'Ip, 'Ip, 'Ooray! August Ipsy Unbagging

I can't believe it's already time for the August ipsy unbagging! This Summer has flown by. Before too long, it'll be time for pumpkins and ghosts. Heck, the Hobby Lobby near me already has Christmas decorations out. Maybe next month I should go pick out my Valentines...

Anyhoo, here's what I got in my "Glamour Academy" bag:

You know, I saw spoilers before I received the bag, and I thought I was going to HATE the "cheesy" gold crests. I even had a DIY project all planned out to fix it up. Surprisingly, I kind of love this bag in person. The eggplant and gold look beautiful together, and the whole design gives off a Harry Potter-like vibe. I'm digging it; not going to lie.

Inside the bag I found Pacifica BB Cream, Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Scrub, City Color Cheek Stain in Pink, Noya Lip Balm in Vanilla, and Pixi Lash Booster Mascara in Blackest Black. I received my bag on Friday, right before I left to go out of town for the weekend, and took them all with me. I've used these items for a few days now, so I think I can give you some real, honest-to-God reviews on them. We'll go in order of favorite to least.

Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Scrub: Wowzers! This is one that I might actually buy. It left my skin feeling clean, soft, smooth, and refreshed. Thomas used it too, and really enjoyed it. It's a black scrub that you can really feel working, but doesn't hurt. It also wiped away with no residue, which is always a plus. My skin had been ravaged by a weekend of road-tripping and pop culture convention-ing, so this scrub was really put to the test, and passed with flying colors.

Noya Lip Balm in Vanilla: It's a lip balm. I wish I could say that it was life-changing, but I can't. It smells good (like cupcakes) and moisturizes my lips, but I don't think it's any better than my Fresh Sugar Treatment, Burt's Bees, or Blistex. It is all-natural, though, so that might be a deal maker for some folks.

City Color Cheek Stain in Pink: This is a pretty decent cream blush stick. I don't know about staining, per se, but I didn't notice any fading. The color appears downright scary in the stick, but sheers out to a lovely pink flush. I can't see myself reaching for it all the time, personally (I'm more of a peachy-pink or dusty rose kind of girl), but it would be great for travel.

Pacifica BB Cream: This...kind of sucks. I really hate that, too, because I love Pacifica and was excited to try this product. It provides zero coverage, and doesn't do that great of a job evening out my skin tone. On top of that, it's super shimmery. Yes, the shine does lessen with powder. Yes, it does look more even after concealer. No, I will not be buying this. It's fine in a pinch, but that's about it. The color "adjusts" to your skin tone, supposedly. It looks too dark to me, but ended up blending in well, so maybe it does adjust. I don't know. It would probably work well on legs, if nothing else. Save yourself some money and get the Garnier BB Cream if you're in the market for a good drugstore find with a radiant finish.

Pixie Lash Booster Mascara in Blackest Black: No. Just...no. It did nothing for my lashes. After two coats, they were slightly tinted. Also, the mascara went everywhere during application. The brush is okay, but the formula is terrible. I'm a Buxom fan, and this did nothing to sway me. If you want a more natural look, give Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes a try. It's less in-your-face than the Buxom, but a much better formula than the Pixie.

This was not a great month for ipsy--for me, anyway. I definitely got more than my ten bucks' worth, but I'm really only going to use two, maybe three of the items on a regular basis. That said, this was my first "dud" month out of five, so that's not too shabby. I'm already excited to see what September brings!

P.S. If you're interested in ipsy, here's my referral code. Yes, there are rewards for referring people, but they're not great enough for me to blindly shill for them. I genuinely like the program. :)   http://www.ipsy.com/?refer=u-hckwnapypcnq7c4

Everything But the Kitchen House Elf

Just a quick note to my friends and family: there are only 141 shopping days until Christmas (unless my math is off. Which it probably is).

Photo Credit: Entertainment Weekly

EXPECTO MYHEADTOEXPLODUS!

This is the latest special edition Harry Potter DVD collection. The "Wizard's Collection" releases September 7, 2012, and is available for pre-order on Amazon for a whopping $349.96--and that's a huge discount off of the original $499.99 pricetag!!

According to Amazon, here's what you get:

The magical film franchise is now available in a spectacular limited-edition collectible box set. The most comprehensive Harry Potter movie collection yet features all eight films, exclusive never-before-seen content and must-have memorabilia.

This new limited and numbered 31-disc collection contains all eight Harry Potter movies on Blu-ray, DVD and UltraViolet Digital Copy and more than 37 hours of special features including all previously released materials and more than 10 hours of new to disc bonus content, and 5 hours of never-before-seen material.

In addition to the theatrical release of every film, the collection also includes the extended versions of  Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; and the 3D versions of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows –- Parts 1 and 2.

My take on it? If you are a die-hard fan, yet don't already own all of the movies on Blu-ray, haven't had a chance to see any of the television specials that have aired, documenting the music, monsters, and special effects, and haven't made it to either The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Florida or the WB store online to pick up some memorabilia, then I could maybe justify the price tag. Maybe. It's really, freaking cool, though.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

Hair Of the Dog--Er, Ghost

Author's Note: Before we go any further, please bear in mind that Thomas and I have made two films that were outright ghost stories. Together, we have lived in a haunted apartment, and before we were married, I lived in a haunted house. I have been chased by a shadow, watched objects fly across rooms, and seen the unexplainable. In other words: I am not a wuss.

