It's going to be a pink winter :-)

Ok, ok Autumn!!

:-) I am a homebody, and I am always the first person to complain its too cold outside! I bought 2 sweathsirts today and a pink fluffy sweater to make sure I stay extra toasty when there is a crisp wind out there.
If you are gonna wear sweatshirts, then you might aswell look pretty right? Right.

Pink sweatshirt- would look great with black pants.

This grey sweatshirt is covered in pretty flowers.

Sweatshirts often have a bad reputation for being slouchy or untidy, but if you combine it with the right clothes, it can be a statement, even if you are passed your college years. They are comfortable and easy so a MUST have for ever mom, house wife or hard working woman who wants to relax after a hard day. If you pair them with smart pants and a matching bodywarmer, you can look stylish and classy. Add a nice long necklace and some heels and your outfit is complete.

My chunky heels. <3

I can also wear these heels with dresses, jeans, shorts, anything really. I love them so much I might wear them with my wedding dress. Hahaha

Fluffy pink Sweater. SOFTNESS... Mmmm

And of course, it can not be a complete PINK autumn with out.....

PINK HAIR

My normal is different from your normal

This is me at the Elf Fantasy Fair

A few days ago I saw a newspaper article about my hobby (which is technically more of a life style than a hobby) and the caption by the picture said: "You won't find your average person here today" The picture was taken at a Fantasy Festival.




A Fantasy Festival.

Yes.

No, its not like a Children's birthday party, Halloween party, or a Renaissance Fair. It's a bit of all three, and none all at the same time.

A Fantasy Festival is a place where like minded people go to celebrate LIFE, individuality, and freedom to be who ever they really are.

People dress up as their favourite Film character, cartoon (Manga), hippies, witches, fairies, or Fairytale villains. There are market stalls selling everything from Renaissance clothes and kitchenware, to Swords and bows, to jewellery and fairy wings. You can buy home decor and hand made soap and even taste food from other worlds and times.

It is escapism from the harsh reality of day to day life some say. It's for people who are a bit detached from life or people who want to run away from responsibility. I disagree.

It is an adventure, to DARE to be yourself, to DARE to be at one with nature and with the earth.
To DARE to go back to basics.
To be creative - to make music, to make costumes, to go to a festival with beautiful people, gentle people...

To enjoy old castles and gardens, old inventions and "the god old days" :-)
It is a place to learn about the old ways, to learn about fantasy, to learn about the old religions, about how to re-connect to what is really important.

Fantasy Festivals are generally held in the summer months, so its a place and time to enjoy lazing in the grass, or to enjoy a night time fire.
During the winter months there are events as well, mostly fi and Horror is also part of these events. Subcultures of society such as Gothic or Lolita are combined with Steampunk and Cosplay.
There are also costume contests to show of your creations and the glory of being crown winner. The Best creation of the event, what an honour!

concentrating on music, film, cartoons and books. Sci-

So why did I mention that this hobby can be turned into a lifestyle? Well because creating these costumes takes time. First of all you need to think about what you want to represent. Who do you feel like today :-) And create it.
Also, being at one with nature is a form of life. Being free and thinking positively is the life style of the hippie.
The medieval music fills my home on a daily basis, and so does
The medieval food make it on to my plate at night (mostly on special occasions) and I bath myself in natural oils and incense.

that folk metal created on mostly traditional instruments.

It is so hard to explain this to someone who has never been a part of it. Never judge something you do not understand, never fear it. Embrace it and learn.
I have always loved fantasy movies and celtic music and when I learn about a great gathering of like minded people I went to check it out for myself. That was 8 years ago and I almost never miss a gathering. It has strengthened my spiritual beliefs, my beliefs in humans and my relationship with the earth has grown deeper. I like to go back to basics, to relax, to take life easy. Stress is something we create for ourselves.
Coming home and doodling a fairy for Ebay or sticking gears on my new top hat relaxes me. It's a wonderful life.

So this is my life, most people think its a bit strange, but its only because they do not understand it. 

This is me, and this is why my normal is different from your normal :-) 

How to Bleach your Hair Platinum Blonde or White

I am in the process of getting my hair from my dyed black hair to light blonde/white.

Going from dark brown to blonde, first stage. 

It's not an easy process and I have been asking advice from silver haired ladies and searching the Internet for tips and tricks.

I am by no means a hair pro or hair dresser, this is just my own personal experience so what works for me might not work for you.

First of all, you need to get your hair down to a shade of pale yellow. If you do not have experience with bleaching or mixing bleach, please go to a professional or ask a friend who does know what he/she is doing. It's very dangerous to do it if you have no idea what you are doing and can damage not only your hair, but also your scalp.

Buying a packet of blonde hair dye at the drugstore will not turn your hair that gorgeous blonde that you so desire, it will only turn it orange if your hair is too dark!

After the first bleaching session. Orange and copper. Will have to re-bleach the ends in a few days to a week. 

 That means you did not bleach it enough and it will have copper tones that a purple or blue toner will not be able to remove. You will have to wait a week and re-bleach it again, and in the mean time use silver shampoo and A LOT of hair conditioner to keep it from going dry.


Also use hair masks and leave them in over night for a nice glossy feeling. It's very important to feed your hair and keep it soft or it will go to a straw like texture and that is not pretty or attractive.

So please do not try those over the counter blonde dyes.  Rather buy a hair lightener or go to the experts.

Once your hair is a pale yellow, you have a good base to work with. You will need to reduce the yellow colour first. It might take a few bleaches to get the desired colour, think vanilla custard or bananas (peeled!). When you finally have this colour, you can use a toner. Not before as it will have no effect.

Toners are usually a pale violet/purple or blue and it will neutralise your hair colour and remove the brighter yellow bits.

Once the hair is even in tone and as ligt as you can get it, start using the toners. 

These are some good toners. Apply them as soon as your hair is pale enough, on towel dried hair.

Directions SilverTone
This is good for getting rid of yellow tones that remain after you bleach your hair. Silver is great for making bleached hair a silvery grey or for enhancing a blue colour. The dye will have no effect on non bleached hair.

Manic Panic VIRGIN SNOW™
Virgin Snow is a white toner for bleached hair. It's designed for use on hair that is already bleached to the lightest possible shade. It will remove all yellow from your hair. If you use this, leave it in for at least 30 minutes and cover it with a shower cap or plastic to create some heat. It will speed up the process.




Goldwell Oxycur Platin-lighter Powder
This can lighten your hair up to 7 shades, so its a good product to use if you still have dark hair and need to get it to a more platinum shade. This gives the perfect blonde colour. If you want non of the straw like texture or blotchy coverage, then get this.

Roux Fanci Full Temporary Color Rinse
This is a light gel-like product that is easily applied to damp hair. Comb it through for an instant brightening effect. It does not damage your hair.

The lilac will give you a paler colour. 

If you find your hair to be turning blue or purple just get back in the shower and rinse and rinse. It will wash out, so don't worry or freak out. Now depending on your hair, you should see results such as these.

Or if you are very lucky, then you end up with this :

Buying a silver shampoo is a good idea. You want to keep using it to make sure you keep the yellow tones or copper colours from creeping back into your hair.

Schwarzkopf Reflex
L óreal Silver Shampoo
Indola Silver Shampoo



You will have to redo your roots every 4-6 weeks.

Or if none of the above works for you- then you can always try a wig, like me :-)

White wig, the altarnative 

Castlefest 2014

Castlefest 2014 in Lisse, the Netherlands. A little preview of my latests adventure into "I Don't Care" land :-)
Full story coming soon...