Convention Survival Guide: Food and Artist Alley

Happy Tuesday!

This will most likely be the last entry in our convention survival guide, unless I did, in fact, leave out something important. Here we go!

FOOD

Food is something that is often forgotten when planning out your convention schedule but it is necessary! It is understandable though: walking into a sit-down restaurant or even a Taco Bell when you're dressed as Ryuko Matoi and lugging around a 30 pound scissor blade isn't exactly appealing, most con food is expensive($5 for a cookie? No thank you), and some cons don't have much in the way of food(man cannot live on boba tea alone!). That's where snacks come in! I don't know about you, but I love snacks. Who doesn't love snacks? I digress. Anywho, if you pack the right type of snacks you'll stay nourished and happy throughout the day. I'm not a big junk food eater, so I won't be listing much here today(it won't stay with you anyway, it's empty calories and chemicals). Good snacks and food to pack for a con include:

Granola bars(I'm partial to KIND bars, myself)

Dried fruit(Trader Joe's has a ton of it and it's cheap!).

Fresh fruit in tupperware containers(to prevent it from getting bruised and smushed)

If you can pack a cold pack: Salami, cheese, and crackers

Fruit Snacks

Bottled Drinks

Sandwiches

Proteins will help keep you fuller longer because it takes longer for your body to digest them. Don't forget carbs, they may digest quicker but your body needs them for fuel when you're walking around the con or dancing at a con rave/concert/club. Try to get a good balance of both. Also, don't forget to stay hydrated! When it's hot or you have a heavy costume you will get dehydrated quickly. By the time you feel symptoms your body is already severely dehydrated, so drink a little water even if you don't feel thirsty. 

Note: Check convention rules before bringing food with you! Depending on the venue, outside food and drinks may not be allowed. As an alternative, for Phoenix Comicon this year myself and several others brought ice chests that we kept in the our cars, and when we got hungry we had a mini tailgate picnic in the parking garage. :D 

ARTIST ALLEY

Artist alley can be overwhelming to the newcomer. Manga and posters and plushies, oh my! Here are a few tips for surviving artist alley without having to declare bankruptcy: 

Make a budget and stick to it. Determine your budget before you get to the con. You can break it down by day or have a lump sum for the entire trip, whatever works for you. DO NOT GO OVER YOUR BUDGET. If you go over by one item or a few dollars the temptation to buy "just one more thing" gets stronger and before you know it you might not have enough money for food. Be strong! If you can't afford to get it right away, ask for a business card. Most artist alley vendors have online shops and most dealers have websites. You may be able to get it later, after the convention. 

Look at everything before buying. Some places may be selling the same manga or plushie but at different prices. Look around. Find out who is selling what, how much it costs, and plan accordingly so you don't overpay for something. 

Ask questions. If you are looking for something specific a dealer may have it in their overall stock even if they didn't bring it to the convention. If you are looking for a more customized item some artists do commissioned pieces, and sometimes they don't advertise. Don't be afraid to ask. If they don't have what you are looking for they may know where you can find it. 

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This concludes our convention survival guide! I hope you found the information helpful, and that you have a BLAST at whatever convention you are attending! :) As always, if you feel I forgot something post in the comments and...stay fabulous! 

Three days till Saboten!

-Vik 

Convention Survival Guide: Packing

Now that you have your travel plans hashed out, it's time to pack!

Packing can be overwhelming, and disorganized, but with a little planning and careful thought you'll be able to take everything you need without forgetting something or dragging too much stuff with you. :)

A Basic Packing List

This is in no way set in stone, it's just a reference list for you to get started. Add or remove things from this list as needed. :)  If you are flying, remember that liquids need to be in containers that are 3 ounces or smaller or you will either have to check your luggage or toss the liquid. 

Costumes(Depending on how ornate your costume is, you may want to put together a separate checklist for each one). 

