Accio Deathly Hallows (and the rest of my childhood)

"As thrilled as I am to be so uncomfortably close to you, you really need a manicure, Voldy." 

You've heard it on the news. You've listened to your friends talk on and on about it. You've seen all the statuses on Facebook. And you'll hear it here, your number one source for Harry Potter fandom mania from a dorky, loud and pop-centric Asian who likes to dress up every once in many while.* In this post, I show what I did that fateful night when I was lucky enough to score two midnight tickets at the last minute. I spent a lot of the pre-show like this:

Yes. Be excited.

*I still have yet to find my niche.

Hiatus (and some random information you never wanted to know)

Another self-inflicted banishment falls upon this blog: I'm beyond stressed right now and karma is biting me squarely in my lack-of-ass. If you have the time, please wish me luck as I huddle in my fetal position over in the corner. Maybe then I won't fail as hard as I know I will.  


In the meantime, allow me to share...

Shapeshift and Trick

What's Lovely for September 3, 2010: Feeling good back in the saddle (unfortunatelythisisonlyfigurativebecauseIhaven'triddenahorseinmanyyearsbutthatsoundslikeitwouldbefunheywhenwasthelasttimeyourodeahorseliterallyorfiguratively?)

(lame) anticipation

What's Lovely for Tuesday, August 10, 2010: The deep rich colors of a deliciously healthy snack

What's Lovely for Wednesday, August 11, 2010: Connecting with someone from the blogosphere in real life-- thanks for putting up with my ramblings and occasional stutters, Emily!

What's Lovely for today, August 12, 2010: Seeing the full capacity of how wonderful and talented and pretty-much-basically-amazing Joseph Gordon Levitt is in this video clip (note: the site is Chinese, so do not be shocked if you may or may not be able to read it)

Hodge Podge, Schmodge Podge

I always feel guilty when I'm behind on my What's Lovelies. Let's amend that in a backwards manner, shall we?

Mindfucks and Pspirals

What's Lovely for July 21, 2010: Remembering how awesome your local library can be-- and consequently leaving with a slightly tottering stack of books and DVDs.

I snuck in one photo of the library before I was afraid people would get suspicious, but it's really awesome once you go upstairs and look up (and hopefully not trip and fall).

Yeeeesh did you SEE how many mosquito bites are lovingly shown on my leg in that first picture? I think I have about 8 total, last time I counted. Strangely enough, they mostly love my left leg. It's like a buffet there.
Also, as you notice, my henna that my friend did for me is now wearing off. Boo.

Blouse- Lauren Ralph Lauren via TJMaxx :: Shorts- secondhand :: Sandals- Nine West via TJMaxx

Sorry I've been AWOL for the past few days. It's been a sour combination of not having enough time and not having enough inspiration. The latter was born out of feeling stagnant and frustrated due to this stagnancy. I think maybe I'll call this my Pessimistic Polly Pspiral (the P is silent). It's not good to avoid something that's the problem, but when it comes to my blog, if I'm not inspired/not feeling up to it, I'd rather stave off for awhile until I regain any creativity and inspiration than blog about mindless drivel. How do you fellow bloggers get your groove back? Or just getting any groove back in general? I'd love to know.

And now for the mish-mash menagerie of past What's Lovelies! Yayyyyyy.

What's Lovely for Friday, July 16, 2010: INCEPTION.

I can ramble on and on about this movie. For awhile. But it'll be quite tedious and only be echoing what you might have heard before. But for me personally, not only did I vocariously enjoy this movie, I thought it was brilliantly done. Bravo, Chris Nolan, Leonardo DiCaprio, etc. I applaud your marvelous mindfuck of a movie. Not only was it sharply done, but I couldn't help but ... how shall I say... enjoy the handsome actors. Seriously, it's ridiculous. All I want to do is watch a perfectly good film when Cillian Murphy comes on and I just go BUH. I'll repeat what I told my friend about this dangerous situation: "It's like I have this Wildian thing come over me where I want to do everything from learning how to sculpt just so I can capture his beautiful likeness in marble to just jumping him." Yikes.

