The 2017 Lady Lucas Best NYC Holiday Window Award Goes To...

Last year I had so much fun checking out all the holiday windows in NYC with my husband during the first week of December. In 2016, I officially awarded Lord & Taylor the best window winner! This year, nothing came close to the adorable and fantastic windows at...

...Macy's Herald Square!

On Thanksgiving eve, we took my parents into the city to look at the holiday decorations, and we were all so excited about the theme at Macy's this year. One of their window scenes features a dollhouse version of the classic department store with miniature mice sitting in the urban park outside.

Other Macy's windows highlight penguins, polar bears and Santa all running around and living in New York City. The charm and superb execution of these windows is why I think they are number 1!!

A close second was Bergdorf Goodman's displays. The fantastical windows are so spot on and glamorous, you'd be crazy not to fall in love with them.

All the big fashion labels had clean, rather minimalist displays along Fifth Ave. 

ABC Home (near the Flatiron) had some sweet woodland inspired windows like this mouse den. 

Tavern on the Green was decked out with nutcrackers and Saks Fifth Avenue had a Disney Snow White theme that was so popular I could not get one picture!

New York offers some of the best holiday displays in the entire world! If you get the chance... please stroll and take a look this month.

xox Lady Lucas

Tiny Doll House - A New York City Gem

My favorite find of the day! How cute!!

Since rekindling my miniature obsession this March with my own dollhouse makeover, I've been wanting to venture up the the Upper East Side to visit a place called, 'Tiny Doll House' on 78th Street.

I vaguely remember visiting (and loving!) this store when I was just a teenager attending NYU.

Wish I got a snap without a truck in front - but it is New York after all...

Cute window display - love the greenhouse.

The store is quite narrow and small as you might imagine, but it's arranged very nicely, so that every inch is maximized.

Upon entering the store I was greeted by this awesome Halloween display which got me super excited - since as most people know - this is my favorite time of year! There were amazing Halloween cookies, cakes, decorations and libations to pick from. I ended up selecting a mini pumpkin carving scene pictured at the top of this post.

Tiny Doll House offers something for everyone. There are plenty of expensive collector pieces, as well as adorable mini foods and decor starting at just 3 or 4 dollars. Young kids with an allowance can indulge just as easily as an adult.

What I enjoyed most in this store, is that there is an air of whimsy and happiness. I didn't feel rushed or awkward, which I tend to feel in New York shops that expect visitors to spend a certain amount of money. I can see why this space lends it self to admirers of any age.

Not only can you purchase anything under the sun for a dollhouse here, but you can also find dollhouses in any style you can imagine!

Here is my other treasured purchase - a clown ice cream sundae. Are you seeing this Friendly's? LOL. It is so cute!

If you're ever on the Upper East Side in NYC, be sure to drop into this gem of a store and buy a little something, so they stick around for 25 more years!

Tiny Doll House
314 East 78th Street
New York, NY 10075
212-744-3719

xo Lady Lucas

My new treasures displayed in my dollhouse.

Whimsy City Collection : New York City + Jersey City

They're finally here! My completed watercolor paintings of New York City and Jersey City. 

Ideally, I'd like to add many more cities to the list - but I thought I'd start with two places I know very well. See if you can spot Iggie, Zinnie & Zoe in both paintings ;)

Both 'Jersey City' and 'New York City' are available on Fine Art America as art prints, totes and more -  and as greeting cards at Card Isle kiosks.

xo

Lady Lucas

Japan Day Poster Artwork

A few months ago I entered a poster contest for Japan Day in Central Park. I wanted to share my entry with you because I honestly had a lot of fun coming up with a concept and painting the little sailor squirrel on the boat. I think he might make a cute nursery wall print or something of the like... hmmm ;) Anywho - the poster design was supposed to incorporate New York, Central Park and Japanese culture. I figured it should also highlight cherry blossoms.

If  you're curious to see who won the poster contest, you can check out Japan Day's website here!

xo Lady Lucas

Winter Walk

This week has been snowy, windy, cold and sometimes sunny here in NYC. During one of the sunny spurts, I took a walk down the street to the local college campus with my husband. I've featured this little colony of squirrels before, but they inspire me so much, I just had to share a few more pics with you again! Above is my rendition of a sour bunny. I hope you get a kick out of him.

