January is probably one of my favorite months. Second only to October which has the unfair advantage of not only being my birth month but also being home to Halloween AND having pretty much the best weather of the year here in South Georgia (it's not so stiflingly hot as it is during the summer and it's still at least two months away from actual cold weather.) Anyhoo, i like January because it's all about change and resolving to better yourself and straight up renewing your shizz. So yay for January!!! Since it's a brand new year, it's time for brand new resolutions! So here are my Book Resolutions For 2013!!!
*My first resolution is ALWAYS on my rezzy list. Every year i try my damnedest to read at least 100 books. And i'll be trying again in 2013. Wish me luck with this one, y'all.
*My second is to read more non-fiction books. i feel that this might make me feel smarter. Memoirs count as non-fiction, right?
*Numero tres resolution is to start up The Super Nostalgic Book Flashback Challenge again this year! i did it in 2011 and i really enjoyed myself. So i've decided to dive back into my book-nerdy childhood this year too!
*Fourthly i resolve to post more reviews and post them more frequently. Last year was a big ol' clustereff so i got quite slacky posting my reviews in a timely manner. Well no more, my friends! 2013 will be the year of prompt posts!
*Rezzy number five is to read more "adult" fiction. Recently (whilst i reorganized my bookshelves over Christmas break) i noticed that i almost solely drink from the cup of YA. Even though i'm An Old! And should totally NOT be reading about teens and their love affairs with vampires, werewolves, angels or whathaveya! So i've decided that this year i'll try to read like an actual adult. (There are decent grown up books out there, right? RIGHT!?!?!)
*And my last resolution is one that i have struggled with for quite some time. But this year, hopefully i'll master it. i want to try to read more of "The Classics." For some reason *cough*they're boring*cough* i just can't seem to make myself read them. i'd rather see what supernatural so-n-so is trending right now. But i think it's about time that i stop with the Ciffs Notes-ing and START actually reading! Wish me luck on this one too.
So those are my Book Resolutions for this year. What about you? Are there any bookish things you'd like to try out this year? Ones you wanna quit? Books you for sure, without a doubt, totally wanna read? Ways you wanna challenge yourself? Dish it up in the comments section or you can share your Book Resolutions with me on Twitter. Just find me @girlsleuth and use the hashtag #BookResolution!
Welcome once again to EvilEva's Trailer Park! i know it's been awhile since i've posted but Thursday was Thanksgiving and then i got into a verbal smackdown on Black Friday and well, then my suddenly sodium-enriched body made my hands entirely too puffy to type soooo... here we are. i hope y'all had a thankstastic Thanksgiving! i also hope you kicked serious ass on Black Friday in order to get your greedy little mitts on a copy of season 3 of The Vampire Diaries (i did!)
Today we're all about YA Books Into Movies here at the trailer park. You may have already seen some of these trailers on other blogs or maybe you're like me and slightly addicted to YouTube. If neither of these is the case then check this shizz out right now and just look at what you've been missing.
We'll start with the highly anticipated Twilight replacement. And by that i mean the trailer for Stephenie Meyer's other book about peeps with fucked up eyes. And by that i mean the trailer for The Host.
So. That's happening. i don't know, y'all. Am i too jaded? Has the Harry Potter franchise ruined my faith in all other Book Into Movie endeavors? i mean, it seems like i just can't get all that whipped up about the idea of books being made into movies anymore. In fact, it kinda makes me cringe just thinking about it. i think my wariness has to do with the fact that if a movie is bad (a la Twilight) that shizz can seriously affect my impression of the book. Like if i ever decide to reread the Twilight series, i'll have to prep myself before hand. Because instead of focusing on the great book that i really liked and, in fact, recommended to friends, i'll be constantly picturing this instead:
Did i leave the oven on?
i don't know about y'all, but i REALLY don't wanna envision Kristen Stewart's Patented Awkward Face every time i wanna reread a book that i actually liked once upon a time. Anyhoo, as usual, it seems i've gone off on a bit of a tangent. Let's return to the topic at hand: The Host trailer. i'm not really sure how i feel about this one. i don't remember all that much from the book because it's been a looooooong while since i read it. What i DO remember is that it was very desert-y and i was kind of squinked out at the end when they put that alien dealy thingamajig in a Shirley Temple-esque body. Or something like that. Am i remembering that part wrong? POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT FOR NON-READERS but to all that have read The Host i pose this question to you: Isn't the whole deal that there are basically two chicks holed up in one melon? And don't they find a way to extract the alien part? And then don't they find like a body for the alien to live in because one of the cave dwellers like, falls in love with it? And the body that they pick that they think would go perfectly with the alien's personality or whatever is some kind of childlike body? Am i totally remembering this book all wrong? At the still tender age of 30 is my memory already turning to shit? UGH! Would those in the know PLEASE, PLEASE comment. We MUST solve this mystery! Anyhoozle, the only thing that i actually had something legit to say about in this trailer happened at the 2:05 mark. At which this very Ringer split screen happened:
Wait. Am i Siobhan or Bridget?
i'm still not sure if i'll brave the theaters (and the theater prices) to see this one. But if you want to, The Host will be released March 29th.
