BLACK FRIDAY. NO SHAME.

I have no shame!!!! Ok. I lied.  Maybe I do. Atleast some form of humility I do. Lol.
As many of you know, Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving that Americans spend money they don't have :D (ahem) lots of crazy lines and accidents too ):

Tried to go to best buy but like usual, seeing the line, I got disheartened and its a good thing I didn't go because apparently someone got ran over last night at my local best buy ):

But here is my recent haul from the weekend (and then some). I honestly think its a customary girl thing that we just flaunt shit that we drop our hard earned cash on. (I like to think we work for a living lol. I'm clearly just babbling here) If you follow me on tumblr, twitter or instagram you've probably already seen these.
But if you don't have me on any of them; go ahead and follow~ since I clearly don't update this enough.

instagram; dearxx
twitter; dearx (1 'x' only! LOL)
tumblr; lobstercockroach & black-heaven
facebook fanpage; facebook.com/blackheavenfanpage (remember to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE)


I still have back logged photos from PMX that I need to work on as well. Been pretty unmotivated to touch those and still forever backlogged on trying to get Geass going. With the holidays coming up. Shoots have slowed down again. Working 6 days a week keeps me plenty busy too and all I wanna go when I get home is to just chill or shoot things lol  (COD)

If any of you guys are on xbox live go ahead add me; lobstercokroach - no 'c' I do have a ps3 but I rarely go on it tbh less I'm playing GoW or something. I don't have enough games on it. But my PSN is Dearx as well.
hurpdurp. Onto the hauls.

 The skull bracelet was from Icing. Rilakkuma headphones. Super cute and super useless LOL I mean, honestly, don't expect beats quality from them, but as a Rilakkuma fan. I could not let them pass as they we're under $12

I got in line for these bad boys at midnight at GameStop coz they were going for $35 versus their usual $60something oAo! And Best. Investment. EVER.

You can use it on your PC as well as regular headphones or yeah, for shit talking communicating with your teammates. You can hear /everything/ in the game. I don't need to go into much details about it lol  All you need to know is, its legit gaming headset. 

  Viviene Westwood orb neckalce. I've wanted one for so long (even before the days of NANA. Now I can wear it proudly with my VW Rocking Horse shoes and plaid wear LOL)

New Chrome Hearts frames. I'm going to get it redone with my prescription. 

  And of course, my biggest biggest haul of the weekend. I got a new upgrade on my phone line. For the longest time I was debating between the iPhone4 or an Android (Galaxy S2) since all the cute cases are on the iPhone since all the apps I've bought (not a lot. but I did buy a FEW photo apps and etc) are on iTunes already and blargh. I didn't want to download a new software and do all that stuff to transition to the new one. But in the end. After spending the entire Thanksgiving day at my aunts browsing youtube and comparing. I pretty much was sold on the android.

I like the very simple user interface for the iPhone/iTouch. Was super easy to use but I guess I was ready for something bigger and better LOL (not neccesarily bigger. I keep complaining this phone is too big. Coz. it is.) I originally wanted the S2 but was SOLD OUT everywhere D8 I went to 3 different stores but ended up with the S3 for the price of the S2. So. Why not! :D

I'm still getting used to this but I love it already. Awesome awesome awesome display. Its superior to my iPhone3gs. Heeee OwO (the box looks blue but I actually got it in White. YAY I'VE ALWAYS WANTED A WHITE PHONE LOL- I've had blue phones, black, red and even pink)

but yes, I don't plan on taking advantage of cyber monday deals when I already ordered stuff from Cotton On during black friday (just more leggings and a new drape jacket/cardigan thingie. Don't judge me. I'm aware that all my stuff all looks the same LOL. but IDC.)

Studding!

So, if you follow me on instagram and twitter you probably noticed I've been going crazy on studding everything and anything I own. hee.lol. No, not really. But still. This is why I own a lot of basic pieces - solids mostly. So I can attack it with studs and whatnot~

 

 Among the stuff I attacked are my knit beanie, my knit cardigan. I mostly just did the pockets.

