Momocon. My friend really wanted to go. Like really wanted to go. I had already decided that I wasn't going to Animazement because of the drive and pricetag but I couldn't ignore my friend Matt's call to action, plus he offered to drive. We weren't sure what to expect overall and at panels it was like a really really chill DragonCon. The actual consensus from some of the cosplayers we met was that Momocon is their trial-run before D*Con and to that I say -

Who hasn't even started their costumes yet?!!?

T -94 days you guys!! 

We bounced from panel to panel starting with the CharDev: Storytelling Guild Wars II with the AreaNet narrative designers, a most amazing and hilarious panel on live-action anime (hilarious because I have now discovered operatic Japanese stage plays of just about every anime out there to torture/confuse/delight my friends with), wondering around the gaming area and the vendors, the craftsmanship costume contest, a blade demo, and finally, the culmination of excitement guaranteed to drive Matt and I back next year - the K-pop performance dance battle. Imagine it: 2 hours of intermediate to advanced to I'm-just-moving-my-body-to-this-song-I-like dancing by various youngsters to some of the most popular K-pop songs of the year. Oh yes. Matt and I have committed that by Momocon 2017, we will be fully outfitted in K-pop star dance gear and show up and steal the show. Obviously we are going to get really hardcore into learning choreography. But first, hip-hop dance lessons.

Will we be the oldest people there? Likely.

Will we be the most badass? Without a doubt. #goals

The craftsmanship contest deserves some talking about too. It was so so SO well run! With just a couple minor snags, I was just really impressed on how smoothly it went, and just how many costumes we were able to see. I guess I've seen too many poorly-run/overly-narrated/chaos-inducing cosplay presentations and I just appreciate it when it goes the way it's supposed to go, and it's a comfortable and enjoyable experience for the viewers and the cosplayers (they had a section of sears reserved JUST FOR THEM!).
After we debated going back on Sunday, some specific panels drew me back: "Costuming as a Business" with God Save The Queen Fashions, and "Cosplay Rigging" with SpaceLion Cosplay, and Abby ADOS. We eventually lost track of time in the vendor's area so we forgot other panels existed. Catherine Lewis from GTSQ Fashions is as amazing in person as you feel she is from following her page. I find myself in a similar situation to hers with my cosplay business and it was good to her how her costuming journey has unfolded. Is an industrial costuming space in my future? That's another goal, but first I really have to be more profitable at costuming than my other sewing job. #ThingsToAspireTo 

My haul included a tri-cat car mirror charm, a Jinx Fishbones blueprint print by Volpin Props (for my husbando), and a bra. With anime eyes. Yup. The internet and I thank you, radjunk.com. 
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I have a bunch of pics over on my Instagram to check out:
IGN: sexyDEATHparty
See you at ConCarolinas 2016!

I always come prepared to any con with storage bin full of items that may come in handy in case of a costuming emergency for a permanent or temporary fix. I like to be prepared not just for myself but also for my friends because we tend to travel together in rather large groups. If you're just interested in the checklist, keep scrolling down!

The guide below is probably more for the experienced con-goer rather than the first-timer. I say this because as we keep attending cons, we begin to know and define a bit better the things that we require for need and comfort. Mostly tools and alcohol. But.. read on, you'll see.

Sewing: Bring a tiny sewing machine. If you don't already have one this is the best $19.99 you will ever spend (click for Amazon link). In fact, I made my 3rd cosplay ever entirely using this machine. And I sewed through upholstery vynil, so this baby totally packs a punch! I would never haul around my sewing machine, but I always throw this thing in with a few spools of primary colors, pins, a seam ripper, and various sized safety pins for quick fixes.  

All the glues and tapes. I usually end up taking my whole bin of glues just in case one of my friends may need something specific. This can include glue sticks and glue gun, wood glue, super glue (porous and non-porous), spray adhesive, Barge cement, a regular glue stick (but that usually goes in my makeup suitcase), packing tape, masking tape, electrical tape, and a lint roller.