Next we have the trailer for Warm Bodies which is based on the book by the same name written by Isaac Marion. i haven't read this one yet so i don't really know what it's about other than it appears to be a zombie love story. Which sounds pretty gross but based on the trailer (which, let's face it, could mean less than NOTHING as far as the book is concerned) it looks like it could be pretty good and maybe even a little funny. In fact, my only problem with this one is that i feel like after watching the trailer i've basically already seen the whole movie. That's a lot of shizz in 2 minutes and 32 seconds. See what you think. Check out the trailer and definitely tell me your opinion if you've already read the book. Warm Bodies will be coming to a theater near you February 1st.
The next one is a YA biggie. It's the first official trailer for the adaptation of Cassandra Clare's series The Mortal Instruments. Check it:
Like i said before, i think this is gonna be the big YA Book Into Movie of the year. The Mortal Instruments has a very intense and rabid fanbase, some of whom i believe refer to themselves as "Mundies." Much like the Twihards, i'm sure the Mundies will be out in full force come August 23rd when City of Bones will be released. i might actually shell out the dough to see this one. Although probably not. My town has a dollar theater so i'll probably just wait until it comes out at that one. However, even though the movie looks pretty good, i'm still a little gun-shy as far a Miss Lily Collins is concerned. For, you see, i made the mistake of watching Mirror, Mirror. That movie was one steaming hot pile of doo doo with absolutely NO redeeming qualities. In all fairness though there doesn't appear to be anything "snow white" about this movie. There are demons and tattoos and swords and badassery. Plus Lily's new hair color totally masks the hugeness and Peter Gallagher-esque quality of her eyebrows! So i'll be more focused on the movie and less focused on the recurring thought "does this chick even own tweezers?"
Now for the Beautiful Creatures trailer. i don't know about this one, y'all. i didn't really like the book and the trailer doesn't really do that much for me either. There are just some love stories that just make your lady business wanna roll its eyes. (You know if it HAD eyes.) i feel like this is one of those love stories. Personally my lady business isn't impressed with this trailer at all. (Is that too much info?) See what your Georgia O'Keeffe thinks:
Well? Whaddidyathink? Is it just me or does it seem kinda Twilight-y? That's pretty much the kiss of death for me. Although Lena does seem a little more badass than Bella. i mean, she's shattering glass on her classmates, she's magically tatted up. And if Ethan steps outta line she'll just give him a good old fashioned open hand slap to the mouth:
Bella would never dream of smacking the sparkles off Edward. So, advantage: Lena. Although there IS a disadvantage column, and in it is the fact that the guy that plays Ethan isn't anywhere near as hot as Robert Pattinson. Plus i'm confused as to why Ethan is dressed like he just stepped out of Pleasantville? Beautiful Creatures is set in modern times, no? Hmm. i just don't know if i'm feeling this movie. My lady business is at a firm hellllll no! But my brain isn't so sure. The debate will continue until February 13th when Beautiful Creatures hits theaters.
Ok, now that we've all watched the trailers together, i'm dying to know what you guys think. Hit me with your rants and raves in the comments section below.
It's that time again, bloggermuffins! i've got Books-Into-Movies news to share. Plus i've got a little non-booky TV related news for ya. AND some just-plain-ol'-book news! So let's get this piece started:
*i'm gonna start with some very troubling news, indeed. i am not jazzed at all to hear this, y'all. But let's not overreact just yet. Right now we're at mere rumor level so there's no immediate need to get all canned-goody and hunker down but i do fear that there might be some little shred of truth to this rumor. So what am i so worried about? Well, as you may or may not know, Divergent, an amazing dystopian YA series by Veronica Roth, is being made into a movie. And apparently there's already an actress being considered for the role of Tris. And that actress is Shailene Woodley. From that horrible show Secret Life of the American Teenager. i fucking HATE that show. And i really fucking HATE Shailene Woodley's character on that show. If she's cast i don't know if i'll be able to accept her as Tris. i certainly won't be able to envision her as Tris. i believe that my mind will be set in the way it is when i'm foolish enough to get wrapped up in an episode of Secret Life (hey, it happens, people. not a lot, thank God, but it does happen.) Which is to say i'll be constantly mentally repeating "shut the fuck up, Amy!" while trying to squish her head between my thumb and forefinger. Needless to say, i don't like this casting choice AT ALL. i mean, what next, Ricky as Four? i fucking think NOT! i mean, this stupid show has been on for 5 fucking seasons and Ricky's hair STILL looks like Luke Perry's when he played Dylan McKay on a MUCH better teen show in the fucking 90s! Even Luke Perry has moved on from that hairstyle! i fucking HATE your hair, Ricky! Sorry about that. i just really fucking hate Ricky's hair. Anyhoo, so, yeah, i don't want my Tris to be a Secret Life alum, but what do you guys think? Are you for this casting? Against it? Googling "Secret Life's Ricky" so you can see his dreaded 90210 hair for yourself? Give me your opinions in the comments.