And I found this shirt on clearance that has a pleather detailing on the top. I decided to spruce it up by adding studs!

Some tips and tricks I learned when working with studs and where to BUY studs.

-Ebay, I buy all my studs off ebay, thats where you can also buy bulk of some screw back spikes. I have an order of CROSS studs coming in, in the mail as well as some spikes too. Some sellers, if you look real hard even carry Butterfly and skull studs. Some in different colors too.

-I also tried using those 3D nail art stuff, they dont have a clamp on the back and you'd need tacky glue to glue them onto clothes.

-Studding works best on KNITS and pleather fabric. If you're working with studding leggings. Don't do what I did: 

 

And that was, studding the shit out of it, Directly on. .___. Thats a major no-no. Clearly. As when the leggings are stretched out, the backing tends to rip the knit. OOOh noooo. But theres an easy fix: 

 

 Since my leggings are clearly ripping and I don't want them to rip any further. When I get home I'll just iron-on one of these patches on the inside.It would help provide a backing to the studs to keep them from falling off as well in the wash. And also helps prevent more tearing and etc!

You can get these iron on patches practically anywhere, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, etc. At the sewing/repair section.

Next suggestion is, if you DO want to stud the crap out of your leggings, is to do a patch. Like so:

Available from Carrie's Store via Store Envy

Using a patch of fabric as a base and studding it.Then sewing it on top would help prevent tearing in the fabric and you can always remove it later if you choose to.

Checking in after PMX

Woah, its been a week since PMX and still no photo dump from me? Well, I didn't really get a chance to do much of a photoshoot at PMX tbh. Once again I got stuck in the hotel till late afternoon (heee OwO;; doing makeup and just getting ready and etc.) We actually got up early Saturday morning to get food at Denny's and just stayed a little longer than expected hahaha. Then we went back to change and ready for the con.

To be honest, the con didn't really give me much to see ): that or I'm just forever late and my usual pose of friends wasn't there ):  and all the good cosplayers we're pretty much scattered about lol or just hard to find a good place to shoot in such a confined area as the LAX hilton hotel ):

but another reason for my absence is:

OuO heehee, I went to pick up this badboy during the midnight release and they even hosted free food and chips at the midnight launch "party" at my local Gamestop. I can't say I've clocked in enough hours into this game at all. Since Tuesday I've been only clocking in a game or two here or there )': work work work. Even tomorrow I have work lol but I'm off Sunday. But then work again~ shwee. 

but yeah back to the con, I should learn to be more adventurous at such small cons xD;; I had intended on attending the concerts in an attempt to get a few shots there but Moon Stream wasn't allowing photos on Saturday nights concert. Only friday night but I didn't get to the con till past midnight on Friday. Hurp.

As for the fashion show, I had every intention of shooting it but at the last minute I got roped into doing hair and makeup backstage instead. OuO;; I wasn't really prepared since I didnt bring my usual makeup train case to do a lot of makeup. Heeeee but it worked out~ I'm waiting for photos for it to pop up *w*

So not much of a photo dump from me, but to keep things from being completely boring, heres some instagram dump LOL. I took out the instagram plug-in on this blog, but if you want to find me there, my username is "Dearxx"

I mostly spent the whole con just "chilling" and just hanging with friends. I probably spent a good chunk of the time in the room playing Dance Central and drinking games ):

                                      

that pretty much right there summed up my PMX weekend. And some gets~ and DYI Projects:

231. lets get packing

Waaaah its that time of month again when its time to pack my bags and head off to Los Angeles for another con. Once again its Pacific Media Expo! Not cosplaying for this one but no matter what I always end up packing a good chunk of stuff lol....why can't I be like dudes and just go with a backpack and be done lol. Nope. It takes effort to be fabulous.

Lets see what I pack with me:

 

 

 LOL sorry its such an glorified photo hahaha but here we have my pre-packed toiletries bag

which I always have prepped and ready to go anything when I have to leave/crash anywhere and in it is a complete toiletry set along with some medicines. 

