Bell Book and Candle in Three Parts

The Look, The Apartment, and The Tea Pot I Need To Have

I know it is Dec. 30, but I am still in the Christmas after glow.  I am enjoying all my gifts.  My brother gave me the Bell Book and Candle dvd.  It's a movie I love to watch all year long.  Although you may think of Halloween when you hear it is about witches, it takes place during Christmas.

What happens when a witch, Gillian Holroyd (Kim Novak) meets a handsome publisher, Shep Henderson (James Stewart)?  She just has to have him.  When she finds out he is about to marry her old nemesis from her college days, there's no time to let nature take it's course.  So Gillian uses her familiar, the siamese cat Pyewaket, to put a love spell on Shep.  But in the end Gillian will find that true love is more powerful than magic.

The movie was filmed in 1958.  I just love the stylized look of the costumes, makeup and furnishings.

The Look

all the makeup in this look is by Stila

Brows:  Vintage brow sets

Eye shadow:  Starlight and Goddess

using a flat eyeliner brush line the upper eye in Smudge Pot (Black Cat)

use Convertible Eye Color in Clove to line bottom lash line

Glamoureyes Mascara

Cheeks: Dual Lip and Cheek Cream in Petunia

Lips:  Long Wear Lip Color in Flushed

with Lip Glaze in Fruit Punch

To be continued...

Favorite Fragrances

So far I have found only three fragrances that I can wear.

I wear Clarins Eau Dynamisante everyday.  It doesn't feel like I'm wearing a heavy perfume, it just feels really fresh.  It is not sold as a fragrance but in their Well Being line.  The fragrance is based on lemon, patchouli, white thyme and rosemary.  It is supposed to revive and refresh.

When I am going somewhere special I wear Maybe Baby by Benefit.  Benefit describes it as a sparkling floral blend.  Top note:  apricot and white ginger.  Middle note:  fresh water blossoms of cyclamen, lychee and bergamot.  Base note:  white musk, Himalayan poppy and warm peach.

For me, Amazing Grace by Philosophy can be for both everyday and special occasions.  It is described as a fresh floral.  Top notes:  mandarin orange, grapefruit and bergamot.  Middle notes:  freesia, jasmine and rose.  Base note: musk.

Sadly my Amazing Grace bottle is empty.  Fortunately, Santa was very thoughtful this year.  So I will be going shopping.  This little set with bath gel, hand cream and fragrance is very enticing.  

Backstage At The Nutcracker Ballet

     I finally saw The Nutcracker Ballet.  My Uncle bought tickets for the family. It was a real treat.  Our friend Sidney played the role of an elegant party guest.  Knowing someone in the cast made the experience even more special.  Plus, we were able to go backstage.  I don't know which my daughter liked best, the fight scene with the nutcracker and toy soldiers against the mouse king, or going backstage.   She was a little intimidated at first, but after a while she was twirling around on the stage.  She was even invited to join the cast next year.

Our friend Sidney with my daughter

My daughter and I with the Flower Princess

Here we are with the Mouse King

My daughter is not too sure about being this 

close to the Nutcracker

Here we are with Clara

My uncle Harry, Sidney, and my brother Craig

My brother bought my daughter a Sugarplum Fairy ornament for our tree 

The Nutcracker Ballet

     December is here and I'm so excited.  I've always wanted to go see the Nutcracker Ballet, but somehow Christmas season gets so busy I never actually make plans to go see it.  This year my family and I are really going.

     I've been reading "The Nutcracker" by Susan Jeffers to my daughter so she will know what it is all about.  I like this picture book because it is simple enough for a 4 year old.  She has begged me to read it over and over again.  Now my daughter is entranced with nutcrackers and sugar plum fairies.

available at amazon.com

Here is a page from my sketchbook

The Sugar Plum Fairy, Arabian Dancer and 

Waltz of the Flowers Costume

The Pink Camellia

This is the first camellia of the season in my Uncle Harry's garden. I haven't had much luck with my garden yet, so I am using this photo for inspiration.  Hopefully after Christmas I will be able to plant something that will actually grow and stay alive.

My wish list for the Fall/Winter look inspired by Rachel McAdams' character , Irene Adler, in the 2009 Sherlock Holmes film.

The Character Irene Adler
from the 2009 movie Sherlock Holmes

This look is using MAC cosmetics.
To create the smokey eye use eyeshadows in Blanc Type, Kid and Brown
Down.  Use a black pencil or black shadow to line the eye.  The blush is Coppertone.
The lipstick is Diva.

 

I saw this movie when it first came out and I loved it.  I recently watched it again.  Once again I enjoyed it.  I have always been interested in Sherlock Holmes, from the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, to the classic films starring Basil Rathbone.  This latest interpretation of the story by director Guy Ritchie is very action packed and tongue-in-cheek.  I like the way Jude Law portrays Dr. Watson.  He is not the bumbling Dr. Watson played by Nigel Bruce in the classic Sherlock Holmes films of the 1940's.

But what I really wanted to do directly after watching this film, was recreate the look of the character Irene Adler played by Rachel McAdams.  So here is my interpretation of Irene Adler's look for a modern day application.

These clothes are from Modcloth.com
Paddington Station Coat in Navy by Yumi is $199.99.
Second Interview Top in fuchsia is $52.99.
Vel, Vel, Vel-vet Jacket in Navy blue velvet by Kensie Girl is $89.99.

INC International Concepts Sweater, Cable Knit Ruffle V-Neck Cardigan in Navy
on sale at Macy's for $79.99
Vorthington Long Sleeve French Cuff Shirt
on sale at JCPenney for $17.99

Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler