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How To Save Money When Shopping At Elhoffer Design

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Here I am, talking about Elhoffer Design again. I just can’t help it. I love her stuff and I won’t apologize for it. I do know her clothing can be a bit expensive for most of us though. It’s a justified cost but that doesn’t change our budgets or add money to our wallets magically. I’m here to help you out with a few tips on how to easily save some money when shopping her designs.

Order Early

Elhoffer normally runs on a pre-order system. That means she’ll launch something new but it won’t arrive for a few months. She’s a small company and needs to know there’s a demand for something before committing. This is honestly the easiest way to save money when shopping. The first day of a pre-order is when the price will be the lowest. Over time the price will increase, finally reaching it’s final price. One current example is the Marvelous Punk Poncho. The day it went up for order it was $90. The final price will be $150. If you order it the first day verse waiting, you’ll save $60. That’s huge! You could buy another item for that price.

The Starpuff Special

Starpuffs is what she calls her customers/fans. If you go to the front page of her website, you’ll see a large button that says “Starpuff Special.” This will change on a pretty regular basis. I want to say it changes daily but don’t hold me to that. Here you’ll find some great deals sometimes! It could be a few pieces she found while reorganizing, items that only have a handful of sizes left, or just something she feels like putting up for sale. Sometimes the savings will be pretty minimal, where you save $10, and other times you could save $100 if it’s a dress or more expensive item. I try to check the Starpuff Special on a regular basis because you never know what’s going to pop up.

Newsletter

You need to sign up for the Elhoffer newsletter! You can find the sign up box on the bottom of the home page. Not only will you find out about new designs, but you’ll get emails about discounts and sales as well. She just had one the other day where she offered 20% off pink items and donated 20% of all sales to a breast cancer charity. Don’t worry, it’s not a newsletter that will spam you.

Elhoffer Design Market

The Elhoffer Design Market is a Facebook group where people can buy/sell/trade their Elhoffer items. You can find some pretty good deals here as people clean out their closets. In most cases the items have barely been worn. I’ve used the market a few times and never had any issues. I think we’re all guilty of rushing to buy something only to realize later it doesn’t really work for you! It’s a great way to find some older pieces as well and things that sold out. A few items currently listed include the Stars and Stripes Soviet Sheath Dress, Queen of Dragons Hi-Low Dress, Loyalty Cape Wrap Top, and Galactic Senator Hooded Dress. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Everyone is really good with listing all the details including if it’s a smoke/pet free home, any snags/stains, or weird fit issues.

And that’s pretty much it. So while her stuff might be on the more expensive end, there are ways to save a buck or two. Another good idea is to purchase yourself some gift cards. It’s a great way to stash some money away for something you might want to buy later. I actually do this with Southwest gift cards to help make convention travel a little easier. I feel like I need to add that I don’t receive anything for these posts. I’m not an affiliate, I don’t get anything if someone clicks a link. I just really love her stuff and want to help spread the word.

Only 140 Days Until C2E2

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C2E2 in Chicago is one of my favorite conventions. I’ve mentioned that before but it’s just a really nice mix of different talent, a wonderful artist alley, and I get to see most of my friends. Normally the convention is in March or April, but this year it’s much earlier, falling at the end of February! I’m very curious to see how this plays out weather wise. I feel like having a con during the winter months can always be a gamble. If you have guests/fans coming from the East Coast, snow and ice can be a big factor. Not to mention Chicago can have rough winters as well. I’d hate to see guests drop like flies due to weather concerns and most of them would probably be last minute. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that everything turns out OK!

On my end though I pretty much have everything taken care of! I booked the hotel for the squad and this time we’re returning to the Hyatt. A few new hotels have popped up near the convention center and over the past few years we’ve stayed at a few just to check them out. They were all fantastic options but we’ve missed being in the thick of things. And while one of the other hotels we stayed at was attached to the convention center, it was still a bit of a hike. When you’re walking around in cosplay, every extra step really adds up. Plus the staff at the Hyatt has always been great to us and this year it turns out they have the lowest rates! I was honestly very shocked when I saw that but I guess that’s one upside of new hotels in the area. The Hyatt is where a lot of after hours events take place too, like Drink & Draw. It’s a great people watching spot too! If you’re looking for a hotel during the show, I highly recommend it. I think they still have some rooms available.

They’ve just started announcing guests for the show. Comics wise they’ve announced Jim Lee, Cat Staggs, and Terry Moore just to name a few. Yesterday they dropped some big name “Star Trek” guests that include William Shatner, George Takei, and Walter Koenig. I’m really curious to see who else they add as we get closer to go time. I might have spammed their Guest Request form with Tom Ellis from “Lucifer.” A girl can dream right?

