Archive for July, 2008

This weekend: Plan an August escape.

Hear
Audra Rox
Jam to original catchy sing-along rock melodies at CMOM.
When: Sun., 8/3, 2 & 3pm; All ages; $10.
Where: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St., 212-721-1223.

See
The Sippy Cups
Celebrate Brooklyn! features this live show of unicyclists, oversized puppets, sensitive super-heroes and other comedic characters.
When: Sat. 8/2, 4pm; All ages; $3 suggested donation.
Where: Prospect Park Bandshell, Prospect Park West & 9th St., Brooklyn, 718-855-7882, briconline.org/celebrate.

Go
Pinkalicious
Vital Theatre’s rose-hued musical re-opens, through September 21.
When: Sat. 8/2, 2pm & Sun. 8/3, 12pm; $29.50.
Where: New World Stages, 340 West 50th St. (bet. 8th & 9th Ave.), 212-239-6200, vitaltheatre.org.

Do
Tresure Island Storytime
Walk the plank: Literally Alive theatre company previews their new, interactive show based on the classic children’s novel.
When: Sat. 8/2, 12pm; Free.
Where: Bryant Park Reading Room, bet. 40th & 42nd St. and Fifth & Sixth Ave., bryantpark.org.

Don’t cry over spilled milk? There’s a lot to whine about when a car seat turns sour — literally.

That’s why an NYC mom invented the waterproof and washable Nomie Baby car seat cover. The infant and toddler designs fit a standard car seat, and come off to remove spills and stains.

Even better, your Britax will remain in tact. No more tears.

Available at nomiebaby.com.

You feel as though you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders. But really, it’s just your diaper bag.

Downsize to a more manageable tote. Australian-born designer Jimeale Jorgensen has functional diaper bags and weekenders that will hold baby’s essentials without tipping you over. And the makeup bags named after NYC streets — like Mott, Rivington, Broome and Delancey — hold Mom’s precious few must-haves.

Keep it to a minimum.

Available at jimeale.com.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch — or a free facial.

Or maybe there is. Tomorrow, The Spa at Chelsea Piers holds its first Spa Fair. Product specialists from Dermalogica, SkinCeuticals, Thalgo and Kiss My Face will be on-hand to teach the benefits of massage, skin care and body treatments. Relax with a mini-spa experience and learn how to make your own scrub. It’s just the thing you need on a Tuesday.

Or every day.

When: Tues. 7/29, 5-8pm; Free; RSVP required.
Where: Sports Center at Chelsea Piers, 212-336-6780, chelseapiers.com.

Heading to the Hamptons in a few? In case you’re always the last to know, tomorrow is not just any Saturday.

The 11th annual Super Saturday benefits The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, with a designer garage sale, kids’ carnival and gourmet goodies on the agenda. Yes, the entrance price is steep, but it goes toward a good cause. Get there early to snag designer deals from the likes of Catherine Malandrino, DVF, Ferragamo and Tory Burch. Little shoppers will get a kick out of pony rides, face painting, customized T-shirts and cupcake decorating. And keep an eye out for lots of celebs.

Tickets are available online. Don’t say nobody told you.

When: Sat. 7/26, 12-6pm; $450-$650 Adults, $150 Kids.
Where: Nova’s Ark Project, Water Mill, ocrf.org.

This weekend: Sein, sing or sandbox.

Go
The MoxieSpot
This family-friendly restaurant hosts a disco party for kids and adults to do the hustle, complete with mirror ball and hula skirts.
When: Sat. 7/26, 5:30pm; Free
Where: 81-83 Atlantic Ave. at Hicks St., Brooklyn, 718-923-9710, themoxiespot.com.

Do
Seining
Find out what lives in the waters under the Manhattan Bridge, as experts use a 30-foot seining net to catch fish and other East River creatures.
When: Sat. 7/26, 10am-12pm; Free; Call 718-802-0603 x18 to reserve a spot.
Where: Beach in Brooklyn Bridge Park, brooklynbridgepark.org.

See
Babies & Books
Brooklyn Public Library invites little ones to enjoy books, songs and rhymes.
When: Fri. 7/25, 10am; Up to 18 months; Free.
Where: Windsor Terrace Library, 160 East Fifth St., Brooklyn, 718-686-9707.

Hear
StarFish
The five-piece rock band gives kids a low-volume concert experience at CMOM.
When: Sun. 7/27, 2 & 3pm; All Ages; $10.
Where: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St., 212-721-1223.

Visit
Sandbox Sing-along
Moey’s Music Party passes out pompoms, maracas and inflatable guitars to jam along to citified children’s tunes.
When: Thurs. 7/24, 11am; Free.
Where: Central Park, East 100th St. Playground, centralparknyc.org.

An influx of fro-yo shops means you’ve got plenty of choices. There’s tart, tangy or creamy; mango or mochi; a two-block stroll or a five-block trek.

But the new 16 Handles offers the most options, with 16 self-serve flavors like mint, mango, peanut butter and pistachio. A buffet of all the usual toppings — fruit, nuts, crushed cookies and sprinkles — is yours for the taking, then your selection is weighed by the ounce.

The verdict? Your cup runneth over.

153 Second Ave., bet. 9th & 10th St., 212-260-4414, 16handles.com.

Your first NYC apartment had a bathtub in the kitchen. But even if the living arrangements have improved post-baby, not everyone’s getting a good night’s sleep (forget it if you’ve got twins sharing what used to be, literally, a closet).

Dream Team Baby’s infant and toddler sleep consultancy will give your new family a little snooze support. For little ones up to 2 years old, they will come to your home and stay overnight to work through a child’s “sleep challenges” — including that 2am crying fit. And if your walk-up doesn’t have room for an extra body, a phone consultation may be enough (the advisory board includes a pediatrician and psychotherapist).

You’ll rest easier.

Visit dreamteambaby.com.

As curator of your home’s artwork, you’re looking for something inspired — not insipid — for your child’s room.

Check out Charmingwall, a West Village gallery with an online seleciton of enchanted animation. Kid-friendly prints from artists like Dan May, Daria Tessler and Wendy Crabb come on photo-quality paper, and offer a nice alternative to the usual juvenile motifs (here, birds and fairies take a more imaginative turn).

It just might spark a whole new look.

Available at charmingwall.com.

A hot and hazy weekend in the city is enough to make anyone melt — now multiply that if you’re pregnant, have a new baby or just need a break. Luckily, there’s a service out there that will make the sweltering summer just a teensy bit more bearable. Try one of these if you’re…

Hightailing it to JFK

Planning a baby shower

Getting organized

Moving uptown (or downtown)

Going suburban

Vacationing at home

Pretending to make it from scratch

Shaping up

Puttin’ on the Ritz