Gold Workhorse Maintenance July 2011

Some pics of my old gold bra I have been slowly rehabbing back to life. You may remember I started ripping it apart and adding cup extensions to it sometime last year. I added about 1.5 inches to the top edge of the bra, repaired the broken fringe, missing sequins, added completely new hooks, shoulder straps and lining, and added some acrylic gem stones for extra bling.

Originally, the bra had looped stomach fringe along with straight fringe on the cups that mimicked the belt fringe. I ripped the straight fringe out years ago because it was too boob-tastic for my liking. I left the looped stomach fringe and sun-catcher stone hanging from the bottom. For the rehab, I have added tear drop gems to mimic the sun-catcher's shape and intend on adding them to the belt at a later date.

Detail of gem stones and new cup extension connected with a new row of silver "Ropes". The new gold sequins are larger and a slightly different color.

Instead of ripping out sequins and imbedding the gem stones I just tacked them on top of the original beadwork. It was actually harder than it looks. The bra is made out of something akin to titanium and almost impossible to poke a needle through. We will see how long the gems last floating on the surface.

 Back hooks and broken sequins replaced. Fresh new lining, Hooray!

The old straps and left over bra fringe from the original purchase are transformed into matching arm bands.

Gold belt rehab is next. It should not take as long as the bra. Right now, the belt is in one piece and wearable. Having just gotten the bra back together I do not want to take the belt apart. I have missed wearing this set.

~N

Now listening: IAMX
Mood: Fried Chicken and coleslaw

BD Vlog 17: Naima Dance

Some ad lib followed by a very butchered drum solo by Desdemona of TX. My performance at Prepare to Be Amazed Show Featuring Ashley Lopez at Club Vibe, Springfield, MO. June 24, 2011.

I Feel Pretty

Photo and editing: Chris Bryant, June 24, 2011.

Gold Bedlah Gets a Bath

Gold & Silver gets a swish in some suds.

I started working on bra extensions for this bedlah on this post and was still unhappy with how this old set was looking. Out of all of my costumes, this is the set I've worn the most and it shows. I decided to give it a long overdue bath in the tub and redo my alterations plus add more alterations than I had orignially planed. You know, do it right the first time.

Now the water looks like dirty pee (from the dirty yellow material under the bead work.

After squeezing water from the bra on a towel.

The bra, belt, and bra lining set out to dry looking 100% better than before the wash.

I took the lining off the bra before the bath and washed it separate. I needed to for the alterations and if it didn't clean up well I intended on replacing the whole thing. It cleaned up fairly well so I think I'll keep it.

Aside from adding extensions to add more coverage in the cups I plan on stitching open the looped bead work so the rhinestones can be seen. As it is, you cannot even tell there are rhinestone on it at all. The bath also improved the shine on the sequins. The better match the new sequins I am adding to the extension.

Get details on how to wash and care for your costumes on Princess Farhana's website.

~N

mood: That Greek yogurt Ananya found at Dillon's that isn't at the Dillon's in my neighborhood because they think college kids and ghetto folk don't like yogurt or something.

Manifest Destiny

It was only a matter of time before I could no longer deny the fact the my boobs have expanded and have begun to look for a home beyond my favorite gold bedlah. I bought this set secondhand and it was small in the bust to begin with. But, with some strategic plumping, fluffing, and haltering I have been able to wear it for the past 4 plus years or so. It has come time to do something about this Northern expansion.

I got lucky and had some yellow scraps of fabric from the yellow and orange costume I made 2 years ago. I began adding cup extensions by cutting strips of felt, lining, and covering them with the fabric to match the top curve of the bra. Once I was happy with the fit I began beading them to match the bra design.

I have attached the extention and  began adding a three dimensional row of silver beads to match the bra design along the seam to hide the original edge of the cup. The gold sequins and beads I am using don't exactly match the original which are smaller and have a more orange tint. I don't mind though. It is close enough in color and shiny enough that the 'Average Joe' won't notice. There is a lot of wear on the beading along the edges of the bra but I'm not going to replace it at this time (not really in my budget anyway). I figure I will just add some fresh fringe and new lining to help give it a much needed boost. I am now contemplating adding a little beaded side-boob cover as well. I don't need my boobs looking to expand to the East and West. I am playing this by ear so we will see how it turns out.

I've heard of dancers doing this same thing on their pro costumes by using the beaded headbands, wrist and ankle cuffs. The accessories on pro costumes already match the fabric and beads of the bedlah so there is really no additional beading needed to extend the cups. Unfortunately, that means no more matching accessories.

~N

Now watching: Death Note
mood: peach yogurt

Jinxy Week Continues: Rain and Greek Night

Naima and Sa'dia looking ractacular for GO Magazine

So we were rained out of the Hootin' and Hollarin' festival on Saturday. The parade was canceled and half of the vendors had closed or packed up to leave. I know this because we walked around in the rain with our umbrellas. When we left our house I put on "comfy" lace slip-ons because it wasn't raining then. My feet were soaked for the next 3 hours.

I drove the 2 hours back in and out of down pours in time to eat and get ready for Greek Night. I met up with Sa'dia, put on my costume, and my bra hook snapped before we left to dance. Luckily, I had a sewing kit and sewed it back on with about 5 minutes to spare before heading out the door.

There was a big crowd of 'non' Greeks who were scared to move from their tables. There was very little tipping or dancing. I totally botched my drum solo by ending and posing before the music was over. The second set went better but we only made $24 each in tips for the whole night. The owner accidentally over paid us $100 at the end of the night but we gave it back because we're cool like that.

The GO Magazine people were there and they took our picture. That was fun but we were both sweaty from dancing. My boobs look all squished from my crappy sewing job. I need to revamp the whole bra anyway. It so doesn't fit right anymore. And yes, I am that much shorter than Sa'dia.

*editor's note: " You both look JUST LIKE a Fifi or a Mona el Said (in Sa'dia's case; sorry, Em, you're too short to play the role of Mona :-)). " - KC. *snarf*

Oh yeah, and it was pouring rain again when we left. I arrived home with wet hermes sandals and I had to wash half of my tips in the sink because of muddy footprints and dirt clumps from the rain.

I was so glad to have the whole jinxed week over with, I started Sunday off by spending $6 on 3 pair of earrings and rose-tinted sunglasses at the dollar store. Things seem to be right in the world again.

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I am rereading the post I've just written and it seems jumbled and hard to follow. I apologize in advance for the incoherence. Yeah, this is how my week has been.

~N

Now listening: Muse - The Resistance
Mood: chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes