NOVEMBER FAVORITES ♥

Here we go with round two of my monthly favorites! :D

This time I’ll begin with a movie, Thor: The Dark World.  I’ll admit that it was incredibly difficult for me not to go to the midnight showing, or even during opening weekend.  I had previously promised to take my brother out to see it for his birthday, so I ended up waiting 2 WHOLE WEEKS!  That aside…it was well worth it.  I’ll be brief and without spoilers.  Asgard was beautiful.  The landscape shots, the architecture, the costumes.  I wasn't as impressed with Malekith as I would've liked/expected to be, but I'm blaming General Zod in Man of Steel for that one.  He was the last movie supervillian that I experienced, and yeah.  Wow.  But I digress. 

 

Thor x Jane = love.  Loki was amazing, in every way imaginable.  The ending of the film certainly made me curious about the God of Mischief’s future role in the Marvel universe!  My second favorite character was Darcy.  She was hilarious!  And reminded me of myself in a few scenes…

 

…Here is the trailer!

 

 

 

 

The local radio stations have started playing Christmas music…DUN DUN DUN.  So it begins.  I live for this time of the year!  I’m super excited to finish up this term and start decorating, shopping, and baking to my heart’s content. ♥ But I’m going a little off-topic (again) here.  As for my favorite music during the month of November, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise when I say that I’m still addicted to k-pop.  Now that I’ve officially immersed myself in the world of Super Junior (in particular; I listen to other k-pop, too, I promise), I’ve come across some of their lesser known/less popular tunes, a few of which I’ve been absolutely loving.  Promise You by their subgroup Super Junior-K.R.Y. is one such song.   Also, Sorry Sorry (Answer Vers.).  How—no, WHY—does this video have less than a million views? o__o

 

I’d say that my absolute favorite for this past month has been Daydream.  Such a beautiful song!

 

 

 

Other (non-Korean, ha ha) music picks for November are Waiting for Superman by Daughtry, Honestly by Kelly Clarkson, and Strong by One Direction.

Lots of ramen and chocolate pocky have been consumed by me as of late.  Neither of these is particularly new to my diet, so I’m not sure if they count as a “monthly favorite,” but it doesn’t hurt anything to mention them here.  :)

 

 

As the weather gets colder and colder, our summer tans fade away, and we’d all look like Noh masks if it weren’t for makeup.  One look that I’m particularly fond of for myself during fall and winter is blush.  I don’t wear blush during the summer because all the sun exposure usually causes it to melt into my foundation and…yuck.  Besides that, blush doesn’t really show up well under summer’s rays, at least against my skin tone.  I like blush when it’s cold because it provides subtle color and an overall warmer look to the face.  It’s like a holiday glow! ^_^ My favorite everyday blush right now is one from e.l.f.’s Studio Line.  The color is called “Tickled Pink.”  It’s a perfect dark pink that isn’t too faint or too vivid.  It stays on quite well for up to 8 hours.  And you can’t argue with the $3 price tag!

 

 

 

Video games were pretty much non-existent in my life during the month of October, but I’ve been slowly easing them back into my schedule lately, because truthfully, I really miss gaming. ;__;  Back in June I received a bunch of 3DS games for my birthday, so I’ve been playing those.  I absolutely love Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance.  This is the first KH game that I’ve owned.  I played the original game years ago, but to be honest I don’t remember much about it.  This installment is just so.  Much.  Fun.  The characters and storyline are fantastic, and I love the suspense of not knowing which Square Enix or Disney element is going to pop up next.  I’ve also been playing Tales of the Abyss and Fire Emblem Awakening.  I just started those two, so I’m not going to comment on them right at this moment.

 

I’ll end this month’s favorites with an accessory.  Ya’ll know that I am a huge Lord of the Rings nerd.  I’ve been wanting an Evenstar pendant for as long as I can remember.  Ever since the Noble Collection came out with their rather pricey replica, it’s been near the top of my materialistic wishlist.  For a while it seemed like a bleak dream, because I’m a poor student and starving artist.  (Ha ha ha)  Just recently I found another, wayyyy cheaper replica on Amazon.  I bought it without hesitation!  Because it shipped from China, it took a while to get here, but!  It’s quite a lovely thing.  I wear it often, and am looking forward to wearing it with my Arwen look for The Hobbit premiere!

 

 

…And that’s all, folks!  I hope you enjoyed reading this post.  As always, if any of you have any questions about anything I’ve said here, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line!

 

Within the next couple of weeks, I will finally be posting either my ocarina review for Songbird Ocarinas, or my contact lens review for EyeCandy’s.  Or maybe both.  Who knows!  Christmas break is on the way, after all! :D

 

‘Til then!

