The New York Observer Playground - Winter 2010

$3.95 winter 2010

PlaygroundLifestyle for the New York Mom

A Very Stylish Mom Bridget

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to my favorite Observer Play-ground issue of the year! I just love this season, when New York City feels more like a picture postcard than a bustling modern city, with everyone in a good mood and the spectacular Rockefeller Center Christmas tree at the center. There’s nothing better than sharing the city’s festive pleasures with your kids … and I am so excited to share the best of this season with you!

This time of year is all about great family traditions. I love taking my boys to a Broadway show as a festive holiday treat, and this issue’s got a great story spotlighting the shows this season that both you and your kids are sure to enjoy, like Elf and Spider-Man. Speaking of holiday treats, you’ll love the lo-cation of one of this issue’s fashion shoots: the Plaza Hotel, at a tea party dedicated to its most famous “resident,” Eloise.

Since we all want to look great at this season’s holiday par-ties, we’ve got a feature about the hottest new (and truly ef-fective!) workout, Amplitude Vibrations. (Let’s just call it my secret weapon against the gazillion calories of Thanksgiving, Chanukah and Christmas.)

It wouldn’t be the holidays without fabulous presents—and we have that covered! Our special holiday Lysst focuses on amazing goodies you’ll want to give (and get!), and there are some perfect gift picks in this edition of the Hot to Tot list, too.

As always, a beautiful, inspirational mom graces our cover. I loved sitting down with Bridget Moynahan to talk about bal-

ancing her busy career with raising her adorable son.And speaking of in-

spirational moms, this issue also has a tour of The View’s Sherri Shepherd’s

spectacular home.I hope you enjoy it all! I

wish you and your family a wonderful, memorable holiday season full of love and family … and a happy New Year, too! Looking forward to seeing you in 2011!

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on the cover Bridget wears Giambatitista Valli Black and metallic sheath dress, $1,600.Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, 1.800.347.9177. Judith Ripka Monaco Ring 18k Gold, White Diamonds, Champagne Diamonds & Frosted Rose Quartz, $15,000. Available at Judith Ripka Jewelry; judithripka.com. iVanka tRump Fine JewelRy Rose Gold Emerald-Cut Necklace with Diamond Connections 36”. 18k Rose Gold, Rock Crystals and 0.86 carats of diamonds, $48,000.00, Available at Ivanka Trump Boutique.ivankatrumpcollection.com. Photographed by melanie dunea, Styled by Cannon at JudyCasey.com.

Observer Media Group

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President Christopher Barnes

executive vice President Barry Lewis

senior vice President sales stephen GoLdBerG

senior vice President sales and Marketing david GursKy director of classified advertising Ken newman

the new York observer321 west 44th streetnew York, nY 10036212.755.2400www.observer.com

art director BarBara suLLivan

Production director tyLer rush

advertising/Production coordinator Lisa medChiLL

associate Publisher, Observer playGrOund Betty shaw Lederman

Marketing Manager ashLey o’Brien account executives mitCh BedeLL, david Bendayan, pauL KornBLueh, miCheLLe morGan, spenCer sharp, roByn weiss, david woLff junior account executive eLana deLasos

sales assistant eLyse adLer

circulation peter parris, CarLos rodriGuez, eden sherman

editor in chief Lyss stern

Managing editor shaina feinBerG

kids fashion editor stephanie Kaster

editorial associate Kat harrison

stYling intern viCtoria mCCLeLLan

editorial intern anna Lund

contributors aLix Cohen

LeiGh GoLdman

LamBeth hoChwaLd

JuLie earLe-Levine

reBeCCa morse

raCheL h. smith

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Contents

48 Bridget Moynahan

Gorgeous, talented and the mother of one super-high-energy toddler, Bridget Moynahan talks shop.

54 holiday FaShion

Luscious looks for office or cocktails, inspired by Mad Men.

58 kid’S FaShion

A day at the Plaza, in Eloise’s footsteps.

62 hoMe

The View’s Sherri Shepherd gives us a sneak peek at her Harlem home.

66 teen FaShion

Inspired by Alice: An afternoon falling down the looking glass never looked so good.

72 travel

Aloha, Hawaii! Paradise for the whole family.

22 Shopping lySSt

24 CeleBrity xMaS

26 Broadway

28 holiday giFt guide

30 diva partieS

Departments

Features

48

mel

an

ie d

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ea

34 perForMing artS

36 FitneSS

38 hot to tot

40 philanthropy

42 real eState

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Shopping LysstLyS S St e r n ’S L at e St m u St- h av e S

Chanel High Faux-Fur Boots. $1,350, Chanel Boutiques.Stash those weathered Uggs in the back of the closet: The ultimate boots for this winter are these statement heels from Chanel. Leave it to Chanel! Unlike those other winter boots you’ve been living in, these work with skirts and dresses as well as a beat-up pair of weekend jeans.

ray griffiths Fine Jewelry rings. $3,289 and $5,095. Australian jeweler Ray Griffiths has quietly attracted a loyal (and defi-nitely posh) cult following for his bespoke, precious pieces, all of which are made by hand right here in Manhattan. raygriffiths.com

Mont Blanc la donna Edition Ingrid Bergman pen $920. Mont Blanc Boutiques. There’s noth-ing more refined than a thank-you note handwritten with a fountain pen. That’s what makes this keepsake pen from Mont Blanc so covet-worthy. Designed as an homage to actress Ingrid Bergman, it writes like a dream.

leah and Bliss diamonds all over Tote, $600.

Who wouldn’t love a bag called “Diamonds All Over”? Leah and Bliss take your favorite

designer handbag shapes and encrust them in giant Swarovski crystals so they’re spar-

kly, glammed-up and very fun, too. leahandbliss.com

White + Warren’s Favorite Texting glove has gotten a diva makeover for the holidays. Cozy ribbed cashmere is

embellished with mixed metals and jewels to dress up your favorite winter coat.

whiteandwarren.com

a lange and Sohne little lange 1 Moon-

phase Watch. $52,300, Wempe Boutique.

There’s no shortage of glitzy, bold watches on the

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timepieces from Germany’s A Lange & Sohne, which are quietly, effortlessly elegant.

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To be honest, what I really want is to help animals in need this holi-day season. America can

help, too, this year by purchas-

ing Rachael Ray Nutrish for the

family dog. One hundred percent of my proceeds from each sale are do-nated to support Ra-chael’s Rescue (www.rachaelsrescue.org), which is dedicated to

helping at-risk animals through adoption, medical care and educational pro-grams, along with training and outreach initiatives.” Rachael Ray

get

ty im

ages

wish List

Some of our favorite new York celebrities share their Holiday wishes

I would want all of the 15,000 home-less children

living in New York City, whom we do not see, to find healthy, happy homes.” Kelly cutRone

—Julie earle-Levine

SIlvANO: Tickets for four at every Formula 1 Grand Prix 2011 (for Marisa, myself, leyla, my daughter, and her fiancé, Franklin—family time!) MARISA: World peace and a calorie-free pumpkin pie so I can have as many guilt-free pieces as I want.” Silvano MaRchetto and MaRiSa MaRchetto

For Christ-mas, I would like a vacation. Just a few days of adventure in an exotic locale.” cynthia Rowley

Andy and I love the idea of giv-ing to charity at the holidays, and we are always delighted when friends give on our behalf to an organization that we wholeheartedly support, the New York Center for Children. You can learn more about them and their good work at their Web site, www.newyorkcenterforchildren.org.” Kate and andy Spade

This year, my holiday wish is for people to support our Huff-Post Game Changer, Seth Reams, who while struggling to find work started WeveGotTimeTo-Help.org, which connects people with time on their hands (often be-cause they are out of work) with people in need of help. It’s the kind of gift that keeps on giving: People find that by reaching out to help others—even when they themselves are suffering—they end up making their own lives better.” aRianna huffington

playground winter 2010

If you’ve ever wondered what items Manhat-tan moms con-sider must-haves when they’re racing around town, read on as two hip moms reveal the contents of their purses.

—Lambeth HochwaldThe dieTiTian on The goKeri Glassman, MS, RD, CN, is a nationally recognized nutrition expert and author of two books, including The O2 Diet. She’s the Upper East Side mom of Rex, 7, and Maizy, 4.her bag: A large orange ostrich satchel (LAI is her designer of choice). “I love it because, well, it’s orange and I love all things orange! I also love it because it fits everything from baseball gloves to files to my laptop.”

The goods:An extra set of disposable contact lenses. “I need them when dust gets kicked in my face at the playground or when I get mascara in my eye at work.”CleanWell All-Natural Hand Sanitizer. “This is a must! I like that it’s chemical-free, for me but more so for the kids.”My BlackBerry. “It barely makes it into my bag, as it’s mostly in my hand at all times.”Miquelrius notebooks. “I am a digital girl all the way but always have a pen and paper on hand for my endless lists.”Dilmah green tea bags. “Two cups a day! And all you need is a deli to find hot water.”Pictures of my kids. “Need I say more? I’m working mom!” MAC Lip Conditioner with SPF 15 in Soothing Beige.Under eye concealer. “I think I have three on hand from Almay to Clé de Peau. I don’t discriminate when it comes to concealer. I’m not a huge makeup person, but I would frighten people with my dark circles if I didn’t use concealer constantly!”Mixed nuts. “I keep pecans, tamari almonds and pistachios on hand. I try to never miss a meal or snack— I always have a stash on hand.”BPA-free water bottle. “It’s always filled with water and lemons.”Toshiba Netbook. “When I travel, this is the laptop I use. I’m still not an Apple person—yet.”Random kid item of the day. “That might be Hello Kitty underwear, a baseball or stickers.”

It’s in Their Bags!

The fashionisTa momAlison Brettschneider, owner of the ultra-chic 25 Park, with shops locat-ed uptown, downtown, in the Hamptons and in Greenwich, is the Upper East Side mom of Ava, 4, and Zoe, 1.her bag: “Any bag big enough to fit all of my stuff!”

The goods:My BlackBerry. “And more importantly, a charger!”Cinnamon gumSnacks for my kids. “Lollipops are their favorites.”Bones for my dogs: “Three shihzus (Henry, Georgia and Sawyer) and a white golden named Willow.”A million pensMy credit cardMy iPadNars LipglossA pair of comfy shoes. “Always Lanvin ballet slippers.”

Merr y and Bright!

You r Litt le Reader s

Gifts to Make

To watch the book trailer and for more information, visit mackids.com

COOL ROBOTS by Sean Kenney

“For LEGO enthusiasts, future engineers, and reluctant readers, this is a colorful

and inspiring book.”—School Library Journal

MISS LINA’S BALLERINAS

by Grace Maccaroneillustrated by

Christine Davenier

“This buoyant picture book transports readers. A pleasure to read aloud and a beguiling choice for any young dancer.”—Booklist, starred review

Author of COOL CARS

AND TRUCKS!

Henry Holt Books for Young Readers

Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group

Let imaginations run wild with LEGO™ fun!

Plié, relevé, pirouette, and jeté!

feiwel and friends


Broadway

Cyl

la v

on

Tie

dem

an

n

biggest and brighteston broadwayFor a night they’ll never forget, take the family to Broadway

A trip to the theater may cost more than many trips to the movies, but smart moms know the experience is well

worth the price. Psychologists debate when too many hours of TV harms children, but no one questions the value of a visit to a live perfor-mance. Broadway can transport the whole fam-ily to a brand-new world—and it’s the perfect way to spend a winter’s evening.

If there is one show you and your family don’t want to miss out on this season, it’s Spi-der-Man: Turn Off the Dark. The most expen-sive musical ever produced is also one of the most-buzzed-about shows in recent memory. Broadway favorite Julie Taymor (Tony Winner for her direction of The Lion King) joins forces with rock superstars Bono and the Edge for a show that is sure to be awe-inspiring. Draw-ing on 40 years of comic-book material for

inspiration, this Broadway pro-duction will most definitely rival the latest superhero blockbuster at your nearest megaplex. After a visit to the set, Spider-Man creator Stan Lee said, “I expected to be impressed, but I never expected to be as impressed as I was.” Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben has told us “with great power comes great responsibility.” Heed his advice, and do all in you power to fulfill your respon-sibility as a mom to get your family to see this show!

Looking to hum along to classic yuletide tunes? Then the Osmonds’ limited-run show Donny & Marie—A Broadway Christmas is what you’re looking for. In the tradition of The Os-

mond Family Christmas holiday TV specials, this show promises “trade-mark show-stopping Christmas production numbers” the whole family will go wild for.

For a delightful dose of Christ-mas cheer, see Elf, based on the 2003 hit Will Ferrell movie of the same name. The musical takes you on a heartwarming journey of hilarity as Buddy the elf journeys from the North Pole to New York City in search of his biological fam-ily. This newfangled Christmas tale is sure to have you and your little

ones laughing and smiling and is the definition of fun for all ages. Another adaptation that promises an evening of whimsical entertain-ment is The Pee-Wee Herman Show, inspired by the Emmy Award–winning TV hit of the same name. When reviewing the California production, Chris McNulty of the L.A. Times said the show “marked the restart of a beauti-ful old friendship.”

elf.

pee-wee herman.

donny and Marie.

rain: a tribute to the beatles.

27playground winter 2010

For those of you who want to expand your chil-dren’s musical horizons beyond the singing of the dreidel song, or the appreciation of reindeer with red noses, Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles is certain to create a new generation of young Beatles fans. This spectacular multimedia concert tribute promises to inspire the emotions of those screaming teens who welcomed the boys and their bowl-cut haircuts almost 50 years ago. If Swedish pop is more your scene, Abba devotees gather nightly at Mamma Mia, where everyone becomes a dancing queen.

There are also some shows that are worth getting a sitter for. The emotionally engaging Lombardi is based on David Maraniss’ Pulitzer Prize–winning book When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi. The show offers a peek into the life of the man behind the legend. Looking for a perfect night out with friends? Catch Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, which fol-lows the lives of a group of women dealing with the highs and the lows of life. This show stars the grande dame of Broadway herself, Patti Lupone.

We hope to see you at the theater this season! — Anna Lund

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All moms deserve a little pampering before the holidays! We reached out to the best for you.

$700 for an 8-hour full day of luxurious pam-pering, plus a 20 percent discount for all Observer Playground readers and NO TIPPING allowed. devachansalon.com

90-minute Deva De-Vine Facial90-minute Bee-u-tiful Signature Massage90-minute Body Treatment75-minute deluxe pedicure45-minute deluxe manicure60-minute make-up application30-minute organic lunch

HolidayGift Guide

for momb y J u l i e e a r l e- l e v i n e

lili Marlene ($ 2,995, Christian Louboutin)A brand-new pair of shoes makes Mom happy. These Christian Louboutin “Lili Marlene” gold suede and mesh shoes dazzle with Swarovski crystal details. christianlouboutin.com or, in store, Christian Louboutin Madison (212-396-1884)

Special for Divamom

Flower power Chanel Sunglasses ($370, ILORI Luxury Sunglass boutique in Soho) Moms need pretty shades—to look great, and to hide up-all-night eyes. These new all-metal Chanels with flowers are worthy of a bouquet, in pinkish beige, deep burgundy, black lacquer, milky white, tortoiseshell or chocolate enamel. Lenses are color-graduated or fun-mirror.

Mink Muff ($650, W Hotels The Store)This slinky mink muff by Saga Furs for W Hotels’ Global Glam will keep Mom warm, and she doesn’t need to go to Russia to get it.

gold bangle cuff, Satya Jewelry ($798) Moms Patricia Arquette, Susan Sarandon and

Uma Thurman love these jewels, as does Julia Roberts, who wore Satya earrings in Eat, Pray, Love.

This hand-crafted bangle cuff with hand-etched designs features 16 bangles, and is the perfect stack,

all-in-one bracelet. In 24-karat gold vermeil over pure sterling silver.

satyajewelry.com

Spicy Cinnamon Candle ($18, Diptyque)

Why bake it when you can fake it? The smell of brown

cinnamon and sweet gin-gerbread from the kitchen during the holidays is easy

with L’Occitane’s Spicy Cinnamon Candle.diptyqueparis.com


The opulent rejuvenesence Facial ($600, Mandarin Oriental New York) Who doesn’t want luminous, youthful skin? This new facial at MO’s spa promises intensive “anti-aging” that is collagen building and uses products developed with Brazil’s most famous cosmetic surgeon, Ivo Pitanguy.mandarinoriental.com

nicole Schumann Bracelets These beautiful designs are available at BLUE TREE located at 1283 Madison Av-enue. It’s Phoebe Cates’ store! The multi-bead silver initial bracelet is $195. nicoleschumanndesigns.com

Enroll in any winter class and get a free playdate pack (an in-store book project for you and a friend)!

Offer expires Jan. 15, 2011

®

New York’s only “make-your-own-book” store

Classes now enrolling!

1624 First Ave (off 84th St.) 212.288.2928 [email protected] W. 84th St. (off Broadway) 212.362.2555 scribblepress.com

ages 2-14art and literacycreative writing comic book writinggrammar and vocab

Students will finish the semester with books they’ve made themselves!

The Colors of My World ABC’s Great Books Famous Artists Voluminous Vocabulary

Comic Conundrums Story Writing with Twists ... and many more!


Holiday

olive Juice, noel Cardigan ($49.50) New York moms Sarah Jessica Parker and Gwyneth Paltrow are huge fans of this gorgeous line. S.J.P.’s girls are wearing the lamb’s wool–and–angora blend Noel Cardigan in rose smoke and pearl/silver stripe. This soft, dressy sweater is great over a dress or top. For tots 18 months to 16 years.olivejuicekids.com

Gift Guideb y J u l i e e a r l e- l e v i n e

Bambeeno Cashmere Mock Zip Sweater ($145)New York actress Bridget Moynahan loves Bambeeno Cashmere for her son, John. She bought the sweater, which has elbow patches, in navy and taupe.bambeenocashmere.com for kids

gMT Master rolex ($22,500) The ultimate gift and reward for a man of ambition, is a limited edi-tion Black Rolex. The GMT model in black and gold was specially de-signed for pilots, and has caught the attention of watch collectors and families from the Middle East. Each vintage watch undergoes an intense heat process to coat them with a layer of metal compounds, giving them a matte black finish. There are 50 of each model.daydreamerprojects.com

Black Stealth 3-Channel Helicopter ($40) Your geek hubby will love this small heli-copter, which will fly exactly where Dad wants it to go. It has 3 channels, so it can go up and down, rotate right and left and move forward and backward, unlike most small 2-channel copters on the market. thinkgeek.com

Divalysscious Hot Shots

Observer Playground, Madison Avenue BID and Di-valysscious Moms hosted Madison Avenue Moms to benefit the Whitney Museum Family Programs.

An evening of adventure throughout the American Museum of Natural History at the

Seventeenth Annual Family Party.

Photography by D. Finnin and R. Mickens

for dad


Sixth Annual Spooktacular at Dylan’s Candy Bar.

The Hassenfeld Annual Benefit “Adults in Toyland“ Casino Night at the Edison Ballroom.

by Heidi Green Photography

Photography by Jay Brady

www.kiddingaround.us

kidding around

just kidding around

kidding around BEST TOY STORE IN NYC

Unique Toys and Gifts

We specialize in the highestquality piano restoration andsales of fine pianos.

We offer for your purchaseconsideration, a lovely selectionof meticulously restored pianosand invite you to visit our showroom.

By appointment Only490 Nepperhan Ave. 4th floor Yonkers, NY 10701Tel: 914 376-2000 Fax: 914 376-2002www.cantabilepianoarts.com


Gift GuideHolidayToys

For the littlest performer, we recommend The Kid-Tough Music player (4

and up, $49.99, pink or blue) from Fisher Price. This

friendly-looking cartoon-like toy can take a beating. Features built-in speakers,

sing-along microphone, 1” x 2” LCD screen listing songs.

Stores 4 hours of music. ToysRUs

Are you raising the next Kathryn Bigelow or Steven

Spielberg? The Kid-Tough Video Camera (5 and up, $59.99, pink

or blue) will provide her/him with early inspiration.

As durable as the music player, with equally simple

controls and large buttons. Easy to get pictures from

camera to a computer. Requires 4 AA batteries;

not included. You may find it on your husband’s night

table. ToysRUs

The Brush robot (8 and up, $14.98) introduce robotics by putting together animated characters with common household products. Everything’s included but the can or brush and 2 AA batteries. The google-eyed can creature shimmies, shakes, walks and wobbles. hearthsong.com

for the Performer

for the Scientist

For your own aspiring Justin Bieber, Selena

Gomez or Miley Cyrus, the hottest rock ’n’roll

“toys” come from paper Jamz. These great-look-ing guitars ($24.99) are

plastic-backed images with Active Graphics

technology—make music by touching the surface!

paperjamz.com Target, ToysRUs

Taking a warm winter vacation? The lightweight, soft-plastic, pink and lavender Mermaid Fin ($34) is as close as she’ll get to emulating Ariel. Slips on with an

easy-release, adjustable foot strap, fits shoe sizes 1-7. If you have a water baby, this is a sure thing. It’s clever, pretty, not something all her friends will own and really gets momentum in the water. (There are blue shark fins for boys.) chasingfireflies.com

rosey Cheeks Baby dolls (3 and up, $25) are the cutest, cuddliest baby dolls around. 15” of really soft velour; embroidered face, removable cotton jersey top and fleece diaper with velcro closure. Even has an ID bracelet for per-sonalization and an outie belly button! Blonde, brunette, redhead, dark-skinned & boys … as well as accessories. nabear.com

Has dancing come into her/his life yet? Are there

school functions from which they shy? Do they

watch Disney stars in awe? Kidz Bop (5-12) offers

age-appropriate CDs from $11.98 to $13.98.

This is not kiddie music—it’s pop/rock with lyrics

to which kids can relate, performed by kids. kids-

bopshop.com, Target

b y a l i x c o h e n


Magic Ice Cube Wands ($10) Stuff a stocking, wait until it’s time for juice or save it for her next party. This 5” x 8” tray makes 2 wands and 8 star-shaped ice cubes at a time. Makes any drink magical. chasingfireflies.com

pink princess pedal Car (12 to 36 months, $219, 19” x 18” x 34”) is easy to assemble—don’t worry, just wheels & wind-shield. Heavy gauge steel; functional steering wheel, adjustable petals. Zelda Fitzgerald would die of envy. chasingfireflies.com

Stocking Stuufer

Ball Track roll ’n’ roll by quality toy maker Haba (1 and up, $100). As the balls wind their way down, nonstop, they shake hands with the “goblins,” making bells ring and clattering over a “chatter track.” Watch them play, laugh and start again. maukilo.com

for the Little Ones

Need a Helping Hand?

Penelope’s People is a boutique caregiver placement agency, specializing in child & senior care.

We place only qualifi ed nannies. We have caregivers available to work FT/PT and Live in/Out.

212.444.1313 or [email protected] East 54th Street, Suite 306 - New York, NY 10022

www.penelopespeople.com


lights! Camera!aCtion!Choosing your child’s extracurriculars

In a city that offers every extracurricular activity under the sun, including classes in stop-motion animation, DJ’ing, fencing

and comedy, a few still stand out. This select group of programs affords parents of partici-pating kids the ultimate bragging rights. After all, their children are getting a special entree into the world of New York City’s premier arts institutions.

We look at Lincoln Center’s trio of talent incubators:

The School of American BalletThe great George Balanchine founded the School of American Ballet in 1934, along with Lincoln Kirsten. It is one of the crown jewels of dance programs. “SAB,” as it is referred to by those in the dance world, is “the official train-ing academy of New York City Ballet.”

Just as with the Metropolitan Opera Chil-dren’s Chorus and Juilliard’s Pre-College Divi-sion, competition is fierce. Last year, 583 kids auditioned for the beginners’ level; 139 were accepted. That’s 24 percent.

Even balletomanes may be surprised to learn that the auditions for the beginners, ages 6 to 10, don’t involve much dancing. “There’s no class or barre or anything like that,” says Kay Mazzo, co-chairman of faculty at SAB. (The legendary Pe-ter Martins serves as SAB’s chairman of faculty as well as artistic director.) Mazzo says she and SAB teachers are looking for three things at the

beginners’ auditions: flexibility in the foot and legs, rotation in the hips and musicality. “We put them into little first positions,” says Mazzo, to see if they can turn out their hips, knees and feet. “We lift their leg gently to see if the leg is flexible … and we have each child skip across the floor to music” or do a favorite ballet step.

It’s no secret that the dance world, and bal-let in particular, has long been associated with eating disorders. So is body type a consider-ation at the beginners’ auditions? “Well, we’d prefer to have longer legs and a shorter torso. But sometimes when they’re 6 years old, it’s kind of hard to see what’s going to come. So that’s sort of what we’re looking at, but it’s not all about that,” explains Mazzo.

