The Best Holiday Windows in NYC...

One of the things I was looking forward to was spending Christmas in New York with all the atmosphere. I had high hopes of brilliant lights, amazing trees, out of this world decorations and displays.

We headed to Macy's Department store on the morning of Christmas Eve. We arrived early hoping to beat the four hour long lines from the previous day to see Santa.

We were in luck and walked straight through to visit Santa. The theme was the Polar Express and we stood in a moving carriage and admired the decorations. Yasemin, Tilley and Max had some time with Santa and some photographs were taken.

On our way out we had a quick look at the Christmas windows. I had read that the best Santa and window displays were at Macy's - but I'm not so sure. Macy's were first this year and their theme was the Magic of Christmas.

I have visited 5th Avenue and was blown away with the windows and evening laser light displays.
Saks Fifth Avenue had the most wonderful 3D Christmas Light Show. You can watch on the Youtube video below.

This years Bergdorf Goodman's windows are inspired by all things Jazz Age, old Hollywood and glamorous. Their production takes nearly an entire year of planning. It is the Follies on Fifth Avenue.

Tiffany is displaying Home for the Holidays and captures all of the allure of the Tiffany & Company's iconic blue box! I think this was my favorite - no surprises here!

Henri Bendel continues with the Roaring 20's theme.  The main window features a replica of the store’s main selling floor circa 1920. It includes a gold-plated chandelier with Swarovski elements and a grand staircase with mirror panels, inspired by the first Henri Bendel location on 57th Street.

It is Lord & Taylor's 75th Anniversary. Their windows this year depicts a globe-trotting Santa Claus making the most of his day off and Holiday Traditions around the world. They were also the first store to have animated windows.

Bloomingdale's takes this year’s inspiration from the recently released movie, “Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away 3D.

I can't remember where I read that Macy's had the best Christmas window displays, but although I am undecided as to which are the best, Macy's just isn't in the running. Give me 5th Avenue any day!

Chelsea Markets and Walking The High Line....

I woke today feeling like we are actually on a holiday! The beautiful penthouse apartment we are staying in on the edge of the Hudson is a treat. I turned over in bed to catch the following view...

Even in my sleepy state, I grabbed my camera from my bedside table, snapped a quick shot, rolled over and went back to sleep to dream of the day ahead. After a long breakfast we headed out to visit Chelsea Markets. A quick ride on the subway and a walk amongst some beautiful Brownstones past some interesting graffiti....

and we arrived....

I was surprised at how beautifully decorated the markets were - very stylish indeed! I could have spent all day exploring the many food, clothing and flee stores.

And did I mention the spices?

After some meat pies for lunch from the Australian Pie Store we continued on to walk The High Line.

The High Line is a public park built on an historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. It is owned by the City of New York, and maintained and operated by Friends of the High Line. Founded in 1999 by community residents, Friends of the High Line fought for the High Line’s preservation and transformation at a time when the historic structure was under the threat of demolition.

Poor Yasemin, with a terrible flu and fever, soldiered on. We were rewarded with amazing views and fabulous artworks along the beautiful walk.

We headed for home walking past the infamous Chelsea Hotel. This fantastic establishment  has been the home of numerous writers, musicians, artists, and actors, including Bob Dylan, Virgil Thomson, Charles Bukowski, Janis Joplin, Leonard Cohen, Patti Smith, and Iggy Pop.  Arthur C. Clarke wrote 2001: A Space Odyssey while staying at the Chelsea, and poets Allen Ginsberg, and Gregory Corso chose it as a place for philosophical and intellectual exchange. It is also known as the place where the writer Dylan Thomas was staying when he died of pneumonia on November 9, 1953, and where Nancy Spungen, girlfriend of Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols, was found stabbed to death on October 12, 1978.  Last but not least one of my favorite painters, Brett Whiteley also lived in this hotel with his wife and daughter.

More Brownstones along our walk  back to the Subway.

Another great day in the city that never sleeps. It is meant to snow all day tomorrow - I will believe it when it happens! Our plan is to explore the MOMA and keep the kids out of the cold.

After a roast chicken dinner, red wine and chocolate ice cream I put the kids to bed and admired the amazing view from the lounge with Garry.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular....

We decided that a visit to Radio City with the kids to see the Christmas Spectacular was worth the expense. So last night we braved the freezing cold, wind and rain and walked the three blocks to attend the 8.00pm show.

We were not disappointed - in fact quite the opposite. Max exclaimed that the show was, "awesome" many times throughout the performance and the look on Yasemin's face was priceless.

The 11/2 hour performance began with Santa and his beautiful reindeer.

Our favorite was the Toy Solider routine where they all tumble down at the end. Apparently this act has always been in the show.

It was truly a spectacular of special effects, great costumes, wonderful dancing, all the christmas songs mixed in with the whole Radio City Music Hall vibe - Wow!

After the show we headed for home fast - Yasemin had a fever and was not at her best. We did have to walk past one of the most photographed holiday decorations on Sixth Avenue - the giant Christmas ornaments in front of 1251 Sixth Avenue building (Exxon Building). It was so wet and cold that we had the beautiful balls almost to ourselves, I couldn't resist one last shot!