Playground

$3.95 november / DECEMBER 2010

Supersize Me
When Baby Makes
Four (or Five)
It’s Time to Move

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Give Thanks With the Family

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Fun awaits on
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Come and experience the world-famous
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 No Time Like
The "Present"

Gymtime is the savvy parent's resource for

recreational and educational activities for children ages
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For more information and a full list of classes for your child visit: www.gymtime.net.
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 Letter From
the Editor
I love this time of year! Filled with family,
friends and, of course, Thanksgiving. There’s
so much to be grateful for—like being a par-
ent and living in the world’s greatest city—
and I’m happy to get to share this wonderful
time of year with you in our latest issue!
For many people—me included!—this time
of year is synonymous with great food, and in
this edition of Observer Playground, we’ve in-
cluded some stories aimed straight at your sweet tooth. We’ve got a terrific
interview with candy maven Dylan Lauren about her new book. We’ve also
got an interview with Norah O’Donnell about her fabulous new cookbook,
Baby Love: Healthy, Easy, Delicious Meals for Your Baby and Toddler.
This issue also includes some must-read features on maximising your
quality time with the kids. We’re spotlighting Scribble Press—a new play
space where your kids can make their own books.
On a more serious note, we’ve also included stories on how to teach your
little ones social skills, and how to help them in the school application pro-
cess with Karen Quinn’s new book, Testing for Kindergarten.
As always, we’ve got a glamorous cover star, and I’m so thrilled that it is
Elisabeth Rohm. Elisabeth talked to us about her extra-
busy (but admittedly wonderful) life, which includes a
successful acting career; life with fiancé Ron Wooster
and their adorable daughter, Easton; writing novels,
recording music and doing charity work; and being the
spokesperson for an amazing line of
kids’ educational products, Juno
Baby Jr. She is an incredible role
model.
There’s much more, including
the regulars you love—Hot to Tot,

Figjam Portraiture, Fine Portraits by Francis Hills; courtesy of dylan’s candy bar
the Lysst and an irresistible kids’
fashion spread.
Phew! What a full issue! Enjoy!
And Happy Thanksgiving!
Dylan Lauren
.

lyss@observer.com

10 playground november / december 2010

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the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in
which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.
 Playground
Editor in chief Lyss Stern

managing editor shaina feinberg

Kids Fashion Editor Stephanie Kaster

editorial associate Kat Harrison
Styling INTERN Victoria McClellan

Contributors
Liz Armstrong, TAtiana Boncompagni,
Alix Cohen, Pamela Weiler Grayson,
LAmbeth Hochwald, julie earle-levine,
Betsy Schur Levy, Laura Morgan,
REbecca Morse, Melissa Schweiger,
Emily TannenbauM, Zibby Right

on the
Now openest Side!
Upper W art director BARBARA SULLIVAN

Production director Tyler Rush

Tutoring and Enrichment advertising/production coordinator lisa medchill
th
Associate Publisher, observer playground

."5)


Betty Shaw Lederman

Marketing Manager Ashley O’Brien


"NTUFSEBN
"WF




t






:PSL
"WF Account Executives

Mitch Bedell, David Bendayan, paul kornblueh,
Tracy Lingo, David Wolff, Michelle Morgan,
Spencer Sharp, Robyn Weiss

Winter
F session junior account executive Elana Delasos
starts
January 29.
circulation
peter parris, Carlos rodriguez, eden sherman

Inquire
Summer about
Camp our Summer
2: August mini-camps 3
15-September Observer Media Group
F 2-5
Girotondo (circle of fun) Ages Publisher Jared Kushner
An Italian language program which improves fluency through songs, stories,
President Christopher Barnes
games and arts & crafts. Classes require parent or caregiver.
Executive Vice President Barry Lewis
Giardino dei Bambini Ages 2-5
Giardino dei Bambini is a morning drop-off playgroup at CI for kids ages 2-5. Senior Vice President Sales Stephen Goldberg
Summer W Children
NECamp 2: may
August 15-September
join in on 3 and Thursday from 9-12 on an as
the fun every Tuesday
needed basis. Experienced instructors provide multiple opportunities for kids to Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing david gursky
learn Italian through play, while learning important socialization skills. The pro-
Girotondo (circle gram of fun)
offers Ages learning
language 2-5 through games, activities, songs, dance theater, Director of Classified Advertising Ken Newman
and hands-on creativity (art projects and cooking).
An Italian language program which improves fluency
Space is limited. 24-hour advance through songs,
reservation stories,
is required.
games and arts & crafts. Classes require parent or caregiver. THE NEW YORK OBSERVER
321 West 44th Street
Piccoli Cuochi Ages 5-11 New York, NY 10036
Giardino dei Bambini Ages 2-5
Italian Cooking and Recipes for children & grown-ups. 212.755.2400
Giardino dei Bambini is a morning drop-off playgroup at CI for kids ages 2-5.
NEW Children may joinCreate,
www.observer.com
in on the fun every Tuesday and Thursday from 9-12 on an as
Act, Draw... Ages 3-5 & 7-12
needed basis. Experienced instructors provide multiple opportunities for kids to
learn Italian through play,Theater
Italian while learning
Workshopimportant socialization skills. The pro-
gram offers language learning through games, activities, songs, dance theater, To become a charter subscriber of Observer PLAYGROUND, and
and hands-on creativity (art projects and cooking). receive a full year of the quintessential parenting magazine
Space is limited. 24-hour advance reservation is required.
Group and private classes for adults and children for over 70% off the cover price, please call 800-542-0420,
x2331, and get five issues for just $9.95. It’s the only parenting
Piccoli Cuochi Ages 5-11 magazine you need!”
Italian Cooking and Recipes for children & grown-ups.
Cover photography by Tracy Toler. Fashion Styling by Anna Katsanis.
Create, Act, Draw... Ages 3-5 & 7-12
Italian Theater Workshop

12 playground november / december 2010

Group and private classes for adults and children

 10AM - 2PM | Madison Ave.
bet. E. 67 Street and E. 86 Street, NYC
Shop to benefit the
Whitney Museum
Family Programs
M A D I S O N A V E N U E
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

Baby CZ by Carolina Zapf Jaded Petit Bateau

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Monnalisa
1088 Madison Avenue (81 - 82) Zitomer Department Store
969 Madison Avenue (75 - 76)

Visit www.madisonavenuebid.org for a schedule of in-store performances and events.

The Madison Avenue Business Improvement District and the Whitney Museum of American Art are 501(c)(3) organizations. A copy of their latest annual reports are
available from the organizations or the New York State Attorney General’s Charity Bureau, Attn. FOIL Officer, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
 46

Contents
Departments
16 shopping lysst 26 career
18 Celebs give thanks 28/38 REal estate
32 party
Experience Pennsylvania in 20 fitness
22 Books 34 bike
24 hot to tot 36 food

Features
46 Elisabeth
Whoa is me! Actress, writer, spokesperson and
mom,the gorgeous and unstoppable Elisabeth Rohm.
52 fashion night out
A mother and daughter fashion show at the
Lisa Perry Store that rocked the runway.
56 home
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Reporter
Cat Greenleaf gives us a personal tour of her
amazing Cobble Hill home.
60 kid’s Fashion
Pint-size style! Pop-Tart pop-up fashion.
64 parenting
Great Choices Lead to Thanksgiving means more than mashed
Great Experiences. potatoes and turkey. A how-to on emphasizing
the spirit of gratitude this season.
tracy toler

68 Travel
Luxury vacations for the entire family.
padutchhotels.com Hershey Harrisburg Lancaster
Shopping Lysst
Lyss St e r n ’ S L at e st m u st- h av e s
Tree of Life Necklace
The Tree of Life Neck-
lace ($180) is made of
pink tourmaline; you
feel like you’re wearing
a miniature piece
of artwork with this
beautiful item.
darlingdesigns
newyork.com

Everlon Diamond Eternity Band says forever

for the holidays! The ring ($915) is inspired by
eternal love. Sleek and stylish, the Everlon knot Ruinart Golden
features a contemporary design set with dia- Thread Wine Stopper

monds. Can be given with love for any occasion. by Patricia Urquiola
Ruinart, one of the old-
est Champagne houses
in the world (est. 1729),
has released a special
wine stopper called
the Golden Thread,
designed by Spanish
architect and designer
Patricia Urquiola.
sherry-lehmann.com

Dennis Basso Tipped Faux

Mink Tiered Coat
Diva moms will want to sashay
H.Bloom down the streets of Manhattan
Nothing classes up an apartment when they are wrapped in this
or office more than a fresh vase faux mink coat ($168). Three
of flowers. Lucky for us moms, luxe tiers, balloon sleeve cuffs
H.Bloom is giving us a chance
and a shawl collar with a hood
to get in on some serious floral
give the fabulous piece
action with their new weekly
its super-chic silhouette.
flower-delivery service. It’s a great
gift—nothing makes me smile like
The Hammitt Westwood bag is the company’s No. 1 seller. It’s a
gorgeous flowers!
little bit slouchier (a hot look for fall) and available
hbloom.com.
in the popular leopard print. This hot bag ($485) is perfect for au-
tumn, and can go with almost every outfit in your closet.
hammitt.com/westwood.html

16 playground november / december 2010


 



  



  


 




 

 






 

   
 

   
  
 
   






 
  
   

  
 

 
  

 

 
    

 
 
 
  


   
 







 
   
   

 

   
 
 


  

   
 

 
 

 











 
 







 
     
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Give Thanks “I’ll be giving the
gift of meditation
at the David Lynch
Foundation TM
Some of our favorite New York celebrity parents share
centers. I’ll be get-
what they’re giving thanks for this Thanksgiving
ting good karma.”
—Russell
Simmons

“I am thankful for the “Every Thanks-

opportunity to give giving, our
back. Being on a real- family enjoys
ity show has put my time down
name out there and al- at our home in Palm
lowed me and my girls Beach. We love going
to be charitable on a down there to get away,
level we never expected. enjoy each other’s
This Thanksgiving, my company and eat fan-
daughters (Sea, 12, and tastic food! I’m giving
Teddy, 10) and I plan to thanks this year for
serve at a local shelter our health and hap-
such as the Food Bank piness!”
of New York.” —Melania Trump,
—Kelly Bensimon mom and wife of The Donald

“It’s something we mean to

do every day—say thanks—
but seem to lose sight of
most of the time. Make sure
that no matter what type of “For Thanks-
meal you are giving, I will
having, you take be in the 212
a moment to watching the
think about parade! No,
how much not sipping
you do have latté from
“I am thankful for human spirit. (health, love, some fancy
We all too often take our health friendship, pal’s CPW
and good fortune for granted, passion, duplex. I’ll be
abusing our bodies, pushing them perspec- Park-side with
to the limit, depriving ourselves of tive, ap- the fanny-
sleep, drinking and eating too much, preciation, pack-wearing
smoking and heaven knows what else. intellect, Red State mass-
“As a photographer and filmmaker, I reason, es. We do it every
have had the honor of traveling around the kindness), year. It’s freezing
world, to places like Tanzania, Haiti and and reflect and mobbed and
the ice floes off Eastern Canada, docu- on how you insane, but the
menting the struggles many people can share smile on my
face in abject poverty, extreme condi- more of it with son’s face when
tions and poor health. Yet one overall theme others.” ginormous Sponge-
that I always discover is hope. No matter how —Gwyneth
Bob floats down makes it all
difficult a situation may seem, we have the ability to Paltrow
worth it. I’m thankful I live
rise above it and fight on. I will be spending this Thanks- here. I love New York.”
giving with my wife, Cristen, and our two children, Jack, —Jill Kargman, author
getty images

who’s 4, and Jasmine, who’s 2.”

—Nigel Barker, fashion photographer and model —Julie Earle-Levine

18 playground november / december 2010

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Divalysscious Moms Night Out with Brooke Peterson
of the Food Network

Divalysscious Moms Central Park-

Holiday Cards photo shoot

CenterCharge
212-721-6500

Box Office / Entrance

Broadway at 60th

jalc.org/jfyp

Preferred Card of Media Partner

Jazz at Lincoln Center
Divalysscious Moms and Daughters launch of
Stride Rite Glitzy Pets Sneakers Photo by Frank Stewart
Fitness
Inhale, Exhale,
Now do it again
Exhale’s Core-Fusion rocks
the body real good
U
pon entering Exhale, you’ll be tempted
to breathe a sigh of relief. The space is
relaxing, and the idea that it doubles as
a workout facility and a spa makes it much less
intimidating than your average gym. But while
the atmosphere may put you at ease, Exhale’s
Core Fusion workout will make your heart race.
The Core Fusion studio is a large open space
with ballet bars lining the walls. Everyone is
equipped with some weights and a strap for
stretching. It’s obvious that many people are
regulars; they grab the heavier weights when
they enter class and their bodies are toned and
tight. On the day Playground visited, there was
a large range of women, most of whom were
older, but it quickly became clear that age was
just a number in this class. Elisabeth, who still
teaches at Exhale on occasion, embodies the
workout she created with her husband of 27
years, Fred. Her body is amazing, her personal-
20
ity friendly and her energy
positive. Before class begins,
she chats with everyone
briefly, introducing herself to
the newbies and getting up-
dates from others she seems
to know quite well.
Core Fusion is a mix of
various disciplines, includ-
ing Lotte Berk, Pilates,
Yoga, core conditioning and
stretching. There is no run-
ning or jumping (students
simply wear a pair of socks)
but rather small, intense
movements. The class begins
with leg lifts, to get your
energy flowing and prepare
you for what lies ahead.
The arms get targeted first,
and though working with
2-pound weights may sound
like a pleasure cruise, by
the time you drop and give
them 20 (push-ups, that is), you can actually
feel the muscles beginning to surface on your
biceps and triceps. The class moves along, as
you target your thighs and glutes while holding
on to the bar. Elisabeth moves around the class,
giving everyone the attention they need to en-
sure they are maximizing their workout. She is
constantly encouraging you to push through the
pain, even when all you want to do is break out
of the zone you’re in. The amount of concentra-
tion needed is incredible; it’s the ultimate real-
ization that you don’t need anything but your
own body to challenge yourself. Even though
the workout is entirely independent,
you feel yourself bonding with those
around you, sighing deeply after suc-
cessfully holding difficult positions
and smiling at your neighbors, who
are struggling as much as you are
(even if they are regulars). The final
segment of class targets your abs,
which have actually been working all
along but still deserve special atten-
tion. This abs series is no easy task,
but you are given multiple ways to
modify your workout so that you feel
comfortable, yet still feel the burn. That alone is
the theme of Core Fusion.
It’s easy to see that Elisabeth has a great
passion for the Core Fusion workout. Before
creating Core Fusion, she taught the Lotte Berk
Method for years at the studio she and her hus-
band owned. She immediately embraced the
idea of Exhale when she was approached by
the founder to help create the ultimate “urban
escape” in New York City. Now that there are
17 Exhale properties across the country (includ-
ing six in Manhattan and one in the Hamptons),
Elisabeth can’t possibly teach every class like
she used to years ago. She does, however,
ensure that classes are taught by instructors
who’ve received 275 hours of training, no small
feat for even the most intense workout enthusi-
ast. Core Fusion has also morphed into various
forms, including Core Fusion Cardio, Sport and
Yoga. Each workout is different, but they all
promise to give you long, lean muscles, a higher
backside and washboard abs. There is also a
DVD series for those who don’t live near a loca-
tion or would rather work out in the comfort of
their own home. As with any fabulous workout,
it’s hard to keep it a secret for too long. Celebri-
ties like Brooke Burke, Anna Paquin, Cameron
Diaz and Charlize Theron are toning their bod-
ies with this addictive workout.
The best part about Exhale and Core Fusion,
and the thing Elisabeth kept emphasizing, is
that they strive to create a harmonious energy
as you enter and leave. It’s very difficult to find
the motivation necessary to start or end your
day with a great workout, but Exhale and Core
Fusion make this transition seamless.
—Emily Tannenbaum
playground november / december 2010
 Hello Gorgeous!
It may be the season of delicious turkey, mashed
potatoes and pumpkin pie, but that doesn’t mean
your get-pretty routine has to fall by the wayside.
Here are six new products that will have you say-
ing “thank you” even after the holiday feast and
Black Friday madness subsides. —Kat Harrison

Pretty in Plaid. Harness your inner Scot with this

six-shadow palette, decked out in velvety tartan.

