TMI midnight showing

So I spent most of the last part of my summer reading TMI. I was obsessed. I read those books back to back. I didn't sleep. I sometimes forgot to eat (which is surprising for me). And when I heard they were making the CoB movie, I fell in with the fandom and did fan girl things like looking up the actors, watching endless videos, interviews, clips, and reading articles on movie news, entering sweepstakes, pinning countless photos, collecting memorabilia, crafting, and on and on and on. The movie got SO much hype, and I was counting down the days until the midnight showing.

I was so excited, I took a picture of the poster!

 Tickets!

 Diy Toms!

Took a screen shot when it was time!

Well, I was disappointed. I hate to say that because it was a fun experience but the movie just did not do justice to the book which really stinks because it is such a great series. The movie was just too cheesy and trivial.

There were some good things: Robbie who plays Simon was great; he literally is Simon. Lily Collins IS Clary. Looks-wise Jamie CB IS Jace (he was a bit awkward in some parts, and for me, too serious at times). I'm not so sure about Isabelle though. Jemima is a great actress and I love her, but I don't know if she fits that role. Isabelle should be more lighthearted and vulnerable. She was too grave in the first film.

The bad: The CGI was terrible. The Midnight Flower scene which should have been epic, was so cheesy! I heard the director didn't want to rely on CGI too heavily and had them physically do the fight scenes. Why couldn't they do that for the flowers?! Like a time lapse video or something? And there was just too much changed from the book. I understand if little details must be changed, but don't put totally new and random scenes in there! Ugh. And Valentine with dreads?! He's supposed to have WHITE HAIR. At least give him normal brown or black hair. He is not Jamaican, people.

The funny: We met some cool 16 year old girls while we were sitting in line (and talked about the film, book, Dr. Who, Harry Potter, etc.). I felt SO old, but it was fun. They were like, "Omgosh! You guys are the coolest teachers!" Haha

I hope this doesn't sound like a rant post. I so badly wanted this movie to be good and I still support all the actors, director, etc. and of course the book series. It just didn't live up to my expectations.

Anyway, all that being said, I really hope the second film gets better. I'm not sure what happened to CoB. Something just wasn't right. It wasn't authentic enough. I didn't like the script. I really think that makes or breaks a movie. Someone please take over. And give Cassandra Clare more power over that. Because if they decide to go in the same direction, I'm afraid this movie series is going to tank.

Fun Filled Weekend

There is nothing better than getting to spend time with your family and friends in perfect (for Texas at least) weather on the weekend!

My dad's birthday was on Thursday, but we are celebrating next Saturday. He had cataract surgery yesterday which was successful, Thank God! I worry about him so much lately, but I know I have to let God handle everything that is obviously out of my control. I am grateful for another birthday and can't wait to celebrate next week. Love you dad!

Anyway, I met up with my sister and friend for some sushi and dessert today.

Kristine and my sister Caroline. (Do you see the logo?)

The Popcorn Lobster Roll. Yum.

Salmon Sashimi

Round 2 - Ice cream

My sister and I decided to go shopping after ice cream. I had fun trying on different things at anthropologie and found two things: a utility jacket and a black pattern romper. I love them both!

I realize this is my 2nd utility jacket, BUT the other one has a hood. And it's longer. And... okay, I have no excuse. I found the romper in the sale section. The belt loop was torn (which can easily be fixed) so the girl gave me 10 dollars off! I love it. I may wear this to the concert that's coming up in August!

Finally, I am ending this post with a special diy. There's an antique mall that sells TOMS at a cheaper price (I wrote about it here) Anyway, it's perfect for me to buy to design custom TOMS. I've already made Henna ones and wanted to make another one.

And it came to me. If you read my last post, I think you can guess what they are.

Here are my custom made TMI Toms!

Apparently the first TMI toms ever, I googled. :)

Aren't they lovely? Surprisingly, these were harder to design than the Henna TOMS because mistakes can easily be seen on these designs; proportions, size, etc. while the Henna TOMS designs could easily be camouflaged. It took patience, a steady eye/hand, and lots of white ink. I added runes to the top and front, and added angel wings on either side of the shoes. I also put a quote from the book on the inside part of the shoe:

My friend said I should design and sell TOMS.

All you need are TOMS, white fabric marker, and runes designs to look at like this:

 I still have to trace over the runes because coloring on dark TOMS are a lot harder than coloring on light TOMS. Also, I didn't quite find a white fabric marker. I thought the white paint Sharpie marker would work, but it was translucent when I tried it on the black surface, so don't waste your money on it.

I did have a white gel pen at home, and it seems to be good (although I wouldn't wash the shoes). So until I find a white fabric marker, this will have to do.

Anyway, I am happy with how it turned out. I can't wait to wear these to the premier of the movie!

