Life Lessons from the Mermaid Parade 2009

Lessons I've learned from the Mermaid Parade (thus far):

• Regardless of the weather conditions, the Mermaid Parade is always worth it.
• Walking in the parade isn't as exciting if you don't have a routine planned out. (Pic from Mermaid Parade 2007)
  
• If you're going to walk, and you don't have a routine planned, you better have an amazing costume or just smile and wave at everyone - people will love you either way.
  
• The Mermaid Parade Ball has a lot of potential - good music, great performances, entertainment in dancing or rolling around. Either way, it's better to share with others.
  
• Charge your camera batteries and empty out your SD card beforehand.
• You can't be squeamish or blush easily.
• The Boardwalk at Coney Island has chicharrones (the flour kind sold from a shopping cart on the streets of L.A. and other Mexican-populated cities)!
• When in doubt, dance dance dance!
• As with anything, the Mermaid Parade is the best when experienced with awesome people and great friends.
• Any of the statements above could substitute "life" for "Mermaid Parade."
  

Lost Angels in Coney Island

Below are select pictures of me swirling around the boardwalk in my completed costume. All my pictures can be seen at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/thegreenestmermaid/MermaidParade62009#

Lola Staar's Dreamland Roller Rink - Mermaid Parade Ball Location


Leti in all her colorful glory.


Running with a silk veil by A'kai Silks












I wore some extra toule around my hips, along with one of my favorite hip scarves.




Ta da!

Pearls for the Parade

The Annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade is on Saturday, June 20th.

Every year, in celebration of the Summer Solstice, people come from all over in their best ocean-themed regalia to parade through the streets of Coney Island.

I first went in 2006 with a great group of friends, and we had an amazing time.

2006 Mermaid Parade

In 2007, we tried to be part of the parade, but found that it was much more exciting to watch than to participate. That is, we didn't have any routine planned. Perhaps if we did, we would have had a better time walking in the hot hot sun.

2007 Mermaid Parade

As you can see, I've worn generally the same costume every year. The mermaid tail is basically a Disney's The Little Mermaid version, and my top is a bra from my belly dancing closet. Some of the costumes from the parade are amazing, though! Super intricate, very creative, and absolutely beautiful for the most part. I love watching people in all their glory during the Mermaid Parade.

Since I took a break in 2008, I feel super re-energized about the parade. This year, I get to go with my best friend, another Los Angeles transplant on the East Coast. And because I'm sure that Leti will have something awesome to wear that she constructed with her own two hands, I was definitely inspired to work on my own costume again.

Initially, this bathing suit by a Victoria's Secret caught my eye:

Swim 2009 Catalogue

So, I bought just the top, and I thought about just putting some embellishments on it. But, it makes my boobs look ridiculous. They definitely don't have any lift in them, even with the little halter strap it comes with.

Luckily, I have a variety of bras that I was planning to get rid of because of a variety of things (generally falling apart, straps dig in in certain spots, just doesn't make my boobs look boobtastic, etc.) In the end, it seemed better to embellish the bra than to use the bathing suit top. Even more luckily, I had the perfect teal bra to match my tail.

On Saturday, I biked downtown and gathered materials at Winmil Fabrics in Chinatown and Windsor Buttons in Downtown Crossing. I think these are two fabulous hidden jewels in Boston. They've got fabric, trim, buttons galore, yarn, netting, beads.......I get so overwhelmed in stores like these!

Pearls, Beads, Coins, Needle & Thread

I love pearls. They're so beautiful, and it doesn't hurt that they come from one of my favorite places in the world - the ocean. I found the pearl and rainbowish beads at Windsor as well as the coin trim. Though the main project is for the Mermaid Parade, I couldn't stay away from belly dancing touches.

We can't pretend that mermaids don't have nipples..but they can at least be pretty...

I knew that I wanted to have nipples on my costume. For all my bravery, especially not being skinny or having flat abs, I just can't walk around all day with just pasties. I just can't. It's too much exposure for too long, and even this girl needs some shade once in a while.

Initially, I thought about just having netting all over the bra, but it turned out that it would seem much better to go a simpler route. I definitely had to put in little ornamental touches, like the mother of pearl areola and gold seashell nipple, and the little starfish in the middle of the bra. I also wanted to incorporate some shimmies into the bra, and added the coins. In the end, I felt that I should still incorporate the Victoria's Secret bathing suit top, but I would wear it under the bra. So, ladies and gentlemen, here's my first mermaid bra/belly dancing top:

LOVE!

I still plan on adding a little bit more to my mermaid tail, just to make it slightly different and to really personalize it. So, even if the beads don't all line up, and the nipples are a little low...I love my little attempt at bedazzling. Though this isn't a career changer for me, I'm really proud of myself for taking the time and energy to create this beautiful mermaid accessory.