observer playground - summer 2011

8/6/2019 Observer Playground - Summer 2011

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PLAYGROUNDLifestyle for the New York Mom

$3.95 SUMMER 2011

Padma Lakshmiforgingthew

ay

forawomenscause

sizzling

SummerBeauty

Cream of the CropTHE BEST OF THE HAMPTONS

KEEPINGCOOLKids Fashion That

Beats the Heat

HotWeatherStyle

Our Favorites of

the Season


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8/806 PLAYGROUND SUMMER2011

EDITORS

LETTER

I

ts summertime! Im sure youre as ex-

cited as I am that its (finally!) warm and

sunny out and time to wear those fabulous

sunglasses. Have you noticed that peoplejust seem happier this time of year, par-

ticularly us parents? Nows the perfect time for

ice cream cones, bike rides in the park or by the

beach, or just relaxing with the family on a lazy

afternoon. And of course no matter how much

your little ones love school, theres vacation for

them to get extra-excited about too!

This summer issue ofObserver Playground is

filled with articles to get you psyched and readyfor this wonderful season. Find out about the

ultimate New Yorkers summertime secret: the

family-friendly beach clubs of Atlantic Beach,

Long Island. For those headed out east for the

hot weather, we have a piece on the best of

everything in the Hamptons for families. To

combat the inevitable summer anxiety-inducer

looking good in a bikinitheres a piece all

about Punch Fitness, where you can quickly

whip your body into shape by boxing.

Of course weve also included our picks of our

favorite irresistible indulgences, from the bestsummer beauty items to adorable fashions for

the kids to extra-special treats on this issues

Lysst. And, of course, our Hot-to-Tot list has

loads of must-have goodies as well. Theres also

a story on a terrific new accessories line, Theo-

dora and Callum, that was recently launched

by Scoop founder Stefani Greenfield and uber-

publicist Desiree Gruber.

As always, weve got some fantastic inter-views in this issue, as well. Find out more about

the gorgeous Padma Lakshmi who graces our

cover. She talks about her life as a New York

mom, TV star, jewelry designer, entrepreneur

and fundraiser for endometriosis research.

Enjoy the issueand have a fabulous summer

filled with sunshine, smiles and plenty of time

with the family!

HOT HOT HEATKeeping cool has never been so easy!

www.observer.com/playground

www.divamoms.com

DivalyssciousMoms Musts

1. Whether youre a

mom with only five

seconds to spare

or a mom with an

attention span of

five secondsthisjournal is for you!

Moms Five-Second

Memory Journal.

2.Healthy snacks on-

the-gowhat could be

better? For busy moms

this summer Sonny &

Joes hummus is a really

fabulous, convenient

snack that is a healthyalternative to junk food!

3.Gotta love it, gotta have

itPhotoOp NYC custom-

ized IPAD case with your

Wee ones precious photo.

4. There are

soccer moms

and there are

runway moms,

but the Missoni +

Bugaboo line is

tailored towardthe Divamoms.

5.Whoopie!

White Velvet

Shea Butter

Cream is a jar-

ful of joy! Lightly

scented with white velvet

cream and moist layer

cake, its hard to resist.

6. Did someone say a

goodnights sleep? The

PolarPillow is a scientif-

ically-formulated COOL

PILLOW that uses advanced

gel technology to cool.

6

PORTRAIT:TRACYTOLERP

HOTOGRAPHY;PRODUCTS

COURTESYOFTHEMANUFA

CTURERS


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8 playground summer2011

on the coverModel, actress, host of Top Chef, cook book author,jewelry designer, mom and advocate to raise awareness for suffer-

ers of endometriosis: Padma Lakshmi is beautiful and busy-as-ever.

Lakshmi was photographed by Cheyenne Ellis.

Observer Media Group

Publisher Jared Kushner

editorial director elizabeth sPiers

design director ivylise simones

President ChristoPher barnes

executive vice President barry lewis

associate Publisher Jamie Forrest

senior vice President sales stePhen GoldberG

senior vice President sales and marketing david GursKy

director of classified advertising Ken newman

marketing manager Jill GutenKunst

vice President CirCulation Kratos vos

circulation

alexandra enderle, Peter Parris, Carlos rodriGuez

the neW York observer

321 W 44 s

nw Y, nY 10036

212.755.2400

www..

art director sCott dvorin

Production director tyler rush

Photo editor Peter lettre

advertising/Production coordinator lisa medChill

associate Publisher, Observer playGrOund

betty shaw lederman

account executives

mitCh bedell, david bendayan, Paul Kornblueh,miChelle morGan, alexander nuCKel, sPenCer sharP,

robyn weiss, david wolFF

sales assistant Katherine desPaGni

editor in chief lyss stern

managing editor shaina FeinberG

fashion editor raChel Felder

kids fashion editor stePhanie Kaster

editorial associates raChel morGan, elyse adler

contributors

playground

CriCKet azima

JessiCa delFino

Charlotte Garden

ann Flynn

lambeth hoChwald

Julie earle-levine

zibby riGht

amy sChroeder

raChel h. smith


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CHEYENNEE

LLIS

CONTENTS

40 PADMA LAKSHMI

Shes got it all and doesnt mind flaunting it.

Find out how to get a touch of her magic.

44 KIDS FASHION

Our youthful models are stepping out in style.48 FENDI KIDS

You love their clothes and now

your kids will love them too!

5O SUMMER MUST-HAVES

What you and the family need for

the warmer months.

58 TRAVEL

This summer: The best ofthe Hamptons,

plus London and Atlantic Beach!

68 CRIB SHEET

Get all the info you need to have a great

summer with the kids.

12 SHOPPING LYSST

16 BEAUTY

18 FITNESS

26 HOT-TO-TOT

Departments

Features

40

28 BOOKS

32 HOROSCOPES

34 HEALTHY EATING

36 REAL ESTATE

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Amagical summerof movement & music...

Dnce Clsses for ages 2 -18

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Energy conservation benefts are additionally realized through solar heat and glare

reduction. Sunshields knowledge and expertise wil l ensure that your valuable

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rom the destructive eects o sunlight. Their proprietary preservation products have beenutilized in the worlds fnest homes as well as the most prestigious museum environments.

Energy conservation benefts are additionally realized through solar heat and glare reduc-

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LYSST

GOTTA HAVE ITSummers the perfect time for an indulgent, fashionable

pick-me-up, whether its a new pair of sunglasses, a great

piece of jewelry or a very necessary beauty item. Here are

our picks by Lyss Stern and Rachel Felder

A. MODERN LEGACY 1DIAMOND MEDALLION

EARRINGS $299,

Ultra Diamonds

Diamonds are, indeed, a

girls best friend. We love

this delicate pair of ear-

rings, which look like a

family heirloom straight

from your grandmothers

jewelry box, but are a steal

at under three hundred

dollars.

B. MANOLO BLAHNIK FOR

TOUS NECKLACE $1449,

Tous Boutiques Even if you

dont have room in your

closet for another marvel-

ous pair of Manolos, youcan still get this: a gold

Blahnik charm, produced

in partnership with the

Spanish jeweler TOUS,

with a glittering diamond

on its mini Mary Jane

strap.

C. BE AND D IPAD CASE$238, www.beandd.com

Youll love this leather iPad

holder from Be and D, with

details youd expect from

your favorite handbag

namely, bold hardware, sup-

ple leather, and of course a

great pop of color. And slim

enough to throw into a tote.

D. JO MALONE LIME, BASIL& MANDARIN DRY BODY OIL

$65,Bergdorf Goodman

Jo Malone has a new for-

mulation of one of its most

popular scents Lime,

Basil, and Mandarin in a

dry oil that you apply right

as you get out of the show-

er. It leaves a lovely, light

veil of citrusy fragrance,

perfect for the steamy days

ahead.

