The Stokke Xplory stroller is the most fashionable winter stroller we have seen around. No more bending down to play your little one, this stroller really is designed to be close. It has so many awesome accessories from hand muffs for mamas, to a sheepskin lining for babies to lay on, to a fleece filled footmuff to keep your baby warm and cozy. It is super fun to interchange the colors and fabrics to suit the weather and season. We can't wait to see Tata's spring stroller look!
Dr. Problem Solver
TRIBECA PARK DERMATOLOGY: 32 Ericsson Place, NY, NY 10013, Ph.: 212 374-9750
When I moved downtown 10 years ago, I stumbled upon TriBeCa Park Dermatology, and gave it a try. Dr. Adam Geyer who has been in the practice since the beginning, is a phenomenal doctor with great bedside manner. He he has been correct in diagnosing and healing me for every visit. I often stop in to see him for cortisone shots if I have a breakout. I did struggle for a while through both of my pregnancies with acne, and he was able to help me clear it up. In the aftermath of birth, I had broken blood vessels and some skin pigmentation under my eyes, and Dr. Geyer has some innovative, non-invasive lasers that cleared it up overnight. I am thankful I found him and that he is in the neighborhood!
Read moreMaking Music
BLUE BALLOON: email: hello@blueballoonschool.com
I had heard about this amazing class for children to learn various musical instruments, and was excited at the prospect of my daughter learning the guitar. It is an instrument that she always expressed an interest in exploring, and I firmly believe on building upon our children's own interests to achieve success. When I met with Rachel Lipson and her team of musicians/instructors, I was blown away. Rachel has created a program for children to learn songwriting while playing their instruments! They get to write their own lyrics based on anything on their mind, and then learn chords to play their own songs. By the end of the semester, they create their own album of hits that they have on audio record and sing along to well after the music session ends. I was so moved by my daughter's music, her soft voice, and her lyrics touched me deeply. She was so proud of how she expressed herself through her song. Next stop....Broadway!
Read moreKids Couture
BONPOINT: 398 West Broadway, NYC, ph. (917) 261-5541, 805 Madison Avenue, ph. (212) 879-0900, 1269 Madison Avenue, ph. (212) 722-7720
I find myself always overhearing the phrase “I wish they had that in my size,” when shopping around children’s boutiques. So, for all of you Mamas who feel the same way, we have a shop for you! Bonpoint has been making beautiful, delicate, extra chic children’s clothing since I was a little girl. My Mama exclusively dressed me up in all of their liberty prints, so naturally when I had my girls, Bonpoint was my first stop! It was a delightful surprise to recently find that they have expanded into women’s apparel. Now, we can all dress in matching modern looks with our daughters! Bonpoint's artistic director Christine Innamorato (featured above) has brought such creativity and beauty in the design of the line. We had great fun meeting her and learning about the inspiration behind our favorite kids clothing brand. Bonpoint’s founder, Marie-France Cohen, started this Parisian design house, with her family as her inspiration. We love a business that revolves around family!
Read moreHealthful Delivery
HIGHWAY2WELL: email: tara.roscioli@highway2well.net
I have tried so many health food delivery services in New York. There have been times in my life where I wanted to lose weight quickly, particularly after childbirth, and I turned to these weekly prepared meal plans to get the job done. Mostly, I was dissatisfied, and left craving more food. These meal plans never really tasted great either. I didn't ever want a juice cleanse because I'm an eater, and the mere thought of those made me feel weak and fatigued! I was happy to find a fellow Tracy Anderson devotee, Tara Roscioli, a certified holistic health coach, who started her own plant-based organic meal plan delivery service. Everything delivered to me for my week trial was delicious, healthful, and filling! The kale salad was my personal favorite as well as her mason jar mixed salads and granola bars. My body felt better having no meat that week. Tara takes on limited clients for her meal plans, as she wants to be able to give her full attention and ensure the food is of the highest quality. She often offers her nutrition advice in addition to the meals.
