Entertaining

EMP’s Fantasy Exhibit

Apr 29, 2013 By Tara in Entertaining 3 Comments Tags: EMP Museum, fantasy, Game of Thrones

Tara Throne

If you find yourself in Seattle, you’ve gotta check out the EMP Museum’s new Fantasy exhibit. This exhibit is the third and final part of their permanent exhibit’s redesign that focuses on exploring our hopes, fears, and dreams. Our hopes are found in the Sci-Fi exhibit, our fears in the Horror exhibit, and now our dreams can live in the Fantasy exhibit.

I had the pleasure of checking out the exhibit and partaking in opening night festivities this past Friday, and I had a great time! (I swear, I didn’t have to fight anyone to win a seat atop this throne!)

EMP Fantasy

The exhibit itself was well laid out with beautiful features like straw on the floor, metal sheeting on an in-exhibit house, a dragon’s cage (complete with dragon with glowing eyes and a nice soft purr!), and fun secret areas kids or small adults can climb through.

The movie/tv props all look amazing in person–I was impressed with the quality of the weapons and costumes and enjoyed seeing items from The Princess Bride, Xena, Snow White and the Huntsman, Harry Potter, and many others, up close. I also loved seeing the hand written manuscripts and notes from J.R.R. Tolkien, and the comparison of a page from George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” with the same scene in script form for the show “Game of Thrones.”

In addition to props and artifacts, the exhibit teaches people more about the Fantasy genre, and allows you to complete interactive activities like building your own map. (For those interested, you can then save and print out your map to take home!)

You can find out more about the exhibit and the museum as a whole at EMPMuseum.org. Check it out! (And while you’re there, make sure you also check out the sci-fi and horror exhibits. They’re all extremely well done.)

Decorate with Octopi

Apr 24, 2013 By Tara in A Geeky Home, Entertaining 1 Comment Tags: octopi, octopus, Pottery Barn

What is it with geeks and octopi? Is it the relation to Cthulu? Kraken? Steampunk? Just huge fans of Ursula? Or maybe the sea in general? Anyway, whatever it is, octopi + geeks = true love. So I was thrilled to see all of these items appear in Pottery Barn’s spring line. Outfit your whole house with octopi!

Octopus Serving Pedestal

Display a fancy cake or a new bottle of Kraken on this awesome serving pedestal. This is one of the coolest things I’ve seen in a while, and will definitely stand out at your next party!
$89.00 at PotteryBarn.com.

Octopus Salt and Pepper Cellars
Salt & Pepper
Salt and Pepper shakers are out–whatever this is is in. Allow this fierce-looking octopus to guard your salt and pepper!
$24.50 at PotteryBarn.com.

Octopus Bottle Stopper

This cute lil guy is the perfect addition to a gift of wine for the octopus-lover in your life. Plus, it instantly turns your bottle into an item you can display!
$16.50 at PotteryBarn.com.

Are you an octopus-lover? Let me know what you think the correlation to geek culture is down in the comments!

Dungeon-Building Dice Set

Apr 23, 2013 By Tara in Entertaining No Comments Tags: D&D, dice, RPGs, tabletop games, ThinkGeek

GMing a campaign and the players have decided to deviate off the set path? Need some fresh ideas on how to layout a dungeon? Want to play an impromptu campaign out and about and don’t have your notes with you? Grab these dice!

The dungeon-building dice set allows you to roll to put together a dungeon map. The five dice included in the set are all different, but all connect with each other through two separate pathways. I’m down for any excuse to roll more dice!

You can find them for $19.99 at ThinkGeek.com.

Great Wolf Lodge Groupon

Apr 16, 2013 By Tara in Entertaining, Geeky Kids No Comments Tags: Great Wolf Lodge, Groupon, trip, vacation

If you haven’t been to Great Wolf Lodge, you’re missing it. It’s an indoor water park that is 80 degrees all year round. It’s hotel rooms decorated like log cabins. It’s an adventure full of wands, wizards, and animatronic animals. Basically, it’s insanely cool. It’s perfect for families, but also great for a group of adults.

I love going with friends, and whenever a Groupon deal like this comes up, we grab it quickly. We fill a car full of board games and snacks, and enjoy a weekend full of fun at a water park and a night full of talking and gaming. Last time, we locked our phones in the safe so we could truly unplug and enjoy each other’s company.

Wanna do the same? In the Washington location, you can get a cabin that can squeeze up to 8 adults for a little over $250 (which turns out to be a little over $30 a person). It’s so worth it.

Have you been to Great Wolf before?

Happy Cat Day!

