Showing posts with label Manhattan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manhattan. Show all posts

Monday, December 25, 2023

It's A Manhattan Christmas

Photo Source of Macy's: Adventures Only
Manhattan in December is magical. If you can't fit a Christmas tree into your tiny apartment just step outside, the entire city with lights and sparkle becomes your Christmas decor!

The 1st two photos are of Macy's holiday windows at Herald Square, my favorite New York City department store. You'll find everything you need at Macy's but unlike Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, or Bloomingdales, Macy's carries a wide range of price points coupled with the best sales so you'll find exactly what you're looking for to suit your budget. I've never shopped at Macy's for a necessity or splurge and returned home either empty-handed or broke. From upscale to budget-friendly, there's something for everyone.
Photo Source of Macy's: Macy's, Inc.
Frankly, I'd be in big trouble if Macy's were in my own neighborhood and I could float in to browse anytime I wish. It's better for my wallet that I must take the subway to Herald Square because Macy's vast inventory is tempting every time I step into the store.


Photos of Bergdorf Goodman: Ricky Zehavi Photography

Sitting at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, Bergdorf Goodman creates fashion-forward, avant-garde holiday windows.

Photo Source of Cartier: Shutterstock
Cartier Fifth Avenue (at 52nd Street) always wraps its flagship store up as a Christmas package. I look for it every year and sometimes shamelessly steal the upmarket retailer's festive motif for my own front door.

Saks Fifth Avenue has the best video show every single year, and crowds are not wild or crazy when you attend the night of its unavailing usually accompanied by live celebrity entertainment. I like to stand directly across the street on Fifth Avenue (between 49th and 50th Streets) to watch the outdoor music, dance, and light show. Then you might as well walk over to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree because you're only a stone's throw away from Rockefeller Plaza. I have featured the beautiful tree on the blog in past years linked here. Next to Saks is St. Patrick's Cathedral with a large Nativity Scene near the altar. 

Photo Source: Debra Turner
Merry Christmas to all my lovely readers. Peace, Love, and Joy to everyone of every faith tradition on the globe who sees the blog! May the spirit of Christmas find you today and always!πŸͺπŸŽ„πŸ‘ xoxoπŸ’‹


You may also enjoy:

Thursday, December 7, 2023

The Rockettes And The Radio City Christmas Spectacular

The Radio City Rockettes have kicked off the holiday season in New York City for the last 91 years. On my walk to the Time & Life building (i.e., work) in the morning, I petted the baby camel parked outside on one of the tiny side streets of Rockefeller Plaza. Golden fur, soft and so clean! The Living Nativity and Parade of the Living Soldiers have been in the Christmas show since its beginning. The Rockettes are a precision dance company famous for their kickline and eye-high kicks.

To be a Rockette, hopefuls must measure between 5'6" and 5'10.5" tall in stocking feet. The dancers must know tap, jazz, modern, and ballet. A total of 80 Rockettes are hired for the Christmas Spectacular, with 2 casts of 40 dancers for the afternoon and evening performances. They rehearse in the basement of St. Paul the Apostle Church (located on West 59th Street beside Lincoln Center) for six hours a day, six days a week for six weeks.
Only 36 dancers appear on stage at one time. The tallest dancers line up in the middle with shorter dancers on the ends. It gives the illusion that each woman is the same height.

The dancers do their own hair and makeup. Each performer wears a French twist, red lips (the shade is MAC Red or MAC Russian Red), and eyelashes.

There are more than 1,100 costumes and pairs of shoes. Their shoes have microphones so the audience can hear the tap dancing during 12 Days of Christmas and Rag Dog.

Other fun facts include the show runs for 90 minutes with no intermission. The Rockettes do more than 160 kicks per show and can perform up to 4 shows a day during the busy season. Since the Christmas Spectacular premiered in 1932, 3,000 women have been Rockettes.

Show tickets are not cheap, but nobody goes home disappointed. Here's a link with tips on how to get a discount on tickets, however, this may be a time when paying the piper is necessary as these suggestions don't look easy. More like hope and luck.πŸ””

If you wish to know what it's like to auditon and be a New York City Rockette, click the entertaining video below to hear firsthand:




You may also enjoy:

Thursday, August 3, 2023

Hulken's Schlepping Bag On Wheels

While walking home I saw a woman carry roughly 3 bags of groceries 40 blocks in a Heluken's Bag on Wheels and now I want one. I caught up with her and ended up chatting with her about the bag for 20 blocks or so. She gave me the details and discussed how she loved her Hulken's Bag on Wheels and uses it to carry so many heavy things. I noticed its wheels and 5 handles were strong and well-made which she confirmed, as well as, emphasized how happy she was with her purchase.

