Social Moods.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 429, 11 August 1904, Page 3

Social Moods.

BEING DOMESTIC.

JOPESPITE all the disoassiens si to jlrK whether women aie or tie sot as 2§k2W clever as men, there ie one fact that remains unchanged the happiest 'woman on earth is the one who makes a success of her home, An attractive home is woman's greatest triumph. No amount of male intelligence or goodwill can make up for the Hole of her efforts in that direction. What a.delight to her husband and comfort to her women friends is the maker of a cczjt home I It is not always the result of a heat and prim housewife j it is the true artist who hap, perhnps, received the highest education, that achieves success in the home. When ambitions women declare that they could not endure a domestic life, it is evident that they do not understand the art of being domestic.

In it there is soope for the display of every talent and artistic taste ' Take the art of arrangißg flowers, for example. Few women have any idea of the possibilities in that line, The same bunon of flowers would be hardly, reb'oguieable at the hands of d ffarent women. By the way, speaking of flowers reminds me of the clever idea which, the Japanese have oa this nut jact. Instead of adding a few sprays of green to a bunch of flowers, they All the vase with green and add a few flowers here and there. The expense is much let a and the «fleet perfectly chaining. Two pennyworth of asparagus green and four chrysanthemums would make a huge floral display in a Japanese drawingroom, Green is always delightfully refreshing, and £ often wonder why it is , used so sparingly in bouquets. Everyone is conEoioußlY or uncor ssiously affected by the cheerfulness of a room, Flowers have a potent charm of their own, and a few pennyworth will last a week if properly cared for, The best way is to remove them at night to a tool place. If this is impracticable, keep them away from the direct rays of gas or electric light. Cut the stems each morning, singe the cut ends, and replace them in fresh water. Sometimes the mania for 'collecting* takes a practical turn. I saw a honaemade eereon the other day wbicb struck me as being taoat origin*!- Three plain frames of white wood had been made, and fastened together with double hinges. Ordinary hnen waa tackad on three edges of each frame, and then stretched tightly to be tacked to the fourth side. In that stage it was not a very attractive article, but when finished there was no sign of this ugly foundation. The entire space was covered with the artistic covers whioh had appeared for the last year on the maker's favoucice magazine. The edges were all bound with a dark strip of plushette, which was saeured by brass-headed Hails. Nothing adds mora to the luxurious appearance of a room than a comfortablelooking divan and plenty of cushions. A ooßy corner can be quite easily made from a wire mattress. Have a carpenter put short sofa-legs on the four corners; over this lay the ordinary wool mattress, and finally a cover of tapestry. If preferred, ythe cover can ba of cretonne or plush. Down and feathers are expensive* bat I once knew a wise woman who cut up all bits of Bilk and other cloth that collect bo rapidly. When she wanted to make a sofa-cushion she always had plenty of filling. Where such a divan is placed in a corner it is a pretty idea to fasten a Japanese umbrella above the head in the comer of the wall The bachelor girl can turn this divan into a bad at night. Colour has a marked influence on a highly-sensitive nature. It is more than a Bimple matter of taste, which mean* that one colour ia liked batter than another. There are some people who'feel real physical discomfort whea looking at a colour they dislike. Uaoongenial c6m£), binatione of colour affect me ia that way. I could not sit comfortably in a room where a combination of purple and pink slared me in the face any more than if "T were tete-a-tete with an uncongenial person. Why ia it that one day our friend looks charmingly pretty and the next would be considered quite plain f Usually it is all a question of colour. Eaally there are very few women who are faitbiui to the colour or fow colours that suit tbem. TTeiscript type, taere will ba one shade euita h'ix "to perfection, Two.or three others cm be worn with indifference, and the great mtprity should be eechewed. By the way, it iB generally thought that blue is exclusively for fair people Pink eajoys the save degree of favour with branettes; but the truth is, nothing can be more c'manning for dark parsons with a clear skin than blue, provided the correct pale shade is chosen. I a choosing colours for a dress, or for the prevailing tone of a room, there are a few facts that ought to ba taken into consideration. Pale green is the moat restfal. Yellow is inviting to the light, but cold and unbecoming to the complexion. Blues, in the darker and electric ehadts, are depressing. Grey is chilling, and should only be worn by paople with plenty of colour of their own. Tae eame ia true of the emerald green that has been bo much in vogue of late. It imparts a'deafchly pallor to the wearer. From this it will be obvious that a green veil on a pale woman, as I saw the other day, is the most hideous thing .that can be imagined. Bed is a warm shade, and in one or the other of its many tones is becoming to nearly everyone, Brown ie an indiffditnt shade. It ia not always unbecoming, but it can never be said to enhance one's beauty. I have never yet seen a man in a brown suit who would not have looked better in something else. In the majority of oases the bluish-grey is a trying Bbade. What is known as 'old rose' should be avoided txiept by the txtremsly fair and of golden hair. It inuat also be borne in mind that some oolours thai; are at first thought unbacomtn* can be worn charmingly if a little soft I*o3 or ch: ffm is introduced at the throat. When you are feeling tired and 'nervous' (i polite name for bad-temp red) do not cut lup in an armchair. Instead, take a brisk walk for a half hour. If it is not convenient to go out of doors, open the wiadow-r-iain or shine—-and breathe deeply for a quarter of an hour. You will then feel genuinely tire*, and after a short rest, will probably fijid your normal cheerfulness quite restored. It is astonishing how many grievances will vanish when the circulation of the blood is in good working order. Another effective treatment is to sponge the back with, tepid water and afewdropa of Serubb'fl ammonia, and rub to a glow with a bath towel, If yn one day feel inclined to indulge in a little self-pity, this will be your,plan. You will not occupy yourself mach wifca thoughts of your own oßtate, but will fall into a systematic envying of others. ' Why Ehould Miss So-and-so have a car. riage and pairP Why Bhould eomeona else have a new frock whenever she likes J Is there any reason why another Bhould be so favoured with personal beauty r* These are some of the questional that JOB will ask. '■■■'■;. ..... . ___