Chic Happens

That Time I Met Manolo Blahnik

Posted on January 31, 2016 by christineno5

It’s no secret how much I adore Manolo Blahnik. I always wear his shoes and lovingly refer to him as my Sole Mate. So when I had the chance to meet him a few years ago, I couldn’t believe it.

Meet him. Talk to him. And INTERVIEW him for my blog?! It was a dream come true…..

“This is the Sex and the City shoe!” he proudly yelled.

I stood there….speechless.

I’m never speechless.

Never.

But standing here, in front of my Sole Mate, I suddenly had no words.

He turned to the man on his right, “Look George, it’s the shoe from Sex and the City!”

The man, George Malkemus, nodded and smiled at me. George was Blahnik’s business partner in the Americas and is now the company’s CEO.

Suddenly, thankfully, I spoke.

“And now we know it’s NOT an urban shoe myth!” I said.

“Oh that’s right! Ha, ha, ha! That’s right!” He laughed.

I laughed too. Mostly because I was so starstruck and just really, really happy.

I was standing in front of Manolo Blahnik and he was holding my brand new black, patent leather Mary Jane shoe.

The shoe guru was making a special appearance to greet fans at Neiman Marcus in Boston.

Even with a sprained right wrist (his writing hand) he was signing shoes and copies of his new book featuring his sketches, “Manolo’s News Shoes”.

When he arrived at the store everyone in the shoe department cheered and clapped. He stopped to wave before taking his place behind a table, in front of wall decorated with his shoes.

He’s used to the fanfare now, but he never planned for it.

That’s because he never set out to be a shoe designer.

When he was 17 he traveled from London to America with a photographer friend to see the editor-in-chief of Vogue at the time, Diana Vreeland. Blahnik had some drawings to show her.

He told Lisa Armstrong in a recent article in Harper’s Bazaar, that he was “beyond terrified” to meet Ms. Vreeland.

But that one meeting changed his life.

In the Bazaar article, he credits Vreeland for starting his shoe design career, saying Ms Vreeland told him “Your drawings are really magnificent. You should concentrate on shoes.”

The rest is fashion history.

Blahnik’s shoes have been featured in museum fashion exhibitions and on the feet of many celebrities. The most recognizable is of course, Sex and the City’s Sarah Jessica Parker who famously strutted her way around New York City in many a Manolo design.

One of the most famous being the “urban shoe myth” shoe: the black, patent leather Mary Jane. Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw, finds these shoes when she is a freelance writer for Vogue and gets to explore the Vogue fashion closet. “The Manolo Blahnik black, patent leather Mary Jane! I thought these were an urban shoe myth!” she exclaims as she puts them on despite the size not being quite right.

But the fit was right for me. And so was the choice of my very first pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes. I bought those black, patent leather Mary Janes. For this once in a lifetime event, I bought a second pair of the same shoe and watched with complete and utter joy as Manolo Blahnik put his signature on the bottom of my shoe.

“I’m putting these in a shadow box on my wall, I can’t wear them!” I told my Sole Mate.

“Splendid idea!” he told me.

“May I have a picture with you as well?” I asked. I was told he does not like a deluge of flashing camera lights and that I should ask and not assume he’ll take a picture. But I shouldn’t think he’s uptight or boorish.

He’s the complete opposite!

Funny, animated and just all around adorable in his cream linen suit and bow tie, he said, “Yes, of course I’ll take a photo with you! It will be my pleasure!”

I walked around to the back of the table and took a spot I never thought I’d be in.

I stood next to Manolo Blahnik.

There were camera flashes all around and I realized photographers from the local newspapers were taking pictures of us too. He’s just that adorable.

I thanked him over and over and told him how much I loved his shoes.

I moved around to the side, about 5 feet away from the table and watched in amazement as around 250 women waited patiently to meet the man who makes fantastic footwear.

He joked with the brides, asking if they were really going to wear his shoes in their wedding after he signed them.

I heard one woman proudly tell him her father was a shoe cobbler. He loved that.

He even stopped to pose with one of his four-legged fans. A woman who is a constant client in the Neiman Marcus shoe department had her cute canine with her.

