Friday, September 27, 2013

Lil' Monsters in NYC: Ain't No Party, Like an Urban Lawn Party


One of the best things about Summers in NYC are the abundance of fun-filled street fairs, block parties and festivals in some of the best neighborhoods on the weekends. The Urban Lawn Party hosted by the Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce is by far a great one to check out for kid-friendly activities, tasty treats {even for your fury friends} and lovely vendors providing services and giveaways. Oh and not to mention, everything was absolutely FREE!


As soon as we arrived the boys jumped right in and grabbed colorful paints and a few brushes to contribute to the Sherwin Williams mural. They also took out the time to write, cheerful notes that they decorated for the elderly that received food deliveries from Meals on Wheels {pictured in middle,top row of first collage}.




One of the most popular activity tables for the kiddies was the milkPOP shop, where mini artists used puffy paints and vibrant hued markers to decorate their own tee's and totes that were illustrated with fun characters and doodles. The founder, Jena S. was extremely encouraging and sweet with the kids and would create drawings right on the spot. I really loved that through their promotion of cultural unity milkPOP had the children help decorate a mural in honor of Trayvon Martin and unity through creativity.


Giggles, high jumps + a teary eyed monster in the bouncy house.




This monster was so not amused by all the stunts his big brother CJ attempted while he got jolted around uncontrollably from side to side. To cheer him up he suckered his daddy into standing on line for some yummy frozen treats from Imperial Woodpecker Sno Balls.


It didn't take long at all for those crocodile tears to fade. We tried out the Cotton Candy and Tiger Blood flavors and can't wait to indulge in the other 44 choices from their menu. Grabbing sno balls was a great relief from the city heat.





Since we were just hangin' out on the stoop we figured it would be a great time for some family pics and these are by far our favorites. We've been told the photo of the four of us at the top of this page reminded people of a modern day "Cosby ShowFamily" and ironically we've been on a Cosby show mararthon on Hulu. 





Sweet Generation had some of the moistest and sweetest cookies and cupcakes we had ever tasted. The boys really enjoyed getting to sit down and decorate these scrumptious baked goods. The online bake shop is known as 21st century bake sale, on steroids {I love it}! and was created to help fund the art programs in the community.






Visitors at the Urban Lawn party got to enjoy massages and beautifully designed henna tattoos, while others got their hair colorfully spray painted and participated in games, leisurely strolled & lounged around on imported grass.






Even the Pets could get in on the fun with some pampering from the doggie boutique and organic treat shoppe withloveivan .



Since he was really little, CJ has always begged us to let him ride on one of those double-decker buses we always see around the city and although this one was stationary he was fine with just being able to head up to the top and thought it was pretty awesome that he had the entire bus to himself.



Even though it was scorching hot that day, I'm sure everyone who stopped by the Urban Lawn party truly enjoyed themselves with all there was to do. It was the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon and a great stay-cation memory for us and the monsters!












Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Oh Snaps! A Peek at our last Summer Moments on Instagram


All though I'm back in the classroom, I've flipped through the pages of all the Fall fashion issues of my favorite magazines, and there's a cool enough breeze at night to leave the windows open, I'm still in denial that in just 5 days Summer will be officially over. In my Facebook feed yesterday there was a post from ABC Family, that mentioned the 100 day countdown till Christmas, which sparked a conversation about presents, and the need to buy the boys new winter boots which instantly had me anxious. I'm so not ready! Personally I'd love to just linger in the memories of our simply relaxing summer & thought I'd let you indulge a little longer by sharing some of our August stay-cation moments.

 Oh Summer you will be missed!

  • I was so jealous of those that got to Foley sq. early enough for Zip-lining during Summer Streets.
  • CJ loved this larger than life sun-catcher and the other pieces of public art at City Hall Park.
  • Even Space Rangers have to take a potty break.
  • Gantry State Park for some Shakespeare in the park.
  • My new fave pic of the Hubby and I courtesy of our 8 year old. Say "Cheesedoodles"
  • Sunset, slides and swings with great views of the skyline.
  • My fave brunch at Essex: potato cakes, apple cream sauce w/ spinach, mushrooms and black beans.
  • Roof top loungin' at home with the boys.
  • Burgers anyone? Like father like sons, they aspire to be great cooks someday!


  • My swag of beauty goodies from winning the Rank and Style Instagram contest.
  • Riding the waves on the NYC water taxi to the Red Hook Ikea.
  • Tristan sang his abc's as he refused to come from under this alphabet bedding.
  • El Anatsui's installation Gravity and Grace was amazing to view up close.
  • My girl Tacha is such a cheeseball posing with Annunciation at the Brooklyn Museum.
  • We were starved and not disappointed when we popped into the  Sunshine Co. for brunch.
  • Who doesn't love a lil bit of colorful Bklyn. street art?
  • Baby SIR-MIX- A-LOT, future Dj in the making.
  • Goodnight moon and other childhood stories old an new at the NY Public Library.



  • Some would rather forget about their H.S days but the Brooklyn Tech class of 2000 meets annually.
  • Stumbled upon some awesome Jazz in Central Park.
  • Got up to use the bathroom and these guys took over my spot in the bed thanks to the 2 yr.old.
  • Rose Gardens, composting and dragonflies, all enjoyed on our trip to the Bklyn. Botanical Gardens.
  • Kicked off our anniversary weekend with Good Morning America, Alicia Key and Maxwell.
  • Lunch at the South Street Seaport
  • My outfit all planned out for date night, which included these killer wedges from JustFab!


  • Taking in the city skyline at Gantry State park after dinner with the hubby.
  • You'll probably never catch me in shoes this high ever again, so the photo is a keepsake.
  • I'm so spoiled, I never want to go out to eat because I know my hubby can throw down.
  • Hey there Lady liberty! Views from our ride on the Shark speedboat.
  • A little arm candy and a glimpse at my metallic sandals.
  • Caught the James Turrell installation at the Guggenheim.
  • Impromptu trip to the Hamptons with the bestie and our beaus.
  • "F LOVES F" the sweetest engagement party ever for the founder of My Bridal Budget.
  • Living in the moment, enjoying Labor Day and loving my family.

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