Feminine Interests

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 826, 21 November 1929, Page 5

Feminine Interests

The Glamour Of the East “THE DESERT SONG” F ROC KING Th® burning priory ot' sunset in Morocco. Hi li t blinding glare of midday on s: i nds Gut heel in primros _• i-ht. the i"i;i.nn i ■ glamour of teustern »t is in a violet sky, the alluring mjsifry ot tii' d« >• i t by moonlight—all • r,' • 1 till * ini« re. I*ut also to form peculiarly picturesque setting tor the liiup* tint move across the stage i:i what probably one ot' the most d»-; lightful musical plays * \>r stagetl in Vuekland. "The l »■ ■ vt Song.” CJroup*d jsainst •« background so oiYectivc. tie lovely Oriental dresses worn in some. ..f the scenes. I lie Trekking of the ballets Mil lho pictun -mub Ar;i*i :nrb ot' the men. were particularly attractive. As Margot P,onvale:. Miss Marie Bremner made a dramatic* first appeurunci' on the stag' in the dashing scar- ; lot and grey uniform of a French J • iffleer: but h* r essential ieminiflity was more charmingly revealed in the! lovely frock ot ivory tulle in which she was next seen. Surmounted bv a tigliLrttting bodice, the full skirt fell in graceful folds to an uneven hemline at the ankles, and a scintillating girdle .ad diagonal design of dia monte aero-, til® front made hi effective finish. In riding kit Miss Bremner made a trim and attractive little figure, whil in the glittering harem dress in whir, she next appeared she was daintilv lluriag. Heavily e ncrusted with pearls brilliants on the corsage and gljr- | "•ring with diamante panels, this lovel« frock of white georgette lie!d all the magic of the Kast in its long flowing . •Ii ipi’i which fell loosely from the* shoulders and the upper arms to a border of de- p silver fringe. The fas- • ma ting <• Tecc was. moreover, greatly enhanced by the gorgeous setting of ! vivid silken cushions piled on an I Eastern divan, grouped against the •lurk background of a lacy Moorish : doorway, through v hich could be seen ! the open sky. CHARMING EXSI;MULE It was. however, in the last scene; that tuc wistful, appealing charm which ! is one of Miss Bremner’s greatest assets, was seen to the best advantage, in a filmy frock of palest sea-green' georgette which fell in long pointed panels to an uneven hemline of ankle length. A deep berth© falling to the waist partially concealed tic* exquisite design of wistaria embroidered in long graceful sprays on the corsage and again on the front panel of the skirt, j ml a picturesque hut of pale green crinoline straw embroidered with a ! wistaria design completed a charming ensemble. Miss Renee Murphy, who made r> petite and charming Susan, appeared , first in a demure little frock of delphinium blue georgette, with short flared skirt, a sash with a large bow : ••f blue shot taffeta and a forge t-me - j net posy to finish. In a subsequent'

I " I l ' ■' Mn.il;! r t: ... 1. of >hcll- ■ " lnk vbai-inouwe with ban.ls of slur.-ina :-un,l the him. narruv pl.-atetl bands "t Ivors - and shell-pink at nook and: sleeves, and a Monti Birdie in delicate l>a>rei tints nn lavender velvet. The part of A::uri. the Arab daneinevir was taken by Miss Marjorie liasveil, who in one scene wore a frock of : heavy flamo silk effectively relieved a irli silt -r and black. Mustard-vellov -nd black with a vivid Oriental design termed the colour notes in another <U ikmslr <iffectivo ensemble, while a harem dress of heavy ivory clinrmeusei n lth deep fringe was banded with orange. TEMPERAMENTAL SPANIARD .Miss M;m<) Zimblu. ns th** seductive tp.il temperamental Spanish woman* * b im-ntin ~ wears n handsome ai.l.lclength frock o£ silver lame with over"i'"s> black net and lace cffectivdv ; npplHliird witn panel of hold design i 1,1 ' >vnl Oriental colours. Of the ballets, all of which were charmingly troeked. perhaps the most strikingly picturesque was that in the Spanish scene, where the dancers wore ' fascinating tittle frocks made with tiaht bodices and skirts composed of tiny frills shading from palest yellow' to vivid orange and flume, while ta--chorus-girls wore pale yellow with heavily-fringed berthfs and full skirts trimmed with immense rosettes ■ ' of ribbon shading from pink to flame j BRIGHT DANCE Papatoetoe Foresters' Anniversary EXCELLENT MUSIC . Court Pride. of Papatoetoe. Ancient Order of Foresters, celebrated its sec- ; ond anniversary with a very enjoyable dance in the Renown Hall, Papatoetoe, j | last evening. Visitors were present representing j the Court .Star of the South, Ancient j Order of Foresters. Otahunu. and the i Loyal Papatoetoe Lodge. M.U.1.0.0.F. i There was also a large attendance of i riends of the members present. Bro. J. Long. Chief Ranger of the Papatoetoe Lodge, accorded a hearty welcome to the large gathering. 1 A very enjoyable programme of j 1 dance music was contributed by Kid- ! dell’s Orchestra, and Miss Joan Piggin j i played a couple of pleasing extras. i | The duties of masters of ceremonies ' ■ were carried out by Bros. J. Tidmarsh. j 1 Past Chief Ranger, and T. McGowan, j Rangy. I AN ENGAGEMENT The engagement is announced of Doreen Maude, only daughter ot’ the ' Rev. and Mrs. Lio» 1 B. Fletcher, of | ‘Tinonee.’* Birkenm*ad. to George j Hric. eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. George ; jG. Creagh. of “Dromurtin.” Mount ' j

