THROWBACKTHURSDAY- little mermaid

Circa 1996

Back when I was 4 years old and lived in Manhattan my mom and dad and their friends decided to dress their two little girls up as mermaids for Coney Island's annual Mermaid Day Parade.  They walked the boardwalk pushing the mermaids on a shopping cart turned sea palace and dressed up of people of the sea as well.  Little did they know that they would win 2nd Place!!!

The mermaid plaque hangs in our bathroom so I see it everyday I'm home.  Although I don't remember this day, the whole concept of it seems pretty entertaining.  I decided to look up some info about this extravagant affair

• The Mermaid Parade is the nations largest art parade
• Parade founded in 1983
• Celebrates the sand, sea, salt air and beginning of summer
• Each year a different celebrity King Neptune and Queen Mermaid rule over the proceedings

What I do remember about Coney Island is going there about 4 years ago with my parents and best friend Martina for the evening.  I had heard my parents talk about the Cyclone roller coaster numerous times throughout my childhood so I was excited to try it out finally... The Cyclone is an old wooden roller coaster that has been running for about 40 years.  Although not terrifyingly high compared to 6 flags coasters, it is definitely a bumpy ride and your more scared that the thing is going to snap!  

Even though summer is coming to an end, if you get a chance to get to Brooklyn go have a ride and funnel cake for some last bit of Summer fun 

Mermaid Fashion  

Mermaid style gowns that can be seen on the runway and red carpet frequently

Mermaid on the red carpet

Mermaid in my closet

14 years later I re-visited my mermaid days....

... at prom! I designed and my mom made both of my dresses for the two proms I attended Senior year of high school. We spent a lot of time looking for fabric in NYC, patterns and trying to create something unique, form fitting and elegant.  Although I wasn't going for a "mermaid" look, looking back now it seems to have ended up that way.  The first dress I wore was the gold and lilac-made with lilac spandex and another layer of stretch gold lace on top.  Although this dress wasn't for my prom I'd say it was probably my favorite of the two.  The turquoise dress was made of a similar princess cut pattern but instead with a halter and less of a train, with rhinestones accenting the neck.  Each dress has the sparkle and shine found in a lot of mermaid inspired fashion and the colors that can a be found in this style, muted pastels or bold cold colors.