Rock Shic

#906 Styling by the lake – Sag Harbor

Yesterday, as little droplets of rain started to come down… and as my oldest was practicing piano by the window – I looked longingly at the lake views outside of our Sag Harbor house and thought to myself “why not have a photo shoot?”

Truly – why not.  These are trying and stressful times.  Everyone’s lives have been turned completely upside down by the Corona Virus – GLOBALLY.  It truly feels like there isn’t a single place in the world that hasn’t gone into lock-down or have not been impacted by Covid-19.  For a moment, I just wanted to feel like my old self again, to experience pieces of me returning back to my own body as I walked about by the water (with my six year old photographer whom I’ve enlisted for the occasion)… and to feel **CREATIVE** once again. 

Perhaps it was selfish, and perhaps it was frivolous given the pandemic, but in these times of need, when everyone is in sheer survival mode and every news-flash is flooded with updates regarding new cases of death, Corona illnesses, the collapse of the healthcare system, the inundation of hospitals, and a universally ravaged economy – sometimes it’s just nice to be reminded of your own humanity – of doing something nice and simple for yourself JUST BECAUSE. 

A luxury indeed.   

I think my six year old may have snapped this photo accidentally, but I kind of like it! #sagharbor #vibes

#905 Sheltering in Sag Harbor — Covid-19

March 18, 2020 -- our second night in Sag Harbor, we decided to take a walk into town... and suffice to say it was quite empty (but peaceful)

Also March 18th -- though in reality this could have been any ol' day these days... our backyward faces a small pond.  The entire property is situated on approximately 1.3 acres (though as you can see the owners recently cut the trees down).  We've been doing a lot of this in our backyard, it's nice to just open the door and let the boys roam around.  Feeling blessed!

We spend a lot of time in the airy living room (with cathedral ceiling!).  The boys love it, and it's a nice place for them to do their building/playing activities (when they're not fighting) #sagharbor

March 18, 2020 -- again, although this was taken on the second day of our arrival, it pretty much resembles our everyday.  I feel like each day we have a little piece of delivery that comes in... as I frantically sort out what it is that I am missing.  These days we try to minimize, to the extent possible, the number of times that each of us leave the house. 

Hello from Sag Harbor!  Like many Manhattanites... we decided to leave the city early last week (Monday the 16th to be exact).  It was all so fast moving... I came back from the office on Wednesday the 11th, after being told that we would all switch to telecommute starting Thursday the 12th.  The situation escalated to a point whereby both myself and hubby no longer felt it safe for the boys to go to school on Thursday.  Can you believe that their school was even insisting on holding a group concert on Friday the 13th? Absolutely insane.  We all sheltered in place that Thursday -- and have not had much contact with anyone since.  EVERYTHING has become virtual in our lives.

By Sunday -- all of the schools in NYC have shut down (to be fair they should have closed it down long before then, but both Cuomo and De Blasio were slow to respond).  In retrospect, that was a mistake -- see article here.

Monday, we rented a car, we found a house.  Tuesday (March 17th), we packed up the few things that we could (or had the mental capacity to pack)... and we were out of here.  I remember standing in the elevator with my husband, our children, thinking, "when will we return to our apartment?"  I even dropped off my favorite plant (a salvaged orchid that had started to bloom again) with our downstairs neighbor before I left... later texting "please take good care of her!"

When WILL we be back in the city?

I still don't really have the answer to that question to be honest.  It's a very disjointed feeling - to carry on in some respect as if everything was okay (work, child rearing, going for walks, texting with friends, cooking, cleaning-up).  Yet, on the other hand -- knowing that life as we know it will never be the same.

Even looking back... to just a week ago, I realize that so much has changed in the world.  I've stopped keeping track of the statistics regarding the pandemic.  I know that it is bad, and I know that New York (particularly New York City) will be the hardest hit.  There is a literal tsunami waiting to strike our city -- and per Cuomo it will hit us with 14-20 days.

So... for the time being we've decided to hunker down here in Sag Harbor -- at least for another week, before we relocate (but NOT back to the city, not with the way things have escalated in the last few days).  In the meantime, I pray that everyone is staying healthy and connected!  Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.  I'll be sharing my thoughts and experiences in the days to come.

