Well hello there, Noble Coterie!

Today's a quickie...

Hoping this blog finds you all well, stuffed to the hilt with scrumptious leftovers, and having a splendid Saturday so far.

How were your respective Thanksgivings, princes and princesses? Restful? Relaxing? Filled with warmth, good company and fabulous foodstuffs? I certainly hope so.

We here at New York Princess Party had ourselves some delightful, delicious, and de-lovely Turkey Days - time spent with family and friends is always a good thing. And now we're full, rested, and ready to do some serious princessing! This weekend, our Winter Princess and Ice Queen will be celebrating many a birthday all across the NYC area. The cold never bothered them, anyway...

Our princesses have been partying like crazy, folks - from ice skating at Chelsea Piers to romping around at the Little Gym to mixing and mingling in "castles" all across the city! It is the season of giving, after all - so give the gift of dreams coming true and book a party for your little one ASAP! Most weekends in December are already sold out, but there's still some availability. Drop us a line...we'd love to come visit and celebrate your princess's special day!

Just in case you need a refresher course on our myriad options for your little one's soiree, CLICK HERE and reacquaint yourself with the full range of Princess Party Packages!

And once you've done that, CLICK HERE and book a party! 

That's all for now, folks. Check back in again early next week for another installment of BEHIND THE BALLGOWN! Until then, enjoy the rest of your weekend, and stay majestic!

Well hello there, Royal Regatta!

Hoping this Friday finds you all well and staying warm amidst the wintery weather that's wheedled its way into NYC. While the blustery temperatures may not be your cup of tea, our Ice Queen and Winter Princess couldn't be more ready and excited to get "Frozen!" These lovely ladies have been making the rounds at many a party, and making birthday dreams come true. Book your party now and join in on the fun! We'd love to come visit! 

And now, it's time for our second installment of "Behind the Ballgown." Wahoo! Let's rock and roll...

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BEHIND THE BALLGOWN: Getting to Know Your Princesses, pt. 2


This week, we introduce you Maria Aparo-Merritt, our fabulous VP and Co-Creative Director. She's a gem and we're so excited for you to get to know this lovely lady a little better.

What brought you to NYC?
Work! After graduating from The Portland Actors Conservatory and working as an actor in the Pacific Northwest it was time to move to a bigger pond, so to speak. My husband's family (and mine) are all down in GA, so East Coast made the most sense when considering where to go. 

How did you start performing?
By forcing my dad to learn the lines of Cinderella's stepmother and sisters so we could rehearse the scene from the movie where she drops the tea tray over and over for hours! I finally graduated to larger scenes and other acting partners when I started attending a school in GA that actually had a drama department. (Bring more arts funding to rural communities ya'll!!) From there I've never stopped. 

What are you currently doing performance-wise?
I'm a working actor all over the city and you can see me regularly in theater, film, commercials and new media. In addition to performance I'm also a producer and stage manager. I'll be in Portland, OR this holiday season working on the show "A Tuna Christmas," and recently I wrapped a large project acting with the historic Living Theater ensemble on their newest show, No Place To Hide. You can also check out this ADORABLE commercial currently running in France :) 

What's your background working with children?
In addition to child care and nanny work, I've also logged some time doing children's theater and family-friendly shows. 

What's your favorite thing about New York?
That no matter when I'm hungry, there's always something open. Also the city's heart rhythm syncs so well with mine - the energy here inspires me to soar and dream big in life!!

What's your favorite thing about princessing?
All the good feelings I get knowing I'm using my talents to bring people joy! Performing for kids is the best because they don't hold back. If they don't believe you, they literally tell you. So when you get rewarded with a huge smile and and "I know you're the REAL little mermaid," it's just amazing all the way around. 

Anything else we should know?
I live in Crown Heights, Brooklyn with my husband and our pit bull rescue Shani. Some of my personal interests and passions include: P.E.O., being a member of the Planned Parenthood Activist Council, philanthropic work, holistic well being, cooking, and spending quality time with family & friends.

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Thanks so much, Maria! And thank YOU for stopping by this week. We'll be back again after Thanksgiving with some fun announcements, tidbits, and (of course), another "Behind the Ballgown."

