Interior Design Corner: Chinoiserie in a Flash

Chinoiserie  (say “Sheen-wa-sir-ee”)

What is it?

Thomas Chippendale Design Plate

A decorative style that is inspired by the traditional motifs of Chinese design .  (Chinois (say Sheen-wa) = Chinese in French) It first began in the early to mid 17^th century in Europe as a way to embrace and display the “worldliness” of the person possessing it.   In Holland, The Dutch East India Company had a lively trade with the East and imported millions of pieces of Chinese porcelain in the early 17th century.  The Chinese workmanship and attention to detail impressed many of the local producers of ceramics in both Holland and London.  Only the richest could afford the early imports, and this in turn inspired the local porcelain manufacturers to produce works with the Chinese style and motifs.  From there, the European markets were smitten with all things “Eastern”.  In the later 17^th century, the furniture makers and architects got into the game. 



Thomas Chippendale Pagoda Bed





 The most recognizable Chinoiserie-based style in American furniture is called Chippendale, named after the London craftsman, Thomas Chippendale.  After working as a journeyman cabinet maker in London, in 1754, he became the first cabinet-maker to publish a book of his designs, titled The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director.  Chippendale's Director was used by many other cabinet makers; consequently recognizably "Chippendale" furniture was produced in Dublin, Philadelphia, Lisbon, Copenhagen and Hamburg.  Catherine the Great and Louis XVI both possessed copies of the Director in its French edition, which further validified its widespread acceptance with the aristocracy and those who wished to display these emblems of wealth and good taste.  The Director shows four main styles, one of which being the “Chinese” style with latticework and lacquer. 

 

 

Barclay Butera Design.

Cut to modern times, there has been a resurgence of popularity in the last decade for these styles, which are oftentimes intricate and ornate.  Chinoiserie is used as a visually powerful element in the latest resurgence of the “Hollywood Regency” style of interior decoration (originally created in the 1930’s for the homes of Hollywood’s glamorous screen legends).  Many top designers today use elements of Chinoiserie juxtaposed with the clean lines of pieces from the “Mid-Century Modern” style for an eclectic mix that makes both styles look fresh….it is the intricate and exotic Chinoiserie mixed with the pared-down simplicity of the Mid-Century that makes both styles “pop”.

 

Here are some examples of pieces that are of the “Chinoiserie” style:

Blanc de Chine (or Blanc de Blanc):  A type of porcelain that often uses Asian motifs or pierced latticework.  Always fired in white bisque porcelain with a shiny clear glaze.  Often used for lamps.



Blanc de Chine Figurine Lamps

Blanc de Chine Pierced Lattice Ginger Jar Lamps

Pagoda Anything:  Mirrors, shapes of furniture, carved sculptures...



Mary McDonald Design.  Notice the Pagoda sculpture and the blue and white porcelain.



 

Chippendale (Actual or Inspired) Mirrors and China Cabinets

Chippendale China Cabinet

Blue and White Porcelain:  Temple Urns, Ginger Jars, pots of all sizes.



Reproduction Chinese Temple Jars



Delftware Urn

Foo Dogs:  Which are actually Chinese guardian lions, known as Shishi or "Imperial Guardian Lions", and often called "Foo Dogs" in the West. The lions are always created in pairs, with the male resting his paw upon the world and the female restraining a playful cub that is on its back. They have traditionally stood in front of Chinese Imperial palaces, Imperial tombs, government offices, temples, and the homes of government officials and the wealthy, from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), and were believed to have powerful mythic protective benefits. They occur in many types of Chinese pottery and in Western imitations.

Modern Interpretation of Chinese "Foo" Dogs or Imperial Lions

 

Faux Bamboo (usually executed in carved/turned wood or metal which are then painted, lacquered or gilded) used for furniture, picture frames, mirror frames.

Faux Bamboo Mirror with Pagoda Shape in Red Lacquer

 

Black Lacquer with inlays (most especially Coromandel screens like the one used in Chanel’s personal apartment in Paris) or gold painting.  Tables, Screens, Boxes, Trunks.

 

Coco Chanel's Paris Apartment with her famous Coromandel Screens

 

Chest with Gold Decorative painting of Chinese Scenery

 

Hand Painted Wall Papers:  Produced by companies such as De Gournay, Zoffany, Gracie and Griffin & Wong ...these are often used in the formal rooms or in master bedrooms as a feature wall.  These can be on silk or paper, and often use birds and branches.

