Pretty scary eh? This is Soapy Sophie from my previous blog post modelling the shocking wig I attempted to create so I could go to the assassins-themed fancy dress party as Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction.
You may remember I asked for ideas and, amongst some splendid suggestions from you all, including Emma’s Mick and Bianca Jagger combo because she hadn’t really got a handle on the theme, Uma Thurman and John Travolta’s iconic duo appealed to us. I had a long white shirt and cut-off black trousers and Dougie…well, Dougie had a suit.
As usual, having had plenty of time to plan this, we left it to the day before New Year’s Eve to decide who we would go as and how we could re-create the look. Our local fancy dress shop had an excellent black bobbed wig on their website but when I turned up, it was out of stock. Not one to give up, I bought an alternative: it was an Egyptian Lady wig: very long with ribbon threaded through it. I maybe should have been sensible here and opted to go as Cleopatra but my heart was set on Uma and I reckoned I could alter it.
Once I’d taken all the ribbon out, the plastic hair was far too wavy and full of static. I’d been told that heat doesn’t work on synthetic wigs but, feeling brave, tried to flatten the bumps by ironing it though a tea-towel. It melted. Thankfully the melted chunk was at the bottom of the wig which would need to be chopped anyway. Dougie was brought in at this stage to sit in the kitchen with the wig on his head while I set to with the scissors. It’s harder than it looks to cut straight. As you can see from the photo, this was Uma Thurman channelling Crystal Tipps (those old enough to remember will know what I mean: those who aren’t, click HERE).
There was no way I could go to the party looking like this and, at 6pm New Year’s Eve, we had to think again…and quick. I decided, having a black dress and a string of pearls, I could manage to re-create another reader’s suggestion of La Femme Nikita from the 1990 film. Dougie would have needed to grow a large amount of stubble and find a long tweed coat in just over an hour if he was to dress up as Victor the cleaner from the film. Thankfully YouTube came to the rescue and I found the restaurant scene from the film where Nikita is given instructions from her boss, named Bob. Bob wears a smart suit and tie. Dougie was Bob. Sorted.
Rory had also been invited to the party with his pal and they picked up on yet another idea from the original comments on my post, going as Eric and Dylan, the Columbine killers. A rather grim and unsettling choice, I have to admit, but as we can’t get Rory’s checked Superdry shirt off his back at the moment, he looked just right.
Most people had interpreted the theme as villains or baddies rather than hit-men per se. Amongst the party-goers there were a couple of Rambos, an assortment of James Bond look-a-likes and some Mr and Mrs Smiths. One friend came as the milkman from the Bond film. The Living Daylights, although no-one quite remembered that there was a milkman and presumed she (yes, she) had mistaken the theme at first and come as Benny Hill.
A slight issue with the food. We thought it was going to be a drinks party with nibbles so I insisted we eat before we left, making the family a lamb biryani. We arrived to discover that although there were dozens of teenagers demolishing a buffet, there was a dinner party arrangement for the adults who were there. We were ushered into the dining room for a big sit-down meal….moroccan lamb. Just a small portion for me, thanks!
After dinner we played mini-roulette with black vodka and port. Each adult had a red and black shot glass with three numbers on each. To win chips, if your number came up, you had to drink the corresponding black or red drink or, if you were stupid enough to have decided to drive, like me, you opted for a quiz question on James Bond and villains. There was something unbalanced with the roulette wheel as four numbers came up all the time including mine, red 16. I was then quite grateful I was driving as I’d have been completely trollied otherwise. My knowledge of villains was limited but I did impress with my recollection of Ursula Andress’s Golden Globes.
The large group of 18 year old teens behaved reasonably well with only a few spilt drinks and one or two maudlin “Oh I love you, man” chaps staggering about after midnight. Rory and his smaller group of 14/15 year old male friends, despite their tongues hanging out at the array of 18 year old female flesh on show, complete with garters and guns, knew their place and found a home in the host’s son’s bedroom. Thankfully their stash of beer and alcopops they had hidden in a chest of drawers was soon discovered and confiscated. Rory swears he only had a J2O.