I also urge you to read my friend Michelle's review of this movie right here. And if all of that didn't sway you to watch this movie if you haven't already: zero gravity fight. Come on.

Honorable mention for Friday's What's Lovely: these questionable hooker boots that I actually could fit into. I'd like to think in this case, the "if the shoe fits" does not apply.

What's Lovely for Sunday, July 18, 2010: Opening a new tube of lipstick (only unfortunately it clearly wasn't my shade)

What's Lovely for Monday, July 19, 2010: Cami's shiny spanking new sparkly haircut! (this is why it's worth it to go to the groomer every once in awhile)

Honorable mention for Monday's What's Lovely: this poor butterfly was lying dead on the road when I was walking home. RIP little one.

What's Lovely for Tuesday, July 20, 2010: The manliest birthday card you ever did see (not for me, mind you)

Hangover recovery

What's Lovely for Thursday, July 8, 2010: Ending the day with someone who's got a friend in me (and vice versa)

My apologies for going AWOL, but lately I've been suffering from a hangover. No, not that kind. It's what I like to call-- Toy Story 3 hangover. This kind of condition left me completely emotionally drained by the glory, beauty and purely inexplicable tenderness of the movie that left me weeping like a bathtub overflowing. Are you happy, Indigo?? Are you happy, friends who hounded me to watch this film? In their defense, I totally wanted to watch this heavily anticipated movie, and wasn't about to miss this like I did Avatar (the James Cameron one, not the fucked up M. Night one).

But now I've made it sound like watching this movie is a harrowing experience. It really isn't. I'm just a towel that's been wrung one too many times. Go see this movie if you haven't already! It's beautiful and wonderful and hilarious. Who's your favorite toy besides Woody and Buzz ('cause you gotta love Woody and Buzz)? Mine prolly is Hamm-- he's so frank it cracks me up.

(The Thai Jewelry Giveaway ends tomorrow at 11:11 am CT, so enter if you haven't already!)

As you can see, my dear friend Lizzie has come to visit home and was gracious enough to watch Toy Story 3 for my sake-- which was the third time for her. Hey, what can I say: it's a good movie!

I've always wanted to take pictures in front of this favorite store of mine-- hopefully like Schwarzenegger, I'll be bahk.
[outfit] Dress- Thailand : Scarf- garage sale : Booties- Rebel via TJMaxx


What's Lovely for Friday, July 9, 2010: Attacking my dog's fur with a small pair of scissors, transforming her into a much neater-looking canine with legwarmers

I can't help but giggle everytime I see her now. Teeheeheehee.


What's Lovely for today, July 10, 2010: A little mosey and mango ice are very nice

OK fun story: So I spotted these AMAZING pair of Western heeled boots on this girl and consequently had to stalk her and pretty much made my poor friends follow me through the crowd just so I can snap several pictures of her in this overall cute outfit which the boots just MADE y'know? And that's how Charlene stalked a girl in a pair of boots for about ten minutes.

We watched this one band play (who were pretty rad, actually, check 'em out), but it was the kids who were really rockin' out. So darn cute, I tell ya, they were running and jumping all over the place. Just look at that boy's face.

Me sporting a new look-- mango iced yellow lips. Strangely enough, I sorta like the idea of yellow lipstick. What do you think?

PS: Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me in that "Be as ironically aloof as possible!" contest I mentioned in the last post. I ended up coming in second place, I think!!

PPS: I'm currently feeling all up in a funk and have this ball of impatience in my chest. Or maybe it's from all those salt and pepper chips I ate...

PPPS: Again, more thanks to Indigo for tagging me (yet again) for answering 5 Questions! And also to Marie of The Joy of Fashion for giving me the "I heart your blog" award! Thanks and exclamation points all around!

