Go Ask Alice: Wonderland-Inspired Ideas for Grown-Ups

Set to be one of the biggest films of the year, Tim Burton‘s revision of Alice in Wonderland (opening March 5) is the latest obsession, hotly anticipated by fans and inspiring this season’s trends in fashion, beauty, interior design and even food.

A visually stunning adaptation featuring the dynamic duo of Burton and Johnny Depp, Wonderland’s appeal is more than just eye candy. Full of fantasy and whimsy, it taps into our desires to stay forever young and offers an escape from the demands of a very real, far less-magical adult life. The classic story ends with Alice’s grown-up sister closing her eyes and imagining herself in Wonderland, too, “though she knew she had but to open them again, and all would change to dull reality.”

Keep the fantasy alive (without a full-blown regression) by enjoying some color and grown-up Alice-inspired whimsy.

WEAR
Tap into the wilder, Opium-fueled side of Carroll’s classic. OPI’s Alice in Wonderland Nail Lacquer Collection ($8.50 each, Ulta.com) features four limited edition colors that are both delightful and a bit mad. With colors inspired by Tim Burton’s film, Off With Her Head Red! and Thanks So Muchness are bold and sexy reds while Mad Hatter, a black multi-glitter, and Absolutely Alice, a bright blue glitter, are surprisingly wearable. There’s nothing junior high about these shimmery and glittery shades.

Adding an anti-confirmist touch is jewelry designer Tom Binns with two collections: a high-end signature line ($1200-$5000), and lower priced collaboration with Disney Couture ($55-$250).The Tom Binns for Disney Couture Multi-Chain Alice Keyhole Necklace ($155, CreativeContrast.com) is classic Tom Binns – an elegantly crafted chaos of key hole charms, talking flowers and mushrooms that perfectly captures the madness of Wonderland.

DRINK
Like the Burton adaptation, Revolution Tea gives a 3D twist to a classic. For a thoroughly modern tea party, sip on chilled Revolution3D multi-dimensional beverage ($4.99 for 4, RevolutionTea.com), an antioxidant-rich blend of naturally sweetened premium white tea and fruit juice. Available in Blueberry, Green Apple, Mango and Pomegranate, fifty percent of the proceeds from 3D Pink Grapefruit, their newest flavor, is donated to breast cancer charities.

EAT
Paris’ famed pastisserie, Ladurée is paying tribute to the Mad Hatter’s tea party with an elaborate tea salon at Printemps department store and limited edition delicacies such as an Alice music box filled with their pistachio-flavored Wonderland macarons – elegant almond cookies filled with cream. Order online from Paulette Macarons ($19 for 12, PauletteMacarons.com) to have their vividly hued versions delivered to your doorstep.

CARRY
If Wonderland had a resident fashion designer, it’d probably be Marc Jacobs. Keep your very grown-up items in order with this playful heart-embossed zip wallet by Marc by Marc Jacobs ($35, Marc by Marc Jacobs stores) in a very Alice-inspired blue. While you’re there, stock up on other whimsical MJ goodies like a heart-shaped compact ($5) and rhinestone bubble rings ($1).

FRAGRANCE
Late for a very important date? The Tuberose Absolute Pocket Watch ($35, ModernAlchemyCo.com) may not keep time but filled with an exquisite Tuberose solid perfume with notes of White Truffle and Sheer Musk, you’ll never want to leave without it.

SEE
Get a peek into his creative mind at the Tim Burton MoMA exhibition, an exploration of his full range of work that runs until April 26th. View the works online at www.moma.org and remind yourself of his technicolor brilliance by renting a Burton/Depp classic like Edward Scissorhands.