A WALK IN
This limited edition MAC Reelers & Rockers Eye
Kit features nighttime shades like matte black
(perfect for lining) and a sexy metallic shadow,
coyly dubbed “Gaelic
Gold.” All six colors are
sure to add some spring to
THE PARK
your jig, er, step. $36, mac-
cosmetics.com That’s how easy we can
make it to find that
Little Jack Horner. What’s chic all over and très autumn,
too? Essie Nail Polish in Velvet Voyeur. After you apply two special nanny you’ve
coats of this ultra-lush chocolate-plum shade on your been seeking.
fingers and toes, it becomes practically an accessory all
on its own! Though a gold bangle or two is always an ex-
ception to the rule. $8, essie.com
With 20 years in the
New York City market,
Lather Up. Nothing says a-ha to cold fronts bet-
ter than a hot bath and divine smelling suds. We adore the palm-size
we know nannies.
L’Occitane Fleur Chérie Flowers Soap that celebrates the Mediter-
ranean orange blossom with a slight woody finish. Trust us—you’ll
be thankful the chilly weather kept you cooped up for once. $7,
A CHOICE NANNY
loccitane.com 850 Seventh Avenue
NYCDCA #0890176
Hello, Bombshell. For so long we’ve scoured the shelves for the Member, Better Business Bureau
Marilyn Monroe of sheer red gloss. But thankfully the search is
over! Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Hollywood Red looks gorgeous
flying solo or adds a killer kick of shine on top of your go-to lip-
stick. Plus, the gloss’s botanical extracts will keep your lips oh-so
smooth even after the rouge color
fades. $20, bobbibrown.com

Pompadour Perfection. How many

brushstrokes does it take to get to a
polished, detangled coif? Thanks to the
magnificence of the Italian-crafted Bumble
and Bumble Flat Classic Hair Brush, just a
few glides through will do. This boar bristle
beauty evenly distributes your hair’s natu-
ral oils so that your locks look glossy and
smooth. Plus, the beechwood handle is just
the right size and doesn’t slip as you primp.
$85, bumbleandbumble.com

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Mascara manages to volumize, thicken, Call to discuss your child
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212-246-5437
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playground november / december 2010 21
Books
Sweet Tooth
Dylan Lauren gets serious
about sweets
A
s the founder and CEO of the
flocked-to hot spot Dylan’s
Candy Bar, Dylan Lauren has
a passion it takes only a millisecond to
piece together. Whether it’s chocolate-
covered, butterscotch-filled or
smothered in sour sugar crystals—
the inner workings of candy are
something this lady knows a little
something about. And now she’s shar-
ing her secrets with the rest of us! In
Dylan’s new book, Unwrap Your Sweet
Life, she spills candy-inspired crafts,
holiday gifts and decorating tips that
will get you thinking creatively and
playfully about sugar.
So this is your first written
venture. What inspired
Dylan as Barbie.
22
the book?
I love candy and feel a book
is another way, in addition
to the retail experience our
stores provide, to show the
beauty and fun of candy and
demonstrate how I see candy
as fashion, art and pop cul-
ture. I also want to inspire
people to get in touch with
their creative spirit and inner
child through candy.
Were there any surprises
along the way?
It felt like I was back in
school writing my thesis with
lots of very late
nights, more
of them than
any candy-store
project. It was
also most chal-
lenging to ensure
the photos and
text lined up accurately. It was like
a puzzle to try and fit the photos on
pages with the appropriate text, as
some text was too short or too long,
some photos too wide or vertical.
Since you are the official taste-tester for
Dylan’s, what are some of your weak-
nesses when it comes to sweets?
Everything, but more so fresh-baked
chocolate chip cookies, anything with
vanilla fondant or marshmallows.
How do you fight the urge to over-
indulge on new inventory?
Treat Yourself
Dylan Lauren’s flair for all things sweet
stretches far beyond the average lollipop.
In 2008, she launched a line of beauty
products (adorably dubbed Re-Treat)
that are full-on delish without the
calorie intake. Sold exclusively at
Sephora and Dylan’s Candy
Bar, the line features
lip balms, lotions,
I taste everything and just a bite satisfies me. I
think to not try things or eat in moderation is
problematic. I also work out to even it out.
Even though your family isn’t in the candy
business, you are surely surrounded by cre-
ative minds. How have they supported your
endeavors?
They all are very supportive entrepreneurs and
artists, and have creative business minds. They
are constantly providing me with ideas and
showing me tear sheets for inspiration.
Do you ever find it difficult to constantly
reinvent the wheel? What keeps the ideas
coming?
I actually find it easy to be creative with candy.
There are so many shapes, colors, textures and
various packaging to play with or
get inspired by.
Five stores nationwide, a line
of beauty products and now a
book. You seem unstoppable!
What’s next for you and the
Dylan’s Candy empire?
We are looking to expand into
major cosmopolitan cities such
as L.A., Las Vegas and London.
We have and continue to open
wholesale shops in luxury hotels and
department stores such as Neiman Marcus,
Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s or the Regency and W.
What’s a candy-coated tip from Unwrap Your
Sweet Life that you can share with our Play-
ground readers?
Always surround yourself with candy, whether
you have it to eat or to give to others. Candy
never fails!
—Kat Harrison
shower gels and ice cream–inspired scrubs
in four yummy flavors. Among our favorites
Photos Courtesy of Dylan’s Candy Bar.
are the Strawberry Licorice Candy Butter
Cream ($5.50) and the Birthday Cake Lip
Saver ($2). Not to mention that the prod-
ucts are paraben-free and not tested on
animals—so you can feel good about what
you slather on (and smell!).
Prices are based on Sephora.com
playground november / december 2010
Dance Till You Drop
There’s nothing more fun than dancing around the liv-
ing room with your little one. You can shake your hips,
do some dips and sing to the music at the top of your
lungs—so long as you don’t bother your downstairs
neighbor! Here, two moms share their iPod playlists.
Get ready to rock.

Classic and more in

Turtle Bay
Amy Metrick Hornstein, executive
director of global communications
at Origins, and mom of Ethan, 19
months, says there’s nothing bet-
ter than dancing with her little guy.
“Poker Face” by Lady Gaga
“Poker Face is easy to dance to and sing along with.
At the chorus, Ethan says ‘Pa Pa Pa’ when Lady Gag
says ‘Pa Pa Poker Face’!”
“Big Shot” by Billy Joel
“Any fast song by Billy Joel is a must on our playlist!”
“Birthday” by the Beatles
“Ethan loves it when they sing, ‘They say it’s your
birthday.’ He starts clapping at that point in the song!”
“Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z with Alicia Keys
“How could you not start smiling when you listen to
this song?”
“If You’re Happy and You Know it”
“Ethan has this song choreographed. He claps his
hands, stomps his feet and raises his hand for ‘hurray.’
It’s adorably entertaining!”

Rocking out on the UES fiction • nonfiction • poetry • reviews • art

Marni Konner, founder of Little
Maestros, and mom of Sammi, 8,
and Mac, 19 months,
can regularly be found rocking out
with her kids—in whatever room
she’s in.
“LA Baby” by Jonas Brothers
“Forty is the new teenager, at least in my house,
where Radio Disney reigns supreme! And Sammi is the A literary magazine written by teens
quintessential teeny-bopper. She puts on Pandora ra-
dio and knows every word to all of the tween songs!” “The New Yorker for teens”
“See the Signs” by Chris Brown and Elmo
“Maybe it’s just because I’m delirious at 6 a.m., but
this song is incredible, no joke!”
“Parachutes Will Open” by Enid Our 22nd Year!
“I am fortunate to have a dear friend who happens
to be a genius songwriter. This is one of her original
songs that touches my soul.”
“Mambo No. 5” by Perez Prado For just $35 a year,
“I love to dance, and here’s a secret—our family
actually has a silly boogie-down ritual to this song!”
receive the most
“Do You Believe in Magic?” by the Lovin’ Spoonful exciting magazine
“My favorite song ever!”
Dreamgirls soundtrack written entirely by
“The entire thing rocks. I hope my neighbors don’t
mind when I belt out awesome show tunes!”
teens for teens!
“Beg Steal or Borrow” by Ray LaMontagne
“This is such relaxing music after a hectic day!”
—Lambeth Hochwald
Subscribe at Teen
nk.com or call 800-363-1986
playground november / december 2010 23
Hot to Tot
Need to know what’s new, noteworthy and
not to miss this season? As always, we’ve got you
covered. Here’s our definitive list of the
most fabulous things to do, buy and enjoy for
you and your family.
Music for the Kids
In: Moey’s Dance party
Out: The Hokey Pokey
Seasonal treat
In: Cranberry Apple pedicure at
Sweet Lily on West Broadway
Out: Cranberry sauce from
Fairway on Broadway
November obsession
In: Roger Vivier Pilgrim flats
Out: The story of the pilgrims
Distinctly New York City
time-consuming activity
In: Impressing preschool ad-
missions directors
Out: Impressing co-op board
directors
Long distance trip for
Thanksgiving weekend
In: Six-hour plane ride to Gros-
venor House in London
Out: Two-hour drive to Grand-
ma’s house in Long Island
Holiday and Birthday
Gifting for the kids
In: GiftHero.com and online gift
store with the best of the best
selection of toys and games for
kids, and the gifts get sent in the
cutest recycable bags
Out: Waiting on line at the
toy stores to have the gifts
wrapped
24
Beatles Mania
In: Macclarren Yellow
Submarine Stroller
Out: Burnt Out
Beatles T-Shirts
Essential November
reading
In: Revive: Stop Feeling
Spent and Start Living
Again by Dr. Frank Lipman
Out: A comprehensive
weekly list of sample sales
Fond childhood memory to
re-experience with the kids
In: Egg creams at the
Brooklyn Flea
Out: Thanksgiving Parade
floats in the freezing cold Hipster-in-training
kids’ clothing
Snowbird trip to look for- In: Diesel motorcycle jacket
ward to Out: Black tee and skinny jeans
In: Visiting the new
JW Marriott in Miami
Out: Visiting the In-laws’
condo in Boca
Cold weather schvitz central
In: The steam room at the gym
Out: An overheated prewar
apartment
Winter warmer Stylish snowl-
In: Fur vest, preferably faux overs’ most cov-
Out: Moncler jacket, particu- eted accessory
larly if purchased full price In: Henri Bendel
logo snowboard
Calories-be-damned carb- Out: Chanel logo skis
laden splurge
In: Large Pulino’s pizza pie Promising opening that
Out: Morning-after-Thanksgiv- will hopefully be worth
ing leftover pumpkin pie the wait:
In: Fairway on East 86th Street
Guilty late-night shopping Out: The Second Avenue Subway
pleasure:
In: A trip to a newly-renovat- Tummy Time
ed, 24-hour Duane Reade In: Erika Bloom Next Level Pi-
Out: Overspending on tele- lates DVD
vision shopping networks Out: Having to leave your apart-
ment to do Pilates
Ubiquitous (but so
comfy) footwear Inevitable seasonal
In: Fit-Flops Mukluks complaint
Out: Uggs In: Too much traffic
Out: Too much turkey
playground november / december 2010
Career
Cynthia foster:
power mom
Kids, husband and career—
tips on having it all
C
ynthia Foster knows a little something
about getting things done. Head of
global client development for re-
nowned real estate giant Cushman & Wakefield,
she has three somewhat smaller clients develop-
ing at home—sons Beau, 13, and Jack, 10, and
daughter Jessie, 7. Having begun her career in
real estate investment banking at Lazard, she
quickly climbed the ladder at Cushman & Wake-
field, where she has been since 2001. With three
children, a husband of 15 years and a commute
to Westchester to contend with, how does she
manage it all? “There’s a lot of juggling when
you’re career is on fire and you’ve got three kids
at home,” admits Foster, laughing. “I’ve been at
meetings, and people say, ‘I’m exhausted, I didn’t
sleep well last night.’… I look at them and think,
‘I’m in a REM sleep at a stop sign!’ How could
you possibly have the option of not being able to
fall asleep?” We asked Foster, who often speaks
26
to and advises young women
at her firm about being a
working mother, to share
some of the secrets of her
success.
Find a company that
allows flexibility. “I’m really,
really lucky because I have a
company that allows flexibil-
ity,” says Foster of her firm,
Cushman & Wakefield. “Peo-
ple get emails from me after
I put the children to sleep;
I get up very early, I get on
the stationary bike to bicycle,
[and] I do emails then. During
the day, I’m mostly in meet-
ings and on phone calls, but I
do have a certain amount of
flexibility.” Foster has learned
to make every moment count;
as she lives in Rye, her com-
mute varies widely based on
traffic. “I try to be home with
my kids at one end of the day. If I have a dinner,
I take them to school [in the morning]. If I don’t
have a dinner, then I try to leave the house early,
pre-traffic, at 6:30 a.m.”
Aspire to a position of seniority. Loyalty
has its privileges. When Foster’s first son was
3 and the second a newborn, she faced the dif-
ficult choice of signing a five-year employment
contract that took her from “middle to senior
[level],” she says. “Once you’re over the hurdle,
and you’re an executive, [that’s when] you get
flexibility.” Plus, “the [senior] job is a lot more
interesting, you are better at it, [and] you’re able
to balance it better. I always tell young women,
try to picture yourself five to seven years down
the road.”
See the positive aspects of your dual roles.
Managing a full-throttle career and a family may
seem like pulling a double shift, but, as Foster
says, “it allows for perspective”—a perspective
with benefits. “Having a demanding full-time
job [means] that I don’t take my children’s weak-
ness or failures personally: Their success are
theirs. There’s a richness in that and a clarity. …
When you’re home, and [the children] are your
job, it gets complicated. They come the way
they come—they are the way they are. It doesn’t
mean that we [shouldn’t] do a really good job
parenting, and helping with things that they’re
not good at, but when my child has an incredible
success or does a great time with a presentation
or with test scores, I don’t mix that up with my
success—[that’s] their success.”
Follow the 10-10-10 rule. Relations with
caretakers can get “emotional,” says Foster. “It
can seem like Armageddon that they didn’t wear
underpants to school or something,” she jokes.
Her rule. Ask yourself “will this decision matter
in 10 minutes, 10 weeks or 10 years? If it won’t
matter in 10 years, say your peace and move on.”
Be direct. “Another really important tip is to
be very, very direct about your schedule,” Foster
advises. “I don’t ever get defensive that I have a
school meeting or something else; I just say, ‘Lis-
ten, I can meet you beforehand, I can meet you
after, but I can’t meet you during.’”
Finally, know that it’s hard. “I miss every
second that I could have been with them that I’m
not,” says Foster. “[I tell] the women here [go-
ing on] maternity leave for their first child—one
thing that you need to know is that if you think
you will have clarity on this decision, you won’t.
If you decide to stay home, you’re going to have
days that are boring, tedious and complicated …
and if you come back, you’re going to miss them.
There is no such thing as perfect clarity.”
Moms who have broken the glass ceilings
show their children that it can be done. “I’m not
at the stage where my children perceive me as a
mentor for them for working,” Foster admits of
her still-young children—but that day will come.
“What I say to her is you get to do it all because
women can do it all, they have that ability.” And
with a supermom like Cynthia Foster as her ex-
ample, it won’t be hard to believe.
—Rebecca Morse
playground november / december 2010
 b
THEATRE a l l et
d i a n a b y e r, a r t i s t i c d i r e c t o r

theatreballet
e x q u i s i t e l i t t l e b a l l e t s
2010-11 SEASON
NE W YO R K

diana byer artistic director

e up
Gaggle of Chicks onc on a ballet
As a Manhattan mother of twins, I am always searching

e up
onc
for ways to save time and money. That’s why when Gagg-

on a ballet
leofchicks.com CEO and New York native Matt Evans told me
about his genius idea for a daily deal Web site for moms and
families, I not only wanted to sign up as a customer, but I also
wanted to join the team!
GaggleofChicks (www.gaggleofchicks.com) launched its
New York site in late August 2010. (Look for more city sites
in late 2010/early 2011.) It’s a Web site that offers a new deal
for moms and families every weekday. The deals are only
“live” for 48 hours so you have to act quickly. Gaggle also has
a social buying component. A set number of moms need to
purchase a deal before it “hatches.” For example, Gaggle’s deal
of 52 percent off a four-pack of classes at Moey’s Music Party
required 10 moms to buy it before it hatched. Gaggle’s most
successful deals to date have been with online meal delivery
service Susie’s Supper Club, the Children’s Museum of the
Arts and Karma Kids Yoga.
Founder Matt Evans, a Collegiate School, Amherst Col-
Photo: Richard Termine

