When real things happen to imaginary people

Do any of you out there in the LJ hivemind have recommendations for an easy-to-use, reputable Taobao shopping service? There are two different Taobao shops I would like to (eventually) purchase things from, but I'm not sure what shopping service to go with. Who do you like, and why?

(Yes, I have read a bunch of the Taobao reviews on egl. They don't really make things any clearer.)

Next, I need to find out if R-Series and Infanta offer custom sizing on the items I'm sighing over.

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In other news: holy bats, how did I not know about this thing?



That, my darlings, is a sterling silver and carnelian replica of the Dracula crest ring that Bela Lugosi wore. The one that Forest J. Ackerman owned. A gorgeous, gorgeous replica. Guess what just fluttered to the top of my birthday wish list? Oh my yes. I'd have to get it resized to fit one of my fingers, and that's fine. DRACULA CREST RING.

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I think people who are regular readers of my burblings know my answers.

Firstly, I would love to see a remake of Dracula. A remake that is more faithful to the novel. No tacked on love story (even tho' I must shamefully admit that I do like that in the Langella and Coppola versions), no changing characters around, and make Dracula menacing, thanks. Make the scene where he forces Mina to drink his blood to be chilling, because that's how it should be.

The other movie I would LOVE to see remade? Mary Poppins. Remember a few years ago when the "re-imagined" trailer for Scary Mary went around? Mary Poppins treated as very strange and creepy? YES, I WANT THAT. I want something closer to the books, where Mary Poppins is a force for ... something. Not necessarily for good or happy families, but for chaos. Weird things keep happening around her, and when Jane and Michael ask questions, Mary Poppins shuts them down. "How dare you suggest I would take part in such things? What are you talking about?" Mary Poppins isn't a shiny happy nice nanny, and I want a movie that reflects that.

- Went to the chiropractor, where he made my neck make horrible crunching noises. And lo! My headache went away! My wonderful chiropractor also showed me some exercises I need to start doing to strengthen my neck and shoulder muscles, so that maybe I won't get these headaches quite as often. Here's hoping.

- Altered my Beetlejuice fitted tee that arrived in the mail yesterday. It now has a scooped neckline with lace trim and B&W striped piping. Whee!

- Finished watching the DVD of Brazil that the StuntHusband loaned me. I had never seen it. Ever. Yes, I know, how the hell did I manage that? Let's just say there are some astonishing gaps in my my movie-watching habits, and leave it at that. Anyway, Brazil. Whoo. I wouldn't say fun, necessarily, but surreal and fascinating.

- Watched the DVD of the Frank Langella version of Dracula (which I had finally gotten around to ordering). I haven't seen it in ages, and had forgotten how swoony and pretty it is. Plus, Frank Langella keeps referring to it as a "gothic romance" in the bonus feature interview. Be still my bombast-craving heart!

- Decided my everyday top hat needed to be refurbished, so I rummaged around and found a length of wide antique black lace and a lot of black ostrich and coque feathers. I'll try to take a photo tomorrow.

- Redid my blood spatter manicure. Now with black smudges, inspired by snowcoma's version. Again, maybe pictures tomorrow.

Also tomorrow: writing, writing, writing. WRITING.

Some of Forrest Ackerman's collection is going to be auctioned off. (clicky-link!)

Including:

- Dracula ring worn by Lugosi as Count Dracula. ($20,000-$30,000).

- Cape made for Lugosi in 1932 and used many times for his stage portrayal of Dracula. Lugosi also wore the costume in Plan 9 from Outer Space. ($15,000-$20,000).

- A first edition of Dracula, signed by Bram Stoker and inscribed by Bela Lugosi to Forry Ackerman (also signed by a host of other Dracula-related personalities). ($6,000-8,000).

FIRST EDITION OF DRACULA, SIGNED BY STOKER AND LUGOSI!!! Yes, my heart skipped a beat when I read that. I need a very wealthy fairy godmother, or I need to start my life of crime now.

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Oh yeah, happy things! Things That Make Me Happy, Day The Third:

- Dracula. (oooh, I should read part of The Annotated Dracula tonight.)

- Cupcakes. (We stopped at Cupcake Royale after dinner.)

- That Ruthven, one of our adolescent boykitties, still chases his tail if he sees it.