The outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus originated from China could not stop the denizens of New York City from coming out en mass to ring in the Lunar New Year in Chinatown yesterday! It would be my very first time covering the event, a mission my beloved wanted me to abort at all cost for fear of contacting the disease! There were reports of no known cases in NY, and there were several announcements by the city officials urging people not to boycott the event and businesses in Chinatown out of fear. Businesses in Chinatown were already suffering as a result of the outbreak. Alas! I made it to the parade with a positive attitude hoping for the best. I made it a point not to touch anyone or dive into any crowd, just to be safe. I was expecting everyone to be covered in masks when I arrived but that was not the case at all, to my surprise.

Like all politicians, Presidential candidate Andrew Yang’s team wasted no time in strutting the parade hoping to get votes from Asian Americans. They handed out faux $1000 bills to the crowd! Gotta love America!

Without further ado, peruse the images (from my phone) below and watch the video of lion dancers and greetings from the Mayor, Senator and the Chinese Empress! You can expect my dolls from Dolliciouslife to make an appearance of course! 🙂

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Alas! The young and old descended on Times Square on Dec 14, 2019 to usher in what would be another day of merriment and boozing of course. All decked out in white and red taking form as Santa Claus, a tradition that has gone global to usher in the holiday season. Naturally, a few denizens of New York are against this carefree merriment and have started a petition to get it cancelled. Sigh…live and let live I say!

Check out some of the images below. And as expected, my plastic friends from Dollicious Life Ken and Marco couldn’t resist!

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Alas! Despite a threatening weather report, the 46th annual Halloween day parade went on without a hitch last night ! The participant turn out wasn’t high in volume like the previous year but it was suitable for my 2 year old baby girl to roam around in her Nemo costume without being stomped on. She enjoyed it tremendously! It would be her very first time at any kind of parade for that matter. Revelers were kind and cheerful, one even gave her money as her “treat” without tricks! What a way to start the Halloween tradition. So kind of him!

Prior to the parade, Noa dressed up as Jennifer Lopez in the iconic green Versace dress! Her brother stepped out as Baby Shark.

View the video footage below and images taken with my Samsung phone. Hope you all had a lovely costume celebration. Until next year, stay cheerful and healthy!

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My fellow denizens, I finally got a chance to experience my very first Afropunk and dare I say…it was LIT! I wish it went on for days just like my beloved Burning Man at Black Rock City. That indeed would make August one long month of endless festivals and partying. The international Afropunk Festival is an annual event that is designed to showcase art, fashion, food and music by African American designers, artists and musicians. The festival will mark its 15th anniversary next year and I do plan on stepping up my game!
Fellas and gals were on hand in different garbs that could rival any alternative style fashion runway. Not a single fashion dud in sight.
If you’re into independent artists of unparalleled talent in the music scene, then this is a definite must-attend event you do not want to miss! I couldn’t stop dancing the whole 6 hours I was there! I went alone but left with many more friendships contacts in my “rolodex”. I’m looking forward to meeting my Afropunk family again next year…and like all things, God willing.
Below are some of my favorite looks and moments. Be sure to watch the 5 min video below, many more surprises in there. I particularly love the couple dancing together. I hope I didn’t disappoint you with my dancing moves though LOL!

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Well…so it seemed on Randall’s Island in New York City yesterday at the annual Curl Fest on July 27 when the city felt the power in numbers of strong black women (and some men) on the island. The festival celebrates the uniqueness of black beauty mainly in it’s natural form. An initiative to emphasis the love and appreciation of black beauty, skin, hair, and feminism. It gives voice and empowerment even to the most timid of people. The sheer numbers of black women in various forms of black culture and fashion, contrasting on the big lush green lawn at the park leaves one in amazement.

Participants from far and wide usually spend months preparing their attires and hair try outs in anticipation of the big day. The revelry lasted the entire afternoon after braving the long lines and bright sun to enter the venue. Once inside, one quickly forgets the long wait to get it.

I for one had a great pleasure taking in the affair with my nearest and dearest while making new friends as well. The energy crusing through everyone, aided by the booze from the bar and afrobeat blasting from the stage was definitely contagious. It almost felt like an outdoor night club. A perfect remedy for a hot summer day.

