New York Archives - Page 8 of 10 - Globetrotting Mommy

Little Elliot, Big City …

August 26, 2014 By admin

My daughter loves books and I’m always looking for new tales that amuse her and don’t bore me. Since we live in New York City, she especially loves books that feature Manhattan as the backdrop. Little Elliot, Big City, the newest kids book set in The Big Apple, debuts today and we were excited to get a sneak peek!

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Great Books for Globetrotting Tots: Little Elliot, Big City Review

This cute tale is short and sweet with pretty illustrations and an easy to follow story line. Basically, little Elliot the elephant is having a challenging time in the city until he befriends a mouse. Working together, Elliot and the mouse make a great team and become good friends. Its just the right kind of story for the preschool/elementary set who are learning about teamwork and sharing.

We read it on a trip to grandma’s house and my daughter loved pointing out how Elliot was riding the subway like we do and how he was passing the Flatiron building near our apartment. She also liked the other New York landmarks and the old school cars.

Little Elliot, Big City is the first in a three book series by Mike Curato. This is a great addition to my favorite New York City themed books for kids and I think it would make a great gift for any globetrotting babe.

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Spotlight on NYC: Victorian …

August 21, 2014 By admin

One of my favorite spots to disappear in the summer is Central Park. The big boulders, lakes and miles of grass quickly make me forget I’m dead smack in the middle of an urban jungle. After I became a mom, I quickly found out that Central Park is also home to Victorian Gardens, a mini-amusement park (with stellar views!) that is just perfect for the mini-set.

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Spotlight on NYC: Victorian Gardens Amusement Park in Central Park

Victorian Gardens is located at Wollman Rink which is an ice skating rink in the winter. Leave it to the Donald to turn any bit of real estate into a money making enterprise. There is a nice selection of children’s rides (bumper boats, swings, airplanes, roller coaster, train, etc.) and none are too scary so even the littlest kids will be entertained.

Spotlight on NYC: Victorian Gardens Amusement Park in Central Park

This was my daughter’s third summer visiting and she was especially excited to be tall enough (42 inches) for every single ride! The rides are just perfect for the 2-5 age range but younger kids will be fine riding with parents. Its a very manageable spot with little kids since the rides are all contained in a small area (think ice rink) and the lines are never too long. Pack a lunch and grab a picnic bench or buy food at the concessions stand when you get hungry.

Spotlight on NYC: Victorian Gardens Amusement Park in Central Park

It’s a little pricey for what it is (pay-as-you-go starting at $7 or unlimited wristband options starting at $21) but since you don’t have to drive hours to get there, I think its worth paying up. Kids under 36 inches are free so bring along the little siblings. After a couple of hours, you’ll be ready to go home but don’t say I didn’t warn you if your kids want to stay and climb the nearby boulders for another hour…

If you’ll be near Central Park, check it out before they close on September 7.

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Around the World in NYC this …

July 31, 2014 By admin

If you’ll be in New York City this Sunday, August 3, head over to Union Square for some free globetrotting fun at the IYF Culture Exhibition. We checked it out last weekend and really loved all the amazing dance performances from around the world (India, South Africa, Jamaica, Russia, Korea and more…) and multi-cultural exhibits.

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Around the World in NYC

Booths were set up on the periphery with toys, games and dolls, costumes galore, and cultural artifacts from around the world. There were also arts and crafts activities, face painting, photo ops and various multi-cultural demonstrations. My 4-year old daughter especially enjoyed learning about Chinese Checkers (my childhood fave), playing with musical instruments and the life size llama. I sorta wanted to take him home…

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Around the World in NYC

If you’ll be in the area between 10 am and 5 pm, check it out. The nearby Evelyn’s Playground is always a fun pit stop and there are tons of great kid-friendly spots to grab lunch in the hood like Clarke’s Standard, Coffee Shop and Max Brenner.

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Fun Food Friday: Amazing Ice …

July 25, 2014 By admin

Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month? Who comes up with this stuff? Move over Mister Softee because I’m about to share my top 5 picks for amazing ice cream in NYC’s East Village.

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Fun Food Friday: Amazing Ice Cream Cones in NYC’s East Village

These family friendly frozen treats will please adult and kiddie palates so plan to treat the whole family.

Sundaes and Cones (95 East 10th Street)

This ice cream parlor is around the corner from my apartment and I can still remember indulging in a lot of pregnancy ice cream cravings back in the summer of 2009. They have some traditional flavors but you’ll want to try the more exotic options like taro, black sesame, Thai tea, wasabi, corn and more. Everything is homemade and delicious.