I am not a wuss. That was the mantra I chanted continuously last night, as I lay awake in bed, thankful for the soft glow of the muted television. I am not a wuss, I firmly stated as I turned on every light in the bedroom so I could make my way to the bathroom. I am not a wuss, I defiantly screamed in my head as I curled up even closer to my sweet, loving, and now sleep deprived Thomas. I AM NOT A WUSS!!!

I am, clearly, a wuss.

I adore a good ghost story, so last night, Thomas and I rented The Woman In Black, starring Harry Potter, himself, Daniel Radcliffe. We'd seen the trailers and read the reviews, and both of us were under the impression that it was atmospheric and creepy, but not overly scary. It's PG-13, for crying out loud. How scary could it be?

I had to remind myself to breathe, that's how scary. Then, I looked over at Thomas, and all I could see was the top of his head and two little eyes peering out from beneath a blanket. Heck, even the puppy was completely invested. He only hopped out of my lap once during the movie, and that was only long enough to grab one of his stuffed animals. After that, he was right back on top of me, snuggling with Dinosaur, eyes wide as saucers as he stared intently at the screen. That, folks, is the very definition of "riveting".

Neither one of us slept last night. The puppy slept like a freaking log, but Thomas and I were both wide-eyed. Today, I have been determined to learn as much as possible about the movie, as well as the many other incarnations of the original story. To me, it seemed like taking another shot to fend off a hangover. Did you know that the original story was not a folktale, as I'd been told, but was actually written in 1983? Or, that there was a television movie made in 1989, starring the actor who played James Potter, in the same role as Daniel Radcliffe? There's even a West End stage play that's been running continuously since 1989! And you know what? They're all creepy as heck!! All I've done is scare myself more! Awesome...*sigh*

Maybe not all of my research is for naught, though? If you're into cosplay and have a spare $102.99, then have I got a kickin' costume for you. Just think of all the people you could freak out during panels!

Photo Credit: Milanoo

While I Was Out: Movie Musicals and My Very Own Weasley

I'm sorry to have run out on you guys like that. Since I disappeared for a couple of days, why not have another installment of....

WHILE I WAS OUT!!!!!

So, to start out, I had an audition on Monday and a shoot on Tuesday, and I am STOKED!! I have no idea if I got the job from Monday, so let's skip past that, shall we? Tuesday I got to hang out with ACE Hardware's Lou Manfredini and learn all about maintaining my home. And learn I did. I'm going home and brushing all the leaves off my air-conditioner, right now. I had a fantastic time, and really appreciate getting to be a part of their project.

Photo Credit: Broadway World

Tuesday night, Thomas and I had tickets to see the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies. It was a recording of a live theatrical production out of Melbourne, Austrailia, and was showing in one of the local movie theatres. Frankly, I'd been hearing rumors about this sequel since I was a kid, and as a "phan" of the original (I wrote a freaking term paper on it in high school, and one of the highlights of my life was getting to sing for a vocal coach who worked with Webber's Really Useful Company, and having him say I sounded like a young Sarah Brightman. I could have died happy right there. I've seen the show twice--touring and Broadway--and have performed pretty much the whole score in pieces over the course of my career, such as it is. You might say I like the show), I was terrified. See, none of those rumors had ever been particularly good. Plus, the reviews of the London production had been...well, let's just say they weren't very nice. Luckily, the Melbourne production was completely overhauled and completely gorgeous. The singers were phenomenal, the sets and costumes visually striking, and the plot and characters much more complex and mature than the original. It was also nice to see the Phantom and Raoul have a real, honest-to-God, gentlemen's argument, sans weaponry. Watching those two let each other have it verbally and on even footing was downright cathartic. This is also one of Webber's finest scores to date, and some of the most emotionally moving music I've had the pleasure of hearing. It's not a perfect show--there are one or two character/plot issues that, if you know the original, might be a little jarring and will definitely spark debate--but it works both as a sequel and a stand-alone. If you leave without tears or chills, there's something wrong with you. The DVD is set to release on May 29th, and is already available for pre-order on Amazon. I highly recommend it.

The biggest news, though, is that we got a puppy!! Okay, so he's a year and a half old, so not really a puppy. He's tiny and sweet, so it counts.

His name is Ronnie, and he's part chihuahua, part angel. Ronnie's already house-broken, understands (and occasionally acknowledges) the word "no", and loves to snuggle and play with his toy zebra. I adore this little guy. In case you're wondering, he came with the name, but since he kind of ginger-y (though you can't tell in the picture, darn it!) we decided he must be part Weasley and kept it. He also has a little white spot on the back of his head, shaped like a lightning bolt. It was meant to be.

So, that's where I've been. How 'bout you? Let me know what you've been up to in the comments.

I Will Be Catching This Snitch In My Dreams

Oh. Wow.

I was totally looking for something else (and if I find it, I'll post it ASAP), but this flashed across the screen and completely captured my attention. Potter fans, how gorgeous is this?

