I love Halloween. I would love to share a bit of history about the holiday and share some links if you would like to read more.
Traditionally celebrated on October 31st (and sometimes November 1st) Samhain (pronounced SOW-en) is the anchient Celtic holiday which marks the end of summer and the last harvest and the beginning of the winter season. In modern traditions of Paganism, Druidism, Shamanism and Wicca it is still celebrated as both a celebratory holiday and a somber occasion to honor ones ancestors. People would dress in costumes to ward away bad spirits and light candles and leave food gifts for loved ones who have passed to guide them on their journey home. Samhain is believed to be the time of year when the veil between our world and the spirit world is the thinnest. Turnips and gourds were also carved to ward away negative energies and protect the homes.
Today, Samhain is seen as the Wiccan New Year and is a time representing death and rebirth. Many old Celtic traditions have been adapted by people of many religious backgrounds to celebrate this time of year, such as dressing up and the carving of pumpkins.
I hope you enjoyed this brief look into the history of Halloween. For more please check out the following links.
History.com
Wicca.com
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Great Veg and Vegan Sites!
I am going to make this a list of some of my favorite sites and blogs about vegetarian and vegan topics. I will update this regularly when I find something cool. There will be a link in the sidebar so you can always find it!
VegWeb.com:
Make a veg/vegan online recipe box and label the recipes with your own labels. If you want a Vampire category go for it! Need a category for recipes for your picky family members? You can do that too. :) If I try any recipes here and they come out great I will tell you! :)
Vegan Yum Yum:
This girl is incredible. She also has a book out. You will find a variety of delicious recipes that are very creative.
Post Punk Kitchen:
The vegan cupcake queen. Isa Chandra Moscowitz. This woman is a vegan goddess. She has several vegan cookbooks out and the site has many free recipes submitted my her and site users. Awesome! Try the Banana Bread, Pumpkin Bread or Zuchini Bread. :)
I am going to think of more and will add them as I remember them or find them. Until then have a great day.
Have a safe and Happy Halloween. My post about the history of Halloween will be this evening. :)
I think I am going to make these today!
VegWeb.com:
Make a veg/vegan online recipe box and label the recipes with your own labels. If you want a Vampire category go for it! Need a category for recipes for your picky family members? You can do that too. :) If I try any recipes here and they come out great I will tell you! :)
Vegan Yum Yum:
This girl is incredible. She also has a book out. You will find a variety of delicious recipes that are very creative.
Post Punk Kitchen:
The vegan cupcake queen. Isa Chandra Moscowitz. This woman is a vegan goddess. She has several vegan cookbooks out and the site has many free recipes submitted my her and site users. Awesome! Try the Banana Bread, Pumpkin Bread or Zuchini Bread. :)
I am going to think of more and will add them as I remember them or find them. Until then have a great day.
Have a safe and Happy Halloween. My post about the history of Halloween will be this evening. :)
I think I am going to make these today!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Two Manicures and Some Kitty Eyes
Hi everyone! I have for you 2 contest manicures and a cat eye look.
ALL PICTURES SHOULD BE CLICK TO ENLARGE!
The first manicure is for Nail Juice's Nautical Nail Art Contest.
I used a sheer blue, medium blue and darker blue. I used the sheer blue N.Y.C. Scandalas Blue Green Glitter over the whole nail. Then I layered Zoya - Jo over 2 thirds of my nail and used No Miss Biscayne Blue on the tips. I applied No Miss Top Coat then stamped across the line where the sheer and medium blue met using Konad Special polish in white. I used image plate m24. Then I used Art Club Black nail art paint (and toothpics when I got annoyed with the brush) to draw the anchor and wheel. :) I finished with Konad Top Coat. I hope you like it!
The next manicure is for Nail Art World's Winter Manicure Contest.