And on the ziplock bag, clearly several bottles of foundation (since I usually do makeup at the con)

a case of lashes, Fix+ Spray and a spray bottle of Alcohol to disinfect my brushes in between applications 

The rest of my makeup is in another bag.

A mini hair straightener too. The pros and cons of using a mini straightener; I wont be able to curl my hair with it lol or as ideally as I want to but it still does the trick. And it takes little to no space. The only thing I don't like about this vs my babybliss one is there is no temp. control. Oh well.

You can always refer to my other post regarding what to pack for cons/shoot and my makeup kit for cons/shoots can be found here. Normally I pack most of my stuff in a handy makeup case or a kaboodle but I'm trying to stuff everything into a small/medium sized suitcase since I will only be there part of Friday and Saturday to Sunday.But nothing really happens on Sunday oAo....its annoying that the hotel makes us check out at 11am when the panels I want to attend are at 11. Goodness. Well hopefully I get a chance to cover the fashion show!

Did a quick trip to Marukai earlier to browse and restock on stuff; can never have too many lashes or different styles of it. Hahaha. I should just order those big batches on eBay.

 

All these for $8 and some change. I prefer to have separate chargers for my phone so I can always have one ready packed with me when I'm traveling. I originally had 3. But gave one of them to my mom and I purposely leave one at work so I charge while I'm at my desk. Marukai actually carries iPod/iPhone chargers there, they even have the ones for the car too! :O So yep. Picked up a colored one so I don't mix mine up when I'm bunking with other folks at cons. Also picked up a handy orgnizer case which really helps keep my stuff organized~ (see photo below)

The case turned out to be super handy. I plan on going back to get more actually so I can use it to organize my cables at my desk and just stuff. I'm able to organize all my accessories that I'm bringing with me to the con as well as keep my cotton stuff dry and separated from the toiletry bag which gets pretty wet when you're throwing stuff in there. I also shoved extra memory cards, safety pins and hair pins in the same case. I'm most definitely going back to get more so next time I'm at a shoot or something I can organize a sewing kit on the go. Its probably no more than an inch thick and fits in most purses easily so you can definitely take it with you on the go!

guards and insoles, lashes, wig cap (net), hair ties (I french braid my hair and shove it under a wig cap) and some hair accessories. And of course, can't forget the Tide To Go. Even if I always usually pack BLACK clothes with me, you never know who's cosplay is gonna need this.

Contact lenses and wax strips for your eye brows, these are super easy to use. Just use the heat from a blow dryer to melt the wax and start trimming your brows. Handy for those who aren't into plucking brows lol faster too. You can get it at hair removing section of your local drug stores. Walmart and Target carries it by the Nair isle.
 

This is just a filler post I guess. Hope to see some folks at PMX this coming weekend and hopefully I get to cover the fashion show and concerts (hoping they allow photography) coz I couldn't get a press pass as I wasn't 100% sure PMX was going to happen for me.

230. Lost packages

"mobile" blogging is forever my excuse as to why I don't actively update this as often as I use to. Not to mention tumblr is also really really easy to update and whatnot but it can be pretty unorganized I guess...

Yesterday was Halloween and today is All Saints Day or Dia de Los Muertos. Halloween was pretty boring for me, I was at work. So I shall bore and spam you with my photos from my phone. Coz. Coz I can. And you've probably already seen these from my Instagram/Facebook or even tumblr. Lawl. But here they are again. hurpdurp.

 Wore my Tiger Kigurumi again, I've probably worn this several times in the last few years since getting it. Its the easier Halloween costume I have. LOL and probably SAFE FOR WORK outfit hahaha. But since my hair is red I decided to put on a wig so it'll look alittle better with such a bright yellow outfit. A lot of my co workers thought I was pikachu. Um. Ok. good enough LOL. Maybe I'll get a Pikachu one someday?!
LOL I really want to get a rilakkuma one for this winter *w* hurhurhur. Come to me baby.

 I think I should be better off with red hair...LOL. Wigs are fun. My friend thought I looked like from AGEHA. PFFT. LIES. Bull. But ok. LOL. Why not. Sure.

