Beauty: Hydration Mist for Facial Beauty

Dear Reader,

Welcome again to my daily lesson. To-day, we will discuss another skin treatment I have found to be most profitable for the skin. Next to cleanliness, hydration is the all important factor for skin loveliness (a good diet doesn't hurt!). You may have noticed, especially during these harsh winter months, that a hormone or protectant vanishing cream is not enough to take your beauty throughout the day. You may find that your skin becomes parched or weary, even by luncheon. Well take heart, dear reader, there is a secret weapon that I keep in my personal arsenal that will bring your skin back to its dewy youthfulness. Invest in a good quality hydrating mist; I personally enjoy the FROWNIES Rose Water Hydrating Mist, manufactured by the Beauty and Personality Company in Dayton, Ohio. After a thorough cleansing, apply your usual eye treatment and apply the mist in a gentle fashion all over the face, smiling as you mist your way to loveliness. Immediately apply your vanishing cream--the oil in the cream will "seal in" the moisture from the mist, leaving your skin delicate and you dainty. Perform this miracle operation after every cleansing.

You should see immediate results, followed by an increased hydration of the skin over the coming days. Remember--this is YOUR beauty secret, but see if your husband does not notice. Your skin will look and feel as if you spent your afternoon at the beauty parlor, but for some reason, all of your housework is done, too!

Until next time...

HF

www.frownies.com

Etiquette: Thank You Notes/Writing Papers

Dear Reader,

Let's discuss thank you notes. Most people nowadays have forgotten the art of correspondence and most especially, the necessity of writing thank you notes. Most good people of breeding were instructed by their mothers in this art, and many probably had personalized writing papers from birth; however, I find it fitting to send a gentle reminder to the public regarding this matter. Some may not remember or even know when such a note is appropriate, so I will fulfill my duties and inform you so that you will always be correct:

1. A thank you note is never inappropriate.
2. A thank you note is required (and should be written within a fortnight) when a gift is received via the post or when the giver was not present at its opening or receipt. A note should be written even of the giver were present, at a bridal or baby shower, for example.
3. A thank you note should be written the very next day to the host/hostess after a party, dinner engagement, or bridge luncheon.
4. A thank you note should be written when any act of kindness or generosity has been performed.
5. A thank you note is most lovely when sent on personalized, engraved writing papers; however, when that is not possible, store bought notes are acceptable.
6. The content of same should be pleasant and specific. Do not write, "thank you for the gift" but rather, "thank you for lovely set of candles. They match our dining room wallpaper perfectly and Oswald and I will be using them every night to make our dinner together special.", etc.

A wide array of writing papers is available to even the woman of the most modest means. I personally recommend the Crane Company's papers (their website link has been provided) for every day use. One may order a variety of sets, to include the monarch papers, correspondence cards, foldover notes, and gift enclosure cards, with their respective envelopes. Happy writing!

Until next time...

HF

www.crane.com

Charm: No straws, please

Dear Reader,

I could not leave to-day's lesson without adding another comment regarding drinking habits. In the area of straws...please say, "no, thank you". As I mentioned in my previous post, please ask for a glass, dear, and do not use a straw. If you are old enough to be reading this advice, you are old enough to use a glass like a proper adult. Straws are for children and that is what you will look like if you use one. Think back to the days of the soda fountains...who is using straws but idle adolescents making "googly eyes" at each other over the table as they drink their fountain drinks. Take this loveliness test: watch yourself in the mirror (at home, please) as you drink liquid from a glass through a straw. See if this is a becoming facial expression. Is it? I fear not.

Until next time...

HF

Charm: A Word on Smoking, Gum Chewing, and Drinking from a Bottle or Can

Dear Reader,

Don't.

More words on the subject:

You think that you look moded and chic when you do these things, but you really look like a cheap, street-walking trollop. How ugly is it to see a woman, especially on the street, with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth. I know that Norma, Joan, Bette, and Marilyn all did it, but it is just not proper nor attractive. You also want to have the freshest breath for the man in your life, and a mouth which reeks of smoke and teeth that are yellow-stained will not endear yourself to him, especially after a hard day's work at his business.

