Saturday, October 25, 2014

Boutique Academia Giveaway (CLOSED)

Happy Saturday everyone! Being a member of the Female Geek Blogger group has given me the opportunity to  meet so many cool girls. This giveaway is brought to you by one of them. Boutique Academia is geek chic jewelry on a higher level. Math and science jewelry has never looked so cool. Upon my first visit to the Boutique Academia site, I got a major case of the I-wants! There are so many pieces dedicated to constellations (which I love), and the Anatomical Heart necklace was an instant favorite.


The Anatomical Heart Necklace comes in two different metals.


Maile, the owner of Boutique Academia, has graciously offered a choice of three necklaces for this giveaway. She let me choose three that I thought would resonate best with my readers, which I think is pretty awesome. One lucky winner will get to choose between the Anatomical Heart Necklace (above), the Molecule necklace, and the Tardis Necklace. I still have yet to watch an episode of Doctor Who, but I know many of you do, and I wanted a Doctor Who neckalce option included for you guys.




The giveaway is open from now until midnight PDT on November 2, 2014. The winner will be notified after that time by email. Once the email has been sent, the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This contest is open internationally. No giveaway or contest only accounts are allowed, if they are used, you will be disqualified. Good luck!

Find Boutique Academia here:




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Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Halloween Costume- Cyd Sherman

I love The Guild! Its so close to what my beginning WoW experience was like, its like Felicia Day was in my guild. I recently rewatched all the seasons, and decided that I wanted to do a casual Codex costume (which would really just be her regular self, Cyd Sherman). The Cheesybeards shirt is no longer available from Jinx *cry*, but I am on a hunt to find one! Luckily for me, this costume is not a stretch by any means. I am always wearing jeans, tee shirts, cardigans and Vans or Converse.

Cyd Sherman

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Poppin' Off Early Edition- Halloween Teevee Shows

Since I posted about the movies I like to watch around Halloween, I thought I'd also write about the teevee shows that themes that fit the Halloween vibe and are perfect for binge watching. Bonus, almost all of these are available for streaming on Netflix right now.

1. Dexter. Making Deb's casual costume the other day has really made me want to rewatch the series. A serial killer that kills bad guys only? And works at a police department? It really doesn't get much better than that. Even though hes a serial killer, you really have to love Dexter (well, until the last season, then you kinda wish he died).

2. Criminal Minds. I've been watching this show lately and I enjoy it. There are some things that bother me, like the team constantly compromises evidence by never wearing gloves, and the way they wear their guns drives me insane. But then I remind myself that its teevee and the rest of the show is actually pretty good. Its also about serial killers, but its focus is a behavioral analysis team from the FBI that catches them. And if you're ever in need of a good quote, this is the show for you. They open and close each episode with a quote from a famous thinker, writer, poet, etc. (There's even a few websites dedicated to documenting each quote, like this one.)

3. Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Not quite like its movie predecessor, but this show had plenty of sass and dry humor that made it great. Not to mention a soundtrack that is oh so appropriate to its time (late 90s, early 2000's). Buffy is a very nostalgic show for me. I had the soundtrack on CD and would listen to it while getting ready for school. And I think Buffy was one of the only shows my sisters and I could agree to watch together back in high school, everything else was such a battle lol. 

4. Sabrina The Teenage Witch. So I think the beginning episodes are the best, but the show in general is a favorite of mine. Salem was always my favorite character, and I loved the house Sabrina and her aunts lived in. While the show did do specific Halloween episodes, all of the episodes are good for a little magic. 

5. The Simpsons Treehouse of Terror. If you planned ahead during FXX's marathon like my sister in law did, your DVR could be storing every Treehouse of Terror. But if you're like me and didn't, find copies of these episodes immediately! The Simpsons usually do good Halloween episodes.

6. The X-Files. Um....this show screams Halloween. Aliens? Mystery? Conspiracy theories? These are things that this holiday thrives on. And not to mention that Mulder and Scully are the best set of partners to ever grace your teevee screen. Watch it. Watch it now. And then watch the movie.

