My New Favorite Smaug Tee {review}

 

Ever since I first became a major LOTR/Tolkien fan several months ago, I've been super excited to get to do some reviews related to Middle Earth and all its awesome creatures, details and factions.

 

This one was no exception.

 

Today, folks, I'm presenting to y'all an awesome t-shirt from StickerPunx.

 

 

This is literally my favorite t-shirt currently. I have been wearing it everywhere.

 

Let's go through the details of why I like it so much.

 

Firstly, and quite obviously, it's got an awesome graphic of Smaug (For y'all who are clueless on that reference...it's from the Hobbit, and if you don't know what that is, I seriously would encourage you to go get the book from your library and read it... one of the best classics in existence.) on the front. How cool is that?

 

Second, the color has really grown on me - I like it. It pairs perfectly with jeans, and I think it's a good, neutral color.

 

Third - It's super comfy to wear. I requested a size medium, wanting to make sure it was a little loose - It did indeed turn out to be exactly as I'd hoped!

So, it's really comfortable. Personally, a lot of my favorite tops are t-shirts, just for this very reason.

And, as I stated previously, this has become my favorite t-shirt. So, there you have it.

 

I was also sent a packet of car window decals and stickers, with Tolkien's famous signature on them, and the StickerPunx logo. If I had my own vehicle... or could convince my folks to let me put one on our family van, I would do so!

 

So, overall, I think this is a great shirt. You can find one of your own, and numerous other designs, here.

 

Hope everybody had an awesome Independence Day! We sure did. You can watch a video of some of the fireworks we did, here.

 

 

Note: I was provided this item from StickerPunx in exchange for my honest review. All opinions remain mine and mine alone.

Eitanya Adventurer Hoodie Scarf {review}

 

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(Guys, I keep hearing all this stuff about Google Friend Connect going down, and whether it's true or not, I thought it'd be good to be prepared so please click the link above to follow Apassionata on Bloglovin'! Thanks!)

 

Ah, so this is a product I received a while back, but nonetheless it proved to be a fun piece for review.

 Eitanya sent me this adventurer hoodie scarf in a cool shade of olive green. (They have multiple colors to pick from, and I opted for this one because, well, green is one of my favorite colors...plus it makes me think of elves and woodland things.)

 

 

These two pictures below doesn't really capture the green-ness of it, but at least you can get an idea of the size/length/design of it laying flat.

 

 

 

 

The scarf/hoodie is made of a very soft, comfy material. I can't wait to wear it during the winter months when I'm sure it will prove to be quite warm.

 

The design is really unique, it being a hoodie combined with a scarf. I like it because it looks really fantasy-esque as I said before...it almost could go for the top part of a cloak/cape.

 

 

 

 

This photoshoot was quite fun, I'll admit.

 

 

(Sorry, I couldn't resist a goofy one.)

 

 

Overall, this is a fun winter accessory. As with some other things I reviewed before, I'm looking forward to trying this during a season when I can wear it practically. Cause let me tell you, it can get up in the 100's here in the Sunshine State. Combine that with 100% humidity, and, well...you get the idea.

 

So. The design of this is really original, and the fabric soft and cozy, therefore making it extremely wearable. I love the color, and overall, the piece is definitely high quality. Win-win situation all around!

 

Get your own adventurer hoodie scarf here, and while you're at it why not check out the entire shop?

There are a bunch of other hoodie scarf styles, and also some cool gauntlets, hats and gloves.

A fun store for sure!

 

Have a blessed Saturday!

Note: I was provided this item from Eitanya in exchange for my honest review. All opinions remain mine and mine alone.

"Pursuit of the Dragon" - New Piano Composition!

 

Good evening, peoples!

 

I am so excited to get to present y'all with another piano composition.

It is literally my most recently created piece - and I was privileged to be able to record it, just earlier today - once again, thank you Jessie soooo much for putting up with me! I had to do several retakes as usual, but I'm so thankful this sweet person helped me get this song recorded.

