Fashion of The Hunger Games Premiere

Last night was the red carpet premiere of The Hunger Games with the arrivals and interviews streamed online. I was able to tune in about 15 minutes late; unfortunately, I watched the entire thing on mute.

The very first interview I saw and probably my favorite dress of the night was that of Latarsha Rose, who plays Portia, Peeta's stylist, in the movie. She was wearing a lace and feather embellished dress by couture designer Junko Yoshioka and jewelry by Royal Asscher and London Manori. I'm not sure how much I love the fit and flare look, but the top is gorgeous! It's lace, so obviously, I'm going to like it.

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Between the two young stars of the movie, Amandla Stenberg (Rue) wins best dressed hands down. She looked ADORABLE in this minty ombre dress.

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I would've liked Willow Shields' (Prim) look better if the dress were a little shorter. The color is very pretty on her, though.

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Redheads always seem to look gorgeous in green. Jackie Emerson (Foxface) was no exception.

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I have to mention Elizabeth Banks' (Effie) dress. She looked flawless with this textured reddish-orange one shoulder dress. Upon closer inspection, it almost looked like her dress was made out of Fruit Roll-ups, which I found amusing.

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Another girl in red was Leven Rambin (Glimmer, or Sloan from Grey's Anatomy, as I know her.), who looked stunning. Maybe one of the best dressed of the night, in my opinion.

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Another best-dressed nominee would also have to be Isabelle Fuhrman (Clove) in a sparkly Oscar de la Renta tea length dress. And check out those gold glittery Jimmy Choo shoes! I can't believe this girl is only 15!

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Miley Cyrus was also in attendance since she is dating Liam Hemsworth (Gale), and her Emilio Pucci ensemble is also worth mentioning. She wore a cropped bustier with a full length matching beaded skirt. In her defense, the cropped look is in, and during the interview I saw, there wasn't that much stomach showing.  It does look a little belly dancer with the strappy low cut top and the exposed midriff, though.

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And oh hey, can't forget the stars! Jennifer Lawrence looked the part of the star of the show and wore a gold lamé Prabal Gurung dress with cutouts along the sides that extended to the back. Your eyes went right to her on the red carpet, as they should. Josh Hutcherson wore a Z Zegna dark gray suit, while Liam Hemsworth donned Dolce&Gabbana.

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Hunger Games vs. Twilight?

Although I’m not entirely qualified to do a Hunger Games review since I have not finished the series yet, I thought today would be an appropriate day to weigh in as it is the world premiere of the movie. You can stream the red carpet arrivals tonight starting at 7:30 CST. Fashion post to come later hopefully if I'm able to watch.

I resisted reading this series for a long time, but like a certain other popular series, I eventually gave in and really enjoyed it. I can see why some fans are annoyed by the Twilight comparisons, though. There are maybe only three similarities I can think of between the two:

1. The main character is a teenage girl. 
2. There are two boys vying for her affections. 
3.  The hysteria surrounding the books and movies will be at least equally as large. 

But that’s where the similarities end. Katniss is nothing like Bella, and the plots share no other commonalities. They’re just two completely different things. And that’s OK. You can like both. Or one. Or neither.

Having said that, I found the beginning of Catching Fire (no spoilers, don’t worry) to be tiresome how Katniss hemmed and hawed over Gale versus Peeta. It did strike me as very New Moon-esque for a minute there. I was much happier when the story beelined and became suspenseful once again.

As far as my reactions on the first book, going into it, I was nervous about the gruesome and disturbing parts I had heard rumblings about. Without spoiling anything, the part that got to me was the final death in the games. I hope they make that part of the movie very short...or take it out entirely. What I enjoyed most about the first book was the journey aspect of it. I tend to like stories where the character has to physically get from one place to another and face various challenges in the middle. I guess that ensures the story moves along. Because of that journey, I may like the first book a smidge better than the second, but I’m not sure. Maybe I’ll know for sure once I finish Mockingjay. At this point, I still haven’t decided whether I’m “Team Gale or Team Peeta.” You?