Photo Credit: Avenue B

This beauty is handmade, goldtone, with 18" extendable chain and lobsterclaw closure. I'm in love. $14 plus $4 shipping. The rest of the store is precious, too, so give it a look-see.

Out To Lunch. Back In Five.

Howdy guys,

I've had some unexpected stuff come up (nothing bad!), so posting may be a little sporadic for the next few weeks. I'll post as often as I can, so keep checking back! For now, here's a link to some brand-new, sparkly leaked info on the Universal Studios Florida Wizarding World of Harry Potter updates. I'm beyond excited, and need to start planning my next trip, like, yesterday. Happy reading, and see you soon!

Erin

Gift Guide: Pop Partiers

No matter which holiday you celebrate--Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, or Festivus (for the rest of us!)--you're more than likely going to be invited to someone's home at some point this season. It's pretty much inevitable. If you were raised by my mother, this invitation means you will need to bring a "hostess gift" with you.

Ah, the hostess gift (or host gift, depending)! That lovely little gesture that shows the party-giver you appreciate their hospitality. This isn't supposed to be anything huge, just a bottle of wine or a tin of cookies, or something along those lines. Basically, they're opening their home up to you, so you bring something for the home to say, "Thanks for having me!"

These things stress me out more than you can imagine. I don't want to bring the same thing everyone else is bringing (like the New Year's Eve party where everyone brought a bottle of champagne, and we ended up with a dozen open bottles and no choice but to drink them or toss them out--and it was one bottle to a person! That's a New Year's Day I'd like to forget). I don't want to bring something inappropriate, either, but I also don't always know the home's color scheme or decor theme. Also, I don't want to go too "over the top" size-wise...oh, I hate shopping for hostess gifts. I adore giving them, but I hate, loathe, and absolutely despise selecting them.

So, this year, I've decided to think out of the box. Most of my friends are into pop culture--Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, etc--so I thought I'd see if I could dig up some fan-themed spins on classic gifts, just to spice things up a bit.

First up, the old standard: a bottle of wine...

Photo Credit: House of Kitty Blog

...Hello Kitty wine, that is! How precious are those bottles?! The line consists of four wines: Angel (white Pinot Nero), Devil (red Pinot Nero), Sweet Pink (sparkling white), and Brut Rose (sparkling deep rose). I know nothing about wine, other than I occasionally like to drink it, so I clicked on a couple of reviews to see how this fared. The good news is, it's cute as heck, and reasonable priced ($18.99-$30.99, WineFromtheBoot.com). The bad news is...it's just okay. It doesn't suck, but it's not fantastic. It's really pretty in the glass, and, according to one site, would be great for a bachelorette toast, but it's nothing really special to drink. However, if you're going for a novelty gift for a non-afficianado (such as myself), this is a solid option.

Next: cookie cutters...

Photo Credit: Williams-Sonoma

...are anything but cookie cutter when they're Star Wars cookie cutters! The little darlings are from Williams-Sonoma, and feature a cutting-edge (ha! *sorry*) spring-loaded design for ease in use. Four styles are included: Yoda, Boba Fett, Darth Vader, and Storm Trooper. $19.99, Williams-Sonoma.

*UPDATE! A vehicle collection is also available for only $9.99! Millenium Falcon, TIE-Fighter, X-wing Fighter and Death Star are all included!

Another standard: decorative soaps...

Photo Credit: Digitalsoaps

...takes on a tech saavy vibe when it's shaped like a Portal Companion Cube! Better yet, it smells like Mountain Dew! What more could a gamer want? Oh, yeah, it's also handmade, vegan, and completely adorable. $22.99, Digitalsoaps.

Of course, you could always bring barware...

Photo Credit: ThinkGeek

...like this beautiful stein, inspired by The Hobbit. Choose from two pub designs (pictured pint glasses available, as well), etched into the glass so it will last through all the wear-and-tear you can bring (except breaking. It is glass, after all). $29.99, ThinkGeek.

Lastly, you could always bring something for the home. A throw pillow, perhaps...

Photo Credit: WBShop

...straight from the Hufflepuff common room! (Pottermore tells me that we Hufflepuffs are real big on throw pillows...) This gorgeous pillow is woven--not screenprinted!--with the Hogwarts School crest, and is an official Harry Potter product, direct from the Warner Bros. store. 18" by 18". $29.95, wbshop.

Hopefully, this helped, and the next time you're rockin' around the Chrismakahwanzoltice Pole, you'll be on the hostess' (or host's) nice list.

Pretty Pumpkin Pasties (and More!)

Happy Halloween Month!!! It's finally here!!! As those of you who've been around the blog for awhile know, I'm a Halloween nut, so for the month of October, AN is dedicated to all these ghostly and ghoulish. Don't worry, though! I run a clean blog, so it'll all be family friendly and totally safe for work (unless notated otherwise). To ease us into the holiday spirit, here's a fun, pumpkin pasty recipe from the folks at Mugglenet. These are not sweet treats, but would be appropriate for lunch after a long morning raking leaves or decorating the yard. Seems that Harry Potter and his little Wizarding World friends enjoyed munching on these, so maybe they'll be a hit with the tiny witches and warlocks in your world. Just look how pretty they can turn out!

 

Photo Credit: Mugglenet

 

There's also a really easy recipe for Butterbeer (that I'm proud to say isn't far off the one I came up with last year) that would go nicely with the pasty, and make the whole meal into a truly festive treat.

