Author Archive
Monday, June 15th, 2009
You’ve developed a calm and cool demeanor when dealing with toddlers, in-laws, pushy co-workers and class parents. But sometimes, you just want to punch something.
Get out your aggression — and get a great workout at the same time — at Punch Fitness, a family-friendly boxing gym on the Upper East Side (also in Bridgehampton for the summer). Instead of an intimidating, bare bones, Million Dollar Baby-inspired studio, Punch is warm and welcoming with a strong female client base. Owner Adelino Da Costa will whip you into shape with his special system of jabs, kicks and crunches (prices range from about $109 to $145 for a sweat-inducing one-on-one session). Da Costa even trains women throughout their pregnancies, as evidenced by black-and-white photos of a rather ripped mom-to-be (though you should begin his workouts prior to getting preggo).
Your triceps may scream for mercy, but your stress level will stabilize.
1015 Madison Ave., lower level (bet. 78th & 79th St.), 212-288-2375, punchfitnesscenter.com.
Tags: adelino da costa, boxing gym, Fitness, punch fitness, workout
Posted in Expecting, Health & Safety, Long Island, Manhattan, Pregnancy, _NEWSLETTER_ | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009
Once in awhile, a professional blowout is worth the splurge — after all, it saves time in the morning when you have a whole brood to get out the door. But when you pay big bucks you want it to last more than 12 hours.
Hairstylist Fabio Scalia recently opened a new location at the Empire Hotel (along with another salon in Brooklyn Heights) where his staff has mastered the art of the blowout. Below, Fabio shares his tips on maintaining silky smooth locks.
Before you leave the salon: Wait 10 minutes after your blowout to go outside, after your hair cools off and the cuticles close up — otherwise your new ‘do will drink in the humidity.
Prior to bedtime: Avoid down pillows, which may create static and nests of knots in the back of the hair (a satin pillowcase will do). If you’ve gotten a straight blowout, wear it up so that tension is created and it stays flat. To avoid a mark or crease from the hair elastic use more than one ponytail so that it turns into waves.
In the morning: Fabio recommends Kerastase Voile Relax if your hair has no tendency to frizz. Brush your hair only if it is straight.
Fabio Scalia Salon, 1885 Broadway (bet. 62nd & 63rd St.), 212-792-7479.
Tags: blowout, fabio scalia, salon
Posted in _NEWSLETTER_ | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
BLTs and French fries are not everyday foods in your home — but what about checking out a life-sized version?
The Whitney Museum’s current Claes Oldenburg exhibition features fun sculptures that kids will get a kick out of, from the aforementioned fast food to a room of giant saxophones, clarinets, harps and violas in a series that Oldenburg made with his wife and artistic collaborator Coosje van Bruggen. The iconic pieces Giant BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Sandwich) (1963), and French Fries and Ketchup (1963) are the perfect entree into the work of this artist who is best known for changing expectations of how ordinary objects “behave.”
Just make sure your little artists are on their best behavior.
When: Through August 2009.
Where: Whitney Museum of American Art, 945 Madison Ave. at 75th St., 212-570-3600, whitney.org.
Tags: claes oldenburg, giant blt, sculpture, whitney museum
Posted in Manhattan, Museums, School Age, _NEWSLETTER_ | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
When it comes to furnishing baby’s bedroom, forget the overseas shipments — there are some pretty cool designs right here in Red Hook.
Check out the furniture collection from Casa Kids, designed by Brooklyn-based architect Roberto Gil. The pieces, designed with an approach deemed as practical minimalism, include cribs that grow with a child, dressers with removable changing table top, sturdy cabinets, colorful loft beds with cool steps and little seats with secret storage compartments. Sustainable materials, from plantation-grown Brazilian hardwood to natural birch, make these contemporary collections even more enticing.
Make yourself at home.
Available at casakids.com.
Tags: bunk beds, casa kids, cribs, kids furniture, roberto gil
Posted in Brooklyn, Expecting, Infant, Preschool, School Age, Shopping, Toddler, _NEWSLETTER_ | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
After months of diaper duty and late-night feedings, you’re finally ready to throw a grown-up party again — no sippy cups allowed.
Plan your cocktail menu with restaurateur Danny Meyer’s new book, Mix Shake Stir, which offers drink recipes and tips from his NYC eateries including Union Square Cafe, Eleven Madison Park and Blue Smoke. Learn how to serve signature drinks like The Modern’s Modern Martini or the Pomegranate Gimlet at Tabla. Your first post-baby bash should also include Meyer’s must-haves for any host, from making cocktail-perfect ice cubes to choosing the right glass. Flip through the pages until a photo of sangria or a margarita catches your eye, or use the inspiration to create your own cocktail du jour.