Take a look around at the girls who are chewing gum. Imagine that you are in the middle of a beautiful field, filled with Jersey cows, all chewing their cud. Isn't that how your friends appear? You look the same, dear reader! Even worse is chewing gum with one's mouth open, constantly creating that dreadful smacking noise. Need I say anything more?

No lady ever drinks from a bottle or can, especially in public. Grab yourself a glass, dear. The only exception to this rule, and this is relatively new, would be drinking water in a training club. One must drink while exercising and it is mildly impractical to use a glass in this hurried situation. However, in order for this to be acceptable, or I would say, even tolerable, it must be an all women's club. Never drink from a bottle or can in front of a man if you ever intend on receiving a marriage proposal!

Until next time...

HF

Charm: Exiting a Conversation

Dear Reader,

To-day we will discuss the gift of leaving a conversation gracefully, whether in person or on the telephone wire. Back in my day, it was quite expensive to maintain relations via the telephone, especially when one had to share a party line; therefore, I will concentrate mostly on that of the group conversation.

When discussing matters in a group and one finds that she must avail herself to another task, she may simply state, "please excuse me, I must leave to do such and such". It is important, however, that she make eye contact with her cohorts and smile, as not to give a false impression that the current conversation has caused her boredom. One must not necessarily reveal the nature of her other call, but it must appear that the other matter is of some urgency or importance, as not to offend the onlookers. Additionally, it is polite to add a comment such as, "I have enjoyed speaking with you today--have a pleasant afternoon" or something of the sort. I have been in situations where a person who needs to leave the group just does so, without hesitation, and says nary a word as to the reason. This is most impolite, dear reader, and makes everyone else remaining feel puzzled and awkward. When finally taking one's leave, simply take one or two steps backward, while facing the group, and then turn to the side to walk away. It is most ungracious to leave a group with one's backside as the last view!

Now there is the matter of this newfangled device called CALL WAITING for telephone communications. As convenient as this is for emergencies, one cannot help but mention the absurdity of the interruption it causes, and the awkwardness it brings about when the recipient of such a notification must quickly tell her engaged partner that she must "hold" so she can take the other call, as she works around the "beeps" so her friend might understand her. This is most rude, and gives the phone partner the impression that the other caller is more important than she. If one is expecting an important call when a friend rings, she should politely explain to the friend same, and both may mutually decide to speak at some other time, or, permission is granted in such a way as to let the recipient of the call accept the interruption, should it arise. Otherwise, the call should be left to continue to an automated answer box. Typically, the "rule of thumb" is that the callee, not the caller, has the right to end the phone conversation first. However, at times, one must take her leave and break this rule. To do so, simply state a good reason for ending the conversation and thank the person for her time. There are many other duties of the household to handle that a telephone call is quite an interruption; the friend needs to know that her time away from her housework is valued.

Until next time...

HF

Beauty: Pond's Cold and Vanishing Creams

Dear Reader,

Let's discuss beauty to-day. You know that your skin loveliness is absolutely dependent on the care you give it. We all know by now that one should drink plenty of water and get more sleep, but what about skin treatments? I have tried several, and I now recommend to you the following:

Pond's Cold Cream: recommended to remove all dirt and make-up from the face. You can even use it to remove eye makeup. I like to tissue off first, then rinse with a warm washcloth (if you tissue the cream off first, it will not leave make-up residue on your washcloth). The massage effect when you rub the cream on your face will be very stimulating to the skin and will leave your skin refreshed and lovely.

Pond's Vanishing Cream (now called Dry Skin Cream): recommended for use after cleansing. I think that this cream on its own is a little heavy, especially for the young skin. However, if you take just a dab of it and mix it with your usual night cream, your skin will be refreshed and like dew when you wake up the following morning from your beauty sleep. During the daytime, I would also recommend a sunscreen as this product contains none.

www.ponds.com

Want to know more beauty product recommendations? Keep checking back...

Until next time...

HF

Welcome to my blog!

Dear Reader,

I welcome you to my most recent creation--a blog where you, dear reader, can discuss at length your opinions on etiquette, charm, and beauty for to-day. At my advanced age, I have seen many changes in these areas and would love to speculate as to the reasoning for the people of to-day to have just gone "downhill" in regard to their appearance, activities, and manners. I find it just dreadful! And the children...we must return to the old days of good discipline. More on that later...

Until next time...
HF