lege and Harvard Business School grad with a background

in finance, nonprofit management and venture capital, spent
one summer interning at Cheerios. After doing extensive
consumer research on the mom demographic, he realized
three key things: Raising kids is really expensive no matter
where you are; moms don’t have a lot of time to get everything
done; moms have to navigate a sea of information to figure 1 hour
out what’s best to purchase for their children. Evans decided All performances at
programs
there should be a way to save moms time and money by of- Florence Gould Hall
perfect for
fering highly curated deals for moms and families. The Gaggle 55 East 59th Street
was born. kids!
The Gaggle team relies extensively on its rapidly growing
community of moms to inform the deal selection, including
its Mom Advisory Board, which consists of several industry
For details, visit nytb.org
leaders; its Gaggle Ambassadors (more than 50 connected
Keith Michael’s
moms who help spread the word and advocate the brand);
and the stellar moms on the
management team who lead
the nutcracker
everything from editorial to
December 11–12, 18–19
sales. These moms try every Donald Mahler’s

cinderella
single product or service
firsthand before approving a
partnership.
February 12–13
Gaggle also tries to bring
moms together through its Choreography by Agnes de Mille, Lotte Goslar & Antony Tudor
Community section. “An impor-
tant part of our business is our NEW! exquisite little ballets
grass-roots approach,” Evans April 9–10
says. “There’s nothing more
powerful than one mom talking James Sutton’s
to another about a recom-
mended product or service.”
sleeping beauty
To join the Gaggle, please May 14 – May 15
visit www.gaggleofchicks.
com.
—Zibby Right

playground november / december 2010 27

Real Estate
The New ‘It’ Parks
Watch out Central Park:
Families are flocking to more
intimate neighborhood parks
around New York City
L
iving within blocks of Central Park is
the New York City dream, reflected
in literature, in movies, in advertising
campaigns—everywhere, it seems, except real-
ity. Only those who live here know the deep,
dark secrets of the most famous city park: that
its size and breadth can make planning play
dates a pain; that adjacent Upper West and
East Side real estate can be more like unreal
estate; and that, like the sidewalks they head
into the green to escape, this park is packed. In
recent years, New Yorkers in the know have
turned away from the center to smaller parks
that combine a quiet accessibility with familiar-
ity and a neighborhood feel. New development
projects near today’s It parks allow growing
families to turn away from the ubiquitous Up-
per East and West Sides and find themselves at
home in luxury buildings with New York City
parks that serve as their backyard.
Park-adjacent living has been a green dream
come true for the Fishman family. They use
their neighborhood park all the time. Use?
Well, sort of. “‘Use’ is not the word,” laughs
Mya Han Fishman. “Since we have three chil-
dren, we practically live at the park,” the park
28
in question being Gantry Plaza State Park in
Long Island City, 12 acres spanning the Queens
waterfront where children of all ages enjoy
manicured gardens, a mist fountain and play-
grounds galore. Mya and her husband, Lev,
started renting at the View, a luxury condo-
minium blocks from the park, when Mya was
pregnant with their third child; they fell so in
love with the proximity to the park that they
ended up buying their unit. “Sometimes going
to the park can be a big outing,” says Mya, “but
for us, it’s right outside our door—it’s literally
our backyard.” Since every apartment at the
View has its own outdoor space, the Fishmans
have a backyard, too—but “we usually go to the
park more than we use our backyard.” At Gan-
try Plaza State Park, the Fishmans’ son, Joshua,
10, rides his bike while Briyana, 2, and Chloe,
16 months, play in the lush grassy areas. “The
only place I can think of in New York City with
grass is Central Park,” says Mya, adding, “Don’t
get me wrong—I love Central Park. But this
is more neighborhood friendly—we’re always
bumping into people we know and my son’s
friends.” Buyers at the nearby L haus have
found the same pleasure in the area, combining
luxury living at a brand-new condo with the
award-winning Gantry Park just a hop, skip
and jump away. Karen Mansour, the executive
vice president of marketing and sales for the
Development Marketing Group at Prudential
Douglas Elliman, who works with the condo-
minium, told Playground, “I have worked in the
residential real estate market for over 25 years,
mainly in Manhattan, and was pleasantly sur-
prised by life in Long Island City and all it has
to offer,” most of all, Long Island City’s park-
side living that New York families are finding
more and more appealing.
New green spaces are attracting families
in Brooklyn as well—like in Brooklyn Heights,
where Pier 6 has just opened at the Brooklyn
Bridge Park where Pier 6 has just opened. One
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn’s largest con-
dominium conversion, looms above the park:
“We always knew this building was truly a
one-of-a-kind development,” said the building’s
developer Robert Levine, president of RAL
Companies, the building’s development, “but
with the opening of Brooklyn Bridge Park in
our backyard, buyers have finally realized what
park living really means.” At Brooklyn Bridge
Park, a kids-only playground teems with happy
tots a stone’s throw from Brooklyn’s largest
sandbox and a variety of wading pools. And in
nearby Williamsburg, the loftlike 80 Metropoli-
tan condominium is within a few short blocks
of the L train—but also the East River State
Park, a newly opened 7-acre park on the side of
a 19th-century shipping dock. With open views
of Williamsburg Bridge and Manhattan, the
East River State Park is also home to concerts
that Williamsburg residents love.
It’s not just outer-borough parks that are
competing with Central Park: right in Manhat-
tan is the jewel of downtown, Battery Park,
which stretches along the Hudson River, and
on sunny days, evokes a Southern Califor-
nia vibe. Towering above Battery Park is the
Visionaire condominium at 70 Little West
Street. The 35-story high-rise condo has 246
One Battery
Park Place.
JessyeAnne
playground november / december 2010
Immediate Occupancy
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The View.
residences, having from one to three bedrooms:
Not only does it overlook the green, but it
is green—the greenest, in fact: It’s platinum
LEED certified. For Nicole Schaffer and Jay
Hirschon, who moved to the Visonaire from
the West Village, Battery Park is a neighbor-
hood perk that they use weekly with their
4-year-old daughter and 16-month-old son—“in
the summer I feel like it’s all the time!” says
Nicole. “Central Park just seemed so crowded
to me, especially on weekends,” says Jay, a
native New Yorker. “Bike riding is a totally dif-
ferent experience” in Battery Park. “Instead of
it being a huge square,” adds Nicole, “you have
a feeling of it being different parks all the way
along—there’s a lot going on all the time,” like
fishing, preschool classes and tai chi. For resi-
dents of Battery Park City, like Jay and Nicole,
and recent buyers at buildings like the Liberty
Luxe and the Liberty Green, Battery Park is a
very good neighbor.
And uptown, at 1485 Fifth Avenue, there’s
a park right outside the door for residents
of Fifth on the Park. Not that park, though—
while the majestic, window-walled, 28-story
FX-Fowle–designed condominium does offer
sweeping views of Central Park (“The views
are breathtaking no matter where you are
located within the building,” said a representa-
tive of the building), its studio through four-
bedroom residences are just steps away from
Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park, which boasts
a farmers’ market, a dog run and designated
areas for children. So important is Marcus
Garvey Park to Fifth on the Park residents
that they’ve created a committee to help with
keeping the green clean and planting flowers;
recently, a Fifth on the Park representative tells
Playground, “some of the residents got together
for the first-ever Mahatma Gandhi Health and
Peace Walk in Mount Morris Park. It was orga-
nized by one of the first residents of the build-
ing … as a health enhancer and another way for
people to meet each other.” Rainy clouds over-
head? No worries. Fifth on the Park residents
can enjoy the park from the comfort of their
own spectacular windows—as well as a brand-
new children’s playroom off the lobby.
We’re green with envy of these park-proxi-
mate places!
—Rebecca Morse

1485 FIFTH AVENUE

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Parties
The Early bird
catches the Bookworm
Scribble Press creates
parties for the bookish
T
he long wooden table was crammed
with girls in party dresses, deeply
engaged in drawing and writing pages
for a book. Nearby, clusters of Upper East Side
mothers were expressing their own excitement
about this new kiddie hot spot that was both
fun and educational. No screaming kids flailing
around, doing the same-old paint-and-chicken-
dance routine. As one mother gushed, “This is
very civilized. I had a disco party.”
If you’re tired of repeat parties and rainy-
day stints at traditional Manhattan venues,
you’re going to love Scribble Press. The store
opened its first New York location in April,
on the Upper East Side (First Avenue at 84th
Street), and its second one in November on the
Upper West Side (84th and Broadway). Scrib-
ble is a unique concept, where kids can write
and illustrate their own stories and take home a
32
bound book. choice: “a Peanut Ninja.”
Co-founder and Louise Phillips Forbes’ sons were supposed
CEO Anna Barber met to skateboard in the park the day of the open-
Darcy Troy Pollack ing but asked to go to Scribble instead. Her son
(president) on a plane, Douglas said, “It was cool seeing my art being
where they discussed made into a book.”
their passion for books Many mothers compared Scribble to the
and sharing them with more ubiquitous craft store–studio. “This is
their children. Thus more exciting and physically appealing, and the
was born the idea for activity is different from the other places on the
Scribble, which opened Upper East Side,” said Suzette Rubinstein.
in 2008 in California Scribble offers classes for kids ages 20 months
and was named “Best to 13 years old, so children can graduate from
Kids’ Party Place 2008” picture books to more complex creative writing.
by L.A. Parent. Summer camp is an option as well. It’s also a great
Barber and Pollack place to make personalized gifts for relatives.
hope their Manhattan At a recent Chapin first-grader’s birth-
stores will have special day party, staffers helped the kids contribute
appeal in this media- words for the story template; think group Mad
centric city. “New York- Libs project. “This is really fun!” exclaimed a
ers are more attuned to smocked-dressed moppet.
writing and reading and “We have four kids, and I know every venue
appreciate fiction,” said imaginable, so when I heard about Scribble, I
Barber. “And this is the jumped,” said Mona Aboelnaga, the birthday
center of the publishing girl’s mother.
world.” After cake and a short music/dancing inter-
The Upper East Side location boasts 5,000 lude, it was time to read the girls’ book out loud.
square feet of space and is designed in an arty, The title was Rockstar Stravaganza and sample
eco-friendly style. The founders chose the phrases such as “Mrs. Gaga was so startled she
metaphor of the toolbox in creating Scribble’s dropped her birds” and “Her two best friends,
look: rows of shelves stocked with markers, and Hannah Montana and Michael Jackson” elic-
wooden caddies filled with each child’s markers ited squeals of laughter.
of choice. The children pose for author photos, Each party guest left with her own book
which will adorn the back cover of their books, to take home. “This is cool!” shouted a curly-
then write and illustrate their stories. A large haired cutie. “I love writing books!”
wall behind the central table is plastered with Nothing against painted pots and mani-pedi
plot and character ideas, helping kids under- parties, but Manhattan moms are beaming over
stand story structure. The binding, which takes their little authors.
about 15 minutes, is done at the back of the store. —Pamela Weiler Grayson
At the April opening party (the preview party
prior to that included Kelly Rippa’s daughter
and the Seinfeld kids), the air was buzzing with
chatter. Ali Hewson, wife of Bono, brought two
of their four kids to the opening. “It gives them a
sense of achievement,” she said. “Creating a story
from beginning to end is something parents can
do with their kids.” Her sons, Eli (10) and John
(8), were thoroughly engrossed in their projects.
“My book is about an Apple Ninja, and about
the good and evil side of a kid,” said Eli. John’s
playground november / december 2010
 Madame Alexander
Lottie Nickinson lives on the Upper West Side of Man-
hattan. She is 8 years old. She chatters easily, likes to
act, sing and dance, and does a terrific cartwheel. Last
year, Lottie had a pool party for her birthday. This year,
in her continuing search for the unique, she and her
mother, Ann, chose to celebrate her 8th birthday in the
domain of Madame Beatrice Alexander, at the Alexan-
der Doll Company in Manhattan.
“We decided we just wanted a little party this year,
and I wanted to make a doll,” says Lottie, eyes shin-
ing. With five of her best friends, their mothers in tow,
Lottie did just that. The girls enthusiastically chose
among Caucasian, African-American and Latina
skin color, a dozen wigs and a rack of outfits. Three
of the six girls selected the same wardrobe, deciding
their dolls might be triplets and immediately started
arranging play dates. With help from the staff, they
glued on wigs and wriggled their dolls into polka-dot
dresses. One created a princess in a purple tutu. The
shoes were small and took negotiating. Each doll was
placed in her own carry box and added to the gift bag
awaiting Lottie’s guests at the end of the festivities.
Next, the girls and their mothers took a tour. First
stop was the showroom. Cruella De Ville and Angelina
Ballerina were instantly recognized. “I see Cinderella
and I’m looking at her right now!” cried one excitedly. ;f[ef[_WXadS^[ff^W
?SY[Ua`fZW?ag`fS[`
The mothers gathered around models of Ms. Obama
in her inaugural gown, Audrey Hepburn and the Rock-
ettes. Every size, shape, color, nationality, storybook
and historical character is represented. ,WLVWLPHIRUDOLWWOH0DJLFRQWKH0RXQWDLQ
The girls visited the Heritage Gallery with more
than 600 dolls from every era, where they were told
WKLVFRPLQJ+ROLGD\VHDVRQ
)HHOWKHPDJLFRI&KULVWPDVDQGDZDNHQ\RXUVHQVHVZLWKWKHVZHHW
VPHOORIURDVWLQJPDUVKPDOORZVZDUPWKRIWKH¿UHDQGVSHFWDFXODU
that many of the dolls were priceless collectables.
GLVSOD\RIOLJKWVDGRUQLQJRXUJURXQGV(QMR\6DQWD¶V5HLQGHHU
“Are they worth more than a thousand dollars?” asked KRUVHGUDZQFDUULDJHDQGWUDLQULGHVVWRU\WHOOLQJDQGPXFKPRUH
Lottie, amazed. There were five enormous Eloise Doll
Houses standing across from versions of elaborately
costumed Romeo and Juliet figures that had previ-
ously been sold at a charity auction for $8,000.
Tour stops also included the designers workroom,
the factory and the doll hospital. And after the visit to +2/,'$<
75$',7,21
the Heritage Gallery it was time for the party! In a room
surrounded by dolls, at a table whose centerpiece was
made with tiers of small dolls like a cake, Lottie and her
guests sat for tea. Party hats, favors, pink paper plates 2SHQV7KDQNVJLYLQJ1LJKWSPSP
and utensils rested among decorative confetti on a DQGHDFKZHHNHQGWKURXJK1HZ<HDU¶V(YH
pink tablecloth. Lottie’s chair had a big bow on it. 3HU3HUVRQ$GPLVVLRQ$FWLYLW\7LFNHWV
The girls compared dolls, ate and happily played. $YDLODEOHIRU3XUFKDVH
Each one received a gift bag from Madame Alexan- )ULGD\¶VSP±SP
der. It was clearly a party none of them would forget. 6DWXUGD\¶V1RRQ±SP
For information about parties: madamealexander. 'RQDWLRQVIRU7R\VIRU7RWVZLOOEHDFFHSWHG 6XQGD\¶V1RRQ±SP
3OHDVHEULQJDQ81:5$33('JLIW
com or call 212 283 5900. The Madame Alexander
getty images

Doll Company is located at 615 West 131 Street on the 9LVLW3RFRQR0DQRUFRPIRUGHWDLOVRU

6th floor. — Alix Cohen FDOOH[W_H[W

playground november / december 2010 33

Bike
League of American Bicy-
clists moved New York up
five notches from last year
on their annual Bicycle
Friendly States rankings.
Bike Month techni-
cally comes each May, when
humans perched on two
wheels are celebrated with
countless sponsored rides
throughout the city. And as
summer comes and goes, the
bike traffic wanes, and so
does the sun. “Besides the
fantastic weather and beau-
tiful, color-changing leaves,
one thing to pay special at-
tention to in the fall is that it
gets dark earlier and earlier,”
says Ken Podziba, CEO and
president of Bike New York,
perhaps the city’s
most vigilant and
active independent
bicycle awareness and educa-
Biking En Masse tion organization. “Families
The family that bikes together on bikes can help them-
stays together selves remain visible
to drivers, pedestrians
light and red taillight on each family member’s
bicycle.”
Lights are required by law in many places,
as are properly fitted helmets for any riders
under 14 years of age (which are a good idea
for everyone else as well). Bike New York of-
fers these rules, plus safety tips, in free classes
for all ages and skill levels throughout the year.
More tips from Podziba: “Using hand signals
for stopping and turning is especially useful
when cycling in a group—each cyclist needs
to see what the other cyclists are doing—and
knowing how to signal is a skill that children
will use as they bike throughout their lives.”
Bike New York offers a visual of hand signals
on their site, as well as comprehensive re-
sources for getting around the city on bicycle.
Once you all feel self-assured enough, get
to know New York as a unit, unwinding and
observing as the scenery becomes more fluid.
“Bicycling is the healthiest family addiction,”
says Podziba. “The more you ride together
as a family, the more everyone, espe-
cially the kids, will want more and
more of it. I know this from observing
our constituency and from firsthand
experience—only my wife and I
use a trailer for the long rides
with our 3- and 4-year-old

R
ecently spotted: An otherwise and other cyclists by daughters.” Now bundle
smartly dressed man in socks and wearing bright, re- up the little ones, get out
flip-flops, leisurely riding his bike flective clothing and there and enjoy.
while eating a sandwich and talking on his cell installing a white head- —Liz Armstrong
phone. That display of overconfidence is the
cultural signifier of a bicycle-friendly city, the The stylish
activity that gives visible credence to all the Pashley Poppy.
stats the Department of Transportation likes
to tout about the city. Cycling Tips
In the past couple years especially, New
York’s been promoting its bike awareness, hav- ■ For pier enthusiasts, the Bethpage Bikeway in Long path to the East River State
ing last year completed a massive campaign Hudson River Park bike path Island, where you’ve got nearly Park in Brooklyn near North
to build 200 new bike lanes that add up to an extends from Battery Park nine miles of quiet nature to Ninth Street. Enjoy the view of
extra 620 bike-friendly miles. According to up along the Hudson to the yourselves. the city from the other side.
the Department of Transportation, commuter southern edge of Riverside
cycling is up 66 percent, and there are nearly Park, with several options for ■ Head across the Williamsburg ■ Don’t discount the obvi-
9,000 new bike racks (and we still see pile-ups boat scoping along the way. Bridge using the relatively ous. Make a big loop through
on poles). As a result of its efforts, the city new buffered bicycle path on Prospect Park or Central Park
Travis Huggett

has received some heavy accolades: Bicycling ■ If you want to really make Delancey (not for the tiny or and look at the fall leaves; if
magazine called it one of the best big cities for a trek of it and escape traf- timid, for sure), then up Kent you choose the latter, why not
the two-wheeled activity, and the no-nonsense fic almost completely, hit the Avenue’s two-way separated head on up to the Cloisters?

