And so it begins...

the holiday season has officially started. The windows of some of the world's most famous department stores are glittery, the air is brisk and a very large tree will soon have her lights turned on. I can never pick a favorite season in NYC. But I have to admit is pretty darn cool being a resident of this little island during the holidays. Being able to take in every moment without time constraint is awesome, just awesome. I am not a Christmas junkie but I do like a taste of it every now and again.

Today we made our annual trip to the beautiful Radio City Music Hall. She took my breath away as always. The Rockettes were kicking, Santa was singing and live animals were on stage. The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers was once again performed as it does every year since 1933. When that golden curtain rises up one knows something pretty special is about to take place. The show did not disappoint. This is our sixth year in a row and I am looking forward to making it a forever tradition.

Tomorrow we will go on our Midtown jaunt for the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Started in 1924, the parade is at least a once do. Everyone seriously needs to witness it first hand...even just once. Of course being the parade lovers we are we go annually. Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without it. This year will be a first for us. Instead of joining millions of our neighbors lining the streets we will be watching from above. Due to a shift in office locations we are going to be blessed with a view of the parade. I have to admit a few things. I am looking forward to being in a climate controlled atmosphere and not having to kindly elbow my neighbor a bit to get a better view. It won't be the same view but I am willing to switch it up a bit. I think I might just love it. Only tomorrow will tell.

Following the parade our annual feast at Ulysses will commence. Delicious eats, a beautiful array of friends and the annual game of tag for the kids are our favorite way to spend the day. We have endless amounts of people, things and opportunities to be thankful for. Always.

Happy Happy

Birthday to my dear friend Hillary. She is the best. I missed her birthday by one day. Really? What on earth is wrong with me? Few things are as important as celebrating friendship.

In honor of the one and only Hillary click on her name for a p.a.r.t.y!

November...really?

Man eating shark, Mushroom from Mario Bros, Rapunzel and a Vampire overlooking One World Trade.

October flew by at record speed. The weather gods were good and it was blissful weather. I dread thinking what winter holds before us. Halloween is now in the history books. It was lovely and lively as ever. A game of chase in an ancient graveyard with Alexander Hamilton's ghost nearby kicked off the weekend. Saturday held the annual party at the World Financial Center. It is a weird sensation that there is finally a shadow from the building of One World Trade Center aka Freedom Tower. Often I wonder if the kids of the neighborhood will realize what a special construction site they look over on a daily basis?

Halloween evening took us trick or treating through some of our very favorite residential buildings with some of our most favorite neighbors. It is on nights like tonight when I take a moment and think two thoughts. #1 being, "How did I luck out and get to live this life in the most incredible city?" and #2 being, "I have the most interesting people in my life as friends...see #1!"

November is here and will offer some of seasonal favorites on the agenda of NYC. Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, several fun birthday parties and some very special visitors. It looks to be another month that will fly by with many memories made.

Next Sunday will be the 41st running of the NYC Marathon. I have two beautiful friends in Johannesburg, South Africa that will be running the race. NYC is a place that they know well as it was their home for several years. Traveling 8,000 miles for a marathon is an incredible feat in itself. Not only am I excited to see them on their journey to the race but I am extremely proud of them. They are not just running for themselves, they are running to raise money for a program that promotes education throughout all of Africa. Go Mutsa and Blessing! I am honored to call you dear friends.

Sunny side of the street

Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street

Thank you Louis Armstrong for those wise words. Is it me or is there some Fall in the air? It is this time of year where I think by the simple act of crossing the street the temperature varies up to 10 degrees. Feeling a little warm...cross the street? On the other hand, feeling a little cold...go to the sunny side of the street.

September means many things. It means it is probably time to go ahead and store the beach goods for the season. (Although I am willing to admit we spent Saturday on the beach.) It means pumpkins are appearing in the store windows and at the local bodegas. And ultimately September for any person in Manhattan means gridlock. The United Nations General Assembly causes major road shutdowns. Check out this list! And anytime the US President or some of the other fellas are out and about it is complete shutdown, including pedestrian traffic.

Being NYC and all it is taken in stride. We stand on the corner being held back by the NYPD, we look at each other and bellyache and complain. We wait it out and complain some more. Eventually the motorcades pass and everyone moves on. The price of inconvenience is paid upfront in this town....but I'll take it.

Happiness is...bahn mi.

September is treating us so kind in the weather category. Lunch today was at Saigon Vietnamese Sandwich Deli on Broome Street. Most parties enjoyed the bahn mi dac biet...aka the "house special." I selected the bahn mi chay and was not disappointed! We grabbed our sandwiches (that were priced oh so right) and headed out to the park. Sara D. Roosevelt park on the Lower Eastside was a beautiful place to spend the lunchtime. Perfect weather, perfect friends and perfect conversation. And for the record, the bahn mi was perfect!

Nine years later and New York is still the greatest city in the world.

Too much going on this year that is taking the focus away from the families, the survivors, the people. Just remember the shock, the sickness, the sadness you felt during that awful September.

Click here, please

3, 471 miles

The middle to end of August the other side of the Pond was calling our name. Nine days in London was the perfect way to cap off a beautiful summer. We took in all the sights, enjoyed the city and found a place that we truly enjoyed. As "liveable" as I find London I am willing to admit I am not sure I could handle the lack of sunshine on a daily basis. London has only been a fly-through city for me so it was great fun exploring and learning more about it. A super enjoyable day was spent visiting an amazing friend in Colchester. The day ended by taking in the lovely coastal town on Frinton on Sea. Aren't these beach huts picture perfect? I can only imagine how fun they must be when it is high tide.


Our favorite UK park...St. James's Park. Green, beautiful and full of interesting birds. That is Buck Palace just above it.


Some time spent in Constable Country on the border of Suffolk and Essex was inspiring. Easy to see how the breathtaking countryside inspired hometown artist John Constable to pick up the paintbrush!


Good, good times.