Wallpaper by De Gournay

 

Colors that are often most prominent:  White Porcelain, Black Lacquer, Red Lacquer, Gold landscape painting on a black background, All Yellow Gold, White and Royal Blue in Porcelain, Celadon Green.

Modern lamp with several Chinoiserie elements.

So hopefully this has been helpful for you the next time someone throws the word "Chinoiserie" your way....or the next time you are wanting to add an exotic touch to your home!

P.S.  I LOVE hearing about your makeup up questions...be checking back in the next week or so for my detailed answers!   Keep 'em coming!

Tips from a Makeup Artist: Eye Makeup for Parties & Beyond

You have a party to go to tonight…you found a festive sweater, velvet slacks, sparkly shoes….but when it comes time to dress you face (eyes), do you know how to step it up?

Let me help you out with that!

Prep:

First off--before you even start out with your application--make sure that your delicate eye area is ready to go.  Remove any traces of old makeup (Neutrogena makes a really nice oil-free eye makeup remover that powers through even waterproof liners and mascaras….use it with a round flat cotton pad), rinse with warm water and pat gently a small amount of light/medium weight eye cream on the area.  Wait for a minute or so, and if there is any residue from the eye cream still left, then blot it lightly with a tissue.

 

Fix-It-First Notes:

If you often find your eyeshadow and/or eyeliner is getting creased up during the daytime, we need to figure out why…and fix it.  This is most likely happening because we are “building a house on sand”…or oil, more accurately.  The texture of the skin has to be soft like a rose petal--not oily, and not flakey—for makeup to properly be applied and stay on through the day/night.  If this oiliness is happening because you are applying a heavy eye cream, you will need to switch that heavy one for bedtime use…and use a more light/medium weight cream that absorbs without leaving a greasy surface pre-makeup. 

If you don’t use anything, and your eyelids still get oily all by themselves…you will need to take some measures to keep this from lifting and shifting your eye makeup.  Blotting the eyelids with a tissue, and then applying an eyeshadow “base” or primer will probably be the answer for you.  Several companies make them, and should really help you out.  Oil-free foundation and powder can suffice if you don’t have any eyelid primer.

If you are too dry (and flakey), on the other hand, then powdery products (like eyeshadow) have a hard time adhering to that kind of surface; you should use a medium weight eye cream to help keep the surface soft and ready to accept makeup…let it absorb, then continue with the color application. 

 

About Eye Creams:  You must use a product that is rated for use around the eye area…it will say “Ophthalmologist Tested”…regular moisturizer is not usually rated for the zone inside of the ocular bone ridge.  Eye creams are so small because you use very little for each application, but they are worth the price because they keep the crinkles at bay.  This is one area that I spend more $$ on because I am picky about the texture.  Currently, I am using a product from Dr. Hauschka called “Eye Contour Day Balm”, but I have always like Lancôme’s eye products as well.

If you have sensitivity to certain pigments or minerals in eyeshadow (and get a red & itchy reaction), then using a skin-toned eyelid primer can also really help because it provides a buffer/barrier between your skin and the shadow…which should reduce your sensitivity to it for short periods of time (pink & purple pigments, and metallic [gold, copper, silver] shimmers tend to be the usual culprits in causing allergic reactions…stick with more matte shadows that are grey, cream and beige and you should notice these don’t cause as much problems). 

 

Now back to your scheduled programming…

Apply a light layer of eye concealer (make sure it is NOT a camouflage product for blemishes, as these often contain ingredients that treat the zit and would be very drying and irritating to the delicate eye skin, not to mention the actual membranes of the eye) with your fingertip (clean hands, please) or a concealer brush (these are made with non-absorbent nylon fibers, and are usually flat-ish in shape).  Yes, apply this concealer to the lid as well as the undereye area.  You will really be surprised as it helps with darkness/redness and allows your eyes to look brighter and well-rested.  “Set” the concealer with a SHEER layer of skin-colored translucent face powder.  This is best done with a soft flat powder sponge…I like using a compacted powder more than a loose powder---too messy all over the place, in my experience.  If you think your concealer itself has left your skin with a sticky feeling, then blot with a tissue before you apply the powder or you risk getting a very heavy layer of powder adhering.

