Created in 1983 by owner Carole French, Magic Windows has grown into a fixture on Manhattan’s upper east side. It is located on Madison Ave between east 86th and 87th streets where it has been for over 30 years.

“I love this store! They always have beautifully made dresses and darling boys clothes on hand. Very traditional and well made. My daughter and I were recently there and purchased some precious little jumpers for a friend of hers that has an upcoming birthday. Gift Wrap is available which is always a bonus.”

This charming store has the largest and finest collection of classic children’s clothing and accessories for boys and girls, newborn to teen. Warm and welcoming, Magic Windows’ friendly staff is always happy to help you.

Looks for Boys

Looks for Girls

Visit Magic Windows >>

“To all the Mothers in the World….I wish you the grandest Mothers Day, filled with love and happiness.”
xo, Michelle-Marie Heinemann

Angels Are Mothers

There are Angels God puts on this Earth
Who care for us and guide us.
You can feel their love and gentleness
as they walk through life beside us.

They do great things for us every day
they whisper in our ears,
they even hold us in their hearts
when we are filled with all our fears.

They are always there to give a hug
and try to make us smile.
They treat us with respect and love,
they treat us like their child.

God blessed me with an Angel,
I’m proud to call my own.
She’s been with me throughout my
life, been with me as I’ve grown.

She’s guided me the best she can,
she’s taught me like no other,
and I’m thankful I’m the lucky one

Poem by Kathleen J. Shields

Children love to be silly and laugh….and quite honestly I do too. Jump on the bed, play hide and seek, have a water balloon fight. We try so hard to be perfect parents most of the time, once and a while its good to let that go and get a little rambunctious. We actually have a game we like to play called the “laughing game” the person who is “it” has to make the other people laugh….nothing is off limits and it gets somewhat crazy at times….but we laugh hysterically, and it is fun!!!

Create your own games…your children will love this.

Last weekend my family and I visited my beautiful friend Princess Amanda Borghese on Amelia Island. The Borghese name is displayed throughout Italy, including Florence at the Palazzo Borghese, Siena, where the family began and Rome where the name is most prominent.

Rome’s largest Park, Villa Borghese Gardens, was owned by the family until 1902, and one of Rome’s largest museums, Galleria Borghese, holds the family’s art collection. One of Rome’s most famous streets is also named after the family, Via di Fontanella Borghese and the family has a private chapel in one of Rome’s most famous basilicas, Santa Maria Maggiore.

American born Amanda is married to Prince Francesco Marco Luigi Costanzo Borghese, who’s paternal Grandmother was Princess Marcella Borghese. They met at a wedding in Florence Italy while Amanda was living in Madrid….and the rest is history in the making!

Amelia Island is located just off the coast of Northeast Florida. There are 13-miles of beautiful beaches, abundant native wildlife and unique history. Amanda graciously showed us all the fabulous shops, restaurants and beautiful scenery…and arranged a magnificent luncheon at the Marina where her eldest son Skip drove his boat over from Jacksonville with his family to attend. It was such a lovely day and apparent was Amanda’s love for family and bringing people together to celebrate life.
Amanda is an amazing Woman and Mother, she adores her three children and her positive energy radiates into everyone she meets.

Her ultra successful company comes as no surprise as Perlier, one of the most prestigious Italian product lines that specializes in bath and body treatments was the first of its kind to be launched into the world of electronic retailing. The company has been going strong for 22 years and Amanda and Skip are the companies spokespersons. They are brilliant together and can be seen monthly on the HSN channel.

The products are amazing! Amanda sent me home with bags filled with the most luxurious creams, powders, elixirs, lotions, soaps and bath gels. One of my favorites is the Imperial Honey pure silk talcum powder….I smell like a fresh honey blossom and it feels like heaven on my skin. The Perlier line is synonymous with outstanding quality and true opulence.

Years ago Amanda wrote a compressive hardcover coffee table book on Flowers titled “Flowers from my heart.” It is a beautiful book describing the language of Flowers, their myths, history, medicinal, astrological and spiritual aspects. I love Flowers so much I named my daughter Hyacinth, so for me this book encompasses everything extraordinary about Flowers and their ability to be so much more than looking pretty.