*In slightly better news, Community FINALLY has a premiere date!!! The only problem is that season 4 will premiere February 7th. Yeah. FEBRUARY! That's sooooooo far away! Plus i was really psyched that it was gonna be on Fridays because now i could actually watch it in real time. But it's headed back to its old home of Thursdays at 8. When Vampire Diaries is on. Ugh! Stupid monkey wrench!
*The book Life of Pi by Yann Martel has been made into a movie and will hit theaters this November (the 21st to be exact.) i've seen this book many times during my many journeys to the bookstore but i've never actually read it. So i really don't have any idea what this book is about. Based on the cover, and now this trailer, i'm gonna go with it's about a dude and a tiger on a boat. But why are they on a boat? And what's with the math-y pi? Is there math in this book? Because i really suck at math. In fact, math gives me horrible anxiety. i think i'd be more inclined to read this book if it were about the other pie. i like that kind of pie. That's the kind of pie that i can get behind. Especially if it's peanut butter pie! Ok, it seems i've gone off on a bit of a tangent. Let's get back to the topic at hand. First, check the trailer:
i personally think it says a lot about your movie when no one even speaks in the trailer and yet, as a viewer, i MUST SEE IT. The scenery and the special effects alone are breathtaking. It looks like it might be movie-theater-price worthy to me. What do you guys think? Have you read the book? Will you see the movie? Will you read the book before you see the movie?
*The cover for Requiem, the final book in Lauren Oliver's excellent Delirium trilogy, has finally been revealed!!! Check it:
Unfortunately it won't be released until March 5th, 2013. Which is waaaaaaaaay too far away! If you can't wait and you own a Kindle then you can check out the short story about Lena's mom, Annabel. It'll be available starting December 26th.
That's the news for now. Sound off in the comments section below and tell me what you think.
Welcome to the first ever How To Fangirl! i'm soooooo excited and not just because it's my inaugural post but because the focus of said post is HALLOWEEN!!! Which is my all-time fave holiday! And i want to make it your all-time fave holiday too! So let's throw an amazing, spooktacular Halloween party--- fangirl-style!
First, we must begin at the beginning...
Invitations:
They may seem like mere sheets of paper filled out for the sole purpose of mailing to friends and family to read, comprehend and promptly throw away but invitations are much more than that. Invitations are the first impression to your party. They set the tone for what your guests can expect from you as a hostess. i.e. awesome invitation= awesome party i'd love to attend. bad, half-assed invitation= bad, half-assed party i'll feign illness to avoid. Trust me, you don't want that second one, pal. So, Step 1 is to find stationery that fits the theme of your party. Step 2, come up with something clever to write. Can't come up with something clever? Google that shizz! Because people on the Internet are smarter than you! Don't feel bad, they're smarter than me too. In fact... Confession Time: i, ahem, borrowed a few phrases from various invites i found online to make my own invitations. And speaking of my invitations, take a look:
Nice, right?
Fangirl Pro Tip #59: When making invitations via the computer, play with different fonts and colors until you find something you really like. If you're filling out invitations the old-fashioned way (that's with a card and a pen, kids) then try using a colored gel pen instead of a boring old Bic. i like using silver for Halloween. It instantly adds a little pizazz. And who doesn't like pizazz?
Finally, since it is Halloween, i like to add a little something extra. So after folding up the invitation, i sprinkled in a bit of Halloween confetti. Think of it as a little "trick" before the "treat" that is your party!
Note From The Fangirl: Kids LOVE this fun surprise. Adults? Not so much. A piece of the spider confetti fell out on my cousin's shoe and she nearly peed in her pants. But it's Halloween! You get a pass on all your trickery, right?
You want to mail out your invitations 2 weeks before your party (maybe even sooner if you have out of town guests or if you've tacked on an RSVP.) i suggest telling your guests about your party months in advance, whether by phone, email or in person. Just to give them a little heads up. Especially if you want them to dress up. This gives them enough time to come up with a costume idea and make it happen.
Now that the invitations are sent, let's move on to the fun stuff.
Decorations:
These are very important for the success of any party. A good use of decorations can transform any space from ordinary to extraordinary! And we're in luck because Halloween is quite possibly THE BEST holiday for decorating! There are sooooo many possibilities. You can make your own haunted house, go for a witchy theme, or pull inspiration from any number of horror movie classics. Or you can combine all that shizz together for a smorgasbord of Halloweeny goodness. i personally like to go for the combo because there are too many a-mah-zing Halloween themes that i really like and i refuse to Sophie's Choice it. So before i show you my Halloween party monster mash-up (see what i did there?), here are a few Fangirl Pro Tips especially for decorating:
Fangirl Decorating Pro Tip #1: Start early. Party planning may seem like all fun and games, but it's actually really hard work. So you'll want to start the process as soon as humanly possible. Those toilets aren't gonna clean themselves.
Fangirl Decorating Pro Tip #2: Take advantage of what you've already got. Because with party planning, much like with life, the best things are FREE. So search your house high and low for anything that'll fit your theme. Search the homes of your non-greedy friends and family too. You never know who might have some creepy shizz in their attic that they don't mind you borrowing. Example:
i already own a Ouija board and a Tarot deck (doesn't everyone) so i used them and the Tarot deck guide book, plus my Dictionary of Superstition book for decoration.
