Tuesday, December 31, 2013

My Favorites of 2013

Hey Guys!

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE!

So, the new year is coming fast, but I've *finally* compiled my favs of the whole year! (There WILL be a December favorites, but I wanted to get this out of the way first).

Here's my favorites of the whole year!!!


MOVIES


The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug

In case you didn't know, this is my fav movie of all time. You can read my full review here: http://lorienlobrien.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-hobbit-desolation-of-smaug-review.html


Man of Steel

If I had to choose between Thor 2 (and I did) or this one, this would come on top. It's so well done. I am NOT a Superman fan, but this movie made me one. While I loathe who they got to play Batman (Daredevil? REALLY!?) I'm going to watch it because I want to see this Superman again. And again.



Star Trek: Into Darkness

Wow. Just...WOW! OMG, this movie is so well done! Too bad a knucklehead at church thought I was a complete blockhead and totally gave away the big secret. Everyone who already knew asked me how I found  that twist. My response: I've know for a month already.
-_-+


TV SHOW


The Legend of Korra Book 2: Spirits

The best episodes in both series were in this season of Korra, and HOLY COW, were they GOOD! The latter half of the season had me on the edge of my sit, and everything I thought would happen did and didn't. So well done. SO WELL DONE!!!


BOOKS



LA Knight has come out with an amazing novel, a whole new amazing fan fic (that I was certain I would hate. LOVE IT), and more content to her amazing fanfic ONCE. But, again, if you were to say I was being biased, editing all of these and providing ideas, and knowing the majority of the plot months ahead...




...then I'd choose Percy Jackson. HATED book 1, really liked book 2, addicted by book 3. Currently waiting for Book 4 of the SECOND series to come in at the library for me :)


FASHION


My moto boots is a fav. They haven't been mentioned much, but I've worn them out 3/4 times since I bought them. LOVE them!


MAKEUP


Covergirl Lip Perfection in Hot Passion

I love this lipstick. Even after it's faded, I have a hot pink stain on underneath. Def my fav makeup product this year


HAIR


I'm almost out of this, but it's really saved my hair! Love it, and getting some more soon!


FOOD


Loft House Mini Pumpkin Cookies

I love pumpkin anything ('cept fraps and lattes), and I love cookies. When I tried them together? HEAVEN!


VIDEO



Elder Jeffrey R. Holland - Like a Broken Vessel

This video is the most powerful talk about mental health and making yourself better that I've ever heard in my life. I never felt so loved, and so understood by the leaders of my church. I bawled when I saw it the first time, and every time after. I love this talk. If you're battling depression, you MUST watch this.

To see my immediate response I wrote right after watching this the first time, read here: https://www.facebook.com/llobrien13/posts/517823241627909
If you want this posted on my blog, let me know.


MUSIC

I'm gonna have a whole blog post about this, but here's what my year on Spotify looks like


(click to enlarge and see what it says fully)

That's my favs of this year! Expect more about music in it's own post, and my December only favorites soon!

Hope you had a good year, and a better one next year!

<3>

Saturday, December 28, 2013

My Week(s) in Pics ~12/15 - 12/28~

Hey guys!

So I got my pics all ready to go, so you can all take a look! I'm also going to upload another chapter for Glenn's Story. Just a quick reminder, you can read it only on Figment here:  http://figment.com/books/722011-Glenn-s-Story

But here's my past two weeks!



We saw The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug! (Which you should know if you read my review here: http://lorienlobrien.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-hobbit-desolation-of-smaug-review.html)
It was awesome! Check my post to see why it's my favorite movie ever!!!



We briefly thought my uncle was coming over, so before church on Sunday my dad super cleaned the room and reorganized things. It's looks amazing. Me and Ray fit in quite nicely! ^^



Before Christmas, me, Ray, Megan, Karl and my brother had a gift exchange. I got Ray's Obsidian, the latest two of the Lorien Legacies, Big Sexy Hair Volumizing Mousse, and some makeup from my mom! I had a blast, and was so sad when they had to leave after only an hour or so!