As we get closer to the show I might do a few more posts with tips, tricks, and C2E2 insights!

Cosplay Photographers I’ve Worked With

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I haven’t worked with many photographers but I’ve really enjoyed the few I’ve picked! I know how hard it can be to find a photographer you like. Are they easy to get along with? What style do they shoot in? What do their packages include? You put a lot of time and effort into your cosplay, and your photos should help show that. There’s nothing worse then getting back crappy photos.

Depth of Light Photography

Sam is a DC/VA/MD based photographer. She was the first cosplay photographer that I paid for a shoot! We worked together years ago when I cosplayed Elektra from “Daredevil” during Baltimore Comic-Con. She was a dream to work with. She was great with helping me pose, finding locations around the convention center that gave off the right vibe, and her editing was fantastic. She was on time and I didn’t have to wait long for my photos. Her rates are different these days than what I paid but she’s 100% worth it. I’d love to work with her again, I just need to get around to doing it! She loves shooting anime cosplays and attends a lot of conventions including Otakon, AnimeNEXT, Nekocon, just to name a few. Be sure to visit her Facebook page to stay updated on where she’ll be next, rates, and special discounts!

Butter Half Cosplay Photography

I’ve worked with Abby twice and would love to work with her a third time. She’s shot my Catwoman at the past two C2E2’s in Chicago. She’s another photographer who’s great with finding the right pose and location. She always checks to make sure you’re comfortable with her touching you with is always appreciated. She does her research as well. She knew my cosplay included a whip. Before our shoot she got online to figure out the best way to photograph it! I was really impressed with the extra mile she went. Abby is easy to work with as well. She’s super laid back and just fun to be around. In my opinion, that’s really important with shooting something like cosplay. She’s Midwest based and attends a few conventions out that way.

Justin Evangelista‎

I came across Justin and his work via a Facebook group for C2E2 cosplay. His style really stood out as something different and fun. The way he uses light and color is what grabbed my attention and I knew I needed to shoot something with him. He was easy to book with and offered a few different packages. It can be a little nerve wracking to work with someone new but Justin was fantastic. He knew exactly what he wanted to shoot and had a vision he wanted to get across. I really hope to work with him again. He’s based in Chicago and does more than just cosplay photography! If you’re looking for photos that stand out, he’s your guy. You can find most of his work in his Instagram.

I’ve shot with a few friends before but I wanted to include people who I’ve paid for photos. Like I said before, it can be a bit stressful to weed through all the posts offering packages. If you’re not sure about a photographer, ask a friend what they think! I sent a few links to my BFF Manda to get her opinion and input when I was searching for someone to work with during C2E2. If they have a Facebook page, check to see if they have any reviews or feedback. If they’re posting in a convention group, check to see if anyone is leaving comments about working with them before. In the end, trust your gut. If something feels off or just not right, move onto the next option!

If anyone has any questions about trying to pick someone, let me know! I’ll try my best to answer them.

Let’s Talk Nipple Piercings!

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I wasn’t sure if I was going to go through with this post or not but figured what the hell. It’s important to put different experiences out there. If I can help someone along the way when they’re doing their own research, then I’m happy to put this out there.

I had been thinking about having my nipples pierced for awhile now. It was something I was always curious about. I started doing some research late last year. I watched a few YouTube videos, and read some posts over at /r/Piercing. I basically just tried to read whatever I could about it. I know my body though and I know when it comes to piercings, at least my ears heal pretty well and quick. Of course this was a completely different body part! I just wanted to be prepared from everything to possible pain levels to after care and healing. After taking some time, I booked my appointment with Matt at Freyja Piercing. He’s the only person I go to when it comes to my piercings. I knew I’d 100% be comfortable with him and that all the jewelry they offer is high grade and top notch. I scheduled my appointment back in January. I knew I wanted to have it done way before Summer. I had beach vacations planned and I wanted to make sure everything was pretty much healed before they rolled around. This is something to keep in mind anytime you have a tattoo or piercing done! I arrived at the shop a little early. I wanted plenty of time to pick out my jewelry. They just offer such a variety I knew it would take some time before I landed on what I wanted. I ended up going with barbells that featured an amethyst bullet end.

What I picked looks very similar to this but I have white gold instead of yellow. The nice thing is that I can easily switch the ends out for different colors without having to purchase an entirely new bar. Which means if I want to switch out to black, or red, maybe opal, I can without any real issues or additional costs besides the cost of the ends.