Many people have said they like The Hunger Games better than Twilight. I am not one of them. (GASP! COUGH! KICK! RUN AWAY!) BUT, that doesn’t mean I don’t thoroughly enjoy the story telling. I had a couldn’t-put-it-down moment and devoured the last half of Catching Fire in one night. And I know the movies are going to be excellent. There’s just no doubt in my mind. And really, there’s no need to compare the two and pit one against the other. As far as super popular multi-book series made into movies go, Harry Potter is going to win for me anyway.

But I’m still pretty darn excited to see the movie on the 24th! What scene are you most/least looking forward to seeing?

How I Almost Met Jason Segel

Saturday morning as planned, I got up and made my way to my haircut appointment. My friend and hairdresser informed me that Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up, Freaks and Geeks, etc. etc.) was going to be in Chicago that night, doing a comedy show at Second City. She loves the guy, so of course she wanted to go. And I’m a fan of both him and trying to meet celebrities in general, so I was all about it as long as I could work it out with the hubs.

Turns out, the hubs was craving a “me day” for himself to get some work done on the basement, so Bridget duty was enough to convince him to let me run off to Chicago for the night.

I met my friends on the road a little before 8, and we drove the rest of the way to Chicago together. Earlier in the day, we had learned that Jason would be at an awards show in the evening, then doing a free improv set at 1 AM. Seats were not guaranteed for the comedy show since the paying customers for the sold out 11:00 show got first dibs. Our only option was to stand in line and hope for the best. We headed to Second City first to see if there was a line started yet. Since there wasn’t, we went on to Water Tower Place, where the award show was taking place.

After about an hour of no sightings there, we drove back to Second City. By that time, the line was at least 50 people long. Craaaaaaaaaaaaaap!!!!!

We waited for a couple hours while the 11:00 show was going on, all the while trying to keep ourselves amused and warm. I found it particularly funny when my friend would sing the “Let’s Go to the Mall” song from HIMYM, including the Canadian accent. At a little before 1:00, I noticed a really nice car pull up and some girls started rushing toward it. I commanded my friends to hurry to the car and try to get a glimpse while I held our spot in line. Jason actually rolled down his window, and a couple of girls got pictures and talked to him for a second.

One of the girls’ pictures, which she texted to a few people in line

My two friends got to the car in time to see the back of his head as the car turned the corner to go around the building. Our excitement was heightened, and we hoped even more that we could get inside to see the show.

Another half hour to an hour passed as the 11:00 show got out late, and we noticed only a dozen or so people file out. Definitely not promising. They were only able to let about 20 people from our line in, so we were out of luck. Since we couldn’t feel our toes, we went back to the car to warm up and wait for the improv set to be done. We had one more chance to see Jason when he left the venue.

A little after 2:00, we drove our car around the venue to see if we could see anything promising. We noticed the car Jason came in was parked at the side entrance! A bunch of girls (and a few guys) were already waiting in the lobby, and we were very thankful to have a warm place to stand this time. After the improv set let out, though, security made us wait outside. The three of us got a spot right next to the car, and the crowd formed a walkway from the door to the car. The driver came out and moved the car. We all started running (seriously...I haven’t run after a car in years...kind felt like a lunatic) back to the front of the building, and we secured a spot by the car door once again.

It was another hour and a half before anything else happened. The staff was all telling us that Jason had left and that the driver was inside drinking whiskey. ‘Cause that’s really safe to do right before you drive. It was just not all adding up although we were starting to give up hope. We gave ourselves a cutoff time of 4 AM. (Yes, we’re crazy. We know this.) By that time, the crowd had thinned out, and there were probably less than 20 fans there. All of our eyes were fixed on the front entrance, but my friend awesomely noticed a group of people, which turned out to be Jason Segel and his entourage, coming out a nondescript side door and darting toward the car.

It was all very quick but also very exciting and eye-opening. Although we did not get into the show like we had originally planned, it was good we at least got a glimpse.

I didn’t end up getting home and in bed until 6:30 AM. I know I won’t be able to do these crazy, spontaneous things for much longer as Bridget gets older, but I’m glad my husband doesn’t mind that I do them every once in awhile, even though he thinks I’m insane. I really wish I lived in Chicago, though. It’d be so much easier!

