Notes At Random

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 28, 3 February 1937, Page 14 (Supplement)

Notes At Random

Hints About The Home Banana Skin. Ink stains can be removed from hands by rubbing them with the inside of a banana skin. Mud Stains. They can be removed by gently rubbing on carbonate of soda with a piece of flannel; then press on wrong side with hot iron. Gum Substitute. White of an egg can be used for sticking on stamps or labels, or for fastening envelopes. Window*. Damp weather frequently causes windows to “stick”; this will not happen if the frames are smeared with a little floor polish. Brass-Work. Powdered magnesia applied to brass or laequer-work with a damp cloth, and, when dry, polished with a soft cloth gives excellent results. Tight Cork. Hold the part containing cork in hot water for a few minutes and it will then be easy to withdraw cork. Mirrors. Stains on mirrors can be removed with a paste of fine whiting and methylated spirits. Kub over mirror and allow to dry on; then rub off and polish as usual. Keeping Flowers. The mantelpiece, although a favourite placei for flowers, is the worst possible position in a room for them if it is desired to keep them fresh as long as possible. On the mantelpiece the heat from the fire soon withers the blooms. Any position where there is a draught should be also avoided, such as placing them by an open window. Do not let the sunlight fall directly on flowers kept in a room. Important rules for prolonging the life of flowers include removal at night from warm rooms and the changing of the water in the vases or bowls every day. Binse stalks under the tap before replacing, and cut a small portion off the end of each stem Flower Ways. There is an art in making the most or flowers and foliage that linger on into the beginning of winter. Bulrushes, in their natural tawny shading, or dyed yellow, orange or even blue, are most decorative in big jars of modern pottery or pewter. With their stems cut short and arranged with ferns or leaves, bulrushes also make attractive table decorations. The floral scheme in one wellkfiown drawing room is particularly attractive, Qn the wall, miniature straw hats were suspended with velvet ribbons. The crowns of the hats had linings of metal to contain flowers. Bunches of variegated leaves, or smail sheaves of corn, looked pleasing in these “flower hats.'' Dainty Scarves. There are three kinds of dainty scarves that you can make for yourself or for gifts, inexpensive but very attractive. The first is for evening, of crepe-de-chine and shirred, and the second is of thick washing silk, with a handkerchief point to go at the back and the two cravat ends in front finished with a threeinch deep gathered frill. The third goes equally well with dark town coats or frocks, and is of rich bright panne velvet, composed of a wide neckband and two half circles of material to form flared jabot ends when the scarf is tied at the throat. Autumn Leaves. Here is a method for prolonging the life ot your autumn leaves and cape gooseberries which may be beginning to 6how signs of going “off-colour.” Paint both sides of the leaves and over the orange “gooseberries” with transparent varnish. The covering will strengthen their colour and make them easier to dust. Madrigal Parties. Madrigal parties promise to be “the thing” in the near future. Mrs. Baldwin has inaugurated this revival of the 16th century madrigal singing by a party at 10, Downing Street, in aid of the Safer Motherhood funds. At these parties the singers are dressed in Elizabethan costumes and sit round a table illuminated by candles in pewter candlesticks. Pewter tankards at their elbows, complete the oldtime picture. The historic drawing room at the Prime Minister’s house is a fitting setting for such a party. Formerly, red and gold upholstery, dignified and “ official,” distinguished the room, but now a lighter and more artistic effect is attained with chintz covers patterned with period designs. Colour Fashions.

From time immemorial the wearing of gold has been a sign of high rank, so the choice of Coronation gold for one of the leading colour fashions for 1937 is very appropriate. Meantime, English people are introducing a golden touch in their dress wherever possible. At no time of the day is the gleam and glitter of golden thread or ornament out of place and even the plainest woollen frock may be enlivened with a gold note. Cord and tassel waistlines are a feature of many smart dresses just now and heavy tasselled cords of silk mixed with gold thread replace not only belts, but also appear as an adornment to necklines. A wine red woollen day frock in the princess style, for example, was tied at the neck and at the back of the waist with red cord of silk and gold.

Sandwich Slicer. A sandwich slicer is said to slice bread in three degrees of thickness by adjusting a circular blade. Cold meat, too, can be sliced up finely for the sandwiches.