Happy Return To Hogwarts Day!

The last few months have been pretty busy, getting ready for several Potter events and visiting Hogwarts while in Universal Hollywood. Now, I'm on to planning next year's party and working on Yule Ball for our Fandom Forward chapter. So, let's have a look back at my magical year that's prepped me for Back to School time:

In June, we took a road trip to Los Angeles, since we didn't get to go earlier in the year. We hit up Super Nintendo World (in Universal) for Eric's early birthday, and I took a little time to savor a Butterbeer and then stroll through Hogwarts to take in Forbidden Journey. 

I had to take a moment to visit one of my favorite characters, The Sorting Hat, then I went on a journey with Harry, browsed Filch's Emporium, said hello to Buckbeak and then we took a turn through all our favorite shops.

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July was a whirlwind of working on crafts for my annual party and planning Wizarding Weekend. Every year the non-profit I work with, PDXpelliarmus, works with a local hotel that used to be a school, we celebrate Harry Potter's birthday with a 3-day event that includes costume contests, trivia, movies, a Horcrux hunt, themed food and drinks, and local magical vendors that make up Diagon Alley, Knockturn Alley, and Hogsmeade. All our profits go to charity and we collect school supplies. On Saturday I dressed as the Knight Bus conductor on vacay and Sunday I supported Ron's fave Quidditch team. We made friends, we made memories, and most importantly we made a lot of money for Boys & Girls Aid, which helps foster kids in Portland get all the school supplies they need (and other necessities). 

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Generally, the next weekend is full of more Potter stuff, because that's when I have my annual party, but we put it off a few weeks this year. Next up, we had our traditional Harry Potter tea at a local tea shop (Clockwork Rose) with friends. I scrambled the night before to put something together, because we always wear new outfits, and we showed up as employees from Honeydukes and Wiseacre's. Tea was fabulous. The company was wonderful. The atmosphere was magical. You can read more about previous years here.

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And now, let's get to my 9th annual Potter party. The theme this year was Lockhart Throws Harry a Valentine's Birthday, because I thought it was funny. I asked folx to bring a handmade Valentine for either Harry or Lockhart for House Points, and though we had a small turnout this year (fair, since I didn't hype it up or post the date until much closer to the party date than normal, so lots of people were out of town), almost everyone brought a valentine and they were so creative. 

Every year I come up with N.E.W.T.-level trivia questions from the books and we then do two other games. It was going to be warmer than usual, which is also why I plan it as an evening party, when it's shadier in the backyard, so I chose some low effort games. The first was called Transfiguration, and I stole it from a previous event I went to. You give each team playdough and a cauldron full of clues. I had easier ones that were worth 1 point and then harder ones, like the Knight Bus, that were worth 3, and they took turns transfiguring their dough and guessing. I gave them a 5-minute time limit to get as many as they could. (I also gave each table a Transfiguration mat, which was a piece of laminated cardstock, just to save my tablecloths and give them a blank surface.) This went over really well, but not as well as Pixie Catch.

This was one of those games I thought would be stupid and/or not work at all, but it turned out to be the most popular, so I would definitely say this is a great one for all ages. Each team had 3 minutes total to catch as many "pixies" as possible. I gave them a "practice" pixie - it was white instead of blue - to figure out how they worked for 5 minutes before we officially started playing. Those pixies are wily and unpredictable and hard to catch. I purchased three sets of "magic butterflies" and butterfly nets. Teams with 2 people got 90 seconds each to catch and throw, and teams with 3 people got 60 seconds each, so everyone got a chance to do both. I wanted this to last longer than a previous game from last year, so I made each team go separately.

Lastly, we brought back our raffle. Throughout the year, I buy/collect magical items and then raffle them off for charity. I feel like Harry would be proud to know a group of fun people who are kind and charitable. We can party, but it's ultimately in celebration of Harry, so giving back is always on my mind. In previous years, we've done a sock drive and book drive, but the raffle is always more popular, because it's exciting and people go home with (more) stuff. 