Now you are prepped and ready to apply your color!

 

Eyeshadow Techniques:

Find 3 colors your like (that either coordinate with your outfit or with each other color), and classify them into three categories:  lighter than your skin (Light); close to the same color as your skin, but slightly darker (Medium); and much darker than your skin (Dark).

Take the Medium one and apply it with a brush to the crease area (when you tip your head back and look straight ahead into the mirror, you will see what the natural “crease” area is for your eye…this is the indented area that is created at the top of the round part of the eyeball) from the outer zone to about  2/3 of the way towards your nose.  Note:  wherever you touch the color-loaded brush first to your skin, is where that color will be applied the darkest…so think about starting in the middle and then brush it back and forth farther and farther to blend.

Then wipe your brush off very well on a tissue or use a fresh clean brush, and brush the Light color on the browbone in the space above the medium color you just applied, and your actual brow hair.  Blend back and forth to soften.

Now you need to decide if you want a “smoky” look (that is where the eyeshadow gets darker the closer you get to the eyeliner or if you want a “brightening” effect. 

For the “brightening” effect, simply take the Light color across the lid under the crease where you applied the Medium color. The lid area is the area that is roundish because of the eyeball underneath the skin.  Then take a small amount of the Dark shadow, and pat it on the outer lid area shown on the picture diagram.  A little goes a long ways, and don’t extend it past the outer zone unless you want to look like Liz Taylor in Cleopatra.  This look is called the “brightening” effect, because when you  blink the color on the lid is giving a little flash of lightness.  For extra zing, you can now place a very metallic shade (silver, gold etc) on top of the lid’s Light color…or go for a vivid pop of color there….just pat them on and then see the “flash” every time you blink!

For the “smoky” effect, take the Medium color across the lower lid area so that you have the Medium color all the way from your lashline to your crease.  If this is “smoky” and dark enough for you, then stop with the eyeshadow and go on to the eyeliner section.  If you want it more dramatic, then layer some of the Dark color across the lid on top of the Medium that you just applied.  I often find it helpful to “place” or pat the color on lightly before I start to blend it…it adheres better that way (use the flat side of the makeup brush for this “patting” technique).  For a true “smoky” effect, you will need to drag some of the dark shadow underneath the eye as well, darker at the outer eye area.  Be careful, and have q-tips handy in case it veers too far into raccoon territory.

Now you are ready for eyeliner!

 

Shadow Liner:

This is the softest possible look for an eyeliner.  It is achieved with a Very Dark shadow applied to the lashline with a dry angled stiff brush.  This look might not be strong enough for your party look, but it is a nice alternative for someone who usually doesn’t wear any eyeliner on a regular basis.  Rub the brush lightly in the Dark shadow to pick it up on the very end, then with your eye closed completely to keep the dust out of the eye, place “pat” it along the lashline from inside to out.  Layer it again darker, if you wish.  This will be a very soft option, and will not have a long lasting all-day effect.  You can do this under the eye, if you wish to make the lower lashes appear to be thicker as well.

Pencil Liner:

A pencil liner is the most popular kind of technique. The pencil eyeliner will work best if there is no gap between the top edge of lashes and the line….dot it on to start, if that helps you get it closer to the base of the lashes…then connect the dots together.  You should not need to pull the eye skin taut to achieve this technique.  If your eyeliner is too dry to give you color, then you can warm the tip in your fingertips, re-sharpen it or just replace it with a better eyeliner.  If you have noticed in the past that the liner you use is getting wiped off easily or smearing during the day, then try setting it with the above shadow liner technique…the powder will give the pencil the staying power it doesn’t have on it’s own.  You could also jazz up a boring pencil color by “setting” it with a more colorful/vivid shadow!  But for a quick & long-lasting pencil-only application, this is why I like the Revlon Colorstay liners:  they are easily blendable, then they “set” all by themselves after about a minute….you have about a minute to get them blended the way you want, then by the time the mascara is dried, so is the eyeliner...easy peasy + no sharpening mess!  You can use a little of the pencil under your eyes as well, to make those lashes look thicker before the mascara.  Do about half as strong as you would do on the top (or use a lighter color pencil), concentrating on the outer areas more than the inner (generally makes the eyes look more wide-set and larger).