Random Randomness 4/9/2013

Hey there!  Long time no see!  Um…AHEM, yes, I do realize that I promised that I would be blogging weekly despite it being Lent, and…I failed miserably.  Not one post for the month of March.  To be quite honest, the blog was the last thing on my mind.  Schoolwork piled up, I resumed working as a teacher’s assistant, and I had an extra choir practice every week…etc.

That aside, I am BACK!  Today I’m going to keep it simple and share some of my latest randomness.

To start off, Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph.  I freaking adore this movie.  I saw it twice in theaters, and have seen it several times since buying the DVD.  I just can’t get bored of it.  As I said in my latest deviantART (which is sorely lacking updates as well…) journal, it warms my gamer’s heart!

Here’s the trailer if you haven’t seen it yet:

[Wreck-It Ralph Theatrical Trailer]

 

 

Secondly, I’d like to share some music that I’ve been enjoying as of late.  Music was one of the things that I gave up for Lent, and since Easter I’ve been buying song after song after song.  I’ve developed an interest for “songmatching”, that is, trying to find songs that remind me of favorite characters or ships.  Namely ZeLink and SasuSaku (speaking of Naruto…what the HECKENSTEIN is going on around here?!?! …But this is a topic for another day...)  Here is my top twenty for the week (not in any particular order!):

 

 

My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark – Fall Out Boy

Never Be the Same – Red

May I – Trading Yesterday

Alive – Adelitas Way

Bright Lights (Fly) – Alex Goot

You Are – Colton Dixon

Anywhere But Here - SafetySuit

My Home – Thousand Foot Krutch

Just Give Me a Reason – P!nk ft. Nate Ruess

Be Your Everything – Boys Like Girls

Your Heart is a Muscle – Carly Rae Jepsen

Start Again – Red

Time After Time – Quietdrive

Leave Out All the Rest ­­- Linkin Park

Misty Mountains Cold – Peter Hollens ft. Jun Sung Ahn (Peter lives in my city--check him out...he is AMAZING!)

Caravanserai – Loreena McKennitt

Song of the Caged Bird – Lindsey Stirling

When Can I See You Again – Owl City

Your Guardian Angel – The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Collide – Howie Day


Finally, let me say that I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE SUMMER.  I was considering taking classes during the summer, but my interest in that idea quickly dissipated.  I don’t need a break, but I sure do want one.  My art has suffered enough due to me devoting so much time to school.  Don’t get me wrong, I love school!  Really!  I’m one of those academic weirdos who looks forward to new discussion topics and truly believes that there is nothing more fun that writing an essay.  What can I say?  I’m a nerd in every respect.

I have so many ideas for art and stories that I can’t wait to get to working on.  As I've said, my deviantART and Figment have been especially quiet as of late, and I miss interacting with my artist and author buddies.  Plus, I’ll have time to apply for scholarships and save up money so that going back to school in the fall won’t be a pain in the neck like last year.  I’ve also been asked to be a counselor at a local girls’ camp again, so that will be a lot of fun.  And!  I’m going to Cali this summer.  So excited to visit family and go to Disneyland again!

I also have a lot of cool things coming up in regards to my humble little blog here, including photo reviews for some things that I am SUPER EXCITED about.  If you’ve been keeping up with me on Twitter you might know what I’m talking about!  Also, with summer coming around, I’m trying to get back to my Etsy shop, which I have not abandoned!


If you like what you’ve read here, be sure to follow me! Aianarie @Twitter


‘Til the next post!

Random Randomness 10/2/12

Hola! :)

This post is really going to live up to the title “Random Randomness”, I think.  I have been busy with work, so I haven’t had much time for internet (although my Twitter would say otherwise…xD), and there have been so many things I’ve wanted to blog about.  So…let’s get started, shall we?

For one, I have been having so many OTP feels lately.  It is ridiculous, really.  I didn’t think I was an OTP kind of fan.  My numero uno couple has always been, is, and will always be Link x Zelda.  Playing Skyward Sword has definitely fueled this one.  They are so stinking cute in this game.  Don’t get me wrong, all the ZeLink is not the only reason why I love the game.  Not quite!  Skyward Sword is a feast.

            Secondly, Sasuke x Sakura, my favorite couple from Naruto.  I think they look so great together, and their unique storyline leaves open many romantic opportunities that Kishimoto-sensei really needs to take advantage of…I hate Sasuke, though.  I’m not even sorry.  I don’t believe that what he’s gone through is enough to justify his actions.  However, I think Sakura deserves the man of her dreams, which is why I ship them.  I really hope this couple is canon.  Either way, though, I’ll be interested to see how Kishimoto-sensei handles this couple.  On that note, I have been reading a lot of SasuSaku doujin.  Okay, I admit it, a lot of it is garbage, but I was very impressed with some of the artwork and storylines that fans have come up with.  Maybe in the future I’ll blog about my favorite doujin suggestions.  …On a side note, there is a CRAPLOAD of hate involved with this ship…And, I may or may not be working on my own SasuSaku doujinshi...