But yeah, I didn't do anything for Halloween. I went to work. Got off work. Went home. Showered and went to go get boba. And damn, the place is packed with kids D8 (go home kiddies! WTH! lol)

Once in a while its fun to dress up as someone else. I have another wig I ordered that I haven't tried out yet. And another one as well for my Melty cosplay. But thats been 'shipping status' for a few weeks now, I'm starting to think its been lost in transit =A= but my biggest worry as of right now is I had ordered some stuff from a seller in Los Angeles and USPS tracking said the package has been DELIVERED yesterday. But um. yeah, PACKAGE ISNT IN MY MAILBOX. WHERE IT AT?! LOL. So hopefully its not lost and I'll probably swing by the post office and be like 'what the heck man?!' the post man should know my address by heart as of right now since I always order everything online. I rarely go to stores nowadays LOL.

Apparently, I'm going to PMX next weekend too! LOL I was kinda not planning on going considering I got stuff I need to take care off but it looks like Geass is being pushed out a little further again. I want to do Silent Hill already lol, but alas. I need to get everything else done first. But doesn't mean I cant help but plan on the sideline while I'm at it :D;;;

I also sent in my portfolio to PMX so hopefully I'll be doing hair & makeup for the fashion shows~ I need to redo my portfolio. So I guess I need to start playing with makeup again. Sucks when you have no room to really do this. lol. so I don't know how this is going to work but. Want to.
I also want to get some blood and liquid latex. I've been wanting to do some gore FX makeup. So Silent Hill. Please lets make this happen :D;;; I got a plathora of wigs on my que on ebay that I've been wanting to get but with my stuff being "lost in transit" I dont know yet. I want to make sure some of my babies come home to me first before I overload the post with more of my shit lol...

Since I'm going to PMX next week, I totally forgot to order more instax film. =w=ll lets hope Walmart still has some so I can pick up some.

Say hi at  PMX please! and as always, I'm always open to doing private photoshoots so long as I'm not covering a fashion show or concert.

229.

So bad on trying to update. Nothing interesting has really happened that worth updating about I guess...I finished a Kaito commission for Oni-con. I don't have photos of it to be honest XD;;; but Claude has it on Facebook and I think I also re-shared it on my Black Heaven FanPage *w* Nothing super special about it since it was just the default cosplay. I'm also busy trying to bust my shit into gear to get Code Geass going. For reals. There has been some set back on acquiring the location ontop of scheduling the right time to get everyone together to make it happen.

With that being said, I might not be able to make it to PMX. If I do, I'd probably be only going for a day. But I want to make sure I get my stuff done for Geass before running off to another convention. Lol. This is AX all over again. LOL. Why?! But once this is all over, I can breathe from sigh of relief and relax for the Holiday season...(no, not really, theres no rest for the wicked hahaha as theres ALA coming up in January! hahaha!! and planning Silent Hill and "Another" shoots too) I'll also probably be hitting up Las Vegas in December for a family reunion as we have family from back home flying in for a baby shower my cousin is throwing in Vegas. I for one am not fond of baby showers, so I'll probably try and occupy myself with shoots or some controlled gambling looooo.

I'd love to see the Phantom of the Opera at the Venitian since I missed it last year, but I dont know if its still running anymore ):

my camera is rotting and gathering dusts because its too heavy to lug around lol and really, I only go to work and home lately ): with Halloween coming up you'd think I'd go out more often. lol. Nope. I'm being lame and stuck at home playing Pharoah :D which is a pretty old game, its basically a city building game like Sim City. This game came out back in mid 90's? to late 90s? I was probably 7 or 8 or something like that when it came out and on '99 they released an expansion of it; Cleopatra; Rule the nile. I still have the original disk! But you can actually buy this as well as Ceasar and Emperor (both which I also own the original cds LOL somewhere) on GoG.com (good old gamer) for $9.99. NOT BAD!

