Friday, January 28, 2011

City Bakery's Hot Chocolate Festival

Chocolate lovers should jump for joy, unite in masses and head to the City Bakery in Union Square during February.

Why? For the City Bakery's annual Hot Chocolate Festival.

Hot chocolate is a fickle drink that acts like it's always going through the "terrible twos." It can be thick and syrupy or watery with lots of marshmallows or mixed with chili peppers because it wanted to see if it tasted good (Answer: it does!)

And for those who can't get enough of it, the City Bakery started a festival where for each day in February they have a new flavor of hot chocolate. Sweet deal, no?

Try flavors like Moulin Rouge, Earl Grey, Arabian Nights or my favorite Ode to the Polar Bear.

via Time Out New York

Hot Chocolate Festival
City Bakery
3 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011

Friday, January 21, 2011

"On Stage in Fashion" Exhibit at NYPL Ends Tomorrow!

Who knew a library could be more than just books. "On Stage in Fashion" is an exhibit at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, Donald and Mary Oenslager Gallery.

The exhibit showcases the ever-graying lines between fashion and art. Featuring the dirndl worn by Mary Martin in the "Sound of Music" to Renee Fleming's costume from "Thaïs." See designs by Christian LaCroix, Chanel, Lanvin, Bill Blass, and more.

Be inspired by your favorite designers and go to the library! Not convinced? Check out what the NYTimes has to say about the exhibit. Your last chance to see "On Stage" is Saturday at 6PM before these exquisite pieces of fashion history are back in the vault.

While you're uptown, I recommend taking a trip to the opera or just bask in the scenery of Lincoln Center. Or head to Time Warner Center for some macarons at Bouchon Bakery.

"On Stage in Fashion"
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza
New York, NY 10023-7498

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Lolita Therapy: Tackling the Frill Monster in the Closet Part 1

Anna Sui's Closet - Elle Decor
Apartment Therapy is one of my favorite websites. It not only provides helpful resources to find furniture and other home tutorials, but also provides pictures of other apartments to help you get organized in the right way.

I find this especially helpful in Lolita fashion. As such I'm going to start a series called "Lolita Therapy" to discuss such topics like how to slim down the wardrobe, store your petticoats and hats, accenting your kitchen, and just plain keeping neat. The posts won't try to turn you into a neat freak, but more keep your Lolita side organized and in check.

As you've started your Lolita wardrobe, I'm sure you've realized that one closet won't simple do. Your bedroom is already brimming with skirts, dresses, petticoats, and shoes, but it's still growing. It's probably to the point where you just have masses of skirts in piles on top of chairs because you're not sure where to put it all. (Note: This is even harder when you live in NYC and you have only one closet to share with your significant other or roommate.)

What you've got yourself is a frill monster - a collection of Lolita clothes that has no where to go but everywhere. (Keep in mind this happens with small wardrobes too!)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Crumbs Cupcake of the Week - Strawberry Graham

Crumbs' Cupcake of the Week this week is so delicious that it has no name. As such I dub thee "Strawberry Graham." A vanilla cupcake filled with strawberry preserves, vanilla frosting rimmed with graham crackers.

Grab this cupcake as a perfect start to your week.

Note: I suggest wearing country style Lolita while eating this delectably simple cupcake!)

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Window Shopping for the Old-Fashioned: Winter Antiques Show at the Armory

Chinoiserie tea set (at the Met)
Take your vintage shopping to a new level and make your way to the Park Avenue Armory for the 57th annual Winter Antiques Show.

The Winter Antiques Show is held as a benefit auction for the East Side House Settlement. Featuring over 75 exhibitors who specialize in Americana, English, European, and Asian fine and decorative arts.

Experience your own version of Antiques Road Show or go for feeling of being fancy and find a new inspiration for your apartment or dorm room.

Or add to that Grimoire-esque living room that will make your dolly-kei den complete.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Fall Gracefully: Tips for the Casual Ice Skater + Where to Skate

There are times where I wish I could ice skate like Michelle Trachtenberg in Ice Princess. If you haven't seen it, it's about a nerdy girl who uses simple physics and learns how to ice skate like a pro. (I recommend it if you're looking for B-movie goodness.) While we can't all skate like Michelle Kwan, we can learn how to fall.

If you have ever taken lessons or even tried for the first time, you know you're going to fall (at least once).

I still love ice skating.  When I first moved to New York and found out that Bryant Park had an ice rink, it was like longing to relive a childhood memory. I took lessons in middle school, but never kept it up. Surprisingly it's like riding a bike. Even in Lolita.

If your a Lolita who loves to ice skate or always wanted to try, here's some advice:

Monday, January 10, 2011

Crumbs Cupcake of the Week - Banana Split

Shockingly there exists something better than ice cream. And that is a Crumbs' Banana Split cupcake. 

A vanilla cupcake filled with vanilla buttercream, and frosted with Crumbs signature cream cheese frosting.  It even has chocolate drizzle and a cherry on top! 

If I wasn't on a cupcake diet, I would go out and buy one.  So please, someone tell me how delicious it is?

Check out more great deals on Crumbs' Twitter for more news and deals.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Disney on Ice Preview at Bryant Park!

If you are a fan of Disney, ice skating, or just need something fun to do then head to Bryant Park next Wednesday, January 12th.

Channel your inner Disney princess from 1PM to 5PM for a special preview performance of Disney on Ice's Princess Wishes. All your favorites will be there including Belle, Aurora, Jasmine, Ariel, Mulan, Cinderella, and Snow White.

And if you're lucky, you can get a chance to win tickets to the full event at Madison Square Garden!

Disney on Ice: Princess Wishes
January 21 - 23
Madison Square Garden
4 Pennsylvania Plaza
New York, NY 10001

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Navigating the subway in frills


Whenever I'm in Lolita and walking around Manhattan, it's like a different world even though I've lived here for a few years already. It must be the headbow blocking the blood circulation to the brain. When I'm in Lolita I seem to get lost more often and I need a certain technique just to get through the turnstile.

The New York City subway is one of the most complex subway systems in the world. Even New Yorkers get lost . However if you follow some simple rules and understand how to get un-lost, you can be well on your way to wherever you’re going.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Crumbs Cupcake of the Month - White Hot Chocolate

New York had a belated white Christmas. And as quickly as it snowed, it was soon quickly gone.  Never fear though because Crumbs has it's own tiny, delicious version of a white Christmas.

Crumbs' Cupcake of the Month for January is White Hot Chocolate. A vanilla cupcake filled with white chocolate mousse, with Crumb's signature vanilla cream cheese frosting rimmed with white chocolate chips.

Check out more great deals on Crumbs' Twitter for more news and deals.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Start off the new year with a trip to Sephora’s and Hello Kitty!

Sephora’s giving ladies a chance to buy Hello Kitty and not be ashamed by its cute face. If you’re make-up deficient like I am (or just don’t have enough practice), this is an opportunity to start stocking up or start experimenting.

Unlike M.A.C.’s collection last year, Sephora is focusing on the girls who grew up with Hello Kitty and couldn’t simple let go. Opting for a classy, sophisticated but still very feminine color palette, Sephora is channeling the glamourous side of Hello Kitty.

With a focus on subtle pinks and purples, contained in simplistic white and crystal molds shaped like this beloved Sanrio character’s face, this collection is made just for girls who are twenty-somethings going on eighteen.

Already have that hammer in hand, ready to break that piggy bank? Think before you act. Hello Kitty won’t be coming to Sephora stores until mid-January.

Until then check out becomegorgeous.com, which has a detailed preview of what’s to come.