Summer in the Garment District

Culture Espresso, Image via Instagram @jourdanhull_

M&J

M&J

Spyglass 

Spyglass

Spyglass

Spyglass, Image via Yelp

OM Factory, Image via Yelp @ginaeverkim

The Garment District is near and dear to my heart, because this is where I spent the bulk of my time as a young designer - sourcing not only fabrics and trims, but the production of my ready-to-wear line as well. It's made up of hardworking, friendly people I will never forget, some even treated me like their own daughter.

Today, I can go back for leisure and though the Garment District is always changing, it's nice to see the familiar "classics" stay the same. 

Nestled between Bryant Park and Herald Square, its in the heart of the city: 6th to 9th Ave, and 35th to 40th St. This small area is bustling with life, tons of shops big and small, but let's start with first things first: Eats!

This summer of 2018, the Garment District closed two blocks of traffic from 39th - 41st streets, and created an Urban Garden. Going on now until Sept 1! You can see photos from my stroll here and the endless temptations for a cheat meal ;)

There is still plenty to eat outside of the Urban Garden area from delis to coffee shops. The next time I am there in the morning, I'm going to skip Starbucks and try Culture Espresso on 38th st and 6th Ave.

Next stop, Shops.

Well, it is the Garment District after all! Note: most of the shops here are open Monday~Saturday, and normally close at 5pm. The general vicinity of the shops are located around 37th through 39th Streets, between 7th and 8th Ave.

Mood Fabrics
225 West 37th Street, 3rd floor

B&J Fabrics
525 Seventh Avenue, 2nd floor

New York Elegant Fabrics
222 West 40th Street

Mokuba
137 W. 38th Street

M&J Trimming - pictured
1008 6th Avenue

Pacific Trimming
220 West 38th Street

Now finally, off to my favorite part of the day, rooftop bars!! Man, a refreshing cocktail with friends, paired with a view of my favorite city never gets old.

If you're traveling or getting off work early, Spyglass rooftop opens earliest so I would start there to grab some snacks and drinks, and then bar hop over to the Refinery Rooftop. There, you can catch one of the endless stunning sunsets the city has to offer with an Espresso Martini in hand, to carry on through the rest of the night.

For a more intimate vibe in this touristy area, continue downstairs of the Refinery Hotel to Winnie’s Jazz Bar. I need to check this place out myself, for an easy night out of live jazz. I imagine sitting back and just melting the stimulating day in the city away.

Lastly, while researching the Garment District, I discovered OM Factory! They hold anti-gravity Yoga classes there - I would definitely like to check it out sometime. Would you?

Thank you to the Garment District for sponsoring this post and sharing it's gems with us.

PSA: Lyft now has Car Seat Mode!

Hello Riders with little ones!

I often get asked by out-of-towners how I travel around Manhattan with kids and if they will need to bring a carseat on their trip to NYC.

If you're not comfortable taking the subway and/or prefer taking a car, I definitely recommend taking a Lyft! Not only is Lyft affordable, but the ridesharing app it also provides the option to request a car seat, ensuring a safe and enjoyable ride with your little one.

Every Lyft driver who participates in Car Seat Mode is extensively trained and tested by third-party child passenger safety technicians. Our precious children's safety is a parent / guardian's priority!   

So make sure you update your Lyft App and select “Car Seat” mode next time you need to get around the city with your child. 

Your ride arrives with the car seat already safely installed, so make sure to book a few extra minutes in advance to give the driver time to install the car seat. 

Chase loves to strap himself in!

Enjoy your ride with peace of mind and no extra car seat to pack on your trip to NYC.

My personal advice: For parents who have children that get motion sickness easily, NYC's grid layout can be tough with all the "stop-and-go" action. So I always prepare a large ziplock bag and paper towels (way better for trapping in the odor and mess than a plastic bag) just in case for Chase. As soon as I get in, I ask the driver to please drive smoothly because Chase gets nauseous easily and to take it easy on the accelerator and brakes.  ;)

Use code PATRICIACHANGNYC for $5 off your Lyft Car Seat ride!