The key to this is to give guests a tiered ticket system - we do $1 each, 6 tickets for $5, or 25 tickets for $20 - and let them give cash or Venmo/Paypal. Once I pull a winning ticket, I toss all the non-winners in a big cauldron, have someone pull from that at the end of the regular raffles, and the person who wins the big pull goes home with a bigger prize. I've done House copies of books, until I stopped giving money to The Dark Lord, and a handmade broom by a local artisan. It doesn't have to be expensive, just something you know people will be excited to win.

Throughout the party, I barked out love poems, as only a grumpy cupid dwarf can, and doled out points. At the beginning of each party everyone gets their own handmade wand that has a tag attached with a wood type, core, and properties. I make these myself with hot glue and dowels and paint, but they are all different. I put them handle down in a cauldron and people feel around for the wand that chooses them. After that we do Sorting. The hat is for show and people choose a pin from another cauldron (it's a theme) and that's the house they sit with. Every year it's different, so you end up with new teammates. But we have plenty of mingle and food time before, during, and after, so everyone talks to each other.

At the end of the party, before we announce House Cup winners, everyone gets a goodie bag, which I try to theme to the party. This year everyone got a signed photo of Lockhart, some Cupid Crystals (peach heart gummies in heart-shaped containers), a chocolate frog with cards, and these DIY sticker sheets. After I announce the winners (woohoo Hufflepuff!), I give out the House Cup, which are different goodie bags with a trophy in it. This year, I forgot to take pics of them, but I used my Cricut to cut out ribbon silhouettes out of cardstock and then added little mirrors to them, because Lockhart is vain.

We cap the night off with everyone leaving a memory in the Pensieve. I hand out slips of paper and people write down their favorite party memory or favorite thing about Harry Potter and toss it into the Pensieve. It serves and a little fun reminder of things that happened each year, and it's anonymous, so I mostly get cute little notes with no names. This year, someone wrote down their "top 6", and I was very impressed they got it all on that little piece of paper. Everyone else's was about how fun catching pixies was. LOL! After the party, all the memories are put into a folder with the year, so we can do it all again next time. 

Okay, thanks for indulging in my Pottermania over the last couple months. I hope you all have a great trip back on the Hogwarts Express. Have you played any good party games that can be adapted to be magical?

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and I may be monetarily compensated should you make a purchase through any of them. Your purchases allow me to keep running this blog and bringing you the non-Potter content you crave, so thanks in advance and happy partying.

Are You Packed for Your Fall Travel?

Fall is coming and many people, including myself, will be traveling. The most annoying part of traveling in the Autumn is figuring out what to pack for the everchanging weather. We've gone where it's been much colder than expected and also when it has felt like the middle of summer. So, what have I learned? Layering is important and necessary.

This is a staple outfit for my travels

When I travel during the fall, I choose mostly lightweight fabrics that breathe and then pack a few pieces that can be worn over the top if I need extra warmth. I choose a neutral palette for bottoms, so all the tops I wear will go with them. I also usually bring a dark cardigan for layering. It won't show most dirt and it won't matter if I wear it multiple days in a row and it won't look grungy if I end up just slinging it over my purse. 

Here are my suggestions for a mix and match wardrobe for feminine dressing travelers:

top to bottom left to right: Prana pants, Prana lightweight pants, Columbia PFG button-
down, moisture-wicking long-sleeve shirts, Prana sweater dress, Pact v-neck tees, chunky
cardigan, long packable rain jacket, Skechers ballet flats, Skechers walking sneakers 

You can look good on vacation, be practical, and still be comfortable, too. This is what I want for every trip, because walking all day long can be tiring and you don't want to feel restricted when you're in the middle of a city and can't run back to the room to change. I bring a pair of plain black pants, which are stretchy and can double as dress-up pants. These are normally the ones I wear on the plane. They're the lightweight pair that are perfect if it's warmer out. 