E. PARMIGIANI KALPA

PICCOLI WATCH $8900,

Cellini Ultimately, a watch

should feel like your favor-

ite piece of jewelry, and

thats precisely what thiselegant bracelet watch is

likely to become. Bold and

dainty at the same time,

with art nouveau-inspired

diamond numbers and a

fluid stainless steel band.

F. MISSONI BEACH TOWEL

$195,Barneys New YorkMissoni Boutiques. Even

the most basic beach essen-

tials, like a big , cozy towel,

can go glam this summer,

courtesy of the colorful

folks at Missoni.

a

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G. LA PRAIRIE ANTI-AGING

HYDRA TINT SPF $20, $100

Saks Fifth Avenue We all

know how important it

is to wear sunblock, but

as youre getting ready to

go out each day, addinganother product to your

daily routine can be cum-

bersome. Now theres no

excuse to be spf-less, since

La Prairies introduced

this combination tinted

anti-aging moisturizer that

includes sun protection in

its formula.

H. YSL SHADES $275

Solstice Boutiques Cats

eyes are one of this sum-

mers main sunglass

silhouettes, and its hard

to imagine a chicer pair

than this one from YSL.

Theyre somehow flat-

tering on every shapeface and are bold without

being too much of a st ate-

ment for a dressed-down

afternoon with the kids.

BABY

31710THAVE

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cumisbabyboutique.info

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Give your makeup baG(and Face) the once-over

With NYC Makeup Artist Carlo Geraci by Ann FlynnIllustration by Kristine Lombardi

It was a blustering, cold and incredibly wet

April afternoon when Amy Martin rushed

through the glass doors of Space NKs 99

Greene Street location.

Sorry Im late! squeaked the petite

redhead, who wore gray jeans, a camel-col-

ored poncho and a light blue canvas backpackslung over one shoulder. She had been caught

in trafc going from one appointment to the

next. Martin, who is an entrepreneur and

mother of three-year-old Janis (yes, named

after Janis Joplin), is the rst to admit that

she packs way too much in to one day. You

can only do so much, she says. But I always

think Ill be able to do more!

Martin is greeted by the handsome anddapperly-dressed Carlo Geraci. Geraci is a

New York City makeup artist who has been in

the industry for nearly twenty years. It seems

impossible by the look of him Geracis skin is

smooth and creaseless. Geraci, who is a Trish

McEvoy and Kevyn Aucoin alum, spent the

better part of a decade beautifying young and,

ahem, older women at Barneys, now works

with women all over the city and in London.

And to boot, he was also Eartha Kitts personal

makeup artist in the latter years of her life.

Geraci is warm and personable and incredibly

relaxed. He greets Martin with a hug, though

the two have never met before, and

guides her to sit at a white counter in

front of a mirror. At this point, Geraci

demands that Martin hand over the goods,

which is really why shes here. Martin ponies

up a pink and cream-colored makeup bag

that is stuffed to the gills. Geraci unzips thebag with glee in his eyes and begins to sort

through the items inside.

This is what he does. He plunges to new

depths. He goes through your disaster of a

makeup bagthe bag you take with you every-

where, maybe its even the same bag youve had

for years, eyeliner smudges, dirty tissues and

all. He goes through your makeup mess and

helps you create order.This could potentially be very embarrassing

but Geraci is kind and lters through the mess

cheerily and seemingly without any judgement.

In this case, he separates out what he thinks

Martin is doing right (actually, most of the bags

contents) and puts in a different pile the items

he will gently encourage her to toss. He notices

that she is using a foundation that is not suited

for her and its off somewhere to come back

with the perfect color. Voila!

Geraci cleans Martins face of what shes

currently wearing and quickly begins to apply

the new foundation.

I like to play up the beauty of the wom-

an and play down the makeup, he says as he

works. I tell my clients, pick a feature. So, if

you pick your eyes, you play those up and every-

thing else, like the lips, theyre more muted.

Geraci takes Martin through some quick ways

to enhance different features. He uses a com-bination of her own makeup and makeup from

Space NK. He writes down the brand name and

color of each of the products he is using so that

Martin will have a record of his recommenda-

tions to take with her.

Geraci also gives a lightning-fast instruc-

tion on the application of bronzer: I suggest

using bronzer like thisimagine you are

wearing sunglasses and youve been out-side all day. Place the bronzer around the

sunglassesso the cheeks and nose and fore-

head, he demonstrates as he speaks. Geraci

is full of tips like this one, garnered from his

many years in the business.

When he is done with Martin, she looks

greather skin is glowing and sun-kissed and

her blue-green eyes look gigantic. And, to

be honest, the makeup bag looks a thousand

times tidier.

Book an appointment with Geraci (contact him

at [email protected]). Your face and makeup

bag will thank you profusely.


17/80

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16 playground SUMMER2011

SizzlE in thE SUMMEREven with high temps and muggy afternoons, summer beauty doesnt have tobe an oxymoron. These beauty helpers will make your warm weather look like a

breeze (and heres hoping this summer has a lot of them) by Rachel H. Smith

d. Kiehls Blue herBal

gel Cleanser $21

kiehls.com

No matter how thirsty

you might be after a dayunder the summer sun,

dont drink this cocktail-

colored gel cleanser.

Instead, use it to wash off

the dirt and grime that

is unavoidable when you

spend a hot day in the city.

e. BumBle & BumBle

texture hair Creme $26

bumbleandbumble.com

This is what your sum-

mer hair should look like:

piece-y, tousled, undone,

and easy. As if you have

spent all day at the beach,

making sand castles and

jumping in the waves.

With this clever cremeyou can have those sexy

waves anytime, and no

sand in your shoes!

a. tom Ford lipstiCK

$45 bergdorfgoodman.com

No matter how hot

the weather, lipstick is

a must. And with his

twelve perfect lipstick

shades from nude Vanilla

Suede to vampy Black

Orchid, Tom Ford has

elevated lipstick to some-

thing sublime. Expect

gasps of envy when youtake the lovely gold and

white tube out of your

summer bag.

B. ClarKs BotaniCals

sKin Clearing FaCe

and Body Wash $46

clarksbotanicals.com

Summer can be theworst time for skin that

struggles to stay clear

even when it isnt covered

in sweat and sunblock. Let

this face and body wash

gently, but thoroughly, pu-

rify, rene, and exfoliate

your skin. The stylish tube

with the great-looking

font is an added bonus.

C. pearl aCe hotel

soap $24acehotel.com

Is there anything more

enticing than black

soap? Let this beautiful

small-batch soap that

has charcoal, crushed

natural pearls (yes,pearls!), and natural oils

protect your skin from

the harsh summer sun.

a

b

c

e

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F. Sarah Chapman

SkineSiS FaCial From

SpaCe nk

$89spacenk.com

If you told us that this

high-tech overnight se-

rum was actually brought

to earth by aliens, we

would believe it. We

would also bet that those

aliens had unbelievably

soft and youthful-looking

skin, which is what you

will have once you startusing it. It may even let

you to go makeup-free all

summer long.

G. DeerStop BotaniCalS

SanDalwooD roSe

rejuvenatinG miSt $28

thisiswherethedeerstop.org

When you have been outall day slogging through

the citys hot summer

streets, you need help

to feel beautiful and re-

freshed. This delightful

mist is like a nap, a bath

and a change of clothes in

just one spritz!

h. DeerStop BontaniCalS

vata FaCe CleanSer $28

thisiswherethedeerstop.org

The ingredients in this

Ayurvedic face cleanser

would probably make a

delicious summer salad:

organic lentils, nutmeg,

comfrey root and lemon

verbena leaves. Here, theybring equilibrium and

enlightenment to your

daily ablutions.

h

playGrounD SUMMER 2011 17

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fitness


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put up your dukes!its easy to be a knockout at Punch Fitness Center by Zibby RightIllustrations by Daniel Fishel


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Youll be happy in this perfectly renovated,historic prewar,

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fitness


22/80


d

ont just

call it a

workout.Punch Fit-

ness Center

is a trans-

formative experience led

by Adelino Da Costa from

Guinea, West Africa. Da

Costa, who started off as a

champion kick-boxer in Por-

tugal, despite having only a

mattress to practice with, saw

an opportunity in t he crowded

Manhattan tness market and de-

cided to take advantage.

