I trust you have all had lovely summers and are starting to feel the thrill of fall? Leaves changing colors, a chill on the breeze, and the return of pumpkin lattes at Starbucks? And of course, actual pumpkins – pumpkins make us very happy around here. Are we getting ahead of ourselves? OK, the real reason for this post is to share some pictures of a fun evening we had a few weeks back – it was a Breast Cancer awareness night/fundraiser hosted by Mamaroneck Shares. The town closed down the main strip on Mamaroneck Avenue and had a big block party. Bands played, restaurants put tables out in the street and children ran amok. It was a perfect evening. Here at Siren, this night held a special place in our hearts, as we have a dear friend (we’ll call her “Karen” – because that’s actually her name) who was diagnosed with breast cancer in the past year. She underwent surgery and treatment and is now cancer-free, thank God. In celebration, we stayed open late and featured Karen’s own catering specialties – nipple cupcakes, sangria, pink ribbon cookies, and fruit salad – not just any fruit salad, but a fruit salad so delightful that we have been prodded repeatedly for the recipe. I will post it, people.

Pink Ribbon Couture

Sun setting, moon rising

It's a good night when an Irish band is playing outside your door.

The Quilt - made by Kristin (right) for Karen (left) signed by many, including Maria (middle).

Nipple cupcake, anyone?

Let the Ribbon speak.

Well, we’re back from an interesting weekend in Philadelphia! We set up a vendor’s table at a Ghost Adventures (Travel Channel) event hosted by Darkness Radio (www.darknessradio.com). The event featured several cool speakers (discussing topics like demonology, communicating with ghosts, the paranormal in pop culture and other fun stuff) and two late night tours of Eastern State Penitentiary, a very old and historic (and, yes, haunted) prison. Not the best market for selling jewelry you might say… yes, we thought so too, but something told us to go, and as usual, our gut never fails us!

Our table, day one.

So after sitting in traffic at the GWB (that’s George Washington Bridge for you out-of-towners) for way too long we had an otherwise uneventful drive, arrived in Philly and immedeiately unloaded and set up our table. See above. People were still checking in for the event, and it was unclear as yet what the heck we were doing here. We were tired from the drive and when we get tired, we get silly. We found an empty conference room right next to us, and, well, immaturity ensued.

Ooooh... empty room...

It may choke Arty, but it ain't gonna choke Stymie...

I see dead people.

I am I am I am Superman! (Name the band)

What we really needed was a trampoline.

Maria napping under the table.

Ooh la la!

So Maria was trying to make it look like she was naked, but the jeans ruined it. Oh well. Thanks for trying, Maria. Next time just get naked! Because that would guarantee someone walking in, and I would laugh so hard you’d have to take me to the hospital. (Maria has a history of people walking in on her – you know, in the potty and stuff). Anyway, as you can see, we did have a period of boredom where we needed to entertain ourselves. But you’ll be happy to know that it turned out we had found a group of people as silly as we are! In fact, we may have been outdone. But more on that later… stay tuned for the rest of the tale in Jewelry and Jail Cells, Part Two!

We’ve decided to start shining more light about the great people we come into contact with every day. Today it’s Annie at our Starbucks – the one on Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck, near Mamaroneck High School. That place was jam packed today with a line almost constantly out the door, and Annie had it running like a well-oiled machine – and cheerfully! But we’re not surprised, because she’s always like that. Always a smile, a happy greeting – and we know that can’t always be easy! People are grumpy about their coffee, especially before they’ve had their coffee! But Annie and her crew are the reason we go to that particular establishment – Maria doesn’t even drink coffee and she goes every day! She drinks tea – grande earl grey or grande awake, depending – but Annie already knows that. Annie also knows Maria has a weakness for chocolate covered espresso beans – we may have to plan an intervention soon. Thanks, Annie, for never being in a bad mood, for your happy finesse, and for making it look so easy! You rock!

We meet all kinds of people in our business. In a few instances, we have been lucky enough to meet some really spectacular individuals. Sometimes people who, in the beginning, just come in to shop, over time become real friends. Jan P., originally a shopper, is in the rank of friends without a doubt. It’s funny what you can learn about people based on how they shop. Jan never shops for herself, though she’s in nearly every week. Always a gift for this person or that person, for a dinner host, someone’s birthday, or just someone she thinks needs a pick-me-up. So Maria decided we should give HER some gifts for her birthday. She is clearly more accustomed to giving than receiving, and after some serious objecting, she was gracious and lovely about it.  In fact, I don’t know how on earth we got her thank you notes in the mail so fast! She’s an example of propriety, but that’s not why we love her. My favorite thing is that she’s a straight shooter – she tells it like it is, but also she’s kind, and will do anything for you. She has a generous spirit – she gives because she can’t help it. That’s just how she’s wired.  So happy birthday to you, Jan! May this year be filled with as much love and magic as you unknowingly and effortlessly bestow on others all the time.  It has been a gift and a blessing getting to know you. Here’s to your future and all the amazing possibilities ahead! Go bask in the light that is you – and thank you for sharing it with us. Happy Birthday!

Mirrored Bustier created by Maria DiLeonardo

Spectacular!

