Society Editor for Town and Country Magazine

and great grand daughter of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst…..Fresh faced beauty Gillian Hearst Simonds is marvelously grounded and passionately involved in her children’s lives. Over pear martinis at Bistro Chat Noir on the upper east side, we chatted at length about our children and the importance of routines and structure and how it provides a sense of security and helps them develop self-discipline. Gillian’s devotion to her family and strong commitment to being a positive role model for her daughters embodies what being an Old Fashioned Mom is all about.

We here at Old Fashioned Mom are proud to introduce Gillian Hearst Simonds as our third Celebrity Mother!

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1. How would you describe yourself?

I think I’m a confident grounded woman, who’s very in love with her husband and daughters. I enjoy a good challenge, respect hardwork, and appreciate honesty and loyalty. I cherish the time that I get with my friends and family because I know that time is a gift so I try to enjoy every second.

2. What do you love most about being a Mother?

Watching them grow! every day they are learning something new, I love hearing “mommy” come out of my 18 month old, even at 3 in the morning. With two girls, 18 months old and 5 months old, we are still really only in the early stages of childhood, but it has been amazing. I love watching how excited they get with every new experience from bubbles to Christmas trees. It’s wonderful experiencing and rediscovering the world with them.

3. Please tell us what a typical day is for you?

I know that having a schedule helps the girls be relaxed and comfortable because they know their routine so the girls get up around 6:30, then there’s breakfast for them and coffee for me and my husband. We play for a bit, then a nap for one or both girls. Harper, the oldest, usually has some sort of morning class followed by lunch at home while we watch an episode of Sophia the First. Nap for both girls from 1230-3ish, then some afternoons Harper has a swim class or we take the girls up to the playroom or on a playdate. A lot of evenings we will take the girls to see a light show set to music because they really enjoy that. Any and all christmas lights are a huge hit right now. Around 5:15 home for dinner and some playtime before bath time, we read some books and bedtime. Around 7 pm everyone is down. When they are napping or asleep I also find time to work as a contributing editor for Town & Country magazine, and do work with Memorial Sloan Kettering Associates Committee, UNICEF Next Generation, New York Botanical Gardens, the High Line, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, which we are in full swing planning the Explorer’s Club party for May 13, 2015. There’s also the charity events and parties that happen around the city, and, of course, date nights with my husband or nights out with friends to catch up.

4. What activities do you and your children love doing together?

We read a lot. Do puzzles, there’s a gym class, painting and coloring, going to the zoo and the park. In the fall we went apple picking and looked at the changing leaves.

5. Reading is so important for children, what are some of your favorite books?

Fritz and the Beautiful Horses, Goodnight Moon, My Chincoteague Pony, Good Night New York City, The Night Before Christmas, The Pelican Chorus/Quangle Wangle’s Hat by Edward Lear, Black Beauty (40-page picture-book adaptation by Sharon Lerner.)

*Gillian is actively involved with Memorial Sloan Kettering Associates Committee, UNICEF Next Generation, New York Botanical Gardens, The High Line and The Wildlife Conservation Society.

The Best Dressed Child…..a wonderful on-line store hailing from Alpharetta, Georgia. Southern girls really know how to do smocking right, this store has the cutest….and I mean the cutest little play dresses and seasonal attire for children! I just purchased this adorable swimsuit ensemble for Hyacinth, and beach accessories galore! When my son was little he wore all the darling smocked outfits as well, complete with Peter Pan collars.

A real treasure…. www.bestdressedchild.com

Hyacinth in Bathing Suit from The Best Dressed Child

My children adore Via Quardronno, a charming little Italian restaurant tucked into 73rd Street and corner of Madison Avenue. The staff is attentive and playful with children…it is usually quite busy up front…but go straight to the back and usually seats are available.

Our favorites are Carpaccio Classico, Insalata Della Casa con Avocado, and Risotto Milanese con Funghi. There is a wonderful selection of Gelati and Sorbetti….which is always popular with the little ones, and Payard’s French croissants and Brioches are heavenly!

