Jenafur Found!

I know this image looks weird. I took a photo with my phone since I use different computers for working & gaming.

Today, in the Secret Finder discord, Jenafur was found. After nearly a year of searching, Amara can finally be reunited with her cat. Best of all, you get to keep her as your very own battle pet! Once you talk to Amara, head over to Return to Karazhan. Here is the guide on Wowhead. I recommend killing all mobs first, then running back to the banquet hall to get the food items. You don’t have to kill Moroes unless you trigger him. You do have to complete the opera house boss fight. I used the Wowhead guide for the food gathering and placement. Here are the steps I took to obtain Jenafur:

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I Proposed!

Before you ask, I don’t have pictures. In all honesty, I didn’t think to take them. A few years ago my fiancé proposed to me during our trip to Walt Disney World. We had talked about it, so I knew that it would happen during the trip, but didn’t know how nor the exact day. My fiancé, however, did not expect a thing. I figured that proposals shouldn’t be one-sided. Plus, I don’t think it was fair that custom pretty much dictates only one person gets an engagement ring. I like equality. So, I went and got a ring, and decided to take the opportunity at BlizzCon 2018.

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Shadowlands Official Release Date Trailer!

Since the Shadowlands preview at BlizzCon 2019, as they have been attempting to save Azeroth, players have been eagerly awaiting release date information. From level squishes to new covenants, much awaits us in the Shadowlands. As Sylvanas seized the Helm of Domination from Bolvar, many of us figured she would simply don a new look. Oh no. We were silly to think that, especially given how she has been acting. Instead, the Banshee Queen broke the helm, splintering the gateway between life and death.

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Did Someone Say, "DEMON HUNTER"?!

It seems like just yesterday Legion was announced at BlizzCon, and now we can finally create Demon Hunters.  I am a couple of days late on this, but I am still super excited about Demon Hunters in WoW.  I haven’t created a character yet, but I will in the next couple of days.  Currently, Demon Hunters can only be Blood Elves or Night Elves, but I’m hoping that changes.  How awesome would it be to have a Gnome Demon Hunter?!  I think s/he would be simply adorable…and deadly.  If you would like to learn more about Demon Hunters, wowhead.com has a breakdown that you can read here.

Image courtesy of wowhead.com

There are also new cinematics, and the loss of prominent figures for both Horde and Alliance.  If you would like to see the Broken Shore cinematic, courtesy of Robor, click below.

Once I have a character, I will post its progress as well as my opinions.  What are you looking forward to most with Legion?  Have you created your Demon Hunter?

#GamersUnite

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Everyone

Valentine’s Day is in 4 days, and whether you are celebrating with your sweetheart or friends, gifts always add a nice touch.  They may not get them on the day, but (1) It’s the thought that counts, and (2) It’ll be a nice little extension of the day.  Gift cards & handmade gifts are always nice as well.  Anyway, here are some ideas for everyone. 

For the Gamer

Razer Naga Epic Chroma Mouse, $129.99

Image courtesy of razerzone.com
Add some life into your gamer’s set-up with this mouse.  Complete with a 12-button thumb grid and over 16.8 million colors, it works wonderfully alone or in conjunction with other Razer Chroma accessories.  It will also sync with other Chroma products, lighting a desk in a “wonderful world of color”.

Gunnars Gaming Glasses, $59.25 & up

Image courtesy of gunnars.com

The frames of the gaming glasses are specifically designed for headset compatibility.  Gunnars also makes outdoor and crystalline glasses.  The crystalline glasses are made for graphic designers and those who work with true color.  They can also be customized using your gamer’s prescription.  You can read their FAQ for more information.

For the Traveler 

LOOP:  World Travel Adapter, $19.97

Image courtesy of amazon.com
Does your loved one travel or do they have a trip coming up?  If so, this is the perfect gift to make sure that all of their devices are charged, no matter where they are.  This adapter is compatible for outlets in over 150 countries including, but not limited to:  Australia, China, the United States, and Canada.  Three devices can be charged at once.
Image courtesy of amazon.com
Airlines are becoming more strict with weight allowance.  This digital scale makes the perfect gift to ensure that the recipient’s luggage not only meets the weight requirement, but the measurement requirement as well.  Batteries are included, and the light-up screen makes the display easy to read.
SouthernGalSass on Etsy:  Monogrammed Travel Cosmetics Bag, $7.00
Image courtesy of SouthernGalSass
This 8 x 6, TSA-approved travel bag can be customized with any initials.  There are several initial colors to choose from, such as purple, black, and pink, to create a completely personalized product.  Gift it alone or fill it with little travel accessories or sweets.   