Mighty and Strider's new favorite spot is on my bed together. Just this morning they were so cute!



While up in Phoenix Christmas Day, I found these in Grandma's kitchen. I got hooked on them, so my grandma gave them to me. Totally addicted! ^^



Just after Christmas, my dad got bored so he and I went to Walmart (or as my brother calls it, Wally-World!). There I picked up a new lipstick from NYC and two pairs of fuzzy socks. I count them as Christmas gifts.




Two of my pins have gotten a lot of attention these past two weeks. The bottom one is my most pinned pin ever, and the one above is second! I get hits on them both almost every day! :)



I also lucked into a little bit of cash (SCORE!!!) so I went out and picked up the new edition of Lindsey Stirling's self titled album, as well as the number one drugstore bronzer, NYC's Sunny. Love them both! ^^


So that was my past two weeks! I had a GREAT time in Phoenix with my cousins, just sitting around and talking. Also I managed to get close to the end of Warrior (hee hee hee!). SO excited!!

How was your Christmas? Get anything cool?

<3 p="">

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas!!!

Hey guys!

Sorry for not posting a Week in Pics, I'll get one up this week, I promise!!!

But I wanted to take the time to wish you all a Merrry Christmas and Happy Holiday!!! Hope you have a great time and can spend it with the ones you love. For those of you who can't, I hope you can see them soon!!!

 




<3 p="">

Saturday, December 21, 2013

The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug Review *SPOILERS*

Okay, so ya'll should know that I'm a Hobbitfreak. I mean, my name's really Lorien, as in Lothlorien. I was raised on The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings as well as scripture. When my dad asked me and my brother to read The Fellowship of the Ring before the movie, we read all of them, including The Hobbit. I've read The Silmarillion, and looked at a lot of The Tolkien Companion.

So of COURSE I've seen all the movies.

And I love them all.

Know this before I talk about the most recent, The Desolation of Smaug, the second of The Hobbit Movies.

I

LOVE

it.

Absolutely love it. I'll explain why in a second.

But first, I want to rant a bit about the only thing in all five of Mr. Peter Jackson's movies that truely bugs me. Kili and Tauriel.

No, not Tauriel as a character, but Kili and Tauriel's relationship.

Now, in Tolkien's universe, in the First Age of Middle Earth, before Morgoth was imprisoned, the elves and dwarves had a falling out. Two kings were fighting like school children over a necklace. Sadly, this is totally realistic because people murder over lesser matters. *le sigh*

In particular, Thranduil's ancestor and Thorin's ancestor were the dudes who fought and ruined a long lasting relationship over jewelry. So I totally bought into Mr. Jackson's tale about Thror and Thranduil fighting again over jewels. Totally believable. And dwarves and elves just don't get along in the Fellowship, in both book and movie.

So WHY did they have Tauriel and Kili, Thorin's NEPHEW get crushes on each other???

It doesn't make sense, but whatever. Because as annoying as this is to the Tolkien nerd in me, there is something to shut her completely up.

*SPOILERS*

Gandalf vs. Sauron.

Oh yes.

GANDALF VERSUS FRICKIN SAURON!!!!

You want to know what my face looked like???


I couldn't BREATHE, I was so overjoyed and excited and just super super HAPPY!!!!

Want to know my fav LotR story EVER?

Filgolfin, High King of the Noldir (elves) vs. Morgoth.

And Mr. Jackson brought in it's equivalent in the Third Age. And for all you Tolkien purists who are like "that never happened," it actually did, before The Hobbit, and during. Although Gandalf faced him with the rest of Istari, the wizards. Which is coming in the third film. *insert fangirl squeals here*

And if that wasn't enough for you, what happened right after that?

Bilbo and Smaug. And then Bilbo and Thorin, Balin, Dwalin, Gloin, Nori, Dori, Ori, Bilfor, and Bombur vs Smaug.

That whole sequence had me trying to catch my breath. I never did until I reached the escalators to take me out of the theater. I was just blown away and kept forgetting to breathe. I was so excited.

