Munro-Clark, McGill, Chadwick. Hudson and Keatley Jr. Card evenings are being held every alternate Tuesday throughout the winter months, at the Masonic Hall. Woodside Road. Mt. Eden.

TEA-TIME DELIGHTS

By PAULINE BOUCHIEK. It is at this time of the year that one appreciates fully the *cosinef>s” of afternoon tea, and, naturally, one plans carefully to make the most of the enjoyment which it affords. In the summer, afternoon tea is just an intermission beween sets of tennis, or it is taken hastily at a motorists hotel, when it !Ls usually a dismal affair, a pause for essential nourishment rather than a pleasure. But in winter, afternoon tea becomes a social ritual. One devises new schemes to give it distinction and to add to its delights. The vogue of the moment is to have the table, which is drawn close to rhe tire, of the low and firmly-made variety. Fortunate hostesses will probably use a beautifully ladquered table and a tail black and gold cake-stand, or a table of Indian design, of black wood, inlaid with ivory. But there are many others, spine of them in double tiers, made

from polished wood, or painted wicker, which are attractive and appropriate. Banish Chairs To carry out the squat scheme really satisfactorily, floor cushions or pouffe.: should be used, instead of chairs But to choose a table and tea serried without due consideration of the rest of the furniture in the room is to court disaster from an artistic viewpoint. A “fancy” table, however, appropriate];* laid, is out of place in a ‘country cottage” room, just as the heavy-type of bright potter” arranged on an unpolished table looks much too bold for the daintily-furnished dining-room Harmony with the general scheme must never be sacrificed. So far as the tea service is concerned, cottage pottery, if suitable, makes a gay scheme. A vivid blue design in such tea-sets contrasts prettily with a cream linen cloth, or prim-rose-coloured mats, resting on a brown polished table. China To Choose A tea-set in plain Jacobean oak j colour is o modem favourite, ard a I serious rival to the cups and saucers: patterned with ornate designs. Yellow)

china, marked by gold vertical lines, is another pretty innovation, while magenta cups and saucers, on a blue, enamelled tray, are wholly delightful for the eye. I think the very prettiest cloth I have seen on a tea-table was one used by a friend the other day. It was of rose-pink linen, the centre being a mass of drawn-thread work, which left only a narrow eeging of plain inen. Then, to keep the tea hot there are cosies designed as ladies dressed in gold and silver tissues, cottages of silks or coloured raffia. and arimals whose soft woolly bodies adequately protect the tea-pots. A green pottery vase, whether to stand on the table, or one of the taller types which finds its place on the floor, always looks well when Ailed with richly-coloured foliage. To save coal without sacrificing heat, arrange some pieces of asbestos at back and sides of the grates. When the first is going the asbestos will be* come red hot and throw out consider* able heaW