Autumn Candles, BodyWash and Hand Soaps

I always look forward to Yankee Candle and Bath & BodyWorks seasonal launches.  Fall and Winter are some of my favourite collections and I make sure to stock up early in the season with some of the new fragrances as well as the tried and true scents that come back each year.  Candles, Body Wash, Bubble Bath and Hand Soaps…oh my!

Yankee Candle https://www.yankeecandle.com/

Bath&Bodyworks  https://www.bathandbodyworks.com/

Reconnecting with Magick

I’ve practiced Magick in some form since I was a child. Whether it was stirring mud and grasshoppers (sorry grasshoppers) in a bucket I used as a cauldron as a child or having my girlfriends over in my teens for a night of Full Moon Healing, I have been a Witch for as long as I can remember.  I used to practice all of the Sabbats throughout the year (the equinoxes and solstices) but in recent years have stuck to a few like Mabon (Witches Thanksgiving)  and Yule/Winter Solstice and prepared the feast for friends.  Last weekend my husband was on a fishing trip and there were a few things I’d been discussing with my best friend (who lives on the Canary Islands) that I’d  and she would like to work on.  We set Saturday as a day to reconnect and cast a magick circle and focus energy on making these things come to light.  At 3 pm my time and midnight for her we lit our candles, wrote out our intentions and did a ritual for one hour.  My sister participated too from her home and although we were all in our own homes, it felt like old days, when we’d get together and place our written petitions in the cauldron to burn, the smoke taking our goals and dreams up into the universe.  I didn’t realize how much I missed this and am so glad we came together to cast spells and do a little magick.

Nancy Drew on CW

My oldest sister Sandra was an avid reader of the Nancy Drew collection when we were kids and as someone who’s loved to read all my life, I’d read the ones I could get my hands on and fell in love with the mystery genre, later reading the entire Trixi Belden and Choose Your Own Adventure books.  I’ve been loving the remakes of old shows that have been coming out recently.  The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix is genius so when my sister told me Nancy Drew was starting on October 9th I wrote it in my calendar and will not miss it!

https://www.wnetwork.com/shows/nancy-drew/?cid=ND_GoogleSEM

Fall Additions To My Wardrobe 

I did a major overhaul of my wardrobe and was a little shocked to end up with 12-13 dresses and 3 bags full of clothing to give to charity or sell!  I’m very realistic when it comes to clothes: I never buy or keep anything that doesn’t fit me in hopes that it will some day and if I haven’t worn it for over a year, it has to go. That’s my rule.  After clearing it all out, it gave me an indication of things I actually needed, items I don’t have (like a couple of basic cardigans). These are a few pieces I added to my Autumn wardrobe.

ASOS:  https://www.asos.com/women/

TOPSHOP:  https://www.topshop.com/

MICHAEL KORS https://www.michaelkors.ca/

UGGS CANADA:  https://www.ugg.com/ca/ 

DYNAMITE CLOTHING https://www.dynamiteclothing.com/ca

Colourful sweater from Asos

Striped Jersey Dress – Michael Kors

Star pattern open back dress (styled with Chelsea Boots) – Top Shop

A basic black sweater dress to wear with booties or heels – Asos Designs

Suede Boots  – Michael Kors 

Biker Boots – Uggs

Turtlenecks – Dynamite

Foreo Luna Mini

I got this sonic power cleansing face brush in my FabFitFun box last year.  I’m not really into gadgets and gimmicks so to be honest, I chucked in a drawer and never used it.  Recently I watched a vlogger talking about her skin care regime and how she swore by this device.  The Foreo Luna Mini vibrates at a very high pace and cleanses and exfoliates the skin while you gently massage your face and neck with it (and your favourite face cleanser).  I thought I’d give it a try and pulled it out of hiding. I haven’t stopped using it since.  After my oil based cleanse in the evening (to melt away makeup), I add 2 pumps of Cerave foaming cleanser to my Foreo and massage away the rest of the day.  It’s completely water proof so you can keep it in your shower and the silicone doesn’t allow for bacteria to grow in the brush.  It’s amazing!

FOREO https://www.foreo.com/luna-3

Mabon feast 

I’ve been hosting a Mabon/Witches Thanksgiving/Autumn Equinox dinner for years. I invite a different group of friends each year for an evening of comfort food, tarot readings and games.  I usually stick to traditional Fall comfort food like pumpkin soup, root veggies, pie and warm bread.  This year I did something a little different and made Italiano. Fresh lasagna with homemade lasagna noodles, a charcuterie board with warm olives, sapphire grapes and pate.  My mom joined us this year and we chatted over a glass of Kir Royale as guests arrived, the table dressed with colourful corn and Autumn inspired quotes at each place setting.  It was a wonderful evening.

For ideas on how to assemble your own Charcuterie board, visit my past blog: Date Night: Indoor Picnic Charcuterie  https://thebellwitchmanor.blog/2016/09/11/date-night-indoor-picnic-charcuterie/