Via Quardronno
25 East 73rd Street
www.viaquardronno.com
1-212-650-9880

Reprinted from timeout.com.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

Even if the sidewalks are overrun with tourists, your crew will have ample room to skate at the city’s most iconic rink; only 150 people are allowed on the ice at once. Unfortunately, that also means that your family should prepare for long lines—unless you plan on going early in the morning or between 9am and noon on Thanksgiving, expect a one- to two-hour wait. Reservations for the first skate of the day (daily 7am) can be made online and, new this year, families can reserve a spot and stay up late for a Starlight Skate during the final session of the day, 10:30pm–midnight ($45 per person, rentals included). Open from October 10, 2015 through April 2016. General admission $25–$32, children ages 11 and under $15, skate rental $12. Group rates available for 15 or more.

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park

During the winter months, Bryant Park opens a no-charge 17,000-square-foot skating rink. Don’t get too excited: The admission may be free, but you gotta pay to rent skates (or BYO). On the upside: The complex holds 500 people, holiday shops, an indoor pavilion and the Canadian-themed lounge Celsius, which conveniently offers a full children’s menu and plenty of hot chocolate. Open from October 30, 2015 through March 6, 2016. Skate rentals $15–$19 per pair.

Staten Island War Memorial Ice Skating Rink

We know what you’re thinking: Yeah freakin’ right. But the trip is sooo worth the scenery: Clove Lakes Park boasts some of New York’s few remaining wetlands. Open from October 31 through April 3. Admission $10, skate rental $5.

LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park

This $74 million project overhauled 26 acres of the park’s southeast corner and now offers year-round fun. The LeFrak Center houses two seasonal ice-skating rinks—one covered and the other open-air—plus a cafe. Kiddos can get in on skating lessons through the Skate School, take clinics with the Hockey Academy, or even try their hand at curling and broomball. Open October 31, 2015 through March 27, 2016. Admission $6 weekdays, $8 weekends, skate rental $6.

The Rink at Brookfield Place

Located on the plaza in front of the erstwhile World Financial Center Winter Garden (it’s now called Brookfield Place Winter Garden), this rink brings a much-needed cold-weather option to the seasonally popular outdoor spot overlooking the North Cove Marina. At 7,350 square feet, it’s even bigger than the Rink at Rockefeller Plaza. New this season, the rink offer Learn to Skate classes with Olympic medal–winning husband-and-wife team, Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov. The ice-dancing pros will lead Intro to Basics lessons and Parent & Me classes throughout the season. Ice-hockey lessons are on offer too, in case your crew’s in need of a little coaching. Open from November 14, 2015. General admission $15, skate rental $5.

Trump Lasker Rink

This rink is less crowded than Wollman, but go for the hockey: Competitive leagues for Gretzky wanna-bes practice here daily. If your tot has a winter birthday, this spot also offers party packages. Open from late October.

McCarren Park

This Brooklyn park straddles the two hipster-fied nabes of Greenpoint and Williamsburg but continues to be a family favorite, too. There are baseball, football and soccer fields, dog runs, a track, tennis courts, a skate park and more. Stop by on select summer nights for outdoor film screenings, food trucks and music, or a romp in the playground at Lorimer Street and Driggs Ave. And as of 2013, the park has also transformed into a winter destination, now that the ever-popular McCarren Park Pool operates as an ice rink during the colder months. Opens November 2015. General admission $11, children $6, skate rental $6.

Trump Wollman Rink

Skating newbies can sign up for the learn-to-skate program—it’s the largest in the country. But no matter what your child’s skill level, there’s nothing quite like skating in the middle of our city’s most beautiful park. Open from October 24, 2015. Admission $11.25, children ages 11 and under $6; skate rentals $8, cash only.

Abe Stark Rink

This 40-year-old venue began its life as the Ravenhall Baths, a saltwater swimming pool that was quite the Coney Island hot spot in its day. It was destroyed by a fire in 1963, after which the space was converted into a destination for the heavily sweatered and uncoordinated. Arrive at the rink promptly at 12:30pm when it opens; the ice fills fast and it closes at 3:30pm. Open October 31 through March 27. Admission $10, skate rentals $5.