Da Costa had relocated to New

York City from Portugal because,

as he says, if you want to nd your-

self and know if you can do it or not,

this is the place. Soon after his move to the

Big Apple, Da Costa began training clients inwhat he knew how to do bestkickboxing. He

began by working individually with clients,

but quickly found his client base growing and

decided to open a gym. The gym, Da Costa

decided, would meld aspects of one-on-one

personal training with the energy of group

tness. And Punch Fitness was born.

Punchs entrance, on Madison Avenue

and 78th Street, is marked solely by a pairof red punching gloves, swaying in the cool

breeze. After walking down a short ight

of steps, the vibe grabs you. The walls are a

deep red, which Da Costa says invokes the

feeling of strength: You cant like the color

red and be lazy; its the color that makes me

want to push all the t ime.

A t woman checks in at the desk and

asks, Who am I with today? At Punch, ev-

ery session is an hour long with a different

trainer. Nelson, the receptionist says and

the womans face falls. Oh no! she wails,

knowing how difcult the session will be.Difcult is an understatement. This non-

stop cardio-kickboxing mix makes run-

ning the loop in Central Park look like a

warm-up. Regulars will nd themselves

jumping rope, doing push-ups, using rowing

machines, running on a treadmill, punch-

ing and jabbing, kicking and squatting. And

dont even think about having a glass of

water. (Apparently, every time you nisheating or drinking your body goes i n relax-

ation mode. In boxing, Da Costa says, you

have to stay sharp all the time; to be able

to achieve, you have to get to the point you

never knew you were able to.)

The day you feel in shape in this place,

you should not come back, he said with

his characteristic bright eyes, low melodic

voice and wide grin. Some people say they

never work out and you have to pace them. I

dont want to sit back and say youre doing a

good job. Life is not about that. Life is about

keep trying. Life is about being

challenged. If you dont want

to be in shape, dont cometo Punch. Im going to help

you to get there. And the

day I see you can give more,

Ill push you until the next

level.

Hard to argue with that.

But at $145 per hour, Punch

isnt cheap; however you

get days worth of cardio and

strength-training in one session.

The best part? Its fun. The train-

ers dance around barefoot on the

padded oors, belting out African beats

and music. They dance with you. It feels

like the tight Punch team is having a blast

and that the party wil l continue long after

you leave.

Da Costa says his team is t he key to

Punchs success. When he recruits talent,he doesnt care about technical skills; he

can teach those. Hes looking for guys who

really care, whose eyes shine, who have the

freedom to express themselves. Having the

rotating training schedule allows clients to

experience a different emotion and momen-

tum in the same form.

Punch has plans to open two new loca-

tions in the city. With a fairly equal male tofemale ratio and clients ranging from age

five to senior citizens, this place is not to

be missed.

The way people feel is so important, Da

Costa says. If I want to challenge you, I

have to make you feel good i nside yourself.

That feeling is distraction from the pain.

You feel the music, you feel t he energy

around you, you want to prove yourself. You

always have to see the victory before the

ght, thats why were here for you.

Fitness mixed with heart is a pure knockout.

Icing on The Cake NYC


23/80

Icing on The Cake NYC

We also make cupcakes!

Call Leslie for your free estimate.

(347) 604-3309icingonthecakenyc.com

Every cake is made toorder; that means youcan be sure that yourcake is fresh anddelicious every time!

We will design aone-of-a-kind

custom cake for yourspecial occasion.

Dylan Lauren cutting intoher custom-made cake atDylans Candy Bar.

Food


24/80


RiccaRdoS

avi

Food FestivalsWith Your Gourmet-In-TrainingAll for the price of one: Celeb chefs, yummy food and stunning scenery by Rachel Felder

Inevitably, most kids love watching TV,

but not every child is glued nonstop to

Nickolodeon and PBS Kids. For a grow-

ing number of children, Rachael Ray and

Jamie Oliver are bigger celebrities than

SpongeBob and Selena Gomez, and theyd

choose to see anIron Chefrerun over iCarly

any day.

If this describes your little one, then head-

ing to an out-of-town food festival is an ideal

weekend retreat.

With the popularity of the Food Network

and the snowballing awareness of celebrity

chefs, food festivals are cropping up around

the world throughout the year. Theyre an ide-

al way for your budding gourmand and you to

see favorite chefs in action and of course taste

some delicious food. Many also include a char-

ity component, so you can help make a differ-

ence (and remind the kids of the importance of

giving) while youre there.

One of the best-known food festivals in the

country is the South Beach Wine and Food

Festival, held in Miami Beach every year. The

festival has been going for more than a decade

and attracts the worlds best-known chefs.

There is a wonderful two-day event speci-

cally for kids that focuses on healthy eating

and features chefs like Rachael Ray and Guy

Fieri.

At smaller and newer food festivals, it can be

even easier to actually meet your favorite chefs

and see whats going on. In The Cayman Is-

lands, for example, Le Bernadins Eric Ripert

hosts an annual food festival each January, the

Cayman Cookout, where its not uncommon

to enjoy barbecue alongside the likes of An-

thony Bourdain. The festival is headquartered

at the islands Ritz-Carlton Hotel, which has

Food


25/80

playground summer 2011 23

clockwise from left

Meet, greet and eat!

Take the amily to a ood

estival to meet celebrity

ches, watch demonstra-

tions and taste new and

delicious oods.

Just enough cooks in this

kitchen: Giada De Lauren-

tiis fashes her amous

smile while demonstrat-ing how to prepare her

avorite dishes.

Mario Batali drinks to

good ood.

extensive childrens activities, and theres also

a special kids brunch each year to make your

little one feel like a VIP. Food festivals geared

toward kids exist in other great destinations

such as Atlanta, Napa and Pebble Beach.

There are also several food festivals right

here in New York City. The most compre-

hensive is the New York City Wine and Food

Festival (this years dates are Sept 29-October2), organized by the same people as the South

Beach fest. This festival always includes cook-

ing demonstrations aimed at kids,and all net

proceeds from the event are earmarked to

feed the hungry. In mid-June is the Big Apple

BBQ, a huge barbecue-o-rama thats a perfect

Flatiron afternoon with the kids (provided

that they like ribs! This event is also a fund-

raiser. Throughout the year, there are smaller

fairs like Taste of Tribeca, which are an ideal

way for kids to taste a variety of things they

might otherwise not get to try.

The best part of all these festivals in addi-tion to helping your kids eat more adventur-

ously and healthily is getting to spend time

outdoors with your little ones.

FASHION


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DESIGNER GOODSFind Your Inspiration at Theodora and Callum by Charlotte Garden

Stefani Greenfield and

Desiree Gruber love

the process of creating

new items for their line

Theodora and Callum.

You use your mothers red and navy

Gucci clutch from the 70s as a wal-

let and you wear your grandmoth-

ers Haskell earrings from the 50s

on occasions that call for them. You cherish

these passed down items and frequently catch

yourself wondering, Which items of mine is my

daughter going to want and wear?This is the very thought process that fuels

Stefani Greenfield, co-founder of Theodora

and Callum, which made its formal debut

at Spring Fashion Week 2011. Stefani previ-

ously co-founded the incredibly popular retail

chain, Scoop NYC, which became a favorite of

the young and trendy from New York to Holly-

wood with its reputation as the ultimate clos-

et. Shes been featured in too many fashion

and business magazines to count, was a judge

on Bravos television seriesLaunch My Line, a

regular style consultant on national televisionprograms and hosts Unwrackedon the Home

Shopping Network.

Her latest project, Theodora and Callum, is

an accessory-focused store that she and co-

founder, Desiree Gruber like to t hink of as a

creative factory.

Its not about chasing trends, Stefani said.

