Friday, April 4, 2014

Friday Randomness & March's Art Winner!

I know I've been all MegaCon this and MegaCon that the last several posts, so just wanted to check in with some other random tidbits:

- John and I have discovered Veronica Mars on Amazon Prime, and it is glorious. If you haven't seen the show, Veronica is kind of like Buffy, if Buffy were a P.I. and didn't have to slay anyone. Only cooler than that. Also, I am very bad at describing shows.





- We met up with some readers from Australia last week at Downtown Disney, where I spotted this adorable Olaf candy apple:

I would make a joke about a warm hug in my mouth, but, ew.

Speaking of which: I also finally - FINALLY - saw Frozen, and I loved it and need to see it a few more times immediately. I'm not sure it topped Tangled, though  - even if the visuals were prettier - so I think I need both on Blu-Ray to compare. You know, for SCIENCE.


- One more for my fellow Dizgeeks: Some of the best store displays at Downtown Disney are in Tren-D, and I spotted a funny new addition way up high:


No, not the creepy witch hands - the title of one of those books. See it? :D I still can't quite decipher the blue book, though. "Conju?" Think someone started to write "conjuring" but stopped midway for a lunch break?

- Another fun find, this time at Target: I think it's an Easter basket?

Adorable creepy, right? Only $10, if you want one. (No, I didn't buy one. Do any of you without kids do the Easter basket thing? Maybe if I liked jelly beans more...)


- Oh! Semi-big news - for me, at least: Some of our new friends from MegaCon convinced John and me to try our first Disney Bounding tomorrow! (And by "convinced" I mean "invited.")

Disney Bounding is a form of closet cosplay (or "closet play") that folks wear to the parks; you use regular everyday clothes to make a subtle version of a character costume. It was popularized by the blog Disney Bound, and has really taken off in California - plus we're seeing more of it here in Orlando.

Of course, most 'bounding is so subtle you wouldn't recognize it until compared side-by-side with the character - but coming from a cosplay frame of mind, I had to struggle with the "subtle" part. And given my history, I'm pretty sure you can guess my character:

My favorite part was turning John's antique pocket watch - a gift from my dad - into a necklace. (Set at 12:25, of course!) I painted the heart on a cheap tank top with a quick paper stencil & fabric spray paint, and the red cardigan was a $4 thrift shop find. I'll also be wearing gray leggings & the red chucks in the pic there.

For comparison:
 
Of course I wanted to make some ears for my hat, but again, I struggle with "subtle." Ha! (I also considered a white feather on each side, but that would probably look silly. Um. Right?)

It was a happy coincidence that the couple we're going with  had already chosen to dress as a gender-swapped Alice & Mad Hatter. John will wear his Cheshire shirt & vest, so once again we will clash spectacularly and be extremely easy to spot if you're at Epcot tomorrow night. ;)

Oh! And tomorrow is Table Top Day, so we're going to learn to play Ticket To Ride there at the park. John and I are quite deficient in table top gaming friends IRL, so I'm psyched!

Happy Weekend, everyone!

***

Oops, nearly forgot: This month's randomly selected art winner is Amy Corser! Congrats, Amy, and please e-mail me your mailing address and choice of prize from the art give-away board!

57 comments:

  1. I think I would enjoy Disney Bounding, if I lived closer to the parks. But I live in the middle of the country...literally. I was wondering though, why do you like the white rabbit so much?

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    1. I like him now just because of my steampunk cosplay, so I have a history with the character. Beyond that, though, no particular reason. :) I think I picked him in the first place because I like Wonderland, but wanted a less obvious/popular cosplay than Alice, Hatter, or the Queen.

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  2. I'm really curious where in Epcot you're planning to stretch out and play a game... one of the restaurants? On a random table outside?

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    1. I think we're going to try to play in the UK, maybe at an outdoor table or back behind the tea shop near the stage pavilion somewhere.

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  3. Do the feathers! Your White Rabbit Disney Bounding outfit is adorable, and as long as the feathers look symmetrical, I think that would be a genius touch. :) Would adding a pale pinkish band or ribbon to the hat to hold the feathers in place (to mimic the ear or eye color perhaps) work? Can't wait to see the whole thing put together! Have fun Table-Topping - it's one of my favorite group activities!!!!!