Another Example:
This is my evil old lady picture. i bought her on sale AFTER Halloween a few years ago. She's a hologram so depending on where you stand she's either a kind, grandmotherly-looking gal or a horrible monster. It's motion-censored too so when you walk by it her eyes glow red and she gives you her spiel about how she's trapped and it's so dark and she's so cold. i also used various bottles and jars. And that with the skull in it is a cheese thing. What are they called? Not a cheese tray, really. More like a cheese dome? Is there such a thing as a cheese dome? 100 points to any Gryffindor that can tell me what the hell that thing is. Anyhoosies, the point is it's a regular kitchen item but when you add a skull, a spider and some moss it becomes spooktacular! Use what ya got, peeps! Fangirl Decorating Pro Tip #3: Think outside of the box. Sure, some things are obvious: "Oh, i'll totally carve a pumpkin! That's sooooo Halloween!" But try looking at things more creatively. Simple glass bottles can be transformed into potions just by adding colored water. Skim your shelves for books with a Halloweeny look to them or make some creeptacular book covers and change Lola and the Boy Next Door to The Book of Shadows! Then you can just put your books out on a coffee table or side table for an instant, easy, witchy look.
Fangirl Decorating Pro Tip #4: Any store with the word "Dollar" in it, is your friend.
Now, here's a look at my party pics with info on how you can steal the look and make it your own!
Makeshift Graveyard: The makeshift graveyard is one of my faves. It's atmospheric and creepy, sure, but it's also cheap and easy! You can purchase these headstones from pretty much anywhere. i got mine from the Dollar Tree! Because why pay $10 when you can pay $1! Most people set these bad boys up in their front yards. That's totally fine. But i like to make a fake cemetery in my backyard because you can see it from the window in my dining room which is where the food is, thus where most of my guests congregate. To make my graveyard even creepier, i borrowed some angel statuary from my mom and added tealights in front of the headstones so they would be illuminated.
Add a sign for a lil' something extra. You can find these pretty much anywhere too. If you wanna get super fangirly though, you can always make your own. All it takes is styrofoam, spray paint and a little imagination!
Spooky Shrubbery: i totally stole this idea because i'm a sneaky little thief with very loose morals. Pinterest is basically my crime den. Anyhoo, this is super simple. And, once again, CHEAP! All you need is paper towel or toilet paper rolls (which i'm assuming (and hoping) you've already got) and some glow sticks (hit up the Dollar Tree, y'all!) i would suggest that you get the stubby little fat sticks as opposed to the thinner ones. Oh and you also need some tape (i used packing tape.) All you have to do is save up your paper towel or toilet paper rolls, cup out various eye hole patterns in them (i used an exacto knife for this part. it's much easier than using scissors but it's also much more dangerous. so BE CAREFUL.) then on the day of your party (you'll need to do this particular decoration about an hour or 30 minutes before your party because the glow sticks won't keep their glow for more than about 5 hours and you want your spooky eyes to be their most vibrant when your guests start to arrive) snap your glow sticks like the package instructs you to do, then tape them on the inside of your tp rolls with your packing tape. The last step is placing them throughout your hedges for a creepy, your-being-watched feel.
Bloody Bathroom: This is the first year that i've brought the nightmarish fun to my bathroom! i don't know why it's taken me so long. i mean, the bathroom is part of the party so why should the ambiance stop in the hallway? Answer: it shouldn't. So since this year would be my first year, i decided to go all out. i went for a Psycho/Dexter/Mad Scientist's Medicine Cabinet vibe. i'm most proud of my shower curtain!
Pretty awesome, huh? Well, you can make it too! And for under $5!!! Add these items to your Dollar Tree shopping list: 1 plain white shower curtain liner. 1 plain black plastic tablecloth. You'll also need a clear plastic shower curtain which my Dollar Tree did not carry but i bought one at Wal-Mart for a dollar and some change. You'll also need double-sided tape or glue and some red craft paint. To achieve this sick look all you have to do is tape the black tablecloth to a wall, have a friend pose in front of it wielding a knife, then shine light on the tablecloth in order to create a silhouette of your friend, take a white gel pen or a piece of chalk and outline your friend's body. Then all you have to do is cut it out and either use double-sided tape (that's what i did) or glue to adhere the silhouette to the white shower curtain liner. Now use your red paint to make bloody handprints, blood splatter, splotches, and slashes. Let it dry completely. Then hang the liner with the silhouette and place the clear plastic shower curtain over it and voila! Bloody mess of a shower curtain! The bathmat below it is also one of my creations. You can make that one too. Also for under $5! i found a cheap bathmat at Wal-Mart for around $3. The mat and red paint is all you need for this one. All you have to do is paint the bottoms of your feet and step on the mat. Then just add some drips and drops of paint, let it dry and bam! You're done. To complete my gory bathroom look, i made over my medicine cabinet using different sized bottles and adding Halloween labels that i found at a craft store. i finished it off with a few creepy touches like fake crows, a glittery skull and spider, and some bloody gel clings.
i stuck a few bloody clings to my mirror for good measure too. And i added a skeleton rubber duckie for a touch of whimsy.