Props

Wigs

Makeup

Sewing Kit for Repairs: Needle, matching or neutral colored thread, E6000, Fray-Check, Scissors

First Aid Kit: Band Aids, Scissors, Rubbing Alcohol, Aloe, Advil, Tylenol, Neosporin, Gauze, Medical Tape, Thermometer, Directions and phone number to nearest emergency room

Toiletries: Shampoo, Conditioner, Makeup Remover, Soap, Shaving Razors

Street clothes if you don't feel like cosplaying or if you need to make an emergency trip

Wallet with Money/Debit Card

Cell Phone and Charger

Proper Legal Identification(State ID or Driver's license)

Boarding Pass if you are flying

Camera

Batteries or charger for camera

Extra Camera lenses

Laptop and Adapter

Memory cards for camera

Food, ice chest with ice, and drinks if you are driving
If you are driving: Jumper Cables, oil, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid, Tire Jack, tire iron

Packing Your Props:

If you are flying you may have to disassemble your prop to pack it into a suitcase. Pack it carefully. Cushion it with clothes or other padding so it won't get damaged. Baggage handlers rarely pay attention to bags marked as fragile and a broken prop means an unhappy cosplayer.

Pack as lightly as you can. The less stuff you have to haul aroud an airport or to a hotel, the better. Depeding on the airline you're flying or how much space you have in your car you may be able to take an extra suitcase for Artist Alley and dealer room purchases. 

Comment below if you have any pointers to add, and I will be back tomorrow with...food! Eating is important! Eating is delish! 

*crickets*

Ahem...stay fabulous. xD 

-Vik

New Arrivals: August 28, 2014

...

It's Monday.

All is not lost! Saboten is in four days, and here are this week's new arrivals! Click the pic to go to its corresponding Etsy listing. :3

I got a bunch of clothing up in the shop this last week. 

This one isn't exactly new, but it's fabulous, so I included it. Size Small. $14.99 USD plus shipping.

Vocaloid! <3 I LOVE this shirt! 

Size Small/Medium. $14.99 USD plus shipping.

Size small/medium. $14.99 plus shipping.

This started out as a T-Shirt. I turned it around and made it into a vest. $9.99 USD plus shipping. 

$2.49 USD plus shipping.

$4.99 USD plus shipping.

One of each color in stock! $2.49 USD each plus shipping.

After Saboten I'm going to flip it and start featuring the upcoming pieces, and posting the days they will be up for sale. 

Keep an eye on the blog for more Saboten goodies! 

-Vik

Convention Survival Guide: Travel

Welcome to part three of our convention survival guide series! Today we'll focus on getting to and from the convention. :3 

TRAVEL

Depending on how far you have to travel, consider driving over flying if you're on a tight budget. It's much cheaper to drive to some places than it is to fly, and if you're going with a group of people it's even cheaper! You can split the gas cost between everyone traveling, you can take turns driving so nobody gets too tired. Added bonus: once you get to the hotel you'll have transportation in case of emergency. It will obviously take longer to get to the hotel than it would if you were flying but depeding on how far you're going and where you're going you could save hundreds of dollars in airfare, and you won't be limited by how much or what you can take on the plane. You might make some fun road trip memories along the way. :) If you're traveling with a group make sure you know who you're going with. Are they good drivers? Can they drive at all?  Do they shower regularly? Are they annoying, loud, or obnoxious? How crowded will the car be? How big will your vehicle be? Five people crammed into a Honda Fit might not be such a good idea. Five people in a Dodge Caravan is much more comfortable. :P 

If you are driving...make sure you have plenty of food and water on hand, espeically if you're traveling during the summer. If you break down you'll need enough water to stay hyrdated while you're waiting for a tow truck. Check the weather and the area you'll be driving through and plan your route accordingly. Make sure there are plenty of gas stations and repair shops along the way in case something happens. Pack the essentials for your car. Before a long trip I make sure I've packed fresh oil, coolant, water, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid. If you're driving through a snowy area, carry tire chains and make sure you know how to put them on and take them off, and be sure to pack extra blankets and warm clothing. 

Book your hotel as soon as you can after registering. The closer it gets to convention time  the more expensive your hotel room will likely be, and if the convetion is at a hotel rooms will sell FAST. If the convention is being held at a hotel, call the hotel and see if they have a special discount for people attending the convention. If it's not being held at a hotel, research options thoroughly: how close do you need to be to the convention? Do you have a car? How far are you willing to drive? If you don't have a car, does the hotel offer shuttle service to the convention and if they do, how much does it cost? How much would it cost to take a cab? If you're flying, can you get to your hotel from the airport? Can you get back to the airport when it's time to go home? All these questions are hugely important, make sure they all have an answer before you leave. 

