It's the Most...Wonderful Time...of the Year

I love holiday music and couldn’t wait for the day after Thanksgiving to play it.  New York is an amazing place to be in December with so many festive decorations and events!

Below is a rundown of some of the best NYC has to offer over the next Month (plus the best trees, skating rinks, window displays and gift fairs)!

* Now through Jan. 9 – I am determined to see the New York Botanical Garden’s Train Show this year.  It is supposed to be amazing (particularly just after dark).  Miniature trains chugging past a miniature NYC (along a half-mile of tracks, passing 140 New York landmarks) constructed entirely of natural materials: nuts, tree bark, fruits, pinecones, and leaves, housed within the warmth of the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.   

* Now through the end of January – Artist Daniel Libeskind is bringing The Hanukkah Project to the Jewish Museum and worth a visit to see the collection of famous menorahs.  Candles will be lit to create a line of fire!

* Nov. 30 – the Tree at Rockefeller Center is lit!  Lighting ceremony begins at 7pm and features stars and performances.

* Dec. 1 – The launch party for DoGreater!  $20 gets you three hours of open bar, food and dancing!  My buddies are launching their new company in style so come out to support and kick-off the holiday party season right!  Read about the company, sign-up to receive the deals and buy your ticket HERE

* Dec. 2 – First Thursday’s in DUMBO for the art gallery walk while artists are open late!

* Dec. 3 – The Movember Gala Parté!  You survived the month with that itchy ‘Mo (and people telling you that you look like a pedophile) - now celebrate your hard work!  $20 tickets can be purchased HERE (or if you raise at least $100 for the cause, you earn a ticket free). 

* Dec. 9 – The Yelp Snow Ball is FREE and includes booze, food and other little extras.  A $10 donation to the NYC Coalition Against Hunger is optional, but good karma is always nice around the holidays!  The list of vendors participating is impressive – check it out and RSVP HERE

* Dec. 9 – MoMA by Night (tickets in advance are $14) –What better way to see art than with cocktails, music and gallery talks after hours!  I saw the Abstract Impressionist New York exhibit this weekend and it really is a must-see.  

The Best Christmas Trees (and Menorah) worth a visit:

* The annual Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History is 13 feet tall.

* The Annual Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Créche at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the Medieval Sculpture Hall.   While you are there, don’t miss the John Baldessari exhibit, which closes January 9^th!

* Standing over 50 feet tall, the Singing Christmas Tree at South Street Seaport has carolers performing Fridays at 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm, through Christmas.

* Cathedral of St. John the Divine Peace Tree

* Lincoln Square, Madison Square Park, Washington Square Park and Bryant Park all have trees worth checking out if you are in the ‘hood.

* And, of course, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree!

* The Menorah Lighting at Grand Army Plaza – The World’s Largest Hanukkah Menorah has a lighting ceremony each night, Dec. 1 – 8 at 5:30 pm, by a cherry picker!  Fifth Avenue at 59^th Street

Make time to cruise past these holiday window displays:

* My absolute favorite, by far, are the windows at Bergdorf Goodman.  Since there is only one store and they don’t need to replicate it across the country, they pour money and creativity into their windows.  Year round they are my favorite, but they go over the top for the holidays!  Fifth Avenue at 58^th Street.

* Macy’s, Bloomingdales and Lord & Taylor are all worth a peak!  Barney’s is always fun too!

* Saks Fifth Avenue stepped it up this year from the snowflakes to a 3-D projection show.

* For those of you who like to look at sparkly things, Tiffany’s, Van Cleef and Arpels, Cartier and other jewelers on Fifth Ave always put together fabulous little windows!

Ice Skating Rinks:

* Skate beneath the famous tree at Rockefeller Center

* Do a lap in Central Park at Wollman Rink

* Avoid all the tourists and head to Northern Central Park’s Lasker Ice Skating Rink

* Bryant Park ice skating rink is fun and the holiday booths are set-up for shopping as well!

* Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers

Holiday Gift Shopping Bazaars and Fairs:

* Union Square Park Holiday Market

* Columbus Circle Holiday Fair 

* Holiday Shops at Bryant Park

* Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair 

* My favorite gift shopping destination is the Young Designer Market in Nolita – tons of artisanal accessories, goods, clothing and jewelry for reasonable prices! 

* I am actually also getting a few gifts this year from the New Amsterdam Market

* I bet the Hester Street Market would also have some great local goodies for filling those stockings with local products (and they have super yummy food booths for curbing your appetite while shopping (like Luke’s Lobster and the Meatball Shop)! 

I am sure I will have at least one more post in the next few weeks, as other events get advertised, but this should get you all started and in the holiday spirit!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL!!!

X

Tree Peep'n in NYC

"Autumn in New York, why does it seem so inviting?" - Billie Holiday's AMAZING song.

I love, love, LOVE the change of seasons with bright colored leaves in the trees and on the ground.  I only discovered, after I moved to NYC, that people call the tourists who travel to see the colorful leaves, tree-peepers. 

Central Park in the Fall by Stephen Davis Phillips sdp-p.com

A few years ago, Ker & I took the best road trip I have ever been on, up to Vermont (actually 5 states in 2 days), and saw the most beautiful fall foliage (a girl from the coast of Cali is easily impressed by this whole seasons thing).  The last few years I have investigated and visited a lot of places right here in NYC, where you can see the beauty of fall, without having to rent a car or get a hotel room.

It is gorgeous out this weekend – the perfect Fall weather – sunny, but crisp and cool!  It also happens to be the peak time for fall foliage to see the most range of colors this week and next here in NYC! 

A few of my favorite places to get a dose of the fall foliage (without renting a car) are Fort Tryon, Wave Hill, Green-wood Cemetery and, of course, Central Park.

* Fort Tryon is stunning!  It is the highest point in Manhattan and is along the Hudson River with views of the New Jersey Palisades.  It is also home to the Cloisters, the only satellite location of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the largest medieval museum in the United States.  Don’t miss the medieval garden and the famous Unicorn Tapestries! 

Inside the Cloisters by Stephen Davis Phillips sdp-p.com

My recommended trip would be to take the A train to the 190th Street stop.  Before heading into the park, take a peak inside St. Francis Cabrini's Shrine to see the Snow White-esque remains of the first American citizen to be canonized.  Then stroll through and enjoy the park and the views.  If you are hungry, New Leaf Café is in the park.  It is owned by Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project.  Eventually, you will stumble upon the Cloisters in the depth of the park.

My friend Robert is the most amazing tour guide (and a published author).  His website has video blogs about different areas around the city, but his video based on Fort Tryon and the Cloisters is the best!  Check it out Here. 

Under my favorite tree at Green-wood Cemetery

*  Wave Hill has similar views as Fort Tryon, but is located in the Northern Bronx and has 28 acres of beautiful scenery, greenhouses and trails to stroll though and explore.  You can take the 1 train to the last stop, 242nd Street.  I used the GPS on my phone to walk to Wave Hill from the last subway stop, but it is a bit of a trek.  The homes are gorgeous up there, as well as the trees this time of year, so the walk was nice.  If you prefer, there is a free Wave Hill shuttle by the train station (in front of Burger King) that departs 10 minutes after the hour from 9:10 am – 3:10 pm.  Admission is $8, but on Tuesdays and Saturdays it is free if you arrive before noon!  There is a yummy café and on Sundays in the Mark Twain Room, brunch features organic produce fresh from Katchkie Farm (produced by Great Performances catering). 

Central Park a few weeks ago

* Central Park in the Fall is stunning.  A couple weeks ago, I took Jules for her first visit to the Conservatory Gardens, around the Harlem Meer and northern Central Park.  This is my favorite part of the park because there are less tourists (or people in general) and you can go from the extremely manicured gardens to a completely woodsy area where you can’t see a single high-rise building.  From there you can wind down toward the Reservoir, then the Boathouse and ultimately the Mall before ending-up near the subway stops at 59th Street & Fifth Avenue.   I usually start by taking the 6 train to the 103rd Street, walk over to Fifth Avenue and then up to the entrance gates of the Conservatory Gardens at 105th Street.  On six acres, there are three formal gardens:  French, English and Italian – all different and special! 

