Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Goodbye 2008... Hello '09!


Times Square, New York City

I almost can't believe 2008 is over, and that this is the last day of it! 
Always at this time of year, I stop and take time to think about all that's happened in the past 365 days... and what I was doing this time last year.
Of course, with that, I wonder where I'll be this time next year.. and what I will be looking back on then too..

Tonight I'm off to a dinner party, which should be fun! As most of my family, and some of my friends, are in the UK, I'm sure to be receiving 'Happy New Year' texts by 7pm tonight!

It's snowing today in NYC... and I'm sure I've said it before, but I'll say it again, New York looks beautiful when it snows. I hope it carries on until that Times Square ball drops at Midnight.

And so I'm off to decide what to wear! But I wish you all, a very Happy New Year. May 2009 bring us all a smile or two.. xoxo

Saturday, December 27, 2008

I'm Back!



Hello! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Holiday!
I'm back in NYC after visiting my Dad in Michigan for the week, I had a really great (and white!!) Christmas, and I've got lots to share about it all!! As well as finally being able to share with you what's been keeping my hands busy over the few weeks leading up to Christmas!

But for now, It's an early night tonight as I was off to catch a plane this morning at 3am!!
I wish my holiday could have lasted longer, but I'm glad I had my furry adorable Oscar to come home to!

Updates, pictures and stories soon!!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Window Watching..



New York City is well known for their Christmas Store windows, which take months and months of planning and a lot of hard work... but they always come up with something new and worth a look! Now although I haven't had the chance to check them out myself yet, but on cruising 1st Dibs (which I lovvee! And which is actually based out of the same Chelsea building I work in!) I found a great spread of photography showing off these famous windows! Check out 1st Dibs for a browse yourself, as well as the usual treasures on their site!!
Here, I've posted my favorites... but my most favorite are the next two images with the woman walking the snail, and the next two windows - one of which, with a woman sitting on the moon. Even for just these three windows, it's worth a trip up to Bergdorf's!!


Bergdorf Goodman


Bergdorf Goodman


Tiffany & Co.


Bloomingdales & Saks Fifth Avenue

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Twinkle Twinkle...



Ah, Twinkle lights.... and since I found the picture of the dog covered in them, it seems tree's aren't the only thing people like to cover in lights!! Courtesy of Flickr, here are some great photos....
Love the one below with the cat!!.....Oscar, where are you??! I've got some twinkle lights for youuuu!!!








Let It Snow...



I LOVE snow!!!! Today, New York is facing it's second (as far as I've seen!) sprinkle of the wonderful fluffy stuff.... I think watching snow fall is one of my most favorite things.

New York looks so beautiful when it snows too...glowing in the street lights. So I thought I'd post a few beautiful pictures of the city in snow! I'm sure there will be more of these from me over the next few months - after all, the serious snow probably won't arrive until after the holiday's, as usual!
And as I'm spending this Christmas in Michigan, where it's hard to escape the snow! I'm hoping for a throughly white Christmas too!!

My Dad has a wonderful German Shepard/Black Lab mix Dog called Rufus, and I'm seriously considering taking inspiration from the above image and covering him in twinkle lights!!!! Ha!!!


Madison Avenue


Central Park


Lower East Side

Monday, December 15, 2008

Monday, Monday...


House to Home.

It's Monday evening... and boy, oh boy, am I tired! It's been such a busy weekend I feel like I need another one already! Right now, I wish I had a warm cracking fire to curl up next to, blanket and cup of tea at hand, with a great book.... like the picture above, that warm, worn leather.. the rustic charm...
But for now, I'll have to go without those comforts... and just be happy with a cuppa tea and great book - which is right now one by Eustace Mullins, a Christmas pressi to myself!
So I'm off to curl up, relax, and probably fall asleep very soon!!
Happy Monday!!

Sad Times...



Unfortunately, these days, this is only too true...

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Hippo!!

I just heard the best and funniest Christmas Song!! So of course, I have to post it!!!



'I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas' By Gayla Peevey

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Treetops Glisten...



For my Sister, Kathryn. Because no one loves this movie as much as she does!

Bryant Park, NYC



This is my third Christmas in New York City now, and every year I always, without fail, have to go up to Bryant Park to wander around the ice rink and the little stores camped out just for the season.
As this is my last weekend before I'm off to Dad's for the holidays I had to go and check it out! Above and below are a couple snaps I took of my visit. Hot coffee in hand, I got soaked up in that wonderful Christmas feeling and hummed along to the Christmas tunes flowing from the little shops..

I have a soft spot for Bryant Park. I sat on one of their green chairs in the early Spring of 2006 on a weekend visit to New York. Although I had it in mind before that I would move here, it was in that park at that moment, looking across the square of green while the buildings towered around it on all sides, giving that patch a sense of protection, that I decided NYC was going to be my new home. A month and a half later, I was here...

Maybe thats why I go back every year, not just for the Christmas cheer but to remind me of where it all began, and how far I've come... Bryant Park always makes me smile, at any time of the year. 

I watched 'The Bridges Of Madison County' tonight, a movie which I love, and makes me cry! But there was a line that Robert (Clint Eastwood) said that rang out to me, and I'd like to share it...
"Change is one of the laws of nature. Some people fear change, but if you can look at it like something you can count on, it can actually become a comfort"


Friday, December 12, 2008

Busy Hands Keep A Calm Mind...


