Season's Greetings

I'm taking a holiday break for the next two weeks. While we won't be crafting, I'm sharing a few inspiring photos from the windows at Tiffany's on 5th Avenue:

I wish you the best of the holidays!

Merry Christmas

I wish you a very Merry and Memorable Christmas!

I hope you like these photos from Tiffany & Co. on 5th Avenue.

Happy Holidays to You and Yours

I'm taking a holiday break for the next two weeks. I'll leave you with photos of this year's window display at Tiffany and Company on 5th Avenue:

Happy Holidays to You and Yours!

Trees and Ornaments

Happy Friday!

Yesterday, we went to the Columbus Circle Holiday Market.

It's a fun respite after a walk through Central Park.

Also, the market is just across the Shops at Columbus Circle.

At the market, you'll find many handmade items 

that make great gifts.

As with most of the markets I've visited, I sought out the stalls selling Christmas ornaments. Won't it be TADA! if I said, "I got these angels in London" or "I found these silver ones in New York" if anyone asked? Heehee.

Here are the ornaments that I added to my collection this year. I think they're enough to spruce up a small tree.

Then I saw these not so conventional trees that maybe we can use as inspiration for some easy DIY:

I found this at West Elm. I like it because it's simple, natural and doesn't take up much space. I think we can recreate it with scrap wood glued together to form a tree. Add small nails at the tips to hang ornaments!

Here's another tree also from West Elm. It's a table top tree that can be placed in the foyer, mantle or a desk. The tree is covered all over with recycled paper...an easy blah to TADA! project that can be made using twigs, an old pot and some cement. To finish, cover everything with paper from an old book using Mod Podge. Then add tiny ornaments.

Here's a laser cut tree with dowels where one can hang the ornaments. It was on display at Chelsea Market. I think we can make our own version with cardboard cut-outs. Make 4-6 cardboard cut-outs of a tree {drawn free hand}. Glue the layers together to make a thicker tree. Finish with several coats of paint. Use hooks to hang the ornaments or make something similar to the picture with wooden sticks or skewers.

Have a thrilling weekend!

The Columbus Circle Holiday Market

Today, let's go to New York City's Columbus Circle.

There's a holiday market there, too!

Here are some of the things that you'll find there:

And because I like blah to TADA! transformations, here

are products that caught my fancy:

Pouches and bags made of recycled plastic.

Collages made of a variety of recycled paper and paint.

Bangles and key charms made from old car plates.

Just a few more beautiful booths:

Hand towels, totes, mugs and notebooks

Yummy preserves at The Jam Stand

Plush wool hats

Hand puppets with so much character

What sets the Columbus Circle Holiday Market apart from the others in the city are the extensive food booths:

Lots of seating, too, allowing shoppers to savor a meal.

Many choices from hearty to sweet, hot and cold.

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if visitors came

just for the food!

The Market on 46th and 8th

Hello there!

Today's Christmas market was a serendipitous find. I was on my way to another market {one that I'll feature tomorrow} when this caught my eye:

A delightful wooden booth selling something that smelled good.

As I walked closer, I spied a huge grill cooking German sausages. The set-up looked exactly like the one in London's Winter Wonderland! 

After the sausages, leave some room for crepes.

The booths, painted in red and green, are really eye-catching. I bet the twinkly lights add some magic come nightfall.

The merchandise include clothes, accessories such as hats, scarves, gloves and jewelry, as well as some tech accessories like phone and tablet cases. 

Not much handmade items {one of the things I look for at markets}, but still interesting enough to check out.

In case you want to visit, you'll find it at the corner of West 46th Street and 8th Avenue in New York City.

A Market within a Market

I'm taking you around the Christmas markets of New York City. I hope you're enjoying the tour! 

Chelsea Market is a place in Manhattan that I often visit. It's a foodie paradise with shops selling food and anything related to food like cooking tools, exotic ingredients, books and gift baskets. 

Locals and visitors come here to grab a bite, buy something "to go", experience a new trend in dining, and possibly bump into a Food Network celebrity chef {the Food Network offices/kitchens are located in the building}. 

Here's how Chelsea Market is decorated for the holidays this year:

A Christmas tree made of real twigs, logs and 

leaves, painted in white.

A new spin on the Hanukkah Menorah.

It's made of nine humble paintbrushes covered in paper bag and twine. During each night of Hanukkah, a paintbrush is unveiled to reveal a flame {an actual Menorah is lit with real flames}. I've never seen anything like this, I think it's cute.

Real and faux plants that tell you the holidays are here.

Inside Chelsea Market is a bakeshop called Eleni's. They make the most adorable decorated sugar cookies!

Snowmen cookies that double as tree ornaments. I think this is a cool idea/presentation for party favors.

They don't only specialize in holiday cookies, they have different themes like this New York City sampler.

At the other end of Chelsea Market is a pop-up shop of Brooklyn's Artist and Fleas, with a collection of handmade creations and vintage finds.

Another market called Jingle runs until December 23.

Markets within a market -- just one of the reasons 

I love the holidays!