I hope that everyone had a great weekend, and looking forward to the week ahead. Before we wrap things up, I wanted to formally introduce you to my new site – City Baby Dining. That’s right, it’s official, City Baby Dining is live and running, and you can find our full dining guide here.
City Baby Dining is built as a resource for modern families who like to dine out, but are seeking a helpful resource to help them navigate their way around the city. There are a ton of food blogs and dining guides out there fit for foodies, but none that are specifically geared for families, so why not start my own? The goal is to begin in NYC, and eventually expand to other cities.
As we grow and expand, I hope to share more news and updates with you all. In the meantime, you can find updates by us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
I haven't been able to update this site as frequently as I would liked, namely because I've been working hard on my start-up, City Baby Dining – formal announcement here!
In the meantime, even though it's not TBT (missed that boat yesterday), I wanted to share with you my recent photos from Tulum, Mexico, which continues to be a hot bed for the bohemian jet-set crowd. In fact, we just recently caught up with some friends at the Happiest Hour in the West Village, who had freshly returned from their Tulum getaway. Listening to tales of their vacay, it was hard not to feel fondness and nostalgia for our own Tulum memories.
My mamma-in-crime (aka travel companion to the Riviera Maya) was the one who had recommended Zamas, as she had been there before. The result was simply magic.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed our sunset, beach-side dinner and cocktails. We were both barefoot, with sand at our feet, ocean waves blowing in our hair, happily savoring delicious, freshly caught fish at our fingertips. (They were whole fish! Yours truly is a sucker for whole fish).
Since the restaurant is also located at a hotel, the nearby surroundings were absolutely stunning, which lent to a nice, post-dinner walk around the property. There were lots of selfies, laughter, and tons of wobbling about on large stones, as we prided ourselves for being such adventurous gals.
Sigh.... How I wish I could go back soon! Though we are counting down the days to our imminent trip to St. Lucia, so I guess I can't complain too much.
Happy Friday everyone! I hope to check in at least once more (hopefully with some big news), so please keep your eyes peeled.
Happy Tuesday and what a lovely day it is! After a busy weekend of gallivanting all about the city with our little ball of energy, yours truly was one fatigued mamma. Thank goodness for a relatively quiet Monday so that I can pass out early. Nothing like refueling your energy tank to feel ready to take on the world once again!!
These photos were taken from our morning excursion to the American Museum of Natural History over the weekend. We just recently became members (thanks to Gilt City and an additional promo we were able to take advantage of!), so it was high time to check out the dinosaurs. To quote Susan Weiss-Voskidis, executive editor of Manhattan Family, "we are enormously fortunate to have so much intelligent stimulation around us and we owe it to our children to participate with them in the myriad of possibilities that will further enhance their education and well-being."
This above-quote largely captures how I feel about all that New York City has to offer, and beyond. Sure, sometimes it can get quite tiring (not to mention expensive). Case in point, we probably spent more time in taxis than we did at the museum (an unfortunate clash of mid-day nap schedules). Nevertheless, in spite of the above, I've never ventured on an excursion with the Nuke Baby that I regretted.
At the end of the day, experiences and memories trump everything else in my book, as they serve to enrich and relate. It’s a juggling act, as a "working parent and working as a parent" (another quote of Susan's), but the rewards are well worth it!
This time of the year always brings me back to our family weekend excursion to Union Square Greenmarket and the Scandinavia House (see here) – it’s a time that renders so much zest and energy for life, so much hope and anticipation. The weather’s absolutely gorgeous (supposedly going up to the 70’s tomorrow, can it be!), the streets are abuzz with people (where were they all this time?), and we can’t wait to explore the city and all it has to offer come morning.
Hope you and your family will enjoy the lovely weekend! If you happen to be in the city, I recommend checking out Mamma411, as I find it a pretty good resource for scoping out kiddo activities about town. Tribeca Film Festival outdoor screening? Baby brunch? Children’s carnival? Check check, bring it on!! We plan to start the day with a visit to the Museum of Natural History… stay tuned for more updates!