And give your guests an even happier hour.
Available at bn.com.
Tags: books, cocktails, danny meyer, drink recipes, mix shake stir, party planning
Posted in Restaurants & Bars, _NEWSLETTER_ | No Comments »
Monday, May 11th, 2009
Is ice cream for dinner every night bad for the baby? Should you eat entirely organic? Must you really gain that much weight with twins? More importantly, who can answer all these pressing pregnancy questions?
Make a date with registered dietitian (and mom) Meg Tubman at her cozy Tribeca studio, Fresh Start Nutrition. Specializing in maternal nutrition, Tubman offers one-on-one education and counseling for all stages from conception through postpartum. Whether it’s eating for fertility, pregnancy health and weight concerns or coping with a picky infant, she will work with your needs and goals to help you formulate a (realistic and attainable) plan of action. Even better, this French culinary grad focuses what you can eat (whole foods, yum) rather than what you can’t (major restrictions equal stress).
Go forth and snack.
Visit freshstartnutritionstudio.com.
Tags: eating, food, fresh start nutrition studio, health, megan tubman, nutrition, Pregnancy, registered dietician
Posted in Expecting, Health & Safety, Infant, Pregnancy, _NEWSLETTER_ | No Comments »
Monday, May 4th, 2009
With all the less-than-ideal influences out there for your daughter, wouldn’t it be nice to have a more wholesome role model — like a 1958 prom queen?
Little girls will get a kick out of the dreamy dresses and innocent tunes sung by the sweet and silly high-school seniors in the off-Broadway musical, The Marvelous Wonderettes. A fabulous foursome sing, dance and delight during their senior prom, with a range of ’50s and ’60s hits like “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” and “It’s in His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song).” Kids will be bouncing in their seats to “Lollipop,” “Stupid Cupid,” and the very relatable “It’s My Party.” This is one show that will be enjoyed by all (recommended for ages 6+) — Mom and Grandma will also be bopping along to the trip down memory lane.
Visit marvelouswonderettes.com.
Tags: musicals, off-broadway, shows, the marvelous wonderettes
Posted in Manhattan, Music, Theater & Dance, _NEWSLETTER_ | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
Working mother, wife and fashionista — is it possible to do it all? A certain woman in Washington, D.C. does.
Fans of the First Lady’s many red carpet-worthy moments will enjoy Michelle Style: Celebrating the First Lady of Fashion. This new book catalogs the already-iconic looks of Mrs. Obama. Author Mandi Norwood, an award-winning women’s magazine editor in NYC, explores the power of image through photos, illustrations and descriptions of the First Lady’s frocks from designers like Isabel Toledo and Maria Pinto. Basic fashion tips all moms can apply, from utilizing pearls and V-necks to mixing Jason Wu with J. Crew, are shown through the lens of Mrs. O.
Use it for your next inaugural moment.
Available at amazon.com.
Tags: books, first lady, mandi norwood, michelle obama, michelle style, mother's day gifts
Posted in _NEWSLETTER_ | 1 Comment »
Friday, April 24th, 2009
When it comes to gaining entree into the city’s best schools, it’s a toddler-eat-toddler world.
Nursery University, a documentary on the competitive and uniquely NYC world of preschool admissions, opens today. The film follows five families with different backgrounds through the process of placing their kids in pricey and prestigious Manhattan nursery schools. Preschool directors weigh in on the mass hysteria about getting into Harvard, while parents wrestle with the social conundrums that ensue. Anyone who has felt the day-after-Labor Day crunch will relate.
Call it stranger than fiction.
Visit nurseryuniversitythemovie.com.
Tags: documentary, education, movies, nursery school, nursery university, Preschool, preschool admissions
Posted in Childcare, Preschool, _NEWSLETTER_ | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
DVR and all-night delivery means you can have whatever you want, whenever you want it (even if that means In Treatment and Thai takeout at midnight). So when it comes to fitness, that 6am sunrise salutations class way across town can count you out.
New York Yoga offers a range of special mommy-friendly classes, including Mommy & Me and prenatal yoga, to help build strength and muscle tone. But if the class times don’t fit into your busy schedule, or you’re simply too zonked to make it to the Upper East Side, the studio offers online yoga videos. The “Yoga On-Demand” sessions include a range of levels (from beginner to advanced), styles (hatha, vinyasa, ashtanga, power) and instructors. Do one or do them all, on your own time, in the comfort of your own living room — provided you have space for a mat.
1629 York Ave. at 86th St., 212-717-9642, newyorkyoga.com.
Tags: Classes, new york yoga, Yoga, yoga on demand
Posted in Classes, _NEWSLETTER_ | 1 Comment »