Wet Liner: 

Is the most dramatic effect, but requires a very steady hand, good vision and some practice.  If you are using a liquid (or a dark shadow with a wet fine liner brush), then try to hold it lightly like a pen and drag it sideways while laying it on the base of the lashes.  Try to do several small sketches rather than one perfect single line…this might help with control so that you don’t have a bumpy wavy line….to do the outer “upwards flick” area of the wet line, you will do best to go OUT to IN…that way you have some control over the outer point—if you are attempting that look.  Please do not do any wet liner under the eye on the lower lashline.  It is too dramatic a look to pull off unless you are on the stage….use a pencil, or the shadow liner technique for beefing up the lower lashline instead.

 

Mascara:

Finish with mascara.  Consider going with the darkest black one in the formula that you like, if this is a nighttime event.  I don’t usually recommend waterproof unless you know that your eyes are wet (with tears that spill over) regularly and that messes up your makeup.  Most formulas these days are quite long-wearing.  If you like to curl your lashes with a curler, then do that before your mascara or you will find your lashes sticking to the curler.  I like to wait about 2-3 minutes after my final mascara layer, then take the sides of my index fingers and gently bend my upper lashes while my eyes are closed…being careful not to bend so far that the lashes touch my eyelids and leave mascara marks on my perfected eyeshadows!

 

Check that both eyes are even, clean up any leftovers that might have fallen to your cheeks, give yourself a wink in the mirror and then Go Get ‘Em Tiger! 

Have a fun and safe time at your Holiday Party!!

 

P.S.  Send me some makeup questions, and I will post answers!!

The Golden Delicious Secret

Time to share my most favorite everyday breakfast secret:  Hot Apple Blueberry Pie (minus the crust) + Plain Yogurt.  Pie?  You must be joking!  Well, it is practically like the yummy filling of an apple pie…without the sinful part because it is SUGAR FREE.  Let me show you why…

Ingredients:  One apple, handful of frozen blueberries, ground cinnamon, sweetener (of your choice), plain yogurt*.

 

1.  I recommend that you choose a golden delicious apple for your new breakfast enterprise.  (Note:  I have experimented with many different kinds of apples, and nothing retains its flavor and texture quite as well as this variety of apple.  But if you prefer a Mac or Granny or Honeycrisp, whatever floats yer boat.)  Wash it with a drop of dish soap (how many hands have touched this apple before you?) and rinse it well…then take your paring knife or vegetable peeler and take about half of the peel off.  I don’t really like the peel and I have never seen it INSIDE of an apple pie, however…my healthy side wins out because it has lots of fiber and vitamins that I should partake in....

This is what it looks like in my brain’s decision center: 

      ·         {good side}      the peel is the healthiest part of the apple, so you should keep all of it!  

·         {bad side}       the peel is hard to eat and I don’t want it messing up my yummy breakfast!  

·         {negotiated compromise; grudgingly}     ok fine, I will keep half of the peel…but I am not  happy about it.

2.  Cut out the core with the seeds.  Cut the apple into slices; then cut those slices in half again to make just-right bite sizes.  Add a good amount of cinnamon on top.  (Did you know that cinnamon actually has several medicinal uses worldwide?  It has antiviral properties, helps glucose levels in the blood, and acts as an antioxidant!)  Have everything in a microwave safe bowl and put it in there uncovered for about 1 ½  to 2 minutes.

3.  Now add some quickly rinsed frozen blueberries to the apples and zap them in the micro for another 45 seconds.

 

4.  I usually add some sweetener at this point, because the apple is usually pretty tart and then the yogurt is unsweetened and tangy, as well.  I use a couple of packets of no-calorie stevia, but you could use honey, agave nectar or whatever else is your choice.  (The stevia sweetener that I have found, so far, to be the best with the least amount of bitterness is from NuStevia, by NuNaturals, in the purple packaging—found at several stores including Fred Meyer and QFC in the Northwest, or you can order it on Amazon.)  Stir up the apple/blueberry mixture and voila you have the inside of an apple pie (pretty much).

5.  Then add some plain yogurt of your choice (we like Nancy’s Brand in the Nonfat or Lowfat variety)…this gives you a great boost of probiotics to keep the good bacteria in your gut going strong!  And a happy gut makes for a stronger and more resilient immune system.  *If you are lactose intolerant or have a milk allergy, I think there is a yogurt option that uses coconut milk instead, and is totally dairy free.