Summer Song

What's Lovely for June 17, 2010: Unearthing a new song that you just find absolutely, thrillingly perfect for the summer

I was fortunate to find this over at Flattery's blog. She said it was her new favorite song, and ever since I clicked "play," it has been mine too.

The first time I listened to this song, I would liken it to seeing an impossibly tantalizing new boy who catches your every interest, like how a prism catches light and blinds you. You're thrilled the first time and try to not-so-surreptitiously catch his attention again and again, just to listen to him. And because it's summer, you think anything's possible. I mean... what? It's just a song. But that's what I feel. Am I the only crazy one? I probably sound like I'm either under mild drugs or trying too hard to be like Hipstercrite (Lauren, please don't hate me, I think you're fantabulous).

The point is, I think I found my summer song, the tune I want to listen to so many times that someone might assume the player is stuck on replay. My summer song last year was anything by Brooke Waggoner (who is honestly one of my most favorite singers). In the summer of '09, this was the song that caught my attention and gave me that wanderlust to go search for a vast field of soft grass and spin around until I'm dizzy with wildly calm.

Do you have your "summer song?" I want to hear all about it-- I want everyone to share their favorite song for the summer, the one that you want to play in the car while driving, the one that makes you just so stupidly happy. New and old commenters, hark! I want to hear your voices!

(Speaking of wanderlust, mentioned before... I seriously want to take this opportunity during the summer to meet fellow bloggers. Preferably from the US, but if you're willing to jet here from Yemen, I'd be more than happy to meet you.)

And now, in honor of Toy Story 3 (who else is excited?!???):

I keep playing this clip over and over, and it never gets less funny. I'm a headcase.

We all float on (in the Floating Market)

Note: These photos were taken yesterday. Just to clear that up. Yeah.

What's Lovely for Friday, May 28, 2010: Going to a legit floating market (I apparently went to a "fake one" earlier in this trip) and actually floating in a boat and stuff. Like a Thai Venice. Or perhaps Venice is the Thai Floating Market, I'm pretty sure they've been afloat for longer. But don't quote me on that, the non-history major.

This was my point of view from where I was eating a scrumptious lunch of kale and pork. That's totally not in the picture, but I figured I'd keep you informed.

It was kinda hard to balance a coconut ice cream (in a coconut shell bowl!) while not rocking the boat, not rocking the boat, baby.

This will be the first of many photos I took of "people rowing in front of us" while on our route around the market. The perks of sitting in front, right?

What I marveled at was each shopkeeper's remarkable sense of balance.

Waterlogged traffic jam? I say yes.

Another amazing thing about Thailand: I can almost never identify what native fruit I see in front of me.

Once we turned around the river bend (subtle Pocahontas reference there), it suddenly became a very quiet place, since we arrived early in the afternoon and missed the busy morning business.

I've seen a forest of trees, but of coconut trees? Nice.

Don't ask me what's on that man's face, I have nooo idea myself.

What's Lovely for today, May 29, 2010: Dancing like a fool to Hall and Oates' "You Make My Dreams Come True."

I wish I could tell you where Pink got her clothes, but... I think a roughly accurate guesstimation is: from various marketplaces and shops in Thailand for all of them.

I apologize for the wonky expression, or lack thereof, on my face. I apparently forgot how to properly smile.

I was eager to try out denim and lace together after I saw a girl wearing an all-jean/chambray outfit with lace tights.

Lace top & tank- JJ Market @ Bangkok : Shorts- secondhand : Sandals- TJMaxx : Pearls- Night bazaar @ Hua Hin : Bag- borrowed from Pink

We found these amazing sunglasses whilst browsing the outdoor markets at Siam Square. It's a good look for her, no?

A quick letter

Dear to Whom It May Concern,

This week is so ridiculouslycrazybusy that I just invented a word to show how busy I'll be. I'm stressing like it's a competitive sport, and I'm gaping at the screen for lack of a better sleep deprivation. I just wanted to write that I'm alive, but only barely. Pictures and words will be scarce, and my life will restart after Friday.