Undoubtedly, part of the allure of SAB is the chance to perform in New York City Ballet’s annual Nutcracker. But Mazzo says any NYCB ballet that uses kids—Sleeping Beauty, A Mid-summer Night’s Dream, Coppélia—will pluck them from the SAB ranks. The Nutcracker uses more than 100 kids, who are usually between the ages of 8 and 13. There’s a separate selec-tion process for The Nutcracker. Mazzo says, “We always tell our students and their parents that if they’re not in The Nutcracker, it doesn’t mean that they’re not doing well at the school. We tell them it’s not about ability. It’s about fitting the costumes.”Famous alums: Darci Kistler, Chita Rivera, Arthur Mitchell, Suzanne Farrell and Maria TallchiefCost of classes: $2,475. Free for boysAuditions: Held in the spring for beginnersPerformance compensation: YesAges: 6-18

The Metropolitan Opera Children’s ChorusEleven-year-old Alexandra Steinberg has sung operas in Italian, French, German, Russian, Latin and English. She’s performed at the Met-ropolitan Opera House in Damnation of Faust, La Bohème and Queen of Spades, among others. In her spare time, she listens to songs from the musicals Mamma Mia and Les Misérables, a little Lady Gaga (“I just think she’s so different, so creative,” says Steinberg) … and a lot of opera. Steinberg auditioned and was accepted into the Metropolitan Opera Children’s Chorus at the end of her second-grade year. She says, “I’ve liked singing since I was very little. And my par-ents, my mom especially, love opera, so my mom had the idea for me to try out.”

The Children’s Chorus has more than 100 members. Students are divided into levels—beginner, intermediate and advanced—and take classes twice a week. Anthony Piccolo is the Children’s Chorus director. He says he’s not looking for stage experience from the younger children, ages 7 to 10, who audition. “I’m just looking for what I call raw, natural voice talent,” notes Piccolo. He clarifies: “Raw vocal talent is a strong voice that sings in tune with clear words.”

He’s also seeking kids with an outgoing char-acter and something else—kids who get along with their parents! “It is really important to have the parents [at the audition] because I do look at the way children relate to their parents,” says Piccolo. He recalls the auditions last May: “There was a certain amount of bickering be-tween parent and child. In a couple of cases, it was really out of control, and I thought, ‘This is just not going to work.’”

At the auditions, held twice a year, kids sing “Happy Birthday” and are given a simple ear test. Last year, 100 children auditioned, and 16 were accepted. But Piccolo says there’s no set number of chorus spots. Children’s Chorus members can try out to perform in children’s roles with The Metropolitan Opera once they reach the ad-vanced level.

Of performing on one of the most famous stages in the world, Steinberg says, “It’s actually pretty natural. You don’t see the audience. You have to focus on the conductor and what you’re doing. That’s basically it.” Stage fright has clearly never been a problem for this incredibly poised 11-year-old. Famous Alums: Sarah Jessica Parker and Emmy RossumCost of classes: Free

Performing Arts

get

ty im

ages

Waiting to audition for the

school of american Ballet.


Performance compensation: YesAuditions: Held in J anuary and MayAges: 7-14. Auditions are for kids ages 7-10

Juilliard Pre-College DivisionYo-Yo Ma, Midori and It-zhak Perlman are all alums of the Pre-College Division of the Juilliard School, one of the most prestigious music conservatories in the world. The Pre-College Division is for students ages 7 to 18. A whopping 20 percent of them go on to attend Juilliard at the college level.

Four hundred kids audition for about 100 spots. The toughest competition is for those playing piano and violin, flute and cello. Sing-ing is also a competitive major.

“We would like to have more brass players. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough brass

players auditioning,” says Katya Lawson, ad-ministrative director for Academic Affairs of Juilliard’s Pre-College Division. Lawson con-tinues, “The nature of piano and violin is that students start playing those instruments earli-er. It’s much more parent-driven.” That being said, just because you’re a brass player doesn’t mean you’re a shoo-in. “If only one trombonist comes to audition and he’s not very good, then we’re not going to take him,” notes Lawson.

Perspective students audition one at a time for faculty of their chosen major. Unlike the beginners’ lev-els at SAB and the Met’s Children’s Chorus, kids must have training in order to participate. Lawson says faculty members are looking for a combination of talent and training. Each instrument has a specific list of required pieces for the audition.

There are about 60 students in the second-to-eighth-grade range. Pre-College Division students attend classes on 30 Saturdays between September

and May.Famous Alums: Yo-Yo Ma, Midori, Itzhak PerlmanCost: $8,800 for base tuitionAuditions: Held in May, with early auditions for selected piano and violin applicantsPerformance compensation: NoAges: 7-18

— Leigh GoldmanLeigh Goldman is a former editor of UrbanBaby.com.

Ma

rty

So

hl/

Met

ro

po

lita

n o

per

a

Hansel & gretel at the MET.

X506 Amsterdam Avenue

(b/t 84th and 85th)1597 York Avenue(b/t 84th and 85th)

212-828-MATH (6284)


Fitness

VIBraTE your Way InTo SHapEAmplitude Vibration—the latest in getting fit

Nestled within the Upper East Side is an exercise studio that is sure to get your muscles fluttering—literally. Up

one flight of stairs, past a mini–bonsai tree and two bare feet later (this workout only requires socks), and you’ve arrived at Amplitude Vibra-tion Studio.

This adrenaline hub is ideal for women who have only 20 minutes in their day to surrender to the fitness gods. In that short (but ridiculous-ly effective) time, you’ll get a full-body tune-up as if you had been doing leg presses and bicep curls at the gym. The only difference is, with vibration training, you get to skip the harsh impact on your joints and post-gym lactic acid buildup. Goodbye sore muscles, hello increased circulation.

Amplitude, which is the baby of co-owners David Newman and Gabriel Ettenson, was born out of the philosophy of wanting to connect people to their bodies. Gabriel, who has prac-ticed physical therapy in the area for 13 years now, says that the health benefits of vibration exercise are all rooted in profound neurological research. It not only tones your muscles but improves the quality and power of them, stimu-lates weight loss (hello, pre-pregnancy skinny jeans!) and boosts bone density. The genius is in the physics of the plates, which contract your muscles for you. In just two minutes, your muscles will involuntarily move more than 1,000 times—now that’s some science for an

early-morning workout!The environment of the Amplitude studio

(which overlooks East 78th street) is ultra-per-sonable and quaint, cozily capturing the charm of Upper Manhattan’s tree-lined streets and go-getting inhabitants. It’s hard to believe that you would ever get lost amid the machines like you would in a larger gym atmosphere.

At Amplitude, though everyone does the same 20-minute routine (eight positions in all, including a warmup)—the nature of the vibrat-ing plates allow for a change in amplitude, frequency and time, depending on the person who’s using them. Whether it is your first ses-sion or one of your weekly have-to’s, the staff at Amplitude will work with you to challenge your level of personal fitness, strength and flexibility. We found that just by moving our feet a little bit farther apart during a deep squat (the last posi-tion), we increased not only the difficulty of the exercise but also the intensity of the vibration.

If you start attending sessions regularly, the progress you make will astound you—so be ready and willing to continually challenge (and amaze) yourself. In Playground’s first visit, our hamstring stretch improved by over 3 inches, and that, ladies, is coming from the queen of inflexibility.

But vibration training isn’t new to every-one—celebrities like Courtney Cox, Madonna and Lance Armstrong are already huge fans of this no-impact method. At only 20 minutes a day, this workout, unsurprisingly, has hooked fitness mavens in New Zealand, Europe, and Australia.

But don’t think about shoving those Asics too far inside your walk-in closet just yet. While Amplitude is ideal for toning, strengthening and

all-things flexibility, it is just another variable in the exercise equation. The recommended frequency for vibration training is three times a week, simply because your muscles need time to recover or else you’ll plateau. It doesn’t replace other forms of exercise, like cardio, but rather is the oh-so-efficient supplement that your body never knew it needed (and now adores!).

Have a bit more time to yourself than 20 minutes? Luckily, Amplitude is not a one-trick pony! They also offer Ki-Hara resistance stretching, which is known for improving posture and neural activity, as well as stress-reducing meditation courses. Injury-prone or recovering runners will be over the moon for the Alter G anti-gravity treadmill, which can be rented by the half-hour ($30) or hour ($55). Though we don’t suggest the NASA-inspired shorts as a couture fashion statement anytime soon, running or walking at a fraction of your body weight is well worth improving your full range of motion, at no risk to your joints.

In the future, Amplitude plans to incor-porate TRX suspension training, an insanely portable technique (it can be tied to a tree!) de-veloped by U.S. Navy Seals, with their vibration techniques. This will allow for a simultaneous upper- and lower-body workout for the more advanced athletes that visit the studio.

So whether you stop by to shake, stretch, ohm, float or pull—Amplitude always has the best version of you in mind.

—Kat Harrison

Amplitude Vibration Studio is open Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed Sundays. Call 917-847-7008 or go online at amplitudevibration.com to schedule a free demo session.


Holiday cheer is monumentally contagious around this time of year. So here are eight cold-weather ways to share the love (or treat yourself instead)! —Kat Harrison

Art/Body/Soul Wrapped in Jeff Koon’s iconic TULIPS artwork, the limited edition of Kiehl’s Crème de Corps Body Moisturizer instantly livens up any countertop with a burst of color. This lotion defies dry skin and will leave rough elbows feeling super-smooth for hours on end. Better yet, proceeds from this union will benefit the Koons Family Partnership—an organization dedicated to the advocacy of exploited and miss-ing children. 16.9 oz bottle with pump, $45; available in Kiehl’s stores

Sugar and Spice Take a break from your way-too-tempting holiday cookies and let Diptyque’s Orange Spice Candle be the ultimate home indulgence. Though it is fragrant enough to behave like potpourri, burn-ing this ruby-red beauty is the only way to fully release its sour orange, star anise, clove and Indian ginger prowess. The golden-etched jar speaks for itself—equally festive and fabulous. $68; diptyqueparis.com

Literary Beauty Disguised as a hardcover, Molton Brown’s Now We Are Six Travel Set is a definite page-turner this holiday season. Inspired by the 1927 col-lection of children’s verses by A.A. Milne, this family-friendly set includes six miniature bottles of bath & shower gel plus a lotion in all the classic scents: coco de mer, gin-gerlily and calming eucalyptus. $48; moltonbrown.com

Gorgeous A La Mode All the yum and none of the guilt! Lathering up with philosophy’s Hot Buttered Rum will have everyone buzzing (and smelling you, too!). We adore this brown sugar-caramel-vanilla delight for its sweet suds and three-in-one powers as a shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath. $16; sephora.com

On Cloud Nine Despite how much you adore that cashmere circle scarf, the frigid weather will take a beating to your skin if you let it. This winter, live off of sKyn icelanD’s Pure Cloud Cleanser—a non-foaming face-saver

that hydrates (thanks to its cocoa and shea butter com-plex) and removes makeup all in one magical swoop. Bonus: It comes with a cute, cloud-inspired muslin cloth that when used with the cleanser gives your face that just-had-a-facial feeling without the hefty price tag.

$28; sephora.com

Splish Splash Update your smoky-eye look with chanel’s Fluid Iridescent Eyeshadow in Splash—an effortlessly sexy mod-ernization of your usual black liner. This shadow’s lightweight formula, with an easy-breezy applicator, doesn’t cake even after hours of wear (and holiday party hoopla). $32; chanel.com

Twinkle, Twinkle Living in a Gaga world, glitter has come back with a vengeance. Luckily you can shimmer, shine and glim-mer away with lorac’s Sparkle Pencil in Midnight—a black eye shadow/liner pencil that jazzes up your holiday look with just the right amount of sass. $18; sephora.com

Sheer Divinity Still in search of that perfect signature scent? chantecaille’s Vetyver Eau de Parfum is bold, put-together and looking to move you into the New Year with confidence. A bright blend of nutmeg, citron and pepper, and topped off with hints of sandalwood and musk, it has day-to-night wearability that is androgynous yet boasts elegance, thanks to its divine bottle. $175; BergdorfGoodman.com

Put a (Sparkly) Bow On It


Hot to tot

Mom’s drinkable Winter WarmerIn: Angelina Parisian instant chocolat chaud from Bergdorf Goodmanout: Swiss Miss from the supermarket

Healthly Cold Weather IndulgenceIn: Kiehl’s Crème de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butterout: Organic egg nog topped with soy whipped cream

Seasonal peanuts momentIn: Lacoste Snoopy-embellished polo shirtsout: A Charlie Brown Christmas reruns

natural Cold repellentIn: Intelligent Nutrients organic hand purifierout: Takeout chicken soup

Seasonal timesaverIn: Buying the kids’ party clothes online at 77 Kidsout: Buying the kids’ milk and cookies at 7-11

Festive lightsIn: Byredo Ambre Japonais scented candleout: Cheap Crayola-colored Hanukkah candles

recurring december nightmare:In: Forgetting batteries, just as the kids are opening gifts on Xmas morningout: Undertipping the super, just as some-thing needs fixing on Xmas morning

Inevitable Holiday party CustomIn: A kiss under the mistletoeout: Kids on a sugar rush after too many Hershey’s kisses

Christmasy Brooklyn outingIn: ABT Nutcracker at BAMout: Waiting in the cold for a table at Grimaldi’s

Seasonal giftIn: Pears from the Harry and David pop-up store on Lower Fifthout: A partridge in a pear tree

b y r ac H e l f e l d e r

it’s that time of year again: the holidays, when everyone’s schedules are filled with parties, presents and plenty of fes-tive cheer. what’s coolest—and what deserves a “bah Humbug”—this season? Here’s our definitive december list.