And then there's the end. I was so sad when Smaug announced he was going to burn Laketown, and I knew he did and killed lots of people. So the dwarves fighting him to keep that from happening was AMAZING and SO MUCH BETTER than what Tolkien wrote. Seriously better.

But of course, Smaug survived (dang it), and flew out, leaving the glitter from the molten gold they tried to kill him with (so much better!!!). And then, my favorite sequence of lines.

"I am fire. I am...death!"

And Bilbo looking as sad as I felt. "What have we done?"

BOOM, BLACK!!!

OMG, Mr. Jackson, the problem isn't a problem. It's an annoyance that I got over very quickly. You know why? It works! Everything works together to make my fav movie of all time, my fav Tolkien movie ever, and made the fifteen-year-old who feel in love with the Silmarillion see it on the silver screen in the best way. Bravo Mr. Jackson, you are AMAZING!!!

4.9999 out of 5 stars!!!!

Friday, December 20, 2013

W.i.t.c.h. The Full Story: Part II Chapter 4 - Will

Hey guys!

I know, it seems like forever since I posted a chapter, especially for W.i.t.c.h The Full Story. But I'm been writing every day for the past week, trying to get a bunch of chaps ready for Ray, as fast as my carpal tunnel will allow.

But here's the latest installment for W.i.t.c.h. as an early Christmas gift for Ray!!!