It's been a little less than a week since our homecoming in Manhattan, and your girl is already back to her old city ways... late nights, girly chats, cafes and museum hopping, and not to mention -- my all time favorite pastime, family-style dining.
My darling friend suggested putting together Kamayan night at Jeepney -- a Filipino restaurant in the East village about a week ago. As far as pure, down-home Filipino food goes, I've only ever been to Maharlika, and it was delicious!!! Jeepney is a sort of gastropub (all the rage these days) run by the same crew in the East Village. Kamayan night is truly something special, as they prepare their best and most scrumptious fare and lay it out on banana leaves, only to be consumed by your bare hands.
That's right -- you heard me correctly, your hands.
Actually, the act of eating without utensils isn't completely novel to me (my first exposure being an interesting foray with Ethiopian food). However, Kamayan felt like something else entirely, as it consisted of a much wider group (there were seven of us in total), and equipped with full-on fanfare amidst candle light -- truly a spectacle to beholdl!!!
A few logistics on Kamayan night for those of you already salivating at the sight of these photos and video:
1) It is only served on Wednesday and Thursday nights; so make sure to plan ahead! Kamayan nights are a pretty hot commodity right about now.
2) They send you the menu for pre-ordering ahead of time, in addition to a contract (which my friend also so gamely coordinated). That’s right; these people take their Kamayan seriously!
3) Kamayan spread is done prior to your seating (so you literally find your feast on the table as you arrive at your table). How very Game of Thrones! For a video of how Kamayan is prepped, so below.
4) It’s $45 pp to play, which (in my humble opinion) is definitely on the higher end… though you do get a lot of food for value. I actually recommend going with a slightly smaller crowd (four would be ideal). You get a comparable amount of food that way, (so it's actually a better deal per person!!). Not that I’m complaining – as I literally hit food coma about 45 minutes into the meal.
5) The cocktails are delicious. I highly recommend the Juice May Josep (with vodka, mango puree, blue curacao, coconut cream, and lime), basically their take on the classic Pina Colada, so delicious, it’s actually dangerous!
6) Last but not least, you get halo halo for dessert – the quintessential Filipino dessert which starts with shaved ice, evaporated milk, and chock-full of other deliciousness like sweet beans, fruits, leche flan, purple yam ice cream, and caramelized jelly. This alone would have convinced me to participate. Check out this article for more details on the explosive flavors and origins of halo halo.
It's been a long week and yours truly has been one exhausted pup. For one thing, we had to adjust to settling back into city life after an extensive (and fantastic) rendez-vous in Southwest Flordia. That place has thoroughly captivated all of us and we truly cannot wait to go back.
In the meantime, however, we had to acclimate munchkin back to Manhattan, which was surprisingly a rather fluid process. Sure our apartment is a mess (though what else is new), and both mamma and Nuke baby are a bit under the weather (might have been the plane ride home), but I wouldn't trade our new beginnings for the world!
These photos were taken from a nearby garden in the Lower East Side. The weather was simply perfect today and our little guy was in fine form. I believe that this was the first weekend that the garden was open, and boy did it serve to revitalize the neighborhood! I think that I speak for all when I say that we were all ready to bid adieu to the gloomy, grey, and seemingly interminable days of winter, much like last year.
Here's to (finally) toasting the rite of spring, many weeks post the official Spring equinox. Though you know what they say... Better late than never.
Happy Monday my lovelies! We made it back in one piece last night with our little guy on the plane (in what was his 10th plane ride since birth. Whew! Stay tuned – I plan to put together a post on “Flying with Babies”).
In the meantime, I am very excited to share with you all a recent virtual interview I’ve done with proud Naples resident and fabulous mom-about-town, Jennifer Breen (we met via Family Tunes/Music Together at Sugden Theater in downtown Naples, see feature here). Since this is our second year spending time in Gulfcoast Florida, I feel very much compelled to put together a local’s favorite list – aka a “My Gulfshore” series. As much as I love putting together my own bespoke guides (see the Naples Weekender) – at the end of the day – you really just can’t beat the recommendations and perspective that a local has to offer.
