September is here. I can feel the Autumn season striding in, the colder crisp morning air and red apples hanging heavily from trees ready to be picked. You can almost smell the pumpkin spice! Jk, all jokes aside, I’ve e never had me a “pumpkin spice” anything other than a slice of pie. Some are finding themselves back in the classroom, others between the rush of cars dropping kiddos off at school, and some like myself, can be found sitting curled up in between the sheets, snuggled with a book and a hot drink. My personal faves are coffee, hot cocoa, chai latte or apple tea with milk!
This month we’re kicking off with a new title for “My Pretty Book Club.” Where each month or so, we’ll have a new book to learn from and chitchat a little bit about it together. These books will vary in genres, however, I do plan on staying within the self-help, beauty, fashion genres and other trending topics surrounding womanhood/femininity. If you have any recommendations feel free to send them in. The first book we’re covering this month is all about sexy seduction secrets.
The internet is filled to the brim with content surrounding seduction, femme fatale, divine feminine and goddess energy. How do we know who to trust? who really knows what they’re talking about? what really works? This isn’t to tell you what to do or how to do it, but sometimes you gotta stay up to date with the game. Every powerful woman or confident individual knows what makes a man go tik. If you want to know all of the secrets of a seductive aura then keep on reading.
The following series is a deep dive on the book “She Knows… by Queen.Vee.Bee.” In her book she mentions a background in psychology, as well as stating the concepts and techniques covered originate from Slavic and other European beauty traditions. She elaborates on the physical attributes of the female body concerning this topic.
I’m not one to judge as I use ai often, however, this does read like chat gpt. Unfortunately, even some of the formatting typos are obvious when reading through in the print. It’s not the deepest explanations however, the core value of why you bought the book is there and shines through nevertheless. The message is clear, you can use your physical beauty to move forward through life and get what you want, you just have to know the secrets of manipulation.
I enjoyed reading a book that doesn’t demonize conventional beauty and instead empowers you to use it to enrich your life. One that encourages caring about the way people perceive you, through a lens of adoration of the self. One that celebrates beauty inside and out. I would consider this concept very loosely an attempt at “a modern take” on the art of seduction. Almost like a companion guide for dummy’s.
It comes as a paperback, colourful and with detailed example illustrations. It’s separated nicely into topics and sections making it easy to flip through to find what you need. There is no list of resources or extend reading recommendations. A very vague execution but still unique enough that it feels like a fresh read when it comes to this niche.
I do recommend it for anyone interested in self-image, self-concept, relationships, dating or dark psychology. I haven’t read this type of nuggets elsewhere else to be honest. My last thoughts? The book title is very fitting, the material itself could use more development and details, the price point is reasonably affordable as well. Overall message makes it worth it, in my opinion. Have you read this book? Leave your comments below, and let’s start a discussion. 👇🏻
Welcome to “My Pretty Grimoire”, where I’ll dive into topics of the occult and esoterica. My pretty credentials? I’m a certified Reiki Master (practitioner/teacher.) Aside from that, I’m a practitioner of magick, particularly cottage craft, kitchen craft and glamour witchcraft.
If the spiritual, esoteric and occult isn’t your cup of tea, fear not! For there will be plenty of future topics solely focused on style, fashion, culture and kawaii grown girl energy as promised. With that said, let’s begin!
September is month where we tend to get back into our routines. The season changes and even the sky is falling into different patterns. Autumn happens to be my favourite season. Ready for a month of transformation, clarity, and maybe a little chaos? Here’s your September astrology forecast, broken down sign by sign.
🌌 September Sky Highlights
Sept 1: Saturn Retrograde re-enters Pisces
Sept 2: Mercury enters Virgo
Sept 6: Uranus Retrograde in Gemini
Sept 7: Total Lunar Eclipse in Pisces
Sept 19: Venus enters Virgo
Sept 21: Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo
Sept 22: Mars enters Scorpio
🌙 What’s Happening in the Sky?
This month, the stars are aligning bringing in some significant shifts:
Saturn Retrograde in Pisces (Sept 1): Time to reflect on boundaries and responsibilities. It's a cosmic check-in to ensure you're on the right path.
Mercury in Virgo (Sept 2): Expect clear communication and a boost in analytical thinking. Perfect for tackling those to-do lists!
Uranus Retrograde in Gemini (Sept 6): A period of introspection around freedom and change. Embrace the unexpected insights that come your way.