If you're splitting a room, limit the number of people. It may be tempting to cram seven people into one hotel room to save money, but you'll be getting a lot of stress and drama for your efforts. Some people will have to sleep on the floor if there isn't enough bedding, and that's not comfortable nor is it fun. It's hard for that many people to get ready in the morning, especially if you're sharing one bathroom, and only one or two mirrors. You don't get much privacy and you won't get much sleep either. Spend a little more to ensure everyone staying in the room has ample space, privacy, and a comfortable place to sleep. 

Research airlines before you book your flight, and check TSA regulations. This is one of the most important things a cosplayer needs to do if they're flying to a convention, especially if you have props or weapons. TSA regulations may prohibit you from taking certain props as carry-on luggage, especially if you have props that are large, oddly shaped, or look like weapons. Also research airline policies reguarding checked luggage and carry-on size restrictions. For example, Delta charges $25 per checked bag, while Southwest allows two checked bags for free(additional bags are $25, I belive). Also check to see how large the aircraft is. I'm not kidding. I never gave this much thought until I had to fly out of town last-minute. I ended up on a Delta flight instead of Southwest, which is my usual airline. Southwest's planes are MUCH bigger than Delta's. I could barely fit my carry-on luggage during my Delta flight, and the overhead compartments were so small even bags that were within Delta's carry-on size restriction had to be checked on both my flights(they don't charge when this happens). If you have a large, ornate cosplay with lots of props and elements to it, Delta might not be the airline for you. 

Book your flight as ASAP! Hotel room rates go up closer to the convention and so do airline tickets, more so than hotels. Booking a last-minute flight can cost an average of $700 or more depeding on the airline, and that's for cheap airlines! The farther out you can book your flight the better. 

As always, comment if you feel that I forgot something, and stay fabulous!

-Vik 

Convention Survival Guide: Pre-Convention Preparation

Hello darlings! 

Now that we've gone over etiquette, let's focus on some planning and preperation. Organization is important! I was originally going to cover both packing, planning, and travel but once again, it got lengthy so I'm breaking it down again. Today we'll focus on basic planning. 

REGISTRATION AND PLANNING YOUR SCHEDULE

Determine your budget. This should actually be done BEFORE you register. There's nothing worse than registering for a convention and then realizing you can't afford to go. :( Things to budget for include(but are not limited to) the following:

• Travel(plane tickets or gas, rental car, cab fare, etc.)
• Food and Water
• Hotel/Lodging
• Artist Alley/Dealers/Vendors
• Extra Convention Events(Cafes, Concerts, etc.)
• Convention Registration(basic or VIP pass?) 
• Emergency Cash is good to have on hand in case something unexpected comes up. 

Pre-register if you can! It's cheaper, and you'll spend less time waiting in line for your badge once you get there.

Test drive your cosplay(s) before the convention. This includes makeup, props, and wigs. Wear them for a full day if you can. Check how they fit and make any alterations or repairs before you leave. Does your costume hold up well to a day's use? It is hot, heavy, or difficult to wear? How heavy is does the prop feel after carrying it around for eight hours? Did your hair and makeup hold up or did you need to fix it? You may need to carry extra makeup with you and touch up throughout the day, or you may need to re-style your wig. 

Make a list of EVERYTHING you will need, no matter how mundane. Check each item off as you pack it, and double check to make sure you have everything you need. If you don't have a list, chances are you will forget something. 

Make a meal plan. Look up nearby restarauts and/or grocery stores around the convention, and see if there will be food vendors at the convention. Be warned: convention food isn't cheap.

Be weather-ready. Will it be hot? Pack extra water and sunscreen. Will it be cold? Perhaps cosplaying Rukio Matoi isn't such a good idea if it's going to be chilly. If there's rain and/or snow in the forecast, make sure your cosplay is waterproof in case you get caught in a downpour. 

Review the schedule of the con before you go!  Conventions are huge! There's tons of things to do and see: skits, concerts, cafes, panels, presentations, anime viewings...this list is long! I print out the schedule as soon as it's posted, highlight what I want to see and do, and then plan around that. Keep your eyes open for opportunity, and don't feel like you have to stick to a rigid schedule. Random events and occurences are one of my favorite things about conventions! 

Tomorrow I'll cover travel. As always, if you feel that I forgot someething, let me know in the comments! <3

-Vik 

Convention Survival Guide: Basic Cosplay Etiquette

Happy Friday! 

