Saturday, August 29, 2009

Princess Leia Metal Slave Bikini

I never knew how much of a following this costume actually had until I started doing some research on a  custom order for it about 5 years ago!   It is recreated from the unforgettable scene in Return of the Jedi when Jabba the Hut has Leia chained up as a slave.   It is definitely a daring costume…not sure if I will ever have the guts to wear this one myself, but many gals out there can pull it off.   I offer it in appx. sizes 2-8 through the link to the right.

My version of this recreation is hand sculpted to fit out of a flexible rubber clay and wire.  Each piece is detailed, carved, shaped, bent, and painted by hand, so no two bikinis are alike.   There are a few other versions of the bikini found online, but seem to be made of resin which does not have any give to it and are made from a cast, each one uniform.  By adding flexibility to the costume, I hoped (and succeeded) to add a bit more wearability to the getup. 

I WILL be doing a picture tutorial for this costume very soon.  It is really not as  hard as it seems and with a willing model, some artistic sculpting talent,  and LOTS of time.

 

 There are alot of  pieces involved in this costume!  2 side hair clips, a pony tail clasp, arm band, bracelet, choker with chain, bra top with accents, skirt plates, sidehooks, fabric panels and bra cups and shoes!  I do not at this time offer the matching boots, but a pair of ugg boots will suffice until I can perfect the boot toppers.

From my research, from the acutal movie, there were a few different versions.  There WAS an actual metal one, but it was only used for still shots.  The ones used for action were more wearable.  I use a tan suedeclotoh usually for the fabric in the bra cups, and a silky maroon fabric for the skirt panels.  The rest of the costume is the rubber clay sculpted around a wire base for stability.    I use a wonderful antique bronze colored paint to give it the metallic look.  As this costume takes me about two weeks working full time on it to a month of steady work, I am MORE than happy to pass on info on how you can make your own.  I can only handle so many orders of these!

 

 I could go on with research and pictures of this costume, but for now decided to just detail my version.  It has come through several redesigns to get it more screen accurate and might go through a few more, since each one is unique. 

All you ever wanted to know about this costume can be found at  www.leiasmetalbikini.com . 

Purchasing information can be found at  www.miala.net

[Via http://mialacostumes.wordpress.com]

Thursday, August 27, 2009

The plan.

So, by the looks of it my blog is being overtaken right now with my health goals! Sorry, I was mia for a while, I was wrapping up school for the semester, moving and among some other things!

Here is the quick update: I have continued to lose 3 pounds a week since my last post for a grand total of 9 pounds to date. I feel good and motivated. A friend asked in my last post what I was doing, it is quite simple to be perfectly honest. Here is my plan:

  • Right now I am cutting out a lot of sugar (experienced a HUGE crash from this, not fun) and drinking a lot of water. I drink at least 1.5 liters of water a day and shoot for 3.
  • I also eat small meals all the time, things like nuts, low sugar fruit (blueberries, cantalope, etc), raw veggies…. I primarily eat my carbs in the morning and heavier on the protein later in the day.
  • You know, on that last point, what I really have been practicing is listening to my body. If I am hungry I eat, if I really am not, I don’t. What I am finding is that I am not (really) that hungry most of the time. That is the basics to my madness right now. If I eat, it usually consists of the items listed in the previous point.
  •  I also treat myself to dark chocolate. Dark Chocolate covered Almonds at Target for $1.67 to be precise.
  • I haven’t even really been working out- yet. At least not the last 3 weeks. I try to walk a little more and well, moving this past weekend included a great deal of physical activity… I hope to add something to my schedule soon, but I feel good about the eating habits I am creating.
  • Don’t laugh, but I also tell myself everyday that “I eat to live, I do not live to eat.” Ok, laugh if you want to, it is kinda funny, but it helps me align my improper thoughts and relationship with food that I have built over the years.

I feel pretty motivated right now and when I am not I just remember what I am moving towards… looking hot in a bikini… I mean taking good care of my health!

[Via http://jennifergraham.wordpress.com]