So read on and enjoy! Believe me when I say, Jen is one informed local!
- Are you a native Floridian? Nope! Born and raised 10 miles north of Boston, in a perfect little suburb called Reading (Red-ing).
- Home is… I live in Autumn Woods, a medium sized gated community in north Naples, about 10 minutes north of downtown Naples.
- What do you love most about Naples and Southwest Florida? The weather, and of course, the beaches! You can find a beach easily around Naples, and they are all gorgeous. Though, I really love Lowdermilk…getting there really early, setting my stuff under one of the straw huts, and just having a quiet, warm, peaceful morning.
- Favorite time of the year to visit? I think anytime is a great time, but for me, I love off-season. May-October. I find it much less crowded, and you can find yourself alone at the beach on many occasions. I’m not a fan of huge lines and planning ahead for reservations…off-season may be a bit warmer, but it never really gets out of the low 90’s, so it’s not too bad.
- Best brunch spots in town? I really love the Bonefish Grill for Sunday Brunch, they have a bit of everything. If you want healthy options, they have it, if you want something greasy and filling, they have it. You can sit out by the water and the staff is always friendly and accommodating. Also, a casual spot not on the water, Poached (changed from Toast), has great food. I love to sit outside by the fountain. Everything they make is delicious.
- Best outdoor locations for families? Lowdermilk Park, again, my favorite family beach. They have a playground, volleyball, a better than decent “snack shack” that also rents out beach equipment such as loungers or kayaks/paddleboards. The bathrooms are clean, they even have outdoor showers. We also love Fleischmann Park for the kids. They have two covered playgrounds, one for toddlers, and one for big kids, a rock wall, swings, plenty of shaded picnic areas, and a cool little splash pad for the kids to cool off in.
- Favorite dining spots with kids? This is not so easy. I don’t love dining out with my kids since they are very young, and many places in Naples do not cater to children. My son, who is 4, loves the pizza at Cosmos. It’s a small place, and we sit outside. Jason’s Deli, great place for kids! They have a huge salad bar, free ice cream for dessert, and very healthy options for those looking for them. Café Luna on 5this really good with children. They have a pretty good sized children’s menu, and it can be loud outdoors, so it’s not embarrassing if you have children that get a bit loud. The food is pretty good too.
- Favorite dining spots for date night? I really enjoy the Turtle Club. You can get a table outdoors, by the beach, in the sand. The food is amazing. Service is excellent. Can’t go wrong there. For a casual date night with a great view, Gumbo Limbo is perfect. Waterfront dining boasts amazing views. The drinks are fun and the food is delicious. Bonus, you can walk the beach after, or go sit out by the beautiful pool under the lit palms and just relax.
- Any hidden discoveries in the area?The Conservancy! It’s the best place for adults and children! For the littles, they have a play area, a large pool with all types of birds that are there to mend, all kinds of interesting little creatures to see and learn about, and way more. You can also take a guided boat ride down the Gordon River. The conservancy does a lot of work for the local environment and the creatures that live here. I was super impressed with the knowledge of all the volunteers, as well as the enrichment programs they offer to educate on the environment. They also hold summer camp for kids interested in the outdoors! The new Greenway is also really fun! It’s a new, very wide nature trail that winds around a scenic area. There is also access to the Gordon River. We like to go walking there, but the kids can bike on the trail, you can kayak, and see tons of birds and other wildlife. It’s pretty cool.
- Favorite activities with young kiddos? Definitely C’MoN, the Children’s museum. They frequently update exhibits, and it’s very clean and the kids just love it! My son loves to climb the giant “tree” in the middle of the museum, and pretend to fish in the moving “fishing pond”. My daughter loves to play in the café, and cook me up some food. For young ones, Whiz Kids Play Zone is a lot of fun when you need to be indoors and get the kids active. They move their equipment constantly so it’s different each time you go. They have an arts and crafts area, lot’s of things to jump in and on, musical toys, building toys, balls, a huge bouncy slide, and even a puppet theatre. My kids just love it.