 

I personally like Pharoah/Cleopatra better than Ceasar and Emperor. Emperor has this feng shui mode in the game that when you're building your city and industries you need to make sure theres proper chi flow to make sure your industry thrives D8

whut. lol. I'll probably go back and try it again when I got more time. This game.is. addicting. I blame this game why I have been so behind on cosplay lol. Ceasar on the other hand, deals with building a lot of aqueduct throughout the city to make sure food production is ok AND you also gotta talk with the senate group A LOT D8 while in Pharoah you gotta make sure your gods are appeased and etc. Well, basically each game has their own little perks. Maybe when I conquer Egypt and the Nile I'll move on to Ceasar and Emperor again...

Other than that, some gets from the last few weeks...

  

my cardigan collection~ I've had the skull one for a while but only worn it once since getting it :o

I got it late spring/early summer coz I remember wearing it during Anime Expo at night but haven't really worn it much since but now that the weather is cooling down, yesh!  the Cross one was a good find at Forever21. I know they recently started carrying the leggings versions but they did not have my size when I went there but they def had the cross cardigan tho :o and I think I'll get more use out of the top than a bottom piece. So its all good~

Went to The Body Shop to drop off an application and was also intending to picking up the Tea Tree Pore Minimizer but they were sold out :o even on the website.

But the guy there was nice enough to give me a sample :D chyeah! And I'm also running low on my tea tree lotion thingie. I cut the tube open and extracted whats left in there and transferred it to a small container. I like to get the bang for my buck, even down to the very last drop. Lol. 

So if you have any products that comes in a TUBE. CUT THAT SHIT OPEN and you'd be surprised how much product you can get out of there!  

I did this with an old primer I had and just look how much I got out of there!

And I got a new cheapy purse off ebay for $19. Free shipping. Its pretty small. I mean, its a medium sized purse. Made out of faux pleather. With skull and round studs on it. The inside is fully lined but the strap is made out of an even thinner piece of pleather. Afraid to overload the bag and have it die on me since its not exactly made out of the thickest or sturdiest material. I probably would be cautious on shoving my camera on there ): 

I def need to invest in a decent camera bag eventually to house my stuff. Come on xmas ):

Hoping to get a few slave flashes as well intime for a Silent Hill shoot since we're probably going to be mostly shooting in the dark.

And among my wants are a bat sweater! need! but maybe next time :o 

Some strawberry Soju and beef sukiyaki for a friends bday! I love hot pot / sukiyaki! but its definitely pretty pricey but its only once in a few months ya? or once every year LMAO!

Some Abbey Dawn leggings! They were originally retailing for $46 (yeah wow! thats expensive for some leggings) but I scored these for $22-24? with shipping included. Thank you ebay! And they are brand new :D I haven't worn it out just yet since I got it :x since I can't really wear it to work and the weekends have been pretty warm! But it get cold at night. but still. wow 80 something degrees!?  Welcome to SUN Diego I guess ):

My fail trial at doing an OOTD. I haven't done one of those in...years. Looking back at my older entries I've done them but not recently, hard to get a good full body shot. Plus when you wear black, it all just forms into one blob of blackness LMAO! But on that shot, its a high-low chiffon tanktop with a asymmetrical cardigan. Leggings and heels. QwQ pretty boring. Sorry. I like to buy/collect plain basic pieces now. In comparison to before, I still LOVE me some graphic Ts but I save them for days off. So I own a bunch of basic plain pieces coz you just can't go wrong with that lol.

bat cups! I love halloween merch but I waited too long hoping there would be some over stock left. no.
I went to target and got these bat cups for a $1something. I only got 2. I should have gotten all 6 lol just coz. Coz apparently my mom likes the sturdy acrylic cups like those. I got her a orange pumpkin one. but I need to go and raid halloween stores day after halloween and get me some left over merchs D8
I also need to get a gallon of fake blood and some stuff for Silent hill goreness.

And of course, who doesn't love deals. 6 bras for $19. Free shipping. Yes Please. And on that same photo is a high-low asymmetric leopard skirt in chiffon. I haven't worn it yet but when I tried it...I'm too short for it. Despite it being from Asia. orz. I need to wear it with heels. Duh. lol.