For the Makeup-Lover

Kevyn Aucoin:  Making Faces, $21.99 and Kevyn Aucoin:  Face Forward, $21.99
Image courtesy of sephora.com
Image courtesy of sephora.com

Years ago I purchased these two books.  Both helped me tremendously regarding techniques and color application.  Making Faces provides photos of makeup looks on one side, and the techniques, tools, colors, and tips for creating the look.  Face Forward does the same, and provides bios of the celebrities who Kevyn worked with.  The books are a great addition to the bookshelves of those who want to hone their makeup skills, learn the different ways that fundamentals can be used, and create more than just a smoky eye.      
bdellium tools:  Travel Basic 7 piece brush Set, $50.00
Image courtesy of nigelbeauty.com
Image courtesy of bdelliumtools.com

Great looks start with good skin and great tools.  Since aDesign is no longer in business, I have been using bdellium tools.  The quality is wonderful and they have lasted a long time, under harsh treatment.   This travel set contains one of each of the following brushes:  Blusher, Foundation, Slanted Contour, Tapered Blending, Shadow, Angled Brow, and Precision Liner.  Since brushes, even though they are named, can be used for multiple purposes & applications, the possibilities are virtually endless.  It also comes with a convenient carrying case, so it’s great at home and while traveling.  
Benefit Cosmetics:  Dandelion Wishes Set, $34.00
Image courtesy of sephora.com
Benefit has some great gift sets, and this is one that will finish off any “no makeup” look.  The colors in this set are light, perfect for spring and summer, and will add the perfect amount of color.  It also comes with the much-loved Roller Lash mini mascara, for flirty lashes.  This set contains mini versions of the following (set courtesy of sephora.com):  Dandelion Box o’ Powder Blush in Baby-Pink, Dandelion Ultra Plush Lip Gloss in Soft Pearly Pink, Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara, High Beam Liquid Face Highlighter, and Posieblam Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm in Poppy Pink.
 

For the Skincare & Fragrance Guru

Caroline Chu:  Anti-Aging Starter Kit, $59.95
Image courtesy of carolinechu.com
This wonderful starter kit comes with an anti-aging eye cream, day & night cream, and serum.  While some may be offended at the thought, others will appreciate it.  For example, my friend’s mom loves trying out new anti-aging formulas because she wants her skin to stay as youthful as it possibly can.  This set is the perfect addition to anyone’s skincare routine.
The Art of Shaving:  The 4 Element
s of the Perfect Shave
, $30.00  
Image courtesy of sephora.com
Make sure your recipient gets the perfect shave every time with this travel-friendly 4-piece set that contains:  Pre-shave oil, shaving cream, after-shave balm, and a shaving brush.  The products help to combat ingrown hairs and razor burn, and is perfect for sensitive skin.  There are no synthetic dyes or fragrances, and the products do not contain alcohol. 
Clarisonic:  Mia 2 Starry Night Set, $119.00 
Image courtesy of sephora.com
If you’re looking to indulge your loved one, this set has a little bit of everything.  Clarisonic is, personally, my favorite skincare device.  It cleanses and is travel-friendly.  This set includes a variety of skincare and the device.  It is everything your recipient will need for amazing skin at home and on-the-go.
Set contains (from sephora.com):
– Blue Moon Mia 2 Facial Cleansing Device with Sensitive Brush Head
– Blue Moon travel case
– pLink Charger
– 1 oz Clarisonic Sonic Radiance™ Brightening Solution Skin Renewing Peel Wash
– 0.17 oz Dr. Jart+ BB Night Beauty Balm
– 0.17 oz Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Vitamin C+ Serum
– 0.7 oz Boscia Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask
Fred Segal:  The Blend Mini Kit, $29.00 
Image courtesy of sephora.com
This unisex 4-piece set of travel-sized rollerball fragrances are perfect for creating one-of-a-kind scents.  The set contains 0.09oz of the following fragrances:  Amber Vanilla, Tropic Bloom, Clean Musk, and Citrus Zest Pure Fragrance Oil.  Recipe cards are also included that contain some favorite blends.

