Archive for May, 2011

You’ve just moved from East Side to West Side, or from uptown to downtown, and haven’t yet gotten the lay of the land. Unpacking, organizing and trying to keep the DCs on their regular schedule has left little time to find all the neighborhood necessities: the closest ATM, a great 24/7 deli and a reliable dry cleaner. Meanwhile all those dirty pajamas, onesies and burp cloths are piling up, and it isn’t pretty.

Plug in your new address to LaundryLocal, a site that launched in NYC and LA to pair you up with prescreened laundry services in your area. Whether you need a wash and fold, organic dry cleaning or alterations, a quick search will give you several local options. Compare the companies’ brief bios and price lists, and schedule a free pickup and delivery.

With all those clean clothes, you’ll be ready to explore the nearby restaurant options.

Visit laundrylocal.com.

Visit
DanceAfrica 2011 Bazaar
Africa’s rich cultural heritage comes to life with a global marketplace of more than 200 vendors offering food, crafts and clothing. Kids can check out face painting and crafts at the Children’s Village, or sign up for master classes in family dance.
When: Sat. 5/28-Mon. 5/30; Free (fee for some classes and performances).
Where: Ashland Place (bet. Hanson Place & Fulton St.), Brooklyn, bam.org.

See
Viva Pinocho!
Enjoy a re-telling of the classic folktale Pinocchio from the perspective of a Mexican puppet boy, who looks for a way to maintain his Latin heritage while adjusting to his new home in the U.S.
When: Sat. 5/28, 3pm, $18/Adults, $15/Kids.
Where: Teatro SEA, 107 Suffolk St. (between Delancey & Rivington), 1st floor, 212-529-1545, teatrosea.org.

Go
Governors Island Family Festival
Have an adventure on the free ferry, and spend the afternoon on the island for arts and crafts, storytelling, music and harbor education activities for kids.
When: Sat. 5/28, 12-4pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Governors Island, governorsislandalliance.org.

Do
LES Festival of the Arts
Catch puppets, poetry and other performances on the Lower East Side. Saturday afternoon’s youth schedule (2 to 5pm) includes New York School of Rock and the New York Lyric Circus.
When: Fri. 5/27-Sun. 5/29; Free.
When: 155 First Ave., theaterforthenewcity.net.

Any high chair your little one will sit in long enough to eat a few spoonfuls of organic peas is a good one. But not all seats are made equally.

BabyBjorn has just introduced its sleek, slim, space-saving high chair, perfect to blend in small-but-chic city apartments. Compact, portable and lightweight, it’s easy to hide when you have child-free friends over for cocktails and simple to transport to the in-laws’ house in the ‘burbs. Plus, the ergonomic design means your babe may be so comfy he’ll finally finish a meal without a meltdown. Available now for pre-order exclusively at giggle, the cool and clean white chair will ship at the end of July — just in time to start on solids.

Available at giggle.com.

Do
Baby Loves Disco
Join the dance party for an afternoon of music and kid-friendly activities. Costume lovers can dress up as their favorite superhero and dance the day away. Net proceeds will support community schools through non-profit Donors Choose.
When: Sat. 5/21, 2-5pm; Ages 6 months to 7 years; $30/Adults, $20/Kids.
Where: Loews Recency Hotel, 540 Park Ave., babylovesdisco.com.

Go
Big Apple Comic Con Family Day
Indulge your love of superheroes: Kids can enter the costume contest, get their faces painted, take photos with their favorite characters and test out balloon light sabers.
When: Sun. 5/22, 10am-5pm; $20/Adults, Up to 2 kids free per paid ticket.
Where: Penn Plaza Pavilion, 401 Seventh Ave. at 33rd St., wizardworld.com.

Play
Tech for Tots
If your 3-year-old is already an iPad expert, check out CNET’s expert roundup of 10 cool iPad apps for toddlers.
Where: news.cnet.com.

Visit
HomeGoods
Time to redecorate! The city’s first HomeGoods opens on the UWS. Get major decor discounts at the grand opening.
When: Sun. 5/22, 8am-8pm.
Where: 795 Columbus at 99th St., homegoods.com.

Shop
Best & Co.
The classic children’s clothing brand re-launches with a blowout sale. Get up to 75-percent off boys and girls styles for sizes 6 months to 12 years.
When: Sat. 5/21-Sat. 5/28.
Where: 260 Fifth Ave. (bet. 28th & 29th St.), bestandcompany.com.

You may not be on the same diva level as the NYC moms-to-be on Pregnant in Heels, but you’d like to step up your maternity wardrobe beyond yoga pants and tees.

Take a few tips from stylish French women, and cruise the trends on Seraphine, a European online shop that just launched in the U.S. Key pregnancy and nursing pieces for spring and summer (breezy maxi dresses, halter-neck swimsuits, simple wrap tops, comfy bamboo pajamas) are translated to make your belly even more beautiful. Designed by Parisian stylist Cecile Reinaud, the collection is inspired by the French Riviera but easily fits into city life — perfect for a weekend in East Hampton, babymoon in Bermuda or date night at The Fat Radish.

Tres chic.

Visit seraphine.co.

Visit
On a Wing
This family festival in Central Park celebrates the birds that live there. Kids can inspect feathers, insects and seed wings under a microscope, start a bird journal, and go birding in the Ramble.
When: Sat. 5/14, 12-3pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Belvedere Castle (mid-park at 79th St.), centralparknyc.org.

Go
The Fabulous Fifth Avenue Fair
Head to this Park Slope festival for a day of activities like arts and crafts, kiddie rides, food vendors, antiques and live music on three stages.
When: Sun. 5/15, 12-5pm; All ages; Free.
Where: 5th Ave. from Sterling Place to 12th St., Brooklyn, parkslopefifthavenuebid.com.