6.  You can add some granola if you like crunch, or flax seeds if you want to boost your Omegas…or raspberries for an extra zing…whatever you like!

For those of you who need to get out the door early in the morning, you can make this ahead the night before, and just store in the fridge after adding the blueberries…heating it up in the morning by zapping it for 1 ½  minutes, then scoop in a to-go container along with some sweetener and yogurt!  I have done this countless times and I am always happy to have a healthy breakfast when I am 'on the go'.

Enjoy your “apple pie” for breakfast!

 

You ladies seemed to like the "Make-Up" posting I did a couple of days back...if you have any specific makeup questions that are vexing you, just post a comment and I will try craft a post that gives answers and solutions!  The next subject I was thinking about posting was "How to make you Make-Up last and not disappear through the day"; that was a problem I heard about from my clients quite frequently.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland





handsome fella up ahead...

Remember (wayy  back) from my first post, when I said that one of my favorite things is snowflakes on my nose and eyelashes??  Well, dear husband took me at my word, and welcomed me on his daily hike…this time in the *SNOW*.  We got about 3 inches last night, so it was very beautiful and fresh for the morning walk in the woods.  We were the first ones to crunch through the trail, and thanks to my Michelin-man style of dressing in 3 layers, I was a toasty (and happy) biscuit.  Fresh air, zesty conversation and breathtaking vistas…it was all good.  Except for the part where I had to use the State Park bathroom facilities (mental note:  green tea AFTER the walk, not before) which are pit toilets with a cute little house around it to fool you into thinking there is plumbing involved.  Could not be helped, and this is another reason why baby wipes (for anytime hand washing) in the car is always a smart plan.  Fortunately, the walk/hike was crisp and the smell of forest quickly replaced eau de poo poo.

entrance to the trail

winter wonderland

boots are made for walking...

view from walk bridge over creek



looks like Middle Earth, no?

this area was sheltered from snow

 

Because we are (sort of) on the subject of odors, here is a delicious smelling idea for you:  Wild Fig & Cassis candle from Target (say Tar-zjhayy).  I got it on sale last week for $12 (had to break my candle-buying moratorium for this one) and it has been stinking up my desk area real pretty since then.  Love the snappy hot pink packaging and the gold mercury glass ribbed holder.  It just looks like happiness and smells divine.  They have other flavors too, but this figgy one was my velvet cats pajamas.

Tips from a Makeup Artist

You probably didn’t know this, but in my previous career I was a Makeup Artist.  For 12 years, I had a glamorous (well, not so glam when you are opening 100 boxes of stock in the back room, or taking inventory counts, etc.) job of working for one of the nation’s top specialty stores (Nordys) for makeup brands Lancôme and Clinique (4 years each) and then worked in Downtown Seattle at the premier Salon Spa where I helped clients by custom creating/blending/mixing everything from foundations, concealers and powders to lip glosses and lipsticks.  I loved being in the beauty industry—working with colors and pigments has always come naturally to me, and I absolutely adored helping women learn how to enhance their personal beauty and seeing the transformations that followed.  When I was “in the zone” with one of my clients, only an earthquake could interrupt our fun and learning (um, actually that did happen once---with the Nisqually Quake in 2001, a 7.1 on the Richter scale!) so focused was I on meeting their needs.

Then, at the age of 35 I got pregnant—my husband and I were thrilled!  I was fortunate to have a rather easy pregnancy and worked on my feet until month 8, when I then went on leave of absence.  That was 10 years ago, and that was the last time that I officially worked as a Makeup Artist.  I have since branched out into other interests (mostly interior deco), but Cosmetics will always be an easy language for me.  And no, I don’t look at every woman I see and want to “fix” her.  Unless it is egregious on the order of Tammy Faye Bakker (Messner) or something…in which case, I think almost anyone would want to give a little helpful advice along with a wash cloth.