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  4. OMG!!! thank you!! My heart just flipped! I really love both of your blogs!

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  5. Love your Bounding outfit.
    Ticket to Ride is fun! Hope you enjoy!

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  6. Once you've watched all of VM, then you can see the fan-funded movie and get all the in jokes :) I've been a HUGE VM fan for years and I'm so glad you've found this hidden gem!!

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    1. Loved the movie! Oh all the in jokes! And Dick! Dick is awesome, and Vinnie!

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  7. I love your bounding outfit! My trip to WDW is booked for Xmas and I'm already planning out some of my outfits that I'd like to wear. My boyfriend, is surprisingly patient and willing to let me help him create a bounding outfit for him also, as he wants to be Captain Hook. I'm finding that a bit difficult though as I don't want to go over the top - velvet overcoat would just scream Hook and isn't quite what I'm going for... At least I have a long time to think about it :)

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  8. I loved loved loved Veronica Mars but haven't watched it since it was originally on the cw.

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    1. If you can, you should watch it again. It totally holds up. Have you seen the movie or read the new book, The Thousand Dollar Tan Line? (And can you tell I'm obsessed with Veronica Mars? LOL)

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  9. Love Frozen heh. Did you notice that Rapunzel and Eugene are in the crowd for Elsa's coronation? During 'First time in Forever" right after Anna comes through the gates you can see them walking into the castle :)

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  10. We'll be at Epcot tomorrow playing games for Table Top Day as well! We are trying to play in every country. We already spent a day playing Hanabi in Japan, Alhambra in Morocco, and Dixit in France.

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  11. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on Ticket To Ride!! It's one of my favorite games I've learned this year!

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  12. We're planning on doing Dapper Day in Orlando in September, and I'd love to Disney Bound for it! I don't know what I want to do yet, plus we'll be bringing our daughter who will be a year at that point.

    We walk around Downtown Disney ALL the time (we live pretty much right behind it), and the other week I saw a couple that was Mr. Smee and a female Peter Pan!

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    1. Ooh, I like the idea of a female Peter Pan bounding outfit. We're going to Epcot in May and I've been trying to figure out a bounding outfit for Figment.

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  13. How have you only just found Veronica Mars? Oh the joy! VM is the non-supernatural Buffy, both smart, sassy and kick arse!
    The Logan/Veronica love story is also awesome. Do not be afraid if you like Dick for some reason, he is a stragely horrible character with weird charisma. And he has great lines.
    And then there is the film. Awesome!!!
    Welcome to Neptune!

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  14. Veronica Mars is the greatest ever. Once you finish the seasons, you need to check out the movie and brand new mystery book The Thousand Dollar Tan Line immediately.

    I was kind of, um, underwhelmed by Frozen. It was a decent movie, the songs are catchy, Olaf is hilarious, I appreciate the message of sisterly bonds and not marrying someone you just met BUT the overall story just wasn't that great to me. I would say Brave and Tangled are both better movies.

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  15. I'm so excited for you! I have wanted to go bounding so bad for so long. We love Ticket to Ride. :) Whenever my family comes into town they bring it along. And as a crazy random happenstance... we are all about Alice in Wonderland here. My two girls are going to be young animated Alice and Older Tim Burton Alice for Halloween. I'm making all of us charm bracelets and necklaces to match.

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  16. Congrats Amy! Enjoy your prize!


    Drat. Looks like I'll have to buy the John Sherlock picture. After meeting Matt Smith tomorrow. EEEEEEEEEE!

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  17. The only other thing I would add to your outfit is a turquoise scarf. Then it would be absolutely perfect instead of just perfect.

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    1. This is exactly what I was thinking too!!!! That would really top it all off!!

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  18. You should try and get an aqua shawl/scarf or something to get the ruff! Looks rad though!

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  19. Oh wow that outfit is awesome! This is probably weird but I adore you :) in a non creepy way of course!

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  20. Wish I lived closer, I'd totally bound with you. (It's a verb, right?) I inadvertently subtly cosplay Snow White all. the. time. I just think that yellow and navy and red go pretty together. Plus the super dark-boarding-on-black hair. I get comments all the time and it always takes a second to "get" it.