! JOLLY PARTY GIFT EVENING FOR BRIDE-ELECT A must delightful evening w : spent re ontly ;,( the home of Mrs. H. Sutherland, Victoria Avenue. lleniucra. when a gift evening was given to Miss Elsie Boddv. who is shortly to be married to Mr. Joseph Curran, of Dominion llond. Auckland. The evening passed pleasantly in . i dancing, games and musical items contributed by Misses H. Sutherland, .1. nd L. Curran, and Messrs. E. Hawke, jun., .7. Scandal. J. Grant. B. Sutherland and B Northern!. Mrs. Sutherland received the guests wearing a fawn bengaline satin frock | with lace trimmings. Among the guests were:—-Mrs. Barnes.! black georgette and panne velvet: Mrs.; «hind;*ll, who wore pink georgette: Mrs. | J. I. it tie. blue satin and silver: Miss II Sutherland, scarlet satin: Miss !•.. Sutherland. primrose tinsel and satin: Miss 1' Curran, black and white chai metise l beaded frovk: Miss M. McAuley. shell pink georgette with diamente trimming; Miss! G Bodily black beaded georgett* : Miss B. "Watts, white satin beaute with silver; trimmings: Miss I*. MeKendrick. powder! blue georgette, with shawl to tone; Miss 1 -M. Webster, navy crepe do chine: Miss; ! Maleteos. crimson crepe de chine: Miss! • E. <lrace. green taffeta; Miss K. Brown.! bla*-k ge-eg.-tt : .Mi.-s .M. Smith, floral | georgette: Miss Hunt, blue crepe de ehine: Miss C. Gaffney, rose Miss M. Pullum. jade georgette; Miss P. ' Gordon, white and green satin: Miss E Hawke, blue and silver taffeta: Miss r. Dunn, pink satin and silver; Miss M. ; Gordon, gold georgette and lame. LYCEUM CLUB HAMILTON FUNCTION On Wednesday afternoon -it the Lyceum Club Mrs. 11. J. McMullin was : hostess at a very jolly “Blue. Gift” | ; afternoon for Miss Frances Peacocke. Mrs. McMullin was wearing an emi broidored marocain frock in ashes of roses shade, and a small hat to match. , Miss Peacocke was in a very pretty flesh pink embroidered muslin frock | with a small delphinium blue bangkok hat. Mrs. Peacocke’s frock and hat were of navy blue. The afternoon tea table was appropriately decorated with flowers in dif- ■ t'erent shades of blue. The guest of honour received many charming •'blue'' | Sifts. ! A competition that gave rise to much bright chat was won by Mrs li. J. i Greenslade. Mrs. Beehan being second. The guests included Mrs. F. E. Peacocke, Mrs. J. F. Strang, Mrs. Wyvern ‘ Mrs. T. Jolly. Mrs. J. D Smith, Mrs. N*. Ratcliff e, Mrs. Gordon Smith. Mrs. H. Clark, Mrs. A. Yule. Mrs. Gannaway, Mrs. Mere Oliitty, Mrs P. E. Cleary. Mrs. C. Sutcliffe, Airs. E. R. Gresham, Mrs F Bayly. Mrs. A. Matthews, Mrs. E. Cussen. Mrs. W. U. Hume, Mrs. F. Beehan. Mrs. A. E. Cox. Mrs. A. Ward, ! Mrs. F. Jolly. Mrs. F. Vickerv, Miss M. • Stevens, Miss H. Chitty. Miss c. WaJlnutt. -Miss G. Wyatt, Miss K. Ward. Miss! 1 8. Manning, Miss C. Chitty. Miss IT i | Ward. Miss D. Yule. Miss B. Vickery,! | Miss V. Watts, Miss M. Gillies and Miss 1 i L>. Clark.

