Fall Film Challenge

This fall film challenge was created by Jen from quirky pickings (her post is here). I think I signed up for this challenge last year, then proceeded to watch exactly zero of the films (and basically stopped blogging, but let's not talk about that).

Basically, the challenge starts tomorrow, September 1 and runs until November 30. All films must be previously unseen and have been shown in a theater. If you want to join in, got to this Facebook group!

one. any set in new york city. Wolf of Wallstreet

two. any incorporating hot air balloons in the story. Up

three. any featuring a child as the main character. The Goonies

four. any disney film. Frozen

five. any set in egypt OR that has an egyptian character OR that stars an egyptian actor/actress. Prince of Egypt

six. a close friend or family member's favorite film. Skyfall

seven. any with the word great in the title. The Great Gatsby

eight. any starring harrison ford. Hollywood Homicide

nine. any featuring an idiot as the main character. Our Idiot Brother

ten. any mentioned in levis strauss' list: denim in the oscars: a look at jeans in cinema. Brokeback Mountain

eleven. a film about a knight. Braveheart

twelve. a love story. Pretty Woman

thirteen. a movie about something miraculous. Soul Surfer 

fourteen. any starring an actor/actress with the same first name as yours. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

fifteen. a film about the olympics. Foxcatcher

sixteen. a film on time magazine's list: the top ten newspaper movies. His Girl Friday

seventeen. any with a question in the title. Who's Counting?

eighteen. any with a score of ninety percent or greater on rotten tomatoes. The Avengers

nineteen. a film about a superhero. X-men: Days of Future Past

twenty. any with subtitles. The Lunchbox

twenty-one. any incorporating unicorns in the story. Blade Runner

twenty-two. a film about a personal victory. Pitch Perfect

twenty-three. a film with black or white in the title. Men In Black III

twenty-four. any set in a country you would most like to visit. The Best Offer

twenty-five. a film set in a zoo. Zookeeper

I feel like this list is so much more cultured than I am!

Sunday Afternoon Tea (1)

Source

Sunday Afternoon Tea is a new feature I'm bringing it where I basically chat with you readers about my week. What I've been up to, what I've been reading, what I've been playing, my favourite things around the internet that week and so in. So here's my first try at it!

What I'm doing?

COSPLAY CONSTRUCTION! I have less than 1 month until my first cosplay competition and I have so much left to do. You can check out my most recent WIP Wednesday here.

Also, I went to Hot Topic for the first time. It just opened in my city a few months ago, but that mall is kind of fall, but I made the trek on Saturday. So much fangirl stuff. I honestly just stared at the t-shirt wall for 10 minutes! Plus they have some coupons/rewards that can result in some decent deals (since I'm not a big fan of paying full price if I can help it). I got a couple geeky t-shirts, but will be going back for some Funko Pops next month using the coupon I got today.

What I'm reading?

I'm currently reading Felicia Day's memoir You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost). Basically I've learned she is amazing and very smart. I'm also trying to finish The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins, which has taken me ages because I found it really boring up until the final 100 pages or so. I think I have 50 left to go.

What I'm playing?

I tried Hearthstone a few months ago and didn't like it. I found it really hard to get started because everyone has such better cards than me, so was constantly losing, which wasn't fun! Anyway, once I figured out how to play the warlock and got leveled up a bit, I know enjoy it way more and have been playing that a lot lately. I also made a Season 4 Diablo 3 character, but haven't done much leveling there.

WIP Wednesday: Jafar (1)

As promised, here is my Work In Progress Wednesday for my Jafar costume.

Part one is the derpiest muslin I've ever made (including one made with entirely cow fabric from the clearance section). But if you look past the cute printed flannelette, I'm happy with the general shape and fit (giant shoulder wings make doorways fun). However, I'm now just waiting for my fabric to arrive to me so I can start sewing!

