Halloween Chic in Upstate NY: Headless Horseman Hayrides, Roxbury Motel

Happy Halloween! The taste level of this holiday varies from spooky, chic to hideous. Halloween in the Catskills can be all three. I enjoyed Headless Horsemen Hayrides and Haunted Houses.

 in Kingston, NY, then an elegantly Gothic stay at the Roxbury Motel. An incredible dinner was had at Savona's Trattoria in Kingston NY.

First off, the Headless Horseman hayride was much more impressive than I had imagined. The imaginative effects, narrator, animatronics and wide range of scary performers were very creative. The ride is followed by a series of nine haunted attractions in different themes. They ranged from motel, corn maze, cemetery diner, greenhouse and more grotesque vignettes. Let me tell you, I usually HATE haunted houses and gory crap. My idea of a good time is NOT having hillbillies jump out from corners with a chainsaw. However, the production quality and talent of performers were so well done; this was nothing but fun. Some of the performers had a great sense of humor with their characters while others knew how to work their look into the atmosphere. 

The attractions were well organized where each attraction led into another (with plenty of freedom to go at your pace to break for cider and doughnuts). The entire experience lasted for about 2 1/2 hours.

For dinner, my crew headed to nearby Kingston NY. Savona's Trattoria had a cozy atmosphere, other  friendly staff. My group had four pretentious Manhattan foodies, and we left wanting to return immediately for brunch. Standout fall dishes were the seared scallops over pancetta and butternut squash ravioli and a rich fig, gorgonzola and prosciutto salad.

If you want high glamor with your Halloween camp, the Roxbury Motel in the Catskills is the lodging of your dreams.  We procured the "Noir Boudoir" suite which was loosely based on the Addams Family. 

Posh elements included the plush velvet couches and flocked wallpaper with sparkling art glass tiles. Tongue-in-cheek elements included long-haired lamps like "Cousin It," taxidermy, skull mirrors and tooth model soap dishes. Double-headed showers were a sexy feature as were the full-size chocolate bars on your pillow. If Gothic style isn't your thing, the Roxbury has themed rooms for many other tastes like Indiana Jones, Wizard of  Oz and Charlie's Angels to name a few. A deluxe continental breakfast awaits in the morning. There is an onsite small spa where you can soak in a hot tub or get spa treatments.

So are you ready for your hayride? A posh stay at the Roxbury Motel? Get spooky!

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Blogger Love: Your Most Glam Halloween

The top trending costumes there are very much at the top of most fashion trends lists as well! Dramatic makeup, Empire, Scream Queens, over-the-top nightlife looks. This week's link round-up from the Independent Fashion Bloggers community was centered around stylish inspiration that you can work into your costume tonight:

• A Handful of Stories: Two Unbelievable Makeup Looks for Halloween
• Anakin and His Angel: Star Wars Cover Girl | Kylo Ren Inspired Makeup
• A Preponderance of Fashion: DIY Halloween Costumes for Women
• Banarsi Designs: 7 Street Style Scarf Looks to Steal Now
• Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans: {Beauty Boards} Magic Wands
• Dresscode:HighFashion: 10 High Fashion Looks for Halloween 2015
• Epouser La Mode: One Sweater 4 Styles!
• Fashion Blender: Sandals of Love
• Greige Market: How to Dress Like a Grown Up
• Happy. Pretty. Sweet.: Halloween in Your Closet | Dorothy Gale
• La Vintage Vida: The Fitting Room Chronicles | Channeling Stevie Nicks
• Lil Miss JB Style: Longline Vest
• Mama in Heels: How to Wear Faux Fur without Looking Like Chewbacca
• Modavracha: Stoles | Will Get You Noticed But Keep You Warm
• Ms. FABulous: Fashion Underground | The World of Susanne Bartsch
• MySelf Expressed: Twice as Nice | Oversized
• Sheela Writes: Get Your Sheet On
• Tell Me, Y…: This Camera Will Help You Take a Killer #OOTD Photo on Your Own
• We Are Ready Made: To the Next 1000!!
• Wish and Wear: Covet Monday | Something Sweet

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Pratt Fashion Costumes for Screaming Mimi's

Do you need some last minute inspiration for Halloween ? Legendary vintage store Screaming Mimi's hosted a costume design competition for Pratt fashion design students this holiday.