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  21. For subtle, what about using white barrettes painted with a stripe of pink down the side?

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  22. I'm deficient in tabletop game friends IRL, too. Thinking about making the hour-long drive down to Tallahassee tomorrow. There are a few events scattered about town.

    I just recently re-watched Veronica Mars (finished it in time for the movie release, wOOt!). It still holds up well. Plus, Keith Mars is the coolest dad ever.

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  23. I love the turquoise scarf idea. To keep it subtle, I would do a turquoise band around your hat. Keep the colours in there without going overboard. Happy bounding!

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  24. I'll be chalking a painting at Winter Garden in the morning, if we are still up to it we are supposed to meet up with our tabletop gaming friends at Epcot. I guess I should pack my sketchbook just in case I finally catch you with the sketch I have been trying to get you LOL.

    I just hope I am not so beat after the chalk competiton, last year it was quite a challenge.

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  25. Oh that I lived in Florida, rather than the opposite coast! I'd so play tabletop games, craft, thrift, costume, etc with you! BTW, if you haven't already seen you MUST watch Wil Wheaton's TableTop episode for Ticket to Ride. BEST ENDING EVER! And you'll have an idea of how to play the game before you get to Disney. Less time learning=more time playing=more fun!

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  26. At least watching Veronica Mars on Netflix you won't have the nasty heartache that fell on those of us who watched it on TV when it was cancelled. :(

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  27. It is a little rough to find space since it is still the Flower and Garden festival. I suggest perhaps playing on the grassy areas by Ellen's Energy Adventure/Test Track/Mission Space. Those grassy knolls are prefect for stretching out.

    Also I love that you are loving VM. I just got into it right before the movie came out because my boyfriend is a Marshmallow from day 1 and so I had to figure out what he kept talking about. Needless to say a couple of episodes in and I was hooked. The movie is everything I wanted as a fan.

    Your DisneyBound is perfect. Make sure you send a picture to the original tumblr.

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  28. Coincidentally, I just finished watching all three seasons of VM, and the movie. I think of the show as like Buffy, but the vampires are metaphorical. Each season even has a Big Bad, like Buffy.

    Love at first watch!

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  29. I totally agree with your assessment of Frozen, it's exactly what I've been saying to anyone that'll listen ("Loved it, but doesn't top Tangled, for me"). Glad you finally saw it and enjoyed it! Hope you enjoy playing Ticket to Ride, it's a pretty fun game, I'm super jealous you're going to be doing two of my favorite things at the same time! (WDW and board games, of course)

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  30. I find it hard to believe Frozen will top Tangled for me either. Yes, I still haven't seen it. Life has been crazy.

    BTW: thank you for the Yoda Easter basket photo. That would make a fun candy holder for a Star Wars themed party. The photo keeps making me think: Bring me the head of Yoda! My inner child seems to have a sick sense of humor.

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  31. If you see Deputy Sacks on Veronica Mars, that's my cousin! :D He was in the recent VM movie, too.

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  32. I loved that show so much. Best father daughter relationship on tv. Just saw the movie and relived the glory days! Enjoy.

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  33. Ooh, I'll be at Epcot today so I'll look for you! I'm local and have been meaning to try to schedule a meet up for forever. I'll be wearing a homemade Anna inspired green Mickey hat. It has Olaf on the front. Hope I see you!

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  34. Oh, and my little girl will probably be wearing an Elsa dress, not that that will help us stand out at all..

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  35. Have you considered doing pigtails as "ears"? Love the outfit!

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  36. So happy you have discovered VM! I need to make my husband watch it with me on Prime. I haven't seen the movie yet (newborns tend to be frowned upon in movie theaters), but I hopento get a chance soon!