Hansel and gretel In: Life Size Gingerbread House (made by Dylan’s Candy Bar) and featured

in the Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalog

out: Premade ginger bread houses in paper boxes

Sesame Street turns 41

In: Sesame Street by Knitwits hats and mittens

out: Sesame Street stuffed animals

Wee ones Hair Care for the HolidaysIn: Curlisto Kids

out: Fighting the Curls

Fitness Item “Borrowed” From

the KidsIn: Apple Nano, used as a

pedometerout: Wii, used with its

yoga program


Show-off-the-Kids photo Item:

In: Custom-designed iPhone cases from

Case-Mate out: Expensive printed

holiday cards

Be Charmed this Holiday Season

In: Creation Seven Charm Bracelets from Chavi Diamond

out: Your mom’s charm bracelet

Children’s Clothier du JourIn: Gucci Kidsout: Gap Kids

End of year ritualIn: Waking up early on Dec 26th to hit post-Xmas salesout: Staying out late Dec 31st at New Year’s Eve parties

Culinary treat for HanukkahIn: “Global Jewish” dinner at Octavia’s Porchout: A big bag of chocolate gelt

Skin Saver for Expectant Moms:In: Belli Products

out: Cocoa butter

An Italian language program which improves fl uency through songs, stories, games and arts & crafts. Classes require parent or caregiver.

Girotondo (circle of fun) Ages 2-5

Piccoli Cuochi Ages 5-11

Giardino dei Bambini Ages 2-5

Create, Act, Draw... Ages 3-5 & 7-12

Italian Cooking and Recipes for children & grown-ups.

Giardino dei Bambini is a morning drop-off playgroup at CI for kids ages 2-5. Children may join in on the fun every Tuesday and Thursday from 9-12 on an as needed basis. Experienced instructors provide multiple opportunities for kids to learn Italian through play, while learning important socialization skills. The pro-gram offers language learning through games, activities, songs, dance theater, and hands-on creativity (art projects and cooking).Space is limited. 24-hour advance reservation is required.

Italian Theater Workshop

NEW

Group and private classes for adults and children

Summer Camp 2: August 15-September 3

F

Summer Camp 2: August 15-September 3Summer Camp 2: August 15-September 3

Winter session starts

January 29.

An Italian language program which improves fl uency through songs, stories, games and arts & crafts. Classes require parent or caregiver.

Girotondo (circle of fun) Ages 2-5

Piccoli Cuochi Ages 5-11

Giardino dei Bambini Ages 2-5

Create, Act, Draw... Ages 3-5 & 7-12

Italian Cooking and Recipes for children & grown-ups.

Giardino dei Bambini is a morning drop-off playgroup at CI for kids ages 2-5. Children may join in on the fun every Tuesday and Thursday from 9-12 on an as needed basis. Experienced instructors provide multiple opportunities for kids to learn Italian through play, while learning important socialization skills. The pro-gram offers language learning through games, activities, songs, dance theater, and hands-on creativity (art projects and cooking).Space is limited. 24-hour advance reservation is required.

Italian Theater Workshop

NEW

Group and private classes for adults and children

Summer Camp 2: August 15-September 3

F

Summer Camp 2: August 15-September 3Summer Camp 2: August 15-September 3

Inquire about our Summer mini-camps


Philanthropy

Give back this holiday season

(and all year round!) by coor-

dinating a product drive for

families in need. Get creative by

organizing it thematically, like a

drive for winter coats or infant

toys. Round out the project by

choosing which of K.I.D.S.’ New

York–based partner agencies

you want to receive the items.

Here are some helpful hints

to get the project under way.

■ WHo To gET InVolVEd:

The equation is simple. The

more people you ask, the more

items you collect, and the more

joy you spread!

Best friends

Co-workers

The neighborhood

Extended family

■ WHaT To CollECT: Per K.I.D.S.

standards, all collected prod-

ucts from your drive should be

new.

Socks

Underwear

Shoes

Children’s clothing

Baby essentials (wipes/ diaper cream/shampoo)

Children’s/parenting Books

Winter coats and accessories

School supplies

Maternity clothing

Home goods (no food)

Toys (try collecting a specific

age range, like 2 to 4 years)

■ parTnEr agEnCIES: Here

are just a few of the commu-

nity-based organizations that

K.I.D.S. partners with. Think

about researching the work

they do to educate and moti-

vate your team throughout the

drive.

Boys and Girls Club

Bowery Mission

Project Sunshine

Ronald McDonald House

Safe Horizon

Women in Need, Inc.

Contact Linnea Michael (lmi-

[email protected]) to

set up the drive or visit kids-

donations.org to find out more

ways to get involved.

How You Can Help

K.I.d.S. SaySCHEErS To 25 yEarSA charity the whole familycan get behind

What began as a donation during the Ethiopian famine of 1985 has blossomed into a global giving

tree. On the cusp of its 25th anniversary, the not-for-profit organization Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) can still stare need straight in the face and endure its gaze—one billion products and 65 million children later.

From their New York office, the around-the-clock staff (of six people, nonetheless) work tirelessly to coordinate input and distri-bution for donations, 85 percent of which are distributed nationally and 15 percent overseas. Be it disaster relief, homelessness prevention or aid to military families, K.I.D.S. prides itself on solely providing new products to children and families in need. President Janice Wein-man, who has been with the organization since 2003, explains that new items give people in distressed environments a sense of self-esteem and worth. And having visited sites all over the world, she’s witnessed enough wide-eyed “oohs and ahhs” to prove it!

To understand the sensational success of this not-for-profit’s model—in which they ranked 213 in this year’s Chronicle of Philan-thropy’s Top 400 not-for-profits (a 44.3 per-cent jump from their 2009 position)—drink in their most recent numbers. In the year 2009 alone, K.I.D.S. donated $90 million in products to 4.5 million children around the world. And

by the end of 2010, K.I.D.S. hopes to reach their goal of $100 million in donated clothing, books, toys, educational materials, strollers, shoes, cribs and baby essentials (just to name a few of the items they distribute!).

So where does it all go? Over the years, the organization has fostered personal relation-ships with close to 1,000 partner agencies across the country. K.I.D.S. is able to deliver to the agencies free of charge; these agencies make requests to them on a monthly basis ac-cording on their needs—which constantly fluc-

tuate. K.I.D.S. is partnered with organizations in every state, with California receiving the highest percentage of K.I.D.S.’ national dona-tions, and New York receiving the next highest. Unfortunately, the needs of the families are not always met due to a lack of inventory, as in the beginning of 2009, when K.I.D.S. saw a stag-gering dip in children’s apparel since so much of their supply was depleted in relief efforts to Haiti in 2008, to which they donated $16 mil-lion in total product.

But thanks to K.I.D.S.’ advisory board—a stellar team of 37 leaders from the worlds of retail, development, toys, apparel, finance, marketing and law—they are wholly invested in problems such as the Haiti relief situation. Re-quired to do at least one site visit each, children remain a constant reminder, motivator and ever-present epicenter for the entire organiza-tion. “There isn’t a day that I don’t love coming to work—it’s a community of caring,” gushes Weinman. And it shows.

One of the most distinguishable features of the K.I.D.S. model is their 10-1 guaranteed match of every monetary donation. For every $1 donated, they promise to match it with 10 times the product, such as brand-new cribs or car seats. Not only is this a charitable incentive for the product donors and a blessing to the


client families, it also allows the social workers to do what matters most—provide services and care for the children at their agencies, as opposed to researching and finding up-to-par products themselves.

Also worth noting is that K.I.D.S. encourages all of their donating product manufacturers to deliver direct-ly on-site to the families, a practice that exemplifies the purity and power of human connection. Much more immediate than a thank-you letter, the kids are able to squeeze the donors in person, and companies are able to put a face alongside their donations.

Though individuals cannot donate new product directly to K.I.D.S. (they don’t have a warehouse to house them), think about coordinating a drive in your neighborhood or office and choosing a partner agency to receive it. You can also donate your spare time. Extra hands are always needed to distribute the new items to the families that K.I.D.S. serves (sign up for this project if you love skimming the pages of pop-up books and reading them aloud) or to prep the products for dona-tion by removing the tags or sorting the items.

Cheers, K.I.D.S., to 25 awe-inspiring years. Here’s to 25 more.

—Kat Harrison

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Real Estate

Living it upDowntownA-plus schools, transportationand luxe accommodations

Think about downtown. It is fantastic. It has breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. It has

400 years of history reflected in its cobblestone streets and old-fashioned storefronts. It has a wealth of transportation options. And it has world-class restaurants and incredible shopping. So with all of these pluses, is it any wonder that so many people are moving downtown?

Indeed, in the past decade, the residential population of Lower Manhattan has more than doubled. Here is what all of these new residents know: Downtown is safe, convenient, clean and forward-looking. And this population surge means that every day downtown has even more amenities, like updated grocery stores, new schools and plenty of service providers. Not to mention a cosmopolitan vitality that is hard to beat. Downtown has become a model 21st-cen-tury neighborhood, the kind of place where you can ride your bike along the harbor during the day and get a great meal late at night.

But don’t think that it is too late for you to move downtown because all the prime spots are already taken. In fact, there are a number of luxury condominiums cropping up in great locations, ready for you and your family to move in and become downtown denizens. If you are

looking to live in one of the most extraordinary and charismatic neighborhoods, not just in New York City but in the world, these buildings are the place for you.

For example, 99 John Deco Lofts at 99 John Street has 442 unique condominiums located right in the Financial District with upscale din-ing, only–in–New York shopping and the South Street Seaport nearby. The 27-story building pro-vides incredible views of the East and Hudson rivers. The building offers residents a landscaped roof deck, a fitness center and a lounge with bil-liards, flat-screen televisions and iPod docking stations. There are also all the amenities of a lux-ury hotel: a 24-hour concierge service, an on-site parking garage, a valet and laundry service. The homes themselves have soaring, 11-to-14-foot-high ceilings; gourmet kitchens; marble counter-

tops; and cloud-white ceramic tile walls. Many units also have private terraces, home offices and luxurious walk-in closets. These condos range from studios to two-bedroom homes and three- to four-bedroom penthouses priced from approximately $475,000 to $2.9 million.

Similarly, 75 Wall Street is at the epicenter of the Financial District, with a prime location at the corner of Wall and Water streets, surround-ed by lovely boutiques, fine dining and gorgeous parks. The homes at 75 Wall offer dramatic 360-degree views of downtown Manhattan. The building is unique as one of the only free-stand-ing structures in the area, and it uses luxurious, organic materials and textures and offers its residents hotel services, cleverly designed ame-nities, high-end retail, on-site parking and an outdoor plaza. A spokesperson for 75 Wall Street touts the appeal of downtown: “Downtown has become a 24-hour neighborhood. In the lobby of 75 Wall, we see dogs and baby carriages and run-ners making their way to the Promenade.”

Rita Chan is a resident at 99 John Deco Lofts. She lives with her husband and two young chil-dren, a son, 5, and a daughter, 3. She was attract-ed to the sparkle of downtown. “We started on the Upper East Side and then relocated to Asia and then came back in 2007 and immediately went for downtown.” She explains, “We lived in Battery Park City for a year or so and then we moved to 99 John.”

Chan loves what downtown offers for fami-lies with small children. “It’s a very dynamic area. It has a lot to offer. We’re a family of four. I have two young children, so a good school sys-tem was very important. And this area has great schools. Two new schools were just built. The

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She credits downtown with having a surprisingly close-knit community. “The thing about downtown that is unique is that it’s a huge draw for families. People wouldn’t think that about the Financial Dis-trict, but it’s really great for families. There’s a net-work of parents. It’s a real community.”

She also loves the investment in the infrastruc-ture of the area, which makes it livable and green. “I know that people are working really hard to rebuild the area—and it shows. There are so many new parks. Two opened over the summer: one in Bat-tery Park City and one in South Street Seaport. The Imagination Playground is an amazing gift. It’s an unbelievable park.”

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And like all downtown residents, Chan appreciates the benefits that downtown offers not just to children, but to their parents, too. “Things are obviously great for kids. But we’re also just a stone’s throw away from Tribeca and there is so much to do. And they’re all connected, these neighborhoods. It’s so convenient.”

In fact, a free downtown bus, which is sponsored by the Downtown Alliance, takes passengers from Fulton Street to the Staten Island Ferry and up the West Side Highway to Whole Foods. Chan explains: “All the major trains go through here, too. It’s a major transportation hub.”

There is also a farmers’ market every Saturday at Wall & Water, the restaurant in the Andaz Hotel at 75 Wall Street. The market features lo-cal Hudson Valley vendors and is popular with neighborhood residents.

