Dear Hildegarde: Your Questions Answered

Dear Mrs. Fillmore,

Another wedding shower question for you:

What is your opinion of having guests at your shower self-address an envelope for a thank you note?

Wet Blanket II

Dear Miss Blanket,

My--I had to get the vapors after I read your question! I am sure that you are asking in hopes to bring some levity to an otherwise snowy and cold day here in Scarsdale, aren't you dear? The only word I can think of for a person who does such a thing is "tacky". Oh my--I am still catching my breath at the thought. This is surely a dreadful thing to do (akin to handing your house guests sheets and asking them to make up their own beds) and for once, I can think of nothing more to add, other than to be sure to strike her name and address from your hostess diary and garden party invitation list. I think I shall lie down now for a brief respite.

Until next time...

HF

Do you have a question for Mrs. Fillmore? Please send an email to hildegardefillmore@hotmail.com.

Beauty: Whose Line is it Anyway?

Dear Reader,

Amidst this slushy winter we are having way up here in Scarsdale, I thought it best that I write to you about something that I have noticed happening more and more today with the younger and more "modernistic" women--the improper use of lipliner. Now dear, I think the first order of business here is to define where one's lips actually reside. The top lip is hardly the issue; it is the bottom lip which begs for some assistance. Despite the fact that the lip "area" is pink, the lips do not make up the entirety of this space. Sit yourself down in front of a mirror, dear. With your eyes, carefully trace the outline of your lips and notice that on the bottom lip, there is a sort of "shelf" and there is the slightest bit of pink skin underneath. Where the "shelf" ends, so does the lip and that is where one's lipliner should end. NEVER line the bottom portion underneath the "shelf" or else you will appear as a fish. I see it all of the time, especially with people in the entertainment industry--everyone is going for that "plumped look" and she improperly lines her lips to accentuate the collagen injections she has just so rediculously purchased. "Thin is in", dear, and that also includes the lip area. Who wants to go around looking like a flubbery fish? If you don't believe me (a risky chance taken, mind you), line your lips both ways and see which looks more pleasing and attractive. Would I lie to you?

Until next time...

HF

Do you have a question for Mrs. Fillmore? Please send an email to hildegardefillmore@hotmail.com.

Beauty: The Great Divide

Dear Reader,

I am enthused to write to you to-day about a subject of the utmost importance which needs some addressing, or should I say, needs some DRESSING. Let's talk about undergarments and how they can prevent one from exposing her backside to the rest of the world when worn properly.

I hate to come across so callously dear, but this is just a topic I never thought I would need to discuss. However, modern trends in fashion call for such a reprimand. I have noticed that lately, the fashion in trousers is to wear the "waistline" below the navel; now, if the tops aren't long enough, guess what you see? A long stretch of pasty white "you know what"! Now, skin is meant to be seen on the beach, and modestly at that. The problem nowadays is that skirts are no longer as in fashion--when one wears a skirt, she will also wear a full slip, thus eliminating "peek-a-boo" issues when she bends over, reaches up high, etc. With trousers, even a camisole can ride up, causing a free "peep show". I am afraid that one has to wear a coverall corset to prevent such things. There should never be a divide between one's top and bottom, ever. Mark this down in your course book, dear--in ink!

I hope this lesson has encouraged you to dress more modestly and appropriately. And by all means, wear skirts so you can enjoy the luxury and ladylike genre of lingerie at its finest. Let's bridge the great divide!

Until next time...

HF

Do you have a question for Mrs. Fillmore? Please send an email to hildegardefillmore@hotmail.com.