Then i threw in a little jokey touch.
Get it? It's a hand towel!
Ok, now that i've shown you how to decorate your yard and your bathroom, let's get on to the main event! i'm, of course, talking about whatever room you plan on having your party in. For me it's the living room/dining room.
Photo Op: i positioned a photo op area so the first thing my guests can do is get their pic taken in front of a cool backdrop. i got two wall murals (from the Dollar Tree, natch) and taped them side-by-side.
i think, as the hostess with the mostess, that a nice thing to do is take pictures of all your guests in their costumes as soon as they arrive. Then later you can upload the pics, find a website that offers free borders, choose one that correlates with your theme and then print out specially-made pics to send to your friends and family along with your thank you notes (more on those in a minute.) Another good idea is to purchase a small laundry basket (they sell some at the Dollar Tree!) and fill it with costume bits. What are "costume bits," you ask? Costume bits are bits of costumes that can be worn by the dreaded non-participators. So, for example, you could throw in some glasses with a fake nose, or giant clown sunglasses, or a sombrero, or various masks, or a firefighter hat, police badges, really anything that could be worn as a costume in a pinch. (P.S. all the items i just referred to can be found... you guessed it!... at the Dollar Tree! For a dollar!) You can print out a sign to tie to the basket with something like "you have no excuse" written on it. (Can you tell that i abhor people that don't dress up?)
Pick Your Poison: In the last few years, stores have started selling drink labels with fun, Halloween-type names on them. i highly suggest picking up a pack or two of these. This way you can dress up your drinks and actually use them as part of your decor as opposed to hiding them in the kitchen with the giant trash bag.
You can also print out a "Pick Your Poison" sign. Just add a little glitter because everything looks better with a little glitter and pop it in a frame. Done! And don't forget to jazz up your ice situation. Yet another thing that can look blah if you don't do your fangirl best. i decided to go a little, um, dark with this one. i got an ice chest, covered it in caution tape (Dollar Tree! Holla!), then i poured in the ice and added fake body parts to top it off (also a Dollar Tree find.) It's good because not only does my ice station look completely amazeballs but it's also fully functioning! Just grab a cup and scoop you some ice!
Lastly, let's decorate the table! You'll want your treats to be the main focus of the table so i suggest doing minimal decorating there. Just use some cute tableware, like a plastic cauldron or a child's trick or treat bucket for chips and crackers and silver platters for veggies, cheese cubes, and dip. And definitely get a Halloween tablecloth or a piece of Halloween fabric to drape over your tabletop for an instant table makeover. Add a few taper candles (i used black but you could also rock orange, purple, green or blood red) and, of course, your food and then your done.
Speaking of food, let's discuss that, shall we?
Food:
Another important part of any party. i mean, a girl's gotta eat, right? For Halloween parties i like to think it's all about the sugar! i mean, Halloween is a holiday in which you gorge yourself on candy NOT vegetables. So i like baking cookies and cupcakes and putting out sweets. But you also have to realize that your party isn't just about you. So, as not to seem selfish, i added some chips and dip, some peanuts and pretzels and some veggies for those weirdos that expect there to be carrots at a Halloween party. Now i'll let you in on a little secret. Something you may not know about Evil Eva: she's a gourmet chef. This is, in fact, a complete and utter lie. However, bitch can make a mean grilled cheese. Anyway, there's really only one thing that i can make (other than grilled cheese) and that is desserts. Which is great for my taste buds but pretty shitty for my health. But i digress. i will now teach you how to make something so super easy that you don't even have to know how to turn your oven on in order to make it! It's my super easy Halloweeny treat mix! Huzzah!
Evil Eva's Super Easy Halloweeny Treat Mix: First you take a box of Crunch n Munch (or you can substitute Cracker Jacks, Fiddle Faddle, or some other ridiculously named popcorny treat) and pour the whole box into a large bowl. Then you add some pretzel sticks to the bowl. Next you take a bag of festive fall-colored M & M's and dump about half the bag in. Then you throw in a couple of handfuls of candy corn (i like the mix that includes the brown ones and the little pumpkins.) Then you add as many assorted nuts as your little heart desires. Put saran wrap over your bowl and shake the shit out of it. This should thoroughly mix things up. Whenever your mix looks most appealing to you, stop fucking shaking it. And that's it! Now you have your own batch of Evil Eva's Super Easy Halloweeny Treat Mix! Put it in a cute bowl (i used the clear pumpkin bucket in the picture above) and enjoy!
Now, let's talk cupcakes, y'all. Truth Serum Time: Cupcakes are probably my all-time favorite treat EVER! i don't know what it is about them. i prefer them over actual cake. Which is kinda weird because what are cupcakes but cakes adorable little sister. Anyhoo, there's no real rhyme or reason, i just love me some cupcakes. So whenever we have an event, i usually make them. But not this year. This year my mom took the cupcake-makin' reigns. Here's the cuteness she came up with:
Witch Leg Cupcakes:
All you have to do to achieve this delicousness is make whatever flavor cupcakes you want and ice them like you normally would. The legs are made from paper straws (i found these at Michaels craft store) and my mom free-handed the witch's boot on a piece of black scrapbook paper. You cut a little groove in the end of the straw and just slide the boots in. Stick the legs in the cupcakes and you're all done, son! My mom also made some Vampire Bites and Reese's Pieces Polka Dots.