MAMA-OF-THE-MOMENT: Chelsea Hirschhorn, C.E.O. of Fridababy
My Fridababy story….
I practiced law in New York before moving to Miami with my husband (CMO of Burger King - based in Miami) after our wedding in 2010. It was a total gut-check – as all of our friends and family are in NY, and I was totally one of those “Is there life beyond the city?” New Yorkers. I was the Director of Ancillary Revenue and Associate Counsel for the Miami Marlins when we bought a house on Miami Beach. The Swedish founder of Fridababy is our neighbor, and after my first son was born I was asked to take over the day-to-day operations of the business to help rebrand the company and grow the portfolio of products beyond the NoseFrida, into a full toolkit of smart solutions for millennial parents. Quite the challenge, but the rest is history!
A somewhat circuitous route to the baby world, but I've never looked back and never been happier. All of the professional experiences that I've had have meaningfully contributed to my day-to-day running Fridababy -whether it's negotiating licensing or manufacturing agreements with our trading partners, or designing new packaging that millennial parents will relate to.
When it comes to innovation, Miami is quite liberating. Without my “NY blinders” I became unhinged from a very tunnel-vision focus on what is considered “the norm” not only when it comes to designing new parenting products, but also with respect to my career.
How did you take the initial concept and execute it into a major brand that is so high in demand?
The Fridababy ethos is smart solutions for baby problems big and small – the joy we experience as parents of “having the answer” – and arming parents with the tools to do the deed and get on with the fun stuff is what we’re all about. The great success we’ve had is in part due to our incredibly loyal following of pediatric medical professionals, and of course those multitasking millennial parents who are looking for instant and natural relief to some pretty common problems! We aren’t afraid to push the envelope and talk about the less than Instagram-worthy reality of parenthood, and the challenges we face – usually at 3AM!
How have your children played a part in your business motivation and design? How have they helped you in your creative process?
When it comes to design & development, I can tie each of our new products to a very specific pain point that I’ve personally experienced navigating parenthood over the past three years. You can actually trace the age of my children through the products we’ve launched – particularly the one we’re about to unveil in just a few weeks!!
For example, we launched the MomWasher a few months after I gave birth and realized how awful that hospital bottle was! Our product development philosophy has never been to reinvent the wheel – we simply put millennial touches on pretty age-old practices that typically haven’t been innovated for years (bye bye – bulb syringe!). The NailFrida followed shortly thereafter and is a perfect example of how modern but simple improvements, like a spyhole to see the nail through the clipper, can be total game changers. My husband jokes that we’re going to end up with 5 kids just so I can maintain a pipeline of inspiration – necessity is truly the motherhood of invention.
Which classes have you found most beneficial to your children in NYC?
When we’re home in NYC we typically dive into the museum scene but a perennial favorite is really Chelsea Piers. From the carousel to the driving range, we can literally spend an entire afternoon there. The skateboard park is also a mesmerizing show for a 3-year old boy!
How do you make time for yourself and manage your busy schedule of two full-time jobs? how do you enjoy your personal time?
As a working mom, “me” time is elusive. It’s difficult to carve that out when the minutes and hours seem to literally melt away, but I find I’m a better mother, wife and C.E.O. when I do make the time – even if it’s just an early morning workout or a mid-week coffee date with my husband to connect uninterrupted. Everyone needs a refresh, and overcoming the working mom guilt around taking it is the most challenging part, but I know I’m a better version of myself after. It was important for me to end the search for the perfect daily “balance” – it doesn’t exist. Being honest about what makes me happy beyond my role as a mother is an ongoing challenge, but we all had meaningful identities before we were blessed with this new title, so it remains important to work on making time for that.
What are your favorite books for children?
We try to keep it fresh, and currently Hunter is loving the IGGY PECK ARCHITECT series. I love THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT and THE BOOK WITH NO PICTURES – but we hung a few Lucite bookshelves right by his big boy bed so he’s now very involved in the nightly selection process despite my personal preferences. I could probably recite most of them with my eyes closed at this point (and sometimes do!)
