Radio City Style

A back view of the pretty little candy-cane-striped costumes that
the Rockettes wear for one number.

For several years now, part of my Christmas gift to Sis and Figgy has been to take them to the "Christmas Spectacular" at Radio City Music Hall. Tonight Fig and I hopped on a 3:15 bus and met Sis for the 5 P.M. show.

The sameness of it is a comfort from year to year. The pageantry and costumes change a little, but not too much. We loved the peppermint-twist-tinted outfits, the multiplying Santas, the 3-D opening, where it feels like a wreath or gift tossed from the sleigh is coming right at you.

If you were watching, you would have seen pretty auburn-haired Auntie and auburn-haired Figgy with bedraggled me, who doesn't have an appointment in the salon chair till the day after tomorrow [for a blowout, can't wait].

The Two Sides of Heaven: Chocolate and Shoes
After the show, we headed over to Saks Fifth Avenue. I figured we could try out the restaurant on the eighth floor for a light dinner, because I want to go there with our cousins Linda and Judi, and I've heard good things about it. Alas, it was closed for an upscale private party [I saw one fellow arriving in a sweeping mink coat].

So we were forced to go to the Charbonnel et Walker Chocolate Café, also on 8, where we had demure portions of Victorian sponge cake and apple crisp [really demure, and $7 each], but the world's very best drinking chocolate. Fig had hers hot, with a peppermint stick [which brought the price to $7 vs. $6] and I had mine iced. Both topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Divine. Wow, I wish I lived or worked near there for an indulgent afternoon pick-me-up.

We were also forced to walk through the very upscale shoe department on our way to the Chocolate Café. Figgy had fun trying on some teetering black Pradas and lacy black Stuart Weitzman heels. But even on sale, the prices were sky-high. Still, we saw so many beautiful shoes. I do wish money were no object. I had my eye on some Chanel slingbacks myself.

Mommy, can you forget everything else on my Christmas list and just get me a pair of Prada heels? she asked, only half joking.

I would have if I found a pair for $100.

Shoe Lust as Career Stepping Stone
On the bus ride home, I told Figgy, Those shoes are one reason to get good grades. If you get good grades, you can get into a good college, and get a good job. Then you can buy yourself shoes like that, and save some of your money, too.


Hey, I might as well speak her language.

My score was the tin of British Charbonnel et Walker The Chocolate Drink. It was the last one, and the café receipt entitled me to 20 percent off the $20 price. It's under our tree now, a luxe gift to me from me. I just checked saksfifthavenue.com, and it's sold out there, so I feel really lucky: http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446248654&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492703469&bmUID=iNftO4c.


Good night.