 

Of course, if you're like me and love pumpkin but have no time (or talent) for cooking, might I suggest Healty Choice Pumpkin Squash Ravioli? I've had it a few times, and I have to say, I'm hooked. Plus, it's only 300 calories and chock full of veggies, so it's actually good for you and your waistline. That's the kind of treat I like: the kind with no tricks involved.

 

Bring the Magic Home (Or Don't)

Photo Credit: Amazon

If you're itching to finally own all of the Harry Potter movies, you can now pre-order a bare bones collection at Amazon for $89.99. That's $50 off MSRP, for the record. It's a Blu-ray collection, with all eight films and their previously released special features. The official release date is November 11th. If this is your first time buying any of the films, it's not a bad deal. IHowever, if you're just dying for new material, you might want to hold off for a bit. Nothing's been announced, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if there's a fancy-schmancy special edition collection on the horizon. (Standard Definition is also available for $64.99.)

And...We're Back

GAH!!!! We just made it in from Orlando last night. Thomas is too sick to go to work, and I'm inundated. We've somehow got to get unpacked, finish laundry, get groceries (not even milk in the house), and find an HD camcorder (don't ask). On top of that, if one more person spoils Harry Potter for me, they will feel the wrath that-shall-not-be-named. In other words, I'm frazzled, running around like a chicken with its head cut off, and really, really, really sore. But it sure was fun...I'll have pics and a decent post for you tomorrow. Signing off.

That Old Black(head) Magic...Or Not...

Photo Credit: Geek Chick Daily

Tonight at Midnight, some of you lucky readers will head off to the Harry Potter premiere. Alas, I will not be among you, but am planning to make it to a theatre next weekend. However, to celebrate the, well, beginning of the end, as it were, I have a link to a pretty cool, easy to enter giveaway!

Geek Chic Daily is giving away one unbelievably detailed, screen-quality Invisibility Cloak replica. The retail value on this bad boy is a whopping $395! All you have to do is click the above link (the one on the word "giveaway") and enter your email address. There are also bonus chances on Facebook and Twitter, with info available when you enter. The only catch is you have to subscribe to GCD, but that's not a bad deal. It's a great little once-a-day email newsletter about nifty, nerdy gizmos. Entry deadline is July 27th. Good luck!

Photo Credit: Sephora

Speaking of making things disappear, I dipped into the old magic bag o' samples the other day, in search of something to expelliarmus my blackheads. Sephora sent me two Boscia Pore Purifying Black Strips to try out, so I used one and gave the other to Thomas. Here's what Sephora has to say about the strips:

Each adhesive strip attracts pore-clogging dirt and oil. Its full-contact delivery system instantly applies charcoal powder, an ingredient that draws out impurities and detoxifies the skin. Silica, a natural mineral, controls excess oil while witch hazel extract, a natural astringent, tightens pores. Effective yet gentle, additional botanical ingredients provide a soothing and cooling sensation upon adhesion. Skin is left exceptionally clarified.

Pros: Some blackheads were extracted; Thomas looked a little like a cartoon puppy while wearing the strip.
Cons: I didn't notice much of a difference in pore size or clarity; I looked like a freaking Ewok.

Basically, it's an expensive, slightly larger Biore strip, and worked about as well. I had better luck cleaning out my pores by washing my face more effectively and using the occasional Queen Helene Mint Julip Masque (that gunk works wonders). It did what it said it would, but not to an extent that would justify the price. Unless you are in dire straits where blackheads are concerned, skip this. $15 for six strips, Sephora.
Final Verdict: 4 out of 10. Meh. Just...meh.

If Wishes Were Hippogriffs...

I saw this today, and thought of you guys. It's an artist's fantasy rendering of what a Criterion Collection release of the Harry Potter movies might look like. Please note that this is not an actual product, nor have the nice people at Criterion mentioned doing anything with the Potter franchise. This is just one artist's dream, and how he would handle the job.

Photo Credit (This and Below): Patrick Sullivan

Isn't that gorgeous! I adore the newspaper style for the back cover. Patrick Sullivan is a senior at prestigious Cooper Union. This collection will be part of his Senior Portfolio (think: thesis for the artistic types), and is still kind of a work in progress. A typo or two need to be fixed, and some minor details have yet to be tweaked, but all in all, it's a staggeringly beautiful project. I know I'd be tickled to have it in my home.

To learn more about Patrick, check out his facebook, or click the above link to see the rest of the collection.

Those Are Phoenix Tears, Okay! *Sniff*



Photo Credit: The Guardian

This afternoon, London's Trafalgar Square was packed to the gills with fans, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the stars of the latest--and last--Harry Potter film. The red carpet premiere was a bittersweet cap to the series, leaving not just the fans, but the cast and crew, with lovely memories and not-so-lovely questions about what to do next.

Obviously, I wasn't there. I live in Alabama, for crying out loud. The premiere streamed on Facebook, but it started at the same time as my voice lesson, and I do have my priorities. Still, I'm a little sad over the end of an era--even one that I only just started to understand and enjoy.