So if you are looking to live in a place that is in touch with its past, and always looking to the future, downtown is your answer. It offers its residents a lifestyle that is easy, safe and luxurious, while still being distinctly downtown. Come for the view, or the buildings, or the parks, or the restaurants, or the shopping. But be forewarned: Those aren’t

the best things about liv-ing downtown. The real draw of downtown is the exciting energy of the people and families who live there.

Just ask Rita Chan, “People are so friendly here. There’s such a mix of people. All different types of people. In a given day you will run into tourists from all over the world, and businesspeo-ple who work down the street and locals who’ve lived here their whole lives.”

—Rachel H. Smith

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P h oto g r a P h Y b Y m e l a n i e d u n e a / fa s h i o n st Y l i n g b Y ca n n o n

It’s hard not to be jealous of this gorgeous actress and mom—she’s in amazing shape, she has a thriving career and she has a beautiful son. She’s Bridget Moynahan, and who wouldn’t want to spend a day in her shoes? Kath-ryn Bridget Moynahan, 38, was raised in Massachusetts

where, believe it or not, this leggy brunette spent her childhood as a die-hard tomboy. She was a natural at all sports and was even the captain of the basketball team. Bridget opted for sports over dra-ma, having no idea that she would eventually become an actress.

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to sit down with this very busy mom while she was filming her new show, Blue Bloods, here in New York City. On Blue Bloods, Moynahan plays a single parent—which she happens to be in real life as well. She also just finished filming Battle LA opposite Aaron Eckhart.

Bridget and I talked about New York City, her career and moth-erhood on and off the screen. Isn’t it a coincidence that we both have active boys named Jack? Who knew that Bridget was captain of the soccer, lacrosse and basketball teams in high school. We will

m o m v e r s at i o n

Bridgetmom (and human mistletoe)


Valentino Red long sleeve drape and flat pleat, chiffon minidress. $5,950. Avail-able at Saks Fifth Avenue, 1.800.347.9177. Van Cleef & arpels “Lotus” between the finger ring featuring diamonds set in 18-karat white gold by Van Cleef & Arpels. $25,000. Available at Van Cleef & Arpels,vancleef-arpels.com. Christian louboutin Pointed toe pump, $595. Available at Bergdorf Good-man, Fifth Avenue at 58th Street, 800.558.1855.


oscar de la renta Black organza strapless dress with grosgrain and patent embroidery and wide grosgrain waistband, 100 percent Silk Organza, $3,790. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue. Ivanka trump FIne

Jewelry Long Black Onyx Drop Earrings with Pave Diamond French wire. Black Onyx and diamonds on 18-karat white gold, $1,200. Available at Ivanka Trump Boutique, ivankatrumpcol-lection.com. van cleeF & arpels “Cadenas” small timepiece with Swiss Quartz Movement, featuring diamonds set in 18-karat white gold by Van Cleef & Arpels. $23,500. Available at Van Cleef & Arpels, vancleef-arpels.com. chrIstIan louboutIn Slingback pump, $770. Available at Bergdorf Good-man, Fifth Avenue at 58th Street, 800.558.1855.


alexander McQueen Black lace scalloped edge dress, $5,135. Available at Bergdorf Goodman, Fifth Avenue at 58th Street. Ivanka TruMp FIne

Jewelry Diamond and Black Spinel Octagonal Shape Cocktail Ring, 18-karat white gold, black spinel and 3.83 carats of diamonds, $19,800,ivankatrumpcollection.com. van cleeF & arpels “Valentina” necklace featuring diamonds, onyx beads and pink opals set in 18-karat white gold by Van Cleef & Arpels. Price upon request.vancleef-arpels.com


find more about this beautiful mom and actress in our Momverstation below. Lyss Stern: Raising your son in New York City is very different from where you grew up. Explain what you like most about living in New York City.Bridget Moynahan: I love living in New York City and raising my son here because every day is a new adventure. From all the amazing parks, to the museums—even taking a subway ride is an adventure.

Do you find that other moms on the playground treat you differently because you’re a celebrity?Not at all! No one recognizes me on the playground. I am there as a mom in a baseball hat and jeans.

I took my boys to see Ramona and Be-ezus, and we all really enjoyed the film. How did you know you wanted to take the role in the film? Has your son seen the film yet?I read the script and fell in love with the role. But Jack has not seen Ramona and Beezus. He has not been to a movie theater yet. I don’t think he can sit still. The only movie he has seen parts of at home is Wall-E.

Tell me about your new show, Blue Bloods. How does it differ from your role as Mr. Big’s fi-ancée in Sex and the City? It’s a family drama based in the New York City Irish cop world.

It differs in that … [giggles] … I actually have lines! But I will always be grateful to Darren Star and Michael Patrick King for giving me my start on Sex in the City.

What was it like growing up with Rosie O’Donnell as your cousin? Did you see her a lot as a child?We didn’t know we were cousins until a few years ago. We have yet to share a Christmas together, but I will address that soon.

What would you say to the people who call you a MILF? Thank you!

How do you stay in such great shape? I work out three times a week with a personal trainer.

I know you lead a healthy lifestyle; what kinds of foods make up your diet?I try to eat very healthy.

Do you feed your son the same foods you eat?

I try to have dinner with Jack every night and yes, we eat the same

foods. Who has the time to cook up different meals?

Do you ever indulge? If so what’s your biggest indulgence?

I am a salty girl. Chips, chips, chips!

How do you avoid the paparazzi?I don’t go out much. [laughs]

Has having your son slowed you down at all?Not at all.

What do you like to do for your “MTO,” Mommy Time Out? Alone time … just you,

something just for you.I’m a big napper! I love my nap!

How do you stay so positive? I don’t think about the negative, life is too short. I concentrate on only good thoughts.

If you weren’t an actress, what would you have been?

A dentist.

Where do you and your son like to go to play? Favorite park? Play space? Museum?New York City is brilliant when it comes to activi-ties for kids. There are a million parks to investi-gate. The Children’s Museum is fantastic. Natural History Museum is always a good go-to for kids.

What are your holiday plans for Christmas?Not sure yet.

Do you have a favorite holiday tradition?I like spending time with my family, playing games with my girlfriends, a Secret Santa–like game.

Five Favorites

Movie

Princess Bride and Braveheart

ice-creaM Flavor

Fudge swirl

vacation Spot

Jackson Hole Wyoming for skiing and Block Island for beach fun

MuSic Coffe House ... I know. Kinda lame, but I love it!

Beauty product you cannot

live without Garnier eye roller ball


Chris Benz Black Lurex Matelasse Dress, $1,125. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue. Van Cleef & arpels “Annees Folles” ring featuring diamonds set in 18-karat white gold, $37,500. Available at Van Cleef & Arpels, vancleef-arpels.com. eVerlon Pavé Diamond Knot Studs, 5 carats;white gold; price upon re-quest. Available at select retailers;adiamondisforever.com iVanka Trump fine

Jewelry Diamond Mixed Cut Necklace with Pear Shape Briolette. Platinum chain with 16.9 carats on chain and 2.9-carat, pear-shaped diamond pendant; price upon request. Available at Ivanka Trump Boutique, ivankatrumpcollection.com. sTuarT weiTzman “Fever” Pointy-toed pump, black patent, $295. Available at Stuart Weitzman, Madison Avenue, 212.750.2555.

Fashion Editor: Cannon at JudyCasey.com

Market Editor: amBer sToleC

Assistants: kaylee darfler and mariana ViTkun

Shoot Producers:ashley o’Brien

emily TannenBaum

Chaise courtesy of lazzoni lazzoni.us

Special thanks to:Sarah Vicklund at Van Cleef; Emily Horowitz at Bergdorf Goodman.com; Lexi Miller at SAKS Fifth Ave; Sana Clegg at Ivanka Trump; Jessica Stark at Judith Ripka.


Tis theSeasonP h oto g r a P h Y b Y t r ac Y to l e r / fa s h i o n st Y l i n g b Y a n n a K ats a n i s

Mad Men–inspired fashion: Perfect for the office or the holiday party

prada Black Needle-worked Cable Knit Dress with Ruched Detail, $2,325; Black and Red Wool Socks, $110; Nutmeg and Black Patent Leather Shoes, $650. Available at select Prada Boutiques, prada.com. dolce & gabbana Magenta leather bag.


Fendi jacket and shrug, and leather belt;dolce & gabbana body suit;Miu Miu Purple and Black Natté Crepe and Metal Square-Toed Pump with Black Bow Detail, $850. Available at select Miu Miu Bou-tiques, miumiu.com.


louis Vuitton Corset Top Wool,

price available upon request; Plaid Back

Knot Wool Skirt. approx. $2,720;

Beauty Pump Leather Grey Approx, $714;

Neo Speedy GM Leather, $5,930.

Miu Miu Black and Lavendar Wool Natté Dress with Bow Detail and Orange Collar, $2,165; available at net-a-porter.com.Miu Miu Purple and Black Natté Crepe and Metal Square-Toed Pump with Black Bow Detail, $850. Available at select Miu Miu Boutiques, miumiu.com.

Chanel Tweeded Black/Ecr/Red/Blue Dress, $7,780; tights, $200; White and Black Boots, $1,230; Grey Python Clutch Bag, $3,600. Available at select CHANEL boutiques.


Hair: Cesar ramirez Makeup: leora edut for Smashbox CosmeticsModel: izzy @ Muse NY

max mara Atelier angora wool gray shirt, $550, and angora wool gray skirt, $425; black leather util-ity belt, $375. Available at Max Mara Palm Beach.prada Black and Red Wool Socks, $110. Available at prada.com.louis Vuitton Beauty Pump Leather Grey, approx. $714. Fendi black leather shoulder bag.Vintage Chanel earrings, stylist’s own.


P h oto g r a P h y b y h e i d i g r e e n / St y l e d b y St e P h a n i e K a St e r

Eloise!a day at the Plaza in the footsteps of eloise. Fashion, fun, frolic and of course tea time! Oh

Sophie wearsJean paul gaultier

white button-down shirt and black pleated skirt

with black and red stripe suspenders. Available at

Boutique for Children.boutiqueforchildren.

com.enzo Red bow and

black sequin ballet flats. Available at Lesters.


F rom the moment the doors opened, in 1907, the Plaza has become an international icon of splendor and luxury (we’re talking 1,650 crys-tal chandeliers of gorgeous, people!)

Its marble lobbies have seen the likes of so many celebrated personalities over the past 100 years: Truman Capote, Jackie O and the Beatles (just to name a few). But one of our favorite Plaza faces is bright-eyed and pink-bowed Eloise.

In 2009, celebrated fashion maven Betsey Johnson joined forces with the Fifth Avenue hot spot to design the Eloise Suite in homage to the irrepressible fictional heroine of Kay

Samantha wears Faux fur hat and shrug by peace of cake, peaceofcakekids.com. Gloves by peace of

cake, available at Lesters. Black silk ruffle dress by un deux Trois, available at Lesters. China girl shoes by greensTones.

Chase, Cate, and Avery wear

ninachka couTure. Available at Ninachka.

ninachka.com. China girl shoes by

greensTones.

Olivia wearsninachka couTure Swan Lake dress. Available at Ninachka,ninachka.com. Shoes by Jessica

simpson, available at Lesters.

Kaitlyn wearsHat with Silk Bow by

meg dana & co. Avail-able at Tutti Bambini.

Faux Fur Shrug by peace of cake,

peaceofcakekids.com Black skirt with

pink underlay by meg dana & co.

Available atdimplesand

dandelions.com China girl shoes by

greensTones.

Sammy wears peace of cake and

meg dana & co.


Thompson’s classic children’s series—which thankfully landed on our book shelves in 1959. The Eloise Suite, which combines the luxuries of the Plaza (in every imaginable shade of pink) with the charming origi-nality of the hotel’s most adorable resident, is an experience geared to-ward children and adults alike.

Inspired by the Plaza’s tradition of afternoon tea in the Palm Court, which blends an innovative menu with a formal tea service, we took a gag-gle of girls to the hotel to romp around in the Eloise Suite and munch on iced cookies and sweet drinks. Outfitted in high style, wearing the latest in kids’ couture fashion, they officially added sassy (thanks, Eloise!) to the Plaza’s growing list of inspired buzz words. —Kat Harrison

Above: Chase, Saydie and Avery all wear ninachka couture, available at Ninachka. ninachka.com; China girl shoes by green-

stones; white headbands, available at Lesters; and pearl bracelets, available at Claires.

Top left: Lexi wears a black sequin dress by ooh! la, la! couture; and shoes by Jessica

simpson, available at Lesters.

Bottom left: Chloe wears meg dana & co

pink knit princess bodysuit with green & pink tutu, available at dimplesanddandelions.com; and a pink headband, available at Lesters.


Chase and Avery both wear skirts by Meg dana, available at Chasing Fireflie, chasingfireflies.com. Chase wears a cream bodysuit by Meg

dana; Avery wears a pink tank by Sterling KidS. Available at Bonne Nuit.