The Reese's Pieces Polka Dots are pretty self-explainitory. Just make a cupcake, ice it, and place Reese's Pieces on it. The Vampire Bites (which are kinda hard to see in this pic) are really easy to make too. All you have to do is, again, make a cupcake, ice it with vanilla icing, then take red decorating gel and put the tube into the top of the cupcake and squeeze the gel out until it makes little holes. Make two on each of your cupcakes and you're finished.
Costumes:
This is a Halloween party after all, so costumes are a definite must. And please, for the love of God, y'all, when you're invited to a COSTUME party, DRESS UP IN A COSTUME. You don't have to spend a lot of money. You don't have to come up with some elaborate outfit. It's not rocket science. Just think and try to be creative. And if that fails, well, just hit Google.
Note From The Fangirl: Please don't be that asshole in the "This is my costume" t-shirt. No self respecting fangirl would EVER be caught dead in something that non-jazzy.
Fangirl Pro Tip #123: Having trouble thinking of a costume? Having trouble affording a costume? Don't wanna be dressed as the same thing you've been for the past 4 Halloweens in a row? Have a costume swap! Get your friends together a few weeks before your party, tell your girls to bring all their old costumes, and swap! That way you get a new-to-you costume, you don't have to pay for it, and your friend feels better about buying it in the first place because now it's been worn more than once! Everyone wins!
The Soundtrack:
i'm a music fanatic. i'm also pretty much the Queen of Mix Tapes. (See kids, mix tapes are the 90s version of what you would call a "playlist.") So, to me, you can't have a party without music. i personally have quite a few Halloween-themed CDs. If you don't, that's no problem. Itunes offers a butt ton of options. You can buy an entire CD or you can get crafty and mixy and make your own personal jam. This year i used a compilation of scary noises. My fave though is called Classic Horror Films because it's got the Halloween theme music. Which is the most terrifying thing EVER.
After The Party:
Thank Yous: i'm from the South so my Mama always taught me that whenever you have an event you ALWAYS send out thank you notes. Shoot for two days after your party as your deadline. i'll give you up to at least three but if you go over a week without sending a thanks then you're tacky and i'm gonna have to blessyourheart. (This is also a Southern thing. If you don't get it, sorry, cuz i don't even know how to begin to explain it to you.)
Day-After Shopping: If you had a blast planning, executing and enjoying your party, you may want to have another one next year. The best time to plan for that shizz? Um, NOW. If you now wanna be an annual Halloween party-thrower, a good idea is to wait until the day AFTER Halloween this year when everything is 50% and 75% and that elusive 90% off, and then rack up on things you can use NEXT year. That's called party preparedness, kids!
Fangirl Pro Tip #44: Large plastic containers are a fangirls best friend. Well, a fangirl that throws parties, anyway. Because i'm a tad bit OCD i like to buy plastic containers, fill them with my themed party supplies and then label them as such. (Many a person has made fun of me for this quirk but when they specifically want to know where they can find a straw sombrero, well that would be in the fiesta box. And now that it was sooooo easy to find, it doesn't seem all that crazy, does it?)
Further your fangirl education by checking out these helpful links:
If you're a loyal reader of this blog (thank you very much!) you already know that here at Nancy Drew Is My Homegirl, we like to fangirl about pretty much everything. But if you're new 'round these parts and don't know what this whole "fangirl" business is all about, fear not because i'm here to explain.
Let's start with the basics.
What is a fangirl? A fangirl is an extremely awesome gal that gets easily excited over random, usually geeky things.
But wait, isn't being geeky a bad thing? HELL NO! Being a geek and/or a dork, nerd, or weirdo is one of the greatest things you can EVER be! So if anyone ever calls you by one of those names, take it as the compliment it is, for being a geek (and/or a dork, nerd, or weirdo) simply means that you really enjoy things and aren't afraid to show your love for them in a really big and often times public manner. What's wrong with that? Answer: Absolutely nothing! In fact, it makes geeks and the like pretty much the bravest people on the planet. Because even though what they love might seem "uncool" or "unpopular," they go right on loving it anyway. Bravest. People. EVER!
Now, you may be thinking to yourself, that's a good point, Evil Eva. This fangirl stuff sure sounds like the bees knees. So what can i do to become a fangirl? That's the best part! You don't have to do anything! It you want to be a fangirl, congratulations, you are a fangirl! In fact, the only thing required of a fangirl is a deep, abiding love for anything that you already love deeply and abidingly. It's. That. Simple!
However, all that being said, there may be times when you think: how can i properly fangirl over this particular moment? Well don't you worry your pretty little head over that. Because that's what this feature is all about. How To Fangirl is about taking something that is already totally awesome and completely fangirl-worthy and making it even more awesome and fangirl-worthy! And since i fancy myself a fangirling expert, i'll be using this new feature to share all kinds of tips and tricks and pics to show you guys ways you can enhance any situation like a true fangirl!
