75 and still beautiful

Brides magazine is celebrating its 75th anniversary. For the occasion, they had a little party at the 'top of the rock', the observation deck atop 30 rockefeller center. It's always special to be here in this complex, which (at age 78) is even older than brides magazine. We came to see the mile high honeymoon suite, an incredible creation with views to die for! The top of the rock was completely renovated and re-opened a couple of years ago, and although not quite as high as the empire state building, the combination of an indoor observatory and a fence-free outdoor deck makes this a favorite spot for both tourists and native new yorkers.

There is plenty of room, it's warm (the indoor observatory) and the exhibit and the reception were perfect! Imagine having this place for you and your spouse- well maybe not for me as I would spend the whole night staring at the skyline of new york.

When you get inside the lobby of Rockefeller Center, there is a plaque honoring John D. Rockefeller. It's not well known that he built this complex, on 22 acres of prime midtown manhattan real estate, with his own money at the beginning of the great depression. He leased the land, got the loans, and put together the project at a time of massive unemployment and financial hard times.

Originally, the site was to hold an opera house, but rockefeller wisely changed the plans and built this office complex, which also contains radio city music hall and NBC studios. I'm sure this was the biggest thing going on in the city during that terrible depression period, and this project likely saved many new yorkers from hunger and poverty. And no, he didn't ask for a bailout!

Brides magazine has 75 years worth of wedding gowns in this months issue, and many were right here for us to look at. The styles change with the times, but one thing about a wedding gown, it is always incredibly tailored. The designer in me just marvels at how these things are made. How many seams, the lace, the embroidery, the beading, oh it is too much to imagine! Even the peasant girl look of the 70's was here, in a gown that was so unbelievably tailored to create the relaxed look everyone wanted back then.

I'm glad that style had passed when I got married, after all, you are only going to wear your wedding gown once, it had better be the most beautiful, most complex, most incredibly decorated dress of your life. Peasant girl look? Not for me! We spent a nice evening with the brides magazine staff, and assorted public relations folks, photographers and a fair number of new yorks top designers.
They had wonderful food and plenty of champagne. And did I mention the view? Just lovely, and with valentines day coming soon, it was a great evening. Love and wedding gowns, they go together very well. Ciao!