Chapter 4
Will
Earth

Will felt like she was going to die.
The music throbbed through her body, making her head pound along in time with the bass. Strobe lights pulsed and flashed across the masked, dancing crowd, heating already heated bodies to the point of extreme stench. Everythingthe music, the crowd, the lights, the smellit all seemed to press in on the tiny teenager. Past and present seemed to collide, and Will tensed so bad, it hurt. How long before they would come up behind her, ready to whisper filth in her ear before hitting her so hard she saw stars? How many times would she have to play the guessing game with the principal, or even the cops? How many bruises would she wear under her pretty 80’s dress for the next week or so? How long would she be lying in her bed, crying her eyes out over the wounds that covered her skin and her heart?
Feeling nauseas, the thoroughly depressed redhead tugged absently at her black and pink, tulle dress with neon pink leggings underneath. She would have messed with her hairspray-glued hair, but Cornelia caught her eye and gave a silent warning not to touch it. Will obeyed, and silently followed her down into the transformed cafeteria.
Surprisingly enough, a lot of people smiled at her, waved at her, told her she looked awesome and pretty. Of course, the same compliments were given to the six other girls as well, but still…Will had never been to a school event without being insulted the moment she walked in, least of all complimented. She still felt edgy, but at least she wasn’t nauseous anymore.
Then Matt’s band began to play Fall Out Boy’s My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark. Matt got the crowd to clap to beat, and Will couldn’t help but join. The crowd was really fired up—they were over an hour late to the party. They hadn’t decided on anything, so those who couldn’t pull a nice costume out of their closets had traveled to a Halloween store for some last minute shopping.
As Will jumped around during the chorus, she noticed that Elyon the fairy and Cornelia the Greek goddess were jumping too. Irma the pirate and Hay Lin the geisha had tried to headbang and had almost fallen over. Taranee’s Mad Hatter hat kept falling off, but she didn’t care. It was at that moment was when she really began to relax; she was dancing like she was on crack, showing the world how gorgeous she was, and listening to her favorite song. But best of all, she wasn’t alone.
After a long period of dancing, Cobalt Blue changed to a rock cover of Imagine Dragon’s Radioactive, and the girls were getting thirsty. They found the buffet table had been taken over by the Grumper Sisters and Uriah’s gang. While the boys cleared all the sandwich plates, Bess, the older sister, looked them up and down.
“I’m shocked,” she said. “No whores this year?”
Cornelia scoffed. Will didn’t think Bess was one to talk. She was in a rainbow-striped mini-dress with a phony blonde wig and a unicorn horn plastered to her forehead.
“And what are you supposed to be, a rainbow slut?” Irma replied.
“I’m Lady Rainicorn from Adventure Time, duh!” Bess snapped back.
Cornelia picked up a cup of punch, then “tripped” on her long, blue ombré dress and “accidentally” dropped her drink all over the snob. As Bess bit back a scream, Mrs. Knickerbocker came over to scold the boys for taking everything. Not wanting to cause more trouble, Bess and Courtney simply stalked off with the boys.
That had surprised Will. Her previous “bff,” Andrea, would’ve never done anything like that. She would’ve laughed at Will’s expense and then called her a baby for getting mad over it. Instead Cornelia got more punch, and the others assured Will that she looked rocking and to forget them.
They did everything Cornelia had said they would the day before; they danced like they were on crack, complimented lots of others on their costumes, chased Martin the Mummy away, ate lots of junk food. Two boys even danced with her during the covers for Adele’s Skyfall and Lorde’s Royals. She didn’t want the night to end.
But, of course, it did.
Badly.
She was on her way to the bathroom with Taranee, who had come as “the sexy scientist.” She was talking about some of her favorite Disney movies, and mentioned how she used to think the 1994 Thumbelina from Warner Brothers was a Disney film.
“Oh, really?” Taranee asked.
“Yeah,” Will responded with an embarrassed laugh. “I was always asking my mom, ‘play the Disney princess with the singing frog!’ ”
Taranee laughed.
“I loved Charo’s performance in that movie,” Will confessed. “She was the one who got me into frogs.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“I also loved that movie,” supplied Taranee. “The frog freaked me out, though.”
“Hah!”
“How cute.”
Will whipped around at the mocking tone, all her comfort and happiness gone. Fear spiked through her body like ice water had flooded her veins. Her hands curled into fists while a whirl of emotions made her stomach churn.
It was Uriah and two of his flying monkeys, Kurt and Nigel. Over the past few days, Will had been working on not reading her friend’s minds. In a large group it was easy; it was a loud blur to her. It was the same in class. But now she focused on Uriah’s gang. Sure enough, he was planning on “getting her back” for Bess.
Deep, pure rage flooded the red-head.
I’m so sick of this, she thought viciously. When will people leave me alone?
Meanwhile, Uriah had been talking the whole time, not noticing anything out of the ordinary.
“That’s such a sweet story, Wilhelmina,” the delinquent jeered.
“Her name is Will, blockhead,” Taranee sneered.
“Yeah, whatever, Tyranny,” came the short bark. The smooth, sleazy smile returned an instant later.
Watching the play of masks come on and off made Will’s temper spike.
Just get on with it and attack me, dirtball.
“So,” he called to her, “you like frogs?”
Will didn’t respond. The lack of retaliation seemed to amuse him more than anything, which put Will on edge even more.
“Well,” he called softly, his eyes alight with malice, “we have a gift for you.”
The second he said “we,” Will’s stomach dropped. She’d been so focused on Uriah and Nigel she hadn’t realized that the others had come up behind her. Before she could turn someone—probably Clubber—grabbed her, pinning her arms. As she started to squirm, they shoved something wet, cold, and slimy down her back. Will let out a scream only a few seconds after Taranee’s shriek. She managed to spin out of their grips and ripped the frog out of her dress—right as a bucket of filthy water was dumped on top of her head. It wasn’t tap water.
By the time she was able to wipe the gunk out of her eyes, the boys were already gone. Their cruel, wicked laughter echoed off of the lockers.
Infuriated, disgusted with herself, and extremely tired, Will sank to the floor and began to do the only thing she could.

Cry.

Friday, December 13, 2013

My Week(s) in Pics ~12/1-12/14~ Holiday Decorations!

Hey ya'll!

Sorry for not posting this last week! I didn't take any pics, but this week will be big! As the title says, I got my decor up this week, so I've got that all down below.

And sorry for the blur effect, I took the decor pics at night, which means the camera can't focus very well at all (remember the pics at night from my trip to Las Vegas?). Anywho, here it is!

 
The Tuesday after Black Friday is called Giving Tuesday, and Polished and Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) paired up.
 