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  37. I need to add VM to my "watch list" though i currently have so many!! I am waiting for the new seasons of The Bletchley Circle (have you seen this.. its so Great!! and its on netflix woot) and Sherlock.. rather impaitenly i might add. I am watching Charmed, Heart of Dixie (when i can stand it i have a love hate relationship with this show), and Mythbusters because...Jamie.. lol

    I saw the outfit and was like 'white rabbit..i think.. o gosh am i wrong??.. *scroll scroll* YES white rabbit NAIILLED IT' and i'm with Anonymous-Pigtails would make great subtle "ears"

    What is this game, i have never heard of it.. i should google..I am going to go google ;)

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  38. Hurray for tabletop gaming! My husband and I got into it a few years ago, and now we try to schedule a monthly gaming night with our friends. Ticket to Ride is a nice introduction into European style gaming. Another good one is 7 Wonders. Or, if you are more into cooperative games, Forbidden Island is fun and super easy to learn. I can talk for hours about tabletop games, so let me know if you want more suggestions. Or gaming buddies! (We're local.)

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    1. I forgot to add, we also just found Veronica Mars. We just finished season 1 today. My husband and I are watching it together, so I have to wait until he has another evening free to start the next season. You don't know how hard it is not to just binge watch the whole thing. And I always thought of her more as a Nancy Drew meets Sweet Valley High.

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  39. I just don't get all the hype about Frozen, and that's big coming from me because I'm a huge Idina Menzel fan. It was cute, but came nowhere near Tangled for me. It was a little too silly and the music was just meh. I do have to say that I loved Kristoph and Sven though!

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  40. Tangled! Yes, exactly! It brings tears to my eyes EVERY time I watch it (and at multiple points in the movie!). Frozen doesn't quite achieve that. GREAT songs and characters in Tangled, great story, better action pieces, a much more palpable villain, that beautiful scene (and song) with the lanterns, even the eerie/beautiful song Rapunzel sings to make her hair glow...etc!

    If I had commented in time, I would have said YES to the white feathers in your hat, just to invite a second glance from people, then they might figure out your "costume". :) I hope you had fun at Disney Bounding!

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  41. Pictures of your Disney bounding adventure coming up? I hope so.

    I did a quickie "Disney Bound" when I went to see Despicable Me 2. I really don't like yellow but I wore jeans and a yellow shirt I bought specifically to wear to the theater. 'Cause I'm a dork sometimes...okay, all of the time.

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  42. Jen, do you have a light blue ribbon to tie like a choker necklace around your neck? I don't know how hot it is down there, but that would be just enough to stand in for the blue ruff. Also, little white and pink feathers on either side would be a subtle hint at rabbit's ears without being full blown look at me ears... You're gonna look awesome!

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  43. I'm so happy you found Veronica Mars! The biggest shocker of season 3 is that Weevil gains 70 pounds apparently overnight, and NO ONE SAYS ANYTHING. I still refuse to believe Veronica would have let that one go...

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  44. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who felt that way about Frozen. I think the animation was better (hello, a giant ice castle?!), but the characters in Tangled were so much more thought out and developed. I can't decide which music I like better, though. Probably Tangled, just because that music seems like it can stand on its own, without having to be in the context of the movie. I didn't really get "Let It Go" until I saw the movie.

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  45. I always make an easter basket for my hubby and this year my Step-mom is paying me to make one for my Dad ( I design gift baskets). I just saw frozen the other day and I liked it but I think I liked tangled better.

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  46. My hubby and I just discovered Veronica Mars a couple months ago, because of the Kickstarter campaign, and I'm totally obsessed. I'm a huge LoVe shipper, I loved the movie, and I'm half way through The Thousand Dollar Tan Line. Such a great character, and I love her relationship with her dad.

    I was also super late to the Frozen party (finally went to see it because Veronica Mars/Kristen Bell is in it), and I loved it. You're right that Tangled is a better movie, but Frozen is GORGEOUS on Blu-Ray. Do NOT miss the "Making of Frozen" featurette on the DVD. SO. AWESOME.

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  47. Veronica is the BEST. Seriously, such a show. I'm not overly fond of season 3, but I love VMars the whole way through. And do see the movie; once you've seen the show, the movie is just full of FEEEEEELS. Especially when you've been waiting ten freaking years for it and pledged to the Kickstarter in the first hour and got the t-shirt and... Ok, so I might be a little obsessed. But really, Veronica is a amazing.

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    1. Ditto! ;) You so exactly said exactly what I was planning to say about VMars. And it made me experience all kinds of good feels to see Jen & John getting into it. Yeah for more mashmallows!!

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  48. a good way describe veronica mars....the new nancy drew!

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