"The Distaff." ITEMS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2149, 17 April 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

"The Distaff." ITEMS.

Maw of the velvet skirts open upon white satin embroidered iv pearls aud imdescent be.ids, a plastron of the same, which is carried as high as the chest, * forming the square cut bodice. Some tasti-tul girlish di esses are of cream-coloured cashmere, having either their fronts or their panels embroidered in threads of gold, pale blue, and pink, forming delicate flowers and medallions, the centres of which are accentuated by small pearl acorns, hanging from a golden loop. A fashionable style now is a Princess back, cut iv one with the bodice, having five widths in the skirt, and allowed to fall full and plain. Apple ola-osc. — To each pound of apple pulp add 20/. of butter, the juice aud rind of halt a lemon, the yolks of two eggs and white of one. Boil again gently until it thickens. This makes a delicious filling for open tarts or tartlets. A gentleman say a : "My sister and I set up house topctter, and had a fresh caught Yorkshire girl from a farm house as parlour maid. She was continually handing things to me first, so one day I remarked: 'Becky, you should hand things to ladies first.' Shu giggled, and J said : ' Eh, but I like t'lads best.'" The new stockings have large lozengeshaped pieces of real black or white lace let in on the instep, or several rows of lace insertion. Tartan stockings in wool nnd silk are very fashionable. Some of the new silk ones have embroidered spots all over them. A distinction and a difference. — Sandy: "I want a cake o' soap, Mr Mclntosh." Chemist : " I cannot let ye hae a cake o' ■oap on the Sawbath day, Sandy.'' Sandy : but ye sel'd that lassie peppermint drops." Chemist: "Ay, ye can suck peppermints in the kirk — but ye cannot wash yerself there !" Many striped materials have Arabesque designs, while in others are reproduced the pine pattern and colouring of the Paisley shawl, self-coloured material being provided in all instances for the drapery of dresses of this description. For visiting costumes the Bayadere stripes, into which are introduced threads of gold, silver, and steel, alternate with wide stripes of embossed or boucle velvet, and vie in richness of material, while they surpass in colouring, the stiff brocades of the Middle Ages. Self-coloured faille Francaise is lavishly used to drape these dresses, as it is with those of pente velvet and plush. Many of the latter are finished with sable, mink, Astrakan or beaver. To remove stains on leather. — Make a paste of mealy potatoes, and mix with it a little vinegar, turpentine, and dry mustard. Lay some on the spot, leave it to dry, then rub it oE The new stamped white leather work, imitating etchings on ivory, and used for making envelope cases, blotters and glove boxes, is both effective and durable. Although round skiits are worn for •walking costumes, simple toilettes, and house diosscs, long trains are much in favour for evening wear, and those of more moderate length are being adopted for ball-room dresses. Evening gowns are usually made open in front, to display aprons or embroidered breadths of satin or velvet in some light colour. In a recent number of a medical journal celery is recommended as a cure for rheumatism. It should be cut into bits, root and stalks, boiled in water till soft, and the water drunk by the patient. The celery should be eaten also with roast, and a little butter and pepper in order to make it more palatable.