New York Christmas Window Displays Part 1

For years I have wanted to see New York City decorated for Christmas, and in 2018 I did.  One of the sights I loved seeing were the window displays in various stores.

2018 New York Dolce and Gabbana Window Display No. 1

Many stores hire top of the line designers to create inspired displays with extravagant budgets - and the results are breath-taking. 

2018 New York Dolce and Gabbana Window Display No. 2

One memorable window was Dolce and Gabbana's window featuring a glowing tree glimmering with golden bows and shimmering ornaments - calling out to the pedestrians passing by on the cold concrete outside.

Christmas Tree in Window display

I think the artfully arranged molded banner saying Merry Christmas was actually gold leafed, although I can't be certain.  

Detail of Christmas Tree and Banner

(As a crafter, I would certainly like to know what spray paint they used if that's how they did it.)   

Incredible Feast in Dolce and Gabbana Window Display

The other Dolce and Gabbana window had a vignette of a fantasy feast that inspired.  I could actually picture arranging some fruit at home the way the designers arranged them in the window display, but perhaps I wouldn't be buying quite as many roses.

2018 tall tree photo

The Dolce and Gabbana tree would be too tall to fit in my house though, so I will have to settle for photos and memories instead. 

Christmas Tree Detail

I just love the color palette they chose for their tree. 

(A quick note: Photographing window displays is not easy.  You may have noticed weird "ornaments" that look out of place on the tree, like the pinkish star above the word year above.  Some of those "ornaments" are actually reflections from a scrolling LED animated sign on the other side of the street - reflecting in the window glass.  Reflections are  problematic in window display photos.)

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P.S. Wait, wait, let's compare trees!

New York tree

Wisconsin Tree

I think the Wisconsin tree needs curtains and grander walls.

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(This is the 4th post in my series of Christmas Windows and Decorations in New York City from my 2018 NY trip.  See Part 1 here; Part 2 here; Part 3 here; and Part 4 here.)


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If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

NY Christmas Part 4

NY Christmas Part 3

NY Christmas Part 2

NY Christmas Part 1

New York Egg Hunt

Winter Garden

Dogs of New York

Chicago Xmas

Grand Canyon Ruins

GC Running Rapids

Spooky Paris Museum

Germany Castle

  Other Christmas posts post you might like:

Xmas Tree Sweater

Christmas Hutch 2

Angel Window

Madonna Window

I am linking up to these parties:
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CN Traveler, Blog on Window Displays, Octink Vendor, RetailDesign, Other, Adventure,
craft
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Sweater for a Christmas Tree!

Decorating the house for Christmas can get extravagant, but simple can be lovely as well.  In my dining room for the last 3 years, I have set up a minimalistic live pine tree. I have always loved the look of Norfolk pines, and so I buy a Norfolk pine tree early in the season and decorate it with a few vintage ornaments and no lights. (Later in the season I assemble, light and decorate two other trees).

Repurposed Sweater Base for Christmas Tree

I wanted a softer and warmer base for my Norfolk pine tree than the plastic planter the tree came in (despite the super cool jazzy aluminum wrap the store uses...) So I repurposed an ivory cable knit sweater I had that I couldn't wear and couldn't bear give away.

Repurposed Sweater for Christmas Tree Base

I originally thought I would remove the button strip and try to sew a seam, but (genius? or laziness?) it was so much easier to stretch the sweater around the galvanized bucket and tuck the excess material under the nice clean edge that the button strip formed.

Button Detail on the sweater base

Originally, I planned and thought I would place the base so that the button strip would be hidden in the back, and then the beautiful texture of the cable knitting would stand out, like in the photo below. 
 

Repurposed Sweater for Christmas Tree Base

This view (above) seem more sophisticated - but I found that I loved the homey look of the button detailing announcing the origins of the knitting - a repurposed sweater.  I even love the upside down pocket that shows in the picture below.

Pocket and button detail in repurposed Sweater

Incidentally, my friend coached me into placing ornaments in the base to hide the dirt, which makes watering the tree a bit harder but really improves the look. 

Repurposed Sweater Christmas Tree

In Wisconsin, the snowy weather and reflective snow floods the house with light, and the greenery kind of glows all day, cozy with it's little sweater.

