Let's Go Gossiping

Waipa Post, Volume 81, Issue 3691, 29 November 1935, Page 4

Let's Go Gossiping

(By Miss Mary Tallis.—Special Service to The Waipa Post.)

„ FASHIONS. . SUNSHINE ACCESSORIES. The. chances, are that you have not thought ; of sewing three' flowers to one side of your h,alo; hat—and after reading this hint, and looking in your glass, you will see what a difference they will 'make. - To complete the picture, what about gauntlets and a bag of straw: ? This is;a setyou;can make if.you are neat with your fingers. Buy some bundles of narrow straw and start by adding gauntlets tp a pair of fabric gloves. Just sew the straw round and round, each circle- overlapping the other a little, widening as you work upward. The ; bag is made in a complete circle, starting; from, the centre, and can be as large or. as small as you wish. •Those circular sleeves which, in photographs and sketches, stand up so attractively, only to flop down when you actually wear them, will cease to flop from now on. A little variegated cluster of flowers, sewn to the seam where frill and bodice meet, is an enchanting touch to add to any •frock, -and also holds weak-willed frills permanently in place. One of the smartest ideas to-day is the stiff, plain collar and cuffs set. If you are lazy about sewing, you don't even, have to thread a needle to get the effect. Simply take a plain linen , S et—li%me-m)ade or ready-madet—to the laundry and ask to have it starched just like a man's stiff collar. On a plain, smart frock, stiffened linen gives the last touch of immaculate perfection. ■■■ [Day-timje "soft" frocks as distinct from the sport frocks we wear for games and cruising—show a lovely variety of detail this season. Sleeve lengths are becoming, shoulders broadened, waists slimmed, and, for those who love a broken skirt line, there are clever fluted basques. The popular length is from 8 to 10 inches off the ground. ";'•. ' BEAUTY. .' FOR THOSE WHO WEAR I GUASSES. 'ln addition to the ordinary, everyday; glasses there are a few attractive novelties which will soon be very popular. The lorgnette is back, but with what a difference ! It is so useful if you don't have to wear glasses all :the time, but must to read small -type. The new lorgnette folds up into a neat pendant which hangs from a slender silver chain round your neck. A light touch on a tiny lever, and it springs open into an attractive lorgnette, which will help you to find your place on the programme, or menu, without the embarrassment of getting out your glasses and fumbling around generally. Chased silver frames are going to be very popular for the evening, too. Then there are the folding glasses which wrap round themselves until they can be stowed away in a small leather case, and are ideal for travelling. A Word about your hair, which is extremely important if you have to wear glasses and are deciding whether you are going to be dashing, daring, or extremely conservative about the frames. Here are some " do's " and " don'ts " which hold good, in either case for your coiffure:— Avoid either a very elaborate or very severe style of hairdressing. Too many loops, curls, or bits and pieces make glasses look " frowsy " straight

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away, while a very severe cut overemphasises their importance. Thick, straight fringes are out, too, or any style which involves curls at the temples. .' Instead, aim at keeping as much of the face exposed as possible, especially the ends of the eyes .where the sides of the glasses come. If your forehead looks bare without a covering of some sort you can have" a small, curved fringe at one side, but no heavy, low-placed waves.

Your eyebrows and lashes also need consideration; Eyebrows are decided-, ly improved by a little plucking, so that they present a neat, straight line without any off-shoots, and brush your lashes with mascara, or a dark eyelash browing cream, to make them show to advantage behind your specr tacles.

COOKING.. THE CAKES OF SOUTH AMERICA. Virginia Biscuits: These are really scones, not biscuits in the sense New Zealand housewives understand the word. Sift together 4 cupsful of self-rais-ing flour and 1 teaspoonful of salt. Add a heaped tablespoonful of butter. Cut the butter into small bits with a knife, then rub it in the usual way with the fingers till the mixture is like breadcrumbs. Add gradually threequarters (or a little more) of a cupful of milk, and knead all to a dough. ; Turn out on a floured board/ and beat with a wooden potato masher until the dough rises in great blisters. Fold over and beat again; Repeat the folding and "beating until the whole piece of dough has been treated; then roll out to the thickness of 4-inch. Cut into rounds, and bake in a moderate oven for 15 to* 20 minutes. The " biscuits " can be split open and buttered, or spread with jam or honey, or can be eaten plain. One-egg Muffins: For these you will need 1 tablespoonful of butter and 1 tablespoonful of sugar, beaten to a cream'. When well beaten, add 1 egg, also well beaten. '. Sift together 11 cupsful of flour, 3 teaspoonsful of baking powder, and I teaspoonful of salt.- Add this flour mixture and I cup of milk alternately to the butter, sugar, and egg.