Breaking Dawn Outfit

Vampire Top: Maurices; Long Sleeve Shirt: Target; Vest: Old Navy; Jeans: New York & Company; Shoes: Vince Camuto (via giveaway); Bracelet: Charming Charlie

This is my official Twilight movie shirt. It’s not official Twilight merchandise, but I bought it at Maurices before New Moon came out, when you could find vampire themed apparel everywhere, it seemed. I’ve worn this shirt three times so far--to the midnight showing of New Moon, while pregnant and going to see Eclipse, and to Breaking Dawn this past weekend. It just has to last one more year for Breaking Dawn: Part 2, and then I can retire it.

I paired the T-shirt with this military-esque vest that a bunch of bloggers have, my new tough girl boots, and cuffed jeans for Bloggers Do It Better: Military Chic.

What’d you think of Breaking Dawn, for those of you who’ve seen it? There was some discussion with my friends after we saw the movie and on Facebook, and we all came to the conclusion that some parts were definitely cheesy. But that didn’t stop me from loudly laughing at some parts and cowering with my hands over my mouth during the suspenseful/gruesome parts (birth scene anyone?). The last shot of the movie before the credits was INTENSE.

I do have some complaints about the Cullens throughout the Twilight series. The Cullens in general have gotten less good looking with each movie, I think. Rosalie was gorgeous in the first one, and now you can tell she’s just wearing a really bad wig. Alice’s hair has gotten progressively worse, too. And all of a sudden, Emmett is just a dumb jock (also with bad hair) instead of a fun-loving older brother type. Esme is the only one who has looked the same and consistently good throughout. And Edward. I did enjoy Jasper in his tux, though. Rawr! Speaking of Jasper, why does he only have a Southern access in Eclipse?

One of the trailers was for The Hunger Games, and I may finally be convinced to read it. Good thing I have a handful of months to do so before the movie comes out.

Love for Crazy Stupid Love

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I've been excited to see Crazy, Stupid, Love for months and it did not disappoint.  Ryan Gosling was perfection, and I found myself wishing we were back on his story line when the movie was following Steve Carell.  But Steve Carell does so well in dramatic roles, and of course he's hilarious.  As was Josh Groban, actually, who played Emma Stone's workaholic boyfriend.  It was fun to see Top Model Analeigh, too.  I also realized once again how beautiful Julianne Moore and Emma Stone are, and I wanted all their clothes.

Speaking of the attire, I was paying special attention to what the guys were wearing for my Caffeine Coquette post today:

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??

It's Levi-O-sa, not Levio-SA

It's official.  Our trip for Memorial Day weekend is all booked. Although I'm absolutely terrified of flying, I'm also ridiculously excited for this vacation. I get to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Yup, I'm a huge dork. It'll be a lot of fun experiencing the rest of the Universal Parks for the first time, too. While we're down there, I'm also visiting a friend from high school, and it's always a good time catching up with her and reminiscing about how we were even dorkier back then (OK, mostly me).

Here's what I'm looking forward to most, Wizarding World-wise:

Butterbeer!!

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Draco Malfoy's wand!  Although I'm always cheering for Harry and his gang to prevail, I am a fan of Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy and Alan Rickman as Professor Snape.  So I guess I have a little soft spot for the misunderstood bad guys. If I were to get a "good guy" wand, I'd go for Luna Lovegood's. She's just awesome in her weird way.

Don't ask me what I'm actually going to do with the wand once I get home. Maybe buy a bookshelf and put it by the HP books (except I only have the 7th book--bad fan).

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A little off topic, but I saw this video when it first came out, and I was amused. I like when people do accents, especially when English people do American accents.

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

And by the way, here's where the post title comes from. My go-to Harry Potter quote. I also used to be able to do Hagrid's voice pretty well. Haha.



Well, this was kind of a rambly post, so I guess I'll be done and find something else to do while hubs watches Babylon 5. I may be a nerd, but sci-fi is definitely not my thing.

Charlie Sheen Way Back When

Listening to Charlie Sheen and all of his crazy one-liners is hilarious and makes me shake my head, but ya wanna know the real tragedy for me? Now I'll never be able to watch one of my favorite movies from childhood again - Courage Mountain: Heidi's New Adventure - without thinking of his current antics.

(Embedding was disabled for this video on youtube, so you can click the movie poster to watch the trailer.)