Old Fashioned Mom Magazine hosted a VIP Soiree at The Skylark.

This intimate gathering included, Sabrina Baldieri, Lauren Lawrence, Alessandra Emanuel, Joy Marks, Elizabeth Washer, Laura Bounin and Michelle-Marie Heinemann.

The Septet celebrated the OFM lifestyle brand at The Skylark which provided the most fantastic views of the City.

Set thirty stories up in the heart of Times Square South, The Skylark delivers a classically-styled cocktail lounge with expansive panoramic views of the Hudson River, Hudson Yards, Times Square, The Empire State Building, and the best of Midtown Manhattan.

With its multi-level indoor spaces, open-air rooftop terrace and warm furnishings — designed by Meyer Davis Studio — The Skylark is a truly all-season destination. In cooler months, guests can enjoy breathtaking city views from the main lounge’s floor-to-ceiling windows. Warmer days deliver an experience that flows naturally between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Drinks and food at The Skylark are as distinctive as the space itself. The exclusive mixologist’s cocktail menu is based on classic inspirations that are rendered using only the freshest ingredients. The light fare options include a variety of small plates – perfect for an after-work or evening bite.

I throughly enjoyed several of these Harvest Cobbler’s handcrafted by master mixologist Johnny Swet. It includes; Titos Vodka, Marilde Pear Liquor, Pear and Rosemary.

The Skylark was developed by hospitality veteran David Rabin together with Jim Kirsch and Alison Awerbuch of Abigail Kirsch.

…..until the next OFM Soirée!

~The Skylark~

212-257-4577

200 West 39th Street

30th Floor

www.theskylarknyc.com

Romantic and beautiful…..detailed and feminine, is what I adore in well made clothes. Alistair James exudes this in spades. The entire collection is well thought out, an OFM favorite for those casual evenings to meet a friend for a cocktail, or a light Sunday Brunch…easy, effortless and lovely.

Alistair James is the eponymously named label of design duo Nicholas Alistair Walsh and David James Wise.

From their South London studio, the pair are focused on fable, whimsy and alluring textiles. Exploring an english sensibility, evoking characters in a balance of craft and consideration.

Nicholas is a womenswear designer, born and raised in West Yorkshire. His world has been encompassed around textiles from a young age through his family links with theatre drapery. Alongside graduating BA womenswear in 2014, he has worked at both Gareth Pugh and Alexander McQueen, making avant-garde pieces for shows and clients.

David is a London born textiles designer and has been working for some of the worlds leading fashion houses, notably Alexander McQueen since 2010. During this time he has been honing his craft; working with a broad range of styles and methods of textile manipulation.

Alistair James

l Lessing Street

London SE231DS

www.alistairjames.london

~Sports with Hudson Heinemann~

……A little about myself…..my name is Hudson Heinemann and I am 10 years old, I was born on Halloween and have the most amazing birthday parties because of it. ( thank you Mother! ) I am in the 4th grade and really like School. I have great teachers and friends, but what I love more than anything is Sports!!! Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter, if it relates to Sports I want to know about it.

My favorite sport is basketball, which led me to a wonderful School called IMG Academy. I attended their Sports Camp over the Holidays and it really was extraordinary.

It is a Boarding Camp, and I stayed a week. Having attended other Camps, I found this Camp to really focus on bringing out the strengths of all the players. I became stronger and my technique really improved.

My favorite NBA team is the Knicks and currently they are not doing very well. They are 12th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 22 wins and 33 loses. Why is this? Some speculate horrible defense, I concur.

Jeff Hornacek, the head coach was not happy at Friday’s night game against the Denver Nuggets with the teams 131-123 loss. The crowd was fired up at Madison Square Garden. “Couldn’t guard anybody, simply as that” Hornacek said. “They should be embarrassed by the way that couldn’t guard anybody. So those guys are happy scoring their points. We’re going to lose every game.”

Clearly he was upset, but who could blame him. I personally am glad to see some emotion in a Coach.

The Knicks allowed Denver to shoot 56.8 percent from the field, including 50 percent from beyond the arc. The Nuggets also racked up 30 assists. Power Forward Nikola Jokie led the way by making 17 of his 23 shots en route to 40 points.

The loss was the fourth straight for the Knicks, who are 3-7 over their past 10 games and 22-33 on the regular season. They are 3.5 games out of the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference and may not make the  playoffs if things don’t change.

In conclusion:

~highly recommend IMG Academy

1-866-234-5729

5650 Bollettieri Blvd.

Bradenton, Fl. 34210

www.imgacademy.com

~Knicks need better defense

I attended a marvelous reception at the Opera Gallery titled “KINETIC FIELDS.”

Lucia Hwong Gordon, Michelle-Marie Heinemann, Lauren Lawrence, Barbara Regna

Coming from the Greek Kinein “to move” Kinetic art refers to art that is set in motion. From the early 20th Century, artists have incorporated movement into their art, either with the help of human hand or natural elements such as wind or water and later mechanical engineering.

Gilles Dyan

If what we have to know as “Kinetic Art” became a major phenomenon of the late 1950’s, thanks notably to the work of pioneers Alexander Calder and Naum Gabo, the contemporary art scene has continued to explore incorporating movement in Art and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. The exhibition KINETIC FIELDS surveys new technologies available to contemporary Kinetic artists and the evolution these have brought to moving art.

Grimanesa Amoros, Fiona Cibani, Sonia Nassery Cole

…..About Opera Gallery

Founded in 1994 by Gilles Dyan, a member of the European Chamber of Expert Advisors in Fine Art ( C.E.C.O.A. )

Gilles Dyan, Florence Dyan

Opera Gallery Group, now Internationally established with 12 Galleries in the World, is one of the rare International art Gallery networks with locations on several Continents: North America, Europe, Asia, and Middle East.

Florence Dyan, Michelle-Marie Heinemann, Lauren Lawrence

I love this Table Monogold by Yves Klein, completely fabulous….a little gift for myself for Valentines Day?….

Please visit: www.operagallery.com

Press Contacts: Susan Shin, Susan@shinadvisors.com

212-439-0049

According to a recent report on publicly announced giving compiled by The Chronicle of Philanthropy – an organization that publishes news and resources on philanthropy – there were twelve donations given by wealthy donors that surpassed $100 million, plus another six that totaled $100 million exactly.

The two largest donations – for $500 million each – came from Nike cofounder Phil Knight and his wife Penny, and investor-philanthropist Nicolas Beggruen.

Phil Knight~

Knight, a billionaire whose net worth Forbes estimates at $24.9 billion (making him the 18th wealthiest person in the United States), made his high-value gift to the University of Oregon – his alma mater – to establish there a new center for scientific research. Berggruen, with an estimate worth of $1.73 billion, donated to his own public policy think-tank, the Berggruen Institute.

Nicolas Berggruen~

The second most valuable donation, a $400 million pledge, was also made by Mr. and Mrs. Knight. This trove of charity went to Stanford University to establish the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program, which provides education to 100 graduate high achieving students every year.

Also providing a $400 million gift to a good cause was physician Howard Marcus and wife Lottie, an investor, who directed their money in the form of a bequest to American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev for endowment and water research. The donation was the largest ever to an Israeli university.

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg made a large charitable impact, The billionaire’s philanthropic organization gave $360 million to handful of organizations and an additional $300 million donation to The Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, to establish the Bloomberg American Health Initiative.

Steven Cohen and wife Alexandra pledged $275 million last year to start the Cohen Veterans Network to provide mental-health services to former service members and their families. Cohen, whose net worth FORBES estimates at $13 billion, built his wealth in hedge funds.

Facebook founding president, Sean Parker, makes an appearance on the list of top donors of 2016, with a $250 million gift to establish the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Oracle founder, Larry Ellison, made the list as well, pledging $200 million to the University of Southern California, to establish the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine.

Legendary investor and Berkshire Hathaway vice chairman Charlie Munger pledged $200 million to the University of California at Santa Barbara, for new student housing.

Sanford Weill, chairman emeritus of Citigroup, and his wife, Joan, donated $185 million to the University of California at San Francisco, to start the Weill Institute for Neurosciences.

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg donated $107.2 million to the Fidelity Charitable, for the Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Fund.

Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen pledged $100 million to establish the Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group.

Billionaire Phillip Frost, a physician and pharmaceutical company executive, and his wife, Patricia, pledged $100 million to the University of Miami, to support applied sciences and engineering.

David Geffen, a cofounder of DreamWorks Studios SKG and founder of Geffen Records, pledged $100 million to the Museum of Modern Art in New York, to renovate and expand the museum.

Netflix founder, Reed Hastings, gave $100 million to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, to establish the Hastings Fund.

Robert King, founder of Peninsula Capital, and his wife, Dorothy, pledged $100 million to Stanford University, for scholarships for students from underdeveloped countries.

Mortimer Zuckerman, a cofounder of Boston Properties, a real-estate investment trust, donated $100 million to create the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Scholars Program in STEM Leadership to bolster collaboration between top U.S. and Israeli researchers.

By Karsten Strauss

Kids are more successful in school when parents take an active interest in their homework — it shows kids that what they do is important.

Of course, helping with homework shouldn’t mean spending hours hunched over a desk. Parents can be supportive by demonstrating study and organization skills, explaining a tricky problem, or just encouraging kids to take a break. And who knows? Parents might even learn a thing or two!

Here are some tips to guide the way:

1.Know the teachers — and what they’re looking for. Attend school events, such as parent-teacher conferences, to meet your child’s teachers. Ask about their homework policies and how you should be involved.
2. Set up a homework-friendly area. Make sure kids have a well-lit place to complete homework. Keep supplies — paper, pencils, glue, scissors — within reach.
3. Schedule a regular study time. Some kids work best in the afternoon, following a snack and play period; others may prefer to wait until after dinner.
4. Help them make a plan. On heavy homework nights or when there’s an especially hefty assignment to tackle, encourage your child break up the work into manageable chunks. Create a work schedule for the night if necessary — and take time for a 15-minute break every hour, if possible.
5. Keep distractions to a minimum. This means no TV, loud music, or phone calls. (Occasionally, though, a phone call to a classmate about an assignment can be helpful.)
6. Make sure kids do their own work. They won’t learn if they don’t think for themselves and make their own mistakes. Parents can make suggestions and help with directions. But it’s a kid’s job to do the learning.
7. Be a motivator and monitor. Ask about assignments, quizzes, and tests. Give encouragement, check completed homework, and make yourself available for questions and concerns.

8. Set a good example. Do your kids ever see you diligently balancing your budget or reading a book? Kids are more likely to follow their parents’ examples than their advice.
9. Praise their work and efforts. Post an aced test or art project on the refrigerator. Mention academic achievements to relatives.

10. If there are continuing problems with homework, get help. Talk about it with your child’s teacher. Some kids have trouble seeing the board and may need glasses; others might need an evaluation for a learning problem or attention disorder.

SONY Affirm Film Subject, Aimée Marcoux-Spurlock, Makes Metropolitan Room debut…..on February 3rd….arriving in full Soprano Star Mode.

by BWW News Desk
Classical singer/musical actress, Aimée Marcoux-Spurlock, whose true-life story will come to the big screen in 2017, will make her Metropolitan Room debut on February 3rd with Women of Bilbao, a collection of Kurt Weill’s compositions from his 12-tone Weimar period to his more lush Broadway compositions. Marcoux-Spurlock has performed over fifty operatic, musical theater and oratorio roles with leading orchestras and opera companies across the globe. The Women of Bilbao repertoire will include “Surabaya Johnny” from Happy End, “Moon of Alabama,” from The Rise and Fall of the City ofMahagonny and “That’s Him” from One Touch of Venus. The singer will be joined by Doug Martin as Pianist/ Conductor (Baz Luhrmann’s La Bohème on Broadway).

Michael Feingold, noted arts critic (Village Voice), is the Creative Consultant. Metropolitan Room is at 34 West 22nd Street in the Flatiron District of Manhattan. Showtime on February 3rd is 9:00 p.m.. Call: 212.206.0440 for reservations and information. Tickets can be purchased online at : metropolitanroom.com  A $24 cover charge and $25 minimum per person apply.

