5 things I would like to find at Dragon*Con

1. A good shirt to go with my costume. I have one, but it is black and I would like something in a different color, so it would stand out against the black of the skirt and bodice. I have one picked out, http://www.fanplusfriend.com/servlet/the-946/Gothic-Lolita-Shirring-Sleeping/Detail but it wouldn't arrive in time for the convention, so if I find something better I would like to get it.

2. Bloomers or a good underskirt. I need something to go under my skirt, perhaps a white underskirt or white bloomers. I have bloomers picked out, ones that match the shirt above, http://www.fanplusfriend.com/servlet/the-933/Gothic-Lolita-Long-Pleated/Detail but again for the same reason, not enough time to arrive for the convention.

3. A parasol. I would like to get a good solid parasol, if not I have this one picked out, http://www.etsy.com/listing/117249335/lace-parasol-turquoise-and-blue?ref=shop_home_active I don't prefer a lace parasol, but I do like the way the dye is on the lace. Unfortunately they old ship within the US. I might have to get my Father to ship it to me in Leeds, if I don't find something I like more at the convention.

4. Cuffs for the wrist seem to be becoming a very popular steampunk accessory. I would like to find some blue leather and lace ones, or figure out how to make them myself, or I might consider getting archer's bracers. I haven't found anything that I like yet, so there is a lot of opportunity here.

5. I would like a belt of some kind, preferably black leather, something I could hang accessories off of. Right now I am using a belly dancing belt that I reclaim, but it is all metal and bells, and not nice to fabric, it likes to snag on things. So, I would like to find something that I could hang my fan on, or a tea cup, a parasol or whatever.

Those are my wish things right now. I'm sure I will be tempted a lot at Dragon*Con, but I have a limited budget and limited space for shipping things to England.

I need to develop my character a bit more, and figure out how to do my hair or practice putting up my hair.

Currently watching:
The Human Condition Episode 2 Season 2: Living without creating trash. This is a great Korean variety show that has 6 comedians living together for a week doing different things, like living without cellphones, electricity, or water. It shows how much modern societies waste.

Currently reading:
Little Women (AmazonClassics Edition) by Louisa May Alcott
Such a great classic. I hope Jasmine enjoys it too when she is older.

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Convention goers beware

I've attended a fair number of Renaissance Faires and conventions in my life. When I was in my teens and in my twenties I went with friends or with co-workers. Now in my thirties I attend with my husband. Jasmine attended her first convention this last May at Nova Albion. I don't know if she will want to attend Faires or conventions when she gets older, but I would like to think that we, as her parents, will have taught her how to take care of herself if she chooses to attend a faire or convention alone.

I think I myself have either been very lucky or very obtuse, I don't think anyone has ever tried to harass me, but that doesn't mean that someone won't try in the future.

If you are ever harassed at a convention (this post deals specifically with being harassed at a convention, but I think the advise could be applied and used at a Ren Fair too,) Jim C. Hines has made a great post on who and how to report the harassment. Reporting Sexual Harassment in SF/F, 2013 Edition.

I know in an ideal world people wouldn't attend faires or conventions alone, but that isn't always possible, especially if someone needs to go in order to make business connections. I have no idea where I was going with this I seem to have lost my train of thought, but I guess what I mean to say is be aware of your surroundings, even if you yourself aren't being harassed you might spot someone else being harassed and then you can step-in as a witness. And, yes, men can be harassed too.

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Dragon*Con Shirts

I need some opinions. I got a steampunk costume for Dragon*Con. It has a black underskirt with white lace, a blue taffeta bustle, and a black bodice with white lace and blue inserts, but I need a shirt. I have 3 that I picked out, thinking about the heat and humidity of Atlanta at the end of August, and that I will already be wearing several layers, plus I wanted something that I could possibly wear in the future.

Here are the links to each shirt, I would be purchasing the shirt in white, but which looks nicer?

I think this one would be the coolest in the heat, but as you can see you have to have something to wear underneath or cover up with (which I would be using the bodice) not something that could be worn on it's own:
http://www.fanplusfriend.com/servlet/the-1904/Classical-Gothic-Lolita-Embroidered/Detail

I like this one, but I wonder if it looks too stuffy when not paired with steampunk items:
http://www.fanplusfriend.com/servlet/the-847/Classical-Gothic-Lolita-cln-Short-Sleeves/Detail

This one has a blue ribbon that would match the bustle and inserts on the bodice (this is actually supposed to be an undershirt):
http://www.fanplusfriend.com/servlet/the-946/Gothic-Lolita-Shirring-Sleeping/Detail

I would love to hear comments and opinions!

Thanks!

Currently reading:
A Job From Hell (Ancient Legends Book 1) by Jayde Scott
I got this as a free kindle, it is another vampire book, not sure why I keep picking only vamp books out to read recently. It is holding my attention, but I did enjoy Blood Calling much more.

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