When it came time for the piercing, Matt took me into one of the private rooms. Jessi was in the room as well just to make sure I was extra comfortable. Honestly, I really appreciated that! It can be a little weird to just have your boobs out ya know? He sterilized everything, explained the steps he would take, and all that fun stuff. Honestly, this was my 4th time seeing him and at this point, he knows that I know how everything works. He used a pen to mark the spots on each nipple and then asked me to take a look in the mirror. Everything looked nice and even and we were ready to go. I laid back on the table and he placed a medical sheet over the breast that he was getting ready to pierce. I’m having a hard time thinking of what it’s actually called but I just wanted to stress you aren’t just laying there tits out. Matt doesn’t use a clamp, and does all his piercings free hand. He asked me to take a deep breath and on the exhale he did the piercing. It worked exactly the same way for the second one. As far as the pain level, I’d put it around a 5. I didn’t think it was that bad but it does hurt. You’re sticking a needle through your nips ya know? Since he doesn’t use clamps, I have no idea if that would affect the pain or discomfort level. I chilled on the table for a bit and then took a look in the mirror was beyond thrilled! Everything was nice and even and just looked fantastic.

Now it was time to talk aftercare! As always, he stressed it was important not to move the jewelry around and touch them. You don’t want any germs getting in there. I could use the same solution that I used on my previous piercings. I had to be extra careful about not hitting my boobs on anything, and to be careful when it came to showering and drying off. You don’t want a towel or loofah getting stuck and ripping something out. Just typing that out makes my body cringe. He recommended wearing sports bra, even to bed. I did this for about a week before I was comfortable enough to switch back to my normal routine. If you wear anything lacy, like bralettes, you want to be careful again that nothing gets snagged. Also, you don’t want to rewear the same bra everyday. I know us ladies do this a lot but again it’s a hygiene thing! Luckily I’m swimming in bras and didn’t have a problem switching them out. I used the NeilMed sterile saline wound wash twice a day, once in the morning and again at night. When I was in the shower I’d make sure to let warm water wash over the piercings to help rinse away any soap or shampoo.

Honestly, I had a very easy healing experience. Any pain I had was gone by the time I left the shop. I never had any bleeding. I was extra careful and made sure to pay attention to things. Seriously, you never realize how often your boobs hit things until you’re actively trying to avoid it. It’s now been five months and sometimes I forget they’re even there. I don’t feel any weird pains, the sensitivity is the same, if not a little higher than before. I know that’s a concern for some people but in my experience, everything is cool as a cucumber in that department. I will say that my nips are basically hard 24/7 now. They were always a little bit on high alert but it’s pretty much all the time now. I don’t find it to be an issue but someone else might! While they might be visible depending on the bra I wear, the bars themselves aren’t. Now, this will probably all depend on the jewelry you pick. If you have something that’s larger on the ends (trust me, the options out there are endless), then you might run into an issue. I haven’t worn a swimsuit with them yet, so I can’t speak to if that’ll be a situation or not. But I can report back on that later if anyone wants info on it! As far as the gym, I took about a week off. Your mileage may vary here depending on what type of working out you do. I mainly do cardio and body weight workouts. If you’re someone who’s lifting or doing pole routines, you might want to wait a bit longer. You know your body! Just make sure you listen to it and you should be good.

Pricing will vary depending on the shop you use and the jewelry you pick. The picture on the end, you’re looking at $200 there. Body jewelry isn’t some cheap stuff you get at Spencer’s anymore. It’s high quality. Some have diamonds and other legit stones. It can be a bit of a sticker shock! But you can still find basic options that are affordable. I think each end (because remember, you need 4 of them), was around $36 each. Most shops offer basic starter jewelry as well that you can always switch out later if you want an upgrade. You don’t have to go balls to the wall your first time out. As far as finding a shop, a good place to start is the Association of Professional Piercers. Of course not every great piercer is going to be a member but it’s a good place to get an idea. They have an Instagram account as well! I recommend giving them a follow because they’re always giving shout outs to shops. If you have friends or family that have piercings, ask them where they went! The subreddit I linked to earlier is a good place to look as well. People are always sharing their piercings there and people are more than happy to give recommendations. In the end, it’s just about doing your research. It’s really no different than picking out an artist to give you a tattoo! Listen to your gut as well. If you walk into a shop and don’t feel comfortable, leave. If they can’t answer your questions, feel free to walk out. This isn’t just your money that you’re spending, but it’s your body too.

