I Love a Parade!

Not just any parade - the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

This was my fourth Thanksgiving in New York City, but first Thanksgiving Day parade.

My friend & I got off the train at the corner of 53rd Street & 7th Avenue, just in time.


We then went into my office building, which has a perfect view up 7th Avenue.



Eventually we went back outside, and watched the balloons,



and Joan Rivers

go by.

Soon it was all over,


and we were off for some après-parade Bloody Marys at PJ Clarke's, followed by a delicious dinner at Nice Matin.

It was a great way to start the holidays!

I saw this picture in San Francisco last month...


in the back room of the Urban Fauna Studio.

I love everything about this - the shoes, skirt, turtleneck, tights...

And that knit cowl.

The big, burly guy who owns the shop glanced over, and said the words I longed to hear: "Oh, yeah. We have that pattern.".

The pattern is from Imperial Yarn, a family owned and operated ranch located in Maupin, Oregon.

Once a year, they shear the wool from the sheep, then transform it into a wide selection of fibers and yarns, without harsh chemicals or extreme temperatures, leaving it naturally soft.

The wool used to make this "Sumptuous Cowl" is called 2-Strand Pencil Roving. I'd never seen this before! It's incredibly soft, and comes in "cakes" rather than skeins.



The cowl is knit with strands from 2 cakes held together (so, 4 strands in all!), and is all knitting and purling, so its quick and easy.

And gorgeous!



Now I just need to find those shoes...

Perspicacity

[pur-spi-kas-i-tee]

–noun

keenness of mental perception and understanding; discernment; penetration.

Also, an open-air market on the beach in Seaside, Florida selling casual, trendy clothing and accessories.

Seaside is located in the heart of Northwest Florida's Emerald Coast along Highway 30A, a 20-mile scenic road between Destin and Panama City Beach.



This year, Frommer Travel named the Florida Panhandle beaches, including Seaside, as a “top 10 destination” for 2010 (the only continental U.S. destination on the list). And last year, Travel & Leisure magazine named Seaside in its 100 Greatest Trips issue.

(So, it's nice.)

Seaside is a community with both permanent residents and seasonal guests. So, in addition to diverse shops and restaurants, there are year-round cultural events and festivals.

This past weekend was the 20th Annual Seeing Red Wine Festival, featuring hundreds of wines from around the world.

My friends & I conducted our own "wine festival" on the beach, though...



One of our favorite restaurants is The Red Bar, in nearby Grayton Beach, one of 30A's oldest communities, with historic cottages, quaint shops and galleries.

Be prepared, though - there will be a wait. But the beer is cheap and the music is good. The house band plays most nights, but on Sundays from Noon-3pm and 7-10pm, and on Monday nights from 7-10pm you can see the awesome Dread Clampitt.

Also, Bud & Alley's is delicious (which explains how it's stayed in business for 23 years - and counting!), and right on the beach in downtown Seaside. In the evening, the roof deck bar is a popular spot to watch the sun set over the Gulf.

Our favorite meal, however, was at Old Florida Fish House Restaurant & Bar, further along 30A. Of course the fish was incredible, but so (surprisingly) was the hanger steak. And there is music and dancing in the bar.

I've been to this area several times, and can't wait to go back (permanently?). The Seaside motto is "More than a way of life, a way of living!".

Looks good to me.

A November (Blue) to Remember

Best "November" song ever.