Thank you Princess Amanda for your open heart, beautiful spirit and gracious manner that welcomed us to Amelia Island. We love and adore you….

We here at Old Fashioned Mom are proud to introduce Princess Amanda Borghese as our seventh Celebrity Mother!

____________________

Left: Princess Amanda Borghese and her husband, Francesco. Right: Amanda with grandchildren, Francesca & Leonardo.

1. How would you describe yourself?

At heart – a spiritual person, who passionately loves her family, friends, her life, and her Creator. I live in constant “gratitude” for all of the above – as THAT is what Life’s true meaning is to ME. I am also an entrepreneur, a searcher of truth, and a perfectionist. I love, love, love: history, travel, good food, the beauty of Nature, art and architecture, music, movies, romance, a good sense of humor and all that is mysterious! And…I love learning about anything!

Left: Michelle-Marie Heineman & Princess Amanda Borghese. Right: Speaking with Princess Amanda Borghese.

2. Please tell us about your children?

As far as my relationship with them – we are all very close. I am truly blessed with children who are beautiful inside and out – they are compassionate, caring, thoughtful, passionate in work and in life, and they, each one, want to make the world a better place!! They do not “talk” it – they live it! I am very proud of them.

Left: Lorenzo, son. Right: Ilaria, daughter.

Left: Skip, son, with grandson, Massimo (Max). Right: Katie, daughter-in-law, with grandson, Leonardo (Leo), Bottom: Amanda with grandaughter, Isabella.

3. What surprised you most about being a Mother?

That my children would be born in Italy – and that there were such things as “Midwives” in this day and age! I thought Midwives were things of the past. As far as “surprises” – everything surprised me about them! I was not prepared to be a Mom….in school, you are taught everything, but not child rearing! Every day I learned something NEW from my children – how to look at the world thru their eyes, and how to be completely flexible, since their needs and wants changed by the minute. It was fascinating.

4. Do you enjoy cooking for your family? If so, what are their favorite dishes?

I have never enjoyed cooking day to day things. I esp. like “baking’ – desserts, for example. More than cooking, I enjoy when the family can get together – and that usually means around a special meal – Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, etc. I find that when I have family over I want to be part of the conversation and fun. If I have to cook, I cannot do that, easily!! I usually have these meals catered, but I will almost always do the dessert! Their favorite desserts are OUR DELIGHT and my RUM CAKE – both secret family recipes!

Michelle-Marie Heinemann & Princess Amanda Borghese

5. You are a true beauty….can you share your beauty secrets?

I have been the spokesperson (along with my son,Skip) for Perlier Bath & Body products – a line from Italy – on HSN, for almost 20 years. My two favorite products – which I call: “Secrets from the Fountain of Youth” are Perlier’s Honey Royal Elixir and Hydro-Zone.

The Royal Elixir is the only product of its kind – in the WORLD – with pure, living Royal Jelly. Even with modern technology, scientists have not been able to recreate Royal Jelly in the Lab. Its secret has eluded them – yet Perlier has been able to bring this magical formula to our skin, by encapsulating the living Royal Jelly – a Patent that only Perlier owns! The skin appears to get younger before your very eyes.

A clinical study actually showed a 10-fold INCREASE in the skin’s collagen production when using the Royal Elixir!! No other cosmetic company can boast such results.

Hydro-Zone is called the “intelligent hydrator” or the “smart serum”. Perlier was able to take the secret from the Rose of Jericho – which releases moisture on the skin – when , where, and how much the skin needs! The Rose of Jericho is a small, green, evergreen-like plant which can live up to 50 years without water. After years of no water, the Rose of Jericho becomes dried up and brown, yet it can pick up its roots, out of the ground, and roll, like a little tumble weed, across the plains, or desert, until it finds water. Once it finds water, it replants itself, and becomes totally hydrated again, and turns bright green! Its ability to retain enough moisture to live up to 50 years WITHOUT water, is what Perlier’s technology has recreated – a moisturizer to give the skin moisture, where, how much, and when it needs it! This is a “must-have” moisturizer for ANY skin, and works with any other skin regime. It prepares the skin , the way one prepares a canvas before painting – making it uniform in moisture and feel. The skin looks moist and youthful.