 

So. A little backstory on "Pursuit of the Dragon". Originally, it was nothing more than just a few random chords and melodic intervals thrown together  - an experiment, if you will. I tend to do a lot of those. Sometimes these 'experiments' turn into songs, sometimes they're trashed or forgotten completely.

 

But this...well, I had the urge to hang onto this stuff. It reminded me of...wait for it...

 

The Hobbit.

 

Yes, yes. "In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit."  I call this my Hobbit inspired piece because once the thought struck me that I could create such a piece, I tried to put together sound from the imagery of Bilbo taunting Smaug deep within the Lonely Mountain, lurking in the shadows as invisible as the oxygen we breath.

 

And then, I thought some scenes in the song reminded me of Bard, when Smaug was soaring through his little town and Bard's black arrow slew the dragon.

 

But most of all, as the title of this song suggests, I picture the dangerous game Bilbo and the dwarves played, trying to confront their greatest enmity...the great, greedy dragon.

 

 I picture Smaug flapping his great, scaly wings; flying over the Mountain in search of any who'd dare to oppose him.

 

Anyway. Not a very poetical backstory blurb but there you have it. It's my very first Hobbit inspired composition...and that fact I am truly very excited about. *does happy dance*

 

Sooo...hope y'all enjoy! And if you do, please share it with anybody else you think would also like it! I'd really appreciate it!

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Note: While I may have been the one to play and 'create' this song, it's ultimately not my work - Jesus Christ/Jehovah God gets all the glory, He's the One who gave me the inspiration ultimately and guided my hands over the keys. So, just so y'all know. My piano compositions are merely recordings of what my Heavenly Father bestows upon me.  I can take no credit.

TonyaRingDesigns Elven Armwarmers! {review}

 

 

So, you guys might remember from theses costuming photos I did a post about back in May. Well, I never explained where the lovely green Elven arm warmers which were included as part of my garb came from!

 

To answer that question finally? They were sent to me from TonyaRingDesigns.

 

These arm warmers were hand stitched. I really love the deep forest green color, and the white scrollwork stitching - it truly carries an Elvish look!

 

 

I wore these to the medieval party back in May, as obvious in the photos above. As I said in that post, I perspired a good deal and was running around, dancing and generally staying pretty active. Therefore, the durability of these gloves got tested pretty thoroughly.

 

End result? They're solid! A little warm to wear in the end of May/early June, but I didn't mind that all too much. Especially since they matched perfectly with my outfit, and I got numerous compliments on them!

 

They're a little wrinkled here because this was after a day's use, and trip to the washing machine.

 

I absolutely love how the end hems come to a triangular point - this is another feature which makes them look quite fantasy-period.

(Sorry these photos aren't prime quality. I was sort of encumbered with horrible lighting and lack of choices for background scenery today.)

 

I see no visible flaws with this gorgeous pair of arm warmers. Actually, I see no flaws period! Only a beautiful, unique accessory that has obviously been intricately crafted with excellence. 

 

Overall, I like them a lot and believe they are a splendid addition to my costume wardrobe. They're nice because, as evident in the pictures at the top of the post, you can wear them to appear like fake sleeves of an undershirt or other garment. So you can throw in a classy, Elvish layered look, without wearing a completely separate top underneath!

 

Of course, you could also wear them totally on their own to look like fabric gauntlets, or fingerless gloves, if you desired. 

 

To conclude, why not check out TonyaRingDesigns for yourself? You'll find a lovely selection of other handmade arm warmers, gloves and the like. This shop offers nothing less that the highest quality so you'll surely not be disappointed!

 

Happy Friday!

 

Note: I was provided this item from TonyaRingDesigns in exchange for my honest review. All opinions remain mine and mine alone.

MittenMade Hobbit Hat + Paradox Book Cover Release! {review + extras}

 

 

Happy Friday, y'all!

Today I have a dual kind of post for ya...A review, and a look at...well, let's just go ahead and get to that, shall we? So, a writer friend just released the *official* cover for his Christian fantasy novel, and has asked people to spread the word about it. I think this book looks quite promising, so, here's a little snippet about it for y'all to enjoy.

