Saturday, April 29, 2017

Jen's Gems: I Lost It At "Welcome Home"

I'm bringing back Jen's Gems, peeps! At least for a trial run, see how you guys like it. So here are some of my favorite finds from around the interwebz this week:


This girl is seeing Hogsmeade for the very first time. I was fine until the Conductor walked over:


 ...then I bawled.

Then I showed it to John, and he was kind of quiet, so I turned around and he was totally bawling with me. Ha! Thank goodness we cry at all the same stuff; keeps it from being embarrassing.

That's Rhapsody Artajo in the video, btw, who looks like a cool person to follow on FB.

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This Dragonfly necklace by Milmine Design on Etsy:


...who also makes pretty pendants from vintage glass buttons:


Shiny.

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I never thought I'd be raving about a stranger's wig to friends over dinner, but that's what I did last night. Because you guys, look what Bakka Cosplay did!


It's on fire! But not! But it looks it!



I am ridiculously excited and inspired by this. And you better believe the finished cosplay is phenomenal. Go see.

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My favorite craft find in ages:



Allison of Dream A Little Bigger mixed UV-reactive pigment to make color-changing shoes! I sooo want to play with this stuff now. Go see her tutorial here.

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If that Hogswarts Express Conductor didn't bring a tear to your eye, then the story of this 13-year-old boy who surprised his baby sister with a Disney photo shoot definitely will:


There's more to the story, though - more I won't spoil for you. Just promise me you'll go read it, because OH MY HEART and faith restored in future generations. Plus you get to see the rest of the gorgeous photos, taken by their mom!



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And finally, here's John's contribution to your impending weekend of awesome:

via Reddit, but if you have the original source please share!

Because - and I quote, "some days, you just need to see a kangaroo basking in the sun on the beach."


Happy weekend, everyone! 

 P.S. - If you like these kinds of quick weekly wrap-ups, let me know! I get so caught up being an "original content creator" that sometimes I forget not everyone is online 16 hours a day, and maybe you don't see all the fun stuff I do. So hey, if you like 'em, I'll post 'em! Also feel free to suggest categories of things you want to see; this is just the tip of the iceberg, and believe me, I like LOTS of stuff.

71 comments:

  1. Thank you so much, Jen! I appreciate all you do! And you're right, I don't have any time to look around the internet, especially no time to look at videos. So I trust your judgement that these things are worth a look - You have excellent taste! <3 (My evenings --> I take photos for my antique store, fix them up, up load them to IG, then FB, then email them to people who do neither of those. By then it's taken me 2-3 hours, no time to browse for anything - but I always save Cakewrecks & EPBOT for "dessert" before shutting down and going to bed - you & John are my only recreation!)

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  2. I love these posts! And I've already ordered the pigments to make my own color changing shoes!

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  3. Please keep doing these posts. You find the best stuff <3

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  4. Yes please. I wouldn't even know how to find interesting and inspiring stories on the internet. My 20 something daughter tells me to just search for it. I don't even know what that means. I just recently learned that youtube isn't strictly for...unspeakable behaviors. She did caution me to be careful when I'm clicking on something. Mostly I've been staring at the back side of an expectant giraffe :) I enjoy both Cakewrecks and Epbot. I would love to see posts about Disney, pets, (no spiders please) babies and family love. And anything that sparkles!
    Since I'm stalling going to bed last night and it's 7:55am here (yes really, and I have no idea) I'll tell you how I met you and John. Many years ago my aforementioned daughter came to me and said somebody needed our prayers. We sat on my bed while she explained that there is a woman that writes a blog (blog???) about cakes, but they aren't successes as much as much as they are wrecks. She went on to say that a book was published with these cake wrecks and that you and your husband John were on a book tour. He was now in the hospital fighting for his life. So we prayed repeatedly for you and John. You're likely close to my older daughter's age so I kind of took you under my wing, so to speak. I could tell a couple times while reading cakewrecks that you were struggling. It's common in my circle. I was introduced for the first time to the viciousness of strangers' comments. I was so happy when you started Epbot where you just got to be you. So please know that in midcoast Maine, where Sam's whoopie pies are readily available, there are people that are happy that you and John are doing well. Susan from Maine

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    1. Susan from Maine, ALLLLLL the feels for your post. Much light and love to you from Texas. Thank you for being the wonderful human that you are.

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    2. I wasn't prepared to start my work day crying, Susan, but thank you for these happy tears. That was one of the darkest times of my life, made lighter and more bearable by loving strangers from the internet I'm still just "meeting" today. So thank you, truly - with extra sprinkles on top.

