Posted in Articles

Leggings, Which Are Totally Pants!

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If you know me for more than five minutes, you know I love me some leggings!  I have countless pairs of them and sport them on the regular.

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I can stop whenever I want!

What I really love about them, besides the comfort factor, is that leggings are a great way to express your fandom while really showcasing your legs and booty.

Now, having said that, there are some that don’t feel that leggings should be worn as pants.  Meaning, you must have something over the top of them, like a skirt.  I say, “Nay” to this, as leggings are totally pants!

When you buy a new pair of leggings, you must do the “bend over” see-thru test to see how long your top should be or if you should actually pair them with a skirt or a pair of shorts.  Not all leggings are created equal.  Some are paper-thin and some, which I will give you a link to the sites, are nice thick spandex, durable and hold their shape.  Not to mention the cut is long enough for tall ladies and the waist stays put.

So, how do you style leggings?  Well, because they are tight, a top that is more loose fitting is great.  If they have a print, I try to keep the top solid.  With the solid top, I accessorize with long necklaces.  Jackets are also great when it is colder out.  As for shoes, tall boots are always a great idea.  Boots of any length go great with leggings.  I also like to pair mine with high top sneaks as well.  Here are some of my favorite leggings outfits.

 

The leggings are from Gold Bubble, one of my favorite clothing companies. I’m wearing an XL and I’m a size 18/20 for reference.  The necklace is from Hot Topic.

These leggings are from Living Dead Clothing.  I’m wearing a XXL. Widow shirt from Her Universe.  Photobomb courtesy of Scout.

These mermaid leggings and my Cap leggings are from Castle Corsetry.  I’m wearing a XXL.

I highly recommend the leggings from all three of these companies.  The fit is good, they are plus size inclusive, the spandex is thick and durable, the cut and fit are fantastic.

I did get a comment once from someone that said, “I wish I could wear leggings.”  I asked her what she meant because as far as I could tell, she had legs to put them on.  She said because she is a plus-size, she can’t wear leggings.  I told her she is the boss of her and CAN wear leggings if she wants to.  My usual sarcasm aside, I know some people are wary of going out in leggings.  I used to be as well.  Body confidence and positivity is not always an easy thing to have.  I have my bad days as well.  Example, I was very self-conscious of wearing my Cap cosplay without the long shirt to hide behind.  Ironically, this isn’t the cosplay that shows the most skin, but we hear and see people body shamed regularly on social media and in the press.  It has an effect that cannot be denied.  So, there I am, legs just “there” for all to see.  You know what?  I really like that picture.  I look pretty.  I was honored to wear this cosplay and will always be honored to wear that cosplay.  Castle Corsetry made that for me and it is just so perfect!  My legs are strong.  They literally take me places.  I go to the gym and work them out regularly.  Yep, they are plus size just like the rest of me.  This is what I look like.  Period.

When you express yourself through fashion, you automatically feel better.  Reason being is that you are telling the world who you are.  What you are about.  This is me!  Living out loud.  Easier said than done, right?  I get it, but I challenge you to move out of that comfort zone and see what happens.  I bet good things come about.  Keep me posted.

So, send us some pics in your favorite leggings!  We love comments and pictures from you guys!

Happy Shopping!

Love, Kim and Scout

 

Posted in Uncategorized

Outfit of the Day #14: Once Upon a Time

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Now that the tv season has ended, we thought for our fourteenth outfit of the day, to look at Once Upon a Time fashion and everyday cosplay.

Scout and I have our two versions of Emma cosplay that we like to rock.  I’m Storybrooke Emma and Scout is Neverland Emma:

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Photo: Justin Davidson Photography
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Photo: Justin Davidson Photography

Cosplaying from this great show is a lot of fun, but there are also everyday cosplay or bounding options available as well.

I incorporated Emma’s leather jacket aka her armor (as we learned last season) into both outfits.  Here is the first:

I used my cosplay jacket from Black Leather Jacket, get one of your own here.  The tank is from Hot Topic.  Get it here.  So I gave this everyday cosplay a fun touch with the addition of the Captain Guyliner shirt.  I further accessorized with this Once Upon a Time book necklace from Etsy.  Get it here.

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My second outfit still has the feel of the leather jacket, but is way more comfortable in this warm weather.

The shrug is from Amazon.  Get it here.  The tank from Hot Topic.  Get it here.  I accessorized with the same necklace on a longer chain.  Pair these looks with Emma’s signature jeans and tall boots and you have some great Storybrooke worthy bounding.

Happy Shopping!

Love, Kim and Scout

 

Posted in Cons

Raising a Hero Not a Villain is going to SDCC!

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We are so very excited to announce that Scout and I will be on a panel at SDCC!

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“Cosplaying with your Kid” is tentatively scheduled for Friday afternoon at 2:00 (time and/or day subject to change).

We will be on the panel along with Shawn Richter and his son, Kid Coulson, as well as Cosplay Michael and his parents!

Anastasia Washington will be moderating our discussion on cosplaying with your kid, how to get started, sources of getting cosplay made, etc.

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Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to SDCC!  We hope to see you there!

Love, Kim and Scout

*Lead Photo: thewrap.com

Posted in Cons

SDCC Countdown: One Month to Go!

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OK, everyone panic!  Alright, maybe not panic, but certainly start to get those ducks in a row, people!

We have one month to go before the nerd camp, aka SDCC!  So, where should you be in your planning?