So I’m taking it upon myself to begin showing off the creations of Maria DiLeonardo, High Preistess of the Sirens (which means she owns Siren Boutique) – because they are too good to keep to ourselves. From time to time (like right now) they grace the front windows of Siren Boutique. The pictures above are of the mannequin (we call her Tawny) currently on display. Maria made this gorgeous mirrored bustier in 1993 when she was 23 years old.  She was so ahead of her time – maybe you’ve noticed Lady Gaga in a similarly mirrored bra lately? But here’s my favorite factoid – Maria wore this hot little number to a Duran Duran concert and literally stopped the show after blinding everyone stage! She actually succeeded in shutting Simon LeBon up for 2 seconds, and I’m not sure – I don’t know him personally – but maybe that’s not so easy a task, hmm? I kid. Love you, Simon.

The High Priestess of Sirens (aka Maria) went ghost hunting in a place that is reputed to be one of the most terrifying places on earth – Waverly Hills Sanitorium in Louisville, Kentucky – for her 40th birthday! Most women would rather be laying on the beach sipping Planter’s Punch served by a hot cabana boy in some tropical clime, but Maria traded in her bikini for a thermal imaging camera and some angry dead guys.  The “hunt” was hosted by Darkness Radio and some guys from the Travel Channel that run around and say things like “DUDE!!! Did you SEE that???!” And was she scared? The scariest thing was the shirtless men roaming the streets in downtown Lousiville… shirtless… beer in hand… during the day… in a big city… every fourth man… shirtless… not Calvin Klein models… just roaming…  As for Waverly, definitely some strange energy there, certainly creepy - many people had interesting personal experiences. Maria stayed on for about an hour after the “crew” and most of the guests left, and that was the best part. More quiet, more creepy, not so pin-the-tail-on-the-ghosty. Would she go back? Yes, on her own. Would I? Hell to the no. And yet, she’s dragging me to Mansfield, Ohio in September to the old Ohio Reformatory – which happens to be the old prison where they shot Shawshank Redemption. Supposedly another ghost-filled haunt. (No pun intended. Ha). This one is also hosted by Darkness Radio, whose host, Dave Schrader, was most entertaining in Kentucky, and the closest thing to a sarcastic New Yorker Maria could find! If you’re curious, they have a live radio show online at darknessradio.com.

Maria - the sun is going down...

Waverly at dusk

And it's dark

Room 502 - a hot spot for activity

Sunlight and a new day! Happy to be heading home!

Jeff (Maria's longtime squeeze) and Aaron

Jeff (no, not Viggo) and Nick

Stay tuned for more ghost stories, and pics from a haunted restaurant in Tappan, NY!

Yes, it’s warm at last! We’ve noticed a surge of interest in flip flops and other warm-weather goodies! The spring and summer fashions continue to roll in, and here’s something fun – we’re having a Satya Trunk Show on April 22! It’s a Thursday night from 6:30 – 10:00 pm and we’ll have sangria and snacks, and a whole lot of gorgeous baubles by Satya! Satya does beautiful yoga-inspired jewelry and was recently featured on some of the models in the latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Oh, you didn’t notice the jewelry? That’s ok, we understand. All the more reason for you to come! We won’t distract you by wearing bikinis. Promise.

Carnelian Mala and other beautiful pieces.

So, darlings, we’ve been to the shows, and yes, in this Siren’s opinion, it was fun! Well, being at the Javits Center is kind of like being at the airport all day, except you have to add the sensory overload of the millions of things there are to see. Every conceivable accessory and article of clothing is there, and some that perhaps should never have been conceived. For some reason, it was the lingerie show that captivated us this time. We were suckered in by all the dainties, and we’re bringing them back for you too! Lots of fun stuff coming in that department – great for bridal, gifts, or general boudoir enhancement! Also, we have found some gorgeous jewelry from Istanbul – wait till you see that! It’s like we’ve opened the Sultan’s own treasure chest! We also restocked some of our old favorites, like Diana Warner. While her earrings are a true staple at Siren, we still have to get her stuff onto the website, so for those of you who are not local to our shop, stay tuned! Lastly (for now), just as I am sitting here, our UPS guy came in with a big box of new dresses! Hooray! Can’t wait to go through them! By the way, we love our UPS guy. Mike. He rocks. You rock, Mike.

So it occurred to me that perhaps I should let everyone know that yes, we know it’s winter, not summer, in spite of a “Summer Love” caption that you see on the sirenboutique.com home page! We have been running the website with a template for a while, but now the beautiful designed version is up! However, there are some things that still need to be addressed, so be patient as we get everything up to speed. What you SHOULD know is that the photograph under the Summer Love caption (the one with the yellow flip flops) links to a What’s New category – I know, it’s stealthy, but now you know! And there are some very hot dresses in there…

Hello Sirens and Sailors!

Welcome to our blog for Siren, an awesome and unique little boutique in Mamaroneck, NY. Today we have been to the New York International Gift Show at the Javits Center and the Piers - it’s only day one, and already we’ve found some really great treasures for you! New goodies are rolling in throughout the coming weeks, and we will do our best to continually add the merchandise to the website. So keep checking!

Oh, and if you happen to have been caught on film rocking any of your frocks or baubles from Siren, send the pics our way and we might just post you right here on our blog! We Sirens are show offs, plain and simple. Send to info@sirenboutique.com. That’s us.