Welcome to The Amazing Armi Gift Shop!

*Guest blogger alert part 3*

So I’m not going to lie, I experienced some mild panic when deciding what to do for my final post of FanstRAvaganza4.
I didn’t worry too much at the beginning of the week; I figured that the Gods of Armi-inspiration would visit me in the night and I’d wake with a fab-tastic idea for post 3!
Well, that didn’t happen.
But I did have a Sir Guy dream, which is never a bad thing! ^^

Anyhoo.
I’d scribbled down an idea in the “maybe” column when I’d first started brainstorming for the Armi lovin’ event:
“Some kind of fantasy shop…Armitage stuff”

Now, I like “stuff” as much as the next girl. One can never have enough stuff.
But hang on one cotton-milling minute!
What if there was a magical place where you could buy all kinds of Armitage…stuff?!
From stationery to clothing to utterly random accessories?!
Everything with his insanely beautiful FACE on it!
I would be in there every day, stocking up on goodies and collecting points on my Armitage loyalty card.

Okay, so there are already a few awesome Armitage related items on the market.
From Guy of Gisbourne action figures to Thorin Oakenshield lego.
Not to mention the amazing Hot Dwarf King mug a muchly amazing Hot Elf King loving friend bought me for Christmas ^_^
(I talk about my Thorin mug a lot, because I love it a lot)

But this shop…
Oh lordy, THIS shop would stock all of the above AND MORE!

So, without further ado, I invite all of you to the unveiling of

This shop is full of all kinds of Armitage delights!

Where would you like to go first?

Perhaps the make-up department?

SIR GUY  has just launched his new range of glorious GUYliners!

Buy your GUYliner today!

You too can smoulder and smirk your heart out!

And swoon over all the pretty promotional posters!
*

Across from the make-up counter you’ll find all kinds of funky accessories…
All EXCLUSIVE to The Amazing Armi Gift Shop!

May I suggest some adorable
JOHN THORNTON NAIL TRANSFERS?!

The handsome cotton mill owner is waiting to adorn your nails!!
*

Over in the kitchen department, you can get your mitts on
THIS SPLENDID TOASTER!

It really is fit for a (Hot Dwarf) King!!
It even toasts Thorin’s delicious FACE onto every slice!!
YEY!
*
Also available is this limited edition
LUCAS NORTH LUNCHBOX AND THERMOS!

Take it to work!
Take it to the park!
Take it to bed!
YUM!
*

Perhaps you’re on the lookout for some charming footwear?
Look no further!
Harry is ready & waiting to keep your feet warm with these
SNUG SLIPPERS!!

Look at his wee happy face!
How could you possibly resist?

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Looking for something a bit more dangerous?
Why not trust Sgt. Porter and take home this nifty
SWISS “ARMI” KNIFE?!

Use it responsibly though, peeps!
*
I hope you’ve enjoyed looking around!
Please visit again soon!
*
There is something for every jolly Armitage Admirer at the
AMAZING ARMI GIFT SHOP!
It’s just a shame it only exists…
…in my head! -_-
For now!
Teeheehee!!

*
What marvellous items would you like to see Armi’s face (and *ahem* other body parts) on?

I’d quite like a pair of Armi scissors…where his glorious legs are the blades.
Mind you, I’d probably be prone to accidents with those in my hands! -_-

*
Well I’ve certainly enjoyed bloggin’ around this week.
Thank you so much for having me, Agzy!!
And thanks to everyone for welcoming me into the Armitage bloggin’ fold with your lovely, funny and amusing comments!
*HIGH-5s all round!*
*

Merry FanstRA4 everybody!

Marry, sleep with or take as your date to a school reunion…?

*Guest blogger alert part 2*

Hello again, fellow Armi enthusiasts!

Some saucy silliness for you today! Teehee!

On day 2 I asked you who your fave Armitage character and ”go-to” viewage is.
And I told you all about mine. With the aid of some pretty pictures
On day 4 of FanstRAvaganza I’d like to know which of the tall beauty’s nice, not so nice and a lot nicer than some characters you would….