I asked George if Mr Blahnik had a dog.

“Oh yes, he’s had dogs all of his life. Right now he has a black lab.”

At Mr Blahnik’s request, the woman held up her dog so he could get a better look…and give the pooch a scratch under his chin.

He never stopped smiling or signing. You could tell he was loving every minute.

As he should. At 67 he shows no signs of stopping.

I for one, am very glad. And I can probably speak for his legions of fans when I say I’m pretty sure they’re glad too.

I couldn’t stay to watch him sign every shoe. I was in the city for Boston Fashion Week and I had to get to my hotel to check in and get ready for another fashion event that night.

I didn’t want to leave. Just being around him makes you smile. He’s incredibly charismatic and energizing. Characteristics you can see in his designs.

Designs I LOVE to wear. I have seven pairs of his shoes and have my eyes on a fabulous boot from his current collection.

I waved to Manolo who smiled and waved back and made my way around the line to the escalator. But before I got there, one of the models who was showing off a Manolo shoe stopped me.

“How was it?!” she asked me excitedly.

I smiled and thought about what an amazing afternoon I just had.

I looked at her and said just one word.

“Fabulous.”

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Don’t let Chic Happen without you!

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The Best Investment You Can Make May Already be in Your Closet

Posted on January 18, 2016 by christineno5

I’ve always thought of my Chanel handbags as an investment. Now I know I was right. Always good to get justification for a Chanel handbag!

Don’t believe me? Read the article below. I’m sure it will help. If not, email me. I’m sure I can help decide…..

The Birkin Bag: Better Than Gold
15 JANUARY 2016 Scarlett Conlon

WHEN Carrie Bradshaw said in Sex and The City, “I like my money where I can see it, hanging in my closet,” she was actually showing her shrewd business sense, as a recent study has found that one of fashion’s most iconic bags, the Hermès Birkin, has proven to be a sounder investment that gold and stock-market shares since its creation.

Heralded as “the safest and least volatile investment market” by the study (which was conducted by online retail platform Baghunter), the Birkin bag has soundly increased in value by 500 per cent in the last 35 years, compared to other investments which regularly fluctuate.

“As a whole, the study findings show how stable the ultra-luxury industry has been over the past 35 years when compared to more traditional investment opportunities,” Evelyn Fox, founder of Baghunter, told Luxurydaily.com. “In particular, the study displays how high-end, rare and sought-after luxury items such as Hermès Birkin handbags have never dropped in value, even during times of recession and economic difficulty.”

“There is a difference between luxury and ultra-luxury,” she continued. “While the luxury market suffers during worse economic times, the ultra-luxury market is impervious to economic factors that can affect other industries such as high-street retail and stock markets.”

An excuse, if ever one was needed, to go forth and invest.

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When Actors Need Vintage Clothes for a Movie…They Call Bobby from Boston

Posted on January 13, 2016 by christineno5

Jennifer Lawrence looked fantastic on the Golden Globes red carpet Sunday. Even better? She won Best Actress for her role in Joy.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JANUARY 10: Actress Jennifer Lawrence attends the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Her character, Joy Mangano, ages 40 years in the film. The movie’s costume designer turned to the only place to find vintage clothes to dress Lawrence. Bobby from Boston! The King of vintage. Find out about this amazing vintage collector who dresses everyone from locals in Boston, to Hollywood celebs. Let me introduce you to Bobby from Boston…..

I stepped into the shop and I was instantly transported back in time. I was in complete awe of everything around me. And there was A LOT around me. Men’s suit jackets, pants, an entire room of shoes! Shirts, sweaters, cuff links, hats.

Mixed between this beautifully curated collection of men’s clothes were other items from eras gone by. A well-worn baseball glove, a pile of pennants from local high schools. Under a table was a line of vintage suitcases and bags.

I was inside of an amazing vintage shop at 19 Thayer Street in the South End of Boston. Not just any vintage shop. I was in Bobby from Boston. And holding court in the middle of it all, was the man himself…Bobby Garnett.

