Vintage instructional films

Something I've been amusing myself with lately have been vintage instructional films. Most I'd see when I'd sneak and watch MST3K as a kid, but I figure as I've gotten older, I can appreciate them for what they were.

They're surprisingly interesting, from a historical standpoint, and many can offer some helpful tips on caring for ones body and hair, and even saving money. Granted you ignore a lot of the blatant sexism in some of them.


Body Care and Grooming

Good Grooming for Girls

Your Thrift Habits

I was annoyed I couldn't find a pair of Simplicity pattern videos (Not Pattern for Smartness) from the early 60's I believe. So, have this supermarket checker video.

How to be an effective supermarket checker

Do any of you have any videos that amuse you lately?
 Do any of you remember these videos?

What I'm up to

This month started off fairly relaxed, but as life does its thing, it began to be a bit more busy.

I started back to school last week, and I'm scribbling up a nice time management planner, in addition to my little mini planner where I keep in my due dates for assignments.

I might have mentioned before I'm taking a millinery course. It's 'flat pattern' millinery, and in the class, we will learn to either make a pillbox hat, or a sailor hat in eight weeks.

I'm thinking a sailor hat with a tilted up brim. But as of writing, I'm scouring online sources, and some of the free patterns Tanith listed. 


The other course I'm taking is called Advanced Pattern Design, also called 'Collections' by people in the department. I'll essentially be designing a 3-5 garment line to showcase at our schools end of year fashion show. (If you're local to me, I will hound you to purchase tickets, you've been warned.)

I have to turn this book into my newest best friend, and keep a nice little bookelet of inspiration. And screech a lot because this class will be a time and energy suck.


After x-mas, I decided to start knitting up the Datemaker Cardigan. 

I stopped at the armhole shaping, because I got confused and messed up in pattern somewhere. So I put in a lifeline, and knit up to a certain point. 

But as I fanned this out for photos, It seems I have messed up in pattern towards the beginning of the knitting. So, I'll rip it back, and start a new. If anyone has any tips on keeping in pattern during the armhole shaping, do let me know. The written directions were quite confusing to me.


And to keep myself content and happily amused, I play a bit of Animal Crossing: New Leaf

This is still tiding me over until I am able to afford Happy Home Designer.


What are you all up to?
Are any of you taking any courses?
Do you play video games to relax?

Review: Besame Cake Mascara

Back in September, Besame Cosmetics was at Dapper Day. Sadly, I was not. Each Dapper Day, they do a little scavenger hunt, and this time they did a 'digital version' The winners got to choose some items, and luckily I won! I chose the new Black Cake Cake Mascara.

I was intrigued! Mascara, not in a tube?! I had to try it, for science, of course.

Now, at the time I got some mascara spoolies from my last visit to Sephora, and used them for this demonstration. They worked great!

It was interesting to use water to activate the cake mascara, but it went very well. Just wet the brush, wiggle it back and forth on the cake, and apply to the lashes as usual.

(If that video doesn't work, here is the Instagram link)

I applied the mascara, and also used it to darken my eyebrows. My mom loved it, and asked if I was wearing false lashes!

During the December holidays, there was a sale on the mascara brushes, and lip brushes. I splurged a bit on the cute brushes. The mascara spooly one I've yet to use, but I used the eyeliner one. 

It takes me a lot to get the makeup to show on my skin, so there are a lot of layers involved. It's a smidge annoying, but I guess that's all part of the self-pampering ritual. Makes me feel a bit like an Old Hollywood Starlet, haha!

All in all. I love this mascara, but I am a bit annoyed with the container being cardboard. I understand it's now 100% biodegradable, but I can't just throw it in my purse and say, touch up my brows or liner without something happening, or something gross getting into it. If I correctly recall, the original Besame cake mascara was in a little plastic package, more reminiscent of the original ones of the 30's. But, as being green and environmentally friendly is happening with more companies, I understand the change.

Have any of you used the cake mascara?

Do you think you'd add it to your vanity table?

Thank you for reading!

Note- I received the cake mascara free from Besame, and I purchased the brushes with my own money. I am receiving no compensation from Besame Cosmetics for this review. I have used affiliate links in this post.