As I've been working on compiling my Halloween costume, I've tried several hats and haven't been happy with them. I went to a party at the North Street Nickel City coop house Saturday night and some lovely woman let me borrow her adorable black velvet hat with rose detail but of course wanted it back as the she left. I wasn't quick enough to ask if I could rent it from her for this weekend's festivities. I had found a cute little half-hat at Patricia's, the crazy over-stuffed store next to East End Salon on Allen but I couldn't get it to sit right with my too-big head and too-thick hair. I highly recommend Patricia's for accessories. Adorable black velvet bag, elbow-length gloves... she even had white kid-leather elbow length gloves with the buttons at the wrist - they were gorgeous! They're something I've only read about. I feel like a bull in a china shop - the pathways are so narrow and everything is piled so high - so I just tell her what I need and she scurries around, digging deep into piles of furs, hats, suits, accessories, shoes, and random household items until she finds the perfect item. It's like a combination grandmother's attic, thrift store, and Claire's.

Anyway, so I checked out House of Randolph, 70 Allen St., hoping the cute fancy dresses in the window would be accompanied by hats. Irma, the owner, said she doesn't carry hats but did show me her gorgeous clothes "for us voluptuous women... the clothes are not for sticks." Really beautiful stuff and next time I need a fancy outfit, I'm going to try there first. As funky & cool as Allen Street Dress Shop is, they rarely have anything that fits me.

So I used the google machine to find "hats buffalo ny"... and I found Flashy Toppers over on Jefferson Ave. Stunning hats!!! They've got men's and women's hats, flashy and subdued. Very fun, great service. They've got a coupon in the Buffalo First coupon book, too. My hat has sequins, lace, and rhinestones and even came with a big huge proper hat box! Can't wait to wear it!