OCCUPATION: Owner and designer, Milly NY

MY STYLE: As a busy working mother, versatility is key. My favorite pieces take me from a flurry of morning meetings to a business luncheon to after-work cocktails (give or take a few accessory changes!). For interior decor, I look to the grand times of the 1920s. I love the details that were popular then—such as high, dramatic ceilings, beautiful crown moldings and gothic/art-deco. In my home, I went for a “young, sexy couple moving into granny’s apartment” kind of feeling.

I LOVE NEW YORK BECAUSE: It has a wonderful energy. New York is filled with so much culture and diversity, and I especially love the museums and programs for the arts. Right now, Sophia and William love to play in the Central Park playgrounds, the zoo, and the botanical gardens. I want my children to grow up with a passion for everything our city has to offer.

Milly NY

Any shopper anywhere can get the Milly NY experience on the brand’s website (complete collections are shoppable and head designer Michelle Smith has curated her favorites), but New Yorkers are not to miss the gorgeous Madison Avenue storefront. “It’s an extension of my personal style and interests,” says Smith of the brick and mortar locale. “I want my Milly customers to feel as though I’m welcoming them into my living room.”

Via Quadronno

This Zagat-rated “paninoteca” has it all—from crunchy baguettes to foamy cappuccinos. “I come here every day for my morning mocha latte,” says Michelle Smith of her Upper East Side haunt. Originally founded in Milan, Via Quadronno has retained its flying boar logo since the very beginning—perhaps your cue to try out the signature ham and prosciutto sandwiches!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

“The Met” is not only the country’s largest museum, but also the most encyclopedic, as its collection covers everything from Ancient Greek sculpture to contemporary installation work. Michelle Smith recommends tackling the massive museum( which has over two million square feet) in smaller sections. “During fall and winter months, I’m here with my kids every weekend,” she says. “Even if it’s just for an hour!”

Photo courtesy of: Sean Pavone Photo/Shutterstock.com

Bergdorf Goodman

The Bergdorf Goodman legacy traces back to 1899, when French immigrant Herman Bergdorf opened his tailor shop just north of Union Square. Fifteen years later, his apprentice Edwin Goodman became the first couturier to offer a ready-to-wear line, and the rest is fashion history. Today, the Midtown East department store offers a wealth of designer collections, as well as three restaurants, a bridal salon, and the esteemed John Barrett Salon. And don’t miss a walk through the children’s department, which boasts Gucci diaper bags, Burberry swimsuits, Bugaboo strollers, and other luxuries for the little one.

The Carlyle Hotel

The Carlyle Hotel is just about as classic as it gets. The graceful and quintessentially Manhattan-style rooms were once Mick Jagger’s home away from home, not to mention JFK’s favorite hideaway during the final decade of his life. For families, the Upper East Side hotel also features the Rose Buds program, which offers such amenities as cribs, changing tables, and rainy day activities, as well as babysitting services.

The Mandarin Oriental

Right on the circumference of bustling Columbus Circle, The Mandarin Oriental is a destination for out-of-towners and townies alike. The spa has a vitality pool and amethyst crystal steam room; the Asiate restaurant serves innovative cuisine; and the hotel bar is, according to Kelsey Banfield, “an absolute must. You can sit in the white banquets and see clear across Central Park and to the East Side. It is so much fun to sip a glass of wine and try to pick out places you know from so high up!”

Central Park

Built in 1980, Central Park has long been a go-to for New Yorkers in need of a little nature, and Jules Reid’s sons especially love the park’s playgrounds (there are 21!). Other activities like model boat sailing, bicycling, chess, and even bird-watching make the 842-acre park an obvious choice for children and adults alike, and moms in particular will appreciate the recent arrival of Le Pain Quotidien. Located at the Mineral Springs Pavilion, the beloved boulangerie provides the perfect post-play pick-me-up.