34 playground november / december 2010

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playground november / december 2010 35

Food
From Fussy to
Foodie
Uncover your kid’s inner
gourmand
F
or many families, mealtime resembles
a three-ring circus, with Mom as ring-
leader, trying to prepare separate din-
ners for all members at the same time. Trying
to remember which child hates tomatoes and
which one loves them is enough to send most
well-intentioned moms to Menu Pages faster
than the drop of a wooden spoon. Children
have long been stereotyped as picky eaters, and
while some researchers point to evolution as
the culprit, there are certainly environmental
factors at play, too. As parents, we have many
responsibilities, and getting our offspring on
the good-eater track is no exception. “My kids
eat everything because I wouldn’t allow it any
other way,” says Ed Brown, chef at Ed’s Chow-
der House on the Upper West Side. “I know
parents that are fussy about food, and guess
what, their kids are fussy about food.”
My husband and I take our food seriously.
Like many other New Yorkers, our weekends
revolve around the seeking out of new and
interesting tastes to try. We have visions of our
15-month-old son becoming the next Tom Col-
lichio. Needless to say, one of our biggest fears
is that he becomes (gasp!) a picky eater. In
hopes of laying down the groundwork for my
budding gourmand, I got the skinny from vari-
ous professional New York City foodies about
36
on his kitchen staples, high-fat butter, olive oil,
salt and peppercorns in a grinder for adding
amazing flavor whenever cooks. “Other than
that, we can go to the store and buy some fresh
veggies, fresh protein and maybe a starch and
make anything taste good,” he says.
Get them involved in the kitchen
“The big buy-in to eating is getting the kids to
help out with the cooking,” says Brown, who
delegates less-dangerous kitchen duties, such
as shucking corn, opening fresh peas and shell-
ing beans, to his kids. Another great way to
get children interested in what they’re eating
is taking them back to the source. “I’ve taken
my kids to the farm in Ohio where I get a lot
how to raise good eaters without pulling your of my produce,” says Brown. Once at the farm,
hair out in the process. Brown tells his kids the stories behind each
food, including how long it took to grow and
Make things that taste good what kind of climate it needs. There are many
It may sound simple enough, but if you cook nearby farms in New Jersey and upstate New
something delicious, your children are more York to take the whole family to. Make friends
likely to want to eat it. “People say you have to with some of the farmers at the Union Square
develop your palette, but actually your palette Greenmarket and ask them for a tour.
is most sensitive when you’re younger, which Taking kids along to the grocery store is
is why things taste so strong to kids, especially also essential. Once they pick out some of the
vegetables,” says Brown. His rendition of the ingredients, they feel a sense of ownership
ultimate offender, Brussels sprouts, sounds toward it and will want to get their hands on it
delicious enough to make even the most finicky in the kitchen.
eater want a bite. Brown uses a knife or a man-
doline to shave the sprouts down to cole slaw– Introduce tasty food at a young age
like shards. He then heats a pan with olive oil “I have used very good flavors and spices since
and salt and pepper and sautés the sprouts for my children were babies,” says Karine Bakhoum,
about two minutes. The end result is a crunchy, president and founder of KB Network News and
healthy and, yes, delicious, treat. Brown relies frequent judge on the Food Network’s Iron Chef
Surprisingly Kid-Friendly Restaurants
You don’t have to head to Mars ■ Tocqueville: 1 East 15th enough of the authentically
2112 every time you want to Street; 212-647-1515. If the French roast chicken and pom-
go out to eat with the tots. kids are old enough, then they mes frites.
Book a table at one of these might be treated to a quick ■ Patsy’s Pizza: Multiple loca-
restaurants that will please all trip to the kitchen. Makovitzy tions. A healthier alternative
palettes. has also given the underage to your typical pizza joint.
■ Gradisca: 126 West 13th set raw bread dough to play ■ Bottega Del Vino: 5 East
Street; 212-691-4886. The with if she sees them getting 59th Street; 212-223-3028.
waiters at this convivial Village antsy. The proximity to FAO Schwartz
Italian spot kept my son happy ■ Le Charlot: 19 East 69th plus a menu full of creative
getty images
and entertained with a toy and Street; 212-794-6419. Bak- paninis equals a win-win for
lots of special attention. houm’s children can’t get families.
playground november / december 2010
 Some favorite kid’s
cookbooks.

America. She started by adding exotic spices like cumin to her

children’s puréed carrots. “I was concerned that if they were
only eating bland foods, that’s what they would get used to,”
she says. Nowadays, Bakhoum adds curry to her children’s
noodle soups, nutmeg to their mac and cheese and herbs de
Provence to their burgers. She also buys them limeade instead
of lemonade. “Lime has a more evolved flavor,” she says. One of
her kids’ favorite meals is a chicken and sausage dish Bakhoum
makes called Poulet Basquaise that delivers a hit of spice with
red pepper flakes and paprika.
“My daughter’s first meal was risotto with parmesan, ex-
tra virgin olive oil and butter,” says Jo-Ann Makovitzky, who
co-owns the Union Square restaurants Tocqueville and 15
East with her husband. Her daughter, Francesca, now 7, regu-
larly eats her meals at the sushi bar at 15 East.

Use pop culture references to introduce them to new foods

After Bakhoum’s kids saw Ratatouille, she took the opportunity
to introduce them to the namesake vegetable dish. “I jumped
into the kitchen and made them ratatouille with crunchy little
sautéed potatoes—like little French fries but cube shaped—and
put that on top of it. They loved it,” she said.

Never label your kid as a picky eater

“If you do, you’re only giving them an excuse to eat every-
thing you offer them,” write Matthew Yeomans and Hugh
Garvey in their kid-oriented cookbook, Gastrokid. “Kids’
tastes can be entrenched or they can turn on a dime,” says
Garvey. “I once assumed my kids would hate anchovies, to
only have them steal the little spiny briny fish off my cutting
board.” Meaning? Don’t underestimate your kids’ palettes;
they may actually be more daring than you give them credit
for. In fact, the only food Makovitzky’s daughter, Francesa,
won’t try? Sea urchin with octopus. I bet there are plenty of
adults that would agree.
—Melissa Schweiger Kleinman

playground november / december 2010 37

Real Estate
SUPERSIZE ME
When baby makes four
(or five), it’s time to expand
I
n New York, that extra child is fast be-
coming the human equivalent of a Yves
Saint Laurent Muse bag: It’s cute, you’d
really love it and it’s a status symbol that shows
the world you can afford it—but can you? Re-
cent figures released by the Agriculture Depart-
ment indicate that a child born in 2009 will
cost approximately $222,360 to raise through
the age of 18. If you live in the “urban North-
east” add about $30,000—and that doesn’t even
include the cost of college. Up and down the
Eastern Seaboard, families are asking them-
selves how they’re going to pay for that bonus
child. In New York, there’s a follow-up ques-
tion: Where are we going to put it?
When lifestyle and budget rule out town-
house living (whether in Manhattan or nearby
urban outposts), families might find themselves
up against a brick wall—and not just the one
outside their cramped apartment’s “city view”
window. Market reports show that two-bed-
room apartments are on the rise, encroaching
upon the historic market domination of smaller
one-bedrooms and studios, but a two-bedroom
might feel tight when you’ve got three under 3.
“With the improvement in New York City pub-
lic schools, and the move of many families from
38
The Georgica.
private to public, in part due to the recession,
there has been an increase in demand of family-
sized apartments,” says Francesca Conejero of
the Voda Group of Prudential Douglas Elliman.
Even families that are happy to shoehorn three
little ones into a two-bedroom might recon-
sider once those little ones are, well, bigger.
“Parents need to look at well-planned layouts
with sufficient separation of space,” advises
Nikki Field, a senior vice president at Sotheby’s
International Realty. “You may prefer to have
your toddler on the other side of your bedroom
wall now, but when the sleep-over dates begin
and the teen years of ‘I need my space’ begin,
parents find that their children often opt out
and prefer friends’ homes, where there is more
independence of space (known as privacy).” In
other words: Space may spell happiness for big-
ger families. It’s a trend that developers across
the five boroughs have noticed, and a wave of
new buildings with supersize apartments ap-
peal to those families that need a multitude of
bedrooms—and square footage. Now might be
just the time to go big, too: “Buying a seven-
room home today is more affordable than at
any time in the past four years,” says Field. “If
you were once out of the game due to the me-
teoric price escalations, it was worth the wait,
as there are now many options in both condos,
and the less expensive alternative, co-ops.”
Those options abound in the child-heavy
zone surrounding Central Park. When Manor
Properties Group developed a nine-unit bou-
tique condominium at 208 West 96th Street on
the Upper West Side, they designed each of the
apartments as sprawling three-bedrooms. “The
Upper West Side attracts large families,” says
Manor’s Simon Shamilzadeh, adding that even
for those buyers without children, “a three-
bedroom on the Upper West Side is really mar-
ketable and very much in demand.” (Size isn’t
all that matters at 208W96: Parents may not be
able to resist each apartment’s “crumb catch-
er,” a central vacuum vent in the kitchen that
catches and sweeps away any floor-bound mor-
sels!) At the Rushmore on Riverside Boulevard
and 64th Street, apartments range from two-
bedrooms to five-bedrooms, including apart-
ment 5U, a 2,507-square-foot, four-bedroom,
three-and-a-half-bath unit currently on the
market for $3,455,000. Sotheby’s Nikki Field
sees Riverside Boulevard as a great “destination
neighborhood,” where new buildings were de-
signed with larger floor plans and proximity to
parks along the Hudson River in mind. “These
spacious, landscaped areas, with playgrounds,
are populated with friendly neighborhood lo-
cals who keep an eye out for one another and
tend to form neighborhood friendships,” says
Field, adding that there’s an added bonus: “The
dog runs are convenient and take the strain out
of apartment living with pets.”
On the other side of the park, developers
near the East 86th Street corridor have seized
upon New Yorkers’ desire for larger apart-
ments. The Georgica, at 305 East 85th Street,
has only two to four residences per floor—many
of those half-floor three- and four-bedrooms
208 West 96th
Street.
playground november / december 2010
 OVER
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Interior at 208
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& 2 9 ( 5 : + $7 % / 8 (5,//
',6
(with en suite bathrooms), which rare five-bedroom, alongside four

,6$//$%287
feature glass walls with four expo- bedrooms like a 2,433-square-foot
sures that provide sweeping views penthouse that sold for $4.5 million in
of Manhattan (though parents might August of this year.
+6)3)4À/52À&!#),)49 even prefer the relaxing view of the Downtown Manhattan, which
23
+-%%4À/52À$)2%#4/
apartments’ full-size side-by-side Bo- historically has had less family-size
sch washer and dryers). Beth Stern, inventory, is becoming more ac-
QDQG
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Georgica’s director of sales, tells Ob- cessible as well. The Voda Group/

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server Playground that the “fabulous Douglas Elliman’s Conejero points to
windowed kitchens and baths, as well Battery Park as an example. “Battery


as the building’s amenity package, are Park City … has a significant amount
also big hits.” The 22-story Brompton of three-bedroom and [larger] proper-
ge
ooo&Zdm]jadd\Yq[Yeh&[
at 205 East 85th Street features the ties on the market currently,” she says.

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features

The leaves have changed color

and you're sporting your
favorite cardigan—what's not to
love about this season? This is
our sixth issue of the Observer
Playground , and it is filled to the
brim with content you'll love.
Get up close and personal with
actress and power mom
Elisabeth Rohm. Plus: Dr. Betsy
Schur Levy on celebrating
Thanksgiving with the kids. Travel
with the whole family. Kids fash-
ion galore and so much more!
 Elisabeth
E
lisabeth Rohm is best known for her roles as Assis-
tant District Attorney Serena Southerlyn on Law and
Order, and as Detective Kate Lockley on Angel. And
when this youthful beauty (she’s 37, but could pass
for 22!) isn’t playing smart and sassy women on TV,
she keeps herself plenty busy. If she’s not spending time with fiancé
Ron Wooster and their adorable daughter, Easton August Anthony
Wooster (more on this unique name later), Rohm is sure to be busy
writing novels, recording music, raising awareness for her favorite
charities and being the spokesperson for Juno Baby—a line of edu-
cational products for kids. Oh, and did we forget to mention she also
rides horses and keeps fit with a serious workout routine? There is
no doubt: This mom is an incredible role model. I was honored to get
to talk to Elisabeth during hair and makeup for our November photo
shoot to find out more about her full and dynamic life!
Lyss Stern: Your daughter’s name is quite unique. How did you
come up with it?
Elisabeth Rohm: Her name was going to be Grace. One night I had
an epic dream when I was pregnant, about a little girl and her name
was Easton. The dream was a vivid dream. I woke up the next morn-
ing, called my mom and told her about the dream. My mom said I
have to name the baby Easton. She was telling me in my dream what
P 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
46
Glamorous, gorgeous and going
places. Powerhouse Elisabeth
Rohm talks to us about her life
Queen of her domain
m o m v e r s at i o n
her name should be. She’s an old soul.
That’s a great story! Well, post-baby, you look fantastic! What is
your workout routine? Did you bounce back after having a baby?
I gained a lot of weight during my pregnancy. I was a ripe 200 pounds
when I gave birth to Easton. I dove into a pint of ice cream every
night, I will admit. I have to say, I was the happiest pregnant person.
I was not moody, was not crazy; I was relaxed and happy. In truth,
putting on the weight was healthy for me at the time. My doctor was
worried that I had gained so much weight; however, he said that the
body really knows what it needs to create this baby. I put on 70, 75
pounds. I had always been really active and athletic. Right before I
got pregnant, we moved to Venice, and I started working out a lot
at a place called Circuit Works. I want to bring Circuit Works to
New York City. I honestly took my time taking off the baby weight,
I breast-fed, so I am sure that helped. I went back to exercising a few
months after Easton was born. I enjoyed being home with Easton and
not worrying about running back to a gym, then started to do a little
yoga. I approached my weight loss without a race, I took my time. If
you’re happy, you have a happy baby!
I couldn’t agree more! I know you ride horses. Is horseback rid-
ing a workout for you? Or is it just a hobby you love?
I love horseback riding! I think riding is a workout; it’s really great
for your core.
playground november / december 2010
Michael Kors Black
Cashmere Body Suit, $895.
Michael Kors Black
Double Face Stretch Wool
Crepe Pailette Fishtail
Skirt, $5,995. Available at
Michael Kors Collection
Store, Madison Avenue.
Antique Coin Necklace, by
BVLGARI, an antique coin
on a cotton lace, $4,100.
B.zero1 Ring, by BVLGARI,
18-karat pink gold and
black ceramic, $890. Avail-
able at BVLGARI stores
nationwide or visit bulgari.
com.

