Whether you are watching a romantic film, eating a DeLysscious box of chocolate, or having a candlelit dinner, you’re sure to have a wonderful, lovable, #FabULyss Valentine’s Day! If you’re still looking for something to do, try these suggestions.
If you are able to score a sitter (Urban Sitter www.urbansitter.com and DK Nannies www.dknannies.com are great babysitting services), try and make a reservation at one of my favorite DeLysscious restaurants — Il Mulino, Daniel, and Gramercy Tavern, just to name a few. A new favorite of mine is The Upsider, located in Midtown East (you will love this awesome new restaurant).
Il Mulino [86 W. Third St. between Thompson and Sullivan streets in NoHo, (212) 673–3783; and 37 E. 60th St. at Madison Avenue in Midtown, (212) 750–3270, ilmulino.com]
Daniel [60 E. 65th St. between Park and Madison avenues in Midtown, (212) 288–0033, danielnyc.com]
Gramercy Tavern [42 E. 20th St. between Park Avenue S and Broadway in the Flatiron District, (212) 477–0777, gramercytavern.com]
The Upsider [1004 Second Ave. at E. 53rd Street in Midtown East, (646) 726–4760, theupsidernyc.com]
Then, kick off Valentine’s Day weekend and the start of the city’s public school’s February break by attending The DivaMoms Sweetest Valentine Party at Creative Dreams Party for singing, dancing, and decorating chocolates with your sweet little valentines.
The DivaMoms Sweetest Valentine Party at Creative Dreams Party (25 Waterside Plaza at E. 26th Street in Rose Hill, rsvp@divamoms.com) on Feb. 13 from 5 to 7 pm.
Valentines sure have come a long way from the generic boxed sets we bought in the drugstore back when we were kids (I know, I’m dating myself). One of my favorite designers, Sophie & Lilli, is offering customized Valentine’s cards where you get to pick out a girl with a likeness to you. They’re available, in two styles — fill in your own info or custom with your name — and you receive a PDF to print at home.
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I am always looking for new #FabULyuss children’s books to read with my kids. I recently came across the new book written by Wall Street mogul and dad Steven Schoenfeld, “Can You Buy Me the Wind?”, a children’s book for this age of instant gratification. Inspired by actual events between his daughter and her grandparents, “Can You Buy Me the Wind?” illustrates the tug-of-war between teaching values and making a child happy. When Sammy’s grandparents come to sit, they decide that the 4-year-old should earn the toy she wants by doing simple chores, and Sammy is eager to comply.
But when there is no wind to fly the kite, Sammy asks grandma to buy her the wind — a rational question for a child who up until then has received everything she ever asked for. After learning about the value of hard work, Sammy hears that not everything can be earned or bought. “Can You Buy Me the Wind?” addresses both issues in a fun, light-hearted way. Sammy absorbs a great lesson about working to earn the kite that she wants, but more important, she learns that it takes more than money to earn the things in life that really matter. Illustrated by Chuck Gonzales. It is available at bookstores and online through www.canyoubuymethewind.com and www.amazon.com.
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Many young families are always asking me “How do we want to raise our family? Should we stay in the city — or is it possibly time to go where the grass is literally greener — the suburbs? “
It is a tough decision for everyone involved, parents and kids alike. There is no right answer, and for many there are considerations not just including finances, schools, commutes — but more importantly how a family will be raised. There is not a perfect answer for any one family, and it is a very subjective process.
For those that end up staying there are endless things to discuss such as summers and the plan for that, schools and more. For those that decide to leave for the ’burbs, the tough part then begins of deciding where to go. A mother of four young kids, who a few years ago was in the same situation of leaving the city and trying to figure out where to go, created a unique business centered around this move to the suburbs. It was extremely difficult to figure out where to look and, more importantly, get truly objective advice on which suburbs to look in. She had no idea where to start, and knew that the wrong decision of where to move would be a costly one both emotionally and financially.
Alison Bernstein launched the Suburban Jungle Realty Group to help young families free of charge. It is the first of its kind — a real estate strategic relocation firm dedicated exclusively to helping young families leave New York City for the suburbs! Each family works with their personal strategist as well as our relocation team to find the right town, and then of course the right home! Their award-winning “town first” approach to real estate helps to make certain that families are looking in the right places, and more importantly asking the right questions.
All of their services are free. The firm has now helped hundreds of families, and is now expanding to Chicago, San Francisco, LA and Miami.
Wishing everyone a sweet Valentine’s Day filled with lots of hugs and kisses!
Lyss Stern is the founder of DivaLysscious Moms (www.divamoms.com).