There's a fantastic little chit chat with the producers and stars of the series over at The Guardian, and a neat interview with the Malfoy actors at ABC News. I'm going to go drown my sorrows in a nice Butterbeer, if you don't mind.

Photo Credit: The Associated Press
The Gang, Sans Harry, All Grown Up

What I Wouldn't Give for a Divination Course

Photo Credit: Blogher

Quoth the author, "Pottermore!"

I'm an avid Harry Potter fan. Actually, I think the term "rabid" might be more appropriate. I'm over half-way through book six, have seen all the movies, visited the park, toured Hogwarts, and own a replica of Hermione's wand. I've developed a much better grasp on Quidditch than I have on Football, and Thomas has taken to teasingly asking if I know where all the bathrooms are in the castle (the answer is no. However, I do know the Room of Requirement is on the fourth floor, across from a tapestry. I need help...). So, of course, I'm both freakishly excited to see the next movie, but also a little sad that it'll be the last one. Ever. Excuse me, I think I have something in my eye...

With that knowledge in mind, imagine my excitement to hear that J.K. Rowling is about to launch a website called Pottermore.com! My obsession can live on! Here's the thing, though: no one has any idea what the website will entail. All the site consists of right now are a couple of owls and a placard stating the site is coming soon. If you click on the owls, you're directed to a youtube video that I can't view on either my phone or computer at the moment, which is ennervating, to say the least. The author will make an official announcement regarding the site on June 23rd. Other than that, all we know for certain is that it will not have anything to do with another book.

So what is Pottermore? MTV has some interesting guesses, ranging from a more-than-likely videogame, on to the I-wouldn't-hold-my-breath ideas of an additional theme park or actual wizarding school. Of course, it's all speculation just now. Looks like we have to wait another week for Ms. Rowling to divulge yet another mystery.

Gift Guide: The Geek Chic Couple

Yay! It's my favorite season of the year!! What season is that, you ask? Summer? Baseball? Rabbit (or, perhaps, Duck)? Why, no, silly! It's WEDDING SEASON!!!

And I'm not invited to a single one. Thank God.

I do, however, have a ton and a half that I'm scheduled to sing, starting with one this weekend. That's why Wedding Season is the true "most wonderful time" of the entire year. That's the time of year when Erin has a lot of opportunities to pick up a little extra cash.

That also means that it's time for some of you to start figuring out gifts. Me, I'm a pillow-giver. Pillows are on everyone's registries, yet, no one seems to remember to pick them up. In the event that pillows aren't on the registry, I go in for what will surely be the next most overlooked item, like glasses, casual dining, or kitchenware. I remember the day after Thomas and I got married. We went over to my grandparents to open up the gifts that were left at the wedding, and were absolutely touched by all of the beautiful, sentimental, heirloom quality items we received. I was, literally, in tears over how obviously loved we were. Then we hopped in the car and ran to Target to buy sheets, pillows (see!), and forks so we could sleep and eat that night. Luckily, gift cards were in the pile, too.

So, now that I've convinced all of you to purchase lovely, practical gifts for your friends and family, here are some completely impractical, totally geeky, frivolous wedding gift ideas. Because I'm fickle. Deal with it.

Photo Credit: WB Shop

Okay, so this isn't totally useless. It's a Lord of the Rings inspired jewelry chest. The chest stands thirteen inches tall, and is constructed of hardwood with metal detailing. I love the teeny ring box in the center. Thomas gave me a very sweet gold ring before we got engaged. I don't wear it very often now (clashes with the white gold wedding jewelry), but that little box would the perfect place to properly keep and display it. I'm sure I'm not the only old married lady out there with a similar problem. I also like how the decoration, while ornate, isn't feminine. This is a great unisex piece that both bride and groom could use. The space under the lid would be a wonderful place for cufflinks and loose change. Now, I warn you, this chest doesn't come cheap, but for a close relative, this could be a very appropriate and cherished gift. $174.95, WB Shop.



Photo Credit: WB Shop



Now, this one's just silly, but at the same time, a little romantic. If you know some Harry Potter-heads (like myself), a pretty display case for their favorite wands (mine's Hermione's, thank you) could be a very romantic gift. Even better, the case holds four, so as their family grows, the collection can grow along with it. The little hanging plaques are a nice touch, don't you think? $44.95, WB Shop.

 

Photo Credit: Amazon

If you look to the left, you'll see something that's actually quite useful. When two people really love each other and commit to being together for the rest of their lives, something very magical happens: somehow, they manage to fit all of their stuff into one shared living space. And by 'all', I mean 'some'. And by 'magical', I mean 'with a great deal of anguish, screaming, name-calling, and possibly blood-shed'. By giving the gift of the USB hub, you're not only giving a gift that says, "Congrats!",  you're giving a gift that says, "Hey, I love you guys and want you to not end up divorced or in prison because one of you needs to charge their iPod, and the other needs the printer. Mazel Tov!" $53.14, Amazon.

I also love this idea because it's the very embodiment of the old saying: "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue." If you don't believe me, read this...

From Doctor Who, courtesy TV.com: "When you wake up, you'll have a mom and dad. And you won't even remember me. Well, you'll remember me a little. I'll be a story in your head. That's okay. We're all stories in the end. Just make it a good one, eh? Because it was, you know. It was the best. A daft old man who stole a magic box. Anyway, did I ever tell you that i stole it. Well, I borrowed it, I was always going to take it back. Oh, that box. Amy... you'll dream about that box. It'll never leave you. Big and little at the same time. Brand new and ancient and the bluest blue ever."

