Pottermore opens first chapters Chamber of Secrets to Slytherin House

Yesterday, at about 10:00 am EST, Pottermore launched the first four chapters of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to Slytherin House. Remember, Slytherin House is the first to gain early access to Pottermore as it was the bonus for winning the House Cup.

The launch came with no mention from the @Pottermore Twitter account or the Insider, but Pottermore News was there to report about the second book experience.

If you have been following our Twitter, you will know that we have been live tweeting our experience through the second book. Here are our observations:

• The artwork is exquisite. Its looks very realistic. Also, the artwork looks different from the first book – but so much better.
• The artwork in this book looks less like a painting, and more realistic. You feel as though you are in the Dursley’s house, in Flourish and Blotts, flying over the Burrow…
• The layering in this book is different. Again, its more realistic. Its almost as if whenever you zoom in, your given a wider view. When all of the layers are put together, you have a full panoramic view of the setting. It’s as if you are exploring with your own eyes.
• I collected a jar of honey, said to be going to my Potions collection. This may hint that they will be releasing new Potions.
• Pottermore confirmed that there are four cauldrons to collect. They added a silver one today, but you can’t purchase it just yet.
• In the first four chapters, there are three mini-games. One involving the pudding, another with the Gnomes, and then the last one is about the Hogwarts letters.
• There are a two Chocolate Frog Cards to collect. We have been told there are three, and we are still looking.
• J.K. Rowling has written two entries so far for book two, ”Technology” and “The Malfoy and Family”. Both are very interesting. A great read.

One thing that’s really sets this book apart from the first book is that this book is driven by interactivity. The first book was really about the content and getting familiar with this online wizarding world. Now that Pottermore is a familiarity, the team took note of that and decided to put all effort into the games and interactive features. It’s a huge step-up.

There are a lot of changes going on at Pottermore at the moment. Read this post for all information on the changes and predictions for Pottermore’s reasoning.

Through the night we will be working on a comprehensive guide for the first four chapters. If you are in another house and waiting for Chamber of Secrets, you can use this guide for help tomorrow. We plan to post it around 8am on our Tumblr page.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets will be available to everyone beginning tomorrow. Pottermore has stated that the next chapters they will be releasing are chapters five through eleven. Those will be available ‘shortly’.

Unfinished Business Settled - Amazing Race 18

After 40,000 miles, five continents and 23 cities, sisters Kisha and Jen Hoffman were the surprise winners of the 18th season of "The Amazing Race" tonight.

"We're doing it for Mom," Jen said, promising to give part of their winnings to their mother.

Kisha and Jen were one of 11 teams from previous seasons trying for a second chance at the $1 million prize in the race around the world. The pair beat out three other teams -- father/daughter team Gary and Mallory, friends Zev and Justin and the Globetrotters -- who were remaining at the start of the two-hour finale episode.

The pair were the first to step on the final mat in Florida where host Phil Keoghan was waiting. The first-place finish was a vast improvement over the sisters' last race in season 14. In that series, they placed 4th after they blew their chance at a spot in the final three by minutes when they stopped to use the restroom in China.

In the final episode, the teams raced from Switzerland to Brazil to Florida. Along the way, they endured a painful body waxing challenge. Kisha and Jen also had to mix and serve 100 caipirinhas, Brazil's national cocktail.

The sisters, whose full names are Kisha and Jennifer, are originally from Chicago. Kisha, 30, is a basketball coach living in the Bronx. Jen, 26, is an assistant volleyball coach at the University of Louisville in Kentucky.

During this season's sprint around the world, the sisters never had a first place finish before last night's episode. They spent much of the series trailing and trying to catch up.

YAY! I'LL MISS AMAZING RACE 18 :'( <3

What's HOT this summers 2012?

This spring and summer you will find yourself wrapped in heavenly fabrics, adorned with fabulous vivid color, as well as soft neutrals, and pastels - most popular being soft mint green. Look again this spring to seeing lots of red, and tons of lace, not to mention flowing floral prints hanging on the racks...

As always...Black and white fashions defy time, and keep their well earned place as big colors for spring and summer of 2012.
Black and white fashions were big on the runways this season, most fashion designers showed black and white in some fashion or another . Let's face it - you can't go wrong with the traditional black and white outfit. The designers know this little fact, and continue to cash in on it.

This season dresses, and skirts will remain must haves... But this season fashion designers have also given us all kind of fun fashions. Fashions that will offer wonderful vivid prints, stripes, and geometric prints - not to mention some great new takes on animal prints... The main theme this spring is somewhat tailored, and classic, but with a touch of bold, and edgy.


