Category: holidays

Do as the Victorians did and wear your best hat

Easter 2009

The Easter Parade is one of the few events in NYC that hasn’t really changed. It’s not a parade march but it’s still a great sight to see.

History dates back to the Victorian times when churchgoers show off their best hats, jewelry, and clothes after church – like one giant red carpet at a movie premiere. And it still is today.

On Sunday April 24th from 10AM – 4PM, 5th Avenue (between 49th to 57th) will be closed off for people who want to show off their impressive millinery skills. Whether you’re dressed in Victorian garb, Lolita, or just your best suit, head uptown for an array of hats.

There’s be big hats, small hats, hats made of Peeps, even the occasional cat in a hat.

And if you’re still up for more fun, head up to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan for their Easter-related programs.

Easter Parade
April 24th, 2011
10AM – 4PM
5th Avenue (between 49th and 57th Streets)

Children’s Museum of Manhattan
212 W 83rd St
New York, 10024


If wandering in a sea of hats is not your thing or already have other Sunday plans, NYC has other Easter-related events on Saturday:

  • The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is having a good old-fashioned Easter egg-hunt. Bring a basket, your best eyes, and gallivant around the museum for chocolate treats and toys. You may even spot Peter Rabbit! (Admission is $5 for members, $12 for non-members)
  • For those sticking around downtown, Trinity Church also has Easter egg hunts and other Easter-related activities.(Admission: Free)
  • If you’re a child at heart, but want a more adult activity there’s an Easter Weekend Greenwich Village History and Dessert Tour on Saturday (4/23) and Sunday (4/24) at 2PM. (Call 212-465-3331 for reservations. Tickets are $26 per person).

Brooklyn Children’s Museum
145 Brooklyn Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11213

Trinity Church
74 Trinity Place
New York, NY 10006

Learn to be Eco-Chic on Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day! New York City has steadily been on its way to being more green with it’s encourage of more bike lanes and opening more pedestrian friendly areas.

Celebrate with fellow eco-minded strangers and friends alike for a weekend dedicated to environment.

  • Friday: Times Square acts as place for an eco-friendly fashion show, see the latest in hybrid cars, browse various vendors who can show you innovative ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. 
  • Saturday and Sunday: Grand Central is holding a fair (Vanderbilt Avenue side). There’ll be music,  performances, and streetside art. Embrace the hustle and bustle of Grand Central without need to catch a train for once.
Earth Day in Times Square
Friday, April 22nd, 2011
11AM – 5PM
Times Square
New York, NY
EarthFair in Grand Central
Saturday, April 22nd, 2011
12:00PM – 7:00PM
Sunday, April 23rd, 2011
11:00AM – 4:00PM
Vanderbilt Avenue
(between 42nd and 45th Streets)
Grand Central Terminal
82 East 42nd Street
New York, NY

Happy Lunar New Year!

It’s the year of the Rabbit!

Be sure to be wear lots of red, eat lots of good food, and try not to spend those red packets too soon.

If you have the chance head to Chinatown today to and ring in the new year at Roosevelt Park for the Chinese New Year Festival from 11AM – 3:30PM

Or head to the Museum of Chinese Americas as it is free every Thursday courtesy of Target.

Chinese New Year Ceremony and Festival
Date: Thursday, February 3, 2011
11 AM – 3:30 PM
Roosevelt Park (between Grand & Hester Streets)

Museum of Chinese Americas
215 Centre Street
New York, NY 10013

Happy Holidays! Plus Things to do on Christmas Day.

I just wanted to give a moment and say Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone! To my fellow Lolitas, new and old and around the world, I hope you’re holidays  are full of frills.

Unlike most cities, New York City doesn’t shut down (completely) on Christmas Day.  So if you’re done opening all those presents, or just tired of your crazy uncle here are a list of things you can do in the city.

For Last Minute Shoppers – Select Holiday Markets Close on 24th!

Did you have a chance to visit the holiday markets yet? Planning to do some last-minute Christmas shopping? Or found something that caught your eye to buy later?

Think fast because not all the markets will still be around after Christmas.