...then watch this:

Okay, enough geeking out for one day. A big, brown box from Sephora landed on my doorstep today. Here's hoping it's bigger on the inside, and I have some lovely product reviews in the near future. Toodles!

Hogwarts for Muggles

Just a quick oddity for Monday morning. If you've ever dreamed of attending Hogwarts, and learning the craft of Wizardry surrounded by the grandeur of a centuries old institution. If you long for the comfort and camaraderie found in the houses of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or even (Heaven forbid) Slytherin...then this is probably just going to be disappointing, but it's the best you're going to find.

For a nominal fee (dependent upon age), you can enroll in the Grey School of Wizardry. You'll be sorted into a house or lodge, participate in extracurriculars such as the Defense Against the Dark Arts or Tower of Babel Language Clubs, learn skills including Alchemy and Divination, and maybe even be Head Boy or Head Girl, all from the comfort of your own computer.

That's right. It's all online.

And yes, it's for real.

Photo Credit: Oddity Central
Oberon Zell-Ravenheart

Oberon Zell-Ravenheart is the real-life Dumbledore and founder of the school. He's also known for creating a unicorn out of a goat back in the seventies. This is the second phase of a vision to make Wizardry available to the masses. The first part was the publishing of his Wizarding handbook, the Grimoire. Graduates of the school are considered Journeyman Wizards.

So, there you have it. Hogwarts for muggles. You're welcome. Happy Monday, and don't forget to show your school pride!

Photo Credit: acumuink.com
Yes, that's a uni-goat.

Please Let Bob Cratchit Be an Ood!!

Only 19 more days!!!  ONLY NINETEEN MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  "'Till what?" you may ask.  Christmas?  Presents under the tree?  Eggnog and the traditional wearing of embarrassing sweaters from Aunt Edna?  Well, yes, but the countdown is actually for the annual Doctor Who Christmas Special!!!!  *cue hysterical Muppet-style screaming and running around the room*

This year, for the first time ever, we the people of the United States will actually be able to watch the special on Christmas Day--just like the nice folks across the pond--without having to downlo--er, I mean, um...wait for the DVD release.  Um...yeah, that's the ticket.

There's a lot to be excited for this year.  For starters, the Christmas specials tend to be somewhat epic.  Past outings have included the introduction of the tenth Doctor, an outing on a space-traveling Titanic, and most recently, the Cyber-King and a run-in with a man claiming to be a Time Lord.  This year's episode has the distinction of being the first special with Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor, and should prove to be no less exciting that its predecessors.

The 2010 Christmas special boasts a plot loosely based on Dicken's A Christmas Carol, but is said to truly be a mash-up of traditional Christmas movies.  Newlywed companions Amy and Rory are on their honeymoon and, of course, in mortal danger.  Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) is the Scrooge-like curmudgeon the Doctor has to convince to save them.  There's an opera singer (Katherine Jenkins) involved, somehow, and there's also a shark.  I repeat:  a shark.  Hmmm... 

All I can say is:  I trust you, Stephen Moffatt. 

Actually, Moffatt appears to be in good spirits over the episode.  When asked about writing the script, he told the Express, “I was laughing madly as I typed along to Christmas songs in April. My neighbours loved it so much they all moved away and set up a website demanding my execution. But I’m fairly sure they did it ironically.” 

So, here's to the expectance of Tiny Tim, Sonic Screwdrivers, and Jaws.  Now, could someone please explain to me the bit about the shark?




Photo Credit:  Metro.co.uk

It's the Holiday Season!

So, Whoopty Doo and Dickory Dock!  Welcome back!  It's time for the Holiday Sing-Along!  EVERYBODY!!!

On Thanksgiving Weekend, the cosmos sent to me:
12 a.m online sales
11 mile-long lines
10 missed parking spaces
9 extra feet of garland
8 days of leftovers
7 trips to Walmart
6 lost tracking numbers
FIVE EXTRA POUNDS!!!!
4 Egg Nog lattes
3 freebie totebags
2 broken ornaments
And a pneumonic parakeet!


Alright, alright!  I admit it!  I exaggerated a bit.  There were only two Egg Nog lattes and one broken ornament, but that didn't fit the song!  The rest is pretty much spot-on, though.  I stayed up until slightly after midnight Black Friday to place my Victoria's Secret online order.  The Sephora order went through a little after 2:30 am.  I live directly across the street from the mall, so I could watch the crazies line up at Toys 'R' Us and Best Buy starting around 6:30 pm Thanksgiving.  They came with all manner of tents, chairs, port-a-potties (seriously)...you name it.  I could almost understand lining up that early for Toys 'R' Us, since they opened at 10 pm, but Best Buy wasn't opening for almost twelve hours.  That's insane, especially considering the sales there, and at most places, were pretty weak this year.  At least, they were around here.  Sure, you could get a Wii game for $20, but only one that was regularly priced at $20.  Disappointed.  Did anybody score anything really amazing?  If so, I'd love to hear about it in the comments. 