For the Accessorizer

Enchanted Leaves:  Jewelry & Accessories, $4.99 & up
Image courtesy of enchantedleaves.com
Image courtesy of enchantedleaves.com
Image courtesy of enchantedleaves.com
Enchanted Leaves has some great eclectic and whimsical jewelry.  I have a few pieces from them, and I have purchased a few for my friends.  They have something for everyone.  From pendants featuring airplanes, wishing bottles, and miniature silverware, to brooches and earrings that make a matching set, Enchanted Leaves has it all.
Razer:  Nabu & Nabu Forged Watch, $149.99 & $199.99
Nabu Forged.  Image courtesy of Razer
Nabu Forged.  Image courtesy of Razer
Nabu Watch.  Image courtesy of Razer
Nabu Watch.  Image courtesy of Razer
These new watches are the latest wearables from Razer.  Announced at CES 2016, each watch is a fitness tracker, message notifier, timer, stopwatch, and has the option to sync alarms & display world times.  There is an app that the watch syncs to that includes a fitness section, sleep tracking, and more.  The difference between the regular and the Forged edition is the material.  The Forged watch is made of stainless steel, whereas the Nabu watch is made of polycarbonate.

For the Chocolate-Lover

Chuao Chocolatier:  Craft Beer & Chocolate Bar Set, $24.00

Image courtesy of chuaochocolatier.com

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Chuao.  My dad introduced me to it awhile back, and I was so sad when they closed the only boutique close to me.  Now that they have a full online store virtually any combination of bonbons/truffles can be arranged, and they have several gift baskets & items.  This set contains 4 Potato Chip Bars OR 4 Baconluxious Bars & a bottle of Arrogant Bastard.

Chuao Chocolatier:  Milk Chocolate Bliss Tower, $64.95

Image courtesy of chuaochocolatier.com

This generous gift can be given to one person or broken up to provide several smaller gifts.  It contains a 9-piece bonbon set, 4 regular sized chocolate bars in:  Oh My S’mores, Ravishing Rocky Road, Cinnamon Cereal Smooch, and Strawberry Waffle Wild, and a 16-piece mini bar assortment in:  Potato Chip, Caramel Apple Crush, Baconluxious, and Pop Corn Pop.

** Get free shipping on orders of $60+ with promo code SWEETTHING OR $10 off expedited shipping on orders of $60+ with promo code HOTSTUFF **

For the Fitness Fanatic 


AfterShokz:  Bluez 2, $79.99 
Image courtesy of aftershokz.com
Image courtesy of aftershokz.com

 Everyone knows how much I love AfterShokz.  Their wireless Bluez 2 headsets provide wonderful sound without compromising safety.  The music is heard clearly, as are one’s surroundings.  Recipients can work out at the gym, home, or outside, without worrying about what is around them.    
Image courtesy of amazon.com
Gabor Fitness:  Shaker Bottle, $9.95
Image courtesy of amazon.com
 This shaker bottle makes a great gift for those who like to mix up their drinks.  It comes with a 6oz dry product container and divided container.  The containers can be used for protein powder (or any other drink mix), and the divided container is perfect for supplements, medication, or a small snack.  The bottle comes in the following colors:  black, blue, green, orange, and pink.

For the Kids 

Milk Jar Cookies:  Box Set, $15.00 & up 
Mint Chocolate.  Image courtesy
of Milk Jar Cookies
Birthday Cake.  Image courtesy
of Milk Jar Cookies
Chocolate Chip.  Image courtesy
of Milk Jar Cookies