Love, Charmalade
PS: You may want to change your name, "Whom It May Concern" must be hard to sign on all your papers.

(As compensation, I'll share three lovelies with you all.)
A song:

One word: ZIGAZIGAHHHH.

A movie trailer:

The really cool thing (besides the fact that it's a behind-the-scenes look at Disney Studios during their Renaissance), is that one of the producers involved with this movie is showing this documentary at my university, where he's an alum!

And breathtakingly gorgeous and terrifyingly sexy photos, politely stolen from Michelle's blog:

I feel like this is some kind of Amelie meets Lolita done right. [Click on the picture for link to the site]

What's Lovely for April 12, 2010: Friendly hitchhikin', the kind that won't leave you stripped of money and clothes at the side of the road, but the kind that'll get you someplace a lot quicker if you asked.

I also want to thank Anna from Satinsugar for giving me a blog award! I'll get back to it later, I guarantee that!

Catsup, Ketchup, Catch Up

Fear not children: this is just what happens when you're all a little crazy and accidentally put your thumb over the flash when you take the picture.

What's Lovely for March 19, 2010: Sleepover with friends where you watch three movies in a row that range from horrendously baffling to my epic fourth-and-a-half viewing to hipstery sweet.

And just because I'm admittedly the most amateur movie "critic" out there, here are my personal reviews for each film we watched in five words or less.

LOVE DID NOT HAPPEN.

Alternate: Starring Attractive Butt-Chin and Thatoneactresswhoplaysthesamethingoverandover (that counts).

ALTERNATE UNIVERSE CREATES EPIC KICK-ASS
Alternate: Half Vulcan makes Full Hottie. (what can I say, I think Zachary Quinto/Spock is hottttt with many t's)

NOT ANOTHER INDIE TEEN MOVIE
Alternate: Where "the Michael Cera" works (I wasn't annoyed by the persona, it felt genuine here)

What's Lovely for March 20, 2010: Celebrating Mom's birthday with overly-priced seafood and a TJMaxx splurge.

Is the advertisement referring to my hair or the cocoa? You decide.

What's Lovely for March 21, 2010: Being one haircut and cocoa richer.

What's NOT Lovely: Spring Break ending. Boo, BOO I say. Also, why does my hair grow so freakin' fast, it was just a month ago that I cut it?!

It's all politics, but I love it anyway

What's Lovely for March 7, 2010: Geeking out over the Oscars, because I'm lame like that.

The Oscars were tonight, and it's that time of year when I officially geek out. Not that I don't already geek out all year 'round... But this is that special time of year when I can't help myself but get swept up into the bright lights and glitz and glam that are... the Academy Awards. Where the famous of Hollywood stroke their own egos in the best way possible, hallelujah.

Convenient placement of clever Youtube clip pertaining to particular blog post, attempt at witty comment, laugh laugh laugh.

So... post-Oscar babble: I think Carey Mulligan looked stunning, Penelope Cruz is always gorgeous, Neil Patrick Harris is Hollywood's unofficial dinner singer, Robert Downey Jr. and his wife Susan are the cutest couple ever, Ben Stiller is some sort of crazy genius... but that's just me rambling when you can get that from every news source tomorrow (how was that run-on sentence for ya?? I think I broke a world record). It's because of times like this that I have to admit (as sent in a text to my friend Lizzie): "It's rare times like this that I wish I had a twitter." My mind just explodes full of pop culture, it's insane.

And now thanks to the Oscars, I have the winning Up theme song stuck in my head. It really did deserve to win, it's a song that can make you smile and break your heart at the same time. But I personally really love the soundtrack to Sherlock Holmes-- discordantly dramatic and wildly exhilarating.

And thus ends my sleep-deprived, haphazard Oscar commentary; I'm like Joan Rivers with a few drinks in her. Or maybe not enough drinks, who knows. What about your two cents, were any of you excited about the Oscars like I was? Or should I go sit in a corner for awhile?