Lunar Eclipse in Pisces (Sept 7): A powerful moment for releasing what's no longer serving you. Let go and make space for new beginnings.
Venus in Virgo (Sept 19): Love gets practical. Focus on service and attention to detail in relationships.
Solar Eclipse in Virgo (Sept 21): A fresh start in health, work, and daily routines. Set intentions for personal growth.
Mars in Scorpio (Sept 22): Passion and intensity rise. Dive deep into your desires and take bold actions.
🔮 How It Affects You
♈ Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 19)
The lunar eclipse on Sept 7 may bring emotional revelations. Use this time to release old patterns and embrace new perspectives.
♉ Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20)
Saturn's retrograde in Pisces supports your growth. Reflect on your spiritual practices and find ways to deepen your connection.
♊ Gemini (May 21 – Jun 20)
Uranus retrograde encourages you to reassess your approach to change. Embrace flexibility and be open to new ideas.
♋ Cancer (Jun 21 – Jul 22)
The lunar eclipse may highlight areas where you need to let go. Trust your intuition and make space for transformation.
♌ Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 22)
Mercury in Virgo enhances your communication skills. Use this time to express yourself clearly and connect with others.
♍ Virgo (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
Venus entering your sign brings harmony to your relationships. Focus on self-care and nurturing connections.
♎ Libra (Sept 23 – Oct 22)
Mars in Scorpio energizes your inner world. Dive into introspection and explore your desires.
♏ Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)
The solar eclipse on Sept 21 offers a fresh start in your social circles. Set intentions for meaningful connections.
♐ Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
Saturn's retrograde supports your career growth. Reflect on your goals and take practical steps toward success.
♑ Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Uranus retrograde invites you to explore new philosophies. Embrace learning and expand your horizons.
♒ Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
The lunar eclipse may bring insights into your shared resources. Trust the process and release what's no longer serving you.
♓ Pisces (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
Venus in Virgo brings balance to your personal life. Focus on self-love and nurturing your well-being.
🌟 Big Themes This Month
Release & Renewal: The lunar eclipse encourages letting go of old patterns to make way for new beginnings.
Practical Magic: With Mercury and Venus in Virgo, it's a time to focus on details and take practical steps toward your goals.
Passion & Action: Mars in Scorpio ignites your inner fire. Take bold actions and pursue your desires with intensity.
✨ Cosmic Tips for September
Set Intentions: Use the solar eclipse on Sept 21 to set clear intentions for your personal growth.
Reflect & Release: The lunar eclipse on Sept 7 is a powerful time to release what's no longer serving you.
Embrace Change: Uranus retrograde invites you to explore new ideas and embrace change with an open mind.
🌙 Final Thoughts
September is a month of transformation and growth. The cosmos is aligning to support your journey. Embrace the changes, trust the process, and remember to look up, the stars have a plan for you. Leave a 🔮 if this resonates with you and would like more witchy topics!
Makeup Through the Stargate is a new signature series where I #stargateshorty explore a variety of makeup looks, sfx, techniques and iconic character styles from the TV show Stargate SG1 and its franchise universe.
One of the canon antagonists of the show are the Goa’uld System Lords. Basking in all things gold, much of the inspiration taken to bring this iconic makeup to life was heavily influenced by Egyptian culture and mythology. We see this especially true for the system Lord Apophis and the Jaffa under his rule. The consistent use and appreciation of gold is significant to the Goa’uld way of being. To be Goa’uld symbolizes luxury, power, divinity, and the Goa’uld’s self-proclaimed status as gods. The gold emblem on a Jaffa’s forehead, such as Teal’c’s, is not merely decorative—it’s a marker of their servitude and rank within the Goa’uld hierarchy along with his glowing skin, slaying smoky eye and winged liner.
When Teal’c transitions from relying on a symbiote to using tretonin, a synthetic drug that replaces the immune system functions provided by the symbiote, we see a subtle change in his makeup and character design. His skin appears less luminous, and the gold of his emblem becomes less striking over time. This visual shift parallels Teal’c’s journey of independence from the Goa’uld and their influence.
In my TikTok series, I experimented with achieving the gold makeup look of Teal’c and the Jaffa, noticing how the rich, metallic tones of gold. In the case of Teal’c we learn makeup can be toned down or altered to reflect character changes. As Teal’c takes tretonin and fully embraces his rebellion, the less prominent gold tones in his design reflect his move from a Goa’uld-controlled pawn to a leader of the free Jaffa. This nuanced shift is a testament to the brilliance of Stargate SG-1’s storytelling, where even something as simple as makeup carries deeper narrative meaning. Let’s see how this experiment went, shall we?