Bottom Left: Phoebe wears ooh! la, la!

Couture.Available at Lesters.

Sherri Shepherd and her 5-year-old son,

Jeffery, cozy up in a renovated East Harlem

brownstone apartment bursting

with intricate original woodwork—and the

sound of laughter

The View From Sherri’s


It is an unavoidable fact of New York City living that the leak, the fire or the construction project of your neigh-bor is your leak, fire and construction project, too. Case in point: In Sherri Shepherd’s old building on Riverside Boulevard, an apartment eight floors above flooded, and the water gushed its way all the way down to hers. Your typical, run-of-the mill urban inconvenience—except that the leaking apartment upstairs belonged to Tracy

Morgan, and the flood was caused when his piranha tank caught fire and exploded. Like any good New Yorkers, as the water trickled through her ceiling, Sherri and her 5-year-old son, Jeffrey, grabbed her wigs and headed for the door.

If it sounds like a scene from 30 Rock, then at least it’s the kind that Shepherd has rehearsed for: She plays Tracy Morgan’s wife, Angie, on the Emmy-winning show, a coup for most en-tertainers but really one of the smaller feather in this Renaissance woman’s cap. Shepherd is even more recognizable as one of the women of The View, where she sits each morning

alongside Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar and Elizabeth Hasselbeck as they cover topics from dating to democracy.

But wait! That’s just her morning gig. Shepherd’s newest star turn is as the host of the retro-hilarious reinvention of The Newlywed Game on GSN (Game Show Network) each weeknight at 6 p.m. She started film-ing the modern installment of the classic couples’ game after wrapping the upcoming One for the Money (out July 2011) with Katherine Heigl, based on the beloved Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. Add that to the 2009 book (Permission Slips: Every Woman’s Guide to Giving

Herself a Break), the Lifetime channel sitcom, and the spot on the Upper West Side’s must-see Celebrity Autobiography comedy show—and go ahead and ask yourself the inevitable question: How did Sherri Shepherd get more hours in the day than the rest of us?

There are always enough hours, though, for her most important role, as mom to kin-dergartener Jeffrey. “I’m Mommy first—and everything else is secondary. If it takes away from my son, then I’ll say no,” Shepherd says. “That’s why you don’t see me doing the paso

B y r e B ec ca M o r s e / p h oto g r a p h s B y Da n i e l D ' e r r i c o

Clockwise from top left: The parlor staircase;

Shepherd at home; Jeffrey’s artwork. opposite:

The View (onto the leafy street beyond)


dobe on Dancing With the Stars [which films in Los Angeles]. We have a nanny, but to have someone else raising him and teaching him for that amount of time …” she trails off. “So I say no every season.” When it came to The Newlywed Game, the Game Show Network came to her, relocating to New York to tape.

The star power to move networks doesn’t alleviate the concerns that all working mothers face, though—and especially single working moms like Shepherd, who won an Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host in 2009. “I go through the guilt that I think every working mom goes through. It breaks my heart when I have to leave and Jeffrey goes “aw-www.’” She relies on a team of friends and family for support—which includes her ex-husband (“Jeffrey’s dad is amazing—he’ll come and stay for a couple of days), really great girlfriends—“they know what I need, and they will step in”—her sister (a nurse in Los Angeles), a nanny Shepherd adores and even work colleagues like Elizabeth Hasselbeck. “If there are times that I get too stressed,” says Shepherd, “she’ll call and say, ‘You can drop Jeffrey off with Grace and Taylor and Isaiah and he will be fine.’ And she’s busy!”

Finding a little time to chill was one reason that Shepherd and Jef-frey moved from their Trump Place rental on the West Side to Harlem earlier this year. “I like Harlem because we walk around more—and Jeffrey’s so friendly to everyone! I don’t really know too many people on this block, but when we go out [Jeffrey knows everyone].”

Their new home is a triplex rental in an exquisitely renovated brownstone on a tree-lined block of historical townhouses and features original details like antique fireplaces, incredibly intricate woodwork-ing, built-in cabinetry and a staircase of dark antique wood. Detailed gilt doorknobs and herringbone floors co-exist with a gourmet chef’s kitch-en with Sub-Zero fridge and a private garden in the back—which may

have been the decid-ing factor for Shep-herd. “I come from California, and we had a big backyard. When I found this brownstone, the first thing I saw was the backyard. I put a little basketball court out

there [for Jeffrey] so I’ll bring a chair out there and just watch him play.” Mount Morris Park is only a few blocks away—but there’s something nice about “not having to put on my hair,” says Shepherd and heading to the private sanctuary of the backyard instead.

The new apartment offers the ultimate setup: upstairs (instead of Tracey Morgan’s piranhas) Shepherd’s nanny lives in a separate apart-ment—the ultimate in working-mom conveniences, but one that allows privacy and independence for everyone as well. And Jeffrey’s school is in the neighborhood, too. “Jeffrey was born at five and a half months and has developmental displays,” Shepherd says, and in Harlem “he goes to an amazing school run by the YAI Network. They have an amazing pre-school: He has therapy onsite, and they just opened up a kindergarten.” At school, “they call him the mayor. I think it’s because both his parents are stand-up comics: My son could be having a tantrum, and in the mid-dle of it, someone could say, ‘Jeffrey, say cheese,’ and he will stop [poses with a smile] and go right back to having a tantrum. He loves his teach-ers, his classmates. He’s got a crazy sense of humor—he’s just like me.”

It’s that feisty sense of humor that has propelled the former legal sec-retary to a beloved household name in just a few short years. An easy ascent? Not all the time, but Shepherd has made that work for her. “I’ve got this philosophy of ‘Do it scared’,” says Sherri. “Go towards that thing that thing that makes your stomach tingle … run towards it.” When she started on The View, she says, “for the first six months or so everybody

Shepherd’s gour-met kitchen.

right, the ladies of The View.

Below, an ornate carved fireplace.


Living in Central Harlem

The Vibe From ornate townhouses on Central Harlem being snapped up and renovated, to construction being finished on new luxury developments like Fifth on the Park, Harlem is experiencing a family-friendly real estate revival. Throw in the new East River complex (Target! Costco! Marshall’s!), chic restaurants like Rao’s and Marcus Samuelsson’s new Red Rooster, a brand-new Starwood Aloft hotel for visiting in-laws, and perpetually easy subway access, and you’ve got one hot family hood. SchoolS P.S. 149 Sojourner Truth (K-7), P.S. 123 Mahalia Jackson (K-6), Mott Hall High School (9-10), Bread & Ross Integrated Arts High School (9-12), Frederick Douglas Academy II Secondary School (6-12), Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing and Visual Arts (6-12).The View from Sherri’S Place Sherri and Jef-frey live in a brownstone’s triplex parlor floor rental, bursting with original detail. A dining room with intricate wood floors and molding abuts a state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen, open to a cozy family room and Sherri’s office (where her Emmy lives). The sprawling master suite and second bedroom are on the floor be-low, which opens out onto a private backyard with a basketball hoop for Jeffrey. family faVeS in The hood Harlem parents and kids love the Central Park Conservancy Garden and the Harlem Meer, the hidden gem Mount Morris Park and the Harlem River Ecol-ogy Center, where kids can learn about living nature. Hungry after a day of adventure? Pick up a to-die-for cupcake at Tonnie’s Minis at Lenox Avenue and 123rd Street.

hated me. … I wasn’t the type of person a lot of people thought should be in that chair, so I had to fight against that.” In her anxiety, “I made a few errors, I was nervous, so I said I didn’t know if the earth was round or flat!” she says of a then-infamous comment. “There are things that I don’t like to do—I don’t like to debate, I don’t like confrontations, I don’t like to talk about politics, and guess what—I do it every day on The View. So that was very scary.” Even moving to New York was a challenge. “I’d been in L.A. for 23 years, and I had a whole support system of friends, and they all came out with me [when I moved]. When the last one left, I cried like a baby! New York functions way differently than L.A. —it’s like being in a whole new planet. I cried every night for a year.” Even the East Coast fashion was different. “[I] realized I can’t wear my Gap tank tops and shorts and flip-flops everywhere, I got to put on black dresses everywhere I go. … Whoopi [Goldberg] was on the Bill O’Reilly show

and she took me with her. I had on a Gap tank top with bra straps show-ing and khaki shorts on and flip-flops, and she was like, ‘O.K., dear … we are going to Eileen Fisher right away.’

It was that most universal of triumphant experiences—victory over Ikea—that made Shepherd finally realize she could do it on her own. “The first time I put together a piece of furniture, and I did it by myself, it was like, ‘Yay! I can do this. I put together this high chair from friggn’ Ikea and I can make it in this city. Jeffrey, me and you are going to be good.’ ”

What’s next on the agenda? “I would love to again have my own sit-com. When they were thinking of names [for the last sitcom, Sherri], I said, ‘I don’t care what y’all call it, it could be Sherri in the Kitchen, Sherri’s Big Toe, Sherri Don’t Live Here, as long as it has the word Sherri in it. I had my own show called Sherri, and I swear I’m pitching another one, and guess what it’s going to be called—SHERRI!”

Shepherd in her backyard with

a ceramic pig son Jeffrey found.


LostinWonderlandP h oto g r a P h Y bY a n a s c h ec h t e r / St y l e d b y St e p h a n i e K a St e r

Fall down the looking glass for

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hannah wears Bonnie young Ice leather pintuck leather jacket with zipper and nail head details; and ice sweater tunic. available at bonnie Young aspen, 970-925-7299, bonnieyoung.com.necklace available at Lesters.


Jordan wears Bonnie young blush

tulle tiered cupcake dress; silk puff vest; and gauze belt with crystals. Available at

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J Crew boots, jcrew.com .

lil Bowtique feather headband, lilbowtiqueco.com.


Sofia wearsFree people knit buckle cardi available at Lesters. peace oF cake

pom-pom necklace, peaceofcakekids.com.Belt by ralph lauren; Gray tank top So nikki, available at Lesters; Flying Monkey

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Hannah wearsa sequin beret by

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Left to right:Sofia wears peace of

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J. kincaid leggings. All are avilable at Lesters.

peace of cake pom-pom necklace,

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Lindsey wearsBlack Knit Cable dress,

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and larock Ruffle Pea Coat, available at Lesters;

boots by J crew.


AlohaHawaii Pack your bags and get ready to relax.next stop: Hawaii! b y J u l i e e a r l e- l e v i n e

Hawaii conjures many delicious images this time of year, as New Yorkers put on their winter woollies and fantasize about sun-kissed beaches, coconut Mai Tais, swaying grass skirts and catching waves.

It’s also a favorite for celebrity moms including Kirsty Hume and Amber Valletta, who recently jetted to Waikiki with their kids in tow.

Waikiki, a neighborhood of Honolulu on the south shore of the island of Oahu, has a history of attracting glamour. In the early 1800s, it was a retreat for Hawaiian royalty. It boasts one of the world’s most well-known beaches, with clear turquoise

water and gentle, lapping waves, making it ideal for long board-ing, tandem surfing and begin-ners. Oahu is the third largest of the Hawaiian islands and also has lush jungles with waterfalls.

Now Waikiki is attracting new attention with the open-ing of New York hotelier Ian Schrager’s latest property, the

Model Kirsty Hume.

private sunset beach.


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Holiday Gift CertifiCates availableplayground winter 2010

Waikiki Edition, the first of Marriott’s new luxury boutique brand. Observer Playground was there for the opening party.

The hotel separates itself from the pack thanks to its sophisticated but playful design. There is a ukulele in each room that begs to be strummed, and colorful sarongs hanging for guests to wear during their stay. At 4 p.m., the bookcase in the lobby swings open to reveal a sleek, all-white bar.

Kids get a private beach that is set among lush palm trees, jasmine and pink bougainvil-lea. Mom and Dad can cool their heels close by, in hammocks by the pool or on lounger chairs in the water, a.k.a. Delano style. Staff members are genuinely warm and friendly (no sideway sneers or scolding looks when kids got noisy, which they inevi-tably do!).

Beyond hiking and touring, kids can also learn how to surf with the

hotel’s revered teachers.

a romantic day bed.


During their stay, Hume’s and Valletta’s kids also made good use of the outdoor terrace. The moms were up early most days having breakfast before getting ready to explore the island. Some (super moms) started the day even earlier, with sunrise yoga by the pool at 7 a.m. The hotel also offers Surf and Bikini Boot Camps.

First on these model moms’ must-do list? A gorgeous hike on the Mau-nawili Falls trail. They looked completely, unfairly beautiful in casual jean shorts and bikini tops , tees and flip-flops. Everyone took it slowly with the little ones, over rocky parts and steep trails that crossed rivers and left many walkers a bit mud-splattered. The kids stopped to pick up leaves and check out berries and birds. The 1.5-hour hike has a rewarding waterfall and swimming hole at the end where hikers love to jump in to cool off. The good news is that the hike burns an estimated 450 calories, which leaves plenty of room for lunch.

