Becoming the White Swan: Hair and Makeup 🦢

Today I'll be covering the second part of the guide to becoming Odette, aka the White Swan from Swan Lake. I will go over both hair and makeup to include hairstyles, makeup looks, and scents I think Odette would favour. This will be a shorter guide because I am nowhere near as passionate about hair and makeup as I am about clothes, but to create a look you also have to style the hair and makeup just right. Back to the lake we go!

The Premise

I believe that Odette would lean towards softer hairstyles and more minimal makeup looks, fitting for her delicate movements. Any sharp angles, bright colours or severe hairstyles would contrast her romantic and soft disposition. I also want to investigate scent notes and accords that would suit Odette well.

Hairstyles

Like I stated before, I think Odette would like soft hairstyles that frame her face and show off her radiant beauty that captures Prince Siegfried. Hairstyles like princess curls (using a wand or heatless curls), loose buns and plaits, or a half-up, half-down style with some simple clips would be what she goes for. I also don't think she would be afraid of some wispy bangs or face framing long layers. You can do these hairstyles with most hair types. If your hair doesn't work with these hairstyles, try a low ponytail with a satin ribbon tied in it, or just let your hair loose in the gentle breeze that sweeps across the lake.

Makeup Routine

There's not really much need for makeup when you're a swan. You're already beautiful by design. But maybe you want to catch Prince Siegfried's eye again, or just enhance your natural beauty. Either way, Odette would go very natural and glowy for her makeup. I really do think a good mascara, blush, icy highlighter and lip balm can go a long way. You could always do a shimmery eye look with some smudged eyeliner if you wanted to become more striking. Good examples include Elle Fanning in The Great or Zendaya at the NY premiere of The Odyssey.

Scents

I think Odette's favourite accords in a perfume would be fresh, powdery, and musky. Something elegant and subtle, with an animalistic touch to represent her swan side. She would like notes such as white musk, lily of the valley, rose, iris, and woods. Some perfumes I found that fit her aesthetic include L'eau d'Issey by Issey Miyake, Infusion d'Iris by Prada, and Lazy Sunday Morning by Maison Margiela. Some more budget-friendly options include White Musk from The Body Shop, or White Tea and Sage from Bath and Body Works.

This concludes my guide on how to become the White Swan. I do want to cover other characters from ballets, as it's not something I've seen before, and I want to be original. I hope one day if you wake up and decide, 'Today I want to be like Odette from Swan Lake', this guide will be the first thing you look for. 

Lucy ♡

The Easiest Cupcake Recipe 🧁

If you're anything like me, you have a really sweet tooth and love to bake. Maybe you love the cupcake emoji as much as I do too. Or baking class was your favourite in Royale High. I miss that game.

Today I'm divulging my secrets to having the fluffiest, yummiest cupcake recipe that can easily be used as a base for any more complex cakes or buns. It's super simple and quick to make; it only takes me about an hour from start to finish! The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, so these are a favourite of my boyfriend. These cupcakes are sure to capture anyone's heart you desire and are worth it at approx. 220 calories each.

Lucy ♡

 

Ingredients

• Cupcake tin
• Cupcake cases
• 200g butter at room temperature
• 200g caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 200g flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Recipe

1. Heat up your oven to 180℃ (that's 356℉ for the Americans)
2. Line your tin with cupcake cases. This recipe makes around 14-16 cupcakes, so a second tray or batch may be necessary.
3. Weigh out your butter and sugar and cream them together until you get a smoother texture.
4. Whisk in the two eggs. Check for pieces of shell.
5. Add the teaspoon of baking powder to the self-raising flour and sift them into the mixture.
6. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for that delicious vanilla taste.
7. Spoon your batter into the cupcake cases. Try not to fill them more than halfway up as you risk the cupcakes overflowing in the oven.
8. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
9. Ensure they are completely cooled before you ice them if you decide to do that. Buttercream pairs best with these, and add sprinkles for extra cuteness.
10. Enjoy your cupcakes!

 

Tips

• If you haven't left any butter out and only have cold butter, cut it into cubes and pop the bowl in the microwaves until the butter has softened.
• If you don't have self-raising flour, you can substitute it for the same amount of all-purpose flour with a teaspoon of baking powder per 100g of flour. If you do this, go easy on the baking powder that the recipe calls for, as your cupcakes could get too fluffy and collapse (I've done this before lol).
• Use a spatula to use up leftover batter so you don't waste anything.