Products Used;
• Mac Studio Fix Foundation
• Mac Strobe Pinklite Cream
• Nyx Colour Correcting Palette
• Morphe 35G Artistry Palette (Gold Eyeshadows)
• Mac Blush Brush
• Sephora Concealer 46 Brush
• Sephora Fan Brush
• Mac 170
Makeup Through the Stargate: Goa’uld Gold Skin Effect
Part 1: Highlighter
Part 2: Concealer
Part 3: Foundation
Part 4: Gold Eyeshadow Swatches
Part 5: Gold Placements
That wraps up this experiment! Using basic products you may already have in you makeup bag, it’s safe to say this iconic gold shimmering skin effect can totally be achieved ✨ I’d be curious to test other highlighting products to further enhance this effect on the skin possibly giving a brighter gold glow. Who knows, maybe we’ll have a makeup evolution of our own. Which character would you want to see me dive into next on my series, “Makeup Through the Stargate” ?
If your comfort happens to lie in the curious story of Coraline Jones, like me, you'll want to stick around for this one!
Do you remember when Coraline came out? Picture a cold winter night 15 years ago, it was 2009. Was anyone else scared and creep out by it? I know I was. It was a movie that many adults didn't think was appropriate for the children viewing audience. But did you know the same goes for the book? Yes. The book. Let's take it back even a bit further to when the book was published 22 years ago. The Coraline book was written by Neil Gaiman. First published on February 24th 2002.
"Coraline is a modern day, dark fantasy, fairy tale where a young girl reluctantly have to move to the country-side with her two neglectful parents. Once there, she finds a door leading to the Other World. Seemingly a copy of the real world but every person has buttons for eyes and all is so much more better there. But not all is as it seems. When Coraline learns of the horrifying truth; she races against time to save not only her own soul but her parents and three previous victims." - Fandom Wiki
Many publishers thought the story was too scary for children, and since Gaiman’s daughter was too young to read it, he asked one of his coworker’s daughters to review it. She gave it her approval, and the book was published. However, years later, Gaiman spoke with his coworker’s daughter and found out she had actually been terrified by the book but lied to her mom because she was so eager to find out what happened next.
When you pair the fact that most of these stories are inspired by his own childhood events, in regards to his daughter, he says "She would make me write down her stories, which were always about little girls being kidnapped by evil women, witches normally, who would disguise themselves as her mother. They were the kind of stories that would have given Edward Gorey nightmares," Gaiman said.
"They were wonderful. I initially thought I should go and find some of these things and read them to her because she'd like it. Then I realized there wasn't anything like that on the shelves. So I started to write one."
Now that we've covered the creepy origin of this story, and basic plot, we can continue onto the fun stuff! The lore of Coraline is full of chilling conspiracy and haunted mystery.
Let's begin by noting some of the differences between the book and the movie adaptation. Coraline the movie was brought to us by Laika Studios. It features the revival of clay stop motion in main stream media. The production of Coraline took a year and a half, with an additional two years spent in preproduction. At a runtime of one hour and forty minutes, it holds the title of the longest stop-motion film ever made and was the first stop-motion feature to be entirely filmed in 3D.
There are many significate differences between the movie and book. For the sake of keeping this entry reasonably length, I'll keep it to the top difference I noticed.
1. The Addition of Wybie
In the Movie: Wyborne "Wybie" Lovat is a new character created for the film. He serves as Coraline’s friend and helps her throughout the story, playing a significant role in the plot, including aiding her in defeating the Other Mother.
In the Book: Wybie does not exist. Coraline navigates the story on her own, relying on her own wit and bravery without a sidekick.
2. Tone and Atmosphere
In the Movie: The tone is dark but visually stylized, with bursts of color and whimsy. There are also moments of lightheartedness, thanks to Wybie and some humorous moments, which make it more accessible to younger audiences.
In the Book: The tone is darker and more unsettling throughout. Neil Gaiman’s original story maintains a creepy and eerie atmosphere that is more psychological and intense.
3. Coraline’s Personality
In the Movie: Coraline is portrayed as more adventurous, outspoken, and headstrong. She comes across as a bit rebellious and irritated with her real-life parents.
In the Book: Coraline is more introspective, quietly brave, and thoughtful. She displays a calm and observant nature, which contrasts with her movie counterpart's more fiery disposition.