Only one month left of winter! Spring is ahead...

Do you have a favorite outdoor spot in your neighborhood? A special park or garden? Please share with us below! 

xo Lady Lucas

PS - Need a great way to pass the time on a winter day? Try out these adorable paper dolls that I have designed featuring Linzer Lane's resident tabby cat. Available now on Etsy

PPS - City Dwellers - if you're looking for the perfect spot to skate with the kids near NYC this winter, a blog that I contribute to called JCFamilies has come up with an excellent list of ideas! Check out Ice Skating Rinks In And Around Jersey City here!

A Trip to Tender Buttons NYC

I can't believe it's taken me so many years to visit Tender Buttons in New York City. Tender Buttons is the only store in America exclusively dedicated to the sale of buttons (I found this out via their website). 

Because I'm planning to write my next picture book about some very avid button collectors (the book's working title is 'Zoe's Button Club') - I thought a visit to this store could be written off as important research.

You can't get any more direct than this sign outside. No words needed!

The window display features antique buttons and assorted vintage pieces showcasing men's fashion.

I was a little nervous snapping photos inside, because I always had the impression that this store would be very pretentious. I know it's a favorite of Martha Stewart's - and I always get a little intimidated shopping on the Upper East Side. I can tell you - it wasn't. The owners were very sweet and patient as I tried to decide which novelty pieces I couldn't live without. I was pleasantly surprised by just about everything concerning this store. It's a must see for any creative passing through NYC.

Here are the buttons I chose. I absolutely love the egg cups and the little dressed rabbit! My bill came to a little over $12.00 - which I think was fair for five rare and adorable keepsakes.

Have you ever been to a button store? Or something like it? Let me know in the comments!

xox Lady Lucas

PS - Here's the future star of 'Zoe's Button Club'. This design will soon be available as a limited edition brooch. *note the little heart buttons*

The Adorable Squirrels of NYC

He (or she?) literally was snacking on a tiny piece of cake. I guess this little one has good taste.

I've been very enamored by a particular group of squirrels that live near our apartment in New York. They are a little daintier and more colorful than your typical city squirrel. There are grey ones, black ones, and cinnamon colored ones living in this colony - and I couldn't tell you my favorite color. They are all pretty cute!

I love the silhouette of a squirrel. It's so lovely.

This time it's just a regular acorn.

This little one really wanted his picture taken. He walked right up to the lens to say hi.

Squirrel in the Snow

I recently had to come up a design for a poster contest - so this character was a natural choice after this week.

Amid all the squirrely excitement, we have a gang of robins that have been hanging out in our courtyard. I love them ;)

What wildlife is in your backyard this time of year? 

xo Lady Lucas

PS - You can find my drawings and little animal characters all sorts of lovely coloring books & printable goods in my etsy shop. Stop by today!

New York City's Holiday Windows 2016

The most marvelous windows (in my opinion) were Lord & Taylor's this year. Simply wonderful!

When I was a student at NYU I started a tradition of walking up 5th Ave. at night in late December to marvel at all the holiday window displays. As time went on, I acquired a digital camera and started photographing each window. Now in my 30's, I still love the tradition of starting at 59th street and walking all the way down to 34th street. Here are some highlights from this year's adventure:

I wonder if these squirrels are wooden? So cute! (Lord & Taylor)

Miniature geese wearing darling wreaths (Lord & Taylor)

Lovely 'split display' of a fox den and skating pond (Lord & Taylor)

Mama owl & babies (Lord & Taylor)

Sweet skiing mouse (Lord & Taylor)

Mosaic ocean glam @ Bloomingdale's

Upper East Side Sparrow ;)

Embellished owl (Bergdorf Goodman)

I want these lashes! (Bergdorf Goodman)

Fabulous as always (Cartier)

Nutcracker dreams @ (Saks Fifth Ave.)

(Saks Fifth Ave.)

Wonderful candy to behold @ (Saks Fifth Ave.)

Adorable snowman waiting to be adopted. My hubbie snagged one for me inside as a gift. I was pretty much elated because it's SO darn cute. (Teuscher)

The lovely library Lion @ Bryant Park

 Despite the freezing temps, the crazy crowds, and the never ending buzzing of sirens - nothing could be finer than taking a stroll in New York at Christmas. It makes me feel like a child again every time!

xo Lady Lucas