Some Harry Potter Hype

Because I don't want it all to end.

I had heard that it was an intense, amazing, emotional rollercoaster, and it was.  Once again, I was captivated by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, this time Part 2.  The movie itself lived up to my expectations.  It was suspenseful, poignant, and exciting, but it also had bits of humor peppered in (mostly on lovable Neville's part).  The only semi-negative comment I have is that I could've done without the 3D.  Aside maybe from the opening scene where you felt like you were in the room with Snape, I don't think it added much to the movie.  But that's where my complaints end. 

Whether you're getting psyched up to see it yourself, or you've already seen it but want to relive it, or you're waiting for the DVD release but wouldn't mind something to hold you over until then, here are some Harry Potter related links that amused me lately.

First, I loved MTV Style's "Raiding The 'Harry Potter' Cast's Closets" series this week.  Each day, they chose one of the ladies from the cast and showed you how to recreate her style.
1. Luna Lovegood
2. Hermione Granger
3. Bellatrix Lestrange
4. Rita Skeeter
5. Fleur Delacour

Need a quick recap of the first seven movies?  Check out the youtube video 7 Harry Potter Movies in 7 Minutes. It's also kind of funny, and they pose some very intriguing questions, actually.

This review of the new movie made get a bit choked up and chuckle at the same time.

MTV did a hilarious interview with the stars where they were asked to talk like Americans. And now there's a part two (which I still haven't watched, but I hear it's not as funny as part one)!

Crazy fans are the best, so it was fun to see what they wore to midnight showings in MTV Style's Show Us Your Style video.

Oh yeah, I can't forget to give love to the etsy shop, ViperCoraraDesigns, where I got my Golden Snitch bracelet.

I enjoyed the scene in the movie where they showed Hogsmeade because it reminded me of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  My vacations pictures are not all Harry Potter related, but there are some goods ones in there.

Have all the fans signed up for Pottermore yet??

Mommy Realizations

I had two mommy realizations this week.

First one...

It hit me a couple nights ago that my reactions to babies have taken a 180 in the last year.  When I was visiting my friend's baby on Wednesday, I took my turn holding the little guy right after dinner while sitting at the kitchen table.  He started to fuss, so I adjusted his position so that his head was facing my chest and stood up to bounce around a little. 

Flashback to last year:  I sat nervously on another friend's couch while her adorable son was passed around.  I waited until someone asked if I wanted a turn and sat rooted in my spot until he was set in my tense arms.  I was terrified of standing up while holding a  baby back then!  Oh what a difference a year and a baby of my own makes.

Second one...

I was one of those moms tonight.  The mom that makes onlookers raise their eyebrows.  Bridget and I joined Hubs at a work party, which was held at a brewery with an outdoor seating area where everyone was hanging out.  There were a couple other babies there, so that wasn't the weird part. 

At one point, Bridget needed a diaper change, so I took her inside to ask if they had a changing table in their bathroom (only one person can go in at a time, so I couldn't just check myself) although I was 99% sure they didn't.  When my suspicions were confirmed, I shuffled back outside and debated whether to walk back to the car to change her or just go home.  I didn't really feel like doing either, so I sat at an empty table, considered for a moment plopping Bridget's butt right on the tabletop, but then thought better of it and changed her right on my lap.  Everyone in our group thought it was funny and inventive, but a couple at a nearby table was definitely judging.  Just trying to make it work over here!  But admittedly, before I was a mom, I probably would've judged, too.  And at least I didn't put her on the table!

Bastille Days Lunch Break

For lunch today, I decided to walk over and check out Food Truck Friday at Cathedral Square. As I approached, though, I noticed there were a lot of tents, but not so many trucks. What a happy surprise--Bastille Days was going on there instead!

Although I'm really into French things, I've actually never been to Bastille Days, but it's pretty much just like every other local street festival, a.k.a. awesome. Lots of good food and shopping--some of it cheesy (the food and the shopping), some of it fun.

My original plan was just to get food and book it back to work, but the first booth I spotted had flower headbands, which I love buying for Bridget. However, these were adult sized, so I wasn't as interested. They did have floppy straw hats for their headbands to go on, so I picked one of those up.  Unfortunately, the headband makes the hat all bent out of shape, so I think it'll have to be worn separately after all.

I also found two bracelets--the green one was an impulse buy because it was only $5 (not a good reason to buy something, by the way), and the wrap bracelet is something I've been casually looking for for awhile.  And it kind of matches my Golden Snitch bracelet (nerd)!