 
 
Mighty continues to appear in new spots! Now he's taken to the computer room chair!
 
 
 
And I don't know if you noticed behind Mighty, but for a little while, I got a new comp! It's actually my bro's old one, but his new one died shortly after it arrived, so he's currently using the one he gave me to try to get a new one, or a refund.
 
 
 
But before my bro's comp died, my sock did! :( I loved these socks, there were my only knee-highs, which is probably why they wore out. Gonna try to stock up on some in the after Christmas clearance sales at Dillards and other places.
 
 


 
Onto Christmas Decor. This year, me and my girls got it all done, tree and outside too, in ONE DAY!!! We didn't do the outside lights, my dad did that earlier, but everything else we did!!! BOOYAH!!!
 



 
Again, sorry about the blur. But doesn't the tree look cool at night?
 


 


 

 
WHEW! Yeah, it's a lot, but MAN it looks good! We worked so hard, so this isn't just for me, but for my girls too. Megan's back hurt her, and Ray even climbed on the step ladder to do the stockings, even though she's terrified of heights. Great job, ladies!
 
 
 
After taking my girls home, Spotify rounded up my year! While I'll def have a December and 2013 favorites, and I'll build my own playlist, this was interesting. My most played song and artist are Selena Gomez, her song Come & Get It! I do love that song...
 
 
 
Something terrible happened this past week or two. My cousin was a passenger during that ice storm that hit Texas, and was in an accident. She's recovering from an head injury, but is still in the hospital recovering. She's single mother of 3, and her kids need her. In the meantime, the bills need to be paid. This picture was made by her friend for her, using her favorite quote from her favorite show, Dr. Who. On the page where you can download this for free is a link to a donation page to help her family while she recovers.
You can read all abou this picture, as well as find the link here: http://www.taedesign.com/angiesangels/
 
 
 
But to finish this post off, LOOK AT MY BOYS!!! They randomly were chilling in my room together. So cute! They're not there now.
Speaking of which, Megan's spending the night, so those sheets must be washed...
 
Hope you guys stay safe, and have a great week ahead!!!

<3 p="">

Monday, December 2, 2013

Monthly Favorites ~November 2013~

Hey guys!

It's already December! Where has this year gone? I mean, seriously, it's disappeared! Hard to believe I've been doing this monthly favorites for over a year! I'll have so much to choose from when I do my year favorites, which will be in under a month. DANG!

Anywho, I'll have time to reminisce later, but onto my favorites from the past month, and I've got a lot. So here we go:

 
BOOKS/READING
 
 
LA Knight's Darkness There, and Nothing
 
This isn't a book, but an Avengers/Thor fanfic that redeems Loki. I actually *hate* these kind of fanfics, but LA has corrupted me. I'm in LOVE with this story, and she's just wrapped it up. There will two more coming, so if  you haven't read it, GO! It's not super long, really short and sweet and I'm in love!
 
 
 
LA Knight's Once Upon a Time
 
Yes, I'm biased in my pics this month. If you don't know, I'm LA Knight's editor for her fantasy novels, and these two fanfics. No others, just these two. But again, I'm not a fanfic fan, I actually hate them as a rule. But this was the first exception. She had to bribe me into reading it, and chapter one is the most powerful writing she'd written at the time (her novels and later chapters in this and Darkness have risen above that first chapter).
Now, this fanfic is HUGE. As in, something like 10 novels worth of writing. But some fans have literally sat down and read the whole thing, ALL of it, in two or three days. I couldn't do it, but more than one person has! I love this story that starts long before the movie and will (eventually) go through the movie to a different conclusion!
 
 
MOVIES
 
 
Thor 2: The Dark World
 
Me and my girls have been WAITING for this movie! And then LA got sick, so we had to push it back twice...but we did see it! LOVED IT! Fav line: Tada!
If you haven't seen it, but liked the Avengers, GO SEE IT! If you're broke, do the early bird specials. Three of us saw it for under $20.
 