Makeup, makeup, makeup! Typically I know what products I will be using for a specific costume, but again, I have to make sure I have things that my friends might need too (although they usually tell me ahead of time). I like to pack a lot of pencils, foundations, paints, and several palettes of eyeshadows, nail clippers and file. I have an old giant cosmetics case, and I'll typically dump as much of the makeup as I can. I've hoarded and inherited a lot of makeup over time, and some of it is really old and of poor quality, but you never know when you might need some purple glitter gel or glow in the dark eyeliner. With all the shit that we can put on our faces or bodies, I also make sure to pack some great moisturizers and makeup cleaners. I find that Baby Oil is the best remover, so I don't buy any fancy cleaners, I just stock up on cotton pads or balls.

Repair tools. Throw in a pair of sharp scissors, pliers with wire cutting function, screwdriver with different heads, X-acto knives, Sharpies, paint brushes and paints, measuring tape, heat gun, glue gun, industrial-strength velcro, and a couple of clamps.

Hair care: I'll bring my hairdryer, round brush, and some travel size Big Sexy Hair products if I use my actual hair for a costume. I'll bring my straighter and hair dryer just in case there isn't one available in the room. When there are wigs involved, bring plenty of bobby pins, hair elastics, and a few extra wig caps. 

First Aid & Roadside Kit: You should keep one of each of these in your car at all times. Just in case your car needs to be jumped or you need to have nylon rope clasps to tie that giant prop to the top of your car to make sure it's secured and doesn't fly away. And in case you burn yourself with the glue gun. Again. If the first aid kit doesn't include pain relievers, buy a big batch of Advil to help you on those hungover mornings and your achy feet after walking around all day in a bulky costume. While you're at it, buy some foot support for your shoes. You will be walking around and standing up all day, and if you want to feel like a human being at the end of the night, invest in some foot support. I have arched feet and I have just discovered I feel 60% less achey after wearing my Bennoti Plantar Fasciitis Therapeutic Arched Gel Foot Support. 

Toiletries: I'm not going to write what kinds of toiletries to bring because you should probably be familiar with what kinds of personal hygiene items you are going to need when traveling. But don't forget ear plugs. Especially if you're crammed in a room with a lot of friends!

Snacks & Drinks: Chips, protein bars and nuts, fruits, jerky, deli meats and cheeses and wraps, something chocolaty, energy drinks, a couple of coolers of beer, liquors and mixers, a couple of packs of bottled waters, and enough solo cups for the entirety of your stay. You will likely need a new one every time you make a drink because you forgot where you set your last one. AND COFFEE! Instant or Dunkin, I'm not judging. But know you're gonna need it. You will also need extra trash bags. Bring a whole pack. If we're feeling particularily fancy and we have any extra room we might throw in the SodaStream and/or Nutribullet for making our own carbonated mixers or martinis. 

And there you have it.
What are some of the things you always bring that are more advanced than the "basic" kit?

Right before ConCarolinas 2014 I was contacted by a photographer from the New York Times, and the unique opportunity presented itself: photoshoot with George R. R. Martin! I still can’t believe how the stars aligned to have this happen! *so happy*

So this was the big secret I was keeping from you guys since we had to wait for the article to run in the papers first, and then to receive the photos too (and then I got married, and was too busy!) 

It was my group along with a couple of others including a Khal Drogo and Jaime Lannister (@Christopher Franklin). His photo got chosen to run in the papers, and I am really glad that he got to show off his amazing craftsmanship for it! He doesn’t have a cosplay page, and I reckon he needs one! There are a few more photos available, but I have only shared here the ones with my group since I am not sure I can share the ones with the other cosplayers.

Read the article
photog: Colby Katz
See the rest on my FB page

I won the 1st place award for my Syndra cosplay at Charlotte ComiCon! It was my first time attending the local convention, and my first time entering a costume contest! I still can't believe it :) Once I have organized my photos, I'll be posting a link to the album !!

The cosplayers were great, the judges lovely, and the crowd ate it up! I definitely can't wait for the next one! My plan is to actually become more involved beyond just being a cosplayer, and hopefully set up my own booth space as well.

The prize was a 100$ spending spree in the showroom, and I splurged it all at Borderlands Comics, on 10 Game of Thrones POP! figures. I have big plans for them... my friend Shaun is building a large Westeros gameboard, and these will be perfect placeholders for the different houses on the map! Of course... here's hoping that for new character releases in series 4... 5... 6..