The collection will always consist of items

that we both love and want to share. This was

in fact the inspiration behind the name.Theo-

dora being Stefanis daughter and Callum,

Desirees son.There are no limitations to the evolu-

tion of the brand, she said. Thats why we

named it after our children. For them every

day is a new journey.

FASHION


27/80

PLAYGROUND SUMMER 2011 25

A blue leaf batik scarf is a perfect addition

to any summer outfit. Gold Istanbul earrings

dress up any ensemble.

According to Stefani, this latest venture is

very much a labor of love. Every piece in their

new collection is an objet dart, carefully cho-

sen to be an item that lasts for generations and

never goes out of style. The line is the quintes-

sential essence of classic taste and style, cre-

ated by two power-moms who embody these

qualities in their own lives. The exotic printsand eclectic nature of Theodora and Callum

reflect the adventurous, sexy, international

traveler in all of us. Their jewelry and scarves

are reminiscent of Brigitte Bardot on the

beaches of St. Tropez circa 1968 and the rest of

the effortlessly chic European jet set. But the

design element of this creative factory doesnt

stop when it leaves their fingertips. The duo

hopes the buyer and wearer of the items will

bring their own creative spirit to it.

Stefanis daughter Theodora loves being

the inspiration behind her mothers ambi-tion. When asked how she balances work and

home life, Stefani says she works hard during

Theodoras school year and relaxes during the

summer in Europe. The time she spends en

vacance, as the French say, is truly t he most

precious family time she has all year. During

these hot summer months she finally has a

moment to recharge her batteries and inhale

new inspiration from the Mediterranean

coast, Morocco, India and the modern Byzan-

tine empire.

She has truly found a way to manage a suc-cessful and demanding professional life with

carefree, quality time. And all of itthe am-

bition and the freedomare apparent in the

pieces created by Theodora and Callum.

HOT-TO-TOT


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SUMMERIN THE CITYThe ultimate guide to whats in and out

for families this summer by Rachel Felder

Whether youre looking for a fabulous warm

weather accessory, great outfits for the kid,or a thank you present for a weekend spent at

your friends beach house, weve got you covered.

Here are our picks for the best essentialsand

a few deliciously indulgent non-essen-

tialsfor the long, hot summer ahead.

Beach necessity:IN Sunbow bubblegum

scented sunblock

OUT Bubble gum pink

bikini

Potentially di cult

exercise:

IN Headstands in

P.E. class

OUT Dealing with stand-

still tra c on the LIE inan M Class.

Mini-me beach-to-

party summer frock:

IN Calypso for Target

braided dress

OUT Splurgy Calypso

silk dress

Bleary-eyed morningritual

IN Getting to the camp

bus stop on time

OUT Getting to the

school bus stop on time

Moms relaxing

indulgence

IN A weekend at the

ELLE Spa at the Eden

Roc, Miami BeachOUT A bubble bath read-

ing ELLE and eating

snacks from Garden of

Eden in Manhattan

Pedicure polishdu jour

IN RGB in Coral

OUT All shades of

(summertime) blues

Tween clothing youd

love to borrow:

IN Summer dresses

from Johnnie b

OUT Butter sweatshirts

Caeine Connection:

IN Bosie Tea Parlour

OUT Coee from a na-

tional chain

Matching parent/

child ensembles:

IN Daddy and son

Vilebrequin swimming

trunksOUT Mommy and me

print shift dresses

Healthy kids snack

IN Steamed fresh, local

corn on the cob

OUT Freshly popped

organic popcorn

Required summer

reading:IN The Time-Traveling

Fashionista

OUT Sisterhood of the

Traveling PantsALLIMAGESCOURTESY

OFTHEMANUFACTURERS

Mini-chicster

clothing destination

IN Little Edit

on upper Lex

OUT The upper

shelf of big

sisters closet

Kids protectiveeyewear

IN Gucci kids

shades, $140

OUT Spongebob

sunglasses, 2 pairs

for $10.40

Summer Uniform

IN Wide-legged

white SiwysOUT Last years

faded khakis

Overstued

bag for airplane

getaways

IN Rimowa wheelie

OUT Giant logo

tote

Ultimate Hamptons

hostess gift

INLalique

Sauterelles vase

OUTChocolates and a

bottle of Sauternes


29/80


Seasonal

stockup store:

IN Lesters for

everything for camp

OUT Hamptons

supermarket for

everything for

weekend houseguests

Scorching day cooler:

IN Molton Brown

Vitalising GelOUT Large Pinkberry

with multiple toppings

Memory-inducing

seasonal soundtrack

IN Summer Babe

-Pavement

OUT Boys of Summer-Don Henley

Climate-

appropriate footwearIN Missoni for

Havaianas flip-flops

OUT Hunter rubber

rain boots

Shampoo for

the Little Ones

IN LOreal ProfessionnelSerie Nature Tendresse

Shampoo,

bought at a salon

OUT No More Tears,

bought at K-Mart in

Bridgehampton

Airplane essentials

IN Audio-Technica

noise-cancelling head-

phones and Sjal Intense

Hydration Creme

OUT A blow-up neck

pillow and eye-mask

A fit and healthy lifestyle for you and your baby is our goal,

then we help you get back to your pre-pregnancy figure!

The pre-natal and post-partum workout trainers will

Prep your body for an easier & quicker labor & delivery

Offer useful tips for dealing with common pregnancy complications Boost your immune system

Aid in quicker postpartum recovery

mind over matter

We also offer Yoga, Pilates,Personal Trainers, & Boot Camp Classes

Ask about ourMILF (Mothers

Interested inLiving Fit)

Boot Camp!

www.MindOverMatterNYC.com 212-865-9290

books


30/80


Your Life on Yoga

Claire Dederers inspiring,engaging, elegantly written

memoir Poser: My Life in

Twenty-Three Yoga Poses

is, without a doubt, the best

book Ive read in years.

Dont be fooledthis is not

a book about yoga. Yoga is

simply the theme that ties

all the elements together

gracefully; the book itself

ows as seamlessly as avinyasa yoga class, each

chapter touching on a dif-

ferent pose. This tome isabout growing up and com-

ing of age as both a mother

and a daughter. Its about

learning how to be married,

despite each others imper-

fections. Its about nding

yourself while still giving.

Its about learning that be-

ing good or perfect is

the opposite of simply be-

ing real.Dederer takes us through

her parents separation

in the 1970s and links hermothers actions to the gen-

erational shift away from

traditional marriage toward

womens independence.

She roots her life in history

in a way that makes it all

feel incredibly important;

its impossible not to re-

examine your own role and

what it means. Yet she does

this with charm and a hilari-ous sense of humor, never

taking herself too seriously

throughout her Seattle andBoulder adventures.

Be forewarned; this book

is meaty. You wont nish

it overnight. But once you

start, you wont be able to

put it down. Every word is

there for a reason in this

artfully-edited work.

This book changed my

perspective on life. Plus

Im totally going to takeup yoga.

Zibby Right

C

hoice is a disease of your generation. Youre so fo-

cused on your choices. Youre overwhelmed by

them, terried of them, so you do things like become

ski bums or glassblowers or you extend your youths

so long, you forget to have children.

This is the kind of self-esteemblowing stuff that ies out of the

mouth of Gray Lachmanns father, driving her into a mess of middle-

class, twentysomething angst.

Not that Grays father is any sort of icon for good choices. Hes an

obese, guilt-driven attorney-turned-rabbi who dies at a relatively

young age, carrying a maddeningly secret story and depression to his

grave. Hes also the person whom GraySkinnys narrative main char-

acteris most inuenced by, and designs her life around, hence the

novels plot.And the plot is quite thick. Gray, a New Yorker who earns a living by

promoting her boyfriends struggling standup comedy career, inherits

a nasty habit of compulsively overeatingsay, several cakes under her

bed covers or 5,000 calories of greasy Chinese food in one go. Bing-

ing is the way she deals with the death of and troubled relationship

withher father, whom she hadnt communicated with in several

years after he denounced her relationship with Grays unsuccessful,

non-Jewish boyfriend.