Davey’s Ice Cream (137 1st Avenue)

This new ice cream shop features handmade classics like Mexican Vanilla, Chocolate Chocolate, Strong Coffee, Cookies & Cream, Peppermint Chip and Roasted Pistachio but you will also want to check out their seasonal flavors like Ultra Babka featuring extra chocolatey cinnamon babka from Moishe’s Bake Shop and Brunch featuring chunks of maple cinnamon brioche french toast and slabs of coffee glazed bacon. OMG!

Big Gay Ice Cream Cone (125 East 7th Street)

This East Village outpost is known for their over the top signature cones like the Salty Pimp (vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche and sea salt topped dipped in chocolate), Bea Arthur (vanilla ice cream topped with dulce de leche and crushed vanilla waffers), Cococone (vanilla ice cream topped with toasted curried coconut) and American Globs (vanilla ice cream, pretzels and sea salt dipped in chocolate). Yum!

Momofuku Milk Bar (251 East 13th Street)

Do you remember how the milk at the bottom of your cereal bowl tasted when you were a kid? Well, imagine that flavor as soft-serve ice cream and you’ve got Cereal Milk Soft Serve. It’s definitely on the sweet side and not for everyone but kids seem to like it.

Dessert Club, Chikalicious (203 East 10th Street)

Imagine a yummy soft-serve vanilla ice cream served in an eclair! Yes, its the Eclair Soft Serve Cone and it is also available as in a sandwich version topped with hot fudge. May as well skip brunch and just have this.

If you’re based in NYC or if you’re heading to the Big Apple this summer, you’ll want to check these out. Let me know which are your favorites.

Spotlight on NYC: Sail Away on …

June 25, 2014 By admin

Summer is here and there’s no better way to see New York City’s sights than by sea. Circle Line cruises have always been a favorite for tourists and locals alike but if you’ve got kids, you’ll want to check out Circle Line’s Kids Cruises.

I took my husband, my daughter and my broken foot on the Summer Sizzling Radio Disney Dance Party cruise last weekend and we had a fabulous time. These Circle Line Kids Cruises, available on select Saturday mornings now through October, offer a kid-friendly version of the classic sightseeing cruise with special guests and fun kids activities.

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Spotlight on NYC: Sail Away on Circle Line Kids Cruises

The 75-minute cruise departs from Circle Line’s Pier 83 at 42nd street. Depending on the cruise theme, there are entertainers on the main floor and activities like face painting, magic shows and balloon twisters upstairs. On our cruise, the Radio Disney team led dance contests (think freeze dance, etc.) and giveaways. You’ll want to be upstairs to get the best views but don’t rush to take photos of the Statue of Liberty when you first see her, you’ll get a better view with fewer crowds as the boat circles back around. You’re welcome.

Spotlight on NYC: Sail Away on Circle Line Kids Cruises

The weather was spectacular, the sights were gorgeous, the sky was blue and the Annie soundtrack was playing in the background. It was a classic NYC moment and it was great being able to share an experience from my childhood with my little daughter. Here’s what you missed:

Spotlight on NYC: Sail Away on Circle Line Kids Cruises

It was so much fun. Here are the themes and dates for upcoming Kid Cruises:

July 12 – Liberty Day with Maddie from the WNBA team New York & Baze and His Silly Friends

July 26 – Star Wars Rebels Party

August 9 – Pirate and Princess Party: The Power of Doing Good

August 23 – Baze and His Silly Friends & the Berenstain Bears

October 25 – Halloween Ball Kids Costume Cruise

Here’s what you need to know:

Tickets cost $29 for adults and $20 for kids ages 3-12.

Boarding starts at 9:15 am and the cruise departs at 10 am. Food and drinks are available for purchase and there is a dedicated stroller parking area. The main deck is completely handicapped accessible and the crew were helpful with boarding. If you’re wondering how I got upstairs, I hopped up and down on my good foot.

If you’re driving, there is a parking lot right at the terminal ($35 for the day) which is worth it if you’re going to explore the nearby kid-friendly attractions, parks and restaurants like the Intrepid Museum, North River Lobster Company, and Lucky Strike Bowling.

To see the entire schedule of Circle Line Cruises visit http://www.circleline42.com/.

We headed over to a nearby pier afterwards which had a cute interactive water playground, grassy spots and scenic views. I’m always amazed to discover these hidden spots.