Be careful to add the milk and flour alternately in small quantities, beating well all the time. Pour into small, round, greased tins. Bake for 20 minutes in a hot oven. The success of these muffins depends upon the gradual addition of the flour and milk,' and the constant beating. iSouthern Gingerbread: Stir together 1 cupful of molasses (or dark treacle and 1 cupful of brown sugar and I cupful of melted butter. To this add 4 cupsful of hot water. Then add 4cupsful of flour, a teaspoonful of salt, 1 teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda, 1 teaspoonful of ground ginger, and i teaspoonful of ground cinnamon.

Beat all well together for at least 5 minutes —'the mixture must be light and spongy. Pour into well-greased tin and bake.in a moderate oven for half an hour. EXERCISE. MATTERS OF SLIMNESS. Are you getting just the least little

bit stouter ? And have you tried doing exercises —• very vigorously for the first morning, not quite so vigorously the second, found you were too late the third, and that bed was nicer on the fourth ? Well, I've been through all that myself ! Have you ever watched an animal in a cage and wondered how it kept lithe and fit ? You have seen caged animals stretching, and the stret&hing loosening and working every muscle, if only humans would do that! We shouldn't be worried with, too much fat, and stiff, set bodies which by middle age find even bending the greatest effort. Look at a dog, a cat, and even a baby when it is growing. They all stretch to exercise and improve their bodies—but we grown-ups don't. Try stretching exercises. Do them before your open window, where you will be able to breathe the m'orning fresh air. First of all rub your shoulder blades against the floor, and then the whole of your spine, until you feel the muscles, stimulated by the increased circulation of the blood. Next, lie relaxed and yawn and yawn, loudly, luxuriously, as you have often wanted to yawn and couldn't because people were about. Your hair wants to breathe, too. Sit up and rub your fingers through arid through your hah-, rubbing the scalp and loosening it so that the air can get right through it, and it looks like a lion's mane.

Now copy your dog, when he is tired after a long walk. Lie on your back and roll your whole spine blissfully against the floor. Slip your hands behind your knees and draw them slowly and firmly towards your chin. The small of your back comes in contact with the floor. Lie like this for a minute or two; then lower jour legs again. Now try to stretch your spine while you lie on the floor. Stretch as far as you possibly can, then swing your legs up and over, and try to touch the floor over your head with your toes. You won't succeed at first, but you will if you persevere, and you will find your body become as supple as that of a child.

THE USEFUL LEMON,

, In the household lemons can be used in many ways other than for flavouring purposes.

For removing stains and.for general cleaning purposes lemons are invaluable. Before using acids to remove ink-stains on cloth or paintwork try a mixture of salt and lemon. The stain will disappear when washed. 'For ironmould stains, wash with salt and lemon juice, then wash away with warm water.

When white cloths arc mildewed, mix starch and soft soap with salt and lemon juice to form a paste. Apply liberally to the mildew spots and expose to the; sun for a few then wash as usual.

Obstinate perspiration stains can be removed by soaking well in lemonjuice and rinsing out quickly. When ivory knife handles have become discoloured, rub them with lemon juice and salt to restore their whiteness. This treatment does equally well for piano keys. Embossed brass should never be cleaned with ordinary metal polish, which invariably leaves white marks. Rub well with cut lemon, then wash off with clear water and rub up with soft, dry cloths. This is the method recommended by all Indian brassdealers.

Spots on glazed tiles can be removed with a cut lemon; allow the lemon to remain for a short time, then polish with a dry cloth.

Bananas and other fruit, when sliced, are apt to become discoloured on exposure to the air. This can be prevented if lemon juice is sprinkled on the fruit when preparing it. Housewives who are unable to grow lettuces and have to buy them from the greengrocer will find that they will keep fresh if stood in a bowl of water containing a slice or two of lemon.

For a bilious headache, rub lemon over the brow and the pain will soon disappear.

A glass of hot water with the juice of a lemon added, if drunk first thing in the morning, cures indigestion and improves the complexion. Taken at night it will ward off an incipient cold, or relieve one which has already taken firm hold. 'For whitening the hands and arms, the housewife will find lemon juice invaluable; it removes fruit and vegetable stains.

Lemon juice, glycerine, and rosewater mixed in equal quantities make an excellent hand lotion. Rub well into the hands at night, and wear loose-fitting gloves.