2016 Year in Review

Last blog post of 2016!! Can you believe it? I’ve been quiet this month, but I promise it’s because I’ve been taking the past few weeks to really prep for the upcoming new year. New years has become a very important time of year for me, and I want 2017 to be great. That is for next week’s posts though because today is to look back and think about how great 2016 was.

Yes, that’s right, I said 2016 was great.

If you’ve been following me on Instagram then you have probably seen some of my reflections already. I love new years because it is a time for reflection and rebirth. Just how great was 2016?

Best Moments of 2016

It’s not to say that I didn’t have some dark spots in 2016, but I feel like it is too easy to get caught up on negativity. I like to focus on the things that have made my life better, and leave the bad moments in the past where they belong. Here are just a few things from my personal life that have made the year so great.

• I got engaged!
• Josh and I got a new kitten.
• Attending new conventions helped me branch out as a cosplayer. My favorite three this year were Captain’s Comic Expo, PAX East, and Dragoncon.
• Consider me a world traveler. I went to Europe for the first time… I’ll finish my blog series on that sometime in 2017…
• Josh moved in with me.
• Kelly and I may have nixed running the actual half marathon, but our longest training day was 12.5 miles. That’s farther than I’ve ever ran without stopping for a break in my life!
• Cousin’s weekend 2016 in South Carolina was a complete success.
• I really found my voice for this blog.
• I started a YouTube channel, and discovered a love for being on film.
• Shirtnado sponsored me!

Social Media Reflections

I’ve already been extremely active on Instagram sharing my accomplishments this year. I just wanted to share them here as well.

I started taking commissions in 2016. In total I actually had five, but one was just trimming up a wig for a friend. These four were my biggest feats.

In my mind, I haven’t done that much as far as cosplay goes this year because I only completely made five costumes for myself. For me, none of them were that outstanding triumphs as far as showcasing my abilities goes, but when I looked back at all the new characters I portrayed in 2016 I can see that maybe it was because I was a bit distracted from actually focusing on bigger projects.

My year end total for new characters portrayed was 20! Some fun facts and a list of all the different characters:

1. Calie Liddle (Zenescope Entertainment): I made this costume in one night!
2. Supergirl (Superman the Animated Series): I also made this entire costume in one night. My sewing machine broke in the process that was supposed to be two days, and it turned into an emergency situation.
3. Christmas Usagi: I love Christmas Cosplay. This was the easiest cosplay for me this year, and I learned that the Amazon wig is really only good for one wear.
4. Walk of Shame Cersei (Game of Thrones):  This was my most popular blog post ever from Cosplay in Croatia.
5. Black Canary remake: This was upcycled from a bodysuit that was too large. I still don’t love this outfit. I think I wasn’t meant to be the Black Canary.
6. Bunny-Gwen: Made for the bunny hutch party at Dragon Con. If you ever want to feel sexy dress up as a classic Playboy. This was my own design.
7. Hipster Rei and Hipster Anikin: I designed the shirts myself, and this was a fun cosplay intended for wearing when I didn’t want to be in full costume.
8. Tinkerbell (Disney’s Peter Pan): This was my greatest accomplishment this year. I learned so much from this project. Someday. I will have professional photos of her.
9. Sock Hop Sailor Venus: This outfit was so comfy. I love it so much mostly because it was my own design!
10. Rogue: This outfit was made by Amanda Finley Cosplay. I borrowed it for an X-Men photoshoot. This was my first time wearing a costume that wasn’t my own.
11. Princess Neptune (Sailor Moon): I modified this outfit, and made the accessories myself. This cosplay will always have a special place in my heart because it was what I was wearing when Josh proposed.
12. Gothic Annie (League of Legends): Ahh. Here we have it. My year summed up in a costume. “I don’t have time to finish what I’m working on, so I’ll just piece together a different cosplay in three days before the convention.” More on that thought later.
13. Kim Possible: I decided to throw this closet cosplay together for fun for a one time wear. I never knew so many people would love it. I may redo her someday for real.
14. UMR Chan (Himoutu! Umaru-chan): Umaru is my spirit animal. I threw this together for a one day adventure to Momocon.
15. Red Queen and Cheshire Cat: I like to do one-day looks for Halloween, and this really showcased my makeup skills.
16. Chibi Umaru (Himoutu! Umaru-chan): Did I mention Umaru is my spirit animal? This cosplay was for running around the hotels at Dragoncon with rum and coke.
17. Spider-Gwen: Gwen has defined my 2016. She has been my go-to for every event. I don’t plan on abandoning that anytime soon.
18. Carrie Kelley (The Dark Knight Returns): Carrie was recommended to me by a friend, and I instantly fell in love. This costume taught me so much.
19. Cosmo and Wanda (Fairly Odd Parents): Another Halloween costume that was made in a day. This will be a full on cosplay someday just you wait.
20. Femme Red Hood: The last cosplay of 2016 was a huge hit at Big Fandom Greenville. I decided to transform my Black Canary the morning of the con as I don’t plan on wearing her again.

I also love the Instagram Best Nine because it tells me what my readers and followers love.

Thank you so much for all of your support this year! What was your favorite moment of 2016? What are your New Year’s Eve plans? I wish you a Happy New Year, and look forward to moving into 2017 with all of you. Leave a comment, and don’t forget to subscribe via email or Bloglovin’ to never miss a post! 

PS in case you missed it check out my 2016 Year in Selfies. Make sure to subscribe to my channel if you haven’t already!