Magic Tree House #29: Christmas in Camelot In the 29th installment of the beloved Magic Tree House series, titled "Christmas in Camelot," author Mary Pope Osborne takes readers on an enchanting journey through time. The story follows siblings Jack and Annie as they embark on another thrilling adventure to the mythical land of Camelot. The book begins with Jack and Annie receiving an urgent message from the mysterious sorcerer, Merlin. They are summoned to help save Camelot from its impending doom. Eager to assist, the siblings use the magic tree house to travel back in time to the medieval era. As Jack and Annie arrive in Camelot, they are greeted by the magical creatures of the land and the legendary King Arthur himself.
As Jack and Annie arrive in Camelot, they are greeted by the magical creatures of the land and the legendary King Arthur himself. The pair quickly find themselves swept up in the preparations for the Christmas festivities, which are overshadowed by the dark presence of an evil knight named Sir Mordred. With the guidance of Merlin, Jack and Annie must embark on a quest to find four magical objects that will help defeat Sir Mordred and restore peace to Camelot.
Brand Spotlight: Rituel de Fille, Spellbinding Natural Color
“Kamat wimings!” said Allora, tapping Artemis on the shoulder with the Wand of Skunkrillis. Instantly — POOF! — there was a burst of twinkling golden magical ✨ energy, and a pair of raven’s wings sprouted from the black cat’s back.
“Mrow,” said the cat, unfurling his new appendages to stretch them out.
“Good kitty,” said Allora, scritching him under his chin, and the cat-raven purred in delight.
Makeup is a kind of magic. Our eyeshadows and lipsticks and blushes are modern day potions, and our makeup brushes are like magic wands. And when we sit down to put on our face, in a way, there’s a bit of actual mysticism involved, because there is that aspect of transforming oneself. I think the coven of cosmetic lovers at Rituel de Fille probably also see it that way.
I’m wearing the Ash and Ember Eye Soots in Viscera, Night Shade and Serpent de Mer; as well as Frenzy Blush and Bittersweet Lipstick
Rituel de Fille (pronounced “ritoo-el-day-fee”) is a fairly new indie makeup brand. They’ve been around since 2015, but in that time, they’ve done some really cool things.
Their approach to makeup? — minimize ingredients (99% natural and no fillers) and maximize the pigment, so there are plenty of punchy colors and products with short ingredient lists. Their makeup is made without synthetic dyes, fragrances or parabens, and it’s all cruelty-free. They aren’t a vegan line, though, because some of their products do have beeswax and lanolin in them.
They list all of their ingredients on their website, which is cool because a lot of brands, especially bigger brands, aren’t always transparent about that kind of thing.
The brand is available all over the U.S. now, as well as online at ritueldefille.com and credobeauty.com.
I get a witchy, astrological vibe from them, and I think that’s what they’re aiming for. The founders are three sisters (they call themselves “The Ramos Sisters”).
Here’s a picture of them from their website pouring what looks like magic fairy dust…
The Ramos Sisters (P.S. I would like to petition to become the fourth Ramos Sister)
They look like three super cool gals who listen to Stevie Nicks and have probably seen The Craft a hundred times. Perhaps they have a secret room in their house where they keep all of their love potions (because in the story I just made up in my mind, they all live together in a ramshackle Victorian, obviously).
I’ve tested a few pieces from the line, and the Ash and Ember Eye Soots ($38 each) really stand out. They’re pigments held together with a touch of oil, so they have a consistency somewhere between a cream and a powder.
The Ash and Ember Eye Soots, clockwise from the red jar on the left: Viscera, Night Shade and Serpent de Mer
They come in jars with an opening that’s about the width of a fingertip, which is great, because they’re designed to be applied with a fingertip (or a flat eyeshadow brush or angled liner brush). You just press down to pick up some of the product, but because the opening of the jar is narrow, you’re forced to apply downward pressure, as opposed to swiping your finger back and forth.
They say that it’s the best way to get the product out of the packaging and onto your lids.
The Ash and Ember Eye Soot in Viscera…
The shadows, which are easy to blend and VERY pigmented, come in a bunch of different colors, and even the darker colors don’t have any fallout. Just for fun, the other night before I washed my face, I took dark red Viscera and dark purple Night Shade and did this intense smoky eye. I didn’t notice any fallout whatsoever.
