Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Scenes From New York/Merry Christmas

Some scenes from my life in New York, as promised.

Gingerbread House

It was my first ever time making one! I didn't know you were supposed to stick the biscuits to a cardboard box and you couldn't actually eat it. That was a little sad (not to mention a huge waste of perfectly edible biscuits) but I had fun! It's no artistic masterpiece, but I was proud of the cascading snow on the rooftop.

MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)

Where we saw Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night and the crayon drawing of Edvard Munch's The Scream.

Shopping/Rare Outfit Pic

I haven't went physical shopping in so long! Blame it on the pros/cons of an online-oriented existence. This was taken on a particularly good day. The only thing I was displeased about was my beat up Toms, but I bruised my ankle and couldn't wear anything else. Arianne said I looked like an English schoolgirl, which made me quite giddy.

Coat and scarf from Burberry, dress from Free People, knee-high socks from Uniqlo.

View from Rockefeller Center

I know. How tourist of me. I've been up Rockefeller Center so many times it's like my second home. I know every nook, every turn of that building. But I do it because everyone who visits wants to see the city from up top, and I always hold that it's more fun up there if you actually know what you're looking at.

For those unfamiliar with the New York skyline, we're looking toward the south and that building topped with blue is the Empire State Building.

Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows




It is important to note that this window is less than two square feet wide. Look at that detail!


I've been told that Bergdorf Goodman is responsible for (or popularized) the creation of visual merchandising. At any rate, their lavish holiday windows is surely an institution by now. You know the holidays are nigh when these intricate displays grace the front of the department store. Today is the last day it will be up for viewing, and by tomorrow it'll be back to (relatively drab) business - a sure sign that things are going back to "normal."

Times Square

As New York tourist as it can get! I love coming here when few people are around, such as 11.30pm on a Monday night, or 5am on a Sunday morning. The lights will flicker and flash the same, but you'll have the leisure and space to actually bask in it, like all those books and movies tell you to. I once wrote that New Yorkers had to learn to love concrete and steel to see beauty in this place and it struck me as incredibly sad then. I suppose I have become one of those people, because I live on one of those straight avenues flanked with skyscrapers and I still absolutely love this city.

Have a Merry Christmas and happy holidays, everyone! I am not able to be home for Christmas this year, but I am spending it with one of my best friends in the world and we have a magnificent feast planned. May you have an abundance of joy and laughter for days to come.

7 comments:

  1. Merry Xmas and fab 1st timer gingerbread house...love the kneesocks and coat of your outfit...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Merry Christmas and happy healthy New Year to you and yours, Xiao!! Thanks so very very much for this especially beautiful post on this special day- it's just glorious to behold. Especially from Pittsburgh!! Thanks and enjoy your holidays. xoxo Beth in Pgh ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a cute gingerbread house!! I'm bummed I didn't get to make one--I haven't made one in soooo long! I had planned to do it this year but ended up being too busy and completely forgot about it :/ And I know what you mean--I always feel sad that you aren't supposed to really eat them! :P

    Hope you had a very merry Christmas, Xiao! :D

    Oh PS: I did NOT know those Bergdorf Goodman displays were so small! They are so intricate and elaborate that they seem massive!! They're truly amazing though! (what a fun job that would be!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The rest are massive! Only that particular one is tiny, but still intricate

      Delete
  4. Happy holidays to you as well!!! Where is your family right now? I am glad you spent it with your friend! love your gingerbread house! Love your outfit!
    Sandra

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wonderful post. Thank you for sharing these pictures. <3

    ReplyDelete
  6. *Thank you* for all the photos of Christmas in New York. A trip to New York during the holidays has a spot on my "To Visit" vacation list and your photos increase my yearing. :)

    Arianne is spot on with her take on your shopping outfit. You are adorable from head to toe as you are in your beauty photos!

    ReplyDelete

Hi, lovelies. Due to excessive spam, I would appreciate it if you refrain from including self-promoting links in your comments! This ensures that your comment will be visible and keeps the section clean. I look forward to hearing from you!