Xo,

Rockshic

#897 Fourth of July in Southampton

Eeks!!!

 

This was likely the longest ever hiatus we've taken from the blog.  It's one of those things you see -- where the longer you wait... well, the longer you pause!

 

Mamma has the usual list of excuses of course -- life's been busy -- I've been so tired, etc etc etc.  The list just goes on and on.  The truth is, well, I've been tired! Haha.  We've had to sort our life out, particularly the period btw May and June.... (and now July eeks!!).  They are always a nightmare.

 

As I sit now in bed... tapping away on my laptop channeling some my inner Carrie (or am I dating myself now?) -- I literally had to tell myself, "no you're going to do this."  

 

That's how the creative juices start flowing you see -- little by little, piece by piece.... and even if it's just a snapshot of your life at the time -- well, it's worth it!

 

To give a very quick rundown of life since Mother's day (sheesh!!).  We celebrated mamma's birthday in the Caymans, which was LOVELY.  This was followed by a frenzy of activities in early June (largely involving preparing for Kindergarten graduation -- or as munchkin's British school calls it -- "Year 1").  That takes us pretty much to the end of June (interspersed by Father's Day, of course, which we will chronicle).  So yes, I did miss an entire month right there.

 

Then off we went to East Hampton for the weekend -- because that is how we roll.  There was a pool, loads of BBQ's, munchkin went back to the Children's Museum of the East End, which he loves (we've had so many great adventures there!!).  This was interspersed with a reading of "Montauk has a hungry shark" at the Book Hampton.  Last I recall -- we met Alec Baldwin there!

 

That takes us to (drum roll)... July!!!

 

Which is how we arrived at today's post isn't it.  I tell you I had an entire narrative planned in my head on that very day, but was simply too knackered to write.  So here we are, nearly at the end of July -- and I'm just capturing it.  There was sweltering heat (though the last few days have taught me that we ain't seen nothing yet) -- there were loads of BBQ (again)... and time spent in the pool.  We rented a farm house in Southampton and the kids had a fabulous time.  I just wish that I had the energy to remember all of it!  We even attended the Fourth of July parade in town! Which was truly a spectacle to behold.  My oldest munchkin also hit up the local carnival on not one, but TWO nights in a row.  So yes, I guess you can say that we made the most of our foray in Southampton.

 

Next stop -- North Fork!  Stayed tuned for more updates there.

 

P.S. It sure feels good to be back!!!

 

 

 

 

#860 July 4th Reflections 🎉🇺🇸

Mamma bear and my baby bears #independenceday

Brothers forever #FourthofJuly

He literally did not want to leave the pool... ever

Is there anything better than ice cream right out of the pool? I don't think so!

Soaking up the sun with my loves #Summer2018

My little guy -- he is such a daddy's boy! #RockshicBaby2

This post is basically two weeks late but I felt compelled to write – since July 4^th more or less marks the beginning of summer for our family!

Now hubs isn’t American so he doesn’t get as patriotic, but nevertheless, we all have the day off and there’s nothing like enjoying it as a family… especially now that we’re a family of FOUR!!! (This was us last year).

For many years in a row, we’ve been doing fourth of July sans kids in the city…. And it’s actually a nice time to be in the city (not as tourist heavy, an excuse to day-drink, an really enjoy all of the fireworks in the evening at some friend’s roofdeck BBQ).  This was essentially how we spent Fourth of July circa 2012 and 2013 (with Ms. Big Belly -- 34th week preggo, whoa!)… then came 2014 and everything was different with Rockshic Baby in the mix.  We were in North Fork, staying on the vineyards -- it was raining on Fourth of July, but we still had a blast!  That was our first time at the Long Island Aquarium... fast forward three years later, and baby boy had his fourth birthday at said aquarium.

By 2016 this mamma was (silently) knocked up yet again, and traveling abroad in Germany (we came home just in time to do a little bit of Independence Flair with my Big Boy).  Then 2017 was wild, as we had JUST returned from our six months excursion in Southwest Florida, and was slowly settling into life back in New York (albeit mostly on Long Island).  

