New York Nanny Center » Uncategorized

Moms! Stay fit with Stroller Strides

Lindsay Bell — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:46:00 +0000

Vika Osipenko, mother of one beautiful lil’ girl, is the UWS’scontact for Stroller Strides, the country’s largest (and growing) strollerfitness program for moms.

Stroller Strides has everything from prenatal classes calledFit4Baby and mommy classes after the lil’ ones are born called Body Back. Whata great way to stay fit throughout and after your pregnancy! And even better…throughStroller Strides you can become a member of a Mom’s Club where they hostplaydates for moms and kids, mom’s nights out, and tons of activities forfamilies. Can we get in on this action??? Vika says yes!

Vika was a varsity athlete throughout college and of coursebelieves in the positive benefits of working out. Now with a baby girl in hermidst, she knows it can be hard to find the time to work out and care for YOU.Fear not! Being the Manhattan contact for Stroller Strides keeps her fit andinvolved and it can for all you moms too! Not convinced yet? Visit theirwebsite at strollerstrides.com to hear testimonies from fit moms that joinedthe program all around the country. Vika is also available through email atvika@strollerstrides.net.

LLD at Baby Loves Disco

Lindsay Bell — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 01:38:00 +0000

Last weekend LLD was lucky enough to meet so many kids and families at the Baby Loves Disco in Philadelphia at the Shampoo Lounge & New York City at Le Poisson Rouge. We had two lovely sitters, Brittany B and Kate T, who helped out with our interactive table that had fun activities to do with the lil’ ones passing through. Here you can see Brittany B helping some kids make some adorable bracelets!

Every Baby Loves Disco event attracts nearly 300 guests including moms, dads, grandpas, grandmas, and kids galore. By the end of the three hours of dancing, eating, play, shopping, crafts,networking, photos & more… believe us, your kids will be worn out! We can’t wait until they have another Baby Loves Disco! It’s such a great place to meet different families, have fun with your kids, and meet LLD sitters! For more info on upcoming events in your area check out their website here.

As always have a fabulous week and keep posted for more tips from LLD!

In a time crunch? We can help!

Lindsay Bell — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:37:00 +0000

Did anyone see the recent article in “The Wall Street Journal” Is a Babysitter the Answer? Click here to read.

Basically this mother has managed without a sitter for years, but for the first time in her life the kid’s schedules are too hectic and she is in need of an extra pair of hands. She found a sitter and then the sitter canceled the following week which left her and her husband scrambling at the last hour.

Eureka, I have the solution! She needs a reliable sitter group that she can call on when she needs that go-to sitter. Have one great sitter hired, and then have a rotation of other sitters that can fill in if she cannot make it for some reason. Problem solved you are never left in the dark, there is a helpful troupe waiting to serve.

Let us know what you think of the article!

Weekend Ideas for NY, CT, and LA LLD Families

Lindsay Bell — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:13:00 +0000

Want to mix up your weekend routine a little? With Januarycoming to a close, LLD has found some exciting events to kick off February andkeep your lil’ ones entertained for the whole weekend!

First, for all you New Yorkers out there, it is an absoluteMUST to stop by some of these kid-friendly Chinese New Year Events. ThisSaturday the 28^th, stroll on over to the Children’s Museum of Art at103 Charlton Street for the AroundThe World With CMA: Lunar New Year Event. From 10 to 5 your family canexplore the arts and culture of New York’s Chinese community. It promises to bean afternoon to remember filled with puppet performances, dances, and beautifulselections of art.

If inside isn’t your thing, why not head over to HeatherGarden in Fort Tyron Park (at the intersection of Cabrini Boulevard & Ft.Washington Ave.). This Saturday from 1-2:30 take your kids on their own littleadventure: ANature Scavenger Hunt! Using a more playful approach to learning,environmental educator Robin Sanchez will help your lil’ ones discover thegreat outdoors in one of their very own parks.

Don’t worry all our CT families, we haven’t forgotten aboutyou. This weekend and almost every weekend for the next couple months theAldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield will be hosting Family Friendly Drop In Weekends. Withself-guided and hands-on projects for the kids, you just can’t lose!