Chocolate Covered Strawberry.
Image courtesy
of Milk Jar Cookies
If you’re not wanting to spend time baking, these cookies are the best I’ve had from any bakery.  Remember those awesome giant chocolate chip cookies from school?  Well, they no longer sell them, but these are the closest thing to them.  They are not as big, but the flavor is all there.  They also have seasonal flavors such as Chocolate Covered Strawberry, and everyday options, such as Birthday Cake and Mint Chocolate.  You can pick from popular and gluten-free boxes, or customize your own.  each box starts at a 1/2 dozen.  Kids will love them, and you will too. 
Image courtesy of activitiesforkids.com
This activity is labeled for kids, but it’s perfect to give to kids as well.  You can customize what each coupon says, or cut & create your own in a word document.  Include one-on-one parent days, a trip to their favorite place to eat, an ice cream, or something else they enjoy.  When I was little we had coupon books that included things like “One mommy & me day” or “One picnic in the park”.
*You may have to pay for string or whatever your use for binding and decorations, but if you have something around the house, then this gift is essentially free.*
DIY Gifts

If you are unsure what to give and don’t want to give a gift card, there are several other DIY creative options.  Adult-themed coupons can be a fun way to bring intimacy to the relationship.  They don’t have to be those kind of coupons either.  Sometimes all it takes is one day of not having to do the dishes or laundry.  Of course, if you are looking for those types of gifts, Hustler Hollywood has some great options.  Lingerie, shoes, adult toys, edible body paint, and more are both online and in-stores.  Their gift cards can be registered as a rewards card, too.  Each dollar is worth a point that can be converted into money that can be used in the stores.  Find out more by reading their FAQ.  Mason jars filled with your recipient’s favorite goodies, a handmade piece of jewelry, or a handwritten letter (because, who does that anymore, eh?) are also ideas to show you care.  

Stay beautiful!

Yes, I play WoW, and Love It!

If you had asked me 10 years ago, I would have said that I would never play World of Warcraft.  I didn’t see the point, and thought that it was a waste of time.  Plus, I had played (only once) and thought it was idiotic that I had to wait to be hit before I could hit back.  Well, times have changed, and I used a trial that my friend had.  My first character is part of the Alliance.  I created a Death Knight (blood) and named her Darphynia.  She is a dwarf with glowing eyes and loves to attack/kill everything in sight.  She also loves to mine, is an engineer, and loves her pets and mounts.  Don’t let her size fool you…she’ll zap ya faster than you can slap a tick! 

Within the first week of playing, I found myself not wanting to go anywhere after I had finished my daily routines because I felt that I needed to quest…it became somewhat of an obsession.  Fortunately, I can say that that phase did not last long, and now it is over.  I prefer to quest, but dungeons help my characters level faster.  The only problem is that you are reliant on others to complete the dungeons, and we all know how rare it is to find a good group.  My current mission is to obtain the Ashes of Al’ar mount.  I have two characters nearly at 100, and a few more that are on their way.  

My friend asked me how I named my characters.  Some people pick a name at random, and others will use their imagination to create their own.  Aside from Darphynia and Anzuki (my Monk Panda who is slightly named after my cat), all of my characters have been named for a reason.  They have an origin, whether it is Celtic, Greek, etc., and I try to give them a name that best suits their look and what they do.  For example, my Horde character is Histolytica.  She is an Undead Rogue named after a parasite that feeds on living cells.  Because she is Undead, she can eat most of what she kills to regain her health.         

If you don’t have it already, I highly recommend the WoW Armory app.  It allows you to view your characters, take a screenshot, and includes guild chat, currency count, and access the auction house.  I will have posts later on focusing on my other characters.  Who knows; maybe there will be a game-play video or two, in the future, as well. 

Tech Tuesday: Razer Chroma

Over time, I have used Turtle Beach, Corsair, and other gaming-specific brands, until I found Razer….then, I fell in love.

Currently, I have the Naga mouse, and my friend has the mouse and headset.  While at CES (a HUGE shout-out to Ryan who helped us out, and Hilmar for all the information), we were introduced to the Chroma line.  The BlackWidow Chroma and BlackWidow Chroma Stealth (Stealth available on their site, only) are two of the most beautiful keyboards I’ve seen.  They are very durable, and the vibrant backlight options allow you to pick from over 16 million customizable color options!  There are 5 additional macro keys and, of course, a gaming mode option.  It is so easy to fit the keyboard to your needs.