This year, mamma kept things pretty low-key yet again.  We were at a friend’s house for a BBQ, and spent most of the day frolicking in the pool, eating BBQ, munching on grilled corn, and fanning back pies (farmstead rhubarb pies to be precise!). 

It was a great way to kick off the summer… and by now summer feels like it’s in full-swing (little man is about to wrap up Week 4 of his Summer camp and we just booked our “end of August” getaway to Shelter Island, whoo!). So much to do… so little time.  Hopefully I can squeeze in a bit more thoughts between now and the end of the month!!

Happy Thursday to all of my lovelies.

 

Related:

Red White and Blue -- Still Channeling July Fourth Spirits (2017)

 

#843 Thanksgiving 2017 — A Time for Optimism

 

Happy belated Thanksgiving my lovelies! 

 

I’ve deviated from traditions past by not writing on the actual day (apologies but this Mamma was simply too pooped to pick up the pen — blame it on life with two little people.... and the turkey ).

 

That said, I still wanted to remember this very special holiday, as I do every year. This was an especially momentous one for us as we broke from tradition and hosted our OWN Thanksgiving dinner! Okay okay, so we didn’t exactly “make” the turkey (a pre-ordered one from your local gourmet shop, Citarella, is just as good right?).  To quote a friend... “I can’t cook, I’ve got little people hanging off of me all the time.” 

 

In fact, the entire weekend was quite special, we kicked off Thursday morning with a mini feast/brunch at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor (really I should have just stopped there), followed by our own Thanksgiving feast at home (it was our Rockshicbaby 2’s FIRST Thanksgiving!!!)... this was then followed by a special story time reading at the local book store, Book Hampton, by none other than Alec Baldwin the next day in East Hampton, followed by a special treat of the “Three Little Pigs” at Bay Street Theater on Saturday.  Whew!!! By Sunday we were packing up the house again to head back into Manhattan,  but not before Mamma got a chance to catch up with an old friend (my High School teacher and principal!)

 

Oh yeah, and of course there was a fair amount of shopping done in between because.... well, that’s what you do right  Though in my defense, most of that shopping was for furniture.  That’s right, we are in FULL house furnishing mode because we are FINALLY moving to our new home!!!! Closing will be in exactly TWO WEEKS, and then after that will be one explosion of frenzy because we all need to be moved and at least unpacked to some degree within a week before we take off for Florida... just in time for the holidays.

 

So I’ve said a mouthful, and I’m not really sure if you’re still with me at this stage, but mamma’s message is one of hope and optimism, truly! Particularly compared to last year... where we were still recovering from the shock of the 2016 election results.  We will FINALLY be homeless no more, and I was also offered A NEW AND EXCITING gig early last week (albeit more on a temporary basis, but it also gives me the ability to see lights at the end of a long, dark tunnel — one that began more than a year ago!!!  On Thanksgiving no less, read my reflections from 2016 here).

 

I raise my glass to all of the above (or more accurately my cappuccino — 8am is a tad too early for alcohol, even for this mamma!).  I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward for all of this to wrap up. 2017 has been a rough year but bigger and brighter things are coming!!!!! 

 

Last night, as we were driving on Route 27, my big boy said to me, “mommy, next weekend we will be packing up the Hampton house, and then we are going to move into our NEW home! It will be so beautiful and I am soooooo happy.”  It was all I could do to suppress my tears at that point.  Tears of joy, relief, and pride in my little brood.

 

Gobble gobble to you all! 

 

Related:

Thanksgiving Reflections -- 2016

Thanksgiving in Lake Como

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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#842 Drip painting at the Jackson Pollock House — East Hampton

Well hello hello!!! 

 

I can’t believe that Thanksgiving is now less than two days away... where has the time gone?? 

 

Mamma’s been super busy, as always... and sadly under the weather! Though good news!! Literally a week and a half ago, we FINALLY received our notice to close!!!!! That is huge, as it spells an end to this nomadic lifestyle we’ve been leading for the past year, which I do NOT recommend to anyone. 

 

Barring all of this, I wanted to share some recent goodies that we’ve engaged in with the boys, particularly this gem of an experience at the Jackson Pollack house last weekend, organized by the Children’s Museum of the East End.