Now, that charming chap from Leicester has played an array of characters.
From tall handsome strangers…
Hellooo, Harry Kennedy!
To brooding “bad boys”…
Sir Guy, throw me upon your steed & run away with me!
There’s been topless tough guys…
Oh, Sgt. Porter, I do like your…gun! >_>
And most magnificent spies….
Well, you know my feelings on THAT MI5 agent… *ahem*

Righteo!
Just to spice things up a bit, and make it more fun. (And because I’m a bit of a meanie! ;P).
I have chosen 9 of Armi’s characters and, picking their names out of a hat, (or in this case, my Thorin Oakenshield mug), I have split them into
3 random groups of, er, 3.
Consider each 3 in turn.
And tell me
(please)
If you absolutely definitely HAD to make a choice
(and let’s pretend you do!)
Who would you…

A). Marry

         B). Sleep with

                C). Take as your date to a
school reunion?

It’d be marvellous to know your reasons too!

First group of beauties:

Second group of swoon-er-roonies:

Third group of hot potatoes:

*
I know it’s tricky (very tricky!)
But think it through. Mull it over. Make yourself a cuppa and ponder the pros  and cons of each option.
*
I had to think long and hard myself.
For group one
I finally decided I would….

MARRY: Lucas North

I couldn’t NOT marry my favourite spy. Plus I would get to wake up to THAT FACE every morning, stroke his glorious tattoos, and swoon over his legs all the live long day! (You know, when he’s not off spying & stuff!)

SLEEP WITH: Sgt. Porter

He’s just so tough and strong and steaming hot!!
I’d want him to pick me up and throw me on the bed! Yum!

TAKE AS MY DATE TO A SCHOOL REUNION: Thorin Oakenshield

How impressive would it be to bring a Hot Dwarf King from Middle-earth to your school reunion? Everyone would be in awe of him. Plus he’d have much prettier hair than all those bitchy girls you went to school with! Also, he could defend your honour with his sword fighting skills!!
*
My choices are of course subject to change. -_-
*
As for groups 2 & 3…
I’ll have to think on it some more and get back to you! ^^

*
Well, I hope you enjoyed my little game!
Can’t wait to hear what you’d “do” with all these Armi-licious characters!
*
P.S. If you have any thoughts on anything else you’d like to - *ahem* - ”do” with these characters, or any others I’ve not mentioned, please feel free to share that too!

Perhaps you’d like Ricky Deeming to take you for a ride on his motorbike?
Or maybe you’ve had thoughts about spending time with Monet and his….canvas?!
Don’t be shy: share!

^_^

Merry FanstRA4 everybody!

Images borrowed from: RANet

The Love Song of R.Crispin Armitage’s Beard

Oh the beard, THE beard, the BEARD!

I’ve done so many different things to it and with it, apart from sitting on it actually touching it (which would be crossing so many lines, not to mention laws, even I know that…).

Let me see:

 I’ve fixated on it, I’ve sold it, I’ve even created a Beard Fairy.

The punchline?

I wish I could say that at first I didn’t like the beard, but it grew on me…

Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t kick it out of bed (out of fear Richard Armitage would come tumbling out of it as well seeing they’re kind of attached and what are the odds he’d climb back into bed with me a SECOND time?).

If I’m honest the only beard I want on a hot actor is the Victoria’s Secret model type on his arm on the red carpet, to keep up the illusion of him being straight (Ya know, just like…. Oh, insert almost any actor’s name here…).

Moving veeeeeery swiftly along in order to avoid the controversial g-a-y issue before things get a tad hairy….

No matter how hard I try to avoid the hairy thing, it seems to be following me (but not literally because that would be cause for great concern!).

Some say a man without a beard is very much like a woman with one, however I stand by every female’s right to grow one, especially if you’re a lady dwarf!

Anyway, as we stand by, holding our collective Armitage Admiration breath, watching out for any indication that Richard is in fact releasing the bearded beast from within just in time for NZ, I’d like to offer some suggestions on how to change that baby face into Cousin It.

Take my advice Richard Armitage, and you’ll be having me bitching about that bloody hairy thing in no time!

Firstly, and most importantly, stop shaving!

Assert your right, not to mention the need, to grow a beard.

Glueing on fake beards is for wimps and you’re not a wimp, are you Rich?