Let's start out with what's up with fashion color trends...

The big color trend for 2012 spring/summer is mint green... Yes you read right - mint green is the biggest color trend for the up coming season. The racks will be full of fashions that all done up in a soft whimsical version of mint green .

Another color trend being you will see this spring, especially in handbags and shoes is neon's. Such as bright blues, yellows, greens, oranges, and hot pinks.

Do you Crochet? Well it's back... Crochet vests are big this spring, maybe you can look to the back of your closet . maybe you might have a bit of a crochet number lurking.

The color that jumps out at the head of the line for this spring when it comes to neon shades, is orange! Less face it there is no other color that can make a loud fashion statement as bright orange. So need a new handbag or a great pair of shoes? Make it orange.

Belt bags are one of the great big trends... However, I am not talking "fanny packs'...Stick to the new small square flat belt bags - so cute, and less weight to carry on that shoulder.

Feet need a rest This spring kitten heels are big... The kitten heel is a good choice this spring. They are feminine, and classic, as well as comfortable.

Creamy neutrals, all done up to give you a very feminine look. Flowing pajama - styles, tunics. All meant to be classical, and again comfortable.

Think whimsical pattrens. From bird prints to deers, fruit, feathers, you name it, tops with whimsical prints are big. You will see everything from blouses to dresses all sporting Whimsical prints.

Stripes - Stripes seem to hold a place in fashion year after year. You can't go wrong wearing stripes, from head to toe...

High-Waisted flare pants are so big this spring... The pant that Katharine Hepburn made so popular, is back... I suggest you pair this style of pants with a great heel, just to give the old look a bit of flare. The new flare pant as a rule have loops for a skinny belt, so you can flash up the look with a flashy thin belt.

And voila, this is what 2012 summer is about! :D <3 

The Perfect Bun- Courtesy of Magical Socks

Struggling with stragglers, fly-aways, and general hair calamities can cause a lot of stress for those special occasions. Everything has to look sleek and be combed into place. So, whether going to an intimidating job interview or a snazzy party, a classic bun is a cool way to dress your hair in case of up-do crisis. The real question is how do you do a bun? We all know the sloppy buns, and the unfinished pony-tail buns, but the new way to go is the sleeker sock-bun. Once you get over the initial embarrassment of attaching a piece of footwear to your head…

Supplies:

• one tube-sock (the longer the sock the bigger the bun)
• two hair bands
• five or so bobby pins.

Step One

Grab a tube-sock that matches your hair color. It doesn’t have to be perfect but I would advise against choosing the bright pink and blue polka-dotted one if you’re a brunette. Cut a quarter sized hole in the toe, and role your sock until there’s nothing left to role. (It should resemble a swollen hair band with a small hole in the middle).

Step Two

Pull your hair back into a ponytail at the spot you want the center of your bun to be. Next pull your hair through the center of the rolled sock, and make sure you don’t leave any part of your ponytail behind.

Step Three

Spread your hair over the sock in all directions so that none of your sock shows. It helps if you lean forward so that your soon-to-be-bun is parallel to the ground and gravity is on your side. No need to mess with Mother Nature. Secure your hair with a hair-band around your hair and sock.

Step Four

Now your bun is almost perfect. The last step is to pin the ends of your hair after they’ve been wrapped around the outside of the bun. Then allow hair spray to become your best friend.

Mix It Up

To add some flavour to your bun and make it ready for crazy parties, or just a day out with your friends, you can add a braid  before you bring your hair into a pony-tail. Or, if you have nothing to do with your bangs, pin them back into a poof at the top of your head for that super-model “chic” look.

Be your own London Tipton :D

Brenda Song a.k.a London Tipton always graces the screen in fun prints and loads of sequins and sparkles! Here's a guide, how to be your own London Tipton <3


1. Do match your purse with your dress.

2. Always wear designer clothes. if they're not designable but normal clothes & just add rhinestones and glitter.

3. London's number one fashion favorite thing is a great hat. so try to wear hats, but not all the time it's ok if you wear something else on your hair.

4. Wear lots of accessories. if you have gold, diamonds or pearls better, but if you don't you can either wear fake pearls & diamonds or just wear normal accessories.

5. Never wear an outfit twice in a month.

Tips

London's sense of fashion is very much what she likes, her lifestyle, it's lots of furs, it's all one color she loves to live it up and she loves what's always in. she always wants to feel like a princess so everything she wears is lots of pinks, lots of dresses, lots of tiaras. She's always matching with her dog Ivanna. so if you have a dog be sure to match her outfit with your outfit.


And here's a warning :P

NEVER wear plaid or polyester.