Halloween Countdown: Costume Tips and Tricks with Nerdy Fox

October 29, 2014

I’m big into cosplay and love, love, love making costumes. I just wanted to share my process of how I go about making my costumes.

PLAN AHEAD!!!

I seriously start planning my costume in May or June. This way I can make a list of things that I’ll need for my costume and start searching for things early. It sounds crazy, but if you’re making your costume, it is going to take time and it’s better to be done early than freaking out at trying to finish it all last minute. Write down your ideas. Look at pictures of what you’re trying to recreate and take some notes on the details you like.

Make A List! 

… Of everything. Seriously, everything you need. Down to make-up, underwear, accessories… craft
supplies. Anything and everything you might need for the costume. This seems ridiculous and excessive, but at some point you’re going to go, “Did I need this? Where is that list….? “, I promise. Also, it helps with only making a few trips to store and not like twenty.

Thrift Shops

I get at least half if not more of my costume stuff at thrift stores. I am constantly looking for things that I can either use or alter to fit my costume. Find stuff that is the right shape you’re looking for. Color is the next thing you need to find. If you find something that’ll work but isn’t the right color, you can always dye it.

Amazon

Oh goodness, amazon is a lifesaver. I’ve gotten so many random things off of amazon for costumes –
pocket watches, monocles, top hats, wigs…  If I know I am going to have to buy something (like wigs) I check amazon first. So, you’ve made your list, you’ve gotten stuff from thrift stores, and now you’re on amazon. Get the things you know you’re not going to find at a craft store – wigs, accessories that you can’t make, etc.

Craft Store

This is the dangerous part of the process. You don’t want to end up going overboard with crafting. Walk around the store and find things that you’re going to want to use for the costume but don’t grab
everything you WANT to use. Does that make sense? Get the things you NEED not all the things you WANT.  Also, plan on getting fabric glue, hand needle and thread, and hot glue, trust me on this one.

D.I.Y.

Work on your costume. Work in sections. Do the big parts first (the body) and then work on the smaller details.

Tips for D.I.Y.:

- Hot gluing everything might sound like a good idea at the time, but your costume will fall apart if you don’t add some hand stitching in there.

- If you’re gluing something that is going to have to go around the curves of your body (boobies and
booties are a pain!!) try it on, pin it and work from there. I personally try on things as I go, just to make sure that it’s going to be hanging the way I want to and that as things stretch over my body, it’s not losing the appearance that I’m going for.

- Pinterest is going to be your best friend. I’ve learned so much from just searching “cosplay” on there.

-If you order a synthetic wig and you get it in a big tangled messed you can detangle it by soaking it in a mixture of 4 parts water 1 part fabric softener for about 30 minute. After it’s done, squeeze as much water as you can out of it and then pin it to a foam head/wig holder and comb it gently STARTING AT THE BOTTOM and working your way up.  If you want to curl it after it’s been detangled, use those foam curlers while it’s still wet and set in a warm place for it to dry. Never ever use heat on a synthetic wig!

Poison Ivy:

I made this costume out of clothing I found in my closet and ivy leaves I found at a craft store. I dyed the clothing underneath the leaves a dark green, and then glued/sewed on the leaves. The boots were spray painted to match the green. The tights were from target and the wig was ordered from amazon. This costume took me about 2 months to complete and it was one of my more “thrown together” costumes.

Hope these tips help you with your costumes!

P.S. I wish I had this guideline, when I first started making my own costumes, it would have made my life so much easier!! Make sure you guys check out Heather's Blog!


Until Next Time,
~Gabriella!~

Welcome to the Menagerie

October 27, 2014

 Welcome to the re-branding of my blog. The Noire Menagerie is a looking glass to any and all that interest me. An all-encompassing lifestyle blog! My hobbies have changed slightly since the days of Mistress Arachnid and Vulcan Sugar and Spice, and the Noire Menagerie will allow me to brand and showcase myself in a brand-new way! This overhaul has been a coming for a while, mainly because I was honestly just loosing interested in blogging. It wasn't fun to log in, it was tedious to create articles, I just felt like it wasn't the way it used to be. Which for me, always means I need a change.
 So here is to new adventures as I grow and expand my horizons as I hope you will join me for this journey. What you can look for with this re-branding:

- A more laid back approach to blogging
- Posts 2X a week
- Personal Style
- Knitting + Crochet projects and Patterns
- Baking and Recipes
- MORE VIDEO GAMES + Interviewing Girl Gamers
- Youtube to arise from the dead.
- Easier Navigation, Being able to find exactly what you need.
- Convieniant Instagram and Twitter tie-ins.
- Even More Interaction!!!

 I hope to Launch Noire Menagerie by the 5th of November!!

See ya soon,
~Gabriella~

P.S, For more information, please refer to Twitter and Instagram!

Mini Hiatus

October 13, 2014

Hello My lovelies,
 Vulcan Sugar and Spice has been grand, perfect even. But I am at a pivotal moment in my life, and it has caused some upheaval. VSS is going on a hiatus, and during this Hiatus it will endure rebranding, and an all new format. Do not fear!! Things will be different but very very much the same, and I am so looking forward to this new stepping stone in my life. I hope you all will join me on this adventure as well. In the meantime, just in case you miss me, I can be found here and Here.

Heart you all immensely,
~Spokhette!~

Halloween Countdown: Animal Costumes with North East Nerd

October 10, 2014

Halloween is as good a time as any to dress up as your favourite character, but you know what is 100% better than a good costume? A good costume on your pet dog or cat. I've scoured the internet to find some fantastic geeky costumes for dogs and cats. Basically, if you enjoy looking at cats or dogs on the internet, read on because it is going to get cute and funny all up in here.

Mario

Bantha

At-At

Catman and Joker

Harry Potter

Hello Kitty


Headless Horseman



I knew the internet was a portal in to the world of cute cat and dog photographs but who knew they'd look so adorable dressed up? Which is your favourite pet costume?

 photo fiona_zps1032f091.png

P.S. Ain't she the cutest? I have a feeling that my two little kittie cats are going to be incredibly annoyed with me, come November the 1st!! Make sure you guys check out Fiona's Blog: The North East Nerd! 

Until Next time,
~Spokhette!~

Wanna Wear My Jacket?

October 3, 2014

For work, part of my uniform is jeans. The only issue is, as a curvy woman, finding jeans that will fit me at a price I can afford is usually virtually impossible. However, Last night I wen to Wal-mart of all places, and not only found two pairs of affordable jeans that fit, but it took me less than 15 minutes!!! I am twenty-three years old and I have never had that much ease finding bottoms in my entire lifetime. I can still remember those times during my teen years, where I would cry, because my mother would take my sister and I shopping, and she always had a cart of clothes, and I had a three shirts. But enough about that.
 Not only did I get two jeans, but Alex and I got matching Marvel letterman Jackets. When I was younger, I wanted the whole high school dream. Head Cheerleader, Debate Team, Wear some jock's Letterman jacket over my dress for prom. Have some guy who was interested in me hold my books and walk me to class. The whole nine yards of the high school experience, that is, until I actually hit high school, and realized that It didn't really live up to the hollywood hype. But that Varsity jacket thing has always been a fantasy of mine. Last night it was fulfilled.


Oh also, Welcome to OCTOBER!
Until Next Time,
Spohette


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