Archive for December, 2008

Whether you’ve spent the past 12 months adjusting to a new baby or travelling the preschool circuit, it’s time for a well-deserved December break. Take some time to enjoy this fair city’s local holiday happenings, as UrbanBaby goes on a brief hiatus. Come January 5th, we’ll get right back to bringing you all the latest kid-related news in NYC. Until then, check out our list of ten ways to have fun this winter. Thanks for a great year.

1. Be a tourist in your own town — no one needs to know you live two blocks away.

2. Strap on a pair of ice skates and go for the gold.

3. Become your own top gun on the fastest plane in the world.

4. Pretend you’re Swiss Family Robinson at an urban treehouse.

5. Make a must-read list and head to the local library.

6. Go museum-hopping thanks to your city’s chauffer.

7. Play princess for a day as you snack on scones at high tea.

8. Remember that ice cream tastes good even in a snowstorm.

9. Capture the memories on film.

10. Give back, whether it’s big or small.

Still looking for the perfect present? Check out the UrbanBaby gift guide.

Happy holidays!

New York in December means decorations, lights and parties. Below are some fun family happenings taking place during the holidays.

Jazzy Fairy Tales
Jazz singer Louise Rogers and bassist Rick Strong give new life to original versions of well-known fairy tales as they perform songs from their highly acclaimed jazz CDs, Jazzy Fairy Tales and Bop Boo Day.
When: Sat. 12/27, 2pm & 3pm; All ages; Free with museum admission.
Where: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St., 212-721-1223, cmom.org.

The Red Balloon
Catch a matinee of the classic French children’s film.
When: 12/26-1/4/09 (except 1/1/09), 1pm & 3pm (also 4:30pm on weekends); Free.
Where: Museum of the Moving Image, 35 Ave. at 37 St., Astoria, 718-784-0077, movingimage.us.

Clifford’s Annual New Year’s Celebration
Ring in 2009 with the lovable canine: Kids can make noisemakers and take photos with the pup.
When: Sat. 12/27, 3pm; Ages 5+; Free.
Where: Scholastic Store, 557 Broadway (bet. Prince & Spring), 212-343-6166.

Yosi and The Superdads
Enjoy classic Hanukkah songs with a twist in an interactive performance.
When: Sun. 12/28, 2pm; Ages 3-9; $15/Adults, $10/Kids.
Where: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd St., 212-423-3200, thejewishmuseum.org.

The Magic Flute
Catch the family-friendly, abridged 100-minute version of Julie Taymor’s dazzling production of Mozart’s classic opera.
When: 12/22, 12/27, 12/30, 12/31, 1/1, 1pm; $15-$125.
Where: The Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, 212-362-6000, metoperafamily.org.

Festival of Lights
Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s six-day festival features hands-on programs throughout the week, with different programs each day that explore holidays around the world.
When: 12/26-12/31, 10am-5pm; Free with museum admission.
Where: 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Marks Ave., Brooklyn, 718-735-4400, brooklynkids.org.

Peter and the Wolf
Music and narration performed by the Brooklyn Repertory Opera Orchestra, tells the story of a young boy who saves all the animals in the forest from a dangerous wolf.
When: Sat.-Sun. 12/20-12/21, 4pm; $10.
Where: Brooklyn Lyceum, 227 4th Ave. (bet. Union & President St.), Brooklyn, 718-857-4816, brooklynlyceum.com.

Hip Hop Harry
This live-action program designed to entertain, educate and inform children includes art, dance, language and music.
When: Sat. 12/27, 11am & 2pm; Ages 3-6; $20.
Where: The Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th St., (bet. 9th Ave. & 10th Ave.), 866-468-7619, highlineballroom.com.

Kwanzaa Fest
An all-day fest honors the seven African-based principles of Kwanzaa celebrations around the world through song, dance and spoken word, featuring special performers.
When: Sun. 12/28, 12-5pm; All ages; Free with admission.
Where: AMNH, 79th St. and Central Park West, 212-313-7278, amnh.org.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Ring in 2009 with a bang. The best locations for viewing the fireworks include anywhere in Grand Army Plaza, inside the park on the West Drive, and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and 9th Street.
When: Wed. 12/31, 11pm; Free.
Where: Grand Army Plaza Arch, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, 718-965-8999, prospectpark.org.

