MUNDANE MUSINGS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 74, 18 June 1927, Page 19

MUNDANE MUSINGS

NEEDLES OR PINS Most people fall, more or less easily (says an English writer), into categories; either according to their complexions blonde or brunette or whether they think Tolstoi a great writer or an old bore: but it is extraordinary how many people can be classed under the heading of needles or pins.

There are hundreds of people who, like needles, have eyes but no head, and an equal number who resemble pins in that they possess heads but no eyes!

Noreen is a typical “needle,” all eves and no head, caught by the alluring jade greqn of a cushion, the gleam of iridescent glass, the flamingo pink of a fleecy cloud, the glowing magenta of a feather, the bright red of a rose, to the complete exclusion of common sense.

“Oh, look at that divine peacockblue bag. I simply must get it. I saw the sweetest little smock in Sloane Street, I thought it would just do for dear little Robin. I’m dying to move. I’ve seen the most adorable cottage in the Chilterns, miles from anywhere, the sun was just setting, and I can’t tell you how romantic it looked.” She is so entranced by the “roses round the door,” that she completely forgets that her adorable cottage has no water laid on and the colours of the sunset blind her to the fact that it faces north. 4

She will buy an expensive bag, when she has no money to have her shoes mended or to pay the dentist’s bill, and the smock she buys for “dear little Robin” is discovered, on getting it home, to be the right size for a child of eighteen months, but an impossibility for a boy of three. Her “impulsive” cushions, and “sudden” hats, on being unpacked, nearly always refuse to go with the drawingroom cretonnes, or match any of her dresses, only because she will use her eyes, and not her brain. How different from the “pin-like” Maud, who uses her head, but firmly and resolutely closes her eyes. She is blind to the charms of a rose pink neglige, “that colour’ll show every mark”; she would rather live and die in an architectural nightmare near the Tube, than risk clay soil and five minutes’ walk to the bus. She buys all; her clothes, after weeks of deliberation, because they are “serviceable.” “won’t show the dirt.” and in their old age, would cut down nicely for Bobbie and Bertha. The wretched children’s clothes have not only eight-inch hems, but tucks in the sleeves to allow for growth. Everything is planned methodically and sensibly, every dark, sombre shade matches the other. The house runs like clockwork, all is arranged with a view to utility, rather than beauty, for Maud’s clear head has never been shaken by a wayward impulse, or ner eyes caught by the colour of a gay. but useless strip of embroidery, or an azalea like potted flame, “lovely colour, but they fade so soon.” Needles or pins, an eye and no head, or a head and no eye, which are you? A FAREWELL " PARTY Mrs. W. S. Spence, of Ladies’ Mile. Remuera, was the hostes last evening at a delightful little party given in farewell to Miss Joyce Eugene Smith, who with her parents and brother, leaves Auckland shortly for Sydney, where the family will make their future home. Mrs. Spence wore an attractive gown of flame-coloured beaded georgette when receiving her guests, while Mrs Eugene Smith was wearing a gown of rose pink georgette in a prettily beaded design. Miss Ilene Spence wore a dainty frock of wisteria mauve georgette, and the guests of honour. Miss" Joyce Eugene Smith, was in a delightful little frock of silver beaded black* georgette.

The evening was spent in dancing in the drawing-room and reception hall, where masses of beautiful flowers and ferns had been arranged wirh dainty effect. In the dining-room banked cyclamen and maidenhair fern also lent a dainty appearance to the tables and formed a pretty setting for the charming little frocks worn by Mrs. Spence’s gay young guests. The guests included: Miss Ray Thomson, who wore a pretty frock of pastel-toned pink taffetas. Miss Barbara Pierce, in a frock of deep delphinium blue georgette. Miss Rona Fenton, whose charmin'-; little frock was of ivory tafletas. Miss Iris Hale, wearing a becoming frock of petunia-shaded velvet. Miss W. Rendell, in a dainty frock of moonlight blue georgette. Miss Peggy Ford, pretty frock of black chiffon velvet. Miss Alison Laurie, dainty taffetas frock in blue. Miss L. Cummins, taffetas frock in pretty shade of blue. Miss V. Peacocke, mauve frock of taffetas. Miss Betty Buddie, dainty taffetas frock in rose pink shading. Miss Molly Hay, ivory-beaded frock of • orgette. Miss Gwen Kingston, taffetas frock of jacinth blue. Miss Dene Plummer, rose pink frock of • ffetas. Miss Farquhar, cherry-coloured frock georgette. Miss V. Williams, white lace frock verslip of shell pink. Miss E. Upton, dainty frock of nauve epe de chine. Miss Sybil Beale, bouffant frock of \ hite taffetas. Miss Edna Schnaeur, primrose-toned rock of georgette. Prepare shoes for staining by wash,ng with warm water and soap, allowing to dry, then giving a coat of methylated spirit. Dissolve a tablespoon of permanganate of potash in quarter of a pint of water, and sufficient bi-chromate of potash to cover a shilling in an eggcupful of water. Apply a coa'ting of bi-chromate, then the stain, using a fine sponge. The purple colour disappears, leaving a rich brown fast stain. Finish off when dry with any good white cream shoepolish.