Richard Armitage, put the Gillette products down!

Eating a healthy diet can also aid the growth, so Richard, eat your vegetables at every meal.

Yes, even the spinach AND the brussels sprouts, unless you want a beard that looks like you’ve just hit puberty, and I start calling you Justin Bieber.

Talking of boys to men, growing a beard is an affirmation of manliness and masculinity, so make sure you puff that chest out, get a comb-over, have a few pints of larger, fart in bed, refer to some women as ‘Birds” and keep that testosterone level nice and high.

It is acceptable for you to belch in public while you are growing out the stubble, it’s the manly thing to do (especially if you’re eating non-rabbit food like meat!).

Also, wear plaid and drive a truck and NEVER use a coaster, at least till the beard has filled in nicely.

Going from stubble to Alf may cause irritation, so soothe your itchy newly bearded skin with a  moisturizing lotion or other skin-care products.

I say, if it itches, just scratch it, kinda like when I get that itch to look at Richard Armitage and automatically scratch it by going online.

Once the hairy monstrocity cheek warmer grows out, it’s time to give it some TLC.

I read somewhere that trimming your beard is like tending a bonsai.

I’m suddenly overwhelmed with the thought that Richard’s beard is like a dwarf miniature tree in a container, and I’m feeling much less zen.

I’m trying to locate Treating Your Beard Like a Bonsai for Dummies on amazon, but they must have sold out.

Oh, and ladies, all of the above tips works quite well if you’re trying to grow some leg hair too.

You may wonder why I’ve spent so much time on something that should, in my humble opinion, be flushed down the loo (minus Richard of course).

I have great respect for the beard.

The beard (almost) single-handedly (or -hairly) has managed to earn a $1bn to date.

Not bad for some slightly greying facial hair growth!

Ps. The post title is inspired by The Love Song of J.Alfred Prufrock.

T.S Eliot is rolling in his grave and I do apologise for using his wonderful poem for my own silly amusement.

Still bloggin’ MIA…

I’m still spending (or do I mean wasting???) my free time on tumblr, so here’s an interesting bunch of links between LOTR and The Hobbit which you may have missed (too busy drooling and such at the hsheer dwarf hotness on your screen).

Yup, I’ve seen the whole LOTR trilogy close to 20 times and I missed most of them too

Source: I waste so much time

And here are some funny cards from SomeCards

Have a wonderful hobbity day

My Nearest and Dearest are Dwarven’ Awesome, and here’s why…

I’d like to start by thanking everyone for their birthday wishes

I don’t really like to make a BIG fuss around the day, with one exception.

My nearest do not apply and the bigger the fuss the better

On Armitage Day I shared with you the cake my sister designed for me the previous year, which you can see here.

This year I asked that the calories count be kept low because I have a pair of Hobbit jeans I’s like to squeeze into soon.

I did love the cake from last year and just when I though that was the coolest birthday surprise ever, my family proved me wrong.

This year I got 5 postcards.

OK, it wasn’t only 5 postcards, but for dramatic effect let’s stick to the concept of:

For my birthday I got 5 postcards, one from each member of my immediate family.

And let me tell you, these are the best postcards ever.

Let me explain:

The first card was from my mom.

Well, hello there Captain Armitage.

I salute you!

I feel safer already knowing you’re in the cockpit…

The back of the postcard said, in rhyme:

Translation: My dear, We’re sending you on a long journey, and a flight above Amsterdam. Avoid temptation and don’t inhale any of that Amsterdam ‘mist’.

Prepare your passport and boarding pass, as Captain Richard will fly you out.

Kisses Mom

What I adore about this is that the street name is: On the Way to London St. and the postal code of the address is actually the one for the Warsaw Airport

The next postcard was from my dad.

That’s one hotel I wouldn’t mind checking into

Can I ask for extra towels?

On the flip side:

Translation: My dear, it would be nice, if walking around London was pleasant for you, so  we booked a hotel close to the centre for you.

You’ll feel comfortable there like in biblical heaven.

Overlooking your comfort, and this is no joke, is the dedicated concierge Richard.

Kisses Dad.

The next card is from my Sister Dearest.

Now, you can see why this card is close to my heart.