Upon executing her fathers will, Gray learns that her father leftmoney to a mysterious Southern woman and her teenage daughter,

Eve. Gray assumes the woman was her fathers mistress, and, as a re-

sult, that Eve is her teenage half-sister. After doing some shoddy Goo-

gling and blog reading, Gray gures out that Eve is headed to a North

PeoPle Watchingat its bestSkinnyBy Diana Spechler

books


31/80


Carolina fat camp for the summer. In the hopes of working through her food

obsession and daddy issues, Gray promptly scores a gig as a fat-camp coun-

selor at said camp, placing her New York life on hold for the summer.

What results is a disturbingly humorous adventure ful l of girl ghts, not-

quite-truth-tellings, cliff-hangers, and sweaty summer-camp lust. And its

quite enjoyable, so long as youre cool with not rooting for the storys main

character.Gray makes one bad choice after another, and instead of establishing a

meaningful relationship with Eve, masterminds an affair with a hot, older

personal trainer, thereby cheating on her boyfriend of ve years. She also

develops anorexia, a bald spot, and extreme body consciousnessheart-

shaped pubic hair included.

Whether or not Skinny has a happy ending, what makes the story legiti-

mate, relevant, and fullling is the fact that its based on truth. In a brief

afterword, Diana Spechler, also the author of Who by Fire, explains that

Skinny is based on personal experience. In 2006, she set out to write a novel

about body-image problems, inspired by her own lifelong weight struggles,

and really did go undercover as a counselor at a North Carolina weight-

loss facility.

Spechler, doesnt, however, overshare about which parts of her real-life ex-

perience actually happened and which characters actually existed. Instead,

she writes, Although many of the characters in Skinny were inspired by real

people, they are, like most ctional characters, compositescombinations of

more than one person, some invented elements, and pieces of the author.

Those composites are perhaps Skinnys strongest element. From Bennett,

the 41-year-old trainer with the body of a brick sh*thouse to Sheena, the19-year-old counselor warrior, the cast of characters makes for some seri-

ously entertaining literary people-watching. Amy Schroeder

From the moment I sat down with

this book, I knew I was going to like

it. Its one of those reads where the

pages y by, and all of a sudden pub-

lic transportation is a treat, waiting in

line at the post oce is a blessing and

even time spent powdering ones

nose takes on a new Zen quality.

In Bossypants, Fey lays out the

timeline of her life thus far, touching on her childhood and the

story and meaning behind a prevalent facial scar I never even

noticed, spanning across her own coming of age, her adventures

getting hired and working on Saturday Night Live, and into the

present day, where she elaborates on running the cult hit TV

show30 Rock. Some rest stops along the way include nding

strength and inspiration from the fabulous gays she met in com-

munity theater, lessons she learned from SNL producer LorneMichaels and, of course, being a mother.

At a recent Barnes and Noble talk in Union Square, she

churned out thoughtful and amusing answers to New Yorker

editor David Remnicks questions, making it clear why the room

was packed with hipsters, goth teens, sophisticated grey hairs

and all types infected with Tina Fey-ver. Two teenagers photo-

graphed, lmed and Tweeted throughout the event, stopping

every so often to squeal, I just cant believe it! as if Tina were

John Lennon or Princess Diana returned from the grave.Bossypants is a written testimony of Feys experiences on

the path from the bottom of the barrel to the top of the rock.

People, especially women, wont be able to help but be moved

by her words in this book; laughing while their inner monologue

exclaims, Its funny cause its true, and Ive been there, sister.

Feys writing moves like a warm breezeits abstract while also

ne-tuned; clever yet aloof, and so specic; revealing an insiders

view into the sometimes very unfunny business of comedy,

something that most people will never truly get a window into.

As a comedian, I have denitely experienced the trying strug-

gle of the comedy world, and found this book to be a guiding

light; the hermits lantern, if you will. I swore I saw secret encour-

agements sprinkled throughout the pages.

But whether youre a comedian or a scientist or youre not re-

ally sure what you are, this book was written for the millions of

women who are living life in a mans world and looking for a little

encouragement. Something tells me that if I were to read Bossy-

pants backwards it would say, Keep going, youre a hard work-

ing woman, and you deserve it all. Well, thats what I gatheredfrom reading it forward, anyway. Jessica Delfno

BossypantsWhy the world has Tina Fey-ver

food


32/80


Chloe Epstein, a former lawyer and

Upper East Side mom of three, just

wasnt happy with the selection of

frozen treats for herself and her kids. Calo-

rie and ingredient-conscious, Epstein didnt

want to keep ingesting oodles of chemicals in

exchange for a light treat. Neither did entre-

preneur and tri-athlete Michael Sloan who

craved something sweet that worked with

his athletic lifestyle. So two summers ago,

the close friends started playing around with

a Cuisinart and a bunch of fruit to see what

they could come up with. Luckily for all of

us, they struck gold and Soft Serve Fruit wasborn. Along with Chloes husband, Jason, they

launched the business together.

The most important thing to us is trust , Ep-

stein says, perched on a bright yellow striped

stool at a high silver table at the Soft Serve

Fruit Company store (formerly Simply Peeled)

at 78th Street and Third Avenue. We want

everyone to know what he or she is eating. All

the ingredients are right there in front of you.

We did all the calorie testing to make sure we

were accurate and were thrilled at how good

it tasted.

The fruit stand vibe at Soft Serve Fruit Com-

pany even makes ordering fun. Jagged wood

slabs bear the painted names of the avors:

strawberry, banana, mango, apple and their

newest addition, pear. Smoothie names likethe popular PBJC (banana soft serve fruit, hot

peanut butter, chocolate chips, bananas and

strawberries) are etched below, along with

favorites like the Crunch Salty Sundaebanan-

as, pretzels, hot peanut butter and chocolate

chips. Fun, quirky, scratch-and-sniff banana

wallpaper covers the walls and makes you feel

like youre somewhere tropical and relaxing,

not in the middle of the hustle and bustle.

We wanted to have fun with it and make

it a place for adults and kids alike, Epstein

explains. Snacks seems to be on the brain for

kids 24/7. At two, my children were demand-

ing, Snack, mommy? Its a constant battle. But

if you can have something in your arsenal that

theyll love and get excited about and deem a

treat and you feel okay about it, thats great!

Even kids who would never eat fruit at home

wolf this downthey think its ice cream. The

pretty colors and fun choice of avors make

even the littlest customers loyal.

Made with only pure fruit, ltered water and

a touch of organic cane sugar (just enough to

ensure the proper consistency), this 90-calorie

confection is guilt-free for both kids and adults.

Even the unusual toppings are safe bets like

organic cereals (Barbaras Pufns are a big hit),

wasabi peas, gluten-free cookies, chips and sal-

sa, marshmallows, soy nuts, agave, cinnamon,

and, of course, tons of fresh fruit. No toppings

contain high fructose corn syrup.Those with food allergies can also relax. The

soft serve fruit is dairy-free, gluten-free and

nut-free, plus cholesterol and fat-free. The top-

pings are arranged to be allergy sensitive as well

so the nuts are kept together and away from the

fruit toppings. Allergy victims who have been

suffering their whole lives without a frozen

treat can nally enjoy one, Epstein says.

And for adults, try mixing the soft serve

mango into a margarita or the cranberry into

a martini for a grown-up treat. Scoop straw-

berry over mixed berries for a dinner party

just take the pints out of the freezer 10 minutes

before serving.

The Soft Serve Fruit Company is just begin-

ning their dessert revolution. Look for a second

downtown location soon, plus a presence in the

Hamptons this summer.

Be sure to try this incredible, sweet,healthy treatjust make sure to give some to

your kids, too.

P.S. They deliver!

making desserteven sweeterOne Company Strives for Perfection by Zibby Right


33/80

17

BARBARA A. GRIMALDI(212) 759 3920

227 EAST 56TH ST

NEW [email protected]

Appointments to fit your schedule.

