Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Women’s Sucker Punch Costume review

As you know I love to cosplay and attend anime conventions. Or comic conventions. They both suit my fancy. 
I'm also a member of the Costume Reviewers group. Thanks to my latest review project with them, I'll be cosplaying as Sweet Pea from Sucker Punch at the next con I go to.
Now I have to admit, I've not had the chance to see the movie, but I've fallen in love with the style that was used for the fight costumes. Check out Sweet Pea in action.
Butt-kicking flair with the slightly erotic but elegant touch of corsets. Most definitely a mans fantasy in my opinion, however, even I found them to be interesting. 
My costume came from the Wholesale Costume Club. You can check out this one and other women's movie costumes if you click here.
On this costume, it's actually quite nice. It comes with the hooded top, shorts, thigh high stockings, and wristlet gloves. 
The shorts are stupid. No getting around that. The plus side to them would be that they are stretchable and breathe well, but not my style in the least.
 I like materials I wear to stay smooth and not bunch. Since these are made to be worn without a defined front or back, they are loose and have elastic around the waist. They also ride up just a bit in the rear. Speaking of the backside, there's a gap between the end of the jacket to the top of the shorts.
This could be because I have a longer torso than most women, so keep that in mind if your long or tall like me. 
The hooded top is amazing. Adjustable tie in the front to fit almost any bust size.
One side has a long sleeve that is snug but still has room to maneuver. I don't think the hood would fit over big hair. It's just perfect over my straight do, so nothing more than a wig might fit well if you're going to wear it up. The armor piece isn't too big or heavy.
It's not all that noticeable. The straps that go down the front and across your front are adjustable too. 
The thigh high stockings are your average kind though a little more on the durable side. 
The wristlet gloves fall under a cheaper, but still okay part of the outfit.
They Velcro to tighten them on your wrist and breathe nicely.
No one likes to shakes hands with sweaty palms after all. They do bunch around my fingers so I might swap those out with the kind I had already. 
It's pretty much a full costume ready to go. If you wanted it to be more accurate, you could add a gun and sword to your back, with ammo strapped above the knee. I'm mostly just planning to add the tall boots. In the movie she wore thigh high boots that came just past the knee. Mine won't be so high. 
I have made other modifications for the purpose of feeling a little more comfortable.
I had my own black shorts which are short but still longer and more fitted than the ones they sent. I added a black camisole tank under the top to hide certain areas that I don't like showing off; where the ties are in the front and the gap in the back. I like how easy to move it is. Great costume and I can't wait to use it! 

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Time for a book review!

James DeSantis is at it again. I'm probably going to have nightmares about a clown with a long tongue, and for that... James, I hate you. Just teasing! He's a fantastic writer with a sharp mind that translates emotions into such vivid imagery that I'm truly honored to have met him in person and been allowed to share in his journey as a writer. Enjoy the review!


My reviews for previous books. 
Exterminators Infected
 

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Cheesy Rotini and Tuna recipe

I’m trying new recipes with the family this week. Tonight I putt this recipe from Kraft to the test. If it had passed my picky eaters approval, we would have had another favorite. My two youngest children didn't go for it. Tuna doesn't seem to be their thing. Remember this is going to be modified from the original recipe to fit my family. So if you want the actual recipe, it’s here.

What you will need:
1 bag of pasta (I used the tricolor rotini)

2 cans (5 ounces each) tuna in water, drained and flaked to get rid of clumps

1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained

4 ounces 2% milk Velveeta, cut into ½-inch cubes

½ cup sour cream

¼ teaspoon ground pepper

How to make it:

Cook the pasta as you would normally. Meanwhile, combine all remaining ingredients in a large microwavable bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes; stir. Microwave again 1-2 minutes or until heated through, stirring after each minute.
Drain the pasta. Add the tuna mixture; mix lightly.
I had to change a few things. I separated a part of it since my husband doesn't like broccoli.
He ended up trying some with the broccoli and agreed it was good. So if you have someone like that, just omit that part. I also added bell pepper and hot sauce to mine.

