Merry Christmas

The Washington Square Arch and Tree. Photo by Michele.

Merry Christmas from New York. Whether you celebrate the holiday or not, I hope you had a wonderful day.

Santa Baby

“Santa Baby” is one of my favourite Christmas songs. Written in 1953 by Joan Javis and Philip Springer, it’s a slightly naughty (in a 1950s way), humorous take on the traditional list for Santa. This one asks for things like a sable; a ’54 convertible, light blue; a yacht; the deed to a platinum mine; and decorations bought at Tiffany’s.

Eartha Kitt with Henri René and his Orchestra recorded it that same year for RCA Victor Records with Kitt putting her particular stamp on the song. Many people have recorded the song since including Madonna, Kylie Minogue, and Mariah Carey yet no one can top Kitt who herself would go on to re-record the song a couple of times. (Side note, I saw Kitt perform many years ago in San Francisco. She must have been in her 70s, and she was absolutely amazing. And she sang this song).

So if you somehow haven't heard it yet this season, here's the song with lyrics. Enjoy.

Ready for Christmas?

Mary Pickford

Leave it to our Mary to be concerned about the working girl; she was probably the hardest working woman in Hollywood. 

For those celebrating Christmas, I hope you do indeed have all of your presents wrapped, your cards mailed, and the kitchen stocked with goodies so you can relax a bit. There's nothing more stressful than running around on Christmas eve trying to do a million things. 

To all my dear readers, however you celebrate the holidays (or not), have a lovely evening and enjoy the day off tomorrow.

It's Wintertime

"Half Dome, Apple Orchard, Winter, Yosemite National Park" Ansel Adams (ca. 1933)

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.” —Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass.

It's Winter Solstice, the official start of winter and the longest night of the year. Pagans gathered this morning at Stonehenge to celebrate. I myself am off shortly to St.Thomas Church to hear their famed men and boys choir sing Christmas carols. Happy Winter, everyone!

The Met at the Holidays

I know it's the new year but I have one final Christmas story to share with you. 

One cold Saturday over the holiday break I decided to go to the Met. I normally don't go so late in the day but I thought it wouldn't be too bad. Apparently, everyone else had the same idea (see above). 

And even though it was crazy crowded—I don't remember the last time I was there when it was so packed—it was a perfect place to be when outside snow was falling everywhere.

There were multiple special exhibits at the museum to see but those could wait for another time. Even though Christmas had already passed I wanted to see the annual tree and crèche. 

In 1957 the Met began a holiday tradition of displaying a Christmas tree and Baroque Neapolitan crèche comprised of more than 200 18th-century crèche figures donated by Loretta Hines Howard. Decades later, the tradition is still going strong. With the Medieval Sculpture Hall as its backdrop, the tree and crèche are an absolutely gorgeous sight. Unfortunately the day of my visit I missed the lighting of the tree. Nonetheless, with roughly 50 angels and a golden star on top, it might just be my favourite Christmas tree in the city.

Not to be outshone by the angels above, around the base of the tree is a lovely nativity. The figurines with all of their fine details and colourful outfits ('m partial to the three wise men) vary a bit from year to year as does the setting, which is designed by Howard's daughter and granddaughter. You can spend quite some time taking it all in, which is exactly what I did. 

iPhone photos by Michele.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the F. Scott Fitzgeralds and me! Last night I spent Christmas Eve with friends at their home in Brooklyn and today I'm having a silent Christmas, going to the movies with some others to see Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood. Not a bad way to celebrate. 

I wish you all Happy Holidays and hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends.

Christmas in the City

There's something special about New York at Christmas. Maybe it's the smell of roasting chestnuts from a street cart or the feel of the cold on your face during a walk through Central Park on an overcast day.  

Maybe it's the wreaths and greenery stacked outside of bodegas or all the festive decorations—from the high-end stores uptown (Harry Winston adorned with diamonds, what else?) to the quaint houses (and fire escapes) downtown. 

Or maybe it's the sight of so many glorious Christmas trees from the angel-adorned tree with accompanying crèche at the Met to the stunner that greets you at the New York Public Library (above). The list goes on. Whatever it may be, New York has a special glow right now that makes me happy to be in the city for the holidays.

Photos by Michele.

Window Follies

Bergdorf Goodman has the best Christmas windows hands down. They are always stylish, eye catching, and beautiful. This year’s windows are no exception. The theme, "BG Follies of 2012,” is a nod to the Jazz Age with scenes evoking the Ziegfeld Follies and Busby Berkeley musicals. I took some photos the other morning—here’s a peek at a few of them.

Absolutely beautiful, right? The photos don't do the windows justice (the last one, which brings to mind the couple from The Artist, is much nicer in person) so if you have a chance over the holidays, go over to Fifth Avenue and take a look. The earlier in the day, the better to miss the crowds.

Photos by Michele.