Norfolk Pine greens with vintage glass balls

I just love the tactile feel of the Norfolk pine, the feathery greens and the silhouettes of the branches. After Christmas I take down the ornaments and leave the tree up as a house plant. The green tree really brightens the room.

I think a tree like this could make a nice gift for a parent or relative who no longer wants the stress of "decorating"for Christmas.
 
(A quick story: I had my daughter help me pick out the Norfolk pine tree the 1st year, and she named it "Saundra". The tree did not last the summer well for several reasons, so the next year we had "Saundra 2", because the magic tree growers get fluffy trees that have great color, not desiccated and browning branches hanging down but hanging on, like a pointsetta that still insists on blooming through August. The next year we had "Saundra 3". I try to convince the kids that (perhaps) I nursed the tree to glorious health, but they know better. Then I remind them that at least I am keeping them and the dog in better health and shape then Saundra.)

(Story 2, is anyone still reading? I have always loved the cozy look of the cable knit sweaters that seem ubiquitous in old ski lodge movies and ads. So one day I found one, hoping it would transform me into, well, a ski lodge model. In fact, my pasty white skin washed out the sweater, (or was it the other way around?), and the hand knitting had tighter sleeves and it didn't hang right on me, bulging here and there, stretching funny, etc. I think it had the kind of dimensions that wouldn't have worked on almost anyone, but I could not toss out the dream.
I'm guessing I got it at a resale shop, and it stated it was hand knit in Ireland! I tried to wash it carefully and lay it to dry on towels more in the shape it should have been, but ultimately, it epic-ally failed to make me look any thing but washed out and lumpy. I could not toss it, this was my ski lodge fantasy! I'll be honest, I was very hard to make the first cut on the sweater, but I don't think the sweater would have sold well at a resellers. By the way, the sleeves could be turned into small covers for house plant planters, which I have not yet done, in 3 years, although I did keep the sleeves.)

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

NY Windows Part 1

NY Windows Part 2

NY Christmas Part 3

Christmas Hutch 2

Christmas Hutch 1

Mixed Media 1

Mixed Media 2

Angel Window

I am linking up to these parties:
I was featured at Sundays Best, HowtoHome, and Pieced pastimes!

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Amazing Sight in New York City - Dogs!

New York City has many great sights, but here is one I hadn't read about in guide books.  I've heard of people being paid to walk dogs, but what I pictured when I hear the term "dog walker" certainly wasn't this!

Dog walkers in New York City

New York's inspiring dog walking entrepreneurs must be nearly dog whisperers as well - they somehow manage to walk all these large ( and small) dogs simultaneously.  This is something I've not seen before.  And it's definitely not something I would care to attempt!  

Dogs of New York City

Here is a different group of dogs patiently waiting for their walker, quietly behaving.  (Maybe the dog walker is fetching or dropping off another dog?) I carefully walked past this pack of 12 dogs, not wanting to cause any of the dogs to start to bark.  (yes, there are 12, but I didn't try to get them to pose)  WOW, these New York dogs were calm and well behaved! 

Dogs of New York City dog walkers

I'm not the only person amazed at this sight.  Other people stopped to take photos also.  And here is something else that impressed me - I didn't see dog droppings anywhere while I was in New York, which is just nice.  (OK, I know that they must happen, but I did a lot of walking and dog droppings were not a problem I encountered)

What do you think - Is this sight unusual to you? (or do I just need to travel more?)  Let me know if this is something you've seen in other cities, and where.  


Click on the images to see them enlarged.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

NY Xmas Part 1

NY Xmas Part 2

NY Xmas Part 3

New York Egg Hunt

Prague Wreath

Spooky Paris Museum

Elves Chasm

Las Vegas at Night

I am linking up to these parties:
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Whims and Fancies: Wandering Camera (Entry 13x of 17x)
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Mon 523 3p (Entry 84 of 99.)
Lets Add Sprinkles: Keep in Touch Tue 4p (Entry 20 of 43.)
Gingersnap crafts:Wow me Tue 428 7p (Entry 29x of 154x.)
Girlish Whims: Whims Tues 8:50p (Entry 6 of 94.)
Zucchinisisters: Celebrate your story 205 (Entry 12 of 27.)
Maria Elenasdecor: Tue at home 332 (Entry 65 of 80.)
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