* A few other fun places to do some tree-peep’n are the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx and the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.

* The last on my list was my most recent venture, and maybe my favorite.   Last weekend, after cheering on Iman in the New York Marathon, I strolled over to the Green-wood Cemetery (super easy by subway, a block off the R train in Brooklyn at the 25th Street station).  It might sound creepy, but it was actually so beautiful, you forget you are surrounded my dead people.  I spent hours strolling the streets and trails and only saw a fraction of the 478 acres.  Don’t miss the wild Quaker parrots (aka monk parakeets) that have nests in the towers of the main gate.   The list of famous people buried here is impressive (and the variety of mausoleums, cherubs, gargoyles and graves is fascinating), but the stunning natural surroundings steal the show in the fall!  

Happy tree-peep’n, enjoy the gorgeous weather and take in the beauty of Autumn in New York!

Gentlemen, start your shavers! On your marks, get-set, MO!

Today is Movember 1st - time to get clean shaven (no cheating), and begin documenting your mustache's growth! 

I sent my long blog about Movember last week (in case you have no idea what this MOvember is that I am referring to), but today is THE DAY – the day to sack-up fellas!  Those of you that were on the fence about participating, need to get off it and join the fun, look like a stud and be a do-gooder!   

1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime!  1 in 6!  Get involved and experience the euphoria of giving back!  While I want you to grow a mustache or join a team, if you just can’t swing it, you can still attend the fun events and help fundraise!

There are a bunch of fundraising events coming-up that are TBD as Mo Bros and Mo Sistas secure the final details of their events, but in the meantime, these two are shaping-up to be badass!

The Best FN Moustache Party Ever (This Friday):

What do you get when you mix infused vodka, with moustache themed shots, the Moustache Hall of Fame and Week One Mo Growth?  The Best FN Moustache Party EVER!  Join Team Movember NY for a night of revelry to change the Face of Men’s Health. 

Music from DJ Sex Johnson.  $10 suggested donation at the door.

The Houndstooth Pub

520 8th Avenue

8:30 PM to 2:00 AM

Friday, Movember 5^th

The MO-lympics (Mid Movember Check in Party):

Support Movember and check out your moustachi-oed competition at the first annual MO-lympics. Featuring ping pong tournaments, suck and blow games, and hula hoop contests.

Only one Mo-bro or Sista will walk away with the gold in each "sport."

Open bar from 10-11 pm.  $15 suggested donation at the door!

SPiN

48 East 23rd Street

10:00 PM - 2:00 AM

Thursday, Movember 18th

If you don’t feel like participating, but still want to make a contribution, you can do so HERE and we truly appreciate the support!

Mo Bro George has an awesome blog following his Movember challenge (and will be featured on NY1 getting clean shaven).  Check-it out to get Mo-inspired HERE!

Also, Asylum.com  featured Movember (and a certain overcommitted blogger in the video) HERE – Shout out to Mikinzie! 

Mo Bros, there is an awesome new app for your phone, for photo-documenting your ‘stach:  Movember Mo Phone.  It’s free – download it HERE!

Also, Lisa sent our team an update hyping the free Movember, personalized business cards, provided by Moo.com – all you pay for is shipping.  So fun!  I ordered mine today.  My title – Movember-ista!  Get yours HERE

If any of you want more info, want to join our team, have a fundraiser you want me to hype, any fun Mo News, have a blog or mustache-related product – holla!  (Either use “contact me” on the blog here or go to my MoSpace HERE 

Below - captains Keeley and Lisa know how to turn any event (including Halloween) into a Mo Event!

PS – I featured a bunch of fun Mo Gear on my last blog, but MB got me awesome Mustache bandaids!  THANKS Girrllll!