"I Love Princesses"..."I Know"...

I'M TOO OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You may have heard about Disney's limited-time merchandising...I'm going with "experience", here...where you could purchase a figurine of your likeness frozen in Carbonite? It was launched during Star Wars Weekend, and much to Thomas' weeping and gnashing of teeth, we missed it. Well, now the personalized action figure opportunity is back, only slightly different.

Photo Credit (This and All): Disney Parks Blog

Yes, you can now be a Disney Princess! At least, you can be one if you're between 3 and 12 years-old and have a parent or legal guardian's permission. I'M TOO OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The "D-Tech" process takes about ten minutes, and the princess of choice will be personalized to match the child's hair and skin color, as well as bear the child's likeness. In 5-7 weeks, the 7-inch figure will arrive at your door. Pricing runs $99.95 plus $15.95 shipping, with additional 7-inch figures running $74.95, and 3-inch figures priced at $39.95. A silver charm bracelet is included with each purchase.

Admittedly, the finished product can be a little...I don't want to say "creepy", but that's the only word I can come up with. I don't know what it is, but I find them just a bit off-putting. I still want one--don't get me wrong--but I think it's just seeing a child's face on an adult's body that's throwing me. I also don't understand the age restriction. There wasn't a max age for the Carbonite figure. Why one for princesses? I know some 13 and 14 year-olds who would go bonkers for these! Plus, an adult face on an adult body makes more sense. I think Disney is missing out on a very important demographic here. Plus, think of all the Mother/Daughter sales they could be making! The mind boggles.

What do you think? Creepy or Cute? What about the age limit? Leave your comments below!

He's a Chihuahua/Spiderman Mix.



Photo Credit (All): PetSmart



I have a new puppy; a lolling, sweet, angelic, loving and affectionate little furball, who, for some reason, licks the backs of my calves and melts my heart.

Thomas has a new toy.

The two boys wrestle with Zebra and Rex (respectively, a once-stuffed zebra which now resembles an old sock, and a growling plush dinosaur), chase the laser pointer, and fight over who gets to snuggle with me on the couch (I like that game). Thomas calls Ronnie "Little Dude", and they are the bestest buddies ever.

So, of course, pup-pup is spoiled rotten. As he should be.

On our most recent trip to PetSmart (minus Little Dude. We have a budget. Bringing him would kill it), we stumbled upon a new collection of doggie products...from Marvel.

Oh. Dear. God.

There were chew toys, pull toys, stuffed toys, frisbees, bandannas, t-shirts...the works, and all emblazoned with superheroes. Thank Heavens none of the shirts in stock were Ronnie's size, because we'd be broke. I did consider bringing home a Spiderman pull toy, but it seemed too big for his mouth. Actually, I'd say that, in general, the toys seemed to be better suited for larger dogs. The stuffed animals were okay for smaller pets, but most of the other items seemed too large for our little fella to comfortable hold on to.

The prices were also a little steep, but that's to be expected for a limited-time, licensed line. Frisbees start at $3. Tennis balls run $5, with other toys in the $8-$10 range. Bandannas are $8, and a t-shirt will set you back $15. They do run sales, though, and one appears to be going on now. Some items are in-store only.

We ended up settling for a 99-cent store-brand frisbee and a sale sweatshirt (he gets cold...who knew, with all that fur?), but, for a larger dog, this line sure is super-adorable.

When iPads Break, Puppies Cry

I'm what you might call "behind the times". Yes, I have an iPod. The last time I updated it was...um...I want to say Ought-Six. I'm currently carting around the tome that is the seventh Harry Potter novel instead of a cute little Nook or Kindle, and I'm fairly certain my smartphone would trump me on an IQ test. All this is to say (please don't hurt me), I don't have an iPad.

I promise, I'm not going all hipster on you. I don't ever intend to go back to the manual typewriter I learned on, even for some ironic reason, like "I'm above technology, so I'll bang on these old keys while listening to vinyl, next to my television set that I've turned into a planter". No, thank you. I like my laptop, my Droid, and my interwebs. I'm just not good with technology (it hates me), so I've been slow to jump on the whole iPad bandwagon. Maybe if I traveled more...or were better at touch screens...and didn't drop everything I touch...

In any case, a lot of you out there have iPads, and frankly, I'm a little jealous of your technical prowess, and wish to live vicariously through you for a bit, so I compiled a few of my favorite iPad cases for your viewing pleasure and shopping convenience. You're welcome.

I adore this little Super Mario Bros.-inspired case. It's a 1-Up shroom, and completely precious. The HoobyGroovy Etsy shop has other gamer designs, as well, including a red shroom, a goomba, and a ridiculously cute Yoshi. $49.95, Etsy.

