Happy New Year! As the year comes to a close and we await the ringing in of the next (CST at least), I have taken some time to reflect on all my adventures and look forward to new opportunities to come. While I love my burlesque family at Bim Bam Boom, I’ve taken some time off to focus on my upcoming travel and other commitments. I’m also pleased as punch to support my gal Poppy Seed, as she joins a fresh new nerdlesque venture at Otherworld Theater with Crescent Moon Burlesque. Their shows are heavily themed, and the fairytale show I was fortunate enough to attend was something special. The space is lovely, the talent is captivating, and the libations remarkable. I look forward to seeing more!
The holidays presented me with lots of social occasions. There was a cookie exchange party, a meeting of the Pizza Club (I play a guest representative from the nation of TacoStandia), Top Tease Team Giftmas, and a quiet evening at home with my darling partner. I am truly fortunate to have so many wonderful people in my life and am humbled by the shower of gifts they’ve so thoughtfully chosen. My dear Poppy was so kind as to include a note with her package, to tell me what each and every item represented. I cried. Breast Friend, Kevlar B. Lightening hand-crafted matching monogrammed makeup bags for Poppy and I, and filled them to the brim with goodies. I gushed. G Gordon Libido gave me the coziest plush hoodie I’ve ever felt - and in my signature color purple. I blushed.
Michael and I have this inexplicable tendency to exchange gifts with the same theme. For our anniversary, it was that we made each other custom books to celebrate our relationship. This time it was a shared anxiety that the other would never have a use for the item, but such worry was absolutely unfounded. I now have a cosplay-quality Kaylee Frye jumpsuit! I squee’d. (Now, I just need a parasol! Any takers?) Of course, I’ll wear it! I don’t even need a reason. He seems pretty pleased with the gift I gave him. He released an album a while back, and I had a one-of-a-kind lathe-cut clear vinyl record made with custom labels and jacket. He’s a vinyl junkie and it just felt right.
Soon I will be on my way to Portland again. I have been spending weeks in my office, creating another costume to wear to the Wonderland Awards Banquet at Bizarro Con. I’m so excited about this year’s design. I’ve sewn a suit jacket with belt, a two-tiered ball gown skirt, and shoulder wrap. All in a heavy black pleather and emerald green satin with silver accents. All the buttons and buckles adorning them are from Etsy artisans, in Celtic knot patterns. I cannot even begin to tell you how many yards of lace I’ve hand-pleated. Seriously, I’ve lost count. Each time I tackle one of these large scale projects, I learn new techniques along the way. The challenge forces me to solve problems creatively, push myself to improve quality, and deliver on time. You can certainly keep up with me on social to see the final product in just a couple weeks!
There is a historic hotel dating back to 1924 in downtown Chicago, at the top of the Magnificent Mile, called the Warwick Allerton. It has some gorgeous views and beautiful rooms. In the crisp cold winter, we created Scarlet Seduction. The warm red lingerie is masterfully offset by the cool lighting Sean chose. I will forever cherish this set; the costuming is also used for a burlesque number and I’ve worn it to co-host the Ultimate Bizarro Showdown. VIP Patrons are getting the full 21 image photoset, and Backstage Patrons also get 12 beyond-the-set images this month! Be sure you're logged in on my site to view the images. Feel free to give the set some love by leaving a comment or clicking the heart below. As always, thank you to all my Patrons. You make art happen.
Photographer: Sean O’Connor, Syzygy