My second pair of pants will either be a heavier black pant or a pair of stretchy jeans. I'm partial to the Denizen or Signature skinnies from Levi, but if you prefer a straight leg, because you're not an old person like me, you do you. They're affordable, often come in darker washes or even black, and they have elastane, so if you eat a big meal, you won't feel like circulation to your legs has been cut off. (Tip for traveling with denim: they take a looooooong time to dry, so unless they are visibly dirty - another reason to go for dark wash or black - don't wash them. This is the same rule that applies at home.)

For tops, I opt for a couple t-shirts, one or two long sleeve tops that will work to layer over those t-shirts, and a nicer looking shirt that is still practical. I plan to do laundry when I go anywhere, so I try not to take more than 5 shirts in total (usually, including my travel day top). I like the long-sleeve shirts above, because they come in a pack of 4 for less than $30, so there's always a new color you can rotate in, depending on your trip. I add a cardigan for when it gets chilly. I love a chunky one, but if you aren't sure it's going to be that cold, a lighter one (like this) is a good alternative and isn't too bulky to wear under a coat.

If you're a dress person, throwing one (or more, if you don't really do pants) is an easy outfit for the day and can be dressed up for a more put together look with a few accessories, like a statement necklace. Prana makes great ones that are breathable and super comfy. I have several summer dresses from them that I could throw a jacket over and add some tights to make them more fall-ready.

You never know if it may rain or get colder than expected when you travel in the Fall, so I never leave home without a rain jacket. I look for one that's longer than your standard jacket, so it not only covers your butt if it's really coming down, but it looks nice with a dress, if you're wearing one. They are more user-friendly than an umbrella, because they serve more than one purpose (you can wear it as an outer layer for extra warmth), leave your hands free for things, and don't leave a drippy trail of water all over the place. 

When it comes to shoes, I try to get away with only two pair (though I will throw a pair of flip flops into my bag if I think I'll be able to hit up the pool or hot tub on my trip). You want them both to be good walking shoes, because there's nothing worse than your feet hurting halfway through the day and then changing into even worse shoes for the evening. I always bring a pair of sneakers, which I wear on the plane, and then either a pair of packable booties (I have these and they are wonderful) or ballet flats for when you need something less casual. All of these pieces can be packed into a small carry-on, or even a larger personal item like a backpack. 

top to bottom left to right: lightweight Columbia pants in two colors, a Columbia button-
down casual shirt, a sweater hoodie, a light cardigan, a polo, 2 moisture-wicking t-shirts,
a rain jacket, reversible belt, Skechers sneakers, Skechers loafers 

 Are you a masculine dressing person? Then here is my packing list for you, and pretty much what I pack for Eric when we go anywhere during the cooler months: 

Two pairs of pants. He doesn't wear jeans, so I have him wear a pair of khakis, or similar lightweight pants, from Columbia or another company that makes moisture-wicking clothing. Then I pack a darker pair that can be worn as dress pants. Most men wear belts and I purchased a special travel belt that is reversible, so whatever your color palette, your belt can be black or flipped over to be brown, allowing it to match everything.

A casual button-down shirt is a must, as is a couple of t-shirts (the blue ones in the pic come in a pack of 2 and are quick-drying), then a nicer shirt, like a polo for a nicer dinner out or a theater performance. 

Eric loves a hoodie at home, and since I like everything to do double-duty, I have replaced his daily fleece ones with a nice knit black one. It's nice looking for an extra layer and is still comfortable. Another option, or a second option, is a cardigan. These look great on almost everyone and can give the illusion of being put together without much effort. 

A packable rain jacket is great for every traveler and this one is a bit longer than the usual rain coats for men, so your entire backside isn't soaked through while out sightseeing in the rain. 

Again, I limit shoe selection to two. I know most guys are happy with just one pair, but a backup is always good, plus a nicer pair are needed if you're going somewhere that you're dressing up a bit. Luckily, a lot of walking shoe companies make loafers for men, so if they really only want to bring one pair of shoes, this would be the ones to wear. Otherwise, I suggest a good sneaker for everyday walking.

