Makeup

For the past few days I have been rather unmotivated and have not done myself up. I worked extra hours, early hours, so I often felt too tired to try to put on makeup. This morning, however, I did my makeup, as I normally do, and really enjoyed it. I had forgotten how much I love getting ready in the morning.

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I don't think I need makeup to be beautiful, but I love the ritual. Powder, eyeliner, mascara, brows, blush, lips. It is this routine that makes me feel like I've started my day. I had been feeling off for the past few days, and I think now I know why. I hadn't been indulging in this ritual.

There is this vintage makeup ad that I run into frequently, and it somewhat upsets me.

 

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It implies that you need makeup to be beautiful. "You'd hardly believe that the same face could become so beautiful, would you?" I think the woman on the left looks just as beautiful as the woman on the right. In the 50's and 60's especially, but even now, women were considered not dressed until they had "on their face". That is one of the reasons makeup is so vital to the vintage look, because everyone wore makeup, but that is because society told them they had to.

What I am saying is, if you like makeup and you feel it makes you look better, wear it proudly. If you don't think you need to wear makeup, go out proudly. If you are like me, and love the ritual, then indulge in the ritual. You don't need to wear makeup to be beautiful. Everyone is beautiful. Accept it in yourself.

Very Marylin!

I was recently referred to the website eShakti. They make custom dresses. You find the one you like, and can choose from a predetermined size, or you can give them your measurements and preferences and they will customize it! The customization is just $7.50, which is really not bad for a perfect dress. I looked over the website, and found this dress:

It is hard to tell, but it is beige and black, not white and black houndstooth. The dress was a steal! They are currently (for the next 5 days) running a sale of 35% off the whole site! I have a referral code for $30 off your purchase. I want to know people want it before I post it, so leave comments below if you are interested. It expires the end of the month!

This dress makes me feel like Marylin from Seven Year Itch. I think if I just stood on an air vent, it would complete the look! It isn't identical, but it has a similar feel. The dress needed a belt, because it had an elastic waist, but that is just this dress. Most of them don't need an added belt.

Look into it! The website is wonderful!

The Buche De Noel

Every year I make at least one Buche De Noel. They are one of my favourite things to make. They date back centuries. They are a cake that looks like a log. This was an offspring of the traditional Yule Log: an actual log. Buche De Noel means Christmas log, or Yule log. It is a sponge cake rolled up with a creamy filling, and frosted with chocolate frosting (to look like bark); it is often garnished with meringue mushrooms!

The un-assembled mushrooms

Cake, phase 1 (well third after baking, rolling, and filling. but first for actually assembly)

Cake Phase 2: Dirty frosted

And lastly, garnished with mushrooms and holly. I felt that I needed to get all decked out for Christmas, in order to match the cake.

There are many different flavor combinations. I think the most traditional is orange sponge cake, with chocolate filling and frosting. The idea was to have the cake look like fresh cut wood when sliced. I however, go a different route: Chocolate cake, mocha filling, and dark chocolate frosting.


Here is the one from last year:

 

Sorry about the picture quality.

Anyway, the cake is delicious, and French, so you know it will taste as good as it looks. There is a new trend, however, to make the cake with mouse covered in a chocolate shell. So, I can attempt to justify my traditional version as a more retro Buche De Noel!

What do you bake at Christmastime? Happy Christmas!

It's Beginning to look a lot Like Chirstmas!

I decorated a while ago, but I only just yesterday got my tree! Well, my roommate brought it back with her from Thanksgiving. She had an extra one. So, we put it up, and plugged it in, and it sparkled!

  

I, personally, am a real tree person. I always have real trees at home. But, since I am at college, I have to have a fake one. Oh, well. It is still beautiful.

Here are the rest of the decorations!

We put things up above both of our desks, and around the window. The table runner was made by my mother years ago. She used the same fabric to make a tablecloth, stockings, and Christmas outfits for me and my siblings.

But, my favorite part of our decoration is the door. It is lovely, welcoming, and garnished with a vintage home-made wreath.

What have you done for Christmas?