#I’ll make sure to post some pics of the finished product on Halloween :)

[randum-famdoms]

Been spending the day looking for things to try and remake my old Kaminari cosplay on a budget. I wanted to do either Reki from Sk8 or Akechi from p5 this year but both would require almost entirely new materials (and reki would require buying a skateboard because I do not do shit by halves).

I had so many PLANS for this shit. but noooooo I had to get in a car crash and destroy my annual cosplay budget. Of course. So instead, remaking Kaminari it is. He was my very first cosplay and holds a special place in my heart, and I was planning on redoing parts of him anyway so this is as good of an excuse as any.

regardless tho, shits still expensive. my old jeans no longer fit, and while i have a good shirt and a sweatshirt that would work, id been planning on buying a yellow and black varisty jacket and ironing lighting decals to the arms. buuut….. jeans and varisty jackets are both expensive. plus i need a new wig because my old one is a cheap amazon wig rather than an actual cosplay wig. and I need to keep this under $100 US.

id also wanted to pierce my ears for this because i found some really sick lightning dangle earrings, but uh. yeah that's nit happening on this budget. so i was like "okay, ear cuffs and clip ons it is!" but somehow all the nice ones are even MORE expensive than paying for both the piercing and earrings? like no joke, the combo of 2 cuffs i liked best are almost $100 by themselves! thats fucking insane!!! no hate to the sellers on etsu tho, they're handmade and I respect the craft.

Anyway, the wig will be $30, I found some cheaper earrings that I like (tho not as much) for ~$20, Lightning decals come out at $20 as well, coloured contacts are $18, jacket is $40, and new jeans are $20….

Yeah, something has to go. It’ll probably be the earrings, they’re just fun. But that still totals 128, and that isn’t even calcuating shipping and tax. I might nix the jeans, except I’ve been wanting some new ripped black jeans anyway. So it’s probably gonna be the jacket and decals, sadly. They would’ve looked so damn cool, but I can always save up to get them another time. Right now the wig and contacts are the most important things, mainly the wig tho cause the contacts won’t last forever. Who knows, maybe I’ll bite the bullet and go slightly over budget to get the jacket and decals plus wig and go without contacts.

Really I just felt like complaining. This isn’t important at all lol, but it brings me joy and I’ve been a bit lacking in that lately so realising that I can’t even afford to do what I was envisioning for my one cosplay this year kinda sucks. Regardless, I’m determined to make it look cool. I’ve had practice styling wigs now, and kaminari’s can’t be harder than Nagito.

[nancypullen]

Wash, Dry, Fold, Repeat

That’s what I was thinking about as I finished that same task in my laundry room.  It’s been almost six months since we locked down and every day feels like wash, dry, fold, repeat.  What are you doing to shake things up?  Anyone starting new hobbies or trying anything crazy?  I’m interested. There’s got o be more to life than folding towels and tee shirts.

Speaking of tee shirts, that’s all I wear anymore.  Yoga pants and tees.  This fall I’ll probably switch to yoga pants and sweatshirts.  FYI, I don’t do yoga - I’m just a fan of stretchy pants.  During this pandemic I have given up...given up makeup, given up coloring my hair, given up wearing bras, given up any attempt at being fashionable by any definition.  I’m a sight to behold.  On the rare occasion that I venture out I just slap on a ball cap and a mask.  No one knows what’s under either.  I do conform to society’s rules and wear a bra when I’m out in public.  I mean, if you’ve ever seen the movie The Blob you’ll know why.  It’s a safety issue.  You’re welcome.   It’s been interesting how things I thought were so important have become afterthoughts.  I spent a lot of time, energy, and money keeping my white roots at bay.  Now I look like this.

The first week of July was my last dance with the dye.  I’d tried a mahogany brown and it was not great.  I’m not 100% committed to the white, but I’m willing to wait and see what happens.  I’ve got nothing but time on my hands.  The mister swears he thinks I’m cute as a button even with my skunk style hair.  He’s half blind, but  he means well.  Silver lining (no pun intended), I’ve got an effortless costume for Halloween this year.  Remember Cruella De Vil?