      Also my first EVER whoopie pie was from Sam's, and sometimes my SIL will send me a few from Maine. They are chocolately joy. :D

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    3. Del, thank you for the kind words. I'm going to try to figure out how to copy and paste your reply so I may treasure it always. Susan

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    4. Jen, a few hours after I posted my comment it occurred to me that it might upset you so I wished I could click "unpublish." I'm happy to hear you're okay with it. Del's post above yours was so touching, and from a stranger in Texas no less! Quite the group of special people you've gathered here on Epbot. Be well my friend. Susan from Maine.

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  5. But you and I may spend the same time in /different corners/ of the internet. I always love seeing what other people find awesome, and to see what awesome I may have missed. (Which is a long winded way of saying yes please, I like this sort of content.) <3

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  6. Yes, please keep doing these kinds of posts. Love seeing cool new things I'd never find on my own.

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  7. I love this! I have a lot of the same tastes that you have and have discovered so many wonderful things through your blog. I am disabled and can't spend a lot of time at my computer without serious pain, so being able to get awesome "bite-sized" content from blogs like yours means a lot to me. I'm in love with all of your original content, but also get very excited when you show other people's amazing content as well. Please keep it up!

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  8. Please keep doing this! You find the coolest stuff, and I can't follow too many links to positivity. :)

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  9. I agree! Please do keep doing this. I'm online a lot, it still don't see all the cool things. Now I'm off to get color changing pigment (omg!)

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  10. I love it. Your taste matches mine, but I would never find the things that you do on my own. Keep 'em coming, Jen.

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  11. Who's cutting onions in here? Dang it... Between Hogsmeade and Prince Charming, I'm kind of a mess right now...

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  12. Yes, please do share more like this. I love the hodge podgeness of what you posted today- something for everyone. I do have to add although your posts were heartwarming or cool, John wins this week, that kangaroo shot is just perfection in every way.

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  13. This was so fun! I'd love to see more! On a side note, does anyone recognize the garden in the Prince Charming/Snow White photoshoot?? It's GORGEOUS!

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  14. I love these type of posts. I mean, I adore your original creations and posts, but I'm also here because I like reading about stuff you like. So when you share stuff you've found or seen, it's usually stuff I enjoy too. So please do carry on with them!

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  15. I love these posts!

    I mentally guessed Junkrat (from Overwatch) for the glowing wig, happy I was right! Amazing cosplay.

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  16. So awesome! Definitely love this kind of post.

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  17. I love this kind of post! It brings sunshine to the interwebs!

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  18. I am 45 and without a doubt in my mind that would be me crying hysterically being at the wizarding world for the first time. I rarely cry and would cry like a baby there.

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    1. Yep. I'm in my 30s and would be an absolute wreck.
      "It's real for us."

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  19. Love these round ups, and bought my mom a dragon fly necklace for Mothers day

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  20. I love these posts because no matter how much time I spend on the internet, there is always something you find that I haven't seen. :)

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  21. Absolutely please continue with these posts! I had seen some of it, but even some I had spotted, I didn't always have time to read, and then *poof* it's gone from my FB feed. Your curation is a valuable contribution in and of itself, in addition to your "original content creation"!

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  22. Jen, if you're up to doing it, I'd love to see a weekly roundup sort of post. You always find the BEST stuff! :D
    -Zippy

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  23. While it's not possible to see the whole iceberg, I would love to see MORE of the iceberg. I hope you will continue to post as many Gems as you feel you have time for!

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  24. My husband and I have discovered the Solar Color Dust shop and have lost our damn minds. So much potential geeky awesomeness!

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  25. Gosh yes! I've found SO many cool things through Epbot--a regular round up of what I don't have time to find myself would be VERY welcome! Curation is more original than we often think.

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  26. My biggest fear about visiting Wizarding World is that I'll be too much of a sobbing shaking stuttering mess to enjoy anything. The video was just touching until the conductor said "Welcome home.". Then I sobbed.
    “Whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.”- Jo herself.

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  27. Love these kinds of posts! It gives me even more internets to dive into when I need something to read.

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  28. I love these! I do not have tons of free online time, and I get so nervous about all the junk out there that I don't look for much that's new. I love your curated posts, they let me see just the good the internet has to offer!

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  29. I love all your posts including ones like this. It shows me awesome things I would never find ok my own.

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  30. I love your roundups - keep 'em coming! I don't have time to trawl around the webs much, so I rely on you to find cool stuff :-D

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  31. I would love to see more of theses. It's like a fabulous curation (sp?) of the internet!

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  32. I am a total lurker, but I really loved this. Thank you!

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  33. Joey photo is from @mountivestation on IG. :-)

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  34. Your interweb roundups are great! I always enjoy seeing geeky goodness!