4. The Other Father’s Role
In the Movie: The Other Father is more sympathetic and ultimately helps Coraline by revealing information that aids her escape. His character is portrayed as being controlled by the Other Mother but still retains a degree of kindness.
In the Book: The Other Father is less developed, and his role is more sinister. He is purely an extension of the Other Mother’s control and has no autonomy or desire to help Coraline.
5. The Ending
In the Movie: The movie ends with a lighter tone, featuring Coraline hosting a garden party with her neighbors and real parents, signifying the resolution of her strained relationship with them.
In the Book: The ending is more subdued and focuses on Coraline’s internal growth. While her parents do become more attentive, there is no large celebratory moment. The emphasis is on Coraline’s maturity and the lessons she has learned from her experience.
6. Coraline's Motivation
In the Movie: Coraline is initially driven by boredom and a desire for attention, feeling neglected by her parents and seeking excitement in the Other World.
In the Book: Her motivation is more curiosity-based. Coraline is an explorer at heart, and her bravery stems from her desire to figure out the mysteries of her world rather than from dissatisfaction with her life.
Coraline is one of those movies that sticks with you, right? It’s super creepy, and the more you watch it, the more you start to wonder if there’s more going on than what you see. Fans have come up with all kinds of crazy theories about what’s really happening in Coraline’s world. Is she still trapped? Is the Other Mother controlling everything? There’s so many hidden details, it’s like the story never really ends. If you’ve ever finished the movie and felt like something wasn’t quite right, you’ll love digging into these wild fan conspiracies!
1. The Beldam Controls Everything
Some fans think the Beldam (the Other Mother) isn’t just in charge of the Other World, but the real world too. They believe everything weird that happens to Coraline, like her parents ignoring her or her creepy neighbors, is all part of the Beldam's plan to get her to cross over. It’s like the Beldam's been pulling the strings long before Coraline even finds the little door.
Why fans think this: The doll that spies on Coraline and other strange stuff makes it seem like the Beldam’s got way more power than just in her creepy world.
2. Coraline Never Escaped
A super creepy theory is that Coraline never actually made it out of the Other World.
Some people believe that even after Coraline thinks she’s free, she’s still trapped, and the “real world” she goes back to is just another trick by the Beldam.
Why fans think this: At the end, Coraline’s parents suddenly start acting nicer, and everything seems a little too perfect, like the garden. It makes you wonder if she’s still stuck.
3. Wybie Isn’t Real
Some fans think Wybie doesn’t actually exist in the real world and is just something Coraline made up, or worse, that he’s part of the Beldam’s plan. In the book, he’s not a character at all, so maybe he was added to the movie to help Coraline when she needed it most.
Why fans think this: Wybie seems a little too helpful, and since he’s not in the book, it feels like he could be made up or another way the Beldam controls things.
4. The Other Mother Feeds on Souls
A lot of fans believe the Beldam is some kind of ancient witch who traps kids and slowly eats their souls. Her whole world is just one big trap to lure kids in and keep them forever.
Why fans think this: The ghost children say they lost their souls to her, and it’s clear she uses her powers and illusions to keep her victims stuck in her world.
5. The Cat is Working for the Beldam
While the cat seems to help Coraline, some people believe the cat might actually be on the Beldam’s side or at least has its own secret motives. The cat knows a lot about the Other World, and that raises some eyebrows.
Why fans think this: The cat can go between the two worlds easily, knows tons of stuff about the Beldam, and seems to show up at the right time, making fans wonder whose side it's really on.
6. The Door is a Gateway to Purgatory
Some fans think the small door in Coraline’s house is like a portal to purgatory, where souls get stuck. The Other World could be a test for Coraline, with the Beldam being some kind of demon trying to trap her forever.
Why fans think this: The ghost children being trapped after losing their souls gives off major purgatory vibes. The Beldam’s world is a test of Coraline’s strength and morality.
7.The Ghost Children and the Seven Deadly Sins
There’s a theory that the three ghost children in the Other World represent the seven deadly sins. Each kid could symbolize one or more sins, and that’s why they ended up trapped in the Other World.
Why fans think this: The kids’ personalities seem to match up with some of the sins like greed or sloth, and their punishment could be karmic for giving in to those sins when they were alive.
These fan theories make Coraline even more mysterious, and while they haven’t been confirmed by the creators, they definitely make the story even more interesting! Coraline is definitely one of my favorite characters to cosplay and bring to life. I hope that shows! Here are a few more pieces of content I've done relating to Coraline. If you want more on this story, character or cosplay let me know!
