DIY

In case you didn’t hear, Britney Spears is back. She’s so back, she’s got a tour under way. But, dig this, she’s not making a stop in Indy. My poor little heart, which was lifted, instantly sank when I heard the closest she was coming was Minneapolis. No Britney for me.

Then I realized: Britney’s tour doesn’t kick off until March 3. There is plenty of time to lure Brit-Brit to, say, the Verizon Wireless Music Center. I just need some metaphysical backup. I need to invoke Britney ….. with a candle.

What you need

- Tall candle in glass holder. I found mine at a Tienda Morales for $1.37.

- Photos of your patron or patroness. Mine is obviously Britney Jean Spears, the most amazing performer ever.

- Glitter, construction paper or other accents.

- Mod Podge and paintbrush.

Instructions

- Remove or cover the original image on the candle.

- Cut your Britney photo to fit the candle.

- Coat the back of it with Mod Podge and place the photo on the candle.

- Add a top layer of Mod Podge to secure the image.

- Add accents, such as glitter, with Mod Podge or glue gun, if needed.

- Light your candle, and send good-tour vibes to your idol.

Magic Three

If I were to be queen of anything, I would be the queen of lipstick. To assume that role, I’ll have to wait for Aussie lipstick designer Poppy to retire from her throne. Poppy’s Lipstick Queen line, started when she was just six months out of high school, waves a scepter over the other lipsticks. My favorite is Medieval. Visit www.lipstickqueen.com for stores or to shop online, or head to Emmett’s the Studio to get it immediately.

Everyone is shaped differently, and that’s a great thing — otherwise, life would be super-boring. But how do you dress in a world made of steel, made of stone? “Curves Rule and Flat is Fabulous,” by Rita Mauceri and Elycia Rubin (Citadel Press, $18.95) gives you subtle hints to flatter your figure. The book highlights the little things you might not think about, like wearing a thicker-strapped spaghetti strap dress if you have big boobs.

What did flappers really wear? How about the true Mod Squad members? Do you want to take a stab at making your own Space Age-style couture? Visit Indy-based www.vintagefashionlibrary.com to view and purchase vintage patterns from the 1850s to 1970s.

Fashion Fix: Books a la Mode

“Vintage Shoes,” by Caroline Cox (Harper Design International, $39.95). Learn about the developmental and design changes shoes have gone through in the past century, as well as the designers behind those major changes.

“Vintage Fashion,” by Emma Baxter Wright (Harper Design International, $39.95). With foreword by THE Zandra Rhodes, this book explores the iconic designers of the 20th century, and what made them so super-special.

“Breaking the Mode,” by Sharon S. Takeda and Kaye D. Spilker (Skira, $60). Whether you saw this amazing exhibit at the Indianapolis Museum of Art this year, get the book that defines the exhibit.

“Audrey Hepburn: A Life in Pictures,” edited by Pierre-Henri Verlhac and Yann-Brice Dherbier (Pavilion, $27.95). Celebrate one of the longest-standing fashion icons of the 20th century. Don’t skip over the foreword by Hubert de Givenchy.

“Yves Saint Laurent: Style,” by Foundation Pierre Berge-Yves Saint Laurent (Abrams, $50). This coffee-table paperback covers the 40 years of legendary style from the recently late, always great Yves Saint Laurent.