Goodbye 2012

Goodbye 2012

10 Memories from 2012:

1. Spending time with friends and family
2.First trip to Greece

 3. Seeing New York at Christmas

 4. Breaking my half marathon time record

 5. Weddings: Nick and Jeni, Jonathan and Crystal, John and Leah, Trent and Elizabeth, Floyd and Mrs. Lisa

 6. Splitting holidays between Chad and my family for the first time

 7. First NFL game

 8. Vacation to Charleston

 

 

 9. Getting ENGAGED!!

 

10. Saying ‘YES’ to the dress
(I can't share the dress just yet, so for now I will share my second pick)

 

All I can say is that 2013 has big shoes to fill, because 2012 was such an amazing year! The countdown is on to our April the 13^th Wedding!! 

Christmas in New York

One thing is for sure,
New York knows how to decorate for Christmas!

 I was lucky enough to get to go visit again in December. When I visited in November, I was able to see the Rockettes in the Christmas Spectacular which was amazing (click here for blog post)! The Christmas Tree was brought to Rockefeller Plaza during my November visit, but this trip the tree was lit!! You can't tell from the pictures, but the tree lights twinkle and you have to see it in person!! Below is a picture of the tree with the scaffolding from when I visited in November and then the tree with lights in December!

 
I was like a little kid and I could not stop smiling at all the lights and decorations displayed. Below are a few of my favorite pictures from my trip! The top two pictures of over-sized lights and ornaments are from 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas). The first two images on the second row are from Rockefeller Plaza. The last picture is of the Bloomingdale's on 5th Avenue. Almost all the shops on 5th Avenue are decorated and the window displays are very elaborate.

Serendipity was on my list of places to see. My first stop after checking in was to Serendipity! If you go during the holidays expect a really long wait! The desserts are the size of your head and worth the wait.  The menu is huge and there are lots to choose from but the sundaes have to be the most popular item.

Christmas window display at Serendipity

After years of watching the Macy's Parade on tv on Thanksgiving morning, I finally got to see the Macy's in person. The Macy's (below) in Herald Square was built in 1902. This Macy's is America's largest department store and I managed to shop on all 10 1/2 floors! I even found my wedding shoes in Macy's!! 

 We ate dinner at the Cellar in the basement of Macy's.

A couple of the window displays at Macy's

 

   What is a trip to New York without stopping in Times Square? The Hershey's store and the M&M store had ornaments out! 

 Lastly, here I am in front of the tree! New York is amazing year round, but if you get to pick anytime to visit then you have to choose December.

I can't say this enough, 

I LOVE NEW YORK (especially at Christmas)!!

New York - Work Hard, Play Harder

New York Round 2
Work Hard, Play Hard

I never dreamed I would get to go back to New York only two months after my first trip! The second visit was even better than the first. Even though both trips were for work, we worked until six with WORK HARD/PLAY HARDER mindsets.

Day 1

After checking in to the Hilton on the Avenue of the Americas, Emily and I went to dinner at Pazza Notte. It is an Italian restaurant and we both ordered fish (salmon and sea bass). Our entrees were delicious and the restaurant’s location is very convenient since it is only a block away from the Hilton. 

 After dinner we went to Times Square and then did some shopping on the Avenue of Americas.

 Ferris Wheel in Toys R Us on Times Square

Day 2

Day two got started with Starbucks. I’d be curious to find out how many Starbucks locations are in New York. We took a break from work and had lunch at Mangia on 57^th Street. With lots of pastries and fresh foods, it makes for a great lunch break on a work day. When I think of Gossip Girl, I think of 3 things – New York, macaroons, and fashion. 

Tuesday night was Emily’s pick and she requested a French restaurant. We got reservations at Brasserie on 53rd. 

 We walked through Rockefeller Plaza and this time the ice skating rink was ready and Christmas decorations were already going up!

 

Day 3

Day three I woke up to another beautiful day in New York!!

 view from my room

 It was back to Starbucks, work, Pret for lunch, and TAO my FAVORITE for dinner. TAO is absolutely amazing. We had reservations at 7:30 but apparently the reservations only get you in the door. After a few drinks at the bar our table was ready. We ordered a variety of sushi (the smoked salmon was hands down the best) and saved room for the MASSIVE fortune cookie for dessert. We asked for three fortunes in our cookie. The fortune cookies are filled with white and dark chocolate mousse and are seriously the size of a dinner plate. 

some of the decor inside of TAO 

 our fortune cookie

Day three was also Wednesday, November 14^th which meant it was the day the Christmas tree arrived in Rockefeller Plaza!! This year’s tree weighs 10 tons and although it won’t be lit until the 28^th, it was amazing to see in person (scaffolding and all).

  80 feet tall, Norway spruce

watching as they were setting up the Today Show set for Hoda and Kathie Lee

Day 4

After work we grabbed a quick dinner at City Lobster & Steak before entering Radio City Music Hall to see the Christmas Spectacular with The Rockettes! Are there little girls that do not grow up dreaming of being a Rockette? I highly doubt it.

The show was even better than I could have imagined. This is the 85^th year and as part of the show some of The Rockettes' outfits from over the years were incorporated. Not sure how they set off fireworks inside, but I promise even fireworks were included in the show. My favorite parts were the toy soldiers falling in slow motion and the WHOLE MANGER SCENE! Too often people take anything related to the Bible out of Christmas shows to prevent offending anyone. I thought so much more of the show after the manger scene with all the wise men and real animals. 

 I could go on and on about how amazing the show was and the inside of Radio City Music Hall, but I do not want to ruin it for anyone. It is something everyone should experience firsthand. I would love to go back and it was the perfect way to end our last night in The Big Apple!

 I do love a good chandelier.

My pictures from the actual show did not turn out very well, but I could not stop watching the show long enough to figure out my camera settings.

Day 5

Day five was all work and travel. I’ll end this post with our view at work. We really have a great view from our Birmingham Office, but it does not compete with the New York Office’s view of Central Park.

Until next time New York...