There are going to be a lot of first-time cosplayers and attendees at Saboten this year so I felt I should write up a little something about surviving your first convention. I started typing and it got hideously long. xD So...I broke it up into sections. I'm starting with convention etiquette, since I feel that's one of the most important things to know. 

Read convention rules thoroughly and abide by them. This might seem like a no-brainer, but different conventions have different rules regarding cosplay props and weapons, how much skin you can show, or what you can and can't do in the hallways(Saboten, for example, prohibits the performance of skits in the hallways and has a PG-13 requirement for dress). Rules are often influenced by things like fire codes, liability concerns, policies and rules of the place where the convention is being held, and incidents from past conventions. Unfortunately it only takes one rotten apple to spoil a whole bin, and rules that may seem silly or stupid are often there for a good reason.  

ASK PERMISSION BEFORE YOU TAKE PHOTOS OF ANY COSPLAYER. I cannot stress this enough! It’s incredibly rude to photograph a cosplayer(or any other human being for that matter) without asking permission. It’s also kind of creepy. Don’t be afraid to ask! Most cosplayers know they will be approached for pictures, and as long as you remember to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ they will be more than happy to oblige. If they say no, don’t force the issue. They may have a good reason to decline, and if they aren’t nice back to you they aren’t worth your time. Also, if you plan on posting your pictures on sites like Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr, make sure you ask permission of the cosplayer before you post.

When posing for a cosplay photo, don’t block the walkways. This includes places like Artist Alley or the dealer’s room, or busy hallways with a ton of foot traffic. It is inconsiderate, it slows traffic, creates a hazard for the people around you, and some convention rules explicitly prohibit it to keep the traffic flowing. Saboten, for example, has prohibited cosplay posing and photography in the vendor’s room this year. If someone approaches you for a photo, look for a place out of the way to take the photo. Likewise, if you ask someone for a photo and they start posing in the walkways, politely suggest a better area.

Be careful with weapons and props, especially if they are heavy. Be aware of the people around you. Don’t swing your prop around wildly or let it hang out in aisles or walkways for people to trip over. It could seriously injure another person if they are in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you accidentally bump someone with your prop, apologize. Conventions get crowded and sometimes accidents happen. Also, make sure your props are within convention guidelines. It sucks to haul a prop all the way to a con only to be told you can’t carry it with you.

Remember to bathe, and pack/carry strong deodorant. This might seem like another no-brainer but it seems like at nearly every con there are people who don’t shower, and you can smell them long before you ever see them. I feel that for Saboten stressing this is incredibly important. It’s hot in the Arizona desert, and to make matters worse we’re in the middle of a wicked monsoon season, so it’s going to be super humid. You are going to sweat, and if you’re wearing a heavy cosplay outfit you will sweat more than you ever thought you could. Why would you honestly want to stay sweaty and yucky all weekend? You’ll feel better if you shower and your fellow cosplayers and con-goers will thank you.

Be patient with con staff and volunteers. Most conventions are run entirely by volunteers. They put a lot of time, effort, and sacrifice into making sure their convention goes off without a hitch, without a financial reward. Planning and hard work goes into a con, and they’ve been at it long before the registration line opens, so they will most likely be tired and stressed. Be polite. Be patient. Thank them for their hard work. Without them you wouldn’t be here.

Handle rude people with class. While most con attendees are awesome wonderful people you’ll want to hang out with, there is the occasional jerk. Be the bigger person. Don’t sink to their level and cuss them out, or throw a punch, or something equally unclassy. That makes you no better than they are and you’ll only end up embarrassing yourself.

Okay, that’s all I have today. xD I’m pretty sure I covered the basics, but if I left anything out please let me know in the comments!

Stay fabulous!

-Vik

Saboten News and Cosplay Makeup Tutorial

Hello darlings!

Saboten is just over a week away and we are in full chaos mode! 

Pardon the mess...xD 

Anywho...we have big news!! 

We will be participating in Saboten's JFashion show! :D 

It will be taking place Saturday night on August 30th, at 7:00PM. Designers can send two outfits down the runway, so we'll be doing a pop kei and a visual kei outfit. Since Talisha is moving to her new apartment the same weekend as Saboten, my friend Andrea from Accessories by Annie is helping me with the artist alley table Friday and Saturday. She will also be modeling for the show. :3 Click the pic above for the Facebook event page. 