Mar 31, 2013 By Tara in Entertaining No Comments Tags: birthday party, BirthdayExpress.com, cats, decor, pets

When I was growing up, April 1st was more than that day where I avoid everyone and everything, it was also our pets’ birthdays. If you don’t know when your pet’s birthday is and you want to do something special once a year for them, April 1st is just an easy day to remember. And the folks at BirthdayExpress.com have the most perfect party kit for the cat (or human!) in your life.

“Glamour Cats” is an entirely real party kit that allows you to personalize your party supplies with your face or someone you love/want to embarrass. Unfortunately, you can’t use photos that don’t belong to you, which is why my face is on the plate instead of Ryan Gosling’s. You can also create a custom message to go on the plates and centerpiece–I chose “I can has cake.” The Essential Party Pack will get you plenty of party accessories with adorable kittens on them, and then you can add whichever personalized items you want to that initial order.

This party kit was most likely created with little girl birthday parties in mind, but I’m personally thinking outside of the box. Mid-week cheeseburger party? Bosses Day? Surprise Birthday party for your frenemy that hates cats? The options are endless! Plus, when was the last time you threw a party with a tablecloth, balloons, and streamers?

Anyway, I know it’s April Fool’s Day, and I know some of you are thinking “this is an adorable but ridiculous idea. I don’t believe it.” Well, believe it. It’s real and also the best. You can get all your Glamour Cats needs for your Glamour Cats-themed birthdays at BirthdayExpress.com. You’re welcome.

BirthdayExpress.com provided me with the party accessories seen in the photos in exchange for a review. The post and opinion are entirely mine. As is the photo on the plate/centerpiece. And the cupcake. It’s delicious.

Game of Thrones Party

Mar 28, 2013 By Tara in A Geeky Home, Entertaining, Fun Food 4 Comments Tags: beer, Game of Thrones, Ommegang Brewery, party, Things From Another World

Game of Thrones comes back on Sunday…are you prepared? If you haven’t planned a viewing party yet, it’s not too late! Here are some tips on how to throw a quick and killer party to accompany the premiere of season three:

Visit your grocery store and pick up some nice breads, cheeses, salami, olives, and figs to put together a great plate of snacks. The more rustic looking, the better! You’ll eat as the characters do and the foods will perfectly complement a nice beer or wine. If you have the time and are feeling adventurous, you can make your own bread and salami with recipes from The Unofficial Game of Thrones Cookbook!
Speaking of beer and wine, make sure you pick up Ommegang brewery’s Iron Throne Blonde Ale, the official Game of Thrones beer. The ale is limited edition, so pick up a few if you find it! I found my bottle at Cost Plus World Market.
House pint glasses, shot glasses, and coasters will be an excellent piece of decor or party favor! You can find all of the house sigils and more Game of Throne goodies from Things From Another World.
- Stark Pint Glass, $8.99
- Lannister Pint Glass, $8.99
- Stark Shot Glass, $5.39
- Lannister Shot Glass, $5.39
- Coaster Set, House Sigils Season 2, $5.99
Remember the Game of Thrones Arms Creator I posted about yesterday? Set up a station where your friends can create their own arms and print it out. Hang them up with clothespins during the party, and let them take it home with them as a souvenir after the event’s over.

What will you be doing for the premiere?

Books Need Love Too

Feb 21, 2013 By Tara in Entertaining 8 Comments Tags: books, comic, reading

Have you appreciated your books lately? If so, what are you currently reading? (I’ve been obsessed with cookbooks lately, go figure!)

Geek Battle

Feb 19, 2013 By Tara in Entertaining No Comments Tags: games, Geek Battle, King of the Nerds, trivia

I’ve been enjoying the show King of the Nerds lately because it really celebrates those who are a bit geeky, nerdy, and quirky. I’ve been cheering on my favorite contestants as they battle in chess, cosplay, trivia, and more, and now I can almost-kind-of play along at home! Geek Battle, the “Game of Extreme Geekdom,” is a trivia game made for geeks with categories such as sci-fi, fantasy, comics, video games, science, and technology. It can be a nice break between board games one night or serve as an ice breaker at your next party. Or heck, grab some cameras, make a geeky throne, and create your own low-budget reality series.

Geek Battle, $13.57 at Amazon.com. (Really? They couldn’t make it $13.37? Missed opportunity there.)

Stunt Ranch

Feb 19, 2013 By Tara in Entertaining 1 Comment Tags: activities, Bachelorette Party, date night, Stunt Ranch

I want to go to there.

Seriously, I don’t think I need to say much about this. It’s a place where you can go and learn how to do the stunts you see in your favorite action flicks. Who’s up for a trip to Texas?

This is the perfect place to celebrate your birthday, Bachelorette party, date night, or just a Tuesday. If any of you readers go, PLEASE send me pics/video!

Check out more at StuntRanch.com.