            About a week ago, I was re-reading Inuyasha, and I was reminded of how much strife this series put my heart through.  There is so much sexual tension between Inuyasha and Kagome.  It’s insane!  I’m glad that I watched/read this series when I was much younger, because now I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have been able to handle the stress. lol

            Clintasha (or BlackHawk).  They just need to shut up and kiss already.  I’m looking forward to Captain America:  The Winter Soldier.  Have you been following?  *wink wink*

            All of my recent OTP feels have not been positive, either.  Some people’s ships drive me crazy.  I mean, if a ship makes enough sense, even if I hate the couple (*cough* for example, Naruto x Sakura *cough*), I dispose myself to accept it.  Because it is possible for them to be canon, so I can’t just ignore its existence.  The exception being Link and Zelda; I can’t stand them being paired with anyone else other than each other.  It just irks me.  Just.  Don’t mess with them.  Please?  Thanks.

            So when I see, for example, Sasuke x Hinata, Black Widow x Loki, or Sesshomaru x Kagome, it drives me up a wall.  I’m usually a very tolerable (or extremely passive) of people’s opinions and I DO NOT get involved with shipping wars, but SRSLY PPL.  Y U NO MAKE SENSE?

            OK, I’m done discussing this.  Next.

So, of course I got the Avengers DVD.  I’ve already watched it twice.  I also had a chance to watch the deleted scenes and Marvel’s first-ever gag reel.  *confetti*  I’m glad they decided to change the Agent Hill scenes that they originally had in the beginning and end of the movie.  I thought those scenes were weird and somehow didn’t fit in the grand scheme of things.  I liked the scene between Hawkeye and Loki, particularly the part where Loki is standing under the crack in the ceiling and the light is on his face.  It gave me chills!  I can see why the scene was cut, but it was still interesting.  Also interesting was the extended Steve Rogers scene in which he is getting used to the modern world.  I found this cute and amusing, although it was serious in tone.  It was quite long (which is probably why it was cut) but I enjoyed watching it.  …Oh Stan Lee.  Ha ha ha.

            The gag reel was hilarious.  Instead of trying to describe it, here, you can watch some of it here:

But really, you should buy the DVD if you haven't.

And we are getting closer and closer to The Hobbit with every passing moment.  The second the presale tickets come up I’m buying one for the midnight showing.  Here is the 2^nd theatrical trailer, with my compliments.

Before I let you go, I would like to direct your attention to my latest deviantART journal: [link], in which I talk about my writing hiatus and my October art projects.

That’s it for today!  ‘Til next week!

Random Randomness 5/15/12

Just a couple of things today.  This past week, I've started three new short stories, all very different in substance and style.  I will be submitting each of these stories for publication to various magazines, websites, and compilations.  I will keep you all updated with my Facebook Page, so check back often.  Oh, I just realized that I haven’t announced my Facebook page here on my blog.  Ahem.  Well, yes, I have a fan page now.  Please do me a HUGE favor and “Like” it!

Back to the short stories, number #1 is about a charismatic young woman with some interesting stories to tell; #2 is doused with faerie dust; and #3 concerns a beautiful but dangerous romance between a girl from a troubled family and a seasoned fighter with a score to settle.

#3 is not something I would usually write, but, last week I had a lengthy conversation with a writer friend, and it went something like this:

Friend: Have you ever considered writing a story about a girl who falls in love with a guy twice her age or older?
 Me: Romance isn’t really my thing.
 Friend: BS.  You write good romance.  And you can throw your fantasy-action-drama-whatever it is you write stuff in there too.
 Me: I’ve never considered it, but eh, I could probably do it.
 Friend: EWWWW, Ash!! lol
 Me: I don’t see what’s wrong with it! XD If you’re in love, you’re in love, and you can’t fight your feelings.
 Friend: I suppose now you have to write this story now.
 Me: I suppose so.
 Me: (after the conversation) Crap.

So yeah.  That’s how that story came to be.  I’m actually quite pleased with how it’s coming along.  And I’ve modeled the guy in it after actor Jeremy Renner, who happens to be forty years old but still totally drool-worthy.

