The event: the Grand Cosplay Ball - a chance to dance and drink and socialise with friend and expo and convention attendees in fine outfits and enjoy an evening of burlesque, fire poi, singing and much more.

The place: Clapham Grand - an elaborate piece of architecture that makes you realise just how shit some other buildings look - the interior while a tad retro was mostly fitting and appropriate for the exterior tho a tad more of the art deco look would have been nice inside.

The day: Me and Marc set off around 12.20 to pick up Neko and rejoin her with Ryzy ^^ after a brief stop off at McDonalds we headed to the TravelLodge...

Now a bit of a story before we get to the day...

I recently got a job. This is good however it means not having many funds or much time to embark on a new cosplay venture-Madame du Pompadore from Doctor Who - The Girl in the Fireplace.

I found some fabric which I loved, a taffeta for £6.95 a meter in gold, embroidered with flowers. I also found some gold and cream upholstery fabric to make contrasting front pannels at £2.50 each, both just under a meter in length, 1.5 in width. Its a traditional pattern and very grand. I held off buying it til I checked my other local store and there I found the perfect material - gold, embroidered heavily, beaded and luxurious. Problem - it was £85.95 a meter O.O

So with that as my entire dress budget I went back to my first choice happily and very content to spend my cash on a good comprimise. The next issue...time. I had to work like hell but I got it done It was hardest cutting out the pattern as I have a hernia and leaning on it to cut out the pattern was damn painful. Also my wrists and neck didnt help either.

Kindly my mum lent me some antique lace and some velvet xmas ribbon that was wired. The pattern I had is one I bought to make a different cosplay some time ago but it had to be moddified a lot. It was a dress from a different era entirely.

Ishi kindly lent me his copy of Doctor Who and I got to work. It was a brave venture but a determined one. Then something went tits up at home and I couldnt focus on it. I had two and a half days left...

So I stuck in and worked hard. I was sad and so worried Id let Ishi down but hes inspired me to get on with it. I love him deeply and would never want to let him down. Hes the only person Ive loved like this...

Anyways, I got it done and was happy if not a tad worried that Id look like a complete tit.

So back to the Sunday...We travelled down there and showed Neko the delights of my ipod and I, as usual, sang to anything and everything! We got to the TravelLodge just after 4 with me busting for the loo and unbeknownst to Marc, we had to get ready asap for a suprise at 6. Kindly Liz helped me with my wig while I got ready. Marc got into his tux and looked mmmm mmm mmmmmmmmmm! He looked so gorgeous! If Liz and Jack hadnt been there I may have took him out of it then and there

Liz finished my wig and we headed down stairs looking fantastic and met up with Joe, Ailsa, James, Leena, Alex and Mike and Amber. As we stepped outside, awaiting us were 2 white limos much to Marc and Mikes suprise. We jumped into one of the limos with James and Leena and James cracked open the bubbly it was delicious! We had the limo til 7 then turned up at the ball in such style ^^

As I struggled out (collecting the cork as a momento - something I often do) we made our way to the ball and as VIPs were let in first ^_^ we made our way to our box and left our things taking in just how nice the place was.

We spent the evening socialising, relaxing, dancing and had a photoshoot too ^_^ it was wonderful. We spent the night mostly cuddling and kissing happily and danced so so much x

Favourite outfits of the night...well there was loads. Mike and Amber looked fantastic as did Liz and Jack. Kaka and Laura were very pretty and Neko and Ryzy looked so happy they were together ^^ There was a guy in a FF Crystal Chronicals outfit that was amazing - he did a fantastic job of it and we briefly danced together. I thought it was a shame some people got out of their smart outfits into jeans and casual wear...i mean its a ball, not a party. Princess Mark was at the front of the stage at one point dancing to Sweet Child of Mine in jeans...why? Well I understand he may have wanted to dress down a bit but really it shouldnt have been allowed. But it wasnt just him, it was a few people.

This wasnt like the Amecon ball where there was a party afterwards, it was a formal ball.

I had 2 other niggles. One was people entering our private box - no security to keep them out or nothing... it wasnt on and considering it was extra money, the only advantage was definate seating and the bubbly in the box.

The other was I had to tell a glass clearer to GTFO after he took our full glasses of coke and the staff left me standing in the middle of the hall like an idiot when I complained. I had to tell him to leave and not clear another glass til we were done. We returned to our box at the end of the night and was pissed that the only time security gave a damn about what was going on there was as we had to leave and then I got pressured to get out ¬_¬ they even took our champagn before the end of the night...

I didnt let it ruin the night but these things can ruin a night. All in all the actual event was fantastic ^_^

We climbed into the worlds dearest minicab and headed back.

Shortly afterwards me, Marc, James, Mike and Alex headed to a garage only to be told of a 24 hour mcdonalds - it seemed a good idea at the time...

Mike and me decided to come up ith the most vile sounding names for McDonalds food - I suggested 20 McFlanges and extra stinky sauce and Mike actually ended asking for a McBacon Bastard...then a McChristmas with cheese...then said goodbye to McFly hehe! We trundled back very late with our food then I started to doze on Ambers bed around 3.15 so we headed back to our room for snuggles and nuzzles ^_^

It was a lovely day and the monday was fun as we headed into london.

Ive never considered myself a princess sort but I certainly felt it at the ball! I'll add pictures of the dress and detail soon!