 

I don’t know who was more excited, myself or my little men (okay most definitely me).  We got to visit and tour the house shared by Pollock and his wife Lee Krasner, then go to the famous “barn” where Pollock used as his studio (original drip paint still on the floor!!!!), and lastly, the kiddos got to create their own Pollock art work, how cool was that! 

 

The tour and guide was given by fellow artist and children’s book author Joyce Raimondo, who was simply excellent and really knows her stuff.  The little ones loved the art and I was really impressed with how well behaved they all were during the sit down part where we even watched original videos of Pollock painting (in black and white of course).  

 

Even hubby was jealous! As he had to skip out on the barn experience as he had to take our little man for a walk (aka Nap). All in all, it was truly a unique and wonderful experience, and we cannot wait to go back! 

 

The Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center is located at 830 Springs Fireplace Road, East Hampton.

 

 

Related Features:

 

Jackson Pollock

Art Making in the Hamptons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#837 A is for Apple Picking 🍎

Hurrah for Friday and hurrah for Fall! Another week has gone by and I am none the wiser (except I’m secretly proud of myself for writing at least twice in one week, hah!).   When I launched this blog more than five years ago (yeep!), I used to write, at a minimum, one article per day. Whatever happened?

Two kids, that’s what.  

I digress, however.  The truth is, I couldn’t be happier with my munchkins and more pleased to be back in the Hamptons again relishing yet another magical weekend with my family of crazies.  This week has been intense, tough deadlines plus Mamma had to do her taxes (this year, for the first time ever, we elected to file for an extension, and I must say, it’s actually MORE stressful to do so as you almost get hit with thebnkgjtmare of the tax man not once but twice!!).  Log that away to the “once and done” category. 

Okay, digression yet again.  What I really meant to say was.... I love Fall and I can’t imaging living through all of the gorgeous moments of autumn without my family! These days, we have been all about apples in this family — where they come from, the types of apples, apple seeds, the list goes on and on. Part of this is due to my older munchkin’s school, and part of it was because we recently went apple picking! Which is so, so sweet and fun.  I’ll let the photos speak for themselves but suffice to say, we are going to have plenty of apples for the days to come... maybe next time we’ll focus on strawberries 🍓 

Happy weekend you guys! I might log on again, but if I don’t — I hope you all have a great one!!! 

 

Xxx,

Rockshic 

 

 

#836 Hamptons International Film Festival with Munchkins 🎬🥂

Hanging with his best bud on the Red Carpet!

Tickets and shade! #SoExcited

Moments before the show starts... my little man was super well behaved #ProudMommy

Intro before the show begins #HIFF25

Post screening -- I get the feeling that they were stoked to be out and moving!

Just chilling pre-show

Well hello hello! Quicker than you can blink... the (long) weekend has passed yet again.  Thanks for your (failed) attempt at discovering the West Indies, Christopher Columbus!

As per our new norm — we were out in the Hamptons house, and this time Mamma even managed to dip into the local social scene with my munchkin! This weekend was the Hamptons international film festival, and there has been quite a few awesome movies on the roster (2018 Oscars contenders here we come!).  Sigh... life has been so crazy lately, but perhaps next year we can get around to hosting an Oscar Bash, à la 2013!

My Rockshicbaby, however, is not quite sophisticated enough to sit through flicks like “Spielberg” the documentary (although Mamma would like to!).  That said, there is something for everybody and wouldn’t you know it, they had a series of animated and documentary shorts called “Soar! Shorts for all Ages” that was absolutely perfect for the little ones.  So off we went, Rockshicbaby and school bud in tow, and it was definitely a fun and exciting experience to be had.  In truth, I probably enjoyed the short films screening much more than my munchkin did (I would have happily stuck around for Q and A post screening with the film makers but that was probably a bridge too far for them)... the way I did back in the day at the Angelika (see here).  That said, I was proud of the munchkins for sitting still for an hour plus! It’s the little things you know...

Alright, this Mamma is going to climb into bed and ignore everything — we’re talking one exhausted Mamma Bird! Goodnight all and wish you had a great Columbus Day weekend. 