What I have noticed, though, is the resurgence of the so-called “Mass” brands.  This is industry speak for cosmetic and skincare brands that are given Mass distribution, as opposed to specialty or 'Prestige' brands that are only available in boutiques and department stores.  In the past, the quality was the biggest difference, with the Mass brands having much less to offer in the areas of pigment selection and “pay-off” (“pay-off” is the amount of product that is used to get the desired effect), as well as efficacy (the ease of use & wear).  Plus, in the department store there were lovely helpers to guide you to your most beautiful self (me, in a past life)…but then something happened…the Mass brands woke up and figured out that they needed to step up their game.  The underlying secret power of the Mass brands, was that they were usually much larger companies, and could bring to bear a lot more resources to research, development and sourcing of ingredients.  And so they did.  Mass brands realized that consumers would pay a little more, if in exchange they had access to better quality products with a wider range of attractive colors and targeted uses.  I no longer felt like I had to shop the “expensive” lines to find good quality products that fit my needs.  No more $26 mascara for me.

So, from time to time, I will share with you readers my latest “finds” on the cosmetic and skincare front.  I am not an expert with a PHD in chemistry, or a licensed aesthetician, so I will not pretend to be one—however, I am a fairly knowledgeable consumer with a deep background in cosmetic sales. 

Currently, these are the “Mass” products that I use on a regular basis:  (over the years, I have found replacements for nearly all of the ‘prestige’ brands that I used to represent)

·         L’Oreal:  Lipsticks, Eyeshadows (especially from the HiP line), Lipliners, Nail Polish

·         Sonia Kashuk (private label line at Target):  Lipgloss, Concealer, Brushes & Tools, Brow Pencil

·         Revlon:  Foundation (PhotoReady), Concealer (Colorstay), Camouflage for blemishes (Colorstay), Face Powders (PhotoReady & Colorstay), Colorstay Eyeliners, Colorstay Lipliners, Nail Polish

·         CoverGirl:  Mascara (Lashblast Volume…orange packaging in Very Black)

·         Maybelline:  Lipstick (Colorsensational; Pink Quartz is particularly nice for cool blondes or for layering onto deeper shades to soften them.  I have many other colors too.)

·         Garnier:  BB Cream in Fair (I mix this with the Revlon PhotoReady in lightest shade…then I have the exact color I need)

·         Other products of note:  Bronzer/Contour Powder (a brand I found in Germany, but have not seen in the states…my runner up is Lancôme’s Star Bronzer), Blusher (cream stick which has been discontinued…so I am searching for a replacement that has a creamy/powdery texture and not a neon color…will keep you posted or would love any suggestions.)

Just a couple of days ago, I found a wonderful new brand (which is crazy cheap) and has OK packaging, nice colors and good “pay-off”….it is called Essence.  The parent company is in Germany (did you know that Germany is a powerhouse in color cosmetics production?  Check out nearly all of your eyeliners and lipliners for confirmation!) and was started about 10 years ago.  I first spied it in the states a couple of years ago when I bought some trendy fingernail polishes (lime green, orange, yellow etc) for 99cents and was hooked on those for my home pedicures…they wore great and who could complain at the price?! 

So when I was shopping at my local store (Fred Meyer for those in the Northwest) a couple of days ago, I was intrigued because I was looking in ALL the lines for a matte taupe/grey color to use as eyebrow powder filler (this is often a softer and less harsh option than a pencil, for making eyebrows look more uniform)…but came up empty until I saw this set from Essence:  Over the Taupe, a quad set of eyeshadows.  Now, I am a natural dark blonde with a tendency to mousy (so, of course, I highlight to blondish) and finding a light taupe-y brown brow color that does not look orange-y or yellow-ish is harder than you would think.  Nothing looks more artificial on a highlighted blonde than eyebrows that look like they are for a ginger or brunette.  At any rate, I was correct that the color in the top right hand (on the photo I have taken) of the set of four is practically perfect…there is a teensy bit of shimmer, but not enough to make a problem at all!  Use an angled stiff brush and stroke this color following the direction of the hair growth (toward the temples) to fill in any sparse areas and just generally make the brows show up more.  The “no-brow” look (or more accurately, the “bleached-brow” look) has been very popular (model Lara Stone, I am looking at you girlfriend) of late for editorial spreads (in fashion magazines), but this is a beyond-challenging look for mere mortal women because it makes you look like an alien from outer space.  Check out photos of yourself….if your lashline (eyeliner and mascara zone) shows up more noticeably than your browline, you probably need to help your brows out with a little more color---they are the frame to your eyes, and thusly, the frame to your face…trust a Makeup Artist, for heaven’s sakes!  BTW, this quad is also fantastic used as a eyeshadow set (the lightest goes on your browbone, the shimmer taupe in the lower left corner is a nice crease color, and the darkest shade makes a nice powder eyeliner.)