228. Packing for Cons & Shoots (and after)

I'm pretty bad at updating this, lol, I just finished a Vocaloid Kaito commission for a friend who will be wearing it to this years Onicon OwO say hi to a sexy Kaito if you see one at Oni-con, lol coz most likely I made that costume lalalawl.

And blargh, PMX and Code Geass shoot around the corner on top of other shenanigans that we are trying to make it happen. But! Now that summer cons are finally out of the way, doesnt mean convention season is ever over. With the fall semeter well on its way, so are Fall and Winter Conventions as well as opportunities for more cosplayers to get out and do more outdoor photoshoots! But yet, here we are again with another "what to pack" or "how to pack for a con / shoot" post. I know I've probably done several one of these but theres always several tips and what not you can pass on to people, right?



In this post I will mostly be covering how /I/ personally pack for a convention, either as a photographer or as a cosplayer. May I be going to the con for a day trip or staying the whole weekend. Its better to be prepared than not be prepared!

This list has been floating around the internet for quite sometime now. Click on the image to get the blown up image!

And in case that isnt working, here is the direct link

you dont necessarily need ALL that on the list to be on your suitcase, its just an easy way to get yourself organize without having to run through your head on what you exactly need and whatnot.
Tips:

• Ask your travel buddies who is bringing what, one hotel room does NOT need 5 bottles of Got2Be hairsprays lol
• ROLL your clothes and towels (ladies and gents with colored hair. Pls bring your own towel coz you will stain the white pristine towels the hotels provide)
• Get vacuum bags or air tight bags. Some you can just roll to get the air out.
• Map out the nearest convenient stores where your staying incase of an emergency.
• If you have a car, and planning on parking overnight at the hotel, pack an extra blanket, lay it out on the backseat or lay it open over the suitcases so it helps save room. This way, incase you need an extra blanket in the hotel for unexpected guests or blanket hogging mates, you got an extra one!

I dont think that list really lists down on what to bring in terms of make up and etc, you can refer to my other 2 posts on these:
Makeup & Skincare for Cons/Photoshoots And Makeup 101 glossary
Day Trips: Con and shoot day trips are usually the worse for me lol. I need a huge bag with me or a pack mule. Or a nice backpack. Like this bad boy down below:

 

What I usually carry ON me during cons:

• Camera, extra lens and memory cards
• Instax Mini Polaroid Camera with film (if I have any with me)
• A makeup pouch for touch ups (both for myself and people I shoot with)
• Cellphone Charger (you just never know)
• Water and Snacks

Now this may not seem like a lot to you, but trust me, it gets pretty heavy after a while. What I pack with me during on-location photoshoots isn't much different. Depending on the size of the group we are shooting or how big the shoot is, I bring my laptop so I can backup my files that same day. And at this point, I would probably end up bringing a small roller bag with me to carry additional props and equipment.

Cosplayers! Yes, there was a time when, I, myself also cosplayed lol. And the most annoying thing for me after a shoot is when I am just DONE! Done with the shoot, done with having pounds and pounds of stuff on my face. And I clearly know more now than I did back then. So learn from my mistakes lol and this just might make your day a little more comfortable at the end of the day.

When cosplaying at a convention or photoshoots without the luxury of having a hotel room to run back to, to change out. I like to bring a BIG bag, a big tote bag to carry most of the essentials; makeup for touch up, oil blotting tissues and a mini sewing kit and clearly a change of clothes.

If you have a car, you can leave the change of clothes in the car but always bring a pair of easy comfortable shoes with you on the shoot in your bag.

Bring a pack of makeup remover wipes with you to clean your face off of the heavy makeup your wearing during the day, and a small makeup pouch to just slap some powder and liner on so you still feel and look presentable (unless your ok with walking around bare face, well then, more power to you!)
BRING AN EXTRA WIG, a quick easy fashionable wig to replace the one you were wearing during the shoot if you cannot deal with wig hair.

If you insist on taking off your wig cap and leaving your hair to be free, DRY SHAMPOO is your best friend! :D Spray that bad boy on and brush it off/dust it off, it will give some volume and life back to your limp hair so it doesn't look THAT flat. Or tie it back.