Sorry the Uma thing didn't work out but, given the hair technicalities, probably a good call! You would also have had to do "the dance" too – it's a prerequisite. 😉
Apparently wigs are very hot anyway. Am laughing at the kids stashing the drinks, to be fair they HAVE to try it on, it is a right of passage! Happy New Year! Jen
Steve – I'd been practising the dance 🙁
Jen – Indeed: we all had a chuckle and wondered at what point they'd managed to snaffle the bottles!
Glad you thought about my 'Uma/John' suggestion!
And glad you didn't light a match near that wig!!
Y'Know Rory will only go to parties with you for a few more years so do treasure these times…not necessary for me to say that really is it 'cos I'm sure you both do.
Libby – Loved your suggestion: will still keep it in mind for the future and get a better wig next time!
Rory was such a sweetie last night: it was great for us to have him there with us. And good to see many of the kids we've watched grow up now turning into young adults. They didn't seem to mind us old farts being there – though we tried to stay in the dining room so we didn't cramp their style!
Laughing my head off imagining you trying to sort out the wig… Glad you went for my Nikita suggestion, yes, Bob was the other – easier – option! I am a bit confused, though… Was The Cleaner called Vincent in the English version?? Because he is definitely Victor in the original French one!
Funky wellies – Yes, you're right, he was called Victor. Vincent was the name of the John Travolta character from Pulp Fiction! I got the first two letters right haha! Will alter it.
Happy New Year Xx
What? No photo of Dougie in the wig? The Boy is the same age as Rory and we let him have his first party without adults just before Christmas. We came home at 11.30 expecting to be met with a scene of devastation despite reading our list of 'No's' to the assembled throng of 14/15 year olds (No drink, no smoking, no bedroom behaviour, etc) to find the place spotless – they'd even hoovered! I'm loving 14/15 year olds!
Posh Totty – And to you and your family. Hope 2011 is a happy and healthy one x
Wylye Girl – Dougie refused to be photographed in the wig: can't think why.
Respect to your boy and his friends. Hoovering too!! I gave some warnings to mine before we arrived at the party and he was very sensible even when some of his pals took advantage of the hidden hooch.
Really nice wigs good work ,,
Wigs – a spam comment to make me laugh: I wouldn't want to see your wigs if you think my effort is good!
Sounds a good laugh, but a bit annoying you didn't know there'd be food. Was there no mention on the invitation?
Happy New Year!
Sarah – Happy New Year!
The invite was via a text and seems fairly relaxed, especially with all the teens going, so I imagined a buffet at most. Dougie happily wolfed down his second dinner!
Soapie Sophie looks like something from a Stephen King movie. She is scary.
Black vodka and port… wow… I want an invite to the next party 🙂
Cate – she hasn't got a body either – just a pair of arms and a hole in her hand!!
Next time we go to the party I'm not bloody driving.
Please, please, please have that picture as your twitter avatar… that is all.
Well as I read down your posting I was expecting ultimately to see a photo of you both in your fancy dress. Unlike you not have posed for a photo!
My own recollection of Ursula Andress's Golden Globes is that yes, they were nicely tanned.
Very Bored – your wish is my command. It is done!
Troy – I did have a photo of me as Nikita and then was faffing about with an alternative from the party and took it out altogether. The one of Dougie was all blurred but it was just a man in a suit. Will put mine back in for your perusal.
Fright night!! Your avatar nearly gave me a heart attack. Remember that bit in the film where they have to plunge a syringe into Uma's heart after she's OD'ed? Yeah, that.
Glad you had a good time. Happy New Year!
That man is a saint! I don't think I could get the Ball & Chain to sit with a plastic wig on for anything.
Deer Baby – blame Very Bored! Best not plunge a syringe into my blow-up Uma or she'll be whizzing round the room in a flash.
Happy New Year to you and yours too xx
Expat Mum – I did ask him to cut the wig while it sat on my head but he didn't fancy doing the chopping. What was worse, Rory's pals turned up in the middle of the haircut: Rory was mortified!
Black vodka. Is that racist? Sounds like you had a fun night. When I was young (sssshhhhh) I used to hide alcohol throughout the house– mostly bottles of champagne from a wedding that was hosted chez mes parents. Do I dare ask? Is that a blow up doll?????
Samantha – It's a blow-up bath pillow: Soapy Sophie has a head and arms but not much else! (see previous post for a photo of her in situ).