Swedish Christmas

In the past Swedish design has always left me cold—just too much blond wood and white walls. This image though could change my mind. I like the brightness, the painted furniture, and the Christmas tree that isn't overly decorated. But my favourite thing is the fireplace. I love the idea of a corner fireplace, especially one that is circular in shape and looks so shiny and clean. And the little wreath is a perfect touch. I think a trip to Ikea might just be in order.

Photo by Carina Olander from here.

The Gold Rush

In recent years, I've found myself spending Christmas afternoon at the movies. This time round, I went to Film Forum to see Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush (1925). Chaplin passed away on Christmas day in 1977 so it only seemed fitting that they chose to show the film for which he wished to be remembered.

The film takes place in the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. Chaplin’s Tramp (introduced as the lone prospector) is looking for gold when he runs into Big Jim McKay (Mack Swain), a man who’s just discovered a huge gold deposit at his claim, and Black Larsen (Tom Murray), a man wanted by the authorities. The Tramp and Big Jim end up snowbound in a cabin with no food and a hallucinating Big Jim begins to see the tramp as an enormous chicken. Later, having giving up on prospecting, the Tramp ventures into town where he meets and falls head over heels in love with a dance hall girl, Georgia (Georgia Hale), who he mistakenly believes loves him back. Big Jim, now suffering from amnesia, reappears and demands that the Tramp help him locate his claim. The Tramp ends up finding gold at last.

The film was, as usual with most Chaplin projects, written and directed by the great man. Inspired by actual photos of the Klondike Gold Rush and the story of the doomed Donner Party, Chaplin filmed the opening sequence of a seemingly endless line of prospectors climbing a snow-covered mountain in the Sierra Nevada Mountains while the rest of the film was shot on elaborate sets back in Hollywood.

Two of the most iconic scenes in film history appear in The Gold Rush. The first occurs when in desperation for food, the Tramp boils one of his shoes for dinner. Chaplin makes an elaborate show of carving the shoe (the nails are swiftly gathered up) and includes a nice twirl of the laces as if they were pasta (in reality the shoe was made of black licorice).

The second scene is when the Tramp, who is waiting for Georgia and her friends to arrive for a New Year's Eve party he's prepared, dreams that he is entertaining them with a pair of dancing dinner rolls. Many people have imitated the trick, two rolls stuck on forks, but in Chaplin's hands there is a certain magic to their movement back and forth across the table. Film goers in 1925 were so enchanted with the scene that some cinemas would actually stop the film to replay it. 

Chaplin's films always include a mix of comedy, romance, and sentiment while never forgetting the plight of the common man, and The Gold Rush is no different. With the humorous moments come heartbreaking ones like when the Tramp wakes from the dancing rolls scene to realize that Georgia and her friends have forgotten about the party. Or when the Tramp believes he’s received a note declaring Georgia’s love for him when it's really meant for someone else. All of this elevates The Gold Rush to more than just a comedy.

In 1942, Chaplin released a new version of the film for which he recorded a new score, replaced the intertitles with a narration (done by him of course), trimmed some of the scenes, and changed the ending. At the Film Forum screening a restored version of the original 1925 film that includes the original ending was shown instead. I thought this version was absolutely wonderful (especially the ending) and by the audience's response, so did they. 

If you've never seen The Gold Rush, please try to find a copy of the 1925 version. It will make your day.

The Christmas Party

The Christmas Party is a delightful little short from 1931 in which child star Jackie Cooper gets MGM to host a Christmas party for his football team. See if you can identify all of the stars who make an appearance. My favourite scenes are the ones with Clark Gable and Marion Davies. Merry Christmas everyone.

West Village Christmas

Christmas was in full swing in the West Village earlier this month when I took a stroll down some favourite streets.

From ample decorations to a simple tree, the houses and courtyards were ready for the holidays.

Wreaths hung on doors—both 19th-century townhouse ones and ones that simply led to a garden.

Even the window boxes got into the spirit. I love seeing the small red berries popping out amongst the greenery.

And looking up, it was easy to imagine smoke rising from the chimneys and the rooftops covered with snow. What a perfect setting for Christmas.

Photos by Michele.

Merry Windows

Every year I brave the crowds in order to see the Christmas windows on Fifth Avenue. They never fail to delight and put one in a holiday mood. 

This time there seemed to be a circus theme going on. At Tiffany's their windows wore carousel tops while inside the windows contained miniature carousel horses and in one example, a replica of Tiffany's facade—a window within a window so to speak.

While not particularly Christmas like, Louis Vuitton’s windows were maybe my favourite. Pared down in orange and white, they struck just the right combo of festivity and style.

Bergdorf Goodman tends to have the best windows and these were definitely eye popping. With the theme of Carnival of the Animals, they were both opulent and whimsical. The windows were so packed that it took quite a while to see all of the objects inside. I particularly liked the black and white window, complete with Boston Terrier.