Sponsored by Lyft*

Cherry Blossom Hunt NYC

I've always loved Cherry Blossoms. They truly make me happy and I think a tree absolutely covered in flowers is simply stunning. My husband and I have gone to D.C. to see them, and perhaps we will find ourselves in Japan one day. But my obsession with hunting down Cherry Blossoms in NYC began in 2014 when Chase was born. He was born mid April aka the peak of Cherry Blossom season~ I had a complicated delivery which kept me on bed rest for a month. Hence, missing out on any Cherry Blossom sightings. This was the start of my FOMO for Cherry Blossoms! They bloom for what feels like a second. I have gone back to many spots the NEXT DAY and all the petals were blown away~ or brown on the floor.. This year I made it my mission to catch every glorious moment up to post bloom. I'm going to share with you my finds because timing these trees can be frustrating!

Let's do this chronologically - here are my photos from the past few years. Here we go!:

White Blossoms:

As early as March 15, 2016 - Cooper Union

April 20th - Plaza Hotel, 5th Avenue

Central Park:

April 28, 2015 - Upper West Side around 85th street

April 11, 2017 - Sheep's Meadow North West Corner

April 9, 2017 - South West Entrance by Columbus Circle

April 18, 2015 - South West Entrance by Columbus Circle 

April 11, 2017 - Sheep's Meadow North West Corner

April 11, 2017 - Sheep's Meadow North West Corner

April 14, 2017 - West 72nd st by the Lake, Cherry Hill

April 14, 2017 - West 72nd st by the Lake

April 14, 2017 - West 72nd st by the Lake

Flatiron Building, Madison Square Park:

April 19, 2017

April 19, 2017

April 19, 2017

April 19, 2017

April 19, 2017

East Village:

April 22, 2016 - 17th st & 2nd avenue Park

Washington Square Park:

April 27, 2013

Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival - last weekend of April

Note: No picnic mats or food allowed. It is very crowded during the festival and $30 versus the usual $15. Free on Tuesdays and 10~noon on Saturdays. 

April 28, 2015

April 28, 2015

April 28, 2015

Central Park:

May 1, 2017 - 70th & East Drive

May 1, 2017 - 70th & East Drive

Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Again, No picnic mats or food allowed. It is very crowded during the festival and $30 versus the usual $15. Free on Tuesdays and 10~noon on Saturdays.

May 4, 2017

Photo by Agata Young

May 4, 2017

Photo by Agata Young

May 4, 2017

Photo by Agata Young

May 4, 2017

Central Park:

May 4, 2017 - 76th st by The Loeb Boathouse, East Dr

May 16, 2014 - 72nd st Terrace Drive west of Bethesda Terrace 

Madison Square Park:

May 14,2015

More:
Central Park: the bridal path at 90th Street

Sakura Park aka Riverside Park Cherry Walk in Morningside Heights along the Hudson River

Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival at Roosevelt Island, last Saturday of April

New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx

Laduree Soho - April 25th, 26th, 27th (photo from Laduree, still on my bucket list!)

May 14, 2013 - Ah! I can't remember where downtown this was..

THE END! Tag me in your photos @patriciachangNY ;D

Babymooning in Bermuda

With our first pregnancy, Hank and I went to Taiwan during our the second trimester. It was an amazing trip, especially food wise! But going to a busy city and completely changing time zones was really tough on me - I ended every night in the bath tub to soak the day away trying not to get sick.

This time around I really felt it was necessary to go somewhere very relaxing with no itinerary, especially with a toddler in tow. We gave up the idea of an island vacation due to Zika, but thanks to my friend Jen we learned that Bermuda is currently safe! 

TIME OF YEAR: The earliest my husband could take off was in early November so I'd say we jussst made the nicer weather. This is because Bermuda is not in the Caribbean and much more north of the equator - along the same latitude as South Carolina. We were able to go in the water to about our waist and anything more than that felt too cold. My husband snorkeled quickly to look at some fish up close and lasted I'd say less than 10 mins. Closer to sunset we wore long pants and sweaters, so do pack layers! Fortunately we had sunny days but we also had rain on and off. If you are reading this soon after I post, I suggest booking for the spring time! Overall I was really happy to go when we did because I find it hard to play in the sand all day when it is too hot (I don't enjoy sand sticking to my sweaty body and usually I just want to crawl under the shade). It was pleasant to play in the sand in the cooler weather. Another perk was going off peak was that there were barely any crowds. A cruise ship was in the area one day so there were many tourists, but it felt very private and I felt secure enough to leave our belongings on the beach while we were in the water.