- How would you spend an idyllic, spare afternoon?(Recognizing that you probably don’t get any!) I would grab an organic smoothie and an organic lunch from Food and Thought, head over to Lowdermilk, sit by the beach with a good book (which I never get to do anymore), and then maybe head to Adelheidi’s on 5th for an organic ice cream. Then I’d hit the Naples Pier and stroll while looking for dolphins. I almost always see a couple. Maybe I’d stop in for Happy Hour quickly at Tommy Bahamas on 3rd since its right by the pier. They have THE best sangria’s ever.
- Favorite shops in Naples (this is a religious pastime for yours truly). I don’t know many women who wouldn’t love to spend a day at the Waterside Shops. Even if you’re just there to browse, it can easily be an all day adventure. Venetian Village also has something for everyone. My favorite store there for kids is All About April…they have just such pretty pieces that are really hard to find. Men can find a silk Hawaiian shirt at Tommy Bahamas to fit in, and Lux Boutique has beach casual or dressy clothes for younger girls or women.
- Best place to get a bargain? (Who doesn’t love a great deal!!) Easy! There are so many consignment shops in town. Ranging in furniture, to household items, to accessories, clothing, sporting equipment and books, you can find it all! Many are upscale. For teen girls, Plato’s Closet has a lot of designer wear. For women, my favorite is True Fashionistas in the Vanderbilt Shops. They have a great selection of Chanel bags!
- What inspires you the most about living in Florida? The culture. There are people from all over the world here, from all walks of life, and it shows. It shows in the art, in the food, in the music, in the local farmers markets. There is always some kind of festival or concert. The local theatre is even pretty impressive. I love that the city is willing to close down the busiest streets so that vendors can showcase their wares. It’s unlike any other place I’ve lived. It just makes me smile to be here.
- If you could plan a dream “staycation” with the hubby right here in SWFL, what would it be? I have a soft spot for the Naples Beach and Golf Hotel. I got married there in 2007. Its family run and operated, and the service is genuine. A lot of times, you can go to a gorgeous hotel, but it’s stuffy and upscale in a way I don’t appreciate. This hotel, while still upscale, is humble and has a relaxed atmosphere. They are one of just a few large hotels right on the Gulf in Naples. They have a large spa, where one could get just about any service. They, so I hear, have a fantastic golf course. You can play tennis, or just relax on the beach while someone brings you a beach chair and umbrella. On Sunday evenings, they have a live band play out on their newly renovated bar and patio area. HB’s on the Gulf is my favorite dining option at the hotel as the views of the ocean and sunset are just to die for. I personally would book a suite at the edge of the sand and be perfectly content to never leave.
- A word of advice for tourists… Don’t just stick to downtown Naples! There is so much more to Naples than 5th Ave and 3rd Street. There are loads of consignment shops all over town, there are tons of art galleries, restaurants, concerts, theatre, museums. There is certainly no lack of entertainment in Naples. You can fish, go sightseeing on a trolley or a boat, and even charter a sailboat. The possibilities are endless. The touristy spots are fun, but go to www.naples-florida.com to check out some other spots in town.
- Any future trips planned with the clan? Not in the foreseeable future! My husband just opened the SWFL Player Development Center in Naples, along with retired MLB player Sterling Hitchcock. It’s an 11,000sq ft baseball/softball indoor facility. They are the only indoor facility in the area, and it’s a pretty large undertaking, so that will keep us busy and in Naples for quite a while.
Happy Easter weekend! Mamma’s spending the holiday weekend back at the Gulfshore... though pretty soon, we’re going to have to close up shop and head back to NYC for good (we always find it hard to bid adieu, though rest assured we’ll be back soon!).
Our little family of three spent the morning at Marco Island for the annual, 2015 Spring Jubilee, which is quite an impressive fête that entailed many outdoor parks, kiddo activities, games, water sports, and, of course, the all-time favorite Easter egg hunt!
Okay… so we didn’t actually have to “hunt” for the eggs, as they were laid out in plain view, but that does make things a bit easier for us grown-ups, doesn’t it? I also like how the Marco Island event folks divide the little ones into individual age groups (munchkin was in the 3 and under group, naturally…).