 
 
Oz: The Great and Powerful
 
So, I know, this came out forever ago, but we just never got around to seeing it. I really liked it! Super fun, cute, funny and the special effects! STUNNING!!! OMG, the imagery was just beautiful. Very well done, Disney. And because I saw it on DVD, I saw Disney's trip to OZ, which was really cool.
 
 
TV SHOW 
 
 
Legend of Korra Book 2: Spirits
 
I know I picked this last month, but the season wrapped up in November, and WOW it was AMAZING! Everything I thought happened in the finale did and didn't. First with Beginnings, then with the last four episodes, it just took the whole series to a new level. I'm super exicted for the next season, like I haven't since Avatar the Last Airbender, season 3. GREAT series!
 
 
YOUTUBERS
 
 
AprilJustinTV
 
This is the vlog
 channel for AprilAthena7, one of the two youtubers I choose last month. Her and her husband Justin are just so stinking cute! Love them. And they're also cat lovers, which is awesome, since I am too. Oh, and she's expecting her first child, a son, in April! :)
 
 
 
BubzVlogz
 
This is the vlog channel for my other youtuber from last month, BubzBeauty. Just like with Justin and April, Lindy and her husband Tim are super cute and fun to watch. They're dog lovers, but I can overlook it ;) J/K
And unlike so many other vloggers, they don't tell you what day it is, it's just a bunch of fun clips of them living their lives and having fun. Or fighting. With paint. lol!
 
 
VIDEO
 

 
So, I'm a super Zelda fan. I remember sitting for days after school and just watching my brother play Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. I fell in love with the story, which was a heavy inspiration for Warrior, BTW. That Link has been in more games than any other except one (Legend of Zelda 2, Link to the Past, Link's Awakening, Oracle of Seasons, and Oracle of Ages are all one Link). This video shows his story, which is WAY more messed up than any other so beautifully. It's actually from a Tumblr post which you can check out here: http://llobrien13.tumblr.com/post/67393519989/caffeineandcarpaltunnel
Although, the original creator loves this vid and has commented!
 
 
FASHION 
 

 
Winter is here in Tucson (aka, the temps below 70 degrees), so I've been wearing some sweater dresses with either leggings or my sweater tights and boots! It's just so comfy to wear them!
 
 
MAKEUP
 
 
ELF Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths
 
So, right after Thor 2, I got some gas to run a few errands before me, LA and Megan headed back to my place. And the gas...sprayed all over me. I had to make a run to LA and Megan's apartment where I changed into some borrowed clothes, and showered (again). They didn't have any makeup remover (they seriously don't wear makeup at ALL), so I just used face wash.
...
Yeah, I looked like a dead bride come to kill her ex husband or something. It was terrible. Ran to Target and picked these up. I got all the rest of it off and looked normal again. I've used them since, and they get my waterproof mascara off better than anything else I've ever used!!! At $3, that's AWESOME!!!!
 
 
FOOD 
 
 
Attain Crave Blocker and GC Control Shakes
 
For the past two or three months, this (or an Attain Crave Blocker bar) has been my breakfast. When it's cold, I heat the water and mix it up in a large thermal mug, or if it's warmer, I just put it in a large water bottle and shake it up. It's yummy and has really been helping me lose weight! I'm already down to a size 30 or 10!!! Hard to believe last year I was a size 14-16! And they're really yummy!
 
 
MUSIC 
 
 
1) Katy Perry - Unconditionally
 
This song is AWESOME! The video's beautiful, and so is this song. Little surprise it's in my top three on Spotify.
 
 
2) Superchick - Stand in the Rain
 
This is actually an old song from high school that I rediscovered this past month. I love the message to just hold on and stand in the rain. Very powerful and brings back good memories of hanging with my friends and watching anime!
 
 
3) MKTO - Classic
 
This song came out in the summer, but I fell in love with it when Bethany Mota featured it in a recent video. Very fun, upbeat, and I totally approve of the message of being a lady and having guys think it's hot! 

So that's my monthly favorites! Whew! It's a lot, but I just had a lot to love.

Anything cool happen to you this past month?