A New York Girl: Christmas

Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

December 20, 2009

My Fantasy Christmas List

There are the wishlists we keep for ourselves, when the month ends before the money and we want to treat ourselves. There are the wishlists we give our families for birthdays and Christmas. Then, there are the wishlists we know will not be fulfilled, but we keep hoping and wishing anyway!

Dear Santa,
I have been very good this year. I have been punctual and passionate at work, paid my bills on time, acted with kindness towards strangers, provided support for my family and friends, lost 20lbs and repeatedly walked away from impulse purchases for stuff I do not need. This is what I want for Christmas.

A ban on sweatpants in public.
Health care reform that helps those who really need it.
Eyeliner and mascara that won't give me racoon eyes. Ever.
Phish Phood that is high in protein and fiber, and low in calories and fat.
A sophisticated man who will take me to the symphony, cook me dinner and take charge in the bedroom.
A quick and effective resolution in the Middle East that will allow us to bring all our soldiers home.
A NCAA Basketball Championship for my college team
Skiing in powder in Vermont.
More awesome music from Kings of Leon, Phoenix and Devendra Banhart
More Lady Gaga and less Taylor Swift.
The Boucheron Le Quatre ring. With the diamonds.

Love,
Hayley

PS: The chocolate-raspberry macaroons on the side table in the hall are for you.

January 13, 2009

Resort Season? I wish.

The city is supposed to get what meteorologists are charmingly and sensationally calling an "arctic blast" in the next day or two. For the latter half of the week, lucky us, temperatures are supposed to peak at a mere 17 degrees.

How cold is that? Even the sun feels chilly.

It's the perfect time to give the Carrie Bradshaw "it's too cold" excuse. But if you don't have a Classic Six apartment in which to cozy up to a witty but unattractive older Russian, wearing a nightgown and cashmere robe... and you don't have a job... you're forced to layer on the tights, trousers, boots, hats, coats, scarves, gloves, and lip balm until you can't put your arms down, and get your goosebumped booty to work.

Perhaps I have an extra case of the winter blahs this year, with no outstanding escapes to Mexico or the Caribbean planned. Not even Florida. But hey, who is participating in Resort Season during our fabulously played-out-already Recession-Rama?

In near-zero temperatures, it's natural for us to lust and pine for the days of June, when the sun didn't set until 9:00pm (or 11pm, in Europe), and all the clothing you need is a breezy dress and the warm air on your arms.

While white dresses are classic and beautiful, they're also ubiquitous. The beige dress is an unexpected alternative in summer, especially for evening. Below are some of my favorite mid-summer beige dresses, presented to you this evening in a small effort to curb the frost. Enjoy!

December 04, 2008

I rarely do this...

...but I'm such a big lover of the Christmas season that I couldn't resist. Thanks to Barefoot in the Park for this one!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Simple wrapping paper and lots of ribbon!

2. Tree--Real or Artificial? Like pearls, silver and boobs, only real is acceptable.

3. When do you put Christmas tree up? I start pestering my parents around 4 weeks before Christmas. If I had it my way it would be up on Black Friday!

4. When do you take the tree down? It usually comes down the weekend after New Years Day, just due to the pure fire hazard =(

5. Like eggnog? Didn't used to like it, but then I tried a bottle my aunt and uncle brought from Brooklyn. I'm pretty sure it's mixed in a bathtub in the basement with a wooden spoon.

6. Do you have a nativity scene? My parents have a ceramic one for under the tree. Up until about 10 years ago it was a cheesy plastic one. Guess the folks didn't want us shattering baby Jesus.

7. Favorite gift received as a child? Forget the name of it... but the mechanical life-size white puppy that you could walk.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My sister-in-law, who already has everything she wants.

9. Easiest person to buy for? My sister. Anything from Coach or Vera Bradley and she's over the moon.

10. Worst Christmas gift? The box set of the first three Star Wars movies. From my boyfriend. It didn't last.

11. Mail or email a Christmas Card? Mail! You can't hang e-cards around a doorframe or on the mantel.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Vacation, The Grinch, and my top favorite - A CHRISTMAS STORY.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I'll venture out late on Black Friday to get a few things. Last Sunday I got 5 out of 11 people done!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes - lotions and shower gels that I knew I'd never use.

15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas? Pancakes in the morning.
16. Lights on tree? This is really a question? White lights, white angel, red/gold/lace ribbon, red/gold/white/silver ornaments, complete with crystal snowflakes and everyone's brass college ornament.

17. Favorite Christmas Song? I'll be Home for Christmas sung by Sinatra, or a simple Angels We Have Heard on High sung by my church chorus.

18. Travel during Christmas or Stay home? During college and for a couple years after that I had to travel to go home, but I loved the long, warm drives through the woods to finally return to Fairfield County.

19. Can you name Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, & Rudolph. Next!

20. Angel or Star on Tree top? Angel

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? One on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? People buying outrageously expensive gifts to outdo one another, or people who hire others to decorate their house and tree.

23. Favorite ornament? The brass engraved ornament from my college, the most beautiful building on campus.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Wellies, a cashmere sweater, and a silver bracelet/necklace set... but mostly I still love surprises!

November 02, 2008

Warm, Soft, and Sweet All Over

I had a fantastic weekend in Charleston, complete with a wild Halloween at the Market Street Saloon and a positively gorgeous wedding at Middleton Place. But one thing I noticed, besides the abundance of tea (sweet, of course), McCain billboards, street signs like Shrimpboat Lane and clean-cut, charming boys with cozy Carolina accents, was the temperature. As in, not warm. Like, maybe 10 degrees warmer than New England.

And it struck me: Indian summer is gone, the leaves are and have been changing, Halloween has passed, and we're in that cold but not snowy period of late fall that comes before the holidays but after apple-picking season.

I personally love the late fall, and not just because I'm a scorpio. And not because we gained an extra hour of sleep last night (or in my case, an extra hour of drinking before last call). When the leaves fall completely and the temperatures drop, there is nothing like a cashmere sweater or a cute guy wearing one to make you love the cold. And what better way to draw one in (a guy that is), than by making yourself smooth as butter and sweet as sugar?

Here are my favorite picks for fall and winter beauty products. You have an easy four months to enjoy these, and considering the risk of winter-dry skin and lips, I recommend stocking up. There's no better antidote to wool and layers than body butter that smells like spiced vanilla.