All I have to say is, what a difference a year makes! Last year about this time, our little guy was teeny tiny and needed to be constantly held (and for good reason!). This year, well see the massive changes for yourself. One other thing that was quite apparent – there were A LOT more eggs to be had this time around. Go figure.
Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy Easter!!! We have yet another jam-packed itinerary tomorrow, and mamma needs to get some resto pronto. So much movement and changes, all sprinkled with excitement and delight – talk about a true rejuvenation!
Mamma's rocking her Marley t-shirt by Catch a Fire, which she got from her trip to Jamaica! (see here). This particular line is designed by Marley's daughter, Cedella, see Marley Dreams. Oh, and that awesome bling bling is courtesy of Rocksbox! xoxo
I’ve recently had a few mommy readers ask me where to go for some fun (and free!) kiddo events in downtown NYC. Where to begin? There is literally something going on every day of the week – libraries and museums are a generally a good way to start. However, one thing that I loved loved loved, which I don’t believe may people know about – is Baby Storytime at McNally Jackson, my local bookstore on 52 prince street. We took our little guy a while back (before his wintering in Florida commenced), and he loved it! The great thing about McNally, I find, is that you don’t get your typical “kiddy” reader and materials. Instead, you get the dynamic hipster Michael Fentin, who personally curates new and innovative reads for your little one. It’s fun, it’s fresh, and it’s free!!! I highly recommend if you happen to be in the neighborhood. Afterwards, feel free to check out the boutique on Prince Street and perhaps a cupcake or two at the Little Cupcake Shop just across the street.
P.S. We got there late, and Michael was kind enough to “extend” story session just for us! Extra points for him.
So you’ve heard me write about weddings, engagement shoots, bridesmaid dresses, and the lot – but what about the key ingredients that make for a fantastic wedding/party?
Can you guess what they are?
Forget the superstition of something borrowed, something new – or the price tag on what constitutes a “perfect wedding.” When you strip away all of the social branding and superstition, you are left with one powerful thing: humanity at its finest. The reality is that the success of any wedding day has very little to do with planning and more to do with people presenting the best versions of themselves.
Below are just a few tips on how to make your wedding a powerful and memorable moment for everybody present. After all, if you’re going to be the sort who will seek out the most beautiful eternity rings from Serendipity Diamonds, you’re probably rooting for the special day to be a smashing success.
So how to ensure that everyone on your guest list or the bridal party have a great time?
1) Put people first
Don’t let the room and its dimensions dictate where people sit or who people sit with. The key is to stick people together that get along the best. Worry less about space and more about engaging conversations!
2) Chanel your inner Ms. Congeniality
It’s hard to please everybody on any given wedding day, but it is important to try. Keep it casual, and never let the stress get you to the point where you are rude to other people. It doesn’t matter whose wedding day it is, a wedding day does not magically permit anyone to be rude to others (where do you think the name “Bridezilla” came from?). A wedding day is not your day to lose your head, no matter how invested you are.
3) Focus on the experience, less on the details
Just because you’re wearing the equivalent of your Sunday best, doesn’t mean that you’re suddenly disqualified from having fun. Let loose and break a few dishes. Reverting back to #1 and #2, you’re never going to have a reveling wedding crowd if you assert all that control! Simply put, don’t forget why your guests are here! To support you on your big day, sure – but also to shake things up on the dance floor and have some serious fun. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your guests. You set the tone. After you’ve put all that hard work into your wedding day, why not enjoy it for a while?
The best weddings I’ve been to were the ones that were the most relaxed and we all got to tear out our own patch of the dance floor. No chi--chi decor and expensive dresses... just a lot of heart and laughter, which is what the ultimate celebration of love ought to be about.
Based in Manhattan's Lower East Side, Rock Shic is an excerpt taken from my personal lookbook of real people around the world. It is a combination of aesthetics, fashion, lifestyle, and travel. I also offer personalized Lookbook Consulting and Styling upon request. Please contact me at rockshic (at) gmail (dot) com. Services include: Wardrobe Analysis, Closet Organization, and Personal Shopping.