What are your most useful kids products in addition to Fridababy products?
Let’s start with the most important – keeping all the STUFF organized on the go! I use either a Life in Play tote organizer that takes the essentials from bag to bag easily (ditched a traditional diaper bag a long time ago) or the Roberta Roller Rabbit waterproof zipper pouches to keep all of my gear in one place for an easy transfer when I change bags. I have one pattern for each kid, which keeps it all easily accessible wherever we go!
I always have MD Moms Sunscreen Wipes on me – they are a total necessity in Miami where most of their day 365 days a year is outside and the wipe application concept takes the struggle out of the sunscreen battle with a toddler.
The Baby Zen Yoyo collapsible stroller has made navigating the travel with toddler (and infant) situation totally manageable! We travel a lot, and the portability plus the fact that it goes in the overhead compartment is unrivaled – no more of the never ending wait for gate checked gear.
What is your best piece of advice for new moms?
Try not to be half of everything to everyone at the same time. When you're with your family - be there 110% - when you're with friends or at work - the same - you'll be a better parent, friend, wife, etc. and naturally more efficient as a result! If you’re out of the house in the office for most of the day, I find carving out the hours between 6-8 PM for your family incredibly important and I encourage my team (mostly young moms!) to do the same! Turn your phone off and unplug entirely. It’s an incredibly gratifying feeling to see how well kids respond to uninterrupted attention, particularly in the very “accessible” life we all live in today!
A Neighborhood Gem
PICNIC: 192 Amity St., Brooklyn, N.Y., ph. (718) 237-0670
I walked into this vibrant store and felt like I could spend hours searching through their racks for beautiful surprises. They sold all of my favorite kids clothing brands like Louise Misha and Roberta Roller Rabbit and some brands we had never seen before and discovered. It's a real neighborhood gem where everyone knows each other and you can feel a real sense of community. The owner is super friendly and helpful with finding what you need. They have the most fun toys for kids as well as great accessories like fab sunglasses for my girls. It's a one-stop shop for fun toys, clothing, and all of the necessities in a very quaint and manageable space.
Read moreThe Party Dress
FLORENCE FANCY: ph. (212) 988-8746, email: info@florencefancy.com
Florence Fancy, created by Nancy McCormick, is a children's line comprised of beautiful and special pieces to make every little girl feel like a princess. My girls loved wearing these dresses for the holidays and I only wished her line came in adult sizes. Inspired by her own daughter, these whimsical and elegant dresses are beautifully crafted in fine fabrics and patterns, and are perfect for very special occasions. Nancy completed every little girl's dream by creating matching outfits for the American Girl doll as well. You can find the most fashionable wardrobe for your little girls and their dolls here!
Read moreThe Power of Play
CHILD'S PLAY: email: jocelyn@childsplayny.com
Jocelyn Greene is a mom who has created a fantastic company based on the power of play! When I met her for a session in my home, it was clear that this was her calling. She was bubbly, warm, and my girls loved her voice! The actor in her was apparent, and she uses her skills to give children confidence through drama and theatrical performance art. Jocelyn developed Child's Play to help children better express and communicate their imaginative thoughts and emotions, build their self-esteem, and improve their overall performance in all arenas. She believes that play, and honing in on a child's personal interests and ideas, is an incredible tool for learning. I agree with her completely, and find her classes and online play ideas to be some of the best that I've come across. When Jocelyn arrived at my house and in seconds had my very selective daughter in costume sitting on her lap reading a story, I knew she was a real talent! My kids can be tough critics and do not warm up so quickly to most strangers, so when I saw how engaged my daughter was, I was impressed. Contact her about her wide range of classes, or even for birthday parties, so you too can experience a little bit of her magic.
