Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from warmer shores. No white Christmas in this part of the world but we make up for it in other ways: 

I am off to Kuala Lumpur for the first time since our wedding, and have packed this old, festive Anthropologie dress for celebrations ahead. Too much red? Never!

Have a wonderful time with loved ones and hope Santa is generous to all of you this year!

Clover Canyon Christmas

2013 was a great year for me - a fresh job, a fitter lifestyle and a wonderful new husband. Ending the year on a high made making 2014 goals a little contrived. Regardless I like thinking about style resolutions - which on a fundamental level really means shopping a little less. I pledge to, however, continue to be smart about my purchases, and only add items to my wardrobe that are like nothing I currently own. 

Ergo, you saw the new kicks and hat, now let me introduce you to my latest obsession - Clover Canyon. This is a brand I've known of for months but while they appealed to my print-loving personality, their initial designs didn't quite rock my boat. Also the scuba-like fabric that appears in a lot of their designs can be rather unforgiving when used on slim silhouettes. 

Then they go and release an art-deco-inspired collection. Boom, dead. Come at me, neoprene. 

Christmas in New York City

Merry merry merry Christmas everyone!

As a non-Christian household and our immediate families thousands of miles away, we've established a few New York City traditions of our own to usher in this festive day.

We start with the night before Christmas, which is the only time of year that Gramercy Park is open to the public, and even then, only for a single hour. Like last year, we braved the frigid cold to carol in the Park, only this year we hung back from the crowds; to sing, cuddle and reminisce on "our" bench instead. The memories we have of this Park are so precious that I won't deny how rough it felt knowing we wouldn't be able to enter this space again for another year.

Food solves most troubles so we crossed the street to Maialino and ate and drank ourselves very happy.

DVF Zarita in Navy, Nine West Jeneil pumps in Red Suede (my weak ankles LOVE the solid heel on this shoe)

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Christmas Day for us means a visit to the holiday windows and displays around town. Here are some of my favourites.

Barneys x Disney. I thought the video was pretty cute but wished the rest of the windows were similarly decked out

Bergdorf Goodman - while not as elaborate as last years, the 1920s-themed windows are the best of the lot. This particular display was my favourite. Seriously, white peacocks?!

Tiffany's - if I had a Christmas tree, this is how I want the bottom of it to look like 

Gingerbread Lincoln at the Le Parker Meridien gingerbread extravaganza

Hilarious gingerbread depiction of the dangling crane 

I usually don't take photos of trees but I liked how the Le Parker Meridien one took a leaf (ha!) out of the AMNH tree

Uniqlo +J 3-way coat, Anthropologie Jeweler's Choice Cardigan, Zara drop waist dress (sim), Chanel vintage flap

More new shoes: Wolverine x Samantha Pleet boots (here, here and here)

One in a row of giant nutcrackers outside UBS in midtown

We finally ended up at the Rockefeller Tree. There were SO. MANY. PEOPLE, we hightailed it out of there as soon as this picture was taken

And then we made like Jews and had chinese. 

Hope your day was as festive as mine! 

Caroling in Gramercy Park

Merry Christmas again everyone!

Yesterday, while friends and family on the other side of world were digging in to Christmas breakfast/brunch, it was still Christmas Eve in this neck of the woods. 

With all gift-shopping out of the way, we started the day lazy and then headed out to Broadway for the matinee screening of Relatively Speaking (cheap tickets ftw). 

Then we skipped down to Maialino for an early dinner (God bless their spaghetti alla carbonara) before crossing the street to Gramercy Park for the one day a year the beautiful garden is open to the peasants.. sorry, the public.

NY Times

We caroled around the beautiful blue Christmas tree in freezing temperatures and in nearly-pitch-black surroundings, firmly staying within the grounds for the entire hour the park was open.  

As pretty as the park was (especially in the daytime), it was challenging to truly appreciate the beauty of the small 2-acre piece of well-manicured landscape when one is only allowed in it from 6-7pm on December 24th. For those unaware, the park is usually only accessible to a select few key-holders, whilst the rest of us common-folk can only peek at the space through the tall iron gates surrounding it. I fail to comprehend the rigidity around the access and use of the park and now that I can cross this off my to-do list, I am in no hurry to return. Why remind myself of what I am prohibited from enjoying, no?

Moving on from the soapbox to what I wore:

Anthropologie Sweetheart Shrug Tee, H&M lace skirt, J Crew rose-gold glitter belt and maroon tights, Steve Madden Graanie boots

This top (which I also have in red) is by far my favourite purchase this year and I have worn it nearly every day this week. Although sold out at Anthro, you can still grab it for full-price here. 

Hand-crafted ring from the recent jaunt to Istanbul

Once again, happy holidays to you and yours!