The following holiday markets are open only until the 24th:

Union Square Holiday Market
Union Sq & W 14th St
New York, NY 10003

Thursday, December 23: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Friday, December 24: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Columbus Circle
New York, NY 10025

Thursday, December 23: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Friday, December 24: 10:00am – 8:00pm

Grand Central Holiday Fair
Grand Central (Vanderbilt Hall)
15 Vanderbilt Avenue
New York, NY

Thursday, December 23: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Friday, December 24: 10:00am – 8:00pm

This Friday Dances of Vice Holiday Ball!

Are you dying for an excuse to dress up and go all out? On December 11th, Dances of Vice (DoV for short) asks all little girls and boys to dress in their best and head to Rebel NYC for “The Secret Life of Toys.”

A winter ball unlike any other featuring music from Drew Nugent & the Midnight Society and performances from Company XIV, the Minsky Sisters, and a fashion show by I Do Declare — it will be a dream you won’t want to wake up from.

Doe Deere from Doe Deere Blogazine and creator of Lime Crime Makeup, will also be there giving free makeovers for anyone who wants to get into the true spirit of Christmas, Dances of Vice way.
So eat, drink, and be merry with Dances of Vice this Friday!

(Dress code asks for Little Bo Peep, Hansel & Gretel, Mary Contrary, Jack Nimble, Toy Soldiers, Dolls, Little Boy Blue, Puss in Boots, Wind-up Ballerinas, Miss Muffet, Jack in the Box, Queen of Hearts, etc – or vintage and formal evening attire)

Dances of Vice Holiday Ball
December 11th, 2010
9PM-2AM
Admission: $20, 19+ (ID required)
251 West 30th St.
(between 7th and 9th Avenue)

A Holiday So Nice, They Held It Twice.

It’s not officially marked on your calendar. You don’t have an extra day off from work or school. You don’t exchange presents (unless you want to). However despite the lack of perks, this holiday does have one: celebrating your love of Lolita fashion.

International Lolita Day (ILD) is a celebration of all things Lolita. With the increasing trend of Lolita fashion, girls (and boys) around the world wanted to have a day devoted to their love and dedication to the fashion to share with other Lolitas near or far or on the Internet. No one really knows how it began or who decided it, but it is an observant holiday that is equal to every known holiday combined.

Like Thanksgiving, we reflect on why and how we got into the fashion. Like Christmas, we get together with others. Like New Year’s, we think about how we’ve grown and how we should improve Lolita-selves. And like Easter, we dress in our finest and best to show the world how proud we are to be a part of a fashion that promotes layers, lace, and petticoats.

A fashion worn throughout the year, in all season — International Lolita Day was held twice a year to leave no frill behind. The first Saturday of June to show others you can still keep cool in petticoats and in December to teach others how bundling up can be less frumpy and more cute.

This Saturday marks my second year celebrating International Lolita Day. It was a tough decision on what to do this year, I’m going to see La Boheme at the Metropolitan Opera with friends.

Grand Central Holiday Shops Opens Today + Light Show info

The holiday season is definitely upon us. Winter holiday shop displays are starting to appear, the Bryant Park Holiday Market is open, and now the Grand Central Holiday Fair. Between now and Christmas Eve, if you have some time to spare waiting for your train or just killing time check out the holiday shops. I recommend stopping by the hat shop — all hats/fascinators are made in France.

Another event to see is the Grand Central Kaleidoscope Holiday light show. Starting 11AM on November 30th, New Yorkers and tourists alike can enjoy laser light shows every half hour.

Grand Central Holiday Fair
Grand Central (Vanderbilt Hall)
November 30th, 2010 – December 24th, 2010
15 Vanderbilt Avenue
New York, NY

Kaleidoscope Holiday Show
Grand Central (Main Concourse)
November 30th, 2010 – January 1,2011

Bryant Park Holiday Market Opens Today!

While I do miss the tents at Bryant Park, it also meant that the ice rink and the holiday markets would be set-up earlier.  The ice rink opened last weekend, but it’s not the same without the sweet aroma of kettle corn and apple cider and hot chocolate.

So if you have a chance stop by Bryant Park today and get a first look of what will be around for the next month or so. Or go ice skating for a bit and buy a cup of apple cider with a cinnamon stick to warm you up. Or find out what exactly is a chocolate syringe.

The Holiday Shops at Bryant
Bryant Park
Between 40th and 42nd Street and 5th and 6th Avenue
November 5, 2010 – January 2nd, 2011