World Ice Arena

Although this rink offers hockey programs and private lessons, families can enjoy free-skate sessions every day of the week. World Ice also hosts inexpensive birthday parties; the fee ($23–28 per child) includes skate rental, pizza and several hours of ice time. Open through July 3, 2016, open most holidays and school breaks. Admission $6 weekdays, $9 weekends; skate rental $5.

City Ice Pavilion

The five boroughs’ only rooftop rink stretches an NHL-appropriate 85-by-200 feet under a weatherproof air dome (if it’s good enough for Canadians, it’s good enough for the wussy New York winter). Stop by Wednesdays from 12-4pm or between noon and 2:30pm on the weekends. At other times, the rink is devoted to skating lessons, hockey practice and private parties. Open yearround. Admission $6 weekdays, $9 weekends; skate rental $5.

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers

There’s no need to wait until winter for your family to glide across the two NHL-size rinks at this megacomplex—they’re open year-round for general skating as well as hockey and figure skating. Unlike most indoor ice arenas, this one doesn’t feel like a cave; ample windows afford sweeping views of the Hudson River to the west. General skating September 14 through December 20, 2016. Admission $10, skate rental $5.

Staten Island Skating Pavilion

The borough’s only year-round ice rink is a skater’s dream, offering figure-skating and hockey programs for kids and adults of all levels. Public sessions take place on Fridays from 8–11pm, Saturdays from 2:30–4:20pm and 7:30–9:30pm, and Sundays from 2–3:50pm. Parties and private rink rentals are also available. Admission $11, children $10; skate rental $5.

Riverbank State Park Ice Skating Rink

Located about 85 blocks north of the midtown mayhem, the covered rink here—part of a 28-acre recreational facility—provides some of the least-crowded weekend skating in Manhattan. Riverbank Park overlooks the Hudson, so your crew will have nice views of the river and the George Washington Bridge too. Bonus: Families celebrating birthdays at the rink can reserve tables for after-skate cake and ice cream. Learn to Skate, Ice Dance, Figure Skating and Ice Hockey programs are also on offer. Open November through March, weather permitting. $5, children $3; skate rental $6 per day.

Opera Star and Reporter legend, Aimee Marcoux Spurlock, who was honored by The Royal Television Society, is deliciously down to earth and funny. I first met Aimee at an intimate birthday dinner that a dear friend of ours was having. We bonded immediately and delighted in sharing stories about our children. I love her ease at being completely un-filtered but thoughtful when it comes to discussing her family.

We here at Old Fashioned Mom are proud to introduce Aimee Marcoux Spurlock as our second Celebrity Mother!

1. How would I describe myself?

I am a bright, funny, caring, fiercely loyal woman who is blessed every day with the gift of the Holy Spirit. I find humor in the fact that while writing this, I asked myself this question out loud and my daughter, Hadley, said virtually the same list except she said, “pretty, too”. She’s so observant.

I am also a Clergy Spouse, which means I am married to a Clergyman. My husband of seventeen years is an Episcopal priest at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue in New York City. Most of my spare time away from the family is given to the many jobs of a Clergy Spouse at the church. Ministering, comforting the sick and hospitality are just some of things that I feel blessed to be able to do.

I find humor in almost every facet of my life. I am a wife, mother, singer, actor, watercolor painter, writer and award winning journalist. My singing resume boasts over fifty world-wide operatic, and musical theater roles to my credit , but my most challenging and rewarding project to date has been Motherhood. I love it. Some days more than others.

2. Please tell us about your children?

How long is this article? Okay, I’ll keep it short. My son, Atticus, who was born in New York City, was named after Atticus Finch in, “To Kill a Mockingbird”. My husband, before Holy Orders, was in publishing at Harper Collins and I was in television at the time. We both had a love for American Literature and would take turns reading to one another. One of our choices was ,”To Kill a Mockingbird”. Michael read “Atticus”, and I said, “Wow, what a great name for a boy”! And that was it!