Of course, my 12-inch (folks from dolliciouslife) entourage didn’t miss a beat either. Be sure to view their pictures further below.

Catch me on my Facebook and Instagram pages and join the mailing list here as well. You never know what might come crawling through your inbox. 😂 Stay blessed! Xoxo

Ps: outfit and parasol (umbrella) by Omode

New York hosted another amazing Diner en Blanc yesterday, and yours truly was on hand as a dedicated Table Leader. It was a position that I really enjoyed and it provided another layer of DEB experience for me. And like all things NY, the affair was quite eventful with all manners of ups and ups! The rain held up until after we were done eating. The moment we were about to start walking around towards the dance floor it came pouring down in seconds. What’s a few rain drops to hardened New Yorkers!

The warm rain coupled with the hot summer temperature, it took me back to my childhood when I used to play in the rain. I was loving every minute of it. It added to to whole new experience to this year’s Diner en Blanc, one I shall never forget and would do it all over again if given the chance! Until next year…God willing!

But of course, my dolls from @dolliciouslife wouldn’t miss the opportunity either. Be sure to take a look at the last pictures. 🙏🏼🤗😂😎👌🏽

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Tens of thousands of denizens and tourists alike gathered in New York City to participate in what was billed the largest Pride March in history! This year ushered in the golden anniversary of the protest that began at the historic and now landmarked establishment in the village, the Stonewall Inn. However, While the main march was to start on 5th avenue at noon, a rival march had already begun at 9am at a nearby avenue heading north to Central Park. The “reclaiming the pride” march had it’s inaugural with the mindset of returning the event to what it once were before corporate giants took over the main march. Event organizers of the former were displeased at the overgrowing change of the latter taking commercial turn each year.

On another note, christian crusades were not to be missed. Taking a page from their ancestral protesters, they help anti gay/lesbian plagues with harsh biblical messages in big bold letters. While their pro-gay “cousins” held a contradicting message across the street “apologizing” for their fellow christians harsh words. I felt like I was stuck in a time warp in the 80s when it all began. It took a minute to remind myself that we were in 2019.

Alas! the march carried on without a hitch or sneeze! The merriment could be heard worldwide as friends and families of queer & straight nearest and dearest, legions of LGBT community from various countries were represented at the march. A record breaking 154 decorated floats paraded down 5th avenue. Until next year, stay flawless! 🙂

Here are some of my favorite moments captured by me for your pleasure.

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Beannachtaí na Féile Padraig Ort”. This literally translates to: Blessings of Patrick’s Festival Upon You!

It’s Saint Patrick’s day everyone! A time to be merry and drink up some ale with friends holed up in a pub. At least that’s the scenery at most American bars tonight. The day started with some brave men, some of New York’s finest in nicely tailored kilts, blowing pipes marching up 5th Avenue in celebration of the blessed day. Peruse some of my findings through the lens of my camera. Slainte!

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Barbie turns 60 and the celebration went well without a bump. Naturally, I woke up early to beat the crowded lines at the pop up location in SOHO where the party was underway. With my 18 months daughter in tow, we made the best of it dressed in matching attires for memorable pictures. It was indeed just a girls day out while my son stayed home with his dad to do more masculine stuff.

My daughter Noa and I wore matching green floral African prints to contrast the pink backgrounds I predicted would be the norm at the Barbie set up. I wasn’t going to take any chances in blending with the background. I think we did ok judging by the images here. We felt right at home. Thanks for having us Barbie!

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If the Halloween parade in NYC was anything to go by, you can expect a massive turn out at the voting poll next week for the midterms. Political plaques and Donald Trump costumes were rife at the parade! The weather was the warmest during this time of the year in a very long time! New Yorkers and visiting foreigners turned out and showed out in full force. Patrolling cops said it was the most attendance of all Halloween parades they’ve seen in a while. The sidewalks was at least 12 rows deep with those at the front having saved their spots at least 3 hours before kick off. Adults and babies as young as 9 month old took in the merriment.

Armed patrols and mounted police officers could be seen everywhere. With the current political climate in the world right now, NYC wasn’t about to let the affair get ruined by any nut job. K9 dogs sniffed around while armed officers in bullet proof vests roamed the crowd. All in a days work. Needless to say, the celebration went off without a hitch! On that note, please remember to vote! Your voice matters!

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