Becoming The White Swan: Wardrobe 🦢

The ballet Swan Lake follows the story of Odette, who is a princess that gets turned into a swan by the evil sorcerer von Rothbart. This curse can only be broken by true love, which she thinks she finds with Prince Siegfried but he cheats on her with Odile, who impersonates her at the ball. In some versions, Siegfried defeats von Rothbart and they live happily ever after. Most versions have a tragic ending where either Odette kills herself or they both die together. Beautiful! To me, the beauty of Odette lies in not just her tragedy but her romantic nature and her fragility. I'll guide you through how to become like Odette: wardrobe first!

The Premise

My vision of Odette's wardrobe is a soft, feminine collection of clothes that feel put together and classy without being OTT. The main colours will be whites, pastel shades, and greys. Any accessories will be minimal or small. Basically, think a paler, dialled-back version of balletcore with a sprinkle of gloom to bring in that tragedy and melancholy that her story holds.

Tops

For Odette, I would go for plainer tops, avoiding any bright colours, patterns, or revealing elements. Include plenty of basic camisoles in different colours and styles into your outfit rotations. Lace details, small bows or flowers, and pointelle material add feminine touches to your outfit. I think that rounder neckline styles such as sweetheart soften your outfit, so opt for those over square or deep necklines. The aforementioned details also apply to long-sleeved tops and off-the-shoulder tops. There's something really pretty about a top that's slightly off one shoulder, and I think this beauty fits well with Odette's. Babydoll tops also work really well to represent the White Swan!

Bottoms

I think Odette would probably also favour plain bottoms. Nothing too revealing or bold. For jeans, I would go with a light-wash or light-grey denim in feminine cuts such as flare, bootcut or (don't hate me) skinny jeans. Her skirts would be flowy, understated, and staples in her wardrobe. I think she would like pleated mini-skirts, satin midi-skirts, and ditsy floral patterns. For a cosy look, go for grey sweatpants, leggings or knit trousers. In colder weather, white or lace-patterned tights would be really cute. 

Dresses

For dresses, I would picture Odette wearing very simple white dresses in different fabrics such as cotton, broderie anglaise, lace, satin, and silk. Frills and bow details, and flowing sleeves to mimic swan wings are also welcome here. For formal events, Odette would choose princessy dresses with full or long skirts. I think low backlines can look incredibly classy if styled right, so if she felt like showing off her back this is where she would do it.

Sweaters and Jackets

Swans are covered in soft white feathers, and Odette's sweaters would be soft material too. Knit sweaters, button or tie cardigans, wrap cardigans, and basic hoodies would add a layer of warmth for those colder nights at the lake. Colours, as always, include white, pastel shades, and light greys. Swan motifs on sweaters are a really cute way to represent her swan self. Jackets and coats would also keep her warm during snowy winters. I would go for a puffer jacket for a casual look, or a structured coat for more dressy events. 

Shoes

I think Odette would wear delicate shoes like ballet flats or Mary Janes for her everyday looks. They represent her softness and are light enough for her to wander and dance. She would very rarely wear sneakers and if she did, they would be light in colour. Knit boots or Uggs also work for a day spent lounging. Her heels would favour stiletto types, with small ankle straps or even ribbons. I feel like they wouldn't be too high either, as stumbling would go against her refined image. 

Accessories

Last but not least, Odette's accessories! Odette is definitely a silver girly, as it matches the moon's reflection shining in the water. Her jewellery would be delicate and fine, featuring tiny chains, pearl earrings, and swan iconography. Other accessories she might wear are pearl hair clips, a small diamond ring, and a scarf (the one Nina wears in Black Swan), as it looks like her swan feathers.

This basically sums up the idea I had in my head for the White Swan's wardrobe. Odette is one of my favourite characters from ballet, so it was lovely to bring this to life. You can find all of these on my Pinterest. Next up: the White Swan's hair and makeup!

Lucy ♡

 

The 2000s Yoga Mom: 5 Tips for Staying Zen 🌸 🌱

With a calm day spent today and a wellness event to attend tomorrow, I'm trying to de-stress and find inner peace. After a tough year of college, I feel like I deserve it. Will I find it? Maybe, maybe not. But anyway, doing yoga always makes me feel like a 2000s yoga mom who has her own studio and drinks green juice. So today I thought I'd share some tips and tricks that I personally use when I want to feel like her: peaceful, relaxed, and happy.