Since Saboten is so close I wanted to share a basic makeup tutorial I found while cruising YouTube for pho recipes and fashion videos. :3 MangoSirene is a seasoned cosplayer who has a whole series called Cosplay 101, and this is a tutorial for basic cosplay makeup.

I adore this tutorial for many reasons. She doesn't use designer makeup, and shows that you can look fabulous on a budget. This resonates with me because E.l.f. is my best friend when it comes to good cheap makeup and brushes. xD She also explains the importance of wearing basic makeup for cosplay photos(the camera shows EVERYTHING!). As with any good makeup tutorial she explains what she uses, how she uses it, and why you need it. 
As we get closer to Saboten I'll be posting more cosplay videos and sneak peeks of new inventory. In the meantime, check out MangoSirene's channel and, as always... Stay fabulous! <3
-Vik 

The Rise of Otaku Fashion and Akihabara Culture in Harajuku

Hello darlings!

Since Saboten is coming up I found it fitting to post a video that Tokyo Fashion filmed awhile back. In the back episode of Elleanor's Tokyo, model and fashion blogger Elleanor talks about a growing influcence of otaku and Akihabara culture in Japan. Young, independent desigers are incorporating more anime and manga into their fashions, often making pieces by hand depending on their inspiration. It isn't just limited to clothing. Shops around harajuku are also carrying handbags, jewelry, figurines, and independently published comics. 

This is a trend I can definitely see taking off in America, now that anime and manga have become so popular here. I even have a few pieces that would fit into this fashion culture in my own wardrobe, and I'm sure many of our shop followers do as well. 
What do you think of this new fashion movement? Do you have pieces for it already? Let us know in the comments! 
Stay fabulous! <3 -Vik 

Innocent World Q & A

Happy Friday! 

Here is the last video Kawaii Pateen filmed for their look into Innocent World! 

This one is my favorite. :3 Creator Yumi Fujiwara and model Yui Minakata ask each other questions about everything from Innocent World photo shoots to what their favorite crepe flavor is(strawberry cheesecake and custard for Minakata, banana chocolate for Fujiwara). 

I hope you enjoyed the series! :)  As Saboten approaches we will be posting more videos about cosplay, as well as makeup and cosplay tutorials and of course, giving sneak peeks on our new inventory we will be selling in artist alley! 
As always, stay fabulous!
-Vik 

Behind the Scenes: Innocent World's Atelier

Today I'm posting the third video installment of Kawaii Pateen's look into Innocent World! Today creative Yumi Fujiwara shows Kawaii Pateen the beautiful furniture and antiques that decorate the atelier, and where she got them as well as their historical background.

The antiques tie in beautifully with the lolita pieces she designs! It's easy to see how everything ties together. :3 
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
-Vik 

Yumi Fujiwara Interview

Today I'm posting the second Kawaii Pateen video about Innocent World! 

In this video Yumi Fujiwara, designer and founder of the classic lolita label, talks a bit more about her inspriations behind the clothing, how she got started, and what she does when things don't go quite as planned. Brand model Yui Minakata also talks about how she became the model for Innocent World and why she loves the clothing. 

What are your favorite Innocent World pieces? Let us know in the comments!
-Vik

Go Behind the Scenes at Innocent World

Ever wonder how your favorite lolita clothes are made? 

Kawaii Pateen went behind the scenes last month with Yumi Fujiwara, the creative mastermind behind the classic lolita brand Innocent World. In the video, she features a few of Innocent World's newest pieces and explains her inspriation behind the designs, as well as the creative process that turns her ideas into clothing. 

This is the first of four videos Kawaii Pateen did to document Innocent world. I will be posting the second video tomorrow. In the meantime, check out Innocent World's website(they're having a summer sale!), and Kawaii Pateen's Facebook page! 
As always, stay fabulous!
-Vik 

Saboten Prep!

Here we are, on Monday again. :P

The last week or so we've been really focused on prep for Saboten, since it's less than a month away! 

This means tons of new inventory and new packaging! I'll get pics up as they happen. 

This year Saboten runs from August 29th to September 1st, at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel. It's one of the largest anime conventions in Arizona. We can't wait to see all the great cosplayers, panels, and other events! :D More info can be found at their website.

We will have an Artist Alley table as well. 

More updates as they happen. Until then, stay fabulous!

-Vik