For this manicure I used 2 coats of N.Y.C. White Lights Glitter. Then 1 coat of No Miss Top Coat. Then I stamped with Konad Silver (very subtle) the flower/star/snow pattern on plate m5 on all my nails. I randomly positioned them. :)
Then I stamped the white snowflake like pattern from plate m20 on my index, middle and pinky (I did the thumb after the candy cane.) I alternated the placement of the snowflake. I then stamped the snowman on the ring finger and the red candy cane on my thumb. I followed with the snowflake on my thumb. Next I went over each tip with N.Y.C. Starry Silver Glitter fishing out the large pieces of both pink and blue (repeat). Next I did the black snowman eyes with Art Club Nail Art Paint. Finally I applied Konad Top Coat and applied a pink flower rhinestone in the center of the thumb snowflakes. Once dry I applied a 2nd layer of topcoat on my thumb. :) I hope you like this one too!
My manicures are getting more complicated but I am so proud of myself! :)
Now for the cat's eye!
For this look I used E.L.F. Mineral Eyeshadow primer. Next I applied Everyday Minerals - Mistletoe to my lid and into the crease. Next I used E.L.F. Black liner (from my mini makeup collection I wouldn't nessesarily recommend this one) to line below my lower lashes and extended the line up at an angle pointed toward the ends of my brows as a guide. Next using the E.L.F. Studio Line Small Precision Brush (LOVE) and Back To The Earth Cosmetics - Tree Spirit (dark green) I lined under the lower lashes (over the pencil liner), created a defined outer V and continued a bit into my crease. I only blended where the 2 greens met NOT THE EDGES. I wanted to leave the edges sharp and fierce like an intent cat stare! I used a bit more Tree Spirit and carefully drug the precision brush up at an angle towards my brow to create the cat eye style wing. I know it is a bit over the top but I love it! I finished with Glittersniffer - Carnivore (ironically my fave highlight color) under the brow. It looks scary and pale green in the package but it is awesome. I got it as a free sample and I love it! Then of course my favorite mascara (EccoBella Black.) Please excuse my insanely messy brows!!!
I have included links most of the retailers sites. E.L.F. and Eccobella are also available in some stores in the U.S. I don't know about outside of the U.S. Everyday Minerals is available internationally from their site.
Back to the Earth doesn't appear to be on Etsy anymore. If I find it I will update with a link.
I hope you enjoyed this post! Leave comments, questions and requests! Please follow, subscribe and share!
ALL PICTURES SHOULD BE CLICK TO ENLARGE!
The first manicure is for Nail Juice's Nautical Nail Art Contest.
I used a sheer blue, medium blue and darker blue. I used the sheer blue N.Y.C. Scandalas Blue Green Glitter over the whole nail. Then I layered Zoya - Jo over 2 thirds of my nail and used No Miss Biscayne Blue on the tips. I applied No Miss Top Coat then stamped across the line where the sheer and medium blue met using Konad Special polish in white. I used image plate m24. Then I used Art Club Black nail art paint (and toothpics when I got annoyed with the brush) to draw the anchor and wheel. :) I finished with Konad Top Coat. I hope you like it!
The next manicure is for Nail Art World's Winter Manicure Contest.
For this manicure I used 2 coats of N.Y.C. White Lights Glitter. Then 1 coat of No Miss Top Coat. Then I stamped with Konad Silver (very subtle) the flower/star/snow pattern on plate m5 on all my nails. I randomly positioned them. :)
Then I stamped the white snowflake like pattern from plate m20 on my index, middle and pinky (I did the thumb after the candy cane.) I alternated the placement of the snowflake. I then stamped the snowman on the ring finger and the red candy cane on my thumb. I followed with the snowflake on my thumb. Next I went over each tip with N.Y.C. Starry Silver Glitter fishing out the large pieces of both pink and blue (repeat). Next I did the black snowman eyes with Art Club Nail Art Paint. Finally I applied Konad Top Coat and applied a pink flower rhinestone in the center of the thumb snowflakes. Once dry I applied a 2nd layer of topcoat on my thumb. :) I hope you like this one too!
