Wingardium Leviosa! Let Your Imagination Fly with These Harry Potter-Inspired Events

As the whole Harry Potter team wraps up the final volume of the epic wizardry series, I’m sure 9754326578192 fans are still under the OMG-HP-is-over-what-am-I-gonna-do? spell. More than ten years ago, I remember seeing hundreds of little brown paperbacks inside National Book Store’s glass shelves during one of my weekend book shopping trips. They were fresh commodities then so there’s no way I would let go of a copy. 

Yes, I didn’t develop much emotional attachment with Harry because of my love for Draco Malfoy, but thousands of blog posts and forum comments proved that HP’s ending rocked so many people’s world.

No more fancies over Accio, Stupefy, Obliviate, and other spells/curses. No more adventures that teach lessons about love, friendship, sacrifice, and loyalty. No more Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Draco (of course!). Everything’s bittersweet but it doesn’t have to end there, right?  Like what I've read from the musings of other HP lovers, the memory will live on and enchant our kids, grandchildren, and so on.

From FanPop

If you still can’t get over HP’s ending, why not join an upcoming magical event this July 30? Let your inner kid shine in The Great Horcrux Hunt that will take place at Fully Booked's flagship store (Bonifacio High Street, Taguig)

Everyone’s free to register but during the event, only eight participants will be selected via the Book Geek Test. Upon passing the set of HP questions, a Sorting Hat will be used to group the participants into four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Clues will be given and the pair that locates the most number of Horcruxes will win an enviable stash from Fully Booked. You may view further mechanics on the event page.

If you have no time for this event, don’t worry for another HP-inspired contest is in store for you! A week ago, Cherie from Fashion CouSense invited me to join her blog’s contest wherein the prize is a brand new Harry Potter wand. Fashion CouSense is a blog for a cause maintained by three cousins.

From Fashion CouSense

To bag this alluring reward, all you need to do is follow a simple set of instructions and answer two questions about HP’s influence on your life. Submission of entries is until July 30. You may visit Fashion CouSense's post for the mechanics.

ZEN Stay Alert Coffee Mint - a Calming All-Nighter Accessory

Hi, how’s your weekend so far? I wasn't able to be online for just a few days yet I felt like missing on so many things already. Apart from writing stuff, reading has been taking so much of my time and hence, the reason for my periodical blogging hiatus. More than clothes, shoes, and beauty products, books really consume my biggest budget allocation every month. Nothing beats the feeling of reading under faint yellow-tinted lights while devouring sweets.

My July Must-Read List

Sadly, because of so much things going on, I only get the time to read when the clock strikes twelve midnight. This is why I want to share one of my all-nighter companions – the ZEN Stay Alert Coffee Mint. As the name suggests, it’s a balm which has the exact aroma of coffee. You either smell it or rub it on your neck or temples to boost your “alert buttons”. I first found out about it last December when I was looking for Christmas gift add-ons for my dad and uncles.

This product doesn’t actually make you stay awake like what caffeinated drinks do but the balm’s minty feel and aroma are definitely invigorating. Sometimes, the balm makes my mouth water as well. I bought this at Green Options, Baguio City but it’s also available at PhilShopping for a hundred and fifty bucks. Indeed, the balm's one of my inexpensive yet satisfying purchases!

Thanks for visiting my quick weekend post!

My Five Classic Film Picks for Melodramatic Rainy Days

Just when I started to feel delight over the sun’s heat, Mr. Rain started to pour again last night.  It always seems that my energy level madly goes down when it’s raining. Hence, rainy days spell not-so-unproductive days for me. It will always be one of my life’s big conundrums but that’s okay for I feel extremely relaxed after a much-needed rainy-day rest. Instead of finishing my tasks, I give up everything to stay in bed, feast on Nutella and Stik-o jars, read books, and watch series or classic films.

Speaking of classic films, there’s something in them which makes me feel good. It seems that these movies have “fashionspirations” in every scene that’s just waiting to be found, adapted, and re-made only with a modern panache.

There will always be scenes that stick in our minds so here’s my simple breakdown of the timeless gems which I can’t get enough of.

Storyline: Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn), a chauffeur’s daughter, captivates two wealthy brothers 

after returning from her two-year stay in Paris (which made her a classy and stylish damsel).

The chic Givenchy gowns definitely made Audrey the “belle of the ball”.

“Paris isn't for changing planes, it's for changing your outlook! 

For throwing open the windows and letting in... letting in la vie en rose.” – Sabrina

Storyline: Tracy, a holier-than-thou woman, must choose among three men who are all vying for her love - 

a tabloid reporter, a bland social climber, and her ex-husband who's trying to win her back.

The trousers, summer dresses, over-sized boyfriend polos, high-waisted swimsuits - 

they're all making a comeback.

Mike: Didn't you once know a girl named Tracy Samantha Lord?

Dexter: Yes, I did.

Mike: No, you didn't! If you did, you wouldn't have let her go!

Storyline: Séverine (Catherine Deneuve), a young and beautiful housewife who’s 

dissatisfied with her husband, decides to work at a high-end brothel 

taking the pseudonym “Belle de Jour”.

The film is definitely timeless because the coats, shift dresses, 

and the Pilgrim-style buckled pump used by the lead actress are still common today.

“For you there is no charge.” – Séverine

Storyline: Former burglar John Robie (Cary Grant) is suspected to steal a huge stash of jewels. 

To establish his innocence and find the real crime perpetrator, he seeks the help of 

American heiress Frances Stevens (Grace Kelly).

This movie is opulence at its finest because of the extravagant gowns and glistening jewels.

John: Was somebody chasing you?

Frances: Boys.

Storyline: Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn), a young socialite, catches her 

new apartment neighbor Paul Varjak’s attention. Paul finds himself baffled because 

Holly transforms into an affectionate and vulnerable girl when she’s not partying.

The LBD, over-sized sunglasses, pearls, and gloves need no explanation

 why this film is often tagged as the chicest film ever.

“You could always tell what kind of a person a man thinks you are by the earrings he gives you.” – Holly

Which classic style/icon inspires you?