Atticus has truly lived up to the big name which we gave him. He is a brilliant young man. He is 15 years old and a Freshman in High school. He is a budding classicist with amazing strength in History and Latin. He is kind, handsome and extremely good to his younger sister. He was in a major motion picture with Catherine-Zeta Jones last year and is saving his money to go to Oxford University in Great Britain.

Hadley is my gift from God. I had quite a few miscarriages (actually Atticus was a twin) and had given up on having another child. I remember the day of 9/11 as I was running from the toppling Trade Center, the police screaming for me to,”move”, and, “run for your life”. As I was running down the street, I remember verbally praying, “Lord, please don’t let me die, because I want to have another baby”. It was Hadley’s face I saw in that vision.

She was born during my husband’s last year of Seminary in Wisconsin. She was a blessing from the start. Hadley is sweet, bright, beautiful, funny, charming and full of energy. She is 7 and in the Second grade. Her passion is ballet. She is just finishing her first year with The Joffrey Ballet and will be in their production of “The Nutcracker”.

They both attend private schools in Manhattan.

My Mother has always said to me, “Aimee, you rear children and you raise cattle”. I never really fully understood that until I became a parent. Being a full time Mom is more than a commitment, it is an opportunity for greatness.

Cattle don’t require much work…you just feed and water them. Child-rearing, on the other hand, takes finesse. Cattle don’t ask for help with homework, or have a broken heart but children do.

Having children who have different interests is challenging sometimes, but that is the “art form” called parenting. We,as mothers are called to be in three places at once and be interested in everything. To do
that requires grace!

3. What makes you an Old Fashioned Mom?

I’ve always felt as if I were a salmon swimming upstream with regard to my choice of lifestyle. It is a difficult choice to be “old-fashioned” in this ego-centric culture we have today.

I secretly always wanted to be an Old Fashioned Mom-even when I was globe-hopping as an opera singer, I knew that one day I would trade my sequined gowns for my vintage, ruffled aprons!

Cooking, baking,cleaning and making house are only a small part of what makes me traditional.
It’s an attitude. An attitude of putting the family first.

I love being “there” for my husband and children. The most important time of the day for the kids is right after school. I like to sit with them over a hot cocoa and a snack whilst homework gets done. They are happy that I am there to listen about the day at school and if I’m lucky, I’ll hear the latest gossip from the second grade.

4. What rules are you adamant about with your children?

Good Manners, clean underwear and thank you notes.

Seriously, Good manners are more than just, “Please and Thank you, Yes Ma’am and no, Sir”. Etiquette is also about good social conscience. We need to care for those people who make up our day… the bus-driver, the teacher, the students at school, the homeless man. Everyone deserves respect. In the eyes of Christ, we are all equal.

For the last five years, I have encouraged my children to serve with me every Saturday morning at our church’s Soup kitchen. We make over 300 meals and distribute them to the Homeless throughout Manhattan.
This act of service awakens their senses and encourages and attitude of gratitude which they share with others.

5. Describe for us your Family traditions.

We as a family all gear up towards the highlight of the day which is Family Dinnertime.
I begin dinner preparations early in the day and try my best to make something everyone will like! Sometimes I fail completely, like the one night I made “Frito Pie”. It was awful.

Our time together is special. Even if the food isn’t so great.Dinner always starts with a Prayer from one of the children. We trade stories from the day, make plans for the week and come up with the most
ridiculous puns and jokes. We have fun.

A perfect ending of the evening would be to pile up in Mommy and Daddy’s bed for popcorn and a movie!

6. How do you find time to do it all…Or do you?

Do you remember the old-fashioned plate spinner from the circus? I often feel like that. Somedays I am pulled in five different directions with the possibility of breaking countless plates along the
way. On those days, I take a deep breath and think about what is best for the family as a whole.
I try to reschedule the things I can and if it is impossible, I just “punt” and do my best!

Those are the days I am so thankful for take-out food, school uniforms, taxi-cabs and the internet. Because even though I may be old-fashioned, I know a good thing when I see it!

