Percy Jackson Sea of Monster Review Vlog

I've been away! Obviously.

The other day I saw the new Percy Jackson movie, and before I can even get into my ranting, let me show you the vlog I put on Youtube! Link here, or watch it below.

Deuces

The King's Speech

Netflix has been updated! Every time Netflix comes out with new movies and seasons to tv shows I love, I do a little girl dance in my living room out of pure glee. And this time I think I did a full on salsa because I saw the The King's Speech was on there! 

I have literally been dying to see this movie for ages. Like I've mention, I don't do rated R. It's just not for me, too shady. But I heard that the only reason The King's Speech was R was because he drops the F-bomb a few times, plus some other profanities. So really no different from real life. I had been scouring the library, red box, and my friends houses with the chance that I might find this movie, watch it, and be satisfied that I can check it off my bucket list. Well now I can (and you can TOO)! Because wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles, The King's Speech is on Netflix! Girlish squeals of excitement are erupting from my mouth!

I can say with definitive authority, that this movie was amazing. Colin Firth is an absolute genius of a man. I've always loved him, from Pride and Prejudice to What A Girl Wants, he's been my favorite. But this just cements it into my heart that he is a pure magician. He literally transformed himself into King George VI. It's like he was George (or is George? I dunno, I hate verb tenses anyways). 

The movie follows the life of King George VI - who was never really supposed to be the King. As the second son of King George V, he was never expected to inherit the throne, and only did so when his older brother Edward abdicated his right to the crown in order to marry a divorced American socialite, Wallis Simpson. (Quickly I'll explain - the British don't look kindly upon their King marrying an American nobody, especially a divorced American nobody). Now you may be thinking this is all very fine and dandy, King George VI becomes King, whoop-de-do. But! There is a problem. George (first name Albert, known as Bertie to family), has a stutter. And rather a bad one at that.

This is where the genius of Colin Firth comes in, Colin is an amazing actor regardless, but his abilities in this film were just mesmerizing. Bertie grew up with the stutter, was teased for it, made fun of for it, and endured a lot of hardship because he wasn't able to speak in public. He was considered an embarrassment to a lot of people - and Colin portrayed all of that hurt and even guilt I believe, of King George into his portrayal of him. The stammer was also amazing and heart-renchingly sad. Really, when you think about it, it's hard to stutter on purpose. Colin made it seem a real struggle for Bertie to talk in front of people, you could see his throat basically constricting and tightening as he tried to form his words. Every time Bertie tried to talk and it became too difficult for him, and often emotional, my throat would literally constrict as he was talking. I just naturally reacted to it, and it's a little difficult to explain, but really I guess you just have to see it for yourself. 

So much of this movie consists of amazing imagery as well, I loved the cinematography of it. And tried to capture a few scenes that were the most interesting, from a visual point of view, and an audience point of view. 

Another of my favorite elements was that the movie focuses on the relationship between Bertie and his speech therapist, Lionel Logue. I love those movies that show you how one person can help change the course of history, or effect another person's life so much that it changes who they are. The King's Speech is really all about how Lionel and Bertie become friends, and bolster each other up in their trials. It sends shivers down my spine because of how inspiring it is.

I also have to really respect Colin Firth for taking on this role. Being a British actor, portraying a British King (and the father of the current Queen, Elizabeth II), must have been daunting. But Colin, you were certainly up to the task.

The King's Speech won 4 Academy Awards, plus 86 other awards, and 103 nominations.

Deuces

Movie Must See's

Sometimes when I get really bored and there's nothing to do, I spend hours watching movie trailers on Youtube, IMDB, and Apple Trailers. I cannot be the only person who does this, I swear. But I have come to the conclusion that these next few years are going to be some epic movie years. I can feel it in my bones.

Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters - Welcome to the Percy Jackson fandom. Were we fangirl about the sequel to a movie that we didn't even like. Really though, how many of you out there have read the PJO books (and now HoO books), and were absolutely nauseated by the first movie!? CRIMES AGAINST THE FANDOM WERE COMMITTED. AND WE WILL NEVER FORGET IT. I know I'm going to loathe this movie, but that's not gonna stop me from going to see it along with all of my other crazy fangirling friends. It's just something we do. We fangirl.

(In theatres August 7)

Catching Fire - I think we can all pretty much agree that this movie is going to be kick butt awesome, because there is not a person on this planet who doesn't adore Jennifer Lawrence, and Josh Hutcherson. These are facts set in stone.

(In theatres November 22)

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Who else saw The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey? Because it was aawweesooooooooome. You can just picture me singing that and dancing around, that's how awesome it was. 

(In theatres December 13)

Thor: The Dark World - Yet another sequel, so not much more to say at this point, except that I hope Natalie Portman dies. Ugh. Don't judge me, I'm a hater, but I just don't like her. Except for maybe in Star Wars, I liked her in Star Wars. But that's not the point, the real reason everyone is going to see this movie is because of Loki. I LOVE YOU TOM HIDDLESTON.

(In theatres November 8)

About Time - I can't even tell you how much I want to see this movie. It's rated R, and normally I don't go for the rated R ones because that's just a bit shady. But hopefully this movie isn't like that, and I guess I'm willing to take the chance because a) it looks adorable and b) it has Rachel McAdams, who I absolutely love.