The true story of Aimée Marcoux-Spurlock, and her husband, Michael Spurlock, will be told in the upcoming Sony Affirm pictures release “All Saints,” scheduled for 2017 release. The film recounts the story of professional-turned-pastor Michael Spurlock (actor John Corbett), Aimée-Marcoux-Spurlock (actress Cara Buono) and a group of refugees from Southeast Asia, who risk everything to save their tiny church in Tennessee and transform their future.
Marcoux-Spurlock is a musical actress known for her depth of character, interpretation and musical sensitivity. She has appeared in productions with the Florida Grand Opera, New World Symphony Orchestra, Symphony of the Americas, Florentine Opera, Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, The Bulgarian National Orchestra, Opera Frankfurt, Paraguay Symphony Orchestra and The Hungarian State Opera. Her role in Marin Alsop’s revival of Gershwin’s rare Blue Monday with Colorado Symphony Orchestra was described as “sumptuous” by the Denver Post. In 2013, Marcoux-Spurlock premiered The Yellow Wallpaper a one-woman opera written for her by composer and Duke University Professor, Michael Trinastic.

In a departure from her musical career, Marcoux-Spurlock worked as a reporter and producer for several years with Reuters Television, Showtime, the BBC, NBC and Fox affiliates throughout the United States. She was an original reporter/producer for Entertainment Drive, one of the first online new outlets. Marcoux-Spurlock has been spotted at The Emmys, The Tony Awards and the Academy Awards interviewing such celebrities as Sir Anthony Hopkins, Salma Hayek, Tony Bennett, and Mariah Carey. At the United Nations, she interviewed Kofi Annan, Senator Bill Richardson, President Bill Clinton and HRH Prince Phillip. In addition, Marcoux-Spurlock spent fourteen seasons covering New York’s Fashion Week for fashion and entertainment news outlets.

Her spur of the moment coverage of the events of September 11, 2001 was featured in the 2002 HBO documentary, “IN MEMORIAM – New York City, 9/11/01.” In addition, Marcoux-Spurlock was lauded by The Royal Television Society as “an invisible giant of TV news” for her coverage at Ground Zero and received and award of recognition.

We love Aimee here at Old Fashioned Mom….and so excited about her performance!!!

​​​​​​ ​​​​

My daughter Hyacinth and I received our matching Mother~Daughter

shoes from Nene while we were in Palm Beach, and fell in love with them

instantly!!! They are so comfortable and stylish. We strolled down Worth

Avenue looking completely adorable and everybody wanted to know where

we purchased our shoes!

If you love comfortable fashion, then these are the shoes for you and your daughter!!! I love all the styles

especially the ballerina flats….so easy to slip on and go about your day.

Old Fashioned Mom Magazine Rating: 5 Stars, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pleaese visit: www.neneshoes.com   …..and start looking adorable immediately with your daughter!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FOR IMMEDIATE REALEASE

Media information contact:

E.D.Enterprises / Debbie Dickinson

edentpr@gmail.com

917-622-8136​​​​​

NYFW 2017-2018 FALL/WINTER COLLECTION

FEBRUARY 14, 2017 4pm – 7pm

​​​​​​ Salomon Arts Gallery 83 Leonard Street, 4th floor

Nene Shoe Creates a Sophisticated Approach to Matching Mother / Daughter Footwear

“Currently, our flats, wedges, and derbies attract both women and kids, because the designs have components that appeal to both,” says Designer Jasmine Mendoza.

Nene Designer and Creative Director Jasmine Mendoza, along with her husband Froilan as Technical Director, are introducing a new fashion line of wedges, flats, derbies and sneakers for mothers and daughters. Inspired by global international travel, Froilan and Jasmine combined their strengths to become the husband-and-wife team behind Nene Shoes.

Nene Shoes (pronounced /ne-ne/, “ne” as “net”) is based on Jasmine’s mom’s name, Nene M. Pamintuan. In the Filipino language, nene means little girl or young woman. While growing up in the Philippines, the rich culture of sights, tastes and sounds offered an influential base. In 2013, Jasmine left a corporate life involving travel as a consultant to join a financial services company. As her schedule stabilized, she was able to use her creativity to build something of her own. By leveraging her husband Froilan’s start-up expertise, Jasmine and he partnered to implement their shared vision: Filling a void in the market for a more sophisticated approach to mommy-and-me shoes. Jasmine started designing in 2014 and launched the first Nene Shoes collection in 2015.