FLIGHT (WITH TODDLER): Flying from NY was amazing at just over 2 hours! We traveled earlier in the morning both times and we were so lucky that Chase fell asleep both ways. During the ascent and descent I can pop my own ears by swallowing and yawning, but Chase is too young. As soon as we took off I gave him a bottle of water (doesn't last long) and then a lollipop or gummy bears so he would continue swallowing the entire time. And the same for landing as soon as we started changing altitude. It worked like a charm because he didn't complain or cry. I was really glad I packed Chase a stuffed animal backpack because it doubled as a comfy pillow during the flight. Chase watched a bit of cartoons on Jetblue, and we packed him some books as well. Remember, kids older than 2 years need their own ticket and Bermuda is an international flight.

HOTEL/BEACH: We decided to stay at a hotel right on the beach which happened to be the Fairmont Southampton. There is a very short shuttle ride to the beach that runs very often. The hotel was great and I do recommend it! They have their own private beach and its equally close to the famous Horseshoe Bay Beach. We spent our time 50/50 on both beaches. Horseshoe Bay has pinker sand and a little cove on the right side with many fish (even large parrot fish) right in the shallowest part of the water. Their food is also delicious and cheaper. The hotel's frozen drinks are yummier though (in particular the strawberry one). The hotel's beach was nice because they have towels, beach chairs and umbrellas. If you go to the right side of the hotel's beach by the large rocks, there were the largest fish I've seen on the island - almost scary big~ If you stay there, go check it out! The hotel is great for families because there were days with rain/showers and they have an "Explorer's camp" downstairs where toddlers can even rent toys to bring to their hotel rooms. At night we went to the outdoor hot tub (it wasn't on so it was warm enough to hang out and cool enough for my pregnancy). The best part was kids under 6 years eat for free at the hotel. Many days we were exhausted and got room service but for dinner I do recommend the Newport Gastropub inside the hotel.

ISLAND: We originally planned a day to go to town, Hamilton, a 30 minute ride on the ferry or taxi. We were going to explore colorful pastel architecture, shopping, museums and restaurants. But with Chase getting motion sickness easily and everyone simply enjoying the beach so much, we didn't end up making it this trip. Just another reason to come back again soon - since it's so close! At the airport, we met another family who had older kids - 5 and 7. They shared with us that they went exploring in some caves, though not all the ones Bermuda has to offer. She said they were still on the younger side and went to an easier cave which took about 30 mins to explore inside. I look forward to going back with my boys when they are older and looking into that adventure! 

Pumpkin Patch

IF YOU PLAN ON TRAVELING HERE READ THESE TIPS FIRST:

Over the weekend we took the Metro North from Grand Central to Croton Falls station for a fun day at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard up in North Salem, NY! Wear comfy shoes and be warned - they only have porta potties.. You can use the bathroom at Gordon's Deli as soon as you get off the train from Croton Falls station where they happen to have yummy sandwiches! We envisioned a quiet day in nature. Not so~ There's loud (fun) music and dust kicked up by what reminded me of a "Times Square crowd" if you go on a weekend. Last year we were faced with a lot of traffic (from the station to the orchard) and long lines for everything, so we went earlier in the morning this year and it was much better traffic wise. Also prepare to stand still often, there are quite a lot of bees. Lastly, bring cash.

First things first! I've learned that as a parent, your greatest joy comes from watching your child have a blast. Chase quickly spotted the row of bouncy castles in the back so we zipped there first. At 2.5 years old, he was only allowed on 2 of the 3 inflatables. We paid $3 for the bouncy castle where Chase waited patiently on line. Once he got in he realized it is not connected to the slide he saw and stayed for less than 30 seconds. I pushed him back in but he wasn't interested in jumping. So to the big slide we went! It was $2 per turn or $5/3 turns. I paid the $2 to see if he can handle it and he LOVED it! I got him the bundle ticket and let him go 3 more times in a row. I thought it was worth it because he rarely comes across such a giant slide and laughed the entire time. Plus I really enjoyed watching him come down in an "X shape". The 3rd inflatable was an obstacle course for kids older than 6 years.

Pumpkin picking! Got one!

Dancing with his friend Charlotte to the live music during our (second) lunch break! I'll share a video on Instagram - they were soo cute!!

The tacos were pretty good! Do'h - Don't forget to try the homemade cider donuts like we did this time~ Had them last year and they were really good. 

Apple picking: Apparently due to many circumstances such as an extremely hot summer, apples (and pears) were no longer on the trees and only in bins. You can only enter this "picking" section if you are buying a $20 bag. It's worth the short, but steep hike up because there is a great view, fresh air and you can get away from the crowds.