Thursday, January 8, 2015

America's Incredible Pizza Company offer information

Being a part of the US Family Guide, I get to share some fantastic information and a discounted offer from America's Incredible Pizza Company!
Fun, Food and Family, America's Incredible Pizza Company is the place to find it all! Incredible Pizza Company delivers high energy and a quality experience for the entire family. After enjoying our freshly homemade buffet; enter our world famous Fair Grounds and play over 100 arcade and carnival style games. Race to the finish line while driving our go karts, get lost in a friendly game of laser tag, get a hole-in-one while playing glow golf, and spin away on the bumper cars and more! So whether you're 6 or 60, enter our fairgrounds and have an incredible time while making memories that will last a lifetime!
Get a 99 cent All-You-Can-Eat Buffet with a $15 Game Card Purchase at America's Incredible Pizza Company. Not valid with any other offer or discount. Can not be used towards a private birthday party, fundraising event or private group event. Valid at our Memphis, Springfield, St. Louis, San Antonio, and Tulsa locations only.
http://usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?regionid=75&bid=11219&dealid=1286

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

The best shepherds pie EVER!

My recent trip to Florida took me to a lifelong friends home where I was served the best shepherds pie I've ever had. He was nice enough to share the recipe with me.
I'll share the link to the original recipe, however, his version was easier and possibly better. <http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/shepherds-pie-recipe2.html>  I tweaked it in my own way as well. What's the point of following a recipe to the line when your taste buds might enjoy a change? Hope you like it as much as I did! Now if my kids could just like it as much....
Shepherds pie:

1 hour 30 minutes from start to finish is expected. 

Ingredients

For the potatoes:
1 1/2 pounds potatoes
1/4 half and half (I used milk)
2 ounces unsalted butter 
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 egg YOLK

For the meat filling:
2 tablespoons canola oil (I used olive oil)
1 cup chopped onion 
2 carrots, peeled and diced small
2 cloves garlic, minced (I used garlic powder)
1 1/2 pounds ground lamb (I used 2 pounds of ground turkey, he used beef which has a better texture in this)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
2 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons tomato paste (We used ketchup)
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons freshly chopped rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme leaves
1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1/2 cup fresh or frozen English peas

The directions provided by the recipe found in the link shared are long and can be summed up easier.
The basic version: make the mashed potato layer like you would normal mashed potatoes but with the ingredients listed. Also, measure out the potatoes to how much your family uses. 
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 
While the potatoes are cooking, start working on the meat filling layer as follows:
Place your oil in a pan and set over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the onions and carrots and sauté just until they begin to take on color, about 3-4 minutes. (I added bell pepper as well.) Add your garlic and stir. Add your meat, salt and pepper and cook until brown and cooked through. Sprinkle the meat with the flour and toss to coat while cooking another minute. Add the tomato paste (ketchup), chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce and herbs (you can use any herbs you like), stirring to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer slowly 10-12 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly. 
Add the corn and peas to the mixture and spread evenly in your pan.
Top with your mashed potatoes. Place on the middle rack in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the potatoes turn a golden brown.
Let it cool slightly before serving. When I pulled mine out, I topped with cheese and set back in the warm oven to melt. The kids usually prefer cheese. 
Quick kitchen tips:
If you use bell peppers and onions, make sure you take time to chop and dice them then freeze when you get home from the store.
Then it's quicker to use when you're cooking. 

Sunday, December 28, 2014

This years movies in review

There have been several movies I've enjoyed seeing this year. Some I have even enjoyed taking the time and money to see in theaters.

Some of my favorites were Maleficent, Dracula Untold, Planes: Fire and Rescue, Guardians of the Galaxy, Alexander and the Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, and Big Hero 6 were just a few. Maleficent and Dracula were new versions to old stories. Much like Into the Woods, but that was a chaotic musical that is more of an acquired taste. I'm still trying to get in to see the new Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies. I hear its a great one, though lags with the telling of the love story between the dwarf and the elf. I'm mainly interested in seeing Legolas....
Divergent was pretty good. I'm not sure exactly how I feel, but I did enjoy it as entertainment.

While the Game Stands Tall was a good one as well, even though it was a football movie. I'm not a sports fan, but the story of this dedicated coach was a really inspiring tale.

