Nostalgia & Tips and things ….

Mrs Lewis of Wiltshire used her old tights (legs only) for crocheting bath mats, and, whilst the crocheting bug was still with her, used up the rest of her old tights by treating the dog to a new cover for the inside of its basket. As she says - "it is simple to wash and quick to dry". She crochets these circles along the same lines as we used to make shoulder handbags. Do you remember them ladies? We used to crochet two matching circles plus a long narrow strip and then join the circles to the strip and hey presto! a bag which was very fashionable at the time . .

. And as everything comes round in circles, they will no doubt one day be fashionable again. Come to think of it, the same bag created out of old tights/stockings would make a very useful 'peg bag', one which you could sling over your shoulder and so leave the hands free for hanging out the washing.CrochetingAs soon as Mrs L mentioned 'crocheting with fabric', my mind immediately flipped back to my childhood. I can remember my friends' mothers and also grandmothers sitting together, chatting, and at the same time pushing strips of old woollen cloth into a sacking backing (with a special metal dibber) and then pulling the same strip towards them. The result was a closely woven 'shag style' rug with an approx.

2" pile, often of a beautiful and intricate design. Of course, the children weren't allowed to be idle and they were roped in to cut up old woollen coats, skirts, etc. into 4" x l" strips. Most families were content with the making of just a fireside rug which could be taken up, thrown over the washing line and given its once-a-week beating, but my friend's mother had ambition and the whole family (including the six children) spent the winter evenings making a rug which when completed filled the whole of the living room. (I think she must have been the Mrs Bouquet of her day).

This was the first time that I had seen a fitted carpet and Oh! what bliss! as we rolled around on it. Not very hygienic of course with six children, two dogs, cats and friends playing on it, and as it was too heavy for its weekly 'lift' and was therefore only moved for its 'once-a-year' spring clean, it probably had a few more additions to the family, living and growing in it. Well, we didn't have vacuum cleaners, health visitors, etc, but didn't we have fun? It was such a change from the usual cold lino with just the obligatory rug in front of the fire and often that was made of hard coconut matting, which was not exactly child friendly. (You didn't have to play outside to get a grazed knee you could get it by playing inside on the coconut matting.) Perhaps that is why most of the games were played at the family table, as the cold lino was not the place to play during the cold winter evenings. Isn't it funny how times have changed? Now, the focal point of any living/family room is the TV and, then, the large family table dominated the room.

In fact, it was often half the size of the living room as it had to accommodate large families (several of my friends had six or eight siblings) and of course they all sat down together for mealsLiving rooms Note that I have mentioned 'living rooms' - the word 'lounge' had not yet arrived in the family vocabulary. Lounges as far as our young ears could determine were rather dubious places in pubs and hotels, places where good girls didn't frequent. Isn't it funny also how actual words come in and go out of fashion. I think lounge has done the complete circle now. The working class front room/sitting room became the estate agents' upmarket 'spacious lounge' and now the word 'lounge' is considered a 'no, no' and we are back to the estate agents' 'large, airy living room/sitting room', etc.

And, can you remember when 'sofas' suddenly went upmarket and became 'settees', and now 'settee' is downmarket and it's back to 'sofa'? Which reminds me - last week I mentioned the word 'anorak' to my grandchildren, and they looked at me blankly and asked 'what's an anorak?' I wonder if the pre-anorak word 'windcheater' will make a comeback. Hope so, it was such an apt name and we could certainly do with a 'wind cheater' at the moment!All these memories from just one tip. Hope the above has evoked happy childhood memories for you also, but unfortunately all these meanderings means that I am out of space ..... but, watch this space and join me for the rest of the tips .... Unless, of course, you've been encouraged to start making a rug or two?.

Visit Mabels...Maintaining Bygone Times, containing numerous articles thoughtfully researched mainly for the older person. You may access these articles by visiting http://www.mabels.org.uk/ - You will learn about the best tips to improve your health, fitness, finances, safety as well as information on nostalgic topics, places to visit, leisure & lifestyle, mobility & helpful organisations to make the most out of life.

Fall/Winter Fashion for Teens - 2004-2005

Anything burgandy, which I love seems to be one of the fall colours. Also love dark brown. There is lots of brown in many shades, but still reds, blacks, greys, greens. Much better color selection this fall than last year when where there was almost only black, red and olive greens.The fashion mood is mix-and-match with girly looks such as ruffles, embroidery, fringe, sparkles, creative colors, playful patterns. This is a departure from the hard-core sex appeal from seasons past.Satin is not just for evenings anymore...bring it into the light during the day by pairing a satin camisole with a fitted jacket or wear a satin skirt with a knitted cardigan.