The Art Connoisseur
CHESTMAN ART: Email: jessica@chestmanart.com, website: www.chestmanart.com, Instagram: @chestmanart
A dear friend of mine, Jessica Chestman, started an art consulting company a few years ago, based on her vast education on the topic. She has degrees in art history and art business, and was exposed to art at a young age through her mother who was an artist. She is beautiful, fun, kind, and bright, which makes for a great partner to go exploring galleries and art studios. Jessica is incredibly easy to work with and does a great job interpreting her client's taste to find them exactly what works for their home. She typically works on an entire home collection, to make the house cohesive, and reflective of the family. We recently took a stroll into one of her favorite galleries for children's art, looking for perfect pieces to liven up a nursery or kid's bedroom. I loved all of her choices, particularly the fun candy prints, featured in the slideshow. Jessica is great at finding special pieces on a budget, and can work within various price points. Jessica has an incredible passion for art advising, and is truly an expert in her field.
Read moreThe Light in Our Lives
CATHY LEVY C.S.W.: email: cathylev@gmail.com
Needless to say, this woman is everything to Mama & Tata! Our Mom, Cathy Levy, began her private practice with offices on the upper east side and Long Island, almost 30 years ago. Her light and energy was instilled in us at a young age. We are both more than fortunate to have her as our mother, best friend, and therapist! She has been mediating Mama & Tata arguments since the beginning, and we fully attribute our beautiful sister relationship and the way we both mother our children to this sophisticated, brilliant, and perceptive soul. She has a true gift; her passion, decades of experience, intuition and sound judgment make the perfect recipe for great advice. Over the years we have referred many of our friends to her practice, all who have benefited greatly and loved their experience. She specializes in couple's therapy, eating disorders, and depression, although from my own personal experience, I am certain she can help anyone with any issue!
Read moreMAMA-Of-The-MOMENT: Sylvana Ward Durrett
How have your children inspired your fashion career?
My children definitely inspired me to start Maisonette. I've been so frustrated with the process of shopping for my children online- I want cool, unique clothes for my kids that not every kid is wearing. It's impossible to find a curated selection of high-quality, fashion forward products online today- that's why we're starting Maisonette!
How do you carve out "me" time and how do you like to spend this time?
It's so hard! But I force myself to get a mani/pedi and foot massage every Thursday or Friday- it's the only time all week I can decompress and turn off my phone for an hour.
Where do you shop for your children in NYC?
Yoya, Sweet William, Makie, Acorn, Posh in Brooklyn.
What have been the most beneficial kids classes for your children?
Child's Play has been such a great class for my kids- it allows them to step outside their comfort zone, get comfortable speaking and performing in front of groups and most of all, use their imagination!
What family values are most important to you that you instill in your children?
That family always comes first, no matter what.
What is your most memorable family vacation?
Adam and I did a tour of Italy before we had kids as our last hoorah- it was magical. Now it's hard to leave them for more than a weekend!
What are your favorite children's books?
I love all of the Oliver Jeffers books- they are so unique and funny. "Stuck" is definitely a fav.
What inspired you to come up with your new business venture and when will it be launching?
Answered above I think. We are lauching Early Spring 17- stay tuned!!!!
Clean Your Wheels
TOT SQUAD: email: saad@thetotsquad.com, ph.: (408) 202.5033
We are excited to provide you with this luxury service to get those stroller wheels squeaky clean. This is super helpful for all of our mama readers since the Tot Squad comes directly to your home to wipe down your wheels with Honest products that are baby friendly. It is especially useful in the winter when you are constantly coming home with grimy wheels. We are thankful to Tot Squad for keeping our wheels and are homes dirt-free!
Read moreTraining Little Athletes
FASTBREAK: 1629 1st Avenue, NYC, email: teamfastbreak@fastbreakkids.com , ph: 212-724-3278
Tata cannot wait to take her little boy to Fastbreak sports. This basketball facility is a dream for your little athletes. Tata was so impressed with the trainers who ensured the kids had a ball shooting hoops while teaching the basics. We commend Fastbreak for learning athletic skills while keeping it fun. This is the perfect after-school activity to let your kiddies' energy out or the ideal spot for their next birthday party. Starting as early as two years, we promise your little ones will not only have a blast shooting hoops but also run wild in the bouncy castle! This was a special treat for Tata to feel like a kid again!