Princess Amanda Borghese

6. Please tell us about your family traditions?

We love TRAVELING/VACATIONING together. We plan many family vacations together. This summer we are taking 3 homes, next to each other, on an island in the Caribbean. Two years ago we took a large villa in Tuscany, for the entire family, and before that, a large villa in Lucca. We LOVE being and doing things together! What makes it work, and fun is that we all have a sense of adventure and we are always up for discovery!!

Speaking with Princess Amanda Borghese.

  Catherine Painvin

Tartine et Chocolate … Once upon a time there was …
a desire to surround tiny babies in comfort and dress little children in tender, chic, yet unpretentious clothing, Catherine Painvin founded Tartine et Chocolat in 1977. The exclusive Garda motif and Tartine et Chocolat stripe set the tone for the brand. It was a mini-revolution that succeeded in shaking the children’s fashion market to the core.

The brand went on, in its own time, to develop its product ranges of soft toys, fragrances, children’s bedroom furniture, etc.., and soon established itself as a leader in the high-quality children’s gift market.

The woman responsible for this renaissance, Emilie Zannier, gave Tartine et Chocolat a unique, contemporary interpretation. She rewrote the history book, giving it a new, original and uncompromising twist, establishing a timeless modernity for the brand. She successfully created a fantasy world in which to dramatize the new Tartine et Chocolat collections.
www.tartine-et-chocolat.fr

Looks for Boys

See more looks for boys >>

Looks for Girls

See more looks for girls >>

Carving pumpkins at Halloween and watching fireworks on the Fourth of July are part of our national culture. Holding neighborhood barbecues and New Year’s Day pot lucks provide us opportunities to meet and get to know our neighbors. Baking special birthday cakes and setting the table with a birthday tablecloth create a sense of belonging in families.

These are all traditions. Traditions are rituals that help us build support, connection and caring in our families, neighborhoods, schools and communities. Celebration of traditions creates a common bond and builds community. Often we celebrate traditions without realizing how they started or why they are important. Think about the traditions in your life. What are they? Why do you celebrate them?

Traditions can be created by intentional words or deeds to value a person or event in our life. If you want to learn more about older traditions, consult with elders to find out about the traditions of their childhood. Ask older members of your family or neighbors what they used to do. Think of what they say. Would it be fun to start a new-older tradition? Consider dropping May Day baskets on May 1 or eating black eye peas on New Year’s Day. Reviving something old will link older generations to today’s youth.

Celebration of traditions gives us a positive sense of self. Traditions that are based in our cultural heritage give us a sense of who we are and where our ancestors came from. Weaving cultural heritage activities throughout our daily lives roots us with a sense of purpose and promotes family togetherness. Working together with grandchildren, children, and parents to cook special foods, to sing songs, to dance ceremonial dances, and to hear family stories connects family members and preserves their heritage for future generations.

To preserve your traditions or to start new ones, follow these guidelines:
• Keep your traditions simple.
• They should be fun, inexpensive and not time consuming.
• Provide opportunities for all to be involved, from the youngest to the oldest.
• Look at your interests as a group and create an activity based in this interest.

Discuss your thoughts with all family members including the children. Ask for their suggestions on what to do or how to improve something you are already doing. Rituals don’t need to be complex to be meaningful. Finally, you may also want to start a traditions journal with your family to record the current traditions you celebrate all year long. In your journal, write all about it. Include recipes, pictures, and a brief description of your activities. Future generations will maintain and continue the tradition if there is a written record. Families with a strong sense of traditions and special celebrations are more likely to raise kids who have a strong sense of identity, are healthy, have close ties to family members, and succeed in school.

This is a great time of year to focus on traditions, either experiencing them through the holidays or including them in a New Years’ resolution. May your holidays be filled with your best traditions!