There are 3 sizes - Small: 14x8x18 inches, Medium: 16x12x20 inches (these 1st 2 sizes have 4 wheels) and Large: 20x16x24 (the large has 5 wheels); and 3 colors: Black, Silver and Rose Gold.

There are times I have to choose between a gallon of milk or a gallon of laundry detergent at Target or the supermarket because I can't carry both home on the same trip.

The reason I seriously want a Hulken's schlepping bag is ... it's ideal for Manhattan apartments since it's easy to store by folding up nearly flat when not in use. Metal carts take up more space, yet are about 1/3 of the expensive! The manufacturer put a lot of thought into making a durable tote bag on wheels. You pay for the design, innovation, and the fact there are no similar knockoffs on the market. 

I like the medium size in silver for schlepping groceries and goods around Manhattan but may want the large size. Buying both sizes is impractical, so I'll have to wait a beat to decide which size to get. Perhaps the large bag with a 5th wheel isn't too big. Plus wouldn't it be nice to find a deal somewhere on the web or at a retailer that sells the bag?!πŸ›

Stay tuned!


You may also enjoy:

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Widows

Photos: Saks Fifth Avenue

Tonight Saks Fifth Avenue unveiled its 2022 Holiday Windows and light show. Every December, I walk from the Upper East Side to Midtown to see them, take in the decorations at Rockefeller Center and see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, then I pop into Saks to see their ornaments and return home. Sometimes I also step into St. Patrick's Cathedral or save it for another day. Before the holidays are over, I also visit Bloomingdales and Macy's to see their ornaments. It's become a Christmas tradition. Frankly I no longer go to buy things as I have every Christmas decoration I need for my apartment. If coming to Manhattan, you have about six weeks to catch the festive displays, which are spectacular!





You can guess who entertained the crowd tonight. He's fairly recognizable. Happy Sightseeing!


You may also enjoy:

Saturday, May 15, 2021

My Window Shopping Spree



Yesterday was a bright, sunny day in Manhattan (a high of 76 degrees F) so in a pink dress with a motif of flowers, I took a walk. It was playtime! I stepped into stores I forever pass on the outside, rarely going inside. 

My first stop was Graff jewelry on Madison Avenue. Only expecting to look in the showcases, I was delighted when a friendly sales associate encouraged me to try something on! Why yes, I'd love too!!😍

The White Diamond collection is spectacular -- flawless, colorless, certainly expertly cut. Big rocks! Red carpet worthy!

The necklace with a teardrop pendent to the right is the most gorgeous piece I've ever had around my neck! Lucky me, they brought it inside -- usually it's what I admire in a window glass box on the outside, the many times I stroll past Graff on my way downtown. The pendent is removable and a customer can purchase the diamond necklace without the teardrop pendent ... but why would she? Make no mistake, it's MY necklace, but surely somebody else will walk into the shop one day to buy it, and what a sad day it will be!

As an unapologetic matchy-matchy gal, I tried on a flawless White Diamond Collection $3 million ring (above left image) also. Obviously, I was born in the wrong class of society! You can't go wrong at Graff for a stunning pair of jewels!

Next stop was Tiffany & Co. where I admire, but did not ask to try on a lovely pair of large teardrop, clean, clean, clean, blue-green emerald earrings -- sooo perfect in color, translucency and free of inclusions, there is no need for diamonds to add sparkle! Moreover, there are brilliant emerald rings in the Tiffany showcases to match the earrings ... but you already know that don't you? Of course you do!

On to SAKS Fifth Avenue, a department store where I've actually bought merchandise occasionally! I'm much more familiar with department store shopping.😁 

But upon my arrival it was missing. Jeepers! Somebody finally bought my double-stone, sapphire and emerald, 18K gold ring that usually lies inside a showcase in SAKS' jewelry department. It was purchased in March, Dan, my favorite sales associate tells me. Rats!!! Who'd sneak in here with deep pockets while I'm at home riding out a pandemic? Who???
So I moved on to Saks' purse department. I'm mad (no, not angry ... mad is the right word!) at Chanel for hiking up their prices several times a year into the stratosphere, and therefore won't even look at Chanel's bag inventory for a while, if ever!πŸ˜‰ 

My new loves are 2 Saint Laurent handbags, by far a greater value-for-the-money luxury brand -- with better craftsmanship at much lower price points that ordinary people with jobs can at least save up to buy without mortgaging their homes. My favorites at this time are the Envelope Medium Matelasse Leather Shoulder bag, as well as, the Manhattan Smooth Leather Shoulder bag. If I were to only buy one color, I'd choose black with gold hardware for its versatility. Golly, I could be happy with either style, but for me the Envelope bag (above image) has a slight edge. Its elegance and size make it suitable as both a daytime and evening bag.