Coming up next: Blog award time! :)

"Our longest journey together"

What's Lovely for March 2, 2010: Bright blue skies and figurative mockingbirds.

Dammit, why did this movie have to be on when I have a paper due. 'Cause... it's obviously the ... movie's fault. Or AMC's. Or... the... remote control responsible for turning the TV on? Right, that.

Mary Badham aka Scout being candidly adorable with the director, Robert Mulligan. Y'know, nothing's more adorable than strangulation. [Source]

To be honest, it's a little embarrassing to say that I tend to cry easily during genuinely touching scenes in certain movies. Cue the swelling music and the emotional speeches, it's like I'm casually cutting onions up in here. To Kill a Mockingbird isn't really different; I feel very cliche for saying this, but it's a classic for a reason, and I really do love this film. I won't harp on its moral, because it would be tedious and it wouldn't be enough. I just had a long talk (aren't those the best, if not the most taxing?) with dear Michelle about "the race issue," and it really has all these complex grays that blend into each other, instead of a stark black and white (excuse the terrible, terrible word punnery). At least we can all agree that Gregory Peck is cool. I mean, Roman Holiday? Just general coolness? Yeah, he got it.

The animation in this video is so sweet; the 'staches are pretty tight, too. Though it seems that the scientists are responsible for Earth being under fire. Science, WHAT DID YOU DO.

Speaking of Michelle, she stole something from my blog, so I thought it was only fitting to steal something back. Since it's much harder to demand for her firstborn child, I took this instead. Passion Pit is pretty rockin', according to my most-important-musical-opinion-ever (except not). Enjoy! :)

Haircut and a Mind-fuck... two bits

Who wants to play "See how many differences there are between these two pictures?" Me on the left is still thinking, me on the right just likes looking off into the distance. I don't seem too bright.

I look a bit out of it. But you would be too if a vacuum cleaner was haunting your photo.

Notice anything different about me?

Hint: It has something to do with my hair. It's ok, take your time guessing.

It's such a relief to have some dead follicles cut off of my head, you don't even know! It had been about a couple of months since my last appointment, and my 'do was starting to get like that one tall dude from Scooby-Doo (see what I did there? wordplay for the win... I'm... cool). I actually consider getting my hair cut to be one of the most relaxing experiences, very soothing (I think I almost lulled into sleep a few times).

So what do you y'all think? I wanted to go for a low maintenance look that could be styled easily without much hassle. Plus, I continually am inspired by both the 20s bob and the 60s mod cut.

(Shirt- Gap : Pants- secondhand : Scarf- Mom's : Blank zombie stare- free)

This is a mind-twisting thriller, no doubt about it. But there are little gems where humor shines through. Example at 0:31 "We're dooly appointed federull mawrshulls."

Time for the mind-fuck. Tonight I saw Shutter Island with my friends Michelle and Rachel... and.... well, besides the fact that we were all smushed into each other in vain attempt to squeeze the fear out of ourselves, it was a movie that not only left me pondering, but altered and twisted my sense of self and reality. Everything, from me taking off my coat to simply walking around, had me questioning whether this was real, whether what I was doing was in fact, not just a fabrication bred from my insanity.

In short, it was a mind-fuck.

True story: I was rifling through my purse looking for my wallet. I was freaking out a little because I thought I had lost it... only to realize that I had tucked my wallet under my arm a few seconds earlier. DAMN YOU, SCORSESE AND LEONARDO DICAPRIO AND EVERYTHING.

Putting my barely coherent ramblings strung together in a sentence aside; if you're ready for a terrifically twisting thriller, you should definitely go see it.

'Cause Michelle toldja so!

(On a completely unrelated note)
What's Lovely for February 20, 2010: Cracking bad punny jokes with friends you haven't seen in awhile. Oh, the glorious puns.
(more pictures and loot from hanging out with friends to share later; stay tuned, folks!)