Keeping Busy...

...Or, trying to!  This summer wasn't exactly what I had hoped, but I'm determined to enjoy what is left of it. It was really hot, and then really cooled down, so I didn't do a lot of outdoor-sy things that I had planned.  So, I've been reading, reading...Trying to read two books per month.  I know that's not much, but it seems my attention span gets shorter with age!  :o  I would like to be able to read one book per week, but...

Anyway, what have I read?  As I mentioned in a post last autumn, I adore ghost stories.  I've been looking for more novels that are similar to Henry James' The Turn of the Screw.  Now, there are a lot of modern novels dealing with ghosts and the paranormal, but many, unfortunately, are erotica--and if there's one thing I can't stomach, it's erotica.  I just want to read about ghosts and get scared to sleep at night!  BUT!!!  I found one!  It was recommended by my library for me, as a personalized reading list I requested.  The Ghost Writer, by John Harwood.  Better than the main plot line were the Victorian ghost stories within.  John Harwood's writing really made me feel I was reading a glimpse of something from the Victorian era.  My favorite short story within the book was "Seraphina," about a man who is haunted by a painting of a beautiful lady.  Harwood can write such great Victorian-style ghost stories, I thought, that he could write a whole book of them.

And then, I found it.

The Seance, by John Harwood, is exactly what I have been looking for, for so, so long!  Wonderfully paced, expertly changing perspective, this is the ideal spooky, "gothic" ghost novel, in my eyes.  It was a book I couldn't wait to get back to when I had put it down, and one that I missed when I finished it, which only took six days (rare for me!).  And in the end of both of these novels, there is a logical explanation for everything.  They are like combination ghost/mystery/suspense novels.  Here is a great review of The Seance:  http://www.skrishnasbooks.com/2009/03/seance-john-harwood.html

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I'm also keeping busy with my cosmetics!  I have a Halloween collection I'm working on, which I'm planning to release in late September or early October.  So please check out my Facebook page if you're interested! :)

Reviews?

I meant to write a post a few days ago, but my internet froze up to a point where I just had to shut everything down.  I'm not sure what's causing it; I reset my Firefox, and have deleted a lot off of my computer, so it must be my internet provider.  How tedious!

I was very anxious, and have been reading Dale Carnegie's How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.  It has been very helpful.  His other book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, is worth the fame it has received.  And they're both vintage, too!

Besides being really hot and drought-like here, I'm getting very antsy about my cosmetics business.  I have lots of new things--finally, that talc-free, perfumed powder I wanted to make!

It's nearly identical to the shade of Coty's Air-Spun that I use.  Triumph!

But...I'm dissatisfied.  I don't feel that business is picking up as it should.  So, I've been wondering...Would readers be interested in seeing reviews of my own vintage-inspired make up?  Are there any readers who might want to do a review of it on their own blogs?  I am very interested in as much feedback and product-exposure as possible.

Winner of the 'Bette' Lipstick!

Sound the trumpets!  

I have chosen the winner of the 'Bette' lipstick giveaway.

The winner is:

JessiB-L!

Congratulations!  Please contact me with your shipping information at: eliza.fragrances@gmail.com

Thank you to everyone who participated!  Stay tuned for more giveaways in the future.  ♥

Eliza Lipstick Giveaway!

So!  At Eliza Fragrances, I've begun making "slimline" lipsticks with my lip rouge shades.  To spread the word, I would like to do a little giveaway!  The lipstick is 'Bette' and is a 1930s raspberry-pink.

Want a chance to win the new 'Bette' lip rouge from Eliza Fragrances?  Follow the rules below!

'Bette' Lipstick by Eliza Fragrances!

Swatch of 'Bette', in pure sunlight.

Giveaway Rules

1.  'Like' my Facebook page, Eliza Fragrances.

2.  Please follow my blog!

3.  Answer the following questions:

     a.  Who is 'Bette' lipstick named for?

     b.  Name one of her movies.

     c.  Why would you like to win this lipstick?

You have until midnight on Monday, May 28 to enter.

The best answers from part (c.) will be entered in a drawing to win.  Good luck, and thank you!  ♥

Handmade, Vintage-Inspired Make Up!

Looks like it has been about a month since I last posted.  Blogger has a new look, and this is going to take some getting used to!

A few things have kept me from posting.  I've been pretty tired lately, sleeping until 11:30am or sometimes until noon.  I had some blood tests done to check for problems, but it looked like everything came back normal; I'm not deficient in anything.  Maybe it's all in my head?  Trying to keep a positive outlook and an open mind, and maybe I'll find my old energy and spirit.

Also, my internet has been really slow on blogger!  It freezes up and it's hard for me to read new blog posts.  So, if you don't see me commenting as much as usual, it isn't that I wouldn't like to!  Ugh, technology.

Does anyone else have difficulty uploading photos?  Sometimes I have to upload a photo two or three times before Blogger will post it.  Usually it just...eats the photo.  :o

Well, I've expanded my business quite a bit!  I'm starting a line of vintage eyeshadow shades, I made a test powder of the Coty's Air-Spun that I mentioned in a post this past winter.  And, I'm doing lipsticks!

I want to also make you aware that, because of some new, silly Facebook rules, I will be directing my giveaways to this blog.  So keep your eyes peeled; you just might be a winner!

 

 Lipsticks, in slimline tubes.

Perfumed face powder!

'Orchid' eyeshadow, a 1930s shade.

Chiffon Blush

Well, I've been neglectful of my posts again, haven't I?  My ideas and thoughts have been consumed with a lot of things, and I haven't had much time for my vintage side (sadly).  But, I've taken one more step toward my dream of making cosmetics--blushes!  I have been planning for months and finally made two yesterday evening.  I'm calling them "Chiffon Blush," for they go on sheer and light, and contain silk powder.

They come in jars with sifters; 37mm in diameter by 19mm high, and each jar contains about 2.38g.

'Mauve Rose'.  The blush colors correspond with my lip rouges; this one matches 'Olivia' lip rouge.

'Honeysuckle'.  I wore this one today.

I'm proud to say that these blushes contain no talc, no mineral oil, no petrochemical-based dyes.  If you want to know more about the ingredients, visit my Facebook page, Eliza Fragrances.

Still Here!

How absent I've been lately!  I'm keeping busy, working on more lip rouges, planning out expanding into more cosmetics this spring, if I can afford to.  I obsess about it and have started dreaming about making cosmetics!  Ha, ha.  Haven't blogged much because my internet connection is usually very finicky with blogger and freezes up a lot, then I get frustrated, so I tend to stay away.  I apologize for being gone so long!

I've also started reading again.  I used to really enjoy reading, so much that I could read a thick book in a couple of days.  Recently I became disenchanted, and found it difficult to hold my attention to anything but short stories.  Maybe I'm just very picky with books!  Anyway, I've made it a goal to read two books a month.  I know, not much of a feat!  But that's the idea; I don't want my interest to "burn out" again.

I'm actually having a sale right now, my lip rouges are $6 each, perfumes $8, and lip balms are $2.  You can browse my Facebook page (Eliza Fragrances), or email me at eliza.fragrances@gmail.com.

My latest lip rouge shade, 'Marilyn', is named after Marilyn Monroe, and is a red intended for blondes.  However, this shade would be amazing on most brunettes, and it's actually a blue-red that I can pull off, which is unusual for my red hair and pale skin.  (I'm not a natural redhead but I have redhead coloring--pink undertones and all that.)

Summer has suddenly struck us.  I really enjoy the gradual transition from winter to spring, spring to summer, but this year, summer has arrived almost overnight!  It worries me a bit about the rest of the summer; how hot is it going to get?