Fashion Notes.

If you are seeking slim “sylphlike” lines, you will delight in this afternoon dress. It has a graceful drapery on the side of the bodice, and a corresponding drapery on the skirt carried round more towards the back of the dress, in the latest fashion.

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Notes from Paris.

Neckwear.—In Paris there is a rage for dainty lace for lingerie finishings to simple little frocks, and you see little fichus to fit a small V-neck, or waist-coat fronts trimmed with narrow lace frills for open bodices. An ecru lace collar looks well on a plain black satin or velvet frock, especially if there are gauntlet cuffs to match. For the afternoon it is beads when it isn't lingerie, and with them you must be sure that they are in the right colour note for the dress.

The Belt. — The belt is always with us. It is sometimes made of soft leather lined with material to match the jumper or dress over which it goes, and the buckle is covered with the material in any case. When a belt is not worn, then a sash is. It can be just a narrow ribbon, satin or velvet, or it can be a very wide sash worn round the hips and bunched behind to fall in two long ends to the hem of the skirt. When the wide, important sash is worn, the dress is always just as simple as it can be. A sash is something to consider seriously, as on a slender girlish figure it looks very graceful and feminine, not boyish; styles are growing every day in Paris.

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How to Launder Artificial Silk.

If artificial silk underclothing and stockings are well cared for in the laundry there is no reason why they should not last a very long time. Contrary to many women's ideas, these silk things, especially stockings, should be washed often. They should only be worn once or twice and then washed.

To wash artificial silk make some soapsuds either with Lux or ordinary washing soap and add water which is just warm.

Put the articles in and just squeeze gently until the dirt disappears, and as they will not be very dirty, this will soon happen. On no account must they be rubbed.

Repeat this process again and then rinse the articles out in three tepid rinsing waters.

Squeeze them as well as possible, but do not twist to get the water out. If you possess a rubber wringer they can be put through just once.

Stockings should be hung with the heaviest end uppermost. The other garments should not be hung at all because they lose all their shape and become ugly. Lay them spread-out on a towel and let them dry quickly, but not in the sun.

Iron with a warm iron; in some cases it is not necessary to iron at all.

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Smart New Ideas in Trimmings.

Two innovations in the manner of finishing are illustrated in all sorts of garments. One is the use of an edge of bright metal in small points or scallops on gowns, coats, hats, bags and shoes. Another is the use of a crocheted scallop done with beads, silk or yarn. This is a quaint fancy, which is to be seen on envelope purses of silk, cloth or suede, and on small cases of different styles. Cases that are covered with black or dark coloured silk or moire are finished daintily with a crocheted stitch in steel, silver or gilt beads, and some pretty cases shaped like small envelopes made or white moire are finished in this manner with fine crystal beads.

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Household Hints.

We do not always have a proper apple-corer at hand, but an ordinary clothes peg is very good, particularly a new one.

If baked apples are stuffed with dates or raisins they are most appetising.

When bottling fruit: A little vinegar added to the syrup when bottling fruit will add considerably to the keeping qualities. It is particularly to be included if the fruit has had to be picked in damp weather, or is slightly bruised. Use about two tablespoons to a pan of syrup.

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