You guys, I can't stop. :)

TMI

If you think TMI means too much information you have been missing out on a great book series. I have spent most of my last two weeks reading, searching, pinning, buying, thinking (obsessing?) over The Mortal Instruments. No it's not Harry Potter (how can anything be that wonderful?) but it's pretty darn good!

I cannot wait for the movie to come out August 21!!! Midnight showing, here I come!

If you haven't heard about the series, give it a try. I won't say much about it because I already made that mistake by putting a (accidental) spoiler on FB. I guess I was too excited to think straight. Anyway, for more information go to TMIsource.com where they have all the wonderful details about movie stills, fan art, news updates etc. to keep your obsession going!

I saw bios about the tmisource staff and thought I'd do one too:

Favorite TMI Book: The City of Bones (it opened up the Shadow Hunter World)

Favorite Chapter: The Midnight Flower (and When Midnight Comes, Jace POV)

Favorite TMI Character: Jace, hands down

Quote that stood out: He was looking at her, and Jace behind her, as if he were seeing something fundamentally wrong, a person with their face turned inside-out, a map of the world with all the land gone and nothing left but ocean. (CFA)

Okay, I'm done.. for now. :) I know this behavior would totally be appropriate if I was 16 years old. But who cares? I'm excited!

One of my goals this summer was to read more, so I am happy that I've done that. I think I was such a bookworm as a kid because I had all the time in the world to read. But as an adult, I feel like I'm missing out on something else if I read. But I guess I need to balance everything better. I've done a little bit of cooking/baking, but not as much as I thought I would. I've also worked out more although, again, not as much as I should! But I am definitely enjoying this break. I keep saying this, but I HOPE I still balance everything when school starts and not put my personal life aside. 

Here's some photos from my summer so far:

Shopping. I've been liking chambray lately..

Hanging with friends and working out!

Trying to join a church to find a community group!

Finding obscure coffee shops (Cafe Silva)

Reading this awesome series :)

I used a scone recipe from La Petite Brioche and mixed it with the ingredients from Alaska from scratch. I didn't have any blueberries at the time, so I substituted them for chopped toasted pistachios. There's also an optional orange glaze for the scones, but I opted for a dark chocolate ganache one!

Orange Pistachio Scones

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 1 stick cold unsalted butter, grated
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup cold heavy cream
• 1 cup toasted unsalted pistachios (chopped)
• extra heavy cream for brushing the tops

Dark chocolate ganache

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 cups bittersweet chocolate (chopped)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup sugar, the baking powder, orange zest, and salt.

2. Add the cold butter and mix at the lowest speed. 

3. In a large measuring cup, combine the egg and heavy cream (use a whisk) and, with the mixer on low speed, slowly pour into the flour and butter mixture. Mix until just blended (don't over mix!)

4. Add the chopped pistachios to the dough, and mix on low speed until blended.

5. Dump the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead it into a ball. Flour your hands and a rolling pin and roll the dough 3/4-inch thick. 

6. Shape it into a large square and carefully cut dough into eighths (triangles).

7. Brush the tops of the scones with heavy creme, sprinkle with sugar and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the tops are browned and the insides are fully baked. The scones will be firm to the touch. Place on a wire rack with wax paper underneath.

*Tip: I use Silpat (a French silicone liner) on my cookie sheet so there is less browning on the bottom of my scones. It is a MUST have for bakers.

8. Meanwhile, make the chocolate glaze. Heat the cream in a saucepan until it just comes to a simmer. Remove from heat.

9. Place chocolate in a heat proof bowl carefully pour cream over the chocolate. Let it sit for about 15 seconds. Then using a whisk, mix until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Let it cool slightly.

10. Using a fork, scoop a little ganache and quickly move the fork back and forth over the scones to make the glaze design. Let the ganache cool and set (20-30 minutes).

Enjoy your scone alone, or with clotted cream/preserves.

----------------------

Crafting project: Found these huge clothes pins at Michael's in the dollar section (I think they were $1.50 each) and made recipe holders! I love them because I always got flour, gooey stuff, etc. on my recipe cards every time I needed to flip them over. Now, I only touch the clip, and it's painted, so no more dirty smudges on my recipes! They can also be used as picture holders.

How can it be summer without ice cream? I tried a non traditional ice cream shop in Plano called Old Town Creamery. I tried the Thai Tea and Strawberry. I love the Thai Tea! They have other funky flavors. Caitlin, of course chose sweet cream and strawberry. :) One day I will get her to try something out of the ordinary!

Thought I was done with TMI didn't you? Hehe, well, this is what happens when you spend your days reading nonstop. Eat, sleep, Shadow hunt. One morning, I woke up and felt a pain in my arm. My next thought was, I need a stele to make a healing rune. That will help it. 

Wait, I don't have a stele. 

Wait, I am a mundane. 

And runes are fictional.

I literally laughed out loud and had to make this photo of my sheer lack of reality and delusion:

March 2014? Really? At least the movie is in 27 days.