Photo Credit: HoobyGroovy

This next one gets props for cleverness. Made in the same factory as the toy, this Etch-A-Sketch case not only protects your device from breakage, but also acts as a very low-tech theft deterrent* by asking, "who would steal an Etch-A-Sketch?" It's spot-on, and when paired with the Etch-A-Sketch app, a fun little trip down memory lane. $39.99, ThinkGeek.

Photo Credit: ThinkGeek

I don't care how old I get, I'm always going to be a sucker for two things: sparkle and Sanrio. I love me some Hello Kitty. This is temporarily out of stock on Amazon, but normally it retails for around $25.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Now, here's one I can afford! It's a DIY case made from a kitchen drawer liner, colorful duct tape, and velcro. It's super-cute, and shouldn't take more than a few minutes to make. Plus, it's completely custom, so it's completely your personality! I seriously may make one for my laptop.

Photo Credit: The FashionStake Blog

Okay, now back to trying to figure out how to get the pictures off my phone and onto my computer. This could take a while...

*Seriously, people. Don't leave your iPad unattended. That's just begging for trouble, cute case or no.

SQUEE!!!

Very rarely do I squee. I might giggle. I might coo. I'll most probably let out an awwwww, but rarely, if ever, do I squee. For this, I made an exception:

OH MY GOD, HOW CUTE IS THAT?!?! I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!! I think it's the tiny curl that grabbed my heart and put it in a choke hold.

I actually saw this little guy on a recent trip to Toys 'R' Us. He's $8.99, and yes, I squeed. It greatly embarrassed Thomas, and I felt silly, but then...well, then I saw his little friend:

SQUEE!!!!!!!!! I HAVE TO HAVE THEM!!!!! I will put them on my guest room bed, and they can protect the room from all sorts of evil. I've had my eye on Thomas' Jack Sparrow action-figure for some time now, and he's bad news. These little guys and the Bruce Campbell figure can guard the Care Bear from danger!

Wow. Um...I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. I just...OH MY GOD, THERE'S ANOTHER!

I really don't know how much more I can...NO WAY!!!!

That's it. No more Toys 'R' Us. My little heart can't handle it.

Moving on. Ahem. Today, folks, you get a two-fer out of the old magic bag o' samples. Lucky you. To start with, I just received a deluxe sample of Make Up For Ever's HD Microfinish Blush in Quickie. Apparently, I am never going to run out of samples. They just keep 'em comin'. Anyway, it looked interesting, so I thought I'd give it a go and see what happened.

First off, it's a cream blush that comes in a pump. This is just a sample, but it's in packaging identical to the full-sized product, and I swear, this Make Up For Ever is going to last me forever. All you need is a miniscule amount to start with, and you can build color intensity from there. It's always easier to add than take away, and this stuff is highly pigmented. If you use too much, you might as well see if the circus is hiring.

Secondly, the color is very similar to NARS Powder Blush in Orgasm, which is what I normally wear (sorry, Mom, I didn't name it). If you've used that, then you know where this is going. For those of you who haven't tried the NARS blush, it's universally flattering, won a bajillion awards, and is probably the most natural-looking color you're going to find. MUFE's Quickie's peachy-pink color is so close it's scary.

Now, would I recommend it? That depends. If you want this particular shade, then no. I would suggest going with the NARS. They have it in powder and cream versions, it's the same price, and there's no pump to deal with. While I should note that I had no issue with the packaging, the pump design seems to be a major bone of contention among users who have reviewed the product. It tends to dispense more product than is needed, so you either end up wasting a lot, or you look like Bozo. Neither option is particularly appealing.

However, if you want to try out different shades, just happen to prefer cream blushes, and have no problem with pump dispensers, then go right ahead. The blush is lightweight, buildable, and long-lasting. I forgot to put on primer this morning (bad, Erin!), and my cheeks are still rosy. It's a good blush, and one that I'll continue to use. I probably won't ever buy it, but it's not getting thrown out. $25, Sephora.com.

Okay, Sample #2: Buxom Lips in Amber. It's Buxom, so it's awesome. Smooth feel, tons of shine, and a color that is, again, a lovely peachy-pink. It makes your lips look polished, but not overly done. I can't recommend this lipgloss enough. $18, Sephora.com.

*Photos by Toys 'R' Us

What Is Your Quest?