Travel Plan Checklist:

  • Badges are being mailed to attendees this year.  Have you received yours yet?  Have you gotten an email that it is on the way yet?  If not, don’t panic, a lot of people have not gotten either the email or their badges yet.  They are rolling them out slowly.  Just in case yours gets lost in transit, do you have the barcode ready to print out or have it printed already and in a safe place?  Good, because you can’t get in without it.
  • Check on the hotel reservation.  If you went through the SDCC lottery, then make sure that the hotel has charged you for two nights as a deposit.  If not, there might be an issue with the room.  Call them immediately.
  • If you are dealing with the parking lottery, same thing, double check all the required deposits to make sure you are officially in.
  • If you are flying, check on those plane tickets and flight information.  Do you have your airport parking squared away?  Might want to go ahead and do it now.

Now that all the boring adulting is out of the way, let’s get to the real planning!  Are you cosplaying?  If so, then the countdown if officially on!

Cosplay Checklist:

  • Are you doing anything new?  Best get on that if you are!  Seriously, get on this!
  • Order any mail order pieces to your cosplay now so they will be delivered in time.
  • Personal experience, I got my new cosplay from Cosplay Sky in plenty of time, but the fit is an absolute disaster despite having sent them professionally taken measurements and current measurements.  So, I’m off to have Katie Elhoffer save this cosplay at additional cost.  Good thing I ordered early, so she has time to fix it.  Other friends swear by them, but I’m not impressed.
  • Get all the items you need to construct any pieces and get on that!
  • Re-running a cosplay?  Then take it out of storage and try it on.  Does it still fit well?
  • If there are any repairs that need to be made to cosplay pieces, do them now.
  • Contact the other members of your cosplay group, if any, and make sure they are working on their cosplay.
  • If you need to ship anything to the hotel, then call that hotel and find out their policy for taking delivery of guest parcels.

For more tips for planning your best con ever, please visit crazy4comiccon.com!

See you guys next month!  Scout and I will be there with a panel and other fun events.  I’ll fill you in on all the details later!

Love, Kim and Scout

*Lead photo: thewrap.com

*Convention center photos: theitsummit.com and wikimedia.org

*Sign photo: actionfigurepics.com

Posted in Uncategorized

Outfit of the Day #13: Captain Phasma Jacket

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For our 13th (wow, already up to 13!) outfit of the day, Scout and I went with the new Captain Phasma jacket from Her Universe and Hot Topic.

This jacket is part of the Star Wars: The Force Awakens collection, which was designed by the two winners of the Her Universe Fashion Show last year at SDCC.  Of all the pieces, this jacket was far and away the best piece of the collection.

Scout and I styled the jacket with black pleather leggings and a black t-shirt for Scout and a red t-shirt for me.  Tall boots complete the look.  I added my AT-AT necklace as well.

The jacket has a lot going on with it as far as details, so keeping the accessories simple is a great way to go.

The fit is true-to-size, and the best news is that the plus sizes are available at Hot Topic now along with the standard sizes.  No waiting several months to have them made available in extended sizes.  Bad news is that the plus sizes are only available on the website.  I’m wearing a 3XL and Scout is wearing a small.  I’m a size 18/20 for reference.  I went up a size so I could zip it all the way up if I wanted to.

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Check out the entire Force Awakens collection here.  Buy your own jacket in standard size here.  Buy a jacket in plus size here.

Happy Shopping!

Love, Kim and Scout

Posted in Articles

Raising a Geek: Part Four-Finding Your Hero Within

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As a geeky parent, I naturally want to introduce my daughter to my fandoms with the hopes that she will adopt them as her own.  I was very lucky in that my kid was a full-on geek from the beginning.  She immediately took to Star Wars like a duck to water.  I was so proud!  She began to explore her world and came into her own fandoms, namely Pokemon and My Little Pony.  She, in turn, has shared her fandoms with me.  

We got into Marvel fandom together, which is why it holds a special place in my heart.  I know this sounds a bit corny, but the day we saw, “Captain America: The First Avenger” together, is a day I won’t ever forget.  Like I said, super corny, but true.  

Shared experiences with our kids makes them extra special, as any parent can attest to.  What I like the most about that, are the lessons learned by the both of us.  How to unleash that Hero Within. 

Being a real-life hero is not about punching bad guys.  It is about protecting the little guy.  It is about being the better guy.  It is about being the generous guy.  It is about showing the bad guy how to be a good guy.  The superhero movies and tv shows illustrate that in a very broad way, with punching and gadgets, but kids get the message.  The fact that you are right by their side sharing in the receipt of that message is a very big deal.  Do not diminish the impact of that.  

One of the best ways to live that heroic life everyday is to give yourself a constant reminder of what you stand for.  Also, show the World what you stand for.  Easy way to do that is through your fashion.  What?  No, really.  Everytime you look in a mirror, what do you see?  I see some type of reminder in my clothing that I am living my best and truest life possible.  Also, I’m having fun in my everyday life.  I love everyday cosplay for that very reason.  Fashion is an expression of yourself, so why not express something that has deep meaning in your life, namely your fandoms?  Unleash that Hero Within!

Love, Kim and Scout

Posted in Fashion Alert

Fashion Alert: NYX Store

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OK, I’m a make-up addict.  I just am.  I admit this freely.  The amount of lipsticks I own is truly astounding.  So, when I saw that they were building a NYX store in Sherman Oaks, I freaked out.

In case you don’t know what the deal is with NYX, they are a professional-grade make-up brand at a fraction of the cost.  Their make-up is actually cheaper than most drugstore brands and is of a much better quality.

OK, on to the store!

Here are some pics of the store:

I’m pretty sure I blacked out for a second when I got to an entire wall of lipsticks:

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Needless to say, I was in heaven!

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Here’s my haul for the day.  I only spent 50 bucks!

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If you don’t have a NYX store near you, visit their site.

Happy Shopping!

Love, Kim and Scout