I’m on constant diets and and looking forward to eating Fish&chips almost as much as seeing The Hobbit!

On the back:

I will never let you down Magzy, nor will I let Cook Richard down, therefore Miss Piggy from Piggleton (love it!) promises to stuff her porker face at the local chippy just for you two

The next card is from my BFF and I just cracked up when I saw Monet as a Beefeater!

I think they may suspect I have a tad of a crush on Richard Armitage, because Max goes on to say:

I’m in the process of getting my name and address legally changed to the one featured on this postcard

I think it suits me very well!

This is the last card:

It would seem I’m going on and Unexpected Journey of my very own

Five wonderful postcards that make me suspicious that they may be on to me and have an inkling that I’m a bit partial to Richard Armitage.

I really do wonder what gave it away?

Anyway, it would seem that my dearest are sticking me on board a plane heading towards London via Amsterdam (no promises about the mist though, when in Rome…), I’ll be staying in a beautiful stylish boutique hotel in the centre and Ill get a chance to see The Hobbit 2 weeks before it opens in my country.

BEST. BIRTHDAY. PRESSIE. EVER!

It’s all about Thorin! Thorin! Thorin!

There was a Brady Bunch series where Jan, the middle daughter, complained that ‘It’s all about Marcia! Marcia!Marcia!”

I think we can easily apply this thinking to our little fandom, as it does all seem to be about Thorin! Thorin! Thorin!

I think it’s only natural that the lead-up to Richard’s biggest step in his career means we have shifted focus from other beloved characters.

I have observed that about 80% of Armitage news and posts is connected to The Hobbit.

Believe me, I know I’m guilty of focusing a majority of my posts on that little sexy bushy-eyebrowed devil!

I too am beyond excited about December, although I’ve vowed not to send a penny on merchandise until I actually see the movie, but it does make me feel like I’m ungrateful to the other RA characters.

Let’s not forget the months at a time when there’d be absolutely no RA news.

The drought was painful, and yet we survived and thrived because we found hidden depths in the characters available to us.

We had to dig a little deeper and flex our creative muscle to shed new light on old characters.

I miss Thornton and Porter a little and wonder when they will once again get the attention they deserve.

I have a quick question for you today:

50 Shades of Thorin Oakenshield

In Brian Sibley’s In The Hobbit:  Official Movie Guide, Richard Armitage is quoted as saying:

“I know there are a million people out there for whom I will probably not be their version of Thorin, but I can only be my version of Thorin”.

I think we’d all struggle to image that the head dwarf could be played by anyone else but our lovely Richard Armitage.

Here are some other images of Thorin Oakenshield that I could find.

I know which one I like most, but I am hardly objective in this matter

Let’s start with an image from Card for ‘Lord of the Rings LCG’ by Fantasy Flight Games.

Lord of the Rings Online Game presents Thorin with flat head full of grey hair.

Lord of the Rings.org has an image of Thorin that certainly captures the madness and intensity.

At The Hobbit CED you have to wonder of Thorin and Gandalf are twins.

Over at Armchair general Thorin seems like a bit of a porker with evident wrinkles.

Jay Johnstone channels the icon version of Thorin.

Which Thorin is your favorite?

Only joking, but they are interesting, I think you’ll agree..

By the way, how about some Thorin Extra Grande Champagne Cognac.

Bottoms Up!

Look what I found at my local newsagent’s…

From the moment The Hobbit edition of Empire magazine  was out, they’ve been causing a storm.

I decided that if they have the Thorin edition at my local newsagent’s I’ll have to believe it’s fate and buy it, despite my apprehension to spend money on the dwarves before I see the film.

I figured that the universe would want me to have it and maybe I should stick the magazine in my handbag when I travel to London, on the off-chance I might get a cast autograph or *hyperventilating* Mr Armitage himself.

I strut to my local Empik store, knowing full well that they only have one copy left.

I walked over to the film section and found Empire.

Gollum is on the 3D lenticular cover!

I bet that’s not what you expected me to say, but that’s how it was!

I really was hoping the beautiful image of Thorin in blue would catch my eye and make me smile.

