SpiceLines

Bergdorf Goodman's magical holiday windows, in the making: Go here to see the full screen YouTube video. Music by Audrianna Cole.

Feeling a bit giddy, so it's off to New York for a bubbly few days. Touching down at Kalustyan's, an old haunt where I'll be sating my new passion for marash biber, sweetly spicy Turkish red pepper. Then on to La Boite a Epice for inspired blends conjured by Lior Lev Sercarz, global spice maven and top secret weapon of many a starred chef. No passport needed to sample Tangier (rose petals, cumin, cardamom), Cancale (fleur de sel, fennel, orange), or any of his other magic mixes. And, despite the lines, I'll be dipping into Eataly: can't resist a jaunt to the new "F.A.O. Schwarz for foodies." (The New Yorker said it first.)

What else? Hmmm...in no particular order, someone wants New York Rangers hockey socks, another is longing for just the right Japanese tansu chest for stashing the martini glasses in the library. Also on the list: reading copies of John Lawton's mostly out-of-print British Inspector Troy series, anything from Assouline for our in-house style maven, maybe a decoupaged plate from John Derian. Currently pining for the one that reads, "Paris is always a good idea..." (Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina.)

A shot of culture? Maybe a whirl through the World of Khubilai Khan at the Metropolitan, then back down to earth with Counter Space: Design and the Modern Kitchen at MOMA. In between the two, a walk down Madison is mandatory, with stops at La Maison du Chocolat and Frederic Malle for a whiff of his new perfume, Portrait of a Lady. (Think rose and spices.)

Best show in town? The holiday windows on Fifth. You'll find me outside Bergdorf's, nose pressed up against the fantastic window pane. Surely that white satin frock with red roses comes in my size....

See you in a couple of weeks.