I’m not tall...or thin...I don’t wear fur coats or have a bunch of dalmatian puppies for props, but I’ve got the two-tone hair.  It’s a start. I’m not saying I’ll never color my hair or wear makeup again, but it sure is easy and comfy NOT to.  And what’s the point?  So strangers think we look nice?  My friends and family don’t care. Personally, I’d like to grow a long, white braid, wear big, funky earrings and overalls, and spend the rest of my days making art and scribbling poems.  So why do we (I) get caught up in what society expects of us - that we’re supposed to combat aging instead of embracing it?  Pretty is not the rent we owe to take up space in this world.  We pay that through kindness, generosity, sharing whatever talents or skills we have - and none of that has to be in a big,world-changing way.  Every little drop of kindness creates a ripple that changes the world.  Do good things in your little space. Okay, I went from hair color to preaching about kindness.  I may be a bit stir crazy from the whole wash, dry, fold, repeat cycle.  These long, somewhat empty days have given my brain free rein. Combine that with the current state of affairs and I’m on my mental soap box a lot.  Good thing only the cats have to listen to me. Phoebe agrees with everything I say. She’s so loyal. If I’m making the bed. There she is, pouncing on pillows and getting under blankets. Then she claims the finished product and wallows in sunbeams.

If I’m at my desk she’s always peeking at me.  That’s fun because she gets warm from the sun on that window, starts to doze off, and her head eventually hits that little bell hanging from the peace sign behind her.  So that whole “every time a bell rings another angel gets its wings” is malarkey, when a bell rings a cat nap has been interrupted.

Ignore that messy desk.  I was in a creative frenzy when I snapped that pic of my stalker.  Sure, that’s what we’ll call it - I’m not untidy, I’m creative. What a rambling, boring post.  I probably shouldn’t have posted at all, but it was a chance to sit down and break up the day.  I do have some exciting news, though.  We were supposed to be packing for a wonderful trip to Prince Edward Island.  Canada is smart and has let us know that we are still not welcome there since Americans can’t seem to get the hang of cooperation and sacrifice for the greater good.  We wouldn’t have gotten on a plane anyway. So that vacation was a bust but Mickey still has some time off.  We’ll be packing the grannymobile and heading back up to Annapolis to see the grandgirl.  Hopefully it also give her parents a break since they’re still trying to work from home with a busy toddler ( Zoom meetings are probably loads of fun with a two-year-old loudly announcing that she went potty).  We’ll spend a few days with them and then instead of driving diagonally through Virginia, we’ll come down the coast to spend a couple of days in the Outer Banks.  We’ll bring groceries, eat take out, and basically roam with masks and hand sanitizer while avoiding people.  Most of the historic spots will be closed, but we can still do some beach walking, maybe see the wild ponies, check out a couple of light houses, and that sort of thing. We won’t be there until after Labor Day, so if 2020 stays true to form a hurricane will hit about the same time.  I shouldn’t even say that out loud. I’ll end this post with happy thoughts of a change in scenery.  I love our little patch, but after six months the walls are starting to close in on me.  Our last trip up to Maryland was such fun and made with minimal stops.  We kept a cooler stocked with drinks and snacks and were choosy about where we stopped for gas.  Masks and hand sanitizer kept risk to a minimum and no one died.  That’s the plan this time too, all fun and no death. What are you doing to maintain your sanity?  Are we the last people still trying to flatten the curve?  I know there are loads of people out there still running around, playing and partying, and I suppose believing the Idiot in Chief that this virus will magically go away.  Newsflash, it won’t.  So if you’re still a shut-in like me, let me know what you’re doing for fun.  And if there’s anyone willing to give me a drive-by haircut I’d appreciate that too.  The days seem long but we’re inching our way to the other side of this. The  average journey of the Oregon Trail from the Missouri River to the Willamette Valley took 5 months.  ARE WE THERE YET?

Hang in there, you’re not alone. XOXO, Nancy

[akissatmidnight]

The UK already had their Mother’s Day, so now it’s America’s turn! Since I’m a mom, and I love Outlander, I thought I’d make up a handy little list for you own shopping needs! So here are some cards and that will brighten up the day of your Sassenach mama for sure! Let’s start with some cards…

Mum, yer’ pure dead brilliant!

Show your mom you think she’s the bloody best with this cheeky card. Grad one HERE!

You Kilt It

Tell your mom who really ‘kilt’ it at being the best mom ever. Order yours HERE before it’s too late!

You’re Pure Brilliant

This card is pretty self explanatory. They’re available HERE!