Spotlight on NYC: Sail Away on Circle Line Kids Cruises

Bon voyage…

I received complimentary tickets for review purposes but all opinions are my own.

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Michaels Kicks Off Passport to …

June 16, 2014 By admin

Looking for a fun and affordable way to explore North America this summer without leaving home? Michaels has teamed up with seven leading North American museums to create Passport to Imagination 2014, an in-store summer program where kids ages 5-12 can explore culture through crafting.

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Michaels Kicks Off Passport to Imagination Museum Road Trip Summer Program

This year’s theme is Museum Road Trip and each week will focus on a different museum with projects inspired by the museum and its exhibits. Projects teach lessons on natural history, technology, marine life, textiles and art. The in-store classes run today through Aug. 2 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 am to noon. Each two-hour session is just $2 per child at all U.S. Michaels locations. I don’t know where you live but for NYC parents, that’s an AMAZING deal.

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Michaels Kicks Off Passport to Imagination Museum Road Trip Summer Program

Here’s the lineup:

Week one – The Field Museum in Chicago – Showcasing a collection of more than 25 million natural history artifacts and specimens, The Field Museum is one of Chicago’s coolest museums. Kids will be making fossils, skeletons and other nature inspired projects.

Week two – Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta – Georgia Aquarium features more than 10 million gallons of water and 725 species! Visitors can dive into the wonderful world of whale sharks, the world’s largest fish, and also learn about African penguins, manta rays, sea otters, beluga whales, sea turtles and coral colonies. Kids will make dolphin, shark and frog art projects this week.

Week three – Pima Air & Space Museum in Arizona. Exhibiting 300 of the most amazing aircraft in the history of flight and over 125,000 artifacts, the PIMA Air & Space Museum houses the third largest aviation collection in America. Kids will be making biplanes and gliders, flying fighter planes and space shuttle projects.

Week four – Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas inspires minds through a world of hands-on learning, fun and concepts in science, math and technology, all within one spectacular location. Kids will make space and planet, create-a-constellation, zeotrope, optical illusion art and robot projects.

Week five – The Denver Art Museum features a collection of more than 70,000 pieces ranging from ancient to modern times. Visitors can view sculptures, paintings and photography and participate in family-friendly exhibits and events. This week’s projects include quilts, modern art and portraits.

Week six – The Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City explores past, present and future fashion trends, accessories and textiles from real-life fashion experts. Kids will make textural weavings, color & pattern wheels, fashion dolls, fashion inspiration boards, fashion sketches and a Duct Tape wallet or purse.

Week seven – The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in Canada, features almost 36,000 pieces including paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings, photos and more. Its colorful exhibits and hands-on creative experiences make it a great place for imaginative kids. This week, kids will make abstract sculptures and stained glass vases, Picasso inspired pictures and masks, and musical instruments.

During the week of June 16, the first 50 participants at each store will receive a free souvenir album.

I think this is a fabulous way to add some culture and craftiness into your summer plans. For more information on Passport to Imagination and other in-store crafting events and classes this summer, go to www.Michaels.com/Passport.

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Globetrotting Mommy: Top 10 …

June 13, 2014 By admin

Those of you who follow me on Instagram and Twitter know that I’ve been spending the last few weeks homebound with a broken foot. Since I like to run around a lot, I’ve pretty much had to give in to things that can be done on one foot which isn’t a whole lot in New York City! I’ve spent a lot of time on the sofa elevating my foot, I caught up on some books, started Orange is the New Black and I’ve hired a ton of babysitters to cart G around to all her activities.

With all this time to think, I’ve come to the conclusion that recovering from a broken foot is super similar to those first few weeks as a new mom!

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Globetrotting Mommy: Top 10 Ways Breaking Your Foot is Like Having a Baby

Since globetrotting is off limits for me now, today I’m sharing the top 10 ways breaking your foot is like having a baby.

1) Having to pee in a cup before foot surgery (think one foot, two crutches, two hands) is equally…if not more…challenging than peeing in a cup with a 9-month baby belly.

2) You’ll vomit from all the pain pills and anesthesia. Gross but true…

3) Getting a good night’s sleep is not so easy with a broken foot in a big hard cast or gigantic belly but you’ll be so tired it will happen.

4) Everyone will tell you the time will go fast. They’re lying. You’ll be counting down every single day…

5) Your freedom is ripped away from you. Like to do what you want to do when you want to do it? That’s over for now. You can’t just run out the door like you used to, it now takes a whole lot of prepping to get out the door.