7. Its The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. A must watch, every single year. 
(I say this a lot, not too many people get it)




What are you watching this Halloween season? Are there any shows you think I should have added to my list?

Monday, October 20, 2014

Halloween Costumes- Genie

Today's casual costume is based on Genie from Aladdin. Aladdin is one of my favorite Disney movies, and Genie is my favorite character from it. I've been anxiously awaiting for Disney to release Aladdin from the vault so I can get a copy on DVD, but until then, dressing up as Genie and listening to the soundtrack will have to do.


Genie

Friday, October 17, 2014

Five Fandom Friday- Halloween Costume Edition!


This is the first Five Fandom Friday that I've done, and I'm pretty excited for it! Since I've been posting Casual Costumes almost every day this week, it seemed very appropriate :)

1. Codex and Clara from The Guild. I recently rewatched the show, and I still love it as much as I used to. I think I relate more to Clara, but my husband seems to think I'm more Codex. Either way, costume-wise, I could never pull off Tinkaballa lol. Look for a casual Codex (aka Cyd Sherman) costume some time next week :)

Codex and Clara

Codex and Clara by krystellemt 
Clara - The Guild Wiki / Codex The Guild Wiki

2. Daria. Everyone compared me to her in high school I didn't mind. Daria was my cartoon twin and I thought it was refreshing to see such great use of sarcasm on teevee. 

Daria

3. Hanna Marin from Pretty Little Liars. Hanna's downward spiral this season has really inspired a grungy fashion sense in her and I love it. I love the way that all the PLLs dress, but if I were to dress like Hanna, I could wear her clothes again, if that makes sense. I don't see myself dressing like Aria and getting away with it.


Hanna

4. Ferris Bueller. This is one of the first 80's teen movies I remember being able to watch. When I was little, when there were bad words, my dad would fast forward through them and say that the tape was messed up lol. Ferris was my ideal boy for a very long time. So cool, and no matter what life threw at him, he always managed to come through it okay.

Ferris



5. Debra Morgan from Dexter. She's a little awkward, and cusses a lot. I identify with that. Plus I love her clothes. And, you get to dress like a cop, without having to be a slutty cop (since costume manufacturers seem to think that's all a female can be). Check out the casual costume I made for her here.


Thanks to Megan from The Nerdy Girlie and Kristin from SuperSpaceChick for coming up with 5 Fandom Fridays!

Poppin' Off- Halloween Movie Picks

I'm not big on scary movies. When I was little (like around five), my mom and one of her friends took me and my brother to a drive in to see a double feature- The Fly  and The Fly II. I guess they figured that since it was late we would fall asleep and never see the movies, or just get bored and play on our own. But we didn't fall asleep. I saw them. And it terrified me. I haven't been able to watch scary movies since. So these movie picks might be a little (very) tame for some of you, but here are my recommendations for movies to watch this Halloween season.

1. Hocus Pocus. You knew this was coming, didn't you?  Its forever number one on my list.I just love everything about this movie. There's lore, witches and black cats, the whole picturesque East Coast backdrop. And its especially good if you have children, you can watch it and not worry about anything too scary or inappropriate popping up onscreen.

2. Scream and Scream 5. Now you might be thinking, "Didn't she just say she doesn't like scary movies?" And the answer to that is still yes. But its not scary to me in the same way The Fly is. I think these are the best two of the series, but its always fun trying to figure out who is wearing the mask, don't you think?
"Do you like scary movies?"

3. The Craft. Modern day witches, doing what they do. Fairuza Balk is crazy in this movie, her performance made the movie to me. Think of it as a Gothic Mean Girls. What would The Plastics be like with dark powers? Like these ladies. 
"We are the weirdos, Mister."

4. Casper. I loved this movie when I was younger. Christina Ricci was one of  my favorite actresses at the time. The movie is kinda sad, but its a ghost story you can watch and not need to sleep with the lights on for days after.