Bobby has been collecting mostly men’s vintage clothing, accessories and anything cool, since the 70’s. He does have women’s vintage, but it’s mainly men’s. His collection is so vast and desirable that he is known from Boston to Hollywood…from London to Tokyo.

Hollywood has come calling for items to clothe actors in over 50 movies. It started in 1990 with “Mermaids” starring Cher and Winona Ryder. In that movie, the black combat boots Ryder’s character was extremely attached to and refused to take off, were from Bobby’s.

He’s also helped other costume designers for movies filmed in and around Massachusetts. They’re huge hits like Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed”. Also, “Shutter Island” and the soon to be released gangster movie “Black Mass” with Johnny Depp.

And it’s not just movies shot in Massachusetts. He has a close relationship with Oscar-winning Costume Designer, Sandy Powell. She worked on “The Departed”, but also on a number of other films that needed clothing from Bobby’s.

He knows everyone and everyone knows him.

He’s been all over the world to dig for vintage treasures. He’s famous in Tokyo. He was even featured on the cover of the Japanese men’s style magazine, Clutch. When I asked what they wrote about him in the article, he said, “I don’t know. I don’t speak Japanese!” Then he just laughed.

We laughed a lot during our interview. He is very funny and has a million stories to tell. My favorite was this one: A girl stopped into the store just as they were about to close. He stayed open for her and she struck up a conversation with him. He told me that he kept looking at her, that she looked so familiar. Finally he broke his silence and said, “You look just like Scarlett Johansson”. She smiled and said, “I am Scarlett Johansson”.

Her husband at the time, Ryan Reynolds, was filming a movie in Boston. She heard about Bobby’s shop (who hasn’t?) and she wanted to pick up a gift for Ryan.

But Bobby’s collection goes way beyond the South End store. He has a WAREHOUSE just north of Boston which is filled to the brim with vintage men’s and women’s clothing that dates back to the 1930’s. When I was in the store I met a couple who had just come from there.

The woman bought a black suit from the 40’s. I told her that I was going to the warehouse in a few weeks. Her husband smiled and told me to “carbo load” and be “well hydrated”. He said the warehouse is so huge, there is so much to see, that I would need to be well nourished before I went in. Duly noted. I will follow his advice because I want to see everything.

Bobby told me to call and make an appointment, but not to be disappointed if the man in charge of the warehouse couldn’t show me around. “Sometimes”, he said, ” those Hollywood people are there”.

Bobby, you make me laugh. I look forward to seeing you again my friend.

Now I know to go in on a Sunday. That’s the day he sees visitors and has time to chat. Of course, I will probably have to wait a bit while he talks to everyone else who stops in to see him. But it’s worth it.

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Don’t let Chic Happen without you!

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Fall Fashion Forecast: Change Is In The Air

Posted on October 13, 2015 by christineno5

I love this time of year. The air is cooler, the leaves are changing and I can finally put away my summer clothes and move on to Fall!

It’s a time for change. And that’s exactly what I’ve been doing this month. (After reading ALL of my September issues of course). I started with the basics. Makeup. I needed to update my eye makeup. So of course, I went to Chanel. Where else?!

My favorite Chanel makeup artist, Amanda at Neiman Marcus in Natick Massachusetts, chose a light brown to line just a little bit under my bottom lashes. Just enough to make my eyes pop.

Then she added undereye concealer and highlighter on the outer corner of my eye. Loved the look! She finished with a soft pink shadow.

Perfect and easy to do every day!

Next up: wardrobe. I didn’t need to change anything, just add a few pieces to what I already have. I live in wool or cashmere turtlenecks and cardigans in the colder months. I always add a Chanel pearl necklace and it takes the look from casual to chic.

The Gap had a great sale on sweaters (40% off!) so I picked up two cardigans: one black and another in a deep plum. A classic staple

Gap.com

Boots. I looked in at least five stores for a cute pair of ankle boots. Either they are already sold out or no one made any. So I decided to add to my shoe collection with another fall favorite: Ballet Flats.