Foodies can indulge at the hotel’s Morimoto restaurant, which also serves breakfast and dinner. Don’t miss the oyster foie gras with white truf-fle, or the Toro and Hamachi Tartare with wasabi, Maui onion, Nori paste and sour cream, served with sake.

The following day, everyone headed to the North Shore with guides to check out where the best pro surfers in the world get ready for the legend-ary waves of the Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay. In the spring through the fall, the beaches’ gentle waves make them great for swimming, fishing and

diving, but in the winter the waves turn massive, ideal for the surf competi-tions held there.

When driving around, the best stops are for shaved ice, flavored with coco-nut, and at shrimp trucks, where a plate of garlic, hot and spicy or sweet and spicy shrimp with rice is $10. Leave room for sliced papaya, watermelon and ready-to-devour macada-mia nuts, for sale at road-side fruit stalls.

Beyond hiking and touring, kids can also learn

Morimoto.

®

The lobby Bar.


how to surf with the hotel’s revered teachers, Evan Valiere (described as gorgeous and a pro surfer hot-tie in the brochure—and yes, he is) and women’s two-time world champion Daize Shayne-Goodwin. Kids must be able to swim, and children under the age of 13 need to take a private lesson.

After a day out, the hotel’s full-service spa beck-ons. A heated stone massage using smooth volcanic Basalt stones and customized oil blends (Bulgarian Lavender, fragrant eucalyptus or wild harvest Berga-mot from Italy are a few to choose from) is heavenly. Or try a sea algae face mask, with French spirulina that is mixed fresh, right before use.

Kids will be fascinated by the surfing art above

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The sunrise pool.


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Proudly supported byThe Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum complex features spectacular interactive exhibits and experiences! Compete in a tug of war, create your own space suit or climb aboard a real helicopter, whatever you choose the Intrepid is the perfect location for a celebration that’s dynamic, engaging, educational and oh, so much fun!

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The Detailsother great side trips

Manoa Falls Hike is a 1.5-hour beginner-trail hike just 20 minutes from the hotel, and the Aiea Loop Trail, up-land from Pearl Harbor, is a 4.5-mile loop around a grad-ed ridge with amazing views of Halawa Valley. Kids can learn about the remnants of a WWII plane that crashed near the valley.

Or you can opt for a pri-vate day at the beach with a picnic basket prepared by the hotel’s chef, a lunch that might include Nicoise salad,

rib-eye sandwiches, and lobster bisque accompanied with a bottle of pinot noir.

Honolulu has an impres-sive zoo, and there is an Aquarium in Waikiki.

good to know

The rooms are a decent size, and most have balconies with views of the beach and harbor; they have neutral, calming palates. But only 41 rooms in the 353-room hotel have bathtubs, so make sure to ask for one if you need it.Rates start at $375 at night

From $69.00 to $499.00

the reception area. It’s an installation of smashed-up surfboards from superstar surfers, including Kelly Slat-er, that have been transformed by artist (and former pro-fessional surfer) Herbie Fletcher.

There are outdoor movie screenings with compli-mentary popcorn and candy, which is a wise move after a full day in the sun, and a great transition into the sleep zone. For ice cream fans, the signature ice cream sandwich—vanilla ice cream with a “magic bar” of layered graham crackers, coconut and mac-adamia nuts with chocolate chips that is dipped in

room with a view.


chocolate—is to die for.A great way to end the evening is Crazybox, which is

sure to be one of the hottest nightspots in Waikiki. Night-clubs are Schrager’s original claim to fame, dating back to the heyday of Studio 54.

And then, after a big night, it’s a new day that might involve a Hawaiian killer cardio workout, or breakfast in bed: a crab omelet, or blackened fish Benedict and yummy Kona coffee. The kids can have blueberry pancakes topped with local vanilla butter. Then it’s time to hit the beach. All you have to worry about is applying sunscreen. Sigh …

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The Waikiki Edition is far enough away (a 10-minute walk) from the upscale shops (there is everything from Louis Vuitton to local design-ers, including Anne Nama and Roberta Oaks), hotels, restau-rants and souvenir shops to still feel like an oasis.

Waikiki has beautiful weath-er year-round, but fall and spring have the mildest tem-peratures. Summer is May to September, and winter is

October to February, when the North Shore produces massive waves of up to 20 feet and higher.

How to get tHere and

get around

Fly direct to Honolulu on Continental from Newark, N.J. (continental.com).If it’s a big family tour, Poly-nesian Adventure Tours can accommodate 14 pas-sengers, but families can do private tours in a town car, luxury SUV or limo with cer-tified tour guides.

opening night party for

the hotel.

Kirsty with husband, donovan leitch and

daughter.

Playground Gallery

80 Playground winter 2010

Cantabile Piano artsWe specialize in the highest quality piano restoration and sales of fine pianos.We offer for your purchase consideration, a lovely selection of meticulously restored pianos and invite you to visit our showroom.By appointment Only

490 nepperhan ave. 4th floor Yonkers, nY 10701tel: 914 376-2000 Fax: 914 376-2002www.cantabilepianoarts.com

CaYMan Villas Welcome to Cayman Villas Grand Cayman in the beautiful Cayman Islands!? Cayman Villas is the premier on island villa booking agency, located in Grand Cayman. We represent about 70 privately owned beachfront villas and condos in the Cayman Islands. Established in 1970 we have friendly, professional accommodation specialists with a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your perfect Cayman Island vacation getaway!1-800-235-5888reservations@caymanvillas.comwww.caymanvillas.com

Collina italianaCollina Italiana’s Italian Winter in the City program is for children of all ages who want to learn and practice Italian, meet new friends, absorb the warm and lively culture of Italy, and have fun Italian style...right here in New York City! Giardino dei Bambini, a morning drop-off playgroup for ages 2-5, is offered year-round. Other programs, including comprehensive language learning and hands-on instruction in the arts, are Girotondo (“Circle”), Teatro Italiano and Piccoli Cuochi for little chefs. Collina italiana135 e 96th streetnew York, nY 10128 (212)-427-7770 • www.collinaitaliana.com

aCadeMY oF MusiCal arts provides outstanding quality education in the convenience of your home! We offer private instruction in piano, violin, guitar, cello, flute, clarinet, and voice. Our expert teachers create a personalized program of study for each student, designed to meet their individual needs. By enrolling in our programs our students also benefit from the music theory and ear training program, which is incorporated in the lesson, as well as our performance opportunities at the end of each semester.Varta academy of Musical [email protected]; 347-229-2485

Italian fashion brand allegri has been the master of stylish and functional outerwear since 1961. Thanks to extensive fabric research, Allegri raincoats and jackets offer the best protection from the elements without compromising style. This ivory goose down water repellant satin coat features diagonal stitching that both lengthens and slims down the silhouette.Available at Saks Fifth Avenue the jackets retails for $ 1,195

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the british international sChool oF new York provides a high-quality educational foundation for children from all over the world, integrating the widely acclaimed International Baccalaureate model with the best of the British Curriculum.In a safe, happy and nurturing environment, students develop a genuine love for learning, and academic success. The school has gained an enviable placement record of excellence and achievement both locally in New York and internationally.For more information visit www.bis-ny.org

Now Open! bowlMor lanes tiMes square- NYC’s hottest new entertainment destination. The 90,000 sq ft bowling palace features 50 lanes divided into 7 NYC themed lounges, The Stadium Grill Restaurant & Sports Bar, the Tribeca Loft Nightclub, and the NY Salon Banquet Room. Perfect for special events or a fun day with the family!

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basiC bidet. Bidets for decades popular in France & in the Far East are now becoming a common bathroom accessory in the U.S. Bidets easily installed onto your existing toilet bowl wash your private parts with just a press of a button for a clean and fresh feeling. Beneficial for Pregnant Women, Children, Older Folks & people with physical handicaps. Bidets save millions of rolls of toilet paper hence thousands of trees. The Bidet Shop located in mid town, New York City, offers a range of Bidets from $69.00 to $499.00. All are (DIY) do it yourself products. to order, please visit www.basicbidet.com

bilingual buds is a dynamic preschool and kindergarten that focuses on the development of the whole child and his or her relationship with the world. We believe that students’ personal journey to bilingualism enriches all aspects of their academic exploration and creative expression. The school offers a continuum of Mandarin immersion programs including Mommy & Me, Preschool, Kindergarten, Summer Camp, and After School for ages 5-12.175 riverside blvd. (at 68th street) new York, nY, 10069 (212) 787-8088 www.bilingualbudsnyc.com

THE aldyn is Extell Development Company’s newest luxury residence in the vibrant Riverside South neighborhood. Many of the 286 exquisitely crafted rental and condominium residences enjoy unobstructed views of the Hudson River. Aldyn residents will be treated to over 40,000 square feet of amenities, including the LA PALESTRA Athletic Club and Spa and a KIDVILLE USA indoor playground. Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group is the exclusive sales and marketing agent. For more information, please call 212.579.6006 or visit www.thealdyn.com

CHElSEa PIErS SPorTS & EnTErTaInMEnT CoMPlEX Chelsea Piers, located on the Hudson River, offers Manhattan’s best sports programming for children ages 12 months - 17 years. Children enjoy state-of-the-art facilities, including a gymnastics center, rock-climbing wall, indoor soccer fields, basketball courts, batting cages, indoor ice-skating rinks, golf driving range, bowling center, and a preschool. For ice skating or hockey programs, call (212) 336-6100; for junior golf programs, call (212) 336-6400; for bowling, call (212) 835-BOWL. For all other sports programs, call (212) 336-6500. (212) 336-6666 • www.chelseapiers.com

CaMP raMaquois is conveniently located in Rockland County NY. We provide bus transportation for campers from Manhattan, NYC, Bergen, Westchester and Rockland. We strive to create a unique environment where children feel a sense of belonging, learn life-long skills, have opportunities for leadership, and forge lasting relationships with their peers and their counselors. With over 88 years of camp history, Ramaquois is not only a quality day camp, but a leader in the summer camp industry. Contact us to set up a personal tour.30 Mountain road, Pomona, nY 10970www.Ramaquois.com • 845-354-1600

Playground Gallery

81Playground winter 2010

Imagine a world where childhood dreams come to life. One of toy soldier greetings and piano dancers. Travel through a safari of plush wild animals. See yourself as a Muppet Whatnot puppet. This is the storybook world of FAO SCHWARZ, where you’ll find an enchanting assortment of fun and delighting the senses with our world of dolls, limited-edition treasures and exclusive experiences you’ll forever cherish. Come visit our new FAO Café. Now open!767 5th Avenue New York, NY (at 58th Street) 212-644-9400Personal Shopping: 212-644-9400 ext. 3 www.fao.com Hours: M-W: 10-7, TH-Sat: 10-8 Sun: 11-6

Enroll today and be a part of FROST VAlleY YMCA’S summer camp program!Our two-week resident camps are designed to provide exciting days that ensure fun for every camper and provide activities that foster healthy, outdoor fun. From swimming to tenting in the woods and stories by the campfire, children enjoy discovering new friends, new challenges and new skills. Camps offered: Sleepaway, Horse, Farm, Adventure, and more! Visit our website for more information: frostvalley.org.2000 Frost Valley Road, Claryville, NY 12725845-985-2291

GYMTiMe GYMNASTiCS RHYTHM ANd GlueS is now the newest gymnastics center in Manhattan! Join us for our many programs in our brand new, state of the art gym! Gymtime Gymnastics Rhythm and Glues offers classes for children 6 months - 18 years including mommy and me, gymnastics, sports, tae kwon do, music, art, cooking, preschool, birthday parties and more!

