disney

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The Disney Tag

One of my new years resolutions was to make at least 3 videos by the end of the year.  And it’s now November and I’ve only done one, so it’s high time I dusted off my camera and made another.  I thought it might be fun to do The Disney Tag, as I’m a massive Disney nerd and I adore chatting about all things Disney.

It was kinda hard to answer some of these questions, especially as they were very princess-centric and my favourite Disney movies aren’t the princessy ones.  But I muddled through and did the best I could.

 

If you’ve done The Disney Tag I’d love to see it.  Feel encouraged to leave a link in the comments.  Also, if you have ideas for another video, please let me know!  I need to come up with one more before I close the door on 2016.

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Disney Villains Makeup tutorial: Oogie Boogie from The Nightmare Before Christmas.

I’ve all but retired my Disney Villains Makeup tutorial series.  Although it was a lot of fun to begin with, in the last few months I just haven’t felt inspired to keep it going.  I was really struggling to think up ideas and I just felt it was better to leave it be than to try to force myself to film more videos that I wasn’t happy with.

That is until last week.  I got a comment on one of my videos requesting a tutorial inspired by Oogie Boogie, the Bogeyman from The Nightmare Before Christmas. And all of a sudden my mojo was back!  I leaped at the chance to create a seasonal look inspired by one of my all-time favourite movies.

For this look, I wanted something ghostly and gothic.  I chose a few shades of green and blended them together to create a striking eye.  I used a khaki colour that was reminiscent of Oogie’s sack-cloth body, but added a pop of day-glo green that reminded me of the glow-in-the-dark colours in his lair.  I’ve been dying to use a black lipstick for one of these looks, and it was the perfect way to pay homage to Oogie Boogie’s gaping maw.

I’ve actually worn this makeup a few times now.  I like the punk feel this look has.  If you feel that it’s a bit over the top, you can always wear a slick of clear gloss on your lips and just play with the green eyeshadow.

 

If you’d like to request a makeup tutorial, please feel free to get in touch with me.  Have fun playing with this look and let me know if you try it out for yourself.

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5 Fandom Friday: Presents I want Santa to bring me.

This week marks my debut into the 5 Fandom Friday tag.  I’ll be joining The Nerdy Girlie and a host of other geeky bloggers each Friday as we post our geeky top 5 lists.

 

 

This week’s list is Presents I want Santa to bring me.

 

Now, I’ve already done a Christmas wish list on the blog.  That list was made up of real-life items that I would love to unwrap on Christmas morning.  But as Santa is a magical being, I started thinking about the fantastical, far-out items I would ask for if I could make my ultimate Christmas list.  If I were to ask Santa for just 5 awesome gifts, knowing that he had the magical powers to make my Christmas dreams come true, these are the things I would ask for.

 

1. A time-turner

Oh, how handy it would be to be able to turn back time.  Not in a dramatic way of course, just to be able to jump back a few hours to get more out of each day.  I would love a Hogwarts time-turner so that I could attend multiple events at once, or clean my house, go to work, manage my blog and still have time to spend the whole afternoon reading.

 

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2. A trip in the TARDIS

 

Nothing would excite me more than having The Doctor park his TARDIS on my doorstep and offer to whisk me off to anywhere in time or space that I could ask for.  If I got to choose where we would travel to, I’d like to visit Tudor England or London in the Swingin’ 60’s.  Imagine the clothes I could bring back!

 

3. A pet Ewok

The Ewoks are cute, cuddly and clever.  I think I would love to have one as a pet.  It could build a tree-house in my backyard and we could hang out together.  It might freak out my cats though.

 

 

4. The Beast’s library

When I was a little girl, I wished to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast.  Not because I wanted to be kidnapped by an enchanted prince, or have talking silverware. It was because of THAT library.  I would be ecstatic to have access to that amazing room, filled with books and squashy armchairs and a fire to read by.  I could amuse myself for years in a library like that.

 

5. Leslie Knope’s phone number

I’m fairly confident that Leslie and I would get along really well.  We are both ambitious feminists with a penchant for breakfast foods and a love of Harry Potter.  If I had her digits, I could ring her up and arrange for us to have a crafternoon, complete with waffles and a Lady Gaga sing-along.

 

Now it’s over to you!  What presents would you like Santa to bring to you?

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Oz Comic Con 2014

It’s been more than a year since my last convention.  I hope you can forgive me…

On Sunday I got all kitted up in my Velma Dinkley cosplay (last seen at Supanova in 2011)  and headed on down to the Royal Exhibition Centre in Melbourne for some geeky fun.

