FEMININEREFLECTIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 95, 13 July 1927, Page 5

FEMININEREFLECTIONS

BRIDAL BOUQUETS

Though a good many brides prefer colour, white flowers still predominate for bridal bouquets, but they are .very rarely tied with the once inevitable write satin ribbon. The loops of gold or silver ribbon or bows of white tulle give them far more character, though the latter are by no means easy to manipulate. “More bouquets are spoilt by being badly tied than by anything else,” says a noted florist in town. “I have several girls who are very good at it, but as a matter of fact two of them have had a millinery training. TOO SHORT NOTICE “Brides very often do not come soon enough to choose their bouquets,” he went on. “Not infrequently they give less than a week, while it may require six months’ notice to get flowers specially grown extra early or extra late. “You sometimes get asked for a rose bouquet of a colour that does not exist in roses! and if you just miss the right colour it looks dreadful. So if some very unusual colour is being chosen for the dress it is wise to come to the florist first, because while you cannot control the colour of flowers, dyes are controllable. If a coloured bouquet is being carried with a white gown I always advise a little of the colour being introduced in the gown, perhaps a pink or blue lining to the train. “It is difficult to say what I like best for the bridal bouquet. It depends on the stature, and figure, and type of the bride. For instance, these big arum lilies would look absurd carried by a small bride, but fine for a tall one. Lilies of the valley are right for a petite bride whose bouquet must be so dainty. Lilies.are always expensive, but you can get over that by having heather mixed with them.” “Bridesmaids’ bouquets should tone or contrast, and the church decorations should always be taken into consideration, because you don’t want a yellow church and pink bridesmaids. We had a very pretty wedding last season with both bouquets and decorations in iris, the name flower of the bride. BUTTERFLY ROSES “There are a large variety of roses to choose from now, but the Butterfly, a very pale pink rose, is the favourite. The Regalia lily is being used instead of the Harrisii. and will, I am sure, soon oust it. It is sightly smaller and is shaded with pink, and the leaves are slenderer, so that it is more dainty.” The florist concluded with a warning about bouquets for country weddings that had to be made the evening before, as some flowers, such as lilacs or forget-me-nots, would not stand travelling.

MEMS. FOR WOMEN MOTORISTS

CARE OF THE ENGINE The matter of draining the engine sump is a disagreeable but highly necessary operation which can only be performed usually by 'crawling under the car and removing the drain plug. Some women drivers think they have done their duty to the engine nobly if they see that the oil level in the engine is kept up, but the contrary is the case. Adding a little oil when the dipstick indicates the desirability of more lubricant is all very well, but after 2,000 to 3,000 miles the oil begins to lose its viscosity and becomes somewhat laden with dirt. The only way then to prevent damage to the engine is to drain out all the old oil and fill the sump afresh. There is a tradition among some drivers that it is a good thing to flush the empty engine with paraffin before putting in the new oil, but this practice has too many dangers to commend it. The best way to flush the engine is to pour some thin oil into the sump and let it drain away. When the engine is refilled to the correct level, run it slowly for a short period until the oil pressure gauge indicates that the pressure is mounting up. If the gauge fails to register the engine should be switched off at once, for it means either that the oil-pump requires priming or that it has gone out of action. While paraffin is inimical to the best interests#of the engine it may be used with advantage after the gear-box and back axle have been drained of old oil. Before the new oil is poured in care must be taken that all the paraffin has drained away.