Archive for May, 2008

Each time you venture outside your 5-block radius there’s a new boutique to be seen. Below is a roundup of some of the season’s new shops to explore, no matter what your “type.”

For Prepsters: The new Lilly Pulitzer store, located in a limestone row house on the UES — the first of its kind in the 212.
1020 Madison Ave. (bet. 78th & 79th St.), 212-744-4620.

For Francophiles: Petit Bateau’s revamped Madison Avenue flagship that features vignettes from daily family life, baby bath included.
1094 Madison Ave. at 82nd St., 212-988-8884.

For Beauty Junkies: The first NYC outpost of Bluemercury gives Sephora a run for its money — check out the booty for new moms and babies.
2305 Broadway at 83rd St., 212-799-0500.

For Old-Schoolers: After touring the studio at the South Street Seaport’s Little Airplane Productions, stop by the general store for classic kids’ toys.
207 Front St. (bet. Beekman & Fulton St.), 212-965-8999.

For Ladies Who Luxe: Roses and orchids mix well with Hermes scarf pillows and cashmere throws in the West Village at Grove New York.
617 Hudson St., 212-673-8300.

This weekend: So long May, helloooo June!

Do
Bike New York
Let kids learn the basics of biking in a safe, social setting. Bikes and helmets required.
When: Sat. 5/31, 10am-1pm; Ages 5+; Free.
Where: Inwood Hill Nature Center, 218th St. & Indian Road, bikenewyork.org.

See
The Crane Wife
This family matinee re-imagines an ancient Japanese fable, intertwining traditional Japanese culture with cutting-edge movement and music. A hands-on workshop follows.
When: Sat. 5/31, 1pm; $7.
Where: University Settlement, 184 Eldridge St., 212-453-4532, universitysettlement.org.

Hear
Cuentos Para Ninos
Enjoy a story and song in Spanish and English, highlighted by special objects from the Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s collection.
When: Sat. 5/31, 11:30am-12:30pm; Ages 5 and younger; Free.
Where: The Sunset Park Library, 5108 4th Ave. at 51st St., brooklynkids.org.

Shop
Vida’s Market
Peruse a selection of handcrafted clothes, art, toys, books and gear for babies, kids and expecting moms by up-and-coming artists and designers.
When: Sat. 5/31, 10am-7pm.
Where: Wallace Hall, Saint Ignatius Loyola Church, 980 Park Ave. (bet. 83rd & 84th St.), vidasmarket.com.

The discomforts of pregnancy — swollen feet, heartburn, annoying aches — mean your Jimmy Choos go into hibernation and you’re never without a bottle of Tums. But it pays to be well-rounded.

The WellRounded NYC program was designed to give women a more positive and comfortable pregnancy experience. The instructors, trained physical therapists, teach women how to relieve and even prevent typical pregnancy back pain caused by a shift in gravity, and changes in spinal curves…and cup size. In prenatal sessions, clients work on strengthening not only the upper back and abdominal muscles but also the pelvic and gluteus muscles. Outside of class, regularly stretching lower back, buttocks and hamstring muscles is the key to alleviating soreness.

And you thought pregnancy was just a pain in the neck.

For more information, visit wellroundednyc.com.

With your 401K and disposable income both heading south, it may not seem like the time to party. But you can’t let junior down when her best friend just celebrated her second birthday with a “small gathering” of 100 in a wing at the Met. Below are some ways to ensure that your little darling has a happy birthday without spending thousands on cringe-worthy entertainers.

One Singular Sensation: Babies
A first birthday is all about the photo op. Your kid sure as heck isn’t going to remember this party, so keep it simple. Spend $25 for a park permit and host the soiree in Central Park. Supply blankets, some large playground balls and plenty of bubbles for guests. Forget the chichi bakeries with beautiful confections that taste like cardboard. Order a cake from Food Emporium — shockingly delicious and adorable. As for favors, buy a few bags of basic bath toys — ducks, pirates, dinosaurs — and hand out one to each kid.

Terrible Twos Plus: Toddlers
Instead of hosting a costly fiesta at your child’s dance studio or play gym, hire his instructor to run a class in your building’s party room or the local park (remember the permit). Many of these teachers are recent college grads and/or out-of-work actors who are happy to earn $150 for an hour of work. Bake a few dozen cupcakes and have kids decorate them with sprinkles and colored sugar mixes. As guests bid adieu, let them choose an item from the “Boodle Bag” — a pillowcase or decorative sack with small wrapped presents like books or inexpensive toys.

Small City Slickers: Pre-Schoolers
Keep in mind that many of those spectacular party venues are merely taking a basic idea and slapping an expensive price tag on it. So DIY, and host a pizza-making party at a local neighborhood joint. Have the dough ready for kids to toss on the sauce, cheese, pepperoni, etc. To entertain the masses while the meal cooks, offer a quick and easy art project (try Oriental Trading for supplies). Then, chill out with an ice cream cake from Chinatown Ice Cream Factory or Maggie Moos.