Whether youve had a baby and bought a new car, or now have a teenager

on the road, your insurance should keep up with your life. Call today for

a free review to help you decide what protection is right for you.

Insurance subject to availability and qualifications.Allstate Insurance Company and Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Northbrook, Illinois 2009 Allstate Insurance Company.

editors

Letter

AstroLogy


34/80


momscopesBy the AstroTwins, Ophira & TaliEdutAries Summer has a sophis-ticated air this year. Orga-

nize your budget around cul-

turally enriching activities for

the family: art classes, music camp, learningabout locally-grown food (how about a day

trip to Stone Barns?). Julys eclipse brings a

nal round of change to home and family

moving, renovations or even a surprise preg-

nancy could be in the cards. Avoid the play-

ground drama queens and catty Hamptons

gossips in August.

Taurus Your luckiest year inover a decade begins June 4th,

when expansive Jupiter enters

Taurus. Youre at the start of a

12-year cycle, so leave any troubles behind

and start fresh. In June, two eclipses high-

light money; you could start a new job or sell

property. Book those beach trips either in July

or over Labor Day. With tricky Mercury ret-

rograde in your family sector August 2-26, at

tires and cranky kids could spoil the fun.

Gemini Quit that manic mul-titaskingthis summer is about

slowing doing and enjoying the

moment. Bliss out at yoga, or try a

dance-inspired class like Qoya (www.wisewil-

dfree.com). A Gemini solar eclipse June 1st

puts your personal desires and values in the

spotlight. What legacy do you want to leave onthe world, and for your kids? Give your relation-

ship some care and feeding at the June 15th

full moon eclipse. Any issue can be solved with

open, honest dialogue.

Cancer Your summer is lledwith fascinating new friends, and

the chance to make a difference

in the world. Get on the board of anonprot or volunteer for a charity fundraiser

committee. Its a great way to meet great con-

tacts and express your creativity. The July 1st

Cancer solar eclipse puts the spotlight on you

and your good deeds. Save your pennies for Au-

gust, when an unexpected expense could crimp

your back-to-school budget.

Leo Your name is on the top ofevery whos-who list, both socially

and professionally. You cant say

that you mind the attention, Leo.

After all, youve worked hard to

earn this reputation. Ride the wave

until August, then take a long birthday vaca-

tion while Mercury goes retrograde in Leoa

time when your condence could be mistaken

for ego. A surprise pregnancy is possible at the

lunar eclipse July 15th.

Virgo Just because schools outdoesnt mean the learning has to

stop. Enroll your family in the

school of life this summer. Ex-

pand your horizons through travel, museums,

or learning a new language together. The cul-

tural immersion can include ethnic cooking,

dining, and other forms of edu-tainment. TheJune 15th lunar eclipse could bring a move or an

addition to the family. Get extra rest in August

and dont let someone guilt-trip you into taking

on more than you can handle.

Libra Youre feeling moreprivate than usual, and for

once, you just might skip

those step-and-repeat

photo ops that land you on the societypages every summer. Leap at the chance

for some unexpected travel in June, which

might even take you abroad. In July, a solar

eclipse heats up your career. Loose lips

sink ships while Mercury is retrograde in

August. Zip it with the oversharing unless

you want to feed the gossip pagesnot

quite the publicity you had in mind.

Scorpio Put some energyinto your marriage this sum-

mer. How about a romantic

trip overseas while the kids

go to camp or stay with their grandpar-

ents? In July, review your budget and long-term

nancial plans. A few adjustments can keep the

kids in private school or save you serious tax

dollars. You could also put an offer on a home or

list yours on the market. Work can be challeng-

ing in August, so avoid the ofceor at least, the

ofce politics.

Sagittarius This summer youcould get into the best shape of your

life. Explore the citys tness classes,

or join a charity event like Team in

Training or Walk for the Cure. The June 15th Sagit-

tarius lunar eclipse brings a peak moment of per-

sonal triumph. No more martyr mommy; its time to

focus on yourself. Mercury retrograde could make

August a bumpy time for travel, so hit the Hamp-

tons in June and July instead.

Capricorn Youre feeling irtyand playful this summer, and the

happiness energizes your whole

family. Passion reawakens in yourmarriage, too. With Jupiter in your fertility

zone, you could be pregnant in heels before

you know it! Connect with your deepest de-

sires, Capricorn. Recommended beach reading:


35/80

SouvenarteBooks

Remembering the Art of Childhood

We preserve your childs artworkProfessionally printed on archival paper and designed into

a beautifully bound hardcover coee table book to enjoy,

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Pamela Madsens Shameless:How I Ditched

the Diet, Got Naked, Found True Pleasureand

Somehow Got Home In Time to Cook Dinner.

AquariusNomadic no more!Youre unusually domestic thissummer as planets crowd into

your family and home sector,

making you long for deeper roots. In June, you

might even get a touch of baby fever, as you

wistfully window-shop at Rosie Pope and Petit

Bateau. Do some relationship repair in August,

when Mercury retrograde turns you from the

Waltons into the Bickersons. Listen before you

y off the handle.

PiscesGear up for an activesummer, Pisces. You could be

shuttling between neighborhoods,

kids activities and social engage-

ments (the kind that serve adult beverages).

Treat yourself to a sleek new iPad or stock your

phone with apps like RedRover to keep your so-

cial life more efcient. In August, nding timefor tness is tough. Carry a baggie of almonds

or carrots in your purse. If you cant make it to

Physique 57, you can still do squats, lunges and

crunches just about anywhere.

Ophira & TaliEdut (The Astro-

Twins) are identical twins whose

uncannily accurate forecasts reach

millions each month on Elle.com,

MyLifetime.com and SIRIUS/

XM. Their book, Love Zodiac, is

a 450-page essential guide to un-

derstanding the men of every sign.

The AstroTwins do private read-

ings by appointment. Find them

online at www.astrostyle.com.

Illustrations by Dana Dart-McLean


HeALTHY

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getty;alanag.

kelly

It is no small feat to host a play date for

children that is fun, weather-proof, eco-

nomically conscious, practical and keeps

the kids engaged in a way that retains

their curiosity and attention. Here are some

avorful ideas for keeping the kids enter-

tained and their tummies full while also

keeping your sanity and home intact.

Cooking is an art.and acraft project!

Like the nature of any craft, its satisfying

to see a project through from start to nish.

When cooking with children, offer a selec-

tion of recipes or ingredient ideas and let the

kids choose. Involve the children in every

safe and logical aspect of the process, from

washing the fresh ingredients to cleaning

the kitchen when the activit y is complete.

Let the kids participate creatively and inde-

pendently even if that means things w ind

up looking a little different than you had in-

tended. The more the children are involved,

the more likely they will actually eat the

nal product as well. This holds true even

when the recipe includes infamously intimi-

dating foods!

The right recipeAlmost any recipe can be turned into a kid-

friendly one. Consider making recipes that

Corral the kids into the kitchen

by Cricket Azima

DoNT LeT

pLAY DATesDrIve You

bANANAs!

keep little hands busy for the duration of

the activity, as its often challenging to wait

patiently to eat what is being made. Or keep

it simple and choose a recipe that doesnt

necessitate any down time, such as the Silly-

Lookin Sandwich recipe below. Even quick

and easy snacks can be fun for kids to make

and solves the problem of what to feed t hem

during the visitthink trail mixes with

avored popcorn, or berry mosaics atop a

Graham cracker smeared with cream cheese.

Step by StepKids love owning even the tiniest of jobs,

such as tearing herbs or holding the bowl to

prevent a spill. Success at these tasks builds

self-condence and excitement for the activ-

ity. Ingredients can be broken down into sizes

that are easier for little hands to manage.With supervision, children can use a plastic

knife to cut most fruits and vegetables with

ease. Even the youngest child can help (or

simply be kept busy) by holding the measur-

ing spoon while an adult pours the ingredient.

