Christmas 2013

Christmas is always a special time filled with nostalgia and joy and loved ones both near and far. Both of us were lucky to have some time off to spend with special friends doing all things Christmassy. Here is what we got up to this week.

To get us in the Christmas spirit, prior to her arrival, "Santa" Lucia sent us a special package with a monogrammed stocking for Mila - clearly she approved! She is by far the most organized "Santa", I have ever come across!

No trip to New York over Christmas time is complete without a look at the tree at Rockefellar Centre. It never disappoints and neither do the creepy guys that photo bomb every picture!

"Santa" Lucia and I were lucky enough to catch a show of the rockettes the first weekend she arrived. I have been wanting to see them for a while but always assumed it was a kids only type of show. It was actually really impressive with an important message and an authentic nativity scene, complete with real donkeys, sheep and wait for it.. camels! Yes Alice made an appearance (actually 3.. it was magic!).

Christmas eve brought with it some baking and egg nogging (who knew how delicious egg nog was?! recipe here), too much food and wine and some good old family portraits. Please also note the "Africa" on our tree making a big appearance. Thanks to Kristy for sending it over. Likely to be a staple on our tree from now on.

 

 

 Christmas tree hat! Thanks Santa Lucia!! 

 Totes adorbs but totes unimpressed to be dressed up like FC/SC. P.S. What does the fox say?

 Then it was time for some Korea town BBQ with our Christmas earrings!! 

Santa Ryan spoilt us girls with appointments to Dry Bar, a hair salon where they wash your hair and style it (no cutting or colouring) so we could adequately prepare for a night out to Eataly in Flat Iron. What an incredible meal! Highly recommend! 

We had such a good time we even had a picture with our server, Julie, from Australia. It was awesome. We called her Nicole Kidman the whole night and teased her about "Jousting Sticks" (see The Castle!).

The Empire State Building just showing off! 

Some Christmas windows outside Lord &Taylor on 5th Ave. 

And for your viewing pleasure.. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and time with family. 

Dirty 30

If you're going to have to change the number is your age, you may as well have a good time going about it! Thank you to everyone who came together to hang out!

As this was the weekend after we heard the news of Madiba's death, it seemed only appropriate that we toasted him at Madiba restaurant in Brooklyn. These are some of the flowers outside the South African embassy in New York. 

Then it was time for some ramen at Ippudo with Marlene and David and Lucia who had just flown in from London a few hours before. Definitely try Ippudo if you're in New York!
 

 Nom-nom-nom!

What?!

 Oh my, the whole restaurant is singing.. *disappear*

 OK, Let's eat cake!

Then it was off to snowy Rhinebeck for the weekend. We were very lucky with the drive up as it only started snowing the next day. In total we had 10inches/25cm of fresh snow!

 

 Snow patrol!

 The sexiest cleaning crew (and most practical cleaning equipment) in Rhinebeck!

 Don't leave meeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Travelling is so tiring #snowcoma!  hastagpoopeddachshund

Storm King.

Last weekend we took a trip with some of our favourite peops, Marlene and David, to a rather alternate location. Marlene had a great idea to take us to Storm King Art Center, a sculpture park set on 500 acres about an hour north of New York City. We all bundled into sexy Slash and made the journey. Storm King is so named for the rolling Storm King mountains that surround it and most likely for the elements that the sculptures have to endure. Seeing is really believing as I had no idea what to expect, so I'll let the pictures tell the story. As a side note, this was such a unique experience in terms of taking pictures. Usually, it's a drag to take photos, no-one wants to take them or be in them or one feels the flow is interrupted when we all stop to say "cheese". Not on this day. The most remarkable thing is that all four of us shared the actual camera (we also had some iPhones thrown in for good measure) and it was amazing to see everyone take pictures - how they do it, what catches their eye - and the fact that there are pictures of all us, equally. It was a pretty special day. Thanks to Marlene for sharing her photos too. I have credited her below.

 

(Marlene)

 

 Aw the boys love each other. I have also just noticed the very forlorn looking girl in the background who is photo-bombing the picture!

(Marlene)

 

 On the tram!! 

(Marlene)  

 

Holy smokes I cannot get over this picture that Marlene took. Picture-perfect! Undoubtedly my favourite landscape of the day.

 

(Marlene) 

 Front cover of their first album?

 Holiday card?

 My hat is the same colour as the leaves!

 David picking buddha's nose. You know.

 Me..

David says, "no probs, homey, I got you."

 

Together again! 

I can't wait until the next adventure! 

 (Marlene)