Still trying to get a meeting with Santa? Check out where to find St. Nick. Plus, get the rundown on other seasonal happenings.

This weekend: Wrap presents.

Go
A Book For You
Marcia Gay Harden reads poems from Josh Selig’s new children’s book at South Street Seaport.
When: Thurs. 12/18, 5pm. RSVP to books@littleairplane.com.
Where: Little Airplane Productions, 207 Front St., littleairplane.com.

Visit
Story-Time and Disco Bubble Party
Join MoonSoup’s holiday bash.
When: Fri. 12/19, 12:30-1:30pm; Ages 1-3; $10.
Where: 1059 Second Ave., 212-319-3222, moonsoup.net.

See
Santa at Gumbo
Rumor has it that Mr. Claus will be strolling Atlantic Avenue. Stop by, say hello and snap a photo.
When: Sun. 12/21, 1-2pm
Where: Atlantic Ave. bet. Nevins & Bond (if weather is bad, Gumbo at 493 Atlantic Ave.), Brooklyn.

In A Round About Way
Catch this one-hour musical puppet performance from Puppetry Arts Theatre that celebrates diversity and the strength of friendships.
When: Sat. 12/20, 3pm; All ages; Free.
Where: South Oxford Space, 138 South Oxford St., Brooklyn, puppetryarts.org.

Do
Hanukkah Family Art Extravaganza
Choose from art activities like creating eco-friendly Hanukkah sculptures, decorating dreidels and painting Hanukkah cards.
When: Sun. 12/21, 12-4pm; Ages 3+; Free with museum admission.
Where: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd St., 212-423-3200, thejewishmuseum.org.

Shop
Elaine Turner
Fall and holiday handbags and clutches are 75-percent off.
When: Thurs. 12/18, 10am-6pm.
Where: 320 Fifth Ave., Suite 1102, 212-239-8966, elaineturner.com.

To paraphrase Elizabeth Taylor, diamonds won’t keep you warm at night (especially with a skyrocketing Con Ed bill). But it never hurt to look.

Fave West Village jewelry shop Phoenix Roze gives you more room to browse, now that it has moved from an itsy-bitsy studio to a spacious salon. Co-owner and designer Guy Rozenstrich approaches his pieces with a fine art touch, with a rotating classic collection of vintage, contemporary and custom jewels (think fire opal, peridot, tourmaline and black diamond).

On the gift front (for that one present you’d like to make a little special), the enameled heart necklaces are perfect for a best friend, while a new mom would go gaga over the freshwater pearl-and-sapphire earrings (plus, the prices won’t make your head spin). For the silver-spooned baby, go for…the silver spoon, personalized with a 14k gold initial.

Harry Winston heist aside, it’s a sound investment.

Open daily 12-8pm. 39 Eighth Ave. at Jane St., 212-255-2362, phoenixroze.com.

They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch — but there is a free ride, thanks to a local movement promoting NYC arts and culture.

The HOB (Heart of Brooklyn) Connection has a shiny new red shuttle that transports culture-seekers to the city’s local landmarks. On Sundays, the shuttle features a special schedule of stops at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Public Library, Prospect Park and Prospect Park Zoo (there are even pick-ups in Manhattan). Every Saturday, you can explore select 718 neighborhoods like Bay Ridge, Red Hook and Williamsburg.

The free, hop-on/hop-off format includes tour guides, coupons for nearby restaurants and shops, maps and brochures. Whether you’re a resident or a newbie to the borough, think of it as an adventure in your own backyard. See the website for exact schedule details.

Visit heartofbrooklyn.org.

After toy shopping and entertaining the in-laws, you’ll be very ready for a night out — and a babysitter. Considering you haven’t seen the inside of a restaurant (or had a haircut!) since summer, you’ve saved up for a small holiday splurge.

To treat yourself to a little pre-dinner primping, hit up Xac Anthony’s unconventional Friday night happy hour. The salon and spa hosts a weekly “Tequila Sunset” event from 5 to 9pm that includes groovy tunes and free cocktails with your scheduled blowout or brow shaping. The evening can be part of your mom posse bonding, or a pit stop before date night with your DH.