Speaking of Jeremy, he stars as Clint Barton/Hawkeye (*random fangirl moment*) in the EPIC superhero movie The Avengers, which came out this past Friday.  I got to see it on opening day with a few girlfriends, and let me tell you, The Avengers was one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time.  It’s fun, exciting, hilarious (good, clean humor!), and full to the brim with great acting talent and deep character.  A few days ago I watched the movie again in IMAX 3D.  I don’t care for 3D or IMAX (I think it’s too loud, lol), but hey, it’s Avengers.

If you haven’t seen this movie, shame on you.  But here’s the trailer, just to wet your appetite a little.

 And, if you like—here is the second trailer, which has different music and shows different scenes from the movie: Avengers trailer #2

And that’s it for today.  I hope to put up some artwork on my Tumblr tonight, but we’ll see how that goes.

Random Randomness 11/19/11

Yeah I’m notorious for it, so why not some randomness?  First on the list today is that I would like to introduce my personal YouTube account, LyricLuminosa.  As my screen name suggests, I will be uploading mostly lyric videos that I have made.  Here is my first-ever lyric video, O Sanctissima by the boys’ choir that I’ve been rambling about so often lately, Libera.

Such a relaxing, absolutely beautiful song.  It was the first one I heard of Libera, so it has a very special place in my heart!

Alrighty then, enough about that.  Honestly, I could go on forever about them London boys.  (Oh, wait! They have a new video for a song I absolutely LOVE, Eternal Light: [link] Btw, I’m currently at work on an Exsultate lyric vid!) Anyhow, next, THE HUNGER GAMES TRAILER!  It made its debut on Good Morning America this past Monday.  I watched it with lingering weight in the pit of my stomach, telling me that it wasn’t going to be as awesome as I have been hoping.

I liked it.  Um, yeah.  I really, really want to see this movie.

Finally, I pre-ordered the Skyward Sword Remote/CD bundle.  I got an e-mail earlier this week saying it had been shipped.  INDESCRIBABLE HAPPINESS.   I AM SO UTTERLY EXCITED FOR THIS GAME IT’S NOT EVEN FUNNY.  Oops, sorry, caps lock.  Yes.  Link and Zelda love each other in this game!  OMG LOVE LOVE LOVE—darn that caps lock!—JUST WATCH THIS VIDEO.

DEAR NINTENDO, PLEASE STOP TEASING US.

LOVE,
ASHLEY


(P.S. Like the font + color change? Let me know what you think!)

Just something that I found.....

Lately I have tapped back into my inner Zelda-nerd.  Fanart and other Farore's Melody (remember this?? :P) may very well be a reality in the near future.  Keep checking my deviantART. :]

I am not a frequent YouTuber, I just go there to look up lyric videos occasionally.  But last week I was watching some Zelda-related vids and found a full-length fan-film called The Legend of Zelda: The Triforce Prophecy.  A dude by the name of Scotty Whitehurst heads the project as director, writer, and also stars as Link.  And yes, he is a lot hotter than the guy from IGN.com’s 2008 EPICLY FAKE movie trailer (*deep, agonizingly slow breath*…AUGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!! …Ahem.  Ok.  Frustration out.)

So, is this fan movie worth watching?  I watched all thirteen parts (each is roughly 8 minutes; the entire movie is about 120 minutes long) plus the blooper reel and “making of” vids.  And yeah, I think it’s pretty good.  It has a lot of humor, a developing relationship between Link and Zelda (here you can see some inspiration from the old cartoon—Well excuuuuuuse me, Princess!  I laughed so hard.), and the music selection is spot-on.  The special effects are great, considering that’s it IS a fan film.  The acting is good; I wasn’t expecting to be impressed there.

Yeah, I think it’s worth watching.  You’ll at least get a laugh out of it, I promise you that.  Go check it out.

Here’s the link (HA I almost capitalized “link” there XD) to the videos at Scotty’s YouTube channel: “The Legend of Zelda: The Triforce Prophecy” on YouTube

…Aaaaaand, if you’re really that lazy: here, just click the play button below to watch Part One.  You’re welcome.

Maggie's new book: THE SCORPIO RACES

Now that Maggie Stiefvater's beautiful Shiver trilogy has reached its end, fans have something new to look forward to...her new book, The Scorpio Races, which hits your local bookstore on October 18th!!  Mark your calendars and spread the word; this book looks mighty interesting.

Check out Maggie's handmade trailer!

Anddddd, here's the lovely cover:

Oh boy, I can't wait. Hurry up, October!

FOREVER stop-motion trailer!

It's what...like two months 'til Maggie Stiefvater's Forever releases? Holy cow! That reminds me; gotta go place my pre-order (http://www.fountainbookstore.com/autograph-maggie).

But before that, here is Maggie's own hand-made trailer. Enjoy. :)