And don't forget, if you get tired or cold you can always hop on one of the Fifth Avenue buses and take in the rest of the windows while staying warm and comfortable. Just think of it as a Fifth Avenue Christmas trolley.

Photos by Michele.

Ready for the Holidays

Cards are filled out, presents wrapped, empty tape and gift paper rolls in the recycling, and boxes packed and labeled, ready to go to the post office tomorrow. In short, I'm done. Cue the Ella Fitzgerald Christmas CD and turn on the tree lights. Bring it Christmas. I'm ready for you.

Photo of Grace Kelly by Howard Conant.

Hello December

December is here and with it comes the usual shock that another year is about to come to an end. That and the panic that immediately sets in about all the things one has to do for the holidays. I am planning on getting my tree and decorating the flat this weekend. I love having a real tree for the holidays. Nothing beats watching the twinkling lights and breathing in the wonderful smell of pine. Happy decorating.

Merry Christmas to All

A very merry Christmas to you my dear readers. I shall be back soon with some more tales but in the meantime please enjoy this Christmas scene from one of my all time favourite films—The Thin Man (1934).

Rescue Santa

Walking down 19th Street today, I stopped to join a crowd outside the Chelsea firehouse that is home to Engine 3, Ladder 12, and Battalion 7. Abandoned by his reindeer, Santa Claus had to be rescued from the rooftop by firefighters. Children cheered and waved as Santa descended on the ladder. Once on the ground, he invited the children into the firehouse to enjoy cocoa and snacks.

Santa will be "rescued" again tomorrow, December 12, from the roof of the New York City Fire Museum on Spring Street.

Photos by Michele.

These Are the Days

The fountain across from the Plaza.

Thanksgiving break is always a luxury—four days during which you’re allowed to overindulge and be a bit of a layabout without anyone pointing fingers. Here is how I've spent my break so far.

On Thursday, after a nice lie-in, I went to the cinema to see the newest Harry Potter. I enjoyed the film although I did miss seeing Hogwarts. Afterwards, there was a leisurely dinner sans the traditional turkey (steak was on the menu this year), which was enjoyed with loads of champagne and adorable pumpkin tarts. 

On Friday, after another lie-in (I could really get used to this), I headed up to the Plaza and then strolled slowly down Fifth Avenue, looking at the Christmas windows. Regardless of the crowds of tourists, there’s something so quintessential New York about gazing at the windows. The stores go all out with their displays with some succeeding better than others.

Tiffany & Co.

I always love the tiny lights that drape the entrance to Tiffany’s and the huge red bow of lights wrapped around Cartier’s is a stand out. Yet I always seem drawn to the same block each year.

Some of the theatre goers in the Van Cleef & Arpels windows.

Van Cleef & Arpels has tiny windows but they pack a wallop. This year, sea-themed theatre sets complete with silhouetted theatre goers in the balconies were the stage for some stunning jewels including a gorgeous ring that made it's debut inside a large oyster shell that opened and closed.

A few of Bergdorf Goodman's stunning "Wish You Were Here" windows.

My favorite windows always end up being Bergdorf Goodman’s and this year’s “Wish You Were Here” theme did not disappoint. Vintage-styled travel scenes with a fantastical bent were stunning (their website includes a short video on the making of the windows). My photos don’t do them justice (shooting windows is always a tricky thing) but I hope these convey a bit of the magic on display.

After much window gazing, I headed to one of my favorite places in the city. Oh Public Library, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I have spent many hours in the main branch (officially the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building), combing through documents and books in some of the special collections, writing in the main reading room, or enjoying a  great exhibit. Part of what makes the library such an enjoyable place to visit is its Beaux Arts design and numerous art works (including a portrait of Mary Wollstonecraft in the reading room, which I always find comforting to read under). And the library is especially lovely when it's decorated for the Holidays.

The tree at the main branch of the NY Public Library.

On this visit, I viewed the exhibit “Recollection: Thirty Years of Photography at the New York Public Library.” The black and white images on display were a wonderful example of the best of 20th century photography. Many were grouped together by theme like dogs, where a joyous image of a man with two dogs, “Chester and His Hounds” by Shelby Lee Adams, was juxtaposed with the more distressing Weegee image titled “"Ritz, the puppy belonging to William Kinsman, was one of the casualties of the two-alarm blaze at 157 W. 74th St. yesterday, February 1, 1944." I, of course, had to research little Ritz and was relieved to find another caption that continued, “Noticing the dog had a broken leg, a fireman wrapped him in a blanket and took him to the street.” Hopefully Ritz survived his ordeal. And an exhibit of some of the greats wouldn't be complete without images of Atget’s prostitutes. Love them. The exhibit runs through January 2 so do try and go.

Enough of my rambling dear readers. I still have two more days to enjoy before returning to work. More later. In the meantime, have a lovely weekend.

Photos by Michele.