Ever Onward

Well today could have gone better...but in happier news this week;
I arrived home after work to find my Soviet era safety goggles had arrived, all the way from the Ukraine, in an unexpectedly speedy ten days. Many thanks to the wonderful seller; darklightscorpion

I'd also found the same yellow polycarbonate replacement lenses on Etsy, via JadedMinx.
(The One Of The Boys muscle tee was found online at Urban Outfitters UK, which is unfortunately sold out.)
This whole combo is what made up the goggles worn by Holtzmann, in the scenes right before and during Patty's delivery of the hearse that would become Ecto-1.

Like Holtzy's, these lenses are slightly convex, and fit perfectly in the vintage goggles. I'll admit I was worried they might not, but I have a way to grind them down a bit if I had to.
All together, the cost of this project came out to under $30 US.

The goggles came with the original box, an extra adjustable nose piece and the original black glass removable lenses.
While it's all in fine condition, I'll be replacing the elastic with the same kind in black.

As a side note, and posting this as reference for a friend; here are some images of the "One Of The Boys" muscle tank by Truly Madly Deeply, worn by Holtzmann. It originally came in ivory, but like hers, I dyed mine that odd faded aqua shade.
The first pic is a good shot of the lettering (made to look as though it was spray painted through a stencil), and the second is reference for placement:

XOXOX

Screwed Up Screw U

A week or two ago, I placed an order for a 3D printed replica of Holtzmann's amusingly insulting (or not, depending on who's reading it) 'Screw U' pendant.

Well, it arrived in the mail yesterday....yeah, the size is a little off.

Seriously babes, it's like the Flava Flav version...

Here's the pendant after I painted it, and next to my work phone (iPhone 5). I also left a kind note about it with the folks producing these. It's not insanely big, but it's leaning toward Toon Town proportions. I'll still be using it for another top secret-for-now project ;)

I've contacted someone about making me a real one from metal, in a truer size to the original.
I'll keep you guys posted XOXO

The Making Of A Ghostbuster (Cosplay)

Slowly, ever so slowly, I'm gathering the bits and pieces of this Ghostbuster cosplay like an obsessed ferret. For some reason, I decided to start with the unique eye wear collection worn by Dr. Jillian Holtzmann. The frames vary from Deco era spectacles to 1950s nerd gear, and both have the signature yellow lenses and mesh side protectors.

I don't know about you, but I think they're totally stylin'.

My first find was an antique pair that was a really close match to Holtzmann's wire rims (above photo),but a little rounder. Look closer and you'll see hers have a slight shaping to them.

Mine don't have the yellow lenses either, but I can always change those out. Tinting them yellow in Photoshop helped me with that for now, so I could see what they would look like.

Deco darling...

I also found another pair, pretty much exactly like hers. Same shape this time, but still no yellow lenses and in need of a little TLC. Even with these issues they were a steal at $30, and I can do the repair work myself. These would be worth having a professional switch out the glass with yellow Polycarbonate lenses:

 ...or 'Geek chic'. Both have form and function!

As for her alternate pair of glasses, the ones I'm calling 'geek chic'; those were an easier find on Ebay.
Originally I had found a similar pair that I was going to pop the lenses out of myself, and buy replacement yellows, but had a hard time finding ones that would fit. Then I stumbled on these, and they were on sale for $20. Done deal. They may even be the very same ones used in the film...we shall see if I'm right in July:

Calling My Inner Ghostbuster: Holtzman

I'm really looking froward to the upcoming Ghostbusters sequel, featuring the new team of hilarious yet no-holds-barred genius ladies. As I watched the newly released trailer, I could see myself and so many of my own female friends in these characters' personalities, twisted senses of humor and overall camaraderie.  So, it was inevitable that a few of us are already planning our cosplay's based on this band of ghost-busting babes of science and fantasy.