Firstly, can I just say that the Royal Exhibition Centre was an awesome venue for Comic Con.  The last Comic Con I attended was in 2012 at the Convention centre and it was horrible.  There were just too many people crammed into too small a space and it was dismal.  The Royal Exhibition centre is much bigger and much more suited to a convention of this size.

I went with Luke, the gentleman that I’ve been spending pretty much all my free time with lately.  He put together a truly stunning Harley Quinn cosplay, complete with massive mallet (in case you’re wondering, it’s made of yoga mats and duct tape!)

We had a brilliant time wandering about.  As you will already know if you’re a regular reader, my favourite part of any con is the cosplayers.  So naturally I have a bajillion cosplay pictures to share with you.  Here we go!

We made it our mission to find as many Batman characters as possible so that Luke could pose with them.  There were so many awesome Batman-themed cosplayers, and the first one we found was this awesome retro Catwoman.

I couldn’t resist striking a pose in front of the TARDIS.

I was so impressed by this gorgeous Pixie cosplay.  Her wingspan was massive and she was just the cutest!

How creepy and awe-inspiring is this fantastic Pyramid Head cosplay?  I don’t know how she managed to hold that head upright for the entire day, but she looked fantastic.

Spongebob!  Sometimes the simplest costumes are the most effective.

I couldn’t help but swoon a little over this Prince Oberyn impersonator.  Who wouldn’t want their very own Dornish Prince to go to battle for them?

I’ve seen a lot of Iron Man costumes in my time, but this one was by far the most epic.  His hands, chest and eyes all lit up!

Mystique is my favourite X-Men character (Duh!  She’s able to shape-shift into any form she wants!)  And this Mystique was so gorgeous.  She was so tall too, and even towered over Luke!

Wolverine!  This guy had serious attitude, and I adored his special effects makeup.

True to form, Silent Bob didn’t speak a word the entire time we were posing for pictures.  I should have asked him if he needed a chuckle-head sidekick…

Huzzah for giant minions!

Moments after this picture was taken, Shredder was swept away by a cosplay conga-line.  True story!

I found another Velma!

This group was easily the best thing I saw all day.  Not only were their costumes fantastically detailed but they were super-sweet.  Just look at that Olaf costume!  Later in the day I saw this group chatting to a couple of little girls who looked like their dreams had just come true.

I knew there’d be a lot of Freddy Krueger cosplayers because Robert Eglund was one of the special guests at Comic Con this year.  But this one was the creepiest.  Check out her teeth!

These two were Officially The Cutest Thing I Saw at Comic Con.  I love Disney Princess costumes, but gender-bend Disney Princes?  Even better!

I’m trying to save my money so I didn’t do quite as much shopping at Comic Con this time around. Luke did buy me this adorable Olaf doll.  He likes warm hugs! (And there’s no danger of accidentally melting him!)

I couldn’t resist this incredible Dr Who print from Stewart McKenny.  Stewart has a whole series of amazing pin-up prints, but I was so drawn to the lifelike detail in this tribute to the 10th Doctor.

Stew has captured Number 10’s impish personality so perfectly!

I had a wonderful time at Comic Con.  I’m feeling really keen to visit more cons this year and to try out some cosplay ideas that I’ve had kicking around for a while.  I’m so excited to get back into the con scene, because it’s something I really love.

Did you make it to Comic Con this year?  How did you find it?

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Things I Love Thursday 27/2/2014

And so, another month is nearly over.  I can scarcely believe how quickly 2014 is whipping by.  It’s time for another Things I Love Thursday post.

This week I love:

– Cooler weather.  The temperature has dropped quite a bit over the last week.  It’s certainly not cold yet, but there is a chilly nip to the morning air and I’ve needed to pop an extra blanket on my bed at night.  It’s a nice reprieve from the mega-hot weather, but I’m not ready to dust off my winter woollies just yet.

– Walking over the bridge and drinking in the sunshine and the peaceful atmosphere in that part of town.

– Almond and orange cake.  Divine.

– Watching travel documentaries and feeling the bite of the travel bug.

– Putting all my brooches on display.  Last weekend I used some leftover yarn to make this little panel to hang my brooches from.  I have a great collection of brooches but  I don’t seem to wear them very often.  I’m hoping that if I have them hanging where I can see them I’ll be more inspired to work them into my outfits.

– Making curried sausages.

– Laughing out aloud at my cats doing their nightly ninja routines.

– Making Money by Terry Pratchett.  It’s the funniest book that I’ve read in a long time.

– Finally getting my hands on a copy of the film The Witches.  It was one of my favourite Roald Dahl books when I was a kid, and I’ve always wanted to see the film.  But it is ridiculously hard to get in Australia.  But this week I managed to find it and I’m so excited to check it out.  Not only is it based on an awesome book, it stars Anjelica Huston and has creature effects done by Jim Henson’s workshop.  I bet I’ll love it.