*Aimee is currently collaborating on a recital of the Debussy Ariette’s Oubliees for performance in New York City and World Premiere of The Yellow Wallpaper at Duke University.

“Put your cell phones down, put your Ipad down, get off your computer… and spend time with your children! Uninterrupted time….this is what our children crave from us as parents. Go to lunch together, read, play, dance, whatever in the world you want to do…just do it together!”

I met Sharon Bush seven years ago at The Light House International Gala. She had just moved to New York and we spoke at length about our lives, traveling and our children. I had just given birth to my first child and was eager as a new Mother to hear all that she had to say on Motherhood. She was open, honest and pure of heart with everything she spoke of.

We here at Old Fashioned Mom are proud to introduce Sharon Bush as our first Celebrity Mother!

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1. How would you describe yourself?

How would I describe myself – that is hard to do.

I love people and have a great eclectic group of friends from all walks of life. I love to learn new things. I love and participate in many different sports. On the work front – At the moment Lauren and I are working on children’s storybooks and trying to transpose them into a children’s tv series. I am also part of an exciting patent pending scientific group. We are using a plant based protein that we will be used to clean up the Everglades – and many other places around the world. I believe in leaving the world better than we found it.

I also believe in one true God.

I am blessed to have a deep, long friendship with pastor Joel Osteen and his amazing, and caring family.

Motherhood, of course, is my greatest and most important legacy.

2. Please tell us about your children?

I have 3 very precious, compassionate and brilliant children. And one very special and gifted son-in- law David. ( of course I am very prejudiced on all of them ) Lauren Bush Lauren, my oldest, (30) started her Feed bag project while she was a student at Princeton. To date – she has given over 85 million meals through the sale of her reusable feed, grocery bags

My son Pierce (28) lives in Houston. Pierce is Vice President of the Big Brothers Assoc in Houston tx. He is also in charge of their capital campaign. Pierce has also been a Big Brother to Jaylyn for the last 6 years.

My Ashley (25) graduated from Barnard 4 years ago. Since then – she has started her own film company called Walker Street Productions and she is in the process of filming a documentary. She is also currently in film grad school at USC. In her spare time Ashley was tutoring abused women in safe houses so they could take their GED ‘s.

3. How has Motherhood changed you as a person?

Motherhood changed me 30 years ago when Lauren was born. Looking at her sweet newborn face I knew that my children would always be my first and most important concern and priority. I also knew that I always wanted to be a part of their life – from the minute they were born. I brought my children with me on most trips . I did not give birth to my children to let others influence and raise them. I believe that children should be seen AND heard.

4. What was most important to you when raising your children?

Raising children is the most important job in the world. Giving them the consistent right guidelines, moral values, love, caring and compassion from the time they are born is critical. If babies grow up knowing they are cared for and loved then they will grow up to be confident and caring adults. It is also important to instill confidence in children at a young age.. Let them know that you believe in them, that you are there to help them and that they can accomplish their dreams, even at a young age they need to believe in themselves- and they need to believe that you are their biggest cheerleader.

I treasure the book The Alchemist that Lauren gave me when she was 18. In it she inscribed “thank you for believing in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. And for believing bigger things for me than I could even imagine. ” That inscription proved to me that I had given her “Love and Wings” something that I have aspired to give all of my 3 children.

5. What advice would you give today’s generation of young Mothers?

The advice that I would give today’s young generation of mothers is to love their children unconditionally. Always listen to their feelings and opinions. Children are born with their own personalities and blue print. Listen to them and guide them. Look for their gifts and honor those gifts. Everyone has these. Do not focus on their weaknesses- everyone has these also.
Do not be a “helicopter” parent . That will cripple their self confidence. Children need time to daydream and play.