Nene shoes has the kid-meets-adult look. Jasmine explains, “An exciting kid’s shoe can have the sophistication and practicality of an adult shoe. It doesn’t need bows, overly done designs, or boxed toes. My daughter wants to imitate what I wear, and at the same time, I want her to experience and enjoy some of the more mature-yet-practical styles in the same way that I do. Currently, we have flats, wedges and derbies for women and kids. Each style has two-three colorways. For Spring 2017, we are adding more styles and introducing slip-on sneakers which will initially be available in two colors.

“In my twenties, I traveled extensively in Asia, Europe and the United States,” Jasmine recalls, “I lived in Hong Kong, Germany, and the United States for months at a time, while shuttling back and forth to Manila. I observed what people wore to better understand their tastes, needs, and desires, based on their demographics. When I visit the Linea Pelle fairs, I am constantly on the lookout for new leather materials and prints. At times, the materials create an initial inspiration for the design and construction of shoes–not the other way around. Currently, our flats, wedges, and derbies attract both women and kids, because the designs have components that appeal to both.

“If you look at the footwear market today,” Jasmine continues, “kid’s shoes are usually made from man-made or synthetic materials. As much as possible, we like to use genuine leather, while maintaining competitive prices comparable to other brands’ synthetic shoes. We don’t compromise design or quality for the sake of anything. All designs bear our signature logos, a woman’s and kid’s footprint placed side by side, to create an image of a butterfly.”

“Most importantly, I look at the practicality and comfort of the design. As a mom, I would only buy what I think is best for my kids. Also, all of our styles are named after our immediate family members and often reflect their personalities.”

“I am particularly inspired by unique geometric prints, beautiful color palettes and how existing things are enhanced to create something entirely new. What is most important,” she emphasizes, “is the shared experience between the mom and the kid, as they bond over wearing the same shoe design. We are currently exploring the idea of designing baby’s shoes and apparel as well. This is our vision for Nene Shoes.”

Through one of its women’s lines, Nene Shoes was able to help support an indigenous tribe in the Philippines, and they will soon be partnering with the Children’s Museum of the Arts in NYC for New York Fashion Week.

#####

MISSION
Our promise to you is that our brand nene will adhere to the following:
• Stylish, comfortable, sophisticated styles and matching shoes.
• No compromise for quality and safety: high-quality tested & certified materials.
• Best possible pricing.
ABOUT: Jasmine Mendoza traveled for a global IT Fortune 500 Management consulting firm, working with clients in Asia, Europe and US, which brought her to New York, where she met Froilan, and in 2007, she relocated permanently to New York from the Philippines. Recently, she has been recognized for two major awards on Innovation and Excellence, given only to select top employees. After Jasmine left consulting in 2013 to join a financial services company, her schedule stabilized, so she used her creative innovations to make something of her own. While raising two small children, Jasmine started designing in 2014, and a year later, they launched Nene shoes’ first collection.

Jasmine started at the Brooklyn Shoe Space in New York. From sketching, pattern-making to hand crafting her first pair of pumps, she has kept in touch with the instructors, making them her mentors. Recently, she enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Technology to further enhance her technical skills in shoemaking and knowledge in footwear design.

ABOUT Froilan Mendoza has extensive experience in starting companies from the ground up. From medical software, fashion gaming, and online dating to ecommerce gourmet products, Froilan has a wide-ranging experience of handling the technical, operational, financial and marketing aspects of startups.

