I jumped at the opportunity to join Reid in New York City last week.  I’m a huge fan of the city and feel fortunate that it’s only a two hour train ride away.  My game plan, I mean our game plan…visit the Guggenheim Museum, check out the holiday windows at Bergdorfs, shop at ABC Home and see the NY Botanical Gardens.   

The Guggenheim was designed by the famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.   The museum is one of his most famous achievements, so I was eager to check out the museum in person.  The museum’s website describes the building as an “inverted ziggurat”, with “galleries…divided like membranes in citrus fruit”, similar to a “nautilus shell”.    

The building is spectacular from the outside but, unfortunately, we’ll have to go back to see the inside.  During my careful planning, I overlooked the fact that it’s closed on Thursdays!  

Next stop, the famous holiday windows at Bergdorf Goodman which did not disappoint…

The windows are a mix of fantasy and fashion inspired by the Jazz Age in the 1920s and 1930s.  Bergdorf’s visual presentation team starts planing holiday windows in January.  Their creative meetings must be so much fun!

Across from our hotel was the well known, “Lipstick Building” by Philip Johnson and John Burgee.  It’s shape, is a break from the nearby rectangular skyscrapers.  It’s said all offices are “corner” offices.

Before dinner we took the subway to ABC Home, one of my favorite home stores.  We walked by the colorful Empire State Building on the way.

I had no idea that the ABC Home windows would be a treat too…

My main reason was to see the 6th floor with all their gorgeous rugs, includes the vintage dyed ones below…

We had a yummy dinner at the Casa Lever House restaurant which is best known for its retro modern interiors.

The next day, on our way home, we stopped by the New York Botanical Gardens.

The highlight was the holiday train show that includes 140 iconic New York buildings made from twigs, fruit, seeds and other natural materials.  Here are some of my favorites.

The real St. Patricks Cathedral is currently under a full restoration, so it was nice to see this model without all the scaffolding.

The Guggenheim…

And Yankee stadium…

Since we’ve been back, our holiday festivities have been in full swing, including our 8th annual gingerbread house decorating party for the neighborhood children.   

I wish all you a joyful holiday season and happy new year!