Gymtime Rhythm & Glues 1520 York Avenue, NYC, NY 10028 www.gymtime.net, 212.861.7732

THe iNN AT POCONO MANOR- a 3,000-acre resort is your getaway for family, golf groups and romantic getaways. Our rich tradition of hospitality ensures your expectations are not only met, but exceeded. Many of our packages include a generous breakfast and dinner, and our numerous leisure activities include golf, horseback riding, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and state-of-the-art spa. The Inn At Pocono Manor sports offers fishing, clay shooting and more. Our location is convenient to the area’s famous activities and is less than 2 hours from New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia.Route 314, Pocono Manor, PA 18349www.poconomanor.com, 1-800-233-8150

Established in 1938, JAGuAR OF GReAT NeCk was the first Jaguar dealership in the Country. Our experience has led to a reputation of value, personal service and after-sale support that is unrivaled. For 70+ years we have been selling to and servicing the New York area with the pride and attention it deserves. Model for model, option for option, no one is more competitive than us. We will beat any advertised price in New York...Guaranteed! Fulfill your passion for perfection with one of our awesome 2011 Jaguar XJ models. One is waiting for you at Jaguar of Great Neck. www.GreatNeckJaguar.com888-263-4158

What a charming gift! Charm bracelets are a great gift and the latest jewelry trend for little girls. Each bracelet can be individually designed with her favorite charms. The bracelets are crafted of unadorned silver tone links or with a variety of enameled beads. Prices range from $7.00- $14.00. Fun, brightly colored charms can be added to the bracelet in a variety of whimsical shapes. With 36 charms to chose from and collect, she will never tire of this gift. Charms retail for $5.00. At Lester’s you’ll find a great selection of gifts for kids of every age. lester’s is located at 1534 Second Avenue and 80th Street in Manhattan and in Brooklyn, Rye, Greenvale and Huntington. You can find them on the web at www.lestersnyc.com and on Facebook

Manufacturing furniture is our expertise – providing an unforgettable experience is our passion. lAZZONi does not design, manufacture, and market extraordinary furniture for the home, but for the individual. We embrace the diversity, inconformity, and uniqueness of our customers and furniture alike. The foundation for this philosophy was established over 50 years ago, and Lazzoni has never looked back since. If we are as exceptional as our customers, who knows what will come next.154 West 18th Street, New York NY 10011212-242-0606

HARRY’S SHOeS FOR kidS (and for Adults!) is a wonderland of thoughtful, useful and always appreciated gifts! From warm cozy slippers to weather-ready boots, holiday dress-up shoes or casuals for play and school, Harry’s has it all! Choose from your favorite quality brands like Ugg Australia, Merrell, Ecco, The North Face, Timberland, Umi, Primigi, Naturino, Hunter and so many, many more. Make Harry’s your holiday headquarters!2315 Broadway, New York, NY 10024212-874-2034

kiddiNG AROuNd — named “Best Toy Store in NYC” by New York Magazine. Sister store, just kidding around, named “Best Toy Store in NJ” by New Jersey Monthly Magazine. We are passionate about our selection of toys, games and gifts. Great design and great value – lots of classics and lots of surprises! As a family owned business, we so thank you for your support of local independent retailers! Unique toys & gifts.

60 west 15th Street, New York City 10011. 212.645.6337 • www.kiddingaround.us

THE luCIda, a dramatic 21-story glass curtain wall condominium developed by Extell Development Company, offers residents a lifestyle that combines the prestige of the Upper East Side with eco-consciousness and the ultimate in modern amenities, including the LA PALESTRA Fitness, Wellness and Spa Center, a playground designed by Kidville, N.Y., a private lounge and game room, wine cellar and bike storage. Immediate occupancy. Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group is the exclusive marketing and sales agent for The Lucida. For more information, call 212.585.1510 or visit www.thelucida.com

THE CraFT STudIo is the hottest place in NYC for parties, play dates, painting, toys, candy, crafts, gifts, and more. Always offering the latest and greatest workshops, gifts, and fun. For over 15 years the Craft Studio has also been the premier party location for cool kids in New York City. With over 20 themes to chose from, there is something for everyone. Call for reservations and walk in availability.

1657 3rd avenue, ny, ny 10128212-831-6626;

1657 Third Avenue, New York City 10128

212.831.6626www.craftstudionyc.com

HudSON uRBAN BiCYCleS, located in the West Village, now has the best selection in NYC of pedaled child-carriers. 5 different models, available for sale and rent, will carry 1, 2, 3, or 4 children easily “at least around Manhattan or Brooklyn” says George Bliss the HUB’s general manager. “Other boroughs may require electric-assist.” These are mostly Dutch and Danish designs, although the store has developed its own product, with children in the back. Open daily 9-6.

139 Charles St. 212-965-9334 hudsonurbanbicycles.com


playground Gallery

Classic and timeless, PiPPen Alley creates highly personalized stationery products perfect to share with new parents, children and friends and, sometimes to give to yourself. Our whimsical yet sophisticated designs are on art-quality paper and have a hand-made feel. If you are feeling creative, select from our charming, fun motifs to create something unique. Mix and match from our selection of motifs, colors and fonts and add your own message to create something truly special. Contact: Jennifer Mincey 203.563.9885 500 Ridgefield Road, Wilton, CT 06897www.pippenalley.com

A Conspiracy of FunWhether we are sewing custom gifts for friends, silk-screening designs on t-shirts or illustrating our latest loveable character: We are all about one thing -- fun! We have been creating smiles all over the globe for ten years through our most recognized character, Julius. Combine all that with our brightly colored, mid-century inspired vision and you’ve got PAUl FRAnK inDUSTRieS.195 Mulberry Street, new york, ny 10012;212 965 5079www.paulfrank.com

The PAvilionLocated at 500 East 77th St., the historic Pavilion offers the best of luxury rental living today. The Pavilion’s one-, two- and three-bedroom homes are built with growing families in mind, boasting Glenwood’s signature finishes, generous proportions and timeless sophistication. Just steps from John Jay Park and the City’s finest schools, residents also benefit from Glenwood’s full-service amenities including landscaped rooftop sundecks, available valet and maid service and on-site shopping. For more information, call 212.535.0500 or visit www.glenwoodnyc.com

PeneloPe’S PeoPle is an innovative placement agency offering excellent nanny care, housekeeping, personal assistance and senior care services.• We personally match caregivers to make your life easier when you care for your most precious possessions – your children and loved ones• We have an extensive screening process that includes interviewing, reference checks and background checks by a private security firm226 east 54th Street, Suite 306new york, new york 10022Ph: 212.444.1313 email: [email protected]

Write a comic book about a menacing villain or learn about famous artists and create your own famous artwork. SCRibble PReSS, New York’s only “make-your-own-book” store, offers tons of fun winter classes to help students build literacy, creative writing and art skills. Students will finish the semester with books they’ve written themselves! East and West side locations. Scribble Press is also THE place to host a party or just drop in. Open seven days. Memberships available.1624 First Ave., new york, ny 10028215 W. 84th St., new york, ny 10024

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We’re MAM- the small Austrian company with big ideas! From our start in 1976, our mission has been to combine outstanding design, optimal functionality and medical know- how to a line of smart baby products. Starting with one unique pacifier, today MAM’s range includes a variety of intelligent baby design in four key areas- pacifiers, bottles, teethers and oral care. 106 Corporate Park Drive, Suite 409 White Plains, ny 10604Toll free: 866-949-1174www.mambaby.com

MAThnASiUM makes math fun!!! Mathnasium offers tutoring and enrichment programs exclusively in math in your home or at our centers. We help students in grades PreK-12 build a solid math foundation while developing confidence and a love for math. Your child will receive both homework guidance and a customized program that fills in skill gaps and builds number sense. Come visit us at our brand new UWS location!WARNING: Your child could become CRAZY about Math!!! UeS – 1597 york Ave (b/t 84th & 85th) UWS – 506 Amsterdam Ave (b/t 84th & 85th)

SKi & RiDe MoUnT PeTeR Mt. Peter is located in Warwick, NY- which is approximately 1 hour from NYC. We are known for many things, like our Free Beginner Ski and Snowboard School, our great snowmaking and expert grooming, awesome terrain park, top-notch racing and development programs, and our family atmosphere. Mount Peter is the oldest operating ski area in New York State, and one of the few remaining family operated ski areas in the country. Welcome to our 75th season! 40 Ski lane, Warwick, ny 10990Mtpeter.com • 845-986-4940

MAKe MeAning’S brand new 3-level store on the UWS is the best new creativity destination and party space in NYC. Adults and kids alike can make amazing soap, candles, or jewelry, paint ceramics or make a beautiful glass plate – just by walking in! Come in and be the first to create a beautiful and thoughtful holiday gift for your friends and family.Store address/phone number: 329 Columbus Ave (btwn 75th and 76th)(212) 362-0350www.MakeMeaning.com

BLOOMFLOWERS.COM


playground Gallery

Because New Yorkers’ have everything but space: techline Studio- furniture that fits. Architect owned, we measure, design, and install our modular systems for a custom fit solution. Our job is to help you make the most of your home and office space. And to find spaces and places for the things that matter.

35 east 19th Street, nY, nY 10003, 212-674-1813 www.techlinestudio.com

SlAte, one of New York’s only venues with private and semiprivate reception spaces; featuring 16,000 square feet of sleek décor over 2 floors, accommodating parties of 10 to 1200 guests. Slate provides on-site catering of sumptuous modern American cuisine, activities such as billiards, ping pong and foosball, state-of-the-art surround sound and audiovisual capabilities as well as a spacious dance floor. Slate is ideal for all of your special and private events including corporate parties, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, fashion shows, birthday parties, film shoots, meetings/seminars, rehearsal dinners and receptions. 54 West 21st Street, Btw. 5th and 6th Avenues, nYcwww.slate-ny.com [email protected]

SLATE

American Dream Car & Limousine

212.426.1010Book online at: WWW.THENYLIMO.COM

$4 OFF 212.426.1010

teen ink is a monthly magazine, now in its 22nd year, written entirely by teens and for teens. It has been called “The New Yorker for teens”. Each issue includes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, opinions, movie, music and book reviews and more. In addition, all the art and photography is by teens. There is no charge to submit or to be published. The magazine is produced by the nonprofit Young Authors Foundation and your subscription helps support teens. To Subscribe or obtain a free sample copy, visit the website at: TeenInk.com or call 1-800-363-1986teen ink ,Box 30, newton, MA 02461617-964-6800 • www.teenink.com

the SMithSoniAn’S cooper-heWitt, nAtionAl deSign MuSeuM is the only museum in the nation devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design. The Museum presents compelling perspectives on the impact of design on daily life through active educational and curatorial programming. It is the mission of Cooper-Hewitt’s staff and Board of Trustees to advance the public understanding of design across the twenty-four centuries of human creativity represented by the Museum’s collection.2 east 91st Street, new York, nY 10128212-849-8400

SmithsonianCooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum


Mom’s Minute

How do you celebrate the holidays?My husband is Jewish and I am Catholic, so we enjoy celebrating both Chanukah and Christmas with our children. We generally stay in New York until Christ-mas Day, and then head someplace warm and sunny through the New Year. What’s your favorite thing to do with your children around the holidays?New York is so much fun during the holi-day season. We are active and spend lots of time in the park—ice skating at Woll-man Rink is a family favorite, followed by hot chocolate at Via Quadronno. Since having children, have you started any new holiday traditions?My children love baking and decorating cookies with Grandma, and always leave some out for Santa. They also open one present before bedtime on Christmas Eve. … I love seeing their excitement! What lesson from parenting have you incorporated into your work?Having children puts one’s priorities in order. I don’t freak out over the little things anymore. If a shade of pink is a little off, it’s O.K., the world goes on. What’s your favorite family moment every day?Playing in Central Park each morning with my children.What’s the best part of raising a child in New York City?New York has such a wonderful energy. I hope William and Sophia will grow up with a passion for the culture and diversity our city offers.What’s your guilty parenting pleasure? Saying yes to sweets and seeing the ecstatic look on their faces!

Michelle SMith’s line of sports-wear and accessories may lean toward Palm Beach’s playful chic, but the designer’s life is totally new York. On the verge of opening her first boutique on Madison Avenue and launching a children’s collection, she talks business and pleasure.

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wollmanskatingrink.com

COME CELEBRATE YOUR CHILDREN’SBIRTHDAY

LEARN TO SkATE IN NEw YORk’SCENTRAL

PARK• VIPAdmission• SkateRental• UnlimitedSkating• One-HourofPrivate HeatedTent• FreeAdmissionand SkateRentalforAdults

SeeWebsiteforDetailsorcall212.439.6900 x12

• LearnfromSkatingPros• AllAgesandAllAbilities• LearntoFigureSkate• GroupandPrivateLessons• EnrollthroughouttheSeason

SeeWebsiteforDetailsorcall212.744.0882

Fri at 7 pm, Sat at 2 and 7 pm, Sun at 12 and 5 pm

DEC 3 – JAN 2

Recommended for everyone over the age of 4.

NewVictory.org646-223-3010

Great for the Whole FamilyRecommended for everyone over the age of 4

Tickets start at $17

Art: To

m Slaug

hter; Pho

tos: A

di O

rni, Gad

i Dag

on

by Mayumana

MON TUES WED THR FRI SAT SUN

Dec 22

Dec 29

Dec 23 Dec 26

Jan 2

Dec 24

Dec 28 Dec 30 Dec 31

No show on Christmas

No show on New Year’s

Day

2 and 7pm

2 and 7pm

2 and 7pm 12 and 5pm

12 and 5pm

2pm

7pm 7pm 2pm

SPLASHY, HIGH-ENERGYSPECTACLE + THRILLS

AND LAUGHS =

ONE MOMENTOUS

HOLIDAY SHOWFOR THE

WHOLE FAMILY!

®

A N E W 4 2 N D S T R E E T P R O J E C T®

Holiday Weeks Schedule

Documents

The New York Observer Playground - Winter 2010