Read moreThe Ultimate Pre-Traveling Stop
CUYANA: : 266 Elizabeth Street, NYC, ph. (844) 326-6005
Whenever my friends celebrate birthdays, weddings, showers, or special occasions I struggle with finding a great gift. I take pride in buying presents that people truly appreciate, so I cannot grab just any old thing! A dear friend of mine recently turned me on to a company called Cuyana, who makes beautiful leather accessories at affordable prices. They are very well-made and come in a wide assortment of colors. They make incredible luggage and weekend bags for those of you looking to buy a great wedding gift or take a trip. I recently received a gift of grey leather toiletry bags in various sizes that were monogrammed in gold, and I use them wherever I go. They also produce wallets, passport cases, pouches, and keychains so it's really a one stop shop for men's and women's gifts for all occasions. Next time you want to make someone feel special, stop in and check out their new collection.
Read moreThe Post-Workout Fix
NATALIE KINGHORN: Email: Ndk515@gmail.com, ph: 352-262-5278
At a time when I was in a particularly difficult place after giving birth to my second daughter, and having many hormonal imbalances, I developed plantar fasciitis. When it rains, it pours, and I felt like I was never going to feel like a human being again. I didn't get any sleep, I had internal discomfort from the hormones, and I was unable to exercise at all. For a person like myself, who is very active and needs to sweat, this caused me to go into a bit of a depression. A close friend of mine suggested I see Natalie Kinghorn, a physical therapist, who could help me with my pain. I met Natalie, and she changed my life. Not only did she fix my plantar fasciitis within a couple of sessions, but we connected on a deeper level, and she became one of my closest friends, whom I respect, admire, and adore. Natalie and I have our own mini talk-therapy sessions every time she is working on me, which actually eases the pain of the physical therapy. I trust her completely, and am grateful to have gained such a dear friend, as well as the BEST physical therapist in the business. My high impact exercise regimen, naturally leads to some body fatigue and muscle aches, and I know that whenever something begins to hurt, Natalie will fix it with her deep tissue massage and cupping techniques. She is like my secret weapon, and now I'm sharing her with all of you!
Read moreThe Car Seat Experts
CAR SEAT LADY: http://thecarseatlady.com/
Every first-time parent knows the struggle of the car seat! It's basically the only item required to leave the hospital with your child, and for some reason, they are the most difficult things to install. It seems like the entire baby/toddler industry makes products that require long instruction manuals and a handyman. These long lists of instructions are hard to follow and become utterly frustrated. When I first became a parent, I had no idea who to call to install my car seat properly to ensure protection and safety. I sent my husband to the police station, the fire station, and everyone looked at him like he was crazy! Finally, I had a friend who sent me the number of The Car Seat Lady, Dr. Alisa Baer. She was the known "expert" when it came to which car seat to purchase and how to install all car seats properly. She walked me through the entire process to make sure I could do every step myself. She even brings a doll to practice how to safely put your newborn in the seat. Her instruction is stellar, and I highly suggest giving her a call and setting up an appointment if you're becoming a parent!
Read moreMAMA-OF-THE-MOMENT: Rachelle Hruska MacPherson
How do you juggle so many roles and manage multiple businesses while still making time for your family life?
First and foremost, I have an incredibly supportive husband. He is always willing to drop everything and pick up a kid somewhere if needed, which is just incredibly cool. I am also very fortunate in that I have this amazing support network helping me out and wonderful teams that I work with. Finally, I moved my offices one block away from my house. I am not naturally organized and being close enough to go back and forth is everything - plus it allows me to bring my children to my office on a regular basis.
How do you see Lingua Franca evolving in seasons to come?
