We have to go back, Jack!

In honor of 4-8-15... 

Here's a special photo-post. 

Sometime in 2010 we had an epic LOST themed party for the premiere of the last season.
(I think. Maybe it was the show finale.) 

These photos have been sitting on my computer totally ignored and sad that no one gets to gaze upon their awesomeness. So here they are finally posted up for us all to reminisce to days when we were younger, skinnier nerds. Other for the younger and skinnier part nothing's really changed.

If you're not familiar, LOST is an amazing tv series that aired between 2004-2010 in which several people survive a plane crash on a mysterious and seemingly deserted desert island. Soon enough they figure out they're not alone, some weird flash-backs, flash-forwards, and flash-sideways happen, mysteries get solved that unfurl newer, more complicated mysteries. And DAMN was it good!


4 8 15 16 23 42...
4      8     15    16    23    42
4.....            8           15        16         23           42

4          8         15        16            23...            42



but what does it all mean?


The full album of photos can be viewed here (link goes to FB album)

Can you name us all? Highlight the text below with your cursor to see answers!
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From left to right, back to front: Jack Shephard, male passenger of Flight 815, female passenger, female passenger, Claire Littleton, Benjamin Linus, Danielle Rousseau, Richard Alpert,  Dr. Daniel Faraday.... it was a small viewing party m'kay?
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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?

I am so excited to tell you all that I will be participating in an artist's showcase soon! Come out and check out SDP Designs & Cosplay and all the other RAW CHARLOTTE ARTISTS on January 15th at Tremont Music Hall!! 

What is RAW? Make sure to go to the website and poke around, there's lots of local talent to be seen and enjoyed from designers, musicians, artists, performances, and more! 

Tickets are on presale for 15$, and if you buy from this link www.rawartists.org/sexydeathparty it goes directly towards supporting my showcase space if you buy before midnight on January 8th. 
Tickets are 20$ at the door so prebuy, save some cash for a drink at the bar, and help me out! 

I basically grew up going to rock'n'roll shows at Tremont Music Hall, and it's absolutely blowing my mind right now that I will be there as an artisan. 13-year-old-me would jump for joy at how awesome this is. 

The dress code is cocktail attire, so dress to the nines!

Well after the first official month of marriage now, it's about time I blog about my awesome wedding!

It got described by lots of people as "the Game of Thrones wedding." Once word got out that we had capes, it was kind of hard to contain, but there was no blood, no murder, no backstabbing, no castles or knights, and no political intrigue and no arranged marriages! (As far as I know...) It was nothing like what this amazing hardcore fan couple did with professional make up artists and costumery. Awesome though, right?!


My wedding actually was very centered around a Japanese theme with a few GoT nods. (More about the Japanese elements coming up in separate posts.) I couldn't decide so I had both; eat your heart out David Tutera! Once we made the decision that the groomsmen gifts were going to be some sexy sleek Kingsguard-inspired capes, it was only natural that they WEAR them and look BADASS in the ceremony! I was really just going for the badass factor here. It was hard to say no to cloaked groomsmen (although I did think about it... lol, just kidding.)

There were a lot of things that happened that weren't really traditional, because we really wanted to do this thing our way. And Mike and I are total nerds and we have a fantastic group of friends that are just as nerdy as us and indulge us in our quirks. That's where the "Kingsguard" capes come in. Probably the best groomsman gift ever, am I right?! My mom-in-law and her friend actually made them all themselves, and they did an amazing job. These guys look so magnificently epic! Just look at them! 

There was another nod to GoT with the "cloaking of the bride". Because I didn't want to be left out without a cape of my own. This was actually borrowed from my mom-in-law, and it was the cloak she's worn for her Melisandre cosplay!

And if you're wondering, the "Rains of Castamere" DID play! "Whaatt?!?!? Did anyone get slaughtered!? I don't understand! How could you!?" It began with our friend Shaun making a toast, and calling Mike the "king" or our group of friends. Next thing we know the eerily familiar song came on (totally planned ahead of time with our DJ apparently) and Mike and I exchanged looks for one second before all the groomsmen attacked him with nerf guns and he went down. The boys grabbed me and hoisted me away from the party. Honestly, it's all kind of a big blur!

Now, you must understand a little bit of an interesting Romanian tradition called the stealing of the bride. At some point during the wedding, the groomsmen steal the bride and take her away and hide her - at which point the groom must go find her and bribe the groomsmen. The bribe usually involves... alcohol (that's my understanding anyway!) The boys took me to another part of the venue where there was some alcohol stashed away, and after Shaun's toast was done and we all figured out what just happened, Mike bribed the guys with some shots of Fireball for my release back to the party. I had NO IDEA that they were planning any of this, much less incorporating this tradition, and it was all a very pleasant surprise, and very, very well executed! *ahem*

Here are a few more GoT related photos from our awesome photographer Emily Southern Star Photography! I am in awe of this awesome lady's skills every time I look through the entire album!

Next post... our Game of Thrones themed rehearsal dinner!