WOMEN AND THE HOME

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18798, 29 June 1929, Page 22 (Supplement)

WOMEN AND THE HOME

FROM A PARISIENNE’S. NOTEBOOK. (By YVONNE RODIER.) Revivalh of past fashions are obviously to be featured in this year’s dress schemes. Notable among such revivals are frocks with flounces set on the slant in the old-world manner, and sleeves finished with miniature frills. And normal waistlines to complete the picture of the ancien regime. Circular flounces which mount at the back of the skirt, basques, square yokes and inset yokes of contrasting material, all speak of the influence of another generation. But I fancy all these things, though they may have their place in the world of dress, will have but a limited appeal. I have a notion that the dressmakers arc not in a hurry to reveal their more ultimate intentions, and meanwhile these piquant but difficile creations are being given a run, so to speak, while experimentation still goes on with the wealth of new materials at the couturiere's command. Fabrics are the most satisfying aspect of fashions at the moment. Here we have something really definite and tangible, as it were. Printed crepes are designed in tiny patterns reminiscent of old prints, notably a curious pink and bronze brown that sends recollection speeding over the years that are gone. Sparseness of colour characterises all these old-print designs. As a rule, the background is in white or some light colour, and the patterning in a definitely contrasting hue. Very occasionally, touches of a third colour are introduced. Broadly speaking, geometrical designs are out and floral effects and small prints are in. A daisy pattern has a special popularity; though some materials are characterised by large floral motifs. So large, in fact, in some cases, that it seems doubtful whether there will be enough width in the skirt or bodice to take the pattern once! Jumpers look particularly charming in the newest wool lace woven diagonally in two contrasting colours. And there are jersey weaves by the score; some silk and wool; and some made in thick and thin yarn woven together. The colours they contain, and the patterns revealed at close quarters, create an impression oi jersey materials that are silk tweeds. Xt is notable that metal stripes and all traces of glitter have disappeared from all materials save those designed for evening wear. Mushroom and bonnet shapes are prevalent in the millinery salons. A model in beige bangkok and crepe de chine, typical of the former influence, had the brim bent to a peak in front, from which point it swept gracefully and with widening line as it reached the sides, to be narrowed down again at the back. A delightful little black “ bonnet ” was bound round with cire straw and finished at the back with a tulle frilling. Another bonnet shape had ear flaps that completely concealed the hair at the sides, but was cut close enough at the back to reveal a row of the newest curls on the nape. Scarves with long., triangular ends and narrow neckpieces are made of silk in two shadesr-very dark and very light—or in two contrasting colours. They are worn with the long ends falling over the left shoulder. DAINTY AFTERNOON TEA WAFERS. Cream two cupsful of powdered sugar with one cupful of butter. Make perfectly smooth, and then add three wellbeaten eggs and a good flavouring of lemon juice. Sift into this mixture-suf-ficient flour to form a dough that can be rolled very thin indeed; cut into rounds, ovals or oblongs, and bake in a fairly hot oven. These lemon wafers are really delicious if carefully prepared. HINTS FOR THE HOUSEWIFE. If cut-glass jugs or vases have become rather cloudy and ordinary wash-

ing fails to remove the film, fill them with wet potato peelings and leave for twenty-four hours or longer. When washed they will sparkle like new. Silver shoes, so fashionable in these days, are sometimes badly tarnished by being kept in a damp cupboard. They can be restored to their pristine brightness by mixing some whitening to a paste and applying it evenly to the shoes, which should then be left to dry in a cool place. Brush out the dried powder, and the tarnish will have disappeared. Housewives who are a little nervous about using petrol for cleaning tapestry-covered furniture within should try the alternative “ dry ” method of powdered magnesia. Rub it in evenly and vigorously with a piece of cloth, and remove a few hours later with a clean, stiff brush. A WOMEN’S HOTEL. The Norwegian National Council of Women, who have done so much useful work both in their own country and abroad, are now embarking upon an altogether novel enterprise. They are opening a special hotel for women in Oslo! The hotel, beautifully situated, faces the tall trees of the Royal Castle Park. The energetic president of the council who started the scheme has, happily, found ample support, financial as well as moral, among her countrywomen of influence and position, and the hotel will serve as yet another means of bringing women more closely together. Apart from a fairly large number of