I'm including this because they had the longest line of all. Just FYI: might want to go early if you're interested!

We only picked a couple of mini pumpkins for easier traveling. I would have picked some larger pumpkins had we drove. Grab a single serving cold apple cider while you're paying inside the store - it's so fresh!

Once we got back to Grand Central Station my friend Nancy (Charlotte's mom), whose family spent the day with us, pointed us to Joe & the Juice. I ordered "Joe's Green Mile" and guess who stole it from me. I was happy to share it because he has gotten pickier about his vegetables and it has spinach, avocado and broccoli! It was one of the tastiest juices I got so I am curious to go back and try every flavor. I was a little surprised when I was paying because at $10, it was pricier than Juice Generation which I already find a bit expensive. It will be the occasional treat!

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Memory Lane from exactly a year ago at the same place - looks like we are starting a tradition!

I can't believe he was small enough to put in the bin. Today, those pumpkins would have been squashed to pumpkin pie!

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Shop the Look

I got this pumpkin costume last year for the same event and it still fit~ Milking it ;)

Boo at the Zoo

Hi all! It's been a while since I blogged. I've been extremely tired my first trimester, so I had to use all the energy I could muster on work. Now that I'm fully in my second trimester, I am feeling more like myself again~ 

This past weekend my husband and I headed over to "Boo at the Zoo" at the Bronx Zoo, via the 2 subway train (from Manhattan). We were excited for Chase's first Halloween parade which they hold at noon and 2pm! There are 3 more weekends left until their last day on October 30th and I recommend it if you want to feel the Halloween spirit with your family!

With this pregnancy, my back has been killing me when I sit and work all day, so it was nice to leisurely walk the entire park!

They have a small art station where kids can color pumpkins - next to the pumpkin carving demonstrations.

The space is perfect for toddlers to run around safely and freely. If you are around children, you how helpful that can be. Dippin' dots was my ultimate favorite ice cream as a kid, so I was excited they had a stand (it was by the mouse house/4D theater when we went). When Chase is well behaved we allow him to share a treat! We got the "festive" orange colored ice cream by chance since it is not pictured on their menu: the flavor is cookies and cream. My go to flavor (on the bottom) is banana split!

As we entered the Hay Maze, we passed at least 5 kids saying the maze was not a "maze" at all and they found it unchallenging. You can see from this image why they thought so because you can see above it. However Chase, being 2.5 years old, had the biggest smile on his face and copied the older kids running after them. 

Chase loves making friends! His costume is from last year so you can see the bottom part is open. Last year he didn't want to wear this costume at all - it went back in the closet after 1 photo for the 'gram. I thought if we were lucky he will be distracted and just keep it on for the parade. But everyone points out each other's costumes and shower compliments - Chase soaked it up! He would pull the hoodie over his head as he went up to people to show off his costume! He was proud to be a shark and kept it on the entire day! Literally took it off once we got home in our apartment lobby.

If you eat in the outdoor food court, peacocks will come right up to you. They've been around picking up fries for as long as I can remember (decades ago haha). I will share a cute video of Chase gently running after them on Instagram: "peacock escapes shark".

There are candy stations around the park so bring a trick or treating bag! This sweet kid is about to share with Chase when his mom mindfully points out that Chase might be too young for candy. We did bring a small bag for Chase to use, but once we got here we saw that the barrels are taller than his height. He couldn't see the candy - phew! They are smart. I grabbed a bag of mini sized gummy bears (it was in the Zoo Center when we went) and used one gummy at a time to bribe him throughout the day.

As part of the parade, there are several characters and they hang out throughout the park as well. They came to the food court while we ate lunch - Chase was a bit nervous of this grasshopper! So we stayed at the back of the parade away from the tall mascots. They might be intimidating for little ones but the older kids were fascinated and posed for photos with them.

Nap time! All the excitement will knock a toddler out. There are lots of peaceful nooks to calm them. He wanted to see snakes, so we saved that part of the park for when he woke back up. I won't post photos of them in case you have a phobia. He said "Hi" to every snake~

We got general tickets and we barely covered half those sections because of all the halloween stops. The Jack O'Lantern exhibit is an additional $3 per person or covered by an upgraded ticket (addition $14 per person). We made it at 4:50 and they let us in for free since the zoo closes at 5. Good thing because its held in the dark bat cave with spooky music and Chase did not want to stay in there. He left saying "no pumpkins". It was cute overhearing some of the older kids wondering if the jellyfish pumpkins (pictured above) were really in water.