Have yourselves a loverly week and a delicious Thanksgiving! #Grateful.

Until next week!

Bon Friday, Fabulous Friends!

Today's blog launches an exciting new installation: NY Princess Party Q & A! 
It's a sort of "Behind the Ballgown," if you will; a fun and friendly "Getting to Know Your Princesses." So here we go!

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BEHIND THE BALLGOWN: Getting to Know Your Princesses, pt. 1

FIRST UP: The wonderful Allison Wilkes, party princess extraordinaire and our newly(ish) appointed Director of Ops!

What brought you to NYC?
I moved to New York City with a one way plane ticket and two suitcases to pursue musical theatre full-time. I'd graduated a year earlier from the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) with my B.A. in Theatre with an Emphasis in Musical Theatre. A sublet was available through a friend of a friend, so I knew it was a "now or never" moment. I bought my ticket and made the move.

How did you start performing?
I grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, which oddly enough had two (now three) thriving community theatre organizations. Among those was a children's theatre, featuring performances by teenagers and children - for children. My neighbor was going to an audition for the musical "Rip Van Winkle," and she invited me to go along. My mom skeptically asked me what I was going to sing and, without missing a beat, I said "the song from the Little Mermaid." She asked me to sing it and I immediately belted out the whole song! It must have been passable because she said "Ok, you may go." I was cast in the show and I never stopped working after that!

What are you currently doing performance-wise?
Auditioning, Auditioning and Auditioning! I am also taking acting classes two nights a week at the Matthew Corozine Studio. 

What's your background working with children?
I am the oldest of four kids, so you could say my entire life. Professionally, I have also worked in the city as a babysitter, as well as teaching theatre camps.

What's your favorite thing about New York?
I love the anonymity of it; I grew up in a place where everyone knows everyone else which, while amazing, means that you could never really be alone. In New York you can get lost in the Park- and you will probably not see anyone you know.

What's your favorite thing about princessing?
I love watching the kids sing and play- they are so free and unencumbered. It's beautiful. 

Anything else we should know?
I am a HUGE College Football fan! ROLL TIDE!!

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Thanks so much, Allison! And thank YOU all for tuning in this week. Come back again soon for our next installment of "Behind the Ballgown." We have so many wonderful princesses with stories to share. And BONUS - if you keep on coming back every week, you'll get to see the full collection of our newly shot Princess Portraits. Don't miss 'em, they're something special.

Until next week! Stay majestic, friends!

Happy Monday, Royal Coterie!

This week's blog is a quickie - some updates and exciting announcements and I'll send you on your merry way.

First up - New York Princess Party is thrilled to announce the addition of a brand-new preferred vendor. Drumroll, please...

                 *prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrSYMBOLCRASH*








Introducing: Dance with Miss Rachel! We'll let them tell you about what they do best:

"At Dance with Miss Rachel, kids ages 18 months to 8 years have a place to let their creativity blossom. In unique, inspirational 45-minute classes, kids learn ballet, singing, musical theatre, and more. All classes are taught by two professionally trained instructors who sing along with a live pianist. Our individualized approach to teaching makes each child feel like a star. At Dance with Miss Rachel, we seek to educate children through storytelling, imaginative song and movement, and spark their inner creativity. Not only do we have fun, dance is the ultimate way for kids to develop balance, strength, flexibility, coordination, rhythm, grace, sharing, and independence! "


Click here to learn more and book a Princess Party in tandem with "Dance With Miss Rachel!"

One more tidbit and then I'll sign off 'til next time:
This past week, the ladies at NY Princess Party got together for one heck of a fabulous photo shoot at Belvedere Castle in Central Park. Stay tuned for the fancy finished shots of our beautiful princesses (with a special cameo from the very handsome Prince Kristoff!)

Thanks for tuning in, ladies and gents, and we'll see you soon. In the meantime, book a party and stay majestic!

We are so excited to have a brand new website going into the fall!

We will be blogging to this page from now on, but if you'd like to browse our old blog archive, you can do so by clicking {HERE}


Thank you and welcome to the new and improved New York Princess Party!