All these pieces can also fit in a small carry-on or a backpack, giving you the option to just get off the plane and go. You can view the whole list in one place on Amazon.

I don't generally travel alone, but when I do, I always opt for packing into a personal-size item that can fit under my seat, because I'm short and I have anxiety with getting things in the overhead on my own when people are waiting for me to get in my seat. This has helped me to be a better lightweight packer overall. If I'm traveling with Eric, depending on where we go ,we've been known to pack in two small bags that can fit under our seats or one bigger carry-on and a personal item (so I can bring my laptop). The key to packing this way is to make a packing list, like the one above, make sure every top you pack goes with every bottom, and practice. 

The more you practice packing fewer things, the easier it gets. Each trip, you'll find you took things that you never wore and you can leave it out next time. This will go on until you have the perfect travel capsule wardrobe and you know how to swap out things for seasons and when things get too worn or you purchase new things. I always buy a few new things for each trip, but I also find that I gravitate towards some of the same pieces every time I pack, so I definitely know my own travel style now.

What are some of the things that you have trouble with packing light when you travel?

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. Any purchase you make through them may result in me being compensated monetarily. This helps me continue to run this blog and bring you travel tips and recommendations, so thanks in advance. 

How to Save Money for Travel ON Travel

Did you know that you can basically get paid to travel and shop (for your travel gear and clothing) for things you buy every day? You can and Rakuten will pay you for it. I never buy or book anything without first checking Rakuten. So, what IS Rakuten? It's a fantastic - and free! - site that offers you cash back for purchasing from online merchants. If you plan to make a purchase anyway, you might as well get something for being a loyal (or even a new) customer. 

Here's how it works: Sign up is quick and easy, then you're ready to shop! When you have a hankering to buy something, say, at Sephora, go to Rakuten, sign in, click on Sephora and it takes you straight to the main website. You must go through Rakuten, so they can track your purchase. At checkout, make sure you use the same email address you used to sign up on Rakuten and within a few days, your purchase will show up in your account. 

You can track your cash back total to see how much you saved and then every quarter, Rakuten sends you a Big Fat Check (if you choose that method) or a Big Fat Payment via Paypal. Normally, you get $5 for signing up, but right now get $30 once you make your first qualifying purchase! Who else does that? If there are coupon codes available or special sales, Rakuten will show them to you, helping you save even MORE!

I like to use my cash back as a travel savings supplement. Each time I make a purchase, I rack up cash and then it gets deposited right to my Paypal account. I use that money to purchase travel stuffs, like Groupons, clothing, tours, and more! If I can get more cash back with it, even better! Of course, you can use it for whatever you want. 

Heart your favorite stores for easy access to them on the site.

Stores you can shop at: Rakuten has, literally, hundreds of online merchants you can choose from, including a long list of travel merchants. Just a sampling of those include: TravelSmith, Holiday Inn, Avis, Alaska Airlines, Camping World, Orbitz, Air France, Delta Airlines, HomeAway and even SkyMall! Keep your eyes out for the Daily Double. Each day one awesome merchant offers double cash back on your purchases for the day. 

And now, you can easily get cash back through Rakuten by downloading the Chrome extension on your computer. When you go to a website that accepts Rakuten, the app will add a banner to the top of your screen letting you know, then you can can click on the banner and it will automatically put you through your Rakuten account and straight back to the site. That's it. One click and you're on your way to getting money back. I always like to check out the Rakuten site anyway, because they include any active coupon codes, so you can save even more. 

If you spend a lot of time on your phone, download Rakuten there, too. It's a bit of extra work, since you have to open the app and then find the store you want to shop at from there, but it's always worth it. It's easy to get around, see your account, find your favorites, and see all the places you can get cashback on one screen.

Haven't signed up for Rakuten yet? Do it now.