Now…when I tell you where I got these you are going to either A) Think I’m kidding or B) Think I’m crazy. I can assure you I am neither. And I am telling you the truth when I say these flats are adorable, comfortable and I get compliments on them all the time. I got them at…..

Target.

Ok, take a deep breath. I swear. These are the cutest, most comfy ballet flats! And I was so excited to see that they came in such a fun collection of colors and styles! I got them in the black quilted leather, beige with black cap toe and leopard print leather with black cap toe.

I already have them in black leather and white with black cap toe from last season…and in black leather with a small bow on the front. Clearly I’m addicted.

I saved the best change for last. Because, this is THE BEST CHANGE I MADE.

I traded my 2004 Jetta for 2015 Jetta with Technology. She is my favorite color, has a sun roof and all of the fun stuff I could ask for. Blu tooth, push start, touchscreen radio, controls on the steering wheel. And it’s…ahhh…RED! I like to think of it as Chanel red. Love! Oh, and it’s really good on gas.

But I’m still searching for the perfect pair of leather boots…..

Don’t let Chic Happen without you!

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Posted in Accessories, Anna Wintour, Chanel, Fall / Winter, Neiman Marcus, Trends | Tagged Cashmere, chanel, Chanel cosmetics, Gap, Target, VW Jetta | Leave a comment

My Obsession: Longer Lashes

Posted on July 22, 2015 by christineno5

I have an obsession. Ok. Two obsessions. My eyelashes and my eyebrows. I’ve tried so many mascaras. Each with a bigger promise. Longer, more luscious, fuller…. Same thing with my eyebrows. I actually have brow envy. I look at other women’s eyebrows and I’m green with envy. My friend Michaela has the BEST brows. Perfectly groomed with a perfect arch. Mine? Not so much. They’re really light and I have to fill them in so you can actually tell I have them.

I have them tweezed once a month. I can’t do it myself. I’m an overplucker. I don’t even own tweezers. They’re a lethal weapon to my brows. I destroy them and pluck them into oblivion. So I leave it to the experts.

gettingfitmum.com

But I recently saw a post from InStyle on Twitter that listed the best products to use to help grow your lashes and brows. Since I’m always one to try a new product…I picked out one that I really wanted to use and headed off to the store. Thinking of lush lashes all the way…..

I chatted with the consultant at Elizabeth Arden. I told her how I read about their Prevage. A serum designed to make lashes fuller. You can also use it on your brows to make them fuller as well.

Within two weeks.

Another empty promise? I’ll find out. I’ve only been using it for two days.

It’s really easy to apply. You put it over your upper lashes as if you’re applying eyeliner. It doesn’t drip or feel heavy. I’ll let you know how it goes…..or rather…how it grows…..

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http://www.elizabetharden.com/prevage-clinical-lash-brow-enhancing-serum/1001PRVN40139,default,pd.html?start=1&q=prevage%20lash&navid=search

Don’t let Chic Happen without you!

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Posted in Accessories, Elizabeth Arden, Eyelashes | Tagged Elizabeth Arden, eyebrows, Eyelash serum, lush lashes | Leave a comment

Need to Watch: New Chanel Haute Couture Will Have You Seeing Stars

Posted on July 17, 2015 by christineno5

It’s no secret that I love all things Chanel. I have a collection of handbags and jewelry that I just adore.

One of the pieces of Chanel I own that I REALLY love is my watch. Every day when I put it on, it makes me smile. It’s beautiful. Shiny diamonds surround the face, Chanel is engraved on the top and the silver dial ticks around the middle letting me know what time it is. Precisely what time it is.

Chanel.com

So when I saw THIS watch in the June/July issue of Town & Country I thought: BRILLIANT! It’s a combination of their beautiful jewelry and…..COUTURE! It is quintessential Chanel.

Seen.co

Couturiers who hand sew beads and sequins onto the exquisite dresses and suits one by one are the creators of the beautiful scenes on each watch. They have outdone themselves. They hand stitch the embellishments on the interior of these watches. The intricate detail of each watch is stunning. The watches are made in the Lesage work room. An embroidery house that is over a hundred years old and is now owned by Chanel.

theparisian.com

blouinartinfo.com

blouinartinfo.com

The watches emulate so much that is Chanel. Not just the couturiers who sew each icon carefully onto the silk fabric that makes up the face of the watch, but the icons themselves. A star, a camellia and elements of a coromandel screen.

telegraph.co.uk

Chanel.com

SENATUS.com

SENATUS.com

But like all Chanel Haute Couture, these watches will cost you…… $92,000.

