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