Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts

Sunday, March 31, 2024

Happy Easter Sunday 2024

Noli me tangere by Simone Cantarini (1612 - 1648), an Italian painter who was born in Pesaro, the then Papal States 

Scholars of theology think Mary Magdalene was an influential figure in the early Christian Church. According to all 4 Gospels, she was one of the women who traveled with Jesus and supported his ministry from the beginning to the end. The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John mention her by name 12 times, more than any other woman fellower, as well as, more than most of the apostles. Mary Magdalene was never a prostitute. Blame Pope Gregory IX for a sermon he gave in the 13th century for this wrong perception. According to the Gospels, she witnessed the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and was the first person Jesus appeared to after rising from the dead. Some theologians think she was a leader of the early church. She is declared a saint in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran Churches. In 2016 Pope Francis elevated her status higher calling her the "Apostle of the Apostles." Theologians postulate the reason Mary Magdalene was the 1st person the risen Christ appeared to was due to how highly he regarded her. Some of the unauthorized (called non-canon gospels, the gospels of Thomas and Philip) portray Jesus and Mary as romantically close, which so far is impossible to confirm, but surely will continue to be the source of endless speculation. Easter, the most important date on the Christian calendar, celebrates hope, optimism, and human perseverance.
Enjoy the day and eat the chocolate.


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Monday, December 25, 2023

It's A Manhattan Christmas

Photo Source of Macy's: Adventures Only
Manhattan in December is magical. If you can't fit a Christmas tree into your tiny apartment just step outside, the entire city with lights and sparkle becomes your Christmas decor!

The 1st two photos are of Macy's holiday windows at Herald Square, my favorite New York City department store. You'll find everything you need at Macy's but unlike Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, or Bloomingdales, Macy's carries a wide range of price points coupled with the best sales so you'll find exactly what you're looking for to suit your budget. I've never shopped at Macy's for a necessity or splurge and returned home either empty-handed or broke. From upscale to budget-friendly, there's something for everyone.
Photo Source of Macy's: Macy's, Inc.
Frankly, I'd be in big trouble if Macy's were in my own neighborhood and I could float in to browse anytime I wish. It's better for my wallet that I must take the subway to Herald Square because Macy's vast inventory is tempting every time I step into the store.


Photos of Bergdorf Goodman: Ricky Zehavi Photography

Sitting at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, Bergdorf Goodman creates fashion-forward, avant-garde holiday windows.

Photo Source of Cartier: Shutterstock
Cartier Fifth Avenue (at 52nd Street) always wraps its flagship store up as a Christmas package. I look for it every year and sometimes shamelessly steal the upmarket retailer's festive motif for my own front door.

Saks Fifth Avenue has the best video show every single year, and crowds are not wild or crazy when you attend the night of its unavailing usually accompanied by live celebrity entertainment. I like to stand directly across the street on Fifth Avenue (between 49th and 50th Streets) to watch the outdoor music, dance, and light show. Then you might as well walk over to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree because you're only a stone's throw away from Rockefeller Plaza. I have featured the beautiful tree on the blog in past years linked here. Next to Saks is St. Patrick's Cathedral with a large Nativity Scene near the altar. 

Photo Source: Debra Turner
Merry Christmas to all my lovely readers. Peace, Love, and Joy to everyone of every faith tradition on the globe who sees the blog! May the spirit of Christmas find you today and always!πŸͺπŸŽ„πŸ‘ xoxoπŸ’‹


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Sunday, October 29, 2023

Ghouls Visit Gotham City On Halloween

 
All photos: By Debra Turner of the Upper East Side's Lenox Hill and Yorkville neighborhoods

The undead have come to Gotham City for the shindig of the year.

Witches, ghosts, and ghouls are very near,πŸ’€  

Waiting for darkness to fall to start the Monster's Ball.
On the Upper East Side, behold a sinister sight!πŸ•·

Spreading the Fright all day and all night!

What has convened but a howling scene!
πŸ‘‡Bart the Bartender (at 86th Street Wine) is back! With a new friend, Jack.πŸ‘‡πŸ·

Among the mainstream, there's a break of routine

Bizarre ventures umpteen that have never been seen!

There's a gateway from the spirit world to Manhattan, it's clear,

Heads to roll and evil to flow, they're hereee!
'Tis a rush to the bloodstream,🐺
A peek at the team behind this horrific scene at a brownstone on East 72nd Street. Let's hope you don't meet!
Why, it must be Halloween!πŸŽƒ



Here's where your chilling tour of the Upper East Side ends.

Happy Halloween to all Spirits & Friends!

On 2nd Avenue in front of Crumbly Bakery*, see Jack stand. Walk by to hear him talk, or shake his hand. *{between East 89th and East 90th Streets}

πŸ‘ΉπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ’€πŸ§ΉπŸΊπŸ‘ΉπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ’€πŸ§ΉπŸΊπŸ‘ΉπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ’€πŸ§ΉπŸΊπŸ‘ΉπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ’€πŸ§ΉπŸΊπŸ‘ΉπŸ‘»
4 Bonus Upper East Side Brownstones to see: If you pass them on foot, be ready to flee!🩸

Click photos to unveil the gory details.πŸ‘€ Nothing to fear, no charge to enlarge!πŸ”ͺπŸ§›‍♂️πŸŽƒ


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Monday, February 14, 2022

Valentine's Day Jewelry


Photo: Effy Jewelry


Nothing beats getting jewelry for Valentine's Day, not that we can expect to receive it every year. Still, perusing beautiful pieces is fun and absolutely free! 

Effy Jewelry
Moreover, a Savvy Shopper is a mindful buyer who spends more time looking than shopping; and who abhors excessive buying and unsustainable consumption. As with all material things ... and especially when buying fine jewelry 
you only need capsule, not a collection of these sparkling gold or platinum luxuries. Think in terms of acquiring a capsule of carefully curated pieces that you love and want to wear every day, as well as, to galas. You'll never tire of wearing the same rings, earrings, bracelets, or necklaces time and again as long as you love them. 

Also if you're lucky enough to receive a gift from your Valentine and know his budget, don't be afraid to hint. Significant others aren't mindreaders, and you know your tastes. Getting jewelry you'll wear is more important than surprises you'll keep in a box. Furthermore, so what if your gift arrives after February 14th as you'll have it for a lifetime.

So now let's have some Valentine's Day fun. Here are several red rubies (in the mid-price range) I like and think you will too.

 From jeweler Effy's website:


And a few pretties from Macy's website -- Effy happens to be one of Macy's jewelry vendors along with other jewelers. If you see an Effy piece you like, check both websites to get the best price. The heart necklace above was for sale on both sites. It's still available at Macy's: