Convention Must-Haves

Ah, the convention life. It’s a tough one, but someone has got to live it, amiright?
All silliness aside, I love me a good geeky convention. Thankfully, Miami is stepping up to the plate and hosting quite a few in the months to come, but I still find myself eager to travel to check out what the rest of the country has to offer. I’ll be visiting the West Coast starting tomorrow, so if there are any great events I should hit up in LA or San Francisco, definitely let me know!

My next convention will be NYCC, and I absolutely can’t wait to spend it with friends old and new, while checking out what are sure to be some amazing goodies. Since I frequent these events quite a bit, I thought I would compile my top 5 “must haves” while attending a convention;

1. A Mophie iPhone Case; this has been such an incredible life saver for me. The Mophie case will make your phone a little bulkier, but it will guarantee almost an entire day of battery life. It has a built-in charger that you set to do its business once your battery life has been drained and voila! You are back at 80% in no time! They also have some models that will restore you to 100%, but honestly, I haven’t had any problems once I am back at 80. Struggling to find an available power source to charge your phone is absolutely no fun during a convention, not to mention a terrible waste of time, so this is definitely my number one recommendation!

2. Looq S Selfie Stick; I have to give all the credit for this find to my sister. We are both pretty big photography nerds and are constantly taking pictures. I’m really into iPhoneography, and love me some Instagram. However, I have a hard time trusting others to take pictures for me so that I am actually in them. This, of course, results in some selfie action, which never really does the job. With this selfie stick, you can lock your phone into an adjustable arm that has a mirror so that you can take the most perfect selfie while actually including whichever background you’d like to capture (i.e., convention floor, celebrity panel guests, or your gigantic cosplay group). I’m anxiously waiting for mine to arrive!

3. Really, really big bag/purse/tote; this is so imperative, ladies (& gents). You will get so much free swag while attending a convention, that you will not know what to do with it. A small purse will just not do. That’s without even calculating all the merch you will buy (think: posters). I always tote around an enormous bag, so this comes naturally to me, but for those of you that like to travel light…think twice.

4. Fandom-centric manicure; OK, so this may not be an essential per se, but for a girly girl like me, it most definitely is. My nails look so sad when they aren’t painted, and for special events like a con, I always make sure they look their best. Just recently I met Gena, from I Heart Nail Art, and she has pulled through with the most amazing designs for me (sometimes, even at odd hours at the last minute – total savior)! I especially loved my Sherlock nails for San Diego Comic Con (pictured above), but you can go fast and easy with these decals from Fandom Cosmetics. They can prove to be a pretty sure fire conversation starter!

5. Cash; I know, who carries cash anymore? At least, I know I don’t, but I try my best to have some in my wallet when I attend a convention. Although Square is taking over most booths, you never know when you will stumble on one that only takes cash and is carrying something you absolutely must have (oh, and it’s the only one left). Sure, you can begin the hunt for a nearby ATM, but who wants to do that when your prized possession can be yours in a nanosecond? Carrying cash can also help you budget if you do not want to blow your entire last paycheck on goodies – you know, in case you have a shopping problem. If that’s your kind of thing.

  • Desiree

    Great tips, especially the carrying cash one. I don’t usually have cash on me but pulling some out when I go to NYCC is a must. Wouldn’t want to miss out on something cause they didn’t take plastic. Maybe I’ll see you there :)

  • Desiree

    Great tips, especially the carrying cash one. I don’t usually have cash on me but pulling some out when I go to NYCC is a must. Wouldn’t want to miss out on something cause they didn’t take plastic. Maybe I’ll see you there :)

  • http://littlekittybecca.blogspot.com Rebecca de Roos

    Oh my gosh that selfie stick is awesome! I need to get myself on of those.

  • http://littlekittybecca.blogspot.com Rebecca de Roos

    Oh my gosh that selfie stick is awesome! I need to get myself on of those.

  • http://the.pyreflies.org/ Jessica at ThePyreflies

    Love the nails!! What cons are coming to Miami? I really wanted to go to Supercon but couldn’t make it that weekend. Hoping to make it to some more Florida cons!

    Jessica
    the.pyreflies.org

  • http://pyreflies.org Jessica Pyreflies

    Love the nails!! What cons are coming to Miami? I really wanted to go to Supercon but couldn’t make it that weekend. Hoping to make it to some more Florida cons!

    Jessica
    the.pyreflies.org

  • http://youfancymemad.com/ B.

    I might have to look into that self stick! I’m terrible at taking them, I blame my shortish arms, but this would be awesome!

  • http://youfancymemad.com/ B.

    I might have to look into that self stick! I’m terrible at taking them, I blame my shortish arms, but this would be awesome!

  • http://www.facebook.com/Gotcha.Images Megan Gotch

    I never like trusting people with my celeb photos either! LOL I might have to get the selife stick!

  • http://www.facebook.com/Gotcha.Images Megan Gotch

    I never like trusting people with my celeb photos either! LOL I might have to get the selife stick!

  • Kendall Ashley

    I’m totally with you on the cash thing. It can be so easy for me to just hand someone my card without even thinking about how much money I’m spending. Cash helps me reign myself in! And I’ll have to look into that selfie stick. I’m in that weird place of not trusting others to take my pics, but I often take hurried, blurry selfies. I really might need to invest in that!

  • http://distractedblogger.com/ Kendall Ashley

    I’m totally with you on the cash thing. It can be so easy for me to just hand someone my card without even thinking about how much money I’m spending. Cash helps me reign myself in! And I’ll have to look into that selfie stick. I’m in that weird place of not trusting others to take my pics, but I often take hurried, blurry selfies. I really might need to invest in that!

  • http://www.planetjinxatron.com/ Skye @ Planet Jinxatron

    I have definitely gotten stuck too many times without the ability to recharge my phone, and needed cash (especially small bills for tips) and did not have any! Good tips. That selfie stick is amazing.

  • http://www.planetjinxatron.com/ Skye @ Planet Jinxatron

    I have definitely gotten stuck too many times without the ability to recharge my phone, and needed cash (especially small bills for tips) and did not have any! Good tips. That selfie stick is amazing.

  • http://www.nerd-burger.com/ Nerd Burger

    That selfie stick is so rad. I am def getting one.

  • http://www.nerd-burger.com/ Nerd Burger

    That selfie stick is so rad. I am def getting one.

  • http://www.joiefatale.com/ Joie_Fatale

    Cash is best I did that for SDCC to budget myself this year, and liked the results!

    I’ve never seen the selfie stick before, but might need to get one! Sounds good to have all the time!

  • http://www.joiefatale.com/ Joie_Fatale

    Cash is best I did that for SDCC to budget myself this year, and liked the results!

    I’ve never seen the selfie stick before, but might need to get one! Sounds good to have all the time!