Are you planning a vacation trip to New York City anytime soon? Got Times Square and Broadway shows on your to-do list? Well, you are in luck. New York City just got a little more racier. Forget the Broadway shows, posing with your childhood favorite Disney cartoon characters in costumes or watching gifted urban guys flipping into gymnastic stunts for a buck. Apparently a new breed of entertainers are getting all the attention and raking it in right in the middle of Times Square! Of course, you’re expected to leave them a tip after snapping their pictures with or without you in it. Naturally, this would eat into your vacation entertainment budget, and could shift your wish to obtain plush orchestra seats at Mama Mia to a nose bleed seat or better yet to skip the theater all together! This have left more and more Broadway theater producers no choice but to send out their promotional “agents” to lure tourists back into the theaters, a way to remind them why they came there in the first place. Have they been successful? Well, that all depends on the show I suppose. Acts on Times Square vying for the dollar now include barely there bikini clad “Cowboy Girls” armed with guitars. A few blocks away, you can spot a bare breasted woman making her services available by posing for dollars. Let me remind you that being topless is actually legal in the state of New York. See the video footage of Moira topless in the city last year. Home girl on Times Square is now using it to pay her bills. You can’t blame her. What can I say. Gotta love New York!

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You guessed it! There’s a parade/festival for everything under the sun in New York City and the Marijuana legalization protest rally was no different.

I’ve never smoked anything in my life but couldn’t resist what was going on just a few blocks from my place. Upon hearing it was a “Ganga Rally”, I quickly slipped on my Ganga smoking Lion shirt, figured it’s a good day to wear it.

On Saturday, May 4 2013, closeted users and outspoken supporters joined the movement at the rally to publicly voice and exercise their civil liberties, freedom of speech at Union Square. Political dignitaries looking for mayoral votes and ex cop/detective turned activist (Joanne Naughton) gave speeches and educated the public on some of the failed drug laws in the country. Despite a few active duty cops on hand to help make sure it was a non violent protest, a few denizens lit up joints to while away the time while they chanted and rejoiced at what could soon be a Cannabis friendly state  to join the ranks of Colorado and Washington States that already legalized the use of Marijuana since late 2012. More rallies are happening across the country each day, all asking for the same liberties.

Preview the video footage below to see the event of the day.

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Guest speaker ex cop/detective Joanna Naughton

The organizer

The march to Union Sq

The rally at Union Square

The rally's Grand Marshall "Ganga Granny"

86 year old woman doing what you would never believe! The video footage below says it all. I want to be like her when I grow up. Heading out to yoga class now! WOW!

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I finally made an effort to visit the Botanical Garden in Brooklyn today for the very first time! It was well worth the wait. The Garden had a 2-day celebration of the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival. It was not to be missed. I made lots of new friends at the event and got to discover many types of flowers and trees. I had no idea such a unique garden was right here in the city. Naturally, I dug through my closet to find one of the many classic silk Kimonos I bought during my visit to Kyoto, Japan a few years ago.  This event was a perfect excuse I needed to wear it in New York City. Upon my arrival at the garden, I saw many others in Kimonos as well. I guess we all got the unofficial dress code memo. Nevertheless, I felt right at home and had loads of fun.

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Sikhs in the United States have long been confused with ultra orthodox Muslims because of the traditional turbans on their heads, especially since the 9/11 terrorists downing of the World Trade Center in 2001. Many were assaulted and publicly humiliated until a few organized groups stepped forward to better educate Americans about their religion and culture. The 26th annual Sikh day festival which turned Madison Avenue into a “mini Mumbai” for a few hours was one of the educational vehicle for that purpose, to also further their cause in letting the world know of their desire to separate from India as a country with their own government. If successful, this would mirror the creation of Pakistan as an independent Muslim nation from India. The Sikhs have been fighting this battle since 1984 after their temple was bombed by the Indians which prompted the 100,000+ US based Sikhs to demand their own day of festival in New York City, a separation from the much larger Indian Day Festival. Today at the festival, food was abundant and free for all, regardless of origin, race or culture. They chanted for freedom and rejoiced in their moment of unity. The atmosphere was positive and energetic.

I sincerely wish them all the best in their mission for a separate country.

If you see any image you fancy, just click on it to preview the enlarged version. Larger images including those not posted here will be posted on my Facebook page. As usual darling, all rights reserved

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Ice cream being served to the crowd

Gallons of milkshake being served to the crowd

Spring has never looked so good in New York City. The flowers are in full bloom creating a great platform for outdoor photography. I didn’t waste anytime in enlisting my dearest and favorite model, Marina Cavallini as my model subject. We have worked together many times before, including modeling for Shoeholics magazine, movie trailer and website, among many other things. She is one of the most dedicated and loyal friends I can count on one hand. When I told her of my “Acrobatic Ballerina In The Park” concept, she was delighted to participate. At the park, we used every garden and blooming trees we could find. We didn’t spare Alice In Wonderland statue either. It wasn’t long before we started attracting spectators. At some locations, with each conclusion of poses we received applause. Occasionally, we get a couple of annoying professional photographers wanting to steal our thunder by snapping a few shots of our set up. I guess we should be flattered. Marina summed up the day very well….