I'm not just a part of any fandom. Whenever a fandom resonates with me, I really become passionate about it. Making it my personality is an understatement.
The Harry Potter series has a special place in my heart possibly for the same reasons as it does for many other individuals. At the time, I was an avid read as a teen, going through books like candy. They were there for me during a difficult moments of my life. I own the books, illustrated books, wardrobe and even designed and crafted my own wand with the help of my boo. Unfortunately, I can't support a fandom whose author is such a piece of garbage. This left a gaping hole though in my entertainment interests. So I began to explore...
Fast forward to 2014, it was Winter in Calgary and I had just started living with him. Those Winter nights were so cold. Now keep in mind I'm like a little chaujaja up here in Canada. One night after we'd come home there was absolutely nothing to watch on tv. Seeing that it was only getting later and later he suggested why not we watch an anime. Now, when it comes to anime, I've watched many and so has he. However, one anime of which I had never developed interest for was Naruto. Granted, during this era I was knee deep into Kdramas & Kpop most.
As each episode ended and a new one began, I fell victim to Narutos' story, becoming more and more invested in his journey. It became a thing with my partner, where each night he'd bring cactus cuts from Boston Pizza, a strawberry fanta from Micky Ds and we'd go through 1-5 episode depending on how long we stayed up for. Even with having to go to work in the morning. It took us about 2 years to finish it both Shonen Jump and Shippuden. I have never cried so much or felt so many emotions watching a cartoon before. It definitely is my #1 fandom.
This is the "universe" I've most cosplayed from. I've done, generic Hidden Leaf Ninja, Tobi Akatsuki/Obito, Itatchi, and Kurenai Sensei. My partner has also duod these cosplays with me, pairing with Asuma Sensei and other Leaf Ninja. I don't want to stop there, I'd love to cosplay gender cos Neji, Rock Lee, Gara, the 1st, the 2nd Hokage and more of the Akatsuki including the Nine Tails. In time. Although my partner claims its only because of him that I know great fandoms, he's cute. It is true, that through him, I have come to know amazing fandoms... It is I who brings them all alive through my creativity and passion.
Although I enjoy other fandoms such as TLOTR, this one never really stuck. I've read the books and watch the movies but never have cosplayed anything. The emotional investment isn't there for me. Which brings me to my current fandom, Stargate Command. Its interesting how I came about this series. My partners sibling had a wife that watched this series. She had the cool box and everything, which the crazy threw away!! Anyway, when they would put it on and talk about it, it didn't sound interesting. Nevertheless, I proceeded to give it a chance, went and bought second hand sets, and watch the first three seasons. At the time, it was just an old show to me. Once I finished what I had purchased, I left it at that and never went back to it again. It was boring af.
That is until May of this year 2024. As you know, we have been in the process of moving and one of the expenses we cut was our internet service. This meant that all of our subscriptions went with it also. With no Netflix, Disney+ or Prime, etc., I turned to my box of old movies for entertainment. While going through my DVDs I came across those Stargate seasons again from 8 years before. Let me tell you, once I finished season 1, I had to watch season 2, and then I HAD to watch season 3.
However, if you remember from earlier, I only possessed the first three seasons. This meant that I could only watch the first three until I got my hands on the rest. The thing is, I like to come across things genuinely. I wait until the Universe makes things cross my path. Low and behold within 3 months I came across the rest of the 7 seasons of SG-1. They came home with me that day. Little do you know though, that I re-watched the first 3 seasons everyday for those 3 months. Now having finished the series more than once and watched the movies, devoured gateworld articles, I can quote you episodes, reference Easter eggs and talk extensively about the actors and plot points.
Once the remaining seasons were in my possession the binging continued hard. To the point where yet again, my passion is taking over and have become obsessed. So far, I've aquired 1 original 1994 movie action figure "Coronel Kowalski" and am on the hunt for more, lego, everything Stargate. The desire to cosplay SG-1 and its characters rivals baby fever! SG-1 has me in a chokehold. There's even books. I could talk endlessly about SG-1 and the Stargate Command. Forever wishing to meet them at a convention someday. Currently, I'm taking a break in order to begin watching Stargate Atlantis with a fresh pair of eyes. No one wants to burnout or get fatigued here.
That wraps it up pretty nicely for now. I post about Stargate on my stories and tiktoks in case you're interested head on over @avioletroom.
