holiday windows : bergdorf goodman

Hi Everyone -

I'm so glad you're enjoying the holiday windows! Next up, Bergdorf Goodman and I think you'll agree that these give the term 'window display designer' a whole new meaning and appreciation.

The main event was on the Fifth Avenue side and was themed 'Calendar Girls'. The windows could not be more opulent and featured a different design for each season, plus holiday. Dresses from Naeem Khan, Proenza Schouler, Oscar de la Renta and Michael Kors were featured. We were just overwhelmed with the abundance of pearls, pebbles, feathers and other whimsical touches. I'm not sure my photos do them justice as the displays are very detailed, but here goes -

Holiday


Spring


Summer {click on this one to see the bottom}


Autumn


Winter


These windows were on the 57th Street side and tres chic.

holiday windows : barneys

Hi Everyone -

Today's holiday windows are courtesy of Barneys. The theme was 'Peace and Love: Have A Hippie Holiday'. Simon Doonan's designs acknowledge the first ladies of rock - Carly Simon, Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Janis Joplin, along with earth-friendly fibers. The last window in this post features wonderful paintings by the East Harlem School.

I'm learning that night time might be the best time to take photos of windows in order to avoid reflections, but we're not up for that at this point - baby, it's cold outside. We think the windows and paintings were groovy, man! Tomorrow, Bergdorf Goodman.

xo, Cindy

holiday windows : bloomingdale's

Hi Everyone -

I hope you all had a great weekend! As promised, we will have photos of the department store windows here in NYC for this entire week! We started out on Saturday at 9:30 am in an effort to try and beat the crowds. We were pretty lucky and got pictures from Bloomies (nostaglic), Barneys (hippie), Bergdorf Goodman (extravagant), Saks Fifth Avenue (interesting), Anthropologie (my favorite), and a few other surprises. We were too late to do Lord & Taylor's, but there's always next weekend.

First up, Bloomingdale's. The theme was 'Oh, What Fun!' and was all about 1950's nostalgia accompanied by Tony Bennett's new Christmas CD, A Swingin' Christmas. We thought it was simply adorable. If you click on the images and make them larger it will be as though you're there in person, minus the frigid temperatures ;). Tuesday, Barneys. Enjoy!

xo, Cindy

holiday tunes : winter songs

Hi Everyone!

I hope you all had a good week! I'm glad it's Friday. We hope to go see some of the holiday windows this weekend. If there are any in NYC you'd especially like to see, please leave a comment, and we'll do our best. If not this weekend, there's always the next one.

I don't usually listen to much Christmas music other than the songs that play on the radio or in television specials. I think it was all of those Holiday Band concerts I was in growing up that have me maxed out ;). I like A Winter's Solstice IV, by Windham Hill (Amazon), which is soothing and more oriented towards the season.

Nichole mentioned The Hotel Cafe Presents ... Winter Songs (Amazon : iTunes) and it's great with some new holiday songs from several favorite women artists and new ones, too. Here are a few favorites -

• Winter Song, Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
• The Heartache Can Wait, Brandi Carlisle
  
• Maybe Next Year Xmas Song by Meiko
• Silent Night, Priscilla Ahn
• Winter Wonderland, Kate Havnevik

I can't wait for Scott to hear Priscilla Ahn's version of Silent Night - that song always makes him tear up, so cute. Have a nice weekend!

xo, Cindy

PS I made the Santa Lucia Clothespin Dolls last year from Alicia's kit.

pics : holiday & raffle

bits and bobs : assembled with care : fond memories of days gone by

Hi Everyone!

I worked on this holiday collage for quite a while yesterday. Assembling the items and positioning everything just so is tricky, especially the bowl of ornaments. I don't know how most of them didn't just break as they fell down so much. Many of the items are vintage and I've included the little bride and groom from our first Christmas (if you click on the image to make it larger you can really see at the bottom). The image is so busy and bold, and not quite what I'm looking for this year in a holiday card.

I think the reason I've been feeling overwhelmed by all of the holiday noise goes back to the election. We were inundated with coverage for months, then there was the financial meltdown. And now, the holiday season. Simply put, there has been no break from something in need of our dire attention. People are struggling.

After reading Pia's lovely post today about her holiday decorating, I realized the reason this project has not been clicking with me is because I'm not focusing on the right message. Simple items like brown paper, evergreens & berries, feathers and string seem more appropriate for this season. I've ordered the feathers Pia mentioned in the comments (thank you Pia) and we'll see what happens, but I think it will be good.



On another note, and more importantly, Deb is having a wonderful raffle this holiday to benefit the Food Bank of NYC. The winner will receive and incredible group of offerings that seems to be growing each day. So far, beautiful items by these great designers will go to the winner:

Ann Wood
Therapy
Hortensia Handmade
Sesame Letterpress
Le Papier Studio
Tea Spot NYC
Bonbon Oiseau Jewelry

My plan is to buy a ticket when I see Deb at one of her holiday shows in the coming weeks, but people who are not able to attend can purchase a ticket online using PayPal. Good Luck!

xo, Cindy

PS Our 2009 Calendar was mentioned on One Pretty Thing yesterday. Thank you, Rachel!

pics : holiday

little red violinist : city of lights : all a glitter for the holiday

Hi Everyone!

Today, I'll be working on trying to find that 'magical' holiday image. Here's my first attempt, but we'll see where it goes. The angel was given to me when I was a little girl by my Mom and she just loved her. The Eiffel Tower is a Wendy Addison creation. The Reindeer are from the 99¢ store and I covered them in glitter along with myself, the table, the rug, etc.

Thanks for your lovely comments yesterday. My Inbox is showing a lot more white space now reminding me of the classic holiday song 'White Christmas' by Bing Crosby.

Happy Tuesday!

xo, Cindy