– Breaking my friend Tom’s brain by sharing some disturbing ponderings about Beauty and the Beast.  For example:

* Are ALL of the household objects enchanted?  Was the toilet once some poor household servant that now has to (literally) put up with all of the Beasts’ crap?

*Cogsworth mentions that the curse has been in place for 10 years, but Chip the teacup is clearly a little boy.  How did he come into being?  Did Mrs Potts procreate somehow?

* Why does the Beast have a wardrobe filled with women’s clothes that are exactly Belle’s size?

* If the curse has been in place for 10 years, and it will become permanent when the Beast is 21, that means he was about 11 when he was cursed by the witch.  Where are his parents?  Surely he doesn’t live alone in that huge house (save for all his servants).  And if he does, wouldn’t it be entirely reasonable for an 11-year-old boy to refuse to let a strange woman into his house in the absence of his parents?

These are the kinds of things that I think about when I watch films.  I am a chronic over-thinker.

-Gorgeous emails and messages from friends when I’m feeling down.

– Drinking pear cider in bed.  Because I can.

– The art of Sam Staughton.  There’s an exhibit of his art at our local gallery and I went to check it out last Saturday.  I was blown away.  Many of his paintings are of city scenes, and feature things like abandoned side-streets, couriers and car-park employees taking a smoke break.  They tend to highlight everyday scenes that we all encounter, but don’t give much thought to.  I found his paintings mesmerizing, and spent ages marveling over hidden details and nuances in the pictures.

What do you love this week?  Don’t be shy, feel free to share.

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Things I love Thursday 6/2/2013

Happy Thursday lads and lasses!  It’s time for another run-down of all the things that have brought a grin to my face this week.

This Thursday I love:

– Finally meeting Natalie of XL as Life.  Nat and I have been friends online for about four years, but we’ve never met in person.  Last Thursday we finally caught up in Melbourne for a day of shopping, chatting and pancakes.  It was so awesome.  Natalie is just so wonderful, both online and in person.  I was worried that it would be awkward meeting her for the first time, but it really wasn’t.  I had an absolute ball with her.

– Going to the movie on my own.  Last Tuesday I took myself to the movies on my own for the first time ever.  I saw The Best Offer with Geoffrey Rush and Jim Sturgess and it was awesome.  If you’re into psychological thrillers, I would definitely recommend this one.  I was a bit nervous to be going to a night-time movie on my own, but it was fine.  There was only one other couple in the cinema and it was oddly cozy.

– Walking home by myself at night after the movies.  Again, I thought it would be scary, but it was truly beautiful.  It was late, the moon was out and I didn’t see another soul the whole way home.  It was as though I had the town to myself.

– Taking fifteen bags of discarded (but still good) clothes, books, linen and kitchenware to the op shop.  Ahhh.

– Convincing my mother to go second-hand shopping with me.  She’s never been too keen on op-shops, but she decided to take a chance and come along.  She really got into the spirit of treasure-hunting, taking her time and sifting through everything. She came home with three bags of goodies, and was super pleased with herself for spending less than $20.  Hopefully she’ll want to come again.

-Buying new journals.  I’ve only got a handful of pages left in my current journal, so I decided that it was time to get a new one.  I picked up these three gorgeous journals from Trinkarts on Etsy.

They’re made from recycled paper and they’re just so gorgeous.

I also snapped up a beautiful set of Disney exercise books from Typo.  I am head over heels for these covers.

Aren’t they fantastic?  I can’t wait to begin filling them up.

– Starting to consider a drastic career change.

– Cool breezes after a hot day.

– Finding CDs by The Cranberries and The Presidents Of The United States of America at the op shop for $1 each.  They sound like my childhood.

– The Royal Tenembaums and Away We Go.  I watched both of these on the weekend and I adored them both.

 

What do you love this week?

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20 movies to watch when you’ve had a bad day.

When I’ve had a stinker of a day, my usual reaction is to storm home, flop on the couch and throw on a DVD.  Somehow, escaping into an awesome film helps me to forget my worries and cheers me up no end.  But a bad day can’t be remedied with just any film.  No way!  Pick the wrong movie and you can wind up spiralling into a mood that’s worse than the one you began with.  You need something light, funny, action-packed or sweet-as-pie to turn your frown upside down.  To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of my 20 favourite bad-day movies.

 

DSCF76781. Horton Hears a Who

The perfect movie for days when you’re feeling down-trodden and overlooked.  The message of this animated adventure is that “a person’s a person, no matter how small”.

2. The Court Jester

When I’m feeling sick or down, I always reach for a Danny Kaye film.  There’s something about his zany style and happy demeanour that can melt away the most foul moods.  This comedy is packed with wordplay, dancing and hilarious mix-ups.