And that’s not all folks! If you pass through Stamford onSunday, you could enjoy a winter hike, perform science experiments like makingslime and crystal snowflakes, or even meet some animals up close and personalat the StamfordMuseum’s Sunday Explorers, Admission is free and they’ll be there from 1 to3:30!

Last, but certainly not least, we found some Chinese NewYear themed events for all our families in LA. Who could resist the Golden Dragon Parade indowntown LA. The colorful celebration notes the first day of the lunar New Year.Beginning at the intersection of Cesar Chavez and Broadway, your kids will lovethe bands, entertainers, cultural groups, giant floats, and of course, the enormousgolden dragon.

To continue the festivities, stop by Monterey Park where 130different booths will fill with vendors selling food, music, arts and craftsand so much more! Your kids will love the traditional firecrackers, the Lionand Dragon dances, martial arts, and a sparkling carousel. This ChineseNew Year Festival is not one to miss!

Have a delightful weekend to all our families!!

Weekend Must Do’s for Your Lil’ Ones

Lindsay Bell — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:09:00 +0000

Meetour new LLD sitter Amie Valpone, HHC, AADP who is a Manhattan based PersonalChef, Culinary Nutritionist, Whole Living Expert, Professional Recipe Developerand Food Writer specializing in simple Gluten-Free ‘Clean’ recipes for the home. Amie is the author of the blog, The Healthy Apple andthe Publisher and Marketing Director of theonline gluten-free magazine, Easy Eats. She workshands-on with families as a Personal Chef and HealthyFamily Pantry Stylist to guide them through their transitioninto a healthier lifestyle. Amie works with Whole Foods Market as their Gluten-FreeManhattan Cooking Instructor and is a Gluten-Free IndustryInnovator when it comes to helping clients, the community, companiesand client live a healthy and happy life. If you are interested in learningmore about her services + babysitting email us!

Here are Amie’s Weekend To-Do’sfor Kids:

NYC Kid’s Food Festival: Take your kids to the 1st Kid’s FoodFestival this weekend at Bryant Park. I’ll be presenting on Sunday at3PM but stop by all weekend for free activities about making balanced foodchoices through flavor and fun!

Union Square Farmers Market: Even though it’sgoing to snow tomorrow, head out to the Union Square Farmers Market to pick upsome brussels sprouts and squash to roast with your kids for a warming meal.Come meet me on Saturday in Union Square for market shopping!

Saturday Family Programs: Celebrate Chinese New Year: Celebratethe New Lunar Year with Grace Chang and her dragon Jin Jin at the Brooklyn Public Library.

New Family Friendly Center in Westchester!

Lindsay Bell — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:42:00 +0000

Looking for anew family friendly day activity? How about Westchester’s Ridge Hill center? Ichecked it out today and despite the chilly temps, it was perfect to walkaround and get some fresh air. They just newly opened, so only a few stores areup and running, but it was enough for me; GAP, Old Navy, H&M, Orvis,Desigual, Charming CHARLIE and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Creativelydesigned to be gracious and magnificent, yet comfortable and charming,Westchester’s Ridge Hill is the ideal environment for shopping, dining,strolling, lounging and enjoying. A captivating village green sets the stagefor evening entertainment. Comfortable outdoor furniture and lively fountainsoffer a sense of both engagement and tranquility to nurture the spirit andprolong the visit.

Westchester’s Ridge Hill has an eclectic mix of specialtyboutiques, national retailers, tempting restaurants and engaging entertainmentvenues. Charming architecture and inviting amenities add to the anticipation ofan exciting shopping experience.

My favorite spot was the kids playgrounddesigned like a cartoon character conveniently located by the Cheesecakefactory. There are benches around the area for moms to sit and sip coffee whilethe kids enjoy.