This post got a little long but it was worth it. If you have any other questions, let me know! I’m more than happy to answer them in the comments!

That Time I Checked Out Some Burn Notice Filming Locations

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I’ve always been That Nerd who’s curious about checking out filming locations. There’s just something about seeing a place from your favorite show or movie in person. Of course it’s funny too because of the movie magic that goes into making something look legit. I enjoy doing the online research as well. It’s fun to see if other fans have had any luck finding spots, or if a location isn’t actually accessible, or maybe there’s a sound stage hiding out at an old expo center.

This trip goes way back to 2009. I’m pretty sure all the photos were taken with a digital camera and not a cell phone. That alone has me feeling old and not in a good way. The TV show “Burn Notice” was enjoying its third season on the USA Network and it was a show I loved. If you’ve never watched it, do yourself a favor and check it out on Amazon Prime Video. I’m doing a rewatch now and I can’t believe I forgot just how perfect this show was. In December of that year I decided I wanted to head to Miami and check out some locations. This wasn’t my first time there, as I had been to the area before for Nsync events. I know, there’s a lot of nostalgia happening in this post. My friends Manda and Mel came along for the ride and we were able to find a few spots pretty easily! Now, like I said, these photos are from 2009 and well, the quality isn’t fantastic.

If I had to pick a location that most fans are familiar with, it’s probably these stairs. You see them in the opening credits and they were in the Pilot episode. The stairs can be found at Bay Front Park in Downtown Miami. And another note, I’m not sure what’s still around and what’s not. I’ll do my best to post updated information about the locations.

Since the show did film on location in Miami/South Beach, a lot of the hotels on the strip show up. The Hotel Victor was in Episode 8 along with The Carlyle. The Beacon Hotel was part of the Pilot episode after he’s dumped in Miami after being burned.

The main location I wanted to find was The Loft. Now, two different locations were used for this. The exterior shots were at one location, and the entrance/stairs at another. The later was filmed at the Coconut Grove Convention Center. The show took over the no longer used spot for their sets and filming. While I wanted to get out of the car and try and explore more, Melinda didn’t think it was a great idea.

I believe the building used for the exterior shots is no longer there. It was demolished and a new building now stands. The convention center was demolished in 2013 to make way for a new park after “Burn Notice” wrapped up their final season. Honestly, they would have probably saved money if they just had let Fiona blow it up with some C4. I have a bunch of photos of some fancy houses from boat tours that were probably used for filming purposes but honestly, that’s way too hard to track down.

So there you have it! One of my first trips into checking out and exploring random filming locations. I honestly wish I could go back and visit some of these locations again and get better photos but that’s not possible. Instead I’ll just remember that time Melinda yelled at me to stay in the car and not climb over a fence into an off limits area. I mean, what could have possibly gone wrong?

Jordandené: The Perfect Casual Nerd Clothing Option

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I might seem like a fancy bitch who has it together fashion wise but I’m mostly a tee shirt and and jeans type of girl. I’m lazy and it’s easy. But it’s hard to find nerdy related shirts that don’t scream in your face. I don’t always want or need a comic book cover on a tee. Sometimes I just want something simple and laid back, but still gets the point across. That’s why I love Jordandené. Her designs are simple yet perfect. The company focuses mainly on famous quotes from some of our favorite fandoms like Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Supernatural, and a million others. Plus they do this thing where every month they feature a different Shirt Of The Month. Sometimes they bring back an old favorite, other times it’s something brand new and limited. And while their prices are very affordable, the shirts are amazingly comfy! They’re soft and perfect for year round wear. Plus all their products are manufactured in sweatshop-free environments.

They don’t just offer clothing though, they have some really cute coffee cups too! They feature the same quotes you find on the shirts and are a perfect way to show your fandom side at the office. I have a “Not Bad For The End Of The World” cup myself, which seems kinda perfect these days. You can find more mug options here. Or maybe you’re part of the enamel pin craze? They have you covered too.



If you’re someone who attends comic conventions, you’ll be sure to find them with a booth! Everyone who works for Jordandené are sweet and very easy to talk to. If you have questions about fit or style, they’re more than happy to help! In fact, they’re going to be at New York Comic Con, Booth 1378! Not only that, but they’ll be featured on a few panels as well. You can learn more about their NYCC plans on their blog.

Oh and don’t forget to sign up for their rewards program! You’ll earn points by shopping, following them on social media, and signing up for newsletters. It’s honestly super easy and who doesn’t love earning discounts? Do any of you have some of their products in your closet? Let me know below!