3. The Addams Family

If I could pick a fictional family to move in with, The Addams Family would be it.  When you’re feeling like you don’t fit in, this is the perfect film to watch.  It’s all about loving who you are and letting your freak flag fly.

 

4. The Birdcage

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen this film.  I can quote huge chunks of the dialogue word-for-word and I always giggle in anticipation when I know one of my favourite scenes is coming up.  Robin Williams and Nathan Lane are a magic combination in this film that will tickle your funny bone and tug at your heart strings.

 

5. Orange County

This film is packed with actors that I adore: John Lithgow, Jack Black, Colin Hanks and Catherine O’Hara to name a few.  It’s a good choice for days when you need a good belly laugh, or when you’re lamenting the loss of a dream.

 

6. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

When you’re feeling under pressure or under the pump, consider taking a leaf out of Ferris’ book.  Throw this in your DVD player and let yourself be taken on an adventure filled with hot cars, practical jokes and sexy nurses.

 

7. Aladdin

This is my favourite Disney movie of all time.  I can’t help but feel cheered by the amazing soundtrack and the tongue-in-cheek jokes in this animated classic.  You’ll be singing along in no time, and the songs will stick in your head for days to come.

 

8. Anchorman

Perfect for when you just want something silly and frivolous.  Filled with jokes that have become embedded in pop culture, this film is funny escapism at its very best.

 

9. Wreck it Ralph

We all have days where we feel downtrodden.  Sometimes we struggle to find our place in the world, and lament that we don’t fit in.  If you’re feeling this way, this is the film to watch.  It’s fun and sweet, but it has a really important message: that we can all find a way to do what we love and that there will always be people who love us for who we are.

 

10. The Rocky Horror Picture Show

There’s nothing like a musical to pull you out of a crappy mood, and this one is truly awesome.  It’s sexy, racy and truly nonsensical, with a fantastic cast and an awesome soundtrack.  You’ll be leaping off your couch to do the Time Warp within the first twenty minutes of the film.

 

11. The Wizard of Oz

The ultimate feel-good classic, The Wizard of Oz is probably my favourite film of all time.  It’s wonderful for so many reasons: the adventure, the soundtrack, the cast and the touching messages.  It reassures us that we’re strong enough to face our problems, and that the things that we seek can usually be found within.  And, if you’re not feeling up to the task of tackling challenges on your own, there will always be people who will lend a hand.  It’s a beautiful film that’s sure to put a smile on your face.

 

12. Penelope

Feeling ugly and unloved?  Then this is the film for you.  A beautiful fairy tale about self-love and acceptance starring Christina Ricci.  Best of all, there’s an appearance by Peter Dinklage, who I have a giant crush on.

 

13. Can’t Hardly Wait.

High school graduation is over and the class of 1998 are going to party like there’s no tomorrow.  A romantic comedy that follows the intersecting stories of 6 teens on the biggest night of their lives (so far)

 

14. Amelie

This dreamy French film celebrates the small pleasures in life, and the joy that comes from living in a magical world of your own creation.  Perfect viewing for introverts or people who are having difficulty finding something to smile about.

 

15. Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion

Whenever I’m feeling like a bit of a loser, I love to watch this film.  So, Romy and Michelle work crappy jobs and they don’t have boyfriends, but they’re still totally rad.  A perfect film to remind you that you’re awesome even if you don’t feel as though you’re where you “should” be at a certain point in your life.

 

16. Shaun of the Dead

So, you think you’ve got problems?  Shaun’s just been dumped, his flatmates are feuding and he gets no respect from his co-workers.  Oh, and he’s in the middle of a zombie apocalypse.

 

17. Hairspray

High energy and boppy, Hairspray is a great film to get you grooving again when you’ve hit the skids.  The soundtrack is awesome and the cast is stellar.  Best of all, the heroes of this tale aren’t the perfect, popular prisses.  It’s the underdogs that dominate in this kitsch 60’s wonderland.

 

18.  Kill Bill

Perfect for cranky days and nights when you just want to rip someone’s head off.  Throw this in your DVD player and watch The Bride rage and rampage her way to revenge.  Not for the faint hearted, but very cathartic.

 

19. The Boat that Rocked.

This film is worth watching for the soundtrack alone.  Set on a pirate radio boat in the 1960’s, this tale of rebellion, sex and adventure will turn your frown upside down.

 

20. Hercules Returns

A slightly obscure but hilarious Aussie film that will have you rolling with laughter.  At the opening of his new movie theatre, Brad McBain realises to his horror that the sound reel of the premier film is in Italian.  He and his two pals have to dub the film themselves, and the results are hilarious.

 

What films do you like to watch on a bad day?