Think of it as beauty junkie multi-tasking.

140 West 19th St., 212-929-5430, xacanthony.com.

If only your Eames chair made you as happy as the toy at the bottom of the cereal box makes your kids. Who knew that interior design and plastic prizes could live together in harmony?

See how wacky meets wall art at the Jellio Carnival Shop, the brick-and-mortar LES outpost of online home store Jellio.com that’s open for a limited run during the holidays. Fun furnishings, from Rubik’s Cube tables and GummiLights to a button bench and monkey mirrors, are reminiscent of the sweets and treats everyone loved as a kid. Little ones will get a kick out of such quirky decor, even if it doesn’t end up on your wall.

When: Through 12/23. Mon-Fri. 12-9pm, Sat.-Sun. 10am-6pm.
Where: 139 Norfolk St., 646-478-7689, 139norfolk.com.

This weekend: Start feeling festive.

Go
Christmas in Camelot
Join author Mary Pope Osborne as she reads a selection from the Magic Tree House series, which introduces young readers to different cultures and times in history. Actors from the Christmas in Camelot national tour will perform songs from the show.
When: Sat. 12/13, 3pm; Free.
Where: Apple Soho, 103 Prince St. at Mercer, randomhouse.com.

See
Crembebe Kidz Fashion Show
Check out the toys and gadgets of the season as this children’s boutique presents the best of its collection.
When: Sat. 12/13, 2pm.
Where: The Wired Store, 15 West 18th St., wired.com.

A Village of Fools
The Grand Falloons perform this vaudeville theater-style puppet production.
When: Sun. 12/14, 2pm; Ages 6+; $15/Adult, $10/Kids.
Where: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd St., 212-423-3200, thejewishmuseum.org.

Latkes and Applesauce: A Hanukkah Revue
Celebrate the NYC Hanukkah experience in this funny family revue of songs and scenes.
When: Sun. 12/14, 11am, Ages 4+; $20.
Where: Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center, 129 West 67th St. (bet. Broadway & Amsterdam), 212-501-3330, kaufman-center.org.

Hear
SteveSongs
Sing, laugh and dance to celebrate the new DVD, The Marvelous Musical Adventures.
When: Sun. 12/14, 11am & 2pm; Ages 2-10; $15.
Where: 92Y Tribeca, 200 Hudson St., 212-601-1000, 92y.org.

Shop
Rosie Pope Maternity
Enjoy 40-perfect off at this special sale.
When: Thurs. 12/11, 5:30-7:30pm.
Where: 78 Greene St., rosiepopematernity.com.

If you joke about putting a menorah atop the Christmas tree, you know what it’s like to celebrate two holidays. And while your kid loves the idea of setting out latkes for Santa, sometimes you feel caught in between traditions.

Are You Chanukah or Christmas?, a cute softcover children’s book by Felicia Miller-Stehr (illustrations by Rosalinde Block), follows a little girl through the streets of Manhattan as she polls friends and neighbors on which holiday makes their season bright. From a dog walker to a taxi driver, each gives insight into their December rituals in fun rhyming text.

The moral of the story says it plain and clear: “It doesn’t matter how you celebrate or what holiday you choose. As long as it’s with the ones you love you just can’t lose!”

Available at areyouchanukahorchristmas.com.

Even with downsized holiday parties, you still want to look festively fierce for the preschool fundraiser or office fete — after all, a night out with the grown-ups is hard to come by. Too bad you only have about 3 minutes to go from mommy to hot mama.

We checked in with Dexter Phillip, the brains behind the new mineral cosmetics line DEX New York, for some tips on how to achieve holiday-party glam in a flash (think drama, dahling). Below is a rundown of Dexter’s quick and easy application:

Face: Start with a tinted moisturizer all over the face to keep skin supple. Next, apply a shimmering loose powder or matte bronzer to the apples of the cheeks and T-zone for a little natural glow.

Eyes: Line the eyes with black eyeliner, then apply a shimmering eye shadow (go for something with a golden pigment) all over lids. Finish with a classic black mascara for lash definition.

Lips: For early-evening cocktails, try a nude lip gloss for a little plump. For a late-night bash, opt for a mischievous midnight shade like dark red, deep purple or vampy black.

Visit dexnewyork.com.