The famous East village shop has been the go-to source for stylists, drag queens, collectors and hard core fashionistas since 1978. It counted Cyndi Lauper as an ex - employee and clearly contributed to her early look.

The fashion design contest was to design a costume for the theme of "Under the Sea". The eight finalists included Elizabeth Gee, Deanna Parlagreco, Jean-Baptiste Riviere, Sophia Roces, Victoria Tom, Cindy Tran, Yadira Nelson, and Anthony Williams. You can see the retro influences in their costumes that are reminiscent of vintage Coney Island Mermaid parades or the prom from Back to the Future.

The judges of the costume competition included editors Lynn Yaeger from Vogue, Mickey Boardman from Paper Magazine and Screaming Mimi's owner Laura Wills. 

If you want an on-trend, one of a kind look as your Halloween costume, head on down to Screaming Mimi's for a Pratt Institute creation. Or, if you feel like your own stylist,  put together something incredible with treasures you find there yourself.

photos from Screaming Mimi's

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Cosplay Trends of NY Comic-Con 2015

NY Comic-Con has come and gone. Like fashion week, each season brings its own trends for cosplay and Halloween costume inspiration.

Batman has been one of the most popular brands of Comic-con every year though I dare say the villains are more popular than the hero himself. Harley Quinn remains the most popular character of female cosplayers, but I also see the trend of women dressing up as the male characters as well. I don't know if it is a feminist reaction to all of the "sexy" looks and the attention it gets, but I find it pretty cool. The other trend is dressing is very gritty, scary, realistic versions of the villains (rather than the bright, flamboyant cartoon versions). I don't know if this is the influence of videogames like Arkham Asylum or the upcoming Suicide Squad movie, but Halloween should be interesting this year.

Doctor Who is more popular than ever. The British phenomena was always on slow burn through the geek community but hit critical mass with the 11th Doctor. Then, there was a big interest in the previous ten incarnations going back 50 years. I saw cosplayers, both men and women dressed as Doctor Who from all eras. Companions to Doctor Who were also popular, including the blue TARDIS itself.

When you think fanboy, Star Wars is usually the first brand that comes to mind. Is there a more loyal fan base than the one from these games, movies or cartoon show? Unless you live under a rock, I'm sure you are well aware of the new movie coming out. Hell, just announcing the trailer will air or be ahead of another movie is enough to guarantee the success of any other show. While the classic Star Wars characters are always well represented in cosplay at Comic-con (there are entire armies of Storm Troopers walking around) fans have branched out into creative variations of characters. There was the death scene version of Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker, fans that deliberatey dressed as characters in animated style, Steampunk versions, peripheral alien characters, etc. Even before the new movies are released characters from it were on the NY Comic-con floor.

photos by Mariana Leung

Deadpool and Arrow. If there was one breakout character for 2015, it would be Deadpool. The character made his big screen debut in X-Men Origins: Wolverine with Ryan Reynolds back in 2009, but he doesn't appear in his own movie until 2016. Why is it so popular? Ryan Reynold's too brief role as the "Merc with a mouth" was memorable and funny. While a Deadpool movie was announced way back then, it seemed to have been put on the backburner until test footage leaked in 2014. Fans loved the mix of violence and sarcastic wit. The movie was back on and teasers that have been released since have made this one of the most anticipated movies for next year. The costume works for guys and gals of all shapes and sizes. It lets you be as badass as you want from behind a mask, perfect for someone who is normally shy.

The Arrow and supporting characters were popular for males who want the "hot guy" costume (along with GOT's Rob Snow, Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow, etc). It's the male equivalent of females in skimpy superheroine cosplay intended to primarily make the opposite sex drool rather than true fandom. Lots of leather, an unshaven face, a mask and long hair is a look that most dudes can pull off with a enough swagger. Hope they got lucky.

Check out Top Cosplay Trends of NY Comic Con
by Ms. Fabulous at Mode

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How To: Creepy Doll Makeup Tutorial

Happy Halloween! I am going with a Gothic, creepy doll as my costume this year.  While I knew I could whip us a frilly, disturbed frock, the makeup would be what made the character.  Ricky’s Glam Squad came to my rescue to help create this awesome look.  They send hair and makeup artists straight to your door for Halloween, Red Carpet events or any other occasion you need to look fabulous. 