As for the food, I did scope out the crepes, but they all seemed to have custard in them, and I don't like crap in my crepes.  It's not a snobby thing; it's an I-don't-like-cream-stuff texture thing.  I ended up getting a cheddar and jalapeno stuffed pretzel and cinnamon roasted pecans.  Hmm, they don't look that good in that picture, but they were delish.

It was nice going at lunch, too, because it wasn't busy at all.  I'll have to remember that again for next year.

Recap of Days 16 - 30

So whattaya think? I'm liking 25 and 28 best--I really wish my maxi dress would stop stretching out! 

Some final thoughts:

• I'm excited to get back to the rest of my closet, but I'm actually kind of feeling overwhelmed by the idea, too.  Maybe I should appease my husband and do the 30 for 30 every month...maybe not.
• It was a bummer that I lost two of my items along the way, but at least it happened near the end.
• Having a vacation in the middle made it a lot easier, I think.  That was one week I didn't have to think of new work outfits.
• Those capris are from now on going to be saved for scrubby, lazy days.  Looking at these pictures, they're not that cute on.
• I need to start wearing heels so my work pants stop dragging on the floor.
• I do believe I will be tying shirts more often this summer.  Who knew?
• My daughter's cute.

Hehe, OK, that's all!  Oh heeeeyyy, closet!

Day 30 of 30: I'm Done, I'm Done, I'm Done!

I'm done!

Dress Worn as a Top: Target; Pants: New York & Company; Shoes: Kohl's

This was my one last ditch effort at inspiration because I didn't feel like wearing a dress, and most of my shirts were in the wash, and it actually worked. I feel like this is the perfect culmination outfit--I remixed a dress into a shirt and mixed black with brown. Bending all sorts of traditional fashion rules over here.

For the rest of you still remixing, keep up the good work, ladies! You're almost there!

Day 29 of 30: Watching Moms Be Moms

I'm actually glad it was a cooler day today because I'm definitely over most of my 30 for 30 items, and I think I'm even missing a couple things. I know at least one of my shirts (which is actually my husband's) is back in Maine.  Oh well, one more day!

Top: Old Navy; Pants: New York & Company; Necklace: can't remember; Bracelet: Kohl's

This was one of the first outfits that popped into my head when I picked out my 30 items, but I didn't get a chance to wear it until now.  I was going for a Coco Chanel inspired look.

Coco Chanel

But then the classiness goes away as Dela jumps on me, heh.

As I type this, I'm watching a show called Dance Moms. It's pretty much Toddlers in Tiaras but the girls are five years older. So far, the coach is the crazy pushy one, and the moms are off drinking wine, haha.

Speaking of moms, we visited our friends' (who actually were the ones that set us up) new house and new baby tonight. Their house is gorgeous, and of course, their baby boy is adorable. It definitely reminded me that I'm not ready for a second baby quite yet, though.

Day 28 of 30: Retail Therapy

Dress and Shoes: Kohl's; Shirt: New York & Company; Bracelets: Mexicali Blues 

The last time I remember tying my shirt like this was 7th grade, and I only remember because there's photographic evidence of my 13th birthday party.  Which was an awesome one, by the way.  My mom surprised my friends and me with a limo picking us up from school and bringing us to dinner at Organ Piper Pizza. 

I actually really dig the tied shirt look--it does the job of a belt, which I also tried this morning, and defines a waist.  The knot kept coming untied, though, so I ended up double knotting it after work--I didn't think it looked as good that way, but whatevs.

Besides liking my outfit in general, I've had a bit of a day--one that ultimately ended in retail therapy...and wine.  I've really broken the shopping ban now.  New York & Company sales always get me!  All of their summer stuff was on sale for like $10 or less!  Admittedly, I am having a leeettle bit of buyer's remorse about some of the stuff; who knows, maybe I'll have to return half of it once it comes in the mail.

Here's my haul in case you want to shake your finger at me and say "tsk, tsk": blazer, plaid bermuda shorts, dress pants, pink floral skirt, pink drapey cardigan (by the way, is that Bianca from ANTM modeling the green cardi?), green belt, pencil skirt (I know it's metallic, but I don't own any pencil skirts), green floral shorts, cropped khakis (for camping next weekend?), skinny cropped jeans.  Yeah, excessive, I know.  But, but $8!

They should sponsor my blog.  Eh?  Eh?  Heh...