While cooking, sew in fun facts and cultural

tid-bits to make the activity more relatable

and to further engage the children. Depend-

ing on the recipe and the age of the children,

conversations can include art, nutrition,

math, language arts, social science, geog-

raphy, history and more. For example, you

can count how many colors are in the recipe;

talk about how and where ingredients grow;

incorporate math (the basis of every recipe);

play music or learn words from the origin

country of the dish.

Encourage the kids to follow steps of the

recipe together, take turns, share and cook

as a team, working toward the shared goal of

making a yummy dish.

Kids are so proud of what they makeandas a parent, you can feel comfortable and con-

dent that the time spent in your home was

time well spenthaving fun in a delicious way!

Mandarin Immersion Camp


37/80


Silly-Lookin

SandwichMix up your sandwich! For a fun twist

on Panzanella (an Italian bread salad)

enlist the help of your child and prepare

this delicious dish.

ServeS 8

1 small loaf unsliced whole-wheat bread

1 lb. fresh mozzarella4 small tomatoes

4 stalks celery

1 seedless cucumber

1 green pepper

1 red pepper

1 red onion, optional

cup fresh basil leaves

olive oil, to taste

Balsamic vinegar, to taste

Salt and pepper, to taste

*If you want to add protein: add a 1 cup

cubed cooked chicken breast, diced

salami or other deli meat, canned tuna,

or white beans as a tasty addition to

this dish.

1. Cut (or tear) bread into 1 cubes and

place in a large mixing bowl.

2. Dice mozzarella, tomatoes, celery,

cucumber, peppers, and onion and add

to the bowl.3. Tear basil into small pieces and add

to the bowl.

4. Adding a small amount at a time,

stir in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt,

and pepper until the desired taste is

achieved. Mix ingredients together well

and eat.

Cricket Azima is Founder & Big

Cheese of The Creative Kitchen

(thecreativekitchen.com) a companyspecializing in cooking with and for

children. She is also the author of the

kids cookbook, Everybody Eats Lunch.

212-787-8088

175 Riverside Blvd at 68th Streetwww.bilingualbudsnyc.com

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real

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38/80


A

dmit it. You have been thinking

about moving to Brooklyn. Who

hasnt? Any young mom who saw

Mirandas Brooklyn brownstoneon Sex and the City has thought

it over. As real estate agent Omari Toomer from

Citi Habitats notes, Im sure its not the rst time

youve heard it, but a lot of families are moving to

Brooklyn. Betsy Hoffman, a real estate agent at

Brennan Realty Services, agrees. It was never a

destination and now it is. With all of the amenities

around, its a real destination now. And there are

so many real communities, too.

Indeed, Brooklyn is wonderful. It has everything

a New York family could want: great public and

private schools, easy transportation, amazing

museums, gorgeous parks, fantastic restaurants,

and a wealth of unique cultural offerings. And the

location couldnt be better. Hoffman sums it up:

Brooklyn has so much to offer: Prospect Park,

BAM, great food. And its so easy to travel within

the borough.

For all these reasons, Brooklyn is bursting withyoung, hip families. It is a place that young parents

can really make their own. Hoffman explains,

There are so many great communities of young

moms around. And you know what Ive found is

if the neighborhood doesnt have something, the

moms all rally together and they will create it.

There are a lot of self-starters in Brooklyn.

So what do you need to know before you pull up

stakes and move across the East River? How doyou gure out where in Brooklyn is right for you?

How much time do you need to nd the perfect

home? And what will the perfect home look like

for your family?

Step 1

Explore the NeighborhoodsThe best way to nd your perfect new home in

Brooklyn is to get out and explore all Brooklyn

has to offer. Brooklyn is close to Manhattan, but it

can also feel like a different universe. So take your

time. Get to know the neighborhoods. Ride dif-

ferent trains. Eat in all kinds of restaurants. Sit in

no Sleep tillBrooklyn!More and More Families Moving to the Borough That Has It All by Rachel H. SmithThe Toren: A

new angle on

Brooklyn living.

Always the BEST parties


39/80


a variety of parks. And as you do so, imagine your

life there. Notice what places speak to you and feel

like home. Betsy Hoffman explains, Sometimespeople who are looking to move from Manhattan

come to us and they say, I know I want to move my

family to Brooklyn, but I dont know where exactly.

Where do I start? When that happens, we like to

do a walking tour of the neighborhoods. And we

figure out what trains they need to ride to work.

And if a fast commute is important to them, on a

specific train line, then you know which neighbor-

hoods to focus on.

This kind of fun, on-the-ground reconnaissance

is a must. As Hoffman notes, Each neighborhood

talks to people differently. Sometimes people go

into it thinking they want to live in one specific

area. But then they explore a little and they actu-

ally like another area better.

As you make your way around Brooklyn, pay

attention to the little things that make a neigh-

borhood feel special to you. You want to live in a

neighborhood that has a vibe you like; whetherthat comes from the cute kids clothes boutique

on the corner, a non-chain coffee shop across the

street, or a supermarket that carries your favor-

ite brand of artisanal salty caramel ice cream. In

Hoffmans experience, Each neighborhood has its

own little flavor. Something speaks to somebody

and all of a suddenIts this neighborhood! I love

this pizza shop!

STEP 2

Spend Plenty of Time Lookingfor the Right Home

Choosing the right neighborhood is critical for

a move to Brooklyn, but that is only part of the

process. You also have to invest time into finding

the perfect place. Moving to Brooklyn can be a big

change for a family. So you want to do it right.

Give yourself a chance to look at any number of

different places to find the one that fits the needs

of your family. Betsy Hoffman stresses this for her

clients. Id say give yourself enough time to find

the right place. It takes three months to close. So

you work backwards. Figure out when you need to

be in your new home.

Because Brooklyn offers so many housing op-

tions, families need to be realistic about how ex-

tensive the search for the perfect Brooklyn abode

can be. You need to put in the time to find the per-fect place to raise your little ones in Brooklyn style.

In Omari Toomers experience, A family could

look at anywhere from forty to fifty places before

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settling on the home for them. His advice is

that if youre looking to purchase something,

you should leave anywhere from three to six

months. You never know what can arise and

its good to leave enough time to meet co-op

boards and have all the right walk-throughs.

Dont get discouraged as you look through

the wealth of Brooklyn housing options.

When you nd the place that is right for you

and your little onesyou will know it. But

before then, you will have a chance to see and

contrast all the interesting homes that Brook-

lyn has to offer.

Step 3

Choose Between an Apartmentand a Brownstone

When making your Brooklyn housing deci-

sion, most families face a difcult choice.

Should they live in an apartment or a brown-

stone? Both have their obvious charms. And

both give you more space and amenities at a

better price than you could nd in Manhattan.

Brooklyn is the place for those families look-

ing to live in a beautiful home, in a wonderfulbuilding, in a charming pocket of New York.

For example, Toomer specializes in proper-

ties that have character or uniqueness. Small

community buildings, where each apartment

is differentsome have exposed brick overhere and in another version of the apartment

it is in another area. You know, theyre each

individual. Each a little different. For me, the

number one rule is: I dont show an apartment

if I dont like it.

Two incredible new buildings in Down-

town Brooklyn are the Toren and the Bell

Tel Lofts. Toomer explains, The Bell Tel

Lofts a re a converted Telephone Company

headquarters. In terms of space and conve-

nience its great. It is like living in the cit y in

a sense. Its not necessarily what you think of

when you think of Brooklyn small streets ,

a certain charmbut its a real happening

area and the space and the price are ama z-

ing with all of the amenities like a gym, va let

parking, and, of course, the apartments still

have charm and character. And the subway

linesthere are so many right there!Whether you choose a newly remodeled

apartment building or a classic Brooklyn

brownstone, you want to make the move to

Brooklyn that is right for your family. But if

you have explored the neighborhoods and

given yourself the time to nd the perfect

home, the move will be a great one. For young

New York families, now is the best time to

make the leap across the Brooklyn Bridge.Just listen to Betsy Hoffman: Its really true

what they say! A tree grows in Brooklyn! A

whole community grows!