View the Top Easter Egg Hunts for Kids in New York City from Mommypoppins.com

Easter is just a hop, skip and a jump away, falling on Sunday, April 5 this year. One of the best ways to celebrate with kids is to attend one of NYC’s treat-filled egg hunts. Most are outdoors in playgrounds and parks, zoos and gardens, but a few are indoors at museums and other culture spots. Many also offer additional spring fun like seasonal crafts, face painting and live entertainment.

Remember, Easter egg hunts in NYC are extremely popular so arrive early and expect hordes. If you can’t handle crowds, avoid the FREE hunts and opt for one that costs a small fee as those usually have a cap on participants.

Click through to the listings for all the info, including address and time.

Manhattan

The Great Easter Egg Hunt
– Tribeca– Saturday, March 21 – FREE
The Lower Manhattan Community Church sponsors this annual holiday fest featuring egg hunts for children up to the third grade. Face painting, carnival-style games and pictures with the Easter Bunny are also on tap.

Carl Schurz Park Egg Hunt
– Upper East Side-Saturday, March 28 – FREE but donations accepted
Head to the beloved Carl Schurz Park to decorate egg collecting bags followed by hunts for different age ranges, including one just for toddlers. At noon, Patrick and the Rock-a-Silly Band rock the playground. Rain date: Sunday, March 29.

Easter Egg Hunt & Spring Festival
– Harlem-Saturday, April 4 – FREE
Enjoy cookie decorating, face painting, games, dancing, a visit from the Easter Bunny and an outdoor egg hunt at this community fete in St. Nicholas Park.

Easter Eggstravaganza
– East Harlem– Saturday, April 4 – FREE
Join community organization NYSoM for its third annual egg hunt in the Target East Harlem Garden. Additional fun includes an egg race, egg decorating, crafts and face time with the Easter Bunny.

See more events >>

La Coqueta …traditional, timeless fashion for children, still having a chic and contemporary style…

www.lacoquetakids.com

Before having children I originally trained as a psychologist, and then fell into a career in headhunting. Eventually I craved a change in my professional life, so I went back to university to continue my studies, taking an MSc in Mental Health Studies, but all the while a passion for children’s fashion was growing. I started bringing back Spanish clothing and accessories for my London friends on my visits home, and also developed relationships with various designers in Spain. While preparing for the birth of my fifth child in 2012, I thought it was time to follow my passion. “Now or never” I thought to myself and La Coqueta was born – my sixth baby you might say!

I feel there is a need for traditional, timeless fashion for children which also incorporates a chic and contemporary style for our modern world. I have found this with the Spanish designers I work with and can wholeheartedly say all the collection is ‘Proudly made in Spain’. Our clothing and shoes are beautifully made, functional and hard-wearing. As a mother of five, I know how important it is to find easy care clothes that stand the test of time, can be passed on to the next baby and still look great.

La Coqueta’s beginnings are close to home. I opened the first boutique in the heart of Hampstead, my much loved neighbourhood, where I can do something I truly love while still being close to the people who inspired my new business – my family and friends.

So if you are in the area, pop in with your little ones (who can enjoy our playroom) while we show you the new collection. If you are further afield, then simply browse our range on-line.

La Coqueta is nestled in North London but is ‘Proudly made in Spain’.

La Coqueta Kids
5 Heath Street
London NW3 6TP

Looks

See all looks at lacoquetakids.com

Dresses

See all dresses at lacoquetakids.com

Knitwear

See all knitwear at lacoquetakids.com

Girl’s Tops

See all girl’s tops at lacoquetakids.com

Nightwear

See all nightwear at lacoquetakids.com

Girl’s Coats & Jackets

See all girl’s coats and jackets at lacoquetakids.com

“Make time each day to listen to your children without distractions. Pay attention when your child speaks, respect their feelings and watch your tone of voice.”

See the book “Ten Powerful Things to Say to Your Kids” by Paul Axtell

Quote from Catherine M. Wallace

The basics

Like so many other things, talking and listening can be done badly, just OK, or really well. And like any other skills, you get better with practice.

Good communication with children is about:

• encouraging them to talk to you – and listening so they can tell you how they feel
• being able to really listen and responding in a sensitive way to all kinds of things – not just nice things or good news, but also anger, embarrassment, sadness or fear
• focusing on body language and actions as well as words, and interpreting nonverbal forms of communication.

