With all there is to do at the end of the year, I often think about my Aunt Mary. She used to do all her Christmas shopping in one day, on Christmas Eve. She would would take the train into downtown Chicago, walk over to the Marshall Field’s on Michigan Avenue and buy something for everyone in the family. When she was finished my uncle would pick her up and the next day she handed out gifts still in the bag. Everyone loved the fuss of it all and despite the wild level of efficiency she employed buying dozens of gifts – each was so thoughtful. Marshall Fields has been replaced by Macy’s on Michigan Avenue and my beautiful Aunt Mary passed away just last year, but in the spirit of it’s never too late to get a thoughtful gift – I hope this holiday newsletter arrives just in time for gifting inspiration.

Stores do come and go, but I still miss Marshall Fields and in the same vein I bid a heartfelt farewell to Lord & Taylor on 5th Avenue. After more than 100 years, Lord & Taylor will close its flagship store on Fifth Avenue after the holidays. Lord & Taylor was the first to create holiday displays for entertainment- rather than selling merchandise, and pioneered animated windows in 1938. Lord & Taylor was also the first major retail establishment in the U.S. to have a woman at the helm, when Dorothy Shaver after starting at the store as a comparison shopper became the president in 1945. Hudson Bay who owns Lord & Taylor, will close up to ten more stores in 2019. Their store, their holiday windows, and their entire floor of dresses, and more will be missed dearly in NYC.

As another year comes to an end, thank you to those of you who have spent time sharing your life with me this year! Thank you for trusting me with your stories, your wardrobe, and your money. I’m grateful and humbled I get to work with such incredible people doing so many amazing things. May the joy and peace of the holiday season be with you now and throughout the new year!