If nothing else, the tree is up and the house is decorated, although the downstair's lack of wall decor is really noticeable now.  The presents are all bought and wrapped, and I almost feel like I can exhale.  I think I'll feel better next Thursday after my Christmas gig.  I'm the musical entertainment for a charity silent auction.  It should be fun, but it's been...interesting so far.  They don't have a playable piano, so I can't have live accompaniment, which left me looking for karaoke tapes.  It's a workable solution, but not necessarily my preferred option.  Sure, I'd love to sing "O Holy Night", but not necessarily in the style of Avril Lavigne (yes, that exists).  Luckily, Thomas found some more traditional downloads for me on Amazon.  Now, I just have to figure out the best way to play them and practice, practice, practice. 

Lastly, the bird is okay.  Rufus (you may remember the last time he was ill) decided to give us all a scare and stop moving, so we spent Saturday afternoon in the animal E.R.  $200 and a very tiny X-ray later, we learned that he has a touch of pneumonia.  So now, I get to wrangle him, wrap him in a towel, and force-feed liver flavored drops to him twice a day.  Thomas keeps telling him we're going to try waterboarding him next. 

So yeah, throw in a couple of trips to Mom's house and a few loads of laundry and you have my Thanksgiving weekend.  How was it for you guys? 

In other news, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is a darn good movie.  Granted, there are plot holes you could drive a truck through, but I'm fairly sure all will be resolved in the second part.  There are also enough scares and surprises to keep you on the edge of your seat to the very end.  Just try to avoid having a small child with a loud voice and inattentive mother sitting behind you.  I learned all sorts of neat things from the one behind me.  Things like:  what was going to happen in the next scene, the results of his trip to the bathroom, and (my favorite) that the vision in his left eye was better than vision in his right.  *head desk*

Lastly, if you're like me and gained a ton of weight over the weekend (and before, but let's blame the turkey, shall we?), I can actually recommend a fast food salad that doesn't suck and won't exacerbate the problem.  Wendy's BLT Cobb is amazing.  A (generous!) half-portion will run you about $3.99, and comes with spring mix lettuce, tomato, bleu cheese crumbles, egg, applewood smoked bacon, and grilled chicken.  There's also a wonderful avacado ranch dressing on the side, but I enjoyed it without.  230 calories and 13 grams of fat without dressing.  340 calories and 23 grams of fat with.  To give you some perspective on this, a slim-fast drink contains between 170 and 190 calories, and I normally need to add a 100 calorie cheese stick to it to get me by for an hour or two.  This salad has kept me full for almost three hours, and I really only want a light snack.  A half-cup serving of sweet potatoes with all the fixings (no idea how many calories!) only killed my hunger for about 30 minutes.  That's something to think about. 

We've Got Magic To Do! (Just For You!)

I finally watched the first Harry Potter movie last night.  The first half of the final installment is coming out in a few weeks, and since I'd never seen any of the movies (or read any of the books, for that matter), Thomas insisted that we rent all of them. 

I knew that he liked what he'd seen of them, my brother is a regular little Potter-head, and the theme park was about the most adorable thing I'd ever seen, but I really wasn't sure if I could sit through two and a half hours (really) of goofy-looking kids waving around wands. 

I could, and it was wonderful.  I absolutely can not wait to get through the rest of the movies.  It was sweet, and funny, and very intelligent.  Finally, a "kid's" movie that parents (and other adults) can sit through without wanting to slit their wrists!  Trust me, that's a feat, these days.

Before too long, Potter fans in the UK will have a new museum dedicated to the young wizard and his amazing world.  Warner Bros. is looking to make a stake in the British film industry, and is in the planning stages for a Potter-themed attraction across the pond.  No, it won't be a theme park, like the one in Florida, but will feature sets, costumes, makeup effects and creature designs from the films.  All in all, it would mean around 300 new jobs and, should Warner Bros. decide to make a home in Britain, another 100 million pounds added to the economy.  I guess that makes up for building the theme park for the Yanks.

Speaking of magic, here's some to transform your lashes.  I know I've briefly mentioned the Fresh Magic Wands Mini Mascara Duo in the past, but here's a proper review of them:  they kind of rock.

According to Sephora:

Fresh Magic Wands Mini-Mascara Duo delivers the ultimate high-voltage lashes. Supernova creates a super-black base, with a volumizing lift, and Firebird has a feathery effect. The combination is stunning.

This is a kit, featuring two individual mascaras.  The first, Supernova, in a pretty, star-spangled black tube, leaves lashes jet black, long and thick.  The magic comes in with the Firebird, in a teal tube featuring a feather motif.  A few swipes of this, and your long, thick, black lashes stretch out into baby doll lashes.  Curl them beforehand, and you can skip the false lashes for your holiday parties.  Granted, it takes a few seconds longer, and you do have to keep up with two tubes, but believe me, it's worth it.  $10, Sephora.

Tricks and a Treat

Confession time:  I've never seen a Saw movie, and I'm okay with that.  I may have to watch this next one that comes out on the 29th, though.  Thomas and I got hooked on the MTV series, Scream Queens, a reality/competition show where ten actresses vied for the leading role in Saw 3D.  My favorite won, so I might have to Netflix it and skip past some of the gore, just to see how she did.  That was actually a really cool show.  I liked how the girls went to classes where they worked and really learned how to act, and not just be told to make sure they pout their lips and arch their backs as they fall down.  As an actress involved in the horror genre, it was nice to see these movies and these young ladies treated with the care and respect they deserved.  It was also nice to see the most talented actress walk away with the role.  That doesn't always happen.