My manicures are getting more complicated but I am so proud of myself! :)
Now for the cat's eye!
For this look I used E.L.F. Mineral Eyeshadow primer. Next I applied Everyday Minerals - Mistletoe to my lid and into the crease. Next I used E.L.F. Black liner (from my mini makeup collection I wouldn't nessesarily recommend this one) to line below my lower lashes and extended the line up at an angle pointed toward the ends of my brows as a guide. Next using the E.L.F. Studio Line Small Precision Brush (LOVE) and Back To The Earth Cosmetics - Tree Spirit (dark green) I lined under the lower lashes (over the pencil liner), created a defined outer V and continued a bit into my crease. I only blended where the 2 greens met NOT THE EDGES. I wanted to leave the edges sharp and fierce like an intent cat stare! I used a bit more Tree Spirit and carefully drug the precision brush up at an angle towards my brow to create the cat eye style wing. I know it is a bit over the top but I love it! I finished with Glittersniffer - Carnivore (ironically my fave highlight color) under the brow. It looks scary and pale green in the package but it is awesome. I got it as a free sample and I love it! Then of course my favorite mascara (EccoBella Black.) Please excuse my insanely messy brows!!!
I have included links most of the retailers sites. E.L.F. and Eccobella are also available in some stores in the U.S. I don't know about outside of the U.S. Everyday Minerals is available internationally from their site.
Back to the Earth doesn't appear to be on Etsy anymore. If I find it I will update with a link.
I hope you enjoyed this post! Leave comments, questions and requests! Please follow, subscribe and share!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
43 Things
Have any of you heard of this site yet? You make a list of goals you want to complete and see how many others have that goal. I made a list but I don't have 43 things yet and I don't have them in any particular order.
Here is my profile there.
If you have one please share your link! Thanks!
Here is my profile there.
If you have one please share your link! Thanks!
KONADomania's Konad Giveaway!
Check out KONADomania's giveaway for Konad, additional nail polish and natural beauty samples (and possibly more to be added) HERE.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Salem, MA and a Hallowmani!!! :)
ALL PICS SHOULD BE CLICK TO ENLARGE. Links to the museums are included!
Yesterday Brandon (my bf) and I went to Salem, MA.
It was a lot of fun! When we got to Salem we parked and went to the visitor center to pick up a map and stuff. Then we went to one of our favorite places for lunch, Cafe Kushco. It is this little cafe on Washington Street that has soup, sandwiches and soft serve both dairy versions and vegan! I ordered Meditarian Grilled Eggplant Soup and Brandon ordered the Three Bean Chilli. The restaurant is not entirely vegetarian but the vegetarian soups are labeled on the daily selections sign and it lists which ones have dairy and eggs and such. The corn chowder sounds like it would be vegetarian but it is NOT it has anchovies in it. Just a warning if you are there and are veg or with a veg! Also if you are vegan or allergic to dairy ask for no bread because they put butter and melted cheese on the bread. I forgot that they gave bread with the soup. I gave mine to Brandon because he is vegetarian but not vegan and he still eats dairy. After finishing my soup I ordered a "frozen tofu" (vegan soft serve) and selected peanut butter for the stir in. It was DELICIOUS!!! My soup was great and so was Brandon's btw. I stole a bite of course (since his soup was vegan as well)
My handsome bf, Brandon!
Next we made our way to the Witch History Museum. We got the combination ticket to this museum and the Witch Dungeon Museum and the Pirate Museum. You save 5 dollars per person. :) They tell you a bit of history about the witch hysteria and bring you through exibits with sound and human-like figures which are somewhat realistic. It was very informative and I recommend it if you haven't been to Salem or are bringing a group for an educational experience. They also have a gift shop.
We made our way to the Witch Dungeon Museum next. This one was eerier and spookier than the last one. You watch an actors rendition of part of a witch trial and then are lead down below for a tour of a replica of the dungeons. There was a beam there from the original dungeons and it is said to be good luck for women to touch it so of course I did. Here is a picture of it.
