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Rodarte Design Hits Starbucks (and Me)

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When I walked into Starbucks this morning, I had to stop because of this display.

The entire store had been redone in holiday red, but this display with lime green, silver, and shades of grey hit me hard. What are these? These belong to a design collaboration with Rodarte.

These diffusion, pixelated pattern items are limited to the Holidays and is the first design partnership for Starbucks.

I had to touch each item and stopped myself from buying any of them. There’s a tumbler, a tote bag, a gift card, and a reusable cup sleeve (which was already sold out).

My only salvation from not buying any of the urban camo-like items? The ceramic makeup of the travel tumbler. The Rodarte tumbler is not metal or plastic, and I’m afraid the ceramic just won’t last. Or maybe it’s my will power that won’t last, caving way first.

If you can’t make it down to a Starbucks, you can also purchase these Rodarte items online by clicking on the image below.

The Twlight Saga Ends with Breaking Dawn Part 2

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So the end of the Twilight saga is finally here with Breaking Dawn Part 2 releasing to the public this week. Thanks to the Red Band Project, I got to see an early screening of the awaited final chapter. I won’t give away any spoilers, and I won’t be doing a review (I’ll leave that to Myong of Nonstop Honolulu). Instead, I’ll list some of the things I picked up on.

Old People Like Twilight Too. Twilight ain’t only for the tweenagers. In fact, on this night, Twihard fans in the theater averaged over 30 years old is my guess. Sure there were a few kids, some in their 20’s, but by and large, viewers were older, much older. Both genders were about equally represented as well.

The Art of the Closeup. I can’t recall how many closeup shots and scenes there were in the movie. It begins with this (which I thought was very effective).

But after a few too many closeups, I tired of this motif. Bella and Edward’s intimate scenes I can understand the use of closeups to show but not show their ravenous desires.

What Was Not Said. The ability to communicate without speaking was used and abused in Breaking Dawn Part 2. Just by touching, the gifted vampires and Renesmee Cullen could convey so much yet not say a word. Telepathy, visions, mind reading – too convenient. Although Alice’s final vision provided closure to one storyline.

Weird Aging. Speaking of Renesmee, the special effects to depict her at different ages was just weird. Enough said.

Original Sparkles

Finally Sparkly Skin. After four movies, Breaking Dawn Part 2 finally got the vampire sparkly skin just right. Maybe it’s Bella’s frosty complexion that more naturally compliments her vampire derma. Not sparkling, but why is Emmett Cullen so white?

The Abs of Team Jacob. From New Moon through Breaking Dawn Part 1, Taylor Launter’s physique and popping abs were showcased. In Part 2, Team Jacob keeps his clothes on except for that one scene with Bella’s dad, Charlie. Get ready to oogle about 20 minutes into the movie. Besides, the movie isn’t about Jacob’s body but his emotional connection with Bella, now Renesmee. You buying that? I didn’t think so.

Kapow! Gratuitous abs image

The Credits. Okay, if you can resist tearing up during the introductory credits knowing this is the last of the Twilight story, you might actually wonder what the opening credits are showing. Is that blood, is that ice, is that flowers? What is all that imagery – representations of Bella’s transformation? I thought the font change from a serif to sans serif typeface was kinda cool but then again, I dig fonts.

The ending credits were sweet but long. Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years Pt 2 played appropriately since there was so much to cover during the credits. Showing all the characters and actors and actresses was a nice touch I thought. Okay, here is a spoiler for you. There are no bonuses after the final credits. This is the final movie after all.

The Field of Flowers. Ah the field, that field. In bloom during the spring or desolate in winter, that field tugs at the heartstrings of Twilight fans.

A Fragmented Sentence. While I found the movie overall entertaining, I kept thinking it felt like a fragmented sentence. There were things, people, and stuff yet the things, people, and stuff never really meshed for me. Yeah, it’s the second of a two-parter so just keep that in mind when you go see it. Just believe and roll with it.

It’s About Family. Forget about Team Edward or Team Jacob (and even Team Alice). This movie is all about the coven family. Humans, hybrids, immortals, shape shifters – the family bond overcomes all and holds everyone together. Ohana!

Get PSYCHE-d! That’s all I can safely say about a fantastic fight scene! Heads will roll!! How else do you kill vampires?

Go see Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2 and let me know what you think.

Bonus

Pulpconnection reviews:

Guess I didn’t review Eclipse or Breaking Dawn Part 1 since I can’t find any review posts.

Wanna see past Pulpconnection posts for all things Twilight? Click here.

Update 11-16-2012: Myong’s review for Nonstop Honolulu is now available.

What’s NOT Popping at Windward Mall?

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Despite all the action going on at Windward Mall, there is something that’s not popping. Sadly, the Star Advertiser is reporting that longtime mall tenant Marukai is closing its doors in early 2013. Yeah, I can’t believe it either, and I didn’t realize they were there for 10 years.

No matter your reason for being at Windward Mall, you had to stop at Marukai just to see what was there. How else would you know that Oreos are an international snack?

Not only are Oreos world renowned, but did you know they make a great instant latte drink.

And when regular canned coffee drinks are just not cutting it, where else can you find the Boss Rainbow blend?

Seriously, it’s this kind of uniqueness that makes Marukai a must-visit store. But alas, soon there will be no more as the death knell known as store-wide clearance sales empties out Marukai’s uniqueness.

Without Marukai and Don Quijote, where do Windward residents get their Asian items?

What Else Is Popping at Windward Mall?

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So Windward Mall is popping during the Holidays, and you know what else is popping at the Mall? Sports Authority.

No joke, this Sports Authority is a contender. Well, yeah, it’s new, but it’s so nice. It’s spacious, and the lighting is great, especially the lights on their shoe displays – mesmerizing.

Boxes and boxes of shoes!

Open only for a few weeks, the store is still well stocked with all kinds of sports goodies. Couple this with grand opening coupons, and you got yourself a prime shopping environment.

Well stocked

Let’s hope this Sports Authority location can keep up the momentum post Holidays.

What’s Popping at Windward Mall?

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What’s popping at the best shopping mall on the Windward side? The Holidays is what! Yup, yup, now that October is over, and the Holiday season has begun, Windward Mall is in the mood with its Christmas decorations adorning its halls.

Even the snow blowing Christmas tree is there (though not yet blowing snow).

The snow don’t blow until after Santa’s arrival on Saturday, November 17.

In the meantime, listen to modern day Christmas carols and wait for new shops like Charlotte Russe to open for gifts for good girls (and bad ones too).

What’s Isaac Fotu’s Secret?

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UH men’s basketball freshman forward, Isaac Fotu, has a great fro going on.

Couple his “Fear the Fro” moniker with his rebounding prowess, and you got an instant fan favorite. But what’s #42’s secret? Could it be this?

Chia Seed

I know nothing about chia seeds, but this dietary supplement is getting some attention.

And be sure to follow #42 (as in four two as in Fotu) on Twitter at @ifotu42.

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