Image courtesy of razerzone.com
Image courtesy of razerzone.com
Image courtesy of razerzone.com

The Naga Epic Chroma mouse works just as well as the Naga, but it’s not as aesthetically pleasing.  It also doesn’t have a wireless option nor a magnetic dock.  There is also the Death Adder Chroma, but it doesn’t have the 12-key.  I would compare the Kraken Chroma headset (7.1 surround sound) to the Bose noise-cancelling headphones.  I have used both, and must say that I was pleasantly surprised by how well the Chroma blocks external noise.  Whether you are watching a concert or playing your favorite game, the headset immerses you in the experience; it feels like you’re (literally) there!  Like the rest of the Chroma line, you can choose from over 16 million customizable color options regarding the backlight.  Another plus is how comfortable it is to wear.  I noticed with others that the top of my head would get sore after a little more than an hour of gaming.  There is no discomfort at all with the Kraken Chroma, and I sometimes forget to take a break; the time just flies by!  The ear cups fold in for easy portability, and the mic is a high-quality.  It also can be pushed in when you’re not using it, which means no bulky mic.  

Since CES, we have both purchased the complete Chroma set (I’m waiting just for my keyboard to arrive!).  Everything works seamlessly together, and I love the fact that the colors on the keyboard, mouse, and headset change simultaneously.  Does the backlight affect how the products work?  No.    But it does make gaming experiences that much more enjoyable.  I also love that the keyboard can be set so that specific keys are lit during gameplay, and the rest are not.  It’s all about quality, and Razer makes some of the best gaming products out there.  Right now, they have some great promotions.  You can even purchase a tee, and 100% of the profits will go to the Save the Children Organization.  The Razer team is incredible, too, and their customer service is top-notch. 

CES: Day 2 Recap

Part of South Hall is dedicated to gaming, and Oculus was definitely the highlight of the day. The virtual reality (VR) and virtual gaming (VG) have advanced significantly, and each demo made you feel a part of it. If you made an appointment, you were taken to one of the private viewing rooms (otherwise you stood in an insanely long line, and viewed it with others on the open floor). Each room was soundproofed, and each had a mat for the viewer to stand on. Viewers encountered rubber duckies, a charging T-Rex, being at the edge of a skyscraper, and three other scenarios. One of the most memorable was the skyscraper demo. I didn’t even realize where I was. As the screen changed, I thought I was looking out of a window in a high-rise, only to look down and see ant-sized cars whizzing below. Even though the logical part of me knew I wouldn’t fall, I didn’t want to take a step forward on the mat because I feared that something might happen. Everywhere you turned there was something to see, and nothing was repetitive. I can’t wait for this to be released! All they need now are attachments to increase the interaction between VR and player.
Image courtesy of oculus.com
Image courtesy of H. Nelson

And speaking of, directly behind was Omni.  They integrated Oculus’ technology in their gaming systems.  As you can see, demonstrators wore special outfits and guns designed to create a fully interactive experience. Have you ever seen the Daria episode where Daria and Ted go to the arcade, and they start to play a VRG that is set in a castle? Well, by the end of it, Daria quits because the game is making her sick, but others join in. . . to harass at first, but then they really get into it. This game looked EXACTLY like that, externally. Of course the graphics are a far cry from what they used to be, which is most excellent!

It was a little messy because the only available space was at the bottom…
The picture above was part of a wall that passersby got to write one.  On the other side, people could “mind-control” cars in a race. . . but we didn’t get a photo of it.  Moving on. . .
If you love cars, you would have loved all of the modified, tech-heavy, custom cars on the floor.  Ford, Audi, Kia, etc. all featured the latest technology that will (soon) come standard.  There were also customized cars at different vendor booths.  Here are some photos that were taken of them:
 
Image courtesy of H. Nelson
Image courtesy of H. Nelson
Image courtesy of H. Nelson
Image courtesy of H. Nelson

Everyone who knows me know that I truly love my Ford.  This year, Ford got creative, sending those who knew about the program on a scavenger hunt for pins.  Each Mustang-shaped pin featured the flag from one of 10 countries.  Each booth that was visited had a special guest.  Participants were able
to sit in the vehicles, and learn about all of the features that could be added on.  My personal favorite was the top-of-the-line Mustang that lights up the floor with a (you guessed it) Mustang!  It was like the Bat-Signal, but on the floor, in the shape of a horse.
You can’t really tell, but it looks like the inside of a command center.  Image courtesy of H. Nelson