Now, onto the meat…

The WeeBox

Now, Sarah and I both received and reviewed the WeeBox, which you can read and watch HERE, and I think it deserves a place on our list. It’s a carefully cultivated subscription box filled with authentic Scottish goodies, straight from the source! Now, Mother’s Day is only one day a year, but why not show your mom you care every month by setting her up with a subscription? Every month she could get a little something Scottish to make her smile, and you get to be the favorite kid with no more effort than plugging in your credit card info. Talk about a win! PS. The kind people at WeeBox have scheduled their Outlander box for September, so if you want a special delivery of Outlander items from Jamie’s homeland, plan your subscription accordingly!

Check out their website HERE and see if the WeeBox is right for your mom…or you!

A .Malcolm Mug

Waiting for season three is a killer, even for us book lovers! What better way to classically may homage to Jamie and his new life in Edinburgh, then with this mug that looks straight out of 1700s Scotland? Grab yours HERE and end each day with a sip of tea as you wait for September.

Claire’s Medicinal Tea

I found a shop that caters to the White Witch in all of us called Megan’s Marvelous Medicinals. Using Outlander as an inspiration at times, she’s created some organic, natural tea blends to sooth coughs, cures what ails you, and helps you fall asleep easily. Grab some bags here and pack it up with some a lovely mug for mom! Take a look at her blends HERE and see what might work for you.

Everyday Regalia

A store so nice, I’ve shopped there twice! We’ve done a product review for this Etsy shop in the past, which you can see HERE, but I’ve recently taken advantage of her ability to rapidly create custom pieces to have bracelets made to commemorate my historical book series (which I’ll obvi share pics of when I get them). The shop’s owner is very fast and willing to work with you to create exactly what you have in mind, so if there’s a particular quote or picture you, or your mom, favors, then just let her know and she can make something awesome! You can even have pics put in. For example, if you don’t know what your mom would like for Mother’s Day and you have kids, make her a “grandma bracelet”! Always a winner.

So if you’re looking at some quality jewelry that cane be made to your absolute liking, is cost effective, and durable, look no further than Everyday Regalia! Check out her shop HERE!

This Lovely Sassenach Shirt

I always find that this style of shirt is always flattering. I think half the shirts in my closet have type of neckline. This particular shirt from Esoteric Rhythms comes in 17 different colors from black to hot pink to a lovely plum. And at $24 it’s a total steal for something so cute. Grab one for the Sassenach in your life HERE…and one for yourself because matching is always adorable.

Outlander Apron

Is your mom head cook of your household? Give her something to protect her clothes that also stakes her claim to the kitchen! Grab an apron HERE and give her some more joy in the kitchen for next year’s holiday season.

Claire’s Ring (Show Version)

Always a classic Sassenach gift, Claire’s wedding ring is a tasteful way to show your Outlander pride without wearing a shirt with Jamie’s face on it (not that there’s anything wrong with that! This Italian Etsy shop offers just the item to add to your jewelry box! Grab one HERE for dear old mom.

Claire’s Ring (Book Version)

Is mom a traditionalist who favors the book? Don’t worry, Author’s Corner has the perfect ring to reflect the one Diana envisioned when she wrote the series. It even has “Da Mi Basia Mille” engraved inside to finish it off. Order yours HERE now!

Outlander Tank Tops

You know what they say about summer; “sun’s out, guns out”! Add some of these shirts from Glamorously Geeky to your mama’s summer wardrobe. Starting at $15, it’s really a great price for nice shirts you can get in a variety of colors. Order one (or more) HERE!

Lallybroch Teapot

Is there a tea drinking lady in your life that you’d like to spoil? Make her think of her literary home every time she makes a cup! Order one HERE and prepare a cup of something special.

Dixie Sisters

This shop has quite a few Outlander items that are suuuper cheap. You can get the notebook for $7.50 and the coasters for $6! You could basically make up a whole gift basket in a cost effective manner. Check out the Outlander line HERE.

A Druid Lantern

Get mom in touch with her druid side with an Outlander inspired lantern to lead the way. Fitted with a flame-less candle, it’s a great little piece to have to brighten up a room (literally), up your Halloween game, or make a power outage a little more fun. Order one HERE!

See the rest of our gift guides, lists, quizzes, and Outlander posts HERE!

Sarah and I both have books out now, so if you like our posts, you’ll probably love our books! First Semester is a thrilling college romance that you can get HERE. Queen of Emeralds is a historic romance set in the highlands that you can get HERE. Both of them come in paperback, ebook, and Kindle Unlimited.

Outlandish Mother’s Day Gift Guide The UK already had their Mother's Day, so now it's America's turn! Since I'm a mom, and I love Outlander, I thought I'd make up a handy little list for you own shopping needs!