5. Twilight Saga. For some reason, when I think of fall, Twilight pops into my head. I think it has to do with the way the movie was marketed (always came out around Thanksgiving), plus the way the films were shot (always dark, with the characters wearing darker neutrals). These movies are good for people who want to do Vampires and Werewolves without the gore. 


6. Buffy the Vampire Slayer. So much sass and humor, this movie is great. Hands down a classic. Buffy is a typical Valley Girl cheerleader who finds out that hey, shes also a vampire slayer. My favorite part is when Pike is dying and it takes forever.

7. Practical Magic. I liked this movie for a lot of reasons, but the witchcraft wasn't a main draw for me like it is in The Craft. I love the East Coast setting, and I really enjoyed the bond that each set of sisters had. I thought it was cool that there was always one dark haired one, one red headed one. One serious one, one crazy one. And Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman were perfect for their roles. 

8. Teen Witch. Another oldie but a goodie, this movie used to come on a lot on Saturday afternoons and I would always watch it. Something about a girl with witchy powers, I've always been drawn to those types of stories. And maybe it was all those musical numbers....Anyway, Louise is a basic nobody until she hits sixteen and finds out shes a witch. Then she makes herself uber popular, then realizes its not so great....typical teen movie stuff. The best part of the movie though, is when Louise's friend Polly rap battles her crush Rhett in the street. Classic 80's randomness!



What are your must watch movies around Halloween time?


PS There's still time to enter my Extra Life giveaway! Check it out here!

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Halloween Costumes- Andie Walsh

I love 80's movies! Being born in the middle of the 80's, I didn't get to appreciate the teen angst genre of its time until many years later. Today's casual costume is inspired by 80's Brat Pack queen Molly Ringwald's character in Pretty in Pink, Andie Walsh. Andie was from the wrong side of the tracks, one of only a handful at her wealthy high school. Her "five and dime" looks were not appreciated by anyone except her loyal BFF Duckie. Andie was an OG DIYer, and I've always admired that.
Andie

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Halloween Costumes- Vanellope

Wreck It Ralph took my house by storm when it first came out, and it still has a pretty firm grip on my daughter! We watch the movie a lot, and Vanellope has become a household name. Today's casual costume is dedicated to her. Its Vanellope a little more grown up, but still cool.
Vanellope

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Halloween Costume- Gwen Stefani

Confession time guys. I have always admired Gwen Stefani's fashion sense. Always. Shes the one celebrity where I have never thought badly about one of her outfit choices. I think its great that she changes her style whenever it suits her, and she doesn't care about what any of us think about it. And whats even better, is that whatever look shes trying to pull off, she does so with great ease. So today's costumes are dedicated to her. Shes gone through so many style phases that I had a hard time choosing just one to base a look off of, so I did two. Let me know what you think of them in the comments below!



Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani

Monday, October 13, 2014

Halloween Costumes- Gemma Teller Morrow

Sons of Anarchy has become a thing in this house and I love it! Its too bad that this season is its last, but lets be real, with the rate of death on that show, there won't be too many familiar characters left much longer. And trying to continue a show without its originals usually turns out disastrously. So today's casual costume is based on Gemma Teller Morrow. Even though shes the resident pot stirrer, shes also one of the most badass characters on the show (and she's got some of the best lines, I can't even).


Gemma Teller Morrow


Gemma wears a lot of jeans, boots, black and leather jackets-  I guess that's standard motorcycle gear. She also wears a good amount of white and brown shirts, and those are often of the distressed and low cut variety. So if black isn't your color, you do have options! And you'll still pull off the look just fine. Don't forget the blonde streaks and slightly teased hair! Bonus if you can get yourself a Jax look-a-like :)

Extra Life and a Giveaway! (GIVEAWAY CLOSED)


Doing Play Live this summer gave me the opportunity to combine two things I really enjoy, playing video games and raising money and awareness for a good cause. And while I still continue to fundraise through Play Live, the atmosphere has changed a bit since the big summer event is over. I was looking for something to get that feeling back, and I found it in Extra Life. Having been a member of the International Geek Girl Pen Pals Club for a while now, I was stoked that they had a team participating in Extra Life. I requested to join immediately, and was welcomed with open arms. 

What is Extra Life? Well, its much like Play Live, except this benefits Children's Miracle Network hospitals. And instead of just playing for a general organization, you can actually choose a hospital to support. I was fortunate enough to have one of our local hospitals be a CMN member, so I will be raising money for them. But every girl on Team IGGLES is raising money for a different hospital, and I think that's pretty amazing. The money raised is given to the specific CMN hospital the donor chooses and it is up to that hospital to decide how its used. It can be anything from research to supplies to paying medical costs of patients. 

This year's Extra Life event is October 25th. Its a 24 hour marathon of every type of gaming imaginable. Tabletop gaming has even been encouraged! I will be streaming Hearthstone every day this week in honor of the event, my Twitch account can be found here

And while I love a good reason to play games, I can't do this on my own. And that's where you come in, my fabulous readers. I have been lucky enough to partner up with Shawna of Scrawny Girl and Gwen of A Geek and Her Oven to offer one lucky reader some pretty awesome prizes. All you have to do is donate $5 to CMN. Easy peasy, right? In addition to these prizes, Shawna has given all readers a discount code to use in her shops, good until November 7th. Just type in EXTRALIFE for 25% off of your orders. Sweet!

Etsy Storenvy Blog


Storenvy Blog




In addition to these prizes, I will be giving away a copy of Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Its gaming themed, and has more pop culture references than you can shake a stick at. Sounds like my kind of book :) Miscellaneous Halloween stickers and stationary will also be coming your way.

All rules regarding this giveaway can be found on the Rafflecopter widget in the Terms and Conditions section, but I'll give you a few basic ones. This giveaway starts today, October 13th and is open internationally!!! Yes! However, to be eligible, you have to donate $5 to Extra Life through my donor page (link in the Rafflecopter widget, also on the sidebar of this blog and right here). This is mandatory. If you lie about donating to open the other options, all of your entries will be disqualified. Giveaway and promo-only accounts are not allowed and all entries associated with them will also be disqualified. Contest ends on October 23, 2014 at Midnight Pacific Daylight Time. The winner will be chosen and notified by email on October 24. Winner then has 48 hours to respond to the email, or a new winner will be chosen. Thank you very much for donating and good luck!!

UPDATE 10/16/14: As announced yesterday on Twitter, if five people donate to Extra Life, a Loot Crate will be added as a prize. I will purchase the Loot Crate, then it will be sent directly to you from Loot Crate. The addition of the Loot Crate will put the prize value of this giveaway at over $60. Donate just $5 for over $60 worth of super awesome prizes. That's a pretty sweet deal. 

UPDATE 10/19/14/; The donating part of the giveaway is no longer mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. The Loot Crate will not be a part of the giveaway prizes unless five (5) people donate to Extra Life. 







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Friday, October 10, 2014

Halloween Costumes- Debra Morgan

Since thinking up Everyday Bella yesterday, the casual costume ideas have been flowing! Today's costume is Detective Debra Morgan, everyone's favorite foul mouthed sister from Dexter. This costume felt a bit like cheating, since Everyday Bella and Deb pretty much have the same wardrobe. Instead of St Jude bracelets and orange Jansport backpacks like Bella though, Deb accessorized with a Glock, a badge and some hand cuffs.

Debra Morgan


I really love how this typically boyish look doesn't look it at all on her. I think it has something to do with the fit, her clothes look very tailored. So if you do dress as Deb, don't just grab Dad's big flannel or brother's Levi's- get items cut for a female.

Would you dress as Deb for Halloween? Did I miss any of her signature pieces? Let me know!