The Ash and Ember Eye Soots from the left in Viscera, Night Shade and Serpent de Mer
I wouldn’t call them waterproof, but they’re extremely long-wearing. To take them off, I gotta bust out the big guns — either oil-based makeup removers or eye makeup removers that are made for waterproof.
And the finish is perfection. The astronomically fine pigment particles make them look almost glossy, and now I want every single shade! LOVE.
Inner Glow Cream Blush in Frenzy
I also like the Inner Glow Cream Blushes ($24 each). Like the Eye Soots, they’re versatile. You can use ’em as blushes, eyeshadow and/or lipstick.
The shade I’ve tried, Frenzy, is a dark burgundy, which I’ve mostly worn as a blush, and it’s CRAZY pigmented.
Inner Glow Cream Blush in Frenzy
As for the Lip Sheers ($21 each), they’re…interesting. The thing is, they’re drier than I expected.
Lipsticks in Bittersweet, Rue, Whitethorn and Night Wanderer
I have to work them back and forth across my lips to warm and soften them up because they feel stiff at first and don’t have a lot of slip to them. I do like how evenly they apply once you get them on and that they don’t look super heavy.
They taste and smell faintly of beeswax and lavender, and they don’t dry out my lips (although I wouldn’t go so far as to call them moisturizing).
Lipsticks from the left in Bittersweet, Whitethorn, Rue and Night Wanderer
I can’t wait to see what else they come up with in the future. Whatever it is, I suspect it might be magical…
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Brand Spotlight: Rituel de Fille, Spellbinding Natural Color / Originally published December 15th, 2016
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Their journey takes them through treacherous terrains, dark forests, and hidden caves, testing their courage and resourcefulness. Throughout their adventure, the siblings encounter various characters from Arthurian legends, such as Sir Lancelot and Guinevere. They also learn important life lessons about friendship, bravery, and the true meaning of Christmas. As they unravel the mysteries of Camelot, Jack and Annie discover the importance of believing in oneself and the power of hope. The vivid descriptions and captivating storytelling of "Christmas in Camelot" capture the imagination and transport readers to a world of magic and chivalry. Osborne skillfully weaves historical facts with fantastical elements, creating an engaging and educational reading experience for children. "Christmas in Camelot" not only immerses readers in the enchanting world of Camelot, but it also highlights the spirit of Christmas and the importance of compassion and kindness. The book encourages children to embrace the holiday season's values and appreciate the joy of giving. In conclusion, "Christmas in Camelot" is a delightful addition to the Magic Tree House series. With its engaging storyline, memorable characters, and valuable life lessons, this book is sure to captivate young readers and leave them eagerly awaiting the next adventure in the magical tree house..
Reviews for "Delving into the History of Ancient Egypt in Magic Tree House Book 29"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic Tree House 29". The storyline felt lacking and unoriginal, and I found it difficult to connect with the characters. The writing style was also quite repetitive and dull, making it hard to stay engaged throughout. Overall, I didn't find this installment of the series to be as captivating or enjoyable as some of the previous books.
2. John - 1/5 stars - I absolutely did not like "Magic Tree House 29". The plot was confusing and poorly developed, making it hard to follow along and understand what was happening. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the characters lacked depth and relatability. I was expecting much more from this book, given the success of the series, but it fell far short of my expectations.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "Magic Tree House 29" was a letdown for me. The pacing was too slow, and I found myself losing interest quickly. The magic and excitement that I usually associate with the series was absent in this book. The overall story felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me unsatisfied as a reader. I hope that future books in the series will be more engaging and captivating.
4. Michael - 2/5 stars - I was not impressed with "Magic Tree House 29". The writing style was not engaging, and the characters lacked depth and growth throughout the story. The plot felt predictable and failed to hold my attention. Overall, I did not enjoy this book and would not recommend it to other readers.
5. Jennifer - 1/5 stars - "Magic Tree House 29" was a complete waste of my time. The plot was convoluted and made little sense, and the characters were uninteresting and lacked personality. The story dragged on without any real purpose, and I found myself wanting to put the book down multiple times. I was extremely disappointed with this installment of the series and would not recommend it to anyone.