         

1. Take a yoga class, duh!

They wouldn't be yoga moms if they didn't do yoga. Yoga is easily accessible through online videos or in-person classes. For online videos, check out creators like Yoga with Adrienne, Black Yogi Nico Marie, and Move with Nicole. You can also go to in-person classes for a more immersive experience. Gyms or leisure centres usually have instructors that run yoga classes. Mine are free with my gym membership! Depending on your area, you might also find a handful of indie yoga teachers and studios to try out. My favourite poses are balasana (child's pose), virabhadrasana 2 (warrior 2 pose), and vrikshasana (tree pose).

2. Have a spa day

Take one evening off to give yourself the princess treatment you deserve. Take an everything shower, style your hair, do skincare, and watch a movie. The 2000s yoga mom would prefer clean, fresh scents with notes such as green tea, cucumber, white musk, neroli, or green apple. Some perfumes I've found that have similar vibes include Green Tea Cucumber by Elizabeth Arden, Be Delicious by DKNY, Earl Grey and Cucumber by Jo Malone, or the Rituals of Sakura range by Rituals. Bonus points for cucumber slices on your eyes while you do your face mask!

                     

3. Try a phone-free day

In the 2000s, phones were nowhere near as complex as they are now. They were used for calling your besties and playing snake, not doomscrolling. Try putting your phone down for a day and spend it with the people you love or doing things you enjoy. Take this time to let your brain unwind without having distractions 24/7. Maybe try out a new hobby, visit a new café, or get your 10k steps in.

4. Nourish your body
The saying 'you are what you eat' does have some truth to it. In my experience, when you eat better, you feel better mentally. Even if it's just the pride you get from eating healthy, it can be enough to boost your mood. When choosing your meals, try and prioritise whole foods. Aim to eat enough protein and fibre for your activity level. You should be having approximately 0.8g of protein for each kg of body weight. If you struggle with eating healthy, you can try including spinach or kale in a yummy berry smoothie, a scoop of protein powder in some yoghurt, or a handful of nuts for a snack. I try to include a source of protein with every meal I take. Enjoy sweet treats and alcohol in moderation, as life is too short to be perfect all the time!

                          

5. Journal or Meditate

In my mind,  the 2000s yoga mom is utterly in tune with herself and her emotions. The best way I have found to emulate this is by journaling and meditating. I was assigned journaling by my counsellor, and it really helps me to unspool the tangled mess that is my brain and figure out what truly drives me forward and what holds me back. Treat yourself to a new journal and every night, write out your thought, worries, and daily happenings. Meditation is also paramount for my wellbeing. Often meditation is mistaken for a complete absence of thoughts and feelings, when really it's being able to assess them without attachment to them. There are so many different ways to meditate so find one that feels the most natural for you. Guided meditations are also available on Youtube and Spotify if you like having someone's voice to focus on. Try meditating before you go to bed for a peaceful night's rest.

Breathe in... Breathe out! Now you know how to live your life as calmly as a 2000s yoga mom. I very much love her aesthetic and try to apply her values to my everyday life. It's much easier said than done, but I am sure we can all find our stability somewhere. Let me know in the comments or on my TikTok @rosewaterandlace if you enjoyed this post.

Namaste,

Lucy ♡

(all photos from pinterest, bottom art by kanako)

About Me + Goals!

Welcome to my blog! My name is Lucy, and thank you so much for taking the time to read Rosewater and Lace. 

I suppose I should start by telling you about the brains (or lack thereof!) behind the blog. I'm a 19 year old girl who lives in a small town. I'm a vet nursing student. I want to be a vet. I'm a Taurus sun, Gemini moon, and Libra rising. I love ballet, exercising, baking, drinking tea, scrolling on Vinted for clothes I will never buy, watching House MD with my love, and watching girlbloggers on TikTok and Instagram.

Which brings us to what I want to achieve with this blog. I realised that none of my favourite creators actually had a blog and instead made content on TikTok and Instagram, despite the girlblogger label. I desperately yearned for one of these people to make a blog that I could read and enjoy. The only blog I could find was Sugar Coated Diary, which I love but I wanted more of. I thought why not make a blog myself? And so Rosewater and Lace was born at 1am on a Wednesday night.

Expect content such as my routines, outfit ideas, anecdotes, tips and tricks, random musings and rants, and all things girly! Stay tuned for social medias and blog posts. I'm going to try and post at least once a week. 

Lucy ♡