Do
Fairly Varied Fairy Tales
Poet Marie Ponsot, a translator from the French of many children’s books, shares her favorite fairy tales at the downtown literary center.
When: Sat. 5/14, 11am; Free.
Where: Poets House, 10 River Terrace at Murray, 212-431-7920, poetshouse.org.

Hear
Americana Family Jamboree
Stomp your feet and sing along: The Demolition String Band hosts a kid-friendly homage to artists like Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and other greats.
When: Sun. 5/15, 2pm; All ages; $10/Adults, $5/Kids.
Where: The Living Room, 154 Ludlow St., 212-533-7237, livingroomny.com.

Shop
Kidada for Disney Store
Check out the whimsical twist on the Disney Princesses with celebrity designer Kidada Jones’ new collection. Mini-figurines called Wish-a-Littles (with a secret charm necklace hidden inside) add another layer of princess mania to Belle, Tiana and Snow White.
Where: 1540 Broadway, 212-626-2910, disneystore.com/kidada.

Though your little one has developed a taste for homemade organic baby food, you’ve been surviving on greasy takeout for months. But sleep-deprived parents adjusting to life with an infant need not give up their once-refined paletes.

New York Times writer, father and foodie Keith Dixon tackles new parenthood in his kitchen-centric memoir, Cooking For Gracie: The Making of a Parent from Scratch. On sale today, the book speaks to NYC moms and dads who are dealing with the upheaval a baby brings to their lives and their stomachs. As he navigates from infant reflux to first words, Dixon (an enthusiastic home cook) peppers his personal stories with more than 40 simple but delicious recipes he cooks for both his wife and young daughter, from short ribs with carrot-rosemary puree to farfalle with marinated tomatoes and mint oil. To keep you on track, many of his healthy how-tos are arranged in pre- and post-bedtime steps; others (like sole with poached veggies) instruct how to prepare for adults vs. baby.

Slice, chop and saute your way back to sanity.

Available at randomhouse.com.

Hear
Dan Zanes and Friends
Celebrate Mother’s Day with rockin’ kiddie tunes at the Met. Grammy winner Dan Zanes is joined by his spirited band, singing songs in both English and Spanish.
When: Sat. 5/7, 3pm.
Where: Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, 212-570-3949, metmuseum.org.

Go
Manners for Mother’s Day
Socialsklz hosts a special etiquette event for moms and kids. The hour-long interactive class shows the proper use of place settings, how to play the perfect host or guest, and mealtime manners.
When: Sat. 5/7, 12:30pm (register in advance).
Where: 24-32 Union Square East, 4th floor, (bet. 15th & 16th St.), 212-579-5300, socialsklz.com.

Do
Infant Massage Weekend Workshop
Learn the why, when and how of infant massage, to better bond with your baby.
When: Sat. 5/7, 2pm; $40 (register in advance).
Where: Prenatal Yoga Center, 251 West 72nd St. #2F, prenatalyogacenter.com.

Visit
Blooming Babies: I Love My Mommy!
Little ones can celebrate Mother’s Day by crafting a necklace for someone special.
When: Fri. & Sat., 5/6 & 5/7, 11:30am; Ages 18 months to 2.5 years; Free with museum admission.
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., 718-735-4400, brooklynkids.org.

Shop
The Affordable Art Fair
Moms with a child in tow gain free admission (otherwise $20) to the contemporary art exhibition. Stop by the 12pm seminar, Get Your Kids Excited About Contemporary Art, to hear expert tips on how to get Junior stoked about that new painting.
When: Sun. 5/8, 11am-5pm; $20.
Where: 7 West 34th St., aafnyc.com.

You’re looking forward to spending some quality time with the DCs and DH this Sunday, but out of all holidays Mother’s Day is about you. Schedule a spare hour or two this week for a solo adventure, and celebrate your fabulousness. Below are a few ideas to get you started.

Go
Flower Workshop and Afternoon Tea
Join Flowers of the World at the Peninsula New York to learn the art of arranging your favorite spring blooms. Enjoy the hotel’s legendary afternoon tea and champagne, then take home your lush arrangement to admire.
When: Sat. 5/7, 2-4:30pm; $125 (reservations required).
Where: The Peninsula, 700 Fifth Ave. at 55th St., flowersoftheworld.com.

See
Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
If Princess Catherine’s showstopping gown at Friday’s royal wedding reminded you of the brilliance of Mr. McQueen, check out the Met’s new exhibition (opens tomorrow) celebrating his extraordinary contributions to fashion. One hundred ensembles and 70 accessories on display highlight his 19-year career, including signature designs like the kimono jacket and origami frock coat.
When: May 4-July 31.
Where: The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., metmuseum.org.

Do
SPAma Mia
Stressed-out moms can pamper sore necks and backs with the Queen for a Day aromatherapy massage, while moms-to-be can get a little relief with a relaxing prenatal massage. Get 10-percent off in-spa services Mondays-Thursdays throughout the month.
Where: Oasis on Park, 1 Park Ave. (bet. 32nd & 33rd St.), 212-254-7722, oasisdayspanyc.com.

Eat
Two E
Forget kid-friendly brunch. Grab a friend and sip a few very adult Pierre-tinis at this relaxed, clubby lounge at the pretty hotel.
Where: The Pierre, 2 East 61st St., 212-940-8113, twoeny.com.

Shop
Catherine Malandrino
Refresh your wardrobe with spring and summer styles at the seasonal sample sale, starting at $95.
When: Thurs.-Sun., 5/5-5/8.
Where: 155 Fifth Ave. (bet. 21st & 22nd St.), blog.catherinemalandrino.com.