So I‘ll keep my watch. It may not have me seeing stars, but it does have me seeing Chanel…..and that’s good enough for me.

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DON’T LET CHIC HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!

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Posted in Accessories, Chanel, Chanel Jewelry | Tagged chanel, Chanel Haute Couture, Chanel jewelry, Chanel watch | Leave a comment

Uno de 50: Jewelry to Help Set Your Style

Posted on June 9, 2015 by christineno5

When I told a few of my friends I was doing a blog post on a fantastic jewelry line, they were surprised to find out what kind of store I was going to.

I was at Setting the Space. An interior design store. Strange? Not really. Setting the Space in Hingham, MA is very cool store where you can custom order furniture, pick up fun accessories for you home…and for youself. Think of it as a place to Set Your Style. The jewelry line, Uno de 50, is as unique as this store.

The brand was created in the late 1990’s. At first first they only made 50 of each piece, thus the name. It’s handcrafted by artisans in Spain using a unique process. This process and the treasures it creates became so popular they began making more than 50 of each piece. But they still wanted to give their clients exclusivity, so pieces are retired after a certain amount of time. Also, new pieces are released with each new collection.

Unode50.com

Unode50,com

Besides exclusivity, Uno de 50 also gives its clients something no other jewelry line can. A chance to own Swarovski crystals which are trademarked and unique to Uno de 50. The colors are extraordinary! And you can be sure no one else will have them. From rings to necklaces, to bracelets and watches, you have a large selection to pick from.

The jewelry not only has those exclusive crystals, it is dipped in silver 4 times and some pieces are made using leather and resins. It all comes together to make some of the most beautiful baubles. This was one of my favorites. In case anyone reading this wants to know…..

But this ring also caught my eye…..Gorgeous!

The store was going to hold a trunk show, but they’ve sold a large portion of the current collection. Since it takes about six weeks to make each trinket, it’s going to be a little while before their selection is replenished. But take a look at what they have. I’m sure one of these beautiful baubles would look fantastic on you or make a wonderful gift.

Uno de 50 is sold at other stores as well. Go to their website to find out where and read more about this unique line. And if (when) you buy a piece, drop me a line and let me know!

unode50.com

Posted in Accessories, Jewelry, Setting the Space, Swarovski Crystals, Uno de 50 | Tagged jewelry, Setting the Space, Uno de 50 | Leave a comment

Kate Spade Has Me All Aflutter!

Posted on May 24, 2015 by christineno5

I had to stop.

I drive by my local Kate Spade all the time. The whimsical windows are always a reason to slow down, but this time they had me all aflutter!

The mannequin walking a flock of flamingos. Hysterical! I love a whimsical window display. I flew into the store immediately and was met by a fantastic dress that had me thinking it would be great for an upcoming wedding I’m going to.

The store was filled with summer colors and yes, more flamingos.

The store manager, Victoria Patz, told me the collection’s theme was “Take a Walk on the Wild Side”. A fun, colorful way to soar into summer. Coral (geranium) and turquoise (fresh air) are the two main colors. And while they’re asking you to get a little wild, the only crazy animal prints are spotted frocks that hint of leopard.

But it’s still fun and keeps with Kate Spade’s aesthetic: classic and a little cheeky with feminine floral prints along with vibrant colors. Wear these trends and people will look twice. If you wear this feathery headpiece, you’ll stop traffic.

Ok, that’s not for sale. Only the mannequins will wear it. But still cute and made me laugh. And I had to ask if it was part of the collection. You never know! While that fluttery, feathery chapeau was not up for purchase, you could carry this, the pink and wildly adorable ‘madison strut your stuff flamingo clasp clutch’.