Sound good? Ready to get your fangirl on? Keep checking back to my blog for this brand spankin' new feature: How To Fangirl!
Welcome back to the Trailer Park, y'all. i don't know if you've noticed, but a lot of literary classics are headed to the big screen. So in the effort to class up this joint, i present to you some snooty-tootie trailers for books-into-movies that scare the pants off of me. Not because they're horror, mind you, just because they're long and complicated and very Tolstoy-y.
See, this is my problem with "the classics." Even though i'm a nerd that loves to read, i'm actually kinda stupid and these "classics" confuse the hell out of me. To this day even hearing the words "Great Expectations," makes me want to punch someone in the face and then burst into tears. Weird but true. That book has been the bane of my bookish existence and my book kryptonite since the 10th grade. Anyhoo, that's why i generally stay away from the classics, because they bring on bouts of facepunchery and tears. The movie industry, however, does not care for my tale of woe and instead is hell bent on introducing me to this Pip kid along with his equally stuffy and hard-to-understand friends Count Vronsky, Sal Paradise, and Jean Valjean. Now let me just admit that even though i'm a book nerd and all that, i haven't actually read any of these books. The closest i've come is Cliffs Notes on Great Expectations. (P.S. Thanks, Cliff! You cheating lil' bastard.) And while we're being truthful with one another, i might as well admit that i have also never seen any movies/plays/miniseries/masterpiece theaters based on any of these books either. i'm just shame-faced all around. So since i don't really have any clue (or many clues, rather) what these books are actually about, i'll just write what i think based on what i've gathered from the trailers. Ready? Here we go.
We'll start with the trailer for Anna Karenina. Here's The Trailer:
Here's My Take: First off Anna Karenina is an extremely hard name to write and say. It's kinda like banana. There are just way too many n's and a's. i mean, how many na's are in this thing? Anyhoozie, the story goes something like this (more or less): A fiercely and fancy-dressed Keira Knightley marries Jude Law who seems kinda sanctimonious about her affair with an unfortunately blond and hideously mustachioed Aaron Johnson (who has something very Colonel Mustard about him going on) considering Jude's own affair with that British nanny. (This fact may be from his real life and have no basis in this movie.) Anyway, apparently everyone is all Team Jude and they think poor Keira is a total slut. Other than gossip about Keira Knightley, the townsfolk also enjoy ice skating, horse races, dance parties, and long rides on the Hogwarts Express! Then poor Keira gets knocked up, Jude Law gets even more sanctimonious and Colonel Mustard goes crazy. And someone probably dies. i mean, the trailer didn't really show that but let's face it, affairs in movies NEVER end well. i just hope poor Keira Knightley doesn't own a bunny.
Now let's move on to the Les Miserables trailer: Here's The Trailer:
Here's My Take: Hmm, this one is a bit of a toughie. The trailer doesn't really give me many details to go on but here's what i gleaned from this minute and 37 seconds. Things are evidently gonna get musical up in this piece as Anne Hathaway warbles her way through that song Susan Boyle sang on Britain's Got Talent lo those many years ago when people thought that only attractive people had the ability to sing and were totally shocked that Susan was actually *gasp* good. i mean, really, had those people never heard of Clay Aiken before? Anyhoo, back to Les Miz--- Hugh Jackman is in it and he looks really rough and somewhat Jude Law-ish. i really thought he was Jude Law when i first saw him. But no, it's Hugh Jackman and a months growth of facial hair. There are also poor people. Lots and lots of poor people. Poor people in the streets! In the woods! In a factory! On boats! Hooray for poor people! Ok somewhere between looking like Jude Law and poor people, Hugh Jackman has managed to find a razor. Oh thank God! That was a close one. Russell Crowe is also in this movie. He looks like a total jerk. Which isn't very surprising because he kinda looks like a jerk in every movie he's in. But unlike every other person in this movie, he doesn't look poor. So... good for him? Anyway, Amanda Seyfried is in this movie too. i don't know if her breasts can still tell when it's raining or if she's still carrying on her affair with Aaron Echols but she kinda looks like the poor mans Princess Buttercup in this flick. It's unclear whether she's an actual princess or maybe just some hippie. When Anne Hathaway isn't singing, she's chopping off all of her hair which we're supposed to think it looks chic short. We're also supposed to think Anne can sing. This is obviously gonna be some huge, sweeping epic although even after viewing the trailer i still don't know what this movie is about. Except poor people. Perhaps i need to read the book first before viewing this one.
It's time to watch the trailer for On the Road: Here's The Trailer:
Here's My Take: This seems like a total hipster movie. i mean, having not read the book and based solely on the trailer i can imagine many a hipster douche walking around with a tattered copy of On the Road in their back pocket. It seems tailor made for those intellectual phonies that like to brag about how their favorite book of all time is Catcher in the Rye or War and Peace just because it makes them seem so fucking superior to you and me who, like a normal person, would admit that our favorite book of all time is Harry Potter. Because It's AWESOME. NOT because it makes us sound smart and sophisticated and too cool for school. Just because it's AWESOME. Anywaysies, (which isn't an actual word but one i made up and like saying because it feels good so take that hipster douches that are sneering at my incorrect word usage.) it's the 40s or 50s or some other era, i don't know, i'm not good with cars. There are also typewriters and jazz if that helps. Some dude in a flannel shirt decides to take a road trip with some other dude in a white T and for some reason they decide to take sadsack Kristen Stewart with them. Ugh, last person i would wanna take on a road trip EVER. Anyway, in my estimation this movie is basically the dude-bro version of Crossroads. Although i don't know if there will be a karaoke battle in this movie. Probably not. i don't think guys do that. And even though K Stew played Joan Jett in The Runaways, i don't think she could totally nail I Love Rock n Roll for gas money like Brit-Brit can.