Glam Squad stylist Marcy Iaquinto first came to NYC to be in front of the camera, but found her true calling creating beauty behind it.  Here’s her Creepy Doll Makeup Tutorial on how she created my look:

" I started the makeup with the eyes. I used a white pencil on the lid and under the eyes in a round shape including the water line.

 In the crease I used black eye shadow and extended that down around the white. I blended the edges so the eyes appeared hallow. I then blended some pink above the black on the top lids.

For complexion, I used a foundation  two to three shades lighter than actual skin tone for a pale look. I contoured with a darker powder to make the cheek bones appear a bit sunken in and added bright pink blush on the apples of the cheeks for a baby doll look.

For brows I exaggerated the color and made them imperfect as if they were a bit worn off."

"After complexion was done, I added those crazy fake eye lashes including bottom ones. The bottom lashes really helped create that wide open baby doll look.  

For lips, I drew an exaggerated heart shaped red lip and added concealer to the edges of the lips to help create the heart shape which really pulled the look together. "

So there you have it!  If you see me traipsing around the West Village Halloween Parade tomorrow, come say hello.  Please send me photos of YOUR costumes and makeup looks!  If you have a cool DIY, I would love to show it off!  

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FAB Exclusive: Nadia G's Tips for Halloween Style

Its Halloween week!  I always host a party to celebrate Hallows Eve.  I also sneak in some Gothic, scary style.  One of my favorite people who masters all of the above is Nadia Giosia (A.K.A. Nadia G.) the punk glam diva and chef of the Cooking Channel’s Bitchin’ Kitchen and Bite This with Nadia G.  Ms. Fabulous was able to grill her on macabre fashion and creepiest recipes:

Ms. Fabulous: We are big fans of your fashion style on the show, so we want to know what are you going to be wearing for Halloween?

Nadia G: Man! You know what I want to do this year; I’m a big fan of dressing up scary for Halloween. It sounds obvious, but a lot of people use it as an opportunity to kind of dress slutty. It’s cool, but where’s the scariness

What I’m going to do, I always loved those vintage nylons that have the seam running up the back. I’m going to be doing that as an open wound with stitches. It’s going to be pretty cool, essentially I don’t know how to describe exactly what I’m going to do, but I’m going to turn some of my favorite fashion elements and turn them into disgusting wounds.

Ms. Fab: Here at Ms. Fabulous, we always love your nails makeup on the show.  What are your best tips on looks for Halloween?

N. G: Well, you know, a style of nails that I have been doing a while, which is the half-moon around the cuticle. I think it’s cool for Halloween to use black nail polish with a white or blood red half-moon around the cuticle. 

Ms. Fab: We always appreciate that you have great cocktails on your show.  What do you suggest for an   elegant and spooky drink for a party?

N.G.: The idea is to come up with a cocktail that’s creepy and tastes great.  The issue with Halloween is that people tend to use a lot of coloring. In food, they use lots of fondant to make it look creepy but it doesn't taste good.  So for a cocktail, wine cocktails are really popular these days.  I like to make something called a Witches Brew. 

Essentially, you use Once Upon a Vine Chardonnay, pear nectar and savory thyme.  You have a drink that’s a little sweet, the pear contrasts with the thyme and it’s really delicious.  To make that creepy, I fill up a surgical glove with water and pop that in the freezer.  Remove the glove when it turns to ice and have this hand floating around the punch that adds a scary touch, but in a drink that’s sophisticated.

Ms. Fab: Speaking of Halloween food that looks scary, juvenile or doesn't taste good, what do you suggest for party hors d’oeuvres that actually taste good, a little Goth, but appropriate for foodies?

N.G.:  I love to make coffin-shaped grilled cheese sandwiches. It’s easy to cut out the coffin shape.  You can use pumpernickel bread for a darker look.  I stuff them full of Tallegio cheese, which is like an Italian brie, which is one of my favorite cheeses.  It melts so nice and gooey, add some caramelized onions and fresh apple slices and there you go.  You know you have a treat that’s coffin shaped, but not juvenile and tastes fantastic.

Ms. Fab: Is there a way to pair wine with Halloween candy?