Then we checked out shops for a while and hurried to catch the last tour for the New England Pirate Museum. Strangely this was Brandon's favorite although I am not too surprised! He loves pirates. It was entertaining and more lighthearted than the witch related museums.
I would recommend the combo ticket to these 3 if you have never been to any of them. If you are in the mood for something a bit different check out the Pirate Museum! :)
After the museums we went to dinner at Thai Palace (located in the Museum Place Mall) We went there last year as well and enjoyed it. This time we both ordered the same thing! It was funny. We got the Sweet and Sour veggies with Tofu. Brandon ordered desert of Orange Pineapple Ice Cream. I didn't try it since it was dairy but he said my peanut butter tofu ice cream was better! LOL
Here are some more pictures!
The fall colors on the 2 hour drive there!
My mani! Seen pictured with this spooky eye bracelet I got in Salem!
I used basecoat, 2 coats of Zoya Sienna. I applied 1 coat of No Miss Top Coat. Let it DRY! Then I stamped designs from m13 and m28 and used decals by Fingrs Edge and then 2 thin coats of Color Club Abracadabra (from the Master of Disguise mini kit) on the tips. I applied 1 coat of Konad topcoat, placed the rhinestone eye on Mr. Pirate and then did KTC on the other nails. I applied a SECOND layer of Konad top coat on all fingeres after they had completely dried. I applied a THIRD layer of Konad topcoat in the morning only to make the glitter feel smoother. On my thumb I applied 2 coats of Color Club Dark Romance (from the Dark Romance Mini Kit - came in my Master of Disguise kit instead of the correct black) Then I stamped the pumpkin from m13 and applied the glitter (CC - Abracadabra) all around the pumpkin and on tips. (Three total layers of top coat on the thumb too.)
Blade wanted some love! (This of course was when I was trying to take mani pics and pics of my stuff!)
My necklace and earring set found for a DOLLAR in the sale bins at The Pickle Pot (jewelry/beading store in Pickering Wharf in Salem, MA) Also a nice shot of my thumbnail!
Some fruit and veggie wine charms from The Pickle Pot sale bins! I am going to make jewelry with them!!!
My new Salem shirt!
Blade is investigating my pirate pen! (Really he is just rubbing himself on it like he does with EVERYTHING!)
A picture from our trip last year! This is outside of the Salem Witch Museum which I HIGHLY recommend seeing. It has a presentation about witch history and hysteria with lighted scenes and a tour witchcraft through history to today. It even includes Hollywood representations of witches.
I will post more about Wicca, witches and the history of Halloween on October 31st. I hope you enjoyed this post and I apoligize if it was too long and picture heavy but I feel like you are my girlfriends and I wanted to share it all with you! :)
For more pics go to here.
Thanks for reading! Please Comment, Follow, Subscribe and Share!
If you have me on your blogroll please let me know! Thank you!
(Bare with me if there are any spelling errors and code errors with the pictures. I am checking them and will fix errors ASAP!)
Yesterday Brandon (my bf) and I went to Salem, MA.
It was a lot of fun! When we got to Salem we parked and went to the visitor center to pick up a map and stuff. Then we went to one of our favorite places for lunch, Cafe Kushco. It is this little cafe on Washington Street that has soup, sandwiches and soft serve both dairy versions and vegan! I ordered Meditarian Grilled Eggplant Soup and Brandon ordered the Three Bean Chilli. The restaurant is not entirely vegetarian but the vegetarian soups are labeled on the daily selections sign and it lists which ones have dairy and eggs and such. The corn chowder sounds like it would be vegetarian but it is NOT it has anchovies in it. Just a warning if you are there and are veg or with a veg! Also if you are vegan or allergic to dairy ask for no bread because they put butter and melted cheese on the bread. I forgot that they gave bread with the soup. I gave mine to Brandon because he is vegetarian but not vegan and he still eats dairy. After finishing my soup I ordered a "frozen tofu" (vegan soft serve) and selected peanut butter for the stir in. It was DELICIOUS!!! My soup was great and so was Brandon's btw. I stole a bite of course (since his soup was vegan as well)
My handsome bf, Brandon!