I'm planning to create mine based on Dr. Jillian Holtzman, played by the awesomely talented SNL comedian and fellow weirdo, Kate McKinnon.
So far in my search for all the bits and pieces, I've come up with a possible option for the coveralls I could modify the hell out of, and two types of the safety glasses she seems to have various versions of.
Exhibit A: The ones in the above scene/gif look like these, but with yellow tinted lenses. That's an easy enough modification, swabbing a thick mixture of yellow Rit dye onto the plastic lenses to stain them.
Exhibit B: I also won these (below) on Ebay. They're nearly an exact match to her wire framed versions, except for clear glass lenses:

(Seller photographed them upside-down...I have no idea why)

I can spend the extra cash if I want, and have these replaced with some plastic safety lenses in a yellow shade. Based on a previous experience, the cost to do this isn't too high, and even less for frames that open (like these do, where the earpieces attach), and that are non prescription.

As always, it really depends on where you go to have it done. Some places may charge upwards of $70+, while others will run you around $45 to $50.

Still debating on the coveralls; I've found something that would be perfect to throw in a taupe khaki dye bath, add details to, and modify with new pockets. being a fabric addict and seamstress, the thing I get hung up on of course, is the damn fabric weave.
The film worn versions have an obvious vertical herringbone texture, and you can see it in many of the available stills and promo shots. I'm not finding used and vintage herringbone weave coveralls that are similar in color, or a color I could dye. Nor am I finding modern coveralls that, while have the right details and would be easy to dye/modify, do not have that herringbone weave.
I may just need to get over it...at least for this first version.
Later on, if I can find some of that fabric in white I'd dye it and make my own coveralls from scratch, but I also really like a good time-saving shortcut that has great results.
I have other more challenging things on this list if I want this done by late August, in time for Dragon Con. Like figuring out what the hell necklace/pendant thing Holtzman is wearing, and this absolute madness:

The new Proton Pack!

I hate having to wait until the middle of Summer to see this film! In the meantime, I'll just keep on with the image digging.

OXOX

A Very Long Wait In The Resurrection Tub...

Way back in early March of last year, I had discovered that the sci-fi replica costume company, Anovos was releasing a copy of the infamous red dress worn by the Cylon known as Caprica 6.
Along with this, they also created a stunning replica of her lethally sculptural bracelet and ring.

While I had already made my own replica of the dress, I still snatched up a size medium for myself.
My version of the dress was okay, but I wasn't completely satisfied with it. The fabric I was able to find didn't look or feel quite right, didn't hang or cling nicely to my body, and generally had issues with longevity.
The fabric didn't hold its shape well, and stretched out in odd areas. So, I figured this one by Anovos would definitely be a step up.
My fiance bought me the bracelet and ring set as a gift, since my birthday was only a few weeks away.
Keep in mind that I knew these items were all pre-orders and set for production, so I expected to wait the then-stated time of 5-6 months.
The bracelet arrived on time, but the dress ran into issues with fabric quality and production times slowed to a crawl. One year and 4 months later, they worked out the issues and the dress is currently in transit to me, set to arrive tomorrow. I'm really excited to finally get this sultry frock, and will post photos as soon as I have the chance to model it!

I'm crossing my fingers the quality and fit will have been worth the wait, but the jewelry set is stunning.
My only issue with it, is the clasp is complete crap. It won't stay closed, and I've nearly lost it on at least 3 occasions. The steel metal 'shards' are actually slides mounted on a faux leather (or at least plastic coated) strap. The clasp closure consists of a little tension plate you slide the end of the strap into, and flip the plate over. The underside of the plate has small 'teeth' that are supposed to grip the strap. It does not, and instead flips back open on its own within seconds.
Well, it stays put if you don't move...or breathe for that matter.
This makes me afraid to wear it most times, when it's a piece of gorgeous jewelry I want to wear as often as possible. I'm hoping to replace the clasp with something more secure, like an actual buckle.

Now I just need a better wig, since I'm not about to chop and bleach my hair to death.
XOXOX!