Ahh, I enjoy my walk on such a splendent spring day filled with delightful eye candy. I have fun, touching and trying on stuff. Meet some lovely sales associates too! 

While the trip on foot doesn't set me back a dime, I also never bump into my fairly godmother (surely she's lost!!!), so return home empty handed. Nonetheless, it's a priceless and pleasant window shopping spree. An education and wonderful walk home!

Enjoy your weekend.🌷


You may also enjoy:

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Hooray For Mom And Pop Shops

Mom and Pop shops add so much character and charm to a neighborhood ... in New York City and elsewhere. They make an area a neighborhood, giving a block its uniqueness. When I first arrived in Manhattan, I spent my weekends mainly downtown to get to know the East and West Village, Soho and Tribeca. Unsurprisingly, each area had its own feel, its own food, its own soul. I wonder what's become of an East Village street vendor, The Sockman, a sandy-haired fellow on St. Mark's Place, who for years always greeted me with a sweet hug and kiss on the cheek. 


As opportunities presented themselves, I ventured into Little Italy, Chinatown and also traveled to the Upper West Side and further up to Arthur's Avenue in the Bronx. (Thank you, friend with a car!) Columbia University friends occasionally invited me up for dinner, as well as, amusements like the summer Jazz Festival (held in August). And, I explored parts of Harlem with my friend, a young energetic gay man from Atlanta, who was also my theatre and brunch buddy. [He took me to a Sunday service at The Abyssinian Baptist Church, where I met his paster, Calvin Butts III and afterwards treated me to brunch at Miss Mamie's Spoonbread Too on West 110th Street.] 

But alas, like so many other towns in the USA, beloved mom and pop shops are fast disappearing here in New York City unable to pay sky high rents or compete with big box stores, and what a tremendous loss of culture this is! City halls of America, can't both types of businesses succeed with your ingenuity and tax incentives?

Today I am featuring a fun, spirited mom and pop shop which opened during our pandemic in November, 2020 on the Upper East Side called Brothers Guitar Shop NYC (located at 316 East 84th Street). Meanwhile several big box stores such as Bed, Bath and Beyond, Williams Sonoma, the Container Store, GAP, Banana Republic and American Eagle shut their doors permanently during the pandemic.

I do not play guitar, yet am still drawn into the accessible and friendly Brothers Guitar Shop. I'm impressed with how lovely and creatively the proprietors display their inventory making the best use of their narrow, railroad-car-shaped space. There are tons of guitars and accessories prominently hanging off walls throughout the place without erecting a messy, claustrophobic feel. Instead, you are surrounded by heart and charm! These shopkeepers love music and talking shop! The employees buy, sell, repair and maintain guitars, and will teach novice or experienced guitar players chords and licks. Chances are you'll hear a jam session while in the store.

As the weather heats up and permits are obtained, the owners plan several exciting musical events. Check their website for updates, or to order merchandize online. Better yet! Come to the neighborhood to support small businesses including these enterprising brothers. Let's experience the milieu of Yorkville, a real residential neighborhood in-person ... and step foot into a special neighborhood music shop!


You may also enjoy:

Thursday, October 31, 2019

It's An Upper East Side Halloween

Date night!
Let's take a tour of my Manhattan neighborhood. Lots of Upper East Siders are keen for Fright Night to began.
Some are flying high solo while others are suspended with like-minded fends, um friends. 
Every undead body is putting his, or her best face, or sheet forward.
    

Dangling, crawling and hanging out until dark. Just biding the day howling!



Dressed to kill, um party and rehearsing a few new skills like levitating. Practice makes perfect!

Killing um passing time at home ... and marking the way for tonight's prey, um trick-or-treaters.
Getting one's party face on to greet and let early arrivals inside.


Putting all the heads together, the old and new. How naughty to start eating Halloween treats before everyone arrives!
   

Remembering an ancient spell: "Eye of Newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog." Hmm, where did the tongue go? It was near one of the heads a second ago!
But mostly just counting down the hours and resting one's bones: "Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones."
 

Chillin' on a fence until the fun begins. Won't you came a little closer!?!


Happy Halloween from Gotham City!πŸŽƒπŸ‘»



You may also enjoy:
Ready For Halloween?
Happy Easter Weedend   
Five "Better For You" Candies
Seven Rules For Holiday Dressing