So take a walk on the wild side with me and see what else caught my eye…..

www,katespade,com

Posted in Accessories, Kate Spade | Tagged chapeau, clutch, feathers, flamingo, kate spade, Take a Walk on the Wild Side | 1 Comment

Dior and I: The Movie

Posted on May 17, 2015 by christineno5

Six months.

That’s how long it usually takes a designer and their team to put together a couture collection.

Eight weeks.

That’s how much time the new Creative Director for Dior, Raf Simons, had to create a couture collection. It was his first collection for one of the most famed fashion houses, Christian Dior. Simons had never done a couture collection. He was a ready-to-wear designer. But he didn’t have much time to get ready.

You can watch how it all unfolded in the new documentary “Dior and I”. It’s a must see for any fashionista who ever wondered how couture is done. But this collection, Simons’ debut collection in 2012, is done on hyperspeed. Good thing the seamstresses in the atelier know exactly how to construct beautiful frocks. Some of them have been there over 40 years.

This movie is as much about Simons’ first collection as it is about the people behind the scenes. The women in the atelier who sew beads one by one, who make sure there isn’t a thread out of place.

The seamstresses swear Christian Dior still roams the halls of the atelier he opened in 1946. They say Dior watches over them when they work. Throughout the movie you hear someone reading from Dior’s book: Dior and I. But if you really listen, you start to think that Dior does still have a presence in those halls. That he does watch the work being done. And that he approves.

The movie gives us an inside look into how the seamstresses work. And how much they work. They’re a funny and very close bunch. During a stressful moment one of them pulls out a box of candy to make everyone laugh. One of the seamstresses in charge, she’s known as a Premiere, talks about the changes the House has gone through. She says, “Designers come and go, but the atelier stays the same.”

Meanwhile, Simons is looking for inspiration. He says the Dior legacy is “daunting”. He wants to stay with the traditional aesthetic of Dior, but also wants to move it forward. Not an easy task. He looks at a vintage dress, pours over vintage pieces of fabric from some of Christian Dior’s collections. But his greatest influence is from American artist, Sterling Ruby, And from that, the collection starts coming together.

Simons studies a vintage Dior dress

And what an amazing collection it was. The backdrop was a beautiful house in Paris. Simons had the walls covered in flowers. And of course, before any fashion show starts, there was a visit from Anna Wintour. Wouldn’t have been the same without her. She shows up three hours before the first model walked and gave her approval. Much to the delight, and I’m sure relief, for Simons.

Dress based on the artwork of Sterling Ruby

It’s hard to imagine, even after seeing it, that it all came together in just 8 short weeks. But it did. And it was fantastic.

See where the movie is playing near you http://www.diorandimovie.com/

Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUIvJQUhB5I

Watch Raf Simons’ first Haute Couture Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faeORRbdluk

Posted in Anna Wintour, Christian Dior movie, Dior and I movie, Fall / Winter | Tagged anna wintour, Christian Dior, Dior and I movie, Paris, Raf Simons, Sterling Ruby | Leave a comment

The Met Gala: Celebrities Fall Through the Looking Glass

Posted on May 5, 2015 by christineno5

The Met Gala (also known as the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala) is THE most fashionable day of the year. Yes, the Oscars Red Carpet showcases some the of the season’s most beautigul gowns, shoes and jewelry. But when it comes to the Met Gala all fashion rules fly off the red carpet and you never know WHAT you’re going to see.

Love it or hate it, the fashions are AMAZING. It’s a time for those lucky enough to receive an invite from Anna Wintour, to shake off trends and wear FASHION. That means you just never know who is going to wear what or in some cases, what is going to wear whom.

This year’s Gala will celebrate the opening of the biggest exhibit they’ve ever had: “China: Through the Looking Glass”. You can see the exhibit in the new wing aptly named for the woman who Chair’s the Gala every year, The Anna Wintour Costume Center.

Anna Wintour and Andrew Bolton in the Met’s Costume Center
nymag.com

Looking at the pictures and watching the arrivals was just breathtaking. How to choose the best?! It was difficult, but I muddled through it. Happily. Here are my favorites. Enjoy!