will return - April 1st

"You can do anything, but you can't do everything"

After a year plus a month of everyday posting - I've decided to take the month of March off from blogging in order to pay some attention to projects that have fallen by the wayside. Dont get me wrong - I won't be taking time off from Harve & Polly, I just have some ideas that require a little more time commitment in order to reach fruition. In the meantime I will still be pinning so be sure to visit me on Pinterest!

See you all on April 1!

happy leap

// from here

Fauvette Bird Speaker

// available here for $39.99 (I want the pink one like woah)

fireflies exposed

This long exposure photography has me dreaming of long summer nights laying in the grass looking at the fireflies. Ohhh I cant wait for warm summer. I hope they have fireflies in massachusetts! (otherwise I'll need to visit OH)

// from here

stickers on the walls!

These lovely walls are coved in stickers! yes, hearts and baloons and strawberries! see mom? stickers on the walls arent so bad =)

// from here

nerd alert : broken sword | the shadow of the templars

Nicole is a journalist who has uncovered a dangerous lead linking the deaths of some very powerful men all over the world. As she investigates a recent terrorist attack who just killed her latest lead, she meets George Stobbart. George is an American tourist in Paris, and he is about to embark on an adventure that follows the last moves of the Knights Templar as they hide what remains of their great treasure.

Originally released for PC, the Broken Sword series consisted of 4 games released between 1996 and 2006. Shamefully, I haven't played any of them until this past weekend - and I will say better late than never because the first game in the series, The Shadow of the Templars, has set me off in hot pursuit of the remaining 3 games. This point and click adventure game doesn't lack anything in the puzzle department, and translates to the DS quite well - too bad that top screen was mostly a screensaver the whole time though! 

01/ cross ring $6.00  //  02/ knight chess pieces $5.00  //  03/ elephant $9.95  //  04/ skull cupcake mold $11.95  //  05/ clown nose $4.99  //  06/ paris manhole cover $24.99  //  07/ magic carpet $64.00

5/6 Toes // Overall

1 // Graphics
The game was originally released in the mid 90's so it is going to be judged by era. The illustrated style of the game goes well with the DS interface and it doesn't look like an older game on this platform (on a PC it might be a different story).

1 // Storyline and Characters
I'm not going to lie - the whole Templar thing was WAY overdone in the 90's/00's (come on - Gabriel Knight, Post Mortem...) but this may have been the first one, and since I don't have a timeline of all the Templar games in front of me I will let it slide. The main character George, is likable and you get a little tug and pull on whether he is good or bad in some situations. I originally thought Nico would be a toggle character, but you don't get to control her after the beginning of the game. Story-wise though - I couldn't put it down and loved every puzzle ridden minute of it. But seriously Nicole, what is up with those blue shoes?
 
0.5 // Soundtrack and Sound Effects
Nothing too stellar (it was the 90's) but I do appreciate they didn't change anything from the original. There are sound effects for all the actions in the game, and the cut scenes have additional sound - I did like the typing sound that accompanied the talking portions... but I would've liked talking more.

1 // Length of Game and Price
So for $19.99 at GameStop, this game entertained me all weekend and then some (about 9 hours total). so definitely would recommend. You can probably find it cheaper for PC or used - and I even heard a rumor its available for the iPhone.

1 // Replay Value
I could see this series becoming one I replay ever few years. It has good bones and I cant wait to see what happens next.

0.5 // Puzzle Difficulty
The DS version has a little hint cheat in the upper corner, I'm not going to lie - I was glad it was there and even used it once or, ok, twice. the puzzles were inventory and location based - but overall were more enjoyable than outright difficult.

new digs

01/ cb2 pillow $29.95  //  02/ industrial pendant lamp $99.00  //  03/ river rock shower curtain $39.00  //  04/ woodgrain towels $19.00  //  05/ cb2 pillow $49.95  //  06/ cb2 pillow $39.95  //  07/ beam coffee mug $2.95  //  08/ Madison Dinnerware $189.95  //  09/ cirrus rugs $24.95

So over the weekend Smith and I signed a lease for a new place. We'll be moving in April - but that isn't stopping me from doing some serious premature planning & online window shopping. I think I have the layout down.... now for some accents!

LEGO Life of George

LEGO Life of George is an App based Lego game that challenges players to build what they see as fast as they can! This would be an awesome gift for anyone with Lego love.

traubecks wood record

Years - 'scratching' from Bartholomäus Traubeck on Vimeo.


tree turned record... read more here

toy stories

// from here

nerd alert : zelda - phantom hourglass ds

You and Tetra (don't even think about calling her princess Zelda!) are out on the high seas looking for the legendary ghost ship and all the adventure that comes with it. The rumors of treasure have Tetra jumping on board moments after it comes into view. A scream send you after her... but the next thing you know you are waking up on a beach. (haven't we been here before Link?) Celia, a fairy of sorts, finds you and commits to helping you find your friend. You meet your new partner Lineback, who is usually not much help, but nothing can stand in your way! Fight your way through bosses to collect more sand for the Phantom Hourglass until you can finally defeat an evil that has cast a shadow over the entire ocean.

01/ link decal $5.00  //  02/ heart containers $5.00  //  03/ phantom hourglass DS game $11.99  //  04/ celia (Navy) earrings $15.00  //  05/ hourglasses $38.00  //  06/ boss key chain $3.50  //  07/ heart chest $165.00  //  08/ tri force earrings $12.00  //  09/ shield mints $3.99  //  10/ bomb bag $45.00  //  11/ tri force print $30.00  //  12/ link tee $19.95  //  13/ limited edition DS $499.99  //  14/ Rupees $25.00

This game is flat out fun. Like, can't put it down, dream about it fun. Link has his standard sword and shield, but there is also Lineback's ship that lets you explore the ocean, salvage treasure, go deep sea fishing and explore all the islands on your map. The split screen of the DS is especially helpful since you have a constant map displayed on your top screen, and you can make handy notes with the stylus. There are also a lot of creative uses of the DS features including the microphone! Also you get to play barbie with the ship, swapping out different hulls, chimneys, hand rails, cabins, anchors, etc...

5/6 Toes // Overall

1 // Graphics
Graphics are great, love the split screens like i said before it makes the map super easy to use and eliminates the back and forth between gameplay and secondary screens. I also really enjoyed the paper cut out style of the cut scenes, it was a nice way to make the look/feel different on the relatively lo-res DS screen..

1 // Storyline and Characters
Zelda & Link, together forever. Its the classic boy saves princess in distress - but Zelda (sorry, Tetra) had a pretty tough girl attitude in this game - she definitely wasn't playing the part of a princess in this game.

1 // Soundtrack and Sound Effects
Classic Zelda, don't mess with a good thing. I loved the microphone elements taking the interactive sound to the next level.

1 // Length of Game and Price
So I payed $29.99 for this game and I spent about 3 weeks playing through the story, mini-games and extras. Honestly I think I found all the treasure.Definitely was ready for the end so I could get back to life as normal - but I would be lying if I didnt tell you I loved every minute of it.

0.5 // Replay Value
There is lots of discovering to do in this game. And there are also lots of skill challenges that you can keep playing - archery, ship cannon targets, fishing. I dont think I would replay the whole game since it was epically long, but i might go for a boat ride from time to time.

0.5 // Puzzle Difficulty
Honestly the interior mazes before the bosses are my favorite. They are all based on sequence and flipping the right switch. They aren't terribly difficult, but you cant just cruise through without paying attention to the details. Did I ever feel stuck? no.