Easton
IL GUFO Pink dress.,$345.
25park.com
White tights by Childrens
place. childrensplace.com.
Elisabeth wears
Michael Kors Barley Feather-
weight Cashmere Long Sleeve
Crewneck, $595; Michael
Kors Cross Fox Strips on
Chiffon Skirt, $5,995; Michael
Kors Teak Leather Asymmet-
ric Belt, $395. All are available
at Michael Kors Collection
Store, Madison Avenue.
WALTER STEIGER Monel shoes,
Fabrication Calf Leather,
$1,250, waltersteiger.com.
Parentesi Openwork Ring, by
BVLGARI, an 18-karat yellow
gold with diamonds, $5,400.
Tondo Sautoir necklace, by BV-
LGARI, in 18-karat yellow gold
and stainless steel; available at
BVLGARI stores nationwide, or
visit bulgari.com.
"Magic Alhambra" earrings
set in 18-karat yellow gold with
two tiger's eye and carnelian
motifs by Van Cleef & Arpels,
$5,100.

Easton wears
Navy wool shirt and navy
tweed skirt by IL GUFO,
25park.com.
White tights and shearling
boots, available at Children’s
place, childrensplace.com.

48 playground november / december 2010

 d
Tea
Elisabeth wears
Herff Christiansen
cha r-
coal ribbed long sleeve
shirt,
$125, 25park.com.
Leila Shams stud
crop tie
dye top, $475,25park.c
om.
James Jeans Twiggy
Bou-

Party
doir, $119, Piperlime.
Michael Kors Bla
ck Ankle
Wrap Sandal, $895, Mic
hael
Kors Collection Store,
Madi-
son Avenue.
Pamela Love Short
Decay
Ring, sterling silver, $17
5.
Pamela Love Double
Cage
Ring with Hinge, sterling
silver, $525.

d
Easton wears
Pink long sleeve T-shirt,
black
denim skirt, tights and
cowboy
boots; available at Chi
ldren’s
Place, childrensplace.com
.

Minden Chan striped batwing

shirt, $198, 25park.com.
Max Mara Atelier "Acinoso" washed
camel hair Notch Collar Coat with Coat
Fur Lining, $5,990.
Van Cleef & Arpels "Magic Alhambra"
necklace set in 18-karat yellow gold
with 11 white mother of pearl motifs,
$12,300. "Magic Alhambra" bracelet
set in 18-karat white gold featuring
five pave diamond motifs, $40,100.
Pamela Love Double Cage Ring with
Hinge, sterling silver, $525.
 So not only are you an actress, but also a
writer and musician?
Five Favorites I wouldn’t say I am a musician. I would defi-
nitely say I am a writer. I went to Sarah Law-
Movie? rence to become a writer. I was not starring in
Cinema Paradiso the Sarah Lawrence musical; I wanted to write.
My friends from college remind me that I al-
Ice-cream flavor?
Vanilla ways wanted to be an actress. I guess they were
right. When I started working on Law and Or-
Vacation spot?
der, I also started writing more. I wrote a period
Miami, The Aqualina Spa
piece called Nerissa, a great feminist book, and
Music? my second book is Desire, which I wrote during
Country rock shooting scenes of Law and Order.
Beauty product?
LS: What is an average day like for you?
Lucas Papaw Ointment from Australia, ER: I wake up between 2 and 4 a.m., when Eas-
the best for chapped lips. My makeup ton comes into my bed to say, ‘Mommy, I love
artist turned me on to this product that you!’ We wake up around 7 a.m., and the day is
I now cannot live without. really all about Easton. And then try and find
some time for work.
I will say that finding the balance of being a
mom, and being multidimensional, is such a pro-
Recipe
found challenge. I feel so blessed that I chose the
right career, being an actress. I get to be on a job,
and then have time when I am done with the job
d
to be home with Easton, where I can be 100 per-
cent with her.
We eat dinner together at 6 and we cook ev-
ery meal at home. To be honest, she loves chick-
Elisabeth's favorite for Thanksgiving: INGREDIENTS
Curried Buttercup Squash and Apple Soup 1.5 cups sour cream
¼ cup maple syrup
serves 8-10 people
2 tsp. salt (or more for taste)
1 cup pumpkin seed shells
1. Heat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, 8 tbsp. (1 stick) unsalted butter
maple syrup, 2 tbsp. of water, and a pinch of salt. Cover; refrigerate. 2 small buttercup squash,
2.In another bowl, toss pumpkin seeds with 2 tsp of salt. Spread sliced lengthwise
evenly over a baking pan. Toast in the oven until seeds are golden 2 medium onions, roughly chopped
and begin to pop (7 to 10 minutes). Set aside. 3 celery stalks, roughly chopped
3.Butter 9x13x2 inch baking dish. Place squash, cut-side down, and 3 medium carrots, roughly chopped
half-cup water in dish. Bake until tender, about one hour. Let cool for 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
d
45 minutes. Remove seeds, peel and set aside. 1 tbsp. cinnamon
4. In a large stock pot over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add on- 1/2 tsp. ground clove
ions, celery, and carrots; cook, stirring, until onions are translucent, ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
about 10 minutes. Add brown sugar and spices; cook, for 5 minutes. 1 tsp. ground curry powder
¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
Add apples and brandy; cook for 10 minutes. Add the squash and
12 cups of water; simmer for 1 hour. Let cool for 30 minutes. Puree 4 Macoun apples - peeled, cored,
in food processor until smooth. Add honey, and salt and pepper to and roughly chopped
taste; pulse to combine. 2/3 cup brandy
5. To serve, garnish with a dollop of maple cream (already made in ¼ cup honey
the refrigerator) and sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds. Fresh ground pepper to taste
50
en nuggets and French fries. I also love the book
The Sneaky Chef, and I try and sneak in spinach
and broccoli. She loves her bread … bread and
bananas. We’re also a fan of yogurt.
What projects do you have lined up for 2011?
I have two movies coming out, Chlorine and Ab-
duction. I am also the Juno Baby Jr. spokesmom.
I am now going to take a little time off to be with
Easton. To be involved with Juno Baby is such
an amazing experience. Everything Easton and
I do, we can do together when it comes to Juno
Baby Jr. It gives me and Easton so much joy.
You are very active with Make the Connec-
tion--an organization devoted to raising
awareness about cervical cancer. How did
you come to get involved with that particular
cause?
I am still supportive of this, but not too involved,
actually; I only did that PSA once. I worked for
the Red Cross for five years, though. I have done
relief work for them in Cambodia, Asia and Viet-
nam. I am also an emergency trained volunteer.
I am also involved with Refugee International;
my heart really goes out to people that have been
displaced by natural disasters.
How did you meet your fiancé? And how do
you tackle raising Easton together, both being
such busy people?
Well, he and I share the same thoughts: Family
comes first. Anything else has to fit around our
family. Productive with purpose.
We met because he is a fashion designer, an
amazing designer; RATS is his company. I was
borrowing clothes for an event, he measured my
thigh and that was it. [laughs]
What kind of music do you play for your
daughter?
We really love the Juno Baby Classical Music.
We listen to music all the time. I go to Juno Baby
for a lot of the music; the music is classical and
modern compositions, and we really sing the
songs together. We have this connection togeth- cupcake image courtesy of pottery barn kids
er through the music and characters. We totally
blast the music in the morning in the house. Juno
music has helped Easton find a voice!
How do you keep the “sexy” in your life now
that you’re a mom?
I am working on that now. [laughs and smiles]
playground november / december 2010
 HANII Y fur cardigan,
$860; Herff Chris-
tiansen white ribbed
long sleeve shirt, $125,
25park.com.
James Jeans Twiggy
Boudoir, $119, Piperlime.
WALTER STEIGER MINT
shoes, $1,200, walter-
steiger.com.
Cerchi Necklace, by BVL-
GARI, 18-karat white gold
and diamonds, $54,000;
Lucea Ring, by BVLGARi,
18-karat white gold with
diamonds and pearls,
$3,800. Available at BV-
LGARI stores nationwide
or visit bulgari.com.

Photographed at
20 Park (penthouse apt)
courtesy of Stonehenge
stonehengenyc.com

Porcelain tea set,

cupcake set with tray,
and cake courtesy of
pottery barn kids.
potterybarnkids.com

Chalk table and chairs

courtesy of Giggle.
giggle.com

Photo Assistant:
Shana Schnur
Digital Imaging:
Taisa Rudnik
Stylist Assistants:
Michelle Charak
and Candy Javier
Hair and Makeup:
Liam Dunn

playground november / december 2010 51

52 playground november / december 2010
Runway
Observer Playground and Divalysscious Moms
presented Fashion Night Out 2010 at the
Lisa Perry Store. A mother and
daughter fashion show that rocked the runway!

P h oto g r a p h y b y a n a s c h ec h t e r
54 playground november / december 2010
Star-Studded
Stoop Cat Greenleaf entertains
New York celebrities—
and one adorable toddler—
in her Cobble Hill townhouse

56 playground november / december 2010

 Right, the $2,800
Ikea kitchen; below,
Brooklyn Buddha.
Opposite:
Cat and Primo.

S
ome people are natural hosts, and Nicholas
Joseph Greenleaf Rey is one of them. Visitors
to his townhouse on a leafy green Cobble Hill
block are greeted immediately with a smile as
warm and welcoming as the room into which he
quickly leads them, an airy, sunny space over-
looking the quiet streetscape beyond. Everyone
gets the star treatment here, celebrity or not—
though, admittedly, the neighbors have spotted some pretty big names
coming and going (Kim Kardashian, Edie Falco, Spike Lee, Clay Aitken,
Brooke Shields, the Backstreet Boys, the Muppets). Nick, though, is no
name-dropper. For one thing, he can’t talk yet, but for the 19-month-
old, a steady stream of boldface names is just another day at home: His
Brooklyn house does double duty as a greenroom.
Nick’s mom, you see, is WNBC’s Cat Greenleaf, whom up to 40 mil-
lion viewers might spot each day on the television screen or Taxi TV,
above gas pumps or on Path train monitors. A New York City local news
fixture for almost a decade, Cat has risen to fame thanks to her show Talk
Stoop, a series of coffee klatch conversations with famous personalities
that take place, rain or shine, perched on the kind of rust-colored stoop
that is indigenous to New York. “People think it’s a set,” Cat admits, but
these steps adorn the front of house that she, Emmy-nominated CBS
producer husband Michael Rey and son Nick call home. Luminaries
traipsing in and around the late-19th-century house have been a part of take care of the dog or the baby.” As was the case with fellow Brooklynite
Nick’s life since he arrived in New York: Cat and Mike brought their Rosie Perez, who, after walking over to Cat’s house in her flip-flops, fed
adopted son home from Louisiana in the spring of 2009, and Talk Stoop Nick a bottle before the shoot began. “A lot of time, they precede me here,”
started not that much later. says Cat, who might run a few minutes late shuttling from the studio to
The show’s arrival in the family’s life was “just one of those things,” Cat stoop on the subway. “I’ve walked in countless times and the celebs are
says. “I woke up one morning [and] came up with the title. By the time I already here, waiting for me!” Waiting and virtually undisturbed by the
got to work, I had come up with the concept. … I didn’t really realize it neighborhood: “Sometimes we have these huge stars that come without
was going to take over my life in the way that it has!” Take over her life entourages and people just walk right by, not noticing. … We have had
and house—but that homey feeling is what gives the show its charm. “The nothing but positive feedback from the neighborhood. Everyone has been
greenroom is our living room,” explains Michael Rey. “[The interviewees] really supportive. We’re lucky, because if they weren’t …” She trails off.
come over with no idea what to expect. When they realize that they are in Luck has been a major force in Cat Greenleaf’s life—or maybe it’s fate.
someone’s house, it immediately disarms them. Cat’s making coffee, they “I know so very few things in the world,” she says, “but I did know a
settle in … it changes the whole couple things: One was that I was always going to adopt, and then, when
tone for everyone,” making even I met [now husband] Mike, I just kind of knew, ‘The store was closed,
the biggest names drop their guard he’s the one.’ And another thing—when I saw this house.”
and, sometimes, pick up some Ah, the house—whether fate or luck, it is a part of Cat’s story that
chores. “We’ll book four guests makes it clear she is living under a lucky star, or a lucky stoop, at least.
in a row,” Cat says, “so I’ll have Close with the people who lived next door, Cat and Michael had always
to run upstairs and change in be- admired their friends’ Cobble Hill existence, “living in a house in the
tween. Often the guests are left to city, having a yard, being able to take the subway but still having trees,

B y R e b ec c a 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

playground november / december 2010 57

[and] a lot of people that seemed to be around our age and into simi-
lar things.” They knew their house well, having walked by it for years
and peered into its backyard while visiting next door, “and then we got
the phone call, and then we knew.” That phone call? From the house’s
owner, who, far from looking for a profit, even during the height of the
real estate boom in 2005, merely “wanted to pass it along to a nice young
family,” because someone had given him a deal on his first house. “He
just wanted to do a nice thing,” in this case, a very nice thing, offering
them the house at perhaps 40 percent less than it could have been. The Clockwise from
property never even went on the market, and Cat and Mike agreed to top left: Julio;
Primo in his
buy it before they had even been inside.
nursery; a family
The outside was the stuff of dreams, the inside the stuff of HGTV re- of guitars.
ality TV shows. The house needed a gut renovation right away, “down Opposite: Cat
with her kitty,
to the studs,” Cat says. “I loved the renovation process, I loved every-
Mighty; Michael,
thing about it, but in terms of advice I would just say… stay someplace Cat and Primo.
where it’s comfortable,” more comfortable at least than the spot next to
the boiler in a friend’s basement, where Cat and Michael camped out
during the six-month renovation. Today, those boiler days feel worth it;
the townhouse, which the couple divided to create a tenant’s apartment
downstairs, is a warm (not as warm as a boiler), happy place, perfect for
a young family. “We tried to preserve as much floor space as possible,”
says Cat. “Even though it’s a house in New York, it’s quite compact [the
house, including the tenant apartment, is 2,300 square feet]. We wanted
the downstairs as wide open as possible.” The parlor floor encompasses
the open kitchen and dining room and the bright, sunny living room,
where a sectional lounges under a Martha Hoover print of a trailer cov-
ered with the word “Health.” The piece is special to Cat because “it in-
spires us to try to stay healthy, but because it’s kinda run down around
the edges, it also reminds us that perfection is elusive.”
It’s a good lesson for the 38-year-old who says, “I have incredible
OCD. I cannot take it when things are out of order, so we keep our stuff
quotient very low in this house because I can’t bear [it]; OCD is hard
enough on its own.” If Mike and Cat do go shopping, it’s at country stores
and five and dimes in Stockbridge or Woodbridge. “We’re the boring
parents with the wood toys,” she says of their other old-fashioned finds.
Most other purchases were from the Red Hook Ikea, including the
kitchen, which opens onto the terrace (outfitted with Ikea furniture!)
beyond. “The day we stopped renovating was the last day that I went
into Ikea, but during the renovation period, I was there probably twice a
week. Our whole kitchen is Ikea, but we waited for a sale so it only cost
$2800.” Keeping to a strict budget was an important theme for the reno-

