Before heading west, here are some parting shots..

We had a lovely lunch at Balthazar in SoHo. I was drawn to the table they had set up amongst the hustle and bustle where people could pick up their orders of pastries and breads from the boulangerie for their holiday feasts at home.

After lunch, we had to do a little shopping. This sparkly garland at a boutique in SoHo was so glamorous, sparkly and festive.

While the presents wrapped in recycled sweaters were cozy and comforting.

The paper doilies, dyed in shades of blue, looked like falling snowflakes overhead.

Magnolia leaves look so marvelous during the holidays, the green shiny side, the brown leathery side, I love them both, just give me lots of them — the windows at Van Cleef and Arpels did not disappoint.

This photo doesn’t do justice to the Swarowski crystal star hung by Tiffany’s high above Fifth Avenue. It is a beaming, sparkling light that made everyone smile in awe, especially in the evening.

Tiffany’s was stately and sparkly with their thick trim of greens, I am sure our huckleberry friend would have loved it too!