guest rooms, the hotel has its own clubrooms, and its halls for public lectures and meetings. Women guests and residents will have chances to enlarge their literary and artistic horizons by means of a _ well-equipped library and systematically arranged lectures. Women travellers to Norway will be able to book rooms there and enjoy all the advantages which are shared by the residents. Since the organiser’s idea aims at bringing together women of varying financial positions, the rates are moderate and are scaled in such a way as to suit the majority. The entire management of the hotel is entrusted to women. And when one remembers the extremely well-run and artistically furnished Norwegian homes, one cannot but be sure that the new hotel will leave nothing to be desired in the way of cosiness and comfort. The feminine societies of Norway hope that their new enterprise will be a success. It surely deserves to be, since the end they have in view is the comradeship of women throughout the country, and beyond it! TRY THESE AMERICAN COOKIES! Cream by beating one cupful of butter. Beat two eggs, mix with one cupful of finely powdered sugar, and add to the butter, blending very thoroughly. Sieve together three cupsful of flour and two teaspoonsful of baking powder, and add gradually to the egg mixture. When well mixed, roll the preparation to about a quarter of an inch thick, cut into rounds, brush each lightly with beaten egg. sprinkled with chopped almonds and sugar, and bake in a hot oven. THE REAL THING AND THE SHAM. FUTILE IMITATION. (By PHILIPPA KENDRICK.) Happy is the woman who can encounter the felicitous expression of another woman’s personality with admiration untinged with envy. Happy—yet curiously rare, even in these days of feminine self-assurance. Women who have very definite personalities of their owm may be none the less prone to suffer a sudden attack of inferiority-complex when confronted with the perfect self-expression of an alien type. I have known quite a number who began to doubt their own taste, to question their own mental predilections, to wonder how far their temperamental and artistic outlook was all wrong, when they were introduced to some attractive domestic

mise-en-scene outside the scope of their own inherent individuality. Sincerity, genuineness, must be the guide to the conduct of life in this as in all else. To imitate in dress, housedecoration, choice of books or music, the tastes of others that are no true reflection of your inmost self, and that do not truly satisfy your individual needs, is the negation of the quality we call “ personality,” whose strength depends essentially on the revelation of the real ego. There can be no mistaking the real thing and the sham, no matter how adroit the imitative touch. In five minutes unstudied talk, a woman can betray her complete remoteness from the most scrupulously imitated house-decoration scheme, assiduously planned because she thinks it is “the thing.” Just as obviously unopened classics on the bookshelves would “ give away ” the type whose secret book-loves hailed always from the fiction section of the lending library.

Personality never yet was achieved save by those who have the strength of their own convictions. Mistaken they may be, but if they are utterly genuine, the aura of personality shines forth. The “ pearlies ”of the old-style costermonger and the “ fevvers ” of his bride were not representative of the accepted canons of good taste; but they most undeniably conferred personality upon their wearers. Emphasising the moral, an honest saddle-bag suite, with hot muffins and china tea pot and an' outsize feminine smile, is the glad expression of better taste than .is the carefully modulated manner of . obviously ill-at-ease hostess in a pinchbeck Cromwellian setting! IT IS WORTH KNOWING.

That the peeling of onions will no longer hurt your eves if, while doing it, you hold the vegetables under a slightly running tap. This will also prevent the hands and knife from being strongly scented with the odour. That screws which have rusted firmly into wood can be removed with the help of a little vinegar. Pour a small quantity all round the head, and leave it to soak in. Then use the screwdriver and the screw will come out easily. That you should never brush arti-ficially-waved hair if you wish to keep in the “kink.” Instead, press the bristles of the brush into the hair, grip the scalp with them and move the scalp with a circular motion. Comb the hair as much as ever you like, and finish off by setting each wave into place with a tail comb. BEAUTY IN BOUDOIR CAPS. A pretty little boudoir cap should be in everyone’s possession, ready for emergency or holiday wear. The newest headgear of this kind is the last word in daintiness! It could be appropriately called the “halo” cap, for it gives a delightful aureole round the head of the wearer. To be most becoming it should be made of yellow georgette in the new gorse or banana-3'ellow colour, and edged with fine silk lace dyed to tone. The halo effect is given by means of a wired band of orange ruching standing about an inch up from the cap material all the head from ear to ear. Fringe is also apparent on some of the new' boudoir caps, w'here it is certainly seen at its best. A cap can be made entirely of fringing in different widths. Make the cap foundation of soft pale pink muslin, and on the very top of it make a small circle with the narrowest fringe. About an inch below that fringe top, under the strands of fringe, sew the next fringe (in a slightly deeper shade, if possible) also in a circular line, and below that, again, add the last, widest and deepest fringe, allowing it to fall bewitch-

ingly over the forehead when the cap ; is donned. A small cluster of flowers, < or a rosette of ribbons in the three < shades of pink used for the fringes, covers the top of the cap where the - first fringe was applied. Ear-flaps can . be quaintly suggested by a deep fringe , left long at both ears, but cut short round front and back of the cap. j Swansdown and marabout can make ] most delightful caps, when sewn completely over a plain cap foundation, ( giving the effect of a soft fluffy ball. This type of cap looks its best when , finished off with a dainty chin, strap ! of ribbon with fluffy ball ends. AN OLD MACINTOSH. The old macintosh which has become too shabby to wear often has not finished being useful. It can be converted into a useful overall for washing day if it is joined in front for a short distance at the bottom. The sleeve must be removed and the armholes shaped. The rough edges can be neatened by binding with a contrasting coloured braid. A GAY RAINBOW EDGING. Often, after working a pretty bit of embroidery in gay colours, it’s difficult to find an effective edging to finish off the dainty thing. Buttonholing is so hackneyed! But here it is with a magical difference—underlaid buttonholing, it’s called. Simply buttonhole your edge with rather widely spaced stitches, using the principal colour in your embroidery. Then run underneath the stitches, but without working into the stuff, a thread of each of the other colours used in the embroidery. STAINED FLOORS. If you have stained your floor-boards with ordinary “oil-shop” stain, you will find that the shine goes off quickly. I know you will, for I have used heaps of it myself and it has always played the same trick. My cure for that is to rub the stained floors with a rag dipped in methylated spirit. It brings up a lovely shine instantly. MOTHER AND HOME. Hints for that Children’s Party! To begin with, children are not reallyinterested in the kinds and amount of food prepared for their consumption, but have a lasting impression of the manner in which it is served. A simply set meal of dainty sandwiches, and delicious jellies and blancmanges of varying hues, shapes and sizes, soon appease their, little appetites, while a cake with candles is an essential thrill! | Interest can be added to the meal by | allowing the children to be treated . like mother and father in having their places at table indicated by means of i neatly-printed cards, bearing their | Christian name, or they might, if not t too young, be allowed to take a partner in to tea!