58 playground november / december 2010


vation: They had no room to be surprised. If a light fixture was five dol-
lars more than they had thought, “well, even five dollars more per bulb
… adds up. So we just didn’t get it. Bringing coffee to the contractors also
doesn’t hurt!” says the couple, who “didn’t hammer a nail” in the house.
(“We wanted it to stand!”) And stand it does, anchored proudly by the
entrance with its rough-hewn wood trim, a find from Sullivan’s County,
where “an old farmer was getting rid of a barn,
and just gave it to us.” The hulking piece of wood
is appropriate for Cat, who says her “knuckles are
raw from knocking on wood,” superstitious of her
luck in life, love and real estate. As with most luck,
though, it arrived only after a lot of hard work.
“Like most people in New York, I started my ca-
reer without a mirror. I couldn’t even see how I
looked when I went off to work—on television!”
Now, she’s got a giant walk-in closet that helps
with a 4 a.m. wake-up time, attributable to both
life on the air and life with a toddler.
And with all Cat and Mike’s good fortune, it’s
clear that the magnanimous Nick, whom the
couple calls “Primo,” has been the four-leaf clo-
ver that Cat and Mike cherish most. “I’ve had
him in mind since I was 4. I just always knew that
playground november / december 2010
Living in Cobble Hill
The Vibe Landmarked streets make this southern Brooklyn
neighborhood, with its bluestone sidewalks and late-19th-
century brownstones, feel like a slice of “old New York.”
Independent stores and charming restaurants line Smith,
Union and Court Streets.
Schools: Linden Tree Preschool (ages 2 to 4), Open
House Nursery School (ages 2 to 6), P.S. 029 John M. Har-
rigan (grades PK to 5), P.S. 448 Brooklyn School for Col-
laborative Studies (grades 6 to 12), P.S. 292 Henry Street
School for International Studies (grades 6 to 12), P.S. 519
Cobble Hill School of American Studies grades (9 to 12)
Behind the Stoop: The Greenleaf-Rey townhouse is
2,300 square feet, 1,700 square feet of which is used by
the family (the remainder makes up a separate apartment
below, currently rented by tenants that Cat and Mike
adore). On two levels, Cat and Matt’s living space includes
a master bedroom, a nursery and a playroom/spare bed-
room, with an open kitchen, a dining area, a living space
and a charming terrace on the first floor.
Family Faves in the Hood Cobble Hill families love the
Bookcort bookstore, Verandah Park, Cobble Hill Cinemas
and nearby Carroll Park. For their frequent dinner parties,
Cat and Mike shop at local favorites like Los Paisanos
meat market, the Trader Joe’s on Court Street and Jim &
Andy’s fruit and vegetable cart.
[adoption] was how I was going to grow our family,” says Cat, “and on
our second date, I told Mike that … and he drank more wine.” Mike in-
terjects to joke, “And I said, ‘What was your name again?’” The couple,
who despite spending their early years virtually next door to each other
in the small town of Mamaroneck, met only while he was at a produc-
tion company and Cat was working at NY1 on the Road and Rail Report.
Nick, or Primo, came along seven years later, and
hopefully, another little one will join the family
soon.
“The neighborhood is perfect for kids,” says
Cat. “We love our neighbors so much; during the
weekends, we just sit out on the stoop and every-
one comes by.”
Between his celebrity visitors and his neighbor-
hood friends, Nick’s pretty popular. Is that where
he got his nickname, Primo? No. 1 in their hearts?
Cat laughs. “Primo—not because he’s the first …
but because he always flies first class! He always
gets bumped! When we were flying home from
Louisiana, they kicked him up to first class, and
for the next four flights after that, too.” Well, with
friends like Primo’s, we have no doubt he’s got a
VIP future ahead, in the air and on the stoop.
59
Pop Party
Adorable (and fashionable!) kids invade the Pop-Tarts
pop-up store, and delicious and wild times ensue!

P h oto g r ap 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 ast e r
60 playground november / december 2010
62 playground november / december 2010
(from left to right) Bella wears: my vintage baby headband, mini boden bow dress and faux fur vest, tory burch shoes, north face hat, pop tart scarf, ooh la la legging.
Dylan wears: north face hat, j collection /my vintage baby shoes. Artie wears: Shirt Mini Boden, Pants Ralph Lauren, Shoes Nike Sneakers. Sophie wears: ooh la la dress,
wristlet, leggings, wizards of waverly place shoes for payless, scarf & hat north face. David wears: geox sneakers, ralph lauren jeans, volcom T-shirt, jack's shirt.
Dylan wears: ooh la la dress, leggings & headband, wristlet, splendid button down shirt, uggs. Lilly wears: ooh la la top, skirt with legging. Ethan wears cut by 2 blondes shirt,
volcom T-shirt, ben sherman sweater, north face hat, volcom jeans, new balance sneakers, my vintage baby headband, uggs.

playground november / december 2010 63

Navigating Parenthood
Connecting your kids to the spirit of giving
Emphasizing gratitude this Thanksgiving
O
n Thanksgiving Day, families and
friends come together to prepare
and delight in the most popular
American holiday meal: turkey, stuffing, sweet
potatoes, pumpkin pie and more! But we know
that this holiday is about much more than a
meal. On Thanksgiving the spirit of goodwill,
compassion, thankfulness and gratitude fills
our hearts. Here are some ways to enrich your
child's experience of this wonderful holiday:
Family and Friends. First and foremost,
emphasize the value and importance of fam-
ily and friends. Thanksgiving is a time of the
coming together of all family members. It
is also a time to welcome friends and those
who are alone to your Thanksgiving table.
Be grateful for the love of family and friends.
Cherish your loved ones.
Learn. Every holiday presents a unique
opportunity for learning. This Thanksgiv-
ing, read books with your children, watch
movies and go on the Web to explore and
learn about the rich and interesting history
of Thanksgiving. There is much to be dis-
cussed about our country's history as it re-
lates to the declaration of the Thanksgiving
holiday. Make sure that this process is fun
64
and educational for all!
Participate. Have your children partici-
pate in the preparation of the Thanksgiving
meal and the decoration of the Thanksgiving
table, though make the involvment age-ap-
propriate. Younger children can make turkey
placemats and decorate the table playfully,
and older children can help in the cooking
and preparation of the meal. Let your chil-
dren pick the flowers, serve the food, join
the clean-up committee. Active involvement
and participation make the experience much
more meaningful for each child. Help your
children to feel as if the preparation of the
Thanksgiving table and dinner is a group ef-
fort. Every contribution is a valuable contri-
bution. It's all about togetherness, coopera-
tion and building tradition.
Be Thankful. During the Thanksgiv-
ing meal, talk about what the holiday repre-
sents—being thankful and giving. Emphasize
that we all should be thankful for our family,
our friends, our teachers, our doctors, our
health, our freedom, our lives as Americans.
Nothing should be taken for granted. Recog-
nize the wonderful feeling of being thankful
and how this holiday, unlike many others,
involves no exchange of gifts. The gift is in
the giving.
Give Back. Finally, focus on the true mean-
ing of "giving" during "Thanksgiving." Families
can go together to serve meals to the home-
less and elderly at soup kitchens and nursing
homes or join programs at their churches or
synagogues that are designed to give to those
less fortunate. Emphasize that giving to others
is the core to a meaningful life and strength-
ens one's sense of self—from drawing a pic-
ture for an elderly person to preparing the
Thanksgiving meal for the hungry or disabled.
Many people in your community will benefit
from the food left over from your scrumptious
Thanksgiving dinner. Perhaps your children
can accompany you as you deliver the excess
food to shelters or hospitals and the many or-
ganizations that provide food to those in need.
Giving in these ways makes each one of us
stronger, kinder, more fulfilled. Reward your
child's efforts to give. Help them to acknowl-
edge that the ability to give to others is a gift.
Teach them, by example, to be thankful for ev-
ery blessing and to cherish those they love.
getty images
Happy Thanksgiving to all!!
—Dr. Betsy Schur Levy
playground november / december 2010
 Kindergarten? Can do!
A book that puts you back in the driver's seat

K
indergarten admissions … two of the
scariest words in a Manhattan parent’s
vocabulary. Between
writing personal essays and going
on a dozen (or more) school tours,
the application process can be as
stressful and time-consuming as a
full-time job. But of all the hurdles
a parent has to jump through in
pursuit of one acceptance letter, it’s
the intelligence testing (in New York,
that’s primarily the ERB for private
schools, the OLSAT for public-school
gifted-and-talented programs and the
Stanford-Binet for Hunter College Elemen-
tary) many find the most anxiety inducing.
Enter Karen Quinn, a kindergarten admissions
counselor turned novelist. Her first book, The Ivy
Chronicles, charted the fictional travails of a tod-
dler tutor and became a national best seller. Soon
after its debut, Warner Brothers snapped up the
rights for a motion picture adaptation, now slated
to star Sarah Jessica Parker. But Quinn still didn’t
feel satisfied, so she set about penning
a how-to guide for parents looking to
help their children improve their IQ
scores. “I owed it to people to put this
information out there,” says Quinn,
who originally fell into tutoring after
helping her own then 3-year old son
lift his IQ scores from the 37th to the
94th percentile.
“In New York, it has become so
competitive,” says Quinn. “A good
score may not be able to get your
child into school, but a bad score can keep your
child out.” For yers now parents either had to
turn to tutors, which cost $100 to $200 per one-
hour session, or buy commercial test prep ma-
terials that sell for hundreds of dollars; with her
new book, Testing For Kindergarten, Quinn hopes
to level the playing field—her book is priced at
$14.99—and put the power of preparation back in
the hands of the parent. “You can so easily help
your children. And it’s organic. You’re child isn’t
crashing for a test; they’re learning not only what
they need for testing, but also what they need to
do well in school,” she says.
Testing for Kindergarten breaks down test prep
into seven specific abilities—language, memory,
mathematics, knowledge, visual-spatial, cognitive
and fine motor skills—and includes 125 fun ac-
tivities to help children get ready for the big day.
(My son loves doing these.) There’s also plenty of
insider tips and common-sense advice to put even
the most nervous parent at ease.
As a companion for the book, Quinn developed
a Web site that offers free daily test prep ques-
tions, and created a board game—think of it as an
IQ-boosting Candyland—for up to four children,
available via www.testingforkindergarten.com.
Play dates may never be the same again.
—Tatiana Boncompagni

Craft Studio
Keep your little ones excited and interested in
Thanksgiving with these crafty tips.
Thanksgiving Day Centerpiece
Have the kids contribute to the ambience! My
favorite turkey day craft is a Thanksgiving Day
centerpiece. At your local florist or craft store,
buy two or three (depending on how big your
table is) 6-inch terra cotta pots, and some
acrylic paint in festive fall colors like chocolate
browns, oranges, deep reds and yellows. Next, have the kids burn some
energy and send them outside to find some great intact fall leaves. Lay
down some newspaper so your kitchen table doesn’t fall victim and gather
the kids around. After painting some nice
base colors and letting it dry, get out those
fall leaves and paint one side. You will use
them like stamps and push on to the pot and
hold for five seconds. Carefully take them
away without sliding or moving them and be
amazed by a perfect and beautiful leaf print!
Now don’t panic, but you are going to allow
your kids to paint their pointer fingers and
stamp it onto the pot in alternating colors
to look like the fan of a turkey’s feathers on
the other side of the pot. Finish by painting on a
face in the middle, complete with a beak and that
famous gobbler neck. After letting it dry, fill with
mini-pumpkins, Indian corn and gourds. Not only
do the kids feel proud, but it is a foolproof way to
guarantee that the table will look good; even if all
the colors mix together on the pot, it will look like a
Thanksgiving Jackson Pollack!
Dinner Games
Keep the kids happy during dinner, and adults will
get to spend more time at the table. The week before Thanksgiving, buy
some eco-friendly craft paper (or hit up the butcher for some butcher paper
and kill two birds with one stone when you buy your turkey) and cut to the
same size as your dinning table. Have the kids whip out some more of those
leaves and stamp it with some of those great fall acrylic colors. Find the
child with the best penmanship, or the worst, because it is so cute to see
their little chicken scratch, and have them write all over different Thanksgiv-
ing questions. For example, favorite Thanksgiving memory, favorite part
of the meal, what are you most thankful for. Just when the kids are getting
restless at the table, have guests read aloud the question nearest them and
have everyone answer around the table. This will keep kids involved and
happy. So here’s to a beautiful and fun-filled Thanksgiving Day!
For all your craft, gift and toy needs, make sure to visit us at the Craft Studio
on the Upper East Side! —Lindsey Johnson
 Norah O'Donnell's Breaking News:
W
ith their new book Baby Love:
Healthy, Easy, Delicious Meals
for Your Baby and Toddler, No-
rah O’Donnell and Geoff Tracy take a break
from their demanding day jobs (she’s the chief
Washington correspondent for MSNBC, and
he’s a trained chef and the owner of five D.C.
restaurants) to help parents feed their kids bet-
ter. Loaded with quick and simple recipes like
“Strawberry and Fig Puree,” “Norah’s Brain
Booster Zucchini Muffins” and “Baby Guacamo-
le,” the book is the perfect kitchen companion for
time-crunched moms and dads who don’t want
to resort to feeding their children processed,
jarred or canned foods.
So whose idea was it to write the book?
Geoff: When the twins started to get to the
point where they were ready to eat, there was
never a doubt in my mind that I was going to pro-
duce their food. But I had no idea that we were
going to end up writing a book about
it. Within a few weeks of watch-
ing me, Norah said, ‘We have to
write this book,’ because she felt
it was very important. I probably
said, ‘Really, we’re really going to
write a book about baby food?’ It
turned out to be a great project
that we worked on together and
something that we both very much enjoyed.
Was it easy to work together?
Geoff: That sounds like a marital question.
[laughs]
Norah: It was great to work together. We
just divided up the project and helped edit one
another, rather than trying to write the recipes
together. Geoff handled a lot of the recipes and I
handled all the nutrition stuff. That’s of huge in-
terest to me. As we say to our kids, ‘What works?
Teamwork!’
In light of Michelle Obama’s focus on chil-
dren’s health, a book like this is quite timely.
Geoff: It’s really interesting that Michelle
Obama has come out so strongly on nutrition
66
Healthy food can be delicious!
and is doing such a great job with this issue. I
was recently at the White House with a thou-
sand chefs from across the country—Michelle
Obama invited us to talk about her efforts. And
what we’re doing in the book starts right at the
beginning. This is the first food babies put into
their mouths as they move out of the
breast-feeding stage.
How easy are these recipes for
moms not lucky enough to be mar-
ried to a chef?
Norah: We designed this book
not only to help people build a
foundation for healthy eating, but
also for it to be easy. We certainly
looked at some of the other cookbooks that
are out there and made sure these recipes are
beyond simple. I’ve made the “perfectly basic
applesauce” in 30 minutes before work. One
morning my nanny turned to me at 7:30 and said
there’s no more food left. So I zipped out to the
Whole Foods, got some organic apples, quickly
cut them up and put them in a pot with a little bit
of water, covered the lid, cooked them for about
eight minutes—until they were tender but not too
mushy—put them in a blender and puréed them
and, boom, there was the applesauce. Not only is
it healthier, it’s very, very easy.
Geoff: I fully understood that the audience
out there wasn’t going to have the culinary train-
ing I do. So one of the things I take a little time to
do in the book is to outline some basic techniques
that I learned at the Culinary Institute of Amer-
ica. They’re not complex, but I spell them out
very straightforwardly, and by following them,
you become much faster in the kitchen—not only
cooking baby food, but cooking anything. I basi-
cally spent an hour every other weekend doing
this, usually while watching a football game. I
was able to knock it out and feed the babies for
two weeks.
How important is it to use organic fruits and
vegetables?
Geoff: I do highly recommend going for US-
DA-certified organic ingredients for baby food. I
also talk about local foods in the book. The closer
something is, the fresher and better it tends to
be. And it’s greener. Generally, I think that pro-
cessing the ingredients yourself makes for much
healthier food than anything you could ever find
in a jar.
Norah: Organic products should be your first
preference because there are fewer hormones,
fewer chemicals and fewer pesticides. That’s im-
portant because in these very early ages of brain
development, we should be trying to make sure
there’s not a lot of junk in children’s food.
You make the case that it is also cheaper than
buying jarred food.
There’s a sense that organic products can be
too expensive, but the price gap between organic
and conventional foods is starting to narrow. You
can expect to pay a little bit more for organic, but
in our book, we compared some of the prices of
jarred food at the local Safeway versus organic,
and you still are getting a better bang for your
buck buying organic. Our chicken soup is like the
biggest bargain in the world.
So you’ve never broken down and fed your kids
food from a jar?
Geoff: Not even once. Even on vacations we
just either made it where we were or brought it
with us. You can just freeze the food in contain-
ers and carry them on. The TSA allows for chil-
dren’s food to be brought on a plane.
playground november / december 2010
 Norah: That’s not to say they haven’t eaten
store-bought crackers.
Geoff: But as babies they never ate baby food
out of a jar.
You mention that what kids eat now may im-
pact them later in their lives.
Norah: To me, this is the most fascinating as-
pect, and we’re really just scratching the surface
scientifically in terms of learning about this time
in children’s lives where you can really influence
their future health.
Would you like to see food become more of a
political issue?
Norah: One of the questions that’s out there
is can Washington find similar success fighting
fat like they did smoking. The federal govern-
ment decided to take on smoking, and it actually
has worked, but it was due to a combination of
things—making it socially unacceptable, higher
taxes, proving it was unhealthy, suing the tobacco
companies. And over half a century now, it has
produced a reduction in smoking. So there is a
policy question out there.
Geoff: I’ll put my two cents in here, but basi-
cally I think the government needs to stay out of
some of these things. People like chefs and the
first lady putting it on the agenda may be more
impactful than policy changes. The last thing I
want as a restaurateur is to have the federal gov-
ernment talking to me about how much butter I
can put in my risotto.
Norah: And this may be an area where Geoff
and I disagree, but I believe the federal govern-
Michelle Obama hosts ment does have a role
Healthy Kids Fair at to play and must play
the White House.
a role. As it is now, we
spend nearly $150 billion s a year on conditions
related to obesity like cancer, heart disease and
strokes. The heath costs are staggering, and if
we don’t make fighting obesity a No. 1 concern, it
will bankrupt us. The statistics are unbelievable;
I mean, compared to 40 years ago, we consume
23 percent more calories and 56 percent more
added fats and 14 percent more sugars. The
federal government does have to get involved
in terms of changing the school lunch program.
This is an area where they have to do something,
and they’re trying to do something. We shouldn’t
have kids getting overweight eating the food that
the government subsides.
Geoff: Absolutely.
What are your kids’ favorite recipes from the
book?
Geoff: Pancakes!
—Laura Morgan

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playground november / december 2010 67

The Wheatleigh
Terrace Suite;
exterior; and
Great Hall.

travel for families

Luxury
Travel Kardashian-style: Take the whole family along b y J u l i e E a r l e- L e v i n e

B
ringing the entire family together for a holiday can evoke a com-
bination of joy and dread. But sometimes it is a necessity. Why not
do it in style by taking over a small, exotic luxury hotel, so you can
keep the family banter and bickering private?
The beauty of a buyout at the right resort helps ensure fantastic
staff, exceptional cuisine and absolute privacy. We think these properties deliver.