    --Piper P from Washington State

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  35. Moar posts please! Love seeing what others find interesting on the interwebs.

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  36. Yes, yes! More posts like this, please! I love seeing the cool things you find online. :)

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  37. I enjoy these posts a lot, BUT please don't put undo pressure on yourself and your husbot to make it happen on a weekly basis. Part of the charm is the randomness, not the schedule.

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  38. Love your roundups. You never fail to bring us great stuff from across the interwebs.

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  39. These were gems! I'm always interested in what you post!

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  40. So, I'm a crying mess right now. I remember the overwhelming sense of home I felt the first time I walked into Diagon Alley. I think I even said out loud to my friend (who insisted we go) "these are my people". How lovely is that Conductor? How perfect was that whole moment? <3

    Please do keep this kind of content. There is a LOT of awesome flying around out there in the ether, and you have a great eye for what is really worth sharing.

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  41. Always more content from you guys!!

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  42. I love these, and would love to see more!

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  43. More please! You know we love pretty much everything you guys will share with us, right? <3

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  44. I've recently started doing custom shoes (all Disney themed so far). The color-changing paint is a fantastic idea!! I'm going to have to try it out.

    And yes, please keep posting these. There's far too much on the internet for any of us to see it all.

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  45. OMG I loved everything! Please continue doing these!
    I'm googling white shoes I totally need those in I bow and galaxy colors!
    /Mia K

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  46. I'm laid up right now and with so much junk online, nothing makes me happier than reading a post from you. I know I'm going to like anything you like. Thank you!

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  47. Oh...oh....oh...GWAAAHHANHANBAWWHHHHHHH....
    I'm not really a Harry Potter fan, but I don't think you have to be. "You're home now". (Bawls none too quietly to her equally nerdy, plus-sized self). Thanks as always Jen for your gems from the internets. Sincerely Shinnewn

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  48. Oh yeah, I dig this! Keep 'em coming!

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  49. Absolutely love the. Thanks for sharing the squee.

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  50. Hi Jen! Love the Gem post! I always looked forward to the jewelry finds you would post too. I'm in FOE, and I wanted to tell you about #rockbots and the pretties I am making. My community has a facebook page/group, Downriver Rocks. Strangers paint rocks and hide them all over town, to hopefully brighten someone else's day. I had posted my works in progress on Fans of Epbot one day, and found other across the country who do this too! Pretty sweet, and all to just make a random person smile. Hope you have a great day!

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  51. That Junkrat cosplay made my day!!! Yes! I'd love to see more posts like this!

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  52. I love this!! Please keep sharing! I FEEL the gal crying at hogsmead! That will be me!!! Someday, someday...
    Thank you for this!!!

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  53. Yes, please keep doing these! :) I spend a lot more time on the internet than I should (I can procrastinate on a professional level), but there is *so* much cool stuff out there that I completely miss.

    I know it's not really your aesthetic, but I am really into gothic stuff, as well as Dark Romantic/Victorian fashion. Just in case you should ever come across something you'd like to share... ;)

    In the interests of sharing things: I recently found out about these lipsticks: https://www.moodmatcher.com/ I SWEAR I don't work for them or anything. But I have bought them for myself and my mom and my sister, and we all LOVE them. They actually *do* become different shades on different people, are good for your lips, are super-cheap ($4), and last just as long as the manufacter claims. (They are actually a little more like a lip stain than a traditional lipstick.) If I put the lipstick on in the afternoon or evening and fall asleep without washing it off, my lips will still have some colour when I wake up! :)

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  54. OMG, doing an ugly cry at those incredibly sweet photos of the boy and his little sister. Where are the tissues?!

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  55. I love these types of posts! <3

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  56. Another vote for "like 'em!!" Thanks for asking

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  57. I saw that kangaroo picture here - https://www.instagram.com/p/BTWFW6XjPNi/?taken-by=southaustralia - (Did a quick skim and didn't see anyone linking it)

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  58. A little more digging led me to this as the original: https://www.instagram.com/p/BTXlqQ-D1GR/ :)

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  59. These posts are great. I'd love it if you keep them as a regular thing.

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  60. me likey! please keep rounding em up!

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  61. Please do continue this!I hope you realize you are touching people with your faith & honesty by posting heart warming and humerous content. These are things that I myself and probably countless others would otherwise not have found. I stumbled upon this blog looking for your amazing work, most of which I sadly found to have been sold long ago. Please tell me you will be creating more glass masterpieces in the future! I simply wanted to say what a breath of fresh air to read from your blogs what is obviously a sincere, loving & honest woman's words in this day & age of so much treachery. Have an amazing day, Cindy D.

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