Future movies I am looking forward to or have an interest in seeing would include Ant-Man and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Ant-Man is another super hero movie. Since producers and writers are on a roll with those types, they are branching out from the widely known to add the heroes we don't often think about. Unless you're a nerd like me... Paul Rudd will be the star of this one coming out next summer on July 17th, 2015. Who among you plans to watch this one? How many of you actually know the story behind the Ant-Man?? I can see some of you looking it up right now....

"Based on the Marvel comic character first published in 1962, Marvel’s “Ant-Man” continues the lineage of epic big-screen adventures chronicled in Marvel’s “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Marvel’s The Avengers,” “Iron Man 3,” “Thor: The Dark World,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Guardians of the Galaxy” and the upcoming Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”

Star Wars has always been a favorite of mine. Can you blame me? I'll admit that the 3 original movies were the better ones, but even the 3 latest had their good things. I'm skeptical about whether Disney will keep in line with the original story and make it worth watching. The teaser trailer looked more like a spoof than the real deal.


I still haven't seen Captain American: The Winter Soldier, The Wolverine, Mockingjay Part 1, How to Train Your Dragon 2 (though I bought it), The Maze Runner, 300: Rise of an Empire... So many on my list that will have to wait until they are Netflix or I catch them on sale because I worry about wasting money on a bad movie. What have you seen? What do you look forward to seeing?

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Into the Woods movie review

Into the Woods is a slightly chaotic musical that retells several classic fairy tales with a whimsical twist. Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, the Baker and his Wife, Jack and the Beanstalk and I want to say that even the witch, played by Meryl Streep, is from a special story.
Though I can't quite put my finger on it. Johnny Depp plays the devilishly clever Big Bad Wolf.
I have to admit, when I decided to see this pre screening, I was mainly interested in seeing the great Johnny Depp. He is my heart throb of course (can you blame me?). But sadly, his character doesn't last very long. And to think, he wasn't even vanquished by a hunter as the classic story would have you believe. Little Red Riding Hood is a bit of an annoying girl who cons bread and sweets from the Baker and his Wife. 
The Baker and his Wife live a simple life and long to have a child. For reasons unknown, they can't. Then one day, out of the blue, the witch next door pays them a visit and explains that they are cursed to never have children because the Bakers parents stole from her garden. She sets them out to fulfill a quest and retrieve special items for her. In return, she will regain her youth and beauty and thus recant the curse.  
Another story unfolds as we meet the lowly Cinderella who is slaving away for the cruel stepmother and her hideous daughters.
She has the gift of talking to birds and requesting their assistance. Let's face it, every Disney Princess has to have such a talent right? Even if it seems a little creepy... 
Rapunzel is the Bakers sister that has spent her life locked away in a tower, growing her hair out to be ridiculously long.
How did she get up there if there are no doors? Just saying... But a prince falls in love with her and will not rest until she is his bride.
He is the brother of Prince Charming who is in love with Cinderella because she keeps running away from him. But is she really what he wants? And does she really want to be a prized trophy princess? 
Then there's Jack. Poor boy is a simpleton with a single mother that can't provide.
He traded his cow for beans, climbed the beanstalk that grew from the beans, and stole from the Giants up in the clouds with the hopes of buying back his beloved cow. But what if he met the cunning Little Red Riding Hood? What if the beans came from the Baker and Wife? What happens when the witch needs the cow but it died? So many twists. Then the giant is killed, but he had a wife who now wants revenge. Who should pay the price of vengeance? 
The end brings a tie to each story. Every character gets to follow a path of their choosing. It was cleverly devised by the writers. There were definitely parts that could've been better. Again, I wasn't into it as much being that it was a musical. I was sad that the Wolf (Johnny Depp) still died and by the hands of a squeamish baker, no less. It was family friendly. It taught values of working together, especially when you're a married couple. Don't cheat on your spouse, you'll end up falling from a cliff right after while he rides off to find his happiness. Don't steal from bakers and listen to wolves, you'll end up waiting for that baker to cut you from a swollen belly. Better hope he's merciful. 
It's fun, with its comical moments.