Sad Announcement

Both goth nights in Ottawa are done for.

As you may already know, Death Disco at Swizzles (which used to be held every saturday night) was official ended a few weeks back.

And now, I've just learned that Industrial Strength Tuesdays at Zaphod's will be officially ending next Tuesday. I've heard that Zaphods may host a retro alternative night and a gamer-goth night (Geeks & Bleeps) on the first and last Tuesday of each month respectively. However, I'm not sure that has been confirmed and presently I believe that the club will simply be closed on Tuesday Nights.

 I've heard that there is an alternative / underground music night at Swizzles on Saturdays. I can't confirm that yet though.

I feel great sadness to see these events go. They were the few weekly events keeping goth and industrial alive in Ottawa. The punk scene seems to be doing alright, with the Dominion thriving, House of Targ growing in popularity and Mavericks continuing to host shows. Cafe Decuf has also hosted punk, goth, industrial and other alternative bands in the past. And for now, Zaphods remains open and may still be a potential venue for goth bands. that being said, I feel that the alternative scene in ottawa is slowly shrinking.

Please, if you are located in Ottawa and feel a love for the alternative, come out to events and support local venues, bands and artists. The alternative scene is only what the local community makes of it.

For now, I will continue to scan the horizon for events and shows and keep you updated.

This upcoming weekend is PopExpo. For those geeky-goths in Ottawa, make your way out. Dress up in your most splendid cosplay, lolita, steam-punk or post-apocalyptic attire.

Next week, go out to Zaphod's for the final Industrial Strength Tuesday. Go out and party twice as hard for me, since unfortunate circumstances are keeping me from attending. I'll be there in spirit.

Goodbye to a beloved event.

-Twiggy

My Ice Queen Halloween Costume!

This costume was so much fun to make, and I got to wear a very odd amount of white. 

I had two versions of this outfit, princess mode and full-out vampire queen mode.

For both outfits I wore my white lingerie bodice which is very lacey and frilly and I love wearing it at any chance I get. I also wore a black wig, a pair of Scarecrow-brand vampire fangs, and some DIY accessories such as my icicle crown and my lacey-queen-collar, which doesn't show up great in this. I will be making DIY tutorials for those two items in the future.

More details after the break!

Costume Idea

I'm not sure what I'll be for Halloween this year. I'm not even sure if I'm going to dress up and go out...

But I do have the sudden desire to craft and make sparkly crowns and beaded capes. So I think I'll start making an evil ice queen costume. Maybe I'll buy fangs and be an ice vampire.

So this weekend I will be making a trip to the craft store to buy paint and sparkles and rhinestones.

What are you going to be for Halloween? Any plans, are you going out?

Cheers,

Twiggy

Geek Market 2014!

I got all dressed up and went to see all the local fun!

Giant Jenga! (And I wasn't even the one to knock it down.)

This weekend I attended the Ottawa Geek Market. The Geek Market allows local vendors and artists to sell their goods to the nerd community. The vendors included toys, art, costumes, clothing, books, comics, manga, vintage video games, new video games,  board games, card games, LEGO, and more. Cosplay is encouraged, and many steampunks, goths and lolitas were also in attendance. It was great seeing some of the local pro-cosplayers such as Kudrel and Detailed-Illusion. Several panels and workshops were held, such as "cosplay ettiquette" and "plushie making."

 There was also a gameboard section where you try out all kinds of strange games and even play giant games (like giant jenga!). AND 8-bit Bazaar was there with screens and consoles galore with all kinds of different games.

Halloween! Things I found at the Dollar Store:

Fishnets and skull Patches. :)

Also Plastic Tubing... This is the first time I've seen the dollar-store carrying  this stuff, but I might make some cyber falls with these, or just some funky head gear. And a shiny purple pumpkin and some plastic skull cups.

Feather eyelashes! I love these things, and they are best when found at the dollar-store at Halloween time, good quality and the best price.

I have a weakness for pretty masks. I might add some extra rhinestones to this one when I have a chance.

I found these pretty arm warmers too! They are surprisingly decent quality. Normally These types of accessories aren't the nicest when they are costume pieces but these are quite nice. Soft fabric and they don't feel flimsy like they'll fall apart after one wear.

Back to school

Farewell my Darklings!
I'm going back to school this week and I will miss you dearly.
I won't be gone completely, but I will be quite a bit busier and will likely not be able to keep posting regularly.


Oh but I will be back soon. And they are somethings to look forward to - Halloween is only a couple months away after all.

-Twiggy

Listening to: "Sugar" - Kerli 

Do not want: Doc Marten Sandals

These actually exist. 

The Bernadette boots combine the worst features of boots and sandals into an unfortunate franken-shoe.

The thing is, I love combat boots. And Doc Martens normally produce fantastic looking boots and shoes that I would love to wear. But these are not that. These are combat boots that look like they wear half eaten by a dog, with large sections missing. And then someone decided to pass that off as a sandal. I'm really disappointed that Doc Martens would produce such an unfortunate shoe. Not that they are the only company to produce the awful design...

This is a trend that I'd like to see pass soon please.

Usually, I'm not a fan of sandals. They do not protect your feet; they generally provide an uncomfortable, flimsy walking experience; I hate not being able to wear socks; etc. But they do have some upsides, and in the right context (at the beach or pool) they aren't a horrible thing. They let your feet breath and are great for the summer.

Boots, on the other hand, are my go to shoe always. They provide ultimate sturdy travelling experience; they are perfect protection for clubs and shows; and provide warmth on cold days. Unfortunately they do not breath (prepare to suffer in the summer); once wet they take forever to dry; and if you wear them to the beach they will be awful and fill with sand.

These awful shoes/sandals/boots seem to combine the worst aspects from both shoe types. They don't look like they breath well, they look like they'd take forever to dry one wet and fill with sand easily (so the beach is out). They also look flimsy and hard to walk and run in, provide no foot protection (so no good for clubs and shows either).

Do you see my issue with these?


Personally, I would never wear these. I just really can't see these being comfortable.  But hey, that's just me.

Would you wear them? Is there an upside to these shoes that I'm missing?
Let me know in the comments!

-Twiggy
Listening to: "sing sing sing" - Jazzbit