New York City Easter Bonnet Parade

 
It has been two years without the New York City Easter Parade and I was starving for some good Easter Bonnet action. The parade is one of my favorite events in Manhattan, where New Yorkers and enthusiastic visitors strut their best hats and springtime fashion down the city's biggest runway on 5th avenue. 

I always make my own headpiece. Previous years have included giant flowers and butterflies. This year, my inspiration was a little bit Midsommar, a little bit Atlas (the statue at Rockefeller Center). I didn't start on the piece until earlier this week because I wasn't sure if the parade would happen. I started with metal wreath frames that I wired together. I also attempted to solder them, but the metal flaked off. Then I took silk flowers and wove them in and around the frames. I finished the headpiece by weaving ribbons around the crown base and metal headband attached for stability. 

I loved how it turned out, but boy, this piece was heavy AF. I think I have a permanent dent on my forehead from wearing this today. 

While making my annual headpiece is fun, I participate in the parade to peep (ha!) other people's creations. I was afraid millinery fans might slack off post-pandemic, but the absence only made them try harder:

Go big or go home was the theme for many of the looks. Flowers, butterflies, eggs, and feathers are a perennial favorite. The Yayoi Kusama tribute was by far the most popular creation for photographers.

This is a great event to showcase the nice side of NYC to tourists. Everyone is in a good mood. Creativity, craft skills and artistry of (almost) regular folk are on display. So are their humor and generosity (you can always find someone giving out candy). I was approached by a family visiting from Vienna who apparently photographed me four years ago, remembering my outfit. This was very impressive as I can't even remember what I wore yesterday, let alone several years ago. 

Did you dress up today? Did you have a great Passover and/or Easter? What was your favorite look from the Parade? Happy Spring!

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The Big Faberge Egg Hunt

Want to go on the most luxurious fashion egg hunt ever created?  The Faberge Big Egg Hunt is happening all over New York City right now.  The big egg? Three Faberge egg pendant necklaces encrusted with diamonds and gems worth up to $48000.

The big egg hunt encompasses egg sculptures by top artists, celebrities, fashion designers like Marchesa, Tommy Hilfiger, Julian Schnabel, Bruce Weber, Martha Stewart and Cynthia Rowley.  (That creepy one on the left is Terry Richardson). The eggs are placed around the city and you can check in at each egg on the Big Egg Hunt App to win the hunt.   

Each egg sculpture is up for auction to benefit two charities.  The first is Studio in A School which brings the arts to public schools in all five boroughs of New York City.  The other is the Elephant Family which is an organization which fights to save the Asian elephant from extinction.  

If you like the eggs and can't swing the big ticket to win the auction, you can buy smaller versions of the eggs, or a tote, postcards at the Big Egg Hunt Shop online or at some of the egg locations to help out the charities.  You can also just give a donation.

I don't know about you, chocolate eggs are nice, but a jeweled Faberge or big piece of artwork from your favorite artist? That's a basket I can get into. 

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Easter Parade Fashion

I hope everyone had a happy Easter!  I took a stroll down Fifth Avenue Sunday to check out the wonderful bonnets of the informal NYC Easter parade.  

The artfully hatted crowd was a mix of floral masterpieces, cheesy crafts, head-to-toe drag queens and of course, the freaks who just wanted attention.  I loved the ladies who adorned sculptured creations that actually suited their personalities (hello Rosemary Ponzo!) and managed to look elegant.  There were dapper gents who wore brightly colored suits and wonderfully coordinated accessories of hats, pocket squares and ties.  There were people who rocked the vintage outfits, fashionable children and pets.

Steve Buscemi and the band Vampire Weekend were spotted outside Radio City Music Hall in their chic outfits filming a promo.  

I loved the spirit of people who actually put forth an creative effort.  Many of the holiday attired gentleman also carried a generous spirit by carrying baskets of toys or eggs that they gave out to children.  

In snapping shots of the fine millinery, I realized later that my Hubby photobombed most of the pictures... He wasn't trying to be obnoxious, he was just afraid to lose me in the crowd and stayed close.   I also found a corporate-looking Easter Bunny falling asleep on the job:

Check out the rest of the pics here.

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Top Easter Dresses Under $40

The holiday of chicks and bunnies is coming up.  I’m gathering up my favorite Easter dresses like eggs in a basket.  Looking for a “Ladies who brunch” outfit? How about a dinner date banquet dress? Ruffled frock to hunt eggs on the White House lawn?  Yes, yes, and yes to all and bonus when they are all so wallet-friendly. 

Start with 2013’s color of the year and don a sexy emerald green halter wrap dress from Mossimo for only $30. 

Sip a mimosa and mix two top trends of ombre and the high/low hem with the sleeveless Mossimo Hi-Lo pullover dress for $25.

I love the lemony ruffles of Prabal Garung for Target Dress for $40.  This one is perfect twirling in the garden in your bare feet.

The V-neck Mossimo printed dress looks like a bunch of glowing Easter eggs melting in the night.  It’s either that, or I am suffering from a sugar coma from too many chocolates.  All I know is that the sophisticated palette of midnight and pastels is pretty on this dress and I love the flowing hem.

Now that you’re properly attired for the rites of spring, make sure you have the right bonnets and accessories too!  But that’s for another day…

It’s Time for Springtime.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.”

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Splurge vs. Steal: Easter Edition

Chocolate and peeps will wreck your waistline, celebrate Easter with some stylish goodies instead...Here's our roundup of chic items no matter what your budget:

Lulu and Co. silk blend bunny printed vest $329. Diamond, emerald and gold bunny ring $7480 at Net-a-Porter by Anita Ko.   D & G Daisy print bra $145. Judith Leiber jeweled Russian egg clutch $4795.

 Sauce Bunny skull tunic for $60.  Silver Peter Cotton Tail ring from ModCloth for $14.99. Daisy print bra from Victoria's Secret, $32.50. Vivian Alexander mini-purse egg clutch $249.

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Most Fashionable NYC Easter Parade Hats

 Bonnet, chapeau, fascinator, head sculptures...Easter is a time for religious reflection or gluttonous chocolate consumption.  For the most stylish of New Yorkers, yesterday's 5th avenue parade was a giant runway for the most exquisite creations to top your crown.

Fashion personalities like Rosemary Ponzo, fashion designers and milliners showed their favorite designs.  Artists made a statement with dramatic sculptures.  Lovers of vintage accessorized complete outfits for their favorite era.  Young princesses danced around in wide brimmed dress-up hats while twirling in Sunday School dresses.

Cadbury be damned, I know what I'm asking the Easter Bunny for next year...

Photos by Jemal Countess and Geoffry Gertz

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Happy Easter! A Special Greeting from Anna Wintour, Karl, John Galliano, Diane and Andre

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Have a beautiful bunny day!  The team at Ms. FABulous

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