The Wheatleigh, Berkshires

Yes, it’s grand, with antique mirrors and marble fireplaces, but it’s also family friend-
ly if you book this late-19th-century mansion, in Massachusetts’ Berkshire Hills, for
$21,000 to $30,000 a day (tipping and service
charges included).
The Wheatleigh has 19 suites and guest
rooms and recently refreshed its restaurant,
which is wonderful for diner, and launched a
new private wine cellar. The Dining Room, with
sweeping views of the country, offers contem-
porary takes on classic French dishes. Guests

68 playground november / december 2010

Borgo Finochchieto,
Tuscany.

discuss personalized menus with executive chef Jeffrey Thompson; ing and the first press? December is all about Christmas fairs and
there are also wine tastings. Food and beverage are extra. chestnuts roasting.
Cosy up inside and indulge in the luxurious amenities—La Prairie, The Borgo holds up to 44 guests in 22 bedrooms and suites, and
Bulgari and Aromatherapy, your choice—while the kids run around also offers "exclusive use" of the property for groups that want only
the private 22-acre estate or swim in the outdoor heated pool. Dad the manor house’s nine suites, giving them exclusive use of the pool,
can go golfing, horse riding or fishing. Snowshoeing and skiing can be gym and grounds. There is a minimum of three nights, or seven nights
arranged in the winter, followed by a fire pit with smores. It’s only two during the holidays. The cost is about $9,800 a day for exclusive use
hours and 45 minutes by car from the city, with easy access by private (nine suites) to $20,800 for the complete property (22 rooms/suites).
plane. Weekend bookings have a two-night minimum, and holidays
carry a three-night minimum. There is a 40-guest maximum. Tcherassi Hotel + Spa, Cartegna, Colombia
This 250-year-old, seven-room luxury hotel with its own spa, roof-
Borgo Finocchieto, Tuscany top pool deck and restaurant in the heart of Cartegna’s Old City along
The Borgo is an 800-year-old village, or "borgo," that has been trans- the Caribbean coast already feels like a private mansion. Families
formed into a luxury retreat, with its own manor house and four vil- can make it their own from $4,000 a night (not including meals and
lage houses. It is 30 minutes south of Siena, and very close to Mon- a spa). It’s the first collaboration between Colombian fashion icon
talcino in the Brunello wine district. Silvia Tcherassi and Miami-based CF Hospitality and it wows. The
The Borgo has nine luxurious suites hotel has four pools, a stunning vertical garden with more than 3,000
Bookings in the manor house, plus four village
Lighthouse Bay Resort houses consisting of 13 suites and bed- Tcherassi
www.lighthousebayresort.com rooms. Between the library, the wine- Hotel + Spa.
tasting room, the spa, the sports courts
Tcherassi
and the swimming pool, there is some-
www.tcherassihotels.com
thing for everyone. Some families like
The Borgo to launch their own competitive bocce
www.borgofinocchieto.com tournaments, gather to watch classic
movies after dinner or take family biking
The Wheatleigh
www.wheatleigh.com expeditions on road bikes, with stops for
photos and snacks.
Spicers Tamarind Did we mention that November in
www.spicerstamarind.com.au Tuscany brings the white truffle festival,
and the end of the year means olive pick-

70 playground november / december 2010

lush plants and incredible views of the city, as well as a
full-service spa.
The kids may be fighting over the rooms, which
are all unique and occupy the four-story mansion. The
largest is a 1,200-square-foot, trilevel penthouse suite
that has its own private rooftop pool. But all rooms
have soaring ceilings, rich wood floors, restored origi-
nal stone walls and private walk-out balconies offer-
ing views of the garden, or the city. Tcherassi boasts
custom amenities, including its own fragrance and his
and her bathrobes.

Lighthouse Bay Resort, Barbuda

The Lighthouse Bay Resort, set on a peninsula off the
small Caribbean island of Barbuda, is accessible only
by boat or helicopter. “We fly by helicopter. It’s basi-
cally an uninhabited island with the best private strip
of beach in the world. There is no better pink sand than
Barbuda,” said one Wall Streeter and father of three
who likes to buy out the nine-suite property. A bonus:
A private chef whips up lobster, any way you want it.
“It’s available anytime. There is also shockingly fantas-
tic wild game, and the best venison and duck I’ve ever

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playground november / december 2010 71

 Lighthouse Bay
Resort (and below).

It’s basically an
uninhabited island with
the best private strip of
beach in the world.
eaten, hunted, and butchered right on the island.”
Barbuda, is the sister island to Antigua, with 17
From $69.00 to $499.00 miles of perfect soft white sand beaches. Snorkel-
ing is incredible, right off the beach, where fish and
rays swim lazily by in clear turquoise water. It costs
$12,500 a day for a buyout for up to 20 people. All

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72 playground november / december 2010

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meals and alcohol are included. There are a dozen
staff on hand should you need cocktails. When you
tire of snorkeling, swimming, sailing and kayaking
there are tennis and basketball courts. Scuba, spa
and fishing cost extra.
Sunday December 12th 2010
Spicers Tamarind, Australia
Ready for a close up with kangaroos and other Aus- 11:30 am
tralian wildlife, in your own private retreat? Spicers
Tamarind in Maleny on Queensland’s stunning
Sunshine Coast Hinterland is a great stop-off en
route to Far North Queensland. A buyout is about
$2,400 a day or, midweek, $1,980 a day, and includes
breakfast.
Right now, it’s summer Down Under. Arrive
by helicopter or drive to this tucked-away, 19-acre
property overlooking the rainforest and Australian
bush teeming with local wildlife. Expect to see pad-
dy melons, a small chubby version of a kangaroo, Help FDNY firefighters rescue Santa from the roof of the Museum.
kookaburras (birds) and possums. Kids can explore Once safely inside Santa will be available for photos and gift requests.
the Obi Obi, the river that runs through the prop- Join us on our 3rd floor loft and enjoy Christmas Carols performed
by John Clacher’s band. Hot cocoa, hot dogs and drinks
erty, and hang with general manager Paul Blain’s
will also be available for purchase at our Christmas Cafe.
domesticated pet dingo. Blain is a renowned Thai
chef, and his restaurant here utilizes Thai methods
$7 for adults $5 for Children
and sources some ingredients, such as turmeric, NEW YORK CIT Y Purchase Tickets in advance
chili, galangal, Tahitian limes, custard apples and FIRE MUSEUM Online at www.nycfiremuseum.org
278 SPRING STREET email: director@nycfiremuseum.org
mangos, from the retreat’s private garden and or-
N E W YO R K , N Y 10 013 by phone: 212-691-1303

playground november / december 2010 73

 MADE IN
NEW YORK

Spicers Tamarind,
Maleny, Australia.

chard. The menu ranges from oysters with finger lime sorbet
to spicy Massaman curry and more.
First-class comforts abound: Private outdoor heated
tubs, king-size beds and fluffy bathrobes are in all five one-
bedroom villas and the one two-bedroom villa, surrounded
by rainforest and sounds of waterfalls. After a few days re-
laxing, head to the Great Barrier Reef, the tropical 2000-ki-
lometer gem along Australia's east coast and that is among
the world’s top reef and diving spots. Spicers Tamarind has a
14-person maximum.

w
ADVERTORIAL

THE INN AT POCONO MANOR

Located in Pa., just two hours from New York City,
this 3,000-acre historic resort is an ideal choice for family,
corporate meetings, retreats, and honeymoons or romantic
getaways. Many of the hotel guest rooms offer beautiful,
panoramic views of the Pocono Mountain range and modern
conveniences that include complimentary wireless Internet.
Packages include a generous breakfast buffet and four-course
dinner, and our numerous leisure activities feature golf, horse-
back riding, indoor and outdoor pools, full-service spa, dog
sledding, snowmobiling, Manor Sports Lodge offers fishing ,
clay shooting, cross country skiing, and more. Conveniently
located to to attractions for which the region is famous. Only
2 hours from New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. This
Thanksgiving enjoy all of the traditional favorites: Affordably
priced at $26.95 per adult, seniors $20.95, children 5 to 12
$12.95 and children under 5 free. Prices subject to tax/gratu-
ity. Select an overnight package or the Black Friday package
for an excellent start to your holiday shopping at the Cross-
ings. The resort grounds and buildings will be beautifully
π

ORDER adorned, the Fireside Lodge will be transformed into a Winter

NOW Wonderland featuring Santa & Mrs. Claus, Live Reindeer,
Family activities, horse and carriage rides, build a s ‘mores
by the fire and more! Event begins Thanksgiving night and
runs each Friday, Saturday & Sunday through New Year’s day.
Overnight package rates start at only $158 for a family of four
and includes admission to event, breakfast each morning and
in-room milk and cookies with one of Santa’s helpers. For
further info, please visit poconomanor.com .

74 playground november / december 2010


2280 FDB in Harlem has raised
the standard for quality of
construction, materials, appliances
and finishes to a higher level.
The sleek and modern kitchens
feature Aster Cucine custom
cabinetry with CaesarStone countertops and appliances
from Electrolux ICON Series or Wolf, as well as Sub-Zero
and Miele. The baths incorporate stand out features
including Grigio Luna Indian Sandstone tile. From the 12th
floor communal roof terrace with an outdoor fireplace to
its on-site parking, 2280 FDB has the amenities that matter.
Immediate Occupancy. FHA approved Bldg.
212-521-5742;
2280FDB.com
Playground Gallery
5th On The Park A CHOICE NANNY has been matching
Located at 1485 Fifth high-quality nannies with discerning
Avenue on the corner New York families since 1991.   With
of 120th Street directly attentive, personal service and
across from historic Mount professional guidance throughout the
Morris Park, this 28-story hiring process,  A CHOICE NANNY
shimmering glass tower, provides full time, part time and
fully complete and ready temporary caregivers for newborns to school-age
for immediate occupancy, children.   Background investigations by private detectives
at once sets a new standard for luxury condominiums in included.   Located at 850 Seventh Avenue,  A CHOICE
Harlem and is the newest elevation of its renaissance. 1 to 4 NANNY is  licensed by the NYC Dept. of Consumer Affairs
bedroom, duplexes and penthouses from $580K. and is a member of the Better Business Bureau.  
www.achoicenanny.com/nyc.  To schedule a no-
obligation child care needs assessment, contact
www.5thOnThePark.com 212-246-5437 or nyc@achoicenanny.com.     

The Aldyn is located Italian fashion brand Allegri Basic Bidet. Bidets for decades
in the city’s vibrant has been the master of stylish popular in France & in the Far East are
new Riverside South and functional outerwear since now becoming a common bathroom
neighborhood. It features 1961. Thanks extensive fabric accessory in the U.S. Bidets easily
an indoor playground research, Allegri raincoats and installed onto your existing toilet bowl
designed by Kidville jackets offer the best protection wash your private parts with just a press
USA, and a La Palestra from the elements without of a button for a clean and fresh feeling.
fitness center with its own compromising style. This ivory Beneficial for Pregnant Women, Children, Older Folks &
basketball and squash courts, 75-foot swimming pool, goose down water repellant people with physical handicaps. Bidets save millions of
38’ rock climbing wall, a bowling alley and golf simulator. satin coat features diagonal rolls of toilet paper hence thousands of trees. The Bidet
Residents have access to acres of green space and stitching that both lengthens and slims down the silhouette. Shop located in mid town, New York City, offers a range
soccer and baseball fields along a newly planted section  Available at Saks Fifth Avenue of Bidets from $69.00 to $499.00.
of the park. Nearby the Aldyn are schools, museums, the jackets retails for $ 1,195 All are (DIY) do it yourself products.
restaurants and shops as well as Lincoln Center.  
thealdyn.com www.allegri.com To order, please visit
www.basicbidet.com

Bilingual Buds is a dynamic Fun, family and friends forever… what Bowlmor Lanes,
preschool and kindergarten that Blue Rill is all about!  Comprehensive New York City’s original
focuses on the development of the sports programs, state-of-the-art upscale bowling alley
whole child and his or her relationship swimming pools and beautiful lake, in Greenwich Village
with the world. We believe that incredible creative and performing presents Bowlmor
students’ personal journey to arts, outdoor adventure programs and Times Square- opening this November! 90,000 square feet
bilingualism enriches all aspects of their academic awesome traditions and special events. New SportsPlex, of fun and excitement on 44th St btw 7th and 8th avenues.
exploration and creative expression. The school offers a tennis complex, rock wall, zip line and Playworld Featuring 50 lanes divided into 7 New York City themed
continuum of Mandarin immersion programs including playground!  The perfect combination of exceptional bowling lounges, The Stadium Grill Restaurant with food by
Mommy & Me,  Preschool, Kindergarten, Summer Camp, programs, great facilities and experienced and enthusiastic celebrity chef David Burke, the Tribeca Loft Nightclub and
and After School for ages 5-12. staff for campers ages 3 to 15. Transportation included - the New York Salon private event space. Finally- a reason
175 Riverside Blvd. (at 68th Street) only 25 minutes north of the GWB! for New Yorkers to roll into Times Square!
New York, NY, 10069 444 Saddle River Rd, Airmont NY, (845) 352-3521
(212) 787-8088 www.bluerilldaycamp.com
www.bilingualbudsnyc.com info@bluerilldaycamp.com www.bowlmor.com
 