This fabric also looks great with denim. Bottom line, the best way to wear it is to highlight just one piece: a little satin goes a long way.Best example - pink satin cami under a blazer.Ponchos, capes and wraps continue to make news. There are lots of quirky tweeds, funky mohair and slinky jeans, shrunken tweed blazers worn with...

Fall/Winter Fashion for Teens - 2004-2005
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They?re not just pants, they?re Dockers

Dockers changed the way in which men dressed for work in 1986. With their new apparel category men could look great and wear comfortable casual clothing to work. Dockers set the trend on khakis and today they are still the number 1 brand of khaki pants sold in America. Today Dockers for men offer a variety of styles that you can wear for any occasion and not give comfort for style. Whether you prefer the pleated or the flat front you will find the perfect style and fit when you wear Dockers as your choice for pants.

The different style that you can choose from include the lightweight denim jean, the authentic cargo pant, versatile pleated pant, Irish pleated pant, authentic flat front pant, pro-Style Stowaway pocket flat front pant, pleated platinum khaki, pleated Never-Iron? cotton khaki, Authentic 5 Pocket Twill flat front twill, flat front Never-Iron? cotton khaki, authentic aviator cargo pant, flat front Thermal Adapt? khaki, essential pleated dress pant, essential flat front...

They?re not just pants, they?re Dockers
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Beauty Basics - Eight Tips For Naturally Beautiful Skin

Not sure what to look for when choosing cosmetics? Need some advice on taking care of your skin? Here are eight tips to help your skin look and feel it's best.1) Select moisturizers made with vegetable oils. The lotions, creams and body oils that you use should be made with vegetable oils, not mineral oil. Vegetable oils, (like olive oil, sweet almond oil, corn oil, etc.) contain fatty acids which help to moisturize and soften the skin. Mineral oil is derived from petroleum and does not contain...

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Washington, D.C. Purse Designer's Whimsical Handbags "The Next Big Thing" in South Korea

Frankly, My Dear, a Washington, D.C.-based business specializing in whimsical custom purse designs, has teamed up with Bohochild, a South Korean website offering a selection of fashionable, one-of-a-kind handbags from around the globe. More than a dozen Frankly, My Dear Bags ? including such adorable offerings as "A Fish Tale," featuring sushi and miso soup on a funky yellow background ? are now available in the "girly glamour bag" section of www.bohochild.com.According...

Skirts Washington, D.C. Purse Designer's Whimsical Handbags "The Next Big Thing" in South Korea Nostalgia & Tips and things …. Skirts Washington, D.C. Purse Designer's Whimsical Handbags "The Next Big Thing" in South Korea Nostalgia & Tips and things ….
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Snow Tires

Snow tires are tires with a deep tread or studs to give extra traction on ice- and snow-covered surfaces. Snow tires are particularly designed to perform well in the slush, snow, and ice.

Due to their size, rubber compound, and tread design, standard tires provide improper grip for low-temperature snow driving. This is due to the fact that they are not explicitly designed for snow driving. By fitting snow tires during winter, car owners can improve the traction of any vehicle. The...

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SV40 Cancer Foundation is Launched

(ContentDesk) January 30, 2006 -- The SV40 Cancer Foundation has just been established by Raphaele and Michael Horwin in memory of their son, Alexander Horwin who passed away in 1999 from an SV40 positive cancer at the age of 2 ?.SV40 was the 40th virus found in rhesus monkey kidney cells when these cells were used to make the polio vaccine. This virus contaminated both the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) created by Dr. Jonas Salk and the Oral or "Live" Polio Vaccine (OPV) created by Dr. Albert...

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Ballantine develops Internet-based Print Production Software

(ContentDesk) January 14 2004--The Ballantine Corporation, a direct mail production agency, has developed an Internet-based print production software to benefit both their production coordinators as well as their clients.There were two main purposes behind creating the production software. First, it streamlines the production coordinator's workload, enabling them to spend more time servicing their accounts. Second, it gives clients easy online access to their work in progress as well as all...

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Skirts skirt Nostalgia & Tips and things …. Skirts skirt Nostalgia & Tips and things ….