The Final Course, 2015The Final Course for 2014

No more counting down to Christmas; the holiday season is officially upon us and perhaps over by the time you read this post. Now that I am no longer knee-deep in holiday preparations, I am onto the final course of enjoying time with family and friends.

I purposely plan to take off the twelve days of Christmas annually. I use this staycation time to relax, reflect, plan for the new year with my vision board, organize a few things, make one last Goodwill donation, and take at least one road trip. This year, I journeyed to New York City. I love how they decorate and celebrate!

New York City annually draws 54.3 million visitors to the five boroughs.  I believe all those annual tourists were in Manhattan when I visited on Saturday. It’s no surprise that, over the twelve days of Christmas, many people want to hike to Manhattan to enjoy Christmas cheer.  This year, a flood of blue and white fans headed to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx for the Penn State versus Boston Bowl added to the mayhem. Side note:  PSU won in OT by one.

With fellow blogger, great friend, and Etsy store owner of 2ChicDesigns, Cynthia and I at The Plaza Hotel, December 2014.
I was with Cynthia, a fellow blogger, great friend, and Etsy store owner of 2ChicDesigns, at The Plaza Hotel in December 2014.

So, fellow blogger, great friend, Etsy store business owner, and featured Women of Grace, Cynthia and I motored to Trenton to board one of the many double-decker trains headed to the Big Apple.  We met up with my daughter, fashion journalist Channing, at the world’s largest store, Macy’s, in Herald Square. The venue is conveniently located near other Manhattan landmarks. What were we thinking? Everyone wants to visit Macy’s at Christmas, where everything is big: big displays, large assortments, all sizes, and even a Starbucks located right next to the Visitor’s Center on the mezzanine level.

The Final Course of 2014 At The Plaza Hotel, December 27, 2014 with Cynthia and Channing
At The Plaza Hotel, December 27, 2014, with Cynthia, 2ChicDesigns and Channing, ChanningintheCity.com

The first must-see stop is 5th at 58th Streets, Bergdorf Goodman, known for their fabulous window presentations since 1996 by Texas-native David Hoey, the man behind the legendary windows.   BG knows how to lure one inside to shop and further explore what the luxury goods department store offers.  Even if you don’t spend a dollar, it’s worth a walk through the store to see what makes this more than a-century-old store so unique. I ended up in the basement Beauty Bar as I always do, this time for an education about Atelier Cologne from BG resident ambassador Cyril.

The Final Course of 2015 at Bergdorf Goodman 2014 "Inspired" Christmas Window Display
Bergdorf Goodman 2014 “Inspired” Christmas Window Display on Literature.
The Plaza Hotel, outside window decoration.
The Plaza Hotel, outside window decoration.

 

The Final Course in NYC at Bergdorf Goodman Beauty Bar with Atelier Cologne ambassador, Cyril
at Bergdorf Goodman Beauty Bar with Atelier Cologne brand representative ambassador Cyrel Toure

I titled the name of this post The Final Course because my visit to New York City marks the perfect way to finish off the year enjoying the holiday magic. I hope your final course for 2014 includes fun options that include family and friends—best wishes for a beautiful, prosperous, and successful 2015.