 Part two is the progress on the staff. I apologize for the terrible lighting, but I had a busy night and only managed to snap some pictures now at 9:30 pm. Sorry not sorry. Next up for the staff is some serious sanding, followed by paper mache (I've been collecting grocery flyers, since I don't get a newspaper).

Exciting Days Ahead

I've always been a competitive person and I like to set goals for myself, then reach them. That's why I've decided to really push myself out of my comfort zone.

I've signed up for my very first cosplay competition! Yep, I registered as a competitor at Edmonton Expo next month, where I will be cosplaying Jafar. I'm still very new to cosplay, but I figured what's the worst that could happen? I'm only entering in novice, but I've seen novice competitors at Calgary Expo that were insanely talented, so who knows.

The other crazy part? I'm not done my costume. Not even close! I have muslin created for the robe, but am waiting for my fabric to arrive. I have a start on the staff, but a long way to go on that. I haven't even started the shoe covers, undershirt and turban. Not to mention researching the best way to give myself a goatee.

But I still have almost exactly one month, so I should be fine.

But this also means I'll be starting up with WIP Wednesdays for the next 5 weeks while I create a competition worthy costume. Wish me luck!

Source

PS: They've announced a couple exciting guests. Stan Lee (who canceled from Calgary Expo this year) and Jenna Coleman from Doctor Who!

Back from Japan

Hello everyone!

I'm back from Japan safe and sound (despite the typhoon warnings right before we came home). We had a blast but oh my goodness it was hot there. This Canadian girl could not handle the high temperatures mixed with the high humidity.

We saw loads of cool stuff, visiting Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Highlights for each was visiting Meiji Jingu and Akihabara in Tokyo, feeding Japanese Macaques in Kyoto and the aquarium in Osaka.

I still haven't sorted through all my photos, but here a few teasers!

Meiji Jingu entrance

Akihabara

Feeding monkeys

Goofing around at the Osaka Aquarium

Update

 Hey guys,

So it's been a (long) while since my last post. I just haven't had a ton to say. In a bit of a rut I guess.

But I've been up to a few things. I fell into a dark game pit called This War of Mine. I have NEVER been half as invested in a game as I am in that game. When things spiraled out of control and I lost my last survivor on day 42, I was heartbroken. And angry, Either way, I'm trying again, but it's one of the most stressful games I've ever played.

In other exciting news, I'm going to JAPAN!! I am so excited! I'll be leaving July 8 and be coming home July 18. So a fairly short trip, but I'm so excited. I haven't been overseas in 5 years, so this trip should satisfy my wanderlust for a while. Plus my boyfriend is starting school in July for a solid 3 years with no summer break (accelerated program).

Also, starting planning for Edmonton Expo in September. I have tentative accommodations and tons to do on the two cosplays I'd like to make for the con. I want to complete both Jafar and Hannah from Rat Queens. So much to do, since I haven't started either.

Anyway, that's all that's all I have now. I promise to a better blogger in the future!

Work-In-Progress Wednesday (Real Clothes Edition) - Lady Skater Dress Version 0

No cosplay WIP today. I've decided to take a mini-break from costumes since I don't think I will going to any more cons until September. I really need to get more into amine so I can start going to the plentiful anime conventions in the area. I always feel so old around anime fans, since most of them are in junior/high school at cons.

It's not actually this boxy/frumpy in it's finished state (I hope)

Anyways, back on topic. This week I've started making a muslin of the Lady Skater Dress bodice from Kitschy-Coo. I really like supporting indie designers and I actually got this pattern as part of a past Perfect Pattern Parcel. Right now I'm just putting together a muslin of the bodice to check the fit with some old fabric before I dive into making a cute blue skater dress with my 'good' fabric. Although if this bodice doesn't need too many adjustments, I'm planning to try to add a skirt and make a dress out of it as well. I'm currently in the process of attaching the neckline to the bodice.

Also, every time my boyfriend sees this fabric, he says "turtleneck and chains."