You voted, and the results are in. The selection included four choices: the Marc Jacobs Accessory Store, Stella McCartney, the Iceberg Army Navy Surplus Store, and Ralph Lauren. Voters liked the skeleton scene in the Ralph Lauren window best with 38 percent of votes. Marc Jacobs was a close second, but not close enough.
The Ralph Lauren display, picture via Shophound
My peacock costume
You might have assumed I was prepared for Halloween weeks in advance because of the number of posted articles related to the holiday. The truth is I waited until the very last minute to create a costume, much like those I laughed at waiting in line outside of Ricky’s Halloween shops. Rather than wasting time in a line to get a bagged costume that hundreds of other people will have, I decided to muster up some creativity.
Recently opened Michael’s on the Upper West Side, nearby space for lease 2626 Broadway, was selling peacock feathers by the bundle. I purchased a dozen, along with some black electric tape. Next I needed a simple black belt to attach the feathers, to form my peacock tail. I headed to American Apparel, in hopes of also finding a dress. American Apparel shops are located all over the city, even around the corner from space for lease 50 Hudson Street in Tribeca. I found the black belt, and a shiny navy dress.
My peacock head piece, bought in Union Square
The last necessary detail is a head piece. Iwas brave enough to fight the Saturday crowds at Union Square, leaving with a headband covered in peacock feathers. Once my tail was constructed, I threw on some shiny blue heels to match the dress and blue-green and purple shades of eye makeup to complete the look. The best part of the project? I’d wear some of the pieces again, which makes it so much better than spending $60+ on a one time get-up.
As a peacock, I spent the night with the entire Sesame Street cast, as well as Dwight Shrute from the popular sitcom, (and my favorite show) The Office. I never thought I’d be able to say that sentence.
-Caitlin
A former Fort Greene pup contestant
Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn might be Halloween central this year with its spooky rendition of the Fort Greene Flea Market, the 10th Annual Halloween Festival, and the Gret PUPkin Dog Costume Contest. Flea market vendors are bringing out all of their vintage and costume pieces, and the usual food vendors will be providing sweet treats for Trick or Treaters, like Liddabit, who is serving baby caramel apples.
This year’s Halloween Festival will offer hayrides, games, sack races, face painting, stilt-walkers, and even free pumpkins to decorate. On top of that is a costume parade (for those of you avoiding the Village Parade) and a scary cemetery. All for free!
The festival will start at 12pm with the “Great PUPkin Constest,” where participants can bring their costumed dogs to compete against their pet peers. Registration is at 11:30, and is $5 per dog. Your pup could even win a prize donated by Brooklyn Veternary Hospital, Bittersweet, Who’s Your Doggy, and others. Three winners and three runner ups will be recognized. The Fort Greene Halloween fest will end at 3pm, so make sure to enjoy it while it lasts.
-Caitlin
Splurged on an authentic Michael Jackson get-up but don’t have a place to show it off yet? Don’t worry! I’ve picked out three parties in the city that you can’t miss!
A Haunted Halloween Carnival at Carnival, 110 University Place
Located directly above Bowlmor Lanes, Carnival is hosting a circus themed party with stilt-walkers, clowns, and dunk tanks. Snack on corn dogs, pizza, and other carnival treats while sipping on caramel appletinis, alcohol snow cones, and cotton candy cocktails. Beats will be provided by DJ Sabrina and DJ Chris Landry, sure to make your Halloween a wild night. Doors open at 9pm on October 31st.
The Annex Presents Halloween 2009, at The Annex, 152 Orchard Street
Usually an indie-rocker hot spot, the Annex is hosting a Halloween party in their dark mahogany-paneled tavern, making it the perfect location for the scariest night of the year. The event will include live music and reasonably priced drinks, which is a rare find! Don’t be fooled by the non-descript entrance; the party will be busy! Famous bands like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Strokes have graced their narrow hallways. It starts at 10pm on October 31st.
Massacre on Madison Avenue at Pranna, at Madison between 28th and 29th streets
Pranna, a Besen Retail favorite, will be having their very own Halloween party, and costumes are madatory. With delicious Modern Southeast Asian Cuisine, the building boasts three large floors elegantly decorated with candles and comfortable group-friendly seating. The basement floor is used for the dance club, serving up to-die-for cocktails like the “Komodo Dragon,” a mix of rum, mint, absinthe, vanilla liquor, and lemon. The party starts at 9, so make sure to get your tickets first!
-Caitlin
"The Black Cat" is a classic and easy option for the Halloween Procrastinator
With Halloween only a week away, the procrastinators (like me) need to brave the crowds and get costume shopping. This past Saturday I pulled on my Wellington boots, hid underneath my raincoat and fought the crowded costume shops to potentially purchase my ghoulish garb. Being female, I have a wide selection of provocative ensembles constructed out of mesh and dental floss at my disposal, but with a tendency to have a body temperature of 83 degrees even in the most sweltering heat, I don’t think those options are possible. More importantly, this is a public (and company) blog, and I would like to keep it PG at least.
My usual inclination to stay away from large chain stores drove me to try out a few vintage shops. The Buffalo Exchange, located at both E 11th Street in Manhattan and on Driggs Avenue in Brooklyn, is filled with new and recycled clothing, and for the season a variety of discounted costumes. While the usual hot nurse get-up falls around $59.99, the Buffalo Exchange sells it for only $24.99. If you need some extra accessories, Angela’s Vintage Boutique is next door. Save some money and support the consignment industry while creating a unique look this October 31st. I was tempted to buy a detective costume, complete with a magnifying glass and Sherlock-y pipe, but I decided to keep looking.
My next stop was Halloween Adventure at 104 4th Ave. If it’s the huge Halloween warehouse experience you are after, make sure to stop here. Just try to go at an off-peak shopping time, because 3pm on a Saturday afternoon a week before Halloween was a mistake. I could barely move, as the building brimmed with screaming children and frustrated parents, but I managed to get a few ideas. A black cat is classic, simple, and easy to accomplish. It’s an option.
A new Halloween shop has also moved right across from space for lease 2626 Broadway, with every possible costume in stock. Just don’t look for one of the most popular of the season the “Illegal Immigrant” (I’m not kidding) which basically consists of an orange jumpsuit; it’s sold out. According to Halloween shop employees, some of the other popular costumes of 2009 are Michael Jackson, Kate Gosselin, and anything Vampire-themed, with the popularity of the Twilight series. I also heard a rumor about the “Balloon Boy” outfit. With a giant balloon on your wrist, it’s a clever way to get a few laughs.
While my first costume shopping experience was not a complete success, I have some ideas in mind. I will be sure to keep you posted (with pictures!) throughout this week.
-Caitlin
Halloween '08 in NYC
I would have entitled this article, “First Signs of Halloween,” but logically I realize the first sign was the Halloween candy being stocked in stores back in August when we all had swimsuits and sunshine on the brain. Costume shops are popping up all over the city, filled with blood-sucking vampire gear and Nancy the Nurse outfits constructed with little-to-no fabric. I was lucky enough to witness my boyfriend (who went out to get cough drops) entering with a Barack Obama mask on, showing off his $8.99 Duane Reade steal.
A “Halloween Warehouse” moved in across the street from featured space for lease “2626 Broadway” on the Upper West Side, overflowing with spooky decor, accessories, candy, and of course costumes. Retail Specialist Elliott Dweck claims that the Halloween business is second in line (to Christmas) as the most popular retail holiday, and may someday be number one.
-Caitlin
Blogging with Besen Retail- HAS MOVED
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