F: Is for the First Three Days of Christmas

When I was a child one of my favorite holiday traditions was an advent calender. Each day I would await with eagerness to discover the item behind the awaiting window. For the next 24 days consider this an advent calender of the things you should wish for under your tree, or tips on how to make your holiday brighter. It is the best of the best of what I have written about with a few new surprises. There will be give aways and hints of items that are not even accessible to the average person. So lets get going because I owe you three.




24: Food Glorious food. Do you like Duck? If so here is the answer to a night out or take-out that will amaze even the most sophisticated pallet. I wrote about them February 26th and my opinion has not changed Planet Thailand 212 otherwise known as PT212 is a delectable treat, run by owner Anna Pop who graciously aims to please. Expect Carpaccio done to perfection, chicken satay in one of the best peanut sauces, fried tofu is so delightful it melted like custard in your mouth, and Tuna Tataki ($10) that Tom could not stop raving about. But it is the special Duck Panang for $16 which melted in a curry sauce over sticky rice in a banana leaf and green beans still crunchy that to this day has me sighing in contentment. Located at 30 West 24th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues it is in the perfect location to enjoy a wonderful meal before hitting the Cutting Room. It is an unique date place, a comfortable be with your friend place and is #1 on my advent calender.










#23: Designer duds for less. This is a Francois Girbaud coat that retails in the store for $1,200.00. On E-Bay $135.00 and it's yours. Best secret and holiday knowledge...if you know the designer and what it is you want you can find it for at least half if not more off. Nanette Lempore, Anna Sui, AWOL are just a few of the brands you will find.



















22: Pictures from space. I have written several articles on The Hubble Telescope. From our solar system to extremely remote fledgling galaxies formed not long after the Big Bang "The Top Ten Most Amazing Pictures Taken" in the last 16 Years have come from the Hubble. They illustrate that our universe is not only deeply strange, but also impossibly beautiful." Did you know you can purchase these? There was a time we bought stars for our loved ones and the money went into space, however by adding a Hubble to your wall you are adding to the Hubble continuing . Maybe in journeying with your eyes it will lead you to conquer your own final frontier and make that a F.A.C.T.