Fashions and Furbelows.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18946, 17 December 1929, Page 13

Fashions and Furbelows.

- Notes by Special Contributor*

A NOVEL BAG. A motoring friend of mine converted a Scout’s khaki haversack into a useful receptacle for brush, comb and minor toilet accessories, such as puff, powder, perfume, etc., that are nice to have handy when touring. The front and back of the bag were almost covered with a bright-coloured cretonne, the inItt sides of khaki making an agreeable contrast. Four large buttons covered with the cretonne trimmed the corners, one at each, and a covered button was placed where the flap closes. The “ handles ” remained as they were—just khaki straps. This idea of converting a discarded article into a strong, useful and attractive bag greatly appealed to me. SHABBY SUITCASES. Should you have a shabby suitcase, wash it well with warm, soapy water, let it dry in the open air and then give it a coat of stain to match the original colour. When this is quite dry, put on a thin coat of varnish and your cash will then look like new. Dents should be dealt with from the inside of the case. Press them with a hot iron, putting a damp cloth between the iron and the case.

BEAUTY CULTURE. One day a week I set aside as my beauty day, and this is an idea which,, even if you are working, you can, by choosing a Sunday, adopt occasionally. I stay in bed late, and have breakfast there, and an hour afterwards I have a hot bath into which I empty a tin of mustard and some eau de cologne bath salts. The mustard makes the skin delightfully smooth and soft. After this, I do my slimming exercises, which take about a quarter of an hour. I then brush my hair for ten minutes with a stiff brush, and afterwards with a softer bristle one. Then I cover my hair with a tight boudoir cap. Next, I heat some olive oil in a large vegetable spoon, and put it as hot as possible on to the places which show signs of wringles—the forehead and round the eyes, and especially the neck. I am careful not to let it touch the eyes themselves, and also not to allow it to touch the chin and lips, as it might cause hair to grow. Manicure and Massage. Whilst this oil is soaking in, I manicure my finger-nails, which takes quite a long time, as I am fastidious about them. After that, I wipe the oil from my face and massage it with a pure cold cream. I leave it on for an hour, and during this time I lie down again; sometimes I put muslin pads containing cold tea leaves on my eyes to make them look bright. Whilst lying down I massage my neck for quite a long time with cold cream. Then I manicure my toe-nails and attend to my one and only corn. After the hour has elapsed, I wipe the grease from my face and wash it with an oatmeal pad, i.e., fine oatmeal tied up in butter muslin, this having been previously made. I moisten the pad with eau de cologne, dip in water and thoroughly massage my face with it. I then dissolve a teaspoonful of boracic acid in warm water and bathe my eyes for a few minutes. Lastly, I wash my face with cold water, afterwards dressing and putting on my usual slight make-up, and I am a finished product. “ You ought to be beautiful after all that!’* says my sister. “ Well, I am,” I reply, contentedly. THAT REMNANT OF YOURS. Here’s a splendid Way of using remnants of silk or lawn. One yard of 36in material will make a dainty chemise. Fold the material selvedge to selvedge, and decide how long you require the garment—about 22in is general. Then insert on each side of the chemise, from the waist to the hem, a panel cut from the surplus material you have taken from the bottom. An inverted pleat on each hip will give the necessary slim line to your undie, and at the same time hide the seams of the panels you have let it. Trim the top and hem of the chemise with lace. A remnant of one and a half yards of 36in material will make a very satisfactory petticoat if you use the width of the material as the length of your undie—i.e., one selvedge at the top and the other selvedge at the hem. Fold your material in half, decide the width you require for the bodice, and then cut accordingly, afterwards taking in the material on the hips with inverted pleats. Trim top and hem with a dainty lace.