6) Taking a shower feels like a MAJOR accomplishment.

7) You’ll build new upper body strength from pushing that stroller and using those crutches but you’ll also be sore in new spots you never knew existed.

8) People will make you tell the same story over and over again. Birth story or broken foot story…it gets old, fast.

9) You’ll be forced to dress frumpy until your body returns to normal. Say goodbye to skinny jeans and stilettos and hello to capri sweats and sneakers.

10) The world wide web will quickly become your best friend especially Amazon, Seamless, Netflix, Babble and Diapers.com.

The best way to survive those torturous first weeks of shock and recovery is to take them one day at a time. Your friends and family will offer up help so definitely take them up on it while you count down the days till you’re wearing sandals or getting a good night’s sleep…14 more to go for me…

Have a great weekend!

Fun Food Friday: Winter …

May 16, 2014 By admin

If you’re looking for something festive (and free) to do in NYC this weekend, I’ve got a fun suggestion. Winter WONKAland has popped up in the Meatpacking district to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and its like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

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Fun Food Friday: Winter WONKAland Invades NYC to Launch Peel-a-Pop Frozen Treats

Think Disney’s Frozen meets sugary, snow-dusted candies, cotton candy trees, gigantic lollypops and more. As you make your way through the sugary, wintery maze, you’ll find interactive displays that tell stories from the movie, a photo-booth and lots of fun photo-op spots. At the end, guests can try Wonka’s new Peel-a-Pop frozen treats and meet real live Oompa Loompas! Yes, they let them out of the factory but just till Saturday.

We went to the grand opening party yesterday and it was a really fun time.

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Fun Food Friday: Winter WONKA-land Invades NYC to Launch Peel-a-Pop Frozen Treats

Where: 22 Little West 12th Street. Its right by the High Line so grab lunch at Bubby’s or Chelsea Market and make a fun day of it.

When: March 16-17 from 10:30 am – 6 pm.

Have a great weekend!

I was not compensated for this post but we did receive a gift bag, breakfast and some really fun treats. All opinions are my own.

Talking Family Travel with …

May 15, 2014 By admin

When celebrity mom Brooke Burke-Charvet invited me to hear her favorite family travel tips, I said “Sure, I’ll be right over!” Ok so maybe it was Embassy Suites Hotels who invited me and maybe we met at Dylan’s Candy Bar and maybe there were some other writers there…but still…I got to hear Brooke’s best family travel tips and I’m going to share them with you lucky readers!

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Talking Family Travel with Brooke Burke-Charvet and Embassy Suites Hotels

The first time I stayed in a hotel with my daughter the staff set up a crib that looked like a death trap next to our bed and nobody got any sleep. It was pretty much an exhausting disaster that made me want to wait a long, long time to do it again. The second time we stayed in a hotel was a few months later for my college reunion and the group hotel block was at an Embassy Suites Hotel. I threw the pack and play in with the luggage and hoped for the best.

It was a completely different experience having a real bedroom so my daughter could go to bed early and a separate room for the grown ups to spread out. More space, more privacy, more sleep…a suite hotel is a win-win all around for families. Brooke moderated the Embassy Suites’ “Pretty Great Family Debate” event with her children and shared her favorite family travel tips below. I really love her idea to let each family member “own a day” of the trip. It sounds fun and means less planning for me so I’m definitely going to try that next time. Which is your favorite?

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Embassy Suites Hotels – Brooke Burke-Charvet’s Family Travel Tips

Want to try Embassy Suites’ pretty great family-friendly offerings for yourself? Just post a photo of you and your kids enjoying a vacation in the #PrettyGreat Photo Contest on Instagram now through June 26.

I was not compensated for this post but I did receive a gift bag and my daughter got to make some really fun treats. All opinions are my own.

Momtrends Trendy Travel Event …

May 9, 2014 By admin

Spring has sprung (finally!) and summer is around the corner. Before you plan that summer getaway, check out my report from the Momtrends Trendy Travel Event for the latest must haves in fashion, beauty, kids gear and more.

Moms are always in need of a little pampering so I was pretty excited that the event was held at Butterfly Studio Salon. My stylist Danielle gave me a very glam wavy summer beach style by twisting my hair around a curling iron in pieces rather than rolling sections. How cute do we look? Oh and thanks for being so petite Danielle, I even look like a tall super model next to you!