The Lingua Franca Cashmere collection will be evolving to a kids line and different colors/sayings as time goes on. Lingua Franca Inc. the company will, in a perfect world, grow into something much more. Our ethos is sharing “a common language” and the products that inspire me, with this ethos in mind, will be the underlining theme of future products we release.
How do you carve out "me" time and how do you like to spend this time?
The most successful people I’ve met usually place the highest value on being able to "live well" by making time for the things that make them happiest. I truly enjoy my work so it doesn’t normally feel like a drag - it makes me happy. Besides that, I make sure I exercise almost everyday. I do pilates, yoga, and cardio. I also love playing the piano and reading. Reading, to me, is the ULTIMATE luxury.
How have your children influenced or inspired your career?
I think my children have actually inspired me to only take on things that I really enjoy. I love having my boys in our offices and watch them watch me lead. I hope that they are inspired by me. I want, more than anything, for them to understand the importance of working hard on things that are meaningful to you. I care about the world they are growing up in and I want to be a better leader and contributor to society for them.
What classes in NYC have been most beneficial to your children?
We recently started piano lessons with a fantastic woman on lower 5th. She has taught my son so many things that extend beyond music. Besides that, swimming, soccer, karate and gymnastics. There are so many things to do!
What has been your most memorable family vacation?
We travel quite a bit as a family. We love surfing with grandma jan jan in baja, heading to Nebraska to see my family, and heading to the Mediterranean every summer, and Jose Ignacio, Uruguay in the winters. But, I think our most memorable trips as a family are the ones that truly take us out of our comfort zones. Russian, Morocco, Istanbul, Tokyo….
Where do you shop for your boys?
I love this little store called Clementine by Washington Sq park. It’s a consignment store and I’ve found some amazing finds there. Besides that, I try to pick up clothes for them when we are traveling in other cities and out wandering around. It focuses our city exploring and is fun for them to remember the places when they wear the things.
What are your favorite children's books?
There are so many it’s obviously hard to pick. What has been fun is remembering books I loved as a child and re reading them now. It’s trippy. There’s this book “The smells of Christmas” that I can literally remember reading as a child like it was yesterday. I also love “the wind and the willows” and the Richard Scarry books.
What is your best piece advice for a new mom?
Enjoy it! It goes so fast…. And, remember, tomorrow is a new day.
What values do you hope to instill in your children?
I hope my children are kind and stay curious.
Pre-Vacation Stop
ROBERT ROLLER RABBIT: 176 Duane St., NYC, ph. (212) 966-0076, 1019 Lexington Ave., NYC, ph. (212) 772-7200
RRR is a one-stop shop for everything for kids, adults, and home. There is something for everyone! It happens to be the best stop for gifts since the prices are affordable. My kids love their pajamas and beachwear and I personally love their travel accessories, beach bags and cover-ups. Their clothes are all fun prints and colors and you can match with your kiddies! This is our go-to stop for all of our holiday gifts this year as well as our pre-vacation shop!
Read more"Rita to The Rescue"
WORKING SOLUTIONS: Ph. (212) 922-9562, email: workingsolution@aol.com
Common conversation with my friends goes like this, "Do you know of any great nannies? Mine left and I'm desperate!" To which I reply, "Call Rita!" These requests are constant, and as we all know the nanny search is extremely difficult. I have so many stories from so many nannies, I could honestly write a book. These are the people we are making responsible for our most precious gifts, so there is nothing more important than finding someone right. I feel so grateful for Rita and her company, Working Solutions, who have helped me find wonderful, hard-working, kind, loyal, reliable, sophisticated help for my two children. I came to her at a time when I felt like I was spinning. I had no help and needed to get to work, and she immediately sent me four candidates who were very qualified professionals and all would have been suitable for the position. She does all of the interviewing, background checks, and referrals before sending anyone over to meet her clients. She is a pleasure to work with and I know I can depend on her when I am in a jam. Make sure you all store her number, because it will definitely come in handy!
Read more