You know the opening scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark? Sure you do. Indy's maneuvered through this horrible cavern of deadly obstacles, and is finally face to face with a golden fertility idol. Well, if I had my way, it would have looked like this:

Photo by Mighty Muggs

How cute is that?! This is the Mighty Muggs Indiana Jones Fertility Idol, made exclusively for the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con. Amazingly, I found this one on Amazon for $15.99. I already have his Indiana Jones counterpart, so I may have to pony up and get this one to go with him. In case you're unfamiliar with Mighty Muggs, they're not plush. They're painfully adorable like plush, but easier to dust. I mean, if you were to take it out of the box. Not that I'd ever do anything like that. *innocent whistling*

Indy's search for the Idol, the Ark, the Grail, and the Skull actually got me thinking about (shocker) beauty supplies. Seriously. You laugh, but think about it. How many times have you found that one awesome [insert product here], only to have it discontinued on you (*sob* Salsabella!)? Or maybe you just haven't been able to find exactly what you need (like a mascara that plumps and lengthens, perhaps)? Well, for any of you in the market for a new foundation, I may have found your Grail.

This morning, continuing my mission to try out all my samples, I grabbed Stila's One Step Makeup Foundation. According to Sephora:

A skin-loving makeup that combines the benefits of a primer, foundation, concealer, and powder in one long-wearing formula. This innovative, medium-coverage formula is energized with Stila's exclusive Ionic Mineral Complex™ that reads and reacts to skin zone-by-zone, visibly priming, balancing, correcting, and optimizing for a supremely flawless finish. Achieve a beautifully smooth look with this buildable, blendable, hydrating essential that minimizes pores, regulates oil, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

I still needed to use a separate concealer, but yeah, it really does all that, and it does it well. The foundation is very thick, which, honestly, scared me a little at first. I usually just wear a foundation faker over a very light primer, then dust it with the teensiest bit of powder. I don't like very heavy makeup, and especially not in this heat and humidity. However, as thick as it is, a little dab'll do you. I think I used maybe a quarter of the packet, and there really wasn't very much in the packet to start with. I skipped my primer, eyeshadow primer, and powder. As I said, I still needed a separate concealer, but only under my eyes. Really, I expected to either have to redo my makeup, or, at the very least, be super shiny by lunch. Boy, was I wrong!

First off, the finish is absolutely gorgeous. Normally, I would need to use my E.L.F. HD powder or MAC Mineralize to get this kind of airbrushed look, but with this, I didn't even need a setting powder. Secondly, nothing has moved. I've been wearing this for 7 1/2 hours, and my eyeshadow still looks like I just put it on. My blush is still blushy. Nothing has moved. Let me repeat that one more time, simply because I am amazed: Nothing. Has. Moved. Lastly, as I said, I've been wearing this for 7 1/2 hours, and I am no shinier than I usually am by this time of day. No primers, no setting powder, and no dabbing at my nose with a tissue to get off the excess oil. My makeup still looks as good as it did when it was applied. Best of all, it doesn't look or feel heavy. Amazing.

The bad news: it's $44 for 1oz. at Sephora. The good news: the combined total for my primer, foundation, and powder of choice is $75. That's not including the various eyeshadow primers I cycle through. Basically, I could save $31, free up a lot of real estate in my makeup case, and spend a few less minutes getting ready in the morning by buying this foundation. I like what I have, and I have quite a bit left, but when my supply starts to dwindle, I've got some serious thinking to do.

Hug it Out

Last night, in the absence of a new Burn Notice, Thomas and I pulled up the Netflix streaming and decided to go with the mindless fun of Mystery Science Theatre 3ooo. The film for the evening: Robot vs. the Aztec Mummy!

Worst. Episode. Ever. I am a huge MST3K fan. Had the entire movie memorized in high school, and knew I'd get along with my college academic advisor when I saw he had an MST3K screensaver. I've watched this show forever, and even went to the Plan 9 from Outer Space live event. I'm a Mystie. I admit it.

The movie was so bad, these guys had trouble getting through it. Best line of the night: "They're just covering plot holes with asphalt now." We FINALLY get to the big fight--the TITLE fight--between the robot (a guy in cardboard boxes) and the Aztec mummy (a guy in a bad Halloween costume), and the only thing keeping poor Thomas from throwing a shoe at the television, and...they basically just hug it out, which gets me thinking about a robot and a mummy hugging it out. Which gets me surfing. Which gets me this:

VS.

                               Photos by Etsy and  Entertainment Earth

I want them to hug it out!! I'll hug them!! The robot is from Etsy, and there are only 10 available at $30.00 each. The mummy is from FUNKO (same as the cute Wolfman) and will be $12.99 starting in October 2010.