N.G.: Oh sure! Red wines are notoriously great with chocolate.  What I like to make is bacon chocolate. That’s always delicious and easy to make as well. You can pair that with charming Pinot Noir.  It has the flavor of ripe cherry, black currant and red wines are just fantastic for chocolate.

Ms. Fab:  What are some easy, tongue-in-cheek décor elements one can use to decorate for Halloween?

N. G.: Get creative with it! There’s nothing I hate more than that cheap pharmacy décor where people end up spending a fortune on it, and then everyone ends up with the same stupid ridiculous skeletons.  What I like to do is think of things that are actually creepy, like decapitated doll heads; really old broken dolls that are pretty scary.  You can use pictures of your ex with a knife through them… Things like that, just think outside the box about what can be creepy for Halloween.

Ms. Fab: Did you do a lot of Trick or treating as a kid?

N. G.: Yep, I have the fillings to prove it!

Ms. Fab: Thank you so much for chatting with us!

Witches Brew

INGREDIENTS

• 4 oz Once Upon a Vine ™ Fairest Chardonnay™

• 2 oz Pear Nectar

• 3 Sprigs of thyme

• 1 oz Lime Juice

• 1/2 oz Simple Syrup

DIRECTIONS

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and strain into chilled glass.

For more cocktail recipes and treats, visit Once Upon a Vine's Wine Bar.

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Divas de los Muertos

Is there a happier evening out than one shared with your sister, cousins and best girlfriends?  Bailey’s Vanilla Cinnamon challenged me to a night out and I was more than game.  I threw a party in the theme of Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead.

It was the perfect occasion to ask my flamboyant fashion friends to put together a creative costume.  It was also the ultimate event for my favorite beauty blogger to go all out with an intricate makeup look.  My ladies did not disappoint.  My sister raided my closet to pull together a character that I can only call “Missoni Gypsy” which she accessorized with Prada Mary Janes (also salvaged from my closet).  She and my cousin both wore a selection of handmade fascinators from my collection.  Designer friends either made their own masks or delicately applied their own cosmetics.  My costume was inspired by the red monarch hat that Philip Treacy created for Alexander McQueen years ago.  I embroidered red feather butterflies on a basic satin corset dress and made myself a headpiece of more butterflies. 

To frame the fabulous females, I created a life-sized shadow box that served as a photo booth.   My Hubby and I decorated with lots of decorated skull piñatas and handmade paper flowers. 

I really wanted authentic tacos for party nibbles.  I found a company in Queens that grinds their own flour to make fresh tortillas and choose three of their most popular varieties; Pork Al Pastor, Rajas and shrimp with mango chipotle salsa.

I love Mexican hot chocolate, so I had the bartender make “glamour shots” in those flavors by blending Crème de Cacao with Bailey’s Vanilla Cinnamon.  Is this the way someone’s Abuela would have served it?  Probably not, but who is judging?

I’m raising a glass to all of the gorgeous ladies who came out to party with me!

Baileys Vanilla Cinnamon. Stay Stylish. Drink Responsibly.

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

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How to Upgrade Your Halloween Costume with Designer Fashion

Readers of Ms. Fabulous are far too savvy to wear a skanky, polyester drug store costume for Halloween.  Fashion fans, designers, socialites are far too sophisticated for that...

Here is how to pull of the most fashionable character costumes in style:

Cruella Deville was the ultimate fashion-obsessed Disney villain.  Get her look with a 3/4 length rabbit fur coat and a Moschino Cheap & Chic sequined halter dress.  Gorgeous red leather gloves from Lanvin and a vintage cigarette holder completes the look.  

Batman villain Poison Ivy seduced with just a whisper and a outfit of leaves.  Get the designer version with a cocktail dress of laser cut petals from THEIA, a dashing red wig and sleek Prada pumps in green.  Give the look an extra luxe touch with a Gerard Yosca necklace.

Would you rather be the heroine? The Girl on Fire?  Get your Panem style on as Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games.  Getting your dress to actually flame out is a little difficult, but this Emporio Armani silk organza dress has flame-shaped mirrors reflecting light that are the next best thing.  Find a good cross bow and a pair of Prada flame shoes and you'll be the last one standing in any competition.

I'm up for tricks or treats....Happy Halloween!

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