After tea a busy half-hour can be utilised by the unravelling of a cobweb. This consists of a number of strings—one for each tiny guest—being hung in a prominent position in the dining-room. Each child takes a string, already labelled, and excitedly follows its course through different parts of the house, tracing and retracing their steps until finally the goal is reached, and eager little fingers clutch the parcel at the end of the string. _ The task of maintaining interest from now onwards depends to a great extent on “keeping the ball rolling.” Children, like grown-ups, demand “pep,”

liveliness, and mirth. A running buffet of sweets, fruits and ices helps greatly. Take Care of your Glass. For really lovely accessories to your table you can always depend on glassware. This is especially in the limelight nowadays. A centre-piece of a highly polished glass dish, piled with fruit, always looks colourful and in good taste, and costs far less than a constantly replenished bowl of flowers would do. But if you expect the very best appeawnce of your glass, see that you give it just that little extra attention which counts! Always wash glass separately (I needn’t emphasise carefully?) in two waters. The first should be just warm—a little over lukewarm, but not by any means hot. Shake in a few flakes of Lux, and whip the basin of water to a creamy lather before you submerge your glass. Cold water should be used for the “rinse.” Personally, I find that an added pinch—no more—of ordinarysalt to the second water adds a more pronounced sparkle to the glass. This is specially noticeable in the case of lustre and finely-cut glass. Remember to dry decanters thoroughly. I mention these particularly, because they are often rather hard to manage; but once let that fatal dullness lay hold of the inside of a bottle, jug or decanter, and you*l! have a hard job getting it off again! So it’s worth while to dry properly in the first instance. A word for further care. Keep a soft duster or two (but not those with a fluffy finish), apart from those which are usually engaged on household duties, specially for glass. A chamoisleather, too, is indispensable for polishing, so invest in one straight away if you’ve “done without” so far. You’ll notice the difference in your glass. Home-Made Potted Meat This recipe is excellent for breakfast, sandwiches, or for the children’s tuckbox.

Choose lean juicy beef, wipe it and remove all skin. Cut the beef into very small pieces, weigh, and to lib allow 21oz to 3oz of butter. Put both into a jar with salt, pepper and cayenne. Cover the jar and put it into; a pan with water reaching half-way-up the jar, and simmer gently from two to three hours. Turn the contents of the jar into a mortar or basin and pound well with two boned anchovies. Add a pinch of nutmeg and more seasoning if necessary and rub through a wire sieve. Put into small jars, pressing it in well, and coat with oiled butter.

A Health Hint for the House-Hunter. When the engaged girl is house-hunt-ing for her future home she has a general idea that the drains should be all right, but if they do not smell, she generally “gives them the miss.” The same with dampness, which is very important. Thin, porous walls that admit damp should be cemented. The roof should be made sound, the gutters and rainpipes cleaned. No one should move into a house without having the sinks and drains inspected by a competent man. In dry weather water should be frequently poured down all sinks and occasionally carbolic powder, or chloride of lime should be thrown on them.

If a cake is to be iced on top and sides and sprinkled with dessicated cocoanut or chopped nuts, ice the sides first and roll the cake, wheel fashion, in the nuts. Then ice the top and sprinkle with the nuts. Heat white of egg slightly before whipping; it will come up in half the time. Fluid magnesia cures ulcers and abrasions in a month. Don’t discard an old linen carriage or sulky-rug. Cut off the fringe, cut the rug into four, hem each all round and wash them. You will have fou.* good dish-towels. To keep jam for any length of time add half a teaspoon of salt to each preserving pan of fruit. It will darken it slightly, but the jam will neither candy nor grow mouldy. A. clean geranium leaf tied on a cut will stop bleeding almost immediately. To re-trace used transfers on coloured or white material, powder a little chalk on to the material place the transfer on top, and, with a pencil or pointed stick, trace the design. Remove transfer, gently shake the material and the design will remain. Tailor’s French clay is the best medium. A delicious way of serving small new potatoes is to parboil them and remove the skins, then drop into boiling fat and cook until brown. Sprinkle with salt and parsley and serve very hot. .