The bottom line is that as much as I’m very lucky in some areas of my life, I wouldn’t see myself as someone who’d bump into Richard Armitage at the airport, or be fortunate enough to get an autograph.

He won’t be filming on a set close to my home.

I won’t be attending theatre events or premieres where I could rub elbows with celebs.

Before you start pitying me, let me assure you of one thing.

There a level of freedom in knowing full well that amazing things like that will never happen.

I probably won’t get a pic of Armitage with his arm around my shoulders, nor will I ever get a chance to ask him to sign a photo.

Knowing this simple truth allows me to enjoy the things that are attainable, like meeting fellow Armitage fans and getting a buzz from seeing The Hobbit together with them.

I may never meet Richard Armitage, but I’ll experience something just as exciting, meaning I’ll be sharing my admiration for my favorite actor with other fans in RL.

Richard Armitage seems to be aloof in my life of late.

 I haven’t seen any RA in Warsaw yet.

The official Polish poster and the new book edition both feature either Gandalf or Bilbo on the cover.

I want a huge billboard with moody Thorin glaring right at me when I drive on my way to work.

Am I asking too much?

While The Hobbit’s away, the Boys will play!

During their time off from The Hobbit my two favorite boys meaning Richard Armitage and Aidan Turner are busy with other projects.

We all know Mr A is busy being a hero in the face of a tornado.

Gary is a type of teacher that I’d like to learn a thing or two from

I’ve never wanted to be a teacher’s pet so bad!

Mr Turner is involved in a huge project of the fantasy adaptation of  The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones directed by Harald Zwart.

The movie will be out August 23rd, 2013 and it seems to rival Hunger Games.

He’ll be playing the character of Luke Garroway, the surrogate father to the protagonist Clary Fray played by Lily Collins.

Image taken from cityofbones.com.

One thing I know is that he’s sporting a bushy beard (that’s so hot right now…) and he seemed to have chopped off the lovely locks and has a shorter do that looks a bit like a weird afro.

Not passing judgement till I take a closer look.

Wouldn’t hurt if I could run my fingers through it, but I’m guessing security would knock me down

I believe he should keep his hair longer!

While you still have it, you should embrace it!

The book series already seems to have a huge following, although prior to the casting announcement I had never heard of it before.

I can’t lie, I read the first book in the series, meaning City of Bones, to see how big Aidan’s part is, and it’s quite impressive and exciting.

I have difficulty with recommending the book wholeheartedly.

This Young Adult Urban Fantasy is a bit naïve and predictable, and I felt the writing wasn’t the best, however the story is interesting, and I can’t wait to see how it’s interpreted on film.

There were moments where a twist in the plot was revealed and I could have sworn it was so obvious I thought every reader would take it as a given.

In some cases I thought the twist had already been introduced.

Then again I read lot of Agatha Christie, so I’m always spoiling plots

If you want something young and fluffy, this book will tick the boxes.

If you merely want to see Aidan prance around in glasses, wait patiently for the movie next year.

On leaving home, and traveling to London to see the Hobbit

Today’s post is about packing a suitcase, and braving the big world.

I really hope I don’t forget my f*cking passport when I travel to London the weekend of the Hobbit première!

OK, as a member of EU, I don’t need a passport to enter the UK, but I hope that’s not what you’re focusing on

Yep, the decision has been made!

We know the when and where, although the rest of the details are still a little fuzzy.

My GBF and I are heading to London to check out the Hobbit première at Leicester Square, and will try to catch a glimpse of Richard Armitage and Aidan Turner on the red carpet.

Time to start thinking about designing special T-shirts and signs

Well, technically, I’ll be getting my RA crazy on, and Max will be pretending he’s never met me before, as he stands by, embarrassed by my fangurling behaviour

I know Judit is also planning on traveling there, although she has warned me she won’t be camping out for 4 days straight at Leicester Square just to get a good spot.

Not to worry, that’s so not me either.

I’d much rather have a look, then go to a pub for a nice drink, some fish&chips, and a good old chin-wag about Richard!

We could all meet up and see the film in the company of other Armitage admirers, which I think could prove to be an absolute hoot!

If you are also planning to travel to London that weekend, and would like to meet up and celebrate the success of Richard’s biggest acting achievement to date, please let me know