HOLIDAY SPIRITS

I don't know if it's just me or not, but because of the state of the country and this lousy administration, people seem to yearn for some relief and seems to be in the spirit of the holiday more than usual. I have seen more homes with lights out then then last few years. I don't know. But it was good to finally get out and enjoy some time with friends. I departed Thursday as I and the clan got together for a bit of a jolly in NYC which didn't disappoint. We took in some of the sights, a trip to the lovely John Derian shop, and even enjoyed my first cocktails since the surgery... just enjoyed time being away, with no schedule. As always, the city didn't disappoint, but being visual, I did return last night very mentally spent. We even beat the crowds, planning out times at places smartly. But the getting up early could have killed me. 

Rockefeller Plaza! It's been a minute since I've been there.

Of all things, my favorite thing to see is the Public Library lions with their wreaths on. And the tree outside of Aster Hall inside was stunning.

Byrant Park

St Patrick's Cathedral

Inside Bergdorf Goodman. 

You can see the windows I posted early in the week here.

Meanwhile over at my old Alma mater of 18 years, Bloomingdales, I thought their windows were pretty clever. Knights Before Christmas. 

Christian Dior window.

Hudson Yards.

A trip to John Derian's is always a treat for me.

 I came out of there with four more bird clip ornaments.

Before heading back on the train, our little clan concluded with some "holiday spirits" at the Algonquin Hotel this year at the fabled Blue Bar...and spotted the hotel cat, Hamlet, who gets free reign of the hotel. It's quite funny and part of the hotel's charm. He must be the 8th in the line of Hamlets.

It's been ages since we enjoyed drinks there, But I always love it. A stop at the Blur Bar is an opportunity to sip where history was made and sit in the very space that helped shape New York's literary and theatrical scene. Everyone from Dorothy Parker to James Dean, to Alan Jay Lerner and Fredrick Loewe who composed over days the music to My Fair Lady in the hotel, to the likes of Harold Ross, founder of the New Yorker, Robert Benchley, artist and illustrator Neysa McMein,  playwright and humorist, George S Kaufman, Harpo Marx, Tallulah Bankhead, and later, wasn't uncommon to see the likes of Maya Angelou, a young Harry Connick Jr, Liza Minelli and everyone's favorite booze hound, Elaine Stritch, among a long list of others. After Prohibition, the bar reopened with a unique touch- John Barrymore, a frequent guest, convinced the hotel to install blue lighting gels above the bars' fixtures, believing the cooler hues were more flattering to everyone's, but mostly his, complexion. Today, the same lighting still reflects off the cocktail glasses held by guest and patrons, who knowingly or not are partaking in a timeless tradition, and are in a place graced once by so many colorful camp characters. For over a hundred years they have been serving cock-a-tails, it tickles me to be just a small piece of scrap in it's overall fabric.

It was a good time and an even better lie in today.

IN THREE WORDS

In this feature, I'll share a guest with you all each week, 

and you tell me in only three words what come to mind. 

In Three Words...

Luciano Pavarotti

Since it's the season...

RITTENHOUSE SQUARE...

...and other views. 

I got into Philly late this afternoon and staying overnight in Philly with a friend before heading to New York to meet the clan tomorrow. Once off the train, I was already greeted by a stunning tree in 30th Street Station, then headed to Wanamaker's for a organ listen before closing. A short walk about yet again makes me miss Philly, and how beautiful the city is. Just walking around for a bit before settling in tonight got me into the spirit of the holiday. Everything is sparkling. That old song from Auntie Mame, We Need A Little Christmas rings true, in these times we are living in. It seems to me I'm seeing more lights and decorations then in years past. And since I love Christmas Pyramids and have quite a few German ones, I was so happy to see a huge one in Love Park. It's now raining and my friend informs me he made a homemade butternut squash and apple soup for dinner. I tell you; I have the best friends. I will sleep good tonight.

SANTA'S WARNING....

 

*now where did I leave the gun oil?...

THE BERGDORF SOIREE

While I didn't get to see the legendary windows of Bergdorf Goodman in person yet, my blog in the field correspondent Mistress Maddie's # 1 Fan left Brooklyn with another clan member and sent some snaps. I will be heading to New York for a two-day visit at weeks end for a jolly, and I'm told some of the best cream of potatoes soup I'll ever eat.

While I don't have a fortune, I love me some Bergdorf Goodman.  I think everything I ever got there, I still have. The store itself is an extraordinary array of luxury brands from the trendy but also caters to the timeless classics. The store itself is absolutely stunning, a marvel, and caters to discerning shoppers who value quality over quantity. The store's ambiance and their exceptional customer service is unappareled to any other I have experienced. This year's windows titled, The Bergdorf Soiree, which celebrates New York's party scene, (something I was familiar with)...the windows are elaborate, handcrafted displays showcasing couture, creativity and glamour, and feature the likes of Costume Party, Party Animals, and New Year's Eve Countdown. The women's windows appear to be colorful and decadent, while the men's store windows are sophisticated monochromatic scenes. They are yet again the toast of town. I have had friend's past and present on the windows team. As always, each window offers much detail, from small 2" mice to large pieces and so many intricate details, dimensions and objects, yet appears seamless. But first hand knowledge from friends says it's still the same, a year of planning, around 6,500 hours of creating and another 2,000 to install. But it why us visual display people love doing it and sadly another dying art.

And the fun men's shop windows...

Special thanks to my field support for the pictures!