Website: https://www.nene.shoes; Social Media: http://www.facebook.com/iLoveNeneShoes, http://www.instagram.com/iLoveNeneShoes, http://www.twitter.com/iLoveNeneShoes

Nene Shoes Press: https://www.nene.shoes/pages/in-the-news

MEMORABLE QUOTE FROM CUSTOMERS

“It’s the most comfy shoe ever! I adore the metallic hints, it allows the wedge to go with anything and go anywhere!!” → Audrey McLelland, What She Said (TLC)

“Usually there are HUGE bows and overdone kid-like features that just turn me off. Nene Shoes hit the nail on the head with their collection.” → Vera Sweeney, What She Said (TLC)

“These shoes are so adorable! They are our very first pair of Mommy and Mini Me shoes and super comfy! I live for a cute pair of flats and could rock these all day every day but I am so afraid of scuffing them!” → Elizabeth Matthis, model/actress

For information: Contact E.D.Enterprises PR – edentpr@gmail.com – 917-622-8136
************************************************************************************************************************
The information contained herein is deemed confidential and proprietary by E.D. Enterprises, LLC. is disclosed for the sole purpose of evaluation by a potential or existing customer of E.D. Enterprises. E.D. Enterprises owns all rights to the information contained herein. This information is not to be reproduced, redistributed, or utilized in any manner or in any form without prior written consent of E.D. Enterprises.

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I have just returned from Gstaad, Switzerland where I celebrated my birthday in a week long fest of unimaginable delights!

The moment I arrived to Le Grand Bellevue I was instantly treated like a pampered Queen. I have three favorite Hotels in Gstaad….which are all quite different and magical in their own way: Le Grand Bellevue, The Palace, and The Alpina.

The constant personal care and attention I received at Le Grand Bellevue was par excellence. Lovely handwritten notes accompanying beautiful deliciously arranged delicacies are daily and there is no demand be it large or small that does not receive immediate consideration.

The concierge arranged personal drivers, dinners, special events, and made numerous calls on my behalf to secure the best possible of everything I was interested in. Service is in the details and Le Grand Bellevue makes a point to go far beyond the required niceties…..they even sewed a missing button on my blazer in a matter of minutes, and produced a pair of racing gloves at a ridiculously early hour in the morning.

I love the interior…. as it is in complete contrast from the historic facade. This is brilliant because it is a spectacular surprise to see the Modern whimsy of enthusiastic colors and rich fabrics marrying beautifully with bird cage swing chairs and custom couches galore. This Hotel is perfect for families…the children love it here, and the gigantic stuffed camel at the entrance can attest to this!

This luxurious 5-star superior Hotel is located in a Park in the center of Gstaad, walking distance to the center of the stylish Promanade. The fresh mountain air is a must after dinner, as it rejuvenates the lungs….regardless of the hour, after dinner I walked every night, under the star filled sky and white topped chalets.

The award winning Leonard’s at the Bellevue was awarded with 1 Michelin star and 14 Gault Millau points. The food was divine and the service extremely attentive, always making sure everything was to my satisfaction.

Extended dining facilities include Le Petite Chalet, a darling Swiss Mountain Cabin that serves traditional local specialties while the bar has a vast repertoire of cocktails. I also loved the hot Chocolate menu, so decadently exquisite, offering many variations …my favorite was the extra dark chocolate with home made whipped cream….heaven!

The Disco, called Bouquet is located on the lower level of the Hotel and  provided intimate dancing with fabulous music. My chilled coconut water was the perfect backdrop for a late night twirl.

We here at OFM are awarding Le Grand Bellevue with 5 Stars…our highest rating. I look forward to my return in July where I will spend two weeks…working on my novel, painting, and writing about all the marvels that beautiful Gstaad has to offer.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ithaa is the world’s first and only all glass undersea restaurant:  Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Hotel

Enjoy cocktails, lunch or dinner at Ithaa Undersea Restaurant

Ithaa translates as ‘Mother of Pearl’ in the Maldivian language of Dhivehi.

Rated “the most beautiful restaurant in the world” by the New York Daily News, Ithaa sits five metres below the surface, offering 180-degree panoramic views of the vibrant coral gardens surrounding it. Ithaa (meaning ‘mother of pearl’ in the Maldivian language of Dihevi) serves contemporary European cuisine in a six-course set dinner menu. Expect indulgences such as caviar for dinner while the four-course lunch menu offers lighter fare. Also open for mid-morning cocktails and can be booked privately for breakfast, weddings or other special occasions.

The restaurant offers the largest wine cellar in the country and a spectacular beachside setting.