 

Paradox is a Christian fantasy novel aimed at the young adult audience (14-18).

 

    Here is the premise/back cover description: Four troubled teens, two worlds, one God, one goal: to defeat the Darkness before it's too late. When David, his twin sister Alicia, and their two best friends, Jake and Hannah, stumble through a portal and into another world, Paragon, they discover that they are not who they thought they were... they are descendants of an ancient race known as Starcrafters, and they've been endowed with God-given abilities - impossible abilities.

    They train and learn to harness their abilities. Now, they are ready to take on the Dark Prince.

    Their attack on the prince is interrupted, however, when they are taken by a group known as the Renegades who are after universal domination by means of an artifact known as the Paradox Stone.

    They must escape the Renegades, retrieve the stone, and defeat the Darkness; all while learning to trust one another and work as a team, and to put their faith in the one true God.

 

    Paradox is being self-published by Outskirts Press and is the debut novel of seventeen-year-old author Brian McBride.

 

If you want to learn more about this novel, why not check out some of these media pages Brian has set up?

     - Brian's Facebook page 

  - Brian's blog

- Brian's Goodreads account  

  - Paradox on Goodreads 

 

 

 

Now, onto the review segment of today's installment.

 

It was some time ago, I'll admit, but I was sent an ah-dor-able handmade hobbit hat from the Etsy shop Mitten Made.

 

Okay, I know it might sound like I say this often in my reviews, but as I've mentioned before I only mention something if I truly mean it! So please don't mistake my notations for fluffed-up flattery.

Anyways, they had me from the get-go, even with the packaging. I mean just look, isn't it perf?

 

 

 

The packaging and business cards suggest a professional manner of business, which I always like to see.

 

 

 

It's soo very soft. I'm kinda really sad that winter is still many a month off, because, well, obviously summer isn't a big time for knitted hats, and I'd really like to wear this places more. *sniffs* (Another big reason to look forward to the cooler months!) But as far as comfy-ness goes, this hat is super comfy.

 

 

 

Attempting a cheesy smile...sadly I'm destined to always flunk cheesy smiles. -_-

 

 

 

 

I like this color a whole lot because it can practically match with anything.

 

Overall, I think this is a super cute accessory. It's youthful and charming - perfect for the wintry months of bonfires and roasted marshmallows. *start idealistic daydream here*

 

If you've not done so yet, you should definitely check out Mitten Made. There are lots of other cute knitted items which, if you liked this hobbit hat, you will be sure to admire!

  

 

Oh, and in other news...this blog has officially topped 60 followers!! I'm so thrilled - and you know what? All you readers/subscribers are just wonderful. Thank you for taking the time to put up with my ramblings and nonsense. Gracias, amigos!

 

 

Note: I was provided this item from Mitten Made in exchange for my honest review. All opinions remain mine and mine alone.

Don Homemade Medieval Garb & Take Way Too Many Photos {photoshoot + review}

 

Greetings, lovely followers!

 

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to an amazing seamstress who sent me a handmade medieval corset to review.

Her name is Adrienne Seese, and she runs the costuming site Fantasia Costuming as well as the Etsy shop SewMoochieMarie, where I first found her lovely clothing items.

 

I was so thrilled when she agreed to making me a custom renaissance corset - is that just awesome or what??

 

So naturally when I got it in the mail I couldn't wait to try it on an see what it looked like. Originally I was thinking of a cream/tan color scheme, as the corset on the Etsy listing above is shown in, but Adrienne told me that fabric had been discontinued, and she offered to do the corset in a blue fabric scheme.

As you can see...it is absolutely gorgeous! I just love it!

 

 

 

 

One of the many cool things about this corset - it's reversible!

 

Now, onto the far-too-many photos in the photo shoot...but before I go any further, you need some context on the day OF the photo shoot!

 

First of all, my wonderful friends Maygan and Kay helped me sew the dress I'm wearing in these pictures. I am not a machine-sewer, but they were nice enough to let me sew two hems on the dress. *feeling accomplished*  Haha. So yeah, they did all the serious sewing. Needless to say, I'm very thankful for these sweet sisters!