The British International Welcome to Cayman Villas Collina Italiana’s

School of New York provides a Grand Cayman in the beautiful Italian Winter in
high-quality educational foundation Cayman Islands!?Cayman Villas is the City program is
for children from all over the world, the premier on island villa booking for children of all ages
integrating the widely acclaimed agency, located in Grand Cayman. who want to learn and
International Baccalaureate model We represent about 70 privately practice Italian, meet new friends, absorb the warm and
with the best of the British Curriculum. owned beachfront villas and condos in the Cayman lively culture of Italy, and have fun Italian style...right here
In a safe, happy and nurturing environment, students Islands. Established in 1970 we have friendly, professional in New York City! Giardino dei Bambini, a morning drop-
develop a genuine love for learning, and academic success. accommodation specialists with a wealth of knowledge off playgroup for ages 2-5, is offered year-round. Other
The school has gained an enviable placement record of and experience to help you plan your perfect Cayman programs, including comprehensive language learning and
excellence and achievement both locally in New York are Island vacation getaway! hands-on instruction in the arts, are Girotondo (“Circle”),
and internationally. Teatro Italiano and Piccoli Cuochi for little chefs. 
  1-800-235-5888 135 E 96th Street
For more information visit reservations@caymanvillas.com (212)-427-7770
www.bis-ny.org www.caymanvillas.com www.collinaitaliana.com

playground november / december 2010 75

Playground Gallery
Cozy’s Cuts for Kids, New
York’s premier children’s hair
salon and toy boutique, makes
haircuts fun for kids and easy
for parents. Our expert stylists
love working with kids and make
every experience enjoyable. Having a party? Let our party
consultants help you choose the perfect gift or party
favors from our unique selection of toys. Treat your little
glamour girl and her friends to the Ultimate Beauty Bash -
a birthday party at Cozy’s!
Visit us at: www.cozyscutsforkids.com
1125 Madison Avenue
1416 Second Avenue
448 Amsterdam Avenue
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 insures 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.
www.PoconoManor.com
info@poconomanor.com; 1-800-233-8150
Manufacturing
furniture is
our expertise
ñ 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
212-242-0606
76
The Craft Imagine a world where childhood
Studio is the dreams come to life. One of toy
hottest place in soldier greetings and piano dancers.
NYC for parties, Travel through a safari of plush wild
play dates, 1657 Third Avenue, New York City 10128
animals. See yourself as a Muppet
painting, toys, candy, crafts, gifts, and more.
212.831.6626 Whatnot puppet. This is the storybook world of FAO
www.craftstudionyc.com
Always offering the latest and greatest workshops, SCHWARZ, where you’ll find an enchanting assortment
gifts, and fun. For over 15 years the Craft Studio of fun and delighting the senses with our world of dolls,
has also been the premier party location for cool limite-edition treasures and exclusive experiences you’ll
kids in New York City. With over 20 themes to forever cherish.
chose from, there is something for everyone. Call
for reservations and walk in availability. 767 5th Avenue New York, NY (at 58th Street)
212-644-9400
1657 3rd Avenue, NY, NY 10128 Personal Shopping: 212-644-9400 ext. 3
212-831-6626; www.fao.com
www.craftstudionyc.com Hours: M-W: 10-7, TH-Sat: 10-8 Sun: 11-6 
Harry’s Shoes for Kids Hudson Urban Bicycles,
features quality infants’ and located in the West Village, now
children’s footwear from the has the best selection in NYC of
most popular name brands, pedaled child-carriers.  5 different
including Ugg Australia, Umi, models, available for sale and
Primigi, Naturino, Jumping rent, will carry 1, 2, 3, or 4 children
Jacks, Robeez, New Balance, Timberland, Hunter, Geox, easily “at least around Manhattan
Ecco and many more. We are renowned for our fitting or Brooklyn” says George Bliss
expertise as well, and have a proud tradition of serving the HUB’s general manager.  “Other boroughs may
New York families since 1931! Find us at 2315 Broadway, require electric-assist.” These are mostly Dutch and
between 83rd and 84th Streets. We’re open seven days! Danish designs, although the store has developed its own
product, with children in the back. Open daily 9-6.  
For more information please contact us at 139 Charles St.  212-965-9334  
212-874-2034 hudsonurbanbicycles.com
Established in 1938, Jaguar of kidding around — named
Great Neck was the first Jaguar “Best Toy Store in NYC” by New
dealership in the Country.  Our York Magazine. Sister store, just
experience has led to a reputation kidding around, named “Best
of value, personal service and Toy Store in NJ” by New Jersey
after-sale support that is unrivaled.  For 70+ years we have Monthly Magazine.  We are
been selling to and servicing the New York area with the passionate about our selection
pride and attention it deserves.  Model for model, option of toys, games and gifts.  Great design and great value
for option, no one is more competitive than us. We will beat – lots of classics and lots of surprises! As a family owned
any advertised price in New York...Guaranteed!  Fulfill your business, we so thank you for your support of local
passion for perfection with one of our awesome 2011 Jaguar independent retailers! Unique toys & gifts.
XJ models.  One is waiting for you at Jaguar of Great Neck.
60 west 15th Street, New York City 10011.
www.GreatNeckJaguar.com 212.645.6337. www.kiddingaround.us
888-263-4158
How do you make a child happy to get The Lucida, a dramatic
ready for bedtime? Visit Lester’s for the 21-story glass curtain wall
cutest and coziest nightwear. This holiday condominium developed by
season Lester’s is offering a collection of Extell Development Company,
fun prints in pajama bottoms, shorts, tops offers residents a lifestyle
and robes they’ll love to snuggle up in. that combines the prestige
Prices range from $32.90 - $74.90 Lester’s, of the Upper East Side with
known for its trendy fashions and the eco-consciousness and the ultimate in modern amenities,
most wanted brands of  clothing, shoes including the LA PALESTRA Fitness, Wellness and Spa
and accessories knows what your children Center, a playground designed by Kidville, N.Y., a private
want and love. lounge and game room, wine cellar and bike storage.  
Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group is the exclusive
marketing and sales agent for The Lucida.  
Lester’s is located at 1534 Second Ave and 80th St in
Manhattan (212 734 9292) with additional locations in For more information, call 212.585.1510
Brooklyn, Rye, Greenvale and Huntington.   or visit www.thelucida.com
playground november / december 2010

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.
329 Columbus Ave (btwn 75th and 76th)
(212) 362-0350
www.MakeMeaning.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)
PA DUTCH HOTELS
Great Choices
Lead to Great
Experiences.  Perfectly
located in the heart of PA’s top destination locations,
PA Dutch Hotels offers 5 exceptional hotel choices
in Lancaster, Harrisburg and Hershey Pennsylvania.
Specially designed for group travel for all ages, our hotels
offer memorable value-packed packages year-round.
Come experience Central PA’s beautiful landscapes and
fun-filled activities.  From Sight and Sound Theater’s
magical performances to the action-filled, nationally
recognized Hershey attractions, we truly do offer
something for everyone.   For more information, call 212.535.0500 or visit www.
Padutchhotels.com
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, color and
fonts and add your own message to create something
truly special.
Contact: Jennifer Mincey 203.563.9885
500 Ridgefield Road, Wilton, CT 06897
www.pippenalley.com
playground november / december 2010
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.
For more information about MAM and
MAM products, please visit us at
www.mambaby.com
THE NEW YORK CITY FIRE MUSEUM
Plan your visit today! The New York
City Fire Museum, the official museum
of the FDNY, occupies a renovated
1904 Beaux-Arts firehouse built for
Engine Company 30.  Permanent
and temporary exhibitions document
the evolution of firefighting technology, beginning with
the early bucket brigades, and depict the traditions and
romantic lore of firefighting.  The museum houses fire
related art and artifacts from the late 18th Century to the
present, including a permanent September 11th Memorial.
NYCFIREMUSEUM.ORG
DIRECTOR@NYCFIREMUSEUM.ORG
212-691-1303
The Pavilion
Located 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.
glenwoodnyc.com
Rent Maternity Wear.com
Chic Maternity Dressing. Without the
Investment of Buying.
We rent gorgeous maternity dresses
bought directly from top maternity
wear designers such as Christian
Siriano,
winner of Project Runway, Olian
Maternity, and Maternal America. We have the perfect
maternity dress for every event on your social calendar
–be it a holiday party, wedding, baby shower, cocktail
party, or dinner out – without the investment of buying!
Come see our Collection today. Only available online.
www.RentMaternityWear.com
Playground Gallery
The iconic, landmarked Manhattan
House has been impeccably re-engineered
by O’Connor Capital Partners with one- to
five-bedroom residences for immediate
occupancy. O’Connor recently unveiled The
Modern Collection, a portfolio of signature-designed residences
by James Huniford, Celerie Kemble and Rita Konig, in response
to growing demand for larger residences in Manhattan.
 Set within one of Manhattan’s largest private residential
gardens, Manhattan House features the rooftop Manhattan
Club and exhale® spa. There is a children’s playroom and exhale®
fitness center, full-time doormen, five-star concierge services,
porte-cochere entrances, on-site garage and valet service.  
Manhattan House, 200 East 66th Street
W: www.manhattanhouse.com , P: 212 566 0660
E: info@manhattanhouse.com
Oompa offers a constantly
expanding collection of European
wooden toys, baby toys, lunch
bags, baby gear and modern
children’s furniture. We pride
ourselves on selling non-character
branded, quality toys that are
designed to last for generations.
We believe baby toys should be
natural, safe, eco-friendly, and
non-violent.
Free shipping over $65.
To see our complete collection, visit www.oompa.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 firm.
226 East 54th Street, Suite 306
212.444.1313, Email: info@penelopespeople.com
www.penelopespeople.com
Scribble Press, ®
New York’s only
“make your own
book” studio,
inspires creativity
in kids from 2
to 92.  Drop in, make a book or just
do some scribbling; take a placemat
workshop or comic book class; have a superhero,
fashion or zoo bookmaking party. Enjoy our fun, fully
stocked art studio and get published while you wait!
Check our website for holiday workshops and class
schedule.  
East 84th and BRAND NEW West 84th Street
location. www.scribblepress.com
77
Playground Gallery Playground Gallery
SLATE, one of New York’s
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;7@/1:3=<;/27A=</D3<C3
only venues with private and
semiprivate reception spaces;
SLATE
featuring 16,000 square feet of sleek décor over 2 floors,
=\Ac\ROg2SQS[PS`#bV]dS`&QO`W\U accommodating parties of 10 to 1200 guests. Slate provides
;ORWa]\/dS\cS`SbOWZS`aeWZZR]\ObS ]TbVS on-site catering of sumptuous modern American cuisine,
ROg¸aaOZSab]BVS1VWZR`S\¸a/WRA]QWSbg activities such as billiards, ping pong and foosball, state-
of-the-art surround sound and audiovisual capabilities as
CaSO\SZWUWPZSS\`]ZZSR/[S`WQO\3f^`Saa•1O`R well as a spacious dance floor. Slate is ideal for all of your
Ob^O`bWQW^ObW\U`SbOWZS`aO\Rg]ceWZZ`SQSWdS special and private events including corporate parties, Bar/
R]cPZS;S[PS`aVW^@SeO`Ra•^]W\ba Bat Mitzvahís, fashion shows, birthday parties, film shoots,
meetings/seminars, rehearsal dinners and receptions.
 :WdS3\bS`bOW\[S\bOb$!`RAb`SSb 54 West 21st Street,
 <]]\ =^S\W\U1S`S[]\g  ^[ BVS1ZO\1c``WSA]QWSbg Between 5th and 6th Avenues, NYC
  (#^[ BVS;W`OQZS:GAAB  (!^[ :OP]`]T:]dS3\aS[PZS www.slate-ny.com - 212.989.0096
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Sugar Beach is a condominium resort
on St. Croix with studio, one, two, three
4=@;=@37<4=@;/B7=</<2B=D73E>/@B717>/B7<5@3B/7:3@A
and four bedroom units - all directly
D7A7B(167:2@3<A/72A=173BG=@5;7@/1:3
on the beach! We welcome you to stay
in your own private condo - complete
To Benefit Presented by Official Event Card Supported by with balconies, fans, air conditioning,
beautiful furnishings, linens, towels, and
your very own kitchen. Our St. Croix
resort, Virgin Islands resort is a wonderful place to spend
your Virgin Islands vacation. Check out our St. Croix condo
rental for a memorable time!
A6=EB67A/2D3@B7A3;3<B/B>/@B717>/B7<5@3B/7:3@AB=3<AC@3B6/B =4G=C@>C@16/A303<347BA167:2@3<7<<332=443@D/:72AC<2/G2313;03@#B6=<:GB=033:7570:3B=
@3137D30=<CA>=7<BAG=C;CAB033<@=::327<B63;3;03@A67>@3E/@2A•>@=5@/;µ>@=5@/;¶/BB63B7;3=4>C@16/A3/<2G=C;CAB16/@53G=C@>C@16/A3=</<3:7570:3
3<@=::32/;3@71/<3F>@3AA•1/@20=<CA>=7<BAE7::031@327B32B=G=C@>@=5@/;/11=C<BE7B67<$&E339A/4B3@16/@53A/>>3/@=<G=C@07::7<5AB/B3;3<B7<27D72C/:
B3@;A/<21=<27B7=<A/AE3::/A/<<C/:>@=5@/;433A/>>:G4=@13@B/7<1/@2>@=2C1BA4=@;=@37<4=@;/B7=<=<B63>@=5@/;D7A7B;3;03@A67>@3E/@2A1=;=@1/::
&/F>3/@<0=<CA72'#!!
Sugar Beach Condo Resort,
St. Croix US Virgin Islands
sugarstx@viaccess.net

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 1-800-363-1986
Teen InkBox 30, Newton, MA 02461
617-964-6800
teenink.com

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

78 playground november / december 2010

 Playground Gallery Amagansett East Hampton
Brooklyn’s newest iconic
tower is now over 65%
sold and available for
immediate occupancy. This
SOM designed building
offers residents an indoor
pool, attended lobby,
fitness room, roof terrace
and a 25 Year 421-A tax abatement. On track for Gold
LEED certification, Toren features its own on-site
cogeneration plant- one of the first in a NYC residential
tower. FHA & Fannie Mae approved. Offering Studio to
3-bedroom homes from $392K-$1.495M.

For more information visit www.torencondo.com or

call 718-222-8673

The View, located on Long Island City’s
waterfront on 4630 Centre Boulevard,
boasts gorgeous water and skyline
views from every home. Each spacious
one-, two- and three-bedroom residence
offers floor-to-ceiling windows, white
oak flooring, up to 12-foot ceilings,
gourmet-ready kitchens featuring Sub
Zero and Viking appliances and elegant
five-fixture marble baths. Amenities
include rooftop garden, glass-enclosed heated pool, state-
of-the-art fitness center, screening and game rooms, all one
short subway stop from Manhattan.
 4630 Center Boulevard, LIC
www.livingtheview.com, 877.LIC.7778
ELEGANT EUROPEAN VILLA CUSTOM-BUILT IN 2002 graces the Bell Estate section of Amagan-
sett. Minutes to town, ocean & bay beaches, golf & equestrian. Secluded & private. 5 ensuite
Bdrm and 5.5 marble Ba to serve family and guests. Mahogany French doors open to marbled
entrance foyer leading to the gourmet chef’s kitchen w/ SS appl, 2 D/W & wet bar. Great room
boasts 12-ft Ceil, marble WBF, sitting and dinning areas. A wall of French mahogany doors lead
to a covered patio & stone terrace adjoining a 22x44 heated pool & Greek gazebo. Pool is viewed
from almost every room in the house & children can easily be supervised inside & out. 2nd Fl has
a grand master suite w/ WBF & jacuzzi bath, 3 additional ensuite Brs. 2nd Fl Terr overlooks pool
& grounds. Finished Bsmt includes spa/gym + large sauna & steam room & 2 ensuite Brs. Four-
berth, oversized Garages for your cars. Perfect for entertaining & displaying fine art and antiques.
Excellent investment. Near The Ross School.
For Sale $3.495 Mil.
Lili Elsis Broker, Prudential Douglas Elliman 631-267-9700 x404

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playground november / december 2010 79

Mom’s Minute
Stacey Bendet is a native
New Yorker and the de-
signer and co-owner of hip
clothing line Alice + Olivia.
Stacey is quirky, smart,
determined and definitely
forging her own path. Find
out how this designer mom
lives life to the fullest.

How do you juggle work and family?

As best I can, margaritas and a lot of
yoga help too
What lessons from parenting have
you incorporated into your work?
Patience. Altho I cant claim to have
mastered this.
What’s the best advice you’ve given
your daughter? To always say please
and thank you. I mean, she’s 21
months!
What do you wear to take your
daughter to class-school (Drop Off)?
I don’t know, polkadot skirts, platform
shoes, sequins… she likes when I wear
hats and big glasses too
What’s your favorite family moment
everyday? When I wake eloise up in
the morning she says, “mommy book”
and I climb in her crib and we read
together. benefit of being tiny.
What’s the best part of raising a
child in New York City? Everything is
around the corner, zoo, parks, muse-
ums, classes… there is just a plethora of
culture to expose them to
What’s the worst part of raising a
child in New York City? There is a bit
of confinement for children in apart-
ments verses being able to run around
outside and ride bikes ext…
What’s your cause that you are most
passionate about and why? BentOn-
Learning.org—the organization creates
yoga programs in NYC public schools
Favorite Family Hidden Gem in New
York City? Moomah on Hudson street
in tribeca
What’s your guilty parenting pleasure?
Ice cream for breakfast

80 playground november / december 2010

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