Anyway, with the movie opening next week, Lionsgate, the makers of Saw 3D, has launched a new Facebook game.  Why not?  It's kind of neat, in that the game allows the player to "trap" his or her own friends, and then complete Jigsaw's challenges to save them.  Even cooler, it uses your friends' actual profile photos to up the urgency.  Pretty clever.  Of course, Facebook lets your friends know if you saved or killed them via status updates, so it could make Book Club a little awkward if you saved Brenda Mae, but let Amy Sue get decapitated.  In other words, choose wisely, my friend.

And speaking of scary, remember how Thomas and I went to Universal Studios a couple of weeks ago?  Well, one ride that Thomas just had to go on was The Mummy.  He loves the first two movies (let's not mention the third one, shall we?), and this was the ride he was most looking forward to of all.

Well, we stashed our stuff in a locker, walked inside, and I started getting nervous.  There were signs everywhere, all stating this was a high-speed roller coaster.  Now, I can handle roller coasters as long as they don't go upside-down.  Thomas can't.  He doesn't like drops, and he really doesn't like dark coasters.  In fact, just the night before, we skipped Space Mountain because Disney made it even darker during the last refurbishment. 

Me:  Um, Thomas...this sign says it's a high-speed roller coaster.
Thomas:  No, it's not. 
Me:  Are you sure?  The sign has a ton of restrictions and says it's a high-speed roller coaster.
Thomas:  It's not.  It's just like Test Track at Epcot.  It just starts and stops a lot, and accelerates for a second. 
Me:  (Thinking he must have ridden it before) Oh, cool.  That's not a big deal.  I can do that.  As long as it doesn't go upside-down, it's fine. 

My husband's an idiot.  He's cute and sweet and brilliant (most of the time), but in this case, he was an idiot.  Not a roller coaster, my foot.  He had not ridden it before, and that thing was the fastest, darkest, scariest roller coaster I've ever been on.  No, it did not go upside-down, but when we got off, I was shaking, and my hair had all blown completely into my face.  I looked like a Jell-o mold of Cousin It.  All the blood had drained from Thomas' face, and he couldn't walk straight, either.  Mostly, though, we just couldn't stop laughing.  That was probably the most fun I've ever had on a roller coaster, and we were both a little bummed that we ran out of time in the park before we could ride it again.

Today, I found this: an article proclaiming the ride to be one of the scariest roller coasters for Halloween.  It's a fun read, and gives a great description of the ride.  I just wish I'd seen it before we left for Florida.

And speaking of Universal (don't you love the segues today?), here's that recipe for Harry Potter Butterbeer I promised.  It's definitely not for the calorie conscious, so please drink responsibly.  It's not an exact replica of the drink you'd buy in the park, but it's as close as I could get without ordering ingredients off the Internet.  The taste and presentation are close, but the texture's a tad thicker, as I explain after the recipe.  Enjoy! 

Butterbeer Recipe

1 tbsp Butterscotch sundae syrup
1/2 tsp Caramel sundae syrup
1-2 drops Green food coloring
1-2 drops Red food coloring
Cold Ginger Ale

Yield:  1 16 oz. drink

Butterbeer Topping Recipe

1/4 cup Cold Whipping Cream
1 tsp Butterscotch sundae syrup
1 tsp Sugar

Yield:  Enough for 2 drinks

Spoon the Butterscotch and Caramel syrups into the glass.  Fill the bottom with the Ginger Ale and food colorings.  Blend.  Finish filling almost to the top of the glass, and spoon off any head that forms (or as much as you possible can).

For the topping, pour the whipping cream into a very cold glass or metal bowl.  Add the sugar and syrup.  Whip with an electric mixer (low setting) until thick, but not stiff.  Spoon on top of the drink and spread, if possible.  Give it a quick stir (just one or two swirls), and it should puff up a bit, believe it or not.

This would work better with coffee flavoring syrups*, but butterscotch coffee flavoring is not easy to track down in stores, and I wanted to make this as accessible as possible.  You can order the other syrups online, though.  Those syrups are less viscous, so it keeps the drink looking clearer and more beer-like. 

Originally, I tried this with twice as much syrup in the drink.  I really liked it, but it was a little thicker and sweeter than I was going for.  Again, it was pretty darn tasty, but more like an ice cream float than the Italian soda it should be.  Feel free to try it with double the amount, though.  It makes the drink really punch-like, so it might be nice in a big batch for a party.  Just make enough topping to put a nice frothy head on the entire punch bowl.
If any of you try this, let me know what you think in the comments.  Or, if you have your own recipe, please feel free to share with the rest of the class. 

*Note:  I did not try it with the coffee flavoring syrups, but I did work as a barista for several years, and have made more than my fair share of Italian sodas, and really, that's what this is.  If you use the coffee flavoring syrups, I would suggest one shot of butterscotch and half a shot of caramel.  You can always add more, but you can't really subtract.