Gingerbread Extravaganza!

(all photos can be clicked on to enlarge)

I visited Le Parker Meridien Hotel located at 119 West 56 Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues, in Manhattan this weekend to see their Gingerbread Extravaganza that will be on display through January. All the gingerbread masterpieces were created by local NYC bakeries.

A view of Le Parker Meridien Hotel.

The hotel's location near Times Square and within close walking distance to Central Park and Fifth Avenue shopping, makes it a popular hotel for many tourists.

The hotel lobby Christmas tree.

A view of the Knave coffee/sandwich bar in Le Parker Meridien. It's a nice place to take a break if you have been busy shopping or sightseeing in the area, The hotel also has a popular breakfast restaurant called Norma's, and one of the best burgers in NYC can be purchased in their Burger Joint --just be prepared to wait on a line as this once best kept secret has been out of the bag for quite a while.

The gingerbread exhibit was in the 56th Street lobby atrium.

Visitors could purchase a ticket for $1 through the concierge desk to vote on their favorite gingerbread design, and also be entered in a chance to win a 5 night stay at the Parker Palm Springs, along with 2 round trip air tickets. All money benefits City Harvest, the world's first food rescue organization, dedicated to feeding the city's hungry men, women and children.

I found it hard to chose a favorite gingerbread creation as they were all well done and fanciful. I liked this one entitled " The Three Little Pigs Manhattan Holiday" created by Billy's Bakery. It reminded me of a Brooklyn brownstone. Notice the NY Times newspaper on the front steps, and what I hope were supposed to be the children's rhyme's"Three Blind Mice" passing by?

It also offered a side view of the Three Little Pigs inside the rooms!

I also liked "Sweet Ride' by the Buttercup Bake Shop.

Just look at all the detail inside the train car!

"Grand Central Terminal" by Magnolia Bakery was giant sized!

So was " Happy Holidays" by Le Parker Meridien and the Norma's Team. I liked the use of pretzels as the fence around the house.

I also loved the "Chrysler Building" by the Soutine Bakery. Making gingerbread stand so high must have been quite a feat!

How could I resist these charmers on top of "Marco's Toy Box" by Rolling Pin Productions?

All the gingerbread creations on display can be viewed in the mosaic at the top. All were wonderful, and certainly a sweet treat for the eyes. Come back for a visit soon as I'll be showing more photos of Christmas in Manhattan!

A Pink Saturday Christmas Chandelier!

I hope everyone that celebrates the holiday had a joyful Christmas!

Today is Pink Saturday on Beverly's blog, How Sweet The Sound, and I'm sure many participating blogs will continue to share Christmas glad tidings, so please visit Beverly today to keep your holiday cheer.

While in lower Manhattan recently, I went to see the NYSE Christmas Tree - which is also commonly referred to as the "Wall Street Tree" - on Broad Street between Wall Street and Exchange Place, and almost directly across the street, on display in the 15 Broad Street building lobby, was this stunning pink lit chandelier!

Upon further investigation I found out that it is 1,900-piece, Louis XV chandelier that once hung in the main banking hall of J. P. Morgan at 23 Wall Street. The two commercial properties have been converted into luxury condominium apartments and the chandelier was saved and put on permanent display as a design element.

Displayed so close to the ground, and lit with its soft and lovely pink glow, the chandelier looked like a magical crystal Christmas tree. Most unusual, unexpected and so delightful!