TISANES AND TEAS HERBAL BEAUTY RECIPES DIETETIC USES •I judge ill at Hit* flowers of lavender quilted in a cap and dayly worn are good for all diseases ot' uie head that come of a cold cause, and that they comfort the braine very well" — | so wrote William Turner in 1551 in his book. A Xewe Herball,” and the old English housewives often followed his advice and scented their caps with j tiny sachets of the dried blossoms. The modern garden still retains ; this fragrant herb, but it stands almost ! alone, bereft of its old-time playfel- , lows and companioned by flaunting 2Uth century blossoms. Few indeed are the modern housewives with a j know ledge of herbs, and these harbingers of scent and savour are role- j gated to a lowly place in the kitchen cupboard unless brought forth to sea- | son a humble stew. The Frenchwoman is more wise than her English cousin, and she still goes to her chemist for the packets of dried herbs which produce the aromatic tisanes — the beauty recipes of bygone ages. Made of lime blossom and verbena, of orange flowers and camomile, these “sleeping draughts” are reputed to bring healthy slumber, and to preserve both youth and beauty. Truth is often stranger than fiction, and mayhap the sunshine and fragrance imprisoned in the dried leaves can bring Nature’s blessing to tired wayward mortals in ways we little dream of. FAVOURITE OLD RECIPES Orange tisane is made by pouring a cupful of boiling water on to a dessertspoonful of the dried blossom when put in a little teapot. It is left to infuse” for a few minutes, and is then strained and sweetened. To cure sleeplessness a favourite tisane consists of two tablespoonfuls of orange flower water stirred into a glass of hot water and mixed with the beaten white of an egg. Another very special tisane is called “de quatre fleurs” from its four ingredients—lime blossom, orange flowers, camomile and borage. The addition of camomile stimulates the digestion, while borage is one of the four “cordial flowers” (rose, violet, anchusa and borage) reputed to make man merry and joyful. Violet is sometimes added to this tisane, which is made in the usual way. FOR INDIGESTION For indigestion plain “camomile tea” is prepared in one of two methods* (1) Roil two or three of the dried flowers in a cupful of water for a minute or two, or until the water is slightly coloured. Then strain and sweeten. (2) Pour the boiling water straight on to four or six flowers, and stand it in a warm place to infuse tor 10 minutes. Then strain and sweeten. If possible all tisanes should be sweetened with honey. Tisane of lime blossom is made just like orange flower tisane, and to it is added a spoonful of orange flower water, while another fragrant drink is made with dried verbena leaves. Three or four <

leaves to a ©up of boiling water is th • right strength for this beauty potion. The present-day emphas-is on green , vegetables as an essential element in ' diet has concentrated attention on the ancient use of green herbs, and 1 overseas papers and magazines have been publishing accounts of herb lore I and customs. The old “hcrbals” are difficult of access, and much of our j present knowledge is due to such ; painstaking researchers as Eleanour , Sinclair Rohde and Mrs. G. F. Leycl. Akin to the tisanes were the herb teas, of which each had its special : ; use. Whereas the 20th century maid resorts to rubber “rollers” to reduce her weight, the Elizabethan damsel drank a decoction of fennel leaves. ; The fennel was a much esteemed ; “green” in medieval days, and was • used as salad, sauce, seasoning, and - tea. The latter was made by pouring a large cup of boiling water on to a | teaspoonful of crushed fennel seeds. ANCIENT REMEDIES Celery seed tea was a noted rheumatic remedy, and sage tea (a handful |of fresh leaves to a pint of water j i was good for coughs or colds, and is i still used in a strong decoction to give , relief in whooping cough i old Sussex remedy). Peppermint tea was for i colds or indigestion, while balm tea ! was relied on in cases of asthma—or j i to quote the old herbalist “it is good j j for those that cannot take breath unj lesse they hold their ueckes upright.” It was also highly recommended to all ! students as “by a special property it j driveth away heaviness of mind. I sliarpenetli the understanding, and in- j creasetb memory.” I Tansy-tea (half an ounce of dried • : leaves and flowers to a cupful of bcil- : ing water) was a remedy for colds j | and rheumatism, while marjoram tea ! j "as used for asthma and headache, i I Sage, balm, and thyme teas were all I | considered purifying to the blood, and ■; I were prescribed for chest complaints; 1 j greatest of all was rosemary, herb ! ; of love, and loyalty, which “gTadetb i ! and ligliteth alle men that use it.” i I LAUGHS FROM PLAYS “He's so old he remembers filling i • the kettle for Stevenson’s mother.” j ; “The train was scheduled to halt ' at the station, but it didn’t even hesi- ! | tate.” “Do you know what I think?” “Do 1 know? Why, you couldn’t do j that yourself!” “I remember the day when the j Scottish express took IS hours to make Edinburgh—and sometimes didn't \ make it at all.” “This is a trap.” “Yes, and I look like being the piece of cheese.” “I want to show a brave face.” “Jf you want to show a brave face, you’d better leave your face at home.” “All women worry too much about the man they love.” A garden umbrella, that clips on to your chair, and that can be moved to any angle, is' the newest thing in garden furniture. And for tea in the garden a tea-cloth of plain linen is cut round to the size of the table with a straight band for a hem about five or six inches deep. The cloth, fitting closely like this to the top of . j the table, will not then blow off or 1 flap in the wind.