Pace yourself. You’ve still got the Sweet 16 to think about.

Your kid loves Paul Frank (he’s got the hoodie), your DH thinks it’s cool (he’s got the boxers), and even you can get on board with that cute little monkey (which you refuse to wear, but still).

Paul Frank’s first children’s book, Only in Dreams — A Bedtime Story follows mascot Julius the Monkey through a journey into his imagination. And imagine this: Rock musician Andrew W.K. will read the picture book to little dreamers this weekend. Stick around for an autograph from Julius himself.

When: Sun. 5/25, 12:30-4pm; All ages; Free.
Where: McNally Robinson, 50 Prince St., mcnallyrobinsonnyc.com.

This weekend: Happy Memorial Day!

Visit
Family Festival at Atlas Park
Queens-area families will get their fill of the giant slide, carousel and other amusement park attractions.
When: Through Sun. 6/1.
Where: The Shops at Atlas Park, 8000 Cooper Ave. at 80th St., Glendale, theshopsatatlaspark.com.

Cloisters Family Festival
Explore the museum’s metalwork in gallery workshops, try on a medieval-style helmet, make craft projects and take part in an art hunt.
When: Sat. & Sun., 5/24 & 5/25; Ages 4-12; Free with museum admission.
Where: Fort Tryon Park, metmuseum.org.

Go
Cymbeline
Shakespeare fans of all ages will enjoy New York Classical Theater’s performance in the park that really gets the audience involved (wear comfy shoes).
When: Thurs.-Sun., 5/22-5/24, 7pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Central Park, Enter at West 103rd St. & Central Park West, newyorkclassical.org.

Do
Caped Crusaders
Inspired by the Met exhibit, make your own superhero cape. Hosted by children’s shop Babesta, the event benefits The Ronald McDonald House (buy tickets online in advance).
When: Thurs., 5/22, 4-6pm; $25.
Where: The Loft at Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick at Canal St., babesta.com.

See
La MaMa Moves
Catch the Loco-Motion Dance Theatre for Children, featuring choreographers and dancers ages 8 to 17, perform politically charged pieces.
When: Sun. 5/25, 2:30pm; $15/Adults, $10/Kids.
Where: 74A East 4th St. (bet. 2nd Ave. & Bowery), 212-475-7710, lamama.org.

Shop
Giggle’s Private Sale
Shhh don’t tell. Or do.

Living in NYC means not seeing many birds, but plenty of pigeons — that is, until the city’s plan for robotic hawks goes through.

To reminisce about warblers and wrens, pick up one of Brooklyn artist Tamar Mogendorff’s sweetly vintage birdhouses and bird cages, crafted from recycled period linens and cottons. Each houses plump, handcrafted birds in an unfussy palette.

They’re one-of-a-kind, unlike your fake plants. Hang one in the nursery, or anywhere else lacking in wildlife.

Available at enfantterribleshop.com.

You wouldn’t dream of sleeping on less than 500-thread count Egyptian cotton — although Frette and Pratesi are just a little out of baby’s league.

Check out the new oh-so-soft Lulu DK Matouk Baby crib linens and accessories. Designed by Lulu de Kwiatkowski for Matouk, the subtle blue and pink prints are classic baby without being cutesy. Finally, there’s a compromise between ultra-Mod orange and say, Donald Duck. Go for the full set of crib bumpers, fitted sheets and skirts, or accessorize with a changing-bad cover or hooded towel.

Sweet dreams.

Available at gracioushome.com.

You can’t commit to a hair color, much less permanent ink. Your kid, on the other hand, is way more into experimenting with her (mom-approved) look.

Indulge her love of transience: Andy & Bella, started by two NYC fashion industry friends, designs T-shirts (sizes 1 to 12) with vintage tattoo-style screen prints that come with matching temporary tattoos. The graphics of flying doves and roses will give her some kiddie hipster cred, but are innocent enough to keep her dressing her age.

It may buy you more time on the pierced ears debate.

Available at andyandbellanyc.com.

For families trying to get into UNIS, knowing another language or three may up your chances (diplomat connection notwithstanding).

But have fun with it: Popular children’s musicians Dan Zanes and Friends release their first all-Spanish language album, ¡Nueva York!, on Monday, with a CD release concert tomorrow. The catchy songs celebrate some of the culture that’s infused the five boroughs from various parts of Latin America with styles like cumbia, bailecito and merengue. Guests on the CD include singer and actress Daphne Rubin-Vega and Mexican trio The Villa-Lobos brothers.

Que bonito canta.

When: Sat. 5/17, 12pm; All ages; $25.
Where: Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th St. (bet. 9th & 10th Ave.), 212-414-5994, highlineballroom.com.