(In theatres November 8)

R.I.P.D - Holy smokes I am so excited for this movie! I abso-tute-ly love Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges, plus this looks hilarious. Kind of like Men in Black but for dead people? Most certainly on my "To See" list.
(In theatres July 9)

The Butler - This movie looks simply amazing. It's one of those movies that you know you're going to see, and come away with a whole new perspective on the potential of individuals and how one person can effect change. I am also excited because it has Oprah. I mean, come on, it's Oprah.
(In theatres August 16)

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones - I've talked about this movie before in my book post, so you should know a little bit about it. Before you see the movie, I suggest you read the book, as it's most likely to be a movie that relies on the fanbase to know what's going on because they've all read the book. You know what I mean? But obviously you must see it. Because it will be epic.
(In theatres August 21)

These are only the top 8 of my list! There are so many movies coming out next year as well that I'm dying to see, but movie posters/trailers haven't been released yet, so I'm waiting in suspense! E-mail me with any cool movies you're looking forward to seeing, or comment below!

Deuces

DIY Laptop Sleeve

Hey there! Many of you may have seen me post on facebook, twitter, instagram whatever, that I made a laptop cover for my new Macbook Air! And as promised, here is the tutorial + some basic tips and tricks.

In case you didn't catch the link up there ^^^ just click here for the full tutorial from Design Sponge. 

But in this post I'll include my own tips and things you should probably know before starting this tutorial for yourself.

I got my fabric at JoAnn's fabric store, in the other tutorials I've seen online they've just used a thicker material that would provide a lot of protection - such as wool - and they always have a liner for the inside. Personally I wanted to make my cover look a little more Vera Bradley, so I opted for quilting material. Which is thick, as requested by the tutorials, and quilting fabrics are two sided so you don't have to buy several different fabrics if you don't want too. 

In my case I just bought one yard of the quilting fabric you see above, although I might have been able to do it for 3/4 of a yard. But this way I have enough extra fabric to do something interesting with! (If I ever get off my lazy butt that is...) 

I followed the pattern to the letter. At first I was worried because the quilting fabric looked so much thicker than the wool they used in their pictures, but eventually I was like, "Screw it. I'm doing this." And I promise you it worked out fine. 

I cut out 4 pieces of fabric to the exact dimensions they tell you to (Tip #1 - make sure you cut the fabric EXACTLY. I did it a little wonky and it caused me grief in the next steps)

The first challenge is the zipper, my zipper was about 14-15 inches long I believe, which was just a little shy of my measurements for my fabric, so I opted to put the zipper at the shorter end of the case instead of the long way (opposite of what they did in the tutorial, but it really doesn't make a difference).

Tip #2 - when aligning the zipper, it's okay if it doesn't completely come to the edge/corners of your material. I was a little worried about that but It turned out to be not a big deal.

This is what the seams look like on the zipper when I was all done with that part. Honestly I should be receiving awards right now for this zipper - it's kind of amazing.

At this point, I was so relieved that I got that zipper in and it was working, that I kinda sorta maybe just a little bit raced through the ending and ended up with a weird mess of fabric that I somehow contorted into a proper case. 

Tip #3 - When sewing up the lining and exterior fabrics, make sure to read the directions VERY CAREFULLY. I just sorta skimmed and then did stuff. It was whatever, but I kind of wish I had been more careful about sewing up onto the edge of the zipper, because there's a little hole in mine where the zipper ends sometimes stick out.

This is the side seam when I was done sewing both the lining and the exterior, and finally flipped it right side out.

My laptop fits in it perfectly! 

Tip #4 - Keep on using your laptop to make sure that the seams aren't too tight, or too close together so that the rectangle shape you make is too small for your laptop! The tutorial doesn't give you an exact inch mark to start the seam at, so it's really up to you!

 It's a good thing you can't see it, but I will tell you, that the right side of the lining is completely not sewed. I just stuffed it in there without sewing it, and I am totally not ashamed to say that.

The inside fabric/lining/other side of the quilted fabric.

Note: I am literally a beginner sewer. Like you may think I'm just saying that, but seriously. I started this with absolutely no knowledge. Sure I've made the occasional pajama bottoms, pillowcase, etc, but it's been such a long time that I didn't even know what a bobbin was when I started this project. My mother and my sister had to teach me most of the set up at the beginning because I am completely hopeless. So if I can do this, you can do this. Cross my heart and hope to die. 

The completed project!

Please excuse my crazy eyes, it was a little late and I was a little excited about finishing the case.

Dueces

Let's Get Inspired

I feel like I haven't written in forever, not that there has been much to write about, but still. It's been a few days.

I have to admit something. I have a Pinterest addiction - I feel like I should probably join some kind of meeting group or something, "Hi my name is Madison, and I'm a Pinterest addict."

I'm sure one of those exist somewhere!

But I was on Pinterest the other day, mainly looking at quotes because I was feelin' in the mood for some inspiration. I've printed some of them out and stuck them on the wall next to my bed so I can see them everyday. 

Here are some of the ones I printed and some of the ones I didn't print but wanted to;

I hope you get inspired and maybe use some of these quotes to make your own inspiration wall!

Dueces