My husband and I went to the park making note to appreciate and really enjoy the fact that it's just the three of us! Once in a life time memories to cherish :)

Side note: I've been wearing these Mickey Mouse leggings often since it became fall. Many of you ask where they are from. I got them at a market in Korea - if you've been to any markets in Asia, you know they often don't have any official brand tags and commonly "one of". They seem like a really easy iron-on DIY with patches. I opened up Amazon and looks like appliques go for only a couple dollars (I found a mixed dozen for $4!). Tag and show me if you make any!

Lastly, I don't want to be a mood killer or anything. But I will disclose saying - yes we had a wonderful day and I want to relive it! All I want as a mother is to watch Chase have fun, laugh and learn. However zoos are a bit depressing for the animals.. The polar bear was pacing back and forth and it looked extremely boring in there.. I can't imagine any man made space doing justice for lions.. I will teach Chase that animals should be free in the wild. 

Get the look:

Last minute Halloween shopping? Be ready for lots of "aww"s with a shark costume!

Use code "MAINEVENT16" for these looks on Shopbop.com until Oct 14, 2016 for up to 30% off!

Aaaaaaand~ shameless plug from my line:

Thanks for reading!! Let me know what you and/or your kid is going to be dressed as this year! Chase will be Marshall from Paw Patrol on Halloween weekend :)

Packing: Beach Essentials for Mom and Toddler

My family and I just came back from the beach this weekend with my in-laws down in New Jersey. The water was still too cold for swimming, but the weather was perfect for beach bumming - breezy and not too hot. Now that summer is officially upon us I thought I'd share what I packed and hopefully save you some time & planning!

Let's start with this photo above of Chase's hands covered in sand and baby powder. For those of you who don't know this life hack: Baby Powder helps get sand off instantly! I learned this while packing last week and I'm thrilled to report that it really works. I started calling it "magic powder"! Chase would rub his eyes with his sandy hands which bothered him and all wet wipes did was waste time. I will never go to the beach (or sand box) without it from now on.

Many may brush off the 'First Aid Kit', but we did have a small incident where my husband cut his hand - so at minimum I suggest packing Band-Aids and Neosporin. 

Clothing wise, I forgot to pack long sleeves. I just thought 'hot beach hot beach hot beach'. Fortunately my husband was better prepared and I was able to borrow his during the trip. You will likely come across an air conditioned environment or a chilly night time, so it's best to bring a couple layers. Thankfully I managed to pack my toddler a hoodie and long pants which came in handy. While we are on the topic of baby clothes - pack double what you plan to! Their clothes are so small anyway, it doesn't hurt to be prepared for anything.

When we travel with our toddler I always bring a baggie and leave it out within reach. He tends to get nauseous quite easily especially if he just had a meal (he threw up twice on the bus ride home). If you plan on going on a boat or long car ride - you can salvage everyone's clothes and seat by having this and lots of wipes out.

Last note - sun protection. I love the sunblock that you can spray - it's so easy to apply (especially on kids that don't sit still or can't be bothered) and applies much more evenly. Don't forget to cover your ears and feet and reapply every few hours.  I also recommend a canopy if you are going with a family instead of lugging multiple umbrellas. Tip: I got Chase to wear his sunhat by telling him he can only play in the sand if he wears it! 

Save this Check List - It's a printable image I made just for you!

Napping tip: Chase sleeps best if he eats and drinks after play time. Change them out of their swim diaper and put on normal ones - Chase once got a diaper rash because we didn't know that swim diapers don't breathe. Find or provide shade, then sneak on sunglasses since there are no black out shades on the open beach for a longer nap. Your little one will appreciate a small pillow if you can manage one (I used my spare dress and his small blanket). Now you can really kick back and relax!

If you're packing food - this chicken wing recipe and corn will be a crowd favorite for both kids and adults! My sister-in-law Linda is an amazing home cook and of course she would find this! From Bonappetit.com, serves 4 - marinade altogether for at least one hour or overnight and grill for 15-20 minutes on medium heat.

• 4 garlic cloves
• 1/4 chopped fresh oregano
• 1/4 chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• salt, pepper
• 2 pounds chicken wings

Now have a blast and make lots of memories!! Thanks for reading!