For more info visit http://westchestersridgehill.com/

Dana’s Kids gives advice about New Years Resolutions

Lindsay Bell — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:41:00 +0000

Resolutions forthe New Year are often made and easily forgotten. When we set manageable goals, we’re more likely to stickwith our resolutions. Check outour friends at Dana’s Kids they believethat empowered parents create happy families. With that in mind, check out founder of Dana’s Kids DanaRosenbloom’s top 3 realisticparenting tips for starting the year off right (and keeping it that way)!

Consistency-Children whose parents andcaregivers are consistent have an easier time internalizing and following therules. They tantrum less and makebetter choices. Talk to yourpartner and your child’s caregivers to make sure you are on the same page.
Compliments-This year use specific praise. Tell your child exactly what is wasthat you are complimenting. Remember to encourage your children to be proud of their ownaccomplishments as well. Forexample, “You put on your shoes and coat all by yourself today. Great job. You must feel so proud!”
Quality time-Do your best to set aside, even 10 minutes, ofuninterrupted interaction with your children. Talk, play, eat, hug, but mostimportantly, connect! A wise woman once told me: “Listen to a child and makesure you understand them as if you were going to be tested on it later.” Whatcould be better, for both of you, than knowing your child in this way? Ipromise, it will make you both feel terrific!

Dana Rosenbloom has amaster’s degree in Infant and Parent Development and Early Intervention and hasbeen working with children and families for over 10 years. Dana’s Kids providesparent education, play therapy, special education services, parent workshopsand support groups, and professional development. To learn more about Dana andDana’s Kids please visit www.DanasKids.com. You can also follow Dana on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DanasKids1and Twitter: @DJRkids

Dana’s Kids.

empowered parents,happy families.

We LOVE BuggyLOVE!

Lindsay Bell — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:36:00 +0000

Hey LLD check out what our new pal Kristy McLellan founderof BuggyLOVE has to say about what to do in NYC this weekend!

It’s 27 degrees inNYC and we have an active 3 yr old. Since it’s warming up to a balmy 48 degreeson Sat, I decided to concoct a plan so my husband can yell at the Giants inpeace by Sun. On tap: Cram into The Smithbefore the brunch madness starts, hike up to the Hayden Planetarium with a pitstop at the always crowded American Girl for a new “must have”something. Post museum, hit Wollman Rink for some fresh air and skate time. Next, carefully shield Chloe’s eyes as wepass FAO Schwarz and head back downtown to Union Sq playground. End the daywith an early dinner at Gigino’s in TriBeCa or Mary’s Fish Camp in the WestVillage, but only if we can get the coveted corner table.

Two guarantees. One – the day will be fun!And two – our Zoomy (aka stroller) will take a beating. Its swanky wheels willsqueak from all the nonsense we crammed in the undercarriage. It will smell like whatever restaurant we atein. It will have some type of liquid on the seat and I will be generallygrossed out by how many strangers it met that day. Thank heavens for BuggyLOVE, the only organiccleaning kit for strollers on the market. WheelLOVE will silence the squeaks, PolishLOVE will get the grime offthe frame and tires, FabricLOVE will get the mystery stains out and FreshLOVEwill make it all smell like new. Thenight will end like this – sleeping, happy kid, Daddy on stroller cleaning dutyand Mommy sipping a glass of wine in silence. Ahhhh – thank you BuggyLOVE!!

Thanks Kristy! We can’t wait for all our families to hear about BuggyLOVE! To learn more about these helpful little kits, visit the BuggyLOVE Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Emergency Mani/Pedi?? Nail Taxi NYC to the rescue!

Lindsay Bell — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:41:00 +0000

Have you ever been stuck in the office and really need that manicure? Nail Taxi can come to your rescue! Since 2005, Nail Taxi has been serving women by visiting them at their homes, in the hospital, at their office, and even at or before their weekend parties and providing them with top-notch manis and pedis. There are locations all over the USA in Atlanta, Chicago, LA, Washington D.C, and of course, NYC. Nail Taxi offers basic manicures and pedicures and even signature services that include a relaxing soak, massage, and a revitalizing mask or scrub. Who wouldn’t want to have a Peppermint Pleasure Pedicure or Cinnamon Bun Manicure in the comfort of their own home! After talking with Danielle, the owner of Nail Taxi NYC, we were able to get the back story on how she started the business in New York. Keep reading for some exciting news about the future of her businses!!

