My joy splurge: Nemesis Prime R5

 

After catching sight of it at the Singapore Comic Con (you can read my review here), I couldn't stop thinking about it. So I decided to make the splurge. Even though it was not the cheapest model in town, it brought me so much joy. I had so much fun assembling it without the manual because I think it is more fun to be surprised. Plus it looked absolutely great on my work table (couldn't display it at home as the kids are bound to butcher it). 

Definitely think it is worth it because it is very well made. Each assembly parts (secret compartments) was designed with great precision. Generally, I don't spend that much on myself. But...I should really love myself more and indulge in little treats once in a while. After all, I only live once. <3

Where to get it: Shopee

Tips to make the most out of Singapore Comic Con

After much count-down, we finally reached D-Day. If you are new to the Comic Con, I would say that how much you spend/ enjoy would depends on what is being exhibited. Personally, I don't belong into any "camps" so I don't have one or the other sort of likes and dislikes. This year marks the year I spent the most at any Comic Con because it featured a lot of cute blind boxes (which I am horribly weak for) and transformers!

It doesn't help that it coincided with Disney's 100 so there was a lot of Disney Merch being sold. I had to put in a lot of self-restraint. If you have a family and a home (i.e. space to display), this is an awesome convention to look at statement pieces to decorate your crib. :)

1. Go every alternate year. The Comic Con does charge an entrance fees which can be quite steep especially if you are a student. I don't usually go for consecutive years, not just to save money money but because I like to see a bigger change. For this year, I could observe quite a huge change in the blind box scene. A lot more Chinese brands (which means more choice for us) and darn they hit me on the right spot that I even bought a few back. 


2. View every store first before you make your purchase. There is quite a lot to see and you will soon realise that you can't buy everything before you burn your wallet. So set a budget and make your decision. You usually see me shopping at the last hour. But note that popular items can get sold out. One of my plushie got sold out :'(
   
   
   


3. Bring cash! Some foreign vendors charge a bit more when you try to pay by card. Photography is free by the way. So if you are a looker (like me in the past), you won't end up spending much. Some of the items that I thought was really pretty included the mage handcrafted resin dice, hand-drawn scarves and glass printed posters.
   
   
4. Go with like-minded friends. Maybe it is me, I just don't think I can walk the grounds alone. I think I will end up spending too much or leaving early. It is more enjoyable when you have friends acting like your voice of reason :D





5. Free activities: There are free activities - like the painting of the figurine. I have been getting better and faster at it :D There are giveaways too but this year I was so busy shopping I didn't have the time to hunt them down. 


6. Food Booths: I don't remember there being food booths the last time I went. But there was this round and the price was really reasonable. We didn't grab food but we did get the drinks. 


7. Super Kids-friendly! They even had Bluey down this year and I saw young families pushing strollers and baby-carrying. I didn't bring my kids but I sure think they would have enjoyed it too (and may end up grabbing a toy or 2 back) if they were 5 and above. 

Singapore Comic Con Prelude

This is quite an exciting experience for me because it is the first time I am going with my toddlers to a comic con event (though it is just a prelude). I have went for a few renditions 2019, 2013 and 2015, you can click on each year to read the review and I always had so much fun. I am no cosplayer la, but I enjoy looking at the costumes and I have friends who are cosplayers/ toy collectors so I have a bit of an appreciation. 

The prelude is pretty much a watered-down version of the actual convention. Basically, there will be stores selling merch and limited-edition toys. There will also be artist booths where you can even score some commissioned pieces. I always enjoy just wandering around and spending more time on items that catch my eye. 

For the prelude, there was the kid's cosplay competition which I found it to be pretty cute. There is just something adorable about children dressing as mini manga or comics characters. These kids were really courageous too to go on stage. Some of the costumes/ props were handmade and there was so much effort. 

My toddler was less receptive to the adults' cosplayers in particular spiderman and black panther. He found the superheroes a bit scary which was quite a pity cos I am a huge superhero fan. Other attendees told me this is quite normal and "not to give up". It does remind me a little on our theater experience. We still have a few months till the actual convention. Let's see where this goes :)

Ending this post with a photo of the macaroons we drew ourselves. This was insanely difficult. I always thought it looked so easy to pipe. Now i know... Mac Bites is so talented and her macaroons was one of the best we ever tasted. There were other activities such as the painting of totems as well. But I was so overwhelmed with the toddlers, I couldn't do everything. Could only pick and choose one activity every time they knocked out LOL.