“Today was a beautiful spring day in NYC. The temperatures up in the 70s, flowers blooming, clear sky, green parks… all of it contributed to a perfect day for a photo shoot with my dearest Tinu. I should say there were a few weirdos we ran into that made our day even better and funnier! The day began with a few laughs and spotting Slumdog Millionnaire Dev Patel walking to a movie set at around 9 am at Madison Square Park. Then we headed uptown to Central Park to other locations. I brought a few outfits with me and started changing. Point shoes, tutu, leotard and then… into the fountain! No, no, it wasn’t on yet! I got on the sprinkler, got on point and started posing. 5-10 minutes into the shoot we heard “Oh my God! Do you know how fragile that is? We just painted it yesterday! Get out of the fountain and take all of your body parts with you!” It was one of the park keepers. For a moment I wondered what part of my body I’d leave there if I had a choice…
As we were shooting at another location in Central Park we couldn’t get rid of one really nasty stalker with a professional camera. He was trying to take pictures when I was posing while pretending he was up to something else. He’d turn his back on us and then we’d spot him hiding behind a tree, bushes, and even after I gave him a finger, I could still spot him on a bridge, in a tourist crowd… oh, so annoying! We ended the shoot at Columbus Circle. The day was very productive and fun!”

Please feel free to share these images with your friends and loved ones. We hope they brighten up your day and bring you smiles as they did to us. If you see any image you fancy, just click on it to preview the enlarged version. Larger images including those not posted here will be posted on my Facebook page between now and end of May. As usual darling, all rights reserved

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I had a lovely time last night at the charity ball honoring Crown Princess Margarita and Prince Radu of Romania. The great great great great granddaughter of Queen Victoria of UK gave a moving speech about her beloved country Romania just before dinner that had me in a bit of tears. I have never seen a person love a country so much that she’s willing to do all and give all to help her people. I learnt a lot from her that night.

Prior to the gala, I had just spent about 8 hours shooting a ballerina on Central Park before rushing home to figure out what to wear to gala. I had absolutely no idea what to wear until after going through my stash of gowns where came upon a floral silk dress by Emanuel Ungaro Haute Couture, 2001 collection. To my luck, it still fits! Unfortunately, this is one of many haute couture houses that ceased operations. I still remember attending their very last haute couture fashion show in Paris. Gosh, I really miss them.

It was a perfect choice considering the spring season with flowers and all the right trimmings. The weather held up pretty good too, all the more reason to be able to wear the high slit silk dress with a pair of tassle accented gold sandals by Gucci. At the gala, I was assigned my very own cadet to accompany me to my seat. A very productive day overall.

My friend Giles Ashford described the outfit best, “….stunning bird of paradise!” I can only hope Monsieur Ungaro is reading this and perhaps it will convince him to open up shop again. I can only try.

Sign up for my newsletter on the right side of the site. You never know what might come through your email. Happy Spring!

As seen at the Emanuel Ungaro 2001 haute couture runway. Of course, I had them make mine with a more subtle shoulder corsage.

I attended a friend’s birthday party this past weekend. I don’t get many opportunities to wear my traditional attire much in New York. When the invitation came in the mail, I couldn’t resist. Figured why not celebrate the affair in spring colors in Swiss lace I bought a few years ago during my trip to Switzerland. I completed the look with a pair of powder pink Christian Dior slide heels, Fendi shades and rare pink Chanel purse adorned with a pink bottom miniature platform heels. It felt GREAT! It took me only 5 minutes to tie the head wrap style I created and call “The Sydney Opera House”. I like big head wraps, better to make a statement and be seen coming through the door! Go big or go home!

Of course, many of the guests didn’t believe that I actually tied it myself. I might wear western clothes everyday in New York, but there are certain things one can never forget. For me, tying a head wrap is like riding a bicycle. Once I mastered it at a very young age from my Grandmother, it stayed with me and I have since made it my own and created many variations since then. RIP Mama. This one is for you.

It’s important to connect with our heritage once in a while. If you have one, please celebrate it with pride! Don’t be shy or ashamed of it. Happy Monday, Happy Spring!

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Beyonce’s concert tour has begun. It started in Serbia today. Her “Mrs. Carter Show” World Tour concert has no age limit. So be prepared to home school your kids before you hand them their tickets to see this tour coming to a city near you.

About the outfit, Beyonce is no doubt in a race to wipe out her squeaky clean image by going for the racy angle more familiar to her younger counterpart Rihanna. In her effort to remind her fans of why she must be perceived as the queen on top, she debuted one of the most racy costumes in concert history. This would almost make the likes of Lady Gaga and Rihanna wish they were right there right now filling the costumes up!

Forget wardrobe malfunction ala Janet Jackson nipple exposure. Take a look at these pictures. How do you like ‘em apples? “BOW DOWN BITCHES!” Uh? What is that I hear you say? Are you on the floor yet?! Don’t make her come over there and force on your knees!

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Beyonce on the first night of her 'Mrs Carter World Tour' at Kombank Arena in Belgade, Serbia.

Beyonce on the first night of her 'Mrs Carter World Tour' at Kombank Arena in Belgade, Serbia.

When it comes to shock value, she still has nothing on Madonna though.

Madonna in concert in Istanbul, Turkey

Iranian Actress Mary Apick at the festival

Persians from all parts of America descended on New York City yesterday to celebrate their centuries old, rich heritage on Madison Avenue in a parade that had no shortage of elaborate headdresses and costumes echoing dynasties long gone. One could almost think it was the biblical old testament coming to life at the 10th anniversary Persian Festival. The festivities brought out the old and young, Muslims, Jewish and Christian Persians. Some proudly wore outfits declaring their proud status as an Iranian American. The festivities also included Iranian celebrities such as Armarti “Shahidi” Fitzgerald and Mary Apick in full costume! Upon the conclusion of the festival, the crowd feasted on some of the traditional cuisines fully stocked at nearby tents, built solely for the guests. The weather held well, allowing for a nice family gathering and networking.

If you see any image you fancy, just click on it to preview the enlarged version. As usual darling, all rights reserved

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