 

 

They and their mom had been planning a medieval party for the end of May, for some time. We were all gonna dress up in medieval garb, and do a bunch of fun activities like archery, knife throwing, contra dancing, bonfires, yeah, all that jazz. And we'd been looking forward to it a ton.

 

When I got Adrienne's corset, I was even more thrilled, because I realized I could add it to my 'Elvish sword-maiden' outfit. And I've never had such an awesome, coordinated medieval ensemble before. Ever. 

 

It was super muggy when I got these pictures - which figures, doesn't it? I had just gotten into the outfit because we were about to head over to the party at a farm down the road; and I wanted to get pictures for this blog post about the corset. And hey - medieval photoshoots are always fun whether you have a specific reason for them or not. *grins*

 

I think it's super cool that the corset was made specifically to my measurements. I'm not used to wearing corsets (not since I wore my scoliosis brace, anyways!) so at first it was a little uncomfortable. After some wear, I soon forgot this 'discomfort', and at the party, I pretty much forgot about it.

 

So I'm always attempting to do these epic-looking motion shots but they never turn out....eh...quite like I hope.

 

Yeah, that's original lighting. And, I was just so in love with the long sleeves that I used this pose practically every chance I could. (you'll see, hehe)

 

Wingssssss!

 

Yelling at my elven friends in the trees because they couldn't do anything about the oppressive  humidity...Just kidding.

 

 

Now, some photographs from the actual party. I'll spare you most of them, since I've already flooded you poor people with so many pictures as is. 

 

 

Haha, for some reason this reminded me of the private actor trailers they have in Hollywood. Really it was just being used as a place to store extra costuming accessories, shoes, bags etc.

 

Kay

 

Moi again.

 

Prosthetic elf ears! (And as you can tell, there was a nice breeze which came in - and pleasantly, caused the humidity to lift. Yayy.)

 

And now, basically a bunch of pictures Maygan and I got of eachother after we ran around like insane people out in the field at twilight.

 

 

Maygan, assembling her kite.

 

 

 

 

May I repeat? I adore those sleeves.

 

I kinda wish we'd gotten the group photo earlier on in the evening, but oh well. Thanks to Miss Melanie for these two pictures.

 

It was a really fun night. We didn't get to do some things on the 'schedule' but with what we did get to do that didn't really matter. I had a blast, and am sure the memories will not be soon forgotten.

 

Back to the corset though. (Gosh the rambling was baaaaad today wasn't it?) I am not sugarcoating it or flattering needlessly when I say that I just love the piece. It's a charming color, and the way it laces up is really neat and Elvish-looking.

 

It takes a moment to lace up in the front when you put it on, but I imagine that any lace-up corset would be like this, so that's no big deal.

 

Overall, I can't list any true negatives about this bodice. From a full night of literally running, sword fighting and dancing in it, I only had to re-lace it a few times and beyond that it was totally fine! (The re-lacing had to be done after the running-around-ridiculously-in-the-field episode...and when I say running, I meant full fledged RUNNING, not jogging.)

I would most definitely recommend Adrienne's shops. Her intricate craftsmanship is very evident, and the corset is unique, wearable and very much one that catches the eye. I got many compliments at the party and several inquiries on where I got such a piece.

 

So, please check out Fantasia Costuming ! The pricing is reasonable, the quality amazing, and the service friendly and helpful. They offer custom orders, as well as buy-now items. I give them a double thumbs up!

  

Once again, sorry for this super long post. I was writing it at 3:00 in the morning, trying to get it done before I went to bed...which will probably explain any weirdness that ends up here.

And this week, actually tomorrow, begins our weeklong vacation at ze beach. Whoop whoop!

Therefore you won't be seeing any blog posts from me till' we get back.

 

 

What did you think of the corset? Do you like to sew your own costuming pieces?

 

Blessings,

Note: I was provided this product from SewMoochieMarie/Fantasia Costuming in exchange for my honest opinion/review.