For fun and giggles, I also splurged on an eyeliner (Taupe 22) and shimmery single shadow (Back to Khaki, metallic effect) for $1.99 each.  They were both keepers too!  (Note:  I have sensitive skin which sometimes reacts badly to eyeshadows…but no redness or itching this time….plus I wear contacts, and there were no problems with that either!)  As I need (or want) new color items, I think I will keep experimenting with more items from this line…goodness knows the superlow price points mean I can make mistakes and still come out ahead!  (And no, they don't give away free stuff to bloggers who plug their line....it's just me, sharing the knowledge-love to help make the world a little more beautiful, on the cheap.)

That’s it for today….(I might need to find a better sign-off....)

Paperback Christmas Tree DIY

Last fall, I was strolling through a street fair, and spied a very cool crafty item:  a pumpkin made from a paperback book!  (Google Image it, you will see what I mean!) Well, thought I, I could do that too!  And so I did…and now that it is the Christmas season, I decided to double down and make a tree the same way, with two used paperbacks.  Warning to librarians; this will be hard to watch...I tried to choose books that were already of dodgy subject matter and in bad physical shape, if that buys me any points.  Here is the project:

Step 1.  Go to Goodwill or your local thrift store and choose some paperbacks to be sacrificed.  If you are doing a double-book tree, try to find books whose interior pages are roughly the same color and type font.  Extra credit if you can find them in French or another language--so chic  and worldly! 

Step 2.  Get sick of seeing the same two books sitting on your kitchen counter taunting you…and teach them a lesson.  Get a pair of scissors or an exact-o knife (do I need to tell you that you should have a cutting board surface to protect your counter AND the knife is very sharp, so don’t blame me if you get a wound?) and then draw a template of the tree on the books.  You do need to decide who goes on top.  I mean which.  Book.  Geez, really, this is a family friendly blog, so let’s not dabble in the gutter please.

Step 3.  Spend the next hour cutting away all the pages until you have the entire shape cut out of both books.  This will cause an unbelievable mess.  Cannot be helped.  You will also need to take the cover off the front, back and as much of the spine as you can reasonably do.  You will need to flex the spine so that it is as round as it can be, and you need to do this before you glue the two ends together.

Step 4.  Glue with tacky glue (or whatever works for you…if using hot glue, please don’t burn your fingers) the first two pages together, and the last two pages together….then glue the front and back together.  (if you only do the first and last, the pages are too weak to hold together and will probably tear…that’s why I reinforce them by gluing the extra pages to themselves)  You will probably need to clamp them together somehow (chip clips and rubber bands were my choice) so that the glue has a chance to hold together….give them about an hour to dry, or less if using hot glue.

Step 5.  Now you have the top and bottom shapes, fluff them so that they are full in the round…then take some bamboo skewers and place them in the hole in the bottom book, then place other book on top with the skewers keeping the tree together.

 

Step 6.  You really need to clean up the mess.  Now.  Before someone from the hoarder’s channel sees you and reports you.  Be sure and show the new dazzling craft off to everyone in the household (the kittens were the only ones who were impressed, but I forge on anyway) and then decide to top it with a fluff of raffia (abstract star or a bow) or a pile of cranberries (fake, glued together) and then place it somewhere that can be admired by all who come to visit.   And you didn’t even have to read the books!  Fini!

Plus, for added holiday specialness, it snowed today!  Lucky that we had the snow tires put on the car this morning!  I might not post tomorrow, because we are having our family holiday Christmas celebration.  Yepper, you are correct.  We are 9 days early.  My dad is going through Chemotherapy for his newly diagnosed Lymphoma…and he can’t be around people (other than my Mom) on the actual Christmas Day holiday (for his lowered immune system), so we moved the family get-together for him!  There is a 23 lb turkey brining away on my deck right now.  So, I might post tomorrow… or I might just pass out from the tryptophan (and not the double serving of stuffing & taters thankyouverymuch)…we will just have to see…