And finally the trailer i dread the most, Great Expectations: Here's The Trailer:
Here's My Take: Ok so truthfullyhere's what i immediately thought while watching this trailer: Great Expectations. Starring:
That's all my Harry Potter soaked brain could see upon viewing this trailer for the first time. After i realized that this wasn't actually a Harry Potter film (even though it stars about half of the cast of any given HP movie AND was directed by the director of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) i figured i should probably give it a second watch. So upon my second viewing of the trailer, here's what i think Great Expectations is actually about:
So there's this kid, Pip, and he somehow gets tangled up with some old cray crone named Miss Havisham who seems a little too involved in the love lives of children. Especially since one of said children is her adopted daughter, Bitchy Ginger. And, of course, Pip falls in love with Bitchy Ginger because men (even at a young age) are fairly stupid and love them some bitches.
So Pip grows up and becomes friends with Hagrid and apparently he gets rich because of some mystery benefactor (which is something i hope to have one day as that sounds like the best thing EVER.) But even though Pip is loaded and has access to dragons and griffins and shit, all he really wants is the sweet, sweet lovin' of Bitchy Ginger.
But, unfortch for Pip, Bitchy Ginger seems to have grown bitchier with age and so she waltzes with some other dude that's not Pip right in front of actual Pip's face. Pip's pissed.
Then Lord Voldemort shows up and there's a ship and Pip whines about Bitchy Ginger some more and Bellatrix LaHavisham's dress catches on fire. But i guess LaHavisham doesn't die because she brags about how she totally fucked up Bitchy Ginger's emotions. And then Pip whines some more about his unrequited love for Bitchy Ginger. And after writing the word "ginger" so many times, it makes me wish that there was a Weasley in this story somewhere but, alas, there is not.
So that's my take on things. What do you guys think? Have you read any of these books? Was i even remotely close with my assessments? (Let's be honest: probably not.)
Will you see any of these movies while you're really just anxiously waiting for Catching Fire to come out? Sound off in the comments and tell me what ya think.
So recently i took a gander at my Favorites tab and noticed that i've favorited a butt ton of Books Into Movies and TV news that i haven't shared with you guys yet. Now i'm gonna super unload on y'all! So buckle up and let's do this thang!
Catching Fire Movie News: *The role of Mags has been cast. It goes to Lynn Cohen who you might remember as Magda on Sex in the City. i actually like this casting decision. What do you guys think? *Enobaria will be played by Meta Golding. i've never seen her in anything so i don't know about this one. *Enobaria's District 2 counterpart, Brutus, will be played by Bruno Gunn. Never heard of him either. *Hey, someone i actually recognize has been cast! Alan Ritchson (or as i know him: that guy that played Aquaman in those few episodes of Smallville) snagged the role of Gloss. *Also from District 1, the role of Cashmere goes to Stephanie Leigh Schlund. *The role of Chaff is now off the table. E. Roger Mitchell landed the role of one of District 11's victors. *And finally, perhaps the BIGGEST Catching Fire news: Finnick has been cast. It seems the rumors were true and he'll be played by Sam Clafin. Thoughts? Feelings? i just don't know about this one. To me, Finnick's casting is to Catching Fire as Peeta's casting was to The Hunger Games: i.e. Super Ass Important. And i've never seen this Sam Clafin in anything. And, well, just think about how that whole Peeta (and Gale) thing turned out. i think Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth did ok but i don't think they were the perfect people for the job. And this Sam Clafin character, just isn't who i was expecting. i was really pulling for Ian Somerhalder. How awesome would that have been? Damon Salvatore as Finnick Odair? Although i think he's a little too old for the part, i still think it would've been pretty amazing!
Wouldn't you rather have Damon Salvatore?
Mortal Instruments Movie News:
*According to Cassandra Clare herself, Kevin Zegers has won the role of Alec Lightwood, Isabel's bro and Jace's bestie. *Here's a two-fer: The part of Madame Dorothea goes to CCH Pounder, while Aidan Turner takes on the role of Luke Garroway. *Brother Jeremiah of the Silent Brothers has been cast. This creepy role will be played by Stephen R. Hart. *Apparently Jonathan Rhys Meyers is in talks to play series baddie, Valentine.
Now i wanna know what you guys think. Are you liking these casting decisions so far? Is Sam Clafin your number one choice? If not, who would be your ideal Finnick? Are you excited about the Mortal Instruments movie? Who do you think would make a kick ass guest appearance on Vampire Diaries? Chat it up in the comments section and tell me what ya think.
