CURIOUSER NEW YORK

Funny, how I haven't noticed the fried mushrooms at the Christmas market back in 2005, when I last visited Germany on Christmas.  Now that I've discovered it and indulged in it quite often in the last two weeks, I can't, really, call the Kartoffelpuffers  dish my favorite Weinahtsmarkt food. It is now - the Frische Champignons!  Frische Champignons mit Knoblauchsauce Interestingly enough, my parents weren't aware of it as well. When I mentioned to my mom that I've tried the fried champignons at the market in Gottingen, she was surprised and asked me: "How can you enjoy champignons, they don't even have the taste?!"

Dear Santa , This is every girl's dream to have...[you can now finish the sentence according to your very stylish needs...] Ahh, Santa, I want these!

Christmas in Germany: the story and traditions of Weinahtsmarkt and Glühwein

It's Christmas Eve today and almost time to go back to NYC! I must admit, I'll be missing German Christmas markets, even though they will be soon closed anyway for the season.  I, personally, think they add quite some magic to the holidays. Without them, German cities wouldn't bring upon us the same kind of joyful holiday spirit. It's a special, special time when Christmas markets open, and I do love my Glühwein on a cold snowy day... The tradition of Weinahtsmarkt has been around for centuries and Glühwein is as old as the Christmas market itself . However, as much as it is popular in Germany, the Glühwein recipe does not originate in Germany. To learn more about the history of Glühwein and how I've come about it, click here .

Yesterday I tried Apfelkuchen - a delicious and relatively contemporary addition to the Christmas market 's expanding drink selection in Germany . Warmer Apfelkuchen translates to "warm apple pie". It consists of mostly Mulled Cider, which is essentially spiced and heated apple juice, a traditional and tasty seasonal drink that is usually non-alcoholic. With the addition of a liberal amount of Zubrovka bison-grass vodka (a sweet Polish vodka with a flavor similar to apple) the beverage becomes a Warmer Apfelkuchen. However, after trying hot white cocoa with Baileys, hot cocoa with Rum, Weisswein (a white wine copy of  Glühwein ) and Apfelkuchen, I still prefer a good old  Glühwein . Here's why it's so good and so popular in Germany . But there's just so much more to try!...

I'm in Germany right now to visit my family for Christmas, so most of my blogs will be about the happy holiday Christmas time in Germany - from foods I love and miss when back in USA to street fashion and German lifestyle. I'd like to start with the Christmas Market, or, as the Germans call it - Weihnachtsmarkt. It's one of the things I miss about Europe... So, the things we eat at Weihnachtsmarkt: The Kartoffelpuffers...

Just before I left New York City to celebrate Christmas in Germany, I took my annual "Christmas Walk" on Madison and Fifth Avenues to see the Christmas window displays and building decorations. This is something of a habit of mine - I do it every year.  One of the most impressive window displays on Madison Ave. was Ralph Lauren boutique stores for adults and kids, located on Madison Ave. and 71st Street.

I'm in Germany from 12/12 to 12/26, so everything will be around Germany and its wonderful Christmas time, when the German cities become magic, like a fairytale, thanks to the presence of beautiful Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market.) Expect many photos from Germany as my Daily Inspiration! To learn more about Germany - where I've been, what I've seen and what I've tasted - in greatest details - click here .

Thanks Aliza Licht , you always make my day!

You might know them or, most likely, you are like myself - you've just learned about them from me!

Since I remember myself living in New York City - [I moved to NYC for the first time back in 2001] - I've been going to see Bergdorf Goodman Christmas window display every December, and not once they've disappointed me. 

When Christmas comes, most likely you will go home to celebrate the holidays with your family and friends - in the city or away. And, what's the best way to pump up your Christmas holiday spirit if it's not with the Christmas tree market scene?!

This is something I've been wanting to do for a while - to share on, at least, a weekly basis the great finds - be it an online find and/or something I've stumbled upon on the streets of New York.  This includes the great finds of my travels...[There will be a lot of them, brought to you live from Argentina this winter!] So, this week's fabulous discovery is: Get it now while it's on sale! It was $178.00, but now - $124.60. Click here to see more. And it comes in various color combinations too! I love them, and if it weren't for the Sorel's boots I've just gotten, I'd most likely go for these cuties.

    It's almost Christmas time and you know, what that means for me - for someone who is a pathetic romantic when it comes to the holiday spirit, decorations and the scent of a Christmas tree? It means that for the next month I'll be blogging quite a bit about everything that the Christmas and New Year's holidays are all about - shopping, fashion, lifestyle and decorations, as well as the activities one engages in during the holidays - like making home gluhwein (aka mulled wine) - [I must admit, my time living in and traveling extensively around Germany didn't go by wastefully, I can now make one mean gluhwein!] - and skiing in the Northern America. Yes, my dear readers - I'm such a child when it comes to these holidays. I've always loved them growing up and it took  me a while to give up the fact that Santa Claus does not exist…but, shshshsh , don't tell that to your kids, let them believe the magic as long as they can! So, when are we open