Next we made our way to the Witch History Museum. We got the combination ticket to this museum and the Witch Dungeon Museum and the Pirate Museum. You save 5 dollars per person. :) They tell you a bit of history about the witch hysteria and bring you through exibits with sound and human-like figures which are somewhat realistic. It was very informative and I recommend it if you haven't been to Salem or are bringing a group for an educational experience. They also have a gift shop.
We made our way to the Witch Dungeon Museum next. This one was eerier and spookier than the last one. You watch an actors rendition of part of a witch trial and then are lead down below for a tour of a replica of the dungeons. There was a beam there from the original dungeons and it is said to be good luck for women to touch it so of course I did. Here is a picture of it.
Then we checked out shops for a while and hurried to catch the last tour for the New England Pirate Museum. Strangely this was Brandon's favorite although I am not too surprised! He loves pirates. It was entertaining and more lighthearted than the witch related museums.
I would recommend the combo ticket to these 3 if you have never been to any of them. If you are in the mood for something a bit different check out the Pirate Museum! :)
After the museums we went to dinner at Thai Palace (located in the Museum Place Mall) We went there last year as well and enjoyed it. This time we both ordered the same thing! It was funny. We got the Sweet and Sour veggies with Tofu. Brandon ordered desert of Orange Pineapple Ice Cream. I didn't try it since it was dairy but he said my peanut butter tofu ice cream was better! LOL
Here are some more pictures!
The fall colors on the 2 hour drive there!
My mani! Seen pictured with this spooky eye bracelet I got in Salem!
I used basecoat, 2 coats of Zoya Sienna. I applied 1 coat of No Miss Top Coat. Let it DRY! Then I stamped designs from m13 and m28 and used decals by Fingrs Edge and then 2 thin coats of Color Club Abracadabra (from the Master of Disguise mini kit) on the tips. I applied 1 coat of Konad topcoat, placed the rhinestone eye on Mr. Pirate and then did KTC on the other nails. I applied a SECOND layer of Konad top coat on all fingeres after they had completely dried. I applied a THIRD layer of Konad topcoat in the morning only to make the glitter feel smoother. On my thumb I applied 2 coats of Color Club Dark Romance (from the Dark Romance Mini Kit - came in my Master of Disguise kit instead of the correct black) Then I stamped the pumpkin from m13 and applied the glitter (CC - Abracadabra) all around the pumpkin and on tips. (Three total layers of top coat on the thumb too.)
Blade wanted some love! (This of course was when I was trying to take mani pics and pics of my stuff!)
My necklace and earring set found for a DOLLAR in the sale bins at The Pickle Pot (jewelry/beading store in Pickering Wharf in Salem, MA) Also a nice shot of my thumbnail!
Some fruit and veggie wine charms from The Pickle Pot sale bins! I am going to make jewelry with them!!!
My new Salem shirt!
Blade is investigating my pirate pen! (Really he is just rubbing himself on it like he does with EVERYTHING!)
A picture from our trip last year! This is outside of the Salem Witch Museum which I HIGHLY recommend seeing. It has a presentation about witch history and hysteria with lighted scenes and a tour witchcraft through history to today. It even includes Hollywood representations of witches.
I will post more about Wicca, witches and the history of Halloween on October 31st. I hope you enjoyed this post and I apoligize if it was too long and picture heavy but I feel like you are my girlfriends and I wanted to share it all with you! :)
For more pics go to here.
Thanks for reading! Please Comment, Follow, Subscribe and Share!
If you have me on your blogroll please let me know! Thank you!
(Bare with me if there are any spelling errors and code errors with the pictures. I am checking them and will fix errors ASAP!)
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