Last night, I dressed up in my Gryffindor costume and set out to join fellow fans to await the midnight release of the final movie in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Some of you might laugh and call us nerds, and that’s okay. I’ve accepted that [...]]]>

Last night, I dressed up in my Gryffindor costume and set out to join fellow fans to await the midnight release of the final movie in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Some of you might laugh and call us nerds, and that’s okay. I’ve accepted that the series is a part of me, even if others can’t quite understand it.

I was 11 — just like Harry — when Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone {the book} was released in the U.S. We read it in my 6th grade English class. My Nana — the most important person in my world — had just died. I was in so much pain, and I found comfort in Harry, who had also experienced great loss. I read each book as it was released, until Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix {book 5}, where I couldn’t get past the cleaning of No. 12 Grimmauld Place. Sorry, J.K. Rowling, but that was just super long.

I came back to the books in 2007, a few months before Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows {the book} was to be released. I was working at a major bookstore at the time and I knew I would be working during the midnight release party. I finished Order of the Phoenix and Half Blood Prince in a few weeks and attended the midnight premier of the Order of the Phoenix movie. The night of the Deathly Hallows book release, I dressed as Hermione. I finished Deathly Hallows in two days {I barely slept}.

That night, I remembered how much Harry Potter meant to me — how much the books helped me cope with the loss of my Nana. As much as I missed her, I was reminded again and again that she was always a part of me, always in my heart and mind. I threw myself back into Harry Potter fandom, saw the rest of the movies during midnight showings, and dressed up as Harry & Ginny with Stan for Halloween 2008.

Yesterday, Stan and I met Sarah, Kayla, and Jill for dinner before the movie. I love that Jill wore her tie as a belt. That gave me the idea of doing something nontraditional with my tie, so I wore it on my head like Seamus in the Prisoner of Azkaban movie. P.S. Have you seen Jill’s crazy awesome HP tattoo?

We were joined by Jill’s friend Andrea at the theater, and Sabrina came shortly after we got our seats. I had prepared a 133-question N.E.W.T. for everyone. One question {about horcruxes} was worth 28 points. The highest score on that one was Jill with 10.5. I was sorely disappointed. Haha, kidding! It was lots of fun though.

…Oh, the movie? I cried through most of it. I thought it went a bit fast, but it was still wonderful. I feel strange now that it’s all over, but it will always be in my heart, I think, like my Nana. And I’ll share it with my children, and my grandchildren.

xo

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. I am a huge Harry Potter fan. If my house was burning down and I could save only two things, one would be my Harry Potter book collection {it’s in a [...]]]> Be forewarned: I am about to share my super nerdy side with you.

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. I am a huge Harry Potter fan. If my house was burning down and I could save only two things, one would be my Harry Potter book collection {it’s in a collector’s box, so it’s definitely considered only one thing}. The other would probably be my MacBook, assuming my family is okay.

Anyway! Yes, I’m a big fan. I was working at Borders Books & Music when the Deathly Hallows book came out and I dressed as Hermione {above right, with a co-worker dressed as Snape}. That was the craziest night I’ve ever worked. When Stan and I first started dating, and my family/friends would joke about how he resembled Harry Potter, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go as Harry and Ginny for Halloween {above, left}. I think I could have made a good Luna, too, if you look at my facial expression {and if I had dyed my hair white instead of red}. I went to the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 last night and it was everything I ever hoped it would be, and more. Go see it! {First image © Warner Bros}.

The rest of my Friday Faves have absolutely nothing to do with Harry Potter:

2. Yes To Carrots™ Exfoliating Cleanser {also Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser}. I found the Yes To brand while checking out the natural beauty section at Target a week or so ago. The bright color and simplistic design caught my eye first, but when I read the ingredients, I was very, very happy. No Parabens, no Propylene Glycol, no Petroleum or SLS {which I’ll talk more about soon!} and no other nasty, harmful chemical ingredients. It’s choc full of nature: carrot, bamboo, aloe, shea butter, and Dead Sea mud. Plus, it’s made from 95% natural ingredients and is certified cruelty-free. It smells wonderful and leaves your skin seriously smooth and exfoliated, not dry or scratchy.

3. Yes To Carrots™ Lip Butter. The lip butter is just as wonderful. Because I’m addicted to lip balm/gloss and have to have one with me at all times, I’m very glad I found this one. It actually heals and hydrates your chapped lips, rather than just covering them up. It doesn’t sting, like Burt’s Bees does, and it smells great too! This is a cold weather must-have! Check out their website for the entire lip balm set — 5 certified organic lip balms for only $13!

4. Bamboo Wear™ Bamboo Compact & Silk Face Powder. Okay, I admit it. The packaging caught my eye for this, too. When people say not to judge a book by its cover, they’re lying. We all do that! But, once we get over the beauty/ugliness of the packaging/cover, it’s super important to find out what’s inside, too. This face powder, made by Physicians Formula®, is 90% natural, hypoallergenic, fragrance free, Paraben free, non-comedogenic {doesn’t block your pores, so it won’t cause blackheads}, oil-free, and Dermatologist approved. It also comes in a sustainable compact made from bamboo, a highly renewable resource. The compact also comes with a small bamboo brush applicator, mirror, and the powder compartment is magnetic so when you’re out of powder you can pick up a refill and re-use the same compact. Yay! I’m not a huge fan of the applicator, so I use a cruelty-free kabuki brush I bought from The Body Shop, but the powder goes on smooth, doesn’t get cakey, and doesn’t make me look old {some makeup just makes you look old}!

5. Vegan Liquid Foundation by Lollibomb Beauty®. I know, you get it, I love Lollibomb Beauty. I just had to include this in my Friday Faves because it’s another winter essential. I love my loose powder from Lollibomb, but in the winter, I need something liquid because my face gets super dry. This is perfect. You only need to use a tiny, tiny bit, too, so it will last a long time, and there’s a shade for everyone!