A Landmark

residential building,

the Bell Tel Lofts.

Inside the Bell

Tel Lofts livingis easy.


42/80

Getting theWord Out

Host of Top Chef, co-founder of the Endometriosis

Foundation of America, cookbook author, actress

and mom: Padma Lakshmi by Lyss Stern


photography by Cheyenne ellis

Padma

Lakshmi


43/80


getty

How do you juggle motherhood, your thriv-

ing career and all that you do? Please give the

working moms reading this some of your tips.

I dont know, Im a new mother so Im a little

reluctant to dole out advice already, but I feel

you have to be exible and ready for anything.

Expect the unexpected. Every day is differ-

ent from the next so make a list of priorities in

your head and navigate the days challengeswith that in mind. Remember, your kids al-

ways come rst, so do what is ultimately most

important for your family in the long run.

I know philanthropy is so important to you.

What led you to co-founding the Endometriosis

Foundation of America?

I was very galvanized by my own personal

experience. I didnt want other women to go

through what I had because I was diagnosed

way too late and could have been saved from

years of pain and strife that affected my life in

innumerable ways. I wanted to help the next

generation of women that are battling this

disease, so they would know what I didnt and

could at least benet from my experience.

Why did you decide to start the project with Dr.

Tamer Seckin?I literally owed my renewed quality of life to

this wonderfully caring and brilliant doctor.

He encouraged me to use my voice to speak

out and help other women. The readers of my

cookbooks, the young female viewers ofTop

Chef, the customers who wear my jewelry, they

all stood to benet from knowing more about

an illness that affects 1 in 10 women and is a

leading cause of infertility.

You recently just attended the third annual

Blossom Ball at the New York Public Library

which you co-host. Tell us about the Blossom

Ball.

The event does very well. Its a young orga-

nization and keeps getting more successful

each year. The event takes place every March,

which is Endometriosis Awareness Month.

Susan Sarandon was a co-chair, and she did

a stellar, wonderful job for us. Its where we

make the money that we use to operate the

Foundation for the year.

Padma Lakshmi is perhaps best known for hosting Bravos hit cooking compe-tition show, Top Chef. In 2006, Lakshmi became the host of the show, at the

time in its second season, and helped to launch the program into television

fame. She is truly a modern day renaissance womana model, Emmy-nom-

inated television series host, a two-time cookbook author, jewelry designer,

philanthropist and mother. At the core of Lakshmis inspiring presence is her

condence and strength. This strength is what has aided her perseverance

against her biggest adversary: endometriosis, which she suffered from for

many years. To help others who suffer from endometriosis, Lakshmi co-founded the Endometrio-

sis Foundation of America (EFA). The EFA strives to raise awareness about this condition and to

give those suffering from it a voice that was previously unheard. In fact, very few people were

even aware of this disease that affects 176 million women across the globe before Lakshmis cru-

sade to bring it into the public eye. It is easy to be in awe of her vast accomplishments and seless

contributions to society. I am delighted to have her as the May cover mom ofPlayground.

Susan Sarandon,

Padma Lakshmi and

Dr. Tamer Seckin.

Padma

Lakshmi


44/80


What are your hopes for other women suering

from endometriosis?

My hopes for other women suffering from this

disease is that they will get diagnosed early

enough to get treatment in their early 20s and

not have to suffer in silence for years and years

or have their fertility in jeopardy.

You do philanthropy, but you also do jewelry!

Lets talk jewelry. What inspired you to launchPadma, your seriously stunning line of jewelry?

I always made jewelry for myself. Its a labor of

love. I enjoy making beautiful jewelry. People

always complimented me on the jewelry that I

made for myself, so I decided to make jewelry

for others to enjoy.

From two-time cookbook author to your Top

Chef hosting duties, its obvious that food playsa huge role in your life. Did you grow up in a

food-loving family?

Yes, were the kind of family that starts plan-

ning the dinner menu as we are clearing the

lunch dishes.

In season 8 ofTop Chef, Anthony Bourdain was

added to the judges table. How was the dy-

namic?

It was great! Anthony is so well-traveled. He

brings a worldly palate and biting wit to the

judges table. The dynamic is always a lot of fun

and Gail is super, too.

Any future plans for hosting your own television

show againa la Padmas Passport?

I would love to, however right now I have a

lot on my plate. I would love to go around and

travel again like onPlanet Food.

What made you decide to create a line of teas

and spices for HSN?

I always loved concocting my own spice mixes,

custom blending teas and making my own reci-

pes. Id make batches and give them to friends

and family, almost like others can or pickle every

season. Tea and spices are of course a big part

of Indian culture, so its already in my heritage.Teas and spices are also a healthy way to have

tasty and eclectic meals without a lot of fat or

calories, and that was important to me.


45/80


Five

Favorites

1 MovieThe Sound Of Music

because it reminds me

of childhood.

2 Ice-CreamFlavorMint chocolate

Chip.

3 Vacation SpotBali.

4 MusicPrince, especially

the B-sides.

5 Beauty Productyou cannot live withoutMy homemade bath

products made of sea

salts and organic oils.

How do you simultaneously honor your foodie

mind and your model body? Is there a trick to

pleasing both?

Lean proteins, vegetables and my spice bottle. I

use spices on all my foods, and yes I do go on a

treadmill. I also love to cook with a slow cooker;

its a mothers godsend.

Is it true that your modeling career launched be-

cause you were spotted in a caf?

Yes, it is true. I was spotted in Madrid in a caf

that started with the letter Z.

You were raised to be a vegetarian? Will you raise

your daughter Krishna as one too?

My daughter eats boiled eggs, Spanish tortillas,

grilled fish. I will introduce meat eventually but

not for a while. But she loves her veggies, espe-

cially kale and bell peppers as well as black-eyedpeas and lentils and rice. She is a regular Indian

baby in her eating habits.

I love the name Krishna, how did you choose that

name?

Thank you, Krishna is a traditional boys name in

India, but I think its a lovely name for a girl. Its

also a simple, but very classically Hindu name

that I thought was familiar to Westerners and

was easy to pronounce phonetically. Krishna is

short for my grandfathers whole longer name.

What are your favorite parts about motherhood

thus far?

Sharing a wonder for the world that is so pure

and new, you see everything through the eyes of

a curious little girl. She loves listening to music

and dancing and reading books.

I hear youre quite the linguist! How did you learn

so many languages? Can you pick a favorite? How

many languages do you want your daughter to

speak?

I want Krishna to speak as many languages as

possible. I speak five and Italian is my favorite.

You make style look eortlesswhat are your

must-have items for the warmer months?One thing I learned from modeling is to pack

well. Same with good style, you need your sta-

ples. Here is a summer packing list: a good ankle

boot, (never wear open toe shoes on a plane); a

good pair of strappy heals in a gorgeous, neutral

snakeskin; a pair of flats, two jersey dresses that

flatter your shape and can be for day or night;

a cocktail dress; two pairs of jeans: one wide

leg and one skinny jean. (I also love white jeans

in the summer with a dressy top); 3 tanks, 3 t-

shirts, one bikini, a fabulous sarong, and shorts.

I also never go anywhere without a pashima ortwo.

How do you stay grounded? Do you have a man-

tra that keeps you centered and keeps you going?

I focus on all of the positive things in my life. I

remember that I am lucky. I remember that oth-

ers in the world have it much, much harder.

What are your summer plans?Right now no summer plans, as it all depends

on my shooting schedule. I do know I will be

spending lots of time with my little girl.

Kate is ready for

the rain in Stella

McCartney Kids

Floral rain coat,

denim snap dress,

& ll i b t


46/80


& yellow rain boots,

available at Stella

McCartney NYC

The weather outside was frightful as we all gathered in

observer playground - summer 2011

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