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Halloween Costumes- Bella Swan

When I first thought about cosplaying, I wanted to start off easy. I wanted to do Bella Swan. I knew I had at least half of her wardrobe in my closet, and I would feel comfortable wearing something she would wear. My husband kinda rained on my parade though. Twilight had well passed it's prime when I was considering this, and he thought regular Everyday Bella would be too obscure of a character to cosplay anymore. And I guess that's true, to a point. I imagine that if I had a group of Cullens or werewolves with me, Everyday Bella would make a lot more sense, even to the not-so-Twilight-savvy. But since I don't plan on cosplaying any time soon, especially not in a group big enough to do that, I thought I'd share my Bella costume as an inspiration for a Halloween costume. And bonus, if you end up buying something for this costume, you can easily wear it again as a regular outfit and no one will be the wiser.
Bella Swan

One thing I really appreciate about Bella's wardrobe is her love of flannels and earthy neutrals. Even as a vampire, you could find her in lots of blues, greens, and brown- which are colors I tend to wear often. Shes really easy to do because if you own a pair of jeans, any neutral or flannel top, a brown jacket, and some Chucks or Vans- you've got her pre-vampire look down!

What do you think? Is Bella too obscure now to dress up as, or is Twilight still relevant? Let me know in the comments below!

PS. This was my first time using Polyvore in years, how did I do? I found the site to be more complicated than I remembered. Maybe thats old age talking :)

Friday, October 3, 2014

Poppin' Off- The Maze Runner and Boxtrolls

I managed to make it to the movies a couple of times in the past few weeks, so I thought I'd share my thoughts on them. As always, while I try not to post spoilers, sometimes they do just slip out. So more than likely there's some in here, and if that's not your thing, come back once you've seen the movies :)

The Maze Runner- I bought the book months ago, fully expecting to read it before I saw the movie. But I didn't. Maybe that was a good thing, because at the end of the movie, I saw this boy who was probably around ten years old raging out on his dad about the differences between the book and the movie. He was acting a bit like how I felt about Divergent. So not having the comparisons I guess was a good thing for me, because I really enjoyed the movie. There wasn't any romantic plot to get in the way, and it struck me with a Lord of the Flies meets Lost meets the Hunger Games vibe which I thought was pretty cool. 

The premise, for those of you that haven't seen it or read the book, is that this boy, Thomas, gets thrown into this world and he doesn't know why. For the first day he doesn't even remember his own name. There are only boys in this place, The Glade, and most of them take to him quickly. Thomas gets curious about the big walls around the Glade, and they tell him its a maze and only Runners can go out there, but nobody ever goes out there at night. Things progress, Thomas and one of the Runners end up having to stay the night out there and they don't die, which is a huge deal. From there, everything turns to poo, and this girl shows up in the Glade. She knows Thomas. And together they start to piece certain things together. From there, the movie takes one more leap in craziness, and theres a pretty climactic ending. The ending to the movie was crazy, and I went out and bought book two in the series just to see what's going to happen in the next film. Of course, I still need to read the first one... I would definitely recommend this movie, it was very good.

The Boxtrolls- My husband and I took our kids to see this the other day and I have some mixed feelings about it. Visually, it was stunning. And Simon Pegg and Nick Frost voice characters in it. But I thought parts of it were a little dark for a child's movie, and I also thought it lagged in plot at points. And neither one of my kids came out of the theater talking about it, which is rare. 

The movie is about a boy who is raised by trolls, a town that is trying to kill the trolls, and a bad guy in a Red Hat that's trying to earn a White Hat (the white hat means wealth and high social status, the red were for the bad guys and poor people).by killing said trolls. The town hates the trolls because they think they killed a baby, but that was a story created by the man in the red hat. That baby is the boy that the trolls are raising. Eventually, the boy meets the daughter of the main White Hat, and she tries to help them out. It all ends pretty much how you'd expect it to. I think this movie would have been better off being a rental. 

Have you seen any good movies lately? Or have you seen these? Tell me what you think in the comments below :)