John Singer Sargent, Nonchaloir, 1911

I've come to discover that the best way to keep a mind calm, is to keep the hands busy.

This week has been really busy, at home, and at work. And I'm not complaining! This week, our accountant's husband lost his job - after 13 years at the company, my Roommate Kim lost hers, and Habitually Chic lost hers too. NYC is taking a pounding... But then, it's amazing what fear can do.
I count my lucky stars I still have my job.. that and work is so busy right now too. This week I had to style our Park Avenue Apartment project for a big meeting with a magazine - she loved it too! So more on that when it comes to fruition!

I've got a busy day in front of me, so I thought I'd share with you my favorite lines of the mix CD which has kept me company in my evenings all week... Next week I'll be hitting up those Christmas songs full throttle!

now your here now you away, I don't want this, remember that, I'll never forget where your at
Glycerine, Bush

And I am finally seeing, why I was the one worth leaving.
The District Sleeps Alone Tonight, The Postal Service

Because I came here with a load, And it feels so much lighter, Since I met you, And honey you should know, That I could never go on without you
Green Eyes, Coldplay

And -- each night and day I pray, in hope, That I might find you, in hope that I might, Find you, because hearts can do no more, It always ends up to one thing honey, still I kneel upon the floor
How Can I Tell You, Cat Stevens

I'll find you, In the morning sun, And when the night is new. I'll be looking at the moon, But I'll be seeing you.
I'll Be Seeing You, Billie Holiday

And it can't be bad, all the love I've had, Coursing through life, Down in the pass where the wind blows fast, And mellow's feeling right
Mellow, Elton John

So goodbye yellow brick road, Where the dogs of society howl, You can't plant me in your penthouse, I'm going back to my plough
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Elton John

I'll never be your beast of burden, My back is broad but it's a hurting, All I want is for you to make love to me, I'll never be your beast of burden, I've walked for miles my feet are hurtingAll I want is for you to make love to me
Beast Of Burden, The Rolling Stones

When I turn around you're there, Should I ask for more, I feel like sugar on the floor, I feel like sugar on the floor
Sugar On The Floor, Etta James

On a railway New York bound, Took all except my name, Another alien on Broadway, There's some things in this world, You just can't change, Somethings you can't see, Until it gets too late, Baby,
baby, baby 
Bright Lights, Matchbox 20

Looks like you got the best of me, Mocking Bird singing his song, Well Mocking Bird mocking me now that you're gone, Mocking Bird high in a loof, Well he's blowing notes on top my roof
Mockingbird, Tom Waits

He's got a broken voice and a twisted smile, Guess he's been that way for quite awhile, Got blood on his shoes and mud on his brim, Did he do it to himself or was it done to him?
Broken, Norah Jones

If the sky that we look uponShould tumble and fall, And the mountain should crumble to the sea, I won't cry, I won't cry, No I won't shed a tear, Just as long as you stand, stand by me
Stand By Me, The Temptations

My baby dont care who knows it, My baby just cares for me
My Baby Just Cares For Me, Nina Simone

When you sail across the ocean waters, And you reach the other side safely, Could you smile a little smile for me? 'cause I'll be thinkin' about you
Thinking About You, Norah Jones

At last, the skies above are blue, My heart was wrapped up in clover, the night I looked at you 
At Last, Etta James

Monday, December 8, 2008

Christmas Shimmer...



For a little bit of Fashion Inspiring Interiors....the wonderful Roberto Cavalli... And for the Christmas touch, in shimmering goldie silver!... Now, the interiors!!


House to Home


House to Home


Living Etc

A Cowboy and his Brandy...



I know I haven't been posting recently - even my Mum commented on it! Still, it's been a busy week at work, I've had a lot on my mind, and well, my heart has been very heavy... so sadly leaving little time to blog.

Above is an image I'd like to accompany with the song below. It's from the new Baz Lehrmann movie 'Australia' with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Now, I'm not running off to the cinema to watch it, but I do love the image above. Even if I do dislike Nicole's boots! I love their pose, the masculinity, the femininity....

As for why I'd like like it in the same post as this song.... well, thats for me to know, and you to guess.
For my Marlboro Man....


Friday, December 5, 2008

Two weeks and counting...



I can't believe Christmas is only two weeks away now! When I was little, it couldn't come fast enough, now it comes around wayy too fast!! 
This year things have unfortunately changed in my family, and for the first time, in my lifetime, we won't all be together for the holidays. You see a big fat ocean lies between my Mother, my Brother and my Sister in England, and my Father and I sit on this side. Fortunately however, at least all of us will have some family. I'm jumping over to Michigan to spend it with my Dad and his dog Rufus, and probably a whole chunk of SNOW!! I haven't been back there for two years! I can't believe how they can vanish so quickly...

But... I LOVE Christmas!!! And I adore Christmas music!!! 
So, the above song is Judy Garland, singing 'Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas', which I just love. It must be one of my all time favorites, so beautiful, so classic... it makes my heart melt..

Then there's this one, Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' is to keep my lonely heart cheerful...and for my Family, who could do it better than Bing Crosby? 'I'll Be Home For Christmas'... if only in my heart.




All three images from Living Etc.