Lists (Kumori-con 2013)

I always make a list for each con. I normally make these lists throughout the month before the con. It's important to keep organized, knowing if you need more supplies or bobby pins BEFORE the con. I'm doing this list a bit early this year but since I'm so stressed being organized helps me feel a bit better.

I make a series of lists, such as...

• Cosplay lists
• Personal items and street clothing
• Accessories and props
• Wigs

I'll also be posting a small list of packages that are arriving and when they come to help myself keep up to date. 

This cosplay check list will be my example for this post. We are trying to pack lighter this year so we can stop over packing, so our car rid to Sakura-con is a bit less....stuffed. I always pack too many extra street clothing. When I am in my hotel room I normally am in bloomers and tank top or my sleep wear.

So here we go.

 Food

• Cooler
• Plastic Cutlery
• Zippered plastic bags
• Paper plates
• Food/snacks

We always bring a cooler, whether it's small or big. For Sakura-con we couldn't even use the fridge so our cooler became our only way to keep our food cold. Depending on if we have a microwave in our hotel we will mainly bring microwave meals and then lots of snacks as I am normally too excited to eat full meals. We also do not always bring paper plates, it depends on what types of food we bring. This year we are mainly bringing snacks and having full meals for din-din as that is normally the time we are very hungry. Most hotels have free ice machines but if you are worried about ice, call up your hotel and ask before the con. They most likely will have one that is free to use.

Basic

• Convention badge +Registration 
• Photo ID
• Cell phone +charger
• Camera +Batteries
• Purse/bag
• Hand sanitizer
• List of photoshoot times +panels
• Notepad and pen
•  Items to be autographed
• Lint roller
•  Mini spray bottle

Some cons give their badges before the con, like Kumori-con. Sakura-con does not. So bring what papers you might need as having access to a printer during con is very rare. Print them out a head of time, make sure you have them on person for pre-reg/reg. Hand sanitizer is also important. Hotels do not give out free hand sanitizer. The mini spray bottle I listed is for spritzing long wigs throughout the day during con. It keeps them from tangling too badly. 

First Aid

• Lady products
• Band aids 
• Prescription medication
• Advil 
•  Neosporin
• Pepto Bismol
• Tums
• Sun lotion

Always bring band aids! Little accidents can happen at any time. I have to bring a lot of medication due my health issues, I bring my sample medication which is the only thing that gets rid of  really bad migraines, Advil also helps with my migraines and headaches, I cannot leave home without it, especially if I do not have coffee every morning. You don't need to bring Neosporin but it does help prevent infection and helps pain so I rather like using it for bad boo-boos. Pepto and Tums I bring for my stomach issues, if I am i too nervous or eat too much they help big time. And sun lotion! Very important for summer cons. I've had two relatives get sun cancer, no way I am allowing myself to go under the sun unprotected. 

Clothing

• Sleep wear
• Undergarments
• Waist clinchers
• Socks
• Stockings and pantyhose
• Street clothing (Shirt, skirt or pants.)
• Sweatshirt

This is my problem. I bring too many street clothing when I wind up only wearing my sleepwear around the hotel during rest periods or relax in my bloomers. I'm only packing one outfit this time. I feel more comfortable with my waist clincher on, it smooths my body and makes my cosplay look great. Although I will not be wearing tight clothing this year. Bring something warm in case it becomes chilly if you are out at night or in your hotel room. Don't bring too many street clothing if you know you won't wear them. Those "What if" questions most likely wont happen. I've been to five cons and I only wear one outfit. 

Hygiene 

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Floss
• Soap/bodywash
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Face wash/make-up remover
• Deodorant
• Razor
• Shaving cream
• tweezers
• Hair brush
• Nail clippers
• Cotton swabs

 Hygiene is more than taking a shower. And it is so important to take care of yourself during a con. No one likes or wants to be around someone who stinks. So please wear deodorant, shower and take care of yourself. 

Make-up and repair

• Scissors
• Safety pins
• Sewing needle and thread
• Hot glue and glue sticks
• Clear nail polish
• Double sided wig tape
• Eyelash glue and false eyelashes 
• Lipstick +Lipgloss
• Eyeliner
• Mascara
•  Moisturizer
• Foundation
• Powder
• Makeup brushes
• Eyeshadow
• Sponges

Make-up is important for all cosplayers, men and women. It helps add to your character, improves your skin for pictures and even helps you from getting sunburn. You don't need everything I listed, that's just what we need for six characters. The best way to find out what type of make-up you need to do for your character go and look closely at some pictures of them, read the manga again, watch the anime just to focus on those small details.

Wigs + Wig care

Wig comb +brush

Spare wig caps

Bobby pins

Hairspray

De-tangling spray

xxxHolic

• Short black wig (Watanuki)
• Long black wig (Yuuko)

Watanuki's wig is pre-styled. Yuuko's still needs some styling and de-tangling before I can wear it for con. I already washed both. 

Trinity Blood

• White wig (Abel)
• Blonde curly wig (Caterina)

Abel's wig is on its way. It needs to be styled and washed before con. Caterina's new wig hasn't been bought yet. It will be soon. It will need to be blasted with hairspray before con, as the type of wig I'm getting frizzes really badly.

Pandora Hearts

• short brown wig with twintails (Alice)
• Short blonde wig (Oz)

Both wigs came pre-styled. I might do some touch ups during day zero after we unpack. Alice's bangs do need a bit of gel or hairspray to keep it in place. Otherwise both wigs are great. I haven't washed them yet but I don't think they need it. I may wash Alice's twintails so they aren't so tangled.

Wigs to buy:

• Caterina (Long blonde curly wig.)

Cosplay

Pandora Hearts

Alice:

~Dress

~Choker

~Gloves

~Shoes

~Ribbon brace

~Fabric leg accessory (No idea how to explain this really.)

~Ribbon wraps with roses

~Brown wig + twintails

~Petticoat

Oz:

~Vest

~Coat

~Long sleeve white shirt

~White pants

~Boots (Same used for Abel)

~Jabot

~Mini top hat

~Pocket watch

~Gold wig

Trinity Blood 

Abel:

~Black pants

~White coat

~Armor plates

~Boots

~Gloves

~Glasses

~White wig

~Rosary

Caterina:

~Dress

~Armor plates

~Bow

~Collar

~Rosary

~Boots

~Hoopskirt

~Underskirt

~Bloomers

~Hair bows

xxxHolic

Yuuko:

~Inner and outer kimono

~Long black wig

~Black platform heels

~Pantyhose

~Obi

~Yuuko's pipe

Watanuki:

~Jacket

~White shirt

~Black pants

~Black shoes

~Black wig

~Glasses

~Pipe fox

Obviously there is a lot to bring. But we're taking six cosplays so there will be a lot for each character. Remember the best way to make a list is step by step so you can focus on one thing at a time. You're less likely to forget something this way. 

I still have a bit to figure out and sew. I want to add something to Yuuko's inner kimono so it doesn't show as much, I just need to figure out what to do with it. I'm thinking about sewing ruffles, I guess it's a ruffle type of con, as everything I'm making has them. 

I'll be posting pictures as soon as I can. So stayed tuned.