P.S. Here is a list of all the shorts for those of you interested... my absolute favorite was "Coin Operated" by Nicholas Arioli, 5 minutes of absolute delight!

Soar! Shorts for All Ages -- Hamptons International Film Festival

1) Coin Operated

2) Dam! The Story of Kit the Beaver

3) Perched

4) Mr. & Mrs. Kim

5) Birdlime

6) JessZilla

7) Sabaku

 

Related:

Art making in the Hamptons

Rockshic's Guide to the ultimate Long Island getaway

 

Day before -- happy and pumped! My little Dark Knight

Even the rain couldn't dampen our spirits #HamptonFilmFestival

Become a member today!

Rushing to the finish line #MrEnergetic

Life is way more fun with Bestie by your side #boystogether #HIFF25

 

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#835 Magical weekends

 

 

Happy weekend everybody! 

 

I sit here tapping away... munchkin #2 sleeping on my lap, utterly exhausted and unable to move.

 

That said, it sure feels great to be back in the Hamptons and I must say, morale has been so much better for us -- collectively as a family unit -- now that we've found this weekend getaway! Seriously, why didn't we think of this sooner? 

 

Here are some snippets so far from the weekend.  I am hoping to take the boys back to the pumpkin patches tomorrow (we try and go every year!) plus some apple picking action so stay tuned! Today was quite low-key, we have some friends from Manhattan staying with us and we did lunch at the Maidstone, which has been heavily featured on the blog over the years (we even celebrated munchkin's second birthday here!).  It was raining a rain, but even that couldn't dampen our spirits.

 

Last night, we took my oldest out onto the patio to gaze at the stars, this is right after he chased away the turkeys in the backyard. Magical childhood indeed! 

 

Related:

 

Pumpkin Patches and Hello to Fall

 

'Tis the season for pumpkin picking

 

Scarecrows and Pumpkins

 

 

 

#834 Indian Summer in the Hamptons

So here we are… just approaching Autumn, and almost reaching the end of September (gasp!).

In fact, last Friday officially marked the first day of Fall (according to my Diary that is), and here we are experiencing 80 degree days.  What is up weather?

Not that this mamma is complaining.  You’ll never hear me say “bring on the cold!” (Though I do love my autumn foliage and pumpkin-spiced everything!).  But hey, there’s a reason we escape down south for the Winter!

This past weekend, however – we packed up the entire house and headed east to the Village of Sagaponack, a lovely little oasis in the heart of the Hamptons.  The decision was all made on a wee bit of a whim really, since we’re still waiting for the completion of our new construction (see here), and, well… yours truly has been basically going mad splitting our time between Manhattan and Long Island, making a hodge podge of everything and nothing at all.

“But doesn’t that meant your things will be even more spreads out?”  Asked a colleague of mine.  Touché my friend, touché!

Trust me, when you’ve been effectively homeless for the better part of 2017, you too will need a little reprieve in the Hamptons.

On the plus side…

• Now each kid will have his own bedroom!
• We have a tennis court to showcase our nonexistent tennis skills (little man said it best when he announced to our houseguests that “I can’t actually plan.” Mind you, this came after he coerced them onto the court to play some tennis, ha!).
• I can literally spot deer in my back yard whilst sipping my morning coffee.
• We’re just minutes away from vineyards, pumpkin patches, apple trees, and corn mazes. WIN!!!
• Hubby and I can have friends over and entertain
• If I feel like freezing to death, I can go take a dip in the (heated) pool… which doesn’t feel heated at all, though this Sunday one brave houseguest did do a dive. Tip for young shavers: it is MUCH COOLER in the Hamptons!
• Both of our little men can play on grass!!!
• Mamma can go into town and get her dine/wine/shop/yoga/pilates/museum and all-things cultural on. Okay sure, it’s the shoulder season… but there is still plenty of fun to be had and you best believe that I will be taking advantage of every moment when I can.

Sigh… just the idea that I can retreat to somewhere peaceful, quiet, and something I can call my own.  A slice of heaven if you ask me… and worth every hard-earned penny.

We just set up shop this past weekend, more goodies to come!!!

 

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