Some children need a lot of encouragement and positive feedback to get talking. Others will be desperate to talk to you when you’re busy doing something else. This might mean stopping what you’re doing and listening.

Top tips for talking and listening

• Set aside time for talking and listening to each other.
• Listen to your children when they want to talk, have strong feelings or have a problem.
• Be open to talking about all kinds of feelings, including anger, joy, frustration, fear and anxiety. Talking about feeling angry is different from getting angry, though. Learning the difference is an important step for a child learning to communicate.
• When talking to your child, try to remember how it was when you were a child and how you were generally attracted to those people who really listened to you. After all, children think differently from grown-ups. There are a lot of things they don’t know and a lot of things they don’t have the words to talk about.
• Let your child finish talking and then respond. When listening, try not to jump in, cut your child off, or put words in your child’s mouth – even when your child says something ridiculous or wrong or is having trouble finding the words. Children appreciate this as much as grown-ups!
• Use language that your children will understand. Sometimes we forget that children don’t ‘get’ everything.
• Watch your child’s facial expression and body language. Listening isn’t just about hearing words, but also trying to understand what’s behind those words.
• To let your child know you’re listening, and make sure you’ve really understood, repeat back what your child has said and make lots of eye contact.
• Show your interest by saying such things as, ‘Tell me more about …’, ‘Really!’ and ‘Go on …’. Ask children what they feel about the things they’re telling you about.
• Avoid criticism and blame. If you’re angry about something your children done, try and explain why you want them not to do it again. Appeal to their sense of empathy.
• Work together to solve problems and conflicts.
• Be honest with each other.

Martha Stewart is the quintessential Old Fashioned Mom. Having achieved enormous success through merchandising, broadcasting, publishing, and electronic commerce her name is synonymous with quality and affordability with Mothers everywhere.

She has written numerous best selling books and is the publisher of the Martha Stewart Living magazine, and hosted two long running syndicated television shows. So much success….however, it is Alexis, her only daughter and grandchildren that she speaks of whenever we see one another. Her eyes light up with pride when telling stories of what they are doing currently, or where they are going…as they spend a lot of time together as a family.

Recently they were in Palm Beach, as was my family….and Martha and I ran into one another at a fabulous tea shop, it was so delightful to hear her enthusiasm as she discussed the beach and fun adventures they all were having. I love Martha as she is a true Mother and Grandmother 100 percent of the time!

We here at Old Fashioned Mom are proud to introduce Martha Stewart as our sixth Celebrity Mother!

Michelle-Marie Heinemann and Martha Stewart

As I walked into Martha Stewart’s headquarters for Living Omnimedia Inc. I was immediately greeted with the warmth of the sunshine and light spilling in from the walls of windows that surround the gigantic space. The light is unbelievable and the building overlooks the Hudson River which is quite inspirational for the media and merchandising empire that Martha has created.

Her office is down a long sunlit hallway and there we discussed her role as a Mother and now Grandmother. Martha has one daughter and her name is Alexis Stewart, she is a television host and radio personality that graduated from Barnard College. She is also a Mother with two adorable children, Jude who is 4, and Truman who is 3.

Of all the stories Martha told, I love the one most of her sewing for her daughter when she was little. Making little play dresses and clothes she could wear to school. I find this so endearing, as my Mother sewed for me and my sisters as well and there is a tremendous amount of love that goes into creating something by hand.

Traveling together and spending as much time as possible are top priorities for Martha. Recently Alexis took second place in the annual Will Cotton cake baking contest. She made an amazing Valentine cake that had light fluffy layers of banana and coconut cream cheese frosting, topped with home colored organic coconut. Yum!! Clearly the apple does not fall far from the tree.

Recently Martha purchased a pony for her grandchildren as they are beginning to ride…my children ride as well, so comparing notes on instructors, barns and the latest horse show is an ongoing conversation. There are so many wonderful activities for children to do today…we are very fortunate.

As I was leaving Martha showed me an exquisite black and white photo of her Mother, she was a great beauty with kind eyes. Exactly like Martha.