How did you come up with the idea of Nail Taxi NYC?
Prior to owning Nail Taxi NYC, I owned Passionate Planning, a spa andevent planning company in Long Island. The success in Long Island intrigued meto branch out to, NYC. As I researchedthe mobile spas in NYC, I noticed that Nail Taxi was well known for fashionweek events but no one owned the licensee. Fast forward, Passionate Planning and Nail Taxi merged. Nail Taxi Nyc is a licensee with severallocations around the USA. My family andI own the NY licensee.

Tell us some great benefits for moms that use your service?
Moms love our services because we bring the spa to them while thebabies or toddlers are napping, at play dates or at school. Most moms prefer evening appointments; theyput the children to bed, settle down with a glass of wine and treat themselvesto a spa mani/pedi. We value client suggestions! In Spring 2012, we arelaunching Spa Taxi. An exclusive sistercompany only in New York. Spa Taxi willoffer skincare, weight loss, body treatments and more.

Where is Nail Taxi NYC now availablefor moms?

We currently offer services inthe five boroughs and Nassau County. Weare looking forward to offering services in Suffolk County and the Hamptonsthis summer.

Thanks so much Danielle for all this great inside info! Visit Nail Taxi NYC’s facebook and follow them on twitter to stay up to date on deals as well as the development of Spa Taxi!

Do you need to Cut the Clutter in your house?

Lindsay Bell — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:38:00 +0000

Do you throw everything to the floor in your closet when you are scampering for an outfit? Is your office a dangerous war zone littered with piles of paper about to collapse everywhere you move? Cut the Clutter can help you! Founded in 2008 by a Long Island native, Natalie Schrier, Cut the Clutter can organize anything: kitchens, bathrooms, garages, bedrooms, offices, and those dreaded closets. LLD was able to talk to Natalie about the ambition behind her business and what really gets her motivated to Cut the Clutter and help people all over New York.

How did Cut theClutter begin?
Truth? I was tired of working in corporate America, Iwanted to be my own boss, and organizing is what I’m good at! I starteddoing research, discovered that there was a whole professional organizingindustry out there, and boom – instant entrepreneurship! I don’t know ifthat’s such an interesting story though .

Why did you chose todo organizing?
I’vealways been organized, and a career as a professional organizer allows me totap into that, as well as use my background in Psychology.

Whatkinds of spaces do you organize?
Closets,home offices, play rooms, kitchens, everything! Paper clutter, generalde-cluttering… you name it, I do it!

What is your favoritepart of the job?
Allof it!! But if I had to name my top 3 favorite parts, #1 – Helping people- it’s really rewarding and gratifying! #2 – The challenge of making aspace functional (I’m super competitive, even with myself!) #3 - Meetingso many interesting and unique individuals, most of whom have a sense of humor:).

Give us the 411 of howsomeone can start using your services?
Emailme at natalie@cut-the-clutter.com, visit www.cut-the-clutter.com or give me a call at 646-734-3802. I offer acomplimentary in-home consultation for all clients. ”Like” CutThe Clutter on Facebook tosee organizing tips, articles and fun before and after photos. Follow CutThe Clutter on Twitter.

Tell us about thesebefore and after photos!
Thosepictures are from one of my first clients almost 3 years ago! She calledme when she couldn’t find her Uggs in her chaotic closet (there were all sortsof clothes and shoes piled up about 2 feet off the floor of the closet) and shejust got fed up. We worked together for 6.5 hours and purged 15 big trashbags of clothing/shoes. Grouped like items together. Swapped outall of her old chunky hangers for slimline hangers AND to help the clientget a better idea of what she was wearing/not wearing going forward, we turnedall of the hangers backwards – whenever she wore something and put it back, thehanger got hung the correct way. This way she could see at-a-glance atthe end of a season which articles didn’t make the cut and should therefore bepurged. The end result? A totally functional and unclutteredcloset!