Also – always know your care giver and their background. When Lauren was a baby and I left her with a sitter – I would hide a tape recorder and push play when I left the house. I wanted to hear how the sitter was treating her when I was not there. We had secret service outside of our home but I needed to know what was going on inside. (this, of course, was before the day of the hidden video cameras)

I would also stress to parents that you need to teach your children compassion at a young age. I brought all of my children to soup kitchens and homeless shelters at a young age. We played games with the children there. I wanted my children to understand humanity and caring and that they could be helpful to others. I think this also teaches children to be less self centered and to grow up wanting to be helpful citizens of the world.

*Sharon Bush is the Founder and CEO of Teddy Share Bears, Founding Board Member for The UN Women for Peace and Committee Member for Princes Yasmin Aga Khan’s Alzheimer’s Research Benefit.

* click to view images at full size

Families can peruse impressive pop art “cansculptures” at the annual charity and food drive feeding hungry New Yorkers.

View full event at timeout.com

The holiday season gets everyone thinking about food—who doesn’t love stuffing themselves with with delicious eats come Thanksgiving and Christmas in NYC?—but we can’t forget about the many New Yorkers who are without meals this time of the year. Families can help feed the hungry and enjoy a unique exhibition at Canstruction, an annual charity event that invites architecture, design and engineer pros to build supercool “cansculptures” made entirely from cans of food. Once they’re completed, the structures form a quirky art exhibition that will remain on display to the public at The Winter Garden at Brookfield Place from November 6–20. Following the exhibition, all the canned food is donated to local hunger relief organizations, raising money and donations for City Harvest in NYC.

Kids will love checking out the creative sculptures, built into colorful and fun forms including some kids’ favorites like characters from Despicable Me and Batman. The designers vie for awards including Best Meal and Best Use of Labels, and nearly 100,000 cans of food will go toward a good cause as a result. Bring the family along and get in on the charitable action by bringing your own canned goods to donate to the massive food drive.

Canstruction takes place at The Winter Garden and Lobby at Brookfield Place from Thu Nov 6–Wed Nov 19 10am–6pm; Thu Nov 20 10am–5pm. Free; suggested donation of one canned food item per person.

View this event at vulture.com

New York’s Jerry Saltz has called the MoMA’s “Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs” a can’t-miss event filled with “visual thunder, physical profundity, and oceanic joy.” Here, we asked a few aspiring after-school critics what they thought about the exhibition.

1. Laney Kabaker
Age 4½

Which painting is your favorite? That one, because it has stars in it. Because he did it at night.

Do you know how? With scissors.

Is that what you use when you make art at home? I use paint! And I do stars.

2. Peter and Maggie Ellison
Both 13, visiting from California

Maggie: It’s different when you see them for real, because when you get close enough you can see everything, like the pins. But if you’re far away, it just looks like a painting.

Peter: These are impressions of stuff. A painting might be more real.

Would you like to be an artist someday?

Peter: Maybe. There’s not a ton of money in it. You gotta make a living.

3. Pedro de Moraes Oliveira
Age 17, visiting from Brazil

It’s emotional. I like abstract things—it’s interesting to see the different reactions of different people from the same material.

Do you like museums? Yes. Especially paintings. My friends don’t — my friends say I’m a freak.

So what are your friends doing while you’re at the museums? Maybe watching football.

You sound like an artist. More an art critic.

4. Mia Taubenblat
Age 8

What are you seeing? I think those are hearts. And that might be seaweed. And that red part to me almost looks like a tongue. And that kind of looks like a porcupine. With the spikes. I have this little thick book, and it has some of his paintings. But this is way better. This is so cool.

*This article appears in the October 20, 2014 issue of New York Magazine.

Spring Flowers is one of my favorite children’s boutiques. The clothing is classic in design and the selection of shoes for little boys is amazing….when my son was beginning to walk I found the little traditional boots perfect for ankle support. Party dresses are a must here…my daughter delights in the variety and I love the quality of fabrics and beautiful designs. This is a store for both boys and girls….I practically live at the 73rd and Madison location….however, there are many more. Stop in and enjoy!

“Since 1983, Spring Flowers has offered only the finest luxury European clothing, shoes and accessories for babies and children up to size 14 years.”

Visit Spring Flowers Children’s Boutiques