Merpeople live underwater

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The Mermaid Parade kicks off summer swimming season in Coney Island every year since 1983. Saturday was rainy (not surprising given the recent weather conditions) and local fair, Flea by the Sea, sent an e-mail announcing that it would be closed due to forecasted thunderstorms. Despite seemingly negative factors - the country's largest art parade went on as scheduled!

Dick Zigun, the unofficial mayor of Coney Island, founded both the Coney Island Circus Sideshow and Mermaid Parade in the early 80's. He dreamed of celebrating the artistry and heritage of Coney Island in similar fashion to the Village's Halloween Parade crossed with the Mardi Gras of Coney Island's past (1903-1954).

Every year, people and animals of all kinds come out to the beaches of Brooklyn to join in the masquerading. Most costumes pay homage to sea life: jellyfish, sharks, titans + pirates were all in attendance this year.



Many folks also enjoy celebrating the freaks of circus culture - Zoltar (from the movie Big) was seen headed down Surf Avenue granting wishes.





Mermaid parade is well known for scandalous costumes including partial nudity and lots of pasties - apparently it is legal in New York State for women to be topless in public as long as it is not part of a business venture. Interesting.

These three women were fully covered in body paint - not sure how they relate to mermaids but certainly fit right in with the Coney Island spirit.






The parade route ran along Surf Ave showcasing floats and antique cars - as well as several political activists, voicing their opinions on the current state of Coney Island.


Years past have threatened they would be the last of the Mermaid Parades, but fortunately the show continues to go on! Beads were tossed from floats, the Ringling Bros. handed out plastic noses + dancing was infectious.

All in all, it was a wonderful showcase of the creativity and fun New York City and Coney Island specifically, have to offer. The day started off to a very wet start - but rains calmed to a slight drizzle for the majority of the parade. Either way, the merpeople were happy - they do live underwater after all!




- lisa

Eco-Conscious Wedding Paper Product Alternative Ideas (that's a mouthful!)

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My husband + I wanted a beautifully and thoughtfully decorated wedding - but we also wanted it to be ecologically responsible, economically reasonable and also represent 'us' [tall glass to fill!] The first of many decisions began with our save-the-date. Yes, there are tons of adorable and clever options out there (magnets, cookies, candles, etc); but rather than create excessive waste, we determined that every single person on our invite list (save for 5 people over the age of 80) had an e-mail address. We therefore sent out an electronic fyi (which was a huge hit) also serving double duty requesting mailing addresses for the formal invitation.

Easy steps to e-mail save-the-date:
(1) Craft a message that is personal - reflecting you as a team.
Include the necessary information:
- date
- location
- hotel information (if you have it)
- website (if you are doing that)
- address information (if you need it)
(2) Attach a photo - everyone loves to see the couple in a funny state [fortunately for me, i've known my guy since we were 12] If anyone on your list is insistent on prehistoric methods, they can print out the attachment + affix to their refrigerator. Here is a blank version for you to use if you'd like :
Also, you are welcome to use this MARRIAGE header + footer I created to frame the text of the e-mail:
Next, invitations! If you do not feel comfortable with complete DIY invitations, waisze and fubabee both offer options in customization (color, font + wording choices among others) in their ETSY shops.

Programs:
We wanted to explain the customs and traditions of our wedding, as well as highlight those participating. A very simple DIY solution (that doesn't involve bows, glue or much more than a paper cutter) is following this format:
(1) Chose 11x17 paper or card stock. Each sheet will yield 2 programs.
(2) Design your monogram or emblem, which will be placed on the far right. Make sure it is no wider than 1 inch. For example: Wedding of _____ & _____ with optional date and place - or just initials is also lovely.
(3) Design the text keeping in mind that you will be folding the paper 8 inches in from the left (therefore leave a gutter)
*Keep all of the above no taller than 5 inches from the top.
(4) Duplicate all of your top content directly below.
(5) Print / Copy just over half of the amount you anticipate needing.
(6) Cut every sheet in half lengthwise (hot dog - not hamburger) so that you are left with 2 pieces of 5.5 x 17
(7) Fold - not in half - but so that your names are visible on the right hand side.
This may seem simple, but really these are generally a throw-away (except for maybe your paternal grandmother) and super easy!

Cheers + Great Wishes!


- lisa